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HomeMy WebLinkAbout09202006 CRA an OF ~ _:.~.~.::::.:::. .. HOME OF PELICAN ISLAND COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY (CRA) (CITY COUNCIL) MINUTES WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 20,2006 - 5:00 P.M. CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS 1225 MAIN STREET, SEBASTIAN, FLORIDA 1. Mayor Burkeen called the CRA Meeting to order at 5:00 p.m. 2. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. On MOTION by Mr. Neglia and SECOND by Mr. Paternoster, Mr. McCollum's request to participate by telephone was approved on a voice vote of 4-0, and he was included in the meeting. 3. ROLL CALL Members Present: Mayor Brian Burkeen Council Member Andrea Coy Council Member Nathan McCollum (participating by telephone) Council Member Sal Neglia Council Member AI Paternoster Staff Present: City Manager, AI Minner City Attorney, Rich Stringer City Clerk, Sally Maio Finance Director, Shai Francis Growth Management Director, Rebecca Grohall Deputy City Clerk, Jeanette Williams 4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES A. June 28. 2006 On MOTION by Mr. Coy, and SECOND by Mr. Neglia the June 28, 2006 CRA Minutes were approved on a voice vote of 5-0. eRA Meeting Minutes September 20,2006 Page Two B. September 7.2006 On MOTION by Mr. Neglia, and SECOND by Ms. Coy, the September 7,2006 CRA Minutes were approved on a voice vote of 5-0. 5. NEW BUSINESS A. Review Indian River Drive/Main Street Proposal Desion Standards The City Manager reported on the design standards requested and displayed a revised conceptual drawing. (see drawing exhibited) He explained if the concept is favored, the first step would be to enter into negotiation on Ms. Boudrot's property and the budget would be dictated depending on where the numbers fall. In response to Mr. Neglia, the City Manager said the purchase of the Boudrot house would open up the Main Street/Indian River Drive area for use by the public and would be more aesthetically pleasing, safer for traffic and really work. He said with Council's direction, he would begin the process of negotiation for purchase of the property and then the design phase with public input, followed by construction. He said if this concept is not favored, the previous drawings could be reconsidered and other projects could be identified. He noted Ms. Boudrot did not come to the City and they went to her. The City Attorney pointed out a legal issue, whereby the road would have to shift westward to accommodate safety and parking issues, and then the City would be obligated to provide access to Ms. Boudrot for her property. The City Manager stated staff really favors the acquisition of the parcel. Mr. Neglia said Council looked at plans earlier on that worked without the Boudrot property. He said Ms. Boudrot said she just heard about this Sept. 7 and then later from Ms. Grohall; she recently requested two variances for the building; and it might have historical value. Mr. Neglia said he thought Mr. Jones would be here and said he read today in the newspaper that the property was assessed at $70,000. The City Manager said the whole project would be $1 million plus the value of her property. Mayor Burkeen said he thought they had given the City Manager consensus to proceed with an appraisal at the last meeting. He said he had doubts about the question of having to provide access, would agree to the purchase if the price was fair and it is a wonderful concept. Mr. McCollum said it is a good piece of property but would like a ballpark price on the property. Ms. Coy clarified that there are liability issues with large boats launching, and if the City swings Indian River Drive west, the City will lose parking and green space. The City Manager said the property purchase would be money well spent to get the feasible and workable concept. 2 eRA Meeting Minutes September 20, 2006 Page Three Ms. Coy asked if the City reached a price with Ms. Boudrot, does the City have to obligate the funds this year. The City Attorney said the funds would have to be obligated on a capital project to be performed within three years. Ms. Coy asked Ms. Boudrot if she was interested in this option and she answered yes. The City Manager said it is best to not publicly talk about the price, but to first go through the process and obtain the appraisal. Mr. Neglia asked the City Manager if Ms. Boudrot has given him numbers and the City Manager responded that they have talked numbers however, it is critical to do the appraisals. Ms. Boudrot said runnin~ into Ms. Grohall in the parking lot is the first time that she had follow-up on the Sept. 7 discussion. The City Manager said back in September and October, the thought that this might be a good idea came up, so staff internally started probing the idea before he talked to Council members about the concept. Council members individually favored the idea so he asked Ms. Grohall to approach Ms. Boudrot who said she may be interested. He said Ms. Boudrot is still working toward her original goal and would consider our proposal if there was a fair market value. Ms. Boudrot said she had a 1988 appraisal done, and really has no idea what the current value is. Ms. Coy asked her if she intended to stay in the area, noting that the City owns property that could exchanged. Ms. Boudrot said she would like to see what she wants to do there, and emphasized the generosity of the Council to allow her to do that, but in her heart she would like to see something go to the people of Sebastian so this would be a generous act on her part and she would be willing to move on. In response to Mr. Paternoster, Ms. Boudrot said someone approached her about putting in a coffee shop but it did not pan out. She said they did come up with a price but she would not talk about that right now, and she does have a bottom line figure and will not take less. Mr. Paternoster said he was concerned with the historic value that was discussed during the fayade grant and variances. Ms. Boudrot said it is a great old building, it has been condemned, but it is not listed as an historical building. She said she would like to see the building renovated and not be a parking lot, her plans should be ready soon, and has directed the contractor to proceed to file permits, noting she has obligations to her insurance company as well. Mr. Paternoster said he would have appreciated a copy of the conceptual plan, and asked where the parking for the old chamber building will be located. The City Manager said when the City gets more into this and redefine the area, we would like to keep as much 3 eRA Meeting Minutes September 20, 2006 Page Four green space as possible. The City Attorney said the parking spaces on the north side would satisfy our parking obligations. The City Manager said the purpose of the concept is to show what we can work off of and he is not asking Council to approve this plan. Mr. Paternoster said if there was a design with a median would the speed limit be lowered and the City Manager said he thought it would. Lisanne Monier, Riverfront District, said the Boudrot property comes with a dock and water rights and questioned whether this would give the City more rights that needs to be looked at. Donna Keyes, Sebastian resident and owner of property in CRA District, requested that Council consider purchasing Ms. Boudrot's property. Eugene Wolff, Wimbrow Drive stated before Council spends hundreds of thousands of dollars, two appraisals should be sought. Damien Gilliams, 1623 US 1, Sebastian, urged Council to get the appraisals done and then decide what we want to do there, so he felt that this was a waste of time. Mr. McCollum said getting the appraisals shouldn't slow anything down, and they could be available before any negotiations start. The City Attorney said two appraisals will be required if it wants to keep the price out of the public records. Mr. Paternoster requested the information from what the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) would allow on the property and what Ms. Monier talked about, and Mr. Neglia agreed with his request. The City Manager said he felt that before he spent any money on appraisals, he wanted to see how the concept would work. He said DEP and St. Johns River Water Management District will need to be contacted before the City can purchase. Ms. Coy said this is simple because the only expense the City is incurring are the appraisals, the conceptual plan is only a concept and if the idea is favored, the money has to be obligated. On MOTION by Ms. Coy and SECOND by Mr. Paternoster, the City Manager was directed to get two formal appraisals of Boudrot property on a roll call vote of 5-0. Mr. Paternoster asked if the price and the project is not favored, does Council want to go back to the original concept and the City Manager said they would. The City Manager said it will be two to four weeks to get the appraisals, then he would get with regulatory agencies, and he will provide the appraisals, the comments from the regulatory agencies and current conceptual plans for Council. The City Attorney stated DEP recognizes commercial and residential docks differently. 4 eRA Meeting Minutes September 20, 2006 Page Five Damien Gilliams said the motion should have said certified MAl, residential appraisal. Ms. Coy said she will let her motion stand and will trust the City Attorney's judgment as to type of appraisal. The City Attorney said it would be appraised at highest and best use. B. Provisional FY 2007 Community Redevelopment Budaet - Set Final Adoption for September 27. 2006 Ms. Coy asked on the Riverfront Redevelopment what is unobligated. The City Manager stated $821,242. He went on to recap the numbers and said he would try to get more info on gateway project before the 2ih meeting. Ms. Coy asked if we need to make the Main Street/Indian River Drive a line item. The City Manager explained that if the Agency liked the numbers, it would come back for formal adoption on the 2ih. Mr. Paternoster asked where the lighting in the park was and the City Manager said it is called corridor street landscaping. Mr. Neglia asked about the fayade improvement program was for just one applicant winner and the City Manager said it would be broken up as it was this year. He also asked about the Billero project and the City Manager stated there is potential for those monies to be transferred to another project. Mr. McCollum had no questions. The Mayor had no questions either. Lisanne Monier, pointed out that the Billero project is in limbo, the CRA could put in $90,000 worth of palm trees up and down the Riverfront District which would make a dramatic difference. She said last year the budget included art show funds, and she wanted Council to know she will work on the art show again if they would reconsider an advertising budget for a 2008 show. She said she believes it is a wonderful event for the City because it brings people in who spend money. She said she loses about $6,000 of her own profit to work on the art show. In response to Mr. Neglia, she said about $3600 was allocated for advertising in the past. Mr. Neglia asked if this would have been in special events expense. Donna Keyes, said before beautifying the district, codes must be enforced and she had provided photos to Council of properties in disrepair and sample properties well-cared for. Damien Gilliams said Council wanted a market value, as-is appraisal done. 5 eRA Meeting Minutes September 20,2006 Page Six On a MOTION by Mr. McCollum with a SECOND by Ms. Coy, it was the consensus of Council to proceed and come back to the 2ih meeting for formal adoption. 6. Being no further business, Mayor Burkeen adjourned the CRA Meeting at 6:15 p.m. Approved at the September 27,2006 CRA meeting. ~~ --- B an Burkeen, Mayor ,t11 = 6