06-13-06 Minutes Spec/WS
SPECIAL MEETING/WORKSHOP
JUNE 13, 2006
A Special Meeting/Workshop of the City Commission of the City of Delray Beach, Florida, was
called to order by Mayor Jeff Perlman in the First Floor Conference Room at City Hall at 6:00 p.m.,
on Tuesday, June 13, 2006.
Roll call showed:
Present - Commissioner Rita Ellis
Commissioner Fred B. Fetzer
Commissioner Brenda B. Montague
Mayor Jeff Perlman
Absent - Commissioner Jon Levinson
Also present were - David T. Harden, City Manager
Susan A. Ruby, City Attorney
Chevelle D. Nubin, City Clerk
Mayor Perlman called the meeting to order and announced that it had been called for the purpose of
considering the following items:
SPECIAL MEETING AGENDA
1. BENEFIT CALCULATIONS BY PLAN ADMINISTRATOR/CERTIFICATION
PAY /POLICE/FIRE PENSION BOARD: Consider taking legal action regarding the
Police/Fire Pension Board's change in benefit calculations to include certification pay.
Susan A. Ruby, City Attorney provided background information concerning the proposed
inclusion of certain types of compensation in the earnings of the more than 100 retired
members of the Police and Firefighters Retirement System. This proposal was not included
in the members' pensionable earnings at the time they retired. The change would result in a
recalculation of the pension benefits and contributions of the retired members, to as far back
as December 1, 1993. The issue was before the Commission for their decision to proceed
with litigation. If the consensus of the Commission agreed upon litigation, Lewis, Longman
& Walker, P.A., on behalf of the City, would bring suit to the Police and Firefighters
Retirement System Board of Trustees. It was estimated that the change in calculation of
pension benefits would increase the accrued liabilities of the retirement fund by $573,000,
and would increase the cost of the plan by $37,000 per year, for 30 years. The City had not
approved the change.
--
Mrs. Ellis moved to initiate litigation on the pension calculation for certification lawsuit for
declaratory relief; and the authorization to use Jim Linn of Lewis, Longman, and Walker,
P.A., as the City's litigator, seconded by Mr. Fetzer. Upon roll call, the Commission voted as
follows: Mr. Fetzer - Yes; Mrs. Montague - Yes; Mayor Perlman - Yes; and Mrs. Ellis - Yes.
Said motion passed 4-0.
Mayor Perlman adjourned the Special Meeting at 6:03 p.m.
WORKSHOP AGENDA
Mayor Perlman modified the agenda and placed the Treasure Coast Regional Planning Council
Presentation first (Workshop Item 4).
1. Treasure Coast Regional Planning Council Presentation
Marcela Camblor, Director of Urban Design for the Treasure Coast Regional Planning
Council, and Dana Litde an urban designer for the Planning Council, provided background
information on the proposed recommendations for redevelopment of Hotel Vista Del Mar,
Adantic Plaza and South Swinton Avenue.
Susan A. Ruby, City Attorney preceded with a statement for the public; that the individual
decisions on these proposals will be made at quasi judicial proceedings and that this is a
presentation of the findings of the Treasure Coast Regional Planning Council.
Two previous public workshops had been held at the Old School Square Gym, one on
Saturday, May 6, 2006 and the other on Thursday, May 25, 2006.
It was the consensus of the Commission the presentation on the proposed concepts for the
redevelopment of Hotel Vista Del Mar, Adantic Plaza, and South Swinton Avenue, were
very well done.
2. Joint Meeting with the Housing Authority
Dorothy Ellington, executive Director of the Delray Beach Housing Authority introduced
the item and Gary Rosen, Chairman of the Housing Authority Board provided information
regarding the redevelopment and revitalization activities underway relating to Carver Estates.
The Board of Commissioners of the Delray Beach Housing Authority had appointed a
committee comprised of Board member Dawn Guzzetta, Dorothy Ellington, the Executive
Director, and Knox LaSister of Smart, Inc., to negotiate a contract with Auburn
Development. The deal once negotiated will detail ownership, fee distribution, project
management and other considerations for four (4) project components: Rental units, owner-
2
June 13,2006
occupied units, retail, and supportive services. Preparation is under way for an application to
HUD for $20 million to be used to enhance the redevelopment efforts. A document of
support was requested from the City Commission. The next public meeting will be held on
June 19,2006 at 6:00 p.m. at Village Academy.
It was the consensus of the Commission to support and encourage the Housing Authority to
continue providing information, and to involve the community on the progress of the
redevelopment.
3. Joint Meeting with the Old School Square Board
Dr. Jay Alperin, President of Old School Square introduced Board Vice President Brian
Cheslack, staff members Peggy Murphy, and Melissa Carter, and Joe Gillie, Executive
Director of Old School Square. The Old School Square Board requested the opportunity to
discuss the components to be included in the park being planned for the area east of Old
School Square before consultants commenced work on a conceptual plan for the park's
elements.
Joe Gillie, Executive Director of Old School Square presented the proposed elements which
included expanding festival and event use, multidisciplinary activities, a walking path, a
Green Market, interactive game tables, an interactive garage feature, a water element, a
leisure area, and a public art and sculpture area.
David T. Harden, City Manager stated CH2M Hill has been engaged to assist the City in
gaining input as to what elements should be included within the park. Once gathered, this
information will be sent out for a Request for Proposal (RFP).
It was the consensus of the Commission to continue with the research and developmental
plans in order to keep Old Schools Square a vibrant part of the Downtown element.
4. F AU Campus Development Presentation - Shelley Binegar. Asst. Director. Inter College
Athletics
Ms. Shelley Binegar, Assistant Director of Inter College Athletics was not present.
Craig Angelo, Athletic Director of Florida Adantic University (FAD) in Boca Raton
presented a PowerPoint overview of a proposed domed football stadium (The Cultural
Events Center) which could be utilized for multi-use events on the FAU campus.
It was the consensus of the Commission that the proposal for the stadium was outstanding
and they were in support of the project.
3
June 13,2006
5. Drug Task Force Update
Mrs. Pat Archer, former City Commissioner and Liaison to the Mayor's Drug Task Force
Committee introduced several Drug Task Force members, and provided background
information on accomplishments of the Task Force, and requested input from the City
Commission. Commissioner Ellis is the current Commission Board Liaison.
Mr. Alton Taylor, Executive Director of the Drug Abuse Foundation provided a
PowerPoint presentation focusing on the Annual Report and Mission Statement of the Drug
and Alcohol Treatment, Assessment, Maintenance, and Support Programs.
It was the consensus of the Commission that the presentation was appreciated and
informative. The Commission agreed to provide any Task Force related information of
interest to the Committee.
6. Discussion of Communications and Marketing Strategy
David T. Harden, City Manager introduced this item as a follow up to the Commission's
goal setting process, and requested Commission comments and suggestion concerning the
proposed Communications and Marketing Strategy; and direction whether the City should
engage a consultant, and if so, what tasks should be imposed. Lyle Sumek, of Lyle Sumek
Associates, Inc., recommended Jane Converse of Converse Marketing. Converse Marketing
has sent a proposal to Staff recommending a telephone survey and an extensive charrette
process as part of the plan development.
It was the consensus of the Commission that a survey was a good format but the survey cost
from Converse Marketing was prohibitive. It was suggested to expand the Public
Information Office (PIO) within the City, resource for the external marketing, and extend
the community outreach into the stakeholders' hands.
Mayor Perlman adjourned the Workshop at 9:41 p.m.
~~~. \j~
City Clerk
ATIFS~ Z 4.
4
June 13,2006
The undersigned is the City Clerk of the City of Delray Beach, Florida, and the information
provided herein is the Minutes of the Special/Workshop Meeting of the City Commission held on
Tuesday, June 13, 2006, which Minutes were formally approved and adopted by the City
Commission on June 20, 2006
~A ~L:D. ~~
City Clerk
NOTE TO READER: If the Minutes you have received are not completed as indicated above,
this means they are not the official Minutes of the City Commission. They will become the official
Minutes only after review and approval, which may involve amendments, additions or deletions to
the Minutes as set forth above.
--
--
,
5
June 13,2006