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05/02/1975 e a VJiP G :.' , ,., '.1' ' , , "1 I','" . " . ,I :' " ',' , I , ~ !:b::l &:L ~~dIiOMi1IA".l'll~ CLEARWATER DCMNTaYN DEVELOP:MENT BOARD Meeting--May 2, 1975 PRESEN'l: Charles Galloway, Chairman Darwin Prank Mayor Cazares Rober Berryman Joe R. Wolfe Bob Taylor M. E. Palmer) Exec. Dil:'. The Chairman opened the meeting and asked Mr. Minotti to lead us in prayer. He then introduced the visitors who are in attendance for the first time. John Ehrig, CAC Don Minotti Jim Parker Dale l.iorgan \Jimmy Hall Ed. Whitson Leon Hammock. At the request of the Chairman, Mt'. Wolfe, Attorney for the Board, advised that because of the requirements of our Act, Mr. Berryman may not set as a member of the Board at this meeting. He advised to con- duct an election as soon as possible, to determine a replacement for Mr. BeI't'yman, and at this time we may consider that we do riot have a Quorum. Following some discussion, the Chairman stated tlv~t because of the lack of a quorum at this meeting the opportunity to have the Board nominate replacement candidates for an ea:t'ly election is gone. He agreed, however, to activate an election committee at once so that a contested election may be held at the earliest date. Mr. Wolfe adct~d that due to the situ~tion we face he would suggest that the Board ask a Chairman of the Nominating Committee to advise the Executive Director who is nominated so thut ballots me.}' be prepared and mailed early next week so that the election may be held and the successor to Mr. Berryman determined prior to the ~~y meeting. The Chairman added that because we do not have a quorum that we wi~ not hear the financial statement for the month, but will have a combined statement at the next meeting. Mr. Wolfe reviewed the pending legislation sponsored by the FDDA, of which organization we are members, which wi12 allow redevelopment plans, at t~e option of all Florida cities, to have the benefits of tax relief ,for downtown redevelopment. During the discussion that followed, it was pointed out that a Bill is now being prepared for the llaegislature to act upon, that it is incumbent upon us as well as a11 other Florida cities to support this 1egislation. However because we do lack a quorum, we either defer this action and call a meeting soon, such as early next week, or as suggested by Mr. Whitson, we encourage all interested business people and land owners in the area to write personal letters to the Legis1ative Delegates in support of the Bill. The members present agreed with Mr. Whitson and asked the Executive Direc- tor to prepare a summary of the pending Bill, along with the names and addresses of the Legislators to be addressed. This was so ordered. At the request of the Chairman, Mr. Whitson advised the Board of the pending amendment so our Act, which will if passed, alloW us to hav,e seven members rather than five as at present, will permit selected -1- ; . j " " , '" i" . .~ '" . ~ ~ , " ' I"'!!'!\ ~ Qj"r.-' ';'~t>'~ >~~i.'U " ' 'I, , \' , ' " -2- representatives of corporations as well as freeholders to vote for board members, and will allow for three year terms for elected members rather than one year terms. Mr. Whitson stated that he will be in close touch with Rep. Easley who is the sponsor of the Bill and see that it is filed as soon as possible. Mr. Whitson added further that in his opinion we should allow all individuals as well as all corporations to vote in the election and those that follow. He pointed out that to allow all corpora- tion represent~tives to vote and not allow all individual land owners to vote may lead to trouble., It was determined that he should again refine the proposod Bill to correct this matter so that all voters are on the same basis. i'he Chairman instructed Mr. White and Mr. Whitson to change the wording of the Bill along the lines as discussed today and report the final draft to the Board at the next meeting. The Chairman reviewed the proposed redevelopment plan project as voted upon at the April 21 City Commission meeting. The motion which was passed was as follows: "Commissioner Carwise moved that the City participate in a joint funded effort for the Downtown Redevelopment Study for an amount not to exceed $100,000 on a SO-50 arrangement. The Downtown Development Board to provide their share in cash and the City to provide its share of $25,000 in cash and $25,000 in "In-kind" services from a contingency fund." The Mayor commented that in his opinion the road is now cleared to proceed with the advertising, which the CODn will pay for, and the selection of a consu1tant. He added that at this 'time no action by the CDDB is needed beyond its acceptance of the action taken by the City Conun:lssion. The Mayor urged that we go ahead now to get the job on the road, and that should further problems arise the Executive Director come back to the ' Board for guidance. He added that we will receive full cooperation from the City Manager and his staff. The Chairman stated that he has completed arrangements for the loans to be made to the cnDn to cover our share of the costs. ~~. Wolfe added that after a fj.nal selection is made and the ac'tual cost of the plan ~etermined~ that the Board should submit a contract statement to the Cit~ to cover tile details of finance'involved. The Chairman opened the subject of the site selection of the City Commis- sion for the proposed new civic center faCility. He referred to the April 21 Commission meeting at which time the Commission made it clear that they did not wish to ask members of this Board to participate in the site selection as a part of the City staff. He added that the City Commission wants input from the Board on this matter but not as a part of the staff considerations. Mayor Cezares stated that should this Board have input it will surely be considered by the staff and recommended that we shouJ.d get any input we have to the City Manager at once. Further, he added that after the staff recommendation is in for consideration by" the Commission, there will be public hearings which will lead up to the final site 'selection. The Chairman suggested that we should have a committee get with members ~ of the City staff and advise them of our feelings. ',..,'" ," I ~.. . ".- '1".' , v 'L. .'.., ,.- ','" ,." ')' , 1:;,/\ , II : t!.:::. J \ '<~~~ ..,:;* .~, . ','1. -3-' The Chairman asked Mayor Cezares to make a statement if he chose to do subject of a proposed downtown site for Campus of the University South Florida. Mayor Cezares responded with the thought that surely a downtown oite, using a high-!'ise facility on a smaller ground site would be a great addition to the area. Further he added that such simi- lar sites are in use in the State with great success. so on the of The thought was expressed that although there is no site now being pro- posed, that a way should be found to make a recommendation to the University along these lines. Mr. Whitson suggested that since the policy of the University is to build only on donated land that this might preclude any possibility of a favorable response. Regarding the ability of this Board to borrow funds from local banks to pay its share of the redevelopment plan, the Chairman aSked "l'..r. Wolfe to research all possibilities in this regard. The next regular meeting of the Board is scheduled for May 27, 1975 at 3:00 p.m. at the sa~e place. M. E. Palmer Executive Director. ." 'It * * * ." oft * ." ." * 'It * * * '" ." ." * * ." * * * ." * * ." .. 'it .. * ,.. ." ." ." * FINANCIAL STATEMENT April 30~ 1975 Cash on hand March 31) lQ75 Cash receipts in April $ 21,441.86 4~.7 .03 E,8sn9 2,9J.9.28 $ 22,939.61 6 , 83J.. 59 $ 29,771.20 $ 14,471.00 Total Cash: Less checks paid in April Cash on hand April 30, 1975 Est. Cash receivables in year Total est. cash available in 1975 Est. reserve for redevelopment plans Note: Cash receipts include a reimbursement FDDA for long distance telephone use from the ($26.27). , ~ '. , , I'''',,! 't ,I",,' . ."; }~ ':'':I'r~