Fort Walton Beach Council minutes — 06-26-12 cra meeting — reading text

21 Final Minutes City of Fort Walton Beach Regular Meeting of the Community Redevelopment Agency Tuesday, June 26, 2012 5: 00 PM 105 Miracle Strip Parkway Iron Walton Brach, FL 32548 Call to Order 5: 00 PM Meeting was called to order on June 26, 2012 at Council Chamber, 107 Miracle Strip Parkway, Fort Walton Beach, FL. Attendee Name Title Status Arrived Bobby Griggs Council Seat l Present Joyce gossom Council Seat 2 Present Dennis Reeves Council Seat 3 Present Trey Goodwin Council Seat 4 Present Bobby Nabors Council Seat 5 Present 5: 02 PM Bull Rigdon Council Seat 6 Present Dick Rynearson Council Seat 7 Present CRA Chairman Dennis Reeves called the meeting to order. Mr. Nabors arrived at S 0? o. Pledge of Allegiance Presentations None. Approval of Agenda The vote on the motion to approve the agenda as presented carried unanimously. RESULT: APPROVED IUNANIMOUS] MOVER: Bull Rigdon, Council Seat 6 SECONDER: Joyce gossom, Council Seat 2 AYES: ABSENT: Griggs, gossom, Reeves, Goodwin, Rigdon, Rynearson Bobby Nabors Approval of Minutes The vote on the motion to approve the minutes ofFebruary 14, 2012, and April 10, 2012, carried unanimously. Commurllly 8edewtopment Agency Page 1 Prrn( ed 6271I012 W June 26, 2012 Regular Meeting Minutes RESULT: APPROVED IUNANIMOUS] MOVER: Dick Rynearson, Council Seat 7 SECONDER: Joyce gossom, Council Seat 2 AYES: Griggs, gossom, Reeves, Goodwin, Nabors, Rigdon, Rynearson Public Comments None. Update and Discussion of Downtown Pedestrian Improvement Project - Michael Beedie, Acting City Manager, updated the Board on the downtown pedestrian improvements, primarily the crosswalk in front of the Heritage Park and Cultural Center, advising the firm of Goodwyn, Mills and Cawood ( GM &C) has been coordinating with the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) to determine the improvements the FDOT would approve. Mr. Beedie informed the FDOT has approved the constmction of the mast arm signage with flashing lights for " Heavy Pedestrian Traffic," rumble strips prior to crosswalks, and special emphasis crosswalks with high visibility striping. Improvements denied by FDOT include raised crosswalks, radar enabled speed limit signs, land delineators prior to and after the crosswalk in front of the Heritage Park and Cultural Center, and pedestrian signals with flashing lights at the Heritage Park and Cultural Center crosswalk. Mr. Beedie advised that both GM &C and Staff has corresponded and has had conversations with FDOT regarding the dangerous environment along the US Highway 98 corridor in downtown Fort Walton Beach, but only minor improvements have been preliminary approved by FDOT. Staff is also coordinating with the County to determine what improvements to the traffic signals can be made to improve pedestrian safety at various intersections in downtown Fort Walton Beach. Mr. Rynearson advised the TPO will be conducting public workshops on July 19 in Niceville, and asked citizens to attend and voice their concerns. Mr. Reeves asked for input from the downtown merchants that were present. Ellen Dickson, whose business is located at 148 Miracle Strip Parkway, expressed her continued concern about pedestrian safety, and thanked the City for the work they have done. She asked what she as a business owner can do to put the fire under the FDOT to make them aware of the danger downtown. She also suggested the City finds ways to provide better signage at the . crosswalk to make it visible to motorists. Tara Wesley, whose business is located at 222 Miracle Strip Parkway, stated business is increasing downtown and that motorists drive faster than the 25 mph speed limit, often times driving 35 -45 mph. Ms. Wesley stated business owners may have to go above the city and contact their representatives to take action. Page 2 Primed 612712012 Community Redevelopment Agency  Regular Meeting Minutes June 26, 2012 Valerie Wenzel, owner of several downtown properties, suggested working with FDOT on the approved improvements, then begin working on requesting further improvements, and her opinion that FDOT should accommodate the approximate one -mile stretch downtown to accommodate pedestrians. Tom Knowles, whose business is at 120 Eglin Parkway, expressed his concern regarding crosswalks in all business related areas of downtown, including one in front of his business, and stated his feeling that safe traffic is needed at all locations. Jeff Frame, whose business is located at 152 Miracle Strip Parkway, expressed his concern regarding the crosswalk in front of the Heritage Park and Cultural Center on Highway 98. Becky Buckner expressed concern regarding the speed of the traffic and that pedestrians cross wherever they can. Officer Candy Galindo of the Fort Walton Beach Police Department stated numerous complaints are received about the crosswalk in front of the Heritage Park and Cultural Center and she has assisted people cross the street at that location numerous times. Officer Galindo stated it is her personal opinion that if the crosswalk cannot be made safer, it should be eliminated. Mr. Reeves stated the mid -block crosswalk in front of the Heritage Park and Cultural Center on Highway 98 is a definite safety issue which needs to be addressed, to include closure on a temporary or permanent basis. Mr. Reeves further stated once that crosswalk is taken care of, focus can be given to the remaining crosswalks downtown, all of which are a concern to the City. Mr. Rigdon suggested that the merchants of downtown send letters to our state representative and senator, as well as the county, and that a letter from the City should also be considered asking the representative and senator for help with the problem, as well as using the voice of the Council to make FDOT aware of the situation. Dr. gossom agreed, stating that lending the voice of the City Council in appealing to the FDOT and representatives is the best way to make them aware of the concerns of the City, and also that the City should look out ofthe box at ways to improve pedestrian safety. Courtney Zolley, Art Walk Director for downtown, discussed the police presence in Gulf Breeze that slows down traffic. Kay Rasmussen of the EDC stated the EDC recognizes this issue as a problem for the City and that it is also a quality of life and quality of place issue. Ms. Rasmussen advised the EDC pledges their support to help resolve the issue and will be writing a letter to representatives as well as the FDOT. Mr. Beedie informed Staff will proceed to work with the police department on a temporary basis to the crosswalk, and noted the City is working with the county and FDOT on the crosswalk at Florida Place, Community Redevelopment Agency Page 3 Printed 62712012  Minutes June 26, 2012 Approval of 2012 CRA Plan Update Stella Jones, City Planner, advised the 2012 CRA Plan Update was revised to take into consideration current economic conditions. Ms. Jones further advised the current draft includes the Design Guidelines goals and the correction of typographical errors. If approved by the CRA Board the CRA Plan will be forwarded to City Council for adoption. A The vote on the motion to approve the CRA Plan Update and forward it to City Council for adoption carried unanimously. RESULT: APPROVED [ UNANIMOUS] MOVER: Joyce gossom, Council Seat 2 SECONDER: Bull Rigdon, Council Seat 6 AYES: Griggs, gossom, Reeves, Goodwin, Nabors, Rigdon, Rynearson Discussion of Proposed FY 2012 -13 CRA Budget Tim Bolduc, Development Services Manager, discussed the major points of the proposed CRA budget including personnel services, operating expenditures, and capital improvement programs. Mr. Bolduc informed other items being considered include the renovation of the Vandegriff Park chapel into a police substation, which is not part of the budget but has generated interest downtown. Mr. Bolduc also advised the City has received positive feedback from the public regarding the incentive programs being offered The vote on the motion to approve the proposed FY 2012 -13 CRA Budget carried unanimously. RESULT: APPROVED [ UNANIMOUS] MOVER: Bull Rigdon, Council Seat 6 SECONDER: Bobby Nabors, Council Seat 5 AYES: Griggs, gossom, Reeves, Goodwin, Nabors, Rigdon, Rynearson Director /Staff Reports None. CRA Board Member Reports None. Adjourn: 5: 41 pm Commmtlry Redevelo,. Iw Agermy Page 4