CRA Board Members Present:

Shirley Groover Bryant, Presiding Officer

Tambra Varnadore, Chair

Jonathan Davis, Vice Chair

Tamara Cornwell

Harold Smith

Brian Williams

 

Staff Present:

Jeff Burton, CRA Director

Mark Barnebey, City Attorney

Jim Freeman, City Clerk

Allen Tusing, Public Works Director

Scott Tyler, Chief of Police

Amber LaRowe, Assistant City Clerk

 

 

Mayor Bryant called the meeting to order at 8:30 p.m.

 

1. CRA BOARD AGENDA APPROVAL

 

Motion:           Mrs. Cornwell moved, Mr. Davis seconded, and the motion carried 5-0 to approve the May 6, 2019 CRA Board Agenda.

 

2. PUBLIC COMMENT

None.

 

3. CONSENT AGENDA APPROVAL

A.    Blalock Walters Legal Invoices

B.     Resolution 2019-02 Budget Amendment

 

Discussion:

Mrs. Varnadore questioned the Blalock Walters Invoice for the Growers Hardware property closing. She opined some of the charges should have been “the cost of doing business” and not specific charges. Attorney Barnebey will look into this and asked, if the other invoices are appropriate, to approve those.

 

Mr. Burton reviewed Resolution 2019-02 with the Board. With the help of the Finance Department, staff has reevaluated the status of ongoing projects and reallocated resources as necessary. This Resolution also budgets all remaining funds that went unspent from fiscal year 2018.

 

Motion:     Mrs. Cornwell moved, Mrs. Varnadore seconded, and the motion carried 5-0 to approve the May 6, 2019 CRA Board Consent Agenda as recommended by staff with the removal of Blalock Walters Invoice 30985-090/8.

 

4. CRA DIRECTOR'S COMMENTS

Mr. Burton stated that the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) came to the CRA regarding a loss of income during the installation of their new roof. Staff is working with them to determine a number to define what those losses are and will be bringing that forward to the Board at a future meeting.

 

Mr. Burton discussed the Riverside Property lot where the Seahorse used to be. The bathrooms that are on that parcel need to be replaced. The City purchased that land with a grant that dictates the land must be used for recreational/public purposes. The structure that is on that property right now needs to be replaced and there are two choices to go about doing that. The CRA can do a land swap, meaning, have that property appraised and then find another piece of property in the CRA/City to purchase for that amount and use the property for recreational/public use. Or the City could pay back the grant and lease it to the CRA for the lifespan. Then the CRA could put out an ad to lease the property to a private entity for a bait shop, restaurant, etc.

 

Mr. Burton informed the Board that staff will be locking down the spigots and removing the skin from the awning of Growers Hardware for security purposes. Eventually that building will be demolished.

 

Mr. Burton will be hiring a part time consultant to talk to the businesses in the CRA. He is hopeful that there will be once a month business meetings to hear what the businesses want and need and to help them be more involved.

 

 

5. PRESIDING OFFICER'S COMMENTS

Mayor Bryant stated the Florida Department of Transportation is still working on pursuing the multi-modal trail through the City. She also talked to Charlie Hunsicker from the County who will be working on reviving the BUILD Grant to make that happen.

 

 

6. CRA BOARD MEMBER'S COMMENTS

 

 

Mayor Bryant adjourned the meeting at 9:06 p.m.