Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout27434 - MINUTES - CRA MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING CITY OF DANIA BEACH COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 2007 — 6:00 P.M. 1. Call to Order Chairman Anton called the meeting to order at 6:06 p.m. Present: Chairman: Bob Anton Vice-Chairman Albert Jones Commissioners: John Bertino Anne Castro Patricia Flury City Manager: Ivan Pato City Attorney: Thomas Ansbro City Clerk Louise Stilson 2. Approval of Minutes of August 1, 2007 Commissioner Flury requested that the words "per space" be added to the fourth paragraph on page 3. Vice-Chairman Jones motioned to approve the Minutes of August 1, 2007; seconded by Commissioner Castro. The motion carried on the following 5-0 Roll Call vote: Commissioner Bertino Yes Vice-Chairman Jones Yes Commissioner Castro Yes Chairman Anton Yes Commissioner Flury Yes 3. CRA Brochure—How should it be used? Commissioner Castro questioned the process to deliver the brochures. She provided a book to the City Manager which includes a list of people that have been prominent in redevelopment in Broward County; she suggested compiling a list of the highlighted names. Commissioner Castro stated she wants to go to Miami Road to see the neighborhood redevelopment in order to obtain the name of some of the developers. City Manager Pato responded the brochure was developed for companies, developers and industries in which we are interested. He has also been working on a list, which includes names provided by Commissioner Castro. He asked the other Commissioners to provide additional names. His intent is to develop a cover letter and mail the brochure to businesses outside the area. He noted that he has received critical comments from companies of our plan, because the window of opportunity has changed. He indicated these companies said we need to refocus because our TOD and TOC may not be the right plan for the moment. He would like to narrow down a list of firms we want to bring to the City, in order to make them aware of opportunities that exist here. He stated small to medium business and commercial development are needed, as opposed to condominiums. City Manager Palo noted that a corridor is developing along 441 and 595 for small to medium sized office buildings. The brochure gives us an opportunity to begin conversations, and invite people to come and talk to us. Commissioner Castro noted that commercial development is not excluded from our plan. However, no one is bringing anything to the City. She suggested we invite developers to come to Dania Beach and give them a tour, and hold a workshop with them. She noted our biggest challenge is that the price of property is so much higher in Dania Beach, per acre, than other areas in Broward County. City Manager Pato stated that developers are looking for incentives. He thinks there is still an opportunity, but we need to be selective, and all members of the Commission need to reach out. He said that maintaining the small town charm was attractive to developers, but property prices need to come down to a realistic level. Commissioner Flury stated that she likes the idea of holding a workshop with people who have been successful in development. She noted there is a perception that Dania Beach is too hard to deal with. Commissioner Flury questioned the status of the Redevelopment Director. City Manager Pato responded that we are not interviewing for the Redevelopment Director, nor does he know what the qualifications should be, or who the person would report to. Commissioner Flury responded that Human Resources should advertise for the position, and the CRA Board should assign one Commissioner to review the applications and short list the applicants. She asked if there were projects in the downtown area that were pending. Laurence Leeds, Director of Community Development, noted that AMO has two projects: the redevelopment of the Adirondack property, and a site plan for a 3 story office building north of Checkers. He noted the office building will be for the Union, not a School. He also reported that property located at 246 N. Federal Highway has submitted a site plan for a mixed use project. Commissioner Bertino commented we need to look at hotels and office buildings for Dania Beach because banks require 50% hard contracts for condominiums, before approving loans. He indicated we have to utilize the airport to get redevelopment in the City. He suggested somebody go to the Miami Airport to see what companies are in the area because South American companies are looking for office space near airports. Commissioner Bertino noted the Redevelopment Director would have a tough job because the CRA does not have anything to offer to developers. Minutes of Regular Meeting 2 City of Dania Beach Community Redevelopment Agency Wednesday, September 5,2007—6:00 p.m. Chairman Anton commented the Commission is difficult to deal with, and they all need to change their tone. He noted the lack of incentives is a hindrance to redevelopment. Commissioner Flury indicated we need a person with energy and determination that can bring redevelopment forward; somebody to help developers through the City and County processes. Commissioner Castro suggested the Redevelopment Director bring the conceptual renderings of projects to the CRA Board for consideration of possible incentives they could offer to the developers. She indicated that we should consider purchasing smaller parcels and issuing an RFP for redevelopment. Director Leeds noted that in large cities, developers do not need to go before the Commission for approval, provided they meet certain criteria. He indicated that the TOD/TOC district allows office buildings. CRA Board consensus on the brochure was to gather a core group of people in a workshop with the CRA Board in order to provide information. We also need to develop a list of developers and send brochures out as a marketing tool. Commissioner Flury commented that we should have workshops on projects with developers early in the process, as opposed to waiting until the public hearing at the City Commission meeting. CRA Board consensus was to have presentations before the CRA Board at their regular monthly meeting, and to schedule Commission workshops for properties not located in the CRA district. 4. Redevelopment Director—Hiring process and timeline Commissioner Bertino did not think the position was needed. Commissioner Castro thought we needed somebody to help developers through the City and County process. She noted we need to look at the small scale projects, not just big ones. She stated a qualification for the position should be prior experience in this field. Vice-Chairman Jones does not want the position politicized. Commissioner Flury noted we need a person, and the position was approved in the Budget. She indicated the City Manager should get job descriptions from other cities and provide them to the Commission for review. CRA Board consensus was to move forward with the position, and for Commissioner Flury to do the initial review of the applications, then schedule interviews before the CRA Board. Minutes of Regular Meeting 3 City of Dania Beach Community Redevelopment Agency Wednesday, September 5,2007—6:00 p.m. City Manager Pato will ask Human Resources to contact Commissioner Castro for list of qualifications for the position. He asked for clarification on whether the position is a full-time employee or contract employee. CRA Board consensus was for a full-time person, whether City employee or contract employee. Commissioner Castro asked how we were going to get our name on the airport signs and buildings. City Attorney Ansbro responded it is not in the Interlocal Agreement, but he will contact former Commissioner Bob Mikes to find out what agreement was made. 5. Adiournment Chairman Anton adjourned the meeting at 7:34 p.m. ATTEST: COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT r AGENCY c_ rb txe _� ' cam/ LOUISE STILSON,CMC BOB ANXN CITY CLERK CHAIRMAN— CRA Approved: October 3, 2007 Minutes of Regular Meeting 4 City of Dania Beach Community Redevelopment Agency Wednesday, September 5,2007—6:00 p.m.