Sessions

Registration Desk Open
7:00 a.m.

Galleria

Walking Tour: Fort Myers Tour with Educational Narratives of Local History
(addl. fee $50.00; pre-reg. required)
8:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.

Meet in Hotel Lobby

As you walk on the brick streets that Thomas Edison once called home, you’ll get to explore the Fort Myers historic River District and the redevelopment projects that have awakened the once sleepy downtown into a thriving commerce and entertainment center. On this guided tour, you will have the opportunity to go inside the restored Sidney and Berne Davis Art Center. Its former use was a post office. It is now home to the Historic Arcade Theatre where the Florida Repertory Theatre Company performs. They are touted in The Wall Street Journal as “One of America’s Top Repertory Companies.” Using tax increment financing, the Fort Myers CRA has helped to breathe new life into the downtown while increasing taxable values and improving public infrastructure.

Bus Tour: Cleveland, Downtown and MLK
(addl. fee $50.00; pre-reg. required)
8:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.

Meet Outside Front Main Entrance to Hotel (Edwards Drive)

Learn about three of our redevelopment areas: Cleveland Avenue, Downtown and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. You’ll see firsthand that #RedevelopmentWorks in Fort Myers! We will highlight infrastructure improvements and redevelopment projects that have increased the taxable values in our areas while attracting new residents and new businesses. The first stop is “Collaboratory,” the greatest community problem solving initiative in American history that is located in the refurbished Atlantic Coast Railway Depot. This site ties in the timeless history of Fort Myers and offers a place for nonprofits and other community members to work together to share ideas
and initiatives to help create a better Fort Myers. The next stop is Grand Central. The Fort Myers CRA worked with a developer to transform a former mobile home site into a 280-multifamily unit vibrant mixed-use community that features 15,000 square feet of retail space. The development includes a “Krispy Kreme.” Upon opening, it sold close to one million donuts in just two weeks, the News-Press newspaper reported. You’ll learn about the restoration underway at McCollum Hall, formerly a stop on the Chitlin’ Circuit – back in the day, this venue featured famous entertainers and musicians such as Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington and Ella Fitzgerald. Our last stop on this tour will be West End at City Walk, a mixed-use project that has transformed a 7.9-acre vacant site (formerly Boulevard Plaza, a deteriorated strip mall) into a five-story, 318-multifamily units and a 12,000+ square-foot amenity center. Future phases of this project may include Class “A” office space, a hotel and/or restaurants.

CRA Board Training Course
(additional fee $50.00; pre-registration required)
8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

The Workshop

This session is designed for CRA staff, elected and appointed officials, volunteers and advisory board members. It provides a succinct overview of what you need to know that you don’t know in the universe of CRAs. Learn some helpful practical, legal and administrative best practices for CRA policymaking success.

Speakers and Facilitators:
Jeff Burton, Executive Director, City of Palmetto, Community Redevelopment Agency
Berk Edwards, Esquire, CRA Attorney, Fort Myers Community Redevelopment Agency, Edwards Mediation & General Counsel Services

Exhibit Hall Open
11:00 a.m. – 7:30 p.m.

Salon C

Welcome Luncheon in the Exhibit Hall
11:30 a.m. – 12:45 p.m.

Salon C

Sponsored by Cardno Inc. and Goldstein Kite Environmental, LLC

Welcome and Opening Keynote Address
12:45 p.m. – 1:45 p.m.

Salon D, E

Sponsored by Fort Myers Community Redevelopment Agency

Address of Welcome:
Fred Burson, CRA Board Chairman, City of Fort Myers
Kevin Anderson, Mayor, City of Fort Myers

Keynote: Leadership: Creative Workplace Culture

Keynote Speaker: Mike Sittig, Executive Director Emeritus, Florida League of Cities

Refreshment Break in the Exhibit Hall
1:45 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Salon C

What to Expect this Session: Legislative Preview
2:00 p.m. – 2:45 p.m.

Salon A

The Florida Legislature is gearing up for the January start of the 2022 Legislative Session. Hear from the FRA’s legislative counsel on what important issues will be addressed and how they will impact redevelopment. Also, hear the latest on federal legislation, including the American Rescue Plan Act and infrastructure spending.

Moderator: Jeff Burton, Executive Director, City of Palmetto, CRA
Speakers: Amber Hughes, Executive Director, FRA, Senior Legislative Advocate, Florida League of Cities;
Ryan Matthews, Esq., Partner, Peebles, Smith & Matthews

Considerations for Paid and Unpaid Curbside Parking
2:00 p.m. – 2:45 p.m.

Salon B

This panel discussion will walk the audience through the City of Sarasota and the City of Fort Myers’ opportunity to redefine and sustain its public parking inventory, including the decision to implement a paid parking program within its commercial parking districts. From an array of stakeholder sessions to going all in with pay-by-plate and pay-by-phone technology solutions, the audience will experience firsthand how to: improve the perception of public parking, understand the obstacles and challenges when moving from a free to a paid system, gain insight and ideas on overcoming objections to change and plan for key considerations before committing to paid parking.

Moderator: Jim M. Corbett, CAPP, Director of Studies, Walker Consultants
Speakers: Mark Lyons, Parking Manager, City of Sarasota
Tom Szubka, Senior Consultant, Walker Consultants
Christine Tenney, CFO, City of Fort Myers

Refreshment Break in the Exhibit Hall
2:45 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Salon C

Transforming Communities and Adding Value Through Placemaking
3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Salon A

Panelists will discuss collaborative design and development techniques that create value while preserving and celebrating the history, heritage and culture of communities.

Moderator: Nancy Walker, President, Walker Brands
Speakers: Leonard Burke, Managing Partner, Cornerstone Strategic Partners
Felix Deloatch, Senior Director of Florida Operations, Torti Gallas + Partners
Michael Rollison, Director of Retail + Placemaking, Torti Gallas + Partners

Environmental Justice and Social Equity through Brownfields Redevelopment
3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Salon B

Florida’s Brownfields Redevelopment Act, enacted in 2002, is designed  to synergize with The Redevelopment Act of 1969. Brownfield areas and sites are most easily designated by local governments when located in CRAs, and the state specifically tells brownfield redevelopers to seek out CRAs and their unique increment revenue to remediate and redevelopment stigmatized brownfield sites. Florida and New York are the only two states in the Country, who state brownfields statutes directly address “environmental justice”. What is environmental justice and why does it exist? How should it be addressed and, what should be its end result?  The Florida Brownfield Association’s Brownfields and  Public Health Committee will engage FRA members in a discussion on the fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people regarding environmental regulations. Please attend this one of a kind breakout session!

Moderator: Miles Ballogg, Practice Leader – Brownfields & Economic Development, Senior Principal – Brownfields

Speakers: Krystal (Pree) Hepburn, Ph.D., Environmental Scientist / Consultant
Charles Ray, VP Government Initiatives and Brownfields, PPM Consultants, Inc.
Jeff Burton, Executive Director, City of Palmetto, Community Redevelopment Agency

Unscrambling MLEINTIMPEANOT … IMPLEMENTATION
4:15 p.m. – 5:45 p.m.

Salon A

Is your plan on a shelf? A successful plan must begin with a vision on the front end and include the right implementation structure on the back end. In this session, we will unscramble the necessary steps to establish the structure for successful implementation.

Moderator: Michelle Hylton-Terry, FRA-RA, Executive Director, Fort Myers Community Redevelopment Agency
Speakers: Claudia McKenna, Esq., CRA Attorney Community Redevelopment Legal Services
Sharon McCormick, Director of Business Attraction & Marketing, RMA

Partnering with Banks for Redevelopment
4:15 p.m. – 5:45 p.m.

Salon B

Join the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation and the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency for a discussion on partnering with banks for redevelopment. Participants will hear about best practices and examples of bank partnerships in community and economic development, as well as have an opportunity to discuss
their existing projects and programs.

Moderator: Brenda Thrower, Economic Development Specialist, City of Tampa, Ybor City Development
Speakers: April Atkins, AICP, Community Affairs Specialist, Federal Deposit Insurance Corp.
Lisa Mifflin, CRCM, District Community Affairs Officer, Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, FIC

Welcome Reception in the Exhibit Hall
6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.

Salon C

Sponsored by S&ME, Inc. and Stantec Consulting Services, Inc.

Registration Desk Open
7:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Galleria

Exhibit Hall Open
7:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

Salon C

Light Continental Breakfast in the Exhibit Hall
7:00 a.m. – 8:00 a.m.

Salon C

Unanswered Questions Make Incentive Plans Look Suspicious
8:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.

Salon A

To many who follow local government, “incentive” has become a dirty word. The use of tax credits, relaxed regulations, infrastructure funding or other benefits flowing to private enterprises raises their suspicions and their blood pressure. One of the best ways to counter that suspicion is with information, including a frank, upfront discussion of how a proposed incentive would be funded and what benefits the community could expect. This session will walk through a cost-benefit analysis done per project to show that the incentive is the right decision.

Speakers: Michele Hylton-Terry, MPA, FRA-RA, Executive Director, Fort Myers CRA;
John Jones, AICP, FRA-RP, Project Manager, S&ME

Affordable Housing Challenges and Solutions
8:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.

Salon B

With a strong Florida economy, the lack of availability of affordable housing for low- and middle-income households has become a top issue for many communities. This session will feature a panel of experts discussing the causes, trends and current efforts to address the need for affordable housing.

Moderator: Ken Thomas, Director, Housing & Redevelopment, City of Leesburg
Speakers: Christine Tibbs, Assistant Director, Delray Beach CRA

Refreshment Break in the Exhibit Hall
9:00 a.m. – 9:15 a.m.

Salon C

Funding CRA Projects – Economic ROI
9:15a.m. – 10:15 a.m.

Salon A

Successful redevelopment requires a solid plan that can pave the way for attracting the private investment that can best support the plan goals and provide long-term benefits to a city’s quality of life. Learn methods and means to achieve the funding required to implement your most ambitious plan elements.

Moderator: Evan Johnson, AICP, Planning Division Manager, Housing and Community Development Dept., Pinellas County Government
Speakers: Peter Altman, City Councilman, City of New Port Richey
Jon Kessler, Director of Investment Banking, FMS Bonds, Inc.
Jeff Burton, Executive Director, CIty of Palmetto, CRA

Giving Your CRA a Voice
9:15 a.m. – 10:15 a.m.

Salon B

This session will explore ways to up your social media presence and tips on how to better communicate the great work that your CRA is doing to improve your redevelopment area.

Moderator: Renée Jadusingh, Esq., FRA-RA, Executive Director, Delay Beach CRA
Speakers: Grace Gdaniec, CRA Manager, Delray Beach CRA
Ann Marie Sorrell, President and CEO, The Mosaic Group
Natalie S. Dunham, Advertising and Promotions Manager, Fort Myers CRA

Refreshment Break in the Exhibit Hall
10:15 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.

Salon C

Using Fiscal and Economic Analysis to Make Your Case
10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

Salon A

In order to convince a county of the economic and fiscal benefits of creating a CRA, one needs to think outside the box. This session will explore the history of two CRA areas, provide an overview of the approach to the analysis and its results as well as discuss the outreach strategy developed for stakeholders that ultimately can lead to a county approving a city’s proposal.

Moderator: Kimberly Glas-Castro, Assistant Village Manager, Village of Palm Springs
Speakers: Carson Bise, President, TischlerBise, Inc.
Kim Delaney, Ph.D., Director of Strategic Development & Policy, Treasure Coast Regional Planning Council

Annual Reporting Template Update and Best Practices
10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

Salon B

Have you been using the FRA Annual Report spreadsheet? Do you have questions or possible improvements that you would like to discuss? Here is your opportunity! Meet to review the application and discuss its use and possible improvements with your fellow redevelopment users. We will be collecting user improvement requests at this meeting.

Moderator: Jeff Burton, Executive Director, City of Palmetto, CRA
Speakers: Zachary Schwartz, Senior GIS Analyst, City of Palmetto

Networking Luncheon in the Exhibit Hall
11:30 a.m. – 12:45 p.m.

Salon C

Sponsored by Peebles, Smith & Matthews, Inc. and Wade Trim, Inc.

Closing Keynote Address: Prepare for the Future: The Generational Trends Transforming the Next Era
1:00 p.m. – 2:15 p.m.

Salon D, E

Sponsored by Comcast Business

Our communities and our workplaces are in the midst of transformational change. Between the pandemic, social unrest, new technologies and demographic shifts, leaders find themselves in a sea of once-in-a-generation moments. The decisions made today will shape the next era. In this presentation, we’ll explore the monumental changes of our time through a generational lens. Through this lens, we can ground ourselves in where we’ve been, understand how we got to where we are today and uncover where we’ll go from here. Supported with cutting-edge research and category-leading case studies, this program will help leaders prepare for – and create – a
better future.

Keynote Speaker: Kim Lear, writer, researcher (Learn more about Kim Lear)
Moderator: Jeff Burton, Executive Director, City of Palmetto, CRA

Annual Membership Meeting
2:15 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.

Salon D, E

Brownfields Speed Dating
2:45 p.m. – 4:15 p.m.

Salon A

This session will provide an opportunity to hear from seasoned CRA Directors, Brownfields Developers, Brownfields Consultants and a former President of the Florida Brownfields Association on a broad range of Brownfields topics. These include Brownfields grant funding and incentives, leveraging private sector capital and tax increment financing through Brownfields Redevelopment as well as multiple innovative Brownfields projects within CRAs.

Moderator: Miles Ballogg, Senior Principal Brownfields Practice Leader, Cardno
Speakers: Roxanne Amoroso, Principal, Mosaic Development
Ed Johnson, Former CRA Director, East Tampa CRA
Jason Lichtstein, Partner, Akerman Law Firm
Nadia G. Locke, P.E., Esciences, Inc.
Marc Mariano, Partner, Mosaic Development

Innovations and Healthy Mixed-Use Opportunities
2:45 p.m. – 4:15 p.m.

Salon B

Mixed-use development is the key to downtown revitalization. Guiding successful development is our public realm, which has always been central to that elusive thing we call placemaking. Case studies that relied heavily on incentives and have proven to be the catalyst of a redevelopment transformation will be highlighted.

Moderator:  Lynn Dehlinger, Director of Economic Development, RMA
Speakers: Brian R. Prince, J.D., Principal/Vice President of Development, Flaherty Collins
Paul Rutledge, Senior Vice President, JLL

Academy Awards and Graduation Dinner
6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.

Salon C

Sponsored by Burkhardt Construction, Inc.

Help us congratulate our Academy Graduates, Award Winners and the 2020-2021 Board of Directors.

Registration Desk Open
7:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.

Galleria

Light Continental Breakfast
7:00 a.m. – 8:00 a.m.

Salon C

Legal Workshop: Ethics Laws for Redevelopment
(additional fee $50.00; pre-registration required)

8:00 a.m. – 9:15 a.m.

Salon A

This workshop is geared toward CRA attorneys and others who want to learn about ethics requirements specific to CRAs as well as general requirements for all governments. It will feature instructors who are members of the Florida Bar with a great deal of specific CRA legal ethics experience. They will break down basic ethics requirements for CRA practitioners, board members and volunteers who work with community redevelopment agencies in Florida. Topics will include general and ethics opinions, gift laws; conflict of interest law for CRAs; doing business with one’s agency; 1% statutory rule on conflicts of interest test; public records and social media lessons learned; and sunshine and financial disclosure for CRA board members and volunteers.

Moderator: Toni Shamplain, FRA-RA, Downtown CRA Manager, City of Panama City, CRA
Speakers: Clifford B. Shepard, Attorney at Law, General Counsel, Florida Redevelopment Association, Shepard, Smith, Kohlmyer & Hand, P.A.

Legal Workshop: Legal Reporting Requirements for CRAs
(additional fee $50.00; pre-registration required)

8:00 a.m. – 9:15 a.m.

Salon B

This course is geared toward CRA attorneys and others who want to learn about new CRA reporting rules in CS/HB 9 passed by the Florida Legislature in 2019. We will share tips and best practices for compliance and discussion of the CRA reporting requirements under Chapters 163 Part III, Florida Statutes, (community redevelopment agencies) and Chapter 189, Florida Statutes (special districts). This course features CRA experts who have helped to develop reporting guidelines and counseled local governments on the same.

Moderator: Jeff Burton, Executive Director, City of Palmetto, CRA
Speakers: David Cruz, Esq., Deputy General Counsel & Legislative Counsel, Florida League of Cities, Inc.
Renée Jadusingh, Esq., FRA-RA, Executive Director, Delay Beach CRA

Refreshment Break
9:15 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.

Grand Foyer

Legal Workshop: “Hot” Legal Issues in Redevelopment
(additional fee $50.00; pre-registration required)

9:30 a.m. – 11:05 a.m.

Salon A

Join us as we hold an ad hoc redevelopment “hot legal topics” session. We will have our best CRA legal minds discuss their list of “need-to-know” opinions and legislation on topics impacting redevelopment and CRAS.

Speakers: Brenna Durden, Shareholder, Lewis, Longman and Walker, P.A.
Susan Grandin, Assistant General Counsel, City of Jacksonville

Legal Workshop: CRA Legal Issues for Financial Audits
(additional fee $50.00; pre-registration required)

9:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.

Salon B

The law passed by the 2019 Legislature contains new provisions for CRA annual financial audits. This course is geared toward finance, audit and CRA staff who are involved with CRA audits. We will be covering the audit requirements, sharing tips and best practices for compliance and discussing CRAs, the auditor general
guidelines and audit engagement practices. Bring your knowledge and questions to this session to discuss how CRAs must comply from an auditing standpoint with Section 163.387(6) and (7), Florida Statutes, effective October 1, 2020.

Moderator: Amber Hughes, Executive Director, FRA
Speakers: Jeff Gerhard, CPA, CFE, Principal Engagement Manager, CS&L CPAs;
Carlos Lopez, CPA, Senior Audit Manager, CS&L CPAs

Conference Adjourns
11:00 a.m.