09/04/2019 CLEARWATER DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT BOARD MEETING
September 4, 2019–5:30 PM–Main Library–Council Chambers
Members Present: Paris Morfopoulos 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
Absent: Venkat "Vincent" Devineni Vice-Chairman
1. Chairman Morfopoulos called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m.
2. Approve the Minutes from the August 7,2019, Meeting
Member Wright moved to approve the minutes from the August 7, 2019, meeting. The motion was duly
seconded and upon roll call,the vote was:
Ayes: Chairman Morfopoulos, Member Jammo, Member Cassano, Member Sjouwerman, and
Member Teixeira.
Nays: None.
Motion carried.
3. Citizens to be Heard Regarding Items Not on the agenda. None.
4. New Business
4.1. First Public Millage Hearing–Resolution 02-19.
Review by Chairman Morfopoulos, reading by Member Wright. No citizens' comments.
Member Wright moved to approve Resolution 02-19. The motion was duly seconded and upon roll
call,the vote was:
Ayes: Chairman Morfopoulos, Member Jammo, Member Cassano, Member Sjouwerman, and
Member Teixeira.
Nays: None.
Motion carried.
4.2. First Public Budget Hearing– Resolution 03-19.
Review by Chairman Morfopoulos, reading by Member Cassano. No citizens' comments.
Member Wright moved to approve Resolution 03-19. The motion was duly seconded and upon roll
call,the vote was:
Ayes: Chairman Morfopoulos, Member Jammo, Member Cassano, Member Sjouwerman, and
Member Teixeira.
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Nays: None.
Motion carried.
4.3. Adopt July 2019 Financial Statement for Filing.
Review by CRA Director Thompson with notes that this item does not need to be adopted every
month but must be available, and that funds still available on September 30, 2019, will roll over to the
next year's budget.
Member Wright moved to adopt the July 2019 Financial Statement for filing. The motion was duly
seconded. Upon roll call,the vote was:
Ayes: Chairman Morfopoulos, Member Jammo, Member Cassano, Member Sjouwerman, and
Member Teixeira.
Nays: None.
Motion carried.
4.4. Homelessness Presentation—Gabe Parra,Community Development Manager.
Mr. Parra spoke on the Homeless Initiative five-point plan: Change Culture, Realign Magnets, Enforce
Ordinances, Coordinate with Partners, and Continue Street Outreach. Partners include: HEP, Pinellas
Hope, Safe Harbor, RCS, Salvation Army, and St. Vincent de Paul.
4.5. Presentation on Imagine Clearwater- Michael Delk,Assistant City Manager.
Highlighted: proposed name change to 'Coachman Commons'to transition from concept to
construction, and promote concept of multi-use area including library, park, and waterfront; park-as-
art ideas including fountains, lighting, and bridges, and activities; and, bridge lighting concept using
current fixtures and wiring with colored LED bulbs.
Discussion included seating capacity of amphitheater(approximately 4,000), permitting (60-90 days)
and progress plan (begin with library first of next year), and clearer vision for Harborview site (energy
value, marketplace); park and amphitheater management; and timeline.
Mr. Delk stated that the hiring process is in motion for a construction manager, concerns are
construction working around Jazz Holiday 2020, and hopes are to have the southern section finished
by end of next year. The timeline is for a 15-to 18-month project, and,while that is in line with Stan-
Tech's estimations, nothing beyond that is definitive.
Chairman Morfopoulos commented that he feels the program is reenergized after years of discussion,
and noted the following four points: bridge lighting is an important feature; interactive fountains with
lights and music are engaging; activation of marina area possibly with RC boats or other family-
friendly activities; and tying the park and waterfront to downtown with transportation.
Chairman Morfopoulos recognized City Manager Bill Horne, who stated he was present to support the
two presentations that evening and thanked the DDB for their consistent support of downtown
initiatives.
Approve Slate of Election Candidates for 2019 Election -CRA Director Amanda Thompson.
The slate of candidates is: Shahab Emrani; Keanan Kintzel; Paris Morfopoulos; Festus Probeni; and
Edmon Rakipi.
The list was read by CRA Director Thompson, upon which two citizens addressed the Board.
Mark Bunker, 1200 S. Missouri Avenue,#113, Clearwater, Florida, shared concerns of the board's ties
to and the general public perception of downtown's connection with the Church of Scientology.
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Lisa Lanza (lisalanza@aol.com), Clearwater, Florida, stated that she feels the DDB should reflect the
wishes of the city residents the downtown area serves. Discussion included definitions of the DDB,the
CRA, and the various taxation districts, and qualification to serve on the DDB.
4.6. Authorize the Chair of the Downtown Development Board to approve an agreement for services
with the Clearwater Arts Alliance for a crowd sourced video campaign not to exceed $7,500 and a
project budget of$24,000-CRA Director Amanda Thompson.
CRA Director Thompson reviewed the issue calling for 30-60 second videos, a panel to review the
videos submitted, and the Clearwater Arts Alliance to serve as a third-party group to distribute the
cash awards.
Member Wright moved authorize the Chair of the Downtown Development Board to approve an
agreement for services with the Clearwater Arts Alliance for a crowd sourced video campaign not to
exceed $7,500 and a project budget of$24,000. The motion was duly seconded. Upon roll call,the
vote was:
Ayes: Chairman Morfopoulos, Member Jammo, Member Cassano, Member Sjouwerman, and
Member Teixeira.
Nays: None.
Motion carried.
4.7. Appoint members for Canvasing Committee–CRA Director Amanda Thompson asked for two
volunteers October 8, 2019, 3-5pm. Members Wright and Cassano offered their time.
Member Teixeira moved to appoint Member Wright and Member Cassano to the Canvasing
Committee.
Ayes: Chairman Morfopoulos, Member Jammo, Member Cassano, Member Sjouwerman, and
Member Wright.
Nays: None.
Motion carried.
5. Old Business Items.
5.1. DDB Work Plan Updates-CRA Director Thompson
Ms.Thompson provided an update on each work plan topic. Member Sjourwerman and Member
Teixeira stated that they were making progress on their items. Presentation will be emailed to all.
5.2. CRA updates-CRA Director Thompson
Special event November 30, 2019: World's Largest Food Truck Rally at Coachman Park attempt to
achieve Guinness Book of World Records. Over 200 food trucks and 10,000 people expected. No
alcohol at event poses opportunity for downtown. Open issue:transportation from event area to
Cleveland Street.
Second Century Studios up and running again with new exhibits.
6. Chairman's Report.
Our Perspectives: Our Cultures, Our Community, opening Sept 20 at Second Century Studios
Art Walk, Sept 20, 7-9 pm
Super Boat parade and races, Sept 27-29
Many more listed at downtownclearwater.com.
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7. Board Members to be Heard.
Member Cassano is excited about the park.
Member Teixeira wants to focus on the trend of collaboration (KnowBe4 supporting merchants, CRA and
DCMA ad in Creative Loafing). Downtown Clearwater has a record number of nominations for 'best of in
Creative Loafing annual Best of voting.
Member Sjouwerman acknowledged that we're all on the same team, and communication and
collaboration will get the job done.
Member Wright is also excited about the park and happy to have Mr. Delk visit on a regular basis to give
updates.
Member Jammo feels similarly optimistic, appreciative of Member Wright's continued questions on
timelines. She stated she did not understand what 30% construction drawings meant.
Ex-officio Member Polglaze commented that supporting forward progress is important, and seeing the
visual reports and updates helps with 'buy-in'. Also, the homelessness presentation including the history
of the problem was overdue to show where we started, noting that"positive activity replaces negative
activity" so moving in the kind of changes we're discussing will help this population move out of
downtown.
Ex-officio Member Allbritton agrees that working with Mr. Delk and his vision of the park is valuable.The
homelessness report was informative, noting the changes in managing the situation now. Many
organizations helping connect the services with those in need.
Chairman Morfopoulos appreciated City Manager Horne's comments that we are all a team working to
improve the situation and reminded us to continue on the basis that "we're all trying to benefit the
downtown,the people of downtown, and the greater city at large."
8. The meeting was adjourned at 7:43 p.m.
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