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Minutes 03-08-99B MINUTES OF THE COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY MEETING HELD IN WEST WING CONFERENCE ROOM C, CITY HALL, BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA, ON MONDAY, MARCH 8, 1999 AT 6:30 P.M. PRESENT Gerald “Jerry” Taylor, Mayor Wilfred Hawkins, Interim City Manager Shirley Jaskiewicz, Vice Mayor James Cherof, City Attorney Nellie Denahan, Commissioner Sue Kruse, City Clerk Jamie Titcomb, Commissioner I. A. CALL TO ORDER Mayor Taylor called the meeting to order at 6:35 p.m. B. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG & MOMENT OF SILENCE The Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag was followed by an invocation offered by Mayor Taylor. C. AGENDA APPROVAL Commissioner Denahan moved for approval of the agenda, seconded by Commissioner Titcomb.Motion carried 4-0. (Mayor Pro Tem Tillman was not present for the meeting.) D. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – FEBRUARY 10, 1999 Commissioner Denahan referred to Item II-C and advised that Lamar Realty does not contain a capital M. Also, in the first sentence on page two, we would get a local developer who is a “resident”. Vice Mayor Jaskiewicz moved to approve the minutes with these corrections, seconded by Commissioner Denahan. Motion carried 4-0. II. UNFINISHED BUSINESS A. Discussion of potential CRA incentive package for new business/development Interim City Manager Hawkins referred to the discussions relative to incentives discussed at the last meeting and advised he looked at Delray Beach and obtained a copy of their community redevelopment plan. He referred to overlay zoning, being on the right track and long term planning. He distributed a basic outline of the Delray CRA Incentives to give some idea what MEETING MINUTES COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA MARCH 8, 1999 our potential can be and how to proceed with our CRA incentive package. He advised that we have approximately $519,761 in our CRA budget. Mr. Hawkins read the first paragraph, Subsidized Loan Program, and compared this to our façade program and also explained how Delray Beach has a partnership with lenders to buy down loans and how we could allocate an actual amount of dollars to pay the interest on the loans. Vice Mayor Jaskiewicz stated that her implication was that Delray Beach negotiated an amount and they paid the interest, which we tried several years ago and had no participation. Mr. Hawkins explained how a housing program works with banks agreeing up front to do below prime interest loans or giving a cash infusion. Mr. Hawkins continued with reading the Historic Façade Easements paragraph. He referred to possibly offering this to those people who have historic buildings in the city. Mayor Taylor referred to not having a lot of facilities in this category and asked if an entire area could be designated. Mr. Mike Rumpf explained this could be done with a concentration of district assets. Mr. Hawkins read the Business Development Program paragraph and added this is where we get the majority of inquiries. He gave examples how this primarily applied to small businesses and is one of the key factors in attracting people to the downtown area. Vice Mayor Jaskiewicz clarified this would all have to be utilized through TIF funds and Mr. Hawkins agreed and added that Delray Beach has over $2,000,000 in their fund. Commissioner Titcomb stated it makes more sense to him to go this route and package an incentive program together with all city based fees. He further explained how he didn’t think we could be over-riding things and advertising signs can become costly. Commissioner Denahan added that we should entice more businesses with broadening the scope and it should not just be limited to city fees. Mr. Hawkins agreed we must be flexible. Mr. Hawkins continued with reading the Site Development Assistance Program paragraph and explained how this relates directly to their overall CRA plan and how it was planned and developed. He stated that before we can do this, we must look more specifically at our overlay zoning plan, what districts we want to develop, what businesses will fit in, etc. Vice Mayor Jaskiewicz added that the revenue must also be built up. Mayor Taylor suggested that when a property owner improves his property, at least 20% of the amount spent for improvements would be deducted from that year’s taxes as a credit. Our jurisdiction about having this authority was questioned. B. Status of Planning Department’s Consultant and Staff Search Mr. Rumpf reported that the contract is finalized and is set to go before the City Commission on March 16 for the consultant to do the project downtown shared parking study. He also explained how the work has been initiated that they will need. 2 MEETING MINUTES COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA MARCH 8, 1999 Mr. Rumpf continued that as far as the staff search, the positions remain vacant. He told about negotiating with a representative from Gee & Jenson, but not being successful. He also told about some other issues coming up with other candidates and advised they are continuing to advertise. Vice Mayor Jaskiewicz asked if they were still pursuing to get an architect on staff and Mr. Rumpf replied affirmatively. He told about getting projects done much quicker with using contracted outside staff for certain projects. Mayor Taylor encouraged them to go ahead trying to recruit and added that it may be better to wait to find the right person. Commissioner Denahan added that the new City Manager might feel more comfortable hiring the staff. C. Status of CRA Expansion to Palm Beach County – Submittal and Approval Mr. Rumpf informed them that the information has gone to Palm Beach County and they are distributing it to their different offices for review. He has not received a time table, but believes he will receive a call soon. III. PRESENTATION A. Intracoastal Park Site/City Club Master Plan Mr. Ryce Stallings of Wallace, Roberts & Todd, gave the history of this master plan dating back to 1992 with public participation coming up with a semi-active park. He explained how county money had been received and expansion of the boat parking was promised. He pointed out the veterans’ memorial, lake, small picnic pavilions, restrooms, gazebo, boardwalks, landscaping, etc. He stated that since that time, some things have changed. There was the need to replace the Royal Palm Clubhouse with a city club and put it someplace and the storm water requirements were changed. Mr. Stallings announced that he prepared two alternates. He started with Alternate A with advising it is basically the 1991 master plan with the addition of the city club. He pointed out the relocation of the two story picnic pavilion with the city club being put in its place to give better access. Also, instead of being passive, the edge of the waterway could be developed with a plaza with tables, chairs and umbrellas. He told about other amenities being added. Mr. Stallings then explained Alternate B with a skateboard park, rock climbing or tot area included to be a more active park. Also, this alternate recognizes it is a waterfront park with more water related activities suggested. The boat trailer parking remains, but the lake is larger with a gazebo in the middle and the possibility of renting paddle boats or remote controlled sail boats. The veterans’ memorial is being shown as an inter-active fountain. There is also a dual palm shaded pathway around the lake for walking and in-line skating. He referred to the plaza on the intracoastal with a concession/restaurant with a beach area along the water and possibly wind surfing. He added that something which is really unique is a wading pool tot lot playground. He then distributed a diagram showing the city club floor plan. 3 MEETING MINUTES COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA MARCH 8, 1999 Vice Mayor Jaskiewicz referred to the lake being larger and asked if the pond could be eliminated and Mr. Larry Roberts explained that the pond was necessary for drainage. Mr. Stallings added that the lake was made larger for the amenity functions. Mr. Stallings continued that if it was decided to start with Alternate B, there would be added cost and advised that a total was available now of 3.2 million dollars. He stated that the wading pool was a large variable of $250,000 to $750,000. The funding shortfall comes in with the wading pool and inter-active plaza fountain, which could be a future phase. Mayor Taylor stressed moving on this, since the money is available. Vice Mayor Jaskiewicz suggested having a second story considered for the city club and Mr. Stallings further explained how the design allowed multiple functions and pointed out the large square footage. Mr. Hawkins added that it could be designed to accommodate a second story. Discussion ensued covering the many functions that could be held here, including many revenue producing ones. Also, favorable comments were expressed about Alternate B. Mr. Hawkins clarified that this park has been approved, but the actual plan must be approved to proceed with the final design and engineering. Vice Mayor Jaskiewicz stated she liked plan B without the tot lot at the present time. Commissioner Titcomb agreed and suggested a theater temporarily which could be replaced with the water theme park at a future date. Commissioner Denahan expressed concern about the interactive fountain being close to the parking lot and the safety of the children must be taken into consideration. A unanimous consensus of approval was given for Alternate B. Mr. Ronald Weiland questioned the need for the boat trailer parking being located right in the front and Mayor Taylor agreed that possibly this overflow area may not be needed with the boat club park being expanded. Mr. John Wildner informed them that in order to use the county funding, a certain number of trailer parking spaces was required. Mr. Hawkins stated that an estimate will be submitted of the rental income expected. IV. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to come before the CRA, the meeting properly adjourned at 7:40 p.m. Sue Kruse City Clerk (Two Tapes) smk 4 MEETING MINUTES COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA MARCH 8, 1999 s:\cc\wp\minutes\commredev\021099.doc 5