03/17/1997 (2)
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COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY MEETING
CITY OF CLEARWATER
March 17, 1997
Present:
Rita Garvey
J. B. Johnson
Robert Clark
Ed Hooper
Karen Seel
David Stone
Bob Keller
Elizabeth M. Deptula
Cynthia E. Goudeau
Patricia O. Sullivan
Chair/CRA Trustee
CRA Trustee
CRA' Trustee
CRA Trustee
CRA Trustee
Ex-Officio Trustee
Assistant City Manager
City Manager
City Clerk
Board Reporter
The Chair called the meeting to order at 9: 10 a.m. at the Municipal Services Building.
To provide continuity for research, items are In agenda order although not necessarily discussed
In that order.
ITEM #2 w Aooroval of Mjnut~s
Trustee Hooper moved to approve the minutes of the meetings of February 18, 1997,
,,~ and March 3, 1997, as recorded and submitted in written summation by the City Clerk to
(~.~.j each Trustee. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously.
ITEM #3 - Creation of Public/Privata Downtown Alliance - agree in principle to create a new
alliance through an Interlocal agreement between the CRA (Community Redevelopment
Agency) & DDB (Downtown Development Board); authorize City Manager & City Attorney to
negotiate a proposed agreement creating the alliance
Establishing formal cooperation between the CRA (Community Redevelopment Agency)
and downtown business interests would enhance the opportunity for coordinated planning for
downtown. Joint budgeting would provide significant efficiencies and enable the CRA and
OOB (Downtown Development Board) to set priorities that satisfy the interests of both
organizations. The DDB has approved unanimously entering into negotiations to establish the
Downtown Alliance. The DDB board has appointed its vice-chair to work with the CRA to
create an Interlocal Agreement. Counsel believes principals contained in the working paper
permit the creation of the Alliance while protecting City, CRA, and DDS interests.
Goals of the Alliance are: 1) establish private/public cooperation; 2) oversee downtown
action planning; 3) set policy for downtown regarding development, management, and
marketing; 4) budget downtown special taxes; and 5) minimize legal difficulties.
Assistant City Manager Bob Keller said a formal alliance will allow each entity to retain
separation where necessary to meet legal requirements. In response to a question, the City
Attorney said Florida Statute 163 allows this new entity by Interlocal agreement. Mr. Keller
o said governance is key. Proposed language establishes a board consisting of 5 CRA Trustees
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(City Commissioners) and 4 downtown citizens. The agreement includes a provision to change
this balance later and an exit strategy if the organization does not work. The Assistant City
Manager's office will staff the alliance.
Mr. Keller said the alliance's powers will be quite substantial and include setting policy,
planning, and spending public and private resources. The alliance could be constructed to
contract with developers with limitations, manage downtown assets, raise private dollars, and
buy and sell property. The DDS will cede all powers possible to the alliance including
transferring control of ad valorem funds. The DDS will have a possible role in marketing and
promotion. The CRA will cede all powers possible to the alliance including transferring control
of TIF (Tax Increment Financing). The CRA will maintain their legal plan and retain
condemnation rights and the ability to sell land.
Mr. Keller reviewed issues that need to be resolved: 1) clarification of powers; 2)
determination of a County role, if any; 3) legal entity and bylaws; 4) timing; 5) contract's
length; 6) exit strategy; and 7) board selection.
Mr. Keller proposed beginning operation as an alliance while the legal work is being
completed. The DDB board unanimously voted in support of this proposal after thorough
discussion. He requested the CRA Trustees approve the alliance in principle and authorize the
City Attorney and Assistant City Manager to develop an agreement to be brought back for
approval.
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It was questioned how citizen members of the board will be selected. Mr. Keller said
that issue needs to be worked out. The DDS will attempt to use DDS bylaws to elect
members to those positions. Ex-Officio Trustee David Stone said if the exit strategy is
necessary, the DDB will return to 7 members. He noted the importance of reinvolving major
downtown stakeholders in this process. In response to a question, Mr. Keller said his position
answers to the City Manager. He hoped questions of authority never surface. He noted the
City Commission holds a majority on the alliance. He felt trust can be built. He did not
anticipate rancorous 5-4 decisions split along organizational lines. DDS concern regarding the
5-4 division of power was noted. It was hoped the alliance will have improved negotiating
skills regarding real estate transactions. Mr. Keller thanked Mr. Stone for "hanging in there."
In response to a question, the City Attorney said the CRA retains condemnation rights but the
initiative will lie with the alliance.
Trustee Johnson moved to agree in principle to create a new Downtown Alliance
through an Interlocal Agreement between the CRA and Downtown Development Board and
authorize the Assistant City Manager and City Attorney to negotiate a proposed agreement
creating the Alliance. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously.
The Downtown Partnership will review this issue tomorrow.
Proposal to hire David Cardwell as Legal Consultant
The City Attorney requested permission to hire David Cardwell to handle the legal work
regarding this agreement due to his expertise.
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Chair
Community Redevelopmen
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t') ,Trustee Clark moved to approve hiring David Cardwell to handle the legal work to
..~. establish the Downtown Alliance. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously.
mM #4 - Adjournment
The meeting adjourned at 9:33 a.m.
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