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Minutes 02-09-98 MINUTES OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD SUMMIT HELD IN THE CITY COMMISSION CHAMBERS BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA, ON MONDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 1998 AT 6:30 7:00 P.M. PRESENT Hank Ackermann, Neighborhood Project Specialist Wilfred Hawkins, Assistant to the City Manager Scott Blasie, Code Compliance Administrator Virginia Farace, Library Director Sue Kruse, City Clerk John Guidry, Utilities Director Marshall Gage, Police Chief Larry Roberts, Public Works Director John Wildner, Acting Parks & Recreation Director Tambri Heyden, Planning & Zoning Director Bulent Kastarlak, Director of Development City Commission Jamie Titcomb, Vice Mayor Shirley Jaskiewicz, Commissioner Henderson Tillman, Commissioner WELCOME Mr. Ackermann called the meeting to order at 6:35 p.m. He introduced himself and welcomed everyone present. He requested everyone to sign the sheet being passed around. He announced that copies of the minutes from the last Neighborhood Summit meeting were available on the table in the rear of the room. He referred to a sheet also on display noting the 48 associations to which invitations were sent and requested that these be checked by those present and corrections or additions made if necessary. AGENDA Mr. Blasie listed the priorities determined at the last summit meeting of: 1. U. S. 1 Conditions 2. Crime 3. Communications 4. High School Mr. Ackermann explained the ground rules with time limits being enforced. He stressed that everyone must participate and no one person will dominate. Mr. Ackermann then showed a slide stating the purpose for these meetings agreed upon the last time by the Neighborhood Summit: “Neighborhoods are the foundation of the City of Boynton Beach. Although different configurations, perspectives and challenges exist among the diverse neighborhoods that make up the City, there are areas of mutual concern. Among these concerns are safety, communication. redevelopment, property values/taxes, schools, recreation, image appearance, and other quality of life issues. The Neighborhood Summit is intended to provide a forum for mutual interests and concerns, a shared pool of knowledge and experience and a vocal point for community activities and resources.” 1 RESOURCES High School Ms. Virginia Farace, Library Director, congratulated everyone with all coming together as a community and working towards a great value, our own Boynton Beach High School. After a decade of hard work, we have the commitment of the School Board and school staff to finally plan and construct our high school in Quantum Park on property already owned by the school district. The design money is in this year’s budget and the district submitted our high school as one of those that will be built with the state money coming soon to our district. A community forum made up of business, community and school leaders met on January 30 and began the process of formulating WELCOME Mr. Ackermann called the meeting to order at 7:15 p.m. Mr. Ackermann introduced himself and explained that his job is to work with neighborhoods within the City. There are approximately 35 neighborhood and/or homeowner associations within the City. When the first Neighborhood Summit was held a few months ago, a decision was made to conduct these meetings on a quarterly basis. Notices advertising this Summit were sent to those associations. City staff representatives were present to answer any questions. Mr. Ackermann thanked Susan Buchanan for her efforts in developing the agenda. He also thanked Scott Blasie for offering to assist in recording items of concern on the board and at the easel. INTRODUCTIONS Mr. Ackermann advised that tonight’s discussion would focus on the purpose of the Summit meetings. The Purpose Statement will be reviewed, and the group will make a decision on the most urgent issues of concern in the Statement. A list of concerns will be developed, and that list will be prioritized. In response to a request from the audience, City staff representatives identified themselves. A member of the audience requested a list of the names and phone numbers of City staff members. Mr. Ackermann advised that the City is finalizing the City Directory that will be available at the end of this month. Copies of the Directory will be sent to the associations throughout the City, and additional copies will be available at City Hall, City Hall in the Mall, and at City facilities. 2 MEETING MINUTES NEIGHBORHOOD SUMMIT BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA OCTOBER 14, 1997 Neighborhood/Homeowner Associations represented were : David Hapgood Hampshire Gardens Mike Ferguson Sterling Village Fran Greehan Seagate of Gulfstream Pat Downey Hampshire Gardens John Sala Snug Harbor Jennie Sala Snug Harbor Rita Strunks Colonial Club Section I Margaret Boyle Colonial Club Section I Norman Strunks Colonial Club Section I Micheline Many In-town Boynton Beach Nellie Denahan Mangrove Walk Sunny Garcia Rolling Green Art House President, Boynton Ocean Bill Lynch President, Boynton Leisureville Comm. Association Sarah Williams Community Forum Diane Bigeck Treasurer, Lakes of Tara Mickie Redwini Lakes of Tara Susan Buchanan Inlet Cove Association Buck Buchanan Inlet Cove Association THE PURPOSE STATEMENT: Neighborhoods are the foundations of the City of Boynton Beach. Although there may be different perspectives and challenges among the many neighborhoods that make up the City, there are areas of mutual concern to all. Among these concerns are safety, communication between citizens and government entities, redevelopment, property values, schools, recreation, image and other quality of life issues. The Neighborhood Summit is intended to provide a forum for mutual interests and concerns, a shared pool of knowledge and experience and a focal point for community activities and resources. Ms. Denahan noted that the statement “Families are the basis of neighborhoods, and neighborhoods are the foundations of the City of Boynton Beach” had been eliminated since the last Summit meeting. In her opinion, families are important, and the statement is a very important segment of the opening sentence. Consensus After discussion by the group, it was decided that “quality of life” covers all segments of the population of the City of Boynton Beach. Therefore, a determination was made to leave the first sentence as written. Ms. Williams questioned the meaning of the word “perspectives” in the second sentence and suggested adding “configurations” before it. Her reason for this recommendation is the fact that many areas within the City do not have defined boundaries. 3 MEETING MINUTES NEIGHBORHOOD SUMMIT BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA OCTOBER 14, 1997 Consensus After discussion of this entire second sentence, there was a consensus of the group to add the configurationsdiverse word “” before the word perspectives, and change the word “many” to . Therefore the second sentence now reads: “Although there may be different configurations, perspectives and challenges among the diverse neighborhoods that make up the City, there are areas of mutual concern to all.” In reviewing the concerns noted in the Statement, one member of the audience was displeased with the issue of “image”. However, rather than delay the meeting, he recommended that the group review "image” later in the meeting, if necessary, after a priority list was established. One gentleman suggested adding the word “taxes” to property values so that it reads, “property values/taxes”. Consensus With regard to the word “image”, there was a consensus of the group to change the third sentence to read: “Among these concerns are safety, communication between citizens and government entities, redevelopment, property values/taxes, schools, recreation, image/appearance, and other quality of life issues.” COMMON ISSUES At Mr. Ackermann’s request, the members developed a list of common concerns as follows: A. Deteriorating Condition of U.S. #1 M. Skateboard/Rollerblade Park B. Appearance of Businesses along U.S. #1 N. Shade Trees C. High School O. Traffic/Speeding D. Neighborhood Schools P. Crosswalks E. Eliminate Strip Bars Q. Recycling of Hazardous Waste F. Children & Family Services Center R. Speeding Boats on Intracoastal G. Loitering and Drug Dealing S. Beach Parking H. Crime T. Government Knowledge I. Homeless U. Afterschool Care J. Drainage V. Train Whistle K. Prostitution W. Communications L. Vacant Stores Once the list of common concerns was established, Ms. Buchanan explained the method by which the priority list would be established. She explained that the method “N over 3” is a common way to establish priorities. Since there are 23 common issues, by using “N over 3”, a list of the top seven issues would be established. After polling the audience on each common issue, the results were as follows: 4 MEETING MINUTES NEIGHBORHOOD SUMMIT BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA OCTOBER 14, 1997 1. Deteriorating Condition of U.S. #1 2. High School 3. Loitering and Drug Dealing 4. Crime 5. Communication At this point, Ms. Buchanan explained since there were a number of items on the list that are interrelated, these items can be added as bulleted items under the main category. The categories were established as follows: 1. U. S. #1 Conditions ? Appearance of Businesses ? Eliminate Strip Bars ? Vacant Stores 2. Crime ? Loitering and Drug Dealing ? Prostitution 3. Communication ? Government Knowledge ? Recycling of Hazardous Waste 4. High School Ms. Buchanan recommends that the list be preserved so that if the four items are addressed to everyone’s satisfaction, additional items can be added. Mr. Lynch reminded everyone that the condition of U.S. #1 was addressed at Vision 20/20 and is currently being addressed by the consultants with respect to the redevelopment of downtown. Mr. Hawkins confirmed that Federal Highway (U.S. #1) is being addressed from the northern limit of the City to the southern limit of the City. GOALS In response to a question from the audience relative to how the community can help with respect to crime, Chief Gage advised that it is his desire to have the COP Program in every community throughout the City. This program has not been expanded due to the lack of vehicles. It is important for the community to assist in finding the resources for those cars. He pointed out that there is someone in every community organization that is a business person or knows business people who would be happy to contribute to the community. Chief Gage explained that instead of trading in a car, it could be donated to the COP Program and the real value of the vehicle can be taken as a tax deduction. Another means of securing vehicles is through business sponsorships. 5 MEETING MINUTES NEIGHBORHOOD SUMMIT BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA OCTOBER 14, 1997 Mr. Ackermann recommended that this group focus its attention on “Crime” and “Communication” as two major issues of concern. With regard to the High School and U.S. #1 Conditions, Mr. Buchanan recommended preparing a document strongly supporting the redevelopment of Boynton Beach and the procurement of a high school for this City. Consensus There was a consensus of the group to have the steering committee prepare a letter endorsing a high school for the City of Boynton Beach. Mr. Ackermann further suggested the formation of a subcommittee to work on the issue of the COP Program. He asked that anyone interested in participating speak with Chief Gage after the meeting. One of the gentlemen in the audience volunteered to phone each association to solicit one representative to sit on this subcommittee. With regard to the issue of the “Condition of U.S. #1”, one gentleman in the audience said the consultants have not met with his neighborhood association. Mr. Hawkins advised that the consultants would be meeting with the associations. He recommended that the communities prepare a list of specific items of concern. With respect to the issue of “Communication”, Mr. Ackermann feels a great deal can be accomplished quickly by getting out information on items such as recycling of hazardous waste. Mr. Roberts feels it is important for the Public Works Department to know the people in these associations so that there will be open lines of communication. Mr. Hawkins requested suggestions with respect to the issue of “Government Knowledge”. He questioned whether anyone had a specific program in mind that would assist citizens in understanding City government. Mr. Ackermann explained that the City Directory will cover many subjects about our City government, lists the City Commissioners and their term limits, City department descriptions and contact names and phone numbers. The booklet will be very comprehensive. Ms. Denahan questioned whether or not the City would change to an envelope-type of water bill. Mr. Hawkins advised that a workshop is scheduled for the very near future to discuss this issue. One gentleman in the audience expressed his satisfaction with the open lines of communication that have been established with the Police Department since his community got involved with the COP Program. He would like that same type of open communication with all of the City departments. NEXT STEPS The steering committee will meet on October 27, 1997 at 7:00 p.m. in Conference Room B. At that time, the committee will write the endorsements for the high school and redevelopment of Boynton Beach. 6 MEETING MINUTES NEIGHBORHOOD SUMMIT BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA OCTOBER 14, 1997 The next quarterly meeting of the Neighborhood Summit will be held on Monday, January 12, 1998. Mr. Ackermann announced Project America Day to be held on Saturday, October 18, 1997. Anyone interested in participating should meet at the Civic Center. Mr. Ackermann also announced that applications are available for the Partnership Program. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, the meeting properly adjourned at 9:00 p.m. Janet M. Prainito Deputy City Clerk 7