MINUTES

Community Redevelopment Agency Advisory Committee

August 20, 2008

  1. Call to Order. The meeting was called to order by Fred N. Thomas at 9:50 A.M.
  1. Roll Call and Announcement of Quorum. Advisory Board/EZDA:

Advisory Board/EZDA Members Present:

Fred N. Thomas, Jr., Richard Rice, Rick Heers, Ana Salazar, Kitchell Snow, Eva Deyo, Denise Handapangoda, PhD., Robert Halman, Floyd Crews, Ira Malamut, and Bernardo Barnhart.

Advisory Board/EZDA Members Absent/Excused:Captain Tom Davis, Julio Estremera and one vacancy..

Action:A quorum was announced as present.

Others Present: Noah Strandridge, Brooke Gabrielsen, Tracy Crowe, Bob Mulhere, Patrick Vanasse, Charles Ray, and Matt Hudson.

Staff:Penny Phillippi, Brad Muckel and Christie Betancourt.

  1. Introductions.
  1. Adoption of Agenda.

Action:Mr. Ricemoved to adopt the Agenda,Mr. Crewsseconded the motion and the Agenda was adopted by unanimous vote.

  1. Approval of Minutes. July 16, 2008

Action:Mr. Rice moved to approve the July 16, 2008Minutes, Mr. Heers seconded the motion and theMinutes were approved by unanimous vote.

  1. Communications.

1.Newspaper Articles.

2.Land Design Innovation Promotional Package.

3.Lands Available List

The Advisory Board Members requested that CRA staff provide a list of all available property for lease or for sale by email.

Mr. Rice requested a copy be sent to the Immokalee Chamber of Commerce.

4.FAC News & Notes

  1. Consent Agenda Items.
  1. Old Business.

1.41st Annual Florida Governor’s Conference on Tourism.

Staff reported that we are unable to attend this training because it was too late to get CRA approval. Please remove this item from your calendars.

2.Florida Redevelopment Association 2008 Annual Conference.

Staff informed the Board that this is the final call for names of all who plan to attend the FRA Annual Conference. Staff hopes to take the request to the CRA/BCC on September 9th in order to complete Purchase Order, travel, etc. in time for the October meeting. One member confirmed he will attend.

3.CountyCode Enforcement Monthly Highlights in Immokalee.

Kitchell Snow, Code Enforcement Supervisor made a brief report on Tropical Storm Fay with emphasis on health, safety, welfare and compliance.

  1. Redevelopment of the State Farmer’s Market.

Staff reported that they spoke to Mr. Craig Christ of the Florida Department of Agriculture on Friday, August 8, 2008. The dollar amount that FEMA offered was not enough to replace all of the building so the Department of Agricultural has filed a formal appeal. No other information is available.

  1. Status of SR 29 Bypass Project Schedule.

Bradley Muckel provided a report on the Florida Department of Transportation Meeting on August 7, 2008.

  1. East of 951 Infrastructures and Service Study.

Mr. Rice made a report and announced the next meeting at the Collier County UF/IFS Extension Education & training Center located at 14700 Immokalee Road on September 8, 2008 at 7:00 P.M.

Mr. Olesky requested a letter to be drafted to the MPO to thank them for repaving State Road 82 to the HendryCounty line at State Road 29.

Action:Mr. Crews made a motion to send a letter to the MPO department to thank them for repaving the road. Mrs. Salazar seconded the motion. The motion was passed by unanimous vote.

  1. Immokalee CRA Office.

Staff provided a photo of the entry into the Immokalee CRA office.

  1. New Projects in the Immokalee Area.

a.Haitian Bakery – Ce Bien Haitian Bakery is now opened.

b.Tradeport DRI South of Airport – Brooke Gabrialsen, Planner for Wilson Miller stated there is nothing new to report.

c.Big Cypress DRI – No report.

d.Family Dollar Store – No report.

e.Housing Authority Update – No update.

  1. Empowerment Allianceand Florida Non Profit Services. Item was discussed in the Joint Meeting.
  2. Request for support from the Church of the Nazarene.Item was discussed in the Joint meeting.
  3. Commercial Façade Improvement Program. Bradley Muckel provided outreach. He has distributed applications to many local businesses. He also reported 10 units are owned by the Blocker’s family were lease and lesser were reluctant to apply for the grant.
  4. Immokalee CRA Web Page Report.

Staff reported that the web page is up and running and provided the web site address.

  1. CollierCounty CDBG DRI Housing Program.

Christie Betancourt reported that she has distributed 92 applications, assisted with 87, 17 are complete and have been conveyed to the Collier County Housing Department.

  1. New Business
  2. CRA/BCC actions taken on Recommendations of the Advisory Board.

July 22, 2008 Meeting- All items were approved.

  1. Draft Impact Fee Reimbursement Program.

Staff newly developed economic incentive program wherein a business would be able to apply for reimbursement of 50% of the Impact Fees they paid into the County from CRA TIF funds.

The chairman asked members to review the program and provide comments to staff.

  1. Town Design Proposal.- Change Order to RWA Contract

Staff requested to the CRA Advisory Board for approval and a recommendation to take the Addendum to the RWA Contract forward to the CRA Governing Board. This Addendum essentially allows the CRA to develop the Town Design while developing the Land Development Codes for Immokalee.

The chairman asked RWA to remove the Farm workers task and bring a proposal and timeline to the September 17, 2008 CRA Meeting.

  1. September 2009 Immokalee Cultural Festival.

Staff requested instruction to develop a Request for Proposal for a festival planner. This solicitation would be for services to provide special event planning for a Cultural Festival in the Immokalee Community Redevelopment Area.

Action:Dr. Handapangodamade a motion to approve the Request for Proposal for a Festival Planner. Mrs. Salazar seconded the motion. The motion was passed by unanimous vote.

Action:Dr. Handapangoda made a motion to instruct staff to reevaluate the agenda format. Mr. Malamut seconded the motion.The motion passed by unanimous vote.

  1. Robert Soter Resignation email.

Staff reported on the resignation of Mr. Soter and tabled the letter of appreciation that was sent.

Action:Mrs. Salazar made a motion to table this item to the next meeting. Mr. Malamut seconded the motion.The motion passed by unanimous vote.

  1. Personnel Policies and Procedures Draft.

Ms. Phillippi provided the draft copy on personnel policies and procedures modeled after those written by legal staff for Sue Filson’s shop. These policies and procedures allow for fair treatment and a grievance procedures for employees who are not “county” employees under the CountyManager.

Action:Mr. Heers made a motion to table this item to the next meeting. Mr. Crews seconded the motion.The motion passed by unanimous vote.

  1. Citizen Comments.
  1. Next Meeting Date. September 17, 2008at 8:30 A.M.
  1. Adjournment The meeting was adjourned at 10:55A.M.

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