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06/01/1992 COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY June 1, 1992 The City Commission, meeting as the Community Redevelopment Agency, met in regular session at City Hall, Monday, June 1, 1992 at 9:05 A.M., with the following members present: Rita Garvey Chairperson Lee Regulski Member Sue Berfield Member Richard Fitzgerald Member Arthur X. Deegan, II Member Mary Vaughn Ex Officio Member Also Present were: Michael J. Wright Executive Director Milton A. Galbraith, Jr. City Attorney Cynthia E. Goudeau Secretary ITEM II. - Minutes: Member Berfield moved to approve the minutes of the February 2, 1992, meeting. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. ITEM III. - Assignment Agreement - Coachman Downtown Center Associates to The Chase Manhattan Bank (Coachman Building) Coachman Downtown Center Associates (CDC), a partnership which owns the Coachman Building, requested the City review a proposed assignment of the December 21, 1984 Development Agreement (between the City, the CRA and CDC) to Chase Manhattan Bank in connection with a refinancing of the project which will result in the retirement of the existing IDB bond financing. The City's Legal Department review of the assignment indicates it will operate, for all practical purposes, as an assignment of the right to lease spaces in the parking garage. The assignment requires the consent of both the City and the CRA. Member Berfield moved to approve the assignment agreement. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. ITEM IV. - Maas Brothers Task Force Recommendations - Ed Mazur Ed Mazur, Chairman of the Task Force, expressed the appreciation of all the Task Force members for the opportunity to serve on this committee. He stated that during the past several months the Task Force has received input from a variety of people and groups, including tourists. He stated that while it was debated whether or not the Task Force should address only the 3.8 acre Maas Brothers site or the entire bluff, the Task Force agreed to present a detailed recommendation regarding the Maas Brothers site and secondary recommendations regarding the remainder of the bluff. He stated there were three schools of thought: 1) to raze the building and make the entire area a park; 2) to refurbish the existing building and put it to some productive use; and 3) to remove the building and allow some development to take place on the property. He stated that after much discussion, the primary recommendation reached by the Task Force was that the City enter into negotiations with the Florida Gulf Coast Art Center to pursue their proposal for use of the property. He stated along with that recommendation, there were companion motions including: 1) whatever property is not needed by the Art Center west of the facility be made into parklank; 2) any expense involved in the demolition of the building be borne by the Art Center; 3) Title or control of the land should remain with the City; 4) a civic room/auditorium that will hold at least 500 people in a banquet setting should be included; 5) a public restaurant on site with a water vista and with the capacity that would qualify it for a beer and wine license be included; 6) the City and the Art Center consider providing a transportation hub on the site; 7) if negotiations with the Art Center fall through, the building should be torn down and the site put to a public use and/or parkland use; 8) there should be an opening of the vista on the south side of the building in accordance with City Code; 9) the southeast corner of the site should be used by the City for access between Cleveland and Osceola to include the closing of Drew Street on the west side of the property and the expansion of Coachman Park; and 10) Drew Street should be closed, south of the turn basin (where Drew Street becomes north/south) and Coachman Park be extended to the water. He stated the Task Force next deliberated addressing the entire bluff area and a motion to allow further development of the bluff failed due to a 6-6 tie vote. He stated the Task Force also determined they should indicate how the recommendation should be implemented. The Task Force voted to recommend the property remain with the Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) in order to provide flexibility but that whatever recommendation is put forward be subject to a referendum. He outlined the attachments to the report and again thanked the City Commission for the opportunity to serve on this Task Force. He thanked the City Clerk Department for their support. Discussion ensued regarding the motions regarding how to implement the recommendation with a concern being expressed that the property remaining with the CRA but having a referendum counter each other. It was indicated the recommendation to stay with the CRA was not to avoid a referendum but rather to allow some flexibility as it was understood that the CRA could sell for less than appraised value. Concerns were expressed that a referendum would not be binding on the CRA. A question was raised regarding how the sale of the property to the Marine Science Center occurred for less than appraised value. Concerns were also expressed that the CRA had not gotten much information regarding the Art Center's proposal and it was recommended the Art Center make a presentation. Mr. Mazur indicated the Art Center presented concepts and these were being developed throughout the entire process. He stated the Art Center was chosen as it was felt they would generate people in the downtown area. Discussion ensued regarding it being the time to address the question regarding the ownership of the property. Member Regulski moved that the CRA indicate to the City Commission that it wishes to relinquish its ownership of the property and to support the primary recommendation of the Maas Brothers Task Force. The motion was duly seconded. Questions were raised regarding the financial arrangements. It was indicated the CRA would pay the interest and be relinquished of the $1.3 million dollar loan. It was also indicated the CRA would have absorbed all operational costs in the interim. Upon the vote being taken, the motion carried unanimously. The Mayor thanked the Task Force. Mr. Mazur indicated this has been an excellent opportunity to show that people could work together. He stated the Task Force had recognized that most of their motions had been worded toward the City Commission and at the last meeting, a motion was made that wherever the Commission was mentioned, it was to be construed to be the CRA or whichever entity owned the property. He stated the Task Force would appreciate being officially disbanded. Member Berfield moved to thank the Task Force and to disband them. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. It was indicated this item would be on the City Commission agenda for Thursday night and there would be an item for them to confirm the disbandment of the Task Force. ITEM V. - Set joint meeting with DDB The Executive Director indicated the Commission requires an annual review of the Downtown Development Board (DDB) and it was suggested there be a joint meeting of the CRA and the DDB to discuss future endeavors. He indicated the results of this meeting would be considered the annual review of the DDB. Mary Vaughn, Ex Officio Member of the CRA and member of the DDB, indicated the DDB has scheduled a workshop for the 15th of June. It was the consensus to try and establish some dates between the 16th of June and the 10th of July. A question was raised regarding what would be done by the City Commission regarding the Maas Brothers Task Force report at Thursday night's meeting. It was indicated the Commission will be asked to give direction to staff. A concern was again raised that there was not enough information presented regarding the Art Center proposal for there to be a firm endorsement of the plan. A presentation will be scheduled. It was stated it was hoped the Commission would give some direction regarding how to negotiate with the Art Center if it is decided to endorse that recommendation. ITEM VI. - Adjournment: The meeting adjourned at 10:05 A.M.