Tennille DeCoste, who is running for Seat 1 on the Delray Beach City Commission, was fired last week as Boynton Beach’s human resources director for what the termination letter calls “misconduct.”
City Manager Daniel Dugger based his decision on a report by Stephanie Marchman, a labor and employment lawyer at the firm GrayRobinson. The city asked for the report last fall, after receiving what Marchman said were “complaints of misconduct” by DeCoste from five city employees and “one outside source,” all of whom requested anonymity.
The investigation, Marchman said, centered on whether DeCoste “misused city resources and her position at the city for political and personal gain.” Marchman said her review of records and interviews with 32 witnesses “have led me to substantiate many of the allegations. . .” Here are her findings:
Marchman concluded that DeCoste used her city purchasing card “for political gain,” which violates Boynton Beach’s employee handbook.
Marchman concluded that DeCoste “used city resources and facilities for political purposes,” which also is a violation of the employee handbook.
Marchman concluded that DeCoste “hired city employees and vendors who contributed” to her campaign. While those actions were not violations, Marchman said they “call in to question Ms. DeCoste’s ability to carry out her city job duties fairly and effectively.”
Marchman concluded that DeCoste “allowed an employee on a Performance Development Plan to throw a campaign party for her and oversaw discipline for city employees who contributed to her campaign.” Those also were not violations, but Marchman used the same language about DeCoste’s ability to perform her job.
Marchman concluded that DeCoste “attended political campaign events on city time.” That also is a violation.
Marchman concluded that DeCoste sought support for her campaign from union leaders as she was negotiating on the city’s behalf with those leaders. That also is a violation.
Marchman concluded that DeCoste “used city resources for her personal consulting business and other personal endeavors.” That also is a violation.
Finally, Marchman concluded that DeCoste “interfered with this investigation and did not follow directives with respect to this investigation.” Among other things, Marchman found that DeCoste targeted the jobs of employees whom she believed had made complaints about her.
The Boynton Beach City Commission had placed DeCoste on paid administrative leave in December. That action came after DeCoste accused Dugger, the deputy city manager and the city attorney of misconduct. Among other things, DeCoste said she had been criticized for hiring too many Black women.
The commission referred those allegations to the county’s ethics commission and inspector general’s office. Neither has issued a finding.
I asked DeCoste for her response. She emailed a statement, which you can read here.
DeCoste said she gave Marchman information in her defense that the investigator did not include in the report. Dugger, she said, is “retaliating against me” for making her allegations and for being told “to ignore unethical actions.”
DeCoste said she has spent “two decades working in Human Resources and never have I misused or done anything unethical, now suddenly, I am, just doesn’t make sense.”
DeCoste also said, “I could have turned the other way when saw (sic) something wrong and I probably wouldn’t have rocked the boat. But that’s not who I am I stand up for people, even if that means putting myself in the line of fire.”
Marchman was recommended by Boynton Beach’s outside labor counsel. She serves on the Florida Bar Board of Governors. In that role, she has pushed to expand diversity on the board.
DeCoste faces Jim Chard and Thomas Markert in the Seat 3 race. Mail-in ballots have gone out. Early voting for the March 19 election starts March 9.
Boca’s Rutherford Park to reopen
One of Boca Raton’s unique amenities is about to reopen.
Rutherford Park, part of adjacent Lake Wyman Park, has been closed for years. It once featured kayak and canoe trails and a boardwalk along the Intracoastal Waterway across from Gumbo Limbo Nature Center. But the city allowed it to deteriorate, and a first attempt at renovating Rutherford stalled because of opposition from neighboring homeowners.
A second plan, however, met no similar opposition. Construction began nearly three years ago. Deputy City Manager Chrissy Gibson told me Monday that the renovated Rutherford should open in April or soon after.
And what a gem it should be. There will be a canoe/kayak trail with new launching areas, new walking trails with shade structures, a new boardwalk and observation pier and two pavilions—one new and one restored. There will be new plantings of seagrass and mangroves.
Because of its waterfront location, the city had to obtain permits from the Florida Inland Navigation District (FIND). That alone took two years. Because FIND is paying part of the cost, there will be a launch for motorized boats. The permits also required a lot of environmental improvement.
Upgrades also are planned for the Lake Wyman portion. Gibson said the city will hold a big grand opening for the new Rutherford. It’s been too long.
Gumbo Limbo to reopen observation tower
Speaking of unique amenities in Boca Raton, Gibson said Gumbo Limbo Nature Center’s observation tower should return about when the new Rutherford Park opens.
Age and hurricanes forced the demolition of the old structure that offered a view above Gumbo Limbo to the ocean. The city determined that the first version of a replacement was too costly, since it included an elevator to comply with the Americans With Disabilities Act.
The second version—four stories in height, like the original—will cost about $2.5 million. Of that, roughly $560,000 will come from the family of friends of Jacob Kosowsky. The Boca Raton High School graduate was killed in an October 2018 car crash. The balance will come from the Greater Boca Raton Beach and Park District.
Gumbo Limbo welcomes new turtle resident
Speaking of Gumbo Limbo, the facility has acquired a second resident sea turtle. There also is progress on the permit that will allow turtle rehabilitation to resume.
All turtles left Gumbo Limbo 11 months ago as part of the transition to the non-profit Coastal Stewards taking over the rehab program. The city continues supervision of the resident turtles—who can’t be released—and most other operations at Gumbo Limbo, including programming.
The new resident is Lefty, who joins Morgan. Cane, who had been the other resident before the transition, may not return because the trip could be too risky.
The city has a permit from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) to house the resident turtles. To resume rehabilitation, the Stewards—also as part of the transition—need to obtain a separate permit.
Last week, the city approved a permit for work to repair floorboards in the rehabilitation facility. According to a spokeswoman for the Stewards, the FWC then can conduct a final inspection before issuing the permit.
Delray to appoint new CRA advisory committee
On the agenda for Wednesday’s meeting of the Delray Beach Community Redevelopment Agency is appointment of the agency’s new advisory committee.
The city commission, which also acts as the CRA board, removed the two appointed board members. A previous commission added them in 2018 after it abolished the seven-member independent board.
Though the current commission has touted the committee as an important source of input, demand for an appointment seems soft. Nine people have applied for the five positions. Last week, the commission had 15 applicants for a single seat on the planning and zoning board.
