01-10-2006 CRA MeetingCity of Clermont
MINUTES
COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY
January 10, 2006
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The Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) met on Tuesday, January 10, 2006 in the Council Chambers at City Hall.
Mayor Hal Turville called the meeting to order at 6:40pm with the following CRA members present: Charlene Forth, Bill
Sigenthaler, Council Member Mullins, Goodgame, and Renick. Other City officials present were: City Manager
Saunders, Assistant City Manager Gray, and City Clerk Ackroyd.
Downtown Clermont Redevelopment Plan
City Manager Saunders advised this was presented to the CRA Board in November and we are required to update it
periodically. The next step is to move it forward to the City Council. This is a plan and states goals and objectives. It can
be amended again by the board and asked for any comments
Mayor opened the floor for comments.
Basha Schlazar, Chairperson for the Clermont Parks and Recreation Advisory Board, asked the board to not tear down
Jenkins Auditorium. She prefers to use it as a community center for various activities. Ms. Schlazar advised of her
attempts to have Publix to help out however they could not. The Lake County Parks and Recreation has a $50,000
regional grant of which the City can apply for to renovate the building.
Jim Purvis, 4206 Hammersmith Drive, recommended a professional study of retaining the building and the costs to update
it to consider.
Ann Dupee voiced concern that it not be torn down until a new rate structure has been set for the new building. The First
~riday events provide a good use for that facility. She recommended a study of uses and groups and alternatives.
Kat Hyatt, Event Planner, remarked that Jenkins is booked year round for all types of events for businesses and non
profits. She further commented that removing Jenkins will take away an economical facility. She asked the board to
consider renovating Jenkins Auditorium.
City Manager Saunders noted this is not a vote to tear down Jenkins; it is a goal to be considered. The actual vote on what
to do with Jenkins is approximately a year and a half from now at which time the new community center will be
underway. At that time, Council will consider what to do with Jenkins Auditorium.
Bill Banzhaf, 931 W. Montrose, commented he was originally in favor of saving Jenkins but now has mixed emotions. A
park has benefits and asked to look at the bigger picture to consider the possibility of other options.
There were no further comments from the audience.
Council Member Renick suggested changing language on page four (4). She recommended instead of being specific
about a courtyard to revise it to `redevelopment of Jenkins Auditorium'. On page ten (10), she remarked the word `lunch'
should be changed to `launch'.
City Manager Saunders suggested rewriting the statement to `Redevelopment of Jenkins Auditorium Site'.
Council Member Goodgame disagreed with the term `redevelopment'. He further stated that Jenkins brings more people
to downtown and the purpose of the CRA is to develop downtown Clermont.
City of Clermont
MINUTES
COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY
January 10, 2006
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Mayor Turville noted he does not have a problem with the language suggested by Council Member Renick.
Jim Hitt, Planning Director, remarked the language suggested would be broad enough that depending upon whatever is
decided in the future is covered under the term `Redevelopment'.
Charlene Forth concurred with Council Member Goodgame in reference to renovating downtown instead of demolishing a
building. She suggested a survey to determine what the people want and recommended an amendment to the language.
Council Member Mullins suggested Language open enough to decide in the future what to do with it.
Bill Sigenthaler suggested adding the term `if necessary'.
City Manager Saunders suggested changing the language on page 4 to state `evaluate Jenkins Auditorium site for future
uses' and on page 9 `The Jenkins Auditorium site should be evaluated for future uses'.
The board agrees with the statement as suggested by City Manager Saunders.
Council Member Mullins requested keeping language in for a potential public courtyard.
City Manager Saunders noted a sentence could be added to page 9 to state `explore the possibility of an outdoor courtyard
in the downtown area'.
Council Member Mullins moved to amend the document as referenced and to recommend its ado tip on to
the City Council as amended; seconded by Council Member Renick. The motion passed with all members
present voting "aye ".
ADJOURN: With no further comments the meeting was adjourned at 7: l Opm
APPROVED:
7
ayor Harold Turville
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