Loading...
08/30/1993 COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY August 30, 1993 The City Commission, meeting as the Community Redevelopment Agency, met in regular session at City Hall, Monday, August 30, 1993 at 10:55 A.M., with the following members present: Arthur X. Deegan, II Chairperson Rita Garvey Vice-Chairperson Richard Fitzgerald Trustee Sue Berfield Trustee Fred Thomas Trustee Phil Henderson Ex-officio Trustee Absent: Lillian Trickel Ex-officio Trustee Also Present were: Michael J. Wright Executive Director Milton A. Galbraith, Jr. Attorney Cynthia E. Goudeau Secretary ITEM II. - Approval of Minutes: - None. ITEM III. - Unfinished Business a) sale of CRA property in conjunction with Sun Bank (Atrium) Building The Executive Director announced that due to a death in the firm of Mr. Mackey, this item would need to be continued until the next available opportunity. The CRA Trustees requested that if at all possible, this item be heard at the CRA meeting scheduled for 5:30 p.m. on September 2, 1993. b) Executive Director Search Chairperson Deegan stated that a counter-offer had been received from Ms. Magee for $65,000 of base salary and $5,000 incentive pay. He indicated he instructed Mr. Laursen, Human Resources Director, to call Ms. Magee and tell her he did not think he would be able to convince the remaining CRA trustees regarding the $65,000 base and $5,000 incentive. He asked Mr. Laursen to inform her that he thought $60,000 and $5,000 were possible. Ms. Magee responded that she would not accept the $60,000 base salary unless the CRA was willing to add family health insurance which is a $2,800 expense. He stated if the CRA accepts this, the package would be $60,000 base annual salary, a $5,000 bonus plan, $2,800 for family insurance plus the standard benefits in SAMP contracts and moving expenses and one house hunting trip. Trustee Garvey mentioned Ms. Magee wished to attend an institute for which she was previously scheduled. Mr. Laursen indicated there have been times when different department heads have had an understanding regarding the need for time for various types of functions such as the institute. Trustee Garvey felt the institute would also be beneficial to the City. Chairperson Deegan stated this was an established policy and it would be appropriate to treat Ms. Magee as others have been. He indicated he also asked when Ms. Magee would be able to start and it would be after this institute which would be approximately the second week in November. Trustee Fitzgerald questioned the insurance cost. Mr. Laursen indicated this is the higher option of the plans available to employees. Chairperson Deegan stated he recommended not setting it as a precedent to pay employee's family health insurance. Trustee Berfield pointed out there was also a car allowance provided. Chairperson Deegan reiterated the original offer had been $55,000 plus $10,000 bonus. Trustee Thomas felt a good offer had been put on the table to Ms. Magee and there was a difference in the cost of living between Clearwater and Ft. Lauderdale. He stated he believed in bonuses for performance and felt Ms. Magee had turned the offer and therefore the CRA should proceed to negotiate with their second choice, Ms. Stephenson. Trustee Garvey questioned whether or not the CRA could return to Ms. Magee with another proposal if things could not be worked out with the second choice. Trustee Thomas felt this would be a bad practice. Chairperson Deegan indicated he has been told the CRA's number three choice, Mr. Gozza, from Pinellas Park, had entered a private consulting business in Atlanta. Trustee Thomas indicated that would not preclude him being offered the Executive Director job. Chairperson Deegan recommended the CRA make a final offer to Ms. Magee not including the medical insurance. Trustee Garvey moved to offer Ms. Magee $60,000 base salary plus $5,000 bonus and to not include family health insurance as part of the compensation package. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. It was the consensus of the CRA that if Ms. Magee turned down this offer, to begin negotiations with the second choice with the same package as was originally offered Ms. Magee. c) CDC Status The Executive Director indicated the concept has been amended per all suggestions received. The Chairperson indicated that it does include the suggestions he made and he was satisfied with the concept as presented. He questioned whether or not Mr. Gammage had been contacted regarding the North Greenwood Business Alliance's participation, at least indirectly, in some of this proposal. Mr. Shuford indicated he had met with a sub-committee of the Alliance and felt that was in good shape to move forward. Trustee Berfield moved to approve the preliminary concept as contained in an August 23, 1993 memorandum from Michael Wright, City Manager/Executive Director to the CRA. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. ITEM IV. - New Business - None. ITEM V. - Executive Director Verbal Reports The Executive Director reported that he had requested Peter Yauch, City Traffic Engineer, to investigate converting Park Street, from Garden Avenue to East Street, into a parking lot. He stated he has not seen the final results but Mr. Yauch has indicated that it has certain potential. The CRA will be receiving additional information regarding this. ITEM VI. - Other Trustee Business Trustee Thomas stated he found a letter from Mr. Leiter of the Downtown Development Board repugnant and stated that if this is the attitude of the DDB, he will resurrect the request to the legislature to dissolve the board. He stated this shows a total disregard for mutuality. Mr. Henderson indicated this is only one member of the DDB and is not necessarily the feeling of the entire board. Trustee Thomas stated he recognized that but he wanted it on the record that this was his position as a result of the letter. Trustee Fitzgerald indicated Mr. Leiter has as much right to his opinion as anyone else and he did not condone comments that seem to be threatening to the DDB. Trustee Berfield indicated she was somewhat insulted by the letter but agreed that every individual has a right to their opinion. She stated she hoped that at the DDB meeting, this issue could be put to rest. She stated the CRA Executive Director will have to be able to work with the DDB and suggested the CRA wait until after tomorrow night's DDB meeting, to see what happens. Mr. Henderson indicated the recommendation for the mission of the future for the DDB will be discussed by the DDB. He stated his thoughts parallels what Trustee Berfield said. Chairperson Deegan reported there is a small business recruitment program taking place. There are reports of some interest of retailers moving to downtown. He stated there is an attempt to evaluate the value of the retail lease track program and he indicated Florida Power already gets this and will share it with the CRA so they do not have to pay for it separately. He also reported on a letter from the Chairman of the Chamber of Commerce thanking the CRA for the invitation to attend and participate in meetings. He stated Mr. Woodam is in attendance today, evidencing a desire on their part to continue to attend these meetings. He felt that was a positive step. Mr. Henderson indicated that while he recognized there are many priorities for the City and CRA, problems are created in participation in meetings when the meetings are moved around. Chairperson Deegan indicated that the regular schedule for CRA meetings was early on the Mondays prior to the Thursday night City Commission meetings however, the meeting has had to be changed a couple of times recently. Trustee Thomas questioned whether or not the annex property was owned by the CRA or the City. The Executive Director indicated it was owned by the City. Trustee Thomas referenced a letter from the Florida College of Osteopaths wanting to place a campus in downtown Clearwater. They had requested use of the Maas Brothers property but he requested that the annex site be considered for this as a potential location. Concerns were expressed that not all Trustees had received the letter and it was indicated the letter had been addressed to Mayor Garvey and Commissioner Thomas. It was requested that all Trustees be copied on this letter. ITEM VII. - Adjournment: The meeting adjourned at 11:30 A.M.