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 (Present via ZOOM)

 

STAFF PRESENT IN CHAMBERS:

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

 

STAFF PRESENT ELECTRONICALLY:

Todd Williams, Information Technology (IT) Consultant

 

 

1.            Mayor West called the meeting to order at 7:32 pm.

 

 

 

2.            CRA BOARD AGENDA APPROVAL

 

 

MOTION:                   Dr. Cornwell moved, Ms. Joiner seconded, and the motion

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

 

 

 

3.                  PUBLIC COMMENT

 

This was done after item #4.

 

Tina Fisher, Attorney for Palmetto Green, spoke on agenda item number 5. She provided a handout from FDEP, which was made part of the minutes. Her client is prepared to pay off the CRA in the amount of $800,000.

 

 

 

 

 

CRA Board Meeting

May 5, 2025

Page 2 of 3

 

4.               CONSENT AGENDA

a. Minutes: 04/07/2025

b. BEEFREE MOU

 

 

                    MOTION:                   Dr. Cornwell moved, Mr. Whitaker seconded, and the motion

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

 

5.               DEFAULT BY PALMETTO GREEN, LLC OF REMEDIATION LOAN (R.YOUNG-GOPIE/M.POWERS)

Ms. Powers shared the history of this item, which was included in the point paper in the agenda. As of March 7, 2025, Palmetto Green owed the CRA the balance of $808,124.34, calculated as follows: $735,000.01 in principle and $73,124.33 in interest, as of the date of maturity. Interest continues to accrue daily. Palmetto Green failed to remit payment to the CRA for the balance of the loan upon the maturity date.

 

 Mr. Whitaker asked to clarify if Palmetto Green was ready to pay the $800,000. Ms. Powers and Ms. Fisher answered, yes. Mr. Whitaker agreed that they could close with $800,000 within 15 days. Ms. Joiner and Mr. Smith agreed.

 

MOTION:                   Dr. Cornwell moved, Ms. Joiner seconded, and the motion carried

5-0 to approve Palmetto Green to refinance the line of credit and pay off the CRA in the amount of $800,000 within fifteen (15) days of the date of approval.  If Palmetto Green does not remit payment within fifteen (15) days, the City Attorney shall move forward with filing an action for breach of the note and foreclosure of the Property.

 

 

6.               CRA DIRECTOR’S COMMENTS

Ms. Young-Gopie spoke on Palmetto Downtown Mainstreet, PDMS, and clarified the issues that were brought forward at the last meeting regarding their non-profit status. She emphasized that the CRA is not doing anything illegal. Ms. Young-Gopie further explained Ms. Daniels resignation from the CRA Advisory Board.

 

 Mr. Smith asked about Mr. Iaboni and Mr. Bessi being in business together and if that is a conflict of interest. Ms. Young-Gopie said she asked them if they are doing business together and they answered that they are not. Ms. Powers also sent out an email to all the Commissioners on April 8, 2025 regarding these concerns that were raised at the April 7, 2025 CRA Board meeting. The email was made part of the April 7^th CRA Minutes.

 

7.                     CRA PRESIDING OFFICER’S COMMENTS

No additional comments.

 

8.               CRA BOARD MEMEBERS’ COMMENTS

 

Mr. Smith asked why Ms. Young-Gopie was missing meetings. Ms. Young-Gopie answered that she was at a conference for CRA business at the last two meetings. She will be here every time she can be.

 

CRA Board Meeting

May 5, 2025

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 Mr. Whitaker thanked Ms. Young-Gopie for all she does.

 

Dr. Cornwell asked for a report detailing the overall progress of projects and design for business growth within the CRA, within the next couple of months. Ms. Young-Gopie answered that she is hoping to present a report to them in July with updates.

 

 Mr. Williams spoke on the Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council’s Regional Resiliency Summit, which was going to be held May 15^th and May 16^th at the Palmetto Marriott. He was waiting to hear back from the City and CRA if we wanted to host a booth at the event.

 

 

Mayor West adjourned the meeting at 7:53 pm.