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HomeMy WebLinkAbout08092004 CITY OF SEBASTIAN COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING AUGUST 9, 2004 Chmn Dill called the meeting to order at 6:00 P.M. and the pledge was said by all. PRESENT: Warren Dill Damian Gilliams Joe Graham Wayne LeBeouf Louise Kautenberg (a) Sal Neglia Patty Jamar Juliet Bruno Beth Mitchell Rich Bethune Richard Smith (Non-Voting Ex-Officio P&Z Chairman) EXCUSED: Andrea Coy ALSO PRESENT: Rich Stringer, City Attorney Shai Francis, Director of Finance Susan Lorusso, Secretary Nathan McCollum, Mayor Joseph Barczyk, Vice Mayor Ray Coniglio, Councilman ANNOUNCEMENTS Chmn Dill noted Ms. Coy is excused and Ms. Kautenberg would be voting. MINUTES MOTION by Neglia/Graham "1 make a motion to approve the minutes of August 3, 2004." A voice vote was taken. Motion carried unanimously. CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS DISCUSSION Ms. Mitchell handed out copies of the 1991 study, which initiated efforts on the riverfront. She noted the three areas for parking as north, south and central portions of the district. Chmn Dill asked Ms. Francis, Finance Director to review the report she handed out to the committee. Ms. Francis explained the Riverfront Redevelopment Street Light Charges Analysis, which detailed the meter number, location, purpose and funding APPROVED APPROVED SUBJECT TO COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING OF AUGUST 9, 2004 source. Mr. Neglia asked how the lighting on Jackson Street was incorporated into the CRA and Mr. Stringer replied it was presented in the proposal to City Council. Mr. Frame arrived at 6:15 p.m. and took his seat. Ms. Francis continued her repod and explained that Professional Services has been increased to cover the expense of a separate audit. The mowing expense has been removed from the expenditures. Mr. Leboeouf asked if budget items can be changed during the fiscal year and Ms. Francis said budget amendments could be addressed four times a year. Under special events, Mr. Stringer explained the contractual obligations of the city for special events. The Foudh of July is a city event that the Lions Club administers and no funds have come out of the CRA for this event. The fine arts festival is worded as a city event and the chamber of commerce puts it on. The city is obligated to have overnight police, public works depadment will do maintenance and trash control, the city agrees to do a certain amount of advertising. On the clambake there is a promotional budget established and the only other requirement is that the city provides off-site parking. Ms. Francis added that the special events budget item also included the concerts in the park, the Christmas tree and decorations. There was continued discussion regarding the issue of the new lights and electric cost of operating them. Mr. Graham asked if an improvement in the CRA would cause a burden to the city in the future. Mr. Stringer said when bringing in new facilities it would be made clear that the operating expense associated with them would be from the CRA. This is a question because the lights were a replacement of existing lights and was projected as a decrease in cost. MOTION by Mitchell/Leboeouf "1 make a motion to [recommend to city council] accept the expenses as they have been outlined by city staff for operating expenditures in the total amount of $64,440 with a notation to City Council that two items, the public lighting and special events expense would be looked at again next year for purposes of being absorbed into the general fund." A voice vote was taken. Motion carried unanimously. BORROWING CAPACITY DISCUSSION Mr. Stringer explained that by law the city's general fund would not be obligated to pick up should there be a default by the CRA. Overall, the recommendation is for the next few years go off the revenues on a pay as you go project. At that point there would be a more established revenue stream. It was asked if the CRA went a longer term with a larger amount now, would it have a negative impact on the city's borrowing ability. Mr. Stringer said that is not looked at on the borrowing capacity because the city is nowhere near the millage cap. Ms. Mitchell requested staff to compile flow charts showing amount of money, interest rate, yearly payments, obligations, time frame, how much can be borrowed over the next 3 to 5 years and bring this information to the next meeting. Mr. Smith suggested using $2.5 million as a basis. Chmn Dill requested to see a range from half million to three million dollars. Mr. Frame added that timing is critical, as the 2 COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING OF AUGUST 9, 2004 monies must be spent within a 3-year time period. Mr. Stringer explained that was true but the project does not necessarily have to be completed within three years. Mr. Graham commented that land purchases would be viewed favorably as the land could be considered collateral. Mr. Stringer summarized that the city is not obligated to cover the CRA and lending institutions don't consider the city's general fund when figuring borrowing power of the CRA. CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS Ms. Mitchell began reviewing the three most impodant issues brought up by the committee last meeting, which were parking, underground utilities and landscaping. Mr. Stringer said part of the committee's task is to find projects that meet the overall goal of the CRA District. Chmn Dill opened discussion on parking issues and land purchases. Properties discussed were the Sembler land, Sebastian Square and the city property in the triangle. Mr. Gilliams offered a four piece of property to be considered, Paradise Marina has land that runs from U.S. Highway 1 down to the river with a dock. Ms. Mitchell suggested the committee look at mu[ti-use properties and Mr. Neglia felt the Sembler property should not be purchased by the city and left for private development. Mr. Graham noted that feasibility studies are needed for the properties in question to determine which would produce the best value for the dollar. He added that the trolley issue is something that should be looked at for both the tourist value and city populace. Ms. Kautenburg stated she was opposed to spending more money on consultants and felt the object of the CRA is to improve and enhance the district for everyday use as well as special events. Mr. Neglia felt adequate parking is available for local businesses and boat trailer parking needs to be addressed. Ms. Kautenburg was concerned about the historically significant properties in the CRA that may not meet the code for parking. Chmn Dill recapped that parking is a prime concern and there is the issue of objective standards to review each piece of property. Chmn Dill asked if the $75,000 could be committed to a general project like parking. Mr. Stringer said it must be spent on a specific project this year or put into a capital improvement project over three years. If it is not used it would revert to where it came from, part to the general fund and part to the county. No extensions would be granted, it must be designated to a 3-year capital improvement project or spent. Chmn Dill asked the committee members to bring ideas for disbursement of the $75,000 to the August 30th meeting. Ms. Mitchell noted in the letter submitted by Ms. Coy the Sebastian Boulevard mixed-use district gateway treatment has a cost of $460,000. Since the committee must make a commitment, couldn't we commit $300,000 through 2005. We could then commit another $100,000 from the '05-'06 budget would take care of that project. Mr. Stringer addressed Mr. Neglia's concerns regarding an application going before Planning and Zoning for an auto service facility on CR512 and Louisiana Avenue. He reminded the committee that they are not a policy making board but are empowered to review the CRA Plan and use available funds to implement the plan. Mr. Gilliams suggested committee members drive by the properties discussed earlier and see what each has to offer the district. Ms. Mitchell asked how the objective information would be obtained. Mr. Stringer offered a layout of the properties involved and some suggestions on potential uses for them. COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING OF AUGUST 9, 2004 Chmn Dill adjourned the meeting at 8:35 p.m. (8/11/04 SBL) 4