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Minutes 03-01-18 MINUTES OF THE CRA ADVISORY BOARD MEETING IN CHAMBERS AT CITY HALL 100 E. BOYNTON BEACH BLVD. BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA 33435 HELD ON THURSDAY, March 1, 2018, AT 6:30 P.M. PRESENT: Linda Cross, Chair Michael Simon, CRA Executive Director Robert Pollock, Vice Chair (arr. at 7:27 p.m.) Theresa Utterback, Development Services Allen Hendricks Manager Rick Maharajh Bonnie Nicklien, Administrative Services James DeVoursney (arrived at 6:37 p.m.) and Grant Manager, CRA Anthony Barber Thuy Shutt, Assistant Director, CRA Thomas Murphy, Jr. Jamie Opperlee, Prototype, Inc. I. Call to Order The meeting was called to order at 6:31 p.m. II. Roll Call Roll was called, and it was determined a quorum was present. Chair Cross introduced new board member Anthony Barber. III. Agenda Approval A. Additions, Deletions, Corrections to the Agenda Mr. Maharajh pointed out that the Pledge of Allegiance was omitted. The Pledge of Allegiance was then recited. B. Adoption of Agenda Motion made by Mr. Maharajh, seconded by Mr. Hendricks, to adopt the agenda as corrected. In a voice vote, the motion passed unanimously (5-0), with Dr. DeVoursney and Vice Chair Pollock not yet arrived. IV. Information Only A. Financial Report Period Ended January 31, 2018 Meeting Minutes CRA Advisory Board Boynton Beach, Florida March 1, 2018 B. Financial Report Period Ended February 28, 2018 Mr. Hendricks thanked staff for preparing the reports. Mr. Simon reported that the audit was presented to the CRA Board, and for the ninth consecutive year they are "finding free." It has been sent to the State. V. Public Comment - None VI. Consent A. Approval of CRAAdvisory Board Minutes - January 4, 2018 Motion made by Mr. Maharajh, seconded by Mr. Murphy, to approve the Consent Agenda as presented. In a voice vote, the motion passed unanimously (5-0), with Dr. DeVoursney and Vice Chair Pollock not yet arrived. VII. Assignments A. Pending Assignments - None B. Reports on Pending assignments - None C. New Assignments from February 13, 2018 CRA Board Meeting: 1. Consideration of Pathways to Prosperity's Grant Contract for the Boynton Beach CRA Non-profit Organization Grant Program Ms. Shutt said they had numerous notices for the program and had two pre-submission meetings. Four organizations were interested, but only one was able to make it to the deadline - Pathways to Prosperity. The recommendation of the Evaluation Committee was to not recommend funding, however, the CRA Board at its February meeting awarded the application the request amount plus an additional $7,077 for a total of 10% of the budget. Ms. Shutt explained that the program allows up to 10% of the program budget for administrative costs. The applicant had asked for $25,000, which was approximately 45% of the staffing needed for the program. [Dr. DeVoursney arrived at 6:37 p.m.] Ms. Shutt gave some background on the Pathways to Prosperity, noting that it is part of the Circles on Palm Beach. That allows staff to pair interested participants with a volunteer expert in a field who will work with the participants into training them on how to start a business. 2 Meeting Minutes CRA Advisory Board Boynton Beach, Florida March 1, 2018 The grant program is geared toward business development, and either jobs have to be created or there have to be business opportunities within the CRA District. The State wants to make sure it shows economic development, not funding of social services. Ms. Shutt stated that the CRAAB was directed to help staff and the attorneys review the grant agreement to ensure that it meets the goals of the CRA Plan, as well as seeing that the measurable outcomes are reasonable and achievable. Chair Cross asked how they would determine that all the businesses that the CRAAB has helped have ended up in the CRA District. Ms. Shutt directed her to the page in the grant for "Results and Deliverables" and said they have to provide a Business Tax Receipt or other evidence. Chair Cross asked what they would do if they ended up outside the CRA District, and Ms. Shutt said it would be up to the applicant to ensure they target and outreach to the interested parties in the CRA District. Towards the end of the program, Ms. Shutt said the grant staff will inform potential applicants about the program. If there is no money left in the CRA District by September, Ms. Shutt said that applicants will have to show an evaluation plan that provides for paying in two payments (one to be reimbursed for activities and expenses expended between the time the grant agreement is executed to June 30). There will be a status and evaluation report that staff will review before disbursing funds. Dr. DeVoursney asked if they would not get funding if they do not meet the standards. Ms. Shutt replied they would probably not receive all of their funding since it will be reviewed mid-way through the program. Public Input Dr. Stephanie Hayden, 2181 W Woolbright Road, Condo N-102, Boynton Beach, confirmed the boundaries of the CRA District. She cautioned against having businesses receiving funding from the CRA and then going out of business, citing a facility near the post office. She said they do not want to give businesses start-up money who are then inconsistent with their traffic and go out of business. Chair Cross pointed out it is a reimbursable grant, so the businesses are not paid up front. Mr. Barber asked Dr. Hayden if she was suggesting that the CRA should inspect their books, and Dr. Hayden clarified she was just advising caution. Jacqueline Kingston, 1330 NW 3 Avenue, Del Ray Beach, requested that they consider grant proposals for the category of removal of slum and blight, such as beautification and cleanup activities. She said she runs a nonprofit called Sea Turtle Adventures; they are responsible for the sea turtle nest monitoring on a three-mile stretch of beach from Woolbright Road to George Bush Boulevard. They also do other cleanups. She wanted to bring a proposal to do volunteer cleanups on a regular basis within the CRA district. End of Public Input 3 Meeting Minutes CRA Advisory Board Boynton Beach, Florida March 1, 2018 Chair Cross was concerned that there were 12 people in the program by June, and none want to be in the CRA District. Ms. Shutt said the amendment could always be modified to reduce the number of deliverables. Chair Cross recommended having a "hard stop" at the end of June for the applicants if they have not advanced to where they need to be at that time. They would have to appear before the board and explain how they would meet their goals by September. Motion made by Mr. Hendricks, seconded by Mr. Barber, to support the grant process and the outlines delivered to the board with the addition to Section C2 of a hard stop in June to have the applicants come back to the CRA Board with their findings/progress; if the goals are not established by June 30, they must come to the Board for amendment or for disposition of the Board in terms of the remaining money. In a voice vote, the motion passed unanimously (6-0), with Vice Chair Pollock not yet arrived. 2. Consideration of the Guidelines and Application for the Boynton Beach CRA Non-Profit Organization Grant Funding Program Chair Cross recalled the items they need to review: • Additional members to the review committee? • Any more improvements to the program? • Review the criteria? • Other categories that the grant could be expended for? Ms. Shutt said the Review Committee is supposed to include the following: • Executive Director Simon or Ms. Shutt • Finance Director Vicki Hill • Development Services Manager Theresa Utterback • Someone from the City (perhaps David Scott - Economic Development Director) and/or someone from the CRAAB Ms. Shutt said they discussed having a citizen-at-large and thought there might be conflicts of interest. She added that Vicki Hill on the committee has experience with nonprofits. Chair Cross suggested that someone from the CRAAB should be on the committee along with a representative of the City. Mr. Simon advised that the CRAAB is a recommending body with all of the information on grant recipients that the committee has, and he thought it would be a conflict of interest to sit on the committee as an evaluator and also sit on the committee as a recommender. Chair Cross said that the grant did not come before the CRAAB, and Mr. Simon said they would in the future, under New Business. 4 Meeting Minutes CRA Advisory Board Boynton Beach, Florida March 1, 2018 Chair Cross asked if all the goal categories are available in the grants, and Ms. Shutt replied that the only category that can be applied for now is Economic Development Business Opportunity which leads to job creation/job training. Chair Cross verified that the CRAAB could recommend that the other four categories get opened up. Chair Cross accepted Mr. Simon's comment that the review committee should not include a CRAAB representative. Ms. Shutt clarified that this is a separate, new program this year for nonprofits. Neither Mr. Hendricks nor Chair Cross saw the need to add another person to the committee. Mr. Hendricks asked if there were needs coming up that needed attention. Ms. Shutt mentioned the following categories: • Affordable housing (always a need for that) • Workforce housing • Parks and recreational and cultural Chair Cross commented that when she read the sections of the law that set out what CRAs are supposed to do, she interpreted it to be that the CRA should be buying buildings and land for redevelopment. She did not see much in the way of funding administration costs or salaries, etc. Dr. DeVoursney thought they should maintain the budget for Economic Development grants and not add the other categories until the next fiscal year. He also endorsed having David Scott on the Review Committee. Public Input Jacqueline Kingston, 1330 NW 3 Avenue, Del Ray Beach, reiterated her desire that the board re-open the removal of slum and blight, demolition of blighted properties, and community beautification and clean-up activities as a potential for nonprofits to submit proposals. She reiterated the activities of her nonprofit. Vice Mayor Justin Katz, 1353 Via de Pepi, Boynton Beach, said he believed the expansion of the Review committee grew from some dissatisfaction with the outcome of the last grant. He said it was unnecessary. He shared concern about expanding the grants criteria to include different arenas, thinking it would become a "blank check" grant. Vice Mayor Katz also thought the attacks on CRA at the State level were the result of CRAs making decisions without criteria, or bending the criteria. Dr. DeVoursney pointed out that Pathways to Prosperity brought in additional information (showing prior experience with job creation) to the Committee at the last minute, which increased their score. 5 Meeting Minutes CRA Advisory Board Boynton Beach, Florida March 1, 2018 Further comments from the board reflected their desire to not expand the grant criteria, although Mr. Hendricks' concern was the low number of people applying. Ms. Shutt said that leftover funds would roll over to the next year. [Vice Chair Pollock arrived at 7:27 p.m.] Dr. DeVoursney advocated for opening up the categories at the next budget hearing. Ms. Shutt advised that in a regular budget cycle, they would start advertising for a grant in June, do a workshop, and have recommendations by August. She said they started late last year. Motion made by Dr. DeVoursney, seconded by Mr. Murphy, to keep the grant to involve economic and business development for the remainder of the fiscal year 2017/2018, and to keep the review committee for the grant at the current census. In a voice vote, the motion passed unanimously (7-0). 3. Discussion Regarding Redevelopment Options for the CRA Owned Parcels within the MLK Jr. Boulevard Corridor Chair Cross wanted to hear public comment first on the potential development options in that area. Public Input Victor Norfus, 7849 Bench Center Way, Boynton Beach, said he owns property on Martin Luther King Boulevard East and has lived in the community a long time. Mr. Norfus mentioned several organizations that were here in the past and should be resurrected: the Community Resource Center (job resources, employment activities, nonprofit community organizations could meet, CRA outreach programs held). They need buildings for businesses, but they are torn down. Also needed is a shopping plaza (something like Sunshine Square) with several floors upstairs for rental apartments. He recalled that most of the business started on Martin Luther King Boulevard and went west. Reverend Bernard Wright, 713 NW 2 Street, Boynton Beach, said he distributed a petition for a commercial cultural hub. He read the petition (which has 160 signatures) for the record. The hub would include state- of-the-art game rooms, recording studio, restaurant, billiard room, and a concert hall. The cultural hub would be at the former location of the Continental Club. It would also serve as a community resource and information center. He said he could bring recording artists to Boynton Beach, bringing money back in. He spoke of the various groups that could benefit from the hub via a re- entry program. He said he opposes gentrification and had his "people's interest at heart." Dr. Martha Meeks Light, NW 6 Avenue, Boynton Beach, said she has been connected with the CRA since its origin. She advocated for a multi-cultural learning/training center 6 Meeting Minutes CRA Advisory Board Boynton Beach, Florida March 1, 2018 for children to learn skills so that could pass tests for licensing or certification for jobs such as nursing or carpentry. Children also need paid tutors. She wanted a grant for computer skills to be taught at the Recreation Center in the daytime either at Ebell Hester or Carolyn Sims Park. David Katz, 67 Midwood Lane, Boynton Beach, said that this meeting was advertised on the City website as a "community meeting" for the redevelopment of Martin Luther King Boulevard. He said he has sat through numerous meetings on the subject, and said it was time for the CRA Board and staff to pay attention to the petition brought by Reverend Wright. Vice Mayor Justin Katz, 1353 Via de Pepi, Boynton Beach, stated there was no way that the project would come to fruition if they tried to prescribe the types of businesses that go there. He said the reason there has been no commercial development on Martin Luther King Boulevard is because it is not a profitable area, to draw in business owners or investors. He supporting allocating $1.5 million of CRA money to build commercial shells on the property on the north side of Martin Luther King Boulevard and Seacrest Boulevard, because he felt the government needed to identify that corner as a "market failure." However, the CRA Board rejected the allocation, so the CRAAB must figure out a way to stimulate economic, commercial, or mixed use development working within a budget of less than $1.5 million. Vice Mayor Katz continued, requesting that they do not attempt to prescribe businesses that must go there, because it will pigeonhole them into forcing certain businesses in there. At a recent community gathering to discuss the shootings in Boynton, the majority of those present said that they do not want a club in east Boynton Beach. They said the clubs are the origin of problems in their neighborhoods. John Danes, 370 NW 17 Avenue, Boynton Beach, said he has worked on Martin Luther King Boulevard for the last 21 years at Robinson BBQ. He said they are stable business and should be part of the economic development. They have fed the "entire community" for 16 years at the summer holidays at Intracoastal Park. In 2005, they opened their doors to the community because they have a gas stove and did not charge their customers anything to eat. Reverend Bernard Wright came up to microphone again. He said the CRA Board and the City Commission are two different entities, but yet the same entity. He said they know the solution is redevelopment. He lamented how long it has taken to get things done in the area. Willie Aikens, 726 NE 1 Street, Boynton Beach, President of the Heart of Boynton Neighborhood Association, said that Martin Luther King Boulevard has been misused and overlooked for over 60 years. He faulted the CRA for not advocating funding for redevelopment. He spoke in favor of the cultural center as a multi-purpose center for job training as well as for recreation. Mr. Aikens said that the neighborhood does not have what other districts do, and the CRA needs to start work there. 7 Meeting Minutes CRA Advisory Board Boynton Beach, Florida March 1, 2018 Pastor Richard Danes, 223 NE 12 Avenue, Boynton Beach, said he serves as President of the Boynton Beach Coalition of Clergy. He believed that more than 150 people reside in the Heart of Boynton District, and they need the multipurpose building on Martin Luther King Boulevard. He asked how they expect the situation to improve in the corridor if something does not change. They need to move forward, and move smart. Mark Karageorge, 248-A Main Boulevard, Boynton Beach, said that the Coalition of Clergy has always been the voice of reason. He said there have been many opportunities for development turned away due to market study results or requests for land assembly. He said there is now a possibility for land assembly. He spoke about his effort to get a Darden Foods on Martin Luther King Boulevard. Mr. Karageorge said they need to keep all options open. Ray Whitely, 223 NE 12 Avenue, Boynton Beach, said there is a great opportunity because there is now an aggressive board that is pro-development. He clarified that they have to be strategic, noting there is more than one parcel on Martin Luther King Boulevard and they do not have to pursue land assembly. He suggested the Town Square area could complement the development on Martin Luther King Boulevard. That way the community wins, and the CRA wins. He said they have to begin with mixed use. Chair Cross asked members of the public to fill out comment cards and put them on the table at the back. Chair Cross said there is still $1.5 million or more in the project fund for investment in the Martin Luther King Boulevard corridor. She said there are three options: • Have the CRA utilize existing architectural contracts and prepare bid documents for somebody (design, bid, build) • Get pre-qualifications of contractors • Build to suit Chair Cross suggested that this board needs to recommend a way forward for the CRA Board. Ms. Shutt clarified that the "build to suit" would be for the CRA-owned properties. The design build is a method used with the contractor from the beginning. He is responsible for the designers as part of his complement of his team. It is a shorter process. She said they were recommending a shell that would accommodate the permitted uses - there could be tenant space. They would have to be sure that delivery trucks and trash pickups could get into the property. Ms. Shutt continued, noting that the land is good only if pieces that are large enough to design and build a building per Code. The northern parcel can accommodate a 5,000 square foot building. She said some small office/retail/nonprofits have expressed 8 Meeting Minutes CRA Advisory Board Boynton Beach, Florida March 1, 2018 interest in occupying the building. The space would be flexible for neighborhood- serving uses. Dr. DeVoursney commented that the City has a history of successful concepts, like Ocean Breeze West and the marina. If a concept is put together, they might be able to achieve something. He described the Dallas Heritage Village at Old City Park, which was built on the concept of what life was like there before 1910. He suggested going to the local Historical Society and get photographs showing what the Continental Club looked like, and then rebuild it. He said they could make it an attraction for everyone, and the economic development would bring safety. Dr. DeVoursney emphasized they would have to make the concept first and invest in the concept, so that the developers would see the value in it. He added they could make it a Brightline stop. Mr. Barber believed that development needs to happen, and he is in favor of whatever process moves it along the fastest. He said the community needs to be more realistic about what is going to work in the area, as well as why the area is now seen as desolate. If the people who signed the petition will not call the police or help stop crime, any redevelopment that goes in the area will stagnate. Mr. Barber praised Reverend Wright for gathering the signatures, but said the community needs to take ownership, as does the City. Reverend Wright said they need to change mindsets. He agreed that through their leaders, the community needs to take ownership. He said they need the information and the education from their leaders. Minister Bernard Macon, Coalition of the Clergy member, said that there used to be a lot of crime and drug deals on Seacrest Boulevard, but the economic development there improved it. The community, the police, and the CRA came together came together to build something much more positive. He said that the area under discussion has the potential for economic growth, although nothing has been done. It will take a group effort. Mr. Hendricks confirmed that visioning and studies for the street have already been done, and they need to establish the architectural vision/guidelines for the street. Mr. Simon mentioned that the Heart of Boynton Community Redevelopment Plan established building heights, type of architecture, etc., to provide the investment community with guidelines. He said that the Family Dollar store was the investment for the first commercial project in 40 years on the corner. Mr. Simon continued that the CRA's job is not to invest in the items beyond the shell of a building -- that would be the job of the investor. After the community decides what they want to do, the community and the CRA have to find viable businesses to fit. The input 9 Meeting Minutes CRA Advisory Board Boynton Beach, Florida March 1, 2018 from the public at this meeting will go to the CRA Board. He advised against recommending just design/build. Chair Cross reviewed that the community wants mixed use, multi-use, culturally significant, and historically based development. She asked if it would be possible with this particular property to put residential on top and have the shell on the bottom. Mr. Simon noted there is a concept based on square footage and parking requirements, and the map on the screen shows what the CRA has control of at this time. The question would be whether to start dividing up the CRA sections and draw others, or wait until the largest piece can be amassed first. Another question would be if the CRA wants to invest its funds to start building the project. It needs streetscaping. If the CRA goes forward now, there would be site plan approval (four to six months) plus multiple funding years, public meetings, and acquisition of more property. Mr. Simon felt they need to move the factors out that are stopping development, or people will not be comfortable going there. He was disappointed that Family Dollar went downhill instead of raising up the neighborhood. Chair Cross said she heard the following from the community: • Be flexible • Begin with mixed use concept, maybe work in tandem with Ocean Breeze East • Community outreach center including job training, tutoring, computer skills • Shopping plaza, restaurant, concert hall, game room, billiard room Mr. Simon thought they could activate the Carolyn Sims Center with a computer center, etc. Mr. Hendricks commented that while he loves mixed use, right now they can afford flex use commercial space (one story) and redo parking. Dr. DeVoursney asked if they could invest in the streetscape design first so it looks appealing, pointing out they did it that way for Boynton Beach Boulevard. Mr. Simon, however, was not sure that would work for Martin Luther King Boulevard because of the drug problem. He thought the streetscape development should go along with the building - they have to go hand in hand. Mr. Simon spoke about the other improvement projects currently underway. He said there is more than enough money to design many buildings in the professional fee budget, and the $1.2 million will not have to be touched for months. Ms. Shutt remarked that they need outreach to the community and business leaders to ensure that what goes in meets the needs of the community, and Chair Cross asked if anybody had said they would move in if a building were constructed. Ms. Shutt said 10 Meeting Minutes CRA Advisory Board Boynton Beach, Florida March 1, 2018 they would build the shell, mechanical/electrical infrastructure with handicap bathrooms, and it would up to the developer to come in and outfit the paint, drywall, flooring, etc. Ms. Shutt said some nonprofits responded, but no commercial or job-generating entities. Some business entrepreneur leaders that have come out of their training said it would be nice to have spaces in the CRA District that they can come into. She said if the right business came in and the community could benefit, they could help with incentives to help with overhead and initial stages of the first year. Mr. Hendricks said there are still some great shops and restaurants on Old Northwood, but it was a "heavy lift" at first. Anthony Mason, 301 NE 10 Avenue, said he runs a barbershop on Martin Luther King Boulevard that has been there for many decades. He said the community has been waiting for development, and they will come if it is built. He said that business is booming and they need more space. Motion made by Mr. Barber, seconded by Mr. Murphy, to recommend that the CRA Advisory Board consider Option #3 (The CRA would issue a Design/Build request for proposal or RFP for an entity which will provide a guaranteed maximum price for the design and development of the site approximately 12 months.). In a voice vote, the motion passed unanimously (7-0). 4. Discussion Regarding Redevelopment for 1110 N. Federal Highway Mr. Simon said the CRA purchased the property but it is not viable to renovate it. They received a Solid Waste demolition grant for $65,000 to do the cleaning and clearing of Cottage District to improve the Public Works facility. Another application has been submitted to the same grant program which will include the demolition project. It is not large, but is on a "great corner." They have had numerous meetings with the property owner on the east side (multi-plex) and on the south corner (vacant building) in efforts to acquire the property. Discussion ensued about what was/is on the various properties in the area. Chair Cross recommended adding other properties to it. Mr. Hendricks suggested using the lot for parking for the church, but Mr. Simon advised that the City would not let them use it for a parking lot without striping, lights, paving, etc. He added they would clean up the lot after the building is demolished. [Mayor Grant joined the meeting.] Motion made by Dr. DeVoursney, seconded by Mr. Barber, to not develop it at this time and look into land assembly to the south and to the east of the property under discussion. In a voice vote, the motion passed unanimously (7-0). VIII. CRA Board Items for CRA Advisory Board Review & Recommendations 11 Meeting Minutes CRA Advisory Board Boynton Beach, Florida March 1, 2018 A. Old Business - None B. New Business 1. Consideration of Purchase of 521 N. Federal Highway Mr. Simon advised it was a tax sale property - part of the properties around the Twisted Fish. It has three parking spaces, and the acquisition price was too good not to acquire. Motion made by Dr. DeVoursney, seconded by Mr. Barber, to purchase the property at 521 N. Federal Highway for the estimated market value of$131,600, not to exceed 20% above the appraised value. In a voice vote, the motion passed unanimously (7-0). IX. Future Agenda Items Chair Cross confirmed that the future agenda items will be determined by the CRA Board agenda items. X. Adjournment Upon motion duly made and seconded, the meeting was adjourned at 9:15 p.m. [Minutes transcribed by J. Rubin, Prototype, Inc.] 12