MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING OF THE FORT PIERCE REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY, HELD IN THE CITY HALL COMMISSION CHAMBERS, 100 NORTH U.S. #1, FORT PIERCE, FLORIDA, AT 5:30 P.M. ON MONDAY, JANUARY 19, 2016.
1.
CALL TO ORDER - Chairwoman Hudson called the meeting to order at 5:30pm.
2.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
3.
ROLL CALL
- Present:
- Chairperson Linda Hudson; Commissioner Rufus Alexander; Commissioner Thomas Perona
- Absent:
- Commissioner Edward Becht; Commissioner Reginald Sessions
- Staff Present:
-
- City Manager Nick Mimms
- City Clerk Linda Cox
- City Attorney Rob Schwerer
Commissioner Reginald Sessions Arrived at 5:35pm; Commissioner Edward Becht arrived at 5:37pm.
4.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
A.
Approval of Minutes from the October 19, 2015 Regular Meeting and the November 16, 2015 Special Meeting.
Motion was made by Commissioner Rufus Alexander, seconded by Commissioner Thomas Perona to approve the October 19, 2015 Regular Meeting and the November 19, 2015 Special Meeting Minutes.
- AYE:
- Chairperson Linda Hudson, Commissioner Rufus Alexander, Commissioner Thomas Perona
- Other:
- Commissioner Edward Becht (ABSENT), Commissioner Reginald Sessions (ABSENT)
Passed
5.
COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC - There were no comments from the public.
6.
APPROVAL OF FY 2016 1ST QUARTER FINANCIAL REPORT
Johnna Morris, Finance Director presented the FPRA 1st Quarter Financial Report. She stated that FPRA had available resources starting at $99,320 which is quite substantial from what was previously reported because adjustments were made as a result of audit process. Ms. Morris also stated that the City has received the revenue from the Ad-Valorem taxes from both the County and the City. The current available resources available for operating are $4,547,177.
Johnna Morris, Finance Director presented the FPRA 1st Quarter Financial Report. She stated that FPRA had available resources starting at $99,320 which is quite substantial from what was previously reported because adjustments were made as a result of audit process. Ms. Morris also stated that the City has received the revenue from the Ad-Valorem taxes from both the County and the City. The current available resources available for operating are $4,547,177.
Motion was made by Commissioner Rufus Alexander, seconded by Commissioner Thomas Perona to approve the FY 2016 1st Quarter Financial Report.
- AYE:
- Chairperson Linda Hudson, Commissioner Rufus Alexander, Commissioner Thomas Perona
- Other:
- Commissioner Edward Becht (ABSENT), Commissioner Reginald Sessions (ABSENT)
Passed
7.
OLD BUSINESS - There was no old business.
8.
NEW BUSINESS
A.
Resolution FPRA 16-01 clarifying the appointment provisions of the Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) Advisory Board.
Nick Mimms, City Manager stated that the resolution reaffirms the appointments of CRA committee members by maintaining the ability of each CRA board member to appoint their representative member.
Nick Mimms, City Manager stated that the resolution reaffirms the appointments of CRA committee members by maintaining the ability of each CRA board member to appoint their representative member.
Motion was made by Commissioner Thomas Perona, seconded by Commissioner Rufus Alexander to approve FPRA Resolution 16-01.
- AYE:
- Chairperson Linda Hudson, Commissioner Rufus Alexander, Commissioner Thomas Perona, Commissioner Reginald Sessions
- Other:
- Commissioner Edward Becht (ABSENT)
Passed
B.
Resolution FPRA 16-02 appointing/reappointing members to the Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) Advisory Board.
Motion was made by Commissioner Thomas Perona, seconded by Commissioner Edward Becht to approve FPRA Resolution 16-02.
- AYE:
- Chairperson Linda Hudson, Commissioner Rufus Alexander, Commissioner Edward Becht, Commissioner Thomas Perona, Commissioner Reginald Sessions
Passed
C.
Consideration of proposal for the formation of St, Andrews Episcopal Sports Academy.
Rebecca Grohall, Planning Manager stated that in December the City staff was presented with a proposal for the creation of the St. Andrews Episcopal Elite Sports Academy. Trina Angelone, Head of Schools for St. Andrews Episcopal Academy, presented the proposal explaining the benefits of the sports academy. She stated that it would be a very positive step for the City of Fort Pierce, the children and for the community. She also said that we have many star athletes in the community and in the surrounding communities. However, these athletes do not have the resources and the facilities to develop them to their full potential. St. Andrews wants to create an athletic program to prepare these athletes for collegiate and professional level sports. They would also make sure that these students are performing well academically. Ms. Angelone stated that the benefits to the City would be to generate income for city owned facilities that are not currently in use during school hours. Also, additional jobs would be created for coaching opportunities. Another benefit would be the access of a high-end athletic training for students who would not otherwise be able to afford access to these types of programs through scholarships. The City would also receive positive visibility. These programs attract international students as well as students from the surrounding communities within a 50 mile radius.
The consensus was to move forward with discussions with Mr. Mimms.
Rebecca Grohall, Planning Manager stated that in December the City staff was presented with a proposal for the creation of the St. Andrews Episcopal Elite Sports Academy. Trina Angelone, Head of Schools for St. Andrews Episcopal Academy, presented the proposal explaining the benefits of the sports academy. She stated that it would be a very positive step for the City of Fort Pierce, the children and for the community. She also said that we have many star athletes in the community and in the surrounding communities. However, these athletes do not have the resources and the facilities to develop them to their full potential. St. Andrews wants to create an athletic program to prepare these athletes for collegiate and professional level sports. They would also make sure that these students are performing well academically. Ms. Angelone stated that the benefits to the City would be to generate income for city owned facilities that are not currently in use during school hours. Also, additional jobs would be created for coaching opportunities. Another benefit would be the access of a high-end athletic training for students who would not otherwise be able to afford access to these types of programs through scholarships. The City would also receive positive visibility. These programs attract international students as well as students from the surrounding communities within a 50 mile radius.
The consensus was to move forward with discussions with Mr. Mimms.
D.
Consideration of proposal by Mr. George Porter to purchase property located at 1401 N. 2nd Street.
Carey Reddick along with Mr. Porter presented a business plan that includes hiring over 100 employees at a packing plant, a truck driving school, and a daycare for the employees. Cameron Lickie, contractor, explained that the estimated budget for the proposed plan for development of this facility is 3.1 million dollars. Mr. Porter is asking for consideration to release the current real estate at zero dollars.
The staff’s recommendation is to defer a decision on this item until a commercial realtor selection has been made.
The consensus for this proposal is to schedule a meeting with the Mayor and Commissioners to discuss the proposed project.
Carey Reddick along with Mr. Porter presented a business plan that includes hiring over 100 employees at a packing plant, a truck driving school, and a daycare for the employees. Cameron Lickie, contractor, explained that the estimated budget for the proposed plan for development of this facility is 3.1 million dollars. Mr. Porter is asking for consideration to release the current real estate at zero dollars.
The staff’s recommendation is to defer a decision on this item until a commercial realtor selection has been made.
The consensus for this proposal is to schedule a meeting with the Mayor and Commissioners to discuss the proposed project.
E.
Overview of Capital Projects within the Community Redevelopment Area.
This item was provided to Mayor and Commissioners as an FYI. This was a follow up item pursuant to the last FPRA meeting.
This item was provided to Mayor and Commissioners as an FYI. This was a follow up item pursuant to the last FPRA meeting.
F.
Update of Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) Area Expansion Analysis by Rebecca Grohall, Planning Manager.
This item was provided to Mayor and Commissioners as an FYI. This was a follow up item pursuant to the last FPRA meeting.
This item was provided to Mayor and Commissioners as an FYI. This was a follow up item pursuant to the last FPRA meeting.
9.
BOARD COMMENTS- There were no board comments.
10.
STAFF COMMENTS- There were no staff comments.
11.
ADJOURNMENT- Chairwoman Hudson declared the meeting adjourned at 6:25pm.
ATTEST:
| ________________________________ CITY CLERK |
__________________________________ CHAIRPERSON |