06/01/2022CLEARWATER DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT BOARD MEETING
June 1, 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
Shahab Emrani
Terri Novitsky
Ray Cassano
Ex officio Member Mark Bunker
Ex officio Member Lina Teixeira
CRA Assistant Director Matt Jackson
CRA Public Relations and Programs Manager Eric Santiago
CRA Business Assistance Administrator Howard Smith
DDB Attorney Elise K. Winters
Absent: Treasurer Festus Porbeni
2. Minutes of the May meeting
2.1. Upon motion duly made by Member Emrani, seconded by Member Cassano, and
carried unanimously, the minutes of the May 4, 2022, meeting were approved.
3. Citizens to be heard regarding items not on the agenda.
Christopher Brzenzinski regarding development of 708 N. Osceola near Seminole boat dock.
The item was not on the agenda and the area is not in the DDB district; Ex officio Member
Bunker invited the gentleman to the City Council meeting the next evening. Member Kintzel
stated that he'd invited the gentleman as the project sounded like it would include ties to
downtown.
Sherry Van Hootegem from Clearwater Country Club neighborhood with invitation to 100th
anniversary celebration on November 12, 2022.
Judy Bachar introduced the concept of a Clearwater Downtown talent competition, an
annual two-day event to be held at the Capitol Theatre.
4. New Business Items
4.1. April 2022 Financial Statement. Upon motion duly made by Member Jammo,
seconded by Member Kintzel, and carried unanimously, the April 2022 financial
statement was approved.
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4.2. Update on City of Clearwater's improvements for downtown Clearwater. Jeremy
Alleshouse, City of Clearwater Parking Manager, spoke regarding meters, the Park
Mobile app, payment kiosks, and free parking in Clearwater. There was an update on
current signage downtown, and Mr. Alleshouse will follow up on the status of message
boards over Fort Harrison north and south of downtown.
5. Old Business
5.1. Clearwater Hispanic Farmers Market grant funding Update. Dina Ramos spoke on
behalf of the group, thanking the DDB for their support and reviewing the success of
the recent event.
5.2. Tampa Bay Ukulele Society. Robert Wild thanked the Board for its support and
reviewed the success of the recent event.
5.3. Update of Board ideas to improve Downtown Clearwater. Mr. Santiago presented an
update noting an additional 11 parking spaces on Cleveland Street with artistic
decorations in five, and the Gaslight Alley presentation of "The World Within: Sounds of
the Everglades" through June 15, a preview of which is in the library where Nicki
Butcher's art is on display.
5.4. CRA Update. Mr. Jackson stated that the app of 703 Jones Street was approved at the
last CRA Trustees meeting to create an interactive sports memorabilia museum. Also
the CRA is interviewing for a Special Events staff member and activating downtown
with other special events in the meantime.
6. Chair's Report. The Chair stated that he'd had a very good meeting with the City Manager
regarding various issues related to downtown Clearwater, and believes that "our city is in
good hands."
Events:
• The World Within — now through June 15. An outdoor immersive sound installation
featuring the natural sounds of the Everglades from sunrise to sunset at Gas Light Alley
at 515 Cleveland Street.
• The Market Marie — Saturday, June 11 at Court and Myrtle.
• Art & "Trash-ure" Walk — Saturday, June 11. Join the Clearwater Arts Alliance for the
final viewing of the Clean Up Clearwater Art Exhibit made from trash collected during
The Big Clean Up.
• Public Art Walk presented by the Clearwater Arts Alliance — Saturday, June 18. Docent -
lead walking tours showcasing over 20 pieces of public art throughout Downtown
Clearwater.
• Daydreaming: Niki Butcher's Hand Painted Photography — opening June 15th, a new
exhibit at the Clearwater Public Library. Free to the public.
7. Board Members to be heard
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Member Emrani is grateful for the support of the Board and impressed with how downtown
has come to life. The future looks very bright!
Member Cassano agrees with Member Emrani, feels the best he's felt about downtown in
his five years on the Board.
Member Kintzel thanked Mr. Jackson and all other servicemen for their service after the
recent Memorial Day holiday, giving special recognition to his father, a Vietnam veteran.
Member Novitsky thanked presenters for the program overviews that evening and noted
the City Manager's previous remarks about creating partnerships in downtown, stating that
she is excited to see things move forward.
Member Jammo reiterated all from previous board members, appreciated presenters for
their recaps and overviews and the efforts of their volunteers, as well as their welcoming
environments and increase in diversity in downtown Clearwater.
Ms. Teixeira stated that she's thrilled to see the individual groups coming together to
improve downtown from the past grassroots efforts. She was also humbled to have been
part of the raising of the Pride flag in downtown and is very excited about the momentum
she sees.
Mr. Bunker is impressed with the presenters that evening and hopes their events continue
to grow.
Chair Morfopoulos echoed other speakers regarding the two events presented that evening
as they were focused on families and various age groups as well as having drawn large
numbers of attendees to downtown. The Chair is grateful for the efforts of everyone
involved and happy to partner in the future. Over the weekend, he dined on Cleveland
Street and stated his appreciation of the exciting changes in downtown from past years.
8. Adjourned at 6:48 p.m.
Approved:
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Date Secret
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