Community Development Board - Regular Meeting

This time we'll call to order the July 13, 2026 meeting of the City of Clearwater Community Redevelopment Agency. This time we'll move to item 2.1 of the agenda.

Approve minutes of the June 15, 2026 CRA meeting.

Is there a motion to approve the minutes?

So moved. Second.

All those in favor?

Aye.

Opposed? Unanimous. Move to item three on the agenda. Are there any citizens to be heard on items that are not on today's CRA agenda?

Hopefully this is going to be put online or on air so people can see my slides as I go through. Okay, so I'll start now. My name's Kathy Flaherty. I came to talk about the area up in the East Gate known as the Festival Plaza area.

To me, I guess I don't think anyone knows.

really knows it exists, so I'm here to make a presentation on that area. Basically, in 2017, the city of Clearwater passed, approved to have a festival core incorporated in the Cleveland Street Phase 3 project, and it had a street mark, it has a festival street area, and surrounded with a little Mercado area. Basically, what it was is a market zone up there in the East Gate. This was our economic revitalization. It was supposed to hold special event markets. Basically, here it is. You've got Gulf to Bay in Cleveland and the festival areas right there. Here's another shot. So it's incorporated in the Cleveland Phase 3 street project. All right, so here's another shot of it. So if you guys are looking for a food truck venue place, this was built. $20 million was built just for this purpose. All right. So there was also a park at park, park at park, park at park on the Leon street, which needs some attention. And then back and then in September. So that was one project. And that first project, the street phase and the festival Plaza was paid for with city funds. Okay. The other part of the project was the Mercado, which was inside. That was approved on September 5th, 2017. And that's what the Mercado was. So basically there are three projects up there in the East Gate. The Cleveland Street Phase 3 project, the Festival Plaza project, and the Mercado. Two were done by the city incorporated, and the other one was done by the CRA. the whole thing started to be done in 2021 because it was a big delay because they didn't have the underground street like the infrastructure so it was like a four-year delay and during that time a lot of things changed and got messed around so basically here's the plans from the city engineer that so it was built by the city there it is and here's the overlook when it was finished right when it was done The city announced construction on streetscape phase three is complete. Well, that also included the festival market, the festival plaza. And you can see that here, and this grass is the Mercado. It will be. All right, so here's pictures right when it was finished. And it was done. And then the prior CRA director, Ms. Matthews, she was starting to, she was going to, start activating the area, but then guess what? She was fired. All right. Never heard another thing about activating that street market area. Then we also had economic zones, right? And our economic zone, we had an economic zone right over that spot, but then this economic map changed.

Thank you. Okay.

I'm tired of it. This is ridiculous. We have a whole thing up there.

Thank you for your time today. Yeah. That will move to, does anyone else here from the public desire to speak to CRA item that's not on today's agenda? Okay, hearing none, we'll move to item 4.1.

July Business Spotlight, Social Sips Cafe.

Hello, everyone. My name is Tasha Hadley, CRA specialist. And today I'm pleased to recognize Social Sips Cafe and Bar as our July Business Spotlight winner. Located at 801 Cleveland Street, Suite B, Social Sips Cafe and Bar is a valued part of downtown Clearwater's business community. Since opening in late 2024, owner Drew Nowiczik and manager Bradley Shelton have built a business that emphasizes hospitality, community connection, and creating a welcoming experience for everyone. Known for its specialty drinks, including its popular taro milk tea and affogato, the cafe offers more than just local coffee. They offer artisan gelato and handcrafted boba tea. It's a place where people can relax, catch up with friends, and connect with their neighbors. Looking ahead, the business plans to expand its offerings with new food items, beer and wine services, live music, and community events. Social Sips Cafe and Bar supports the city and CRA's shared goals of fostering community engagement, supporting local businesses, and creating a vibrant downtown redevelopment district. At this time, we invite you to view the video.

Hi, my name is Bradley. I'm the manager at Social Sips. We've been here for on the corner of Cleveland and Myrtle Street for about a year now. Social Sips Cafe is a community cafe where people can come together and really get to know their neighbors. They're going to be greeted with a nice, warm, relaxing, calming environment that's a little bit modern and up to date. Some of the most popular drinks that customers keep coming back for is definitely our taro milk tea. And then for desserts, we do killer affogatos, which is gonna be a shot of espresso poured over a scoop of gelato. The thing I enjoy the most about interacting with customers is really getting to know them. For example, I have one of my favorite customers, Mr. Savage, that comes in all the time. He's an 80-year-old Vietnam vet, but he comes in every single day for a cup of coffee, a scoop of gelato, and a good conversation. For the future of Social Sips, I'm really excited for the addition of our new food products that are coming, and we're also gonna be serving beer and wine And I'm also excited for having live music out on the patio, putting on events like wine pairings and stuff like that. We're looking to expand our hours, but currently our hours Monday through Thursday are 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., Friday and Saturday 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Sunday 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

I'm going to get a photograph here so we can gather around.

Okay, let me do some adjustments here. So, Alina, can you come over this way? If you don't want to, that's fine.

Actually, why don't you just stand over here and we'll have everyone together.

There we go. If that works.

All right, you can hold your sign up nice and proud. In three, two, one.

Three, two, one.

Perfecto.

Thank you. Congratulations.

Congratulations to Social Steps Cafe. Yeah, would you like to say a word?

Yeah. I just want to thank the CRA for what they do, and this is so important, fishing for small businesses in the downtown area. Also, I always want to tell about a promotional item. I did this with Hatchet Hangout when I got this last month. We have an ongoing tab for all police, EMS. fire that we keep that goes with free coffee. Anytime they come in, they can get anything they want. So that's just an ongoing thing we do year-round, just to promote that. So remember that. Thank you so much, guys. Thank you.

Thank you for supporting our first responders. Does that remove item 4.2 on the agenda?

Approve the third quarter budget amendments in fiscal year 2025-26 North Greenwood CRA budget and adopt resolution 26-03.

Good afternoon. Ann Lopez, CRA Assistant Director. This item is to approve the third quarter budget amendments for fiscal year 2025-26 for the North Greenwood CRA. and to adopt resolution 26-03. These amendments adjusted to the budget to reflect updated revenues received in increment funding from both Pinellas County and the City of Clearwater, and an increase in interest earnings. The amendments to the operating budget reflect adjustments of actual and anticipated expenditures through the remainder of the year. And adjustments to the North Greenwood CRA projects establishes the new container village project with $500,000 transferred from an existing project fund. There's a decrease in the mobility county project to reflect the decrease in increment and an increase in economic development city. These amendments were shared at the July 7th North Greenwood Citizens Advisory Committee with a recommendation for approval, and I'd be happy to answer any questions.

Does anyone here from the public desire to speak to this agenda item? Hearing none, is there any trustees discussion? If not, is there a motion?

Move to approve agenda item 4.2.

Excuse me. We need a reading.

Resolution number 26-03, resolution of the Community Redevelopment Agency of the City of Clearwater, Florida, adopting the third quarter amendments to the North Greenwood CRA fiscal 2025 to 2026 annual operating budget, providing an effective date. Now is there a motion?

Move to approve agenda item 4.2. Second.

All those in favor?

Aye.

Opposed? Unanimous. Gen item 4.3.

Approved clarifications to the North Greenwood Residential Exterior Improvement Grant Program guidelines related to grant fund disbursement procedures and eligible recipients of grant payments.

Good afternoon. Marilyn Brown, CRA Specialist. Today's staff is requesting approval of the recommended revisions and clarifications to the North Greenwood Residential Exterior Improvement Grant Program. These updates are intended to improve program administration, greater clarity for applicants, and ensure that the program is administered effectively and consistently. The proposed revisions do not change the program's intent, eligibility requirements, funding limits, or overall structure. The proposed clarifications include the following. Section three clarifies that the grant disbursement process by allowing payments to be made directly to the applicant and approved licensed contractor or a vendor as approved by the CRA director. It also clarifies that up to 50% of the approved grant award may be advanced with no more than one payment issued every 30 days. Section four adds mailboxes as an eligible improvement under the program. Section 6 clarifies reimbursement procedures, documentation requirements, phase payment, and confirms that the complete reimbursement request will be processed within 30 days. Section 9 adds an acknowledgment to the applicant informing applicants that grant funds are considered taxable income and that a form 1099 will be issued for any grant funds just dispersed. These clarifications were developed in a coordination with the city's attorney's office to improve consistency, transparency, and overall administration of the program. The proposed revisions and clarifications were also presented to the North Greenwood Citizens Advisory Committee on July 7th. staff recommends approval of the proposed revisions and clarifications to the North Greenwood Residential Exterior Improvement Grant Program. Thank you, and I'm happy to answer any questions. Chair Greg Musil.

See, I'm wanting to hear today from the public that desires to speak to this agenda item. I'm seeing none. Is there any trustees discussion? If there's none, is there a motion?

Chair Greg Musil. Motion to approve agenda item 4.3. Second.

All those in favor? Aye. Opposed? Unanimous. Thank you. Agenda item 4.4.

Approve the recommended updates to the Downtown Commercial Grant Program guidelines related to grant fund disbursement procedures and eligible payees.

Good afternoon again. Vicki Shire, CR Division Manager. Before you today are proposed clarifications to the Downtown Commercial Grant Program guidelines. These revisions are administrative in nature and were developed in coordination with the City Attorney's Office to provide clear guidance on grant disbursement procedures, improve transparency and consistency, and maintain the original intent of the Downtown Commercial Grant Program. The primary changes include section three, available assistance, clarifies that upon request with the CRA director approval, up to 50% of the grant award may be paid in advance to the applicant or directly to the applicant's licensed contractor or approved vendor. Section seven, disbursement policy and procedure, clarifies eligible payees for grant funds, establishes procedures for partial disbursements, and specifies the documentation required for reimbursement. Section 11, application. Adds acknowledgment that the applicant understands grant funds are considered taxable income and they will receive a form 1099 for any grant funds disbursed. This ensures applicants are informed of the tax implications before accepting funding. Staff recommends approval of these changes. Thank you.

Chair Greg Musil. Anyone here from the public today that desires to speak to this agenda item? Hearing none, is there any trustees discussion? Not, is there a motion?

Just a quick question. I think that notification that they're going to see a 1099 is pretty important. Do we have a plan to go back to anyone that we've recently paid and issued checks for just to maybe give them that clarification versus just fixing going forward?

With the downtown commercial grant, they've already been ahead of time. We had no issue with the commercial grants. It was the North Green residential grants that we had to go back and do. This one, everybody knows up front that this is taxable income for the commercial grants.

Important.

Yes, sir.

Thank you.

Any other discussion? That's their motion.

Motion to approve agenda item 4.4.

Second.

All those in favor? Aye. Opposed? Unanimous. Agenda item 4.5.

Approve recommended updates to the North Greenwood Commercial Grant Program guidelines related to grant fund disbursement procedures and eligible recipients of grant payments.

Vicki Shire, CR Division Manager. Before you today are proposed changes to the North Greenwood Commercial Grant Program guidelines. These revisions are administrative in nature and were developed in coordination with the city attorney's office to provide clear guidance on grant disbursement procedures, improve transparency and consistency, and maintain the original intent of the North Greenwood Commercial Grant Program. The primary changes include section three, available assistance. Clarifies that upon request with the CRA director of approval, up to 50% of grant award may be paid in advance to the applicant or directly to the applicant's licensed contractor or approved vendor. Section seven, disbursement policy and procedure. Clarifies eligible recipients of grant funds, establish procedures for phased or partial disbursements, and specifies the documentation required for reimbursement. Section 11, application. As an acknowledgment that applicants understand grant funds are considered taxable income and they will receive a form 1099 for any grant funds dispersed. In addition, these recommend changes were presented at the North Greenwood CAC July meeting. Staff recommends approval of the North Greenwood commercial grant revisions. Thank you.

Chair Greg Musil. I want to hear from the public the desire to speak to this agenda. Hearing none, is there any trustees discussion? Councilmember Tisciata.

I just wanted to go on record and say that I really appreciate all the revisions in today's agenda. It really takes into consideration the applicant's perspective. It also, I think, increases the likelihood of successful programming. It's very user-friendly, and so I like the direction that we're going in. I think it's going to have a direct relationship with how successful we're going to be in the future for the whole process.

Thank you. Any further discussion? Not as there are motions.

Move to approve agenda item 4.5. Second.

All those in favor? Aye. Opposed? Unanimous. Agenda item 4.6.

Downtown revitalization.

This particular item is for the board here to talk about any items you wish in the downtown.

um i might i might ask the trust i mean we we put this on a time when we were not talking a lot and we've been talking a lot about downtown revitalization different venue different boards and um so is there is there a desire to keep this on the every agenda or is it time to take it off i think we can always put it back on later but as a recurring item I don't know if things have changed and we need to have it on or not. Vice Mayor?

Yes, sir. I agree with removing it. And if we ever need it, we can always bring it back.

OK. All right. OK. Thank you for that. We'll move to item 5.1.

Director's report.

Thank you, Eric. Again, Jesus Nino, CRA Executive Director. This is the report for July, 2026. So a lot of exciting items have been happening in the CRA world. We'll start with the downtown. We have been having very successful monthly meetings here at the library. These are community outreach meetings. The last meeting we had was on June 30th. This was an update about Ruth Eckerd Hall, which is presented on basically highlighting the Bay care sound. And there was a very good turnout for that particular meeting. Our next meeting is July. It's July 28th. This is for an update from our engineering department to the community about the projects that we have in downtown. This for the public three to 4 PM right here in the library. So this one, this will be a collaboration as far as the update was Mr. Battle and myself. But as far as what we've been doing is we have been meeting with a lot of different individuals and different entities for the past few months just to kind of get ready for the next steps. We've been providing tours. We've been traveling out of state. We've been just very, very active on being aggressive on this particular item. But I know there's a little bit of change in the game plan, at least suggestion proposed. So I'm going to pass that over to Mr. Battle to kind of give that update.

Well, good afternoon. Thank you, Jesus, for the introduction. I just wanted to share with you where I believe that we are headed in particular with all of the staff efforts to communicate, outreach, reach out, try to find partners, the right type of project, right type of fit. I think as of today, this month we had said to you we would be ready to do out a formal call for proposals. I can share with you that I don't think that the marketplace has changed much since we had this conversation earlier this year. But that doesn't mean that our work would discontinue to try to find the right type of partner or partners to bring some type of cultural or artistic activity or just activating the library in a way that fits in with Coachman Park and Bay Care Sound. I would share with you and recommend that we suspend the formal reimagining of the library, or the formal process, if you will, and continue this process in an informal way, mainly because we can continue to solicit interest, we can continue to recruit opportunities to fill the space, but whatever we do would still require a notice if we decide to bring something to you to present an opportunity to lease space from the city. So it doesn't change the legal process of how we would communicate with you once we have somebody on board that we would like to bring to you and we could recommend a partnership. We would just bring them and then still have to do a notification to allow for competing interests to show us the best that they have as well so we think it gives us a actually a little bit of a more strategic approach we can continue to approach folks who have expressed interest but may not may be hesitant there are a lot of things in the wind that is presenting that hesitation i.e dollars for these types of cultural organizations not being as readily available as they have been in the past and i think we shared that with you earlier this year in terms of some of the feedback that we got for some of the cultural organizations. Second of which, with funding from all factors, whether it be cultural organizations, foundations, governments, national, state, and federal, all not contributing as much in this space, many of those same organizations who would depend on those types of partnerships are also kind of trying to figure out where the tea leaves are headed with some of those things. And we still are in a let's, continue to see the growth and what will happen with osceola the new projects that are under development we just talked about downtown marketing we we're in a good place and we should not we should not be excited that opportunities will come our way this just might be might not be the time to go through a similar process as we did before and still get the presentations that don't inspire us to move forward with any of them so we ask that you allow us to continue our efforts, but not in a formal way, and we'll update you continuously at these meetings about what our progress is.

Okay. Discussion? Council Member Teixeira.

So it's pretty obvious that this is my passionate project. As far back as I think more than a year ago, I went on that podium and I did a presentation, and this is something I'm very passionate about. So it saddens me that This process has halted and so I probably will not be part of any of the decision making, at least not from the council. But I do understand completely the rationale behind this new direction, right? It's very important that we respond to the environment and that is very important to success. We can't just dig in our heels and ignore what's going on around. The rationale behind it, I support it. I understand it. I think it's wise to do that. I do appreciate that you are continuing the conversation. And as I pleaded with you earlier last week, even though I won't be part of any decision making, I trust you to pick up the baton. That's a lot of trust.

But I understand completely the rationale. I appreciate that feedback, and definitely your wisdom in this space will still be dependent, and counsel is of value to us, so we want to make sure that all points of view are heard, and those who have the most experience with them are the best to share what we've been through. That historical perspective is important as we go forward, as it was as we've gotten to this point, so I appreciate that feedback from you.

Okay. Anybody else? I'll just say this. I support postponing a bit. I think it's an opportunity for us as a community to maybe think more broadly and creatively about the use of this space. We do have the Ballot Hotel going up just right next door that When it's finished out, I don't know what community need that that might inspire, you know, or interest it might inspire for a different use for maybe not all of this building, but a portion of this building. We're looking at three years into the BayCare Sound, a very successful base with music, and every time I'm down there at a concert, I'll look back up the hill at this building and think, wow, what are we missing here? We've got all these people in here for a music concert that are looking back at that same building. What if there were something going on there? And it doesn't necessarily have to be visual art. It could be all kinds of things. But what could we do here in this space differently that would intrigue interest in getting them to come back after the concert to visit or do whatever? So... Because we've just not gotten the kind of interest we thought we would get, and there's this situation, nonprofits all struggling with their own funding right now, I think it's a good time for us to pause a bit and take a look. But I'd like to see us take a... really brought i know we have restrictions on what we can use and some not suggesting we lease it out to the for-profit not at all but there may be other public purposes for this building that we could use it for that potentially could even maybe generate some revenue at some point to at least cover the operating costs for keeping it open but i think it's a good time for us to pause a little bit challenge ourselves to think creatively about what purposes we could use within the framework, the guidelines for this building that might serve the citizens and taxpayers better. All right.

May I ask for clarification just so from the team's perspective because the charter also limits the types of things that could go in there. Are you suggesting we keep it within what the charter allows or consider things that the charter does not allow?

No. Well, with the charter allows, but one time, I mean, former mayor very famously wanted to use this building as a city hall. I don't know. I mean, I'm not saying that the team changes their search. I'm just saying for us as a body to keep an open mind about what creative things we can do with this building within the charter restrictions. But there are other, there are many, many different public purposes for this building other than something to house a visual arts gallery or something like that. It could be a performing arts center. I don't know, but I think keeping an open mind is a good opportunity to do that as well. I wouldn't change what you're doing, but I do think we need to be open-minded and creative in thinking about how we use this building, at least a portion of the building, better to serve the public. Okay. Anything else?

Yes, sir. I'll continue. I'll try to make this quick. But the Indigo project, they're still, you know, trying to basically lease out all their spaces. We're hoping to work with, we're not hoping, we are working with the Economic Development and Housing Division. So whenever that time comes, we can celebrate with the Indigo as far as once they're basically complete with their project. And this is for the Evo Entertainment. As everyone's aware, that site's already cleared. They're already advertised as far as where they're at to the public. Osceola Park and Garage. This is also an exciting project. City asset on top of CRA property. And we're hoping when that's constructed and done that we work very closely with basically the market and we have tenants basically move into those spaces. And I do want to thank the Economic Development and Housing Division They kind of been charged to take the lead as far as the lease structures for each, each of those units. And hopefully we can all work together to find awesome tenants. And this one is big as well. This is no surprise to anyone here, but on. June the 16th, 2026, Pinellas County did issue out their RFN. So hopefully we're all part of that, you know, on the table there with them. This is exciting. Hopefully we just get updates from the city manager's office as time goes by. This properties are located across the street from the municipal services building. So from what I understand, there's demolition permits for those properties. They're vacant right now, the buildings. And once we get any updates on as far as plans for those properties, we'll bring them back to you. And this one is also an FYI and anyone that's kind of watching this meeting, there is two acres of available land across the street from nature's patch. The CRA department working with Mr. Battle and other departments planning development. We have contracted with the Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council to do an amendment to our downtown community development area plan. It's not gonna be any type of huge amendment. It's gonna be a very simple amendment, hopefully. So hopefully we can get that done fairly quickly. That's just basically to accommodate for the Pinellas County properties and other minor edits that we need done on the plans. With North Greenwood, The Clearwater Urban Leadership Coalition, they did have a very successful The Taste of the Village recap that took place on June the 15th, 2026. So I think some of you were there. I saw pictures of you at the event. And we're continuing to work with the Clearwater Urban Leadership Coalition on this initiative to push them forward. Hopefully we can have a groundbreaking mini container site in the next few months. Our CAC meetings, they are becoming more and more popular with the community, just so they can get information on what's going on in their community and also provide us feedback so we can work with them. Our last meeting took place on July the 7th, and it was a very good turnout. Thank you to the city manager and assistant city manager for being in attendance as well, and also the planning and development staff. With North Ward, the night at North Ward, this is a team effort with General Services planning Planning and development, the lead is economic development and housing. CRA team is there as well to plan for this next event. It's coming up on July the 30th from 5.30 to 8 p.m. Anyone that's watching, you're invited to attend. And we're also hitting the streets as far as to remind everyone and to invite them of the actual event. I'm not sure if you wanted to say anything about that, Mr. Battle, or not.

Just one piece of information. So we've gotten over 100 RSVPs so far. So we think that there'll be great community turnout. I'd encourage everyone who's watching or in the presence of my voice to RSVP as well. We want to be prepared for as large a crowd as we possibly can be. And also, we want to make sure that rain does not come into the equation. So we ask that you operate for a non-rain event. But we're very much looking forward to the July 30th. Basically, a big open house. And we'll present it as such and hope to see everyone at the event.

Thank you, sir. Just a little bit more on North ward. So this item here is, this is about the North Greenwood overlay. So I think last week for this also went to Ford Pinellas and it was passing unanimously unanimously buys them. The next step is to go before the countywide planning authority for their approval as well. Mr. Benito and Mr. Arboret and we're at the meeting. Thank you. With property disposition, we continue to dispose of our properties as efficiently as possible. We are in the middle of negotiations with Archway Partners for the properties located at Washington, between South Martin Luther King and Washington Avenue in the Prospect Lake District. Other properties will continue to go through that process, 103 Northeast Avenue, then several of the smaller properties. I think that concludes the regular presentation, but I do have an item that's basically hot off the presses. This is from the Tampa Bay Business and Wealth Publications. This is for the property for the telephone building right here on Cleveland Street and Garden. I have some photos for you. So Mr. Christopher Edwards presented on this particular item along with many others. Sorry, this paper clip is really stuck on here. This is for Ripper's. It's a new restaurant that will be going into that location. I have pictures here for you. And then I'll give you a little bit of the write-up. Not the entire thing, but the first paragraph of Ripper's. That's a telephone building. So as far as the publication from the Tampa Bay business and wealth said, downtown Clearwater lands, first restaurant from Michelin starred hospitality group. This was today, July 13th, 2026. So the restored telephone building in downtown Clearwater has landed his first restaurant tenant was the hospitality group behind Michelin starred Roca bringing its first Clearwater concept to Cleveland street called rippers. The restaurant will occupy the building's ground floor and serve deep-fried ripper hot dogs, burgers, chicken wings, and sandwiches, fries, and hand-crusted milkshakes. It also marks Taste Pretty Good Hospitality's first expansion outside of Tampa. This is exciting, and we'll keep you posted on this additional new, what's going on there, telephone building. I'm not sure if City Manager or Mr. Battle wanted to say anything about that, but I just received this around 1130 today.

Thank you.

That concludes my presentation.

Chair Greg Musil. Okay. Any questions for the Director? Thank you for your report. Appreciate it. With that, if there's no other business to come before the CRC.