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Home My WebLink About03222005 CRAC /dR./- ._h "'.,/~ '. "~''''':D'<.,.,<-~.-#,~~~ CH/URMAi~ . - .(BOJ.\RD) , ~It Cg[fJ[t\tQ~_ {,!"PROVED <:l-o..D. '/'.'-'" :s- ~._----,-,;-"';.ll:.::;: .'=;;;.;:0. f\Pf'A~~'IECr~_ CITY OF SEBASTIAN..___'" '~" ".".""" :;:='=-"' COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE ...~ MINUTES OF RE-SCHEDULED REGULAR MEETING MARCH 22, 2005 Chmn. Dill called the meeting to order at 6:03 P.M. and the pledge of allegiance was said by all. PRESENT: Warren Dill Tom Frame Damian Gilliams Joe Graham Patty Jamar Louise Kautenberg (a) EXCUSED: Juliet Bruno Beth Mitchell Richard Smith (Non-Voting Ex-Officio P&Z Chairman) ALSO PRESENT: Councilman Sal Neglia Rich Stringer, City Attorney Jan King, Growth Management Manager Dorri Bosworth, Secretary ANNOUNCEMENTS: Chmn Dill stated for the record that Richard Smith, Juliet Bruno, and Beth Mitchell are excused from the meeting, Rich Bethune and Mr. LeBoeouf have resigned from the committee, two committee members have been elected to City Council, Sal Neglia and Andrea Coy, and Ms. Kautenberg will be voting. Mr. Stringer verified that chairman elections are done the first meeting after new yearly appointments are made by City Council in the spring instead of the first meeting of the year in January. MINUTES: A motion was made by Gilliamsl/Graham to approve the minutes of February 14, 2005. A voice vote was taken and motion passed unanimously. It was clarified that Section 10.1 as discussed by the committee was attached to the minutes, not the revised version per the discussion. STATUS REPORT ON HURRICANE REPAIRS tN THE RIVERFRONT: Rich Stringer relayed that the Public Works Dept is very much underway with repairs including the rip-rap and fill behind the stones along the bank, completing the sidewalk, and DEP and St Johns permit work. Finance Dept confirmed there is not a cash-flow problem as insurance monies are being received. One item not covered by insurance or FEMA is the landscape hedge on the CavCorp property, which Public Works is considering replacing with a decorative fence. A representative from the department will be at the next meeting to discuss projects and plans for the riverfront area. Mr. Stringer also explained the boats that have washed up on shore not in the water will have to go through the code enforcement process for removal since they are now on private property. COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING OF MARCH 22, 2005 GATEWAY ENHANCEMENT PROJECT: Rich Stringer stated he had talked to Mr. Billero, owner of the western-most point of the CRA triangle, and that their development plans for the property included initial plans for a tower-type clock similar to the one proposed in the riverfront charrette plans. Rich had suggested to him that the CRA could help with the enhancements such as upgraded landscaping, signage, fountain in the proposed stormwater pond, etc. Mr. Billero offered to attend the next meeting for further discussion of the overall project with the committee. Mr. Gilliams and Chmn. Dill were concerned the enhancement project would have to wait until Mr. Billero's deveiopment was underway, which could be a year or so. Also, Mr. Billero's enhancement idea might not match the committee's vision. Chmn. Dill suggested that landscaping could still proceed, perhaps in the ROW, with the City coordinating with the County. DISCUSSION OF GRANT AND LOAN PROGRAMS Jan King referred to the copies of grant applications from Stuart, Palm Bay, and New Port Richey that the committee should peruse and decide how broad or defined the committee may want to set up their granVloan program. Rich Stringer stated there was three areas, sign age, landscaping, and roofing material, that early redevelopment tried to target. Rich suggested that if the committee choose what items will be worked on, decide grant or loan, and allocate a percentage of funds, staff could present to the committee in the near future a suggested format for the programs. Mr. Frame stated he would like to see a matching grants program supporting new signage with stringent standards. Rich Stringer suggested a "sunset" clause could be enacted within the LDC to give a defined time period in which all non-conforming signs would have to come into compliance, with the grant program a huge help to sign owners. Chmn. Dill stated any sign should not be eligible for grant money unless it comes before the committee, if OK with City Council. Joe Graham suggested having a Community Appearance Board, similar to the one used by Delray Beach and the committee discussed the idea. It was agreed to add a discussion on a possible Appearance Board to the next agenda. A low-interest loan program was discussed, and a loan & grant combination for projects above the minimum was suggested. Chmn. Dill questioned if there was available grants to CRA's for projects within the redevelopment area, allowing more monies in the TIF Fund to be used for a grant program and asked Mr. Stringer to research this. PROJECT AND PRIORITY DISCUSSION The Committee members each discussed project ideas they had for the redevelopment areas but will wait for a full membership after new appointments for discussion on prioritization. (Tape 1, side 2) Chmn. Dill, understanding it to be a very expensive project, would like to see the concrete power poles removed and establish underground utilities along US #1 and Indian River Drive. Also, he would like more landscaping in the riverfront and in Riverview Park, plans and ideas for more 2 COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING OF MARCH 22, 2005 parking in city streets between Indian River Drive and US #1, bandshell in the park, gateway project, and grant & loan program. Mr. Frame suggested decorative street lighting along US #1 and along the triangle on CR 512. Mr. Graham would also like to see a good landscape buffer all along the triangle, not just at the gateway project site. Mr. Gilliams stated land in the riverfront area was getting more expensive and would like to see land acquisition. Ms. Kautenberg would like to see parking information signs indicating public parking areas and times allowed for the general and visiting public. She feels the CavCorp parking area needs to become more user-friendly, especially during busy events, with clear-marked entrances and spaces. Mr. Frame suggested finding a new name for the "CavCorp" property. SUMMARY OF COMMENTS FROM THE ZONING TECHNICIAN Dorri Bosworth stated that her memorandum was to enlighten the committee with some of the obstacles new businesses or businesses going into existing or empty buildings have to consider before they can open, and suggested that any grant or loan program the committee initiates might consider monies to help with these obstacles. Rich Stringer suggested the committee have a session to decide how to budget the TIF Funds, i.e. 25% into incentive-based programs, 75% into capital projects, setting working guidelines. Then the incentive-based funds can be decided to cover only sign age, or signage and landscaping, or other grant programs, and at what maximum amounts, and percentages, i.e. 50- 50 matching grants. Chmn. Dill requested a written report from the Finance Director showing the anticipated funds the CRA will have to spend this fiscal year after expenses. COMMITTEE MEMBERS' COMMENTS: Chmn. Dill would like to see more proactive code enforcement on site plans within the riverfront, noting dying landscaping with no irrigation. Mr. Frame feels more consideration should also be given to the types of trees being planted and the soils referring to the struggling maple trees behind Taco Bell. Chmn. Dill was concerned with the amount of public and informational signs in the CRA, faded signs, and amount of "no parking signs". He would like the City to do a sign inventory and see if any of the "visual pollution" can be reduced. He hoped the City Council would not renew the light pole banners next year. (Tape 2, side 1) Requests for next month's agenda were: 1) Mr. Billero to attend regarding gateway enhancement project, 2) ideas for landscaping for gateway enhancement project, possibly from City Engineer and ROW ideas, 3) information from City Engineer regarding cost estimates for underground utilities in CRA, 4) financial information from Finance Director for further discussion of grant programs, 5) discussion on possible CRA Appearance Board, and 6) Public Works representative for update on city projects and work in the riverfront. Chmn. Dill adjourned the meeting at 7:37 p.m. (4/05/05 DB) 3