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11/14/1991 Maas Brothers Task Force Meeting November 14, 1991 Members present: Ed Mazur John B. Johnson Phoebe Moss Hal Ebersole Nancy Simmons Jim Graham (arrived 5:57 p.m.) Stephen Saliga Joanne Faruggia Bob Bickerstaffe Joshua Magidson (arrived 5:45 p.m.) Robert Kennedy Jackie Tobin Debra Weible Members absent: Wray Register Jim Stewart Also Present: Cynthia E. Goudeau, City Clerk The Maas Brothers Task Force met on Thursday, November 14, 1991, at 5:00 p.m. in the Adler Room of the Main Library. The City Clerk opened the meeting explaining that Mr. Sternstein, Economic Director, was out of town and Mr. Wright, City Manager, was at the Downtown Development Board meeting. Item II. - Recap of Previous Meetings The City Clerk recapped the materials that have been distributed to the task force and questioned whether or not anyone needed additional copies or had any specific questions of Bill Baker, Public Works Director, Vic Chodora, Building Official, or Jim Polatty, Planning and Development Director. There being no questions or requests for additional information, Mr. Baker, Mr. Chodora and Mr. Polatty were excused from the meeting. Mr. Ebersole questioned what was considered to be the appraised value and the City Clerk indicated two appraisals had been done indicating the value of the building at 3 million and 3.5 million. It was stated the task force needed to know what the Commission considered the appraised value to be. Item III. - Staff Report The City Clerk distributed the Florida Statute regarding the authority of the Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA). She indicated two major distinctions between the CRA and the City Commission are that the CRA is exempt from the charter development restriction regarding the 28' contour line and the CRA can sell land differently than the Commission, that is, more on a business and/or incentive basis while the City has to sell land at appraised or higher value. She stated currently the City is the proposed purchaser of the property and the charter restrictions regarding the 28' contour line and the sale of the property will apply. A question was raised regarding whether or not the CRA had more authority and it was indicated that while they did not have any more authority, they could conduct business in a slightly different manner. Ed Mazur distributed a copy of page 10 from the contract for purchase showing the agreement can be assigned to the CRA. A concern was expressed that the CRA would not be answerable to the citizens and it was felt they had sold some property for much less than it was worth. The City Clerk then reported on the status of the bid, indicating a call had been received alerting the City there may be another bid. She indicated all the City has been told is there is a real estate broker representing a client who may submit a bid. She reported that should a higher bid be received by the court, the City would then be notified. A City representative would need to be in court in Cincinnati next week and there would be open bidding in the court. A special City Commission meeting would be necessary for this. In response to a question, she indicated the task force would be notified if there were a court case. The City Clerk stated the City is requesting input regarding how the task force wishes to operate from this point. She reported there have been several items which have been suggested: 1) for people to come in and discuss development potential for the site; 2) develop the site as a retail incubator; 3) review a French firm's proposal for development on the bluff; and 4) the need to talk to people with park development interests. In response to a question, she indicated these have been noted to her verbally and she is asking the task force whether or not they wish to follow up on any of this or how they wish to proceed. It was suggested the task force proceed with the election of a Chairperson. Item IV. - Elect Chairperson Mr. Bickerstaffe moved to nominate Ed Mazur to serve as chairperson of the Maas Brothers Task Force. The motion was duly seconded. Mr. Johnson moved to close the nomination. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. Upon the vote being taken on Ed Mazur being appointed chairperson, the motion carried unanimously. The City Clerk turned the meeting over to Mr. Mazur. Mr. Mazur indicated the way he wished to conduct the meetings was by standard rules of order with people being recognized from the floor and they be allowed to speak without being interrupted. He stated he will attempt to keep the individuals to the topic. The first item of concern was confirming the meeting dates. Mr. Mazur indicated he felt the task force needed room in which the public could attend and the Chambers had been recommended. The City Clerk indicated that a meeting place could not be determined until a meeting day had been established as there will be conflicts in meeting in the Chambers. She relayed those meetings that are already scheduled. Consensus of the task force was that the meetings be held on the second and fourth Thursdays of each month starting at 4:00 p.m. and lasting approximately two hours per meeting. It was also the consensus that meetings would not be recorded unless requested for particular instances. Mr. Johnson recommended the task force meet on December 12th at 4:00 p.m. and then there be two meetings in January, the 9th and 23rd. Consensus was to follow this schedule. The City Clerk will notify the task force of the meeting place. Mr. Mazur indicated he had two areas of concern; the asbestos's effect on the sale and use of the property and the need for an environmental audit. The Public Works Department had agreed to do core samples on the parking lot and he questioned when those would be ready. Discussion ensued regarding the need for the core samples. It was indicated this is a prudent thing to do in case there was contamination in the parking lot which had migrated from the old gas station site. Joshua Magidson arrived at the meeting at this time. Mr. Mazur indicated he was also concerned regarding estimates on asbestos removal and stated he will be calling people he knows to see if the cost estimate is reasonable. Discussion ensued regarding the need to remove the asbestos. It was questioned how much asbestos was in the building and it was stated the exact amount is not known at this time. Discussion ensued regarding the flow of information to and from the task force members and it was stated all information should be submitted to the City Clerk in order to have it distributed to all members. Concern was expressed that staff's recommendation seems to lean toward the building being demolished. It was indicated it was felt the building needed to be more fully investigated prior to this decision being made. It was indicated staff's opinion is being provided as information and may not be the task force's recommendation. Discussion ensued regarding how the task force wished to proceed. Items of concern regarded the size of the property be considered, whether or not it should be considered with the overall downtown development and whether or not the task force should be involved in specifics at this time. Opinions were expressed that the task force should hold open forums to receive input from the public and as many ideas as possible. Then the task force should begin to brainstorm and get down to more specifics such as the asbestos and environmental audit questions. Concerns were expressed regarding additional staff time being spent on the gathering of information until it is known whether or not the City actually owns the property. Additional discussion ensued regarding the need to receive public input and how to do so. It was also suggested task force members submit their views in writing. Consensus of the task force was that the next meeting date, December 12th, would be an additional organizational meeting at which time the task force would discuss how they wish to hold public forums and decide who they wished to specifically invite to these open forums. The open forums would then be the two meetings in January. It was requested that a list of groups the City has been notifying of the meetings be provided and the task force will determine those groups to whom they wish to send invitations. They would then discuss how to receive the input. A question was raised regarding whether or not the time frame which had currently been established for the completion of the task force's work was reasonable. Currently, the task force is shooting to complete their work by the end of March. It was requested the City Clerk approach the City Commission regarding what time frame they thought should be followed. Charlie Mason requested permission to address the task force. He reviewed his history in Clearwater and stated he had more than a passing interest in this project. He indicated he would like to be on the task force and pledged to be present. It was indicated the City Commission had appointed the members and that Mr. Mason needed to approach them regarding his request. The meeting adjourned at 6:29 p.m.