08/12/2024 Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes August 12, 2024
City of Clearwater
Main Library- Council Chambers
100 N. Osceola Avenue
Clearwater, FL 33755
e
Meeting Minutes
Monday, August 12, 2024
1 :00 PM
Main Library - Council Chambers
Community Redevelopment Agency
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City of Clearwater
Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes August 12, 2024
Roll Call
Present 5 - Chair Bruce Rector, Trustee Ryan Cotton, Trustee Michael Mannino,
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 Jesus Nino — 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 Rector
The meeting was called to order at 1:37 p.m.
2. Approval of Minutes
2.1 Approve the minutes of the July 15, 2024 CRA meeting as submitted in written
summation by the City Clerk.
Trustee Cotton moved to approve the minutes of the July 15,
2024 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 Approve Third Quarter Budget Amendments to Fiscal Year 2023-2024 North Greenwood
Community Redevelopment Agency Budget and adopt CRA Resolution 24-01.
The North Greenwood Community Redevelopment Area was approved May,
2023. The major highlights of the Third Quarter Budget Amendments are:
REVENUES
$3,000,000 transferred in from the General Fund
$156,641 in Increment Revenue from Pinellas County
$190,848 in Increment Revenue from City of Clearwater
Operating budget for the remainder of FY 23/24 is to assist with the start up of
the North Greenwood Community Advisory Committee. This proposed budget
also includes $90,426 in a percentage of salaries for the CRA Executive
Director and CRA staff.
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Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes August 12, 2024
Transfers out designates the funding this fiscal year that will be allocated to fund
various Projects in North Greenwood:
General Fund
• R2401, Residential Improvement Project $500,000 GF
o Residential Exterior Improvement Program
o Hire an organization to implement homeownership education
programs
• R2402, Business Improvement Project $1,100,000 GF
o Commercial Enhancement or Recruitment Grant Program
o Pinellas County ED Small Business Technical Assistance
• R2403, Carlton Ave Rehab $500,000 GF
• R2404, Public Infrastructure $700,000 GF
o Curtis Museum
o Lighting along sidewalk and trails
o Shade and amenities to sidewalk and trails
• R2405, Public Art & Culture $200,000 GF
o Memorials
o Public Art
City Increment
• R2406, Housing $76,422
County Increment
• R2407, Housing-County $78,321
• R2408, Mobility-County $78,320
Pinellas County Increment funds are restricted to capital improvements projects
specifically outlined in the North Greenwood Community Redevelopment Area
Plan as Affordable Housing, Mobility, and Economic Development.
CRA Resolution 24-01 was presented and read by title only.
Trustee Teixeira moved to approve Third Quarter Budget
Amendments to Fiscal Year 2023-2024 North Greenwood
Community Redevelopment Agency Budget and adopt CRA
Resolution 24-01. The motion was duly seconded and upon roll
call, the vote was:
Ayes: 5 - Chair Rector, Trustee Cotton, Trustee Mannino, Trustee Allbritton and
Trustee Teixeira
4.2 Approve the Third Quarter Budget Amendments to the Fiscal Year 2023-2024 Downtown
Community Redevelopment Agency Budget and adopt Resolution 24-02.
Clearwater Community Redevelopment Agency is recommending the following
Third Quarter Budget Amendments to the FY 2023-2024 Downtown CRA
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Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes August 12, 2024
Budget:
Downtown CRA Operating
• Adjust the budget to reflect the actual expenditures to date.
Downtown CRA Capital Projects
• Create a new project R2501 Bluff Development
• Transfer out $2,250,000 of City TIF from R2003, Economic
Development to R2501, Bluff Redevelopment. This represents
$1,500,000 for impact fees, and $750,000 for Gotham development as
outlined in the Development Agreement.
• Increase of$47,881.20 representing $208.20 of City TIF and $47,673 of
interest earnings in R2003 Economic Development City.
• Increase of$362,617.26 in TIF revenues transferred as part of prior year
end closing in R2003 Economic Development City.
• Transfer out of$2,500,000 City TIF from R2010 Housing City as part of
the Gotham Development to new CIP R2501 Bluff Development.
• Decrease of$3,840.20 of County TIF from R2004 Economic
Development County
CRA Executive Director Jesus Nino said the CRA Capital Improvement
Project Fund third quarter budget amendment document erroneously cited a
total available balance of$12,762,863.92; the correct available balance is $7
million. The $12,762,863.92-balance includes pending agreements waiting to
be executed and should have been moved to the encumbered column.
CRA Resolution 24-02 was presented and read by title only.
Trustee Allbritton moved to Approve the Third Quarter Budget
Amendments to the Fiscal Year 2023-2024 Downtown Community
Redevelopment Agency Budget and adopt Resolution 24-02. The
motion was duly seconded and upon roll call, the vote was:
Ayes: 5 - Chair Rector, Trustee Cotton, Trustee Mannino, Trustee Allbritton and
Trustee Teixeira
4.3 Approve the Fiscal Year 2024-2025 North Greenwood Community Redevelopment
Agency Budget, adopt Resolution 24-03, and authorize the appropriate officials to
execute same.
The North Greenwood CRA has aligned its proposed operating budget and
proposed project budget to facilitate future redevelopment as outlined in the
North Greenwood Community Redevelopment Area Plan. Table 12 of the North
Greenwood Community Redevelopment Area Plan outlines the Recommended
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Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes August 12, 2024
TIF Expenditures.
The three-priority area are:
• Affordable Housing: Create, preserve, or improve income restricted
affordable housing units and prevent displacement.
• Economic Development & Employment: Increase quality employment
opportunities, particularly in the county target industries
• Mobility: Improve transit, walking, and biking options and access to
transit.
Tax Increment Revenue for the North Greenwood CRA is $860,226 which is an
increase of$512,737 from the Amended FY 23/24 revenue.
Increment funds are divided between Operating Expenditures and Project
Funds. Operating Expenditures include services, supplies and expense that
occur during the fiscal year and are primarily used for conducting the North
Greenwood CRA's day to day operations. Project funds are established to
assist with creating programing recommended in the North Greenwood
Community Redevelopment Area Plan.
Total operating expenditures $71,074; Salaries for CRA Executive Director and
CRA staff$91,558; R2407, Housing County $363,386; Economic Development
City $129,996; R2408 Mobility City $94,599; R2409 Mobility County $109,613.
CRA Resolution 24-03 was presented and read by title only.
Trustee Mannino moved to approve the Fiscal Year 2024-2025
North Greenwood Community Redevelopment Agency Budget,
adopt CRA Resolution 24-03, and authorize the appropriate
officials to execute same. The motion was duly seconded and
upon roll call, the vote was:
Ayes: 5 - Chair Rector, Trustee Cotton, Trustee Mannino, Trustee Allbritton and
Trustee Teixeira
4.4 Approve the Fiscal Year (FY) 2024-2025 Downtown Clearwater Community
Redevelopment Agency Budget, adopt CRA Resolution 24-04, and authorize the
appropriate officials to execute same.
The Fiscal Year 2024-2025 Downtown Community Redevelopment Agency
Budget is aligned is proposed project expenditures to facilitate future
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Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes August 12, 2024
redevelopment of downtown through the implementation of the Downtown Plan.
The major highlights of the FY 2024-2025 proposed preliminary budget are:
Tax Increment Revenue is $6,557,705 which is an increase of$466,206 over
the $6,091,499 Amended 2023-2024 revenue, reflecting an increase in taxable
value of both the original CRA area and the expanded (Downtown Gateway)
CRA area.
DTCRA Funds are divided between Operating Expenditures and Project Funds.
Operating Expenditures include the services, supplies and expense that occur
during the fiscal year and are primarily used for conducting the DTCRA's day to
day operations as well as consulting services that will begin and end within the
fiscal year.
Project Funds include Interlocal Agreements, Capital Improvements, and
funding for established programs who work extends beyond one fiscal year.
Project Funds carry over from year to year. This year's budget continues the
use of project funds that were established in 2020 to distinguish between City
and County TIF dollars.
Operating Expenditures have increase by $123,456 from FY 23/24. This
increase is to account for expenditures related to additional Professional
Service Agreements. Operating Expenditures also includes the pass-through
revenues, $381,027, to the Downtown Development Board (DDB).
Transfers Out designated the funding this fiscal year that will be allocated to
various Project Funds. The costs for Interlocal Agreements with the City and the
Clearwater Police Department are found in the General Fund and Community
Policing lines for a total of$1,317,894. The remaining City TIF revenue has
been allocated to Economic Development ($900,000); Infrastructure ($791,844);
Housing ($410,206).
County TIF Funds, $2,779,393 for this fiscal year, are restricted to capital
improvement projects, housing and land acquisition. The County TIF funds
have been allocated to Housing ($2,779,393).
CRA Resolution 24-04 was presented and read by title only.
Trustee Cotton moved to approve the Fiscal Year (FY) 2024-2025
Downtown Clearwater Community Redevelopment Agency
Budget, adopt CRA Resolution 24-04, and authorize the
appropriate officials to execute same. The motion was duly
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Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes August 12, 2024
seconded and upon roll call, the vote was:
Ayes: 5 - Chair Rector, Trustee Cotton, Trustee Mannino, Trustee Allbritton and
Trustee Teixeira
4.5 Discuss revitalization efforts in the Downtown Clearwater Community Redevelopment
Area.
Chair Rector said the Trustees have taken individual efforts to make
Downtown Clearwater prosper and thrive. He requested the discussion
item because a more organized and focused plan is needed.
Discussion ensued with comments made that Coachman Park was the
needed catalyst to show the City is committed to changing Downtown, that
bold creative actions are needed, and that public conversations are
needed to inform the public on efforts taken to further private investments
and interests in Downtown.
In response to comments, the City Manager said with Pinellas County
moving out of Downtown, the City has the opportunity to redevelop those
properties. Pinellas County hired CBRE Consulting to handle the
assemblage of the properties. Staff met with the consultant and provided a
list of city-owned properties that may be available for assemblage. She said
the County will begin focusing on the property assemblage by the end of the
month, staff will provide regular updates as the meeting frequency increases.
She said staff is working on the inventory of vacant properties citywide which
is expected to be completed within the next three months. The Downtown
inventory of vacant properties has been completed.
It was suggested that staff provide updates regarding the vacant
properties located in Downtown and the prospective businesses interested in
relocating to those sites at a future meeting.
One individual said many of the properties in Downtown are owned by
one group who tends to issue month-to-month leases, which is
not tenable for prospective business owners who are required to invest in
properties they do not own.
One individual expressed concerns with the lack of maintenance at the
edges of Coachman Park and supported making the Pinellas Trail more
attractive in order to get people to move through Downtown.
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Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes August 12, 2024
There was consensus to maintain the discussion topic on the agenda for
the foreseeable future.
4.6 Approve the Downtown Commercial Grant Program within the Downtown Clearwater
Community Redevelopment Area and authorize the appropriate officials to execute
same.
The purpose of this agenda item is to request approval for the implementation of
the new Downtown Commercial Grant Program within the DTCRA. This new
program will replace all current Business/Commercial Grant Programs
available in the DTCRA. Staff is recommending closing out the following grant
programs: Essential Equipment Grant, Business Renovation, Economic
Recovery Grant, Fagade Grant, and Vacancy Reduction. The remaining
balances of these programs will be allocated back to R2003-Economic
Development-City and a new Program Budget of$800,000 will be established
for Downtown Clearwater Commercial Grant Program.
The Downtown Clearwater Commercial Grant Program is designed to
streamline the grant process, increase efficiency and better serve the
community. These changes will make it easier for community members to
apply for grants and for the CRA staff to deliver better customer service. Listed
below are a few key components that make the new grant process more
customer friendly:
1. Universal application
2. Grant is for both property and business owners (some current grants
are only for business owners or just property owners)
3. Consolidated grant offerings into one with a widened scope of services
4. Easier to read tier funding framework
5. Offering retroactive funding (6 months)
6. Upfront funding on deposits
7. Increased % of CRA grant funding
8. Easier to market, promote and communicate one grant program.
9. Easier on CRA staff to provide excellent customer service
As part of the annual budget process funds will be allocated each year to the
program to further the goals of the Downtown Redevelopment Plan.
APPROPRIATION CODE AND AMOUNT:
Funds for this new program are available in R2003- Economic
Development-City in an amount of$800,000 for FY 2023-2024.
STRATEGIC PRIORITY:
2.1 Strengthen public-private initiatives that attract, develop, and retain
diversified business sectors.
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2.2 Cultivate a business climate that welcomes entrepreneurship, inspires local
investment, supports Eco-friendly enterprises, and encourages high-quality job
growth.
2.3 Promote Clearwater as a premier destination for entertainment, cultural
experiences, tourism, and national sporting events.
3.1 Support neighborhood identity through services and programs that empower
community pride and belonging.
Trustee Teixeira moved to approve the Downtown Commercial
Grant Program within the Downtown Clearwater Community
Redevelopment Area and authorize the appropriate officials to
execute same. The motion was duly seconded and carried
unanimously.
4.7 Move the November 18, 2024 to November 4, 2024 at 1:00 p.m.
At the July 29, 2024 work session, staff was directed to the November 18 CRA
meeting to November 4, 2024 at 1:00 p.m.
Trustee Allbritton moved to move the November 18, 2024 to
November 4, 2024 at 1:00 p.m. The motion was duly seconded
and carried unanimously.
5. Director's Report
5.1 July CRA Director's Report
CRA Executive Director Jesus Nino provided a PowerPoint presentation.
Mr. Nino requested consideration to schedule a special CRA meeting on
September 4, 2024 at 4:30 p.m. to request funding for an affordable
housing project.
Trustee Mannino moved to schedule a special CRA meeting on
September 4, 2024 at 4:30 p.m. The motion was duly seconded
and carried unanimously.
6. Adjourn
The meeting adjourned at 2:30 p.m.
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Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes
Attest
i tLt ((t_
City Clerk
City of Clearwater
Chair
Community Redevelopment Agency
August 12, 2024
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