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Minutes 03-06-17 THMAYOR'S TOWN HALL MEETING HELD ON MONDAY, MARCH 6, 2017, AT 4 P.M., AT CITY HALL, COMMISSION CHAMBERS, 100 E. BOYNTON BEACH BOULEVARD, BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA Mayor Grant called the meeting to order at 3:57 p.m. and explained the purpose of the meeting is to field questions and answer them or he can review a matter and get back to the person with an answer. He explained this is an informal meeting and attendees do not have to supply their name and address. There are comment cards in the back of the room. An attendee explained he loves living here and grew up in Boynton Beach. He moved away for job, is now retired and he returned to Boynton Beach. He noticed the City is building more and is growing. He commented Boynton Beach is a beautiful City. Another woman was a snowbird and is now a permanent resident of Boynton Beach. A man lives in the area and this is the first time being here for a meeting and it is very nice. Another resident indicated she has been living here for three years. It is nice to meet the Mayor. A snowbird that lives in Boynton Beach, commented it is very nice. He requested more lighting on Seacrest going east on Boynton Beach as it is very dark. He noted lighting was poor all the way on Seacrest and there is a lot of traffic going east on Woolbright and Seacrest. He was concerned about bicyclists. An attendee wanted to move west because it is difficult to turn left on Seacrest and Woolbright. The person wondered if a left turn lane could be installed. A husband and wife advised they live in Boynton Beach and they love the City. They like all the improvements they have been seeing. A man from Leisureville had issues with some of the Codes. There have been home improvements occurring and he wanted to ensure people are following City Codes. The front of his home is far back in Leisureville and has a big tree that keeps growing. The HOA says the tree is fine, but he wanted to ensure nothing would happen with the tree and his house in the event of wind Mayor Grant explained Code Compliance reorganized with the Fire Department as the Community Standards Department. The Department is comprised of the fire marshal, building inspectors, and code compliance officers who are now called Community Standards Specialists. They review the Codes. Every address should have permits to build which can be verified by calling the Building Department. As for the HOA, it is up to them regarding the tree as he was unaware about tree heights. Meeting Minutes Mayor's Town Hall Meeting Boynton Beach, Florida March 6, 2017 The man advised he thought the HOA works with the City regarding City Codes and inquired if they were separate. Mayor Grant explained there are tree codes regarding trees in the front of buildings, but was not sure about the back. He advised the City Arborist, Kevin Hallahan can ensure the tree is okay. Jamie Bosio explained she and her husband have lived in Boynton Beach for six years and she is concerned about recent shootings in the area. Her son goes to Poinciana Elementary School. She did not see any follow up in the paper. Mayor Grant explained there is an active investigation and the shooting was part of the reason he started having Town Hall meetings. He noted Poinciana Elementary School is in the CRA District which has a Neighborhood Officer Program and he suggested she contact Sgt. Henry Diehl. He spoke with him about being at the school when the school day starts and ends to ensure students are safe. As far as the Heart of Boynton (HOB), Mayor Grant advised he lives there and does not see any positive economic activity. He announced a Career Fair on March 23rd for all residents at the Carolyn Sims Center. His goal is to attract development. He noted the CRA approved a residential improvement program and the City was looking to eliminate foreclosed homes. The community was built in the 40s, 50s and 60s, but some homes need repair and the grant programs could help long-time residents within the CRA District stay in their homes. A woman living in High Point West noted the water and dust by the water treatment plant, but her concern was a train whistle which wakes her up at midnight, 2 a.m. and 5 a.m., sometimes even more. Mayor Grant noted part of the County's arrangement with Brightline Train was there would be a quiet zone from Boca to Jupiter. There will be a lot less horns in a year or two unless something obstructs the tracks. The woman was told the horns would stop in October of last year. Mayor Grant agreed, but they are following federal laws. She noted other municipalities have a no whistle policy. Mayor Grant advised Boynton Beach has several crossings which he named and noted the trains were here first. Another woman had the same issue. A man asked about development of the HOB and displacing residents. He was concerned Code Enforcement would be used to harass certain landowners. He asked how residents could be sure Code Enforcement would assist and alert residents to what they need to do as opposed to it being a way to gentrify the area. He wanted to ensure HOB residents would remain. Mayor Grant noted Commissioner Katz was present so he could not talk about future actions and explained Code Enforcement was reorganized to Community Standards and they have Community Standards Specialists. The CRA also offers residential improvement programs and Community Standards Specialists could identify the grants as a resource. Another program for long-time residents with home equity is the PACE E Meeting Minutes Mayor's Town Hall Meeting Boynton Beach, Florida March 6, 2017 program which funds energy efficient improvements. There are areas that need to be improved and the Community Standard Specialists will work with the grant programs and vendors for PACE. The man asked if the one cent tax could be used. Mayor Grant noted the budget hearings are in July and that is when the City Commission will determine which capital improvement projects will be funded and he should attend. He advised repairs made from 2009 to almost 2015 were made in a band aid like manner. At last year's budget hearings, Public Works advised the City either had to invest $10 million to $15 million in City Hall or build a new one. The City needs capital improvements more than affordable housing, but CRA will focus on the affordable housing aspect. A woman asked if there is fluoride in the drinking water and opposed fluoridation. Mayor Grant responded the City's water report is online, which Utilities publishes every year. He suggested she may be able to obtain a written copy at the lobby front desk. She also asked what would happen to the Boynton Beach Theater if the area is redeveloped; which buildings would be demolished and if the City has a redevelopment plan. Mayor Grant responded the City issued a Request for Qualifications for the redevelopment, reviewed the development teams and selected the top three respondents. The City Commission, in Phase II, will select a developer. Some buildings will be demolished and others will remain. The woman commented the Madison Center, which houses the theater, is an asset. A woman asked about the lights on the corners of Congress, Hypoluxo and Gateway noting four or five cars go through and the lights change on Hypoluxo. She asked why it is such a short light. The light also changes fast on Gateway. She asked about the traffic. Mayor Grant explained he will look into it as he is on the Metropolitan Planning Organization Board and can ascertain if the lights are too short or too long. A woman requested Mayor Grant bring back the shopper hopper and that it stop at different corners and not just at two clubhouses. She also wanted the trolley to be reinstated and suggested the City charge for it. She wanted children to be accompanied by a parent during school hours to stop truancy. She pointed out with the Shopper Hopper, residents could only go shopping once a week; with the trolley, they could go every day. She asked if the Old High School will be a cultural center and about the cafe. She noted the City does not have much entertainment and inquired if there will be a different restaurant with entertainment at the old Winn Dixie site if the City was not building a condo building there. The Women's Club is beautiful and has been restored which could be used for plays, dances and dinner with the proceeds used for its maintenance. Boynton Beach needs more entertainment and transportation. There used to be music at the beach which was very nice. Mayor Grant explained the Shopper Hopper and the trolley were going to be omitted from the Comprehensive Plan and he included it. He had discussions with the mall and 3 Meeting Minutes Mayor's Town Hall Meeting Boynton Beach, Florida March 6, 2017 the CRA. He proposed the trolley go from the mall to the City and bring people to the beach.. He understood with the Arts, Civic and Madsen Center, the City was doing the best they could. He noted Delray built out their old high school in the 90s, so the City has to catch up. He noted this was included in the Town Square RFQ which could cost over $100 million and include municipal, residential, and commercial buildings. The City also had to ensure people can get in and out properly and have parking available for motorists, bicyclists and have public transportation. The Town Square is 16 acres and City Hall does not have to be on Boynton Beach Boulevard. As for activities he asked what media the woman gets her information from, noting the City advertises activities in the newspaper, social media and word of mouth. The first Friday of every month is Movies in the Park and the third Friday of the month is Music in the Park. This third Friday is St. Patrick's Day and the City will hold the Third Annual Blarney Bash which is a lot of fun. It will be discussed at the City Commission meeting. A woman noted the Library has many activities, educational, entertaining and they enjoy. She asked if the red light cameras were on or off and learned they are off, but the signs are still up. They can discuss whether to remove the signs at the City Commission meeting. A man asked about the City boundaries and the incorporated area. Mayor Grant explained the boundaries were gerrymandered, but gave the basic outline. Everything near Military Trail and west is unincorporated. The man asked if there will be parking downtown. Mayor Grant responded there would be multiple types of parking available. The man advised he prefers a parking garage. A man was concerned about the aesthetics and social effects of massive buildings that have become the norm with Riverwalk, noting the structure is out of scale and has an institutional looking architecture and two -foot wide sidewalks. He commented developers seem to get what they want, staff bends over backwards to meet developer demands and a lot of money is given to developers through taxes. It was disconcerting to him. Mayor Grant explained the City Commission decides what will be built and there is one election coming up. Residents have a say, but if a candidate does not have an opponent, they can do what they like. Boynton Beach is the third largest City in the County and does not have a downtown. The areas that will be redeveloped is the historical downtown with the railroad stations. Developers could have built 7 or 10 stories in the 20s and 30s, but constructed only two or three stories which is why Boynton Beach is the way it is. The City already has a 150 foot structure and the City and CRA approved the Consolidated CRA Plan which allows for different heights in different areas. As for architectural features for the Winn Dixie site, the City does not own the property, but if it meets Code and is permitted, there is no reason to deny it. Not liking a building is not legally defensible as the City was sued for millions in the 90's because they denied a project a developer was legally able to build. He suggested getting more involved with his Commissioner and share his views. If they do not vote M Meeting Minutes Mayor's Town Hall Meeting Boynton Beach, Florida March 6, 2017 the way they want, they should run for office or vote for someone who shares their views. A man asked about sanctuary havens for undocumented immigrants and if the City has a plan. He noted schools have a safe zone to avoid issues of deportation. Mayor Grant understood from the Police Chief, the City is following the law. If the law allows for safe zones, the City will have them; if not, the City will not have them. The City Attorney may have a better answer. The man asked about community outreach to get a handle on and take a more social approach to what is happening in certain parts of the City with crime. Mayor Grant acknowledged West Palm Beach holds a walk on the third Thursday of the month to distribute information to residents, which the City can do, but thought he was talking about a non-profit organization. The man clarified he was talking about a community outreach worker to go into different areas and deescalate issues. Mayor Grant noted the CRA has a Neighborhood Officer Program which is a form of community outreach. Some schools in other cities have officers go into schools so the connection between students and the community can be realized. Mayor Grant commented the Police Department has programs for adults to come out and learn what the police are doing. It is like City employees going around looking to solve problems and he thought there was liability. He was letting everyone know about 2-1-1 as a hot line for non-violent issues. They also have a daily call serving as a well check. Counsellors are online and available 24/7 to answer questions. There are opportunities to help the communities A mother shared she and her children went homeless January 17th and they rode around in her car for 19 or 21 days. She did not know if 2-1-1 works. One daughter has cardiovascular disease and she does not know who to speak with. She tried to contact the Boynton Beach Victims Advocate for help and one employee was rude and disrespectful to her and she was insulted. It is emotional for her and her two daughters. Mayor Grant did not have an answer, but noted there is a Career Fair on March 23rd He noted Florida is an "at will" state and the mother commented she is waiting to go to court. She was trying to do work although she is homeless and she spoke to an officer. Mayor Grant commented there is not much he can do to solve those issues, but he appreciated her sharing. She referenced the Homelessness Prevention Rapid Re - Housing program and has not heard anything. She is also on a wait list for public housing noting there is a five year wait. Mayor Grant advised he was unaware if there are homeless shelters in Boynton Beach. He was trying to get more affordable housing options available in the CRA noting the Palm Beach County Housing Authority has vacant lots in the City. They have ascertained this is an issue in the community and will try to solve it as best as they can. The reason for the neighborhood improvement programs was so foreclosed and short sale homes would not be torn down. The City would work with a third party vendor to improve them and rent them at affordable rates. 5 Meeting Minutes Mayor's Town Hall Meeting Boynton Beach, Florida March 6, 2017 Mayor Grant was asked for the budget hearing dates and he advised they are held in July, but the dates have not been set. A woman thought there should be mixed parking and not all garage parking in the downtown. She did not favor valet parking and thought meters could provide revenue for the City. She suggested officers on patrol get out of the cars at a certain point so residents see them and interact with them and walking the beat from time to time because most resident do not know their neighbors. She also asked about the moratorium. Mayor Grant explained the City has a moratorium on dispensaries. He does not want to see dispensaries on arterial roads and he favored distance requirements from schools and churches. The moratorium would give staff time to enact regulations. The woman asked about people with cancer. Mayor Grant explained it is up to the doctors. A woman asked about the building of new railroad tracks, the trains and noise control and understood the project was behind schedule. Mayor Grant advised he will call and find out and announce his findings at the March 21St meeting. She complained about a Stop and Shop on SE 23rd with a detox center behind it and requested someone look into it as people are hanging around there and it is a concern. Mayor Grant was aware the City had seven overdoes this week, but none of the victims were from Boynton Beach; they were all from other parts of the country living in group homes and he pointed out Boynton Beach is not the best place to get treatment. He noted the Sober Home Task Force, led by State Attorney Dave Aaronberg is focusing on fraud with the health care insurance. Mayor Grant also noted human trafficking is human exploitation and it is included in the task force. He commented there is a benefit of calling the Task Force and advising them of suspicious circumstances. A woman wanted to be part of the task force as her specialty is mental health and addiction is a mental disability. Mayor Grant did not believe the current medical procedures to treat addiction were very effective. The recidivism rate is over 75%. The issue is health insurance companies are paying these sober homes and heroin and opioids are very addictive. At one time the City had the pills mills and there is a lot of work to be done. He believes the sober home task force meetings were public meetings, but he did not have information. A Leisureville Board Director asked if there were any grants available for landscaping and/or beautification. Mayor Grant noted the City receives Community Development Block Grants they can disburse. He was not aware of any City grants for beautification. He suggested finding a non-profit organization as some give trees away as well as fruit trees. It was noted Leisureville has problems with speeding and a stop sign. Mayor Grant commented road patrol is doing as much as they can to ensure people drive 25 mph. 0 Meeting Minutes Mayor's Town Hall Meeting Boynton Beach, Florida March 6, 2017 He will mention it again to the Chief and they can discuss getting more officers during the budget hearings. Motorists cut across 22nd as there is no left turn Mayor Grant suggested speaking with Jeff Livergood. Mayor Grant has meeting with the Secretary for the Florida Department of Transportation with District 4 and will bring up the railroad and traffic issues. He also noted there are no crosswalks between 1-95 and Seacrest and Seacrest has one crosswalk by the school and it is also not lit. He commented the City could use speed cameras and he thought they could bring it up for budget hearings as it makes the City a lot of money. A man commented the area on Boynton Beach Boulevard and Seacrest by the Family Dollar Store could use more commercial/retail and the community there is underserved and there is a food dessert. Area residents had to go to tiny stores with high prices. If they have a legitimate grocer it would be beneficial because prices and quality are more standard than in small stores. Mayor Grant explained there is the DeCampo organic grocer next to the post office that sells just produce and it is affordable. When Boynton Beach was segregated, MILK Jr. Boulevard was where the community met and it had everything the community needed. The area is in disrepair; buildings were torn down and nothing has been done. The CRA owns a lot of the land and has to decide if it will take a loss to put a restaurant there. They are tired of trying to find a third party to build there. A man asked if the store owners ever complain about people hanging out at stores and Mayor Grant commented the owners are saying the police are intimidating the customers. A woman inquired about the Town Square and commented City Hall is a perfectly good building. Mayor Grant responded it needs $10 to $15 million in improvements over the next two years. She also commented with new construction, .every person living in high rises will have cars on Federal Highway and there is no indication it will be widened. Mayor Grant explained the Winn Dixie development falls in the Coastal Exception Area so they don't have to worry about the level of service on Woolbright and Federal with new homes. He is trying to work with FDOT for maybe a left turn lane out of the shopping center; but the City is not required to do anything more and they cannot require the developer to do more. A person inquired about sober homes, citing theft and asked what Boynton Beach is doing and if it has a moratorium. Mayor Grant commented addiction is classified as a mental disability Detox and counselling centers are commercial activities with a medical use. The issue is the sober homes to treat the mentally disabled. The moratorium was issued so sober and group homes will not destroy residential areas. The City can create legislation with separation requirements from churches or schools and use other measures so they do not overrun a certain neighborhood. Group homes were only allowed in certain districts in Boca and Delray, which is illegal under ADA and rA Meeting Minutes Mayor's Town Hall Meeting Boynton Beach, Florida March 6, 2017 Fair Housing Act. Many governments are fearful because of the millions of dollars Boca and Delray spent in court and lost fighting group home operators. Will the City Police Department move or be located near the Home Depot. Mayor Grant did not have an answer. A man had read a report years ago indicating it will be located near Home Depot. A woman asked about construction on Woolbright and water. Mayor Grant responded Utilities is a City Department. He did not know when work would be completely finished and hoped it would be by the end of this year. He toured the facility this summer. The City had to install a new pump which caused a problem because the City cannot pump too much water from wells east of 1-95 because they have to worry about salt and rising sea levels. The City installed new technology at the east water treatment plant. A person thanked Mayor Grant and the City for a wonderful ADA Coordinator Debby Majors. She is wonderful and they appreciate her. They appreciated the invitation and the interpreter so they can be a part of everything and be able to follow what is happening. Another person learned something new and it is wonderful. Mayor Grant noted he will be making a presentation at the Library at noon on March 13th about his trip to Taiwan which will include pictures. He will speak about the State of the City on March 20th at 6:30 p.m. at the Historical Society, about the City and its future. A person asked if they have meetings on HOA's. Mayor Grant noted HOAs have their own by-laws and Florida has a lot of statutes on condos and associations. If you live in a HOA and do not own property, you do not get a vote. HOA's have to have meetings per by-laws. A man asked about tax benefits for companies, for businesses. There are retail outlets in certain neighborhoods in the City that cities can help develop. Mayor Grant explained Tax Increment Funding (TIF) is available in the CRA District There are also grants available which were rent reimbursement, exterior and interior facade and building permits grants which total up to $69,000 on a matching basis. He gave the boundaries for CRA. A question was posed about retirement homes. Mayor Grant advised they were working with a developer to build an adult living facility within the HOB. It will be affordable housing. A person commented they are on a tight income and was wondering about affordable housing. Mayor Grant explained the City is trying to build some and developers apply to a lottery based system for funds to make the project affordable. A question was posed about the matching grant. Mayor Grant explained after all is built and a certificate of occupancy is issued, then the business owner would be reimbursed. Meeting Minutes Mayor's Town Hall Meeting Boynton Beach, Florida March 6, 2017 A person has a license for retail that wants to buy property in the City. He was attempting to buy a home for $1 under a Housing and Urban Development provision and try to buy property in Boynton Beach. He asked about start-up funds. Mayor Grant explained the City does not a program up and running yet, but the City was interested in foreclosed properties, those in the foreclosure process and trying to work with developers to provide single-family homes. The man had his own house and asked where money is available to purchase a home through HUD. Mayor Grant explained the money is not with HUD. The man explained his house is very old, built in 1977 and then when the hurricane came through, his homeowners insurance went through the roof. He contacted a department about his house asking about home improvement programs to help them. He was told they do have a program, but they have not helped him do anything. He commented HOAs do not do anything and they are stuck. Debbie Majors suggested they contact the Community Improvement Department as they may be able to get assistance. It depends on the street address. The program does not have a lot of HUD money, but they may be able to receive assistance if it meets the qualifications of HUD criteria A woman commented there was a time when Seacrest was considered for senior residences and affordable housing. Mayor Grant responded he was unsure what the RFQ responses would contain. The City issued a moratorium on workforce housing which would require developers to have a certain amount of workforce housing. He noted workforce housing is above affordable, but below market value. There is property along Seacrest Boulevard, which was the Ocean Breeze East and MILK Jr. Boulevard sites. Ocean Breeze East did not win the funding lottery and would not be built. They are trying to move forward with renewing the City's Housing Authority and apply for funding from the CRA and the State for housing. He was tired of a developer trying to get tax credits they have not received in a long time. Mayor Grant noted the Marina and boardwalk is finished. It used to have the old dive shop and it looks beautiful. A man asked if the Police Department arrests someone for shoplifting that is undocumented, will they report it to ICE. Mayor Grant responded they would not, but the court may. A man noted there is an elderly man with a wagon at Jaycee Park that is homeless and asked what the City could do. Mayor Grant was aware there are county programs for homeless shelters and grants available for homeless. He asked if residents want to have a homeless shelter in the City because it creates more homelessness. He would ask the Police Department and noted people are not supposed to be in parks from dusk to dawn, which could be enforced. Mayor Grant did not know how often the Police patrol. E Meeting Minutes Mayor's Town Hall Meeting Boynton Beach, Florida March 6, 2017 A person noted traffic speeds past her home on the corner of 18'h Street and does not stop at stop signs. It is very scary. Mayor Grant will notify the Police. Mayor Grant concluded the Town Hall meeting at 5:31 p.m. Catherine Cherry Minutes Specialist `[s7