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Minutes 12-07-98 MINUTES OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD SUMMIT MEETING HELD IN THE LIBRARY PROGRAM ROOM, BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA, ON MONDAY, DECEMBER 7, 1998 AT 7:00 P.M. PRESENT Hank Ackermann, Neighborhood Project Specialist Wilfred Hawkins, Manager of Support Services Scott Blasie, Code Compliance Administrator John Wildner, Parks Superintendent Larry Roberts, Director of Public Works Bulent Kastarlak, Director of Development Dan DeCarlo, Assistant Planner Chief Bill Bingham, Fire Department Major James Cummings, Police Department WELCOME, GROUND RULES, AGENDA Mr. Ackermann called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m., announcing that this was the sixth Neighborhood Summit meeting. Prior to each meeting, members of neighborhood associations meet to develop the agenda. The agenda for this meeting provides time for brief presentations, but allows more time for questions and answers. Mr. Ackermann introduced Mayor Taylor, Vice Mayor Shirley Jaskiewicz, and Commissioners Titcomb and Denahan. He also introduced City staff members and the Recording Secretary. Mr. Ackermann reminded everyone present of the ground rules for these meetings. UPDATE ON REDEVELOPMENT PROJECTS Wilfred Hawkins, Manager of Support Services, reported that one of the things people are most concerned about is redevelopment in Boynton Beach. The Community Redevelopment Agency is made up of the Mayor and City Commissioners. Using the overhead projector, Mr. Hawkins pointed out the Community Redevelopment Area that comprises the area within the City limits from its northern boundary to the southern boundary and from I-95 to the Intracoastal Waterway. The City is concentrating on projects within the downtown redevelopment area. The Community Redevelopment Agency decided on priority projects to be accomplished over the next 24 months. These projects include the Boynton Beach Boulevard Promenade, the Ocean Avenue Promenade, the Blue Lagoon (retention area) and neighborhood improvement projects. Approximately $500,000 has been set aside for neighborhood projects. The priority projects, excluding the Blue Lagoon, will cost approximately $4.3 million from the City’s fund balance. The Blue Lagoon project will be funded through the Utility Department. The consultant provided design guidelines for the Ocean Avenue Promenade project and the City will be drawing up blueprints on landscaping treatments, paver brick treatments and façade treatments. These blueprints will be taken back to the Community Redevelopment Agency for final approval of the design. Ocean Avenue is divided into three areas. The CRA has decided to 1 MEETING MINUTES NEIGHBORHOOD SUMMIT BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA DECEMBER 7, 1998 concentrate on the landscaping and infrastructure items such as sidewalks and streets. The project will go along Ocean Avenue from Federal Highway to Seacrest Boulevard. Mayor Pro Tem Tillman and Bulent Kastarlak, Director of Development, arrived for the meeting at 7:15 p.m. Mr. Hawkins displayed a sketch depicting the landscaping as suggested by the consultant. Discussions regarding the landscaping on Ocean Avenue will take place at upcoming Community Redevelopment Agency meetings that are open to the public. Mr. Hawkins displayed an overhead projection of the Boynton Beach Boulevard Promenade. This project will begin at the end of Boynton Beach Boulevard on the eastside of Federal Highway. The Promenade will begin at Federal Highway and extend to the Intracoastal th Waterway. Phase I will include the area from Boynton Beach Boulevard to NE 6 Street, and will be the alternate entry into the marina during the bridge construction. Phase II will be built to the Intracoastal Waterway. Funding is available for Phase I. The Boynton Beach Boulevard Promenade will be multi-purpose and will accommodate both pedestrian and vehicular traffic. Special events will be conducted on this Promenade. The Blue Lagoon retention area will be funded from the Utility Department budget. This will allow the City to meet stormwater requirements. This area will tie into Mangrove Park and will have recreational amenities, greenspace, a band shell and deck. Mr. Hawkins reported that this was a quick overview of the projects the City plans to accomplish within the next two years. The architect for the bridge will tie that project into the redevelopment of Ocean Avenue. Questions: ? How do the condos that are supposed to be part of the marina project fit in with the plans for the area? Mr. Hawkins advised that the plans for that concept would have to be reviewed by the City. At this point, more information is required. ? Will the businesses on Ocean Avenue remain viable? Businesses that are able to maintain themselves during the construction and redevelopment will survive. Some businesses probably will not remain viable. However, Mr. Hawkins pointed out that access to the businesses would be provided during the construction phase of the bridge. Directional signage directing patrons to rear parking will be erected. ? When will Phase I of the perimeter be started to direct traffic into the marina? 2 MEETING MINUTES NEIGHBORHOOD SUMMIT BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA DECEMBER 7, 1998 Mr. Hawkins explained that the access for the perimeter road should begin within the next 12 months. Access will be available through First Financial Plaza. When construction begins on Ocean Avenue, a temporary roadway will probably be constructed to allow access. th Mr. Hawkins announced that the City Commission would be meeting on January 25 to discuss stormwater. He explained that the Federal government has required jurisdictions to have specific plans regarding where the water goes. If it goes into the Intracoastal Waterway, the water needs to be cleaned (treated). One of the first phases of the plan is the Blue Lagoon retention area. The next master planning to be addressed will be water drainage in all other th areas of the City. On January 25, the Utility Department will make a presentation to the Commission on how to accomplish this. A consultant will be selected for master planning. That consultant will talk about the costs associated with this project. The discussion will then turn to how this will be paid for. The system that was originally designed consisting of swales and retention areas is not sufficient and the Federal government will not allow us to continue with th this system. Mr. Hawkins encouraged everyone to attend the presentation on January 25 at 6:30 p.m. NAP NEIGHBORHOOD ACTION PLAN – Hank Ackermann Hank Ackermann, Neighborhood Project Specialist, used the overhead projection to display the neighborhood districts of the City. The City is looking at four distinct neighborhood groupings that encompass a number of neighborhoods. Serious planning of these neighborhoods will take place. The planning of these neighborhoods will involve the residents of the neighborhoods and the City’s Planning and Zoning Division. Dan DeCarlo, Assistant Planner, put together a neighborhood-planning workbook. The neighborhoods review their needs and assets and ways to help themselves. Based on that information and the Neighborhood Action Plan, the City will address those needs in the larger older neighborhoods. Meetings will be held with the residents. The City Commission has put together $500,000 for these neighborhood improvements. This Neighborhood Action Plan will be an evolving process. This process will involve all neighborhoods within the City limits east of I-95. ?Mr. Ackermann announced that there would be a presentation related to the new high school on th Monday, December 14 in the Library. IMAGE & REDEVELOPMENT FOCUS GROUPS – Brian Edwards Brian Edwards advised that his committee is comprised of eight neighborhood associations of the 83 neighborhood associations in the City. With the exception of one neighborhood, all of the associations are located east of I-95. He urged other associations to join the group in an effort to share concerns. The Image & Redevelopment Focus Group is concerned about landscaping in the City. Mr. Edwards has reported to his committee on the issues being addressed by the Ad Hoc Landscaping and Signage Committee. The City Commission has developed a procedure to work 3 MEETING MINUTES NEIGHBORHOOD SUMMIT BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA DECEMBER 7, 1998 with nonconforming businesses in the City on a voluntary basis in order to bring them up to a minimum standard. In the future, a Code will be established that will set the standard for how the City will look. The next meeting of the Image & Redevelopment Focus Group is set for th January 11 at 7:00 p.m. in the West Wing Conference Room “C”. ? How soon will the Code take effect? Mr. Kastarlak explained that it is very important to differentiate between the Citywide Landscape and Signage Codes that currently exist and the program that is in progress for nonconforming properties. The City is currently working on ways to help these properties minimally meet the Code. Cases are being presented to establish a prototype. Upgrades to 80 or 90 properties are required. Vice Mayor Jaskiewicz added that the Ad Hoc Committee is for nonconforming businesses and residential structures that voluntarily participate in the program to minimally upgrade their properties. These volunteer projects will be used as models for the City. An Ordinance should be presented to the Commission within two months. When enacted, there will probably be a two-year period for compliance. ? There is a narrow planting area along Boynton Beach Boulevard that now contains trees. Will those trees count toward the landscaping of the properties, or will the property owner have to double up on trees? Vice Mayor Jaskiewicz explained that each property would be judged individually. She th recommended that property owners attend the December 9 Ad Hoc Landscape & Signage meeting for more details. ? Why are the medians along Federal Highway being replanted, and who is paying for that project? Mr. Wildner explained that DOT handled the planting of the medians through Harddrives. The landscaping did not meet specifications. Prior to the start of the project, the City agreed to assume the maintenance of the landscaping once it was installed. When it was determined that the landscaping did not meet specifications, the City spoke with DOT and they required Harddrives to increase that level. Harddrives is now in the process of completing the plantings. This project is being done with DOT money. ? Is there a problem related to the watering? Mr. Wildner stated there is a problem with the watering. Harddrives is addressing that situation and the City will not accept the maintenance of the landscaping until that problem is solved. There are locations that are being overwatered and other places that are being underwatered. ? The shrubbery in the medians is too high and it is difficult to see oncoming traffic. 4 MEETING MINUTES NEIGHBORHOOD SUMMIT BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA DECEMBER 7, 1998 Mr. Wildner reported that this is a common complaint when landscaping is planted. Once the City takes over the maintenance, this situation will be addressed. ? Are there plans to make the landscaping on the north end consistent with the rest of the landscaping? Mr. Wildner explained that Gulfstream Boulevard was determined to be the starting point in order to address each area by water meters. The project will continue north to the City limit. COMMUNICATION GROUP – Steve Waldman Mr. Waldman encouraged participation with the Communication Group. As a member of the Advisory Board on Children & Youth, Mr. Waldman announced that there would be a Fire Safety/Child Safety/Water Safety presentation in the Library Program Room on Thursday, th December 10. He urged everyone to attend this presentation. The Communications Committee talked about a number of issues including sexual offenders in the City of Boynton Beach. Information is available about accessing the Internet to learn the identity of these people. In addition, the City of Boynton Beach Police Department has a book available that lists the names and addresses of these offenders. Lt. Chris Yannuzzi and Lt. Lou Zeitinger can be contacted for more information. Mr. Waldman explained that the Committee feels the City’s Directory needs to be made more available. He suggested that attendees take home a copy that was made available during the meeting. He explained that the City telephone prefix has been changed to “742”. If any other phone numbers have been changed, the answering party will forward the call to the correct extension. Other methods of improving communications would be by advertising the City’s web site and Citizens Action Center, featuring City departments in the newsletter, and by developing neighborhood mediation groups and training community leaders in direct-action resource training (DART). The group feels that leaders of associations would benefit from attendance at state and regional neighborhood meetings. Another suggestion involved conducting meetings with the association presidents, or their representatives, to share concerns. Mr. Ackermann displayed the City’s newsletter and asked that the City be notified if someone is not receiving this newsletter on a quarterly basis. SAFETY FOCUS GROUP – Bruce Black Mr. Black introduced Mr. David Fellows, member of the Education Advisory Board, for the purpose of explaining the alternative to suspension program he instituted on the West Coast of Florida. Mr. Fellows explained that over the past three years, 25% of all arrests in the City have involved juveniles. Last year, there were approximately 3,000 arrests in the City, and 5 MEETING MINUTES NEIGHBORHOOD SUMMIT BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA DECEMBER 7, 1998 approximately 750 involved juveniles. Congress Middle School and Santaluces High School have been suspending students at twice the average rate for middle schools and high schools. Studies indicate that if an effective alternative to suspension program could be developed, juvenile crime could be reduced by 25%. The alternative to suspension program will be a reality at Congress Middle School and Santaluces High School at the beginning of the upcoming semester in January. It will be an on- campus intervention program that will attempt to modify the behavior of students who would be suspended. Rather than being suspended, the students would be sent to an on-campus location to spend a minimum of five days with a Master’s level counselor, a counseling intern and a certified teacher. An intake assessment would be conducted to try to determine the cause of the student “acting out” and a treatment panel would be developed. The counseling services are provided by a non-profit organization in partnership with the school system. After five days in the program, the student can be reintegrated into the classroom if the staff feels that student is ready. If the student were not ready, he/she would remain in the program for another five-day period while being reevaluated. This program has a three-year track record established in Pinnellas County. At the start of the program on the West Coast, Clearwater High School had the third highest suspension rate of any high school in the County. Last year, Clearwater High School had the lowest suspension rate. This program impacts the entire school because it helps the learning environment in the classroom. This program has worked so well at Clearwater High School that the City of Largo Police Chief has requested that the program be duplicated at Largo High School. The City of Largo has taken on the burden of paying for the teacher and counselor in order to duplicate this program. Mr. Fellows thanked Jay Alligood, Director for Alternative Education in Palm Beach County for having faith in this program, and Commissioner Nellie Denahan for providing the necessary statistics. This program will cost $200,000 per unit. Congress Middle School will receive one unit and Santaluces High School will receive two units. Mr. Fellows offered to present this program to any church group or neighborhood association. He explained that the implementation of this program is a top priority of the Education Advisory Board. COMMON CONCERNS & COMMENTS ? A gentleman in the audience complimented the City Commission on their stance regarding Auto Zone. Mr. Ackermann explained that this is an example of the results that can be achieved through neighborhood associations working together with the City. ? Mr. Edwards complimented the Police Department on the Citizens Police Academy. He attended the Academy and feels the Police did a great job by raising the level of enthusiasm 6 MEETING MINUTES NEIGHBORHOOD SUMMIT BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA DECEMBER 7, 1998 in the community. Mr. Edwards has included an article in his neighborhood association’s newsletter encouraging participation in this program. Mr. Ackermann pointed out that the City is working in partnership with a number of neighborhood associations through the Neighborhood Assistance Program. The City will provide up to $5,000 if the neighborhood contributes a like amount in labor, material, etc. He urged anyone not involved in a neighborhood association to contact the city for assistance in organizing. A booklet is available that has been very helpful with neighborhood associations and homeowner associations. ? Please talk about the City’s sign program. Mr. Ackermann advised that the City would provide any neighborhood with an identification sign that is made from sandblasted wood with recycled plastic posts made by Jeff Industries. The sign has specific measurements and costs approximately $600. Clover Bend has a larger sign as a result of the Neighborhood Partnership Program. The City provided some funding and the neighborhood provided the labor and plantings around the sign. ? The City will not enforce traffic laws within a community unless State certification is secured. Please explain. Mr. Hawkins explained that the City could work with the community. He recommended that the gentleman contact his office. ? Please provide an update on the zip code situation. Vice Mayor Jaskiewicz reported that we are awaiting the survey results. In approximately two weeks, she will call the postal authorities. If the results are positive, she will move forward on working with the telephone company. ? Does the City have information about the County feasibility study relating the floating island to replace Beer Can Island? Mayor Taylor advised that this is a project being proposed by Commissioner Newell. The City is not involved in this issue. The gentleman requested that the City take a position of opposition. Mayor Taylor explained that this is a request from the boating industry as a place to stop along the Intracoastal Waterway. Mayor Taylor recommended that County Commissioners be contacted to express a position on this issue. ? Why is there a $1.00 charge for stormwater on the Utility bill? As explained earlier in the meeting, the Federal government is concerned about pollutants into major waterways and drinking water systems. Therefore, we must filter and clean stormwater 7 MEETING MINUTES NEIGHBORHOOD SUMMIT BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA DECEMBER 7, 1998 before it enters those waterways. The City must develop a new system and the $1.00 fee is being set aside to put that system in place. ? A gentleman in the audience complained about crime in the Bowers Park area of the City. He reported drug sales on the street. Major Cummings advised that the Direct Patrol Unit was in this area and successfully moved out the drug dealers. However, as the Police move from one area to another, the dealers also move. Major Cummings took information from the gentleman and will address the situation. ? Have you ever considered blocking off some of the streets? The response was affirmative and the gentleman was advised that this is part of neighborhood planning. ? Mr. Hawkins advised that a Police Department survey was included with the City’s newsletter. He urged everyone to respond to the survey. This is an effort to determine how well the department is doing. ? The City is getting ready to begin the application process for All-American City. One hundred people are needed to help with the application process. He urged anyone interested to contact Melody Green, Recreation Superintendent. The All-American City Award is very prestigious and we believe we are ready to compete with Miami, Jacksonville and Orlando. ? Vice Mayor Jaskiewicz announced that the City would be changing the Utility bill to an envelope system in the very near future. This will allow the City to send out notices with the bills. MEETING REVIEW, NEXT MEETING, CLOSE The next Neighborhood Summit meeting will be held on March 8, 1999. There being no further business, the meeting properly adjourned at 8:45 p.m. Janet M. Prainito Deputy City Clerk (Two Tapes) 8