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06/18/1996 - Downtown Partnership MeetingDOWNTOWN PARTNERSHIP BOARD MEETING CLEARWATER, FLORIDA June 18, 1996 Present: Rita Garvey Mayor, City of Clearwater J. B. Johnson Commissioner, City of Clearwater Karen Seel Commissioner, City of Clearwater Elise Winters Downtown Development Board Ron Stuart Greater Clearwater Chamber of Commerce Judi Hackett Downtown Development Board Kathy S. Rice Interim CRA Director/Deputy City Manager Mary K. Diana Assistant City Clerk Absent: Joyce Baskins Downtown Clearwater Association Mayor Garvey called the meeting to order at 5:32 p.m. at City Hall. To provide continuity for research, items are in agenda order although not necessarily discussed in that order. ITEM #2 - Approval of Minutes Member Winters requested the minutes be amended on page 1, 3. Status of Poster Brochure:, 4th line, and in paragraph 4, the word “goals” be changed to “projects”; in paragraph 6, 2nd line, “promoted” be changed to “organized”; and on page 2, paragraph 2, last line, “City” be changed to “CRA.” Member Winters moved to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of May 21, 1996, as amended. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. ITEM #3 - Unfinished Business Poster Brochure Update Judi Hackett reported the poster brochure is currently on hold. 3-D Scale Model Ms. Hackett reported the Downtown Development Board agreed to use the Florida Center for Community Design, which is part of the School of Architecture at the University of South Florida, to construct the 3-D scale model. Roberta Clarke, member of the Design Committee, has agreed to supervise the project. A meeting has been scheduled tomorrow at 9:30 a.m. to begin the process. Two to three students will work on the project over an 8-10 week period and should have the model completed by the end of summer. The model can travel around the downtown, however, a permanent place for it will need to be found. The proposed size of the model is 13 feet long by 7 feet wide. In response to a question, Ms. Hackett said the model will be developed with movable sections. The DDB has approved a project cap of $7,000 for labor and materials. Discussion ensued regarding what should be included in the 3-D scale model and how it is to be used. It was felt the model could be used to make visual height comparisons for multi-level buildings. A question was raised if there is a particular area in the downtown that should be highlighted or blown up, and it was indicated this could be done using a separate unit. It was felt an additional model might be required and could include the area along Cleveland Street where there are recognizable buildings. A suggestion was made to find an architect locally to do a separate model of the Cleveland Street strip. Discussion ensued in regard to having the model reflect what currently exists and what could happen. Ms. Hackett said she would talk to John Marsh to see how an additional model would fit into the scope of the project. There was discussion regarding a modular model illustrating various height restrictions in the downtown. There was discussion regarding heights in the various downtown zoning districts. Discussion ensued in regard to issues regarding the waterfront. There was also discussion regarding the model containing a removal lake and the proposed Winn-Dixie store. It was felt changes and updating will be occurring during the development of the model. Design Committee Member Winters reported this committee is working on developing seminars. The design guidelines are just about ready and will help owners, contractors. developers, etc. in the downtown. Discussion ensued in regard to the composition of the Design Committee and the group being very project oriented. Current projects are being handled by various committees and it was questioned whether the Design Committee should continue or whether there should be a loose knit group of volunteers that can be called on for specific projects. Discussion ensued in regard to the Design Review Board (DRB) being appointed by the City Commission and having certain specific tasks. It was felt this committee may be able to define projects for the Design Committee to do. It was noted the DRC is more of an enforcement board rather than an idea board. Discussion ensued in regard to effectively engaging volunteers in the redevelopment process in order for it to be successful. It was noted the Design Committee currently is working on two programs. Ms. Hackett stated seminars have been scheduled for July 22 (signs and awnings); August 22 (storefronts); and September 30 (landscape and streetscaping) for the purpose of helping business and property owners and contractors to implement the design guidelines. They will be held from 7:00 p.m to 8:30 p.m. in Commission Chambers. She reported C-View will be approached to produce a 30-minute video on each seminar topic which will be available for new business owners. Discussion ensued in regard to asking the Design Committee what approach they want to take and whether they want to continue to meet monthly or to be called for certain projects. Ms. Winters will ask the committee at their meeting tomorrow and bring back their response to the next Downtown Partnership meeting. A suggestion was made to include code sections regarding sign provisions as reference along with the design guidelines to be distributed at the seminars. It was noted the Central Permitting Department is putting together a checklist. A suggestion was made to get sign companies involved in the sign and awning seminar. Sign companies from all over Pinellas County do work in the City of Clearwater and are not familiar with the permitting process. Ms. Hackett said the Chamber has agreed to include a flyer in their newsletter. Sources for sign contractors included the yellow pages, SIC code, marketing house, etc. Sign Lottery Ms. Winters reported the DDB had budgeted $8,000 to improve the appearance of downtown ($3,000 for seminars; $4,000 sign lottery, $1,000 remains) and asked the Design Committee for recommendations. The $4,000 sign lottery event would serve as an incentive to upgrade or replace signs. The awards are as follows: (2) $400; (2) $500; (2) $600; and (1) $1,000. The money will be awarded only after the sign process is completed. If a sign costs less than the award, the leftover funds will go back into the pot. The sign is required to be erected in the downtown district. Ms. Hackett hoped the procedure would be in place by July 22nd. Reconstitution of CRA Questions were raised regarding a separate beach CRA, separation of dollars and accountability. Concern has been expressed by the county in giving any power of eminent domain to an agency composed of other than elected officials. Reference was made to drafting a letter regarding clarification of the reconstitution of the CRA. International Jazz Hall of Fame Discussion ensued in regard to the International Jazz Hall of Fame and it was indicated concern had been expressed in the news regarding the roles of those in charge. Also, concern was expressed by the top people in Philadelphia that not enough money would be earned in the Tampa Bay area, however, it was indicated there is still interest in Clearwater. It is believed the event was not well organized due to the promoter. Contact is being maintained with the executive director in Philadelphia. No money or resources are being committed at this time. ITEM #3 - Members’ Report Ms. Rice reported approximately 125 applications for the Economic Development Director position have been received. Representatives from various groups from around the City have been asked to be part of the interview committee and to give recommendations about the applicants’ strengths and weaknesses. It is hoped the interviews will be held July 8th. Ms. Rice noted there was a broad range of applicants. The interview will include an in-basket exercise, a presentation, analysis of downtown issues and an exercise to see actual work of the applicants. The goal is to hire someone who has both leadership and analytical skills. Referring to distribution of the DDB newsletter, Ms. Hackett reported the Tampa Tribune staff has prepared a map of drop box locations. There is a limited number of boxes; normally a stack of papers is dropped in certain places. She said she will be sending a letter to condominium associations letting them know they can subscribe to the newsletter or can have a stack of papers dropped off. A suggestion was made to place the newsletters at recreation facilities. Ms. Hackett noted they want to target heavily populated areas. Discussion ensued regarding transportation for the elderly to attend events noticed in the newsletter and it was suggested they be referred to the PSTA for route schedules. In response to a question, Ms. Hackett said the newsletter is available at Albertsons and Winn-Dixie stores. They are also available at the concerts in the park. Ms. Rice reported the City received the Brownfield designation and there may be up to $33 million in tax credits associated with it. Clearwater is one of sixteen places in the United States that received the designation. She indicated these tax credits could help in the development of the downtown lake. A lot of interest is being generated from developers. Ms. Rice noted there will be a special meeting of the CRA this Thursday at 4:00 p.m. to direct the City to change the downtown plan to include development of the Winn-Dixie. She found the project to be exciting. There was some discussion regarding the Economic Symposium and it was noted the Commission is committed to following through with recommendations made to keep it going. It was questioned whether a small committee should be formed to work on future needs. Any suggestions and/or ideas are to be given to Ms. Rice. Mr. Ron Stuart reported Chamber of Commerce President Pete Woodham has resigned and they had a successful membership drive. ITEM #4 - Other Partnership Business Reference was made to the Ice House. Ms. Rice said concern has been expressed regarding the conditions of downtown properties. There had been a special walk through of the CRA district by Code Enforcement and very few violations had been found. Many of the properties are in poor condition, however, do not violate the code. Discussion ensued in regard to establishing a property standard ordinance to address this. It was felt business owners and realtors should be involved where standards are to be established. Ms. Rice will present the problem regarding conditions of downtown properties to the Board of Realtors to see if they will take it on as a project. It was noted in the recent walk through, the Ice House had some violations and will be cited. Ms. Winters noted the Government Liaison Committee will be holding an informational meeting on the pros and cons of minimum maintenance ordinances a week from Friday. Reference was made to a previous ordinance that dealt with maintenance standards and the difficulty in its enforcement. There was some discussion regarding abandoned vehicles in the area of the Ice House. It was noted the issue of the Ice House was litigated and the ruling affected safety issues not appearance. The next meeting of the Downtown Partnership will be held August 14, 1996 at 5:30 p.m. in the large conference room of City Hall. ITEM #5 - Adjournment The meeting adjourned at 7:44 p.m.