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Minutes 01-10-94MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL CITY COMMISSION MEETING HELD IN COMMISSION CHAMBERS, CITY HALL, BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA, ON MONDAY, JANUARY 10, 1994, AT 6:30 P. M. PRESENT Edward Harmening, Mayor Jose Aguila, Vice Mayor Lynne Matson, Mayor Pro Tem Robert Walshak, Commissioner David Katz, Commissioner J. Scott Miller, City Manager James Cherof, City Attorney Sue Kruse, City Clerk CALL TO ORDER Mayor Harmening called the meeting to order at 6:40 P. M. to discuss Capital Improvement Projects and Downtown Development. CAPITAL IMPROVCMENT PROJECTS Fire Department Vice Mayor Aguila referred to the list of suggested capital improvement projects presented at the December 7, 1993 City Commission meeting. He felt Fire Station No. 2 is completely antiquated and needs major improvements or total demolition and reconstruction. Commissioner Katz agreed. Commissioner Walshak agreed that Fire Station No. 2 needs to be replaced; however, he did not think $1,500,000 has to be spent to replace it. He stated that a building of the magnitude of Fire Station No. 3 is not needed. If Fire Station No. 2 is revamped or torn down and rebuilt, he suggested getting an architect who is familiar with designing fire stations. He pointed out that the turning radius in the parking lot of Fire Station No. 3 was not designed big enough for the pumper and felt a better fire station could be built where Fire Station No. 2 is now for half of what was spent to build Fire Station No. 3. Vice Mayor Aguila felt all the other items listed on the submittal from the Fire Department could be replaced yearly through the normal budgetary process. Mayor Pro Tem Matson agreed that Fire Station No. 2 needs to be replaced. addition, she felt the City needs not only a five year plan, but a ten and twenty year plan. In Mayor Harmening did not agree that Fire Station No. 2 needs to be replaced. He stated that the service is excellent in the south end of town. If necessary, Mayor Harmening said minor renovations can be made to improve the living con- ditions, and that at such time as the City needs to service more area to the west, Fire Station No. 2 may need to be expanded or torn down. Commissioner Walshak advised him that the entire roof system of Fire Station No. 2 is leaking and every time it rains, electrical shorts occur. In addition, the air-con- ditioning does not work and the building is completely roach and rat infested. Thousands of dollars have been spent trying to eradicate the rodent problem, without success. - 1- MINUTES - SPECIAL CITY COMMISSION MEETING BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA JANUARY 10, 1994 Police Depart~n~nt City Manager Miller stated that redesign and expansion of the booking area is necessary. The only item Commissioner Katz was in favor of was the building of a police substation in the Seacrest/Martin Luther King Boulevard corridor because it would benefit the citizens. Mayor Pro Tem Matson pointed out that the City is growing and she would like a substation on the west side of town in the future because of the increase in crime and vandalism. City Manager Miller advised that Fire Station No. 3 and the pistol range could possibly be expanded slightly for that purpose. It seemed to Vice Mayor Aguila that by decentralizing police operations, you tend to lose the control that a central station would have. Mayor Pro Tem Matson said she is talking about expanding services, not spreading police offi- cers too thin. She said the City is growing and adding to the tax base and there is a need to spend some of that money to hire more people. Mayor Harmening stated that the only thing accomplished by creating another substation is the creation of another layer of lieutenants and sergeants to staff it. He said the City is presently divided into zones for the purpose of coverage and a satellite police station is not needed to control the people in that zone. All dispatching is controlled through central dispatch. Should anything of any consequence occur on site, the shift commander would be on the scene. Mayor Harmening felt the only purpose of a substation is for police presence in a potentially bad area and that it has no validity whatsoever. Vice Mayor Aguila added that police presence can be increased with personnel and more visibility without creating a substation. Jack DeLoach of the Police Department advised that besides police presence, a substation furthers the com- munity policing program. He pointed out that Fire Station No. 3 was built with that in mind. The classroom there was going to be used as a community room to hold crime watch meetings and other citizen meetings with the crime prevention and community police officers. Mr. DeLoach further stated that another purpose for the substation on Martin Luther King Boulevard is to get the community involved in helping the Police Department fight crime. Mr. DeLoach stated that a substation is desperately needed on Seacrest Boulevard. He stated that perhaps then we can get some economic development on Martin Luther King Boulevard. Vice Mayor Aguila asked about building the second story on the police building to expand the photo lab and house administrative staff. Mr. DeLoach considered this a ten year or longer plan. Vice Mayor Aguila felt there is a lot of space that could be utilized in the current facility. Mr. DeLoach did not agree. He stated that the Police Department is constantly looking for office space. He advised that the Detective Division is the only area that has enough space. In response to Vice Mayor Aguila, Mr. DeLoach advised that the building built in 1972 was stressed for a second floor. The building that was added on is not. -2- MINUTES - SPECIAL CITY COMMISSION MEETING BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA OANUARY 10, 1994 With regard to the booking area, Mr. DeLoach advised that there is not enough room to properly process a DUI and filming cannot be done like the Police Department would like it to be. In response to Vice Mayor Aguila, City Manager Miller advised that these figures are educated guesses and would have to be refined. Engineering With regard to replacement/repair of the seven City bridges, City Manager Miller advised that some of these bridges need full replacement. Commissioner Katz pointed out that the backup material indicates it will cost $2 million to replace or repair the seven City bridges; however, the Engineering Department estimated it would cost $3.5 million. Jim White, City Engineer, advised that the $3.5 million is based on full replacement. He advised that all seven bridges are load limited and really need to be replaced instead of spending money to extend their lives a few more years. Commissioner Walshak wondered if any grant money is available for reconstruction of bridges or if any gas tax money is earmarked for future repair. City Manager Miller advised that a good portion of the gas tax money is proposed to be used for resurfacing; however, some of it can be earmarked for the bridges. In addi- tion, the City is going to apply for ISTEA grants. Commissioner Walshak asked how progress is being made with getting the City in directly with the federal government instead of having to go through the County. City Manager Miller said this is being held in abeyance until the City's popula- tion reaches 50,000. Commissioner Walshak pointed out that this will not be until the next census in the year 2000. He pointed out that the census was taken in 89/90 and showed 48,000 plus residents. Subsequently, three or four developments came on line, which would put the City over the 50,000 threshold. City Manager Miller said a petition was filed; however, the City was still set down as 48,000 plus. The only appeal process is to have a physical census taken, based on the guidelines of the U. S. Census Bureau and paid for by the City. Commissioner Katz asked when the bridges were last inspected. Mr. White referred to a report dated I992. He agreed with Commissioner Katz that the bridges have been in a state of ongoing disrepair for a year to a year and a half. Mayor Harmening asked if most of the guardrails and reflectors were put up. Mr. White said Public Works has done some repair work related to the signs, reflectors, and pavement, but did not work on the guardrails because they are not equipped to install and modify guardrails. Mayor Harmening asked for an estimated cost to repair the bridges. Mr. White said he has not estimated that cost. He pointed out that repairs would be remedial life extension but would not upgrade the capacity or the geometry of the bridges. -3- MINUTES - SPECIAL CITY COMMISSION MEETING BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA JANUARY 10, 1994 Mayor Harmening did not recall being in a traffic jam at any bridge and he has not seen any trucks turn around and back up because they were too heavy to cross the bridges. Commissioner Walshak said he has witnessed trucks attempting unsuccessfully to cross the bridge on Old Boynton Road. Mayor Harmening felt all the concrete work on the bridges should be redone. He estimated that all the repairs could be done for $150,000 or less. Mayor Pro Tem Matson suggested repairing them and putting them on an extended time frame for replacement. Mr. White stated that bridges are key to a transportation system, which is key to an economy. He said if you cannot move trucks, you cannot move goods, and you cannot move your economy. With regard to computerization of the City Engineer's Office, Vice Mayor Aguila asked who would be operating the two proposed C.A.D.D. Systems. Mr. White stated that the City could hire experienced people or train its current employees. In response to Vice Mayor Aguila, Mr. White explained that the G.I.S System is a Geographical Information System. It is used to combine such functions as mapping, drainage, traffic engineering, fire response, zoning, and utilities. Commissioner Walshak pointed out that it would probably fit in nicely with the drainage program. Mayor Harmening stated that all government bodies are attempting to work into the G.I.S. System and that in order to bring the City into the twentieth century, G.I.S. is definitely needed. In response to Vice Mayor Aguila, City Manager Miller advised that some of the items of a capital nature were eliminated from the original list and only public improvements are being considered. He felt other funding sources could be looked at relative to the other items. In response to Commissioner Walshak, City Manager Miller advised that most items would require a bond issue. Some of the smaller ones would not. He advised that what is before the Commission is a wish list for five to ten years down the line. It is not necessarily a full capital improvement program. He pointed out that one variable that must be taken into consideration when doing a capital improvement program is maintenance costs because whatever is built or developed has an annual maintenance cost built into it, which has to be built into the general operating fund. City Manager Miller suggested a full investigative study be done on the bridges. In response to Vice Mayor Aguila, Mr. White stated that Parson Brinkenhoff recommended the bridges be repaired to extend their lives another ten years. Publlc Works City Manager Miller advised that the Public Works facility is running out of room. It is being proposed that the property north of the Public Works complex be acquired for expansion of the facility and that a new Parks facility, animal shelter, bulk storage warehouse, dumpster storage area, and additional parking spaces for employees be constructed on the newly purchased property. In addi- tion, City Manager Miller advised that with mass transit being implemented later this year, facilities will be needed to house four buses. -4- HINUTE$ - SPECIAL CITY COMHI$$ION HEETING BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA JANUARY 10, 1994 Carel Fisher of Public Works stated that this will actually upgrade the City with the infill program. He advised that about five large trucks are parked in undesignated areas. The recycling program and the expansion of the recycling program was not taken into consideration when the facility was built. Since then, equipment and people were added. Mayor Harmening pointed out that a little space will be gained when the water tank is torn down. Bob Eichorst, Public Works Director, advised that this would amount to a quarter of an acre. Mr. Eichorst stated that when Public Works moved into the compound, there was not enough room for the equipment and parking spaces had to be tightened up, thereby creating clearance problems~ Commissioner Walshak stated that this whole area is primed to become an enterprize zone and there are many grants specifically for enterprise zones. In response to Commissioner Walshak, Mr. Eichorst stated that the lots on 9th Avenue are individually owned. However, at the westernmost point on Martin Luther King Boulevard, there are two or three large lots owned by the County. Mayor Harmening gave approval to explore acquiring some of the property on the north side of 9th Avenue. Mr. Fisher advised that in addition to equipment needs, we are being mandated more and more by various regulatory agencies for inhouse training. Public Works does not have space to hold training programs and is forced to use a storage bay. With this expansion program, Public Works would acquire a training room and a lunch room. AT THIS POINT IN THE MEETING, A RECESS WAS TAKEN. WHEN THE MEETING RESUMED AT 7:44 P. M., DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT WAS DISCUSSED BEFORE CONTINUING WITH CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS. DOWNTOWN DEVELCPMENT Ann Ford introduced Kishor Parekh, a financial consultant to cities and an expert on tax and bond issues. Mr. Parekh will provide information regarding some things which have been discussed around town by developers and evaluate the ups and downs of those vehicles. Janet Bollum is a conTnissioner in the City of Deland, which has faced many of the same problems that the City of Boynton Beach presently faces with redevelop- ment. Deland is on a real fast track right now for solving those problems and moving forward. Their downtown redevelopment is going extremely well. Gary Heinz is from the Business Development Board. He is going to discuss how the nonprofit corporations in the community can work with the City and the rede- velopment. They are supportive in grant processes and can be helpful in a number of other ways to achieving the desired goals. Ms. Ford advised that the City first has to start with a good vision plan and not just for a couple of blocks. She said it has to be understood how the -5- HINUTES - SPECIAL CITY COHHISSION HEETING BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA OANUARY 10, 1994 entire City is going to work in relation to the downtown that is going to be improved. She advised that there are several ways to go about getting this vision plan. Ms. Ford informed the Commission that there are some legal problems which she has discussed with the City Manager, and that there is a need to revise the redevelopment plan in light of those legal problems. Deland has also faced those problems and Commissioner Bollum will explain how they overcame them. Commissioner Bollum stated that Ms. Ford was instrumental in the revitalization of Deland's downtown and in getting their redevelopment plan back on track. She advised that Ms. Ford was also instrumental in pointing out where a lot of money is hidden that is available to cities. Commissioner Bollum stated that she owns a business in the redevelopment dis- trict and has been a commissioner for three years. Prior to that she was one of the coordinators of the Main Street Deland Association. The Main Street Deland Association was instrumental in developing a redevelopment plan, which was first developed in 1985. In 1989, a consultant was hired to update the redevelopment plan. She advised that this cost $12,000 and nothing was accomplished. Commissioner Bollum stated that Main Street was rehired to update the redevelop- ment plan and, with the help of a development attorney, is putting them back in sync. Since the City of Boynton Beach does not have a Main Street Program, she recommended utilizing staff and local organizations such as the Chamber of Commerce to determine what Boynton Beach needs. Once the visioning process is done, she recommended hiring a development authority to make sure the project and redevelopment plan is legally sound. She stated that the City of Boynton Beach needs to update its redevelopment plan because any tax increment funds used must be specifically stated in the redevelopment plan. When redoing the redevelopment plan, she recommended including everything the City might want to do. Commissioner Bollum stated that many funding sources are available. Deland just received $1.$ million from ISTEA to do the streetscape for downtown. The ISTEA legislation has moved a little away from vehicular transportation and towards pedestrian/bicycle/historic preservation. Enhancement funds is 10 percent off the toP. That 10 percent off the tax is available to any governmental or non-profit entity for any project from pedestrian safety to historic preservation to acquisition of historic buildings, sidewalks around the schools, etc. It is a five year program and it is only in its second year. Commissioner Bollum advised that Deland is also in the Small Cities Program and that CDBG money can be used for economic development. Commissioner Bollum stated that Deland was given a historic building in the downtown and used that building to go after a historic preservation grant, which they received in the last cycle. Deland only had to use $100,000 out of their tax increment funds. -6- MINUTES - SPECIAL CITY COMMISSION MEETING BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA OANUARY 10, 1994 Commissioner Bollum stated that DCA has a parks grant and that cities can apply for money for acquisition or construction of city parks. Commissioner Walshak asked how big Deland is. Commissioner Bollum advised him that the City limits has a population of just under 17,000. Greater Deland has a population of about 50,000. Commissioner Walshak asked if Deland participates in any public/private ven- tures. Commissioner Bollum advised that the Main Street Program is a public/private venture. He requested further information regarding the historic building which Deland was given. Commissioner Bollum explained that this building was an important retail anchor and Deland promised to renovate it and keep it as a retail establishment. Historic preservation money is being used to renovate it and put it back into a retail entity. The entire upstairs of the building was rented to a restaurant. They are going to completely outfit the restaurant and Deland is giving them credit off their rent for the first five years until they recoup that up to $150,000. Then it will become Deland's prop- erty. Commissioner Katz asked if Deland has a well defined central business district. Commissioner Bollum answered affirmatively, saying that downtown Deland is a historic district. Commissioner Katz asked if downtown Deland has had to contend with expansion. Commissioner Bollum advised him that Deland has had to contend with expansion from both directions. When the three malls came into Deland, there was an ini- tial fear that it would dry up the business district. Downtown Deland had to reestablish its identity as a unique and service oriented small town. There are many antique stores which tend to establish the historic character. They have good restaurants and mom and pop specialty shops. In response to Commissioner Walshak, Commissioner Bollum stated that Stetson University is right on the border of the downtown and is a tremendous asset. They are going to be part of the streetscaping and redevelopment plan. Ms. Ford stated that 50 percent of Deland's storefronts were vacant and they had serious threats from the regional malls. To change this, it had to be deter- mined what would fill the niche that is not going to be met by the malls. Therefore, surveys were done for free by the university graduate students and senior classes to find out exactly what people wanted downtown. Deland had no trouble luring business after that study. A follow-up study was done and Main Street is now doing a third step with the university to further define markets with the population base within the 50,000 population. With regard to use of appropriate entities, Ms. Ford advised that there are many nonprofit corporations within the City of Boynton Beach, such as the Chamber of Commerce and the Business Development Board. She asked Gary Heinz to discuss how his nonprofit corporation can interact with the City to help improve busi- ness conditions. -7 - MINUTES - SPECZAL CITY COMMISSION MEETING BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA JANUARY 10, 1994 Mr. Heinz explained that the Business Development Board, founded in 1982, is a private, not-for-profit economic development organization which markets all of Palm Beach County. Its primary mission is to bring investment dollars, jobs, and companies to Palm Beach County. The Board maintains a countywide inventory of available properties. They do not charge property owners for this service. Mr. Heinz explained that the Chief Executive Officer will advise the Board where his company wants to locate. The Board qualifies the project, finds out the company's site criteria, and then gives them a customized property report listing everything in Palm Beach County that fits their criteria. Mr. Heinz stated that the Board can also be a resource in finding tenants for the City. Another resource that the City or any entity in Palm Beach County can avail themselves of is a new program sponsored and funded by the Board of County Commissioners. They established a $5 million Job Growth Incentive Fund. It has been extremely successful to date. It is a grant of dollars for a commitment of a company to bring jobs to Palm Beach County. To be eligible, the company has to agree to bring 25 or more new jobs to a community and they cannot be minimium wage jobs. They have to pay the average countywide salary or above. The Board will help eligible companies apply for some of those Job Growth Incentive Funds. In response to Commissioner Walshak, Mr. Heinz said the cap on the funding is up to $2,000 per job, with a ceiling of $500,000, and from $50,000 to a maximum of $500,000 per project. The company would have to enter into an official contract with the Board of County Commissioners. The contract stipulates that the com- pany will create the stated number of jobs at a certain salary level within twelve months. In exchange for that, they will be reimbursed for their expenses connected to their relocation. Uses of the Fund include relocation cost of the company, leasehold improvements of a building that they lease, infrastructure improvements, and establishment of a day care facility. So far, this program has worked extremely well. Mayor Harmening asked if there is still other grant money available from the Department of Commerce for new jobs and training. Mr. Heinz answered affirma- tively, saying that there are two training grant programs, both available through his office. One is funded statewide by Enterprise Florida. Approxi- mately $5 million was appropriated last year by the Florida Legislature. In addition to the Job Growth Incentive Fund, the Board of County Commissioners has committed $100,000, which is administered through the Business Development Board. Those are available to both relocating companies coming into a community and existing companies that are already here. Ms. Ford pointed out that the County has an overall economic development plan in place. This allows the City to go after EDA grants from the Federal Government. She stated that in many cases it is better for the business leaders to be carrying the flag and for the Chamber to do the planning grant with the State because it shows that the business community is behind the City and the Federal government is extremely impressed by this. Therefore, the more activity and participation, the better the City's chances are to get even more money, and the more diversified the sources. Ms. Ford advised that the EDA is assisting her in getting CDBG money to use as matching funds for the EDA grant. By pursuing other grant sources, the City can reduce what comes out of its budget. -8- MINUTES - SPECIAL CITY COMMISSION MEETING BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA ~ANUARY 10, 1994 Kishor Parekh is an investment banker and financial adviser. He stated that he is before the City Commission this evening as a private individual, not in any professional capacity. Mr. Parekh advised that when any City is looking to redevelop any area, it has to be determined how that area fits into the overall picture. The needs of all the outlying areas need to be taken into consideration. He saw a tremendous opportunity in the Boynton Beach downtown if there is a unified plan. Mr. Parekh stated that part of the money will have to come from the City, but it does not have to be in direct dollars. It can be in soft dollars in terms of support provided by staff, and guidance. Mr. Parekh advised that the State has a Community Contribution Tax Incentive Program to try to build the public/private partnership aspect within the whole State. It allows a business to make a donation in cash or real property to a nonprofit or local government authority for a tax credit of up to $20,000, which can be carried over for up to five years if they do not use it up in any given fiscal year. This does not cost the City anything, except for administration's time to go to Tallahassee and lobby for this grant. This grant comes out on a first come, first serve basis. It is very competitive. Mr. Parekh explained the two types of bonds (general obligation bonds and reve- nue bonds). He stated that Certificates of Participation (COPs) are one type of revenue bond. When looking to issue a COP, even though you are not off the hook legally for those bonds as far as the financial market is concerned, they are your bonds. If you issue a COP for any project, the investor is not bonding the project, he is bonding the City of Boynton Beach. In response to Mayor Pro Tem Matson, Mr. Parekh stated that if these bonds default, you can go to the market; however, the premiums will be high. COPs are a good vehicle; however, you have to be careful how you use them and for what projects you use them. In terms of tax abatements, when you are looking towards revitalization of any area, you want people to come into that area and develop it. However, you also want to get something out of the deal (a better tax base and more activity in the downtown area). When you give a tax abatement, you are negating all of that. Therefore, you have to be careful about tax abatements. Sometimes they work out wonderfully because even though you are giving up the incremental reve- nue you may have received in terms of rent, etc., you will make it up because retail activities will increase, hence sales tax and occupational license and permit fees go up. Mr. Parekh stated that public/private joint ventures is where the City helps the developer to permit properly and amend the master plan in return for the devel- oper making a long term commitment to the area. Commissioner Walshak informed Mr. Parekh that a couple of projects have been proposed over the last couple of years in the marina area; however, a tremendous amount of infrastructure is necessary to open a couple of these projects up. He stated that Ms. Ford needs to get the City some of that infrastructure grant -g- MINUTES - SPECIAL CITY COMMISSION MEETING BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA JANUARY 10, 1994 money. Mr. Parekh informed Commissioner Walshak that the Federal Reserve has a CRA (Community Reinvestment Act) program. CRA was meant specifically to remedy certain "redlining issues" whereby banks were not lending funds in certain areas. There is a big scramble throughout the State and nation for people and banks to find good projects to put money into to satisfy their CRA requirements. If it is viewed from the standpoint that this is a development project and these funds are going to be put at a certain amount of risk, then Mr. Parekh felt the commercial bankers might see some value. He felt it is about time commercial bankers put some money back into the community. He suggested the banks be approached and asked to adopt a project and find additional funding for it. Commissioner Walshak stated that this City puts a tremendous amount of money- through Barnett Bank. They have a branch right at the corner of the area-in question. It bothered Commissioner Walshak that they have not been more active with the people from downtown in getting projects started. Ms. Ford advised that Cal Cearley had put together a low interest loan pool for the community redevelopment area as part of the CRA and there were no takers. She advised that Linda from First Union Bank, and some other bank people are willing to help the City by putting together a low interest loan. Commissioner Walshak felt it is about time the City gives some of these other banks that are willing to participate a little bit of the action through this City. Ms. Ford advised that some banks are very cooperative and are willing to do a low interest loan pool for a development project to assist with the down- town. In defense of commercial banks, Mr. Parekh felt they might be looking at how a project ties into the overall plan, and if one project depends on other projects coming on line, then he could see why a banker would be hesitant to do anything. Ms. Ford added that this goes back to the vision plan problem. She advised that the old plan has uses that the City would not want in it and does not include uses that are wanted. It was not broadly enough stated when originally adopted and it is very important legally to be able to commit City funds for matching funds on grants. Sbme of these projects that will be pursued are not currently in the plan; therefore, the plan has to be revised. Ms. Ford advised that she needs direction on what to pursue. Ms. Ford advised that R/UDAT (American Institute of Architects) will work with the community, Commission, and staff to devise a vision plan, not only for the downtown corridor, but to tie it to the entire community. The City would only have to reimburse R/UDAT for their expenses. R/UDAT will work out circulation patterns, etc. They would be of tremendous assistance as far as the bridge issue and some of the other items that are facing the City in order to plan properly. Vice Mayor Aguila stated that about a year ago, Ken Hirsh, an archi- tect in Boca Raton, tried to get the support of the municipalities to do a countywide R/UDAT; however, he received very little support~ Ms. Ford advised that in the City of Deland, $40,000 was raised by the banks, businesses, Chamber, City, and County to do a planning grant study. She was confident the money could be raised to bring in a R/UDAT team by asking for money from the CRA funds from the banks, perhaps $2,000 per bank. - 10 - FIINUTE$ - SPECIAL CITY COHt4I$$ION 14EETIHG BOYHTOH BEACH, FLORIDA JANUARY 10, 1994 Ms. Ford advised that Locational Analysis Gravity Models are used to determine the best use of a property. In addition, the University of Florida has one of the best programs in the entire country. They have excellent economic models available to cities at a very low cost. Commissioner Bollum recommended facade grants for immediate impact. She advised that as part of the initial Main Street Program, the very first year the State gives $10,000 for facade grants. Deland does not have design guidelines, other than signage, and the Facade Grant Program is a way to encourage good graphic architectural designs. It is a 50/50 program. Deland is into its third $10,000. The first $10,000 was from the State. The second $10,000 was from Main Street, and the third $10,000 was budgeted this year from CRA. Ms. Ford advised that Federal facade grant money is also available. Commissioner Walshak wondered if the City can apply for those grants. Commissioner Bollum advised that if the City becomes a Main Street City, it is automatic. Mayor Pro Tem Matson advised that the City was turned down. Mr. Parekh was not very familiar with the Federal program; however, he under- stands the Federal government will give monies to do exactly what the State program does. Commissioner Bollum advised that the State Historic Preservation comes out of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Mr. Parekh said if you have a historic area and make a commitment to bring it back to the way it was, Federal monies are available. Ms. Ford said there has been talk about relaxing some of the zoning require- ments in the downtown. Representatives from the Building, Planning, and Engineering Departments, and the City Manager discussed ways to speed up the process to get more successful development perking. Those ways included stream- lining the process, particularly in the downtown, and relaxing the guidelines. Mayor Harmening felt we practically gave away the downtown in one sense just the other night when the dry cleaners was allowed to be established in a building that is totally nonconforming in every respect. The usage was even a prohibited use, Vice Mayor Aguila felt Ms. Ford was on the right track as far as making the system a little more user friendly. He was interested to hear what Ms. Ford thinks should be considered. He suggested she summarize her ideas for the Commission. He felt we need to work on mixed uses in the downtown area and that this is one of the easiest ways to bring vitality back to an area. Commissioner Bollum stated that streamlining, user friendly, and one stop shopping were the same complaints Deland was hearing from developers. She found it is very good to combine residential, office and retail in the downtown. It makes the upstairs more viable and tends to give a lot more flexibility. Certain businesses can be kept out of the downtown area through the Land Development Regulations. She felt the guidelines in downtown Boynton Beach should be relaxed a little and that the City should lean a little more to be proactive in helping with facades. She suggested that the Planning and Zoning Department help people pick out good color schemes and prohibit certain colors, - 11- MINUTES - SPECIAL CITY COMMISSION MEETING BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA JANUARY 10, 1994 rather than having people stick to specific colors. Commissioner Bollum also mentioned that having to wait six months to put a sign up will hurt a business. Vice Mayor Aguila asked if parking regulations have been relaxed in Deland. Commissioner Bollum advised that downtown Deland does not having parking regula- tions. All of the lighting, landscaping, and parking in the central business district is the City's responsibility. The City owns and manages all the parking lots. There is a zero lot line. Maintenance of the parking lots is paid for by levying a certain amount of money based on store frontage. In response to Vice Mayor Aguila about what she is going to do next, Ms. Ford said she has some grants to pursue. She has a person who is going to look for matching sources and assist in obtaining those matching sources. A RECESS WAS TAKEN AT THIS TIME. THE MEETING RESUME WITH CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS AT 9:25 P. M. CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS LIbrary City Manager Miller advised that based on the estimated population for the year 2,000, the Library is going to need an additional 15,000 square feet. Commissioner Katz asked if it will be a new branch. Virginia Farace, Library Director, stated that there are many ways to add the 15,000 square feet and the best way has to be determined. Commissioner Katz asked how the technology portion of the Library's proposed projects is going to benefit the people who use the library. Ms. Farace explained that you would be able to put the CD-Rom subscriptions right on your computer. The library now has dial in access from your home if you have a com- puter. She hoped to have connection through Internet to libraries throughout the United States. Staff can search through Internet now on a limited basis. But in order to make it available to the public, the automation equipment must be upgraded. In response to Commissioner Walshak, Ms. Farace advised that Bulletin Board is one very small aspect of Internet. These capabilities would allow more people to do it for themselves in the library. It has been said that this will be available through the television and telephone; however, a charge will be attached and not everybody can afford it. Therefore, the library will be there to provide that information. In response to Commissioner Walshak, Ms. Farace advised that Internet is a system that ties together all the dif- ferent computer nodes throughout the world. With regard to the remodeling portion of the Library's proposed projects, Ms. Farace advised that those are items which never got done when the library was built. Vice Mayor Aguila suggested having a technology wing at another site if the 15,000 square feet of additional space if approved. Ms. Farace felt it was better to have access from all sites. This will make satellites much better - 12- MINUTES - SPECIAL CITY COMMISSION MEETING BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA JANUARY 10, 1994 than they are now. Right now, branches cannot give you what you can do in the central area. She would rather put more in one central area because more can be done with it. Computers will make a satellite much more feasible now. But you would not only put technology in a satellite. You would have it accessed from wherever you are. That makes your satellites more productive. Parks Department Vice Mayor Aguila felt many of the median landscaping projects can be funded by a variety of sources. Commissioner Walshak inquired about the ISTEA grant for 22nd Avenue. City Manager Miller advised that the City was turned down on all its applications last year. The City is going to try for them again this year. He advised that lobbying is the key. With regard to Kiddie Park, Charles Frederick advised that he is attempting to work with one of the local clubs to multiply the dollars to possibly do a $70,000 project. With regard to resurfacing the tennis courts and adding four, Mr. Frederick advised that there is one area on the western side of the pro shop which is a large, vacant area. That area is master planned for four additional courts which fills out the complete master plan for the site. He added that the Racquet Center is now totally self-sustaining in terms of annual revenues and expects the revenues to be even better this year. In response to Commissioner Aguila, Mr. Frederick advised that right now revenues are just paying annual operational costs. In response to Mayor Harmening regarding enterprise, Mr. Frederick said it is being tracked. Some programs are a little high; some are a little low. Some marketing adjustments were made for the next registration period. Overall, he felt fairly comfortable with it right now. Vice Mayor Aguila was not in favor of spending money to renovate Freedom Hall. He felt it should be demolished. Mr. Frederick advised that he put this on the list because some money.needs to be set aside to either tear it down or renovate or tear down the school. Mayor Harmening noticed a discrepancy in the costs to renovate the historic schools. It was clarified that it would cost $1.2 million for the elementary school and $3.2 million for the high school. The $5 million figure included the cost to demolish Freedom Hall. Vice Mayor Aguila pointed out that there is still the problem of the comprehen- sive plan committing the City to certain park development by the year 2000. He did not see any plans being made to accomplish this. Mr. Frederick said we have all but two of those. Two of them were for 1995. They are going to be changed. Others should be changed also. - 13 - HINUTE$ - SPECIAL CITY COHHI$$ION HEETIHG BOYNTOH BEACH, FLORIDA JANUARY 10, 1994 Vice Mayor Aguila would like the City Manager's recommendations regarding what should be done and how to fund it. City Manager Miller advised that he will have to take maintenance and staff costs into consideration. He pointed out that there is not enough maintenance and custodial staff now to handle the con- cerns and problems. If additional parks are going to be built and additional facilities added, the maintenance costs are going to skyrocket. He advised that, excluding new construction, the City lost assessed value last year. Harry Marcus, who lives at 650 Horizons East, gave a lengthy speech and shared some statistics with the Commission. He cautioned them to be careful that their vision does not become blurred and forewarned them not to make a financial mistake which would permanently impair the City's credit. He urged the Commission not to spend money the City does not have, and to increase taxes if they have to. Commissioner Walshak informed Mr. Marcus that he has no intention of voting in favor of putting a revenue bond on the ballot at this point in time, and that the projects discussed this evening should be budgeted for over the next couple of years. ADJOURNHENT There being no further business to come before the City Commission, the meeting properly adjourned at 10:21P. M. ATTEST: i ty~'C 1 erk ' Re co rd i h~ -Se~ re ta ry (Four Tapes) THE CITY.~O~OY~~. N BEACH  '"~"~" Vice Mayor ~ ~ /~ ~/~ayor~ Pro Tem - 14 -