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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 CRA ADVISORY COMMITTEE HELD ON WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2022, IN FORT PIERCE 2ND FLOOR CONFERENCE ROOM, 100 NORTH US HIGHWAY 1, FORT PIERCE, FLORIDA.
1.
CALL TO ORDER
Chairwoman Sabrina Taylor called the meeting to order at 2:01PM
2.
ROLL CALL
- Present:
- Hoyt Murphy, Jr.; Michael Brown, Jr.; Sabrina Taylor; Carolyn Mann-Lurry; Phil Thompson
- Absent:
- Al Johnson
- Staff Present:
-
- Miriam Garcia, Redevelopment Specialist
- Shyanne Harnage, Economic Development Manager
3.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
a.
Approval of the minutes from the October 20, 2021 and November 17, 2021 meetings.
Motion was made by Hoyt Murphy, Jr., and seconded by Carolyn Mann-Lurry to approve the minutes from the October 20, 2021 and November 17, 2021 meetings.
- AYE:
- Carolyn Mann-Lurry, Hoyt Murphy, Jr., Michael Brown, Jr., Phil Thompson, Sabrina Taylor
Passed
4.
CHAIRMAN VIEWPOINTS
Chairwoman Taylor apologized for not being able to attend the meeting in January. She looks forward to working together in 2022 and thanked the committee for their support.
5.
OLD BUSINESS
a.
2021 Year End Update by Chairwoman Taylor
Chairwoman Taylor provided the update that was presented to the FPRA Board on December 14, 2021.
6.
NEW BUSINESS
a.
Orange Avenue beautification at the request of Pat Murphy
Mr. Murphy explained that he has been approached by many businesses and property owners regarding Orange Ave. He mentioned that these members of the community would like to form an Orange Avenue corridor association. Unfortunately, many visitors that exit I-95 and head East on Orange Avenue end up turning around and not visiting Fort Pierce. He explained that many business owners have the same concerns. Many properties from 33rd Street to US1 look very run down, and the property owners need to maintain their properties. These community members would Mayor Hudson to mail a letter to the best kept properties on Orange Avenue. They would also like the City host a meeting for the 25 worst condition properties to encourage them to pressure clean, paint and add some landscaping. If these property owners are not responsive, they would like Code Enforcement to act and begin issuing Code Enforcement violations. The committee also asked to see examples of a violation.
Mr. Phil Thompson would like to know what the ramifications are for the non-compliant properties.
Shyanne Harnage, Economic Development Manager, recommended that the CRA Advisory Committee make a recommendation to the FPRA Board to make it a priority. She explained to the committee that the Orange Avenue corridor is a priority of the City’s Strategic Plan. The CRA Advisory Committee requested staff to provide examples of violations.
Mr. Phil Thompson would like to know what the ramifications are for the non-compliant properties.
Shyanne Harnage, Economic Development Manager, recommended that the CRA Advisory Committee make a recommendation to the FPRA Board to make it a priority. She explained to the committee that the Orange Avenue corridor is a priority of the City’s Strategic Plan. The CRA Advisory Committee requested staff to provide examples of violations.
b.
Election of Officers: Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson
Motion was made by Michael Brown, Jr., and seconded by Hoyt Murphy, Jr. to elect Carolyn Mann-Lurry as the Vice Chair and Sabrina Taylor as the Chair.
- AYE:
- Carolyn Mann-Lurry, Hoyt Murphy, Jr., Michael Brown, Jr., Phil Thompson, Sabrina Taylor
Passed
7.
PUBLIC COMMENT
There were no comments from the public.
8.
STAFF AND COMMITTEE MEMBER COMMENTS
Phil Thompson asked for a discussion at the next meeting for the Tunnel to Towers Foundation using FPRA properties for redevelopment for first responders and military.
Mike Brown also mentioned that SouthState Bank has 100% financing available for residential properties in for CRA properties. He will ask a representative from SouthState Bank contact Ms. Harnage to provide additional information.
Mike Brown and Phil Thompson inquired on the status of Brightline Train. Ms. Harnage explained that there is nothing new to report regarding the Brightline train station in Fort Pierce. The committee recommended that the City find ways to recruit Brightline. Mr. Thompson mentioned that he had some contacts at Brightline, and he would be willing to lead this committee.
Ms. Harnage provided an update of items of the February 8, 2022, agenda. She also explained that at the next meeting, the CRA Advisory Committee will be reviewing and the Commercial Façade Grant applications. Ms. Harnage also explained that the FPRA Board adopted a new resolution restricting the CRA Advisory Committee. She informed the committee members that absences will now be categorized as excused or unexcused. She asked the members to email or call Miriam Garcia to inform of their absence any upcoming meetings.
Mike Brown also mentioned that SouthState Bank has 100% financing available for residential properties in for CRA properties. He will ask a representative from SouthState Bank contact Ms. Harnage to provide additional information.
Mike Brown and Phil Thompson inquired on the status of Brightline Train. Ms. Harnage explained that there is nothing new to report regarding the Brightline train station in Fort Pierce. The committee recommended that the City find ways to recruit Brightline. Mr. Thompson mentioned that he had some contacts at Brightline, and he would be willing to lead this committee.
Ms. Harnage provided an update of items of the February 8, 2022, agenda. She also explained that at the next meeting, the CRA Advisory Committee will be reviewing and the Commercial Façade Grant applications. Ms. Harnage also explained that the FPRA Board adopted a new resolution restricting the CRA Advisory Committee. She informed the committee members that absences will now be categorized as excused or unexcused. She asked the members to email or call Miriam Garcia to inform of their absence any upcoming meetings.
9.
ADJOURNMENT
Chairwoman Taylor adjourned the meeting at 3:00PM.