MINUTES
CRA ADVISORY BOARD MEETING
NOVEMBER 13, 2024
2:30 P.M.
BOARD MEMEBERS PRESENT IN CHAMBERS:
Lynn Daniel- Chair
David Washington- Vice Chair
Herman Cadena
STAFF PRESENT IN CHAMBERS:
Rowena Young-Gopie, CRA Director
Jenny Silverio, CRA Administrative & Compliance Coordinator
Marisa Powers, CRA Attorney
Mayor Elect, Dan West walked into Chambers at 3:13PM
Anyone wishing to speak before the CRA Advisory Board must complete the Speakers Card prior to the meeting, stating name, address and topic to be addressed. Speakers making public comment will be sworn in. All comments will be limited to two minutes.
Call to order, followed by a moment of silence and the Pledge of Allegiance.
Swearing-in of all persons intending to address CRA Advisory Board.
1. CRA ADVISORY BOARD AGENDA APPROVAL
MOTION: Vice Chair Washington moved, Mr. Cadena seconded, and the motion carried 3-0 to approve the November 13, 2024, CRA Advisory Board Agenda.
2. PUBLIC COMMENT: No comments from the public.
Comments shall be limited to two minutes. Matters shall be limited to non-public hearing items on the current agenda or items related to City matters requested under a future CRA Advisory Board agenda, if appropriate.
3. CONSENT AGENDA APPROVAL:
MOTION: Mr. Cadena moved, Vice Chair Washington seconded, and the motion carried 3-0 to approve the November 13, 2024, Consent Agenda as recommended by staff.
AWARD PRESENTATIONS: Rowena Young-Gope, CRA Director
· FRA Redevelopment Professional Certification, Herman Cadena, CRAAB Member.
· FRA Redevelopment Administrator Certification, Senior GIS Analyst, Kelsey Kappler (not present).
· FRA Roy F. Kenzie Award, FY23 Annual Report, Small City. CRA Director, Young-Gopie recognized both Matt Misco, Finance Manager and Kelsey Kappler (absent), GIS Analyst for their hard work on the report.
· FRA Roy F. Kenzie Award, Flight of the Spoonbills, Out of the Box, Small City. A short video was played, which was made part of the Minutes. CRA Director, Young-Gopie recognized Artist Ron Berman, Jon & Vicki Moore for their hard work on this project.
4. STADLER RIVERSIDE: (CRA Director, Rowena Young-Gopie)
Ahead of the meeting, Chris Stadler provided an updated presentation to Todd Williams via email that included a corrected date change.
Mrs. Young-Gopie summarized what is being asked for today. Mrs. Young-Gopie read a summary from the point paper, included in the agenda. The summary included:
1. The CRA Advisory Board unanimously declined to extend the Stadler Riverside Drive due diligence period from the RFP process, set to expire on October 9, 2024.
2. The CRA Board was made aware of that decision at the Special CRA Board meeting held on October 21, 2024. The CRA Board, however, voted unanimously, to have the Stadler Development Group present their modified version of the RFP proposed plans to the CRA Advisory Board so the CRA Advisory Board was up to date on the Stadler’s latest development concepts.
3. The Stadler Development Group is here to present their modified proposal originally submitted on September 25, 2024.
4. Staff recommends the CRA Advisory Board rejects any extension request of the original Stadler contract from the RFP, which the CRA Board approved until the Special CRA Board meeting scheduled for November 18, 2024.
5. Staff requests that the CRA Advisory Board recommend that the CRA Board vote to direct staff to begin negotiations with the second-place finisher in the RFP Process for the sale of the Riverside Drive property.
John Stadler, Stadler Development Corp, provided some background to the process involved over the last year. Mr. Stadler is requesting a second extension to their contract. If approved, they will present a full presentation of the site plans for both the Riverside Drive site and the Slicks site.
Vice Chair Washington asked if acquiring Slicks property, along with Riverside Drive property would create a larger gap in the Proforma. Mr. Stadler advised it helps fill the gap substantially within the Proforma and wouldn’t have the need to acquire the Envision site which was very expensive. The retail and parking both help the Proforma.
Vice Chair Washington asked if the Stadler’s are expecting the city to assist with filling the $10 million gap. Mr. Stadler responded that he has been working with Jim Freeman, and advised the city can build two garages and finance both if approved by the city and the CRA. If approved, Stadler Development Corp., would bring in over 250 + apartments along with 30k sq ft of retail.
Mr. Cadena asked when Slicks property came into play. Mr. Stadler advised that it just evolved and had no point in time. Stadler’s realized parking was needed in November ‘2023 and issue with walkability kept surfacing. Mr. Stadler stated that adding the Slicks site helps with alleviating a walkability issue and both walkability and retail go hand in hand.
Mr. Cadena asked if taking on the project with Riverside Drive and parking, without Slicks, if that would be helpful? Mr. Stadler advised no, can’t do it without absolute certainty.
Mr. Cadena advised he personally wasn’t aware that staff approached the Stadler’s after they stated they couldn’t move forward due to feasibility. Mr. Cadena stated since staff offered other solutions at that time, he feels it changes the dynamics for what the Stadler’s are asking.
Chair Daniel asked who carries the liability for the parking garage and if it would be tax exempt. Mr. Stadler advised the city would carry the liability since they would own it. CRA Consultant, Mr. Johnson advised it would be tax exempt.
Chair Daniel commented this was a clean bid with great photos in the beginning and she was eager to see what the CRA Board would do with it. She stated this has gotten too big, with staff making possibilities to the Stadler’s and unsure if the CRA Board knows this is happening. Chair Daniel advised she’s big with deadlines and due diligence.
Vice Chair Washington has issue with the City funding the parking garage for Stadler to develop their site.
Mr. Cadena reiterated when staff began negotiating with the Stadler’s after the Stadler’s advised they would have to walk away, that sets everything a part. He stated he is a contractor by trade and understands the process. He feels compelled to approve the extension for the fact that staff negotiated with the Stadler’s. Mr. Cadena stated that when the review committee voted, it was 5 of 7 in favor of the Stadler’s project. When the Stadler’s advised they couldn’t make it work and would have to walk away, the staff carries the responsibility since they were the initiators of the negotiations.
Attorney Powers clarified that the reason this presentation is before the CRAAB is because it wasn’t provided at the last CRAAB meeting where the extension was considered. What is being asked of today, is an extension of the contract for solely the Riverside Drive property. What’s been presented to you today, is the Riverside & the Slicks property which is the topic of their Unsolicited Proposal which is still pending. The extension of the current contract and the unsolicited proposal are two separate things. Ms. Powers advised that if the extension isn’t granted on the current contract of just the Riverside property, there is still the Unsolicited Proposal that the CRA Board will consider at the December 2, 2024, meeting. She advised if the CRA Board votes to move forward with the Unsolicited Proposal, there will be two public hearings, with the first one scheduled for December 2nd, 2024, and it would then come before the CRAAB for recommendation and then a second public hearing.
Mr. Stadler reiterated that if the extension isn’t approved on Riverside Drive, they will withdraw their offer on the Slicks property.
Chair Daniel asked when the due diligence period began, and Mr. Stadler advised February 3, 2024.
CRA Director, Rowena Young-Gopie stated for the record that this information was provided in the briefings to the CRAAB members when she met with them individually last week.
MOTION: Chair Daniel moved, Vice Chair Washington seconded, and the motion carried 2-1 (Cadena Nay) to recommend a denial of the request for extension of the due diligence period for the original Stadler contract from the RFP past the CRA Board approved date of November 18, 2024:
Chair Daniel moved, Vice Chair seconded, and the motion carried 2-1 (Cadena Nay) to direct staff to begin negotiations with the second-place finisher, Silver Hills and Edwards Communities Development Company, in the RFP Process for the sale of the Riverside Property.
5. CRA Director’s Comments; (Rowena Young-Gopie)
· CRA Board meeting on Monday at the 7pm has a different motion. Director Young-Gopie recommended everyone attend the meeting Monday.
· CRA will be issuing emails to each of the CRAAB members. Download on personal phone and will not be subject to Public Records Request. Should assist with all members receiving the same information. Todd with IT can assist before leaving today.
6. CRA Advisory Board Member’s Comments:
· Mr. Cadena asked if members could get city phones. CRA Director, Young-Gopie advised no.
7. Adjournment:
Meeting adjourned at 3:48 pm
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