07/15/2024 Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes July 15, 2024
City of Clearwater
Main Library- Council Chambers
100 N. Osceola Avenue
Clearwater, FL 33755
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Meeting Minutes
Monday, July 15, 2024
1 :00 PM
Main Library - Council Chambers
Community Redevelopment Agency
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City of Clearwater
Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes July 15, 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 1:15 p.m.
2. Approval of Minutes
2.1 Approve the minutes of the June 17, 2024 CRA meeting as submitted in written
summation by the City Clerk.
Trustee Cotton moved to approve the minutes of the June 17, 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 the Commercial Grant Program within the North Greenwood Community
Redevelopment Area and authorize the appropriate officials to execute same.
The purpose of this item is to request approval for the implementation of the
Commercial Grant Program within the North Greenwood Community
Redevelopment Area (NGCRA) and to seek an allocation of$833,472 to fund
this program.
Program Overview:
The Commercial Grant Program is designed to incentivize commercial property
and business owners within the NGCRA to invest in building, structural, and site
improvements. By offering grants of up to $75,000, this program aims to
enhance the visual appeal and functionality of the area, stimulate economic
growth, and create a business-friendly environment.
Key Objectives:
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City of Clearwater
Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes July 15, 2024
1. Support CRA Plan Implementation: Facilitate the repair and rehabilitation
of buildings as per the community redevelopment area plan.
2. Promote Commercial Development: Focus on North Martin Luther King
Jr. Avenue, Pinellas Trail, while allowing access to the grant through the
redevelopment area.
3. Reduce Blight: Encourage property improvements and the
establishment of new businesses to reduce blight.
4. Create Value: Promote a welcoming atmosphere for businesses and
residents, improve property values, and increase employment
opportunities.
There will be an applicant match and legacy credit for business owners to be
able to match grant funds by a percentage based on their years of business
ownership, with the potential for a "Legacy Credit" to reduce the match
requirement. There is also a Community Service Credit which will waive up to
50% of the match requirement.
Eligible improvements include:
• Interior: Electrical, plumbing, ADA systems, fire suppression, structural
stabilization, historical restoration, and more.
• Exterior: Wall repairs, roofing, decorative fencing, signage, lighting,
landscaping, and more.
APPROPRIATION CODE AND AMOUNT:
Funding for this program is available from the General Fund (GF) contribution
for North Greenwood CRA implementation. A future agenda item will establish
the new North Greenwood CRA Fund budget recognizing the GF contribution
and Fiscal Year 2024 TIF revenues received. As part of this budget, we will
establish all supporting projects for implementation of the CRAs goals.
STRATEGIC PRIORITY:
2.1 Strengthen public-private initiatives that attract, develop, and retain
diversified business sectors.
2.2 Cultivate a business climate that welcomes entrepreneurship, inspires local
investment, supports Eco-friendly enterprises, and encourages high-quality job
growth.
3.1 Support neighborhood identity through services and programs that empower
community pride and belonging.
3.4 Inspire citizen participation through civic engagement and volunteerism to
build strong, inclusive, and engaged communities.
Trustee Teixeira moved to approve the Commercial Grant Program
within the North Greenwood Community Redevelopment Area and
authorize the appropriate officials to execute same. The motion was
duly seconded and carried unanimously.
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City of Clearwater
Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes July 15, 2024
4.2 Approve the Residential Exterior Improvement Grant Program within the North
Greenwood Community Redevelopment Area and authorize the appropriate officials to
execute same.
The purpose of this item is to request approval for the Residential Exterior
Improvement Grant Program (Program) aimed at rehabilitating single-family
homes within the North Greenwood Community Redevelopment Area (NGCRA)
and to seek an allocation of$400,000 to fund the Program.
Program Overview:
The Residential Exterior Improvement Grant Program is designed to provide
matching grants of up to $20,000 to homesteaded single-family homeowners in
the NGCRA. The Program focuses on exterior improvements to enhance
neighborhood aesthetics, property conditions, and reduce housing cost burden.
Key Objectives:
1. Improve property aesthetics and conditions.
2. Reduce housing cost burden.
3. Eliminate/reduce slum and blight condition (reduce code enforcement
cases).
4. Foster neighborhood pride and civic identity.
Eligibility and Assistance:
Eligibility is limited to homeowners within the NGCRA with household incomes
at or below 120% of the Area Median Income (AMI). Assistance is provided on a
sliding scale based on income, with a minimum applicant contribution ranging
from 5% to 20%.
Applicant Match:
Applicants are required to match the grant amount based on their income level.
Community service options are available to offset the match requirement. For
those earning 0-50% AMI, the match can be waived at the rate of one hour of
community service per $150 of grant amount. For those earning 51-120% AMI,
up to 50% of the match can be waived similarly.
Eligible Improvements:
Eligible improvements include, but are not limited to, exterior painting, roofing,
windows, doors, landscaping, and structural repairs that enhance the property's
exterior.
APPROPRIATION CODE AND AMOUNT:
Funding for this program is available from the General Fund (GF) contribution
for North Greenwood CRA implementation. A future agenda item will establish
the new North Greenwood CRA Fund budget recognizing the GF contribution
and Fiscal Year 2024 TIF revenues received. As part of this budget, we will
establish all supporting projects for implementation of the CRAs goals.
STRATEGIC PRIORITY:
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City of Clearwater
Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes July 15, 2024
2.4 Support equitable housing programs that promote household stability and
reduce the incidence of homelessness within Clearwater.
3.1 Support neighborhood identity through services and programs that empower
community pride and belonging.
In response to a question, Mr. Nino said staff maintains a list of
not-for-profit organizations where individuals could volunteer for
community service credits.
Two individuals spoke in support.
Trustee Allbritton moved to approve the Residential Exterior
Improvement Grant Program within the North Greenwood
Community Redevelopment Area and authorize the appropriate
officials to execute same. The motion was duly seconded and
carried unanimously.
4.3 Amend the North Greenwood Community Redevelopment Area Citizens Advisory
Committee Policy and authorize the appropriate officials to execute same.
Community Redevelopment Agency staff is recommending approval to amend
the Section 7 of the existing North Greenwood Community Redevelopment Area
(NGCRA) Citizen Advisory Committee (CAC) Policy as follows:
7. Initial Terms of CAC Members
To reduce the impact of a complete turnover of members to the CAC,
the initial terms of the members shall be staggered. The following shall
be the initial terms of CAC members:
• Two members shall serve initial terms that expire on September
30, 20242025.
• Two members shall serve initial terms that expire on September
30, 2026.
• One member shall serve an initial term that expires on
September 30, 2027.
The amendment will allow new appointed CAC members to serve reasonable
terms.
Trustee Mannino moved to amend the North Greenwood
Community Redevelopment Area Citizens Advisory Committee
Policy and authorize the appropriate officials to execute same. The
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City of Clearwater
Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes July 15, 2024
motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously.
4.4 Approve a Business Renovation Grant for The Nash Keys located at 520 Cleveland
Street, Captains Lounge located at 522 Cleveland Street, and Prelude Sports Bar
located at 528 Cleveland Street in an amount not to exceed $900,000 and authorize the
appropriate officials to execute same.
The Clearwater Downtown area is currently experiencing a significant need to
fill vacant units and activate the downtown space to stimulate economic growth
and community engagement. A vibrant downtown is crucial to the overall health
of the City of Clearwater, as it serves as the heart of economic and social
activities, attracting residents, businesses, and tourists. Active downtowns
contribute to the city's identity, offer diverse amenities, and provide opportunities
for local businesses to thrive.
CRA staff recommends the approval of a $900,000 Business Renovation Grant
for the businesses located at 520, 522, and 528 Cleveland Street. These units
are to house the expansion of The Nash Keys Dueling Piano Bar& Restaurant,
The Captain's Lounge, and Prelude Sports Bar business developments. The
grant is intended to reimburse eligible construction costs incurred by the
business owner and support future expenses necessary for the completion of
these projects.
The Business Renovation Grant Program is designed to assist business
owners with funding to renovate downtown units. This program aligns with the
Downtown Community Redevelopment Area Plan goals to revitalize downtown
Clearwater by encouraging the establishment of new businesses and improving
existing ones.
The grant will cover eligible expenses retroactive to the issuance date of the
primary construction permits, contingent upon final grant funds being dispersed
after obtaining certificates of occupancy. The grant funds will assist in covering
up to $900,000 of the approximately $1,628,700 of grant eligible construction
expenses from a total project cost of approximately $2,500,000.
Upon approval, CRA staff will work with the owners of The Nash Keys, Captains
Lounge, and Prelude Sports Bar to enter into a grant agreement, that specifies
the terms and conditions for accessing the grant funds in increments. All
necessary construction estimates, budgets, invoices, and requested
documentation must be submitted and reviewed by staff before disbursement of
the funds.
Examples of Eligible Expenses (not limited to the following):
• Interior Improvements: electrical/plumbing upgrades, HVAC systems,
ADA accessibility, structural stabilization, interior walls, paint, and
fixtures, floors, etc.
• Exterior Improvements: repair of exterior walls, exterior painting, signage
and lighting, ADA accessibility, etc.
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City of Clearwater
Community Redevelopment Agency
Meeting Minutes July 15, 2024
APPROPRIATION CODE AND AMOUNT:
Funding for this grant in the amount of $900,000 is available in R2003 -
Economic Development -City.
Three individuals spoke in support.
Trustee Cotton moved to approve a Business Renovation Grant for
The Nash Keys located at 520 Cleveland Street, Captains Lounge
located at 522 Cleveland Street, and Prelude Sports Bar located at
528 Cleveland Street in an amount not to exceed $900,000 and
authorize the appropriate officials to execute same. The motion was
duly seconded and carried unanimously.
5. Director's Report
5.1 Community Redevelopment Agency Director's Report.
6. Adjourn
Attest
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City Clerk
City of Clearwater
Mr. Nino provided a PowerPoint presentation.
In response to questions, Mr. Nino said staff spoke with two business
owners on the 600 -block who are looking to relocate their businesses
after being asked to leave their business locale. Staff is working with the
business owners to help find suitable alternate business locations. He
said the business owners are on month-to-month leases.
Discussion ensued with a suggestion made that a letter be drafted to the
property owners in an effort to determine why businesses are being asked to
vacate.
The meeting adjourned at 1:57 p.m.
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