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:
Jim Freeman, City Clerk
Marisa Powers, City Attorney
Mohammed Rayan, Public Works Director
Rowena Young-Gopie, CRA Director
Scott Tyler, Chief of Police
Cassi Bailey, Assistant City Clerk
Penny Johnston, Executive Assistant
STAFF PRESENT ELECTRONICALLY:
Todd Williams, Information Technology (IT) Consultant
Matt Misco, Finance Manager
THE PURPOSE OF THE SPECIAL CRA MEETING RESULTED FROM RESCHEDULING THE REGULARLY SCHEDULED MEETING FROM OCTOBER 7, 2024, WHICH WAS CANCELED DUE TO HURRICANE MILTON.
1. Mayor Bryant called the meeting to order at 8:17 pm.
2. CRA BOARD AGENDA APPROVAL
MOTION: Ms. Cornwell moved, Mr. Williams seconded, and the motion
carried 5-0 to approve the October 21, 2024 CRA Board Agenda.
3. PUBLIC COMMENT
Public Comment was moved to after item #4.
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4. CONSENT AGENDA
a. CRA Legal Invoices
b. CRA Resolution 2024-04: FY 2024 Year End CRA Budget Amendment
c. SFG #25-01, 1005 10th Ave West, Parcel I.D #2685700003
d. BeeFree, LLC Contract
e. Residential Junk Abatement Improvement Program
f. CRA Newsletter Template
MOTION: Ms. Cornwell moved, Ms. Joiner seconded, and the motion
carried 5-0 to approve the Consent Agenda as presented by staff with the removal of item 4b. for discussion.
Ms. Cornwell asked for clarification on the order of approval for the CRA Budget Amendment. It was in the opposite order of what it normally was. Mr. Freeman stated that it should be fine since it was approved by the City Commission.
Matt Misco spoke via ZOOM on the funds that were earmarked in FY 2024 for the MLK playground, which were not encumbered. Therefore, they were carried forward for the next fiscal year into the general fund balance. This allowed those funds to be used towards the Women’s Center. The funding of approximately $860,000 for the MLK playground is still allocated in FY 2025. Nothing was taken from there. Mr. Williams asked what these funds were being taken away from in this amendment. Mr. Misco answered that there was $300,000 for site amenities and professional services which were probably going to be used in the phase after the playground was completed. Those funds aren’t needed until the playground is complete. Mr. Jones asked where the funds will come from in the future. Mr. Misco further explained that every year they re-budget any unused funds which is part of the yearly carry forward amendment. So, when they decide to move forward with the playground, staff will decide where the funds will come from. The reduction was $176,000. Approximately $860,000 is still allocated for the playground. Discussions continued regarding the project timeline.
Mayor Bryant spoke regarding the placement of the playground and communicating with SWFWMD on the ability to do so.
Mr. Jones spoke on the history of the project and the placement of the playground.
Ms. Young-Gopie spoke on the Women’s Club Project. They are set to begin construction within the next week. The MLK Park playground project is fully funded.
Mr. Smith spoke about his problem with moving money in the budget. Mr. Freeman emphasized that is why they’re bringing this budget amendment forward for approval. They have not moved any funds yet. Mr. Smith reiterated that the MLK park playground project needs to get done.
Mr. Williams and Ms. Young-Gopie discussed the budget and where the funds are coming from for various projects.
Ms. Cornwell clarified that this is part of the FY 2024 budget. Staff are recommending that they move the funds to move forward with the current projects. They will reallocate funds for the other projects, as needed.
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Mr. Smith noted this isn’t Ms. Young-Gopie’s fault. He was upset that other projects have moved forward while the MLK park playground has not.
Ms. Young-Gopie noted that as of October 29th they are going to break ground on the Ward 1 Phase III project. They have full funding for the playground and will be moving forward on that as well.
MOTION: Ms. Cornwell moved, Ms. Joiner seconded, and the motion
carried 3-2 to approve item 4b. (Mr. Jones and Mr. Williams voted nay.)
PUBLIC COMMENT
Betty Sailes Rhodes spoke on how long it is taking to get the playground done at MLK Park.
5. CONSIDERATION OF SECOND AMENDMENT TO STADLER DEVELOPMENT AGMT (R.YOUNG-GOPIE)
The Stadlers presented a PowerPoint, which was included in the Minutes. Mr. Stadler highlighted what had changed since the last time they came to the meeting. They have added the boat trailer parking back into their plan. They also included a summary plan within their PowerPoint.
Mr. Jones questioned the need for another extension. Mr. Stadler explained that they’re considering it a unified project. Mr. Jones opined that they need to scrap the project and bring back a combined project.
Mr. Williams disagreed with Mr. Jones. He opined that they accomplished what they’ve asked them to do. He thinks they need to move forward.
Ms. Joiner appreciated them going back to what they loved about the project in the beginning. She agreed with Mr. Williams that they needed to move forward.
Ms. Cornwell noted that the CRA Advisory Board hadn’t seen this new proposal. They were told it was the same as the former plan. It is not. She opined that it needed to go before the CRAAB first. The CRAAB doesn’t meet again until January, unless they call a special meeting. Ms. Young-Gopie clarified that they only brought forward the extension of the contract.
Ms. Powers asked if this was their unsolicited proposal. This is separate and apart from the extension. She clarified that the advisory board was presented with the extension of the contract. No one saw this PowerPoint before tonight. Ms. Cornwell said this was presented to individual commissioners several weeks ago.
Mayor Bryant agreed that the CRAAB needed to see the proposal. The Slicks property is going to require an appraisal. They can schedule a special advisory meeting.
Mr. Freeman agreed with Ms. Powers. These projects are separate. He went through the previous discussions and if an extension was required or necessary. The Stadlers asked to extend on the one parcel. The current contract’s due diligence expired October 9th. Due to the Hurricanes, it was extended until this meeting.
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Ms. Cornwell further opined that they should extend it until the November 18th meeting so the CRAAB can review the updated proposal.
Mr. Smith asked the Stadlers if they’re planning to do this project on their own. Yes, they are.
Mr. Stadler gave a history of how they got to where they are today. They’re asking for an extension of their contract until they can get approval on the Slicks property so they can move forward on the properties together.
Mr. Williams asked for an appraisal to be done on the Slicks property.
MOTION: Ms. Cornwell moved, Mr. Williams seconded, and the motion
carried 5-0 to approve the “Second Amendment” to the Agreement for Purchase and Sale between Stadler and the Palmetto Community Redevelopment Agency until November 18th with the addition of a Special CRA Board Meeting.
Ms. Young-Gopie clarified that this will also be dependent on CRAAB members’ availability.
6. 2025 CRAAB MEETING CALENDAR (Informational Only)
7. CRA DIRECTOR’S COMMENTS
Ms. Young-Gopie reported that they are going to the FRA conference starting tomorrow. They were awarded two awards for the “Out of the Box” and “Financial Reporting.”
8. CRA PRESIDING OFFICER’S COMMENTS
No Comments.
9. CRA BOARD MEMEBERS’ COMMENTS
Ms. Cornwell noted that if they’re going to have an emergency meeting, the Commissioners need to be spoken to directly, not have a message left for them. She also opined that they need to have a timeframe to cut off appointments from the Mayor towards the end of their term. Mayor Bryant shared that it is in their Charter that she is allowed to do so. Ms. Cornwell said they made the CRA Director appointment without the funding being there. They need to look at the checks and balances within the system.
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Ms. Cornwell also noted that the City did amazing work during the hurricane.
Mr. Williams spoke about what Ms. Cornwell said and questioned how she can equate a budget amendment of $6,000 towards employee funds, yet they approve over a million-dollar difference for the Women’s Club. Ms. Cornwell reiterated that her issue was being told the money was in the budget when it was not.
Mayor Bryant adjourned the meeting at 9:34 pm.
Minutes approved: JANUARY 6, 2025
JAMES R. FREEMAN
James R. Freeman
City Clerk