Loading...
Minutes 02-18-26 Minutes of the CRA Advisory Board Meeting held on Wednesday, February 18, 2026, at 6:00 PM In City Hall Chambers, 100 E. Ocean Avenue, Boynton Beach, Florida PRESENT: Alexandria Lopresto, Chair Chris Brown, Executive Director Lesha Roundtree, Vice Chair Vicki Curfman, Administrative Assistant George Feldman Angela Troyanowski Deborah Tarca Thomas Isabella ABSENT: Kimberly Kelly 1. Call to Order Chair Lopresto called the meeting to order at 6 P.M. 2. Pledge of Allegiance The members recited the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag. 3. Roll Call The Minutes Specialist called the Roll. A quorum was present. 4. Agenda Approval A. Additions, Deletions, Corrections to the Agenda None. B. Adoption of Agenda Motion Ms. Troyanowski moved to approve the agenda. Ms. Roundtree seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. 5. Public Comment Meeting Minutes CRA Advisory Board Boynton Beach, Florida February 18, 2026 None. 6. Consent Agenda A. CRA Advisory Board Meeting Minutes - January 21, 2026 Motion Mr. Isabella moved to approve. Ms. Troyanowski seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. 7. Old Business A. Pending Assignment No. 1 - Discussion and Consideration of New Assignments from the CRA Board assigned at the February 13, 2024, CRA Monthly Board Meeting Regarding Property Acquisition None B. Pending Assignment No. 2 - Discussion and Consideration of New Assignments from the CRA Board Assigned at the January 14, 2025, CRA Monthly Board Meeting Chair Lopresto stated that she continued working to complete the presentation from former Board Member William Harper and made some edits. She reviewed the presentation as contained in the meeting materials and commented that the majority of what she saw online to honor Heisman Trophy Winners was parades, banners displayed at certain times during the year, and that the sculptures are few and far between. She commented that any of these could help make the City stand out, thereby attracting visitors to the City from within the state and perhaps nationally as well. A large scale mural was discussed, potentially situated at the Ezell Hester Complex. Ms. Troyanowski suggested that the artwork should be noted in the presentation's introduction as being located outside of the CRA District and that the Board was tasked with finding locations although there are other locations within the CRA District that could accommodate the art. Vice Chair Roundtree suggested removing the Bulldogs slide and using the logo instead and/or the City's picture of the Bulldogs that is already on the City's website. Further edits from the members were made. Chair Lopresto stated that they could have an image of Vince Wilfork on one banner, she would fix the images of Travis Hunter and Lamar Jackson on the slide and/or list their names and let the CRA Board decide. They could have a sign saying Ezell HesterJr. Park 2 Meeting Minutes CRA Advisory Board Boynton Beach, Florida February 18, 2026 and have a large mural behind the field goal with the mural in the middle and the City's logo and have images of Travis Hunter and Lamar Jackson in their college jerseys and other youth from the community. She would correct the spelling of Louisville. She said, pertaining to the mural, that they could have an artist come in and create one. She noted that there is a large grassy area at the entrance of the complex where the mural could also be placed. Mr. Feldman said they could have a tall banner and list the names on the Wall of Fame. Chair Lopresto mentioned that she created renderings of a Star Walk of Fame, perhaps located on the outside perimeter of the field at the Hester Center and have unnamed stars for future winners. Mr. Feldman commented that the concepts were fantastic, but he thought it would be expensive for the City. Chair Lopresto noted the mural could be smaller, and it would be on a cement wall. Ms. Tarca suggested using an LED Board with changing images. Chair Lopresto favored the Walk of Fame, mentioning that it is cost effective, less prone to vandalism and it has room to honor other athletes and having the future blank stars. Mr. Feldman thought they could put something up in the public art area at City Hall where the musical poles are located and rotate images of the winners, as well as having the Boynton Walk of Fame there as well. He thought the LED Board would be perfect and the banners could be hung between the poles at City Hall. Chair Lopresto stated she envisioned it at Ezell Hester Center, as opposed to City Hall. Mr. Isabella recommended seeking sponsors in the presentation, and pointed out at a prior City Commission meeting, the City Commission honored the Boynton Beach Bulldogs, who were present, and that the Commissioners donated $1 K to the team and $500 to the cheerleaders. He said he thought they would support it and that he learned the Athletic Angels donated $4M and have plans to redo all the fields. Chair Lopresto reviewed the community engagement activities and would add that they are seeking sponsors. She provided, in reference to the street renaming concept, visuals of street signs. Mr. Isabella recalled at a prior City Commission meeting, there was pushback on renaming streets, but stated that in his prior employment, they kept the name of the street and put the name of the honored athlete above the street name on the sign. 3 Meeting Minutes CRA Advisory Board Boynton Beach, Florida February 18, 2026 Chair Lopresto agreed. She further stated that she did not have a visual for a Heisman Plaza or Heisman Square and commented that it would be appropriate to have a commemorative statue or engraved plaza feature, as contained in the meeting materials. She said it would be a long-term investment. She emphasized that the Walk of Fame and banners would be the easiest to implement. Mr. Feldman suggested that the Board identify a wall and have an artist paint a permanent mural of the athlete(s). He thought some of the developers of the newer developments could possibly provide space Mr. Brown added that there will be a mural on the corner of Ocean and Federal on a building that is there now, but will be coming down and reconstructed as part of another project. He commented that murals are acceptable. Chair Lopresto reviewed an implementation roadmap as contained in the meeting materials. Mr. Isabella suggested when obtaining community feedback, they include feedback from children. Chair Lopresto agreed and stated that she would include verbiage to include all age groups. Ms. Troyanowski commented that they had talked about scholarships. She said that she thought the community youth could develop an idea how to honor the Heisman recipients and be awarded a scholarship. She noted that the CRA Board will let them know what they like. Mr. Feldman noted that there is a joint meeting in April, and he asked if they could make a presentation then. He asked if each member could be assigned a task and expressed painting a mural as opposed to creating banners would save the City money. He offered to send photos of potential mural locations to the Chair. Chair Lopresto commented that a member, as a resident, can present to the CRA Board, but as a board member, it has to come from the Board, and they can only work on items at the meeting. Mr. Brown suggested focusing on one thing at a time, which is the Walk of Fame and the banners, which are great and easy to implement. He said identifying locations for murals should be focused on later. Vicki Curfman, Administrative Assistant, said this item has not been assigned as a joint meeting assignment and it would go to the CRA Board at the March or April meeting. 4 Meeting Minutes CRA Advisory Board Boynton Beach, Florida February 18, 2026 Chair Lopresto stated that she can make a motion and that she received good feedback on edits. She commented, taking into account what Mr. Brown said, focusing on the banners and Walk of Fame seems realistic to achieve. She will take the comments and incorporate them into the presentation and bring back the presentation for final review in March and if there are no or only very minor modifications, Chair Lopresto would make a presentation in April. Mr. Brown commented he would keep the information about the street signs in the presentation, and murals are an option. He noted murals need to be repainted every two or three years and there is not so much upkeep on the banners and the Walk of Fame. Motion Chair Lopresto moved to do what she just said in the discussion. Mr. Feldman seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. 8. New Business A. New Assignment No. 1 - Discussion and Consideration of New Assignments from the CRA Board Assigned at the February 10, 2026, CRA Monthly Board Meeting Chris Brown, CRA Executive Director, said that he made a presentation at the last CRA Board meeting, and that they are not making enough Tax Increment Finance monies. He said there are a few strategies for CRA's to make money and he wrote up a long-term strategy what they need do. He said the most important thing to do is to buy land, clear it, clean it up, if it's environmentally problematic, and come to consensus with the public and elected officials about what kind of project they want. He said when buildings are constructed, it generates tax money and they have to focus on land acquisition on Boynton Beach Boulevard and extend it into the Cultural District. He said that Ocean Avenue needs to be recreated as the main street, and MLK Jr. Blvd, is culturally a main street. He recommended that they should invest money in that neighborhood. He also announced a grocery store is desperately needed downtown and lack of one is a problem because 2K to 3K people and tenants will be moving into the downtown and will want convenient grocery shopping. He said Boynton's Intracoastal Waterway is beautiful and they need to buy property on the Intracoastal and have restaurants and waterfront parks as an identity. He also advised that they need to address streets, such as Federal Highway, Boynton Beach Boulevard, Ocean Avenue, and MLK Jr. Boulevard and beautify them as they are the front door to the community. Mr. Brown reviewed his presentation and showed the various parcels that he was able to acquire and the current land assembly. He mentioned that a hotel and Class A office space is needed and that with the new development, the area is under retailed to serve the needs of residents. He commented that he wanted to see if they could have a food 5 Meeting Minutes CRA Advisory Board Boynton Beach, Florida February 18, 2026 hall on Ocean. He reviewed Heart of Boynton Plans and said he would request a bond series to finance the development. Discussion followed about the Oyer mural on Ocean Avenue, possibly moving the Magnuson House, the Andrews House in Phase II of the Villages, have a food hall, and a grocery store. Mr. Brown emphasized that grocery stores need to have excellent access from the main highway and he was speaking with a landowner who was considering building a strip center via access to Federal Highway and he would advise the Board of the owner's decision. He commented he wanted to move Veteran's Park to the front of Intracoastal Park as the park land on Federal is needed for parking. He advised he has approached Whole Foods. Discussion followed whether Whole Foods was appropriate for the area, and approaching Aldi's instead was suggested. Ms. Troyanowski supported having Whole Foods and said that it would elevate the area and serve the CRA's purpose. Mr. Brown noted that Trader Joe's is another option Ms. Troyanowski mentioned that there was interest from Trader Joe's at one time, or Whole Foods 360 and she advised Whole Foods 360 was more economical than Publix. Mr. Isabella suggested contacting Lidl Grocers, a German company. Mr. Brown reviewed that the Post Office was moving and he reviewed a proposed site for a hotel with meeting rooms. The members thanked Mr. Brown for the presentation. Ms. Troyanowski said that the reason why they had to give up TIF funds was because priorities changed too much, and Board members and staff changed. She commented there should be continuity, buying land and developing it right away. Mr. Brown said that they have enough multi-family units, and he created a vision and that the CRA Board wanted the Advisory Board's input. Chair Lopresto liked the vision and thought the community would like it. She said members should come to the March meeting and have a robust conversation about it. She asked the members to bring back comments. Ms. Roundtree left the meeting at 7:40 P.M. 6 Meeting Minutes CRA Advisory Board Boynton Beach, Florida February 18, 2026 Motion Chair Lopresto moved to have a robust conversation about this new assignment from the CRA Board and encouraged all the members to bring back their recommendations on priorities including borrowing capacity and payment analysis. Ms. Troyanowski seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. 9. Future Agenda Items None. 10. Adjournment Motion There being no further business to discuss, Ms. Troyanowski moved to adjourn the meeting. Mr. Feldman seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. The meeting was adjourned at 7:42 P.M. d_Ct_tkuLt 1,4-4 61 juLT Catherine Cherry Minutes Specialist 7