10/09/2019 CLEARWATER DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT BOARD MEETING
October 9, 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
Venkat"Vincent" Devineni Vice-Chairman
Also Present: Jay Polglaze Ex-officio Member/Councilmember
Amanda Thompson CRA Director
Absent: Stu Sjouwerman Member
1. Chairman Morfopoulos called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m.
2. Approval of minutes
2.1. Approve the Minutes from the September 4,2019, Meeting
Member Wright moved to approve the minutes from the September 4,2019, meeting. The motion was
duly seconded and upon roll call,the vote was:
Ayes: Chairman Morfopoulos, Member Jammo, Member Cassano, Member Teixeira,and Member
Devineni.
Nays: None.
Motion carried.
2.2. Approve the Minutes from the September 9,2019,Special Meeting
Member Teixeira moved to approve the minutes from the September 9,2019,special meeting. The
motion was duly seconded and upon roll call,the vote was:
Ayes: Chairman Morfopoulos, Member Jammo, Member Cassano, Member Wright,and Member
Devineni.
Nays: None.
Motion carried.
3. Citizens to be Heard Regarding Items Not on the Agenda.
Mark Bunker, of 1200 S. Missouri Avenue, Clearwater, stated his belief that Scientology and Christianity
are incompatible.
Natalie Nagengast, of 331 Cleveland Street, Clearwater, represented Gen Obolensky, owner of Botanical
Day Spa, and Ms. Obolensky's interest in preparing an approximately$5,000 funding request for an event
to celebrate her 25th anniversary in business. The event would take place in Coachman Park mid-late
January involving 500-1,000 people participating in yoga and a wellness market, possibly with food trucks.
Social media and partnership with Pierce Street Markets would provide advertising highlighting downtown
Clearwater. Concerns included: Coachman Park events distract from downtown merchants; food trucks
compete with downtown restaurants; the ROI for DDB funds toward Coachman Park events has not been
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great. Member Cassano asked for more investment from Ms. Obolensky, up to 80% of the event cost, and
Member Jammo suggested a Station Square component(i.e. gift basket raffle)to draw visitors to
downtown. Ms. Nagengast thanked the board for their input and plans to return next month with a
funding request completed.
Lisa Lanza (address on record), commented that she's happy to see the female energy coming into
downtown. Events in the park at sunset are hoped for, as is support of the feminine energy for downtown
events.
John Holuba (address on file), stated his frustrations with DDB perceptions versus vacancies in downtown
Clearwater and lack of benefits from DDB decisions to anyone other than single large "stakeholder".
Bill Jonson, 2694 Redford Court, Clearwater, shared thoughts regarding restaurants poised to open and
opportunities to assist them early on, possibly connecting with proper contractors to install hoods, etc.,
and pre-qualifying the building to "help move things along"for everyone.
4. New Business
4.1. Adopt the August 2019 Financial Statement for Filing.
No citizens' comments. Discussion included noting funds spent as of August 31= $450,006, funds
approved for transfer=$ 74,400, and the new fiscal year began October 1.
Member Wright moved to adopt the August 2019 financial statement for filing. The motion was
duly seconded and upon roll call,the vote was:
Ayes: Chairman Morfopoulos, Member Jammo, Member Cassano, Member Teixeira,and Member
Devineni.
Nays: None.
Motion carried.
4.2. 2019 DDB Election Results–Anne Lopez,CRA Program Specialist. After a review of the process, Ms.
Lopez announced those elected to three open seats: Shahab Emrani, Keanan Kintzel, and Paris
Morfopoulos. Continuing board members are:Venkat"Vincent" Devineni, Caitlein Jammo, Ray
Cassano, and Thomas Wright.
Member Teixeira suggested that future elections include an educational component for the public's
information.
CRA Director Thompson noted that the process and options to modernize elections will be reviewed
with the attorney for presentation at a meeting by the end of the year.
Chairman Morfopoulos thanked CRA Director Thompson for her attention to the matter and
congratulated the new members.
4.3. Adopt DDB Meeting Rules of Procedure–CRA Director Thompson.Attached: Item ID#19-6816 on
Granicus.
CRA Director Thompson noted that the Bylaws do not speak to Rules of Conduct. Discussion included
following Roberts Rules of Order and the City Council's rules;the question whether it is mandatory for
speakers to state name and address, understanding that some prefer privacy of home addresses; and
length of opportunity to speak, currently 10 minutes.
Member Wright inquired as to security at City Council meetings, and Member Teixeira agreed that the
issue should be considered as more controversial topics are introduced. CRA Director Thompson
agreed to report on the matter at next meeting.
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Member Jammo commented on the general language in the Rules of Procedure and the possible need
for more specific language limiting public comment to only pending motions and defining'public' as
to those allowed to actually comment on the downtown business items.
Chairman Morfopoulos addressed the group comments time limit. Member Jammo stated her
agreement with the current rules, and Member Wright suggested that issues of who can speak and
what information must be provided are matters for the attorney's review and that discussion should
be continued at a future meeting.
In Citizen's Comments, Mr. Bunker stated his opinion that City Council's current procedures are
acceptable, and restated his concern that commenters are not shut down due to contents.
Member Wright proposed continuing the discussion at next month's meeting. The motion was duly
seconded. Upon roll call,the vote was:
Ayes: Chairman Morfopoulos, Member Jammo, Member Cassano, Member Devineni,and Member
Teixeira.
Nays: None.
Motion carried.
5. Old Business items
5.1. DDB Work Plan Updates–Rosemary D'Amour,CRA PR and Programs Manager.
Professional video production highlighting downtown: RFQ process under review, expecting five
quotes.
Viral video campaign:working with Clearwater Arts Alliance, will be judged by business owners, top
two highest scoring will be used, awards for top three, deadline October 21, 2019, with winners
announced first weekend in November.
Augmented Reality(AR) project:working with USF Access 3D Lab, scanned mural on Garden Avenue
garage, a link to app should be available in the next week, and the Downtown Clearwater logo has
been already included as an AR element to promote interest.
CRA Director Thompson reported on the following:
- educational institutions, no progress to report.
- special events process, no progress to report.
- ordinance updates redline version sent out for review.The board chose to review and comment
individually by email over the next two weeks.
5.2. Community Redevelopment Agency Updates-CRA Director Thompson. There were no items to
report.
6. Chairman's Report.
Our Perspectives: Our Cultures, Our Community, opening Sept 20 at Second Century Studios through Oct
27.
Town hall discussion at Second Century Studios, Oct 11, 5:30-8:00 p.m.
Hispanic Heritage Concert, Coachman Park, Oct 13.
40th Clearwater Jazz Holiday, Coachman Park, Oct 17-20.
Our Perspectives: Our Cultures, Our Community, artist demonstration at Second Century Studios through
Oct 19.
Three Bridges Races, Coachman Park, Oct 26.
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Many more listed at downtownclearwater.com.
7. Board Members to be Heard.
Member Cassano feels 2020 will be a great year for downtown.
Member Teixeira is frustrated by expressions of unhappiness but no action to follow up with solutions.
Volunteer, visit, patronize businesses and restaurants.
Member Wright public comment of recent meetings is healthy and welcome, and productive when related
to downtown business; however, this is not the forum for personal attacks.This is a forum for promoting
downtown Clearwater as a place to live, work, and play.
Member Devineni wants to see the restaurants and bars come back to downtown, would like the board to
revisit incentive plans with concentration on 400-600 blocks.
Member Jammo echoed Member Teixeira's comments welcoming solutions, two of which are projects
reported on, and she is very excited about progress.
Ex-officio Member Polglaze commented that efforts to revitalize downtown have challenges, and
encouraged the board to stay the course while opponents abandon downtown. He emphasized the
longtime dedication of the board members and his personal support for investments and private
development, no matter who the property owner is. The new city council coming forward and and this
board show him that citizens working, living or owning property in downtown, regardless of race, religion,
age or gender, are not willing to give up. We need to get past the conflict to the work on solutions.
Chairman Morfopoulos stated that he is uninterested in continued harassment of Mr. Bunker, and
reviewed his history with Mr. Bunker. The Chairman urged the public not to listen to hateful propaganda
but to assist those interested in building up downtown.
8. The meeting was adjourned at 6:52 p.m.
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