Fort Walton Beach Council agenda — 06-26-12 regular — reading text

Council approval for the proposed CRA Development Assistance Grant Program Mr. Bolduc discussed the CRA Development Assistance Grant Program which will offer funding H to businesses or developments who wish to relocate to or expand in the City's CRA District. The program funding will cover development fees such as building pcmtit and inspections fees, and .. c other fees associated with the new or expanding budget. E r Mr. Bolduc advised Staff revised the current program guidelines to allow a request of up to 20,000 with large projects being forward to Council for review and approval. The vote on the motion to approve the CRA Development Assistance Grant Program and authorize Staff to begin advertising the program and accept applications for the program carried unanimously. RESULT: APPROVED [ UNANIMOUS] MOVER: Dick Rynemson, Council Seat 7 SECONDER: Bobby Nabors, Council Seat 5 AYES: Griggs, gossom, Reeves, Goodwin, Nabors, Rigdon, Rynearson Page 3 Cin, Council of For, Walton Beach Petket Pg. 11  8. 1. a Minutes June 12, 2012 Regular Meeting CRA Facade Grant Program Creates a new CRA Facade Matching Grant Program to encourage property owners to make improvements to existing buildings. Mr. Bolduc discussed the new CRA Facade Matching Grant Program to assist in the elimination of blight in the CRA area by enhancing the appearance and condition of commercial structures in the City. The program would provide 50% of eligible costs to property owners who wish to make improvements to the exterior of their building( s), and would include painting, stucco, masonry work, building signage, and other improvements. Like the other programs, requests larger than $ 20, 000 would be brought before Council for review and approval. N Lee Bobo, 38 Memorial Parkway, questioned the 50% matching grant and stated the City is N trying to balance the budget and funding does not have to be spent at this time in the CRA area. a The vote on the motion to approve the CRA Facade Matching Grant Program and authorize Staff to begin advertising the program and accept applications carried unanimously.. RESULT: MOVER: APPROVED [ UNANIMOUS] Bobby Nabors, Council Seat 5 5dvEc 0 SECONDER: joyce gossom, Council Seat 2 AYES: Griggs, gossom, Reeves, Goodwin, Nabors, Rigdon, Rynearson n Q Approval of CRA Nuisance Abatement Program Requests City Council approval of the CRA Nuisance Abatement Program. mm Mr. Bolduc advised the intent of the CRA Nuisance Program is to remove blight in the CRA area Nc with eligible projects being those that are going through the Code Enforcement process for code violations or those properties designated blighted, unsafe, or a nuisance. Eligible expenses include building repairs related to the violation or the identified nuisance, building demolition, e and other costs necessary to bring the property into compliance. Expenditures exceeding c 20,000 under this program will be brought before Council for review and approval. E ruN The vote on the motion to approve the CRA Nuisance Abatement Program and authorize Staff to begin advertising the program and accept applications .carried unanimously. RESULT: APPROVED [ UNANIMOUS] MOVER: Bull Rigdon, Council Seat 6 SECONDER: Dennis Reeves, Council Seat 3 AYES: Griggs, gossom, Reeves, Goodwin, Nabors, Rigdon, Ryncarson Approval of CRA Commercial Revolving Loan Fund Program Requests City Council approval of the CRA Commercial Revolving Loan Fund program. Mr. Bolduc explained the CRA Commercial Revolving Loan Fund program is designed to encourage private investment by providing up to $ 100, 000 to qualified new and expanding businesses that create new jobs in the area. Pa e4 Ciry Counci[, fFoo WnIron Beach Paeke4 Pg: 12  B. t. a Minutes June 12, 2012 Regular Meeting He continued the program functions as a revolving loan whereby funds are " loaned" out and then paid back through a short- term, low -interest payback plan. The program would be administered through a partnership between the CRA and local banks, and would not come into play until this time next year. The vote on the motion to approve the CRA Commercial Revolving Loan fund Program and authorize Staff to begin coordinating with local banks to administer the program and finalize application procedures and criteria carried unanimously. RESULT: APPROVED( UNANIMOUSJ MOVER: Bobby Nabors, Council Seat 5 SECONDER: Trey Goodwin, Council Seat 4 AYES: Griggs, gossom, Reeves, Goodwin, Nabors, Rigdon, Rynearson O Approval of CRA Land Value Investment Program Requests City Council approval of CRA Land Value Investment Program. m c The final program discussed by Mr. Bolduc was the CRA Land Value Investment Program which is designed to stimulate growth in the community by returning vacant and underutilized d 5 properties to productive use. Mr. Bolduc advised that if Council approves the program, Staff will create and maintain a database of identified properties for use in the program and begin identifying potential subject properties. m Council discussion included the possibility of including property owned by the city and that all 0, the properties find their way back to the tax roll. d M The vote on the motion to approve the CRA Land Value Investment program carried unanimously. m RESULT: APPROVED [ UNANIMOUS] MOVER: Bull Rigdon, Council Seat 6 SECONDER: Dick Rynearson, Council Seat 7 c AYES: Griggs, gossom, Reeves, Goodwin, Nabors, Rigdon, Rynearson Request for Code Enforcement Fine Waiver at 653 Country Club Avenue r The property owner of 653 Country Club Avenue has requested a release of liens for existing Q Code Enforcement fines on the property. Tim Bolduc, Development Services Manager, advised the property owner of 653 Country Club Avenue requested this item be removed from the agenda. He explained the past several years numerous violations were brought against the property and the owner had submitted a letter requesting that the lien be removed and all administrative fees waived. However, using the criteria found in the mitigation policy for code enforcement liens, Staff is recommending that the property owner pay the recommended amount to include administrative fees in an amount of 15, 982. 50. Mr. Bolduc informed the total accrued lien amount total $ 41, 950.00 in addition to 1, 300.00 in administrative fees. Mr. Bolduc stated Staff has done their best to provide all requested information to the applicant, but she has decided to pursue legal counsel. N, 5 Co, Cou "dl ofF "n WWIro" ee„, a Paeket89. i3  8. 1. a Minutes June 12, 2012 Regular Meeting Council questioned whether this was considered a quasi -judicial proceeding and the City Attorney advised it was not since no testimony is being made. Mr. Nabors moved to authorize the Mayor to execute a Release of Lien( s) for the property at 653 Country Club Avenue NE within three ( 3) days of the properly owner paying the recommended mitigated amount with administrative fees of $ 15, 982. 50 as outlined in Section 1. 05. 08 of the code of Ordinances. Mr. Reeves seconded motion. The City Attorney informed that if the applicant receives legal counsel, any vote by Council would limit the fine amount to what the ordinances states and not the full amount of the lien, and that it might be wise not to take action until the case is brought back to Council. Mr. Bolduc explained the process and the mitigation schedule