Community Redevelopment Agency - November 10, 2020

Community Redevelopment Agency

Regular Meeting

November 10, 2020

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, November 10, 2020.

 Call to Order/Determination of a Quorum

Vice-Chairperson Diesel called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m. Present were Vice-Chairperson Dan Diesel and Members Jim Ball, Robert Jordan, Jo Lynn Nelson, Greg Aker and Sarah Stoeckel. Chairperson Walt Johnson was absent. Also present were Executive Director Scott Larese, Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) Attorney Richard Broome, and Sr. Administrative Assistant Caitlin Rodriguez who also completed the minutes. 

Invocation/Pledge of Allegiance

Vice-Chairperson Diesel asked for a moment of silence and then led the entire assembly in the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag. Sr. Administrative Assistant Caitlin Rodriguez read the procedure for public comment. 

Approval of Minutes 

Motion:

Member Jordan moved to approve the minutes of the Community Redevelopment Agency meeting on Tuesday, September 8, 2020. Member Ball seconded the motion. The roll call vote was as follows:  

Member Aker                          Yes

Member Jordan                       Yes

Member Nelson                      Yes

Vice-Chairman Diesel             Yes

Member Stoeckel                    Yes

Member Ball                           Yes

The motion carried unanimously. 

Special Recognitions and Presentations – None. 

Old Business – None.                                   

New Business 

Agreement with the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Merritt Island Wildlife Association to Utilize Space in the Downtown Welcome Center as the Refuge’s Temporary Visitor Center - Executive Director Larese gave an overview of the item that was included in the agenda packet. The request was for the Community Redevelopment Agency to recommend terms and conditions to the City Attorney’s office in drafting a memorandum of understanding between the City, CRA, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the Merritt Island Wildlife Association to utilize available space in the Downtown Welcome Center.  

Laurilee Thompson submitted a public speaking card. Ms. Thompson, the president of the Fish and Wildlife Service, stated how excited she was for the opportunity to be in downtown Titusville at the Welcome Center. She felt that this would be an even better opportunity for the refuge to grow and to also bring visitors to the downtown Titusville area. 

Motion: 

Member Jordan moved to direct staff to develop a memorandum of understanding between the City, CRA, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the Merritt Island Wildlife Association. Member Nelson seconded the motion. The roll call vote was as follows:

Member Jordan                       Yes

Member Nelson                      Yes

Vice-Chairman Diesel             Yes

Member Stoeckel                    Yes

Member Ball                           Yes

Member Aker                          Yes 

Petitions and Requests from the Public Present

Marcia Gaedcke took a moment and gave the Community Redevelopment Agency a brief update on the Farmer’s Market that was being held every Friday in downtown Titusville. 

Stan Johnston expressed some concerns with the City of Titusville’s budget, etc. 

Executive Director’s Report 

Executive Director Larese advised that all items were informational only.

Member Aker stated that he owned several buildings in downtown Titusville and a few of his tenants had come to him wanting to open up restaurants. After research, Member Aker found that a grease trap was required to be installed for restaurants and could cost up to $15,000. Member Aker felt this could be a large undertaking for a small restaurant and could also be a hinderance to bringing restaurants to the downtown area. Member Aker inquired about the requirements in the Code regarding grease interceptors and grease traps. 

Community Redevelopment Planner Tim Ford stated that the Commercial Interior Renovation Grant covers fifty percent of the cost for interior plumbing requirements to meet code. Grease interceptors and grease traps are part of the Florida Building Code as well as the local code and would be eligible. 

Council provided direction to staff to add additional language to the guidelines of the Commercial Interior Renovation Grant that specifies grease interceptors and grease traps are eligible. 

With no further business to discuss, the meeting adjourned at 6:07 p.m.