Loading...
Minutes 10-23-00 .MINUTES OF NEIGHBORHOODSUMMIT MEETING HELD AT THE BOYNTON BEACH WOMAN'S CLUB, 1010 SOUTH.FEDERAL HIGHWAY, BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA ON MONDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2000 AT 6:30 P.M. INTRODUCTIONS Mr. Dan DeCarlo, Neighborhood Project Specialist, called the meeting to order at 6:35 p.m. and thanked everyone for attending. Mr. DeCarlo introduced Mayor and Mrs. Gerald Broening, Commissioner Charlie Fisher, Police Sgt. Dave Gainsborg, Mark Law, Deputy Utilities Director, Deputy Fire Chief Steve Gale, Scott Blasie, Code Compliance Administrator, and City Manager Kurt Bressner. Also present from the City were Wayne Segal, Director of Public Affairs and Ms. Carolyn Sims, Recreation Supervisor III. Tonight's meeting will consist of an overview of common neighborhood interests and creating a common theme throughout the City. Mr. DeCarlo stated he would be presenting a Power Point presentation on various projects taking place within the City and encouraged participation among the audience. Some of the issues to be discussed will be- safety issues, police protection issues, communications among the neighborhoods, any other issues that the audience would like to discuss. Mr. DeCarlo opened up the meeting for questions from the audience. A woman asked what is being done with Ocean Avenue to attract businesses into this area that would bring people into the area? Mr. DeCarlo replied that when the infrastructure improvements are completed together with the capital 'mprovement programs, the City will be encouraging private investment to come into this area. Mr. Bressner replied that the first thing that needs to be done is to complete the infrastructure, get the streetscape in place and noted that discussions are already taking place within the development community regarding this area. Meeting Minutes Neighborhood Summit Meeting Boynton Beach, Florida October 23, 2000 She also asked if there was a plan in place. Mr. Bressner said that an economic and marketing study needs to be done first and consideration needs to be given to engage the services of a marketing and economic development consultant to determine what needs to be done. Also, Mr. Bressner said when the new census data comes out, the City will be able to determine the disposal income in this area and what type of retail could be supported. Another woman asked how their community, Boynton Isles, could get a "Children at Play Sign" put up? Mr. DeCado suggested that she telephone his office tomorrow and he would follow up on this. Ms. Dee Zibelli noted that the City worked very hard to get a High School in Quantum Park and it was anticipated that the new High School would be for all Boynton Beach students. Ms. Zibelli finds it upsetting that the School Board is now redefining their districts and students residing between Miner Road and Menton Road are being cut out from attending the new High School. Ms. Zibelli pointed out that this was unfair to the children in the City and also noted that the children in this area of the City don't even have a place to play. Ms. Zibelli would like the City to address this problem. Mr. DeCarlo introduced Ms. Diana Tedtmann, Chairperson of the Education Advisory Board, who was present tonight to discuss the School Boundary Issue. Ms. Tedtmann distributed and reviewed a handout on the issue, a copy of which is attached to the original minutes of this meeting. Ms. Tedtmann read the letter to the audience explaining what is taking place within the City regarding the School Boundary Issue, as well as addressing the racial balance issues. These changes could result in predominately White schools west of the City and predominately Black schools along the coast. There are already lawsuits that have been brought challenging the redistricting and the School Board has hired a law firm to handle this. Ms. Tedtmann noted that these are proposed changes and are not in place yet. She urged anyone who would like to speak on the issue to call the Palm Beach County School District and to speak with Harry Fix, School District Planning Department, Advisory Boundary Committee at 561-434-7343. Also, Ms. Tedtmann can be contacted at 561-734-3163. Ms. Zibelli asked what the timeframe was and Ms. Tedtmann stated it was very short and this will be going to the School Board on November 27th and voted on a week later. Mr. DeCado suggested that it might be worthwhile to hold some neighborhood meetings throughout the City to address this issue. Mr. DeCarlo thanked Ms. Tedtmann for her remarks. 2 Meeting Minutes Neighborhood Summit Meeting Boynton Beach, Florida October 23, 2000 Mr. Brian Edwards noted that he received a package from the City on traffic calming. He wanted to know what steps the City was going to take in his neighborhood and feels there is a need for some criteria on who would be responsible for what. Mr. Edwards further stated that this has become an important issue in his neighborhood due to the fact that a lot of new families have moved in with small children. Also, Mr. Edwards requested an update on the Intracoastal Park. Mr. Edwards stated he is very pleased to see the progress taking place within the City, especially the garden project. Mr. DeCarlo responded that with regard to the traffic calming issue, staff has been preparing an Ordinance and this should be ready by the first of the year. After that the City will be in a position to know which way to go. Hopefully, this issue can be updated at the January Neighborhood Summit Meeting. Ms. Zibelli complimented the City on placing the Sable Palms along Ocean Parkway. Since they have been planted, they have acted as a traffic claming measure. Mr. Ed Tedtmann, President of the Laurel Hills Neighborhood Association, noted that the Visions 20/20 Plan recommended that the neighborhoods have a pedestrian friendly street system with limited outside accessibility. Mr. Tedtmann pointed out that on NW 7th Street, they have no sidewalks. Further he said he had been furnished with sources of revenue for having sidewalks installed, but since that time, Mr. Bressner informed him that there were other funds available within the City for sidewalks. Mr. Bressner stated there are funds available for these types of improvements and the City has been looking for alternative revenue streams for capital improvements for infrastructure improvements. The grant team is working on identifying these revenue sources and will be going after some of these funds. Mr. Bressner discussed how the priorities for placing sidewalks throughout the City are determined and high pedestrian traffic areas would receive sidewalks first. Commissioner Fisher announced that on Thursday, November 16th at 6:00 P.M. there will be a Commission Workshop on Traffic Calming at the Library. A woman asked about the status of the neighborhood inspections that had been taking place. Mr. Blasie, Code Compliance Administrator, stated that his staff had been performing a survey of the neighborhoods, but were not actually looking for violations. The survey was more for determining neighborhood needs. Currently it is on hold and will be worked in with the GIS Program that the City is implementing. Mr. Blasie stated they surveyed up to Gateway Boulevard. Meeting Minutes Neighborhood Summit Meeting Boynton Beach, Florida October 23, 2000 The question was asked when the Gateway Project would be completed and Mr. Bressner stated by December 31st of this year. Mr. Bressner pointed out that the contractor has been in the penalty stage since June, which means that the contractor is paying all engineering services. Mr. Bressner apologized for all the dirt and dust and said staff is doing their best. Ms. Currier asked about the fire at the Ocean Avenue Bridge and would this delay the opening? Mr. Bressner replied that it should still be opening on November l~th, h~wever, he will know f~r certain on Wednesday. Power Point Presentation Mr. DeCarlo gave the following presentation: Ocean Avenue Bridge Opening will bring neighbors together with shared goals and dreams. Neighborhoods mean working person to person. It also involves working with the Police Department. Current Projects in the City are as follows: 1. The Neighborhood Assistance Program is available which allows staff to work with specific neighborhoods. 2. The 17th Avenue Median Project has just finished and there was an article in the newspaper over the weekend about this project. Next to be completed will be the right-of-way which will have a positive effect upon the Hester Center and the neighborhood. 3. Village Royale on the Green is an example of a neighborhood doing most of the work and the City providing some money. The entrance of Village Royale on the Green will be tied into the Gateway street improvements. 4. The Ocean Parkway project is nearly completed; all that is remaining are plantings and the addition of some color. Ninety-eight palm trees were planted on a 2,000' median. This project has had a tremendous impact upon the neighborhood and people are now fixing up their yards and improving their property because of this. 5. The Community Gardening Project is taking place in conjunction with Palm Beach County and the 4H Program, involving many children. This will be a neighborhood improvement project and landscaping will also be done. 6. The Circle Islands Project, which is located northwest of City Hall, is almost completed and all that is needed are light fixtures on top of the poles. 7. High Point is a new project. The front entrance to this community will be improved and work should begin next week. 4 Meeting Minutes ' Neighborhood Summit Meeting Boynton Beach, Florida October 23, 2000 8. Golfview Harbour has two projects that they are paying for while working in conjunction with the City. A new sidewalk is being built from the clubhouse to the street and the City will be adding some landscaping on the corner and installing a new sign. This project should start within 60 days. 9. The Seagate Project on South Federal Highway addressed changes to the entrances to the community. The creation of a small water feature is being considered at the entrance. Seagate would provide most of the money and the materials. The City will be assisting with planning and design work. The City likes to do the design work thereby keeping the continuity of a certain look for the City. 10.The Sterling Village Project was a great success. A tree that was blown down was replaced with the assistance of Barbara Meacham of the Parks Department who designed the corner with new plant material. The project was financed through the Neighborhood Assistance Program. 11.With regard to Boynton Beach Leisureville, staff is redesigning all the entrances and the designs will be submitted to the landscape committee for review. 12. Last year Mr. DeCarlo stated he had been contacted by a resident regarding some property that the City owns behind the Holiday House Restaurant on Federal Highway and 6th Avenue. This resident felt that something more could be done with the property. Staff met with the County and representatives from the Parks Department and it was This project should decided to turn this land into a demonstration garden. be completed by next Spring. Mr. DeCarlo pointed out that the Neighborhood Services Office is dedicated to working with residents to improve our neighborhoods. They focus on beautification efforts to enhance the quality of life in the City. Neighborhood Services serves the community and offers various types of programs including - v' Partnership Grants, v' Special Events, v' Community Gardening, and v' City-sponsored improvement projects, GIS Program The GIS Program is a computer-based tool for mapping and analyzing data that integrates databases with geography. GIS also creates a centralized database for City programs and increases efficiency and accessibility. Mr. DeCarlo explained how the program can be of great use to the City and displayed a map of current projects in the City. 5 Meeting Minutes '~ Neighborhood Summit Meeting Boynton Beach, Florida October 23, 2000 Art in the City Mr. DeCarlo also pointed out that he has been working with Leisure Services to obtain a grant in order to provide art lessons for elementary school students. The City should learn in a few weeks whether it has been accepted for the grant. Martin Luther King Corridor Planning Grant This program will help to build a sense of community awareness and if the grant is awarded, neighborhood residents will be mobilized to work, monitor, and evaluate the project. This project will be a benefit to the entire City. Some of the improvements envisioned are: ***. Streets & sidewalks, .:. Lighting & landscaping, *:* Zoning overlay to encourage development, -**- Commercial revitalization, and ..** Community building. Mr. DeCarlo concluded his presentation and opened up the meeting for questions and comments. Communications, Safety, Beautification & Landscaping Focus Commissioner Fisher announced that this year the City will be presenting a month-long celebration for the Holiday Season. Holiday lighting will take place on December 1St by the Civic Center and lights will be placed throughout this section of the City. On December 3rd, the Annual Parade will be held. Commissioner Fisher welcomed everyone to participate in the parade. Jim Miriana questioned why the City wasn't developing more of Federal Highway. Mr. Miriana would like to see more improvements between 5th and 7th Streets. He also noted that there are propane gas tanks stored at Amerigas and said that the City should have plans in case of a disaster in this area. Mr. Bressner responded that the focus of tonight's meeting was on neighborhood associations and was not intended to discuss the zoning in progress study that is currently underway on Federal Highway. He pointed out that there is a deadline of six months for the study to be completed and submitted to the City Commission for their review. Mr. Bressner pointed out that the Neighborhood Specialist is now working under the City Manager's Office and is no longer part of the Development Department. This means if Mr. DeCarlo needs anything, he goes directly to the City Manager's Office. 6 Meeting Minutes - ' Neighborhood Summit Meeting Boynton Beach, Florida October 23, 2000 Mr, Tedtmann noted that there is a regional group that will be holding a conference on "are we running out of land" that will include Dade, Broward and Palm Beach Counties. Mr. Tedtmann felt this would be a good opportunity for our City Officials to attend this meeting to present what the City has available in terms of redevelopment. Mr. Bressner felt this would be worthwhile and asked Mr. Tedtmann to supply him with the dates and details of the conference. Mr. DeCarlo thanked Shana Weinstein, his Administrative Assistant for her help and assistance with tonight's meeting. Mr. Robert Narducci, the President of Mariners Way Association said they turned in a project for NE 12th Avenue and were informed by Mr. Law that the City was going to be doing some work on the roads and curbs and that their project would have to wait until the City has completed the repairs. There are 96 homeowners between Mariner's Way and Mariner's Village and they would like to line the entrance with Palm Trees. Mr. Law replied that there is some water main damage that needs to be repaired and that the landscaping could take place once the work completed. Also, Mr. Narducci would like to see the road widened because people who rent U-Hauls across the street on Federal Highway use their street to try to turn around and discover that it is a dead end. Mr. DeCarlo said that the City could put up some kind of sign informing people that the road is a dead end. A gentleman from Village Royale said he would like to see something done with neighborhood clean-ups. Also, he. feels that the practice of putting the trash out 3 to 4 days before the pick up day should be stopped and would like the City to address this problem. Mr. DeCado acknowledged that this is a problem and Mr. Blasie said he would speak with the gentleman at the conclusion of the meeting. Mr. Brian Edwards asked if the NeighborhOod Assistance Program is still handled as originally set up? Mr. DeCado stated that it was. Mr. DeCarlo also noted that because a neighborhood came to the City with a project in the past, doesn't mean they couldn't come back the next year with another project. A woman from Boynton Isles stated there is a traffic problem when entering Federal Highway and Major Jim Cummings suggested that she should call him at the Police Department. The Police Department has a traffic department that addresses these types of problems and could perform a traffic study. A gentleman complained about the problem of the U-Haul trucks parked out to the Street on Federal Highway and people exiting from NE 12th Street cannot turn around. Major Cummings explained that Federal Highway is under the control of the Department of Transportation and the City has little control over Federal Highway. The Police Department has issued complaints and the only Meeting Minutes Neighborhood Summit Meeting Boynton Beach, Florida October 23, 2000 way to change anyth ng is for the City to petition the State to make changes. Mr. Bressner said that he has a contract with the State and suggested this gentleman contact Major Cummings with the details. Mr. Bressner Said he would try to address this at the State level. Mr. Blasie said that the U-Haul Company was issued notices to correct their parking violations. A District Manager became involved and the site has been cleaned up. Mr. Blasie requested that if anyone sees any vehicles on the road, to contact hiS office. Originally Mr. Blasie stated there were 70 U-Haul trucks and now they are down to around 30 trucks. Other Issues and review Next Meeting - January 22, 200'1 There being no further business the meeting adjourned at 8:00 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Barbara M. Madden Recording Secretary (2 tapes) 8