Public comments urge green burial option, call to review water fluoridation and praise code enforcement

During the public-comment period on Jan. 21, West Palm Beach residents raised three community issues: a request to allow green burials at Woodlawn Municipal Cemetery, a petition to add water fluoridation to a future agenda for review, and public praise for a city code-enforcement officer.

Louise Barnett asked the commission to add a green-burial option at Woodlawn Municipal Cemetery, describing green burial as an "ecologically friendly way to bury a body that minimizes environmental impact" and listing practices that avoid vaults, liners or embalming fluid. Barnett said hybrid municipal cemeteries allow both traditional and green burials and recommended Woodlawn adopt a hybrid approach; she did not propose fees or specific implementation steps beyond saying opening/closing and plot fees would remain the same.

Jerica Mitchell asked the commission to add the topic of water fluoridation to the Feb. 3 agenda. Mitchell said she believes emerging research raises concerns about potential health risks and argued that adding fluoride to a public water supply treats the whole population without individual consent; she asked for a thoughtful discussion and said she could provide supporting materials.

Ash Kumar (transcribed as Ash Kumbal) praised city code-enforcement officer Robert Watkins, saying Watkins’ enforcement and outreach had improved property conditions and neighborhood values; Kumar called out Watkins by name and thanked him publicly.

No formal action on these requests was recorded during the meeting. The commissioner’s responses indicated the fluoride request will be considered for future agenda placement, and staff did not commit to a date for a policy review on green burials.