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08/20/2001ENTERPRISE ZONE DEVELOPMENT AGENCY MEETING CITY OF CLEARWATER August 20, 2001 Present: John Connelly Chair Bob Kinney Vice-Chair Lt. Don Hall Board Member/Police Department Rev. Mack Sigmon Board Member Cheryl Wade Board Member Rick Rosa Board Member/Community Response Team Vacant Seat Board Member Vacant Seat Board Member Absent: Robert Vinson Board Member Also Present: Miles Ballogg Economic Development Programs Manager Brenda Moses Board Reporter The Chair called the meeting to order at 10:15 a.m. at the Greater Clearwater Chamber of Commerce building, followed by a moment of prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance. To provide continuity for research, items are in agenda order although not necessarily discussed in that order. ITEM #4 – Introductions – Mr. Robert Vinson, New Board Member Economic Development Programs Manager Miles Ballogg said Mr. Vinson was not present but is expected shortly. ITEM #5 – Action Items Approve minutes of previous meeting (September 11, 2000) Member Sigmon moved to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of September 11, 2000, as submitted in written summation to each board member. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. Approve minutes of previous meeting (November 20, 2000) Member Sigmon moved to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of November 20, 2000, as submitted in written summation to each board member. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. Approve next meeting dates: November 12, 2001, February 18, 2002, and May 13, 2002 Mr. Ballogg said the November 12, 2001, meeting has been rescheduled to November 5, 2001. Member Sigmon moved to approve the meeting dates of November 5, 2001, February 18, 2002, and May 13, 2002. Update EZDA Signature Authorization Mr. Ballogg said Planing Director Ralph Stone has been promoted to Assistant City Manager/Economic Development and the EZDA (Enterprise Zone Development Agency signatures are being updated. Member Sigmon moved to approve the updates to the EZDA signature authorizations presented by staff. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. ITEM #6 – Other Business Presentation/Review – Gateway Area Status Economic Development Program Coordinator Anne Green thanked the EZDA for their comments regarding last November’s tour of the gateway to downtown. She referred to a list of comments made during the brainstorming session including the need to increase Code enforcement and suggestions on landscaping. She said some of the comments. She said streetscaping would commence after the new bridge is completed. She said some gateway business owners share the EZDA’s concerns. Staff is checking properties with homestead exemptions in the area. Some rental properties are not as well maintained. Ms. Green said the City plans to propose a license and inspection of all rental properties. In response to a question, Ms. Green said the gateway area extends from Highland to Missouri Avenues and Drew to Court Streets. Mr. Ballogg said the Brownfield and Enterprise Zone areas are not contiguous. Staff plans to expand the Enterprise Zone to remedy this situation. The change requires a resolution to be approved by the Commission and the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency). He anticipates approval within the next 60 days. Currently, the gateway area is not in the Brownfields area. Concern was expressed that the Crest Lake Park area is an illegal drug hang out according to business owners along Gulf-to-Bay Boulevard. It was remarked that it is not an illegal drug area, but it has a homeless problem. Concern was expressed that many small hotel owners rent rooms by the day and some of the clientele are day laborers. In response to a question, Ms. Green said many people do not know what Brownfields are. Staff has worked diligently to distribute information regarding both the Brownfields and Enterprise Zone. In response to a question, Mr. Ballogg said some community projects involving waste cleanup, assistance to over 38 properties have taken place in the Brownfields area. Many properties have been redeveloped with Phase One environmental assistance. Staff is currently working on the Clearwater Sun property and the Balk Mediterranean village Townhouse project. He expects to announce the former Dimmit Cadillac dealership on Fort Harrison will have a new grocery store in its place. He said he has received inquiries about Brownfields programs from property owners east of Missouri Avenue. Staff also is trying to include the area west of Alternate 19 between Chestnut and Drew Streets in the Brownfields area. Review – North Greenwood Economic Redevelopment Strategy Mr. Ballogg said the City received $35,000 from the U.S. Department of Commerce EDA which the City matched with $30,000 from Economic Development funds for the northern portion of the Brownfields area from Drew Street to Sunset Point Road, with Alternate 19 on one side and Betty Lane on the other. He said staff is concentrating on the North Greenwood area. He said the City has hired a consultant to identify the stakeholders and determine their plans. He suggested the EZDA host the kickoff meeting and become involved in the process. The scope of work is still being negotiated with the consultant. In response to a question, Mr. Ballogg said the North Greenwood Recreation Complex will be located on North Greenwood and Palmetto and Seminole Streets across from the public library. It is possible that groundbreaking will occur within the next 2 months. A corridor enhancement including reclaimed water and landscaping is also planned to create a traffic calming effect. Streets will not be widened. He said an interested party has inquired about purchasing the Greenwood Apartments. Discussion ensued regarding a newspaper article that stated suggestions have been made to rename the North Greenwood Recreation Complex. Mr. Ballogg said he was under the impression the community wants to keep the name “North Greenwood” as part of the recreation center, but additional names could be considered for the gymnasium and aquatic center. Member Sigmon moved that the recreation center be called “North Greenwood Recreation Center”. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. In response to a question, Mr. Ballogg said he did not know what would be done with the Holt Pool. He anticipates the Martin Luther King Center will remain a community meeting facility. It was remarked that Drew Street between Myrtle and Greenwood Avenue seems to be improving. It was suggested educating Realtors about the properties that are available for tax credits along that corridor. Mr. Ballogg said staff attended a Board of Realtors meeting and received some follow up calls afterward. It was remarked that residents of the Brownfields and Enterprise Zone would probably seek employment at the new retail establishments on Fort Harrison Avenue across from South Ward Elementary School where the new Publix supermarket is planned. In response to a question, Mr. Ballogg said IMR Global is talking to City Administration regarding qualifications for tax credits. ITEM #7 – Staff Reports Recent Enterprise Zone Activities – Teresa A. Jeffries Accounting Clerk Teresa Jeffries said over $20,000 in tax refunds and tax credits have been awarded to local area businesses in the Enterprise Zone. She said the owner of EEI/MODTech would attend a future meeting to update the EZDA on the work planned in association with the military contract she was recently awarded. Mr. Ballogg said EEI/MODTech has received many governmental contracts. Board Member Vacancies – Resident/Non Profit Community-based Organization Mr. Ballogg said the City is looking for a resident who residents within the Enterprise Zone and a resident from a nonprofit organization to serve on the EZDA. He said Members Bell and Linn are no longer members. ITEM #8 – Public Comment Period – None. ITEM #9 – Adjournment The meeting adjourned at 10:58 a.m.