Minutes 02-07-19 MINUTES OF THE CRAADVISORY BOARD MEETING
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INTRACOASTAL PARK CLUBHOUSE
2240 N. FEDERAL HIGHWAY
k BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA 33435
HELD ON THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2019, AT 6:30 P.M.
PRESENT: STAFF:
Linda Cross, Chair Michael Simon, CRA Executive Director
Robert Pollock, Vice Chair Thuy Shutt, CRAAssistant Director
Anthony Barber Theresa Utterback, CRA Dev. Svcs. Mgr.
Allen Hendricks Bonnie Nicklien, Administrative Services
Rick Maharajh Lisa Tayar, Prototype, Inc.
Golene Gordon
Thomas Devlin
1. Call to Order
The meeting was called to order at 6:33 p.m.
2. Roll Call
Roll was called, and it was determined a quorum was present.
3. Agenda Approval
A. Additions, Deletions, Corrections to the Agenda — None
B. Adoption of Agenda
Upon motion duly made and seconded, the Agenda was unanimously approved.
4. Information Only
A. Financial Report Period Ending January 31, 2019
No questions.
B. Neighborhood Officer Program 1St Quarter Report for FY 2018-2019
Sgt. Diehl and Officer Paramore gave a Power Point presentation on the first
quarter of FT 2018-2019. Among the many events were:
• Participation in:
o The Farm Share program, handing out food in Greenacres along
with the Cub Scouts.
o At Thanksgiving 75 turkeys were distributed,
o Family activities at Christmas.
o Community Conversation meeting.
• Heart of Boynton Association
o Caretaker luncheon.
o Boynton Beach Coalition of Clergy for Hurricane Michael relief.
Meeting Minutes CRA Advisory Board
Boynton Beach, Florida February 7, 2019
o Gave help with homework/reading in Read with a Cop (also known
as Sweat with a Cop).
o Career Day at Galaxy Elementary.
o Meet the Experts.
o Teamed with Crime Prevention Unit for Trunk or Treat event.
o Thanksgiving food giveaway.
o Christmas Holiday Parade and Tree Lighting.
o Fill the SWAT Truck with toys.
o Engagement meeting: Meet the Chief.
• Town Square Public Input Meetings.
o Centennial for MLK Day.
o Renaissance.
• Shop with a Cop at Walmart and other venues (Officer Rivera returned).
• Mentoring at Burk's Early Learning Center.
• Team up with Boynton Strong.
• Operation Secret Santa.
• Cub Scout Holiday Party.
• Read/Sweat with a Copy Holiday toy give-away.
• Field Day at Poinciana Elementary.
• Toys/Gift cards for displaced Palm Beach Gardens family.
• Kids' Pajama Jam (donated 40 pajamas) at CDC.
Heart of Boynton Association Awards for Sgt. Diehl and Officers Paramore
and Rivera were received in appreciation of all the hard work and dedication
throughout the year.
Criminal statistics information is not yet completely compiled from numbers in
2017 and 2018. Sgt. Diehl could report that calls have dropped 13.7%;
overall City crime decreased 25%; serious crimes are down; and overall
lower crime stats. There will be a full report at the next meeting.
5. Public Comment— None
6. Consent
A. Approval of CRAAdvisory Board Meeting Minutes — December 6, 2018
Motion made by Ms. Gordon, seconded by Mr. Devlin, to approve the December 6,
2018, minutes. In a voice vote, the motion passed unanimously (7-0).
7. Assignments
A. Pending Assignments
1 . None
B. Reports on Pending Assignments
1. None
C. New Assignments from November 13, 20187 CRA Board Meeting
1. Discussion Regarding an Educational/Job Training Grant
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Meeting Minutes CRA Advisory Board
Boynton Beach, Florida February 7, 2019
Ms. Shutt recapped the item, stating at the January 8 CRA Board
meeting, the Board directed Staff and the CRA Advisory Board to work
with legal counsel to explore the feasibility of developing an
educational/job training grant. The memo (attached in Board Packet)
summarizes the CRA's limited ability to fund scholarships and other
educational efforts not clearly stated in the statute as such. It is the
opinion that it reaches further than the mission and statutory requirements
of the Redevelopment Act. The counsel does recommend seeking the
Attorney General's opinion to clarify the matter. Though not binding, it
would provide protection against a law suit. The statute mandates are
more for brick and mortar projects and funding of such; not for the benefit
of individuals or non-profits with respect to scholarship money.
Mr. Devlin asked for the background for this question. Ms. Shutt stated it
was concerning training, building skill sets, apprenticeships, and career
development towards wealth building/economic development on a City-
wide perspective. The CRA already has a non-profit program for
economic development and job creation purposes, but not particularly for
student development and nurturing. It is geared more toward the head-
of-household job creation. Chair Cross added the CRA money is not for
an individual, but for infrastructure, business, or non-profit that would
provide job training to a larger group of people; the letter from the lawyer
was clear.
Mr. Simon noted the memo was not available the night the assignment
was made. It came up during discussion re: job career events. The
desire is to train people. The incubator concept can train people in
business development and is more of an economic development with a
statutory connection than a CRA Grant program; and if the memo is not
clear, the Attorney General's opinion can be sought.
Mr. Barber agreed the memo is clear; however, suggestion was made for
a stipulation that CRA could not make any scholarship provisions without
conditions. Several scenarios were given to illustrate this. Perhaps the
best recommendation would be to not go forward with this at all.
Mr. Simon added that the relationship of education and training to the
mission of the City is activating more of an economic impact to the
citizens. Vocational schools and college interconnectivity is a discussion
which could spawn non-CRA initiatives.
Mr. Hendricks stated the memo is clear enough on what CRA can and
cannot do. Potentially, something could be done with the schools in the
district, like a satellite office for South Tech. It is outside of CRA scope,
but is something the City could do.
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Meeting Minutes CRA Advisory Board
Boynton Beach, Florida February 7, 2019
Motion made by Mr. Barber, seconded by Mr. Devlin, to recommend to the CRA Board
that we do not look further into this at all, in any way, shape, form, or fashion, as it is
outside the scope of what the CRA does. In a voice vote, the motion passed
unanimously (7-0).
8. CRA Board Items for CRAAdvisory Board Review and Recommendations
A. Old Business
1. None
B. New Business
1. Consideration of Grant funding for the Boynton Beach CRA FY 2018-
2019
(Winter) Nonprofit Organization Grant Program
Ms. Shutt gave the overview, that this is the second half of this year's
grant. Only one applicant applied, the Habitat for Humanity of South
Palm Beach County. The request/allocation is $75,000 (maximum
allowed for each applicant). The Review Committee determined that the
application meets or exceeds the allocated percentage and 95% of the
application was aligned with the program guidelines. They have a $7
million budget, this amount is only 1%, and will be used to leverage other
dollars, grants, sweat equity, whatever is needed to bring more results
into the CRA area. After the approval of the grant, the applicant was
asked to provide a list, identifying the allocation of the funds. The grant
application identified for construction three single-family units (two of
which are attached units); Ms. Shutt gave a further breakdown within the
CRA district, including the rehabilitation of existing homes. As part of the
process, Staff will take pictures and audit paperwork, reimbursements will
be justified through receipts and documentation before a check is
released, and what steps are taken for justifying that all milestones are
met.
Mohamed Abdalla, Senior Director, Government and Community Affairs,
for Habitat for Humanity said that everything will fall within the Seacrest
area of Boynton Beach. Ms. Shutt added there is a 12-month cycle for
the construction. Mr. Abdalla said an attempt is made to keep the
homeowners invested through their Ambassadorship Program, which
helps to build strong partnerships; other volunteers include previous
recipients of the Habitat program.
Mr. Hendricks wondered where the lots are located. Ms. Shutt said the
three lots are listed on the cover of the report and are on NE 12th Avenue
and NW 6th Avenue. Also, for the existing homes that need repair, every
request for reimbursement is checked to be sure it is within the CRA
district. Discussion followed on the disposition of HUD properties for
building or demolition. HUD is open to talking about partnering with CRA
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Meeting Minutes CRA Advisory Board
Boynton Beach, Florida February 7, 2019
to get those lots built out. In June, during budget planning, these lots will
be considered.
Mr. Abdalla and Ms. Shutt have met with Commissioners, the Mayor, and
the City Manager addressing this issue and Habitat for Humanity is ready
to build on the lots. The mission is to create new taxpayers while noting
that empty properties bring crime, drugs, traffic, and, therefore, Habitat is
on board to work closely with the City of Boynton Beach and the CRA.
Mr. Hendricks added that "piano keys" are missing in the north by the
canal and vacant lots are not attractive, don't help neighborhoods, and
this will help bring that neighborhood back to a wholeness.
Motion made by Mr. Pollock, seconded by Mr. Maharajh, to approve the grant to Habitat
for Humanity. In a voice vote, the motion passed unanimously (7-0).
9. Future Agenda Items- None
10. Adjournment
Upon motion duly made and seconded, the meeting was adjourned at 7:16 p.m.
[Minutes transcribed by M. Moore, Prototype, Inc.]
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