12/07/2022CLEARWATER DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT BOARD MEETING
December 7, 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
Treasurer Festus Porbeni
Shahab Emrani
Ray Cassano
Ex officio Member Mark Bunker
Ex officio Member Lina Teixeira
CRA Assistant Director Matthew Jackson
CRA Business Assistance Administrator Howard Smith
CRA Programs Specialist Anne Lopez
CRA Public Relations and Programs Manager Eric Santiago
DDB Attorney Elise K. Winters
Absent: Terri Novitsky
2. Minutes of the October meeting
2.1. Upon motion duly made by Member Kintzel, seconded by Member Cassano, and carried
unanimously, the minutes of the November 2, 2022, meeting were approved.
3. Citizens to be heard regarding items not on the agenda. Beth Daniels from the Clearwater
Arts Alliance reviewed recent activities and invited the Board to an art walk.
4. New Business Items
4.1. October 2022 Financial Statement. Upon motion duly made by Member Cassano,
seconded by Member Jammo, and carried unanimously, the October 2022 financial
statement was approved.
4.2. DDB year in review. Mr. Smith reviewed the 2022 DDB work plan objectives and
achievements.
4.3. Thank you to outgoing member Paris Morfopoulos. After many years of membership,
and chairmanship since 2009, Mr. Morfopoulos is stepping down from the DDB. Members
and colleagues shared their appreciation, and gave him a commemorative plaque.
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5. Old Business
5.1. Update from Florida Best Productions (FBP) Salsa in the District 2022. Mr. Smith
presented Richard del Rio from FBP, who stated that the event was a success by all
standards, and that, after 10 years working with various municipalities, Clearwater and the
DDB were a pleasure to work with.
5.2. CRA update. Mr. Jackson stated that artists have decorated windows of 74 downtown
businesses. The tree lighting was a success, and the DDB's support for the snow was very
appreciated. New CRA Director Dr. Jennifer "Jaye" Matthews will join the meetings
beginning in January 2023.
6. Chair's Report.
• December 8 — Food Truck Thursdays Holiday Jingle presented by KnowBe4
• December 8 - Cocktails and Candy Canes presented by Amplify Clearwater
• December 9 — Spirit of Lights Festival
• December 10 — The Market Marie on Cleveland Street
• December 10, 17 — Clearwater Jazz Holiday Wanderlust Concert Series
• December 11 — Peace Concert Series
• December 13, 14, 15 — Holiday Stroll Pop Up Performances
• December 14, 21 — Holiday Trivia at Downtown Pizza
• December 16 — Dinner with Santa presented by the Hispanic Outreach Center
• December 17 — Home for the Holiday Paws -on -Parade Pet Parade
• December 21 — Yuletide Magic in Station Square Park
For more information on Downtown Clearwater's Holiday Extravaganza, please visit our holiday
guide at: www.downtownclearwater.com/holidays
Details and full calendar of events at www.downtownclearwater.com
7. Board Members to be heard
Member Cassano said that downtown is looking the best it has in his 40 years in Clearwater,
thanked the CRA, the DDB attorney, and all involved for their efforts, and believes next year
will be even better.
Member Emrani thanked the CRA staff for their support and the board members for their time.
He is looking forward to a wonderful new year.
Member Kintzel enjoyed the snow and snowballs on Cleveland Street for three days. He thanked
the CRA for a great holiday kick-off
Member Jammo shared appreciation for the CRA, and thanked Member Morfopoulos for his
support and guidance through the years.
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Member Porbeni thanked the CRA and said he knows next year will be even better.
Ms. Teixeira stated that the City Council has been assessing the permitting process. She thanked
the DDB for their support of the referendum that passed November 8, 2022, for the development
of the bluffs properties, and said that salsa night was "epic and inspiring." She wished everyone a
happy holiday and a happy new year.
Mr. Bunker stated that downtown is beautiful with all the decorations, the crowd was happy at
the tree lighting, and he believes 2023 will be an epic year.
Chair Morfopoulos thanked everyone for their contributions over the years, and feels he's
leaving the board in very good hands.
8. Adjourned at 6:16 p.m.
Approved:
2423
Date
Secretary
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