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Minutes 05-04-00MINUTES OF CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS PLANNING (CIP) TOWN MEETING WITH COMMISSIONER BRUCE BLACK, UNITED WAY BUILDING, MAY 4, 2000, 6:30 P.M., BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA I. CALL TO ORDER At 6:40 P.M. Commissioner Bruce Black opened the public meeting and thanked everyone for coming out to take advantage of the opportunity to influence the spending of Boynton Beach's capital improvement fund dollars. Commissioner Black recognized the presence in the audience of Mayor Gerald Broening, Vice Mayor Ronald Weiland, Commissioner Charlie Fisher, and the City Manager, Mr. Kurt Bressner. II. INTRODUCTION BY COMMISSIONER BRUCE BLACK Commissioner Black told the approximately 30 residents who had come to the meeting that the purpose of this "first-ever" meeting was to give the residents an opportunity to suggest capital improvements that they wanted to see done. Commissioner Black commented that by the time projects come to Public Audience at the Commission meetings, most of the decisions had already been made and this meeting was an attempt to give the residents more visibility into the process and more voice in the projects that the City undertakes. III. PRESENTATION BY STAFF Commissioner Black introduced the Director of Development, Mr. Quintus Greene, who addressed the residents, explaining the ranking criteria for capital improvement projects and soliciting their comments on forms that were distributed to all in attendance. Mr. Greene gave examples of the 15 ranking criteria such as: 1) availability of grant funds, 2) public sentiment, 3) ongoing operating costs, 4) public health, safety and welfare impact. Mr. Greene assured the residents that if their project were not selected due to the final ranking score, that their suggestions would be re-considered for the following year's budget. Mr. Greene explained that the dollar cut-off for a major capital improvement project was $50,000, and that projects with lesser dollar values would be considered under the individual department's operating budgets. Staff would make the decision as to whether a particular project met the $50,000 and above criteria so residents were encouraged to bring any and all ideas to the table via the forms provided. Mr. Greene stated that capital improvement projects could be either renovation of existing public properties, new buildings, expensive pieces of equipment, major repairs to City facilities, streets in need of re-surfacing, new police sub-stations, drainage improvements, clubhouses for housing developments, and a myriad of potential projects that could meet the capital improvement project ranking criteria. MEETING MINUTES CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS PLANNING MEETING BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA May 4, 2000 Commissioner Black encouraged residents to speak briefly on any concerns they might have but to recognize that the focus of the meeting was to gather input from the citizenry on capital improvement projects. It was suggested that residents could add a "By the way" to the forms, mentioning any items of concern. They were promised that all inquiries would receive a response from an appropriate staff representative of the City regardless of the nature of the concern being addressed. Commissioner Black alluded to the Vision 20/20 Plan and the areas of emphasis identified therein: Quality of Life/Image and Character; Commercial Revitalization; Economic Development; Neighborhood Revitalization; Public Safety/Crime Prevention; City Government; and Education/Youth Involvement. The City would like to tie each and every project to one of these areas of emphasis and Commissioner Black asked the residents to consider their submissions in light of these criteria. Commissioner Black queried the residents in turn, going around the room to give everyone who had a question or concern an opportunity to speak. IV. PUBLIC DISCUSSION A. Resident Concerns Drainage/flooding problems at: Boat Club Park N.E. 9th Avenue between Federal Highway and the Intracoastal 300 - 310 N.E. 17th Avenue Business on N.E. 3rd Street 17th & 19th Avenues Willowbrook in the Meadows 2. Ms. Sarah Williams' Requests: Community service and education center near Sara Sims Park Mini-employment office Drug/alcohol abuse and parenting information center Enlargement of Sara Sims Park to include pavilions and fitness trails Renovation and upgrade to Wilson's Pool Restoration of home behind Poinciana School 2 MEETING MINUTES CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS PLANNING MEETING BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA May 4, 2000 Police sub-station at N.E.Martin L. King Boulevard and Seacrest Mini-McDonalds or Burger King in area of N.E. Martin L King Boulevard and Seacrest Information booth at City Hall to guide citizens to the proper departments Sign on front of Boynton Terrace to identify it Clubhouses and play areas at Boynton Terrace Other Concerns: Open up access to Intracoastal waterway from older, navigable canals Provide more historical markers on Federal Highway Provide sufficient parking at Boat Club Park Ability for Boynton people to use Boynton Facilities, i.e. Boat Club Park often unusable due to influx of residents from other cities Installation of traffic signal on Old Boynton Road to discourage cut-through traffic Hiring of two policeman to provide more coverage on evening and midnight shifts Expansion of library and more computers for library Tear down old school and put in library and teen center More business-oriented theme on entrance to City from Boynton Beach Boulevard Replacement for Royal Palm Clubhouse Large pavilion (100 x 150') at Sara Sims Park Repair City bulkhead in Manatee Cove Widen N.E. 12th Avenue and install curbs and storm sewers Evaluate the mangrove situation on the west side of 7th Street These concerns were addressed verbally by the residents, who filled out and submitted detailed requests to the Development representatives at the close of the meeting. Brainstorming Ideas by Citizens/Staff Ms. Anne Centi suggested having a maritime or nautical museum at Intracoastal Park as a revenue-producing facility. Ms. Centi also suggested that user fees might be appropriate to get more accounts receivable. Mr. Ken Hall suggested converting the old, 7.5 acre water treatment plant site into a water theme park, possibly leasing it from a developer for revenue-producing purposes. Use Jaycee Park as an alternate boat ramp site to alleviate congestion at Boat Club Park. Mr. Lee Wische suggested that a special taxing district would be another avenue for potential funds. 3 MEETING MINUTES CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS PLANNING MEETING BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA May 4, 2000 Vice Mayor Weiland suggested setting aside $50-100K in the budget for a "pool" of lower dollar amount projects. Mr. Ken Hall of the Engineering Department stated that all drainage projects should be identified and completed at one time, using a revenue bond and utilities receipts for repayment. Commissioner Black advised residents that if they forgot to bring something up tonight to watch the newspapers for notice of the upcoming meetings and to come to them to express any further ideas or concerns, and encourage their neighbors to become involved. Commissioner Black also stated that help was needed on the City's Advisory Boards and referred interested parties to the City Clerk's office for sign-up forms. V. ADJOURNMENT There being no further discussion, the meeting ended at 8:25 P.M. Respectfully submitted, Susan S. Collins Recording Secretary 4