Loading...
02/10/1989 *REVISED COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY SPECIAL MEETING February 10, 1989 The Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) of the City of Clearwater met at City Hall, February 10, 1989, at 2:02 P.M., with the following members present: Rita Garvey *Chairman James Berfield *Member Lee Regulski *Member Don Winner *Member William Nunamaker *Member Also present were: Ron H. Rabun *Executive Director *Michael J. Wright Assistant City Manager M. A. Galbraith, Jr. City Attorney Cynthia E. Goudeau *Secretary *Paula Harvey *Acting Planning & Development Director The *Chairman of the Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) called the meeting to order and the following items were discussed. University of South Florida Focus Group At the Community Redevelopment Agency meeting of June 16, 1988, the CRA gave authorization to the CRA Promotional Advisory Committee to conduct a study to be paid for out of the CRA funds. The purpose of this study was the conduct market research and to gather information to properly design an economic development program for the downtown. Lee Arnold, Chairman of the CRA Promotional Advisory Committee, stated that Dr. James Hensel's study resulted in findings consistent with those of the Committee. He stated the study provides direction and gives targets for promotion. The Committee is now seeking authorization to prepare an RFP to solicit firms to conduct a detailed marketing plan. The proposals should be brought back to the CRA within sixty days. Discussion ensued regarding the funds available for the promotional activity and Mr. Arnold stated the marketing study will not be limited to the current $91, 000.00 available and would probably be a multi-year plan. Concerns were expressed regarding the various committees and boards regarding downtown and at what point they would all be tied together. The *Executive Director indicated that the Economic Development Director should be hired soon and that the CRA Promotional Committee is viewed as an ad hoc committee to get things started. It was indicated that the members of the various groups were represented on the CRA Advisory Committee. *Member Berfield moved to accept into the record the report provided by Dr. Hensel for the Community Redevelopment Agency Promotional Committee. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. *Member Nunamaker moved to authorize the preparation of an RFP to solicit firms to conduct a detailed marketing plan. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. Bilgore Property Negotiations City staff and the developer have met on several occassions. City staff has concerns regarding the proposed land purchase price of $5,000 per condominium unit and the feasibility of adding fifty more mid range units in an apparent soft condominium market. On January 30, 1989, John Gallant of H & G Structures, verbally requested that negotiations continue to see if an agreement could be reached regarding the development of the property. The *Executive Director reported that he has been in attendance at meetings with the developer and staff has not evidenced a non-cooperative attitude. He stated he felt that there was a misunderstanding in that Mr. Gallant had assumed the CRA's action had given him the authorization to proceed. The *Executive Director reiterated that the authorization was for staff to negotiate with Mr. Gallant. Michael Wright, Assistant City Manager for Community Services, stated he has met with Mr. Gallant and has been presented with a new proposal. The proposal contains two options: (1) the purchase price be $300,000 which will be paid now, or (2) a purchase price of $375,000 which can be paid as the condominium units are sold. Discussion ensued regarding the purchase price and whether or not residential development is appropriate at this location. A suggestion was made that a guideline for establishing a purchase price be reducing the price paid by the City by five years of the estimated taxes from the property once developed. Concerns were expressed that the $300,000 was still too low considering the City had paid $690,000 for the property. Further discussion ensued regarding how to establish the purchase price. Consensus of the Agency was to authorize staff to continue negotiations with H & G Structures for another thirty days. Update on City Hall Annex Property There remain three parcels in the fourteen-acre site at the City Hall Annex which are not under City ownership, Lots 4 and 10 in Janis Daniels Subdivision and Lot 19 in Clearwater Heights Subdivision. The City has an option to buy Lot 4 in Janis Daniels Subdivision in 1991, and has negotiated a purchase price for Lot 10. City staff has been unsuccessful in reaching an agreement for the acquisition for Lot 19, Clearwater Heights Subdivision, which is currently owned by Dr. Brown. Dr. Brown wants approximately $1 million for his land and building. The City's MAI appraisal of the property is $270,000. Michael Wright, Assistant City Manager for Community Services, stated City staff is recommending offering $337,500 to Dr. Brown. He stated, while it would be desirable to have the property, it is not crucial to the development of the site. Dr. Brown's last offer was $600,000 plus the CETA property across the street. The CETA property is owned by the CRA and that is why this item is before the Agency. Discussion ensued regarding the CETA property and Mr. Wright stated that it has tremendous potential for escalation in value and the CRA should consider this carefully. Discussion ensued regarding various options and purchase prices to be offered to Dr. Brown. Dr. Brown stated that in negotiating with the City he has considered this a vacation of property somewhere between a hostile condemnation and a selling of the property. He stated, if he sells, he will be moving two businesses and he is asking for consideration for remodeling, moving, etc. He stated, if he sells, he will be moving two businesses and he is asking for consideration for remodeling, moving, etc. He stated he has some concerns regarding the appraisal as one he had done in 1981 set the price at $270,000. The one the City has just received is the exact same amount indicating no increase in value in eight years. He stated he would accept the CETA building and that it would cost him $20 per foot to remodel it. It was stated that the CRA did not wish to give away the CETA property. Dr. Brown stated he would be willing to accept $750,000 with no linkage to the CETA property. It was the consensus of the Agency that Mr. Wright continue negotiations with Mr. Brown. Other Items To Be Considered Regarding the Development of the City Hall Annex Site or Wether or Not to Consider Constructing a Consolidated Hall on Another Site and Selling the 14-Acre Site for Development. A question was raised regarding whether or not the main library should be included in the City Hall Complex and concerns were expressed that private contributions had been donated for the development of the main library. Staff indicated they are looking for options at this point. In response to a question regarding what would be done with the current City Hall. *Member Regulski suggested that the present City Hall be developed as a museum. Discussion ensued regarding various alternatives and it was stated that decisions need to be made regarding the options for a City Hall before proceeding with marketing the City Hall Annex site. Authorization to Conduct & Parking Study for the Downtown Area. The last parking study for the downtown area was completed in 1982. The scope of this study could encompass an area bounded by Cleveland to Court Streets and East Avenue to Osceola Avenue or could be expanded subject to the wishes of the CRA. The *Chairman of the CRA requested that the parking study include considerations for Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority (PSTA) mass transit. The *Acting Planning & Development Director indicated that staff is requesting parameters for the study and cautioned that as the study area increases the cost will increase. However, it was felt that the County buildings should be included in the study. *Member Berfield moved to authorize the preparation of an RFP to update the 1980 parking study to include the area bounded by Cleveland Street on the north, Court Street on the south, East Avenue on the east, and Pierce Boulevard on the west. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. General Legislation to Address the Time Period Required for Ependiture for CRA Project Funds. State statutes governing the use of CRA funds now require that the Community Redevelopment Agency return to each taxing agency all tax increment funds remaining at the end of each fiscal year after payment of expenses and debt service. It has been the City of Clearwater's practice to escrow all remaining funds to be credited toward debt payment. A question has been raised regarding whether or not such funds could be held for a limited period of time such as three years and used during that time for expenses and debt service in order to provide flexibility and reduce to some extent the necessity to borrow money. This would require authorizing legislation. *Member Winner moved to include this amendment in the City's legislative package. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. Downtown Development Board (DDB) Transition Items Update. City staff is providing limited support to the DDB now that it no longer has staff of its own. The Board is scheduled to "sunset" in September of 1989 if the Commission does not take action to reactivate it. The *Executive Director reported that Mike Wright is the staff contact point for the DDB and provisions have been made for financial accounts payable and an audit through the City of Clearwater Systems and Procedures. There has been a designation of signature and co-signature authority for fund disbursement and purchase orders, provisions for the production of agendas, notices of meetings, minutes, and handling of telephone calls has been made, CRA funds are being used for staff support. Concern was raised regarding whether or not the Chairman was a member and it was indicated that the Chairman did vote. Progress on Hiring of Economic Development Director. The *Executive Director reported that he hopes to come to a decision within thirty days, if possible. Mike Wright and he are working together on this. The meeting adjourned at 3:52 P.M.