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03/17/1997 COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY MEETING CITY OF CLEARWATER March 17, 1997 Present: Rita Garvey Chair/CRA Trustee J. B. Johnson CRA Trustee Robert Clark CRA Trustee Ed Hooper CRA Trustee Karen Seel CRA Trustee David Stone Ex-Officio Trustee Bob Keller Assistant City Manager Elizabeth M. Deptula City Manager Cynthia E. Goudeau City Clerk Patricia O. Sullivan Board Reporter The Chair called the meeting to order at 9:10 a.m. at the Municipal Services Building. To provide continuity for research, items are in agenda order although not necessarily discussed in that order. ITEM #2 - Approval of Minutes Trustee Hooper moved to approve the minutes of the meetings of February 18, 1997, and March 3, 1997, as recorded and submitted in written summation by the City Clerk to each Trustee. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. ITEM #3 - Creation of Public/Private Downtown Alliance - agree in principle to create a new alliance through an Interlocal agreement between the CRA (Community Redevelopment Agency) & DDB (Downtown Development Board); authorize City Manager & City Attorney to negotiate a proposed agreement creating the alliance Establishing formal cooperation between the CRA (Community Redevelopment Agency) and downtown business interests would enhance the opportunity for coordinated planning for downtown. Joint budgeting would provide significant efficiencies and enable the CRA and DDB (Downtown Development Board) to set priorities that satisfy the interests of both organizations. The DDB has approved unanimously entering into negotiations to establish the Downtown Alliance. The DDB board has appointed its vice-chair to work with the CRA to create an Interlocal Agreement. Counsel believes principals contained in the working paper permit the creation of the Alliance while protecting City, CRA, and DDB interests. Goals of the Alliance are: 1) establish private/public cooperation; 2) oversee downtown action planning; 3) set policy for downtown regarding development, management, and marketing; 4) budget downtown special taxes; and 5) minimize legal difficulties. Assistant City Manager Bob Keller said a formal alliance will allow each entity to retain separation where necessary to meet legal requirements. In response to a question, the City Attorney said Florida Statute 163 allows this new entity by Interlocal agreement. Mr. Keller said governance is key. Proposed language establishes a board consisting of 5 CRA Trustees (City Commissioners) and 4 downtown citizens. The agreement includes a provision to change this balance later and an exit strategy if the organization does not work. The Assistant City Manager’s office will staff the alliance. Mr. Keller said the alliance’s powers will be quite substantial and include setting policy, planning, and spending public and private resources. The alliance could be constructed to contract with developers with limitations, manage downtown assets, raise private dollars, and buy and sell property. The DDB will cede all powers possible to the alliance including transferring control of ad valorem funds. The DDB will have a possible role in marketing and promotion. The CRA will cede all powers possible to the alliance including transferring control of TIF (Tax Increment Financing). The CRA will maintain their legal plan and retain condemnation rights and the ability to sell land. Mr. Keller reviewed issues that need to be resolved: 1) clarification of powers; 2) determination of a County role, if any; 3) legal entity and bylaws; 4) timing; 5) contract’s length; 6) exit strategy; and 7) board selection. Mr. Keller proposed beginning operation as an alliance while the legal work is being completed. The DDB board unanimously voted in support of this proposal after thorough discussion. He requested the CRA Trustees approve the alliance in principle and authorize the City Attorney and Assistant City Manager to develop an agreement to be brought back for approval. It was questioned how citizen members of the board will be selected. Mr. Keller said that issue needs to be worked out. The DDB will attempt to use DDB bylaws to elect members to those positions. Ex-Officio Trustee David Stone said if the exit strategy is necessary, the DDB will return to 7 members. He noted the importance of reinvolving major downtown stakeholders in this process. In response to a question, Mr. Keller said his position answers to the City Manager. He hoped questions of authority never surface. He noted the City Commission holds a majority on the alliance. He felt trust can be built. He did not anticipate rancorous 5-4 decisions split along organizational lines. DDB concern regarding the 5-4 division of power was noted. It was hoped the alliance will have improved negotiating skills regarding real estate transactions. Mr. Keller thanked Mr. Stone for “hanging in there.” In response to a question, the City Attorney said the CRA retains condemnation rights but the initiative will lie with the alliance. Trustee Johnson moved to agree in principle to create a new Downtown Alliance through an Interlocal Agreement between the CRA and Downtown Development Board and authorize the Assistant City Manager and City Attorney to negotiate a proposed agreement creating the Alliance. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. The Downtown Partnership will review this issue tomorrow. Proposal to hire David Cardwell as Legal Consultant The City Attorney requested permission to hire David Cardwell to handle the legal work regarding this agreement due to his expertise. Trustee Clark moved to approve hiring David Cardwell to handle the legal work to establish the Downtown Alliance. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. ITEM #4 - Adjournment The meeting adjourned at 9:33 a.m.