09/28/2026 Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes September 28, 2026
City of Clearwater
Main Library - Council Chambers
100 N. Osceola Avenue
Clearwater, FL 33755
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Meeting Minutes
Monday, September 28, 2026
1 :00 PM
Main Library - Council Chambers
Community Redevelopment Agency
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City of Clearwater
Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes September 28, 2026
Roll Call
Present 5 - Chair Bruce Rector, Trustee Ryan Cotton, Trustee Michael Mannino,
Trustee David Allbritton, and Trustee Lina Teixeira
Also Present: Jennifer Poirrier— City Manager, Alfred Battle— Assistant City
Manager, Owen Kohler— City Attorney, Rosemarie Call — City Clerk,
Nicole Sprague— Deputy City Clerk, and Jesus Nino — CRA Executive
Director
To provide continuity for research, items are listed in agenda order although not
necessarily discussed in that order.
Draft
1. Call to Order — Chair Rector
The meeting was called to order at 1:01 p.m.
2. Approval of Minutes
2.1 Approve the minutes of the August 3, 2026 CRA meeting and the August 20, 2026
special CRA meeting as submitted in written summation by the City Clerk.
Trustee Allbritton moved to approve the minutes of the August 3,
2026 CRA meeting and the August 20, 2026 special CRA meeting as
submitted in written summation by the City Clerk. The motion was
duly seconded and carried unanimously.
3. Citizens to be Heard Regarding Items Not on the Agenda
Jill Gibbs expressed concerns with the current public comment process
on street vacation and urged the City to clarify the process in writing. She
requested clarification on the legalities of having approve and oppose in
the public comment process.
Kelly Myer thanked the Clearwater Police Department for clearly
identifying today where the line for public comment begins and
suggested comments submitted to Council be read into the record.
4. New Business Items
4.1 Approve an Agreement for Development, Purchase, and Sale of Property between the
City of Clearwater Community Redevelopment Agency and Myrtle Development, LLC, for
certain CRA-owned property located at 103 N. East Avenue, Clearwater, Florida 33755
and authorize the CRA Chair or designee to execute all documents necessary to
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Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes September 28, 2026
effectuate closing.
On July 16, 2026, the City of Clearwater City Council declared as surplus
certain real property located at 103 N. East Ave., Clearwater, Florida 33755
(Property) and authorized that it be transferred to the Clearwater Community
Redevelopment Agency (CRA) for future redevelopment efforts in the
Downtown Community Redevelopment Area.
On July 19, 2026, in accordance with Section 163.380, Florida Statutes, the
CRA provided a public notice of disposition of the property (Notice) through
publication in a newspaper of general circulation within the community and
invited proposals from private developers and other interested parties to develop
the Property.
Proposals were due on August 18, 2026, and the public notice required at
minimum a purchase price of$875,000.00. The public notice also required that
the Property be used to support development opportunities consistent with the
Downtown Community Redevelopment Area Plan, specifically the Downtown
Core Character District.
One response was received from Myrtle Development, LLC (Myrtle). Staff
reviewed Myrtle's proposal (Proposal) and determined it to be responsive and
meet the minimum requirements of the Notice. The Proposal included a
purchase price of$1,000,000.00 and will incorporate the Property into a larger
redevelopment project, an 83,000 square feet family entertainment center
commonly referred to as the EVO Entertainment facility. Further, staff submits
the purchase price is at a value determined to be in the public interest for uses
in accordance with the DTCRA Plan as required by Section 163.380, Florida
Statutes.
After completing review of the Proposal, staff began negotiations with Myrtle for
the proposed Agreement for Development, Purchase, and Sale of Property
(Agreement). The Agreement provides the following key terms:
• A purchase price for the Property of$1,000,000.00 to be conveyed via
quit-claim deed to Myrtle;
• A 15-year term and recordation of the Agreement in the Public Records
of Pinellas County, Florida;
• A definition for the project, which includes an 83,000 square feet family
entertainment center and a minimum of 400 associated parking spaces;
• A use restriction that the Property must be used as a vehicular parking
area for the family entertainment center;
• A project development schedule which includes a requirement that the
Project receive a certificate of occupancy within 4 years of the adoption
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City of Clearwater
Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes September 28, 2026
of City of Clearwater Ordinance No. 9908-26;
• A requirement that the parking area be open to vehicular access,
ingress, and passage at all times subject to reasonable restrictions; and
• A right for the CRA to repurchase the Property for$1,000,000.00 if
certain conditions of the Agreement are not met by Myrtle.
Fiscal Impact:
The CRA will receive $1,000,000.00 for the sale of the Property to Myrtle.
Downtown CRA Plan Alignment:
• Goal 1: People Goal (p. 46): Downtown shall be a place that attracts
residents, visitors, businesses and their employees and enables the
development of community. The City shall encourage a vibrant and
active public realm, recreation and entertainment opportunities, and
support the community and neighborhoods.
• Goal 3: Amenity Goal (p. 46): Downtown will be a memorable place to be
enjoyed that is enhanced by Clearwater's waterfront location, natural
resources, built environment and history.
• Objective 4A- Encourage redevelopment containing a variety of building
forms and styles.
• Objective 413 - Ensure redevelopment enhances the built environment.
STRATEGIC PRIORITY:
2.1 Strengthen public-private initiatives that attract, develop, and retain
diversified business sectors.
2.2 Cultivate a business climate that welcomes entrepreneurship, inspires local
investment, supports eco-friendly enterprises, and encourages high-quality job
growth.
3.2 Preserve community livability through responsible development standards,
proactive code compliance, and targeted revitalization.
Applicant Representative Bob Potter reviewed the request. The property
will be incorporated into a larger redevelopment, which will repurpose
approximately 5 acres of vacant land in the Downtown core and serve as
a parking area for the EVO Entertainment site.
Seventeen individuals spoke in support.
In response to questions, Planning and Development Director Lauren
Matzke said staff has proceeded through the Development Review
Committee (DRC)process and reviewed the Committee's comments with
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Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes September 28, 2026
the Applicant. She said state statutes outlines timelines for non-quasi judicial
applications; the City is expected to make a determination to approve,
approve with conditions, or deny within 120 days. She said staff will not be
able to evaluate if the Applicant has made any proposed changes
addressing the issues identified at the DRC level since the Applicant has not
resubmitted an application. Assistant City Attorney Matthew Mytych said
alternative designs were not discussed during the development agreement
negotiations. Public Works Director Marcus Williamson said staff included
Hendricks Street as an alternative as part of the DRC comments. The City
Attorney said section three of the ordinance states the City may continue full
use of the right-of-way until such time the City issues a right-of-way permit
needed for the construction and development.
Discussion ensued with a comment made that the project is a once in a
lifetime opportunity for Downtown and that leasing the properly to EVO
was the best way to make sure the property remains active for public use.
Trustee Mannino moved to approve an Agreement for Development,
Purchase, and Sale of Property between the City of Clearwater
Community Redevelopment Agency and Myrtle Development, LLC,
for the property located at 103 N. East Avenue, Clearwater, Florida
33755; and authorize the CRA Chairperson or their designee to
execute all documents necessary to effectuate closing. The motion
was duly seconded and carried with the following vote:
Ayes: 4 - Trustee Cotton, Trustee Mannino, Trustee Allbritton and Trustee
Teixeira
Nays: 1 - Chair Rector
The Trustees recessed from 2:15 p.m. to 2:20 p.m.
4.2 Approve the transfer of property sale proceeds from the sale of 706 N. Missouri Avenue.
On August 3, 2026, the Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) Trustees
approved the Development related to the sale of 706 N. Missouri Avenue. The
sale closed on August 24, 2026, generating proceeds of$1,990,539.25.
This item seeks to approve the transfer of the full amount of the sale from the
North Greenwood CRA to the City of Clearwater to fund building renovations,
equipment purchases and moving expenses associated with the Parks and
Recreation Departments transition out of the Armory building.
If any funds from the Parks and Recreation Department relocation and
associated cost are unspent, unused funds will be returned to CRA as unspent
sale proceeds.
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Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes September 28, 2026
APPROPRIATION CODE AND AMOUNT:
Transfer-out from North Greenwood CRA code 1899312-590200, interfund
transfer.
STRATEGIC PRIORITY:
2.1 Strengthen public-private initiatives that attract, develop, and retain
diversified business sectors.
2.2 Cultivate a business climate that welcomes entrepreneurship, inspires local
investment, supports eco-friendly enterprises, and encourages high-quality job
growth.
3.2 Preserve community livability through responsible development standards,
proactive code compliance, and targeted revitalization.
Trustee Cotton moved to approve the transfer of property sale
proceeds from the sale of 706 N. Missouri Avenue. The motion was
duly seconded and carried unanimously.
4.3 Approve a transfer to reimburse the City of Clearwater in the amount of$381,555.06 for
costs associated with the Crum Properties litigation.
In 2023, Crum Properties filed a complaint against the City and Clearwater
CRA. The City hired GrayRobinson to serve as outside counsel for the
litigation. The City was dismissed as a defendant in March 2024 but continued
to pay for the legal expenses associated with the litigation. On August 20, 2026,
the CRA Trustees approved a new legal services agreement between
GrayRobinson and the Clearwater CRA. Staff is requesting a transfer to
reimburse the City's General Fund and Central Insurance Fund in the amount of
$381,555.06, which represents all costs paid by the City, on behalf of the CRA,
after the City was dismissed as a defendant in this litigation.
APPROPRIATION CODE AND AMOUNT:
A fourth quarter budget amendment will increase CRA cost code
1889311-590200, transfer-out interfund, to provide funding needed for this
reimbursement.
Trustee Teixeira moved to approve a transfer to reimburse the City
of Clearwater in the amount of $381,555.06 for costs associated with
the Crum Properties litigation. The motion was duly seconded and
carried unanimously.
4.4 Approve the Downtown Community Redevelopment Area (DTCRA) FY 2025-2026 Fourth
Quarter Budget Amendment and adopt Resolution 26-07.
The Downtown CRA Operating and Capital budgets have been reviewed
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Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes September 28, 2026
through the fourth quarter of FY 2025-26. Updates include adjustments to
expenditures to account for reimbursement to the city for legal fees. Key
adjustments include:
Downtown Operating
• Transfer-out (General Fund-Administrative) expenditures are increased
to recognize the transfer of $381,555 to the General Fund for
reimbursement of legal fees incurred.
• Transfer-out (Community Engagements (R2002)) expenditures are
decreased to recognize the return of$381,555 of city TIF revenues from
project R2002, Community Engagement.
Downtown CRA Capital Projects
• R2002, Community Engagements - reduction to transfers by $381,555
to return City Increment to the operating fund.
STRATEGIC PRIORITY:
1.3 Adopt responsive levels of services for public facilities and amenities and
identify resources required to sustain that level of service.
Resolution 26-02 was presented and read by title only.
Trustee Allbritton moved to approve the Downtown Community
Redevelopment Agency (DTCRA) FY 2025-2026 Fourth Quarter
Budget Amendment and adopt Resolution 26-02. The motion was
duly seconded and upon roll call, the vote was:
Ayes: 5 - Chair Rector, Trustee Cotton, Trustee Mannino, Trustee Allbritton and
Trustee Teixeira
5. Director's Report
5.1 CRA Director's Report September 2026
CRA Executive Director Jesus Nino provided a PowerPoint presentation.
6. Board Members to be Heard — None.
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City of Clearwater
Community Redevelopment Agency
7 Adjourn
Attest
Meeting Minutes September 28, 2026
The meeting adjourned at 2 43 p m
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