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Video-1: youtube.com/watch?v=03jVywZOjvI

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Heat. Hey, Heat. July 23rd, 2026, community redevelopment agency meeting. Like to call this CRA meeting to order. Uh and the first order of business is uh uh Vice Mayor Walker is on a uh work business obligation trip

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out of the out of the state actually. And so uh I could I entertain a motion to excuse Vice Mayor's absence? >> Some move. >> Second. Okay, a motion and a second. All in favor? >> I >> I opposed. Motion passed unanimously.

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Okay. Um and I know that vice mayor will zoom in with us for the regular meeting, but he couldn't pull it off to be here for this one. So, okay. Uh citizen input. Uh is there anyone in the audience who wishes to speak on a topic that is not on the agenda? Okay. Seeing no one, I will close

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citizen input and we're going to go to uh the approval of the minutes for the May 21st, 2026 community redevelopment. Are there any changes? >> Okay, hearing none. Could I have a motion to approve the minutes? >> So moved.

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>> Second. >> Okay. Uh motion second. All in favor? >> I I >> I uh any opposed? Motion passes unanimously. And uh next is community redevelopment

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agency advisory committee report uh which is given by >> the chair Alan H. Uh >> Alan Mel >> male. He's here. Is he? >> Yeah. Do I see Allan? You must have conflict or something. >> Oh, is he Alan? >> Traveling. >> Okay. >> He what? >> I thought he was traveling. I thought he said last night.

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>> Maybe he is. Okay. Well, he's a busy busy man. So, we appreciate when he can get here. But um Okay. So, we'll just uh basically roll over that then and we'll go to um 1 C which is community redevelopment agency annual independent

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audit and I'm going to turn to less with Jeff Wolf partner with Forvis Msars. Did I say that right? Formus MSAR. >> Sure. If if I may, mayor, this is something that's a statutory requirement is for the CRA to have an audit each year. This is also something that will go on the web uh once it's uh you know

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if it's approved tonight. So, this is kind of an important item for us. But, yes, we had obviously less than Jeff to give you a few highlights. We're very uh pleased again that there weren't any red flags on the CRA. So, >> always. Yes. Always. >> A good thing. >> But not unusual. I mean, I don't know

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that we've ever had red flags, right? >> No. No. We've always been good. Of course, there's been some there's been some communities on the East Coast that have had some various issues and we've made sure that our stuff is really in good shape. So, >> Good. Okay. Great. Good. Jeff

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or less, whichever wants to start. >> I'll let Jeff go. >> The engagement partner for the city and the CRA as as mentioned. Um, the CRA, it's really about a compliance audit. The financial information is part of the

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city, the city's act and really audited that process. So, it's it's really about compliance. um you know is the CRA collecting the money as required by statute and uh the tiff calculation and then is it being spent in accordance with Florida statutes and the CRA plan.

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So um I really won't get into the financial information. It's it's really it's a compliance audit and as noted um there's no issues noted as part of the audit. So I really just go over the reports um be pretty brief but you know I don't want to underell you know clean a is a clean audit but um you know if

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there's any questions on anything you want me to expand I'll be more than happy to do that. So our first report is our report on the audit of the financial statements on whether they are materially correct. Of course we had an unmodified opinion. Um that is the highest level of assurance you can receive that your financial statements

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are materially correct. Um, our next report is our yellowbook report on internal control. Um, it's part of our audit and really the city audit. We gain an understanding of internal controls. We test controls, but we don't render an opinion on controls. Um, the standards don't require that. But if we had any

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material weaknesses or significant deficiencies in those controls, we would communicate those to you. And again, I'm happy to report no issues, no uh internal control findings noted. Um our next report is our um our general required management letter. Um this

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report uh covers kind of several things. Um really first if there's any other findings uh that maybe didn't reach the level of the internal control report but still significant enough to communicate to you. Um but again um that's a clean report. Uh no findings, no issues noted.

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Um our last report um probably the most significant one though because it relates to the compliance with um the Florida statutes that govern CRAAS um and also the the statute related to investments. So this is just an examination report just to determine

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again that the the the CRA is collecting the money in accordance with the calculation. It's being it's being deposited timely. Then ultimately are the funds being budgeted and being spent in accordance with statutes and the CRA plan. And again, this as noted, you know, this was a clean report. No

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findings, no issues noted. So overall, you know, clean audit really no issues discussed. Kind of one of those things, no news is good news, but um be more than happy to answer any questions you might have on on the CRA. >> Okay. Before we do questions, Les, do you have anything to add before I take questions?

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>> Uh no, nothing. It was like Jeff mentioned, clean audit. I just want to mention that uh we'll be presenting a citywide audit on August 6th and Jeff will be back to present that as well. Would have mentioned that. >> Lucky you, Jeff. Little more discuss. >> Well, we want more good news. >> Good news. Of course. Good news. >> More good news. As >> long as it's good. We We'll keep coming back.

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>> Right. Yeah. Exactly. Okay. Questions for Jeff. Uh starting with uh uh Commissioner Samberen. >> I really don't. How many Do you do the work yourself? >> I'm the engagement partner. So, I oversee it. I mean, am I looking at invoices? Um no. But I'm I'm heavily

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involved in all pro parts of the audit. Um both the city and the CRA. So, I'm very familiar with the work. Um, at one point I was probably the senior. So I at one point I I have done the work but I I'm not involved in the detailed transactions. >> Good. That's all I had. Mayor,

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>> I did love that though. No, I don't have any questions. Uh, here in Okay. Uh, any questions? Commissioner G. >> Uh, clean audit. No, I'm good. >> Good. Uh, Commissioner Dard, any questions? >> Is there any testing in this audit? Is there any Do you do any asset testing? Anything like that? Well, so um I mean

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there are some there's a small pot of capital assets on there that we test and certainly we test the cash. It's it's a regular full audit and actually it gets more scrutiny because it has a smaller materiality than it would as a city cuz as a city it's um it's not a major fund. So it gets lumped in with a bunch of

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other funds but since it is separately audited it has a separate materiality. We're certainly confirming the cash which would be part of the city audit anyways. Um we test capital assets. um focus is really on the revenue making sure the revenue is is correct and then also the expenditures are are in

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accordance with uh the plan but yes absolutely it's a regular full audit um you know so it's we test you know everything accords with materiality in our audit plan >> thank you that's all I have may >> okay um I don't have any questions sounds good I want to hear the same

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thing on August 6th about the city so um uh okay I'm going to open it up for public comment anyone in the audience wish to come forward Gordon speak on this issue. Okay, seeing no one coming forward, I'll close public comment and I will ask for a motion.

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>> Move approval. >> Second. >> Okay. Okay. Mr. Gal, Commissioner Dard. Okay. And any final comments? And I'll start with the maker of the motion. Commissioner G. >> Uh, no comments. Mayor

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>> Commissioner Degard. >> No comments. >> Mr. Samberg, >> no comments. >> Okay. Okay. I don't have any comments either. So, all in favor? >> I >> I. Any opposed? Okay. Motion passes unanimously. >> Thanks, John. >> Okay. Thank you. Okay. Edgewater Drive parking lot lease

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agreement. We have Bob and Matt going to give us an update presentation on that. >> Yeah. Let me just introduce it and then Matt's going to take it. This is 715 Edgewater. Okay. Across from Edgewater Park down by the marina. It's very important lot to us. Uh we lease it. from it for years and it's also one of

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our most economical parking leases. But, uh, Matt's going to take it from here. >> Yes. Uh, good afternoon. I'm Matt Jackson, economic development manager. As you can see on the screen there, that is the location map, um, of the lot. It's a 32 space parking lot. As Bob mentioned, it's very important lot

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across from the marina. There's been a wonderful partnership um, with M. Bushnell from since 2020. And uh Miss Bushnell is not looking to make any money off of this lease, just pay for um any fees that she incurs such as parking

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uh such as property taxes and in addition any associated costs with uh additional liability insurance that she requested here. Um also staff has been working with parks and recreation to beautify the lot. There's been some additional landscaping there in regard to palm trees, some cleaning of shrubs

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and such at the south end of the property. uh as well as adding some um fresh shell. Uh it will be for a three-year term with three available one-year terms after that. And uh staff does recommend approval of the new lease agreement. Happy to answer any questions.

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>> Okay, questions for staff. >> No questions. >> Mr. Dart, question. >> What is the zoning on this property? >> Well, I take a look at it. Yeah, it definitely at one point in time they looked at somebody was looking at condos

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there. So, I'm probably thinking it's DC, but I can send you an email to verify that zoning. >> Okay, that's all I have, mayor. Thank you. >> She was very uh receptive not to see it developed. So, we were very fortunate in that, but we'll get you an email on that. >> Thank you.

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>> Are are the spots are they marked or is it just sort of >> there's wheel stops? It's it's shell, so there's wheel stops, but there's no striping. >> Okay. Good. That's all I needed. >> Okay. Um I don't have any questions. Um, this is a really nice deal that gives

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us. Um, so I'm going to open it for public comment. >> Microphone. >> Oh, sorry. I don't have any questions. It's a great deal Deborah's giving us. Uh, is there anyone um in the audience that wish to come forward and speak on this issue? Okay. Uh, seeing no one

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close public comment, I'll ask for a motion. >> So moved. >> Second. >> Okay. Okay. And I'll go to final comments starting with maker of the motion which is commissioner Samberg. >> I nothing to add mayor >> and commissioner degree. >> Nothing to add. Mr.

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>> Gent >> my only comment and again I'll just reiterate I mean what Deborah Bushnell does for the city by doing this. I mean it's fantastic. I mean really it's a and plus I know like her heart is so with the city and what she wants us to be and

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be charming and all that. So she just is a great contributor to our community in a lot of ways but this is a really nice way to do it. So, no, I agree. If I may add the mayor commissioner, too, especially with the marina under construction, loss of some parking, this is even more key right now. It's a heavily used area actually.

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>> That's great. Awesome. Okay, so uh all in favor? >> I I >> I. Any opposed? Motion passed unanimously. Okay. Okay. Um approval of amended CRA bylaws and associated resolution 26-02.

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City attorney, please read CRA resolution 26-2 by title only. Community Redevelopment Agency CRA resolution 26-02 a resolution of the city commission of the city of Deneden as the governing body of the city of Deneden Community

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Redevelopment Agency CRA amending the CRA's bylaws and providing for an effective date hereof. That was resolution 26-02 read by title only. >> Okay. Can I have a motion? >> So moved.

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>> Second. second. >> I I was starting to think that was a really controversial issue. Okay. >> Well, I wanted not March, but May. But >> yeah, I know. Well, you know, I did think to myself. Okay. Well, there this

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may not stay the same and therefore we're making a motion that'll have to be adjusted. But anyway, all good. Um, so staff presentation, Bob and Matt. >> Certainly. I'm going to turn it over here to Matt in a second, but uh this is really to get the bylaws in in conjunction with the way we operate, which is more every 3 months than two

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months. Of course, what's in there, as you found, mayor, is a 4:15 start time. That's certainly up to will of the CRA, but it does give you a little bit more time in between the commission, but uh Matt has some to add here to it. So, let me turn to Matt here a little bit on the bylaws. >> Yes, thank you, Bob. Just very little

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add to that. uh we just changed the the meetings to be quarterly to be more reflective of how many times the CRA meets um each year. Also, in the original bylaws, the executive director uh was said to be employed and removed by the CRA. This was just updated to

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name the uh economic and housing development director to be the executive director um of the CRA. And then last, a financial management section uh was added just to reflect required items, but nothing changing um actual operations of of the CRA. We do

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recommend approval of the revised bylaws and happy to answer any questions. >> I I report to a lot of people, but Jennifer is my boss, so >> do serve at the pleasure of of city manager. >> Well, I did notice that this actually strips the CRA of of powers.

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>> No. >> And I don't know if that's a strategy. No. >> Right away I'm like, "No, >> no, you're still the boss, too." No, you're still the boss. Trust me. >> No. >> And my wife, too. >> She strips us of our power. Anyway, well, your wife is totally boss. >> Okay.

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>> Uh, questions for staff. And I guess I'll start with Commissioner Samber. >> No, I just I see that 415. Are we going to that we will start to abide by the 415 start? Well, >> was that actually put in there, thought through? Because you guys acted shocked

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that it was in there. So, I mean, that was off camera, so I I >> No, I understand. Uh, no. I was looking for it to be the same, but 4:15 or 4:30, whatever you'd like. >> You're just making it work because it was in there. >> It gives you a little more time for dinner. Uh, but it's whatever the

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pleasure of of the CRA would like. So, >> it was not on purpose. >> Yeah. I mean I I personally I think only one time have we collided. >> Um and you know I I mean >> if you like 430 >> it's almost kind of like well yeah but uh do we have to be so rigid? I mean

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isn't it possible to say maybe adjusted and I mean I don't know like does it have to be >> sure I mean you can you should identify what time you anticipate it to start >> which will normally start at 4:30 or I don't know. >> Yeah. So we can say at 4:30 and less

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otherwise properly noticed. >> Yeah, there you go. >> We just got to make sure that Michelle can public advertise. Yeah. >> Okay. And in the event that someone was to show up to see a specific item. >> Yeah. I mean I think it should be a set time either

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way. That's just me personally. >> Yeah. I do too. It's up it's up to you. >> No, that's fine. I mean if you want to leave it at 4:30, but I think 4:30 is good enough. Okay. >> What's everybody else? >> Sure. Well, we we tend to be what Commissioner K used to say brief and brilliant. So, we try to go through it fairly quickly if we can. So, I

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>> honestly can only remember one time where we kind of like it was close, but actually it was actually good to have a a reason to end because I what I remember was dragging on was not something that was dragging on with great >> That's correct. We had a Yes, this is

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Yes, we did have that one time. Yes, you're right. >> Just one time. >> He's very polite to say we had more time for dinner. So, >> I know, right? We need to decide something. I think we're going to base it on that. >> I'll try to come up with something. But no, 430 is is fine. City attorney can amend that. We can >> Well, especially since it was a mistake

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you put 415. >> It was all right. I'll I'll own up to it. It was a mistake. >> Um yeah. Um and then not put the flexible language. I guess that seems to be the will of the people. That's why will of the commission, will of the board. >> Any other questions?

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>> That was all I had. Mayor. >> Okay. Over on this side, questions. Commissioner Gal. >> Thank you, Mayor. Yeah. Are there any, and this kind of falls in line with the time start, but are there any rules or operational procedures

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that that follow the bylaws? And the reason I'm asking is is it's very detailed. Here's when we're going to have the meetings. Here's we're going to start. And I'm used to uh with other organizations, you really you create a framework with bylaws,

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but you also leave them flexible so that you can change at at any time. >> So >> without it being a big deal, it's changing bylaws. Does it have to be this detailed? >> Um it doesn't it should identify like

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when how you're holding your meetings like they're going to be quarterly. If you don't want to identify what the which the what the months are that you're anticipating having it, that'd be fine, but it should say quarterly. I think it's a good idea to identify um you know the location or time unless

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otherwise just because you're giving notice. You don't have rules like with the commission you have um set you do a resolution where you adopt all your rules and those rules stay in place until whatever. And this with the CRA, you just don't have the same,

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you know, you don't have the rules separate from the bylaw. So, they're kind of acting in that way. >> So, I think that's why it has more detail. Do you have to have it all in here? No, >> you could do it in a different way. >> I was just wondering under chapter 163, Jim, you know, to have that kind of a

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little bit more >> solidified under the chapter 163. So, >> and >> we can always call, excuse me, we can always call a special meeting or we can cancel You can do that. Yeah. >> Yeah. I was just more curious on >> I'm used to keeping them flexible versus

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>> understand >> uh detailed that I don't have a dog in the fight. Um and and I think we were teasing you about this earlier, Bob, but yes, acknowledging the uh

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economic and housing uh you know, the director as as the CRA guy. >> Yeah, >> that is something different. >> It is. And so, uh, what happens if you leave us?

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>> If if I leave you, um, Jennifer would or city manager would go out to hire a new economic and CRA director so they'd have both those titles. Uh, it looks like when this was done many years ago, and of course, it's functioned well. Uh, it kind of gave uh, you know, that the CRA

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hired the the economic development director. when I came on board, I I was hired, you know, uh, previously by the city manager, John Lawrence, back at that time. And so, we just thought this was a little bit more cleaner set as opposed to the CRA hiring someone

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independent of the city manager. Jennifer Barley might have some comments on that. I don't know. But, uh, yeah, I just think it's a little bit more appropriate because I serve dual functions, >> right? you know, I'm serving some different hats, whether it's affordable housing, it's economic development, and

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of course the the CRA. So that's why it seemed more appropriate to report to the city manager. But >> yeah, that's the will of the board here. >> It's my only questions. >> Yeah, I'm just pondering it, >> you know. I mean, it's never a little thing to take for granted when you kind

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of shift the the base, right? And I just I'm trying to understand. I mean, because in some ways it locks in, you know, we don't know what we're facing after November. Will we still have both things together? Will we have I don't know. I'm not suggesting that's where my that's the first time I ever

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thought that. U but I'm just saying um but we'll always have a head of of a of the agency. Um >> remember >> who will be designated as that person under your title with the city. Um, but I get it's a little goofy too because I mean, you know, I've got 40 years of

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history here, so I know that no one's ever that I can remember tried to act outside the realm of what we normally do with other directors. But >> no, and looking longterm, of course, the CRA sunsets in 2033, but you're still going to want, in my opinion, an economic in some portion for the

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>> down. Yeah. The whole issue goes away. >> Correct. >> Unless we in some way keep a CRA just with our own money. >> Yes. So, I think you're going to need an economic >> and then we'd probably have a new we'd probably look at it again, but we wouldn't necessarily shift power back. You know, >> that never happens between staff and

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commission. So, I'm fully aware of that and so I'm fully cautious about it. Um, >> so, so let's just say that, you know, Bob, we love you. You know that. Um, but let's say we didn't like the new person you bring in after Bob. Um, and um, and

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then we were like, we're just unhappy. Um, I guess I would assume, and I'm asking this more of I guess the attorney, I'm assuming that we would basically take a vote of no confidence and and four of the five of us would say, "We have a vote of no confidence in this CRA director." And then it would be

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up to the manager to say, "Nope, I'm not going to get rid of them or I will." >> Yes, you could do that. And the other thing you could always do is these are your bylaws. You could change them and you could say this position is no longer our executive director. This position is our executive director or whomever. >> Right? Right. And if we had four fifth

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votes, then you'd always have the ability to do it because it takes four fifth votes anyway. So, but that's a current one, right? Yeah, >> that's the current. >> So, either way, we kind of have control. I mean, yeah. Go ahead. >> Well, I I think if the city commission were to decide that they did not want

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the director of um economic development and housing to be the executive director, doesn't mean that that director would be leaving the employee of the city. It means that they're no longer the executive director of the CRA. >> Correct. >> Correct. >> Correct. >> Correct. But if that's the main part of their job, I mean, obviously,

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>> plus if they got a four-fifth no confidence from the commission, you'd probably >> Yeah, I mean, would be a very serious >> What's it take for the city manager to be gone? Is it four fifth? I mean, I'm not I'm not majority, >> right? So, if you got four fifths, then we got four. >> I'm well aware. I'm just being I just

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want to make sure our power base is >> well actually I serve at the pleasure I serve at the pleasure of city manager so I don't have much protection so I serve at the pleasure currently the way >> correctly you know actually I I for my

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commission used to approve uh as you know >> um the the all director positions >> and um and that could be very brutal and political and um and I and it got changed and I absolutely agree that it got changed. >> No. >> Um

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>> we but it never had the power to get rid of people either, >> which you know, so they just had the power to approve it. So >> is that four fifths still in there? >> Uh the four No. >> Uh-uh. No. Basically, it would be it would what I'm suggesting is

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>> either way it would still be up to what it would turn to, if I'm you guys jump in, what it would turn to is that um Jennifer would treat it like any director. Mhm. >> Um the ex the director, I'm not going to say Bob, serves it the will of the

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manager. The manager can say, "Nope, he's done." Or if we were very frustrated and the manager wasn't listening to us, um we would maybe do a vote and we'd say, "We we have no confidence in this person. You need to take care, you know, do something." And

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um and so if four of the five of us said that and she said, "Well, the heck with you guys, then there's a four-fifth vote that could remove her, too." So I'm just, you know, we have, you know, extreme here. >> Jennifer, >> I'm just saying when push comes to

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shove, we we still have the in week or we could change the bylaws, but again, we'd never have to do that. >> Having trouble hypotheticals here. >> I think the manager is too. So Jennifer and I are both gone. That's it. >> Well, if they're going, I'm leaving. Oh my god. >> So Matt, be ready. Right. Uh

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>> well I I do think if if I if I can may say also >> this is a great discussion by the way. I'm actually joining >> it really is Jennifer Sh from from a recruitment perspective. I mean it it it's the executive director of the CRA is a natural fit as far as economic development goes.

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>> Right. Right. >> And so um you know and I think that that that having as I said those positions kind of in lock step is really important for project coordination and that type of a thing. So, I mean I mean anybody sitting here is going to look for somebody with that really strong CRA

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experience and I know that when I was um hired by the city that was a you know that was a big point as well that I have experience with CRAAS right >> and and I did and um so so I see it from a different perspective in terms of it's really a strong recruitment.

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>> Of course you do. >> Why am I not trying to spin this in a nice way? But actually what what this tells me and I didn't even realize it is we could basically tell you don't tell him what to do. We're telling him what to do, >> right? >> Yeah.

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>> Cuz he works for us right now and now he won't. He will work for you, >> right? >> So that that's the question before us guys. How do you feel about it? >> That that's all true. >> And is that the way it's always been? >> Yes. >> And is this amending that? >> Mhm.

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>> Yeah, it is. It is. But but again I think >> it's been practiced in a way that deferred to the city manager. So I think it really in a sense is going back to how it's been util at least to mine. Now in the beginning >> it's possible that it really was more directive with the news when when this

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when the Sierra was nothing. >> Sure. I the one point I want to make get across as the CRA director economic you're only as good as the resources you have. You need the resources of the city manager, all the other department heads. So, it's it's not a situation where you

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can just be independent. I need public works, I need community development, I need parks, I need them all. And unless the city manager sets the tone and the culture for that, the CRA director is not going to do as well or the economic that's just reality. I I cross all different departments with the city manager, frankly, whether it's

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affordable housing, whatever it is. So, I I think that's why it's important, you know, both. >> You know, I'll just say this. I'm good with this because actually I think that there's so many CRAAS that are not the city commission >> and our city has decided to make it the commission which means we have dual

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control in multiple ways. And so I think that um I I am I'm good with it. But I but when I read it I didn't want anybody to think I didn't realize this is shifting a power away from the commission to you which but I'm good because at the end of the day we have

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power over you. So yeah, >> look at obviously. >> How's that? >> It's obviously been working all these years. >> It has. It really has. >> Let's not break it then. >> Yeah. Well, again, I'm dependent on if I know the resources of the city manager, >> you know, and it's

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>> I'm not as and and my thought is is it has been working with this in here for all these years >> and also with all these years, we've built up trust with Bob >> that the new person coming in there if if there is, sorry, not implying

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anything, but if something happens, there won't be any trust with the new person. And so we're relinquishing something that has had no impact for 15 years, but may have serious impact going

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forward, especially when it comes to our only leverage then is pressuring the city manager and and four-fifth votes. And now we have to have multiple votes. And now it becomes a big issue when it doesn't necessarily if we leave this in here

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today, nothing changes. >> So I'm just wondering why this >> we I you know we both kind of got this started. I'll just say no. I mean I I actually I actually uh think that we've been acting as if it's the way it's going to get changed to and nobody but

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you know it really only takes I think Jennifer's right from a recruitment standpoint. It takes politics out of it. And anytime you take politics out of it, it's better for recruitment. It just is because because we all get along and it's we get, you know, I think we make

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good logical decisions, but that's not always true. So, and that would be the biggest danger in the future. >> Um, if I could for a second, >> tell me how long have you been here, Bob?

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>> I've been here uh since 1995. And okay, you interviewed for the process. Who did you interview in front of? >> Yeah, you know, it's it's interesting you asked that, commissioner. When I came aboard in 1995 was, of course, the mayor was working to at the same time.

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Our city manager was John Lawrence and he had brought two uh commissioners who were also CRA members. It was Commissioner John Dogleon and it was Commissioner Jackson Arnold and they interviewed me and then it went to the city manager and then they brought me on

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board. So on that situation, that's how that one worked at that time. >> There's a there's a two-edged sword here and that's my point. If I truly think the manager needs this authority for the interview process and we don't need to get caught into an interview if we don't

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need to. And I'm I'm just I'm just thinking out loud. I'm also thinking of lines of authority and responsibility. And I prefer them go through the manager to you, which is what this will do. So I'm just stating a position. No, commissioner, again, you know, just

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reemphasizing, I know I mentioned a couple times, if I don't have the resources with the city manager and and city manager doesn't set the tone, whether department heads to to work in cooperation, I won't do well. Again, any day it's community development, it's

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parks, it's public works, it's all those different departments. >> One more question. >> Brings us up one more question. in in the roles you have with CRA and then community development. Have you ever found yourself in a conflicted state because of a development that might be in one part of the town as opposed to

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the CRA? And you ever found some something like that occur? >> I have not. I have not. You have to remember uh we were 90 95% residential. So I've never had a problem, you know, pivoting between Coca-Cola or a Chiva

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and something in the downtown or uh today we worked on affordable housing projects. So, no. >> Okay. >> Been good. >> Thank you, mayor. >> Uh, no, ma'am. >> Um, okay. So, I as to put that one to rest. Um,

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I mean, does anybody want to change anything? I'm actually I I'll just say I mean, I'm good with it now. I think honestly I really do think it's almost meant for ones that are independent CRAAS that are not the commission because then they have their own person. They ought to be able to get rid of them or not get rid of them. and that's not

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who we are. We have the extra safeguard and protection which is why I think we're one of the best CRAAS and and so it kind of makes sense. >> I I think what's nice too is that >> too great discussion kind of fun. >> Jennifer has the pulse from all of you and Jennifer can reign me in or direct

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me in a certain way for a one-on-one which which she does. So she knows you know all the different tendencies and nuances of the commission. So I have that ability to get her thoughts and voice and direction. So that's pretty important to me you know. Well, in some ways, >> it's an efficiency because you do

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multiple things for the city. You're not segueed just into one job. >> Correct. >> Okay. So, um then um >> do I have everybody's questions? Do everybody else have their chance? >> I just have one. So, in terms of the January, March, July, October, I'm

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great. But if we miss one or we don't need one, it doesn't seem to say when we'd reschedule. I guess we we can cancel it. >> Mhm. But then we and then we could call a special meeting if we still needed one at a different time. Right. So there's still there's still flexibility to do whatever we want. >> Correct.

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>> You have flexibility. And one of the things that's important, we've had it not recently, but but in the past, you know, I would talk to Jennifer. We might need a special meeting for a developer downtown. You know, whether it was the artisan or it's Bill Mazdas or something didn't hit quite the timing that we

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need. uh we need that ability to call a special meeting on that because you are all going to be a player especially if it's a a uh incentive development oriented type project. So a development agreement. >> Okay. That being said, other than changing 415 to 430, is there anybody

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that wants to adjust anything else? >> Okay. So um could could the makers of the motion which was uh Commissioner Degard and Commissioner Samberen, are you good with uh changing 4:15 to 4:30? Yes, I am. I agree. >> Okay. And then um I just need to open

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this up for public input. Anyone in the audience wish to come forward and speak on this issue? Okay. Uh all right. I'm going to close public input and go to comments. Uh I'll start with maker of the motion. Commissioner Dart. >> Um

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I have no concerns regarding what I'm seeing here, but I do need to compliment our staff and what we do here. >> It's amazing. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Okay. And second was Commissioner Samber. >> I couldn't imagine changing it is what a

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great job you and your staff do. I mean it's this is why we're done eating. We just do things right. So thank you for everything you and your your staff have done to I have a few questions when we get to the downtown discussion, but >> Sure. >> I appreciate everything you do. Thank you. >> We appreciate you and thank you our staff is great staff. Yeah.

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>> Okay. And uh Commissioner C. >> No comment. Uh my comment is just that that I really really enjoyed that discussion. >> It's part of why it's part of why I like to stay in elective physics. It's kind of fun. >> I was like who I was like who's my boss? Who were

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>> I just thought it was important not to blow blow by it. It's kind of >> I I totally agree. I mean no I noticed it. I'm like hm wait a minute that's moving the power base. Um but because we're commission and not a separate CRA we have we we have what we need. Um,

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okay. I'm going to do roll call vote on this one. >> Commissioner Gout, >> I. >> Commissioner Sam Bergen, >> I. >> Commissioner Duggard, >> I. >> And Mayor Fra, >> I. And that motion passes unanimously. I guess I should say four to O since there's only four of us today. Okay, we

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will go to Community Redevelopment Agency director's report. Okay, this is your Bob. You're on. >> Yep. Thank you, Mayor and Commission. What I wanted to do here is just provide a little bit of a historical perspective where the downtown has been. Of course, the other aspect I mentioned and we covered a little bit under the uh the

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budget here recently is we need to update that CRA master plan. But I think it's also important to reflect and say, gee, this is how far we've come. You know, it's it's pretty impressive. You've seen this picture many times. I know that I' I've planted it quite a bit. We always talk about the little uh

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hay stack types there, the weed right there at the medium. But you can see how far we come. I'm going to go through some projects through re redevelopment and certainly happy to answer any questions you might have. The master plan, as I just mentioned, we need to update it. It was 2011, 2012.

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Time has really gone by. We've accomplished probably 90% what was in that master plan. We got to get ready for the next for the next day and the future and what the vision is and how we go ahead and keep our own steady CRA so we can stay strong.

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Capital projects. Just want to give you a quick overview on that. Skinner Boulevard, uh, they're out there putting in the irrigation. Okay. They've gone ahead and and got the soil beds ready. They're going to go ahead and start doing the landscaping. So, it's pretty exciting. I do have some good news. I'm

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a little bit cautious with this. This just happened today. I did mention it to the city manager. It kind of made my day. Uh it is not a done deal by any means, but I think you're all aware I'm very uh very sensitive to sense of place. And

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one of the things I've been disappointed with this is how many one-way signs we have throughout the median. I mean, if you count on them, there's probably 21way signs out there. And I talked to one of our traffic consultant that's been with us for a long time, which is Jerry Dipkowski. I asked him for a

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favor. He initially didn't get through with DOT staff, but he was able to get in contact with the assistant district secretary and he said, "You know what? I think there's a chance we can get those signs removed and then put those one-way striping in the road itself." So the me

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those signs would go away which would really make it much more attractive with the landscaping. So uh keep our fingers crossed. We're very excited that that'll occur. It'll really clean up the area quite a bit. Uh undergrounding is also taking place. That's going well too. So Skinner, which was a project we started

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in 2018, is is starting to really come down the home stretch here and it certainly has slowed speeds. This was something that bifrocated downtown. We wanted to set this up for redevelopment. So very excited about this uh Skinner project. the the Midtown parking garage. We're continuing to move forward with

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going toward an RFP process and no money is being spent, but after that, everything is just in a kind of stationary period until we see what happens with the property tax relief in November. But we do want to continue to move on to make sure we can get cost identified for the project. The downtown

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Pocket Park, also called Grand Oak Park, really has picked up speed. The pergola is up. The brick pavers are going in. The main street sidewalk is happening. Also, the Grand Street sidewalk. So, that one's looked to be complete in midepptember, but the bathroom won't follow until uh the end of February.

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>> This just a good project. This just a >> Before you leave that item though, does that What does that mean about use of the park? >> Oh, we're still looking to have the use of the park and we'll have to somehow cordon off that area till the bathroom comes in play. Is that what you mean? >> Yeah. >> Yeah. So, it actually could be used for

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old fashioned Christmas, whatever. >> Yes. We just got we just won't have the bathroom section. So, we'll just have to put the barricades there. Uh this just shows the roundabouts there in Skinner, which to be honest with you have all been positive. I hope in your travels I I haven't really heard much negative on it. It slowed the speeds down. It's made

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the trail more usable. I was worried about a lot of negative feedback. I have I have not seen it, but you maybe you have in your travels. This is just a picture shows Grand Park shows the progress we're making. The pergola is there. The the brick is getting done. You're going to see this thing really take shape. It's going to

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be a great little uh pocket park on the east end of town which was part of the deep if you remember that downtown east end plan. This was something as another catalyst to bring people into downtown on the east end. >> Bob, landscaping is starting in early August, right? >> Uh yes, they're going to get in there in

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early August for landscaping. Uh the city manager has really go back to Grand Old Park. city manager has certainly called several meetings to get the progress moving quicker on this with the contractor which is Mi and uh we've really been focused with him. So yes, landscaping is going to get started

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which is good during a little bit more the rainy season. Look at this picture, huh? This is this is where kind of you see the black pearl and the the chicka boom room. This is 1980s. Uh here we are today with the black pearl and the chicka boom. They

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look great. So, this is just another picture shows how far we've come. That's me actually in younger days. All right. That's me with some hair. This is uh this was the first project I did when I was with the city. This is probably

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1996. And I wanted to streetscape Main Street from Louden to Highland. So, that's me in younger days. My wife laughs at that. Go, wow, what happened? So, but uh it kind of exciting to see it. This was my first venture and we kind of got our feet wet with this project and it served us well, you know,

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all these years. This is a picture over there by uh skips. Okay, you see the overhead wires. Now we have the decorative traffic signal there. We got some palm trees. We've tightened it down, made it more pedestrian friendly. Another great

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picture over downtown before and then go ahead. This was kind of a cool project. Just get your perspective on this. This is the museum. And I I went from some streetscape projects to saying we really need to make the museum area look a lot nicer. This is a focal point for

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downtown. We were one of the first to do I hired a a contractor. I don't even know if it exists anymore. It was called Semington. And we did a mechanical lay. These pavers were put down mechanically since it was such a large area. And it just really made the museum pop in this

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whole area look good. This was another streetscape venture that we did. You have to remember CRA money tiff supposed to be sent spent really on capital projects and this was another example of that. Very happy you all been a part of this. This was the the streetscape project in

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front of Main Street uh front of excuse me Constantina uh that we won an award from recently which is kind of neat. This was from the Florida Redevelopment Association. We widened the sidewalk. We put in new brick pavers. We made it much more ADA friendly and of course we made the sidewalk wider and it's just been a

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great pedestrian access way. >> This one kind of, you know, this was a sleeper for us. On the left is the uh where Artisan is today. This was a killer building. I know Mo, you probably remember it. This was killer. >> I thought it would never go away. >> It it was manufacturing. Yeah. We thought it would never go away. This was

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Douglas. We wanted to branch out from Main Street. They had made the vats for Orange Juice and of course they were starting to to wind down. uh the building got demolished and it became just a vacant parking lot. We actually did lease with the Dundian Brewery. It stayed that way for several years and

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then we said, "Gee, we really like to get redevelopment. How do we activate this area?" So, we came up with something pretty strategic. We went ahead and said, "We can do a parking garage here. We'll lease it." Which got Mr. Kokalakis going? He did the apartments. We really wanted the grocery. So, we pulled on him for

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Nature's Food Patch. Initially the deal was too far apart for lease rate. We asked Joe to work with us. He did initially he was a little bit hesitant to do that. Turned out to be the best thing for him. He leased up all the apartments right away because it was a grocery downstairs and he has a

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tremendous waiting list today. So this was a very much a catalyst project and we also worked with Mr. Kokalakis on joint partnership to do angle parking and undergrounding of the utilities. This was all overhead at that po point in time and there was no angle parking. We wanted to make this another main

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street. We had also gotten a CDBG grant to help spur on Douglas with some improvements. This was another deal I did in the very early years. I was proud of at this point in time. Uh we wanted to live, work, and play downtown. Uh this was the time with new urbanism. Uh Seaside was

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getting a lot of attention. Uh the city owned a piece of the property there where the Monro Park Town Homes is, but they didn't own the corner. The Freeborn family owned a corner uh toward Douglas across where the Freeborn family is now, their office. That was an old

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dilapidated ATM Sunrust property. And we went to the Freeborns and we said, "Let's do a land swap and we swapped the land. We want went out for an RFP and we got these town homes and they have the offices and commercial in the front." So, we wanted this new urbanism type

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feel. If you're familiar with the architect Andre Dwani, we were trying to follow the lead on that. So this was one of the ones I probably did 98 or 99. It was kind of a cool project. Victoria Place. Pretty cool. You know, for those of you that remember, this was just old apartments. It was I think it

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was called Sun Bless Apartments if memory serves me right. >> I was really disappointed you didn't have old picture of the sun blessed. >> I should have sunless on you and that motel that was and we had some that was a great picture. >> We had some behaviors and character there that probably weren't in the best. Then of course we got Victoria Place and

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we got the retail which brought people to the marina area connected our downtown and of course we have the the beautiful condos. So this was a neat project but that one laid dormant for some time too. All these things take time. Uh we have an active facade program that we do citywide and we do downtown. This

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is one that uh the Black Pearl took advantage of and you can see the before and the after for the facade program. Pretty pretty cool. Just wanted to give you a glimpse. You got to feel proud of everything that's been accomplished. Uh we still got a bright future going ahead. We need to

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continue to keep investment in our downtown and keep it strong. But I want to share that with you, especially the Keller building. People tend to forget what was there. And you know, I want to make sure that you know it and why it's so important to revise and update that master plan. We need to get a lot of public participation, citizens,

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merchants, chamber, all that to prepare a plan. We're looking to start that probably in October, November of this year in con in conjunction with forward panelis. Be happy to answer any questions that you might have. >> Uh, okay. I'm going to start over. I think it's probably over here. Commissioner Samber.

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>> Yeah, I had first I'll talk about that sod in Pioneer Park. Yes. I actually pulled my golf cart up, found myself going and stick my fingers in it and some guy was looking at me. I said, "No, this is this is what we wanted." But uh you know every year and this not the first time

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this has come up is you know it gets beat up so bad. Do we have a plan for when the market is back to see if we can save that grass? >> Uh the market is such a big activity engine for us. I mean we have talked a little bit with our new director there Tony to look at some ways maybe we did

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put a concrete bands painted you know to kind of reduce some of that foot traffic. It's just such an important asset for the city to look good. But I I recognize >> it just seems likely uh >> and I will not look at Commissioner Gal and look at artificial turf. He he was funny too. I still remember the story.

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He said, "You got my daughter's vote. You don't have my vote." I still remember that. >> No, I was you I was talking to one of a merchant downtown and you know, you know, and he pointed it out. It seems like every I'm sure that some of those corners and some of those spots are real high traffic. >> Yeah.

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>> So, they really get, you know, you know, I'm I'm sure we can't ask them to rotate, but if there was anything we could do because this isn't the first time in the last decade that I can recall it, that looks like it at at the end of the year. >> It gets beat up pretty bad. You're right. I can talk to the parks director and see if there's any other options for

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us. U but um yeah, it's just important. It it looks great, but then the market and there's some other events, too. It is a market, but there are other things that are taking place there, too. >> How about um any timetable on Main Street Exchange and when that building's going to come down?

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>> Yeah, I talked to Mr. Mazes. It's probably going to be more late spring of next year. He wants to get he wants to get the garage done because remember we lease parking from him and once we he starts that demo, you lose all that parking there. So, he would like to get the garage done first and then take a

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look at the demo time period. So, probably be a spring of next year, my guess. >> Okay. Okay. I I had two more. Um >> I don't know if you had it changed or Matt or somebody from city hall here when the fence went up where they're building that garage up on I guess

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that'd be like the 900 block of Douglas, those cars on weekends were driving into that fence to to to park and some of those longer trucks were actually taking up the southbound lane of of Douglas. Now it looks like they've moved the fence or the wall out. So there's no parking.

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>> That's correct. There's no parking there. >> That was that was a heads up move because man, that was that was a mess. >> Yeah, there's going to be no parking there. And we're you're going to see a uh we're working in conjunction with the city manager and other department heads. A letter of agreement relative to the parking garage and truck deliveries and

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things of that nature. So that's coming up. And the last thing was just a comment, but we at Keller property. I remember 2004 during the hurricanes >> that just pummeled that property and it was you could hear that metal banging at night when the wind blew. It was almost

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kind of like from a movie. So that is, you know, to remember what was there. >> That was eerie. >> Yeah. With that parking from when the brewery used to use that. So yeah, thanks. It's come a long ways. That's all I had. Mayor, I won't go on. >> No, no, no. It's good. It's good. Uh, Commissioner Gal, questions? Uh, no questions, no comments.

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>> Wow. Not even about turf, huh? Okay, there you go. Okay. Uh, uh, Commissioner Dard questions. >> Um, we spent a lot of time last CRA on the Grand Oak Park. >> Um, can you just give us a quick update

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on that uh the bathroom issue, the completion date, and the condition of the tree because I know we've had a lot of construction on there. >> Yeah, we certainly have. Uh as far as the uh completion date minus the bathroom, we're looking at midepptember and and the city manager has certainly

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uh put uh a lot of focus and energy into it with department heads. We recently had a meeting on that. So we've given Maui that's the contractor. Let's go. And that's where you're going to see this one pick up speed. The bathroom though, it will be toward the end of February. So it's going to be a later date. We will look to keep the park

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open. We're just going to have to fence off that area where the bathroom is because there's a slab there. Uh, as far as the tree, tree is very healthy. We've had a Rick Warren arburist out there. Uh, there are maybe a branch or two that might need to be trimmed and make sure it's elevated, but all in all, it's it's doing very well. It's very healthy. The

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tree, >> there was a mystery about the change of size of the bathroom. Do you have any more insights into that >> change in the size? I I I really don't uh I don't recall that. >> May I? >> Yes. So, we actually did reach out to um

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the because the contractor built the the foundation as you recall or the footing and we reached out to the designer because there was a change in design between um the specs that we had sent in the design. Um and we have not heard back at this point why they changed why

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they did what they did uh and why we had to expand the the the footer on the property. So, we'll continue to pursue that because if they changed it and and um without our permission and without uh then then we will definitely deal with that before we close out the project.

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>> Thank you. I'm Thank you for looking into that. Um on the parking garage, I heard you say that we're going to kind of hold off on things until we get a a November 3rd. >> I'm sorry, Commissioner. We're going to continue on with it. Okay. Our next step

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is to go out for request for proposal. It'll take several months. If you remember, the commissioner approved three qualified contractors. Kokalakis, Creative, and Finnfrock. Now, the next step is to do an RFP. So, they're going to go ahead and they will put their presentation. They will meet with staff.

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there'll be an evaluation committee and those will be evaluated and we'll start to have costs and that but at that point in time which is getting close to the end of October anyway we just don't want to make any decisions and bring anything to you until we know what happens with the property tax relief bill.

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>> So procedurally we're going the same way that we would have ordinarily even if November 3rd didn't exist. >> Yes. City manager's direction to me is keep it on the go just don't spend any money. >> Put a stake in the ground in this. I don't want to see projects stopped um at

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all until we know what November 3rd is unless we have it brought before us and have a chat about it because I just don't think that's the way we should do business. We can try to save money on things from time to time, but sometimes it cost you a lot to do that.

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>> No, understand and and I really feel we definitely need it, especially get out these leased lots. You remember the Monroe parking garage that lease is up in 2033 or 2032. It's not that far away. So, yeah. >> All right. Under the conditions that the referendum does pass, what do you

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foresee regarding the garage? >> Well, for me, you know, I can only speak for myself here at the moment, a lot's going to depend on the cost. If the cost comes in reasonably, uh I think between the CRA and remember when the CRA sunsets, there's going to be a strong

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influx of revenue into the general fund. You know, 1.5 1.6 million in the first year. After that, it will continue to go up. I still think the garage is doable with debt service of 840,000 a year. That's just me independent of anybody. That's my thought process.

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>> I think in order to protect, remember the downtown now is a $315 million engine minus penny money, minus utility, minus franchise money. You want to preserve that. And that's just an economic guy talking to you, you know.

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>> Thank you. >> Yeah. Commissioner Sam, you have something? >> Yeah, just real quick. >> Did I Did you say are those contractors still working on bidding the garage or has that been >> No, we have qualified as they go through the RP. I remember that. >> Yeah. No, when they go when we go out

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with the RFP, they will they will go ahead and give us price and cost and it'll be an evaluation committee. >> Okay. >> At that point in time, we'll know a lot more. >> That's okay. >> Yeah. I I wouldn't want to bring something to you. I guess back to what Commissioner Dugo has mentioned, Commissioner D, if the price goes up,

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you know, to such a high, more than what we expected, that's a different ballgame to me. >> Okay. So, >> Okay. Good. Thank you. >> Um I have um couple couple questions. Um well, first of all, I was just going to comment that, you know, the issue of the bathrooms and the the dimensions

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changing. I mean, that meeting was 60 days ago, so we haven't heard anything or I mean, are we It just seems like we would have heard something. >> Not that I know of, mayor. The last time I checked, we we we made the query and we haven't heard anything from them. So, >> well, I mean, I have a problem with that. It's 60 days ago. >> Yeah.

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>> Yeah. I'll double check. >> Well, we'll get on it. We'll talk to the project manager, see what's going on with them. >> Okay. >> I just don't know who lacks a sense of urgency. We did. We jump right on it and they just refuse to respond or what? >> We did. >> They jumped on it. They jumped on it.

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>> We were on it like almost immediately. I'm just not sure what the status is. Last time I talked to to Clay Watkins, we had not heard back from them. And I'll check and see if we have since then. >> Okay. I mean, because, you know, if we have any other adjustments to make, we want to know. Um, okay. Um, let's see. Um,

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uh, one other thing with the with the park with Grand Oak Park. I know that like in the initial stages, we obviously've done a lot of things with the soil and there was some issues. Um, we do inspections to make sure it's stable there. So, the whole project will

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st will be a stable project. No more issues with gaps, etc. I mean, are we feeling good about that? I mean, it's going to be a good, credible, solid, no surprise kind of a situation. >> Yeah, absolutely. If you remember, there was the air conditioner vents underneath the slab, which was kind of unique, and

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those are getting filled in. So, yeah, I feel very comfortable with the stability of it. >> Okay, good. And then my other question, um, at the in the May 21st CRA minutes, uh, that's what reminded me. Um, we requested an update on all the sidewalks in the downtown and how they're being

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inspected and repaired. And I just wondered did that I I don't remember seeing anything about that that we got a reply about that. >> And I don't I don't recall either, mayor. I need to double check on that. >> Yeah, I mean, we're we're just up in the budget

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>> for our regular sidewalks, but I have, you know, there's some concerns with our regular sidewalks in where we have our most traffic, which is downtown. So, >> right. We need to follow up, Mayor. if you could. >> Okay. Appreciate that. Okay. Um and I don't have any other questions, so I'll

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just um see if there's any uh public input on the project. Anybody? Okay. I'll close public input. And uh any final comments by Commissioner G? >> No. No comments. >> Commissioner Dard? >> No comments. >> Commissioner Samber. >> No comments. Mayor.

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>> Yeah, no comments. Good report though. I love the pictures. Make sure you get a good picture of ocean optics, >> you know, so we can compare that when people Yeah. So, okay. Cuz that >> Can you Can you paste in the tumble weed again? >> Yeah, >> we'll do that. I get a picture of that sun. >> I get a lot of mileage out of that. I know.

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>> I like it. Okay, we're going to go to community redevelopment agency advisory committee membership recommendation and Bob's staff presentation. >> Yeah, we've had a little more turnover in the CRA advisory than we had in the past. And this is a an opportunity actually uh businessman Terry Zervos a

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dentist uh we're looking to appoint him for a partial regular meeting and then for an alternate we're looking for an bulking camp >> and these are just uh basically people that are on so they're kind of re-upping their time. >> Yeah, we we we go by a list and you know

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people have been on and uh this kind of reflects that. So for Terry has been on the past he sat up sat out some time Dr. reservos. So put him back on. He's a good fit. Small businessman on Main Street. Then Ann Bulin camp of course to visit Dun Eden. So that's another good fit for us.

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>> But it's a reappoint not after term limits. I mean >> that's not correct, mayor. No, these are both new. Dr. Zervos says he was termed out sat off for a year. This is now appointing him to partial regular term ending March 1st, 2028. And Bachnabberg

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appoint to a partial alternate term ending March 1st, 2028. >> New. >> Both new. They're both new. >> Yes, ma'am. >> Okay. >> Okay. All right. Um, so Okay. And you feel they're the best even

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though I mean, you know, I love I love Dr. Servos, but was there anybody else that should have gotten a chance or >> Well, we tend to go by, you know, I think he's a good fit. We tend to go by the list, too. It's been fluctuating and changing quite a bit. So, he was up there to be uh next in line.

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>> Okay. But >> I thought he sat out for a year cuz he turned out >> he did sit out for a year. >> He's still high in the list. >> He put his name back in. Yeah, I believe that's the way it works. >> Mayor, forgive me. I don't have the exact background on this. It could be that crack has specific requirements.

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They require so many that reside within the CRA, so many that own a business that they have specific requirements. It could be, forgive me for not knowing that they chose one based on those requirements. >> That's true. A businessman, a resident, and someone outside. You're right. I just want to make sure we're giving people a chance if somebody's getting

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reuped after. But uh >> and it looks like it looks like those two were the >> the longest on the waiting list >> based on the categories which based on the categories. So that's that's part of it. >> Okay. Any other and let me uh go to

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question formal questions for staff. I'll start over here since I already kind of jumped in on that. Sorry. >> No questions. >> Okay. Mr. Dard, >> uh how long is the waiting list for the CRA? Well, I don't have that in front of me. Um, you know, it's interesting. It used to be very long. Now, it's been

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turning over pretty quickly for whatever reason. So, >> okay. >> It hasn't been that long recently at all, frankly. >> No more questions. Thank you, Mayor. >> Mr. Sam. >> No, I had no questions, Mayor. >> Okay. Uh, okay. I don't have any other questions right now. Open to public comment. Anyone in the audience wish to speak on this issue? Okay. I'm going to

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close public comment. I need a motion. >> So moved. Second. Okay. Commissioner Samberen. Commissioner Dardard. Uh, any final comments? Commissioner Samberen. >> No. No additional comments. >> Commissioner Dard. >> No comments. >> Commissioner G. >> No comments. >> And, uh, okay. I don't have any

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comments. So, all in favor? >> I. >> I. >> Any opposed? Motion passes unanimously, which is 4 to tonight. 40. Um. Okay. Uh, is there anything else? Good for the order. >> Okay. 529. Adjourned. >> We might want to start that 4:15.

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>> Hey, Michelle. Yeah, I know, right? I'm still thinking that, too. For those of you out in the audience, we start our next meeting six o'clock. Are you here for

