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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, APRIL 17, 2019, IN FORT PIERCE 2ND FLOOR CONFERENCE ROOM, 100 NORTH US HIGHWAY 1, FORT PIERCE, FLORIDA.
1.
CALL TO ORDER
2.
ROLL CALL
- Present:
- Kristina Gibbons; Jon Neprud; Hoyt Murphy, Jr.; Lillian Jimenez; Al Johnson; Michael Brown, Jr.; Plythe Freedman; Chair Charlie Frank Matthews
- Staff Present:
-
- Nicholas Mimms, City Manager
- Rebeca Guerra, Interim Planning Director
- Vennis Gilmore, Planning Analyst
- Alicia Rosenthal, Executive Assistant
3.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
a.
Minutes from the March 20, 2019 meeting
Motion was made by Jon Neprud, and seconded by Lillian Jimenez to approve the minutes with the Chairman viewpoints correction.
- AYE:
- Jon Neprud, Hoyt Murphy, Jr., Lillian Jimenez, Al Johnson, Michael Brown, Jr., Plythe Freedman, Chair Charlie Frank Matthews, Kristina Gibbons
Passed
4.
CHAIRMAN VIEWPOINTS
Chairman Matthews stated the Director of Planning is no longer representing the CRA.
The Chair asked the committee to bring ideas to the meeting regarding abandoned properties and the King site.
Chairman Matthews stated the homeless funds need to be handled and deposited in St. Lucie County.
Chairman Matthews stated the Director of Planning is no longer representing the CRA.
The Chair asked the committee to bring ideas to the meeting regarding abandoned properties and the King site.
Chairman Matthews stated the homeless funds need to be handled and deposited in St. Lucie County.
5.
OLD BUSINESS
6.
NEW BUSINESS
a.
Zora Neale Hurston Education Foundation
This item was tabled due to the speaker not showing up.
This item was tabled due to the speaker not showing up.
b.
707 N. 7th Street - Discussion
The Chairman would like to come up with some ideas for this location. Mr. Mimms stated that 505 N. 7th Street was sold and shall become a daycare.
The Chairman would like to come up with some ideas for this location. Mr. Mimms stated that 505 N. 7th Street was sold and shall become a daycare.
c.
Discussion on funds for homeless for City of Fort Pierce
Chairman Matthews stated that a CRA member needs to attend the meetings for the Treasure Coast Homeless Services Council. Ms. Gibbons asked for a breakdown of funds by city and county.
Mr. Mimms stated the one homeless resource center in Fort Pierce, called Adam's Place, has 12 beds that are full and they plan to extend to 24 beds. Mr. Mimms said this is not an open door shelter.
The Board discussed panhandling enforcement and Mr. Mimms said panhandlers cannot be in the right-of-way without a permit to do so. Board discussion ensued on panhandling.
Mr. Mimms said the city has met with the Salvation Army and the city has the opportunity for a centralized feeding area. Mr. Mimms stated the city can look at ordinances that can be passed to eliminate feeding in city parks. Mr. Mimms said the Salvation Army is looking for a donation of tables and chairs for the centralized feeding area.
Chairman Matthews stated that a CRA member needs to attend the meetings for the Treasure Coast Homeless Services Council. Ms. Gibbons asked for a breakdown of funds by city and county.
Mr. Mimms stated the one homeless resource center in Fort Pierce, called Adam's Place, has 12 beds that are full and they plan to extend to 24 beds. Mr. Mimms said this is not an open door shelter.
The Board discussed panhandling enforcement and Mr. Mimms said panhandlers cannot be in the right-of-way without a permit to do so. Board discussion ensued on panhandling.
Mr. Mimms said the city has met with the Salvation Army and the city has the opportunity for a centralized feeding area. Mr. Mimms stated the city can look at ordinances that can be passed to eliminate feeding in city parks. Mr. Mimms said the Salvation Army is looking for a donation of tables and chairs for the centralized feeding area.
Motion was made by Hoyt Murphy, Jr., and seconded by Jon Neprud to forward a recommendation to the FPRA Board, at the July 2019 meeting, to encourage an attractive feeding location at Adam's Place that would motivate the feeding groups to utilize the facility.
- AYE:
- Hoyt Murphy, Jr., Lillian Jimenez, Al Johnson, Michael Brown, Jr., Plythe Freedman, Kristina Gibbons, Jon Neprud, Chair Charlie Frank Matthews
Passed
7.
PUBLIC COMMENT
8.
STAFF AND COMMITTEE MEMBER COMMENTS
Mr. Neprud provided information on surveying and identifying abandoned property. Mr. Neprud suggested bringing artist in from other communities, that are willing to fix up abandoned properties for live in studios.
Mr. Mimms stated that the Lindsey School of the Arts was a chosen as the responsive and highest rank bidder and staff has requested approval to enter into contractual negotiations for a partnership to restore and reuse the entire grounds of the St. Anastasia building. Mr. Mimms said there is a historic museum on the beach that is severely under utilized, and he would love to bring that to the main land.
Mr. Mimms stated the CRA needs to be more involved into what the FRPA is doing. He explained there are many properties the CRA can start advising on such as the St. Anastasia building, the Old King Plant and Fisherman's Wharf. Mr. Mimms said he would like to see monthly recommendations from the CRA Board for the FPRA Board.
Chairman Matthews said we have an at large seat available on the CRA committee.
Mr. Mimms introduced Rebeca Guerra, the Interim Planning Director.
Mr Mimms explained that the tram is getting a lot of ridership and the trolley will be used for tours only. He stated the tram currently runs on the weekend and they are looking at trying it out in the evenings.
Mr. Mimms stated he will be the director of the FPRA. Ms. Guerra stated there will be more involvement with the Planning department and more cohesion between the Planning department and the FPRA.
Mr. Mimms stated the Florida Redevelopment Association does have classes and a conference for CRA Board members. Chairman Matthews suggested bringing a representative from the Florida Redevelopment Association to a CRA meeting.
Mr. Mimms suggested taking the CRA members to a functional and operable CRA, like Delray, to find out what they are doing.
Ms. Guerra explained the city has contracted with a consultant for the Community Redevelopment Plan update from 2001 for an extension through 2042. Ms. Guerra stated a revised copy of the scope will be given out at the next meeting.
Ms. Guerra said she will provide an update on the CRA conference date and registration as well as an aerial of the Fisherman's Wharf property at the next meeting
Mr. Mimms explained with the sea level rise discussions, projecting to relocate the wastewater plant within 30 to 50 years becomes a priority. Mr. Mimms said if it is identified as a priority, then state and federal funding possibility may expedite a move. Mr. Mimms stated the estimate for the relocation and building a similar facility is 108 million dollars and with federal and state funding, FPUA may be able to finance the cost.
Mr. Murphy asked that when the FPRA sells a property for a good deal, that a reverter clause be put in place that the person follows through on what they promised to the city. Mr. Mimms said they are trying to movtivate the developer to do something with the property, and he can invite the developer to the CRA Board meeting.
Mr. Neprud asked for a base of investors for the Opportunity Zone and a list of available historic properties. Mr. Mimms said the Opportunity Zones are currently being formulated, and he would like to discuss CRA based incentives for the Board to consider.
Mr. Neprud provided information on surveying and identifying abandoned property. Mr. Neprud suggested bringing artist in from other communities, that are willing to fix up abandoned properties for live in studios.
Mr. Mimms stated that the Lindsey School of the Arts was a chosen as the responsive and highest rank bidder and staff has requested approval to enter into contractual negotiations for a partnership to restore and reuse the entire grounds of the St. Anastasia building. Mr. Mimms said there is a historic museum on the beach that is severely under utilized, and he would love to bring that to the main land.
Mr. Mimms stated the CRA needs to be more involved into what the FRPA is doing. He explained there are many properties the CRA can start advising on such as the St. Anastasia building, the Old King Plant and Fisherman's Wharf. Mr. Mimms said he would like to see monthly recommendations from the CRA Board for the FPRA Board.
Chairman Matthews said we have an at large seat available on the CRA committee.
Mr. Mimms introduced Rebeca Guerra, the Interim Planning Director.
Mr Mimms explained that the tram is getting a lot of ridership and the trolley will be used for tours only. He stated the tram currently runs on the weekend and they are looking at trying it out in the evenings.
Mr. Mimms stated he will be the director of the FPRA. Ms. Guerra stated there will be more involvement with the Planning department and more cohesion between the Planning department and the FPRA.
Mr. Mimms stated the Florida Redevelopment Association does have classes and a conference for CRA Board members. Chairman Matthews suggested bringing a representative from the Florida Redevelopment Association to a CRA meeting.
Mr. Mimms suggested taking the CRA members to a functional and operable CRA, like Delray, to find out what they are doing.
Ms. Guerra explained the city has contracted with a consultant for the Community Redevelopment Plan update from 2001 for an extension through 2042. Ms. Guerra stated a revised copy of the scope will be given out at the next meeting.
Ms. Guerra said she will provide an update on the CRA conference date and registration as well as an aerial of the Fisherman's Wharf property at the next meeting
Mr. Mimms explained with the sea level rise discussions, projecting to relocate the wastewater plant within 30 to 50 years becomes a priority. Mr. Mimms said if it is identified as a priority, then state and federal funding possibility may expedite a move. Mr. Mimms stated the estimate for the relocation and building a similar facility is 108 million dollars and with federal and state funding, FPUA may be able to finance the cost.
Mr. Murphy asked that when the FPRA sells a property for a good deal, that a reverter clause be put in place that the person follows through on what they promised to the city. Mr. Mimms said they are trying to movtivate the developer to do something with the property, and he can invite the developer to the CRA Board meeting.
Mr. Neprud asked for a base of investors for the Opportunity Zone and a list of available historic properties. Mr. Mimms said the Opportunity Zones are currently being formulated, and he would like to discuss CRA based incentives for the Board to consider.
9.
ADJOURNMENT