09/06/2017 CLEARWATER DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT BOARD MEETING
September 6, 2017–5:30 PM –City Hall – Council Chambers
Members Present: Paris Morfopoulos Chairman
Dennis Bosi Vice-Chairman
Thomas Wright Member
Tony Starova Member
Stu Sjouwerman Member
Also Present: Anne Fogarty France Board Administrator
Seth Taylor Community Redevelopment Agency Director
Absent: Bill Jonson Ex-Officio/Councilmember
Doreen Caudell Ex-Officio/Councilmember
1. Chairman Morfopoulos called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m. asking the board and
Ex-Officio members to introduce themselves.
2. Citizens Comments--Items not on the agenda—No comments.
3. First Public Millage Hearing—Resolution 02-17. In accordance with Chapter 200 of the Florida
Statutes, which defines requirements for the Determination of Millage and the rules governing
Truth in Millage (TRIM) compliance, the DDB must hold two public hearings to adopt a final
millage rate for the new fiscal year. The adoption of this resolution to establish the millage rate
and the related budget resolution are an integral part of fulfilling these requirements. The DDB set
a tentative millage rate of 0.9700 mil on August 2, 2017, which is the rate that appeared on the
TRIM bill notices mailed to taxpayers in August.
Resolution 02-17 is presented in order to adopt the millage rate of 0.9700 mils to support the
operating budget for the 2017/18 fiscal year. Member Wright read the resolution into the record.
Member Bosi moved to adopt Millage Resolution 02-17 on first reading. The motion was
duly seconded and upon roll call, the vote was:
"Ayes": Member Morfopoulos, Member Bosi, Member Wright, Member Starova, and
Member Sjouwerman.
"Nays": None.
Motion carried.
4. First Public Budget Hearing—Resolution 03-17. In accordance with Chapter 200 of the Florida
Statutes and the rules governing Truth in Millage (TRIM) compliance, the DDB must hold two
public hearings to adopt the budget. The adoption of this resolution adopting the 2017/18 millage
rate and budget are an integral part of fulfilling these requirements. On June 7, 2017, the DDB
approved a Preliminary Budget that outlined proposed estimates of revenues and expenditures for
the 2017/18 fiscal year. The preliminary budget was also discussed at the August 2, 2017, DDB
meeting. Member Sjouwerman read the resolution into the record.
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Member Wright moved to adopt Budget Resolution 03-17 on first reading. The motion was
duly seconded and upon roll call, the vote was:
"Ayes": Member Morfopoulos, Member Bosi, Member Wright, Member Starova, and
Member Sjouwerman.
"Nays": None.
Motion carried.
5. Approve the Minutes from the August 2, 2017, Meeting
Member Wright moved to approve the minutes from the August 2, 2017, meeting. The
motion was duly seconded and upon roll call, the vote was:
"Ayes": Member Morfopoulos, Member Bosi, Member Wright, Member Starova, and
Member Sjouwerman.
"Nays": None.
Motion carried.
6. Adopt July 2017 Financial Statement for Filing
Member Wright moved to adopt the July 2017 Financial Statement for filing. The motion
was duly seconded and upon roll call, the vote was:
"Ayes": Member Morfopoulos, Member Bosi, Member Wright, Member Starova, and
Member Sjouwerman.
"Nays": None.
Motion carried.
7. Adopt FY 2017-2018 Budget with Funding for Santa & Suds 5K Fun Run—Anne Fogarty-France,
Downtown Development Board Administrator stated that since Mr. Starova was required to recuse
himself from voting on funding for the Santa & Suds 5K Fun Run at the last meeting due to a
conflict, this item was removed from the budget approval process because a quorum was not
present to vote on this at the August meeting. This item is before the DDB tonight for
consideration. Ms. Fogarty-France, Downtown Manager, advised the Board that she amended the
budget to include $5,000 for this event on Line 40 and reduced the Future Downtown Initiatives
line item by $5,000.
Member Bosi moved to adopt the FY 2017-2018 DDB budget as amended with funding for
the Santa & Suds 5K Fun Run in the amount of$5,000 from the Future Downtown Initiatives
line item. The motion was duly seconded and upon roll call, the vote was:
"Ayes": Member Morfopoulos, Member Bosi, Member Wright, and Member Sjouwerman.
"Nays": None.
Abstention: Member Starova.
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Motion carried.
Chairman Morfopoulos suggested the Board move Item 10 before Item 8 in order to consider
those who are on the ballot for the October election as candidates to fill the vacancies left by
Chelsea Allison and Zachary Thorn.
Member Starova moved to consider Item 10 before Item 8. The motion was duly seconded
and upon roll call, the vote was:
"Ayes": Member Morfopoulos, Member Bosi, Member Wright, Member Starova, and
Member Sjouwerman.
"Nays": None.
Motion carried.
8. Nominating Committee Report and Approval of Slate of Election Candidates—Chairman Paris
Morfopoulos stated that nine people have been nominated for three Board vacancies: Fran
Bartlett, Water's Edge; Dennis Bosi, Bob Lee's Automotive Repair; Ray Cassano, Station Square
Realty; Venkat Devineni, Infi Systems; Caitlein Jammo, Johnson, Pope, Bokor, Ruppel & Burns
LLP; Jere Jarrett, Family Life Chiropractic; Keanan Kintzel, Buzzazz Business Solutions; Gen
Obolensky, Botanica Day Spa; and Lina Teixeira, Studio 627. Two candidates will fill three-year
terms and one candidate will fill a one-year term. Business owners will vote to fill the three
vacancies. The two candidates with the highest number of votes will fill the three-year terms and
the one with the next highest number will fill the one-year term.
Member Bosi moved to approve the slate of candidates. The motion was duly seconded
and upon roll call, the vote was:
"Ayes": Member Morfopoulos, Member Bosi, Member Wright, Member Starova, and
Member Sjouwerman.
"Nays": None.
Motion carried.
9. Appoint Member to Fill DDB Member Seats Vacated by Zachary Thorn and Chelsea Allison—
Chairman Paris Morfopoulos advised that the candidates appointed to fill these two vacancies will
serve until the end of this calendar year. All the candidates just approved are interested in being
appointed early. Ms. Fogarty-France was asked if owners could write in candidates and was
advised there is a place on the mailed ballots to write in a candidate. The person whose name is
written in does not have to indicate ahead of time his or her willingness to serve.
For the purposes of this appointment, it was decided each member would be given a ballot and
will vote for two people. Those receiving the highest number of votes will fill the vacancies. If
there is a tie, there will be a runoff of these candidates.
At the conclusion of the balloting, Lina Teixeira and Caitlein Jammo received the most votes.
Member Wright moved to appoint Lina Teixeira and Caitlein Jammo to the DDB. The
motion was duly seconded and upon roll call, the vote was:
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"Ayes": Member Morfopoulos, Member Bosi, Member Wright, Member Starova, and
Member Sjouwerman.
"Nays": None.
Motion carried.
10.Appoint Member to Fill Treasurer Position—Chairman Paris Morfopoulos
Member Bosi nominated Member Wright to serve as Treasurer. He declined since this was a
violation of his company's policy. Member Wright nominated Member Bosi as Treasurer.
Member Wright moved to appoint Dennis Bosi as Treasurer. The motion was duly
seconded and upon roll call, the vote was:
"Ayes": Member Morfopoulos, Member Bosi, Member Wright, Member Starova, and
Member Sjouwerman.
"Nays": None.
Motion carried.
11. Chairman's Report
Chairman Morfopoulos advised the Board of upcoming events.
The second public hearing on the budget scheduled for September 11, 2017, has been
rescheduled to September 18, 2017, at 5:30 p.m. due to Hurricane Irma.
12. Final Comments
Member Wright thanked Chelsea Allison and Zach Thorn for their service on the Board.
Member Bosi welcomed Lina Teixeira to the Board and hoped everyone stays safe during the
storm.
Member Starova thanked the outgoing members and welcomed the new members.
Member Sjouwerman welcomed Lina Teixeira to the board.
Seth Taylor stated he is looking forward to the next fiscal year.
13.The meeting was adjourned at 6:01 p.m.
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