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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes 03-12-99 MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL c~'rY COMMISSION MEETING HELD IN COMMISSION CHAMBERS, CITY HALL, BOYNTON BEACH, FLOI~DA ON TUESDAY, MARCH 12, 1999 AT 6:30 P.M. PRESENT Gerald Taylor, Mayor Shirley Jaskiewicz, Vice Mayor Henderson Tillman, Mayor Pro Tern ]amie Titcomb, Commissioner Nellie Denahan, Commissioner Dale Sugerman, Assistant City Manager ]ames Cherof, City Attorney Sue Kruse, City Clerk I. OPENINGS: A. Call to order - Mayor Gerald Taylor Mayor Taylor called the meeting to order at 5:05 p.m. Father Mark, of St. Mark Church, offered the invocation. B. Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag led by Vice Mayor Shirley :laskiewicz Vice Mayor Jaskiewicz led the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag. C. Agenda Approval - Additions, Deletions, Corrections, Adoption Vice Mayor ]askiewicz moved to approve the agenda. Mayor Pro Tem Tillman seconded the motion that carried unanimously. IT. ELECTION ISSUES Canvassing and declaration of certified election returns from General Election held on March Z0, :L999 Motion Mayor Pro Tem Tillman moved to accept the election returns. Commissioner Titcomb seconded the motion that carried unanimously, Proclamation proclaiming Runoff Election to elect Mayor to be held on March 23, :L999 Mayor Taylor read a Proclamation declaring March 23, 1999 as the Runoff Election to elect the Mayor of the City of Boynton Beach. C. Proposed Resolution No, R99-31 Re: Tests Absentee Ballots and L&A Attorney Cherof read Proposed Resolution No. R99-31 by title only. MEE'rZNG MINUTES REGULAR CITY COMMISSION BOYNTON BEACH~ FLORIDA MARCH 12~ 1999 III. PUBLIC AUDIENCE: Kathy Shabotynslo/j announced that because of the Runoff Election, the Chamber of Commerce has arranged for a public debate between the candidates on March 15th from 7:00 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. at the Clayton Center at Bethesda Memorial Hospital. PRESENTATION/ACKNOWLEDGEMENT AND APPRECIATION OF SERVICE TO MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSIONERS On behalf of the citizens and employees of the City of Boynton Beach, Assistant City Manager Dale Sugerman thanked each member of the Commission for their dedicated service to the community and the organization. He emphasized that the financial rewards of this service are minimal, the hours are long, and the complaints are never ending. However, the feeling of satisfaction is great when a positive impact has been made on the community. Mr. Sugerman presented each of the Commissioners with a plaque as a token of appreciation for their tireless efforts and as a reminder of the many successes each Commissioner had individually and collectively. He wished the departing Commissioners good luck in all future endeavors and looks forward to great things to come with the new Commissioners. A. REMARKS BY: Commissioner Nellie Denahan Commissioner Denahan said it was her privilege and honor to serve with her fellow Commissioners who were focussed and unified. She thanked them for working with her during her first year. She feels each one of the Commissioners brought dignity to the City and she felt privileged to have worked with each one. She said there is no greater service than the service to man. She thanked each Commissioner. Mayor Pro Tern Henderson TJllman Mayor Pro Tem Tillman took his seat on the Commission three years ago and feels that the operation has been above board since his first day and things have been accomplished. That was not always the case in Boynton Beach, but this is a City that is changing so much for the better that he is proud to be taking part in this growth and development. Mayor Pro Tern Tillman commended Mayor Taylor for superbly conducting the meetings. He pointed out that there is not always agreement among the Commissioners; however, everyone must be willing to understand each other and work together. Mayor Pro Tem Tillman recalled that he and Commissioner Titcomb campaigned simultaneously and completed successful campaigns. The entire Commission had a "can do" attitude and used that attitude to get things done. The City is a much nicer, cleaner and more beautiful place because of the things done by this Commission. Mayor Pro Tern Tillman urged Commissioner Denahan to hang in there and things will turn around and get even better. Sitting as a Commissioner is a learning and growing experience. He thanked Commissioner Denahan for her service. MEET:LNG M/NUTES REGULAR CI'TY COMMTSSTON BOYNTON BEACH~ FLORTDA MARCH 12~ 1999 Commissioner 3amie Titcomb Commissioner Titcomb recalled that when he received the call to serve, he was flattered and honored because he is a civic type of person. This has been a very enriching experience and he feels the work done by the Commission has been exemplary in terms of turning the City around. This Commission worked as a team and everyone is responsible for the successes. Although everyone did not always agree on everything, there was a vow made to use professional decorum, cooperation, listening and implementation of each other's ideas. Commissioner Titcomb was pleased to have had the opportunity to take office and work on making the community better. Tn December, Commissioner Titcomb intended to return to his agency business. However, he was offered, and has accepted, another government job. From the beginning, his agenda has been serving the community and enhancing the quality of life in Boynton Beach. Commissioner -I~tcomb was pleased to have served with the present Commissioners. Vice Mayor Shirley 3askiewicz Vice IVlayor .laskiewicz reminded everyone that when she was sworn into office four years ago, she prayed that God would let her live each day and serve the City in a way that was pleasing to Him so that when she stepped out of office, she could hold her head high. Vice IVlayor .laskiewicz was very pleased to have worked with the Commissioners because of their strong leadership skills. At that time, Mayor Taylor recommended that the new Commission focus on goals. Tn order to do that, a facilitator from Florida State University was hired to work with the Commissioners for two days to help them focus on setting goals. Those goals were: Public Safety - IVluch has been done in this area. We now have a COP Program with 800 volunteers. Education - The City of Boynton Beach will have its first high school. Revitalization of the Downtown - Citizens will be very pleased within the next couple of years when the bridge construction project comes to fruition. Tn addition, the Children's IVluseum project is underway. Ocean Avenue will take on a new look. The groundbreaking for the marina project has already taken place, and a Senior Center is underway. Neighborhoods - We now have 84 associations and a Community Appearance Code. The City implemented an in-fill housing program that boasts 38 new homes. The City is also cooperating with Habitat for Humanity. Economic Development - Quantum Park is no longer idle. Boynton Commons is in operation and the Riverwalk Plaza is now a thriving marketplace. MEETING MINUTES REGULAR CITY COMMISSION BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA MARCH 12~ 1999 Vice Mayor ]askiewicz thanked 3Jm Cherof and Rosemarie Lamanna, former City Managers Carrie Parker-Hill and Kerry Willis and their staff including Susan Berman, ]oyce Costello and Lou Marvin, City Clerk Sue Kruse and her staff, the staff of the West Wing and the Library staff. Vice Mayor ]askiewicz thanked the members of the press, in particular, Chuck McGinness. Vice Mayor ]askiewicz prayed that the Lord continues his blessings on us and thanked everyone for their support. Mayor 3erry Taylor Four years ago, Mayor Taylor said he campaigned with a promise of professional leadership, attention to crime, neighborhood revitalization, economic development and downtown redevelopment. The Commission demonstrated that City business could be conducted in a professional manner. The Commission was able to agree and disagree while respecting each other's views and working toward compromise. All interests of the City were included in a Visions plan that will be active as the City progresses in the years ahead. An outstanding City Manager was hired who created a work environment in which employees are given the opportunity to excel. It is important to continue that goal. Crime was attacked through drug marches, the COP Program and strong Code enforcement. Hank Ackermann was hired as a Neighborhood Coordinator to establish associations. The City conducted cleanup campaigns, provided swale improvements, planted trees and shrubbery, provided new trash receptacles, procured new money to improve Gateway Boulevard, lobbied and acquired the new high school, built the children's playground, and is in the process of building a children's museum, senior center, ten-acre park on the Intracoastal Waterway and renovating Boat Club Park. The City worked hard with representatives of Quantum Park, developed Boynton Commons, the Wal Mart, Steak & Shake, the Winn Dixie Shopping Center, the hotel, CarMax, and two proposed ice rinks. The City has conducted joint meetings with the Chamber of Commerce and is working with the Boynton Beach Boulevard Association. With respect to downtown redevelopment, the CRA board was formalized and the CRA Plan was established. A fa(sade program was also developed. We directed the Ocean Avenue Bridge project, the marina Project, the downtown retention pond, the Ocean Avenue Promenade, the downtown Promenade and are working with developers on the Visions 20/20 economic investment projects in our downtown. Mayor Taylor believes he was able to keep his campaign promises with the assistance of his fellow Commissioners and the professional managers and employees of the City. He thanked all of the City employees for the dedication they bring to the workplace. He offered special thanks to Sue Kruse, Scott Blasie, Rosemarie Lamanna, Chief Gage, Chief Bingham, Deputy Chief Ness, Larry Roberts, Virginia Farace, Arlene Dennison, Melody Green, Joe Sciortino, Mike Haag, .loyce Costello, Susan Berman, Lou Marvin, Wilfred Hawkins, Dale Sugerman, Carrie Parker-Hill and Kerry Willis. Mayor Taylor thanked City Attorney Cherof for the advice, counsel and excellence he brings to the job. He is hopeful future Commissions will retain him for many, many years. MEETTNG MINUTES REGULAR CITY COMMTSSI'ON BOYNTON BEACH~ FLORIDA F4ARCH 12~ 1999 Mayor Taylor thanked his supporters for their confidence and advice. He thanked his peers for a rewarding experience and expressed his love for his family. He thanked his wife for her inspiration. In closing Mayor Taylor quoted the following passage from King Solomon: "Young men, listen to me as you would to your father. Listen and grow wise for T speak the truth. Don't turn away for T, too, was once a son tenderly loved by my mother as an only child and the companion of my father. He told me never to forget his words. Tf you follow them, he said, you will have a long and happy life. Learn to be wise, he said and develop good judgment and common sense. T cannot overemphasize this point. Cling to wisdom. She will protect you. Love her and she will guard you. Determination to be wise is the first step towards becoming wise and with yoUr wisdom develop common sense and gobd judgment. If you exult with them, she will exult you. Hold her fast and she will lead you to great honor. She will place a beautiful crown upon your head." Mayor Taylor recommended that the new Mayor and incoming Commissioners use wisdom and common sense in serving the people of Boynton Beach. AT THIS POINT, MAYOR TAYLOR, VICE MAYOR JASKIEWICZ AND COMMISSIONER TITCOMB LEFT THE DAIS. V. ADMTN'rSTRATION OF OATHS OF OFFICE/REMARKS A. Commissioner Ronald Weiland At the dais, City Clerk Sue Kruse administered the Oaths of Office to Commissioner Weiland. B. Commissioner Bill Sherman At the dais, City Clerk Sue Kruse administered the Oaths of Office to Commissioner Sherman. VI. NEW BUSINESS A. Special Meeting Date for March 23, 1999 Election Results City Clerk Sue Kruse advised that the special meeting must be held within three days of the election to accept the results. There was a consensus of the Commission to hold this Special Meeting on Thursday, March 25th at 5:00 p.m. MEETI'NG MTNUTES REGULAR CI'TY COMMI'SSTON BOYNTON BEACH~ FLORI'DA HARCH 12, 1999 VIT. AD3OURNMENT There being no further business to come before the City Commission, the meeting properly adjourned at 5:50 p.m. ATI'EST: City ~erk ~De,,~uty ~-]ity cJerk Tape) CITY OF BOYNTON BEACH V~ce ~a¥or C-~missioner Commissioner 3/23/99 7:49 AM \\ch\main\shrdata\cc\wp\minutes\comm\031299.doc 6