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, NOVEMBER 16, 2015.
1.
CALL TO ORDER
2.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
3.
ROLL CALL
- Present:
- Chairperson Linda Hudson; Commissioner Rufus Alexander; Commissioner Edward Becht; Commissioner Thomas Perona; Commissioner Reginald Sessions
- Staff Present:
-
- Interim City Manager Nick Mimms
- City Clerk Linda Cox
- City Attorney Rob Schwerer
4.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES - There were no Minutes to approve.
5.
COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC - There were no comments from the public.
6.
OLD BUSINESS -There was no Old Business discussed at the Special Meeting.
7.
NEW BUSINESS
A.
Submittal of Applications for Appointment / Reappointment to the Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) Advisory Committee.
Nick Mimms, Interim City Manager, reported that five committee members’ terms expire Dec 2, 2015. Current members applied for re-appointment and additional applications were received from the public for consideration.
Linda Cox, City Clerk, stated that the CRA Advisory Committee was established by FPRA Res 13-05 at that time each member of this Board was asked to appoint one member to the CRA advisory board and as a body to appoint 4 members at large. This resolution indicates that the Board members no longer appoint members individually. The Board will appoint or re-appoint as a group.
Commissioner Alexander, Mayor Hudson, Commissioner Perona and Commissioner Sessions all agreed that each one of them would like to continue to appoint one individual. The Board will appoint 4 at large.
The consensus was a request for a policy change with a clarification of the resolution to be brought back. The current members will stay in place until replacements are appointed.
Nick Mimms, Interim City Manager, reported that five committee members’ terms expire Dec 2, 2015. Current members applied for re-appointment and additional applications were received from the public for consideration.
Linda Cox, City Clerk, stated that the CRA Advisory Committee was established by FPRA Res 13-05 at that time each member of this Board was asked to appoint one member to the CRA advisory board and as a body to appoint 4 members at large. This resolution indicates that the Board members no longer appoint members individually. The Board will appoint or re-appoint as a group.
Commissioner Alexander, Mayor Hudson, Commissioner Perona and Commissioner Sessions all agreed that each one of them would like to continue to appoint one individual. The Board will appoint 4 at large.
The consensus was a request for a policy change with a clarification of the resolution to be brought back. The current members will stay in place until replacements are appointed.
B.
Fort Pierce Redevelopment Agency Taxable Values for Fiscal 2016 Tax Increment Financing.
Nick Mimms indicated that he wanted the Board to be aware of a slight adjustment in the TIFF for 2016.
Johnna Morris, Interim Finance Director, reported that there is a slight decrease and the FPRA will receive $13,283.00 less than originally budgeted.
Nick Mimms indicated that he wanted the Board to be aware of a slight adjustment in the TIFF for 2016.
Johnna Morris, Interim Finance Director, reported that there is a slight decrease and the FPRA will receive $13,283.00 less than originally budgeted.
8.
CONSENT AGENDA - There were no Consent Agenda items.
9.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
A.
FPRA Resolution No. 15-05 for Disposition of 306 North 16th Street.
Nick Mimms, Interim City Manager, stated that in January the Board decided to move forward with the sale of this surplus property located at 306 N 16th St. The City of Fort Pierce does not currently have a defined use for this property.
Nick Mimms, Interim City Manager, stated that in January the Board decided to move forward with the sale of this surplus property located at 306 N 16th St. The City of Fort Pierce does not currently have a defined use for this property.
Motion was made by Commissioner Edward Becht, seconded by Commissioner Rufus Alexander to approve item 9a.
- AYE:
- Commissioner Rufus Alexander, Commissioner Edward Becht, Commissioner Thomas Perona, Commissioner Reginald Sessions, Chairperson Linda Hudson
Passed
10.
STAFF COMMENTS
Nick Mimms stated that the City of Ft Pierce is undergoing some exciting times. We are seeing a lot of interest in developing the CRA area. With the CDBG and SHIP programs we are enhancing homes and improving the infrastructure in the Lincoln Park area. The more we improve the CRA, the more the city thrives.
Commissioners asked about the possibility of expanding the FPRA boundaries. However, the City is currently at 40% FPRA designation. Rebecca Grohall, Planning Manager, indicated that one of the advantages of expanding the CRA boundaries is that the tax revenue would be matched by the county. However, there have been legislative changes and one of the statutory requirements is the ability of a County to decide not to participate in the funding match. Feedback was presented from the St Lucie County staff and they stated they were not interested in seeing those dollars being tied up in the CRA district. One of the advantages to keeping the boundaries as they are is that this year, the ad-valorem funds are growing at a higher percentage than the CRA funds.
Consensus was to keep the FPRA boundaries as they are.
Nick Mimms stated that the City of Ft Pierce is undergoing some exciting times. We are seeing a lot of interest in developing the CRA area. With the CDBG and SHIP programs we are enhancing homes and improving the infrastructure in the Lincoln Park area. The more we improve the CRA, the more the city thrives.
Commissioners asked about the possibility of expanding the FPRA boundaries. However, the City is currently at 40% FPRA designation. Rebecca Grohall, Planning Manager, indicated that one of the advantages of expanding the CRA boundaries is that the tax revenue would be matched by the county. However, there have been legislative changes and one of the statutory requirements is the ability of a County to decide not to participate in the funding match. Feedback was presented from the St Lucie County staff and they stated they were not interested in seeing those dollars being tied up in the CRA district. One of the advantages to keeping the boundaries as they are is that this year, the ad-valorem funds are growing at a higher percentage than the CRA funds.
Consensus was to keep the FPRA boundaries as they are.
11.
PUBLIC COMMENTS - There were no comments from the public.
12.
BOARD COMMENTS
Mayor Hudson spoke about the yachts being refinished in FPRA area. This industry employs about 40 local workers. The port manager is helping with sourcing out the jobs to local contractors.
Nick Mimms stated that the City is starting to reap great benefits from this industry. Fort Pierce is very attractive because of the access at the Fort Pierce Inlet. We received plans for an electrical upgrade at the facility and as a result they will be able to service more vessels at the port facility.
Mayor Hudson spoke about the yachts being refinished in FPRA area. This industry employs about 40 local workers. The port manager is helping with sourcing out the jobs to local contractors.
Nick Mimms stated that the City is starting to reap great benefits from this industry. Fort Pierce is very attractive because of the access at the Fort Pierce Inlet. We received plans for an electrical upgrade at the facility and as a result they will be able to service more vessels at the port facility.
13.
ADJOURNMENT- There being no further business, Chairwoman Hudson declared the meeting adjourned at 5:54p.m.
ATTEST:
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CITY CLERK
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CHAIRPERSON
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