Mayor Has ‘Productive’ Meeting With Vlass Group

Although there was nothing to present to the Temple Terrace City Council after a meeting between Mayor Frank Chillura and Vlass Temple Terrace, Chillura called the assembly “productive.”

He said he and City Manager Kim Leinbach met with the developers of the downtown redevelopment project for about three hours earlier this month, and Chillura came away with a positive feeling.

“I felt it was a good, productive meeting,” Chillura said. “We got to know the developer and the developer got to know me because prior I hadn’t really dealt with the developer.”

Chillura said the Vlass group mentioned that they had heard the city is looking for a new developer, and Chillura assured them that there is no other developer involved.

“But it was very positive,” Chillura said. “There wasn’t anything negative. They know where we stand, we know where there stand. I think we have common goals and that’s to have a successful development in the middle of the city.”

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The downtown redevelopment project was also a topic of conversation Dec. 18 when City Council members met as the Temple Terrace Redevelopment Agency before their regular meeting. They voted to recommend the approval of an agreement with Hillsborough County to modify the city’s Tax Increment Financing (TIF) plan to help facilitate activity in the downtown redevelopment area, and subsequently approved the measure at their regular City Council meeting.

TIF is a tool for capturing the tax revenue generated by increases in assessed property values within a designated district—such as Temple Terrace’s redevelopment area—and using the money only within that designated district.

Temple Terrace’s TIF began in 2004 with the establishment of a base value. Under the original 30-year agreement, the city would see 100 percent of the TIF revenue from the county during the first 10 years and 80 percent during years 11-30, with the county receiving the other 20 percent.

But Chillura spoke to commissioners Dec. 5, and at his request, and the recommendation of County Administrator Mike Merrill, commissioners agreed to amend the agreement, allowing the TIF to increase from 80 to 100 percent in years 11-30.

Temple Terrace’s redevelopment district has not generated as much TIF revenue as anticipated since 2008 because of the sour economy, resulting in a 36.3 percent loss in taxable value within the redevelopment district.

This amendment, Chillura said, demonstrates the positive partnership and strong friendship between the city and county, and will benefit Temple Terrace’s redevelopment efforts for years to come.

“This is really significant,” Chillura said. “I don’t know that people really realize the impact of this.”

He said when the TIF was first granted, the county’s portion was $200,000 a year. Now, it’s $25,000 a year because of the decline in ad valorem values.

“I’m very happy to hear this news, and I would like to thank the County Commissioners and the county staff for giving us this consideration and working with us because this hopefully will be very helpful in the long run as we go forward,” said City Councilwoman Alison Fernandez.

Councilman Grant Rimbey agreed.

“It’s a great thing,” he said.

Also during the meeting, the council:

• recognized Chillura for outstanding service to the city as a member of the Hillsborough County City-County Planning Commission, 2008-2012;
• learned that the Hickory Hacker Golf Tournament and Kickers Ball will take place Jan. 19-21 at the Temple Terrace Golf & Country Club and that these events are the primary fundraiser for the Temple Terrace Preservation Society;
• learned that Paul Woods, of Miami, a volunteer for a non-profit America’s Life Line Foundation, wants to raise money for Hillsborough homeless by hosting a series of family-friend, portable events in the downtown redevelopment area that feature fun, food, education, entertainment, vendors and sponsors.

And the council approved the following items:

• the first reading of a resolution to put a temporary moratorium on Internet Cafés;
• a resolution to buy a 2013 Crane Carrier LET-2/GS recycling vehicle in the amount of $220,504;
• a resolution to buy three 2013 Chevrolet Tahoe unmarked police vehicles in the amount of $25,378.80 each, two 2-13 Chevrolet Caprice unmarked police vehicles in the amount of $25,924 each, camera systems for the cars in the amount of $25,904, and $43,606.60 to be used for additional equipment as necessary;
• a resolution awarding a contract to replace the Family Recreation Complex swimming pool Kool-Deck surface to Stonewood Development in the amount of $194,219.39;
• a resolution to buy a 2013 Ford F-450 utility truck in the amount of $44,905;
• a resolution to award a contract to evaluate the production of well No. 5 prior to well modification to Cardno TBE in the about of $35,500;
• a resolution to approve the agreement between the city and TECO to extend a natural gas line from Gillette Avenue and Folwer Avenue to the Family Recreation Complex to heat the main pool at a cost of $41,000;
• a resolution to approve an interlocal agreement between the city and Hillsborough County to disburse and expend enhanced 9-1-1 emergency telephone service fee revenue; and
• a resolution regarding separating bonds for tax purposes.