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05/22/1989CLEARWATER DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT BOARD May 22, 1989 Members present: Tyler Grady, Chairman Tom Thompson, Vice-Chairman Charles Finegan, Member Mary Vaughn, Member Absent: John Homer, Member C. David Carley, Member Terry Flowers, Member Rita Garvey, Ex-Officio Member Lee Regulski, Ex-Officio Member Also present: Ron Rabun, City Manager Michael Wright, Assistant City Manager, Community Services Ream Wilson, Parks & Recreation Director Mary K. Diana, Secretary to the Board Guests: Mr. and Mrs. J. Arlos Ogg Mark Klein Mr. and Mrs. Robert Lee Cozee Smith Rose Phifer The Chairman called the meeting to order at 5:32 p.m. and the following items were discussed: Streetscape Program Report. Ream Wilson, Parks & Recreation Director, gave a progress report on the Downtown streetscape program. In response to a question, it was indicated the per square foot price for placing pavers in businesses' foyers would be slightly higher than what the City is paying and that this option would be up to each owner. Mr. Wilson reported the project, which began on April 3, 1989, would take approximately 410 days. He pointed out that the south side of the 400 block of Cleveland Street is taking longer than anticipated due to the double curbs and to the stipulation by the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) that the outside lane could not be blocked prior to 9:00 A.M. This has been changed to 6:30 A.M. He indicated, although behind schedule on the first half, he feels time will be made up on the second half of the project. In response to a question regarding negotiating a uniform price for the pavers, it was indicated the City's costs would be calculated and made available as a service to the downtown business owners. In response to questions, it was indicated the pavers will be placed in a straight line along the store fronts with additional concerete filling in the cutouts, there will be a 3-1/2 foot lip of concrete around the above ground planters, the double curb along the 400 block of Cleveland Street will go back as before, and that a foundation is being put under the brick around the pillars in the event the pillars have to be removed in the future and brick put in its place. Michael Wright introduced Jennifer Parrimore, the Public Information Officer. Item I - Approval of Minutes of the April 24, 1989 Meeting. Charles Finegan moved to approve the minutes of April 24, 1989, as submitted. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. Item II - Approval of March 31, 1989, Financial Statement. Charles Finegan indicated the format of the Financial Statement was somewhat confusing. Mr. Wright said Betty Deptula, Director of Administrative Services, would be consulted for clarification. Consensus was to continue the approval of the statement to next month. Item III - Old Business: A. Sub-Committees Report - none. Item IV - Chamber Request for Funding for Clearwater Jazz Holiday. Cozee Lynn Smith, Vice President of Community Relations for Barnett Bank, reported Jazz Holiday will be celebrating its tenth anniversary. She indicated a projected budget goal of $150,000 has been set. Commitments from corporate sponsors already total $96,000. She indicated the City's Parks & Recreation Department has provided a substantial amount of inkind support, and she requested the DDB's help in funding this event. She discussed the different levels of support and ways to promote this event which will be held October 19-27, 1989. She indicated the budget has been raised this year in order to provide more international advertising and promotion in hopes of building the tourist trade during the off season. In response to a question, Ms. Smith indicated last year's budget was approximately $90,000. She indicated Jazz Holiday is looking to bring in higher caliber entertainment and would like to commit to the performers by the end of June. Charles Finegan, in briefly reviewing the financial statement, indicated he did not feel the DDB could make a contribution at this time; however, he indicated the DDB's support and said a closer look at the statement would be made prior to the next meeting. Item V - Board Comments. Tyler Grady brought up the future of the Downtown Development Board. He indicated he was elected as the seventh member upon the platform that the Board would request the City Commission to sunset the DDB. He indicated that the City and the downtown taxing district need to put their efforts in the direction the CRA will be taking with the hiring of an Economic Development Director. He also indicated that the downtown property owners have overwhelming requested that the DDB be sunsetted. Michael Wright pointed out that the CRA has scheduled a meeting for Friday, May 26, 1989, at 10:30 A.M. He said the agenda will include the finalization of the Bilgore contract, conceptual agreement with MAS ONE for an office building, and the purchase of land from the City through the CRA for that project. He indicated the CRA will be asked what their feelings are in regard to sunsetting the DDB, as should the Board not be sunsetted, a millage rate needs to be levied by July 9, 1989 Mr. Wright indicated the CRA brings in approximately $800,000 a year with an increase of $450,000 in fixed costs for the upcoming fiscal year. Approximately $325-$350,000 will be available for other projects such as parking garages, land acquisition, etc. Mr. Wright also stated the City will be discussing an expenditure of approximately $300,000 to support the new $10 million office building. He indicated the available funds for promotion and advertisement for the downtown area are going to be extremely limited. Tom Thompson indicated he was somewhat surprised to see the projected increment revenues considerably different than reflected on the original CRA plan. Mike Wright indicated the City will be receiving approximately $90,000 a year when the First Florida Building is online in two years, and indicated any new growth in the district would be from new construction. He also indicated the tax appraiser's report showed a decrease in property values of approximately $2.7 million for the downtown area. Extensive discussion ensued regarding the sunsetting of the DDB and it was indicated the hiring of the Economic Development and Planning & Development Directors would possibly place a different focus on the downtown area. Mr. Wright stated that James Polatty, the Planning & Development Director, will be starting May 23rd. Mr. Palotty has had significant experience with redevelopment work in West Palm Beach. Jerry Sternstein, the Economic Development Director, who will be starting June 19, has had experience in downtown redevelopment. Item VI - Citizen Comments. Two downtown property owners spoke in favor of sunsetting the DDB. They indicated property taxes are too high, parking is inadequate, increased advertising needs to be done to promote the downtown, and the issue of cleanliness should be addressed. Discussion ensued regarding the above issues. Tyler Grady indicated that a study had been done by the CRA on a promotional basis and noted that redevelopment needs to include advertising. Tom Thompson indicated that the Chamber is running a "Make the Streets Clean" program and Mike Wright indicated street cleaning is done on an "as needed" basis in conjunction with the Parks & Recreation and Sanitation Departments. In response to a question, it was indicated there have been no cut backs in the frequency of street sweeping in the downtown area. Norm Smith, K.K. Smith Jewelers, said he wrote a letter to the editor of the St. Petersburg Times stating the new sidewalks in the downtown look great but that he felt that insufficient parking is the major problem. He spoke in opposition to the development of a hi-rise building and indicated there is a need for the existing vacant stores to be occupied by merchants. Mr. Smith said he is also writing a letter to the Commission, expressing his feelings in regard to additional parking in the downtown. In response to a question, the City Manager indicated that letters have been sent to approximately 100 property owners introducing the new Economic Development and Planning & Development Directors. He also indicated that a letter has been sent to the Florida Department of Transportation requesting the status and the prospects of reviewing the possibility of parking along Cleveland Street. A question was raised as to whether the collection of revenues have negatively impacted the City as a result of purchases of property by tax exempt organizations. It was indicated that of the $182 million in property values $40 million are in litigation. VII - Adjournment. The meeting adjourned at 6:40 P.M. Chairman Attest: Secretary