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Minutes 01-13-00 CITY COMMISSION WORKSHOP MEETING THURSDAY, JANUARY 13, 2000 AT 5:30 P.M. LIBRARY PROGRAM ROOM, BOYNTON BEACH LIBRARY 208 SOUTH SEACREST BOULEVARD, BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA Present: Gerald Broening, Mayor Henderson Tillman, Vice Mayor William Sherman, Mayor Pro Tem Nellie Denahan, Commissioner Ronald Weiland, Commissioner Also Present: Greenways Committee Members and Staff Mike Fitzpatrick Kevin Hallahan Jose Alfaro Ed Tedtmann Call to Order Mr. Fitzpatrick called the meeting to order at 5:55 p.m. Mr. Fitzpatrick stated that in August of 1998 the City Commission requested that a Committee be established to look into the greenway situation in the City of Boynton Beach. The purpose of this presentation is to make recommendations on what the Committee would like to see transpire. Mr. Fitzpatrick noted that the full City Commission was present tonight and welcomed them. Mayor Broening requested that all staff members and Commissioners introduce themselves as follows: Jose Alfaro, Planning Department John Wildner, Parks Department Kevin Hallahan, Parks Department Dan DeCado, Neighborhood Specialist Mike Rumpf, Planning Department Melody Green, Recreation Department Sue Kruse, City Clerk Quintus Green, Development Department/CRA Barbara Madden, Recording Secretary WORKSHOP MEETING MINUTES CITY COMMISSION/GREENWAYS COMMITTEE BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA JANUARY 13, 2000 Overview of Greenways (Mike Fitzpatrick) Mr. Fitzpatrick informed the audience that the following presentations would be given: A Power Point presentation on greenways. Mr. Tedtmann will give a slide presentation of other greenway areas in the State of Florida. Mr. Alfaro will be giving a presentation of the areas in discussion by utilizing maps of the City and County. At the end of the presentation, recommendations will be made to the City Commission. Mr. Fitzpatrick asked the audience to refer to the overhead screen on which he would be making his Power Point presentation and the audience was given time to read the presentation. The first topic displayed was the definition of greenways. The second topic displayed was about the originator of Greenways, Mr. Frederick Olmstead. The basic components of greenways were displayed, which includes hubs with links and smaller sites along the links. Seacrest Scrub, which is located in Boynton Beach, would constitute one of the hubs. The City's downtown could be an urban hub as opposed to having a wilderness hub. The purpose of greenways is for people to get to their destination by either biking or walking. Bob Katz' house was used as an example of a destination site. Mr. Fitzpatrick indicated on the screen how the greenway links in the City would connect. A greenway presents a dual benefit, one being preservation of the environment and wildlife and the second is for mankind. Mr. Fitzpatrick displayed how the greenways look in Jonathan Dickinson State Park and said it is possible that in 25 years from now the greenways in Boynton Beach could look as nice as the greenways in that Park. 2 WORKSHOP MEETING MINUTES CITY COMMISSION/GREENWAYS COMMITTEE BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA JANUARY 13, 2000 Costs Associated with Acquisition of the Greenways Mr. Fitzpatrick pointed out that the County purchased the 96-acre Hypoluxo Overlook road site one week before Christmas at a price of $4.5 million. Also, after discussions with staff, because of the large amount of work involved in the acquisition of the properties, staff would like to have the property purchases sub-contracted out. These costs also have to be figured in the purchase price. Other costs would include - ¢' Removal of exotic plants. This would also have to be subcontracted out because of the size of the vegetation involved. v' Volunteers could do replanting of the areas with native plants. v' Capital improvements would include fencing, parking lots, and a limited amount of restrooms. v' Annual exotic plant removal could be tied in with the annual Palm Beach County clean up that takes place every year. ,/ Prescribed burns will also be necessary. Slide Presentation by Ed Tedtmann Mr. Tedtmann presented a slide presentation of greenway sites throughout the State of Florida, including the Upper Bay Tampa Trail and Hillsboro County. Mr. Tedtmann said that they have taken a very serious approach to greenways and there are three full-time planners devoted to greenways in Hillsboro County. Trails are commonly located purposely near highways, which is a safety factor to make them visible from the highways. Next displayed was the West Orange Trail, which is located about 25 minutes west of Orlando and is a 19-mile trail. Map Presentation of Greenway Areas - Jose Alfaro Mr. Alfaro displayed a map of the City so that the audience could see the proposed greenway areas being considered and what areas could be linked together to create the greenways in the City. There are County properties already in place that could be used as hubs including the recent Ovedook site that has been purchased and High Ridge Country Club which is outside the City limits. Inside the City limits, the County has purchased the Rosemary Scrub and the Seacrest Scrub. Also Mr. Alfaro pointed out properties that the City already owns that could be included. In addition, there is some reserved area along Quantum Park that could be utilized, as well as a long corridor of right-of-way along 1-95 and the railroad tracks that runs north to south, which is owned by DOT. Some of the elementary schools will be included as well. 3 WORKSHOP MEETING MINUTES CITY COMMISSIONIGREENWAYS COMMITTEE BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA JANUARY 13, 2000 It is anticipated that the properties would be purchased in two phases. Phase one properties were identified in red on the map including properties across from the Boynton Beach Mall and two more parcels in the vicinity of Caloosa Park. Mr. Fitzpatrick noted that in April 1999 a charrette took place, which was attended by 40 people, and the people who attended the charrette selected the sites being presented tonight. The Four Greenway Links Identified are as follows: . FEC railroad; · 1-95 corridor; · E-4 Canal; and · C-16 Canal Mr. Fitzpatrick stated these areas were selected because there are fewer read crossings and also they connect to most of the large available sites. The canals present the best scenic and recreational land available and the diversity of the land would promote more wildlife. Recommendations to the City Commission Adopt greenways into the Comprehensive Plan for fiscal year 1999/2000. The Comprehensive Plan is now being written and this would be the time to include greenways, otherwise you would have to wait five years. Acquire the new hub sites during fiscal year 2000/2001 because if they are not purchased soon, they could be lost. Purchase the smaller parcels. The proposed properties for purchase were pointed out on the overhead screen, as well as on the map. Mr. Alfaro distributed to the audience a chart, which indicated the potential costs of purchasing all these properties (a copy of which is attached to the minutes). The property purchased during phase 1 is considered prime property by the Committee. The properties purchased during the second phase would be properties that would fill in to create the whole landscape of the greenways. The properties in the handout are separated by acquisition for Phase 1 and Phase 2. Mr. Fitzpatrick also pointed out that some of the property that had been looked at for inclusion in the greenways last year has been sold this year and is no longer available. Therefore, it is important to move forward as quickly as possible and to tie in the greenways with future City development. Also, the County has set up a program and the City could use their expertise to purchase the land. Last year 4 WORKSHOP MEETING MINUTES CITY COMMISSION/GREENWAYS COMMITTEE BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA JANUARY 13, 2000 a $150 million bond issue was passed. When that money runs out, the expertise would go away. Funding the Greenway A gentleman in the audience asked where the funding for the acquisitions would come from. Mr. Fitzpatrick felt it would take a bond issue and the cost is usually considered at $50,000 per acre. Mr. Fitzpatrick also pointed out that there are matching funds available, but these funds wouldn't kick into place until the City comes up with its own funds. Mr. Fitzpatrick said that he has obtained a list of grant funding sources from the County and he wrote to them all. He received a response from two sources and the paperwork he received indicates that most grants begin with at least 6% matching funds. A gentleman asked where the matching funds would come from and Mr. Fitzpatrick said they could come from the State. Mayor Broening pointed out that the County's Metropolitan Planning Organization would be a good source for funding and he would like to make a presentation to the MPO, assuming there is a way to acquire the matching funds. Mr. Tedtmann said that when Tampa was funding its new stadium and greenways, they passed a referendum for a 1 1/2¢ sales tax. Mayor Broening said that perhaps the best way to seek funding would be through a special taxing district. Because the City's millage rate is so high and is $1.74 away from the statutory limit, it almost seems impossible to pass a bond issue. Mayor Broening said that the City is going to have to look at some very creative financing and he would look to staff for strong recommendations on how to approach the funding. Mr. Fitzpatrick said that tonight's presentation finalizes what the Committee was intended for and it is now up to the current Commission to set a new direction, because staff has gone as far as it could go without some feedback from the Commission. A woman in the audience said that this has to be done quickly, otherwise the City would lose these properties and the City has to take a stand. Ms. Rossi pointed out that it would be a hard sell to the community and the City has to put out some feelers. Ms. Rossi said it took eight years to convince the Palm Beach County Commissioners to pass the $100 million bond issue. She feels that the majority of the people want the greenways and we have to start someplace. Mr. Tedtmann also pointed out that the administrative fees and maintenance costs have to be projected. 5 WORKSHOP MEETING MINUTES CITY COMMISSION/GREENWAYS COMMITTEE BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA JANUARY 13, 2000 Mayor Broening said that the public safety functions could be separated and would become a special taxing district. This would immediately have a beneficial effect on the millage rate. However, this is very unpopular with the citizenry. Discussion continued on other means to obtain funding. Mr. Fitzpatrick distributed to the audience a map of natural areas, open space and trails that has been prepared by the County (a copy of which is attached to the minutes). A gentleman in the audience pointed out that the greenways are a statewide project and there should be some funds available. Eventually, it is anticipated that the entire State would be linked with greenways. Mr. Fitzpatrick said that last year when the City applied to the State for $5,000 for a prescribed burn and which the City would match with $5,000 of its own money, it was determined at that time that only $15,000 was available for ten projects. A gentleman asked how to get a piece of property qualified as a greenway site and what determines that a site could be qualified? Mr. Fitzpatrick felt that the Comprehensive Plan would write up guidelines for the Greenway of Boynton Beach. Also, he felt that it would depend upon the area and if an urban area were vacant, it would qualify. Mr. Fitzpatrick stated there is a list of rating sites of ecological desirability and it is based upon the rarity of the exotic plants and how many various species are located on the land. If anyone has any property that they would like to recommend for the greenways, they should contact John Wildner of the Parks Department. Mayor Broening was of the opinion that the current Commission would continue the effort for the greenways and would look to staff to find some methodology to make it happen. Mayor Broening felt the plan was excellent and congratulated the committee and all those who worked on it. It is now time to pass the project onto staff with more direction. Mr. Alfaro said that some of the funding could come from new developments. Mr. Alfaro noted that the City has a bus system in place and it could be utilized to connect the existing hubs with future parks and would be a good way to get people interested in the greenways. A woman in the audience pointed out that discussion has been taking place for only three years and it could take years to get this going. Mr. Fitzpatrick said it would take three years to do a foundation. 6 WORKSHOP MEETING MINUTES CITY COMMISSION/GREENWAYS COMMITTEE BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA JANUARY 13, 2000 Adjournment The wOrkshop properly adjourned at 7:05 p.m. ATTEST: Recording Secretary (two tapes) Mray°r / i~ ~ Mayor Pro Tem~ Com ~m~ss~oner /~ -'") Commissioner ~'--~-, - 7 ~ 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 i § o g g § o o o ~ 0 0 0 o m -m z z z ~ ~ 0 -- ~ ~ w w m m ~ ~ 0 Z Z Z ~  o o o o ~ o ~ ~ ~ ° 0 0 ~ 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 HENDRYCOUNTY