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Minutes 12-17-03MINUTES OF THE SPEC~L .1OTNT MEETZNG BETWEEN THE CTFY COMMTSSTON AND COMMUNTrY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY HELD ZN CONFERENCE ROOM C~ WEST WING OF CZTY HALL~ BOYNTON BEACH~ FLORZDA~ ON WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2003 AT 5::30 P.M. Present for City Commission: Jerry Taylor, Mayor Mike Ferguson, Vice Mayor Bob Ensler, Commissioner Mack McCray, Commissioner Carl McKoy, Commissioner Present fQr ~:RA: Larry Finkelstein, Chair Jean Heavilin, Vice Chair Al DeMarco Don Fenton Michelle Hoyland Henderson 'lqllman Also present were Kurt Bressner, City Manager; James Cherof, City Attorney; Lindsey Payne, CRA Attorney and Janet Prainito, City Clerk. Call to Order by Mayor Taylor Mayor Taylor called the meeting to order at 5:31 p.m. He announced that they may need to schedule a second meeting if all items cannot be addressed tonight. Tntroduction of City Commission and Community Redevelopment Agency Board Discussion Ztems for Meeting: 1. Role of CRA for Economic Tncentives - What is the long-range intent and policy of the CRA for incentives? Chair Finkelstein said that the CRA put together a manual that outlines their Tncentive Program. There is also the Fa~;ade Grant Program and the County Grant Program. He explained that the CRA's intent is to cover specific projects that they feel are in need of incentives. Their long-range goal is to go back to the smaller development projects. He said that the Tncentive Program is not a given. Tt is at the sole discretion of the Board. They had asked that the CRA Director make the manuals available for the Commission. Mr. Hutchinson explained that they are using benchmarking for their incentives. The idea is that as projects go along, the next one has to be better than the previous one. Mayor Taylor asked what drove the $2M that was given for the Arches project. Mr. Hutchinson explained that this project was one of the first major projects that the CRA reviewed for incentives. He believes that project was seen as a benchmark. The project had requested $2M in the form of a loan guaranteed by the project. Their increment will be approximately $470,000 per year if they meet their projections over ten years. The CRA would receive $4.7M over the same period of time. Meeting Minutes 3oint Meeting - City Commission & CRA Bovnton Be~chr Fl~rid~ D_ece_~mber 17, 2003 Commissioner McCray asked who makes the decision regarding incentives and could the City Commission see how the CRA arrives at the figures. Mr. Hutchinson explained that the CRA uses a scoring system for each category. Chair Finkelstein added that the CRA does not have to give what the applicant is requesting. Commissioner McCray wanted to know how the Board is arriving at the figures before the newspapers come out with it. He asked what the next project would be. Mr. Hutchinson reported that there were no applications at this time. Mr. Fenton said that these are economic incentives and the incentives are to increase the tax base. City Manager Bressner spoke regarding the process used. He explained that after the CRA has completed their initial review, the information could be submitted to the City Commission before a final decision is made. There could be a waiting period so that the Commission could review the application. Another option would be a simultaneous transmittal. Vice Chair Heavilin preferred a simultaneous transmittal. Mr. Hutchinson said that after staff reviews the applications for completeness, they could send the packages out simultaneously to the CRA and the Commission. Tt was the consensus of the Commission that the packages be sent simultaneously. Chair Finkelstein said that the long-range policy is to bring more businesses into the City and increase the tax base. Vice Chair Heavilin added that the emphasis is on public space and parking. Parking Issues in the CBD area and Civic Center Area - What options should be considered by the City and the CRA to address future parking needs? Does this include the establishment of a parking authority? Commissioner Ensler had a concern of how to solve parking problems. He asked whether there was any plan for the downtown area. Chair Finkelstein reported that the CRA funded some additional parking at the Marina project. They are going to use the Relax Inn property that they bought for temporary parking. They have asked the CRA Director to begin a parking study utilizing the projects that are coming on line. The City bought a couple of lots for parking that they are trying to put together with some other properties. Part of the incentive package is for developers to produce more parking than the Code requires. The CRA felt that it was better at this time to add additional parking at the various developments and spread the parking around rather than buying one piece of property and having one parking structure. Commissioner Ensler asked whether each developer would be building a parking garage. 2 Meeting Minutes Joint Meeting - City Commission & CRA Bovnton Beach, FIQri(J~ Deceml~er :17, 200~ Chair Finkelstein explained that they are asking developers to add additional parking spaces for the public. Mr. Hutchinson explained that in the next 60 days they will have a proposal to go out for RFQs for a parking study. Vice Chair Heavilin said that they need to relook at the existing fee-in-lieu of parking policy that is $:1,000 per space. Ms. Hoyland thought that it was originally put in place to attract new developers. It was set up as a no fee for the first year and then incrementally going up $1,000 each year thereafter. She felt that this needed to be reviewed because a surface parking space now costs $8,000. City Manager Bressner said that staff would work on this item for a future agenda. Vice Mayor Ferguson asked whether the parking study would be limited to the Central Business District. Chair Finkelstein answered affirmatively. City Manager Bressner suggested that this be looked at closely. There was a study completed in 2000 that was limited to the CBD area and did not include the Civic Center area. This would be an opportune time to address that area. He will be recommending to the Commission at the meeting on Friday that the City begin acquiring property for parking in the Civic Center area. Commissioner Ensler felt that there needed to be two studies since it has not been determined what the Civic Center area will be. Ms. Heavilin suggested that when the fee-in-lieu of parking is readdressed, they need to look at the intent of it. She felt that the original intent was to use this for smaller developments. Commissioner McCray asked what the time frame for parking was at the former Relax Inn. Chair Finkelstein explained that they wanted to use that area for temporary parking and staging for the construction of the Boynton Beach Boulevard extension and the Promenade. The contractor said they would have to bring it up to a complete parking lot per code. He asked whether there was any leeway to make this a temporary lot during construction. Mayor Taylor said this could be done. Civic Center Area - What Options should be considered by the City Commission and the CRA for building uses in the City Hall/Civic Center Area? (Old High School, Library, Museum, City Hall, Art Center, Madsen Center) Commissioner Ensler said that there has been a lot of discussion over the last several months regarding developing a municipal complex as a cornerstone for the redevelopment of the downtown, possibly even closing off the streets between Boynton Beach Boulevard and 2nd Avenue. When the last capital program was put together, there were serious questions regarding the use of the Old High School. Since then, it was found that the Old High School 3 MeeUng Minutes Joint Meeting - City Commission & CRA Bovnton Beach, FIQridp December :17, 200~ could be used. Tt needs to be decided how the school will be used and how that affects other uses in the City. He would like to see a study of the entire area and how the municipal complex could be used as a cornerstone for the downtown. Chair Finkelstein would love to see the complex come to fruition. That was part of Visions 20/20. His only concern was where the CRA fits in with funding a municipal complex. Mr. Fenton felt that there was no economic benefit to putting money into a City building and the CRA's role is to increase ~F income and economic activity. Mr. Tillman said that the amount of parking in that area must be determined. After the needs are determined, he felt that it would be a function of the City. The overall function of the CRA is to bring in businesses and increase TJFs. Mayor Taylor felt that the whole purpose of the town square is to bring people downtown to the town center and feed into area businesses. Chair Finkelstein was in favor of having someone take the Visions 20/20 Plan and the Ocean District Plan and further that town square concept. He would not have any problem with the CRA funding the study, but did not think it was the CRA's function to construct or renovate City buildings. Mr. Hutchinson said there were budgeted funds to update the Visions 20/20 study. Commissioner McCray was concerned that the City does study after study that sits on a shelf. He wants something to be done. Chair Finkelstein said that this would be an implementation study and not a feasibility study. Quintus Greene, Development Director, explained that the Ocean District Plan has two options - one with the High School and one without the High School. The reason for this was because at the public meetings, the community was evenly split on their desire to keep the High School. Mr. Fenton thought that if the Commission decides to refurbish the High School, they should make it revenue neutral and put someone in there who will pay the rent. This way, the City is not burdened with paying for everything. Herb Suss requested that the Library be included in the Commission's plans. Mayor Taylor said this would be discussed at Friday's CTP meeting. He explained that the grant for the Library has not been lost. The City would have to reapply for it. Mr. Hutchinson commented that there might be other grants available. .. Long-Range Plans for the CRA Boundaries - What areas does the CRA see as being substantially completed so that the area can be taken out of the CRA? What is a reasonable schedule for compression of the CRA boundaries? 4 MeeUng Minutes Joint Meeting - City Commission & CRA Bovnton Beach, FIQrid~ December 17, 2003 Chair Finkelstein did not believe there was enough progress made yet to shrink the boundaries of the CRA. Ms. Hoyland agreed. The CRA may not be ready to shrink the boundaries any time soon if they intend to reach their goals of helping to redevelop all of the area. Mr. 'l~llman said that the CRA is in its infancy stage. They are taking in 'I'~F funds and strengthening other areas. They need more time to do this. Mayor Taylor said that he is against shrinking the CRA area. He felt that the CRA should be in operation for possibly 20 years. Commissioner Ensler supported retaining the CRA's boundaries to help support the Heart of Boynton. Enhanced City Services to the CBD Area - How will they be provided and how will they be paid for? Currently, the City and CRA are dealing with the issue on a case-by-case and year-to-year basis. Will there be discussion of a formalized mechanism such as a Downtown Development Agency? Chair Finkelstein thought it was too soon for a Downtown Development Agency, The demographics and new developments are not there yet. He felt it was too early to start funding programs. Ms. Hoyland thought that they might want to hear from other CRAs and see what was successful for them in creating a Downtown Development Agency. Maybe a plan should be put in place. Chair Finkelstein agreed that they should plan but it is too early to be funding those projects. Mayor Taylor felt that the Police Department is spread thin throughout the entire City. There are several big construction projects coming in. There is theft on construction sites. He thought that the best thing to offer prospective developers was a safe environment. He felt that :[2 months from now was not too early to look at these programs. Chair Finkelstein said that the CRA did agree to look at them. However, he felt that funding police patrols today was a little premature. Mr. Fenton explained that the CRA had a long discussion regarding this. He had wanted to implement police patrols part time during the season, from Thursday to Sunday. However, the rest of the Board did not agree. Commissioner McCray said that they might have to have a substation for the Fire Department also, Vice Mayor Ferguson felt that fire protection was not needed as much as police protection. He thought that police protection was needed now and this would need to be implemented by November 2004. Mr. Hutchinson said that the CRA can only afford a part-time program now and he is working with the Police Chief. 5 Meeting Minutes 3oint Meeting - City Commission & CRA Bovnton Beach, Florida Deceml~r 17, 2003 Chair Finkelstein wanted to clarify that the CRA is only looking at a program. They have not approved any program at this time. Herb Suss suggested that companies that are coming into the City provide security for the downtown. He also suggested using the COP resources that they have now. Bob Brown thought that was a good idea, especially during construction. He also spoke regarding a grant that some other cities have received. They get $150,000 a year and at least 50% has to go towards Police. Vice Chair Heavilin asked what the City's plan is to add police officers. Mayor Taylor responded that he would be pushing very hard to add police in next year's budget. Utility Services to the CBD Area, MLK Area and Federal Highway Corridor - How is this progressing? (Note: This item can be a subsequent meeting with City Staff and Commission or held to another joint meeting.) This item will be discussed with the Utilities Department at a later date. 7. What are the specific timeframes for approved projects in the CRA - Marina and Arches, specifically. Quintus Greene, Development Director, reported that permit applications are in review for the high rises at the Marina. These are not the townhouses. The first set of comments should be out within the next week or so. Assuming the developer responds to all the comments, the permits should be issued in the latter half of January. The developer has a timeframe of February ist. Mr. Greene said that the Arches have not come in for permits. The developers are looking at permitting in the Fall of 2004. There have been preliminary discussions regarding how they locate their sales trailer, Mayor Taylor said that the developer told him that running the sewer line to the lift station was a huge undertaking and was a four-month project. He asked whether this could be started before everything else is approved. Mr. Greene did not know whether staff had reviewed the sewer line yet. Russell Barnes, Kimley-Horn, reported that they are completing the design for a piece of the sewer line. They have been coordinating that with the engineer for the Marina project. The City has reviewed those plans and he has just received comments from City staff. Now that they have the City's comments, they will be submitting to the County next week for their permit. Mayor Taylor said that he had spoken to Nancy Graham (The Arches) today and she thought they would be ready to start moving on the project in March or April. 6 Meeting Minutes 3oint Meeting - City Commission & CRA Bovnton Beach, Floridp December 17, 2003 Ms. Hoyland asked how many units had to be sold before they could start building. Mr. Hutchinson said it was 70% plus one. 8. What plans does the CRA have for Special Events in the CRA Area? How can these be coordinated more fully with City, BODA or Chamber Events? Chair Finkelstein did not believe the City had any events. The BODA event, the Holiday Festival, is one that the CRA funded. Mr. Hutchinson reported that the CRA did not want to create events but support them. There are four events planned, of which only three exist now because one will be at the waterfront. This cannot be done now because the waterfront is under construction. Commissioner McCray asked how the Season of Peace was advertised. Annette Gray, CRA Administrative Assistant, explained that they advertised with 30 radio spots for two weeks prior to the event, in the Palm Beach Post, with 500 posters and flyers, announcements in utility bills and the announcement on the "hold" recording for the City. was also listed on some of the marquees in the City. Commissioner McCray said he was unaware of it until he saw the trailers. He felt that there needed to be more promotion for these events. Chair Finkelstein did not think that the CRA should be in the Special Event business. He did not believe that the CRA had the staff or time. He felt that helping to incubate a few events was o.k. The goal was to wean groups off of the CRA. However, the CRA did agree to four events. They are the Wheels Weekend, HeritageFest, the Multi-cultural Season of Peace and the Waterfront event. Ms. Hoyland felt that the CRA would be assisting with these events until there is an authority set up to take this over. Since there were issues with the parade being moved last year, the CRA felt that they needed to take an active role in it this year. Mr. 'l~llman said that the CRA attempted to fill a void. Groups that need funding go to the CRA because, currently, the City has nothing in place to deal with cultural events. The City needs a fully funded cultural council to deal with these. The CRA can lend aid but should not be the primary source for funding. Commissioner Ensler asked what the City Commission or City staff could do to help the CRA with its objectives. Mr. 'fillman said that this joint meeting was helpful and thought that the Commission and the CRA should have quarterly meetings. He also felt that the City should form a cultural arts council. 7 Meeting Minutes 3oint Meeting - City Commission & CRA Bovnton Beach, FIQrida December $.7, 200~ Commissioner Ensler requested that at one of their meetings, the CRA discuss what the Commission could do to assist them. Commissioner McCray asked for comments from the Chamber of Commerce. Diana Johnson, President of the Chamber of Commerce, will send those comments by Friday. 9. Does the CRA plan on developing design guidelines or criteria for development in the CRA? If so, will this tie in with possible incentives? Chair Finkelstein answered yes to both questions. He said that there is a fresh draft out for the design guidelines that the CRA will be looking at. 10. Other Commissioner McCray asked regarding the feasibility study for the museum. Mr. Hutchinson reported that the study would be ready in eight weeks and, hopefully, it will answer all of his questions. Chair Finkelstein requested input on this from the Commission, as they have had none so far. Mayor Taylor thought that there was a great exchange of information at this meeting. He felt that quarterly meetings would be helpful. There being no further business, the meeting properly adjourned at 7:22 p.m. AI-I'EST: Deputy City clerk (12/26/03) CITY OF BOYNTON BEAC!;J