Elected Officials Present:

Shirley Groover Bryant, Mayor

Tamara Cornwell, Vice Mayor, Commissioner-at-Large 2

Jonathan Davis, Commissioner-at-Large 1

Harold Smith, Commissioner, Ward 1

Tambra Varnadore, Commissioner, Ward 2

Brian Williams, Commissioner Ward 3—(entered at 4:48 p.m.)

 

Staff Present:

Mark Barnebey, City Attorney

Jim Freeman, City Clerk

Allen Tusing, Public Works Director

Scott Tyler, Chief of Police

Amber LaRowe, Assistant City Clerk

 

Mayor Bryant called the meeting to order at 4:30 p.m.

 

1. RECOGNITION: Employee of the Third Quarter

Mayor Bryant and Commission recognized the following employees for their recent nominations:

 

                       Kristin Hutton

                       Kim Cooper

                       Laura Martinez

                       Penny Johnston

                       Robert Simpson

                       Olga Wilson

 

Penny Johnston was recognized as the Employee of the Third Quarter.

 

 

2. DISCUSSION: 715 10th Avenue West Property

Mr. Freeman gave a brief history on the acquisition of the property, the rezone, and subsequent surplus of property in 2017. He noted that there are two parcels, this parcel, owned by the City, and the parcel to the west of this one, owned by the CRA.

 

Commissioner Varnadore stated that she would prefer to see the parcels combined, either under City’s name or under CRA’s and then being surplused together. Also, she requested a copy of the plans that were previously presented (she believes 2 years ago) for the development of both parcels as a mixed use facility.

 

Discussion ensued about the types of businesses that the Commission would feel comfortable with being built on the parcel. Topics included the height of the building, mixed use or not, and parking availability. These types of topics will be discussed at the next Department Head meeting and the best option for the City or the CRA to take over both parcels.

 

Attorney Barnebey stated that the City or CRA can put restrictions on the parcel when issuing a request for proposal because they are owned by both entities.

Commissioner Varnadore is in favor of seeing business offices, medical labs, doctors’ offices and nothing over two stories. Perhaps a coffee shop or small café would be acceptable with enough parking allotted for such.

 

The Waterfront Plan (adopted in 2005) and the Downtown Design Guidelines were discussed and if there is any impact of those plans on this property and what can be designed. Staff will discuss both plans and bring forward their opinions on how and if either of these influence the parcels. Attorney Barnebey opined that the Waterfront Guidelines are not a “set in stone” type of Plan.

 

Discussion will come forward at a workshop in September.

 

Mayor Bryant adjourned the meeting at 5:08 p.m.