BOARDMEMBERS:
Ken Schwiebert-Chair Art Konstantino
Nick Williams-Vice Chair
Jonathan Lewis Mike Langston
BOARDMEMBERS:
Ken Schwiebert-Chair Art Konstantino
Nick Williams-Vice Chair
Jonathan Lewis Mike Langston
STAFF:
Scott Lippmann, City Manager Jackie Gorman, City Planner Laura Jones, Planning Assistant
Gresco - $12,264.00
1. Monthly Finance Report PUBLIC COMMENTARY NEW BUSINESS
Election of Officers
Focus Group – Introduction
Consider utilizing a professional Consultant for completion of Block 12
CRA Website/CRA Annual Report – Reporting Requirements (2/25/2020 FRA Webinar)
Heritage Park – Enhancement Program – Adopt a Planter Program
CRA Website/Facebook Page
1
CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL
Chairperson Schwiebert called the Community Redevelopment Agency meeting to order at 5:30
Roll call was taken with the following community redevelopment agency members present:
Ken Schwiebert-Chair Nick Williams-Vice Chair Art Konstantino
Jonathan Lewis Mike Langston
OTHERS PRESENT
Jackie Gorman, City Planner
Laura Jones, Planning and Zoning Administrative Assistant
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Minutes from February 10, 2020 meeting had been sent to the CRA members. After reviewing the minutes, Chairperson Schwiebert asked if there were any corrections or additions to the minutes. There being no corrections or additions to the minutes, Mr. Konstantino moved, Mr. Lewis seconded to approve the minutes as written. The motion carried.
CONSENT AGENDA
Gresco - $12,264.00 - Mr. Lewis moved to approve, motion seconded by Mr. Konstantino. Motion carried 5-0.
TREASURER’S REPORT
Monthly Finance Report
PUBLIC COMMENTARY
None
NEW BUSINESS
Mr. Williams nominated Dr. Schwiebert for Chair. Dr. Schwiebert declined.
Mr. Williams nominated Mr. Lewis for Chair.
Mr. Lewis nominated Mr. Langston.
Dr. Schwiebert heard a nomination for Mr. Lewis as Chair. Motioned not seconded.
Mr. Lewis nominated Mr. Williams for Chair. Mr. Konstantino seconded. Motion carried 5-0.
Mr. Langston nominated Dr. Schwiebert for Vice Chair. Mr. Lewis seconded. Motion carried 5-0.
Mr. Langston nominated Mr. Lewis. Ms. Gorman read the job description. Mr. Williams seconded. Motion carried 5-0.
Johnathan Lewis stated that he is very thankful to have Ms. Gorman and Public Works but there are keys concerns that he would like addressed before the project across the street begins. He had requested and is still requesting from the City Attorney to clarify who approves what is spent. He understood that they can make recommendations and City Council approves if the money can be spent. He does not know that procedures are being followed correctly.
Ms. Gorman will send the questions to legal counsel. She has become aware that the members have not been educated to as to what the CRA can do. She will ask the City Attorney to attend the next meeting. She would like at the end of each meeting for anything the Board wants on the agenda it will be mentioned at the end of the meeting.
Discussion about some communication issues, with examples. Mr. Williams said they have discussed ad nauseum the communication issues. Mr. Lewis gave examples. Mr. Williams agrees that they receive invoices for things that were never approved.
Ms. Gorman said a lot of Heritage Park was decided before her. But Block 12 will not be the same type of project, it will be designed and approved before work begins. She would like direction at the end of meetings and memos so they can all have a paper trail to follow.
Dr. Schwiebert said the initial rings around the first trees were because of grading and they were there to protect tress from weed whackers but if you look at them now there are planters with plants and he thinks they will continue to look nicer as the plants grow.
Mr. Williams said that since they do not have an Executive Director that works exclusively for the Agency, he said a memo to appropriate departments discussing issues would be
advisable so as to not have staff members in the middle of issues. He could have it prepared by the next meeting. Ms. Gorman will supply it.
Mr. Langston asked if the City Manager’s presence is optional. Ms. Gorman said it is optional. Mr. Langston asked if they can request the City Manager to be at the meetings. Jackie said yes. Mr. Williams said he was often at CRA meetings in the past but since Jackie got settled in, he hasn’t attended. Ms. Gorman said with the new staff in her department and she thinks their goals will be better achieved.
City of Williston Utility Manager, C.J. Zimoski went to podium. Mr. Zimoski assured the Board that nothing is being done without checking with staff. Discussed how decisions were made for Heritage Park and the Veterans Memorial.
Mr. Williams said human memory is fallible and some discussions in the past were verbal and, when something is done, it would be good to have it communicated in writing. It is the Board’s responsibility to have input, but they have no desire to micromanage. Because of the recurring miscommunications, an email about what you want to do and what you are going to do would result in less chance of misunderstanding and there would be a paper trail.
Mr. Zimoski said the Board and staff were neglect in communication. Mr. Langston asked Mr. Zimoski “What do you think we were lacking?”. Mr. Zimoski replied just communication to staff and, in Ms. Gorman’s defense, it involved past planners.
Ms. Gorman has put together a focus group based on talent, to engage in fact finding for a Performing Arts Center. She introduced some of the members. This group will do their own research, there will be meetings for the public to attend and give input. The building is important to the success of Block 12. This will give the incentive to make the block a success by bringing people downtown. It makes people want to have a business there but businesspeople will be less likely to invest if you cannot bring people to the property. We have done a marketing study, engaged the FDOT, and bought property to bring in people to sustain the buildings that face Main Street. She would like to establish a time and date for the focus group meetings.
Ms. Gorman would like them to meet at least twice a month. It would be nice to have an initial meeting with the CRA engaged and then meet independently once a month.
March 23rd at 530 will be the first meeting. Mr. Lewis will be liaison to the focus group.
Ms. Gorman said we’ve come a long way preparing for the future redevelopment of Block 12 and it’s important we don’t lose any more time trying to organize. She is confident but does not know if it is advisable for her to continue to facilitate the project. She wants to know if they want her to include a consultant as a facilitator the RFQ for Block 12. Mr. Lewis asked how much that would cost. Ms. Gorman doesn’t know. Mr. Lewis said he doesn’t think there is the money for it. Ms. Gorman said to consider a low interest loan, do the projects, and pay back when the TIFs increase. A financial analyst can help look at the future.
Dr. Schwiebert said it was due diligence to send out an RFQ with a consultant included. Mr. Konstantino said there are always people who want to donate to the arts.
Consensus to move forward with adding a consultant to the RFQ.
Ms. Gorman attended a webinar for reporting requirements. Audit will not be done in time of March 31 deadline for annual report so she will contact FRA to discuss that issue. The website is being populated.
Presentation by Ms. Jones. Mr. Williams suggested the adopters be required to conduct maintenance, all signs are consistent and ask on social media if there is interest. Asked for a plan to be presented at the next meeting.
Ms. Gorman included the guide for the website requirements. Website is being updated. Facebook page for the CRA has been created.
OLD BUSINESS
Previously discussed.
Discussion about what the Board would like. No conclusions yet.
Ms. Gorman would like to know if the Board consider raising the amount of the grant. Business are starting to contact her about grants. Mr. Williams doesn’t think the city should award grants improving or installing anything that is not permeant. Some more discussion about different options and incentives that can be included.
Ms. Gorman gave overview on program. Mr. Lewis suggested the prices were too high. Board agreed, prices were reduced to $1000 and trees were removed from program. The benches are already there. There are six benches. Mr. Williams requested a plan regarding the length of time what would be done if the bench has to be moved. Ms. Gorman will create a disclaimer. Ms. Gorman said they received the grant for John Henry Park for the stormwater then they can continue the tree memorial. She also received a request to repurpose Epperson Park and that will be in the budget next year, so the Board can think about it.
Ms. Gorman asked for a summary of the meeting so they have exactly what they want on the next agenda. She said trying to find old ordinances and approval for agenda items are becoming difficult to find. Mr. Lewis said they may have been approved but not recorded correctly. Ms. Debra Jones (audience) said they did not do resolutions for everything in the past.
There was some discussion about the role of the CRA.
NEXT MEETING DATE
Monday, April 13, 2020
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to come before the Community Redevelopment Agency the meeting, Mr. Williams moved to adjourn at 7:46 PM.
Nick Williams, Chairperson
Laura Jones, Recording Secretary
NOTICE:
IF A PERSON DECIDED TO APPEAL ANY DECISION MADE BY THIS COMMITTEE WITH RESPECT TO ANY MATTER CONSIDERED AT SUCH MEETING OR HEARING, HE WILL NEED A RECORD OF THE PROCEEDING, AND FOR SUCH PURPOSE, THEY MAY NEED TO ENSURE THAT A VERBATIM RECORD OF THE PROCEEDINGS IS MADE, WHICH RECORD INCLUDES THE TESTIMONY AND EVIDENCE UPON WHICH THE APPEAL IS TO BE BASED.
Request for 2 CRA meetings/month – TABLED FROM FEB. MEETING
Downtown banners
Façade Grant
Land Use & Zoning Class – Value of CRA’s – CANCELLED
Tree/Bench Memorial Program – Approval to move forward
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