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02/27/1989CLEARWATER DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT BOARD February 27, 1989 Members present: Tom Thompson, Chairman Charles Finegan, Vice-Chairman Mary Vaughn, Member Tyler Grady, Member C. David Carley, Member John Homer, Member Terry Flowers, Member Lee Regulski, Ex-Officio Member Rita Garvey, Ex-Officio Member Also present: Michael Wright, Assistant City Manager Paula Harvey, Acting Planning & Development Director Cynthia E. Goudeau, Secretary to the Board Guests: Dick Lundgren Edna Mae Lundgren Mr. and Mrs. J. Arlos Ogg The Chairman called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m. and the following items were discussed: Item I - Approval of Financial Statement. Mr. Finegan indicated that he has examined the report and all entries are proper. He moved to approve the financial statement. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. Item II - Election of Officers. The Chairman stated that the Board's responsibility is to promote downtown until September unless the City Commission reconstitutes the Board. He stated there is approximately $50,000 to be spent and it is the Board's responsibility to make sure these funds are allocated properly. A request was made that a status report regarding the Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) Advisory Board be presented at the next meeting. Mr. Finegan moved to nominate Tyler Grady as Chairman. The motion was duly seconded. In response to question, Mr. Finegan indicated that he did not wish to serve as Chairman at this time. Mr. Homer moved to nominate Terry Flowers as Chairman. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. The Secretary reported the tabulation of the secret ballot with Tyler Grady receiving four (4) votes and Terry Flowers receiving three (3). Tyler Grady was elected as Chairman. Mr. Carley nominated Tom Thompson as Vice-Chairman. The motion was duly seconded. Terry Flowers nominated John Homer to serve as Vice-Chairman. Mr. Homer declined the nomination. Mr. Finegan nominated Dave Carley as Vice-Chairman. The motion was duly seconded. The Secretary reported the result of the secret ballot with Tom Thompson receiving four (4) votes and Dave Carley receiving three (3) votes. Tom Thompson was elected as Vice-Chairman. Item III - Designation of Two Members as Ex-Officio Appointments to the CRA. Discussion had taken place at last month's meeting regarding whether or not to continue the tradition of the Chairman and Vice-Chairman being the ex-officio members. It was stated that the Board did wish to make it clear that ex-officio members are not specifically the Chairman and Vice-Chairman. Mr. Carley moved to nominate Tom Thompson and John Homer as the ex-officion members. The motion was duly seconded. Mr. Finegan moved to appoint Tyler Grady as ex-officio member. The motion was duly seconded. The Secretary reported the results of the paper ballot with Tyler Grady receiving five (5) votes; Tom Thompson receiving six (6) votes; and John Homer receiving two (2) votes. Tyler Grady and Tom Thompson were elected as the ex-officio members to the CRA. Item I - Oral Presentation on the Streetscape Plan. The Assistant City Manager reported that there is a technicality in the contract which is being cleared up at this time and that the contractor is on another job site. It is hoped that an exact start date will be available later this week. The Assistant City Manager also reported they are still working on hiring an Economic Development Director. He reported they are being very deliberate in their search. He further reported that requests for proposals for the ad agency to work with the CRA Promotional Committee is being prepared and that there will be a brainstorming session scheduled. A question was raised regarding timing of the streetscape and whether or not preconstruction activity could commence. The Assistant City Manager reported that there was a preconstruction conference which established the timing to be used. Discussion ensued regarding an article in the weekend paper regarding revitalization of downtown areas and concerns were expressed regarding the facing of the benches and the widths of the sidewalks. A concern was also raised regarding whether or not Vision Cable could install a cable while the sidewalks are torn up in the downtown area. A question was raised regarding hiring of the Economic Development Director regarding whether or not this person would be familiar with grants that are available. Discussion returned to the streetscape program with concerns being expressed that benches in the downtown area would attract derelicts. Further discussion ensued regarding the derelict problem in the downtown area and concerns were expressed that the bloodbank is partially responsible for attracting these individuals to the area. Board Member Comments. Mary Vaughn indicated that she does not feel she has sufficient information regarding what is expected of DDB and it was recommended that the Downtown Development Board (DDB), the Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) ordinances be distributed to all the members. Discussion ensued regarding the Downtown Development Board sunsetting September 30, 1989, and it was stated that it is hoped that the Commission will appoint an advisory board to the CRA. Until that time, it is part of the Downtown Development Board's duties to help the CRA in establishing what the downtown area should be and to create a positive force. Concerns were expressed regarding the restrictions placed on the CRA in that they must follow the approved downtown plan. It was reported that, with tax increment financing, that in the year 2000, the downtown district should be generating several million dollars a year and it was questioned in what manner these funds may be used. A request was made that a presentation be given at the next meeting regarding the CRA functions and for what projects the funds are allocated. A question was raised regarding whether or not the committees mentioned in the by-laws would be established. It was the consensus of the Board to agenda this for discussion at the next meeting. Concerns were expressed that the committees must be aware that they would meet in the "sunshine." Mr. Thompson questioned whether or not the CRA is re-evaluating its proposal to develop the Bilgore property as residential. Mr. Wright responded that the final officer has been made by H & G Structures and will be presented to the CRA. He reported that, as the requests for proposals were for residential units, they are being given every opportunity to develop the property residentially. Comments from Citizens. Dick Lundgren from Unit 703, Pierce 100, expressed concerns regarding the proposed condominium development by Norman Bie creating traffic problems. He also questioned whether or not money was to be spent on the tennis courts below City Hall, and he questioned who owned the property beyond Maas Brothers. He also commented that the Police Department is doing an excellent job in keeping transients away from the tennis courts. The Assistant City Manager responded to Mr. Lundgren's questions stating that the condominium development has a lot of environmental "hurdles" to pass before development would begin. He stated the Parks & Recreation Department has plans for improvements for the tennis courts and that Maas Brothers owns all the property to the west which does not have parking meters on it. The parking lots with meters are owned by the City. Mr. Lundgren also questioned whether or not the parking meters on the small lot close to Pierce 100 pays for themselves. Mr. Grady expressed concern regarding jaywalking occurring across from the Fort Harrison Hotel. He stated it is a dangerous situation and something needs to be done. The meeting adjourned at 6:45 P.M.