I call this meeting to order. Welcome everyone to the June 2nd meeting of the City of Stewart CRB Community Redevelopment Board. Roll call, please. >> Chairman Mcrist
>> here. >> Vice Moser >> here. Board member Dard, >> board member James >> here, >> board member Laughlin >> here, >> board member Monero >> here, >> and board member Whan >> here. >> Stand for the pledge, please. Could I please have a motion for the
approval of the agenda with one minor change? Number four is going first and then it'll be two and three after that. >> I'll second. >> Have a motion to second. Any public comment on that motion?
Seeing none, all in favor? >> Motion passes. I need a motion to approve the minutes of the last meeting. Do I have a motion? >> Have a motion in a second. All those in favor?
>> Any public comment? Has anyone turned on any cards? I have no public comment. >> Anybody in the audience? Seeing none, moving right along. Comments from board members.
Don't be shy. All right, moving right along. Action items. Again, we're going to do item number four first. Lee, would you like to read this or would you like me to? I'm happy to read it for you.
>> All right. >> Resolution number 03-2026 CR, a resolution of the community of the board of community redevelopment agency of the city of Steuart, Florida, authorizing award to applicants from the business improvement grant program for
fiscal year 2026. >> And staff, >> good afternoon, CRB board members. Jordan Kingston, CRA program manager for the record. Um, the Community Redevelopment Agency's business improvement grant program is an incentive program designed to encourage visible exterior improvements to
existing commercial properties and encourage private investment in the CRA. The program provides a reimbursement grant of up to $10,000 of public funds per property to match the private funds to pay for the design and completion of property improvement funds and they are
appropriated annually by the CRA. Um the projects are evaluated based on the following criteria. Overall visual impact of the property on the proposed improvements. The proposed project is part of a larger exterior or interior improvement. How the project relates to the urban street and improves pedestrian
walkability. The location within a hight traffic or high visibility area. Private investment to grant request request ratios and improvements to help preserve the historic buildings. Um, since we have new board members, um, I'll just give a brief history on the
program. The property improvement program grant was launched in 2009 to encourage visible exterior improvements to commercial and residential properties in the CRA. The grant program provided a matching grant of up to $4,000 per property. And the grant was eligible for improvements such as windows, doors,
signage, landscaping, roofing, architecture, streetcapes, parking lots, decorative shutters, and other improvements. The program was revised in 2016 2017 and renamed the business improvement reimbursement grant program also known as BERP offering uh property
owners matching grants for up to $10,000. In 2018 the program was amended to focus on eligible exterior improvements replacing non-conforming conforming pole signs with conforming freestanding or monument signage and that aimed to help property owners
comply with the city's land development code. And then under the guidance of the board, the program was substantially revised in 2021 to incentivize commercial property owners to enhance landscaping on the private premises and achieve compliance with the city's land
landscape code. Um, and then this in this uh initiative addresses the properties within the CRA that were developed prior to the enactment of the code and we also created the landscape improvement uh grant program in tandem with that. Um, the The BERB has
supported commercial businesses in the CRA and along with other department initiatives has helped achieve our mission of sustainable economic growth and preserving the city's character. The program has offered financial relief for local businesses for improvements. To date, the program has awarded 61
businesses. The CRA's investment of $444,000 leveraged approximately 2 million in private investment, juttering a total value of 2.44 million. The assessed property value has increased by 11 million, generating the additional tiff funding for the CRA.
The program aims to reduce flight and enhance the building facades, positively affecting property values and the area's appeal. As always, the CRA did public outreach to encourages these businesses to apply for the program. The CRA has received six applications to
be considered for funding. Of those applications, one was ineligible. And the improvements proposed include parking lot resurfacing, impact windows, painting, and facade improvements. At this time, it's at the board's discretion if you'd like me to present
all of them at once and then make separate motions at the end or if you'd like to do one at a time. >> Chair, my preference is one at a time. I don't know about the rest of the board. So, I'll do the first application.
>> Um, our first applicant is Avanley Commerce Center located at 429 Northeast Baker Road. The applicant is requesting grant assistance for improvements to enhance the curb appeal and functionality of the property by painting the exterior buildings and adding wayfinding signs. The total
estimated improvement cost will be 31,000. It's important to note that this applicant is a returning and previously received funding in 2023 for pavers, benches, and bike racks, and in 2025 to replace awnings at the specified
buildings. The property has not finished the 2025 upgrades yet, but is intending to use the same scaffolding for both the awning replacements and the upcoming painting improvements. The exterior is currently cracked and requires pressure cleaning, cocking, and
painting. Additionally, the buildings do not have clear addresses listed, so wayfinding signs and building numbers will be installed to help prevent confusion for visitors. Eligible improve improvements proposed by the applicant will have visual, urban, street, and economic impact. The
total estimated improvement costs for this fiscal year will be about 31,000 with a grant match of 10,000. Overall, the applicant will invest $61,397 with a CRA investment of 22,160 for this
program. Staff recommends approval. >> Any motions? Any motions on this? I can make a motion that we approve this Avon Layer Commerce Center for the grant. >> The chair can't make a motion, so I need
anybody. Any motions? >> I'll move to approve. >> I'll second. I have a motion to approve and a second. All those in favor? >> No. We're actually going to have to do a roll call, but if we could ask for public comment and then we'll do
>> any public comment on this. All right. >> Question. Discussion. The question uh you mentioned the one funding that they received in 2025. Um When do they receive funding? Before
or after they complete the project? >> It's upon completion. It's a reimbursement. So, they have to provide a receipt and after photos and we typically visit the site to make sure it's completed and then we provide the check. >> Very good. Thank you. >> Member Monero
member Laughlin. >> Yes. >> Chairman Mcrist. >> Yes. >> Vice Chair Moser. >> Yes. Board member Dard. >> Yes. >> Board member James. >> Yes. >> And board member Whan. >> Yes. >> Motion passes 70.
>> Thank you. The next application is the Gary Law Building located on 27 Southeast Ocean Boulevard. This applicant is requesting grant assistance for improvements to enhance curb appeal and functionality with paving and restriping the parking lot. The total investment improvement cost will be
$24,500. The current parking lot is cracking, unbalanced, and needs to be re restriped. The existing conditions are a tripping hazard, and cause standing water to puddle during storms. Um, planned enhancements encompass milling and tacking for the restoration of
damaged sections, installing of new asphalt, restriping of the parking spaces, and replacement of the bumpers. Improvements proposed by the applicant will have a visual urban street economic and community impact. The property fronts Ocean Boulevard and will serve as a catalyst for redevelopment in the
neighborhood. And the total estimated improvement cost will be about $24,500 with a grant match of 10,000. Staff does recommend approval of this. >> Any questions? >> U I do have a question on this one. I thought maybe a year or two ago
um the CRB had requested to not do any more parking lot resurfacing projects and instead like we're trying to promote like papavers or surfaces. Um so the we we include that in our
current application. So I can revisit that and and look and back at those board meeting minutes, but that wasn't something that we nixed on the application. Okay. >> I think we did try to incorporate that in the commercial landscape program
because that was created during that time. So we I can revisit that and bring it back if you'd like. >> Okay. Yeah. And other people might have different opinions. Any other comments?
>> Director, you can also approve uh these projects with the condition. So if this is something that you want for this specific project, you can approve the condition that you want. >> Okay. Any other comments?
I have one. Uh in my previous uh experience with these type of things, uh everything I've ever approved is something that uh is a benefit to the public. In other
words, you paint the building and you drive by it looks better. You landscape it, the whole place looks better. Uh, this one seems unique to me and different in the sense that all we're doing is repaving the parking lot. I
don't really see much public benefit to it. And I'm wondering if this is uh setting a precedent for, you know, not necessarily something that's going to increase the value of
our town overall as far as visual uh sites as you're driving by. I thought that was the the gist of the whole program. Those are my comments. Mr. Chair, if I remember in her
presentation, she said that it would improve uh when we had flooding, water would be standing in a trip hazard. So, I think that would, you know, the safety portion issue. >> Okay. Any more comments? How about from
the public? Any comments? >> Yes, sir. come up to the microphone, please. >> Several properties as well, and I think a parking lot improvements are visual appeal as well. Like you said, it's
regarding painting a building, the facade. That's my opinion. >> Thank you, sir. >> I also have the applicant here if you'd like to hear from him. Come on up, >> brother Gary.
>> Sure. >> Hello. My name is Chuck Gary. Gary Law Offices been there for my whole most of my career and paying taxes on that building for a long long time. Uh that pavement, that parking lot has never
been repaid. That's the way it was when I bought it. Um people, you know where it is. It's right near Confusion Corner. public walks through there all day long. You can't keep them out of there. People park there all day long. You can't keep them out of there. And um yeah, it's
tripping hazard. It's definitely I don't know if you've ever been that there after even a light storm. It's full of water. Uh you can't get that water out of there. I need to pave that parking lot. Um pvious uh pavers were not on anything that we discussed and it wasn't
any thing I've ever even looked at. I think that'd probably be prohibitive costwise. Um, I'd really like to get this paved. Um, I've done I don't know if you've seen the building over the last four or five years. I've resurfaced the entire building. I've um done quite
a lot of stuff on that building on the outside. I've painted the entire building. I have other buildings downtown. I've redeveloped and I'm just trying to make and they're all down here. I'm trying to make them look nice for the city. U, this really needs to be done. Pictures speak for themselves. Um, I'm willing to do it right away.
I think it's really It's a definitely a drainage problem. I I'd like you to go look at that after any any rain. I understand we're not allowed to uh drain off of the property, you know, so it all accumulates there and uh I I really like
to fix that. Um so that's all I have. >> Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Gary. >> Any other comments? Thank you, sir. Do you have any motions? I have a motion to approve with no conditions. Have a second.
>> I have a motion in a second. We're going to do roll call, please. >> Vice chair. >> Yes. >> No. >> Board member James. >> Yes. >> Board member.
board member. >> Yes. >> Whes. >> Thank you, sir. >> Um, the next application is Geer Downtown LLC, which includes multiple businesses in our historic downtown center, um, including the Riverwalk
Cafe, Spritz, Black Marlin, Gypsy Cottage, Girls Downtown, The Gaffford, Tootsies, and Rare Earth Gallery. The applicant is requesting grant assistance for exterior painting to all those businesses and an awning replacement to Spritz. The total estimated improvement
cost will be about 44,000. These businesses targeted for the proposal improvements have worn facades and their buildings would benefit from a thorough pressure wash and some fresh paint. Eligible improvements proposed by the applicant will have a visual urban
street and economic and community impact. The property is in the newly deemed historic downtown district which is in a high visibility area and these improvements will enhance the pedestrian experience and harmonize with the vibrant historic context of downtown. The property is also in the center of
the CRA downtown undergrounding and siminal streetscape improvements making it a catalyst for their downtown businesses. The total estimated improvement cost will be will be $44,000 with a grant match of $10,000 and staff recommends approval.
Staff recommends approval. Any comments from board members? Seeing none. Any motions for approval? >> I have a motion for approval and a second roll. Public comment. I'm sorry. Any public
comment? Remember >> we're voting this >> board member Laughlin. >> Yes. >> Board member Mona. >> Chairman Crystal. >> Yes. >> Board member James. >> Board member Dart. >> Yes.
>> And vice chair. Yes. Motion passes. >> Thank you. And then the next applicant is Kaiser Dermatology located at 301 Southwest Oyola Street. This applicant is seeking gr grant assistance to boost curb appeal through upgraded landscaping
and improvements to the parking lot. The estimated total improvement costs will be about $5,660. The parking lot upgrades will cover paver repairs, striping for all parking stalls, new signs, and bumpers. Existing landscape features will be
restored and the banyan tree over OciOla Street will be trimmed and a new trellis will be installed for the walkway leading to the property. Proposed improvements provide visual, economic, and community benefits. The project increases safety, accessibility, and visual appeal downtown by improving
ADA compliance, removing hazards, and upgrading streetscape features and supporting CRA revitalization and economic growth. The total estimated improvement cost will be about $5,660 with a grant match of $2,830. And then staff recommends approval of
this project. >> We have staff recommendation of approval. Comments from the board. >> I I have one comment. >> Thank you. >> Martin County, please trim carefully.
Thank you, Bonnie. Any more comments? How about from the public? Any comments? >> I am Mrs. Kaiser. I am representing Dermatology to assure you, Madam Chair, that we have taken care of this tree for
28 years and we will continue to do so. use the assistance because this tree gets bigger and bigger every year >> and you have to cut it with on a weekend and it needs to have safety measures because one limb weighs about 200 to 300
pounds. That's all I have. Thank you. >> Thank you very much. Any motions for approval? >> I have a motion and a second. >> Could you clarify who second I did. >> You did. Thank you. >> Yes.
>> Board member. >> Yes. >> Board member James. >> Yes. >> Board member. >> Yes. >> Board member Monero. >> Vice Chair Moser. >> Yes. And board member. >> Yes. >> Motion passes 70. >> Thank you.
And then our last applicant is the Owl House properties which includes the Owl House, part of the Old Colorado Inn and Napolei Orthodontics. The applicant is requesting grant assistance for installing impact windows to the historic Owl House and making parking lot improvements to Napolei
Orthodontics. The total estimated improvement cost will be about 5 thou $51,925. The Owl House is a historic downtown building and will have 21 windows and two doors replaced with with hurricane impact versions to enhance its
integrity. Impact glass will provide continuous protection in severe storms while providing structure preservation. The current parking lot at Napolei Orthodontics is cracking and is unbalanced and needs to be restriped. Um planned enhancements encompass milling and tacking for the restoration of the
damaged sections, installation of new asphalt, restriping of parking spaces, and the replacement of of bumpers. Um the applicant's proposed improvements will affect the area's appearance, urban environment, economic economy, and community. The property is situated um
right in the historic downtown district along Colorado Avenue, which is part of the CRA's ongoing undergrounding and streetscape project. And these changes are expected to spark further redevelopment in the area. The total investment improvement costs will be about $51,925 with a grant match of 10,000. Staff
recommends approval. have a staff recommendation of approval. Any comments from the board? >> Yes, sir. I can speak the exact same thought. So it's not just a
structural. No. I have a question. Do we know and I should have asked this before I but this is one applicant that I I didn't know their tax revenue. One of the flaws I see with the CRA is potentially causing
conflicts of interest. Uh but whenever a business has a tax revenue or is in excess of whatever they're asking for, I typically don't have a problem. Do we have a round ballpark figure of what their tax revenue is? Would it be
matching or greater than that potential grant that they would be receiving? >> I don't have that number right now. I do know that the property owner is in the room if he wants to possibly speak and that's a number he might be aware of, but I don't I would have to do some some
research before I can answer that. >> All right. I'll leave it up to that owner if he wants to uh address it, but yeah, I'm all for kicking back um some of the um property taxes or whatever back to the owners if they want to improve projects especially of this
nature. >> I just want to add that this is a historic property. So the reason we do want to fund something like this because we want to preserve our historic properties in in steward uh and it's also part of our historic district uh proposed historic district. We're going
to get the registeration. It's it's the money is well invested because of preservation. >> Thank you. That's a good point. Any more comments, questions? Any comments from the public?
Seeing none, could I get a motion for approval on this house properties? Have a motion. >> A second. >> I have a motion and a second. Roll call, please. Board member.
>> Yes. >> Yes. >> Board member. >> Yes. >> Board member Monero. >> Yes. >> Board member Laughlin. >> Yes. >> Board member James. >> And vice chair. >> Yes. >> Motion passes 70.
>> All right. Thank you. All right. Moving on to item action item number two. Minor urban code use. Would you like to read this or would you
like me to? Resolution number 02-2026 CRB a resolution of the community redevelopment board of the city of Steuart Florida granting a minor conditional use approval for public artwork mural named Heritage Vitalis
on a property located at 221 Southwest Flaggler Avenue as described within the attached legal description granting approval to paint a mural on the exterior southern western and eastern wall of a building providing an
effective date providing four conditions of approval and for other purposes. And I want to remind you um chairman Crystal that this is quasi judicial so you need to follow our outline. In addition, I wanted to remind you all because this came up at the last meeting and you continued it to this meeting. But um you
guys are the final decision as opposed to like the last agenda item. It was a recommendation to the to the CRA. This one is you are you guys are making the final vote. Thank you sir. Any board members have
any exparte communication to disclose? spoke with everyone else. All those giving testimony, please stand, raise your right hand, and be sworn in by our attorney, Lee Bagot. >> Do you affirm that the testimony that you're about to provide will be the
truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth? So help you, God. You may be seated. >> Staff, we have a report. >> Chair, good afternoon. Jordan Pton, CR, CRA program manager for the record. So on May 5th, 2026, the CRB presented was
presented with an application requesting approval of a public artwork mural, which requires a minor urban co- conditional use. The proposal consisted of a three-sided mural to be installed on the exterior southern western and eastern walls of the Flaggler Park public restroom building located at 221
Southwest Flaggler Avenue. The board motion to bring back resolution number 02-2026 CRB to see the requested artwork revisions and learn more about the Steuart Main Street request for proposal process. Um, as you know, the art must comply
with the minor conditional use application review process. public art criteria and public notice requirements in accordance with section 3.01.08 and section 11.02.0 of the city's land development code. The application has met public art
requirements and surrounding properties were renoticed with today's meeting information. During board discussion, there was direction for the artist to enhance the proposed sailish to reflect a more realistic features. And these adjustments have been made and were included as resolution exhibits in your
agenda packet which later noticed that they were not included. Um, so that that was sent this morning. So, our apologize, our apologies for that, but hopefully you did have time to take a quick look at it and see those minor revisions. Um, at this time, staff would like to
allow Steuart Main Street to expand on their request for proposal process for the artwork you have seen today based on the board's previous request. >> First, may I speak first? >> Sure. As I recall the last meeting uh both uh Jeff and Mr. D. Bard
as I recall uh Jeff's first comment was and I'll try to quote why are we seeing this for the first time at this meeting? And then uh Mr. De Bard I believe asked
for kind of a and correct me if I'm wrong Mr. but kind of a synopsis of the whole process of how we get to these meetings at this point in time during this whole process.
>> Anyone can anyone answer those questions? >> Chair Mcrist attorney Lee Bagget again for the record. It seems to me that our code has a process for uh artwork on public art on
private property and public art in the public right away. And it appears that our community redevelopment agency did not follow the normal code and deviated from the code. And normally if they if the if the community redevelopment agency or the city commission wanted to
commission public art on public property, they would come to you guys first about how do you want to do it? Uh there's multiple ways in in the code to do it and then you would choose which way to go to it. And then once you chose which directive to go out for bid and
and and there I think there was three options in the code. Uh once they you get uh proposals you would review the proposals and recommend to the CRA. At some point in the past the Steuart Main Street proposed to do the artwork on
public property. So the CRA did a resolution um to uh allow the Steuart Main Street to go out and commission the project on their own. So they're not using public money. They're using their own money and they are in
the next agenda item asking for some reimbursement for a few thousand dollar. So they've deviated from what the normal procedure is. So because the CRA gave them the authority to commission, we're bypassing that section which is what
you're asking about and we are coming directly to the artwork itself. Um, and so you have the standards for the artwork which was identified in the agenda item and there are 10 factors that you guys can go through. But to
repeat it, it says the board shall have the authority to exercise discretion and approve a proposal that proves to be an exceptional work of art. It does not meet all of the following criteria. And there are uh the 10 criteria which Jordan has put up there on the board.
Um, the applicant doesn't have to meet all of them, but it must be an exceptional work of art and meet some of those factors up there on as far as criteria. And so, you need to base your decision to approve the artwork on on
these factors, some of these factors. >> Thank you. So, Mr. Dard's uh questions were were valid then. >> Yes, it was it was a little confusing to us. We went back, Jordan and I to look at the code and it seems that we had
deviated from the code. I guess our code addresses if the city commission CRA or the CRA wanted to commission this and pay it out of the city's funds or the CRA funds. There was a procedure that we would be more involved in the selection
process, but the CRA went out and said Steuart Main Street proposed and the CRA said, "Okay, why don't you go do it and bring us back a project?" And so you're just approving the project or not. And again, you guys are the final vote on this.
This is seems to be a unique process. I've not seen it done this way. Um the normal procedure that you've seen in the past and since I've been here for a few years now is it's a developer coming in and redeveloping or doing a new development and they're required to do public art and you guys are approving
the public art. Um there is, like I said, I just went over the procedure when it's public art on public property. There is a separate way where you guys are more involved in the competitive procurement process. But the CRA bypassed us and said, "Steuart Main Street, you go do it. You're going to
pay for it." And then you come back, but we still have to you guys still have to approve the artwork going on public building basically. And you got to use these factors and you have to determine that it's an exceptional piece of art and that it meets some of those factors. >> I have a question about that pro
process. So it sounds like CRA kind of jumped the shark or jumped the shelf selfish a little bit and gave the process to um Steuart Main Street. So now it's their kind of ball and they're allowed to do what they want with it because the question I had in the
previous meeting was I wasn't sure about the RFP process. I'm glad to see Candace is here to and I'm guessing that's what George is going to explain how the whole process went. Um and I would just my question at that time was I should probably until George gives his presentation and then I'll follow up.
>> But I I just want to point out that you can't base your decision on the procurement process and that you're unsatisfied with the procurement process. >> You have a piece of artwork in front of you and you have to decide whether it's an exceptional work of art and meets some of these factors.
>> So you you can't >> you're kind of getting out in the weeds if you're going there. If we were paying for it and we did it on public property, you would be you would have selected the process >> and then you would have selected from the candidates and then you would have selected the artwork, >> right? >> So
>> so this is kind of their their animal or >> we're they handled the procurement process. They are saying, "Hey, city of Stewart, we're going to pay for the this mural on your building, but you still get to prove the the artwork that goes on the building." So that's why I just
don't want us getting sidetracked and in the weeds when >> you know your your scope is looked at the project, you've seen the artwork. Is it an exceptional piece of art work of art and does it meet some of these factors? That's very good. >> Thanks.
>> I just want to elaborate what Lee said. This was an in unique circumstances. Um, the resol resolution did go before the CRA board and the CRA board directed staff um to allow uh Main Street to go out for RFP and do their own process uh
because they were applying for a grant. Should the CRA staff go out to our RFP uh for public art on public property, it would come before you. We would present all the options to you and you would have an you would be able to select. But
this is in unique circumstances where Main Street applied for a grant and that's why they did the RFP process. So I just want to clarify that was a direction from the CRA board, not CRA staff. >> Yes. Through resolution 02-2025. >> Commission applicant.
>> Yes, sir. For the record, George Mamemer. Uh I'm a board member with Sort Main Street. Um, you've seen me before up here. I work also I'm a partner with Cotler and Hearing where a land planning and landscape architecture firm. Through that role, I've had the privilege of both preparing RFPs and submitting for
RFPs uh numerous times. Um, so very familiar with the process and how general requirements are for it. Um, just in in summary, this is a unique situation where we have a nonprofit volunteer organization paying for public
in a public place. So, uh, the benefit to the city was that the city didn't have to direct that procurement process to go out for RFP to prepare the documents. So, it saved the city both time and money to have an organization do that on behalf of the city.
Um, generally, I think we're all familiar with Main Street's mission to promote the downtown area. It's a wonderful organization. I was born and raised here in Steuart. Um, and I'm honored to be able to be in this position to be on the board and help the organization best I can
forward. So, Main Street is involved in a number of projects over the years. Uh, this is just, you know, one of the most recent ones, but really promoting the downtown area. Um, Flagger Park is a significant location. It's it's a beautiful park.
It's an important resource for the citizens and residents of Steuart. I've been coming here my whole life and so uh any improvements uh I think are a wonderful addition. Um so in terms of the RFP process um Stuart Main Street
put together a committee three board members drafted the RFP posted it online uh and then promoted that posting in several paid ads and organic posts. Uh go to the next slide. In terms of total
metrics, I don't know what impressions mean, but there was several thousand people that saw it. Lots of people reposted it. Uh we ended up getting 12 applicants in addition to the online postings. Uh it was also uh sent to
Martin Arts Council who also put it out to their uh organization as well. So as we said, we had 12 applicants respond to that. Next slide. So within that RFP, there was an outline of ing what the art was. It was going on the restroom
building at the park. We're looking for a mural. Uh we wanted to promote the Stuart's unique character, history, and natural beauty. And then requirements for the submitt. They had to complete an artist application. Uh the proposal needed to identify the medium, what what
uh the artist medium was going to be, paint, uh what type of paint, that sort of thing. timeline for their installation of the art, budget, artist resume, proof of insurance, maintenance program, a lot of the general requirements. Uh, and then encourage, we wanted to see references, previous works
of art. Uh, go to the next slide. So 12 of the 12 applicants that submitted, they were graded in six different criteria on a scale of 1 to five and there was a weighted average submitted. Uh, so that was understanding the scope, their technical approach, experience and
expertise, budget timeline and references from previous projects. So, a completely fair and honest process and it's really the cornerstone of the RFP process is an unbiased approach to getting a proposal for the work. Um, so
that is a summary of the RFP itself. Go next. I think we're all understanding the importance of public heart and why we were required in the first place of all new developments. Um, in terms of this example, driving foot
traffic, promoting local spending, a source of civic pride. Again, we have sailfish everywhere. It's part of our identity here in Stewart. Um, and so having that that public art, enhancing that the park through this this project is, you know, really significant in that
respect. and the revised uh mural itself. I think really the only change was to the sailfish. Slight angle change on the forehead of the fish. Um personal anecdote, I think the art is is beautifully done. It's a great design. I think it's really going to enhance the
park. But just wanted to note again also the city's policy in promoting uh works of art to create vibrant unique destinations within the city. So um happy to answer any questions on the art process or anything else.
Thank you. >> Well, thanks George. Hold on a second. Can we see their pictures of the buildings? Yeah. Light up. All right. So, is that are you have you concluded your presentation?
>> Yes, sir. >> Board members, do you have any questions or for the petitioner? >> I have a I was going to make a comment. >> Sure. Comments are fine. >> Okay. Thanks. I'm I'm glad to see George present the the process that was
involved with the RFP. That was a big question I had before. I thought that the artist that they selected was was was outstanding. I've seen some of her work. Um, and I know she's able to get things anatomically correct. She's got a the osprey and the variegated pineapple
pinks. It's good. I was just concerned about the sailfish. I'm glad she's worked it a little bit. And since you approved Georgia, I got to ask you, do you think that's a little too much like a dolphin? But I won't go there. But uh anyway, I think you got two great examples of sailish on either side, very different
for >> we're the selfish capital of the world. We have to defend the selffish now. Anyway, but thanks for pointing out the process involved with the RFP. That was my comment. Any other questions or comments? >> Yes, sir.
We're a pineapple plantation. At one time they were they were big. This is actually All right. No other comments. I have I have some comments. Um I don't sit here as a art hater who is against putting murals on
buildings. I have there are plenty of other examples of really good murals on our other buildings. I enjoy the one at Memorial Park. Uh could you leave those pictures up there,
please? To me, let's just say you're taking your kids to the park. Why would you take them to the park? Well, in today's world, you want them to descreen for sure.
And then, uh, secondly, I'd want them to really take a look around and maybe see things they haven't seen before. Nature, trees, river, grass. Uh, and for this bathroom to stand out like it does in the park
and it screams. I had a buddy. He said, "What are you up to today?" I said, "CB meeting." So, I showed him the pictures. He was hilarious. He said, "Frank, what's wrong with that?
It screams, "Look at me. Look at me. I got to pee. It's a bathroom." So, I would love to see a bathroom. If you If you don't want to look at a bathroom
in a park, fine. Make it disappear. make it. Try to go away with some either combination of landscaping and realistic colors
that blend into the landscape itself. Okay. Uh all the other murals in our town respect they do respect our culture and our
heritage and who we are as a laid-back community on the river. And we've always prided ourselves in not being Dade County, not being Key West. We are different
here. And uh I could ramble on for a few days, but this will be getting a a no vote for me. Absolutely. And
it's just it's just too bizarre to me. All right. Thank you. So, no other comments or questions? >> I I I have a comment. Um,
knowing that we get the final decision on this artwork, knowing also that um, it hits those high points that was asked of us to address some of them. It Yes, it hits some of those. In my eyesight,
it does. You know, u, I'm not a real art person, but it looks good and it blends into the natural surroundings to me. It just blends in. And those are my comments. >> Thank you, sir. Any other comments, questions?
All right. I guess it's time to do the deed. Do I have any kind of call for a motion? Any motions to approve this work of art? Chairman Crystal, if we could follow
along with the uh outline. We're skipping ahead. We got to close out the evidence. >> Number six. >> Does the city staff have any response or comments related to the presentation? >> No, sir.
>> Good. Does a petitioner wish to offer any rebuttal to this vicious attack on this artwork? Okay, this is the close of this hearing.
All the evidence has been pro provided to the board members to deliberate in public asking them to site the facts being considered and then to state their position and formulate a motion.
Any public comment? >> I have none. >> Okay. Thank you. May I call for a motion now? Do I have a motion to approve? >> A second. >> I have a motion and a second. >> Roll call, please.
>> Board member Dard. >> Yes. >> Board member Whan. >> No. >> Chairman Crystal. >> No. >> Board member James. >> Yes. >> Board member Laughlin. Yes, >> member.
Yes. >> Thank you very much. >> I believe that is our last. >> No, sir. to approve. >> Oh, we got to go again. Now we get to ask for the money. >> All right.
Resolution number 01-2026 CR. a resolution of the community redevelopment agency of the city of Steuart, Florida, authorizing the board chair to execute an agreement between the Steuart Community Redevelopment Agency and Stewart Main Street
Association LLC, who is the applicant for a mural matching grant in the amount of $3,000 to install a mural on the exterior, southern, western, and eastern wall of a building located at 221 Southwest Flaggler Avenue, providing an effective date and for other purposes.
And again, we're going back to being a recommendation to the CRA. >> So, this is not quas I do judiciary. Okay. Very good. >> All right. Um, so this application and the artwork
that you just received is part of um now the mural matching grant program application. So, the objective of this program is to use murals as a catalyst for redefining our our area as a destination for arts and culture. The applicants are eligible to receive financial assistance in the form of a
5050 fund match not to exceed $3,000 for new mural artwork that is visible from the public rideway. Each fiscal year, the CRA budgets $20,000 through the mural matching grant program. Murals that are funded by the program may be placed on public buildings and
facilities as well as private properties limited limited to non-residential and mixeduse buildings within the CRA. The mural program was implemented in 2019 and has assisted with the funding of eight murals throughout the CRA. The murals pictured are on the guilt complex
to home building, old Colorado in Urban Botanicals, Matilda, and the VA building on MLK. As mentioned, the proposed mural will be installed on the exterior southern, western, and eastern wall of the Flaggler Park restroom building located at 221 Southwest Flaggler Avenue, and
the artwork will be highly visible to both vehicular traffic and park visitors, as the restroom building is centrally situated within the park. The mural can be clearly seen from multiple key vantage points including Flaggler Avenue, the basketball courts, playground, pavilion, Hudson restaurant,
Flaggler Center, and ensuring ensuring a strong public exposure and engagement. And then, as you know, public art is an essential component to community revitalization. Art strengthens community, drives tourism, and fosters an environment of creativity and
innovation. And through this community revitaliz revitalization effort, we aim to engage the creative sector to drive economic development within the CRA. Um, and as described in the previous agenda item, the proposed mural will support those efforts. The applicant is requesting a matching grant in the
amount of $3,000 for the proposed mural. The total cost of the proposed project is estimated at $18,450. The applicant is requesting a reimbursement of 50% of the total cost of the project, but not to exceed the 3,000 within our guidelines. So, at this
time, staff would request a motion to recommend the CRA approved resolution 01-2026 CRA to award the grant amount of 3,000 for the mural. >> Any any comments from board on this? Any motions to approve? You have comment
>> comment. Um the RFP process you said was posted online. My my concern here is we're potentially using public funds from local taxpayers and maybe George you can answer this question on the responses or or how do you know
the question that I had last time and it still persist is how do we know that the local artist and there's a very well-known local artist received this? I mean maybe they didn't look at the Steuart Main Street website to get an impression or to make an impression or to make a comment. So can you address
that? >> Yeah, so there were several paid ads that were done to post this out as far as we could go as well as local artist organizations such as Martin Arts Council which most of the local artists are fairly well tied into for local opportunities.
So, you know, they had an opportunity. Whether or not they saw it, maybe they didn't, too late. There's a deadline, but that goes back to it being fair process. Everybody who sees it and submits has the ability to potentially win the job. Okay. I don't know if you
can speak on behalf of Martin Arts Council, but did were they selective and who we have a member here who might maybe can explain was there selection process or when you reached out to the your artists, did you have uh is it all of them in general or
or how did that you pick the people that you contacted or if you contacted people? >> We shared the information that Steuart Main Street provided about the call for artists to as broad a network as we promote any other call to artists. We work with the county's art and public
places program as well and many other things. And so, um, you know, I can't guarantee that every artist read our emails and the information that went out, but to the best of our ability, we put all these opportunities out in front of them so they have an opportunity to do that. And I think you said you had 14
responses, 12 responses. That's actually a really high number in comparison to a lot of calls and responses I've seen. >> Okay. Very good. Thank you. Okay. So, so my concern, just just so you know, is I see the potential conflict of with the
CRA is we're potentially giving local taxpayer funds to an outsider. In this case, it would be a Miami based artist. Doesn't matter where they're from. Happens to be a very good artist. Don't have a problem with that artist, but
you know, potentially an outside artist or entity has deeper pockets and they can afford to do a project lower than like a local artist. So, we're we're being asked now to approve $3,000 of local taxpayer funds. So, I'm I'm just
trying to make sure and it sounds like anybody had an opportunity or many of the local artists had an opportunity to say something and they either chose not to or 12 people did and and the selection process which was identified
picked an outside artist which is fine. It's a very good artist. >> Board member Laughlin, if I could speak just on that a little bit. So, just so you um are aware the overall project cost that's going to be >> paid for by Stuart Main Street is
$18,450. So, all they're getting out of this is 3,000 um in reference to that that comment. And and another thing to think about is we don't restrict local artists to apply through our program. Right? So, the Murray Matric Grant Program has
guidelines itself. So, that's not something that we restrict. that's up to the business owner or in this case the organization on what artwork they choose and and what artist they move forward with. So if again like if that's
something we may want to revisit as far as in order to apply for this particular program, maybe that's something we change that we only support local artists being part of this program. We can revisit that, but it wasn't part of the current application guidelines we have.
Just a quick note, I I appreciate the thought. I think the more bigger conflict would be if the city was funding a local artist to do a mural in Miami. Um, in this case, what the city's
getting out of this is the art on in the city. Regardless of who paints it, the end product is beautiful art within the city. And that's the intent behind the program is that it's funding art within the city. Gota. But you're still asking for
$3,000. However, small. Just saying. >> But thank you though. >> Any other comments? >> Question. For the record, Candace Callahan, executive director for Steuart Main Street. Had the conditions been clear,
we would have definitely shared those other artists if that was a part of your RFP process, but it wasn't. So, um, off the top of my head remembering, I think we had about four or five that were considered local, but
to to define local, I think should also be well defined in your procedures with staff and your direction with staff. As Jordan mentioned, I'm sure they would welcome a conversation about changing those current guidelines, but that
wasn't given to us. Um, and again, we welcomed everyone to participate. A lot of the murals that are on our buildings have also been done by artists who are not local Stewart residents. Maybe Martin County, maybe Palm Beach, maybe
Port St. Lucy. So, again, it's a little it's a little tough, but we did have a few. And again, being all fair, we wouldn't have felt good about just scoring them on their location of where their home address is. We went by the
quality of the artwork, their past work, their resume, their professionalism. So, I mean, someone submitted, and this goes to speak to all all the different types of um professional applications we received. One was drawn and doodled on a
napkin. So, so everything was a factor in scoring these individuals and their and I think it would be unfair of us to show those at this juncture when they weren't our
pick because of the scoring. Is that does that help a little bit? I know it's not ideal and it's not but as stated you were voting on the artwork and now we're voting on this piece of it. So I And I also would like to work
with staff if that's something that everybody would um prefer in moving forward and making any amendments to the current um procedures. >> Thank you. >> Have one more comment if I may. Am I allow Yes. Okay. I do also want to state
that as stewards of Flaggler Park because our home is at Flaggler Center. You, Jeff, are very familiar. Used to see you quite a bit there on Wednesday mornings. Um, we are at that park every week, every day. This was a selfish opportunity for Main
Street to, how should we say, motivate and inspire the city of Stewart to help make further improvements to that park because unfortunately, and I know this probably isn't very PC to say, so forgive me. It's been treated as the redheaded stepchild of the city of Stewart and our
downtown. That park gets a lot of use because it's be of of its beauty and its location. This was the first step in helping inspire the city of Stewart, who doesn't have a master plan for its parks at this point, which I think is very important because we all love green
space. We all love preserving our natural um habitat of our home. Um the gazeos are falling apart. The metal roofs are all uh leaking and they're rusted. Uh the wood is rotting at the gazeos and the benches and the picnic tables and the sidewalk is embarrassing. So like
>> we get the message. >> So this was a Sorry. So this is an opportunity I think um and I think it would be a disservice if we didn't allow this to happen. So thank you for your time and your consideration. >> Thank you. Any other comments?
>> Um I got one. This and it was already mentioned which is good. This whole this whole thing feels icky to me because, you know, I'm I'm a we the people kind of guy and this feels like
all these all decisions were made by a group of people who have the money to do it and then it was presented to the people who supposed to make the decision later. So I would hope going forward that whatever whatever reasons for this new process
that was a an anomaly in this whole artsy fartsy world. I would hope we get it ironed out and uh things don't ever happen like this again. And uh that's all I have to say about
that. Do I have a motion for approval of the $3,000 grant for this beautiful artwork. >> Motion to approve. >> I have a motion to approve. >> I have a second. >> I have a second. >> Roll call, please.
Oh, I'm sorry. Any public comment? All right. Realized I forgot to introduce myself properly last time. So, Nancy Turl, resident of the city of Stewart, but also executive director for the last 27 years of Martin Arts. So um we did as
you would have seen in your packet approve this uh our recommendation was to support the grant for this. This is a unique case for us as well. Uh we helped create and we are the fiscal agent for a group of private women philanthropists
in this community called Women Supporting the Arts. And they were presented with an opportunity to help fund this project and have a $10,000 grant that um women from across this community who have voluntarily
philanthropically given their money have selected this particular mural and this project for a $10,000 grant. It's a pretty impressive um uh the word just went out of my head
anyway. Um comment on how strongly they felt as community residents that it did speak to them. Um, so I do encourage you vote for in favor of the 3000. Um, I've been
involved with public art for many, many years. Oftent times the artist does not live in the community because you're not just looking to meet that need. You're looking to find the best piece and the best person to create the right piece in the right place at the right time. So,
um I encourage um any public art program not to limit it to just a local artist because you will not get the best of the best um through your processes. So, thank you.
>> Thank you, ma'am. Thank you for the uh validation of my original comment which was very few people made most of the decisions and then it was presented to us later and again I would hope this process never goes like this again. Do I
have a motion and a second? Okay, good >> motion and a second. >> Roll call, please. Yeser. Yesmber James. member. >> Yes.
>> Whommber? >> Yes. >> Uh, no. >> All right, everyone. Thank you for being here. Our meeting is now concluded.