10/05/2022CLEARWATER DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT BOARD MEETING
October 5, 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
Ray Cassano
Terri Novitsky
Ex officio Member Mark Bunker
Ex officio Member Lina Teixeira
CRA Business Assistance Administrator Howard Smith
CRA Public Relations and Programs Manager Eric Santiago
CRA Special Events Specialist Vickie Shire
DDB Attorney Elise K. Winters
Absent: Treasurer Festus Porbeni
2. Approval of September Meeting Minutes
2.1. Upon motion duly made by Member Cassano, seconded by Member Emrani, and carried
unanimously, the minutes of the September 7, 2022, meeting were approved.
2.2. Upon motion duly made by Member Novitsky, seconded by Member Cassano, and carried
unanimously, the minutes of the September 14, 2022, meeting were approved
3. Citizens to be heard regarding items not on the agenda. None.
4. New Business Items
4.1. August 2022 Financial Statement. Upon motion duly made by Member Jammo, seconded
by Member Kintzel, and carried unanimously, the August 2022 financial statement was
approved.
4.2. Market Marie funding request in an amount not to exceed $30,000 as requested and as
recommended by staff. Mr. Smith clarified that this is a new request for a new season of
markets to begin in November. He introduced Blair Valentine, founder, who stated her
excitement to move the market to the 500-600 blocks of Cleveland Street. Upon motion
duly made by Member Jammo, seconded by Member Cassano, and carried unanimously,
the Market Marie funding request was approved in an amount not to exceed $30,000.
4.3. Hard2Guard Sports Fest funding request in an amount not to exceed $20,000 as
requested and as recommended by staff. Ms. Shire presented the information, including
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a request for payment of $4,630 upon approval for marketing costs, and introduced Chris
and Aaron from the organization who stated the family -friendly event would be at no cost
to the public and take place at the intersection of Garden and Cleveland Streets. Upon
motion duly made by Member Jammo, seconded by Member Emrani, and carried
unanimously, the Hard2Guard Sports Fest funding request was approved an amount not to
exceed $20,000 with $4,630 payable in advance upon execution of the funding agreement.
4.4. Dunedin Girl Gang's Halloqueen Market funding request in an amount not to exceed
$4,025 as requested and as recommended by staff. Ms. Shire presented the information
and introduced founders Katie and Jessica who stated that the event will take place at
Station Square Park and currently has 75 confirmed vendors. Upon motion duly made by
Member Jammo, seconded by Member Cassano, and carried unanimously, the Dunedin
Girl Gang's Halloqueen Market funding request was approved in an amount not to exceed
$4,025.
4.5. Ivy & Edward Network Liaisons, LLC's Indigenous Vibes event funding request of $6,700,
corrected by staff to an amount not to exceed $7,763.11. Mr. Smith presented the
information and introduced founder Rita Ivy who stated that the event would take place
inthe 500-600 blocks of Cleveland Street and include activities for all age groups including
interactive artwork. Upon motion duly made by Member Jammo, seconded by Member
Novitsky, and carried unanimously, the Indigenous Vibes event funding request was
approved in an amount not to exceed $7,763.11.
4.6. Presentation on special events, programming, and partnership initiatives. Ms. Shire
spoke presented an overview and answered questions of the Board.
4.7. Update on DDB funding request application process. Mr. Smith reviewed the form and
required information, noting that the process has been simplified over the last couple of
years and parties are asked to submit at least 30 days ahead of the event, and answered
questions of the Board. The matter will be addressed further at the Board's December
workshop.
5. Old Business
5.1. Update on DDB marketing program development. Mr. Santiago presented the Board with
two issues to further the process:
1. Eligibility. The Board decided any active business with a brick -and -mortar
business in the DDB area would be eligible.
2. Request amount and duration. After discussion, the Board agreed on $2,500
matching grants for a six-month period.
6. Chair's Report.
• The Market Marie — Saturday, Oct 8, 10a-2pm, at Court and Myrtle.
• Hocus Pocus Bash — Saturday, Oct 8, 6-10pm, 400 block of Cleveland Street.
• Jeep or Treat — Friday, Oct 14, old City Hall parking lot.
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• Dunedin Girl Gang Halloqueen Market — Sunday, Oct 30, noon-4pm, Station Square
Park.
• Daydreaming: Niki Butcher's Hand Painted Photography — open through January 31,
2023, at the Clearwater Public Library. Free to the public.
Details and full calendar of events at www.downtownclearwater.com .
7. Board Members to be heard
Member Emrani thanked Ms. Shire for the exciting events in the works, the Board members
and the CRA staff for their work, and Attorney Winters for her guidance. He's very excited
about the holidays downtown this year.
Member Kintzel thanked Dale & Sarah for pizza to feed the volunteers boarding up windows
downtown before Hurricane Ian, and Matt for his extra efforts securing the new furniture in
Station Square Park.
Member Cassano thanked the CRA staff with special gratitude to Mr. Smith for his assistance
working so closely with applicants to prepare funding requests.
Member Novitsky echoed Member Cassano, stating that downtown Clearwater has a bright
future with Imagine Clearwater next year and all the events it will make possible. She also
thanked Mr. Smith for the review of the funding application.
Ms. Teixeira thanked the CRA staff for improving the funding request process and stated she's
very excited about all the different events coming to downtown Clearwater, especially as they
assist the diverse groups coming to the district. She emphasized the need for everyone to vote
in the upcoming November 8 referendum.
Mr. Bunker stated he's excited about all the great events coming up and wished everyone a
good evening.
Chair Morfopoulos noted meetings regarding the referendum, including one next Thursday at
the library, and urged everyone to check the city's schedule for details.
8. Adjourned at 6:57 p.m.
Approved:
Date Secretary
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