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Minutes 08-11-99 MINUTES OF THE COMMUNITY REDEVELOMENT AGENCY MEETING HELD IN COMMISSION CHAMBERS, CITY HALL, BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 11, 1999 AT 6:30 P.M. PRESENT: ALSO PRESENT: Gerald Broening, Mayor Samuel S. Goren, Acting City Attorney Henderson Tillman, Vice Mayor Wilfred Hawkins, Interim City Manager William Sherman, Mayor Pro Tem Nellie Denahan, Commissioner Ron Weiland, Commissioner I. CALL TO ORDER Mayor Broening called the meeting to order at 6:35 p.m. II. AGENDA APPROVAL Mayor Broening asked if there were any corrections, additions or deletions to the Agenda. Hearing none, he called for a motion to approve the Agenda. Motion Commissioner Denahan moved to approve the Agenda. Motion seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Sherman, which carried unanimously. III. PRESENTATIONS After discussion, it was agreed that the Presentations would be moved to Unfinished Business. IV. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – JULY 7, 1999 Motion: Commissioner Denahan moved to approve the minutes of the July 7, 1999 Workshop Meeting. Motion seconded by Vice Mayor Tillman, which carried unanimously. V. UNFINISHED BUSINESS A. Update on Ocean Avenue Project Ms. Nancy Byrne, Acting Director of Development, took the podium and said the presentation tonight would include three-months’ work by City staff, the project team MEETING MINUTES COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY MEETING BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA AUGUST 11, 1999 and consultants, together with the results of the two public meetings that took place in July. Two conceptual renderings will be presented on one schematic. Ms. Byrne said they would be requesting that the Board reach a consensus on which style of design the Board would like to go with for the purpose of construction drawings so that the project can go out for bid. In keeping with the timeline, staff would like to go to bid in September and bring back a recommendation for a contractor in November. Staff is requesting approval for construction to begin the last week in March 2000 which would take approximately nine months. Completion of the project would be by November 2000. This would allow for the Annual G.A.L.A. to take place without interruption. Ms. Byrne introduced Scott Barber who is a planner with Gee & Jensen and who will be making the PowerPoint presentation. Mr. Barber stated that the presentation was preliminary plans for the Ocean Avenue Streetscape. Ms. Byrne presented artist’s renderings of Option A and B of the Project to the Board for their review. Vice Mayor Tillman requested that any questions that are asked be asked during the public audience portion of the meeting. Any questions during the presentation would be reserved to the dais, which was agreed to by the members. Mr. Barber said that 100 people attended the first meeting and 75 the second. There was some very good input offered. He said that each presentation would include Option A and B on the same slide. Promenade Master Plan First presentation was of the . Mr. Barber explained and pointed out the two major differences between Option A and Option B, which were in the types and styles of the lighting and paving. The cost of both options is approximately the same. FPL has offered a certain program, which includes maintenance, installation and replacement of lights and there is an annual payment program. The people that attended the meetings preferred the custom lighting. Promenade Paving Solutions. Second presentation was of Mr. Barber pointed out that the School Museum has a certain paver and this could be left as a stand-alone design. There could be another design for the streetscape. The bridge will also have its own paving scheme, which will be left as a stand-alone. The rest of the design will have the same pavers, excluding the intersections. The intersections, including the railroad intersection, will be the same pavers as presently on U.S. 1. The Promenade site amenities now include the addition of two bronze sculptures with a compass theme. Mr. Barber pointed out the locations of the trashcans and benches. Deleted: Brady 2 MEETING MINUTES COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY MEETING BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA AUGUST 11, 1999 The color theme for the bridge and School Museum will remain teal. Seasonal banners will be placed throughout the project. UrbanWalls Two different types of have been chosen. There will be a residential urban wall, which would include columns with hedges in between. The walls along Scully’s Market will be approximately 3’ with another 2½’ of wrought iron or aluminum railing. The columns would be of the same height. Commissioner Denahan asked Mr. Barber to clarify if aluminum or wrought iron would Deleted: Brady be used in front of Scully’s Market. He replied that they would both be compatible and would be based on the cost, availability and style. The School Museum has already been established with Cuban Royal Palms and that theme will be maintained. The walls would be lighted during the nighttime and Oak Trees will also be maintained. Potted trees and plants would be placed in front of the commercial buildings. The benches on the streetscapes will be placed under the shade trees. Mr. Barber presented a computer rendition of the 500 Block, which showed how Deleted: Brady this Block would look with all the amenities. Commissioner Denahan inquired about the parking situation. Mr. Barber responded Deleted: Brady that there will be parallel parking west of the railroad tracks on the south side only and east of the railroad tracks parallel parking will be on the north and south side. Also, there will be jut outs of pavers to protect the vehicles that are parked at the beginning of the intersections. Mayor Broening thanked Mr. Barber and Ms. Byrne and her staff, as well as the Deleted: Brady residents on Ocean Avenue for their participation in the project. Ms. Byrne requested that the Board give their consensus on either Option A or B of the plans. Ms. Byrne said that Option A falls in line with the budget. Option B would cost $50,000 more. The difference is that Option A has a concrete border around the pavers. Option B would have full pavers from edge to edge. Mayor Broening inquired what the consensus was at the meetings and it was for full pavers. Mr. Barber pointed out that Option A was the option with full pavers and Option Deleted: Brady B was the concrete border. After discussion, there was a consensus to proceed with Option A. Interim City Manager Hawkins explained that the City would begin construction drawings and details in order to go to bid. The bid packet should be available in early September. Advertising would take 30 days and after a contractor has been selected, it would come before the Commission for approval of the contract. Construction should begin in late March 2000. 3 MEETING MINUTES COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY MEETING BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA AUGUST 11, 1999 B. Discussion on 10 Acre Site and Boat Club Park Mayor Broening stated that 12 years ago the City passed a bond issue to acquire the 10 acres on the Intracoastal and Gateway Boulevard that was previously owned by the State. The property is now referred to as the Intracoastal Park site. Mayor Broening noted that it was the intention from the beginning that the land would be used for a park. However, that was 12 years ago and it is now the responsibility of this Board and the City to review the best use of that property, including the inclusion of the property in the redevelopment area. On March 8, 1999 at a CRA Workshop Meeting, with one member absent, there was consensus that the City should begin engineering plans for the development of a park in order to take advantage of the $2 million in grant money from the County. Also funds were included to upgrade Boat Club Park. The CRA ,and ultimately the Commission, must determine what is the best use for the property now. Mayor Broening said he was the one that asked that the engineering plans be stopped and questioned if the CRA, at a workshop meeting, had the authority to direct anything since you cannot vote at a workshop. Mayor Broening further stated that neither the City Commission nor the CRA has ever voted on this issue. The purpose of the previous workshops was to determine the best use for the site, either as a park or as a mix use development. This can be voted upon tonight by this Board at its regular meeting. Mayor Broening said several designs have been presented for mix use of the park and that after further discussion and clarification this evening, the Board can proceed. Commissioner Weiland noted that in the minutes of the Special Commission Meeting of June 23, 1992 the Intracoastal Park and Quantum Park were discussed. Commissioner Weiland said that pages 1 through 4 of these minutes discuss the Intracoastal Park. Commissioner Weiland recited from those minutes and the motion made by Commissioner Harmening, “which approved the preliminary master plan as presented tonight, which motion was seconded and unanimously carried”. Commissioner Weiland felt that the City Commission on June 23, 1992 had approved this issue. Mayor Broening did not dispute this assumption, but stated that since that date the property is now included in the CRA and it is the duty of this Board to determine best use in 1999. Mayor Broening stated this Board must determine if they wish to accept County money to develop the parcel, which would include trailers and pickup trucks largely from out-of-town, and would this City be satisfied that the first thing seen coming off Gateway Boulevard onto Federal Highway would be boat trailers and pickup trucks. Mayor Broening said his recommendation would be for mix use. Mayor Broening pointed out the City would receive revenue and would broaden the tax base, as well as continue to provide a destination in a park-like setting. One of the conditions is that it would be done the way the City wants it done and that the City 4 MEETING MINUTES COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY MEETING BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA AUGUST 11, 1999 would do the initial study on what the City wants before asking for RFP’s. Mayor Broening said that there is an obligation to explore creative joint financing methods. This would put the City in the driver’s seat. Mayor Broening said this would provide the better of both worlds. Vice Mayor Tillman pointed out the major issue is for the residents to come to an understanding on what they want for themselves and for the future of the City and he feels two similar parks next to each other are unreasonable. Vice Mayor Tillman pointed out that when the park situation came up, the County wanted to maintain access to Boat Club Park. Vice Mayor Tillman explained that a park in terms of use does not need to necessarily be what people perceive a park to be. He said the park could have more, but at the same time would not upset the residents, and would still have open access without hurting the Johnson Grass and could provide for a use that would pay for the development of the area. It would be a part Urban/Intracoastal Park. This would also provide the fullest use of the land. Commissioner Denahan said she would like to applaud the citizens of Boynton Beach who 12 years ago had the foresight to set aside this property, which is the “last jewel” of the City. Commissioner Denahan would like the property to remain a jewel. There is not enough green space in the City now and felt that developing the property is shortsighted. She does not consider both parks to be similar; Boat Ramp Park is where you would drop off your boat and is not a park. Commissioner Denahan pointed out that in this City there is limited access to the ocean and very few residents take advantage of the Beach. Commissioner Denahan would not like to see an additional 25 parking spaces in the new park and said there is plenty of parking on Federal Highway. It does not bother her to see all the parking on Federal Highway and suggested there should be some land available along the railroad tracks that could serve as additional parking. Commissioner Denahan said that the inclusion of an amphitheater should be further explored and suggested that the Board institute new discussions with the County to see if there are other courses that could be taken. Commissioner Denahan said she would be ashamed if this Board undid what had been done previously in the 80’s and suggested there is other property on Federal Highway that could be developed. Commissioner Denahan said the park should remain as a park. Mayor Pro Tem Sherman shared with the audience the great amount of reading material that has been required of them to read on this topic. He said that the points brought up by Commissioners Denahan and Weiland are good points. Mayor Pro Tem Sherman pointed out that a $50 million project at 80% tax value would bring in approximately $350,000 to $400,000 revenue annually into the City. The $2.5 million would increase the land value of construction costs and this could bring in an additional 5 MEETING MINUTES COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY MEETING BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA AUGUST 11, 1999 $250,000 yearly to the City. This property would annually bring in $700,000 and stated he wished to go on record that he was in favor of a mix use project. Mayor Pro Tem Sherman would insist that the developer be told what the City wants and not let the developer determine what he wants to do. He would like to have as much exposure and access to the waterfront as possible. Commissioner Denahan said she would not put a dollar value on quality of life and feels more parks will bring up property values. Boca Raton has 496 acres in parks and Boynton Beach has 202, 60 acres of which are undeveloped and 122 acres are belt parks. Mayor Broening pointed out that the CRA has less than $300,000 and questioned how the City could buy other properties. Mayor Broening said that tonight this Board should resolve to develop the 10 acres for mix use activity with the following strictures: ? Guaranty full public access to all non-residential areas of the project. ? Preserve a park-like aspect of the project by keeping broad open areas with lush landscaping for walking and other passive recreation activities. ? Limit height to preserve the open appearance. ? Prescribe the architecture, design and operation to compliment businesses and residential activities to the north and south respectively. ? Respect the environmentally sensitive aspects of the location. ? Direct staff to develop a comprehensive plan for the property prior to issuing a Request for Proposal. This would insure that the City’s desire for the property is specific and well defined. ? Include elements such as a water feature, monuments and memorials and attraction for public use may be stipulated. ? With the cooperation and coordination of residents a comprehensive plan should be developed for the acquisition and development of property to be developed as neighborhood parks. Commissioner Weiland said he would like to see the perfect mix use of the property like Mayor Pro Tem Sherman and he did not care for either of the two developments that had been presented previously. Commissioner Weiland did not think there was enough room for a developer to make money. Commissioner Denahan said the City has spent a minimum of $125,000 on the plans for this project and if a developer wants to develop in Boynton Beach they don’t need to take over the “jewel” of the City and take it away from the citizens. 6 MEETING MINUTES COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY MEETING BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA AUGUST 11, 1999 Commission Weiland said he would like to state that in June 23, 1992 the City Commission approved this parcel of land for a park and requested to go on record that the land should remain a park. He would prefer to turn down the County money and pass a small bond issue, enough to build and finance the park and incorporate a sticker system like the one in use at Oceanfront Park. Mayor Broening stated if the Board did not vote for the development this evening, the Board cannot vote on any of the ancillary issues, such as accepting money from the County. Development of the property as a park is not in the purview of the Board. That is a Commission issue and no decision on these issues would be made by the CRA. Members from the audience requested to speak. Mayor Broening said that there have been prior public audiences and unless there was anything new to be offered, there would be no public audience. Commissioner Denahan noted that Public Audience was Item VIII. on the agenda. Mayor Broening said there have been two workshops and he would not take any more comments and asked for a motion. Members of the audience who were out of order were requested to leave. Commissioner Weiland requested that this portion of the meeting be transcribed verbatim: Mr. Rossi requested that the Mayor ask the people present who were for or against the Park. “The Mayor said it does not matter and it doesn’t matter to the people in this room.” Someone shouted that the next Mayor would overturn your decision. Mayor Broening requested that Mr. Rossi leave the Chambers. Mr. Rossi shouted “Heil Hitler”. Commissioner Weiland said that Mayor Broening made a statement “that the people in this room does not matter”. Mayor Broening said, “he did not say that”. Mayor Broening said he said “that their comments at this point do not matter”. Mayor Broening said “he knew there are people for it and we know there are people against and it is the duty of this CRA to weigh that and unless you have something new to offer, we are not going to get into a public discussion at this point.” A man requested to add something new and was told he could not and someone requested that the City Attorney be asked for his opinion. Mayor Broening said that the motion to be presented states “there will be a resolution to develop this land as a mix 7 MEETING MINUTES COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY MEETING BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA AUGUST 11, 1999 use with those strictures that this Board sets. It would then direct staff to look for that best use and then issue an RFP”. “Mr. Black shouted that the citizens don’t want that”. Mr. Black was requested to leave and he said he could stay. (This concludes the verbatim portion of the minutes.) Commissioner Weiland requested to make the following motion: Motion: Commissioner Weiland requested that the Agenda be amended to open the floor to public audience and Commissioner Denahan seconded the motion. Mayor Broening requested that a roll call vote be taken. Motion was denied 3-2. (Mayor Broening, Vice Mayor Tillman and Mayor Pro Tem Sherman dissenting) Commissioner Weiland asked Attorney Goren to the address the following: “That the City Commission in 1992 asked that this piece of property be a park. To his knowledge at this point, that decision has not been overturned. What I see tonight is that we are moving forward with this piece of property that has already been designated to be a park for RFP’s.” “Can we do this because the decision made in 1992 has not been overturned?” Attorney Goren said that having read the back up for tonight’s meeting, this Board is the mirror image of the City Commission as the CRA. By Ordinance you were elected to become the same as the CRA sitting as the City Commission. He said “the actions taken by the City Commission years ago, although they are persuasive and although they may be binding to the extent that a project has been implemented or built at this juncture because the project was contemplated sometime ago but was not actually implemented or built or constructed, there is still some policy making and prerogatives given to the Commission sitting as the CRA that they can alter a decision. It must be based upon certain rational conclusions.” Bond counsel had been consulted and he referred to the letter from Moyle, Flanigan, Katz, Kolins, Raymond & Sheehan, P.A. included in the Agenda packet and requested that the letter be made part of the record. Attorney Goren stated if the CRA took any action that was separate and apart from the action taken in 1992, the decision must be a rational decision based upon public debate. If it is elected to dispose of the property, the funds derived from the disposal of 8 MEETING MINUTES COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY MEETING BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA AUGUST 11, 1999 the property must be used for a public purpose. The final decision rests with the Board as public officers and is a matter of public trust. Attorney Goren pointed out that tonight’s meeting is a public meeting and not a public hearing. A motion was made and not carried and therefore the public discussion did not pass. The Chair has the prerogative to cut off the public discussion. Motion Vice Mayor Tillman moved that the 10 acres of land known as Intracoastal parcel be set aside for a mix use activity with the following strictures: 1. Guaranty full public access to all non-residential areas of the project., 2. Preserve a park-like aspect of the project by keeping broad open areas with lush landscaping for walking and other passive recreation activities. 3. Limit height to preserve the open appearance. 4. Prescribe the architecture, design and operation to compliment businesses and residential activities to the north and south of the property respectively. 5. Prescribe the architecture, design and operation to compliment businesses and residential activities to the north and south respectively. 6. Respect the environmentally sensitive aspects of the location. 7. Direct staff to develop a comprehensive plan for the property prior to issuing an RFP or Request for Proposal. This is to ensure that the City’s desires for the property are specific and well defined. 8. Include elements such as a water feature, monuments or memorials and attractions for public use also may be stipulated. Motion seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Sherman. Motion carried 3-2. (Commissioners Denahan and Weiland dissenting) Commissioner Denahan pointed out in the letter dated July 22, 1999 from Mark E. Raymond, Bond Counsel, it stated…”some restraint upon the ability of the City to dispose of or use the property for an alternate use may be implicit in the authorization given by the voters.” Commissioner Denahan said she feels that she has violated the public trust when she took office to serve the City of Boynton Beach. Commissioner Denahan also quoted the following from Attorney Raymond’s letter: “Whether a disposition of the ten acre site or a use of the ten acre site for something other than recreational purposes is permitted will depend upon two factors.” Attorney Goren had pointed these factors out previously. 9 MEETING MINUTES COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY MEETING BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA AUGUST 11, 1999 C. Discussion by City Attorney on Eminent Domain and Condemnation Authority of the CRA Attorney Goren recited the Statute which is Chapter 163, Section 163.375 that governs the activities of the CRA. Also Attorney Goren said the conditions in the Statute require that if the CRA does acquire property, it would require the consent of the City Commission. Attorney Goren referred the Board to the material included in their packets. D. Discussion by City Attorney on Use of Third Party Negotiator by CRA for Real Estate Transactions Attorney Goren next discussed the acquisition process which is discussed in Chapter 166 of the State Statutes, which cites that the City has the ability to exempt from public record disclosure of certain data regarding appraisals and even the negotiation for the acquisition and option contracts to buy property can be exempted. Mayor Broening requested Attorney Goren be more specific. Attorney Goren stated that in 1996 the Legislature sought this exemption for cities that acquire real estate for a public purpose by allowing the appraisals and option contracts to be exempt from public record disclosure. The Statute authorizes the city administration or professional staff or third party negotiator to commence the process to acquire a piece of land outside of the public view, but once the option contract is consummated between the parties, it would then have to be considered publicly at a public hearing. Attorney Goren said that if the property is worth less than $500,000, only one certified appraisal is permitted, and property worth more than $500,000 would require two certified appraisals. Attorney Goren said that the Statute that governs city rights to acquire property through an exempt process is new and was established in 1996. The CRA Statute was established in 1984. Attorney Goren was of the opinion that the City could utilize the Chapter 166 process to acquire property in the CRA designated area. Attorney Goren pointed out that the public is not excluded because if an option contract is not exercised, all the data eventually becomes public by State Statute. Attorney Goren said based upon this Statute, the City could acquire property through the use of a third party negotiator. This would not be a staff person, but someone who is engaged by the City, such as a real estate broker and could also be comprised of a team. Mayor Broening inquired if the City could remain anonymous and not be identified by the agent? Attorney Goren said that when the option contract is negotiated, the actual physical option contract must come before the Board publicly to be exercised. Up until that point, the City does not have to be identified. Also, Attorney Goren pointed out that the Statute is fairly new and has not been legally tested. He also briefed the Board on 10 MEETING MINUTES COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY MEETING BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA AUGUST 11, 1999 other salient points of the Statute that are beneficial to local governments to acquire property. Mayor Broening thanked Attorney Goren for his presentation. Attorney Goren said there are a number of professionals who are skilled in appraisal work and in negotiations and are familiar with what the public officials are trying to accomplish. VI. NEW BUSINESS A. Report on Progress of Hiring Development/CRA Director Interim City Manager Hawkins reported that staff has put together an internal screening committee to narrow down an extensive list of qualified applicants to about five to seven. Mr. Hawkins said he has been waiting for direction from the CRA to make sure that staff is moving forward in the direction that the CRA would like and to combine the duties of the Development Director with the CRA Director. Mr. Hawkins would like a consensus of approval from the CRA Board to combine the positions. He said that the seven candidates selected all have experience with CRA, economic development, revitalization, neighborhood planning and have the necessary credentials. Mayor Broening asked if the CRA Director would be non-voting and is it a staff position. Mr. Hawkins confirmed it was a staff position. Mayor Pro Tem Sherman asked who would be responsible for interviewing and making the final selection. Mr. Hawkins said that the internal screening team could continue with the process and make the selection. The selection would be brought forward to the Commission for final approval of the selected candidate. Commissioner Denahan inquired if the seven candidates have any expertise and Mr. Hawkins said that yes they have relative expertise and experience, as well as training and education. Commissioner Denahan asked if any of the candidates have worked as a CRA Director. Mr. Hawkins was not sure. Commissioner Denahan inquired how much time the CRA/Development Director would devote to the CRA duties. Mr. Hawkins said that the person that is hired would have to determine this and would have the necessary staff to handle the day-to-day activities of the Development Department. Mr. Hawkins felt that this person would be able to devote 75% to 80% of his time to CRA activities. Commissioner Denahan asked where these positions would come from. Mr. Hawkins said that existing staff would be utilized for various positions to support this person. Commissioner Denahan said that she would like a full time CRA Director and a full time 11 MEETING MINUTES COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY MEETING BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA AUGUST 11, 1999 CRA staff. Commissioner Denahan would like to see more money budgeted for CRA staff. Vice Mayor Tillman noted this issue had come up before and is happy to see staff moving in the right direction and that the City is where it should be at this time. Commissioner Weiland questioned whether the State Statute allows the CRA Board to be expanded from five members to seven members and was informed it could. Commissioner Weiland asked if the CRA Director would have voting powers and was informed he would not. Commissioner Weiland asked if the CRA Board could look at the current list of candidates and see their qualifications to learn whom the City is considering on hiring. Mr. Hawkins said he would be agreeable to this if that is what the Board would like. Mayor Broening agreed with Commissioner Weiland’s suggestion and would like to see who the candidates are. Commissioner Weiland noted that there was an eighteen-month to two-year plan to turn over the CRA to an independent board and does not think the Board spends enough time on CRA issues. Commissioner Weiland would like to have some workshops during the month, as well as the regular meetings, and asked if the CRA was now in a position to afford a regular CRA Director. Mr. Hawkins said the person hired would be paid from the General Fund Budget and the salary is in place. Commissioner Weiland asked to whom the CRA Director would answer. Mr. Hawkins said that person would be considered part of the management team and would report to the City Manager. Commissioner Denahan said she would like to go on record that the CRA/Development Director’s salary should come out of the CRA, even if it is only 75% of his salary. Also, Commissioner Denahan would like the CRA Director to answer to the Commission as well and wants to see a more open line of communication. Vice Mayor Tillman said this would destroy the credibility of the City Manager and that things need to keep moving in the chain of command. He would not want any staff person going over the head of the City Manager. Mayor Broening pointed out that it was the goal of the prior Commission, as well as this Commission that at some point there would be an independent CRA Board. Commissioner Weiland suggested that two volunteer residents could be added to the Board in order to keep the residents involved. Commissioner Denahan said it was discussed at the April CRA meeting that the Commission would bring up the discussion of adding two more members after the h budget approval. Commissioner Denahan asked if the July 26t budget meeting was 12 MEETING MINUTES COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY MEETING BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA AUGUST 11, 1999 actually approval of the budget. Mr. Hawkins stated at that meeting the millage was set and there was no public hearing. Therefore, official approval will not take place until September. Expansion of the CRA could be discussed after the September meetings. Commissioner Denahan requested this item be added to the next CRA Agenda. Mayor Broening said that this could be determined tonight and at the first CRA Regular Meeting after the budget approval, there will be discussion on adding citizen members to the CRA Board. Mr. Hawkins pointed out that the budget approval takes place at the second City Commission Meeting in September. Mr. Hawkins asked if he had consensus to move forward with the position of CRA/Development Director. Attorney Goren said that a motion should be adopted to reflect that the City Manager has been authorized to proceed as the Board directs. Motion Vice Mayor Tillman moved to move forward on hiring a CRA/Development Director. Commissioner Denahan requested that the motion be stipulated to include that the CRA Director spends 80% of his time on CRA projects. Mayor Broening said he could not agree with this stipulation. Motion Vice Mayor Tillman moved that the CRA/Development Director spend the necessary time to support the CRA. Motion seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Sherman. Commissioner Weiland questioned the inclusion of the word “necessary” and that it could mean more time than the person could actually do. Commissioner Weiland was uncertain if he could make a decision on this tonight and that more time needs to be spent on CRA issues. Commissioner Weiland inquired if the person hired as the CRA/Development Director would lose their job when an independent CRA Board comes onboard. Mr. Hawkins said the person would not be terminated and the City still needs a Development Director. Mayor Broening asked Vice Mayor Tillman to repeat his motion. Motion 13 MEETING MINUTES COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY MEETING BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA AUGUST 11, 1999 Vice Mayor Tillman moved that staff continue the process of hiring a CRA/Development Director to deal with specific CRA duties as are necessary. Motion seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Sherman. Commissioner Denahan was opposed to the CRA Director’s salary coming out of the General Fund and said it should come from the CRA budget. She would like a clearly defined position to answer directly to the City Commission. Motion carried 3-2. (Commissioner Denahan and Commissioner Weiland dissenting) VII. OTHER Mayor Broening continued the discussion of adding two citizens to the CRA Board, which would be discussed after approval of the budget. Therefore, this should be done at the first CRA meeting immediately following approval of the budget, which is second st City Commission meeting in September (September 21). A CRA meeting will be held th the following Wednesday (September 29). However, the selection of candidates should continue. Commissioner Denahan requested that she would like added to the agenda a discussion on the credentials for the two new members. Mayor Broening agreed that this should be added to the agenda. VIII. PUBLIC AUDIENCE th Edward Tedtmann, 869 NW 8 Avenue, Boynton Beach said he has concerns that after the CRA work is done there will be a person spending only 20% of his time as a Development Director on a full time salary. Harvey Oyer, 511 East Ocean Avenue, Boynton Beach said he has had property in the CRA since its inception. Mr. Oyer said the CRA has not been effective because it was put in City Hall and it became identified with the political issues of the elected officials and the City Manager. Mr. Oyer said this is a full time job, it should not be in City Hall, and it should not be under the City Manager. Mr. Oyer said the CRA Director should report directly to the CRA Board. Larry Finkelstein, 114 N. Federal Highway, Boynton Beach asked for an update on the pond and promenade title search. Mr. Dale Sugerman, Assistant City Manager took the podium and said that the City would be bidding the Pond B and associated infrastructure work by the end of this 14 MEETING MINUTES COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY MEETING BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA AUGUST 11, 1999 month or the middle of next month. The construction work for Pond B is scheduled for completion no later than June 2000. The title search with regard to the property that would have some impact upon the Boynton Beach Boulevard Promenade has not been completed. Mr. Sugerman said the title work should be completed within the next two to three weeks. Commissioner Denahan said that at the last meeting she asked why $75,000 was being put into a road that would be rebuilt. Mr. Sugerman answered that question by stating that the City would probably not be going forward with the Boynton Beach Promenade Extension Project. Mr. Sugerman requested to clarify this previous answer. Mr. Sugerman said that the City Commission has set aside up to $1 million to complete the Boynton Beach Promenade Extension Project. Money has been appropriated and is in the budget. No formal date for the groundbreaking of this project has been set. th Judy Faulice, 2001 SW 15 Avenue, Boynton Beach said she has lived in Boynton Beach for 15 years and voted for the bond and trusted that the tax money would buy a park. She is disappointed and left a petition in favor of a park with the Recording Secretary. Susan Booker, Legislative Assistant to State Representative Ed Healy said that Rep. Healy requested that she attend tonight’s meeting to discuss the bond issue. Rep. Healy wanted it known that since the land purchase was by bond and by referendum of the City residents, he would request that any consideration of any new proposals for the property would go back to referendum. In addition, Rep. Healy asked Ms. Booker to inform the Board that he is a strong advocate of Government in the Sunshine and that this Board should respect their constituents by working now and in the future under Government in the Sunshine. Mayor Broening requested that Representative Healy inform him if he has any evidence that there have been violations of the Sunshine Law. IX. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, the meeting properly adjourned at 8:37 p.m. Respectfully submitted, ______________________________ Barbara M. Madden Recording Secretary (two tapes) 15