Affordable Housing Advisory Committee - Regular Meeting

Good

afternoon. It is 03:30 on Tuesday, 01/20/2026, And I'm calling this meeting of the city of Ocala Community Redevelopment Area Agency Board to order. The clerk will call the roll.

Mister Marciano?

Here.

Mister Mansfield? Here. Mister Musley?

Here.

Miss Dreyer? Here. Mister Hilty? Here. Mister Dea?

Here. Court work. And the notice?

The 01/20/2026 CRA meeting was publicly noticed on 12/17/2025 on the CDL Calais website.

Thank you. If everyone had an opportunity to review them, I will entertain a motion to approve the minutes of our 12/02/2025 meeting. So moved. I hear motion.

So moved.

Second. Are there any comments from the public? Are there any questions or comments from the council? Having none, do I hear a motion to approve? Oh, well, hold on. Hold on. Hold on. I done ran past my my my my stuff here. The clerk will call the roll.

Mhmm. Miss Dreyer? Aye. Mister Mansfield?

Aye.

Mister Musley?

Aye.

Mister Hilty. Aye. Mister Pathe.

Here. No. You're not here. You're aye.

Oh, he's also here.

I'm also here. Absolutely. Five a is the approval of the downtown c CRA commercial building grant. Do I hear a motion to approve? So moved. Is there a second? Second. Alright. Economic development manager, Roberto Ellis, will recognize for the staff presentation.

Good afternoon. Roberto Ellis, economic development manager. This is the first application coming through our downtown CRE in the current fiscal year. The applicant is requesting a grant grant assistant assistance to convert us vacant space located in our downtown at 40 South Magnolia Avenue. It will

be converted to a Haagen Dazs ice cream shop franchise.

Based on the estimated cost of the project, the grant applicant would qualify for the maximum grant amount of $50.00. This project was reviewed by the grant review committee on December 5. Unfortunately, this one did not get to get a chance to be reviewed by the downtown Ocala CRE advisory committee as the meeting that was scheduled was cancelled at the last minute due to a lack of quorum. Staff is recommending approval approval of the grant in order for the applicant to proceed with the project.

Is there any comments from the public? Any comments from the council?

Yeah. I got a question. I see the the recommended grand amount is $50,000 Isn't there a cap of 10% on the project or did that 10% go away? It seems to be like that's what it was in the past.

So that 10% cap is for a different grant program. This one, this is a fiftyfifty match.

Okay.

Any other questions? Mm-mm. If none, call the roll.

Mister Musley?

Aye.

Miss Dreyer? Aye. Mister Mansfield?

Aye.

Mister Hilty? Aye. Mister Pathe?

Aye. Item five b is the approval of an East O'Kellis CRA residential property improvement. Do I hear a motion?

So moved.

A second? Second. Mister Ellis is recognized for staff presentation.

Thank you. This is a request to support replacing the existing fence at the property located at 1030 Northeast 5th Street. The existing fence is a combination of wood and chain link and the applicant is proposing to install a white vanilla fence. Based on the estimated cost, they would qualify for a grant of $5,370 This application was taken directly to the CRA board as there was a conflict of interest at the advisory committee level. Staff is recommending approval as this aligns with the grant program guidelines.

Any comments from the public? Comments from the council? Call the roll.

Mister Hulte? Aye. Mister Mansfield?

Aye.

Mister Musley?

Aye.

Miss Dreyer? Aye. Mister Bethe?

Aye. Item five c is the approval of an East O'Kellis CRA residential property improvement grant. Do I hear a motion to approve?

So moved.

Is there a second?

Second.

Mister Ellis, once again, is recognized.

Thank you. This is request to replace the original windows at this home. It's currently being used as a rental property. The current tenant tenant has been living at the premises for several years. They're replacing the HVAC system that is there. This application was also taken directly to the CRA board due to the conflict. The properties owned by JFG Properties LLC. Staff is recommending approval in the amount not to exceed $9,667.

Any comments from the public? Council? Yes, sir. Call the roll.

Miss Dreyer. Aye. Mister Hilty. Aye. Mister Mansfield.

Aye.

Mister Musley. Aye. Mister Bethe.

Aye. Five d is to approve of an O'Kellers CRO CRA residential property improvement grant. Do I hear a motion to approve? So moved. Second. Mister Ellis, once again.

So this is a second application submitted by JFG Properties LLC per the grant guidelines. Each property owner is able to apply for $1 per year for that particular property. The scope will involve replacing the original windows to more energy efficient ones. This was also taken directly to the board. Staff recommends approval.

Comments from the public? From the council, any comments? Just call the roll.

Mister Hulte? Aye. Mister Mansfield?

Aye.

Mister Dreyer? Aye. Mister Musley?

Aye.

Mister Bethea?

Aye. Five e is the approval of an East O'Kellis CRA residential property improvement grant. Do I hear a motion?

So moved, sir.

Second.

Mister Ellis.

This is another window replacement. The windows targeted are were installed over twenty years ago. The applicant is requesting assistance to conduct these improvements. He has made improvements over at the property over the last few years. Staff recommends approval.

Comments from the public? From the council?

No, sir.

Call the roll.

Ms. Dreyer? Aye. Mr. Mansfield? Aye. Mr. Hulte? Aye. Mr. Musley. Aye. Mr. Bethe.

Aye. Item five f, approval of an East O'Kellis CRA residential property. Do I hear a motion to approve? So moved. Second. Mister Ellis, once again.

So this property owner is doing multiple improvements at the property involving improving the fencing. Staff is recommending approval based on the proposed scope of work they would qualify for the maximum

grant. Comments from the public. Council?

Aye.

Mister Musley.

Aye.

Miss Dreyer. Aye. Mister Hulte. Aye. Mister Bethe.

Aye. Five g is the approval of an East Ocala CRA residential property improvement grant. Is there a motion?

So moved. Second.

Mister Ellis, you're getting a workout today.

Yes. It's a good thing. We have another request to for assistance to help replace windows and the HVAC system at the property located at 1224 Northeast 11th Avenue. This also bypassed the Easter caller CRA advisory committee as there's a conflict involving one of the committee members. Based on the estimated project cost of $11,708 The there is a recommendation to award an amount of $8,781. Stop recommends approval.

Questions from the public? Council?

No, sir.

Caller roll. Mister Hilty? Aye. Miss Dreyer? Aye. Mister Mansfield?

Aye.

Mister Musley? Aye. Mister Bethea?

Aye. Five h is the approval of an East O'Kelly CROA residential property improvement grant. Is there a motion?

So moved. Second.

Mister Ellis.

Again, this request is to for assistance to help with replacing the HVAC system at the home. The current system was installed in 2006. The applicant has utilized the CRA grant before in 2022 and in 2024. The Easter caller CRA advisory committee recommended approval and staff also recommends approval.

Questions, comments from the day.

If I'm I'm

Aye. Mister Bethe?

Aye. Five I is the approval of an East O'Kellis CRA residential property improvement grant. Do I hear a motion?

So moved.

Second. Mister Ellis, you're recognized once again.

Thank you. This request will help to make landscaping improvements at the property. The East Ocala Advisory Committee did discuss this in a little bit detail. They pointed out that some of the plants that were referenced in the landscape plan, the applicant should consider relocation. They were a little bit too close to the home for the types of plants that they were. The applicant has agreed to make those changes. Based on the scope, which also involves making fencing improvements, they would qualify for the maximum grant of $20,000 We recommend approval. Comments

from the public? Council? Call the roll.

Miss Dreyer? Mister Mansfield.

Aye.

Mister Musley.

Aye.

Mister Hilty. Aye. Mister Bethea.

Aye. Five j, approval of an East O'Kellis CRA residential property Improvement Grant. Do I hear a motion to approve?

Mr. President, pursuant to the requirements of section one one two point three one four three Florida Statutes, I am stating to the CRA agency board that I will abstain from voting on this item because it will enure me to the special gain of my relative, Robert E. Rooks II. I have submitted the required form 8B, will be submitted to the state within fifteen days of this meeting.

Thank you.

Thank you, sir.

This Ellis?

Hang on.

I think her her conflict is related to agenda item five k. Yeah.

I'm sorry. I thought he said five k. No. I'm so sorry. Okay. My I'm sorry. Sorry?

Alright. That's okay. So we can move forward. On mute, sir.

This is Okay. I'm sorry. Request

We need a motion.

So moved. We need to remove the motion.

No. You never had a motion. Never had one.

No. So so five j. So moved. Somebody needs a second.

Second. Oh. Now you go. You had an objection, not a motion.

I'm sorry. I screwed it.

Thank you. That's that's alright. KK. You know? Go ahead, mister Marcellus.

This is a request to assist with making minor painting improvements at this property. There is need to repaint or trim porches, door, and certain portions of the exterior. The approximate project cost will be $3,786 Staff recommends approval.

Any comments comments from the public? Having none, counsel? Call the roll.

Mister Mansfield?

Aye.

Mister Hilty? Aye. Mister Musley?

Aye.

Miss Dreyer? Aye. Mr. Bethe?

Aye. Item five ks, the approval of an East Okela CRA Historic Improvement Grant.

Okay. Mister president, pursuant to the requirements of section one one two point three one four three Florida statutes, I am stating to the CRA agency board that I will abstain from voting on this item because it will inure me to the special gain of my relative, Robert E. Rooks II. I have submitted the required form 8B, will be submitted to the state within fifteen days of this meeting. Thank you, sir.

Is there a motion? So moved. Second?

Second.

Mr. Ellis, recognize.

So, this is our historic building improvement grant. It's a bit different from our residential building improvement grant. It targets buildings located in our locally designated historic district district. In this case, the Tuscaloolla Historic District. For improvements and rehabilitations of these historic buildings.

The applicant is proposing to perform the following work items, exterior painting, termite treatment, insulation, insulation, off insulation, and the foundation work. Based on this proposed scope, the cost to complete this work will be approximately $50,915. This was discussed at the East Ocala CRA Advisory Committee. The committee did recommend approval and based on the guidelines, the applicant is eligible for a reimbursement of up to 60%. The other residential grant is up to 75%.

Staff is recommending approval.

And that 60% would be $30,549?

That's correct.

Thank you. Is there any questions or comments from the public? Council. Can I ask a question?

Sure. I know can we just have the record be clear? I know in the agenda item there's some attached paint colors. Do we not ultimately decide that the applicant would not be restricted by those because that was not a condition of the grant? So can we just be clear about that?

Sure.

Yes, it's not a condition of the grant. And we'll go through that. Actually, at the end of this meeting, I just have a couple of comments on where we proceed to Premier with regard to CRAs generally. But paint colors are not.

All right.

That's all. Thank you. Okay.

So that wouldn't have no bearing on what we would be

It doesn't have any bearing on the award. No, sir.

Okay. No comments? Call the roll.

Mister Mansfield?

Aye.

Mister Hulte? Aye. Mister Musley? Aye. Mister Bethe?

Aye. Five l, improvement once again of Anise O'Kellar Historic Building Improvement Grant. Do I hear a motion? So moved. Second. Mister Dale.

So this building is located at 721 Northeast 2nd Street. The building was originally constructed as a single family residence and later converted to a three three residential units for rental. The current owner is proposing to return this to a single family residence. And they are requesting assistance to do some of the mechanical, electrical, and plumbing and rehabilitation. Based on the proposed cost, they would qualify for the maximum grant amount. Staff is recommending approval.

Any comment from the public? Council? Call the roll.

Miss Dreyer? Aye. Mister Mansfield?

Aye.

Mister Hulte? Aye. Mister Musley? Aye. Mister Pathe?

Aye. Item five m is the approval of an East O'Kelly CRA commercial building improvement grant. Do I hear a motion to approve?

So moved.

Is there a second? Second. Economic development manager, Roberto Ellis, once again,

recognized. Thank you. This is the Foxfire Building located at 605 East Silver Springs Boulevard. Before you, we have two applications. It's related to the same property.

However, the applications are split into phase one and phase two. Phase one will involve improvements to the shell of the building which will include demolition, ADA ramps, exterior front framing, and doors, parking lot improvements, and some masonry work. Phase two, which is request being requested under application 25Dash0053 will involve the interior build out of the property. Of the building. In the past, the CRA has risk has awarded or approved two applications across fiscal years to allow for the project to move forward per our guidelines.

The applicant cannot commence a project unless there is approval from the CRA. What is being proposed is an award of a grant in this fiscal year to cover one phase and award of the second grant application award to cover phase two in the next fiscal year. Currently, we have funds budgeted to to support the award of the phase one. In the future will make a budget allocation if phase two is also approved. This has been done in the past in our downtown CRA.

This will also allow the applicant who is providing a significant investment in this property to move forward with both phases of the project. Currently, the estimated cost for this project is approximately $783 0. That exceeds the the limits that would require them to qualify for each CRA application. Staff is recommend recommending approval and I'm able to answer any questions.

Are there any comment from the public? Counsel? Call the roll.

Miss Dreyer? Aye. Miss Dilti? Aye. Mister Mansfield?

Aye.

Miss Bethea? Aye. Mister Musley?

Aye. Okay. Any public comments? Having none, we adjourn.