March 14, 2023

  1. Minutes

Community Redevelopment Agency

Regular Meeting

March 14, 2023

 

The Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) of the City of Titusville, Florida met in regular session in the Council Chamber of City Hall, 555 South Washington Avenue, on Tuesday, March 14, 2023.

Call to Order/Determination of a Quorum

Chairperson Diesel called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m. Present were Chairperson Daniel Diesel, Vice-Chairperson Joe Robinson and Members Herman Cole, Jr. Col USAF Retired, Jo Lynn Nelson, Jim Ball, Dr. Sarah Stoeckel, and Greg Aker. Executive Director Scott Larese, Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) Attorney Richard Broome, and City Clerk Wanda Wells were also present. Sr. Administrative Assistant Emily Campbell completed the minutes of the meeting. 

Invocation/Pledge of Allegiance 

Chairperson Diesel asked for a moment of silence and then led the entire assembly in the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag. City Clerk Wanda Wells read the procedure for public comment.

Approval of Minutes

Motion:

Member Nelson moved to approve the minutes of the Community Redevelopment Agency meeting on Tuesday, February 14, 2023, as submitted. Member Ball seconded the motion.

 

The motion carried unanimously. 

Special Recognitions and Presentations – None. 

Old Business 

 

FY 2024 Proposed CRA Budget – Executive Director Larese advised that the request was to review and accept the proposed FY 2024 Budget. 

 

At the February 2023 Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) meeting, the CRA came to a consensus regarding the proposed FY2024 Budget, but requested that Street Art be added as an item in the Trail Town Amenities Capital Improvements budget account. A copy of the draft FY 2024 CRA Budget with Street Art specifically mentioned as an item in the Trail Town Amenities Capital Improvements project account. Staff contacted a representative of the Florida Department of Transportation to determine if the discussed street art was permitted on Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) jurisdiction right of ways. Based on the email, it appears that intersection crosswalk artwork possibly can be approved with a Landscape - Hardscape Agreement with FDOT however, if installed, the City would be responsible in perpetuity for any issues, maintenance, etc.

 

Member Nelson stated that she was in support of street art by the Titusville Play House. 

 

Stan Johnston stated that he received a letter from Florida Department of Environmental Protection regarding a sewage spill of 50,000 gallons that occurred on September 30. Mr. Johnston discussed testing the Indian River Lagoon for toxins. 

 

Motion: Member Nelson moved to accept the proposed FY 2024 Budget, as recommended. Member Cole seconded the motion. The roll call vote was as followed:

 

                                    Member Aker                          Yes 

Member Cole                          Yes

Member Nelson                      Yes

Chairman Diesel                     Yes

Vice-Chair Robinson              Yes

Member Ball                           Yes

Member Stoeckel                    Yes

 

The motion carried unanimously.

New Business

 

Fiscal Year 2022 City of Titusville Community Redevelopment Agency Annual Report – Executive Director Larese advised that the request was to approve the Fiscal Year 2022 Annual Report for the City of Titusville Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) and approve transmittal of the report to the CRA's creating municipality (City of Titusville) to meet the March 31st deadline. After the financial audit information has been completed, it would be added to the report, posted as required by Florida Statutes and courtesy copies would be sent to the taxing authorities in the county.

 

Member Ball thanked staff for the annual report.

 

Stan Johnston discussed the sewage spill that occurred in December 2020 and the fountains at Sand Point Park, etc.

 

Motion: Member Nelson moved to approve the Fiscal Year 2022 Annual Report for the City of Titusville Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) and approve transmittal of the report to the CRA's creating municipality (City of Titusville), as recommended. Member Stoeckel seconded the motion. The roll call vote was as followed:

 

Member Cole                          Yes

Member Nelson                      Yes

Chairman Diesel                     Yes

Vice-Chair Robinson              Yes

Member Ball                           Yes

Member Stoeckel                    Yes

Member Aker                          Yes

 

The motion carried unanimously.

Petitions and Request from the Public Present

 

Toni Shifalo stated that the Downtown Historic District does not have as many events or activities as it did prior to Covid-19 and she would like to be involved in making that change. 

 

Member Nelson stated that merchants in the downtown area were discussing having more events in downtown and Ms. Shifalo should contact them. 

 

Executive Director Larese stated that the Hamilton’s Hotel was planning on opening in April and the ground floor of the building was supposed to be an Activities and Creative Center. 

 

Member Ball stated that when he attended the Florida Redevelopment Conference, his awareness was heighted on how the CRA could spend money and sponsor events.

Stan Johnston stated that the Community Redevelopment Agency members were not replying to his emails. Mr. Johnston discussed dams in the City of Titusville, etc. 

Executive Directors Report

Executive Director Larese submitted his written report and advised that all items were informational only. 

Member Cole asked if there was a list of how the CRA funds could be spent.

 

Executive Director Larese stated that any item brought before the CRA had to be in the CRA plan or the CRA plan would have to be amended. 

With no further business to discuss, the meeting adjourned at 5:56 p.m.