03/02/2026CLEARWATER DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT BOARD MEETING
March 2, 2026 — 1:00 PM — City Council Chambers
Board Members Present: Chair Bruce Rector; Vice Chair Lina Teixeira; Member David
Allbritton; Member Mike Mannino; Member Ryan Cotton; Member Kevin Tatlici
Board Members Absent: Member Mikhal Knodortsov
Also present: Anne Lopez, CRAAssistant Director; Vickie Shire, CRA Division Manager;
Jesus Nino, CRA Director; Owen Kohler, Acting City Attorney; Jennifer Poirrier, City
Manager; Alfred Battle, Assistant City Manager
1. Call to Order. Chair Rector called the meeting to order at 1:00 p.m.
2. Approval of Minutes.
2.1 ID#26-0202 Approve the minutes for the February 2, 2026, Downtown
Development Board meeting.
Vice Chair Teixeira moved to approve the minutes of the February 2, 2026,
Downtown Development Board meeting.
The motion was duly seconded and upon roll call, the vote was:
Ayes: Vice Chair Teixeira, Member Allbritton, Member Cotton, Member Mannino,
Member Tatlici.
3. New Business Items
3.1 ID#26-0210 Approve the January 2026 Financial Statement for filing.
CRA Assistant Director Anne Lopez presented the January 2026 Financial
Statement for filing.
Vice Chair Teixeira asked whether the available balance column included
unencumbered, unallocated, or unrestricted funds.
Ms. Lopez responded that unallocated or unrestricted funds are located in the
Downtown Future Initiatives section and noted that unencumbered funds are
available in the Cleveland Street Activation Initiative.
Vice Chair Teixeira asked whether part of those funds included the $300,000
approved for mobile vendors in March 2025.
Ms. Lopez confirmed that a portion of those funds is part of the Cleveland Street
Activation and Mobile Vendor Initiative. She stated that part of the $300,000 has
been spent since March 2025 and that an additional $150,000 was added to the
initiative in February 2026.
Vice Chair Teixeira asked where unallocated funds appear in the financial
statement.
Ms. Lopez responded that unallocated funds are listed at the bottom of the page
under Downtown Future Initiatives in the Business Assistance section.
Member Allbritton asked whether the $300,000 for mobile vendors included
parklets and whether the Board had spent funds toward that effort.
Ms. Lopez affirmed that parklets are included under the Cleveland Street
Activation and Mobile Vendor Initiative and noted that funds have been spent on
broader activation efforts such as the 1st Friday Lunchtime Market, new banners,
and the event series with St. Petersburg College.
Member Allbritton moved to approve the January 2026 Financial Statement for
filing.
The motion was duly seconded and upon roll call, the vote was:
Ayes: Vice Chair Teixeira, Member Allbritton, Member Cotton, Member Mannino,
Member Tatlici.
3.2 ID#26-0229 Approve High Impact Event Funding request for the 2"d
Annual Taste of Clearwater hosted by Rotary Club of Clearwater Charities,
Inc., to be held on Saturday, April 18, 2026, from 11:00 a.m..to 5:00 p.m. on
the 600 Block of Cleveland Street and Station Square Park.
CRA Division Manager Vickie Shire presented a High Impact Event Funding
request in the amount of $20,625 for the 2nd Annual Taste of Clearwater, hosted
by Rotary Club of Clearwater Charities, Inc., scheduled for April 18, 2026, on the
600 Block of Cleveland Street and Station Square Park.
Representatives from the Rotary Club of Clearwater discussed past attendance,
the relocation of the event, and the need for additional funding to cover restroom
facilities.
Member Allbritton spoke in favor of relocating the event to Station Square Park
and supported allowing funds to be used for restroom facilities.
Vice Chair Teixeira noted the burden restroom usage places on downtown
businesses during events and supported allowing restroom facility expenses.
Member Cotton stated the need to establish a precedent if the Board chooses to
fund restroom facilities.
Member Allbritton asked whether the Rotary Club had additional sponsors.
Representatives stated that sponsors are listed in the application and noted that
the event is a fundraiser.
Member Allbritton asked for clarification on the type of restroom facilities.
Representatives stated they would use trailer -style restroom facilities.
Member Mannino stated that the event is run by a charity and that the Board
should evaluate events on a case-by-case basis. He expressed support for
funding restroom facilities.
Vice Chair Teixeira expressed a desire to provide applicants with flexibility.
Chair Rector asked whether there was room in the budget to cover restroom
facilities. Representatives stated that other budget elements cover music -related
expenses.
Member Cotton reiterated the importance of establishing a precedent and asked
about last year's attendance. Representatives stated that weather likely affected
attendance.
Member Cotton noted that staff recommended $20,625, which did not include
restroom facilities, and asked to confirm that the total request with restroom
facilities was $25,625.
Vice Chair Teixeira moved to approve funding up to $23,125 for the 2nd Annual
Taste of Clearwater
The motion was duly seconded and upon roll call, the vote was:
Ayes: Vice Chair Teixeira, Member Allbritton, Member Mannino, Member Tatlici.
Nayes: Member Cotton
3.3 ID#26-0231 Approve High Impact Funding request for The Florida
Orchestra to present a free Symphony by the Sea concert on May 8, 2026,
from 7:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m., at The BayCare Sound.
CRA Division Manager Vickie Shire presented a High Impact Event Funding
request for the Florida Orchestra to present a free Symphony by the Sea concert
on May 8, 2026, at The BayCare Sound.
Representatives from the Florida Orchestra provided event details.
Member Mannino expressed support for the event and emphasized the
importance of strong attendance.
Member Allbritton commented on the cost of using The BayCare Sound and
expressed support for the event.
Member Cotton moved to approve $37,790 for the event. The motion was not
seconded.
Chair Rector commented on the value of events that bring families downtown.
Member Tatlici expressed support for the event and a desire for more support for
downtown businesses.
Representatives from the Florida Orchestra expressed interest in making the
event recurring.
CRA Division Manager Shire stated the venue cost is $37,790.
Member Cotton asked whether the Board wished to make a motion.
Member Allbritton moved to approve $50,000 in High Impact Funding for the
Symphony by the Sea event.
The motion was duly seconded and upon roll call, the vote was:
Ayes: Vice Chair Teixeira, Member Allbritton, Member Mannino, Member Tatlici.
Nayes: Member Cotton
3.4 ID#26-0233 Event Recap for Fall Y'AII, Jingle Bell Family Fun Fest, and
Tasty Tampa Bay.
CRA Division Manager Vickie Shire presented an event recap for Fall Y'AII, Jingle
Bell Family Fun Fest, and Tasty Tampa Bay.
Representatives from Saucy Queen presented event details, including a
promotional song for Tasty Tampa Bay and the contest winner, Lao Deli.
Representatives from Lao Deli spoke about their experience as a participating
business.
Chair Rector stated he received positive feedback from event vendors regarding
Saucy Queen.
Vice Chair Teixeira expressed satisfaction with the promotional efforts for Tasty
Tampa Bay.
3.5 ID#26-0234 Event Recap for St. Petersburg College Fresh Start Market.
CRA Division Manager Vickie Shire reported that representatives from St.
Petersburg College were unable to attend and that the event recap would be
postponed to a later date.
3.6 Approve Community Event Funding Request in the amount not to
exceed $6,760.00 for Sharkapalooza 2026, a free, family -friendly, art -driven
ocean conservation festival at Coachman Park on May 16, 2026.
CRA Division Manager Vickie Shire presented a Community Event Funding
Request in the amount not to exceed $6,760 for Sharkapalooza 2026, a free,
family -friendly, art -driven ocean conservation festival at Coachman Park on May
16, 2026.
Representatives from Sharkapalooza discussed their mission, event sponsors,
and desired outcomes.
Vice Chair Teixeira asked whether they partnered with Ocean Allies.
Representatives stated they have contacted Ocean Allies.
Member Cotton asked whether event sponsorship had been secured.
Representatives stated sponsorship had not yet been secured but provided
financial statements for transparency.
Member Mannino expressed support for the event and commented on expected
attendance.
Representatives discussed promotional efforts.
Member Cotton asked whether downtown merchants would be offered booth
space. Representatives stated they intend to work with downtown merchants.
Member Allbritton expressed concerns about funding first-time events but voiced
support.
Member Cotton stated the event could draw families and expressed support for
approving $15,000.
Member Mannino commented on the event budget and expressed support.
Vice Chair Teixeira expressed support for funding $15,000.
Member Cotton moved to approve $15,000 for Sharkapalooza.
The motion was duly seconded and upon roll call, the vote was:
Ayes: Vice Chair Teixeira, Member Allbritton, Member Cotton, Member Mannino,
Member Tatlici.
4. Director's Report.
4.1 ID#26-0265 Downtown Development Board Director's Report
CRA Director Jesus Nino stated that the Director's Report was provided in the
agenda and, due to time constraints, he would forgo presenting the report but
was available for questions.
Board members had no questions.
5. Board Members to be Heard
6. Adjournment. The meeting was adjourned at 2:14 p.m.
An pez
CRA A ssistant
tor
Chair
Downtown Development Board