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.

 

ELECTED OFFICIALS PRESENT IN CHAMBERS:

Shirley Groover Bryant, Presiding Officer

Brian Williams, Chair

Harold Smith, Vice Chair

Tamara Cornwell

Sheldon Jones

Sunshine Mathews (Present via ZOOM)

 

STAFF PRESENT IN CHAMBERS:

Mark Barnebey, City Attorney

Jim Freeman, City Clerk

Edward Johnson, Interim CRA Director

Mohammed Rayan, Public Works Director

Scott Tyler, Chief of Police

Cassi Bailey, Assistant City Clerk

Penny Johnston, Executive Assistant

Jenny Silverio, CRA Administrative/Compliance Coordinator

 

STAFF PRESENT ELECTRONICALLY:

Todd Williams, Information Technology (IT) Consultant

 

 

1.               Mayor Bryant called the meeting to order at 7:12 pm.

 

 

 

2.            CRA BOARD AGENDA APPROVAL

 

 

MOTION:                   Ms. Cornwell moved, Mr. Williams seconded, and the motion

carried 5-0 to approve the May 15, 2023 Special CRA Board Agenda.        

 

 

3.               PUBLIC COMMENT

 

Prior public comments were handed out to the Commissioners, and a copy was made part of the minutes.

 

The following individuals spoke against the proposed development:

 

·          Phill Baker

·          Regina Bradin

·          James Bradin

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May 15, 2023

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·          Gene Brown

·          Jim Eliason

·          Steven Griffith

·          Rod Griffon

·          Rick Gullett

·          Cheryl Huntsinger

·          Elaine Johnson

·          Jessica Jordan

·          Nicholas Lynch

·          Kurt Mattingly

·          Lynn Meier

·          David Potter

·          Avery Jordan-White

 

 

4.               CONSENT AGENDA

a. Minutes: 05/01/2023

 

 

                    MOTION:                   Ms. Cornwell moved, Mr. Jones seconded, and the motion carried

5-0 to approve the Consent Agenda as presented by staff.

 

 

5.               834 RIVERSIDE DRIVE (E.JOHNSON)

 

Mr. Johnson, Interim CRA Director, asked for the Board to move forward with the selection process on this property. He gave a history of the project. He asked for them to approve the review committee’s recommendation. If negotiations fail with Apogee, they will begin negotiations with the 2^nd ranked developer, Silver Hills Development.

 

 

MOTION:                   Mr. Jones moved, Mr. Williams seconded, to approve the

Riverside Review Committee’s top ranked developer, Apogee Real Estate Partners, and authorize the Mayor/CRA Presiding Officer to negotiate the sale and development of property.

 

 

 Mr. Smith said his concern was he didn’t hear from the applicants. He didn’t think they should approve anything until they hear the presentations from the Developers.

 

 

                             The motion carried 4-1. (Mr. Smith voted nay)

 

 

 

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May 15, 2023

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MOTION:               Mr. Williams moved, Ms. Cornwell seconded, and the motion carried 5-0 to have a 5-minute recess.

 

 

Mayor Bryant recessed the meeting at 7:49 pm.

 

Mayor Bryant reconvened the meeting at 7:54 pm.

 

 

6.               PALMETTO SPORTS COMPLEX-14^th AVE WEST & 9^th ST WEST (E.JOHNSON)

 

Mr. Johnson recapped the history of the discussion. This item was on the 4:30 pm Workshop Agenda for discussion as well.

 

 Mr. Williams didn’t believe this was a CRA issue, as the proposed property isn’t within the CRA, therefore shouldn’t be voted on during the CRA meeting. He also didn’t want to remove the current courts until new courts were built. Mr. Johnson reiterated that this would be in conjunction with the Woman’s Club RFP, and the current courts wouldn’t be removed until they build new courts. Mr. Barnebey agreed with Mr. Johnson and based on the discussions at the workshop, the motion could be contingent on the construction of the new courts on 14^th Avenue. Mr. Johnson reiterated the premise was to give permission to use 14^th Avenue as the location to construct the athletic fields. Mr. Williams reiterated that this is City business, not CRA.

 

 Ms. Cornwell agreed with Mr. Williams. She didn’t want the old courts removed before building new courts.

 

 Mr. Jones clarified what was being asked for with the requested motion.

 

After further discussion, this item was pulled.

 

7.               CRA DIRECTOR’S COMMENTS

 

Mr. Johnson spoke on negative comments that were said at the last meeting against his staff. He found no basis for any of the claims that were made. He has full faith in his staff members of the CRA. He will be at the 4^th of July event to observe for himself that it is run according to the rules and procedures. He did speak with the former CRA Director, who decided to override the procedures to eliminate the vendor based on past occurrences. Mr. Johnson is proud to work with his staff at the CRA.

 

8.                     CRA PRESIDING OFFICER’S COMMENTS

 

Mayor Bryant is happy they are moving forward with projects.

 

 

9.            CRA BOARD MEMEBERS’ COMMENTS

 

  Mr. Jones questioned Chief Tyler on the CRA’s innovation plan from the last meeting. Chief Tyler spoke on past programs. He is hoping now that staffing is more stable within the police department, they can initiate more community involved events. Chief will be reporting monthly/quarterly to update

 

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the Board. Mr. Jones also thanked the CRA for the training class he and Mr. Williams went to.

 

 

 

 

 

Mayor Bryant adjourned the meeting at 8:14 pm.