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Minutes 09-03-20 MINUTES OF THE CRAADVISORY BOARD MEETING WEBEX ONLINE MEETING 100 E. OCEAN AVENUE BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA 33435 HELD ON THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 3, 2020, AT 6:30 P.M. PRESENT: STAFF: Allan Hendricks, Vice Chair Michael Simon, CRA Executive Director Thomas Devlin Bonnie Nicklien, Grant and Project Manager. Golene Gordon Lisa Tayar, Prototype, Inc. Sharon Grcevic Aquannette Thomas ALSO PRESENT: Sergeant Diehl ABSENT: Chief Michael Gregory Anthony Barber, Chair Angela Cruz 1. Call to Order The meeting was called to order by Vice Chair Hendricks at 6:34 p.m. Ms. Nicklien read the WebX virtual meeting protocol into the record. 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 Motion was made by Mr. Devlin, seconded by Ms. Grcevic, to approve the Agenda. In a voice vote, the motion passed unanimously (5-0). 5. Public Comment — None 6. Consent A. Approval of CRA Advisory Board Meeting Minutes —August 6, 2020 Motion made by Mr. Devlin, seconded by Ms. Grcevic, to approve the August 6, 2020, minutes. In a voice vote, the motion passed unanimously (5-0). Meeting Minutes CRA Advisory Board Boynton Beach, Florida September 3, 2020 7. Assignments A. Pending Assignments 1. Review of Fiscal Year 2020-2021 Project Fund Budget Mr. Simon gave an overview of the FY 2020-2021 Project Fund Worksheet and the workshop. Board assignments were to review the allocation of funds appropriated by the CRA Board August 11, 2020, meeting. The only change was on the fourth line down, the NE 3rd Street Roadway Improvement Project: the original $500,000 budget has been reconsidered. It was decided to halt that project and consider building the road at 2nd Street (aerial shown); area needs traffic flow around eastern block as circulation is important for future commercial plans. The City owns five to seven acres; future plans in two to five years to relocate public works out of the neighborhood and reuse the property for housing. City suggests a 2nd Avenue stop to lead the community development there. Design of 3rd Street has been halted, with monies going back to the Proposed Project Fund spreadsheet. As of August meeting, $500,000 was for design and construction of the street described; Board decided to halt project and pull $400,000 out of the $500,000, add money to the acquisition line, $180,000 to contingency, and the $20,000 balance went to trees. The tree canopy sustainability program approved by the City Commission is to enhance and refill the canopy over the next four-five years. The CRA will monitor the project and report back to the Board where the trees will be installed. Regarding the contingency funds, typically $100,000 is held for hurricane damage/ cleanup and/or an unexpected program; $280,000 is okay, there is no restriction how much can be in the fund; money within the project fund itself can be moved around without need of budget amendment. Otherwise, the rest of the budget numbers are the same as last month's meeting. Vice Chair Hendricks did not disagree with taking out the money for 3rd Street and the assemblage of lots looks good; however, wanted to know if $5007000 was to do the actual road. Mr. Simon said $84,000 was for design with approximately $400,000 for roadway and utility improvements. Some discussion followed on not getting to far ahead with 2nd Street development; what smaller blocks might accomplish from an urban design standpoint; and other influences from developers. Ms. Gordon agreed with the goals presented; however, he had questions about lack of funds in the residential grant program, can funds be added, and why nothing was allocated. Mr. Simon said $75,000 is available in this year's budget that has not yet been requested by an outside entity. The residential grant program is not as attractive as the commercial grants; homebuyer's assistance program is run by the City. The CRA felt the program was cumbersome for the amount of return and the funds could be better allocated elsewhere. Over the 2 Meeting Minutes CRA Advisory Board Boynton Beach, Florida September 3, 2020 last three years, $250,000 was spent, some was put to good use, and Habitat for Humanity is working on last year's grant. Motion made by Ms. Gordon, seconded by Mr. Devlin, to approve Assignment 7.A.1 as submitted. In a voice vote, the motion passed unanimously (5-0). 2. Review of Commercial Properties with Boynton Beach Boulevard Corridor within CRA Area. Mr. Simon stated this item is built upon the last meeting and is more defined by input at the Board meeting by Mr. Simon and Mr. Devlin. The Board looked at major corridors: East Boynton Beach Boulevard, Federal, portions of Gateway, Ocean Avenue, and part of Woolbright, settling on East Boynton Beach Boulevard properties along that corridor. Mr. Devlin challenged the exercise of the advantages of acquiring certain properties if there is no funding; the Board's response was that there is limited funding in the acquisition line; however, there are other area of the budget (e.g., contingency) where it's conceivable. The exercise the Board may assign would be to theoretically create a situation where a property is so important that the Board may consider tapping into other resources; or if there currently are none, the process and knowledge of the area(s) is already established for years ahead. Mr. Devlin explained the Board's thinking on considering advantageous properties to acquire in the future. Vice Chair Hendricks commended this planning exercise and was glad the scope was narrowed. This is a critical corridor and a gateway to the City. Roadway improvements and potential development is enormous with the new Town Square and the Marina District. Consideration can also be given to other main corridors and how other cities handled such challenges. The subway headquarters is done, it is attractive and requires little more improvement; open spaces are an opportunity for redevelopment. Mr. Simon noted that NE 2nd is a lower priority than fronting on Boynton Beach Boulevard. Discussion ensued on exercises to visualize what the corridor could be, to provide a visual reference; this visualization already exists for Boynton Beach Boulevard, but can used as an example for future exercises. Discussion continued on the subway headquarters, sidewalks, the 2023 roadway plan, bike paths, and more. Mr. Simon recapped that funding has been set aside; bidding has gone out for design firm; and the FDOT process. The 1-95 / Boynton Beach Boulevard exchange project will be done all at once. There will be a two-lane exist east from northbound (images will be sent); basically, it will be what was done to Woolbright. No time frame has been given; but probably will be 16-18 months start to finish. Regarding landscaping, the CRA is picking up the bill for the project and the City will take over maintenance of the installation. As to the power lines, there are designs showing how it could be done; but it is more 3 Meeting Minutes CRA Advisory Board Boynton Beach, Florida September 3, 2020 expensive than funds available. Underground lines will be addressed when new development comes in for key blocks with allocation of funds in the future. Discussion ensued on how this can be accomplished in sections of developments. Mr. Simon led additional discussion on how the Board Members can approach this assignment, to pick a block to explore and accept that there may be some duplication of efforts. Consideration for assignments in dividing up the four sections of the corridor were discussed along with possible criteria. This does not need to be completed by the next meeting; this is an evolving assignment, a "living document" of sorts. Mr. Devlin inquired about approaching the Latin American market to redevelop and make nicer along Boynton Beach Boulevard. Mr. Simon commented on the purpose of the CRA's strategic planning goals and listed the ways some of these properties have been tackled in recent years; as the Board moves forward there may be an opportunity to discuss further and perhaps provide consultations along with incentivization and commercial grant programs. B. Reports on Pending Assignments Chief Gregory noted that overall crime is going down citywide; though there is some violence and drugs in the Heart of Boynton area. Mr. Devlin asked about the protest walks; Chief Gregory said they went well and were peaceful; there was open communication while helping to facilitate 1St Amendment rights. 8. Future Agenda Items- None CRA Board meeting is September 8, 2020. 9. Adjournment Upon motion duly made and seconded, in a voice vote, the motion passed unanimously (5-0) and the meeting was adjourned at 7:42 p.m. Attachments: Proposed Fiscal Year 2020-2021 Project Fund Budget [Minutes transcribed by M. Moore, Prototype, Inc.] 4