08/04/2021CLEARWATER DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT BOARD MEETING
August 4, 2021— 5:30 PM — City Council Chambers
1. Call to Order. Chairman Morfopoulos called the meeting to order at 5:30 pm.
In attendance:
Vice Chairman Keanan Kintzel
Treasurer Festus Porbeni
Ray Cassano
Shahab Emrani
Terri Novitsky
Mayor Frank Hibbard
Ex -officio Member Mark Bunker
CRA Director Amanda Thompson
CRA Program Specialist Anne Lopez
CRA Business Assistance Administrator Howard Smith
CRA Public Relations and Programs Manager Eric Santiago
DDB Attorney Elise K. Winters
Absent: Chairman Paris Morfopoulos
Secretary Caitlein Jammo
2. Approve minutes of the July 14, 2021, meeting. Upon motion duly made by Member Cassano,
seconded by Member Emrani, and carried, the minutes of the July 14, 2021, meeting were approved
unanimously.
3. Citizens to be heard regarding items not on the agenda.
Scott Sousa, DCMA, thanked the DDB for their support, stated that the DCMA would return to the
September board meeting with an update regarding their DDB funding, and suggested the DDB hire
a full-time marketing person, nominating Sheila Neisler for the position.
Beth Daniels, Clearwater Arts Alliance, thanked the DDB for their funding which allowed murals and
signal box wraps to be possible, and encouraged participation in art walks and the Sip 'n' Stroll every
third Saturday.
Carolyn Bradham, DCMA, thanked the DDB for their support as honorary sponsors of recent Sip 'n'
Stroll and assistance creating a 'more welcoming downtown', and invited Board to Chiang Mai for
Thai One On celebration and various events in coming weeks.
4. New Business Items
4.1. June 2021 Financial Statement for Approval. Upon motion duly made by Member Porbeni,
seconded by Member Cassano, and carried, the June 2021 Financial Statement was approved
unanimously.
4.2. Resolution 21-03 recommending adoption of City of Clearwater's Investment Policy. Upon
motion duly made by Member Novitsky, seconded by Member Cassano, and carried, adoption
of Resolution 21-03 was approved unanimously.
4.3. Preliminary Budget for DDB Fiscal Year 2021 - 2022. Director Thompson presented the
proposed budget in the first of three hearings on the matter. Upon motion duly made by
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Member Porbeni, seconded by Member Cassano, and carried, the Preliminary Budget for DDB
Fiscal Year 2021- 2022 was approved unanimously.
Interlocal Agreement with the Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) for Management
Services for Fiscal Year 2021-2022. Director Thompson reviewed the agreement, the various
responsibilities of the CRA and its staff members, time spent staffing DDB, and conversations
going forward. The subject of the full-time marketing staff member was raised, with questions
including that person's primary objective and who they would report to. Attorney Winters
reminded the Board of their responsibility to the DDB area rather than individual businesses.
Director Thompson reminded the Board that businesses have the right to pursue their own
vision. Mr. Sousa commented that a full-time marketing staff member would 'lighten the Toad'
of the CRA and benefit everyone. The Board requested a new item on September agenda to
continue addressing that topic.
Upon motion duly made by Member Emrani, seconded by Member Novitsky, and carried, the
Interlocal Agreement with the CRA for Management Services for Fiscal Year 2021-2022 was
approved unanimously.
5. Old Business
5.1. Update by Clearwater Jazz Holiday (CJH) Foundation on Wanderlust event grant. Steve
Weinberger thanked the Board for their support of CJH, noting that the five most recent events
in downtown were sold out with over 1,000 attendees, that they are excited for this year's
move to BayCare Ballpark as Imagine Clearwater continues to grow on the waterfront, and
everyone is looking forward to the Holiday Extravaganza downtown.
5.2. Nominating Committee and Election Updates. Ms. Lopez stated that voter designation forms
went out a week earlier than anticipated, noting there are 905 parcels within the DDB, 768
eligible to vote. One submission received for election from Scott Sousa.
5.3. Downtown Coordination Committee Update. Mr. Santiago stated that the downtown
organizations had met to create a list of objectives including, need for downtown business
recruiter, outreach diversity, shared calendar, development of innovation week, enhanced
marketing, and need for a facilitator; SPC Collaborative Labs was recommended and will attend
the next meeting August 17 with a half-day workshop at Collaborative Labs on October 7.
5.4. Equity Committee update. Update postponed due to Member Jammo's absence.
5.5. CRA update. Mr. Santiago noted that Market Marie will continue 9am-2pm the second
Saturday of each month through August and September, the new Hispanic Farmers Market will
be the third weekend of each month at Court & Myrtle beginning October 16-17, Storywalk
continues with the final booked ending in August, Streetscape Phase III 'office hours' are 10am
Fridays at Nature's Food Patch on Cleveland Street, Subway opening at Court & Myrtle on
Wednesday, and new mural "After Awhile" completed on Franklin Street.
6. Chairman's Report. Vice Chairman Kintzel welcomed Director Thompson back with congratulations
on the birth of her second child, and stated that it's exciting to see everything happening in
downtown.
7. Board Members to be heard
Member Cassano said it's exciting to see the town square coming in near the Shell Station.
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Member Emrani thanked the Mayor for his visit to their building, said the Sip 'n' Stroll was well -
attended even in the rain, and sees an exciting future coming to downtown.
Member Novitsky thanked the DCMA for all they're doing to keep downtown growing.
Member Porbeni said the Sip 'n' Stroll was amazing even in the rain, welcomed Director Thompson
back, and thanked the CRA for their help.
Mayor Hibbard stated that Imagine Clearwater is 'really underway' since the last meeting fully
funded the project and is excited to see it going forward with no changes. Water's Edge partitions
will move further west. The mayor thanked CJH and DCMA for their efforts downtown.
Ex -officio Member Bunker welcomed Director Thompson back after maternity leave and stated that
he very much enjoys seeing the artwork around town.
8. Adjourned at 6:29 p.m.
ql SIOW (
Date
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