MINUTES OF THE COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY ADVISORY BOARD MEETING HELD ON THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2025, AT 6:00 P.M. AT CITY HALL COMMISSION CHAMBERS 100 E. OCEAN AVENUE, BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA PRESENT: Naomi Cobb, Chair Tim Tack, Interim Executive Director Courtlandt McQuire, Vice Chair Vicki Curfman, Administrative Assistant Chevette Gadson Alexandria Lopresto Thomas Ramiccio ABSENT: Lesha Roundtree 1. Call to Order Naomi Cobb, Board Chair, called meeting to order at 6:03 P.M. 2. Pledge of Allegiance The members recited the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag. 3. Roll Call Roll call established that a quorum was present. 4. Agenda Approval A. Additions, Deletions, Corrections to the Agenda None B. Adoption of Agenda Motion Vice Chair McQuire moved to approve the agenda. Ms. Lopresto seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. 5. Public Comment None Meeting Minutes Community Redevelopment Agency Advisory Board Boynton Beach, Florida February 6, 2025 6. Consent A. CRA Advisory Board Meeting Minutes - January 2, 2025 Motion Ms. Lopresto moved to approve the Minutes. Vice Chair McQuire seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. 7. Old Business A. Pending Assignment No. 1 - Discussion and Consideration of New Assignments from the CRA Board Assigned at the February 13, 2024 CRA Monthly Board Meeting Tim Tack, Assistant Director, reviewed that the Board was to look at ways, above and beyond the normal City functions, that would beautify CRA areas. Vice Chair McQuire said that two weeks ago, he and Chair Cobb made a presentation to the City Commission regarding suggestions the Board had, and the presentation was well received. He commented the CRA Board liked the Marina District idea and the water feature for kids. He noted that they defined all seven districts in the CRA and that the CRA Board had a lot of questions. Mr. Tack commented that the CRA Board liked the street naming concept, which is now a new assignment. Chair Cobb said that she found the CRA Board was very engaged in what they had to say and the ideas that they presented. She commented that she did not feel the presentation was just a formality, rather they looked into what they had done. She thought that the questions the CRA Board asked were intentional and open ended, resulting in getting a new assignment. Mr. Tack expressed his appreciation for all who attended the presentation and stated that this Board is the most productive board he has worked with. Chair Cobb noted that the Historic Resource Preservation Board (HRPB) made a presentation, and some of this Board's idea bled into their ideas. Vice Chair McQuire noted that they recommended moving the Andrews House and said that the developer of the Villages project, where the house is located, is owned by the developer. He said that the HRPB wants to have them transfer the deed to the City and help pay to move the building next to the Magnuson House. He said that he did not feel that the Board was necessarily amenable to it, and that they may perhaps, prefer to move it to another site. Mr. Tack said that the survey is done and it is on the City's Facebook page today and the public can take the survey to save the Andrews House. 2 Meeting Minutes Community Redevelopment Agency Advisory Board Boynton Beach, Florida February 6, 2025 Chair Cobb commented that when thinking about historical value, they do not think about the historical values for everyone, but they are tasked with looking at all the districts, and all of the districts have homes of historical value. She commented that some people would not think the homes on Ocean Avenue would have value in the community and explained why. Mr. Tack asked if anyone had any ideas for beautification. Mr. Ramiccio made the following suggestions: That the City could adjust City Codes that could require greater standards regarding beautification. If a new project will be constructed, they could look at the Codes to see ifi it conforms with applicable parts of the CRA's Redevelopment Plan. 1-95 runs right through the Center of the City, and he noted that there are only three intersections at 1-95 that are outstanding, as far as beautification. He thought that they should have an Interlocal Agreement with FDOT to allow the CRA to landscape and maintain the intersections, and paint the rails. He referenced Belvedere Road and said that it was beautifully landscaped and well maintained. He commented that the guardrail at Gateway and I-95 has stickers all over it, and the area is dirty and filled with trash,. that could be picked up. He said that Broward County had an Interlocal Agreement to help modify the requirements, because FDOT wants to install concrete sidewalks and lighting. He stated that other upgrades cost money. The CRA is a separate agency from the City, created for redevelopment, and the Board has to do a better job of going to the City and saying beautification is important for redevelopment. Beautification should be a long-term goal and partnerships are needed to address trash. Several cities have been wrapping their intersection signal/utility boxes and it can do a lot to improve one's image. They could use different wraps on Seacrest and different wraps in the downtown area. He said that It makes a big difference and makes one feel better as they travel. The improvements affect crime and quality of life, in a good way. Vice Chair McQuire agreed and said that there are complaints about trash being very prevalent in the Federal Highway District. He stated that there are no garbage cans there and the few bus stops that do have them are 20 feet away. He suggested putting it next to the bus stop on the N. Federal Corridor, because he had four complaints about it. Mr. Tack spoke about the sidewalks, and the issues with ADA Compliance and trees. He commented that 4th Street, by Pence Park, from an engineering standpoint, is an anomaly and it is not aestheticaly pleasing. He said that the City has plans to improve and activate Pence Park with lighting and turf and it needs to be pedestrian friendly. 3 Meeting Minutes Community Redevelopment Agency Advisory Board Boynton Beach, Florida February 6, 2025 Chair Cobb stated that the City is redesigning Pence Park. Mr. Tack said that they have budgeted funds for the construction of the park, and that the Level of Service determines what they are required to do. He commented that with beautifying the roadway in the Industrial Craft District, there is vegetation that will have to be maintained. He said that CRAS can have issues with that and can maintain them for a certain amount of time, but after that, it has to become a City function, and there must be funds available to maintain them. Mr. Ramiccio stated that intersections with boxes should be required to have a four-foot hedge around them, and most of the hedges that were previously planted were dead. He suggested that Community Standards should ask owners to refresh those areas and contact the Police Department for crime prevention if needed. He said that for residential projects, they can institute a Paint Up, Fix Up project, and spoke about specifics that they could include. Mr. Tack said that he has been part of a Curb Appeal program and that typically, the City is better equipped to handle them, because they are labor intensive, although the CRA could partially fund them. He pointed out that CRA's mostly work on commercial structures, not usually residential. He spoke about neighborhoods and industrial areas that are poorly lit. Vice Chair McQuire spoke about beautifying gateway features and said that there are four main arteries and two federal corridors leading into the City and Boynton Beach is covered by FDOT. He noted that they have 1st Street and Woolbright Road and when motorists get to 1st Street, they are in the CRA District and that the traffic has been horrible. He thought something could be done around 1st Street on Woolbright. Mr. Tack suggested the Board can keep working on the plan. Chair Cobb said that they can look at some ideas more closely and come back with ideas. B. Pending Assignment No. 2 - Discussion and Consideration of New Assignments from the CRA Board assigned at the February 13, 2024 CRA Monthly Board Meeting Regarding Property Acquisition Mr. Tack said that there is one property to review for potential acquisition in the Industrial/Craft District. He stated the Board previously reviewed and approved one parcel to the south with parking on it, but the property was relisted, which included an abutting parcel with a building on it to the north. He commented that the land can grow or expand ousinesses and create jobs. All of the members thought the property should be acquired and land banked. Motion 4 Meeting Minutes Community Redevelopment Agency Advisory Board Boynton Beach, Florida February 6, 2025 Mr. Ramiccio moved to accept the staff recommendation to land bank the property at 1040 W Industrial Avenue. Vice Chair McQuire seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. Ms. Lopresto inquired if the owner has other offers that they can entertain. Mr. Tack responded that the owner took the property off the market and relisted the parcel, with the two lots, but the parcel has not been purchased to date. 8. New Business A. New Assignment No. 1 - Discussion and Consideration of New Assignments from the CRA Board Assigned at the January 10, 2025, CRA Monthly Board Meeting Mr. Tack reviewed the agenda item as contained in the meeting materials. He spoke about a Historic District and Historic Preservation including the Woman's Club. Vice Chair McQuire thought this could be homework and the members comeback with their thoughts and ideas. Mr. Ramiccio commented that there are 11 designated properties. Ms. Lopresto inquired about the splash pad and any related time frame. Mr. Tack commented this would be an assignment outside of the CRA Plan, and activation of the Cultural District, as part of civic engagement. Ms. Lopresto commented that outside of that, there would need to be nearby restrooms, or a feasible area for people to gather and a location to change the children into dry clothes, while attending events. She asked if it would be built within land that was landbanked or if it is a short-term goal. Mr. Tack responded that the Board's input could determine how realistically it could be in the short term. He said that it doesn't have to be interactive for kids, it could have artistic value. Mr. Ramiccio commented that it is an interactive fountain where water streams up intermittently. He suggested that they locate one back behind the Schoolhouse Children's Museum. Vice Chair McQuire commented he saw a water feature on Tik Tok where there is a curved water fixture. He said that it was amazing, it looked like art and it would be better than what West Palm Beach has. He said that he would try to bring pictures back to the next meeting and it was suggested attaching pictures of what they think a splash pad or water feature could look like. 5 Meeting Minutes Community Redevelopment Agency Advisory Board Boynton Beach, Florida February 6, 2025 Chair Cobb inquired who would pay for what they would decide on. Mr. Tack said that it depends on what they recommend, and if it is something with a splash pad, or something beyond a typical City service, the CRA can participate in the cost. There was brief discussion about the interactive art feature at City Hall. Chair Cobb read the next task, which was to continue discussion and research ideas, names for renaming streets, and asked if they would be renaming streets in all of the districts or just one. Mr. Tack replied that he believed it was for the Marina and HOB District. Chair Cobb said that this task would require working cohesively with the Historic Resource Preservation Board and perhaps have a joint meeting to get ideas. Vice Chair McQuire suggested that rather than opening the discussion up at the meeting, it can be part of their homework for the next meeting and the members can put their thoughts together. The members discussed having a joint meeting. Vice Chair McQuire inquired if they had street names for each district, if they should be historically relevant. Mr. Tack commented that they could make a recommendation to the Historic Resource Preservation Board. Mr. Ramiccio mentioned that they came to the conclusion that they could have historic street names, and said that they can be artist names, or tree names, or something that ties into the community. Chair Cobb reviewed Task 3, to research and investigate opportunities to honor the two Heisman Trophy winners that are from Boynton Beach, as contained in the meeting materials. She mentioned that one of the two athletes is truly from Boynton Beach and the other went to school here for a while, but that they both played for the Bulldogs. Vice Chair McQuire stated that the most logical place would be to have something by the High School, but that area is not within the CRA District. Mr. Ramiccio inquired about having something right off 95, or Gateway Boulevard heading east, having a sign there announcing the players. He thought that it would be a good marketing opportunity and that he thought the CRA could partner with the City. 6 Meeting Minutes Community Redevelopment Agency Advisory Board Boynton Beach, Florida February 6, 2025 Chair Cobb reviewed Task 4, which was recommendations for changing or inclusion of a possible historic district, or ways to incorporate historic preservation within our CRA Plan. Mr. Tack said that a challenge in the Cultural District is that Historic Preservation is not part of the overall vision for the Ocean Avenue Corridor. He stated that the idea was to create a pedestrian-friendly entertainment district, with wide sidewalks that could be closed off for potential pedestrian activities that are retail and nightlife, from Seacrest to Federal. He mentioned that the CRA plan can be updated and changed, based on what they want for the future. Ms. Lopresto inquired if they can address tasks 1 and 2 at the March 6th meeting, and Tasks 3 and 4 in April. After brief discussion, there was consensus. Mr. Ramiccio asked if there was a mechanism in the Statute for historic preservation. Mr. Tack replied that it is wrapped as an adaptive reuse and that CRA's will realize Historic Preservation as affordable housing, and he explained why. He said that a lot of CRA's are looking at larger homes and structures that has a civic center component to them that cities can rent out. Mr. Ramiccio spoke about housing on Federal Highway, that is 50 years old, that falls into a historic character, but if there is no designation attached to them and they will eventually be replaced. Mr. Tack explained that relocating single-family, old buildings along that corridor, does not fit the overall vision of the CRA Plan. He said that in 2016, the overall idea for Ocean Avenue was not that, unless they could incorporate it into a restaurant or deli similar to Muir Meats, which took a lot of buy in and additional funds. He said that from the City side, there needs to be the right Ordinances in place and there needs to be a budget for historic preservation. Chair Cobb noted that many African Americans communities are not thought of as historic. She said that they should take that into consideration, because Ocean Avenue was all white and no black students attended school there.. She stated that said they should not create community harm. Mr. Tack noted that the Cottage District is in the Heart of Boynton. Chair Cobb said the bulk of Historic Preservation dollars are not spent in Black communities. 9. Future Agenda Items 10. Adjournment 7 Meeting Minutes Community Redevelopment Agency Advisory Board Boynton Beach, Florida February 6, 2025 Motion Ms. Lopresto moved to adjourn. Vice Chair McQuire seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. The meeting was adjourned at 7:32 P.M. Oatluné Cy Catherine Cherry Minutes Specialist 8