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CITY OF FORT PIERCE CRA ADVISORY COMMITTEE |
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CRA Advisory Committee Minutes
OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE FORT PIERCE CITY CRA ADVISORY COMMITTEE HELD ON WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2019, IN FORT PIERCE 2ND FLOOR CONFERENCE ROOM, 100 NORTH US HIGHWAY 1, FORT PIERCE, FLORIDA.
1.
CALL TO ORDER
2.
ROLL CALL
- Present:
- Plythe Freedman; Al Johnson; Lillian Jimenez; Michael Brown, Jr.; Jon Neprud; Allan Reed; Chair Charlie Frank Matthews
- Absent:
- Hoyt Murphy, Jr.; Kristina Gibbons
- Staff Present:
-
- Rebecca Grohall, Planning Director
- Caleta Scott, Grants Administration Manager
- Vennis Gilmore, Planning Analyst
- Alicia Rosenthal, Executive Assistant
3.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
a.
Minutes from the January 16, 2019 meeting
Motion was made by Allan Reed, and seconded by Jon Neprud to approve the minutes from the January 16, 2019 meeting.
- AYE:
- Al Johnson, Hoyt Murphy, Jr., Lillian Jimenez, Michael Brown, Jr., Jon Neprud, Allan Reed, Kristina Gibbons, Plythe Freedman, Chair Charlie Frank Matthews
Passed
4.
CHAIRMAN VIEWPOINTS
Chairman Matthews introduced the new CRA member, Jon Neprud, and he asked the audience and CRA members to introduce themselves.
Chairman Matthews introduced the new CRA member, Jon Neprud, and he asked the audience and CRA members to introduce themselves.
5.
OLD BUSINESS
6.
NEW BUSINESS
a.
Discussion regarding properties:
707 N. 7th Street
Zora Neale Hurston House - 1734 Avenue L
Lincoln Park Theater
Chairman Matthews tabled the discussion on 707 N. 7th Street and 1734 Avenue L, Zora Neale Hurston house, until the next meeting because research is being done on the properties.
Arlease Hall, member of the Lincoln Park theater subcommittee, provided the CRA committee with a handout on the Lincoln Park Theater, that the late chair of the subcommittee, Attorney Margaret Benton, created in 2010. Ms. Hall said the theater is owned by the Dr. Martin Luther King commemorative committee. Ms. Hall explained a grant was received that enabled the theater to be renovated and she mentioned what they would like to see in the theater expansion plans. Ms. Hall stated they are in need of assistance to move forward.
Ms. Scott explained that in December 2018 the City of Fort Pierce passed a resolution of support to assist the MLK committee in the grant application process. Ms. Scott stated there is a meeting scheduled with the chair of the MLK commemorative committee, the city manager and Ms. Scott to discuss a capital campaign plan for the theater.
Chairman Matthews asked Ms. Hall to provide the CRA committee seating capacity, design plans and the number of dollars needed for completion.
Ms. Scott explained that Lincoln Park is located in the Opportunity Zone and this is an opportunity for investors to invest in the Lincoln Park Theater and avoid the capital gains tax.
Ms. Hall answered questions from the committee on fund raising efforts, budget, operations and projects proposed for the Linoln Park area. Mr. Reed suggested using a couple of data firms, to compile profiles of wealthy donors, for a nationwide targeted list of investors. Mr. Neprud suggested using a Go Fund me site for fund raising.
Mr. Johnson stated the projects surrounding the Lincoln Park Theater will help with the sustainability of the theater.
Chairman Matthews invited Ms. Hall and the subcommittee officers to come to the May 15, 2019 CRA meeting.
707 N. 7th Street
Zora Neale Hurston House - 1734 Avenue L
Lincoln Park Theater
Chairman Matthews tabled the discussion on 707 N. 7th Street and 1734 Avenue L, Zora Neale Hurston house, until the next meeting because research is being done on the properties.
Arlease Hall, member of the Lincoln Park theater subcommittee, provided the CRA committee with a handout on the Lincoln Park Theater, that the late chair of the subcommittee, Attorney Margaret Benton, created in 2010. Ms. Hall said the theater is owned by the Dr. Martin Luther King commemorative committee. Ms. Hall explained a grant was received that enabled the theater to be renovated and she mentioned what they would like to see in the theater expansion plans. Ms. Hall stated they are in need of assistance to move forward.
Ms. Scott explained that in December 2018 the City of Fort Pierce passed a resolution of support to assist the MLK committee in the grant application process. Ms. Scott stated there is a meeting scheduled with the chair of the MLK commemorative committee, the city manager and Ms. Scott to discuss a capital campaign plan for the theater.
Chairman Matthews asked Ms. Hall to provide the CRA committee seating capacity, design plans and the number of dollars needed for completion.
Ms. Scott explained that Lincoln Park is located in the Opportunity Zone and this is an opportunity for investors to invest in the Lincoln Park Theater and avoid the capital gains tax.
Ms. Hall answered questions from the committee on fund raising efforts, budget, operations and projects proposed for the Linoln Park area. Mr. Reed suggested using a couple of data firms, to compile profiles of wealthy donors, for a nationwide targeted list of investors. Mr. Neprud suggested using a Go Fund me site for fund raising.
Mr. Johnson stated the projects surrounding the Lincoln Park Theater will help with the sustainability of the theater.
Chairman Matthews invited Ms. Hall and the subcommittee officers to come to the May 15, 2019 CRA meeting.
b.
Questions for Treasure Coast Homeless Services Council
Chairman Matthews asked each CRA member to submit three questions for the Treasure Coast Homeless Services Council to answer at the next meeting. Chairman Matthews also asked that the director of the Treasure Coast Homeless Services Council be invited to the March 20, 2019 meeting.
Chairman Matthews asked each CRA member to submit three questions for the Treasure Coast Homeless Services Council to answer at the next meeting. Chairman Matthews also asked that the director of the Treasure Coast Homeless Services Council be invited to the March 20, 2019 meeting.
c.
Discussion and letter of support for a Brightline/Virgin train stop in Fort Pierce
Ms. Grohall stated, as part of the HD King solicitation, the city asked for qualifications from groups interested in utilizing the site to build out a facility. Ms. Grohall said the city received five qualification packages and the City Commission voted to move forward with four. Ms. Grohall said Brightline is one of the four prosposals. She said the respondents have 60 days to put together responses and the FPRA governing body will meet, review and rank the proposals.
Ms. Grohall stated, as part of the HD King solicitation, the city asked for qualifications from groups interested in utilizing the site to build out a facility. Ms. Grohall said the city received five qualification packages and the City Commission voted to move forward with four. Ms. Grohall said Brightline is one of the four prosposals. She said the respondents have 60 days to put together responses and the FPRA governing body will meet, review and rank the proposals.
Motion was made by Al Johnson, and seconded by Michael Brown, Jr. to endorse the Brightline train concept in Fort Pierce, contingent on a stop in Fort Pierce.
- AYE:
- Lillian Jimenez, Michael Brown, Jr., Jon Neprud, Plythe Freedman, Al Johnson, Chair Charlie Frank Matthews
- NAY:
- Allan Reed
Passed
d.
Update from Office Maldonado
Officer Maldonado was unable to attend the meeting.
Officer Maldonado was unable to attend the meeting.
7.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Duane Henry, retired resident from the military and police, stated he is trying to put a gym in the middle of Lincoln Park and he is looking for abandoned property.
Ms. Grohall stated most of the city abandoned property is tied up in liens.
Duane Henry, retired resident from the military and police, stated he is trying to put a gym in the middle of Lincoln Park and he is looking for abandoned property.
Ms. Grohall stated most of the city abandoned property is tied up in liens.
8.
STAFF AND COMMITTEE MEMBER COMMENTS
Ms. Grohall stated Caleta Scott was recently promoted to the Grants Administrator Manager, taking Libby Woodruff's position.
Ms. Grohall stated Caleta Scott was recently promoted to the Grants Administrator Manager, taking Libby Woodruff's position.
9.
ADJOURNMENT