July 11, 2023

Community Redevelopment Agency

Regular Meeting

July 11, 2023

The Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) of the City of Titusville, Florida met in regular session in the Council Chamber of City Hall, 555 South Washington Avenue, on Tuesday, July 11, 2023.

Call to Order/Determination of a Quorum

Chairperson Diesel called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m. Present were Chairperson Daniel Diesel, Vice-Chairperson Joe Robinson and Members Herman Cole, Jr. Col USAF Retired, Jo Lynn Nelson, Dr. Sarah Stoeckel, Greg Aker and Jim Ball, Executive Director Scott Larese, Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) Attorney Richard Broome, and Sr. Administrative Assistant Emily Campbell were also present. Sr. Administrative Assistant Emily Campbell completed the minutes of the meeting. Member Greg Aker arrived late to the meeting. 

Invocation/Pledge of Allegiance 

Chairperson Diesel asked for a moment of silence and then led the entire assembly in the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag. Sr. Administrative Assistant Emily Campbell read the procedure for public comment.

Approval of Minutes – 

Member Ball stated that he was not present at the June 13, 2023 CRA meeting and that needed to be corrected in the minutes. 

Motion: Member Nelson moved to approve the minutes of the Community Redevelopment Agency meeting on Tuesday, July 13, 2023, with the correction of Member Ball being marked absent. Member Cole seconded the motion.

The motion carried unanimously. 

Special Recognitions and Presentations – None.

Old Business – None. 

New Business 

FY 2024 Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) Budget Update – Executive Director Larese advised that the request was to review and approve proposed FY24 budget for CRA budget revisions.

Based on the latest information from the City's Finance Department it appeared that there would be an estimated additional $59,018.00 funds available in revenue for allocation. Staff proposed splitting the funds equally ($29,509.00) between CR2101 Utilities Infrastructure and CR2301 Stormwater Infrastructure. Staff requested the Board's input in either approving staff's recommendation or recommending directing the funds to other projects.

Member Ball asked staff to highlight what improvements would be made with the funds. 

Public Works Director Kevin Cook stated that the additional CRA finds would be added to the City’s funds for slip lining, other sewer infrastructure, and stormwater improvement projects.  

Member Nelson stated that she was in support of the CRA putting money aside for a parking garage in Downtown Titusville.  

Motion: Member Nelson moved to approve proposed FY24 budget for CRA budget revisions, as recommended. Member Ball seconded the motion. The roll call vote was as followed:

Member Cole                          Yes

Member Nelson                      Yes

Chairman Diesel                     Yes 

Vice-Chair Robinson              Yes

Member Ball                           Yes

Member Stoeckel                    Yes 

The motion carried unanimously.

Petitions and Request from the Public Present

Steven Heron, Executive Artistic Director at the Titusville Play House stated that the Titusville Play house recently launched a new website, new logo and new branding. Mr. Heron stated that the roof was complete and the building was repainted. He thanked the CRA for their support and grants. Mr. Heron stated that on July 1, 2023, the Titusville Play House was awarded a $400,000 matching grant for new facility build from the State of Florida, which would not have been possible without the letters of support from the City of Titusville.

Donna Scott stated that she owned a building in Downtown Titusville and asked the Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) for their assistance in treating the termites in the buildings in Downtown Titusville. Ms. Scott stated that there were five different owners involved in the row of buildings and they all agreed that there was a termite problem. Ms. Scott stated that she had three estimates from exterminators and the lowest was from Tom & Jerry’s Pest Control for $32,000.  

Member Ball stated that all of the structures were in the National Registered District and the CRA had an objective for preserving historic downtown. Mr. Ball stated that it was worth considering and examining if the facility grant would support the treatment of termites in these buildings. 

Redevelopment Planner Sue Williams provided the Commercial Interior Building Renovation Incentive Grant Program Policies and Procedures to the CRA and stated that there was nothing included that prohibited the treatment of termites. 

Donna Scott stated that the pest control company would never treat her unit alone because the termites and gas would travel to the surrounding buildings, causing a health risk. They would have to treat the entire row of buildings at once. 

Member Aker asked if the quote included a continued service agreement. Ms. Scott stated that Tom & Jerry’s Pest Control gave them a termite bond for continued service after the tenting for around $5,000 a year. 

Member Aker suggested adding something to the grant that required the owners of the buildings to maintain the termite bond going forward after treatment. 

Mayor Diesel asked staff to come forward with options of how to assist with the treatment of termites through the CRA grants. 

Community Development Director Brad Parrish stated that the City had not received an application from any of the property owners for this request. Community Development Director Brad Parrish recommended that the property owners submit an application signed by all of the owners so the City had something to formally review and check if they met the criteria of the grant. 

Stan Johnston distributed a handout to council. Mr. Johnston stated that he was a professional engineer and discussed sewage spills that occurred in the City of Titusville, etc. 

Executive Directors Report

Executive Director Larese submitted his written report and advised that all items were informational only. 

With no further business to discuss, the meeting adjourned at 5:59 p.m.