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07/29/1980 ."'. ' , ;', ...1' ;1 .:' '..:....,1 . "', \ ,,", ,>)., 7"'-) ~.;t~;: ,~: ,.., ' '. :1'.' i', , ",; . :: ' " .". '" "i',' .. '"" 1 ' . :..J.' '[' ,'" I ,'" '." ", : ''1 : , ; ~ : '.' i , '\1 .1 '.,',' ,. ", ',..!: ,:':,:,' " . . , '.\ J,' ;1, d.,' \ .', CLEARWATER DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT BOARD I MEETING JUL Y 29, 1980 MEMBERS IN ATTENDANCE A. Bronson Thayer, Chairman Aaron Bilgore, Vice Chairman Robert H. Stiff, Jr. Leon Hamloc k Rose Phifer " NON-MEMBERS IN ATTENDANCE Sam Casella, Executive Director J. D. Sheeler Ray Parri Tom Brown John Chesnut Mr. & Mrs. Arlos Ogg Bill Matson Chuck Albury . The regular meeting of the Clearwater Downtown Development Board was called to order at 3:00 p.m. by the Chairman, Mr. Thayer. The meeting began with an invocation by Mr. Brown. Trle first item on the agenda was the Executive Director reports which were presented as follows: a} Update on Commission Action on Zoning Ordinance Mr. Casella reported he had spoken with Planning Director, Dave Healey, who stated that he would go back to the Commission at the next work session and ask the Commission formally to establish a hearing date for the proposed zoning ordinance, approximately 30 days after the Commission meeting next week. . b} Consideration of 1980/81 Budget and Adoption of Millage and Date for Public Hearing Pertaining to the TRIM Bill. All taxing districts must submit their property millage rate proposed and their rolled back rate and the time, day and place of public hearing; that infonnation to be presented to the Property Appraiser by July 31st. The Property Appraiser will then advise all tax payers of the proposed rates and the proposed hearing dates and there will be a hearing on the proposed millage and budget. After that hearing, the tax payers will be notified and a second hearing held sometime during the month of September. At that second hearing, the Board will be able to officially adopt a final budget and millage rate. As a result of this procedure, the Tax Appraiser's office supplied certification of taxable value at the be- ginning of the month, and then a second certification, later in the month. The first certification was for a total value of $63,584,000 and the second certification for an amount of $60,848,000. The Property Appraiser's second certification is now the basis for estimating revenue in 1981. 1 ',I, -j , . ""J J" . I' ',". :", . ".\ ~.' J ,f,' " '.' t, I. . ..~ , I,!I... , :1',. , .' J ',' ,~.::.):, :.:, " . , ,'. , , , :'. ::~'.' I " . ' ~ '. ", , , I:: '::,~ ' I . ...) to ' ". ,{- I!:.~\ ' ,.... rl , ", \ '. '. , I ", , .............~.... . ,i: ' ,,'. ".1; .' , '" . . " .~~{::,\ , ...~~~SLi:.:,. " t.,:" , ,:.. ' ....... ' .. -2- a Mr. Casella proceeded to explain the proposed 1980/81 budget. In this proposed budget, Mr. Casella included a salary increase for the Executive Director and a 10% increase for the secretary; secretary to be granted two weeks paid vacation and 10 working days sick leave, sick days not to be accumulated from year to year if not taken. Mrs. Phifer felt that the proposed budget was too high and warranted adjustments, namely in the areas of printing, postage, and public relations. Mr. Hammock suggested that reductions could be made in the line for tax collector. Mr. Bilgore suggested adding an amount to revenues to represent expected Scientology payment of 1978 taxes. Mr., Bilgore put a motion on the floor to adopt the proposed budget as indicated pending approval of salaries and to adopt the proposed 1 mill levy and that the date for public hearing for the budget meeting to be set for 8/26/80 at 5:01 p.m. Mr. Hammock seconded the motion. A vote was taken and the motion passed by a majority. Mrs. Phifer opposed... objection to deficit in budget. c) Finding of Necessity for Use of Tax Increment Financing and Industrial Revenue Financing Mr. Casella instituted some changes in this report to include Industrial Develop- ment Revenue Bonds because of legislation which was passed by the Florida legislature which provides that Industrial Development Revenue Bonds can be used for projects related to tourism, corporate headquarters, and also commercial developments in blighted areas. Mr. Casella said these two methods, Tax Increment Financing and Industrial Development Revenue Bonds, will be extremely important in providing for public purpose improvements in the down- town area and also extremely important in achieving feasibility of substantial private sector investment, and they would give the Downtown Development Board the proper tools with which to work towards the development of downtown Clear- water. Mr. Casella proposed that the Board approve this report and make recommendation to the City Commission that they also approve and adopt this report declaring a finding of blight conditions in the downtown area. This declaration by the City Commission would enable the City to proceed with Tax Increment Financing and allow use of Florida Industrial Development Revenue Bonds in downtown Clearwater for commercial projects. Mr. Hammock made a motion to accept this recommendation and was seconded by Mr. Bilgore. A vote was taken and the motion was passed unanimously. d) Report on Other 1980 Florida Legislation Mr. Casella reported on Tax Credit for New Jobs, (House Bill 1869); Tax Credit for New or Expanded Businesses (House Bill 1870); Tax Credit for Contribution to Community Development Projects (House Bill 1871); Community Revitalization Board (House Bill 1878). . Mr. Bilgore made a motion which was seconded by Mr. Hamnock for approval of minutes of June 24 and July 11, 1980. A vote was taken and the motion was passed unanimously. Mr. Hammock reviewed the financial statement of June 30, 1980. Mr. Bilgore made a motion and was seconded by Mrs. Phifer for approval. A vote was taken and the motion passed unanimously. '. " ' I' " I l . j I. ; , " J f :i ! ...' '. '~. ~ '. . ~ : . ' "l ",' , 'I' t.: ./, '\,. ' '" ,,:- ' '\ ; ;, ,. ';':;) : ,.' . t' I.~{O", u._t ~ I, I', I r .! , , . ',I', " " " : " ~ > . ~. . . 1 " , . ( -~----~..,._.._,' , . .' . "" ",:', ,~" ~'''' . . , ..., ....._......__.,..____ f", . '~, '.. -2- a Mr. Casella proceeded to explain the proposed 1980/81 budget. In this proposed budget, Mr. Casella included a salary increase for the Executive Director and a 10% increase for the secretary; secretary to be granted two weeks paid vacation and 10 working days sick leave, sick days not to be accumulated from year to year if not taken. Mrs. Phifer felt that the proposed budget was too high and warranted adjustments, namely in the areas of printing, postage, and public relations. Mr. Hammock suggested that reductions could be made in the line for tax collector. Mr. Bilgore suggested adding an amount to revenues to represent expected Scientology payment of 1978 taxes. Mr., Bilgore put a motion on the floor to adopt the proposed budget as indicated pending approval of salaries and to adopt the proposed 1 mill levy and that the date for public hearing for the budget meeting to be set for 8/26/80 at 5:01 p.nl. Mr. Hammock seconded the motion. A vote was taken and the motion passed by a majority. Mrs. Phifer opposed... objection to deficit in budget. c) Finding of Necessity for Use of Tax Increment Financing and Industrial Revenue Financing Mr. Casella instituted some changes in this report to include Industrial Develop- ment Revenue Bonds because of legislation which was passed by the Florida legislature which provides that Industrial Development Revenue Bonds can be used for projects related to tourism, corporate headquarters, and also commercial developments in blighted areas. Mr. Casella said these two methods, Tax Increment Financing and Industrial Development Revenue Bonds, will be extremely important in providing for public purpose improvements in the down- town area and also extremely important in achieving feasibility of substantial private sector investment, and they would give the Downtown Development Board the proper tools with which to work towards the development of downtown Clear- water. Mr. Casella proposed that the Board approve this report and make recommendation to the City Commission that they also approve and adopt this report declaring a finding of blight conditions in the downtown area. This declaration by the City Commission would enable the City to proceed with Tax Increment Financing and allow use of Florida Industrial Development Revenue Bonds in downtown Clearwater for ,commercial projects. Mr. Hammock made a motion to accept this recommendation and was seconded by Mr. Bilgore. A vote was taken and the motion was passed unanimously. d) Report on Other 1980 Florida legiSlation Mr. Casella reported on Tax Credit for New Jobs, (House Bill 1869); Tax Credit for New or Expanded Businesses (House Bill 1870); Tax Credit for Contribution to Community Development Projects (House Bill 1871); Community Revitalization Board (House Bill 1878). . Mr. Bilgore made a motion which was seconded by Mr. Hammock for approval of minutes of June 24 and July 11, 1980. A vote was taken and the motion was passed unanimously. Mr. Hammock reviewed the financial statement of June 30, 1980. Mr. Bilgore made a motion and was seconded by Mrs. Phifer for approval. A vote was taken and the motion passed unanimously. '. ..,' '..i '._ ' f ,...4 , " ::~.. , , ' .~ ~.:-; ~'":"" ~. ,,' " ...- ~... "-~ -. _... .I d.:.., .' ',~ , , ,J ; "I' ,i ).' "',' " ',I .' , ('. . j; , ' . , , , '~:,' ,. ,-- , . ','. " " , " , . 1 L'/<) ( ;...., : ..~' I ~' .' . .:,i \i: .' , , ,,' ~'.' ",l >,' , ':':. ':",' '...,' , ,', ~M~~ ''-.ld.. ~;W\a...:1.!" ',' , ", ':::_::.~~n'~~_~.~..;~~tit{:::,',':,:,: . .'., "'" .. - . , -3- . A discussion was brought forth in regard to the property owners keeping their areas clean. It was finally agreed that letters be written to these property owners stipulating the wishes of the Board. The next item on the agenda was correspondence. Mr. Casella presented the following letters: 1) A letter from Richard F. Barrett of the Florida Deparunent of Community Affairs thanking the Downtown Development Board for hosting the "Downtown Development for the Smaller City" seminar. 2) Another letter from Richard Barrett to A. Bronson Thayer thanking him for the "Downtown Development for the Smaller City" seminar and Mr. Casella's contribution towards its success. 3) A memorandum from Tom Mills regarding FDDA dues and association goals. 4) A letter from the Department of Legal Affairs office of the Attorney General of Tallahassee in response to Mr. Thayer's letter regarding the Sunshine Law. - 5) A reconciliation of the 1979 ad valorem taxes from O. Sanford Jasper. 6) A letter to Mr. Thayer from Keith Crawford explaining the situation of Dr. Paul Brown. 7) A letter from Nrs. Dorothy Irion regaY'ding the use of the old Spani sh motif facade design in renovating downtown. 8) A memo from John Ricketson, President of the Chamber of Commerce, regarding the 1980/81 Official Visitors Guide. 9) A memo from the Historic Preservation Study Group stating that there will be a meeting at Heritage Park at 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, August 6, 1980 to discuss the State of Florida Historical & Preservation Program. 10) A request to have log of tax receipts for free parking sent out to Don Lindsay and Rose Phifer by the 20th of each month so that they could contact those who are delinquent ahead of time. Mr. Stiff brought up the matter pertaining to sidewalk improvements in front of the Colony Building, whether or not to use the red brick pavers. The City felt that they do not have the labor expertise for this project, but that they would supply the materials if the property owners would supply the labor. The Board was in agreement with this. The Executive Director and the secretary were excused at 4:30 p.m. in order for the Board to discuss the matter of salaries. . Respectfully submitted, '--;?~ L<>--\}.- Sam Casella, AICP Executive Director P.S. According to the Chairman, the Board approved a salary of $25,500 for the Executive Director and fringe benefits of $3,865. Two weeks vacation and 10 days sick leave for the secretary was also approved. 1.~:'I:~1;,,;,~,.;"It'}""/~fr":,1':.. . '.:' \'f:'v'~'~.:\i.~~';::-,~:'>.'i_'.' ' ,:: "~.,", ~~:'..: > ','. ~?i~4li~1..>;~~:;"")'f't.;;\,.':'{(' ~I,;.,~~,y~.:.t:;t.i.,~?,~...;/t:r~:t:' ~ .' ':", :. ::... .' , " '7,.:<~~t..'::f::"',~\~f.'~'i~;:,7"'f;;':?'f'<:'~,~" ':, ,': :'1 . , " ", '.. " . . .':. .:~:;.~, :'.:, ....\ ,- ,I. . . -"- .... -.. -.-.. ... .,..* .-.'