CRA Board Members Present:

Shirley Groover Bryant, Presiding Officer

Tambra Varnadore, Chair

Jonathan Davis, Vice Chair

Tamara Cornwell

Harold Smith

Brian Williams

 

Staff Present:

Mark Barnebey, City Attorney

Jeff Burton, CRA Director

Jim Freeman, City Clerk

Allen Tusing, Public Works Director

Scott Tyler, Chief of Police

Amber LaRowe, Assistant City Clerk

 

 

Mayor Bryant opened the CRA Board meeting at 8:30 p.m.

 

 

1.  CRA BOARD AGENDA APPROVAL

 

Motion:           Mr. Davis moved, Mr. Williams seconded, and the motion carried 5-0 to approve the December 3, 2018 CRA Board Agenda.

 

 

2.  PUBLIC COMMENT

No comment.

 

 

3. CONSENT AGENDA APPROVAL

            A. Blalock Walters Legal Invoices                                                                                                    

 

Motion:     Mr. Davis moved, Mr. Williams seconded, and the motion carried 5-0 to approve the Blalock Walters legal invoices as presented.

 

 

4. SEAHORSE STATUE

Mr. Burton explained that the CRA has obtained an appraisal for the public statue of the Seahorse proposed in Riverside Park West. The statue is 20 feet 5 inches tall with the base being 7 feet tall for a total height of 27 feet 5 inches. The proposed price from Moore 2 Design for the Seahorse and added requirements is $116,397.26 with the appraisal being $142,050.

 

Florida Statue 287.057 Procurement of Commodities or Contractual Services states that artistic services are not subject to the competitive solicitation requirements; therefore, this artistic endeavor should be considered as a sole source contract.

Mr. Williams opined that contracts this large in amount should come before the Commission/CRA Board so that open discussion amongst the Board members can be had and that everyone can be further educated on the matter at one time.

 

Motion:           Mr. Davis moved, Mr. Smith seconded, and the motion carried 4-1 to deem this product an artistic sole source and approve the contract of $116,397.26 for the Seahorse Statue appraised for $142,050 for Riverside Park to Moore 2 Design and authorize the Presiding Officer to sign. Mr. Williams voted no.

 

 

5.  CRA DIRECTOR’S COMMENTS   

Mr. Burton discussed the VFW roof renovation, noting it is under way.

 

He expects to receive the environmental information from Cardno on their study of the sites in the downtown that the CRA is looking to purchase.

 

Mr. Burton informed the Board that the grant was not received for the VFW. He will keep applying and in the meantime will look into performing work on the building like an elevator that is not in the scope of the Historical Grant.

 

The CRA is also considering the purchase of another piece of property that just became available and will bring that information back to the Board as he receives it.

 

 

6.  PRESIDING OFFICER’S COMMENTS

Mayor Bryant said that the BUILD Grant has been submitted, so now we wait to hear back if we have been awarded it.

 

Mayor Bryant discussed the book “Pocket Neighborhoods” by Ross Chapin. They will be here to pick up their books and she asked Mr. Burton to set up a meeting with her, Mrs. Owens, and the Board members.

 

 

7.  CRA BOARD MEMBERS’ COMMENTS

Mr. Davis—suggested a plaque be placed next to the Seahorse Statue that discusses the history and encouraged protection from vandalism as much as can be possible.

 

 

Mayor Bryant adjourned the meeting at 8:44 p.m.