09/08/2021CLEARWATER DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT BOARD MEETING
September 8, 2021— 5:30 PM — City Council Chambers
1. Call to Order. Chairman Morfopoulos called the meeting to order at 5:30 pm.
In attendance:
Chairman Paris Morfopoulos
Secretary Caitlein Jammo
Vice Chairman Keanan Kintzel
Treasurer Festus Porbeni
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: Ray Cassano
2. Approve minutes of the August 4, 2021, meeting. Upon motion duly made by Member Novitsky,
seconded by Member Kintzel, and carried, the minutes of the August 4, 2021, meeting were
approved unanimously.
3. Citizens to be heard regarding items not on the agenda. There were none.
4. New Business Items
4.1. First Public Millage Hearing and adoption of Resolution 21-04. Upon motion duly made by
Member Porbeni, seconded by Member Emrani, and carried unanimously, adoption of
Resolution 21-04 was approved. The second hearing is September 15, 2021, 5:30 p.m.
4.2. First Public Millage Hearing and adoption of Resolution 21-05. Upon motion duly made by
Member Emrani, seconded by Member Jammo, and carried unanimously, adoption of
Resolution 21-05 was approved. The second hearing is September 15, 2021, 5:30 p.m.
4.3. July 2021 Financial Statement. Upon motion duly made by Member Jammo, seconded by
Member Novitsky, and carried unanimously, the July 2021 financial statement was approved.
4.4. Review request for $18,465 to fund Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority's (PSTA) Jolley Trolley
Coastal Route for FY 2021/2022 as outlined in Amendment 2 of the executed agreement
between PSTA and the Downtown Development Board. Mr. Smith introduced Cassandra
Borchers, CDO of the PSTA, who gave a short history of the Jolley Trolley and its routes,
updated the Board on changes due to COVID-19 and recent numbers of riders, reviewed the
current status and plans for the Clearwater Ferry, and highlighted PSTA plans for the near
future including Spring Break and the new multimodal center. Ms. Borchers thanked the Board
for their past support, and noted that the current agreement calls for a 5% increase in funding
from all partners. After some discussion and upon motion duly made by Member Kintzel,
seconded by Member Jammo, and carried unanimously, the request for $18,465 to fund PSTA's
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Jolley Trolley Coastal Route for FY 2021/2022 as outlined in Amendment 2 of the executed
agreement between PSTA and the Downtown Development Board was approved.
4.5. Review special event funding request for Clearwater Jazz Holiday (CJH) for $24,000. Mr. Smith
presented Steve Weinberger and Gary Hallas of the CJH, who thanked the Board for past
support and briefly reviewed the Wanderlust events of Autumn 2020 and Spring 2021, and
plans for the next event November 27, December 4, 11, and 18, 2021. Upon motion duly made
by Member Emrani, seconded by Member Novitsky, and carried unanimously, the special event
funding request for CJH for $24,000 was approved.
4.6. Review special event funding request for Market Marie for $12,300. Mr. Smith introduced
Blair Valentine, founder of The Market Marie, who reviewed the concept, noted they are
hosting 50+ vendors with room for more when COVID restrictions lessen, and free parking in
the garage a block away at 640 Pierce Street. After a short discussion, and upon motion duly
made by Member Jammo, seconded by Member Kintzel, and carried unanimously, The Market
Marie's funding request for $12,300 was approved.
4.7. Appointment of a Downtown Development Board member to the Canvass Committee for the
2021 Election. Ms. Lopez requested appointment of a member of the DDB to the Canvass
Committee for the 2021 Election. The committee would meet once on October 12, 2021, at
3:00 pm at the Office of the Supervisor of Elections. Member Kintzel volunteered. Upon
motion duly made by Member Emrani, seconded by Member Porbeni, and carried
unanimously, Member Kintzel was appointed to the Canvass Committee for the 2021 Election.
5. Old Business
5.1. Downtown Coordination Committee Update, with funding request not to exceed $5,000.00 to
engage Collaborative Labs to facilitate a meeting of the Downtown Coordination Committee.
Mr. Santiago stated that the downtown organizations had met on August 17 with Tina Fischer
from SPC Collaborative Labs to set an agenda for the workshop on October 7, the approximate
cost being $4,450. After discussion among Board members regarding the group's actual role
and the DDB's role within the group, the floor was opened to citizen comment. Lisa Lanza
stated that the community supports the downtown and she is there to help educate the
citizens who want to be a part of its success. Upon motion duly made by Member Novitsky,
seconded by Member Emrani, and carried, the Board voted to engage Collaborative Labs to
facilitate a meeting of the Downtown Coordination Committee at a cost not to exceed
$5,000.00.
5.2. Equity Committee update. Member Jammo stated that the group is focusing on outreach to
groups related to and involved in downtown Clearwater, and noted potential partnerships are
in the works for events focused on diversity and equality. Member Jammo also asked for
feedback regarding a five-minute presentation on diversity/equity/inclusion at a DDB meeting
or other gathering.
5.3. CRA update. CRA Director Thompson addressed the question of marketing for the DDB and
options for the DDB hiring a full-time marketing staff member, including the current role of the
CRA, the CRA -DDB Interlocal Agreement which involves extensive marketing and special events
funding overlaps, and specific ways marketing and community engagement are managed and
directed. Attorney Winters also noted the benefit that the CRA is well -versed in the legal rights
and administrative compliance requirements of the DDB.
6. Chairman's Report.
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7. Board Members to be heard
Member Emrani is looking forward to summer, and invited all listeners/viewers to join the efforts in
downtown.
Member Kintzel wished all a good night.
Member Novitsky echoed Member Kintzel.
Member Porbeni stated his feeling that the DDB needs to make efforts to create value in downtown,
including more advertising and making use of the resources we have, his intent to speak with
merchants to that end, and that he supports the idea of a marketing director for the DCMA.
Member Jarmo wished all a good night.
Mayor Hibbard thanked everyone for attending the official groundbreaking of Imagine Clearwater
and noted webcams onsite for citizens to keep up with activity there, and noted the amicable
parting of ways with Center City.
Ex -officio Member Bunker applauded the DDB for continuing to fund the CJH, and celebrated the
55th anniversary of the first episode of Star Trek.
8. Adjourned at 6:51 p.m.
Approved:
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Date
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