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Minutes 04-24-02COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT PUBLIC PARTICIPATION MEETING HELD IN COMMISSION CHAMBERS, CITY HALL, BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA ON WEDNESDAY APRIL 24, 2002, AT 6:00 P.M. I. OPENING A. Call to Order- Octavia S. Sherrod Ms. Octavia Sherrod, Community Development Manager, called the meeting to order at 6:10 p.m. and introduced Mr. Dan DeCarlo, the City's Neighborhood Specialist. I1. OVERVIEW OF CDBG PROGRAM A. History Today's meeting is the citizen participation process that is required under the Community Development Block Grant Program. Boynton Beach is an entitlement city and receives funds from the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The program was established in 1974 to assist cities in improving the economic and social conditions of Iow-income people. Boynton Beach became an entitlement City in 1996. B. Program Objectives/National Objectives One of the requirements is to prepare a consolidated plan. HUD provides a list of programs and activities that the funds can be spent on as follows - v' Neighborhood Development Programs v' Public Facilities · ,' Infrastructure (lights, streets, sidewalks, sewer connections, etc.) The primary objective is to develop viable urban communities by providing decent housing, suitable living environment and expanding economic opportunities. The funds can be used to create jobs, as well as offering companies incentives to remain in the City. C. Eligible Activities Activities must benefit Iow and moderate-income people and must address slum and blight. The funds can also be used in an urgent need to help people in the event of a devastating hurricane, flood, or some other natural disaster. Meeting Minutes Community Development Block Grant Public Participation Meeting Boynton Beach, Florida April 24, 2002 v' Code Enforcement ¢' Construction of Housing v' Historic Preservation v' Public Facilities v' Public Services Public services cover mentoring, after school programs, and scholarships for summer camps, soup kitchens and any other type of innovative program that the community would like to have. The City has received approximately $550,000 annually in CDBG funds as follows: 1997- $550,000 1998- $547,000 1999- $550,000 2000- $555,000 2001- $577,000 HUD has determined how the funds can be sent. Only 15% can be spent on public services. Some of the funds are also used for the City's rehabilitation program that includes assisting people with putting roofs and windows on their homes and correcting code violations. Mr. DeCarlo noted that the primary purpose of the meeting was to garner public input. This meeting gives the public an opportunity to say how they would like CDBG money to be spent. Mr. DeCarlo urged the audience to speak during the public audience portion so that the City and HUD officials will learn what is important to the people of Boynton Beach. Mr. DeCarlo discussed the Heart of Boynton Plan, which has been adopted by the City. The intent of the Plan is to improve the quality of life and neighborhoods and to provide people a plan of action that they can do themselves. The City would like to build a new Wilson Center, which would be a great addition to the neighborhood. These funds can be used to assist in getting this done also. One of the main objectives is to carry out the Heart of Boynton Community Redevelopment Plan. Ms. Sherrod explained that these funds are not the City's money, but the people's money to be used to benefit the people. She also noted that she is required to advertise the meeting in the newspaper. Normally only the sub-grantees of the programs attend. This year a mailing was sent to the citizens to ensure that everyone knew about these funds. Meeting Minutes Community Development Block Grant Public Participation Meeting Boynton Beach, Florida April 24, 2002 III. USING SUB-RECIPIENTS Ms. Sherrod introduced the Executive Director and his Assistant from the Fair Housing Center of the Palm Beaches, Vince Larson and Bobbie Fletcher. This agency deals with all kinds of discrimination issues and the work they provide is very important. The Fair Housing Center of the Palm Beaches is also a recipient of CDBG funds. Ms. Sherrod stated that she has four staff people and her staff is not large enough to handle all of the work. HUD allows her to partner with other organizations and agencies that have the ability to do what her staff cannot do. Ms. Sherrod explained that there are certain funds that she is not allowed to use, but her partners can. Therefore, it is necessary that these funds be funneled through other agencies. During the past two years, the City has partnered with the Boynton Beach Faith Based Community Development Corporation (CDC). IV. PUBLIC AUDIENCE Sherlene Davis stated that she does not live in Boynton Beach, but is a member of the Boynton Beach Faith Based CDC and asked about displaced workers and incentives to bring jobs into the City. Ms. Davis inquired if there was a size requirement for the corporation or the number of employees employed by that corporation. Ms. Sherrod responded that HUD does have certain requirements for the amount of money being requested. The population and the amount of poverty in a city, which is determined by census data, governs the amount of money that a city receives. Although Boynton Beach receives only a certain amount of money each year, there are other sources available that would not affect the City's allocation. Ms. Davis inquired about the timeframe on rebuilding the Wilson Center. Ms. Sherrod responded that the new Wilson Center is included in the Heart of Boynton Plan. However, there is no time set on when the construction would begin. Dorothy Walker, 707 NW 3rd Street, Boynton Beach, noted that last year there were discussions about improving the Ridgewood Hills Development and asked about the status of these plans. The plans included building sidewalks for the safety of the children who walk to Galaxy School. Ms. Sherrod responded that $70,000 of CDBG money was allocated for putting sidewalks in Ridgewood Hills. The City's Public Works Department is undergoing a large-scale project that also includes Ridgewood Hills. It is still intended to move forward with this project. Mr. DeCarlo stated that the project requires a great deal more of engineering than originally anticipated, but the funds are in place. He said he would check with the Public Works Director on the status of the project. Mr. DeCarlo suggested that Ms. Walker attend the Heart of Boynton meetings that should begin in Meeting Minutes Community Development Block Grant Public Participation Meeting Boynton Beach, Florida April 24, 2002 May or June to check on the plans for Ridgewood Hills. He said that Ms. Walker would receive a mailing when the meeting is scheduled in her area. Martha Meekslight, 225 NW 6th Avenue, Boynton Beach, would like to have some kind of support program that would help senior citizens who are caretakers of young children, whose own parents cannot care for them. This is becoming quite prevalent in the Heart of Boynton area and the people are in need of emotional and financial assistance in raising these children. Ms. Meekslight said that she has checked with the County and there are some programs available by partnering with the AIDS Program. She also noted that there are many homeless people in the City that need job training to get them off the streets. She would like the City to have a place where the homeless could go to get assistance, mentoring and training. Ms. Sherrod responded that these types of programs fall under public services that have a 15% cap. This type of programming can be done by partnering with the CDCs. HUD does have a great many programs for seniors and children and the programs that Ms. Meekslight requested are eligible programs, but it would be best if all these services were offered by one organization. Ms. Meekslight asked how she could start such a program. Ms. Sherrod suggested that she speak to the Boynton Beach CDC. There are also grants available. Eddie Mitchell, 329 NE 12th Avenue, Boynton Beach, asked whether a person was required to go through an organization in order to apply for the funding. Ms. Sherrod responded that she assists 12 sub-recipients because they have 501.3.C status and these sub-recipients provide needed services within the City. These grants are competitive and are reviewed and scored. All sub-recipients must have a 501.3.C status. Victor Norfus, 261 N. Palm Drive, Boynton Beach, inquired if there were any plans to replace the Royal Palm Clubhouse, which provided a meeting place for the residents. The City needs a place to hold business functions and job fairs within the Martin Luther King Boulevard area. Will the new Wilson Center provide this? He would like to enhance the business opportunities along the Martin Luther King Boulevard to increase the economic value of the community and to encourage entrepreneur programs. Ms. Sherrod responded that she has put a great deal of emphasis on economic development, creation and retention of businesses, and job training. In order to receive assistance, an entity must provide a certain amount of jobs. The Palm Beach County Resource Center is a large sub-recipient of the CDBG funds that gives assistance on how to start a business and how to remain in business. This organization assists people in preparing business plans, and they are affiliated with the Small Business Administration. They can also assist with obtaining loans to start a business. The Boynton Beach Faith Based CDC works with LISC that also offers job training. 4 Meeting Minutes Community Development Block Grant Public Participation Meeting Boynton Beach, Florida April 24, 2002 The City is aware of the lack of viable businesses along the MLK Boulevard and this was discussed extensively in the Head of Boynton Plan. Mr. Norfus would also like to see MADDADS in Boynton Beach. Ms. Sherrod responded that she met with this organization yesterday and there is someone present tonight representing MADDADS. With regard to the Wilson Center, Mr. DeCarlo said that a master plan will be prepared and residents will be notified so that the City can gain input from the community on how they want the Wilson Center to be used. Frank Hearst, 410 NW 6th Avenue, Boynton Beach, is a volunteer for the MADDADS and said that this organization is needed in the City. MADDADS assists distressed children and is committed to saving children. Woodrow Hay, 427 NW 5th Avenue, Boynton Beach, was representing an organization entitled the 4-C's ("Committed Citizens Concerned about our Children"). The purpose of the 4-C's is to assist the children in learning the basic skills and to prepare them for the FCAT test. Currently the 4-C's has a tutorial program at the Hester Center and at St. John Baptist Missionary Church. They have received their 501.3.C and are now partnering with Boynton Beach High School to obtain grants. The 4-C's is in the process of forming a network tutorial program that would involve many of the tutorial programs currently being offered in the City. Mr. Hay would like to see a common curriculum for tutorial programs as recommended by the Sunshine State Standards. Mr. Hay inquired if his organization would qualify for CDBG funding. Ms. Sherrod responded that Mr. Hay's organization is an eligible activity for funding. This organization falls under the public service sector, which allows 15% for these activities. This would be a good organization that could become part of a larger entity and be eligible for other kinds of funding. Mr. Hay was advised to submit an application for funding. Ben Bryant, representing MADDADS of Boynton Beach, stated that there is already a MADDADS organization in Boynton Beach and currently they are meeting at the CDC offices and are partnering with the CDC Faith Based Organization. They applied for their own 501.3.C status and are currently working under the Faith Based Organization's 501.3.C. MADDADS is an acronym for "Men Against Destruction, Defending Against Drugs and Social Disorder". They also run a tutorial program at the Wilson Center and a community choir at New Mount Zion Baptist Church. Mr. Bryant would also like to collaborate with the other organizations in the City. Al Edmondson, 611 NW 4th Street, Boynton Beach, is employed by an agency of the State of Florida that deals with substance abuse. He spoke about the havoc that substance abuse can have upon a family. He said that Boynton Beach needs an Meeting Minutes Community Development Block Grant Public Participation Meeting Boynton Beach, Florida April 24, 2002 agency to deal with substance abuse and noted that anyone in need of assistance had to go to Delray Beach or Lake Worth. Johnnie M. Lee, 407 NW 9th Avenue, Boynton Beach, asked if the CDBG funds received by the City each year are totally spent and Ms. Sherrod stated they were not. Ms. Lee asked what was done with the funds remaining. Ms. Sherrod responded that the funds could be reprogrammed, except for public service and administrative. If all the public service or administrative money is not used, these funds can be used elsewhere, such as job training, education, economic development, public facilities and road improvements. Ms. Lee inquired how much weight is given to the projects for funding. Ms. Sherrod stated citizen involvement is very important. She noted that there were more people in attendance tonight than at any other meeting. Ms. Lee also asked what is considered Iow-income. Ms. Sherrod responded that the median income for a family of four in Palm Beach County is approximately $60,000. Her office deals with families that are 80% or below the median income; it depends upon the size of the family. At least 51% of the recipients of public service funds must be Iow and very Iow-income. A woman asked what Faith Based CDC meant. Mr. Sherrod stated this stood for Faith Based Community Development Corporation. It is now possible for organizations that have religious affiliations to access these funds. When a CDC is formed it involves the collaboration of many churches in the community made up of lay members of the churches. The LISC organization deals with several CDCs in West Palm Beach and the Pleasant City area that are doing wonderful things in their communities. Courtney Cain, President of the Faith Based CDC, located at 404 NW 13th Avenue, stated that collaboration is very important and everyone here tonight needs to work together to attain the desired results. If there was one umbrella, it might be possible to receive all the funds and then the people could choose where they want the money to go. Mr. Cain said he would be happy to answer any questions concerning the CDC. Ms. Davis noted that the CDC is promoting small business development and has partnered with FAU through a program called CURE (Center for Urban Redevelopment and Empowerment). They are currently offering three 10-week sessions per year in Boynton Beach and they are free. Classes are currently being held at the Bible Church of God. The next course will be held at CDC headquarters. Ms. Sherrod pointed out that one of her contracts with Palm Beach County Resource is being facilitated by FAU. Evelyn Geathers, 165 Flamingo Drive, Boynton Beach, lives in the north end of the City and noted that this area needs a place for the children to go after school and on weekends to play and feel safe. The Hester Center is too far for the children to walk. She would like to have the Royal Palm Clubhouse replaced in her community. Meeting Minutes Community Development Block Grant Public Participation Meeting Boynton Beach, Florida April 24, 2002 Another suggestion Ms. Geathers made was to have a pool of workers that are in need of rehabilitation and job training to be available to the people in the community that need assistance with their homes and property, but cannot afford to pay someone. Ms. Sherrod stated that a lot of the CDBG money is used for housing rehabilitation. She pointed out that the Faith Based CDC has volunteers that perform this type of work and help single women and the elderly. She suggested that Ms. Geathers contact the CDC. Edward Harris, a life-long resident of Boynton Beach, inquired how the churches benefit by involvement with the CDC. Ms. Sherrod responded that because the community benefits, the churches then benefit. She asked Mr. Harris to clarify his question. Mr. Harris pointed out that there are laws that differentiate between church and state. He asked how the CDC is allowed to set up an office within a church and would the church get any benefits from this. Ms. Sherrod responded that this was addressed in the Heart of Boynton Plan and she will furnish a copy to him. Ms. Sherrod read from the portion of the Plan that permitted a church to be used as a public health clinic, daycare, or for other public service uses. A CDC is a corporation that is allowed to do certain things that the church cannot do, but they do have people on the board that have the best interests of the church in mind. Steve Miller, 1057 SW 28th Avenue, Boynton Beach, said it was good to see all the citizens present at tonight's meeting that have come to express their concerns for their community. Mr. Miller noted that the depleted condition of the Wilson Center hurts him. Years ago the Wilson Center was the focal point of the community. He would like to see the Wilson Center, which is centrally located, rebuilt as soon as possible and that some of the services mentioned tonight could be housed there. He pointed out that the swimming pool is only being used during the summer. He also commended the wonderful work that the Boynton Beach Faith Based CDC is doing in providing housing for the community. V. ADJOURNMENT Ms. Sherrod thanked everyone for attending. The meeting adjourned at 7:30 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Barbara M. Madden Recording Secretary (two tapes) (April 29, 2002) CDBG Public Meeting Wednesday~ April 24, 2002 PLEASE S~GN IN Name CDBG Public Meeting Wednesday, April 24~ 2002 PLEASE SIGN IN Name ~-~/~~ ~,~,,o~- Phone # CDBG Public Meeting Wednesday, April 24, 2002 PLEASE S~GN ~N Name Phone # CTTY OF BOYNTON BEACH Department of Development Division of Community Redevelopment AGENDA Community Development Block Grant Public Participation Meeting April 24, 2002 6:00 p.m. II. III. IV. V. Bm C. D. Using Sub-recipients Public Audience Adjournment Opening A. Call to order- Octavia S. Sherrod Overview of CDBG Program A. History Program Objectives National Objectives Eligible Activities