02/02/2022*
CLEARWATER DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT BOARD MEETING
February 2, 2022 — 5:30 PM — City Council Chambers
1. Call to Order. Chair Morfopoulos called the meeting to order at 5:30 pm.
In attendance:
Chair Paris Morfopoulos
Vice Chair Keanan Kintzel
Secretary Caitlein Jammo
Terri Novitsky
Ray Cassano
Shahab Emrani
Ex -officio Member Mark Bunker
CRA Director Amanda Thompson
CRA Business Assistance Administrator Howard Smith
CRA Public Relations and Programs Manager Eric Santiago
DDB Attorney Elise K. Winters
Absent: Treasurer Festus Porbeni
Mayor -Frank Hibbard
2. Approval of minutes of the December meeting.
2.1. Upon motion duly made by Member Novitsky, seconded by Member Cassano, and carried, the
minutes of the January 5, 2021, meeting were approved unanimously.
3. Citizens to be heard regarding items not on the agenda. Patrick Rafferty requested the Board 'think
outside the box' when considering options for downtown Clearwater, and asked for an update of
the January 29 Pirate Invasion event as well as opportunities for St. Patrick's Day in downtown.
4. New Business Items
4.1. December 2021 Financial Statement. Upon motion duly made by Member Emrani, seconded
by Member Cassano, and carried unanimously, the December 2021 financial statement was
approved.
5. Old Business
5.1. Intercultural Advocacy Institute (IAI) holiday event update. Vicki Obando thanked the Board
for their funding, gave an overview of the event, and stated that the IAI looks forward to
working with the DDB in the future.
5.2. Discussion of Ideas to Improve Downtown Clearwater. Chair Morfopoulos conducted a
roundtable for ideas from members:
Member Novitsky suggested, after conversations with citizens over the past month, improved
directional signage to downtown from areas such as Court Street and the Seminole Boat Dock
area, a dinner theater in the area, beautification of Pinellas Trail through downtown, and
addition of a Trader Joe's or similar shopping location. Ex officio Member Bunker noted a City
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Council work session discussion on wayfinding and signage around town with restrictions by
the county.
Member Emrani suggested improved communication with businesses regarding the DDB and its
offerings (possibly to include recruitment grants, promos for all of downtown, and permitting
process assistance), and creating a location to host food trucks for upcoming Imagine
Clearwater events.
Member Cassano suggested promoting a facilitator educated on the process of opening a new
business in downtown Clearwater.
Member Kintzel suggested controlled social media for downtown, perhaps with DDB funding a
monthly budget for same, to help bring people downtown.
Member Jammo suggested
Chair Morfopoulos suggested upgrades of the bollards, choosing a name for the downtown
closure area, beautification of the construction areas, promotion with lamppost banners,
signage on Fort Harrison, common theme through downtown (i.e. similar plants, planters, or
awnings), a program such as the holiday voucher program if sustainable by staff and profitable
enough, and development of three-month online social media campaign test with three
factors: keep it simple, count the clicks, originates from an address in the DDB area.
Ex officio Member Bunker noted that the City Attorney and City Manager are reviewing the 'red
tape' involved in these processes to look for options for improvements, and bollards for
Cleveland Street have at least been ordered.
Director Thompson spoke regarding the following:
Clarified information regarding the permitting process, noting current resources
CRA Business Assistance Administrator Howard Smith, AMPLIFY Clearwater, and Clearwater
Business SPARK (clearwaterbusinessspark.com) as well as the addition of Matt Jackson,
previously of Clearwater City Planning and Development, as Assistant Director of the CRA. Mr.
Jackson spoke to the issue as well.
Status of bollards will be further reviewed at the City Council work session, February 14.
Planters are on order by Engineering to somewhat block the view of construction, and
Mr. Santiago will know more about plants and maintenance soon.
Marketing: Bandwagon survey results are in and being interpreted for future reporting.
Social media resources and other business owner assistance exist in one form or another, but
the subject of disseminating that information should be revisited. As to downtown, PR begins
with availability of content which is presently generated only by the CRA.
5.3. Equity Committee Update. Member Jammo reported the Breaking Bread event is still on hold
due to COVID precautions, and discussion continues with CRA regarding a speaker on diversity,
equity, and inclusion (DEI) issues. Ideas and suggestions are always welcome.
5.4. Update of DDB's participation in Downtown Coordination Committee. Ms. Thompson
reviewed the issued and stated that the DDB's participation in the committee costs them
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approximately $300 per meeting (public notice, recording of minutes, staff time). The CRA
intends to host quarterly meetings as 'open house information exchange' between downtown
groups with published report. Attorney Winters clarified that members can attend and
participate the committee meetings as long as they are there as an individual member of the
Board rather than an appointed representative of the Board without creating a public meeting
under Sunshine Law. Chair Morfopoulos suggested the issue was solved, Board members
agreed.
5.5. CRA Update. Ms. Thompson noted a meeting Friday, February 11, 2022, regarding the
Cleveland Street closure with special events and engineering, planning and legal, potential
improvements. Working with Special Events on calendar for the year, discussing possibility of
RFP for producer to fill gaps.
Mr. Smith reported on the Holiday Voucher program: 24 businesses were involved in
downtown Clearwater and the East Gateway area; 2,500 vouchers were offered for $10 off $15
or more purchase; 997 vouchers were downloaded. As of date of report, eight businesses had
submitted 581 vouchers for payment.
Chair's Report.
In the interest of time, the Chair suggested citizens visit www.downtownclearwater.com for a
complete list of events.
6. Board Members to be heard
Member Cassano said it was a great meeting, communication solves many issues, and he is looking
forward to learning more as time goes on.
Member Emrani covered items in previous comments.
Member Kintzel thanked the CRA for their work on the coordination committee issues, and noted
expansion of downtown business to axe throwing bar on Myrtle.
Member Novitsky commented that it was good meeting and welcomed Matt Jackson.
Member Jammo thanked the Chair for bringing the idea of focus to the table and stated that for the
next meeting she'll be thinking about prioritizing feasibility for assistance by CRA and anyone else
involved.
Ex Officio Member Bunker stated that it was a great meeting, that he is still concerned with the
issue of one-month leases in downtown, and commended the Clearwater High School football team
for signing 12 graduating members to full scholarships.
The Chair thanked everyone for ideas and participation.
7. Adjourned at 7:11 p.m.
Approved:
Date
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Downtown Development Board Meeting —February 2, 2022
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