Minutes 07-20-21 Minutes of the City Commission Meeting
Held Online Via the GoToWebinar Platform and
In-Person at the City Hall Commission Chambers
100 East Ocean Avenue, Boynton Beach, Florida
On Tuesday, July 20, 2021, at 5:30 P.M.
Present:
Mayor Steven B. Grant Lori LaVerriere, City Manager
Vice Mayor Woodrow L. Hay James Cherof, City Attorney
Commissioner Christina L. Romelus Crystal Gibson, City Clerk
Commissioner Ty Penserga
Absent:
Commissioner Justin Katz
1. Openings
A. Call to Order - Mayor Steven B. Grant
Mayor Grant called the meeting to order at 5:33 p.m.
Roll Call
City Clerk Gibson called the roll. A quorum was present.
Invocation by Rabbi Michael M. Simon of Temple Beth Kodesh
The Invocation was given by Rabbi Simon of Temple Beth Kodesh.
Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag led by Commissioner Romelus
Commissioner Romelus led the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
Agenda Approval:
1. Additions, Deletions, Corrections
Mayor Grant requested an item to be added under Administrative to discuss his
upcoming trip to Washington, D.C.
Commissioner Romelus requested to have a proclamation added to the agenda as
Item 3E.
2. Adoption
Motion
Vice Mayor Hay moved to approve the agenda as amended. Commissioner Penserga
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seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
2. Other
A. Informational items by the Members of the City Commission.
Commissioner Romelus had no disclosures.
Commissioner Penserga had no disclosures.
Vice Mayor Hay disclosed on July 17th, he attended the Feeding South Florida event.
Mayor Grant disclosed that on July 7th, he attended story time at the Library. On July 8th,
he attended a luncheon at The Lord's Place at their new temporary location. On July 15th,
he attended the TPA (Transportation Planning Agency) meeting, and that afternoon he
did a tour of Hunters Run's new facility. On July 16th, he attended the Land Use and
Economic Development Committee meeting; the item he put forth will be going to
legislation. On July 17th, he attended Rock the Block. On July 18th, he attended Troy's
25th anniversary. On July 19th, he met with US Secretary of Labor, Marty Walsh, with
Louis Franklin at the City of Palm Beach. July 20th, he went to the Al Amin Center for Eid
al-Adha the Feast of Sacrifice. He also spoke with Thompson Scott.
3. Announcements, Community and Special Events and Presentations
A. State Representative Emily Slosberg to provide an update on the
2021 Florida Legislative Session.
State Representative Emily Slosberg, House District 91, provided an update on the 2021
Florida Legislative Session. This session was difficult for everyone involved. The State
of Florida was open except for the Capital. Legislation did pass a $101B dollar budget,
most of it came from the American Rescue Plan. House Bill 673 Gail's Law. Gail is a
resident of Orlando who was brutally and sexually assaulted. Her rape kit sat on a shelf
for over 30 years. Gail was contacted last year and after 30 years of not knowing
anything, it turned out that her attacker had been a serial rapist and had been
incarcerated for the last decade. House Bill 673 requires law enforcement to create and
maintain a statewide database tracking sexual assault. It gives the victim the opportunity
to track their rape kits throughout the process. A bill was passed that will allow automatic
renewal for home exemptions for low income seniors. Another bill that was passed was
the bicycle and pedestrian safety. This will allow for bike lanes and when you can ride
two across and when you can ride single file. The state has a problem on the roadway
with bicyclist and pedestrian fatalities. Representative Slosberg did file legislation to
make handsfree. Currently handsfree is only in school and active construction zones.
Senate Bill 90 restricts accessibility to voting. It will restrict the hours for the mail-in
ballot drop boxes. The bill also prohibits water and food to be passed out at the voting
locations. Several extension laws were passed as well. Home-based businesses will
have to comply with zoning within the city. District boundaries will be redrawn for state
and federal legislators.
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Vice Mayor Hay inquired what was the rationale behind not allowing food or water to be
handed out at voting locations.
Representative Slosberg responded the premise of the bill was to strengthen the
intergrity of elections. She does not see how not allowing water and food distribution at
the polling location strengthens the intergrity of elections.
Mayor Grant inquired about the 100 feet distance from the polling location.
Representative Slosberg stated that it was going back and forth between the House and
the Senate, in the end it stayed the same distance.
Mayor Grant stated that he was happy to hear about Gail's Law. Is there a way that in
the future that the legislature could help get the funding for retesting of DNA on cold
cases?
Representative Slosberg replied that is something she will ask the committee to look
into.
Commissioner Penserga thanked Representative Slosberg for championing Gail's Law.
He inquired why is there a back log of rape kits and what can the State do?
Representative Slosberg stated that it comes down to the resources. She is happy to
report that the back log of rape kits has been cleared. The State no longer has a back
log.
Commissioner Romelus stated that it is very important to have women in office and
representation. Things like Gail's Law gets across the table and get done.
B. Dorothy Jacks, Palm Beach County Property Appraiser, will provide an
annual update to the CityCommission.
Dorothy Jacks, Palm Beach County Property Appraiser, provided a presentation to give
an annual update.
Mayor Grant asked why is the appraisal different from the sale of a multifamily property?
Ms. Jacks responded that multifamily is valued as commercial property and normally on
commercial property an income approach to value. They look at what is rent on the units
how many of the units are occupied. It is the same concept as an office tower. That is
why the numbers are different.
Mayor inquired if the property appraiser looks at audited financial statements or
statements that are provided by the property owner.
Ms. Jacks stated that the appraiser's office looks at their statements, yet if they seem to
be out of the realm of reality they will not use them, and would use a compatible property.
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Mayor Grant stated that industrial or office space that has sold they are not appraised
at their market rate they are appraised at their income rate.
Ms. Jacks commented that it about the value in use.
Commissioner Romelus stated she would like to see the housing median for the fiscal
year.
Ms. Jacks stated the appraiser's office goes by calendar year, they will know more in the
spring of next year. The first quarter of this year was strong, the second quarter not as
strong and the appraiser's office is waiting to see what the third and fourth quarters bring.
All homesteaded residents will only see an increase of 1.4% that is the change in the
CPI which what the cap is set at.
Commissioner Romelus inquired if the appraiser's office has open workshops explaining
the value of their property.
Ms. Jacks responded that the appraiser's office does as much as they can especially
with the website and social media. Informing people if you are a full time resident here
and you have not moved everything should be relatively okay. The proposed tax bill that
is mailed every August will show them property value and the increase in property tax.
It gives the property owner the opportunity to petition the value of their property if they
think it is too high.
C. Proclamation recognizing and commemorating the 31st anniversary
of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The proclamation will be
accepted by Stephanie Soplop, Recreation and Assessment Specialist
and Ted Goodenough, ADA Coordinator Assistant.
Stephanie Soplop, Recreation and Assessment Specialist, and Ted Goodenough,
ADA Coordinator Assistant, accepted the proclamation.
Ms. Soplop thanked the Mayor for signing the proclamation. She knows that the City
does have a commitment to inclusion and acceptability in Boynton Beach, it's not just
words on paper it has true meaning. A debt of gratitude goes to the former ADA
Coordinator Debbie Majors who started inclusion in the City. Mr. Goodenough sends
emails to the City employees called Terrific Tuesdays with Ted to continue spreading
inclusion and acceptability knowledge. Ted is going to say a few words about that.
Mr. Goodenough stated that at his side is Rosie his guide dog. In 1972, he was told
that he was legally blind there was a pause in the room it was quie and he finally said,
is there an illegally blind? When the ADA law was signed in 1990, he went to the
company he was working for and told them about the new act and that there were tax
credits available to them. They came back two weeks later and said you are not sick.
Not seeing is a disability and 35 years later he is helping people to understand that
this a law not a suggestion or a guideline.
City Manager LaVerriere stated that Ms. Soplop is being humble as she is officially the
Interim ADA Manager. Ms. Majors did a tremendous job in prepping Ms. Soplop to step
into the position and Ms. Soplop is doing an outstanding job. She also stated that Mr.
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Goodenough and Rosie are missed in the office.
Mr. Goodenough stated that he cannot wait until has a neighbor so he is not all alone.
Mayor Grant inquired if it is possible to add a link in the newsletter to Mr. Goodenough's
emails. This way more of the City is aware of what Mr. Goodenough is doing for the City.
Mr. Goodenough stated that he does have all of his emails archived.
Commissioner Romelus asked Ms. Majors to stand up for ovation. When announced at
the prior Commission meeting, Ms. Majors was unable to be in the Chambers.
D. Proclaim August 3, 2021 as "National Night Out." Boynton Police Sgt.
Henry Diehl will accept the proclamation.
Sgt. Henry Diehl accepted the proclamation. Sgt. Diehl thanked the Commission for the
proclamation. He announced that National Night Out will be on August 3rd between 5
and 8 p.m. at Barrier Free park 3110 S. Congress Avenue. He said to come on out and
have some fun with the Boynton Beach Police Department.
City Manager LaVerriere stated that August 3rd is the National Night Out and cannot be
changed.
E. Proclamation recognizing and commemorating the 10th anniversary of
Digital Vibez.
Commissioner Romelus accepted the proclamation on the behalf of Digital Vibez. She
stated that Will Romelus, no relation, is a local Palm Beach County native and he started
this nonprofit a decade ago. Mr. Romelus' intention was to just help kids be healthier, to
help kids get away from the screens and the computers and to just get out and have fun
and dance and do the things they like to do but bring physicality to it. To see the growth
his organization has been able to have and the impact they have been able to have on
our young kids. Tiktok is an app and they posted a video on Tiktok a couple months ago
and it went viral. Over 42 million people viewed the video. It is just amazing. They actually
caught the attention of the artist, Natasha Bedingfield. For anybody does not know the
song, "I've Got a Pocket Full of Sunshine." Natasha Bedingfield is going to be live in
person in Palm Beach County. You know, that is the impact and the significance of just
one little dance video on Tiktok going viral. She is going to be interacting with these
young kids and teaching them special dance moves and all that good stuff. This is
happening in our backyard in West Palm Beach. Commissioner Romelus invited
everyone to bring their kids, grandkids and come have some fun and get them away
from the tablets and screens. She added that she will be getting her kids away from
that, too.
4. Public Audience
Individual Speakers Will Be Limited To 3 Minute Presentations (at the discretion of
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the Chair,this 3 minute allowance may need to be adjusted depending on the level
of business comingbefore the City Commission)
Dave Beasley, 190 South Boulevard, said he is here about the Building Department
again. He was here before, there was some discussion, but he did not get any reply from
that. He said he knows as an attorney, Mr. Mayor, if you looked up an obscure law, you
could have me arrested today. You can do that. We feel like the building department does
that to us now. They are looking up obscure things that do not matter. He said if you did
have me arrested today, he has recourse. He can go to court. He can file an appeal.
Getting this from the Building Department, he has no recourse. If a code is misinterpreted,
there is nothing he can do about it. He has an instance now where he has a detached
guest cabana. He was told by Louis that he cannot do that. He does not know why. He
has done it before. There are quite a few cabanas in Hunters Run. He has two in the
building department in Delray right now. He has one in Lantana, and he knows they have
done them in Boynton in the past. He guesses that a cabana is not considered a second
residence on a single-family lot, and that is what my client was told. Louis told me that is
it. He said, okay, he will do a covered walkway to the cabana. No, you cannot do that, it
has to be enclosed. If he encloses it, it will attach to the garage. Louis said, no, it has to
be attached to the house. He does not believe that. He does not believe that to be true.
He has no recourse and there is nothing he can do. He was told to file for a variance. He
will not get a variance. That is for a hardship, there is no hardship. The other thing is in
Hunters Run again, he has a client that applied for a shower pan permit. It took five weeks
to get a shower pan permit. Today he had a contractor call him in Hunters Run again.
There are bands around the windows on the apartment buildings there. When the condos
were built in the early '80s the window bands were made of wood and has since rotted
out. As of the other day they were putting stucco bands around the windows. Somebody
stopped and said you have to get a permit to do that, to put stucco bands around a
window. He comes to me to get a drawing for a band around a window. He added that he
thinks that is a little out there. He has got condos that took seven months to get a permit.
It took my neighbor seven months to get a permit. She is making a mortgage payments.
Seven months. He Has another one at Inlet Harbor Club. In fact, it is Jean Moore's, is that
my three minutes.
Mayor Grant stated that is your three minutes and he was sure he could go on.
Mr. Beasley replied he could go on forever.
Mayor Grant stated that he appreciated Mr. Beasley coming here tonight. He has heard
this from numerous residents. The City is changing the building department. Whenever
you are building a new road, have you to slow down for a little bit. However, if someone
is waiting more than the six to eight weeks, it becomes the problem. He asked what is the
City doing regarding the backlog of permit applications.
City Manager LaVerriere stated that Adam Temple is prepared to talk about the
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implementation of our new system. It is up and running and the department is catching
up. He can give some statistics really quick.
Mayor Grant requested that before Mr. Beasley leaves, can Mr. Temple give him his
contact information?
City Manager LaVerriere stated that staff would be happy to sit down with Mr. Beasley
and go through and take a look at the permits he has.
Mr. Beasley suggested a workshop meeting. He can bring contractors and sit down with
the building department and figure that out.
City Manager LaVerriere pointed out Mr. Temple and told Mr. Beasley to see him to set
something up.
Mayor Grant requested that the workshop be put on future agenda to have a discussion
with the Commission regarding the status of the workshop.
Bernice Carley commented that she is a little nostalgic tonight because she used to play
pool here and dance here. She grew up on Northwest 6th Avenue. The Boynton address
is 204 Northwest 6th Avenue. She said her mom worked for City Hall, her sister was the
first female dog catcher, her dad worked at the post office. She went to Boynton
Elementary and Boynton Junior High. In her senior year, Seacrest High School became
Atlantic High School. That is when she became sisters with Debra Walker. We are in
Boynton for the celebration of the 50th anniversary of Atlantic High School. We are having
a reunion October 29th, 30th, and 31st. We would love a proclamation. We did not even
come here for that. We would love a proclamation, that it is the first class. We are
considering ourselves the first class of Atlantic High School. It was not an easy year,
believe me. Our reunions are so much. We have some information about our reunion we
would like to leave with you. She said maybe the City could put it in a newsletter and she
will let Ms. Debra say a word.
Debra Walker stated she is a Delray resident and they go by Bernice and Debra, aka
Bee and Dee. We are extremely excited. We are co-chair people for the reunion, and the
reunion is going to be in Delray. However, we are coming to Boynton on Sunday to go to
Lakeside Christian Church for church service. We will be going to Atlantic High School on
Friday for a football game, dinner and dance on Saturday and then on Sunday we will
come to church. We also have a memorial service to honor our fallen classmates. For
those of you that are too young to remember back in 1971, we only had Atlantic High
School. Most of the students from Boynton and Delray went to Atlantic. There were a few
stragglers that went to Boca Raton High and Lake Worth High. Those folks are all
represented still here in Delray. We have got people coming from around the country. We
have got folk in Idaho and Iowa coming to the reunion. The majority of us are coming from
Delray or Boynton. She lives in Delray, by the way, still. We wanted to put it out there. We
want you guys to come and see. Mr. Mayor and one of the Commissioners, we are
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inviting you to our dinner and dance at our expense on Saturday night and we will get that
information for you. It is October 30th
Ms. Carley stated that Commissioner Romelus is coming.
Ms. Walker commented that is why we are here to talk about Atlantic High School's first
graduating class.
Mayor Grant stated that he would happy to help provide a tour of the City so they can see
what the City has become and reminisce about what it used to be.
Commissioner Romelus stated she grew up in Delray. She commented that though she
is not an alum of Atlantic High School, she was in the marching band at Atlantic High
School, which was her home school. We were the eagles, still are the eagles. She still
feels that she is a fellow eagle along with Bernice and Debra, even though she graduated
from South Tech as a Bulldog. That sounds exciting. She hopes she can party along with
them.
Ms. Carley stated that they are hoping Denzel comes because she invited him.
Commissioner Romelus inquired Denzel Washington?
Ms. Carley stated that the movie Remember the Titans was about what they went through.
They had bomb scares, riots, no one was happy about losing their school but we made
it. We came together, mostly through our football.
Ms. Walker stated she was the first African American cheerleader at Seacrest and Atlantic
High School.
Vice Mayor Hay commented just as a piece of history, the Eagles, the mascot for Atlantic
came from Carver High School because they kept the mascot for Carver, which he was
a part of. He said he feels connected.
Annette Grey, GDBC Entrepreneurship Institute, said she would be remiss if she did not
take a moment to say thank you to the City of Boynton Beach. Our Christmas in July for
the homeless this weekend was amazing. It was moving, it was impactful. The City of
Boynton Beach really saved the day because about four days prior to the event we lost
our location. If not for the great relationship and support she has had over the years, not
just from your staff member but from your leadership team, our event would not have
happened. Lori LaVerriere, you are amazing. Police chief, you are amazing. Fire chief,
you are amazing. Staff, the marketing department, everybody pulled together and helped
us to have this event. She was exhausted from making it happen but so fulfilled because
one of the people we helped was a young man who had not had a shower in three months.
She is still emotional about it because he came up and wanted to take a shower. He took
a shower. Then he wanted to take a picture because he felt he was clean enough to stand
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next to her now. Commissioner Penserga, thank you so much for sponsoring the mobile
shower and laundry units. It was a community event, young, old, black and white. She
added that she wants everybody to know we made such an impact and said thank you.
Sarah Parrish, SW 1st Street and 12th Avenue. Her concern is the drivers that are
running the stop signs in her neighborhood. About a month ago a driver ran a stop sign t-
boned another car and her car ended in the front of my door. She said she was there to
represent this HOT-C (House On The Corner). All the houses on the corner that she did
get a chance to go to today, and she got 20 signatures today, are concerned about this
because we see it all the time. She was unable to go through the whole neighborhood yet
she is going to continue to do that. There was another time we woke up and there was
tracks through my yard. She said she thought it was vandalism. She does not know what
she is going to do. One of the ladies, which was a victim also signed it for her. She is at
home with a bad back. We are going through a whole lot to get my yard repaired. She
is not worried about that, just the fact that nobody died. They run through the stop signs
like they are nothing. The police department came out and put red flashing lights and it
did not work. She was walking along Woolbright and Seacrest, near 7-Eleven. She
noticed a solar camera. She requested that solar cameras be put on the stop signs so
tickets can be issued because it is really getting bad.
Mayor Grant stated thank you for bringing this to us. You stated 1st Street and 12th
Avenue, which one?
Ms. Parrish replied Southwest 1st Street and 12th Avenue. She has seen four accidents
since she has been there and she has been there four years. Every year she has seen
an accident. There are no speed signs. We have kids who walk to Forest Park and there
are no crossing guards there. The sidewalk only goes a portion, the kids have to cross
the street to get back on another sidewalk. Very dangerous. There are cars that park
across the sidewalk. It is really bad.
Mayor Grant stated the City is implementing a program with ARPA funds to what is the
Drive safe, Boynton. Thank you for coming here and please leave your list with our City
Clerk.
Ms. Parrish inquired when she comes to the next meeting.
Mayor Grant replied absolutely. Our City Engineer, Interim Public Works director will
speak to you about the program and see where you are on the list for Drive Safe Boynton
because it is not just your area.
Commissioner Romelus asked her to repeat her name.
Ms. Parrish replied Sarah Parrish.
Commissioner Romelus stated she appreciates Ms. Parrish bringing attention and
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awareness to this. This is not something new. We have been talking about Southwest
13th and Southwest 12th, these two roads especially when people use it as a cut-through
when they do not want to wait on Woolbright. It is a big problem. The City has been
discussing this for years how to improve it and fix it. The City has done a couple of things.
There is more to do obviously. The City has been working on it, discussing it and the City
has more things to implement to keep fixing the problem there.
Gary Maresca, Dos Lagos, owner of GM Construction Inc. Mr. Beasley asked him to
come over and say a few words. My business has been located within the city limits
almost 30 years. What is happening is the building department plan reviewers are
interpreting these codes with ordinances to the extreme, and they are actually creating a
hardship for the owners and a hardship for the contractors. On the contracting side, he
does not work in Boynton Beach because he cannot have men sit around and wait for
permits. It is true to take two, three, and four months. On the client's side they hire
unlicensed people. When you explain to them what it takes, how much it will cost, they
cannot afford it. And there has to be a balance of something somehow. A Town of Palm
Beach inspector who has rental properties here wants to put a fence up. His father used
to work in the building department. Not only does he need a permit because it is a rental
property, even though he is extremely qualified as the threshold inspector, he has to hire
a general contractor and also get engineering. You cannot find engineering for the fencing
at Home Depot. These are some of the extreme instances that the people in plan review
of the building department are actually controlling the entire building department and also
driving the bus. They are not letting the inspectors take and look at what is out there,
and they are not going out there and seeing. They are asking the architects, the builders
to document all this information that really is not necessary or can be checked in the field.
Case in point we have a repair on one wall. It took two months to get a permit. One
inspector said, okay, tell us about your smoke detectors. We are not touching electrical.
You need to comply with the electrical code. Yes, it is in the book, why cannot the
inspector at the time of inspecting look at it. He said the building department insisted he
get an electrician throughout the entire home for one repair, show all the smoke detectors
and get a permit. That is why builders do not want to work in Boynton Beach.
Mayor Grant stated he understands. He has heard from multiple people sometimes the
City loses the original drawing or does not have the original drawing and the homeowner
or contractor needs to create a drawing of what is already there for the City. It is something
that we need to have the workshop because we have a lot of new homeowners. We do
not want the mentality, "let's not get the permit and build anyway."
Mr. Maresca stated he is not good at this. He has never done this before. The plan
reviews you need to understand that in the first chapter of the building code when it comes
to it says the laws that were in existence at the time of the building completed shall be
permitted to comply with the provisions of the laws in existence at the time the original
building was such permitted. But in their far grasping reach, well, is the egress okay, is
this okay, is zoning okay. He understands it but it goes so far beyond the actual codes
and the intent of building, and this is what the people that are sitting behind desks doing
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to the contractors and the owners. He cannot afford to build here. They do not want me.
They want the unlicensed guys.
Commissioner Romelus stated that she has been working with staff profusely on this for
the last few months and years really, because we have all sat here and listened to
developers, builders and general contractors. She has experienced some of these
difficulties. It is not something that the City is not aware of. The City has internally
discussed what problems are. One, it is lack of actual planned reviewers that are in-
house, the City is contracted with outside entities to review our plans and that causes that
bottleneck effect where they are having one person who tells you this and another
contractor that comes from somewhere else and they tell you that. She understands his
frustration. The City has implemented a system that will try to take permitting process for
some of our more frequent permitting processes such as fence permits and pool permits.
The City is in the process of implementing a system that helps stream lines it The City is
hoping to see improvement from that and working to do a couple more things. The City is
are aware of these problems. The City is working to fix them. In addition to that, the City
is also doing things like being willing to sit down and have this workshop because she
thinks that a workshop will be a very instrumental and eye-opening resource to really talk
with the people who are on the ground like you and the people who are at the desks like
some of the people we contract with and bring them together and have a meeting of the
minds and try to figure out what are some of the parts we can iron out to streamline the
process and make it easier. She understands it, sometimes what is on paper does not
compute it does not make sense when you are implementing it on the ground. That
disconnect has to stop. Let me apologize to you guys on behalf of government just does
not get it right. This is one of those moments that should not impede your way of life, nor
should it prevent you from doing business in the City of Boynton Beach. The City is a
business-friendly community. The City does want a have a situation where people are
saying, "forget it. Throw my hands up. I cannot work here." The City is going to do its best
to work with you all to fix that. The City is going to do its best to make things better moving
forward.
5. Administrative
A. Review and approve proposed agenda for art advisory board agenda
workshop.
Glenn Weiss, Public Art Manager, stated that the Art Advisory Board has a proposed
date and agenda for the workshop. The proposed date is Saturday, August 21st at 10:00
a.m. here in City Hall. The board is not sure which room that would take place in. There
are three simple items on the agenda that need to be addressed at the workshop.
Mayor Grant commented he is excited to hear the recommendations. Normally, the
advisory boards do not come to the Commission meetings and present to the
Commission. It has been too long since that has happened. He is looking forward to the
education of public art. How to we plan to educate not just children but adults as well?
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Mr. Weiss remarked that is very important to several of the members of the Board.
Commissioner Romelus stated she is also looking forward to the third agenda item,
which is the communication participation especially by diverse communities. She
definitely wants to see more inclusion in the art and artists that we are curating from.
Commissioner Penserga stated that he supports the proposed agenda. He does have a
question regarding item two. It says evaluation and recommended proposals for those
events. Could you elaborate what they mean by evaluation? Are they evaluating
financial sustainability of these events? What are they evaluating exactly?
Mr. Weiss commented that the Board is looking at the full roundness of particular events,
especially kinetic and Avenue of the Arts on Ocean Avenue. They would recommend to
the Commission that is the way they would spend the City's Art in Public Places fund
money in terms of the event but also how was it successful the last time it took place.
Who did it benefit? How did it benefit the City? What are the ways in which it is a gift to
the City and to the citizens here today.
Commissioner Penserga stated excellent, those are the same questions he would have.
Motion
Commissioner Romelus moved to approve. Commissioner Penserga seconded the
motion. The motion passed unanimously.
B. Ratify the selection of Julie Mondello as the Chair and Betty Pierce-
Roe as the Vice Chair of the Recreation & Parks Advisory Board.
Motion
Commissioner Penserga moved to approve. Vice Mayor Hay seconded the motion.
The motion passed unanimously.
C. Appointment of eligible members of the community to serve in vacant
positions on City advisory boards.
D. Consider approval of the Mayor traveling to Washington D.C. in his official
capacity as Mayor to present and support Federal Govt. assistance for Cuba
and Haiti.
Mayor Grant stated that last Thursday, he forgot to mention in his disclosures, he was at
the box gallery for the press conference for the community showing support for the self-
determination of Cubans in Cuba and that the regime that is in Cuba allows for election.
Part of the call was to have local elected officials go up to Washington, D.C. and help
lobby and petition the Federal Government and Congress to help our neighbors to the
south. He spoke with Councilwoman Frankel, who is on a subcommittee for foreign
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affairs, and he is meeting with her assistant, Bradley Solyan. In addition, the City has a
sister city in Haiti. He believes the current Prime Minister has requested U.S. Troops for
their next election. The last aspect is he did receive an e-mail from the recognized
government of Venezuela who are looking for locations to help with the new TPS matters
for Venezuelans. TPS stands for temporary protected status. That is something he thinks
should be put on future agenda to help people looking to be here legally to encourage
that. He is not asking for any money, but requests the consent of the Commission to
travel as the Mayor of Boynton Beach to D.C.
Commissioner Penserga stated to clarify, you are going there in a lobbying capacity to
support the people of Cuba and Haiti?
Vice Mayor Hay commented that it is more of a data gathering, not a position of this
Board.
Mayor Grant replied, correct, he wants to go as the Mayor of Boynton Beach and that is
the request tonight.
Vice Mayor Hay commented he does not have a problem with it.
Commissioner Penserga stated that he supports it as well.
Commissioner Romelus commented it is a little personal, apologized and asked for a
second away from the dais.
Mayor Grant commented, all right and that he needs a motion.
Commissioner Penserga reiterated that the Mayor is going there to obtain information
and to come back to us and give a presentation.
Mayor Grant replied, correct. He has a meeting with Lois Frankel's assistant there, Mr.
Solyan, to help Cubans in Cuba, Haitians in Haiti and Venezuelans in Venezuela. There
are family members here in the City of Boynton Beach seeing the stories on social media,
hearing the stories in the news of what is going on. He thinks as a democracy that we are
promoting, we should help countries that need assistance. He understands that this is not
necessarily within the job title as mayor. That is why he is asking permission to go as
mayor. Otherwise he can still just go as Steven Grant.
Commissioner Romelus thanked the Mayor for giving her a second to collect herself. In
her personal opinion, she would prefer he goes as Steven Grant, not as the Mayor of the
City of Boynton Beach, simply because this is a very contentious issue for several people.
She personally does not support U.S. Troops being on Haitian soil, so she cannot stand
and say she would support the Mayor going to Washington, D.C., to lobby for that,
wearing the title of Mayor of Boynton Beach. She is going to personally decline his
request.
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Mayor Grant replied that he did not say that for the nations of Cuba and Venezuela
because he knows it is a sensitive subject of sending U.S. Troops over there. He does
believe the Biden administration has sent troops to protect the embassy. It is something
that he was listening to what that administration was requesting. For his trip in Haiti, he
saw the national police and he saw the military that is there. There is assistance that is
needed. Whether it is troops or not troops, he will still be lobbying for assistance for Haiti
after the assassination of their prime minister.
Commissioner Romelus stated the President was assassinated, not the Prime Minister.
Mayor Grant stated that it is her determination whether to make a motion or not. But that
is his belief that trying to lobby our federal government for the assistance, in addition to
help with the infrastructure bills. He believes there are two going on. Build back better,
to bring back infrastructure to our City. He spoke with Councilwoman Frankel about that.
Also, to make sure the City is understanding how to use our ARPA funds. He apologized
for upsetting Commissioner Romelus.
Commissioner Romelus commented no need to apologize. She would be in favor of the
Mayor going as the Mayor of Boynton Beach as long as it is not to take a side or to make
a particular stance on any international affairs that do not fall within the purview of the
City of Boynton Beach. She thinks it is good and well that the U.S., if they so choose, can
provide aid. But again, there is history, having U.S. Troops on Haitian soil, a sovereign
nation, there is a lot there. There is a lot to unpack there. She cannot take the position
as a City Commissioner to say that he should go and lobby for that in that regard. But if
he is lobbying for things relevant to the City of Boynton Beach, please, absolutely go in
his capacity as Mayor of Boynton Beach because that only benefits our residents.
Anything internationally related should not be under the purview of that.
Mayor Grant stated that he understands and accepts the limitation.
Commissioner Penserga stated to be absolutely clear, he is going as our Mayor in an
information capacity to bring back suggestions or proposals on how we could be helpful
from the City level. Not to take a particular position in Washington.
Mayor Grant replied, absolutely.
Vice Mayor Hey inquired about the Mayor lobbying.
Mayor Grant stated he would like to, however, that is not something he has done.
Motion
Commissioner Penserga moved to approve the Mayor to travel to Washington D.C. in his
official capacity as Mayor of Boynton Beach, for informational/data gathering purposes
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only. Vice Mayor Hay seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
6. Consent Agenda
Matters in this section of the Agenda are proposed and recommended by the City
Manager for"Consent Agenda" approval of the action indicated in each item, with all
of the accompanyingmaterial to become a part of the Public Record and subject to
staff comments
A. Accept the written report to the Commission for purchases over
$10,000 for the month of June2021 .
B. Approve the one-year extension for RFPs/Bids and/ or piggy-backs
for the procurement of services and/or commodities under $100,000
as described in the written report for July 20, 2021 - "Request for
Extensions and/or Piggybacks."
C. Approve the Piggy-back of the State of Florida Alternate Contract
#43211500-WSCA-15-ACS for the purchase of Dell workstations,
Monitors, and accessories from Dell Marketing LP of Round Rock, TX
in an amount not to exceed $57,786.09. The Florida Alternate
Contract procurement process satisfies the City's competitive bid
requirements.
D. Proposed Resolution No. R21-078 - Approve and authorize the City
Manager to sign the Statement of Work Summary from ERMProtect
(Enterprise Risk Management) piggy-backing a previously approved
on August 4, 2020 GSA Contract number GS-35F-0417X to renew
the purchase of Qualys advanced threat detection and patch
management software to monitor, detect,remediate and prevent
cybersecurity events on our City computer assets for the annual cost
of $42,000.
E. Proposed Resolution No. R21-079 -Approve transmittal of the City of
Boynton Beach State Housing Initiative Partnership (SHIP) Program
Annual Report for FY2017-2018, and authorize the Mayor to sign the
corresponding Local Housing Certification.
F. Proposed Resolution No. R21-080 - Approve the City's Local Housing
Assistance Plan (LHAP) for Fiscal Years 2021-2022, 2022-2023, and 2023-
2024.
G. Proposed Resolution No. R21-081 -Approve an amendment to the
consulting agreement with Kimley Horn & Assoc., Inc. (KHA) for an
additional $72,115.00 and the survey agreement with Wantman
Group, Inc. (WGI) for an additional $15,685.00 for services associated
with the SE 1st Street Sidewalk Improvements and approve the utility
Capital Improvement Plan(CIP) budget transfer of $87,800.00 to fund
the additional services.
H. Proposed Resolution No. R21-082 - Authorize the Mayor to sign an
amendment for a time extension to the State Grant Agreement with the
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Florida Department of Health (FDOH) for the purchase and installation
of fluoride storage and feed equipment at the City's East Water
Treatment facility.
I. Approve minutes from the City Commission meeting on July 6, 2021 .
Motion
Commissioner Penserga moved to approve the Consent Agenda. Vice Mayor Hay
seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
7. Consent Bids and Purchases Over $100,000
A. Approve the one-year extension for RFPs/Bids and/ or piggybacks
for the procurement of services and/or commodities as described in
the written report for July 20, 2021 - "Request forExtensions and/or
Piggybacks Over $100,000."
B. Authorize utilizing the GSA contract GS-07F-173GA, previously
approved on 9/1/2020, for the purchase of security equipment and
services for Real Time Crime Center, Intracoastal and Harvey Oyer
Parks on an "as needed basis" from Broadcast Systems up to the
amount of $485,000.00.
C. Proposed Resolution No. R21-083 - Approve and authorize City
Manager to sign a 5 year agreement with Motorola Solutions for the
Vigilant LPR fixed subscription model solution forthe total amount of
$250,799.40.
D. Approve award of Annual Supply of Brass Fittings and Accessories
Bid #083-1412-21 to the following three (3) companies Core and
Main, Ferguson Enterprises, and Fortiline Inc. with an estimated
annual expenditure of $250,000.
E. Proposed Resolution No. R21-084 - Approve Change Order No. 1 to amend
the contract with Southern Underground Industries, Inc. in the amount of
$143,129.09 with a time extension of 120calendar days.
Motion
Vice Mayor Hay moved to approve the Consent Bids and Purchases of $100,00.
Commissioner Penserga seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
8. Public Hearing
6 p.m. or as soon thereafter as the agenda permits. The City Commission will
conduct these public hearings in its dual capacity as Local Planning Agency and
City Commission.
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A. Proposed Ordinance No. 21-023 Second Reading - An Ordinance of the City
of Boynton Beach, Florida, amending Article III of Chapter 18 of the
Boynton Beach Code of Ordinances entitled "Municipal Police Officers'
Retirement Trust Fund;" amending Section 18-169, Requirements for
Retirement Benefit Amounts, providing for conflict, providing for
severability, and providing for an effective date.
Attorney Cherof read Proposed Ordinance No. 21-023 by title only on Second Reading.
Motion
Commissioner Penserga moved to approve. Vice Mayor Hay seconded the motion.
Vote
City Clerk Gibson called the roll. The vote was 4-0.
9. City Manager's Report
A. Joseph Paterniti, Utility Director will give a brief presentation on the
Utility's 2020 Water Quality Report and the Utility's backflow prevention
and cross connection control program.
Joseph Paterniti, Utility Director gave a brief presentation on the Utility's 2020 Water
Quality Report and the Utility's backflow prevention and cross connection control
program.
Commissioner Romelus inquired about the backflow. Are the residents supposed know
how to test it?
City Manager LaVerriere stated that it does not apply to residential. It is a device that is
used that if there is a drop in the water level the device keeps debris from being sucked
back into the system. She commented that Vice Mayor Hay inquired one or two
meetings ago about some of the issues that surrounding cities have had recently and it
was related to backflow. Staff wanted to assure the Commission there is a system in
place that is tracked, monitored and inspected annually to make sure devices are
appropriately working.
Vice Mayor Hay stated good job, this answered a lot of his questions. Sometime in the
past, we used to consider the idea of selling Boynton Beach water. Would you say based
on what we have in place you would still hold to that?
City Manager LaVerriere stated the City has the best water in south Florida. The City has
excellent water quality and a great aquifer.
Vice Mayor Hay inquired what were the problems the other cities were having and what
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is the City doing to prevent it from happening in Boynton Beach?
Mr. Paterniti replied he is not exactly sure what some of the problems other cities had.
His understanding is that Delray, specifically, was using irrigation, providing reclaimed
water to residential homes. He believes there was a cross-connection that went
undetected in a residential development. That is kind of where that started. That is pretty
much the limits of what I know I can say about it.
Vice Mayor Hay asked what is the City doing for cross contamination?
City Manager LaVerriere replied one was an illegal cross-connection, so Delray was not
aware. She would not recommend that the City start opining on what happened there
because the City does not have the details of the full scope of what occurred. The City
does have a backflow prevention program in place, as does Delray and other cities. By
law they have to. She thinks there was unique circumstances in Delray.
Vice Mayor Hay asked how often does the City inspect the 30 production wells?
Mr. Paterniti responded that the City has an annual inspection process. The City just
rehabilitated three of them in the western oilfield and they are back online. The City has
a regular program that looks at the wells and makes sure they are operating efficiently.
Mayor Grant stated that he will bring his reusable water container so please do not provide
him with the water from Publix because he does not know where it comes from or Niagara.
He noticed the water bottle filler outside of chambers. Is it possible to get recycled cups
or compostable cups for the chamber so that we can be a little bit more sustainable and
stop using plastic water bottles for the future?
Commissioner Penserga inquired about if the city requires annual test reports. Are the
tests or inspections performed by the City or are the property owners required to produce
these results?
Mr. Paterniti replied that the City lists all of the backflow devices in the city. Backflow
devices are on the customer side of the meter so they are required to hire a plumber and
provide the test results to us on an annual basis. If they do not, the City hires a plumber
to do the testing. The backflows are tested annually and the City keeps track of that in a
database.
10. Unfinished Business — None
11. New Business
A. Consider rescheduling the September 7, 2021 City Commission
Meeting to September 8, 2021 toallow the regular meeting and budget
adoption hearing to take place in one meeting; and considercancelling
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the December 21 , 2021 City Commission Meeting.
Motion
Commissioner Penserga moved to approve. Vice Mayor Hay seconded the motion. The
motion passed unanimously.
B. Proposed Resolution No. R21-085 - Approve and authorize the City
Manager to sign a Grant Agreement with Florida Atlantic University to
provide for the creation, development, and operation of an economic
development hub within the City Hall innovation space to accelerate
technology development and incubate startup companies.
David Scott, Director of Economic Development and Strategy, explained that the
presentation that staff is about to give covers items, 11 b. and 11 c., which is the
commercial lease agreement for the vendor as well. He is excited and very glad and
honored to bring this item forward to the Commission. It is been a long time coming. This
Commission asked the Department of Economic Development to really foster an
environment and an ecosystem for our small businesses. As we know, the City of
Boynton Beach is a city of small businesses. About 80% of our businesses are
considered small businesses. The City really wants to incubate not only small
businesses but look to incubate startups and entrepreneurs as well. The City
Commission has set aside space within City Hall we call our innovation space. In its
wisdom and forward thinking set aside this space to bring an operator to incubate small
businesses and start-ups. Through a process staff went out and sought an operator to
operate that space. Staff identified that operator and staff used a competitive process
through Avis and Young under the auspices and direction of E2L to identify that vendor.
Staff looked at best practices and saw and recognized that a University has been very
successful in operating these types of systems. Staff did not want to be too confining as
to what that program looked like. Additionally, the Commission has directed the
department to set aside $50,000 dollars to contribute towards programming for that
space, and specifically Commissioner Romelus wanted to make sure that money was
specifically set aside for programming and not for build-out. That is what this agreement
will do as well. The grant agreement before the Commission sets aside and establishes
the conditions by which the City will transfer$50,000 dollars or contribute$50,000 dollars
towards the operator, in this case being Florida Atlantic University (FAU). The second
item is for the leasing of the City Hall space to FAU to provide that service. There is a
great a team of people here tonight. He is proud to say they all came out for not him,
but for the Commission and the citizens of the City of Boynton Beach. First of all, the
great Kelly Hefferin is here with E2L and Mark. Just Mark. That is how he wanted me to
introduce him. Kelly Hefferin and then Mark.
Kelly Hefferin, introduced herself as the Managing Partner E2L Holdings, and Mark.
Mark Hefferin, E2L Holdings, stated he was checking his photos and realized a year
ago tomorrow, we will have dedicated this building and the chambers. He knows that
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many years ago we discussed what the City Hall should be. He believes it has become
everything that we had dreamed of, except it was missing a couple of things which was
our incubator tenant. The City came to us and we discussed how we would occupy or
get a tenant for this space and then we were the vehicle that worked with Avis & Young
who has been a great, great partner through a pandemic. Not the best time to be out
trying to bring tenants into a space, but they are tirelessly working with the Community
Redevelopment Agency (CRA), with the City staff and obviously with the Commission
were able to interview and put out a request for proposal that ended up in a resulting
award that we hope you will approve this evening to FAU. He cannot say enough about
Keith O'Donnell and the five years with us. It was not easy, but we kept to it and we
stayed with the purpose. Having seen what has already happened in town square, and
coming from a very innovative technology environment he worked in the research
triangle for 13 years. He saw four universities that really brought in the labor, brought in
the training, brought in the resources that ultimately grew Raleigh, North Carolina which
has now become what many believe is the next Silicon Valley. He thinks they have that
same opportunity in Boynton. We are not here to be Silicon Valley but we are here to
grow the City in a way that no surrounding cities can because the City has one of the
best partners that you could ever hope to have in the City Hall.
Keith O'Donnell, Avis and Young, thanked everyone for giving them the honor to work
on the Commission's behalf. For the past five years, relocating the offices west and it
was endured beautifully. Then, of course during the pandemic, he cannot explain how
awesome of a staff the City has that they worked, strategized together. They helped him
with tours. He was able to recruit Danielle Lynnette from Brick down in Boca Raton
because of the success of the City Hall. We were able to convince FAU to give us a
strong look. He has been working with the research park down there for 15 years, saw
seven years ago a Tech Runway come out of the University and to its own building in
the research park, and then blossomed. The programs and the board that they had with
Hunter Lynch and leadership backed by first Dr. Kelly and Dr. Flynn, the success, the
graduates that have come out of there Modernizing Medicine, Mobile Health and
Chipmunk has populated thousands of jobs and spin-off jobs and prosperity from it. FAU
has a really strong focus on working with the local community and start-up just dreams
and ideas. FAU knows how to structure that with the SBA. It has been an honor working
with your staff and also it is just been a great project. He is honored and he is more
honored now to introduce the leadership from FAU.
Jessica Beaver, FAU Tech Runway, stated that Tech runway was founded in 2014. Tech
Runway is here to educate, instruct, provide support services, mentorship, space for
entrepreneurs and early stage start-ups. If you look at our slide here, in under seven
years, these are the numbers we have pumped out. Tech Runway's companies have
actually brought in over 278 million in revenue. They have raised over 133 million in
capital, 120 patent applications, over 642 jobs, internships, the numbers go on and on.
This is really in six years and these are all local companies. These are students, faculty,
community members who show up with prototypes. They might just come in with an idea
and that is where we come in to help. This space here is just amazing. This community
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is amazing. Tech Runway given the opportunity to come in, Tech Runway is going to
provide that support, that guidance, those resources. Tech Runway is community
partners with the SBDC that can provide workforce development. Tech Runway will have
all the connections at the University. Tech Runway is also partnering with community
members such as Tech Club South Florida and other members of the community. She is
excited to also partner with Boynton companies. She has already had some calls with
some local companies that have reached out. Tech Runway is here to help the community
create jobs, provide support for those interested in entrepreneurship, and building and
scaling their businesses with the end goal of them setting roots in Boynton because the
City has some amazing resources. The City has some amazing locations. Let's get them
here and let's move them into those brick and mortar locations.
Constance Scott, Director of Local Relations FAU, stated that this is a very exciting
opportunity for FAU and for Tech Runway. It means so much to the University to be able
to embrace another municipality and support them and work with them to do job creation,
to create internships and mostly to create businesses. That is what FAU does. FAU is a
University that is your University. It is from Harbor Branch all the way down to Dania
Beach. We are the workforce. We are the future. We are organic growth. We want to
educate and keep them here. What Tech Runway has done over 199 internships. Tech
Runway has applied for 120 patents and been very successful. FAU has 27,000 students
in this area. FAU has students that are coming from Boynton Beach. FAU wants them to
get educated and then we want them to come back to their communities and be
successful and find jobs. Based on what Dorothy jacks said, they can afford to live here
which is something to be very proud of. Tech Runway is proud of this relationship. Tech
Runway has built a relationship in Boca. Tech Runway has expanded relationships up in
Jupiter with the help of the county. With the City's assistance with funding, Tech Runway
can assure you this will be a very rewarding opportunity for this entire wonderful
flourishing community. We are very excited about it.
Mayor Grant stated that he is excited. This is something that with the history of Boynton
Beach, she is very excited about the workforce development because that is something
you are within our CRA district. The City wants to do what it can to partner with you to
help redevelop the locations that the City has available. The City has many vacant retail
locations that the City wants to find tenants for. This is something that is very exciting that
the City can work with you to build that better Boynton Beach. Thank you for coming to
us and believing in us as well.
Ms. Scott stated she will share as well, depending on the classifications as Tech Runway
continues to grow and expand, the potential for using CDBG dollars for the program work
that we do is also available. So that might also be a very good tie-in for some of the CRA
district businesses.
Commissioner Penserga remarked that he is almost speechless. He is proud alumnus
of FAU. Not only is he excited for them to be part of our City, but this is also kind of like a
full circle moment for him. What is the plan exactly as to how you will use the space? Is
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that something to be developed over time or do you see a particular vision already as to
how this space will be used and integrated to all of your existing programs? What can we
see, for example?
Ms. Scott responded that is a really great question. She has been thinking about that for
quite a few months in working with the team here. It is going to be, in my mind, right now
we might tweak it but it will be a hybrid space. For the most part, a location for
entrepreneurs to incubate. The City is in the middle of the county so entrepreneurs from
north, south, east and west can come here. Tech Runway wants to focus on the local
community but also give that opportunity for some of the companies to come and
introduce themselves to Boynton and everything you have. So modular workplace, tables
with wheels. During the day normal 9:00am to 5:00pm, maybe it is open for
entrepreneurs. We will have staff. We will have SBDC consultants in the space working.
In the evenings, she cannot give a number of times, but in the evenings the space can be
reutilized for workshops, seminars, maybe small events. Outside that in the beautiful new
building and surrounding areas, networking events, larger scale events. We have a
mentor cadre of 75 plus mentors. Let us bring them here and introduce them to this
community and what the City has here. That is kind of how we are envisioning it. That is
just going to implement our program and what we provide as well. This is such a great
setup and a great setting. It is going to be so easy just to transition what we are doing
and bring it to this location.
Ms. Beaver stated that City Hall is magnificent; it is just off the charts amazing. The City
really needs to host a league of cities event here so that you can make all of us jealous
and all of the other municipalities. It is really special. It is nice to see all of you. It is been
a long pandemic and it is great to finally be out and look forward to that opportunity. But
we also do venture capital events. She thinks that will be a great opportunity as well to
launch a venture capital event here where the actual investors have an opportunity to see
this community, see this magnificent building and see how this community is just really
charged and evolving into an amazing central hub for Palm Beach County.
Ms. Scott commented thank you for bringing that up. She did forget to mention that. We
do have our own investor Angel Group, the first University-based investor in the entire
state of Florida. This would be one of the locations where we would host those meetings.
We do that six times a year. We would look to bring those investors here as well as those
companies obviously pitching and host them in this location as well.
Vice Mayor Hay stated that he is an alumnus of FAU. He is excited about this, just like
you. Have you talked with or plan to talk with some of those local organizations to get
their input on what they would like to see and maybe make it part of what you are doing.
Ms. Beaver stated she has started having some conversations. She has a couple of calls
later this week with some businesses that are local, just to start picking their brain and
see what they are looking for and how we might be able to collaborate, partner, provide
support, resources. But that is something once we get the ball really rolling down this hill,
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that is going to be number one. Pulling in the SBDC, working with them in the community
and us all going out like you said and really reaching out to the local business owners,
the smaller businesses and seeing what their needs are. Because you cannot be a one
size fits all, but if we can provide support of some capacity to the majority, that is the goal.
It could be as simple as access to interns. Maybe we can offset interns so they need
someone specialized. Maybe she can find some funding through Tech Runway, the
program, possibly the grant if that is allowable and say we can help you find help, give
you that support. And we will offset that cost and the goal or the hope would be maybe
that intern turns into an actual employee and we have just created a job. The short answer
is yes, that is what we will look to do. She is open or we all are open to more discussions,
directions and guidance from the Commission.
Commissioner Romelus stated since everybody wants to claim their Owl pride up here,
she is not an Owl but her husband is. Go Owls. She is a lifetime Hurricane. Just for the
clarity, the businesses you incubate, who maintains the ownership of those businesses?
Ms. Scott the businesses do. We do not take any equity. These are not our businesses.
All we do is provide the resources and support for them to continue building their
businesses and to scale them. When they come in, it is their company. They are
registered. We hold their hand and say here are all of these amazing resources. Here are
mentors, here is connections, here is networks. It is one of those things you are free, now
go grow. We are always there. Once you are in Tech Runway or part of our program, you
never really leave. Tech Runway still works, helps, supports and provide tickets and
guidance and mentoring and credits to companies that have graduated seven years ago.
Scott Adams is on our board. Dan Kaine of Modernizing Medicine is still involved. Once
they graduate and they scale, they can come back and potentially help other
entrepreneurs. But we take nothing. It is that entrepreneur's company, it is all theirs.
Commissioner Romelus commented she already knew the answer, she wanted to make
sure it was clearly stated because this is going to take some education for our community
to know who you guys are and what you do, the services that you offer. She thinks that
is one piece that is very key to put out there. When do you launch?
Ms. Scott commented that she thinks October 1st is the date we put and that is a buffer to
plan things out and try to hopefully get the space set up and give you guys a plan.
Commissioner Romelus asked how would one apply.
Ms. Scott replied for the Tech Runway Program, applications open in January. We will
obviously be promoting that and pushing that out to the community. But for this location,
there is the program, but then there is also the community as a whole. Tech Runway can
only take in a limited amount and there is obviously about 25 to 30 companies a year.
However, having this location, having the grant funding and all of our current partnerships,
we are planning on offering to the community educational instruction, access to
consultants, introductions to capital through grants, possibly investors. Tech Runway is
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going to be creating opportunities.
Commissioner Romelus asked for clarification on when the program starts in Boynton
Beach.
Ms. Scott responded once we move in and we get everything squared away, the plan
right now is to put out to the community. She is still working with the Adams Center of
Entrepreneurship and some of our partners. We would possibly start with an
entrepreneurship boot camp and put that out to the community only just to get them in.
That she believes is a four to six-weeks course. And then putting out the word that we
have consultants and opportunities for those small businesses who just want to get in and
start receiving those benefits and resources. The idea is to start rolling this out as soon
as we get in. But we just need to kind of finalize the plan.
Commissioner Romelus inquired that your next cohort potentially of Tech Runway would
probably start January of next year?
Ms. Scott replied that the cohort would open up and applications open in January and
then we go on the University schedule so it kicks off in July. But that is the internal small
cohort. We are exploring possibly having a cohort for Boynton. But the idea in our mind
is to provide as much support and resources to the community at large versus just a
limited amount for a year. There is a two-pronged approach; It is keep you going, keep
you motivated. Then you can apply but you are already going, if that makes sense.
Commissioner Romelus commented yes, she loves that. Thank you.
Commissioner Penserga inquired what are they saying about what needs to be improved
in terms of local environment, local business environment?
Ms. Scott replied that they do poll and they try to pull that information. She will say the
number one piece and this is in the state of Florida, she thinks is access to capital. That
is the hardest part. Modernizing Medicine, investors are just knocking down their doors
trying to invest and get in. If you have something that has a prototype and they are looking
to raise funds, that is difficult. But that is where we can come in with our investor network,
introductions to grants, grant funding.
Ms. Beaver commented there are resources. Exposure to people who have the
connections that can introduce them and can recognize Chipmunk ended getting
purchased by Office Depot and they were 2 years old at the time. Things happen and it
has a lot to do with the fact that these businesses are talking to one another. They are all
in the same place of not knowing very much and they are learning it all at the same time
but they have an idea, they have a concept. They have trained mentors. They have people
from Florida Power& Light, some of the best corporations that are in Palm Beach County,
and even Broward County. Tech Runway program, we just launched it this past year in
Jupiter and it has doubled in size and doubled in terms of money that we have received
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from the county. Now we are recurring dollars because it is been so successful. We are
expecting that same thing to happen in Boynton, only more exciting there is so much
more we can add on to it because of the holistic approach, because of the fact that you
are a part of the Boca Raton Chamber. She is the Chairman of the Economic
Development Committee for the Boynton and the Boca Chamber of Commerce. We are
going to draw all of that wealth of information in. Some of those successful businesses
that are in the chamber need to be helping these smaller businesses get their start, get
their kick.
Mayor Grant stated that he had read that Florida Atlantic University Center for Urban and
Regional Planning and the Institute of Government at FAU are working together on a
project to assist communities resolve urban and environmental issues in order to
redevelop and revitalize Southeast Florida. He is very excited of partnering with FAU, to
partner with Enterprise Florida to really make the difference. In addition, he sees there is
a football game coming up on October 2nd. In 2019, the City offered a bus ride and tailgate
party at the FAU game. He would like to see that can be implemented. It would help
people become aware of Tech Runway in Boynton Beach.
Ms. Scott commented she thinks that is just a marvelous idea. Our former coach, Howard
Shnellingberger, he passed away a couple of months ago and we are dedicating the entire
year to him and his successes at the University of Miami and at the University of Louisville.
She will make sure that Commission is included on the invitation list.
Mayor Grant stated he will be there September 10th. He looks forward to working with
your staff at the stadium so that we can plan a nice tailgate for October 2nd
Ms. Scott stated she will write that down right now. She is on the committee for the
September 10th event, so she will be looking for all of you there.
Mr. Scott stated there is one more person here that did not get introduced. Jonathan
Porges is here from the Chamber.
Jonathan Porges, The Boca/Boynton Chamber of Commerce, the Chamber is very
excited about the space and the partnership with FAU. The Chamber has had a long
partnership with FAU for many years. We are excited to offer some of our services to the
businesses in that incubator space, whether it is networking, educational resources, and
things that Ms. Scott has already mentioned. We are very excited about it and excited to
be moving business forward in Boynton.
Motion
Vice Mayor Hay moved to approve. Commissioner Romelus seconded the motion. The
motion passed unanimously.
C. Proposed Resolution No. R21-086 - Approve and authorize the City
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Manager to sign a commercial lease agreement with Florida Atlantic
University to provide for the creation, development, and operation of an
economic development hub within the City Hall innovation spaceto
accelerate technology development and incubate startup companies.
Motion
Vice Mayor Hay moved to approve. Commissioner Penserga seconded the motion. The
motion passed unanimously.
Ms. Grey stated she has been a consultant with the SBDC for the past year and she has
a significant number of clients that she has been assisting in the Boynton Beach and the
Boynton Beach area. And the SBDC is a partner program of the Tech Runway, so they
do come with a significant number of collaborations, deep experience and capacity
building, but they also come with a face you already know
D. Discuss Commission interest and authorize travel to the National
League of Cities City Summit in Salt Lake City, Utah on November 18-
20, 2021. Attendees can participate in-person or virtually.
Commissioner Penserga and Commissioner Romelus stated that they would like to
attend.
Mayor Grant remarked he would also like to attend. He suggested staying at AirBnBs.
City Manager LaVerriere stated that there is funding the Commission's business meeting
budget to attend National League of Cities Summit. She will check with Commissioner
Katz to see if he would like to attend as well.
Motion
Commissioner Penserga moved to approve. Vice Mayor Hay seconded the motion. The
motion passed unanimously.
12. Legal
A. Proposed Resolution No. R21-087 -Approve and authorize the Mayor to
sign the Interlocal Agreement with the City of Delray Beach for Lake Ida
Water Quality Sampling.
Commissioner Romelus requested a brief overview.
City Manager LaVerriere responded that this a part of the City's stormwater maintenance
permit.
Mr. Paterniti state that the resolution is for water quality sampling within the Lake Ida or
the TMDLs that are identified there and the City is assisting the state in identifying those
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TMDLs.
Mayor Grant stated that the Commission does not know what TMDL stands for.
Mr. Paterniti replied it is the total maximum daily limit.
Mayor Grant inquired that this is dealing with stormwater and how much Lake Ida can
hold before overflowing into the neighborhoods.
Mr. Paterniti responded that is deals with water quality parameters not necessarily
volume.
Assistant City Manager Mack commented as part of the City's participation in the NPDES
program, it is a county wide program. The ms4 permits issued to 38 municipalities, this
is a requirement for the City to do sampling in this water body. Since it is a joint project
with the City of Delray beach, this is an agreement for the sharing of the cost.
Motion
Vice Mayor Hay moved to approve. Commissioner Penserga seconded the motion. The
motion passed unanimously.
B. Proposed Ordinance No. 21-024 - First Reading Amending the City's
candidate qualifying dates to be from Noon on the second Tuesday in
November to Noon on the fourth Tuesday in November.
Commissioner Romelus inquired about the qualifying dates. She thought they were
being moved forward.
City Clerk Gibson responded that the dates are being moved earlier. The qualifying
period would normally be the 4th Tuesday in January to the 2nd Tuesday in February of
next year. The qualifying dates are being moved up to this November.
Commissioner Romelus remarked it must be mistyped in the agenda, because it says
2nd Tuesday in November to the 4th Tuesday in November.
City Clerk Gibson responded it would normally be in February of next year so we are
moving it up closer to this November.
Commissioner Penserga stated the confusion is that this is a time window.
Attorney Cherof explained the Ordinance states that qualifying dates will occur earlier.
Qualifying will open earlier and close earlier.
City Attorney Cherof read proposed Ordinance No. 21-024 into the record by title only,
on First Reading.
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Commissioner Romelus admitted she was reading it wrong. Would this change be
permanent?
City Attorney Cherof responded that the change is only for this election. It would have to
be brought back again to change it to permanent.
Mayor Grant inquired if in the second reading it could be made permanent.
City Attorney Cherof responded that it cannot be done because the Ordinance provides
for qualifying dates for the March 2022 election. The title cannot be amended on second
reading.
Commissioner Romelus inquired if this Ordinance can be brought back.
City Attorney Cherof responded that there is time to table it. It can be brought back for
first reading at the next meeting and provide that it will apply to all future elections.
Motion
Commissioner Romelus moved to table until the August 3rd Commission Meeting. Vice
Mayor Hay seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
Mayor Grant stated that the Resolution R21-088 will be done at the same time.
Proposed Resolution No. R21-088 - Designating the PBC Supervisor of
Elections as theCity's canvassing board for municipal elections.
Mayor Grant commented that he wants to bring to the City Commission's attention the
different polling locations. For District 1, there are nine locations for 15 precincts. For
District 2, there are seven locations for eight precincts. District 3, there are six locations
for 10 precincts. And for District 4, there are six locations for 10 precincts. He believes we
are going to redistrict this next upcoming election.
City Clerk Gibson stated that the redistricting would not be done in time for the upcoming
election.
Mayor Grant said he would like to have the polling locations moved out of the schools.
He requested verification from the Supervisor of Elections that any registered voter in the
City can vote at any of the precincts within the City. He would like to use the money that
would be used for the school locations for early voting.
City Clerk Gibson stated that instituting early voting for the City will increase the election
cost from approximately $100K to $250K.
Mayor Grant inquired if early voting has to be done for nine days.
City Clerk Gibson responded yes and early voting would only be at Ezell Hester Center.
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Mayor Grant stated he was hoping that early voting did not have to be done for the nine
days. Since it has to be nine days it does become cost prohibited.
City Clerk Gibson commented that it is really not taking away an opportunity for residents
who want to vote that cannot show up in person on election day. Just given the statistics
of how people vote with the about 50,000 registered voters in the City, for the presidential
preference primary, about 1,700 voted early voting versus 15,000 people voted by mail.
It is really not an effective cost if we were to really push early voting.
Mayor Grant stated that there used to be a mail-in ballot drop off box in the City. The City
cannot have that now because the City does not have an early voting location.
City Clerk Gibson responded that the City can have a mail-in ballot drop-off box.
Mayor Grant clarified the City can have a mail ballot drop-off box attended by someone
from the Supervisor of Elections office.
Commissioner Romelus stated that the mail in ballot drop off box can only function during
the hours of early voting from 7 am to 7 pm at the Ezell Hester Center.
City Clerk Gibson stated she will confirm that with the Supervisor of Elections Office.
Mayor Grant inquired if mail in ballots can be brought to the office in Delray Beach.
City Clerk Gibson replied yes that any of the Supervisor of Elections Offices are open to
receive the mail in ballots.
Mayor Grant requested clarification on the new rules for the next meeting.
Mayor Grant inquired about universal polling locations can that be done.
City Clerk Gibson responded that it cannot be done because the polling locations are
based on where the people live.
Mayor Grant inquired if certain precincts can be grouped together.
City Clerk Gibson stated a change in staffing would be needed to make sure there is
enough staff to accommodate for whoever may come to that location to vote and not to
overburden the location.
Mayor Grant inquired if the precinct is based on the number of people.
City Clerk Gibson responded that it based on the number of people and the distance. The
Supervisor of Elections Office sets those precincts to account for number of registered
voters and the distance they would need to travel.
Mayor Grant inquired that the City cannot change the polling locations for the precincts.
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City Clerk Gibson replied that it is possible. The City would have to provide for the cost
of notifying those residents, post at the locations that the polling location has moved and
provide advance notice about the changes.
Mayor Grant requested to see what the City can do to not have the polling locations in
schools.
Commissioner Romelus agreed not to have polling locations at the schools.
Vice Mayor Hay commented whatever the City does, it has to be done expeditiously.
There was a lot of confusion the last time precincts had to be moved. The City needs to
be mindful of that and not add additional confusion by last-minute changes. He agrees
with moving the locations out of the schools. The voting cards would have to come from
the Supervisor of Elections' Office in enough time so people could be educated where to
go.
Mayor Grant stated that is why doing it now and not the week of makes sense.
Commissioner Romelus thanked the Mayor and commended him for thinking outside of
the box to make voting accessible.
13. Future Agenda Items
A. Presentation on activation of the Historic Woman's Club of Boynton Beach.
- August 17, 2021
B. Discuss draft ordinance establishing monument policy. -August 17, 2021
C. Mayor Grant requested a discussion about the possibility of a Parks &
Recreation Bond. - August2021
D. Discussion regarding adjusting traffic signal timing for pedestrians during
off-peak hours. - TBD
E. Discuss options for conveyance of property from CRA to City and
lease for future Head Start location. — TBD
Mayor Grant requested an update on when the building department workshop would
be.
City Manager commented as a reminder, during the budget workshops when Mr. Temple
presented, that was an identified initiative that they have already addressed and planned
to be doing outreach workshops. She will work with Mr. Temple to get a date of when
they plan on doing the first workshop.
Mayor Grant stated he would like to have it as a "TBD".
Mayor Grant requested a discussion of a local bill for annexation for the purpose of
septic-to-sewer. Currently there is available funding on the federal, state and county
basis for septic-to-sewer. The deadline is approaching for these types of local bills, so is
it possible to have the discussion at the August 3rd meeting. He suggested reaching out
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to State Representatives Joe Casello and Lori Berman.
Commissioner Romelus also suggested reaching out to Representative Caruso as he is
a big proponent of getting septic-to-sewer made.
City Manager LaVerriere requested clarity about a local bill to address annexation in City
boundaries versus the grants the City will not need a bill for. The City will have access
to apply.
Mayor Grant responded it is in the purview that the grants are not going to last forever.
The City cannot apply for the grants without having the ability to do it. With the
legislature's help, the City will have the ability to apply for the grants and implement
septic-to-sewer conversion.
City Manager LaVerriere inquired if the Mayor is concerned because they are not within
the City boundaries.
Mayor Grant responded, correct.
City Manger LaVerriere stated staff will review the grant rules.
City Attorney Cherof stated that the City is working on a process to link water service
which the City can do outside the jurisdictional limits with mandatory sewer connection
when it is available. He has been working with staff for about six months or longer on
that issue as well. That would be the kind of language we would look for in a local act.
Commissioner Romelus stated this is for Mr. Scott that SBDC is giving out funding right
now to help education, especially the minority community, about entrepreneurship. She
does not know if a City or municipality would be eligible for those funds. It is something
to explore. She knows that Mr. Scott and Mr. Durgan do a lot of work educating the
community about entrepreneurship and business development. This could be another
avenue to pick up some revenue while we still do what we already do.
14. Adjournment
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 8:30 p.m.
CITY OF BOYNTON BEACH
Mayor- Steven B. Grant
Vice Mayor— Woodrow L. Hay
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City Commission
Boynton Beach, Florida July 20, 2021
Commissioner— Justin Katz
Commissioner— Christina Romelus
Commissioner—Ty Penserga
ATTEST:
C tal Gibson, MMC
Ci y Clerk
Tammy Sta► ione
Deputy Cit Clerk
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