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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes 05-07-2009 WorkshopCITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP MEETING CW CITY HALL ANNEX 111 Polk Avenue, Cape Canaveral, Florida THURSDAY May 7, 2009 5:30 PM MINUTES CALL TO ORDER: The Chair called the Meeting to order at 5:30 P.M. ROLL CALL: Council Members Present: Mayor Pro Tem Bob Hoog Council Member Buzz Petsos (arrived at 5:49 p.m.) Mayor Rocky Randels Council Member Shannon Roberts Council Member Betty Walsh Others Present: City Manager Bennett Boucher City Attorney Anthony Garganese Planning and Development Director Bary Brown Mia Goforth Recording Secretary DISCUSSION: 1. Review and Prioritize the Goals and Objectives of the Redevelopment Plan. Mayor Randels started the discussion by explaining that the Redevelopment Plan began back on September 20, 2006 by the Business and Cultural Development Board with assistance from the City Planner at the time, Todd Peetz. It was then brought to the City Council in March 2007. The City Council accepted the plan. Mayor Randels summarized the purpose of the night's meeting as: Goal 1 — Economic Development/Redevelopment OBJECTIVES: 1.1 Redevelopment 1.2 Rehabilitation 1.3 Economic Development 1.4 Land Use Controls City of Cape Canaveral, Florida City Council Workshop — Redevelopment Plan May 7, 2009 Page 2 of 8 1.5 Administrative Goal 2 — Quality of Life OBJECTIVES: 2.1 Slum and Blight 2.2 Traffic Circulation 2.3 Public Facilities 2.4 Beautification 2.5 Environment 2.6 Recreation 2.7 Architectural Review 2.8 Cultural Enrichment Mayor Randels specified that these Goals, Objectives and their Policies require the Council to determine: 1) Are they achievable? 2) Are they a high priority? 3) Does the City have the dollars to complete it? 4) Who will meet the criteria to complete the task? Mayor Randels proceeded on to pages 1 through 6 of the Redevelopment Plan and summarized the definitions of "Slum Area" and "Blighted Area" on page 6, as per Chapter 163.40 of the Florida Statutes. Attorney Garganese requested to make technical comments about the language on page 6 having to do with the factors for establishing a redevelopment area under the Community Redevelopment Act (CRA). He clarified that Council is not bound by that because this is not a Redevelopment Plan for a CRA. The Council can define a redevelopment area wherever they want to define it as long as it is not a CRA under the Act. Mayor Randels continued summarizing on through to page 24 of the Redevelopment Plan. Discussion took place on the following: GOAL 1— Economic Development and Redevelopment Ob" Ives & Policies • Planning and Development Director, Bary Brown, explained that the RPC (Regional Planning Council) will assess and calculate which properties in the City are underutilized and appropriate for redevelopment. • Mr. Brown stated the RPC will determine, from valuations on the Brevard County Property Appraiser's web site, if a structure is found to be worth less than 25% of the total value of the property than it is probably ready to be redeveloped. • Mr. Brown informed the RPC will identify properties that might be appropriate for aggregation; a lot of the City's properties are too small to be developed under modem rules and regulations. • Mr. Brown noted there will be roles for both the private and public sectors in the redevelopment plan. City of Cape Canaveral, Florida City Council Workshop — Redevelopment Plan May 7, 2009 Page 3 of 8 • Resident Leo Nicholas, inquired about the legal authority and power for acquisition of properties by a CRA (Community Redevelopment Agency). Mr. Brown responded that a CRA does have the ability to purchase properties and is given the authority by Florida Statutes 163.3, which spells out the powers of the Community Redevelopment Agency. • Mr. Nicholas pointed out the process appears easier for the Community Redevelopment Agency than it would be for the City. Mr. Brown noted some cities have their Council serve as the CRA or some members of the CRA are also Council persons. • Attorney Garganese explained that he represents a CRA and pointed out there is a lot of overlap in authority. He stated a CRA and a City both have the ability to aggregate land for redevelopment; however, a CRA can aggregate land and practically give it away for redevelopment purposes, they can discount it. Whereas municipalities buy land and sell it for appraised value. He further explained there is express statutory authority for a CRA to sell land for less than the appraised value for redevelopment purposes. On the other hand, the CRA funding is limited to TIF (Tax Increment Financing) and the likelihood of getting a CRA approved by Brevard County at this time is very slim. • Attorney Garganese clarified the City could go out and buy parcels of land to aggregate into bigger parcels, for redevelopment purposes, just as well as a CRA could. The real estate transaction is very similar. • Business and Cultural Development Board (B&CDB) Member, Dianne Marcum, pointed out a Redevelopment Plan does not always have to focus on land acquisition. Attorney Garganese agreed and suggested fagade grants as another program a City or CRA could implement. • Ms. Marcum inquired whether the City could acquire property for a specific public use then maintain and keep that property. Mr. Garganese responded that public improvements can be done through either a CRA or the City. Ms. Roberts agreed with Mr. Boucher that the group should go through and check off items of high priority and then see if there is any commonality among everyone. B&CDB Chairperson, Joanne Muncey, pointed out that the B&CDB picked out 39 of 61 policies for the Plan and those were the board's determination of what the priorities should be. Ms. Muncey suggested that the Council may want to consider some kind of criteria matrix that could be weighted by cost, time, manpower, etc. Ms. Marcum compared it to strategic planning and stressed the importance of keeping everything on the vision chart. She also indicated this Plan compliments the Visioning Plan. City of Cape Canaveral, Florida City Council Workshop — Redevelopment Plan May 7, 2009 Page 4 of 8 The group proceeded to go through and prioritize the policies using a table: LOW COSTLOW TIME HIGH COST/LOW TIME LOW COSTHIGH TIME HIGH COST/HIGH TIME GOAL 1— Economic Development and Redevelopment (FROM OUTLINE PREPARED BY JOANNE MUNCEY) 1.1 REDEVELOPMENT a. Establish investment incentives for commercially zoned property b. Establish a government center with community meeting rooms and coffee shop c. Survey property owners to access their willingness in proposed redevelopment projects. • Ms. Roberts mentioned using investment incentives as an example of a high return for a low investment of time or energy. • Attorney Garganese informed Council that if tax abatement incentives were a priority, it would require a referendum to get that authority. With approval from the voters, the Council would then have authority to grant 100% ad valorem tax abatement for up to 10 years for new or the expansion of existing businesses that meet the criteria under Florida Statutes. This is a tool for the City to compete for new or existing businesses. He further noted that Council could have approval by the voters as soon as this November. • Ms. Muncey suggested making low costAow time policies be the first priority to avoid getting bogged down. Mayor Randels compared it to the grabbing of low hanging fruit. Attorney Garganese emphasized that an ad valorem tax abatement authorization is a low hanging fruit. He also pointed out that tangible property taxes (equipment) can be abated as well. Mr. Petsos expressed interest in bringing this to ballot and Mayor Pro Tem Hoog stated that this is a good idea. Mr. Brown placed `Tax Abatement' under Low Cost/Low Time. • Mayor Randels requested more ideas for incentives from Attorney Garganese. Attorney Garganese responded the Council can establish a program for fagade improvements by targeting an area, setting aside certain dollars, and enticing people to spend their own money but giving them matching grants to beautify certain corridors of the City. He stated that permit fee waivers and non -conforming sign incentives are other examples and the sky is the limit for economic development. • Mayor Pro Tem Hoog inquired if there is a way to legally use Beautification Ad Valorem Tax funds for businesses that need a fagade grant. Attorney Garganese responded that he would take a look at it • Mayor Randels inquired if there was any interest in Item b., establishing a government center with community meeting rooms and coffee shop. Mr. Brown was directed to place "Gov't. Center" under High Cost/High Time. • Mayor Randels moved on past Item c. to: City of Cape Canaveral, Florida City Council Workshop — Redevelopment Plan May 7, 2009 Page 5 of 8 1.2 REHABILITATION d. Survey below code structures and assist in bringing them up to code e. Itemize the amenities of vacant properties & buildings for use in marketing to developers f. Survey structures w/minor issues of deterioration & itemize needed repairs • Attorney Garganese described how the City of Cocoa uses both CRA and City funds for their demolition program. He responded to Mayor Pro Tem Hoog that the City can recoup the cost by imposing assessment fees to the property owner. • Ms. Roberts aired her perception that the City does have some properties that are vacant and abandoned, that have not been maintained. (At this point it was decided that the group would work off of the actual Redevelopment Plan that was developed by the BBCDB in March 2007, page 25 under Rehabilitation - Policy 1.2.1) • Mayor Randels responded to Mr. Nicholas that it is something different to tear down a condemned, vacant home than it is to take a vacant piece of property and tell owners to clean it up; this is covered in the City's Code. • Ms. Roberts brought up there have been some observations by the community that the City has some structures that are not complete, not occupied and are eyesores to the community. Ms. Marcum suggested taking an inventory of the structures. • Mr. Brown responded to Mayor Randels that the RPC will be doing some surveys as well as looking at the values of these properties, but also the City's Code Enforcement will have to get involved. Mr. Brown placed "Bring Structures up to Code" under Low Cost/Low Time. • Mr. Boucher specified that the Building Official, Todd Morley, will be bringing the latest version of the International Property Maintenance Code for the consideration of the Council and for adoption. Mayor Randels added this will give the power or authority to clear up a lot of these problems. Mr. Brown placed "Latest Version of the International Property Maintenance Code" under Low Cost/Low Time. • The group discussed policies under Objective 1.2 — Rehabilitation and different ways of identifying and creating an inventory of the substandard structures that need to be on an action list now. Mr. Brown was directed to place "Identify Substandard Housing Units" under Low Cost/Low Time. • Resident, John Porter, suggested a `Worst First" program to reduce the number of substandard structures. As an example, he said the City could pick the 10 worst residential and commercial properties and using all of the tools the City already has, go after those properties. Otherwise, he stressed, that the City will have a great list but nothing will have been accomplished 6 months from now. Mayor Randels agreed stating this is a very logical idea. Mr. Brown place "Worst First" under Low Cost/Low Time. • Ms. Roberts brought up fagade grants and signs, expressing the desire not to lose them because the group is identifying actions. Mr. Porter replied that both of those could be part of the "Worst First" program. Ms. Roberts raised the point that Mr. City of Cape Canaveral, Florida City Council Workshop — Redevelopment Plan May 7, 2009 Page 6 of 8 Boucher was looking for Council's input for strategies needed as an action to pursue. She explained grants have to be researched and then the Council needs to be ready to implement them once those properties are identified. Mayor Pro Tem Hoog inquired about how the City would get funding for fagade grants. Attorney Garganese responded the City would have to take money out of its existing budget and look at sources of revenue. Attorney Garganese stated the City of Cocoa's funds for fagade's come from TIF (tax increment financing). Ms. Walsh stated the need for a CRA. Mr. Brown placed Fagade and Sign Grants under Low Cost/Low Time. • Ms. Roberts specified, as part of what Council agreed to on the Management Improvement Agenda, the need to acknowledge Administrative Actions on the record for the B&CDB; staffing, branding, public relations and establishing a CRA. • Mayor Randels proceeded to Objective 1.5 — Administrative, Policy 1.5.1 Establish a Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA). The group discussed the cost of creating a CRA. • Mr. Brown pointed out the City already has the Redevelopment Plan that is a requirement of the CRA statute. Attorney Garganese estimated that it would cost between $35,000 and $70,000 to do a Slum and Blight Study to justify the boundaries of a CRA. He further explained the City would need to make the necessary findings before creating the CRA Ordinance, then go before the Brevard County Board of Commissioners to get ft. Attorney Garganese stated it was his guess the County would not give its approval for County TIF money and then the City would be stuck with a CRA funded solely from the City's tax increment. • Attorney Garganese explained the risk of not having a bona fide study to present to political bodies to approve the CRA; if the study doesn't support the findings and the CRA has collected TIF money inappropriately, the City would have a big problem on its hands if challenged later. • The group continued discussing the pros and cons of establishing a CRA at this time. Mr. Brown placed CRA -Cost Benefit Analysis under Low Cost/Low Time and establishment of a CRA under High Cost/Low Time. • Ms. Roberts expressed the desire to not lose the Administrative recommendations that the B&CDB came up with in the context of what Council has done with the Management Improvement Agenda; so it would be a Low Cost Action in the implementation strategy. Mr. Brown placed Administrative Review under Low Cost/Low Time. • Mayor Randels moved along to Goal 2 — Quality of Life. Under Objective 2.1 - Slum and Blight, Council decided that policies 2.1.1, 2.1.2 and 2.1.3 were already on the list and ongoing practices of the City. • Policies 2.1.4, 2.1.5 and 2.1.6 were determined to come out of the Community Visioning and getting into form base codes. • Mayor Randels proceeded to Objective 2.2 — Traffic Circulation. The group agreed this would come out of the Community Visioning. Mr. Porter pointed out this is already in the City Code and the only thing the City could do is earmark money to fast-track the connection of existing sidewalks. Mr. Petsos stated that is ongoing every year with County impact fees. Mayor Randels reminded the Prime Path is almost finished. Ms. 11 City of Cape Canaveral, Florida City Council Workshop — Redevelopment Plan May 7, 2009 Page 7 of 8 Roberts indicated what she was hearing from the Comprehensive Plan workshop discussions are that the community is looking for a fresh, holistic systemic look. • Mayor Randels moved on to Objective 2.3 — Public Facilities and asked for thoughts on this regarding things like storm management, solar energy and alternative fuel systems. Ms. Roberts pointed out in the future there will probably be opportunities to take advantage of stimulus money for governmental infrastructure for either modernizing some of the City's facilities or building new ones using green technology. She also noted the City of Cape Canaveral might be a demonstration municipality for some of this. Ms. Roberts urged this could be one of the biggest returns on available federal dollars. Discussion on the various policies under this objective continued. • Mr. Porter inquired about how deep the Council wants the Community Visioning Committee, of which he is the Chairperson, to get into this area. Mr. Petsos responded maybe they could come up with a percentage of how much the City should tum green per year and agreed with Ms. Walsh about replacement of lighting fixtures. Mr. Nicholas, also a member of the Community Visioning Committee, stated this may be driven by public interest. Mr. Brown placed Public Facilities and Federal Stimulus Money under Low Cost/High Time. • Ms. Roberts mentioned the importance of Council approaching underground facilities. She stated that the City of Satellite Beach used some of their CRA money for their underground facilities. Mr. Petsos agreed that would be an excellent item for a long term goal of the Visioning Committee. • Mayor Randels stated at the next Redevelopment Workshop they would pick back up on page 29. Ms. Walsh said she thought the original intent was to go through each one of the Objectives and Policies and address them. She requested that Mr. Boucher give his recommendations on who will be carrying the tasks out and what the time frames will be. Mr. Boucher responded that he would have to sit down with staff members who will be involved to see how he can get it into their workflow. Ms. Roberts recommended that Mr. Boucher come back to Council at the next workshop rather than the next Council meeting because they're not finished yet. Mayor Randels indicated the items on the board as keepers: LOW COST/LOW TIW HIGH COST/LOW T AE • Tax Abatement • CRA • Bring Structures up to Code • Latest Version of the Property Maintenance Code • Identify Substandard Housing Units • Worst First • Fagade & Sign Grants • CRA — Cost Benefit Analysis • Administrative Review LOW COST/HIGH TPAE HIGH COST/HIGH TIME • Public Facilities • Government Center • Federal Stimulus S City of Cape Canaveral, Florida City Council Workshop — Redevelopment Plan May 7, 2009 Page 8 of 8 • Mayor Randels requested Council be prepared to make yestno and short term/long term decisions on the remaining items before the next meeting. The group decided to meet again on Wednesday, May 20 at 4pm after the Business and Cultural Development Board Meeting from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business, the Chair adjourned the Meeting at 7:35 P.M. 11111111111 - ...I . �- 47M