05-08-07 Minutes Spec/WSSPECIAL/WORKSHOP •~
MAY 8, 2007 • •
A Special/Workshop Meeting of the City Commission of the City of Delray Beach, Florida, was
called to order by Mayor Rita Ellis in the First Floor Conference Room at City Hall at 6:00 p.m., on
Tuesday, May 8, 2007.
Roll call showed:
Present - Commissioner Gary P. Eliopoulos
Commissioner Fred B. Fetzer
Commissioner Woodie McDuffie
Commissioner Brenda B. Montague
Mayor Rita Ellis
Also present were - David T. Harden, City Manager
Robert A. Barcinski, Assistant City Manager
Douglas Smith, Assistant City Manager
Susan Ruby, City Attorney
Chevelle D. Nubin, City Clerk
Mrs. Montague moved to amend the Agenda to include a roll call, seconded by Mr. McDuffie.
Upon roll call, the Commission voted as follows: Mr. McDuffie -Yes; Mrs. Montague -Yes;
Mayor Ellis- Yes; Mr. Eliopoulos -Yes; Mr. Fetzer -Yes. Said motion passed 5-0.
Mayor Ellis called the meeting to order and announced that it had been called for the purpose of
considering the following items:
SPECIAL MEETING AGENDA
1. NAMING REQUEST/NEW SOCCER FACILITY• Consider a request to name the
new soccer facility the "Seacrest Soccer Complex".
Mayor Ellis discussed the e-mail regarding the request to name the new soccer facility,
"Seacrest Soccer Complex," as approved by the Soccer Board. Brief discussion ensued
between Joe Weldon, Director of Parks and Recreation and the Commission.
Mr. Fetzer moved to approve the naming of the soccer facility to "Seacrest Soccer
Complex", seconded by Mrs. Montague. Upon roll call, the Commission voted as follows:
Mrs. Montague -Yes; Mayor Ellis -Yes; Mr. Eliopoulos -Yes; Mr. Fetzer -Yes; Mr.
McDuffie -Yes. Said motion passed 5-0.
2. FUNDING FOR PALM BEACH COUNTY CHARTER AMENDMENT: Authorize
payment of $31,000.00 to the Let Us Vote Political Committee in support of the proposed
amendment to the Palm Beach County Charter.
David T. Harden, City Manager, provided information on this item. He explained the threat
of County interference as one of the greatest external threats facing the City. The "Let Us
Vote Political Committee" has been organized to obtain the necessary signatures to put the
proposed amendment on the ballot which would not allow any function, service, power or
authority of a municipality to be limited by, or transferred to, the County without the
approval of the voters in the City and separate votes in the unincorporated area of the
county.
Mayor Ellis explained the importance of getting this on the ballot since we are currently in
litigation regarding county wide dispatch services. If we get a majority vote in the County
Commission to agree to put this on the ballot, it will save a substantial amount of money.
The initial money would go towards supporting the initiative as it appears on the ballot.
Mrs. Montague moved to approve funding for the proposed Palm Beach County Charter
Amendment in the amount of $31,000.00 which will be allocated as an expenditure from the
reserve shown on the mid-year budget, seconded by Mr. McDuffie. Upon roll call, the
Commission voted as follows: Mayor Ellis -Yes; Mr. Eliopoulos -Yes; Mr. Fetzer -Yes;
Mr. McDuffie -Yes; Mrs. Montague -Yes. Said motion passed 5-0.
Mayor Ellis adjourned the Special Meeting at 6:07 p.m.
WORKSHOP AGENDA
1. Discussion regarding Advisory Board Liaisons
Mr. Harden presented the item regarding Advisory Board Liaisons, which were first assigned
in June 1990.
Chevelle D. Nubin, City Clerk, provided background information obtained from former
Mayor, Dr. Jay Alperin. She stated that former Mayor Tom Lynch initiated Advisory Board
Liaisons to improve communication between Advisory Boards and the Commission.
Liaisons were approved for certain Advisory Boards only to assist with interpretation of the
information.
MAY 8, 2007
Mayor Ellis recommends Commission refer the issue back to staff to ,determine the validity
of Advisory Boards. Staff is asked to examine the current Advisory Boards addressing the
validity of each Board, if there is a need to have a liaison assigned, and how the liaison is or
will be working with the Advisory Board. Staff is asked to provide recommendations which
axe more clearly defined and directive on how Commission should proceed.
Mr. Harden advised it will take two (2) months for staff to review all of the Advisory Boards
and report with recommendations.
It was the consensus of the Commission to have staff review and report their
recommendations within two (2) months on all existing Advisory Boards.
2. Presentation of 2005/2006 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report Caler, Donten, Levine,
Druker, Porter & Veil P A
Joseph Safford, Director of Finance, introduced Milena Walinski, Assistant Finance
Director, and Scott Porter, Managing Partner of Caler, Donten, Levine, Druker, Porter &
Veil, P.A..
Scott Porter, the City Auditor from Caler, Donten, Levine, Druker,y Porter & Veil, P. A.,
provided a financial overview of the City of Delray Beach, Florida Comprehensive Annual
Financial Report for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2006.
It was the consensus of the Commission to approve and accept the Comprehensive Annual
Financial Report for fiscal year ended September 30, 2006.
3. Discussion regarding the current Capital Improvement Program
Richard Hasko, Director of Environmental Services, introduced this item providing
background information on several projects. He informed the Commission of several
consultants in attendance at the meeting to assist with additional questions.
Fire Station #4
Mr. Hasko explained how Fire Station #4, which is an old dated facility, suffered a
substantial amount of damage due to Hurricane Wilma. A damage assessment of the
building was conducted to determine whether the building was worth renovating, or would it
be more cost-effective to replace. The report was done on the need versus the level of
service the Fire Station would be capable of providing. It was determined it would be more
cost effective to replace the building. The report was provided in the back-up material.
3 MAY S, 2007 ,
Commission addressed their concerns with the cost of renovation to Fire Station #4. All
recognized the~conditions were deplorable and must be corrected.
It was the consensus of the Commission to construct Fire Station #4 as planned.
Western Senior Community Center
Mr. Hasko introduced the consultant for the Western Community Center, Abbas Zackria,
Architect/Consultant with Walter Zackria Associates. The Western Senior Community
Center is one of the Parks and Recreation bond projects.
The initial budget for this project was $7.5 million; it is now estimated at $11.7 million.
There is a completed design, there is also an approved contract for a Construction Manager;
however, there is not a signed contract at this time.
Mr. Harden questioned why the Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP) given six months ago
increased $3 million dollars in a short period of time.
Mr. McDuffie voiced his concerns that cost of building the Western Senior Community
Center increased from the original $3.8 million dollars to almost $15,602,347 million dollars.
Mr. McDuffie explained he supports improving Fire Station #4 but cannot justify building
the Western Senior Community Center in such uncertain economic times.
Mr. Harden stated there is not an executed contract. However, a Guaranteed Maximum
Price (GMP) contract was awarded to the Weitz Company by Commission on March 20,
2007. ~~
It was the consensus of the Commission to defer the construction of the Western Senior
Community Center completely.
Soccer Complex
Mr. Hasko presented his item on the Soccer Complex which is also a Parks and Recreation
project. The land acquisition is the former Atlantic High School site. He discussed that the
initial budget for this project was a little over $2.7 million; the current construction
expenditure is $3.25 million. There is a lot of redevelopment, re-sodding, and irrigation of
the old baseball field into soccer fields. In addition, there is the construction of a concession
stand with a restroom and a second floor meeting room that can be utilized to view the
soccer game on the second level. Also proposed is a complete replacement of the athletic
lighting which is expensive.
4 MAY 8, 2007
Mr. Harden recommended taking the second story off the building which will keep the
expenditure close to the initial budget of $2.7 million.
Mr. Fetzer questioned if the initial budget amount included the upgraded lighting.
Mr. Harden confirmed this would include the upgraded lighting. He stated the increase in
the lighting was to ensure proper coverage to the perimeter of the site.
Mr. Hasko stated the amount could be reduced if the number of poles and the height of the
poles could be lowered.
Discussion continued between the Commission and staff.
It was the consensus of the Commission to construct as planned without the second story
on the building.
Bexlev Park
Mr. Hasko presented the Bexley Park item which is part of the $24 million bond. The initial
budget for this project was $500,000. The current construction budget is $787,000. That
number is from a hard bid. There were only two bids, the lowest bid was $787,700 the other
bid was $965,000. The plans are one hundred percent complete. Both bids had to be thrown
out because the lowest bid was not able to provide the bond that the City requires of its
Contractors. '
Mr. Harden advised that a Florida Recreation Development Assistance Program Grant
(FRDAP) was obtained for $200,000 for this project, which can be added to the budgeted
amount bf $500,000. The grant is generally good for eighteen (18) months to two (2) years; it
was awarded on May 4, 2007.
It was the consensus of the Commission to construct the park with the exception of the
restroom at this time.
5 MAY 8, 2007
Pompey Park Building Expansion
Mr. Hasko presented this project stating the initial budget was $500,000 dollars. Randolph
& Dewdney Construction Inc., was the lowest priced contractor with a construction price of
$1.16 million. The scope of the construction is adding office space, expanding the entrance
to the community center, computer rooms and game rooms, and some upgrading and
renovating of the locker room, gymnasium, and building a storage area.
Discussion ensued among the Commission regarding the high community usage of this
facility.
It was the consensus of the Commission to construct Pompey Park as planned.
Mangrove Park
Mr. Hasko presented the Mangrove Park item of which he explained the design is one
hundred (100%) complete and the contract was awarded at $2.3 million.
Mr. Harden explained we have $1,000,000 of this money and the balance is grant money
from Palm Beach County. The bids came in lower than the budgeted amount.
It was the consensus of the Commission to construct Mangrove Park as planned.
Miller Park
Mr. Hasko presented the Miller Park project which is from the 2007/2008 Capital Plan with
an initial budget of $5 million dollars. The project is currently under design and is about 80%
complete. The current construction estimate is about $5.6 million dollars which includes two
phases of the project.
It was the consensus of the Commission to come back to this item later that night.
Cultural Connection
Mr. Hasko presented the Cultural Connection project, which is the last project to be
included the bond. This project is a pedestrian memorial pathway.
6 MAY 8, 2007
Lula Butler, Director of Community Improvement, gave background on what the committee
would like to see in this project. Mrs. Butler explained that the initial budget for this project
is $300,000 dollars. The design has not been completed at this time.
It was the consensus of the Commission to construct as planned.
North Wing/City Hall and Information Technology SIT) Building
Mr. Hasko gave an overview of the project regarding the space study. The initial budget is
$550,000. There is currently a contract of $533,000 which includes renovating some office
space, creating new offices from some of the larger offices, redoing the lobby and the
Planning & Zoning/Community Improvement area.
Mr. Harden recommended financing City Hall Renovations and the IT building from
internal funding instead of bond financing.
It was the consensus of the Commission to construct as planned using alternative internal
funding as opposed to using a bond.
Old School Square Park
Mr. Hasko provided an overview of the proposed expansion of the Old School Square
Cultural Arts Center. Originally $200,000 had been budgeted fox consulting fees, and a cost
of $2.7 million to develop the park.
It was the consensus of the Commission to fund $700,000 and include the $500,000 from
Palm Beach County.
Citv Hall Chambers
Mr. Harden stated the most important issue would be to update the audio/visual in the First
Floor Conference Room and the City Commission Chambers.
It was the Consensus of the Commission to fund the improvements.
7 MAY 8, 2007
Capital Improvement FinancingAlternatives/SAN Mirroring Solution
Joe Safford, Director of Finance, presented this item. Staff recommended the use of some of
the City's in-house reserves to finance some of the upcoming bond issue projects along with
the City's storage area network (SAN). This would reduce the overall bond issue and would
not conflict with any of the City's required reserves or additional reasonable reserves set
aside for contingencies and storm activity.
It was the consensus of the Commission to have the projects funded out of the reserves
from the Insurance Fund.
Mr. Harden stated that Miller Park was also included in this funding.
It was the consensus of the Commission to meet individually with Mr. Harden to discuss
financing.
Mayor Ellis adjourned the Workshop Meeting at 10:16 p.m.
~~ . ~ -
Ciry Clerk
A T: ~ ~~C~.~ ~ w
MAYOR
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
Thursday, May 8, 2007 which Minutes were formally approved and adopted by the City Commission
on May 15, 2007
~.
Ciry Clerk
NOTE TO READER: If the Minutes you have received are not completed as indicated above,
this means they axe 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.
MAY 8, 2007