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HomeMy WebLinkAbout11-01-16 Minutes CRA COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY BUDGET PUBLIC HEARING Ocoee Commission Chambers 150 North Lakeshore Drive Ocoee,Florida November 1, 2016 MINUTES 6:00 p.m. I. CALL TO ORDER: ROLL CALL AND DETERMINATION OF QUORUM CRA Chair Keller called the Community Redevelopment Agency Board together at 6:00 p.m. in the Commission Chambers of City Hall. City Clerk Sibbitt called roll and declared a quorum present. Roll Call: Chairman Keller, Member Grogan, Vice Chair Wilsen, Member C. Johnson, Member R. Johnson, Member Firstner, and Member Corless. Also Present: City Manager Frank, Assistant City Manager Shadrix, City Attorney Cookson, City Planner Rumer, and City Clerk Sibbitt. II. Public Comments -None III. Annual Designation of Board Chair and Vice Chair Member Corless nominated Member C. Johnson to serve as the Board's Chair for the FY 2016- 2017. Nominations were closed. Member Corless, seconded by Member Johnson, moved to elect Member C. Johnson to serve as Chair of the CRA Board for the Fiscal Year 2016-2017. Motion carried 7-0. Member Corless nominated Member Wilsen to serve as the Board's Vice Chair for the FY 2016-2017. Nominations were closed. Member Corless, seconded by Member Firstner, moved to elect Member Wilsen to serve as Vice Chair of the CRA Board for the Fiscal Year 2016-2017. Motion carried 7-0. IV. Approval of Minutes of the September 20,2016, Regular CRA Board Meeting Member Grogan, seconded by Vice Chair Wilsen, moved to approve the minutes of the September 20, 2016, as presented. Motion carried 7-0. CRA Budget Meeting 11-01-2016 Page 1 V. Review and Discussion of FY 2016 -2017 Budget Assistant City Manager Shadrix gave a brief highlight of the CRA Budget, which included new projects, new coming year trends, CRA revenues/expenditures, CRA Target Areas, and other activities. Line item, such as Community Promotions, was increased by $5,000 to cover some expenses for events which allows the opportunity for staff to showcase the City and CRA; events such as the Central Florida Film Festival, Founders' Day, and Spring Fling. Assistant City Manager Shadrix mentioned that they are anticipating some international interest which echoes what the City Center development is currently experiencing. The concept of a short-term leasing market allows people from anywhere in the world to stay in the area while they visit the many attractions Florida has to offer. Member Grogan inquired with the moratorium in place if there is anything the CRA should be requesting to the City to enhance those areas. He further shared his concern with sign twirlers located on the corner of some of the major intersections in the CRA areas and inquired how the CRA Board should handle this. Assistant City Manager Shadrix advised that the City Commission has already given staff the direction to look at standards in place in the overlay with respect to uses. If there is a consensus or vote from either the City Commission or CRA Board to direct staff to look into the sign restrictions, they will respectfully do so. He further shared that sign twirlers are allowed pursuant to the City's code, but with conditions. Discussion ensued regarding sign restrictions. Vice Chair Wilsen, seconded by Member Grogan, moved to recommend to the City Commission that the CRA Board is in favor of having the ordinance regarding signage to be reviewed and amended. Motion carried 7-0. Assistant City Manager Shadrix addressed the carry-over item of the lollipop signs, which he advised is being held up in permitting in Tallahassee. He suggested that they continue to explore ways to promote the City from the bridge which the City owns. Member Wilsen inquired if the signs have been paid for. It was explained that only the design of the signs were paid for, but the signs were not purchased. Chairman Keller inquired if the City owned the property on either side of the bridge. He further suggested that they can consider the alternative such as a "Welcome to Ocoee" signs on either side of the bridge. Assistant City Manager Shadrix said there is City right-of-way on either side of the bridge. Member C. Johnson inquired about the conferences that were budgeted. Assistant City Manager Shadrix answered that the conferences they are proposing to attend will put them in front of developers. He further shared pictures of the display booth they have created and use at the conferences they attend. They have had booths at several conferences including the Orlando ICSE, which focuses on retail. Assistant City Manager Shadrix briefly explained the importance of networking at these meetings as they have a small window of opportunity to lure potential developers into the City. Information was shared on proposed projects to come, including an employment center, new theater, revamp of the West Oaks Mall area, and development at the corner of Maguire Road and Hwy 50. Member Grogan inquired if they should authorize leniency to the City Manager for the CRA up to a certain limit since they do not meet routinely. City Manager Frank explained that the way the CRA is set-up it uses the City's purchasing code, which does allow some flexibility. CRA Budget Meeting 11-01-2016 Page 2 Additionally, there will be some changes to the purchasing code that will be recommended and voted on this evening at the City Commission Meeting, which will have regulations that will uphold for the CRA as well. Member Firstner inquired about the Regional Event Center that was mentioned in the Economic Development. Assistant City Manager Shadrix explained the feasibility study that was done and the overwhelming request for the event center. This is a big market; and interestingly enough, the West Oaks Mall hired an independent consultant to repeat that analysis, which came back with an even stronger feasibility. The big issue with the regional event center is the $25-$30 million price tag and where the money would come from. Chairman Keller inquired if they are doing anything with the Governor's group and possibly doing an international trip with them. Assistant City Manager Shadrix said the CRA Board would have to authorize them up to a certain amount. They have had discussions with Representative Bracy, and it would be strongly supported if trying to attract international businesses to bring their headquarters here. This is something that can be brought back. VI. RESOLUTION Adopting CRA Budget for FY 2016-2017 City Attorney Cookson read the title of the resolution. RESOLUTION NO. 2016-001 A RESOLUTION OF THE OCOEE COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY ADOPTING A BUDGET FOR FISCAL YEAR 2016-2017; PROVIDING FOR BUDGET ADJUSTMENTS AND THE APPROPRIATION OF FUNDS; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE. Vice Chair Wilsen, seconded by Member Firstner, moved to adopt CRA Resolution 2016-001 adopting the CRA Budget for FY 2016-2017, as presented. Motion carried 7-0. VII. Board Member Comments Member Grogan — commented that they are coming into a transition with the Hwy 50 and hospital expansion, so anything that they can do to stay ahead of the game is going to be important. Vice Chair Wilsen—None Member C. Johnson—commented that she is excited about what is on the horizon. She inquired if the CRA works with the Economic Development Commission in their efforts. It was answered in the affirmative. Member Johnson—None Member Firstner -None Member Corless — shared that with the momentum on the downtown it can carry down to the corridor. They should reach out to businesses in the corridor so they feel there is some inclusion, understanding, and excitement about what is happening. It is exciting times, and things will happen quickly. Chairman Keller — shared that he has enjoyed serving as chairman to this board. Thanked the CRA Board for this year especially with the City Center, which has moved them forward. He is looking forward to seeing what next year will bring. CRA Budget Meeting 11-01-2016 Page 3 ADJOURNMENT Meeting adjourned at 6:43 p.m. Attest: APPROVED: -7 i; 144,e pe-- Melanie Sib , tary .oel Kel -r, Chair /CRA Budget Meeting 11-01-2016 Page 4