06/23/2004
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BROWN FIELDS ADVISORY BOARD MEETING
CITY OF CLEARWATER
June 23, 2004
Present:
Chair
Board Member
Board Member
Board Member
Board Member
Brian Flaherty
Willa Carson
Joyce Gibbs
Alicia Reed
Wallace Smith
Absent:
\
Board Member
Board Member
Board Member
Board Member
Karen Fenton
Thomas Noble
William Sherman
(\Chris Rattray
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 6:00 p.m. at the Clearwater Regional Chamber
of Commerce, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance and introductions.
To provide continuity for research, items are in agenda order although not
necessarily discussed in that order.
4.
Welcome New Members
New board members Wallace Smith and Joyce Gibbs were welcomed. New member
Chris Rattray was not present.
5. Action Items
a. Approval of Minutes of Previous Meeting (March 3,2004)
Chair Flaherty moved to :approve the minutes of the regular meeting of March 3, 2004,
as submitted in written summation to each board member. The motion was duly seconded.
Following discussion regarding the ability of the Chair to make motions, Chair Flaherty withdrew
his motion and the seconder agreed.
Member Reed moved to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of March 3,2004,
as submitted in written summation to each board member. The motion was duly seconded and
carried unanimously.
6. Presentation - Mike Furlona. Systems Analvst. Information Technoloav Department
Systems Analyst Mike Furlong presented information regarding a GIS (Geographic
Information System) reader system that lists all City Brownfields Enterprise Zone locations. The
program allows users to select a site and obtain detailed information regarding its status: Le.
location, remediation status, parcel identification, Homestead status, use, ownership, owner's
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address, taxes, assessed values, etc. Users also can zoom in on aerial views. Another feature
allows users to view "before" and "after photographs" of a site. The City plans to add the
system to the City's website. The system, which will be updated monthly, identifies hot spots for
Code Enforcement and provides valuable information to developers and realtors. Some
program features can be pasted into other documents.
Economic Development Coordinator Diane Hufford compiled an informational notebook
regarding Brownfields Enterprise Zone locations, dividing zones into greenspace and housing.
Members are welcome to borrow the book.
7. Staff Report
Ms. Hufford reported Member Noble is moving out of the City and has resigned, effective
June 30, 2004.
Ms. Hufford said two board members attended the NeighborWorks ribbon-cutting
ceremony sponsored by CNHS (Clearwater Neighborhood Housing Services), at 804-806
Pennsylvania Avenue on June i 0, 2004.
Ms. Hufford said the Florida Brownfields Conference is scheduled for August 15 - 18,
2004, in Sarasota with the theme "Taming Brownfields." Those interested in attending should
contact her. The conference will feature a poster contest. With the help of the Information
Technology Department, she plans to enter the contest, using photographs from the 804 - 806
Pennsylvania Avenue site. The conference website is www/FloridaBrownfields.org. Ms.
Hufford and Member Gibbs, a Planning Committee member, will attend. Activities will include a
golfand fishing tournament and Ringling Home and Museum Tour.
Ms. Hufford met with Assistant City Attorney Leslie Dougall-Sides regarding the
Brownfields Clean-up Revolving Loan Program. Monies, received by the City in 1999, remain in
the fund. The City must designate a site before applying for an extension. Staff plans to apply
for a loan to address the Clearwater Automotive site. The City is able to loan monies to the
CRA (Community Redevelopment Agency), establish loan terms, and waive interest. A City
Council resolution is required to apply for the extension. The Brownfields Clean-up Revolving
Loan Program has $350,000.
On June 16, 2004, Ms. Hufford attended an environmental justice meeting regarding
building sustainable communities. Topics included 1) Brownfields and public health; 2) building
on successes; 3) Brownfields 101 for community health stakeholders; 4) public health 101; 5)
turning ideas into reality; and 6) funding opportunities.
Ms. Hufford reported Member Flaherty served as a City representative at the All
American City Committee in Atlanta on June 10 - 11, 2004. Member Flaherty reported a three-
piece jazz band played quietly during each Clearwater representative's presentation. He felt
Clearwater should have won. His presentation included the ribbon-cutting ceremony at 804-806
Pennsylvania Avenue and addressed North Greenwood. A video tape was made of the event.
In response to a question, Ms. Hufford said businesses do not receive further incentives
after receiving Brownfields funds. State and Federal programs limit how funds are spent.
Currently, no State funds are available. Other economic incentives, such as rebates on building
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materials, tax credits, etc., are available. The Pubiix on Ft. Harrison Avenue created 80 new
jobs and will receive tax refunds. The developer will receive building material sales tax credits
and State loan guarantee program funds. It was remarked that Mediterranean Village will be
fantastic.
Next meeting
The next meeting is scheduled for September 14,2004, at 6:00 p.m. at Greenwood
Community Health Resource Center, 1108 N. Martin Luther King.
8. Adiournment
The meeting adjourned at 7:10 p.m.
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Chair
Brownfields Advisory Board
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