This CRA Board Meeting was conducted utilizing Communications Media Technology. Some Staff members were present in the Commission Chambers while others were present via the Zoom application to respect the social distancing guidelines.
ELECTED OFFICIALS PRESENT
IN CHAMBERS:
Shirley Groover Bryant, Presiding Officer
Sheldon Jones, Chair
Brian Williams, Vice Chair
Tamara Cornwell
Sunshine Mathews
Harold Smith
STAFF PRESENT IN CHAMBERS:
Mark Barnebey, City Attorney
Xavier Colon, Interim CRA Director
Jim Freeman, City Clerk
Mohammed Rayan, Public Works Director
Scott Tyler, Chief of Police
Cassi Bailey, Assistant City Clerk
Penny Johnston, Executive Assistant
STAFF PRESENT ELECTRONICALLY:
Todd Williams, Information Technology (IT) Consultant
1. Mayor Bryant called the meeting to order at 7:06 pm.
2. CRA BOARD AGENDA APPROVAL
MOTION: Ms. Cornwell moved, Mr. Jones seconded, and the motion carried 5-0
to approve the December 5, 2022 CRA Board Agenda.
3. PUBLIC COMMENT
The following individuals opined that they were against the basketball courts being at Sutton Park and preferred them to be at Lamb Park:
· Gretchen Leclezio
· Dominique Leclezio
· Heather Wallace
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MOTION: Mr. Williams moved to add item 3e. Continuation of the Recreation
Relocation discussion from the Workshop. Ms. Cornwell seconded, and the motion carried 5-0.
3e. RECREATION RELOCATION DISCUSSION- CONTINUED FROM WORKSHOP MEETING
Mr. Williams was opposed to moving the basketball courts over to Sutton Park. He suggested having the basketball courts in the northwest corner of Lamb Park. He doesn’t want to remove trees from Sutton Park or remove the memorial walk. Mr. Williams stated that he doesn’t mind the location that the conceptuals show, but he would prefer the corner of 7th Street and 10th Ave.
Mr. Smith questioned who would be doing tournaments on the pickleball courts at 17th Street. Mr. Colon responded that it could potentially be schools doing tournaments or private pickleball clubs. Mr. Smith stated that if they are planning to have tournaments there, you would need another bathroom along with concessions. He believes the basketball courts should be at Sutton Park, however, he feels it could go either way.
Mr. Williams mentioned the lights at 17th Street which will potentially form a wall, not creating an issue for nearby residents. The possibility of needing storage for the chairs was questioned. Mr. Colon responded that the chairs were just a conceptual of how many people they could seat. Built in seating is also an option. Mr. Colon highlighted a storage room that was included in the conceptual. He reminded the Board that these are all hypotheticals. Mr. Williams thought bleacher seating would work well.
Mr. Jones stated that he works for himself, not the Mayor or Commission. This was in response to a comment made during Public Comment. He also clarified that when this issue was pulled during the summer, it was so they could further explore the best possible plan for this project. He mentioned GT Bray’s pickleball courts and their lack of seating.
Mr. Colon spoke that there will be a landscape buffer at the Women’s Club. He also noted that there is currently $325,000 in the budget from the ½ cent sales tax for a new covered basketball court at Lamb Park. The concepts he presented are all hypotheticals and he brought it forward to get the Board’s opinions. These are long range plans.
Mayor Bryant read an email into the record from a resident who lives near Lamb Park, stating they did not want the basketball courts on the NE corner of Lamb Park as proposed. The email was made part of the minutes.
Mr. Smith questioned when the reversal of the stage at Sutton Park will come back before the Board. Mr. Colon responded that it would be down the road. It is an option to allow for entertainment to face the road. This is also a long range plan.
Mr. Williams commented on the property at the south end near the new Police Department, which was mentioned in public comment. He stated that the property is way too valuable to be used as basketball courts.
He opined that the language spoken on the basketball courts shouldn’t be by the playground at Sutton Park. He reiterated his desire to have the basketball courts at the northwest corner of Lamb Park.
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December 5, 2022
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4. CONSENT AGENDA
a. Commercial Façade Enhancement Program Updates
b. Commercial Façade Application SFG # 23-01 WrightCo Enterprises, LLC
c. Resolution 2022-04 FY 2023 CRA Budget Amendment
MOTION: Ms. Cornwell moved, Mr. Jones seconded, and the motion carried 5-0 to
approve the Consent Agenda as presented by staff with the removal of item 4c.
MOTION: Mr. Williams moved to disapprove item 4c. The motion failed for lack of
a second.
MOTION: Ms. Cornwell moved, Mr. Jones seconded, and the motion carried 4-1 to
approve item 4c. (Mr. Williams voted nay)
5. WEBSITE UPDATE/GIS DASHBOARD (X.COLON)
Mr. Colon demonstrated the updated CRA website. He also presented a PowerPoint to highlight the CRA Initiatives Dashboard, which was included in the record.
Mayor Bryant opined that this will really help her to gather information.
Mr. Jones is very impressed and happy with this website and the dashboard.
Ms. Mathews also expressed her gratitude and excitement for the new website and dashboard.
6. CRA DIRECTOR’S COMMENTS
None
7. CRA PRESIDING OFFICER’S COMMENTS
Mayor Bryant stated that she is very proud of the accomplishments made by the CRA staff.
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8. CRA BOARD MEMEBERS’ COMMENTS
Mr. Williams said it has been great having Mr. Colon work for the City. He has done a great job and he wished him well in the future.
Mayor Bryant adjourned the meeting at 8:06 pm.
Minutes approved: JANUARY 09, 2023
JAMES R. FREEMAN
James R. Freeman
City Clerk