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04-10-2001 CRA Minutes CITY OF CLERMONT MINUTES COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY PUBLIC HEARING April 10, 2001 Page 1 A Community Redevelopment Agency meeting of the City of Clermont was held Tuesday, April 10, 2001 at Jenkins Auditorium at 691 Montrose Street and was called to order at 6:00 p.m. with the following Members in attendance: Mayor Turville, Council Member Biddle, Council Member Mullins, Council Member Renick, Council Member MacLauchlin, Elaine Barton and Gordon Halgren. Also present were City Manager Saunders and Deputy City Clerk Studdard. 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 April 10, 2001. Downtown'Clermont Partnership-Report Debbie Carlucci gave a report of the Downtown Clermont Partnership. She stated that the last First Friday Event had been a huge success, with 300 tickets being sold-and samples of food were given out. She stated that the theme for the next First Friday Event will be `Cinco de Mayo',with a Mariachi band coming to provide music and that Caldwell Banker has agreed to be the sponsor. Ms. Carlucci stated that the Downtown Clermont Partnership is still waiting to hear back from Tallahassee regarding Articles of Incorporation. Ms. Carlucci then asked if a Workshop meeting could be scheduled for the CRA and Downtown Partnership. She stated that further clarification is still needed as to the role of the CRA and that there are questions regarding the proposed use of the old hospital and where the funds will be used. After discussion, it was a consensus that a CRA Workshop meeting would be scheduled. Council Member Biddle asked Ms. Carlucci if there was a need to keep the downtown streets closed later than 9:00 p m. for the First Friday events, since there seems to be a number of people still there after that time. City Manager Saunders stated that he felt the streets should be re-opened after the area clears but that he would make sure that a specific time is not currently required. CITY OF CLERMONT MINUTES n COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY PUBLIC HEARING April 10, 2001 Page 2 Main Street-Report Rose-Biddle gave the Main Street report. She stated that the 1St Annual Golf Tournament that was held at the Legends Golf Course on March 17, 2001 was a very successful event and that they hoped to make it an annual event. She thanked those who were involved in making this event and the St. Patrick's Day party afterward at the 8th Street Pier House such a success, including Jeff Biddle for volunteenng and raising the most funds in the dunking booth. Ms. Biddle gave the CRA Board a schedule of upcoming events and also the results and recommendation from the Resource Team of the Florida Main Street Program. She stated that the team was here for two days and conducted interviews of various officials of the community as well as some downtown merchants, then issued their report. She stated that the report recommended that the Community Redevelopment Agency become more educated on what a CRA is and that representatives of the CRA attend State of Florida Redevelopment Association meetings and Florida League of Cities meetings. She stated that the parking in downtown must grow in order for downtown to grow. She asked of the CRA could look at the area parking and provide information regarding future parking plans. Council Member Renick asked if parking is a problem for downtown. Ms. Biddle stated she does not feel there really is a parking problem at this time but that in the future there may be a need for more. Council Member Biddle stated he feels there is a parking problem on weekend evenings in the area of the Pier House Restaurant. Mayor Turville stated that downtown should grow closer to existing parking areas. He stated that a count of parking spaces should be obtained. City Manager Saunders stated that a few years ago the City estimated the square footage of the retail space versus parking spaces in order to equate it to the code pertaining to parking. He stated that a few extra parking spaces will be added with the completion of the Streetscape project, and a new count of parking spaces will be provided upon completion of that project. He stated the next step would be to look at the existing retail square footage downtown and the potential new retail square footage compared to the existing parking space to check for any deficiencies, this would also show the areas that such parking may be needed in future. Mr Saunders stated that he believed that currently there is adequate parking. He stated that the Downtown Partnership and the Main Street Program could help in obtaining the square footage el'` of the area businesses for those comparisons. Ms. Biddle stated her concern does lie in the future growth of the downtown area. CITY OF CLERMONT MINUTES COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY PUBLIC HEARING April 10, 2001 Page 3 Mayor Turville asked if the downtown merchants are ready to have designated employee parking now, since it seems to have been an issue for a long time. He stated that having a dedicated employee parking area for that area could free a lot of parking in front of businesses. Council Member Biddle stated that he feels a few area employees/merchants would not abide by the parking rules. Discussion followed regarding merchant parking and future needs for parking for the area in general as well as the parking that will be provided with the new City Hall. Ms. Biddle stated that the Main Street Program and the Downtown Clermont Partnership would provide numbers regarding current and projected future square footages. Ms. Biddle asked who would make the projection for parking needs based upon the numbers supplied. City Manager Saunders stated the City's Planning Department could do that. He further stated that the Lake County Property Appraiser should have those square footages if someone wished to call and obtain them. He stated that a meeting should take place after those numbers are obtained to discuss future needs. A resident asked if street lighting could be provided at the Hobo's property that is being used as overflow parking during the First Friday events. City Manager Saunders stated that is private property but that portable lighting could possibly be provided by the owner during those events. Mayor Turville suggested that the Downtown merchants discuss an arrangement with Ken Norquist for lighting needs and funding. • City Manager Saunders stated that this year's budget will allow for the continuation of the decorative lighting in that direction as well. Ms Biddle requested more street lighting for the downtown area until the actual lampposts are installed dunng the Streetscape program, particularly on Montrose Street, to help encourage more patrons to walk around at night r) City Manager Saunders stated the City can check with Florida Power to see if any additional lighting can be added CITY OF CLERMONT _ MINUTES COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY PUBLIC HEARING April 10, 2001 Page 4 Discussion followed regarding private and City lighting. CDBG-Update _City Manager Saunders gave his report. He stated that Staff is recommending to the City Council approval of the contract with Hartman &Associates for the final plans and specifications for the Streetscape project. Old Hospital Sign—Proposed Use City Manager Saunders stated that the old sign at the corner of State Road 50 and Seventh Street had been donated to the City by the hospital. He suggested that the upper portion of the sign be used as a changeable copy sign to announce community events taking place in the downtown area. He provided an example of the suggested concept and stated he would like to work with the Main Street Program in designing the sign. He stated that both parts of the sign would be lighted and that the sign is grandfathered in and that by changing just the face it would remain in compliance with City code for that reason. He stated that the final design would be brought back for final approval. CRA—Purpose&Procedure It was the general consensus that this subject would be discussed at the CRA Workshop to be scheduled. Rose Biddle stated she will invite Karen Slevins,who has experience with CRA's, to the workshop. There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 6:50 p.m. ayor Harold S. Turville, Jr. Attest• C J eph E. V ile, City Clerk