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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes 08-11-2026 (Special CC) Special City Commission Meeting Held Online Via the GoToWebinar Platform and In-Person at the City Hall Commission Chambers 100 East Ocean Avenue, Boynton Beach, Florida On Tuesday, August 11, 2026, at 6:00 P.M. Present: Mayor Rebecca Shelton Daniel Dugger, City Manager Vice Mayor Thomas Turkin Andrew Mack, Deputy City Manager Commissioner Angela Cruz Shawna Lamb, City Attorney Commissioner Mack McCray Tammy Stanzione, City Clerk Commissioner Amiee Kelley 1. Openings A. Call to Order- Mayor Rebecca Shelton. Mayor Shelton called the meeting to order at 6:00 P.M. Roll Call City Clerk Tammy Stanzione called the roll. A quorum was present. Invocation by Vice Mayor Turkin. Vice Mayor Turkin provided the invocation. Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag led by Commissioner Cruz. Commissioner Cruz led the Pledge of Allegiance. Agenda Approval: 1. Additions, Deletions, Corrections 2. Adoption Vice Mayor Turkin requested adding a discussion item regarding the land proposed for the police training facility as well as the Girl Scout Park parcel, placing both before Item 2A. He also requested public comment before Item 3. Motion: Commissioner McCray moved to approve the agenda, as amended. Commissioner Angela Cruz seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. 2. Other Vice Mayor Turkin addressed extensive resident feedback opposing the planned location, stating his support for ensuring police receive the best training facilities while also recognizing Special City Commission Meeting Boynton Beach FL August 11, 2026 community concerns and environmental sensitivities. He advocated exploring restricted covenants or other mechanisms to protect both parcels and asked that the commission bring back separate discussion items for each parcel. Commissioner McCray voiced concern regarding statements made publicly suggesting predetermined votes, but emphasized the importance of listening to constituents and supporting greenspace protections. Commissioner Kelley agreed with the need for discussion but noted complications involving FP&L easements, land use history, and city maintenance responsibilities on the access bridge. She requested more information before committing to restrictions. Commissioner Cruz clarified that her previous statement that the project had been stopped was based directly on written communication from city management. She explained her outreach efforts, her review of title documents, and her intent to request a protective covenant. She stated she was fulfilling her duty to her district, and emphasized transparency and collaboration. Mayor Shelton noted that concerns regarding Girl Scout Park have surfaced for decades without resolution and agreed it was time to determine a clear direction. The commission unanimously approved bringing back two separate discussion items for each parcel at the first meeting in September, pending legal review and title work. A. Proposed Resolution No. R26-124- Approve and adopt the City of Boynton Beach's Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), Fifth Year Annual Action Plan for FY 2026; and authorize the Mayor or City Manager to sign required documentation related to the CDBG program. Staff recommends the approval of Proposed Resolution No. R26-124. Community Improvement Manager RJ Ramirez presented the annual CDBG Action Plan. He explained that the city received $532,187 in federal funds and described how they would be allocated. He stated that the funds would support housing rehabilitation programs, including grants for senior homeowners, disabled individuals, and lower-income residents needing driveway expansions. He stated that the Economic development grants would assist microenterprises, and public service funding would support the library's online high school completion scholarships and the police department's program providing temporary shelter for victims of violent crime and unsheltered individuals. Motion: Vice Mayor Turkin moved to approve R26-124. Commissioner McCray seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. B. Discussion on moving the August 18, 2026, City Commission Meeting to another day. Staff recommends rescheduling the regularly planned City Commission meeting Special City Commission Meeting Boynton Beach FL August 11, 2026 on Tuesday, August 18, 2026, due to the Primary Election taking place that same day. 3. Public Comment David Katz, Boynton Beach, shared his experience touring the Real-Time Crime Center with family members. He described the facility as impressive and technologically advanced, expressing reassurance as a resident. Reflecting on recent events across the country, he emphasized the difficult realities police officers face that most people never see. He urged the community to appreciate the police department's service and sacrifices. Stacy, a 30-year resident living directly across from the site, expressed gratitude to the Commission for listening to residents, attending a recent town hall of more than 100 neighbors, and pausing the project. She described the woods as a "rare gem," noting daily sightings of fishermen, ospreys, limpkin chicks, and other wildlife. She stated her concerns about the process, noting the city had been planning the project since November without community input until after significant funding was allocated. She questioned how the project advanced without consideration of deed restrictions or easements, specifically a deed restriction prohibiting permanent structures. She also expressed concern about a public records request issued to the commissioner and residents, stating it felt intimidating, and asked the city to work collaboratively moving forward. Susan Oyer, Boynton Beach, questioned the disappearance of a $100,000 public art piece known as the "Bloomer Tree." She provided documentation outlining the artwork's history, its placement at the former City Hall, and subsequent damage. She noted emails from staff indicating the sculpture had been boxed for storage, but Public Works could not locate it. She urged the City Manager to investigate the artwork's whereabouts and expressed interest in purchasing the broken components herself if it cannot be repaired. Dave Hoover, a retired firefighter and son of a law enforcement officer, stressed that police training facilities are typically located in commercial zones due to noise and safety impacts. He supported police training but strongly opposed locating the facility near residential neighborhoods, urging the Commission to find an alternative site. Susan Geary thanked Commissioner Cruz for attending the neighborhood meeting and Mayor Shelton for outreach. She emphasized that the opposition is not against the police department but against placing a gun range and training complex next to homes. She highlighted the ecological value of the greenspace and the need for protective covenants to ensure long-term preservation, citing sightings of endangered and threatened species such as gopher tortoises and wood storks. She encouraged the city to adopt similar environmental review standards being applied to other developments. Tony, a Gulfview Harbor resident for 21 years, described how the greenspace was a primary reason his family purchased their home. He spoke about the value of nature, trees, and parks Special City Commission Meeting Boynton Beach FL August 11, 2026 to quality of life and stated that removing the woods would permanently eliminate wildlife habitat. As a realtor, he argued that property values would decline due to noise from 1-95 and train tracks becoming unbuffered. He commended the police but stressed the need to avoid harming working-class families in Gulf View Harbor. Mary Small introduced research she conducted on Boynton Beach's historical racial segregation ordinances from the early 20th century. She explained that city records show former "white" and "negro" residential districts and racially restrictive curfews. She requested that the city prepare a modern GIS overlay to verify whether current public property, including the City Hall campus, lies within those historic boundaries. She also asked the Commission to authorize a feasibility study to explore establishing heritage neighborhoods, heritage districts, or cultural trails recognizing historically African American communities. Hunter, a 16-year-old resident, described how he grew up across from the woods and learned to identify wildlife such as peregrine falcons, kestrels, scrub jays, foxes, and even a bald eagle. He asked the Commission to protect the greenspace for future generations. Dan Adel, Gulf View Harbor, described the cumulative loss of natural features over time due to canal clearing and other projects. He explained that previous clearing efforts were accepted as "for the greater good," but that residents now feel the remaining greenspace along 1-95 should not be sacrificed for additional development. He expressed sadness at the possibility of losing what he characterized as one of the few remaining natural areas. Alyssa Thorn explained that her street functions as a major cut-through, and additional traffic associated with a police facility would worsen conditions for families and pedestrians. She urged collaborative discussions between residents and the city. Commissioner Cruz clarified that any communication with the Commission is public and can be requested by law. 4. Adjournment Motion: Commissioner McCray moved to adjourn. Commissioner Kelley seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. With no further business to discuss, the meeting was adjourned at 6:52 P.M. CITY OF BOYNTON BEACH ATTEST: Special City Commission Meeting Boynton Beach FL August 11, 2026 Tammy Stanzkne, C..;40J 0 City Clerk 0'G*P0RRP•.�<<` ► SEAL INCORPORATED: , 1920 i •. �SSy