On the agenda

1. 1Call to Order - Roll Call▶ 0:00
2. 2

   Approval of August 20, 2019 CRA Meeting Minutes

   approved

   Approval of the minutes from the August 20, 2019 CRA meeting.

   • vote:Approve the minutes of the August 20, 2019 CRA meeting. (passed)

   ▶ Jump to 0:13 in the video

   ▸Show transcriptHide transcript

   Auto-transcript · machine-generated, may contain errors

   [00:00:15] the approval of the minutes from August the 20th. Any discussion? All those in favor please [00:00:24] signify by saying aye. Aye. Opposed like sign. Next item on the agenda is approval

   This text was generated automatically from the meeting video. It is not a verbatim or official record. For exact wording, consult the video or the city clerk.

3. 3

   ↳You arrived here from a search for “Grand Boulevard” — transcript expanded below

   Approval of FY2019-2020 CRA Operating Budget & Work Plan

   approved

   The CRA Board reviewed and adopted Resolution 2019-15 approving the FY2019-2020 CRA Operating Budget of $4,713,070 and the 2019-2025 Work Plan. Changes from the first draft included adding $75,000 in surplus land sales (Hacienda Hotel deposit), reducing FRS by $2,000, and increasing property assemblage to accommodate the $737,500 Main Street Landings incentive payment. Discussion focused on Grand Boulevard streetscaping/road diet, the Cotee River underpass connection, parking, and community policing funding.

   • motion:Adopt Resolution 2019-15 approving the FY2019-2020 CRA Operating Budget of $4,713,070 and the 2019-2025 Work Program. (approved)

   📍5760 Colonial Drive, Newport Ritchie, Florida📍East Main Street📍Grand Boulevard📍Gulf Drive📍Main Street and US Highway 19 corridor📍Nebraska Avenue📍Pine Hill Road🏢Business Incubator🏢Hacienda Hotel🏢Main Street Landings👤Bill Phillips👤Debbie Manz👤Director Davis👤Jerry Sieber👤Mr. Altman👤Mr. Starkey👤Mrs. Feist👤Robert#2019-2025 CRA Work Program#Coast to Coast Trail#Community policing program#Cotee River Underpass Project#FY2019-2020 CRA Operating Budget#Marine Parkway crossover#Neighborhood revitalization program#Penny for Pasco#Pinellas Trail#Property assemblage#Resolution 2019-15#Sims Park

   ▶ Jump to 0:29 in the video

   ▸Show transcriptHide transcript

   Auto-transcript · machine-generated, may contain errors

   [00:00:30] of the 2019-2020 CRA operating budget and work plan. Mrs. Manz. Yes sir. Mr. Mayor as [00:00:39] you can see from your agenda packet we are recommending a budget in the amount of $4,713,070 [00:00:48] in 2019-2020 CRA operating budget. And I think it's important to note that the city's [00:01:03] transfer from the general fund is the largest contribution of revenue to the program. And [00:01:10] Mrs. Feist has prepared just a short presentation in which we'll introduce the sources of revenue [00:01:17] and the work plan. On July 30th we presented to you the first draft of the proposed budget [00:01:27] for fiscal year 19-20. And we accepted feedback and comments from you and the public. And [00:01:34] we considered those comments and feedback as we prepared the final draft that you have [00:01:41] before you tonight. What I'll spend my time this evening discussing are just the changes [00:01:47] from the first draft to the draft that you have before you. The total revenue funding [00:01:56] for the CRA totals $4,713,070. Of that we've added $75,000 in surplus land sales and you'll [00:02:11] find that about midway through the revenue sources. And what that is is the city recognizing [00:02:20] or I'm sorry the CRA recognizing the deposit that was paid on the Hacienda Hotel last year. [00:02:28] We couldn't recognize that revenue until certain criteria was met and that has been done or [00:02:33] will be done by the beginning of next fiscal year. So we're able to accept that as revenue. [00:02:40] So we've included that in the budget. Everything else has stayed the same from the first proposed [00:02:46] draft including other miscellaneous revenue totaling $25,000. The tax increment from the [00:02:54] county totaling $1,486,600. The transfer from the general fund which totals $1,710,070. [00:03:07] And the carryover of unused funding from the prior year of $1,374,400. [00:03:17] If you turn to the next page you'll find a list of all of the expenditures being proposed. [00:03:29] The total personnel has decreased by 2,000 compared to the first proposed budget that you saw in July. [00:03:38] And the only change is in the Florida retirement system, that line item. It went down by 2,000 after [00:03:45] evaluating the amount that actually needed to be budgeted for next year. So that's the only reduction or change in that category. [00:03:57] In operating expenditures there was no change. So the total amount of $513,630 is the same as what was presented in the first proposed budget. [00:04:10] At the bottom of this page you'll find the capital expenditures being proposed. And there were some changes to this area. [00:04:19] So at the bottom of this page you have those capital items in total or in summary form. But if you turn a couple pages forward, you have that same information but in detail. [00:04:35] So it may be better to work from the detailed page instead. So in total for capital purchases we're proposing $2,825,000. [00:04:49] $20,000 of that is for building improvements to the Hacienda. That was presented to you in the first budget. [00:04:58] We're also proposing $30,000 in building improvements to the business incubator. That was the same as in the first budget. [00:05:06] Neighborhood improvements did increase by $80,000. But neighborhood revitalization, that program, we're proposing $150,000 and that number stayed the same as the first proposed budget. [00:05:22] Parking lot improvements for Nebraska Avenue stayed the same as $600,000. And we have other parking lot improvements for, oh I'm sorry, that's zero for next year but we have some programmed in the future years. [00:05:36] Under redevelopment projects, we've increased the amount for property assemblage. So if you recall the incentive to Main Street Landings, it was approved to divide that payment in over two years. [00:05:55] So the $737,500 that was originally budgeted to be paid next year, we've programmed that into property assemblage instead. So that amount has been increased by that amount. [00:06:10] Next is streetscape enhancements budgeted at $50,000. Railroad square improvements budgeted at $75,000. Boat ramp expansion budgeted at $75,000. Neighborhood alley improvements budgeted at $75,000. And bicycle trail improvements budgeted at $75,000. None of those amounts have changed from the first budget presented to you. [00:06:35] As a correction, bicycle trail improvements is budgeted at $25,000. [00:06:42] Oh, I'm sorry. [00:06:47] And as I mentioned earlier, the Main Street Landings incentive program, that is now $737,500 budgeted for next year with the remainder being budgeted in fiscal year 2021. [00:06:59] So the last category of the budget is transfers. And if you turn to the preceding page, you'll see that we have two transfers, one to the general fund to cover administrative services that it provides to the CRA in the amount of $375,620. That hasn't changed from the previous budget. [00:07:23] And a transfer to the debt service fund of $887,640 to cover debt service requirements of the CRA. [00:07:32] So that is the budget presented to you. We do have a resolution that we would like you to consider that would approve the budget, adopt this budget for next fiscal year. [00:07:45] Mr. Mayor, I can read the title to that at this time. [00:07:48] Resolution number 2019-15, a resolution of the City of New Port Richey, Florida Community Redevelopment Agency of Public Body, Corporate, and Politic adopting the 2019-2020 operating budget, adopting the 2019-2025 year work program for the Community Redevelopment Agency of the City of New Port Richey, Florida, and providing an effective date. [00:08:10] Thank you. I'll open it up for public comment. [00:08:20] Bill Phillips, 5760 Colonial Drive, New Port Richey, Florida. [00:08:25] It's always interesting to try to relive some of these numbers, some of these assumptions that you have. [00:08:37] Obviously, Ms. Manns pointed out this is one of the largest transfers in history. [00:08:43] I don't know if it is the total largest it might be out of it, depending on what the maximum years were early in the 2000s. [00:08:52] But obviously, I'm trying to look at what the out years might be, so my recommendation to you is to [00:09:01] look and to see what you might project next year and the year after, so you can kind of [00:09:06] maybe look at some additional items. Obviously, this year it's given you the opportunity to [00:09:15] shift salary burdens or reallocate those, which it was done previously. [00:09:21] Just want to make sure, and I think it might be helpful to read in bullet point fashion, [00:09:28] what some of the obligations of the CRA are and what you are able to use some of your funding for, [00:09:33] because I think that's very transparent to the public. Because obviously, for a number of years, [00:09:38] this was a debt service tool because of all the properties that the city bought. [00:09:43] Obviously, you've got some carryovers, you've got movement. When you go from your one page, [00:09:48] where you've got your budget amount to your five-year projections, you've got to move your eye [00:09:52] from the right-hand side of the page back to the left, so there's some continuity issues there. [00:09:58] But again, there are four or five items that I would like for you to, as you approve this, [00:10:04] to be looking out forward on or at least bring some perspective to some things. Obviously, [00:10:12] with the advent of years going forward, is to really evaluate the parking study, [00:10:18] really understand where your parking challenges are going to be downtown, because [00:10:22] you're creating opportunities to not look as good as we look today. So I'd take for those dollars [00:10:30] that you save or rollover dollars that you have in your budget that you don't know what they are [00:10:35] because they weren't used, and I would ask Mr. Starkey if you'd give me a little extra time. [00:10:39] If I do run long, I would appreciate it. Is that okay, Mr. Mayor? He's not the mayor here. [00:10:45] Executive Director. So the parking lot study. Obviously, another project that was near and dear [00:10:51] to my heart for a long time is Grand Boulevard. It's called Grand Boulevard for a reason, [00:10:56] but it's also used as a drag strip, and I know there's been a lot of plans, a lot of things [00:11:02] looked at over the years, and I really would like for you to really entice looking at that and [00:11:08] really dressing that up to connect the Gulf Drive and that area down there that we weren't successful [00:11:15] on getting the VA hospital down there, but that's a huge area for revenue generation in the future, [00:11:21] and I really would like, now that you're paving Gulf Drive, to really connect those together. [00:11:28] I would make the recommendation you look at trying to do something similar that you did on East Main [00:11:33] Street with the pavers, creating a one lane with some things on the outside so you don't [00:11:39] add any hindrances to your parades or anything else, but you really do make that a Grand Boulevard, [00:11:46] and from there, maybe make it a economic zone or make it a painting zone or try to tie that [00:11:53] together so you can pull that all to the city, because you've already done that down to the [00:11:57] hospital, and people already drive down Main Street and take a left on Madison, [00:12:01] and they keep trying to figure out how big this city is, and I think you draw that continuity [00:12:06] together with your streetscaping. Your community neighborhood program, I call community neighborhood [00:12:13] light this year. I think you need to go in and look at each one of your neighborhoods, evaluate [00:12:18] what they're looking for, and really drill down into that so that you can really go in there, [00:12:22] reinvest those dollars, and raise those prices on those homes if it means expanding them, [00:12:28] letting them go higher, whatever the case may be, so you can drive those elements. [00:12:34] I would wish that you'd look back at your incubator purchase agreement. I thought it was [00:12:39] fast. I thought it was inadequate. I thought you used poor numbering. I thought you gave them a [00:12:44] preferred price. We're spending money on that building, and once again, there was no discussion [00:12:49] during your overall process. Are they going to buy it or are they not? Because you gave them a $500,000 [00:12:54] price off of economics that were run from 2013, 14, and 15 on the economic structure, so to me, [00:13:02] on a project that we didn't want to sell for a long time, I really thought it was important that [00:13:07] you really get the dollars out of that and think ahead about if you're going to allow them to go [00:13:13] vertical, to make that into a corporate setting for someone, because I think you'll absolutely [00:13:17] see that in the future. I'd like for you to consider supersizing your cleanup program. [00:13:22] You do it twice a year. I just drew stuff out of my house on the weekend and had to [00:13:27] rent a trailer for $50 and take it all the way out to the recycle and the public service for the [00:13:35] county. God bless. County lets me do that without paying a big fee. They've taken away all of our [00:13:41] recycling availability because it was trashed out next to on Pine Hill Road, and so with that, [00:13:49] I wish you would look, as you're looking in your neighborhoods, to possibly look at some kind of a [00:13:53] pilot program to go through those neighborhoods with a series of your trash trucks and everything [00:13:59] else so people can basically get the stuff out of their yards and really clean those up [00:14:04] that go along that. And then finally, one of the things that wasn't in your community, [00:14:10] your CRA plan this year, is taking some of the community dollars there into your community [00:14:16] policing program. I'd like to make sure that you revisit what all you are able to use your funding [00:14:23] for in that CRA. And I think one of the early elements are, but my memory isn't what it used to [00:14:28] be, is that you could use that for community policing. And you've all talked about Sims Park, [00:14:36] you've all talked about downtown. And so with that, I really think that if you can offset some [00:14:41] of your use of your penny for PASCO dollars and use those in other areas, that if you would look, [00:14:47] obviously not this year, but in the coming years, because if you've gone from $600,000 to $800,000 [00:14:54] to $1,000,001 to $1,000,005, I'm assuming that next year you're probably going to be [00:15:00] be somewhere in that million five to million six range. [00:15:03] But then all we have to worry about where the economy goes. [00:15:06] But on top of that, I think with those fundings, [00:15:09] that if you did look at it as a way [00:15:11] to better enhance your community policing, [00:15:14] along with your penny, along with your other elements, [00:15:17] I think you'd get as much bang for your buck. [00:15:20] And as we all know, the CRA in the city of New Port Richey [00:15:23] is for a blighted area. [00:15:25] And we were able to supersize that, [00:15:27] or Jerry Sieber was able to supersize that, [00:15:30] as the manager at the time. [00:15:32] And about 95% of the city of New Port Richey is in your CRA. [00:15:37] So all those dollars that come in [00:15:39] can be well-directed back into every place in the city. [00:15:43] Again, thank you for letting me exceed my time. [00:15:46] These are just some of my insights [00:15:49] from time on council, availability [00:15:52] with penny of PASCO dollars. [00:15:54] And you've done a yeoman's job in a $60 million budget. [00:15:58] This being 4.1, the downtown things [00:16:02] that have happened over the last few years. [00:16:04] And with that, I think that to keep the momentum moving, [00:16:07] that if you address a few of these, [00:16:10] especially the parking ratio and the parking elements downtown. [00:16:14] Thank you again so much. [00:16:16] Thank you. [00:16:17] Anyone else? [00:16:19] Seeing no one else coming forward, [00:16:21] I will bring it back to the CRA. [00:16:24] Any comments before we get a motion on this thing? [00:16:27] I just want to ask, because it was such a large discussion [00:16:33] at the League of Cities having to do with CRAs, [00:16:37] and the state not wanting them to exist even. [00:16:42] And yet, over half the cities in the state have a CRA. [00:16:47] I just want to make sure that our administrative fund isn't [00:16:50] being audited. [00:16:52] How often is it being audited? [00:16:55] Every year, as part of our financial audit, [00:16:57] our auditors do a specific compliance audit over the CRA. [00:17:01] And basically, what they do is take [00:17:03] a sample of all the expenditures and make sure [00:17:06] that it's being spent according to our CRA plan. [00:17:11] Mr. Sterk, anything? [00:17:13] I'm going to hear what my colleagues have to say first. [00:17:18] I had a question, and it's sort of tied back [00:17:20] to what Mr. Phillips had mentioned. [00:17:27] We've kicked around this idea of doing street [00:17:32] shaping on Grand Boulevard to try to put that road on a diet [00:17:37] and to otherwise basically get it down to two lanes [00:17:43] and get the multi-use path. [00:17:48] Ms. Manns or Robert, do we have that already programmed [00:17:51] in at some point? [00:17:56] We are currently in the design stages for that project. [00:18:01] Our expectation is that we will have something probably [00:18:05] in the next month to share with you in respect [00:18:09] to the design for the project. [00:18:13] I do not think that we have enough funding [00:18:17] in place to capitalize the full implementation of the project, [00:18:23] but I do expect that we will be implementing [00:18:26] multiple stages of the project. [00:18:28] You have, this year, only $50,000 in the streetscape, [00:18:32] and it's $200,000 on each of the future. [00:18:35] And I guess my question, should we [00:18:38] consider, instead of putting all that excess money [00:18:42] in the property assemblage, go ahead [00:18:45] and fund the streetscaping like we're [00:18:49] doing in the future years at a couple hundred thousand dollars? [00:18:53] Or is that premature? [00:18:55] I'm asking that. [00:18:57] At this point, I'm really comfortable keeping it [00:19:03] in property assemblage until we have a discussion about what [00:19:10] we're going to do with property in the downtown area, [00:19:15] specifically in the Main Street and US Highway 19 corridor. [00:19:20] And we are expected to have a discussion on that [00:19:25] at your meeting on the 24th. [00:19:31] And at that time, you very well may [00:19:34] tell me that you're not interested in purchasing [00:19:37] property. [00:19:38] And at that time, we could do a budget transfer out [00:19:41] of property assemblage and into streetscape [00:19:45] or whatever project you would prefer. [00:19:49] I just wanted one other question about that. [00:19:51] Are we definitely going to two lanes and not possibly three, [00:19:56] a turn lane? [00:19:58] Grand Boulevard? [00:19:59] Yes. [00:20:00] I don't think that a decision has been made [00:20:04] or a recommendation at this point, Robert. [00:20:09] I agree with you. [00:20:09] I think both of them are going to come pretty much [00:20:12] at the same time. [00:20:12] Right now, what I would say that we're [00:20:14] in the process of doing what we would call a development [00:20:17] design, where we take a look at the different options, [00:20:20] put them together, and then present them to you. [00:20:24] And then you kind of give us your input [00:20:27] on what you would like to see the design would be. [00:20:31] In other words, whether it would be three lanes, two lanes, [00:20:34] what side of the multi-use path of the road [00:20:37] would you like it on, and that type of thing. [00:20:39] And then we would be able to start the design. [00:20:42] So I think the position that we're at now [00:20:45] is what Debbie's talking about, is [00:20:47] we'll be able to bring those two items to you [00:20:49] similar, about the same time, to where [00:20:51] you can decide where you want that funding source to go. [00:20:55] And then we've always had the idea [00:20:57] that we would go ahead and do the engineering [00:21:00] design for the whole project, but have the design done [00:21:04] to where we could divide it up into phases, [00:21:07] and we could continue on, depending [00:21:09] on what those costs would be. [00:21:11] We've done car counts on Grand? [00:21:14] I think we've done car counts, but we did those probably [00:21:17] maybe three years ago. [00:21:19] I can look, and I can give you the results of that [00:21:21] if you'd like. [00:21:22] Well, I mean, I'm not sure that it's changed much. [00:21:24] Maybe it has on Friday and Saturday nights downtown. [00:21:29] But we could put them back out and then [00:21:31] compare it to the last time we did it and see where we're at. [00:21:34] I mean, especially, yeah. [00:21:35] I mean, with the growth downtown economically, [00:21:38] I think there's probably been a change now. [00:21:41] I think that would help us make a decision whether two lanes [00:21:43] or three lanes. [00:21:45] Mr. Altman? [00:21:46] Yes. [00:21:47] So thank you for having us go over this before motion, [00:21:52] I guess, because there are a number of things [00:21:53] that I would like to point out. [00:21:55] And one of them relates to that, what [00:21:59] is topical right now with the rest of you, [00:22:01] which is the Grand Boulevard. [00:22:03] So the capital projects that are [00:22:07] identified on the five-year plan incorporate something [00:22:11] called Cody River Underpass Project. [00:22:14] Nothing in the 19-20 budget, $50,000 in each. [00:22:19] And I think I mentioned it before, [00:22:20] and there was no change made for, [00:22:22] I'm not sure whether it was just because you disagree, [00:22:25] but we don't have the Cody River Bridge on the other side [00:22:31] in our city. [00:22:32] So just in this five-year plan here, [00:22:39] so my sense is that the Cody River Bridge [00:22:42] project would cause us to look at our bike trail and our way [00:22:46] up Grand Boulevard from the park to our city border, [00:22:53] if that's the trail. [00:22:54] And so for us to say that we're putting the Cody River Bridge [00:22:58] project in, we should call it the Cody River Bridge [00:23:02] Connecting Project or something like that, [00:23:04] just to clarify that I'm not so sure it would be incumbent [00:23:08] upon us to contribute monies directly to the underpass. [00:23:13] I know it helps us, and we should encourage [00:23:15] the county to take their role. [00:23:16] And maybe there is a share because we see a benefit in it. [00:23:20] But I think that, and I recall Director Davis making a comment [00:23:26] about Gulf Drive or our Marine Parkway crossover. [00:23:30] And so we did the Marine Parkway. [00:23:33] We have two links to the Pinellas Trail. [00:23:35] One is across the highway. [00:23:37] The other is back Grand Boulevard [00:23:39] to connect to our trail we already [00:23:40] have out to Massachusetts. [00:23:43] And I got a little lesson, Director Starkey, [00:23:48] on how those were established at the MPO. [00:23:52] And they're coming from different priority lists. [00:23:54] There's a regional trail list that, as you had indicated us, [00:23:58] we were second in line and ahead of another overpass [00:24:01] with the highway connection. [00:24:06] But the regional trail is the coast [00:24:08] to coast tourism recreation trail [00:24:11] to which the Grand Boulevard link is also a link. [00:24:14] And so would the link be to the Cody River underpass [00:24:17] if, in fact, it came to pass. [00:24:21] So to the degree any of those things come up [00:24:24] and they're ready to be funded, we [00:24:26] should be working on design, discussion, [00:24:29] how we're going to do it. [00:24:31] And I'm imagining that the Grand Boulevard thing you'll [00:24:34] have in the next month to show us [00:24:36] how we might get that connection, that bike [00:24:38] trail incorporated into Grand Boulevard [00:24:43] is part of that overall project. [00:24:45] So to me, and I think I've heard it before from our tourism [00:24:52] representative, that that's something [00:24:55] that the tourism board talked about, [00:24:57] signage and coast to coast trail. [00:25:00] So to me, our attempt to link into the county's bike trail [00:25:05] system and to be part of the regional system of the coast [00:25:09] as well as our interlocal system are [00:25:11] going to require a master plan for the whole route. [00:25:16] And so I imagine that's in the works. [00:25:19] But the language of this and the extension of the dollars [00:25:23] out may not match what our requirements are [00:25:26] going to be when the thing comes. [00:25:28] If you recall, we had an agreement [00:25:30] with the county and the city of New Port Richey [00:25:32] where basically if we're going to proceed [00:25:33] with this with the county's lead, [00:25:35] we have to have skin in the game. [00:25:37] We all agreed a couple of weeks ago [00:25:39] that if they do not pursue the underpass being [00:25:42] viable for golf carts, then our skin is out of the game. [00:25:45] But until they come up with that projection [00:25:48] and we could hear back on this feasibility study, [00:25:53] I don't see us just yanking this money out right now. [00:25:55] That doesn't sound very reasonable. [00:25:56] I'm not asking you to yank the money out. [00:25:57] I just want to change the name to the Cody River Underpass [00:26:03] Link. [00:26:03] Connection project, whatever you want to call it. [00:26:05] I just want to add one word, connection, [00:26:07] so that we can focus our attention on our city [00:26:10] and how we're going to get to it as part of our skin in the game [00:26:14] before they start expecting us to pay [00:26:17] what could be a multimillion dollar project out there when [00:26:22] we do have the other one as well, which is not identified [00:26:26] on here except under bicycle trail improvements. [00:26:28] So I think the bike trail improvements of the CRA [00:26:32] reflect on the regional trail, the bringing of tourism, [00:26:36] and visitors in and out of the city, [00:26:39] and generating that ecotourism that we [00:26:41] talk about all the time. [00:26:43] I'm not so worried that the budget is so low this year [00:26:47] because I know the budget can change. [00:26:49] And I also know that if we're going [00:26:51] to do any major projects, like had been envisioned [00:26:55] a few weeks ago when we said this [00:26:58] is what we want to see happen at the gateway, [00:27:00] that that's going to be a whole projection. [00:27:03] What's happening over 10 years, how many units [00:27:05] are going to be there, how much private involvement is [00:27:09] going to be, because we're not going [00:27:11] to build these highly dense units. [00:27:15] We'll have a private builder do them. [00:27:18] But because it was brought up, I was [00:27:21] so encouraged by all of your discussion [00:27:25] when we talked about the main street [00:27:26] and went on to what we envisioned for that section [00:27:31] out to the highway to our entrance. [00:27:35] I shared with Roland Waller and with Larry Shallis, [00:27:42] who was a former partner of mine, [00:27:44] that the city had commented about that just [00:27:45] to get their reaction. [00:27:47] And in both cases, they would both [00:27:49] be interested in entertaining involvement [00:27:52] and remaining in the city, but participating [00:27:55] in a way that would allow that kind of a project to occur, [00:27:58] whether it's on a phased basis or not. [00:28:00] So I think the report I'm sending back to you [00:28:04] is that I would like to see a project that the city is [00:28:07] involved in that will incorporate the folks that [00:28:11] have lived here and paid their taxes for so long [00:28:14] into the benefits that are the property owners out there [00:28:19] openly, in terms of what we want. [00:28:21] We've said it openly, and I didn't say anything to them [00:28:24] publicly that wasn't said publicly. [00:28:29] But I was encouraged with the response [00:28:31] that some of these folks are interested in seeing [00:28:34] some of the land that they own be re-envisioned. [00:28:39] And I think we have a great opportunity [00:28:41] to see something happen. [00:28:42] If everybody gets buy-in and we have a project, [00:28:45] then that comes back to us to look at how we pay for it. [00:28:48] These $100,000 out every year, whether it's [00:28:51] streetscape, neighborhood improvement, whatever, [00:28:53] those represent cash flows that go out for 30 years. [00:28:57] And that will allow us to have financial analysts tell us [00:29:00] how we could program and pay for things. [00:29:03] So we're in a great position on that. [00:29:09] I'll get off of that high horse for a minute [00:29:11] and indicate just a few other areas that I've circled. [00:29:15] The transfer to the general administration, [00:29:19] which was brought up to be cautious and make sure [00:29:21] that we're being audited. [00:29:23] I'm understanding that some of our city staff [00:29:27] are going to the FRA to hear from presentations that [00:29:32] will provide education, hopefully, maybe even some CEU. [00:29:36] And city attorney and the finance director [00:29:38] both will be attending. [00:29:39] So I think that they've heard us, our concerns. [00:29:42] That'll be a great installation for that. [00:29:45] In 2017, the total transfer to administration was $375,000. [00:29:52] In 2018, it went down to $250,000 [00:29:55] when it had been recalculated. [00:29:59] That was after. [00:30:00] left would make sure there was more money in the fund, I guess. We're back up to $375,000 [00:30:06] now, but we also have the $38,000 of the city manager explained to us was coming from an [00:30:12] allocation of your salary. Is that still what that represents? [00:30:15] Thirty percent. [00:30:16] Thirty percent of your salary. [00:30:17] And the city attorney as well. [00:30:19] So effectively, we've got a $413,000 administrative cost, which is good because we need that attention [00:30:28] in that area where all the stuff is going on. So I support all that. The numbers, I'm [00:30:37] happy to leave with them where they are, but I think they're going to shuffle around and [00:30:41] change as we see what private development is asked of being occurring where and where [00:30:46] we need to support the economic growth of the city. So I'm satisfied. I expect there'll [00:30:51] be a lot of discussion during the course of the year. [00:30:54] Very good. Mr. Murphy. [00:30:56] I really don't have anything. Just looking forward to moving forward with all the projects [00:31:01] and plans we have in store. [00:31:03] Mr. Sharkey. [00:31:04] I am also in favor of the Grand Boulevard improvements. It's something we've discussed [00:31:08] for a long time. I really would like to see some computer-generated ideas, you know, once [00:31:14] we get to that. I'm also excited about Railroad Square. I think with the nightlife and what's [00:31:20] happening, even in the heat of the day, you were able to have that event and it was well [00:31:25] attended. I don't know if we can actually do any kind of shade structure over Railroad [00:31:31] Square or if we would want to consider doing that on part of Railroad Square because it [00:31:36] might be nice during the day, but at nighttime, you might want to look up and see the stars [00:31:39] and the moon as well. But it is a hot area during the day for a major portion of the [00:31:47] year. When are we going to see some of the ideas, some of the projections on what we're [00:31:53] looking to do there, Robert? [00:31:55] We're meeting with the consultant and we've gone over a couple items, so I would imagine [00:32:01] it would be soon. [00:32:04] I think timing-wise, it just goes hand-in-hand with what Director Altman said that he witnessed [00:32:11] Saturday night and that we all witness when we come downtown on weekend nights now. And [00:32:16] the whole parking thing, I know we're looking at revamping the parking on the east side [00:32:23] of the Hacienda, the Gloria Swanson parking lot, and then behind the health department [00:32:27] as well. But it's somewhat confusing to me because we've had experts come in here in [00:32:31] the last 12 to 24 months and say, you're fine on parking. You shouldn't even be considering [00:32:36] a parking garage or any type of structure. But with just the addition of a few new businesses [00:32:43] and a new vibe downtown and some apartments coming in, which is going to help alleviate [00:32:47] some parking, I think, because a lot of people like spending time downtown. Hopefully, we'll [00:32:50] be living in those apartments. But it just seems like this, to me, it's like the elephant [00:32:55] in the room, what to do with parking. [00:32:57] So we have some people saying, no, you're good. But then you look, we've got people [00:33:00] parking in Grady Pridgen's lot and it's pretty full. Even go to B4 Brady's on a busy night. [00:33:07] Chip Wichmanowski does his trivia night on Wednesday nights and it's overflow parking [00:33:13] just from beefs in that one restaurant. There's hardly a seat in there on a Wednesday night [00:33:17] right now. So that's, to me, the one thing I just can't seem to grasp is what, because [00:33:24] I've just heard conflicting input since I've been up here. And based on what I'm seeing, [00:33:31] I agree with prior Councilman Phillips and what Director Altman said as well, is that [00:33:38] I can imagine two or three new businesses opening up at the same scale as, say, The [00:33:43] Social. And the additional, I'm not saying you have to, once again, I've been a huge [00:33:48] advocate that you have to get used to having a walkable downtown. You're not going to be [00:33:52] able to park right in front of the restaurant that you go to when you come visit our downtown. [00:33:55] But I'm just projecting with the addition of a couple more successful restaurants or [00:34:01] shops downtown, it's going to be even worse. So I'm not sure what the answer is. I'm just [00:34:07] throwing that out there. I don't normally like to be vague with my discussions. I normally [00:34:10] like to call it as I see it and let you all know what I think we should do. But on this [00:34:15] one, it's just, yeah, it is. It seems to be a mystery because we've gotten different input [00:34:21] from different experts. The shuttle idea, which we've done for some of the special events, [00:34:27] may come back to us. But once again, I'm very nervous with the Hacienda opening. I'm still [00:34:33] very nervous. I know we have some time yet, but it's... We've got some light, some decent [00:34:41] size of lights that we can access that are a little further out, but it will require [00:34:47] City Hall in the evenings. City Hall, Community Congregational, Red Apple, First Methodist, [00:34:53] those right in that batch. Potentially Ritchie, potentially the Rec Center. We've got parking [00:35:05] by the church on South River that we still own. Potentially do something with Border [00:35:13] Realtors, stuff that was done during Chaska. There are some alternatives out there, but [00:35:24] I think we need to keep our eyes wide open as this happens and be ready to move quickly [00:35:29] as we see these places open. [00:35:31] And then, yeah, I kind of want to hear what everyone else had to say, but I do agree with [00:35:35] Director Altman again that it is encouraging to see private property owners looking for [00:35:40] change on that West Side Corridor, because as we said before, to me, that's the next [00:35:45] big step in our downtown, that modernization and revamping of that, which leads me to my [00:35:51] next... I won't discuss it, but I've had discussions with the City Attorney, and if you haven't, [00:35:56] I would urge you all to do so. [00:35:59] When we discuss the rezoning of the Walgreens building again, and I've heard that some people [00:36:05] may be in favor of looking to possibly purchase that building with CRA funds, that's a very, [00:36:10] very, very delicate subject that's going to have a huge impact on our CRA budget. So I'm [00:36:17] cautiously looking forward to that discussion, but based on my discussions personally with [00:36:21] the City Manager and the City Attorney, it's a delicate one that we need to think well [00:36:28] through, all of us, before we make a final decision. [00:36:32] We've all been... [00:36:34] I move approval of the resolution. [00:36:36] We have a motion. [00:36:38] Second. [00:36:39] We have a second. Any further discussion? Hearing none, all those in favor, please signify by [00:36:44] saying aye. [00:36:45] Aye. [00:36:46] Opposed, like sign. Motion passes. Do we have any further communications or...

   This text was generated automatically from the meeting video. It is not a verbatim or official record. For exact wording, consult the video or the city clerk.

4. 4Communications▶ 36:50
5. 5Adjournment