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Minutes 02-16-93 (2)#INUTES OF THE SPECIAL CITY COHHI$$ION #EETING HELD IN COMMISSION CHAMBERS, CITY HALL, BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA, ON TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 1993 AT 4.'30 P.M. PRESENT Arline Weiner, Mayor Lynne Matson, Vice Mayor Jose Aguila, Commissioner Edward Harmening, Commissioner Robert Walshak, Commissioner J. Scott Miller, City Manager James Cherof, City Attorney Sue Kruse, City Clerk CALL TO ORDER Mayor Weiner called the meeting to order at 4:30 p.m. Attorney Cherof stated this is a special meeting of the City Commission to consider interviewing three (3) firms regarding the Mangrove Nature Park. Mayor Weiner explained that Commissioner Walshak was not present for the first presentation. When the Commissioners voted, there was a tie. When the Commis- sion reconvened to vote to break the tie, Commissioner Walshak was present and insisted on voting. Since he was not present for the original presentation, the Commission decided that, in order to hold the City harmless from any attempt by a loser to question the validity of the vote, the three (3) firms would return and repeat their presentations. 1. Robert H, #111er & A$$oclate$~ Inc, Leo Schwartzberg, Vtce President of Robert H, #11let & A$$oclatest Inc, t intro- duced David John, whowill be the-'~roject Nanager. He is a registered Profes- sional Engineer and a certified Environmental Professional. Bill Rosenberg is a Landscape Architect and Planner. Dale Moe, of API Group Architects, was present in place of Jasmine Moore who atte~ed the first presentation. Mr. Schwartzberg explained that Robert H. Miller & Associates, Inc., has been designing parks since 1968. They have designed a variety including the 1,400 acre West Lake Park in Hollywood. That park is similar to Downtown Mangrove Park. Three elements are involved in this project; the environmental element, the park use element and the integration of this site with the downtown. David John addressed the environmental element. He explained that he and Mr. Schwartzberg have canoed through all of the channels. He feels this site con- tains a precious resource and he will be working to get a jurisdictional on the site. No site plan can be offered until all agencies have signed off on a jurisdictional. Mr. John will lead the permitting activities. He will convey to the agencies the City's wish to introduce passive park activities. He will work to preserve the natural site while integrating passive activities. He displayed photographs showing how the mangroves were preserved at another project he was involved with. Bill Rosenberg has been involved with coastal sites since 1966. He has been responsible for the development of many of the sites in Dade County. He worked on the Fern Forest Park, a nature preserve of 240 acres in Broward County. He displayed photos of the boardwalks designed for that park. Fern Forest Park had -I- MINUTES - SPECIAL~CITY COMMISSION MEETING BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA FEBRUARY 16, 1993 conditions similar to those at Downtown Mangrove Park. His firm designed a system which allowed the building of a boardwalk within the confines of the boardwalk width, moving from section to section. The land was not invaded during the building process. The proposed boardwalk system would provide areas where people would be able to pull out of the mainstream to observe a signifi- cant view. Certain areas of the boardwalk would widen so that larger groups would be able to gather to interpret the site. Mr. Rosenberg explained the importance of a management plan for the site. There are many outside influences which alter a natural system. A management plan will permit response to those outside influences. Dale Hoe explained his role in dealing with the architectural features including restrooms and pavilions as well as serving as consultants on accessibility. His firm has over thirty years of experience in architecture. They are familiar with the handicap standards and the ADA requirements. This project will be given their complete attention. Mr. Schwartzberg addressed the issue of boardwalks from a material standpoint. He presented a sample of "plastic wood" which is constructed of 100% recycled plastic (postconsumer plastic). It does not absorb moisture; therefore, it does not get slippery when it gets wet. It does not significantly degrade in ultra- violet light. If scrubbed regularly, it will degrade about 11 percent over a thirty-year period. It is not prone to splinters. The life eXpectancy is from thirty to fifty years. Because of the fact that this boardwalk will be wet and in salt water all of the time, this material is the best choice. Further, Mr. Schwartzberg explained that all of the signage can be modified for handicap purposes. In response to Vice Mayor Matson's question regarding floating pads, Mr. Rosenberg drew a picture of a floating pad, and explained its purpose for use in mucky areas. 2. Seminole Bay Land C~any, .).nc~ Mayor Weiner explained the purpose for this second presentation. Mayor Weiner asked that the presentation be as close to the first one as possible. David Kler, Landscape Architect and Planner, is President of Seminole Bay Land Company. This company is located on Lake Worth Road and he pointed out the importance of the closeness of the firm to the project and to DER and DERM. Mr. Kier said his company has permitted over 7,000 mangroves to be pruned or altered within the last two years. This information is important because rules have changed over the past few years. Mr. Kier feels Seminole Bay has brought per- mitting, planning and landscape architecture together in one small company which handles every issue from conception to construction in the field. Mr. Kier introduced Bob Walker of Mock, Roos. Mock, Roos has a great deal of experience in the granting process. Mr. Walker reported that Mock, Roos has been in business for thirty-eight years and has fifty employees. Mr. Walker spoke of the importance of concurrent per- mitting. Mr. Walker feels this park has the opportunity of being ten of the most recognized acres of sensitive shoreline on the Intracoastal Waterway. The written presentation has shown some of the ideas brought forward. Mr. Kier will -2- #INUTES - SPECIAL CITY COMMISSION HEETING BOYNTOH BEACH, FLORIDA FEBRUARY 16, 1993 present other ideas through a slide presentation. Mr. Kier presented a slide show of boardwalk projects his firm was involved with. He pointed out on an aerial map ~ the extensive amount of mangroves involved. There is a tremendous amount of wildlife present on the site. Private boardwalks can be thin and challenging, while the public boardwalks can be wider and tied into the vegetation to allow people to get under the limbs. Sign posts can be included for educational purposes. Seminole intends to expose people to all horizontal levels of the mangrove environment. Some of the walk- ways can be floating walkways. Glass-bottom decks can be used in other areas for observance of the water. Tree houses are another consideration. There is also a possibility of making the paths maze-like in design. Informational signage is an important factor. Seminole intends to use recycled materials for the decks and benches and energy-saving devices such as solar lights for security lighting. Everything about this park will point to environmental awareness. Although canoe paths have been mentioned, dredge and fill permits are very involved. Dock and deck permits are much more simple to secure. During the building of the park, educational opportunities will arise. Mangrove alteration demonstrations can take place as well as marine construction demon- strations. People will be educated and public relations will build so that the public will be anxious for the opening of the park. This park must be physically inviting in order to draw people to it. Signage must be graphically designed. It is anticipated that the park will con- tain some play areas. Mr. Kier referred to the last presentation and a question regarding supporting a deck in a muck area. Mr. Kier referred to "superdeck". It is a recycled product. He pointed out the importance of every path having a goal. Every path will end at the river overlook structure or a treetop overlook structure. Mr. Kier feels excitement must be created in order to encourage people to return. When the design process begins, the Commission will be presented with many ideas so that a joint decision can be arrived at. Vice Mayor Matson confirmed that recycled materials will be used in the park. 3. Gee & Jenson, .!nc, Mayor Weiner explained the purpose for this second presentation. Jphn yeend, registered Engineer and Vice President with Gee & Jenson, made the presentation with three of the members assigned to the team. Mr. Yeend will be the Project Manager. He is fluent in grant applications. He assisted in the grant application for the Boat Club Park channeling and the Phase I application of this project. John Schaefer, is an Engineer who is primarily responsible for environmental permitting. Jeannette WoJ!clak is a Biologist and will'be respon- sible for keeping the Engineers out of the mangroves. Brett Netn is a Planner and Landscape Architect. He will be involved in assisting in final siting and issues related to planning. Ms. Wojciak has been with Gee & Jenson for seven years. The purpose of her job will be to work with Mr. Nein in finding the least environmentally-sensitive alternatives as far as siting the boardwalk. She will also work with the agencies on the permitting of the project. -3- NIl, lUTES - SPECIAL CITY COt4FIISSIOH 14EETING BOYHTON BEACH, FLORIDA FEBRUARY 16, 1993 Mr. Nein spoke about the window of opportunity available and what this park means to the downtown development. This parcel is very special because it is one of the last undisturbed pieces of land remaining. From a financial stand- point, the shared funding presents an opportunity for the City to do somewhat more than it might have done on its own. Mr. Nein displayed an aerial photo with an overlay depicting possible links with other areas in the City. The conceptual plan depicted boardwalks winding through the mangroves. The primary entrance to the park showed an information center. A second entrance links a possible canoe rental facility. An interpre- tive shelter could be included for scientific displays. A small outdoor classroom could also be incorporated for lectures. Mr. Nein spoke of the possi- bility of a multilevel tower which would allow people to view the City and the barrier islands. Mr. Nein explained that money is available in two programs in the State. The Land and Water Conservation Fund might make it possible to purchase some addi- tional land in the future. The Florida Boating Improvement Fund might be used for the canoe improvements. Mr. Schaefer has been with Gee & Jenson for five years. He is involved with seven other individuals in the firm regarding permitting. In reviewing the firm's experience, photos of the Pelican Bay project in Collier County were displayed. This project contained very sensitive mangroves. It was a contro- versial project. Mr. Schaefer said he uses strategy in applying for permitting. Mr. Yeend discussed his experience in dealing with grant applications. He was involved in the F.I.N.D. application for the Boat Club Park project. That project was 100 percent funded. This project qualifies for 50 percent funding. The schedule which was presented in the RFP is somewhat set back; however, Gee & Jenson feels the schedule is still practical and can be met. Mr. Yeend further advised of another grant which is funded by NOAA and adminis- tered by the State Department of Community Affairs. $100,000 is being made available to applicants for projects similar to this one. There is a matching program on this grant which would allow the F,I.N.D. grant money to qualify for matching funds. Mr. Yeend explained the construction of the boardwalk at Pelican Bay and how that method would be applied in this project. Mr. Yeend said there will be an opportunity to use recycled lumber for portions of the boardwalk. No tests have been done which qualify recycled material for use in structural members, but it can be used for picnic tables and benches as well as for railing comPonents. Although recycled material is more expensive than lumber, it appears to have a longer life than lumber. In response to Vice Mayor Matson's question regarding whether floating founda- tions will be used in mucky areas, Mr. Yeend responded that the pilings will be designed to go down into the good sand beneath the muck. Vote Mayor Weiner advised that when voting, the first choice should receive three points, the second choice should receive two points and the third choice should -4- HINUTE$ - SPECIAL CITY COI~I$$ION #EETING BOYHTON BEACH, FLORIDA FEBRUARY 16, 1993 receive one point. Attorney Cherof reminded the Commissioners to sign the ballots. Due to some confusion over the method of voting, Attorney Cherof returned the ballots to the Commissioners and asked them to vote by rank. After that was accomplished, Attorney Cherof and City Clerk Sue Kruse applied the point system to determine the winner. City Clerk Sue Kruse announced the results as follows: #1 Robert H. Miller with eleven (11) points #2 Seminole Bay with ten (10) points #3 Gee & Jenson with nine (9) points AD~OURNNENT There being no further business to come before the Commission, the meeting properly adjourned at 5:50 p.m. ATTEST: ~Ci i~y~/C1 erk -- Secretary (Two Tapes) THE CITY OF BOYNTON BEACH Mayor Vice Mayor Commissioner Commissioner -5- ROBERT H. MILLER & ASSOC., INC. SEMINOLE BAY LAND COMPANy, INC. GEE & JENSON, INC. ROBERT H. MILLER & ASSOC., INC.. SEMINOLE BAY LAND COMPANY, INC.. GEE & JENSON, INC. ROBERT H. MILLER & ASSOC., INC. SEMINOLE BAY LAND COMPANY, INC. GEE & JENSON, INC. ROBERT lt. MILLER & ASSOC., INC. SEMINOLE BAY LAND cOMPANY, INC. GEE & JENSON, INC. ROBERT R. MILLER & ASSOC., INC. SEMINOLE BA% LAND COMPANY, INC. GEE & JENSON, INC.