CRA BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS WORKSHOP

MINUTES COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS W FEBRUARY 19,2025

AGENCY WORKSHOP

CALL TO ORDER

The Community Redevelopment Agency of the City of Fort Myers, Florida, met in a work session at Oscar M. Corbin, Jr. City Hall, 2200 Second Street, in Council Chambers, on Wednesday, February 19, 2025 at 9:00 a.m. Present were Teresa Watkins Brown, Chairperson, Liston Bochette III, Vice-Chairperson, Diana Giraldo, Kevin Anderson, Fred Burson, and Darla Bonk Commissioners. Also present were Michele Hylton-Terry, Executive Director, Community Redevelopment Agency and Clifford Shepard, Esq., Shepard, Smith, Hand & Brackins, P.A., counsel representing the Community Redevelopment Agency.

Absent: Terolyn Watson, Commissioner.

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

The meeting was opened with prayer by Chairperson Teresa Watkins Brown followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.

1. WORKSHOP ITEMS

1.1 DISCUSS AND EVALUATE CRA'S LEGAL SERVICES STRUCTURE.

Michele Hylton-Terry, Executive Director, Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA), stated that within the packets presented, there were four legal service structure options to be discussed. Ms. Hylton-Terry reviewed the four options: 1) As-Needed Counsel (current model), 2) Utilizing the City Attorney, 3) Legal Advisor, or 4) Full-Time In-House Counsel. Commissioner Bonk stated that she would like a recommendation from the current CRA counsel to retain his service and to provide daily opportunities that would assist the CRA. Clifford Shepard, Esq., Shepard, Smith, Hand & Brackins, P.A., counsel representing the CRA, stated that it would be hard to judge whether full-time counsel would be recommended as he was not familiar with the day-to-day legal needs of the Fort Myers CRA. Attorney Shepard stated that using an in-house attorney could work depending on the level of interest. Attorney Shepard stated that hiring a part-time attorney from an existing firm could work, however, there could be a conflict of interest. Attorney Shepard stated that option 3, having a legal advisor to handle daily issues

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MINUTES

stated that he felt that the Fort Myers CRA was significantly more active than other CRA's and had more redevelopment areas than others. Ms.Hylton-Terry stated that she did not feel that there was sufficient legal review available in the office. Chair Watkins Brown stated that with the outcome on the discussion that there was a consensus to follow through with Option #3 and bring the item to a future Board of Commissioners meeting for approval to advertise for a legal advisor.

1.2 DISCUSS THE FUTURE OF THE PROPERTY LOCATED AT 2538-2546 CONGRESS ST. WHETHER TO RETAIN THE PROPERTY OR SELL IT.

Commissioner Giraldo stated the Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) had a slim crew and that managing the property was a distraction to the core work that the CRA does. Michele Hylton-Terry, Executive Director, (CRA), stated that the Average Median Income (AMI) was between 60-80% of the tenants currently residing at Congress St. Commissioner Giraldo stated that they should look at an appropriate non-profit or government agency to take over the property to keep it affordable. Ms. Hylton-Terry stated that the expenses paid to maintain the property was for 11 months since taking over the property. Ms. Hylton-Terry stated that maintaining housing to be affordable was not affordable and that was why subsidies were needed for affordable housing. Clifford Shepard, Esq., Shepard, Smith, Hand & Brackins, P.A., counsel representing the CRA, stated that under FS 163.380 that the notice to sell could be specific to affordable housing. Marcia Davis, Executive Director, City of Fort Myers Housing Authority, stated that to keep a property affordable you would not be able to

ADJOURNMENT - 10:02 a.m. o'clock.