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Minutes 01-09-95HINUTES OF THE CITY COMMISSION gORKSHOP #EETING HELD IN COHHISSION CHAMBERS, CITY HALL, BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA, ON MONDAY, ~ANUARY 9, 1995, AT 6:30 P. #. PRESENT Edward Harmening, Mayor Lynne Matson, Vice Mayor Matthew Bradley, Mayor Pro Tem Jose Aguila, Commissioner David Katz, Commissioner Carrie Parker, City Manager James Cherof, City Attorney Sue Kruse, City Clerk CALL TO ORDER Mayor Harmening called the meeting to order at 6:31P. M. to review the first draft of the City of Boynton Beach Redevelopment and Revitalization Plan, dated December 15, 1994. This Plan was drafted by Treasure Coast Regional Planning Council. Ann Ford, the Downtown District Coordinator, introduced Ramon Trias, an archi- tect from Treasure Coast Regional Planning Council. She advised that he is one of the two principal Treasure Coast Regional Planning Council members that led the charrette last September. The draft is in a very rough, brief conceptual form. After it is determined what the City Commission likes and what it does not like, the details will be put in. This entails spending a great deal of time with the overlays with the different zones. Commissioner Aguila asked what Ms. Ford hopes to accomplish this evening. Ms. Ford requested feedback from the Commission on the town square, the neigh- borhood infill project north of St. Mark's, the different zones, and the con- cepts of putting in certain types of housing with certain types of setbacks that we have not had in the past in the downtown area. Mr. Trias stated that this draft is meant for the Commission's feedback. It contains three basic sections. The first section is a report of the charrette, which summarizes everything discussed last September and includes all the drawings that were produced by the charrette team during those very intense seven days. There is nothing new in this section. The document is meant to be a guideline for policy decisions, if adopted. It is basically a summary of some of the ideas recommended by professional planners and architects that could help with redevelopment efforts. The second section is titled the Redevelopment Element of the City's Comprehensive Plan, which is a more technical section. If the City Commission chooses to adopt it, it could be inserted into the Comprehensive Plan. It would summarize in a more technical way all the things that were discussed at the charrette. The second section deals with the goals, objectives, and policies which is the format that is required by the State for the Comprehensive Plan. It is meant for the City Commission's review and includes all the ideas that were discussed. The last section is the Redevelopment and Revitalization Overlay DiStricts, which is also a technical section. It is meant to allow for the implementation - 1 - #INUTE$ - CITY COI~I$$ION WORKSHOP HEETING BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA ~ANUARY 9, 1995 of the ideas at the local level. It is meant to be an overlay for zoning, which describes the different building types that are going to be adopted for the Main Street and for other areas of the City. It also gives some ideas as far as the way projects could be reviewed and the way rehabilitation projects could be dealt with. Conceptually, it is similar in scope to some of the guidelines and some of the zoning already in place in the City. However, it is much more streamlined and much more useful from the point of view of a developer and City staff reviewing projects. All three sections basically say the same thing with different purposes in mind. In response to Vice Mayor Matson, City Manager Parker explained why the Commission received the draft only last Friday. Staff was going to review the draft and make some preliminary comments. Some changes were going to be made, as this was a very rough draft. It was going to be retyped and then a second draft was going to be presented to the Commission. However, that process did not get done, and the City Commission ended up with this very first rough draft. Mr. Trias stated that he always likes to have staff review the plan first. However, the City was very interested in taking it immediately to the Commission. Usually, it takes a little longer so the Commissioners have more time to review it. Mr. Trias summarized each section of the draft. With regard to the first sec- tion, he stated that there are basically two parts to doing a City. One is the downtown {the City Center) and the other is the neighborhoods. During the charrette, the City Center area was dealt with mostly. Mr. Trias felt the City Center needs a Main Street, just like all the cities and towns of America. He stated that Ocean Avenue is the beginnings of a Main Street, historically, and also from an architectural point of view. In his opinion, that could be a very good spine on which to build upon to create a downtown. The Main Street is Ocean Avenue. The first few drawings show a better landscape design and some changes in terms of the building types that are being recommended. Basically, the buildings should be in front as opposed to having parking in front, and should have a mix- ture of uses allowing for retail and commercial uses on the first story, with apartments above. Perhaps, offices on the second story should be allowed for the purpose of creating a true American Main Street. The City Square would be at the western end of the Main Street. The City Square is an attempt to create the civic space for the City, which is the most impor- tant element of successful cities in America. Public spaces are composed of two elements: {1) the open space itself, and {2) the public buildings allowing that open space. In the western end of the Main Street, there already exists two beautiful and very interesting public buildings--the two old schools. Mr. Trias stated that it is very important to preserve them, not only because of the historical heritage of the City, but also because they allow the opportunity of -2- HINUTE$ - CITY COHHI$SION WORKSHOP NEETING BOYNTON BEACH, FLOR]DA ~ANUARY 9, 1995 defining the northern side of the City Square, which will occur right across from Ocean Avenue. If the playground, which is proposed to be built north of the larger school building, is built soon, it could begin to show the civic importance of the area. The proposed Hall of Philosophy could be used as a multi-purpose building for meetings and the kind of civic activities that occur in a City Square. In addition, there could be some commercial buildings fronting Seacrest Boulevard, and at the eastern end of the Square, some Bed and Breakfasts were suggested. By creating all those buildings and that public space, and saving all the trees and the existing historical buildings of quality, it is possible to preserve the history of the town and create a much better public space that could become the real Civic Center of Boynton Beach. Since the City already has the necessary public buildings, such as the library, the Art Center, and City Hall, those buildings allow you to reorganize the aesthetics of such a City Center. Many of the functions already exist. However, the buildings are of less than superb architectural quality. By creating a better design of the Square, and by rede- fining some of the edges of the open spaces, Mr. Trias stated that you get the function and the aesthetic beauty at one end of the Main Street. At the other end, there is the bridge and the possibility of redeveloping the waterfront. The eastern end of the City Center District is going to be a real work of civic art. The bridges of many cities are not only extremely func- tional, but also very beautiful pieces of civic art. He felt Boynton Beach also has the opportunity to get a functional, beautiful bridge. The DOT is presently working on hiring their design team, and they have very clearly directed their team to hire an architect with the purpose of creating a beautiful bridge. This is a very good opportunity for the City because the City is getting some very expensive and very luxurious asethetic improvements that are being paid for by somebody else. In addition, there is an opportunity to create a Rail District. If the FEC becomes a passenger traffic rail, there will be an opportunity to create a true Rail District of mixtures/buildings. Right now there are a couple of blocks that are very unused just north of Ocean Avenue. Even if the rail were not to happen, since the building type is so appropriate for a downtown, it could also work fine. The precise boundaries of the City Center District will have to be decided by the City Commission. Currently, there are some design guidelines and other zoning in place that deals with the Central Business District, and we have to be able to either substitute all that or perhaps look at some of the things that may be useful from that original document. Mr. Trias felt what the City has today is not helping the City develop the downtown because it is not put together is a way that is very efficient and effective. He felt that working with City staff, he may be able to develop a'zoning overlay very soon that could take the place of what the City presently has. He recommended this, as opposed to trying to create a mix of things because it is much better to propose an alternative to what presently exists. Hr. Trias recommended having a Neighborhood District that could be applied to many neighborhoods. The Neighborhood District could be applied several times as -3- #INUTE$ - CITY COMMISSION WORKSHOP #EETING BOYNTON BEACH,, FLORIDA JANUARY 9, 1995 the need arises and if it is felt that an area of the City needs to be improved {the appearance of the streets or the quality of the buildings}. Then there will be some zoning instrument to accomplish that and to really create a neighborhood plan. Vice Mayor Matson asked if Mr. Trias is talking about going into a certain area of the City which we decide to revitalize, designating that as a neighborhood zone, and tailor our zone to the needs of that particular area. Mr. Trias answered affirmatively. He stated that that could be done many times, and the neighborhood could be designed differently. What he is allowing the City to do is to keep that as an option. He said that if the City wants to do this imme- diately, he could provide some professional assistance. Mr. Trias stated that the language in the chapter titled, "The Neighborhoods" tells you what a neighborhood should be and what the good features of a neigh- borhood are. It gives some infill opportunities in the waterfront area. The drawing gives the idea of the kinds of things the City needs, which are public spaces, a mixture of uses, and streets that are public and connect. The second section of the draft follows a very similar format. It deals with the City, the City Center District, the Neighborhoods, and the City Edge. Mr. Trias said he tried to set up the theoretical framework of understanding the City from its physical pieces and how they fit together. By doing that, it is very easy to decide upon policies that build upon each other and create a greater whole. With regard to the zoning, Mr. Trias stated that the concept is that instead of looking at parcels in an abstract way {square footage and landscape require- ments, etc.}, which is what zoning would usually do, the City is described in terms of building types. It is a clearer way to tell people what should happen in the City. It gives a certain level of comfort and certainty for a developer. On the other hand, it is also a little more flexible because it deals with what is important in the City, as opposed to everything that could be regulated. Mr. Trias believes that cities are in trouble in many respects and they are losing a lot of their competition with suburbia, perhaps because they are not looking at what is important about them and what makes them special. He felt what makes them special are the public spaces {from the City Square to the smallest street). Therefore, when you code a City in terms of building types, you are creating a model to follow of how to create public spaces. The City is letting you know that it cares about the way the buildings work in the front. The City is going to create the landscape and perhaps some of the projects within the public rights-of-way. There is more flexibility in terms of what a person may want to do with the rest of the site, and with the uses that occur in the building. As long as there are some minimums which are included in a fairly good way in this document, some prohibited uses that the City definitely does not want, and some recommendations of the uses that are permitted, you are fairly flexible in order to allow mixtures and a better business climate. It is important to code in terms of building type also if your goal is to achieve well-defined streets and well-defined squares. It is important that you have -4- MINUTES - CITY CONMISSION WORKSHOP #EETING BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA JANUARY 9, 1995 the right building type. It is important that other issues which are less crit- ical, such as the color that something is painted, are a little more flexible. Mr. Trias did not think color was absolutely essential, especially when a city needs redevelopment. Mr. Trias stated that at one point, the City was considering abandoning alleys. He recommended against this because alleys are an incredible feature. One of the main problems, from an architectural point of view, when dealing with a two- car garage, is the impact of the bulk of the garage in the front. If you are able to access the garage from an alley and build an apartment above the garage, you are able to improve the aesthetics of the front of the streets. It may also improve the safety because there will not be so many cars driving back and forth in front of the streets. This would also allow for a particular type of afford- able housing, which you need to do by law. It works much better when it is done in very small increments by single outbuildings instead of larger projects. Mayor Harmening thanked Mr. Trias for all the effort he put into this draft. Commissioner Aguila complimented Mr. Trias and the Treasure Coast Regional Planning Council for all their hard work. He felt the results of the charrette are good and the recommendations have a lot of merit. He stated that it will take some time to implement and it will take some financial commitment on the part of the citizens and the elected body. He hopes it happens. With regard to this report and some of the philosophies that Mr. Trias is basing some of his conclusions on, he thinks part of the problem is that we are of a suburban men- tality and we are very lazy and want to do everything from our cars. It seems like we have designed everything for car usage. Because this is the mentality we have been preprogrammed to live under, he felt implementing some of these recommendations is virtually impossible. He hoped we do not get sidetracked on neighborhood districts and setbacks, etc., but that we stay focused on Ocean Avenue improvements, making modifications to our existing laws and ordinances in order to make it flexible, conducive, and desirable for property owners to be able to do almost anything that is in a positive vein. He felt we should define an area that we want to target as the initial redevelopment area, throw away the current rules in that district, keep an open mind, and work with the applicants. He hoped the City, the City Commission, and staff will continue to work towards modifying what they currently have, which is very obstructive, and start helping and become partners with property owners in developing this area. Vice Mayor Matson thanked Ann Ford for putting together the team. She was thrilled to have been able to participate in the charrette and to see some of her vision come to fruition. She felt progress was being made and pointed out that the location of the Leathers Park was changed to accommodate the Town Square and the change in zoning codes along Ocean Avenue where we are allowing mixed use for the buildings. She has never seen DOT so excited about a project. She believed~this is going to happen and she would like to see commitment. She stated that we are just about at the $50,000 figure for entitlement, which is going to bring us about another half million dollars. (City Manager Parker advised that this would depend upon what the new Federal program is.) Vice Mayor -5- NZNUTE$ - CITY CONNZ$$%ON WORKSHOP #EETING BOYNTON BEACH, FLORZDA JANUARY 9, 1995 Matson stated that this would be more money we will be able to spend downtown that we do not have now. She was in support of this Plan and hopes the resi- dents are committed. Mayor Pro Tem Bradley was strongly in favor of this revitalization. He felt it is imperative and if we do not move ahead, we are going to be moving backwards. He liked everything he heard at the charrette. There are obviously some things to be refined and tailored specifically to Boynton Beach, but Treasure Coast has done a great job. He felt we need to get a specific set of goals in mind for the very near future and then put a plan in action. He felt no reason for delay. Commissioner Katz said in the past year and a half, more has been done towards moving in a positive direction towards the redevelopment of the downtown than he has seen in the past thirteen years. He felt the first step that is going to make it happen will be the Leathers Park that is going to be constructed in the Fall of 1995. This might end up being the initial linchpin for starting that common area seen in the conceptual plans. We need to tear down and relocate the Civic Center and get financing for the marina project. He regretted that the bridge on Ocean Avenue will impact some residents in a negative way. The Commission needs to stay on top of that bridge so we can make sure they are extremely sensitive to the residents of Coastal Towers. He felt that the plan as a whole, in relation to the common area, is an excellent plan. He felt we need to protect the integrity of the Boynton Beach Mall and not build another regional mall out west. This would help the development of our downtown as a major shopping area. He was totally in support of the plan and hopes we can get the post office to relocate. He stated that Mr. Trias has done an excellent job and he appreciates the time he spent. Mayor Harmening stated that in several aspects, the plan presents a nice picture of the downtown. However, he did not know whether or not it is feasible. He pointed out that not one word has been said about the cost of all of this or who is going to pay the cost. He reserved judgment until he obtains a cost figure. Mayor Harmening asked about the status of the grant for some parking garages downtown. Ms. Ford advised that the project developer has looked at the possi- bility of putting the garage in himself. The City was only able to contribute $300,000 toward this $5.8 million project. Therefore, a great deal of the cost would have to be borne by the developer. Hence, the developer is looking at alternatives. He has spoken to several parking garage companies and will prob- ably put the garage in himself. Commissioner Aguila would like staff to focus their attention on his comments regarding the overlay area that is conducive towards the improvement of Ocean Avenue and the surrounding area to keep the momentum going. Ms. Ford advised that a lot of effort is entailed concerning the details for the zoning overlays for each neighborhood project, the downtown City Center, the marina special district, the neighborhood infill, and the downtown waterfront -6- HINUTE$ - CITY COI~I$$ION WORKSHOP HEETING BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA · IANUARY 9, 1995 area. Each has different requirements and needs and entails complex work. She asked if the City is willing to destroy the existing Civic Center and relocate it with something a little more functional for current day uses. She stated that you have to start planning for this type of capital expenditure. With regard to the City Center, she suggested an overlay district similar to the one in Miami. Their Planning Oepartment works out the details with applicants. You can have restrictions to control quality, but there are ways to do that without having restrictions that make it almost impossible to go forward unless you use battleship grey and navy blue and other tiny details which can kill a downtown. Looking at some of our battleship grey and navy blue color schemes on some of the buildings, it does not add a whole lot to our downtown. She sug- gested specifying a type of color rather than specific colors, and eliminating certain colors like bright red or bright purple. Commissioner Aguila stated that when Ms. Ford was hired, the boundaries were defined and she was advised where to put her efforts. She sort of stepped out of those boundaries because of the bigger picture, which makes sense. However, right now the chances of anything happening in the immediate future is along Ocean Avenue, from Seacrest Boulevard to the water, and around the bridge. He suggested defining that limited area, doing away with the existing zoning code requirements for setbacks, height, etc., and entertaining any viable plan that the City and staff thinks would become an asset when developed. He felt the bigger picture syndrome makes more sense than what the code regulations dictate. He felt the need to create a procedure in the code that allows us to circumvent what is currently on the books. Ms. Ford stated that such a procedure is created in this Plan with a special district overlay which will take those spe- cific needs into account. She stated that the City can make certain areas very attractive for a builder. Ms. Ford advised that the purpose of this first draft is for the Commission's feedback. It is a flexible document that any future City Commission can amend by doing different overlays in these districts without going to a great deal of additional expense resurveying boundaries. Vice Mayor Matson hoped that this is not just another plan to go along the wayside. She would like the Plan to be brought back to the City Commission in the form of what we will see in 5 years, 10 years, 15 years, and 20 years. Mayor Harmening asked if Ms. Ford plans to overlay some kind of a special district, like a CCD, over part of this area. Ms. Ford responded negatively. City Manager Parker stated that the taxing district is already in place as far as the tax increment financing district is concerned. City Manager Parker referred to the following recommendations contained in the Plan: Page 11 - 3 recommendations dealing with Main Street Pages 16 thru 18 - 7 recommendations dealing with the City Square Page 23 - 2 recommendations dealing with the Rail District -7- NINUTE$ - CITY COMMISSION WORI~SHOP NEETING BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA &ANUARY 9, 1995 Page 29 - 3 recommendations dealing with the Neighborhoods Pages 32 & 33 - 2 recommendations dealing with the Ocean Avenue Bridge Pages 38 & 39 - 4 recommendations dealing with the Waterfront She asked what specific recommendations the Commission prefers and what main sections they would like to prioritize. Vice Mayor Matson would like to see a 5, 10, 15 and 20 year plan. She would like to know what can be expected in terms of infrastructure, and where the funding will come from. City Manager Parker agreed that it has to be much more detailed. Ms. Ford stated that part of the first phase is increasing the tax increment district in order to get some money to bond out in order to do other things. Ms. Ford stated that every building in the drawings in the Plan has a purpose. More importantly, architecturally, it defines the Square and helps to square off that end of the block. Mr. Trias agreed with Commissioner Aguila that the easiest project is going to be the Main Street on Ocean Avenue, probably fixing up the 500 block. He agreed that flexibility is important, as long as we are aware of the important elements of a City. He stated that the City needs only a few rules in place. Having those rules in place makes it very easy to negotiate on an individual basis to make it very attractive for a developer to come in. With regard to the Square, Mr. Trias felt it was a very flexible design. He stated that you have to adopt a plan that includes an area that is limited in terms of its building and its use in terms of an open space. It is very important to line up the street with buildings. With regard to zoning, he agreed that flexibility is very important, but you cannot be as flexible as to allow double drive throughs on a Main Street. Color is irrelevant. What is relevant is that you need to have a building that lines up on the street and does not create vehicular traffic that will interfere with the safety of pedestrians. He suggested that the rules be slightly different for the Main Street to create an excellent street, with a beginning, an end, and a great section in between, to improve the function of the downtown. He did not see the possibility of Ocean Avenue competing wi-th Congress Avenue. It is not the type of street that is conducive to that type of development. Therefore, it needs some kind of game plan that is appropriate to its size and its location as a City Center. As far as the actual details of zoning, he was interested in working with staff on changing and refining this document and presenting it to City Commission to deal with the details. Mayor Harmening asked Mr. Trias if he made any cost estimates on any portion of the Plan. Mr. Trias said he had not because it is a very complex project. He is preparing a vision for the future, which includes some public expenditure and -8- HINUTES - CITY COHHISSION WORKSHOP HEETING BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA ~ANUARY 9, 1995 a lot of private projects. There is no cost estimate because the redevelopment of Main Street, for example, is mostly a private enterprise. The City's role, from the point of view of finances, is to facilitate project approval and to perhaps minimize some of the burdens right now that are placed on some devel- opers, such as parking requirements. The question of costs has to be addressed in a realistic way. Some things are going to be extremely expensive, but other things are not going to be that expensive. Most things are going to be done by the private sector if they get excited and if they think it is a good idea. Mr. Trias felt the Square can be viewed as an expensive undertaking in terms of the City. However, the most expensive things in any public square are usually the public buildings, and the City already has those. The City also has an incredible flora with very mature trees. If developed as proposed, it is going to be one of the best Squares he ever encountered because of the existing con- ditions. Mr. Trias stated that it could function as the anchor of the commer- cial street, which Ocean Avenue will become. Commissioner Aguila stated that what is important right now is that we have a goal. We have to make our system, our process, our staff members, and iour citi- zens user friendly so that people want to come to Boynton Beach and so ~that things start happening that bring money into the City. We have to create the incentive and the vehicle soon. He was confident that the very first thing that is going to happen is the marina project. However, many obstacles are in the way of this project, in terms of the zoning codes, and he thinks we need to deal with them now. He 'felt the costs are irrelevant right now. Mr. Trias advised that one of the things the City Commission can do now! is adopt the first document in concept. It can then be used as a marketing tooll. Then we can work out the details with City staff to make it more user friendly. With regard to the bridge, City Manager Parker stated that the DOT has requested that a joint committee be appointed between Ocean Ridge and Boynton Beach to discuss the bridge and to work with the DOT staff on the design criteria and the different aspects of the bridge. This item will be on the next City Commission agenda for the meeting on January 17, 1995. Mayor Harmening asked how far along the DOT design staff is. City Manager Parker advised that it is only at a very conceptual stage at this point. Mayor Pro Tem Bradley hoped that Mr. Trias will return soon, outlining the goals we need to move on and the tasks needed to accomplish those goals so we can proceed. City Manager Parker asked the Commission to let her know if they have any con- cerns with any of the recommendations contained on pages 10 through 38 of the Plan. Otherwise, the important ones will be pulled out. H~rr~ B, Stein, 760 E. Ocean Avenue, stated that he has been designated by the Board of Directors of Coastal Towers to speak on their behalf. He stated that -9- MINUTES - CITY COMMISSION WORKSHOP MEETING BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA JANUARY 9, 1995 the residents of Coastal Towers are generally in favor of the redevelopment plan. However, they believe that the marina portion of this plan can be completed and implemented without the bridge as its focal point. If Ocean Avenue were to be made a dead end at the Intracoastal, or if the existing bridge were to be repaired, the Plan could still go forward and succeed. As presently designed, the bridge causes too much adverse impact on Coastal Towers, espe- cially the north and west buildings. There will be a sharp reduction in prop- erty values throughout Coastal Towers and a loss of desire for anybody to live there or buy an apartment there. When the Commission voted in early October to recommend approval of the construction of the bridge at Ocean Avenue, it reversed almost twenty years of positions of previous City Commissions and the State Department of Transportation. These entities had said that the bridge should not be built on Ocean Avenue because, among other factors, of the adverse impact on Coastal Towers. The crest of the bridge will be forty-three feet above water level. Coastal Towers will lose two entrances on Ocean Avenue and will be den~ed access to Ocean Avenue. A huge, solid, concrete wall will be erected beginning its rise from Ocean Avenue at 6th Street, rising gradually in front of the north and west buildings to a height of twenty-one plus feet of the bridge. Decisions have been made without proper regard to the adverse affect on Coastal Towers as well as others on Ocean Avenue. It is possible that the newly elected Commission may decide to take another look at the part of the plan as it relates to the bridge. Therefore, Mr. Stein urged the Commission to take no action at this time or in the near future for approval of the Plan, specifically as it relates to the bridge. The entire matter of the bridge relocation has been going on for almost twenty years now. He did not think a further delay at this time will hurt anybody, but will serve the best interest of the City. #lcheline Many, 217 S. E. 3rd Street, asked Vice Mayor Matson what she meant by commitment from the citizens. Vice Mayor Matson said she was talking about pro- viding input and tax money. Ms. Many advised that every citizen she has talked to in her neighborhood is in favor of this redevelopment. She felt the citizens who attend the City Commission meetings should be addressed more. Ms. Many reported that some homeless people live on one of the vacant lots alongside the railroad tracks, and they break into carports and steal food and laundry detergent. She asked why the weeds are allowed to get so high on this empty lot so as to make it a very nice living shelter for the homeless. The vacant lot is at the very end of S. E. 3rd Avenue. Harvey Oyer, 4r,, 227 S. W. 15th Avenue, felt that Mr. Trias is doing a wonder- ful job. He explained how important it is to get feedback from the people who are affected by this project and who are going to commit money and do the things that make the program work. He felt one of the biggest problems is the home- less. He stated that the neighborhoods can affect the downtown. He suggested making use of the alleys, detached garages and garage apartments. He felt a lot of this can be improved rather quickly without substantial sums. He liked Ms. Many's suggestion to put the names back on the streets. Marie $hepard, 140 W. Ocean Avenue, stated that many people are willing to get out and work with their own hands to do something without waiting for a lot of - 10- #~NUTE$ - CZTY COI4NZ$$ZON gORKSHOP #EET~NG BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA dANUARY 9, 1995 plans. With regard to the two historic schools, she stated that there is a lot of talk and plans, but not too much is getting done. She felt the historic schools and the marina project should receive high priority in the redevelopment of downtown. Chris Francois, 65 Spanish River Drive, Ocean Ridge, thanked the Commission for what they have done for Ocean Avenue. Ocean Avenue is looking good and, for the first time, there is a positive attitude down there. Jim Wlg~ywas 'pleased that the City Commission has given this project so much support. However, he expressed concern that City Hall and the Building Department might be the fly in the soup, as evidenced by this leaky building. He hoped that as this project gets going, that we will not be own our worst enemy and that we will expedite it. He felt it was important for downtown, City Hall and the Building Department to be user friendly. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to come before the City Commission, the meeting was adjourned at 8:13 P. M. THE CITY OF BOYNTON BEACH Mayor ATTEST: Ci t3~/C 1 erk Recording Secretary (Two Tapes) Vi ce Mayor Commissioner - 11 -