11/07/2018 CLEARWATER DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT BOARD MEETING
November 7,2018–5:30 PM–City Hall–Council Chambers
Members Present: Paris Morfopoulos Chairman
Stu Sjouwerman Vice-Chairman
Caitlein Jammo Treasurer
Thomas Wright Member
Lina Teixeira Member
Ray Cassano Member
Venkat"Vincent" Devineni Member
Also Present: David Allbritton Ex-Officio Councilmember
Amanda Thompson CRA Director
Anne Fogarty France Board Administrator
Absent: Hoyt Hamilton Ex-Officio Councilmember
1. Chairman Morfopoulos called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m.
2. Citizens Comments--Items not on the agenda.
Bill Jonson, 2694 Redford Court West, Clearwater, addressed the board on the failure of a change in the
form of local government to pass in the recent elections. He noted that while 60%of those voting were
against it, 40%was a strong showing in favor of the modification. Mr.Jonson also voiced his hope that the
DDB–whose charter, he noted, states its purpose as "to aid the CRA"–would partner with the CRA in
support of the signage updates for downtown. Mr.Jonson asked that the DDB assist the CRA in
implementing its goals, and that everyone keep in mind Imagine Clearwater with its original plans and
strategies.
Karena Morrison, 409 Highland Avenue, Clearwater, greeted the board noting she is a second-generation
resident and 17-year homeowner in Clearwater. Ms. Morrison announced that her business, Shop Local
for Good, is moving to downtown. She described her business as a non-profit entrepreneur incubator with
a mission to build a stronger community and connect small businesses with non-profits. She will also be
managing a Saturday community market at Station Square Creative Spaces.
Beth Daniels, 911 Chestnut Street, Clearwater, presented an update on the Cultural Maps, whose printing
was funded by the DDB. An update has been printed detailing the galleries and public art displays and
distributed by hand to downtown small businesses while broader deliveries will be made by a delivery
service. Members asked if the maps showed the signal box wraps and were advised that that the signal
boxes and the dolphin displays are too numerous to add individually however there is a reference on the
map for these displays.
Chairman Morfopoulos requested that Items 3-5 on the agenda be delayed and Items 6 and 7 be
addressed to accommodate a speaker's schedule. The vote was unanimous, and the board proceeded
with Item 6.
6. Downtown Parking Study Update–David Taxman, Kimley-Horn Engineering provided a presentation of
occupancy counts, parking management strategies and considerations for determining future parking
demand in the downtown plan area. He responded to questions from board members about the Atrium
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parking garage, the accessibility of parking from Cleveland Street in the downtown core and the ability to
provide parking during special events in publicly owned parking garages and surface lots.
Mr.Taxman noted parking technology that might be applied to the current assets: signage; space
availability; apps to show availability; placement of base stations; license plate recognition for payment
and ticketing. The next phase of the parking survey is site analysis and the report should be complete by
end of December.
Councilmember Albritton stated that he is now a member of the PSTA board and is looking forward to
helping move some of these items forward, including relocation of the bus station; the target site is Court
Street and Myrtle Avenue with approval and funding in place for building in 2020.
Mr.Taxman noted that a new transit facility is an option a new parking garage can incorporate.
7. Valet Parking Discussion—Daniels Ikajevs, One Clearwater Tower, had to leave to attend another board
meeting. The item will be presented at the December meeting
8. Approve the Minutes from the October 3, 2018, Meeting
Member Wright moved to approve the minutes from the October 3,2018 meeting. The motion was duly
seconded and upon roll call,the vote was:
Ayes: Member Morfopoulos, Member Sjouwerman, Member Cassano, Member Teixeira, Member
Devineni,and Member Jammo.
Nays: None.
Motion carried.
9. Approve the Minutes from the October 12, 2018, Meeting
Member Wright moved to approve the minutes from the October 12 meeting. The motion was duly
seconded. Upon roll call,the vote was:
Ayes: Member Morfopoulos, Member Sjouwerman, Member Cassano, Member Teixeira, Member
Devineni,and Member Jammo.
Nays: None.
Motion carried.
10. Adopt September 2018 Financial Statement for Filing
Member Jammo moved to adopt the September 2018 Financial Statement for filing. The motion was
duly seconded. Upon roll call,the vote was:
Ayes: Member Morfopoulos, Member Sjouwerman, Member Cassano, Member Teixeira, Member
Wright,and Member Devineni.
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Nays: None.
Motion carried.
8. Adopt Resolution–04-18 Grant Funding for Ruth Eckerd Hall's Festival Series Events, Anne Fogarty France,
Community Redevelopment Agency(CRA) Business Assistance Manager
Chairman Morfopoulos read the resolution aloud. DDB Administrator Fogarty France noted that the Ruth
Eckerd Hall motorcycle event had a competing event so the decision was made to replace it with a children
and family art event. There being no further discussion, Chairman Morfopoulos called for a vote.
Member Teixeira moved to Adopt Resolution–04-18 Grant Funding for Ruth Eckerd Hall's Festival Series
Events. The motion was duly seconded. Upon roll call,the vote was:
Ayes: Member Morfopoulos, Member Sjouwerman, Member Cassano, Member Wright, Member
Jammo,and Member Devineni.
Nays: None.
Motion carried.
9. DDB FY 18-19 Work Plan Item Updates–Anne Fogarty France, DDB Administrator. It was noted that
October 12 was a special meeting associated with work plan items.
At that meeting Member Teixeira noted that there was no need for her to be named as a liaison to the CDP
as Member Sjouwerman was on the board.
Regarding an update of the bylaw and the code of ordinance addressing the DDB, the DDB attorney has
suggested the bylaws change be addressed first. The board will receive a copy when it is ready for
approval. Ordinance changes would next go to the council for approval.
Chairman Morfopoulos noted that this will be a regular agenda item, so please plan accordingly for
individual updates and for other work plan matters, please contact the DDB Administrator.
Member Wright asked about RFP for the marketing firm; CRA Director Thompson stated that an offer is
out for a Public Relations and Communications Manager and she hoped to hear back within a couple of
days and have someone in place by end of month. Chairman Morfopoulos noted that the final two
candidates were "exceptional" and thanked CRA Director Thompson for all her work on that process.
10. Community Redevelopment Agency(CRA) Updates–Amanda Thompson, CRA Director. The Harborview
Center demolition will be a multi-stage operation, with asbestos abatement scheduled to begin late
January-early February. Most of this work will take place inside, but activity will become visible externally
within 60 days, so it is time to make plans for the demo party. Member Wright stated that he feels the
need to make it dramatic, with "visions of a wrecking ball". CRA Director Thompson suggested
brainstorming further at the December meeting.
Work plan strategies continue with projects in each of the four areas.
The Downtown Clearwater website now includes a Clearwater Extravaganza button. Holiday events will be
promoted here, via social media and through regular emails.
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A Request for Proposals is out for the site at 115 S. Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue to develop the space for
a restaurant, brewpub or attraction.The CRA will match up to $250,000 in funding for renovation or build-
out.
DDB Administrator Fogarty France gave an update on the Food & Drink Grant program for incentives to
property owners: Property owners must prequalify November 1–30, 2018;grant funding is available for
50% up to$250,000 per space; once pre-approved, the owner may submit the full grant
documentation and has 90 days to find a tenant. Requirements for approval include: must sell food and
drink from Wednesday-Saturday, 5:00– 10:00 pm, the tenant must be identified with the full application.
The CRA has provided a link and documents on their website for eligible property owners.
11. DDB Election Results–Chairman Morfopoulos stated that the two candidates who received the greatest
number of votes, who will serve three-year terms were:Thomas Wright(131 votes), Caitlein Jammo (119
votes). The candidate who received the third greatest number of votes, who will serve a one-year term
was Lina Teixeira (100 votes). He noted that 10 envelopes were ineligible due to invalid or no signature.
12. Chairman's Report–Chairman Morfopoulos advised viewers of the upcoming events and stated that they
could visit DowntownClearwater.com for more information.
13. Final Comments
Member Cassano is pleased with progress.
Member Teixeira had no further comment.
Member Wright complimented CRA Director Thompson for forward movement of various items.
Member Sjouwerman had no further comment.
Member Devineni thanked CRA Director Thompson for her dedication and effort.
Member Jammo reiterated all comments.
Ex-officio Councilmember Allbritton felt it had been a great discussion with the perfect group to be
involved and thanked everyone for their participation. Also, the Achieva Box Car Rally was a great day for
downtown Clearwater and it is an event to look forward to every year.
Chairman Morfopoulos stated that the Achieva Box Car Rally is his favorite event, it is professionally run,
and a great event for downtown. He thanked everyone for an animated discussion on the ongoing parking
matters.
11. The meeting was adjourned at 7:07 p.m.
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