[This transcript was generated automatically from audio using AI and hasn't been reviewed by a person -- it can contain mistakes, including plausible-sounding sentences that were never actually said. Treat it as a starting point, not a verbatim record.] [0:00] Thank you, sir. Y'all take care. Be safe. [0:07] All right. Now back up to resolution number two, approving an [0:14] annual promissory note for the Gateway TIF. Can I get a motion to bring this to the [0:19] floor? Motion. Second. All right. Paul? Okay, I'm gonna turn this primarily over to Al [0:27] to explain it to you, but now I'll just stop right there and let you talk with me. [0:36] Good afternoon, the board and the chairman. [0:39] So this resolution is approving a promissory note on the Gateway project that we've previously [0:45] entered into a TIF financing on this project itself, where we approved a note, loan documents, [0:50] the Pledge of TIF revenues, the same thing we've done in other TIF projects, we did [0:54] a financing going into and of itself. [0:56] This promissory note has annual renewal. [0:59] As you know, the IDB is the technically the borrower under the TIF notes. [1:05] That's how we're able to replace the TIF revenues. [1:07] The same as what this note, the same as the other note is going through. [1:11] We are not pledging any tax dollars to the City of Lakeland, [1:16] or the IDB is not guaranteeing the note going in and of itself. [1:19] It's simply a promissory note going in and of itself for the annual renewal process. [1:24] Our only obligation will be to provide the tax increment revenues as they come due to us. [1:30] Which, again, as we know that comes, happens, I want to say, twice a year. [1:36] But, again, it's the same thing we've done in the past. [1:39] There's no rhyme or reason to it. [1:41] It's just, again, it's just that anyone who is going through that process. [1:43] Again, with the IDB being the borrower, [1:46] we wanted to make sure that Mr. Luker had authority from the IDB to sign it, [1:49] to sign the note itself. It's just for authority purposes. [2:04] Any questions on this one? [2:06] Seems pretty straightforward to me. [2:18] I think we're good. Thanks, Hal. Thanks, Paul. [2:21] All in favor of approving the resolution for the promissory note? [2:27] Say aye. [2:28] Aye. [2:29] All opposed? [2:31] All right. Resolution is approved. [2:35] Next up, number three, resolution approving draw request 27 in connection with the tax [2:41] increment financing for Ashmont developer LLC. [2:44] Can I get a motion to bring this to the floor? [2:46] Motion. [2:46] Second. [2:47] Thank you all. [2:53] So this is a draw request for Ashmont development. [2:57] What's a little different, and why I say this is actually being funded, this draw [3:03] is actually being funded out of the developer's equity. [3:08] So it's, Al, you can try to explain that. [3:17] So the developer is funding this TIF, not through the loan itself, but through their own equity [3:21] going forward. [3:22] Obviously they're asking the IDB to approve this development. [3:25] In the event there's more TIF dollars come through this, they come through. [3:29] If there's a surplus, they wouldn't be able to access the surplus. [3:34] Right now they don't have anything else going through, their loan is tapped out, [3:38] But, again, in the event there's a surplus going on of itself, they want to be able to [3:43] say they've gone through the process, you know what I mean, and allow this to be paid [3:48] from the TIF dollars. [3:51] We've done this before. [3:52] Yes, sir. [3:53] Yes, sir. [3:54] Again, easier to, as we understand, it's easier to ask for this commission now, when it's [4:00] been done going through, as opposed to years from now, when there's excess that we [4:06] don't know about it. [4:06] Any [4:11] questions on this one? [4:21] All right, none. All in favor of approving the draw request [4:26] for Ashmen? Say aye. [4:28] Aye. [4:29] Oh, opposed. [4:31] All right, resolution is approved. [4:37] Thank you, All! [4:38] All [4:42] right, next up. Resolution number five, stipend request for IDV President Paul Lielker. [4:49] or can I get a motion to bring this to the floor? [4:53] Motion. [4:54] Second. [4:55] All right. [4:55] Thank you. [4:58] Paul, I appreciate if you'll kind of direct us to this [5:06] and just remind us what was with the previous president. [5:17] I guess that's the first one. [5:18] I think this is the same as we did for the previous one. [5:22] Do you want more while you're up there? [5:25] A thousand times. [5:30] It's following the same formula that was used previously for the president. [5:41] The stipend is coming out of TIF revenues to pay the stipend. [5:50] Appreciate what you do for us, Paul. [5:52] Thank you. [5:54] So the stipend comes out of the TIF revenues? [5:57] Yes. [5:58] It's not general fund. [5:59] It does not affect the general fund. [6:02] Oh, that makes you feel that way. [6:03] Or under the current aid, doesn't it? [6:04] That makes you feel a little bit excited. [6:05] I was about to have a problem with you getting paid as much as our commissioners and our [6:08] mayor. [6:11] Don't go there. [6:13] Don't go there. [6:17] Well, yeah, certainly, you know, I appreciate the work you're doing, Paul. [6:20] I know you're still new into it, but just just thank you much. You've definitely jumped in [6:26] You know and and and just just ran with it. You know really appreciate it [6:31] Well, I'm excited to get to work with you guys [6:33] I was telling you our phone call the other day that I've worked with economic development teams before in my previous jobs [6:42] Most of that was an industrial economic development. It was and we we made some some retail [6:49] We ran attempts to recruit retail, we weren't all that successful with that. [6:55] We were very successful with some of the industrial stuff that we did, but I've been on some of [6:59] those teams, but never got to have the reins in my hand for extended periods of time. [7:04] So I'm excited about just giving it a try. [7:10] I would also like to say how much I appreciate all you've done, and in general I support [7:17] you know us using some of the funds that we have to help pay for the work that [7:22] you're doing with that being said or the president does with that being said I [7:26] think it's very important for us to also kind of say what some of our [7:33] expectations are right I agree and my expectation is that generally the [7:39] president of the board is present at these meetings and so you know as far [7:47] that goes for me not to say that you have to be at every meeting or you can [7:50] never but but I do if I will push to rescind the stipend if all of a sudden we [7:59] start having meetings you know four or five six seven meetings where the [8:03] president of the board is not here so I [8:10] had to say that matter and again [8:11] that's nothing for you I'm just I don't think we made that clear the [8:15] last time we did this and so I feel like no I agree [8:19] I mean, because it's one of those things where, you know, $500 I know is not a lot of money, [8:25] but it's not a small amount of money. [8:27] So I mean, it has to kind of go hand in hand, you know, there has to be a sense of accountability [8:34] in order to, you know, just show up once and I got this, I got that, and actually, you [8:41] know, we see in May, and I got this and I got that, oh wait, it's August, you [8:45] know, that kind of thing. [8:46] You can't have this kind of interaction if you're not. [8:49] Absolutely. No, I agree. [8:53] I got points and thank y'all. [8:56] Anything else? [9:03] Seeing no further comments, let's call the vote. [9:06] All in favor of the stipend resolution, say aye. [9:10] Aye. [9:11] All opposed? [9:12] The resolution is approved. [9:16] Okay. [9:17] Next up, number six, [9:20] discussion, marketing strategy for city-owned properties. [9:25] can I get a motion? Second. Thank you. There's [9:34] two maps. So this first map is our [9:40] city on properties. Now that's a little confusing because it was just some of [9:44] those are park properties and some yeah but really what I wanted to talk about [9:53] with the two city properties that we that we acquired through the there's [9:57] some of our combination efforts so there's the one acre lot next to the [10:05] church that they're currently using for overflow parking and then there's the [10:11] site of the relax in so really what I put this on the agenda for was just do [10:16] some preliminary brainstorming or just to not even brainstorm unless you [10:21] have unless you already have some thoughts but to put this in your in [10:26] your thoughts as to how we could maybe see those properties develop, right? So one, [10:37] the one by the church it's just an acre, it's not that big, but there are things [10:41] you, there are potentials that you could. But you still get 15,000 square feet. Sure. [10:46] And then the relax inside, it's bigger, but it has access issues because [10:51] it's you know because of the median there in front of it. Isn't there five [10:56] acres attached to that too that's over there? Which one are you testing? [11:00] Relaxing. There's some property behind it but we do not control it. I thought we [11:05] had that one okay. No no we have talked about it we talked about easements we [11:08] talked about but so that it may evolve into us thinking thinking along [11:14] those lines too because there's those ideals are still out there but I [11:18] I think it seems like this is low-hanging fruit [11:22] in that it's got good location. [11:25] And so maybe this is not meant to be statements [11:29] or kind of question statements, right? [11:31] So that just seems like that would be a place to start. [11:36] If y'all think differently, I'd be glad to hear it. [11:39] Also, if you have ideals about maybe things [11:43] we can try to pursue, you know, go knock on somebody's door and say, hey, we got this [11:52] site. [11:52] What do you think about it? [11:53] So if you have those ideas, I'd be glad to hear them as well. [11:56] Oh, where are they, where are they zoned, zoning on these things? [11:59] C2. [12:00] All of them. [12:00] So they're commercial. [12:01] Yeah, they're all commercial. [12:03] And they're all within the boundaries of the TIFT district, too. [12:07] I believe all those are captured within the TIFT district. [12:09] So I've got, I'll be working on some things too, you know, the ideals, but I didn't want to belay it. [12:20] I'm hitting you with a cold, but that's really, I just wanted to start that ideal of thinking about. [12:25] So essentially those are two most attractive and we're going to start with them. [12:29] It feels like it, yes. [12:30] Yes, absolutely. [12:32] That's big enough for a grocery though, right? [12:35] Not big enough for a grocery. [12:36] What on the access to each of those is the, is the main, I'm sorry, the access to each [12:42] of those is the main thing when you, you know, you can only get to the one coming southbound [12:47] on Canada and then the other one you actually have to go out and around, you know, so that's [12:52] the hardest part to market any of those is that you have limited, so, so the one acre [12:58] site will be across, across from the community center when it's built, right, so you're [13:04] going to have some foot traffic going to the community center so you may have [13:07] something that you could play off of that right because you'll have daycare at [13:10] the community center you'll have recreation there so you you know you [13:15] could I mean I'm not saying a coffee shop but I'm gonna say coffee shop because [13:20] I can't think of anything else right now but some small 15,000 not that [13:27] small right but but that's not small at all no but so you know no I told you [13:34] because I was I was when I was there because I've been thinking about it [13:38] since it was brought up and you know I've got a few ideas but but the main [13:44] thing that keeps coming back to me is that especially with there being a [13:47] community center right there and it's gonna be a bunch of you know mixed [13:51] stages you know the ultimate mixed age you know we have one I mean technically [13:58] we have two but really we have one sandwich shop in the whole city I know [14:04] we're not the biggest we're a little over 11,000 but Arlington guy was about [14:08] like what 2,500 3,000 people and they've got like seven sandwich shops yeah [14:13] so I mean I think we get support too yeah but before I get too far ahead of [14:19] Next month, Will Patterson is going to come talk to us about doing this, right? [14:28] Because we've got to make sure we're not stepping over the line. [14:32] We do have a little more flexibility in the preliminary conversation with Will than the city itself would. [14:39] In my mind, if the city would have to take advertise for proposals or just do a land auction, right? [14:45] I mean, we don't just get to go say, hey, we're going to work a deal with you, right? [14:51] We, you have to make general, the general public know what your intentions are so you [14:58] can get, it doesn't look like a problem. [15:00] Backroom deal, right? But I do believe we have a little more flexibility talking to [15:05] Will as an IDB. But I'll let him, I'll let him explain. [15:11] Church interested in buying it, or could we use it for overflow parking for the [15:16] community center? Those are, those are two, those are two ideals as well. Yes, and [15:21] those, those don't require. I know, what kind of revenue does [15:25] over new overflow parking place. It's such a small thing. I'm just asking. I'm 15,000 [15:30] square feet. I'm assuming that we create more money than overflow parking. We'll put parking [15:34] meters in there. Because you and your friends love talking about money. Y'all always talking [15:38] about money. So we have a chance to make some. We have a chance to bring it up before [15:43] you. We're just going to put parking meters in there. There you go. Parking meters. [15:48] I just throw a couple quarters in there. Now Paul, thank you much for bringing this [15:53] up and as a continuation of the last time Wilt was in here, we started talking about [16:01] there or at least introduced the concepts and looking forward to next month with him [16:06] as well. [16:07] Did you all have anything else on this? [16:11] When do we expect the community center to be started and completed? [16:15] So the groundbreaking is on next Thursday at 1 p.m. so we encourage anybody that's [16:21] available to come out, come to that. [16:24] The notice for seed was issued to the contractor, [16:26] Moss Carpenter is the contractor, [16:28] so they'll be starting just in the next few weeks [16:30] weather permitting. [16:33] There's weather coming? [16:34] What? [16:36] Okay. [16:38] All right, and do we have an estimated [16:41] like a target completion date for that? [16:43] Is that a two-year build? [16:45] It's about an 18-month build. [16:48] 18-month build. [16:48] So yeah, so we're trying for next summer, [16:51] but it could be summer to fall just depending on lead time on materials whether you know all the things but [16:58] We're targeting for you know summer or early fall of next year. [17:05] Yeah, I just I think that [17:10] It might be beneficial for this board to sit down and really look at how [17:15] Like what all is going to be included in the community center? What all is going to be like how's [17:22] the traffic's expected to flow, how the parking like we talked about is expected [17:28] to be set up, because we say, oh it's right across the street from Community [17:31] Center, but if it's out the back door, right, and no one can get there, then [17:36] it's not really, it's, I just, I think before we start throwing out a bunch [17:41] of ideas, it'd be really good to sit down and think about what's there, how's [17:47] it going to be shaped, and then is there anything that we think would [17:50] maybe be some ideal fits for that kind of a setup again. I just, just my two sons. [18:00] We could distribute the site plan and you'll be able to tell what, you know, what, you know, [18:06] where's the early learning center and where's the impression under the initial like site [18:11] plans that they did like the whole caricature kind of sketch. Yes. It was pretty much [18:16] 360 which really isn't a backdoor right there's it's just multiple entrances and exits throughout the whole space and like a [18:24] Large portion of it can actually convert from an open to from an open area place center to a closed place center [18:31] And so I mean there's there from what I understand is it's gonna be a lot more accessible from pretty much every angle [18:37] We could definitely if y'all won't say we can put it on the agenda for next month [18:42] to talk about the site plan and I mean at this point you know so if it's a [18:48] community center and there's fitness stuff and stuff like that there you know [18:52] I don't know that we have one of those healthy shake places around there used to [18:55] be one on Arlington I don't know that there's one around here I know me and [19:01] my daughter all the way to German town for one there's one in the corner by [19:06] orders theory there's one next door to it okay yeah oh gotcha gotcha gotcha [19:10] and then there's another one on 64 but to that point they're not right [19:17] they're next to you know when my daughter got done with her sweat and [19:21] she'd go and have one of those or right now she has a kid so it's a she goes to [19:25] work out if she comes out and there's one she can see yep you know well I'm [19:29] interested in there's also there's also there I don't know how much racket [19:34] sports will have at the community center but what about a racket you know [19:39] like something that sells pickleball stuff and tennis and and racquetball and [19:44] like that again I think that's why we should really look at what's there and [19:48] then what we're missing and and again we ultimately don't have to say [19:52] anyways ultimately whoever buys that piece of property is gonna have to say [19:57] what they do want it but but I think some creative thought process could [20:02] help and process excuse me if it's something that we thought would be [20:06] successful we'll go try to knock on some doors and say hey we got you come look at [20:12] what we got yeah well certainly to y'all's point yeah I think it'd be a good [20:19] idea to help us you know visualize what it is what we're what we're talking about [20:24] you know we end on yeah because it's that what we're talking about there [20:28] would be true for the for the relax inside as well they're there the [20:33] The Ashmont and the community center are going to be put [20:37] trivacals. [20:37] Well, yeah. [20:38] I mean, Ashmont more for the relax, and again, in my mind, and maybe I'm looking at this [20:45] completely wrong, but I'm thinking about me as a driver, I'm thinking me as a citizen, [20:49] I'm thinking me as a customer, a member, right? [20:54] The way the traffic patterns are set up and the way we're doing it, those are [20:58] to me two disconnected pieces of property not connected, right? Unless we did [21:04] something significant for walking bridges over the interstate or not the [21:12] interstate but Canada Road or something like that, like at July 4th parking at [21:17] the gas station and playing Frogger to get across the street to try to get to [21:21] the fireworks place, right? Like you see people doing that, it's crazy. [21:28] Not [21:28] be crazy. [21:32] Anyway, so I think the Ashmont probably has a little bit more what [21:38] developments have going on in Ashmont, you know, and how does that impact relax in, [21:45] whereas I really do think that the biggest value that we're going to bring [21:49] is who and how many people and what sort of footsteps. I mean as a business [21:53] that's what you're going to care about, right? What's the [21:56] What's the impressions? [21:57] What's the footsteps? [21:59] Yeah, who's gonna walk through the door? [22:04] Probably physical therapy, [22:05] because people like me will get in there [22:07] and do things we shouldn't do, [22:08] and then need like a therapist. [22:15] Anything else? [22:19] All right. [22:20] We'll move on to the final, [22:22] seeing no further discussion on number six. [22:26] Number seven, discussion, [22:27] positive procedures for general requests. [22:29] Can you get a motion to bring this to the floor, [22:31] please? [22:31] Motion. [22:32] Second. [22:33] Okay, [22:37] this is, don't shoot the message, this is me, I'm the messenger, but I want it open. [22:42] And so this is, this goes back to what mainly what we've been meeting on, you've been meeting [22:49] for the last past what, two, two plus years, approving draw request, right? [22:55] So the way the draw request is set up is that, you know, the bank makes a loan based [23:01] stone us a set of improvements that are that are qualified under the TIF developer [23:09] puts those in and then we have a 30-party expert go and inspect it and document it so [23:19] once that's done I mean it's an administrative process it so what I'm [23:30] bring this up is because it makes your your life harder because you have to come [23:36] to meetings to vote on something that really I don't say how you can turn it [23:41] down at the expert said it was done right unless you found something wrong [23:45] which we're always open to that it's the time crunch between the developer [23:54] submitting for payment and us being able to meet so it's it's it's a [24:00] burden on the developer, it's a burden on you. For me, it's fine either way. It's fine. [24:06] But it seems to me like, and I'm not asking first to make any decisions tonight, so that's [24:11] why I'm just a discussion, but just consider that some of these tasks would be administrative [24:17] and not require y'all to meet and have a vote on them. And that's, just want to [24:23] start that conversation. [24:25] I've talked to both Al and Will about this ideal. [24:31] First thing they say is, Paul, we're the only IDB that does it this way. [24:37] So, sorry, were you done? [24:39] I am. [24:39] Yes, sir. [24:40] Okay. [24:41] 100% agree that we've already committed the funds and then we get together and we [24:48] just approve it and no one ever objects. [24:50] I don't necessarily disagree with any of that. [24:53] I would say the one thing that we get from approving the TIF request the way we do [24:59] is that we're able to kind of ask for developers to come in and give us some updates [25:06] when we would like to have updates. [25:07] So if we're going to do it as an administrative, change it to be more administrative, [25:13] I would think this board, based on my history with the board, [25:16] would like to have maybe once a quarter or bi-yearly, you know, something, bi-annually [25:24] report-outs from the developers because I think that's what the board would like, just based [25:33] on the questions I see. [25:34] No, I totally agree because I mean, it's kind of crazy because I'm due to the board. [25:39] You know, these are old-timers compared to me. [25:42] But the point is that- [25:44] Thank you. [25:44] Absolutely. [25:45] Absolutely, but I thought that was weird at first, my first guy on this board was, we [25:51] were all here to vote on it, it's if that the developer wasn't here to accept. [25:56] That blew me away. [25:58] I was like, so the developer wants $300,000, but they didn't show up. [26:05] You see what I mean? [26:06] It's kind of like he's disrespecting us, saying, why are y'all here? [26:10] Like trying to play stupid, like, why are y'all here? [26:14] All you guys have to do is just turn it over to somebody else, let them sign it off, you [26:17] just stay home. [26:18] You know, that's what I did, you know, in his or her perspective, and I just, you know, [26:25] it's one of those things where if we do decide to make it administrative, that's fine. [26:29] I agree with him, you know, get an updated recorder, but if we don't decide that and [26:33] we decide to stay it face to face, they need to start bringing their butts up in [26:37] here and showing us some respect. [26:39] If they want that money, the least they can do is come and show up. [26:43] Well, I see, I mean, I get your point also, but then to the other extent, they have already done all the stuff. [26:50] They did the dog and pony to say, hey, we've earned it. [26:53] And we pay somebody to look at it and say, you're right, you do earn it. [26:57] So I would agree it's more administrative to have them sit in front of us. [27:01] It would be better just to say, hey, we've put it on the calendar once a quarter, you know, by annually or whatnot, [27:05] You need to come up and say it and split them out or what not in my thought [27:09] You'd still get all the all the same information you get now in a report [27:13] You'd still get the same stuff that was provided to you tonight. It's you still get it [27:17] But just be as a report [27:19] So you still track still track it and we just let them up front [27:23] You got to come you got to come once a quarter and and let us talk to you [27:29] Yeah, and I mean they do come in and Jeff and they'll spend an hour or two hours with us [27:36] before we approach the post. [27:38] I've seen a developer in here twice. [27:41] I get 100 percent, 100 percent. [27:46] And then we also have to have these rushed meetings at the end of the year or round [27:50] travel times and again, [27:55] the only thing I want to be able to vote on as a board [27:58] is like what we did tonight right where we've committed 13 million dollars or [28:04] 14 million dollars and now it's like well there may be excess I mean I have my [28:10] own opinions on that right think we had a deal we agreed 13 million bucks like [28:16] if all of a sudden the vi property value goes up I don't know that I feel as [28:21] obligated as a board to then hand that money back over for the next 20 [28:26] years like you know I just think there's times where we need to have that debate [28:32] and sometimes it makes sense to do it and sometimes it doesn't so changes like [28:37] that I'm sure would still come to us correct like if someone like what we the [28:42] vote we had tonight about extending the TIF if future TIF funds come [28:48] available like the loan the loan the update of the loan not the update of [28:52] the loan, the Ashcroft TIF, where we said look they've spent all their money on [28:57] their their TIF. Yeah. But if more property tax gets collected than is [29:04] projected, we're going to give that money also back to the developer to pay on [29:10] their loans. I would think that I would still want to come in front of the [29:15] board. Oh no, absolutely, I agree. I think that would have to, but that's [29:19] It's probably an out question to be honest with you, but I believe that has to come back [29:27] to you, even based on how I was explaining it tonight, it seemed like that was our passion. [29:32] Yeah, that's how I would take it too. [29:34] But paying what we've already committed to pay if the experts have signed off on it. [29:41] We probably can't do anything about it tonight. [29:43] We probably need more details and proposals, but fully on board with that, happy to [29:49] Give the president of the ID be the power to sign that you just saying [29:55] We can we can we can bring it back next month if you [30:00] Think about it. I don't know. I don't know. I'm in the middle. I can't decide if it's the right thing. [30:07] I just know we have never said no. We've never said no. [30:11] Not a single person has ever said no. Not only has not a vote failed, not a single person has said no. [30:17] We came really close like two months ago because the paperwork wasn't filled out right. [30:21] But now it's being filled out right. I'm just saying. [30:28] And we appreciate you all making sure of that. [30:31] So there's no action for tonight, but I think what we're hearing, anybody of Jack, but I [30:40] think what we're hearing is do work with Al, come back next month potentially, right, with [30:49] with what we need to do to affect that, [30:53] perhaps debate on it and certainly vote on it. [30:56] We're not making the decision tonight, [30:58] but I know that I would like, [30:59] and it sounds like the rest would at least like [31:02] to understand the details, what it looked like. [31:06] All right, cool, [31:11] all right. [31:14] Seeing no further discussion on that, [31:16] we'll move on to any announcements. [31:17] We already made the, she let it out early, the groundbreaking. [31:24] Yep, absolutely. [31:27] All right. [31:28] In that case, all in favor of adjourning, say aye. [31:33] Aye. [31:37] Aye. [31:38] Aye. [31:38] Aye. [31:38] Aye. [31:38] Aye. [31:46] Aye. [31:46] All in favor of adjourning. [31:48] Say aye. [31:49] All opposed. [31:50] All right. [31:50] The meeting is adjourned.