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WORKSHOP MEETING: BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS CALL TO ORDER: March 28, 2000, at 9:34 a.m., in the Palm Beach County Governmental Center, West Palm Beach, Florida. 1. ROLL CALL 2. AGENDA APPROVAL WORKSHOP ITEMS Commissioner Aaronson noted that relying on the gas tax while at the same time promoting the public's use of mass transit might create a problem with revenues. He asked whether the 2020 plan was realistic, in view of such emerging technologies as electric vehicles. Mr. Slade said he did not know. Commissioner Marcus suggested that the Board's flexibility in allocating gas tax revenues would address the deficit that is anticipated with impact fee collections. Commissioner Roberts recommended giving closer scrutiny to future road projects before granting approval and building only those deemed necessary. Commissioner Aaronson added that levels of service are bound to change, along with costs. John Corbett, chair of the council, pointed out that an additional $8.9 million would be needed annually if it was not possible to spend impact fee revenues outside the area that generates them. He then asked for the Board's questions and directions. Commissioner Lee asked whether impact fees, if there is a surplus, might be used to support mass transit. Mr. Corbett answered that the fees can be used only on roadway-capacity enhancement. Commissioner Roberts raised the question of whether drainage improvements could be funded with impact fee revenue. Willie Swoope, impact fee coordinator, said only if such drainage improvements were roadway-capacity related. County Administrator Weisman amplified the point by saying impact fee revenues could be spent only on drainage construction associated with the building of new thoroughfare roads. Ms. Roberts directed Mr. Weisman and County Engineer George T. Webb to determine how the connection between drainage improvements and roadway-capacity enhancement might be defended as eligible for impact fee-based funding. She also suggested that Commissioner Newell be invited to participate in the study. Commissioner Lee asked whether the council would continue to monitor revenue projections. Mr. Slade assured her that it would and that this was the first year in which it had been necessary to look elsewhere than the gas tax for a funding source. PUBLIC COMMENT: Commissioner McCarty pointed out that the Board had discussed suspending the gas tax at its March 21, 2000, meeting and had directed staff to study the impact of a possible suspension on revenues. The Board had also decided to wait on the decision of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries relative to increasing production quotas, she said, and to develop a means of ensuring that any savings from suspension of the gas tax would go to the consumer, not the gas companies. 4. 10:30 A.M. - See Pages 4-7. 5. REGULAR AGENDA 5.B. ENGINEERING AND PUBLIC WORKS 2.C. UNSCHEDULED ITEMS - COMMISSIONER COMMENTS Commissioner Aaronson added that he was upset with the reported behavior of Code Enforcement staff, which he characterized as "unacceptable." Commissioner Marcus agreed and recommended that staff's comments to the media need to be more carefully considered before they are made. Commissioner Roberts suggested that staff make use of Public Affairs to communicate to the media. County Administrator Weisman said the practice has been to rely on department heads as the spokespersons for their respective departments. Mr. Weisman said he would review the issue with all departments. 4. 10:30 A.M. - SOUTH FLORIDA FAIR MASTER PLAN. DISCUSSED 3-28-2000 Commissioner Masilotti also inquired about plans for expanding special care facilities in the fair's emergency shelter. County Administrator Weisman answered that special care capacity was adequate. The difficulty, he said, was in upgrading the facility to Red Cross specifications. Commissioner Masilotti raised a question on whether donations of local property for parking had been included in the master plan. Brantley B. ("Buck") Christian, fair chief executive officer, replied that they had but that relocation of water catchment areas would become necessary before these donated properties could be used for parking. Relocation of the retention lakes would allow parking south of Belvedere Road and eliminate the danger to pedestrians posed by the need to cross Belvedere, Mr. Christian explained. Finally, Commissioner Masilotti suggested that the fair use its projected $8 million annual revenue stream to fund half the expansion now and half later. William Owens, consultant to the fair with Economic Research Associates, answered that rising costs made it prudent to undertake the entire expansion effort now. Commissioner Masilotti asked whether a referendum on the issue of County financial assistance to the fair would be acceptable. Mr. Christian responded that it would. Commissioner McCarty asked Mr. Christian for assurance that, whatever the outcome of the current request for funds, the fair would continue. It would, Mr. Christian said. Given that intention, Commissioner McCarty continued, could the fair extend its bonding capacity to 30 years, which would increase its share of the cost of the expansion from $8 million to between $11 million and $12 million. If the fair's purpose in seeking County backing was to enjoy a lower interest rate on the bonds, Commissioner McCarty declared, she could support the request only at a 30-year life for the bonds and only with approval by the public in a referendum. Commissioner Marcus pointed out that the emergency shelter facilities at the fairgrounds were only certified for category 3 preparedness, which might not be adequate given the projections for an increasing number of category 4 and 5 storms in the coming years. Commissioner McCarty insisted that funds to upgrade the certification of the shelters must come from the state. Commissioner Marcus also recommended that the fair's staff consult with the School Board to determine what level of accommodation would be adequate for high school graduation ceremonies. She suggested that seating for 5,000 might be marginal. Mr. Christian assured her that reconfiguring the exposition hall would allow for a larger audience. Commissioner Roberts asked whether the fair had sought the assistance of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and was told FEMA had not been approached. Commissioner Roberts suggested the fair should have applied to FEMA for assistance before approaching the County. She also asked what the anticipated rate of interest on the bonds was, given the backing of the County. Fair staff replied that the interest was projected at 5.85 percent per year. Commissioner Roberts then said she, too, would need to see the results of a referendum before she could approve the fair's application to the County for funding. Commissioner Aaronson said he could not support County assistance of the fair's expansion effort. He suggested that the fair instead increase ticket prices to transfer the cost of the improved facilities to those persons who would be using them. Commissioner Aaronson recommended a study to determine whether a higher user fee could pay off a bond issue completely, and he also said he could not approve the fair's request without public endorsement through a referendum. Commissioner Masilotti requested that the fair work with Assistant County Administrator Vince Bonvento, taking advantage of his expertise in emergency planning, as facilities were upgraded to category 5 preparedness. He said Mr. Bonvento's participation in the planning would also serve to assure the County that the proposal was viable. PUBLIC COMMENT: The following speakers expressed unanimous opposition to the fair's proposal: Nanci Alexander, president of the Animal
Rights Foundation of Florida, Inc., Stanley Andrews, Margaret Bachtler, Lynne Brenes, staff to Congressman Wexler, John
Cook, Beth Ellen DiLuglio, Blayne Doyle, Alana Edwards, Linda Gore, chair of the Advisory Council for Animal Care and
Control, Andrea Grieco, Cara Jennings, Jessica Poblano, Faith Pruchnicki, Michelle Rivera, Sarah Steiner, and Wil
VanNatta. The speakers who objected to expansion of the Exposition Center did so on the grounds that public funds should not be spent to support a venue that exploits animals by using them in such events as rodeos, circuses, and pig races. Those speakers who objected to public support for the Agri-Plex as a facility for display of genetically engineered livestock
and produce were reminded by the Board that the issue of support for the Agri-Plex was not on the Agenda. In addition,
responding to questions put by the speakers, Mr. Christian pledged that the Agri-Plex would not be used for the display of
genetically engineered livestock or produce. Commissioner Marcus summarized the results of the workshop, mentioning that no funds would be available without an endorsement by the voters in a referendum; that the fair's staff and County staff would confer on the matter of seeking funds from FEMA; and that the fair would meet with Animal Care and Control on the matter of policing animal treatment issues. She recommended including Congressman Robert Wexler's office in the meeting on animal treatment. Commissioner Lee called for documentation of the complaints of animal cruelty and abuse made by speakers. 6. ADJOURNMENT ATTESTED: APPROVED: Clerk Chair |
