MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL SARASOTA COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY MEETING AUGUST 21, 2017 PRESENT: Chair Shelli Freeland Eddie, Vice Chair Liz Alpert, Members, Jen Ahearn-Koch, Hagen Brody and Willie Charles Shaw, Executive Director Thomas Barwin, Attorney Robert Fournier, and Secretary Pamela Nadalini ABSENT: None The meeting of the Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) was called to order by Chair Freeland Eddie at 2:46 p.m. 1. APPROVAL RE: MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL SARASOTA COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY REGULAR MEETING OF MARCH 20, 2017 (AGENDA ITEM CRA-1) Member Ahearn-Koch stated that a scrivener's error will be provided to the Office of the City Auditor and Clerk for the minutes of the March 20, 2017, Special Meeting of Community Redevelopment Agency. Chair Freeland Eddie noted Board consensus to approve the minutes of the March 20, 2017, Special Meeting of the Community Redevelopment Agency as presented, with noted the correction of a scrivener's error. 2. REPORT RE: NEWTOWN COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY ADVISORY BOARD (NCRAAB) REGULAR MEETING OF JULY 13, 2017 (AGENDA ITEM CRA-2) Chair Terrill Salem, Newtown Community Redevelopment Agency Advisory Board, and General Manager Economic Development Steven Stancel, Planning Department, came before the Commission. Mr. Salem stated that at the July 13, 2017, Newtown Community Redevelopment Agency Advisory Board (NCRAAB) Meeting, the Board approved the minutes of the April 6, 2017, NCRAAB Meeting and reviewed a Quarterly Financial Report outlining existing projects and funding; that Tax Increment Finance (TIF) funds should be utilized to help support the ideas and upcoming projects concerning the community; that the NCRAAB discussed and acted on several items of importance; and referred to the Exhibits included in the Agenda backup material as follows: Exhibit A: July 13, 2017 NCRAAB Meeting Draft Minutes. Exhibit B: Memorandum detailing all eAgenda back-up materials. Exhibit C: Legal Aid of Manasota brochure for the Property Title Clearance Program - Providing help to the community and residents with clearing home titles for future use. Exhibit D: Tableseide Cares, Inc./Ms. Susie's Restaurant Proposal. Long-term lease is held with owners of the site to combat the process of gentrification. Exhibit E: Newtown Nation Farmer's Market Proposal - Request of $89,000.00 made byt thel Newtown Nation Farmer's Market which was not approved. Exhibit F: Newtown Business Assistance Grant Program Application - The NCRAAB voted 7-0 to approve the program for new prospective business owners to locate new businesses and practices in the area. Exhibit G: Urban America Real Estate Company Proposal Marian Anderson Place Site development - Appointed new members to the Negotiation Committee; Urban America Real Estate Company was the only company to submit an Invitation to Negotiate (ITN). Book 3 Page 31854 08/21/17 2:30 P.M. Book 3 Page 31855 08/21/17 2:30 P.M. Mr. Salem continued that the recommendation is for the Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) to accept the NCRAAB Report as presented; that Staff will return to the CRA at a future meeting to seek formal approval for programs and funding allocations identified in the NCRAAB Report. In response to a question from Member Ahearn-Koch asking the specifics regarding the preference of hiring local workers for Ms. Susie's Restaurant, the location and insurance issues of the Newtown Nation Farmer's Market (Market), and the reason for the disparity in the number of votes of the NCRAAB on different items, Mr. Salem stated that the hiring process for Ms. Susie's Restaurant will be specific to the Newtown area and the. residents who live in the surrounding community; that the owners of Tableseide Cares, Inc./Ms. Susie's Restaurant who submitted the proposal are from the area, involved in the community, and will assure the operation is performing at a very high standard; that the Market will remain active and operate in the same location as present; however, the Robert L. Taylor Community Complex (RLTCC) may become a future site for the Market, if the Market continues to expand; that the NCRAAB was not able to approve the request for insurance monetarily; that as a general contractor who will bid on a project, he reçused himself from the votes for certain matters to avoid a Conflict of Interest. In response to a comment from Chair Freeland Eddie indicating the Newtown Business Assistance Grant Program Application raises numerous issues concerning the rules and guidelines which may hurt new businesses, Mr. Stancel stated that the requirement for a three-year active lease agreement does not mean an applicant has to be in place for three years; that instead a lease agreement would need to be established for three years to receive the grant money provided byt the Newtown Business Assistance Grant Program; that the lease is for the protection of thel leaseholder SO rates are not increased after any repairs are made by a landlord or contractor; that the NCRAAB approves all new members and determines the lease requirements. Discussion ensued about the lease requirements around which potential new business owners in the Citywould have to navigate. Mr. Salem stated that if an individual wants to start a business in the City, certain criteria must be met; that most landlords in the specific targeted area may be willing to work with residents to reach the criteria needed for grant assistance. Mr. Stancel stated that the NCRAAB studied the Newtown Business Assistance Grant Program Application process to determine the best practice; that the NCRAAB moved towards the idea of making the grants available for capital improvements which is only for reimbursement. Member Shaw stated that the Commission's decision concerning the future of the CRA is still relevant; that a decision can be made later if negotiations do not present at favorable outcome. Mr. Stancel stated that an issue is the City could be held liable for paying the contractor directly for work performed. Further discussion ensued about the drafting of the language in the Newtown Business Assistance Grant Program Application and if all future business owners are eligible for the grant assistance. In response to questions from Member Brody asking the vetting process for prospective grants to businesses and the type of expansions which may occur under the three-year tenant lease, Mr. Salem stated that an application must be submitted to the NCRAAB by the business owners which will be reviewed to decide concerns of the business the sustainability; that some businesses are not eligible for TIF funds; that the NCRAAB has spent time-consuming hours on thet task of outlining ideas for potential projects; that the NCRAAB ideas should be taken into consideration and not be overlooked by the CRA. Member Brody stated that the purpose of Advisory Boards in the community is to provide the CRA and the Commission with help for deliberations regarding details concerning future projects. A motion was made by Member Shaw, seconded by Member Brody, and carried by a 5-0 vote to accept the July 13, 2017, Newtown Community Redevelopment Agency Advisory Board (NCRAAB) Meeting Report as presented. Executive Director Barwin stated that the NCRAAB is thanked for providing the innovative ideas to the CRA; that due to the initiatives of the NCRAAB, the economy in Newtown will be restored; that the Legal Aid of Manasota brochure for the Property Title Clearance Program will greatly assist property owners int the Dr. MLK, Jr., Way area. 3. ADJOURN Chair Freeland. Eddie adjourned the Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) Meeting at 3:12 p.m. p 24 Shelli Freeland Eddie, Chair Attest: Muoy 0 Pamela M. Nadalini, CRA Secretary Book 3 Page 31856 08/21/17 2:30 P.M.