Live blogging DIA

[thelakelander]

I'll be in DT St. Pete this Sunday through Tuesday. Will be taking pics.

[Noone]

^Say hey to Barton if he is out there. Please take some pics of there pier if they have one. I'll be in DT Jax checking out our restricted zones from the water. Also gathering info for our DIA/CRA in the new BID.

[fieldafm]

May Mayor Brown and the DIA have as much success here as Rick Baker had in St. Pete.

http://www.manhattan-institute.org/seamlesscity/

He was on Melissa Ross' show earlier this week
http://www.wjct.org/radio/first_coast_connect

If you weren't at ULI on Tuesday and grabbed a copy of his book, Chamblins just ordered a few to have in stock.  Great read!

[thelakelander]

^Say hey to Barton if he is out there. Please take some pics of there pier if they have one. I'll be in DT Jax checking out our restricted zones from the water. Also gathering info for our DIA/CRA in the new BID.

I'll get some pics.  That's most likely where I'll rent a few bikes on Monday to ride the Pinellas Trail to Clearwater.


St. Petersburg Pier (2008)


Pinellas Trail in downtown St. Pete.

[Noone]

The new Bulkhead down from RAM is awesome. ^Is that the fishing pier that they saved? Or is there another one?

[tufsu1]

that's the pier that has been around since the 1920s....and there is currently a plan to completey rebuild/replace it....do some googling to learn about what they call the eye

[Noone]

That's interesting news about the Northbank TIF.  I wonder how much debt remains and how long it will take to pay off, based on the current set up.

Great question. What is the answer? Next DIA subcommittee meeting 3 days out. Thurs. the 20th at 2pm first floor. What were the TIF projects? RAM dock is one.

[Noone]

Downtown has two TIFs - Southbank and Northbank.  The Southbank TIF is generating close to 2 million per year in revenue.  The Northbank TIF is negative.  I previously thought that was because the taxable value is lower now than when it was setup.  But apparently that is not the case.  It is negative because of debt from past projects. Which projects, I don't know.  This is something that needs to be understood and addressed.  Not so that we can blame anyone, so that we can learn (hopefully) from past experience.

Steve Lovett was the other attending at the DIA meeting.  He provided valuable remarks at the end about the need to set policy FIRST and then evaluate action based on how well it aligns with policy.

Doug,
Just received my minutes and notice of the next DIA subcommittee meeting.
Did you sign the sign in sheet for the 11/20/12 DIA subcommittee meeting? because you aren't listed in the minutes as attending.
What are the TIF projects on the Northbank that have us 5 years out in debt till 2017? Anyone? Good concern.

There is more info in your one sentence on Steve than what is being reported anywhere. Especially the minutes. Not Good.
especially for our new Authority.

Everyone excited about our back door in the dark SECRET FIND prioritized Project list for 2013? Anyone going to the 12/20/12 meeting?

[dougskiles]

Doug,
Just received my minutes and notice of the next DIA subcommittee meeting.
Did you sign the sign in sheet for the 11/20/12 DIA subcommittee meeting? because you aren't listed in the minutes as attending.

I must have missed it.

What are the TIF projects on the Northbank that have us 5 years out in debt till 2017? Anyone? Good concern.

I am still trying to find the answer too.

[Noone]

One day out. Our new DIA/CRA in the USA. Anyone going? Anybody care?
How will Public comments be shared in the minutes going forward?
A new Authority.
Embrace it.
Or
It will embrace us.

[Noone]

Paul Crawford and Jason Gabriel were busy with all kinds of legislative options.

The guy who should have been at the meeting wasn't at the meeting but should be at the meeting today but the legislation discussed at the meeting was introduced at the Jacksonville city council meeting last night. The meeting today if the guy who didn't make the meeting for the last meeting is in fact at today's meeting and the Board even had one concern for the fast tracked meeting and wanted to offer an amendment for a future meeting will now have to make a special effort at the Committee meetings to address the concerns if the guy even shows up at today's meeting. According to the agenda the guy who everyone was waiting to hear from is not a guaranty for the meeting. So the meeting today may move forward from never even hearing from the guy who never even made one meeting.

I know I'm excited about that revalation.

8 hours out. Anyone going? Anybody care? What are we trying to Transform again?
Will anyone from the media be there? 2012 is 2025.
Huge red flag about Public Comment especially as it relates to the minutes.
Is there one MJ'er who wants to write a check for a buck to 2009-442?
I will deliver it personally at a DIA/CRA in the USA board meeting.
It can be deposited into a BID account.
B-BACK
I-IN
D-DOWNTOWN
In the meantime is there anyone who wants to kayak and fish under the brand new No Fishing signs that was never before Waterways?

I am Downtown and why you aren't.

[Noone]

15 people in the audience. Mike Field was there and too bad he wasn't live blogging.

A new Authority
Embrace It
Or
It will Embrace Us.

I mentioned during Public Comment
2009-442 The Artificial Reef Trust Fund
Also mentioned that the 2013 FIND grant  application is not finalized and asked that the DIA seek a project that could be taken back to the commissioners of FIND. This can happen.
mentioned Shipyards III ( The total Destruction of the Public Trust) The Historic Promised 680' Downtown Public Pier
Melody asked me about a timeline.
I said April.
Council just passed 2012-402

After the meeting I reached out and spoke with Scott Wilson. Scott is The assistant to my elected legislative representative Don Redman District 4 and shared with him that Don can still be the hero and restore the Public Trust that has just been totally destroyed in this community by sponsoring the pier as a FIND project and work with this newly created DIA/CRA in the USA. Scott will pass on the message to Don.

That is working through the legislative process.

[Noone]

The 12/20/12 Downtown Investment Authority CRA Plan Committee was jam packed with information.

I counted 15 people in attendance up from the 4 from the last meeting. Mike, I hope you share your observations from the meeting especially how you were acknowledged.

DIA Board members Barakat, Allegretti, and Harris were there.

I didn't realize it but the Empowerment Zones sunsetted in 2011.

A lot was discussed but the highlight for me is the recognition for the Inclusion of the Recreational Fishing Alliance into the Process that identifies stakeholders. The announcement of the new BASS pro shops store to the region is a plus. How many times does every Board member mention the St. Johns River our American Heritage River a Federal Initiative that runs through the middle of our new 20 plus square mile Authority Zone? Of coarse it's abbreviated much more than my elongated version. But it's TRUE.

Another powerful highlight was making the committee aware that the Duval county FIND grant application cycle for 2013 is wide open and that because of this new Authority the opportunity exists today for the DIA to weigh in on a resolution of support for a project that is within their ZONE of AUTHORITY. Board member and committee Chair Melody Bishop asked me what the timeline is and I told her that we have until April. And because of 2012-402 this resolution will also require city council approval as well. In my opinion it is the easiest slam dunk out there. The state of Florida will be watching.

Ben Warner, JCCI, We need to kayak Downtown before 2025.

Paul Crawford and Jason Gabriel coached members to attend the Jan.2 Rules Committee meeting. 9:30 is the agenda meeting and 10am is the actual meeting where a DIA piece of legislation is pending.

The next Board meeting is Jan. 9. Can't wait. We may finally FIND FIND!

A new Authority.
Embrace it
Or
It will Embrace Us.

[Noone]

5 days out city council Committee meetings on DIA legislation start.  Anyone going? There were some huge announcements made at the last Committee meeting. Mike, Hope you share an observation or two.

Perez wasn't there so the minutes of the last meeting couldn't be approved. The next full DIA Board meeting should rock.

[Noone]

In less then 24 hours DIA legislation starts through city council committees. First up Rules. 9:30 agenda meeting and 10am. Is the start. Anyone going?

Should DIA weigh in on 2012-719? transferring $50,000 from Public Parking to Clerk of Courts to pay for jury shuttle. just asking now that we have the taxpayer subsidized garage now across the street from the new Courthouse. Are we saving or losing money?

Next full meeting of the DIA board is Jan.9 2pm. Ed Ball building.