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Minutes 08-14-97MINUTES OF THE CITY COMMISSION/CHAMBER OF COMMERCE WORSKSHOP MEETING HELD IN THE LIBRARY PROGRAM ROOM, BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA, ON MONDAY, AUGUST 4, 1997, AT 6:30 P.M. PRESENT Gerald "Jerry" Taylor, Mayor Jamie Titcomb. Vice Mayor Matthew Bradley, Commissioner Shirley Jaskiewicz, Commissioner Henderson Tillman. Commissioner Chamber of Com~nerce Kathy Shabotynskyj Mike Bottcher Virginia Farace Larry Finkelstein Ginny Foot Jack Frew Eleanor Krusell Kerry Willis. City Manager James Cherof, City Attorney Sue Kruse. City Clerk Micheline Many Stormet Norem Art Rowe Marilyn Rudme Robert B. Taylor. Jr. Lee Wische CALL TO ORDER Mayor Taylor called the meeting to order at 7:07 p.m and welcomed School Board Member Paulette Burdick. To accommodate Ms. Burdick, Item .d was moved up on the agenda. I. UPDATE STATUS Boynton Beach High School - discuss construction and design Ms. Burdick advised that she just returned from a tri-county legislative delegation meeting at Nova University. The topic on the agenda was House Bill 2121. She brought an overv,ew of the discussion and left a copy with the City Clerk for review. Mr. Burdick explained the ramifications of House Bil 2121. There are 16.000 extra student stations that are not currently occupied. According to House Bill 2121. we do not need to build any new schools in Palm Beach County until those extra 16.000 student stations are occupied. We will no longer have any art or music rooms at the elementary levels. We are about to embark on a program of school nurses in every school in Palm Beach County with the help of the MINUTES CITY COMMISSION/CHAMBER OF COMMERCE WORKSHOP BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA AUGUST 4, 1997 Quantum Foundation and the Health Care District. In our new schools, there will be no health room for these nurses to be located. Ms. Burdick stated that we need quality nursing care facilities in our schools to meet the needs of our children. At this time. Commissioner Bradley arrived. House Bill 2121 will dictate not only the size of the classrooms, which will impact the type of programs that we can deliver, but it will also base a state-wide cost for schools. It will dictate how much we can spend on schools and if we go over 10 percent of that amount, it needs to come out of the operating budget from which teachers are hired. In this year's capital budget are design fees for the new Boynton Beach High School. However, according to House Bill 212~1. we do not need any high schools, middle schools, or elementary schools in Palm Beach County. Ms. Burdick asked for everyone's support by contacting the legislators in Palm Beach County. She advised that Rep. William Andrews is the author of House Bill 2121. She asked everyone to contact him and ask him to make some modifications. Also a special session might not be called this fall and Ms. Burdick encouraged everyone to call the legislators to make sure there is a legislative special session this fall to deal with the needs of schools and funding of schools. She advised that the schools are funded from Tallahassee out of PECO funds. There are numbers indicating that PECO will remain the same or go up slightly. Ms. Burdick pointed oul that in 1995, Palm Beach County received $26 million n PECO funds. This year. we received $14 million it is projected that we will receive $9 million next year. Over the years, PECO has been drying up. It is basically a utility tax. This year. our CTBS scores are above the national average and our SAT scores are above the State average. We have 34 magnets and academies in Palm Beach County to meet the diverse needs of our students. It allows many of our students to graduate with some high school credit. We have a tech prep initiative program in all our high schools. Our vocational schools have done exceeding well this year. We are a national model for conflict resolution. We currently have three alternative high schools and 11 satellite facilities for children who are not successful in our traditional settings. These alternative schools are considered second chance schools and we are looking for opportunities to expand those programs to meet the needs of our children who are not successful ~n our traditional large schools. 2 MINUTES CITY COMMISSION/CHAMBER OF COMMERCE WORKSHOP BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA AUGUST 4, 1997 Commissioner Bradley asked if the impact of House Bill 2121 would influence the push for the penny sales tax. Ms. Burdick advised that we have a seven-year capital program for schools. House Bill 2121 is currently being interpreted. According to this bill, we will have to reassess everything in our current seven- year plan. They hope to have those guidelines by October. It took us a year to develop the seven-year p~an. Therefore, it does not look good for next spring unless the Commissioner of Education waives House Bill 2121 and allows some districts who have just done a seven year plan to proceed with that seven year plan. However, the chances of this happening are not very good. Ms. Burdick explained that we have a seven-year plan in place. However. anything after July 1. 1997 that was not under contract will have to go by the new rules and regulations that will be coming out in October. We will not adopt our budget until the end of September. Therefore, everything a that plan wi] no longer be valid. Commissioner Bradley inquired about exceptions and variances. He read in the newspaper that the Superintendent had applied for some schools with regard to OCR requirements. He asked if there are other exceptions to the rule. If so, Boynton Beach wants to be in line because we feel we are above and beyond all exceptions because of the 1986 bond issue. Ms. Burdick said we would consider asking for many different types of waivers: number one being to allow us to keep our current seven-year plan as is. Commissioner Jaskiewicz inquired about the timeframe for the new Boynton Beach High School She said she read that there was quite a bit of loan equity available to the Board and asked Ms. Burdick if she would consider anything ike that. Ms Burdick advised that it would take approximately a year to design the school. At that time, she believes we will be ready to ask the voters to support an additional revenue-generating source. She advised that we have to address Quantum Park, Lake Shore Middle School: and increasing the capacity at our OCR schools. There ~s a Federal magnet grant'that says we must racially balance the schools that are being funded with the Federal grant. In order to do that. we have to bring non black children to the schools. Right now those schools have 20 to 30 portables and are 90 percent black. In order to ncrease the capacity of those schools, we have to build additiona classrooms. She not support anything that does not keep the neighborhood children n those schools as we upgrade them. In addition, the elementary schools are already over capacity. 3 MINUTES CITY COMMISSION/CHAMBER OF COMMERCE WORKSHOP BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA AUGUST 4, 1997 We have 'additional COPs capacity. We currently have to pay back $19 million in COPs every year from the capital budget. She wants to ask the voters to support a new revenue-generating source to meet the needs of al the children in Palm Beach County before she considers increasing the COPs issue. She felt it was ~mportant to ask the voters to support all the children, not just two isolated projects. Commissioner Bradley advised her that we would definitely support a halfpenny, penny, or other funding source. However. he said a lot of people in Boynton Beach feel we are on the wrong side of the line in the sand because of the 1955 and 1986 promise, and people's patience are running thin. Commissioner Jaskiewicz asked what would happen if a halfpenny or penny sales tax is not approved. Ms. Burdick hopes that by November of 1998. we would be ready to ask the voters for a new revenue generated source. If the voters in Palm Beach County will not support a new generating source of revenue, she would be committed to looking at the COPs. Mayor Taylor heard that the design money has been taken out of the budget. Ms. Burdick advised that Quantum High school 'is on the list to relieve the tremendous overcrowding at the other high schools. Mayor Taylor understands the need for other schools; however, he felt we have been waiting a lot longer for a high school. He asked where on the list Boynton Beach would be if there was money for another high school. Ms. Burdick stated that it is the next high school to be built. Commissioner Titcomb stated that Rep. Andrews recently held a press conference on House Bill 2121 and he heard very different things come out of that press conference than what Ms. Burdick said tonight. He said Rep. Andrews talked about a plan to build a lot of new schools, smaller schools, and shared designs. Ms. Burdick stated that Rep. Andrews has a prototype for a K8 school. In that K8 school there will be a kitchen but its eating facilities will be very small. There wiJ be no food preparation facility. That smaller school concept may suit some communities. This school will be built on two acres of land and there will be no playground facilities. It will have to be co-located next to an existing city or county park if we want our children to have a playground. That particular school will cost about $2.5 million to construct. However, no one has constructed that school to determine if that is in fact the case. Rep. Andrews believes that school can be built if all of the 500 children who attend that school are currently transported, and that we would save approximately $176.000 and could bond 4 ' MINUTES CITY COMMISSION/CHAMBER OF COMMERCE WORKSHOP BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA AUGUST 4, '1997 that money out for 30 years to pay for the construction at that elementary school. Ms. Burdick pointed out that you would have to build some type of central food service delivery system to transport food to those particular schools. Rep. Andrews believes we can use some of the savings from the kitchen preparation staff to fund teachers. Ms. Burdick pointed out that it is against the law to hire teachers from Federal dollars from the food service program. Rep. Andrews is saying that in order to save money, three or four of the smaller schools will share a principal, an assistant principal, a guidance counselor, and custodians. He recognizes that this may be a problem and intends to ask the legislature to address the operating funds to meet these needs. Ms. Shabotynskyj did not know how this bill was passed. She said she did not read about it Jn the newspapers or hear about it from our lobbyists. She felt we should look at how something that has such a strong impact on our lives in Palm Beach County was completely overlooked Ms. Burdick advised that this bill went through in the eleventh hour the day before the legislative adjourned. Ms. Shabotynskyj asked if a 1,200 or a 2,500 student capacity school would be designed. Ms. Burdick stated that we would be asking for a waiver to do a 2.500 capacity school. Rep. Andrews proposes to build 1,200 capacity high schools and that these schools share gymnasiums and all the extra facilities that a regular traditional high school would have. Ms. Burdick felt this would create an equity problem when you have schools that may be five miles part We would have to bus students. We would have schools with separate teams, and they would have to share one football field. Todd Kotas. Director of Economic Development, pointed out that the land would be donated by the cities. Ms. Burdick expounded upon this. She said the cities and the County would donate the land, build the roads, and provide the entire infrastructure. Ms. Shabotynskyj pointed out that it has been 11 years since Boynton Beach first thought that they were going to get a new high school, and we have seen middle and h gh schools built since then. She asked if elementary and middle schools have a higher priority and are going to be built before the Boynton Beach High School. Ms. Burdick advised that they have a higher priority; however, the high schools are very ovemrowded and design money is m the budget for them Ms. Shabotynskyj asked if we would get construction money in next year's budget without bond 'rssues. Ms. Burdick stated that there is nol enough money. 5 · MINUTES CITY COMMISSION/CHAMBER OF COMMERCE WORKSHOP BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA AUGUST 4, 1997 Ms. Shabotynskyj asked how much a high school will cost under House Bill 2121. Ms. Burdick did not know. Ms. Shabotynskyj asked what more the City could do to get a h gh school. She asked if the School Board would be interested in giving us the land in Quantum Park and allow us ,to raise the money through city bond issues and privately through foundations and other sources. She also asked if we put a charter school in Quantum Park. Ms. Burdick felt we all need to work together to make some changes on House Bill 21'21 and get a new revenue generating source to build the school. She pointed out that Lake Shore Middle School was a promise long before 1986. The School of Choice in Pahokee is an embarrassment to the Palm Beach County School System. Westgate Elementary School was considered the worst school in the OCR study. Even.though that school is 198 percent over capacity, this year the County Commission decided to build a low- income 150 unit housing complex down the street from it. We all need to work together to meet the needs of all our children. Quantum Park is at the top of our list. It was a struggle to put the dollars in the budget for design of the Quantum Park School. the OCR schools, and Lake Shore because of the tremendous needs throughout the County. There is very little construction and next year it is going to be even less because the money ~s just not there to build schools. It was Ms. Farace's understanding that House Bill 2121 also changes the number of square footage per child'. Inst.~ad of 120 square feet per child, it will be 80 square feet per child. She askedI if we would have to use the smaller square footage per student if we received a wavier to build for 2.500 students. Ms. Burdick said we would also ask for the 120 square feet per child in the waiver. The board believes that the programs offered in the schools should dictate the size of the classrooms. Ms. Burdick stressed [hat everybo~ty in Palm Beach County needs to talk to our legislators. A lot of the members of our delegation supported House Bill 2121. A lot of them will say they did not realize the full impacts that were involved in this bill. Right now, Tallahassee is clarifying the language and now is the time for us to be proactive in the fall special s~ess on f we do not get what we need now, then we all need to be at the next legislative session to make sure they make some corrections. Mr. Bottcher asked if the school is going to be designed within a year and if we should be involved in the process. Ms Burd ck answered afl rmatively She said we will wa~t for Commissioner Brogan to approve any poss b e waivers and then the School Board can decide whether to comply with the law or construct schools the way we believe the residents of Palm Beach County want us [o design and 6 MINUTES CITY COMMISSION/CHAMBER OF COMMERCE WORKSHOP BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA AUGUST 4, 1997 construct schools. She did not believe it is a just law or that it meets the needs of the children in Palm Beachl County. Commissioner Titcomb asked what percentage of the total funds for school construction is affected by House Bill 2121 and how much is at stake if the School Board does not follow the guidelines. Ms. Burdick stated that they will come out with all the specifications and hopefully we will make some of those very ~mportant changes, Ms. Shabotynskyj asked if Commissioner Brogan is in support of House Bill 2121. Ms. Burdick stated that he is making some conciliatory statements: however, they are not enough. She stated that the number one academically performing high school in the State of Florida is the Palm Beach County School of the Arts. You cannot have that quality of artists at the h igb school level unless you grow them at the elementary level. Palm Beach County has been committed to having cultural arts in the schools. We think it is very important because when you look at the data with children who have art and music, academically, they outperform the children who do not have that. Ms. Shabotynskyj invited Ms Burdick to the Chamber of Commerce's New Teacher Welcome Breakfast On October 31st at 7:30 a.m Mayor Taylor thanked Ms. Burdick for attending this meeting. I. UPDATE STATUS a. Master Plan ,., Duncan & Associates Henry lier stated that we are in the second month with the Redevelopment Implementation Program for the 20/20 Vision. A lot of our focus is on the area east of 1-95 and commercial corridors (Boynton Beach Boulevard, Ocean Avenue U.S.1 and MLK) as far as design plans for the future. We have been collecting data from City staff and people in the community. We have been talking to stakeholders and the City Commission. We attended the Chamber Committee meeting last week and received a lot of input, good ideas, and a feeling for what some of the members of that subcommittee would like to see out of this project. We have also been working with City staff and some of the neighborhood programs that are in place and trying to identify neighborhoods in a map format. We will be setting the dates for two neighborhood meetings soon. One will be in the area north of Boynton Beach Boulevard up to the City limits. and the other will be in the south area. Some of our urban design plans are coming up shortly. We scheduled our scope of work so that we would have major products coming out every so often. 7 · MINUTES CITY COMMISSION/CHAMBER OF COMMERCE WORKSHOP BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA AUGUST 4, 1997 Some of the input that came out of the meeting with the Chamber last week was especially helpful, There was a particular focus on the fact that the eventual implementation program we come up with has to make sense for the average taxpayer ~n Boynton Beach. Whatever consequences there m~ght be as far as public improvements and the need to fund those, it needs to be made clear as we go through this process that there is a long term financial benefit to everyone n Boynton Beach. Mayor Taylor asked when the first milestone is due. Mr. lief stated that in addition to the neighborhood meetings, a public workshop will be scheduled with the Commission. Planning Board, Chamber and others, in early September. One of the first things we put in the scope of work was for the design plan for the marina district. That will be coming up in September as well and will probably be the major topic of the first workshop. We are starting to put together some of the details of that plan. Mayor Taylor understands the affordability aspect; however· he asked if this would inhibit the creative thinking. Mr. lief stated that we are going to come up with what we think is the right Dian for the long-term future. We hope it can be a plan that captures ~magination as well. When we come down to the final implementation program, it would be something that makes sense from an economic point of view but also has that component in it which people want Boynton Beach to be. We will not have,the financial component handcuffing us early on. Commissioner Titcomb asked if Mr. Iler will be producing sketches and getting feedback before the final master plan ~s presented· Mr· Iler advised that sketches and concept drawin~gs would Pe shared with the Commission and others. He did not want to be putting out grand plans without comments from staff· the Commission. Chamber members, and residents. Commissioner Bradley asked if. he foresees any difficulty in arriving at the agreed upon benchmarks that coincide with the products that we are going to get out of the work he is doing. Mr. Iler advised that thanks to staff, we have gotten off to a very good start and are on schedule. Commissioner Tillman asked what we could look forward to at the pubic workshop in early September. Mr. Iler stated that we will have the concept plan for the marina district and the results of a lot of public meetings that we have held, neighborhood meetings ~s we as meetings with individual homeowner · ; associations, execubve committees, ndvdua persons, and resdents. We will also be bringing out some ideas for future products. · MINUTES CITY COMMISSION/CHAMBER OF COMMERCE WORKSHOP BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA AUGUST 4, 1997 b. Community Redevelopment Agency Ms. Shabotynskyj stated that at the Visions 20/20 conference in Indian River. one of the recommendations was to have an independent CRA. The Chamber's Economic Development Committee has recommended that we identify some funding for the CRA. She wished to have dialogue about what we mean by an independent CRA, what kind of CRA activities would take place, and if they are being planned in the next budget year. Commissioner Jaskiewicz advised that according to the statutes, a CRA is not responsible to the electors: it is an independent entity. The members of the CRA are appointed for an indefinite period of time and she did not know whether electors could remove someone from the CRA who they felt was not acting in the best interest of the City, Ms. Shabotynskyj asked for discussion about what we want our CRA to be· Commissioner Jaskiewicz thinks that there are very strict regulations set forth by the State. Ms. Shabotynskyj advised that the CRAs in Delray Beach and West Palm Beach operate differently and there are terms regarding who is appointed and for how long. She asked who the current CRA's staff is and whom she can go to when she has a redevelopment issue. Mayor Taylor advised that there was a CRA Director. but that position was abolished and the City Commissioi~ took over the powers of the CRA. There has not been much money to work with. He felt that it would be putting the cart before the horse to create a CRA right now because we do not have any direction for them yet. Mr. Norem stated that some of us do not, really know the ramifications of a real working CRA. He felt we could do some things within the next year to get ourselves informed or updated about the pros and cons of how a more independent CRA would work in relationship with the City Commission Mayor Taylor suggested inviting Chris Brown to the next meeting to educate us on CRA setups and what they mean Ms. Shabotynskyj felt it was a good idea to start planning for it and to identify the resources that are needed. Mr. Iler explained the importance of having a CRA staffed with individuals astute in the real estate business, haying a pro§ram rn place that makes sense, and having partnerships with the pn~ate sector. Mr Norem pointed out that the City could loan or grant funding to the CRA. He felt we need to educate ourselves on the process so we can place funds in next year's budget to help kick this oE 9 · MINUTES CITY COMMISSION/CHAMBER OF COMMERCE WORKSHOP BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA AUGUST 4, 1997 Commissioner Jaskiewicz asked if the CRA staff is funded through CRA funds. Mr. Ilar advised that the staff is normally funded through CRA funds. He has seen cities and counties loan CRAs money for short terms. Once the revenues start kicking in from the CRA, they can take over the funding of those types of expenses and start paying back the county or city. Visions Committee Mr. Robert Taylor reported on what transp!red at the meeting last Tuesday with representatives' Of Duncan & Associates. We identified the deliverables that will be coming out as part of .this process, specifically redevelopment recommendations, issues related to the land development code· the overall costs associated with the recommendations, identification of financing alternatives. identification of incentives to attract developers, and some of the other deliverables. We also talked about the establishment of an independent CRA including the implications of an independent governing body and the ramifications. We also talked about the need to establish a critical land mass versus small parcels of land without common ownership to attract well- established deyelopers. Lastly, we ta~ked about how to sell this comprehensive plan to the citizens of this community. Boynton Beach High School - discuss construction and design This item was addressed earlier in the meeting. Report by Police Chief Marshall Gage - Proactive Crime Strategies Chief Gage explained what the Police Department could offer the business people and citizens. He advised that our Crime Prevention Officers. who are underutilized by the businesses m this community, could offer assistance with comprehensive security surveys. In addition, there are individuals in the Police Department who can help with designing and planning to protect your environment and tenants. This is known as CPTED (Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design). Commissioner Bradley suggested advertising or promoting ~he expertise of the Police Department to developers as they come through the process. Ms. Shabotynskyj asked if the Police Department is included in the planning review process. Chief Gage advised that the Police Department receives the 10 MINUTES CITY COMMISSION/CHAMBER OF COMMERCE WORKSHOP BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA AUGUST 4, 1997 plans after they have been fully designed. At that stage, it ~s expensive to change them. Ms. Shabotynskyj asked if there is a preplanning process for people to go through. Tambri Heyden. Planning and Zoning Director. answered affirmatively. Mayor Taylor suggested that the Chamber of Commerce advertise that these types of services are available through the Police Department in [heir next newsletter. Chief Gage advised that Code Compliance is being expanded this year. Code Compliance has an impact on crime. If you beautify the City, you cut crime. There are more robberies and burglaries ~n rundown neighborhoods. Code Compliance is a wable option. Overall, the crime stats are about 3 percent lower than they were this time last year. This is consistent with what we are seeing across the County. Our solution rate is h ~gher than what we are seeing across the County and higher than a year ago. The Boynton Beach Police Department started open dialogues with other agencies n the area because the criminals are not limiting themselves to Boynton Beach. Nine times out of ten, they come from other jurisdictions. With regard to the hotel robberies, the investigators picked up on other things from other agencies and discovered this is a countywide problem. In one particular case. Chief Gage advised that the State Attorney's Office would not accept fingerprints or a photo lineup on the subjects. Their policy is not to accept photo lineups more than two weeks after the crime has been committed The subjects were identified three and a half weeks after the crime was committed. Chief Gage felt we need to change the attitude of the prosecutor in [his County and suggested that as a group, the businesses, associations, and Chamber of Commerce present their con cerns to the City Attorney's Office. Chief Gage advised that the officers are assigned to permanent zones. This enables them to get to know tl~e businesses in their zones and develop a sense of responsibility, ownership, and partnership. The COP program has been working very effectively in [he residential neighborhoods. We are seeing a decrease in the burglaries in the City, particularly in residential neighborhoods. We are going [o propose that some of them start to expand to some of the adjoining business districts and keep an eye on the stores that serve their communities. 11 MINUTES CITY COMMISSION/CHAMBER OF COMMERCE WORKSHOP BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA AUGUST 4, 1997 We also assigned an officer to work with HUD in the Cherry Hill area. The people living in low-income housing do not want to live in a crime-ridden neighborhood. As a community, theyare getting rid of the criminals. The first time a person has a problem with the Police. cnme. or drugs, he or she is evicted. They have evicted more than a dozen people from this area in the last six months. The attitude in that area is fantastic. It is a turnaround community and there is a lot of pride there. Our most pressing crime problem is juveniles. It is a nation-wide problem and is the reason for the increase in crime. The Police Department cannot address this problem alone. Chief Gage pointed out that one of the high schools has 60 portables and the students have to sit in these portables under conditions that adults would not sit in. Sixteen year olds are dropping out of high school, and truancy is a problem. Commissioner Bradley advised that the Education Committee suggested that businesses put a sign in their shops that says, "1 will not serve a truant", and turn any truants away during school hours. Chief Gage advised that he is assigning one of his Community Patrol Officers to Congress Middle School full-time this year to deal with the outdoor suspension program and the truants in that school. There will not be an outdoor suspension program this year at this school. All the kids who qualify for outdoor school suspension are going to go into a specia program. The Superintendent has agreed to provide a teacher who knows how to and wants to deal with high-risk youth. Chief Gage ~s going to provide an officer who knows how to and wants to deal with high-risk youth. The goal is to stop juveniles from coming back into the suspension program and stop them from being on the street and doing no good for anybody. We know how to deal with a truant, but we cannot do anything with a suspension. The idea is to keep kids in school and not reward them for negative behavior, but correct th6 negative behavior. If they cannot make it through this program they will gg to an alternative school. With regard to truancy, the officer will be tracking down the truants, holding the parents accountable, finding out what the probJems are in the home environment, and providing the resources needed. This is a one-year pilot project which Chief Gage expects to become permanent. Commissioner Bradley advised that some of the truants can be dealt with through the Truancy Interdiction Program, and he explained this program. He also advised that one of the problems is that not enough of us are reporting truants. 12 MINUTES CITY COMMISSION/CHAMBER OF COMMERCE WORKSHOP BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA AUGUST 4, 1997 Chief Gage advised thal currently, juvenile histories cannot be released to anybody. However, there is an initiative in the State Legislature this year to change the laws regarding this. Organized crime rings actively recruit juveniles because their crimes and histories do not follow them as adults. Chief Gage stated that we need to put an end to violent crimes and hold juveniles fully accountable. He encouraged the Chamber of Commerce to contact the State Legislature in support of this initiative. He also advised that their voice needs to be heard at the StateAttorneys' Office1 If theydo not feel they can win a case, they will not file it. Micheline Many felt the Police Department needs more positive coverage from the media. Mr. Norem suggested inviting a representative from the State Attorney's Office to one of our workshops to discuss these issues. Chief Gage offered to bring specific cases to that workshop. City Manager Willis advised that Lake Worth and West Palm Beach experienced this problem and had a meeting with State Attorney's Office. They received a lot of lip service and it did not affect the outcome. Commissioner Jaskiewicz advised that her group at the Visions Conference addressed these concerns with Barry Krischer and he blamed everything on the judicial system. Chief Gage advised that if every case were tried, there would be a backlog. However. he felt tl~ey should create more office space, more state attorneys, judges, etc. He also a~tvised that the State Attorney's Office has been cooperative in dealing with hard core drug dealers by raising the bonds. Mayor Taylor suggested making this issue a priority and asking the Municipal League to take it to the Criminal Justice Commission. Ms. Shabotynskyj offered the Chamber's assistance. Chief Gage advised that they might be able to assist by faxing businesses BOLO information. Commissioner Bradley suggested that Chief Gage make a presentation at one of the Chamber's monthly luncheons. Ms, Shabotynskyj stated that Gateway Boulevard is referred to as Getaway Boulevard and suggested placing police officers at every 1-95 intersection. Chief Gage advised that 1-95 is a strCght thoroughfare' for criminals coming from the south and the north. Any busir~ss located off of 1-95 is susceptible to crime because of the easy access onto and off of 1-95, 13 MINUTES CITY COMMISSION/CHAMBER OF COMMERCE WORKSHOP BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA AUGUST 4, 1997 City Manager Willis stated that this ~s very common and is part of the master planning and design issues. You have to identify the major thoroughfares that you need to keep open and those less important areas where you can design closures and make it less convenient to move through Mayor Taylor asked Chief Gage to give him one or two problems to take to the Municipal League Ms. Shabotynskyj stated that the crime situation is directly proportional to our school situation which is directly proportional to our economic development potential. We have to work harder on aJ these ~ssues so that we can move progress and get more money in this City. Mayor Taylor commended the Police Department for working with the community. II. SCHEDULE NEXT MEETING Since the annual board dinner is going to be held on November 3rd. the next workshop was rescheduled for November 10 1997. II1. QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS Mr. Robert Taylor asked for assistance in changing House Bill 2121 to present to our local legislators, along with supporting rational for those changes. Commissioner Titcomb suggested first familiarizing ourselves with House Bill 2121 Mr. Robert Taylor asked if the comprehensive plan assembled by Duncan & Associates is going to be used as the primary road map for the redevelopment of the appropriate geographical ~rea. Mayor Taylor hopes the end product ~s something that everybody had input into and can buy into. Commissioner Jaskiewicz referred to the BGI project as being a tremendous asset to our City and commended the Planning staff. Mayor Taylor. and former City Manager Carrier Parker Hill with regard to this project. Mr. Norem asked if the City s going through an internal evaluation to become compliant with its computer systems, etc. City Manager Willis advised that the City is in the final phase of the plan to address this. 14 MINUTES CITY COMMISSION/CHAMBER OF COMMERCE WORKSHOP BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA AUGUST 4, t997 IV. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business' to come before the City Commission and the Chamber of Commerce, the meeting was adjourned at 9:03 p.m. ATTEST: City'Clerk Recording Secretary 'Two Tapes) CITY OF BOYNTON BEACH Commissioner 15