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Minutes 11-10-15 MINUTES OF THE COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY BOARD MEETING HELD ON TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2015 @ 6:30 PM IN CITY COMMISSION CHAMBERS, 100 E. BOYNTON BEACH BOULEVARD, BOYN BEACH, L l PRESENT: Jerry Taylor, Chair Vivian Brooks, Executive Director Joe Casello, Vice Chair Ken Dodge, Board Counsel Mike Fitzpatrick Mack McCray David Merker I. Call to Order Chair Taylor called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. II. Invocation and Pledge to the Flag The invocation was given by Mr. McCray followed by Chair Taylor leading the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag. III. Roll Call Roll call revealed a quorum was present. IV. Legal: None V. Agenda Approval: A. Additions, Deletions, Corrections to the Agenda B. Adoption of Agenda Motion Mr. McCray moved to approve the agenda. Mr. Fitzpatrick seconded the motion that unanimously passed. VI. Informational Items and Disclosures by Board Members and CRA Staff: A. Disclosure of Conflicts, Contacts and Relationships for Items Presented to the CRA Board on Agenda Items Mr. McCray commented he spoke with City Manager Lori LaVerriere, Ms. Brooks and the Police Chief in reference to the Pirate Fest. He advised they needed to make it Meeting Minutes Community Redevelopment Agency Board Boynton Beach, Florida November 10, 2015 easier for pedestrians to cross on Seacrest Boulevard. He met with Attorney Bonni Miskel regarding a project. Mr. Merker disclosed he met with Attorney Bonni Miskel regarding a project. Vice Chair Casello had no disclosures and wished the Marines a Happy Birthday and thanked all the veterans for their service to our country. He complimented the CRA Director on a great job with Pirate Fest and Ocean Avenue. The Avenue looked wonderful all lit up and it was a job well done. Mr. Fitzpatrick met with Bonni Miskel regarding the former Bank of America building. Chair Taylor met with the owner of the same property who showed him plans. B. Informational Announcements VII. Announcements & Awards: A. Appreciation of Independent Board Members for their Service Vivian Brooks, Executive Director, presented former CRA Board members Buchanan and Hay with awards and thanked them for their service to the community and for helping the citizens of Boynton Beach. They helped the CRA Board make many wonderful decisions during their tenure and they fostered the mission of the CRA. She wanted to express her appreciation to them for their efforts. Mr. Buchanan advised it was a pleasure to work with Ms. Brooks and her outstanding staff in serving the citizens of Boynton Beach. Mr. Hay agreed as well and he thanked Ms. Brooks and her staff for the great work they have done on behalf of the citizens of Boynton Beach. Mr. Merker expressed he was confused and did not understand what Messrs. Buchanan and Hay did wrong to be taken off the Board. He thought it was for political reasons as their terms had not expired. He thought they did nothing wrong because they received an award from the CRA, Vice Chair Casello pointed out they did nothing wrong and the Board appreciated their hard work. He extended his personal appreciation for their service. Chair Taylor explained they never said neither one did anything wrong, only Mr. Merker was raising the issue they did. They served in an outstanding manner, but the Board decided to change the policy on how the Board was constituted. They served honorably and deserved credit. He personally thanked them. 2 Meeting Minutes Community Redevelopment Agency Board B oynton Beach, Florida November 10, 2015 B. Movies in the Park - Recap Ms. Brooks publicly thanked Christopher Burdick, Tracy Smith - Coffey, and Rene Roberts for all their hard work on the Pirate Fest and advised it was the most amazing event she has been to in Boynton Beach. The event attracted a lot of new people. They received feedback through questionnaires from businesses that participated and they were ecstatic. Ms. Brooks and the Board applauded her staff. Christopher Burdick, CRA Special Events Coordinator, advised on November 6th, Back to the Future was aired and it was an amazing success. About 300 people attended. Guests were encouraged to bring beach chairs and blankets. They increased the screen size from 16' by 9', to 20' by 11' and it was a big improvement. The weather was warm, and food, snacks and beverages were available from vendors. The CRA offers local businesses a free commercial they shoot and air at the movie and businesses provide gift certificates that are given away at a drawing at the end of the film. The next movie is scheduled for January 1 St due to the Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony and would be Gremlins, then Footloose, ET, Ghostbusters, Labyrinth and Beetle Juice. C. Music on the Rocks The next Music on the Rocks event would be held on November 20 and they were bringing back Making Faces since they were rained out at their last Music on the Rocks event. They will partner with the Food Truck Invasion with six or seven food trucks. The last Food Truck event had a great turnout. The next Music on the Rocks was scheduled for December 18 and they were still waiting for confirmation on the band. D. Holiday Tree Lighting and Concert Mr. Burdick announced on Friday, December 4 the CRA is holding its 45 Annual Holiday Tree Lighting and Concert at the Ocean Avenue Amphitheater. The event starts at 5:30 p.m. and continues to 10 p.m. The Holiday Tree is in front of the Schoolhouse Children's Museum and East Ocean Avenue will be closed from just west of the Museum to east of the intersection of Ocean and First Street to accommodate vendors. The Tree Lighting will take place at 6:30 p.m. with a free concert immediately following featuring Solid Brass who will perform until 10 p.m. Food and beverages are available for purchase from local vendors and Santa and his Elves will invite guests to the Gum Drop Garden for a photo opportunity and a candy cane. E. Holiday Boat Parade On December 11 the Boynton Beach CRA and the City of Boynton Beach will present the 44 Annual Boynton Beach Holiday Boat Parade, commencing at 6:30 p.m. at the Lantana Bridge south to the George Bush Bridge. Free public viewing was available 3 Meeting Minutes Community Redevelopment Agency Board Boynton Beach, Florida November 10, 2015 along the route and at Intracoastal Park and the Boynton Harbor Marina. The festivities at the Boynton Harbor Marina would include a visit from Santa Claus and childrens activities, crafts, food and drink provided by Two Georges and holiday music by jazz band Route Blue who appeared at the Pirate Fest. Guests were encouraged to bring new unwrapped toys to give to Toys for Tots U.S. Marine Corps representatives. Parking is available on site in the parking garage on the northeast corner of North Federal Highway and East Ocean Avenue on through the valet service provided through Two Georges. A follow -up Happy Hour Awards for the captains will take place in early January at Two Georges where winners will receive their plaques and checks. The event video will be available on the CRA You Tube channel and event pictures will be available on the Boynton Beach CRA social media outlets and website. Mr. Fitzpatrick commented several years ago, Music in the Park showed The Commitments which was a trilogy and inquired if they would air the other two. Mr. Burdick agreed to look into it. Vice Chair Casello noted there was controversy last year regarding the Holiday Boat Parade and asked if that was straightened out. Ms. Brooks responded the Parks and Recreation Director reached out to Delray Beach, but has not received a response. Last year, the CRA extended the event and cost into Delray Beach and they had a commitment to help offset the cost from Mr. Bright, but it never came through. On a different matter, Chair Taylor commented on the new ice cream store on Federal Highway which was getting ready to open. The Grand Opening was Friday at 3 p.m. The owner did a great job and he encouraged all to visit the business. Ms. Brooks added they have amazing ice cream. It was noted Ken Dodge, of Lewis, Longman and Walker, was sitting in for Attorney Tara Duhy. VIII. Consent Agenda: A. Approval of Minutes — CRA Board Meeting October 13, 2015 B. Approval of Period Ended October 31, 2015 Financial Report C. Monthly Purchase Orders E. Commercial Rent Reimbursement Grant for Peg Nutrition, LLC F. Commercial Rent Reimbursement Grant for Hour Cucina, LLC F. Commercial Interior Build -Out Grant for Hour Cucina, LLC G. Commercial Facade Grant for Hour Cucina, LLC 4 Meeting Minutes Community Redevelopment Agency Board Boynton Beach, Florida November 10, 2015 H. Commercial Construction Permit Incentive Grant for Hour Cucina, LLC IX. Pulled Consent Agenda Items: None. X. Information Only: A. Public Comment Log - None B. Marketing and Business Development Campaign Tracy Smith - Coffey, Marketing and Business Development Specialist, explained she was conducting outreach for the upcoming holiday events through neighborhood news and utility inserts. Street signs and banners will be used and they were creating postcards and posters for area businesses. The Pirate Fest banners were removed on Thursday and replaced with holiday banners on Boynton Beach Boulevard and Ocean Avenue. Mr. McCray inquired if anything would be installed on MLK Boulevard regarding the holiday. Ms. Smith -Coffey had not assessed the street lights there and could do so this week. Mr. McCray explained when the citizens do not receive anything, they call him. In addition to the holiday events, she was working on the MLK event, distributing posters and postcards, and a digital ad will appear in the Palm Beach Post in January. All was going well with the MLK event and Ms. Smith -Coffey advised the graphics turned out well and were very modern looking. The entire community of Boynton Beach and Palm Beach County was invited to the event. She noted the event was a three -week series, including a parade, a celebration of unity, then the GALA, and then a day of service. Mr. McCray asked to be kept in the loop. Information about the events was included in the meeting backup. XI. Public Comments: (Note: comments are limited to 3 minutes in duration) Chair Taylor opened the floor to Public Comments. David Katz, 67 Midwood Lane, commented last month, members of the Board travelled to Tampa to attend the Florida Redevelopment Association (FRA) Conference, at taxpayer expense. In February, an independent and thorough investigation concluded that Mr. Merker behaved inappropriately with CRA staff and had touched Ms. Brooks inappropriately. The investigation cost the taxpayers thousands of dollars. He noted Ms. Brooks and Mr. Merker travelled to Tampa together in a car with no other passengers. Mr. Katz had never questioned the veracity of Ms. Brooks' accusation about Mr. Merker's behavior or the findings of the investigation. He questioned whether Ms. Brooks' accusations were overstated. If it was true, then her decision to allow Mr. Merker to ride with her showed a severe lack of judgment and if untrue, Ms. Brooks 5 Meeting Minutes Community Redevelopment Agency Board Boynton Beach, Florida November 10, 2015 should reimburse the taxpayers for the full cost of the investigations and resign. Mr. Merker asking Ms. Brooks for a ride to Tampa put her in an uncomfortable position and it lacked good judgment. He commented the City of Boynton Beach does not need Mr. Merker to be Mayor. Harry Woodworth 685 NE 15 Place, commented he wanted to speak about an issue where the CRA did something very good on Federal Highway, but commented he was so disgusted with the prior comments, he wished all a good night and left. Chair Taylor explained they attended the FRA conference and the sessions they held were excellent. He was impressed that other CRA's were doing the same thing the Boynton CRA had already been doing for a long time and he felt the Boynton CRA was on the cutting edge. They discussed how they purchased blighted properties and developers interested in the property were given the land as an incentive. Chair Taylor was aware some people objected to giving land away, but that was what CRAs do all over the State. He advised they had some very good discussions. Susan Oyer, 140 SE 27 Way, thanked Ms. Brooks and the CRA for installing the gorgeous lighting on Ocean Avenue, and she looked forward to when they are able to adjust the lighting colors to pink to celebrate October as Breast Cancer Awareness Month and purple for Lupus Awareness. She hoped the CRA would continue their path and she thanked Ms. Brooks. Dr. James Devoursney, 2625 Lake Drive North, commented it was disturbing to sit in the audience and watch Board members get attacked. He implored the Chair to gain better control of the meeting. He commented Harry Woodworth was doing his best for the City as a citizen. They meet several times a week and have phone conversations and to just respond good night when Mr. Woodworth was doing his best was deplorable. He thought the Chair of the Planning and Development Board making attacks was terrible. Chair Taylor explained this portion of the meeting is for public comment and citizens can say anything they want. It is supposed to be public input and he does not control what people say. He did not mean to offend anyone. Mr. Woodworth said good night and he said good night. He agreed Mr. Woodworth does a great job. No one else coming forward, Chair Taylor closed the Public Comments. XII. Public Hearing: None XIII. Old Business: A.. Presentation of Recap of the 4 th Annual Haunted Pirates and Mermaid Splash Event 6 Meeting Minutes Community Redevelopment Agency Board Boynton Beach, Florida November 10, 2015 Mr. Burdick showed a video of the Haunted Pirates and Mermaid Splash event shot by Charlie Crawford, which the members viewed. Mr. Burdick reviewed last year, the event attracted about 18,000 people. This year attendance was estimated to be 60,000 and he explained how they calculated the estimates. He reviewed the other statistics of the event as follows: • 46% of the attendees were aged 35 to 54; • 67% were first timers and 20% attended both days. • 63% of the event goers brought children; ® 86% were from outside Boynton Beach. ® 72% planned to visit a business before or after the event; • 93% planned to spend more than $50 at those businesses. • The overall economic impact was $1.4 million. • 39% of the event goers learned of the event from social media; • 24% by word of mouth; • 18% by banner or poster. ® 90% of the event goers rated the entertainment as good or excellent/good; and • 92% rated the overall experience as good or excellent. Mr. Burdick extended appreciation to all who helped make the event a record - breaking success. Ms. Brooks gave a shout out to City staff, the clean -up crew and Mike Taylor from Public Works who was invaluable. Chair Taylor thanked both City and CRA staff for a great event. B. CRA Project Update on East Ocean Avenue Lighting Project Ms. Brooks advised the East Ocean Avenue project was complete and operational. They would soon change the colors to green and red along the Avenue in celebration of Christmas. The CRA added new street lights, new tree lighting and up- lighting in the tree grates. They replaced the grates with foam to allow water and fertilizer to trickle through and they now have irrigation. The project was a multi- layered project and Ms. Brooks thought it may be the most complicated project they had undertaken. The project came in under budget and was helping to make the Town Square a reality by improving the area. Vice Chair Casello asked about the lighting along Ocean Avenue and if they could use pink for breast cancer awareness. Ms. Brooks responded there are many different causes and they would have to pick one for the month. She clarified the City will change to red and green at every other tree. 7 Meeting Minutes Community Redevelopment Agency Board Boynton Beach, Florida November 10, 2015 C. CRA Project Update on Marina Open Space Project Ms. Brooks explained demolition of the building was the first phase of the entire marina redevelopment which was included in the meeting backup. They could not finance the entire project all at once, so they decided to pay as they go. This was the last piece to tie the project together from a pedestrian and vehicular perspective. They would not start until the summer in order to avoid interrupting businesses during season and they would draft and issue the bid with construction to start in the summer. D. Consideration of Neighborhood Officer Policing Program Ms. Brooks explained the Board approved $200,000 for the Neighborhood Officer Police program at 404 E. MLK Boulevard. The goal of the program was to reach out to the community and form a stronger bond between the officers, the Police Department and the residents. The program was not intended for the Police to be an occupied presence, but rather a resource for the community regarding how to solve community issues. The program would run for a year. They would discuss community- oriented policing, what they want from the meetings, getting stakeholders to identify their top five priorities and get a core group of residents to assist the Police to be a resource. The Board would receive a quarterly report and crime statistics. This would allow them to better adjust the program if going forward Mr. McCray inquired if the program would be re- evaluated after one year. Ms. Brooks thought if development along MLK occurred; it would not be for one year. This was a trial period and if making headway, they would fund it next year as well. Mr. McCray noted the contract for the building was for three years and Ms. Brooks explained it would take more than a year to give anything a chance. The Police were looking into purchasing segways because they do not want Officers driving. They want the Officers walking, talking and interacting with the residents on foot, bicycle or segway to build trust. She thought it would be a fun and creative way to foster a relationship between children and the Officers. The Officers would patrol MLK from Railroad Avenue to Sara Sims Park. Ms. Brooks responded they could go the entire length of the road or meet with residents at their meetings. Night meetings were fine and they could hold meetings in the office. Vice Chair Casello commented in earlier discussions, residents could use the office computers for job searches or homework and asked if that was still part of the plan. Ms. Brooks explained they were working on ascertaining the IT needs. Mr. Merker applauded Ms. Brooks on the program. It was noted the program would be billed $50,000 quarterly. E. Consideration of ILA and Resolution between the City of Boynton Beach and the CRA for the Neighborhood Officer Policing Program 8 Meeting Minutes Community Redevelopment Agency Board Boynton Beach, Florida November 10, 2015 Motion Mr. McCray moved to approve. Mr. Merker seconded the motion that unanimously passed. F. Consideration of ILA between the City of Boynton and the CRA for Maintenance of the North Entry Signage Area Motion Mr. McCray moved to approve. Vice Chair Casello seconded the motion that unanimously passed. XIV. New Business: A. ' Discussion Regarding the Staffing and Fiscal Impacts of CRA Advisory Board Ms. Brooks advised when the Board instituted a seven - member CRA Advisory Board, staff sought to accommodate them and this item was the proposed budget. Ms. Brooks explained she wanted to add another staff person this fiscal year. Another person would be needed to handle the Board packets and seven other people. She pointed out staff would have to prepare for two meetings a month. They would also have to provide laptops because many people do not have them. This was the budget they had before. The line items were essentially the same and there would be an impact on the staff. Mr. McCray asked how many staff members the CRA had the last time they had a seven - member advisory board, and learned they were down three positions since then, plus now there would be two meetings per month. Mr. Merker left the dais at 7:13 p.m. Vice Chair Casello inquired if the cost would be the same if this was an independent board and learned it would not. Mr. Merker returned 7:14 p.m. Ms. Brooks explained the independent board was the CRA Board plus two independent Board members with one meeting per month. Now they have a seven - member independent advisory Board and two meetings a month. Vice Chair Casello questioned if the data was the same. Ms. Brooks explained an advisory Board would meet prior to the CRA Board meeting, so after the last CRA meeting, staff would prepare for the advisory board meeting. She pointed out there are many action items from this meeting staff has to accomplish. They 9 Meeting Minutes Community Redevelopment Agency Board B oynton Beach, Florida November 10, 2015 would have to immediately hit the ground running to prepare meetings for the advisory board and again for the CRA Board. Vice Chair Casello noted there was a cost for cell phones and asked if they had to provide cell phones. Ms. Brooks responded they had in the past. One of the last two civilian members had their own cell phone. Vice Chair Casello did not agree with seven cell phones. Ms. Brooks pointed out there is also insurance for public officials that had to be paid. They need laptops and they need meeting minutes. Vice Chair Casello inquired if the proposed budget was a rough draft and learned it was a pretty realistic budget. Vice Chair Casello did not favor cell phones. Chair Taylor thought they were not appointing an advisory committee or board. They have other committees in the City and the City does not furnish them with computers. He thought they should be treated the same way. Vice Chair Casello inquired if they would be like the Planning and Development Board. Ms. Brooks noted there are five CRA Board members and they could add two more. They could use the laptops if they had a way to open the jump drive. Chair Taylor commented they were only talking about appointing the Committee in December. There will be some training, and there would be a cost. B, Consideration of Reimbursing White Elk Enterprises, LLC as Property Owner of Healing Heart for FY 2013 -14 Interior Build -Out Grant Funds Under the Terms of FY 2015 -16 Interior Build Out Grant Ms. Brooks explained White Elk Enterprises developed a beautiful project out of two old homes to create a veterinarian complex with a pool. Under the old rules, the applicant is required to submit the number of jobs created quarterly and then they would be reimbursed quarterly for the build out. The current rules say when the work is completed and a Certificate of Completion is used, they be reimbursed for their build out expenses. Mr. McCray asked what the total build -out amount was and learned it was under $22,500. Vice Chair Casello asked if this was something they did for other businesses. Ms. Brooks responded it was and this project took longer than was anticipated. She noted staff was not operating the program the same way anymore. They changed the rules because the bookkeeping was so onerous. Rather than let this linger in the old process, the request was to reimburse the applicant under the current rules. The program changed to a payment in a lump sum. Chair Taylor asked if the funding was within the parameters they normally gave and learned it was the same amount either way. It was a housekeeping item. The applicant invested up to $500,000 and they were only reimbursing $22,500. 10 Meeting Minutes Community Redevelopment Agency Board Boynton Beach, Florida November 10, 2015 Motion Mr. Fitzpatrick moved to pay the interior build -out grant to White Elk Enterprises using the current procedures. Mr. McCray seconded the motion that unanimously passed. XV. Executive Director's Report: A. New Businesses in CRA District Ms. Brooks commented there are four new businesses in the district: a cabinet manufacturer, a window treatment blinds business, a Wells Fargo Advisors and a UPS Factory. Mr. McCray inquired how Yachtsman Plaza was doing and learned they needed a Business Tax Receipt. He had to clear some liens due to not getting an approved Site Plan Modification. They had a long meeting with them and the City, and he did not get approval for the landscaping. He was addressing that item now so businesses could obtain their Business Tax Receipt. As this pertained to the drycleaner at the premises, the contractor doing the build -out indicated he was not getting paid so he stopped work. The owner contended he was paid and the dry cleaner was stuck in the place and would be thrown out. There was a breakdown in communication. B. Developer Outreach and Contacts Ms. Brooks explained they have had very strong development interest in the Town Square. She had a two -hour meeting with a developer earlier in the day and they would put in a proposal. Ms. Brooks reached out to Guy Harvey Resorts and they were interested in Downtown Boynton. They needed sites so she sent information to him and would follow up with him on Thursday. Ms. Brooks thought the resort would be great and a good fit. The company was in Ft. Lauderdale and knows the Boynton area well. It was just a matter of finding a site. XVI. Future Agenda Items: XVII. Adjournment There being no further business to come before the Board, Chair Taylor adjourned at 7:26 p.m. Catherine Cherry Minutes Specialist 111315 �1