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Minutes 06-11-87MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL CITY COMMISSION MEETING HELD AT CITY HALL, BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA ON THURSDAY, JUNE 11, 1987 AT 7:30 P.M. PRESENT Mayor Nick Cassandra ~lce Mayor Ralph Marchese Qommissioner Ezell Hester Commissioner Leonard Mann Commissioner Dee Zibelli City Manager Peter L Cheney City Clerk Betty S. Boroni City Attorney Raymond S. Rea City Planner Carmen Annunziato Mayor Cassandra called the meeting to order at 7:30 P.M. AGENDA APPROVAL ~nder "III. Other", Commissioner Mann added "A. Status of he CRA", and City Manager Cheney added "B. Proposed Change of Budget Workshop Date", "C. Discussion of Meeting Date for Citizen Input on the Multi-Purpose Recreation Building", and "D. Real Estate Tax Report and its Impact". Vice Mayor Marchese moved to approve the agenda as corrected. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Hester and carried 4-0. (Commissioner Zibelli arrived at the meeting just after ~he agenda approval.) ANNOUNCEMENTS one. NTERVIEWS OF PLANNING AND ME BOYNTON BEACH BOULEVARD DESIGN CONSULTANTS MORATORIUM AND CONSTRUCTION Wallace, Roberts and Todd Mr. Annunziato introduced the first planning consultant firm, Wallace, Roberts and Todd. He reported that WRT was responsible f~r the 1979 Comprehensive Plan and the Neighborhood Strategy on Tennis the Center on Congress llan; they also worked South ~venue. r. Annunziato noted several items of importance relating to he Boynton Beach Boulevard study, including land use, zoning, rban design, economics, and the policy framework within which 11 of these decisions are made. ohn Fernsler, President of Wallace, Roberts and Todd, Inc., 91 Giralda Avenue, Penthouse, Coral Gables, Florida 33134, said WRT has been involved in urban planning, architecture and landscape architecture for the past 25 years. Mr. Fernsler - 1 - MINUTES - SPECIAL CITY COMMISSION MEETING BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA JUNE 11, 1987 introduced two of his colleagues: Katherine Timco, of WRT in loral Gables, who has seven years of experience in the public ector; and Jack Chadwick, of Economics Research Associates, consultant, real estate broker, and commercial real estate .eveloper. Mr. Fernsler believed the Commission desired the consultant o help them decide whether Boynton Beach Boulevard should ave to look like every other commercial highway strip in ~outh Florida. Mayor Cassandra replied that Mr. Fernsler's mpression was correct, but the Commission was also looking or a uniqueness for the boulevard. Mr. Fernsler wished to tell the Commission how his firm qould help the City. He outlined the.planning process for oynton Beach Boulevard in five steps. 1) What is it now, ~nd you are the boulevard as why?; 2) If dissatisfied with it is currently, based on present policies and trends, what ~ill it be like in 5-10 years, if no changes are made?; ) Assuming you are dissatisfied with that direction, several easible choices will be posed (market choice, development pattern, and design issues); 4) Based on what we have seen that it could become, what do we really want it to become?; ) Once that decision is made, the role of the consultant is to prepare the tools (ordinances, incentives, etc. needed to influence the market and the developers) to accomplish what is desired. ~r. Fernsler next showed slides of and discussed some of the projects accomplished by WRT (Baltimore Inner Harbor, Boynton ~each Comprehensive Plan, Boynton Beach Neighborhood Strategy ~lan, Boynton Beach Tennis Center on Congress Avenue, future site selection of the City's Multi-Purpose Recreation Facility, revitalization of downtown Delray Beach and Atlantic Avenue). Rr. Fernsler addressed four pertinent issues noted in the letter from Planning Director Carmen Annunziato to the two firms dated May 28, 1987 (See "Addendum A" attached to the original copy of these minutes in the City Clerk's Office). These issues were: planning or site development questions, market questions, design questions, and policy questions. Mr. Fernsler then elaborated on case studies of each of the four issues. Regarding the development issue, Mr. Fernsler referred to a project his firm had worked on at N.W. 7th Avenue in Dade County. He explained the steps in the process used in that project (understanding existing land uses, functional areas, existing traffic patterns, existing parking lots, ownership - 2 - MINUTES - SPECIAL CITY COMMISSION MEETING BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA JUNE 11, 1987 or property assembly, image analysis, problem analysis, and ypical block alternatives). Mr. Fernsler noted the simi- larities in some of the problems of N.W. 7th Avenue and Boynton Beach Boulevard. Regarding the market issue, Mr. Fernsler said the first step ~uld be to realize why the City has what it has there, and ke elaborated. Mr. Chadwick discussed the methods used in ~.nderstanding the market (looking at the existing land use, ooking at where to go and how to get there, deriving required pace estimates for different zoning uses, recommending an ppropriate mix by square footage of the appropriate commercial ~.ses to serve the emerging trends). He said two questions to ke answered were how to meet the needs and how to influence those trends to develop the desired image. Mr. Chadwick noted that his firm, ERA, was a national firm, as was WRT, and that ~he two groups had worked together before on various projects. elatin t ' R ' g o the image/design issue, Mr. Fernsler referred to Case studies dealing with landscaping and building aesthetics, He showed slides of improvements made in Homestead, Florida, ~here their designation as the "Flower Capital" had been ~Phasized in the streetscape designs. Mr. Fernsler next showed slides of building improvements made in Hollywood, ~lorida in the downtown area. He advised that Ms. Timco had ~elped ' to invent the facade restoration program there. ~elating to the policy question, Mr. Fernsler referred to a case study in Coral Gables, where policy choices had been prepared for a City Commission facing the possibility of allowing high rise development in the downtown. Mr. Fernsler Explained how his firm approached the situation. Questions and Comments by Commissioners ayor Cassandra asked if any of the Commissioners had any questions or comments. Commissioner Hester agreed with a comment made by Mr. Fernsler that there could be a problem regarding the size and depth of the parcels on Boynton Beach ~oulevard. Vice Mayor Marchese asked Mr. Fernsler if he was aware that est of Congress Avenue, the boulevard was to become six-lane. ~r. Fernsler was aware that it was to be done, and he asked if Vice Mayor Marchese considered this a problem. The Vice Mayor responded that he saw it as something to be considered in the overall planning. r. Fernsler told Commissioner Zibelli that his firm had done he revitalization plan for the Neighborhood Strategy Area, - 3 - MINUTES - SPECIAL CITY COMMISSION MEETING BOYNTON BEACH,~FLORIDA JUNE 11, 1987 ~hich included the strategy for 10th Avenue, and the downtown Delray Beach revitalization. Gommissioner Mann asked how the recent Supreme Court decision ~ould affect this project. Mr. Fernsler was not sure how to interpret the impact of the decision. He commented that governments give and take away, and what the Commission might d° on Boynton Beach Boulevard would not necessarily be construed as taking away. Mayor Cassandra noted that Boynton Beach Boulevard is the City's Qnly east-west entrance. He pointed out that the outcome of ~he Supreme COurt decision on whether the DOT could build a ridge at the east end should be considered. Mayor Cassandra said that, although the downtown development area ends at the ~ailroad tracks, it might be advantageous for the analysis to cover the area eastward to the end of the bridge. He asked the firm to also consider how they would recommend developing the area, if the bridge is not built. MaYor Cassandra also asked the firm to consider development on the west end of the koulevard. ity Manager Cheney stated, relative to the Supreme Court ecision, that the City wishes to have a coordinated plan for n existing road to create a higher value of the area. He aid it would be interesting if the Supreme Court would say ities must pay for the value of land taken away, but could et credit for any value added; but they are not saying the econd part of that. City Manager Cheney was not worried bout the decision, because he believed when the project was inished, the value of the area would be increased. ity Manager Cheney commented on Mr. Chadwick's statement that he firm would look at the trends of how the area got to be ike it is. He said he was not really concerned with the rends, but rather with what could be done with the boulevard, egardless of the trends. Mr. Chadwick agreed, and he noted hat he also mentioned influencing the trends in order to get he desired image and development. Mr. Fernsler added that he purpose of the projection was not to be the basis for the lan, but to show what would happen if changes were not made. Mayor Cassandra agreed that the Commission was looking for new ideas and something that would benefit both the property owners and the citizens of Boynton Beach. Mayor Cassandra asked Mr. Fernsler about an approximate time f~ame for the project. Mr. Fernsler estimated 1½-2 months for the evaluation and market analysis, 1½-2 months to outline - 4 - MINUTES - SPECIAL CITY COMMISSION MEETING BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA JUNE 11, 1987 choices and policies (at which time a decision would be made by the Commission), and 1 month for the actual preparation of ~he plan. He estimated a total time of six months. Mayor Cassandra asked City Attorney Rea if, based upon the ~wo month moratorium already imposed and the additional six months for the study, there would be a problem with extending e moratorium, as long as positive input was being received toward a goal or objective. City Attorney Rea did not see ~ny legal problems with extending the moratorium, but he ht the impact of the Supreme Court decision would have be considered. (He had not yet read the hard copy.) Manager Cheney advised that the downtown moratorium was xtended twice. n closing, Mr. Fernsler stated his firm would be truthful with the City. He said not all urban development problems have solutions. Mr. Fernsler called his firm "straight hooters" and said they would prepare a pl~an the City could implement. N.r. Annunziato asked who WRT planned to use as a traffic consultant. Mr. Fernsler asked if the City felt there was a reed for this. Mr. Annunziato thought it would be needed. ~.r. Fernsler said he would be glad to obtain a traffic con- sultant. HE COMMISSION TOOK A BREAK AT 8:20 P.M. ~.T 8:30 P.M. THE MEETING RESUMED I U rban Design Studio · Annunziato introduced Hank Skokowski, President of Urban ~esign Studios, 2000 Palm Beach Lakes Boulevard, Suite 600, West Palm Beach, Florida 33409. He advised that UDS had done ~he Central Business District Plan for the City, worked on the preparation and design of documents for the Comprehensive Plan, prepared design guidelines for the CBD, and worked for private developers within the City. r. Skokowski stated that UDS was a West Palm Beach firm founded n 1977. He introduced Joellen Leisinger, Russell Scott, and eff Fesler. Mr. Skokowski gave background information on imself and his staff. Mr. Skokowski said Ms. Leisinger, who ecently won a State competition for a redevelopment plan for he Flamingo Botanical and Zoological Park in Broward County, as the proposed project manager for this project. Mr. Skokowski aid that Mr. Scott specialized in zoning matters, and Mr. Fesler specialized in signage and street graphics. - 5 - MINUTES - SPECIAL CITY COMMISSION MEETING BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA JUNE 11, 1987 Mr. Skokowski asked Ms. Leisinger to discuss the graphics and lhe firm's approach to the project. Ms. Leisinger said she had ound the primary goal of this study would be to improve the image of the entrance to the City. She said creating a beautiful gateway would provide a positive identity to visitors and civic pride for residents. Ms. Leisinger explained that the process for this study would nclude data collection and analysis; identification of pportunities, problems, goals and objectives; design concepts; final design; and regulatory documents. She said this would be done through input of the Commissioners at various workshops. 9.s. Leisinger added that the analysis process would include the ssues outlined in Mr. Annunziato's letter to the consultants, as well as any other issues that might arise during the study. 9.s. Leisinger pointed to three exhibits before the Commission, ~hich showed land use, zoning and a brief analysis of the site. Referring to the land use exhibit, Ms. Leisinger said the over- ~iding pattern was a residential concentration in the center, anchored by a commercial concentration on either end. She ~oted 10 zoning districts in the zoning exhibit that would need to be addressed. In the analysis exhibit, several main features, cpportunities and constraints were identified. Ms. Leisinger noted the boulevard was anchored by two important destination points.- the CBD and the turnpike. f i i i f c P c t d M M s. Leisinger next discussed opportunities, problems and goals or the study that the firm had established. Opportunities ncluded the establishment of the moratorium and study, the ridge, considering land control in addition to streetscaping n the study, and considering this as a model project to mplement Comprehensive Plan goals. Problems included a ragmented image along the boulevard, circulation problems, oordination of funding from various agencies, land use roblems, crime and safety problems, and obtaining the ooperation of existing land owners. Goals included making he boulevard a major gateway to the City, providing a frame- ork to existing land use regulations to insure proper develop- ent, improving and integrating circulation systems, having fficient and adequate utility systems, and providing a brief iscussion of concept solutions or alternatives. s. Leisinger noted three possible approaches to this study: hort term, long term, or a combination of both short and ong term (which she recommended). She further elaborated n how this could be done. r. Skokowski concluded by mentioning some of the firm's most rmcent projects, including work at Palm Beach International - 6 - MINUTES - SPECIAL CITY COMMISSION MEETING BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA JUNE 11, 1987 Airport, PGA National, and Martin Downs. He noted that his firm offers a complete scope of services from planning to design, Mr. Skokowski added that the firm is ready to begin work immediately with an approach that is visionary, ambitious,  et practical, and he said the work would be done within the oals, objectives and policies of the City. Questions and Comments by Commissioners ommissioner Mann asked about the railroad situation; Mr. kokowski said the CRA had battled with this issue for a long time, and he would want direction from the City on how o deal with it. Commissioner Mann also asked why Ms. Leisinger aid small commercial property would be easier to deal with. Ms. Leisinger replied that it would be easier in terms of land ~gss and number of owners; less condemnation and less coor- dination would be required. Mice Mayor Marchese asked about increasing the depth for commercial use, as mentioned by Ms. Leisinger. Ms. Leisinger ~nswered that would be far into the future. Presently, the focus would be on the west end and the CBD as the two commercial nchors; what happens in between those two areas during the short ~erm would have to be treated very carefully. Vice Mayor Marchese wondered what the depth would be in the future; Mr. Skokowski Estimated a 400-650' commercial depth to create a proper area ~or buildings, parking, landscapin~ and easy access from the road. Mr. Skokowski said the intent of Ms. Leisinger's original comment as to reinforce the identity and strength of commercial districts, nd not to dilute that with small scale and isolated, free-standing strip developments. C [] a t t ayor Cassandra inquired about the firm's time schedule, assuming o unexpected problems arose. Ms. Leisinger responded that there ould be a series of workshops, with an approximate time of three o six months, depending on what was done. Mr. Skokowski added hat the firm could also start work immediately. ommissioner Hester asked, if there was commercial development n either end of the boulevard, what would happen in between. s. Leisinger said the current trend is for new commercial rom 1-95 westward. She said west of 1-95 might be more uburban and less detailed than the area east of 1-95, where ore character and quality might be desired. Mr. Skokowski dded that the area east of 1-95 was definitely where the ransitional land uses existed. He said what was done in his area was very important, as it would make a statement about the City of Boynton Beach, and he promised to look at all the different possibilities for that area. - 7 - MINUTES - SPECIAL CITY COMMISSION MEETING BOYNTON BEACH,.FLORIDA JUNE 11, 1987 City Manager Cheney asked what the firm had in mind regarding economic studies. Mr. Skokowski did not feel the initial irban design plan would significantly affect the intensity of ommercial and business uses, where market analysis would be ppropriate. He said the most critical market analysis would e concerning office and retail space. Mr. Skokows~i felt that, at this stage, there would be a redistribution of land uses and a redefinition of the quality and character of the ~rea, rather than issues that would affect questions of economic iability. He noted that, if the need for an economic evaluation ecame apparent, the firm would address the matter at that time. ity Manager Cheney said the firm's suggestion that the road ~e widened to six lanes was the first time he had ever considered hat possibility. He noted, if the road was widened, the narrow ommercial strips might be eliminated; there might then be a ,oulevard to be landscaped as opposed to a commercial strip. they were welcome to have representatives ity Manager Cheney advised that the City Commission would hoose a firm at the next regularly scheduled Commission meeting n Tuesday, June 16, 1987. Mayor Cassandra added it was not ecessary that anyone from either of the firms be present, but attend if they wished. THE MEETING RESUMED OTHER Status of the CRA - Verbatim Transcript sandra: The first addition is the CRA discussion. Before we start on this, I would like to ask the Commission that we do this one time around period, instead of going back and forth, or we'll be here all night arguing opinions. All right, Commissioner Mann has brought this up for discussion. I started on that end, and let me start on this end. Anything you want to say? ester: I don't quite understand, I mean, there's been no action taken by anybody. I don't understand--the status of the CRA being related to what? Comments that have been made, accusations that have been made? Cassandra: That's an excellent point. Hester: That's my point about it. There's been nothing, the Commission hasn't done anything in relation - 8 - MINUTES - SPECIAL CITY COMMISSION MEETING BOYNTON.BEACH, FLORIDA JUNE 11, 1987 Cassandra: Mann.: l assandra: ann: Rea: iassandra: Mann: to this particular (inaudible), and I don't see, you know, we can discuss it, but I still don't see-- Let me go the other way. That's a very excellent point, Commissioner. Mr. Mann, you have raised the question, so maybe we should start with you in this particular case. What do you wish us to discuss here? Is there something you want us to do, some action? Yes. May I ask Mr. Rea one question? You may ask him 20 questions. In the sense of the special meeting, is it O.K. to make a motion? Yes, if it's put to the agenda. It's on the agenda. It's on the agenda. If it's on the agenda, it's on the agenda; so you can do whatever you choose on an agenda item. O.K., thank you. I want to just make one little statement, and maybe it will help kick things off. On May the 21st, 22 days ago, 22 days ago, I asked the CRA Chief to tell me what we have to show for the $400,000 or such in funds, and more importantly, the five years of time. I never meant to impune him about it; I never suggested that anything was wrong; I was just asking a simple question. To this date, they have not responded to the question. They called my simple request for information "slurs"; that's hardly a slur. The resignation of Mr. Thompson was greeted with an editorial in the Palm Beach Post saying, quote, "Thompson was cleared of any potential ethics code violation, but a high code of conduct and good judgment should be demanded of City officials and Board members. Boynton is better off with Thompson's departure." Unquote. The resignation of Mr. DeMik brought statements about half-truths, and Mr. Thompson stated that my criticism of the Agency was uncalled for and undeserved. Again, I say, "What criticism?" I - 9 - MINUTES - SPECIAL CITY COMMISSION MEETING BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA JUNE 11, 1987 was simply asking a very simple question. A financial report was presented to us recently that said the Agency had spent $289,000, but had received $418,000 over the past five years. I'd like an explanation of what was done with the so-called unspent $129,000, if in fact those figures work out to be true. Mr. Mucciolo said these discussions should not have sparked a chain reaction of resignations; I agree. It only clouds the issue, when I'm asking for simple information. And, finally, Mr. Thompson, who on June 4 said "I have nothing to do with the Agency now", managed to attend a previously unscheduled meeting on the 9th where the CRA voted to change the Executive Director's contract to remove a severance clause and cause other implications. This insensitive act of thumbing their collective noses at the City Commission and the citizens of this City, flaunting their independent authority, teaches me a good lesson. We must never allow Boards to spend tax money without that Board being accountable to taxpayers. These defiant actions taken by this group are actions that will be remembered. If that's how they wish to be remembered, that's fine. I'd been planning to ask the remaining members, Mr. Scheiner and Mr. Mucciolo and Mr. Martin, to help us on other municipal Boards, but I am afraid that their behavior last Tuesday precludes this, from my point of view. I've studied this Agency, it's records, it's expenditures, it's hiring practices, it's effectiveness. I've toured the City for hours with the Executive Director, and I resent the inferences that I don't understand Mr. Thompson and his group. And not only do I understand him, but there's a very good lesson to be learned from this, that's called "Mann's Second Law", and that is that nothing is ever a total loss, because it can always serve as a poor example. So I don't want you to think everything is lost. Finally, I'd like to quote from a June 7 Palm Beach Post editorial, which also states, quote, "The time has come to thank the Board for its work, disband it, and transfer its powers and title to the City Commission. Taxpayers will sleep better once they know that millions of tax dollars that could eventually come CRA's way will be overseen by elected officials." Unquote. Under the set of circumstances, I would like to make three motions. - 10 - MINUTES - SPECIAL CITY COMMISSION MEETING BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA JUNE 11, 19'87 Cassandra: ~ea: Cassandra: ~ann: Cassandra: ~ann: C~ssandra: Rea: Cassandra: You can make one motion at a time. Let me back- track. Let me hear the motions. Maybe they can be all in one motion, and we can ask the attorney if that could be. Mr. Rea, he has three motions he wants to make. The question is, should he make them individually, or not knowing what the context is, is it possible to be one motion. Can he say what they are? Yes. We could hear the motions and see if (inaudible) rather a matter of preference. He could either do them individually or state all three and see if they could be combined as one. ?~atever you want to do, Commissioner Mann. Ail right. The first motion is, I'd like to move that the City Commission take over all of the duties of the CRA as it exists today. The second motion I have to make is, I move that the P&Z Board, Planning and Zoning Board of our City, take over all of the functions of the Downtown Review Board, and that the City Planner become the Director of the CIA. And, finally, I move-- Not the CIA, the CRA. The CRA. And, lastly, I'd like to move that we direct the City Attorney to draft all of the appropriate ordinances. I urge this Commission to consider this very seriously and back me up in these requests. Mr. Rea? He could do them all individually, or he could do them all as one motion. I would feel, listening, that they should be done individually, because involved in indivi- dual, you know, that should be responded to; because it's a City Manager's staff person that's being used here, and therefore, he should have input to that second motion. So I'd prefer not to have all three together, but they should be separate. I would recommend, Commissioner Mann, that you make your motions individually, only because of the individual (inaudible). - 11 - MINUTES - SPECIAL CITY CO~4ISSION MEETING BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA JUNE 11, 1987 Mann: £assandra: 9ann: 9archese: fassandra: Rea: Cassandra: H~ster: Mann: Hester: Happy to do so. Make your first motion, and then we have what you can then discuss on it. I'd like to move that the City Commission take over all of the duties of the CRA, as it exists today. I second it. I have a motion and a second. Let me read that, please. The question I have to ask the Attorney-- I don't know if this motion has the intent of what he wants. It says, "I move that the City Commission take over all the duties of the CRA, as it exists today." I'm wondering, since we have a second, for discussion, if the motion should not read that the CRA should be abolished and that the City Commission becomes the Agency. That is the way the motion should be, I believe. Correct me if I'm wrong. Not necessarily. The CRA, you don't abolish the CRA; you can abolish the CRA and all of the downtown programs, but that's a separate issue. As long as it's correct. I have a motion that moves that the City Commission take over all the duties of the CRA, as it exists today. Any discussion? Now I'll start from-- Before I vote on something like this, I would like to have more information about--certainly, we've had a concern by Commissioner Mann about the finances of the CRA, and personally, I think, to me, the whole thing was blown out of proportion. Maybe it was done by the press; I don't know. The whole thing was blown out of proportion. I think if this information--Commissioner Mann, did you officially ask for it, or you just mentioned it at the meeting, right, about the finances, right? At the meeting we had with the CRA, you just mentioned it to them at the CRA meeting, right? That's correct. Did you--I don't know if you have to, but did you officially go down to the CRA office and inquire - 12 - MINUTES - SPECIAL CITY COMMISSION MEETING BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA JUNE 11, 1987 £.assandra: ~.ea: (.assandra: 5ester: £assandra: 5ester: about the information? I'm just asking questions; I'm not--you can ask any question you want, but I need more information; I need to know about the enabling act, what the act is all about. I read the brochure, the information, that the City Manager gave us. I need more study on it, per- sonally, because I wasn't here at the time, and it took three or four years, I think, to get it all together, and I just need to know more information. I don't want to go back and forth, but I think the motion really should be to direct the City Attorney to prepare an ordinance, all right, which means go to first reading and you go to second reading. Am I correct? The action tonight is not immediately effective, but as (inaudible) abolish the CRA. Is that correct? To comply with that motion as stated, you would be required to draft an ordinance and go to the first and second readings. I just wanted to make sure of that. The reason I stopped this, Commissioner Mann, I don't want to go too fast. Make the statement, and we'll just continue on and then decide if we want to go to first reading, which then all that infor- mation can still be gotten, and second reading, all that information opens it up to the public, and get all the information from the public. So the important thing I'm trying to point out is that a decision is not made tonight on the CRA. It must go to first reading and second reading. That's important, but I just don't want--any more questions you want to ask? Yes. Go ahead. The only thing that I have to say about it, about the motion about abolishing the CRA, I think, now this is just my personal feeling, as it stands now with the accounts going on, I think, in the long run, it might have an affect on what's going to happen downtown. As far as the money's concerned, I think, I'm sure it to be accurate. I might be wrong. Any finances that are spent, the City appoints the Board, - 13 - MINUTES - SPECIAL CITY COMMISSION MEETING BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA JUNE 11, 1987 Rea: kester: l assandra: ester: Cassandra: ~ester: Cassandra: Narchese: right? So anytime you want to find out how they're spending the money, I know they're autonomous, we can always, I'm sure, Check on them on the money they are spending and what it's being spent for. It's all public record. The only thing I'm saying is, I think with this particular act that came up, we might do a little more harm than we're going to do good downtown. That's just my personal opinion. That's a valued opinion. Because what they have done, I don't know too much about it, either, but the money has to be accounted for, I'm sure of that because of law. So, if the money's not being spent properly, we can always look at that. I think it's going to do more harm than it's going to do good, per- sonally; that's just my personal feeling. That's it? For right now. One time around. One time around, or we'll be here all night long arguing back and forth. Vice Mayor M~rchese? Well, I had never met with the CRA. The last meeting they had was in September, and this was the first meeting they had, and I was a new kid on the block, and I thought that the question that was asked by Commissioner Mann was quite in order. I thought when we left that night, and I distinctly remember saying "Let's work together. Let's get this show on the road and more cooperation." Then came the fury of resignations, etc. Now, in my opinion, it is the responsibility, itl is the duty of the Commissioners to know what the progress is of any Board and what the! progress is of any expenditures. ~en you start spending money, when you can't ask questions, then there's no need for a City CommisSion. There's no doubt in my mind that we canl only go in one direction, and that is to take over the function of the CRA and run it, make it progress, make it the center- - 14 - MINUTES - SPECIAL CITY COMMIssION MEETING BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA Cassandra: Zibelli: JUNE 11, 1987 Cassandra: Mann: piece we want it to be. This is the first step. You've got to have a nice, clean organization. If people get very touchy, this City's in trouble. We're not dealing in personalities; we're dealing with the City of Boynton Beach. As far as I'm concerned, I feel that, I strongly feel, that we should take over, and that's that. Commissioner Zibelli? I think that one of the remarks that was made about the Palm Beach Post and what their editorial or whatever said, I don't believe the Palm Beach Post talks for the Commission, and that's an independent opinion, and I believe all editorials are independent opinions. I would also like to make mention, and I think that I made my feelings known at the last Commission meeting in reference to the CRA, that what I don't think I did bring out is that Ernst and Whinney, who does our audits for the City itself, also does work for the CRA, so nothing is wrong with that whatsoever. I think that Mr. Mann's"second rule" which calls the CRA a poor loss, I think that they have done a very excellent job. I think they should remain autonomous, and I hope Mr. Mann will be able to make all the extra meetings that the Commission will have to do in order to be the CRA. This has been coming a long time. I've seen it coming a long time, where there's always wanted to be a takeover of the CRA; and I was wondering exactly when it would happen; and I feel it's a great disappointment. Thank you. Thank you, Commissioner Zibelli. No response. No, no, no. I just want to clear up one point. It never was~a question of the money or the spending of the money. The question was, "What are the results? What do we have to show for the expenditures?" That was the question, and I've been unable to get the answer. I've spent a lot of time with the Agency, and I think it's time to take over and move it along better. I just don't have another five years to give it. Z~belll: ( Inaudible. ) Cassandra: Commissioner Zibelli, no one commented, please. I think probably I'm the only one on this - 15 - MINUTES - SPECIAL CITY COMMISSION MEETING BDYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA JUNE 11, 1987 Commission that's been with the CRA for 4~ years. I've been in the trenches with them--the pros and the cons, the rights and the wrongs, the gives and the takes. And there's no one on this Commission who's been there as I have. The question here is not finances. The question here is should the CRA concept still be maintained, and that's the only question that should be addressed. The City cuts the checks, so we have an exact count of all the pennies. I have two points for the Commission's edification, and I'm glad to see that former Mayor, Vice Mayor, Commissioner Zimmerman is here, because he was in the trenches with me for the four years of the CRA's bringing. I think what's happened here is that the CRA Agency is not seeing the overall picture anymore, and the way of saying that is "because of the tree, you don't see the forest." Let me bring that to point to you, please, only for edification. They went through a concept designed and requested, and through the trench fighting, the three goals that they were aiming for at the beginning portion were cove, bridge, and marina. As a matter of fact, it was bridge, cove, marina, in priority; and in the trench fighting, when they were challenged "What would you do if the bridge is not approved? What would you do if the cove is not approved?" What would you do if the marina concept is not approved?", that's when Hank Thompson gave his first resignation and then withdrew it, and that's when Councilman Wright was on the Commission at that time. Our concern of the Commission of old was "Is there a Plan B?" That was at the workshop, and at the Plan B concept, I was "poo-pooed". As far as they were concerned, they were going bridge, cove, and marina, hell and high water. They hired a consultant, which is proper, and there should be no question about that expenditure; that was proper. That consultant's first report said, "Drop the cove. You can't do it." They pressured the cove, that that consultant change that report. When they went up to Tallahassee to DER, they were told, "Forget it." The cove idea died. The b~idge is at the Supreme Court with DOT. The marina concept is not the original concept. The original concept was boutiques. What we got was a mixed usage, which was businesses and retail stores on the bottom, which I voted in favor of, because the concept of developing the land is what we're talking about - 16 - MINUTES - SPECIAL CITY COMMISSION MEETING BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA JUNE 11, 1987 lheney: assandra here. Pineland Villas, Pineland and Bud's Chicken were not of their doing. The City put a moratorium because we were concerned if anyone built while they were in their concept plan approval, they might build something that was not to their design. So they had nothing to do with that. If you look back, they have not accomplished what they aimed to do, and the end result--they're shot-gunning. Look what they're doing. They went to the medium deVelopment that started a year and a half ago. They got a master landscape planner--proper also. There should be no question about that expenditure. But nothing has been done. Sam Scheiner, Vice Chairman, has quoted,"Let's do something, so the people can see something has been done." They have argued on size of trunks of trees in that median; the end result, they had to go from a slope to a--what's the proper language? Non-mountable curb. Non-mountable curb. From an expenditure of $30,000 to $40,000 originally proposed to $130,000 to date. The numbers are not--and forgive me for the exact numbers; I don't have those figures in front of me. That has not been accomplished. They wanted to do that Casa Loma, where the City owns that little-- that fizzled out. Now they're in the parking, and that should be done, and that should be proper. They're working on C.A..R.L., which is the mangroves, and that's proper, but nothing to date has been done; and they don't realize that; and they've backed away; and they don't see what's happening. Second, we had many workshops before the September one, and they were heavy workshops. When we called this last workshop meeting, I said, "Please do not wear your sensitive skins, because things are said, only on criticism and desire to know." Well, obviously, everybody came in with sensitive skins that night, because it hit. I think some people were going to resign, regardless, because of their own personal work loads, and that would have happened anyway. But I must bring to point, and you can verify in the minutes, one of the workshop sessions, when they finally became a proper agency, and correct me Mr. Cheney, the first CRA was improperly formed; then the second one came, and that's the one we're talking about with Hank Thompson. The first one was improperly formed; we did another one which is - 17 - MINUTES - SPECIAL CITY COMMISSION MEETING BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA JUNE 11, 1987 R.=a: Cassandra: cheney: Cassandra: the present one. I think that all five members are still the original five members, or very close to it. But we sat down to see what powers they should have, we again had an in trench fight, because they wanted eminent domain powers; they wanted a lot of City Commission powers, which they were not, and they were denied, and it went back and give and take, and we came to agreement. At that meeting, check the minutes, my concern was we cannot have two Commissions running this City. That was my~ concern then, and three and a half years later, that concern came back to bite this Commission in the proverbial "poo-poo" area. But the problem here is can they do what they want with taxpayers' money, and that's what happened Tuesday. I think that's the problem. I think downtown must be developed, and it must be maintained. This Commission must bring this thing back to the fold. Three years down the road, and correct me if I'm wrong, Mr. Rea, we could always redevelop the CRA Agency with five or six people. Whatever it is, we can give it back to somebody. You can give it back. O.K., but I think that we've got to get priorities and jobs done, and I think this Commission could do it. I think this Commission could say, "Hey, let's attack the median problem." There is no discontinuity. Mr. Cheney's been involved with the parking consultant's study. Am I correct, Mr. Cheney? Yes. The only question here is CARL, and the CARL information is there. There is no question of discontinuity there. The question is, let's get the act back to where it was originally. I think that's very important here, because this Commission and Commissions to follow must make policy and must account for taxpayers' money, and that's the two bottom issues here. Not should we abolish the CRA concept, and I agree with you, Commissioner Hester, the downtown must be developed. Water's Edge, or whatever the name is going to be, is not affected by this decision that you make. There is nothing in house in deVelopment that will be affected, other than the possibility of CARL, or - 18 - MINUTES - SPECIAL CITY COMMISSION MEETING BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA JUNE 11, 1987 Cheney: Cassandra: Rea: Cassandra: Boroni: Hester: Cassandra: the mangrove project. Ail right? That's the only possible, and we don't even know if we got that. We still have to fill out an application, and we have to ask ~for a special hearing. Is that correct? In the proper time sequence. If we get the application in by August 1-- Then we're in proper time sequence, so there's no problem that that can't be done yet. So I don't think that the questions immaterially at that time were wrong. I had all the answers, because I go ask the City Manager for the reports of the expenditures of all departments, not just CRA. I ask about the Building Department, how many people they have, why the delay, like we said with the CRA, so there is no problem on my part because I know the answers of what they spent. I think the bookkeeping that has been done is poorly, but that person is not an accounting type person, and you can understand that, her not being an accountant. But we have lost track of where we are going; the guidelines have disappeared, and I think we should come back to the fold. Now I have a motion on the floor saying to direct the City Attorney to write the first reading. Is that the correct way? That's what's going to happen, right? The motion will force you to make first reading? Correct. So that you know what you're voting, you have to go to first reading and then to second reading, and second reading is when you get the public input. Can we have a roll call vote please? Commissioner Hester? What is the motion again? The motion is to move that the City Commission take over all of the duties of the CRA, as it exists today, understanding the procedure is to go to first reading and then to second reading. Do you want that in the motion? Do we have to say that in the motion just to make sure every- one understands? - 19 - MINUTES - SPECIAL CITY COMMISSION MEETING BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA JUNE 11, 1987 Rea: Cassandra: H~ster: Boroni: nn: roni: Zibelli: Boroni: Cassandra: Boroni: Marchese: Boroni: Cassandra: Hsster: Rea: Well, it would have to be accomplished by ordi- nance, so the motion would require adoption of an ordinance, so it would mean then-- So you would go to first reading and second reading. O.K. Since there's going to be discussion, I'll vote aye, since there's going to be discussion. Commissioner Mann? Commissioner Zibell? Nay. Mayor Cassandra? Aye. Vice Mayor Marchese? Vote 4-1. Second motion. Do we need a second motion tonight, or can that motion be made during the first and second reading? If we're going to have the ordinance coming up, personally, why do we need, we have the motion to (inaudible), why can't we just wait to see what's going to happen after the ordinance is approved or disapproved? That's just a question. I mean, why do we have to do everything, you know-- If I may interject, it would be from a drafting point of view and, probably, from an organizational and structural point of view. That's for the Commission to address those two issues simulta- neously, because the Downtown Review Board is, if I understand it, is the equivalent of the Planning and Zoning Board. I think, from a legal point of view and public policy point of view, that those two issues are somewhat interrelated. If I am going to draft an ordinance which names this - 20 - MINUTES - SPECIAL CITY COMMISSION MEETING BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA JUNE 11, 1987 Cassandra: Rea: Cassandra: Marchese: Cassandra: Cheney: Commission as the CRA, this Commission would probably want to also address, at that same time-- Could we write this one up, because this has an "A" and "B" in here, once I look at it. It says, "I move that the P&Z Board take over all the r . functions of the DRB", and then he names a person to become the Executive Director. I think that second portion could be held off. Go with the DRB. He has "and the City Planner become"; I think that portion can be held off and at the discussion period at a later date be addressed. Sure, you could do it that way. of preference. It's a matter I think because, obviously looking, I don't think the City Manager knew what Commissioner Mann was going to say, and I think he should have time to think that, so--(TAPE CHANGE)--Is that a question? No, just a statement. I think it's important that the City Manager (he realizes it, but for the record), that he's got to start looking around for someone to be a Director. That's assuming that you're going to get rid of the Executive Director. I don't know if that assumption should be made right now. I think right now what you should do is get the DRB, because you have to go to first and second reading yet, for that function to occur. The DRB was set up separate from the ordinance that set up CRA. I would perceive those to be two different issues. You can proceed with what you want to do in the CRA independently of whether or not you want to do something to the DRB. They're really two separate ordinances. If you do away with the DRB, we have to address, I think, if I remember the ordinance, there are some things in the ordinance for the DRB that specifically relate to downtown. We'd have to decide how we're going to break those things up for the Planning and Zoning Board and the Community Appearance Board. So all I'm saying is, I think, Ray, you can do the CRA ordinance independent of the DRB ordinance. They may still want to vote on it tonight. - 21 - MINUTES - SPECIAL CITY COMMISSION MEETING BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA JUNE 11, 1987 Cassandra: Cheney: Cassandra: Cheney: Rea: Cassandra: If I recall, I'm trying to put my thinking cap on, the DRB was made up to bypass the Community Appearance and the Planning and Zoning Boards, in the sense that we took a person from the Community Appearance Board and put them on the DRB and someone from Planning and Zoning Board. I'd like to just add that, I don't want to get into CRA again, but let me just add a comment here about the DRB, as far as the Planning and Zoning Board. The way it has worked is the DRB, in carrying out its responsibilities, gets very much and in great detail involved in plan review down to individual signs, individual wording, individual colors and shingles on the building, and all kinds of things. That's a very precise, direct involvement in downtown. Traditionally, the Planning and Zoning Board, because of its schedule and its more general involvement, doesn't get into those details. I think, if you give up the DRB, you are saying you are going to give up some of that precise attention to the downtown area. The DRB does what no one else does. I think that's a part of what you have to think about, if you decide to go with-- I have a feeling the same as the City Manager that the DRB portion should be withheld at this particular point, until we look at what our ordinances say. I would suggest the two of them do interrelate in many ways, even though they are two different ordinances, because the present make up of the Downtown Review Board includes members of the Community Appearance Board and includes members of the Planning and Zoning Board and includes members of the Community Appearance Board--did I say that? Community Appearance Board, Planning and Zoning Board, and other people. If, again, it's a matter of style. If this Commission does decide that they are going to become the CRA, then they have to also ultimately address the issue as to whether or not a number of their members are going to become members of the Downtown Review Board. Let me throw a question up, because I don't think not acting on DRB tonight would be a problem, - 22 - MINUTES - SPECIAL CITY COMMISSION MEETING BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA JUNE 11, 1987 Rea: Hester: Cassandra: Rester: because it can always be acted on at another period of time. I think the question such as "What special duties do the DRB do now that the Planning and Zoning Board doesn't do?" If there is such a duty, then we have the problem of rewriting what the (if we go in the direction of the DRB being abolished), we have to rewrite the Planning and Zoning responsibilities, so they become the "itty-gritty" that the DRB was, if that's the direction we want to go. Then we have to tell the Community Appearance Board that they have to get more "itty-gritty" in what they do, as far as the landscaping and color scheme, and shingles-- up to the colors of shingles--so I think to jump in now without properly evaluating the duties of both, if there is a difference, might hurt both boards, as well as the City. I don't think waiting one more week or two more weeks would be a strong problem. If there are no differences, then there are no problems. If there are dif- ferences, then they have to be written. Do we have to go to ordinances to rewrite the Planning and Zoning responsibilities? The Downtown Review Board is created like that, created by ordinance. So if you want to either change the structure or change the duties you have to do it by ordinance, as well. (Inaudible) the DRB (inaudible) is by ordinance, right? So that is altogether separate from CRA? Now, the way I understand it, the DRB, the people that are on that Board right now, appointed by the Planning and Zoning Board and the other Board, plus other members, right? What I'm seeing here is that here is a Board that has functioned-- I don't know whether they have problems or not-- they function at their duties that have already been established. Why try to get rid of that Board, when the members of that BOard are mainly from the City staff, and although I know it's separate (from when I said separate, altogether separate), but the members on the Board, most of them, are appointed from these two Boards. I think it's two of them, isn't it, and one alternate? Maybe I'm wrong, but this Commission wants to take over the CRA, right, the function of the - 23 - MINUTES - SPECIAL CITY COMMISSION MEETING BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA JUNE 11, 1987 Cassandra: ~ester: cassandra: ~archese: Cassandra: ~archese: Cassandra: Marchese: CRA? What's wrong with letting the DRB do their function instead of placing more responsibility-- you've got control of the purse string now when you take over the CRA, right? What's the purpose of, say, getting rid of the DRB, when you're going to have some other people doing the same thing anyway? In the end, they're all-- I don't know. I raised the question, "What are the different responsibilities?", and that should be addressed. If you do have duplication of duties, exactly the same, then we have duplication and that would be one reason. If they are different, then that would have to be investigated; I agree with you. The DRB's going to have more--they look at the color, the signage. You're going to put this on the Planning and Zoning Board, and they'll say you're going to have to do this thing all over for the Planning and Zoning Board for them to have those duties now that the DRB has. Vice Mayor Marchese? Well, what you're really saying is that, and rightfully so, you're going to look at what the DRB is doing, but if you look and you find that we have duplication of effort, then it's not a good straightline organization. That statement is true. Then all you've got is a bureaucracy, and we ought to streamline this thing once and for all. Again, not dealing in personalities, but what's best for the City to get this job done. We've got the Planning and Zoning Board knee-deep in it now; you've got Community Appearance knee-deep in it now. Investigate it, but I want you to know that my feelings are that it should be a stream- lined organization with no duplication of efforts. There's no disagreement. I don't disagree with Commissioner Hester. I don't disagree with you. I'm saying I don't know it there are duplications. I'm saying that should be investigated. I have no problem with that. - 24 - MINUTES - SPECIAL CITY COMMISSION MEETING BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA JUNE 11, 1987 Cassandra: Marchese: Cassandra: Cheney: Cassandra: Cheney: Cassandra: How can I vote on something and say "Get rid of DRB" and find out the Planning and Zoning Board is not covering the same duties. I'm saying that portion should be investigated. Fine. That's all I'm saying. Then if, upon investigation, there are duplications, then I know it's duplication. I don't know it there are duplications, and I don't want to get the staff involved in this, because it's strictly a policy decision; but I'll get the City Manager involved. I'll leave those people out, but put the City Manager--Are there duplications? Should the Planning and Zoning Board be doing the same thing that the DRB is doing for the City? At the moment, there is no duplication, because at the moment things that go to the DRB do not go to the Community Appearance Board or the Planning and Zoning Board. The protection, according to the coordination of planning policy is that there is a member of the Planning and Zoning Board on the Downtown Review Board, and there is a member of the CAB on the Downtown Review Board. Theoretically, that keeps the Downtown Review Board following the general policy of those two bodies. There is no member of the CRA on the Downtown Review Board, but they appoint members (inaudible). So at the moment, there is no duplication. My only suggestion is there is a difference in intensity of review, depth of review. There is the argument of whether or not you want to keep that depth of review as you consider-- My question to you, Mr. Cheney, is should that be also on the Planning and Zoning Board? It's getting more that way with your review of architectural plans, although I'm not sure it would ever get that depth on the Planning and Zoning Board. Although what we're doing with Boynton Beach Boulevard urban plans, we're setting up a second area where we are more precisely concerned with Boynton Beach Boulevard, somewhat similar to the CBD. Mr. Cheney, when are you leaving? - 25 - MINUTES - SPECIAL CITY COMMISSION MEETING BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA JUNE 11, 1987 Cheney: Cassandra: Cheney: Cassandra: ~ibelli: Cassandra: Zibelli: Cheney: Zibelli: Cassandra: I leave Sunday morning. Sunday. It seems to me that--tomorrow's Friday-- it's a little too late--that I would like to have on paper the differences between the DRB and the Planning and Zoning. This Commission should have in hand on the 16th, which is the Commission meeting, the marked differences, at which time this Commission can decide to abolish the DRB and rechange the organizational structure of the City action. At this present moment, I don't know if there are duplications or not. Now if there are duplications, I'll tell you now that we have just too many Boards doing the same thing; but if there aren't any duplications, then there's no reason, as Commissioner Hester points out, to abolish-- We can have you the report; that's no problem. Commissioner Zibelli? Yes. I have a problem with it only for the reason that-- Which? Give me a topic sentence. The DRB--because I think their focus is on the downtown. Their direct focus is on downtown. Their only focus. Their only focus, and by doing away with the DRB, we have a tendency to forget. I mean, that downtown area's been in bad shape for one heck of a long time; and it seems like nothing, you know, now that they're reviewing everything, I think your focus (that's my own opinion), that the focus would not be there when you have that specialized, you know, just that specialization for one part. I think, then, the request to see what the difference of the two is a proper request, and I would like the motion maker who wanted to make a motion to hold off that motion until you have that information in front of your hand, and if you still feel the same way, then make the motion on the 16th. Now, let me ask a question of the Commission--not to put it on the agenda, obviously, the DRB, but would it be proper to direct the Attorney to review the writing - 26 - MINUTES - SPECIAL CITY COMMISSION MEETING BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA JUNE 11, 1987 Cheney: Cassandra: Cheney: Cassandra: Mann: Cassandra: Mann: Cassandra: Marchese- of an ordinance in case it does go that way? Not to put on the agenda for the 16th, so he could get the time and leg work (inaudible)--to do the leg work of writing, but not to put on the agenda. We'll put the CRA item on the agenda for first reading. Ray will have the other one in his back pocket, in case you want to use it; you can add it to the agenda. Is that what you're saying? That's only if the Commissioners agree. Yes, I said if you add it. He'll have it; if you don't put it on, he won't put it on. Because by that time, you'll have the information in hand about either there are differences or there are not differences. If there are differences, then it doesn't go on the agenda. If there are no differences, then the City should reorganize duplication of Boards. What's the consensus? May I? Please. O.K. I don't want you to think I proposed this motion lightly. I discussed this motion with Mr. Cheney at one time, and I know he feels that the Downtown Review Board should be retained, because it has a depth of intensity not currently on the P&Z--his opinion. I've discussed the matter with Planning and Zoning. (Inaudible.) I asked them what they thought, so that I could know more about it, and I think you might be interested to hear what they have to say. I don't wish to speak for them, but they have no problem with that. I'll tell you that. You can ask Carmen what you wish, but if it is the will of this group to ~L hold this off three or four days, I don't have any great pressure. I'm sure you won't (inaudible), but I don't want to push it on; but I don't want you to think, in any way, that this ~s a~ightly_made motion, because I believe it's an extra layer of bureaucracy not needed. What's the feeling of the-- Let him prepare the paperwork, keep it in his back pocket. You never get a job done where - 27 - MINUTES - SPECIAL CITY COMMISSION MEETING BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA JUNE 11, 1987 Cassandra: Mann: Cassandra: Mann: Cassandra: ~archese: Cassandra: Rann: Cassandra: Rea: Cheney: Rea: you have six or seven bosses. There's got to be somebody in charge, and it's up to him or her to focus on the needs of the downtown. It's that simple. You can skirt around this thing all night. I don't ever want to be in a position again where people call up and just about cuss you out for asking a basic, simple question. The City comes before personalities. I will entertain a motion, Commissioner Mann, to direct the Attorney to prepare an ordinance in the abolishment of the DRB and not to direct the City Manager to put it on the agenda. I'll accept that. You need to make a motion. I move that we direct the City Attorney to draft an appropriate ordinance in case the Commission decides to place the Downtown Review Board with the Planning and Zoning Board, but to not agenda it until further discussion takes place. I have a motion. I need a second. So move. I have motion and a second to direct the City Attorney to prepare the appropriate ordinance to abolish the DRB, but not to be acted upon until the Commission decides. Well, I need to change it. It's not to abolish the DRB. You cannot abolish CRA or DRB; that's a law, but we can take over its functions. No, no ~ no. ordinance. You're abolishing the DRB by No, I think what the intent of this ordinance is is to simply, from a structural point of view, to turn the membership of DRB into the membership of the Planning and Zoning Board. If I understand-- You can't do that totally, Ray, because one member of the DRB is a member of the CAB, and you can't-- No, I think what I'm understanding is that his intent is that what you simply do is, you get - 28 - MINUTES - SPECIAL CITY COMMISSION MEETING BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA JUNE 11, 1987 Cassandra: Marchese: Cassandra: Marchese: Cassandra: the number of bodies that are on the Downtown Review Board, and one from this organization, one from this organization, and change it so that the Planning and Zoning Board replaces and acts as, like wears two hats. Let me cut across you, please. As the Chair, I obviously did not read the motion correctly as intended, so the motion that I read is not the motion of the motion maker, so it's not on the table. I'm to a point where I find that I think there should be no motion on the DRB until the 16th. I think it's got to be written properly, so we know exactly what we're doing. I will not put this City into a mishmash type of ordinance where we don't know what we're doing. So I will not go with the DRB motion tonight, but I will address the motion on the 16th, because I'm finding I don't know what we're going to do about this DRB. So I'm not in favor of the DRB until it is distinctly spelled out properly, as far as organizational charts. Let's not be slip-shod about one type of organization, and then the Commission's doing the same thing. Do what you want. Mr. Mayor, the direction was for the City Attorney to make that study. We told him to write the ordinance. Well, isn't that a study to see what can be done? Well, I do not feel it is the same. I could direct the City Attorney to make a study on--I really should direct the City Manager, not the City Attorney, the City Manager--to study the organizational chart of the Planning and Zoning Board as the agency to review all of the City development. That (inaudible) through staff. Once they come back, then he writes an ordinance. He does not, with due respect for our City Attorney, he does not write the policy that we want. We tell him what we want through our advisors. I have the highest respect for Mr. Rea, but he is not a Commissioner. Let's the keep the power in the proper setting. Now if you want to know what kind of ordinance it should be, if you want the DRB duties to be taken over by the P&Z, I think that's - 29 - MINUTES - SPECIAL CITY COMMISSION MEETING BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA JUNE 11, 1987 Cheney: Cassandra: Cheney: Cassandra: Cheney: Cassandra: Marchese: Mann: Cassandra: Marchese: Cassandra: Mann: Cassandra: Cheney: Cassandra: what your motion is, then we have to find out what the duties of the DRB are down to the detail of responsibility and tell the Planning and Zoning Board they have that responsibility, if that's the direction you are going. I think we have got to know that. You just can't say get rid of them. A report like that, as I've interpreted your discussion so far, is that you want a report like that-- I definitely want it before the 16th. And you will have it. It will probably be-- Before the 16th. --It will be in the agenda, but it won't be a part of the agenda. That's right, not part of the agenda. Amen. Mr. Mayor-- First of all, before you run away, I had, I thought you had a motion and a second on the floor. Since I did not read the motion properly, then there is not a motion in front of this body. Second removed? Removed. First removed? Motion removed. There is no motion on the table. more items. We have three Mr. Mayor, on the CRA business, could I make a request? I assume that the item of the CRA will simply be first reading of the ordinance on the 16th and no discussion. By the audience. No public discussion, unless there is more information (inaudible). - 30 - MINUTES - SPECIAL CITY COMMISSION MEETING BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA JUNE 11, 1987 Cheney: Cassandra: Cheney: Cassandra: Cheney: Cassandra: Cheney: Cassandra: Cheney: Cassandra: Cheney: Cassandra: Cheney: Cassandra: Rea: Cassandra: Zibelli: Cheney: I would like to have the opportunity, if you are going to pass the ordinance, to be involved in the issue of staffing an operation and so forth. Of the CRA? Yes. I will hold those comments until July 7, if you don't want them until then, but if you want them-- My feeling is the motion was five commissioners, Mr. Cheney. I don't know if you're reading anything else in the mOtion. No. I just said-- Why are we staffing the Commission? Is there something I've missed? If you are going to change the CRA-- To more than five? I'm not talking about membership. I'm talking about how we provide staff services. Oh, oh. And if you are not going to discuss that on Tuesday, I won't bother now. Well, if you have a concern now, if you have a concern that you have rather quickly or would rather think it over-- No, when you get to that point, since I won't be here the 16th, that's all. Do you have something we should be made aware of right away? That's only the first reading, right? Yes. That's only the first reading. That's all. I'll wait. I have some feelings about it I'd like to be involved with when you - 31 - MINUTES - SPECIAL CITY COMMISSION MEETIING BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA Cassandra: Cheney: JUNE 11, 1987 get to that point in the second reading. That's all. You're leaving Sunday? And you come back? The second of July. C · Proposed Change of Budget Workshop Date ity Manager Cheney suggested, due to Mayor Cassandra's new ork schedule, that the Budget Workshop sessions be changed rom July 22-24 to July 27-29 (Monday-Wednesday). He noted hat July 28 was the same date that one of the PZB hearings ould be held, but the issues discussed at that meeting would 11 come back to the City Commission at a later date anyway. ity Manager Cheney advised Commissioner Zibelli that the Budget Workshop meetings would be held at 7:30 P.M. Discussion of Meeting Date for Citizen Input on the Multi-Purpose Recreation Building City Manager Cheney stated that a contract was being negotiated w~th the architect for the Multi-Purpose Recreation Building. H~ thought there should be a public meeting for the purpose of agquiring citizens' input into the activities that t~ke place at this building. City Manager Cheney proposed that discussion n9t be opened up to the location question, since studies about that would not be available at that time. He realized that sDme of the suggestions might not be feasible, but at least tae citizens would have a chance to voice their opinions. City Manager Cheney further stated that, in order to select a building, they must have an idea of the shape and size of t~e building, as well as what activities will go on in the building. C M ity Manager Cheney suggested that the meeting be held on Dnday, August 3, 1987 at 7:30 P.M. C~mmissioner Zibelli asked which multi-purpose building was b~ing discussed. City Manager Cheney replied that it was the b~ilding for which an architect had been chosen· He added t~at he was not referring to the 19th Street facility. City M~nager Cheney stated that facility would be discussed, but they started on the other one first since it was larger. He n~ted they could not all be done at once· !i~s~isi~!!! ~i!i~asked cOmmissiOner zibelli if she wanted c the facility on 19th Street now. i said she just wanted clarification on - 32 - MINUTES - SPECIAL CITY COMMISSION MEETING BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA JUNE 11, 1987 which building was the "multi-purpose recreational building", and she asked what the other building was called. City Manager Cheney replied the other building was currently called the ',20-acre site". City Manager Cheney said it depended on certain factors as to which one would be completed first. ity Manager Cheney thought Commissioner Zibelli believed him o be delaying the 20-acre site. However, he noted, he has stated the 20-acre site is the moSt important; but the larger building was started first for monetary reasons, as suggested by the Commission. City ~nager Cheney wished to be advised if he had misinterprete~ the wishes of the Commission. ayor Cassandra asked if, once the preliminary contract was ompleted, the 20-acre site could concurrently be addressed. ity Manager Cheney said that could be done, but he asked he Commissioners it would be done at the same time the City s attacking Boynton Beach Boulevard and the review of the Code nd Ordinances. City Manager Cheney said the City Commission ould have to so direct him. Commissioner Mann wished to begin he 20-acre site as soon as possible. ayor Cassandra suggested that the question be addressed hen City Manager Cheney returned from his vacation. City anager Cheney suggested that issue be put on the July 7 ity Commission agenda for discussion. City Attorney Rea dvised that the City would have to open up to bids again or this project, even if they were pleased with their current consultants. City Manager Cheney said they could work on choosing consultants the 20-acre site, while consultants on working on site fs~r thebuilding He said it would lection of the multi-purpose . involve extra meetings, and he noted there are staff limitations. D. Real Estate Tax Report and its Impact City Manager Cheney said currently real estate taxes (the tax ro~ls- are prepared by the tax appraiser) are due no later than July 1. Everyone then has 90 days to adopt budgets. In the past year, the tax assessor~ and tax collector have been criticized b~cause the tax bills have not gotten out. This year, because of the criticism, the tax~ass~Ss~may put the tax ~oi1 out earlier (June 17 or 19) and start the 90 day process then, if all of the taxing jurisdictions agree. City Manager Cheney said he was going to protest this change, unless instructed differently by the City Commission, because the City has planned their schedule around the July 1 through - 33 - MINUTES - SPECIAL CITY COMMISSION MEETING BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA JUNE 1i, 1987 September schedule. City Manager Cheney said the City has never criticized the tax ass~essor either The Commissioners agreed with City Manager Cheney. E. Other City Manager Cheney reported they are telling people that want to build on Boynton Beach Boulevard during the moratorium that they can bring in a building permit application and go through the appeals process in the ordinance. The application ill be reviewed and taken to the Planning and Zoning Board. ity Manager Cheney would then make a final recommendation to he City Commission. He said people are told if they plan to ake major exterior changes to their buildings, those probably ould not be recommended for approval; if the changes were inor interior changes, they probably would be recommended. DJOURNMENT There being no further business to come before the City Commission, the meeting was adjourned at 10:10 P.M. CITY OF BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA A :TEST: ~ ~ City Clerk Recording Secre~tary (Three Tapes) Commissioner ommi .~s loner - 34 - REQUEST FOR PUBLIC RECORD INFORMATION Requested Information: DATE ORDINANCE NO. RESOLUTION NO. MINUTES - MEETING AND D~TE: (Complete Set) MINUTES EXCERPT ONLY SUBJECT VERBATIM MINUTES EXCERPT (Subject to an hourly charge per Recording Secretary wage) OTHER: Request submitted by: Name Address Phone Date completed By CITY OF B OYNT ON BEACH SPECIAL CITY COMMISION MEETING AGENDA June 11, 1987 7:30 P.M. OPENINGS: A. Call to Order - Mayor Nick Cassandra B. Agenda Approval: 1.- Additions, Deletions, Corrections 2. Adoption C. Announcements: II. INTERVIEWS ~ ~ ~ ~ ~,/A~. Urban Design Studio ~,/B~. Wallace, Roberts & Todd III. OTHER: IV. ADJOURNMENT: 'CITY of BOYNTON BEACH 200 N. Seacrest Blvd. Post Office Box 310 Boynton Beach, FL (305) 734-8111 33435 OFFICE OF THE PLANNING DIRECTOR 28 May 1987 Mr. Hank Skokowski, President Urban Design Studios 2000 Palm Beach Lakes Boulevard Suite 600 WeSt Palm Beach, FL 33409 Dear Mr. Skokowski: As you know, your firm has been pre-qualified by the City's Sti to iff, to present to the City Commission, your credentials .ated to the preparation of a study of the Boynton Beach tlevard corridor, in order to focus in on the issues which the idy must address, it has been suggested that the following >ics be fully explored in the proposed study. YTERS RELATED TO POLICY DECISION: It is recommended that the consultant selected by the City Con~ission commence the study by meeting in a workshop session wi~.h the Commission to discuss desired options for the de%'e!opment of Boynton Beach Boulevard. These desired options will form the basis for the analysis. Following the analysis, alternatives which are consistent with desired options will be presented to the Commission with recommendations. If, as a result of the analysis, desired options are unattainable, additional meetings with the Commission are suggested to further explore policy options. PLANNING ISSUES: It is recommended that the selected consultant review all existing land development regulations which are applicable to the development of the Boynton Beach Boulevard corridor. In addition, the planning analysis should include, at a minimum, an analysis of ownership patterns, an evaluation of impacts of development on surrounding land uses, and an evaluation of levels of service necessary to support existing and proposed land uses including traffic. MARKET ISSUES: It is expected that uses proposed will be consistent with the ability of the Boynton Beach market area to ued economic stability. To support suggested al , it may be necessary to test selected alternatives for rates of absorption for appropriateness of use. DESIGN ISSUES: Boynton Beach Boulevard, owing to its location in the County and its importance as a major east-west arterial should reflect a unique and desirable image which compliments the City of Boynton Beach. In this regard, design guidelines which insure that Boynton Beach Boulevard develops as an aesthetically pleasing and functional arterial should be provided. If, as a result of the analysis, or based on the selected consultant's experience, additional issues need to be addressed, these matters should be brought to the attention of the City Commission, as it is not intended that the topics discussed above limit the activities of the selected consultant. Yours very truly,' CITY OF BOYNTON BEACH Carmen S. Annunziato, AICP Planning Director /bks cc: City Commission City Manager or BOYNTON BEACH 200 N. Seacrest Blvd. Pos~ Office Box 310 Boynton Beach, FL (305) 734'8111 OFFICE OF THE PLANNING DIRECTOR 28 May 1987 Mr. John Fernsier Wallace Roberts & Todd 191 Giralda Avenue, Penthouse Coral Gables, FL 33134 Dear Mr. Fernster: As you know, your firm has been pre-qualified by the City's Staff, to present to the City Commission, your credentials re~ated to the preparation of a study of the Boynton Beach BoUlevard corridor: In order to focus in on the issues which the study must address, it has been suggested that the following topics be fully explored in the proposed study. MATTERS RELATED TO POLICY.DECISiON: It is reconunended that the consultant selected by the City Commission commence the study by meeting in a workshop session with the Commission to discuss desired options for the development of Boynton Beach Boulevard. These desired options will form the basis for the analysis. Following the analysis, alternatives which are consistent with desired options will be presented to the Commission with recommendations. If, as a result of the analysis, desired options are unattainable, additional meetings with the Commission are suggested to further explore policy options. - PLANNING ISSUES: It is recommended that the selected consultant review all existing land development regulations which are applicable to the development of the Boynton Beach Boulevard corridor. In addition, the planning analysis should include, at a minimum, an analysis of ownership patterns, an evaluation of impacts of development on surrounding land uses, and an ~valuation of levels ADDENDUM A of service necessary to support existing and proposed land uses including traffic. MARKET ISSUES: It is expected that uses proposed will be consistent with the ability of the Boynton Beach market area to ~ntinued economic stability- To support suggested ~ it may be necessary So test selected alternatives for rates of absorption for appropriateness of use. DESIGN ISSUES: Boynton Beach Boulevard, owing to its location in the County and its importance as a major east-west arterial should reflect a unique and desirable image which compliments the City of Boynton Beach. In this regard, design guidelines which insure that Boynton Beach Boulevard develops as an aesthetically pleasing and functional arterial should be provided. If, as a result of the analysis, or based on the selected consultant's experience, additional issues need to be addressed, these matters should be brought to the attention of the City commission, as it is not intended that the topics discussed above limit the activities of the selected consultant- Yours very truly, CITY OF ~BOYNTON BEACH Carmen S. Annunziato, AICP Planning Director /bks cc: City Commission City Manager