07/14/1997 COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY MEETING
CITY OF CLEARWATER
July 14, 1997
Present: Rita Garvey Chair/CRA Trustee
J. B. Johnson CRA Trustee
Robert Clark CRA Trustee
Karen Seel CRA Trustee
David Stone Ex-Officio Trustee
Bob Keller Assistant City Manager/CRA Director
Michael J. Roberto City Manager
Pamela K. Akin City Attorney
Cynthia E. Goudeau City Clerk
Patricia O. Sullivan Board Reporter
Absent: Ed Hooper CRA Trustee
The Chair called the meeting to order at 1:15 p.m. at City Hall.
To provide continuity for research, items are in agenda order although not necessarily discussed in that order.
ITEM #2 - Approval of Minutes
Trustee Johnson moved to approve the minute of the meetings of June 16, 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 - New Business
a) Proposed Atrium settlement
The City Attorney reviewed the proposed agreement between the City and Atrium at Clearwater, Ltd., indicating the City Commission had agreed to the terms during a previous closed door
session. The agreement should be finalized this month and will resolve all litigation. In addition to a $50,000 deposit, the City will receive $450,000. The City will keep 31 spaces
of street level parking around the parking garage, trading them for a 25-space parking lot across the street. Clearwater will be able to maintain 60 City vehicles in the garage until
the end of September 1997. After that, the City can lease spaces at published rates.
It was noted the agreement results in a net loss to Clearwater but the City has little choice due to the original contract’s language. In response to a question, Finance Director Margie
Simmons reported $1.6-million is still owed on the garage. The garage’s assessed value was not known. The City Attorney indicated some minor changes to the final agreement may occur.
Trustee Johnson moved to accept the proposed settlement with Atrium at Clearwater, Ltd., in form and concept for the purchase of the remaining portion of the Park Street garage structure
and nearby 25-space parking lot parcel, less the abutting 31-space parcel. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously.
ITEM #4 - Assistant City Manager Verbal Reports
Assistant City Manager Bob Keller stated the first draft of the agreement between the DDB (Downtown Development Board) and CRA (Community Redevelopment Agency) for the Downtown Alliance
has been received. In response to a question, he said approval of the final agreement remains targeted for September 1997.
Mr. Keller reported increased leasing activity downtown. Staff has worked to help 5 new downtown businesses. Mr. Keller indicated the Parks & Recreation Department has removed the
annuals from the downtown planters and replaced them with low-growing vegetation and dwarf palms.
ITEM #5 - Other Business - None.
ITEM #6 - Adjournment
The meeting adjourned at 1:25 p.m.