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:

Dan West, Presiding Officer

Sunshine Joiner, Chair

Brian Williams, Vice Chair

Tamara Cornwell

Harold Smith

Scott Whitaker

 

STAFF PRESENT IN CHAMBERS:

Mark Barnebey, City Attorney

Jim Freeman, City Clerk

Marisa Powers, City Attorney

Mohammed Rayan, Public Works Director

Scott Tyler, Chief of Police

Rowena Young-Gopie, CRA Director

Cassi Bailey, Assistant City Clerk

Ed Johnson, CRA Independent Contractor

Penny Johnston, Executive Assistant

Jenny Silverio, CRA Admin/Compliance Coordinator

 

STAFF PRESENT ELECTRONICALLY:

Todd Williams, Information Technology (IT) Consultant

 

 

1.               Mayor West called the meeting to order at 7:53 pm.

 

 

 

2.               CRA BOARD AGENDA APPROVAL

 

 

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

5-0 to approve the November 18, 2024 Special CRA Board Agenda.

 

 

 

3.               PUBLIC COMMENT

 

No public comment.

 

 

 

Special CRA Board Meeting

November 18, 2024

Page 2 of 4

 

 

4.               STADLER EXTENSION

 

Ms. Young-Gopie summarized what is being asked for today. There are revised optional motions in front of the Commissioners. Ms. Young-Gopie read a summary from the point paper, included in the Agenda. The Stadlers are requesting a second extension to their contract. The CRA Advisory Board recommended to deny the extension 2-1.

 

 John Stadler spoke on where they’re at today. They are asking for an extension of the due diligence period until February 10, 2025. At that point, they will present a full presentation of the site plans for both the Riverside Drive site and the Slicks site.

 

Staff updated their recommendation to ask the Board to consider multiple motion options regarding the extension.

 

 Mr. Williams questioned the timeline.   Mr. Freeman asked for clarification on the three unsolicited proposals on December 2^nd. The Stadlers are not prepared to submit an unsolicited proposal on December 2^nd. Mr. Freeman explained the other unsolicited proposals, Gray Property Group and ReEnvision. Ms. Young-Gopie stated for the record that the Stadlers were told about the December 2^nd meeting at their last Department Heads’ meeting, where they were present.   Ms. Young-Gopie clarified that these motions are just options.   Mr. Barnebey explained their current contract. He asked for clarification if they’re going to proceed with their current contract. As currently stated, Mr. Stadler does not want to proceed with the current contract.   Mr. Williams and Mr. Barnebey discussed what would happen on December 2^nd related to the unsolicited proposal process. Mr. Stadler reminded them that their unsolicited offer is for the old Slicks site, not for Riverside Drive.   Mr. Barnebey and Mr. Freeman further explained the process for unsolicited proposals and the need for two public hearings.

 

 Mr. Smith questioned the parking garage. He thought the staff said we couldn’t do a parking garage. Mr. Freeman said it was discussed at some point in the past. They are currently exploring parking options. The Stadlers are estimating a contribution of $10-12 million from the City. Mr. Freeman went on to state the other “asks” from the Stadlers. The CRA Advisory Board recommended rejecting their extension.

 

MOTION:                   Mr. Smith moved to reject the request for an extension of the

original Stadler contract associated with the RFP, which was previously approved by the CRA Board, Mr. Whitaker seconded.

 

Mr. Williams asked if Mr. Smith was going to motion to move on to the second highest bidder for the Riverside property. Mr. Smith answered yes, he would make a second motion on that.

 

 Ms. Joiner asked the Stadlers what they would do if the extension was denied. They would withdraw their offer on the Slicks site.

 

                                                The motion failed 2-3 (Ms. Joiner, Ms. Cornwell, and Mr. Williams

voted nay.)

 

 

 

Special CRA Board Meeting

November 18, 2024

Page 3 of 4

 

 Mr. Williams asked what it would accomplish to extend the contract to December 2^nd. Mr. Stadler answered that it would give them more time to present a combined project including their unsolicited proposal for Slicks along with the Riverside property.   Ms. Young-Gopie asked for clarification on the other unsolicited proposals. 

 

 Mr. Freeman clarified that all the unsolicited proposals are for separate properties. Discussions continued regarding the legal process for unsolicited proposals.

 

 Mr. Whitaker asked if they could have an RFP and an unsolicited bid. Mr. Barnebey answered that they need to treat them separately.

 

 Mr. Smith didn’t understand why we’re trying to go forward if the City can’t afford it.   Mr. Freeman spoke to the parking discussions over time and the Commission needing to decide what they’re wanting to do and what they would give up to do so. Mr. Smith didn’t think it is a good business decision.

 

                  MOTION:                   Mr. Williams moved to extend the original contract associated

with the RFP until January 8^th and the due diligence would end at that point too. Ms. Joiner seconded.

 

 It was clarified that the due diligence on this site should be done. We would be extending it until January 8^th, 2025.

 

                                                          The motion failed 2-3 (Mr. Whitaker, Ms. Cornwell, Mr. Smith

voted nay.)

 

                  MOTION:                   Mr. Williams moved to reconsider Mr. Smith’s previous motion.

Mr. Smith seconded, and the motion carried 5-0.

 

 

                  MOTION:                   Mr. Smith moved to reject the request for an extension of the

original Stadler contract associated with the RFP, which was previously approved by the CRA Board. Mr. Williams seconded.

 

 

 Ms. Cornwell was not interested in moving forward with negotiations with the second-place respondent. She wanted to reject all RFP’s and initiate the process again.

 

                                           The motion carried 4-1. (Ms. Joiner voted nay.)

           

 

MOTION:                   Mr. Smith moved to reject all RFP proposals and initiate the process again. Ms. Cornwell seconded.

 

 

 Mr. Freeman asked for clarification on rejecting the RFP’s and restarting the process.

 

 

 

Special CRA Board Meeting

November 18, 2024

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      AMENDED MOTION:               Mr. Smith moved to reject all RFP proposals, Ms. Cornwell

seconded and the motion carried 5-0.

 

 

 

Mayor West adjourned the meeting at 9:01 pm.