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HomeMy WebLinkAbout01232008CRA MinutesCtiY OF E~A~ 5~,; __ HOME OF PELICAN ISLAND COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY (CRA) (CITY COUNCIL) AGENDA WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 23, 2008 - 5:30 pm CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS 1225 MAIN ST, SEBASTIAN, FL Mayor Coy called the CRA Meeting to order at 5:30 p.m. 2. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. 3. ROLL CALL City Council Present: Mayor Andrea Coy Vice-Mayor Sal Neglia Council Member AI Paternoster Council Member Dale Simchick Council Member Eugene Wolff Staff Present: City Manager, AI Minner City Attorney, Rich Stringer City Clerk, Sally Maio Deputy City Clerk, Jeanette Williams Airport Director, Joseph Griffin 4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES A. 8/22/07 Meeting B. 9/19/07 Meeting On MOTION by Mr. Neglia and SECOND by Ms. Simchick the 8/22/07 and 9/19/07 minutes were approved with a unanimous voice vote. 5. OLD BUSINESS A. Update on Indian River Drive/Main Street Protect (Schulke Update, Drawing, Facility Location Alternate Plans A-D, Dept of Army No Permit Required Verification, SJRWMD Letter, Bio-Tech Letter) Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting January 23, 2008 Page Two The City Manager stated there are two unresolved issues: #1-Restroom facility and #2-the Hardee Oak. He said a second arborist's opinion was that the tree may be salvageable. Joseph Schulke, Schulke, Bittle and Stoddard, Project Engineer stated he has been working on the project for eight months and distributed an update with sketches and a set of 11 x 17 construction drawings to each member. He explained the Boudrot dock submerged land lease was exchanged for an observation pier lease in the City's name with St. Johns River Water Management District (SJRWMD). Mr. Schulke said in response to Council, several bathroom locations were shown with a smaller building which will not affect the SJRWMD permit since it is a decrease in pervious surface. Mr. Schulke then explained early plans were prepared with the Hardee Oak tree as the focal point because of its historical value and in September an alternate plan was submitted with a fountain as the focal point. Mr. Schulke said he did prepare a plan to save the tree if it was directed by City Council. With the site plan on the overhead projection, he explained that a plan shared with Larry Vickers an arborist with Jimmy's Tree Service, included matching the grades as much as possible, place a stamped structural slab on the west side so the soil and roots would not be tilled, remove north/south pavement as carefully as possible, aerate and mulch around it, treat the tree now for root growth, fertilizer, and boring insects and during construction, place a barricade around the tree. He said the first arborist did not have the benefit of the proposed plan, the City's code, believed significant grade changes would occur, the tree would not be prepared; leading to his opinion that the tree would not survive construction. In response to the City Manager's question of tearing up the road, Mr. Schulke explained that conduits could be placed under the road for the future if the tree does not survive and a fountain is installed. He asked that if Council could give direction on bathroom location, the tree, hiring an arborist now, he would then move forward with the landscape design plans, submit it to Planning & Zoning Commission, meet with the County on signalization, submit civil landscape plans to Council, resubmit any revisions and then seek approval for site work bidding. Mr. Robert Pliska stated the project is not needed and a city wide development plan is needed beginning on the south side of the City and worked up to the north. Ruth Sullivan, Indian River Drive, said this is a boating community and the Yacht Club was developed to encourage boaters to move to Sebastian. She said the bathroom by the ramp would slow the boat traffic and suggested placing the bathroom by the Chamber building. Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting January 23, 2008 Page Three Chuck Lever suggested using the tax money to fix up US1, Indian River Drive, remove the CITGO Station, put in finger docks, have a shuttle service and concession stand for the boaters. He also said nothing in the plan suggests a benefit to businesses or residents and presented 230 more signatures against the project. (Mr. Lever submitted the petition to the City Clerk, see cover page attached) Cindy Falco-DiCorrado, owner of the Victorian Lady, was shocked to hear of the proposal to make a concrete parking lot for boaters, and there are many other people in the community who have needs. Harry Tanner, Belfast Terrace talked about Capt. Robert Hardee who planted the landmark tree in 1891. He asked to save the tree. Lisanne Monier, property owner, CRA business owner, said a vision needs to start with a focal point and this is incredible beginning and other things will follow. Richard Gilmore, 744 Kroegel Street, said change without a vision is bad change and the current situation is unsafe from a boater's point of view. Tom Collins, riverfront property owner, taxpayer, has been opposed to the project, said it would be a waste of prime real estate since boat trailers will sit from sunrise to sunset and there will not be retail activity from these boaters. He suggested installing a breakwater for the existing marina or boat lifts so that the boats could stay in the water, freeing up the dock. He also pointed out that the Yacht Club could be leased out, and asnack/bait shop added. (Mr. Collins provided documents to the City Clerk for distribution to Council) John Drawe, Sebastian sailboat owner, requested the overhead power lines be removed for tall sailboats which will make the area a lot safer. William Schulke, Larkspur Street, past Power Squadron commander, stated in the last year the Power Squadron has certified 1200 boaters in Sebastian and Vero Beach. He said he is aware of many people trying to grow Hardee acorns. Damien Gilliams, stated this is bad for the Village shops, the Mayor is going to do what she wants because Mr. Schulke donated to her campaign. The Mayor issued his first warning. Louise Kautenburg said this is probably not the highest and best use for this property but whatever is done will probably be wrong a hundred years from now but it will be changeable. She also said boating is important to this community. Beth Mitchell read a letter of support from the Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors into the record. She also said the number one benefit of the project is that it will create a destination point for our community. (see attached) Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting January 23, 2008 Page Four Todd Klitenic, Barber Street, said this may not be the right thing to do because 50- 60 spaces are needed for boats. He pointed out that Council voted against $350,000 for the Archie Smith fish house which would have helped commercial fishermen but is supporting this $2,000,000 project for recreational fishermen. Bill Bodon, Easy Street, said this project will provide benefits to the community and once completed will be a crowning impact to business in our community. With the hour being 7:00, Mayor Coy suggested extending the meeting for a half hour after a ten minute break. Mr. Wolff suggested continuing the meeting at another time. Ms. Simchick agreed with the Mayor. Mr. Neglia wanted to finish the meeting. Mr. Paternoster wanted to look to another meeting. MOTION by Ms. Simchick and SECOND by Mayor Coy to extend the meeting for another half hour. Results of the voice vote are as follows: Ayes: Coy, Simchick, Neglia Nayes: Paternoster, Wolff Carried 3-2 A recess was called at 7:02 p.m. and upon return at 7:12 p.m., all members were present. Mayor Coy stated the purpose of the meeting is to consider the update and give direction and if a member wanted to go in another direction a motion should be made. Mr. Neglia suggested making the utility closet a breezeway on the bathroom design. Mr. Paternoster pointed out there has not been any accidents at the ramp, this will create a stacking problem from US1 onto Main Street. He suggested using the money for facades, landscaping, directional signs to fix up the area instead of a parking lot. The Mayor asked him to stay on the update and asked if he wanted to make motion. Mr. Paternoster said he wanted to continue what he was saying. The Mayor gaveled him. He said he is a representative of the people. The Mayor called for a point of order. Mr. Paternoster said he would continue to talk. Mayor asked the record to show that this was inconsiderate for his fellow Council Members and asked him to make a motion if he wanted to do so. MOTION by Mr. Paternoster and SECOND by Ms. Simchick to extend the meeting for another thirty minutes. Voice vote carried 5-0. Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting January 23, 2008 Page Five Mr. Paternoster said there has to be something for people to do, promote businesses, put amenities on the riverfront such as a tram/jitney to get people around. Ms. Simchick asked if CRA meetings have time limits. The City Attorney said there are no formal procedures for CRA meetings and technically the motion was for "not to start the Council meeting at 7:00 p.m." Ms. Simchick said she liked the bathroom location on circle page 25 and the tree's purpose is to preserve history and the City is obligated to save the tree. Mr. Wolff said the project is too expensive, 27 boat spaces will fill early in the morning and it was preposterous to think that the spaces will provide benefits. He pointed out the second arborist has a vested interest in the Oak and he did not support putting the tree on life support. He suggested putting up a plaque to remember the Hardee Oak. The Mayor said the project has been in the works for four years, we've had 21 public meetings and the plan has evolved over time. She pointed out that it will provide 39 car spaces which will help shops, and the parking spaces and restroom are amenities. She liked the bathroom location south on the riverfront and supports saving the tree. MOTION by Mr. Paternoster and SECOND by Mr. Wolff to table the issue until such time it can be re-evaluated and possibly do some type of modifications on Main Street/Indian River Drive and utilize additional monies that would have gone to the bulk of this project to see if it can assist the CRA district in another aspects. Roll Call on the motion result was as follows: Ayes: Paternoster, Wolff Nays: Neglia, Simchick, Coy Failed 2-3 MOTION by Ms. Simchick and SECOND by Mr. Neglia to move forward with the project, observing the historic tree LDC preservation section 54-3-14-2 and table the bathroom issue. Roll Call on the motion result was as follows: Ayes: Simchick, Coy, Neglia Nayes: Paternoster, Wolff Passed 3-2 Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting January 23, 2008 Page Six The City Manager recapped that he will go ahead with saving the tree, redefine the road there, start developing the plans with the bathroom as located on circle page 25. He also noted that if more discussion is needed meetings can be scheduled but will not happen until there is progress to report. He also offered to provide an updated time-line for the project. 6. NEW BUSINESS -none. 7. Being no further business, Mayor Coy adjourned the CRA Meeting at 8:02 p.m. A roved at theme ,~.,l.r ~~--~'~ f~'<'r. pp ~~~' `-~ CRA meeting. /i Andrea Coy, Mayor ATT S,T.~ ` ~~ ~...__ ~~: ~ r Sally A. M~i6, MMC -City Clerk • a ~E~~~~oN We the undersigned residents of the City of Sebastian, County of Indian River, State of Florida, do hereby affix our signatures to this page in opposition to what has been dubbed the "Indian River Drive/Main Street Improvement Project." The cost of this project is estimated to be, 1.9 million dollars. It is our considered opinion that the proposed engineering desig~i, in its present form, is not beneficial to our public, boaters and motorists. Correspondingly, the present design permits the obliteration of an existing park, located. behind the Chamber of .Commerce, to make way for a parking lot. We are not in favor of eliminating our park for this purpose. ~Ve firmly believe through further study of this project, a more economical and improved design could be engineered to achieve the desired. goal. We strongly urge our elected City Council to reconsider this matter prior to any advancement or approval of the project. Print Name Address ~ Signature . _ , . ~ ~~ ,,//11 ~[ ~/ ,rte/ .{'~.~ ~D t'~ l`. .^' /`j~~_ -~ ~f `! ~., ~S ~p (~ f I,/~j «Ti~~f. xs - F ~, C' ® .. Jx~ /~1 y 6~ ,- ,p / r / ~ ;. ~~.-bf ~ fi~ l.~ ~ ~~-- ~ f ,F; Fri _ ..~ l/ f ~ ~~,_, r ~> ' r y- ~/' ~ ~ ,i -'~ ~.? v A ~ / f~ ~ ~^ A' `~s..~ ~ 1 ' /j ,y• ~' ~V .S~ C 4L~ l/'l/ :.~ T ~'~` ~1 '~g'.- /" 1 l ~( 1,~' . ~J /'~ ~,,-,~'1 ~ ~ ~ r e ~ ~ G"~Q~~~.~"~ 7 ~ ~ G J ac~K,vE ~~~~ ~a ~ ~Ay~~- - ~ ~,~; ~ o ~ o ~ ~ X10 l 1~a~ ~-+ s ~ ~o~s ~ ~ ~~ ~~ /~G ~ -Z ` ~ Page of ~- ,~ k ~ CM'~M BEIZ OF COM M E1ZCE ~.z d;""t c-~ C_ ^..7 -rl ~~ -- .. C - ~~ July 23, 2007 r- rr: N Cj .: _.5.. Ti i r. n ~-,- The Honorable Mayor Andrea Coy and Council Members Simchick, Neglia, Paternoster and Wolff c~ n ' City of Sebastian ~- -:. 1225 Main St. cn ~'_ Sebastian, Florida 32958 °o Re: Indian River Dr./Main St. Improvement Project, CRA Public Workshop Dear Mayor Coy and Council Members: The Board of Directors of the Sebastian River Area Chamber of Commerce would like to express full support for the Indian River Dr./Main St. Improvement Project. The Chamber is enthusiastic with the proposal, which would improve the area in a number of ways. The proposed improvements, while perhaps not yet finalized, will provide benefits to the community, residents, boaters, and visitors to the central riverfront area and retail businesses within the CRA district. By creating a sense of the "heart" of Sebastian, with safer boating facilities, and parks and open space, with an unobstructed view to the Indian River Lagoon, the City would be fulfilling the mission statement of the CRA, and vastly improving one of the City's most valuable resources, the riverfront. This project will provide more public access with usable green space, improved parking, historical features and other amenities that potentially will draw people to the downtown Sebastian area. It should be noted that the City of Sebastian originally created the CRA as a means to ensure that the downtown. and surrounding vicinity would develop with a coherent community vision, and to encourage reinvestment throughout the CRA. Council members have recently expressed strong support for economic development in our community as a method of increasing the City's tax base and increasing revenues beyond the ad valorum tax base. Infrastructure improvements within the CRA are specifically designed to help accomplish the Councils long term goals. As a side note, it is easy to remember the public discussions in 1995 when that Council contemplated the installation of a sidewalk along Indian River Drive. It is fair to say that that public works project almost single handedly transformed the public access to the waterfront, and clearly improved our resources to the benefit of the entire community. We believe the proposed Indian River Dr./Main St. Improvement project will have the same positive impact upon our community and we are asking you to support it. Thank you for your consideration. Very truly your ~ Beth L. Mitchell Executive Director 700 MAIN STKEET • SEBASTIAN, FL 32958 PHONE: (772) 589.5969 • FAX: (772) 589-5993 www.SebastianChamber.com Email: Info C~SebastianChamber.com