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05/18/1998 COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY MEETING CITY OF CLEARWATER May 18, 1998 Present: Rita Garvey Chair/CRA Trustee Ed Hooper Vice-Chair/CRA Trustee J. B. Johnson CRA Trustee Robert Clark CRA Trustee Karen Seel CRA Trustee Bob Keller Assistant City Manager/CRA Director Michael J. Roberto City Manager Pamela K. Akin City Attorney Cynthia E. Goudeau City Clerk Brenda Moses Board Reporter The Chair called the meeting to order at 11:04 a.m. at City Hall. ITEM #2 - Approval of Minutes Trustee Johnson moved to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of March 16, 1998 and special meetings of March 30, 1998 and April 2, 1998, 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) Approve the amended mid-year budget for fiscal Year 1997-98 and authorize the appropriation of the entire balance remaining the CRA Trust Fund as of September 20, 1998, for redevelopment projects that have been previously approved, and those which will be identified in the redevelopment plan The revenue budget has been amended to reflect changes in amounts already received, or amounts expected to be received, in addition to transferring $6,000 from the Miscellaneous Redevelopment fund. The $6,000 is for the upgrade of amenities in downtown, such as painting of light posts, purchasing a downtown directory, refurbishing the benches, etc. The expenditure budget has been amended to reflect the change in operational costs expected to be incurred. It is recommended that the Board authorize the appropriation of the entire balance remaining in the CRA Trust Fund as of September 30, 1998, for redevelopment projects that have been previously approved, and those which will be identified in the redevelopment plan. In response to questions, Downtown Development Manager Diane Smith said the miscellaneous redevelopment fund balance after reallocation of funds to the IMR (Information Management Resources) project is $5,830. Interest earnings and escrow are payments received from the sale of the Garden Avenue Garage. Those funds were in a bank and were returned to the CRA. Ms. Smith said increases in document reproduction and decreases in print shop expenditures are tied together. Some costs were charged to the print shop and others outsourced. In response to a question, Finance Director Margie Simmons said the proposed budget reflects the method the City uses to allocate interest earnings. Funds in the CIP (Capital Improvement Program) are not allocated until year end, based upon balances from the previous year. The IMR money is not reflected in the budget process, but will be once approved. Trustee Johnson moved to approve the amended mid-year budget for fiscal year 1997-98 and authorize the appropriation of the entire balance remaining in the CRA Trust Fund as of September 30, 1998, for redevelopment projects that have been previously approved, 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) Approve the Interlocal Agreement with the DDB in which the DDB agrees to perform certain responsibilities and functions consistent with, and to further, the Downtown Redevelopment Plan in exchange for $21,551.12. Florida Statute 163.387 requires all taxing authorities to make annual appropriation in an amount equal to the incremental increase in the ad valorem revenue within the CRA area. The DDB is a taxing authority within the CRA area and is not statutorily exempt from making such payments to the CRA. The DDB paid the fiscal year 1997-98 tax increment of $21,551.12 to the CRA. The CRA paid to the DDB the amount equal to tax increment payment the last 2 fiscal years in exchange for the promotion of downtown. The agreement between the CRA and the DDB states the DDB is to provide the following services for the CRA during fiscal year 1997-98: 1) support and promote Station Square Park concerts and activities and holiday festivities; 2) assist with maintenance of downtown sidewalks and lights on trees along Cleveland Street; and 3) provide a match to purchase a directory to downtown businesses to be installed at the MSC Garage Complex information window next to the trail. Staff recommends the efforts of the DDB to promote and market the downtown justifies the CRA payment of the $21,551.12 to the DDB. CRA Director Bob Keller said this arrangement promotes a stronger working relationship between the CRA and the DDB. The DDB approved the Interlocal Agreement earlier this month. Trustee Hooper moved to approve the Interlocal Agreement with the DDB in which the DDB agrees to perform certain responsibilities and functions consistent with, and to further, the Downtown Redevelopment Plan in exchange for $21,551.12, and that the appropriate officials be authorized to execute same. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. c) Approve transfer of $50,000 from the Downtown Redevelopment Project to the Information Management Resources (IMR) project fund and authorize the reimbursement of this $50,000 to the CRA Downtown Redevelopment project upon the sale of the property On April 2, 198, the CRA Trustees approved the City to move forward with negotiations on the former annex property. The CRA agreed to pay or reimburse IMR for environmental costs at closing. If IMR does not consummate the transaction because of an Unsatisfactory Environmental Condition, or the unresolved title concern, the CRA agrees to reimburse IMR for these costs. The upper limit of the reimbursement is $50,000. It is recommended the CRA Trustees authorize the reimbursement of this $50,000 to the CRA Downtown Redevelopment project 315-94714, after the sale of the property. Trustee Hooper moved to approve the transfer of $50,000 from the Downtown Redevelopment project to the IMR project fund, and authorize the reimbursement of this $50,000 to the CRA Downtown redevelopment project upon the sale of the property, 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 Mr. Keller said Roger Woodruff has resigned from the DDB and Glen Warren is the new chair. Mr. Keller said for the second year in a row, the assessment base in downtown has increased, reversing a multi-year decline. This year’s increase is 10.9%. It is anticipated the increment will increase yearly. ITEM #5 - Other Business Trustee Hooper commended Diane Smith for her efforts and hard work. ITEM #6 - Adjournment The meeting adjourned at 11:14 a.m.