Minutes 06-10-03MINUTES OF THE CITY COMMISSION CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PRO3ECTS
WORKSHOP HELD IN THE LIBRARY PROGRAM ROOM
ON TUESDAY, 3UNE 10, 2003 AT 3:00
Present
Gerald Broening, Mayor
Nike Ferguson, Vice Mayor
Mack McCray, Commissioner
Carl McKoy, Commissioner
Ron Weiland, Commissioner
Kurt Bressner, City Manager
Janet Prainito, City Clerk
Mayor Broening called the meeting to order at 3:00 p.m.
City Manager Bressner explained that the topic of this meeting would be non-utility capital
projects. ]:n late April, the City Commission reviewed the capital projects report and requested
that staff follow-up with the staff's priorities. City Manager Bressner compiled a list of projects
based on the Commissioners' priorities and staff's priorities and prepared a report dated May
23rd, A copy of this report is on file in the City Clerk's Office. He explained that there was not
enough time at the .lune 3rd Commission meeting to discuss this item and he requested a
workshop today for that purpose.
City Manager Bressner said that in the event a decision is made for a referendum, the election
board would need to know by the end of this month in order to have time to prepare the
referendum. There are two alternatives for a referendum - a conventional ballot or a mail ballot
option.
City Manager Bressner summarized the staff report. The Commission's four top ranked projects
by aggregate scores were: Wilson Center Replacement, Jaycee Park Acquisition, Senior Center
Phase 1~1:, and Wilson Park Tmprovements. These projects total approximately $6.3 million.
City staff looked at the projects from their vantage point, which was continued utility of the
buildings, the age of the facilities, and the possible need for refurbishment. Their list was
slightly different with approximately the same value, l~t included the Wilson Center, the Wilson
Pool, the Civic Center (last ranked project on Commission's list), and Jaycee Park.
The second priority listing from the Commission included the Wilson Pool, ~[ntracoastal Park City
Club, Greenway/Bikeway Project, the Library Expansion, Oceanfront Park Renovations and
Repair, and the SE Neighborhood Park, Phase :[. Staff had a number of common elements
either between phase 1 and phase 2 (the Library, Art Center Second Floor, Senior Center
Addition, and the SW Park and Recreational Facility).
~[n reviewing the list, there were no projects west of T-95 in the first or second priority lists.
That does not mean that these are not important projects.
Meeting Minutes
City Commission Capital Improvement Projects Workshop
City Manager Bressner suggested a blended approach of approximately $6 million in non-
referendum bonds and $10 million in referendum bonds. The Commission previously had some
concerns regarding a full mill rate hike. He explained that one-half mill would produce
approximately $10 million. Therefore, the City could possibly generate $16-$18 million.
Commissioner Weiland said that when he set his priorities, he based his figures on the
million on hand and the $12 million that could be accessed without a referendum. He figured
everything based on $16 million without a referendum.
City Manager Bressner strongly recommended that some of the $4 million in reserves be held
back in order to fund ongoing programs, such as street resurfacing, sidewalks, etc. :If the
Commission uses the $12 million non-referendum and $4 million cash on hand, there would be
no money left and it would prevent future Commissions from making decisions on capital
projects. That was the reason he suggested the blended approach.
Commissioner McCray asked when the Wilson Center, the Wilson Pool and the Library were
built. City Manager Bressner did not know the construction date for the pool; however, he said
that the Wilson Center was constructed in 1960 and there was minor refurbishment in 1998.
That was just cleaning it up but no substantive change. The Civic Center was built in 1962, the
Library in 1988, the Madsen Center in 1962, the Art Center in 1992, the Hester Center in 1992
with a refurbishment in 2001, and the City Hall complex in 1988.
Commissioner McCray was concerned regarding the older buildings in the City and also
concerned with a referendum. He stated that the only people who had contacted him regarding
the Library were the Friends of the Library.
Mayor Broening felt that it would be a very big mistake if the projects were done on a district
basis. He thought that the Commission should think of the entire City and listen to City staff
and the citizens and use our own intellect and experience in making these decisions. He said
that everything west of T-95 is new. The oldest and most dense part of the City is east of
He hoped that the Commission would make judgments based on City-wide requirements and
not on what district constituents might say.
Mayor Broening said that the bond rate is Iow now. The tax base may double in 10-15 years.
He does not like increasing the millage rate but the interest rate is good. He felt that some
items are not referendum items and the Commission needed to make some decisions and
should not be asking the citizens to prioritize projects.
Commissioner McKoy had a concern regarding how items get on the capital improvement list
and wondered how an item that was on the C list gets on the A list. He felt that some items
that might have been on the C list for years should be elevated to the A list.
it was pointed out that next year, there will be a new Commission and the list could change.
Mayor Broening said that a couple of years ago there were capital improvement project
workshops and there were approximately $87.7 million worth of capital projects. A, B, and C
lists were made at that time and he thought that was the appropriate process. He felt that
Meeting Minutes
City Commission Capital Tmprovement Projects Workshop
some items deserve to be on the C list forever because it is a time :~udgment. He felt that it
was important to have these workshops so the Commission could decide what is important
now. He thought that the basic task of prioritizing is finished and now, the question is how to
do it.
City Manager Bressner explained that there would be $18 million available by using $2 million of
the $4 million on hand. He recommended that at least $2 million be held back for ongoing
capital projects.
Mayor Broening felt that the $4 million on hand should be saved for ongoing projects.
Commissioner Weiland did not think they were at a "how to do" point. He was disappointed to
see how things were rated. It appeared to be single member district thinking, but he hoped it
was not. He felt that the southern half of the City was forgotten. His number one priority was
Wilson Center but not Wilson Pool because of the increase in cost from $200,000 to $1.4
million. He felt that Hester Center in the north end of the City and a southwest community
center would be two good anchors for community events. The City could replace Wilson
Center, which is sorely in need of repair, the Arts Center, the Senior Center, and points between
and still have money left over.
Mayor Broening did not believe it was necessary to have equal expenditures throughout the
City. He thought that the projects should serve all the citizens of the City.
Commissioner McKoy thought that the citizens agreed to the single member districts partially
because they wanted someone to look out for their area. He suggested that each district be
guaranteed one project.
Commissioner McCray said that Boynton Beach was pledged $1 million from the Palm Beach
County bond referendum towards the replacement of Wilson Center and he did not want to lose
that money.
Commissioner Weiland did not want equal spending but wanted some capital improvement in
the southern part of the City. Out of the $16 million that he had used to set his priorities, he
only requested that $3 million be spent in his district.
Vice Mayor Ferguson said that he was supportive of seven projects. He supported the Library,
the Art Center Second Floor, and the Senior Center Addition going to referendum in October at
a total cost of $9.5 million. He thought there would be a turnout of between a third and fifty
percent for a referendum. For the bond, he recommended $2.5 million for the 3aycee Park,
$1.8 million for the Wilson Center and the Wilson Park Improvements, $3 million for the SW
Neighborhood Park, and $1 million to start the C-;reenways Project. That would total $8.3
million.
3
Meeting Minutes
City Commission Capital Improvement Projects Workshop
Regarding the SW Boynton Park 8~ Community Center, Commissioner Weiland would rather
have a SW Boynton Community Center only because Caloosa Park, a County park, is across the
street. He did not feel that another park was needed on South Congress Avenue. This
community center would compliment the Hester Center.
Commissioner McCray asked what parks are in District :IV. City Manager Bressner said that the
major park facility in District l:V is Meadows Park. The park opportunities for District :IV would
be Nautica and Nautical Sound/Meadows. However, at a community meeting with Nautica
Sound/Meadows neighbors, they made it very clear that they were opposed to any type of
active recreation in that area. City Manager Bressner explained that Nautica Park, which is
basically a passive park, is ready to go.
Commissioner McCray suggested adding Nautica Park to Vice Mayor Ferguson's
recommendation. There was a consensus of the Commission to do this.
Mayor Broening said that he would support anything that the Commission wants as long as it
retains a substantial portion of the ongoing capital and includes the projects that the
Commission has prioritized with the refinements discussed today. He could also support a
referendum on the issues that the Vice Mayor suggested. He explained that if we go for bonds
and come up with $15 million, he would like $3 million to go towards the Library, as he believes
the Library supports all members of the community.
Commissioner Weiland asked when the non-referendum projects could be started, as he was
anxious to begin.
City Manager Bressner reported that Wilson Center is underway conceptually but an architect
has not been engaged yet. There was a space needs allocation done and an outreach to the
community to get ideas of what is possible for the area. Nothing has been done regarding the
SW Park. Commissioner Weiland requested that something happen on all projects.
Mayor Broening felt that the Commission needed to authorize staff to obtain outside help. He
agreed that we need to get started.
Commissioner McCray commented that the Library, the Art Center, and the Senior Center all
serve the entire needs of the City.
Valerie Pleasanton, who lives in the southeast part of the City, felt that all the projects
chosen serve the recreational needs of everyone in the City. However, the Library serves the
educational needs of the City. She asked what the plan would be if the referendum does not
pass. She saw that as a strong possibility with the present weak economy.
Commissioner Weiland felt that when packaged with other projects, the referendum would
pass.
Meeting Minutes
City Commission Capital Improvement Projects Workshop
Ms. Pleasanton explained that many children need educational help and the Library provides
this through computers, books, and the reference desk. As the State cuts more and more from
education, the Library is called upon to provide more. There are a lot of parks in the City, but
only one Library.
Charlie Fisher, District ]:V, agreed with Vice Mayor Ferguson's choices. He thought that
municipalities like libraries and they are approving libraries. Packaging the Senior Center with it
makes sense because of lot of voters are senior citizens. His only question was why was the
CRA not paying for the Wilson Center.
City Manager Bressner explained that the CRA and the City are working on other areas of
redevelopment in the Heart of Boynton area. The CRA is pursuing acquisition of certain
commercial property in the area of Seacrest and Martin Luther King, Ir. Boulevards. The City is
endeavoring to acquire properties for residential redevelopment with the linchpin as the Wilson
Center property. He believes that the recreational component is properly borne by the City.
Doris Jackson, District ]3:, spoke in favor of the Wilson Pool, which is very old. She said that
many children learn to swim there and not only neighborhood children. Kids from the schools
also use it for swimming lessons. They need a larger facility and more lifeguards. The pool
would be for everyone.
Commissioner Weiland questioned why the cost went from $200,000 to $1_.4 million.
Wally Majors, Recreation & Parks Director, explained that based on conversations with
consultants, whatever the City does to the pool, everything else there must be brought up to
present code. Originally, they intended to simply improve the deck because that was one of the
many items that needed to be improved. When they began to investigate the feasibility and
the cost, they found that they had to do other things, such as having enough bathrooms,
making them ADA accessible, and bringing the diving board up to code. He said that if we do
one thing, we must do it all.
Commissioner McCray suggested adding the Wilson Pool to the referendum. There was a
consensus of the Commission to do this.
Bob Ensler, felt that what the City does in the downtown area or in the Heart of Boynton or
anywhere in the City is good for the area he lives in. Just because there are single member
districts does not mean that anything has to be done in his district. He believes that single
member districts were created to solve a voter issue and allowed communities to choose their
own leaders. However, those leaders need to act for the entire City. He felt that the priorities
need to address those facilities that are in disrepair, including the Oceanfront Park Renovations
and Repair. He thought that the City should be acquiring land for the greenways so that when
we are ready to go forward with the greenway plan, we will have the property. He felt that
meeting space was not needed in the southwest because the developments have their own
facilities. He suggested that the $3 million earmarked for the SW Park and Community Center
be used for greenways or for the Heart of Boynton or for meeting space in the southeast
section of the City.
5
Meeting Minutes
City Commission Capital improvement Projects Workshop
Bruce Black thought that the most important thing was to do the most good for the most
people. A community center would be for all of the residents in the City, no matter where it is
located. The Civic Center was built in 1962. By moving the community center to the southwest
area, it would free up the Civic Center for other things. He thought the SW Community Center
was a high priority. The Art Center and the Senior Center are both at capacity. Regarding
3aycee Park, he felt that the neighborhood condominium owners would not allow the City to
install swings or a heart trail there. He suggested that if we cannot buy 3aycee Park for $2.5
million, we use that money for the Art Center and the Senior Center. That would benefit
families throughout the City. He felt that if we do not do these projects now, they would be
forgotten. He liked the greenways idea. However, the City has 15 or 20 parks with just trees
and grass that we cannot develop because the surrounding neighbors do not want it.
Sarah Williams was glad to see that the Wilson Center was at the top of the list. She
wondered how Wilson Center got disassociated with the Wilson Pool when the original name
was the Wilson Recreational Center. The pool is needed and there are not many homes with
pools in that area.
City Manager Bressner explained that the Wilson Pool was an integral part of the Wilson
Complex based on the assumption that the restoration cost of the pool was in the range of
$200-$300,000. However, when City staff researched the matter and determined what work
was necessary and what the code requires, it became a whole different situation. When that
project went from $200-$300,000 to $1.4 million, the complexity of that project changed and
the increased cost required that it be treated as a separate item.
Mayor Broening felt that F.I.N.D. would hold out for market value (at least $3.6 million) for
3aycee Park and would not accept the City's offer of $2.2 million. However, he still wanted to
try to buy it.
Commissioner Weiland would much rather see 3aycee Park remain a park for $2.2 million than
be developed. However, if the City is unsuccessful in their attempt to buy the property, the
Commission would have to look at where that money could be used.
Alice Otis felt that .laycee Park not only provides greenspace but also access to the water for
the entire City and greenspace is needed.
City Manager Bressner recapped what the consensus of the Commission was. He said that they
are proposing at the next Commission meeting to consider the following projects for
referendum: the Library, the Art Center, the Senior Center, and the Wilson Pool for a total of
approximately $10 million. The non-referendum items would be the 3aycee Park property, the
Wilson Center, the Wilson Park, Southwest Park, Nautica Park ($200,000), and the Greenways
($1 million) for a total of approximately $8.6 million. He explained that this would keep the tax
rate increase at one-half mill. He also explained that a referendum bond issue would affect
everyone in the City including the CRA area.
Meeting Minutes
CitY Commission Capital Tmprovement Projects Workshop
There being no further business, the meeting properly adjourned at 4:20 p.m.
ATTEST:
Deputy City Clerk
(6/13/03)
Commissioner
7
IX.-CITY MANAGER'S
REPORT
CITY OF BOYNTON BEACH ITEM a.
AGENDA ITEM REQUEST FORM
Requested City Commission
MeetinR Dates
[] April 1,2003
[] April 15, 2003
[] May 6, 2003
[] May 20, 2003
Date Final Form Must be Turned Requested City Commission Date Final Form Must be Turned
in to City Clerk's Office Meeting Dates in to City Clerk's Office
March 17, 2003 (Noon.) [] June 3, 2003 May 19, 2003 (Noon)
March 31, 2003 (Noon) [] June 17, 2003 June 2, 2003 (Noon)
April 14, 2003 (Noon) [] July 1, 2003 June 16, 2003 (Noon)
May 5, 2003 (Noon) [] July 15, 2003 June 30, 2003 (Noon)
NATURE OF
AGENDA ITEM
[] Administrative [] Legal
[] Announcement [] New Business
[] City Manager's Report [] Presentation
[] Consent Agenda [] Public Hearing
[] Code Compliance/Legal Settlements [] Unfinished Business
RECOMMENDATION:
Report on Capital Projects Listing for further discussion by City Commission
EXPLANATION: This is a follow-up report to the City Commission CIP Workshop held on April 28, 2003.
Subsequently, the City Commission and the staff reviewed the CIP lists and prepared priority listings that are attached in the
recap of the Commission's rankings and supplemental staff report.
PROGRAM IMPACT: The end work product will result in a list of major capital projects as determined by the
City Commission as being desirable for the community.
FISCAL IMPACT: Depending on the projects selected by the City Commission and the method of payment, the total
obligation would range from $12 to $21 M depending on if the Commission selects a non-referendum or referendum General
Obligation Bond Issue. Preliminary information from the Board of Election Commission will allow a mail referendum, which
would be the first such referendum in Palm Beach County. If a referendum is sought, a decision on the projects to be funded
in this manner is recommended by June 17th. This will allow a mail referendum in October 2003.
ALTERNATIVES: Continue to fund the capital projects on a "pay as you go" basis. There currently is approximately
$4.0 M in cash reserves for this purpose.
Department Head's Signature -~ity Manager'ts Signature
Department Name
City Attorney / Finance / Human Resources
S:\BULLETIN\FORMSXAGENDA ITEM REQUEST FORM.DOC
The Cit o Bo nton Beach
OFFICE OF THE CITY MANAGER
1 O0 E. Boynton Beach Bouleuard
P.O. Box 310
Boynton Beach, Florida 334250310
City Manager's Office: {561) 7426010
FAX: (561) 742-6011
e-mail: city. manager(~ci.boyrton-beach.fl, us
www. ci, boynto r~beach.fl, us
To:
From:
Date:
City Commission ,~ .~'~
Kurt Bressner, City Manager~A~jJ~F~
May 23, 2003
Subject:
Review of Capital Improvement Projects
As a follow up to the workshop held with the City Commission on April 28, 2003, I am attaching
two reports. The first is a recap of the Capital Improvement Projects (CIP) from the vantage point of
the City Commission. I had asked you to review the project list and determine your first, second and
third priority in projects. Each of the projects received an "A" (High), "B" (Medium) and "C" Low
ranking from the City Commission. The priorities were translated into scores and a ranking
emerged.
According to your rankings, the following were considered high priority projects:
Wilson Center Replacement
Jaycee Park Acquisition/Development
Senior Center Phase II
Wilson Park Improvements
$1,496,500
$2,500,000
$1,918,750
$ 379,500
Sub-Total High Priority Projects - Commission $6,294,750
The City Staff team reviewed the projects after the CIP Workshop and came up with this as a High
Priority List:
Wilson Center Replacement
Wilson Pool
Civic Center (AKA Performing Arts Cntr.)
Jaycee Park (minimal site improvements)
$1,500,000
$1,400,000
$1,500,000
$2,200,000
Sub-Total High Priority Projects - Staff
$6,600,000 (Non-Referendum G.O.)
It is interesting that the Civic Center project made the staff's "A" list and the same project was the
lowest ranked project on the Commission list. Staff perspective is replacement of an antiquated
structure. In retrospect, the title of"Community Performing Arts Center" may have taken away from
the serious building deficiencies that exist. It may also be that the City Commission is awaiting the
results of the Mangrove High School study due in December to determine if any of the current Civic
Center functions can be relocated into the old high school. Wilson Pool made the staff "A" list
because of maintenance issues with the current facility. Staff recommended that a non-referendum
bond issue, paid off by the public service tax, fund this list of projects.
Staff also prepared a second portion of a high priority listing and recommended that these projects be
funded by voter referendum.
Library Expansion Renovation & Parking
Art Center Second Floor
Senior Center Addition
SW Park and Recreational Facility
$6,400,000
$1,200,000
SI,900,000
$3,0OO,00O
Sub-Total High Priority Projects - Staff
$12,500,000 (Referendum G.O.)
The City Commission's Second Priority Listing included several of the above projects. In one
instance, a member of (he Commission urged that the Library improvements be by referendum.
Wilson Pool
Intracoastal Park City Club
Greenway / Bikeway*
Library Expansion
Oceanfront Park Renovations and Repair **
SE Neighborhood Park, Phase 1
$1,347,000
$1,518,000
$5,000,000
$6,120,000
$ 502,700
$ 390,527
Sub-Total Medium Priority- Commission
* Possible to phase this project over five years
**Staff believes this a priority and recommends not
$14,878,227
waiting for a bond issue.
In reviewing the City Commission list, I noted that there are no projects west of 1-95 in the first
and second priority listing. The SW Boynton Park and Community Center was tied with two
other projects as top "C" projects.
It is recommended that the Commission consider a blended approach for the Capital
Improvements by funding approximately $6.0 M with non-referendum bonds and $10 M in
referendum bonds. This would amount to a tax increase of about V2 mill tax or about $35-$75
impact to a homeowner (depending on house value) for 10 years. I am recommending a
maximum of $16M in bonds and a 10 year payment schedule because there are a number of other
capital projects including, street construction ($400,000/yr), sidewalks ($80,000/yr), traffic
improvements ($100,000/yr) that need attention. The total amount of projects funded from this
approach would be about $18 M by allocating $2 M of the $4 M Capital Projects cash. Staff is
still discussing the possibility of a mail referendum with the Election Commission. The Election
Commission indicated a willingness to work with us and need 90 days to assemble the
documentation. In order to proceed for an October mail referendum, the City Commission would
need to select the projects by June 17th.
America's Gateway to the Gulfstream
Interoffice Memorandum
TO:
FROM:
DATE:
Kurt Bressner, City Manager
Wilfred Hawkins, Assistant City Manager f//~"
Jeffrey R. nivcrgood, Director of Public Works
Diane Reese, Finance Director
Wally Majors, Recreation and Parks Director
John Wildner, Deputy Recrea!ipn_~g0d Parks Director~.~
David Kelley, City Engineer ~ ~'- 5' ~, "
Barbara Conboy, Utilities Manager ~o~}-
Debbie Majors, Grants Team~[7~~
May 19, 2003
SUBJECT:
Potential Capital Projects, CIP Prioritization
At the CIP Workshop conducted on April 28, 2003, the City Commission requested City staff to further
evaluate the capital projects as presented that date and to provide the Commission with staff's
recommendations and priorities. We have met several times since then and have had very detailed and
emotional discussion on this topic. When one considers the diverse array of departments and professions
that are represented by the Capital Improvement Team, one can easily understand that we each had our
own individual priorities. However, after much discussion, we have mutually identified those projects
that we believe are in the City's best interest to complete.
Our selections are based upon a particular project's fundability (the City's ability to finance the
improvements) and it's constructability (the project's state of readiness). Despite much discussion, we
are not able to gauge the level of public support for each project. Therefore, we encourage the City
Commission to consider our recommendations in the context of our "operations-related" background and
to further interject its own perception of community needs and support. It is the culmination of these two
perspectives that will move Boynton Beach forward in a positive manner.
As noted, much of our discussion focused on the City's ability to fund the selected projects. We found
that to get to the correct answer, we had to ask ourselves a very key question about each project, "Is this
project one that we want or is it one that we need to address current infrastructure aging or maintenance
issues?" In essence, we had a number of projects that we truly want but we also recognize that there are
a number of projects that are necessary based principally upon a need for maintenance. For example,
every member of our team wants to expand the Senior Center. This facility hosts programs that have
proven to be enormously successful. Expanding it will allow us to offer additional programs requested by
its users and alleviate current shared space issues. Concurrently, we recognize that the condition of
facilities such as the Wilson and Civic Centers is degrading and current general maintenance needs are
significant and must be addressed to support current programming.
Based upon our discussion of "want versus need", it was determined that the best way to fund the
improvements is to separate the two types of projects. We believe it best to request approval of the voters
to construct those projects that we want by the sale of bonds, the proceeds of which would be paid by an
increase in the property tax millage rate. Additionally, projects that relate to maintenance should be
funded with current revenues and reserves because maintenance is not necessarily a matter that is best
decided by the voters. Ongoing maintenance is our responsibility. Thus, the maintenance projects of
existing facilities should be funded by a general loan that is repaid by the Public Service Tax, an existing
revenue stream that can be allocated to capital projects.
Considering the above discussion, the CIP Team was able to develop the following "A" list priority
projects.
"A" list Maintenance Type Proiects (funded by Public Service Tax)
Wilson Center
Wilson Pool
Civic Center
Jaycee Park
$1,500,000($1,000,000 County Grant)
$1,400,000
$1,500,000
$2,200,000 *
TOTAL $6,600,000
*This dollar amount is not based upon any potential offers to FIND and instead is based upon our
assumptions in the earlier report.
Discussion
It is obvious that Wilson Center and Wilson Pool are in dire need of maintenance. Staff wishes to
clearly note that the prices above include more than just maintenance. For example, the anticipated
cost of the Wilson Center project includes expenses associated with maintenance and some minor
expansion. Staff believes that it would not be wise to spend significant maintenance dollars and not
address the various needs for expansion at the same time. However, should the Commission decide
not to reconstruct/expand the Wilson Center, staff will determine the appropriate reduction in cost
given the reduced project scope to include maintenance only.
The Wilson Pool project is viewed by staff in a similar vein. The pool deck and building structure
would benefit by significant expenditures on maintenance at this time. However, much like Wilson
Center, staff believes that the scope of the project can be reduced if we simply perform the minimal
maintenance on the pool itself that includes modifications to bathrooms, showers, diving board, pool
slope and the provision of a separate filter system for the baby pool. However, staff again notes that
if we are to maintain the pool that now is the time to add other water features for children and also to
make other building repairs. We welcome Commission input in this regard.
The Civic Center was selected on this list simply because it needs maintenance now. The public
restrooms are substandard, there is a continuing problem with termites, and the users of the building
complain about the design relative to their particular uses (dancing, for example). Staff had initially
included a performing arts center at the Civic Center site, assuming that a new Southwest
Neighborhood Park and Community Center will take the place of the Civic Center. However, Staff
believes that if a referendum fails, as discussed below, then we would be forced to address the needs
of the Civic Center at its current location.
Staff has Jaycee Park on its list of maintenance projects simply because the project will "maintain"
the existing open space. We have assigned the City project cost share at $2,200,000 with the
assumptions that we would build only minimal recreational amenities at this time.
"A" List Desired or Wanted Proiects (funded by GO Bond as a result of a public referendum)
Library Expansion and Renovation
-Library Parking
Art Center (2na Floor Addition)
Senior Center (completion)
SW Park and Recreational Facility
$6,100,000 ($500,000 State Gran0
$300,000
$1,200,000
$1,900,000
$3,000,000
TOTAL $12,500,000
Discussion
There has been significant public discussion about the merits of the Library expansion and
renovation. Staff had further discussion about whether this project was one that was wanted or
needed. As noted earlier, staff considered projects that support very successful programs all in the
same context. For example, the Art Center and Senior Center each support the needs of highly
successful programs and public services, much like the library. However, none of these projects fall
into the category of "need" based upon maintenance and general upkeep. Thus, the Library, Art
Center and Senior Center all share the common element of "want" to support highly successful
programs that are viewed very favorably, and supported by, the public. Staff also included an
additional $300,000 for parking near the library to support the expansion because the Ocean District
Parking Structure is not included on our "A" list. It is critical that parking be provided as part of the
Library and Art Center expansions.
As suggested earlier in this report, staff believes that the SW Park and Recreational Facility would be
designed to absorb many of the Civic Center functions. This too assumes that the Civic Center
currently is in dire need of repair or replacement. In staff's report on April 28, we suggested that a
new Performing Arts Center be constructed in place of the old Civic Center. The Performing Arts
Center was a suggested project in recognition of the increasing population in our Central Business
District. We have delayed our time projection for this project in recognition of other more highly
visible and necessary projects.
In addition to our "A" list projects as referenced above, staffhas developed rankings for other
projects. These rankings and ratings are listed as follows, in no particular order. We believe that
these projects, while important, should not be given the same priority and resources as the others.
"B" List
Police Department Facility
Public Works Facility
Quantum District Park
SE Neighborhood Park
"C" List
Greenway Bikeway Program
Intracoastal Park City Club
Meadows/Nautica Sound Park
Nautica Park
Ocean District Parking Structure
$12,560,000
$7,320,000
$4,000,000
$590,527
$5,000,000
$1,518,000
$600,875
$398,475
$3,605,000
Palmetto Greens Park
Performing Arts Center $506,000
$1,431,800
Staff wishes to clearly identify that some of these projects may proceed despite our lower rating. Our
prioritization of these projects is Primarily based upon the dollars that are available to the City to
construct same. For example, the Greenway and Bikeway program will rely very heavily on State
and Federal grants that will make the local contribution very minimal. Thus, it is possible that this
project will proceed despite the low ranking. Furthermore, staffrecognizes that projects such as
Nautica Park may be funded entirely by another government entity. Thus, this project may proceed
as well. It is the sincere hope of staff that each of these projects can proceed given funding by others.
Staff has also purposely omitted the Oceanfront Park repairs from this report. These repairs must be
completed thus resources remaining in the Capital Improvement Fund next year will be used and this
project should not depend on the Public Service Tax or a bond referendum.
The CIP Team developed three priority lists and has further separated its "A" list into projects of
similar types for funding purposes. We strongly recommend that the City Commission also review
the various annual operating and maintenance costs for each project as outlined by staff in its report to
the Commission on April 28. We must all be cognizant of not only our ability to finance the up-front
construction costs, we must also be acutely aware of the increase to the City's annual operating
budget created by each of these projects. This is Particularly important in the current economic
climate when City revenue, in general, is reduced from previous years.
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