04-11-2000 CRA Meeting Je
CITY OF CLERMONT
MINUTES
COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY PUBLIC HEARING
April 11, 2000
Page 1
A Community Redevelopment Agency meeting of the City of Clermont was held Tuesday, April
11, 2000 at Jenkins Auditorium at 691 Montrose Street and was called to order at 6:30 p.m. with
the following Members in attendance: Mayor Turville, Council Member Biddle, Council
Member Mullins, Council Member Lamb, Council Member MacLauchlin, Elaine Hyatt Barton
and Gordon Halgren. Also present was City Manager Saunders, and Deputy City Clerk Maddox.
Minutes
A motion was made by Council Member Mullins, seconded by Council Member
Biddle and carried unanimously, to approve the Minutes of the CRA Meetings
held on February 8, 2000.
Downtown Clermont Partnership-Report
Rose Biddle, President of the Downtown Clermont Partnership stated that the March First Fnday
event was themed "A Taste Of Downtown"and all of the restaurants, the Lake Ridge Winery and
two catering businesses participated. Ms. Biddle stated the tickets sold out in one and a half
hours. Ms. Biddle stated that the First Friday event held April 7, 2000 was the largest turnout for
a First Fnday event. Ms. Biddle passed out a Calendar of Events For 2000 listing the themes for
each month's First Friday event. Ms. Biddle stated the Clermont Downtown Partnership was
incorporating other organizations to participate in the First Fnday events, such as the Historical
Society and the Animal League.
Ms. Biddle stated that the CRA Board directed the Partnership to do a parking assessment in the
Central Business District and she passed out a copy of the Survey sent to all of the merchants,
business owners and residents located in the Central Business District Ms. Biddle stated the
Clermont Downtown Partnership Board will compile the results of the survey and provide the
results to the Council Members Ms. Biddle stated that while talking with merchants in the
Central Business District the request was made for directional signs indicating the location of the
public restrooms at the Trailhead. Ms. Biddle stated there was also a request that speed bumps
be placed again on DeSoto Avenue, or at least a"Children at Play" sign be placed on the street to
slow traffic down.
CITY OF CLERMONT
MINUTES
COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY PUBLIC HEARING
April 11, 2000
Page 2
Rose Biddle advised the CRA Board that the Downtown Clermont Partnership Annual
Membership meeting will be Wednesday, April 19, 2000 at Jenkins Auditorium and on May 7,
2000 there will be a potluck picnic for members and their families.
Council Member Lamb suggested that the Partnership investigate using portable restrooms
during the First Fnday events.
Clermont Main Street-Report
Barbara Hollerand stated the visioning session held on February 16`h was well attended and she
thanked the Council Members for participating. Ms. Hollerand stated the resulting information
was very helpful in identifying what people want downtown Ms. Hollerand stated that the
results will be used to create a Vision and Mission Statement for the Clermont Main Street
Program. Ms. Hollerand stated Main Street will have a major fundraiser on May 10, 2000. The
first fundraiser held on March 17th was very successful. Ms. Hollerand stated the Application
Committee is compiling the information for the Main Street Designation Application so that
when they received the Application from Tallahassee they will be able to file it timely. Ms.
Hollerand stated that Robert Porter and Council Member Biddle attended a"Main Street 101"
training session and felt that Clermont had many of the ingredients for success in being
designated this year.
City Manager Saunders reviewed a Memorandum from City Attorney Guthrie regarding the
composition of a Community Re-Development Agency(CRA) and offering the Flonda Attorney
General's Opinions Mr. Saunders stated that City Attorney Guthne has concluded that the
Board should include either the entire City Council or none of the City Council. Mr. Saunders
stated that this CRA is very young and it was his recommendation at this time that the City
Council stay in position on the Board along with the two additional citizen members. After
discussion there was consensus that the CRA Board continue to consist of the 5 City Council
Members, plus 2 citizens Mr. Saunders stated he would discuss the terms of office for Board
Members with City Attorney Guthne.
Council Member Biddle stated that the business owners and residents in the Central Business
J District have expressed a need for additional parking downtown and he suggested that the CRA
ra-)
CITY OF CLERMONT
MINUTES
COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY PUBLIC HEARING
April 11, 2000
Page 3
consider purchasing property for additional parking space. Mr. Biddle stated there is property
available and requested that the CRA Board direct City Manager Saunders investigate the
availability of property Mr. Saunders stated there was a site available near the old hospital and
the property owner is willing to work closely with the City. Mr. Saunders stated the site would
provide additional parking for downtown and for the new City Hall and he asked the Board for
authonzation for Staff to pursue that site and see what it will take to obtain that property. Mr.
Saunders stated he felt it would be a good project for the CRA Board to take on.
A motion was made by Council Member MacLauchlin, seconded by Council
Member Biddle and carried unanimously, to direct Staff to investigate the
purchase of property for a municipal parking lot.
Council Member MacLauchlin asked if there was a possibility of getting access to the
Hughes Supply parking lot and City Manager Saunders stated he had discussed the
possibility of that parking lot being available to the public with Mr. Pool. After
discussion the Board directed City Manager Saunders to contact Mr. Pool with an offer
that the City will make the improvements to the parking lot if Mr. Pool will allow the lot
to be available for public parking.
There being no further business the meeting was adjourned.
MOO
• or Harold S. Turville, Jr.
Attest:
oseph E. Van , City Clerk
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