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HomeMy WebLinkAboutSpecial Meeting - 6:00 p.m. MINUTES OF SPECIAL MEETING DANIA BEACH CITY COMMISSION TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2008 — 6:00 P.M. 1. Call to Order Mayor Anton called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. 2. Roll Call Present: Mayor: Bob Anton Vice-Mayor: Albert Jones Commissioners: Anne Castro Patricia Flury City Manager: Ivan Pato City Attorney: Thomas Ansbro City Clerk: Louise Stilson Absent: Commissioner: John Bertino Commissioner Castro motioned to excuse the absence of Commissioner Bertino; seconded by Vice-Mayor Jones. The motion carried on the following 4-0 Roll Call vote: Commissioner Castro Yes Vice-Mayor Jones Yes Commissioner Flury Yes Mayor Anton Yes 3. Presentation and selection of a Consultant to prepare the Neighborhood Master Plans for College Gardens, Dania Beach Heights, and Sun Garden Isles Calvin, Giordano &Associates, Inc. Shelley Eichner, Vice President, Calvin Giordano & Associates, introduced David Hennis, Project Manager, Planning Department and Gianno Feoli, Urban Designer. They presented a PowerPoint which is attached to and incorporated into these minutes. Ms. Eichner advised that their office which was originally established in 1937, is conveniently located in Port Everglades. Gianno Feoli, Urban Designer, pointed out that based on the available budget they will try to find financing mechanisms that would contribute to bring this project to fruition. They would reach out to the communities, find out what their priorities are and build a relationship with them. Mr. Feoli stated that we will need to deal with some physical constraints within the three referenced neighborhoods; such as the right-of-way in Sun Garden Isles, which is their greatest constraint. He also noted the possibility of using lighting improvements and traffic calming devices as beautification mechanisms, which could turn into good opportunities to create civic and improved areas. Mr. Feoli made several suggestions on how these neighborhoods would look by addressing parking, drainage, and landscape issues. He pointed out how important it was to define the boundaries of our City and where people live. Mr. Feoli explained his company would bring real expertise in terms of knowing how to reach out to the community. He said they have worked with municipalities and the private sector, and they have been successful in obtaining grants. He mentioned some of their projects and how they can customize each neighborhood based on their needs. He indicated they have sensitivity to history and have received a historical preservation architecture award. Lastly, Mr. Feoli indicated that their Planning Department has a level of expertise that would allow them to reach the goals of the City's Comprehensive Plan and the larger vision of the communities. Commissioner Flury confirmed that the team from Calvin Giordano would be composed of Shelley Eichner as the lead person on all projects and Gianno Feoli as the lead person/contact for Dania Beach. She clarified with Ms. Eichner that David Hennis is fairly new to the company, but his past experience is based on municipal planning. Commissioner Castro pointed out that the community meetings have already been done. She commented some studies may just need to be validated and adjusted. Commissioner Castro clarified with Ms. Eichner that we have had several traffic studies conducted, so there is no need to include them in their plan; all they need to do is incorporate this information into their data base. She wanted assurances that the City would be able to implement their recommendations without having to face problems with the County, FDOT, or Florida Power and Light. Ms. Eichner advised they have experience in dealing with these agencies, so they will know early on if the projects will be approved or not. Mr. Feoli indicated they would contact these agencies prior to proposing a solution to our problems, to avoid wasting time and effort. Ms. Eichner confirmed for Commissioner Castro they would be willing to put all the groups together at the time of the meetings. She also had no objection to the neighborhood groups making their own copies in order to save money. Commissioner Castro questioned the company background in economic/marketing/real estate feasibility in order to make the best of neighborhood planning. Ms. Eichner responded they do not have anyone in-house to do this. However, they would be willing to look for someone if that becomes a need. Commissioner Castro was concerned with the City of Hollywood expanding their LAC zoning from west to east. She asked if there would be a conflict of interest knowing that Calvin Giordano is working on this project. Minutes of Special Meeting 2 Dania Beach City Commission Tuesday,February 26,2008—6:00 p.m. Ms. Eichner did not see a conflict with these projects. She noted they could review the details during the planning process. Vice-Mayor Jones wanted to see value added to these communities. Mayor Anton confirmed with Mr. Feoli that they have acquired grants to offset funding for some of the projects previously mentioned. EDAW.Inc. Ellen Heath, Vice-President/Principal in charge of EDAW, Inc., introduced Donald Shockey, Project Manager and Cesar Garcia Pons, Urban Designer. She noted Fredalyn Frasier, their Neighborhood Planner, could not attend the meeting. Ms. Heath advised their firm has over 60 years of experience in place-making and public consensus building. They presented a PowerPoint which is attached to and incorporated into these minutes. Mr. Garcia Pons commented on some of the projects they have worked on, such as Fort Myers, Miami Beach and Plant City. He noted the Oceanfront Neighborhood in Miami Beach which was just completed, is very similar to the three neighborhoods under discussion in Dania Beach because it involved stormwater, sewer and street improvements. Mr. Shockey advised they are in the process of finishing the Master Plan for the City of Hallandale Beach. Ms. Heath further noted they have been working in the open space and green infrastructure planning project for East Little Havana in Miami. They have also worked in the Central Park project in Tampa and in New Orleans on the Upper Ninth Ward to help restore it since Hurricane Katrina. Mr. Shockey spoke about their reputation in productive involvement with communities. He advised they reviewed the City's Urban Infill Redevelopment area plan and the extensive work that has been done. They now have an understanding of how the City wants to move forward with this project in a productive way. Mr. Shockey reaffirmed their recommendations are based on working with similar projects. He felt they had good experience to back up their qualifications and noted their approach would focus on funded implementation strategies. Vice-Mayor Jones asked about their experience with grant writing/financing. He also questioned their familiarity with our City. Mr. Shockey confirmed he is familiar with different grant options. He noted he has not spent much time in Dania Beach. Mr. Garcia Pons responded for Vice-Mayor Jones that they did not look into infrastructure replacement costs because the reports they have seen did not specify what type of improvements the City wanted. Minutes of Special Meeting 3 Dania Beach City Commission Tuesday, February 26,2008—6:00 p.m. Commissioner Castro questioned their experience in economic/marketing/real estate evaluation in order to create a more energetic atmosphere-type neighborhood. Mr. Shockey advised there are no specific standards to modify the land use, but certainly this is very valuable land. He confirmed the mixed land uses would achieve an active economic environment. Commissioner Castro asked if they could guarantee that the projects they are recommending are feasible. She further questioned their experience working with Broward County. Mr. Shockey indicated that feasibility is a huge component to take into consideration. Commissioner Flury noted their proposed cost is approximately $200,000. She asked if they would be prepared to negotiate considering that there may be studies that would not be necessary. Mr. Shockey responded in the affirmative. He noted their revised estimate was $115,000 for the basic services, plus $20,000425,000 to cover mailing expenses. Michele Mellgren & Associates, Inc. Michele Mellgren, Principal, The Mellgren Planning Group, introduced the members of her team: Jeffrey Katims, Travis Schenk, Sasha Forbes, Alyce Decker and Swati Meshram. She presented a PowerPoint, which is attached to and incorporated into these minutes. Ms. Mellgren noted this is truly a planning project and they as planners, have to look at several points of importance: the quality and condition of the housing stock; the width of the right-of- way; easements; physical appearance and condition of the community; social conditions; housing tenure, i.e., renters vs. homeowners; economics of the area; ad valorem revenue and how it can be improved for the benefit of the City without affecting the long-term residents. She indicated they are familiar with the study done by FAU in 2003 and would update it as necessary. They would use the GIS mapping to correlate home ownership, crime, housing values, home sales, vacant lots, etc. Ms. Mellgren further advised that they would hold community meetings to present and discuss their findings and potential solutions. Finally, they would develop a plan for each neighborhood, which would include funding and implementation directives. She pointed out that they envision a 12-month process which will begin with meetings with neighborhood leaders. Mayor Anton noted that the Mellgren Planning Group is currently in the process of preparing a Citywide Unified Land Development Code. He questioned if it would be a conflict or a benefit if they were selected for this project. Ms. Mellgren advised that she thought it would be beneficial. They could marry the two projects together and have the same consultant making recommendations for both. She confirmed for the Minutes of Special Meeting 4 Dania Beach City Commission Tuesday, February 26,2008—6:00 p.m. Commission that Alyce Decker, who specializes in grant funding, has had successful experience in securing grants. Ms. Mellgren added that Sasha Forbes has extensive expertise in housing and is familiar with many of the programs that are available to municipalities. Commissioner Castro wanted assurances that their recommendations could be accomplished. Ms. Mellgren stated that she would guarantee their recommendations could be accomplished within certain parameters. Vice-Mayor Jones confirmed with Ms. Mellgren that they would be looking for financial opportunities, not only through ordinary grants but through Community Development Block Grants, and that the grant writing component would also be brought to the table at the time of discussion. Commissioner Flury wanted assurances that if they were awarded this project, there would be two teams working separately. Ms. Mellgren responded in the affirmative. Commissioner Castro noted some community leaders had reviewed the proposals submitted and she would like to give them a chance to speak now that the three firms have finished their presentations. Joe Van Eron, 1500 SW 2nd Avenue, noted the main components to make a selection for this project are feasibility, funding and the economic part of the project. He thought all three firms were qualified to do the job, and preferred not to say which firm he would select. Mayor Anton suggested adjourning the Special Meeting to move on with the Regular City Commission Meeting scheduled for 7:00 p.m. He noted that it would reconvene at the end of tonight's City Commission meeting. Vice-Mayor Jones motioned to adjourn the Special Meeting and reconvene after tonight's City Commission meeting; seconded by Commissioner Castro. The motion carried on the following 4-0 Roll Call vote: Commissioner Castro Yes Vice-Mayor Jones Yes Commissioner Flury Yes Mayor Anton Yes Mayor Anton adjourned the Special Meeting at 6:59 p.m. Mayor Anton reconvened the Special Meeting at 8:26 p.m. Minutes of Special Meeting 5 Dania Beach City Commission Tuesday,February 26,2008—6:00 p.m. Commissioner Commissioner Commissioner Vice- Mayor Overall Consultant Bertino Castro Flury Mayor Anton Ranking Jones Calvin, Giordano & 3 3 2 3 Associates, Inc. EDAW, 2 2 2 2 Inc. Mellgren & Associates, 1 1 1 1 Inc. The Commission agreed that it would be advantageous to have the Mellgren Planning Group work simultaneously on two of our projects, provided there are two separate teams. Commissioner Castro thought the Mellgren Planning Group touched on very important issues, such as updating the FAU study, which would allow the City an opportunity to negotiate costs; the street by street neighborhood analysis; and the economic and real estate evaluation. She advised that she had invited the Community Leaders who did the Urban CPTED study to review the proposals and they all rated The Mellgren Planning Group as #1, EDAW, Inc. #2 and Calvin Giordano and Associates #3. Commissioner Flury confirmed with Corinne Lajoie, Principal City Planner, that the Mellgren Planning Group has been responsive and easy to contact regarding the re-write of the Land Development Code. City Attorney Ansbro clarified for the Commission that in order to proceed with the appointment of the selected firm, we only needed consensus of the City Commission and a resolution would be brought forward at a future City Commission meeting. It was the consensus of the Commission for the Neighborhood Committee to be involved in the process and for Commissioner Castro to be the lead person for the project. 4. Adiournment Mayor Anton adjourned the meeting at 8:35 p.m. AT EST_-. CITY OF DANIA BEACH A� LOUISE STILSON, CIVIC BOBNNTOK- CITY CLERK MAYOR-COMMISSIONER Approved: March 11, 2008 Minutes of Special Meeting 6 Dania Beach City Commission Tuesday,February 26, 2008—6:00 p.m.