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Minutes 02-14-01MINUTES OF THE COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY REGULAR MEETING HELD IN THE LIBRARY PROGRAM ROOM, BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA, ON WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2001 AT 6:30 P.M. PRESENT ALSO PRESENT Larry Finkelstein, Chairman Jeanne Heavilin, Vice Chair Josb Aguila Al DeMarco Don Fenton Michelle Hoyland Henderson Tillman Quintus Greene, Director of Development Lindsey Payne, Board Attorney I. Call To Order Chairman Finkelstein called the meeting to order at 6:35 p.m. II. Roll Call The Recording Secretary called the roli"and all members were present. III. Director's Report Mr. Greene reported on the following: A. Project Updates -" The Ocean Avenue Project should be completed by mid-March. All the curbs are in and the 500 Block is complete. If completed by mid- March, this would mean the project would be completed at least two weeks ahead of schedule. ,,' With regard to the Marina Project, the new owner has submitted a replacement bond for $407,000 and this is on the February 20th City Commission Agenda for approval, After approval, the developer will be able to proceed with the project. v' By one vote, the City CommisSion voted against acquiring the Gondolfo property, which is adjacent to the Intracoastal Park site for $3.4 million. Therefore, the City is proceeding to develop the park site without this property. City 'Manager Bressner met with County Commissioner McCarty to finalize the County's contribution for the Park. Meeting Minutes Community Redevelopment Agency Boynton Beach, FL February 14,2001 v' v' The City Commission approved the revised Planning and Development Board Meeting schedule to meet once a month, which is subject to review in 90 days. Therefore, the CRA will meet on the second Wednesday of every month and the Planning and Development Board will meet on the fourth Tuesday of every month, beginning in April. Mr. Greene distributed to the members an article that appeared in the Palm Beach Post this morning regarding Quantum Park. The article deals with a proposal by Quantum to convert additional industrial land to mixed use in order to accommodate an additional 500 rental units. City staff has recommended denial of the project because it would compete with the goals of the Visions 20/20 Plan and would also be in competition with planned residential development to support a revitalized downtown. B. Financial Report A balance sheet for the period of October 2000 to January 2001 was included in the agenda packet. The only real income currently is the increment and the interest. Next month the beginning balance will be reduced by $50,000 due to the fact that the City Commission three years ago allocated this amount from the TIF Fund as the City's match for the County's Core Grant. Mr. Greene requested that these funds be segregated from the CRA budget in order to maintain accurate records. The financial reports should focus on the TIF account and the expenses of the CRA. The Development Department is now keeping track of the time it spends on CRA matters in order to create a history of running the CRA. Vice Chair Heavilin mentioned the Review Schedule which was included in the agenda packet. Vice Chair Heavilin inquired if it would be possible to shorten the review process when making application. Mr. Greene stated that the City's process is not very long compared to other communities. Mr. Greene explained how this process works to the members. Actually staff encourages applicants to come in before they file an application in order to keep applicants apprised of what will be expected of them. Chairman Finkelstein asked for clarification on the Quantum approval. Mr. Greene reported that Quantum is seeking another 500 residential units in addition to the 500 units already approved. Staff noted in its report that if the P&D Board approved the request, that Quantum be required to come in with the mixed-use for the first project before it could proceed with .the 500 units for the second project. However, that was stricken from the comments. Mr. Aguila inquired with regard to the TRC meeting, if there was a time limit that the various City Departments had to respond to staff's comments or would they forfeit their opportunity to comment. Mr. Greene stated that there is a deadline, but normally most departments are very good in meeting it. However, if a Meeting Minutes Community Redevelopment Agency Boynton Beach, FL February 14, 2001 department does fail to meet a deadline, this would not preclude that department for commenting. Chairman Finkelstein asked Attorney Payne if her memo of February 12, 2001 regarding the 30-year time limit for CRAs did not apply to Boynton Beach and she stated that was correct. C. Future Agenda Items Not addressed IV. Resolution (No. 01-01) A. City/CRA Financing Mr. Greene informed members that he has been in discussion with the City Manager and Finance Director and in order for the CRA to be effective, it needs money and/or land. Unfortunately, the CRA currently has neither. Mr. Greene said he is proposing that the CRA secure financing from the City in the approximate amount of $3 million in order to carry out its State mandates, which would include land purchases, rehabilitation, demolition, removal of structures as necessary to fulfill the purpose, and the intent of the adopted CRA plan. Therefore, Mr. Greene has prepared and is presenting to the Board tonight a Resolution for approval to authorize him to move forward on this. The financing could come in different ways, which the Finance Director indicated she would check into. The City is currently seeking to secure a $10 million bond issue through the Florida League of Cities, which could include the additional sum for the CRA. Mr. Tillman asked what the use would be for the bulk of the financing? Mr. Greene replied it would probably be used mostly for opportunity land purchases. Mr. Tillman inquired if Mr. Greene had a figure in mind for these purchases? Mr. Greene stated that he has identified certain parcels that he would like to purchase, but has not approached anyone as yet. Mr. Aguila inquired how the money would be paid back? Mr. Greene was considering pledging a maximum of $200,000 per year toward repayment of the funds over a 10 to 15 year period with a balloon payment at the end of the term. There should be enough revenues coming in at the end of the 10-15 year period to pay off the loan. Mr. Fenton inquired if a blind buyer would be used to purchase property and Mr. Greene stated that was his intent, whenever possible. 3 Meeting Minutes Community Redevelopment Agency Boynton Beach, FL February 14, 2001 Chairman Finkelstein asked about the plan mentioned in the Resolution and Mr. Greene stated there is an adopted CRA Plan, which was adopted in 1983 and is in the process of being updated. · The first phase of the update is the Federal Highway Corridor. · The second phase is the area between the C-16 Canal and 3rd Street, one block north of Boynton Beach Boulevard, between the railroad and 1-95. · The third phase would involve the Town Square area. · The fourth phase would be the Boynton Beach Boulevard corridor. · The fifth and final phase would be the Industrial Avenue Corridor. There should be some recommendations for the Board on the first phase sometime in May. Mr. Greene pointed out that a $50,000 grant has been received from the Department of Community Affairs to be used for community planning process in the core area. Staff is now putting together an RFP to send out to consultants to undertake the planning process. None of the $3 million would be used for updating the plan. Ms. Hoyland felt that the members should be furnished with more detailed outlines of the payment plans and the method of repayment. Ms. Hoyland did not feel the Board was ready to approve a resolution until it was apprised of what the plan was. Chairman Finkelstein asked why a resolution was necessary? Chairman Finkelstein said that he could not agree to spend funds until the Board does its planning. The Board has yet to set priorities or look at properties. He feels the Board also needs to know the terms and conditions of paying the money back and would like to have priorities in place before going out to get money and not know where it is going. Further, Chairman Finkelstein noted that the CRA is a working board and is charged with coming up with goals, plans and objectives. Chairman Finkelstein said he is prepared to authorize Mr. Greene to negotiate the loan of money to the Board on terms and conditions that Mr. Greene would deem appropriate and then bring it back to the Board for approval. Mr. Greene noted that the CRA Board must agree to any terms and conditions with regard to the borrowing of funds. Mr. Greene stated he was presenting the Resolution tonight to keep the Board apprised of what he is doing and the Resolution does not specify any terms and conditions because these need to be worked out. Mr. Tillman felt that before approval of the loan could be brought before the Commission, the details must be known on how the money would be repaid and a plan needs to be in place. Mr. Tillman raised many questions on the order of purchasing property and what would determine what lands would be purchased first. Mr. Greene replied that the sequence of the phasing would be determined on what is available now, rather than on any preconceived design. Chairman 4 Meeting Minutes - ' Community Redevelopment Agency Boynton Beach, FL February 14, 2001 Finkelstein felt that these issues needed to be worked out during a workshop and the Board needs to know where its money would be coming from. Attorney Payne informed the Board that they could approve Mr. Greene's authority to negotiate by motion in lieu of a resolution. This was agreeable to Chairman Finkelstein, but he would like the caveat that the Board has final approval for the payment, as well as the spending of all funds. Motion Mr. Tillman moved that the CRA Board authorize the CRA Director to seek financing from the City of Boynton Beach in an amount to be negotiated based on the needs of the CRA in terms of implementing the plans needed by the CRA pursuant to Chapter 163 of the Florida Statutes and a payment plan to be determined and negotiated between the CRA and the City with the assistance of the CRA Director. Motion seconded by Mr. Aguila. Mr. Aguila noted that an amount was not stated in the motion. Mr. Tillman stated that the numbers could be filled in at a future time and felt that the amount should be between $3 million and $5 million. Chairman Finkelstein asked Mr. Greene if he would prefer to have a sum to negotiate with? If this were the case, Mr. Greene would have to supply the Board with some type of pro forma on how the money would be paid back. Chairman Finkelstein suggested that the Board could ask for a line of credit up to a certain amount. Mr. Greene said he would feel more comfortable if he had an amount that he could work with. Mr. Fenton suggested that a line of credit might not be politically wise in case the Commission changes and he would prefer not to go this route. Mr. Tillman said he would be agreeable to amending his motion to include a range of money that the Board was requesting. Chairman Finkelstein asked if the City could issue an irrevocable line of credit and Mr. Greene was not sure on this. Mr. Greene pointed out that there could be any number of ways to finance the loan and would be agreeable to the $3 million to $5 million range. Mr. Tillman amended his motion to include the amount of $3 million to $5 million. Mr. Aguila seconded the amended motion. Motion carried 7-0. V. CRA Goals/Objectives Workshop Mr. Greene informed the members that last year the City Commission came up with 55 initiatives in six broad categories. Staff is currently forming teams to address these initiatives. Included in the agenda packet is some background information on the 55 initiatives. Category 2 "Guiding appropriate development 5 Meeting Minutes Community Redevelopment Agency Boynton Beach, FL February 14, 2001 and redevelopment of Boynton Beach" addresses what the CRA is about. Mr. Greene noted that he has given responsibility to oversee and coordinate team 2 for this particular goal. Mr. Greene pointed out that this would be a good starting point for the CRA to determine what goals and objectives it wished to pursue. Mr. Finkelstein noted that he prepared an outline of goals and priorities of the CRA after speaking with Mr. Greene and the Commissioners, which he distributed to the members. He informed members that he reviewed the spreadsheet and came up with the high priority items, which he felt were 2.1 and 2.8. Mr. Aguila inquired if there was an inventory of available properties or potential properties for development that the Board could review? Chairman Finkelstein pointed out that the GIS department could prepare a map of lots within the CRA that could assist the Board in determining what properties they would like to purchase. Also, Chairman Finkelstein would like the Board to hold a Satui'day workshop and would like the members to view the CRA area at that time by bus. Vice Chair Heavilin stated that there was no inventory of available CRA properties. Chairman Finkelstein stated he prepared an outline for the workshop and read and reviewed the outline with the members as follows: (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) Goals and priorities, which would include funding and land purchases, as well as strategies to encourage redevelopment; Status of Staff; Information and Tools, which would include having the appropriate maps available; Budget; Chairman Finkelstein would like to see a different format and would like the budget prepared more in the form of a balance sheet as commonly used in business. Policies and Procedures; Chairman Finkelstein would like to see the CRA's agenda expanded and to include a section for future agenda items; the agenda should also include more presentations Also attached to Chairman Finkelstein's outline were articles for members' review. Members agreed that the Workshop Outline presented was excellent and members would use this as a guide to work with. With regard to the mapping of the CRA area, Mr. DeMarco felt that the condominiums that were originally cut out of the CRA should be put back in. Chairman Finkelstein pointed out that the reason that particular area was first Meeting Minutes Community Redevelopment Agency Boynton Beach, FL February 14, 2001 included in the CRA was because a great deal of that area is considered redevelopment area. If these condominiums were re-included in the CRA, this would increase the TIF moneys. Otherwise, if those areas were ever redeveloped, there would be no benefit to the CRA. Mr. Tillman pointed out that there was a problem originally in how the information regarding the CRA was disseminated and noted that people were making false statements. Mr. Tillman would like to create a CRA goal matrix, which would include Chairman Finkelstein's outline and also include the City's Goal Objectives previously presented, Mr. Tillman felt that items 2.1, 2.6 and 2.8 should also be included in the CRA's goal matrix. Mr. Aguila stressed the importance of having a workshop and felt it was very important that one be scheduled. Mr. Aguila said he would be in favor of holding a Saturday workshop. Mr. Aguila noted that he' never received a copy of the CRA initiation packet that was distributed to the other members. Mr. Greene stated that he would see that any member that did not receive an initiation packet would be furnished with one. Mr. Aguila requested that a Saturday workshop be scheduled prior to the next regular CRA meeting in March. Ms. Hoyland would also like to schedule a Saturday workshop and would like to have transportation arranged so that members could go out and view the CRA area. Chairman Finkelstein noted that this is a working Board and that it is up to this Board to get the ball rolling and make things happen. Chairman Finkelstein suggested that the members take the bus tour first and then come back and brainstorm during the workshop. Ms. Hoyland suggested that all members fax Ms. Cynthia Mann in the Development Department their Saturday schedules so that she could schedule a workshop. Mr. DeMarco suggested picking a Saturday date tonight. The fax number to contact Ms. Mann is 742-6357. Chairman Finkelstein pointed out that the next CRA regular meeting is scheduled for March 14th and would like the workshop scheduled prior to that meeting. Mr. Greene pointed out that the items from the City's Goal Objectives that members would like included in the CRA matrix have staff teams that meet weekly and the meeting is open to a member of the CRA Board and they would certainly be welcomed. Mr. Greene felt it was important that there be some interchange between staff and this Board to insure that everyone is working in tandem. The meeting is scheduled every Thursday at 2:00 p.m. Mr. Aguila felt that Item 2.10, which dealt with the process that people must go through to understand how to even develop in Boynton Beach is a major scare factor. He has spoken to many professionals and they all feel that the policies and procedures of this City are very cumbersome when it comes to permitting in 7 Meeting Minutes Community Redevelopment Agency Boynton Beach, FL February 14, 2001 the City. Mr. Aguila would like to see the process simplified in order to encourage developers to come into the City. Ms. Hoyland felt that the City is encouraging developers to come in for a pre- application meeting and that this is not being taken advantage of. Attending these meetings would eliminate a great deal of frustration. Further Ms. Hoyland did not feel that this should be a concern of this Board. Chairman Finkelstein stated that this could be added to the CRA goal outline. Mr. Greene stated that staff is addressing these concerns. He mentioned that discussions are ensuing to allow permitting applications to be done online and staff is constantly trying to make the process more customer friendly. Chairman Finkelstein requested that staff zoom in on the CRA area from the map presented tonight and furnish a blow up of the CRA area to the Board. This would be beneficial in identifying vacant lots and parcels. Old Business Chairman Finkelstein informed the Board that the contract that had been discussed at last month's meeting was presented to him tonight to sign. He noted that the contract did not include the suggestions that had been made at that meeting. One dealt with termination of the contract and he read the section to which he referred which states the contract "shall terminate upon mutual agreement of the parties hereto". Chairman Finkelstein polled members to determine if they wanted to change this to a "thirty-day written notice" period. The second item previously discussed was indemnification of the Board. Mr. Tillman at the last meeting felt this was covered under State Statute and requested that Attorney Payne lOok into this. Attorney Payne reported that the City Code states that all Board members are indemnified and defended by the City when acting within the scope of their duties on the Board. Mr. Greene noted that if any changes were made to the contract, it would have to go back to the City Commission since the City has already signed it. Chairman Finkelstein asked the Board if it wished to make a motion to reconsider the contract as is. Attorney Payne pointed out that the contract is a termination at will contract. After discussion, members agreed to accept the contract as presented. Other Mr. Fenton asked Mr. Greene if the CRA had to abide by the same rules set for the City? Mr. Fenton noted that the City does not allow commercial trash pick up and questioned if the CRA Board could create a better business environment by allowing other commercial trash pick ups. 8 Meeting Minutes Community Redevelopment Agency Boynton Beach, FL February 14, 200'1 Attorney Payne said that the Board could make this recommendation to the City if it so wiShed. Mr. Tillman did not feel that this Board should get into policy issues and the purpose of the CRA Board is for the development of property and land acquisition. Mr. Tillman does not want this Board to get involved in home rule authority or franchising issues. Attorney Payne said that this Board's authority is broad enough if it effects redevelopment it can make recommendations. Chairman Finkelstein urged members to bring his outline home and improve upon it and bring it back to the workshop. Ms. Heavilin would like to see the projections of the anticipated TIF funds for the CRA presented at the workshop. Ms. Heavilin felt this was important information in formulizing five and ten year plans. Further, Ms. Heavilin suggested that all members make a concerted effort to attend a Saturday workshop. Ms. Hoyland requested that members be permitted to keep their binders and that only the agenda with attachments be sent to members. Members could then insert the agenda into the binders themselves. Chairman Finkelstein requested that Mr. Greene bring a three-hole punch to the next meeting so that members could place their material into the binders. VI. Public Audience None VII. Adjournment There being no further business, Mr. Till'man moved to adjourn, which was seconded by Mr. DeMarco and unanimously carried. Attorney Payne requested that the meeting be reopened in order to approve the minutes of the last meeting that had been omitted from the agenda. Chairman Finkelstein called the meeting back to order and requested a motion to approve the minutes. Motion Mr. Aguila moved to approve the minutes of the January 10, 2001 meeting, which was seconded by Mr. DeMarco. 9 Meeting Minutes Community Redevelopment Agency Boynton Beach, FI_ February 14, 2001 Thera being no further business, Mr. Aguila moved to adjourn the meeting, which was duly seconded by Mr. DeMarco. The meeting properly adjourned at 8:20 p.m. Res pectfully submitted, Barbara M. Madden Recording Secretary (2 tapes) 10