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09/16/2019 Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes September 16, 2019 City of Clearwater Main Library - Council Chambers 100 N. Osceola Avenue Clearwater, FL 33755 Meeting Minutes Monday, September 16, 2019 9:00 AM Main Library - Council Chambers Community Redevelopment Agency Page 1 City of Clearwater Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes September 16, 2019 Roll Call Present 5 - Chair George N. Cretekos, Trustee Bob Cundiff, Trustee Hoyt Hamilton, Trustee David Allbritton, and Trustee Jay Polglaze Also Present – William B. Horne II – City Manager, Micah Maxwell – Assistant City Manager, Michael Delk - Assistant City Manager, Pamela K. Akin – City Attorney, Rosemarie Call – City Clerk, Nicole Sprague – Official Records and Legislative Services Coordinator and Amanda Thompson – CRA Executive Director 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 9:03 a.m. in Council Chambers at the Main Library. 2. Approval of Minutes 2.1 Approve the minutes of the August 12, 2019 CRA Meeting as submitted in written summation by the City Clerk. Trustee Allbritton moved to approve the minutes of the August 12, 2019 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 an Interlocal Agreement between the Clearwater Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) and the City of Clearwater to provide CRA funding in Fiscal Year 2019-2020 in the amount of $99,640 to underwrite activities in the Clearwater Main Library that support community learning in the areas of Science, Technology, Engineering, Math, Entrepreneurship and small business growth and authorize the appropriate officials to execute same. The Clearwater Main Library is a partner in the Clearwater Business SPARK Page 2 City of Clearwater Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes September 16, 2019 ecosystem of organizations working to support the development of entrepreneurship and small businesses throughout Clearwater. This partnership was prompted by the ULI report recommending public/private partnerships to encourage business growth in this area. The Main Library has a prominent position in the CRA area and will provide education and training in the Business and STEM areas through research opportunities, STEM maker space areas, classes and tutorials and meeting accommodation. The CRA funding will pay one staff member to oversee these functions, assist with additional library hours to make the facility available when needed by the business community and provide educational and training opportunities. APPROPRIATION CODE AND AMOUNT: Funding will be from 3887552-94887 Library Activation. In response to a question, Library Director Jennifer Obermaier said some of the programs extend beyond the library operating hours. The extended time is not significant and has been built into the department's budget. Trustee Hamilton moved to approve an Interlocal Agreement between the Clearwater Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) and the City of Clearwater to provide CRA funding in Fiscal Year 2019-2020 in the amount of $99,640 to underwrite activities in the Clearwater Main Library that support community learning in the areas of Science, Technology, Engineering, Math, Entrepreneurship and small business growth and authorize the appropriate officials to execute same. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. 4.2 Approve an Interlocal Agreement between the Clearwater Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) and the City of Clearwater Police Department to provide CRA funding in the Fiscal Year 2019-2020 in the amount of $186,291 to underwrite the cost of additional Community Policing services by the Clearwater Police Department in the Downtown Gateway District, Prospect Lake District, and Downtown Core District, encompassed by the CRA to address quality of life issues, drug dealing, prostitution and homelessness and authorize the appropriate officials execute same. Quality of life issues, drug dealing, prostitution, and homelessness, all negatively impact redevelopment plans. Additional community policing resources are needed to effectively address these issues about and beyond the level provided by routine road patrol functions. Page 3 City of Clearwater Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes September 16, 2019 Florida Statutes allows for the use of TIF funds for “community policing innovations” in CRA districts. This proposed agreement allocates $181,760 for two police officers and $4,531 for fuel costs. The CRA and Clearwater Police Department have reached an agreement on a proposed scope of services and terms as delineated in the Interlocal Agreement. Included in the scope is the identification of specific, measurable crime reduction targets by which to monitor the success of the initiative as well as providing clear language required by statute assuring that the resources are applied to the CRA/Downtown Gateway area. APPROPRIATION CODE AND AMOUNT: Funding for this interlocal agreement will be from CRA project code 3887552-94849 In response to a question, CRA Executive Director Amanda Thompson said the agreement includes the bike team. Trustee Allbritton moved to approve an Interlocal Agreement between the Clearwater Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) and the City of Clearwater Police Department to provide CRA funding in the Fiscal Year 2019-2020 in the amount of $186,291 to underwrite the cost of additional Community Policing services by the Clearwater Police Department in the Downtown Gateway District, Prospect Lake District, and Downtown Core District, encompassed by the CRA to address quality of life issues, drug dealing, prostitution and homelessness and authorize the appropriate officials execute same. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. 4.3 Approve the Interlocal Agreement with the Downtown Development Board (DDB) to provide personnel, administrative and management services during Fiscal Year 2019-2020 in the amount of $73,512 and refund the CRA (Community Redevelopment Agency) tax increment fee of $286,022.00 and authorize the appropriate officials to execute same. Florida Statutes 163.387 requires all taxing authorities, which includes the DDB, to make an annual appropriation in an amount equal to the incremental increase in the ad valorem revenue within the CRA area. The DDB’s increment payment Page 4 City of Clearwater Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes September 16, 2019 is $286,022.00 according to the Pinellas County Property Appraiser’s office. In a spirit of cooperation to further the downtown redevelopment plan, the CRA Trustees executed the first Interlocal Agreement in Fiscal Year 1999-2000 to provide personnel, administrative and management services to the DDB and to refund the difference between the increment payment and the management fee. This is the twenty-first fiscal year that the CRA would enter into the agreement. Pursuant to Florida Statute 163.01, the CRA and DDB can enter into this agreement in which the DDB agrees to perform certain responsibilities and functions including funding projects and programs consistent with the downtown redevelopment plan. The intent of this agreement is for the DDB and the CRA to work collaboratively on projects and programs that further downtown goals and objectives. The management of the DDB by CRA staff enables the CRA and the DDB to utilize the public dollars more efficiently. The DDB shall pay the CRA $73,512 for the services agreed to in the Interlocal Agreement. The DDB approved the Interlocal Agreement at their meeting on August 7, 2019. In response to questions, CRA Executive Director Amanda Thompson said the CRA receives $286,000 and provides the DDB $213,000. The $73,000 administrative fee does not pay for all the services the CRA provides the DDB. She said staff has not analyzed the cost for services provided; staff is looking at the cost for services provided when the DDB ordinance is updated. The amount provided to the CRA represents the salary of one position. She said the DDB does provide funding for projects that align with the CRA's strategy. In addition, the DDB is permitted to regrant funds for special events in Downtown. The DDB has supported the Achieva Box Car Rally, Super Boat Race, Blast Friday, the Beer Festival and other downtown merchant events. A concern was expressed that the agreement does not cover the cost of services provided by the CRA. Trustee Polglaze moved to Approve the Interlocal Agreement with the Downtown Development Board (DDB) to provide personnel, administrative and management services during Fiscal Year 2019-2020 in the amount of $73,512 and refund the CRA (Community Redevelopment Agency) tax increment fee of $286,022.00 and authorize the appropriate officials to execute same. The motion was duly seconded and carried with the following vote: Ayes: 4 - Trustee Cundiff, Trustee Hamilton, Trustee Allbritton and Trustee Polglaze Page 5 City of Clearwater Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes September 16, 2019 Nays: 1 - Chair Cretekos 4.4 Approve an Agreement between the Community Redevelopment Agency and Ruth Eckerd Hall, Inc., a Florida non-profit corporation, to produce Downtown Clearwater’s festival series (Blast Fridays, Miracle on Cleveland Street, Signature Event) in an amount not to exceed $100,000 for Fiscal Year 2019-2020 and authorize the appropriate officials to execute same. The Community Redevelopment Agency proposes to contract with Ruth Eckerd Hall, Inc. to produce a downtown festival series that includes seven events, tentatively scheduled as follows: December 7, 2019-Miracle on Cleveland Street January 31, 2020 - Blast Friday February 28, 2020- Blast Friday March 27, 2020- Blast Friday April 24, 2020- Blast Friday May 29, 2020- Blast Friday TBD Spring 2020- Potential Signature Event The Downtown Development Board has approved $40,000 to help fund the festival series. CRA staff recommends approval of the FY 2019-2020 Agreement between the CRA and Ruth Eckerd Hall, Inc. APPROPRIATION CODE AND AMOUNT: Funding is available through Operating Budget 1889311-581000 Trustee Cundiff moved to approve an Agreement between the Community Redevelopment Agency and Ruth Eckerd Hall, Inc., a Florida non-profit corporation, to produce Downtown Clearwater’s festival series (Blast Fridays, Miracle on Cleveland Street, Signature Event) in an amount not to exceed $100,000 for Fiscal Year 2019-2020 and authorize the appropriate officials to execute same. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. 4.5 Approve the Fiscal Year 2019-2020 Community Redevelopment Agency Preliminary Budget, adopt CRA Resolution 19-01 and authorize the appropriate officials to execute same. With the adoption of the 2018 Clearwater Downtown Redevelopment Plan and Page 6 City of Clearwater Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes September 16, 2019 the 18-month Strategy, the Community Redevelopment Agency has realigned its project expenditures to facilitate implementation of the plan goals. The major highlights of the Fiscal Year (FY) 2019-2020 proposed preliminary budget are as follows: Tax Increment Revenue increased by 3.5% over the Amended 2018-2019 budget, reflecting an increase in taxable value of approximately 3% in the original CRA area, and a decrease in taxable value of approximately 1% in the expanded (Downtown Gateway) CRA. These compare with citywide 6.7% increase in value. Last year’s tax revenue was significantly increased by the addition of The Nolen apartment complex to the district. CRA funds are divided between Operating Expenditures and Project Funds. Operating Expenditures include the services, supplies and expenses that occur during the fiscal year and are primarily used for conducting the CRA’s day to day operations as well as consulting services that will begin and end within the fiscal year. Project Funds include Interlocal Agreements, Capital Improvements and funding for established programs whose work extends beyond one fiscal year. The funds in Project Funds carry over from year to year. Operating Expenditures have increased by $93,294 from FY 18/19 to FY 19/20. Most of the increase, $40,000 in Contractual Services, reflects a shift from a Project Fund to Operating Expenditures to pay for the Downtown Clearwater website. Advertising and Other Promotional Activities has been increased by $35,000 to allow for additional marketing activities to promote the Opportunity Zone in downtown. Operating Expenditures also includes the pass-through revenues to the Downtown Development Board (DDB) and the $100,000 agreement with Ruth Eckerd Hall for Blast Friday. Transfers Out designates the funding this fiscal year that will be allocated to various Project Funds. The activities in Project Funds have been identified in the 2018 Downtown Redevelopment Plan which also serves as the CRA’s designated work plan. County TIF Funds, $1,658,145 for this fiscal year, are restricted to capital improvement projects and land acquisition. The costs for Interlocal agreements with the City, Police Department and Library are found in the General Fund, Downtown Gateway Project, and Library Activation lines for a total of $760,241. The remaining TIF revenue has been allocated to Downtown Redevelopment ($565,935) for land acquisition, building improvements and other capital improvements and the Façade Program ($250,000) for the façade improvement program. CRA Executive Director Amanda Thompson provided a PowerPoint presentation. In response to questions, Ms. Thompson said staff anticipates the Apex Page 7 City of Clearwater Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes September 16, 2019 1100 coming online soon; a temporary certificate of occupancy has been issued. Steps are being taken to protect the organization against ransomware; the City is providing training to all employees since most issues are related to human error. The expanded CRA includes the Gateway; staff is not sure why the TIF went down approximately 1%. The expanded CRA is the are east of Missouri Avenue, which is predominately residential. All of the façade grant programs and streetscape apply in this area. Staff is looking at the former Economy Inn site for an urban farm or housing development. Staff is working with Housing and Planning to identify housing concepts, such as small apartments or tiny homes. She said staff has not looked into model residential renovation programs but, if pursued, would be an allowable use of CRA funds. A bulk of the operating expenditures is for advertising and other marketing print products, which are used to change the perception of downtown. Staff is working with Invest Tampa Bay, Tampa Bay Times Digital and Creative Loafing, as well as local radio and travel/trade publications. Approximately $40,000 will be spent for advertising and marketing. The Downtown Development Board are doing a professional short video campaign about downtown businesses and are working with the Clearwater Arts Alliance for an organic crowd sourced video campaign. One individual spoke in opposition and urged the CRA to include the East Gateway under the main the goals. It was stated that affordable workforce housing is needed in the Gateway. Ms. Thompson said EAI, the external consultants working on the East Gateway Streetscape, have completed the 30% drawings. She has coordinated with Klar & Klar architects the review of the drawings, to move along the design of the Mercado area. Staff believes the 60% drawings will be completed by the end of this year. Engineering Director Tara Kivett said staff plans to advertise for a contractor in January and anticipates construction of the Cleveland Streetscape portion in the Spring. The streetscape will cover Missouri Avenue to the 5 Points area and the Cleveland Street/Gulf to Bay Boulevard portion. The City Manager said the City Council established the Downtown as a major priority in 1998. Staff worked hard not to create unrealistic expectations in the East Gateway as to what would be done in the area, knowing that there were community leaders who wanted the East Gateway to be a higher priority. Staff has followed the priorities established by the Trustees. In response to the citizen's comments, the Police Department Page 8 City of Clearwater Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes September 16, 2019 has been very active in the Gateway, conducting routine prostitution stings. One must recognize that the Gateway is a difficult neighborhood and it will take time to address the property maintenance and housing issues. Trustee Cundiff moved to approve the Fiscal Year 2019-2020 Community Redevelopment Agency Preliminary Budget. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. CRA Resolution 19-01 was presented and read by title only. Trustee Hamilton moved to adopt Resolution 19-01. The motion was duly seconded and upon roll call, the vote was: Ayes: 5 - Chair Cretekos, Trustee Cundiff, Trustee Hamilton, Trustee Allbritton and Trustee Polglaze 4.6 Approve Fiscal Year 18/19 Third Quarter budget Amendments and adopt CRA Resolution 19-03. The CRA has received an increase of $239,247 in City TIF (Tax Increment Financing) funds, $247 in County TIF funds and $171 in Downtown Development Board revenue for Fiscal Year 18/19. Staff recommends allocating those funds to the Downtown Redevelopment and Placemaking Activities projects to support food and drink grants, special events programming and other placemaking programs. Staff is also recommending a transfer of $33,677 from Other Contractual Services to the General Fund to account for increased personnel costs for staffing at the Dreams of Dali experience. The CRA is still within the allowable expenses for personnel outlined in the Interlocal Agreement with the City. There are a few adjustments within the operating expenditures to account for increases in Advertising, Relocation Expense and Memberships. Trustee Allbritton moved to approve Fiscal Year 18/19 Third Quarter budget Amendments. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. CRA Resolution 19-03 was presented and read by title only. Trustee Polglaze moved to adopt Resolution 19-03. The motion was duly seconded and upon roll call, the vote was: Ayes: 5 - Chair Cretekos, Trustee Cundiff, Trustee Hamilton, Trustee Allbritton and Trustee Polglaze Page 9 City of Clearwater Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes September 16, 2019 4.7 Approve an Interlocal Agreement between the City of Clearwater and the Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) to provide staffing, Information Technology Services and telephone services for the CRA, provide for the reimbursement of certain expenses by the CRA to the City and authorize the appropriate officials to execute same. Florida Statues, Section 163.387, allows funds from the redevelopment trust fund to be used for the work of the Community Redevelopment Agency in the implementation of the Clearwater Redevelopment Plan contained in the 2019 Clearwater Downtown Redevelopment Plan. The City provides staff to operate the CRA and implement its redevelopment activities. The CRA agrees to provide Tax Increment Finance (TIF) funding in a total amount not to exceed $500,000 for this contract year for staffing, IT Services and telephone services. This fiscal year includes $22,960 for Information Technology Services, $3,360 for telephone services and $473,680 for staffing. These amounts are subject to adjustment and approval in the CRA budget each year. Trustee Cundiff moved to approve an Interlocal Agreement between the City of Clearwater and the Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) to provide staffing, Information Technology Services and telephone services for the CRA, provide for the reimbursement of certain expenses by the CRA to the City, and authorize the appropriate officials to execute same. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. 5. Director's Report 6. 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