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HomeMy WebLinkAbout07092008CRA MinutescmoF HOME OF PELICAN ISLAND COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY (CRA) (CITY COUNCIL) MINUTES WEDNESDAY, JULY 9, 2008 - 5:30 pm CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS 1225 MAIN ST, SEBASTIAN, FL The Mayor called the 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 MIS Systems Analyst, Rob Messersmith Finance Director, Ken Killgore Growth Management Director, Rebecca Grohall Police Chief, Jim Davis Police Lieutenant, Michelle Morris 4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES A. 3/26/08 Meeting MOTION by Mr. Paternoster and SECOND by Mr. Neglia to approve the 3/26/08 meeting minutes passed on a voice vote of 5-0. CRA Meeting July 9, 2008 Page Two 5. OLD BUSINESS A. Authorization to Proceed -Indian River Drive/Main Street Project (City Manager Transmittal, Updated Cost Estimate/Budget; P & Z Minutes, Vegetation Charts, Final SBS Design, Alternate SBS Design and Restroom Concept Under Separate Cover -This Backup will be also be used for City Council Meeting) The City Manager said the presentation will include an explanation by the City Attorney as to the way this project is agendized this evening, a recap from him, and an update from Joe Schulke, the project engineer. The City Attorney explained the CRA members are looking at this as a separate entity as their budget expenditures are not reviewed by City Council, but since the Council sits as the CRA, they will look at it twice and he suggested the motion include "Authorization to expend up to a certain amount for the CRA project and defer further management of the project to the City Council." The City Manager reviewed the history of the project through a PowerPoint presentation. (attached) Joe Schulke, Schulke, Bittle & Stoddard, said up to this point the construction plans have been finalized to apply for permits, an electrical engineer has been retained to design a control panel for the street lights, bathroom, irrigation and memorial area lighting. He said the Planning and Zoning Commission endorsed the plan with one-way traffic. He displayed the original plan and proposed plan on the overhead projector and provided copies to Council (attached) noting he preferred the first submitted plan because it is easier to observe congestion and provides more area to maneuver a boat; however both plans will work. He then displayed an aerial of Vero Beach's Riverside Park's boat ramp which is a similar layout to Main Street. Public Comment Cindy Falco asked how often Mr. Schulke observed the traffic at the Main Street boat ramps as she has seen many backups and major issues. Mr. Schulke said his staff has been observing the ramps on recent Saturdays. Ms. Falco said she has seen many issues in the area and this is a bad idea all the way around. Mr. Paternoster asked for specific dates and times of his staff observations. Mr. Schulke respectfully disagreed with her and handed out hand drawn depictions of current patterns and proposed patterns showing the extended, improved queuing distance on Main Street and re-routed, safer pedestrian traffic. (attached) CRA Meeting July 9, 2008 Page Three 6:26 p. m. MOTION by Mr. Neglia and SECOND by Ms. Simchick to extend the CRA meeting until it is finished passed with a voice vote of 5-0. Beth Mitchell, Executive Director, Sebastian River Area Chamber of Commerce said the 600 members of the Chamber, representing 2,000 employees, supported the project and she re-read the letter of support from the Chamber's Board of Directors dated July 23, 2007. Richard Gillmor, 744 Kroegel Avenue, displayed June 27t" pictures showing boats and trailers blocking Indian River Drive and he noted when boaters are launching a boat, they are not looking for people or bicyclists and this is definitely a plus for the community. Chuck Lever, Sebastian, presented additional petition signatures against the plan. (see attached) The Mayor introduced State Representative Ralph Poppell, R-Vero Beach who said his only comment about the ramp was that he is always concerned about people backing boat trailers, as he manufactures them, and anytime you can pull through, the boater is ahead of the game. Representative Poppell said the F.I.N.D. grant was being turned loose from another project, he was aware of the City's plans and he earmarked the funds for Sebastian. Mr. Paternoster asked if there was a 25 year concession on the grant and Representative Poppell concurred there was. Roger Birt, 13155 N. Indian River Drive noted he is anon-resident who is very familiar with the ramp situation, said the project should be re-designed, and the parking should be better identified to help organize. James Schmitz, 213 Periwinkle Drive, President, Sebastian Fishing Club said he has not found anyone in favor of the project yet and the parking lot just needs to be improved. Ruth Sullivan, 1215 Indian River Drive, said the petition signators are under the impression that the park will be eliminated which is not true, the improvements are needed and she hoped it won't be stalled any longer. CRA Meeting July 9, 2008 Page Four Lisanne Monier, 1125 US 1, stated for 18 years there have been citizens, business owners, and government leaders agreeing that a CRA is needed and this project will kick off the redevelopment hopefully north and south on US 1, and that will lead to a healthier business community. Todd Klitenic, 1274 Barber Street, said Council is spending $2.2 million for recreational fishermen but voted against the floodtide seafood area to help commercial fishermen. Damien Gilliams, 1623 US 1, thanked Representative Poppell for his help, said he will benefit from the project but it is still wrong, the Chamber should move to the municipal complex, and he asked when approval went through to expand the Chamber into Jordan Park. Ms. Simchick pointed out that the Jordan Park deed was discussed at the October 26, 2005 meeting and subsequently reviewed by the City Attorney. Don Wright, North Fischer Circle, said as a boater, lanes of Indian River Drive get blocked when launching a boat, the new plan will make it more comfortable and it will beautify the area. Bill Schulke, 1249 Larkspur, said this is a lovely project and asked Council to consider the piece across from this to have another park. Patty Crockett, Party Time Limo, said if this goes through, she and the City will grow together. The Mayor asked for a show of hands against the project and for the project as some residents chose not to speak. Mr. Wolff objected to polling by attendance. The Mayor called for a break at 7:09 p.m. and reconvened the meeting at 7:25 p.m. All members were present. MOTION by Ms. Simchick and SECOND by Mr. Neglia to authorize expenditure of the CRA money up to $1 million and defer to City Council for further management of the project. Mr. Wolff said he would have liked to discussed the traffic patterns and seen a scenario of when the lot is full, how will the boats will come in and go out, one-way is fine with him, beautification is necessary, and his concern all along is the amount of money that is being spent for the net result. He requested a brief analysis, and what potential there is for savings with this project. CRA Meeting July 9, 2008 Page Five The City Manager first asked for clarification of the motion that the $1 million would be "going forward" because a half million has been spent on the Boudrot property purchase. Ms. Simchick and Mr. Neglia concurred the $1 million would be going forward. The City Manager said if Council wanted to change the project they could but improvements are still needed such as landscaping, Jordan Park, the existing parking lot and these would cost about a $1 million and if we think about $1 million versus $1.9 million with the grant money, the worst case scenario is we would lose grants and still need $50,000 from the CRA funds. He said the best case scenario is we are tackling storm water quality, and installing a restroom. Ms. Simchick said she has reviewed former Council deliberations, studied all of the material, the petition, resident's concerns and reminded everyone that the City Attorney tasked the CRA to kick up the project to Council to fine tune. Mr. Neglia said the reason he seconded the motion is that he would like to get on with this; the overlay is designed to encourage development and redevelopment. Mr. Paternoster asked about the Jordan Park deed restriction and the City Attorney advised there are a number of deeds for different pieces of the Park, and when there is a claim that the use is no longer being used for a park purpose, the overall use of the parcel is looked at. The City Attorney noted the primary use of property is for the boat ramp, parking relating to boat ramp, landscaping/park open space which the nature is park use and overall, the use doesn't violate park use or public purpose. Mr. Paternoster asked about 1932 minutes stating block 1 of the Carol Roberts property is to be set aside as a City park forever indicating a historic district and he asked the City Attorney if he is clear on historical guidelines. The City Attorney said the historic district is based on buildings. The City Clerk said the Chamber building was built in 1958. Mr. Paternoster asked what was historically designated and the City Attorney said the buildings were included in an application submitted to the state. Mr. Paternoster said Mr. Schulke's hand drawn rendition isn't depicted properly and he would like to see a better strategic report on existing/proposed conditions, he agrees there needs to be some kind of improvement but he didn't see how the hub of the City will be boat trailers. He asked the City Manager if repairs will be done on the boat ramps themselves and the City Manager said no. He suggested a stop sign to address the implied safety issue, he didn't see CRA Meeting July 9, 2008 Page Six how this will improve the area, he pointed out if the prime riverfront is taken away, what will tourists come to see, and he stated the petition asks that the project be re-engineered not stopped. Mr. Paternoster spoke again on the 25 year concession with both grants which he felt should have been transparent from the beginning, and each time this is before them something else is added that they do not get to review and he could not support the project at this point. Mayor Coy said she would defer her comments to the regular Council meeting. Roll call on the motion was as follows: Ayes: Neglia, Simchick, Coy Nays: Paternoster, Wolff Motion carried 3-2. The City Manager said for the record, the motion was authorization to transfer the $1 million to the City Council and have Council move forward with the project. 6. NEW BUSINESS -None 7. Being no further business, Mayor Coy adjourned the meeting at 7:53 p.m. Approved at the August 27, 2ooa CRA meeting. Andrea Coy, Mayor ATTEST. ,~'~ ~` ~~~ -~ Sally A. M ' , MMC -City Clerk