The CRA Board held a regularly scheduled meeting on Monday, April 11, 2005 at 3:00 p.m. in the Commission Meeting Room at City Hall.
Walter T. Kelley, Mayor
Roger P. Schad, Mayor Pro Tem/Commissioner
Antonius G. Barnes, Commissioner
Jimmy H. Hughes, Commissioner
Frances Wittkopf, Commissioner
John B. Lynch, City Manager
Robert C. Jackson. City Attorney
John Colosetti, CRA Director
Mayor Kelley called the CRA Board meeting to order. The Commission will be acting as the CRA Board Committee.
Mr. John Colosetti, CRA Director, gave a presentation on the CRA Annual Report. This report is a requirement of the CRA legislation and has to be out by March 31, 2005. A copy has been provided to the Commission.
Item #3. Discussion and possible action regarding acceptance of the Storefront Design Guidelines:
Mr. John Colosetti, CRA Director, reported that the RMPK Group provided the City with a complete Storefront Design Guideline program for consideration. The Storefront Design Guidelines addresses storefront assistance programs, facade programs, general requirements and conditions. project designs, design review, construction and distribution of funds. Staff recommends adopting the Storefront Design Guidelines and have Mr. Colosetti present to the Board how this program will work.
Motion by Commissioner Schad: To approve the Storefront Design Guidelines
as presented.
Second to the motion: Commissioner Wittkopf.
On Vote:
Schad: aye
Barnes: aye
Wittkopf: aye
Hughes: aye
Kelley: aye Motion passed: 5-0
Item #4. Discussion and possible action regarding establishing an Architectural Review Committee:
Mr. John Colosetti, CRA Director, stated that the plan recommends that an Architectural Review Committee be established. This Committee is designed to approve designs, make sure they adhere to the Storefront Design Guidelines, and bring to the CRA Board for consideration. Applicants must choose an architect from a list of eligible architects that has been preselected based upon their understanding and experience of historically appropriate architectural design. Staff recommends that an RFQ be sent out with specifications and that the Committee interview/rank them. Staff recommends approval of the Architectural Review Committee and will put together a package to approve.
Motion by Commissioner Schad: To establish an Architectural Review
Committee.
Second to the motion: Commissioner Hughes.
On Vote:
Schad: aye
Barnes: aye
Wittkopf: aye
Hughes: aye
Kelley: aye Motion passed: 5-0
Item #5. Discussion and possible action regarding selection of the initial projects from the CRA Plan:
Staff recommends that the following three projects be done first, not in any particular order, under the CRA Plan:
- Major Gateway
- Facade improvements program
- Streetscapes in and around 9th Street
Motion by Commissioner Schad: To approve major gateway, facade
improvements and streets capes as the initial CRA projects.
Second to the motion: Commissioner Barnes.
On Vote:
Schad: aye
Barnes: aye
Wittkopf: aye
Hughes: aye
Kelley: aye Motion passed: 5-0
Item #6. Discussion and possible action regarding Resolution 2005-04-375, urging the RepLegislature to vote against HB 1521 and SB 2060:
These bills affect fielding for CRA's.
Motion by Commissioner Barnes: To recommend Resolution 2005-04-375 be presented at the Commission Meeting on April 12, 2005 for consideration.
Second to the motion: Commissioner Wittkopf.
On Vote:
Barnes: aye
Wittkopf: aye
Hughes: aye
Schad: aye
Kelley: aye Motion passed: 5-0
City Manager Lynch stated that Mr. John Colosetti has been appointed the CRA Director, has attended one CRA class and has spent a lot of time with Panama City and the Downtown Improvement Board. Staff suggests that at the first commission meeting of every month a CRA Board Meeting be held at 3:00 p.m.
City Attorney Jackson stated that at this time the CRA Board and the City Commission are one and the same. As the process develops over the next couple of years there will be a more definitive structure.
There was no further business to discuss and the meeting was adjourned at 3:37 p.m.
APPROVED THIS 10TH DAY OF MAY, 2005.
ATTEST:
Walter T. Kelley, Mayor
(Chairman of the CRA Board)
John B. Lynch, City Manager
