Immokalee CRA Minutes 02/06/2019 W
Enclosure 1
1
MINUTES
Joint Budget and Work Plan Workshop of the Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) and the
Immokalee Lighting and Beautification MSTU Advisory Committees on February 6, 2019.
CareerSource Southwest Florida
750 South 5th Street
Immokalee, FL 34142
239-658-3000
A. Call to Order.
The meeting was called to order by Dr. Frank Nappo, CRA Chair at 10:10 A.M.
B. Pledge of Allegiance and Prayer
Dr. Frank Nappo led the Pledge of Allegiance and Ms. Bonnie Keen lead Prayer.
C. Roll Call and Announcement of a Quorum.
Christie Betancourt opened roll call. A quorum was announced for the CRA board. A quorum was not
present for the MSTU board.
CRA Advisory Committee Members Present:
Estil Null, Frank Nappo, Linda Oberhaus, Patricia “Anne” Goodnight, Edward “Ski” Olesky, and
Andrea Halman.
CRA Advisory Committee Members Absent/Excused:
Michael “Mike” Facundo, Julian Morgan, and Yvar Pierre
MSTU Advisory Committee Members Present:
Bernardo Barnhart and Andrea Halman.
MSTU Advisory Committee Members Absent/Excused:
Norma Garcia and Cherryle Thomas.
Others Present:
Leonor Montelongo, Mark Lemke, Alexi Cardona, Miya Reyes, Theresa Schober, Francisco Leon,
Bonnie Keen, Lincoln Price, Victoria Peters, Peter Johnson, Bill McDaniel, and Patti Calderon.
Staff: Debrah Forester, Christie Betancourt, Donna Lumbert, David Berra, and Kayla Boney.
D. Introductions.
All public present introduced themselves. All board members introduced themselves to the members of
the public.
E. Approval of Workshop Agenda.
Staff presented agenda to the board for approval.
CRA Action:
Action: Mr. Estil Null made a motion to approve the Workshop Agenda. Mr. Ski Olesky seconded
the motion and it passed by unanimous vote. 6-0.
F. Announcements
Ms. Christie Betancourt announced that the Immokalee CRA will be participating in a skills gap
workshop hosted by the Florida Heartland Economic Region of opportunity. The skills gap workshop
will be on February 7, 2019 from 8: 00a.m to noon at the Dallas Townsend Agricultural Center.
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Packet Pg. 618 Attachment: CRA Meeting Minutes - February 6, 2019 (signed) (8471 : Immokalee CRA Advisory Board - March 20, 2019)
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G. New Business
1. Strategic Planning Session for 2019 CRA & MSTU Plans
i. 2018 Work Plan (Enclosure 1)
Staff and board reviewed the 2018 Work Plan.
ii. Review 2018 Accomplishments (Enclosure 2)
iii. Review and discuss Focus Areas and Priorities for 2019
2. Budget
i. 2018/2019 Adopted Budget (Enclosure 3)
ii. Review 2018/2019 Budget (Enclosure 4)
iii. Review and discuss 2019/2020 Budget
Staff briefly reviewed enclosures 1-4 with the board. Ms. Christie Betancourt reviewed the 2018 and
2019 priorities.
Operational/Administrative
Staff began with a review of 2018.
The CRA hired Management and Budget Analyst Ms. Donna Lumbert and a temporary Administrative
Assistant Kayla Boney. They also moved into a new office, at 750 South 5th Street, Suite C. The new
office is now fully furnished and operational. Staff and two board members attended training at the FRA
Conference.
Staff then discussed 2019 priorities.
The CRA hired Project Manager David Berra in early 2019. The CRA will hire a full-time job bank
Administrative Assistant. The CRA will work on upgrading the IT network for improved speed and
efficiency. Phone lines will be upgraded as well, for more extensions and improved connection. Signs
for the front office door and window will be installed. Staff have processed order for new office vehicle.
Staff will again attend training at the FRA Conference in 2019.
Land Use Planning
Ms. Debrah Forester announced that the Immokalee Area Master Plan is in the process of being reviewed
for adoption. She also said that a portion of the Redevelopment Plan will be updated this year.
Mr. Estil Null would like for the CRA and MSTU boundaries to be made the same.
Economic Development - Marketing and Branding
Ms. Christie Betancourt announced that a draft of the Florida Heartland Economic Region of
Opportunity (FHERO) Immokalee video was ready for viewing. CRA staff toured with the video
producers to capture an economic overview of Immokalee. Staff played the draft video for the boards.
Ms. Debrah Forester updated the boards on the CRA’s work with FHER O including promotion of the
Skills Gap Workshop to local entities. Ms. Forester announced that the Skills Gap Workshop will take
place on February 7, 2019 at 1085 Pratt Boulevard, Labelle, FL.
Ms. Betancourt announced that the CRA is looking into redesigning the Immokaleetoday.com website
in 2019. Dr. Frank Nappo suggested that the CRA upgrade the website into a mobile application for
devices. The board discussed the possibility of making a CRA app for phones and tablets.
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Packet Pg. 619 Attachment: CRA Meeting Minutes - February 6, 2019 (signed) (8471 : Immokalee CRA Advisory Board - March 20, 2019)
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Economic Development – Incentives
Ms. Christie Betancourt reviewed the CRA grants with the board:
• Residential Options of Florida (ROOF) Grant- In 2018 the CRA awarded ROOF a grant for the
completion of one home in Immokalee for adults with developmental disabilities. The priority for
2019 is to issue payment to ROOF for their work on the homes.
• Façade Grant- There were no Façade Grant applicants in 2018. The 2019 priority is to rewrite the
Façade Grant and increase the number of applicants.
• Sweat Equity Grant- There have been no applicants for the Sweat Equity Grant. A rewrite of the
Swear Equity Grant is also a priority for 2019.
Commissioner Bill McDaniel advised staff and the board that the grant language sho uld be revised
so that it is in the building owners’ favor to participate. The board and commissioner McDaniel agree
that both the Façade Grant and Sweat Equity Grant should be advertised more to the public.
• Promise Zone Brownfield Assessment Grant- Ms. Forester announced that the grant will pay for phase
1 of land development, environmental inspection. The priority for 2019 is to begin to distribute the
grant.
• Opportunity Zone- the Opportunity Zone grant is in the stages of being finalized. The grant will assist
in economic development with tax breaks and capital gains for participants. The CRA will move
forward with the grant in 2019 after it is finalized.
Infrastructure - Partnerships Projects
Ms. Christie Betancourt announced that the sidewalk project has been completed on South 9th, Eustis,
and a portion of 5th. Staff is applying for additional funding in the upcoming CDBG grant cycle to
continue the project. Ms. Betancourt reviewed the TIGER Grant and gave updates on N. 19th street. A
photo of the completed project was presented during the meeting. Ms. Betancourt thanked
Commissioner McDaniel for the county support in finishing the project. The CRA is continuing its work
with the Collier County Growth Management Department on the Immokalee Stormwater Master Plan.
Ms. Betancourt thanked Collier County Parks and Recreation for maintaining the Zocalo Plaza and Lake
Trafford Pier. The CRA is continuing communication with the Florida Department of Transportation
(FDOT) regarding the Main Street Improvement Project.
*Presentation is attached to the minutes for the record.
H. Citizen Comments
No additional comments were provided.
I. Next Meeting Date. CRA will meet on April 17, 2019 at 9:00 A.M. at CareerSource.
MSTU will meet on April 24, 2019 at 9:00 A.M. at CareerSource.
J. Adjournment. Meeting Adjourned @ 12:05 P.M.
25.A.3
Packet Pg. 620 Attachment: CRA Meeting Minutes - February 6, 2019 (signed) (8471 : Immokalee CRA Advisory Board - March 20, 2019)
25.A.3Packet Pg. 625Attachment: CRA Meeting Minutes - February 6, 2019 (signed) (8471 : Immokalee CRA Advisory Board - March 20, 2019)