07/13/2026CLEARWATER DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT BOARD MEETING
July 13, 2026 — 1:00 PM — City Council Chambers
Board Members Present: Chair Bruce Rector; Vice Chair Ryan Cotton; Member David
Allbritton; Member Mike Mannino; Member Lina Teixeira; Member Mikhail Knodortsov;
Member Kevin Tatlici
Also Present: Jesus Nino, CRA Director; Owen Kohler, Interim City Attorney; Jennifer
Poirrier, City Manager; Alfred Battle, Assistant City Manager
1. Call to Order. Chair Rector called the meeting to order at 1:00 p.m.
2. Approval of Minutes.
2.1 ID#26-0758 Approve the minutes for the June 1, 2026, Downtown
Development Board meeting.
Member Tatlici moved to approve the minutes of the June 1, 2026, Downtown
Development Board meeting.
The motion was seconded. Upon roll call, the vote was:
Ayes: Vice Chair Cotton, Member Allbritton, Member Teixeira, Member Mannino,
Member Knodortsov, Member Tatlici.
3. New Business Items
3.1 ID#26-0742 Adopt a tentative millage rate of 0.9700 mills for fiscal year
2026/2027 and set public hearing dates on the millage and budget for
September 15, 2026, and September 21, 2026, at 5:15 p.m.
CRAAssistant Director Anne Lopez presented the proposed tentative millage
rate for Fiscal Year 2026/2027 and the proposed public hearing dates.
Member Knodortsov moved to approve the adoption of the tentative millage rate
for Fiscal Year 2026/2027 and set public hearing dates on the millage and budget
for September 15, 2026, and September 21, 2026, at 5:15 p.m.
The motion was seconded. Upon roll call, the vote was:
Ayes: Vice Chair Cotton, Member Allbritton, Member Teixeira, Member Mannino,
Member Knodortsov, Member Tatlici.
3.2 ID#26-0763 Approve the May 2026 Financial Statement for Filing.
CRA Coordinator Brian Ulbricht presented the May 2026 Financial Statement for
Filing.
Member Allbritton moved to approve the May 2026 Financial Statement for Filing.
The motion was seconded. Upon roll call, the vote was:
Ayes: Vice Chair Cotton, Member Allbritton, Member Teixeira, Member Mannino,
Member Knodortsov, Member Tatlici.
3.3 ID#26-0784 Approve a new logo and branding message for Downtown
Clearwater from RB Oppenheim Associates (RBOA) Presentation of DDB
Marketing and Public Relations Initiative Deliverables and Implementation
Strategy.
CRA Director Jesus Nino introduced Michael Winn, President and CEO of RB
Oppenheim Associates.
Mr. Winn presented the proposed Downtown Clearwater logo, brand identity, and
implementation strategy.
Board members expressed support for the proposed logo and branding
message.
Member Mannino moved to approve the new logo and branding message for
Downtown Clearwater.
The motion was seconded. Upon roll call, the vote was:
Ayes: Vice Chair Cotton, Member Allbritton, Member Teixeira, Member Mannino,
Member Knodortsov, Member Tatlici.
3.4 ID#26-0755 Approve a High Impact Grant funding request from MIA
International Inc. To produce the Mega Asian Food and Music Festival on
the Water at Coachman Park on August 21-23, 2026, in an amount not to
exceed $30,000.
CRA Division Manager Vickie Shire presented the High Impact Grant funding
request submitted by MIA International Inc.
Mr. Chris Lee of MIA International Inc. spoke about the Mega Asian Food and
Music Festival.
Member Teixeira spoke about the cultural significance of this event.
Member Knodortsov asked about efforts to include local vendors.
Mr. Lee stated MIA International seeks to attract a diverse mix of vendors,
including local businesses
Member Tatlici asked about the number of vendors that are expected to be at the
event and the fees for vendors.
Mr. Lee stated the event is anticipated to include a high number of vendors and a
water lantern feature
Chair Rector asked whether similar events had previously been hosted in the
Tampa Bay area.
Mr. Lee stated MIA International has hosted events in Tampa, FL and St.
Petersburg, FL.
Chair Rector asked if the other local events were three days.
Mr. Lee affirmed that the previous local events were three days long.
Vice Chair Cotton moved to approve the High Impact Funding Request from MIA
International Inc.
The motion was seconded. Upon roll call, the vote was:
Ayes: Vice Chair Cotton, Member Allbritton, Member Teixeira, Member Mannino,
Member Knodortsov, Member Tatlici.
3.5 ID#26-0787 Cleveland Street Mobile Vending Program Update.
CRA Division Manager Vickie Shire presented an update on the Cleveland Street
Mobile Vending Program.
Member Teixeira stated she is looking forward to hearing more about the
program at future updates.
4. Old Business Items
4.1 ID#26-0756 Event Recap for Cinco de Mayo, Taco Fest 2026.
CRA Specialist Marilyn Browne introduced Erica Escamilla of Unimex to present
a recap of the Cinco de Mayo, Taco Fest.
Vice Chair Cotton and Member Teixeira spoke positively about the event
attendance.
Chair Rector spoke positively of using television stations to promote the event.
4.2 ID#26-0788 DDB First Friday Lunchtime Market Report.
CRA Division Manager Vickie Shire presented the First Friday Lunchtime Market
report.
Board members expressed thanks to staff for the success of First Friday
Lunchtime Market.
Member Tatlici asked about returning vendors and greater event promotion.
CRA Division Manager Vickie Shire stated a majority of the vendors returned for
subsequent markets and additional marketing efforts would be implemented
should the program continue.
5. Director's Report
5.1 ID#26-0786 July 2026 Director's Report
CRA Director Jesus Nino presented the July 2026 Director's Report.
Member Teixeira asked about the attendance for Symphony by the Sea event
and Gimmick Art Walk.
Assistant City Manager Al Battle stated attendance information was included in
the presentation attached to the agenda.
6. Board Members to be Heard
7. Adjournment. The meeting was adjoumed at 1:57 p.m.
Chair
Downtown Development Board