12-12-2000 CRA Meeting oonft
CITY OF CLERMONT
MINUTES
COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY PUBLIC HEARING
- DECEMBER 12, 2000
Page 1
A Community Redevelopment Agency meeting of the City of Clermont was held Tuesday,
December 12, 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 Renick, 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 Biddle, seconded by Council Member
MacLauchlin and carried unanimously, to approve the Minutes of the CRA
Meeting held on October 10, 2000.
Downtown Clermont Partnership-Report
Sherry Halgren,President of the Downtown Clermont Partnership thanked the City for its
support for the Light-Up-Clermont event, sponsored by the Downtown Partnership, The
Chamber of Commerce and Main Street. Ms. Halgren stated there were many citizens in
attendance and there were a lot of positive comments regarding the parade, the craft show and the
tree lighting ceremony.
Ms. Halgren stated that the City Council gave the Partnership permission to close Montrose
Street for 3 months for the First Friday events for safety reasons and since there have been no
objections from any of the downtown merchants, they are requesting that Montrose Street be
closed for the First Friday event until further notice. The Partnership requests that this be put on
a City Council Agenda
Ms. Halgren asked if-there was a plan for Center Lake. Mayor Turville stated that if the pond is
given an opportunity to dry out a lot of the muck will evaporate and oxidize so that when we get
rain the lake will come back in an approved condition. Ms. Halgren stated that if there was
anything that the Partnership could do to help they will volunteer to do that.
CITY OF CLERMONT
MINUTES
COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY PUBLIC HEARING
DECEMBER 12, 2000
Page 2
Ms. Halgren presented a copy of the Partnership's Brochure promoting the downtown
area and asked everyone to take one.
Main Street-Report
Rose Biddle reiterated that the Light Up Clermont event was wonderful. Ms. Biddle
stated that she met with City Manager Saunders and Chamber Director Stockton and they
are already making plans for next year, including the incorporation of the Waterfront Park
area in the activities.
Ms. Biddle stated that the Main Street program has set up committees, including a Design
Committee,Reconstruction Committee, and Promotion Committee. Ms. Biddle stated
that they filed their quarterly report and since,May, 2000 $225,000 has been spent in
- building, rehab and improvements, there have been 29 jobs created and 9 new businesses
started downtown.
Ms. Biddle stated there will be a Business After Hours on January 11, 2001, hosted by the
Main Street program and she requested that they be allowed to use the Trail Head for the
event.
Ms. Biddle passed out the SWOT Analysis for the Main Street program pointing out the
program's strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and challenges.
Robert Porter, President of Main Street, discussed concerns the Main Street Program had
regarding the use of the old hospital on 8th Street. Mr. Porter provided a copy of a letter
directed to the CRA Members from Clermont Main Street, Inc. strongly opposing the use
of the old hospital for non-profit offices and organizations. Mr. Porter stated that using
the old hospital building for that purpose will not benefit the community or in any way
meet the goals and objectives of the redevelopment plan approved by the CRA. Mr.
Porter said the 3 '/z acre property across from Center Lake is the entrance into Historic
Downtown Clermont and that use of the old hospital site would not be an appropriate
gateway to our downtown, nor would it generate tax dollars to the District. Mr. Porter
stated that Main Street supports non-profit organizations and community services,
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CITY OF CLERMONT
MINUTES
COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY PUBLIC HEARING
DECEMBER 12, 2000
Page 3
however they feel there are other locations better suited to house those organizations than
downtown Clermont. Mr. Porter requested that the CRA Board express the concerns to
the Directors of South Lake Hospital and more suitable options for the property be
explored.
Mayor Turville stated that while this is a CRA meeting,the matter of the use of the old
hospital property is not on the agenda and since there are no representatives present from
South Lake Hospital or the Methodist Church, he did not feel this matter should be
discussed.
Mr. Halgren stated that the Methodist Church spoke at a workshop, that it was not on the
agenda that the matter would be discussed at that time, and no one from the CRA was
invited to be present. Mr. Halgren stated that discussing this matter is appropriate
because this is CRA property and if the CRA is to have a strong role in accomplishing its
mission in the CRA District, then these issues need to be brought directly to the CRA
Board.
Mayor Turville stated that the CRA Board has a predicament because the City Council
Members compose all but two members of the Board and they cannot discuss land use
issues without violating the Sunshine Laws.
Ms. Halgren stated that they want to express their concern because they are not clear as to
what the plans for the property are and would request that a workshop be held so that
everyone can participate and be informed.
Mr. Porter stated that the CRA Board should be looking out for the tax dollars and
redevelopment of downtown and would ask that there be an open forum so that their
views can be expressed.
Mayor Turville stated that what was proposed at the workshop is that the Methodist
Church would like the property so that they can expand and possibly build a gymnasium
on the property in the future and that until they are ready and can afford to build, they
would lease out the building to non-profit organizations. Mayor Turville stated that the
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CITY OF CLERMONT
MINUTES
COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY PUBLIC HEARING
DECEMBER 12, 2000
Page 4
Hospital Board feels that since they were tax supported all those years,perhaps the best
way to mitigate the equity issues with taxpayers is to upfront a significant amount of
dollars and deed the hospital to the church in the future. Mayor Turville stated he
understood that the church would then set up a 501 C-3-Not for Profit and would provide
space to groups such as the Y.M.C.A., South Lake Community Foundation, the United
Way and several others that were mentioned. Mayor Turville suggested that there be a
workshop.
Mr. Porter stated that the Main Street Program is taking a pro-active approach and stated
that there is potential for revenue to come into the City. Mr. Porter stated that tax dollars
paid for this property and there may be an issue with it being sold to the Church. Mr.
Porter stated that the Hospital does not have the money to maintain the property, and the
Methodist Church does not have the money to buy the property outright, so for a 5 to 7
year period, during which time the Church is going to allow the old building to be used
for non-profits, who is going to maintain the property is an issue.
Mr. Halgren stated that he had an issue with the hospital passing the benefit they have
received from taxpayers off to a church,which does not serve the entire community and
he felt it does a discredit to the taxpayers of our community.
Council Member Biddle stated that no one doubts the value of the use that the Hospital
and Methodist Church are proposing for the next five to seven years and most people in
the community would like to see a free health clinic and office space for the non-profits,
but does not believe that in the middle of a revitalization project and in the middle of
downtown is the place for this use. Mr. Biddle stated that this property offers an
opportunity to add to the revitalization of the downtown and increase the tax base for it,
which is the appropriate use for the area. Even the church's proposed future use of the
property for a gymnasium offers no economic benefit for downtown and is not an
appropriate use for the entrance to downtown. Mr. Biddle stated that the problem now is
the fact that the CRA does not meet for another 2 months and the Hospital Board meets in
January.
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CITY OF CLERMONT
MINUTES
COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY PUBLIC HEARING
DECEMBER 12, 2000
Page 5
Mr. Biddle asked if this proposed use would require a Conditional Use Permit and City
Manager Saunders stated that it would because of the square footage and because of the
change from a hospital use to any other use.
Mr. Mullins stated it is his understanding that whether the hospital or the church owns the
property, if they are not using it for a hospital or church and are renting out offices, that
money will come on the tax rolls. Mayor Turville stated that if they had a 501C3 it might
not.
Juanita Beckius stated that it is the opinion of the Main Street"members and Downtown
Partnership, that at this meeting, the Board should be acting as a CRA Board,not a City
Council. Mayor Turville stated that since this is a land use question, they must be very
careful. Ms. Beckius asked how the CRA Board can act on issues and Mayor Turville
stated it was a complicated arrangement.
Mr. Halgren stated that a violation may have already occurred, as there was not any
advertisement or notice of this matter being on the workshop agenda. City Manager
Saunders stated that there is no action taken at a workshop and there is no requirement to
publicize an agenda.
City Manager Saunders stated that the CRA Board can take action on the request from
- Main Street to write a letter and ask that this matter be put on an Agenda. City Manager
- Saunders stated that this would allow this issue to be publicly noticed and some form of
action by the CRA Board could take place. Mr. Saunders stated that would give everyone
an opportunity to attend and give their input.
Mr. Biddle asked if another CRA meeting could be scheduled on January 9,2001 so that
action could be taken before the Hospital Board meets again.
Ms. Halgren stated that they would like some clarification as to what the duties are of a
CRA Board and since this property is in the CRA District they assumed the issue should
go through this Board.
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CITY OF CLERMONT
MINUTES
COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY PUBLIC HEARING
DECEMBER 12, 2000
Page 6
City Manager Saunders stated that the CRA Board does not listen to land use questions,
but if the issue comes before the CRA Board for a recommendation to the City Council,
that is appropriate.
Mr. Biddle stated that the Resolution states that the members of the City Council shall be
the members of the CRA Board,but such members constitute the head of a legal entity,
separate, distinct and independent from the governing body of the City Council of the
City of Clermont. Mr. Biddle stated that Council Members need to remember that they
are sitting on this CRA Board and it is separate from the City Council. Mr. Biddle stated
that when this issue is noticed, regardless of how Council Members individually feel
about the issue, if they are going to enforce the redevelopment plan, they should be
looking for things that will add to the tax base and create funding for the CRA. Mr.
Biddle stated that Kissimmee's and Mt. Dora's CRA Boards accomplish great things, and
this Board needs to be an acting body, not just meet twice a month and listen to reports.
Mr. Halgren stated it was time for the Board to make some policy and not just spend
money.
Mr. Porter stated that the church owns their property and has expanded their property
several times in the past few years. Mr. Porter stated that some of the property in the
CDBG District should go to development. Mr. Porter stated that he supports many not
for profit organizations and they all have important roles in the community, but should be
placed in areas that are easily accessible to those citizens who need those support
organizations, and that the downtown area is not the best area.
Ms. Renick stated that she, as well as everyone else is confused as to the roll of the CRA
Board and she would like to see a workshop where everyone can present their opinions
and options.
Mayor Turville stated that the City Council will only have input into this proposal as far
as the Conditional Use Permit process is concerned, and will not be the ones deciding
who the tenants will be. Mayor Turville stated he is not comfortable sending a letter to
CITY OF CLERMONT
MINUTES
COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY PUBLIC HEARING
DECEMBER 12, 2000
Page 7
the hospital suggesting that they not make a deal with the Church since as Council
Members they will be reviewing the CUP.
Mr. Porter stated that they are asking the CRA Board to send a letter to the hospital
requesting they reconsider entering a deal with the Church,because that is the role of the
CRA Board, and they are asking the CRA Board to do its job and protect the interests of
the CRA District. Mr. Porter stated that as City Council Members they should not make
recommendations to the Hospital,but as a CRA Board it is their job to make
recommendations.
CDBG-Report
City Manager Saunders stated that the City is currently advertising for a CDBG
Administrator and at the first meeting in January should have a recommendation of
ranking of those firms. Mr. Saunders stated that he reviewed the contract the City has
with Hartman&Associates, who did the preliminary Streetscape Plans, and it was bid in
a way that allows the City to extend their contract to do the engineering plans. Mr.
Saunders stated that this will save several months in time and hopefully the negotiated
price proposal can be brought before the City Council in January so that we can move
ahead with the detail design.
A motion was made by CRA Member Halgren, seconded by Council Member
Biddle, and carried unanimously to authorize City Manager Saunders to
negotiate an extension of the contract with Hartman &Associates for detailed
plans for the Streetscape.
City Manager Saunders confirmed to Mr. Biddle that there should be a meeting with the
Partnership and Main Street as soon as possible after Hartman & Associates is on board.
Rose Biddle asked for the appropriate way for requests to be put on the agenda for CRA
Cu.) Board meetings. Mayor Turville stated that the request should indicate if it is an action
item, so that the public will be advised.
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CITY OF CLERMONT
MINUTES
COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY PUBLIC HEARING
DECEMBER 12, 2000
Page 8
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 7:25 p.m.
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(1) r Haro d S. Turville`r.
Attest:
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Joseph E. Van City Clerk -
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