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Minutes 06-13-91 MINUTES OF THE CITY COMMISSION/CHAMBER OF COMMERCE WORKSHOP MEETING HELD AT BOYNTON BEACH WOMEN'S CLUB, 1010 SOUTH FEDERAL HIGHWAY, BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA, THURSDAY, JUNE 13, 1991 AT 7:00 P. M. PRESENT City Commission Arline Weiner, Mayor Edward Harmening, Vice Mayor Jose' Aguila, Commissioner Lillian Artis, Commissioner Lynne Matson, Commissioner Chamber of Commerce Doris Pastl, President Gary Ashcraft, Executive Vice President C. C. Baker Ann Barrett Cal Cearley Virginia Foot Robert Guzauskas Andrea Horne Don Finton John Martin William Martin A1 Miller, COBWRA Robert Olenik, Jr. Patt Tompson J. Scott Miller, City Manager Mr, Finton, Chamber of Commerce, called the meeting to order at 7:00 P. M. and introduced the City Commission. The Chamber Members introduced themselves. Mr. Finton announced this would be an informal meeting between the Chamber and the City Commission. No questions would be taken from the floor. The purpose of the meeting was to open dialogue and communications between the business community and the City Commission. The Chamber gave the issues to a particular Member, and that person will start the questions. Any Commissioner, or all of the Commissioners can answer. ISSUES 1. CDD - Doris Pastl President Pastl said the Board of Directors of the Chamber of Commerce wanted to know the personal concerns of each Commissioner regarding the Commercial Development District 1 MINUTES - CITY COMMISSION/CHAMBER OF COMMERCE WORKSHOP MEETING BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA JUNE 13, 1991 (CDD) to date. She wanted to start the questioning with Mayor Weiner, then Vice Mayor Harmening and then the rest of the Commissioners. Mayor Weiner answered that information is still coming into the City from Quantum. Information is being gathered by the City Staff, but she had not seen it since the last workshop meeting regarding Quantum. When the information is gathered, it will be disbursed to everyone. Then the Commission will have a better chance to see how they feel about the CDD and Quantum Park. Mayor Weiner was put off at the last meeting when on the night of the workshop, at 5:10 P. M., informa - tion was still coming in on the matter. President Pastl asked what Mayor Weiner's main concern was. Mayor Weiner replied that the Commission was still missing information, and she gave an example. Mayor Weiner also had never seen a price book showing what Quantum was charging for the property. There were also legal matters she wanted to review with the City Attorney. Information is still coming in, and it was hard to answer the question without all of the information. Vice Mayor Harmening reiterated everything Mayor Weiner said. He added that the compactness of the property and whether it is sufficiently contiguous did not appear to meet the statutory requirements. At the present time, he had two opinions to that effect. Some of the things they asked the Assistant City Manager for will possibly allay.a few of the concerns. Mr. Bill Martin attended the Special Meeting, and he appreci- ated Vice Mayor Harmening's concerns about the compactness and contiguousness of the parcels. He did not know that he felt Vice Mayor Harmening would ever be satisfied that the proprty will meet that test. If Vice Mayor Harmening gets the opinion of the Bond Counsel, the City's Counsel, and Quantum's counsel, he wondered whether Vice Mayor Harmening could ever come to grips with that issue to his satisfaction. Vice Mayor Harmening replied it was possible, but he did not know that the City's Counsel would feel it met the require- ments. Vice Mayor Harmening asked Mr. Martin not to judge him and think he is against Quantum, as he would like to see Quantum go through. He asked Ms. Tompson whether she had any purchasers of the property at $2.50 per square foot. Ms. Tompson answered that she has several. Commissioner Aguila tried to simplify things because he thought they were trying to make a mountain out of a mole MINUTES - CITY COMMISSION/CHAMBER OF COMMERCE WORKSHOP MEETING BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA JUNE 13, 1991 hill. In order for him to vote in favor of this, Mr. Steve Deutsch needs to prove two things: (1) That Quantum is stable enough to stay in business. (2) That by the bond sale, they will be able to bring the land to a price that is competitive with the market. If Mr. Deutsch can convince him of those two items, Commissioner Aguila did not see much of a problem with Quantum. Commissioner Matson was concerned about the contiguous and compact issues, but that was answered to her satisfaction by Attorney Lester. However, she was still waiting to get something in writing from him. Commissioner Matson was also concerned about competitive price structures compared to what is around, and she was satisfied with that. She was still waiting for information on the Tampa park. Commis- sioner Matson felt the job opportunities and ability to broaden the City's tax base far outweighed any concerns she had. She was satisfied with what she had seen. Barring any detrimental information, Commissioner Matson had no problem with it. Commissioner Aguila commented that as of this morning, 16 days after the meeting of May 28, the Commission was still waiting for information that was promised that night. He thought there should be some effort on the part of Quantum. Mr. Bill Martin realized the Special Meeting was only for the drafting of an Ordinance. He addressed the following question particularly to the Mayor and Vice Mayor. The question wss, "If Staff were to recommend approval, would you feel more comfortable voting for it at that point?" Vice Mayor Harmening did not csre what the staff said. In almost anything, he will vote his own conscience and his own mind. Vice Mayor Harmening has occasionally been swayed by what Staff said, but he did not think the City Staff was in favor of Quantum. He observed City Msnager Miller was pres- ent, and he suggested that the Chamber Members ask the City Manager. Mr. Cearley asked City Mansger Miller to give a recommends- tion. City Manager Miller was not in a position to give s recommendation because he had concerns relative to certain criteria outlined in the Statutes, which must be met. The City Msnager hsd not received additional information to sub- s. tantiate compactness. He still wss concerned about the com- ponents included within the $35,000,000. Until he could get MINUTES - CITY COMMISSION/CHAMBER OF COMMERCE WORKSHOP MEETING BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA JUNE 13, 1991 it settled in his mind, City Manager Miller could not be in a position to recommend. He was still minus a lot of infor- mation, and he hoped the information Would be provided soon. In answer to a question by Mayor Weiner, Ms. Tompson said Quantum is in the process of responding. There is ample time, and the Commission will get the information. Mr. Cearley-asked whether the Commission was predisposed to vote "NO" to the CDD even if all of the questions were answered to their satisfaction. Mayor Weiner replied the first statement in the petition says the Commission has to say the following statements are true and correct. She asked Mr. Cearley, as President of a bank, how fast he would answer if he did not have enough information. Mr. Cearley was saying, if all the questions were answered, and the City Attorney said there were no problems, the compactness was not a problem, everything was addressed, and all answers were given, would the Commission be predisposed to vote "No"? Mayor Weiner was concerned with the fact of a recession, future recovery, and how it would impact Quantum. She won- dered whether Quantum would be able to recover quicker with or without the CDD. Mayor Weiner wanted someone to answer that question. She also had no idea what the CDD would mean to the future of Quantum Park when the recovery happens, and she questioned whether it would be more of a liability. Commissioner Aguila felt the question Mr. Cearley raised sounded like he wanted to know if the Commissioners' minds were made up, no matter what information they got. Mr. Cearley confirmed that was correct. Even though he made the motion, Commissioner Aguila stated his mind was not made up. If he is not 100% confident about his concerns, his answer will be "No". That did not mean his mind was made up, and he did not think any of the Commissioners were ready to answer the question Mr. Cearley was asking. Mrs. Cearley responded that he talks to people every day, and he had the impression some of the Commissioners had their minds made up, and they were not going to be confused by facts. He added that was the t~lk on the street~. Vice Mayor Harmening stated it sounded more like an ~im~osition every moment he sat there, and he was prepared to leave at any moment. Mr. Cearley asked whether Commissioner Artis would care to comment. 4 *should read, "...like an inquisition...'! MINUTES - CITY COMMISSION/CHAMBER OF COMMERCE WORKSHOP MEETING BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA JUNE 13, 1991 Commissioner Artis was concerned about upgrading the community and employment for the District she is in. She set up an appointment with a Dade County Commissioner. Commissioner Artis wanted to listen to the pros and cons of someone already in this. Vice Mayor Harmening wanted his comments entered into the record. He told Mr. Cearley if his (Cearley's) remarks were directed to him, he (Harmening) had not been talking to anyone around the streets or in the room about Quantum except for Mr. Ashcraft. Commissioner Artis personally felt the stability of Quantum would depend upon the sale of the property. Mr Bill Martin was sorry Vice Mayor Harmening felt it was an l~mpo~l%l~Q~~ He thought Vice Mayor Harmening should understand where the questions were coming from. The Chamber represents the business community and is going to be pro business. Vice Mayor Harmening replied he is pro busi- ness too. There were further comments by Mr. Bill Martin and Vice Mayor Harmening. 2. Visitors Information Center - Ginny Foot Mrs. Foot said the Chamber has had a dream of a Visitors Information Center. Approximately a year ago, the Chamber was offered an opportunity by the Holiday Inn at 1-95 to open a Visitors Information Center. It would be the first one in the County. Broward, Martin, and St. Lucie Counties do not have one. This was offered for $1.00 a year, but Mrs. Foot said it is not that simple. The Chamber thought they could run the Center with its present staff, but they realized they would need a professional to run it. Mrs. Foot told the City Commission the Chamber needs financial support, and they wondered how the Commission felt about the Center. The Department of Transportation (DOT) assured the Chamber they could get appropriate signage. Mrs. Foot thought it would be a marvelous opportunity not only for this community but for the County. She elaborated about how it would benefit the City. Mrs. Foot stated a group of people from the hospitality area of the City are very excited about it. The County is also very interested in it. They are looking at the economic situation, but they will support the Chamber in any way they tan. Hopefully, they will be able to help with publicity and folders. Mrs. Foot stressed that what they really need is a community support effort. She told how Homestead was 5 *should read, ", ..felt it was an imposition." MINUTES - CITY COMMISSION/CHAMBER OF COMMERCE WORKSHOP MEETING BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA JUNE 13, 1991 able to pull its community together to build their own facility. Mrs. Foot informed the Commission they must have a paid employee and pay for a telephone and utilities. With floor- ing, window treatment, etc., she estimated they were looking at between $12,000 and $15,000. Mrs. Foot felt the Center could bring in about $30,000 a year. The Center would be located at 444 West Boynton Beach Boulevard. It is the second little building just east of the Holiday Inn. It is within 2/10ths of a mile from 1-95, and the Center would have to be open seven days a week to be in good standing with the County and the State. Mrs. Foot added that Homestead has been there three years, and they are now self-sufficient and showing a profit. They have one paid employee and volunteers. Mrs. Foot pointed out that the Center will not only assist travelers, but visitors to the City will be able to find out what is going on. This would be the only Center from Boynton Beach to Kissimmee. Mr. Bill Martin asked what the Chamber wanted from the City. Mrs. Foot answered that the Chamber would take a gift. Commissioner Matson thought it was a wonderful idea, and she expounded about the benefits. She referred to the floor- ing, etc. and hoped some of the Chamber Members would volun- teer their services. Commissioner Artis and Mayor Weiner thought it was a good idea. Mayor Weiner wondered how they would get the money, and she reminded the Chamber that the City is facing a bad economic year. The City is now on its Second round of budget meetings. Mrs. Foot felt the Chamber Members would do things at cost, but she stressed they would still need money. She did not think they should expect to get everything free. Vice Mayor Harmening felt it was an excellent idea and that it would be very helpful. However, he did not feel the City could afford even a portion of the $12,000. Commissioner Aguila questioned whether they tried to have a drive for funds, and he suggested maybe local Contractors would give a donation. Mrs. Foot responded that the Chamber has had monthly statements in the Chamber's newsletter. Commissioner Matson asked about using the proceeds of the Seafood Festival. Mr. John Martin replied that the Chamber has not profited either, and they also need money. They 6 MINUTES - CITY COMMISSION/CHAMBER OF COMMERCE WORKSHOP MEETING BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA JUNE 13, 1991 have scholarship obligations. They do have a successful membership. A month or two ago, 23 new Members joined the Chamber. That was the first windfall of money they had. Mr. Martin clarified that the Chamber was not asking the City to cover the entire $12,000. Vice Mayor Harmening suggested that some of the Chamber Members come to the City budget hearings. He thought they would be surprised. One Chamber Member felt you have-to spend money to make money. He looked at it as a loan and said the Center will bring more people into the City. People will donate time. Architects have already prepared a drawing, and the County has said they will give money for brochures, etc. 3. Publicity Fund - Bob Olenik Mr. Olenik, former Vice Mayor of the City, speaking as a Chamber Member, commented that the City has a publicity fund. The monies generated from that each year are used for such things as G.A.L.A. and the 4th of July. If the Center becomes a profitable entity in Boynton Beach, perhaps those types of activities could be funded out of profits from the Visitors Information Center. Mr. Olenik referred to the millage rate for the publicity fund. Mr. Olenik elaborated about a brochure the Chamber has that boasts about Boynton Beach. The Chamber is also putting together a video that can be used for economic development, so people can see what Boynton Beach is about. The Chamber is putting these projects together, but they cannot do it alone. The publicity fund seemed like the natural place Where dollars could be taken to make these things happen. If each household paid an additional tax of $2.25, it would give the City an additional $50,000, and it could be used for projects such as the Information Center and Community Relations Board projects. Mr. Olenik thought they should look at the investment potentials in the City. if the City could get funding for all of the projects which have been approved and are now in limbo, Mayor Weiner said What the Chamber was asking for would not be a problem. The City has millions of dollars worth of projects that can- not get funding from banks. She stated the City has 16 more Firemen to pay. Mayor Weiner did not think the City had ever been stingy in any way with the Chamber of Commerce. it has helped the Chamber as much as it could, but Mayor 7 MINUTES - CITY COMMISSION/CHAMBER OF COMMERCE WORKSHOP MEETING BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA JUNE 13, 1991 Weiner emphasized the City is in a bad time. be looking at layoffs and loss of services. The City may From reading the papers, City Manager Miller thought every- one understood the property tax collection dollars are not coming in this year as they should. As of the beginning of this month, The City is out 1.5 million dollars in property taxes. Hopefully, what the City gets from the County will make up a portion of it. The City's financial situation already shows $337,000 in the red. If 1.5 million dollars is not collected this month, City Manager Miller stated he will have to start laying off and cutting expenditures for the next few months. Every $100,000 the City does not collect will mean the City is in the hole another $100,000. City Manager Miller said the next two weeks would tell the story. The City is $300,000 short in tax certificates. That means at the end of this fiscal year, the City is $667,000 in the hole, and City Manager Miller has to budget that next year. The economy in the State has not been very good. The County and other cities have not had a good economy either. Mayor Weiner thought the Chamber got the consensus that the City Commission thought the Visitors Center was a great idea. If the City had the money, the Chamber would have it. Vice Mayor Harmening reiterated that the City does not have the money and has to make serious realignments. 4. Sign Code - Ca l Cearley Mr. Cearley understood the Committee reviewing the Sign Code spent several hours making suggestions. He talked to Cynthia Greenhouse, a Planning and Zoning Board Member, who was involved in the study. Mr. Cearley asked whether there was any possibility the City Commission might lift the standards of the Sign Code. Vice Mayor Harmening answered it would depend on what the Chamber comes up with. He might be in favor of some of their suggestions. Commissioner Matson alluded to how many times the Sign Code has been changed. She thought the Chamber would find the Commission is interested in the Sign Code and what is going to happen with it. Mayor Weiner thought due largely to Mr. Cearley's efforts, the downtown is moving again. She saw more hope for the downtown now than in other years. It has been decided there 8 MINUTES - CITY COMMISSION/CHAMBER OF COMMERCE WORKSHOP MEETING BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA JUNE 13, 1991 will be an Urban Code snd s Suburban Code, which the City did not have before. There is progress. Mayor Weiner thought they should work on the things they can accomplish. Commissioner Aguils and Commissioner Artis hsd no comments. 5. One Stop Permitting - Gary Ashcrsft Mr. Ashcrsft stated one frustration the Chamber's front office has is people come in and ask whether there is s brochure about how to get a permit in Boynton Beach. The second problem is the calls his office gets about people who have complaints about the permitting process. Mr. Ashcraft asked whether the City could go to one stop permitting, such as Delray Beach hss. Commissioner Aguila answered that he has been working on this. Part of it is ignorance on the part of people going for a permit. A lot of fly by nights and non-professionals do not know how the process works. They spend time trying to circumvent the system snd then complain because their game did not work. Commissioner Aguila stated he spent msny hours with City Manager Miller and Chris Cutro, Director of Plsnning. They sre trying to streamline the process into a way similsr to what Delray Beach has. Commissioner Aguila explained the present procedure. In the one stop process, people will always know who to go to in the Planning Department because a Planner will be assigned to an applicant. That is not the way it is now, but Commissioner Aguila ststed it will take place. Commissioner Aguila further ststed you have to have competent, licensed, professional people who understand whst the rules are. Guidelines must be set, snd the City does not hsve those guidelines. Commissioner Aguils stated a leaflet or booklet will also be put together. When Commissioner Artis was on the Board of Adjustment, she had experiences where people thought they were getting the Correct permit, and they had to tesr out what they had done because no one told them what they needed. She felt those people needed to have something in writing showing what they should do. City Manager Miller apprised everyone the City is working on thst. Sometimes department hesds get yery technicsl. Laura Widmer, Public Information Officer, %s working on those types of booklets. Commissioner Artis advised it should be in layman's terms. 9 MINUTES - CITY COMMISSION/CHAMBER OF COMMERCE WORKSHOP MEETING BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA JUNE 13, 1991 Commissioner Matson wrote a letter to the City Manager of Tamarac asking for copies of that City's permit booklet and Citizen's Code Enforcement Guide. The permit booklet will be a booklet for Contractors, Developers, and residents. City Manager Miller asked Chamber Members who work with the City Building and Planning Departments and other City's Building and Planning Departments to give their input because it is important. If interested, they should contact either Mr. Ashcraft or him, and they will talk about making the process easier or more understandable. 6. Community Redevelopment Advisory Board (CRAB)/Downtown Merchants Association - Cal Cearley The Waterfront Business Association changed its name to the Downtown Merchants Association. Next week, Mr. Cearley said he will be sending out an updated sheet to 203 businesses in the Central Business District (CBD) telling them where the downtown is going. A questionnaire is also being sent to the downtown businesses It will also include professionals such as doctors, lawyers, stockbrokers, etc. This is to try and unify the businesses downtown into a cohesive group to get something started downtown. At some point and time, they hope to see the sidewalks downtown in brick, overhead traffic lights, park benches, and diagonal parking of cars. Mr. Cearley commented it is a slow process. He has knocked on doors and talked to a lot of people. Mr. Cearley said they are trying to get people to come to meetings and get involved in the downtown revitalization efforts. At some point and time, Mr. Cearley said they want to combine the Chamber's efforts with the Main Street idea, along with the City's. Commissioner Aguila felt education of the downtown community would be helpful. At a Special P&Z Board meeting, state- ments were made by people that they would not paint their building because they will have to upgrade their parking. Commissioner Aguila advised the Code does not say that. He thought the business community had a misconception that they cannot do anything because they will be forced to improve ~heir lighting, parking, etc. Mr. Cearley stated they had talked about that at a meeting. Mr. Cutro and Don Jaeger, Building Official, were there. He found out what changes a building from a non-conforming use 10 MINUTES - CITY COMMISSION/CHAMBER OF COMMERCE WORKSHOP MEETING BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA JUNE 13, 1991 to a conforming use and when the Parking Lot and Landscape Ordinances kick in. If they can get 30 or 40 people together, it may be helpful to explain to them when something is or is not required. The Review Committee is considering recommending changes so someone can do work on a parking lot without landscaping or vice versa. That way improvements can be made to non-conforming buildings. Commissioner Aguila replied the Chamber now has a Commission willing to make all the adjustments that are necessary. Mr. Cearley admired the Commission for that. He also admired Commissioner Matson for establishing the Code Review Committee. Wilda Searcy, who was in the audience, wished to speak, and was told by Mr. Finton the meeting had been set up between the City and the Chamber. He felt they should follow the agenda. 7. City/chamber Sponsored Activities/Events - Gary Ashcraft Mr. Ashcraft informed the Commission that about a year ago, most of the Chamber's Directors spent two days out of town and worked with a Facilitator to prioritize what they thought were the most important things. The overlying thing was the Chamber is in the red, and they are trying to focus on getting in the black. Because of that, the Chamber backed away from sponsoring events like G.A.L.A. Mr. Ashcraft did not think this had been communicated. Instead they went to events like the Seafood Festival that generated income for the Chamber's fund. Mr. Ashcraft hoped the Chamber will be ~ble to get in the black. He hoped the City and Chamber Could work together. Mr. Olenik apprised the Commission that the Seafood Festival is being planned now as an annual event. The Chamber has S vision of making it something like the one at Pompano Beach, and they are looking forward to having the City ~ssist them. Maybe the City could do some of the ~ecreation. Mayor Weiner said the Commission was present to promote a partnership. What the City cannot do, it cannot do, but there are some things the City can do. Mayor Weiner felt he City and Chamber should keep in touch and be honest with ach other. After elaborating, she stated they will meet ~gain. 11 MINUTES - CITY COMMISSION/CHAMBER OF COMMERCE WORKSHOP MEETING BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA JUNE 13, 1991 Mrs. Foot felt the community was blessed to have someone like Charles Frederick, Director of the Recreation and Parks Department to do G.A.L.A. and everything else so well. She further commented about how nicely that Department works with children. 8. Height Limitation - John Martin Mr. Martin thought they needed to have a better understand- ing of feelings in the height limitation issue. He thought the Chamber had supported an effort to raise the height limitation in three specific areas. They also have a rank- ing of which of those areas are most important and which of those areas will least affect the residential areas. One area is Quantum Park. Mr. Martin said a story is going around that a hotel is contemplating locating in the Quantum area. He wanted to find out what it would mean to the Commission if Quantum was singled out from the other areas, and he asked how they would feel about an eight story hotel at Quantum. Vice Mayor Harmening answered they should bring the hotel in with a firm commitment, and the Commission will talk about it. He felt it would be crazy for someone to even think about locating there right now. At this point, Commissioner Aguila was totally opposed to raising any height limitations anywhere in the City. There is a lot of commercial land in the City that can be built on or rebuiilt on that does not require going above the height limitation. The only place Commissioner Aguila could possibly be persuaded to even consider would be a very specific part of Quantum Park only. He would not go any higher than 6 stories, 5 feet maximum in a very limited area of Quantum Park. When she was campaigning, Commissioner Matson stated she would not even begin to make this decision. She thought everyone who votes in the City should make the decision. She felt if any place in the City were to have the height limitation lifted, it should only be Quantum Park. Referring to the downtown, Commissioner Matson felt they were going with the coastal theme in the downtown, and she never saw a six or eight story coastal building. She was vehemently against that. Commissioner Matson had no problems with Quantum Park. Commissioner Aguila recalled one thing that came up at the Main Street workshop was that the City needs an image. Some- 12 *should read, "...65 feet maximum..." MINUTES - CITY COMMISSION/CHAMBER OF COMMERCE WORKSHOP MEETING BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA JUNE 13, 1991 body's concept of an image is something big. He stated there can be an image without it being something big. Commissioner Artis reminded everyone the exception to the height limitation in the downtown is the lighthouse. She felt Quantum Park was the likely place to raise the height limitation. She did not know if the hotel would need eight stories, but Quantum needs to sell land. Mayor Weiner has always been in favor of putting this issue on the ballot. She thought the Chamber's approach with the three places would be wrong because a lot of people in the City are opposed to touching the height limit. If the Chamber has any hopes of releasing the height limit, Mayor Weiner thought they should put one area on the ballot with a definite height. Otherwise she did not think it would pass. Vice Mayor Harmening stated he would be willing to put it out for referendum. Mr. Olenik advised that the three areas were not the Chamber's choice. That was former Mayor Gene Moore's choice. 9. COMPAC - John Martin Mr. Martin stated he is Chairman, along with Doris Pastl, as Co-Chairperson, of COMPAC. COMPAC is a separate function from the Chamber of Commerce. He recalled Commissioner Artis was the only one on the Commission that did not have to go through an inquisition. Mr. Martin thought the Commission was aware the Chamber is proud of having a forum Where all of the candidates can speak and answer questions prepared by the business community. He wanted to know the Commission's suggestions, feelings, and reactions as to what they felt would be a more constructive way of carrying out ~nd bettering that process. Mr. Martin felt this was a great City Commission. Mayor Weiner felt if anyone puts himself in the position to run as a candidate, he has to be able to handle whatever ~nyone throws at him. She felt how the Chamber did it and What they did was part of the process. Mayor Weiner had no Suggestions to give the Chamber. She concluded by advising, l'Don't make it easy for candidates." Whether the Chamber decides to endorse a candidate or not, if the candidate can- not work with the Chamber later, something is the matter. She told the Chamber not to worry about the process. She thought they did great. 13 MINUTES - CITY COMMISSION/CHAMBER OF COMMERCE WORKSHOP MEETING BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA JUNE 13, 1991 Commissioner Matson read the questionnaire, and it helped her go on to the newspapers, who were tougher. She found no fault with it, but she thought the Chamber needed to work on its endorsements. Vice Mayor Harmening had no problem with the questions. answered them in his own individual way. He Commissioner Aguila stated he is learning a lot by being a Commissioner, and he is doing his best to do the right thing. He went to the breakfast unprepared and felt some- what intimidated by some of the questions on the question- naire because he was not familiar with some of the issues. Commissioner Aguila knew nothing about Quantum's CDD. He was questioned because he did not know as much as the questionnaire felt he should know. Commissioner Aguila felt very intimidated, and he resented that. He does not mind being thrown hard questions, and he felt the press threw a lot of them. Commissioner Aguila walked out feeling honest questions were asked. He answered them honestly, and his answers were accepted as honest answers. He was glad not to be endorsed. Commissioner Artis was not endorsed by the Chamber either. She had only been in office two months before the breakfast and did not know a lot about the questions, but she gave honest answers. She learned a lot. Mr. Martin asked whether it would help if the candidates received the questions earlier. Commissioner Artis replied it would help. She stated her answers were honest, but she felt they were not the answers that were expected. Commissioner Aguila commented that the questionnaire was Written with the answers already in mind. Vice Mayor Harmening stated the questions, as posed and directed, gave ~im and probably Mayor Weiner no problem whatsoever. They Would not give any practiced, elected official any problem. For anyone who has had no experience, the questions may have been overwhelming. Although COMPAC consists of Members of the Chamber, ar. Ashcraft asked the Commission to remember it is a politi- Cal force of the Chamber. It is not the Chamber. 14 MINUTES - CITY COMMISSION/CHAMBER OF COMMERCE WORKSHOP MEETING BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA JUNE 13, 1991 Schools Mayor Weiner informed the Chamber that the City is slowly losing its schools. The City's school children are being moved to integrated schools in other cities. Mayor Weiner is in favor of integration and busing, but she wants to see other kids bused into Boynton Beach. The City has formed an Education Advisory Board. If the City does not stop this trend, Mayor Weiner predicted every part of every city east of 1-95 will look like the South Bronx before the end of the century because everything is moving west. The City will be left with a disaster area. The City can stop that if they can turn around the School Board's idea of placing schools in what they call neutral zones, which are zoned very far west of 1-95 in suburban communities. Mayor Weiner stated there is no reason why integration can- not take place by children being bused from the west to the east. She felt it was vital to the health of the City to stop this. Mayor Weiner said the City is about to battle with the Palm Beach County School Board, and she thought it would be one sided. She wanted the Chamber's help. Mayor Weiner continued by saying the School Board is going to close Poinciana School. The City has asked for a six months' dispensation and is going to join the NAACP as friends of the Court. Mayor Weiner did not know if that would work but hoped it would stop there. She wanted a high school in Boynton Beach on Congress Avenue. New schools on Jog Road and N. W. 22nd Avenue will not do the City any good. Schools are needed in the City. When it is time to make the pitch to the Palm Beach County School Board, she Said that is what they want. The City will begin annexing westward, but schools are still needed in what is now the City. She hoped the Chamber would help the City. Health Fair After comments by Commissioner Matson and Commissioner Artis, Mayor Weiner announced that the City, in conjunction with Bethesda Hospital, is holding a free Health Fair at Bethesda Hospital on June 29th. Buses will take people there. The concentration will be on children and the elderly. Mayor Weiner had bulletins, and she asked Members of the Chamber to distribute them around the City. 15 MINUTES - CITY COMMISSION/CHAMBER OF COMMERCE WORKSHOP MEETING BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA JUNE 13, 1991 ADJOURNMENT The meeting properly adjOurned at 8:48 P. M. Patricia Ramseyer Recording Secretary (Two Tapes) CITY OF BOYNTON BEACH ATTEST: Ci~ C ]- e~k Mayor Cor~nissioner Comissioner 16