01/07/2004
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BROWNFIELDS ADVISORY BOARD MEETING
CITY OF CLEARWATER
January 7, 2004
Present:
Brian Flaherty
Stephen Fowler
Karen Fenton
Willa Carson
Thomas Noble
Alicia Reed
William Sherman
Chair
Vice-Chair
Board Member
Board Member
Board Member
Board Member
Board Member
Absent:
Gary Gray
Mary Miller
Board Member
Board Member
Also Present: Leslie Dougall-Sides
Diane Hufford
Brenda Moses
Assistant City Attorney
Economic Development Coordinator
Board Reporter
The Chair called the meeting to order at 6:07 p.m. at Martin Luther King Jr. Community
Center, followed by the invocation, Pledge of Allegiance, and introductions.
To provide continuity for research, items are in agenda order although not
necessarily discussed in that order.
5.
Action Items
a.
Approval of Minutes of Previous Meeting (July 29,2003)
Member Fowler moved to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of July 29, 2003,
as submitted in written summation to each board member. The motion was duly seconded and
carried unanimously.
b. Discuss semi-annual meetings
Economic Development Coordinator Diane Hufford said the City Clerk is reviewing
whether or not some advisory board meetings need to be held semi-annually or on an as-
needed basis. Ms. Hufford recommended meetings be held semi-annually with the caveat that
meetings could be called as-needed. Another suggestion was made that meetings be held
quarterly unless otherwise necessary. It was remarked that meetings already are scheduled
quarterly.
Suggestions were made that Ms. Hufford extend invitations to applicants that had
experienced the site assessment process. Ms. Hufford suggested a RFP (Request for
Proposal) be done to obtain a new environmental assessment list. If a RFP Committee is
necessary, it was felt that someone on the City's Engineering staff be one of the members. In
response to a question, Ms. Hufford said the property formerly owned by Clearwater Automotive
was purchased by the City and closed in October 2003. A Phase One assessment was done
prior to the purchase. A Quality Assurance Plan is in the process of being done so that Phase
Two may begin. It was suggested that surrounding property owners be notified whenever a
RFP is being done to generate more interest in Brownfields meetings. In response to a
question, Ms. Hufford said the Technical Advisory Board has not met in quite some time. It was
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requested that Assistant City Attorney Leslie Dougall-Sides double-check the State's
requirements regarding Brownfields meetings to avoid the loss of State funding. Ms. Hufford
said Clearwater's lobbyists continue to pursue Brownfields funds from the State.
Member Fowler moved that meetings be held quarterly and the time and location to be
determined. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously.
Member Fowler moved to rescind the motion. The seconder agreed.
Member Fowler moved to recommend a quarterly meeting schedule, unless otherwise
prohibited by the State, with additional meetings as necessary. The time and date of meetings
are to be determined by staff. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously.
Ms. Hufford said the next meeting would be held on March 3, 2004, at 6:00 p.m. at Ross
Norton Park.
6. Staff Report
Ms. Hufford reported that $100,000 of a $500,000 Brownfields grant was used for green
space. The Joe DiMaggio site was approved for Brownfields site assessment funds. Another
$22,000 of the funds was used for other sites. It was suggested that Miles Ballogg be invited to
a future meeting to update the board regarding Brownfields projects.
Ms. Hufford said a Phase One assessment has been done for RCS (Religious
Community Services) for the former Scotty's property on Myrtle Avenue and for 1315 Cleveland
Street. Three residential parcels near the junkyard are under contract for purchase. The former
Pelican Bay property on Chestnut Street is being developed. Several parcels that add up to two
and half acres on Jasmine Way and South Ft. Harrison Avenue are under contract to be
developed as townhomes. A company called David & Goliath will be requesting a site
assessment tomorrow. They currently rent space at the Thompson Center on Myrtle and
occupy warehouse facilities on Lakeview and Hercules and plan to add jobs to the area.
Ms. Hufford said she may invite the EZDA (Enterprise Zone Development Agency) to a
future Brownfields meeting.
Ms. Hufford said Senate Bill 0648, which addresses affordable housing, is proposing to
allow that only 50% of the $10 million can be allocated to low income/affordable housing in the
first six months that the funds are made available. Funds are made available on a first-come,
first-served basis. In response to a question, Ms. Hufford said after the first six months that the
funds are made available, anyone, including the agencies that had already received funding,
could apply for the remainder of the funds. Ms. Hufford said she hopes this Board would
support Senate Bill 0648 by allowing her to draft a letter under the Chair's signature.
Member Fenton moved that the Brownfields Advisory Board support Senate Bill 0648
and that Ms. Hufford draft a letter of support for the Chair's signature. The motion was duly
seconded.
Upon the vote being taken, the motion carried unanimously.
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7. Public Comment - None.
8.
Adiournment
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The meeting adjourned at 6:45 p.m.
Brownfields Advisory Board
Attest:
~dtL~
Board Reporter
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