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11/04/2024 Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes November 4, 2024 City of Clearwater Main Library- Council Chambers 100 N. Osceola Avenue Clearwater, FL 33755 m ap ® e Meeting Minutes Monday, November 4, 2024 1 :00 PM Main Library - Council Chambers Community Redevelopment Agency Page 1 City of Clearwater Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes November 4, 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, Daniel Slaughter—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 1:24 p.m. 2. Approval of Minutes 2.1 Approve the minutes of the September 16, 2024 CRA meeting and the September 4, 2024 special CRA meeting as submitted in written summation by the City Clerk. Trustee Cotton moved to approve the minutes of the September 16, 2024 CRA meeting and the September 4, 2024 special 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 Mr. Holuba expressed concerns regarding the management of the Clearwater Police Department and opposed the salary increase provided to the City Manager. It was noted the comments were unrelated to the Community Redevelopment Agency. 4. New Business Items 4.1 Clearwater Main Library and the Dali - Councilmember Teixeira and guest speaker Hank Hine. Trustee Teixeira and Mr. Hine provided a PowerPoint presentation. Page 2 City of Clearwater Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes November 4, 2024 Trustee Teixeira requested consideration 1) to invest in the Clearwater Main Library and enter into a public-private partnership with a high performing museum and, 2) to direct a staff to explore opportunities to house a visual arts museum in the Clearwater Main Library. She said the partnership may include funding to retrofit a portion of the first floor(west side). In response to a question, Trustee Teixeira said trends in the tourism industry show that the Millennials and the Gen Zs are not looking for just a pretty destination but rather an experience, adding an Al experience to the Coachman Park and the amphitheater would follow those trends. She said the ask of the Trustees is general because the desire is for the Trustees and staff to look at potential options. Discussion ensued with comments made that the restaurant industry is hurting, and this may be the catalyst for individuals to invest and enjoy downtown, and that the activity must be practical and budget friendly. The City Attorney said the Clearwater charter includes unique restrictions regarding land use located on the waterfront. The existing charter allows the Main Library to be leased out for art galleries, cafes, restaurant and similar commercial uses. He said a referendum would be required if the City wishes to expand the use options. The City Manager said, per council rules, trustee direction is needed as it will take more than eight hours of staff time to research opportunities. Discussion ensued with consensus to direct staff to analyze opportunities for a public private partnership in the Clearwater Main Library centered around museums. 4.2 Business Spotlight Program. On June 17, 2024, the CRA Trustees approved the Business Spotlight Program with the intent to showcase the unique and impactful businesses within our Downtown Redevelopment Area. This program celebrates those businesses that not only contribute economically but also engage deeply with the community. A total of 19 applications were received from various businesses all willing to showcase their contributions. The review committee reviewed each application and selected the top eight businesses. • Ice Cold Air Discount Auto Repair Page 3 City of Clearwater Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes November 4, 2024 • Bay Area Insurance Shop, Inc • Rift Fitness • Restoration Cafe • Clear Sky on Cleveland • Clearwater Closet • Consumer Energy Solutions, Inc • Chiang Mai Thai & Sushi Bar Throughout the upcoming year each of these businesses will be highlighted for their success. APPROPRIATION CODE AND AMOUNT: STRATEGIC PRIORITY: 2.1 Strengthen public-private initiatives that attract, develop, and retain diversified business sector. 3.1 Support neighborhood identity through services and programs that empower community pride and belonging. 4.3 Approve a North Greenwood Commercial Grant for St. Joseph's Holding, LLC located at 1125 Eldridge Street Clearwater, FL 33767 in an amount not to exceed $75,000 and authorize the appropriate officials to execute same. On July 15, 2024, the CRA Trustees approved the North Greenwood Commercial Grant program. The Commercial Grant Program is designed to incentivize commercial property and business owners within the North Greenwood CRA 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. On August 20, 2024, CRA staff received a grant application from St. Joseph's Holdings LLC, also known as Yo Mama Foods, located at 11255 Eldridge Street, Clearwater, FL 33767. The application included improvements for: • Interior Walls for office buildout • Electrical • HVAC System • Exterior Windows and signage • Parking Lot Resurfacing • Interior Paint • Kitchen Cabinets/sink • Interior Doors • Plumbing Page 4 City of Clearwater Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes November 4, 2024 • Kitchen appliances The applicant estimates the total project cost to be $233,500, with a legacy credit the owner has a 30% match. Staff recommends a grant in an amount not to exceed $75,000 for the improvements that are to be made at 1125 Eldridge Street. If approved, the applicant shall occupy the property at 1125 Eldridge Street, Clearwater, FL, for a minimum of five (5) years from the date of final certificate of completion. If the applicant should vacate the property, (1) the grant agreement would be null and void; (2) the Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) will not tender any further funding; (3) the applicant will reimburse the CRA all the reimbursed funds. Upon approval, CRA staff will work with the owners of Yo Mama's Foods to enter into a grant agreement, that specifies the terms and conditions. All required/supporting documents, invoices and payments must be submitted and reviewed by staff prior to disbursement. APPROPRIATION CODE AND AMOUNT: Funds are available in cost code 1817552-G2210, North Greenwood to fund this grant agreement. STRATEGIC PRIORITY: 2.1 Strengthen public-private initiatives that attract, develop and retain diversified business sectors. 3.1 Support neighborhood identity through services and programs that empower community pride and belonging. Trustee Cotton moved to approve a North Greenwood Commercial Grant for St. Joseph's Holding, LLC located at 1125 Eldridge Street Clearwater, FL 33767 in an amount not to exceed $75,000 and authorize the appropriate officials to execute same. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. 4.4 Downtown Core Vacancy update At the August 12, 2024, Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) meeting, trustees requested an update on the vacant properties within the Downtown Core. CRA and Economic Development staff have been collecting this data through Pinellas County Property Appraiser, CoStar Database. In conjunction with this, Page 5 City of Clearwater Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes November 4, 2024 the Public Works GIS team has been creating a new ARC GIS database. Staff from both departments have been enhancing the tool to show features like vacant properties, current land use, and city-owned properties. All vacant property owners within the Downtown Core have been contacted to discuss assistance with build-out grants through the CRA. STRATEGIC PRIORITY: 1.1 Provide evidence-based measurement tools to continually guide municipal performance and promote accountable governance. Economic Development Coordinator Philip Kirkpatrick presented a GIS tool staff created to visualize real property within the city that focuses primarily on vacancy, current uses, and city ownership. He said the tool is available via the intranet, not on the city website. The data is based on the information available via the Pinellas County Property Appraiser and is a snapshot in time. In response to questions, Mr. Kirkpatrick said the tool does not identify the vacancies along Cleveland Street because it is difficult to visualize a property having 20 tenants, such as 600 Cleveland Street. The City Manager said the Trustees provided direction for staff to compile information regarding vacant buildings in the Downtown core, staff is now presenting a visualization of the completion of the project. Staff has identified the vacant properties in the Downtown core and have contacted the property owners regarding their plans moving forward. She said staff will provide the Trustees with updates as discussions with businesses unfold. CRA Executive Director Jesus Nino said the 27 properties that have not responded to staff represent six property owners. Staff is building the relationships with the property owners in an effort to determine their future plans and to educate them on potential CRA services available to them. Staff was directed to provide information regarding the approximate acreage of the county properties. Chair Rector said he is writing a letter to the property owners, whether or not they have responded to staff, asking them to participate in the restoration of the city because the community needs them to tend to the property. He said the letter will first target the Downtown core but will be directed citywide later. Page 6 City of Clearwater Community Redevelopment Agency 5. Director's Report 6. Adjourn Meeting Minutes November 4, 2024 Mr. Nino said staff will meet with the business merchants in Downtown on November 13, 2024 at Nash Keys at 3:00 p.m.; he invited all to attend. He said the CRA won the Florida Redevelopment Association's award for the Annual Report in the Big City Category. He thanked all who assisted. The meeting adjourned at 3:01 p.m. Page 7 City of Clearwater ment Agency