On the agenda

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

   Approval of March 21, 2017 CRA Meeting Minutes

   approved

   The CRA Board approved the minutes from the March 21, 2017 CRA meeting.

   • motion:Approve the March 21, 2017 CRA meeting minutes. (passed)

   #March 21, 2017 CRA Meeting Minutes

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   [00:00:21] First item on the agenda is approval of the March 21st CRA meeting minutes. [00:00:24] Move for approval. [00:00:25] Second. [00:00:26] Motion and second. [00:00:27] Any further discussion? [00:00:29] All those in favor, please signify by saying aye. [00:00:31] Aye. [00:00:32] Opposed, the like sign.

   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 “Bert Bender” — transcript expanded below

   Resolution No. 2017-11: Hacienda Small-Matching Grant

   approved

   The CRA Board approved Resolution 2017-11 authorizing submission of a grant application to the Florida Division of Historical Resources for a small matching historic preservation grant of up to $50,000 for the Hacienda Hotel, with the city committing up to $50,000 in matching funds. Discussion centered on broader frustration about the slow pace of reopening the Hacienda, with Deputy Mayor Phillips urging a comprehensive plan to open the downstairs to the public and pursue tourist development dollars.

   Ord. Resolution No. 2017-11

   • motion:Approve Resolution 2017-11 authorizing submission of a small matching historic preservation grant application for up to $50,000 with up to $50,000 in city matching funds for the Hacienda Hotel. (passed)

   📍Hacienda Hotel🏢Bender and Associates🏢Big Storm🏢DLPort🏢Florida Division of Historical Resources🏢Friends of the Hacienda👤Bert Bender👤Bill Phillips👤Davis👤Debbie Manns👤Donald Thomas👤Mario Azzoni👤Rob Marlow#FY2018 budget#Hacienda Phase Two (shelling out / opening first floor)#National Historic Register#RFP for Hacienda development#Resolution 2017-11#Small Matching Historic Preservation Grant#Special Category Grant ($750,000, ranked 8th of 51)#Tourist Development Dollars

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   [00:00:33] Next is Resolution 2017-11, Hacienda Small Matching Grant. [00:00:38] Resolution number 2017-11, a resolution of the Community Redevelopment Agency of New Port Richey authorizing the submission of a grant application to the Division of Historical [00:00:46] Resources for small matching historic preservation grant requesting up to $50,000 for the Hacienda [00:00:51] Hotel and further authorizing an amount of up to $50,000 as the city's required matching [00:00:56] funds. [00:00:57] Thank you. [00:00:58] Thank you. [00:00:59] Ms. Manns? [00:01:00] Mr. Azzoni is prepared to present this agenda item. [00:01:02] Thank you. [00:01:03] Mr. Azzoni. [00:01:04] Thank you very much, Executive Director and CRA Board. [00:01:08] Staff wishes to apply for the historic preservation grant for the Hacienda Hotel offered by the [00:01:14] Florida Division of Historic Resources for the fiscal year 2018. [00:01:19] So this wouldn't be this budget year, but the following budget year. [00:01:24] Staff contacted Bender and Associates, a Hacienda architect, for recommendations regarding [00:01:28] the use of the small matching grant proceeds. [00:01:30] So we specifically reached out to the architect in terms of where we should go with the funding. [00:01:37] Bender indicated that the additional funding will be necessary to complete installation [00:01:41] of the windows and doors. [00:01:44] There's a specific cost to where the air conditioners used to be on the Hacienda. [00:01:48] Much of that will be bringing that whole maul-up pattern below the windows all through the [00:01:54] hotel back to be done properly. [00:01:59] If you look at them, you can quite see they weren't done that well. [00:02:03] Estimates on page 9 provided by DLPORT indicate the windows and doors, including stucco repair, [00:02:08] will be about $845,000. [00:02:12] The grant that we hope to get that's ranked 8th is a special category grant. [00:02:17] Those proceeds are about $750,000. [00:02:19] So in anticipation of completing that project, this small matching grant would go further [00:02:26] support and finally shell out the building. [00:02:29] Thank you. [00:02:30] I'll open it up for public comment. [00:02:34] Seeing no one come forward, I'll bring it back to the CRA. [00:02:37] I'll move for approval. [00:02:39] Second. [00:02:40] We have a motion and a second. [00:02:41] To the mayor. [00:02:42] Yeah, I do. [00:02:44] I appreciate that we continue to grant fund a number of items on this building, but because [00:02:54] of the one bidder that we only got for the recent RFP, RFQ for the Hacienda, I would [00:03:08] like for you to share the report that was written for you. [00:03:11] You and I met recently and we talked about a number of different items with regards to [00:03:15] the Hacienda, including some of these key points and this grant and the other grants [00:03:22] that we're in for. [00:03:24] I think it's imperative for us to be driving down two lanes of traffic on the Hacienda [00:03:31] today because you can always stop and pull off the road, but we've only been traveling [00:03:37] down one avenue for over a year and that garnered us one possible mission statement [00:03:48] for the facility. [00:03:51] The report that you and I, that you had given me was from last year and I'd like for all [00:03:58] my colleagues to look at it because I think it's important that we talk about the Hacienda [00:04:06] in whole. [00:04:08] You made some references in this particular cover memorandum with regards to the downstairs [00:04:17] area and some other elements there about taking the fencing down. [00:04:23] I think you only achieve that with an overall comprehensive conversation about what we can [00:04:31] do in the interim until we find either the right development partner or at least we've [00:04:38] got the downstairs of the Hacienda back in service. [00:04:42] I think the friends of the Hacienda have proven without a shadow of a doubt on three occasions [00:04:50] in the last nine months that every time you invite people and you open the gate, you get [00:04:57] over 1,100 people. [00:05:00] I think that at the moment, and as I mentioned, I have until next year, Mr. Donald Thomas [00:05:10] has term limits, but I have to make a decision come April of next year or before then what [00:05:16] I'm going to do. [00:05:17] I've been here six years. [00:05:19] One of my first things that happened was along with the council member at the time, Mr. Marlow, [00:05:26] we toured the Hacienda back in September or October of 2012. [00:05:34] We had to tour it separately because we didn't want to violate the Sunshine Law. [00:05:40] We had two different tour guides taking us through what people had described to us as [00:05:44] being a very run down facility that we couldn't rejuvenate. [00:05:50] Is that a fair assessment, Mr. Mayor? [00:05:52] That's a fair assessment. [00:05:53] We both came out of that. [00:05:55] We couldn't talk, sunshine. [00:05:58] We came back to a meeting where we could talk and basically rolled out a challenge to the [00:06:04] community and they all showed up in January and we overstaffed the volunteers and fed [00:06:11] them and did everything else. [00:06:14] I believe that the longer we leave the bottom floor inaccessible and don't utilize it to [00:06:22] our best efforts and I don't know what that is today. [00:06:26] I can give you my thoughts but I'd like to do it at a setting where we can have interaction [00:06:32] and have the community here because I can sure tell you that probably half of this area [00:06:38] of these seats will come on down because they've all got an opinion because we've had the discussion [00:06:46] about public ownership, private ownership, phased ownership. [00:06:51] For us to continue just to go get grants and my bad analogy, I'm tired of treating [00:06:57] this thing as a case study on how to fix up an old building without actually having it [00:07:04] functioning because I believe that it's a center core of West Pasco and if we don't [00:07:11] create the dynamic by where we can go to the tourist tax development people and to sit [00:07:18] down with them and say, you give us a little bit for Chasco, you do some other stuff but [00:07:23] if we put this thing into operation and just on the bottom floor, I don't want to futz [00:07:29] around with the fire department about the second floor and all those multiple uses for [00:07:34] ADA and all that. [00:07:37] We have to have people sit in the hallway when we're doing tours and I understand that [00:07:42] but at the end of the day, let's find a game plan, tell me what it takes one time between [00:07:48] development, the fire department, the police department, park and recs, public works, just [00:07:54] tell me one time, give me a road map of what I have to do to open it up to the public every [00:08:00] day and make it a destination for tourists, for the chamber of commerce, for everything [00:08:06] else to go along with this grant money which we can still spend to spruce it back up but [00:08:12] I think we are missing the opportunity to prove its net worth, increase the road value [00:08:19] of it, to make it accessible and take the fence down because my other story I tell is [00:08:27] the first year I was on council, it was December, it was the street parade and as a city, I [00:08:36] didn't have a float in our own Christmas street parade and there were no lights lighting up [00:08:43] the Hacienda and I stood across the street and saw a big, dark, vacant black hole and [00:08:51] that's when I came back and made my assessments, first of all you've got to light it up, second [00:08:56] of all we've got to figure out how we're going to do it and unfortunately five years later [00:09:00] our development department partner went away, probably the best thing that could have happened [00:09:06] to us but if we're looking at this grant money, I want to start talking about a different [00:09:12] avenue to increase the net worth, not try to analyze it with all of these studies and [00:09:21] all this other stuff, put it back into effect, watch people come through it because I've [00:09:26] got other people that want to make donations to do rooms and stuff so there's got to be [00:09:33] a better way now since we've got it to a stabilization point to target our money, get [00:09:41] it open because we have two or three other things that are coming up in the next year [00:09:45] or two that if they come to us, we're going to take our eye off of the jewel we keep talking [00:09:51] about so I made the motion for this grant which is the next fiscal year's budget which [00:09:58] is October 17 through September of 18 and I don't mind doing that but we have to collectively [00:10:10] find a better way to make the Hacienda a destination point coming through and I want to ask everybody [00:10:20] for their opinion and you've got mine and I've taken my five minutes on my soapbox but [00:10:27] this place has been near and dear to me ever since we stepped up and put money on the line [00:10:31] to feed volunteers that day so I apologize for ranting on but if I don't do it here, [00:10:38] I can't do it in front of some of my colleagues and do it in the sunshine. [00:10:43] Mr. Mayor? [00:10:44] Thank you. [00:10:45] And second? [00:10:46] Executive Director, whoever. [00:10:47] We have a second? [00:10:48] Second. [00:10:49] Would you like to? [00:10:50] This is second on the grant, correct? [00:10:51] Yes. [00:10:53] No, I mean we're all passionate about the Hacienda. [00:10:58] Thank you Deputy Mayor Phillips, Deputy Director Phillips and Director Mayor Marlow for getting [00:11:04] the ball rolling for sure but I want to be sure it's done right. [00:11:10] I mean I don't want to keep pushing down the road either but we need, the city's not going [00:11:14] to invest millions of dollars into, I don't think, into opening the downstairs. [00:11:18] I, for one, I know we haven't talked about it publicly, love the vision statement. [00:11:22] For the one company that did respond to the RFQ or P, I always get those two confused, [00:11:27] Mario. [00:11:28] It was an RFP this time. [00:11:30] Yes, RFP. [00:11:31] Loved his vision statement, personally. [00:11:33] I know we haven't made it public and we all discussed the vision statement tonight but [00:11:36] what I read, I loved and I thought it was a great idea that he had and a great idea [00:11:41] is basically incorporates more than just the Hacienda and I agree with Councilman Phillips, [00:11:46] I want to see it open as well but, I mean, I think we're doing, we're not just sitting [00:11:52] there letting it deteriorate like we were, we're applying for grant money, when are we [00:11:56] going to know about the $750,000, is it $750,000? [00:12:00] Well, July 1st I think is when the appropriations are on, if it makes it to that date, historic [00:12:09] resources traditionally require requests that all the approved funds be fully funded [00:12:17] and if they don't fully fund historic resources, they start from the top and go down. [00:12:22] Typically the small matching grant funds, that pots about $2 million and the 750 were [00:12:30] ranked 8th out of 51 so we feel pretty comfortable with our position in regard to that. [00:12:36] Good and that is one of the most common questions that I get as a Councilmember, what's going [00:12:41] on with the Hacienda? [00:12:42] Everyone wants to know but then again, like Deputy Director Phillips said, we could fill [00:12:47] this room up and everyone's going to have their own opinion, whether they want the city [00:12:51] to keep it, whether we want to sell it, whether we want a private-public partnership. [00:12:55] To me it depends on the investor and who has the money, what their idea is and whether [00:12:58] or not we're willing to approve it. [00:13:00] We started with a rookie the last time, didn't work out, I agree once again with Mr. Phillips [00:13:04] and I'm glad that we didn't proceed there. [00:13:07] But the gentleman that's responding to the current RFP is a proven developer, he's not [00:13:13] some guy right out of college with a trust fund that's looking to buy a boutique hotel. [00:13:17] I mean he's a proven developer, are we going to proceed with talks with him at all or are [00:13:22] we going to have a discussion with Council where we can all discuss it in the sunshine [00:13:26] since we're not in Tallahassee and we have to do that here? [00:13:29] What's the plan? [00:13:30] We talked to the developer on Friday and we specifically requested a timeline from [00:13:34] the developer. [00:13:35] The developer communicated what their key points are and we're trying to work through [00:13:39] them. [00:13:40] And I'm not trying to let too much of it back to Earl, I just want the public to know we're [00:13:45] not just sitting back doing nothing. [00:13:47] Mario and Debbie are working, our city staff are working very, very hard to attract the [00:13:52] right investor. [00:13:54] Let me just add to that, as I did follow up with, we had quite a number of very strong [00:13:59] interests. [00:14:03] We had one real strong developer show up that has developed historic boutique hotels within [00:14:07] that niche market, the 44 room hotel, which because of the room count here is one of the [00:14:12] reasons why a lot of the people won't touch this. [00:14:16] And their comment was if you shell out the building, we'll come and finish the center [00:14:21] of the building. [00:14:23] That's what we're doing, correct? [00:14:24] And they're a really strong developer and they're working on other buildings in other [00:14:27] parts of the states and I do maintain in contact with them. [00:14:31] We have two potential developers, one that's interested in just a boutique hotel and one [00:14:35] that's interested in a little bit of multi-use. [00:14:36] Yeah, and the other thing that you pointed out is that the Hacienda is now on the front [00:14:41] page of the Division of Historic Resources listing of grants. [00:14:45] We have two pictures of the Hacienda there. [00:14:47] This is a tough and challenging project, particularly with the funding that's required. [00:14:51] And what Councilman Phillips has to say resonates and this year you're going to see a very aggressive [00:14:58] approach to trying to move the project along. [00:15:00] on both counts in terms of trying to find the right type [00:15:04] of developer and also I think it's very important [00:15:07] to do what we call phase two or the shelling out phase [00:15:09] where the building is very accessible to the public [00:15:11] because friends of Hacienda's have clearly demonstrated [00:15:14] their ability to organize as a group. [00:15:16] They do an excellent job in conducting those tours [00:15:19] and we're also gonna be talking about the CRA next [00:15:24] and I think that the discussion of Hacienda's [00:15:26] is gonna be really relevant in the design of the CRA [00:15:29] this time and you'll have an opportunity [00:15:33] to be able to express your concerns there [00:15:35] but we are looking at what I call a phase two [00:15:38] which is what does this specifically cost [00:15:41] to get the building accessible to the public? [00:15:43] I think that Councilman Phillips, he has to say [00:15:46] that it is very relevant and we've been acutely aware [00:15:49] of how important it is to try to get that open. [00:15:52] Bert Bender, I think it would be good to bring him back [00:15:54] and discuss that at some point to you [00:15:57] because he's explained his vision how we can do that [00:16:00] but also continue on with your sense of perspective [00:16:02] is that we don't mess with the potential room layout [00:16:07] that we can actually open up the first floor, [00:16:08] make it active and then continue on [00:16:12] with the completion of the building. [00:16:15] So that's really what we're looking at [00:16:16] is we're looking at what they call this phase two concept. [00:16:19] The grant money that's out there, we're gonna chase it [00:16:22] because with Hacienda, there are some big unknowns [00:16:24] and I'm gonna pursue every avenue possible. [00:16:28] Councilman Phillips talked about tourist development dollars [00:16:31] I think that Hacienda is a very, very strong candidate [00:16:34] for tourist development dollars [00:16:36] and was pursuing that with the current [00:16:39] tourist development director until apparently he's resigned. [00:16:43] And I think that there's a really strong case to be made [00:16:46] in regard to capturing those dollars [00:16:50] because it's on the National Historic Register [00:16:52] and I just think it's a matter of educating that board [00:16:56] how this building applies to the application [00:16:59] of those dollars and we've clearly demonstrated [00:17:01] that we've brought over 3,000 people to the facility. [00:17:04] And so it is a tourist draw and I think that [00:17:07] that's an avenue that we can pursue also [00:17:09] and we have identified, I've talked to the city manager [00:17:13] about that in terms of what we wanna do there [00:17:15] but we feel that that's really, [00:17:16] we're looking at about two million dollars [00:17:18] to do what Councilman Phillips kind of talking about. [00:17:21] Get a restaurant or something downstairs. [00:17:22] Yeah, yeah, and we have several people, we have Big Storm. [00:17:27] We have had several people look at it [00:17:30] and it's a substantial project [00:17:33] and it's extremely relevant project [00:17:35] to the success of our downtown [00:17:37] and I completely understand the urgency to do that. [00:17:41] I would love to see that fence come down [00:17:42] and I'm simply looking for those pots of money [00:17:45] where we can do that and hopefully in working [00:17:48] with the city manager and designer of our plans [00:17:51] for next year, we'll be able to effectively address [00:17:53] the concerns of councils across the board on the Hacienda. [00:17:58] Thank you. [00:18:00] Director Davis. [00:18:01] I just did some of the things that already be said [00:18:04] don't need to be repeated. [00:18:06] I am absolutely as passionate as Director Phillips [00:18:09] about the Hacienda. [00:18:11] It needs to be opened if we can get to the point [00:18:14] where we can get at least the downstairs open [00:18:16] and then worry about the upstairs. [00:18:17] I'm good with that, but we've got to get it [00:18:22] back into productive use at the earliest opportunity. [00:18:27] We have a motion and a second [00:18:29] on the Hacienda small matching grant. [00:18:32] Further discussion? [00:18:34] Hearing none, all those in favor, please signify [00:18:36] by saying aye. [00:18:37] Aye. [00:18:38] Opposed, like sign. [00:18:39] Motion passes. [00:18:40] Next is recommendation of firm

   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. 4

   Recommendation of Firm for Community Redevelopment Plan Update RFP # 17-004

   approved

   The CRA Board approved staff's recommendation to engage Kimley-Horn and Associates to update the Community Redevelopment Plan under RFP #17-004, at a cost of $55,000. Eight proposals were received and scored; the top three were interviewed, with Kimley-Horn selected for its citywide CRA experience (notably staff member Kelly Klepper's work in Wauchula), its retention of economist Kevin Kreveling of Urbanomics, and a realistic data-driven analysis of the city's challenges.

   • motion:Motion to approve the recommendation to engage Kimley-Horn and Associates for the CRA Plan Update under RFP #17-004. (passed)

   🏢Kimley-Horn and Associates Incorporated🏢SME🏢Urbanomics👤Crystal👤Kelly Klepper👤Kevin Kreveling👤Mr. Driscoll👤Mr. Iazzoni👤Ms. Manns👤Tammy Verana#CRA debt service model (2012)#Community Redevelopment Plan Update#House Bill 13#Marine Parkway District#Penny for Pasco#RFP #17-004#Tourist Development Tax#US 19 corridor

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   [00:18:42] for community redevelopment plan update. [00:18:44] Ms. Manns. [00:18:45] Yes, sir, Mr. Mayor. [00:18:47] Mr. Iazzoni has prepared a recommendation [00:18:51] for your consideration today to update [00:18:54] the community redevelopment plan [00:18:57] and to engage the firm of Kimley Horn [00:18:59] and Associates Incorporated to facilitate [00:19:02] the required scope of work. [00:19:04] Mr. Iazzoni. [00:19:05] Thank you very much, Executive Director, [00:19:08] the CRA board. [00:19:09] On January 25th, staff released RFP 17-004, [00:19:14] the CRA plan update. [00:19:16] The CRA received eight proposals. [00:19:19] All eight were scored using four quality metrics. [00:19:22] The first one was qualification and experience. [00:19:25] The second was knowledge of the CRA challenges [00:19:27] and opportunities. [00:19:29] Third was ability to perform services, [00:19:31] and the fourth was the cost it would take [00:19:33] to update this plan. [00:19:35] Those results were published on, I believe, [00:19:38] page 12 of your report in terms of the scoring. [00:19:41] Of the eight submissions, staff contacted [00:19:44] and subsequently interviewed the top three firms [00:19:47] on March 17th. [00:19:48] Each were asked the exact same questions [00:19:50] in the interview, and they lasted exactly one hour each. [00:19:54] The staff selected Kimley Horn as the best firm [00:19:58] to conduct the CRA plan update for the following reasons. [00:20:02] And I just want to make one point here. [00:20:06] As a CPA, I know that Crystal's going to shake her head. [00:20:12] We're required to be independent in fact, okay? [00:20:17] And though we've worked with some of these individuals [00:20:20] across the boards, we cannot show any degree [00:20:24] of favoritism or prejudice. [00:20:26] And so this was completely done [00:20:27] in that independent effect climate. [00:20:30] As a CPA, I'm required, in terms of my standards of ethic, [00:20:32] to do that analysis. [00:20:36] Basically, the six points as to why we selected them [00:20:39] is that they really have a solid breadth of experience [00:20:42] in preparing implementing redevelopment plans. [00:20:45] Of particular emphasis were the three individuals [00:20:48] that were below Keith. [00:20:51] And this Kelly Klepper really came across [00:20:54] as exceptionally strong with me in terms of our capacity [00:20:58] to work with him, to communicate to him [00:21:01] exactly what the issues are with our redevelopment plan, [00:21:04] because it is very unique, given the fact it's citywide. [00:21:08] Kelly has worked on a citywide CRA plan [00:21:13] in Wachula and developed that. [00:21:15] And that, to me, was a critical question. [00:21:17] How familiar are you with the dynamic? [00:21:19] This is a very big difference between a CRA plan [00:21:22] where you're carving out a district, [00:21:24] and I liken to carving out a piece of cancer in the city. [00:21:28] You know, our CRA plan is citywide [00:21:30] because we have systemic challenges associated with it. [00:21:34] It's more like we have a virus, [00:21:35] and that you have to treat the entire virus [00:21:37] with an antibiotic. [00:21:39] And he understood that, and to me that was very important [00:21:41] in the fact that he understands why a city might choose [00:21:44] to become a citywide CRA plan. [00:21:47] And there's quite a number of issues there [00:21:50] that I think are important that should come to light. [00:21:53] They also had gone out and hired an economist, [00:21:56] and they'd also requested the proposals [00:21:59] from the two other competing entities. [00:22:01] So they did quite a bit of work [00:22:02] in terms of studying their competition. [00:22:04] And I'll get to the economist's results [00:22:07] a little bit later down here. [00:22:09] And then we have Tammy Verana. [00:22:11] And I just felt that this team, [00:22:13] and the difference in score between the two [00:22:16] was like a half a point. [00:22:18] Number two was exceptionally strong, [00:22:21] and the city manager gave me a tremendous amount [00:22:23] of levity in terms of who I can select in regard to that. [00:22:26] And so I had to do a lot of soul-searching on it. [00:22:28] And I just really liked this team [00:22:31] of individuals that they kind of put out there [00:22:33] and their depth of knowledge. [00:22:37] They had a good understanding of the new challenges [00:22:39] that Newport received faces, [00:22:41] given the fact they had previous experience with the city [00:22:43] in a variety of areas. [00:22:44] And I think you've seen at least [00:22:48] Kimmy Horne and you've seen Tammy out there [00:22:51] and listening to them. [00:22:53] I think that there's a capacity there [00:22:58] that we can communicate some of the challenges [00:23:01] that we have given the fact that there's, [00:23:03] you know, our share plan's rather dynamic [00:23:05] and the fact that we had this incredible growth [00:23:08] in ad valorem from 2001 to about 2005, [00:23:13] and then the market kind of collapsed. [00:23:15] And a lot of that was driven by the banking industry [00:23:17] and its capacity to be able to lend money [00:23:19] and drive up ad valorem. [00:23:21] And there are some systemic issues [00:23:23] that I think really need to, [00:23:25] in terms of trying to fix this plan, [00:23:27] and I think that we can make some really great improvements [00:23:29] to it as we move forward. [00:23:31] The third component is experience redevelopment [00:23:33] implementation strategies of municipalities. [00:23:36] And again, this comes back to Kelly's familiarization [00:23:39] with the citywide CRA plan. [00:23:40] To me, that was really important in that. [00:23:45] One question I did ask all three of them [00:23:47] was their familiarization of House Bill 13. [00:23:51] And the number three candidate didn't know it existed, [00:23:54] but both Kimley-Horne and what's called the SME [00:23:57] were very well aware of that statute. [00:23:59] To me, that told me that they're very current [00:24:00] in following the CRA law, [00:24:01] and to me, that was really important. [00:24:04] The fourth item is perhaps the item that [00:24:08] is the reason why we selected Kimley-Horne over [00:24:12] the second candidate, which is exceptionally strong, [00:24:14] and I really liked the second candidate. [00:24:16] It was a very realistic view. [00:24:18] And you can find that view on page 66 through 70 [00:24:22] where they had gone out and had paid [00:24:24] for the work of an economist, [00:24:26] and to basically say, these are the issues [00:24:29] that you are faced with. [00:24:30] Your rent rates are high, your millage rate is high, [00:24:33] your per capita income is out of sync [00:24:36] with the surrounding per capita income, [00:24:39] particularly in the county. [00:24:41] And to me, I was very impressed with the fact [00:24:44] that we were gonna be dealing with the raw data [00:24:49] that we confront with as staff working with the public [00:24:53] and obviously the council also, [00:24:55] and not to just bowl us over with some other concepts. [00:25:01] I just thought that this is where you're at, [00:25:04] and this is what you're looking at, [00:25:05] and this is what we have to deal with. [00:25:06] And you can see that in their presentation, [00:25:08] which they kind of gave to us. [00:25:13] Obviously, the two firms we looked at closely [00:25:16] had a very longstanding track record [00:25:18] for providing professional services. [00:25:20] And the last component was the fact [00:25:24] that they're using this economist called Urbanomics, [00:25:27] and his name is Kevin Kreveling. [00:25:31] To me, in my career, in terms of working with businesses [00:25:34] and where a lot of organizations really fail to understand [00:25:39] is how economic change is and evolves. [00:25:42] And when I look at New Port Richey, [00:25:44] I look at the economic advantage it has [00:25:46] given its natural resources. [00:25:48] And then I look out five and 10 years out, [00:25:50] and I look at development in other areas [00:25:53] and how the city has just a tremendous opportunity [00:25:56] to basically define itself going forward in time. [00:25:59] And I believe that in the update of this, [00:26:03] the CRA plan is gonna be critical in the fact [00:26:04] that you're gonna see significant changes [00:26:06] to the CRA going forward in times [00:26:07] in terms of state statutes, [00:26:09] and that this organization will be able to interface [00:26:12] with city staff across the board [00:26:14] so we can get the plan that we want. [00:26:16] I feel that we can drive this plan. [00:26:18] I don't think it's gonna be mandated to that. [00:26:20] And having been here for three and a half years, [00:26:22] I think I have a real comfort level [00:26:24] where I think I'd like to see this plan go. [00:26:27] Thank you. [00:26:29] Thank you. [00:26:29] Open up for public comment. [00:26:32] Hearing none, bring it back to the CRA. [00:26:35] Before we vote, Mayor or Director, [00:26:37] Mr. Driscoll, are we all right [00:26:38] to use CRA funds to pay for this? [00:26:41] For CRA, yes. [00:26:43] Just making sure we're good there, right? [00:26:45] Yes, it's a CRA funding. [00:26:45] I don't want someone, [00:26:46] the commissioner of 10 years down the road, [00:26:48] coming back and saying that we misused funds, [00:26:50] so I just want to be clear on that. [00:26:52] All right, perfect. [00:26:57] Move for approval. [00:26:59] Second. [00:27:00] We have a motion and a second to the maker. [00:27:03] Mr. Razzani, I appreciate your points. [00:27:06] Obviously, the city of New Porichy's CRA [00:27:12] has kind of been its defined element [00:27:15] since day one, correct? [00:27:17] Since 2001, the area that we, [00:27:21] as a CRA, is the same area that was the CRA in 2001. [00:27:25] Is that fair? [00:27:27] So, it isn't like we incrementally increased it, [00:27:31] or we decided we need a bigger shoe size, [00:27:34] or, you know, it's been, you know, widely held. [00:27:40] And then, obviously, in 2012, [00:27:43] as a group, we turned the CRA into a debt service model. [00:27:48] And I'm hoping that these folks are cognizant. [00:27:52] I doubt if they've faced that challenge [00:27:56] in any other CRA, maybe they have. [00:28:01] But obviously, repositioning the CRA [00:28:05] from what it was, where it went to, [00:28:08] and then turning it into a debt service model [00:28:10] under the old city manager, [00:28:14] and acting upon that. [00:28:17] Now we're gonna have to find a way to segment it [00:28:21] and undo that in this overview going forward, [00:28:26] as well as the definition of a couple of, [00:28:29] not only the corridor that previously existed, [00:28:32] which is 19 in the plan, [00:28:34] but really about how the CRA is gonna be positioned [00:28:38] for what may happen in the Marine Parkway District. [00:28:42] So, and am I reading this, [00:28:45] that we're looking at like a year-on process [00:28:48] to get back to some game plan? [00:28:52] Because I do... [00:28:55] On six months, I think it's six months, [00:28:57] and all the submitters had a six-month plan [00:28:59] in regard to that. [00:28:59] I'm hoping to move much faster than that. [00:29:02] Because I'd like, you know, obviously, [00:29:03] we'd all like to dovetail it into what's happening, [00:29:06] or, you know, to have with the budget elements, [00:29:09] you know, the budget itself, [00:29:11] because it's got a monumental impact, [00:29:14] the CRA with its values [00:29:16] and what you're able to do with the CRA, [00:29:18] even though we haven't done that [00:29:20] underneath its purviews in a number of years, [00:29:24] meaning that we could use it [00:29:25] to reinvest into community policing. [00:29:27] There's a whole series of things in that, [00:29:31] in the... [00:29:32] And, obviously, the life expectancy of our existing CRA. [00:29:37] And then, of course, what's happening on Tallahassee, [00:29:40] you know, they... [00:29:42] And I find it interesting that people, you know, [00:29:46] I've always looked at, [00:29:48] in most of our other city, you know, [00:29:50] Dade City, Zephyr Hills, [00:29:53] they all have CRAs, too. [00:29:55] And I've always felt, especially in Pasco County, [00:29:58] if your cities are doing well... [00:30:00] They're the legs holding up the rest of the table, and we're not out there asking them [00:30:06] for money and all this other stuff. [00:30:08] I think that's a good thing, but I'm getting the sense these days that they like that money, [00:30:16] but I haven't seen money that we've given to the tourist development tax side and some [00:30:20] other things to come back reinvested in, especially the West Pasco area, but more specifically [00:30:27] into some of our cities. [00:30:30] I'm trying to understand and make sure that these consultants and this CRA redrafting [00:30:37] understands and you've given me the sense that they understand where we are in time [00:30:43] right now, because to me it's important as the next step out, because I've always felt [00:30:51] the CRA, and I've advocated it for it, along with some penny for Pasco dollars, because [00:30:58] I feel like the more you can reinvest, since the CRA does cover more than just the downtown, [00:31:04] it does cover the city, that that reinvestment back into those neighborhoods is a tide that [00:31:12] when it rises has a monumental impact on value and dollars that you get back in to make those [00:31:21] good quality things happen. [00:31:23] I agree with you from the evaluation of the team they have that they should be able to [00:31:28] hit the ground running because they're not somebody we're bringing in from Orlando or [00:31:33] West Palm or Jacksonville that really doesn't understand or haven't had a sense of a little [00:31:39] bit of the identity of what New Port Richey is. [00:31:42] You know, Councilman, I looked at, I also think it's really important to have diversity [00:31:48] and when I looked at this, you know, the third group we had selected was a very small [00:31:55] Agile group, and the other firms were all large, very similar to what we saw with Kimley [00:32:02] Horn and SME, which had actually merged. [00:32:06] They're really great groups across the boards, but to me it was really important to have [00:32:10] a degree of diversity, but when it really came down to the scoring and came down to [00:32:15] the facts of the case, and I believe the finance director and I had the same exact [00:32:22] identical scores across the boards, and we do really, really look at trying to bring [00:32:29] new blood because I teach this thing at the university called weak tie relationships where [00:32:33] it's always good to kind of bring in people from the outside for a different perspective [00:32:36] because it adds to creativity and it adds for product development. [00:32:42] However, they clearly demonstrated in their preparation, their analysis, you know, and [00:32:50] the facts that were presented and the depth of the report that they provided, and they [00:32:55] just edged out the number two, and the city manager gave me a lot of levity to select [00:32:59] the number two, but I had to think about it long and hard as to who would be the best [00:33:03] because I was looking for a greater degree of diversity in terms of input from other [00:33:08] organizations, and it really came down to the three staff members that they're going [00:33:13] to provide us access to, and the final component is that I believe that city staff is a really [00:33:19] strong familiarity with the CRA, and I think that with the public who are familiar with [00:33:23] it over the years and the contribution that they're going to provide to the CRA plan, [00:33:27] and I think that this is an excellent group across the board with the CRA board and everybody [00:33:32] that we're going to be able to drive the direction of the CRA plan in terms of what it needs, [00:33:36] and hopefully we can guide it properly this time. [00:33:40] Comments? [00:33:41] Thank you. [00:33:42] I just want to put out there that I want, for $55,000, I want a complete product. [00:33:50] I don't want Kimberly Horne to come back and say, well, we need a few more dollars to finish [00:33:54] the product. [00:33:55] I just have a track record based on their product. [00:34:00] Yeah, absolutely right, Councilman. [00:34:02] And that's it. [00:34:03] I want a complete product at this price, no questions asked. [00:34:09] Thank you. [00:34:11] The sooner we can get this done, the better. [00:34:14] There is clearly some people at the county level that desperately need education. [00:34:23] The report that we received that indicated that we have a commissioner who was advocating [00:34:32] the dissolution of the CRA, presumably so we could have more urban sprawl in Wesley [00:34:37] Chapel. [00:34:39] We need to combat that, but we need good, solid documentation to do that. [00:34:44] The CRA has proven to be a lifesaver for this community. [00:34:48] It is the way that we have funded any number of the initiatives that are working to revitalize [00:34:55] the city of Newport Riching. [00:34:57] It is important for it to continue, and to have that community redevelopment plan updated [00:35:04] so that it is current, I think, is critically important. [00:35:09] Any further discussion? [00:35:10] Hearing none, all those in favor, please signify by saying aye.

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5. 5Adjournment▶ 35:13