Minutes 08-09-00MINUTES OF THE COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY MEETING HELD IN
THE LIBRARY PROGRAM ROOM, BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA, ON WEDNESDAY,
AUGUST 9, 2000 AT 6:30 P.M.
PRESENT ALSO PRESENT
Ron Weiland, Vice Mayor Lindsey Payne, Board Attorney
Bruce Black, Commissioner Quintus Greene, Director of
Chadie Fisher, Commissioner Development
Jos~ Aguila
Al DeMarco
ABSENT
Gerald Broening, Mayor
William Sherman, Mayor Pro Tem
I. Call to Order
Vice Mayor called the meeting to order at 6:40 p.m.
I1. Agenda Approval
Motion
Commissioner Black moved to approve the agenda. Commissioner Fisher seconded the
motion that carried unanimously.
Presentations
III.
None
IV.
Approval of Minutes of July 12, 2000 Meeting
There were no corrections, additions or deletions to the minutes of the July 12, 2000
meeting.
Motion
Commissioner Black moved to accept the minutes of the July 12, 2000 meeting as
written. Mr. Aguila seconded the motion that carried unanimously.
I. Unfinished Business
A. Update on Ocean Avenue Promenade
Meeting Minutes -
Community Redevelopment Agency
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Mr. Greene reported that the groundbreaking ceremony had taken place the previous
week and that it had gone very well.
Mr. Greene alSo advised that the pre-construction meeting for the project was to be held
the next day, August 10, 2000, at 3:00 P.M. in the Purchasing Department. Construction
start is targeted for September 1, 2000. The traffic will be one-way westbound on Ocean
Avenue from Federal Highway, due to statistics that indicate westbound traffic is heavier.
Mr. Greene mentioned that a construction manager had been selected from the
Engineering Department, Mr. Frantz Lafontant, whose job it would be to act as liaison
between the Development Department, Gee & Jenson, and the City. He will be in the
field each day to monitor the conditions in the field and keep the City advised on a day-
by-day basis. He has already been in touch with a number of merchants on the street,
letting them know who he is and giving them information about the project. Mr. Greene
stated that there was $41,000 in the contract for Gee & Jenson to be out in the field also,
and that their job was to verify that the contractor was adhering to the plan, and to clarify
specifications in the construction documents. Gee & Jenson will be there two to three
times a week for the duration of the project.
Vice Mayor Weiland wanted assurance that both Frantz Lafontant and Gee & Jenson
would be readily available for any problems or questions that may come up so that
construction was not extended any further than absolutely necessary. Mr. Greene stated
that they were applying the lessons learned on the Gateway project to make this project
successful, including carefully screening the contractor and making sure there is
effective communication at all levels. Commissioner Fisher asked about the signs for the
business re-directing traffic. Mr. Greene recognized this need and stated that it was
being addressed.
For the duration of the project, Commissioner Fisher asked for a dedicated telephone
number to serve the people who live and work in the area. He felt that it was important
to track and follow through on all calls pertaining to the project. Mr. Greene said it was a
good idea. Commissioner Fisher also asked about a one-page newsletter for the area
residents and merchants. Mr. Greene replied that this was going to be done.
Mr. Aguila mentioned that it was important that a definite point be made as to who was
authorized and who was not authorized to alter direction or make decisions on the
project. He stated that what happens in the construction industry is that somebody will
be looking l~or somebody to tell them what to do. Once they find that one person it
dilutes the entire process. Once they can demonstrate one time that "he told me to do it"
it doesn't matter who says what to who, the process is diluted. You have to have a
construction manager who will represent the interests of the City of Boynton Beach, not
answer questions and say "That brick is supposed to be red", which would be Gee &
Jenson's role. He said he saw those problems coming up over and over in all kinds of
private and public construction. Mr. Greene responded that while he believed Mr.
LaFontant was aware of this, having had experience in this area, he also believed it
would be prudent to reinforce the point with him and stated that he would do so.
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Meeting Minutes .....
Community Redevelopment Agency
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Mr. Greene reported the anticipated completion of the job was in 200 calendar days, and
before G.A.L.A. 2001. Commissioner Fisher asked that the CRA members be given a
summarized version of a G.A.N.T. chart showing the key phases and dates for the
project. Mr. Greene said he would investigate and try to provide such a chart.
B) CRA Budget
Mr. Greene reported that the budget was for the period ending July 31, 2000. He said
that there had been a beginning balance in September of 1999 of $807,460, an ending
balance of $1,052,507 last month and an ending balance of $1,048,030 as of July 31,
2000. He pointed out the reduction in the ending balance and said that it had been due,
in part, to the City Attorney's office submitting a bill to the City.
Vice Mayor Weiland thanked Mr. Greene for his report.
VI. NEW BUSINESS
Commissioner Fisher mentioned a new matching grant he heard about at a League of
Cities meeting recently. The paperwork should arrive shortly and is for the purpose of
doing roads. He did not know if it could be used in any of the CRA projects.
Mr. DeMarco mentioned his involvement with a U.S. Department of Agriculture
partnership and that they just got their charter for this area. This partnership will make
money available to cities for plants and trees. Mr. DeMarco thought the City should put
in a $50,000 to $250,000 bid for plants and trees for the Promenade. He also asked
someone to attend a meeting on the subject that was to be held in October. Mr. Greene
asked to be made aware of the date for the meeting.
VII. PUBLIC AUDIENCE
None
VII. OTHER
None
VIII. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to come before the meeting, the meeting was duly
adjourned at 7:00 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Susan Collins
Recording Secretary
(one tape)
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