11/03/2021CLEARWATER DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT BOARD MEETING
November 3, 2021— 5:30 PM — City Council Chambers
1. CaII to Order. Chairman Morfopoulos called the meeting to order at 5:30 pm.
In attendance:
Chairman Paris Morfopoulos
Vice Chairman Keanan Kintzel
Treasurer Festus Porbeni
Terri Novitsky
Ray Cassano
Shahab Emrani
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: Secretary Caitlein Jammo
2. Approval of minutes of the September meetings.
2.1. Upon motion duly made by Member Porbeni, seconded by Member Cassano, and carried, the
minutes of the September 8, 2021, meeting were approved unanimously.
2.2. Upon motion duly made by Member Emrani, seconded by Member Porbeni, and carried, the
minutes of the September 15, 2021, meeting were approved unanimously.
3. Citizens to be heard regarding items not on the agenda. Patrick Raftery inquired as to the status of
questions presented to the DCMA at the September 15 meeting. Chairman Morfopoulos stated that
answers are expected at the next DDB meeting, currently scheduled for December 1, 2021.
4. New Business Items
4.1. August Financial Statement for approval. Upon motion duly made by Member Kintzel, seconded
by Member Cassano, and carried unanimously, the August 2021 financial statement was
approved.
4.2. September Financial Statement for approval. Upon motion duly made by Member Emrani,
seconded by Member Porbeni, and carried unanimously, the September 2021 financial
statement was approved.
4.3. Intercultural Advocacy Institute's Hispanic Outreach Center (HOC) Update. CRA Business
Assistance Administrator Smith introduced Andrea Fernandez, who spoke briefly and answered
questions regarding the HOC's presence and mission. Ms. Fernandez thanked the Board for their
support of the September 23 event which saw 125 guests and was followed by that evening's
Dine Out for a Difference donation to the Gabe Cazares Scholarship Foundation.
Downtown Development Board Meeting —November 3, 2021 Page 1 of 4
4.4. Presentation on Homeless Situation in Downtown Clearwater - Gabe Parra and Sgt. Fidelis
detailed the meal service plan for homeless individuals in downtown at two locations, near the
police station and at Peace Memorial Presbyterian, and answered questions about the general
homeless population in downtown, available shelters, and the approach to care. Sgt. Fidelis
noted the addition of a Mental Health Unit to downtown and recent success with the Going
Home Project.
4.5. 2021 DDB Election Results - CRA Program Specialist Lopez stated that three people had run for
two seats available on the DDB in 2022, and shared the results of the election: Festus Porbeni
with 225 votes; Caitlein Jammo with 190 votes; and Scott Sousa with 111 votes. Mr. Porbeni was
congratulated, as was Ms. Jammo in her absence.
4.6. Review funding request from Intercultural Advocacy Institute's Hispanic Heritage Month
celebration event in the amount of $24,000. Andrea Vendetti said the goal is to create a cultural
experience and community celebration, noting that vendor applications have doubled from the
October market and that the group is pursuing the idea of workshops for beginning businesses.
Chairman Morfopoulos noted that marketing is but $300 of the budget; Ms. Ramos stated they
have an excellent graphic designer and are making use of social media and website postings with
an eye to increase attendance incrementally.
Upon motion duly made by Member Kintzel, seconded by Member Cassano, and carried
unanimously, the funding request from Intercultural Advocacy Institute's Hispanic Heritage
Month celebration event in the amount of $24,000 was approved.
4.7. Funding request from Lina Teixeira Productions (LTP) for $6,000 — CRA Business Assistance
Administrator Smith reviewed the project and request, and introduced Michael Mantini, one of
the artists from the project. Board discussion included what the actual art entails and where it
would be displayed, what would become of it (sale, etc.) and Attorney Winters' concern that LTP
is not registered with the State of Florida.
Upon motion duly made by Member Porbeni, seconded by Member Kintzel, and carried 4 in favor
and 2 against, the funding request from Lina Teixeira Productions for $6,000 was approved.
Follow-up with Ms. Teixeira was requested regarding the formal corporation behind the request
and the stipulation that funding would be used only for locations in the DDB area.
4.8. Discussion about Special Event funding policy — CRA Director Thompson asked for clarification
in funding request guidelines; after discussion, the determination was made that the Board is
open to different groups requesting more than once per fiscal year, and is open to requests of
larger and smaller amounts to avoid setting arbitrary limits. Ms. Thompson also asked about DDB
funding interest in marketing -only requests where no City permit is required; no immediate
answer was needed, and gave a presentation on the various types of special events possible in
the DDB area and the need for events that will build the audience for the re -opening of the
former Coachman Park space. As a final point, Ms. Thompson asked the Board to consider the
DDB event funding goals (i.e. DDB visibility, creation of activity in downtown, etc.).
5. Old Business
5.1. Downtown Coordination Committee update — CRA Public Relations and Programs Manager
Santiago reviewed the committee's activity history and gave an overview of the SPC Collaborative
Labs workshop on October 7, 2021. Mr. Santiago said he would be in touch with the other three
Downtown Development Board Meeting —November 3, 2021 Page 2 of 4
groups regarding further plans. Member Kintzel felt the workshop was beneficial in defining each
group's role in the committee.
5.2. CRA Update — CRA Director Thompson noted the Clyde Butcher photographs exhibit in the Main
Library through May 31.
Mr. Smith highlighted the Jamaican Vybz Grill opening at 623 Cleveland Street, the Market Marie,
Art in the Evening Nov 14, storefront window decorations for the Holiday Extravaganza plans,
$10 voucher program with information on downtownclearwater.com
Chairman's Report.
• Clyde Butcher's "America's Everglades" Exhibit opens Saturday, November 6th at the
Clearwater Public Library featuring a book signing with Clyde Butcher from 11 am — 1pm.
The press will be invited to a sneak peek of this newly constructed art gallery space within
the library this Thursday at 1pm.
• On Saturday, November 13th The Market Marie returns at Court and Myrtle.
• Also on Saturday, November 13th Clearwater Sangria Festival presented by Aspirations
Winery takes over the 600 block of Cleveland Street featuring two stages of live music.
• Clearwater Hispanic Farmers Market returns for its second month the weekend of
November 20-21 at Court and Myrtle.
• Clearwater Jazz Holiday's Wanderlust kicks off the first of their 4 run concert series on
Saturday, November 27th in Station Square Park.
• Saturday, November 27th also marks the official beginning of our Downtown Clearwater
Holiday Extravaganza array of holiday programming. More details will be announced soon at
downtownclea rwater.com.
Also, Chairman Morfopoulos stated that he will be requesting a future agenda item to consider a
proactive approach to directing funds rather than simply reacting to fund requests.
6. Board Members to be heard
Member Cassano stated that he's excited about construction on Cleveland Street and a new 4,000SF
lease signed in that area. Also very happy about having his business windows painted for the Holiday
Extravaganza plans!
Member Emrani is excited about the holidays and progress at Imagine Clearwater.
Member Kintzel promoted the new axe -throwing pub near downtown.
Member Novitsky is happy to see all the activity but noted a mention of little activity for children and
improvements in that area with holidays, Imagine Clearwater, farmer's markets, etc.
Member Porbeni is looking forward to the Chairman's future presentation, and congratulated the
DCMA on their Business Resiliency Award.
Mayor Hibbard offered some perspective regarding Imagine Clearwater's entertainment plans of 2-3
hour events as well as larger events such as Jazz Holiday, bringing attendees closer to downtown's
restaurants and shops again.
Ex officio Bunker is excited to discuss plans for live theater coming to downtown, and would like to
see DDB move from 'getting homeless out of sight' to 'how do we get homeless into a home?'
Downtown Development Board Meeting —November 3, 2021 Page 3 of 4
Chairman Morfopoulos clarified his feelings on the events at former Coachman Park versus Imagine
Clearwater and hopeful benefits to downtown businesses.
7. Adjourned at 7:20 p.m.
Approved:
Date
Downtown Development Board Meeting —November 3, 2021 Page 4 of 4