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HomeMy WebLinkAbout20200825 Virtual CRA Board MeetingMINUTES OF VIRTUAL MEETING DANIA BEACH COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY TUESDAY, AUGUST 25, 2020 - 5:30 P.M. 1. Call to Order/Roll Call Chair Lewellen called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m. Present: Chair: Lori Lewellen Vice -Chair: Lauren Odman Board Members: Bill Harris Tamara James Executive Director: Rickelle Williams City Attorney: Thomas Ansbro CRA Secretary: Thomas Schneider Absent: Chickie Brandimarte Board Member James motioned to excuse the absence of Board Member Brandimarte; seconded by Board Member Harris. The motion carried unanimously. 2. Citizen Comments There were no comments at this meeting. 3. Administrative Reports 3.1 Administrative Report Director Williams clarified the process followed for calling the Special Meeting held on August 21 St. She reviewed the information included in the agenda packet and noted the Executive Director position was advertised today. Chair Lewellen questioned a revision to the Small Business Resiliency Program increasing the eligibility number to ten employees. Director Williams noted we had two companies reach out to see if we would increase the number of employees so that they would be eligible for the program. Chair Lewellen said she preferred to keep the number of employees at ten. Board Member James agreed we should increase the number of employees to ten. Vice -Chair Odman agreed with ten employees. The Board consensus was to increase the number of employees for eligibility in the Small Business Resiliency Program to ten. Chair Lewellen asked how it was determined where the entryway signs were to be placed. Director Williams explained the signage installed was replacement signs for existing entryway signage the City already had in place. Three signs were in FDOT right-of-way and FDOT approved those locations. Chair Lewellen questioned placement of signs on the corner of Ravenswood and Griffin Road and in a median on Griffin Road next to the My Fat Greek Restaurant. Director Williams spoke about the sign on Griffin Road near 34t' Avenue; we were aware there were issues with a tree there and that it would be removed. There were FDOT limitations to put the signs up. The signs installed were replacement signs for signs that were already there. Chair Lewellen commented there were no signs at those two locations before. Director Williams replied there were signs there before; the vendor demolished them. Chair Lewellen said she has heard from numerous residents who are not happy with the sign locations as they are not very visible. Director Williams explained the older signs were half the height of the new signs, in addition to the difference in color with for citywide rebranding. Chair Lewellen thought Workforce Housing Project homes on JA Ely Boulevard were for first responders. Director Williams explained the discussion about who should be eligible for the homes has transitioned; initially they were for public safety personnel or first responders and teachers. Board Member James addressed Chair Lewellen's sign concerns and said she does not see an issue with the signs. Regarding the properties on JA Ely, they were initially for first responders and educators, but it changed to anyone who qualified for that type of home would be acceptable. Board Member Harris referred to the signs on Stirling Road by the Miami Subs and Linear Park, and asked if there is any kind of landscape plan for them or plans for solar panel lights to be installed at both locations. Director Williams explained for each of the four entryway signs not in medians there will be a solar panel installed on a pole adjacent to the sign. For the signs in the medians, there will be Minutes of Virtual Regular Meeting 2 Dania Beach Community Redevelopment Agency Tuesday, August 25, 2020 — 5:30 p.m. solar lighting in the ground so it does not block the view of the sign. The solar lighting was used sparingly due to cost; the lighting was tied to parks with a community center and nighttime activity. Solar lighting at the Linear Park was not anticipated, a quote could be provided at the Board's direction. Board Member Harris noted the sign by the Linear Park is near the outdoor gym equipment and there are people using it at night. He will get with Parks & Recreation Director Brown to see if solar lights could be installed in the canopies. He asked if the horizontal monument sign on SE 5th Avenue and Sheridan, in front of the Walgreen's, was removed. Director Williams responded the sign was removed and replaced. Chair Lewellen commented Director Williams should be sure she is talking to Public Services about lighting because we have the citywide lighting plan. Vice -Chair Odman noted she heard similar feedback that the Chair heard about signs. She asked if there is the option for landscaping for all of the signs. Director Williams said landscaping is being planned by Public Services; she spoke with Public Services Director Rodriguez today about the landscaping plan and they are working on its implementation. There are already three signs that received landscaping and Public Services is working on a timeline. Vice -Chair Odman said a complaint was voiced on the aesthetics of the signs. Chair Lewellen questioned if FDOT was asked if we could move a sign to a different location. Director Williams responded yes; the sign currently is in line with their requirements. There is room for more signage in the future and an opportunity to expand on the entranceway signage. Chair Lewellen said her concern with the sign at Anglers and Griffin is that the annexed part of the City is being differentiated with a dividing line. She asked that it be determined if there is something else that can be done as this makes people feel they are separated from the rest of the City. 4. Presentations 4.1 Budget Presentation (Follow-up) Board Member James noted Board Member Brandimarte requested the budget not be discussed in her absence. Director Williams said she wanted to follow up with property acquisition and vacancy, and rental assistance and foreclosure prevention. She recommended discussion at a workshop as there is time to hold one. Minutes of Virtual Regular Meeting Dania Beach Community Redevelopment Agency Tuesday, August 25, 2020 — 5:30 p.m. Chair Lewellen noted Director Williams needs to send a request for dates, and questioned if there is something that needs discussing before the budget is approved. Board Member James referenced emails from the County and noted from speaking with Mayor Holness, we need to think about a rental assistance program. She is waiting to see how much money will be allocated by the County for rental assistance. In addition, regarding affordable housing pricing, she is concerned about the regulations as it seems most of the CRA area is exempt from enforcing this type of stipulation. We need to have some type of plan in place in case the County's program does not satisfy our needs. Day care, nursing homes, and rental assistance is all tied into the funding. Chair Lewellen noted the Cares Act relief was passed today. They are also going to approve $25 million in rental assistance that would be paid out by the City. The appropriate place for this discussion is the City Commission. Additionally, Finance and other staff need to be available when discussing the budget. Board Member James said she is not saying the money is going to come to the CRA. Her request specifically speaks on funding from our budget, not the CARES Act, and to make sure the CRA has something in place to assist the most vulnerable in the CRA area. The CRA district is struggling and she is going to get with the City Manager to understand and discuss the stipulations of the program. However, she has not heard that the City has a plan for putting such a program in place. It is appropriate to speak at the CRA level, as this is whom she represents. She wants to make sure we have adequate funding or a program in place to help them. Chair Lewellen suggested a workshop prior to the final budget if it is desired. Board Member James said we could discuss this at the Commission workshop; however, we could have the funding source set up and the City could disburse. There does not have to be a separate workshop for the CRA discussion. Director Williams commented discussions at any meeting could impact either budget. 5. Consent A eg nda 5.1 Minutes: Approve Minutes of July 28, 2020 CRA Board Meeting 5.2 Travel Requests: None Board Member James motioned to approve the Consent Agenda; seconded by Vice -Chair Odman. The motion carried unanimously. 6. Proposals and Bids Minutes of Virtual Regular Meeting 4 Dania Beach Community Redevelopment Agency Tuesday, August 25, 2020 — 5:30 p.m. There were no proposals on this agenda. 7. Discussion and Possible Action 7.1 Art of Community Grant Extension and Mural Director Williams reviewed the information included in the agenda packet and noted the Community Foundation of Broward has extended the expansion of this project. A private owner has been identified at the corner of Dania Beach Boulevard and the railroad tracks near Station 1. She wanted to have discussion because we would be using grant money on a privately owned building. The rendering could be tweaked, but we want to get moving with this project in September. We will be working with the City Attorney on an agreement to make sure we have an understanding of the maintenance, insurance requirements and responsibilities. She is pleased the property owner wants the mural placed on his building. Board Member James recalled an attempt to do this four of five years ago, but it was unsuccessful getting it done through the CACAB. She is glad to see it done through a community improvement grant and is excited about it. She hopes it sparks a trail of art and is in support. Board Member Harris said during COVID, we should look at people who need rental assistance or mortgage assistance, and not art. He asked that this be taken into consideration for now, and noted he supports public art, but this is not the right time. Vice -Chair Odman asked whether the funding was only to be used for the art project. Director Williams responded the money is already encumbered; this is the only use for the funding. Vice -Chair Odman said Board Member Harris makes a good point. This is not the time to prioritize art over rental assistance, but if funds were already allocated and cannot be used for something else, why not go forward with project. She supports it. Chair Lewellen questioned if there was a time limit on using the grant. Director Williams responded Community Foundation of Broward has not issued a time limit for the use of funds; however, this project has been going on for many years and now is the time to execute. With everything being planned, and with talk of holiday lighting and lifting the community spirit, this could be one of those things that would do so. Chair Lewellen noted she has an issue with the historical aspect of it; going through our Historical Society and having those board members' input would make more sense. Minutes of Virtual Regular Meeting 5 Dania Beach Community Redevelopment Agency Tuesday, August 25, 2020 — 5:30 p.m. Director Williams said a requirement was to have community input and Linda Wilson with the Historical Society did visit the artist at his studio. The reason the grant is called Art of Community is to engage everyday people; it is the legacy of Dania Beach, not necessarily the history of Dania Beach. The markers are not historical, but artistic coming from the perspective of community members' input. Chair Lewellen questioned where all the makers will go and what the plan is for them. Director Williams said she could provide a map of where the markers would be intentionally placed along City right-of-way with the permitting approval of FDOT. She would like to get approval to move forward with the mural aspect of the project, which will take 30-40 days, to utilize this privately owned building. Chair Lewellen noted she is fine with the mural, but needs more information on the markers. Board Member James questioned how much the mural portion of the project would cost. Director Williams responded the $32,000 encumbered would cover the mural, and the fabrication and installation of seven markers. Board Member James said we just approved $100,000 on holiday lighting to enhance the City. Buildings are still going up, and developers are still pulling permits and seeking approval of projects. If we want to combat COVID and assist its victims, we need to subsidize the affordable trust fund. This item has been a long time in the works and she supports it. Chair Lewellen noted there is consensus to work on the mural, but not on the markers. She wants to know the locations of the markers and needs additional information. Director Williams said we could do the mural as the first aspect and hold the markers pending future discussions. She clarified the additional information request from Chair Lewellen and confirmed with City Attorney Ansbro that they can move forward with the mural and put a hold on the markers. 8. Board Member Comments Board Member James thanked Parks and Recreation for the Back to School backpack distribution, and spoke of value items that the PATCH staff has created to be innovative during the pandemic. She noted she has questions regarding public usage of the PATCH and whether it could be tied into school field trips through virtual learning. She is excited about drive-in movies at the Casino, and has been in contact with business owners; expanding eligibility for the Small Business Resiliency Program to 10 employees would be beneficial and shows our willingness to help our community. 9. Information Items Minutes of Virtual Regular Meeting Dania Beach Community Redevelopment Agency Tuesday, August 25, 2020 — 5:30 p.m. There were no items on this agenda. 10. Adjournment Chair Lewellen adjourned the meeting at 6:34 p.m. ATTEST: THOMAS SCHNEIDER, CMC CRA SECRETARY Approved: October 13, 2020 Minutes of Virtual Regular Meeting Dania Beach Community Redevelopment Agency Tuesday, August 25, 2020 — 5:30 p.m. 7 COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY LORI LEWELLEN CHAIR — CRA -R DANIA BEACH COMMWif IIEDEVEIOPMEN AGENCY