09/15/1997 COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY MEETING
CITY OF CLEARWATER
September 15, 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/CRA Director
Michael J. Roberto City Manager
Pamela K. Akin City Attorney
Cynthia E. Goudeau City Clerk
Patricia O. Sullivan Board Reporter
The Chair called the meeting to order at 10:28 a .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 minutes of the meeting of July 14, 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) Amended Budget FY (Fiscal Year) 1996/97
Proposed amendments include: 1) revenue budget - changes in amounts received or expected and 2) expenditure budget - changes in operational costs primarily due to sale of Park Street
Parking Garage and retirement of debt service. Staff recommends appropriating the remaining balance in the CRA (Community Redevelopment Agency) Trust Funds, as of September 30, 1997,
for previously approved redevelopment projects and those to be identified in the redevelopment plan.
Administrative Support Manager Diane Smith reviewed the amendments. In response to a question, Finance Director Margie Simmons said working capital comes from the CRA’s sale of the
Municipal Services Building property to the City. She will report on costs related to the Park Street Parking Garage sale. In response to a question, Deputy City Manager Kathy Rice
said the CRA contributes $50,000 annually for the Jolley Trolley’s downtown stop. In response to a question, Assistant City Manager Bob Keller said legal costs to cover establishing
the Downtown Alliance have not been calculated. The City Attorney reported her department’s budget currently covers those expenses. Future projects will come before the Trustees for
approval.
Trustee Hooper moved to approve the amended budget for FY 1996/97 and authorize the appropriation of the entire balance remaining in the CRA Trust Fund, as of September 30, 1997, for
previously approved redevelopment projects and those which will be identified in the redevelopment plan and that the appropriate officials be authorized to execute same. The motion
was duly seconded and carried unanimously.
b) FY 1997/98 budget
The FY (Fiscal Year) 1997/98 revenue budget is based on taxable value estimates and assumes receipt of the DDB’s (Downtown Development Board) tax increment. Other revenue sources include
Interest earnings and rental income from the Garden Avenue Garage and Station Square parking. Interest earnings are substantially reduced due to retiring the bond debt. The expenditure
budget transfers $119,630 to the City to staff the CRA office. Operating expenses include $20,000 for advertising and promotional activities, i.e., banners, advertising, and promotions.
The $6,300 increase in the Checkers Parking fund will provide Station Square Parking lot spaces for retailers. The $2,300 transfer to the CIP (Capital Improvement Project) is for Miscellaneous
Redevelopment Projects.
In response to a question, Mr. Keller said the City charges the CRA 50% of most economic development team member salaries. It was felt that charge is high unless the team spends half
its time on downtown issues. Ms. Smith said poll results indicate 13 retailers are willing to pay $15-month for each of 2 permitted parking spaces in Station Square parking lot. She
distributed a draft of a letter to retailers reviewing this issue and referring to plans to install 36 on-street metered parking spaces: 1) Laura Street between Garden & East Avenues;
2) Garden Avenue between Drew & Park Streets; and Hendricks Street between N. Ft. Harrison & East Avenues. The City also installed 18 long term parking spaces on Pierce Street, South
of the Park Street garage for downtown retail employees.
Ms. Smith acknowledged help provided by Parking Facilities Manager Tracey Bruch. Additional parking is being pursued. It was questioned if a new downtown parking garage is needed.
The City Manager said a comprehensive downtown plan will consider that issue. Currently, staff is addressing short term issues. Staff anticipates the full $4,000 increase for downtown
parking needs will not be used.
Commissioner Clark moved to adopt the FY 1997/98 CRA budget as submitted. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously.
ITEM #4 - Assistant City Manager Verbal Reports
Mr. Keller complimented Ms. Smith’s efforts. Downtown traffic has increased. Ms. Smith reviewed new downtown businesses, noting improvement to the economic climate: 1) Social Security
Administration opening office in Barnett Bank Building; 2) Digital Lightwave expanding operation in Atrium building; 3) former Taste of Italy restaurant to feature Southwest cuisine;
and 4) Daniele’s kitchen open on Ft. Harrison Avenue.
Ms. Smith reported the City has received no bids for the former vice building. She suggested the property could be leased to a Trail oriented business. In response to a question,
Mr. Keller said the building’s rehabilitation costs had not been calculated. The City Manager said renovation costs could be incorporated in the rent.
Ms. Smith thanked the City for its support of the DDB’s Jazz Up Downtown clean-up efforts. A scavenger hunt for downtown office workers is planned for the last week of November 1997.
The Trail’s Grand Opening is scheduled for December 6, 1997.
Mr. Keller invited CRA Trustees to attend a downtown focus group meeting at the Main Library’s Adler Room at 7:30 a.m., on October 3, 1997. A final draft of the letter to downtown
merchants regarding parking will be available for Trustee signatures.
ITEM #5 - Other Business
Trustee Clark reported he cannot attend the October 4, 1997, Jazz Up Downtown event due to another commitment.
in response to a question, Mr. Keller said Social Security patrons will park in street parking spaces and public spaces in the Garden Avenue Parking Garage. In response to a question,
he said short term spaces for Post Office patrons will be available on Laura Street. A recommendation was made to limit parking in front of the Post Office to 15 minutes. Concern was
expressed the DRB (Design Review Board) had denied a business owner’s request for a white roof and discouraged the owner from pursuing expansion plans.
ITEM #6 - Adjournment
The meeting adjourned at 10:56 a.m.