12/05/2018 CLEARWATER DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT BOARD MEETING
December 5, 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
Also Present: David Allbritton Ex-officio Member/Councilmember
Hoyt Hamilton Ex-officio Member/Councilmember
Anne Fogarty France Board Administrator
Absent: Venkat "Vincent" Devineni Member
1. Chairman Morfopoulos called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m. He welcomed the Ex-officio
councilmembers and asked the board and ex-officio members to introduce themselves.
2. Citizens Comments--Items not on the agenda
Bill Jonson, 2694 Redford Court, Clearwater 33761, stated that Cleveland Street is changing for
the good. There are windows in the 1100 building and the completed mural on the flag building
are evidence. Mr. Jonson also encouraged everyone to attend a Building Plan Review Committee
meeting. It is held every Wednesday at 9:30 a.m., at which individual requests by potential
businesses are reviewed. He noted that the input from the City is more positive lately than in
recent years.
3. Approve the Minutes from the November 7, 2018, Meeting
Member Wright moved to approve the minutes from the November 7, 2018 meeting. The
motion was duly seconded and upon roll call, the vote was:
Ayes: Member Morfopoulos, Member Sjouwerman, Member Jammo, Member Teixeira,
and Member Cassano.
Nays: None.
Motion carried.
4. Adopt October 2018 Financial Statement for Filing
Member Jammo moved to adopt the October 2018 Financial Statement for filing. The
motion was duly seconded. Upon roll call, the vote was:
Ayes: Member Morfopoulos, Member Wright, Member Sjouwerman, Member Teixeira,
and Member Cassano.
Nays: None.
Motion carried.
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5. Valet Parking Recommendation - Daniels Ikajevs, One Clearwater Tower presented a plan to offer
valet parking, that would be funded by local merchants, in downtown Clearwater in exchange for
the City swapping parcels of land with property that Mr. Ikajevs owns.
The DCMA has provided a letter of support, and he is requesting the same from the DDB.
CRA Director Thompson commented that the valet parking solution is an option that was being
considered as part of the current downtown parking study. She stated that the land that Mr.
Ikajevs wanted to swap was subject to grant restrictions with The Ring co-working project. She
stated that the City, nor the CRA, had a desire to redevelop two new parcels as surface parking
lots which was part of Mr. Ikajevs proposal. Ms. Thompson stated that the CRA was in support of
facilitating a valet parking solution and would be open to options that were in alignment with
adopted plans for downtown.
Discussion centered around the various issues and options, but also support for valet parking.
A motion was proposed by Member Sjouwerman for which Member Jammo offered a clarification;
after discussion, wording for a motion was agreed upon:
The DDB supports the CRA, working in partnership with private property owners, to discuss and
develop at least one proposal for providing valet parking for the downtown core to be presented at
the January meeting.
Member Sjouwerman moved to accept the valet parking motion as worded. The motion
was duly seconded. Upon roll call, the vote was:
Ayes: Member Morfopoulos, Member Wright, Member Jammo, Member Teixeira, and
Member Cassano.
Nays: None.
Motion carried.
Chairman Morfopoulos asked for approval to take Item 7 ahead of Item 6; approval was
unanimous.
7. Second Reading -Approve $9,000 in funding for the DuPont Registry Cars & Coffee event from
Future Initiatives line item and pending the approval from the City's Parks & Recreation
Department and a refined concept. Jay Polglaze, Clearwater Downtown Partnership advised that
he was assisting the DuPont Registry with this event. He stated that the City Council approved
$5,000 funding for the event and is working with Parks & Recreation Special Events division.
Member Wright moved to approve $9,000 in funding for the DuPont Registry Cars & Coffee
event. The motion was duly seconded. Upon roll call, the vote was:
Ayes: Chairman Morfopoulos, Member Sjouwerman, Member Wright, Member Jammo,
Member Teixeira, and Member Cassano.
Nays: None.
Motion carried.
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8. Sign Code Update - Gina Clayton, Assistant Director, Clearwater Planning Department presented
an overview of the new sign code, noting that it works with new building standards and the
previous comprehensive sign code is still available.
9. Work Plan Update -Anne Fogarty France, Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) Business
Assistance Manager advised that she and the Chairman would be working with the Board Attorney
on the update to the Bylaws. She introduced Member Teixeira who had an update on her work
plan item.
Member Teixeira presented her findings in assessing permitting and zoning and different
processes by the city and is not a non-scientific method. The Goal (to assess the environment
being faced by the business community); the Methods (anecdotal —group and individual
discussions with current and existing merchants, stakeholders and the business community, an
online survey and personal experience); the Findings (a general perception of a "not business
friendly" downtown area, that we are `the city of NO', the planning and permitting process
perceived as laborious and confusing; Permitting, Zoning and Planning lacks flexibility and
innovation and City staff was found to be professional but not customer focused and the overall
outlook for the future of downtown Clearwater by merchants was described as discouraging) and
the Recommendations.
Member Teixeira recommends the City adopt a customer-centric culture in downtown; implement
user friend, simple standard lists; utilized current methods to educate applicants; assign a service
specialist to navigate all permitting so that there's only one point of contact; create flexible
regulations and processes specific to different "communities"; adopt an interdisciplinary approach
among all departments; streamline and simplify all permitting needs; improve online utilization and
follow up to permitting; continue economic development programs to offset the challenges; set and
adhere to deadlines; decrease processing time; allow greater flexibility with all aspects of signage;
have inspectors and enforcement communicate directly and when possible in person with
merchants; have community involvement to determine signage sizes, take proactive measures to
cease the present, complex, time-consuming and outdated implementation process.
She also commented with some frustration that these highlighted points were the same
conclusions reached by the task force seven years ago, making these chronic issues to our
downtown and offered to email additional information required to anyone interested.
In conclusion, today's assessment and recommendations mirror those of a task forced former ins
April of 2011, the business community and citizens perceptions have not changes, it will take a
commitment from the city to prioritize and address these chronic issues and these issues must be
addressed promptly.
Chairman Morfopoulos reminded members that this will be the regular opportunity to bring Work
Plan updates to the board.
8. Post Event Report - Downtown Clearwater Merchants Association (DCMA) Art Walks & Drink or
Treat on Cleveland Street Events - Carolyn Bradham, DCMA Vice-President stated that the art
walks draw approximately 125 people per month, including visitors from other communities (i.e.
Tampa and Bradenton) who came in just for the event. She noted return visitors from previous art
walks.
The Halloween event was a change that we never experienced, the core group was out of town,
there were many parties going on which had a huge impact on our event and the Capitol Theatre
wasn't involved as they were booked. It made for a disappointing event and resulted in a meeting
about the event
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Merchant review suggested they were so involved with their businesses and a solution of an event
planner was brought up. There are currently four candidates in consideration. Wendy Barmore
from the Jolley Trolley has been instrumental in helping with ideas and this process.
Ms. Bradham noted that the downtown merchants are excited about the Dali exhibit and are
reviewing ways to promote and support the incoming exhibit to present a good face for downtown
and the community to all the visitors — new and returning.
10. CRA Updates—Amanda Thompson, CRA Director stated that an update on the Harborview is that
the City Council will consider the demolition bids this week.
Ex-officio Councilmember Allbritton noted that the demolition is tentatively targeted for March due
to asbestos removal and some interior work would take place that you won't be able to see.
Ms. Thompson mentioned that she was working with the Public Communications Department to
develop a budget for the communications and celebrations that will take place.
Ex-officio Councilmember Hamilton also noted the concern for Osceola Avenue in the demolition
plan, highlighting the complex nature of the job.
Ms. Thompson stated that she recently provided an 18-month strategy update to the CRA
Trustees and noted there had been over 1,100 media mentions in November of downtown
Clearwater mostly neutral or positive. When Rosemary D'Amour, our PR and Programs Manager,
starts in December she'll be working the board on their PR work plan items as well as how to
broadcast those mentions.
For our RFPs, we still have the warehouse and adjacent greenspace at 115 South MLK that is
available and due on December 20 for a restaurant or brewery, distillery/winery as well as two
greenfield sites that we'll take six months and talk to the people who didn't bid and
There are now nine pre-qualified Food & Drink sites, with five in the downtown core and four
around the Nolen and we have three months to help them find tenants. It was noted that many
are spending more than the required amount to qualify.
Murals are appearing around downtown, including on the Garden Avenue garage.
The Holiday Extravaganza is going very well, with the Ferris Wheel being a big hit at the carnival
taking place Friday, Saturday and Sunday night. The boat parade is scheduled for Saturday. Many
events are taking place and you can see them on DowntownClearwater.com.
11. Chairman's Report - Chairman Paris Morfopoulos commented that events are extensive and
urged everyone to visit downtownclearwater.com for a complete list.
12. Final Comments
Member Cassano enjoyed the sign presentation and believes that the situation is getting better
and feels the DuPont event is first class.
Member Teixeira agreed.
Member Wright feels things are moving forward and wished everyone a Merry Christmas.
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Member Jammo agreed with all comments.
Ex-officio Councilmember Hamilton noted that there were a lot of balls in the air right now and
stated that there was still time to be considered for a position on the council.
Ex-officio Councilmember Allbritton is happy with the sign code, stating "it's a long time coming",
feels it will attract some businesses and be good for all.
Chairman Morfopoulos agreed with everyone, there is a lot going on, downtown is gathering
momentum with different initiatives. The CRA has a lot of activity and the DDB's Planning Session
has resulted in work actions taking place and progress is being made. The DuPont event is
exciting and noted that his comments and questions had been as a `devil's advocate'.
13. The meeting was adjourned at 7:17 p.m.
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