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09-08-2015 CRA Meeting I I City of Clermont Community Redevelopment Agency September 8, 2015 The Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) met on Tuesday, September 8, 2015 in the Council Chambers at City Hall. Community Redevelopment Agency Chair Gail Ash called the meeting to order at 6:00pm with the following members present: Mary Jo Pfeiffer, Roger Pierce, Ray Goodga*e, Keith Mullins, and Diane Travis. Other City officials present were: City Manager Gray and City Clerk Ackroyd. Item No 1 -Minutes Community Redevelopment Agency minutes of July 28, 2015. CRA Member Mullins moved to accept the minutes of July 28, 2015, seconded by CRA Member Goodgame. The motion passed with all members present voting aye. CRA Member Bates was not present. Item No. 2— CRA Redevelopment Plan Economic Development Director Hitt reported on the request to approve expansion of the CRA area to include the Waterfront Park beach area, the old Bell Ceramics site off East Avenue, CBS Builders Supply, Exceletech, the City of Clermont Public Works complex, and certain parcels south of State Road 50. Staff requested approval to proceed with amending the CRA Redevelopment Plan. CRA Member Bates arrived. Economic Development Director Hitt commented the next step was to review and amend the CRA Redevelopment Plan. The Plan will go before the CRA, Planning and Zoning Commission, and the City Council. The process must be in accordance with Florida Statutes, which includes notifying the taxing authorities. City Manager Gray stated the priority of the City's Master Plan is in the Downtown and Waterfront area. CRA Member Pierce asked why the Public Works complex was included in the CRA District. Economic Development Director Hitt responded the City is considering a new Public Works complex within the next five years and the current property would become available for sale, allowing for potential future tax dollars. CRA Member Mullins inquired why the property north of the current Public Works complex was not included. Economic Director Hitt stated the area was single-family residential property. CRA Member Goodgame asked if the property owners were notified and in agreement with the expansion Economic Director Hitt responded once the Plan amendments were approved by the CRA, the notifications would be the next step in the process 1 City of Clermont Community Redevelopment Agency September 8, 2015 CRA Member Bates inquired what process would occur should a property owner be adverse to the expansion plan. Economic Development Director Hitt stated typically explaining the CRA District funding and taxation process alleviates a property owner's concerns. City Manager Gray commented the amendments would not have an adverse affect on the property owners. CRA Chair Ash inquired about the indicated blighted areas. Economic Development Director Hitt provided examples of what a blighted area was according to Flonda Statutes guidelines. CRA Chair Ash asked if CRA funds could be used to correct blighted areas. City Manager Gray stated the funds could be used if the owner went through the application process for the incentive program. CRA Chair Ash expressed concern in regards to allowing the incentive funds to be used by owners who were facing code enforcement violations. City Manager Gray stated allowing funds to be available to blighted properties could be an incentive for a buyer to purchase the property. CRA Member Travis asked if the proposed boat ramp was included in the expansion area. City Manager Gray confirmed the new boat ramp would be included. CRA Member Pfeiffer inquired if the City had the authority to require property owners of blighted property to apply for incentive funds. Economic Development Director Hitt stated the City could not force a property owner to apply. CRA Member Mullins inquired if the amendment would change the City's zoning or future land use maps. Economic Director Hitt responded the CRA District maps are separate maps from the City's zoning and future land use maps. CRA Member Mullins commented he agreed with including the area south of Highway 50. He noted property on the north side of Chestnut Street was in the Distnct, but property on the south side of Chestnut Street was out of the District. CRA Member Pfeiffer inquired if any of the properties in the proposed expansion area had code violations. Economic Development Director Hitt commented the Exceletech property has code violations and the owners are considering demolishing the structure and selling the property. CRA Member Travis inquired about the status of the boarded up property at Orange Avenue and Second Street. City Manager Gray stated the building was in the demolition stage. CRA Member Goodgame moved for adoption of the CRA Plan as presented; seconded by CRA Member Mullins. The motion passed with all members present voting aye. 2 City of Clermont Community Redevelopment Agency September 8,2015 Item No. 3—Fiscal Year 2015-2016 Budget Economic Development Director Hitt stated the CRA Fiscal Year 2015-2016 budget would be on the October 13, 2015 CRA agenda. The budget will include continuing the streetscapes projects, signage on 8th Street and Highway 50, Wayfinding signage, professional services, ground level parking on Desoto Street, public restrooms near City Hall Park, and continuation of the CRA incentive programs. CRA Member Goodgame inquired how much money would be in the budget for the incentive programs. Economic Development Director Hitt stated $50,000 for the Façade Assistance Program, $30,000 for the Building Code Assistance Program, $10,000 for the Building Permit Assistance Program, and $10,000 for the Impact Fee Assistance Program. CRA Member Pierce asked if residential owners could apply for the incentive programs. Ecoomic Development Director Hitt commented residential owners were not eligible. The City is reviewing a Residential Façade Assistance Program; however most homeowners handle these projects themselves and cannot meet the three-quote requirement to be eligible to receive funding. CRA Member Mullins commented the Impact Fee and Building Permit Fee Assistance programs could be more appropriate for residential properties. CRA Member Pierce stated many residential owners are replacing their windows with insulated windows and could use funding assistance. CRA Member Mullins commented the Façade Assistance Program raises the taxable value and,provides more tax dollars available to spend. The energy saving windows fit other grant programs outside of the CRA incentive programs. CRA Member Goodgame stated energy saving windows increase the resale value of a home. CRA Member Mullins commented should the CRA want to provide assistance programs to the residential property owners in the District, the CRA should institute a high-quality residential program. CRA Member Pfeiffer inquired if the CRA would receive additional tax dollars through expanding the program. Economic Development Director Hitt stated the program receives 85% of any new tax assessments. CRA Member Goodgame expressed concern regarding new property being brought into the CRA District utilizing current funds. Economic Development Director Hitt stated a cap could be placed on the total amount of funds available for use when developing a budget. City Manager Gray stated the funds are drawn from the same source and the new properties would be eligible to apply. Economic Development Director Hitt presented an overview of the new restroom facilities near City Hall Park and the Downtown Gateway projects for Fiscal Year 2015-2016. 3 City of Clermont Community Redevelopment Agency September 8, 2015 City Manager Gray stated the two projects will be presented at the October 13, 2015 CRA meeting. Economic Director Hitt will present the projects to the downtown area merchants prior to the meeting CRA Member Pfeiffer commented she would like digital signage on the Gateway. City Manager Gray stated the Gateway does have a place to post downtown events. The City's current code does riot allow electronic signage. CRA Member Pfeiffer suggested using a placard or banner sign which could be easily changed out. CRA Member Mullins was in agreement with Ms. Pfeiffer. AdjotIrn: Withno further business, the meeting adjourned at 6:32pm. F , 1i1 ;a� � ��. APPROVED: ia'J�' C' .. i �t� �f ,' ' ; ? ,J,. Gail L. Ash, RA Chair I 1t�% r. .'.-,,� ATI`Ef T. ,f^M1.as' lAe1 a 4`I ` I s / / A/ t. d �1 Tracy : • d, City I k 4 I