01/14/2008
COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY MEETING MINUTES
CITY OF CLEARWATER
January 14, 2008
Present: Frank Hibbard Chair/CRA Trustee
Carlen Petersen CRA Trustee
John Doran CRA Trustee
George N. Cretekos CRA Trustee
Paul Gibson CRA Trustee
Also present: William B. Horne II City Manager
Jill S. Silverboard Assistant City Manager
Rod Irwin Assistant City Manager/CRA Executive Director
Pamela K. Akin City Attorney
Cynthia E. Goudeau City Clerk
Patricia O. Sullivan Board Reporter
The Chair called the meeting to order at 1:37 p.m. at City Hall.
To provide continuity for research, items are in agenda order although not
necessarily discussed in that order.
2. Approval of Minutes
2.1 -Approve the minutes of the December 17, 2007 CRA meeting as submitted in
written summation by the City Clerk
Trustee Petersen moved to approve the minutes of the Community Redevelopment
Agency meeting of December 17, 2007, as recorded and submitted in written summation by the
City Clerk to each Trustee. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously.
3. Community Redevelopment Agency Items
:
3.1 - Approve release of Request for Proposals for Retail Recruitment and Marketing Services.
The proposed Request for Proposals (RFP) by the CRA (Community Redevelopment
Agency) is for retail recruitment and marketing services for the Cleveland Street District. The
objective of these services is to support and enhance the existing retail base within the
Cleveland Street District. Proposals will be sought from qualified firms with relevant expertise
within downtown/urban revitalization districts.
The overall strategy for downtown revitalization has been: 1) implement infrastructure
improvements; 2) attract residential development; and 3) create a destination. The RFP marks
the next step in the CRA’s program for downtown revitalization which to-date has included the
Downtown Market Study, Façade Design Analysis, creating the “Sidewalk Café Society,”
revised Façade Improvement Program, Sidewalk Furniture Grant Program (proposed), and
Downtown Branding.
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Over the coming years, Downtown is expected to experience significant growth and
change that will influence retail activity. Expected changes include: 1) Completion of new, high-
density residential developments on Cleveland Street and in other areas of Downtown; 2)
Continued attraction of significant seasonal resident and tourist populations; 3) Continued
attraction of office workers; 4) Resurgence of local hotel market; and 5) Redevelopment and
investment opportunities in CRA District.
The consultant selected for this contract may be asked to perform any or all of the
following services: 1) Develop a Strategy for Retail Recruitment and Repopulation of the retail
spaces in the Cleveland Street District, consistent with the “Café Society” vision and market
characteristics; 2) Develop a marketing and leasing plan to implement the retail strategy; and 3)
Assist and counsel the CRA with retail contacts and negotiations with property owners/retail
prospects. Qualified firms must provide information as to their relevant experience, past
performance, approach to services, and proposed fee. An Evaluation/Selection Committee will
evaluate and rank responsive proposals based on: 1) understanding of issues and approach; 2)
qualifications and experience; 3) references and client satisfaction; and 4) fee. Proposers with
the best-rated proposals (short-list) may be invited for oral presentations with the committee to
further demonstrate their qualifications. Final scoring will be an average of the scores awarded
by all committee members.
2008 RFP Timetable: 1) January 15 - RFP available to public; 2) January 15 - February
6 - proposer questions period; 3) February 13 at 4:00 p.m. - submission deadline; 4) Week of
February 19 - evaluation of proposals; 5) Weeks of February 25 and March 3 - interviews of
short-list firms; and 6) March 17 CRA Meeting - firm selection.
In response to questions, CRA Executive Director Rod Irwin said the final phase of the
strategy will include an analysis of which stores would be best suited for downtown. It was
recommended when considering proposals, more weight be given to related experience and
references/client satisfaction.
Trustee Doran moved to approve the release of the Request for Proposals for Retail
Recruitment and Marketing Services. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously.
3.2 - Approve the Sidewalk Café Furniture Grant Program and delegate authority to the CRA
Executive Director for the approval of grant awards.
In April 2005, the CRA initiated a Façade Design Analysis for Cleveland Street within the
Cleveland Street District. The analysis, funded by the Downtown Development Board (DDB),
identified opportunities for façade improvements, depicted illustrative façade improvement
concepts for select buildings, and established a vision for building design that was reflective of
Clearwater’s unique character. Recommendations from the analysis called for changes to the
CRA’s existing Façade Improvement Program and pursuit of a “unifying concept” under which
efforts and resources could be prioritized and allocated. The unifying concept chosen was the
Cleveland Street Café District, which promotes a sidewalk café environment.
On September 4, 2007, the CRA approved revisions to and funding for the Façade
Improvement Program to establish several tools for revitalizing buildings within the Cleveland
Street District. These tools included architectural design assistance program and a sidewalk
café furniture grant program, with funding assistance by the DDB FY (Fiscal Year) 2007/08
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budget. CRA staff has drafted the following requirements for the Sidewalk Cafe Furniture Grant
Program: 1) The grant provides financial assistance to eligible applicants seeking to furnish an
approved sidewalk cafe area within the Cleveland Street District; 2) The one-time grants fund up
to 75% of the total project cost, to a maximum of $2,500 per grant award; and 3) To be eligible
for the grant, an applicant must meet all of the following criteria: a) Applicant must be a property
owner or tenant operating a business within the Cleveland Street District; b) Property owner
must endorse any application made by a tenant; c) The property on which the sidewalk cafe
business is located is current on all property taxes; d) The business associated with the
sidewalk cafe is in compliance with State and local code and licensing requirements; e)
Applicant has submitted a completed application to the CRA; and f) Applicant has received a
Sidewalk Cafe Permit.
The Sidewalk Cafe Furniture Grant application process may occur concurrently with the
Planning Department's review of a sidewalk cafe site plan and Sidewalk Cafe Permit
application. Street furnishings purchased prior to the receipt of a completed application for the
Sidewalk Cafe Furniture Grant by the CRA staff will be considered ineliqible to participate in the
program. All grant awards will be disbursed by the CRA as a reimbursement upon final
inspection of the furniture installation by CRA staff. Staff is working with the Planning
Department to finalize changes needed to the Sidewalk Cafe requirements in Section 3-201.C.
of the Community Development Code to include specific requirements for the Cleveland Street
District.
In response to a question, Economic Development & Housing Director Geri Campos
Lopez said as proposed, the furniture will go with the business with no payback required.
Funding is sufficient to purchase quality furniture that meets design guidelines: two tables with
four chairs each. One business has expressed interest.
Discussion ensued regarding implementing a payback time frame. Consensus was to
require participating businesses to return the furniture or reimburse the grant if the business
closes within one year of grant award. The DDS was thanked for funding the analysis.
Trustee Cretekos moved to approve the Sidewalk Cafe Furniture Grant Program as
amended to require recapture of furniture or grant award if grantee closes business in less than
one year and to delegate authority to the CRA Executive Director for the approval of grant
awards. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously.
4 - Other Business
5 - Adjourn
The meeting adjourned at 2:06 p.m. , ~/ #~
tnarr
Community Redevelopment Agency
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