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 to respect the social distancing guidelines.

 

CRA BOARD MEMBERS PREENT IN CHAMBERS:

Shirley Groover Bryant, Presiding Officer (Not Present)

Sheldon Jones, Chair

Brian Williams, Vice Chair

Tamara Cornwell

Harold Smith

Tambra Varnadore

 

STAFF PRESENT IN CHAMBERS:

Mark Barnebey, City Attorney

Jim Freeman, City Clerk

Jeff Burton, CRA Director

Xaiver Colon, Assistant CRA Director

Mohammed Rayan, Public Works Director

Scott Tyler, Chief of Police

Penny Johnston, Executive Assistant

Vanessa Cochran, Assistant City Clerk

 

STAFF PRESENT ELECTRONICALLY:

Todd Williams, Information Technology (IT) Consultant

 

1.    Chair Jones called the meeting to order at 8:26 p.m.

 

2.     PUBLIC COMMENT

None

 

3.  SPECIAL CRA BOARD AGENDA APPROVAL

 

                    Motion:  Commissioner Williams moved, Commissioner Cornwell                                                          seconded, and the motion carried 5-0 to approve the                                                             January 24, 2022 Special CRA Board Agenda.

 

4.  CONSENT AGENDA

a.  Legal Bills

 

                    Motion:  Commissioner Cornwell moved, Commissioner Varnadore                                             seconded, and the motion carried 5-0 to approve the                                                                                                           Consent Agenda as presented by staff.

 

5.    CONNOR PARK DISCUSSION (J. BURTON/X. COLON)

Mr. Gause was present to discussion Connor Park and to receive input on several items including the Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWFWMD) Project started May 2021 and in December 2021 the project stalled due to issues on a neighboring property and the boardwalk was removed. 

 

Special CRA Meeting

January 24, 2022

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On January 3rd, it was brought back to discuss and alternate design, rubber trail material and seating options.  Mr. Gause brought samples of trail material which included flex pave, rubber material and discussed pavers.  He discussed the pro and cons of each material type.  He recommended half of the trail in flex pave and the other half pavers.  Next he talked about the new design.  He proved three different seating options and switching from benches to individual seats and adding trash receptacles.  The proposed changes will reduce the overall budget as the boardwalk was removed.  The other issue is the SWFWMD grant expires in June and time is running out.  He needs a decision on the configuration so construction can resume.

 

 Vice Mayor Varnadore favored moving forward before losing funding; she favors 100% of the trail be pavers as it less expensive and less maintenance.  Mr. Gause stated that there are not many injuries if pavers or flex pave is used.

 

 Commissioner Williams inquired about the west side of the track; Mr. Gause stated there is drainage on the very west side so the trail could not be placed in this area.  Commissioner requested to have the gazebo removed since Jet Park stated that they did not want to have one.

 

 Commissioner Cornwell favors the trash receptacle with Seahorse and individual seats with a trash receptacle; Mr. Gause stated that a table is possible with individual seating.  She favors the split design of pavers and a rubberized material on the trail.  She asked how the trail links to the bicycle trails.  Mr. Burton explained once completed it will go north on 5th Avenue and connect with MLK Park.  To the south it will connect to Estuary Park and Riverside Drive which is part of the Build Grant.        

 

 Commissioner Smith agreed with Commissioner Cornwell regarding the individual seats with trash receptacles or tables.  He likes the split path with the paver and rubberized material.

 

 Commissioner Jones said the rubber material is safer, but it does require maintenance, but the rubber way material is warrantied for 10 years versus 1 year for the flex pave.  He prefers a softer surface for the walkers with a split surface.

 

 Commissioner Varnadore favors paver due to maintenance.  Mr. Burton stated that maintenance can be covered by the CRA for CRA built products provided it is enhance beyond normal maintenance. If some maintenance can be covered by the CRA she could support a slit path.  Commissioner Varnadore expressed that most parks have a covered area and the gazebo meets this need.   

 

 Mr. Gause expressed that he needs the Board’s permission to move forward and all pavers versus a split surface.  He also needs direction on new configuration of the trail.  Unless told otherwise, the Gazebo is in the design and moving forward as approved.      

 

  The Board gave their consensus for the following items:

 

·         Revised configuration as shown at the meeting- All 5 Commissioners gave consensus to move forward.

·         All paver or split path (50/50) - Commissioner Smith, Jones and Cornwell prefer a split path with rubber and pavers while Commission Williams and Varnadore prefer all pavers.  As such, the Park will move forward with a split trail surface.

 

 

 

Special CRA Meeting

January 24, 2022

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·         Seats- Chair option C was selected and they would prefer to have a few small tables and individual seating with color to match the gazebo colors.  Consensus was given by all Commissioners.

·         Trash Cans- Consensus was given on the seahorse design by all Commissioners.

 

   

            Motion:     Commissioner Varnadore moved and Commissioner Cornwell                                seconded and the motion carried 5-0 to approve the signing                               of the SWFMD Grant Extension by the CRA Presiding Officer                               or designee.

 

Chair Jones adjourned the meeting at 9:31 p.m.