12/01/2025CLEARWATER DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT BOARD MEETING
December 1, 2025 — 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 Mikhal Khodortsov
Board Members Absent: Member Fraizer
Also present: Anne Lopez, CRAAssistant Director, Jesus Nino, CRA Executive Director
Alfred Battle, Assistant City Manager David Margolis, City Attorney, Jennifer Poirrier,
City Manager
1. Call to Order. Chair Rector called meeting to order at 1:00 pm.
2. Approval of Minutes.
2.1 ID#25-0133 Approve the minutes for the November 3, 2025, Downtown
Development Board meeting.
Vice Chair Teixeira motioned to approve the minutes of the November 3, 2025,
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 Khodortsov.
3. New Business Items
3.1 ID#25-1085 Approve the Downtown Development Board Marketing and
Public Relations Initiative and Authorize the CRA Executive Director or
Designee to Procure Services for not to exceed an amount of $50,000.
CRA Executive Director Jesus Nino presented the Downtown Development
Board Marketing and Public Relations Initiative and a request to move forward
and procure marketing and public relations services not to exceed an amount of
$50,000.
Member Allbritton stated the Downtown Development Board had pursued brand
development in the past and believes now is good time to pursue developing the
brand of Downtown Clearwater.
Vice Chair Teixeria asked if the requested budget was comparable to other
downtown districts and if the requested budget would be enough to achieve the
objectives stated in the presentation.
CRA Executive Director Jesus Nino stated that for downtowns of comparable
size to the City of Clearwater, the budget range is $50,000 - $100,000 and if
needed the budget can be adjusted.
Member Khodortsov asked how vendors would be evaluated and asked why the
communities with sample RFPs were selected.
CRA Executive Director Jesus Nino stated that staff will work with Public
Communications to evaluate qualified vendors and compare vendor portfolios.
He also mentioned that other example DDAs from larger cities such as Orlando
and West Palm Beach were also evaluated on their marketing.
Member Khodortsov asked why the request for marketing services is being made
now and not when a firm would present their services to the Downtown
Development Board.
CRA Executive Director Jesus Nino responded the intent to have budget
allocated to quickly procure marketing and public relations services, in response
to prior comments from DDB members to take advantage of upcoming
construction activity in downtown to market opportunities.
Assistant City Manager Alfred Battle responded, stating this method allows staff
flexibility as they procure a firm to market downtown clearwater.
Member Khodortsov asked if the firm would be paid up front.
Assistant City Manager Alfred Battle answered stating the firm would be used on
retainer and would be paid as services are provided.
Member Mannino responded with support with seeking marketing and public
relations services.
Chair Rector stated that he is also in support of the effort to seek marketing and
public relations services.
Member Mannino spoke to member of the Downtown Development Board
requesting board members support the effort to procure marketing and public
relations services and understand that budgets and taglines are part of the
process.
City Attorney David Margolis commented on the process of staff going out to
procure marketing and public relations services and that the Downtown
Development Board is a separate legal entity and not bound by the city
procurement policies.
Member Khodortsov stated he supports staff procuring the marketing and public
relations services but wants a selection process in place.
Chair Rector asked CRA Executive Director Jesus Nino to confirm that staff
would select a firm and present a contract to the Downtown Development Board.
City Manager Jennifer Poirrier clarified that Downtown Development Board would
be voting on approving staff to use existing budget funds to get a firm hired by
the end of December.
Vice Chair responded in support of staff procuring a marketing and public
relations firm.
Member Allbriton motioned to approve the Downtown Development Board
Marketing and Public Relations Initiative and Authorize the CRA Executive
Director or Designee to Procure Services for not to exceed the amount of
$50,000.
The motion was duly seconded and upon roll call, the vote was:
Ayes: Vice Chair Teixeira, Member Allbritton, Member Cotton, Member Mannino,
, Member Khodortsov.
3.2 ID#25-1220 Approve High Impact Request in the amount not to exceed
$13,000.00 for Tasty Tampa Bay, where local vendors and food trucks will
showcase the very best bites from around the bay, located at Coachman
Park on February 21, 2026, and authorize the appropriate officials to
execute same.
CRAAssistant Director Anne Lopez presented a High Impact Funding Request in
the amount not to exceed $13,000.00 for Tasty Tampa Bay.
Representatives from Saucy Queen provided detailed information about Tasty
Tampa Bay to the Downtown Development Board.
Vice Chair Teixera asked about the outreach efforts including meeting with
downtown merchants.
The Representatives from Saucy Queen replied that they spoke with the
businesses with CRA Division Manager Vickie Shire and Recreation Supervisor
Jewel Smith.
Vice Chair Teixera motioned to the High Impact Request in the amount not to
exceed $13,000.00 for Tasty Tampa Bay.
The motion was duly seconded and upon roll call, the vote was:
Ayes: Vice Chair Teixeira, Member Allbritton, Member Cotton, Member Mannino,
Member Khodortsov.
4. Director's Report.
4.1 ID#25-1100 Director's Report for November 2025.
CRA Executive Director Jesus Nino presented Director's Report for November
2025.
Vice Chair Teixera commented during the event portion of the Director's Report
that board members make an effort promote events in the downtown area.
Member Mannino stated that he has heard feedback on the World's Largest
Rubber Duck coming to Coachman Park.
Chair Rector thanked Arts and Cultural Affairs Manager Amber Brice for helping
bring the World's Largest Rubber Duck to Coachman Park.
5. Board Members to be Heard
6. Adjourn The meeting was adjourned at 1:38 pm.
Ann- Lo•ez
CRA Assistant
Chair
MEW
Downtown Deve opment Board