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COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY
COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY
BUDGET PUBLIC HEARING
Ocoee Commission Chambers
150 North Lakeshore Drive Ocoee, Florida
October 20,2015 MINUTES 6:00 p.m.
I. CALL TO ORDER: ROLL CALL AND DETERMINATION OF QUORUM
CRA Chair Corless called the Community Redevelopment Agency Board together at 6:00 p.m.
in the Commission Chambers of City Hall. City Clerk Eikenberry called roll and declared a
quorum present.
Roll Call: Chair Corless, Vice Chair Grogan, Member Wilsen, Member
Keller, Member C. Johnson. Absent: Member R. Johnson
Also Present: City Manager Frank, City Attorney Cookson, City Clerk Eikenberry, CRA
Administrator Russ Wagner and Assistant City Manager Shadrix.
II. Public Comments-None
III. Annual Designation of Board Chair and Vice Chair
Member Wilsen nominated Member Keller to serve as the Board's Chair for the FY 2015-2016.
Nominations were closed.
Member Wilsen, seconded by Vice Chair Grogan, moved to elect Member Keller to
serve as Chair of the CRA Board for the Fiscal Year 2015-2016. Motion carried 5-0
with Member R. Johnson absent.
City Attorney Cookson advised those nominated for Chair and Vice Chair will take their seat at
the next scheduled meeting.
Vice Chair Grogan nominated Member Wilsen to serve as the Board's Vice Chair for the FY
2015-2016. Nominations were closed.
Vice Chair Grogan, seconded by Member Wilsen, moved to elect Member Wilsen
to serve as Vice Chair of the CRA Board for the Fiscal Year 2015-2016. Motion
carried 5-0 with Member R. Johnson absent.
IV. Approval of Minutes of the April 7,2015, Regular CRA Board Meeting
Member Keller, seconded by Vice Chair Grogan, moved to approve the minutes of
the April 7, 2015, as presented. Motion carried 5-0 with Member R. Johnson
absent.
CRA Budget Meeting 10-20-2015 Page 1
V. Review and Discussion of FY 2015 -2016 Budget
CRA Administrator Wagner said he will be providing a brief overview of the CRA's past
accomplishments over the year, which forms the basis for their annual report.
He noted that this year's CRA budget has about $100,000 more in revenue than last year's
budget; so the total budget is $466,842.00. One of the largest items in their budget is the
$172,000 that they have put in reserve for contingency. The reason for those funds is the
impending changes in staff Mr. Wagner explained that with the retirement of his position after
the first of the year, the City Commission has decided that the Economic Development Director
they hire will include duties of the CRA Administration, which will be partially funded by the
CRA budget, as is his position and that of Assistant City Manager Shadrix.
Chair Corless asked for clarification as to if the CRA Board will have an opportunity to review
the final candidates or be able to provide input on the hiring of the Economic Development
Director/Manager. City Manager Frank said they are not to that point yet, but they certainly do
not have an issue with the request being made. He advised they have until April 1st to get some
issues figured out. Should they want to designate a CRA Member to be on an interview board,
he would not object to that. Member Wilsen clarified that the Charter does intervene that this
candidate would be an employee of the City. City Manager Frank answered in the affirmative.
Chair Corless shared that when the time comes for the hiring of the Economic Development
Director/Manager, she feels it would be appropriate action for the Board to be involved in the
process since the part of the responsibility of that position is to oversee the CRA Board. The
City Manager suggested they appoint a representative tonight since it is not known when they
will hold their next meeting.
Member Wilsen, seconded by Vice Chair Grogan, moved to select CRA Chair
Corless to serve as representative on the selection panel for the Economic
Development Director/Managers when the time comes.
Amendment Motion: Member Wilsen, seconded by Member Keller, moved that in
the event Chair Corless cannot attend, Member C. Johnson would serve as the
alternate member. Motion carried 5-0 with Member R. Johnson absent.
Original Motion as Amended: Member Wilsen, seconded by Vice Chair Grogan,
moved to select CRA Chair Corless, with Member C. Johnson as an alternate, to
serve as a representative on the selection panel, for the Economic Development
Director/Manager, when the time comes. Motion carried 5-0 with Member R.
Johnson absent.
Joint Interchange Master Plan - CRA Administrator Wagner explained a Vision Plan
Document has been produced and distributed to the Commission. He can provide a copy to the
CRA Board Members who have not seen or received a copy of this plan. This area primarily
affects the CRA because of the Auto Auction, which is a part of this plan.
Regional Event Center - Mr. Wagner noted that we have been getting parties who are
seriously interested in this. This is a great idea, because there is not an event center that is large
enough for events in the area. The Orange County Convention Center is bringing in a lot of
revenue, but that can only be expanded so far. When this study was done, Charlie Johnson,
consultant, had said that they are still eligible to receive some of that convention money if they
wanted to go after it. This is a type of regional economic development catalyst best placed in the
CRA, in cooperation with Winter Garden, the County, and corporate entities, that can be done.
CRA Budget Meeting 10-20-2015 Page 2
West Oaks Mall - Mr. Wagner said although it is not in the CRA, it does have an effect on the
rest of that corridor. The mall is trying to create a lot more visibility, ads, and community
involvement. Assistant City Manager Shadrix briefly shared that he has been having
discussions with representatives from Moonbeam Capital Investments, Inc., the ownership group
of the mall, and he is pleased to say that they have indicated that they intend to redevelop the
mall site as more of a mixed-use center. Some of the types of things they have discussed are
similar in nature in use to what you might see in the Winter Park Village. Mr. Shadrix further
shared that Moonbeam Capital Investments, Inc., has hired the former Economic Developer from
the City of Greeley, Colorado, as a company employee who will be working with local
governments on their properties nationwide, which is a huge step. The property itself is 110
acres, which is a tremendous amount of land to work with. Moonbeam Capital Investments, Inc.,
also hired an independent consultant who confirmed the results of Charlie Johnson and his study
of a hotel/convention space.
Economic Development Marketing - Mr. Wagner shared that the City hired a Retail
Consultant who went out to ICSC. This is a constant campaign; so hopefully when they hire a
new person, they can bring everything together into one package to create an economic
development in this community.
Marketing Activities
CRA Banners - Four new banners were placed within City rights-of-way just outside of the SR
50 corridor at Blackwood Avenue. These new banners will highlight FiftyWest branding to
promote a commonality of place along the corridor. More banners may be added next year at
other major intersections along the SR 50 corridor to better define the brand during the two year
reconstruction process for SR 50. New light poles will also ultimately be added in which they
can put banners up on the light poles. Member Wilsen said she would like to wait until SR 50 is
completed before they budget for new banners. Chair Corless briefly clarified that the banners
currently being displayed are deemed as temporary and are being used for branding while
construction is underway. Those banners will be removed and relocated once SR 50 is complete
and the light poles are up to which the traditional banners will be placed on. If so, what is being
proposed is that this fiscal year they have the funds budgeted for the additional temporary
banners; in which she inquired where would they be located and how many. Mr. Wagner
advised that there is $15,000 allocated and further shared the locations of where the banners
would be placed. Member Wilsen reiterated that she would still like to wait to order the new
banners. Member C. Johnson inquired if any feedback has been received on the current
banners that are on display. Further discussion ensued regarding the marketing purposes and
temporary banners being moved around and used in other areas. Mr. Wagner shared that they
have 30 second video spots playing at the West Orange Cinema as a prescreen ad promoting the
FiftyWest businesses.
Art in Public Places - They are actively underway with their barrel program. This is both a
marketing and cultural type program to involve the citizenry/community. The Public Works
Department has been very helpful with this project. They have had very enthusiastic artists that
have been working on these barrels. They should have these out for display within 30-60 days
on main locations off of SR 50 such as Bluford Avenue and Maguire Road. It is the only kind of
art endeavor that the City is doing at this moment.
CRA Budget Meeting 10-20-2015 Page 3
Project Activities
Target Area One / Colony Plaza. They have discussed to finally get the property cleaned up
and cleared with the title issues. Hopefully, within the next month or so they will hear from the
owners that they are in a position to move forward.
Target Area Two /Lake Bennet. Most are familiar with the two main ongoing projects in this
target area; Oasis at Lake Bennet Apartments and City Center West Orange, which is a very
large mix use project. Should these projects come about, then they will be faced with more
improvements along Bluford Avenue as well as Maine Street. They should keep these
improvements in mind when discussing what to do with CRA monies in the future.
Target Area Three / Health Central. The expansion is going on with Health Central, and
Florida Hospital is also building in Winter Garden and Apopka; so there are a lot of hospital
projects underway in the area. This will hopefully stimulate more doctors and medical facilities
to move into the area.
FDOT / SR 50 Widening. Not sure if this would be a CRA function, but there has been many
issues with traffic monitoring in this area. Construction has impeded the flow of traffic and is
becoming a problem for businesses if citizens cannot get in/out of the businesses. Mr. Wagner
said he would recommend the CRA keep watch over this. Member C. Johnson inquired if these
specific concerns have been raised to FDOT or the County. Public Works Director Krug
advised that the State through the MetroPlan Orlando is doing a traffic analysis to synchronize
all lights on SR 50, which will create an inconvenience until construction is complete.
Ocoee Bridge Sign. Staff at the Turnpike Authority has approved the sign, and they have sent it
up to the State level, which they anticipate will be approved. This is just for the conceptual
approval; the final approval should be rather simple. There is money in the CRA budget since it
was carried over.
Gateway Sign. They are finally at a point where Public Works can help install the base for the
sign. The sign is produced, and it will just be a matter of the sign company going out to install.
The sign should be up within the next 60 days.
Ocoee Wellness Park. This study was completed during the year, but they have to wait until the
road project is done before they can move forward with this. Next year will be a good time to
think about putting together the final plans.
Commissioner Grogan inquired about signs that were installed on Story Road and Bluford
Avenue. Mr. Wagner advised that Public Works Director Krug has received 26 directional
signs, and the sign that Commissioner Grogan is inquiring about is a mock sign. The new signs
are easier to read with new lettering and bold print.
Member C. Johnson said that in the budget there is $10,000 for contractual services for iShop
Ocoee, and she would like it explained how this contractual service accomplishes what they are
seeking as far as the context of this mobile app. Mr. Wagner explained that the money is
primarily to pay a webQA for the service of the iShop Ocoee site. The mobile site portion of
iShop Ocoee is included in this fee. The app is up and running and can also be found on the
City's website. The problem they are encountering is Yelp and other competitive websites.
Mr. Wagner shared that he still believes this is a great venue; and when the Economic
Development personnel is hired, maybe they can get more organization with the local businesses.
CRA Budget Meeting 10-20-2015 Page 4
VI. RESOLUTION adopting CRA Budget for FY 2015 -2016
City Attorney Cookson read the title of the resolution.
RESOLUTION NO. 2015-001
A RESOLUTION OF THE OCOEE COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT
AGENCY ADOPTING A BUDGET FOR FISCAL YEAR 2015-2016; PROVIDING
FOR BUDGET ADJUSTMENTS AND THE APPROPRIATION OF FUNDS;
PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
Member Keller, seconded by Member Wilsen, made a motion to adopt CRA
Resolution 2015-001 approving the CRA Budget for FY 2015-2016, as presented.
Motion carried 5-0 with Member R. Johnson absent.
VII. Board Member Comments
Member C. Johnson thanked Mr. Wagner for his service and wished him all the best in his next
adventure in life.
Member Keller said it has been a pleasure to work with Mr. Wagner and thanked him for his
service.
Chair Corless, Member Wilsen and Member Grogan also shared the same sentiments and
thanked Mr. Wagner for his service.
ADJOURNMENT
Meeting adjourned at 7:00 p.m.
Attest: APPROVED:
•
Melanie Sibbitt, Secretary Ginger Corless, hair
CRA Budget Meeting 10-20-2015 Page 5