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05/16/1994 COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY Minutes May 16, 1994 The City Commission, meeting as the Community Redevelopment Agency, met in regular session at City Hall, Monday, May 16, 1994 at 9:51 am, with the following members present: Arthur X. Deegan, II Chairperson Sue Berfield Vice-Chairperson Richard Fitzgerald Trustee Rita Garvey Trustee Fred Thomas Trustee Also Present: Betty Deptula City Manager Peter Gozza Executive Director Miles Lance Asst City Attorney Jacquie DeGroy Staff Assistant Absent: David Stone Ex-officio Trustee Elise Winters Ex-officio Trustee Gil Gott Chamber of Commerce 2. Approval of Minutes Referencing the Cleveland Street Planter Program, it was clarified that the maintenance contract awarded to Northern Boys will be brought before the CRA for approval once the funds have been collected from the downtown merchants and the Downtown Development Board. (The program was approved subject to the funding participation of the downtown merchants and DDB.) A motion was made, seconded and carried unanimously to approve the amended minutes of May 2, 1994. In the last paragraph under Item 6 Other Trustee Business, the amendment is to identify "CDC" as Community Development Corporation and also to explain what "504 Loans" are. 3. Unfinished Business Channel 8 News Tape A video of a Channel 8 news tape promoting downtown Clearwater was played. 4. New Business Florida Gulf Coast Art Center A resolution encouraging the Florida Gulf Coast Art Center to locate in downtown Clearwater was discussed. Upon approval by the CRA Trustees and the City Commission it will be forwarded to the Florida Gulf Coast Art Center Board of Directors. Trustee Thomas moved to approve Item 2 on the amended resolution to read as follows: "Recognizing that this is an important cultural facility that would benefit the entire Clearwater community, pledge to give the Florida Gulf Coast Art Center every consideration and incentive mutually agreed upon." The motion was seconded and unanimously approved. Peter Gozza reported that the Downtown Clearwater Association, the Downtown Development Board and the Chamber of Commerce all endorse this resolution. Chairperson Deegan requested that since the City Manager and the Executive Director of the CRA are actively involved in pursuing this project, that other members of the Downtown Partnership refrain from contacting and/or pursuing the Florida Gulf Coast Art Center, lest discussion or communication be hindered. 5. Executive Director Verbal Reports Downtown Beautification Program Update Peter Gozza updated the Trustees on the planter program. To date, 29 planters have been adopted (5 remaining), and invoices have been sent out. The following companies have agreed to participate in the Adopt-a-Planter Program: Western Reserve Life Ins (2) Stein Mart Obrentz Interiors Barnett Bank Chamber of Commerce Wilhite Books Justice Corporation (2) Chateau Madrid Pat Lokey Clothing Brown Bros Royalty Theatre Downtowner Cafe Park Jewelers Crafty Hamlet Florida Power (5) Travelodge Impulsive Necessities 1st Union Bank Paine Webber Clearwater Club AmSouth Bank Trickels Jewelers Private Financial Connection Application for funding from the Downtown Development Board will not be submitted until the funds have been collected from the downtown merchants. Recruitment/Retention Mr. Gozza handed out a copy of a cover letter and list of prospective downtown retailers that have been sent a promotional packet. Follow-up calls will be made. A list of new downtown businesses was also distributed. These companies have located in the downtown area since October 1993. An updated copy of the space inventory was distributed. As additional verification to this report is compiled, updates will be provided. Goals/Objectives A formal six month report on Mr. Gozza's Goals and Objectives will be presented at the next meeting. Mr. Gozza was congratulated and commended for being elected to the Board of Directors of the Florida Redevelopment Association. 6. Other Trustee Business Trustee Thomas recommended, and the board agreed, that Mr. Gozza should meet with the administration of the cities of Naples, Sarasota and Fort Myers due to their success with redevelopment efforts. 7. Adjournment Meeting was adjourned at 10:15 am. Chairperson Attest: Secretary