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06/26/1989DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT BOARD June 26, 1989 Members present: Tyler Grady, Chairman Tom Thompson, Vice Chairman Charles Finegan, Member John Homer, Member C. David Carley, Member Terry Flowers, Member Mary Vaughn, Member Rita Garvey, Ex-officio Member Lee Regulski, Ex-officio Member Also present: Ron H. Rabun, City Manager Michael Wright, Assistant City Manager, Community Services Jerry Sternstein, Economic Development Director Elizabeth Deptula, Director of Administrative Services Cynthia E., Goudeau, Secretary to the Board The Chairman called the meeting to order at 5:34 p.m. and the following items were discussed: Michael Wright introduced Jerry Sternstein the new Economic Development Director. Item #1 - Approval of May 22, 1989 minutes Mr. Thompson moved to approve the minutes of May 22, 1989 as submitted. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. Item #2 - Approval of the April 30 and May 31, 1989 Financial Statements Mr. Finegan indicated that the concerns raised at the last meeting regarding the April 30th financial statement have been addressed and the balance for the operating balance has been corrected. Mr. Finegan moved to approve the April 30, 1989 financial statement. The motion was duly seconded. A question was raised regarding the $31,000. plus that was reported to be due the DDB due to the settlement of a lawsuit regarding tax payments from the Oaks of Clearwater. Michael Wright indicated that the lawsuit had been settled; however the tax collector has informed the City that as a result of another suit, the City must repay $21,000. of the award. He stated as soon as he has all the information, he will submit a report to the board. Upon the vote being taken, the motion carried unanimously. Mr. Finegan indicated that the information regarding the settlement was not in the 5/31/89 statement. Mr. Wright indicated that is because all the information has not been received. Mr. Finegan said that he felt the statement could be approved based on the contingency that information regarding the settlement be added. Mr. Finegan moved to approve the May 31, 1989 financial statement. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. Item #3 - Future of the Downtown Development Board The Chairman indicated there is an overwhelming movement to continue the DDB under certain circumstances. Mr. Wright reviewed the City's proposal stating they are recommending that the ex-officio procedure continue as well as joint meetings between the DDB and the CRA be held quarterly. He reported that Mr. Sternstein will be the contact for the DDB and the CRA. He stated the DDB will be asked for input regarding policy, but their primary function will be to take over promotion and public relations activities, while the CRA will be responsible for capital improvements. He reported the Tourist Development Council has approved a grant to the Chamber regarding a feasibility study for a Conference Center. Regarding the status of the Ad Agency, two firms have been ranked and will be giving oral presentations. It will then go to the CRA for contract award. Staff is recommending that the DDB set a millage rate of two-thirds of a mill. The Assistant City Manager reviewed specific points in staff's recommendation. In response to questions he indicated: 1) a copy of the Halcyon would be sent to the DDB members; 2) the parking study was a request to the CRA to study parking needs from Cleveland Street to Court Street and from East Street to the Bay; 3) the City has requested the downtown area be included in the feasibility study for the Conference Center and that CRA money may need to be provided for this addition. A question was raised regarding the need for the DDB to continue for another year and what taxes should be collected. The Assistant City Manager indicated that it was felt the ad campaign needs to be at least two years in duration and it is staff's recommendation that the DDB's funds go mainly to this activity. A concern was raised whether or not two-thirds of a mill would generate the anticipated $120,000. in light of doubtful collections. Elizabeth Deptula, Director of Administrative Services, indicated they have used a 21% contingency that would require a little over two-thirds of a mill to generate the $120,000. Discussion ensued regarding whether or not the Board should continue in light of the fact that there has been a change in the cooperation between the DDB and the CRA. Mr. Finegan moved that the DDB formally recommend to the City Commission that the DDB not be sunsetted 9/30/89 and that they be allowed to continue for one more year to 9/30/90 with the provision that upon review, the Board could be extended beyond that time. The motion was duly seconded. Discussion ensued regarding whether or not a new sunset date should be established at this time. Mr. Flowers moved to amend the motion to remove the date regarding sunsetting. The motion was duly seconded. Discussion ensued regarding whether or not there was a need for a review date. Four downtown property owners spoke in favor of continuing the Board. One downtown property owner spoke in opposition to its continuance. Some of the Board members indicated they have polled various property owners in the downtown area and they have found support for continuing the Board and even support to taxing up to a full mill. Discussion ensued regarding the support of property owners and their locations. Upon the vote on the motion to amend the motion by removing the sunset date, Members Thompson, Finegan, Vaughn, Carley and Flowers voted "Aye." Members Grady and Homer voted "Nay." Motion carried. Upon the vote being taken on the amended motion, Members Thompson, Finegan, Vaughn, Carley and Flowers voted "Aye." Members Grady and Homer voted "Nay." Motion carried. A question was raised regarding the amount of tax to establish should the Commission approve the Board's recommendation that it not be sunsetted. Mr. Thompson moved to establish a meeting of the DDB for July 10. The motion was duly seconded. A request was made that the meeting be scheduled for 5:00 instead of 5:30 and this was included in the motion. Discussion ensued regarding at what level to set the millage rate and again it was emphasized that the proposal is that the CRA spend its funds on capital improvements while the DDB use its funds for promotional activities and public relations. Upon the vote being taken, the motion carried unanimously. A request was made that there be further discussion regarding recommendations to the City on how the DDB would like to be involved. It was requested that the Board members be given additional time to evaluate the City's proposal. Item #4 - Board Comments Mr. Flowers questioned whether or not a legal opinion had been received regarding possible conflict of interest of DDB members also serving on the Downtown Clearwater Association when the Downtown Clearwater Association is requesting funds from the DDB. It was reported that the City Attorney's opinion had been distributed at the last meeting and essentially it said that there was no conflict as long as there is no personal gain. Mr. Flowers also indicated that at the February meeting, concerns had been raised regarding pedestrian conduct on S. Ft. Harrison and it was requested that steps be taken to alleviate the problems. Mr. Homer expressed a concern regarding a property owner's request for a variance to place an eight foot fence on his store front along Cleveland Street. The variance was denied; however the current code allows a six foot high fence. He requested that this issue be addressed as fences along store fronts on Cleveland Street would be detrimental. The City Manager reported that the police department has gone to the site and suggested alternatives to the fence. It was requested that there be continued attempts to dissuade this property owner from installing the fence. Mr. Thompson left the meeting at 6:50 p.m. Item #5 - Citizen comments Dee Shaw of the Republic Bank representing the Downtown Clearwater Association stated that the Association is planning a Downtown Holiday Family parade the 16th of December at 1:00 p.m. starting at City Hall Annex and ending at Coachman Park. The Downtown Clearwater Association is requesting approval of the DDB to use $5000. of the funds earmarked for the Downtown Clearwater Association for this purpose. She distributed the proposed budget for the parade indicating that insurance would cost $1,500., advertising $2,500., acknowledgement for volunteers $500. and miscellaneous $500. She also reported that a letter has been sent to the Mayor requesting the City provide in kind services for the parade. A response has not been received. The question was raised regarding what other functions the Downtown Clearwater Association was contemplating and it was indicated that they have decided to focus on the newsletter which was approved at a previous DDB and the Christmas Parade. C. David Carley moved to approve the Downtown Clearwater Association's request. The motion was duly seconded. Upon the vote being taken, Members Grady, Finegan, Vaughn, Homer and Carley voted "Aye." Member Flowers abstained. Motion carried. The meeting adjourned at 6:58 p.m.