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11/17/1997 COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY MEETING CITY OF CLEARWATER November 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/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 9:06 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 Hooper moved to approve the minutes of the meetings of September 15, 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) Review Interlocal Agreement which creates Downtown Alliance Assistant City Manager Bob Keller said the required straw poll of voters in the Downtown Development District had not been taken. The City Attorney said the proposed Interlocal Agreement regarding the Downtown Alliance is a 3-party agreement between the DDB (Downtown Development Board), CRA (Community Redevelopment Agency), and City. In essence, the CRA and DDB will combine their powers, granting most of their authority to the Alliance. Each entity will budget money to the Alliance. The agreement can be dissolved by failure to budget or by consensus of the parties. Each party maintains its own prior obligations. The Downtown Alliance will work together to plan for downtown economic development. The CRA and DDB must consent before the Downtown Alliance can acquire property or obligate debt. The Downtown Alliance may undertake redevelopment projects. All parties to the agreement can continue current programs. In response to a question, the City Attorney said the reference to the governing bodies of agencies on page 5 can be removed. In response to a question, she said language on page 4, paragraph E, refers to funds the City obligates to the Downtown Alliance. The Agreement does not obligate the City to contribute. The 9-member Downtown Alliance Board will consist of 5 City Commissioners. In response to a question, Mr. Keller said if the Downtown Alliance forms a 501(c)3 gifts to that organization will be tax deductible. In response to a question, the City Attorney said the proposed Agreement does not obligate the Alliance for any member’s prior obligations. Once the Agreement is approved by all parties, the Alliance can make obligations. Concern was expressed regarding possible tax implications as some CRA district properties are not in the DDB district. The City Attorney said this is a minor deviance and suggested the City Commission could approve decreasing the size of the CRA district to coincide with the DDB boundaries. She will review the boundary variances. It was noted Downtown Development District voters had not yet approved joining the Downtown Alliance. The straw poll will be binding. If the vote fails, the issue is dead. In response to a question, the City Attorney said no provisions have been made to staff the new organization. As the City Attorney currently advises the CRA, it was recommended the Downtown Alliance contemplate its need for legal services. The City Attorney reported the City has not billed the CRA for legal advice. A review of City legal expenses related to the Downtown Alliance was requested. b) Approve cash contribution to Saturday in the City, Inc., Downtown Farmer’s Market The Farmer’s Market opened in February 1996. In FY (fiscal year) 1996/97, the City contributed: 1) $5,000 cash and 2) $1,109 in-kind. On November 6, 1997, the Commission recommended the CRA (Community Redevelopment Agency) consider a cash contribution to Saturday in the City in conjunction with in-kind City services for a total of $5,000. Staff recommends the CRA contribute $3,292 to the Downtown Farmer’s Market for 1997/98 season expenses. A first quarter amendment can transfer $3,292 from the CRA promotional budget to the special project established for this purpose. It was questioned if the Parks & Recreation Department could provide additional in-kind services. It was noted the City Commission had agreed to a $5,000 contribution, including both cash and in-kind services. The City Manager suggested the City could advertise events. It was suggested staff approach the DDB for a contribution. DDB Executive Director Judi Jetson (F/K/A Hackett) said the DDB had contributed to the event when it first started and continues to publicize it. She noted the DDB’s resources are limited but the DDB has coordinated events with the Farmer’s Market in the past. Trustee Seel moved to approve a cash contribution to Saturday in the City, Inc., Downtown Farmer’s Market for a not to exceed amount of $3,292 in conjunction with in-kind services provided by City departments in the amount of $1,708 and that the appropriate officials be authorized to execute same. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. ITEM #4 - Assistant City Manager Verbal Reports Administrative Support Manager Diane Smith reported a Downtown scavenger hunt is planned. Downtown businesses are promoting Jingle-Mingle on the day after Thanksgiving as an alternative to the malls. Trailfest ’97 will celebrate the Grand Opening of the Pinellas Trail. A clean-up of downtown has been underway, including removal of gum from the sidewalks. Signs will be fabricated to reinforce the scrubbed appearance. ITEM #5 - Other Business - None. ITEM #6 - Adjournment The meeting adjourned at 9:39 a.m.