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09/15/2020 Council Work Session Meeting Minutes September 15, 2020 City of Clearwater Main Library- Council Chambers 100 N. Osceola Avenue Clearwater, FL 33755 m ap ® e Meeting Minutes Tuesday, September 15, 2020 9:00 AM Special Work Session - Imagine Clearwater Main Library - Council Chambers Council Work Session Page 1 City of Clearwater Council Work Session Meeting Minutes September 15, 2020 Roll Call Present 5 - Mayor Frank Hibbard, Vice Mayor David Allbritton, Councilmember Hoyt Hamilton, Councilmember Kathleen Beckman, and Councilmember Mark Bunker 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, and Nicole Sprague — Deputy City Clerk. To provide continuity for research, items are listed in agenda order although not necessarily discussed in that order. 1. Call to Order— Mayor Hibbard The meeting was called to order at 9:00 a.m. using communications media technology. 2. City Manager Verbal Reports 2.1 Develop framework for issuance of an RFP and future referendum. Discuss and develop a framework for issuance of an RFP and future referendum. Two basic options staff wants to consider are: • Issuance of an RFP resulting in the selection of one or more development partners for one or more bluff properties. Once general parameters or details of the development proposal are determined, a referendum question or questions are then framed for public referendum. • Define a general set of development parameters for one or more bluff properties, and development of a referendum question or questions for public vote. In the event the public referendum is successful, then a Request for Proposals would issue for solicitation of specific development proposal(s) based on the development parameters. Assistant City Manager Michael Delk provided a PowerPoint presentation. In response to questions, Mr. Delk said the mass and scale at the Harborview site matter to the library because there is sensitivity to the park and potential development should not overwhelm the context of the park. The grand plaza area is open public space and it is envisioned that it will also be an active space. He said the development potential should not create a wall that would constrain the development opportunity on the east side. Page 2 City of Clearwater Council Work Session Meeting Minutes September 15, 2020 Discussion ensued with comments made that the Harborview site should not be sold and that the site should be considered for a mid-rise development that includes al fresco dining and some public parking component. Support was expressed to lease the Harborview site for a mid-rise mixed-use development and to issue the RFP first. A comment was made that leasing this site is one of the ways that will help offset some of the costs associated with Imagine Clearwater. In response to questions, Mr. Delk said parking to the south will be expanded. From an economic development standpoint and the ability to attract the community into the park, a hotel or apartment building will provide an active edge for the park year-round. He said if the entertainment venue provides 60 to 70 shows annually, a hotel may be a more compatible use. He said public spaces are better when it is active and there are eyes on the park. Mr. Delk said there has been an expression of interest for a museum on the city hall site. If considered, there is an opportunity for a private partnership for the civic museum piece and a mixed-use development. He said the City could retain ownership of the city hall/civic museum site; the parking lot and area to the east could be parceled off to be sold for a condominium development. In response to questions, Mr. Delk said the individual interested in bringing a glass museum to the city hall site is still interested, she has a good track record in St. Petersburg. He said the former city hall building will be retrofitted for a museum. The museum will be public space and unlike a city hall, it will not close at 5:00 p.m. and become dead space. The City Manager said the City has always been criticized from a developmental point of view for having city hall on a bluff site. Moving off the bluff site and making it available for some level of redevelopment has been mentioned for over 20 years. Discussion ensued with comments made that a city hall on the bluff site was not the highest and best use. Concerns were expressed regarding the public sentiment on repurposing city hall when offices were moved to another site because it was a sick and outdated building and voters will not support the glass museum once it is known that it is owned by Scientologist contributor. Support was expressed to sell or lease the city hall site for a mixed-use development or combining the site with the CMA site. Page 3 City of Clearwater Council Work Session Meeting Minutes September 15, 2020 In response to questions, the City Attorney said anything to the south of Pierce Street does not require a referendum. If the sites are combined, for transfer purposes, the sites would be separated. Mr. Delk said the City could lose the opportunity in downtown for a combined museum-private development opportunity. Staff is trying to build a better working relationship with scientology because the organization is not going anywhere. The individual interested in a glass museum in the city hall site bought a block of land in St. Petersburg to create a museum that holds a third of her art collection. It was suggested that a family-friendly interactive museum be considered, as the glass museum has an adult focus. A concern was expressed that partnering with a Scientologist for a glass museum may not fare well with the public. There was consensus for staff to release an RFP for the city hall site, it was suggested that the RFP include no limitations. CRA Executive Director Amanda Thompson said when the City provides high quality experiences that are marketed, people come and the events are successful. The Capitol Theatre is the 2nd highest grossing theatre of its size in the United States. She said the Dreams of Dali exhibition, attracted 4,600 visitors in 6 months. As someone who works closely with Scientology parishioners and business owners, Ms. Thompson said they want a vibrant downtown. The livelihoods of the business owners and their employees depend on a vibrant downtown. In response to a concern that the downtown will not be affordable, the City Manager said individuals have not raised affordability as a concern but rather that they felt they were not welcomed in downtown. The stronger the economy, the better opportunity for those who cannot afford to come to downtown to get jobs so they can afford activities in downtown. He said many more individuals go to the Beach in 2020 than they did in 2000 and is much more diverse. Discussion ensued with support expressed in combining the city hall site and CMA site for development. Support was also expressed to swapping the CMA site for the right opportunity to get the best development opportunity or strategic property in downtown. The Council recessed from 11:12 p.m. to 11:22 p.m. In response to questions, Mr. Delk said he recommends leaving the RFP open for one or more developers on one or more properties. Ms. Akin said she also suggests leaving it open, but Council may acknowledge the Page 4 City of Clearwater Council Work Session Meeting Minutes September 15, 2020 preference for a Master developer. There was consensus to issue the RFP before holding a referendum. 2.2 Discuss in broad terms the merits of and development structure for a possible conservancy role in the activation and management of the park. A conservancy can manage all or portions of the park and have as significant or limited role as defined by the established mission. Staff will discuss various options for the conservancy makeup such as: • Defining Role or Mission • Management or Organization Structure • Selection or Appointment Criteria Assistant City Manager Michael Delk provided a PowerPoint presentation. In response to questions, Assistant to the City Manager Jim Halios said Sarasota is redeveloping their bayfront. A community action group started to rebuild and rebrand the bayfront and evolved into a conservancy. He said the Van Wezel Performing Arts Center is excluded from the conservancy since it is operated by a separate entity. The conservancy was established in 2018, with the articles of incorporation filed in 2019. He said there were no other conservancies in Florida that were comparable in size and restrictions found in Clearwater. The main function of the conservancy is to fundraise, supply funds for operations and program the park. Mr. Halios said a conservancy can be created to fundraise or to program or a combination of both. Mr. Delk said the agreement between the City of Sarasota and the conservancy outlines the general responsibilities, funding, fundraising and handling of naming rights on certain items. Staff is concerned with the lack of demonstrable record of local groups able to take on the lion share of fundraising. Discussion ensued with comments made that the conservancy will also play a role in park programming. It was suggested that the entertainment venue be handled separately. It was stated that coordination between the conservancy and the entertainment venue will be needed for programming that does not involve seats, such as art shows, farmers markets, etc. Staff was directed to find other examples of successful conservancies, as well as those not as successful. The City Attorney said whether or not the charter amendment is needed Page 5 City of Clearwater Council Work Session Meeting Minutes September 15, 2020 depends on the type of authority council provides the conservancy. For example, a referendum or charter amendment will be needed if Council authorizes the conservancy to lease the property. The City currently provides users a license agreement to use the facility for a specific event. If Council chooses to turn the entertainment venue over to Ruth Eckerd Hall, a referendum would be required. The City Manager said staff will continue working through the conservancy framework and outline the control issues. CRA Executive Director Amanda Thompson said staff looked at the Sarasota Conservancy, Piedmont Park Conservancy, Memphis Tennessee Riverfront Conservancy, and Fairmount Conservancy. She said a conservancy needs a source of revenue and staff questioned the local fundraising landscape given the organizations that exist (i.e., Clearwater Marine Aquarium, Ruth Eckerd Hall, Capitol Theatre). It was requested that staff provide information regarding the amount of funding the City would contribute to the conservancy. 3. City Attorney Verbal Reports — None. 4. New Business (items not on the agenda may be brought up asking they be scheduled for subsequent meetings or work sessions in accordance with Rule 1, Paragraph 2). Councilmember Beckman requested a future discussion on the advisory board application process. She also requested consideration to schedule a presentation on the Fire Department's analytics. There was consensus that Councilmember Beckman schedule a one-on-one to discuss the Fire Department's analytics. 5. Closing Comments by Mayor— None. 6. Adjourn The meeting adjourned at 12:10 p.m. Page 6 City of Clearwater