Book 3 Page 31765 11/05/12 2:30 P.M. MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL SARASOTA COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY MEETING OF NOVEMBER 5, 2012 PRESENT: Chair Suzanne Atwell, presiding, Vice Chair Willie Shaw, Members Paul Caragiulo, Shannon Snyder and Terry Turner, 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 Atwell at 2:35 p.m. 1. APPROVAL RE: MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY MEETING OF MARCH 19, 2012 (AGENDA ITEM CRA-1) Chair Atwell noted CRA consensus to approve the minutes of the Special CRA meeting of October 1, 2012. 2. APPOINTMENTS RE: COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY (CRA) ADVISORY BOARD (AGENDA ITEM CRA-2) Secretary Nadalini stated that the terms of John Harshman, Michael Beaumier and James Krill expired in July 2012; that Michael Beaumier has expressed an interest in and is eligible for reappointment; that John Harshman and James Krill both decided not to seek reappointment, that three vacant seats exist on the CRA Advisory Board; that two applications were received and are included in the Agenda back-up material. Member Snyder nominated Michael Beaumier for reappointment to the CRA Advisory Board. Chair Atwell noted Commission consensus to reappoint Michael. Beaumier to the CRA Advisory Board. Vice Chair Shaw nominated Lynn Robbins for appointment to the CRA Advisory Board. Secretary Nadalini stated that the appointment of Ms. Robbins will fill the seat for a retailer merchant in the redevelopment area. Chair Atwell noted Commission consensus to appoint Lynn Robbins to the CRA Advisory Board. Secretary Nadalini stated that the remaining seat is for an individual involved in land use for commercial purposes in the redevelopment area; that an applicaticn was received from Drayton Saunders. Chair Atwell noted Commission consensus to appoint Drayton Saunders to the CRA Advisory Board. 3. REQUEST / RE: DOWNTOWN SARASOTA ALLIANCE REQUEST FOR $20,000 IN TAX INCREMENT FINANCE (TIF) FUNDING FOR THE 2013 DOWNTOWN MARKETING EFFORT (AGENDA ITEM CRA-3) Chief Planner Steve Stancel, Planning Division, Neighborhood and Development Services (NDS) Department, and Marketing Chairperson Sharon Foote Katzman and Members Terri Brinkley and Barbara Hauser, Downtown Sarasota Alliance (DSA), came before the Commission. Mr. Stancel stated that the DSA is seeking approval to receive $20,000 in Tax Increment Finance (TIF) funding for the 2013 Downtown marketing efforts; that the proposal being presented would involve a City budget amendment; that if the proposal is approved, the monies would come from an unallocated funding source currently identified as a line item in the Downtown Redevelopment Plan; that normally such a request would have gone before the Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) Advisory Board for a recommendation prior to coming before the CRA; that four members of the DSA also serve on the CRA Advisory Board; that at the time only eight members were on the CRA Advisory Board; that a quorum would not have been possible without utilizing DSA members; that to avoid any conflict of interest, Staff and the DSA are coming directly before the CRA for a recommendation concerning the funds being sought; that the CRA's ultimate decision will likely be viewed by other entities seeking funding in the future; that Staff believes CRA members should first review the decision options provided in the Agenda back-up material; that the CRA's options are: 1. Approve the request as submitted and fund from the unallocated TIF monies in the Downtown Redevelopment Plan line item, which is $363,205. 2. Direct the funding request be submitted during preparation of the CRA's budget for fiscal year (FY) 2013/14 SO funding proposals from other entities in the community can be considered in order to set priorities. 3. Refer the funding request to the Downtown Improvement District (DID) for formal funding consideration; that the DID has funded the marketing efforts in the past and has a stated objective to market as a part of the Ordinance creating the DID. 4. Deny the DSA's request for $20,000 in TIF funding for 2013 Downtown marketing efforts. Mr. Stancel further stated that the DID has chosen not to allocate any 2013 budgeted revenue for marketing; that the DID priority projects are bricks and mortar projects; that Staff recommends a condition be placed on the TIF funding to provide all allocations are through reimbursement following the submission of valid receipts if the funding request is approved by the CRA. Ms. Katzman stated that the DSA is requesting approval from the CRA for funding of a 2013 Downtown Sarasota marketing campaign entitled "Live from Downtown Sarasota and Live from Friday night in Downtown Sarasota";t that the Downtown Sarasota marketing campaign was begun and funded by the DID in 2012; that the DID has chosen not to fund any Downtown Sarasota marketing campaign for 2013; that the DSA made a request twice to the DID; that the DID did not reply back; however, subsequently the DSA was informed of the DID's unwillingness to fund the 2013 Downtown Sarasota marketing campaign; that the DSA is now requesting the CRA approve unallocated TIF funding for the 2013 Downtown marketing efforts. Ms. Brinkley gave a computer-generated presentation on the Commission monitors and stated that she is speaking at the request of the DSA concerning the importance and value of marketing; that developing a marketing campaign and knowing the customer base are the keys; that many people work Downtown, are college educated, and tend to own upscale homes; that Downtown has become a major shopping and dining destination; that the largest competitors are the Sarasota Square Mall in the Southgate area and Main Street in Lakewood Ranch; that the new University Town Center will draw residents and tourists away from Downtown; that the DSA's advertisements in the Sarasota Herald-Tribune Ticket cost approximately $15,000 per year. Ms. Hauser gave a computer-generated presentation on the Commission monitors of proposed marketing strategies. Discussion ensued about the requirement for the DSA to become self-sufficient for funding, projected cost for marketing, web-hosting, and printed advertising material, and designing and selling a pet calendar to obtain revenue. Member Turner stated that a few months ago a number of requests were received for grant funding; that the Commission decided not to have a grants program; that a question is if the request complies with the established grants policy. Mr. Stancel stated that even with the elimination of the grant programs, agencies can still come before the CRA and the City Commission to request funding under the budget amendment process. Book 3 Page 31766 11/05/12 2:30 P.M. Book 3 Page 31767 11/05/12 2:30 P.M. Deputy City Manager Marlon Brown came before the Commission and stated that the request would have generally come before the CRA Advisory Board; that the request being made is not considered a grant but rather a request directly to the CRA for funding. Member Turner stated that the proposed request resembles a grant. The following people spoke: John Harshman, former Chairman, DSA, indicating the value of marketing and support for DSA's marketing efforts, marketing has an strong impact on products and the particular product is Downtown, the CRA is encouraged to support the 2013 Downtown marketing campaign to bring people Downtown. In response to a question from Member Snyder asking if the CRA funds St. Armand's Circle advertising, Mr. Stancel stated no. A motion was made by Member Caragiulo, seconded by Chair Atwell, to approve the DSA's request of $20,000 in Tax Increment Finance (TIF) funding for the 2013 Downtown marketing efforts which failed by a 2-3 vote with Vice Chair Shaw and Members Snyder and Turner voting no. Discussion ensued about the possible value of funding DSA's 2013 Downtown marketing campaign, spreading the money around as equitability as possible, the benefits and importance of a marketing campaign, continued discipline of developing a grant policy, and Staff's assurance the DSA's request will meet the grant policy stipulations. AI motion was by Member Turner, seconded by Member Snyder, and carried by a 5-0 vote to refer the request of the Downtown Sarasota Alliance (DSA) for $20,000 in Tax Increment Finance (TIF) funding for the 2013 Downtown marketing efforts to the Downtown Improvement District (DID) for consideration. 4. ADJOURN Chair Atwell adjourned the meeting at 3:30 p.m. 2 SUZANNE. ATWELL, CHAIR ATTEST: Owp g oda0a PAMELA NADALINI, SECRETARY