07/15/2013 COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY MEETING MINUTES
CITY OF CLEARWATER
July 15, 2013
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, Rosemarie Call - City Clerk, and Nicole Sprague - Official
Records and Legislative Services Coordinator.
To provide continuity for research, items are listed 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 1:26 p.m. at City Hall.
2. Approval of Minutes
2.1 Approve the minutes of the June 18, 2013 CRA Meeting as submitted in written
summation by the City Clerk.
Trustee Bill Jonson moved to approve the minutes of the June 18, 2013 CRA meeting
as submitted in written summation by the City Clerk. The motion was duly seconded
and carried unanimously.
3. Citizens to be Heard re Items Not on the Agenda — None.
4. CRA Items
4.1 Presentation of the East Gateway District Five-Year Progress Report, Fiscal
Years 2007-2012.
The East Gateway District Five-Year Action Program was approved by the
Clearwater Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) on May 13, 2008 setting
forth a series of implementation steps to help restore vitality and livability to the
area. The East Gateway Five-Year Action Program for Fiscal Year 07/08 - Fiscal
Year 11/12 expired on September 30, 2012. This progress report highlights the
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efforts, challenges, successes, and progress of the City of Clearwater/CRA and
the East Gateway community in achieving the neighborhood's revitalization goals.
During this reporting period, the City/CRA celebrated many achievements. Some
of the top accomplishments include:
Purchase, demolition, and environmental remediation of the former CarPro
property ($650,440)
Purchase and demolition of the former Economy Inn property ($2 million)
Purchase of 14 S. Evergreen property (adjacent to former CarPro, $145,000)
Approval of the annual CRA Community Policing Interlocal Agreement (2 police
officers, $150,000+ per year)
Current construction of Country Club Townhomes (future 31-unit townhome
community)
Completion of the Gulf to Bay/Highland Avenue Intersection Improvements project
Approval of the East Gateway District Vision Plan
Partnership and assistance for the creation of the Clearwater Gateway Farmers
Market (15,000 visitors during the first 20 weeks of operation)
Completion of Talento 2010 (5 murals)
Organization of three Code Sweeps (2008, 2011, 2012)
Multi-cultural Events
• 2012 Mexican Independence Day (2,500 people in attendance)
• 2011 East Gateway Hispanic Festival (recipient of the 2012 FRA Best
Cultural Enhancement Award)
• 2009 Ciclovia
• 2009 Ice Cream Social
Completion of several sidewalk projects
East Gateway Fagade and Building Lot Improvement Program
• 1225 Cleveland Street (Nature's Food Patch)
• 1390 Gulf to Bay (former La Feria de la Nieve)
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• 1454 Gulf to Bay (former Kyle's Clock Shop)
Approval of a new Five-Year Action Program for Fiscal Year 2012-2017
Creation of SAG and the East Gateway Task Force
Renovation of Jerry Howe Apartments (previously Covert Apartments)
Creation of the East Gateway Shopping and Dining Guide
The report analyzes several neighborhood indicators over the five-year period to
determine the overall condition of the East Gateway District. During this reporting
period, there is a positive increase in building permits issued and value of
improvements. In addition, the activity of engaged residents and the City/CRA's
investment has increased. However, partly because of the economic downturn
and partly due to the depth and range of longstanding neighborhood issues (such
as an older housing stock, high percentage of rental properties, crime, and a drop
in revenues from property taxes), is still a concern.
It is clear that revitalization of this area will take continued and constant
application of time and resources from the City/CRA and the residents. The new
Five-Year Action Program continues the efforts to stabilize the area while
encouraging new development opportunities.
Community Development Manager Katerina Gerakios-Siren provided a PowerPoint
presentation. Economic Development and Housing Director Geri Campos Lopez said
the Stakeholders Advisory Group's feedback included that the area has improved but
economic development is not enough; a comprehensive approach must also include
continued code enforcement and crime prevention.
In response to questions, Clearwater Police Chief Anthony Holloway said the
Community Resource Officers are assigned to the CRA and do not leave the CRA area
unless they are responding to a call. Ms. Gerakios-Siren said Pinellas County has
indicated that the marketing grant funds for the Farmers Market will no longer be
available; Pinellas County will provide marketing funds if the State grant funds are made
available again. The Planning Committee will meet on July 24, 2013 to review vision,
funding, and location and determine whether the Farmers Market can continue.
5. Other Business
Trustee Bill Jonson invited all to attend an event hosted by the Downtown
Neighborhood Association and the Downtown Partnership on July 30, 2013 at The
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Sage. Kissimmee CRA Director Gail Hamilton will be speaking on the resurgence of
downtown Kissimmee, Florida.
6. Adjourn
The meeting adjourned at 2:05 p.m.
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