10/15/2012
COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY MEETING MINUTES
CITY OF CLEARWATER
October 15, 2012
Present: Chair/Trustee George N. Cretekos, Trustee Paul Gibson, Trustee
Doreen Hock-DiPolito, Trustee Bill Jonson, and Trustee Jay E.
Polglaze.
Also Present: William B. Horne II - City Manager, Jill S. Silverboard - Assistant City
Manager, Rod Irwin - Assistant City Manager, Pamela K. Akin - City
Attorney, and Rosemarie Call - City Clerk.
To provide continuity for research, items are in agenda order although not
necessarily discussed in that order.
1. Call to Order – Chair George N. Cretekos
The meeting was called to order at 1:07 p.m. at City Hall.
2. Approval of Minutes
2.1 Approve the minutes of the September 4, 2012 CRA Meeting as submitted in
written summation by the City Clerk.
Trustee Doreen Hock-DiPolito moved to approve the minutes of the September 4, 2012
CRA Meeting as submitted in written summation by the City Clerk. The motion was duly
seconded and carried unanimously.
3. CRA Items
3.1 Approve the East Gateway District Five-Year Action Program for Fiscal Years
2012-2017.
In 2002, the East Gateway District (District) was established as part of the
Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA). The expansion of the CRA was
viewed as a strategic approach to revitalize the East Gateway neighborhood,
leverage public-private partnerships for economic development and housing,
achieve stability in residential and business areas, and increase redevelopment
potential.
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In 2004, the East Gateway Character District was created through amendments to
the Clearwater Downtown Redevelopment Plan. The CRA Board adopted the
East Gateway District Five-Year Action Program for Fiscal Year 2007-2012 on
May 13, 2008. This action program ended on September 30, 2012. Because of
the continuing needs of the District and the momentum that CRA/city staff and
programs have created, staff recommends that a new East Gateway District Five-
Year Action Program is approved and implemented for Fiscal Years 2012-2017.
The proposed East Gateway District Five-Year Action Program includes action
items that were:
1) Identified in the East Gateway Vision Plan, which was approved by the
CRA Board in January 2012;
2) Proposed by the East Gateway Task Force, which is comprised of staff
from various city departments;
3) Recommended by members of the East Gateway Stakeholder Advisory
Group (SAG); and
4) Included in the original Five-Year Action Program and remain relevant for
the upcoming five fiscal years.
There are eight overarching Goals and strategies for implementation purposes:
Goal 1: District Development
Goal 2: Create a Vibrant Market
Goal 3: Zone I (West Commercial Anchor)
Goal 4: Zone II (Corridor Development)
Goal 5: Zone III (Open Space)
Goal 6: Zone IV (Festival Core)
Goal 7: Branding Strategy
Goal 8: Policy/Recommendations
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The vast majority of the action items will be accomplished with existing
operational resources and department budgets. The following action items
represent cost items whose funding has been identified:
Action Item 1.1: Additional Community Policing Presence (CRA)
Action Item 1.7: Sidewalk Improvements (ENG Annual Sidewalk Program)
Action Item 1.13: Facade & Building Lot Improvement Program (CDBG)
Action Item 2.4: Marketing Brochure (CRA)
Action Item 2.16: Multicultural Celebrations (CRA)
Action Item 2.21: Farmers Markets (CRA)
Action Item 4.3: Public Forums for Streetscape Phase III (CRA)
Action Item 7.1: Branding Consultant (CRA)
Action Item 7.2: Public Forums for Branding Strategy (CRA)
The East Gateway Stakeholder Advisory Group met on September 27, 2012 and
supported the proposed East Gateway Five-Year Action Program for Fiscal Years
2012-2017. The focus for the first fiscal year will be the review and update of the
Downtown Redevelopment Plan; the next phase of the sidewalk construction; the
continued community policing presence and outreach to the businesses;
completion of an additional facade project; and assistance with the successful
launch of the Clearwater Gateway Farmers Market.
In response to questions, Economic Development and Housing Director Geri Campos
Lopez said the suggestion to rename the section of Gulf to Bay Boulevard in the East
Gateway (from Highland Avenue/Court Street to Cleveland Street) was identified as part
of the branding; creating more of an identity for the area. The East Gateway Vision
Plan identified a festival core at the bend of Gulf to Bay Boulevard and Cleveland
Street; the right-of-way could be used for pop up retail. Community Development
Manager Ekaterini Gerakios said pop up retail stores are temporary retail spaces
companies use to determine need for a permanent location.
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Engineering Director Mike Quillen said staff uses the construction problem code to
identify sidewalks that are difficult to construct due to slope-elevation issues,
fences/decorative walls, or trees/landscaping issues that may require an easement on
private property. Staff was directed to provide information regarding the sidewalks
identified along Franklin, behind the school.
One individual spoke in support.
Trustee Doreen Hock-DiPolito moved to approve the East Gateway District Five-Year
Action Program for Fiscal Years 2012-2017. The motion was duly seconded and
carried unanimously.
4. Caner Business
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The meeting was adjourned at 1:44 p.m.
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