Minutes 04-07-86MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING
HELD AT CITY HALL, BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA,
MONDAY, APRIL 7, 1986 AT 7:00 P. M.
PRESENT
Nick Cassandra, Mayor
C~rl Zimmerman, Vice Mayor
Robert Ferrell, Councilman
Ezell Hester, Jr., Councilman
Dee L. Zibelli, Councilwoman
Peter Cheney, City Manager
Betty Boroni, City Clerk
James Vance, City Attorney
Mayor Cassandra called the meeting to order at 7:05 P. M.
AGENDA APPROVAL
Mayor Cassandra passed the gavel to Vice Mayor Zimmerman and
m~de a motion to add "3. WXEL Deed" to the agenda. Council-
wQman Zibelli seconded the motion, and the motion carried
4 0, as Councilman Hester had not yet arrived at the
meeting.
1. PROPOSED REVENUE BONDS - CITY FACILITIES
Recreational Complex
Mayor Cassandra read a letter dated April 1, 1986 from
Former Councilman Samuel Lamar Wright in which he asked this
COuncil to recall the many lengthy deliberations regarding
the need for an enclosed recreational complex and urged the
Council to move "full speed ahead" to implement all projects
which have been on the drawing board for some time.
Concerns re $11,000,000 Revenue Bond Issue
One of the concerns Mayor Cassandra expressed to City
Manager .Cheney was that next year, they may have the loss of
General Revenue Sharing funds, and he raised the question
that the City may have added exPenditures come up. Due to
the referendum of the 6.3 Million Dollars, he said they may
not have enough money to put together a complete capital
improvement complex because each item is allocated so much
money.
Mayor Cassandra was concerned about the Civic Center area
b~ing razed and built up to a multi-story complex. He also
raised questions such as, "Who will pick up the tab for
monies expended for the Comprehensive Plan when that comes
about?"
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MINUTES - SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING
BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA
APRIL 7, 1986
Summary of Revenue Sharing Receipts
City Manager Cheney passed out copies of the Summary and
said the City has been gradually recognizing that revenue
sharing will disappear. For the current fiscal year, the
City budgeted 75% of what they had received last year
($290,480). The current Federal Government estimate for
actual receipts this year is $382,189, which means about
$100,000 will be carried over in revenue sharing in next
year's budget.
The assumption has been that 1/4 of this year's revenue
sharing will be cut off, at the President's request. It
appears that this 1/4 will not be eliminated and that it
will probably be in there for the whole year. Therefore,
the City will receive the $382,189 the Federal Government
estimated it would receive.
In some bulletins City Manager Cheney received today, he
found out that in spite of what Senator Lawton Chiles had
said when Councilman Ferrell and he were in his office two
or three weeks ago, he and another Senator are co-authoring
a Revenue Sharing Bill which will provide two quarters of
revenue sharing for next year. City Manager Cheney advised
that the City is at about the same level of revenue sharing
in 1986/87 as they are this year, and the City is gradually
cutting back on its dependence on revenue sharing.
Councilman Hester entered the meeting at 7:12 P. M.
6.3 Million Bond Issue
C~ty Manager Cheney said they do not yet have a cost esti-
mate on the projects but will have one the first of next
w~ek. The City's approach to that up to now has been that
the dollars funded, plus any interest earned in the meantime,
i~ the maximum of what they will spend. City Manager Cheney
hgped to bring to the Council a plan within those dollars,
but he could not tell the Council tonight whether that 6 3
Million would be enough or not. '
a]
n
~yor Cassandra said his concern was that if they needed
~,000 here or $5,000 there to do a complete job, they may
)t have that money because they just allegedly allocated
.1,000,000 to pay off the $11,000,000 bonds. The way they
~e going now, City Manager Cheney suggested that they would
)t have very much extra money to handle those overages
b~fore 1987/88. They have budgeted $550,000 in 1987/88 for
s~me adjustments to the Planning, Building and Engineering
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MINUTES - SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING
BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA
APRIL 7, 1986
building in the $11,000,000 or Public Utility charges, and
that could be reallocated if they get to that point. City
Manager Cheney hoped these questions could be answered in a
couple of weeks.
If the Council decided to go in the direction the City is
going and gave the Financial Advisors that feeling, two weeks
from now, City Manager Cheney said the Advisors will not
have gone too far down the road. If they do go over the
budget, things they would not do would be things like
interior furnishings, etc. They would try to do the struc-
ture. In two weeks, City Manager Cheney hoped to have an
answer and said they would not be too far ahead in the bond
issue.
Comprehensive Plan
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1
a~
City Manager Cheney and Carmen Annunziato, City Planner,
estimated probably about $100,000 in next year's budget.
C ty Manager Cheney anticipated this could be absorbed in
he General Fund as they continue to have assessed values in
he City. He said they will be able to budget the Compre-
~nsive Plan expenditures in two fiscal years because they
) not have to finish the Comprehensive Plan until February,
)88 and will be in the 1987/88 budget by then. Mr.
~nunziato Ks initially talking about Consultants and maybe
~other staff person.
Civic Center Area Change
City Manager Cheney said those changes are protected because
of the way the Council now has the Resolution written. The
City is going to go ahead to do construction. The first
thing an Architect/Planner will do will be to look at the
alternative sites for the multi-purpose buildings. City
Manager Cheney outlined the specific assignments the Archi-
tect will be given to look at for both locations.
Rollinq Green Expansion Project
City Manager Cheney knew the building that would be put
here was of concern to the Council and said it was near
N. E. 19th Avenue and Seacrest Boulevard. The material
that was put out suggested that the proposed development
include both outdoor and indoor facilities and he read what
wguld be provided from Attachment 3 of the'Proposals Proposed
for the $11,000,000 Revenue Bond Issue. Reference has been
made to the building as a gymnasium, and City Manager Cheney
emphasized that this is also a multi-purpose building.
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MINUTES - SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING
BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA
APRIL 7, 1986
Rolling Green Elementary Community School
City Manager Cheney said this was another project they
talked about as a possible site.
Congress Avenue Community Park
City Manager Cheney said this project would improve the rest
of the tennis courts, picnic facilities, etc. He read from
Attachment 2 of the Projects Proposed for the Bond Issue and
said all of those things have to be more precisely defined.
Multi-Purpose Buildings
City Manager Cheney gave the Council old sketches of what
the Multi-purpose buildings might look like and said the
concept was developed by Wallace, Roberts and Todd If they
hire ~ new Archite~t, the design will be changed, ~ut the
concept is there. If the Council chooses to do the projects
on a pay as they go basis, to get to the point of doing all
of the projects they talked about, it will take them through
1995 and 1996. He did not include anything on inflation
because as inflation goes up, the City's revenue will go up.
Community Redevelopment Agency - Underground Utilities
Vice Mayor zimmerman told the Council that the placing of
underground utilities in the downtown area came up at the
last CRA meeting. The various utilities have corresponded
with the CRA, and that work will not be done by the utilitigs.
They are expecting the City or the CRA to make payment. Vive
Mayor zimmerman wondered what thought had been given to fund
this.
City Manager Cheney said the issue came up at a meeting
Dianne Lawes, Executive Director, and Hank Thompson, Chair-
man of the CRA had with Dan Shalloway, who is negotiating to
do some of that design work. Mike Haygood, Attorney for the
CRA, was also there. Because of some of the conversation of
the general tax base supporting the downtown, City Manager
Cheney assumed that the expensive cost of oin under round
f · . g g g
Or electricity would be something they would want to fund
o~t of the downtown project if possible (either out of Tax
Ihcrement Financing revenue supporting a TIF bond issue or
oht of a special a~sessment project).
C~ty Manager Cheney informed the Council that Attorney
H ygood is going to talk to James Vance, City Attorney, to
MINUTES - SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING
BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA
APRIL 7, 1986
see if they think a special assessment project for under-
ground utilities is legal and will fly. Vice Mayor
Zimmerman asked what City Manager Cheney meant by "special
assessment". City Manager Cheney meant that the properties
benefiting by the underground placement of utilities would
be the ones that would pay for it over a period of time.
For example, if it would cost $2,000 to install them by a 50
foot piece of property, the City would assess that property
$2,000, and the property owner would pay it over 10 or 15
years. A special assessment bond issue would be floated by
the City, which would be a revenue issue solely supported by
those assessments they would collect.
City Manager Cheney had asked Mr. Thompson if an Appraiser
would conclude that those properties would be increased in
value by that amount of money if their utilities went under-
ground. Mr. Thompson felt that the values would go up
because they would be increasing the aesthetics.
Hopefully, City Manager Cheney said the TIF income will
build up so it can support the activities of the CRA.
If that does not work, they will have to find some other
kind of thing. City Manager Cheney felt any increase in the
value downtown would obviously benefit the entire City
because it increases the tax base, etc.
Vice Mayor Zimmerman asked if there was not too much money
in the Utilities capital funds to spend. City Manager
Cheney responded that they could spend money in the Utilities
Fund for any water and sewer improvement but not for elec-
tricity. Legally, they could do it, but he strongly
recommended against it because they have always taken the
position that the Water and Sewer are self-supporting only
for the water and sewer district. Some of the water and
s~wer lines should be replaced if they replace the sidewalk
or pavement on top of them. City Manager Cheney told Vice
May~r Zimmerman the City would put TV cameras down to look
at them.
As this was a public hearing, Mayor Cassandra asked if any-
one wished to speak in favor of the bond issue.
Woodrow Hay, 427 N. W. Avenue, reported that his son had a
heart transplant and is doing great. Mr. Hay works with
young people and wanted to know whether the complex will be
built. Mayor Cassandra replied that the fund for the bond
issue is there. The 3½% tax increase would basically allow
the City to float a bond around $11,000,000, which should be
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MINUTES - SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING
BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA
APRIL 7, 1986
paid off at approximately $1,000,000 a year. The question
was whether they wanted to spend the money now, not knowing
what the income to the City would be next year.
Mayor Cassandra said a question was raised as to whether
they want an outdoor/indoor type of facility or just an out-
door facility. Some previous Council people thought maybe
an outdoor facility with basketball courts, baseball fields,
etc. should be there and a centralized multi-recreational
center be here. Mayor Cassandra thought the question was
where a multi-recreational center would be located.
Mr. Hay asked if a decision had been made as far as expand-
ing this versus an outdoor on N. E. 17th Avenue. Mayor
CaSsandra said the original decision was that 17th Avenue
would have this multi-recreational facility, which would be
an indoor/ outdoor concept. He thought the term "gym" was
originally proposed. Mayor Cassandra assured Mr. Hay that
basketball courts would be included.
If they go to another outdoor center, Mr. Hay said it will
be similar to what they have at-Wilson Recreational Center.
Mayor Cassandra thought it would be more basketball courts,
tennis courts, and baseball fields. Mr. Hay advised that
playing basketball and other sports on outdoor asphalt takes
its toll on the young athletes. Wilson Center is well
utilized, and that facility will be used by all of the kids
in the community.
Me. Hay was in favor of an indoor facility and thought a lot
m~re advantages would come from having an indoor facility
t~an what they have now. City Manager Cheney advised that
the gym space would have basketball.
C~ty Manager Cheney said the big Federal cuts will affect
the county and State much more than the City. The figures
w~ll begin to show that they are making some positive moves
in the northend of the city to stablilize the housing market
a~d home ownership. The City has the largest concentration
of single family homes, familie~ with children, and single
p~rent families in the north~
It seemed to City Manager Cheney and Charles Frederick,
R~creation Director, that it would be better to put this
facility with a variety of uses in the northend. City
Manager Cheney thought the rest of the city would find it
cgnvenient to get to the bigger facility on either Congress
Avenue or in this area and felt the transportation facili-
MINUTES - SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING
BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA
APRIL 7, 1986
ties were better south of the Boynton Canal than they were
north of the canal. The question of the location of down-
town or Congress will be studied.
Mr. Hay asked if the cost of that facility had been
determined. City Manager Cheney said they are calling it
Rolling Green Park Expansion, but it is at N. E. 17th and
19th Avenues. 2.1 Million Dollars have been budgeted.
When they get the Architects, citizens input, etc., it will
be broken down into specifics.
Edward Harris, 1634 N. E. 2nd Court, speaking on behalf of
the Parks and Recreation Board, said they have worked many
hours discussing this and also had a workshop with the
Council on the issue. He felt they should continue with
the original plan with the two facilities (one on N. E.
17th and one on Congress). At this point, Mr. Harris
thought they were going around in circles. The two sites
were put before the Council before, and he thought they
should stick with that.
Mr. Harris agreed they need the facility on the northend
but added that they also need a facility on the westend of
the southend. He was born and raised in Boynton Beach. One
of his classmates is Coach of the Santaluces Basketball
Ream and grew up playing on the outfield court at Wilson
Center. Mr. Harris also has a coaching background and
stressed that they have to have something better for kids
today. He thought a multi-purpose facility in those two
old.areas would benefit the young and middle aged as well as the
Mr. Harris urged that the Council support what the Parks and
~ecreation Board discussed at the workshop meeting and asked
that they proceed in that direction.
C
f
ouncilwoman Zibelli noticed that Mr. Harris suggested a
mcility in the southwest and one in the north and asked
bout the inner city people. Mr. Harris referred to the
chool and conflicts and replied that they cannot wait on
he County because they do not know what position the County
ight take with the facility centrally located. The biggest
roblem with the central location is the school. If they
md some directions from the County, Mr. Harris said they
c~uld probably foresee something in the city.
Councilman Hester had heard no mention of tearing down the
Civic Center and asked if it was correct that they want to
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MINUTES - SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING
BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA
APRIL 7, 1986
tear it down. He still thought they were looking after the
people in the central area because he was sure they were not
going to just tear down the Civic Center but would be
remodeling it. If they build the multi-purpose building
downtown instead of on Congress, City Manager Cheney asked
if they could do it without tearing down the current Civic
Center. He thought they would have to tear down the current
Civic Center, and they would be obligated to build a new
one because they would be without that one for two or three
years. Until they do a study, they do not know how it will
fit in. City Manager Cheney also suspected that after they
get the other projects done, somewhere along the way future
Councils will decide to do some improvements on the 23 or
24 year old building.
Councilwoman Zibelli asked if there will still be enough
parking area near the Civic Center. City Manager Cheney
answered that the Congress Avenue building they talked about
proposes 634 parking spaces. One of the studies he suggested
the Architect/Planner look at is parking, traffic, neighbor-
hood impact, etc. Until they do that study, they do not have
the answers.
When they get to improving the Civic Center, City Manager
Cheney said the school situation may have changed, and there
may be parking there. They may decide the size of the
current Civic Center is reasonable and decide to doubledeck
some parking. City Manager Cheney thought it was unfortunate
that the City did not buy the land before those condominiums
were built. He felt it would be four or five years before
they do any major improvements to the current Civic Center,
at which time they will have to address parking.
Mayor Cassandra told Mr. Harris it seemed more families with
children are developing in the north end versus the south
end. He disagreed with Mr. Harris that the multi-recreational
center should be in the south end and called out the names
of developments in the south end, such as Hunters Run, Palm-
land Villas, Silver Lake, Golfview Harbor, and Leisureville.
Mayor Cassandra said the amount of use needs in that end are
completely different than the use needs on this end.
Mayor Cassandra did not disagree that the City needs more
cultural space, but his concern has been as to where it would
be located. Mr. Harris agreed With Mayor Cassandra but
pointed out that they cannot project how families will change.
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MINUTES - SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING
BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA
APRIL 7, 1986
Don Fenton, 2556 S. W. 23rd Cranbrook Drive, Silverlake,
did not understand the linkage between Federal funds and the
utility tax revenue. If they pledge the funds from the
utility tax revenue as the purpose of the bond in the bond
prospectus, etc., he asked what it would have to do with
Federal funding. Mayor Cassandra answered that he was con-
cerned for all of the City, not just recreation. He was
concerned that the monies they spend for the services of the
City might be less. If it is less than the needs for capi-
tal improvement, which was taken out of the General Revenue
Sharing, it must come from another pot. The utility tax
pledged by the Council was for Capital Improvement Programs.
If they pledge all of that money away, there is no more
money for capital improvement.
Betty Thomas, 331 S. W. llth Avenue, Chairman of the Parks
and Recreation Board, said their hopes that this package
would go through were made known to the Council in January.
The Board met twice since their meeting with the Council,
and they realize the population of Boynton is growing but
the number of dollars is not. What it will cost to build
these facilities now will be less than what it will cost to
build them in the future. These facilities are needed in
Boynton Beach.
An article in the Post-Times two Sundays ago mentioned that
in the new industrial park coming our way in the future,
there will be over 13,000 more people coming into the
Boynton area to live. Ms. Thomas stressed that we need to
have the types of programs people are looking for. She
referred to the cultural programs West Palm Beach has and
said this multi-purpose facility would take care of that.
Activity areas are needed for the young people in the
north end and meeting areas are needed for the more mature
people.
Ms. Thomas said it is possible WXEL will enlarge its facili-
ties, and they would like to be on Congress Avenue where the
multi-purpose facility would be. All but one Member of the
Parks and Recreation Board were present tonight. They hoped
these facilities, which amount to some $13,000,000, can be
built and started as soon as possible.
Frank Stockton, 2101 S. W. 23rd Court, Member of"the Parks
and Recreation Board, appeared as President Elect and Member
of the Greater Boynton Beach Chamber of Commerce and stated
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MINUTES - SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING
BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA
APRIL 7, 1986
that Boynton will continue to grow. He thought this issue
would affect more people in the City than any other issue,
and the very people that might object to the project may be
the ones who end up using it more.
Mr. Stockton disagreed with the objection that possibly the
fact that the Council put this measure on the ballot last
year and it was defeated should be of some constraint. He
said this is an entirely different issue. The money is here,
the plans are going forward, and unless they get started,
they will never get anywhere. The Chamber of Commerce over-
whelmingly implored the Council to go forward with the
project.
Veoletta Wright, 32-D Crossings Circle, said there is a
great need for both of these facilities, as she stated at
the City Council meeting. The youth in our community are
involved in athletic act~ivities. An outdoor facility would
not be helping their community because they already have
that at Wilson Park. A facility is also needed for the
Senior Citizens to keep them busy. Miss Wright did not want
to continue to see the youth out on the streets and said
their attention should be directed to other things in life
so they will have goals to look forward to. She was in
favor of both complexes and asked the Council to go forward
with both issues concerning the multi-purpose complex.
Mayor Cassandra asked if anyone wished to speak against the
expenditure. There was no response. THE PUBLIC HEARING WAS
CLOSED.
The Council had already voted to go with the $11,000,000, so
Mayor Cassandra said no motion was needed.
Vice Mayor Zimmerman asked how much the facilities would
increase the City's operational costs for the Recreation and
Parks Department in a year. Naturally, they would come out
of tax monies, and he wondered what it would cost to staff
and maintain the facilities. City Manager Cheney did not
have a number because the facilities have not been designed.
City Manager Cheney anticipated a tremendous amount of
volunteers would be involved. He was not going to suggest
that the building be self supporting.
Mayor Cassandra asked how many employees the City now has at
the Civic Center. City Manager Cheney answered that people
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MINUTES - SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING
BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA
APRIL 7, 1986
are there who are not just Civic Center type of people. Mr.
Frederick estimated that they were looking in the neighbor-
hood of from $75,000 to $100,000 a year to operate a center
of the type they are talking about at the. Rolling Green Park
Center. For the larger facility, they are looking at possi-
bly a range of $100,000 to $150,000 a~year as total opera-
tional costs. Mr. Frederick emphasized that they were rough
figures. The assignment:of the existing staff to those
sites and the increase in the volunteer force can save
money, plus the combination of reasonable fees and charges.
· he budget for the present Civic Center is approximately
$200,0010, but~Mr. F~rederick told Mayor Cassandra that it
includes several things that do not relate to the Civic
Center. Other staff with other assignments are there. It
also includes all of the Summer Day Camp and playground
· rams. If they would narrow it down to one Center Director,
ne. Clerk, and one maintenance person, they would probably
~et down close to the $75,000 to $100,000.
Mayor Cassandra felt.the~key to both centers was that they
have controlled programs, Counisellors and Teachers. Mr.
Frederick said there would be similar expenditures :at simi-
lar sites, but you cannot pin it down. He .estimated a maxi-
mum of $300,000. City Manager Cheney added that it did not
count income. Mr~ Frederick didinot want to say they were
not here to serve youth, bu~ he did not want to forget the
other people in the community because the facility will be
multl-faceted. It will be for everybody, and he told
everyone not to lose sight of that.
,or Zimmerman asked if they saw any problem in the
continuing the practice of charging fees for a lot of
recreational activities. Mr. Frederick replied that
ging fees is the trend now. Departments have to charge
more for their programs, but they want to be reasonable and
ot want to exclude some frlom being able to participate.
was discussion.
Cassandra did not think there was any discussion
that said the City was not going to do this. This
has to be concerned about tomorrow and be sure
werything is brought out. The Council agreed to go with
hie project.
2. CITY AUDIT - 1984-1985
~ity. Manager Cheney referred the Members to his letter
dated april 7, 1986, addressed to the Auditor General, State
of Florida.
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MINUTES - SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING
BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA
APRIL 7, 1986
On the way they do monthly or non-monthly procedures, Mayor
Cassandra asked if they have enough money to pay principal
plus interest from this. Mr. Swann answered that they do.
He has a payment due May 1st, and the money to make the
payment is in the bank right now. Mr. Swann added that he
will have the letter of credit fully funded (which is
required to be fully funded on November 1, 1986).
Mayor Cassandra commented that it is rather disturbing when
there is a page like this in the back of the book implying
that something is wrong when in reality they are saying it
is not wrong. City Manager Cheney explained that it was a
matter of complicated interpretation. The City would like
to have the Auditors find nothing, but they do not find very
much. The City is not perfect, which is why they have
Auditors. City Manager Cheney just wanted the Council to
know that the golf course is self-supporting.
City Manager Cheney said probably very early in July, they
will take a rough look at the golf course in order to make
a determination of what it looks like (fees, charges). He
stated that the $550 annual permit fee has to be raised, and
they need to make that determination by the end of July
because letters will be sent out in August to those people
who are going to renew next year. They expect the people
who are going to renew to renew by August 30th, so they then
will have September to write to those people that have
wanted to come in before, and they can have the full comple-
ment by October 1.
City Manager Cheney told the Council to feel free to take
the audit book, sit down with Mr. Swann, and talk to him
about it. He added that government auditing is not private
auditing and that Certified Public Accountants do not know
"zilch" about government auditing. It is not what the City
should be hiring to do government books. There is a book
government agencies go by, which is complicated, and is not
conventional language. There is a significant difference.
Vacation and Sick Leave
City Manager Cheney said there is a limitation on the amount
of vacation and sick leave employees may take. A few
employees over the years have gone over that, and the City
has to resolve this. The City is changing its software
system to keep track of that so they can catch it ahead of
time. Those the City has allowed to accumulate this leave
will be left "as is", and it will cut off now. City Manager
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MINUTES - SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING
BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA
APRIL 7, 1986
Cheney said they will write to everyone and say that it
happened, but from now on, there will be no over accumula-
tion, and people will have to take their annual leave before
they get to the maximum and lose it.
Councilwoman Zibelli asked what the maximum is. Mr. Swann
replied that it is two years. For example, if it is 15 days
a year, an employee may accumulate 30 days. It is just
vacation leave, not sick leave, and is based upon how many
years a person has been employed by the City.
3. WXEL Deed
Mayor Cassandra had not signed the deed and drew attention
to what seemed to be a restriction. City Attorney Vance
advised that the City originally prepared a reverter clause,
and the Attorneys representing WXEL discussed it with WXEL.
City Manager Cheney interrupted to say that all of the
discussions with WXEL had been to clarify the City's offer
to them, and it was not indicated that they had accepted the
offer. City Attorney Vance continued that WXEL indicated
they anticipate that some time in the future, they might
apply for a loan from a commercial bank or commercial
lending institution. They also indicated that if there was
a reverter clause, they would not be able to borrow money
from a commercial loan source, which City Attorney Vance
agreed was true.
City Attorney Vance said some alternatives were discussed
with WXEL, and they arrived at a suggestion of a covenant in
the form of a deed restriction which would require that they
continue to operate the property as a non-profit educational
public broadcasting facility. City Attorney Vance's office
insisted that if this approach was used, WXEL must adopt a
esolution accepting the restrictive covenant. They agreed
to do this.
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rior to the City Council meeting, City Attorney Vance
rafted a memorandum to the City Manager to go with this
eed. If they go with the restrictive covenant and assuming
t should be violated, the City will have the right to file
uit for an injunction or damages. The damages would be
he value of the land. With a reverter clause, a reverter
lause is automatic except City Attorney Vance never knew of
ne that was exercised without a lawsuit and said the City
would have to file a declaratory decree even if somebody
violated the reverter clause.
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MINUTES - SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING
BQYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA
APRIL 7, 1986
Mayor Cassandra called City Attorney Vance's office and was
told WXEL does not have to follow the covenant. They can
sell to another channel, go public, and make a profit. To
get the land back, the City may still have to sue. At that
time, WXEL would have to give the face value of the land.
City Attorney Vance said the City could ask for an injunction
prohibiting them from selling the land to another channel and
making a use that would violate the covenant, and/or ask for
damages.
There was more discussion. In case they would have to go
for a suit, Councilman Ferrell asked if both recourses would
be equally as strong. City Attorney Vance answered it would
depend on what the City would want. With the reverter
clause, the City would get the land back PERIOD. City
Attorney Vance ibelieved the covenant with a Resolution and
proper minutes, which they will receive from WXEL accepting
the covenant, will give them the right to go for injunctive
relief, prohibiting them from doing whatever was violating
it, or damages for the land.
City Manager Cheney added that they could also, in the
injunctive relief, say the purpose of this was public tele-
vision. The City does not want damages but wants the land.
If they cannot use it for anything but public television, it
would be of no value to them. There was more discussion.
ity Manager Cheney said the City Attorney did get WXEL to
ive them a side agreement pending the construction date, so
if sometime between now and the actual construction they
decide to walk away from the project, the City will get the
and back if construction is not started by December 31,
988.
Councilman Ferrell was willing to sign the deed, based on
the fact that their legal recourses seem to be about the
same. Vice Mayor Zimmerman did not believe the covenant
covered public television broadcasting but thought it was
public comunication and broadcasting, which may be entirely
[ adio. City Attorney Vance advised that it was as broad as
hey could get it. ~here was more discussion.
The ~ouncil Members signed the deed.
There being no further business to come before the Council,
the meeting properly adjourned at 8:40 P. M.
*Should be
Mayor Cassandra.
See 4/15/86
Minutes.
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MINUTES - SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING
BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA
APRIL 7, 1986
ATTEST:
City Clerk
( Two Tapes ) ~
CITY OF BOYN~E~AC~{
- ~ Vice Mayor
-uncilman
~~~cilman
2ouncilman
- 16 -