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Home My WebLink About03-04-2025 CRA MinutesOCOEE COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENC7 Ocoee Commission Chambers 1 N. Bluford Avenue Ocoee, Florida March 4, 2025 MINUTES -CALL To ORDER Chair Wilsen called the Community Redevelopment Agency Board to order at 5-00 PM in the Commission Chambers of City Hall. Recording Clerk Justice called roll and declared a quorum present. Roll Call: Chair Wilsen, Vice -Chair Kennedy, Member Johnson, Member Firstner, Member Oliver, and Member Koovakada (arrived at 5:20 PA4). Absent: Member June Also Present: City Manager Shadrix, Assistant City Manager Rumer, Development Services Director/CRA Administrator Corless, Redevelopment Program Manager Vaca, City Attorney Geller, and Recording Clerk Justice ff 91111.9wrel �911 No speaker reservation forms were received. III W!111111 1111 Tom 111M "I"'I ITI Am MOM-741-11-WIX FIRAW June and Member Koovakada absent. CRA Meeting March 4, 2025 Chair Wilsen offered the gavel to Member Kennedy. Member Kennedy advised that he would prefer Chair Wilsen to continue the meeting in her capacity as the current Chair. 3. December Makeup Meeting Date Selection Redevelopment Program Manager Vaca advised that the CRA Board Meeting, originally scheduled for December be rescheduled. She recommended, based o• that the meeting be held on Tuesday, August 5, 2025, at 5:00 PM. This scheduling would allow for a budget discussion in advance of its adoption at the September 16, 2025, meeting. Member Chair Wilsen requested the Board check their calendars for availability on August 5, 2025. Kennedy inquired if this date falls on r Commission Meeting night. answered in the affirmative. • • - '' .•. • • - .•. . •111 - i . • i ' ® MISCELLANEOUS 1. Final Increment Revenue and Payment Updates Redevelopment Program Manager Vaca presented a comparison of the estimated and actual tax increment revenue received in 2024. The actual revenue figures were based on calculations provided by - Orange • - of .•.. _t & Budget on • - •- 2024. Due to the higher -than -expected tax increment revenue, a larger rebate was owed to Orange County. To reconcile the difference, a budget transfer was completed, and the Finance Department issued and mailed the rebate check to Orange County in January. All deposits and payments have been made; there are no outstanding payments. ,� • ili1r.-I dir-3041• -- • •! • i •` • • • • •. • Target."provided briefoverview of • highlights,•ing accomplishments, awards,and new businesses within the CRA.also informed the Board CRA Meeting March 4, 2025 that the Annual Report would be published to the CRA website by the end of March, and submitted to Orange County, in compliance with § 163.371, Florida Statutes. M-3071WIMUM Development Services Director/CRA Administrator Corless commended Redevelopment Program Manager Vaca for her efforts with the Annual Report and on her accomplishments. She provided an update on the Finding of Necessity regarding the downtown area an t e existing Fifty West Community Redevelopment Area and highlighted the Redevelopment Plan Update. She then introduced Tom Kohler, GAI Community Solutions Group, to present the draft report to the Board. After providing a brief history of his efforts on the City's inter oca agreement w t t e coun y ant. the establishment of the CRA, Mr. Kohler complimented the CRA Board's and City Staffs diligence in keeping the Fifty West program on target. He also praised Redevelopment Program Manager Vaca for her outstanding performance when she took his course to obtain Florida Redevelopment Association certification. 7, 171117,11, VMS I A 1 1 i I ITITE ml_ I 1 1 1 � I I � 1, 11 r • Redevelopment focus areas and pertinent goals and objectives • Tax Increment Financing (TIF) projections • Conceptual Master Plan, including the addition of West Oaks Mali • Capital Projects & Programming • Next steps • Proposed timeline Vice -Chair Kennedy inquired about the affordable housing criteria. Mr. Kohler addressed his question. Discussion ensued regarding accessibility and affordability. Vice -Chair Kennedy inquired about the $1.8 million figure through 2031 for small business programs. Mr. Kohler addressed his question. Discussion ensued regarding the plan's flexibility. Member Johnson expressed concerns about reallocating CRA funding for West Oaks Mall. Mr. Kohler responded, prompting a discussion on the City's past efforts to engage the mail's ownership group and the property's ongoing deterioration. Member Firstner reiterated Mayor ibhnson's concerns regarding West Oaks Mall. Mr. Kohler addressed his comments. Member Oliver asked about stormwater drainage budgeting in relation to the CRA, Mr. Kohler N 3 1 P a g e CRA Meeting March 4, 2025 Vice -Chair Kennedy inquired about the identified stormwater projects being included within the 5-year or 1 0-year capital plan. Mr. Kohler addressed his question. Chair Wilsen thanked Mr. Kohler for his presentation and explanation of the report. Discussion ensued. Development Services Director/CRA Administrator Corless updated the Board with the following: • Wellness Park Restroom • A contractor was selected, and a permit has •- issued • Clearing and mobilization started this week • The project is estimated to •- completed at the end • May Chair Wilsen inquired about the destructibility of the restroom. Development Services Director/CRA Administrator • addressed her question. Development Services Director/CRA Administrator Corless presented to the Board the Diamond Award that the Healthy West Orange Wellness Park received • the Fast Central Florida Regional Planning • under the Health and • -•• UTIM oprn e MM'977= • Wellness Park • to Hurricane Milton is being addressed. * Staff are currently reviewing the 90% construction plans for the CRA portion [Old Winter Garden Road to Geneva Street], and permitting with St. Johns Water Management District has begun * 60% construction documents for the City's Geneva Street to Delaware Street portion are expected soon * Staff hopes to put out for bid the CRA portion of the construction this summer 11fe—m-W—eF i on n schedule. Development Services DirectorICRA Administrator Corless addressed his • Chair Wilsen congratulated Member Kennedy and Member Koovakada on beinci electe as Chair and Vice -Chair, respectively. 4 1 P a g e CRAMeetng March 4'2O25 5|PaQe