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05/20/1993 COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY May 20, 1993 The City Commission, meeting as the Community Redevelopment Agency, met in regular session at City Hall, Thursday, May 20, 1993 at 4:31 P.M., with the following members present: Rita Garvey Chairperson Richard Fitzgerald Member Sue Berfield Member Arthur X. Deegan, II Member Fred Thomas Member Phil Henderson Ex-officio Member Lillian Trickel Ex-officio Member Also Present were: Michael J. Wright Executive Director Milton A. Galbraith, Jr. Attorney Cynthia E. Goudeau Secretary In order to provide continuity for research, the items will be listed in agenda order although not necessarily discussed in that order. The Executive Director requested some discussion regarding the trip to Atlanta to be taken by the City Commission on Wednesday, May 26, 1993. He stated under current arrangements, the Commission needed to be in Atlanta at 1:00 p.m. and continue until 8:00 that night. He stated a charter plane has been obtained which will hold 8 individuals. Commissioner Thomas indicated the meeting could be moved up however his concern was the Commission would not get the impact of the Entertainment Complex at night. The City Manager indicated a commercial flight will leave at 11:15 for Atlanta, the charter could leave whenever. He stated there were 4 staff members going which leaves 3 charter seats. He stated one Commissioner has indicated they can not make the trip and one will be taking a commercial flight. Mayor Garvey questioned the need to see the activity at 8:00 at night. Commissioner Thomas indicated it could be at lunch or in the afternoon. He stated this is a hugely successful operation that was designed for the demographics of Atlanta and the purpose of the trip was to get a feel for a 50,000 square foot entertainment complex. The City Manager indicated the charter flight would leave Clearwater/St. Petersburg airport at approximately 10:00 a.m. Commissioner Thomas indicated the plane would leave whenever the Commission wished it to and that he is picking up the difference between a lear jet and a regular charter flight. The Mayor indicated she did not feel all 5 Commission members should fly on the same plane. Phil Henderson, ex-officio member, stated he would pay for a back-up seat on the charter flight. A question was raised regarding when the Mayor would be arriving in Atlanta. The City Manager indicated her commercial flight gets into the Hartsfield airport at 9:00 a.m. and she could be in downtown by 10:30 a.m. Commissioner Thomas indicated this would be a workable meeting time. He also questioned whether or not there should be electronic recording and the City Clerk indicated this would be helpful. It was directed this be advertised as a special meeting. The CRA then returned to its agendaed business. ITEM II. - Minutes: Member Deegan moved to approve the minutes of the May 6, 1993, meeting. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. ITEM III. - Res. #93-2 - Rules of Conduct Concern was expressed there was not enough time to discuss the rules. Member Thomas suggested there be a CRA worksession set on the same date as the Commission worksession to discuss these rather than taking up part of the hour set for the regular CRA meeting. It was the consensus to spend an hour on the CRA rules on the next Commission worksession date which is June 1, 1993. ITEM IV. - Business Incubator Report This item is continued to June 3, 1993. ITEM V. - Direction re: Executive Director Ad The Executive Director indicated he was requesting direction regarding whether to advertise the position and in what newspapers. Member Deegan indicated he wanted to make sure there was a national search for the position. Mike Laursen, Human Resources Director, stated he was suggesting placing the ads in economic development newsletters and the American City and County publication, both being national publications. The Executive Director indicated if they wished to advertise outside the trade publications, he would recommend the Wall Street Journal. Member Deegan questioned whether or not the ad could be placed in Florida business magazines and it was indicated they could be. Member Thomas raised a question regarding confining the ads to the regional editions as he was concerned about being inundated with applications. It was indicated they could advertise in the regional section of the Wall Street Journal but that there would still be national coverage with the other publications. It was the consensus to advertise in the economic development newsletter, the American City and County magazine publication, the Southeast regional Wall Street Journal and Florida business journals. The Executive Director questioned when the CRA wished to have the deadline for the applications and it was the consensus this be set for July 1, 1993. The Executive Director indicated there were starting to receive unsolicited resumes. ITEM VI. - Public/Private partnership This item is continued to June 3, 1993. ITEM VII. - Annual Report & Audit Requirements Dan Deignan, Finance Director, indicated there had been a misinterpretation by staff which had led them to believe that an annual report was not required. He stated they have now found that an annual report is required and it has been filed. Member Deegan questioned in the bottom paragraph of the City Attorney's May 5th memorandum regarding the annual report that he indicated there were amendments to the legislation which would allow unexpended trust fund revenues to be carried over to be appropriated to specific projects if the projects would be completed in 3 years. He questioned the Attorney regarding if the specific projects have to be in an approved downtown plan as there are no specifics in the proposed plan. The Executive Director felt that specific projects could be designated as long as they are allowed within the plan. The Attorney indicated the critical words are "pursuant to". It was requested this be researched and the Attorney give an opinion regarding whether or not specific plans could be designated or if specific projects had to be included in the downtown plan. Member Thomas indicated monies could be used to retire debt early. VIII. - CETA (STEPPS) Building Report This item is continued to June 3, 1993. ITEM IX. - CRA Financial Statement Dan Deignan, Finance Director, explained the difference between general accounting principles and those for governmental agencies. He reviewed the balance sheet indicating that the CRA currently has $14,652 available to expend. He reviewed the assets indicating the CRA has a total of $4,329,942 in assets. This includes the cash pool, accrued revenues, real property held and fixed assets such as the parking garage. Member Deegan questioned whether or not the report ever changed from the cost basis. Mr. Deignan indicated it did not under the governmental accounting regulations. He did indicate that this is being reviewed by the agencies that set the policies and it could change in the future. Member Berfield questioned what was paid for the Bilgore property and it was indicated that $691,852 were paid. It was indicated that the $700,000 shown in the report paid for several properties and several thousand dollars have been paid off on that bond issue. Mr. Deignan explained the expenditures and revenues report stating that over the 10 years of existence, the CRA has collected $11,284,960 and has expended $11,277,000. This leaves a fund balance of $7,960. He stated in the revenues are $2,172,398 from the County's portion of the tax increment that would have gone to the County without the CRA. He reviewed the debt service fund which has been in existence since 1986. He stated the 1986 bond issue is due to be paid off October 1, 2006 and the 1987 bond issue in September, 1997. The Executive Director questioned when interest was recorded and Mr. Deignan indicated it was done at the end of each year. Member Deegan questioned an expenditure entry regarding renting 50 spaces in the Garden Avenue garage and it was indicated this would have to be researched. Member Deegan expressed concerns that we have been collecting the same amount for 5 years. He requested that at a subsequent date there be a discussion regarding how we collect revenue from properties that we rent or lease. Member Thomas questioned whether or not it could be considered, if a bidder for the Sun Bank Building wants to also buy out the remainder of the parking garage. It was indicated this could be considered. Other Board Items Member Deegan reported on an economic development conference to be held in Sarasota, June 23-25, stating he would like to go but he felt other DDB or CRA members may wish to attend. A copy of the program is to be provided to other members. Phil Henderson stated there was concern at the DDB meeting regarding the proposal to change the CRA rules which would eliminate the need for an election from downtown property owners for the ex-officio member. He stated that if this were not an elected position, it would be a political appointment. This will be discussed at a future time. ITEM X.- Adjournment: The meeting adjourned at 5:41 P.M.