09/02/2008
COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY MEETING MINUTES
CITY OF CLEARWATER
September 2, 2008
Present: Frank Hibbard Chair/CRA Trustee
Carlen Petersen CRA Trustee
John Doran CRA Trustee
George N. Cretekos CRA Trustee
Paul Gibson CRA Trustee
Also present: William B. Horne II City Manager
Jill S. Silverboard Assistant City Manager
Rod Irwin Assistant City Manager/CRA Executive Director
Pamela K. Akin City Attorney
Cynthia E. Goudeau City Clerk
Rosemarie Call Management Analyst
The Chair called the meeting to order at 1:30 p.m. at City Hall.
To provide continuity for research, items are in agenda order although not
necessarily discussed in that order.
2 - Approval of Minutes
2.1. Approve the minutes of the August 18, 2008 CRA meeting as submitted in written
summation by the City Clerk.
Trustee Petersen moved to approve the minutes of the Community Redevelopment
Agency meeting of August 18, 2008, as recorded and submitted in written summation by the
City Clerk to each Trustee. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously.
3 - CRA Items
3.1. Adopt report entitled “Cleveland Street District Retail Strategy” as developed by
ERA/DowntownWorks for the Clearwater CRA and authorize staff to implement the
recommendations contained therein.
Pursuant to CRA (Community Redevelopment Agency) RFP (Request for Proposals) 10-
08, a contract was awarded March 17, 2008, to Economic Research Associates/Downtown
Works of Washington, D.C. for Retail Recruitment and Marketing Services for the Cleveland
Street District in Downtown Clearwater. The objective of the contract was to support and
enhance the existing retail base within the Cleveland Street District.
The contract delineates the following services to be provided by the consultant: 1)
Develop a Strategy for Retail Recruitment and Repopulation of the retail spaces in the
Cleveland Street District, consistent with the “Café Society” vision and market characteristics; 2)
Develop a marketing and leasing plan to implement the retail strategy; and 3) Assist and
counsel the CRA with retail contacts and negotiations with property owners/retail prospects.
Community Redevelopment Agency 2008-09-02 1
These services are intended to support the overall strategy for downtown revitalization,
which is: 1) implement infrastructure improvements; 2) attract residential development; and 3)
create a “destination.” The contract marks the next step in the CRA’s program for downtown
revitalization, which to-date has included the Downtown Market Study, Façade Design Analysis
creating the “Café Society,” revised Façade Improvement Program and Sidewalk Furniture
Grant Program, and Cleveland Street branding.
ERA/DowntownWorks completed a draft report, addressing Item 1 of their engagement.
Activities under Items 2 and 3 are also underway, in conjunction with the CRA Downtown
Manager. Staff presented the draft report at the August 18th CRA meeting in order to receive
Board input, advice and comment on the discussion draft to assure that the final document
reflects the expectations of the Board. Staff has incorporated the results of the discussion into a
final document for consideration/adoption. Staff recommends Board adoption of the Report.
It was stated CRA funds were used to pay for the retail study. No ad valorem taxes
were used.
Trustee Doran moved to adopt the report entitled “Cleveland Street District Retail
Strategy” as developed by ERA/DowntownWorks for the Clearwater CRA and authorize staff to
implement the recommendations contained therein. The motion was duly seconded and carried
unanimously.
3.2. Adopt final budget amendments for the Community Redevelopment Agency for fiscal year
2007/08.
Amendments to the revenues of the operating budget recognize the decrease of the TIF
(Tax Increment Financing) received for FY (Fiscal Year) 2007/08, the EPA (Environmental
Protection Agency) Brownfields loan of $350,000 to the CRA for cleanup of the Clearwater Auto
Site as well as the small increase in Other General Income associated with vendor contributions
to the Cleveland Street grand opening celebration. Amendments to the operating expenditures
recognize miscellaneous expenditures relating to setting up the Downtown Manager’s office,
Cleveland Street District activities, and the transfer of $350,000 to the Clearwater Auto Site EPA
Loan project. In addition, amend the designation of $300,000 of County Restricted TIF from
Clearwater Auto Site to Cleveland Streetscape II. All expenditure activity reflected in the Capital
Projects Fund is for the period ending July 30, 2008.
Trustee Cretekos moved to adopt final budget amendments for the Community
Redevelopment Agency for Fiscal Year 2007/08. The motion was duly seconded and carried
unanimously.
3.3. Approve the FY 2008-09 Community Redevelopment Agency budget and adopt CRA
Resolution 08-01.
Major changes in FY2008/09 budget: 1) Tax Increment Revenues decreased by
$186,208 due to 5% reduction in assessed values; 2) Operating expenditures decreased overall
by $11,969; 3) Miscellaneous increases to various operating line items due mainly to increased
activities planned in Cleveland Street District for FY2008/09; 4) Transfers Out to various project
codes listed as designated by CRA 6-Year Plan. The $962,644 of Restricted County TIF funds
will be transferred to projects: 1) $462,644 to Cleveland Streetscape II and 2) $500,000 to
Community Redevelopment Agency 2008-09-02 2
Downtown Boat Slips. The proposed FY 2008/09 Agency budget is consistent with the 6-Year
Financial Plan for the CRA.
In response to questions, CRA Executive Director Rod Irwin said the 2-year $500,000
advance for the Royalty Theatre will be a loan from the central insurance fund and be paid back
as funds are available. These funds have not been committed. The monies used are not from
the general fund but from dedicated tax collection that can only be used in the CRA. Economic
Development & Housing Director Geri Campos Lopez said the $173,487 entry is the remaining
city portion of TIF (Tax Increment Financing) and will go towards funding the $4 million project.
It was requested that discussion be held regarding lessons learned from Phase 1 before
design of Phase 2 is underway.
Trustee Gibson moved to approve the FY 2008/09 Community Redevelopment Agency
budget. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously.
Resolution 08-01 was presented and read by title only. Trustee Petersen moved to pass
and adopt Resolution 08-01 and authorize the appropriate officials to execute same. The
motion was duly seconded and upon roll call, the vote was:
"Ayes": Cretekos, Petersen, Doran, Gibson, and Hibbard.
"Nays": None.
4 . Other Business - None.
Retail Studv
Mr. Irwin clarified recent article regarding the $145,000 consultant fee. The fee includes
the retail study, employee training and retail recruitment. He reviewed how CRA funding works.
5 . Adjourn
The meeting adjourned at 1:46 p.m.
~~
Chair
Community Redevelopment Agency
Attest:
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