Loading...
11/30/2015 Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes November 30, 2015 City of Clearwater City Hall 112 S. Osceola Avenue Clearwater, FL 33756 e d s w r' �mu Meeting Minutes Monday, November 30, 2015 1 :00 PM City Hall Chambers Community Redevelopment Agency Page 1 City of Clearwater Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes November 30, 2015 Roll Call Present 4 - Chair George N. Cretekos, Trustee Jay E. Polglaze, Trustee Bill Jonson, and Trustee Hoyt Hamilton Absent 1 - Trustee Doreen Hock-DiPolito Also Present—William B. Horne — City Manager, Jill Silverboard —Assistant City Manager, Rod Irwin — CRA Executive Director/Assistant City Manager, Pamela K. Akin — City Attorney, Rosemarie Call — City Clerk, Nicole Sprague — Official Records and Legislative Services Coo rd in ator To provide continuity for research, items are listed in agenda order although not necessarily discussed in that order. 1. Call To Order— Chair Cretekos The meeting was called to order at 1:00 p.m. at City Hall. 2. Approval of Minutes 2.1 Approve the minutes of the November 2, 2015 CRA Meeting as submitted in written summation by the City Clerk. Trustee Hamilton moved to approve the minutes of the November 2, 2015 CRA Meeting as submitted in written summation by the City Clerk. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. 3. Citizens to be Heard Regarding Items Not on the Agenda — None. 4. New Business Items 4.1 Approve Cleveland Street District Facade Improvement Program loan documents (Financial Incentive Contract, mortgage and note) in the amount of$25,000 for the property located at 24-28 N. Ft. Harrison Avenue, authorize the appropriate officials to execute same, and place facade program on hold until January 30, 2016 in order to evaluate and update the program. As background, on September 4, 2007, the CRA approved the Cleveland Street District Facade Improvement Program. The Facade Improvement Program creates incentives for property owners and businesses on Cleveland Street to improve the appearance of their businesses and properties. It was Page 2 City of Clearwater Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes November 30, 2015 hoped that this program would foster and encourage investment and pride in building facades along Cleveland Street and add to the Cafe District envisioned in a revitalized downtown Clearwater. While staff widely marketed this program after CRA adoption, there was little interest in the program during the recession. However, property owners are now interested in making investments to their buildings. Application for 24 N. Ft. Harrison Avenue Shannon Seymour, Managing Member of 24 N. Ft. Harrison LLC, property owner at 24-28 N. Ft. Harrison Avenue, applied for a Cleveland Street Facade Improvement Program Financial Incentive. As part of the application process, the property owner provided an itemized list of eligible facade improvements totaling $70,563. The proposed timeframe for completion of the exterior is by spring of 2016. The program matches improvements dollar-for-dollar up to $35,000. The CRA Executive Director approved a $10,000 grant leaving the balance of$25,000 as a zero interest (0%) loan, with the balance to be paid upon sale of the property. If the building is not sold within fifteen years, the full amount of the loan will be due. As described in the Facade Program Guidelines, the loan will be secured by a mortgage and note on the property to be repaid upon sale of the property. Once the eligible improvements are completed and the requisite mortgage and note are executed, the loan will be disbursed as a reimbursement of costs incurred by the property owner. As a stipulation of the loan, the property owner will maintain the facade improvements as approved, in good condition, for a period of five years from completion. The proposed improvements to 24 N. Ft. Harrison meet the Downtown Design Guidelines and overall CRA objectives. Staff recommends approval of the loan documents. Facade Program Evaluation and Update Needed As described above, the Cleveland Street District Facade Improvement Program was adopted by the CRA in 2007. This application was the first eligible applicant for the loan portion of the program since program inception. While loan documents were being prepared, staff realized that portions of the program needed to be updated and several processes clarified. For example, the architect's fee for the design services portion of the program was set in 2007 and should reflect a current rate. Staff is requesting that this program be placed on hold until January 30, 2016 in order to evaluate and update the program parameters and ensure consistency with current plans and objectives for the CRA's review and approval. Page 3 City of Clearwater Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes November 30, 2015 In response to questions, Downtown Manager Anne Fogarty France said the building has been vacant for over six years. There are residences above and commercial property on the first floor, the building could potentially have three businesses. Ms. Fogarty France said no commercial tenants have been identified. Staff supports retail businesses. Applicant and building owner Shannon Seymour said proposed drawings have been shown to potential tenants, a naturopathic doctor and a baker have expressed interest. Ms. Seymour said she wants to coordinate with current activities and revitalization efforts to ensure tenants align with what is wanted in downtown. The upstairs apartments are rented out. Ms. Seymour said she has invested in renovation efforts for the apartments, this program will address the commercial space on the first floor. The downstairs area will be renovated when there are tenants for the commercial space. CRA Executive Director Rod Irwin said the program adopted by the CRA in 2007 provides for grants up to $10,000 for improvements to the building consistent with the adopted program. The loan is a separate transaction available to the property owner. The City Attorney said upon sale of the property, the loan amount is repaid. Mr. Irwin said there are others who are interested in the loan program, staff requests direction regarding how to proceed with future requests under this program. The immediate issue is to revisit the retail incentives provided for in the program. In response to a question, Ms. Fogarty France said the downtown property owners are aware of the program. The property owner in the 500-block applied for the design services portion of the Fagade Improvement Program but did not go further after the design was approved. The City Attorney said the Applicant has altered one of the documents, the agenda item must be pulled. Trustee Jonson moved to continue Item 4.1 to December 14, 2015. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. Trustee Hamilton moved to place the Cleveland District Fagade Program on hold through January 30, 2016. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. Page 4 City of Clearwater Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes 5. Adjourn Attest fi'i-dovc atLx_ City Clerk City of Clearwater November 30, 2015 CRA Executive Director Rod Irwin said he sent an email regarding the ULI planning process and the charter restrictions. After the last community boating meeting, one councilmember expressed a concern that there were exhibits being shown at the meeting that were not allowed by the current charter restrictions. Mr. Irwin said staff has instructed the consultant to move forward and provide their professional planning recommendations as to how the City can accomplish redeveloping downtown per ULI recommendations, not based on charter restrictions. Staff understands that if the Trustees embraced the proposed plan, any subsequent charter amendments would be addressed subsequently. Mr. Irwin requested confirmation from the Trustees that they understand it to be so too. Discussion ensued with concerns expressed that the exhibits shown at the community boating meeting provided conceptual images that may not be attainable; that the consultants would recommend a design that was so integrated, it could not be implemented partially; and that a unified vision, as recommended by UL1, is needed. It was stated that the investment in Coachman Park goes beyond economic development. In response to a comment, the City Attorney said staff is not directing the consultant to consider the charter restrictions. If the charter and special act restrictions are considered, the City will never have more than what the City has now. There was consensus to allow the consultant to move forward as a blank canvass and the Trustees will make the decision when the plan comes back and decide which pieces will move forward. The meeting adjourned at 1:40 p.m. - c eo(tz acre t for Chair Community Redevelopment Agency Page 5