02/15/2006
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BROWN FIELDS ADVISORY BOARD MEETING MINUTES
CITY OF CLEARWATER
February 15, 2006
Present:
Joyce Gibbs
Karen Fenton
William Sherman
Wallace Smith
David Jaye
Chair
Board Member
Board Member
Board Member
Board Member
Absent:
Willa Carson
Chris Rattray
Ryley Hunter
Empty Seat
Board Member
Board Member
Board Member
Board Member
Also Present: Leslie Dougall-Sides
Diane Hufford
Patricia O. Sullivan
Assistant City Attorney
Economic Development Coordinator
Board Reporter
The Chair called the meeting to order at 6:05 p.m. at City Hall. Reverend Sherman
offered the invocation, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.
To provide continuity for research, items are in agenda order although not
necessarily discussed in that order.
. 4 - Action Items
p) Approval of Minutes - 5-18-05
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Member Jaye moved to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of May 18, 2005, as
recorded and submitted in written summation to each member. The motion was duly seconded
and carried unanimously.
b) Schedule meetings: April 19, 2006, July 19, 2006 and October 18, 2006.
Member Fenton moved to schedule Brownfields Advisory Board meetings for
Wednesday, April 19, July 19, and October 18, 2006. The motion was duly seconded and
carried unanimously.
c) Election of vice-chair due to resignation of Randy Deshazo from the Tampa Bay Regional
Planning Council, board candidate Patrick O'Neil
Consensus was to appoint Karen Fenton as Vice-Chair. Patrick O'Neil is a candidate for
the seat held by former member Deshazo.
d) Termination expiration on May 31, 2006, for Willa Carson, April 19, 2006 last meeting. Board
candidate Jamie Blackstone, resident
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Member Carson's term on the board expires in May. A salute to her long board service
is scheduled for April 19, 2006. Jamie Blackstone is a candidate for the seat.
5 - Staff Report
a) Demo Party March 1, 2006, for former Clearwater Auto Project.
Economic Development Coordinator Diane Hufford reviewed the history of the
Downtown site and distributed a press release regarding the March 1, 2006, celebration of the
demolition of the junkyard at 205 S. Martin Luther King, Jr. Avenue. Board members were
invited to attend. Mixed-use, including affordable housing, is planned for the site.
b) City Council approved intergovernmental loan up to $350,000 to CRA from Brownfields
revolving cleanup loan fund awarded to the City by the US-EPA.
Ms. Hufford reviewed the history of the 3.44-acre Brownfield site at 312 S. Washington
Avenue, vacated as a salvage yard in November 2005, and the CRA's (Community
Redevelopment Agency) subsequent purchase, with a $48,000 DDB (Downtown Development
Board) loan, of a remnant parcel at 306 S. Washington Avenue. The City Council approved a
loan of up to $350,000 to assist the CRA with the environmental cleanup of the site. Concern
was expressed that the process to redevelop Brownfields sites is too lengthy.
It response to suggestion, Ms. Hufford reported the City does not have funds to
purchase a junkyard for sale at the intersection of Betty Lane and Fairmont. If the site is within
City limits, Clearwater could help a developer with the site.
c) Housing development projects in Brownfields
Ms. Hufford reviewed new Brownfields housing development projects in Clearwater.
None of the 1581 units is affordable, as builders cannot afford to build units below market rates.
Concerns were expressed regarding Clearwater's lack of affordable housing; housing
under development in the area is not "affordable"; Greenwood Apartment rental rates have
increased dramatically; construction of units to replace previously razed low-income housing will
not begin before 2008; and the workforce is negatively affected as it becomes more difficult to
retain workers, including teachers.
Discussion ensued regarding problems related to affordable housing, including high land
and construction costs. In response to a comment, Assistant City Attorney Leslie Dougall-Sides
said some jurisdictions have adopted ordinances requiring developers to construct some
affordable housing units. The affordable housing crisis is Statewide. Concern was expressed
that rising costs for property, insurance, and property taxes have made it unprofitable for
landlords to rent homes to Section 8 recipients. It was recommended that Brownfields property
be used for affordable housing uses. Assistant Housing Director Howie Carroll will be invited to
the April 19, 2006, meeting. Information was requested regarding State funding from the
Sadowski Act and actions board members could take regarding this issue.
d) From "Blight to Right" Northwest Fire Station Brownfields - 2005 State Brownfields
Conference Award "Cast of Characters" and copy of article for Invocation Group newsletter.
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Ms. Hufford reviewed the success story for one Brownfield site, a formerly contaminated
junkyard that was redeveloped as Clearwater's Northwest Fire Station.
The City's submittal to the poster contest was awarded the Cast of Characters Award at
the State Brownfields Conference in Jacksonville.
c) US-EPA Fall 2005 Brownfields Quarterly newsletter distributed at November 2005 National
Brownfields Conference in Denver, Colorado.
Ms. Hufford distributed the Fall 2005 Brownfields Quarterly, issued by the USEPA (U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency), which featured a cover article regarding Clearwater's
Brownfields Campaign.
6 - Public Comment
Discussion ensued regarding affordable housing issues.
7 - Adiourn
The meeting adjourned at 6:50 p.m.
~ JTtc
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Brownfields Advisory Board
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