MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL SARASOTA COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY MEETING OF DECEMBER 7, 2009 PRESENT: Chair Richard Clapp, presiding, Vice Chair Kelly M. Kirschner, Members Fredd "Glossie" Atkins, Suzanne Atwell, and Terry Turner, Executive Director Robert J. Bartolotta, Attorney Robert M. Fournier, and Secretary Billy E. Robinson ABSENT: None The meeting of the Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) was called to order by Chair Clapp at 2:43 p.m. 1. APPROVAL RE: MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY MEETINGS OF OCTOBER 5, 2009 (AGENDA ITEM CRA-1) Chair Clapp noted CRA consensus to approve the minutes of the Special CRA meetings of October 5, 2009. 2. REPORT RE: NEWTOWN CRA ADVISORY BOARD'S REGULAR MEETING OF NOVEMBER 5. 2009 (AGENDA ITEM CRA-2) North Sarasota Redevelopment General Manager Lorna Alston and Tyron Hill, Chair, Newtown Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) Advisory Board, came before the CRA. Mr. Hill gave a report concerning the prioritization of the eight strategic areas identified in the Newtown CRA Plan at the July 2, 2009, Newtown CRA Advisory Board meeting for the proposed budget distribution of Tax Increment Financing (TIF) funds through 2016 and stated that economic development ranked as the first and most important priority with community health, safety, and welfare ranking second; that the issue of high crime in Newtown has been an ongoing discussion at every Newtown CRA. Advisory Board meeting. Mr. Hill gave a report concerning the following items discussed at the July 2 and November 5, 2009, Regular Newtown CRA Advisory Board meetings: The prioritization of the eight strategic area priorities identified in the City of Sarasota- Newtown Comprehensive Redevelopment Plan through 2020 (Newtown Redevelopment Plan), The proposed budget distribution of Tax Increment Financing (TIF) funds through 2016 amongst the eight strategic area priorities, and The installation of a surveillance camera system along Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Way between U.S. 41 and U.S. 301, Mr. Hill stated that the Newtown CRA Advisory Board made a motion to recommend the CRA approve an allocation of up to $50,000 in TIF funds for the installation of a surveillance camera system along Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Way between U.S. 41 and U.S. 301 including an appropriation for auxiliary costs; that the proposed funding is from fiscal years (FY) 2008/09 through FY 2009/10; that recent homicide incidents have outraged the Newtown community and the City validating the need for a more proactive approach; and gave a presentation concerning the development of a crime plan which would identify methods to reduce and prevent criminal activity and the benefits of a surveillance camera system. Mr. Hill stated that, however, further research on how surveillance camera systems work is necessary prior to a recommendation for a TIF fund expenditure; therefore, the Newtown CRA Advisory Board will return to the CRA to request the TIF fund expenditure once a more accurate cost of a surveillance camera system is known. BOOK2 Page 1708 12/07/09 2:30 P.M. BOOK 2 Page 1709 12/07/09 2:30 P.M. Mr. Hill and Ms. Alston answered CRA questions concerning what is reflected in the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Way Crime Statistics Report included in the Agenda backup material, the exact locations for crimes committed, and the placement of surveillance cameras along Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Way. Ms. Alston stated that Staff proposed the installation of surveillance cameras along Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Way; however, surveillance cameras can be placed at other locations if the research identifies other appropriate locations. Chair Clapp stated that Staff should draft a map to show locations at which cameras can be placed and the locations of crimes committed in the past two years; that his understanding was cameras are capable of looking at a distance of approximately one-quarter to half a mile in distance. Executive Director Bartolotta stated that Staff has the capability of developing a spot map of every location a crime was committed; that the CRA should remember the surveillance camera system is a larger wireless system which has the capabilities to add cameras at different locations throughout the City in the future. In response to a comment by Ms. Alston indicating a map identifying the distance a camera can capture images is included in the Agenda backup material, Member Atkins stated that cameras are unable to see through trees or tall buildings; that Newtown is an older community with a significant number of trees; therefore, the cameras may not be able to see the distances the cameras are capable to capture images; that the City's focus should be community policing which was previously successful without any camera surveillance; that Newtown can possibly return to the position it was one year ago when community policing was successful. Ms. Alston stated that surveillance cameras are only one element of the proposed crime plan which Staff would like to consider. A motion was made by Vice Chair Kirschner, seconded by Member Turner, and carried by a 5-0 vote to receive the report of the November 5, 2009, Newtown Community Redevelopment Agency Advisory Board meeting. 3. ADJOURN Chair Clapp adjourned the meeting at 3:01 p.m. BdCLy RICHARD CLAPP, CHAIR ATTEST: llE Re Le N61 BILLYE. ROBINSON, SECRETARY