Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes September 4, Draft. City of Clearwater. City Hall 112 S. Osceola Avenue Clearwater, FL 33756

Transcription

1 City Hall 112 S. Osceola Avenue Clearwater, FL Meeting Minutes Tuesday, September 4, :00 AM Council Chambers Community Redevelopment Agency Page 1

2 Roll Call Present 5 - Chair George N. Cretekos, Trustee Doreen Caudell, Trustee Bob Cundiff, Trustee Hoyt Hamilton, and Trustee David Allbritton Also Present William B. Horne II City Manager, Jill Silverboard Deputy City Manager, Micah Maxwell Assistant City Manager, Pamela K. Akin City Attorney, Rosemarie Call City Clerk, Nicole Sprague Official Records and Legislative Services Coordinator, and Amanda Thompson CRA Executive Director. To provide continuity for research, items are listed in agenda order although not necessarily discussed in that order. Unapproved 1. Call to Order Chair Cretekos 2. Approval of Minutes The meeting was called to order at 9:19 a.m. at City Hall. 2.1 Approve the minutes of the August 13, 2018 CRA Meeting as submitted in written summation by the City Clerk. Trustee Allbritton moved to approve the minutes of the August 13, 2018 CRA Meeting as submitted in written summation by the City Clerk. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. 3. Citizens to be Heard Regarding Items Not on the Agenda None. 4. New Business Items 4.1 Approve an Interlocal Agreement with the Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) to provide staffing, Information Technology services, general administrative services and telephone services for the CRA, provide for the reimbursement of certain expenses by the CRA to the City and authorize the appropriate officials to execute same. As per Section , Florida Statues, allows that tax revenue in the redevelopment trust fund may be expended for undertakings of a community redevelopment agency, including providing for staff, as needed to implement the 2018 Clearwater Downtown Redevelopment Plan. The CRA agrees to provide TIF funding in a total amount not to exceed $500,000 for Fiscal Year to provide staffing for the CRA. Page 2

3 This total amount includes $24,020 for Information Technology Services and $2,000 for telephone services. These amounts are subject to adjustment and approval in the CRA budget each year. Trustee Caudell moved to approve an Interlocal Agreement with the Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) to provide staffing, Information Technology services, general administrative services and telephone services for the CRA, provide for the reimbursement of certain expenses by the CRA to the City, and authorize the appropriate officials to execute same. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. 4.2 Approve an Interlocal Agreement with the Downtown Development Board (DDB) to provide personnel, administrative and management services during Fiscal Year in the amount of $71,026, refund the CRA tax increment fee of $274,651 and authorize the appropriate officials to execute same. Florida Statutes requires all taxing authorities, which includes the DDB, to make an annual appropriation in an amount equal to the incremental increase in the ad valorem revenue within the CRA area. The DDB s increment payment is $274,651 according to the Pinellas County Property Appraiser s office. In a spirit of cooperation to further the downtown redevelopment plan, the CRA Trustees executed the first Interlocal Agreement in Fiscal Year to provide personnel, administrative and management services to the DDB and to refund the difference between the increment payment and the management fee. This is the twentieth fiscal year that the CRA would enter into the agreement. Pursuant to Florida Statute , the CRA and DDB can enter into this agreement in which the DDB agrees to perform certain responsibilities and functions including funding projects and programs consistent with the downtown redevelopment plan. The intent of this agreement is for the DDB and the CRA to work collaboratively on projects and programs that further downtown goals and objectives. The management of the DDB by CRA staff enables the CRA and the DDB to utilize the public dollars more efficiently. The DDB shall pay the CRA $71,026 for the services agreed to in the Interlocal Agreement. The DDB approved the Interlocal Agreement at their meeting on August 1, Trustee Cundiff moved to Approve an Interlocal Agreement with the Downtown Development Board (DDB) to provide personnel, Page 3

4 administrative and management services during Fiscal Year in the amount of $71,026, refund the CRA tax increment fee of $274,651 and authorize the appropriate officials to execute same. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. 4.3 Approve an Interlocal Agreement between the Clearwater Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) and the to provide CRA funding in Fiscal Year in the amount of $176, to underwrite the cost of additional Community Policing services by the Clearwater Police Department in the Downtown Gateway District, Prospect Lake District, and Downtown Core District, encompassed by the CRA to address quality of life issues, drug dealing, prostitution and homelessness and authorize the appropriate officials to execute same. Quality of life issues, drug dealing, prostitution, and homelessness, all negatively impact the implementation of re-development plans. Additional community policing resources are needed to effectively address these issues above and beyond the level provided by routine road patrol functions. An allowable funding source of this action item is the use of CRA Tax Increment Financing (TIF) funds. Florida Statutes allows for the use of TIF funds for community policing innovations in Community Redevelopment Areas. The CRA and Clearwater Police Department have reached an agreement on a proposed scope of services and terms as delineated in the Interlocal Agreement. Included in the scope is the delineation of specific, measurable crime reduction targets by which to monitor the success of the initiative as well as providing clear language required by statute assuring that the resources are applied to the CRA/East Gateway area. APPROPRIATION CODE AND AMOUNT: Funding for this interlocal agreement will be from CRA project code In response to questions, Police Chief Daniel Slaughter said the Department tracks the statistics in certain crime categories (i.e., robbery, aggravated battery, burglary, etc.) and over the course of this arrangement, the statistics are down 20%. The only change in the agreement is elimination of the spice and synthetic drugs focus; the agreement now includes language addressing drug in general. Chief Slaughter said the total cost for services increased by $1,351. The City Manager said staff provided the Trustees with a detailed summary of police activities for the CRA area; as long as there is a market for unlawful activity, police presence in the area will continue. Chief Page 4

5 Slaughter said it will be easier to trespass individuals from the City Hall site once City Hall is vacated. Trustee Hamilton moved to approve an Interlocal Agreement between the Clearwater Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) and the to provide CRA funding in Fiscal Year in the amount of $176, to underwrite the cost of additional Community Policing services by the Clearwater Police Department in the Downtown Gateway District, Prospect Lake District, and Downtown Core District, encompassed by the CRA to address quality of life issues, drug dealing, prostitution and homelessness and authorize the appropriate officials to execute same. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. 4.4 Approve the Fiscal Year Community Redevelopment Agency Preliminary Budget, adopt CRA Resolution and authorize the appropriate officials to execute same. With the adoption of the 2018 Clearwater Downtown Redevelopment Plan, the Community Redevelopment Agency has updated and realigned its project expenditures to facilitate implementation of the new plan. The major highlights of the Fiscal Year proposed preliminary budget are as follows: Tax Increment Revenue increased by $792,415 over the Amended budget, reflecting an increase in taxable value of approximately 20% in the original CRA area, and an increase in taxable value of approximately 9% in the expanded (Downtown Gateway) CRA. These compare with citywide 9.8% increase in value. Operating expenditures have increased by $166,282 to reflect an increase in the use of consulting services for projects identified in the Downtown Plan including utility studies, housing market studies, architectural and engineering services to determine redevelopment possibilities for buildings in the CRA and real estate appraisals. This portion of the budget also includes Information Technology charges as per City/CRA Interlocal Agreement, the pass through revenues to the Downtown Development Board (DDB) and the $100,000 agreement with Ruth Eckerd Hall for Blast Friday. Transfers Out to various projects have been designated in the CRA Plan. County TIF Funds, $1,602,371 for this fiscal year, are restricted to capital improvement projects and land acquisition. $1 million dollars of County funds are allocated towards land acquisition. The remainder of the funds will be used for wayfinding and trail improvements. $300,000 has been allocated towards Page 5

6 Placemaking and Downtown Marketing and Events to support programming and public art in Station Square, Second Century Studios and throughout the CRA. There will be an increased focus on public relations and targeted advertising campaigns through social media to increase foot traffic in Downtown. Finally, $250,000 has been allocated to incentivize the redevelopment of the commercial warehouse and adjacent greenspace on at 112 South MLK, Jr Avenue to redevelop it as a full-service restaurant, microbrewery and entertainment venue or a similar use. One new project code is being proposed, R Streetscape and Trail Improvements, to capture the new focus on improvements for the Pinellas Trail and streetscaping designs and projects throughout the CRA. In response to questions, CRA Executive Director Amanda Thompson said staff needs to submit the TIF report to Pinellas County in October before discussing an increase for the county portion. The Department currently has a vacant position that has been reclassified to a Public Relations and Programs Manager; candidates are being interviewed for the position. She said a part-time position may be needed to run the upcoming Dali Program next year. Trustee Allbritton moved to approve the Fiscal Year Community Redevelopment Agency Preliminary Budget. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. CRA Resolution was presented and read by title only. Trustee Caudell moved to adopt Resolution The motion was duly seconded and upon roll call, the vote was: Ayes: 5 - Chair Cretekos, Trustee Caudell, Trustee Cundiff, Trustee Hamilton and Trustee Allbritton 4.5 Approve an Agreement between the Community Redevelopment Agency and Ruth Eckerd Hall, Inc., a Florida non-profit corporation, to produce Downtown Clearwater s festival series (Blast Fridays, Miracle on Cleveland Street, Cruisin at the Capitol) in an amount not to exceed $100,000 for Fiscal Year and authorize the appropriate officials to execute same. The Community Redevelopment Agency proposes to contract with Ruth Eckerd Hall, Inc. to produce a downtown festival series that includes seven events, tentatively scheduled as follows: December 1, Miracle on Cleveland Street Page 6

7 January 25, Blast Friday Mid-February - Cruisin at the Cap (dates TBD) February 22, Blast Friday March 29, Blast Friday April 26, Blast Friday May 24, Blast Friday The Downtown Development Board has allocated $40,000 to help fund the festival series, subject to CRA favorable action. These events are signature events for Downtown and well attended. They are highly regarded by Downtown merchants who consistently report an increase in business during Blast Friday. CRA staff recommends approval of the Fiscal Year Agreement between the CRA and Ruth Eckerd Hall, Inc. APPROPRIATION CODE AND AMOUNT: Funding is available through Operating Budget Trustee Cundiff moved to approve an Agreement between the Community Redevelopment Agency and Ruth Eckerd Hall, Inc., a Florida non-profit corporation, to produce Downtown Clearwater s festival series (Blast Fridays, Miracle on Cleveland Street, Cruisin at the Capitol) in an amount not to exceed $100,000 for Fiscal Year and authorize the appropriate officials to execute same. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. 4.6 Approve an Interlocal Agreement between the Clearwater Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) and the to provide CRA funding in Fiscal Year in the amount of $97,260 to underwrite activities in the Clearwater Main Library that support community learning in the areas of Science, Technology, Engineering and Math, Entrepreneurship and small business growth and authorize the appropriate officials to execute same. The Clearwater Main Library is a partner in the Clearwater Business SPARK ecosystem of organizations working to support the development of entrepreneurship and small businesses throughout Clearwater. This partnership was prompted by the ULI report recommending public/private partnerships to encourage business growth in this area. The Main Library has a prominent position in the CRA area and will provide education and training in the Business and STEM areas through research opportunities, STEM maker space areas, classes and tutorials and meeting accommodation. Page 7

8 The CRA funding will pay one staff member to oversee these functions, assist with additional library hours to make the facility available when needed by the business community and provide educational and training opportunities. APPROPRIATION CODE AND AMOUNT: Funding will be from Library Activation Trustee Hamilton moved to approve an Interlocal Agreement between the Clearwater Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) and the to provide CRA funding in Fiscal Year in the amount of $97,260 to underwrite activities in the Clearwater Main Library that support community learning in the areas of Science, Technology, Engineering and Math, Entrepreneurship and small business growth and authorize the appropriate officials to execute same. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. 5. Director's Report CRA Executive Director Amanda Thompson said focus group meetings with property owners and tenants are scheduled for this Thursday at the Main Library; Tom Kennedy, a commercial broker, will be facilitating the focus groups. She will follow-up with those who are unable to attend with a survey. She said the Florida Center for Creative Photography has taken over Second Century Studios through October 12, Adjourn The meeting adjourned at 9:39 a.m. Chair Attest Community Redevelopment Agency City Clerk Page 8