90-EEE RESOLUTION NO. 90- ~
A RESOLUTION' OF THE' CITY COMMISSION OF
THE CITY OF BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA,
OPPOSING THE LOCATION PROPOSED BY THE
PALM BEACH COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
FOR A LIBRARY BRANCH ON BOYNTON BEACH
BOULEVARD AND STRONGLY RECOMMENDING
PLACEMENT OF A BRANCH LIBRARY IN THE
VICINITY OF JOG ROAD AND N.W. 22ND
AVENUE; PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE
AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES.
WHEREAS, the Boynton Beach City Library has been a
participating member of the Palm Beach County Co-operative
Library System for the past 19 years; and
WHEREAS, through this co-operative agreement with Palm
Beach County, Boynton Beach City Library has fulfilled its
role as quality library provider to the greater Boynton
Beach area; and
WHEREA~, this Agreement helps to avoid costly and
unnecessary duplication of library service by county
branches in areas already being served by the cooperating
Boynton Beach Library; and
WHEREAS, the geographic center of the county library
service area west of Boynton Beach is Jog Rd., and N.W. 22nd
Avenue; and
WHEREAS, Boynton beach is deeply committed to
cooperation and wishes to remain a viable member of the
Co-operative Library System and a fully participating member
of the Library team in partnership with the County;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COMMISSION
OF THE CITY OF BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA, THAT:
Section 1. That the Boynton Beach City Commission
strongly opposes a county branch library on Boynton Beach
Blvd.; and
Section 2. That the Boynton Beach City Commission
recommends to the County Commission that the proposed branch
be located in the vicinity of Jog R., and N.W. 22nd Avenue;
and
Section 3. That the Boynton Beach City Commission
requests that this branch not carry the name~of .~Boynton
Beach in its official title.
Section 4. That the City Clerk be directed to
forward a certified copy of this Resolution to the Palm
Beach County Board of Commissioners.
Section 5. That this Resolution become effective
immediately upon passage.
PASSED AND ADOPTED this /7 day of April, 1990.
CITY
Commissioner
Commissioner
ATTEST:
Ci~ Clerk-
(Corporate Seal)
V.R.G. Owners League,/nc.
2505 N.E 2nd Court, B°Ynton Beach, Florida 33435-2103
APRIL 6, 1990
(407) 732-9449
CAROL J. ELMQUIST, CHAIRMAN
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
DISTRICT III
BOX 1989
WEST PALM BEACH, FLORIDA 33402-1989
DEAR COMMISSIONER ELMQUIST:
THE CONTENTS OF THIS LETTER IS NOT TO BE CONSTRUED THAT THE
UNDERSIGNED IS OPPOSING THE EXPANSION OF OUR LIBRARY FACILITIES;
ON THE CONTRARY I FULLY APPROVE SUCH EXPANSION BECAUSE OF THE
GREATER DEMANDS THAT ARE BEING MADE FOR MORE LIBARY FACILITIES DUE
TO OUR POPULATION GROWTH.
I AM QUESTIONING THE SITE SELECTION.
IT WOULD APPEAR THAT THE BETTER SITE IS 22ND AVENUE AND
JOG ROAD. WHY WAS BOYNTON BEACH BLVD. AND MILITARY TRAIL
SELECTED?
THE REASONS GIVEN ARE'
1. THAT IT SHOULD BE IN THE CENTER OF THE SERVICE
AREA.
2. ACCESSIBLE TO MAJOR THOROUGHFARES.
3. LARGE ENOUGH TO HOLD THE LIBRARY WITH PARKING, AND
4. VISIBLE TO PEOPLE AS THEY USE THE ROAD FOR OTHER
TRIPS.
WELL - LET US EXAMINE BOTH SITES: . . .
IF BY THE CENTER OF THE SERVICE AREA IS MEANT THAT THE
POPULATION ON ALL FOUR SIDES SHOULD BE EQUAL - THEN I FAIL TO SEE
ANY DIFFERENCE BETWEEN BOYNTON BEACH BLVD. AND 22ND AVENUE. WHAT
KIND OF RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT HAVE WE IN BOTH AREAS? AT
PRESENT, WEST OF JOG ROAD VERY LITTLE MORE AT EITHER AREA. EAST
OF JOG ROAD, BOTH SIDES OF BOTH 22 ND AVENUE - AND BOYNTON BEACH
BLVD., HAVE CONDOMINIUM DEVELOPMENT OF THE TOWNHOUSE AND VILLA
VARIETY -LITTLE, IF ANY, DIFFERENCE IN POPULATION. IF SPEAKING OF
GEOGRAPHIC CENTER - THEN JOG ROAD AND 22ND AVENUE IS EXACTLY THE
CENTER OF THE SERVICE AREA. ~-~ :t~!~'7~
-2-
BOYNTON BEACH BLVD. IS A HEAVILY TRAVELLED
WITH ITS RESULTANT TRAFFIC DELAYS. IT CROSSES
THOROUGHFARES THAT 22ND AVE, CROSSES, BUT 22ND
ADVANTAGE OF FEWER TRAFFIC DELAYS.
4 LANE HIGHWAY
THE SAME MAJOR
AVENUE HAS THE
I FAIL TO SEE WHY A SITE AT 22ND AVENUE SHOULD BE ANY SMALLER
THAN AT BOYNTON BEACH BLVD. AS A MATTER OF FACT, IT WOULD SEEM TO
ME THAT A LARGER SITE COULD BE MORE READILY AVAILABLE AT 22ND
AVENUE.
AS TO VISIBILITY TO PEOPLE MAKING OTHER TRIPS - 22ND AVENUE
IS A MUCH BETTER SITE - REASON - I THINK OF THE OF THOUSANDS OF
PEOPLE WHO VISIT THE BOYNTON BEACH MUNICIPAL GOLF COURSE TO PLAY.
HOW EASY IT WOULD BE FOR THEM TO STOP AND OBTAIN THEIR BOOKS,
EITHER BEFORE OR AFTER PLAYING GOLF. ALSO, THIS SITE WOULD BE IN
CLOSE PROXIMITY TO TWO SCHOOLS.
THE ASSERTION THAT MILITARY TRAIL AND BOYNTON BEACH BLVD.
IS CLOSE TO SHOPPING IS UNTENABLE BECAUSE THERE IS LITTLE TO
CHOOSE BETWEEN BOTH SITES, AS FAR AS SHOPPING IS CONCERNED. THE
DISTANCE TRAVELLED FROM 22ND AVENUE IS VERY LITTLE GREATER THAN
THE DISTANCE FROM BOYNTON BEACH BLVD. TO REACH THAT OUTSTANDING
SHOPPING AREA KNOWN AS THE BOYNTON BEACH MALL.
WHY AM I SO CONCERNED BY THE SITE SELECTED -
IT IS SO CLOSE TO AN EXISTING CITY LIBRARY, WHICH WAS
RECENTLY EXPANDED TO 28,000 SQUARE FEET AT A COST OF ALMOST
$1,600,000, THAT I CAN SEE SERIOUS DAMAGE OCCURRING TO THIS CITY
FACILITY.
AS CHAIRMAN OF THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS, CAROL d.
ELMQUIST SAYS: AND I QUOTE, "THE PALM BEACH COUNTY LIBRARY IS
PLEASED THAT THE BOYNTON BEACH LIBRARY IS A MEMBER OF THE COUNTY
LIBRARY ~OOPERATIVE" SHE " FIRMLY BELIEVES THAT THE SITE FOR THE
NEW WEST BOYNTON BEACH LIBRARY BRANCH WILL NEITHER INFRINGE ON THE
CITY LIBRARY, NOR DECREASE THE DEMAND ON IT FROM ITS VERY' LOYAL
PATRONS"
LET US EXAMINE THESE ASSERTIONS CAREFULLY. THERE ARE MANY
CONDOMINIUM DEVELOPMENTS ON BOTH SIDES OF BOYNTON BEACH BLVD.,
ESPECIALLY BETWEEN LAWRENCE ROAD AND MILITARY TRAIL - (QUAIL
RIDGE, BENT TREE, PINE TREE, GREENTREE TRACE, ETC.) ON MILITARY
TRAIL, JUST SOUTH - WE HAVE BANYAN SPRINGS, PALM CHASE AND OTHERS.
MOST OF THESE PEOPLE USE THE EXISTING CITY FACILITY AT PRESENT.
IT WAS THEIR PATRONAGE TOGETHER WITH THE PATRONAGE OF PEOPLE
ON THE OTHER 3 SIDES OF THE LIBRARY, WHICH PROMPTED THE REBUI'LDING
AND EXPANSION TO THE PRESENT 28,000 SQUARE FOOT FACILITY.
COMMISSIONER ELMQUIST SPEAKS OF LOYALTY - BUT WHEN
CONVENIENCE REARS ITS HEAD AND PERSUADES THE PEOPLE IN THESE
CONDOMINIUMS HOW MUCH NEARER THE NEW FACILITY IS AT BOYNTON BEACH
BLVD. AND MILITARY TRAIL -MY EXPERIENCE TELLS ME THAT THE VAST
MAJORITY OF THESE PATRONS WILL GO TO THE NEARER FACILITY.
-3-
RESULT:
1. LOSS OF PATRONAGE.
2. LOSS OF REVENUE.
LOSS OF CONTRIBUTIONS FOR THE CONTINUENCE OF THE
EXPANDED SERVICES AND EXTRA PROGRAMS OFFERED BY THE
CITY LIBRARY.
4. PERHAPS FUTURE CUT-BACKS IN THIS EXTRA PROGRAMMING.
WHY IS THE COUNTY COMMISSION, BY ITS ACTION, RISKING DOING
IRREPARABLE HARM TO AN EXISTING FACILITY, WHEN BY A MERE STROKE OF
A PEN, IT CAN MOVE THE SITE ABOUT 1 3/4 MILES FURTHER NORTH, AND
COMPLETELY ELIMINATE THE POSSIBILITY OF DAMAGE TO ITS CITY
COOPERATING FACILITY .... AT THE SAME TIME IT WOULD BE CREATING A
FINE AND VITAL COUNTY FACILITY, WITH NOT ONLY A PATRONAGE OF
PERMANENT RESIDENTS IN THE AREA ...BUT ALSO A TRANSIENT PATRONAGE
FROM THE GOLF COURSE VISITORS, AND THE TWO SCHOOLS.
A FURTHER EXAMINATION OF THE 2 AREAS CLEARLY INDICATES THAT
THE POTENTIAL FOR MORE RAPID AND EXPANDED RESIDENTIAL DWELLING
GROWTH, IS GREATER AT 22ND AVENUE THAN AT BOYNTON BEACH BLVD.
AT BOYNTON BEACH BLVD. RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT CAN OCCUR ,
ONLY, WEST OF JOG ROAD ...AT 22ND AVENUE THE QUANTUM LEAP
INDUSTRIAL PARK WILL ACCELERATE CONSTRUCTION OF DWELLINGS FOR THE
LABOR FORCE, NOT ONLY IN THE OPEN AREAS STILL AVAILABLE ON 22ND
AVENUE OVER TO JOG ROAD ...BUT ALSO DEVELOPMENT WEST OF JOG ROAD
ON ALL THE OPEN LAND NORTH AND SOUTH OF 22ND AVENUE.
IT WOULD APPEAR THAT THE EXERTION OF POLITICAL PRESSURE BY A
SPECIAL INTEREST GROUP (WHO DESIRED A LIBRARY VIRTUALLY IN THEIR
BACKYAR~) HAS INFLUENCED THE SELECTION OF THIS SITE.
COMMISSIONER ELMQUIST'S LETTER SAID..."LANTANA IS NOT PART OF
THE LIBRARY TAXING DISTRICT, NOR IS IT A MEMBER OF THE COUNTY
LIBRARY COOPERATIVE. THEREFORE, PEOPLE IN THE AREA NORTH OF
BOYNTON BEACH BLVD. ARE NOT INCLUDED IN OUR WEST BOYNTON SERVICE
AREA, IF THEY RESIDE WITHIN THE CITY OF LANTANA." BUT THESE SAME
PEOPLE DO LIVE IN THE COUNTY. THEY DO VOTE IN COUNTY-WIDE
ELECTIONS FOR COUNTY COMMISSIONERS. WHY EXCLUDE THEM? WHY NOT
INVITE THEM TO BECOME PART OF THE LIBRARY TAXING DISTRICT AND
LIBRARY COOPERATIVE BY SHOWING THEM HOW ADVANTAGEOUS THEIR
MEMBERSHIP CAN BE TO THEM.
AS ELECTED COUNTY COMMISSIONERS, YOU ALL HAVE A FIDUCIARY
RESPONSIBILITY AS TO THE FUNDING OF PROJECTS. YOU ARE REQUIRED TO
CREATE FACILITIES WHICH WILL SERVE THE BEST INTERESTS OF ALL THE
PEOPLE, NOT JUST A SPECIAL INTEREST GROUP.
FOR ALL OF THE-REASONS STATED ABOVE, AND FOR THE MANY REASONS
WHICH I HAVE NOT STATED, BUT CAN BE THE SUBdECT OF ANOTHER LETTER,
IF DESIRED - I FIRMLY BELIEVE THAT THE RESIDENTS OF THE COUNTY
WILL BE BETTER SERVED BY LOCATING THE NEW COUNTY BRANCH LIBRARY
AT 22ND AVE. AND dOG ROAD,
TFULLY,
EVINE
PRES[DENT
PL:BG
CC:
KAREN T. MARCUS, VICE CHAIRMAN
CAROL A. ROBERTS
RON HOWARD
CAROLE PHILLIPS
dAN WINTERS, COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR
GENE MOORE, MAYOR BOYNTON BEACH
LEE WlSCHE, VICE MAYOR
ROBERT OLENIK dR., COMMISSIONER
ARLENE WEINER
LILLIAN ARTIS
b"/d. SCOTT MILLER, CITY MANAGER VIRGINIA FERACE, CITY LIBRARIAN
SANDRA LAUTENSCHLAGER, CHAIRMAN OF LIBRARY BOARD