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HomeMy WebLinkAbout01.14.2025 CRA MinutesCity of Clermont MINUTES COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY (CRA) MEETING MINUTES January 14, 2025 CALL TO ORDER The Community Redevelopment Agency met on Tuesday, January 14, 2025 in the Clermont City Council Chambers. Chair Murry called the meeting to order at 6:OOpm with the following Board Members present: Board Members Schuett, Crawford, Strange, Petersen, Howard, and Myers. Other City officials present were Interim City Manager Van Wagner and City Clerk Howe. AGENDA ITEMS Item No. 1— Review of Main Street Agreement Interim City Manager Van Wagner reviewed the agreement between Clermont Main Street and the Community Redevelopment Agency. Mr. Bianchi, Board President of Clermont Main Street stated that this is an agreement for services that the City has historically entered into with Clermont Main Street. Number two on the agreement states the conditions for the funds to be disbursed. Main Street requested a six-month period after the fiscal year ends to provide the audit. In July 2024 he spoke with former Deputy City Manager Davidoff regarding the agreement for the next fiscal year and believed there would be an alteration to the language. The current agreement that was presented to the Board states the funds will be provided upon receipt of an audit review of the 2024 Main Street Program among other things. The timeframe in providing the audit is not feasible, they cannot provide an audit for a calendar year because their fiscal year runs October through September. The revised agreement has updated language to state that funds shall be provided to Main Street upon receipt of year-end financial reports, detailed budget, and annual work plans. In addition, Clermont Main Street will provide a Third -Party Independent Review of 2023-2024 Fiscal Year within nine months from the end of 2023-2024 Fiscal Year. Main Street has provided the City with their work plans as well as their financial statements and budget for Fiscal Year 2024-2025. The audit would be the final document and they requested a duration of time to produce that. The revised agreement provided is for the current year and would be updated each year in the future. Chair Murry opened the public hearing. There were no comments. Chair Murry closed the public hearing. Board Member Howard stated that the timeframe would match how the City provides its audits and is in favor. Chair Murry does not agree with dispersing funds prior to receiving an Independent Review. Board Member Crawford said the way the language is written makes it impossible to provide an independent review in the timeframe which leaves Main Street without funds. Discussion ensued on what course of action the board could take if the funds are disbursed and the audit is not provided along with when the funds have been provided in the past. Board Member Petersen arrived at 6:08pm. City of Clermont MINUTES COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY (CRA) MEETING MINUTES January 14, 2025 Mr. Bianchi stated in the past audits were asked of them but not a requirement. Main Street is not required to provide an audit to any State agency other than the City. Providing an audit for the 2024-2025 Fiscal Year is not available, to require that to receive the funds in this fiscal year is not feasible. The updated language would allow the City to provide the funds October 1. Chair Murry explained that when the funds were given to Clermont Main Street it was for one year and then they would become responsible for themselves. The agreement has now been approved for the last four years. Mr. Bianchi said Main Street is up to date with their audits and they have been provided to the City. Main Street is asking for a duration of nine months to provide the audit and that the disbursement of funds is not tied to providing the audit. Board Member Howard moved to approve the changes to the Main Street Agreement. Seconded by Board Member Myers. Board Member Crawford stated that the agreement needs to remove Brian Bulthuis from the CRA notice on the second page. Board Member Howard amended the motion to reflect removal of Brian Bulthuis. Seconded by Board Member Mvers. Passed 6-1 with Chair MgM opposing: Item No. 2 — Digital Sign on State Road 50 and 8th Street Interim City Manager Van Wagner turned the item to Clermont Main Street. Mr. Bianchi, Board President of Clermont Main Street explained that the Main Street Board discussed advertising events and the assets the City has to do so. City Council approved an ordinance to allow for digital signs. The discussion was to change the current signs to digital to display, City, Main Street and Chamber events. Upgrading the signs to digital will make it easier to change the information regularly as well as it being low maintenance. Board Member Howard stated that the current signs are difficult to read and being able to remotely change the information is more effective. Discussion ensued on the cost and if the Community Development Agency Board is in favor of Main Street looking into the cost of switching to digital. Board Members Myers and Schuett are in favor of exploring the options along with the cost. Chair Murry opened the public hearing. Charlene Forth, 939 W. Desoto Street — in favor of updating the signs. Larry Oskin, 3500 Windansea Court. — in favor of the digital signs. Chair Murry closed the public hearing. Development Services Director Henschel stated that staff is working on updating the sign code ordinance. City of Clermont MINUTES COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY (CRA) MEETING MINUTES January 14, 2025 The Boards consensus was for Main Street to look into digital signage on State Road 50 and 8th Street. Item No. 3 — Downtown Kiosks Mr. Bianchi, Board President of Clermont Main Street stated that this item is another example of kiosks the City has to display events that would benefit from being digital. Discussion ensued on wayfinding standards in the downtown area and having user friendly signage. Chair Murry opened the public hearing. Keith Mullins, 640 Drew Avenue — in favor of the digital signage. Otis Taylor, 3686 Caladesi Road — in favor of the digital signage. Chair Murry closed the public hearing. The Boards consensus was for Main Street to look into digital signage in downtown. ADJOURN: With no further comments, this meeting adjourned at 6:34 pm. l Pt ATTEST: t Tracy Ackroyd Howe, MMC City Clerk APPROVED: Tim Murry, thair