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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1328 - MINUTES - City Commission MINUTES CITY OF DANIA BEACH CITY COMMISSION SPECIAL MEETING MONDAY, JANUARY 28, 2002 1. CALL TO ORDER Mayor Flury called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. ROLL CALL: Present: Mayor: Pat Flury Vice-Mayor: Robert Chunn Commissioners: John Bertino C.K. McElyea Bob Mikes City Attorney: Tom Ansbro City Manager: Ivan Pato City Clerk: Charlene Johnson Public Hearing: 2. Public input on process and funding recommendations for upcoming 28th Year Community Development Block Grant Program. Mayor Flury opened the public hearing. Bobbie Grace, 110 NW 8 Avenue, mentioned that she presented two (2) letters from the Dania Heights, College Gardens and Northwest Byrd Pointe Civic Associations outlining a proposal for the 28th Year CDBG program at the January 17th workshop meeting. Mrs. Grace clarified that there was no inner fighting with the southwest and northwest sections of the City and that she understood that the funds for the 28th year would be used for improvements to the northwest section. Mrs. Grace requested that the City Commission hold a workshop with the civic associations in the near future to discuss the possibility of writing grants with matching funds for the 29th Year CDBG program for improvements to the southwest section. She stressed a willingness on the part of the Northwest Byrd Pointe Civic Association to work with the southwest section towards a proposal of upgrading the Boisy Waiters Center for a community center as well as making park and landscaping improvements in the southwest section during the 29th year process. Janice Peterman, 717 SW 4 Terrace, suggested that the City Commission consider a multi-purpose center that could be utilized by many different groups of people and involve programs with computers, partnerships with health care organizations, and a focus on arts and music instead of only considering sports programs. i MINUTES 1 JANUARY 28, 2002 SPECIAL MEETING Bud Palm, Utilities/Public Works Director, clarified that the 26th Year CDBG fundingy would be used for drainage improvements to the southwest section and that the 27t Year funding would involve landscaping and sidewalk improvements in the northwest section. Mr. Palm advised that Broward County recognizes Federal Highway to the railroad tracks as the southeast section of the City and that there is a need to change the boundaries in order to obtain additional grant funding. Commissioner Bertino mentioned that there might be an increase in the amount of CDBG funding for the City because census tracks from the newly annexed area might qualify for additional CDBG grant programs. Commissioner Mikes advised that the intent of the CDBG programs was to rehabilitate spot areas with deteriorating housing stock in neighborhoods and that many of the areas do not qualify for funding. Commissioner Mikes stressed the need to reduce rental properties and encourage homeowner occupied housing through grant funding opportunities to reduce drug problems and crime issues in the communities. City Manager Pato introduced Bonnie Temchuk, Assistant to the City Manager, and pointed out that she would be working on obtaining grants for the City and that she has worked for the City of Hollywood and has extensive experience in grant writing. Bonnie Temchuk, Assistant to the City Manager, mentioned that meetings are being scheduled with Broward County to review the boundary areas and that there are many spot areas in the City that are in need of improvement. Mayor Flury advised that elaborate demographic studies had been conducted on the City by the Memorial • Healthcare System and that Ms. Temchuk should present the data to Broward County when dealing with the boundary issues. City Manager Pato advised that homeownership programs require an experienced person to administer the funding and that partnerships are going to be pursued over the next year. Ms. Temchuk advised that the City has some time over the next year to better plan for the 29th Year CDBG application process and that she would also be pursuing additional grant opportunities from other sources. Jimmy Peterman was of the opinion that the majority funding from the CDBG programs had been allocated for improvements to the northwest section and that the southwest section had received less consideration. He recommended building an educational center in the southwest section so that residents from the east side of the tracks could utilize the facility. He expressed his opposition to building a community center on the 40'x100" lot behind the 803 BSO Substation as he did not believe that the lot was big enough or would address the parking needs for the BSO vehicles. City Manager Pato clarified for Mr. Peterman that the grant amount is $220,471 for the 28th Year CDBG funding cycle. The first application would allow the City to acquire properties located at 56 NW 8 Avenue and 2 NE 8th Avenue. The second application will provide infrastructure to the proposed properties, including security fencing, security lighting, street lighting, drainage, sewer tie-ins, and construction of a parking lot. With the acquisition of both properties and infrastructure, the City would be in a position to begin construction of a Community Center to be located on the 56 NW 8th Avenue site. • MINUTES 2 JANUARY 28, 2002 SPECIAL MEETING Commissioner Bertino pointed out that the City is restricted on the way the CDBG grant funds can be utilized as they can only be used for improvements to the defined targeted area. Bobbie Grace pointed out that she was involved with pursuing the CDBG program funding in the beginning with Chester Byrd, Mildred Jones, Eunice Dockery, and Mildred Bryant for the northwest section. The intent of the program was to bring in new homes, sidewalks, landscaping, street lights, and upgrade old homes adjacent to new homes. Mrs. Grace stated that the northwest associations were very pleased when the southwest section was included in the CDBG funding programs. She mentioned the many efforts over the years to remove rental properties to encourage home ownership and advised of many joint ventures that are planned with Jones Construction, DEDC, Habitat for Humanity, and Henry Graham with LES from the Hollywood side to upgrade the southwest and northwest sections. Commissioner Bertino pointed out that most of the cosmetic improvements have been accomplished such as sewers, trees, sidewalks for the areas and that the funding should now be shifted towards more complex projects, which cost a lot more money. He stressed the importance of providing sports programs for children to keep them off the streets and reduce drug involvement, however, he agreed that cultural programs are also needed for the children to give them opportunities that they would not normally receive. Commissioner Bertino stated that the City must focus the funds in the geographic area and that it does not make sense to scatter facilities in several neighborhoods. Vice-Mayor Chunn mentioned that the Modello Park area was neglected over the years and that no one was dealing with the drug problems. He mentioned that Boisy Waiters was a great black leader in the community and that he would like to see the Boisy Waiters Center upgraded to a community center in the future. However, he stressed the importance of communities remaining unified in order to make the necessary improvements to the City. Mayor Flury stressed the importance of handling the 29th Year CDBG application process in a better manner so that extensive community input and meetings are conducted and that attendance documentation is provided. Mayor Flury stated that the CDBG funding should be used where it is most needed and that need must be appropriately identified based on quantifiable demographic and statistical data relating to the neighborhoods being considered. Kelly Martin, 238 SW 1st Court, mentioned that the neighborhood near Mullikin Park needs sidewalks as well as a parking area and that she would like to see streets blocked off to reduce the traffic concerns for the area. City Manager Pato advised that parks, street lighting and traffic concerns are major priorities for the City and he was hopeful that additional grant funding might be available for these types of projects. Ruby Ferguson, 765 Natures Cove Road, agreed that grants are good funding opportunities, however, the City must also be financially independent. She thought there was a lax approach towards Code Enforcement in the City and thought that landlords could be cited and forced to improve their properties. She suggested that a comprehensive plan be prepared outlining long-term and short-term goals for the City so that the community would have a better understanding of proposed projects. In addition, MINUTES 3 JANUARY 28, 2002 SPECIAL MEETING she advised that Dillard High School gives away computers for any student in the • Broward County School System and agreed to assist the City by leaving her phone numbers: 922-3375 and 473-6361. Dafney Waiters, 733 SW 3 Street, advised that she is married to Boisy Waiters Jr. Ms. Waiters pointed out that the Boisy Waiters Center building and property was once used for the citizens and she urged the City Commission to consider upgrading the building and property in the future. In addition, she expressed her opinion that the City Commission should be responsible for ensuring that the CDBG projects are completed correctly and on a timely schedule to reduce the frustration and inconvenience to the residents. Bobbie Grace pointed out that the City's Social Services Programs was once operated from the trailer at Modello Park and at the Boisy Waiters Center site. Mrs. Grace opposed building the community center in the area she identified as "the bottom", located on 8th Avenue behind 803 and 806 and advised that she would be sending a letter to the City Commission and Broward County Hearing no further comments, Mayor Flury closed the public hearing. City Attorney Ansbro read the titles of the resolutions. 2 A) A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF DANIA BEACH, FLORIDA, AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO APPLY FOR THE 28TH YEAR COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT PROGRAM (2002-2003) IN THE TOTAL • AMOUNT OF $220,471.00; PROVIDING FOR FUNDING FOR NORTHWEST ACQUISITION IN THE AMOUNT OF $100,000.00 AND IMPROVEMENTS TO THE ACQUISITION SITES IN THE AMOUNT OF $120,471.00; AUTHORIZING THE APPROPRIATE CITY OFFICIALS TO EXECUTE SAID APPLICATION; FURTHER, PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. A motion was made by Commissioner Bertino, seconded by Commissioner Mikes, to adopt the Resolution. The motion passed on the following 5/0 roll call vote: Commissioner Bertino-yes Vice-Mayor Chunn-yes Commissioner McElyea-yes Mayor Flury-yes Commissioner Mikes-yes B) A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF DANIA BEACH, FLORIDA, APPROVING THE SECOND AMENDMENT TO THE FUNDING AGREEMENT FOR THE 26T" YEAR COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT (CDBG) PROGRAM BETWEEN BROWARD COUNTY AND THE CITY OF DANIA BEACH IN THE AMOUNT OF $197,821.00 FOR SOUTHWEST NEIGHBORHOOD BEAUTIFICATION PHASE V PROJECT; PROVIDING FOR CONFLICTS; FURTHER, PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. A motion was made by Commissioner Mikes, seconded by Commissioner McElyea, to • adopt the Resolution. MINUTES 4 JANUARY 28, 2002 SPECIAL MEETING The motion passed on the following 5/0 roll call vote: • Commissioner Bertino-yes Vice-Mayor Chunn-yes Commissioner McElyea-yes Mayor Flury-yes Commissioner Mikes-yes At this time, City Manager Pato reported that Broward County has identified a minority subcontractor to replace MEF and that the CDBG 25th Year project is now expected to be completed by the end of February, unless something unforeseen is encountered. In regards to the Royal Palm tree project on Dania Beach Boulevard, Bud Palm, Utilities/Public Works Director, advised that Bill Tasaro, City's Landscape Architect, is having difficulty locating Quality Grade 1 tree stock and that they are hoping to finish the project soon. 3. ADJOURNMENT This meeting adjourned at 8:25 p.m. NV _ PAT FLURY, MAYOR MT, • tTAWLENE J ON CITY CLERK Approved: February 12, 2002 MINUTES 5 JANUARY 28, 2002 SPECIAL MEETING iJ 14 c #j i �y i