It's a little weak. Yeah. I'd like to call to order the Apakka Community
Redevelopment Agency meeting for August 24th, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. here at the
Apakka Community Center. Uh we will start with an approval of the CRA
meeting minutes for April 15, 2026. Uh did everyone have an opportunity to
review them? Any questions, any adjustments that need to be made?
If not, I will look for a motion to approve uh the CRA meeting minutes for
April 15, 2026. >> So moved.
» Moved by member Velasquez.
» Second by uh member Anderson. All those in favor say I.
» I. >> All opposed. Motion carries
[clears throat] unanimously. On to public comment. Mrs. Bone, do we have
anyone that has submitted a card to speak? Would anybody from the public
wish to speak or address the CRA board? If not, we will close public comment
period and move on to our new business. Uh, starting with the fifth street
lighting project. Who is running with that one?
» I can I can introduce it >> please.
» Louder than I expected. Sorry. And Forbes, economic development director.
So, we had been carrying a project under the CRA budget that was specifically
called Station Street Lighting Project. However, it did not have a defined
scope. When I reached out to Duke to try to get a little bit more um context, um
we walked the site and found that it might be more advantageous for it to be
um along Fifth Street instead of Station Street as at least a phase one of the
project. So throughout those conversations of which by the way the
representative from Duke is here um he uh started in that phase one by offering
us proposed scope as well as pricing. So as you know the CRA is able to fund for
infrastructure um but it will not be able to um pay for
ongoing maintenance. I just want to keep that in mind. Um and so is where did he
go? >> Oh there he is. Come on up. [laughter]
And so, uh, the gentleman here is Jerry, um, Brooks from Duke, and then he will
lead the presentation. >> Thank you.
» Do my best. >> Sorry, I meant to get here in time to
walk around and say hello, but uh, and great. I can't see that.
» Your mic [clears throat] on? I can't tell if your mic's on or not.
» Hello. >> There you go. Speak. Yeah. Right into
» All right. Speak right in here. >> Okay. So, this has been going on for a
couple of years that we've been trying to, I guess, put something on Fifth
Street or create an area for downtown that has that walkabout feeling of going
to restaurants and uh whatever activity is going on.
So going and visiting other cities that have lighting, the beastro type
lighting, and looking, you know, how they're mounting and things like that,
uh we've been able to come up with some ideas of how to put this together. And
as you know, we have Duke lights out there along the road, but we can't
attach anything to those lights to support something like this. There's a
lot of stress that goes between pole to pole to pole when you do this correctly.
I realize people can hang street, you know, string lights in your backyard and
things like that. Whole different situation when you're doing it
commercially and there's liability involved and things like that. So, this
is following a very professional installation.
Um, and it'll show you the mounting heights and things like that. So, I
don't want to just read this, but let me just kind of go through it. Um, so we're
looking at putting the lights um along Fifth Street in between uh Park and
Central, but not end to end. Like it would stop
just before the entrance here to this building. So on Fifth Street and then
going down about where that mark um like a food store or something on on that
corner there. So it would start at the beginning of that the beginning going
towards it. Okay. So you would have the lights coming down and they would cross
back and forth going down the road as we go. So that would take roughly 10 poles
uh in order to do that. The poles have to be separate from the poles we have
out there and they need to be concrete because when you're putting that stress
I could not find an aluminum pole that would support that. I tried because it
would be, you know, I'm tried to be the took the most coste effective route that
I could take in putting this together. So looking at it two different ways,
um, we I quoted it with and without audio. So you could play music and have
the speakers attached to the poles and done from the beginning with that
together. So, one of the things about when you go
to audio, um, we would go like every other poll
for speakers, but you're going to need an amplifier,
and then there would be a tuner, which is included in the cost. Um, but it's
it's kind of a streaming thing. So, we need Wi-Fi. So, you're going to have to
find a business along Fifth Street that would be willing to host the amplifier.
um you know for music if we go that route. So
all right maybe go next slide. I don't think I've talked that one out.
So we're looking at um about 950 lights. That's approximate
because when you get out there and you start putting them up it could change.
It just depends on the lengths of, you know, they're crisscrossing as you go
through and doesn't come out perfect at 950. Um, the
pricing that I give you includes the installation, the labor, and the cost to
put this together. So, where we be would we be getting power from is in Fifth
Street parking towards the back uh not the side of the food hall, but
the other side. There's already a meter and a panel. So,
we would upgrade the panel and tie into that. So, that's where the electricity
would be coming from. We would bore that underground so we don't have another
overhead wire and we would bring it out to the rightway area. And there we would
have our first pole. Well, it would be the second pole coming off a park, but
there would be a pole there. We would go up the pole inside of it. So you don't
see the wire have a receptacle at the top and then from there we would go out
two different directions with the power and it would go along with the string
lights. You know you won't see a separate power wire.
Okay. Um so these would be 25 foot black
concrete poles 5T going around. So the mounting height is 20 feet and you've
got a sag. Anytime you do beastro string lighting, you're going to have a sag in
the lights with roughly 2 feet. So you're looking at minimum 17t clearance,
which is above where we need to be. So we're we're looking to put it at 18t of
clearance. >> Yeah.
» So that won't interfere with any of those big trucks that come to 56 footers
or >> Right. No, none of those. And you know,
your big concern is you got fire engines hook and ladder and things like that.
Even the Duke trucks are have to, you know, we've got stuff piled on some of
those things with the buckets and stuff. So, we're Yeah, everything will clear
through that. >> Yeah, we're going to meet code on on
everything we do here. So, there's a little bit more description about the
amplifier and the speakers and all that kind of stuff. This is just an
introduction to it. So if you decide to proceed with any of this and you want
some details on anything, happy to provide whatever you need. Okay,
next slide. So that just kind of shows you the beginning and ending point and
then how they would basically the lights would cross going down the road. The
idea behind this design is this could carry on and we could take it over the
Sixth Street to Station Street and keep the flow going around. Right now, the
only businesses are on Fifth Street. Yeah. So, until we figure out how to go,
but we can we can keep this going. We just have to find the path and then if
the city, which I know you have land, if you do build something over there, you
could host the amplifier, the the sound and and do all that yourselves. You
know, I think if you want to do the music, you try to work that in in the
beginning and you just find one of those local businesses um that are willing to
host it until you get your own facility. You just can't build a cabinet and put
it outside because of heat conditions um without a major cost of air
conditioning that cabinet. So, >> so if a they're going to host it in
regards to the the liability, I guess that's a a question for the attorney
because if something happens with lightning strike or something and it
damage, you know, other things within that building, then we'll be held
liable. Is that correct? >> Just to be clear, what you're asking
ultimately
Yes. Am I understanding correct? >> Yes. Because I'm thinking about like a
private business. Well, it's different things. So, if it's a private business
that don't own the building, then that's an issue within itself because of that
private business go out of business. Do they is the agreement with the with the
business owner? Is it with the person that owns the building? Like I think
it's just a lot of different because a lot of those are are tenants. So, I
guess the agreement will probably have to be with both.
» That's typically the case. Yes. And as far as when it comes to liability, I
mean, there's some some steps you can take to disclaim the liability. As far
as liability goes, there would have to be an element of negligence on the
city's part to establish liability obviously. Um, and uh, you know,
depending on how the lights were placed and what role the city had in that,
there'd be a lot of layers to to look at. But um generally so to speak as far
as the agreement goes would have to be with any interested party and liability
would be have to be assessed according to fault
» and and the maintenance of in regards to like the power the bill itself is like a
separate bill will be like on a separate I'm just trying to understand it.
» Yeah. So with the monthly well when we get to the slide for pricing yeah that's
fine and I'll be happy to explain it but um
yeah so right here on this slide we're kind of showing you where the layout
would be and that kind of thing. So I think the next one is price.
» No, I think the pricing >> first one
» packet. >> Okay, it's in your packet. Um yeah,
» it was in the uh the latter one I sent you. I Yeah, sorry
about that. Okay, so price-wise kind of like
at the end of the day, there's just one big number, right? And it's the cost of
all the poles, the labor putting it in, the materials, everything to to make
this happen. And that can be divided up in multiple
ways. You can say, "We just want to pay for it, own it, and we'll take care of
the maintenance." Okay, that's one option you could have.
A lot of times, most every time we do business with municipalities or
developers or anything, it's, hey, we may put some money into it, but we'd
like to lease the lights and know that they're maintained,
the poles and the lights and and all that. So, I put it together
um where we could go anyway, but just to give you an idea u to keep the monthly
fee low. So, I know public works might have to take that on. Um, without the
audio, we're looking at
around 70,000 down and that would give you like a $55 a month fee. Or if you
went 50,000 down, it jumps to a $28 fee monthly. And that would that would
include the maintenance. Is that perole or is that total?
» No, no, that's total. Total. Yeah. So, I'm just showing you some flexibility. I
can go all the way from zero money down to a higher monthly or we can about the
lowest I can go for monthly is about $55. It would include the maintenance
and all that. And and and this is something that Duke does with you on an
a regular basis where we have lighting. This is through our non-reg side of the
company. Uh so which we refer to as non-native as well. It just gives us the
flexibility of working with lighting that's not under a tariff. So
» so the annual maintenance that is included during the life agreement where
is this is some this is separate from the warranty maintenance of the lights.
That's something separate because in the slide it said something about the annual
maintenance is included during life agreement.
» Yeah. So during during the time of the agreement the maintenance is included.
» Oh okay. Okay. So, we don't have to maintain it.
» Correct. >> Oh,
» yeah. That's typical with any MUN. They're not in the lighting business and
a utility is typically asked to try to include that. So, I did.
» What was the maintenance that you were because I know there was some
maintenance that we we have. What is the maintenance that you're referencing that
we were responsible for? >> I'm sorry.
» So, in reference to referring to Sorry. So it refers to the month the monthly
fee that they're referring to. The C could not incur that cost
» that one. Okay. Thank you.
» Okay. That was without audio. So the price goes up a little bit more with
audio. And so we're looking if you put $103,000 down, it'd be like $58 a month.
Or if you want to go with just 50,000 down, it'd be like 474 a month. So
again, these this is showing you some flexibility. We can play with the
numbers about how much down where you want to be monthly. Uh, but it does
accomplish getting you this lighting installed professionally with the
materials I spoke about. So, with that, I'd just say if there's any questions,
» any questions? >> Excuse me, I'm sorry. You want me to go?
» Police. >> Okay. If I understood your presentation,
you indicated that this was forformational purposes only.
» Yeah. Yeah. I didn't send an agreement to sign or anything like that.
» Yeah. Is it the city's intent that those lights remain up 24 hours a day, 7 days
a week, or if a hurricane were to come, do the lights come down?
» The lights stay? >> The lights stay.
» So, the lights are going to be designed in such a way attached to the poles that
it's going to be able to withstand 100 mph winds.
» U about minimum 140. And that includes the bulbs.
» Will the bulbs shatter with the wind? >> Well, if there's flying debris,
different situation, but um the the the total design is designed around to meet
a minimum of 140 miles an hour. >> That includes the poles.
» Oh, 100%. That's why we went to concrete. that that's where we failed on
the aluminum and through um uh engineering we just couldn't get to pass
the wind load. >> All right. So, when I look at the costs
that you're proposing, [clears throat]
uh, if this, and I'm only going to
concentrate on the without audio at the $70,000
construction payment, the uh total
warranty maintenance fee for 240 months is [clears throat]
$13,200. When you when you lower it to 50,000,
then all of a sudden the monthly fee goes up $150 a month to $49,220,
which is uh 30 $36,000 increase.
Now, when you spread it over the cost between the 70 and a 50,
it's only $16,000, which I thought was a little
I'm I'm trying to grasp the right adjective. [clears throat]
Questionable relative how the maintenance fee goes up $150, the city
incurs 30 $36,000. However, I guess because of the extra
$20,000, then that makes up the difference
between that and the uh $16,000. Um,
the only other thing I could add is I know we have a board item up uh that's
we're going to discuss about design standards,
development codes. Um, I'm not really a fan of incrementally putting
design standards or a design in the CRA without some master plan.
Planners call that visual pollution. So, I don't think the city wants to add
visual pollution to Fifth Street or any other fifth street or or any other
street in the city without having some sort of master plan. So if this is
onlyformational purposes then I understand that. [clears throat]
Any other questions?
Appreciate the information. Definitely helpful. I know this was a conversation
topic for a while. So to actually put some hard numbers to it is definitely
appreciated. Um I I guess at a future CRA or even now if there's uh comments
on whether we want to move forward with something in this regard or if we want
to wait until uh like member Drago had said we establish some design standards
and then kind of back into this from there that may make sense as well. Uh
depending on what our goals are and things like that. Obviously with um
changing markets, changing economy, changing political pressures and a
changing uh board our priorities are going to change as well. So I think
going through this will help to define what we're looking for, what we're
trying to achieve. So appreciate your time. Thank you very much.
» Welcome. Okay. Thanks. >> Thank you.
» Thank you, Mr. >> Next up, we have the approval of request
to extend the community redevelopment agency term.
» Mrs. Forbes, >> that is me. So the next item that is up,
I just want to do a point of clarification. There was a clerical
error for the resolution number. It should read resolution number 2026-03
for the record. So this item uh and just in terms of a little bit of background,
our CRA established in 1993. Obviously you know our CRAAS are for redevelopment
to improve infrastructure amenities and support businesses and property owners.
in accordance with our in local agreement with Orange County, we do have
to formally request an extension um as part of executing our redevelopment
plan. And by the way, let me know anytime you can't hear me because I keep
moving the microphone. Um so, as background, as part of that interlocal
agreement, we have had conversations with the county, including submitting
our annual performance report, which is part of that interlocal agreement.
There's also an annual report that's required to give to our um uh governing
authority which is also the county which is listed in statutes. We've also
provided that as well. So I'm just giving you some context of how we've
been compliant. We've also provided them our financial statements as well in um
April of 23. Um and then in June of uh June 10th, we
submitted a letter expressing the CRA's intent to update its master plan. We
also provided them a list of our expenditures for FY23,
24, and 25. We provided them a list of all CRA projects. We also provided them
a grant summary of all of our incentive um assistance programs.
There we go. So, this resolution 2026-03 uh formally in requests the extension by
the CRA board. And I want to be clear that this item is also going to come
before the city commission. But um I thought it was important that even
though it's not say required for the CRA to request an extension, I thought it
was important because not all our board members are part of the city commission
to give you the opportunity to see that we are formally requesting um the
extension of the CRA in order to continue with our redevelopment um um
activities. Uh I also have made a point of
um showcasing how our projects or any
activity that I bring before the board meets not only Florida statutes but also
the city's adopted plan. So you'll see that going forward in the powerpoints
where it shows that it meets in this case um section 163.3755
of Florida statutes that establishes or authorizes the extension of the CRA um
upon approval of the governing bodies and it also meets our strategic plan for
economic development and infrastructure and transportation.
So, our recommended motion or we what we're requesting is the approval of CRA
resolution 2026-03 authorizing the extension of the city of
Apaka CRA and directing staff to transmit to the city commission for
consideration in accordance with section 163.3755
of Florida statutes. >> Thank you, Miss Forbes. Any questions?
Yes, member Drego. What I tried and I couldn't get the information is the last
time that the city asked for an extension to the county. Well, who was
the authorizing agency? Was it the city commission?
Was it the CRA? I don't think it was the CRA. I venture to guess it was a city
commission that asked for the extension three years ago. That's going to expire
this year. That's the first issue because when you go back and read the
enabling legislation, the uh taxing authority, which is the
city of Apopka and Orange County, are the ones that entered into the
agreement, not the CRA. Now, in the heading of this resolution,
uh it states that well, I'll read it in I'll read it in
its entirety for the public. a [clears throat] resolution in the
community development agency of the city of Apka requesting
the extension of the city of Apopka community redevelopment agency affirming
the continuing and need for community redevelopment activities directing the
transmitt of this resolution to Orange County. If I read that correctly, it
goes from here to Orange County. It doesn't go to the city commission
providing for conflict severability and effective date. Now [clears throat]
normally under these resolutions and ordinances the first whereas the second
whereas the third fourth and fifth when you get down to the now therefore
resolved section one and the first whereas needs to be compatible or
aligned with one another in this resolution.
The second whereas talks about the redevelopment the
redevelopment activities redevelopment incentive programs so on and so forth.
However, the section two reads as the following. The board of directors hereby
and this I would assume this board of directors approves the extension
which is contradictory to the heading of the city of Apopka redevelopment agency
and finds that continue and so on and so forth. What I don't see here is where
what's the time extension? Is it one year, two years, three years? And
if this board doesn't have the authority to grant the extension, which I don't
think they do, only the county can grant it, then number two needs to be rewarded
to request an extension of some time frame
to either the city commission or Orange County. And lastly, the uh adoption date
needs to be the 24th of August.
[snorts] >> Any comments from staff?
» Sure, I can I can address those. [laughter]
So, on the first one, you are accurate that it needs to be the city commission
that is requesting that extension. As I mentioned in the the the precursor, I
was saying that I was affording the opportunity to the entire board because
not all of the Siri board members are part of the city commission. So I wanted
to afford the opportunity for you to see that we are in fact or rather the board
was requesting an extension um to the the city commission. It is this
resolution will be part of the supporting documents that will be on the
city commission's agenda so that they also are aware that if it is approved
that this went through the process and then you also mentioned reference um to
a specific time period. So our interlocal agreement that's already been
executed with the county specifies that time period which is the additional
seven years. And then you also referenced about some of the language or
the whereas clauses um that can be uh edited if you if the board so desires to
do so. The intent though um is basically to
to affirm the board's request to have the CRA extended in conjunction with the
city commission. If it's your intent
to send this to the city commission for them to reapprove it and send it to
Orange County, then the request for an extension of seven
years needs to be consistent both in the heading and in section two.
Um now
your um explanation of giving this to the board
first before it goes to the city commission.
Um I understand that. I guess the other example I can use is
the city commission received a ordinance
for the appointment of a CRA member. Uh
this board was not given the courtesy to look at that ordinance first before it
went to the city commission. Went to the city commission first and it was adopted
by the city commission. So I don't see that or I don't see that specific
ordinance on the board for us to give input.
» And I can speak to a little bit of that too. This is how I see this, and I could
be wrong. Please update or interrupt me, staff, and correct me here. This is more
of a uh a nicity. We don't have to do this. This is not required by law or
statute. This is more to say, hey, as a board, we want to have the city of Apka
Commission request an extension regardless of what that extension looks
like. Uh it's up to the city commission to get the extension with Orange County
and obviously Orange County to agree with it. uh we can make whatever changes
we need to, but at the end of the day, this legally has no bearing on whether
or not we get an extension. So, we can update it if it's the board's uh desire
to update the language uh to what board member Drago is recommending here. But,
it's definitely not required. And if you feel this is superfluous, then we don't
need to do it. Nobody needs to pass it. But I do think it's a hey, the board as
a whole uh said we do want to extend it. And then this go transmits to um state
of Apka commission. the commission whether or not this is there can approve
or deny whether we want to extend it. Um specific to the actual appointment side
of the board members it has not been approved yet. Let me say that uh
language has to come back and will be back on the agenda for September 2nd. Uh
but it's also in reference to who the city of Apopka commission can approve on
that. Um Orange County gets to decide who they get to approve and we don't get
to look at their guidelines for what that looks like. So, I think it it
matches what Orange County does as well. And staff, if you would like to add
anything or if that's >> Okay. Thank you.
» Any other questions, comments on this one?
» Well, my only other comment is if it's going to be brought before the city
commission as the authority having jurisdiction, then
it needs to be re rewarded and presented to the city commission for
approval. And that is the the actual time extension and and the request for
extension. And first of all, did anybody contact the county to see if the county
is willing to extend the CRA given the fact that you have amendment three and
the county has several CRAAS that's going to be up for termination by the
end of this year. >> I have been in direct contact with uh
Orange County. Right now, at this point, they have paused all extensions of CRAAS
until the vote for the amendment goes through in one way or the other. So,
they're willing to take in applications for renewal, but they're not uh
accepting anything until they know where where their budget stands, so to speak.
So, uh so we are in in direct conversation with them, making sure we
understand where their expectations are. and uh and that was with the uh county
manager's office or excuse me, county administrator's office is who we got
that information directly from. So, uh they did tell us that they're pausing
right now, but at the same time, please submit what you do have just in case we
are ready to get move forward. They'll they'll get the ball rolling as quick as
they um choose to. And keep in mind, too, they'll be going through a
leadership change both on the mayor's side and both our districts and many
districts throughout the county. So, there's a lot of changes that are going
to be coming. So, it gives them some time to settle in as well. So, um, I'm
okay to change any language in this. Again, this is more of a a nicity to
make sure this board is all on the same page. And so, if there's any specific
language, uh, you'd like us to change it to, uh, I'm open to a motion with the
language you'd like to adjust, and we can go from there.
» Okay. So I move uh amending resolution 2026-03
specifically in section two to read. The board of directors hereby requests the
extension of seven years of the city of a popular community
development agency and finds that continued redevelopment activities
remain necessary to carry out the purpose of the community redevelopment
plan and that the pass and adopt section be amended to state the 21st day of
August 2026. >> So moved by member Drago
» second. Second by member Anderson. All those in favor say I.
» I. >> Pardon me. We we will have to take
public comment on that item. >> I apologize for that. Yes.
Public comment. Uh we'll close public comment. All
right. Uh so we do have a a motion, a second, and all those in favor say I.
» I. I. >> All opposed. Motion carries unanimously.
All right. Next up, we have the down payment assistance program.
» So Oh, here we go. Sorry. So, the down payment assistance program uh is a
policy in draft that we're looking um to get the temperature of the board and to
establish guidelines as well as an application process to create a home
ownership program that offers financial assistance to first-time home buyers
within the CRA. Capitalizing off of the success of our
residential renovation assistance program where we have assisted
homeowners in the rehab of their residential properties. We thought to
staff thought to expand some home ownership opportunities by providing
eligible assistance to eligible home buyers looking to purchase
single family homes. Um obviously this would support home ownership and
residential revitalization. Um eligible properties include existing homes, new
constructions, or homes requiring significant rehab. Uh the assistance
we're looking at is up to 25% of the purchase price with a maximum value of
30,000 be structured as a deferred non-advertising zero interest second
mortgage. Uh the assistance will be applied to the principal mortgage and
the funding will be subject to budget availability which we have put in the um
FY27 proposed budget which is still subject to be reviewed and adopted and
it will be awarded on a first come first service excuse me first served basis
with the goal of reducing the upfront barrier to home ownership while
encouraging investment in long-term owner occupancy within the CRA. We would
require a five-year homestead requirement as well as um some sort of
um mortgage or um restricted covenant to secure public investment. We would also
require a home buyer education course before the closing and dispersement of
funds. Income documentation would be required for reporting demographic
purposes. Um although this program would not be based on income eligibility, the
collection of that data would also help in terms of the affordable housing
component which is under um Florida statutes of which CRAAS are eligible to
participate in. Uh we would require that financial um and project documentation
prior to closing. Uh the assistance cannot be combined with any other CRA or
city housing programs in order to prevent duplication of services and
maximize um funding availability. Uh funds will be limited to the approved
award amount and the applicants will be responsible for any cost that exceeds
the award. So this um program still has to be
reviewed through um legal but we wanted to get the temperature like I said of
the board before we moved forward any further. It meets Florida statutes that
um 163.362C that requires a community development
plan to provide for the development affordable housing in the redevelopment
area as well as 163713E that requires CRA's track and report
affordable housing projects in the area. It meets the city strategic objective of
economic viability. It also meets the CRA master plan goal to advocate
provisions for adequate housing in good condition.
So, our recommended motion would be the approval and adoption of the down,
excuse me, the down payment assistance grant program um as presented by staff
and authorized implementation um with the accordance in the accordance of
updated policies and guidance effective October 1 contingent upon the adoption
of the FY27 budget also contingent upon legal review.
» Thank you, Miss Forbes. Any questions? >> I do. So, I want to say thank you. Thank
you. Thank you. This is something, you know, I've been advocating for from day
one about the importance of this down payment assistance program. So, I want
to kind of go through, bear with me because I have a lot of, you know, um,
things I want to kind of discuss. So, the first thing is in regards to the 25%
of purchase price up to um, I recommend like most down payment assistance
programs that we and just so you guys know, I do I am a certified HUD
counselor and I have administered these funds before. So I'm very well diverse
when it comes to um dist dis dist dispersing um funds. So I just want to
say that. So one thing I do think is 25% of purchase price can be excessive
depending on the purchase price. If it's $600,000 I know it's up to $30,000. Um
but I do think it will be better if we have like you know 10,000 15,000 $20,000
like in boxes like that tiers. >> That's the first thing. Uh the second
thing it's it's says that it should be uh principal mortgage or only um I think
we should expand that to closing costs because a depending on of the
home buyer they a lot of times they don't have closing cost assistance and
they don't have the down payment. So that up to that 25% can probably cover
their down payment their closing cost and make it more affordable as well. Uh
also part of the application it also says that in the lending requirements
that it only and let me go to that what
number it is. Give me one second
only FHA VA um loans. I also recommend DSCR. DSCR is um also have a product for
first-time home buyers as well. Um a lot of time that product is for your home
buyers that are um are um what do you call it um forgive me
in not investors that are um self-employed. A lot of self-employed
borrowers do not qualify for your traditional FHA and VA financing. So a
lot of times that DSCR product is like a bank statement product. They look at
your you know your bank statements and they qualify off of that. a lot of
first-time home buyers uh use that program as well. So, if we can extend it
to also include DSCR for first-time home buyers, uh that would be good as well.
Um also, it talks about the dispersing of funds.
Um, I don't recommend any type of dispersement of funds um that that go it
should be dispersed at closing um to a title agent and we should not allow them
to reserve funds upfront without a contract and um executed contract. And I
know it's kind of like language in here that says that they have to have the
application filled out but then also say they can apply for it without it. So I
think we need to kind of comb that out because if we reserve funds for a
hundred people and you know they have up to you know six months to use it and
they don't qualify now we have taken that money off the market for available
people that are ready and able to buy now. Um in addition to that
it also talk about it's a license uh contractor advancement. Um, I don't
recommend that we advance any funds to uh any contractor. I think uh once the
property uh is on the contract and the only time should be dispersed is when
they're actually at closing and it shouldn't go towards because that's a
whole liability within itself. I don't even understand how that would look like
if we're given assistance prior to uh the person property uh closing on the
property. And that's all for now.
But I um we uh when I say that we the board approved some other entitlement
programs. One was a demolition I think up to $50,000.
Uh
that that demolition grant cannot be used as part of the down payment. Is
that right? >> Okay.
» Correct. And we also uh had another entitlement program where we give some
architect or engineer $50,000 to design something. So
» I'm sorry. May I may may I interrupt you and just say that program was not
approved. The board did not approve that design architectural engineering
program. >> But the first one they did with the
demolition. >> Yes, sir.
» With the amendment that historical structures are prohibited.
» Is that right? >> From dem from demolition.
» Yes. >> Correct.
» Okay. So the question I have here is um in the third paragraph it states
home buyers who purchase a vacant lot with the intent to build a new home or
home buyers who purchase a home that requires significant rehabilitation.
Is that rehabilitation interior or exterior?
» Why do you ask? I guess where you going with that? Where I'm going with it is
that I I don't in keeping with the demolition permit or entitlement program
his buildings that are on the historic register cannot be cannot use this to
rehab exterior of the building in violation of the federal standards
» residential. So >> you're speaking specifically to historic
properties. >> Yes.
» Okay. So we I'm sure we could add some language in there that references the
historic side of it, but wouldn't that go to permitting and permitting would
catch that? >> And you know what they what they should
do and what they do are two different things. Now, if you remember a couple of
meetings ago, I read you emails that I that I got from the building official
that basically said if you submit a permit online, I approve it, it's a go.
Historical structures are not. Now,
uh, and I and I would also, if you're going to amend it, I would also put in
there any building or house that's 50 years or older. You want to maintain the
integrity of those houses. I don't think member Ruth would want somebody in his
neighborhood to come in re, you know, to rehab a house and not keep the
architectural integrity of the house. I don't think he wants a block house with
a flat roof painted pink. I don't think so.
and this without some extra wording or standards put in it, they can pretty
well do it. [snorts]
» So, but this specific program and uh staff, please jump in as needed,
obviously, but this specific program doesn't necessarily go to or speak to
rehab or renovations. It does. It says significant rehab, but then it goes on
to say the financial assistance from the CR CRA will only be dispersed after the
home has been constructed or the f home has been fully renovated. So, it's it's
not specifically saying the renovation side of it. They need to do the
renovations and then funds will be dispersed from there.
» Well, if they do the renovation, there's nothing to stop them to fill out the
form and get the $30,000. Nothing. >> So, they completely if you'll allow me
to. So the intent is for for first-time home buyers, right? So these are if a
first time first-time home buyer is looking to purchase a property that is
historic in nature, the improvements in this particular case are not necessarily
applicable because the funds are to be used in the purchase of the home. Now
what improvements they decide to do, that's a separate thing. Let's say if
they decided they were not going to use these funds, but they wanted to use our
residential renovation uh assistance program to do improvements
to the historic property. In that case, we would use those guidelines. And those
guidelines are only for the exterior of the property. And yes, to I can't
remember which board member's point, but there is a development review process
that it goes through that should flag that this property um is therefore
historic and there and there are different guidelines that go towards it.
» Yeah. But that doesn't answer my question of the of the of the definition
of rehabilitation. Is it interior or exterior or both?
» Well, so the CRA um only does in well policy-wise, we've only done exterior
improvements. We have not done interior. So, anybody could come in here, buy a
historic structure, rehabilitate it, if I read this
correctly, and then fill out a form and get $30,000.
» No, a person could come in and fill out an application to say, "I'd like to buy
a historic property." They could do that. And so, throughout that process,
we would still need their documentation. We still need the same thing that you
would do when you apply for any loan and it goes through a title company. we
would require that same level of documentation. And so we are not
requesting if they are doing improvements, we are requesting
information as it relates to the purchase of the property.
» And [clears throat]
the the problem is that
you explain it one way, the public sees it a different way. they
they hear something from somebody else. In other words, it's not clear to me. If
it has to be clear, it should specifically say this cannot be used for
renovations, rehab of historical buildings exterior.
» Well, it shouldn't be used for any renovations at all.
» These funds are exclusively to purchase the property.
» The only thing I can think of where it where it possibly is with a 203k FHA
loan where it allows for you to escrow the repairs. So that's the only just in
this scenario I think that's the only way they actually can use the money if
we're saying that we will allow for the escrow through a 203k FHA program that
they would allow because everybody familiar with FA 203 FAK. So essentially
what happens is if the property needs $30,000 worth of rehab, you have to take
that money put into a separate account and do the repairs and the property
closes out. So, if we're saying that we're okay escrowing up to a certain
amount of money, I think that's the only time it actually will apply because
other than that, we're not giving them money up front for repairs. We only will
escrow. So, essentially, we're saying that we were escrow repairs.
» Well, and we have not listed that type of product as eligible.
» Okay. Well, we said FHA, so FHA 203k is a if FHA product as well.
» So, there are different 203b and 202. Yeah, 203k.
» So, are we saying all FHA products? Because there's different type of FHA
products. Well, we can add I hope to um to get us where we're trying to go, we
can add language that specifically speaks to historic property types and
put in language that speaks to um it can only be used for the purchase and not
for the um for the renovation or for the the rehab and such.
» But I think that if if we do these because FHA, we said FHA and just to be
clear, we said FHA that mean all types of FHA because we didn't specify FHA
like a certain FHA. So the FHA does have a 203k. What I'm trying to do is is to
his point if we because we do say that we're gonna it is kind of confusing
because I was had to read it twice. If we're going to say we're going to give
it does reference saying that there's going to be you know a certain amount of
money and it talks about a contractor. So the only thing that I can think of is
the 203k product will actually be actually using it where we'll give the
money to put into an escore account after closing to be used to meet FHA
standards. A lot of times if the property does not meet FHA standards and
if it needs some type of renovation to meet that they would allow for that
money to go into into a separate account still close out but by a licensed
contract to have to take dispersements and things. So I think that is that's
the only time I actually can see us doing that. Other than that we won't be
advancing any funds.
» Okay. So what >> I don't think that that's an advancement
because they do we the loan closes. Yes. >> So it closes. That's what we would be
calling that too. >> We still applied it to. So we're not
Yeah. Cuz we're not doing any type of >> rehabs.
» Rehabs at all. >> Nor are we advancing in the sense that
they received the funds prior to closing. No. So when we receive the
closing date, then we can put in the request in order to have that payment
processed directly to the title escrow company.
» I'm familiar, but I was just Yeah. >> So member DGO is your your biggest
holdup is ensuring that historic properties are preserved properly.
Is is that the the concern? >> Yes. And and what I'm hearing is I'm
hearing a loophole where you could somebody could file for an FHA loan, get
all the process because FHA doesn't look at whether it's an historical structure
and it needs to be protected by federal standards. They don't look at that. If
they meet the application criteria, you get the loan. Then if you close the loan
as was explained and then you fill out an application, well then you can get
the $30,000 if there was a rehab exterior on an historical structure.
» I guess we add the language what I'm hearing that
» so I wait a minute. So my recommendation is instead of words smiting this,
you know, we'll do this, we'll do this, my recommendation would be that this
goes back for a rewrite and brought back to us at the next
meeting with the preferred language to make sure that those historic structures
are protected.
» Thank you, Member Dango. Any other comments or questions from membership?
» Yes. Um, and so I think I think we should certainly include in the wording
is making sure that this is clear in terms of firsttime home buyer because
that's not in here. So we ne definitely need to include that. Um, and then there
should be a criteria in place. So I I tried, you know, reading through
this, I didn't I didn't find a a defined criteria just at the end
um [clears throat]
at the end uh where it's more of documentation that the homeowner needs
to submit um not so much a criteria that needs to be in place. So, I think that's
something that the board should consider implementing is criteria based on these
first home uh first-time home buyers that are going to be applying for this.
um just my my my recommendations. It just
helps us um define exactly the purpose behind this
and that just everybody can apply and then we're telling them it's only first
home first-time home buyers and then of course that just leaves people in
and it just tasteful attitude if you will. So
» absolutely. >> Yeah. And it oh and one other thing too
and it should I also it said some language in regards to either cash or
loan. I think if you have money to put buy a property cash I don't think we
should allow the program to to actually yeah because they have they can use that
money for a down payment on some loan you know for loan for for a loan. So, I
don't think if you have $300,000 of putting down cash on a property that we
should give them 25% it to help them when they have cash.
» Any other questions, comments? >> Well, the 30,000 I mean
» you're speaking to your mic, too. Sorry. >> The the cap is for uh it's not to exceed
the $30,000 way it's written. You said 20% of 300,000 is not 30,000.
» Correct. Well, how it's written right now, it says up to 25% of the purchase
price of an improved property up to a maximum of $30,000 in down payment
assistance.
And >> I think that language could be cleared
up a little bit so that it >> and and and secondly um who's the
governing body for transparency on um submitting the application, approving
the application and actually um carrying the the the contract through to its
sunset. >> So that that would be staff. So we would
monitor it the same way we do all of our other
» the fivey year period right after five years they've committed I mean they've
fulfilled their obligations of of the firsttime buyer program correct
» correct >> okay but prior to that if they default
or move >> who
» who then steps in and and mitigates the recovery of the investment or where are
we going to from there? Are we going to get stuck with the legal fees of going
and collecting So I won't address the legal fees part
of it, but I I will tell you so similar to how we do our reap program where we
do have a recorded uh restrictive covenant for five years. So every
applicant that has been awarded funding, it has been record they they fully have
been explained and have they have an executed recorded covenant against their
property. So when the time comes if they decide they want to uh refinance or for
whatever reason they get a title search done on their property, that will come
up. And so it also specifies in that um restrictive covenant that it is for a
5-year uh period. >> Yeah. And well, you know, in in all
fairness, I live in this district, so I'm very familiar with the rules and
regulations of but um up to this point, it's it hasn't been enforced. Um you
know, I live in a single family district that has four or five families living in
one home. So, I know our monitoring or governing of these uh residents have
been very loose at best. U but I just want to make sure that if if if our
intent is and I'm all for a college park environment where we in we we invest in
our future and that's these younger people coming in and making these
purchases. ownership is the true test of of you know people that own the home are
really going to take care of the homes even even if it's just keeping the yard
kept and and and mowing it and stuff. So I have a lot of confidence in that. I
just want to make sure the the the legal side of it. Uh I just don't want
to, you know, us get hung with a lot of of open debt that you know we kind of
get entangled in. And there's no resource to go back and
recoup some of the financial obligations that we extended up to that point.
» There's a collection element to it, you know, that I'm just making sure that
we're covering. >> Yeah. in these types of grants, grants
that are are similar. I mean, you can u on the leans and so forth, put in, you
know, the best language in the world that you can, there always is an element
and some element of a risk. I can't guarantee that there won't be any legal
fees to enforce it or that there would be resources on the other side once
enforcement is made to pay for those fees. So, there is that element. It will
always be there, you know, notwithstanding any kind of uh
uh efforts made by staff to to prevent that from happening. Yeah, I I I agree.
The risk is always there. I just want to make sure there's an element of
collection if we needed.
» Understood.
» Any other final comments? >> Did I'm sorry, I can't remember. Did I
say something about the u about the money being going towards the only the
principal mortgage? Did I also add it should go towards closing costs as well?
I did. Okay. I just want to make sure. Okay. Thank you.
» Any other comments? We'll go to public comment now. Anybody
from the public wish to speak on this?
» Rogers back at 7 West Main Street. I just want to make sure I heard this
correctly. So, there is no income restrictions on the 30,000.
» Not how it's written currently. No. >> Okay. Thanks.
» Any other uh members of the public wish to speak? We'll close public comment.
Uh, any other final comments from the board?
» I just think we need to table this until we can get the wording.
» I think we have a lot of >> I think so as well. I will say a couple
of my comments on this one is I think a lot of great points were made adding
making sure that it's a first-time home buyer that that's that is valuable. U
for me making sure it's not an LLC that it is in somebody's actual name I think
uh is needed. And then I think there should be some type of condition
requirements as well that this shouldn't be a a
» for a full gut because it just gets muddied and and convoluted. Uh my only
other concern with this one too is the whole core and point of a CRA is to
the whole whole point is to increase tax value in this area. That is the point of
this. So if we add exclusively to residential properties and amendment
three goes into place in November, we have not succeeded in increasing
taxable value. So my goal with this or my thought with this is I do like this,
but I think we need to maybe navigate forward delicately and in smaller steps.
I think right now a lot of our businesses in this district really are
wanting and screaming for help. And I think that maybe we get creative with
some of those incentive programs for the current businesses that are in place
that would provide some type of resources for them in some way. Uh just
with the economic times that they are right now, I think that will go further.
I think we spent just about a million dollars on residential properties last
year and I think that we should maybe prioritize businesses this year and
maybe ping pong back and forth or find a healthy uh balance between the two. Uh I
do I I'm all about home ownership all day every day. Uh it's just the goal of
a CRA is to build taxable value. That is the pure goal of it and we need to make
sure that that's on the forefront of our minds as we navigate this. So uh I like
the program. I think just be delicate as we move forward. Add language to it. I
think we do table it, massage this language a little bit, but then also
think about what we can do and I'm I'm sure we'll speak about it later specific
to the commercial side to the business side of uh our CRA. So those are my
comments there. I'm open to a motion from the membership if we are wanting to
table this to a next meeting. >> Yes.
» I move that we uh table this down payment assistance program to November
4th which is a one Monday 2026. I have a motion from
» Wednesday, >> November 4th,
» day after the election. >> Well, the the email I got said the
meeting was November 5th, which is a Thursday.
» So, I I'm going to recognize the motion obviously uh that you have a motion to
table until November 4th at any time.
» Well, that that that's the next CRA meeting, so it's five o'clock.
» Okay. because you have a commission meeting that day.
» We do. [clears throat] Uh so I have a motion. Do I have a second? Second by
member Baron. All those in favor say I. >> I.
» All opposed. Motion carries unanimously.
» All right. >> Attorney members of the board. So I
pardon my interruption. I do think uh before we move on uh we do need to
revisit number two. If I understood the motion correctly, I believe it modified
the resolution and that was voted on unanimously, but I believe uh the
resolution needs to be read and the actual language of the resolution voted
on as modified.
the >> this is bone
» second
» resolution 20266-03
a resolution of the community redevelopment agency CRA of the city of
Apakka Florida requesting the extension of the city of Apakka community re
redevelopment agency affirming the continuing need for au community
redevelopment agency mergency activities directing the transmitt of this
resolution to Orange County providing for conflicts severability and an
effective date. >> And then from there you're requesting
that language was clarified in the motion attorney hand.
» Uh just it would be a motion to pass as amended since uh the previous votion
amended the content of the resolution. >> All right. I will look for a motion to
uh pass resolution 2026-03 as amended. So moved. Uh
» moved by member Drago, second by member Ruth. All those in favor say I. I.
» All opposed. Motion carries unanimously. >> Yes.
We're get we're getting it. >> My apologies.
» My apologies. The motion that was read in reference to bringing back the down
payment assistance program on November 5th, that date um is or November 4th,
rather. There's already a city commission meeting scheduled for that.
That's the early afternoon one. And I believe the November 5th date that um
member Drago was referencing was an error date that was sent when the board
meeting um notification went out where it referenced Wednesday, November 5th,
2025. So I just want to be clear that while we
will bring back this item, it will not be on the November 4th or 5th date.
» I'd prefer to not have it extend out to a date unknown. We prefer a date
certain. So, do we want to set now then that next CRA meeting date? Then
» yeah, >> would that be valuable for everyone?
» You want to make a November 10th? That's a Wednesday.
» That's a Tuesday. >> It's not Tuesday. I'm sorry.
» We have a planning commission meeting that evening.
» Wednesday the 11th. >> That's Veterans Day.
» Veterans Day. >> Thursday.
» We can I don't have anything on the 12th surprisingly.
Uh, all right. So, November 12th at what is it? 5
» 5:00 >> 30 five
» five is fine if it works for the the board
» because we moved it then should we do a new motion for that then or
what do you recommend attorney hand >> I think that's the uh I think that's the
board's election I
All right. I will motion or I will look for a motion to set our next CRA meeting
for number November 12th at 5:00 pm and we will review the down payment
assistance program at that time. >> So moved.
» Uh moved by member Drago. >> Second. second by uh member Anderson.
All those in favor say I. I. >> All opposed. Motion carries unanimously.
[clears throat] Thank you for the clarification, staff.
All right. Next up, we are discussing the evaluation for well, this is old
business evaluation of potential property acquisition 161 East 6th
Street. >> So, this property was bought before the
board at the last uh CRA board meeting. Is a property that is currently um up
for sale. The board had requested a staff evaluation at the April 15th uh
meeting or if you'll look up on on your screens you can see some information
reference to it. Uh this property was actually brought to staff um that is for
sale for 299,000 is42 acres with 18,380 ft of total land. It's currently zoned
as mixed use. So, one of the things that was requested
um by staff is a review for potential uses of the property. And so, we looked
at um the property as a potential parking lot, surface parking to support
the museum. Uh we conferred um with uh public works in order to provide some of
the data that you see here. They are staff is available for additional
questions as relates to the um the spec the specifics that are provided. So
based on the square footage that was provided um we were it was then shown
that there's an estimated usable area of 12,866
square feet. Uh we also then staff asked public works to review it in terms of
parking availability. Could it be used as a parking lot? How
many slots uh would be available? What would be the cost? Um, and so this
provides the total breakdown where you see it's approximately 40 spaces, give
or take three spaces um, for that lot.
We also looked at um, using different types of material to determine whether
or not we would do a permanent parking lot versus a temporary parking lot. Um
we also asked for and staff um happily provided some um ranges in terms of
pricing from 92,000 to 165,000 for a permanent parking lot as well as if we
did a temporary parking lot which was per pvious pavers gravel um or some form
of wheel stops. Um so with option A, the gravel with the wheel stops um would
cost anywhere between 150 and 350 per square foot, whereas the pvious pavers
would cost between $6 and $12 per square foot depending on the material for a
cost between 275 and 67 excuse me 64,300.
So based on that, and by the way, there is a memorandum, a more detailed
memorandum in your packet that provides um a recommendation by staff um
including considerations such as park, potential parking, demand, operations
and maintenance um as well as the acquisition costs. So we wanted to
receive direction from the board of how they'd like to move forward if they'd
like to purchase the property. I also want to reference that this property
meets the the city strategic objectives of economic viability. It meets the CRA
master plan for land acquisition. It also meets fer statute 1637c7
for acquisition by purchase.
So, with all of that, we now need direction um if the board would like to
purchase the property that is currently vacant located at 161 East 6th Street to
support potential future redevelopment opportunities um including strategic
land assembly. >> Thank you, Miss Forbes. Comments,
questions from the membership. Is that that little piece that's right
opposite the um the bike trail by the bridge?
» No, you're asking me specific direction. There we go.
» Yep. You're just showing that piece, but where is it? Opposite, isn't it?
» Right across from Duran's
» um >> So, it's next to
» Yes. Where that older Cobb building is. >> Right. Just south of that. Right. Right
there. It's at the corner. >> PD is to the south here.
» Gas pump and we right to the left. >> Gas pump was to the left. Museum is to
the left. Uh Ryan uh Ryan Lumber is to the right there.
» And he has his property up for sale also.
» That's correct. >> I don't I I don't know. Parking lot
» that Sorry, that is one potential use for it. Again, this is the first thing
is deciding as a board if it's something that you'd like to purchase. You can
decide at a later date how you'd like to use the property, but what was requested
by the board is a potential use for it at least um for now. So, what I had
suggested was a parking lot so that at least and and by the way, a temporary
parking lot is my suggestion. Um so, at least that it would be advantageous to
the museum so that people have better access to it. Um, however, that doesn't
mean that it has to be the end use. That could be a really great P3 opportunity
in the future. It is in an opportunity zone.
» So, I mean, so you're talking about purchasing something and taking it off
the tax roll right now if we purchase it.
» That is true. >> And and it's just going to sit there
until we decide what we want to do for with it.
» Um, >> that is true.
» It But it just
I'm not I'm not big on a parking lot. I understand that the museum needs a
parking, but I mean that's such a central location. I mean, we have the
bridge. Um, we have we're trying to encourage people to use our bike path
and we also don't even know what Ryan is going to do with his property. And
that's an historic historical uh parcel. So, it's it's like I don't know if a
parking lot fits in that that um area and right now we we have it's under tax
we and so if we purchase it we take it off
and then it's just going to sit there. It's been doing that already.
» Correct. So one thing to keep in mind and this is ultimately up to the board's
decision that yes it will be off the tax roles but as we are all looking at what
the future may look like if we are if our the CRA's primary source is taxes is
reduced then at least that's part of land assembly that would be our
strategic goal that at least if we have property available we can now possibly
repurpose that and that we use it to recruit potential new endusers. So that
is an asset now that we would have, you know, it's one of those six in one hand,
half a dozen in the other. Yes, it it is takes off the tax ro. Um I think it's
been for sale for for a little bit for quite some time
» for I mean it [clears throat] has been there for as long as I've been in
office. It's been before that also, >> right? But like I said, if you know our
um soul funding source, the CRA soul funding source gets reduced at least now
we have another valuable asset. But are we promoting it? Are we
marketing it so that someone is interested in that piece of property
besides saying let's just make a parking lot? I just my concern is that we have
Ryan selling his property. I don't even know how they handle
selling a historical property. Can I This is all new to me. So, if he sells
his property, how does that change his historical designation? Or does it?
» It shouldn't. >> I don't think the propertyy's Well,
first of all, it's a vacant property, so I don't know how it can be historical
unless >> she's references on there. Some
» member Velasquez is referencing uh the property to the east across the street.
» Just across the street. lumber. >> Uh
well, the only way it would affect it is if you didn't have a comprehensive set
of design standards to protect Ryan Lumber's investment in their property.
Now, I remember this was brought up under the
former administration
and my memory serves me correctly. the re the real estate person was looking
for a buyer and thought the city had cash and they come to us with a was it
$299,000. So
the board at the time
didn't table it per se but just asked for a better evaluation of the use of
the property. Now, in keeping with the chair's comments in the past,
um we need to be careful on what properties
we buy relative to it taken off the tax roles and then your taxable value
decreases. So,
I'm not I'm opposed to buying a property just
for the sake of storing the property for some future use. it could stay vacant
and accomplish the same feat. However, I probably would recommend that Miss Miss
Forb's economic development expertise could be put to use in
conjunction with the real estate agency to find a developer for the property.
[snorts] >> Any other comments?
» I kind of share kind of what the board is. I think we shouldn't take this off,
you know, off the tax role and not know what we're going to do with it. And I
think we probably do need to look for a private partner to kind of partner with
us or something or someone to kind of develop that. It's been for sale for a
while. So I don't think it's like a need like now because
» I'm sorry. >> Can you just speak a little louder? I
didn't hear anything that you said. >> You didn't hear anything I said? Yeah.
Go ahead. >> No one. Oh, I'm sorry.
» I didn't. >> So essentially what I'm saying is I kind
of agree with everyone. I don't think we should um actually this is not the time
for it. I think that we need to look at a possible partnership, private
partnership or look for someone to develop that. I just think right now we
shouldn't be doing anything to reduce the taxes that we have coming in. We
don't even have we don't have a need for we don't we don't know what we're going
to do with it. So I just >> I just I'm not in favor of us continuing
to accumulate properties that we have no >> um plans for it.
» Um it's just going to sit there. >> Um someone bought the property on the
other corner and built that monster. I call it the monster. And I mean, I don't
want something like that to happen on that corner. I don't even know what's it
zoned for this property. >> Mix. Mix.
» Mixuse. So, I mean, that's an opportunity to
have a, you know, >> for someone to come in and develop it,
» a developer come in. I'm just concerned that that is such a
prime piece of property. and we have the bridge, we have the the the uh the trail
and at the same time we have Ryan selling his property. So I I just, you
know, kind of let's wait to see what he hap what happens with his property and
then we can kind of figure out and I think any developer is going to wait
until Ryan sells his property to see what's going to become of that property.
Well, and I I see the point in terms of what both your points and and member
Drago's point as well. Um, and and honestly, if we were to purchase this,
we need to put something that's going to be revenue driven for the city. Uh,
parking lot is not revenue driven unless we're going to put meters and that's
that's just that doesn't help us as a city. Um,
so I I think we should definitely just keep an eye out on it. Um, because
obviously we run the risk somebody could purchase it. But if we could go along
with the private public private partnerships and try to find something
that is generally revenue driven for the city. That would be helpful. And that's
more of, you know, what's going to drive people to our downtown. The the point is
we have so many people up in on that trail that do not live in Apopka. Um, we
should be detouring them towards our downtown. So,
what is it that we can put in that area that's going to be revenue driven for
our city? That's my thoughts. just all those corners there because even across
441 we have the little cleaners that's been sitting vacant. It's it's just not
I I just don't see it being developed that that area if we put a parking lot.
» It's just going to kill that area. >> Agreed.
» It will agree 100%. >> Any other comments from members?
» Yeah, I just want to thank Miss Forbes for this evaluation. I know I've uh
asked for it a few times, so I uh appreciate her developing this uh board
item. >> Thank you. [clears throat]
Any members of the public wish to speak on this?
» Please.
» Thank you. So, he said who's listing broker for the property? Any questions?
» I I got one. >> Please, if you can come up to the mic
though for the questions. Thank you.
» How can I help you? The the one question I have is is you know later on we're
going to be we're going to be asked to evaluate another piece of property of of
equal size but matter of fact it's even bigger. Okay.
» Um and this this property is is all but 150 all but 145,000 more than that.
» Um is it just the the closeness to the city borders? Why would uh why would the
market value be so unbalanced?
» It is it's I think it's two-part. It's the prospective plans for the historic
district. >> Well, you're a professional at this and
this is the reason I'm asking. >> Yes, sir. That that's why I think it's
the future is the qu is the answer to the question and what the city plans on
doing in the historic downtown district as y'all have discussed for years. So, I
think um that's what I'm hearing. I have had significant interest from all of the
above mixeduse developers that want to do ground flooror retail like you're
suggesting board member. Uh the last question is Diane.
» Diane >> I know it's hard to say the last name so
» no problem. I've had commercial users as well um the uh owner themselves would
like to work with the city if that's an option that that's what they'd prefer to
work with y'all. But uh ultimately I think it's a matter of time before
something like uh Mrs. Vasquez mentioned would come a more high intense use in
the future. >> Well, I've taken advantage of you made
the recommendation you would volunteer information. I was just seeing why the
disparity between the >> Well, I I just think it's it's location.
Like they say, location, location, location.
» It is a prime piece of property except that what's neighboring right now hasn't
been developed. So putting a parking lot would actually kill it.
» Yeah. Well, we were hoping y'all would want to put a building or maybe
something else revenue generating on it as well. We're we're open to that
basically and and representing the seller. They want to work with the city
if they come up with any ideas that >> Oh, this So is it it's not So you
evaluate it based off of the future value of it, not the current value is
what I heard. It's a current value, but um that current value, you know,
depending on how quickly the historic district develops, revitalizes,
» you know, that's the timeline that's involved with it. So, some some
developers that have reached out to us, you know, they're deciding how soon can
they build something there. Um, and that's really been the main question.
and they've I recommend them to reach out to staff to kind of figure out
what's the timeline for this area to get you know more revitalized.
» So in the current state it is in now is worth 299. Is that your evaluation as of
» that? That that is the evaluation. Yes. Correct. And we have interested buyers
at that number and uh the seller has decided they'd like to work with the
city first if they could. >> Well they they
» we appreciate you being here tonight. Thank you for that.
» Absolutely. Thank you. >> Thank you for your time.
» You're welcome. >> Thank you. Anyone else from the public
wish to speak?
The best hall Rock Springs Ridge. Uh just a few things. I'm trying to make
sure I can remember everything, but I just want to make for clarification
because I was sitting in the back. Uh did I hear what I just heard? The
gentleman said there's a the property is worth about 2 million.
No, I didn't. >> What was the 2 million?
» 299. >> 299.
» 299,000. >> 29. [clears throat]
» I'm saying he's had got some offers that people was talking about much higher.
Where What's the reference to the $2 million?
» I don't I don't I don't remember. I'm >> okay. Then I'm hearing things back
there. All right. So, >> that seat's up front.
» So, now let me let me refocus. We're at a hiring freeze in the city
right now, but we still can go around and look for property that we really
don't need and put that kind of money and we can
come up with a proposal for it, but we're at a hiring freeze.
» Well, this is the CRA. >> I I I know it's the CRA. I know it's the
CRA, but I'm just saying where our focus is now. Right across the street, is this
still CRA? Right across the street? >> Yes.
» Okay. There's two properties that I think we bought a few years ago, right?
I'm not really sure, but there's two properties that we bought, took out the
taxes, and they still sitting over there. I've been here for some years.
There's still open lots, just open areas just sitting there.
» Be we have a lot of land. >> Yes. Right across the street. It's just
sitting there. We purchase it. And that's that's one of the things I want
to see when we come in here. The CRA map.
» That's Station Street. >> I think you're talking about Station
Street. Which for? I'm sorry. You point? >> No. right across the the the light right
here. Right across in the parking area. There's a couple vacant lots that's been
there for for years now. I know the city own them.
» They just been there. That's the CRA area, right? They just been there. We
bought them for what purpose and it's just sitting there. And so that's why
I'm saying >> shop own.
» That was free ice house. >> What?
» That was free ice house. >> Which one?
» Free ice house. What? I don't >> either way. The CRA doesn't own it. I'll
say that. The CRA this board can't make a decision on that those properties.
Okay. So, what I'm looking at moving forward and I
commission uh miss I know you talked about uh last time there was about a
million dollars um we used for residents and you gave the option of commercial
residents or a balance. I would like to see you keep that balance because for a
long time in the CRA the money dedicated to the residents was right around
20,000. It's only till the public came up and start saying, "Hey, what about
this that we donate? We we moved it up to that and we lost so much money. I I
see somebody that's in the back now that was overlooking the CRA program when she
was at Orange County. So, what I'm what I'm just looking for is just to see what
we how we moving and how we moving about and
what direction we going to go in. And then when somebody proposed a piece of
land, what is our criteria for buying that land? Because if I got a
piece of property that I proposed to you and you don't buy my property, I'm like,
okay, what is the requirement? when somebody suggests a piece of land that
we should investigate and look at and we taking all this time to really go and
see how we can develop somebody else land.
So I just I just want to see a more uh balanced approach and make things make
sense for everybody that is clear and we understand and you put it where it goes.
So we don't have no clue. We don't have no idea.
We don't have no misinformation of where we going or where we headed. we know
exactly where we're going and we know how it's going to benefit before we even
take on the responsibility of getting it and haven't really did anything else for
the future to look into it to make sure it's going to be beneficial for the
city. So that's all I'm saying. Thank you.
» Thank you, Mr. Hall. >> Thank you, sir.
» Anybody else from the public wish to speak? I'll close public comment. Uh I
do echo similar sentiments that the the board members have made. Uh I just think
right now maybe is not the best time if we are looking for a parking lot. the
the museum does have space right next to it that we own that we can uh maybe
formalize a parking lot there if that's something that we're looking at. So that
may be worthwhile to look at down the road um if we want to. So um
not right now on the next one. Thank you. Um so we don't need to take a
formal action on this, right? You're looking for direction,
» right? >> So it seems like the direction is we're
good right now. >> Yes, I I [laughter] understand the
direction. >> Yes, ma'am. All right. Next up, uh,
evaluating the purchase of the property at 205 East 8th Street.
» Okay, hang on. Grab this. There we go. So, this is a property that another
property that was bought brought to staff's attention. This one is owned by
Duke Energy. And so, at the last um April 15th meeting, the CRA um board had
directed staff to make an offer on the property for purchase.
So, the property is here. It's currently vacant um at the corner of 8th and South
Forest Avenue. It's uh a little over 19,500 square ft. Currently zoned um
multi-use. It is appraised at 156,000.
Um the purchase price is at 156. Um it's requiring a deposit of 10,000
with the balance due of 146 at closing. The property is sold is ASIS condition
with a 120day inspection period following the execution of the agreement
with the closing to occur within 30 days after completion of due diligence. Um
and in reference to the due diligence um will be performed um in addition to the
purchase price uh which includes title surge and boundary survey environment
environmental assessment and any other additional ancillary costs as necessary.
And I put that note there because the 156 does not include those additional um
cost.
So this meets the city the strategic objective of economic viability. It
meets the CRA master plan for land acquisition and it meets Florida statute
163.37C7
for acquisition by purchase in the community development area to remove or
prevent the spread of blight and deterioration or to provide land needed
for public facilities.
So, we are requesting the motion for authorization for the board chair to
execute an agreement for the purchase of the property uh reference to support
future redevelopment opportunities and strategic land assembly.
» Thank you, Miss Forbes. Members, questions me.
» Okay. My understanding from past commissions
that the purchase of this property would be used for the sole purpose of putting
a resource center on it.
And but in the board item, it talks about purchasing a property to preserve
the property for future redevelopment for the board to determine the ultimate
use in a separate public process, which is contradictory to previous boards
wanting to purchase it specifically for a reuse center.
Uh, number two, when [clears throat] I looked at the
sale for contract, I didn't see any sections in there where
the mineral rights and the air rights go to the city.
Um, Duke Energy can't maintain the mineral rights and the air rights of
that property if the city buys it. And we decide to put up a multi-story
building.
Thank you for your comments. Uh any additional comments from
membership >> and this would be taken off the tax.
» Correct. >> And I mean we've talked about this
property become, you know, designating ear marking it. I should just say
earmarking it for the resource center. where I'm on the fence about purchasing
it is do we have the funds to put a building
on it? Can we go I mean
» is there some kind of partnership someone who's going to help us create
the resource center because if we purchase it and it continues to sit
there as it been doing with Duke Energy then I mean and we're not using CRA
dollars. We're actually using money that Duke gave us. So
» the 150,000 >> $160,000
» 50 150,000 >> oh
» 150 so we would the CRA would be putting in
» well we've incorporated that in the um tenative budget as requested by um
member Anderson as commissioner Anderson.
» Okay. >> Right. So that's specific to the the uh
commission budget not >> commission budget. Yes sir. So then
should the this board even be reviewing this then if we're spending it out of
comm uh commission dollars not >> not the purchase of the land the
purchase of the land. >> Oh you're saying the resource
» the resource center itself >> the 15. Thank you.
» So that we can have in addition to that um have been in contact with different
people in the county and the county does have interest in partnership with that
particular um project. >> But do we have a commitment? What? No,
we don't have a commitment, but there I mean,
» and I will tell you what, >> we already have if we already have
$150,000, we need a resource center here. I mean, this is something that is
definitely needed. >> And if we already have $150,000 already
that's been just floating around for years, we need to put the money to work.
» In addition to that, we have the money now in the CRA to purchase the land. We
have $150,000 to help develop the land. I I don't I mean, what what what else
are we waiting on? I think we definitely definitely I mean it's getting the need
is there. >> I know we need the resource center. I'm
just right now it's on a tax roll. So we're getting taxes off of that.
» Yeah. But we're going to we're not you're not pulling out the tax ro to do
anything. We're pulling off the tax role with a plan in action. The other
property we just didn't know what we're going to do with it. But we have a plan
for this particular property here. >> A resource center.
» I know. But who's putting up the resource center?
» Well, I think that's all we have to talk about that. But we have to we have to
start somewhere. Any
other comments? >> I'm I'm not, you know, I'm not opposed
at the purchase of the property, but I think with our our budgets as strapped
as they are, I am opposed at us getting in involved in something that's that I
see a lot of risk and a lot of service fees that come along with it.
» Any other comments before I go to public comment?
I'll going to open up public comment. Anybody from the public wish to speak on
this?
» Leroy Bale or Pupka? I think that uh we really do need a
resource center and this money have been earmarked for that and I think for like
Commissioner Anderson said for so many years we didn't know where this money
was until a couple of meetings ago when uh well the public didn't know until
[laughter] >> she like wait a minute I knew where the
money was. The public didn't know until uh uh Miss Sherman told us that where it
was, but I think what it need to be used for exactly what it should be.
And in addition to that, I know it's not on the agenda or anything, but I noticed
that in the CRA, everything being discussed
here tonight have a E behind it, meaning the east side.
Nothing have been said to beautify the west side. Thank you.
» Thank you, Mr. Bell.
Buster Hall, [clears throat]
I'm just curious to see how we move forward on this piece of land when we
have $150,000 that I know I campaign for for us having a resource center for the
homeless. It's not the unhoused, it's the homeless. We we changed the name so
we feel better about what the situation is.
So moving forward, there was a mandate for change and we're
going to see if the can get keep getting kicked down the road or we going to do
what we supposed to do. This is an opportunity to purchase this
secure land. We have 150,000 to work with.
Let's make it a reality. Thank you.
» Thank you, Mr. home. Anybody else?
» Christine Moore, 141 South Central Avenue. I just wanted to bring a little
clarity about um where the county was before I left. Uh and the plan was to
fund a a a facility for the unhoused after the east side. So, they're next.
And so, um there is money coming. I know that it's in the budget. The county
spends about $55 million a year. And so that would be my recommendation that you
try to get some money, maybe do something temporary, but they will fund
a facility in my estimation in the next five years.
» So I'm sorry it repeat that again. 55 million from our
» 55. It's in the budget now. I know everything could change with this tax
reform passing, but uh Apopka was next after the east side to get a uh a
housing. And I really don't want to tell you and say publicly what it is because
then everybody's going to start running around worried about where it might be.
And that would be my second comment to you. if you buy this property, you owe
it to all those residents around there before you purchase it to tell them
that's what you're thinking about doing with it because it will lower the
property values around there. So, it's it's a very very difficult process to
get the zoning for anything for the unhouse. So, they typically are in
commercial areas, not middle of residential areas. And so, the the
location is important. But what I came to say was I know that you are next.
This northwest Orange County is next for a facility after the east side and they
were anticipating that to be in the next five years.
» Thank you, Miss Moore. >> Anyone else? All right, I'll close
public comment. Any final comments from membership?
» Is this uh does the city do do some sort of due diligence relative to
environmental issues on vacant property before we buy it? Uh I know that there's
funding that's built into the budget or that we're about to discuss
uh specific to phase ones, environmentals, ESAs, all that.
And the 120day period references that as well for due diligence and this PSA.
Any other comments? >> So the total price is 156.
» I'm sure there's some additional closing cost associated with that.
So, does that need to be added to the 156?
» I'm sure it would kind of fac, as the mayor just mentioned, we kind of
factored that cost into this as as noted on the budget. It says land acquisition,
due dy purchase, environmental for due property, and that. So, I think it was
either 10 or 11,000, something we factored already into that.
» So, the 156 includes the factoring in or not?
» No, it does not. So >> it's in addition to that.
» All right. >> So to be accurate then the cost of the
property should be 166. >> Well the cost of the property to
purchase it from Duke is the 156 >> to purchase the property to include the
down payment and the closing cost is 166.
» You can say that. >> Well I did say it. So is it accurate?
The purchase price from Duke as I understand it. Okay. Is the 156. In
addition to that, the environmental assessment is another 10,000.
» That's in the budget. >> It is.
» Yes. >> Yes.
» Okay. As a separate line item or part of the line item, the land say land
acquisition. Duke property purchase environmental for the Duke property.
It's in there. >> So, all right. So, it's as clear as mud.
» So, I do want to reference a few things here. My my only issue with this
specific site is that it is somewhat sight constrained in that I think it's
only 044 acres 42 either way less than half an acre 045. So 19,5557
square ft. So with that I got to put parking lot water mitigation uh a
building everything else with that. So my concerns with this specific site is
just that the site constraints which uh have been my concerns from the beginning
on this and then the points being made as well is yes we have some seed money
so to speak but what's the real plan in place um something that I've been doing
on >> this is by the bike trail
» correct so what I we do need to start somewhere we
do need to get somewhere with this and I totally agree with that it's not kicking
the can down the road it's doing it right setting up the proper thing 5 to
10 years from now I have spoken in Orange County as well and they indicated
that they are uh purchasing something on the east side right now and that for
them they would like to partner in that capacity specific to that site that we
could u provide resources and things like that and get um transportation
going that would provide and and partner with that site um delicately they said
that we're not deep into that yet but that's what the conversations I've been
having with Orange County because we can't do it alone. We don't have the
budget to fund all this. uh nor do I I I don't think it's the government's
responsibility. There's nonprofits, individuals, churches that are already
meeting a need and we need to bring them all together to the table to to fund
this to to be a part of this. They have funding that is already available to
this. We don't need to be running this. We don't need to be expending taxpayer
dollars on this. We can just support those that are doing it and get behind
them and get it right. We do have a lot of land already that we already own that
we can utilize should that be the the um uh the will of this board uh that the
city can technically sell to I guess the CRA or or grant to the CRA without
having to spend these dollars. So, I'm not by no means am I trying to kick the
can down the road. I just want to make sure we get it right. I don't want a
board seven years from now saying why' they buy such a small site. We'd rather
an acre. We it would have been better if this or better that. Obviously, we're
not we can always say it could be better, but at the same time, uh looking
at whoever part having our partnership set up front, whether whoever is going
to run it on the day-to-day, getting their input of what that looks like,
what their true needs are going to be. Uh I I think that needs to happen before
we um before we purchase it. Now, can we do that in the 120 days of due
diligence? Absolutely. uh we we can discuss that with all of our partners,
get partnerships in place, and if we don't have comfort with all of our
partners in place yet, then we do have the opportunity to cancel uh at the
discretion of the purchaser. So, for any reason or no reason, we can back out uh
which it says in there. So, I think that's where our due diligence while in
conjunction with doing phase ones, environmentals, surveys, uh we need to
be seeing do we have partners that can actually run this, fund it, and help
with it. Um it we don't have the staff to do it. we don't have the funding to
do it. So, I want to make sure that we have a successful plan in place should
this be the site that it's done properly. So, that that's my only
concerns and and just making sure that we do have a plan in place. I do want to
get momentum on this. I just want to make sure we're doing it right. But, we
absolutely can do that during the due diligence process.
» This the one that has wetlands in the back.
» Uh yes, to the north and I think to the east as well.
» I think it's surrounded by or an easement of some sort. There's something
there. There's this one. It just has some really unique sight constraints to
it that >> we may not love and it may not promote
what we what we need which is space. >> Have the railroad crossing behind there.
» I'm not sure if railroads on that side. >> Closing fishes is across.
» So yeah. So I think we take the 120 days and see if it's something that we can
actually >> get some partners see what we can make
happen. See what happen. >> I'm I'm all for that all day. I just
want to make sure the expectation we we need a at 100 day 120
» day 119. I need a we need a plan in place of this is how it's going to go,
who's partnering, when we're closing, here's how it's going to get done.
» I think it'll help us kind of even with that, you know, within that time period,
we're able to then if even if we cancel with this site, we have enough
information and to kind of know what we can do. So,
» it gets those conversations going, build confidence in the people we are talking
to as well that this isn't just chat. We're about to close on this. Do you
want to be a partner in this and how can it work? So, I think it's a great idea.
Any final comments? But what you're looking for,
[clears throat] you're favor purchasing a property as long as within 120 days we
can determine if it's buildable relative to the resource center.
» Buildable and we can find partners that are part of this process. We can't build
a building with 150,000 >> seed money, but we can we can start uh
so so yes, that's correct. >> Yeah, we we need to consider long-term
partners. Oh, I understand. Um in terms of the maintenance because All
right. So, Mr. Chair, I'll make a motion that we uh
» May I interrupt be I'm sorry, but before you make that motion because I just need
a little bit more clarity to make sure. What does that look like when we talk
about partners? Are we looking for actual written confirmation? Are we
looking for executed agreement? >> Yeah, I would want something in writing
that says we should you close on this, we will there'll be a funding component
to this. There's going to be a partner that runs the day day-to-day of it. And
then what we will do is either a board or a city what that looks like a
partnership. >> So obviously we can't commit as a city
right now but we can commit as a CRA board. So yeah there needs to be those
provisions in place of what that looks like.
» My >> I would think
» and then do we need a motion to approve is the goal is to motion this PSA
in the dollar amount or just the PSA itself.
» So I staff would need authorization for you as board chair to execute this
agreement. >> Okay.
» All right. So, I move uh [clears throat]
uh that the board authorize the chair to enter into a contract for sale and
purchase of real estate at 205 East 8th Street
with the understanding that the city attorney makes sure that we own the air
rights and the mineral rights and that uh the city perform 120day due
diligence to see if a resource center is a good is a good allocation for the
property. >> So move
» uh moved by member Drago, second by member Anderson. Attorney hand
has a comment. >> Give you the mic.
» Thank you, Blanch. Uh board members, I would just like to let you know uh of
course this uh I just direct your attention that the city of Apopka is the
actual purchaser. So this would have to go before the council as well.
So could we recommend councelor could we recommend that the city council purchase
the property instead of us purchasing? See the problem we have is the money's
in our budget if if I understand it. So does the budget so the money has to be
transferred to the general fund for the city to purchase it? No blanch you could
do it automatically. What am I thinking about? No, it's it's just the contract
is between the as he just said the city of Aka.
» Why? >> Yeah.
» Well, then well then we have to can we amend that? I mean
basically send it amended for their approval that it comes from
the uh TRA board. >> Yes.
» That's what I'm thinking. >> Thank you for that catch.
» So we just need to amend it to say that it's from the board because it is in the
budget. Uh we have land acquisition, Duke property purchase, environmental
for Duke property. Uh it also had 161 E6 street and new land in FY 2027. So it
had all that built into to these numbers in this budget or in the I guess
carryovers budget request, excuse me. >> So if uh if we can amend I guess the the
motion to reflect the proper purchaser. >> All right. So, I amend my motion to
reflect the city of Apopka as the main purchaser of the property at
2020 205 East Street >> with the CRA board.
» CRA board. >> So, move again.
» Uh moved by member Drago, seconded by member Anderson. All those in favor say
I. >> I.
» All opposed. >> Uh motion carries.
» Opposed. >> Four to two. uh with member Ruth and
member Velasquez in opposition.
» All right. >> Are we comfortable on that? I don't want
to have to come back to that one if we need to make any corrections. Are we?
» No, that's fine. >> Let me uh ask one question. This has to
go before the city commission for a second bite of the apple.
» Uh uh no. >> No, because we changed it to the
» attorney hand. Does this need to go in front of the city commission for
approval? or ratification of approval
» unless uh
anything in the ILA that requires that to go for the purchase of property
» because Orange County has a charter card county. I don't believe there's anything
off the off of the top of my head, but that's certainly something that that
staff can take a look at >> and can be certain about.
typically no that's fine but it being a charter county sometimes there are some
additional requirements and so forth so I
» let's make sure look into that then off hand I want to make sure that those are
covered and that that's looked at >> let me just ask you a question and you
said that you have some talks with Orange County
» regarding some kind of resource center that they want to kind of put on the
east side >> correct
» and they're asking us to partner with them
» correct there was no specific ask no specific dollar amount it was just
instead of us having to own, manage, and run something, would it make sense to
partner with an entity that's already buying it, running it, and partnerships
already in place, we can contribute in some capacity, whether through CRA or
otherwise. Uh, >> we will leave that 150 from Duke that we
earmarked for some type of resource. >> That's correct.
» Okay. >> But again, that's a commission decision,
not a board decision. But yes, that's >> okay. And that can be that'll be in
budget talks as well for um >> I mean I just don't want it to get lost.
Nope. >> I just think that if if there's a
partnership that can come forth >> because Orange County has the money
» and uh I think >> contacts partnerships. Exactly. So I
think that's where that due diligence in this will give us the time to get a
comfort level or back out and not move forward with it.
» Okay. So it has that the the contingency in there to to back out uh for any
reason that the purchaser deems appropriate in its sole discretion.
» So if we are not happy with that as a board, we can back out and reassess.
» Okay. >> All right, staff. We're good on that
one. No, there's no update that I need to make. No new motions. We got that one
right. Okay. Uh moving on to resolution number 2026-01.
appro appropriate existing redevelopment trust funds to the next FY27 in
resolution 2026-02 >> resolution number 2026-01
a resolution of the community redevelopment agency of the city of
Apakka Florida approving the appropriation of funds remaining in the
redevelopment trust fund to certain projects authoriz authorizing the
executive director to take all actions necessary to implement this resolution
providing for an effective date. >> Mrs. Sherman,
» good evening. Member chairman at this chairman Nester
and members of the CRA committee. I know you can't see this. I can't either. So,
that's why I did give you sheets right >> at your table. Um, I want to try to make
this as easy as possible in regards to the FY2026
carryover funding. And I want to start with the first column to your left,
which is your adopted budget for FY2026, which is in the amount of the 6 million
328123. There was only one amendment with some
PO rollovers totaling totaling 96,467 which made the amended budget the
6,ion426590.
some of the pending reallocations that we that you know had talked about and
had mentioned. I know she just left and went to the ladies room [laughter]
but are listed here like some of the CRA the B I FAP and the CRA RAP those
programs are no longer eligible programs. So we were taking those funds
and moving them into the contingency. in regards to the CRA DPAP program.
She wants to increase that by the 253765 and she talked about this at the
previous meeting and some of those fundings are coming from the contingency
as well as from the 103755
which was the neighborhood park at 8th Street in Highland. So wanting to
reallocate those funds into the down payment assistance program of 253765
and we just had a several conversations about the land acquisitions. So in the
current year budget she wanted to add the 327,000
plus that 150 come to a total of 477 and that was to support the purchase of the
Duke property some of the environmental assessments and that 161 East Street
that made that total 477 if you're following me.
In addition, some reallocation in the amount of 375.
That's for the Edward Edwardsfield installation of a pickle ball and
basketball fencing.
And she wants to reallocate the fifth
street, Fifth and Central Avenue signal design for Fifth and Park Avenue signal
and pedestrian upgrades. And the majority of those funds about a
million51646 to go to the Alonzo Williams Park event
p uh no I'm saying that wrong. This is why you can't see this thing parking lot
at MA board in Hawthorne.
And again some of those funding coming out of contingency some reallocating
from some of the projects that were previously pro approved in the 20 2026
budget. And that brings our total after some of the transfers that have already
been made to the 6,ion426590. Again, it's just a reallocation of those
funds within those programs. After we do that, uh, in order to determine the
amount that we will be rolling forward into 27, we look at your expenditures to
date and your anticipated expenditures for the rest of the fiscal year.
And expenditures to date was about 870 286. We anticipate expending another
188304 making leaving a remaining balance here
of 5 million 368 368,000 to be carried forward into FY27.
» Okay, I'm going stop there before I go to the 27th. Any questions?
» Questions from membership? So the I know that we have in here for the land
acquisition that property at 161 East 6th Street.
» So are we because we decided against that property. So are we taking that
those funds and putting pardons in the contingency? What are we doing with the
additional? >> We can take them out and put them back
into the contingency if that's what you prefer.
» I'm just asking. I know we haven't. >> Okay. Yes.
» Okay. So >> can you tell uh can you tell us and I'm
looking at the column that's has the proposed budget with carryover.
So, member Anderson talked about the land acquisition, which is $777,000.
Talks about Duke Property, East Sixth Street, and new land.
What new land are we going to buy >> in 27? The 300,000.
» Yes. So, 800,000.
So that was in consideration of not just the Duke property and the other property
that the board has now elected not to um to purchase but any other and and
ancillary and additional costs, excuse me, but it's also including if there's
any other property that may uh come up available. Um, so our office gets I'd
say once once every uh every couple weeks or so or so there is someone that
has property that they are interested in the CR potentially purchasing of which
we bring before the board at the time. So additional funds are there in case
the board elects that it would like to um review property for potential
purchase. But as um finance director mentioned, it can be put back into
contingency so that at the time you can review on a case-by case basis and make
a decision of whether or not you'd like to uh transfer the funds specifically
for that purchase.
» Uh [clears throat] it just feels like we're skipping
around. So let me concentrate on the proposed budget with carryover.
» [clears throat] >> What the if I may the first resolution
is the carry forward >> only the
» estimated carry >> only the dollar amount not the line item
» I want to go over the line item >> so when do I do that after after the
resolution is adopted or before >> you
» well I think what the the request is is don't go through proposed budget and
carryover just go over carryover is what's being requested
» by Mr. Sherman. Correct. >> 2027.
» 2026. >> 2026.
» FY. So, it's third from the right. >> Third from the right.
» All right. I'll I'll I'll wait till after the resolution to go through it
line item by line item. That would be appropriate.
» We do have line items for the carryover. >> Uh,
» okay. >> So, you know.
» Okay. Any questions specific to the carryover appropriations?
» I have questions on line items, but we'll cross that bridge when we get
there. >> Well, we can go through line of
» carryovers. >> Okay. Um, so,
so in reference to the downtown Apopka trail, isn't that
completed already? >> I think phase one is complete.
» Phase one. Mhm. >> So,
» is this this item specifically for phase two or it's not it's it's not specific
in terms of what >> what
» my understanding um when it was first set up it was phase two and phase three.
They were going to break it out in three phases.
» Okay. So, that's what this 1.3 is for. >> Yes, ma'am.
» Okay. Um, my next question is in reference to
the Fifth and Central Avenue signal design. I see that there's no carryover.
» That's the part she wants to reallocate the 1.3 from that 1.350646.
If you see in that reallocation column, this color is blue. She's reallocating
those funds into other programs and the the majority of which is into the
parking lot at MA board in Hawthorne. >> May I ask why you want to reallocate
that to the parking lot on Hawthorne? >> Yes. So, and while I'm answering, I'm
also going to ask parks to come up because this was a request specifically
by our parks department in order to deal with a lot of the um significant amount
of traffic that they get due to the the the games and the recreation programs
that they have and specifically to that project for um fifth and what's it
called? >> Fifth and C in Central and Central.
» So, there's been very little movement thus thus far. Um, so my conversations
with public works is that they're looking at possibly breaking it out into
phases um, in order to hopefully get more traction on it. But in the interim,
we want to make sure that we move forward um, and making sure that we are
compliant with our expenditure requirement with the county and we also
want to find projects that we could move forward that still provides a
significant enough impact. So that project fifth and central is not off the
table. when it becomes available and it's ready to move then we will put that
in in future budget. >> When you say a little movement what do
you mean by that
» is it >> well and I'll describe it on like on a
higher level >> then and and obviously uh Mr. Sonowski
can pro provide specific updates to this >> in terms of
» but what's happening is that we have staff that don't they have ownership of
projects but they have 15 different projects. So that specific project
» doesn't get a priority or only gets hey every time it kind of comes through the
loop of what we're working on it takes some time. So there's where the delays
are coming in >> and that's where there's it's staff time
there. It's just span of control of the amount of projects we have.
» Okay. >> Unless I'm wrong.
» Yes. So [clears throat] the design hasn't started on that on the traffic
signal. Uh we're looking now into at least getting the pedestrian
signalization there for the crosswalks and that's going to be like a phase one
and then phase two will be rehabilitation of the entire
intersection with a new traffic signal and this is for fifth and central only.
» Yeah. I just think we need to eventually put
this put some funding back into this. But I understand
» and I can also um tell you that the last conversation I had with the county in
relation to the extension their request was hey you have um projects with a
significant budget line item to it of which when will we see movement on
those? So this is um this is intentional and moving it to projects that there
will provide movement but recognizing that the project when it's ready we can
we will bring it back before the board to reallocate some funding.
» Okay. Thank you. >> Any other questions specific to the line
items for carry over appropriation?
» Yeah. What is an MA board? Is that a electronic board of some sort? It's a
street right here. >> Named after a resident.
» Yeah, it's a street. >> Which street is that?
» MA [clears throat] board. >> Oh, MA board.
» Any additional questions from membership? I do want to because we got
to uh approve this separately. Correct. >> Yes.
» Okay. I want to open up to public then right now.
» Okay. >> Anybody from the public wish to speak on
the carryover appropriations?
» All right. No, >> Leroy Bell. I I don't have my hearing
aids in today. Um did this this was MA board and six orthorn
» board and Hawthorne. >> That's that's on Sixth Street,
which is MA board. That would be that would be the parking lot across from
Lorenza >> Alonzo Williams. Correct.
» And that Yes. We I'm I'm hoping that you guys will approve that because we really
need that uh for the facility and um I know that
Miss Cindy they to put in water and put in uh electric and we really need for
events I think also not just the parking lot the drainage of the fields but I
think that's a good project and I think uh I I'm hoping that you guys will
approve that for the uh move over, however you want to put it.
» Thank you, Mr. Bell. >> Well, there's $50,000 in there for the
parking. >> No, there's one point.
» No, for for Edwards Field, there's $50,000.
» Edwards Field. >> Edwards Field.
» That's Edwards Field.
lot of MA board in Hawthorne is one a little over a million
» 3000,7 I can't even see
» that's not the number but that's >> Williams party
» a million something just below it
» yeah I was just trying to do parking lot >> wait till everybody finish so it's all
good uh Sylvester Hall Alonzo William Park
I live in Rock Springs Ridge and I frequently go Right out of my backyard
across the street, I'm go over to Jason Dwellin and visit the Northwork
Recreation Center and it's beautiful most of the time. But I look at how we
upkeep and I look at what is there. And maybe a couple weeks ago, Leroy and I
went to Alonzo William Park on a Sunday. The guys was out playing soccer
and uh they had to move the goalpost away from the water so they can play on
the side that was dry. And when you walk on the field and where you thought was
grass, your shoes just sink down into the mud.
Leroy mentioned earlier everything that we're planning with the CRA is on one
side and there's nothing on the other side. That's one little park, Alonzo
William Park.
that we have pretty much just left the stand for itself. I complain over and
over about no electrical outlets when we have events when the v uh the vineyards
come out there to uh hook up. There was nothing. Thank you for finally getting
that into place. But I the guys that say if you got to use the restroom, where do
you go? There's about maybe six to 10 big oak
trees. They just go behind the oak trees. Well, if you got to do a number
two, what do you do? So when when mother nature call, you
just do what you got to do. So it's a shame that we don't have not one outside
restroom at Alonzo William Park. Not one outside
restroom. I don't took my pictures and everything.
So, I'm putting my presentation together also. But I'm watching you guys are how
how you go about distributing CRA funds in certain areas.
That park when you have Junth, if that park, if that parking area
wasn't available, where would people park? Because any event you have over
there, you go look at parking, that little area pretty much overflows.
But yet and still, we've been we've been asking for years for a parking lot over
there. Then the parking space that you have
right in front, if you have a big SUV, you're blocking traffic.
Your behind is sticking in the road. Well, when I go over to Jason Dwelling,
I don't see those type of things. There's adequate parking. There's all
kinds of adequate restrooms and everything. The fields are dry, mostly
maintained.
But we don't have that Alonzo William Park
and I asked the difference why.
So this time with the CRA money, can we please make the whole city of Apopka,
let's bring it up to par. The areas that we don't neglect for for
years, let's bring them up to par. Let's bring them up to standard.
I ask each and every one of you to do that.
Starting with Alonzo William Park. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Hall. Anyone else
from the public wish to speak?
Christine Moore 141 South Central. I did attend the training. I'm certified in
Florida redevelopment area. I did that last year and I also live in it. And so
I wanted to talk to you about the purpose of CRAAS is because they were
about 40 50 years ago was to invest in things that increase the property tax,
the value of property. It was never meant um to be a park fund. It was it
was meant for streetscape. uh what you're doing with facade
renovations on the commercial on the uh residential side and what what we're all
facing coming in November is potential a great reduction in available revenue and
so if you follow strongs I'm the president of that for aka and uh the the
or the the organization urban 3 if you take any of those courses I have will
tell you that you should invest with your CRAAS and things that will produce
revenue revenue in terms of property values. So if you're putting a lot of
money in parks, I would just ask you to say, how does that increase the revenue
downtown? I also had a conversation with Byron Brooks the other day and they're
really looking the county and I'm not there now, but they're really looking to
reduce your funding. So I really encourage you with this budget to invest
in things that will show increased property tax revenue. So, street skates
in a commercial area, great. Anything you're doing on Fifth Street, I applaud
that because that can potentially bring you more revenue and people building.
But investing in parks, they could make the argument to you that that should
come out of your parks fund. So, um I I love all the the uh renovation programs
on the commercial and the residential side, but the the key is if you think
about this, we're going to have less revenue coming from residential,
but where we will still have revenue is from commercial and industrial. So, I
really encourage you with this revenue to think about downtown, how you can
increase your commercial tax base. Thank you.
» Thank you, Miss Moore. Anybody else from the public wish to speak?
All right, we will close public comment. Uh, any questions, final comments from
membership? >> I have I have one question and I'm just
kind of curious and I'm I was going to kind of
» segue off Commissioner Moore's comments. >> Uh,
West Orange Street doesn't have sidewalks. First Street doesn't have
sidewalks. Oak Street doesn't have sidewalks. Myrtle doesn't have
sidewalks. Monroe don't don't have sidewalks. East Third Street don't have
sidewalks. North Lake Avenue don't have sidewalks. And North Washington don't
have sidewalks. They're all in the CRA district.
Um, and to cross from the west side of town to the east side to even go to the
park, you're going to take your life and your to cross Park Avenue to get to the
park. um that that's risky at best and you certainly, you know, without traffic
control, you can't get from the west side to the east side.
» With that in mind, are you wanting to are you proposing to move money around
to something else? >> No, I'm I when we're talking about CRA
funds, these are these are legitimate um areas where that money is intended to
go. um you know and all these streets you know run north,southeast and west.
So, um it's contiguous. Um what's not on the east is the same on the west and
what's not on the north is the same on the south. And we can definitely
reallocate funds or move them around. And as we navigate, let's say on our
November meeting, the budget's set, but we can in some capacity
» after they Yeah. to be an amendment. >> Yeah. To to say, "Hey, you know, we want
to reallocate or the parking lot." Well, the reallocation wouldn't be an
amendment, but we've done reallocations throughout the year only if we're
increasing the budget overall. >> Gotcha. Okay. These streets also handle
three schools, Orange County schools, and these kids walk in the middle of
Lake Street. Um, so, >> so I think there's a difference.
» I think we need to be aware of the fact that, you know, um, I took it upon
myself to put stop signs for that reason, the lack of sidewalks
and we did that 10 years ago. >> Well, I think we can definitely find a
balance in in this budget to be able to allocate funds for sidewalks. Uh that
definitely does help with uh improving what the CRA should be doing as well as
um a parking lot. What's interesting about a parking lot too for a park is it
helps to uh bring more vendors down. It helps to bring more events. It helps to
create an atmosphere of commerce and community. And if you have a park in a
neighborhood that is nice and wellkept and something people want to go, it will
increase property values in that area. So I think there's strategy behind that.
I don't think it's based on anything other than a strategy that improves the
area. So, uh, and again, we can edit as we need to or adjust as we need to. And
if we want to have uh more consistent meetings, too, to pivot quickly with
these budgets, we can do that as well. So, keep that in mind. We don't have to
wait just quarterly. We can do monthly. We can do what this board prefers to do.
So, just keep that in mind as we navigate forward because I think
pivoting quickly is going to be our key to success on this board. Uh, so any
final questions or comments? Are those sidewalks you mentioned, are they in the
northwest section of the of the city? >> They in the northwest of the CRA. Yes,
» they're in the entire CRA district. >> Well, there's in the budget they have
sidewalks north- west doesn't have south and east. So,
» I just named every street that doesn't have a sidewall. I wasn't particular of
east, west, north. The streets I named are do not have sidewalks.
» Okay. And again, we can work to allocate as
needed or as we want to prioritize or have some staff go out there and say,
"Hey, these this is kind of the main thoroughare area. Let's prioritize those
and then go from there." >> I know, but we had a resident that had
been advocating for Lake Avenue for a long time, for a few years. And uh that
would be Mr. Roger Beckett who I I can remember for the last four or five years
he's been advocating and is correct. Um there's a lot of school uh kids that use
those streets and they use uh the actual street to get to the schools. We have
Dream Lake uh Apakka Middleak
» and Apakka Elementary. Oh, in the high school.
» Yeah. All in that corridor there. So, well, again, we can edit as we
prioritize or as we want to prioritize. We can adjust these to staff and then
and then go from there. So, any final comments? If not, I'll look for
approval. >> Let me get one clarification if you
don't mind. U Mr. Chairman, >> the 299 that is a for the 161 East
6th Street, we're going to put those funds back into the contingency. That's
going to be a modification here. >> Okay.
» Correct. >> Yes. And then we can reallocate as
needed. Probably need to prioritize reallocating those, right? That would
make sense. >> Okay.
» Is that out of the uh 777,000? Yes, but it's the 477 is a part of that
477. >> Yeah. So, how much are you
» 299,000? >> Did you allocate any additional dollars
for the environmental on that one though?
» 11,0001,000. Was that >> wasn't part of the 299?
» But was that for >> No, but on top of the 299
» on top of the 299 was one of those 11 for that property.
» No, not specifically. >> We gave two 11s. It's two 11s that are
in there. I know one was for the Duke property.
» Mhm. >> And I guess like any new property,
» correct? >> So that would be associated with the new
property, the other 11,000. >> Okay.
» Correct. >> All right. Well, I will look for a
motion then to approve resolution number 2026-01
with the >> amendment or change
» change >> of the 161 E63 allocation
» and that is in the amount of the 6 million 127366
and that includes the carryover from 26 in the amount of 5,368,000
and some prior year carryover in the amount of 759,00
366. >> All right, Mr. Chair, I have a couple of
questions. Um, [clears throat]
I've always been a proponent that when you come to
when the cities get to sign documents, legal documents,
uh, it should always be an elected official
um because that's what the voters voted for. So with that said, I'm
prepared to make a motion with amendments to resolution 2026-04.
[clears throat] So I move to adopt resolution 2026-04
with the following amendments. >> I hate to interrupt. We don't have a we
don't have that currently. Correct. We have
» have what? >> That resolution.
» Yeah, >> it's right here. We have
» 2026-01 >> one.
» No. The clerk said the last one we adopted was 03. This has got to be 04.
» It doesn't have to be that way. >> No,
» this is the first one.
» This one is 2026-01. >> Then I'm not looking at it in
chronological order relative to the to the uh to the agenda.
» That's correct. >> So it's 01 is the right number.
» Yes. Correct. >> All right. Let me start over again.
I move to adopt resolution 2026-01 with the following amendments. In the
title, the uh award executive director gets replaced with chairman.
In section two, uh there's a fiscal year 2025 should be
2026.
Yes. >> In section two, uh
the word fiscal year 2025 gets replaced with 2026.
In section three, uh the words CRA director gets replaced with chairman.
» [snorts]
» Are we Can we do that? Change that from
» executive director to chairman.
» Got a motion by member Drago.
» Do I have a second? >> I'll second.
» Second by member Baron. All those in favor say I.
» I. All opposed. >> Motion carries unanimously.
» Thank you. >> Next up, resolution number 2026-02.
» Resolution 2026-2, a resolution of the community
redevelopment agency. >> Oh,
sorry. Resolution 2026-02,
a resolution of the Community Redevelopment Agency of the City of
Apaka, Florida, adopting the annual budget for fiscal year 2026-2027.
» Mrs. Sherman, >> yes. Um, the item before you, which
again, I apologize. I can't see it. I know you can't,
but in regards to the 2027 budget with the
carryover funds, um, in regards to the adorum taxes, we have an amount of 1.5
interest income 217,000. The carryover amount of 6,127,000
professional services 195,000
7,000 for auditing services travel and pdem 2850
other charges and assistance programs 2,534759,000
books and publications 1,171
land was the 300,00 000 capital improvements 4,5217
241 and contingency of 279. Again, this will change with the changes that were
made in the um carryover amount as well. So, we would amend this accordingly.
» Thank you, Mr. Sherman. Any questions from membership?
» Now, th this is only for the proposed budget. We still haven't discussed the
proposed budget with carryover. So when do we do when do we do that?
» Do it right now. >> Okay, good. So
So I looked at uh I looked at these line items.
So my understanding is any uh block any box that's blank, it's not funded.
» Correct. >> All right. So let's start with the
residential renovation assistance program. There's a dollar amount in
there of1,579733.
When you do the math of $30,000 a household, it comes up to 52.6. So I
have problems with the with the 6. When you look at the uh down payment
assistance program of 3537 55 that comes out to 11
five relative to being funded. My first [snorts] recommendation would be
to set the um residential renovation assistance program at 1.56000
or 1.56 million. That gives you 52 applications that can be funded at
$30,000 for the uh down payment assistance
program that gets adjusted to $360,000. At $30,000 gives you 12 applications
that can be approved. The remaining 13,488
of those numbers being adjusted, I would recommend that that be added to the
sidewalk line item, bringing it to 126 386
so the budget stays in balance. Now, for the 299 that is supposedly being saved
in land,
and I can make an argument that streetscape may not improve property
values, especially the ones on 441 with the stamp concrete, stamp
brick. Uh, but I think uh some of the residents
concerned about >> Oh, there it is. Yeah. park facilities
have a certain amount of amenities equal across the board. I think uh
should be taken into consideration. So,
I would propose, and I'll leave it up to the board to decide the dollar amount,
that part of that 299 be allocated to um
Alonzo Williams Park to add event power, water upgrades, and restrooms, whatever
that cost is to the 54,58. And then the balance then would be added
to the sidewalk. And I would hope the city when they install sidewalks, it's
six inches thick and not four inches because you see a lot of utility trucks
mount the sidewalks and park there. And my experience is it'll sidewalks
will crack or it'll become uneven and the city's back there spending more
money to fix it.
On your first comment in regards to the RAP program,
that program under the revised budget was 962,500.
The expenditure to dates was the 522767 then 120 was anticipated. That
difference that is not an even number is because that is the carryover amount for
things that were not paid out or expected to be paid out during that
fiscal year but rolling it forward to make sure we have the funds there to
make that payment out. The amount for the FY227
is the 1,26 260,000.
So, it includes an carryover amount that is related to unpaid obligations.
» Um, well, I don't see it that way. Uh, the last time we had to amend the
budget in order for Miss Forbes to complete an application that was 16 and
change. Now,
$30,000 into one point 126 is what number?
[snorts] >> I don't have a calculator.
» They didn't give it to me in school. >> 42.
» How much? >> 42.
» 42. >> I don't think we were set on that
30,000. I think it's just we're still massaging that number, right? I don't
think we're set on that. >> Well, I think that I Are you you're
referencing the Rap right now? >> Okay. I was still Okay. Other other
line. Okay. Yeah. Down payment. Not the down payment. Yeah. Okay.
» No, no, no. That's that's the renovation program.
» Yeah. >> Yeah. That's I got it. We got it.
» That was adopted this year. And Miss Forbes spent
I think she had 30 applications or something like that at $30,000 each.
Some may be less, some may be more, but what I heard her tell us, she spent all
the money or allocated the money. So therefore
uh >> and this is how we cover those
allocations that have not been paid to carry this money forward.
» Okay. So the hundred,000 then that needs to that needs to be upped in order to
meet come up with some round number at $30,000.
Otherwise she's going to be coming back saying I can only do 9.75
and we have to find money for the 75. So, the program, I'm sorry, the program
allows for up to up to 30,000, but not all applications receive that 30,000. It
is contingent upon the um quote and the scope of work that we get from the
approved general contractor. So, some folks got a the full 30,000, but there
are some that got as small as 10,000. It really just depended on the scope of
work that that they did. That being said, if the will of the board is to
increase it to a rounder number, we can definitely do that. I just want to offer
clarity that not everyone got specifically 30,000.
» No, I was talking about the down payment. The budget says 100,000. So if
you allocate 30, it's not a round number.
[snorts] >> Correct. So it would be in the the in
the same thread as the rewrap that not every application will receive the
entire 30,000. It will be based on the amount of funding that's available as
well as the amount of funding that they are requested and eligible to receive.
So the carryover amount of 319 and 253 has some incumbrance attached to it. Is
that right? >> Yes. At least for the rewrap. I
» Yeah. Not the 253. >> Yeah. The rewrap did. The 253 is kind of
new reallocation. >> All right. But the down payment
assistance program that's being presented to us now. So that was not in
the 26 budget as a as a carryover. >> It is in the 26 budget as a carryover,
but it was provided to you as a reallocation.
» So no money has been spent. >> Correct.
» Okay. So the my original argument stands it should be a round number in in order
for Miss Forbes to have an even amount of applications relative to $30,000.
But that's what the assumption that every single applicant spends 30,000.
» Well, the budget has to be made on some assumptions and what I'm hearing
» and this one is already >> and we're not really sure we're
massaging that still. We haven't decided if we're going to get 30,000 20 like
we're still kind of massaging that from my understanding.
» But I I understand your position. I think is
» because these numbers will change as we get to November or if we have additional
meetings to work these around to where we find new priorities where we choose
to pivot. If we want different land, if we want new bathrooms, if we want new
sidewalks, all these numbers will adjust,
if we want them to. Okay. So, the extra 299,
[snorts] is there an appetite to put some into Alonzo Park for bathrooms and
some added to sidewalks? >> It is. I was going to bring that up.
Definitely the um Alonzo William Park, the outside bathroom. I know it was
something we had discussed once before. So, I I thought we were getting like a
um a estimate on that. I remember we talked about it one time. Remember? I
think I asked for it before.
Chris Richtor with the parks and rec department. Uh we did get some prefab uh
estimates ranging anywhere from about 250 to 300.
» Okay. >> So pre prefabs
» prefab >> either four or six uh stall uh prefab.
» What does that I'm so sorry. What does that look like? I don't like prefab.
Like >> it's basically a a concrete uh prefab
building. >> Um depending on you can do four or six
stalls. Is it similar to what we have like Northwest Recre the um u
» think of like the concession stand? >> Yeah, the the smaller concession stand
between the uh fields. >> Okay, it looked like Okay, that's what
Okay, >> correct.
» I just want to make sure my head >> still a legitimate building. [laughter]
» Okay, wait a minute. What >> did that cost us?
» I'm not sure on that one. >> What did that cost us
» by the amphitheater? >> I'm not certain on those. I know the
most recent ones the estimate came back depending on if you're doing four, six,
eight stalls, concession stand, no concession stand, those were about 250
to 300 or so. >> So I think at 299 reallocate like
» get us where we need to >> get us where we need to be.
» And keep in mind that is just the building. So there is going to be some
cost associated with getting power, water, sewer connected.
» We'll put a bid out for it. That's >> well the money is in there for the
water. >> Yeah, we got the 54,000 already for
that. of 299 to the >> Alonzo were your bathroom. Okay.
» Bathrooms. >> Okay.
» So, make that change.
» All right. Final questions, comments from the board. Adjustments.
All right. We'll do public comment. Anyone from the public wish to speak?
Again, I I I just want to thank all you guys uh uh what you're going through
trying to get everything lined up. But the comment that I have I have is you
had a public comment come up saying where this CRA dollars should be spent
with a member roof saying that where it's definitely we need sidewalk. We do
uh we got kids, but this this Lorenzo William Park uh I I remember one
commission meeting we was talking about we need to find more revenue because we
don't know what's going to happen with these tax dollars with amendment three.
So you got to you got to look around for money and by fixing up Lor Resa William
Park by putting a parking lot out there. It's the same way that we use CRA money
up at Jason Dwelling with putting over the canvas over the stage. If we put a
park out here, if we put a parking lot out here and fix the field up, put a
bathroom out here, then we start drawing events out there. If we start drawing
events out there, we start the city start bringing in a revenue.
It's not a hindrance. It's something that can help the city and and and and I
really I really think like I said I appreciate what everybody doing and I
think a lot of residents will but you know I think we we need we need to get
away from the language that um you know it's
not I'm looking at one we're looking down through a lens. We got to see the
whole picture. And the whole picture is we can make you
can make Lorenza William Park be a great revenue for the city and it
would pay for itself. All you got to do is invest in it.
» Thank you, Mr. Bell.
» Sylvester Hall. A couple things. I know I mentioned before that we should have a
CRA director because we're winging everything and we
really need expert advice. So, I'm going just throw that out. Throw that out
there again. We should have a CRA director. And I'm just curious why we
didn't have the meeting in city hall because
when we trying to look at the numbers, I didn't want to be rude and come up and
you know and try to look at numbers and then we got
» renovated >> here. Well, they looking and they can't
see the numbers. So, I'm just kind of, you know, wondering why we didn't have
any. >> They're [clears throat] renovation. I
think >> they're renovating.
» Renovating it right now. >> They're renovating chambers. Okay.
» I hope they hurry up because this is pretty much unsat, you know, for
somebody back there and they're looking at the figures and they're trying to
look at the figures with you guys. You really can't do it.
» But what's important is that this is posted previously. It's online. You can
look on your phone, zoom in, iPad, print out.
» Anybody don't have time to go online when they come in and they come into the
events. They haven't done that. So that's why you got it up here now. If
you didn't, you just take it down and we need it because everybody go online.
» But there is access to it. I want to make sure that it's known access.
» Yeah, I I understand that. But I'm just saying like here we now and everybody's
sitting in trying to look it be more presentable where we have where
everybody can look at the figures. Um
uh it's it's a hard balance when we look at
things and it's just dependent on one person vision. Uh it's it's sad when our
country feel like uh investing in people is not an a return on your investment.
It's very sad when we feel like an investment on people. and we have some
great people coming out of the city of Apopka
and we're saying that an investment on those people is not a return on our
community. That's sad. That is really sad. Thank you.
» Thank you, Mr. Hall. Anybody else wish to speak?
» Okay. The CRA community redevelopment agency was created under statues 163.
A popka CRA was established in 1993. Now resolution 9316 ordinance 783 if I'm
not mistaken to fist blight aging infrastructure
and some housing shortest. This CRA cover 633 acre district. It's just not
one side. It's the north and the south. This is founded by task increasment
increments financing which is tiff DI if everybody understand. So the northwest
side didn't have this kind of money that was TDT money task uh mean tourist
investment. Now where the money goes
commercial first framing according to the law
commercial infrastructure priorities a street case the downtown Apok trail fase
improvements grant for businesses public and business support initiatives
this will drive private investment and growth the task base that funds
everything else. I like the parking lot idea. That's actually one of my ideas
for a long time. I hear it now. Yes, it needs to be in Apka. What we call South
Aoka, but it's not really it's a puffka. We never really had a south aka if you
look at our legislation. Yes, it will been bring people there and it will
connect us. But the CRA money most and foremost goes for commercial development
to bring private investment into our muchneeded downtown.
» Thank you, Miss Burkel.
» Christine Moore, 141 South Central. I want to encourage you uh applaud you I
should say that um a couple of years ago the county put the city of Apka on a
probationary period because the money was not being spent and the and they
really don't have uh the legal right to tell you how to spend the money. You
really make those decisions but there are best practices and the FRA website
is terrific. If you've never looked at the winners from the last few years,
you'll see in many many cities and I'm going to be heading up to Pensacola for
a strong towns meeting um how they use the money to revitalize their downtown
and you do have to balance the residential from the commercial and
you've got an added burden knowing that your tax base may be cut in a couple of
years and there's talk at the county of reducing your funds in half. So, this
budget really really matters. It could be your final budget. I don't know. I
don't know how that's going to pass and I'm not at the county to tell you if
they'll continue. Um, your plan has really not been formally updated since
2017 and that might have been something you could have done. And I'd encourage
you, some people might disagree with me, but I would encourage you to take some
money out to go to those conferences because I think if you go to the
conferences for FRA, you're going to see the best practices all over the state
and how they spent the money and how it's brought ROI. And I just want to
address the one comment. You know, this is governed by Florida statute. It came
in back in the 1970s when the cities were dying, and that's a whole another
long story, to help you revitalize these downtown areas. And so, it isn't meant
for every expenditure. There are certain things that'll bring ROI, and you can
check, it'd be nice every year if you came back and said, "We invested this
and look at the property values and the extra revenue." So, you're supposed to
be investing so that the downtown brings more revenue in the future. You're
trying to make dollars. You're trying to encourage the private sector into
investing. And so, again, if you have a chance to take that FRA course or go to
a conference, some might say you shouldn't spend money on conferences,
but boy, it's a great place to learn and it's a difficult job. I thank you for
what you're doing. >> Thank you, M.
I want to speak of what that uh Christine say. I know Andranet you um
actually invested in the FRA membership the city of Apovka
um under the economic development is on the conference. It's a wonderful
conference and I asked a few of the commissioners about going to that
conference and seeing what other cities are doing with the CRA funds.
So I actually recommend there is also online courses. I'm a member of that
online concert courses and our former attorney Mr. Shepard is one of the guest
speakers on the conference. >> Thank you, Miss Sprinkle.
» He's our current attorney. >> He's our current attorney.
» He's still He still works Rusters. I want to make sure that's
» I don't need him upset right now. He's current.
» My current [laughter] fire.
» Yeah. >> Got rid of him.
» Thank you for your comments. Anybody else? Want to make sure there's any
opportunity where the CR C8 come from?
tax interal incremental finance. >> It's the tax dollars that they set out
from the citizens. Correct. >> It's tax dollars.
» It's tax dollars. So, what I'm saying is I I understand that we need to make a
public beautiful. It need to be the beacon on the hill. It need to be the
blueprint of Central Florida. But then if we going to do that off the
back of the citizens, off the taxpayers's money,
we should we should be able we should be able. I I I don't I don't understand all
the push back about all this money going this way. And when when taxpayers
can see some of their money out the CRA going up
to Jason dwelling and not just downtown for the downtown
center uh uh uh the beautifification of downtown. It is and this is the
disconnect with the city. will separate the city.
What you do and and and my in my experience,
you can you can fix all this on this side. I'm saying
downtown or whatever. The way you fix it is just simply do what you do on that
side. Let's do it downtown. And right here, this is a part of the city, the
facade too. just bring in but and just don't just
don't shut people out just because uh uh um
Miss Miss Moore just said you guys are in charge of this. You spend the money
the way that you see fit and only thing I'm saying is that see
fit to treat this side like you do that side. That's all I ask. Thank you.
» Thank you. >> We don't spend dollars.
» Yeah. Let me just correct that. We've not spent the dollar. It's illegal to
spend dollars CRA dollars outside of the district. So, not a dollar of CRA funds
have gone anywhere outside of the district.
» I know all of all what I'm talking about is in the district. I know what the CRA
district from from Tit Street. >> Yes. So, all the dollars have stayed
here. >> Yeah, I know. Okay. I know where it go.
» Okay. Uh uh real quick when we come to the meetings uh the CRA map it should
always be we should always have a map here so everybody can just see the ones
who don't know the exact CRA zone that map should be here so everybody can see
and when we talking about things that have worked and things that didn't work.
Now I know we spent a whole lot of money on a bike trail but can anybody tell me
what type of revenue it brought into the city of Apopka?
Do anybody have any factual revenue or what revenue say factual figures? What
money was brought into the city of Apaka from the bike trail?
So that's what I'm saying. When we spending money, let's look at how we
spending and what is the return for the city. Thank you.
» Thank you, Mr. Hall. >> Sir.
» All right, we'll close public comment. >> We're closing public comment right now.
Thank you for the public for the feedback
and the passion. Uh members, any final comments,
adjustments, changes? Again, keep in mind we will be able to pivot and meet
as often as we need to to make sure this budget is changed to what to the benefit
of the residents and making sure that this is maximizing taxpayer dollars
through the increase in uh property values, taxable property values. So,
final comments, questions, concerns. The only thing I would I would recommend is
um to visit what uh member Drago had mentioned in terms of
um the funds that are remaining from the plot of land that we were not going to
purchase for the restrooms for Alonzo Williams, but also to add those
additional costs that he was discussing. I think it came out to like 126,000
for for the sidewalks. >> So that would come, you want to take
that out of the contingency, the 126,000.
» So >> because they're already using the 299 to
move move already. >> Yeah.
» 299 is going to the Alonzo Williams restroom.
» Yeah. Just anything that we may have left over,
» it would fall into the contingency. >> Yeah. Whatever contingency, we use that
towards >> take 126 out of contingency and put for
sidewalks. Okay. >> And here's my only concern with that.
I'm fine with that. Not that I'm one, but my point is
» we can throw into sidewalks and a general sidewalk fund all day. Let's
start to prioritize this. Let's create a list of what sidewalks so that action
starts to get done. I think that's >> yes,
» that's what we really need to be doing is making sure that these are we can
allocate funds all day, but it's getting getting the uh the prioritization and
then a plan in place and timeline. So, what may be beneficial too, and I'll
work with staff to do this, is once this is approved, really back into timelines
of what this looks like, have ownership in it, and uh we'll be able to provide
updates from there of what this actually looks like because some of this, to be
very honest, some of this stuff will not be able to get done this fiscal year. It
just won't with staffing. Even though we've allocated it, staffing won't
staffing time just won't allow it. So, let's have a real conversation what that
looks like and what we can accomplish so that residents and this board's
expectations are set properly. And I guess my other question is um is the
redevelopment plan online for the public to see?
» Yes, it's required. It must be online. >> Okay. Just want to make sure.
» Any final comments? >> The CRA maps on there, too.
» The map is included. Okay. >> I know I but I carry this. So, with
every time I copy, I carry this. >> All right. All right. Well, I'll look
for a motion to approve resolution number 2026-02
with the adjustments that were made by members.
» So moved. >> Moved by member Drago. Second by member
Anderson. All those in favor say I. >> I.
» All opposed. Motion carries unanimously. [clears throat]
» And as usual, I'll make the appropriate changes and send it out to the um
committee. >> Thank you.
» Thank you.
» Please. Thank you. Uh next up, uh we're going through a staff report of design
standards.
» Come in. Thank you.
Bear with me here. We're getting used to our
» Yeah, she's working on it over here. >> As hard as she's got it.
» Okay, >> quicker. No, I'm kidding.
So, while she's while she's doing that, um, so we added the staff report section
to the CRA meetings just for future to update you on anything that's been
outstanding. And it was referenced during uh a few CRA meetings ago about
establishing a form of design standards with our assistance programs or any
future assistance programs we we have. So, we went back and and kind of talked
it over um with community development of what that would look like, including a
color palette, and realized that it was a lot more involved um than we thought
it was going to be. And so, we're also going um at the simultaneously
attempting to update our master plan. So, our master plan's not been updated
since 2017. best practices say they should be updated every five to six
years. Um we have also updated the county that is our intention to update
our master plan as well because as we come up with new programs um or projects
it has to be included in our master plan that is that is a requirement and so we
want to make sure that we are doing everything that is um in line um and
transparent. So there's a whole kind of memo that talks about the process, but
the basic suggestion is that we would update the design standards along with
the master plan update simultaneously. That way we maximize the consultant that
we use. We've already been working with our um the finance department through
the procurement division. Um so we have established that scope of work. um it is
going through the process now that are ideally we'd like to have that out on
the street and be ready um to start the beginning or near the beginning of the
fiscal year. That is the intention. So I just wanted to provide the board an
update as far as that's concerned. And then I also wanted to let you know that
um uh the FRA has established uh redevelopment week. This is the first
time they've done it. Um, for those who are unaware, I am on the FRA board and
so this is their first year that they have come up with a redevelopment week
for the purpose that CRAAS every couple years seem to come under attack and this
is an opportunity to showcase some of the work that they've done. So
redevelopment week is September 14th through the 18th. We have scheduled a
proclamation to be done um um at a future city commission meeting.
Um, and then we'll also be working with our communications department to help us
um, market some of the work that we've been doing. And then I also wanted to
update you as far as the rewrap program. We have 20 homes that have been
completed as well as um, funded. I have seven invoices, not including those 20
that are sitting on my desk right now um, to be processed. So in total that
would be 27 homes out of the 35 um that have been completed to date.
» Excellent. >> And lastly, if you are interested in the
FRA conference, it's in Charlotte Harbor this year. The dates are October 20th
through the 23rd. Um I will be presenting um this year. We'll be
partnering with the city of Barto to talk about uh small business
redevelopment. Um, but if you are interested or you're interested in any
sort of classes, um, uh, I can definitely help you with that. I made a
note that I will set up accounts for each one of you. So, you will be
included in future FRA newsletters where they showcase projects that other CRAAS
are doing. >> Is it grants for that? Do they have
grants? I know some Do they have grants for us to attend?
» Oh, >> they do not.
» Probably not going in. Okay. >> They do not at the conference. Can I
will it be online? >> So, they have started doing
they have started doing their through their academy some professional
development that they do online. So our attorney Cliff Sheffer is also the FRA
uh attorney. He offered one on CRA dos and don'ts that was free. It was
recorded. I know I sent it to um to one of two of you that weren't able to
attend. Um so those courses they have been offering for free for their
academy. Those are not free. I think they're like $4.95. Um, we I did put in
actually the future FY2627 budget some classes for staff because I
have inherited staff um and they do need to be trained on what what it is in
terms of uh redevelopment and dos and don'ts. So that is something that we're
doing as far as future planning and capacity building. Um so all of this is
just kind offormational purposes so that you are aware if you're unable to attend
I'll be more than willing to sit with any one of you and we can kind of drill
down on some things that you may have questions about.
» Awesome. Thank you for the update. Any final
comments from board members? U >> the memo [clears throat] that was
submitted um on the design standards altruistically I
agree with it. What I didn't see
was the uh which I hope would be included when you find a a consultant
that a visioning process would be done first for the residents and the
businesses to have input and then that input gets translated into a set of
development codes without loopholes without loopholes. Secondly,
um it's been the city's practice that if they hire a consultant to come in and do
these design standards, codes, and whatever, they accept the same
consultant to work for the private sector to represent the private sector
relative to the city on the same codes they designed. I consider that to be a
conflict of interest. So, whatever consultant you hire, they get a choice.
Either work for us or work for the private sector. You can't have it both
ways.
And Mr. Chair, um, is the business retention and expansion program still
valid?
» Forbes. >> Can you be a little more specific? What
BRE program under the CRA are you referring to?
» Couple of meetings ago, I asked about a a program that your former predecessor
developed which was known as economic gardening. She named it business
retention and expansion program. The former mayor said he would get with you
to go over the program. So is it still valid? Still not just economic
gardening. I I do remember you asking that question. I spoke to my former
predecessor and she confirmed that there was no formal program that was created.
We do practice BR or business retention and expansion. There are several
components to it. Um, one of the things off the top that we've been doing is a
business survey because it's very difficult to create programs for
businesses if we don't speak directly to our businesses and find out what their
needs are. One of the roadblocks we've been hitting is participation from our
businesses. So, I would say February of this year, January, February, we sent
out this survey. Um, to date, we've gotten about 28 responses,
just to be to be clear. So that is something again I will work with our
communications team to see how we can um better market that survey because that
helps us formulate programming that we know our businesses want to participate
in. Another thing that we've been doing is BR visits and I apologize if I keep
using acronyms. Business retention expansion visits. That's where we go and
meet directly one-on-one with businesses and we find out how we can offer
assistance. So to date I think we've done about 20 or so. I've also been
onboarding staff at the same time. So they shadow me to see what that looks
like where business everything is on the table of how we can help you as a
business. So if you have workforce needs, if you have issues um with uh uh
financial analysis, if you have issues of how to market, how to get uh future
customers, we discuss all those things and then we connect them with resources
that are free or minimal cost and show them how they are able to um move
forward and then we follow up with them months later to see how how progress has
been done. So we are starting the process of our BRE program. The growth
is incremental because we again we first need to do those foundational steps of
finding out what our businesses need. So then we can track as we go on to see
were we able to offer assistance. >> Okay. So the newspaper reports then were
erroneous about the business retention and expansion program. Um I'm a
proponent that some properties in a city CRA needs to be targeted for
improvement. So my question is, is Davis Court in the CRA?
[clears throat] >> Do you have an address of Davis Court?
» Anybody that wants to answer? >> Nobody has those memorized. 600 plus
acres. Not sure we have that memorized. >> What was the question?
» Davis Court. It's right on It's right past the railroad tracks.
» I assume you know the answer. So let's get to the end of this.
» All right. So >> where is Davis Court? When you go by
that facility, that one needs some major improvement
because if you didn't know it was in the city of Apakka, you would assume it's in
a foreign country. And those people should have be afforded the uh privilege
of having their properties improved in order to make their quality of life
better.
So, we have printed out door hangers with um the available CRA assistance
programs that have been approved. We are working with our code compliance
department and we've asked them as they go out and see properties that are in
need of assistance that they hang those door hangers up and hoping to get more
interest in some of the programs that we have available.
» Thank you. Any other final comments, questions, concerns?
If not, I'm going to close. All right, we're adjourning. It's
happening. We're done.