09/15/2021CLEARWATER DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT BOARD MEETING
September 15, 2021— 5:30 PM — City Council Chambers
1. Call to Order. Chairman Morfopoulos called the meeting to order at 5:30 pm.
In attendance:
Absent:
Chairman Paris Morfopoulos
Secretary Caitlein Jammo
Vice Chairman Keanan Kintzel
Treasurer Festus Porbeni
Terri Novitsky
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
Ray Cassano
Shahab Emrani
Mayor Frank Hibbard
Ex -officio Member Mark Bunker
2. Citizens to be heard regarding items not on the agenda. Lina Teixeira spoke on behalf of
Clearwater Clean-up, October 11-16, noting an additional component to the event of artists creating
works from trash collected. She will return to the November meeting with photos.
3. New Business Items
3.1. Second Public Millage Hearing and adoption of Resolution 21-04. Upon motion duly made by
Member Jammo, seconded by Member Novitsky, and carried unanimously, adoption of
Resolution 21-04 was approved.
3.2. Second Public Millage Hearing and adoption of Resolution 21-05. Upon motion duly made by
Member Kintzel, seconded by Member Jammo, and carried unanimously, adoption of
Resolution 21-05 was approved.
3.3. Review funding request from Intercultural Advocacy Institute's Hispanic Heritage Month
celebration event in the amount of $5,550. CEO Jaclyn Boland introduced the event to the
Board noting funds raised will benefit the Gabe Cazares Memorial Scholarship and invited the
DDB to the event. Upon motion duly made by Member Jammo, seconded by Member Kintzel,
and carried unanimously, the request for $5,550 for the Intercultural Advocacy Institute's
Hispanic Heritage Month celebration was approved.
3.4. Review request for the Downtown Clearwater Merchants Association (DCMA) in an amount
not to exceed $82,000 for marketing and live music for FY2021-2022. As a matter of
housekeeping, CRA Director Thompson noted additional information available via hyperlink on
the agenda online.
Downtown Development Board Meeting —September 15, 2021 Page 1 of 3
Ms. Thompson stated that she had prepared and would review this DCMA request for
presentation herself based on her strong opinion on this topic. The DCMA originally made two
requests totaling $52,000:
$39,000 for Catalyst marketing firm.
$13,000 for live music: total cost $20,000 (DCMA funding $7,000).
Ms. Thompson also recommends up to $30,000 to match funds raised from "Friends of..."
campaign, those funds to be used to pay Catalyst directly upon invoicing. It is Ms. Thompson's
opinion through professional experience and available information that to help DCMA needs
the additional funds to be successful, and that the DCMA 'asks' and the CRA matching funds
should be consolidated to this one request.
Motion was made by Member Jammo and seconded by Member Porbeni to approve the
original two requests of $52,000. Discussion followed among Board members, including
Member Jammo's concerns with granting unrequested funds and application of the 30%
funding cap recently voted into effect by the Board.
After further and extensive discussion, the motion to approve the original DCMA funding
requests in the total amount of $52,000 was carried 4-1.
Ms. Thompson requested clarification regarding funding policy 30% cap and, after Board
discussion, agreed to bring a draft of language specifying it as a per entity cap at the next
meeting. Attorney Winters suggested a motion
Ms. Thompson summarized with the need for questions answered regarding current grant, and
the staff recommended additional $30,000 can be addressed further after a draft policy
regarding the number of per entity requests and funding cap on requests at next month'
meeting.
4. Chairman's Report. Please see the attached list of new businesses. Also:
September 11 and every second Saturday, Market Marie, 9am-2pm, Court and Myrtle.
September 18, live art painting the barricades on 600 block, Cleveland Street.
September 16, Clearwater Art Alliance Art Walk, The District Sip 'n' Stroll, and After Dark dance
party.
Thurs, September 23, Hispanic Heritage celebration at Station Square Park, arts and crafts show on
the 500 block of Cleveland Street, and Dine out for a Difference benefitting the Gabe Cazares
Memorial Scholarship fund.
5. Board Members to be heard
Member Kintzel wished all a good night.
Member Novitsky is excited to see and support all the activity coming to downtown.
Member Porbeni thanked Ms. Thompson and the CRA staff for their support, Attorney Winters for
helping clarifying matters, and the DCMA for all they do, noting he's looking forward to seeing
everyone at the events.
Downtown Development Board Meeting —September 15, 2021 Page 2 of 3
Member Jammo thanked the CRA and DCM, and looks forward to the event on the September 23.
Chairman thanked all for participation and involvement in downtown.
6. Adjourned at 6:44 p.m.
Approved:
1211/70C(
Date
Downtown Development Board Meeting —September 15, 2021 Page 3 of 3
New Businesses in Downtown and Coming to Clearwater
in the DDB District
New Businesses Coming to Downtown Clearwater
• KLMarket- Paleo, Gluten Free, Keto and Plant based Food and Deserts (bakery shop) expanded
KaraLynn's Kitchen
o 615 Cleveland Street
• The Scrummy Sweets Co. Candy Shop- Zero Sugar clean and natural sweetened gummy candies
(gummy Bears)
o 617 Cleveland Street
• Jamacia Vybz Grille Authentic Caribbean Food
o 623 Cleveland Street
• Green Culture- Modern Inspired Plant -Based menu featuring juice, Smoothies, Sweet Bowls,
Harvest bowls, Baked Goods, soft serve, and Organic Java
o 420 Cleveland Street
New Business Open in Clearwater
• Pilates By Christine ( Christine Knox-Owner/Certified Pilates) Private Pilates Instruction and
small group mat classes. Open to the Public
o 639 Cleveland Street St. 102
• Cleveland Street Studios- facility is available to anyone to create professional videos,
photography product photos, business videos, music videos, or radio podcast interviews. Open
to the Public
o 647 Cleveland Street
• Race Athletics- dynamic new gym that will train you and keep you in shape
o 936 Cleveland St Suite C