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HomeMy WebLinkAbout05092005 CRAC CITY OF SEBASTIAN COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING MAY 9,2005 Chmn. Dill called the meeting to order at 6:01 P.M. and the pledge of allegiance was said by all. PRESENT: Warren Dill Joe Barczyk Ray Coniglio Damien Gilliams AI Paternoster Cory Richter Louise Kautenburg (a) Carolyn Corum Donna Goff Michael Kidde Nancy Paternoster Ed Seeley Richard Smith ~p~ CHAIRMAN (601~RD) Co::. ~ ':if~,r-l~ APPROVED.. . DATE (!;)S- APPROVEO SUBJECT TO ~ EXCUSED: ALSO PRESENT: Rich Stringer, City Attorney _. Trace Hass, Growth Management Director Jan King, Growth Management Manager Dorri Bosworth, Secretary Patricia Jamar, Ex-Officio Member - ANNOUNCEMENTS: Chmn Dill stated for the record that Carolyn Corum and Louise Kautenberg are excused from the meeting, and asked that new members give the board secretary their best telephone number to be reached for contact and information. He welcomed all the new committee members and appointees and stated he looked forward to working with them. The new members introduced themselves. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: A motion was made by Coniglio/Barczyk to approve the minutes of March 22, 2005. A voice vote was taken and motion passed unanimously. OLD BUSINESS: A) Update of City Projects and Repairs in CRA District - T. Hill, PW Director: Mr. Hass apologized for Mr. Hill's absence, who could not be present to update the committee because he was attending the Hurricane Conference in Tampa. Mr. Hill requested that he be re- scheduled to another meeting. B) Discussion of CRA Financial Statement provided by Finance Director Chmn. Dill reviewed the figures on the statement provided from Shai Francis, Finance Director, and explained TIF funding (Tax Increment Financing) to the new members. He informed the committee of proposed legislation that was not passed regarding CRA's and TIF funding and had additional information about the legislation if anyone was interested. Discussion was held COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING OF MAY 9,2005 regarding the different events and riverfront activities monies from the CRA account helped sponsor. Mr. Seeley requested to see the report itemized with more details on specific expenditures such as special events and committed monies from the fund balance that were spent last fiscal year and the proposed budget for the coming year. C) Discussion of Cost Estimates for Underground Utilities and Decorative Street Lights Mr. Hass went over a memo received from Dave Fisher, City Engineer, regarding his very, very preliminary estimate for installing underground electrical utilities along US Highway #1 and possibly Indian River Drive, which he had received from Dennis Pagano of FPL. The figure was 2 to 2.5 million dollars per mile to deal with all parties and items needed or involved. Mr. Dill explained that this project was being explored because it was an item on the Committee's priority list, but not a project in the near future, possibly a bond project when the CRA had more money in its budget. Mr. Richter inquired to the approximate miles involved. Staff estimated it could be from south limit line (the old WalmartlBeals) to the north limit line (St. Sebastian Catholic Church) or an area within the downtown (Main Street area). Mr. Coniglio also suggested looking into alternative sources of transferring the lines and poles to existing utility easements and ROW's behind properties and other sources of monies for the project such as grants. Mr. Gilliams suggested contacting Senator Pruitt or Stan Mayfield for state funding sources and Mr. Dill added contacting the Florida Redevelopment Agency for additional guidance. NEW BUSINESS: A) Discussion of Initiating a CRA Appearance Board Mr. Dill explained previous discussions the committee had regarding the frustration of seeing new site plans or existing properties within the riverfront, though meeting code when approved, letting their landscaping deteriorate and not replacing dead plants or trees. Joe Graham had relayed that Delray Beach's CRA had used an Appearance Board to keep properties looking nice and meet the intent of the development area. The appearance board would be used just for the CRA and wouid work with staff. The board would review landscaping, signage, colors, etc. and either make recommendations to the Planning and Zoning Commission or issue their own approvals or denials. Mr. Coniglio inquired if any of the appearance board's review would be a duplication of the Planning and Zoning Commission's review, and thought the board should be used for existing sites and maintenance of approved plans. Mr. Hass agreed that another review board was not needed, but a board with enforcement authority for landscaping and appearance in the commercial corridors would be a big help to staff as current code enforcement staff is very busy with mainly residential complaints. Mr. Coniglio asked how items would get to the board, and Mr. Hass replied most likely through non-compliance complaints from staff or residents or even board members. (Tape 1, side 2) Mr. Smith agreed that another review board was not needed, no need to re-invent the wheei, but enforcement of an approved plan, replacement of a dead tree, etc. was needed. Mr. Coniglio felt newly approved site plans and development in the CRA district were great but that the grandfathered-In sites were those not up to par with recent code requirements of the riverfront 2 COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING OF MAY 9,2005 district and current code enforcement attitude was for minimal compliance so not to be cited. The CRA Committee and possibly the appearance board should be finding ways to bring these minimal sites and "blighted" sites above and beyond minimal requirements. Mr. Dill reminded that Boards with code enforcement authority are created and regulated by Florida State Statutes. Mr. Hass said the city attorney would be consulted regarding the creation of an appearance board with code enforcement powers. Mr. Coniglio suggested the proposed CRA staff position, to be discussed as the next agenda item, could be given code enforcement officer duties for the riverfront. B) Discussion of Funding for eRA Staff Position Tracy Hass explained that the CRA staff position had been requested for the last three years thru the annual budget process but was turned down. Last year the position almost came to fruition as a compromise of a Planner/CRA Manager position in which part of the funding came from the Generai Fund and part from the CRA budget. The duties would be split with daily planning functions and CRA specific issues, implementation of the CRA Master Plan, and staff liaison to the Committee. Tracy is requesting the position again this year and would like the committee's support. The Growth Management Department has been without a city planner for seven years and feels this joint position is sorely needed. The proposed salary wouid be $40,000 to $42,000 with a benefits package for a total of approximately $50,000 with $25,000 coming from the CRA budget. Mr. Dill agreed that the committee and the CRA could not function as it was meant to without strong staff support. Mr. Coniglio stated this would be a logical solution to help the CRA Committee move forward with the desires of the committee. Mr. Gilliams mentioned that he thought there was a program through the Fiorida League of Cities for administrative help on an annual contractual basis, and that he would like to see the position not split, but full-time for the committee. Mr. Hass stated it would be secretarial and not a professional with planning or redevelopment expertise. Mr. Smith was for the split position, and not for the contractual idea. Mr. Seeley strongly agreed with the needed position and with the CRA budget contributing 50%. Mr. Kidde stated that growth was the current issue in Sebastian and that a lot of that growth would be in the CRA areas so the position seemed like a logical request and need. Mr. Paternoster inquired if the board would be responsible for also subsidizing half of a retirement program. Mr. Hass stated the City offers a deferred compensation program (457 or 401 K) and the figures previously stated include the 9% city contribution. Mr. Dill requested that staff look into Mr. Gilliams' suggestion of a contractual position through the Florida League of Cities or the Florida Redevelopment Agency and bring back any information. A motion was made by Coniglio/Seeley "That the CRA Committee conceptually approves funding a position within the Planning Department to the extent of 50% of that person's costs subject to receiving from the Planning Department details on the costs of the position and job duties and what that person would do." A voice vote was taken and motion passed unanimously. 3 COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING OF MAY 9, 2005 PUBLIC INPUT: Beth Mitchell, Executive Director of the Chamber of Commerce, offered to give a presentation to the Committee regarding the events that the Chamber is involved with the CRA money, and requested that the Committee ccntinue to work diligently initiating the grant program previously discussed at earlier meetings, coordinating through the budget process. Mr. Coniglio requested that the Stuart Community Redevelopment Fagade Improvement Grant Program and Boynton Beach grant information be added to the next agenda for the Committee to study, review, and initiate and make a recommendation to City Council. COMMITTEE MEMBERS' MATTERS: (Tape 2, side 1) Mr. Barczyk asked to be updated on the CRA Triangle proposed overlay amendments and Mr. Hass gave a brief history and review of the activities and that it was currently before City Council. Mr. Barczyk also requested more lighting be added to Riverview Park for nighttime events. Mr. Coniglio would like the ccmmittee to initiate some "plan of action" regarding the Cain/Snowshoe House, possibly moving it from it's current location at the park using grant resources or Scenic Highway Funding. Ms. Jamar, Ex-Officio Member, stated she was frustrated that projects did not seem to be getting of the ground, and suggested the ccmmittee focus on a project, get a goal, and get it done. Election of Chairperson and Vice Chairperson Mr. Coniglio nominated Cory Richter for Chairman. There were no other nominations. A voice vote was taken. Mr. Gilliams requested a roll call. Mr. Barczyk Mr. Coniglio Mr. Gilliams Mr. Paternoster Mr. Richter No Yes No Yes Yes Mr. Dill Yes Ms. Goff Yes Mr. Kidde Yes Ms. Paternoster Yes Mr. Seeley No Mr. Richter was elected Chairman 7-3. Mr. Gilliams nominated AI Paternoster for Vice Chairman. Mr. Coniglio nominated Ed Seeley, who declined the nomination. Mr. Coniglio then nominated Warren Dill, who also declined. There was one nomination. Roll call was taken: Mr. Seeley Mr. Richter Ms. Paternoster Mr. Paternoster Mr. Kidde Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Ms. Goff Mr. Gilliams Mr. Dill Mr. Coniglio Mr. Barczyk Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Mr. Paternoster was elected Vice Chairman 10-0. 4 COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING OF MAY 9,2005 ATTORNEY MATTERS: None STAFF MATTERS: Jan King informed the committee members: 1) She had Boynton Beach and Delray Beach's CRA master plans and all grant information in her office, The information was massive for copying and suggested committee members could review the information in the Growth Management Department and copy what they needed. 2) The decorative streets lights along Indian River Drive cost approximately $2,000 a piece with installation. 3) The committee had requested staff to inquire if the Engineering Department could design a iandscape plan for the triangle enhancement project. Engineering had to deciine because of their workload and being short staffed. However, there was a possibility that this project could be worked on by the Engineering Interns, but only when they were directed by City Councilor by the City Manager's office. 4) Public Input was added to the agenda as a line item by request of City Council. Mr. Kidde, landscape architect for Kimbly-Horn Engineering, volunteered his design services for the project. Mr. Dill suggested talking to staff to get updated on logistics, thoughts and ideas of the Committee and thanked him for his offer. A motion was made by Gilliams/Goff to "instruct the landscape architect that sits on our board to meet with Tracy and also meet with (Mr.) Billero and bring us something back to the next meeting." Mr. Dill thought it was inappropriate to direct another member of the committee to do something thru a motion. The time by Mr. Kidde was volunteered. A voice vote was taken, Mr. Gilliams voted in favor, the rest of the committee voted nay. Motion was denied. Chmn. Dill adjourned the meeting at 8:10p.m. (6/07/05 DB) 5