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Minutes 01-07-21 MINUTES OF THE CRAADVISORY BOARD MEETING WebEx MEETING 100 E. OCEAN AVENUE BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA 33435 HELD ON THURSDAY, JANUARY 7, 2021, AT 6:30 P.M. PRESENT: STAFF: Allan Hendricks, Vice Chair Michael Simon, CRA Executive Director Angela Cruz Bonnie Nicklien, CRA Grants & Project Mngr Thomas Devlin Crysta Parkinson, Prototype, Inc. Golene Gordon (arr. 6:42) Sharon Grcevic ALSO PRESENT: Aquannette Thomas Sergeant Henry Diehl ABSENT: Anthony Barber, Chair 1. Call to Order The meeting was called to order by Vice Chair Hendricks 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 Ms. Cruz noted that the Agenda should be amended to read 6:30 start time to 5:30. B. Adoption of Agenda Motion was made by Ms. Cruz, seconded by Mr. Devlin, to adopt as amended. In a voice vote, the motion passed unanimously (5-0). 4. Information Only Mr. Simon gave a follow-up to the last meeting and the RFP presentations given to the CRA Board on December 8; this was the same presentation that was given to the CRAAB Board of December 3. The CRA Board selected Boynton Beach Cottage District LLC, which was second in consensus by the CRAAB Board. Staff has been directed to conduct meetings with the development team regarding this site plan. The first meeting between CRA Staff and the developer was on December 28 to begin making adjustments based on City input. As the developer Meeting Minutes CRA Advisory Board Boynton Beach, Florida January 7, 2021 is not accustomed to working with a CRA, there is a bit of a learning curve. Changes thus far are all regulatory: drainage, radiuses, frontages. It is unknown whether the CRAAB will have an opportunity to comment on the revised site plan or proforma. An additional item is that the Legacy project that was before the Commission and tabled for weeks, has at least had the land use and zoning approved at the January 6 meeting at first reading. Despite a lot of citizenry concern, and a 6-1 vote by P&D to deny the project, it passed Commission 5-0. It will come before the Commission again in two weeks for a second reading for any further input. [Golene Gordon joined the meeting at 6:42 p.m.] Ms. Thomas expressed a concern over the lack of the Cottage District developer utilizing Boynton Beach businesses and contractors in the area. Mr. Simon said that they had a general statement that they would try to use local subcontractors, presenting a list of contractors they have already engaged. This was stressed to definitely become part of the agreement. It is unknown as to why the Board chose Cottage District LLC over Pulte despite recommendation; but Staff will keep it on their radar to make sure the language, as far as possible, gets into the contract for a more robust plan for dealing with local contractors. Mr. Hendricks noted he was the only one who attended the CRA meeting; this topic did come up and it was informative to watch them deliberate and arrive at their conclusion. Mr. Hendricks stated his excitement that this project is moving forward as it has been a long time coming. General discussion followed on ethical bargaining for purchase of adjoining private property as well as use of local subcontractors. Mr. Simon explained some of the points of the CRA Board's deliberations (in 2018 and currently) and discussed hypotheticals regarding what could happen causing an RFP contract to fall apart. Mr. Simon will report back with the site plan and the CRAAB Board is invited to tune into the CRA Board meetings for updates; additional CRA redevelopment projects are on the agenda for the upcoming meeting (115 Project, Ocean One Project, MLK/Federal Highway, and more). Mr. Hendricks asked Ms. Nicklien to make a regular practice of sending invitations to the Advisory Board members. Mr. Hendricks asked if the large developer Pulte perhaps made this proposal to balance out affordable housing units with their other projects. Mr. Simon did not believe any of the respondents were doing these proposals as part of a requirement to build units in the County. More than anything it was an opportunity to get a large tract of land east of I-95, which is very difficult. General discussion followed. Mr. Hendricks stated large developers are required to put a portion of their development into more affordable and workforce housing as part of a requirement for doing business in the County/City. 2 Meeting Minutes CRA Advisory Board Boynton Beach, Florida January 7, 2021 Discussion continued as to whether it matters what recommendations the Advisory Board makes if the City Commission does not go with their recommendations. Mr. Simon explained the dynamics (depending on the season and the item and the project), and how opinions are weighed by the Commission. Board members were encouraged to go to the Commission meetings and speak as a citizen and not just a Board member. Mr. Simon and Mr. Hendricks encouraged the Board Members to not take it personally, the Commission does hear the Advisory Board and the CRA Staff's input as well, but ultimately it is their decision to make. 5. Public Comment -- None 6. Consent A. Approval of CRAAdvisory Board Meeting Minutes — December 3, 2020 Motion made by Ms. Gordon, seconded by Mr. Devlin, to approve the December 3, 2020, minutes. In a voice vote, the motion passed unanimously (6-0). 7. Assignments A. Pending Assignments i. Review of Commercial Properties within Boynton Beach Boulevard Corridor within CRAArea Mr. Simon noted that all that is needed at this juncture is to finalize the work done to date on this item, then report to the CRA Board on the completed assignment. Recapping the assignment: Is that corridor something the CRA Board should focus energy and effort on in future acquisitions? Past meetings revealed consensus that the corridor is a gateway to the Downtown, there are some vacant and somewhat derelict properties that could be improved by CRA; the corridor deserves focus rather than a haphazard approach. Mr. Hendricks opined that CRA projects are up to ten years in the making and Boynton Beach Corridor is truly the entrance to the new development in Boynton Beach; mission is critical that a good job is done with it. However, this corridor isn't any more important than Federal Corridor. The report should reflect the condition and potential for all levels of redevelopment. Mr. Hendricks proposed this Board go back and take another look, rate or grade the commercial properties as a template for future projects that may come from the CRA (rather like an inventory). General discussion ensued in recalling what had been done to date and reported at previous Board Meetings. Mr. Hendricks was recommended for preparing a template to reflect the research done on this project and going forward for future CRA Board requests. Mr. Devlin felt the two to three properties identified on each block was a good start. 3 Meeting Minutes CRA Advisory Board Boynton Beach, Florida January 7, 2021 Mr. Hendricks asked for a sort of executive summary from each Board Member of the properties identified thus far submitted to Ms. Nicklien as a Word document; from there a report can be compiled identifying the findings in each quadrant with Mr. Hendricks adding some graphics. Ms. Grcevic noted that with the work being done now, when the pandemic lifts, the City will be ready to move and welcome more development. General discussion followed on how City Development may be changing with the work- from-home trends; however, this project focuses on identifying what needs beautification and possible development. Finer points were discussed in preparing the report, keeping in mind that the Board is not being asked to write a plan or review a particular piece of property. Mr. Devlin had an unrelated question: The Taco Bell going in on Federal and 23rd, is that a drive-in only? It looks like a tiny footprint building with a lot of parking lot. Mr. Devlin wondered if he missed the site plan for this development. Mr. Simon recommended going to City Commission website, search agendas for Taco Bell approval. The site plan approved by the City should be attached to that agenda item. A brief discussion of setbacks required by the Federal Highway regulations followed, how this has affected other businesses and projects. ii. New Assignments -- None 8. CRA Board Items for CRAAdvisory Board Review and Recommendations A. Old Business -- None B. New Business -- None 9. Future Agenda Items -- None 10. Adjournment Upon motion duly made and seconded, in a voice vote, the motion passed unanimously (6-0) and the meeting was adjourned at 7:34 p.m. Attachments: None [Minutes transcribed by M. Moore, Prototype, Inc.] 4