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04/24/1989CLEARWATER DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT BOARD April 24, 1989 Members present: Tyler Grady, Chairman Tom Thompson, Vice-Chairman Charles Finegan, Member John Homer, Member Mary Vaughn, Member Terry Flowers, Member Rita Garvey, Ex-Officio Member Absent: C. David Carley, Member Lee Regulski, Ex-Officio Member Also present: Michael Wright, Assistant City Manager, Public Services Cynthia E. Goudeau, Secretary to the Board Guests: Mr. and Mrs. J. Arlos Ogg Lee Cusack, First Church of Christ, Scientist Teresa Burney, St. Petersburg Times Rose Phifer Marti Folwell The Chairman called the meeting to order at 5:31 p.m. and the following items were discussed: Item I - Approval of Minutes of the March 27, 1989 Meeting. Terry Flowers moved to approve the minutes of March 27, 1989, as submitted. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. Item II - Approval of March 31, 1989, Financial Statement. The Secretary explained to the Board that there has been difficulty in preparing the Financial Statement for the month before the month has ended. She stated that the previous month's statement will be sent out with the upcoming agenda and the minutes allowing more time for review. In regard to the Financial Statement, Tyler Grady, requested that the Secretary reflect a separate line item for the promotional funds that have been allocated to the Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA). Discussion ensued regarding an unemployment claim for the former secretary and to what extent the DDB is liable. Michael Wright indicated that the DDB was a non-insured reimbursible account and it is his understanding the liability would be up to the maximum, determined to be $5,200. In response to a question, it was indicated this amount would be billed to the DDB quarterly with the first payment being due around June. Mike Wright is to report on the particulars at the next meeting. Mr. Grady requested that the next statement reflect $5,200 as an accrued liability to promotional expense, with $30,000 targeted for the Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) promotional activities leaving a balance of $7,350 for other areas. Item III - Old Business. Mr. Thompson indicated it had not been his intent for his name to appear as the contact person in the ad in Excel Magazine and that the magazine will be acknowledging this misunderstanding. He apologized to the Board and said that he would assume full responsibility, reimbursing the DDB for the ad. Mr. Homer indciated the DDB might somehow benefit from the ad and suggested tracking the number of phone calls generated from this ad. It was indicated that the DDB had been in a transitional period at the time and that under normal circumstances this misunderstanding probably would not have occurred. Mr. Finnegan moved to accept Mr. Thompson's explanation and his offer to reimburse the DDB for the $2,500 to pay for the ad with the encouragement to go back to the publisher. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. A. Presentation by Downtown Clearwater Association. Mr. Flowers indicated the Downtown Clearwater Association would like to reintroduce the Christmas Parade as a community effort and requested that $5,000 be targeted for this purpose. Discussion ensued in regard to the coordination of such an event and what might be entailed. Mr. Finnegan encouraged Mr. Flowers to go forward with this project and come back to the Board with a final program. Mr. Flowers suggested a potential appropriation of $2,000 for the initiation of a downtown newsletter which would be printed 8 times a year with the cost being approximately $250 for 500 copies, with the DCA having editorial control. He felt this newsletter would create a cohesiveness among the merchants in the downtown area. Discussion ensued regarding the distribution list and what areas would be targeted for this newsletter. Mr. Flowers indicated that the $2,000 would be used to get the newsletter started. Mr. Grady indicated that he had no problem with the DDB supporting the newsletter; however, he expressed concern regarding the DCA having editorial control. Mr. Finnegan moved to approve the sum of $2,000 to support the newsletter with review of content by the Downtown Development Board. Mr. Flowers noted that commitment for the newsletter has to be made prior to September 30, 1989. The motion was duly seconded. Upon the vote being taken, Messrs. Grady, Thompson, Finegan, Homer and Ms. Vaughn voted "aye." Mr. Flowers abstained due to a conflict of interest. The motion carried; however, a question arose as to whether or not being a member of the Downtown Clearwater Association (DCA) and the Downtown Development Board (DDB) would constitute a conflict of interest in voting on matters affecting the DDB. A legal opinion in this regard will be provided at the next meeting which could affect the vote. Mr. Flowers distributed to the Board for consideration brochures and maps put out by a company known as City Focus listing various businesses in a certain region or city for advertising purposes. Mr. Finegan pointed out that something of this nature had been done several years ago. He said that the Chamber of Commerce is now in the process of preparing a city map and he would not want the DDB to be in conflict with this effort. B. Appointment of Sub-Committees. Mr. Grady appointed the following subcommittees: (1) Finance and Budget, Charles Finegan (present Chairman); (2) Business and Merchants Promotion, Terry Flowers; (3) Public Relations, Mary Vaughn; (4) Land Use, Tom Thompson; and (5) Transportation, John Homer. He indicated that the Sub-Committees' responsibility would be to keep the Board informed of what is going on in their particular areas in the downtown. Item IV - Board Comments. Mr. Finegan requested the status of the Economic Development Director and Michael Wright stated that he has just completed interviewing for this position and indicated he would be making a recommendation to the City Manager. Mr. Flowers requested the status of the Community Redevelopment Agency Promotional Committee's requests for proposals and Michael Wright indicated that a presentation would be made to the Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) at their next meeting. Item V - Citizen Comments - none. Item VI - Adjournment. The meeting adjourned at 6:55 P.M.