07/10/2019 CLEARWATER DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT BOARD MEETING
July 10,2019-5:30 PM-Main Library-Council Chambers
Members Present: Paris Morfopoulos Chairman
Venkat"Vincent"Devineni Vice-Chairman
Caitlein Jammo Treasurer
Ray Cassano Member
Lina Teixeira Member
Thomas Wright Member
Stu Sjouwerman Member
Also Present: David Allbritton Ex-officio Member/Councilmember
Jay Polglaze Ex-officio Member/Councilmember
Amanda Thompson CRA Director
1. Chairman Morfopoulos called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m.
2. Approve the Minutes from the June 5,2019,Meeting
—Member_SjGu °^gym^^Wright moved to approve the minutes from the June 5,2019,meeting. The -- Formatted:Indent:First line: 0"
motion was duly seconded and upon roll call,the vote was:
Ayes: Chairman Morfopoulos,Member Devineni,Member Jammo,Member Cassano,Member
Teixeira,and Member Wright.
Nays: None.
Motion carried.
3. Citizens to be Heard Regarding Items Not on the agenda. None.
4. New Business
4.1. Adopt May 2019 Financial Statement for Filing
Member Sjouwerman moved to adopt the May 2019 Financial Statement for filing. The motion was
duly seconded. Upon roll call,the vote was:
Member Wright asked that a monthly balance with an estimate of budgeted funds that would nto
be spent by the end of the fiscal year be provided.
Ayes: Chairman Morfopoulos,Member Devineni,Member Jammo,Member Cassano,Member
Teixeira,and Member Wright.
Nays: None.
Motion carried.
4.2. Certification of Taxable Value Received from Pinellas County Property Appraiser. CRA Director
Thompson provided taxable value,received June 28,2019,8.3%over 2018.
4.3. Adopt Aggregate Millage Rate of 0.9700 mil for FY 2019-2020 and Set Public Hearing Dates on Millage
and Budget for September 4,2019 and September 9,2019
Downtown Development Board Meeting—July 10,2019 Page 1 of 5
Member Wright moved to adopt the Aggregate Millage Rate of 0.9700 mil for FY 2019-2020 and Set
Public Hearing Dates on Millage and Budget for September 4,2019 and September 9,2019. The
motion was duly seconded. Upon roll call,the vote was:
Ayes: Chairman Morfopoulos,Member Devineni,Member Jammo,Member Cassano,Member
Teixeira,and Member Sjouwerman.
Motion carried.
As a point of order,Member Sjouwerman asked that an announcement be made at the beginning of
each broadcast where to find the meeting on local television and streaming.
(https://www.myciearwater.com/government/city departments/public-communications/c-view-tv- JField Code Changed
-
home)
4.4. Set Minimum Reserves for FY 2019-2020 Downtown Development Board Budget.
Member Wright moved to adopt the Aggregate Millage Rate of 0.9700 mil for FY 2019-2020 and Set
Public Hearing Dates on Millage and Budget for September 4,2019 and September 9,2019. The
motion was duly seconded. Upon roll call,the vote was:
Ayes: Chairman Morfopoulos,Member Devineni,Member Jammo,Member Cassano,Member
Teixeira,and Member Sjouwerman.
Motion carried.
4.5. Approve Funding Request for CRA 2nd Annual Holiday Extravaganza CRA. CRA Director Amanda
Thompson presented the funding request,including plans for:a movie series,which the DDB funded
last year;giveaways;and a carnival or light display,options for which are being investigated.The kick-
off will be downtown's Christmas in July event,providing early encouragement for participation in
support and funding. The Holiday Extravaganza is scheduled for six weeks with expected exposure to
approximately 20,000 people.
Oember Wright moved to fund the CRA 2nd Annual Holiday Extravaganza CRA at Santa Level for ,- commented[t.A1]:when I watched the streaming video it
$5,000.00. The motion was duly seconded. Upon roll call,the vote was: seemed that this was approved at 1'reading. Does this mean
I need to have a 2" reading for approval at the Aug meeting?
Ayes: Chairman Morfopoulos,Member Devineni,Member Jammo,Member Cassano,Member
Teixeira,and Member Sjouwerman.
Motion carried.
4.6. Appoint Nominating Committee for October 8,2019 DDB Election. Non-eligible members of the
current DDB Board are:Chairman Morfopoulos,Member Teixeira,and Member Sjouwerman. No
eligible members declined. Approved for the nomination committee were all eligible members:
Member Devineni,Member Jammo,Member Wright and Member Cassano.
4.7. Presentations of Post Event Reports and FY 2019-2020 Funding Requests.
4-.7-. Eric Sullivan,Clearwater Downtown Partership,was not present and will be at the August -- Formatted:Normal,Indent:Left: 0.5", No bullets or
meeting, numbering
Jazz Holiday. Steve Weinberger presented the funding request for$2,500 to support the 40"annual Formatted:Font:(Default)+Body(Calibri),11 pt,Bold
event. The festival supports education and outreach programs in the area.
DCMA Events. Carolyn Bradham presented an overview of events in support of the funding request
for$15,000:Taste of Clearwater,which draws about 500 people to Station Square Park;and Art
Walks,which highlighted a cohesive group of merchants working together for success.
Downtown Development Board Meeting—July 10,2019 Page 2 of 5
Festival Series. Brianna Hoskins presented on behalf of the Nancy&David Bilheimer Capitol Theater
requesting funding in the amount of$40,000 to assist with Blast Fridays,Cruisin'with the Cap,Miracle
on Cleveland Street,and a potential seventh signature event mid-spring. Discussion was opened.
Member Morfopoulos asked about corporate sponsorship;CRA Director Thompson confirmed
approximately$235,000 in corporate sponsorships.Member,Teixeira congratulated Ms.Hoskins on ,- Formatted:Font:11 pt
her"boots on the ground"approach which has saved DCMA events with her logistical expertise and
countless hours of volunteerism.Ex-officio Member Polglaze used the opportunity to congratulate
Susan Crockett on her appointment as CEO of Ruth Eckerd Hall.
Hooters Super Boat event.Frank Chivas had earlier rescheduled for August or September
presentation.
Jolley Trolley. Cassandra Borchers presented the funding request of$16,749 to support operating
costs of the Coastal Route. A slide presentation offered details and statistics on ridership,and early
numbers from the recently-installed passenger counters show 1,700 riders per day with 150 on/off
within the CRA district. Member Teixeira was concerned that the art installations intended for
downtown and the beach were not completed as promised at the beach,and Chairman Morfopoulos
said the beach pickup location was poorly signed. Ms.Borchers thanked the board for their input,
noted the issues mentioned and promised to address them,said their support is always appreciated,
and stated this requested amount would cover the entire upcoming Spring Break promotion.
Santa&Suds. Pete Scalia appeared on behalf of the Santa&Suds Fundraising Event requesting
$1,900 to cover city requirements. Mr.Scalia was proud to report that since March 12 the SUDP
Community Kitchen&Resource Center has helped 12 people stop living on the streets,nine are now
working and seven are under their own roof.The annual race funds supplies(books,aprons)for
culinary training to assist the formerly homeless in acquiring food service jobs.Last year's event saw
350 racers and approximately 600 people brought to downtown.
4.8. CRA Updates. CRA Director Thompson presented an overview of events.
Christmas in July,July 25.Showing'Miracle on 34`h Street'at the Nancy&David Bilheimer Capitol
Theater. As previously noted,this is intended as a kickoff to fundraising for the Second Annual
Holiday Extravaganza Event Series.Miracle en G.1evelan d Street event.
The totals for Dali are exciting:over 4,000 attendees,spurring interest from other museums for
exhibitions as well1 ,- Commented[LA2]:AT mentioned sending information to
board on Dreams of Dali
The augmented reality project continues to grow with Member Teixeira's support.
Food&drink grants are sti II available i- 'a for locations at the Nolen and Station Square. The CRA is
hiring a commercial broker to find tenants.The 4s-owners have noted that the challen eg sto
finding tenants are&&effte�esrhe;mace,streetseapeAvefk-FR—ireffe&5-ar lowfoot-traffic
and the cost of building out the spaces.CRA Director Thompson will email board&eaeeslocations
where property owners have pre-qualified for the Food and Drink Grant.
4.9. DDB Work Plan(WP)Update.CRA Director Thompson has reworked the WP to a one-page document
with one champion per item.
(1) PR.
(2) Partnership with SPC,connecting decision-makers.
(3) Special events are critical to downtown.DDB is the right entity to lead the conversation with
merchants and Downtown Partnership.Augmented reality will be here soon;ordinances need
addressed-meeting with attorney to set timeline for moving forward on various matters.
Downtown Development Board Meeting—July 10,2019 Page 3 of 5
Discussion included Member Wright's question about the process of replacing the attorney if
necessary.CRA Director Thompson stated that the attorney had apologized profusely for
previous delays but agreed to investigate the requirements and any contract.
Member Teixeira asked about the contest status which she considers a great opportunity for
free PR.CRA Director Thompson stated that the best choice may be engaging a 3rd party non-
profit to run the contest and distribute winnings;research is in progress with an answer soon.
Member Wright suggested the Clearwater Arts Alliance,which has helped in a similar capacity
before.
5. Old Business Items.Member Devineni asked for a motion that the board make share its opinion that the
old City Hall building needs to be demolished before the referendum.He feels that visual progress needs
to continue,and removing the building continues what was started with the Harborview Center.Member
Devineni suggested redirecting some or all of the approximately$6-million quoted for improvements to
the Main Library,a fairly new modern building,to do the demolition and move Imagine Clearwater
forward to send a clear message of progress to the residents and merchants.Discussion followed.Ex-
officio Member Polglaze commented on studies being done regarding repurposing and a cultural
component in Imagine Clearwater,and CRA Director Thompson noted HR&A Advisors have been
contracted to provide renderings of locations from North Ward Elementary to City Hall which should be
available in approximately six months as well as write the RFP.` ,-iFormatted:Font:11 pt
Member Devineni moved to recommend to the City Council that the City Hall building be demolished
before the referendum. The motion was duly seconded. Upon roll call,the vote was:
Ayes: Member Jammo,Member Cassano,Member Teixeira,Member Wright,and Member
Sjouwerman.
Nays: Chairman Morfopoulos.
Motion carried.
6. Chairman's Report.
July 11 fermer DDB Executive D rester Anne Fegarty Erse„hes ngis Stories of Downtown:20 Years of
Transformation,hosted by Anne Fogarty-France at the Capitol Theater,celebrating 20 years of the CRA.
July 13 is a block party at the 500 block of Cleveland.
July 25 is Christmas in July at the Capitol Theater.
Many more listed at downtownclearwater.com.
7. Board Members to be Heard.
Member Cassano is happy to see lawn where there Harborview Center was,feels downtown is moving
forward and we can't allow the procrastination to continue.
Member Teixeira feels we need to focus on volunteerism and community,and thanked Member
Sjouwerman for his support of the community and the merchants.
Member Sjouwerman was gFatefHi, Relgrateful and noted surprise to see improvements to the library in
the plan,stating that new restaurants are wanted and needed first.
Member Wright dreads another study and feels everyone wants to see progress sooner.
Member Devineni thanked the board for their time and consideration.
Member Jammo had no comment on the library'reactivation',as long as funding did not detract from
Imagine Clearwater's progress.
Downtown Development Board Meeting—July 10,2019 Page 4 of 5
Ex-officio Member Allbritton had excused himself earlier.
Ex-officio Member Polglaze commented that concerns are real–Beachwalk was hard but Clearwater
Beach is a success because of it.He feels the full library plan is not necessary,and that City Hall is not the
only cultural component option.
Chairman Morfopoulos would like to see change.
8. The meeting was adjourned at 6:55 p.m.
Downtown Development Board Meeting—July 10,2019 Page 5 of 5