10.10.2023 - CRA MinutesCity of Clermont
MINUTES
COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY (CRA)
MEETING MINUTES
OCTOBER 10, 2023
CALL TO ORDER
The Community Redevelopment Agency met on Tuesday, October 10, 2023 in the Clermont City Council
Chambers. Chair Murry called the meeting to order at 6:00pm with the following Board Members present:
Board Members Crawford, Merrick, Pines, Entsuah, and Purvis.
Other City officials present were Development Services Director Henschel and City Clerk Howe.
Board Members Jimmy Crawford and Michael Gonzalez were absent.
AGENDAITEMS
Item No. 1 — Meeting Minutes
Board Member Purvis moved to annrove the meetina minutes from Aueust 8. 2023.
Seconded by Board Member Pines. Passed unanimously 5-0 with all members Dresent
voicing ave.
Item No. 2 — CRA Grant Program
Development Services Director Henschel stated that staff is proposing to modify the CRA grant program
to distribute the available grant funds throughout the fiscal year. This past fiscal year there was a total of
$100,000 available for CRA grants. This amount can vary year to year based on Tax Increment Financing
(TIF) funding. The proposed changes limit the overall funding amount to half of the budgeted funding
amount for the first 6 months, and then the remaining funds become available for the second half of the
fiscal year. This change allows a chance for multiple recipients to apply for grant funding.
During the February 14 CRA meeting, the CRA Board discussed three additional concerns regarding the
grant program. One being the removal of a set funding amount in the grant description due to potential
budgetary changes. The second is that the applicant can have 50% of the total project cost completed prior
to approval - provided the applicant submit the required documentation. In addition, third is the removal of
the "draw" system where applicants can receive partial payments during the project. The grant program is
for reimbursement following the full completion of the program.
Chair Murry opened the public hearing. There were no comments. Chair Murry closed the public hearing.
Board Member Purvis expressed his concern about the second part, 50% of work -completed clause. Mr.
Purvis feels an applicant needs to apply prior to starting work and as he, feels would put more strain on
staff to decipher what constitutes 50 percent of a project completed.
Development Services Director Henschel clarified that the 50% is of the overall cost of the project, not the
actual work completed.
Board Member Purvis stated that he is not in support of part two. Board Members discussed their support
for leaving part two as is, having applicants apply prior to the start of a project.
Board Member Merrick asked staff if there have been any concerns of timeliness from a business, as far as
not being able to wait for the grant application to process prior to starting any work.
City of Clermont
MINUTES
COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY (CRA)
MEETING MINUTES
OCTOBER 10, 2023
Development Services Director Henschel explained that staff has not had any issues with that specific
concern. There have been instances where an applicant has not been able to complete a project on time but
there is a clause that provides a one-time extension and that has worked well.
Board Member Purvis moved to accent Dart one and three as presented and leave Dart two
as currentiv written.
Development Services Director Henschel clarified that those are the added parts besides
the overall amendment of the grant program.
Seconded by Board Member Pines. Passed unanimouslv 5-0 with all members Dresent
voicing ave.
Item No. 3 — Resolution No. 30
A RESOLUTION OF THE COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY OF THE
CITY OF CLERMONT, LAKE COUNTY, FLORIDA, ADOPTING THE BUDGET
AMENDMENT FOR THE 2022-2023 FISCAL YEAR.
City Clerk Howe read the title aloud.
Development Services Director Henschel stated that the amended budget reflects changes in individual
accounts due to budget transfers. These include an increase in the Capital Outlay account for the purposes
of land acquisition for the construction of additional parking spaces in the next fiscal year.
Chair Murry opened the public hearing. There were no comments. Chair Murry closed the public hearing.
Board Member Entsuah wanted to confirm that the CRA currently pays the salary of one staff member.
Development Services Director Henschel confirmed there is currently one staff member.
Board Member Pines moved to annrove Resolution No. 30. Seconded by Board Member
Entsuah. Passed unanimouslv 5-0 with all members present voicing ave.
Item No. 4 — Resolution No. 31
A RESOLUTION OF THE COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY OF THE
CITY OF CLERMONT, LAKE COUNTY, FLORIDA, ADOPTING THE BUDGET
FOR THE 2023-2024 FISCAL YEAR.
City Clerk Howe read the title aloud.
Development Services Director Henschel stated that staff recommends approval of Resolution No. 31 for
the adoption of the Fiscal Year 2023/2024 Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) budget. This budget
includes the $100,000 for the grant project presented earlier in the meeting.
Chair Murry opened the public hearing. There were no comments. Chair Murry closed the public hearing.
Chair Murry spoke about the $70,000 contribution provided to Main Street to use for the salary of one
person. The initial contribution was for one year. The city has contributed for three years and he would like
staff to make Main Street aware that they may not receive the contribution moving forward. It was not the
intent to provide an ongoing contribution.
City of Clermont
MINUTES
COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY (CRA)
MEETING MINUTES
OCTOBER 10, 2023
Board Member Pines noted that she is on the Main Street board and are aware and have been discussing
their future.
Board Member Purvis moved to anurove Resolution No. 31. Seconded by Board Member
Pines. Passed unanimously 5-0 with all members present voicing ave.
ADJOURN: With no further comments, this meeting adjourned at 6:15 pm.
APPROVED:
Ti hair
ATTEST:
Tracy Ackroyd Ilowe, MMC
City Clerk