Loading...
Minutes 11-04-91 MINUTES OF CITY COMMISSION WORKSHOP ON ANNEXATION AND REDISTRICTING HELD IN COMMISSION CHAMBERS, CITY HALL, BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA, ON MONDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 1991 AT 7:00 P.M. PRESENT Arline Weiner, Mayor Edward Harmening, Vice Mayor Jose Aguila, Commissioner Lillian Artis, Commissioner Lynne Matson, Commissioner J. Scott Miller, City Manager James Cherof, City Attorney The Workshop was called to order by Mayor Weiner at 7:10 p.m. Since the redistricting maps were on display, the agenda was changed to address redistricting first, with annexation to follow. REDISTRICTING Chris Cutro explained each of the five maps displayed. He explained that the existing map shows the districts as drawn in 1980. At the time, the population in each district was approxi- mately 9,000. Since that time, District 94 now has a population of about 15,000, District #3 has 11,000 and Districts ~1 and 92 have approximately 9,000. Staff drew three new districting maps based on the existing map. He stated that the first of the maps follows the original districting with only the population being shifted. By doing this, each of the districts contain approxima- tely 11,000 people. The second map followed a vertical pattern of districting. Three of the four districts contain 11,000 with the fourth district containing approximately 12,000. The last map contained a stretched version of the vertical pattern. The population figures were approximately the same, but there were differences in the south and west areas. No figures were available with regard to a breakdown by age or socio-economic background. The 1980 Census would have to be con- sulted and may not be accurate. Mayor Weiner explained that she prefers to keep the districts compact. Commissioner Aguila preferred Map 91 because when annexing to the west, districts already part of the City will pick up new areas. With respect to the other maps shown, by annexing west, a new district may be formed and shifting would become necessary. Commissioner Matson feels that if north to south redistricting is done now, District #4 will be the only district growing. MINUTES - CITY COMMISSION WORKSHOP ON ANNEXATION AND REDISTRICTING BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA NOVEMBER 4, 1991 Vice Mayor Harmening pointed out that it is not possible to pro- ject with any degree of accuracy where the growth will be. He does not expect much growth in District #1. It is the consensus of the Commission that Map ~1 be used with districts running from east to west and the City Attorney was instructed to draw up the appropriate Ordinance. ANNEXATION Mr. Cutro referred to a map which showed areas where Water Service Agreements are in existence. Two types of Water Service Agreements presently exist outside the City. Shown on the map were areas in red and blue. The areas in red have the first type of agreement used which did not contain an annexation clause. Areas shown in blue on the map have Water Service Agreements with annexation clauses. Mr. Cutro stated there are some gaps because some of the areas are working off wells or have private systems. Some areas also get water from County utilities. It is known that there are Water Service Agreements with some of the areas; however, those agreements cannot be found because of changes in the name of the developments. Mr. Cutro pointed out there are areas the Commission should con- sider at this time. Enclaves exist in the City which should be handled by legislative bill to allow the City to take in those areas. The enclaves at the south end should be taken in imme- diately and the Legislature should be approached regarding the remainder. The legislative bill should state that the City has the ability to annex these enclaves without a dual election. The City must deal with the annexation reserve area. The City has been waiting for the County's Neighborhood Plan for the west area. There are areas which can be annexed now. The City should begin to work with COBWRA and the Neighborhood Plan. Some of the Water Service Agreements will come due in 1993 and 1994. The City should begin renegotiating these agreements. Vice Mayor Harmening wondered if COBWRA was interested. Mayor Weiner explained that COBWRA has taken the stand whereby they have no policy on annexation and each area will have to work that out. Vice Mayor Harmening stated that it has been very slow and dif- ficult to get a special bill through the Legislature regarding annexing any enclave where there are residents. Mr. Cutro feels such a bill is ~the only way to deal with this situation. MINUTES - CITY COMMISSION WORKSHOP ON ANNEXATION AND REDISTRICTING BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA NOVEMBER 4, 1991 Mr. Cutro further stated there is an annexation reserve area out to the E-3 Canal. There is no quick solution to the area west of the existing boundary. With regard to the area west of the E-3 Canal, there needs to be political meeting of the minds between the City and County to allow the City to proceed to the Turnpike Mr. Cutro suggested the City Commission approach the County Commission in this regard. An annexation policy exists, but the County has delayed its vote on that policy. This policy would have defined the annexation area. He suggested it might benefit the City to wait for definition on the County's policy. Mayor Weiner wants to begin the process of annexation but believes it should be limited to the E-3 Canal boundary. Commissioner Aguila does not want to go beyond the E-3 Canal. Mr. Cutro would like to stay on top of the County's annexation policy. There may be advantages to doing so. He pointed out that even if the City decides not to annex, we could possibly have more say as to land use out west. Commissioner Matson agreed. Mr. Cutro would like to meet with the City Attorney to modernize the rules and Ordinances regarding annexation. Commissioner Matson would like more information with regard to the City's need for additional Police, Fire and Sanitation. It was decided that staff will begin by drawing up a map indi- cating the enclaves. Mr. Cutro believes many of the enclaves may be vacant parcels. Commissioner Aguila questioned when a progress report would be forthcoming. Mr. Cutro explained that the Legislature should be approached by April or May of next year. He stated that prelimi- nary contacts would be completed within approximately one month. Vice Mayor Harmening suggested someone speak with the more senior legislators in the County for their reaction. Mnyor Weiner asked Mr. Cutro to furnish a progress report within two months. She thanked Mr. Cutro for the work which was done on this presentation. Mr. Cutro thanked Mike Rumpf for the redistricting maps and the work on the annexation maps. Jose Alfaro was also thanked for the graphics. 3 MINUTES - CITY COMMISSION WORKSHOP ON ANNEXATION AND REDISTRICTING BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA NOVEMBER 4, 1991 ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, the meeting properly adjourned at 7:50 p.m. . Prainito Recording Secretary (One Tape) THE CITY OF BOYNTON BEACH Mayor ~' Vice ') Comml s s ion~ Commissioner 4