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Minutes 11-10-97MINUTES OF THE JOINT CITY'COMMISSION/CHAMBER OF COMMERCE MEETING HELD IN THE LIBRARY PROGRAM ROOM, BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA, ON MONDAY, NOVEMBER '10, 1997 AT 7:30 P.M. PRESENT Gerald "Jerry" Taylor, Mayor Jamie Titcomb, Vice Mayor Matt Bradley, Commissioner Shirley Jaskiewicz, Commissioner Henderson Tillman, Commissioner Kerry Willis, City Manager Michael Pawelczyk, Assistant City Attorney Sue Kruse, City Clerk D. J. Doody, Josias, Gorenl Cherof, Doody & Ezrol, PA INTRODUCTIONS Mayor Taylor called the meeting to order at 7:45 p.m. He apologized for the delay in the commencement of the meeting. The Commissioners were attending a bargaining session. II. ISSUE FOCUS A. Community Redevelopment Agency Powers & Purpose - D, J. Doody In 1981, Boynt0n Beach created the Community Redevelopment Agency with the passage of a Resolution whereby the City Commission was designated, in accordance with Florida Statutes, Chapter 163, as the Boynton Beach Community Redevelopment Agency. The purpose of the CRA was to carry out redevelopment activities for the areas within the jurisdiction of Boynton Beach and to determine the existence of slum or blighted areas that would consist of substantial numbers of deteriorating structures and conditions that endanger life or property by fire or other causes, faulty lot layout in relation to size, deteriorating storm and sanitary sewer services, inadequate street layouts and high density of population and overcrowding. In 1984, the City Commission adopted Ordinance 84-28 that identified specific powers and authority granted to the CRA. When the City Commission sits as the CRA, it is a separate body with different roles and specific authority. The CRA has the power to make and execute contracts and other instruments necessary or convenient to the exercise of its powers to disseminate slum clearance and community redevelopment information, and to undertake and carry out community redevelopment projects and related activities within its area of operation: He reviewed the Ordinance in its entirety. Attorney Doody explained that it was important to review the Ordinance so that the Commission is aware that the powers of the CRA are broad and all encompassing. 2. Guest Speaker Chris Brown, Delray Beach CRA Executive Director Mr. Chris Brown has been the Executive Director of the Delray Beach CRA since 1991. He said we must have a plan and everyone must agree to adhere to the plan in order to redevelop the area. Public input for the plan is essential to avoid having people try to sabotage the plan when the redevelopment efforts progress. Another important part of redevelopment is to get the elected officials to believe in the plan and support it when difficult decisions must be made. MEETING MINUTES JOINT CITY COMMISSION/CHAMBER OF COMMERCE WORKSHOP BOYNTON BEACH FLORIDA NOVEMBER 10, 1997 Delray Beach has been successful because the City Commission is very strong and very supportive of downtown redevelopment. Once the plan is completed, it is important that planning and zoning and the building codes will allow for the redevelopment. That is a mistake Delray Beach made, and they are continually trying to change the code. A good team is essential to carry out the plan. Delray Beach passed a $21.5 million bond issue for the downtown. This raised millage, but in the long-term, it will lower the millage when the CRA turns over the tax district to the City after 30 years. A number of partnerships were created. Redevelopment requires the efforts of the City as well as the private sector. The Delray Beach CRA was established in 1985. It is a 1,900- acre district where over 50% of the land area is residential. There are many blighted areas in the Delray Beach CRA and 75% of the population of those areas is African-American In 1985, the infrastructure of Delray Beach was deteriorating and there was weak zoning. Since then, Delray Beach has outlawed automobile uses in the downtown, and trucks are no longer allowed on Atlantic Avenue. There was no ordinance on signs or aerials. The downtown also had the blight of the railroad and abandoned gas stations. The first item addressed by the bond issue was downtown beautification. Atlantic Avenue (main street) was the second item addressed. Over $1.5 million was spent in 1988. At that time, Atlantic Avenue was four lanes. Delray Beach reduced the Avenue to two lanes to make it more pedestrian friendly. In 1992, the Redevelopment Plan was put in place. Mr. Brown pointed out that it is very important to have a parking policy in place. That policy can be a separate plan. The CRA made a decision to group together all of the City/governmental facilities into what is known as the Governmental Campus. Every city should have a town green, and in Delray Beach, the town green is Old School Square. The Tennis Center is a major attraction. At one time, there were discussions about moving the Tennis Center to Linton Boulevard. A weekend charrette was held, and the Tennis Center was redesigned and kept on Atlantic Avenue. A very successful small business loan program was implemented. Six banks participate in this program. One hundred fifty (150) loans of approximately $25,000 each have been awarded to businesses. Over 50% of the loans provided were issued to women. Mr. Brown feels residents are a keystone of redevelopment. There must be residents in the downtown area. Affordable housing is a necessary part of the Plan; therefore, a housing policy must be developed. Delray Beach has one affordable housing policy and one policy to attract middle and upper level income residents. Delray Beach demands that every affordable house in the redevelopment area have a garage and a front porch. Historic preservation makes good economic sense and Delray Beach is involved in this effort. He pointed out that rather than demolish historic buildings, it might be more beneficial to pick up the structure and move it to another location. The next project for the Delray Beach CRA is the development of West Atlantic Avenue between 1-95 and Swinton. This is a Black commercial district that will remain a racially mixed commercial district. This is a very difficult assignment. One fast-food restaurant (Checkers) 2 MEETING MINUTES JOINT CITY COMMISSION/CHAMBER OF COMMERCE WORKSHOP BOYNTON BEACH FLORIDA NOVEMBER 10, 1997 was allowed on Atlantic Avenue as an experiment. This will be the last fast food restaurant permitted since the community has decided they do not want fast food restaurants. The rules have been changed and fast food restaurants, gun shops and auto stores have been outlawed on Atlantic Avenue. Delray Beach has a master plan and sub-plans for different areas. They want urban buildings that are up front on the Avenue with retail downstairs and office and residential above. They will not accept the strip commercial solution because it is not pedestrian friendly. They want parking in the rear of the buildings and encourage arcades and cafbs and lifestyles that are outside. 3. The Early Years of Boynton Beach's CRA - Diane Reese Ms. Reese explained that when we began in 1983 with just the commercial area in the CRA, the evaluations were $25 million. That figure increased to $36 million. In 1989, we added commercial area and the residential. The evaluations increased during 1989/90. However, in 1991, the commercial area evaluations decreased from $39 million to $37 million. In 1992, it decreased to $35 million. In 1993/94, it decreased to $34 million. We have realized an increase this year back to $35 million. The taxes derived from this were $67,000 in 1984. That figure has increased to $172,000 for this year. We have been expending approximately 42% of the budget for personnel costs. Thirty percent of the costs have been going to contractual and operating costs. Twenty-seven percent was spent on capital expenditures to deal with the street improvements, improvements to the medians on Federal Highway, lighting on Ocean Avenue and some of the mangrove preservation. During the first two years, the City provided the CRA with a loan of approximately $160,000. Therefore, 10% was expended to repay that loan to the City. The loan is now completely satisfied. At the present time, we have approximately $500,000 available in the CRA fund this year. 4. Visions 20~20 Plans - Henry Iler & Hank Skokowski Mr. Iler advised that one of the consultants' major tasks is to look at possible boundary changes that might be advisable for the CRA and City to expand possible growth and revenues in the City and County. Using a map that depicted the City, Mr. Iler pointed out the current CRA boundary. Although slum and blight are terms that have been mentioned, one of the things to keep in mind when forming a CRA is, there are many refinements to those terms in the legislation. Difficult street layouts can be slum and blighting types of conditions. Anything that retards the redevelopment of an area can be taken into consideration. Other examples of those types of conditions would be overcrowding, housing and difficult patterns of land ownership that make it difficult to aggregate land for future development. The consultants are working on a plan. Mr. lief feels the CRA must be looked at as a redirection of revenues. The reason for having a CRA is to capture the revenues from the tax base that are now going to the County to be used on COunty-wide projects. In addition to showing the current CRA boundaries, the map indicated areas of available vacant land. Mr. Iler said it is important to look at areas of potential growth as well as areas of slum and blight. The easiest land to develop is vacant land. It is also important to keep in mind planned redevelopment projects that are on the drawing boards. If there is a project just outside 3 MEETING MINUTES JOINT CITY COMMISSION/CHAMBER OF COMMERCE WORKSHOP BOYNTON BEACH FLORIDA NOVEMBER 10, 1997 the boundary, we should try to expand the boundary to include that area. The City of Boynton Beach does not have a great deal of vacant land around the CRA, but we have a great deal out to the west (industrial area). One of the possibilities might be to include that industrial area. In response to Vice Mayor Titcomb, Mr. Iler advised that there can be separate CRA areas, but that would require separate boards and separate constitution. It is possible to run corridors to other areas if there are two CRA areas that are close to each other. Robert Taylor asked if the consultants would provide recommendations on possible expansion of the CRA boundaries. Mr. Iler responded affirmatively. In response to Robert Taylor, Mr. Iler advised that the consultants would be providing separate plans for each of the areas and an affordable housing plan for the residential areas. In addition, the consultants will make recommendations with regard to the areas the CRA should focus on. Mr. Iler confirmed for Micheline Many that the consultant will continue to have public meetings as they move forward. Hank Skokowski In one of the assessments done by the consultants, an attempt was made to determine the value of the buildings in the marina district. There is some historic value to some of the buildings on the 500 Block. However, many of the buildings have no lasting value and are not consistent in terms of what is envisioned for the future downtown area. They do not have enough value to warrant moving them to another location. In one of the earlier assessments, the consultants showed three scenarios with respect to uses, number of floors and dwelling units. One of the more aggressive scenarios indicates removing the buildings in the strip center and replacing them with other development. It also looks at the four-story First Financial Plaza building. The consultants are doing analyses of the various scenarios and looking at market potential of the mix of uses being considered. The consultant will also look at the conStraints that include drainage. The City 'has hired a consultant that has brought forth very specific recommendations with respect to the need to provide drainage in this area of the City. One of the scenarios depicted suggests that drainage could be accommodated and made into a resource, an amenity and an asset. However, they are struggling with the recommendation because they provided a proposal that uses all of the vacant land behind the strip shopping center. Duncan & Associates is not certain that the cheapest, easiest solution is the best solution long term. During the last-meeting with CDM, a comment was made relative to the fact that there may be severe soil limitations that may not permit the 10-story height limit in this area. Duncan & Associates has done an assessment of development intensity and determined that traffic will not be an issue. The difficulty will be in making sure a good parking plan is in place. Focus areas have been determined that include the marina area as the most important focus area. The City submitted a grant application for a project similar to one owned by Ed Gallagher, known as "City Limits" in Delray Beach. Mr. Gallagher met with the consultants and the City 4 MEETING MINUTES JOINT CITY COMMISSION/CHAMBER OF COMMERCE WORKSHOP BOYNTON BEACH FLORIDA NOVEMBER 10, 1997 Manager to offer his thoughts about whether or not a new project that has been called "Dolphin Square" will work in Boynton Beach. This project would be located on Ocean Avenue and Federal Highway. There is great potential for redevelopment at this intersection. The project can be moved back on the property to increase the quality and character of the pedestrian areas along Ocean Avenue and Federal Highway. Access points will be provided to a public open court. Dolphin Square will be the Setting for live entertainment, and it will be able to accommodate at least 350 seats and there is spillover space that would allow for four to five restaurants and cafbs. It was agreed that this project would have great potential from a market standpoint and it is important to bring the changes out to the street. This project can be a great catalyst. Mike Friedland asked if there were any plans for the shopping center on Boynton Beach Boulevard and Federal Highway to be moVed so that passing traffic will be able to see the water area. Mr. Skokowski advised that one of their sketches depicts a portion of the water body coming out to the intersection. The taking of property in this location may only involve the southern portion of the building. Commissioner Bradley advised that at the last City Commission meeting, he suggested that Duncan & Associates conduct an analysis of all available properties that can be used for drainage east and west in the downtown marina district. He is hopeful that can be accomplished. He is fearful that we have not looked at the possible carrying value of that property over the course of time. He is anxious to see this task-accomplished within the next two weeks. It is important to direct the consultants to do this so that we know we are moving in the right direction. Mayor Taylor reminded Commissioner Bradley that this is a workshop meeting. Mayor Taylor was of the opinion that Commissioner Bradley requested the consultants to look at the strip shopping center. However, Commissioner Bradley disagreed and said he suggested that the whole area be looked at including the properties a little west and east of Federal Highway. He was of the opinion Mayor Taylor agreed that was a good idea. Robert Taylor said a conversation took place with staff and representatives from CDM and Duncan and Associates when CDM indicated they were looking at the development of the financial feasibility of various options. They were in the process of completing those calculations. Vice Mayor Titcomb said he felt we directed our staff to look at the feasibility of incorporating the shopping center property. He was not certain the Commission gave direction to look at all downtown properties. Vice Mayor Titcomb said he attended the meeting Robert Taylor referred to and during that meeting, he sensed there would be more communications between Duncan & Associates and CDM in terms of coordinating some of these efforts and looking at some of these issues. Stormet Norem was also at the meeting and said it was obvious that the Utilities Department has been directed to put the development of this lake on a fast track. They did not appear to want to handle any new ideas that might come from the consultants. We agreed that this location was probably the cheapest and best plan; however, the overall plan does not include things that might cost more money but provide the City with additional tax revenues. Mr. Norem recommends that the City slow down the Utilities Department and have CDM and Duncan & MEETING MINUTES JOINT CITY COMMISSION/CHAMBER OF COMMERCE WORKSHOP BOYNTON BEACH FLORIDA NOVEMBER 10, 1997 Associates work together on the financial matters. Everyone understands the need for the drainage, but they do not understand why it has to be in the footprint that was provided. The members present at the meeting asked whether the financing was through Federal grants and whether or not they had to be accomplished by a certain date. That is not the case. The money is coming from the Utilities Department stormwater drainage program. Waiting an additional six months for a final plan that comes together in the best financial picture for the City will not make a difference Mayor Taylor said he feels the consultants are working together and communicating. The drainage plan was presented at a City Commission meeting and open to public input. The City Commission voted unanimously to go forward with the plan. We have some concerns with the bridge project that is anticipated and other development that is in progress. Those are two reasons for fast tracking this project. Mr. Skokowski said the consultants were given a proposal and it seemed to be the only option available. The only scenario offered to the consultants was where the existing strip center would be demolished and redeveloped. The dilemma was that in private hands, they would have to rely on the property owner to do that, or the City would have to condemn that land to make the redevelopment happen. Mr. Skokowski confirmed that the consultants are communicating. CDM left the meeting with an idea of looking at what Duncan & Associates would like to see to try to find some middle ground. Robert Taylor said he wants to make sure that the location makes the greatest economic sense for this community over the long term. He is requesting documentation and the rationale that supports it. If the best location for the drainage is where it is currently proposed, then we should move ahead. Mr. Norem said he does not want the City to take the least expensive way out to get something done. He feels all alternatives should be investigated. Mayor Taylor said his decision to move forward was not based on cost. The best use of the land is a matter of financial expertise. We can procrastinate forever. He feels we must go with our most intelligent thinking. Robert Taylor feels this is not a matter of procrastination if no other options are offered. He does not feel six months will make a great deal of difference. However, Mayor Taylor disagreed. Ms. Shabotynskyj said CDM has provided the best site (from an engineering standpoint) for the money. The planners would not necessarily select this site from a planning point of view. The important thing is to get the best location from both points of view. Commissioner Tillman said we cannot go back once the infrastructure is in place. He feels we should take the time to mesh things together. Both firms need to work together to produce the best project. Mike Friedland feels this location for the drainage pond is fine His only concern was whether or not it will be seen from Federal Highway. 6 MEETING MINUTES JOINT CITY COMMISSION/CHAMBER OF COMMERCE WORKSHOP BOYNTON BEACH FLORIDA NOVEMBER 10, 1997 5. Discussions & Action Plans Ms. Shabotynskyj asked how the Chamber of Commerce could help the City move forward with its CRA. Mr. Norem asked Mr. Brown how many CRAs are run by the entity that began them as compared to having .a separate body. Mr. Brown advised that the CRA in Delray Beach is run independently. It is much easier to formulate plans and take action. It relieves elected officials of extra meetings every month and removes politics from the picture. In Delray Beach, the CRA is run like a business. The City of Orlando has the richest CRA in the State of Florida. It is run by the DDA. Mr. Iler explained that State Statute allows the CRA board to have onty seven members. The most common membership on a board throughout the State is the five governing members and two private sector members that either reside in or have businesses/property in the CRA. Mr. Iler asked Mr. Brown to explain the City Commission's role with the CRA Board in Delray Beach. Mr. Brown explained that eminent domain is the most powerful tool the CRA has that the City does not have. The CRA Board tries to communicate with the City government as often as possible so that they feel like they are included in all of the decisions. There are workshop meetings with the Commissioners two or three times a year, and the budget is reviewed with them. Mr. Brown also pointed out that it is very important to have a good relationship with the City Manager. The Delray Beach CRA is made up of seven members appointed by the City Commission for'a four-year term. They can repeat another four-year term. The CRA consists of an Executive Director, an economic development person, a secretary, a controller and a receptionist. Mr. Brown uses contract services for planning or contracts with the City for those services. Their budget this year is $2.5 million. In response to Commissioner Jaskiewicz, Mr. Brown advised that the CRA is not obligated to use a referendum for bonds. The Delray Beach CRA has an $80 million tax increment. They will receive $1,025,000. Ms. Shabotynskyj feels we need someone for the Boynton Beach CRA to work with the planners. Robert Taylor feels the primary catalyst for the success of the CRA is the consummation and consensus regarding a master plan for redevelopment. Mr. Brown pointed out that the theory of the CRA is to isolate money, concept and staff to solve a particular problem. You must have someone to run the CRA. Ms. Shabotynskyj does not think it is necessary to wait until Duncan & Associates delivers its plan since there are CRA activities happening in Boynton Beach everyday. She recommends planning the CRA staff and our commitment to a CRA with an executive director. MEETING MINUTES JOINT CITY COMMISSION/CHAMBER OF COMMERCE WORKSHOP BOYNTON BEACH FLORIDA NOVEMBER 10, 1997 Mayor Taylor announced the City's hiring of a new Director of Development who has in-depth experience in development. Mayor Taylor would like him to have an opportunity to get feedback from our consultants and get his input on the direction of our plan. Mr. Norem agreed that a great deal of information was forthcoming this evening. He recommended that a decision be delayed until the next joint meeting in three months when the consultants will have a great deal more information. This is part of the year long planning process. Mr. Norem thanked Mr. Brown for his presentation. Mr. Brown offered his assistance to Boynton Beach if the need arises. Mayor Taylor thanked Mr. Brown and advised that he was asked to address this group because he has been extremely successful in Delray Beach. Mayor Taylor also thanked the consultants for their input. B. Boynton Beach High School 1. City's Lobbying Efforts - Mayor Jerry Taylor Mayor Taylor reported that our lobbyist was unable to attend this meeting to provide a status report on his efforts during the last session. However, Mayor Taylor is confident that the reason we were succeSsful during that session was because of the lobbyist. At the beginning of the session, they changed the verbiage in the House Bill so that even if the Legislature did not provide funding, the School Board could have proceeded with the high school construction. This was a major accomplishment. Fortunately, Palm Beach County will get approximately $160 million. Many of the restrictions were removed and the School Board can spend that money immediately and implement all of the programs they have talked about to date. In addition, the municipality will be able to back a charter school. That was not allowed prior to this effort. Mayor Taylor commended everyone who worked so hard on this effort. Update on Redevelopment Association and Main Street Program - Dale Sugerman Mr. Sugerman advised that he was unaware he was scheduled to speak on this subject. This item will appear on the next joint meeting agenda. II1. BUSINESS FROM THE FLOOR None IV. QUESTIONS & ANSWERS None MEETING MINUTES JOINT CITY COMMISSION/CHAMBER OF COMMERCE WORKSHOP BOYNTON BEACH FLORIDA NOVEMBER 10, 1997 V. SCHEDULE NEXT MEETING The next joint meeting of the City Commission and the Chamber of Commerce was scheduled for Monday, February 2, 1998. February 9, 1998 will be a back-up date in case there are schedule conflicts. VI. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to come before the City Commission, the meeting properly adjourned at 9:30 p.m. ATTEST: ~:hh r; t~ Cai tpYe sC¢erk Vice Mayor ' Co'mmissioner~_ C~m~nissioner 9