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09/15/2003COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY MEETING CITY OF CLEARWATER September 15, 2003 Present: Brian J. Aungst Chair/CRA Trustee Whitney Gray CRA Trustee Hoyt P. Hamilton CRA Trustee William C. Jonson CRA Trustee Frank Hibbard CRA Trustee Trish Johnson Ex-Officio Dwight Matheny Ex-Officio Also present: William B. Horne II City Manager Garry Brumback Assistant City Manager Ralph Stone CRA Executive Director/Asst. 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 9:11 a.m. at City Hall. To provide continuity for research, items are in agenda order although not necessarily discussed in that order. 2 - Approval of Minutes Trustee Jonson moved to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of August 18, 2003, as recorded and submitted in written summation by the City Clerk to each Trustee. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously 3 – Approve Interlocal Agreement with the Downtown Development Board (DDB) to provide personnel, administrative and management responsibilities during Fiscal Year 2003/04 in the amount of $47,244 to reimburse the difference between the CRA tax increment revenues and the management fee, and to approve a loan of $48,000 to the CRA for the purchase of real property located near Clearwater Automotive. The CRA (Community Redevelopment Agency) Trustees executed the first interlocal agreement to provide personnel, administrative, and management responsibilities to the DDB in FY (Fiscal Year) 1999/2000. This is the fifth fiscal year that the CRA would enter into the agreement. The agreement between the CRA and DDB states the CRA will provide a comprehensive scope of administrative and programmatic functions to the DDB. The management of the DDB by CRA staff enables the CRA and DDB to utilize public dollars more efficiently. The DDB shall pay the CRA $3,937 per month for the services agreed to in the Interlocal Agreement. The DDB’s estimated share of the CRA tax increment revenues for FY 2003/04 is $72,894. The compensation shall be deducted from the tax increment payment. The difference of $25,650 between the administration fee and increment payment will be returned to the DDB to provide financial support for Clearwater’s Main Street program. In the spirit of cooperation with the CRA and a desire to further improve the Downtown, the DDB, at their August 6, 2003 meeting, unanimously approved lending the CRA $48,000 at 0% interest for the purchase of property located at 308 S. Washington Avenue, Clearwater. Upon sale of the property, the CRA agrees to reimburse the DDB the principal amount of the loan, and proportionately share with the DDB any profit. Trustee Hamilton moved to approve the Interlocal Agreement with the Downtown Development Board to provide personnel, administrative, and management responsibilities during Fiscal Year 2003/04 in the amount of $47,244 to reimburse the difference between the CRA tax increment revenues and the management fee, and to approve a loan of $48,000 to the CRA for the purchase of real property located near Clearwater Automotive, and that the appropriate officials be authorized to execute same. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. 4 – Approve the purchase of real property identified as Pinellas County Parcel 15-29-15-65196-000-0035, from Andrew Miller of 8034 Peaks Road, Mechanicsville, Virginia 32116, in the amount of $48,000. On July 17, 2003, the City Commission approved the contract for exchange of real property between the City and Clearwater Mall, LLC to exchange the City’s fee estate in Lot 1, A RESUB OF BASKINS REPLAT for the fee estate in Pinellas County Parcels 15-29-15-65196-000-0034 and 0063 for the sum of $145,000, and Pinellas County Parcels 15-29-15-65196-000-0030, 0060, 0061, and 0062, and 15-29-15-65214-002-0180 (Clearwater Auto) for the sum of $1,013,500, plus estimated interest payments and transaction costs of $41,950, for a total exchange consideration not to exceed $1,200,000, subject to fulfillment of the terms and conditions of the exchange contract. This exchange contract resulted in a remnant parcel within this block that the CRA feels is important to acquire so as to consolidate this block into a potential redevelopment site. The subject parcel contains 7,850 square-feet, and is located adjacent to the Clearwater Auto Salvage Yard, with frontage on Washington Avenue. The subject parcel’s full purchase price is based upon Just Market Value established by the Pinellas County Property Appraiser of $43,500 plus $4,500 in reimbursements for Seller relocation and moving expenses. Due to multiple prior commitments on current CRA funds, the DDB agreed to loan the CRA $48,000 for this purchase at 0% interest, on the provision that the DDB would share proportionately in any future gain through the future sale of this potential redevelopment parcel of combined parcels. The proportional share is based on 3.85% for the DDB and 96.15% for the CRA. Due to the “Value-Added” incurred in obtaining this remnant parcel, the CRA will accept this parcel “as is” and without warranties, and will be responsible for the demolition of all structures, and for any future environmental due diligence and mitigation. The underlying purpose of this transaction is to remove from Downtown, a non-conforming single-family house and uses that are inappropriately located adjacent to an automobile salvage yard, and to combine it with other properties as a potential redevelopment site. Economic Development & Housing Director Reg Owens said there is no time limit for the CRA repayment of the DDB loan. Staff is working to determine the level of contamination at the adjacent Clearwater Auto site. The subject site also may be contaminated due to its proximity to the salvage yard. The City has submitted a draft lease to Clearwater Auto, permitting the company to remain on site for two years, with a promise the company will not further contaminate the site. The DDB was thanked for their participation. Trustee Gray moved to approve the purchase of Real Property located at 308 South Washington Avenue, Clearwater, and identified as Pinellas County Parcel 15-29-15-65196-000-0035, from Andrew Miller of 8034 Peaks Road, Mechanicsville, Virginia 32116, in the amount of $48,000, and that the appropriate officials be authorized to execute same. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. 5 – Approve Extension of Time for Development Agreement for Stage I of Mediterranean Village for The Balk Development Company, Inc. On December 6, 1999, the CRA approved negotiations with The Balk Company, Inc., for development of the former Dimmitt site (Parcels A & B). Negotiations ensued and resulted in an approved Development Agreement. The agreement has a ten-year life. The Balk Company has been approved for the construction of 100 townhomes, which will be built in multiple stages (Stage I - 15 units, Stage II - 49 units, and Stage III - 36 units). The Balk Company, Inc. is currently underway with Stage I construction, and will proceed to Stage II once clearance has been obtained from FDEP (Florida Department of Environmental Protection). The CRA and Brownfield Program agreed to pay certain development related fees, estimated to be $385,529.40, on behalf of the total project. These fees include impact fees, permit fees, utility connections fee, and stormwater “buy-in” fees. Fees will be paid upon receipt of a Certificate of Occupancy. 100% of Stage I fees (estimated to be $47,016.30) were to have been paid to The Balk Company for units which had obtained a Certificate of Occupancy by May 30, 2003; and 50% if a Certificate of Occupancy was issued for units after May 30, 2003, but before May 30, 2004. For units for which a Certificate of Occupancy is issued after May 30, 2004, The Balk Company, Inc. shall be responsible for payments of all fees. Due to unforeseen construction delays, The Balk Company is requesting an extension to the terms of the Development Agreement for Stage I, through October 31, 2003; during which time the firm would be eligible to be reimbursed 100% of the agreed upon development fees from the CRA upon receipt of any Certificates of Occupancy for those units which are completed. Concern was expressed a rush to complete construction prior to October 31, 2003, may result in shoddy workmanship. Mr. Owens said the monthly schedule being provided the City indicates construction will be completed by October 26, 2003. He said he has visited the project which is extremely well built. Regarding Stage II, he said the City will establish a new procedure with Balk. Discussion ensued regarding Stage II and it was indicated this phase needs to move more expeditiously than Stage I. It was noted complaints have been received regarding the unattractiveness of Stage I. CRA Executive Director Ralph Stone reviewed frustrating components of the project, including the need to construct Stage I in a very tight space due to the developer’s inability to obtain additional land. He hoped adjustments to the Cleveland Street side of the property will improve aesthetics. The design of the remainder of the project differs from Stage I and the developer needs to honor the approved design treatment. Mr. Owens said City planned landscaping will improve the site once the City has access to Cleveland Street. The Balk Company is responsible for planting trees in the site’s indentations. Trustee Gray moved to approve an extension of time for the Development Agreement for Stage I of Mediterranean Village for The Balk Development Company, Inc. and that the appropriate officials be authorized to execute same. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. 6 - Executive Director (Assistant City Manager) Verbal Reports Ralph Stone complimented staff efforts and thanked the DDB for its support and team work. 7 - Other Business – None. 8 - Adjournment The meeting adjourned at 9:33 a.m.