06/12/1995 COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY
Minutes
June 12, 1995
The City Commission, meeting as the Community Redevelopment Agency with Chairperson Rita Garvey presiding, met in regular session at City Hall, Monday, June 12, 1995 at 1:08 PM, with
the following members present:
Rita Garvey Chairperson
J.B. Johnson, Jr. Trustee
Fred Thomas Trustee
Sue Berfield Trustee
Also Present: Betty Deptula City Manager
Peter Gozza Executive Director
Pamela Akin City Attorney
Jacquie DeGroy Board Reporter
Absent: Dan Leiter Ex-officio Trustee
David Stone Ex-officio Trustee
Vickie Crouch Chamber of Commerce
2. Approval of Minutes
A motion was made, seconded and unanimously carried to approve the minutes of May 15, 1995.
3. Unfinished Business
None
4. New Business
CRA Executive Director Position Reporting Status - Trustee Johnson proposed that the CRA Executive Director position reporting status be changed from the CRA Board of Trustees to the
City Manager because plans, concerns and work efforts could be directed by the City Manager. Trustee Johnson cited the reason for this is “I do not like to get telephone calls about
certain things the CRA is doing and they ask me questions and I, frankly, don?t know anything about it, so, apparently alot of the information that is coming forth is after the fact.”
Trustee Thomas spoke in opposition of this recommendation. Due to past performance of previous CRA Directors and their lack of accomplishment within the CRA district, 2-1/2 years ago
the CRA Board of Trustees had voted to have the CRA Executive Director report directly to them. Since this change (in reporting status) more progress has been made in the CRA district.
Chairperson Garvey supported Trustee Johnson?s recommendation (or something similar) because of the need to have the city management team and their input involved in many of the CRA
projects. Chairperson Garvey felt a better method of communication is needed between the CRA and the city
management team in order to protect the City?s rights, property & responsibilities.
Trustee Berfield indicated she would not support this recommendation citing that she felt the CRA was making progress with the current reporting system. She also stated that the law
that governs the CRA provides for two separate entities (CRA and City) and did not feel that this reporting status would be in conformity with the law. Trustee Berfield added that the
City rights, property and responsibilities are protected by the City Commission and, consequently, would not consider these valid reasons to change the reporting status.
After a lengthy discussion regarding communication (or the lack of) between the CRA Executive Director and the City Manager, the CRA Board of Trustees directed both parties to work
out any communication or cooperation problems, either real or perceived.
Due to the 2-2 split decision on this item no action will be taken at this time.
Loan/Grant Program - 701 Cleveland Street - Since Trustee Johnson had received numerous phone calls regarding the loans/grants allocated to the above address, he requested an explanation
from Peter Gozza. Mr. Gozza explained that applications had been submitted for the zero interest loan program, storefront grant and an architectural grant. The plans & applications
were submitted to the CRA; the Design Review Committee; the applicant?s bank and all were approved. No loans are guaranteed by the CRA - the interest is paid directly to the bank.
5. Executive Director Verbal Reports
Mr. Gozza announced that over 1,000 invitations have been sent to downtown property owners & businesses, civic & business leaders, members of the downtown partnership and the general
public announcing a special CRA meeting that will present the downtown plan on June 14, 1995 at 5:30 PM at the Peace Memorial Presbyterian Church.
6. Other Trustee Business
Due to the pace at which the East End property is being developed, Trustee Thomas requested that this issue be expedited. He suggested that 1). The CRA board review the concept of
using an RFP as a marketing piece and that 2). Because he did not want the City to be locked into using the east end property for an entertainment complex only, he suggested that Peter
Gozza and Betty Deptula meet with local real estate/developer experts (Richard Coe, Bobby Byrd & Lee Arnold) to determine what would be the most marketable project for the East End.
Peter Gozza explained that the reasons for the delay on the East End property were due to 1). Property is currently occupied and not ready for development 2). The environmental studies
which needed to be done have been completed within in the last year and 3). That nothing can be done on that particular piece of property until the new downtown plan has been approved
(the previously approved plan had called for another type of development.)
Mr. Gozza indicated that he was currently working with Pearson, Thomas/LKW in developing an East End RFP marketing piece calling for an entertainment complex and further explained that
the downtown plan will allow for other commercial development on the property and also addresses the need for residential units.
7. Adjournment
Meeting was adjourned at 1:45 PM.
Chairperson
Attest:
Board Reporter