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

Sunshine Joiner, Chair

Brian Williams, Vice Chair

Tamara Cornwell

Sheldon Jones

Harold Smith

 

STAFF PRESENT IN CHAMBERS:

Mark Barnebey, City Attorney

Jim Freeman, City Clerk

Edward Johnson, Interim CRA Director

Mohammed Rayan, Public Works Director (Present via ZOOM)

Scott Tyler, Chief of Police

Cassi Bailey, Assistant City Clerk

Penny Johnston, Executive Assistant

Jeff Bowman, Code Enforcement Supervisor

 

STAFF PRESENT ELECTRONICALLY:

Todd Williams, Information Technology (IT) Consultant

 

 

1.              Mayor Bryant called the meeting to order at 7:50 pm.

 

 

2.               CRA BOARD AGENDA APPROVAL

 

 

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

5-0 to approve the June 17, 2024 Special CRA Board Agenda.

 

 

3.               PUBLIC COMMENT

 

No public comment.

 

 

4.               THE WOMEN’S CLUB RENOVATION PROJECT- STELLAR DEVELOPMENT, INC. (E.JOHNSON/M.BARNEBEY)

 

Mr. Johnson read from the point paper, which was included in the Agenda.

 

 Mr. Williams asked who the project manager would be. Mr. Johnson answered Moore 2 Design.

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 Mr. Smith asked Mr. Johnson when the project would start. It was answered, as soon as they sign the agreement.

 

 

                    MOTION:                   Ms. Cornwell moved, Mr. Jones seconded, to approve the

proposed contract between the CRA and Stellar Development, Inc. and authorize the Presiding Officer to execute the contract.

 

 

 Mr. Williams asked for further discussion. He questioned who was going to handle change orders that come up. Mr. Freeman believed the Moores would bring any changes to the contract before the Board. Mr. Williams questioned if that was listed in the contract. Mr. Freeman answered that changes to work were discussed in article 7. Mr. Barnebey didn’t have a problem adding a provision, but he didn’t think they would want to see every change that happened. He stated that if a change was needed outside the contract amount, they could designate that. Mr. Williams thought there should be something in the contract to designate any addition to the cost. He reiterated that $5 million dollars is too much.

 

 Mr. Jones clarified that the costs shouldn’t go up. He understood Mr. Williams’ concern about the cost rising. Mr. Jones asked Mr. Barnebey if section 7.1.3 would allow them to go above the contracted amount.   Mr. Johnson spoke on the subject. They will have an opportunity, if there is a change order, to review before approval. Mr. Jones clarified they don’t want the overall fee to go over the contracted amount. They will look at ways to save money, per Mr. Johnson. Mr. Jones was comfortable with the contract. Mr. Johnson reiterated that they will be monitoring how the dollars flow.

 

 Mr. Smith thought a representative from Stellar Development, Inc. should have been here tonight.

 

 Ms. Cornwell wanted a point of clarification. She reiterated that the budget for this project is $4.37 million with a 10% contingency. It is not $5 million, as Mr. Williams stated.  

 

 Mr. Williams explained that the reason he is questioning this is the verbiage in the contract states the project manager will approve the change orders. He wanted anything over $25,000 to come before them.

 

 Ms. Cornwell, as maker of the motion, was ok with adding that condition.

 

 

 

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

5-0 to approve the proposed contract between the CRA and Stellar Development, Inc. and authorize the Presiding Officer to execute the contract with amending article 7 to provide that any change over $25,000 in cost, will need to be approved by the CRA Board.

 

 

 

 

 

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5.               CRA RESOLUTION 2024-02: FUNDING AGREEMENT AND AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CRA AND PALMETTO DOWNTOWN MAIN STREET, INC. (E.JOHNSON/M.BARNEBEY)

 

Mr. Johnson read the point paper, which was included in the agenda. Palmetto Downtown Mainstreet was established in 2022. Mr. Johnson stated that the funding would be from June 17, 2024- September 30, 2025.

 Ms. Cornwell stated that she spoke with Mr. Johnson previously about some of her concerns. One of her concerns was with the budget year.  Mr. Johnson clarified that they have carried forward these funds for several years. The remaining funding is what they are referring to. They have already used some of the funds, through the CRA’s management. After this approval, it would go through their corporation. Whatever is remaining in that budget would be what is allowed to be spent. They are not proposing to increase that amount in this next budget year. She also questioned if anyone would be salaried in this group. She noted that previously with similar groups, most of the money was eaten up by salaries.

 

  Mr. Johnson answered that her concerns were also concerns they had, as staff. They had that conversation with Mr. Chancey. He noted that he will be carefully watching how these funds are spent. Mr. Johnson also spoke to his previous experiences.

 

 Mr. Jones echoed the sentiments of being very careful with these funds, specifically things they learned at the FRA conferences. He wanted a breakdown of the rest of the funds.  He’s glad this is happening; they just have to be careful. He asked what the technical support would be for helping homeowners. Mr. Johnson stated that would have to be up to their board’s structure.

 

 Karon Dixon, Executive Director for Mainstreet, stated that she would be happy to answer any questions. Mr. Jones specifically asked about the technical support. She answered that those questions haven’t come up to their board yet, but she would like an opportunity to come back and share what she finds out. Mr. Jones would like her to bring back a map of the area they will be working with.

 

 Mr. Williams asked if there was any anticipation of having a line-item budget by October 1^st for them to see. She answered yes, once they have this piece settled, they are planning to have a lot more specifics to bring back.

 

 Mayor Bryant also noted that Mr. Chancey was on ZOOM.

 

 Mr. Johnson further answered Mr. Jones as relating to home ownership. They are kicking off the residential rehab program. The residential rehab program will address the whole CRA.

 

 Ms. Cornwell agreed with Mr. Williams in their desire to see the parameters Palmetto Downtown Mainstreet will cover by October 1^st. She would also like an outline of their plan for outreach, and for them to follow through every 3 months and present what has transpired. She is hesitant opening an organization with very few parameters. She does think this would be a tremendous asset. She hopes there’s consideration of design and continuity. She will also be watching to make sure it is cost effective. She wishes she had a better plan in front of her.

 

 

 

 

 

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

5-0 to approve the Funding Agreement and the Supporting Resolution in the amount of $100,000.00 between the CRA and the PDMS and authorize the Presiding Officer to execute the agreement.

 

 

6.                     CONSIDERATION OF FIRST AMENDMENT TO STADLER DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT (E.JOHNSON/M.BARNEBEY)

 

Mr. Johnson read the point paper, which was part of the amended Agenda. This was an emergency item that was added because their current agreement expires on July 9^th and there isn’t another meeting scheduled before that time. Stadler Development has requested an approximate 3-month extension. CRA Staff agreed with the request to extend. Mr. Barnebey also noted that Ryan Harris from his office was there if they had any questions.

 

 

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

                                                            carried 5-0 to approve the First Amendment to Agreement

                                                            for Purchase and Sale between Stadler and the Palmetto

                                                            Community Redevelopment Agency expiring October 9,

                                                            2024.

 

  Mayor Bryant expressed one concern she had previously encountered when the Commission restricted that any purchase over $500 would come before them. The Commission quickly changed that because it was too much. She was concerned that the $25,000 limit on the Women’s Club contract may be too low as well.

 

 Mr. Johnson stated that Ms. Dixon had more information to share.  Ms. Dixon discussed Palmetto Downtown Mainstreet, PDMS, plans for the summer concert series and where they are in their process.

 

 Mr. Jones was excited for where they’re going with this program.

 

 Ms. Cornwell clarified that the event will be at Sutton Park. She questioned tents. Ms. Dixon answered that they will have vendors with 10x10 tents. She already had 15 vendors interested in the event. Ms. Cornwell suggested not having the beer garden near the playground.    

 

 

 

 

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Mayor Bryant adjourned the meeting at 8:33 pm.