Minutes 04-18-18 COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT PUBLIC PARTICIPATION MEETING
HELD ON MONDAY, APRIL 18, 2018, AT 5:00 P.M.
IN COMMISSION CHAMBERS, BOYNTON BEACH CITY HALL
100 E. BOYNTON BEACH BOULEVARD, BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA
Present for the City:
Octavia Sherrod, Manager, Community Improvement Division
Lashea Brooks, Community Development Specialist
Also Present:
Sherry Johnson, Community Caring Center
Keturah Joseph, Boynton Beach Faith Based CDC
Melanie Rodriguez, Aid to Victims of Domestic Violence
Ricky Petty, Pathways to Prosperity
I. Opening
A. S. Lashea Brooks, Community Improvement Specialist
Lashea Brooks, Community Development Specialist, opened the meeting at 5:10 p.m.
and announced there were materials included in the back of the Chamber for the
attendees. Ms. Brooks explained she has 25 years of retail banking, mortgage banking,
property acquisition and housing rehabilitation experience. She grew up in Palm Beach
County and attended Palm Beach Atlantic University; graduating with a Bachelor of
Science Degree in Business Administration. She is also a licensed real estate agent.
II. Overview of CDBG Program
A. Introduction of Current Sub-Recipients and Brief Program
Description
Self-introductions were made with the above individuals noted as present. A brief
description of the services each organization provided was given. It was noted Legal Aid
was not present.
B. History— PowerPoint Presentation
Ms. Brooks explained this meeting was about the Community Development Block Grant
(CDBG) program. She advised Boynton Beach is an entitlement City, which is when a
City is guaranteed a certain amount of funds to assist and devise innovative ways to
Meeting Minutes
CDBG Public Participation Meeting
Boynton Beach, Florida April 18, 2018
improve the physical, social and economic conditions in low-income areas. This is 22nd
year the City has been an entitlement city. The City began receiving funds in 1997, and
to-date, has disbursed over $11 million in CDBG funds.
The national objective is to benefit low and moderate-income persons, address
community slum and blight, and address a particular urgent community development
need such as:
• Acquisition and disposition
Ms. Brooks noted the Boynton Beach Faith Based Community Development Corporation
(BBFBCDC)was familiar with this component of the grant. Grant funds were used for the
Boynton Beach Senior Center on Federal Highway, for land acquisition in the Heart of
Boynton, and for land clearing, demolition and residential code enforcement issues. The
City has a partnership with the Community Standards Department for citizen assistance
with code violations.
• Projects completed with CDBG funds
Ms. Brooks announced the Wilson Center and other park projects such as the Sara Sims
playground, street improvements for the Heart of Boynton and construction for
community-based organizations, all used CDBG funds as did the Ocean Breeze housing
development, constructed by the BBFBCDC as well as other housing projects.
0 Other eligible activities
Other activities the City addressed included relocation in conjunction with a hurricane or
other natural disaster. The City demolished Boynton Terrace, which had sustained
hurricane damage and spent $38,600 to relocate those residents. Ms. Brooks explained
Ocean Breeze is a 21 unit, single-family affordable housing project on Seacrest
Boulevard, financed in partnership with CDBG, Community Redevelopment Agency,
Habitat for Humanity of South Palm Beach County, and Boynton Beach Community
Development department funds.
• Economic Development
Economic development activities included job training, creation and retention. The City
spent about $630,000, a portion of which was given to the City via matching grants in
partnership with Palm Beach County.
• Infill Housing
Infill housing in the Cherry Hills community was constructed as a part of the affordable
housing initiative. Activities included funding the first time homebuyer assistance program
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Meeting Minutes
CDBG Public Participation Meeting
Boynton Beach, Florida April 18, 2018
in the amount of $1,509,712. The City spent over $500,000 in federal dollars,
supplemented with over $4 million in state funding through the SHIP program, and
conducted lead-based paint testing and abatement, removal of barriers for the
handicapped, and housing rehabilitation for City residents with single-family detached
housing.
Funds were also used for the acquisition and installation of rehabilitative infrastructure,
which included water and sewer lines, streets and sidewalks, and funds were used for
acquisition of neighborhood facilities for persons with special needs.
Public services provided with CDBG funds included funding sub-recipients such as Aid to
Victims of Domestic Violence, the Community Caring Center and Pathway to Prosperity.
These organizations assist with health care, substance abuse, children's youth programs,
crime prevention, and fair housing through a partnership with the Legal Aid Society of
Palm Beach County who assists with referred city residents. Community Development
Block Grant funds also assist residents with childcare and summer camp costs. Ms.
Brooks explained Pathways to Prosperity received a public service award for their food
bank and family and financial literacy programs to help families become self-sufficient.
Ms. Brooks explained Housing and Urban Development has not yet announced the
amount of funding the City would receive; however, of that funding, 15% will be used for
public service; 20% for administration; and the remaining 65% for other eligible activities.
Ms. Brooks opened the floor for questions. No one came forward.
III. Application Process
A. Application submittal —one [1] hard copy original and one [1] electronic copy
Ms. Brooks reviewed the above application criteria is mandatory.
B. Application Submission Deadline
May 11, 2018 at 4:30pm
Ms. Brooks explained the submission was a hard deadline. If anyone needed any
assistance with the application, they should contact her as the department would be
happy to provide whatever help they need.
IV. Public Comments or Questions
None
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Meeting Minutes
CDBG Public Participation Meeting
Boynton Beach, Florida April 18, 2018
V. Adjournment
Ms. Brooks concluded the presentation at 5:23 p.m. and distributed the application.
Catherine Cherry
Minutes Specialist
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