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Home My WebLink About194206 - MINUTES - CRA MINUTES OF MEETING CITY OF DANIA BEACH COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 2009 — 6:00 P.M. 1. Call to Order/Roll Call Chairman Castro called to meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. Present: Chairman: Anne Castro Board Members: Bob Anton Albert Jones CRA Executive Director: Jeremy Earle City Attorney: Thomas Ansbro CRA Secretary: Louise Stilson Absent: Vice-Chairman: C.K. "Mad'McElyea Board Member: Walter Duke Board Member Anton motioned to excuse the absence of Vice-Chairman McElyea and Board Member Duke; seconded by Board Member Jones. The motion carried unanimously. 2. Approval of Minutes Board Member Anton motioned to approve the minutes of August 5, 2009; seconded by Board Member Jones. The motion carried unanimously. 3. CRA Updates Jeremy Earle, CRA Executive Director, noted that after several meetings with Broward County, the issue of the expansion of the CRA boundaries will be on the County agenda on Tuesday, September 22, 2009. Director Earle noted that on August 27, 2009, the Broward County Planning Council approved the Dania Beach Regional Activity Center (RAC). He thanked Joe Van Eron and Vicky Payne, as well as Board Member Duke,who were present at the meeting and spoke in favor of the RAC. Director Earle further recognized Chairman Castro for her clear explanation as to why the RAC is so important to our City. He advised that the RAC will now have to be approved by the County Commission and this item will also be included on their September 22 agenda. Director Earle asked if there was a preference as to who should speak to the members of the County Commission on this matter. Chairman Castro responded that she, Board Member Jones and Board Member Duke would be the ones to approach the County Commissioners. She said that she will be meeting with Commissioners Ilene Lieberman, Ken Keechl, Sue Gunzburger and John Rodstrom. Chairman Castro further noted that although Mayor Stacy Ritter previously said she would vote against our request, she will still talk to her. Board Member Jones will be meeting with Commissioners Lois Wexler, Diana Wasserman-Rubin and Josephus Eggelletion; and Director Daniels will meet with Commissioner Kristin Jacobs. She suggested that CRA Attorney Mike Moskowitz would be the one to count the votes and close the deals. The Board agreed with Chairman Castro's recommendation. Director Earle advised that on September 17, 2009 there will be a Workshop to discuss the parking management strategies for the downtown area. The meeting will be held in the Conference Room at City Hall, from 5:30 — 7:00 p.m. He encouraged business owners to participate and give their input on this important issue. 4. City Center Development LOI Jeremy Earle, CRA Executive Director, referred to the Letter of Intent executed between the CRA and Hank Thomas of the Green Hill Group, which was included in the agenda packet. He advised that this Letter of Intent represents the basis of our negotiations as we move forward with the new City Center. Director Earle explained that we will work on the development of the 109 Park Property as well as the future development of the City Hall parcel. He noted that the original restriction for the City Hall property from 1896, states "park" as opposed to "public use"; even City Hall should not be here. Director Earle said that our attorneys recommended replatting the property which would take approximately 7-12 months. The cost would be $2,500 for the replat,plus the cost of the engineer. Board Member Jones questioned whether funding would be derived from the CRA or City Budget. Director Earle noted this would be a joint funding from both the City and the CRA. He added the City Hall parcel would always be City property. Board Member Anton noted we can find $2,500 in this year's budget in order to move forward with the application for the replat. Board Member Anton motioned to appropriate $2,500 from this year's budget to cover the cost of the replat; seconded by Board Member Jones. The motion carried unanimously. Chairman Castro confirmed with Director Earle that the Library project should start November 1, 2009. Minutes of Regular Meeting 2 City of Dania Beach Community Redevelopment Agency Wednesday,September 2,2009—6:00 p.m. Hank Thomas, The Green Hill Group, indicated he would start the foundation permit for the parking structure in November. Director Earle advised that parking for City staff and residents during construction has been planned by Public Services Director Orlando. He noted that we will park on the City Hall property and the parcel purchased by Mr. Thomas, which would provide approximately 80 parking spaces. Director Earle noted the parking garage will be part of the Developers Agreement which should be ready for approval at the CRA Special meeting on September 22, at 6:00 p.m. This document will then be presented to the City Commission for their approval on the same day. He further explained that Mr. Thomas will have a 49-year lease with three 10-year renewal options. Mr. Thomas will move forward with the development of the hotel. Director Earle noted that approximately 144 parking spaces will be allocated to the hotel in the parking garage. He clarified that the office building will come six months after the parking garage is completed. Mr. Thomas noted the boulevard will be built after the construction of the Library and parking garage. He advised that he is currently working on the design of the hotel and negotiations are also in progress with some well-known first-class hotels. Mr. Thomas stated that he could conceivably start the construction of the hotel at the same time as the office building. Chairman Castro noted the diagrams presented are nice, but the backside of the building looked plain. Mr. Thomas explained that because of environmental reasons there is a need for airflow. Director Earle thanked Kim Briesemeister for sharing her vast experience during this process. He noted the LOI will be incorporated into the Developers Agreement. The projected cost is a maximum guaranteed price for the City of approximately $6M-$8M, the developer will pay everything above that. Director Earle indicated that Mr. Thomas will invest $40-$50M by the time everything is complete. Mayor Castro pointed out that we would have a much nicer product, with less money, than the proposal originally submitted. Board Member Anton noted it is time to put up a sign for the development of the project so our residents know what is happening in our downtown. Board Member Jones asked staff to move forward immediately with the appropriation of$2,500 toward the replat of the City Hall property. Patty Hart, 517 NE 2"a Place,noted she is excited about the project. Vicki Payne, Chamber of Commerce, noted she is thrilled to be here today. She advised that Mr. Thomas spoke to a group of business owners and ignited a spark of interest and pride. Minutes of Regular Meeting 3 City of Dania Beach Community Redevelopment Agency Wednesday,September 2,2009—6:00 p.m. Director Earle congratulated Vicki Payne and the Chamber of Commerce for a very successful Business Expo recently held in our City. Board Member Jones motioned to approve the LOI; seconded by Board Member Anton. The motion carried unanimously. 5. Continuing Services Contract for Metro Strategies, Inc. Jeremy Earle, CRA Executive Director, noted this contract will allow Kim Briesemeister to provide ongoing services to the CRA as we move forward with our redevelopment efforts. He advised that Ms. Briesemeister will continue working on an hourly rate and the contract may be terminated by either party without prior notice. Board Member Anton motioned to approve the Continuing Services Contract for Metro Strategies, Inc.; seconded by Board Member Jones. The motion carried unanimously. Chairman Castro questioned if someone other than the Chairman could sign invoices, since she does not want to keep our vendors waiting for payment. Director Earle will make the necessary arrangements so that any CRA Board Member is authorized to approve invoices and check requests. 6. Adiournment Chairman Castro adjourned the meeting at 6:43 p.m. ATTEST: COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY LOUISE STILSON, CMC Is ANNE CASTRO CRA SECRETARY '< CHAIRMAN—CRA 1 Approved: November 4, 2009 Minutes of Regular Meeting 4 City of Dania Beach Community Redevelopment Agency Wednesday, September 2,2009—6:00 p.m. V n r •�� P u:, �A •F f. 1 • 1 Old Griffin Road a In ' ru a� Dania Beach Boulevard C Stirling Road c SW 3rd Street Q 1 Q Q Q1 r U Irycu „ .,. Q SE 7th Street " M W 41 .1 3 Sheridan Street e s DOWNTOWN DANIA BEACH _._4 PARKING PLAN WORKSHOP IL z _ L $ V = CL 0) al mlz Q o m rn a �' E ' L F = fin r n n 00 oa