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Minutes 02-15-96MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL CITY COMMISSION MEETING HELD IN COMMISSION CHAMBERS, CITY HALL~ BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA, ON THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 1996, AT 4:00 P.M. PRESENT Gerald "Jerry" Taylor, Mayor Matthew Bradley, Vice Mayor Lynne Matson, Mayor Pro Tem Shirley Jaskiewicz, Commissioner Carrie Parker, City Manager James Cherof, City Attorney Sue Kruse, City Clerk I. OPENINGS: A. Call to Order Mayor Taylor called the meeting to order at 4:05 p.m. B. Aaenda Approval: 1. Additions, Deletions, Corrections Mayor Pro Tem Matson announced that she would be leaving the meeting at 6:00 p.m. for another commitment. She requested that the agenda be reordered so that she would be present for the variance appeal. Since Mayor Taylor also had a request, the Commissioners agreed to reorder the agenda as follows: Item A, F, E, D, C, and B. 2. Adoption Mayor Pro Tem Matson moved to reorder the agenda as stated. Vice Mayor Bradley seconded the motion which carried unanimously. II, ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION: A. March 12, 1996 - General Election a. Receipt of Candidates' Nominating Petitions In accordance with Section 2.2 of the City of Boynton Beach Code of Ordinances, the list of qualified candidates for the City Commission has been certified by the City Clerk. In addition, they have been certified by the Supervisor of Elections, paid the City filing fee and the State election assessment fee. The candidates are as follows: MINUTES SPECIAL CITY COMMISSION MEETING BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA FEBRUARY 15, 1996 DISTRICT I (1 YEAR TERM) David Katz 162 SE 27th Place Boynton Beach, FL 33435 737-0685 Joseph (J. R.) Pineau 2303 S. Federal Highway Boynton Beach, FL 33435 375-9714 Malcolm Scharf 23 Hampshire Lane Boynton Beach, FL 33436 734-8901 Jamie Titcomb 3045 Pine Tree Lane Boynton Beach, FL 33435 734-5447 DISTRICT II Matthew H. Bradley IV 1051 Coral Drive Boynton Beach, FL 33426 734-7144 (2 YEAR TERM) DISTRICT IV (2 YEAR TERM) Jo A. Helo 43 Rutland Lane Boynton Beach, FL 33462 966-1971 Gene Moorelll 2424 N. Federal Highway Boynton Beach, FL 33435 734-2424 Henderson Tillman 54 Bent Water Circle 'Boynton Beach, FL 33462 968-7064 James R. (Jim) Warnke 617 Lakeside Harbor Boynton Beach, FL 33435 732-4567 b. General Election Proclamation Attorney Cherof read the Proclamation declaring the General Election to be held on TUesday, March 12, 1996, in the City of Boynton Beach. MINUTES SPECIAL CITY COMMISSION MEETING BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA FEBRUARY 15, 1996 Variance Appeal - Summit Associates, Ltd. - Request for relief from Section 4.J.2 of Chapter 2 of the City's Land Development Regulations to allow construction of a 10 foot high, pre-cast masonry buffer wall for a distance of approximately 230 linear feet along the north property line of the Isles of Hunters Run PUD Kieran Kilday. a_oent for the a_~plicant, advised that this is an appeal to a decision of tile Board of Zoning Appeals. The Isles of Hunters Run is a residential project fronting on Congress Avenue in an area that was originally designated commercial. This project was the subject of many years of litigation between the City of Boynton Beach and the property owners. Residential was never considered a viable use. However, the final settlement was amended to add residential. This appeal involves a small walled area located at the north of the property next to W~(EL television station property containing satellite dishes in their backyard. There was no problem with these satellite dishes until now because there is an office use toithe south. However, from a residential standpoint, they cause a major problem. M~'. Kilday displayed photos depicting the view of the satellite dishes from the Isles ofi Hunters Run property. This view led to the request for a variance to increase the wall height from 6' to 10' on the portion of this wall which is on the north property line. Mr. Kilday advised that there was a motion to approve the appeal at the Board of ZOning Appeals meeting, however, the motion failed by a 2-3 vote. Mr. Kilday reviewed the criteria required for the granting of a variance: Special conditions and circumstances are peculiar to the land and are not applicable to other lands in the same district This property was designated for commercial, and decisions were made regarding adjacent properties assuming there would be no residential. If they had known in advance that residential would be developed on this property, it is almost certain that considerable screening would have been required. 2. Conditions do not result as a result of the applicant Thiis is an issue that predates the applicant. Granting of the variance will not confer on the applicant a special privilege denied elsewhere in the Ordinance MINUTES SPECIAL CITY COMMISSION MEETING BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA FEBRUARY 15, 1996 In looking at the existing chain link fence, it appears it is at least 8' tall with three strands of barb wire above that eight feet. This is a situation where the applicant is interfacing two zoning districts. A literal interpretation of the Code would deprive the rights currently enjoyed by other property owners in the district Inlthis case, a 6' wall will not be sufficient; however, the 10' wall accomplishes what needs to be buffered. 5. The granted variance is the minimum variance. Inidetermining the area for the variance, the applicant went onto the north property line and sighted WXEL's building. That view was not objectionable. The wall off Congress is 6'. The 10' begins and wraps around the corner which is due south of the area of the satellite dishes. The applicant limited the requested variance to the smallest area possible to achieve the goal. Mr. Kilday explained how the determination for a 10' wall was made. By going to a 10' wall the line of vision extends. The variance must be in harmony with general intents and purpose of the Code and not injurious to the Welfare of the general public. This 10' wall will have no affect on the satellite dish side of the wall. For the residents, they will find that the 10' wall is desirable as opposed to the sight of the s~tellite dishes. This wall is within the community and far back off Congress Avenue. THe Board of Zoning Appeals members who voted against the wall felt a 10' wall w~uld be unsightly. This will not be a bare wall. There will be a full landscape treatment including trees, which are 20' to 25' on center, and a hedge along the wall. Tl~e applicant feels this variance is extremely important. If the applicant did not feel the satellite dishes wou!d be a detriment to the project, he would not have gone th~'o, ugh this effort. Th,s is a situation where there is an interfaCe between a residential area and commercial area. He urged the Commission to consider the issues and support the request for variance. In!response to Mayor Taylor's question, Attorney Cherof advised that this proceeding is not quasi-judicial in nature since it is an appeal. Mri Kilday confirmed for Commissioner Jaskiewicz that this 10' wall will not front on MINUTES SPECIAL CITY COMMISSION MEETING BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA FEBRUARY15,1996 COngress Avenue. It will only border the satellite dish area. James Miriana. Chairman of the Board of Zoning Appeals, advised that the board felt nO hardship existed. In addition, he felt there had been a misrepresentation by the applicant with regard to how the determination of the need for a 10' wall was derived. Ini his opinion, a 10' wall will not serve the purpose for which it is intended. He feels large trees would do more to obscure the view of these dishes. COmmissioner Jaskiewicz questioned the distance of the homes to the 10' wall. Mr. Kiilday explained there is no home on that side of the street because there would be no way to block the view from second story windows. There are five lots which are the most critical lots. He again explained the geometry involved in determining the wall height needed to block the view of the satellite dishes. MOtion Mayor Pro Tem Matson moved to approve a 10' h gh pre-cast masonry wall along the northern property I,ne of a distance of 230 linear feet to screen adjacent communications facility at the Isles of Hunters Run. Vice Mayor Bradley seconded the motion. M~yor Pro Tem Matson stated that it is always important to be cognizant of property rights. When homes are being sold for upwards of $350,000, it would be a hardship hf~ing to look at these satellite dishes. The bottom line is that the reason the Board of~Zoning Appeals meets is to grant variances to the Code. Their job is not to go by what the Code states. Mayor Pro Tem Matson is content that the applicant has prpven a hardship exists. Vi~:e Mayor Bradley feels it would be a hardship for a person buying a $50,000 home to have to look at these dishes. He sees this as a hardship on the developer, and he will support the variance request. Cqmmissioner Jaskiewicz does not feel a 10' wall will have a negative effect on the pqblic. Furthermore, she would prefer to see a 10' wall on Congress Avenue rather than looking at the satel ite d sh on the lTV property. It is a horrendous site. M~yor Pro Tem Matson feels the 10' wall will be an enhancement to this property. Mayor Taylor agreed with the remarks that were made by the other Commissioners. The motion carried unanimously. MINUTES SPECIAL CITY COMMISSION MEETING BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA FEBRUARY15,1996 Request by St. Paul AME Church to hold a Carnival on the property of St. John Missionary Baptist Church on February 28 through March 3, 1996 Mayor Taylor noted that this is the seventh year the St. John Missionary Baptist Church is holding a carnival. City Manager Parker advised that no carnival was held last year, but there were six carnivals in the previous six years. The City has required the church to pay off-duty POlice Officers to be at the site. In addition, we require an inspection of all of the electrical and emergency accesses. In! response to Mayor Taylor's question, City Manager Parker stated that the request did not contain a closing time. However, during the PAL carnival, the music on the m~ain ride closest to the residential was shut down at 9:00 or 9:30 p.m. That entire carnival was closed at 10:00 p.m. The Commissioners agreed that a 10:00 p.m. closing time was reasonable during weekdays, and 12:00 midnight closing on weekends. Mayor Pro Tem Matson suggested approving this request, if the applicant has a problem with the times, this request can be brought back at the regular meeting on T[iesday evening. Ci!y Manager Parker requested clarification regarding whether Sunday is considered a Weekend or week night. The Commissioners said it should be considered a week night and should be closed at 10:00 p.m. The carnival can remain open until 12:00 midnight on Friday and Saturday nights. MOtion COmmissioner Jaskiewicz moved to approve providing we insert a 10:00 p.m. school night closing, and a 12:00 midnight closing on the weekend. Mayor Pro Tem Matson seconded the motion which carried unanimously. First Reading of Proposed Ordinance No. 096-003 R e : Amending Zoning Code to Allow Non-Profit/Community Centers in M-1 Zoning District Attorney Cherof read Proposed Ordinance No. 096-003 by title only. MOtion MINUTES SPECIAL CITY COMMISSION MEETING BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA FEBRUARY 15, 1996 Vice Mayor Bradley moved to approve Proposed Ordinance No. 096-003 on first reading. Mayor Pro Tem Matson seconded the motion. Vice Mayor Bradley questioned how this Ordinance relates to the Ordinance which was approved approximately six months ago. City Manager Parker advised that this Ordinance will amend the zoning code to allow an additional use in the M-1 Zoning Districts throughout the City. Mayor Pro Tem Matson questioned whether or not there were any comments from tl~e Jewish Federation relative to the 40 percent requirement for office space. Ms. H~yden advised that their plans showed 45 percent. She notified them that they wbuld have to reduce that number to 40 percent. She received a phone call this miorning from them agreeing with the 40 percent. City Clerk Sue Kruse polled the vote. The vote was unanimous. Changing City Policy Regarding Speed Bumps and Closure of N.E. 1st Avenue City Manager Parker advised that the citizens were told this item would be discussed atI 5:30 p.m. Therefore, since it was not yet 5:30, she recommended that the discussion of the speed bumps be delayed. However, the closure of NE 1st Avenue could be discussed. Bill Hukill. Director of Development, reported that the closure of N.E. 1st Avenue was g~nerated because of the situation which is created for northbound traffic at S~acrest Boulevard and Boynton Beach Boulevard. There is a very short left-turn la~e on Seacrest. The initial thought was to bring this situation to the City Commission for an opportunity to correct. However, a decision was made to build L~athers Park. At that point, it became a more serious issue because a section of N.E. 1st Avenue goes past the park. In addition, there have been discussions about the development of a new Civic Center in the future. With this discussion came the thought of tying together City properties from Ocean Avenue to Boynton Beach Boulevard, and from N.E. 1st Street to Seacrest Boulevard. This is a timely issue because the visioning process will take place in early May. Since this is a cqmmunity issue, it might be a project to be discussed during that visioning Process. USing the overhead projector, Mr. Hukill displayed a sketch showing a possible sclheme of what can be done. He suggests that the parking area by the school, which exits out onto Seacrest, could be improved. At the same time, the problem 7 MINUTES SPECIAL CITY COMMISSION MEETING BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA FEBRUARY 15, 1996 on Seacrest Boulevard could be solved by closing N.E. 1st Avenue. It was pointed out that this is the way many people come into City Hall. It is hopeful that Ocean Avenue will become the main access to all buildings. In the sketch that was displayed, N.E. 1st Avenue was show left open near the Police Station. The original thoughts were to close the road entirely. However, it was dbcided that leaving it open would allow people coming to City Hall to be able to follow the signs that already exist on Boynton Beach Boulevard. This would be a narrower one-way inbound road to restrict the traffic and the speed. The parking th!at is currently existing would be rearranged. Mr. Hukill's idea in presenting this sketch was to see what level of support there is from the Commission for staff to analyze this possible change. If the Commission feels it is a good idea, perhaps Mr. Currie (Robert Currie & Associates) or someone el~e could be hired to design this properly. Commissioner Jaskiewicz requested a reproduction of the sketch so that she can travel it herself and make a decision. W~ile Mayor Taylor is open to discussion on this item, this is the first time he has seen anything on this issue. He would like to discuss this further because it appears th~at we would be making it harder to get in and out of City Hall. He will have a lot of questions. Mayor Taylor does not believe the visioning conference will become so ddtailed that there will be discussions relative to closing a street. Vice Mayor Bradley feels this is a great start, and he was glad Mr. Hukill brought this ~s~ue forward. He feels the traff, c problem and the traffic flow can be handled in frOnt of the property. The greater thing that can be accomplished is that our anchor to Ocean Avenue can be conceived as a flowing, contiguous project. He feels sqmeone should take a good look at this project and develop some ideas. Mr. Hukill feels that N.E. 1st, as an exit onto Seacrest Boulevard, is dangerous. The sight lines are bad. It is also dangerous when traveling south and wanting to make a left turn. Vice Mayor Bradley feels closing N. E. 1st entirely will create a friendlier and safer en~vironment near the playground. Mayor Pro Tem Matson agreed. She has concerns about the line of sight and safety problems with ingress and egress at City Hall and the parking lots. She is grateful that Mr. Hukill addressed the need for possible future expansion. This is the area that will be the catalyst for our revitalization. The decisions that are made now will MINUTES SPECIAL CITY COMMISSION MEETING BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA FEBRUARY15~1996 affect that revitalization. This may ,be an issue that should be discussed during the visioning process. We should see how it works with the charrette. She looks forward to reviewing the sketch and discussing it further. SINCE IT WAS NOT YET 5:30 P.M., THE ISSUE OF SPEED BUMPS WAS DELAYED. B. CITY ADVISORY BOARDS a. Methodology of Appointment of Board Members CitY Manager Parker advised that the handout was prepared by Commissioner Rbsen. Also included were minutes of the September 21, 1988 Commission meeting which set forth the original methodology of board appointments. Mayor Pro Tern Matson said there was an amendment to this methodology after 1988 re!lative to the rotation system for appointments. City Manager Parker explained that thlese minutes deal with the number of meetings a Commissioner is given to nominate someone. It does not deal with the procedure for the rotation. This procedure has never been followed. M~yor Pro Tem Matson feels the major problem is that the malonty of unfilled appointments are for a ternate sots. Most people who apply do not want to accept ar~ alternate positron. She suggested the Commission consider allowing any C~mmissioner who has someone to appoint, to make an alternate appointment Commissioner Jaskiewicz feels anything that would improve the current situation w~uld be welcome. This is a procedure worth consideration because there are five regular appointments and six alternate appointments which are not filled at this time. one board was unable to have a meeting for two months because a quorum could nOt be established. Mayor Taylor feels the alternate appointments are as important as the regular al~pointments. It is the Commission's responsibility to fill the appointments as quickly and respons bly as possible. He is open to the policy of allowing two m~etings for an appointment. If an appointment cannot be made within that period of time, it would be rotated to the next Commissioner. Vice Mayor Bradley suggested passing unfilled positions into a pool. Mayor Pro Tem Matson has some concerns. There is a tendency to have more than two members of a community serve on a board. When this happens, diversity is loSt. She suggested adding a stipulation that no more than three people from the MINUTES SPECIAL CITY COMMISSION MEETING BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA FEBRUARY 15, 1996 same community be appointed to any board. She is more concerned about the quasi-judicial boards than other boards such as the Senior Advisory Board or Education Advisory Board. Vice Mayor Bradley was opposed to putting this stipulation in Ordinance form. He feels there should be a rotation process within the pool for the open slots to avoid a ~situation of Commissioners clamoring for slots. Mayor Taylor feels we should continue with the present system with the I . understanding that a Commissioner has only two meetings to make that appmntment. This will keep a fairness about the appointments. Ini response to Vice Mayor Bradley's question of rotation, City Manager Parker advised that in the past, there was a rotation system within each board. When this Commission came on, a master rotation was put in place for all openings. She pointed out, however, that this system of rotation could result in one Commissioner g~tting the majority of appointments on one board. M~yor Pro Tem Matson explained that the original rotation system was changed to the present system because the same person kept getting all of the alternate I . ap:pmntments. Mayor Pro Tem Matson recommended using the rotation system within the boards; however, starting one board with the Mayor, the next with District I, and so on. Mayor Pro Tem Matson also pointed out that she now sees Talent Bank forms cc~ming in addressed to a particular Commissioner. This was not the practice in the past. She has been reticent to appoint a person who has addressed the Talent Bank form to a particular Commissioner's attention. Mayor Taylor advised that he recruits the people he appoints. He would hate to get tola meeting ready to appoint that person, and have another Commissioner make the al~pointment. COmmissioner Jaskiewicz is not in favor of putting the alternate appointments in a pc~ol. She feels that when a regular opening on a board occurs, if the alternate has be~en attending the meetings on a regular basis and contributing to that board, h.~/she should be considered for the regular position, if they desire it, before anyone el~e is appointed. Mayor Pro Tem Matson has a problem with that method because if she had someone to iappoint, she would not be able to make that appointment. In essence, she would b~ moving someone else's choice into a spot designated for her to fill. ]0 MINUTES SPECIAL CITY COMMISSION MEETING BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA FEBRUARY 15, 1996 COmmissioner Jaskiewicz had been of the opinion that if she moved an alternate up to a regular position, she would have an option of then appointing an alternate. Mayor Pro Tem Matson pointed out that would not be fair because she would then have two appointments. In! Mayor Taylor's opinion, if he is unable to fill an appointment in two meetings, that appointment should be rotated to another Commissioner. The Commissioners were inI agreement that this system should be instituted. C~ty Manager Parker confirmed that if a Commissioner is not in attendance at one o.~ the meetings, that absence would not count as one of the two meetings. Tl~erefore, the appointment will be held for two in-attendance meetings. Sl~an Dubs. Chairman of the Planning & Development Board, explained that he was o~iginally appointed as an alternate. He served every month for nine months because of vacancies. When he tried to get moved up from alternate to regular, the C~mmissioner who had the appointment would not give up his appointment to move hiF~ up. Mr. Dub~ felt penalized for accepting an alternate position. Eventually, Mayor Pro Tem Matson moved him up to a regu ar member He feels that if an alternate wants to move up, he/she should automatically move up, and that appointment should not be assigned to a Commissioner. Mayor Taylor pointed out that the fact that Mr. Dube was an alternate would not have mattered because the Commissioner had someone to appoint to the position. Vice Mayor Bradley feels the Commissioners should be appointing alternates they c~re about so that they will be rewarded with a regular position if an opportunity presents itself, if the Commissioners are doing their jobs, they are filling the boards wi~h good board members. Mayor Taylor and Mayor Pro Tem Matson would have a problem forfeiting their al~pointments. They feel they should have the option to exercise their prerogative tolappoint someone to a board. MAyor Taylor recommended that if a Commissioner wants to move an alternate member up to a regular position, he/she can then offer the name of a potential allernate appointment to another Commissioner. When moving an alternate up to a regular slot, Commissioner Jaskiewicz would like to have the option of asking the COmmissioner assigned to make the a ternate appointment to either allow her to make the alternate appo,ntment, or select the person she recommends. Mayor Taylor advised that she has the right to make such a request. MINUTES SPECIAL CITY COMMISSION MEETING BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA FEBRUARY15,1996 Mayor Pro Tern Matson pointed out that we have Ordinances that set forth criteria for the makeup of certain boards. This criteria has been overlooked. If the Commissioners review the quasi-judicial boards, they will see that some of the members do not have the experience required for the board. She feels this is part ofthe problem contributing to some ofthe board decisions. The Commissioners are appointing people that do not belong on the board because they do not have the backgrounds necessary to participate. Mayor Taylor feels that every person in the community who serves is giving of his/her time. They are trying to do something for the community. While Mayor Pro Tem Matson can appreciate this, if the Ordinance has stipulations, it must either be amended, or the Commissioners must follow it. Attorney Cherof advised that the Commission must follow the Ordinance whenever possible. If no one is willing to come forward with the qualifications, the Cbmmission is eventually forced to constitute a board. There are three boards with stipulations for participation. Mayor Taylor recommended that staff look at this to see which boards are not constituted as per Ordinance. The Commission can then move in the direction of making future appointments to correct that situation. M~Yor Pro Tem Matson also suggested an addition to the criteria. She suggested that a former elected official be considered to have the qualifications necessary to sarve on the quasi-judicial boards. b. Consideration of Consolidation of Boards Cemmissioner Jaskiewicz recommended reviewing the responsibilities of the boards inian effort to revise them. She pointed out that at one time, it was the function of thb Community Relations Board to make recommendations to the City Commission relative to funds for organizations. There are no longer any funds available, and therefore, this function should be removed from the list of responsibilities. She also recommends enlarging the scope of the Community Relations Board. In ithe past, there was no Senior Advisory Board, Education Advisory Board, or Advisory Board on Children and Youth. Many of those concerns would have been addressed by the Community Relations Board. The Community Relations Board is beginning to function similar to a home owner's association for particular areas. COmmissioner Jaskiewicz proposed having the board members make suggestions relative to broadening their responsibilities. MINUTES SPECIAL CITY COMMISSION MEETING BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA FEBRUARY15,1996 With regard to the Education Advisory Board and the Advisory Board on Children and Youth, Commissioner Jaskiewicz sees a parallel between them even though their responsibilities show that they function differently. Some of the speakers at the Education Advisory Board were so outstanding that their presentations would have benefitted the Advisory Board on Children and Youth. She believes there should be dialogue between those two boards. She would appreciate suggestions. Dan Richter. Vice Chair_oerson of the Community Redevelo_oment Advisory Board, pointed out that people do not know that these boards are a vehicle for them to use. H~ feels publicity is needed to let the citizens know about the functions of the boards. He has learned that there is a fee of $250 and up to appear before CRAB and tl~e Planning and Development Board. Mr. Richter feels anyone wanting to make imProvements to property should be given a hearing and encouraged as much as POssible to do it. He feels the fees may be a turnoff for people, and that might be the reason why the CRAB does not have a regular agenda. Mayor Taylor advised that the Commission Is addressing this s~tuahon through the new Boynton Beach Boulevard Association. Hopefully, their chairperson will be able · to! work with CRAB to let the Commission know what problems exist. Mayor Taylor sUggested h~ghhght,ng one board each month in Funfare magazine to show the function of the board. M~. Richter urged the Commission to check into the fee situation. c. Any Other Issues Relating to Advisory Boards There were no other issues discussed relative to advisory boards. Changing City Policy Regarding Speed Bumps and Closure of N.E. 1st Avenue Bill Hukill. Director of Development, explained that this issue has come up a number ofltimes. There are three grc~ups interested in traffic control devices. One group is interested in closing the street. Another situation involves a commercial eslablishment on private property, and the third group involves residential on public property Thie residential group on public property approached Mr. Hukill a few weeks ago requesting the installation of speed bumps. The City has not allowed speed bumps in ithe past. The Code is silent, but the interpretation has been that because it is silent, no speed bumps are permitted. MINUTES SPECIAL CITY COMMISSION MEETING BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA FEBRUARY15,1996 Last year, the Development Department issued a policy change that allowed the installation of speed humps on private property under restricted conditions. This was based on the Institute of Traffic Engineers' study which was done several years ago. The City must decide whether or not it will even consider these requests. A number of residential developments come to the City with these requests because o~ traffic speed, traffic volume, noise, and perception of traffic accidents. The City mlust establish traffic management strategies, and in order to do this, we must: 1. Establish and revise Ordinances relative to speed limits, and enforcement. 2. Educate the residents, explaining the alternatives. 3. Solve the problem with traffic control devices. If none of the above strategies have solved the problem, traffic calming is used. The purpose of traffic calming is to slow down the traffic. In Mr. Hukill's experience, mbst of the complaints are due to the speed of traffic. The Institute of Traffic Engineers studied speed humps. They are not traffic control devices as defined. Tl~ey are, however, geometric design features of the roadway, and should be designed, installed, operated, and maintained using accepted engineering principles and proven engineering judgment. A Speed bump is about 6" in height and is not very wide. It has a tendency to make a driver want to stop. Speed bumps are not acceptable. Speed humps are approximately 4" in height and have a tendency to slow traffic. Tl~e results have been consistent. The speed hump will slow traffic to 15 mph at the hump and between the humps. Research indicates that speed humps work. The accepted study indicates that the w~rld was searched for liability cases involving government agencies, and none were found. Other research backs up that claim. While Mr. Hukill does not recommend speed bumps, if the Commission is in agreement with the use of speed humps, staff would have to come up with standards fo~ review of these requests, in addition, the affect of the speed hump on surrounding streets would have to be considered. It would be necessary to establish standards to determine the effectiveness of the speed humps, installation MINUTES SPECIAL CITY COMMISSION MEETING BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA FEBRUARY 15, 1996 and removal, and who will be responsible for the cost of installation and removal. With respect to liability, the City Attorney will have to make a recommendation. If the City Commission agrees, staff can investigate to try to establish a standard for review. Commissioner Jaskiewicz feels speed bumps are dangerous. She has seen the speed humps in Delray Beach and feels that the visual effect alone has the tendency oS slowing traffic. Mayor Pro Tem Matson has a problem with speed bumps. Speed bumps were removed from a community next door to hers because of accidents that were occurring. She does not have a problem with speed humps. She suggests pursuing this issue to establish standards. Jeff McGlinnen. 2419 SW 4th Street, lives in Chapel Hill of Ridgewood Estates. He h~s lived in that community for six years. His community is experiencing an overwhelming problem with speeding traffic. There are 41 children under the age of110 in the community. The Police Department has offered assistance, but the problem has not been solved. Mr. McGlinnen submitted a petition from 100 percent of!the residents of SW 4th and SW 5th Streets. They are in favor of speed humps. A iroad survey was done on SW 4th Street. It indicated that over a six-day period, 923 cars per day travelled the road at a speed of 37.1 mph. Mr. McGlinnen thanked Mt. Hukill and the City Commission for the opportunity to address this issue. Gene Guerin. 2412 SW 4th Street, said he is concerned about speeding traffic. He dOes not like speed bumps, but he can live with speed humps. There are sections on SW 4th and SW 5th without sidewalks. This increases the danger for children in the community. At! the podium, an unidentified woman advised that she lives in a section of this community that does not have sidewalks. People ignore the stop sign and the speed limit signs. She urged consideration of this matter. In iresponse to Mayor Taylor's question, City Manager Parker advised that the City has approved speed bumps in private communities because it did not involve any City funding, liability or responsibility. ViCe Mayor Bradley would like staff to put together guidelines as to how to install these humps, where to install them, and the associated costs. Mr. Hukill pointed out that the problems are not created only by outsiders. There are also problems with residents of the community. MINUTES SPECIAL CITY COMMISSION MEETING BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA FEBRUARY15,1996 ViCe Mayor Bradley questioned whether or not high school students will use these hUmps as ramps to get their vehicles airborne. Mr. Hukill explained that they would not be able to get enough speed to accomplish that. If they were to hit a hump at 40 mph, they would notice that the hump exists, but they would not lose control of their vehicles. Mr. Hukill feels this area may be a good place for a test. The residents of the community would have to understand that it is a test area. There is nothing to p~event a motorist from traveling 40 mph over these humps; however, it will be uncomfortable. Vice Mayor Bradley pointed out that high school students may find ehjoyment traveling these roads at 40 mph. Jamie Titcomb. 3045 Pine Tree Lane, said he drives this route daily. Some people use this cut through to get to Seacrest. However, the majority of traffic comes down 4th or 3rd, runs the stop sign at Chapel Hill Boulevard, goes south to Mission Hill BOulevard, and then west one block to Swinton. COnsensus A iconsensus was established to have the Engineering staff move forward with a stUdy of the SW 4th Street petition, and come back with a recommendation regarding the number of humps required, the funding source, and the timing. This issue of the closure of. N.E. 1st Avenue was discussed earlier in the meeting. First Reading of Proposed Ordinance No. 096-003 R e : Amending Zoning Code to Allow Non-Profit/Community Centers in M-1 Zoning District Tills item waS dispensed with earlier in the meeting. Request by St. Paul AME Church to hold a Carnival on the property of St. John Missionary Baptist Church on February 28 through March 3, 1996 Thiis item was dispensed with earlier in the meeting. Variance Appeal - Summit Associates, Ltd. - Request for relief from Section 4.J.2 of Chapter 2 of the City's Land Development Regulations to allow construction of a 10 foot high, pre.cast masonry buffer wall for a distance of approximately 230 linear feet along the north property line of the Isles of Hunters Run PUD MINUTES SPECIAL CITY COMMISSION MEETING BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA FEBRUARY 15, 1996 This item was dispensed with earlier in the meeting. III. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to come before the City Commission, the meeting properly adjourned at 6:20 p.m. CITY OF BOYNTON BEACH ATTEST: Cit~Clerk Vice Mayor ~;~ecording Secretary (Three Tapes) Commissioner ]?