The time is now 10:10. Um, this is the date is June 9th, 2026. And, um, if we could, I'm going to ask Commissioner Moore if you would please give us an invitation. Please stand if you're able. Dear heavenly father,
We thank you for this brand new day one. We ask that you meet with us today as we go into our meeting. Help us to make right decisions and do those things that we please in your sight. And Father God, we ask that you look over each each and every one of us. Have mercy upon us. Give us strength, knowledge, and
understanding to be able to do thy will and to do those things be perfect in our sight. On these blessings we do ask in thy son Jesus name. Amen. >> Amen. The >> pledge of allegiance. I pledge algiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for it
stands one nation under God indivisible with liberty and justice for all. >> Thank you everyone. So we're here today. We've got several um several topics today. We're going to start off the
first part of this workshop with a discussion with our Crescent City Downtown Partnership. This is a um request that was made some time ago, I believe, of the partnership for them to have a workshop with us so that we could all kind of get on the same page as to
where we are and where we need to go and our expectations and their expectations. So, with that, I'm going to turn it over. >> Okay. Thank you. Thank you, Mayor. Um if we could. So, today um >> Oh, we need to do a roll call. I do apologize. I do apologize.
>> You think I'm out of practice. It's been a couple of weeks for that. Um, madam clerk, could you please do a roll call for us, please? Commissioner Deito, >> present. >> Um, Commissioner BJ Lorie, >> mayor, excuse me. >> Present.
>> Um, Mayor Michelle Myers, >> present. >> Commissioner Linda Moore >> here. >> Commissioner Cynthia Burton >> here. >> City Manager Derek Martin here. >> Assistant City Manager, CRA Manager Body Love Day here.
Okay, thank you. We're all here. I appreciate that. I hope we have a forum. Okay. Thank you. >> Thank you. Thank you, mayor. Thank you, Madam Clerk. If I could please have the CRA representatives come up. I'm sorry, the downtown partnership uh
representatives come up and have discussion of theou. I believe you have in front of you a copy of our latestou. Um even if it's not the signed copy, we're going to be working on coming up with some changes today. and those discussions. >> So this is if you are here for the CRA
grant application that will be done following this portion of the workshop. Um we probably I think what are we allowing about an hour for this portion? >> I would say at least an hour. >> At least an hour. Okay. Did you want to talk about um what we were going to do
for break while they're getting ready while they're coming up? >> Yes. our our plan for break. We can it's up to the commission for how long we break, but we can grab we plan on grabbing sandwiches and pizza or pizza. >> So So we need to have it ready and
ordered so that we can get that going and limit our time. >> Correct. >> Okay. No peppers. >> I have staff I have staff on standby for that. So I'll just quick that. >> Yes. The microphone. We're going to move
it from the podium to the laptop. >> Okay. >> Good morning. >> Good morning, everyone. >> Good morning. >> Um I believe we do have Katherine Beck on Zoom um from Tallahassee. So, she's with us to answer any questions. Um as
the mayor mentioned, we requested this meeting quite um a couple of months ago to talk about the direction of our main street program and where do we go from here? We've had some leadership changes and um you know, it's time to discuss some um what the expectations are from
the city and um Catherine's here to answer any questions. So, I know I've received feedback from some commissioners have reached out to me over the course of the past couple of months inquiring about the Main Street program and um partnership and what's been going on with it as well as
citizens. So, um hopefully we can get some some direction and be able to move forward full steam ahead after this meeting. So, um, with that being said, >> can we see? Let me make sure. Is can Catherine is she can
>> Kathy, are you there? >> I just want to make sure that she's before you. >> Yeah. Okay. >> I cannot hear. >> There she is. Hey, Kathy. Good morning. >> Can you see us? >> I don't think she can.
>> They muted me but not them. >> Are we muted? I think we might have to be muted. >> Yeah. >> Is that better? >> Thank you. >> There she is. Good morning, Kathy. Thank you so much for joining us this morning. >> Good morning.
Thank you for having me. >> Okay, so Christina is going through her presentation right now. We do have some going on. Christina is going through a presentation right now and go ahead Christina. >> Well, um Kathy, thank you for joining us
and being here to answer any questions firsthand for our commissioners. Um as you know, our program has been going through some changes. We've had some leadership changes this past year with our um board of president and vice president and you know our executive committee winding out. We do have some new members. In the past few months
since I've taken on the position of interim, we've been cleaning up the organization from an administrative standpoint. We were not in compliance with the Department of Agriculture. We were not in compliance with our sales tax and um some insurance expired. So we've cleaned up all of those loose
ends. And um from a business and administrative standpoint, our organization is strong. Our finances are in order. Our QuickBooks is clear and concise. We have accurate reports um for you. And I believe Rachel will be presenting those at our next commission meeting. We'll have a full set of your
last year's finances. And he will give you a year to date as well, just so you have an idea of um you know, what's really what was really transpiring. income. Not that there was anything bad, but you know, you get a clear a clear view of the business part of the organization. Um, I know most of you are
used to seeing the warm and fuzzies from our farmers markets and Day of the Dead festivals and all of those wonderful events that we really kicked off strong when we initiated this program the first couple of years. Um, as you and many citizens have probably noticed, our work
plan is a little less than it's been historically speaking. So, you're not seeing many of those events out in the community anymore. We're not having those monthly events. However, the partnership has been working per their work plan. This was an approved work plan and um albeit bleak comparatively
speaking, they have been working um working the four-point approach as best as they can. So, um I do know that many of you have questions. So, I would like to open the floor to those questions and have Katherine be able to answer those firsthand. and um and then we can move
the conversation from there. >> Okay. Thank you. Thank you. I'll start start this. Commissioner, do you have any questions of either um Sir I >> I'm glad to have Miss Beck here. I do
have some questions for her. Um but I don't want to forget um later today. Uh, I know Christina Marie said that she's met with several commissioners and they've expressed various opinions or whatever to her. Um, I would like us all
to share any concerns that we've had. So, the is on the same page. >> I think that's part of that before. >> Okay. >> So, hi Katherine. Can you hear me? This is Lisa Deito. >> Hi. You can hear me? Okay.
>> I hear you just fine. Lisa, it's nice to see you again. >> Yes. Nice to see you. So, um I just I have some very basic questions. Um the organ one question I've had for quite a few years. Um and I've addressed
this with the former city manager and the former Main Street executive director. um the bylaws of this organization establish a board of directors that is um as I understand it
unless it's changed mainly presidents of area nonprofits there as far as I know there's no requirement to have any businesses or stakeholders on the board of directors um no requirement to have anybody with
any particular expertise piece. Um, and I was told in the past that this is a little unusual. Um, do you have any perspective to give us on that? >> Um, sure. Thank you for that question.
And, um, to be very frank with you, this is one of the areas that the former city manager and I disagreed on. As much as he supports Main Street and the Main Street concept, he believed very firmly that that board should be comprised of
nonprofits in the area. As Main Street, what we council is is that actually yes, you want to partner with other nonprofits. They should have liaison relationships with the main street. But you really are
looking for skill sets and stakeholders and business owners and property owners and citizens. Uh very important, frankly, to have the mom with two kids on your board. Um as well as having the business owner there because they all
bring a different perspective into that environment. And and so I I agree with you fully that that is not my ideal board makeup to be composed of of only other nonprofits.
You know, you run into the issue of of having cross purposes with with vision and mission statements. And where do your loyalties lie if you're representing one not for profofit on a board but leading it on the other hand?
So again, those partnerships are vital. They should be utilized. There should be working relationships, but I always council against having a nonprofit as a voting board member.
>> Okay. Um and then just another May I ask another question, may I? >> Sure. Okay. So another question that I have, um I have a long history in Crescent City. Um, my family has been
here since 1939 and I, my husband and I bought our family home. We are just, um, right across the street from the main street boundary. We're a block and a half from Central Avenue. So, I'm very
familiar with where this area was um, 65 years ago um, when I was a little girl shopping up down the street. And I' I've seen it change over the years. And obviously, um, one of Gold's main street is is revitalization. And I think we've
been around for how old are we? Four years. >> Yes. >> That's Main Street four years old. Makes me feel much older, >> right? Um, so in what I'm getting at here is um what are how do we set
realistic benchmarks for achievement for our Main Street organization? What should Main Street expect of itself? And as a funer, what should the city be looking at as far as
benchmarks? And you know, one thing that concerns me is we really haven't moved the needle too much on historic preservation or um building occupancy, but I I don't know what benchmarks should be over the years.
>> So, I mean, and that's a good question and it really has many levels to it. One, you could this program works with your CRA. So within the CRA plan there are areas that can be identified as the role for
Main Street. Okay. So that that's the first level with these with these programs. Then you want to look more comprehensively as what the city's expectation is in in terms of as the city entity not
not the CRA. Right. So a lot of the direction generally though commissioner comes from that CRA plan. So if the CRA revitalization plan says we want to have 25% of vacant B buildings occupied
within five years then maybe that's the trajectory they give to the main street. If it is to get the sod the sod grants out, you know, then that's then that's the trajectory. The main street goes and works with and educates the building
owners and the property owners and helps them fill out the sock grant applications and and you know and promote that. So, a lot of that depends on what your long-term plan is and where Main Street can fill in those holes for
you. >> Okay. Um, thank you very much. Um, I think those were my key questions. Thank you, mayor. >> Um, thank you. Um, my my question really kind of mostly you you just covered and
that was, you know, in in theou that we have. I'm sorry, this is Commissioner Lauri. I don't know if you recognize me. >> Hi, Kathy. um the um in our MOU, you know, we we ask every quarter for the downtown partnership to come and give us an update about what they're doing and
basically uh what their plans are. And one of the things is that it says that they must, you know, um implement what is it right here? The uh the four-point approach and that's really kind of like what Commissioner Devito is how how do
we measure that? You know, I to me it always seems very nebulous, you know, because everything's a little different. Sometimes times change and maybe they are not, you know, they're not necessarily filling up stores, but they are doing events and they're bringing
people downtown or they're working on different programs. I mean, how really how do other main streets like measure that success and and report back to their their governments that are helping fund them? So I mean generally you would
have a list of deliverables with that right and from where this organization is now right if you wanted to look at the four points and assign deliverables at each of those four points. So for
organization it would be okay. We would expect the organization to be current on their filings with you know agriculture with department of revenue to make sure your bylaws are updated to make sure your division of corporation want to get
that foundational structure back in place and make sure it is operational. Then then you look at design and and you know it may be something as simple under design where you just say you know we need we need to start getting these buildings pressure washed or these
sidewalks pressure washed or you know we need to get lights what whatever it is. >> So you set those deliverables and keeping in mind that you really kind of have an organization that's had to take a step back. >> So they are going to have to go through
more of that foundation building again. I think they've got to to do some board enhancement in there. They've got to build up that volunteer force again. >> Um, and all those things are certainly doable, but it takes time. And I think I
heard Christina say that the work plan is not as in-depth or involved as it has been in previous years. And that certainly would would be a reflection of where they are right now in terms of organizational capacity. So, you know,
you're going to have to work with them a little bit because you're kind of back to year one almost, not quite at the very beginning, but you had some setbacks and it happens in programs. You know, you had some you had some major leadership changes >> um within the city, within the CRA,
program area, and and so when that happens, things tend to get lost. Right. >> Right. Um, so I I think that it's it's up to you all to decide what those deliverables are. You know, under promotions, do you
want you know, you want to see a certain number of Facebook posts? And that's kind of part of what we even do with that internally here is we say, "Look, we're looking for post every month that hit the four points. You need to be telling us about your community." I mean, what you want to hear from us in
that Main Street environment is tell your story. And the best way to tell your story right now is social media. So, you know, introduce me to your businesses, introduce me to your historic assets, introduce me to, you know, your farmers market, whatever it is you've got going on. Be sure you're
telling that story. Um, and and that also starts educating the community because the community a lot of times does not understand what Main Street does except for the festivals, >> but they know we do that. Right. >> Right. Right. But we do a lot more than
that and that really is a is a very small part of what these programs are doing. Economic development is the basis for these programs. >> So the the CRA really wants to lean heavily on them in terms of how do we
get this district clean? What do we need to do? What do we need to do to bring businesses down? You know, what's going to help these businesses be successful? So that in itself is a lot of discussion within the community which is the other thing you have to realize is you're not
you may not see a bunch flower pots popping up. What you may see is a lot of meetings with your businesses a lot of SPDC coming in and doing trainings. A lot of working with young entrepreneurs that are really cottage industries helping them move up that next step.
maybe setting up some type of an incubator situation. Th those are and and those things you're going to see it happening, but it's not something that's implementable. Okay? It's not washing the windows, >> right?
But but you should every quarter know that we met with 16 business owners this quarter and three of them went on to take SPDC classes or two of them got grants for this or you know building owners came in and took facade grants.
So again based on what your priorities are as the CRA in the city and then what their charge is. >> Okay. >> Well, thank you. That that helps a lot. Commissioner Moore.
>> Good morning. Um, Commissioner Moore and I don't have any questions right now, but I think this workshop is for me because I'm learning a lot. >> Oh, great. Thank you. >> I'm new to the commission, so I'm still learning. So, I thank you for your presence on today.
>> Well, thank you, >> Commissioner Burton. >> I'm not ready to speak just yet. >> Okay. And everyone, when you do speak, please make sure you bring your microphone down. Um, I do want I I do have a couple of things I I would like
to um Kathy, you and I have been talking for at least six years now um about the importance of revitalizing Crescent City um and bringing back that um sparkle
that we once had. And we did once your friends your friends only made her. >> Okay. >> I hope it's I hope it's a good shot and not some of the shots that often time it freezes on. >> Can you hear me
>> now? Now you're clear. Yes. >> Okay. So, we've been talking for at least six years now about um revitalizing and bringing back the sparkle to Crescent City. Um, I do want to just for clarification purposes and
Christina, you were um part of that at that time in defense of um Charles and I do feel that I need to defend him because he did come in here and he um it was important to him that he also bring
this program, not necessarily the Main Street program, but an organization together of volunteers and people. And at that time, um, the people that he really had to work with that were active
were our board, our our other organizations. And they'd all been working in a silo. They'd all been kind of working independent of each other, not working together. And I know in those back conversations, him feeling like this was an opportunity maybe to bring everybody together to the table to
work together. I think now as we have evolved, we have found that that doesn't necessarily hasn't necessarily worked out, but it did at least get us established and it got a board. We were
able to put a board together. I think now as we go forward that the downtown partnership I think they're looking at possibly um because I know that you have shared with me Christina that the bylaws that there has to be a changeover in the
board every few years and that has not occurred and so now is a good opportunity to possibly reorganize that board um and and get you know those people that Kathy, like you and I have
talked about also in the past, those people that really are not necessarily dedicated to their organization, but will be dedicated to the partnership, >> right? >> Um, and I think that's very important at
this point where we are today. um that that as they recreate themselves that they have board members that actually want to get in there and do the work and and and be present with the Crescent City
Downtown organization because what I'm seeing from the outside looking in right now is that we you you don't have a volunteer. you you really don't have any volunteers remaining, per se. You might have a few every once in a while that
trickle in, but when we first, you know, um y'all first kicked it off, and we were all involved with that when they first kicked it off. So, I say we because I feel like we also have ownership in this. Um we were gung-ho
and we had a lot of volunteers and we did a lot. You saw us, you know, they were pressure washing. They were painting a light post. They were doing a lot of those things, Kathy, that you mentioned um that they should be charged with, especially in work working
together with our CRA. Um that was a benefit we had though because at that time our CRA manager was also the executive director. That was the portion that the city obligated to to this. Um but through the years we have found that
not to be the case and our volunteers um are are not there and I think that possibly has a lot to do with us needing to reorganize but I just for clarification purposes wanted to to um
just Charles isn't here to defend himself but we were hearing the back the back you know the backstory of it as why this was the initial board and I know you you disagree read um and and we have found that that we that
it's not working. It no longer works when we go to if you've ever sat in and I don't know how many of you have ever sat in on those board meetings, but you go around and it's everybody reports what their organization is doing and not necessarily the conversation as to what
are we what can we do? what can what can you as the downtown um you know partnership what can you do and it really that conversation in my from the outside looking in needs to really take place more at those board meetings
additionally the one thing I did disagree with from the get-go is the fact that Crescent City is very small we it's you know two miles and that we have not included all the businesses only the
central central area. Now, I do know through a Main Street program that it's really more of a walkable. They really want it to be more walkable. I think you could walk the city um easily, but some of those businesses are not included. And I don't know, Kathy, as they go
forward and they reorganize, is that a possibility that they could expand their boundaries to include so that because we have some businesses in town that could really benefit from um this partnership that I don't feel are
able to benefit. Kathy, what are your thoughts on that? Yes, certainly you you can expand boundaries and it's really a very simple method. Uh you identify the areas, you dis have
discuss it at a board meeting, you send me the minutes saying that the board has agreed to expand the boundaries to these areas. You send me the parcel numbers. You send me a map. And um what you what you don't want that to happen is that you
take off you bite off more than you can chew. That's what you want to be careful of. Um so I I think that probably at the end of the day what what y'all should do is is have apply for a
visioning grant first. Now, that's going to be not available until July of 27th, but it sounds to me like you really have to have more of a definition. I don't know how you defined your boundaries with when you came in on the application
process. I'm sure you worked with a planner or planning staff. Maybe you just took your CRA boundaries. I'm not sure what that process looked like. >> It was really made essential. I believe >> it was. Yes. Charles was trying to stay predominantly in the central obviously
um we are the downtown partnership so we wanted to stay true to that and um his idea was to keep it walkable and he felt that he was kind of stretching it a little too much but he wanted to encompass Alamigos and um you know whatever he could from either end ideally he would have wanted to stretch
it further because of course we have more businesses along the 17 corridor but that was the that was the rationale behind it >> well and I think that we have to look at our businesses that stretch, you know, from beyond this point. Okay? You know, I mean, it's one thing to be walkable,
but what are you walking to to enjoy? Okay. Desire stores, okay? You know, the stores that are only open certain hours because or stores that aren't even open, I guess, is what I want to say a lot time. So, I I think we have to be
reasonable. But I do want to say this. When we first started, one thing that we've lost is everyone was working together on together and everyone okay move
forward and make that happen. >> And that's what I think we've lost. Okay. There hasn't been any real plan lately that brings people together and gets them excited to to make it happen and make it work. I think the last time
thing that I saw that was that was pretty good was the bite week uh was very very exciting for a lot of people and it really kind of was. It was neat to see all the bikes down down the lane. But but then you know a lot it's the same old same old you know it's the same
old marketplace deal. It's the same old uh stuff and I think we get all excited too even though and this is major work but I think light the the light up for Christmas the the light up in the park and stuff is very very very well
received. So we we have to start thinking of things that everyone just will get excited again you know and and um and I'm not telling you I know exactly what all that is. I probably could but that's okay. Okay. um
being part of the commission sometimes you might not have to bite my tongue. So um but that's those are the things that I I think you know I mean it sounds great okay let's grab bring in more businesses I agree that the businesses really have to be part of the
conversation. Um but I'll be honest with you I don't know how to do all that you know and it's got to make sense. That's awesome. Mayor, I I do have another question for Miss Beck's opportunity.
>> Go ahead, Christina. Do you want to say something or do you or you want to >> um if I could just chime in for a quick second? I would just like the commission to be aware that we do have um an economic vitality committee that's been put together. Jonathan Bachelor is the chair and I think I mentioned that in a
previous meeting, but I would like to say there are several meetings happening. Um we had an extensive meeting yesterday. The gentleman Tom Rice is also part of co-chairing the committee. They're working diligently to contact um coming up with a strategy. Yesterday they strategized to come up
with a questionnaire for the um merchants and businesses. And part of that some of those questions did include what kind of events would they like to see? What is their feedback um from the businesses? So that's all underway behind the scenes. So just wanted to let you know that. >> Thank you. Yes,
>> Commissioner Da. >> Sure. Um, so Katherine, um, I actually I had two questions for you, but I I just want to kind of try to wrap up what I've heard and maybe ask for you to
respond. Um, Commissioner Burton mentioned events that get people excited. Um, and certainly you have to be able to create a certain amount of excitement or
purpose to attract volunteers, although I've worked in this area a long, long time with volunteers and there are other things you have to do. Um but it seems to me what you've been
telling us is that um the city needs to give Main Street something to work towards that the city and the CRA specifically our CRA plan need to give Main Street some goals and
purpose to work towards and not leave it to them in a vacuum to come up with all of that. Am I understanding that correctly? >> That that's that's exactly right, Commissioner. I I mean, the the city and
the CRA are their partners and and the main street's here to fill in those gaps. The things the city can't do, doesn't have capacity for, doesn't have authority to do. That's where that main street is going to help you the most.
Right. >> Right. But then conversely, um it seems that it's not really the right thing for the city to do in our role to leave it to Main Street to come up with an entire revitalization plan on
their own without us setting some goals. >> Is that Yeah. No, that's that is not their role. I mean, and and like within the CRA, one of the things they may come to you with is is maybe to to apply for a grant, the design guidelines, let's
say, you know, maybe you want to get a historic district designation. So, the first thing we tell them to do is look at design guidelines. They cannot tell you as a city that we're going to bring you a suggested design guideline for you to pass, right? That that would be
overstepping their role. They can help you. They can have those public meetings. We can get the consultants in there. We can put together a narrative with design guidelines and ordinances that would support those guidelines. At the end of the day, the city is the one
that has to vote and enact those things. So, always we're working under your umbrella and your priorities. Again, we are there to facilitate your revitalization
priorities. >> Okay? And uh trust me, I know it's a lot of work to come up with revitalization priorities. And also very important, I just want to refresh you. Crescent City has a historic district and the main street area is right in the middle of it
and if it expanded, it would still be in the middle of it. So, um, my next question is really, um, to get some clarification, um, not just on the city's supposed
direction. Um, the, you know, the mayor talked about some, she goes to meetings, she listens to board meetings. Um, when this thing was first established, I remember Mr. Rudd told us at a meeting, it was my
understanding that the commissioners were not supposed to be actively involved in the running of the main street. Um, at the time that was fine by me because I was a member of um, several organizations that would be represented
on the board and I have my responsibilities as a commissioner. And it was fine with me um to not be trying to get in the middle of it and and direct
things um what on an individual level um should commissioners quote stay out of it or did I not understand um yeah I'm not sure what was expressed to
you but the city should certainly We have a liaison on >> on the board, a nonvoting liaison that can be a commissioner, it can be a city employee, it can be whoever.
However, commissioners as individuals can volunteer on committees and you know, you see this across this program. I have some programs that have
city commissioners that are voting board members. I think for your own individual sense of peace in terms of if someone questions your actions, you would not want to be a voting board
member who was giving directional instruction to a main street or any board whether it's the chamber, it's the whoever it it is. um because it's independent board that and and that board is there to
guide that that's that board's role is is to have the discussions talk with the community educate the participants and come up with a plan and implement that plan. So if you as a city are seen as being too heavy-handed because you have
that 501c3 you you can get across purposes. Now, if you just decide as the city you're going to run the program, then you can certainly do that. The problem with that is that then the
then the program becomes the city again and you don't have that community impact and buy in because they'll say, "Well, the city is going to do it." And that's what makes Main Street work quite frankly is is getting the
volunteer bases built up. Having people invest back into their community, retain that sense of pride, be able to tell those stories about where you came from 65 years ago to where you are now, what's happened there and I mean they
have a vested interest in it, right? So you can use different models, but in implementing a 501c3, I would encourage you very strongly as a commissioner not to be a voting member on that board. >> Okay.
>> And I will I'm going to chime in on that one, Commissioner Dvito, because I feel like that might be directed at me. Um, and I am not a voting member on that board. Um, but I do attend those board meetings in the audience as a visitor.
um from occasion just so that I can kind of get an understanding as to what's going on. But I will also say that um I I'm not directing Christine. Am I directing anything? I mean, from from your
>> point of view, am I directing anything in the partnership? >> No, me. >> I have volunteered. >> You have volunteered countless hours and taken out numerous bags of trash. Um but I am not but I am not um just for
clarity here from the commission um I do sit in on those board meetings from time to time but I am not a voting member um on that board. Uh now at one point I was with the um vitality economic vitality but then I
stepped away from it. They needed somebody to kind of get it started. We got it started. I stepped away from it. Anna got she she took it over. She has since um gone into more promotions and the bike fest and um Jonathan has taken
that over. Thank you so much for doing that because it's sat very stagnant for very for a long time but I and for caution and I'm not a member really of I'm not a member of any organization um here locally. So just so that I I can
be very objective and not subjective. I felt like that from the get-go. Um, and so just I just wanted that for clarity just so that nobody got the impression that I had a voting or I was voting or involved in that. So, and mayor, if I
could just follow up, I really wasn't directing anything at you at all. Just that the rules and guidelines or whatever have not been particularly clear. um the there have been commissioners
involved in things um you know >> you're involved in Rotary you're involved in the story district I mean so we all are involved in something >> but I'm I'm talking about Main Street and there's just been a lack of clarity as to what the expectations are what the
rules are um so that's that's very helpful um to have that clarification and then I have one more question about funding and I may I ask mayor yes okay >> from respect um Katherine >> one question I have is you know after
four years I have not um looked at the latest budget in detail um but to date the city has been the primary funer of Main Street um not only from the money
that goes directly to it but also as with some other organizations be providing um other well public work support for activities and supplies and things like that. Um are there any
guidelines or benchmarks that we should be working towards as far as a main street organization having its own financial capacity or in a small community like this? um is that
not really important? >> Well, obviously the program to be successful has to be funded. So, I think that's the first question is do you want the program to be successful and to help you in your revitalization effort? um
you you certainly face challenges that other communities may not in terms of financial constraints which is why that scope of services comes in be because they're taking some of your capacity restrictions off of your plate. There
are things that have to be done. There are things that have to be accomplished and and they're doing that work for you basically. So national uses a model of a third, a third, a third. A third should come from
the local governmental partner, a third from grants, and a third from their own fundraising efforts. However, for and and I've been doing this almost 10 years now. What I noticed with the local programs is they really
don't hit their stride with fundraising generally until about years 5 to 7. So definitely that stronger foundation in terms of support from the city is is very important. The other thing you have to realize is a lot of things that main
streets do, they don't get compensation for. If you have an end of the school year party and they're doing ice cream in the park, they're not charging the community to come to that. But somebody's got to pay for that. And that's time and effort and there there's
a lot that goes into that, right? I Yes, there are things that they can do. If they did the farmers markets, you can, you know, get your vendors But in your area, your vendor's fees are basically covering the cost of permitting and electricity. They're not
making money on those. And and so they are at a point where they need to sit down and come up with a strategic long range funding plan. And I'm going to pull Hastings into this because Hastings went back and they
found that potato cabbage and potato festival and they geared it up and they threw bacon on top of it and that is a strong fundraiser for them and and we have talked about that when I've been in the district. You know, it really is
identifying what you're doing. I would love to be able to activate those lakes. They are assets to me. They they are something that should be utilized. I know we're talking trails. I know we're looking that all these things take time though. And that is the thing about Main
Street. It is not a quick fix. It is a long-term planning process. Okay? It'll be about 10 years. So once you really establish that vision plan and where you are, where you want to be, it'll take you about 10 years to get there. So it is
steps. I I do think y'all made some progress. I said you had to kind of step back a little bit and you just you had a shake up in leadership at all levels. So that's difficult on organizations. It's very difficult. So now is the time to
come back, band back together again and really strengthen the foundation of this organization. Um I know Christina keeps telling me she's the interim for a while. Christina did an excellent job. Christina knew the
community. She got to know the people. She knew what was important to them. Y'all were doing some great community outreach. And I think part of that's missing now, too. Um, and that's a shame. That's a shame because there are parts of the community that that I think
are not being brought into these discussions right now. We can't focus on just the businesses. that I mean that that's why we say that board needs to be this conglomerate. It needs to look like your
demographics. If you've got, you know, a lot of retired and elderly there, you better have somebody who's 65 or 70 on that board. You got a lot of young families, you better have a mom with three kids on that board. So, it's not all about being the business owner or the property owner
in the main street. It's about being a member of your community and somebody who wants this community to survive and to thrive and and that's what you're looking for is that passion and that commitment. >> Okay.
>> Thank you, Mayor. Thank you, Miss Beck. Miss back. Um, Commissioner Lori again, um, we've talked about, um, over the last few years whether Crescent City and the Downtown Partnership really needs a full-time or a part-time director. What
What are your feelings, do you think, on that? >> Well, well, the feelings are depends on how quickly you want things implemented. You certainly are in a position that you could have a part-time director. Mhm.
>> However, from my my role where I am, I think that if you want consistency in that position, if you want somebody who's engaged, who's out talking, who's building those partnerships with other
entities, if you know that is a full-time role, >> I I mean, Main Street is a lot of work and people don't realize that, >> you know, when we say a full-time time position. We're talking 50 to 60 hours a
week in a lot of these things, you know, part time positions about that 40 hours. You're not quite at that point. >> But I think for somebody to really kind of sit down, put put in the time to do
the planning, to do the implementation, to start doing that partnership building. A full-time director is certainly going to help that cohesiveness come together a lot quicker than a part-time. >> Okay.
>> Thank you. >> Yeah, we have a CRA director and then we have a CRA director. We have, it seems like we have one for um Main Street and we have one for city and
and I'm just wondering how the two shall meet and work together because right now it seems like they're both kind of doing the same thing or maybe getting in each other's way. I don't know. Um well I'm just I'm just surmising here but I mean
um I think I guess in my mind okay uh I just want to understand what is the difference of the CRA manager for Main Street versus the CR manager for the
city. >> Okay. What's the difference? What are we doing talking to the same people? Um, no. I'm I am the the main street director and my boundaries are centrality from Lake to Lake and Lemon to Edgewood. That's my program area.
Your CRA director is in charge of all three of your CRA areas. Central, South, and North. >> All three. >> Right. And mayor, if I could >> let me make sure. again. Yeah, I I just, you know, like I say, I'm not sure if
we're stepping on toes with that kind of range. >> And to be to be quite um frank with you, for the past three months since I've jumped back on board as interim, um Bonnie is brand new. Yeah. >> So, she's been getting acclimated to her new role as well as the community as well as her boundaries. It's a lot to
take in. Um her and I will be working together in the future. I mean, that's what Main Street is. We're under the the CRA. So, her and I will be working very closely. Again, as I mentioned earlier, we've been getting this organization cleaned up from an administrative standpoint. Your body's been getting acclimated. Um, and I would like to
remind the commission, as I'm sure you all are well aware, we do have a master plan, and I believe it is page 64 or 65 of that master plan, if my recollection serves me correct, where it states our goals and objectives through till 2027. And on that list, it clearly states what
organization is in charge of what or what that what Bonoy Airs recommended at the time. And um it states that clearly and maybe we should revert back to that in an upcoming workshop and or maybe Bonnie and I need to sit down and really hone in and strategize and implement
implement some of those goals and get that going. >> See, we were spoiled because at one time you were main street and our CRA director. >> You're right, Mr. B. You were you were spoiled. you know and now we have uh we have four
feet in in bond you know so that that's why I'm I'm asking that question how >> I understand >> yes commissioner so it just comes to mind because commissioner Burton is saying who does what um the first point I would kind of guide us
to is said that it's the responsibility of the city and the community redevelopment agency to set our goals. So, I'm assuming that our city staff will help us with that. But also, very importantly, as I understand from the
community redevelopment agency statutes, Florida statutes, the CRA is really about bricks and mortar. It's my understanding, we all went to a conference and I've been to conferences since then, that CRAAS are
not about um activities and um festivals. We're prohibited still, I believe, from spending money on activities and festivals. So really our CRA staff are supposed to be looking at
um the literal redevelopment, economic re redevelopment, brick and mortar redevelopment. That's their job under state law as I understand it. the main street organization um has a
much broader range of activities including um any festivals um parties um you know th those kind of things. So we we really have to have some division
as I understand it. So back in 2019, I believe that's when the legislature determined that we could no longer fund through our CRA because we always had a set aside amount that we would give to organizations for their events. And I believe it was in 2019 when they
determined that we could no longer do that. And so the commissioner veto is correct. it is more brick and mortar and you are more um I look at you more as our promotions you know marketing marketing presency
um and I know you've been criticized or there's been you know talk about the fact that you're not just you know you're an event organization but quite honestly through these events I have felt you've brought people to town just like the catfish festival it brings
people to town um the bike fest It brings people to town. We showcase Crescent City and you never know who's going to invest here either through their home or they want to bring a business here. So while I know you don't
want to be that just that organization, those events in my pers from my perspective have been um very beneficial because it does bring people it does showcase what Crescent City does where we as a CRA no longer have that
opportunity to do so. I just want to say uh Main Street also brought us and this is part of C I believe uh our brick walkways out there the light post being
painted um the flower pots being put out uh the um awnings okay that were except the ones there on the one building I'm not that crazy about they were gran um in an attempt to make that pretty big um
But, you know, we we painted the sign. You guys had, you know, they they got the grand paints sign. And and I mean, all of it kind of works together. And what the mayor says, you know, as we make the
city prettier, better, um, more cohesive, I guess. Uh, the events are what bring people in to say, "Hey, you know, I'd like to live here." And and I hear that quite often when I bring people in, they say, "Boy, this is a nice little city." Now, I have a few other words after they say that. That's
okay. That's my own business. But but the thing is is um it is a nice city and it could be so much more if we could just get people interested in really kind of working towards those goals. And
I think that's what we're lacking. >> I agree with you, Commissioner. Yes. Um we need to get the warm and fuzzy stuff. We need to reinvigorate the program and get the community excited again. But um you know we need to know like you know the expectations so that
we can move forward with that. Historically over the past year I've heard from previous members well you know they heard at a conference that Main Street isn't an event organization. I' I've heard that a dozen times. No we're not an event organization but it at one point it really was the what the
community sees. They didn't see the merchant mingles behind the scenes as Kathy mentioned. So, you know, we do need we do need that community. Um, >> it was it was huge. It was it was huge. >> And I'm confident that we'll get there. >> Yeah, I think so.
>> No, I believe in the program. I believe in Crescent City, >> Mr. >> Yes, ma'am. Thank you, Mayor. Um, the new group of people are dynamic individuals and professionals. I I think that they're going to be able to take this, but like our guest said, they're
going to need time. Um, one thing that was discussed in our meeting and I had reiterated this with our legal counsel was what what do we do? We've talked about the expectations. You all need a grade card for them. Um, what was discussed with Don Holmes was creating a set of of KPIs. So those are key
performance indicators that can be agreed upon between both parties in theou and that's what we're here to do today. Um, with the anticipation of that I had worked on a couple of the KPIs. I I came up with six major KPIs. Typically on a size portion, I was looking at
other cities what they do. They have a little bit more. Um the ones that I came up with um our guests had already spoken about on a few of them, but I'll just hit on a couple of the uh the main KPIs is economic vitality. Um they have their like the core purpose of the revitalization. in that a KPI that we
can set and I'll give you some examples that we could put in this document is number of new businesses opened number of businesses retained number of businesses closed track but not penalized of course uh net job creation private investment dollars leveraged by
that entity vacancy rate reduction and number of property improvements or facade upgrades. The next one would be promotion and marketing. That would be number of events hosted. Uh event attendance, social media engagement, followers, reach, interactions, website
traffic and downtown branding and marketing campaign execution. This shows the partnerships actively driving foot traffic and visibility. The third is design and placemaking. This reflects improvements in the physical environment. This is where our collaboration comes together on our budget which we have actually talked
about a couple of ideas already. leveraging what we had in our CRA dollars for the rest of this year and of course looking into next year as well. Um number of beautifification projects completed, street skate skates enhancements, public art installations, seasonal decor deployed and maintained
and cleansliness benchmarks, litter index, power washing frequency etc that enhances the aesthetic appeal of visitor and for visitor experience. Fourth is organ organization and governance and assures operational accountability. we could have in there. Of course, we
already have it. Quarterly reporting. That's important. That's part of that. Um, but I think this body wanted more than what was of course on here, which is why we have this meeting today. Budget adherence, fundraising, grant dollars raised. That's very important. Volunteer hours logged and board meeting
attendance and compliance. It builds trust with the city and the other stakeholders. Number five is community engagement. This of course measures how the partnership how well the partnership uh involves the community number of stakeholders engaged whether we're
looking at doing surveys or works other workshops or other outreach participation rate from businesses and programming um participation or I'm sorry partnership engagement with civic groups um the value of this shows the district is inclusive and
communitydriven and number six sorry I'm boring you with the depth but these um safety and experience This is applicable when the partnership helps with operational support. So, ambassador hours in the district, incident reporting improvement, and lighting or safety upgrades, which we've talked
about doing a lot of the um that here recently, lighting and safety improvements being completed include this improves the public perception and of course comfort. Um most successful from the research and looking at some of these other cities
have about 8 to 12 highlevel KPIs clear definition a measurement method and a reporting schedule. This is the only way that you all are going to have a great card to feel that they're doing what they are supposed to be doing. But I can tell you they're going to take they're going to need time to get there. And I think this body is more than capable of
doing something very special that hasn't been done in most recent years, especially with the right people in leadership. So that's my piece and um I'll leave it up to you. Thank you, mayor. >> And again, a lot of those what you're talking about, they have to work hand in hand with our CRA. >> Yes, ma'am.
>> They don't have the resources to go out and to correct >> to do some of this beautifification. >> Um that's something that we have to work together with. But >> yes, >> before anything can be done, they've got to build up. They've got to be able to reinvigorate and build up their
opportunity for volunteers. >> Yes. >> Because right now, they can't do that. I think we're looking at it. They can't do it. They can't do it on their own. >> And um they've got to have volunteers. And so they've got to figure out a way. So they do have some I believe in the
organization. I do though before and I should have started at the beginning with this is from the from the get-go from um when we originally established this to thank everybody that has served on this that has volunteered on this
that has brought us to where we are today. Um it is all volunteer. Um there's no dollars behind it and it's just a love of the community. And so I think u we would be aiss to not say
thank you for what everyone has done thus far. Um because every month these board members they come and they meet on a Monday evening. They take away from their families. They come in any of these events on the weekends, you know. Um they're they're there from from the
beginning to the end. We have a big one coming up in just a few weeks. It's going to take a lot of resources and a lot of people, a lot of manpower. Um, so, but it does work handinand with the city in, you know, and it has to we're
small community. Um, and that's the other thing. I know that we've I've heard that um that we're too small to have this program. And Kathy, can you weigh in on that? Um, your thoughts on that? Well, again,
we're going to look at Hastings. Um, 686 people and they are knocking it out of the park, >> but they got the community buy in. I mean, that's the community has come together and has embraced this program and said, "Yes, we want to lift this
community up." >> And, you know, and that's that's what it's going to take. it it it's not for you. I you pro your sin is probably that you're large enough to have a city that offers some services and some people go well the city will do it and and that's
where we as as people go right we we we always assume somebody else is going to do it because the truth is a board member is going to put in 15 to 20 hours a month easy this is not an hour a month board right and and so it is time it is
time that has to be invested in this and and there has to be a desire to do it and and it's all about building up those relationships and that takes time and it takes people understanding the program and you know and and that's the thing to
your point u commission when when you talk about what's the difference between the CRA and the main street the main street is is really the community side the people's side the CRA is the government side it is the direction you know you as leadership have worked with you know your your consultants and your
planners and you come up with a plan along that you will implement as the city because you have capacity and funding to do that. But again, it's the it's the people side. It's the warm side where Main Street comes in and fills in
those those cracks for you. I don't think you're too small. I think that you have tremendous resources there if we can garner them and if we can get people back focused on that downtown again
recognizing what assets you do have. Your natural resources are incredible. And if if I were you, I I would be concerned about what's being brought up around me
because that's that'll have an impact on you. I mean, we see it, you know, in South and Central Florida. These large tracks are going up and and then all of a sudden you're you're left behind because they they are creating these new
communities. These developers come in, they recognize these natural assets. You know, when when you live in a community, sometimes you become blind to what jewels you do have because you see
it every day. And people come in from the outside and look at that and they go, "Holy cow." >> Y, >> you know, and they're not going to tell you, "You're sitting on a crown jewel." They're going to say to you, "You want me to get rid of all these old empty
lots you got over here? >> I'll give you 50 cents on the dollar." And you know, and that's a hard thing for people to turn down. I get it because what you are doing, you're at the point where you are rebuilding again. So it does it just takes it takes that
commitment. That's why these visionings are so important with the community. It really is getting that sense from the community of who they think you are and where they want to go. Maybe they don't think you're a recreational town. That would be important for you to know
because you have those assets. They're very valuable assets. There's a lot of growth and potential in those assets. If you start going down the wrong track and your community is not there, maybe they want to lean heavier on the agricultural basis. Well, then you're not gonna get
their behind. >> Right. Exactly. >> Yes. Commissioner Dita, >> I have two questions for the city manager. Um, obviously this is a workshop, right? So, we can't adopt anything now. Um and certainly before we
did I would want to have the opportunity to read them but when you read a list of what you thought should be in the what is does KPI stand for? >> Key performance indicator. >> Key performance indicator. >> It's a great card for you all. >> It's a great a great card.
>> Yeah Rard. >> Yeah. I get that part. Um and I am all for deliverables. I've shared in the past um contracts that I got from Miss Beck from other main streets that were more detailed than what we have. Um but
in those whatever they are um >> whatever I really I hate initials. Um I did not hear anything about historic preservation which really concerns me. Um, and it is there's nothing in there about historic preservation and I hear
design and um, pressure washing and all that kind of thing. Um, you know, I'm hoping that some main street activities um will be directed somewhat toward historic preservation. And certainly you
have to be careful when you pressure wash and paint that you're not damaging um portions of the buildings that are um contribute to its historic qualities. If I can answer. >> Yes. So um as you all were saying
earlier a big uh and these key performance indicators half of them are going to be in the collaboration between the cities the CRA they're not going to be able to have success without the CRA um being the government body that arm and our funding stream um it's just
that's how it's going to it's going to go if you if you go to our master plan we start I believe it's at 63 down um that is our implementation plan within our our implementation strategies. They have been phased for years. Part of the
historic preservation is included in that visioning and master plan. And there's items specific to historic preservation within those phased implementation strategy approaches. We will work with the partnership to make sure of course that um our historical buildings or other types of structures
are are safeguarded. When I'm speaking of pressure washing, I'm talking about sidewalks and other things. >> I'm just just checking. We I don't want to take all all day on this and then Um the other thing as far as getting the community involved and having um
sufficient volunteers and getting people to work together um one thing that's concerned me about the downtown partnership in the past over the years um is that I've heard from a lot of people in the community um
that they went to partnership meetings and then they didn't because um there was a certain amount of hostility or bullying. Um the committees didn't always seem to work well together. Um I spoke to one board members about this in
the past year. Um just to ask, you know, I'm I'm assuming at Main Street conferences there are seminars on how to recruit and work with volunteers. Um, but personally myself,
um, you know, I've tried to put this aside and I've hoped it would end. Um, I have not been welcomed at Main Street events for many years. And last year, I went to a Main Street event that was open to the public and I was screamed at
by somebody I understood was board member. It was a horrible disruption. The mayor was there. Um, somebody was so upset, apparently they ran out the back door in fear. Um, and I've heard also
about um explosions or whatever that that people did not have a good um interpersonal working relationship to. I mean, I at one point I wrote to the city manager about this um and some other
people. It concerns me very much um because I did talk to the board after the incident last summer where I was screamed at and >> what's the wrong >> put in fear. >> I'm sorry. Um I'm speaking at the moment. >> So um and who said that?
>> It doesn't matter. So >> because you're painting a very ugly picture of our partnership right now and that's not the case. That has not been the case. If I could >> Yes. Please bring it to bring it to >> I am bringing it to a close and at some
point um the my request to the board and my suggestion both for the CRA and the city as a funer and to this board as it reorganizes itself or this organization. Um, it seems to me that there needs to
be some consideration of a standard of behavior and some attention as to how people treat each other and the public. And I and other people, we are members of the public and I believe that everyone should feel welcome at Main
Street events. I don't think that's unreasonable and there should be a standard of behavior both for volunteers, for board members, and how people are treated because I I never received any followup on that. And I've
made um you know, it just concerns me. I don't understand how an organization can be successful if um there aren't if there isn't decorum in behavior. And obviously that's confus people but it
needs to be managed. >> Okay. Thank you very much for yes comment. But we have a brand new body, a brand new executive board. Uh like I said earlier, all professionals um I've been in the meetings and there's control being taken and there's power.
>> Yeah. >> Well, and I've never felt unwelcome here. >> Yeah. I had that either. I don't vote for many. But but uh a there's people that are passionate about certain items. Okay. Sometimes
they get a little overwhelmed. Let's know that. >> When you walk in the door, you should not be made to feel unwelcome. And I and others have had Main Street volunteers make individual members in the community
feel like they are not welcome to come to this reception. There's a new sheriff in town >> and we should move forward. >> Yeah, we should. Yeah, we're we're we're moving forward with positivity, learning
from the past and um you know, we can't control other people's behavior a lot. >> Wait, wait, wait. But other people, your board members, you cannot control me. >> Well, I don't want to get Commissioner DO, I'm going to call. We don't I don't want to get into this right now. You
obviously have had conflict with somebody or some group >> and so that's I think something that needs to be worked out on an individual basis. >> Um mayor >> yes >> when someone comes to the city we treat them with dignity and respect and when
someone goes to a main street public visioning or reception or whatever it is they deserve the same dignity and respect. So just because something happens now I was at that same event that you're referring to Commissioner
Devito and I do know that the board members and the people that were there they did gather they did gather around you. They did they did there was they took it it calmed itself and they took care of it and was handled and if you
need a personal apology then that's something to please work out with them. But let's let's continue to move on. >> Yes. I'd like to back up a little bit. Um, Commissioner Dvito referenced um she was concerned about the historical preservation aspect of our program not
being that box not being checked. And Kathy, I believe I've spoke with um you about this in the past. And um can you please reiterate to me um how you explained that sometimes other organizations may inadvertently check that box and um like for example here we
have our historical society and they're very active. They're one they're a very big group much bigger than we are and they work diligently in the historic preservation um that's a topic. So would they in fact be checking a box for us for a lack of better term or or can you
elaborate on that please? >> Yeah certainly your partnership with historical society is important. Um and it depends on on the needs. If you have a partner who is fulfilling that, then yes, build that partnership with
just like if you had a strong TDC that was doing a lot of your marketing and promotion, you as Main Street wouldn't have to focus so heavily on that, right? So, it's about identifying those assets. I mean, Christina, you've been through this with us. You know, we do the SWAT analysis. What are your strengths? Where
are your weaknesses? Use your strengths and partnerships are part of that asset. If you know, Mr. I'm not sure what you're what you are looking for the mainstream to do. I I mean is there an issue with with code
compliance? Is there an issue with with people, you know, going in and installing windows that are that are not as si? >> Um that would be a yes. >> Yes. >> Yeah. >> So that's more on the sipping though
because those are code violations, right? Yeah. No, no, no. >> That's not what I'm talking about at all. >> Okay. >> I'm not the main street can educate and the main street can and can do those type of things. But if
you have an active historical society that's really taken on that role, we don't want to get in their path. If they are active, if they are productive, if they, you know, if they Yes. Yes. Maybe yes, maybe no. But but that is a
partnership because again these individuals are not necessarily going to have a background in historic preservation, right? So, so you want you if you if you don't have a partner there then you need to identify someone who can take that role
for you >> and that would be >> well okay so yes we have a historical society commissioner Lori and I are both very active in that historical society particularly preservation month we have kind of worked with Main Street on
preservation month my concern is is that Um, I don't think you can just say, "Well, we're going to leave it to the historical society because, um, much of our historic district, particularly the
commercial part, is in the middle of Main Street. So, if you're talking about revitalization, um, you have to have some kind of awareness and consideration, and it is one of the assets. So I I don't think
that Main Street can just not have that on the table, not take it into consideration um for events and with um design because one of your key assets are literally um
three buildings that were determined to be National Register eligible that are right there and almost every other building as a contributing structure to our historic district. So somehow um although the historical society
certainly has a certain amount of volunteer expertise, I would hope that somewhere in the main street program um historic preservation is uh promoted, seen in in almost every
committee in some way. Well, it it is and and and again being in a historic district isn't an asset and those existing buildings and structures are assets. That's part of what we use. Right. >> Right. >> Did Christina I don't remember. Did you
all apply for a grant for design guidelines for the district or not? >> Not that I'm aware of. No. get you know so through DHR they you can apply for and get a grant for design guidelines and we have the consultants come in and and they create the design guidelines
which then again you have to implement as a commission because those will be ordinances and they will be policies placed on those structures right so I mean within your comp plan and your land use codes you have guidelines already in
place they vary maybe they're not as stringent as you want them to be. Maybe there's no consistency in them from, you know, one building type to the other. So, they have a they can help you with that in terms of getting those grants in
place, bringing in the consultant, again, putting together the public meetings, getting the public involvement done, doing the surveys, and help you come up with a set of design standards that they can watch out for for you. And
I want to add to that um you know is you can only do so much because it requires a property owner's approval and so you have to have a property owner be an active participant as well and um unfortunately we don't have a lot of
that and we hear constantly I've heard since I've been here you know and commissioner you know you're one that says this we've got to fill these we've got to fill these buildings we've got to fill these buildings um a business and I don't know how many of you have been in business.
>> Oh yeah. >> But business I've been in multiple businesses. I've opened them, closed them, sold them. Um businesses are very difficult and you've got to have support. You have to know that to make
that investment um that there's going to be re a return on that investment. And I feel like with what we have done so far with our main street program and um just trying to work up to that and and like
um Miss Beck said, you know, this can take years, but bringing to people that there is an opportunity here, but right now some of this um we've had businesses open. and you've tried to do
an incubator there with several businesses I know and um and unfortunately we just don't have the the people to support these businesses the way they need to be supported and so it's not something that just happens
overnight. It's got to be something that as a collaborative group, we all have to be working together and it's going to require the city um they don't have our our downtown partnership doesn't have the ability to give out grants, but they
can help with the CRA. The CRA is the one that's giving out those grants for any historical preservation. And I will say this, they can't pressure wash um unless a property owner allows them to come in there and pressure wash and then um you know and and mold and mildew can
be just as damaging um as anything on a building and should be I think we all get this idea of pressure washing being highowered and it doesn't necessarily have to be highowered. There's other ways of pressure washing. Correct. But it requires a property owner's it
requires a property owner's um permission and and that's one of the things that you know maybe that from a historical standpoint of what Commissioner Devito is asking for that that's something that we work towards is with these property owners and showing
them that they can do something with these buildings other than storage. A lot of them have bought these buildings. They're doing storage in them. um and it's a detriment to anything that we're trying to do in our downtown. So
um I think as we move forward though we all have to understand and that it's a partnership amongst all of us regarding Fruitland Peninsula Historical Society which also has a seat on the board and has a say on that. It's the downtown
partnership. CRA and ultimately a lot of it especially where these burst strings are involved it's the commission um and and our commitment to the community too. So >> well the historical piece to anything it people have to buy into it thinking it's
going to buy them something because it costs a lot of money to restore things historically into that type of um world. I mean it really costs a lot of money and normally it it's not just taken up through and it's not just taken up
through Main Street you know because we only have so many dollars it's taken up through people uh historically interested in the building they see some significant in it significance in it. They decide hey we want to save this building or do something with it. they
form some type of foundation to get uh money from the outside in to to start taking care of that building. And so far, I haven't seen anybody do that for Crescent City. And I think uh you know, that's they they just want everybody in
the city to kind of take care of it. And if if you're passionate about something, then be passionate about it. And u that's the way I feel. Do we have any other questions of M? Yes. >> Well, and I miss Beck, you you heard
those uh KPIs that um Derek had listed. Um how did how did those sound to you as far as sound >> it sounds like the normal Main Street to me. >> Okay. And and one of the things that I kind of wanted to ask or point out is
that >> there's there's there there's nothing extraneous in there. Okay. I I mean obviously your percentages you want to watch when you talk about new businesses. It'd be unreasonable to say we want 50 new businesses this quarter. So
So your your margins have to be reasonable, right? But the list I mean you know congratulations to you know to your city manager for doing the research. Your list is exactly the type of data to that we collect as Florida main street and that national collects.
Okay. So those are the same standards we were looking for to understand what's going on in your district. >> And so you know necessarily we don't have to set limits but if we get those numbers we can see the progress as it goes from one quarter to the next or one
year to the next. So and I and I would just like to you know kind of say that to the commission as well think about it. I don't, you know, it's really hard to me to say, well, they've got to bring in five business, you know, because what happen, you know, one year you might bring in five businesses, the next year you might not, you know, it it to me
it's just the importance is that we want to see that there's stuff going on and that our money is that the tax money is being spent, you know, properly. So, I like that. I think that's we're moving in the right direction with that. So, and I and thank you for your for your feedback, Miss Beck. >> Sure. Sure. And the quarterly reports as
Kathy mentioned to Main Street do um have all that data and at least they're supposed to um you know buildings um that have been bought and sold, businesses that shift. So as Main Street directors that's something that we kind of try to keep track of or we keep track of and we
do report quarterly and those quarterly reports um that we submit to Main Street should be provided to the commission quarterly when we request our funding. So, um certainly going forward we'll have that and anything else. >> Thank you. >> I encourage um all the commissioners
I've gone to numerous um of the main street >> I just registered for the >> to the main street to the main street meetings. No, no, the the statewide the statewide
they'll have them. They have the annual one and then they have the quarterly ones. Right. >> Correct. And so, um, especially going to the annual one, I think it would be beneficial. And a matter of fact, I believe it's even at a reduced rate for a city commissioner um simply because
they encourage us to come and understand and and after you go to those you really and sometimes it might take a few before you really get and understand the importance and how how Main Street can be a true partnership in a community. But definitely I encourage
you all to do that. Um and and there's some excitement when you come out of that. Um I even went to a national one and that one was unbelievable. Um so by all means um you know you've got that
opportunity and and and um Gabby I just want to thank you. uh you have been a true partner and supporter and um advisor for since the get-go, even before the get-go and um
>> I know the star >> and you have been and so I I greatly appreciate that >> and we appreciate you spending the time with us today. >> Oh, absolutely. You know, and I you know I am here for you too as partners with these main streets. I'm not just here
for the executive director of the boards, you know, always and I know a couple of you have in in the past years. You reach out and say, "Hey, what is this?" That that's our role. That's why we're here. And Michelle, thank you for your kind words. And you know, education
is is a big big rule for me. All right. When we do our quarterlys, I mean, these are training workshops. They are open. I mean, you as they're open to the public. you as commissioners could could register to come and you know I encourage you to do that with we have
one up we I think we're in Sanford next spring um you know so there's opportunities you know the ne the next one with us is Palms and Coco that's that's that's the week long then we're in Miami which might be a bit of a of a
struggle but I think we're in Sanford next spring or fall I don't remember it come come and see the types of classes that we that we offer to our uh executive directors and board members. It it would be great for executive
directors and board members to have input from city commissioners on some of the trainings we're doing because I think you do have to have that holistic conversation. Uh we're all partners. We are all partners in this and so we have to communicate clearly. We have to have
the same goals in mind and we have to be supportive. So thank you very much for everything. Thank you. >> We have >> Do you have anything else you want to add? And then I'm gonna open it up for public comment and I don't know if
Rachel has anything if the commissioners have anything more before we wrap this up. >> I don't know if it was covered. We're going to get in our budget season. This will be after so for next next FY's um budget, but October 20th and 23rd. Um the 2026 FRA annual conference is in uh
Charlotte Harbor here in Florida. Um and so that may be something that you all would be interested in going. It's right here in Florida. Don't have to travel far. >> Great. I always take pieces of things and bring them back and I'm always excited and can implement little stuff
to get big results. So be great. >> Mayor, yes. If I could um you mentioned going to the main street quarterly meetings, conferences. I know last year, Commissioner Lauren and I went to preservation on Main Street in front of Beach along with um
Rachel Kavanagh on board. And if you remember, we had the the wrap-up session where BJ and I shared and I brought with me today um because we to have this in front of me when we discuss um the CRA
grants. Um, I've shared with everyone at the Main Street organization and with the commission. Um, I shared four pages of notes on what I learned at Palms at preservation on Main Street and I believe I don't remember um the last
time I went to a CRA conference um I shared some slides on what I saw and I don't remember what I whether I did that. I think I might have shared this with the um with the tree and garden board, but I I took a lot of pictures um >> of Fernadina,
>> right? Did I show those with the Okay, because there's a lot I think that we could uh take notes from on design in Fernadina Beach, their waying and their signs. But the the other thing I want to
say to everyone is number one um if the downtown partnership could circulate to the commission when these uh quarterly meetings and others take place that we might want to go to. And then also I just find it very beneficial if
people can take some kind of notes even if it's just a little paragraph about their main takeaways. Um, I find that and just circulate it to everyone because not everyone has the time to go to every meeting and I just I just find
a few notes or sharing um that could really spread the wealth and then we would know what each other are doing. So, thank you're welcome. >> Thank you. Um, okay. So I think where
where we are from our organization standpoint is we have already created a bylaw committee and we are going to start reconstructing our bylaws and our board. So that's what we'll be doing behind the scenes um as well as fulfilling our work plan
and we will continue to keep you updated um quarterly and otherwise. >> Thank you so much. Oh, also the topic of attendance, we discussing that at another meeting. >> We were discussing that Thursday. >> Yes, it's on the it's on the agenda.
>> And that is something, yes, that we do need to talk about. I think we've got some decisions that we're going to have to determine. We've got a lot going on. We don't know what from a budget standpoint, we all have to remember that these dollars that we put in to this are
taxpayers dollars. >> And that's been the concern. I think especially over this past year and making sure that there's those deliverables >> um for the taxpayers because ultimately that's what we're doing is we're through those dollars we're trying to support and revitalization.
Um but we don't know as we go forward what's going to happen with those dollars. Um, and it's and so if we need to, and that's something I would ask I would ask y'all to seriously consider um as you're going through this
reorganization is if you do feel like that we need you need to continue as a with a full-time executive director or can you also operate as a with a part-time executive director? Um, and especially
if we were to do something with the annex because we know that y'all are trying to to determine how you can maybe possibly cut down the cost >> and if the annex is available that you know that's part of that's part of it as
well. So, commissioners that will be um up for discussion on Thursday. But I would ask that that is one of the requests I would ask is that you know um there was some confusion in the beginning uh with thisou and um and the
intent of it was to fund not the partnership but the executive director position out fulltime on a full-time basis. That was the intent. That's not how it was written. Um and and that's on that's on us that you know that that we
um didn't possibly monitor that a little stronger than we did. Um and so I think as we go forward if you all as you're doing your reorganization just just see what that looks like. um also see with
an annex as a partnership if that's something that you can um come to us with some sort of a recommendation as to what you would like to see happen as well and not just it coming from us. >> Sure. >> I do have it under the CRA portion of
our meeting. >> Okay. >> Okay. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Thank you everyone. >> All right. Thank you. >> Does she does she have anything Rachel that you want to second that you'd like to say? >> No. >> Okay. Then if there's nothing at this time, commissioners, do y'all have anything more that you I'm going to open
it up for public comment. >> I just would like to say um I do agree with your suggestion that um the Main Street organization look at how they can um possibly um operate with less a
little less funding such as a part-time executive director. Um, I would love for them to have a full-time director, but given our funding constraints and the serious needs of the CRA, um, I think we're going to have to use
our funds very wisely and that would be um that that would be a helpful to the CRA. I think with everything everything is going to possibly be cut back for next year. So I think that's something.
>> Yeah. >> So thank thank you. So is she still >> Kathy's still on? So I'm going to ask public comment. So Kathy, if you would just stay on for public comment if you if you can. You have a few moments. At this time I'm going to open it up for public comment. Do we have anybody who
would like to from the public come forward and speak or say anything regarding >> Main Street? >> Main Street. our partnership >> partnership. >> So, >> please introduce yourself.
Hello, I'm Jonathan Bachelor and uh I'm I became the treasurer about three months ago for the Downtown Partnership and um when I came in uh it it was pretty interesting because the books were kind of
everything was kept up with but you know things weren't tagged so we couldn't go in and do reports to say okay what you know and so we went through and and just did some cleaning up and that was pretty much But everything was there. It just needed to be organized a little better.
And so we got that done. And um and so that's pretty much what we've been focusing on the first couple of months. And then after that we started looking at from the I I'm also the chair of the economic vitality
um uh uh committee and we started looking into you know what we can do for our downtown businesses and for me um I always say go to the people we're serving and ask them what they need and
then give them that you know and so if if it's the businesses downtown or people wanting to bring in business or that sort of thing. So, what I see the CRA as is we're going to bring up the face of these buildings, but we got to
put people businesses in them >> and that's our job. >> Yeah, we do. And so, so you know, and so the city, y'all are helping to make everything look good, but we're we're here to try and bring those bodies and those businesses to town. And uh and
also grassroots, you know, we want to we want to bring people that are from here and and show them that if you want to start a business, you can and this is how you do it. and you know be able to give that training to them um from that
economic vitality you know perspective and so um I've been through some programs like that I I went to school in California and um one of the things they had there was an entrepreneurship academy and I've been through one of
those seen it firsthand um you know got the shark tank at the end and uh and it was it was it was pretty interesting you know and it was made up of like 700 entrepreneurs and so it was all business owners that were running it and it was all
volunteer. The only thing that the student had to pay a little bit of money and that covered our rent, you know, for the for the room basically. And so um so I've seen those firsthand. So I'm hoping I can bring some of that to this economic vitality
committee. And um and as far as uh um the other things that we I'm trying to think what else would we cover >> downtown business questionnaire? >> Yes, we are we are I am going to be going around and interviewing the local
businesses that we are currently that's currently in our area of operation and uh and we have a big a big questionnaire for them. I'm going to try and make it quick because I I know business owners don't have a lot of time, you know. So, I'm wanting to go talk to them, find out about their
business, find out what they need, you know, see if there's something that we can do because we have seminars on our work plan that we're supposed to be doing. And so, I'd like to tailor those seminars to what they're needing, >> you know, right now to help them be better at what they do and bring their
business up. And um I've also had some ideas on what we can do for fundraising, but I won't get into that. Um and I I think I think it's correct. I don't I don't seem I think we need to be going for more grants. I do believe that. And I do believe we need to do more on our
fundraising. And then it had been brought up that y'all would like to see us a little bit more self- sustaining. And I think that's important from that perspective. As a treasurer, I think we need to be doing that. So, um, and I think that's possible. So, and then
hopefully we can keep a full-time director and you guys don't have to pay so much for it and, you know, we can keep going forward as we are and uh, and then to have that third third. Um, so I think that's a really good idea. But
anyway, that's all and thank you for all that you've brought too and your willingness because I know it's taken a lot of time and I just greatly appreciate that your willingness to do this. >> Thanks. >> Thank you. >> Okay. Do we have anybody else that would
like to speak at this time? If not, I'm going to close public comment. And with that, if we don't have anything more um at this time, we're going to take a recess. >> Okay. >> Everybody good? Okay. We're going to take a recess at this time. Thank you all so much.
You're live. Okay, here we go. Okay, this meeting, this workshop is now back in session from recess. It is approximately 12:51. Thank you all for being here. Thank you for this morning, for your patience this morning. With that, I'm gonna go ahead and I'm
gonna turn it over to um because Bonnie, you're going which one of you is? >> I'm gonna start. Thank you. Go ahead. >> Thank you very much. So, uh today I just want to set the tone as we get started in this that this process of course is in line with our redevelopment grant
program as was passed out to you all. Um on page six, it talks about grant timelines. Um our grant timeline, we are on time. We had set a date of May and June for pencils down. Of course, in that timeline, we're doing our
presentation today to CRA board. Um staff today is going to present applications to the board with a recommended ranking. We'll talk about how we came up with that ranking and the point system and the weighted averages that were given. And uh we are looking for this body to decide of course the
next step uh which will be either in June or July for grant funding improvement uh approval awards. With that being said, I did pass out to you all as well an executive director report. I'm not going to read verbatim the report. I'm sure you all have already read the report. Um the overview
though is that it summarizes our all of our outreach efforts, coordination, data collection, and preparatory work completing uh completed leading up to today's presentation of CRA projects and all of the grant applications. Um staff has focused on direct engagement uh in this
process with property owners. Um also community education and development of clear objective evaluation tools to support um the C board in making this informed uh funding decision. With that, we did door-to-d dooror engagement. We also had two public
workshops, one on March 16th, um, and one on April 20th of this year. Um, the workshop, of course, included an overview of the grant process, the eligibility criteria, documentation requirements, a step-by-step walkthrough of the process and application, and
deadlines and expectations, and of course, guidance on obtaining bids. Um, across both workshops, we had approximately 20 community members attend. uh not all were um applicants but we had about 20 community members attend total sessions encouraged open dialogue and helped clarify the process
for first-time applicants. Um in this process of course staff worked individually with residents and business owners um to obtain contractor bids uh define and help define works and review early project concepts. also preparing
any necessary additional documentation that was needed um for the for our packet. Um today you're going to have in each slide current budget allocation, the applicant's funding request, the total of project cost, the max grant funds available based on property status
uh and the max grant category also uh which is part of our grant criteria as well. The weighted evaluation is important to discuss. Um this was to ensure transparency and consistency. Staff developed a weighted scoring matrix as you're going to see in the
slide. Uh criteria previously discussed uh and approved by this board. These weights and the rationale behind them were outlined clearly in the presentation to support equitable strategic review of the submissions. In addition, staff procured from Mr. Paul Weaver a comprehensive database of all
addresses within the city uh that contain historic and contributing structures. This enhances our ability to accurately identify properties with historic significance. Staff also utilized the targeted building list from appendix A of our application of the grant uh to ensure that priority
structures received appropriate consideration within the scoring process. Uh one thing that I did want to note on here that's very important. We've had this discussion and I want to reiterate u we do have as discussed prior meetings approximately around 70,000 in available ARPA funds. These
funds may be used for commercial properties and businesses within the CRAAS to stimulate economic development. They can also be applied strategically to close any funding gaps or increase the number of eligible projects supported in this particular cycle. Um staff has executed a thorough multi-step
process involving targeted outreach, community engagement and public education, property analysis and development consistent evaluation. Today's presentation reflects these efforts and is designed to provide you all with clear organized comprehensive information to support strategic decision making regarding project
funding and prioritization. With that, I'll let Monty Bluff start our wait. >> Are you done? >> I'm done. >> Commissioner Lori, >> um the the $70,000 in AR, we don't necessarily have to use that in the CRA.
>> No, that is specific here. years of just for development and with talking with our legal counsel, we had to tie it in with the CRA. So there was >> correct with the applications
so that we're not with >> showing favoritism. I just want to let her know. >> Okay. Commissioner Devito. >> Yes. So I just want to clarify in you just said there's $70,000 available in PAR. In the minutes for the last
meeting, it said there was 80,000 88 >> 80 almost 89,000. I left the additional 19,000 because we still have work to do with uh a couple of hydrants that were not installed as part of other projects. So, I want to really um the balance
>> we may have a little bit more than that. Definitely not less for this. >> We had hydrant work. That was hydrant money that came to us. And I I believe I believe the hydrants I saw were priced out. They were astronomical. $8,000 a piece. I've never seen that in my entire career. We're going to try to price
those get those redone and then if I can get more money towards this later, I'll bring it to you all. And we have a very short time frame to get it done in. >> Right. Okay. I just wanted to um true up those two numbers. I understand. >> Yes, ma'am. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> And sorry for the confusion on that. >> No, no, that's fine. It's okay.
>> Thank you, >> Bonnie. If you can get started on your presentation. Thank you. >> The fiscal year 206 redevelopment grant program supports commercial and residential property improvements with the community
redevelopment areas. Projects are evaluating using a 100 point scoring system based on four weighted categories. Targeted buildings and historic significance for 50 points. Economic and tax base
25 points. Visual and development impact 15 points and job creation 10 points. This year's applications represent a broad mix of improvements including window replacements, facade upgrades,
roofing, structural and safety repairs, signage, interior rehabilitation, and parking enhancements. Many properties fall within targeted or historic areas, qualifying them for the highest match levels. Most individual
project grant maximums range from$10,000 to $20,000 with larger multi-partial commercial properties eligible for higher totals. Highcoring projects 88 to 93 points tend
to involve historic or targeted buildings that offer strong visual impact, code compliance upgrade and meaningful economic contribution. These include several commercial rehabilitation projects with planned new
business uses contributing to corridor revitalization. Mid-range projects 50 to 75 points generally focus on signage facades or moderate structural work that improves street appearance and supports active
commercial use. Though they typically lack job creation or targeted building designation. Lower scoring projects below 50 points often fall outside targeted areas or provide limited economic impact, but they still address important needs such
as safety, accessibility, and proper property stabilization. Across all applicants, owners frequently noted challenges such as lack of insurance coverage during renovations, partial match limitations, or the need to phase improvements due to cost.
Additionally, one applicant is currently behind on property taxes, a factor that may affect eligibility or timing, but is not identified here to avoid singling out any individual. Overall, the applications demonstrate continued
private investment momentum with total project costs ranging from under $10,000 to more than $200,000. CRA grant support remains essential to accelerate improvements, leverage
private funds, upgrade historic structures, and advance the economic and visual revitalization of CRA districts. Today, I'll be presenting the redevelopment grant program for fiscal year 2026. This program supports private
redevelopment and housing rehabilitation for both commercial and residential properties within our CRA districts. This slide reviews the numeric scoring system used to evaluate and rank all project applications.
Projects can earn points in four categories. Targeted buildings and historic significance up to 50 points. Economic and tax base impact up to 25 points. Visual and development
impact up to 15 points. Job creation up to 10 points. These categories help us prioritize investments that support redevelopment, preserve historic structures, improve aesthetics, and stimulate job growth.
6 North Summit Street. This project proposes replacing seven front windows for a new confectionary business. The project scored 88 points overall, achieving maximum points for historic and targeted
building criteria and high marks in visual impact. The requested work totals 12,95 with a maximum eligible grant of up to 20,000. 338 Central Avenue. This application
includes replacing 12 windows and three doors. Planned use includes ground floor retail or food service with office space above. The pro project also scored 88 points with a project cost of $13,466
and a maximum grant eligibility of $20,000 two South Summit Street. This project includes exterior painting and interior repairs. The in the owner intends to lease the property and continue improving the
interior. It earned a total of 93 points supported by high economic and job creation impact. Total project cost is $12,000 with grant eligibility up to $20,000
plus $7,500 for exterior enhancements. 11 North Lake. This project seeks to replace 28 windows to meet code. It received 83 points and is eligible for up to $20,000 in
historic targeted grant support. The total project cost is $21,75. Community pharmacy 897 North Summit. This project involves replacing an exterior sign. Although located in the CRA district, the building is not a
targeted pro property. The project scored 25 points. The total cost is $12,414.95 with a maximum grant of 7,500. This is located within the North CRA district,
512 Central Avenue. This application proposes electrical upgrades, roofing, and exterior paint with the owner planning an additional $250,000 investment. The project scored 93 points and qualifies for up to $20,000 in
targeted historic support plus 15,000 for structural and safety upgrades. Total project cost is $37,500. 113 North Summit Street. This project includes electrical and plumbing upgrades from future used as a
laundromat. The project scored 93 points. Total cost is $21,600 with grant eligibility up to $20,000 plus 15,000 for structural and safety work.
SA 915 through 925 North Summit Street. This multi-arsal commercial center proposes painting, stucker replacement, and column repairs. Recent private investments include $200,000 in roofing
and $40,000 in HVAC. The score is 68 points. Maximum grant eligibility is $160,000 across eight parcels with a project cost of 28,500.
This is in the north CRA district. This slide shows the proposed new facade for the Save the Lot shopping center, illustrating the intended visual improvements to the commercial C plaza. Jethro Baptist Church, 101 Cedar Street.
This project includes electrical upgrades and roof replacement on a small building. The project scored 43 points with a total cost of $9,500 and grant eligibility up to $20,000.
Alice's Design Studio 315 North Summit. This request is for roof replacement. The owner can contribute 25% but the program requires a 50% match. The project scored 33 points. The total cost is 12,600
and the maximum eligible grant is 10,000. >> Sandwood 311 North Summit. This project involves parking lot repair and extension for improved customer safety and the ability to hire an additional stylist.
The project scored 45 points. Total cost is 11,200 with up to 10,000 in grant support requiring a 50% match. This slide shows current unsafe parking conditions and the proposed redesign
parking lot layout that would improve traffic flow and customer comfort. 16 North Summit Street. This project proposes replacing garage doors and paving the parking lot. The project scored 65 points. The cost
is 39,148 with up to $20,000 eligible under the historic criteria. Summit Street Express, 113 North Summit Street. This request is for a new sign in the South CRA district. The project
scored 75 points. The total cost is $8,100 with grant eligibility of up to 20,000. 404 Central Avenue. This project requests sign replacement with future
plans to redesign the front facade. The project scored 50 points. Total cost is $10,000 with up to $20,000 in historic based grant support. 4289
central. This project proposes replacing the steps to continue overall renovation work. The project scored 58 points. Total cost is 8,950
and is eligible for up to $20,000. 111 North Summit Street. This project includes replacing the garage doors, the storefront, and adding HVAC duck work. The owner The owner intends to convert
part of the building into a gym and part into retail. It scored 93 points with a total work cost of $20,000 matching the maximum eligible grant. 19 North Main Street. This project
requests replacement of a metal roof. It's scored 58 points. Project cost is 8,350 and is eligible for up to $20,000 in support. 504 Florida Avenue. This project
includes flooring and exterior paint for a home the owner recently inherited. She intends to move in with her children once the work is complete. The project scored 58 points with a cost of 9,149
and a maximum grant of up to $20,000. This is a graph of the commercial properties that have been submitted with their weighted scores. And this concludes the list of projects
under consideration for CRA funding. Thank you, >> Mayor. I have a question. Okay. >> Um, yes. Are you done? Are you done with the presentation? >> Yes. >> Okay. Yes, Commissioner. Okay. Thanks, Mayor. Um I think
couple things. I think for the South CRA project, the one that wanted the sign that that address is not correct. >> Am I looking up the wrong thing? Because >> the community pharmacy. >> No, no.
Summit Street. the big sign summit street address when I don't South Summit Street not 113 >> right it's not 113 113 came up was identified as Palmeris >> right >> can we get the correct address for it
>> um I have 551 South Summit >> okay >> that's on the target >> I think that's I think you're correct >> there's that one and then the stairs I don't think that's an accurate address either >> um that's pretty close. There's some
slippage on that address. It's either multiple >> It's either 429 or 431, >> but it's the same owner. 4289 though 4289. So that's exact.
>> Oh, okay. I just ignored the eight. Yeah, it's it's either 429 or 431. >> It's 420. Yeah. >> Yeah. I'm sorry. I just >> need to make sure we have the accurate address on that as well. >> Right. >> 428. Um, >> 429.
>> 429. >> 429. And it might be 431. One's upstairs, one's downstairs. They get their mail at one or the other. >> Um, mayor, I have a couple questions about
um a couple of these buildings are about which category they fall into or A couple of these structures are part commercial, part residential. Okay, your question. Okay,
so um for the central CRA, let me get back here. Okay. Um and I know some of them have issues and this is one of them. Um for Alex's design studio at
3:15 North Summit. Okay. Um, is that part of that building is resident? The right side of the building is Alice's design studio. >> The left side is >> or the left side. >> Really? >> The right
side is the right own, >> right? Alice owns the whole building, but it's mixed residential commercial. So, how does that Are we just basically It doesn't matter. It's the same building. Um,
>> I labeled it as commercial. >> Is it What's it zone? Is it GC1? >> Yeah, that's GC1. >> We would go off the county appraisers website. >> Yeah, it's GC1. >> Okay. But um then there's another one
and um I think this might help us in the distribution of the money. Um the one where the mayor just pointed out that the address was >> right, not correct. 420, >> right? 429 that is um the whole building is owned
by the same person the Mards downstairs is commercial but those stairs that they're requesting >> resial >> is residential. >> So is it possible in our consideration that we could um consider
uh funding that out of the residential portion is >> yes it is. I mean, we have in the reh the housing rehabilitation grant currently right now under use $16,975 in the central. >> Right. Right. I know I I divided it out
and then um my I just have one observation. So, okay. Um when I looked at all of these um slides and they're very nicely done, thank you very much. Um and then the
ranking except for the applicability of the ARPA money the the buildings have to be funded out of the CRA in which they fall. So as far as CRA money they're not competing against
each other like there's buildings in the south CRA compete against each other for the south CRA money. Correct. the buildings in the north CRA compete against each other for the north CRA money. Um, so my observation is I went I did a grid and I
divided them up and I put how much was available on each one. Um, it appears to me that we only have one applicant for the South CRA. >> That's correct. >> That's correct. >> Okay. So, and the amount requested
falls well within I believe the amount available. >> Yeah. So, and then the North CRA is not too far behind that. So, um I'm wondering in terms of efficiency, would
we want to consider um the two smaller CRAAS with the fewer applicants first? in particular, the one that only has one applicant and see if we could kind of hash that out before we get to the more
naughty competitive ones. >> The central is going to be your >> I'm thinking um >> and remember part of this workshop is we're supposed to do our tour like we normally do, >> right? I appreciate that, >> mayor. Are we going to uh talk first or
>> We can talk first, but I think also as we tour sometimes the visual being on site makes a big difference. >> It does. >> When we tour, we're not going to tour together and talk about it, >> right? >> Well, the meeting continues. We did this last time and so the meeting continues
together. >> I think we publicly noticed that, didn't we? >> That this meeting would be on the road. Yes. >> And we would be leaving. >> Yes. And anybody's welcome to join us. >> Right. Okay. I just I just want to make sure that we're following the rules. >> Yeah. Well, I mean, >> I just have one real quick question. There's a couple of these that have no
insurance. Now, I thought that was part of the criteria is that they had to have insurance before we even consider them. >> It is, but we need to talk about that because some of them can't get insurance until they do these until they do some of these. So, we're going to have to talk that's going to have something that
we got to talk about. But that is you're absolutely right is that insurance is a requirement. But some of these buildings can't even get insurance until this work is done. People it's becoming more and more difficult for them to get insurance especially where a roof is involved or
there's any if it's unoccupied >> until um until in fact that so that's something that we're going to have to have for discussion. And I had talked to Don about this is something that can easily be added to our current contract. That is a stipulation that has to be met prior to us funding. So if they go out,
if we go out and do the work, they get their co uh they complete the work, they have to get insurance and provide proof of insurance and we cut the check. So it can happen all together at the same time. in the past. Wait a second. They have
we've cut the check directly to we cut the check directly to the contractor, not to >> correct to the contractor. But we wouldn't do that until they can show proof of insurance work. Once the work is completed, they see out they can go and get whatever insurance and show us a certificate on the back end and then we
would write the check to the contractor. That's part of the required. If they don't give them insurance, then we're withholding the money from contractor. >> And then there's a lean that's placed on their propert the contractor and the owner both have to sign that document though prior to
performing or getting moving forward in that process. So that that's something they're both going to have to read and real. >> That's a big that's a big risk. >> That's a big risk. Yes, Commissioner Devita. Uh it's that timing of that the city manager was talking about the
timing um especially for older buildings and also um in the case of Alice's design for mixed commercial and residential it is not a quick process to get insurance. I mean in the state of Florida it's not a quick process to get
insurance. So, it seems to me that potentially if we want to give them a shot or maybe we even need to ask them for their insurance quotes. Mayor and commissioners, the thing I'm concerned
about is um I mean I agree. I think it's important to help people rehabilitate these buildings and if they can put on a roof and get insurance that's great. Um, I'm just wondering with one of these buildings,
even if they put the roof on, are they going to be able to get the insurance because insurance companies are notoriously um nitpicky these days? And you probably all have experienced it. The insurance company will come out and look at your house and tell you that you have to fix
xyz number of things. So, personally for rehab um for blight of buildings, I'm willing to do it and put a lean on the property um to get that money refunded to us. You know, eventually if anything should happen, but I I don't think it's
just necessarily a slam dunk that they will be able to quickly get, >> right? So currently we have five commercial properties in the central that do not have insurance. If the body wishes to
take the criteria to the max and not allow them to get move forward in the grant process, staff is fine with that too. >> Well, the reason I ask is because we've got quite a few uh got quite a few properties here and um if you have
properties that have the insurance and are ready to go, I think the priority. >> Correct. That's all in my but um mayor if I could >> we um are they identified all the ones
that don't have insurance for the commercial buildings in the central CRA? >> I have the lists here and I did put on some of these which ones did not have >> I didn't see five. Can can you give us the addresses?
>> Yes. The ones that do not are to South Summit. Okay. Wait a minute. Okay. >> 512 Central. >> Okay. Oh, that one's noted, I think. >> Which one? >> 512 Central. >> Right. That's the gray building down at
the bottom of West Central. >> That's the one down here. >> Central on East Grand, right? The newly purchased. Okay. >> 429 Central. >> Okay. >> 101 Cedar. >> Hold on a second. Wait, wait, wait. Oh,
that's a residential. >> No, that's Jethro Baptist Church. >> Oh, Jethro Baptist. Okay. 429. What did you say? >> Central, Mr. Bill. >> Okay. The don't have insurance on it, Bill. >> Not until they finish the wrap.
>> He's trying to get that completed now. >> Okay. Wait. JRO. And then was there one more? Um uh >> 315 North Summit Street.
>> 315 North Summit Design. >> And we also have 113 North Summit Street. >> 113 North Summit. >> Okay. And you said 429. They're working on it. >> 429. He's working on getting it.
and um 113 North Summit, that one is for sale. So that's it's it's empty right now. So once once the new owner buys it, then she'll be getting insurance on that. >> Who's made application on that? The current owner or the potential
>> buyer? Uh Mr. Peacock gave put in the application and he is the current owner. >> Well, okay. So that hasn't been sold yet. >> Hasn't been sold, but it's in the process. >> Okay. So because the whole application is geared
toward the applicant being the owner, right? Because it says if you own currently in the >> No, but then there's a condition. If you sell this building, then you have to pay the lend back. So no, we didn't put that
condition. We never we never put that condition in there. >> I thought I just read it. >> I'm sorry. >> Nope. I thought we talked about that and I thought we removed that that >> we didn't put that limitation on them that if they sold the building
>> that they had that application, >> but we vote to put it back in. Did we not vote to put it back in? What did we decide to do with it? >> I don't know. I could have sworn I saw it. I don't know if we voted on it at all. I think we just talked about it during that year.
>> It was It was never in there. >> It was never in there and it got put in there. >> And so we don't know how it got put in there because that was never I don't believe ever the original from the original. >> You're correct. >> Is it in there? >> She's looking. >> Oh gosh. Now I don't see it. >> Okay.
>> So it was never >> Okay. >> Cuz all we ever had was if we removed the improvement, we had to pay them >> if they Yeah. they or they or for some reason they did something and didn't do the upkeep that they needed to. >> Um, you know, then that was that was an
issue, but not that. Derek, do you recall that we we did not ever put that in there that if they sold the building, they had to pay it back. Correct. >> No, that's that's that's that's not in there. >> Okay. >> No, that's not in there anymore. >> Okay. >> It would make no sense. We would be double dipping.
>> So, did we all depend? Okay. Okay. Okay. But um but still we're looking at for the 113 North Summit, the person who's proposing to have the building to have the laundromat would be the purchaser. Is that right? >> Yes.
>> Okay. And I Well, I have a question about that building to be used for a laundromat. Is there do we have any um requirements specific requirements for parking and will those >> There is a whole lot of parking in the
back of that building. from the back to the >> Yeah. >> Yes. Yes. There's a big opening and a big door and a big covered area back there. >> Okay. >> Yeah. Both the music store and goes to the back. >> I think I think eventually by law that
whole thing has to be curved in front. >> Not supposed to be backing out. >> It's diffult. And as you gain more and more traffic down 17, that's even more difficult. >> And Palro at one time, they had done a
rendering where you had no parking in the front and they had a border. I mean, they had the the knee wall >> the knee wall there and dining out front >> and it would look nice. And so and how many of these um Bonnie as you've gone
through these some of these we've already given like in this last couple of couple of years have you identified I don't see on here where it's identified which ones have already received any grants >> I do know that uh um >> 11 North Lake
>> yeah 11 North Lake got some other than that >> 429 last year >> and then I believe that the music store got something along a roof. >> We we split the cost with them for a roof.
>> Other than that, I'm not sure. >> And then also the uh 897 North Summit Community Pharmacy. We repainted that. >> We repainted that one, too. >> That was just in the last few years. That was the >> but this was a city manager about that
and he said I mean that's kind of intangible. You said theoretically they're eligible every year. >> Is that right? >> They are. We said that we should say that but also at the same time if we've got other ones in the central that have
not received anything. >> It's strategic. >> Yes. I want to add and you all already know this I think. I just want to reiterate, sorry for the redundancy, but we have one person on here that doesn't have insurance, but it's particularly because they just don't own the building yet. They have plans for that building.
They're looking at purchasing the building, and this is work that they're going to be doing to the building, their own uh their own investment as well. That is for 113 North Summit. >> Yeah, that's right. Come on. >> That's what we're talking about. Yeah. So, that's the reason there's no
insurance on it right now. The others currently own their property and are in the middle of uh their own work >> right now. They're working on it as we speak. >> Since since we're here too and this is just an open discussion really and
looking at these um I've seen the plans for our our producers hardware, our Ace Hardware. They're they're gorgeous. They're beautiful. He's about to to drop some kind of money on that building and make it make it definitely a star downtown.
>> We finally see the windows. >> I believe that he has plans to open up the windows and everything, but >> a whole brand new front. >> Do you have all of the I mean, we don't have any of the quotes in here. We >> I have the quotes here. We can pull them out.
>> We don't have it printed out for you all. There was a litany of quotes, but we do have them categorized. She has a spreadsheet. I can have it emailed. We can even print it up now. >> So, did you have I mean, with all of these, did you get the how many quotes? I mean, how are you determining how are you determining which ones that you're
going with? I mean, that's something that usually when we got that information. >> Yes, ma'am. Go ahead. >> We got three quotes for each um each item like >> the estimate. The lowest number.
>> You're going with the lowest. You know, lowest is not always >> not always good. >> Not always the best. >> Not always the best. But for for the practice of this without picking and choosing, >> we don't know the contractors. I instructed Bonnie put in the lowest number on here just so we have a baseline set.
>> Have you checked on those contractors to make sure that all those contractors are in good good standing with the state? >> I have not done investigating all the contractors. No, I I do know that they were reputable companies that I got on a list or the people picked their own contractors, but I
>> you just need to make sure that before we enter into any contracts that you check with DBPR and make sure they're all within good standing with the state >> and every one of them should have every one of them should have a license number and be insured. >> Correct. And we would collect that information at the contractual time. If
they didn't have it, they're not going to we're not going to move forward. >> I'd like to know that as we make these decisions because ultimately we're the ones making these decisions and we're the ones agreeing to go into contract with them. >> Yes, ma'am. >> So, we need to have that information >> and time is short. And time is short. Yes.
>> And when we get to that point where you all are going to do the selection of, you know, the budgeting and and and approval, we'll bring that information to you there. I'll make sure you have it in front of you. We'll check them between now and then. A question I have on 311 North Summit, this rendering
really shows your entire front yard paved over. >> Yes. >> Um, is that, you know, up to code with our imperous surface? I mean, that seems like that would just create a large storm water problem, >> right? >> If they're just covering their whole
front yard with concrete. >> Yep. >> You've got a percentage. So >> you have a percentage that of of a property that cannot be that cannot be developed that cannot have anything especially if you've got residential you've got a residential commercial
here. So you just need to make sure that that percentage is not over >> and and they might they would have to make storm water pumps. >> It depends what's in back, >> right? But I'm just saying that that that's a major change there. You also
have to make sure of the setbacks on the side. So you have all the setbacks on the side for something to that point because it looks to me like she's taking it. She absolutely needs it. It's an issue there with her clientele. I did that the other day with somebody. Um I had to take them in there and you know
it is especially >> it was a house. It was built as a house >> and she's done she's done a really good job with building her business up there and it does work. But um um mayor, >> yes, >> my question because I've I've been there
too. I go there. Um I I would be curious to know, you know, I can see she's getting one, two, three, four, five, six, seven spaces. Um there's none specifically designated as handicap, which I assume she's going to
want to have. But right now, some people are um that these are all what perpendicular to Highway 17 and her house. Right now, some people park over on the grassy area >> perpendicular. And you know, my question
is, is this the best configuration given that all of these spaces would pretty much, >> I don't know, have to back out onto 17? And >> I don't know, like >> they did an AI rendering. I would agree because if you look at the florist and Alice's, they all come in and they go to
the side and she possibly has that opportunity to do that like go this way so they could back up. Yes. And maybe >> anyway, so that's I wondered how they did that. AI. Yeah, that's AI.
>> You see how it stops there on the corner and just doesn't have >> right >> right there where the mulch is. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. They just took a picture and put it in there and said, >> "Show me in the parking lot." >> That's better than I can do. >> How many of these How many of these that you've presented to us have to have a
50% match? Yeah, >> the um that was um Alice's design and the hair on >> sandalwood. Um >> are they all aware of that?
>> They are. And they had they they could put in some but they didn't have the whole 50%. >> So I put it in the report. I think uh >> yeah to me that just seems like they're not going to qualify. I mean, as as harsh as that sounds, I mean, as far as
criteria, direct criteria, no, >> right? So, we can just just take them out of consideration is >> so grants over 5,000. So, they can get up to 5,000. Grants o over 5,000 require a 50% match unless the property is a
contributing structure in the national register, a local historic district, a national register, lo historic landmark, or a targeted building. In which case if it is then the match is 0 to 25%. >> Okay. >> So that's sandalwood and that one and
then the pharmacy too. >> Okay. But um could I ask a question about that match? Thank $5,000. >> Okay. So for for the city manager and so I have a question about how the match works.
Okay. So for example, Sandalwood 311 North Summit they uh she has requested 11,200 um for that's the total cost of the job. She could have up to 15,000.
I took this out of your report for the reason why. >> Hang on. >> Okay. So, I guess I'm trying to figure out. So, how does the match work? If her total job cost is 112, then she needs to put in 6,500
>> 6600. She in other words, we only paid >> Which address are you looking at? uh stand 311 summit. >> I don't know that she's >> the and the reason she got extra on there was because I put as a safety
that's a safety >> issue. Right. Right. Right. >> That's in your scoring. That's in your not in our our criteria. >> I'm talking about the match. So she's asking for repairing the driveway and adding three parking spots for 11,200.
So since she's not either targeted or historic, does that mean out of the 11,200 she has to pay out of her pocket >> 50%? >> 50%.
>> Okay. And she can pay >> so that >> I think the most interesting one that I'm looking at okay is the safe lot. Okay. 915 to 925 North Summit Street.
Um, this whole area really kind of nice quite some time. Um, I don't know the people involved. I don't know who owns it that management. Yeah. Asset and property.
But I think, you know, when I look at that whole area and I know that we're going to have a Dunkin Donuts at the other end of it, which is which would be nice. >> Um, I personally just think that this would be a great
a great thing to get this cleaned up and looking sharp as people come in. I don't know what you got planned for moving people in, but I think hopefully if you get it cleaned up, okay, that that you would be able to uh, you know, bring
those people in that we need to make this kind of usable. >> I would like to have them if they could at this time. Um, we've got two different applicants, I believe, that they could come up and talk about their properties and kind of lead into what
Commissioner Burton's referring to. one day. Yes, ma'am. >> So, >> right. So, to commission's point, um, for the North CRA, it looks to me as if
there is sufficient money in that North CRA pot to fund the requested projects that we deem that they are worthy. And that was one reason I thought we should talk about the South CRA and the North CRA um first at at some point because it
looks like um what they could be eligible for is well within uh the fund. So >> thank you. Okay, with that you want to do you want to introduce them please? >> Mr. and Mrs.
corners of Save a lot parking lot. >> And I did call it the Save a lot, but actually the plaza is that's just one of the anchors there. So I don't know if we're referring even to it as the correct name. I don't know whatever name you have. We want to make
sure that we have it properly identified. >> What is it called? I want to make sure we don't want >> that is phase two to phase three. >> Okay. >> Yeah.
Out center. Currently, we're looking to uh repaint, refacade, and take out the rock knee wall and put um something covering that. We think it's a eyesore as you guys do. So what I just passed around is two sets of renderings. One
shows the current asis today. One is what we applied for and then the second uh piece is what we applied for and then phase two below that. So our end goal is to do even more than what we're applying for today, which would be some sort of
uh new metal sheet roofing and also the asphalt. And as we do these uh upgrades to the center, we feel like it'll be easier for us to lease the current vacancy. As of right now, we replace laundry, which
we're uh putting the HVACs in tomorrow, and then they'll have keys to that space. We uh just in the lease in between the new shop and the laundry mat, and they will be taking occupancy very shortly. that HVAC's coming in two
weeks. So, the only real vacancy left will be the uh old furniture store and the SATO next to save a lot. We're deep in negotiations with Sabot right now to extend their space to 25,000 total square foot. So, if you notice the
renderings are pretty much save a lot's color pattern. So, we're trying to influence them. And as you said, Dunkin Donuts just bought the uh space next to us. I believe a whole Asian restaurant. >> They did. >> Yes, >> we're well aware. >> Okay.
>> Um, so they were in negotiations with us previously to do a out parcel. >> So we do think once we continue to put money into the center, continue to lease it up, parcels will be available for future tenants that will have brand new
builds will only, you know, enhance the area that much more. So really what we have to do is upgrade what we currently have to then fill in the spots next. We have the grass field next to it. We have the large park in next to Family Dollar. And then we have three potential out
parcels in front uh on the roadside. So that's like the ultimate goal. But today the goal is to you know repaint facade and uh just kind of beautify the current property as is. >> Mayor, can I ask a question?
>> Yes. Thank you so much, Mr. P. Thank you for being here today. You're welcome. We've had several conversations, several emails, and we're here now. >> Um, appreciate you being here. I just, uh, wanted to let the commission know if you could let them know. I know you have had several uh, additions, or I say
additions, but renovation and different projects going on over there currently today. Could you fill them in on what you guys have done currently, the investments that you have made or are planning on? >> Yeah, absolutely. So, I've actually only worked at the uh company that owns this
project for seven months and I'm basically in charge of the asset management and to basically I run the project and I uh report directly to the ownership. Since I got there, I've uh got a new roof uh installed for a little
over $200,000. We have replaced three tenants worth of HVACs at 20,000 per and when we get the new uh bait or uh vape store in that'll be another 20,000.
Um and then we did interior work or in the process of doing interior work on all three spaces. Uh and then we're currently in peak negotiations with the old spanking space and that will be another pizza parlor. Um, and again, we
would have to replace that HVAC and do tenant improvement work in the interior. So, we really are looking to change the vibe of that center. Um, one tenant at a time. >> Thank you. I appreciate it. My word on the street is there's a really good reputable pizza company that wants to
come in there. >> That is the word. I can't tell you who it is. >> I'm just saying the word. I'm just saying the word. Nothing else. >> That's proprietary. So, we don't want to get into that. homemade pizza. Um, I I have a serious
question. So, and thank you so much. I just want to make sure I'm getting these details right because um I don't always hear over the microphone that well. Sorry about that. >> Um, so there's you're saying you are the manager for this property. It's owned by
um a large company. Did I hear that correctly? >> It's not large by a large company. It's owned by a single owner. >> Okay. And your entity, but I work for a company that he owns. >> Got it. Got it. >> Which is separate from the ownership. >> Okay. >> I just he just knows I'm an asset
manager on some other assets. So, he pulled me over to a personally owned property to have them >> to help him redevelopment. >> I bought this um what three, four years, four years ago. Four years ago, >> I bought it. Right. Well, it's um
looking very nice. Thank you for everything you've done. And then just want to ask a couple questions about the current or proposed tenant. Um so the laundromat that's shown that is still there. >> The laundry mat that was there has been
retended to a new laundromat. >> Okay. So there will still there's been a change of ownership in the laundromat, but there will still be a laundromat. >> Um it's not a change of ownership. It's like change of tenated. >> Right. Right. That's what I'm saying. It's a Yeah, there's a there's a new
tenant. And then did I hear you say the words vape shop? >> Uh vape >> bait vape shop tobacco. Sorry. >> I didn't think I heard that correctly. >> And that will be in between the nutrition shop and the laundry.
>> Okay. In between the health and >> they're going to put a vape shop. They're really They're really putting a They're putting a vape shop. >> Okay. Yeah. >> Okay. Okay. And I came these um handouts came to me. Do they go back to the city
manager? >> Okay. >> We do have to guess >> I would like to >> I think this is a real important piece to >> Well, it's our it's our major. Yes.
Commissioner, >> I just wanted to commend the fact that I like the the paint scheme, the color scheme, because when you look at it right now from the road, it looks very washed out. It's almost like it's a a mirage or something. >> Yeah, it's a very very very washed out beige. And I I like the
it brash and we like that. But I I I commend you for actually finally fixing those rocks on those columns. This was a while. They're sharp, too, if you're not careful.
>> I I do have a question. when you're talking about your out parcels and in talking to save a lot at one point in time and I think some of your others >> when you put when you use those front out parcels in the front um there was I
think some concern and I don't know where are you looking for those out parcels to go that you would be blocking um the for people to be able to see the visual of what's back there in the plaza. So, where were they looking for
those? Where are those? Where are those? >> Well, today we don't have anything like specified. >> Okay. >> But there's just areas that were overparked. So, they're available. Okay. >> I would say >> and with Dunkin Donuts specifically, it
would have been more in front of the family dollar. >> Okay. >> So, Save a Lot still would you would have been able to see their logo, whatnot. Um so it would have been on the right side and it's just options opportunity.
>> It's options in I will remind us that in our master plan even when we were looking at that as a planning exercise we were recommending you know parcels towards the front you know because obviously anybody can look at that and say you have enough parking
spaces you know way way more than you need. Um and I and I I do notice too one of the planes is is re reassulting that that parking lot. Absolutely. >> Because that has been an issue. It swallows my vans and >> it is an issue. The way that ownership and me were looking at it is when you're
driving down the road, you don't quite see the asphalt, but you definitely see the faded facade. You see the the busted up tile on the roof. >> So, to get you in the parking lot, >> I have to change that. Right. If I did the parking lot, you don't see that when
you're driving by. It's still like kind of run down center. So, I want to catch your eyes. I want you to drive in and if you happen to hit a pothole, I plan on fixing that. Yeah. >> Okay. Commissioner, sir, and that makes perfect sense to me. So, um, one thing that occurs to me to your excellent
point about the blocking bit is I think, you know, when you're in Dand or whatever and there's plaza with front buildings and back buildings, don't they usually eventually put up a big sign so that it would say, you know,
>> I I think we would like to at some point >> the names of the store. I mean, now you can see everyone, but if you're going to be blocking them, >> Yeah. Yeah. >> And then option be to put up a nice sign letting everybody know. >> So our current signage is pretty big. So
it really depend on what kind of parcel we're talking about. Like at some point we were talking about a small coffee spot. It would be very minimal where like it wouldn't really block anything. You're talking about a th00and square foot building. Right now, if you're
talking about a larger Dunkin Donuts, like they took over the Asian spot, that' be a little larger and you might have to read your pylons a little to the right, a little to the left, so you have better view. >> Or even a small building that has 4,000
square foot, you know, storefronts in it can be up there and you're still not blocking anything. >> Yeah, that's the same in the future. It doesn't really matter right now. >> Right now though, with the county, um, if you were to do a drive-thru Um it's
it's very expens I think it's >> like >> it's not 75 but it's like 45 or something like that per thousand square feet. >> So it's a huge impact fee that has to be
paid by somebody. It's it's not one of those that can be for forgivable. It would either be they pay it, >> county pays it or we pay it. So, so I mean we still are moving forward to get our own fees. Isn't that something >> we're going to talk about? It's about
the last quote that I saw that we had was 75 or $80,000 trying to work with Florida State University to see if they could get the capacity to do it. >> Okay. >> For us to make sure that we're >> Yes. So just um looking at these sheets
and I know this is a workshop but it seems to me it looks like the maximum award for this particular request for the Save a Lot Plaza >> is am I reading this correctly at $60,000? >> No, that's that's exterior enhancements.
But you see that's grant category max. The max for the targeted building in this one because of the multiple addresses is 160,000. Okay. >> We currently have 165 in the budget. >> Right. Right. Okay. So, um All right. So, I guess to me, so if we get I wasn't
sure if I'm doing that right. So, >> they're looking at each one. Correct. Okay. And and and also um while we're talking about budget on the north end, we have untapped housing rehabil
rehabilitation grant of $50,000. Um there's some other miscellaneous expenses as well that we haven't tapped into. Training and education, professional services, and improvement projects. Improvement projects is 18,000. The other are almost 8,000.
>> Um we have I believe one more in the pharmacy than some the pharmacy that's in the north that has a shortfall on the project. I think we can pull all of it without we've talked about the ARPA funds without getting ARPA. My my personal professional opinion would be that the art would be spent in the
central which is where we have the biggest issues. >> We have plenty of money to do all the projects. >> Okay. But also, I guess my my proposal, even though this is a workshop, I would say that it's kind of um a slam dunk
that we would be able to fully fund the Save a Lot Plaza for the 160,000 if we wish to pull that much money out of the um existing North CRA fund because I think we're using money that's built up
from prior years. I was just going to say once that's gone, right, it's gone because it's been built up over numerous years. Okay. >> Just going to keep growing. >> Right. Right. Right. And then >> and these one person at a time. Yeah.
Okay. Go ahead. >> Commissioner Lori because I wasn't done. >> She wasn't. >> I wasn't done. So my question about community pharmacy is um their request. They're the other applicant for the North CRA which is why I'm with them. They asked for 12,414.95
to replace a sign. They're saying they can't meet the match. So, they would be required to put in the $6,000 for the match. Um, so I wasn't sure what the city manager was saying. Should we are you proposing that we wave the match for them?
>> I'm proposing I mean wave the match, but I'm proposing that u if you want to use ARPA funds for that. Well, personally I I would rather not. >> What what I'm what I'm finding that's that's kind of right now we're just
talking CRA funds, but when you start talking ARPA and you got this extra money over here and we got another piggy bank over there and one over there, you need to bring that all together and see what it is that we can spend out of all these piggy banks that you got all over the place. Sure. >> And and where you would like to put that
money. >> Well, that's what we're doing. That's what we're doing now. So that ARPA money has to be somehow or another it has to be dropped into this CRA economic >> however you want to go but but it needs to be it's not dropped in right now.
>> And and we need to and we have to spend it. It has to be spent. >> I understand that. But they need to bring that back to us. If we make a decision on something with what's being presented right now, okay, they can bring that other money back and combine it however you want to do it. I think I
think that's part of that's part of that's part of the process we're doing right now is >> you're making you're confusing it all. >> Okay. When we when we come back those dollar amounts are not in front of me. I don't know how much money you're spend >> 70,000. We have we have a pool out here
of 70,000 for economic development. >> How do you want it? How did the commission your >> Commissioner Burton? How do you want it in front of you? I did a grid. >> Thank you so much for being here. >> Thank you.
>> Let me ask Let me just ask you one other question. Um I know the parking lot I get a lot of complaints about the potholes and I know that resurfacing that parking lot is very costly to do it correctly. >> Over 200,000.
>> Yes. To do it correctly. Is it possible? Do you have it in the works to at least fill the pot holes? Because obvious, you know, I'll tell you something else. Paint to paint the lines to repaint those lines
>> is also makes a big difference, >> right? And it just looks fresher. >> It looks fresher and and but I don't know. I just get a lot of complaints about that. >> Well, I get it. And I believe they have repainted the lines. Um but I'm not sure how long ago. And
based off of me looking at it, it didn't hold well. >> Two years ago, we retried it. So it basically fades in that time. >> So the real bang for our buck would be to asphalt ite.
Um so yeah, it is in the plans 100%. And if this is something I if if potholes are a big deal to the board or commission, then we can definitely go back and talk to ownership
and say, "Hey, we were approved, but this was a big big bugaboo. Can we get this worked on instead of the next project or kind of fast forward a little bit?" >> I just know that that's been if we're going to put >> Honestly, I don't go into that parking lot because I have a very I have a a
wheelchair van. It's very low and I bottom out on things and speed bumps, too. So, I just avoid that parking lot completely. >> Um, >> I was just asking the question because I get that complaint, >> right? And it's just I I just stay away from it. >> I mean, we got quotes because we started we we worked with you to get quotes from
the very beginning on the parking lot and I want to say it was like $90,000 for >> Right. But 90 was just for the potholes >> and seal coating the whole parking lot was like 200 plus thousand redo the whole thing. are and you do 90. I mean,
you're not you're not fixing all of it. You're just filling it >> stop going to pay double over time. Yeah, I totally agree. But like I said, like the way that this current property looks and we have our kind of pecking order of
what I think will bring a customer to like satisfy a customer. There are two different things and I got to get them there first >> and that's what we feel like this plan will do. >> But like I showed you guys on the render rings, it's clearly on our mind and
clearly ownership knows about it. It's just one of those things we all have so many much money and we just spent a pretty good amount and just ting I mean to tenant a vacant space costs a lot of money. Yeah. Get them in there and go.
>> Well, even our plan that shows us spending 60,000 of our own capital. >> Yeah. >> And plus any sort of cost overruns, >> right, which we all know will happen. >> Thank you. >> We are we are glad that you're willing to make that.
>> Thank you. >> And thank you guys for coming. >> Absolutely. Thank you for your time today. And we are greatly appreciative that Save a Lot is really stepping up to become the city's >> trying to fill in the whole >> full full service. They're really trying
to step up and and serve the community. Um uh I was going to ask >> I don't know what I was going to ask anyway. Anyway, oh I know um we had some money expended we had some additional monies expended to uh lock um Lockite.
Did we have those all been paid out and taken out of this? >> Yes. >> So everything's been paid out and completely >> Yes. What you have in front of you, >> that's the current >> that is the current year to date. >> I just want to make sure there's that we're dealing that that's all been paid out for sure.
>> The numbers I gave you were up to 63. So they're up to this last week. Can I ask a question? >> Yes, absolutely. >> On this um community pharmacy $12,000 for a sign. >> Yes. >> Which sign is it that they're replacing? It's the community and then on the side
and I called the sign company and I I got helped a lot too and >> they said it was because of the amount of letters that's in the >> and it is literally >> what was the difference in the prices? >> You said you got just two quotes for that one.
>> Yeah. I mean that I I agree that sign is awful. You can barely read it. And I do know that there's a the owner of the property is not the the woman that runs the pharmacy there that we met. >> Yeah. There's two different ones. There's a doctor.
He owns the building. >> He owns the building and she owns the you know runs from him >> which I know is part of a the difficulty why we couldn't do more than we paint it before I believe. >> Um but I I think it would help a lot to have a much I mean, you can't even see
it in this picture. What was it? >> It was 12,4149 for flat aluminum letters or 17,97 for LED. >> Wow. >> Yeah. Okay. >> That I think we can shop that. >> Is that the Is that on top or on the on
this on on the road? They have a sign out here, too. >> Yeah, it's not much better. >> It's the one on the one on the building. The one that's outside the road needs to be replaced as well. That's not that great. >> She was having a hard time getting quotes for signs and the other company
that was going to come out was going to charge $450 just to give her a quote. >> Okay. Have we talked to anybody local? Have we gone? I mean that seems excessive >> for that for that small of a >> I mean >> that's not >> that's not
>> what we paid how much for our own completely lighted electronic >> 135 or something 13 >> I mean the base cost something we had our own base >> but still it does >> still that was concrete I mean but still
that's this is >> an attached yeah to LED lit sign for my company. Um I mean the restaurant was $7,500. The tobacco store was $3,500. They're beautiful and big and bright.
I'll call we have some other companies we can shop that a little bit. I think it's important though that we do um you know move forward in the process and focus on it because as Commissioner Laura was saying this is super hard to see. It's our pharmacy down here. Yes. >> And and I think it'll be really good for
the community. So we'll we'll continue to to uh >> Okay. >> Plus we invested money in that building. >> We painted it and it and that helped but without the sign the sign like that just it was still >> dreary. Um I think that would just been enough.
>> I hate to to say we need >> Okay. Investing. >> Let's move on down to the south end. >> And and Mars is here. She's been waiting for a while. Did you want to say something Marisol? She's um she >> she's the laundry mat. The laundry mat
that was in the plaza. Hello. >> Thank you for being here. >> How are you? >> Um yes, my name is Ma and I was the tenant of um the closet. Um, and I planning to buy the uh old
furniture store over there. >> And uh I need um some money to with the plumbing and electrical and gas and the AC. Um I I already have the loan. So the lady
is going to talk to Mr. pick up uh tomorrow and I think we will going to do a deal with him and as soon as I get the money we're going to start u doing all what is required
so that's what I got >> yes absolutely >> I was just I just looking through these pictures it looks to me like this is like 1940s electricity that's in the right it just has to be a whole Yeah.
>> Can you can you speak into the microphone? I'm so sorry. I'm having a hard time hearing. You can say your whole name. >> Yeah, they're gonna um do it new because they have to do it dryers. They need
certain >> electrical plumbing and all that. Are you doing gas, natural gas drivers? What would we like to >> since we own the natural gas utility? We like that. >> So that that's that's a bonus. That's a
check for you. No, I I think it's very exciting that we have those two empty storefronts that have been sitting there for quite a while and every time I drive through town and see them, I just it makes me my heart drop inside a little bit and to see people working on both of them and having plans that was I'm very happy to see that. So
>> yeah, >> we are we are very I'm happy personally. Yeah. So, um, they attract a lot of people >> and they're going to have the um
the other half of a gym and half of a retail. >> Yeah. while they do the um exercise. >> Now, one thing that we had talked about was parking and the parking there is, you know, kind of difficult backing out on 17. Are you planning on having an
entrance from the back? >> Yes. >> Okay. Yeah, >> because I I would definitely encourage it. Definitely. I know backing out of there is kind of scary. >> Yeah. That's why um we weren't going to buy the um the music store, but uh because it doesn't have any parking,
>> right? >> We we didn't we need parking, so we chose to it has some parking. >> And you can get through the back. >> Yeah. And a lot of people
um a lot of part some of them the um the people that come to work uh like from Mexico that they come over here they park over here and they go walking
right >> but we're so near they can do whatever they want they can go walking to the land or or use or parking that he's going to be coming back. >> Oh, good. I'm I'm just glad you're considering that because I think that
definitely be easier for your customer. So, >> yeah, >> I'm I'm very I'm very happy to see that >> lighting. You talk to about lighting in the back. >> Yeah. >> He's gonna do all that. Okay. And that's
included in all of this. Okay. I just want to pass. Okay. >> Well, thank you. Thank you so much. >> Um, okay. So, then we want to go back to the south and then we really probably need to to go on the road if we're going to go on the road and start looking at
these properties and and get Do you have a route for us that you >> We did. We did get a route. >> Okay. Did you >> Oh, I didn't bring it. I used it for the rent solution. That's >> Oh, okay. Do you still have it?
I didn't want you. >> So, let's go down to the south end. So, on the south end, we have the express. >> Yeah. Summit express. And they're wanting to redo that sign out front. >> They want to main the main sign. >> Yes.
>> They want to reuse the the frame that's there. >> Right. That's the way I understood it. Put a new sign up there. >> That is correct. Correct. They don't want to replace the whole thing. They want to use >> they're going to paint it though and >> the one down south they want to utilize
the same Summit Express. >> They're still going to use that same >> the same >> and repaint it and make it look better. >> Yes, >> Lite did a very good job. >> They they really did historically. Yeah,
I was I was worried that it was going to turn out a few minutes. >> Side still has to add some lighting to it there, but of course they've got to regain some fun, but they have plans to really make it nice and pretty. >> Okay. So, with this one, our are the
most that they could get would be the 7500. This is not Is this a targeted? This is >> No, it's targeted. Okay. But it says historic. Wait, which one are we talking about? >> We're talking about
whatever. >> Which one are we talking about? one time. >> Did I have it listed as historic? >> Yeah, it was on the historical list. I have a list of all the >> Wait a minute. It's >> No, no, that's not within the historical district, is it?
>> Okay. This is the distinction I see, >> right? >> Mr. Weaver's recent survey lists all the buildings that are over 50 years old. It doesn't mean that they are part of an historic district that they have any particular significance
>> that the jury I think is kind of out on that considered in the update that we're having done next year. But >> what's the actual address? Because I don't believe it's a targeted building either. 551 maybe it's right there. >> Derek has it as a target of building.
>> Oh, there it is right there. But it's not it's not a local >> right. It doesn't fit within any of our current categories. >> And I don't make the national >> but it's a targeted regardless of whether it's historic. It does meet the
the targeted which is really more >> it's the only building in the district. I don't know why >> exactly the same. >> Oh, cuz it makes a difference. Does it have to match if it's >> Yeah, because it has to meet It has to meet the criteria regardless. >> But it's targeted.
>> It's so that helps it with the match, right? >> 551 Cummit Street. It's on this list. >> Okay. >> Well, it's okay. It's just the wrong address on the >> No, no, no. The list that she has >> by historic. Yeah. But that just means it's over.
doesn't mean it's part of a historic district or it has any historic significance at all. As far as I understand, Mr. Wever, >> this is the list that I was using to determine whether or not it was >> and I just fine.
>> I just want to explain that that that's not >> it's not the right. We're not so good at keeping list sometimes. But Bonnie, there's the our National Register of Historic District, Arkansas City Historic District, which our home is part of. Um,
and then there was the survey that Paul Weaver did last year that took into account everything that was built from 1975, >> right? 1975, >> right? So that even though that was included in the survey and it could be
included in our new national register district in the future, it currently is not. It was just part of the survey and it met the criterium for the survey that Paul Weaver did. So >> it's just a preliminary listing of all
buildings that are over a certain age. It doesn't mean that they any of them necessarily are going to be part of a historic district or be deemed to have any kind of part of the process of going up, >> right? >> It's a process. Yeah. >> Um >> Okay.
>> So, we know that that's and that's the only thing in the south. Unfortunately, we've got some other we have some other businesses there that at some point in time they opted out of being in the CRA >> that could really use >> some some assistance. Um I'm I'm sure,
but unfortunately it's not eligible to them. >> Right. if we go into the central. So, let's So, we've got the south and we've done the north. If we go into the central, um I do want to ask a qu question because like the Mard building,
we we paid to have windows put on that, but it still looks to me like it's not completed. >> In the progress of working on >> Okay. >> the sheathing from the outside. >> Okay. But the windows are completed on
that. So everything's completed that we were obligated to. And >> I'm not sure what we were obligated to do on there. Do you know what we did? >> We did windows. There was $17,000 in windows last year. >> That's that's been completed.
>> That's been completed. Now, right now, what he's doing is he has insulation on the second floor that he's completing and wrapping the house for weather. And then he's Yeah. And then he's going to shut that in with with signing and paint. >> Thank you. >> And and paint. But until he does that, he can't get his insurance on it until
he finishes the wrap on the house because he's he started out working. He doesn't have any clean seal. >> Oh, he's he's doing it. He's he's working on it pretty diligently. >> I just passed it yesterday. They had guys out there working on it. >> Sorry.
>> It's been like that forever. >> Yeah. Yeah, I'm good. >> Um, do we have um is there any other discussion on these properties that anybody has until we go out? >> Well, I I I would just like to say that I think Sandwood and Alice Design
Studio, as much as we want to go look at them, they don't qualify. I mean, they >> don't have to match. >> They don't have a match. They're not They're not They don't have the match that's required. They're not targeted to restore buildings. Um, plus I have serious considerations about the
driveway issue at Sandalwood about >> with the purpose of this area, >> right? But I know she said that she'd willing to pay 10%. You need to pay 50%. And that's just how the program works. So, I mean, I think that would make it easier if we just x those out. I'm sorry. >> I think it I think it deserves us at
least going and looking at them from a visual and fairness to them that they did put the application. I believe they both have done this. They've done it before and I know they withdrew it. I think they both put in an application before and they withdrew them. >> So I think just in fairness, we do need
to look at it possibly in this amount of time. Have you conveyed to these owners that they really are not eligible until they can can agree to us that they can meet that match? >> They understand what the what the criteria is. instead of the match kind of give this
is what I >> can give something >> and as far as sandalwood goes it is a safety issue >> backing out of that driveway I I just felt like that was kind of a safety issue and she is going to hire another stylist so that's job creation right there and she did say that
>> um last time when she had applied I guess something happened and she think nobody ever got through her application last year and then she has put in money into her salon since then and now she does just doesn't have the money to put into it anymore. So >> unfortunately, you know, we have a very
limited amount of funds that we have here. >> I mean, we have the requirements and people either meet them or don't. >> I mean, I I would love to presume it to everybody, but I think it makes it a little easier if we just take those two out of contention, unfortunately. I mean, we can go look at them. >> And that's and that's in your one vote.
>> That's that is my view. Yes, >> that's his view. He's one vote. So, >> and I'm and I'm going to come back to the commission because when we come to to the time that we're going to vote, a regular meeting or or our special meeting, we have more funds again in the
CRA that aren't being utilized. I need to get with Bonnie, look at the future, what the plans are. I'm coming to the commission asking later for some of those funds for new signs which are on this agenda for Thursday. Outside of that, there are no other plans other than some discussions we've already
started having with the partnership on some wayf finding and some other concrete slabs with art. We need to get some pricing for that. But we still have the significant amount of money that we can contribute. Uh we're not just stuck at the 16 or the $22,000 that we have. >> We didn't employ a CRA manager for most
of the year. >> I'm sorry. >> We didn't employ a CRA manager for most of the year. >> Correct. There there there is money in the central that we can consolidate. I think we're looking at more like probably close to 40,000 45,000. >> When you do the budget adjustment, you'll have that in there. And so at
that time, that's when we would actually make our final. >> Yes, ma'am. >> That's when we do our final. Yes. >> Um >> Bonnie, one more question. Palmer's and and we've talked to them through the years about redoing their sign. >> Did you talk to Palmer's at all about
about their signage or did you get any feedback from Palmer? >> I did. I' I've talked to him about other things, but we did not talk about any CRA applications. Um, no, he's not. Let's be aware of it. I mean, I I I'm just ask He was aware. I had a conversation with him about utilization
of CRA funds for the signage. It's not this cycle. Most likely, it's next cycle. He has instead of painting on the windows, we had talked about what I plan on doing here at city hall, which is the um the tenting that you can see out, but people can't see in. They see your
advertisement. It's a really inexpensive way to advertise your business and cut down on your utility, your your your pooling. So, he was all about it, but he didn't make this type of >> I'm not talking about that. I'm talking about the main sign that sticks up in the air that's broken and it's a
representation. Yeah. a shattered representation of our downtown. And so I just was wondering if you would talk to them about that. And also on high rollers >> they had they weren't in need there's that light post. If you see that light
post there, they could not when they painted the building. Um and I don't know if you spoke to the owner. Did you talk to Kathleen Katie? Yeah, she's got her application in. That's why >> was that that wasn't included though, but
the the garage because that one post kind of stands out when you look at it. Um, I'm looking at some things also from an aesthetic that but that post stands out and they couldn't paint it because it narrows as
it goes up and it was dangerous with a ladder for a ladder and so they were needing something something in order to get um Mike was the one who painted the building. He was not willing to to do that without some sort of a lift. >> You would need a bucket truck like what
we had with a sprayer. Yeah. >> And I and I can talk to them. they did put in their application. I can still talk to uh Miss Katie and see if that's something that she would be interested in getting quotes before we finalized that could be added.
>> Just just as a logistical question here, how are we doing this? >> We are Everybody's getting in their own. I've got my golf cart. I don't know. Commissioner Burton, did you bring your golf cart? >> Okay. Commissioner, you brought your golf cart. >> Yes. But how are we Oh, I know. We can
go around the back to go to the express place. I might go home and get my car >> driving >> to because we have to go all the way down south and then we're going up to a lot, right? >> Yes. >> Yes. >> And then we're trying to come down.
>> We'll be coming down summit. Okay. So, I may go home and get my car because I that's a lot of crisscrossing and I only cross at the line. Okay. >> That's good because that's the law, >> right? That's why he didn't order the the batteries like I
thought he told me he did. >> Um, so >> but you're driving are you driving >> Commissioner Lord? >> Commissioner Lloyd. >> Yes, ma'am. >> So, are we we're going first to the south then to the north? >> You have you have this this is the >> So, we're going to we're going to start
going south to north. Are you going to ride Bonnie? How are you going to ride? Are you going to ride with >> um Commissioner Laurish? >> I want to know. Yes. When we get to each stop, you just got to know what our next stop is. Some
of us don't get lost. >> Yeah. >> Just commission. If you know you're gonna get lost in downtown, >> we can't. >> Okay. I'm gonna um at this time, I'm going to um send us all on our way. Is
everyone ready? I'm going to take a a restroom break before we get started and then we'll all meet at the first one is going to be at two South Summit. >> Two South Summit South honestly can just walk you can walk over here and look at
where I'm at with that >> and look at that. And so I'm going to I need to go um I need to take just a five minute break. I got Yeah. >> And also one more thing. Um, wait a second before we go. You had some um you
had some some housekeeping regarding Fridays. >> Oh yes. >> Yes. So Friday, we discussed this. We're going to on Thursday at our meeting, we're going to cover a couple things for the gas department that we were going to cover in that. We're not ready for the budget adjustment. We're going to bring that over later on. What I'd like to do
is take the meeting the meeting that we had scheduled and look at your calendars and just reset the schedule. >> Okay? So, on Thursday, so when we come together on Thursday, >> even our Friday, >> we'll move our Friday. >> We can do that. And y'all are going to go and there's also the um Northeast
Florida Regional Council. They're doing a planning workshop. >> It's in in conflict and we've put a request on the main SK or on our main meeting to reschedule that as well. >> Yes. >> So, are y'all doing that? >> You're on that planning and zoning board, right? >> No. >> No, you're not. Okay. No.
>> Doing which on Friday? >> No, you can't. You can't can only serve on one ser. >> So, are y'all doing that on Friday? Are y'all go are you going to that planning workshop? >> Yes, we are going to the planning workshop. Yes. Keith had something come up and I'm trying to get another staff
member to go because we had paid for Keith. He was going to go. But >> what about board? Do we have any of our planning? >> Email everybody but we haven't cler. So always call. >> Yes. And I'll call two of the main
people. They can spread out the word. >> We'll call We'll call them today. >> Okay. Well, they really shouldn't. They really shouldn't spread out the word. are >> we are headed over to >> we will meet over there in seven minutes. You can leave your stuff here
if you need to. >> Okay. And which Friday meeting are we >> this Friday? >> This Friday we had a workshop. >> You are free to do whatever you want to do on Friday. We are we're taking a five minute break and
then we're coming um we will meet over South Summit. >> But yeah, we know the video as far as the video goes. That's Okay, ma'am. Thank you very much. This workshop is concluded. The time is 4:38.
Thank you everyone. >> Thank you, Mayor.