10/03/1994 COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY
Minutes
October 3, 1994
The City Commission, meeting as the Community Redevelopment Agency, met in regular session at City Hall, Monday, October 3, 1994 at 9:00 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
Pamela Akin City Attorney
Phil Henderson Chamber of Commerce
Alan Zimmett Acting City Attorney
Jacquie DeGroy Recording Secretary
Absent:
Elise Winters Ex-officio Trustee
David Stone Ex-officio Trustee
2. Approval of Minutes
A correction was made to the September 12, 1994 minutes indicating Phil Henderson present. A motion was made, seconded and unanimously carried to approve the corrected minutes of September
12, 1994 and the minutes of the September 15, 1994.
3. Unfinished Business
Executive Director Evaluation - Chairperson Deegan summarized the evaluation format which was to have had Mr. Gozza submit a self evaluation and meet with each of the Trustees on an
individual basis prior to this meeting. The following are the Trustees' summary comments:
Trustee Berfield: "Outstanding job" with an "A" rating. Percentage of goal achievement is 90-95%.
Trustee Thomas: "Very impressed with first year's performance." Overall performance rating is an "A" and would recommend payment of the bonus. Percentage of goal achievement is
90%.
Trustee Garvey: "Nothing but positive to say." Trustee Garvey
indicated she "does not work with numbers for ratings" so would not give a rating but did say, "has done a good job and looks forward to working with him."
Trustee Fitzgerald: Trustee Fitzgerald read, for the record, the overall accomplishment statement he gave to Mr. Gozza, "Mr. Gozza has carried out his duties as Executive Director,
CRA in an overall satisfactory manner. He displays enthusiasm for his job. In some instances there have been difficulties in coordination with other elements involved in redevelopment
efforts in the downtown area, i.e., DDB, Chamber of Commerce, Downtown Clearwater Association, etc. The lack of an agreed upon downtown redevelopment master plan has been a hinderance
which Mr. Gozza has begun to address. Approval by the CRA Trustee's of a contract with an outside consultant to develop a master plan should help focus downtown redevelopment efforts.
So far, efforts to develop the East End property have taken a scatter gun approach with none coming to an acceptable solution. Acceptance of current proposals on the table without
full consideration of what recommendations are included in the proposed master plan for downtown would be premature. Mr. Gozza's negotiation skills are questionable in light of the
less than desirable (from a City prospective) Stein-Mart lease provisions. And finally it is my observation and opinion that Mr. Gozza likes to operate alone and shares only that
information that he determines necessary rather than participating in a fully cooperative effort with all participants in the downtown area." With regard to the bonus I have publicly
stated that I do not support bonuses.... I was not in favor of the bonus to start with, I'm not in favor of continuing the bonus and am not in favor of it now."
Chairperson Deegan: "Highly Successful" evaluation. Percentage of goal achievement is 90%. The following goals were not fully completed and are ongoing: Meeting of each property
owner/tenant in the core district and determining a complete list of business needs/wants for the downtown area.
A discussion on the bonus followed. Chairperson Deegan suggested that since the bonus was a vital part of the negotiations in the hiring of Mr. Gozza that a bonus should be paid
and suggested a figure of 90% based on the percentage of goal achievement. Trustee Garvey indicated that though she wasn't in favor of bonuses per se, she concurred a bonus should
be paid to Mr. Gozza's considering his current inequitable pay. Trustee Thomas moved that 90% of the performance bonus be paid to Mr. Gozza. Trustee Berfield seconded the motion.
Trustee Berfield recommended that 100% of the bonus be paid due to the fact that many of the goals are considered "ongoing" and, thus, amended the original motion. Trustee Thomas
seconded the amended motion. The motion carried on a 4-1 vote with Trustee Fitzgerald voting against.
Phil Henderson, Chamber of Commerce, suggested that the Downtown Partnership be permitted to formally give input on Mr. Gozza's evaluation in the future. Chairperson Deegan responded
that Mr. Gozza's evaluation process will continue as it has in the past - with the formal evaluation being done by the CRA Trustees with input from all organizations and citizens
being informally directed to each of the Trustees. Trustee Fitzgerald was the only board member who indicated he had received outside input regarding the current evaluation.
Peter Gozza responded to the evaluation by stating he enjoyed working with the Board and appreciated the support he has received from the Board, City Staff and the Downtown Partnership.
Peter Gozza Outside Consulting Services
Trustee Thomas moved that Peter Gozza be permitted to do outside consulting following the amendment to the contract procedures as recommended by Acting City Attorney, Alan Zimmett.
Trustee Berfield seconded. Trustee Fitzgerald opposes this action because he feels the Executive Director position should devote 100% working time to this position along with the
possibility of comprise. There are other professional level positions within the City that have outside employment subject to certain restrictions. Motion carried 4-1 with Trustee
Fitzgerald voting against.
4. New Business
None
5. Executive Director Verbal Reports
Mr. Gozza reported that a "volunteer work crew" will attempt to get the twinkle lights on Cleveland Street in order in time for all of the upcoming events. Maintenance will continue.
The Hanson-Taylor contract will available for the Trustee's review at the meeting of October 17th.
6. Other Trustee Business
The DDB Resolutions submitted to the CRA were addressed in a letter written by Peter Gozza to DDB Chairperson, Winters. The Resolutions address issues that are already within the
Scope of Services for the Redevelopment Plan.
Trustee Garvey indicated that she was uncomfortable with the letter from the Chairperson in the Annual Report. Chairperson
Deegan stated that he prefers the letter remain as written. Trustee Garvey will follow-up on this issue by memo to the other Board Members.
Chairperson Deegan had received an inquiry regarding the status of Ottavio's Restaurant, believing it had ceased operation. Upon further investigation, the status of the restaurant
is that it is temporarily closed - due to a vacation.
7. Adjournment
Meeting was adjourned at 9:40 am.
Chairperson
Attest:
Secretary