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09/22/1992 (2) l. ' ' . I '0 ',;, ,~ , . '. '.' '0, .,' . ,r..,., '. ~ , r".': "i I:~.' ,,," ,.. ~', ~ 1'" ',: ',.:,;',' , , , ~~I:':}j' /; . .' ' ,. . ,< , . , : , ,. , ' ,l,,'. .. .' ,\,. , i~.~ ' .. .... ,.(. . . " ", '. .t>~ r COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY September 22, 1992 The City Commission, meeting as the Community Redevelopment Agency, met in regular session at City Hall, Tuesday, September 22, 1992 at 1: 13 P.M., with the following members present: t Rita Garvey Lee Regulski Sue Berfield Richard Fitzgerald Arthur X. Deegan, II Chairperson Mem ber Member Member Member' Also Present were: Michael J. Wright Jerry D. Sternstein Cynthia E.. Goudeau Executive Director; Economic Developm'ent Director Secretary ': ~ i ITEM l. - The Mayor called the meeting to order. .,( '.. In order to provide continuity for research. the items will be listed in agenda order although not necessarily discussed in that order. ITEM II. - $3.000 Contribution to the Downtown Development Board for promotional activities At its meeting on September 14, 1992,'Ms. Brenda Nixon made a presentation to the Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) requesting an amount up to $3,000 for the purpose of supporting her services contract with the Downtown Development Board (DDB). The funds were : requested for the general purpose of providing for miscellaneous expenditures including the I possible payment of utility deposits on Cleveland Street front properties, marketing support, etc. Because the DDB has contracted with Ms. Nixon and has the responsibility for monitoring the progress of this program, the DDB is the most logical body for determining the appropriateness of these expenditures. The CRA can best support this program with a contribution to the DDB in the amount of $3,000 for promotional expenditures as deemed appropriate by the Board. The Fiscal Year 1991/92 CRA budget will be amended to reflect the transfer of these funds to the DDB. , Member Fitzgerald moved to award a $3,000 contribution to the Downtown Development Board for promotional activities. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. ( minCR09b.92 1 9/22/92 t:: ~" . r ,., .. ITEM 111. - Kravas Proosrtv For the past six months, Staff has been involved in negotiations with William Kravas for the sale of his property located at 61 6-626B Cleveland Street. This property which encompasses a series of narrow bay buildings fronting on Cleveland Street and a metered parking lot in the rear leased to the City is approximately 36,123 square feet or .83 acres. The property is adjacent to Station Square Park, a mini-park recently installed by the City of Clearwater. Staff recommends purchase of this property for a variety of reasons. First, the retailers in downtown have long argued for visible surface. parking. Since this lot is already metered and was recently resurfaced, it would fulfill this request adequately. Should the CRA purchase the property, staff would recommend the buildings be demolished and a curb cut be made to access the lot directly from Cleveland Street. The meters which are currently in place are long-term parking meters. It is recommended to change these to short-term meters to accommodate short- term parking. Secondly, aside from the convenience and economics offered by the ready-to-use parking lot, it is in the CRA's best interest to own the property adjacent to the mini-pa'rk. Should this property be purchased by a private individual or group, there is no guarantee the uses would be complimentary or compatible with the existing mini-park. At the CRA meeting of July 13, 1992, purchase for a maximum of $10.10 per square foot was authorized unless an appraisal determined the value to be less. The CRA commissioned an appraisal by R.E. Marketing Consultants and their finding, dated July 24, 1992, estimated the fee (~. , simple, "as is" ~arket value for the property to be $490,000. It was requested the name of the purchaser on the contract be changed from the City of Clearwater to Community Redev€Jlopment Agency. Concern was expressed over the possibility of trcontaminated ground" and the City's Iiabllity. Mr. Kravas stated in the mid-50's the depot was used for fruit shippers and a Gator Special on Saturday for football. For about the last 20 years the .City has leased it for parking. Activity of the depot was approximately where the 1 st Florida building now stands. , C.. The Executive Director suggested closing the deal in escrow, contingent on a favorable soil test analysis and clean environmental report. Member Regulski moved to approve the purchase of Lots 4 through 10, Block 19 of Gould and Ewing's Second Aadition to Clearwater Harbor, located at 616 through 62GB Cleveland Street from William Kravas for a total price of $365.000, closing in escrow with the, final release of funds upon the receipt of a clean environmental report. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. The Executive Director asked for direction in regard to construction of a parking lot on the Kr8vas property. He feels there is enough justification to approve the construction of the parking lot without waiting for the adoption of the new Downtown plan. minCR09b.92 2 9/22/92 " J, }I,. , ..' " . 'I + , , " , , ' ,C'. Discussion ensued regarding what the CRA is allowed to do, The City Attorney concurred that the pros outweigh the cons in this situation and recommended proceeding with the plan for the parking lot. ,It was stateq the lease with Mr. Flowers needs to be addressed and it was suggested Mr. Flowers is willing to move as long as he received some financial assistance from the CRA. " I I I r Consensus was to give the Executive Director direction to proceed. ITEM IV. Amend the aooroved 1992/93 CRA Budoet to reimburse the oarking fund $17 .300 for lost revenues in order to all two hour "Free Parkinoll in certain City oarking lots and metered street oarkina soaces for a three month trial oeriod effective 10/1/92 , The CRA has been requested to support the Downtown Development Board (DDB) project to promote the downtown business area by attracting artists and galleries to the currently vacant storefronts on Cleveland Street. Ms. Brenda Nixon has contracted with the DDS to promote this program and she has indicated accessible free parking is important to the suc.cess of her revitalization efforts. Staff recommends free pa'rking be provided in the fOllowing locations: On street spaces on Waterson, North of Cleveland; Garden, North of Cleveland; Park, from North Ft. Harrison to East; and the Kravas and Park Street lots. It is estimated this "free parking" would impact the Parking Fund in the amount of $17,300. If,:,;. ~'jl If it is decided to continue the free parking program on a permanent basis, it is recommended the total long range impact on the parking system be assessed by an independent qualified parking consultant as defined in the parking revenue bonds. It was stated the free parking is needed for only a 75-day period, or October 15, 1992 to January t, 1993. Ms. Nixon is also requesting the City provide more short-term parking spaces close to the stores. It was suggested Traffic Engineering be asked to ascertain what additional on-street parking could be availed in the downtown area, provided they do not change traffic patterns, or take out any parking lanes out of the PSTA terminal, as these accommodate their bus patterns. Discussion ensued regarding including the Maas Brothers property in the free parking program. It was stated this lot is neoded for long-term employee parking. Staff was directed to investigate the possibility of additional downtown parking on street spaces. Member Deegan moved to amend the approved 1992/93 eRA Budget to reimburse the parking fund $17,300 for lost revenues in order to all two hour "Free Parking" in certain City parking lots and metered street parking spaces for a three month trial peri'od effective 10/15/92. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. (--- minCR09b.92 3 9/22/92 " "..~. .:. ',;:",':, :,' .., ..:" ....~... ': . '",", ~:;.'.:: .. '.::. .:'.':.', '::..' .:.:::.i, ::.'.':' .'J;:~:: :':: " ..:, :::j: .. '."'. .:::::' .~..~,' .. ,': '":~.::' ...:: .:"',:"'.' ::::::::'::: ~ "' ~. c ;r '-;11;" ., ) . .,. t\:{:~::~~ '. :':" .'.' ;;~ I :','.: 'I' ~~: '" , " ."j ~ I . , ".\ ,. , . ~t~jj~e ~~::" . '. , i . " : . ,,'; ~. ~ : ,.."; ': ~ '" ' .:. '. ~ , . ~. e >:\ ,... ,'" : ':~ .. c\ ITEM V. - Schedule Goal Settine Meeting Consensus was to schedule a goal setting meeting for Monday; October 19, 1992 at 9:00 A.M. The Executive Director requested direction regarding the two proposals for the East End project: 1) MAS Proposal for residential development, and 2) Lincoln Proposal, regarding the ' overall Downtown area. Concerns ,were expressed that only one proposal for the East End was presented and that the proposal for Downtown and the Bluff was inappropriate at least until after the 11/03/92 referendum regarding the Florida Gulf Coast Arts Center's use of the Maas Brothers property. Concerns ~ere also expressed regarding the terms of the MAS One Proposal. The Executive Director indicated the MAS One proposal was a starting point and that. negotiation regarding the terms can take place. He suggested consideration be delayed until the ' CRA holds its goal setting meeting on 10/19/92. ., Concerns were expressed regarding "closing the door" on the Lincoln proposal for the entire Downtown area. It was stated if a project for overall Downtown development was'to be considered, others should have an opportunity to submit proposals. , ,..' (-"')" , , , ,i Consensus was to delay consideration of the MAS One proposal until after the 10/19/92 Goal Setting meeting and to tell the Lincoln property group they are not interested in their . proposal at this time. It was stated that should the Arts Center referendum fail, the issue of the use of the Bluff would be re-opened. If it is decided to seek development of any or all of the Bluff, the request for proposals will be open to all. ' j l I .1 It was requested the "work" rules of the CRA be reviewed at the next meeting. ITEM VI. - Adjournment The meeting adjourned 2:23 P.M. , ATTEST .or. ./ " c' minCR09b.92 4 9/22/92