Loading...
Minutes 01-12-16 MINUTES OF THE COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY BOARD MEETING HELD ON TUESDAY, JANUARY 12, 2016, AT 6:30 P.M. IN CITY COMMISSION CHAMBERS, 100 E. BOYNTON BEACH BOULEVARD, BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA PRESENT: Mack McCray, Acting Chair Vivian Brooks, Executive Director Michael Fitzpatrick Tara Duhy, Board Counsel David Merker ABSENT: Jerry Taylor, Chair Joe Casello, Vice Chair I. Call to Order In the absence of the Chair and Vice Chair, Mr. McCray acted as Chair. He called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. II. Invocation and Pledge to the Flag Mr. Merker gave the invocation and Mr. Fitzpatrick led the members in the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag. III. Roll Call Roll call established a quorum was present. IV. Legal: None V. Agenda Approval: A. Additions, Deletions, Corrections to the Agenda B. Adoption of Agenda Motion Mr. Fitzpatrick moved to approve the agenda. Mr. Merker seconded the motion that unanimously passed. Meeting Minutes Community Redevelopment Agency Board B oynton Beach, Florida January 12, 2016 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. Fitzpatrick disclosed he had contact with Culinary Solutions (B &J Catering Inc.). They catered a party at his house in the past and may in the future. They may also contribute to his campaign. Mr. Merker disclosed he met with Attorney Bonnie Miskel and David Camalier. Acting Chair McCray had no disclosures. B. Informational Announcements VII. Announcements & Awards: A. 45 Annual Boynton Beach Holiday Tree Lighting & Concert Recap Christopher Burdick, Special Events Coordinator, explained the Holiday Tree Lighting and Concert was postponed to another day due to weather, but still attracted 2,000 to 2,500 people. The tree lighting began at 6:30 p.m. followed by a performance by Solid Brass. Food and beverages were available for purchase through local and retail vendors. Children's activities took place along Ocean Avenue. Santa arrived by fire truck and helped light the tree with the Commissioners. Acting Chair McCray expressed his sadness a Grinch vandalized the Christmas Tree and commented it was disappointing when the CRA invests in events and activities, and individuals destroy them. B. 44 Annual Boynton Beach Holiday Boat Parade Recap Mr. Burdick advised this event had a huge turnout. The issue with Delray Beach was resolved. The boat parade continued to the C -15 Canal. The official viewing area was the Boynton Harbor Marina. Santa was present as were face painters and balloon artists. Food and beverages were available from Two Georges and The Boardwalk. Jazz band Route Blue played and guests brought unwrapped gifts for the Toys for Tots program. The video of the Tree Lighting and Boat Parade was available on the CRA's website. C. Movies in the Park Recap The January 1 St Movies in the Park featured Gremlins and attendance was good. The next movie would be viewed on February 5 featuring the movie Footloose.. 2 Meeting Minutes Community Redevelopment Agency Board Boynton Beach, Florida January 12, 2016 D. MILK Celebration — Living the Dream in Love, Peace and Unity Tracy Smith - Coffey, Marketing and Business Development Specialist, advised the CRA partnered with the MLK Jr. Celebration Committee and City to host a series of events in January. The Parade was held on January 9 On Friday, January 15 the Music on the Rocks free concert would feature rhythm and blues band Pocket Change from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. and there will be a Food Truck Rally. On Saturday, the Celebration of Unity free concert will take place featuring three bands from 12 to 6 p.m. Each band would play for two hours starting with Speaker Box, the Valerie Tyson Band and Defunk and the Flow. Children's activities will be available as would food and beverages for purchase. Sunday, the "Living the Dream Gala" would take place from 6:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at Benevenuto, and on Monday, the MLK Makeover project will commence at 7 a.m. Volunteers will paint houses in the Heart of Boynton and on the 23� further painting would occur. Mr. Merker was honored to be a participant and happy with the number of people who attended. He complimented the MLK Committee on a wonderful job. Next year, he hoped more people would attend. Martin Luther King represents the past and the future. Acting Chair McCray noted all the Commissioners were present on the stage representing unity. E. Gold Coast PR Council 12 Annual 2016 Bernays Award Nomination Ms. Smith -Coffey advised the CRA had been nominated for a Best Marketing Special Event award for the VIP Concierge event "Be Our Guest" held last April. The second nomination was for Best Marketing Material Video, for the "Project Seahorse" video which showcased the Marina as family- friendly. Awards would be announced January 29, 2016. Ms. Smith -Coffey explained the Gold Coast PR Council is an independent group of public relations, marketing and communication professionals from Palm Beach, Broward, Martin and Dade Counties. VIII. Consent Agenda: A. Approval of Minutes — CRA Board Meeting December 8, 2015 B. Approval of Period Ended December 31, 2015 Financial Report C. Monthly Purchase Orders D. Approval of Commercial Fagade Grant to Buchar, LLC E. Approval of Commercial Fagade Grant to B & J Catering, Inc. d /b /a Culinary Solutions 3 Meeting Minutes Community Redevelopment Agency Board Boynton Beach, Florida January 12, 2016 F. Approval of Interior Build -Out Grant to B & J Catering, Inc. d /b /a Culinary Solutions G. Approval of Construction Project Incentive Grant to B & J Catering, Inc. d /b /a Culinary Solutions H. Approval of Commercial Rent Reimbursement Grant to Robert Schmidt d /b /a Schmidt Stained Glass IX. Pulled Consent Agenda Items: None. X. Information Only: A. Public Comment Log B. Marketing and Business Development Campaign Ms. Smith -Coffey advised this month she focused on marketing the MLK events. She designed posters, postcards, installed signs throughout the City and put a full -page ad in the Neighborhood News which is circulated in the western community. The CRA designed a billboard for 1 -95, created a Facebook event page and designed a Palm Beach Post digital ad which ran on the 8 th and would end on the 17 covering all the MLK events. The events were posted on the Palm Beach Post website under "Things to Do." Staff designed a full -page ad that appeared in the Pineapple on the 1 covering all the events and designed street banners displayed on Boynton Beach and Seacrest Boulevards. The CRA designed and edited a two - minute video that was viewed at the City Commission meeting to promote the MLK events, which was also used as a marketing tool on Facebook and YouTube. On a different event, the monthly Boynton advertisement in December featured Catch the Holiday Spirit in East Boynton for holiday gift cards at local restaurants. Acting Chair McCray thanked Ms. Smith -Coffey for her hard work. He was very proud of the events that took place in District 11, but pointed out it was a city -wide event. XI. Public Comments: (Note: comments are limited to 3 minutes in duration) Steve Grant, NE 3 rd Avenue, asked how much money BU Catering and others received from the CRA. Vivian Brooks, CRA Executive Director, responded the backup is on the website. Woodrow Hay, 427 NW Stn Avenue, inquired how the issue with Delray Beach and the boat par 'a de was resolved. Ms. Brooks explained representatives from Delray Beach attended the captains meeting and discussed continuing the parade. Delray Beach arranged everything south of the Boynton Beach boundary line. In the past, the CRA 4 Meeting Minutes Community Redevelopment Agency Board B oynton Beach, Florida January 12, 2016 had done the work for them. Now it will be a joint effort. While Delray Beach did not share in the marketing cost, they arranged for officers and the bridge opening for the parade. Mr. Grant asked if the CRA had an estimate of how many people attended the MILK event. Acting Chair McCray explained there will be a recap of the event most likely at the next CRA meeting. He estimated at least four hundred people. Mr. Merker advised this was his third MLK event and this year's event was more successful, grandiose, entertaining and had more people involved. He anticipated it would continue to expand. Ms. Brooks has been in Boynton Beach for 11 years and agreed it was the best MILK Parade by far. The CRA did not sponsor the parade or health fair, but the City helped with Police and Fire. She explained there are a number of events the CRA promotes, but does not sponsor. The CRA sponsors the movies and concert events, estimates the attendance and lists it in the agenda. Staff also hired a polling company for the Pirates Fest. She noted the attendance at events is increasing and drawing a more diverse crowd. Mr. Fitzpatrick attended about eight MILK Marches and agreed this was the best and most well- attended march. He noted past marches were on MILK Day at 7 a.m. and this was on a Saturday at 11 a.m. He speculated attendance tripled. Mr. Grant thought they did a great job. He asked the CRA to consider changing the name of the Pirate Fest to Caribbean Fest because the definition of a pirate is a criminal. Mark Karageorge, 240A Main Boulevard, commended the MILK Committee, City staff, Mary DeGraffenreidt, and the Recreation and Parks, Police and Fire Departments. The CRA did an excellent job marketing and promoting the event. This year there was a parade and not a march, which got youth involved and increased attendance. Pathways to Prosperity held the health fair, and the Committee ran out of food. He pointed out the event is for all people and hoped more people would attend the Gala. Tickets cost $55. No one else coming forward, Public Comment was closed. XII. Public Hearing: None XIII. Old Business: A. Status of Sale of 480 E. Ocean Avenue to Ocean Avenue Pride, LLC 5 Meeting Minutes Community Redevelopment Agency Board B oynton' Beach, Florida January 1, 2016 Mike Simon, Assistant CRA Director, explained there were some issues regarding the alley, title, transfer, and the description of the alley that is still owned by the City. The potential buyers were spending time with their design teams and had several meetings with City staff regarding their proposal. They will submit a major site plan application before March 31, 2016, and were moving forward successfully with the project. B. Project Update: New Boynton Beach Welcome Signage on Federal Highway Mr. Simon explained the welcome signs were placed at the north end of the City just north of the C -16 Canal on the old wall and on the south -end median across from Walmart just north of Gulfstream Boulevard. The Board had approved the contract with Collage Companies last March for $243,472 with a contingency for unforeseen issues. In October, the Board changed the scope of services. Mr. Simon reported the walk - through was completed yesterday and the only remaining item was the FPL meter installation by the sign which should be installed before the end of the week. Acting Chair McCray wished there could be a sign at 1 -95 and Boynton Beach Boulevard. He viewed the welcome signs and complimented staff on an excellent job. XIV. New Business: A. Consideration of Extending the Feasibility Period for the Purchase and Development Agreement between the CRA and Local Dev Co. LLC for 211 E. Ocean Avenue and Amendment to the Purchase and Development Agreement. Ms. Brooks advised the buyer for this property asked to extend the feasibility period for an additional 60 days. The feasibility period had ended January 4, 2016, and Ms. Brooks received the request December 31, 2015. She supported the request and advised this was a much harder project. The building had not been renovated and would be converted from a residential structure to a commercial one. The work was more extensive. Tom Prakis, Broker with Prakis and Company, on behalf of Bruce Kaplan, advised the Local Dev Co. LLC found the original Italian concept would not work at the location. After discussion and consultation, they opted for a very casual, hip establishment bringing Ocean Avenue to a new phase as far as entertainment and clean fun. Jim Williams and Rudy Acevedo, A W Architects, explained the design respects the historical character of the building and would be a lively place. It would have an island - style theme with some type of music. The menu would be smoked barbeque styled food and the restaurant would have casual seating, concrete floors, a bar, and high and low topped tables. There would be an indoor /outdoor craft beer tap, having a center island. He noted there are 45 craft beers. Dense plantings will be on the exterior, with 6 Meeting Minutes Community Redevelopment Agency Board Boynton Beach, Florida January 12, 2016 bocce ball action near the street. The walkway to the rear of the beergarten would have curved linear lines with bamboo and other tropical plants, fire pits in the front and back of the building and a porch added for dining. A site plan sketch was viewed. Mr. Merker inquired if the restaurant would serve lunch and dinner and learned they would serve both. Mr. Fitzpatrick asked about the lot dimensions and learned the property was about a quarter acre. The hours of operation were proposed for 11:00 a.m. or 11:30 a.m. for lunch straight through to about midnight during the week and 2 a.m. on the weekend. Food service would be continuous and tapas or small plate foods in addition to barbeque would be available. Acting Chair McCray inquired about noise. Mr. Prakis responded music would mostly be piped in via speakers in and outside of the building and the decibel level would be to Code, although there would be Jimmy Buffet type entertainment available some afternoons. The food smokers would be environmentally friendly and the Health Department and City's Codes will regulate how the smokers are covered and the food handlers. Motion Mr. Merker moved to approve a two -month extension for due diligence. Mr. Fitzpatrick seconded the motion that unanimously passed. B. Consideration of Updated Procurement Policy Susan Harris, Finance Director, explained the Procurement Policy had not been revisited since January 2009. At Ms. Brooks' request, legal reviewed the policy and suggested changes to tie the policy content to specific Florida Statutes. The content and authority levels had not changed since 2009, and purchases of $25,000 will be bid and approved by the Board. The auditors reviewed the revised policy and made further suggestions that were incorporated. It is a much simpler document for staff to use, and it would be clearer for the public and the Board to review as well. Staff requested approval. Motion Mr. Fitzpatrick so moved. Mr. Merker seconded the motion that unanimously passed. XV. Executive Director's Report: A. New Businesses in the CRA District Ms. Brooks announced there was one new business last month; Empire Tax Solutions, at 503 N. Federal Highway. 7 Meeting Minutes Community Redevelopment Agency Board Boynton Beach, Florida January 12, 2016 B. Development Outreach Ms. Brooks explained she was working on the Town Square project with interested parties. -She was working with Mr. Camalier, Mr. Morris and Attorney Miskel on the Ocean One project and getting an appraisal on CRA property because the developers were looking to build on the corner of CRA property. She was still working with developers for a hotel and was working with Mr. D'Almeida on the development of his site. Staff was working with the Related Group and the Housing Trust regarding the Heart of Boynton, Ocean Breeze East, MLK and Model Block projects. Staff did a lot of work on the current State application for funding and transferred two CRA lots to Habitat for Humanity for the Model Block. Staff was working with the City on further acquisition of right -of -ways and vacant lots. Staff was continuing to work on the Consolidated Plan to make it easier for developers and investors to understand the vision for the CRA area, and was working with City staff and the Treasure Coast Regional Planning Council. Staff works with local and out -of- town developers providing maps, demographic data and any other information that is needed. Acting Chair McCray requested an update on the status of the CRA Advisory Board. Ms. Brooks explained all seven members were appointed by the City Commission and she had contacted all of them. She anticipated meeting on Thursday, February 4, 2016, at 6 p.m.. and would try to stick with the 6 p.m. time once a month on Thursdays. They will cover CRA 101 during the first meeting. The next meeting would focus on public and private projects within the CRA. Another meeting would focus on CRA plans, detailing what they are, how they work, and what they mean to development and the community. Lastly, Ms. Harris will hold a meeting to teach the members how the CRA is funded and how they budget funds. XVI. Future Agenda Items: None. XVII. Adjournment There being no further business before the Board, Acting Chair McCray properly adjourned the meeting at 7:14 p.m. r uu�i Catherine Cherry Minutes Specialist 011316 8