09/14/1992 COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY
September 14, 1992
The City Commission, meeting as the Community Redevelopment Agency, met at City Hall, Monday, September 14, 1992 at 1:01 P.M., with the following members present:
Rita Garvey Chairperson
Lee Regulski Member
Sue Berfield Member
Richard Fitzgerald Member
Arthur X. Deegan, II Member
Also Present were:
Michael J. Wright Executive Director
Jerry D. Sternstein Economic Development Director
Cynthia E. Goudeau Secretary
ITEM II. - Minutes:
Member Berfield moved to approve the minutes of the July 13, 1992, meeting. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously.
ITEM III. - Presentation by Brenda Nixon regarding her work for the Downtown Development Board
Brenda Nixon stated the Downtown Development Board hired her on August 31, 1992, to develop an artist colony in downtown Clearwater. Her proposal is for four months in which the property
owners agree to provide space for the artists. She stated there are more artists interested than she can handle and five committed property owners. The Downtown Development Board (DDB)
will be doing brochures.
She is asking the CRA to consider some things she would like to try. She requested parking be allowed on the side streets and she is working with Peter Yauch, Traffic Engineer, regarding
this. She is asking for a 90 day period in which parking will be free on the streets. She requested parking be added along Garden Avenue to lead people to the parking garage. She
also requested the Maas Brothers parking lot be opened and asked the City to talk to the County regarding use of the lot at the former Fortune Bank Building.
Her second request has to do with start-up costs for the artists. She asked the CRA to consider establishing a $3,000 line of credit in order for her to pay utility deposits, flyers,
etc. She stated she is willing to guarantee this line of credit with her salary from the DDB.
She requested consideration of allowing murals to be painted on empty storefronts. If the City closes on the Kravas property, this would be a building in which she would want to do
this.
She requested reconsideration of the City having twinkling lights removed from windows as
she said there are at least two businesses that have indicated they were required to remove said lights.
She indicated most of the artists are established. She has met with Jesse Goodman and will be working with him regarding his "World in Clearwater" project.
She reported the CAMS Coffee House, which is successful in Pinellas Park, is planning to open a facility in downtown Clearwater as well. The Pinellas County Center for the Arts wants
to open a shop for artistically talented Gibbs High School students.
She stated after the 90 day period of free rent, the artists will have the first option to rent the property.
While the project was well received, concerns were expressed regarding the CRA being able to provide a line of credit. It was questioned why this had not been requested of the DDB.
A question was raised regarding whether or not the City could waive the utility deposits and it was indicated the ordinance will not allow this.
Ms. Nixon reported Florida Power has a program where the deposits can be paid off over a three month period.
In response to a question, the Executive Director indicated the contract for the purchase of the Kravas property will be brought forward on the 22nd or the 28th of September. It was
indicated meters are already in that lot and Ms. Nixon requested the meters be bagged for the 90 day period. It was indicated the Parking Fund would have to be reimbursed for the lost
revenues. In response to a question, Mr. Wright indicated that only the bottom part of the Maas Brothers lot is closed due to the fact that portion of the lot has no meters and free
parking can not be given without reimbursement.
Further discussion ensued regarding the line of credit and the parking with some concerns being expressed regarding the perception of unsafe parking in downtown.
Member Deegan moved that the City Manager be empowered to find $3,000 to provide for a line item for Ms. Nixon's request and to find a way to do the parking.
Discussion ensued regarding whether or not this should come from the General Fund and Ms. Nixon indicated she is telling people that this is not being done with tax monies.
It was stated that this was just approving the concept.
The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously.
It was clarified the Executive Director will be bringing forward a specific recommendation.
A question was raised regarding a proposal to not change out trees and Ms. Nixon indicated that the trees are changed out when they get to a certain height and they need to be allowed
to
grow in order to provide a canopy on the downtown street.
Discussion ensued regarding the murals on vacant storefronts and a question was raised regarding whether or not artwork could be hung in those windows. Ms. Nixon felt the murals would
be appropriate in that they are art in themselves.
ITEM IV. - 1991/92 Revised CRA Budget and 1992/93 Proposed CRA Budget
The most prominent aspect of the 1991/92 budget adjustment is the $1.9 million transaction and reverse transaction relevant to the purchase of the Maas Brothers property. This is listed
as both an expenditure and as revenue. The $54,680 adjustment represents interest on the Maas loan paid by the CRA to the City. The $25,000 adjustment was used to pay incidental expenses
for the Maas property, the CETA building and for removal of a structure on the Bilgore site. A $365,000 capital outlay is budgeted for the purchase of the Kravas property and an additional
$5,000 is reserved as contingency for this transaction to defray any unanticipated closing costs.
Approximately $828,693 was accumulated and allocated in last year's budget to purchase land. Since the CRA or City were unable to purchase Stone Buick and other property within the
CRA, the current year fund balance of $742,359 is shown as debt service transfer, in accord with Florida Statute provisions and the outstanding bond covenants.
Any other funds which may remain in the Redevelopment Agency Trust Fund at the end of the fiscal year will be deposited into the debt service reserve fund and used for subsequent retirement
of outstanding CRA indebtedness.
The 1992/93 proposed budget reflects anticipated revenues. The principal revenue sources are tax increment revenues, cash carried forward, interest earnings, lease payments and the
Downtown Development Board. The line item expenditures are comparable to past years. The administrative transfer of $104,530 to the general fund is to pay for CRA staff and operating
costs; $15,000 is allocated as a transfer to the parking fund to defray costs incurred for "free" weekend parking in the downtown. Debt service charges are consistent with past actions.
A question was raised regarding the number of years left to receive funds from the DDB. Elizabeth Deptula, Assistant City Manager, indicated there is a cap of funds that is for the
taxes on the increment for the Sun Bank Building however, funds paid so far are not near meeting the cap. Ms. Deptula will provide a follow-up memorandum.
A question was raised regarding travel expense and it was indicated specific travel expenditures have not been budgeted this year and can be transferred from the $310,000 undesignated
funds.
Member Regulski moved to approve the revised 1991/92 Community Redevelopment Agency budget. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously.
Concerns were expressed regarding the $104,000 administrative expenses in the 1992/93 budget from the CRA to the General Fund as the objectives of the Department are not clear.
A question was raised regarding how many funds are in the CRA and a request was made for a balance sheet to provide this information.
Concern was expressed regarding the submitted goals and objectives as most of them have already been completed. The Executive Director indicated he hopes through the strategic planning
process, priorities for downtown could be developed.
A concern was expressed regarding the $104,000 transfer being for essentially four goals. The Executive Director indicated he hoped the City Commission would devise a strategy and
that the goals are soft until he has a chance to work with the Commission on the goals.
It was stated a suggestion to realign the reporting of the CRA would be made.
Discussion ensued regarding the efforts of the CRA with it being indicated the bulk of the effort was placed in the East End project during the past year.
A concern was expressed that this was an administrative function and not business recruitment and it was stated the CRA/City Commission need to define what is the role of Economic Development.
The Executive Director indicated he hoped to have the strategic planning meetings for the both the CRA and the City within the next sixty days.
A concern was expressed that they should not be done at the same time.
A suggestion was made that the 1992/93 budget be approved and a goal setting meeting be set to address future goals.
Member Regulski moved to approve the 1992/93 Community Redevelopment Agency budget. The motion was duly seconded. Upon the vote being taken; Members Regulski, Fitzgerald, Berfield
and the Chairperson voted "Aye", Member Deegan voted "Nay". Motion carried.
Discussion ensued regarding the need to set a goal setting meeting and it was the consensus to discuss setting this meeting at the next CRA meeting.
Discussion ensued regarding being able to close on the Kravas property prior to the end of the month and this fiscal year. The Executive Director indicated he would obligate the expenditure.
Questions were raised regarding whether or not there were any problems with closing on the contract and it was indicated the only concerns were that the current tenant will need to
be addressed either by allowing him to stay to the end of the lease or helping him to relocate. The City is not taking on any obligations for conditions that existed prior to the City
owning the property.
In response to questions, the Executive Director indicated amendments to the Downtown Plan may need to be made prior to tearing down the building for a parking lot and it was requested
that anything that could be done to expedite this, be done.
ITEM V. - Adjournment:
The meeting adjourned at 2:25 P.M.
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