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11/06/1989 COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY MEETING November 6, 1989 The Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) of the City of Clearwater met at City Hall, November 6, 1989, at 1:00 P.M., with the following members present: Rita Garvey Chairperson Lee Regulski Member Don Winner Member William Nunamaker Member (arrived 1:01 P.M.) Richard Fitzgerald Member Tyler Grady Ex Officio Tom Thompson Ex Officio (arrived 1:20 P.M.) Also present were: Ron H. Rabun Executive Director Michael J. Wright Assistant City Manager Jerry Sternstein Economic Development Director Cynthia E. Goudeau Secretary The Chairman of the Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) called the meeting to order and the following items were discussed. Minutes of September 29, 1989. Member Regulski moved to approve the minutes of September 29, 1989 as submitted in written summation by the secretary. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. Mike Wright, Assistant City Manager, stated staff is trying to identify the correct idea for redevelopment of downtown. Jerry Sternstein, Economic Development Director, reported on redevelopment, saying there is currently good cooperation between the Downtown Development Board and the Community Redevelopment Agency. The market needs to be determined and we need to know what kind of retail is wanted and can be supported in downtown. There is a need for a market study that will dovetail with the study currently being done by the Pinellas County Economic Development Counsel. It was requested that the agency provide direction regarding "taboo subjects" or things that cannot be done. In response to a question it was indicated that goals and targets have not been established, as the market for downtown and what is to be done in downtown have not been determined. Mr. Sternstein indicated downtown is not dead, it is going through changes. There is a need to address negative press. Discussion ensued regarding parking in downtown and it was stated this would be a part of the study. Discussion ensued regarding whether or not retail was going to be targeted and it was stated we will be addressing a total economic development package with subcategories in retail, office, and entertainment. In response to questions regarding the Pinellas County study, it was indicated that we would be concentrating on our downtown area using their data if we can. It was also reported that the study regarding a convention center hopefully, will be presented to the Commission in the near future. Further discussion ensued regarding the studies underway and it was stated that it is hoped that we can come up with a unified plan based on specific knowledge of those to whom we can sell downtown. It was indicated we are working toward developing a targeted marketing plan for the downtown area. In response to a question from a citizen, Mr. Sternstein indicated the problems with downtown are that it is not focused and there is no momentum at the present time. He stated there is a need to bring downtown into sharper focus and there are no insurmountable problems. Discussion ensued regarding the number of people in downtown and it was stated, while there may be more people in downtown now, there is a different type of activity. Mr. Sternstein indicated that retail is the most difficult portion to do and that if the downtown plan can come together some retail would be included. In response to questions regarding changes in rules and regulations and the life expectancy of studies being done, Mr. Sternstein indicated that growth management may work to the advantage of downtown, and that no study lasts longer than 36 months. It was also indicated that under the current plans for use of an ad agency, a general brochure will be produced rather quickly with specific details in future brochures. Tommy Thompson, Ex Officio member, stated the study needs to include the impact of concurrency on retail in downtown and also a distinction in types of parking needed, ie: all day office parking vs. short term retail parking. Tyler Grady, Ex Officio member, urged the Community Redevelopment Agency to approve the market study as it is needed by the Downtown Development Board for the ad campaign. In response to a question regarding funds for the market study, it was indicated this would come from the Community Redevelopment Agency budget. Questions were raised regarding why Mr. Sternstein was not doing the study and it was indicated that a third party, impartial, professional agency needs to do this kind of study in order to give it credibility. Terry Flowers, Downtown Development Board Member, stated there needs to be additional retail draws to Clearwater, and we need to capitalize on drawing Clearwater Beach tourists to the downtown area. He stated when retail is in the downtown area there is not only additional revenue from ad valorem taxes, but also sales taxes, occupational licence fees, and franchise fees. Mike Wright, Assistant City Manager, stated there is a strong argument for dovetailing entertainment with office development, as office generates traffic during the day, and entertainment generates traffic at night. Marcia Vivian and Verne Dinser of the Osceola Inn, spoke in favor of the study and stated there is also a need for residential in the downtown area. In response to a question regarding how much the market study would cost, Mr. Sternstein indicated that it would be difficult to determine at this time. Member Nunamaker moved to approve in concept the market study and direct staff to proceed. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. Mike Wright, Assistant City Manager indicated we have been working closely with the Downtown Development Board, Chamber of Commerce, and Merchants Association, opening channels of communication and there have not been any problems that have not been able to be solved. Tyler Grady, Ex Officio member, questioned if the market study came back saying that the bluff was ideal for commercial and residential development, would the City Commission support a referendum to do so? It was indicated this would not be an acceptable alternative and that the company doing the study would have to go into the study understanding that. The question was raised regarding whether or not the City's prohibition against street vendors would remain intact. It was indicated that this could be looked at. It was emphasized that strong direction would need to be given to the company doing the study in order to avoid any "taboo" areas. It was also stated it was felt that housing needs to be outside the district. In response to a question regarding possible industrial development downtown, it was stated there is already light industrial in the area. Michael Wright gave an update regarding the ad agency contract stating staff is meeting with the agency to develop a contract, and this is almost complete. He stated he hoped to have a presentation in three to four weeks regarding the convention center study. The meeting adjourned at 2:45 P.M.