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Minutes 07-12-00MINUTES OF THE COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY MEETING HELD IN THE LIBRARY PROGRAM ROOM, BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA, ON WEDNESDAY, JULY 12, 2000 AT 6:30 P.M. PRESENT Gerald Broening, Mayor Ron Weiland, Vice Mayor Bruce Black, Commissioner Charlie Fisher, Commissioner Jos6 Aguila Al DeMarco I. Call To Order ALSO PRESENT Lindsey Payne, Board Attorney Quintus Greene, Director of Development Mayor Broening called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. II. Agenda Approval Motion Commissioner Fisher moved for approval. Black and carried unanimously. Presentations III. None IV. Approval of Minutes - Regular Meeting, June 14, 2000 Motion Commissioner Black moved for approval. Fisher and carried unanimously. Motion seconded by Commissioner Motion seconded by Commissioner Unfinished Business A. Update on Ocean Avenue Promenade Bids Mr. Greene reported that staff has met with representatives from the two bidders for this project and is currently awaiting their revised quotations based upon the -1- Meeting Minutes Community Redevelopment Agency Boynton Beach, Florida July 12, 2000 direction from the Commissioners at their last meeting. This information should be available for the next Commission meeting. A copy of the contract, the plan and staff recommendations will also be provided to the Commission at that meeting. Commissioner Fisher inquired if the contract would contain any incentives? Mr. Greene was not certain on this. Mr. Aguila said in his experience with early completion incentives there is a tendency to cut corners and the work becomes sloppy. Discussion took place about placing a liquidated damage clause in the contract. Mr. Aguila pointed out that this is not a penalty. However, if the contractor cannot complete the project within the time schedule, it will cost money and they will have to share in the expenses. Mr. DeMarco inquired if a person would be overseeing the project? Mayor Broening said that someone would be overseeing the project. Mr. Scully inquired if the price of the project would include the railroad track crossing. Mr. Scully said he heard that this would cost an additional $250,000 which was not included in the original contract. Mr. Greene replied that the overall price of the contract is the overall price of the contract. B. CRA Budget Mr. Greene referred the Board to the budget included in their packet, which shows there is an ending fund balance of $1,052,507, up from $807,474 at the end of September. Mayor Broening inquired if the Board should be looking for other sources of funds. Mr. Greene said they are looking at this in order to come up with a more aggressive property acquisition program. Mayor Broening asked about the timing and Mr. Greene said that the CRA could always borrow money. However, it must be kept in mind that any funds borrowed would have to be repaid. Also, public/private partnerships can be explored. Mr. Aguila requested that Mr. Greene review the budget with him in order to bring him up to date. Mr. Greene explained how the budget was arrived at, and reviewed the various grants and programs that have provided additional income to the CRA. VI. New Business A. Discussion of CRA Boundaries Mr. Greene distributed to the members a handout entitled "Ocean District Redevelopment Plan", which was part of the original Vision 20/20 RedevelOpment Master Plan. Also, Mr. Greene referred members to a map in 2 Meeting Minutes Community Redevelopment Agency Boynton Beach, Florida July 12, 2000 the agenda packet of the CRA area, which included all areas that have since been added to the CRA. Mr. Greene pointed out that Ocean Avenue is the southern boundary and cuts through the middle of the Ocean District Redevelopment Plan area. Mr. Greene would like a consensus from the CRA Board to present to the Commission a formal request to hold a public hearing to amend the southern boundary of the CRA to SE 2nd Street. This would bring the entire Ocean District Redevelopment area into the CRA area and would give the City development opportunities in the Town Square area. Members reviewed the area in question. Commissioner Fisher inquired if this would have any effect upon the current businesses if they were called blighted. Mr. Greene pointed out that non- residential properties do not have to be declared blighted and read some of the criteria for acquiring non-residential properties. The criteria states "that such non-residential uses are necessary and appropriate to facilitate the proper growth and development of the community in accordance with sound planning standards and local community objects". Mr. Greene feels that this would apply in the City's case. Mr. Greene said this would have no immediate effect on the property values in the area or the property taxes, However, it will be necessary to hold a public hearing. Commissioner Black inquired on the timing of the hearing. Mr. Greene said that a target date could be the second meeting in August. The request to change the boundaries would mean that the CRA southern boundary would be moved two blocks. There was a consensus among the members to move forward with this request. Commissioner Black inquired if it would be advantageous to look at the property next to the Library that is for sale? Mr. Greene said he spoke with Mary Law regarding this property. Mr. Greene would not recommend acquiring the property at this time. The asking price is $375,000 for three parcels with three buildings and two outbuildings. There are an additional two parcels adjacent to the property and the asking price for those is an another $125,000. Mr. Greene feels as things progress in this area, property values will begin to rise and there seems to be considerably more interest in the City. Discussion on acquisition and timing of other properties took place. Also, Mr. Greene felt that the Board must consider what they would like for characteristics to be on Seacrest heading south, which is currently residential and does the City want to see a non-residential character. Mr. Greene said that their focus should be on the purchase of non-residential development, because this will dictate the values that the City is looking for. Commissioner Black would like to see the City monitor the property in any event in case the price does come 3 Meeting Minutes Community Redevelopment Agency Boynton Beach, Florida July 12, 2000 down and a possible use arises. Vice Mayor Weiland noted that them am code liens on the property and this should lower the price as well. Mr. Finkelstein said he saw no value to the CRA, but it might be useful to the City. Mr. Finkelstein noted several homes in this area are going to foreclosure and are changing hands. Mr. DeMarco suggested that staff performs an inventory of these properties and then monitor them. Vice Mayor Weiland inquired as to the purpose of expanding the CRA boundary two more blocks south? Mr. Greene said this would bring the entire Town Center within the CRA and will create some additional opportunities. VII. Public Audience Ms. Anne Centi said she just returned from Helen, Georgia and the town has been totally redeveloped as an alpine village to become indigenous to the mountain terrain that it sits on. She gave a brief presentation of what the town did and presented photographs to the members to review. Ms. Centi would like to see Boynton Beach build a lighthouse and a nautical museum. Also, she would like the City to hold a Neptune Ball and a Miss Mermaid and Mr. and Mrs. Neptune could be chosen. She feels this would provide a great deal of publicity for the City. Ms. Centi also suggested providing some type of assistance to the tacky motels on Federal Highway to fix themselves up and to offer incentives to change their names to nautical names. Also, she suggested that if the City does change the names of the streets, they should be alphabetized. Ms. Centi would like to see the Senior Center's shutters painted blue and some type of nautical theme added to the building. She would also like this theme added to the marquee. Mr. Miriana said that he would like to see more planning done on Federal Highway running north of Boynton Beach Boulevard. Mayor Broening said that considerable work has been done on some portions of this ama, but them is no comprehensive plan for Federal Highway done yet. Commissioner Black pointed out that with all the new staff coming onboard, they would be working on this. Mayor Broening also said that there are ongoing negotiations and studies of several areas; that they are planning on doing a due diligence on the 3½ acre 4 Meeting Minutes '~ Community Redevelopment Agency Boynton Beach, Florida July 12, 2000 parcel of land on the Intracoastal; and are looking at ways to increase the parking at Boat Club Park. Commissioner Fisher said that staff has been requested to complete the planning by 2002. Mr. Greene pointed out that in his experience it is more important to look at implementation strategies within a broad policy framework than to have a lot of pictures and fancy statements sitting on shelves. Mr. Greene said he is focusing more on implementation strategies than planning. Commissioner Black inquired on the status of Eckerd on the corner of Boynton Beach Boulevard and Federal Highway. Mr. Greene replied that their permit is ready and can be picked up at anytime. Vice Mayor Weiland stated that as of June Ist Eckerd had not closed on the property. VIII. Adjournment Motion Commissioner Fisher moved to adjourn, which was seconded by Mr. Aguila. The meeting properly adjourned at 7:15 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Barbara M. Madden Recording Secretary (one tape) 5