01/29/2007
COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY MEETING MINUTES
CITY OF CLEARWATER
January 29, 2007
Present: Frank Hibbard Chair/CRA Trustee
J. B. Johnson CRA Trustee
William C. Jonson CRA Trustee
Carlen Petersen CRA Trustee – departed 2:41 p.m.
John Doran CRA Trustee
Also present: William B. Horne II City Manager
Garry Brumback Assistant City Manager
Rod Irwin Assistant City Manager/CRA Executive Director
Pamela K. Akin City Attorney
Cynthia E. Goudeau City Clerk
Rosemarie Call Management Analyst
The Chair called the meeting to order at 1:30 p.m. at City Hall.
To provide continuity for research, items are in agenda order although not
necessarily discussed in that order.
2. Community Redevelopment Agency Items
2.1 Approval of 1-16-2007 CRA (Community Redevelopment Agency) minutes
Trustee Jonson moved to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of January 16,
motion
2007, as submitted in written summation by the City Clerk to each Trustee. The was
carried
duly seconded and unanimously.
2.2 Approve the extension of the Agreement for Development and Disposition of Property
between the Community Redevelopment Agency of the City of Clearwater, Florida and the Balk
Company, Inc., effective March 4, 2002, and previously extended on January 16, 2007 until the
end of business on Monday, February 13, 2007 for the sole and exclusive purpose of
considering assignment of the developer's interest to the Fairway Development Group, Inc. of
Sarasota, Florida.
The CRA Executive Director and City Attorney are recommending the extension to
February 26, 2007 to complete due diligence on the proposed assignment. Robert Murray,
principal of Fairway Development Group, is looking at a redesign with a mixed-use project in
concert with downtown plans. The assignment could be conditioned on development approval.
Trustee Johnson moved to approve the extension of the Agreement for Development
and Disposition of Property between the Community Redevelopment Agency of the City of
Clearwater, Florida and the Balk Company, Inc., effective March 4, 2002, and previously
extended on January 16, 2007, until the end of business on Monday, February 26, 2007, for the
sole and exclusive purpose of considering assignment of the developer's interest to the Fairway
motioncarried
Development Group, Inc. of Sarasota, Florida. The was duly seconded and
unanimously.
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2.3 Adopt proposed Community Redevelopment Agency policy entitled "Use of Tax Increment
Funds", dated January 29, 2007.
Pursuant to indications by the Trustees at recent CRA meetings that there was a desire
for a more formal policy to govern the use of TIF (Tax Increment Financing) funds, staff has
prepared a TIF utilization policy for the CRA. This was discussed at the January 16, 2007 CRA
meeting, after which changes were incorporated to reflect the discussion.
This proposed policy represents a synthesis of several Florida CRA policies governing
TIF utilization, "best practices" gleaned from annual meetings such as the Florida
Redevelopment Association and the Government Finance Officers Association, as well as direct
staff experience. It has been "tailored" to fit Clearwater's overall operations and procedures.
Comments by the Finance Director and City Attorney have been incorporated.
This policy is intended to meet three objectives; 1) establish an empirical basis for the
allocation of TIF funds to private and public development projects; 2) provide Trustee guidance
to CRA staff on the utilization of TIF funds generated in the CRA; and, 3) allow the public and
development interests to understand the process and bases upon which decisions to allocate
TIF funds will be made by the CRA.
Discussion ensued. Suggestions were made to expand the objectives to include
a supportive infrastructure statement and incorporate elements of the visioning process, add a
criteria for projects that show an earlier visual improvement, and ensure affordable housing is
available to all ranges of household income levels.
Concerns with timeframe for project completion and subjectivity of policy were
expressed. It was noted all criteria will be used to evaluate proposed projects and TIF will be
available for projects considered to be in the City’s best interest, not just those with financial
needs.
Staff will incorporate the suggested changes and bring back a final document.
2.4 Discussion regarding the CRA Six-year Plan
CRA Executive Director Rod Irwin reviewed the CRA Six-year Plan, which includes all
known expenses, revenues, and projections for anticipated needs.
In response to a question, Finance Director Margie Simmons said only 50% of the TIF
(Tax Increment Financing) from a project would be used for that project and the CRA will last
until at least 2019.
It was noted this six-year plan is a framework, not a budget or commitment. It was
suggested more discussion is needed regarding expenditures, retail incentives, and property
acquisition prior to formalizing the Plan. It was requested funds for streetlights and sidewalks
be included. As the implementation guidelines are determined and more information is
available, staff will bring forward an update. In response to a question, Mr. Irwin said the East
Gateway project report will come forward at the end of the year.
Trustee Jonson moved that the CRA identify $250,000 out of the balance anticipated at
the end of this year to go to completion of sidewalks and resolving deficiencies in streetlights in
the CRA area and to have that in the current year budget.
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It was suggested more information regarding the actual needs for downtown street lights
and sidewalks be obtained prior to setting a specific dollar amount.
Trustee Jonson withdrew his motion.
3. Other Business - None.
4. Adjourn
The meeting adjourned at 2:52 p.m.
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