01/11/2023CLEARWATER DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT BOARD MEETING
January 11, 2023 — 5:30 PM — City Council Chambers
1. Call to Order. Chair Kintzel called the meeting to order at 5:30 pm.
In attendance:
Chair Keanan Kintzel
Vice Chair Caitlein Jammo
Secretary Terri Novitsky
Treasurer Festus Porbeni
Shahab Emrani
Ray Cassano
Chiara Zaniboni
Ex officio Member
Ex officio Member Lina "Teixeira
CRA Director Dr. Jaye Matthews
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
2. Minutes of the October meeting
2.1. Upon motion duly made by Member Cassano, seconded by Member Porbeni, and carried
unanimously, the minutes of the December 7, 2022, meeting were approved.
3. Citizens to be heard regarding items not on the agenda. Jasper Klein, of Way2Go Rides,
introduced the rebranded, now full-service transportation company (formerly Florida FreeRide).
Services include $10 individual rides to anywhere around the county, also concert transportation
and airport rides. Mr. Klein looks forward to submitting a funding request in the future to include
downtown marketing in their program.
4. New Business Items
4.1. Swearing in of newly elected members. Ms. Lopez conducted the oath of office for
Keanan Kintzel, Shahab Emrani, and Chiara Zaniboni.
4.2. Election of 2023 officers. Officers were elected as follow: Chairperson, Keanan Kintzel.
Vice Chair, Caitlein Jammo. Secretary, Terri Novitsky. Treasurer, Festus Porbeni.
4.3. Proposed DDB 2023-2025 Work Plan. Mr. Smith reviewed the proposed work plan from
the November work session and the strategies to meet those goals over the next two years.
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He reviewed the DDB mission and vision statements, and style guide to maintain
consistency in publications and marketing efforts. Board discussion included:
Definition of "reoccurring" in relation to funding of repeat events. There was discussion
about exceptions for larger events that have been repeatedly supported by the DDB in past
years. The matter was tabled until further funding policy review (item 4.7.).
Funding of events in the Coachman Park / Imagine Clearwater greenspace or
amphitheater. If a portion of the event is connected to or benefits the DDB area, the Board
will consider funding.
The grant application will be offered in Spanish and English to encourage applicant
diversity.
CRA staff requested a DDB member to serve on the committee for the vacant storefront
window art program with considerations to cost of preparation of the window and the
artist's cost of installation and removal of art. Member Zaniboni volunteered, and the Board
agreed to an allocation of $18,000 ($3,000 per each of six windows) to the program.
An annual DDB report will be created for publication and marketing. Ms. Lopez
suggested following the same timeline as the state -required CRA annual report, beginning
preparation in January with completion in March.
DDB marketing grant program of $2,500 per grantee will be brought to the Board in
April for review and approval, with plans to launch that following Friday.
CRA staff would like to receive LOIs for a marketing consultant, and requested a Board
member to assist with creation and management of a survey of property owners and key
stakeholders in downtown. Member Zaniboni volunteered.
The Board agreed to set aside up to $75,000 for a one-year marketing program including
creation of a new DDB logo.
The Board requested CRA staff investigate a partnership of the DDB and the City Parks
& Recreation Department to extend the lighting program beginning in Crest Lake Park into
the downtown district and include some DDB funding.
The Board agreed to support activation of pedestrian traffic and incentivize funding of
spaces outside the 400, 500, and 600 blocks of Cleveland Street.
Upon motion duly made by Member Emrani, seconded by Member Cassano, and carried
unanimously, the 2023-2025 Work Plan was approved.
4.4. Funding of Catalyst. Attorney Winters reviewed the original grant and subsequent issues.
She suggested a deadline of January 24, 2023, for submission of all final invoicing. She
noted that contracts are being revised going forward to include deadlines to avoid this
situation in the future. Upon motion duly made by Member Cassano, seconded by Member
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Novitsky, and carried unanimously, Catalyst is required to submit outstanding invoicing by
January 24, 2023.
4.5. November 2022 Financial Statement. Upon motion duly made by Member Jammo,
seconded by Member Cassano, and carried unanimously, the November 2022 financial
statement was approved.
4.6. Amendments to the DDB budget for FY 2022-2023, and DDB Resolution 23-01. Ms.
Lopez reviewed the matters and answered questions from the Board. $518,396 unassigned
funds, and increase reserves to $75,000. Upon motion duly made by Member Jammo,
seconded by Member Cassano, and carried unanimously, the amended budget with $75,000
moved to Future Downtown Initiatives was approved.
4.7. Recommendations regarding DDB Special Event Grant Funding Policy. Mr. Smith
reviewed the updated policy as approved by Attorney Winters. Changes were made to the
document during the discussion. Item 3.a. included a definition of "reoccurring". Upon
motion duly made by Member Jammo, seconded by Member Cassano, and carried
unanimously, modified grant request policies and procedures approved.
5. Old Business
5.1. CRA update. Mr. Smith stated the next Streetscape III update meeting will take place
January 24, 2023, at Nature's Food Patch (1225 Cleveland Street), 6-8pm.
CRA Director Dr. Jaye Matthews will be available every Thursday in February for 45 -
minute community meetings. Book your appointment on
www.downtownclearwater.com/meetdirector as of January 13.
CRA Director Dr. Jaye Matthews greeted the Board, invited everyone to the Thursday
meetings and general conversation about downtown, and congratulated the newly -elected
members.
6. Chair's Report.
Please see details and full calendar of events at www.downtownclearwater.com .
7. Board Members to be heard
Member Emrani related a helpful and pleasant encounter with the City Police. He is looking
forward to a wonderful new year.
Member Zaniboni stated she's very happy to be on the Board.
Member Cassano celebrated permitting to move forward with the former Walgreens building,
and related the story of the police department using the building for training. He welcomed Dr.
Matthews, and thanked the CRA for all their help.
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Member Jammo welcomed Dr. Matthews and shared appreciation for the CRA.
Member Porbeni welcomed Dr. Matthews and hopes the new year is a better one for all.
Ms. Teixeira was pleased with the quality and quantity of events in December. She welcomed
Dr. Matthews, and noted her gratitude for Member Jammo's focus on increasing the diversity
and inclusivity of events in downtown.
Mr. Bunker thanked the new Chairperson for a meeting well-run, welcomed Member Zaniboni,
and is looking forward to the new era with Dr. Matthews.
8. Adjourned at 7:32 p.m.
Approved:
hj)-L-5
Date
Secret
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