06/12/2023 Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes June 12, 2023
City of Clearwater
Main Library- Council Chambers
100 N. Osceola Avenue
Clearwater, FL 33755
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Meeting Minutes
Monday, June 12, 2023
1 :00 PM
Main Library - Council Chambers
Community Redevelopment Agency
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City of Clearwater
Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes June 12, 2023
Rollcall
Present 5 - Chair Brian Aungst Sr., Trustee Kathleen Beckman, Trustee Mark
Bunker, Trustee David Allbritton, and Trustee Lina Teixeira
Also Present: Jennifer Poirrier— City Manager, Michael Delk—Assistant City
Manager, David Margolis — City Attorney, Rosemarie Call — City Clerk,
Nicole Sprague — Deputy City Clerk, and Dr. Jaye Matthews — CRA
Executive Director.
To provide continuity for research, items are listed in agenda order although not
necessarily discussed in that order.
1. Call to Order— Chair Aungst, Sr.
The meeting was called to order at 1:00 p.m.
2. Approval of Minutes
2.1 Approve the minutes of the April 17, 2023 CRA Meeting as submitted in written
summation by the City Clerk.
Trustee Beckman moved to approve the minutes of the April 17,
2023 CRA Meeting as submitted in written summation by the City
Clerk. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously.
3. Citizens to be Heard Regarding Items Not on the Agenda — None.
4. New Business Items
4.1 2022 Annual Financial Report.
Presentation of fiscal year 2022 Annual Financial Report by external auditors.
Carr, Riggs, and Ingram representative John Brielmaier provided a
PowerPoint presentation. He said the audit report had no findings to
communicate or material weaknesses.
4.2 Approve an allocation of$65,000 to fund art installations within The Mercado.
Staff is seeking approval to allocate $65,000 toward funding of art installations
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Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes June 12, 2023
in The Mercado. A total stipend of$75,000 is recommended for this project.
The City's Cultural Affairs budget will provide the remaining $10,000.
The east facade of a building in the Mercado, where Cleveland Street meets
Gulf to Bay Boulevard, features 4 panel areas and the City has issued a call for
artists for a mosaic art installation in that area. There will also be 11 circular
planter areas in addition to the mosaic and mural art.
Collectively all these surfaces within The Mercado can be transformed to
create an immersive public art installation that can be enjoyed from all areas of
the plaza space, as well as by cars and people passing the space.
APPROPRIATION CODE AND AMOUNT:
A third quarter budget amendment will provide a transfer of$65,000 from
project R2002, Community Engagement, to project C2105, Mercado -
Downtown Gateway.
In response to a question, CRA Executive Director Jaye Matthews said
the response to the Call for Artists has been doing well once it opened
nationally. She said the Cultural Affairs Division is spearheading the process.
Trustee Bunker moved to approve an allocation of $65,000 to fund
art installations within The Mercado. The motion was duly
seconded and carried unanimously.
4.3 Approve Downtown Gateway Business Economic Recovery Grant Program.
Staff is seeking approval to allocate $500,000 to fund the Downtown Gateway
Business Economic Recovery Grant Program.
The purpose of the Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) Downtown
Gateway Business Economic Recovery Program is to provide one-time
economic recovery grants, up to $25,000, to assist business owners/tenants
located in the Downtown Gateway Distract on Gulf to Bay Boulevard, solely,
that suffered an economic loss directly related to the Cleveland Street
Streetscape Phase III project. If approved, grants will be available for up to
$25,000 to be used for making rent or mortgage, and/or public utility bill
payments on behalf of the business. Grants may be awarded to business
owners or tenants of commercial property within the CRA Downtown Gateway
District on Gulf to Bay Boulevard. This grant will be awarded to a maximum of
20 applicants.
APPROPRIATION CODE AND AMOUNT:
Funds are available in project R2003, Economic Development, to fund these
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City of Clearwater
Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes June 12, 2023
agreements.
In response to questions, CRA Executive Director Jaye Matthews said the
Gulf to Bay Boulevard area is completely closed and received the most
complaints as the businesses are not accessible. Loss or qualification is
demonstrated by the number of years in business pre construction, sales,
and revenue. She said the grant program is first come, first served but there
is sufficient funding to cover 20 applications. There is no application deadline
for the program. Staff has identified the addresses on Gulf to Bay Boulevard
that are eligible to apply.
Trustee Teixeira moved to approve Downtown Gateway Business
Economic Recovery Grant Program. The motion was duly
seconded and carried unanimously.
4.4 Approve Restaurant Operations: Essential Equipment Micro-Grant Program.
Staff is seeking approval to allocate $175,000 to fund the Restaurant
Operations: Essential Equipment Micro-Grant Program.
The purpose of the Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) Restaurant
Operations: Essential Equipment Micro-Grant Program is to provide
micro-grants up to $3,500 to assist Food & Beverage (F&B) operators with the
purchase or repair of essential equipment needed to effectively operate F&B
establishments. Grants may be awarded to brick & mortar, F&B establishments
within the Downtown CRA district/footprint. Up to 50 micro-grants will be
available if this program is approved.
APPROPRIATION CODE AND AMOUNT:
Funds are available in project R2003, Economic Development, to fund these
agreements.
Trustee Allbritton moved to approve Restaurant Operations:
Essential Equipment Micro-Grant Program. The motion was duly
seconded and carried unanimously.
4.5 Approve Fagade and Interior Improvement Grant Program.
Staff is seeking approval to allocate $1,000,000 to fund the Fagade and Interior
Improvement Grant Program.
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City of Clearwater
Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes June 12, 2023
The purpose of the Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) Fagade and
Interior Improvement Grant Program is to provide is to provide grants up to
$50,000 to assist business owners/tenants in improving the exterior and/or
interior of their commercial establishments. Grants are available for up to
$25,000 for fagade/exterior work, and up to $25,000 for interior work to improve
commercial ground floor spaces. Grants may be awarded to business owners
or tenants of commercial property within the Downtown CRA district/footprint.
APPROPRIATION CODE AND AMOUNT:
Funds are available in project R2003, Economic Development, to fund these
agreements.
In response to a question, CRA Executive Director Jaye Matthews said
the exterior grant includes garage doors that are part of the facade and
are visible on the ground floor.
Trustee Beckman moved to approve Facade and Interior
Improvement Grant Program. The motion was duly seconded and
carried unanimously.
4.6 Approve additional FTE to CRA for Fiscal Year 22/23.
Staff is seeking approval to add one FTE. This position will be for an additional
CRA Specialist, who will focus on Stakeholder Engagement and Relations, and
will serve under the supervision of the CRA Manager - Programs. If the
additional FTE is approved, staff will prepare an action item for a future budget
amendment in July.
APPROPRIATION CODE AND AMOUNT:
Per future budget amendment.
Trustee Bunker moved to approve additional FTE to CRA for Fiscal
Year 22/23. The motion was duly seconded and carried
unanimously.
5. Director's Report
CRA Executive Director Jaye Matthews reviewed recent and upcoming
events. She said the Pinellas County Board of Commissioners approved the
resolution that adopted the North Greenwood CRA and created a trust
for 20 years. The next step would be to establish a citizen advisory
committee, create the citizen interest forms, and draft bylaws. She said
staff has been working with downtown merchants to sign up for
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Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes
6. Adjourn
Attest Community Redevelopment Agency
June 12, 2023
Coachman Perks, a discount program that will be available during the
Coachman Park grand opening. Information regarding Coachman Perks
is available online.
The meeting adjourned at 1:18 p.m.
Chair
yo_w_na)tt:- 0
City Clerk
City of Clearwater
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