City of Palm Bay, Florida. BAYFRONT COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY Special Meeting No

Transcription

1 BAYFRONT COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY Held on Tuesday, the 24 th day of March 2015, at the Bayfront Community Redevelopment Agency Office, 3790 Dixie Highway, NE, Suite B, Palm Bay, Florida. This meeting was properly noticed pursuant to law; the minutes are on file in the Office, Palm Bay, Florida. The meeting was called to order by Chairperson McGarry at approximately 7:00 p.m. ROLL CALL: CHAIRPERSON: Michael McGarry Present VICE-CHAIRPERSON: Rainer Warner Absent (Excused) COMMISSIONER: Michael Herbst Present COMMISSIONER: Mary Jane Browning Present COMMISSIONER: James Ritter Present COMMISSIONER: Gene Cate Present COMMISSIONER: Gene Collins Present Motion by Mr. Ritter, seconded by Mr. Collins to excuse Mr. Warner s absence. Motion carried unanimously. STAFF MEMBERS: Timothy Ford, (BCRA) Administrator OTHERS PRESENT: Victoria Northrup, President, Greater Palm Bay Chamber of Commerce; Kevin Crowder, Redevelopment Management Associates (RMA) PRESENTATION: 1. Kevin Crowder, RMA, Review of the Bayfront Village on-site assessment for the Bayfront Village Market Analysis and Economic Development Strategies Grant. (This item was considered after Business Item No. 1.) (Commissioners concurred to consider Business Item No 1 at this time.)

2 Page 2 of 7 BUSINESS: 1. Consideration of the BCRA being a sponsor of the Greater Palm Bay First Friday by the Bay special event. Staff mentioned that at the March 10, 2015 Regular BCRA Meeting, the Greater Palm Bay Chamber of Commerce gave a presentation about a proposed First Friday by the Bay festival, a monthly outdoor music, food and family oriented fun event. The event was proposed to take place by Hessey Avenue and Water Drive in the Bayfront Village area of the Bayfront Community Redevelopment District (BCRD) starting May 1, Staff noted that the Chamber did not ask for any sponsorship money from the BCRA at the March 10, 2015 presentation. Staff noted that the Chamber representatives were not aware that the use of the City s mobile stage would require the Chamber to lease the stage. Non-profit organizations were charged $850 to lease the stage for events. Staff mentioned that due to the revelation, the Chamber was requesting that the BCRA consider contributing to help fund the lease of the stage for at least one (1) event. It was noted that although there was no funding in the Special Events budget line item to cover the expense, there were funds in other line items that likely would not be spent and could cover up to a $1,000 contribution for the event. Staff mentioned that providing an entertainment venue and special events in the District was a goal of the Bayfront Community Redevelopment Plan. Discussion ensued. Ms. Northrup spoke briefly and showed the Agency the new logo for the event. Ms. Northrup mentioned that she had spoken to just about everyone one in the area and the idea of having a First Friday by the Bay festival was well received by all. Mr. Herbst inquired whether Ms. Northrup had spoken to Mr. Kee, Water Drive property owner, about the event. Ms. Northrup noted that she had not spoken to Mr. Kee, although she had been communicating with Mr. Kee s Realtor. Ms. Northrup mentioned that she was aware that Mr. Kee did not want his parking lot disturbed and noted that the organizers of the event were going to put cones up and rope off the area. Ms. Northrup mentioned that a permit for the event had already been requested and that the Chamber had communicated with Florida Power and Light regarding the installation of a temporary power source. Ms. Northrup noted that depending upon the cost the Chamber was considering keeping the power source at the site. Mr. McGarry mentioned that he was excited about the event. Mr. McGarry noted that the BCRA was not able to contribute to the event monthly and asked how many vendors were signed up for the events; and whether the funds would be enough for long term sustainability. Ms. Northrup mentioned that the vendors that were signed up for the first

3 Page 3 of 7 event were going to receive a tent for free. Ms. Northrup and the organizers of the event anticipated that there would be thirty (30) to fifty (50) vendors at $50.00 to $75.00 each per event, and felt that would be sustainable. Ms. Northrup spoke briefly about the advertisement for the event, which included donations from businesses and included two (2) billboards and flyers to be included in resident s water bills. Commissioners questions regarding sponsors, vendors, revenue sources and food trucks were answered by Ms. Northrup. Motion by Mr. Collins, seconded by Mr. Ritter to approve contributing $1,000 sponsorship funds for one (1) First Friday by the Bay event. Mr. Cate reiterated the importance of having a BCRA display/tent at the event. Ms. Northrup noted that there would be no fee as the BCRA would be a sponsor. Ms. Northrup inquired whether the non-profit cost of $850 for the lease of the City s stage was per each use. Staff confirmed the cost would be $850 per each use. Staff mentioned that depending upon how the BCRA s budget looked for the next fiscal year it was a possibility that funds could be budgeted for the event after October 1, Original motion by Mr. Collins, seconded by Mr. Ritter to approve contributing $1,000 sponsorship funds for one (1) First Friday by the Bay event. Motion carried unanimously. Ms. Northrup thanked the Agency. BUSINESS: 1. Consideration of the BCRA being a sponsor of the Greater Palm Bay First Friday by the Bay special event. Commissioners considered this item before Presentation #1. (Commissioners concurred to hear Presentation Item #1 at this time.) PRESENTATION: 1. Kevin Crowder, RMA, Review of the Bayfront Village on-site assessment for the Bayfront Village market Analysis and Economic Development Strategies Grant.

4 Page 4 of 7 Staff introduced Mr. Kevin Crowder, RMA, to the Agency. Mr. Ford noted that Mr. Crowder would be giving a review on the Bayfront Village on-site assessment for the Bayfront Village Market Analysis and Economic Development Strategies Grant from the Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO). Staff provided copies of a Public Meeting and Open House flyer for the Bayfront Village Stakeholders input for Commissioners information. Mr. Crowder mentioned that when he had seen that the discussion on the operation of the Pelican Harbor Marina was on the BCRA Special Meeting Agenda, he thought it would be a good time to come up and meet with the Commissioners and talk about RMA s approach on how the assessment of the Bayfront Village Market Analysis and Economic Development Strategies would be done. Mr. Crowder informed Commissioners that the team had been to Palm Bay three (3) times since the grant had been awarded to the City/BCRA by the DEO. During the visits the RMA team spent time with City Staff, individuals in the community, as well as representatives with the DEO. Mr. Crowder explained that the team would be back the following week to meet with residents, individuals working in real estate, local businesses, and the Human Resources Director of Harris Corporation to see what the perceptions of Palm Bay were from the community. Mr. Crowder informed Commissioners that there would be a Public Meeting and Open House on Wednesday, April 1, 2015 at The Lagoon House. Representatives of RMA would be on hand to listen to stakeholder input about the future of the Bayfront Village area. To ensure that all stakeholders had the opportunity to provide their input, the Open House would take place from 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. for informal and one-on-one discussions. Mr. Crowder noted that there would also be three (3) formal presentations on the project at 10:00 a.m., 2:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. Mr. Crowder asked Commissioners and staff to get the word out about the meeting. Mr. Crowder stated that RMA came from the perspective of looking at things from a real estate and marketing approach by looking at the market potential and what the reality was in the community. Mr. Crowder explained that RMA looked at what was happening to drive investment in the community which included land, labor, capital, markets, regulations, City owned land, and available land for development. Mr. Crowder noted that RMA would be gathering and refining all of the information the following week. It was noted that information regarding the types of themes that kept coming up which would have an impact on the business climate in the community were being sought from stakeholders. Mr. Crowder gave some examples which included: 1) customer service; 2) traffic or speeding on U.S.-1; and 3) market opportunities. Mr. Crowder mentioned several exercises that RMA utilized when determining strategies that would drive investment in the community. Mr. Crowder gave some examples from other communities that RMA had worked with. Mr. Crowder spoke

5 Page 5 of 7 about implementation of the strategies and noted that economic development needed to be done within the context of the community values and character. It was noted that one (1) of the last exercises was working with the City to identify and make sure that three (3) economic development values were in place which included: 1) responsiveness/customer service; 2) available relevant information for stakeholders; and 3) predictability and timeliness in the process for projects. Mr. Crowder mentioned that after the following week RMA would be moving into the Market Analysis Phase and from there into the specific Economic Development Strategies. Mr. Crowder mentioned that the community was interesting with many unique physical conditions such as the bluff environment which was not seen a lot in Florida. Other assets mentioned included: 1) the National Scenic Byway; 2) Castaways Point Park; 3) the Pelican Harbor Marina; 4) Stearns Park; and 5) the Bay / Indian River Lagoon and the connection with the built environment and nature. Mr. Crowder mentioned that the character of U.S.-1 and nearby competition were some of the challenges in the community. Mr. Crowder noted that RMA would be looking at where there were opportunities and potential for the community and mentioned that the Pelican Harbor Marina property would be a fantastic opportunity to create a new market. Discussion ensued. Mr. McGarry voiced concern with getting the word out about the Public Meeting and Open House. Staff informed Commissioners that the Public Meeting notice had already been sent to all of the media outlets including Orlando, Local News Channel 13, Florida Today Newspaper and Hometown News. Staff noted that the flyer was posted to the City s/bcra s website and the Community Events Calendar. It was mentioned that staff would contact the Greater Palm Bay Chamber to see if the flyer could be sent out with the Chambers notices. Mr. Crowder noted that RMA would be launching an online survey as well. There was much discussion. Commissioners questions were answered by Mr. Crowder and Staff. It was noted that the completion date of the study was June 1, 2015, after which the City/BCRA would receive a report/action plan from RMA. The Agency thanked Mr. Crowder for the update. (Commissioners concurred to consider Business Item #2 at this time.) BUSINESS: 2. Discussion regarding recommendations for the operation of the Pelican Harbor Marina.

6 Page 6 of 7 Staff mentioned that at the March 10, 2015 Regular BCRA Meeting, two (2) proposals were submitted for the Operation and Management of the Pelican Harbor Marina Request for Proposals (RFP). Both proposals had been deemed unresponsive by the Purchasing Division Administrator due to the proposals being incomplete. It was noted that the March 24, 2015 BCRA Special Meeting was scheduled for the BCRA to review the submitted and ranked proposals and make a recommendation to approve a proposal prior to City Council s April meetings so that City Council could approve a proposal prior to the current lessee s May 29, 2015 lease termination date. Mr. McGarry requested that the special meeting date be kept for the Agency to discuss options for the operation of the Pelican Harbor Marina and to make a recommendation to the City regarding the operation of the marina for the short term. Staff met with the City s Legal office and the Purchasing office on March 23, 2015 regarding the RFP for the development of the total marina and vacant property that could entertain anything from someone operating the marina and improving it to an overall large development of mixed use development with possible hotel, condominiums, restaurant, marina, etc. Staff mentioned that the RFP would probably go out in approximately two (2) to three (3) weeks. The timeframe would likely be anywhere from sixty (60) to ninety (90) days. However, it was noted that a determination of the timeframe had not been made yet. Commissioners were provided with copies of a letter from the current operator who was giving his notice to vacate by April 30, Staff mentioned that the Legal Office wanted to have an assessment of the docks done which was scheduled to take place on Thursday, March 26, Staff also mentioned that the Parks Department would be asked again if there was a possibility that Parks and Recreation could run the marina on a short-term basis. Discussion ensued. Mr. McGarry mentioned that it would be a detriment to close the marina and felt that it would be better to utilize City Staff to keep the marina operating for the short term. Commissioners concurred that it would not be wise to close the marina as the closed up building would invite vandalism and fall into disrepair. Commissioners and staff discussed several ways to keep the marina open with the operations scaled down for the short term. Motion by Mrs. Browning, seconded by Mr. Cate to not close the Pelican Harbor Marina and to maintain existing operations utilizing City Staff until a more permanent solution became available.

7 Page 7 of 7 Mr. McGarry mentioned that there should be a presence at the building five days a week. Commissioners discussed several ideas which included having the police department drive through the area more often. Original motion by Mrs. Browning, seconded by Mr. Cate to not close the Pelican Harbor Marina and to maintain existing operations utilizing City Staff until a more permanent solution became available. Motion carried unanimously. ADJOURNMENT: The meeting was adjourned at approximately 8:15 p.m. Attest: Carol Gerundo, SECRETARY Mike McGarry, CHAIRPERSON