03/04/2002
COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY MEETING
CITY OF CLEARWATER
March 4, 2002
Present: Brian J. Aungst Chair/CRA Trustee
Ed Hart CRA Trustee
Whitney Gray CRA Trustee
Hoyt P. Hamilton CRA Trustee
William C. Jonson CRA Trustee
Glenn Warren Ex-Officio
Mary Rogero Ex-Officio
Also present: William B. Horne II City Manager
Garry Brumback Assistant City Manager
Ralph Stone CRA Executive Director/Assistant 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 9:05 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 the Minutes
Trustee Gray moved to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of February 4, 2002,
motion
as recorded and submitted in written summation by the City Clerk to each Trustee. The
carried
was duly seconded and unanimously.
ITEM #3 - CRA (Community Redevelopment Agency) Rules
Rules governing the CRA (Community Redevelopment Agency) have not been updated
since 1993. For the most part, the rules do not need to be changed. Some procedures have
changed since the last rules change was adopted. Major changes relate to City Clerk
responsibilities to record minutes, keep records, and distribute agendas, and Executive Director
responsibilities.
In response to a question regarding Rule 2, the City Attorney stated the CRA is an
independent agency that could hire an Executive Director directly. Rule 2 delegates hiring the
Executive Director to the City Manager and requires the CRA to concur with the City Manager’s
choice. A scrivener’s error in Rule 3 was pointed out.
motion
Trustee Gray moved to approve revisions to the CRA Rules. The was duly
carried
seconded and unanimously.
ITEM #4 - Approve Development Agreement between the Community Redevelopment Agency
The Balk Company, Inc
of the City of Clearwater and . for a residential townhome development
proposal fronting on Cleveland Street.
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In December 1999, the CRA issued a RFP (Request for Proposals) for development of
an approximately 5.4-acre site, commonly known as the Dimmitt property, fronting Cleveland
Street. As a result, the CRA selected The Balk Company, Inc. to negotiate the site’s
redevelopment in conjunction with City proposed development of the City lake and adjoining
public park. The Balk Company proposes to construct 100 residential townhomes, a swimming
pool, and community facility. The development agreement between the CRA and The Balk
Company defines the terms of land acquisition, timing and scope of the development,
environmental responsibilities, and development incentives.
The Balk Company anticipates purchasing the 235,298 square-foot property at a rate of
$7.75/squre-foot or $1,823,560 in phases: 1) $287,657 - 37,117 square-feet; 2) $935,735 -
120,740 square-feet; and 3) $600,168 - 77,441 square-feet. The Interlocal Agreement provides
that the City will take necessary steps to declare surplus and sell to the CRA property necessary
for the project. The CRA and Brownfields Program, on behalf of the project, agree to pay an
estimated $386,771 for certain development related fees, including impact, permit, utility
connection, and stormwater ”buy-in” fees. Fees will be paid as construction occurs. Pursuant
to Resolution #99-43, the City agreed to reduce the CRA funded Stormwater buy-in fee from
$200,000 to $100,000.
Pursuant to the Brownfields Site Rehabilitation Agreement entered into between the City
and FDEP (Florida Department of Environmental Protection), the City has committed to certain
remedial actions on the property. State and Federal Brownfields Programs have funded the
total site cleanup costs of $834,447, to date. The City will have the responsibility to hold The
Balk Company harmless for pre-existing environmental issues related to existing site conditions.
The City will bear additional construction costs, if any, related to groundwater contamination.
The total construction value of the project at build-out is estimated to be $16,425,000. A
total of $224,808 of annual ad valorem and non ad valorem revenues are projected at build-out.
Ex-Officio Members Glenn Warren and Mary Rogero spoke in support of the project as
important to the Main Street Community program and Downtown development.
Bruce Balk, of The Balk Company, Inc., reviewed the project and said the project will
have a homeowners association as the land will be deeded out fee simple. Each 2- and 3-
bedroom unit will have security gate. He presented elevations of the project. He said some
units already are sold. In response to a question, Mr. Balk said when the City takes over
responsibility of Cleveland Street from FDOT (Florida Department of Transportation) the project
will landscape the resulting additional 4 feet of available right-of-way, which is outside the
development’s wall. The City Attorney referenced page 42 of the Development Agreement and
reported the date February 14, 2002, has been amended to March 21, 2002.
Trustee Gray moved to approve the Development Agreement between the Community
Redevelopment Agency of the City of Clearwater and The Balk Company, Inc. for a residential
townhome development proposal fronting on Cleveland Street, and that the appropriate officials
motioncarried
be authorized to execute same. The was duly seconded and unanimously.
Interlocal Agreement
ITEM #5 - Approve the between the Community Redevelopment Agency
The Balk Company, Inc.
of the City of Clearwater and the City of Clearwater regarding
residential townhome development proposal fronting on Cleveland Street, and authorize the
payment of $386,771 in various development, impact, and stormwater fees to the City over a
three year period in Fiscal Years 2001/02 through 2003/04.
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In addition to information listed under Item #4, The Balk Company, Inc. has agreed to
pay $130,000 for soil remediation on the Stage II property and will be responsible for all backfill
costs on the site. In addition, the City will provide an estimated $101,300 to finish the soil
remediation and provide water quality monitoring. The CRA will have the responsibility to hold
The Balk Company, Inc. harmless on pre-existing environmental issues related to existing site
conditions.
The City Attorney reported changes to the Interlocal Agreement’s language related to
environmental issues matches language in the Development Agreement. In response to a
question, the City Attorney reviewed responsibilities of the City Commission when acting as the
CRA.
Trustee Jonson moved to approve the Interlocal Agreement between the Community
Redevelopment Agency of the City of Clearwater and the City of Clearwater regarding The Balk
Company, Inc. residential townhome development proposal fronting on Cleveland Street and
authorize payment of $386,771 in various development, impact, and stormwater fees to the City
over a three-year period in Fiscal Years 2001/02 through 2003/04, and that the appropriate
motion carried
officials be authorized to execute same. The was duly seconded and
unanimously.
ITEM #6 - Executive Director (Assistant City Manager) Verbal Reports
CRA Executive Director/Assistant City Manager Ralph Stone complimented Trustees
Gray and Hamilton for their time and commitment as Ex-Officio Members of the DDB
(Downtown Development Board) and contributions to the development on a strategic action plan
for downtown.
Mr. Stone thanked City Attorney Pam Akin for her many hours of work in developing and
assembling the development and interlocal agreements regarding The Balk Company, Inc.
project.
ITEM #7 - Other Business
It was suggested the City consider applying for designation of the downtown as a
Historic District to qualify for available tax credits. Mr. Warren reported about 10 years ago,
many downtown property owners had opposed a similar initiative. He suggested the issue
could be revisited as some property ownership has since changed.
ITEM #8 - Adjournment
The meeting adjourned at 9:35 a.m.
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