HomeMy WebLinkAbout2191 - MINUTES - CRA MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING
CITY OF DANIA BEACH
COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY
THURSDAY, JULY 20, 2006 - 5:00 P.M.
1. Call to Order
Chairman Flury called the meeting to order at 5:00 p.m.
Present:
Chairman: Patricia Flury
Vice-Chairman: Robert Anton
Board Members: John Bertino
Anne Castro
C.K. McElyea
City Manager: Ivan Pato
City Clerk: Louise Stilson
CRA Consultant: William Salim
Absent:
City Attorney: Tom Ansbro
•
2. Approval of Minutes of June 7, 2006
Ms. Castro motioned to approve the Minutes of June 7, 2006; seconded by Vice-Chairman
Anton. The motion carried unanimously.
3. General Discussion of Chapter 163 Amendments/Revisions
Attorney Salim noted eminent domain cannot be used to remove slums or blighted areas. There
was some confusion that the acquisition of private property for redevelopment purposes, or to
transfer to a private entity, was a public use under the Statute. The Statutes are now clear that
private property may not be taken to be turned over to a private entity for redevelopment. He
noted most of the changes to Chapter 163 were not applicable to the City. The only potential
consideration for the City, is a change that provided.unless the County responds within 120 days
to our request, it is deemed approved. Furthermore, in response to a delegation request, the
County has 30 days to tell us whether or not they believe the request is sufficient in form, and/or
whether they need additional information to consider it. He indicated this could be a mechanism
whereby the City requests the delegation of authority to go with TIF financing. He thought the
City Manager would be meeting with the Broward County Administrator to discuss additional
sources of revenue for the CRA through a TIF.
• City Manager Pato confirmed he communicated with the new County Administrator yesterday
via e-mail to discuss setting up a meeting. He asked attorney Salim if we could expand the size
of the CRA, which would have no negative impacts on the County.
Attorney Salim responded if we expand our boundaries to increase the tax base we would need to
comply with the new requirements to modify our plan, and obtain County approval.
Chairman Flury wondered if the County did us a favor by not approving the TIF CRA. She
wondered if there was a reason for us to have a CRA because we will soon have a casino which
changes everything. The purpose of establishing the CRA was to use the power of eminent
domain to clean up the bad areas. She noted there is currently a lot of interest in developing
property along Dania Beach Boulevard because of the casino, and that we don't need the type of
CRA we have. She questioned if a TIF CRA would be advantageous for the City.
Vice-Chairman Anton agreed with Chairman Flury; he does not see any benefit in having a
CRA, especially if the redevelopment happens.
Mr. McElyea asked how we eliminate the CRA.
Ms. Castro responded by passing an ordinance dissolving the CRA. She noted the CRA got us
the loan to grant from the County. She agreed we should not proceed with a TIF, but felt there
was no harm in keeping the current CRA. She indicated if we want free money from the County,
• we need to keep the CRA and come up with a project.
Chairman Flury commented we should concentrate on the next project.
Mr. Bertino commented the only advantage with the CRA was eminent domain, which has now
been taken away. If we pursue a TIF CRA, we need to expand our current boundaries.
City Manager Pato clarified the loan to grant programs are tied to the CRA, and we had difficulty
getting the Modello parcel included for the loan to grant. He suggested making the whole City a
CRA in order to use the County's redevelopment money.
Chairman Flury asked the Board if they wanted to continue discussing the possibility of a TIF.
Mr. Bertino would be in favor if we expand our CRA boundaries in order to utilize the TIF
money throughout the City. He would not be in favor if we keep the current CRA boundaries.
The consensus of the Board was not to proceed with a TIF, but to expand our CRA boundaries
and look for new projects.
4. Presentation of Conceptual Downtown Renderings
• City Manager Pato presented renderings for the City Hall campus site. The plan includes the
renovated City Hall, parking structure, library/office space, train station, and pedestrian friendly
Minutes of Regular Meeting 2
City of Dania Beach Community Redevelopment Agency
Thursday, July 20,2006—5:00 p.m.
• areas. The parking.structure would be in the current BSO parking lot. We will master plan the
City Hall site with Broward County, and we will try to make the Library and parking structure fit
on the City Hall site knowing that in the future there will be a commuter rail station. He
indicated that West Dania Beach Boulevard would be very different from what it is today as it
moves west. The City Hall property would be redesigned to provide a campus-like environment
that would be pedestrian friendly. If the Board approves, he will move forward with the
development of a booklet to use to attract investors to redevelop the City. He noted this would
provide economic development opportunities.
Mr. Bertino commented traffic problems will come with the casino. He indicated West Dania
Beach Boulevard may need to be widened to accommodate traffic, and this should be included in
the development plan. It is currently green space and could be used in the future, if needed. He
noted a traffic study needs to be completed.
City Manager Pato indicated there is money in the proposed Budget to deal with issues such as a
future traffic study.
Chairman Flury commented we do not need the study for the coming year, but it should be in the
planning process. She likes the concept and noted we should proceed with the brochure.
City Manager Pato commented the County will do work for us after October I", with a
timeframe of 6-9 months. This is being done to accommodate the library which is 3 years down
• the road.
Mr. Anton commented he likes the pedestrian friendly area in the front, but it takes away
parking. We need to consider if we will tear down the BSO section of City Hall after they move
into the new building we are purchasing. He indicated the BSO portion of City Hall needs to be
torn down, not remodeled. He suggested we look into this during the construction of the second
floor.
City Manager Pato noted he looked into demolition, and the cost would be $60,000-$75,000, for
the approximately 4,500 square feet.
Chairman Flury commented there is a ton of money coming up in the Budget, and demolition
could be done at any time needed.
Mr. Bertino commented if you master plan, you need to know what you are going to do.
City Manager Pato commented we would not be able to build a library unless we tear that
portion of the building down.
Chairman Flury asked if there was agreement that if we purchase the new building, BSO and
Code would move to the new building.
City Manager Pato responded that is the goal, and this is what he discussed with each
Commissioner.
Minutes of Regular Meeting 3
City of Dania Beach Community Redevelopment Agency
Thursday,July 20,2006—5:00 p.m.
The consensus of the Board was for the City Manager to proceed with the brochure.
City Manager Pato presented renderings for the second floor addition to City Hall.
Dominic Orlando, Director of Public Services, advised the project should begin in two months
when the steel is delivered. Minor construction is currently underway to relocate the air
conditioning units to the front of the building.
City Manager Pato noted the disruption will begin when the air conditioning units are
disconnected. We are also waiting for the ADA ramps for the trailers. He noted we had to rent
the trailer for one year; it was not available on a monthly basis.
Chairman Flury asked if lighting was being addressed during the renovation.
City Manager Pato responded we are looking at upgrading the lighting in the parking lot, and
improving the security of the building with video cameras. These are not included in the project,
but are included in the upcoming Budget.
Chairman Flury remarked lighting in the neighborhoods is more important than lighting at City
Hall. We need to take care of the neighborhoods. She is sorry it was not included in the original
construction costs.
• City Manager Pato commented the atrium would be upgraded in the upcoming Budget.
Mr. Bertino commented we should have contacted Jeff Gross, the original architect for City Hall.
5. Discussion of Library Site
Chairman Flury noted this had already been discussed.
6. Discussion of Dania Beach Hotel
City Manager Pato asked that this be continued because the City Attorney is out of town, and
there is a change in the plan.
Chairman Flury commented the new building is higher and is a condo/hotel concept.
Laurence Leeds, Director of Community Development, indicated the new plan calls for 15 floors
on Dania Beach Boulevard, dropping down to 7 -6 floors along Park Street.
Vice-Chairman Anton remarked they need to stick to the original plan.
® City Manager Pato indicated they will be reaching out to the Commissioners individually.
Minutes of Regular Meeting 4
City of Dania Beach Community Redevelopment Agency
Thursday,July 20,2006—5:00 p.m.
Vice-Chairman Anton indicated he would not support the new plan.
Ms. Castro commented they are changing their model because of the pari-mutuels. She
understands wanting to change the mix, but does not understand changing the size.
Director Leeds announced we are in the process of preparing notices for the second community
zoning workshop with the Iler Planning Group. The date is Thursday, August 3, 2006 at 7:00
p.m. in the Commission Chamber. He noted the main concern of residents at the first meeting
was traffic.
Chairman Flury directed the City Clerk to place this on the next meeting agenda.
Ms. Castro asked if Boyd Gaming would conduct the traffic study that Jai Alai was to perform.
City Manager Pato responded the traffic study has been commissioned.
7. Adjournment
Chairman Flury adjourned the.meeting at 5:59 p.m.
® COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT
AGENCY
ATTEST:_ PATRICIA FLUKY
CHAIRMAN - CRA
LOUISE STILSON, CMC
CITY CLERK
Approved: September 6, 2006
Minutes of Regular Meeting 5
City of Dania Beach Community Redevelopment Agency
Thursday,July 20,2006—5:00 p.m.