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07/17/2023 Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes July 17, 2023 City of Clearwater Main Library- Council Chambers 100 N. Osceola Avenue Clearwater, FL 33755 m ap ® e Meeting Minutes Monday, July 17, 2023 1 :00 PM Main Library - Council Chambers Community Redevelopment Agency Page 1 City of Clearwater Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes July 17, 2023 Roll Call Present 5 - Chair Brian Aungst Sr., Trustee Kathleen Beckman, Trustee Mark Bunker, Trustee David Allbritton, and Trustee Lina Teixeira Also Present: Jennifer Poirrier— City Manager, Michael Delk—Assistant City Manager, David Margolis — City Attorney, Rosemarie Call — City Clerk, Nicole Sprague — Deputy City Clerk, and Anne Lopez — CRA Sr. Division Manager To provide continuity for research, items are listed in agenda order although not necessarily discussed in that order. 1. Call to Order— Chair Aungst, Sr. The meeting was called to order at 1:00 p.m. 2. Approval of Minutes 2.1 Approve the minutes of the June 12, 2023 CRA meeting as submitted in written summation by the City Clerk. Trustee Beckman moved to approve the minutes of the June 12, 2023 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 close out of the Commercial Beautification Grant Program and reallocate remaining program funds. At the March 15, 2021, Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting, the trustees approved the Commercial Beautification Grant Program. As of June 23, 2023, there had only been three grant agreements and only one completed improvement and were paid out $5,683. CRA staff recommends closing out the Commercial Beautification Grant Program and allocating the remaining balance of$244,317 to the Business Page 2 City of Clearwater Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes July 17, 2023 Renovation Grant Program. Trustee Bunker moved to approve close out of the Commercial Beautification Grant Program and reallocate remaining program funds. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. 4.2 Approve changes to the Business Renovation Grant Program to improve visual appearance of commercial properties through exterior and interior improvements and authorize appropriate officials to execute same. The Community Redevelopment Agency Trustees approved the Business Renovation Grant program in August 2022 to help reduce blight and encourage private investment in downtown. Through the success of the Business Renovation Grant program staff looked for ways to improve the current program structure to best align with the goals of the CRA as well as the need from commercial business owners and tenants. Recommended changes are as follows: • Total reimbursement of 50% of the total project cost not to exceed $100,000 • Provide an amount up to $25,000 for up front funding at the approval of the CRA Executive Director • Grants may be awarded to business owners or commercial tenants APPROPRIATION CODE AND AMOUNT: Funds are available in CRA Project code 3887552- R2003 ED -City In response to questions, CRA Sr. Division Manager Anne Lopez said the property owner could be the business owner. The program is geared to the business owner. She said staff interactions with downtown businesses determined that the landlord did not need the funding but the business owner going into the space need it for ADA compliance, plumbing, or electrical, which is required for COI (Certificate o Insurance). The downtown businesses also expressed a need to receive the funding upfront, awarding funds upfront will be determined on a case-by-case basis after legal review. She said the grant agreements would include a repayment provision if the business does not meet the requirements. Staff was directed to provide the proposed changes in documents and grant programs as attachments in the future. Page 3 City of Clearwater Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes July 17, 2023 Trustee Teixeira moved to approve changes to the Business Renovation Grant Program to improve visual appearance of commercial properties through exterior and interior improvements and authorize appropriate officials to execute same. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. 4.3 Approve amendments to the Sidewalk Cafe Furniture Grant Program and authorize the appropriate officials to execute same. The Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) offers financial assistance to qualified business owners and commercial tenants seeking to furnish approved sidewalk cafe areas within the Downtown Core District. Currently the Sidewalk Cafe Furniture Grant Program makes available one-time grants of up to 75% of the total project cost, up to a maximum of$2,500 per grant, for outdoor furniture specified in an approved site plan from the City's Planning Department. CRA staff recommends increasing the grant amount from $2,500 to $7,500. This will aid downtown businesses in creating a higher quality, outdoor dining space for social interaction, using more durable and sustainable commercial furnishings, which will better accommodate the anticipated increase of foot traffic and business, as well as continue to aid in the beautification of Downtown Clearwater. APPROPRIATION CODE AND AMOUNT: Funds for this grant program are available in 3887552-R2003 Economic Development- City Trustee Allbritton moved to approve amendments to the Sidewalk Cafe Furniture Grant Program and authorize the appropriate officials to execute same. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. 4.4 Approve amendments to the Fiscal Year 2022-2023 Downtown Community Redevelopment Agency Budget (CRA) and adopt CRA Resolution 23-01. Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) is recommending the following amendments to the FY 2022-2023 Downtown CRA Budget: Downtown CRA Operating • Adjust the budget to reflect actual expenditure to date Page 4 City of Clearwater Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes July 17, 2023 Downtown CRA Capital Improvements • Add C2105, Mercado-Downtown Gateway, to the CRA project list and transfer $65,000 from R2002, Community Engagement, for art installations as previously approved by the Trustees. • Increase R2003 Economic Development-City, by $589,227.48 to account for TIF funds transferred in the prior year. • Decrease R2008, Transportation-County, by $187,950.97 to adjust for actual TIF received for the year. In response to questions, Budget Director Kayleen Kastel said staff works off the projected TIF funds provided by the County, which are trued up for the final adjustment. CRA Sr. Division Manager Anne Lopez said approximately$3 million have been encumbered by Archway/Community Gardens. The construction for the Mercado will be completed in September. CRA Resolution 23-01 was presented and read by title only. Trustee Beckman moved to approve amendments to the Fiscal Year 2022-2023 Downtown Community Redevelopment Agency Budget (CRA) and adopt CRA Resolution 23-01. The motion was duly seconded and upon roll call, the vote was: Ayes: 5 - Chair Aungst Sr., Trustee Beckman, Trustee Bunker, Trustee Allbritton and Trustee Teixeira 4.5 Amend the agreement for the sale and development of the property located at 1250 Cleveland Street and authorize the appropriate officials to execute same. Archway Clearwater Gardens, LLC submitted a modified schedule for consideration, as well as a modified design for the community garden, which would move it from the rooftop to the ground. Staff recommends approval of the amendment. Clearwater Gardens affordable housing development, located at 1250 Cleveland Street, was selected by Florida Housing Finance Corporation (FHFC) for a 9% Tax Credit award. In reviewing the Development Agreement dated August 23, 2021, the First Amendment dated February 14, 2022, and the Second Amendment dated September 19, 2022, with the Clearwater CRA (Agreement), Archway Clearwater Gardens, LLC noticed that several of the dates needed to be updated based on the timeframes set forth in the Agreement. Page 5 City of Clearwater Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes July 17, 2023 Outlined below are the milestone dates as outlined in the Agreement that staff is requesting to be modified, with the proposed revised milestone dates. Archway Clearwater Gardens, LLC are optimistic that they will achieve the modified milestones in advance of what has been proposed. Section Category Current Proposed 3.03(a) Floor Plans, Site Plan & Building Fagade 2/1/2022 4/3/2023 4.05(b) Building Permits 7/31/2023 3/1/2024 4.05(c) Commence Construction 8/31/2023 4/1/2024 4.05(d) 50% Construction Completion 4/30/2024 1/1/2025 4.05(e) 100% Construction Completion 12/1/2024 10/1/2025 4.05(f) Begin Pre-Leasing 10/1/2024 8/1/2025 4.05(g) Lease Up Complete 3/1/2025 1/1/2026 6.10 Closing Date 8/31/2023 3/15/2024 7.02(a) Commence Construction 8/31/2023 4/1/2024 7.02(b) Commence Vertical Construction 12/1/23 10/1/2024 APPROPRIATION CODE AND AMOUNT: Funds are available and allocated in project code R2010 Housing- County In response to questions, Archway Partners representative Brett Green said Archway will look to the Clearwater Community Garden gardeners to assist with developing the garden plan. Archway is open to integrating the garden with the project or creating an area of separation, the decision would depend on the gardeners'feedback. He said Archway is currently focusing all efforts with finalizing the financing and mechanics needed to make the project possible. The group will work on the lease agreement with Clearwater Community Gardens after project negotiations are completed. Trustee Bunker moved to amend the agreement for the sale and development of the property located at 1250 Cleveland Street and authorize the appropriate officials to execute same. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. 5. Director's Report CRA Sr. Division Manager Anne Lopez said the department has completed the candidate search for three CRA Specialist positions; two will begin on July 31 and the third on August 14. She said all 25 ARPA grant agreements have been drafted and provided to Legal for review. Page 6 City of Clearwater Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes July 17, 2023 Once legal review has been completed, the grant agreements will be forwarded to the awardees to be signed. She said staff will meet with awardees to discuss the agreement terms and deliverables. Funding will be disbursed after the signed agreement has been received. Ms. Lopez said staff has devised a process for onboarding and appointing five members of the North Greenwood CRA Citizen Advisory Committee Members. The process should be outlined by July 31, 2023. Staff anticipates the Committee will be in place by September. A survey regarding the North Greenwood CRA logo and website content will be issued to seek community input. She said the grand opening of Coachman Park has yielded an increase in downtown foot traffic and restaurant patrons. Staff received five new inquiries from entrepreneurs seeking to do business in downtown. She reviewed recent and upcoming activities. In response to questions, Ms. Lopez said the Economic Recovery Grant, the Interior/Facade Grant, the revised Sidewalk Cafe Grant, the revised Business Renovation Grant, and the Restaurant Operations Grant are the new grant programs staff is marketing. The survey tied to the Mercado opening has been posted on social media, staff is also visiting individuals to share the survey. Ms. Lopez said the Cleveland Street Streetscape project is functionally complete (all lanes are drivable). The City Attorney said the ARPA grant agreements were recently received, the agreements will be routed for signature as legal review is completed. He said review will take time as each grant agreement is unique. Although the City is using the ARPA funds as revenue replacement to allow more flexibility in how the funds are spent, the City must still comply with the treasury reporting requirements. He said CRA staff did not prioritize the agreements, legal staff received the agreements in batches. Ms. Lopez said staff is interested in creating an online CRA dashboard. Assistant City Manager Michael Delk said the CRA has not allocated funding for shared space in the Main Library. The appraisals received for the property at Tangerine Street and MLK Avenue are substantially less than the asking price, staff is not inclined to purchase the property. He said staff is also concerned with the cost associated to renovate the building into office space. Discussion ensued with direction given that staff provide information on what is envisioned on the property at Tangerine Street and MLK Avenue at the next meeting. In response to questions, Ms. Lopez said representatives from the Nolen have reported the project remains on schedule. The Nolen has hired an Page 7 City of Clearwater Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes 6. Adjourn Attest j4d-t_i311/ City Clerk City of Clearwater July 17, 2023 individual to help fill the space. Staff has not been provided an opening date. She said staff anticipates scheduling a formal project update in August. The meeting adjourned at 1:37 p.m. Chair Community Redevelopment Agency Page 8