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

Scott Whitaker, CRA Chair

Harold Smith, CRA Vice-Chair

Tamara Cornwell

Sunshine Joiner

Brian Williams

 

STAFF PRESENT IN CHAMBERS:

Mark Barnebey, City Attorney

Jim Freeman, City Clerk

Mohammed Rayan, Public Works Director

Scott Tyler, Chief of Police

Rowena Young-Gopie, CRA Director

Cassi Bailey, Assistant City Clerk

 

STAFF PRESENT ELECTRONICALLY:

Todd Williams, Information Technology (IT) Consultant

 

 

 

1.               Mayor West called the meeting to order at 8:55 pm.

 

 

 

2.            CRA BOARD AGENDA APPROVAL

 

 

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

carried 5-0 to approve the March 10, 2025 CRA Board Agenda.

 

 

 

 

 

3.            PUBLIC COMMENT

 

 

No public comment.

 

 

 

 

 

CRA Board Meeting

March 10, 2025

Page 2 of 3

 

4.               CONSENT AGENDA

a. Minutes: 1/6/25, 2/10/25, 2/24/25

b. CRA-FINANCIAL ADVISORY SERVICES

c. EXTENSION TO THE SVN COMMERCIAL ADVISORY GROUP REAL ESTATE MARKETING CONTRACT

d. BERMAN LEASE EXTENSION

 

 

MOTION:                   Ms. Joiner moved, Mr. Whitaker seconded, and the motion carried 5-0 to approve consent agenda items 4a., 4b., and 4d.

 

 Dr. Cornwell pulled item 4c. for discussion. She asked for an explanation of the services provided by SVN. Ms. Young-Gopie explained that SVN agreed that they would credit their retainer towards their commission if the property were sold. They removed the $1,000 cancellation fee in the contract. They also extended their contract to November 30, 2025. The effective dates were clarified in the contract, as they differed from the point paper.

 

 Mr. Rayan asked what would happen to the retainer if SVN didn’t bring someone forward and the contract expired. Ms. Young-Gopie answered that the funds would be returned to the City. Dr. Cornwell asked where that language was in the contract. Ms. Young-Gopie confirmed it was not in the contract. Dr. Cornwell stated she was not willing to pay a real estate firm that large of a retainer before the property is sold when other realtors would do it for free.

 

 Mr. Whitaker asked how long SVN has been representing that parcel. It was answered since 2018. They have not received any compensation up to this point. He believed if the retainer is refundable, it is beneficial to the City for SVN to market that parcel.

 

 Mr. Smith said SVN brought one developer to the Board. SVN said they had other people that wanted to buy the property, but they never brought them to the Board. He didn’t think they should give anyone a retainer. They will be getting a commission if they sell the property.

 

 Dr. Cornwell said they have gotten nowhere in 7 years. The contract is not clear in getting the $28,000 back. She did acknowledge that SVN did bring back several developers to the Board.

 

 Mr. Whitaker reiterated that this property is not just for anyone. It takes the right person to invest in that property. It takes time to find the right person. With this contract, they can only get a Commission up to $99,000. Most realtors would get 6% commission based on the sale price.  

 

 Ms. Joiner agreed with Mr. Whitaker. It is a very specific property. It takes time to find the right person. She also clarified that the $28,000 retainer would be taken out of their commission.

 

 Mr. Williams requested they list “N/A or 0” in the blank spaces on the contract.

 

 Ms. Young-Gopie detailed what SVN has brought to the Board for this property since 2018, the document she read from was included in the Minutes.

 

 

 

CRA Board Meeting

March 10, 2025

Page 3 of 3

 

 Mr. Williams thinks this property is the flagship/key to the City. He thinks we’re going to have to properly utilize this property. He’s wondering if there are any other developers that might be interested in this property. Ms. Young-Gopie answered that there are currently four developers that are speaking with SVN.

 

 Mr. Smith asked if there are four potential developers, why haven’t they come before the Board. Ms. Young-Gopie answered that they’re not ready to come to the Board yet, they’re still developing their proposals.

 

        

 

                    MOTION:                   Ms. Joiner moved to approve consent agenda item 4c. as

recommended by staff, Mr. Whitaker seconded, and the motion carried 3-2. (Mr. Smith and Dr. Cornwell voted nay.)

 

 

5.               CRA DIRECTOR’S COMMENTS

 

Ms. Young-Gopie spoke on Freebee that will launch next week. She shared a flyer with each of the Board members, which was included in the Minutes. The pilot program lasts 6 months. They’re hoping to team up with the City of Bradenton and apply for a grant program from FDOT.

 

 There are currently three vehicles for each City.

 

 

6.                  CRA PRESIDING OFFICER’S COMMENTS

 

No additional comments.

 

 

7.               CRA BOARD MEMEBERS’ COMMENTS

 

No additional comments.

 

 

Mayor West adjourned the meeting at 9:20 pm.