Book 61 Page 34325 MINUTES OF THE JOINT SPECIAL MEETING OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF SARASOTA AND THE SARASOTA BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF APRIL 17, 2012 PRESENT: City of Sarasota Commission: Mayor Suzanne Atwell, Vice Mayor Terry Turner, Commissioners Willie Shaw, Paul Caragiulo, and Shannon Snyder, Interim City Manager Terry Lewis, City Attorney Robert Fournier; and City Auditor and Clerk Pamela Nadalini Sarasota Board Of County Commissioners: Chair Christine Robinson, Vice Chair Carolyn Mason, Commissioners Nora Patterson, Joseph Barbetta, and Jon Thaxton, and County Administrator Randall Reid ABSENT: None The meeting was called to order by Mayor Atwell at 2:01 p.m. INVOCATION: City Auditor and Clerk Nadalini PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Vice Mayor Turner 1. CITIZENS' INPUT CONCERNING CITY TOPICS (AGENDA ITEM I) The following person spoke: Millie Small thanked the Commissions for the opportunity to serve on the Parks, Recreation and Environmental Protection Advisory Board (Parks Board) and other advisory boards and committees and stressed the importance for others to serve on Advisory Boards. 2. DISCUSSION RE: ANALYIS OF IMPEDIMENTS TO FAIR HOUSING CHOICE (AGENDA ITEM I-1) Donald Hadsell, General Manager, Community Development, and Marjorie Williams, Representative, Mullin & Lonergan Associates, Incorporated, came before the Commission. Mr. Hadsell stated that each local government which receives Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds is required to sign a certification to affirmatively further fair housing; that the first step to comply with the requirement is for local government to create an Analysis of Impediments (AI) to Fair Housing Choice. Ms. Williams gave a computer-generated presentation and stated that the City and County hired Mullin & Lonergan Associates, Incorporated, to conduct an Analysis of Impediments (AI) to Fair Housing Choice; that the AI is a requirement of both entities to continue receiving Federal Housing and Urban Development (HUD) funds; that the AI must be conducted every five years; that once the AI is completed, a series of certifications must be signed by each Chief Elected Official prior to submission; that one of the certifications acknowledges the City and County will affirmatively further fair housing choice; that Mullin & Lonergan Associates, Incorporated, submits the following statistics: 1. Black and Hispanic residents were more likely to be unemployed than White and Asian residents in Sarasota County. 2. The unemployment rate among Blacks was 20 percent compared to 11 percent among Whites.
3. Home ownership in the County varies widely as follows: a) Blacks - 46.6 percent b) Hispanics - 53.1 percent c) Asians - 75.3 percent d) Whites - 79.1 percent 4. Mortgage denial rates in the County are higher among minorities: a) Black applicants - 35.2 percent b) Hispanic applicants - 28.9 percent c) White applicants - 21.8 percent Ms. Williams displayed maps of the demographics and of affordable housing stock of the City and County of Sarasota and stated that a Fair Housing Action Plan has been developed identifying impediments to fair housing and action plans to address the impediments. Discussion ensued regarding funding a pilot program to provide job training, the effectiveness of the current two job training programs of Career Edge and Suncoast Workforce, expansion of job training programs currently in place, the status of the Down Payment Assistance Program, the geographical areas used to compare Sarasota's mortgage denial ratings, the possibility of housing down-payment assistance from the Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP), and rental assistance. Mr. Hadsell stated that the approval of the Fair Housing Action Plan as included in the Agenda backup material by the City and County Commissions is sought; that the Fair Housing Action Plan is a five-year plan. Ms. Williams stated that HUD publishes a Fair Housing Planning Guide. Discussion ensued concerning the composition of the City s and the County s advisory boards, advisory board membership selection process, the desirability of having a person with a disability serve on housing advisory boards, concerns of signing off on the Analysis of Impediments (AI) to Fair Housing Choice documentation due to outside uncontrollable impediments such as newspaper advertisements and banks and other lending agencies, the availability of affordable housing, rental compared to homeownership for housing, the per capita investment in public transportation, and acknowledgement of previous achievements. Mr. Hadsell stated that a greater need for affordable housing exists at the present than previously; that Staff can re-assess some of the action plans identified to address impediments with consideration of the comments of the City and County Commissions and return for approval at a later time. 3. DIRECTION RE: UPDATE ON THE MYRTLE STREET IMPROVEMENT PROJECT (AGENDA ITEM I-2) Alexandrea DavisShaw, City Engineer, Thai Tran, Program Manager Mobility, Public Works, George Giovino, Accountant, Financial Planning, Sarasota County, and Debra Figueroa, Manager, Community Development, came before the Commission. Ms. DavisShaw gave a computer-generated presentation and stated that the Myrtle Street Improvement Project is from U.S. 41 to U.S. 301 to the east; that the City and County Commissions had previously directed City and County Staffs to meet to discuss funding options; that the three Project Phases and selected Options are as follows: 1. Phase One, Option 1A, will include the construction of an eastbound to southbound turn lane on Myrtle Street at U.S. 301 which is designed and funded. Book 61 Page 34326
Book 61 Page 34327 2. Phase Two, Option1B, will include design of the full street cross-section and construction of the closed drainage and sidewalk on the south side and, if approved by the City and County Commissions, and lighting on the south side. 3. Phase Three, Option 3B, will be the expansion and construction of the road to add bike lanes and a sidewalk on the north side but is not yet funded. Ms. DavisShaw stated that Staff recommends designing the entire project and constructing the Project Phases as funding becomes available; that funding is currently available for Option 1A of Phase One. Discussion ensued regarding the directional layout of the sidewalk, estimated cost of each Project Phase, and status of all grant funding. Ms. Figueroa stated that Community Block Development Grant (CBDG) funding is combined with other funding; that the majority of CBDG funding will be available October 1, 2012, after the Sarasota Consolidated Plan for Community Development is competed and presented to the City and County Commissions for final approval. In response to a question by County Chair Robinson asking if any of the funding arrangements affect any other projects, Mr. Giovino stated no; that the funding is the result of swapped earmarks or remaining funds realized from savings from other projects. Commissioner Shaw stated that the sidewalk should be constructed and lighting installed at the same time for safety reasons. In response to a question from BCC Commissioner Patterson concerning the level of grant funding available from the State, Mr. Tran stated that the County just applied for a grant for the Honore Intersection Improvement Project from the Florida Department of Transportation; that the amount of the grant was $1.3 million; that the amount of funding available from the State varies from year to year. In response to a question from BCC Vice Chair Mason concerning funding from the School Board of Sarasota County (School Board) due to the renovations of Booker High School, Ms. DavisShaw stated that a response is not known; however, efforts to receive funding for other projects from the School Board have not been successful. The following person spoke: Barbara Langston indicating concerns Myrtle Street was not completed at the same time as the Robert L. Taylor Community Center or the completion of the renovations of Booker High School in 2013, Myrtle Street is a very important road, residents on Myrtle Street would not complain of lighting being installed, and Myrtle Street is of vital importance due to the proximity to Booker High School. A motion was made by Commissioner Shaw, seconded by Commissioner Snyder, carried by a 5-0 vote to approve Option 1A, Phase One, Option 1B, Phase Two, and Option 3B, Phase Three, to include lighting with Option 1B, Phase Two. A motion was made by BCC Commissioner Patterson, seconded by BCC Vice Chair Mason, carried by a 5-0 vote to approve Option 1A, Phase One, Option 1B, Phase Two, and Option 3B, Phase Three, to include lighting with Option 1B, Phase Two. 4. DISCUSSION RE: UPDATE ON THE BUS RAPID TRANSIT (BRT) SYSTEM (AGENDA ITEM 1-3) Robert Lewis, Director, Planning and Development Services, Sarasota County Transportation Authority (SCTA) and Carolyn Eastwood, Project Director, Bus Rapid Transit (BRT), Public Works, Sarasota County, came before the Commission.
Mr. Lewis and gave a computer-generated presentation and stated that the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system will enhance economic development, and stated that the following approvals occurred between Sarasota County and the City of Sarasota: September 2008 October 2009 April 19, 2010 April 28, 2010 BRT corridor selected City requested alternative BRT route south of Downtown City approved the BRT preferred alternative SCTA approved the BRT preferred alternative. Ms. Eastwood continued the computer-generated presentation and stated that the BRT project will be approximately eight miles of corridor south to north; that the BRT will commence on Siesta Drive at the Westfield South Gate Mall and terminate at the University of South Florida (USF) Sarasota-Manatee campus. Discussion ensued regarding dedicated bus guideways or bus lanes, congestion on U.S. 41 during morning hours, widening of U.S. 41 by approximately 12 feet to enable buses to make turns, estimated cost of the BRT project, the requirement to expand routes on Old Bradenton Road and U.S. 301, including Ringling College of Art and Design in future BRT plans, ensure the public is educated and aware of the BRT, and the possibility of developing a new corridor route using U.S. 41 and U.S. 301 rather than the railroad corridor. A motion was made by Vice Mayor Turner, seconded by Commissioner Snyder, and carried by a 5-0 vote to extend the meeting. The following people spoke: Richard Thomas indicating the City and County Commissions should not move forward with the BRT project along the railroad corridor, dedicated lanes are not necessary, and the BRT system should be along the most heavily travelled routes. Lisa Nisenson indicating the Florida House would like to engage with the BRT project and other future projects. Valerie Buchand indicating SCTA received community input during the development of the BRT to include Janie s Gardens, nothing exists in the current plans to include Janie s Gardens, and a significant amount of time has been spent on the BRT project. Mr. Lewis stated that the presentation was informational; that no action by the Commissions is necessary. 5. DISCUSSION RE: UPDATE ON THE NORTH TRAIL REDEVELOPMENT PROJECT (AGENDA ITEM I-4) BCC Commissioner Barbetta stated that a concern is the possibility of conducting another North Tamiami Trail study; that several studies currently exist on shelves; that another study should not be conducted due to the economy and cost; that the City and County Planning Staffs should assess what is causing the lack of development on the North Tamiami Trail; that developers and residents of the community should be polled to find impediments to development in the area. Discussion ensued regarding the City s strict building requirements, the narrowness of the North Taimiami Trail corridor, concerns of unwanted businesses, the impact of developments without community input, and the scheduling of further discussion concerning the North Tamiami Trail Redevelopment Project for the May 7, 2012, Regular Commission meeting. Book 61 Page 34328
Book 61 Page 34329 The following people spoke: Steve Queior, President and Chief Executive Officer, the Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce, indicating revitalizing the North Tamiami Trail is a necessity, the quality of life will improve as a result, and North Tamiami Trail is a gateway into the City. Valerie Buchand indicating the City of Sarasota-Newtown Comprehensive Redevelopment Plan through 2020 (Newtown Redevelopment Plan) should not be overlooked, Newtown is being overlooked and should be enhanced, and a plan was developed for economic stimulus in Newtown but has not been pursued. Richard Thomas read a statement on behalf of Johannes Warner indicating the necessity to have a successful bus service in the City and endorsing the plan proposed by Vice Mayor Turner to foster urban growth along the North and South Tamiami Trail corridor. Mayor Atwell stated that the City Commission will be addressing a possible North Tamiami Trail study at the May 7, 2012, Regular Commission meeting. 6. DISCUSSION RE: UPDATE ON U.S. 41 MULTI-MODAL CORRIDOR PROJECT (AGENDA ITEM 1-5) Alexandrea DavisShaw, City Engineer, and Clark Davis, General Manager, Planning, Public Works, Sarasota County, came before the Commission. Ms. DavisShaw gave a computer-generated presentation, and stated that a concept plan was developed utilizing the concepts from the U.S. 41 and Bayfront Connectivity Plan, which included sidewalks, roundabouts, and other modifications to slow traffic; that the Sarasota/Manatee Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) has designated U.S. 41 from North Manatee County to South Sarasota County as being eligible for Multi-Modal Emphasis Corridor (MMEC) improvement funds; that 2012 is the first year the MPO will provide funding for multi-modal improvements along the corridor. In response to a question by BCC Chair Robinson asking if County Staff had any discussion regarding the MMEC funds and other projects which would possibly be eligible for the funds, Mr. Davis stated that Staff placed a discussion item on the Agenda for the April 24, 2012, Regular County Commission meeting. The following people spoke: Roger Barry indicating joint support of the City and County Commissions for the MMEC project along U.S. 41 is urged, that the MMEC project will enhance economic development and the tax base Downtown and on North Tamiami Trail. Rod Warner indicating everyone in the City and County has a stake in the MMEC project along U.S. 41, the MMEC will be the first in the State of Florida, and the project is ready to be filed with the MPO. Richard Thomas indicating the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) bus route plan presented is a concern, all the cities and counties in the region must work together to finalize the BRT project, and transit-oriented development is key. Davis Morris indicating the sooner the project is constructed the better and the MMEC plan should be made available to others for viewing. Ron McCollough indicating the MMEC plans should be submitted as soon as possible to avoid missing a vital opportunity, and the joint support of the City and County Commissions is urged.
Mayor Atwell stated that the County will have an interesting discussion at the April 24, 2012, Regular County Commission meeting. 7. OTHER MATTERS ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICERS (AGENDA ITEM IV) INTERIM CITY MANAGER LEWIS: 1. stated that an Agenda Item concerning north-west revitalization has been place under Unfinished Business in the afternoon session for the May 7, 2012, Regular Commission meeting; that Commission approval is required to move the item to the evening session. A motion was made by Commissioner Shaw, seconded by Commissioner Snyder, and carried by a 5-0 vote to approve placing the item concerning north-west revitalization under Unfinished Business in the evening session at the May 7, 2012, Regular Commission meeting. CITY ATTORNEY FOURNIER: 1. stated that agreement has been reached concerning the proposed Interlocal Agreement for remediation of the Marion Anderson Brownfield Site which will be presented to the City Commission followed by the Sarasota Board of County Commissioners. 8. ADJOURN (AGENDA ITEM V) The Joint City Commission meeting with the Sarasota Board of County Commissioners adjourned at 4:59 p.m. SUZANNE ATWELL, MAYOR ATTEST: PAMELA NADALINI, CITY AUDITOR AND CLERK Book 61 Page 34330