Thank you. Good afternoon, and welcome to the Martin County Community Redevelopment Agency for this month. I'd like to call the meeting to order if everyone would please join us in the Pledge of Allegiance. >> I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the
republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> Thank you. I'll go ahead and entertain a motion for the approval of the minutes from June 22nd. We have a first, we have a second?
>> Second. >> We have a second. Any discussion? All those in favor, please signify by saying I. >> I. >> Okay. Do we have any conflicts of interest to disclose at this time? >> No, ma'am. >> No. Okay. Uh, do we have any public comment at
this time? No. >> Going to save it. >> Okay. All right, we'll move right on into our presentations. If we could have the CRA fiscal year 2026 third quarter report. >> This time. Sorry. I think so.
Maybe. Let's see how it works. Um, good afternoon, everyone. For the record, my name is Jordan Pastorius, uh, assistant manager of the Office of Community Development. Here to present to you the fiscal year 2026 third quarter report. And just keep in mind we're looking back in time for April,
May, and June. >> [clears throat and cough] >> In Golden Gate, the uh, septic to sewer project that was completed. We have 73% connection rate so far in El Camino. That still is under construction at this time. And there was
some community engagement outreach meetings held for the landscape vision plan in Golden Gate. And the build grant was submitted for that multimodal corridor drainage resilience project. Again, 73%
connected for septic to sewer. Some progress photos of the Camino Trail activities. Thank you, Susan. And here with the landscape vision plan, that open house [clears throat] was held on May 27th at the Cassidy Center in
Golden Gate. Cutler and Hearing started design drawings in two phases. One for the pocket park and the other for the side streets in Dixie Highway median. The multimodal corridor, the board approved the permission to
apply at their January meeting and during this time we were just waiting on the announcement from the USDOT. These slides include the sidewalk improvements with along with the Golden Gate neighborhood in the Golden Gate neighborhood with and without on-street parking.
>> [cough] [clears throat] >> Now in Hobe Sound, the unpaved roads projects, Segovia and Haslem streets, the typical sections were approved and moving towards the next steps at 90% design.
With the Hobe Sound historic train station, the uh historical society fund was raised raising is ongoing. And negotiations continued for the FPL pole relocations.
Dixie Highway stormwater and streetscape project, the design contract was approved on May 19th, purchase order issued, and looking forward to moving forward on that. The Can I scroll down a little? Thank you.
These are just some images of where Segovia and Haslem streets are with the unpaved roads roads project. And some renderings of the historic train station. One, two, and three utility poles to be
relocated. And some imagery for the Dixie Highway Streetscape project along with some of our GAI representatives and our community solutions group that helped with the conceptual design work. Moving [clears throat] along down to
up in the Jensen Beach, on the West End Boulevard drainage improvement design options were submitted. The county survey department reviewing those plans. And that's a two-phase project for drainage with drainage and then sidewalks and parking.
Um, pretty exciting for the Church Street improvements. The contract was signed to redesign that and the notice to proceed was issued expecting completion late December. This is the West End Boulevard and Maple
Ave drainage improvement section. And for Church Street, we received that additional 30-ft right-of-way to make that a complete street through there with on-street parking, sidewalks, lighting, street furnishings, landscaping, all that. In Old Palm City,
the [clears throat] there was a request to proposal to replace all the dead plants from the freeze along the Map Road corridor. And on Cornell Ave streetscape project, the engineer is still going through that design process uh with our public works department as
well as our utilities department. Again, um some planting options asking for proposals on on that. And [clears throat] then continuing on with the Cornell Ave streetscape project.
And over in Port Salerno, the new Monrovia Park is under construction during this time period as well as the new Monrovia neighborhood improvements. We reached 100% design um as well as 100% design for the new Monrovia unpaved roads.
>> [clears throat] >> Construction started in May for the new Monrovia Park. It included field leveling, new basketball court, shade structures, sidewalks, benches, bike racks. And with the new Monrovia neighborhood improvements, that included sidewalks,
traffic calming and lighting, utilities, septic to sewer, the capital projects neighborhood restoration project and the Sierra's neighborhood improvement project were combined into one uh project and will be out to bid in late July. Uh moving right along to Rio Dixie
Highway streetscape project and the Town Center Civic Club properties, both of those project we received back from our consultant the 100% design plans. The [clears throat] Dixie Highway crosswalks,
um we we're still in negotiation with our design team for those uh three proposed crosswalks along Dixie Highway in Rio. And the benches and bike racks, we requested a proposal to create and install those from the artist Mia
Lindberg. Again, some uh renderings from >> [clears throat] >> Marlin Engineering to do the Dixie Highway Streetscape project and from Dover Kohl and Partners to do the uh this is the rendering of the new Rio Civic Center.
Again, these are the uh crosswalks along Dixie Highway to make some of those improvements. And the locations of the uh proposed benches and bike racks from the Rio Civic Club. These were the locations that they had
proposed. >> [clears throat] >> Now, speaking CRA-wide, the CIP workshop um the CRA CRA uh presented that and it was approved. The NAC member trainings, we trained two members.
And the patio at Palm City Place uh won an award from Keep Martin Beautiful's Environmental Stewardship Award. Uh Business Flare presented the CRA Metrics project. We brought that kickoff to you guys. And then with the Martin County Stuart
Chamber Gen Z panel discussion, uh Susan was a part of that CRA um participation panel. And Port Salerno's open space plan that was adopted during this time. Now, onto some of the permit overview.
Comparing [clears throat] the third quarter 2025 with the third quarter 2026, the permit numbers, you can see, went from 528 to 332. However, the valuation significantly increased from 15.4 million to 29.4
million. And I'll get into that in another uh slide coming up. >> [clears throat and cough] >> You'll see the residential permits were 321 at 10.2 million in 2025. And in 2026, 244
permits at 6.7 million. On to commercial, there were 207 at 5.1 million in 2025. And in the third quarter of 2026, the commercial permits were at 88 with 22.7 million in valuations.
>> [clears throat] >> The residential permits were pretty consistent, had a consistent spread, rather, as well as their valuations. The valuations in the commercial permits is really where it stands out, and I'll show you that in a minute. >> [clears throat]
>> Even though the Hope Sound, um, number went from 131 to 28, you see in the yellow there, in that part of the pie, moving on to the valuations, significantly increased from about 4 million to 19 million. And that was due
to the Boys & Girls Club. Um, that was a brand new commercial building at roughly 12 million. And there's a P- it's called PBS. Um, there's a new commercial build as well in Hope Sound, and that was roughly 1.4 million. So, with those two major
projects, that's why those valuations increased so much, even with the permit numbers down. >> [clears throat] >> And with that, I'll accept any questions. Thank you. >> Okay. Any questions? >> Nope. >> Okay, thank you, Jordan. >> Thank you.
>> Okay, our next item up is our capital projects review for this month, Ms. Corliss. >> Thank you. >> Good afternoon CRA board and Madam Chair. Um, Susan Kores, Office of Community Development Director.
And as usual, we'll go through our capital projects. I do have one little special presentation to show you at the end. Um, and if you have any questions, I'll be happy to answer them. So, we're going to start with Golden Gate and let you know that unfortunately, we did not
receive the um, build grant from the federal government for that large project in Golden Gate. But, I believe we will reapply. Um, I think we have a great chance. This was Remember that this was for design. Um, and a lot
of the work that we already did on the project with our consultant DDEC, we can use uh, to continue moving forward, which we're doing. We're working with public works on a lot of the drainage and ponds and STAs that are
there now to make them bigger, to increase water quality, etc., which is some of the work that we would have done anyway and will give us a better chance, I think, in the future uh, for additional grants. So, it's all good news. Um,
Hobe Sound Dixie Highway, field work on that project began on 7/13. We had our kickoff meeting with GAI uh, and that project is now moving along. Jensen Beach, roadway and parking improvements, i.e.,
Church Street. Uh, very exciting. We had three initial designs that were submitted. Uh, working with um, Bowman and we're now reviewing them with our public works department to see what we want them to move forward with so
that then we bring that to you and to the community. And the Jensen Beach roadway and parking improvement CIP as well, the Maple Ave project, uh that one has completed design and is going out to bid. So, that's exciting.
Two new projects in Jensen. Port Salerno, good news, Park Drive out to bid. Yay! I'm so sorry Jamie is not here cuz we have [clears throat] all good Port Salerno stuff for her today. Um New Monrovia Park will go back to and
neighborhood improvements is also going out to bid. It's just about there. Rio Dixie Highway crosswalks. So, we met again with our uh Martin County traffic division and public works folks, county engineer, and they what they're telling
us is that the crosswalks are unwarranted at this time. So, there's all these FDOT regulations, um which I know Jordan can tell you all about if you want [laughter] to know them. In other words, don't ask me. Um And so, they do not approve of putting
in the crosswalks as things stand right now, but we feel that this is probably going to change because once Rio Marine is built and the streetscape uh is moving along and the civic center is moving along, we are going to see the
need for those crosswalks. So, we will we will keep our design and incorporate it into the streetscape at that time because we think that that it will be necessitated then. So, that's just really on hold at this point.
Um open space plans. So, Golden Gate, which was number two, will come to the NAC next Monday, August 3rd, and then we'll come to you on August 24th. Um very interesting stuff, just like
Port Salerno. I think they're all going to be that way. And uh then Hobe Sound hopefully will be coming in September. We're moving that along so that Bert will still be here. >> [laughter] >> Cuz we know what he'll say. Trees, more trees. >> Read the code.
>> [laughter] >> Um okay, any questions on capital projects? >> I have one. Um you spoke about the Church Street in Jensen Beach, the design concepts. Those I'm assuming they will all three be presented to the NAC?
>> It depends, Cindy, because one may be will not be acceptable to public works for different reasons. So, remember that these are concept designs right now. Um so, they show different uh parking configurations and roadway widths and
all of that stuff. So, there may be I expect there's definitely one that is not going to make the grade. >> Okay. >> So, more than likely it'll come back to you for one or two. >> Okay. >> Yeah. >> And I'm assuming that's the September meeting, or is that too soon? Okay.
>> We hope. >> Okay. >> They may have to go back for re- a little rework. >> Okay. >> Yeah. >> Okay, thank you. Anyone else? >> Yeah. >> When is El Camino going to be finished? >> Do you have a pipeline upstairs, Sadia? >> I'm trying.
>> Can you ask? >> [laughter] >> Uh we were looking for um mid to end of October. >> Um I'd like it to go earlier than that because the person who really needs it >> Puerto would as well.
>> [laughter] >> I know. Uh what else? I was going to ask something else. You got me distracted. Never mind. It's not important. You'll think of it. >> On that Cornell, I noticed you didn't say anything. It's not highlighted in blue. Does that mean no changes?
>> No, it's not highlighted blue because Palm City projects are clear. It's the The colors is just to delineate between CR and >> So, what what's going on with Cornell? >> you. I love that.
Uh it still the same. Go ahead, Joe. >> So, it's basically on hold right now because the Public Works Department is working on a a drainage plan. Mhm. When we had that town hall type of meeting, and there were some complaints in the neighborhood about flooding.
Um they're looking at that like over by Riley Ave, that that general vicinity. So, they're they're reworking that that drainage plan. >> So, that's holding us up, actually. >> And then we'll revisit Cornell. Yeah. >> Okay.
>> We want to make sure that we don't make anything worse, and if we can make other stuff better, we do that. >> We have to still wait for the sub to get in, anyways. >> Right. >> Yeah. And that was that was great feedback from the community that day. You know, the project wasn't going to happen before that, so it made sense um
to go back and look at it again. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Sure. >> I remember now. >> Mhm. >> It came back. Did you guys have an a meeting with the a contractor about the El Camino? >> We meet with the contractor all the
time. >> Every week. Well, he doesn't seem like he's moving on, like >> Well, he's not moving as fast as we would like. I will agree with that. >> Yeah. I live there. I see the sub >> That is You know, that's one of the
issues with low bid is you you have to accept the low bid, and >> When you accept it, you're supposed to be Like can I say? I mean, real bad at I mean, this money is not like No, he's just I didn't when I find out
who he was, I wasn't too happy because he lives just in the area. So, to us we are second class to him. >> I don't know. >> Well, he's a >> I can I can have no comment. >> [laughter] >> Don't forget we Golden Gates, are we not
important to him? >> Not like Palm City, huh? >> Well, Palm City is a number one. I'm not going to even go there. >> [laughter] >> I'm going to let it go. I don't want anybody think I'm not grateful for everything happened with Golden Gate. I am. I'm on cloud nine,
but still >> Yeah, it was it was disappointing. >> Yeah. >> It was very disappointing. >> I told you guys let me get together with him, but you don't want me to, so. >> I'm going to field that over here to our
lawyer who Look at that beautiful dress he got for you today. >> Maybe we'll we'll say that as a last resort. Then [laughter] we'll get it to deal with that. >> Really, we have to we have to save you as our our secret weapon. >> Okay. >> So. >> Nobody used to
>> Any other capital projects questions? >> Any questions? >> Okay. >> I'm after me. >> Okay, we're going to move on to just a quick little update in case you haven't been down there to drive by or walk around Portola and Monrovia Park.
So, here is the image that we show you all the time of what's going to be happening in the park and it's you know, not all that interesting, frankly, but look at that. >> Wow. >> This is way more interesting. So, here you see the basketball court being torn
up and here are some of the accessible pathways that are being formed. Here is the field leveling. >> [cough] >> I'm not quite [clears throat] sure why we have a beautiful picture of the silt fence, but there you go. Part of the whole deal. >> Got to have it.
>> And a little bit more of same. Here you see the basketball court being formed and poured and pathways poured. It's very exciting. So, things are really moving along. This project is on budget and on time.
So, we're excited about that. I know uh folks in New Monrovia are excited about that because this is where they have their yearly festival. So, we need to make sure that they can do that this year. And then Joy put any questions, but good luck to you cuz she knows the project
and way better than I do. >> [laughter] >> I have a question. >> Oh, figures. >> Uh um not about this, but uh the Palm City Park down there, when are they going to be opening? They're They're moving along pretty good. >> Which park? >> One by the Jewel Bridge.
>> Oh. >> I don't know. >> It's this summer. >> It looks like they're moving along pretty good. >> They're They look almost done. >> close. >> You're not involved in that at all, are you? >> Not in the Not in the management of it. We did the design and the community engagement at the beginning, as you recall.
>> But you're not You're not in the meetings or the >> It's a parks project, so they've done all the construction and management. >> They moved along pretty quick on that. >> Maybe next month. They're pretty They're close. Close. >> Okay. >> George, do you have any idea? No? >> May by September. >> Okay.
>> All right. Thank you. >> And that's it for that one. >> Okay, great. Any other comments? Okay, then we are back to public comments. Anyone from the public wish to speak? >> Oh, no. One more. >> Oh, one more. Oh, goodness. Sorry. I skipped right over that one. Sorry. New business. CRA
investment program grant agreement. I'm looking forward to this one. >> So, um we've re- reworked the grant agreement and I'm going to go to that area of the contract to show you. But I just wanted to say a few words about the program
to maybe educate. >> [clears throat] >> Uh So the CRA board is the one is the body that evaluates and uses your discretion in selecting participants for the program. And you look at lots of different criteria and how this particular project
might be a catalyst for improvement in that area, complement area improvements, et cetera. So this is not something new. It didn't come out of my brain. Um it's not a top-down initiative and I know this is important to
uh the community. It is in the countywide plan. It always has been in the countywide plan. It's called out specifically in three CRAs in their plans. So everybody has All CRAs have access to this um
>> Okay. >> development program. All of the NACs recommended the program when we brought it to you. CRA board approved the program when we brought it to you. I think that um people maybe don't understand that these are businesses that have roots in this
community. These are businesses that are run and owned and staffed by our friends, by our neighbors, by our relatives. These are not Starbucks and you know,
big box stores. And I think those are all really important things to remember when you think about a program like this. So we do programs like this for economic development, obviously. Um we look at
successful strategies to help improve blight and blight means higher vacancy rates in buildings, unsanitary or unsafe conditions, deterioration of buildings in different areas, substantial numbers of
structures that are faulty, those types of things because what is what do they say? Something raises all boats. >> Uh high tide. >> Thank you. All tides lift all boats. >> Um and that's really what we're looking to do here and it's just good makes good
economic sense uh to talk about it and to do these types of development programs. So, I know that it was brought up at our CRA and NAC and the Board of County Commissioners. Um I do understand
community input and feeling on this. I will say that um you need to look at the projects as closely I think as you have >> [laughter] >> and I'm just going to talk about the one that was held up to us. It was the
Caesar Roofing on Dixie Highway in Port Salerno. So, just a couple of comments on when businesses use a program like this and then get sold or go up for sale. Um so when there property sales in a CRA,
in case people didn't know, TIF is collected on that sale. So, that's a positive thing. Property looks great. This particular property looks great. It's been maintained. It supports more than one small business.
This particular property owner trying to sell this property now has also applied to the growth management department to the county to build a new brand new 12,000 square foot building on Cove and Ebtide in the Port Salerno
CRA. So, I would submit to you, frankly, that this is a slam dunk for businesses, for small business, for economic development, improving the public realm, and stimulating private investment. That's what this program is supposed to
do, and it's done it beautifully. By the way, it's not sold yet, that property. So, let's look at what we came up with. >> [snorts] >> So, we put it, uh, with help of legal,
we put this under special conditions. Cessation of of occupancy or ownership in the event the grantee sells, ceases to own or occupy the property within the following time periods, calculated from the date of completion of improvements, which we call the restrictive period, the grantee
shall repay the corresponding enumerated amount of grant funds advanced by the CRA pursuant to this agreement, and you can see what they are. It's a sliding scale. After 3 years, there's no repayment. Um, and then it talks a little bit about
default, those types of scenarios, and that none of the improvements that were made when it is sold can be taken down. I mean, unless it's a different sign because it's a different business,
obviously. So, that's what we put in. We feel that that's fair. I don't really want to make this, um, we all talked about it. Uh, we don't want to make this program difficult too difficult for
people to actually do because then it doesn't really serve us in any way. Uh, so this is what we've come up with. We hope that, you know, this is, uh, suitable, that you guys like it. Happy to discuss
any of this with you now or you all discuss amongst yourselves. >> Any discussion? >> So, this is all all new. >> Yeah, one one just one other point, sorry Dr. Cent'l, that's important to note is none of the the program none of
the investment projects that we've done have signed a contract with this in it. But, we would use this moving forward. Sorry, go ahead. >> So, this is completely new. There was no restrictions before. >> There was no restrictions on sale of the property.
>> So, if we're they're using county money just to improve the property to sell and get more money out of it, that's I think this is very fair. >> Yeah, I don't think that it's burdensome and I do think it's fair as well. And hopefully would would satisfy all
parties. >> I have a question. >> I have a question, too. >> Go ahead. Go ahead, Sedna. >> I'm going to ask Sebastian, what happen if the owner of the business passed away and he's now we have kids who are going to inherit the business, decide to sell it? I mean
>> It would be the same thing as long as if the sale occurred with any of those periods, that would be the repayment. >> Yeah, because >> Yeah. So, if it was through probate, we would we would have to enter the probate and seek our funds.
>> And my question is the amount of the repayment, is that strictly on the the funds that we provided or the value of the project? >> I think it would be on the funds that we provided. That's a good question. >> It'd be the funds that we provided. >> We might want to make that
>> Yeah. [clears throat] >> Oh, amount of grant funds advanced. Okay, yeah, says it. >> Question though, improvements is not always worth what you put into it. It increases it some, but not as much as what you put into it. So, but they're having [clears throat] to pay
20%, so I think it's very fair. >> I think so, too. >> Is it well-funded or you do you run out of money on this program? >> So, each CRA um Does Palm City have one now, too? >> Cuz we we don't have any money in Palm
City for the grants. >> In October, yeah. So, starting in '27 uh fiscal year '27 October 1st, every CRA has funds for the program. It's not I would say that it's well-funded because we haven't run out of funds for that
yet. And And each year that goes back to the NAC. I don't think we've put uh lots more funds into too many CRAs. >> Okay. >> Yeah. Because once the money is done for that fiscal year, then it's done. >> Uh I'm going to Garner, we have public
comment. Please come forward and state your name for the record, and you'll have 3 minutes to speak. >> You remind me on this too. >> You're almost a glad you joined us. >> Good afternoon, Board. Gary Earler, Port Salerno for the record. This is exactly what I was asking. I
didn't want to affect any of the businesses that had already received it. I was looking at potential new. Um I agreed with everything Susan said. Caesar, I followed him. He's got his sign on Cove Road. As soon as this building sold, I'm sure he'll start on
the other one, maybe before or after, I don't know. He's in the construction business. He can do that. Um I'm 100% in agreement on this, and I ask that you all are, too, and we we it back to the BOCC, and they approve it also. Thank you. >> Thank you, Gary. >> Thank you.
>> Anyone else? Okay. All right. Then, I guess we need a motion. >> So move. >> To approve? >> Mhm. >> Second. >> a second. Any further discussion? All those in favor, please signify by saying I. >> I.
>> All passes unanimously. >> Thank you all. >> Thank you very much. >> It's a win-win. >> All righty. Okay. Now, we're on to public comments. Anyone from the public wish to speak? Okay. Members? Anybody? No? Okay. Staff?
>> Um I had just one little thing I wanted to show you all. I am not sure who knows and who doesn't know, but if you don't know, you should. And lots of people out in the audience may want to know. If you go to Discover Martin,
you will find that we have something called locals only. And of course, now it's not on here. Boo. You guys know about this program? >> I do not. >> Mhm. >> [clears throat]
>> Mhm. >> So, if you go to locals on only, it is in discovermartin.com/localsonly. You will find places, all kinds of places to stay, to play, and to dine. And not just in Martin County, but you
could also look at Indian River County and you can look at St. Lucie. It's Treasure Coast. So, these things are good generally until uh the end of August. So, I would just say if you haven't planned a little staycation or you're dying to try a
place that you haven't been, free cabana. Look at that. Boom. >> [laughter] >> You can go on here and find out who's offering what and take advantage of it. And it's for the summer only and only for locals.
That's all I got. >> Very nice. Thank you. All right. Without there being any further items on our agenda, this meeting is adjourned and we will