Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout91184 - MINUTES - CRA MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING CITY OF DANIA BEACH COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 6, 2008 — 6:00 P.M. 1. Call to Order Chairman Jones called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. Present: Chairman: Albert Jones Commissioners: Bob Anton John Bertino Patricia Flury City Manager: Ivan Pato City Attorney: Thomas Ansbro City Clerk: Louise Stilson CRA Director: Jeremy Earle CRA Attorney: Michael Moskowitz Absent: Vice-Chairman: Anne Castro Commissioner Bertino motioned to excuse the absence of Vice-Chairman Castro; seconded by Commissioner Anton. The motion carried unanimously. 2. Approval of Minutes of June 4, 2008 and June 24, 2008 Commissioner Anton motioned to approve the Minutes of June 4, 2008, and June 24, 2008; seconded by Commissioner Bertino. The motion carried on the following 4-0 Roll Call vote: Commissioner Anton Yes Commissioner Flury Yes Commissioner Bertino Yes Chairman Jones Yes 3. CRA Update Jeremy Earle, CRA Director, provided an update on the Community meetings held last week with College Gardens and Dania Beach Heights. He noted the meetings with the community were very well attended and we were able to get valuable feedback which will be incorporated into our CRA plan. Director Earle thanked City Manager Pato and Assistant City Manager Donnelly for attending the meetings and responding to several questions from the public. Director Earle noted that he and CRA Attorney Mike Moskowitz met with representatives of Broward County last week regarding the $6.3M and they agreed to release the funds to the City by October 1, 2008. He advised that County Commissioner Rodstrom will make the presentation to the City. Director Earle clarified that the release of funds does not need County Commission approval. Attorney Moskowitz recognized Commissioner Rodstrom's assistance throughout the process. He commented that Dania Beach is the first CRA to complete their project under the Interlocal Agreement. Attorney Moskowitz advised that Broward County will review our documents to insure that we have actually completed our project before they issue the check. He ratified that this matter does not need to go before the County Commission for release of funds. Attorney Moskowitz complimented Vice-Chairman Castro on her perseverance on this project. Director Earle thanked Public Services Director Orlando and staff for their assistance in the preparation of the documents required for this project. He noted he received the RFQ for the 109 Park parcel from Michael Cannon, Executive Director of Integra Realty Resources-Miami, who is working with the Mellgren Planning Group as a sub-consultant. Director Earle indicated he is currently reviewing the proposed RFQ and hopes to advertise in about two weeks. He also advised that he met with some of the surrounding property owners to discuss joining their parcels in the development plan. 4. Redevelopment Plan Presentation (Michele Mellgren) Michele Mellgren, President of The Mellgren Planning Group, distributed a preliminary copy of the Draft CRA Expansion Public Involvement Report, and presented a PowerPoint overview of the Community Redevelopment Area Constraints, Assets, Issues and Opportunities. Both of these documents are attached to and incorporated into these minutes. She noted the Finding of Necessity that was prepared for the City is currently being reviewed by CRA Director Earle and subsequently by Broward County. Ms. Mellgren pointed out that the three neighborhoods comprising the largest portion of the proposed CRA expansion show clear and convincing evidence of deteriorated demographic and economic conditions. Some properties are vacant, boarded up, or abandoned, degrading the quality of life for the neighboring residents. She remarked that more than 60 percent of the properties in the expanded CRA area are absentee owners, which is a constraint for redevelopment. Ms. Mellgren and Jim Carras, Community Investment, Inc., explained that affordable housing is defined as a housing cost that does not exceed 30 percent of a household's gross income. Mr. Carras noted that when analyzing affordability, housing costs include taxes, insurance and utility costs. Discussion followed between the Board and Mr. Carras regarding the required percentage of affordable housing required by Broward County. Minutes of Regular Meeting 2 City of Dania Beach Community Redevelopment Agency Wednesday,August 6,2008—6:00 p.m. Ms. Mellgren noted that the high incidence of crime in the expanded CRA area adversely affects tourism and retail sales. It also discourages private property reinvestment, and weakens the sense of community in Dania Beach. Chairman Jones noted that we should be more aggressive in our efforts to fight crime, in general, if we want redevelopment in our City. Ms. Mellgren noted we are looking at opportunities to create a vibrant downtown area which would expand the City's tax base. The expansion of businesses would also provide workforce housing. She pointed out we have some constraints, some of which are the FPL power lines and the land beneath them; the shared boundaries with Hollywood; the use of Federal Highway as a throughway; and the FEC railroad tracks which bifurcate the City creating a psychological barrier between east and west. Ms. Mellgren commented that the City as a whole, not only in the expanded CRA area, has a tremendous location advantage. The close proximity to the airport and seaport, as well as the Dania Cut-Off Canal located next to the Intracoastal Waterway, all provide many opportunities for enhancement and expansion of the marine industry within the City. She noted the Redevelopment Plan draft should be ready in November for the City's review and possible adoption in February, 2009. Director Earle noted they have prepared crime maps which they have shared with BSO Chief Peterson in order for him to develop strategies to address the issue. Further discussion followed among members of the Board regarding the difficulties in dealing with drugs and crime in general. They all agreed that although we are working hard to fight crime in our City, there is still a lot of work ahead in order to accomplish our goal. The Board asked for a BSO representative to attend the meetings and get involved in this program. Director Earle advised that the State of Florida provides CRA's with community policing innovation power, and we would explore this opportunity in order to improve the results in our fight against crime. 5. Financial Analysis Update (Jim Carras) Jim Carras, Community Investment, Inc., discussed the financial aspects for the CRA district. He noted they would be doing a TIF analysis to implement a plan that would help the City pay for the proposed Redevelopment Plan. He noted that our CRA plan is project driven and they would be looking for available funding sources. Mr. Carras also stated that President Bush signed a $413 Housing Bill last week for community stabilization funds which would allow municipalities to purchase foreclosed properties. He advised these funds would be available through Broward County. Mr. Carras further indicated that several years ago the Federal Government created a program called New Markets Tax Credits which references economically distressed areas. He commented that this funding source is currently underutilized in Broward County and the CRA would definitely qualify for this Program which is primarily geared to commercial office and retail. Mr. Carras suggested creating a Community Development Entity which can act as a pass-through from investors to get tax credits. He noted that Section 108 is a Minutes of Regular Meeting 3 City of Dania Beach Community Redevelopment Agency Wednesday,August 6,2008—6:00 p.m. potential tool that has been used for many years for economic development projects. Mr. Carras explained that this is a loan from the Federal Government to the agency that handles CDBG programs through the County, and an application can be submitted at any time. The loan is provided at a low interest rate which can be used to help developers with their projects at a subsidized rate. He also commented that there is a Grant Program, the Brownfield Economic Development Initiative (BEDI), which is provided through Section 108 with a maximum of $1M, and it can only be applied for through a once-a-year competition. Mr. Carras clarified that in order to join the competition for the BEDI Grant, our CRA would have to be part of the Brownfield designated area. Director Earle confirmed we could designate the CRA area as a Brownfield area which would be a tremendous source of resources for redevelopment capital. He pointed out that some people think that a Brownfield area would lower their property values, however there is no disadvantage to this designation. Mr. Carras noted there are several funding agencies for Brownfield's and they will explore all the possibilities and bring them to the CRA Board for consideration. Mr. Carras indicated that CRA's are currently challenged due to a State Supreme Court ruling that would not allow them to apply for long-term debt financing without a referendum vote however, this is being contested. Chairman Jones questioned how to attract developers to the City. Mr. Carras advised that one of the basic factors would be to have a capable staff to deal with the developer. He further noted that public relations programs, such as brochures and CD's, are also fundamental in the marketing process. Discussion followed between the CRA Board and Mr. Carras regarding different funding opportunities for the City. Director Earle confirmed for the Board that each funding would be project specific and that we would create the financing mechanism required to move forward with redevelopment in our City. Commissioner Flury asked for an update on the funding for the Library. City Attorney Ansbro advised that funds will not be available until the Interlocal Agreement is finalized. He noted the impact fees issue has not been resolved. City Attorney Ansbro also explained that the County requested 250 parking spaces, but we offered 100 dedicated parking spaces. He further indicated that the Agreement will be re-done tomorrow and should be ready for the August 26 City Commission meeting. Dominic Orlando, Director of Public Services, noted we cannot permit the site with 100+ parking spaces. He remarked a site plan is needed for consideration by the City, County, and the South Florida Water Management District. Director Orlando suggested he and City Attorney Ansbro meet with the County attorney in order to discuss the parking issue. Minutes of Regular Meeting 4 City of Dania Beach Community Redevelopment Agency Wednesday,August 6,2008—6:00 p.m. 6. Adiournment Chairman Jones adjourned the meeting at 7:58 p.m. ATTEST: COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY v ,M"" Irv) LOUISE STILSON, CM' C OPDWARDpF� ALBERT C. JONE CITY CLERK Rrr CHAIRMAN—C l Approved: September 3, 2008 A71D 19d Minutes of Regular Meeting 5 City of Dania Beach Community Redevelopment Agency Wednesday,August 6,2008—6:00 p.m.