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Minutes 05-18-98 MINUTES OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD SUMMIT MEETING HELD IN THE LIBRARY PROGRAM ROOM 208 S. SEACREST AVENUE CITY OF BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA ON MONDAY, MAY 18, 1998 Present Mayor Gerald “Jerry” Taylor Vice Mayor Shirley Jaskiewicz Commissioner Nellie Denahan Kerry Willis, City Manager Marshall Gage, Chief of Police Carl Miller, Sgt., Police Department Bill Bingham, Fire Chief Larry Roberts, Director, Public Works Ed Yates, Occupational License Administrator Wilfred Hawkins, Assistant to the City Manager Hank Ackermann, Neighborhood Specialist Joan Mormelo, Code Inspector Also Present Henry Iler, James Duncan & Associates, Visions 20/20 Consultants Ron Washam, Chairman, Community Relations Board WELCOME Hank Ackermann, Neighborhood Project Specialist for the City of Boynton Beach called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m. and welcomed the tremendous audience that was present this evening. Mr. Ackermann stated this is the fourth Neighborhood Summit Meeting and asked everyone to be patient while everyone takes their turn in addressing the meeting and that everyone will have an opportunity to participate. AGENDA Mr. Ackermann presented the agenda on the overhead screen. ? Review the neighborhood results and priorities; ? Agree on the format for future summit meetings; and ? Formation of intra-neighborhood focus groups MINUTES NEIGHBORHOOD SUMMIT BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA MAY 18, 1998 Mr. Ackermann stated that Mr. Harry Woodworth, the President of the Inlet Cove Association will present the intra-neighborhood focus group items. These will be items and issues that have already been addressed at prior summit meetings. ICEBREAKER Mr. Ackermann stated that it was time to get acquainted and he proposed the game of The Boynton Beach Neighborhood Summit Get-Acquainted BINGO!! Mr. Ackermann presented the details of the game, how it works, how to fill in the boxes, and how to win. The audience was given ten minutes to play. Winners: Dawn Laesser and Norman Aaron. Each won a City of Boynton Beach pad and pencil set 1. Review the Neighborhood Results and Priorities Mr. Ackermann referred the audience to the Visions Views and City News for anyone that would like a copy. Mr. Ackermann stated that if there were any homeowner or condo associations that did not receive a copy, there is a form on the table to be completed assuring that your association will receive future issues in bulk. The City will deliver future editions to your condo association. Also, Mr. Ackermann stated that there were Neighborhood Assistance Program Agreements available, which is an application for neighborhood grants, on the table as well. Mr. Ackermann stated there are three projects that will be starting up in the next couple of weeks that have been approved by the City Commission. Two prior projects have already been completed. There are applications from two other associations to take part in the project. Also, the City has a Neighborhood Sign Agreement for any association that would like a sign and the City has contracted with Jeff Industries to prepare the signs. There is already one sign placed at Boynton Beach Leisureville, and Mr. Ackermann showed photographs of the sign. Ron Washam, Chairman, Community Relations Board Mr. Ackermann introduced Ron Washam to the audience. Mr. Washam informed the audience that the City’s Community Relations Board is an advisory board whose purpose is to keep the City Commission apprised of items that 2 MINUTES NEIGHBORHOOD SUMMIT BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA MAY 18, 1998 are of significance to the City and that the Community Relations Board has been in existence for over 26 years. The Community Relations Board acts as a bridge between the various citizens in the community and the local government. The Board seeks methods to make living in the community easier and offers assistance to citizens seeking help. Mr. Washam encouraged people to attend the monthly Board meetings, which are commonly held on the second Wednesday of every month in the City Hall Commission Chambers at 7:30 p.m. On occasion, we have taken the meetings on the road to different areas in the City. If you would like our Board to come out to your neighborhood to hold a meeting, please feel free to contact Mr. Washam through Mr. Ackermann. Also Mr. Washam stated that a Youth in Government Day is being sponsored by the Community Relations Board in conjunction with the Children and Youth Board and the Education and Advisory Board. If anyone ever needs assistance, the Community Relations Board would be glad to assist. Mr. Ackermann thanked Mr. Washam for his informative presentation. Mr. Ackermann stated that the prioritized items agreed upon at prior meetings have been in the areas of communication; to increase communication; to enhance communication; and have more effective communication between neighborhoods and the City and between residents and the City. Safety and crime is another priority and those issues will not be addressed specifically this evening, although a committee will be formed this evening to address these issues. Mr. Ackermann stated there were City staff present who would be available after the meeting with whom any one can address specific questions and concerns. Mr. Ackermann introduced the entire City staff and Commission members to the audience. The following Associations were represented this evening: Colonial Club Inlet Cove Association Palm Beach Leisureville Seacrest Estates Boynton Intracoastal Group Sterling Village Boynton Lakes Boynton Ocean District Association Golfview Harbour Mariner Village 3 MINUTES NEIGHBORHOOD SUMMIT BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA MAY 18, 1998 The Meadows North Boynton Community Improvement Association Seagate of Gulfstream High Point North Boynton Beach Leisureville Cherry Hill Residents Association The Forum Tara Lakes Sandalwood Woodcrest Neighbors United Lawrence Lakes Estates Nautica Mr. Ackermann stated that there are 50 associations on record. Mr. Henry Iler, Consultant James Duncan & Associates Presentation Mr. Iler was introduced to the audience to present the consultants recommendations with regard to the Visions 20/20 project and thanked Mr. Ackermann for his introduction. Mr. Iler addressed how these various projects and improvements can be funded and stated one way to address the need for increased funding would be to expand the Community Redevelopment Area (“CRA”). Currently, the CRA area that has been in existence since 1983 and expanded to its current size in 1988, is now about 600 acres in size. (Mr. Iler pointed out the CRA area on the graphics on the screen to the audience.) The property tax base in this area has grown a little in the original CRA area at approximately 1.5% to 1.8% in value during the last three to four years. Various opportunities for redevelopment are being looked at which include vacant land, commercial properties, especially along major corridors, including Federal Highway, which has great potential for redevelopment. Some of the projects discussed were the redevelopment of the Marina District, the creation of an East Boynton Beach Boulevard Promenade, the storm water lake which is now being built by the City, and various parking strategies for new and existing businesses in the marina area. Also, a promenade for East Ocean Avenue connecting the Marina to the Town Square to the City Hall area is being explored. There are neighborhood projects being proposed for the Ridgewood Neighborhood, the Gateway Neighborhood and the safety concerns of these neighborhoods have been addressed. 4 MINUTES NEIGHBORHOOD SUMMIT BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA MAY 18, 1998 Mr. Iler stated that the City is applying for various grants to help fund the Promenade and the Marina. Also a grant for approximately $350,000 to $500,000 is being applied for through Palm Beach County. The CRA has the potential to play a major role in funding a number of projects in the 20/20 Plan. Mr. Iler explained how a CRA actually works. When a CRA is set at a base year, as the tax base grows, the monies that would normally go to the County come back to Boynton Beach to be used for infrastructure in the CRA area. As the tax base grows in the CRA area, the 4.6 mils that would normally go to Palm Beach County comes back to Boynton Beach. Currently the tax base in the current 600-acre CRA is about $76 million. The difference between the current tax base value and the base year is $16 million and the growth in increments since 1994 has been about 12% yearly. The City currently receives under the CRA apporixmately $190,000 and is spending about $200,000 each year. The CRA started the year with a balance of $400,000 and these funds can be used on some of the development projects. Mr. Iler pointed out the expanded CRA area on the map to the audience. The expanded area about doubles the size of the existing CRA and the current tax base in the expanded area is about $180 million, double the current CRA. The tax base growth in that area has been between 2% to 3% per year. This represents a significant increase in funds to the City and over five to ten years can increase to $4.1 million. Those sums could be bonded which would enable the City to receive a lump sum that could be used for improvements. Mr. Iler referred the audience to the fact sheet that was handed out, which should address some of the concerns that have been raised the past few weeks. Mr. Ackermann requested that all questions be held off until the question part of the program. Mr. Ackermann stated that one of the focus groups to be formed tonight would be looking at the CRA issues along Federal Highway. Mr. Ackermann read the purpose statement that the Neighborhood Summit is pursuing. Among the concerns raised at the prior summit meetings were Safety, Communication, Redevelopment Property values/taxes Schools, Recreation Image/Appearance Other quality of life issues Mr. Ackermann stated the purpose of these summits is to make things happen and make our voices heard. 5 MINUTES NEIGHBORHOOD SUMMIT BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA MAY 18, 1998 Harry Woodworth – Neighborhood Summit Purpose Statement Mr. Woodworth stated that over the past year the 50 plus associations have had meetings at which common goals have been discussed. Mr. Woodworth stated that the communications between the neighborhoods and the City staff has improved one hundred percent. We have to decide how to make things happen when we leave the meeting tonight. One way to get things happening is to form teams to address the issues. It has been determined, at least for the time being, to address the four issues that have been presented at tonight’s summit. Mr. Woodworth inquired if the audience was willing to form teams to address these four issues and if so, to start networking throughout the community to get things moving. When the next summit is held, the results and accomplishments of these team meetings can be presented. A woman in the audience asked what was expected of the first issue entitled “improve communication between individuals and the City and how would you address this issue?” Mr. Woodworth stated that by talking with the City staff and citizens it can be determined that everyone has the same issues and some of the issues that concern citizens, the City is not aware of. Therefore communication is important. A gentleman in the audience questioned forming more committees and would these new committees be a duplication of other committees? What do you expect a new committee can do that is unique that does not exist now? Mr. Woodworth envisions that out of the 50 groups these four or five common causes can be more effectively addressed by working together and making a bigger impression as one large group, as opposed to several small groups. This approach can also be looked at. Mr. Ackermann stated a few weeks ago the City participated in the Great Beautiful Palm Beaches Clean-up. There were over 350 people who volunteered and some neighborhood associations volunteered to help other neighborhoods in other parts of the City, which were comprised mostly of elderly residents. It is only when neighborhoods get together those things can be accomplished. A gentleman in the audience thought this whole concept was great and that the concerns expressed tonight are concerns of every association within the Community. 6 MINUTES NEIGHBORHOOD SUMMIT BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA MAY 18, 1998 A resident residing in Colonial Club stated that the meeting has not covered the Federal Highway improvements for the East side of the Highway. This resident stated that Colonial Club has worked hard over the years to keep its property in good condition and appearance and feels it does not need any improvements? Mr. Ackermann stated that these types of issues could be dealt with by one of the groups in order to determine what you would like to see improved to Federal Highway. There will be people in this group that will be focusing on these concerns. Dee Zibelli stated that every time the CRA is discussed the northern border of Boynton Beach is described as being at Inlet Cove, which is not the case. The northern border of Boynton Beach is beyond Gateway and there are people living above Gateway to Mentone Road and that is the northern border of the City. All the meetings held to date discuss the southern area and up to Gateway and there are people in that northern area that are in need of assistance and are being left out. Mr. Woodworth called for volunteers on the committees being formed this evening. Communications Committee The following persons have volunteered to serve on the : Jerry Broening Dawn Laesser Louise Manos Bill Murphy Scott Straleau Steve Waldman Sara Williams Safety Committee The following persons have volunteered to serve on the : Andrea Benjamin Pat Frazier Ron Laesser Stephanie McCoy Brian Miller Hank Spies Paul Williams Image & Appearance The following persons have volunteered to serve on the Committee 7 MINUTES NEIGHBORHOOD SUMMIT BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA MAY 18, 1998 Dee Zibelli Norman Finkelstein Norman Aaron Joe DeVuono Peggy Roberti Joe Fiorello Eleanor Slayton Brian Edwards Nancy Brooks Margaret Boyle Federal Highway Committee The following persons have volunteered to serve on the : Mal Behl Jim Miriana Delores Broening After discussion, it was decided to combine the Image and Redevelopment Committee Image and with the Federal Highway Committee and designate it as the Redevelopment Committee. Mr. Woodworth stated that three Committees have been formed this evening. Mr. Ackermann asked the three groups that have been formed to meet in various corners of the room tonight after the meeting adjourns and if anyone else wishes to join a group, they are welcome to do so. Mr. Ackermann thanked Mr. Woodworth for an excellent presentation and for his assistance. Also, Mr. Woodworth stated that each group would be expected to give an update of their progress at the next Neighborhood Summit. OTHER CONCERNS THAT NEED TO BE ADDRESSED A gentlemen in the audience asked what specifically is going to be done on Federal Highway and if vacant land is developed would the properties adjacent to these vacant pieces of property be taken? This is a concern of the residents at Colonial Club. 8 MINUTES NEIGHBORHOOD SUMMIT BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA MAY 18, 1998 Mr. Ackermann stated there are no definite plans and everything is still in the presentation stage and the Commission will be studying the recommendations. Mr. Iler stated there are no specific plans to take parcels on Federal Highway. The City will begin the Redevelopment Plan in the marina area. There might be some property, east of the First Financial Plaza that might be set aside for parking, and there will be some right of ways for the Boynton Beach Promenade leading to the water. As for Federal Highway, there will be enhancement of the Highway, coordinating signage for some areas and providing property owners with design guidelines, so that when new development occurs, there will be a certain amount of coordination. The priority for the City for the first few years is the Marina Area. Vice Mayor Jaskiewicz addressed the audience and stated the City has no plans whatsoever that would affect any of the condominiums except in a positive way. Vice Mayor Jaskiewicz stated that there is vacant land near Gentlemen Jim’s that has been looked at by developers and would certainly improve that area. Again, Vice Mayor Jaskiewicz stated that there are no plans whatsoever to touch any of the condos on Federal Highway; the condos are what are good about Federal Highway. They are all beautifully maintained and are an asset to the City. A woman in the audience stated a traffic problem exists on Congress and Sandalwood, where there is new development being built. There is a lot more traffic generated from the heavy equipment entering and exiting the property. Also, the equipment is parked along the road, which makes passage impossible. Ms. Brenda Williams asked how the concerns of neighborhood associations and the concerns of the total City would be addressed? Mr. Ackermann stated that the City staff was present and the concerns of the neighborhoods are the concerns of the residents of the City and that is the purpose of holding these neighborhood summit meetings. Ms. Williams stated that these meetings could be turned into a power struggle among the various neighborhoods and the entire focus could be lost. Ms. Williams further stated that neighborhood associations are wonderful when they work together for the entire benefit of the City. Mr. Ackermann stated that was the purpose of these meetings. 9 MINUTES NEIGHBORHOOD SUMMIT BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA MAY 18, 1998 A gentleman in the audience stated that the meeting did not devote enough time addressing other issues and felt that the meeting should have dealt more with newer communities that are not totally set up and have concerns that need to be addressed. Mr. Ackermann stated that he will be passing around a form to be completed and issues that were not addressed at tonight’s meeting can be addressed at specific meetings to deal with these specific problems. Mr. Ackermann said it would not be necessary to wait until the next Neighborhood Summit if there are issues that need to be addressed before that time. Mr. Ackermann asked for suggestions on the time and date for holding the next Neighborhood Summit Meeting. After discussion, it was determined that the next Neighborhood Summit Meeting will be held three months from this meeting and Mr. Ackermann thanked everyone for attending tonight. Respectfully submitted, ________________________ Barbara M. Madden Recording Secretary (two tapes) 10