02/04/2008
COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY MEETING MINUTES
CITY OF CLEARWATER
February 4, 2008
Present: Frank Hibbard Chair/CRA Trustee
Carlen Petersen CRA Trustee
John Doran CRA Trustee
George N. Cretekos CRA Trustee
Paul Gibson CRA Trustee
Also present: William B. Horne II City Manager
Jill S. Silverboard Assistant City Manager
Rod Irwin Assistant City Manager/CRA Executive Director
Pamela K. Akin City Attorney
Cynthia E. Goudeau City Clerk
Patricia O. Sullivan Board Reporter
The Chair called the meeting to order at 1:38 p.m. at City Hall.
To provide continuity for research, items are in agenda order although not
necessarily discussed in that order.
2 - Approval of Minutes
2.1 -Approve the minutes of the January 14, 2008 CRA meeting as submitted in
written summation by the City Clerk
Trustee Petersen moved to approve the minutes of the Community Redevelopment
Agency meeting of January 14, 2008, as recorded and submitted in written summation by the
City Clerk to each Trustee. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously.
3 - Community Redevelopment Agency Items
:
3.1 - Approve the agreement with CSDVRS, LLC, providing for the CRA to pay the City parking
fund $16,200 over 24 months to pay for parking needed by CSDVRS for its headquarters in
downtown Clearwater and authorize the appropriate officials to execute same.
The Economic Development and Housing staff successfully worked with CSDVRS, LLC
(Communication Service for the Deaf-Video Relay Services) to relocate their headquarters from
South Dakota to Downtown Clearwater. CSDVRS is the world’s first nationwide video relay
service provider. The firm specializes in the technology called voice carry-over (VCO) for the
deaf and hard-of-hearing. With VCO technology, the deaf and hard-of-hearing can speak
directly to the hearing caller using a standard telephone while viewing a Video Interpreter relay.
The hearing caller will hear the VCO user’s voice during the conversation.
The company chose the City of Clearwater over Maryland and Massachusetts as its new
headquarters. The company forecasted the creation of 45 jobs by December 31, 2008, and an
additional 17 by December 31, 2009, with an average annual wage of $69,666. To help induce
the creation of these 62 new full-time jobs, the qualified target industry tax refund incentive
(QTI) was approved by the State (OTTED), City of Clearwater, and Pinellas County in June
Community Redevelopment Agency 2008-02-04 1
2007. The aTI program provides pre-approved applicants refunds for corporate income taxes,
sales and use taxes, ad valorem taxes, and certain other taxes paid by the business. CSDVRS,
LLC can receive up to $651,000 over a five-year payout period. The City's portion of this
commitment is $65,100.
CSDVRS leased 6,000 square-feet at the Bank of America building located at 600
Cleveland Street, Suite 1000. The six-year lease includes only 17 paid parking spaces based
on 2.7 parking spaces per 1,000 square-feet. CSDVRS needs an additional 15 parking spaces
and is requesting economic assistance from the CRA to cover the cost. The CRA (Community
Redevelopment Agency) established the Economic Development Incentive Fund to encourage
job creation within the Downtown Business District. This program was used in the 1990s to
attract companies to Downtown. The projects are evaluated based on wage levels, capital
investment, economic impact, and commitment to the community. The Fund currently has
approximately $147,000.
Staff recommends that the CRA assist CSDVRS by providing a grant effective March 1,
2008, to pay the cost of 15 parking spaces in the Garden Avenue Garage for 24 months for the
following reasons: 1) Creation of jobs faster than the initial aTI program commitment by
December 31,2008 (49 full-time and 26 part-time jobs were created by October 1, 2007 at the
firm's downtown location); 2) Location of a downtown company headquarters; 3) Creation of
high-wage jobs (average wage is $69,966); and 4) Company may not be able to take advantage
of the full aTI award because of the firm's LLC structure.
The total commitment from the CRA over the two years will be $16,200. The CRA will
pay the City Parking System for the cost of providing the 15 parking spaces at $45 per space for
24 months. This parking incentive will be conditional upon confirmation of 30 full-time
employees at the firm's downtown location verified by a notarized letter from an officer of
CSDVRS and confirmed by Paychex Payroll Services report. Employment verification is
required semi-annually.
Trustee Petersen moved to approve the agreement with CSDVRS, LLC, providing for
the CRA to pay the City parking fund $16,200 over 24 months to pay for parking needed by
CSDVRS for its headquarters in downtown Clearwater and authorize the appropriate officials to
execute same. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously.
4 - Other Business
CRA Executive Director Rod Irwin reported the marketing brochure, highlighting the
entire City, is available.
5 - Adjourn
The meeting adjourned at 1 :45 p.m.
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