CRA (Community Redevelopment Agency) approved a $25,000 leasehold grant for The Social in the former Vincenzo's space and a $15,000 Main Street MOU through September 2020.
6 items on the agenda · 3 decisions recorded
On the agenda
- 1Call to Order - Roll Call▶ 0:00
- 2
Approval of April 23, 2019 CRA Meeting Minutes
approvedThe CRA Board approved the minutes from the April 23, 2019 CRA meeting.
- motion:Approve the April 23, 2019 CRA meeting minutes. (passed)
▶ Jump to 0:20 in the videoShow transcriptHide transcript
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[00:00:20] First item on the agenda is the approval of the April 23rd meeting minutes. [00:00:22] Move for approval. [00:00:23] Second. [00:00:24] Any discussion? [00:00:25] Hearing none, all those in favor, please signify by saying aye. [00:00:28] Aye. [00:00:29] Opposed, like sign. [00:00:31] Motion passes.
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.
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The Social Interior Leasehold Improvement Grant
approvedThe CRA Board approved a $25,000 leasehold improvement matching grant for The Social, the new establishment in the former Vincenzo's location downtown. The applicants invested over $50,000 to bring the property into compliance, with overall capital investment around $400,000 and creating 32 new jobs.
- motion:Approve $25,000 leasehold improvement grant for The Social. (passed)
▶ Jump to 0:32 in the videoShow transcriptHide transcript
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[00:00:32] Next item is leasehold improvement grant for the social. [00:00:36] Yes, sir. [00:00:37] Mr. Mayor, members of the City Council, this agenda item represents a request for a $25,000 [00:00:45] grant, the purpose of which was to bring the former Vincenzo's, which was in great disrepair, [00:00:56] into compliance so that it could open as the social. [00:01:01] The purpose of the loan program is to reduce the initial costs that are associated with [00:01:07] repair and renovation of buildings in the downtown area. [00:01:11] It is a matching incentive grant, so over $50,000 has been invested in the property [00:01:20] to bring it into current compliance with not only building codes, but also, for those of [00:01:28] you that have been there, it is a very fine establishment and a welcome mix to our downtown [00:01:35] business community. [00:01:37] Thank you. [00:01:38] I'll open it up for public comment. [00:01:42] Seeing no one coming forward, I'll bring it back to Council. [00:01:45] Mayor, this falls within the grants that we've got. [00:01:48] Yes, this is the most recent grant program. [00:01:50] The overall capital investment was about $400,000 for this project. [00:01:55] It created 32 new jobs in addition to that. [00:01:59] And this is a very interesting mix of entrepreneurs. [00:02:03] They're very highly talented, all three of them. [00:02:06] And additionally, to get through the process, the grant program requires a review committee [00:02:10] and the three people standing here to review the application. [00:02:13] All the paperwork was in order. [00:02:16] And the review committee recommended a city manager, and the city manager has moved it [00:02:20] on to you for approval. [00:02:21] Very good. [00:02:22] Entertain a motion. [00:02:23] Move for approval. [00:02:24] Oh, boy, we're all jumping on this one. [00:02:26] I've lost... [00:02:28] There's only four of us, and I'm in third here. [00:02:31] All right. [00:02:33] Mr. Murphy, I believe you got your... [00:02:36] No, they went all out and doing everything to bring that property back up to snuff. [00:02:41] And if you've been in there, you see they really went all out and spared no expense. [00:02:45] And they have a real investment in the community. [00:02:48] So, I mean, absolutely, they did a fabulous job. [00:02:50] And my understanding, they have more stuff coming, so... [00:02:54] That's correct. [00:02:55] Yeah. [00:02:56] Ms. Davis, I believe you had the first second. [00:02:59] I have been there, and I'm, of course, elated that it's here. [00:03:05] But a couple things I just want to say to the people that are home. [00:03:08] If you haven't been there and eaten yet, please go there and eat. [00:03:11] And if you haven't been there for the dueling pianos, they are just a lot of fun. [00:03:15] I mean, everybody's singing. [00:03:17] It's just a really nice, great addition to the community. [00:03:20] Mr. Allman? [00:03:22] All has been said. [00:03:23] It's all true. [00:03:24] Very good. [00:03:25] I'm looking forward to getting there myself. [00:03:27] We figured we'd give them a couple weeks to get settled in before we went. [00:03:32] But this grant, this sort of renovation, is exactly what the CRAs were originally designed to do, [00:03:42] which is to help revitalize areas and properties that have been neglected for an extended period of time, [00:03:53] bring them back to life. [00:03:54] And I'm excited to see it, so I definitely support this. [00:04:01] Any other discussion? [00:04:04] Hearing none, all those in favor, please signify by saying aye. [00:04:07] Aye. [00:04:08] Opposed, like sign. [00:04:09] Motion passes.
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.
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Memorandum of Understanding with New Port Richey Main Street
approvedThe CRA Board approved a Memorandum of Understanding with New Port Richey Main Street for administration of the four-point National Main Street Center Program. The agreement is a $15,000 annual contract with quarterly payments, lasting through September 30, 2020, with two notable changes from prior versions: removal of the downtown office requirement and removal of the city representative on the Main Street Board.
- motion:Move for approval of the MOU with New Port Richey Main Street. (passed)
Florida Redevelopment Association (FRA)Institute of GovernmentNational Main Street CenterNew Port Richey Main StreetCouncilman AltmanLiz MeismerMr. DavisMs. MannsCRA planCommunity Redevelopment Specialist credentialing programFour-point approach National Main Street Center ProgramMemorandum of Understanding with New Port Richey Main StreetSeafood Festival / Seafest closeout report▶ Jump to 4:10 in the videoShow transcriptHide transcript
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[00:04:10] Next is a memorandum of understanding with New Port Richey Main Street. [00:04:14] Ms. Manns? [00:04:15] Yes, sir, Mr. Mayor. [00:04:17] This agenda item is advanced for your consideration this evening [00:04:23] to allow the staff to enter into a memorandum of understanding with the New Port Richey Main Street Program [00:04:32] as it relates to the administration of a four-point approach National Main Street Center Program. [00:04:41] The requirements set forth in the agreement are fairly consistent with what has been done in the past. [00:04:49] The Main Street Program is required to employ professional staff. [00:04:55] They're required to establish work plan goals and accomplishments. [00:05:01] They are required to conduct meetings and submit meeting minutes. [00:05:08] And there are two changes to the memorandum of understanding that you last had before you. [00:05:19] One relates to the requirement to have a downtown office. [00:05:23] That is no longer a requirement in the agreement. [00:05:27] The final point is in the past, [00:05:31] the Main Street Board used to have a city representative on the Board. [00:05:38] It is no longer called for as a requirement under the agreement. [00:05:43] With that being said, we are recommending that you consider favorably entering into an MOU with New Port Richey Main Street. [00:05:52] Very good. [00:05:53] And we have Ms. Liz Meismer in attendance with a couple members of the Board. [00:05:58] They're way in the back of the room now. [00:06:00] There they are. [00:06:01] I'll open it up for general public comment. [00:06:03] Ms. Meismer, you might want to wander down in case anybody has any questions. [00:06:07] But seeing no one come forward, I will bring it back to the CRA Board. [00:06:15] I'll move for approval of the MOU. [00:06:17] Second. [00:06:19] Second. [00:06:20] To the maker. [00:06:23] Yes, just it's a straightforward and it is a $15,000 annual sort of contract, [00:06:34] but we're talking about quarterly payments. [00:06:36] We're in June. [00:06:37] I guess there would be a duration. [00:06:39] Thank you for bringing up that point, Councilman Altman. [00:06:42] The duration of the agreement is one fiscal year plus three months. [00:06:51] So we'll effectuate this. [00:06:54] After you approve it, it will last through the remainder of this fiscal year [00:06:59] and through the next fiscal year. [00:07:02] So it will last September 30th of 2020. [00:07:12] Okay. [00:07:13] That being said, in reading the obligations of the Main Street Program, [00:07:18] the first obligation is the employment of a paid professional. [00:07:22] And we see Liz here today. [00:07:25] I would like to suggest, and I know that we still have our budget, [00:07:29] so we're approving something that we're going to actually have in the next fiscal year. [00:07:33] Effectively, perhaps the thought is that would settle the issue. [00:07:38] I believe that in order for us to encourage the professional who's on that, [00:07:46] that we should offer to assist her in the credentialing of her profession. [00:07:53] So there is a new Institute of Government has created a program in concert with the FRA [00:08:03] to have a community redevelopment specialist. [00:08:06] And there is a training program. [00:08:08] And it's not inexpensive, but I think it's several hundred dollars per portion. [00:08:17] If it comes down to that organization needing assistance in training of their professional, [00:08:22] I would be in favor of that when the time comes. [00:08:25] It's not in the agreement now, but I wanted to mention that because I think it's so important [00:08:29] that we have the proper and full training that's available. [00:08:34] Thank you. [00:08:36] Yeah, just going off of his, is that something that we have done in the past? [00:08:41] In response to the question, we have administered the Main Street Program in a number of different ways. [00:08:50] And certainly the city could incur the expense. [00:08:55] It would not be my recommendation that we do that, [00:08:58] but I will carry out your collective wishes in a non-prejudiced fashion. [00:09:03] It isn't a huge expenditure of funds, I would expect. [00:09:08] But the city does, in addition to the $15,000 of direct support to the program, [00:09:16] does provide in-kind support for their special events. [00:09:20] It aggregates to a number in excess of $40,000 per year. [00:09:26] So I feel that they could do their part and pay for the professional training of staff. [00:09:33] A question coming back. [00:09:36] Mr. Allman touched on it, but then didn't chase it. [00:09:42] Is it your intent to, assuming that we adopt this contract tonight, [00:09:47] to prorate the payment for the remaining part of June, [00:09:52] which is in a separate quarter from the July to September quarter? [00:09:58] I can respond by telling you, yes, it will be prorated, [00:10:02] but they need to provide three months' worth of documentation in order to be eligible for the first quarter payment. [00:10:11] Mr. Davis? [00:10:13] I just did a quick glance. [00:10:14] I couldn't remember, but does this still have them coming and seeing us once a year? [00:10:20] They would make quarterly reports to the city council. [00:10:24] All right. [00:10:25] Because I think some of the downfall of the last group was that they didn't come around and see us often enough. [00:10:32] Main Street Group has indicated that they would like to see you with some regularity. [00:10:36] Okay. [00:10:37] Thank you. [00:10:39] One other observation, and it's probably slightly premature but only very slightly. [00:10:49] It's my understanding that all of these special events are supposed to submit a closeout report in the 30-, [00:10:59] 45-day timeframe, if memory serves me. [00:11:04] And so we've got one coming up shortly for the Seafood Festival. [00:11:09] I failed to communicate to you earlier today, [00:11:13] but I did learn late in the day that we are due a report on Seafest on Monday of next week. [00:11:21] And so I will then in turn pass it along to all of you. [00:11:24] Very good. [00:11:25] Mr. Allman? [00:11:26] Yes, just a final thing in looking at the obligations, again, under Article V of the agreement. [00:11:33] The Item 3 indicates implementing a comprehensive program based on the four-point approach. [00:11:39] We've talked about that. [00:11:40] But it shall include the development of an annual work program to be submitted to the city within 90 days. [00:11:49] And I just want to make sure that, and I spoke to the group yesterday about this, [00:11:56] but the city has a substantial CRA plan with a million dollars incentives, as we've seen. [00:12:03] So to the degree that this agreement could be interpreted that the work of the redevelopment is being contracted out [00:12:15] for $15,000 plus to an organization, the submittal of the plan to the city or to the CRA is great. [00:12:26] The coordination of their plan with our plan is so critical. [00:12:30] And we've had this discussion before, but, you know, we're all a team. [00:12:33] I'm trying to say that whenever I talk to anybody. [00:12:37] And I want to make sure that we're working together on the plan versus trying to hold folks accountable to a $15,000 contract, [00:12:48] which is a bit nebulous at sort of exactly what part of the plan they would contribute. [00:12:55] For example, they have a design committee. [00:12:57] We also have design people in the city, and we've got a whole bunch of folks working on those same kinds of things. [00:13:04] And if the past has been part of a problem of folks running forward on projects that might not be our projects, [00:13:14] what I'm going to be looking for is a close relationship with these organizations, [00:13:19] and particularly with this organization with the city. [00:13:22] I'm sure that's occurring. [00:13:24] Nothing's been said to the opposite. [00:13:26] But just to upstart, this is exciting times. [00:13:29] We just had the social thing. [00:13:32] A lot of stuff is happening. [00:13:34] We're all working on it together is my approach. [00:13:36] And so this is not a contract to do our job. [00:13:40] It's a contract for you to work the business community to help us all work together to do our job the way I see it. [00:13:47] Any other comments? [00:13:50] Only, Mr. Mayor, that the Main Street program, by nature of its structure, [00:13:59] is a partnership between the city and the Main Street program. [00:14:04] And I think the point being raised by Councilman Altman is that we have to be fully integrated in a partnership. [00:14:10] And in that respect, we will be backfilling some of their committees with city staff so that we improve our communication link. [00:14:21] Any other discussion, comments? [00:14:24] Hearing none, all those in favor, please signify by saying aye. [00:14:27] Aye. [00:14:28] Aye. [00:14:29] Opposed, like sign. [00:14:30] Motion passes.
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.
- 5Communications▶ 14:31
- 6Adjournment▶ 17:03