So moved.

Second.

All those in favor?

All right.

Opposed, unanimous.

Move to item three on the agenda today.

Are there any citizens here today who desire to be heard on uh items that are not on today's agenda?

Uh Jill Gibbs from Clearwater.

Um, I wasn't sure if or when I would have another opportunity to do this.

So I just wanted to take a moment to thank you, Mr.

Margolis, for your service to our city.

Uh your commitment to the law combined with your faithful dedication to the people of Clearwater has been an invaluable gift to our city.

We can only hope that our city council and staff will remain committed to do the same.

With our citizens' current effort to protect our downtown city streets, I can assure you that you will be deeply missed.

Of the almost 7,000 Clearwater voters who signed the initiative, many, and I emphasize many have stated their deep appreciation for you and your diligent efforts in your research with regards to South Garden Avenue.

Your hard work and professional insight has not gone unnoticed.

And while I completely understand your decision to resign, please know that the people have your back and will forever be grateful for your supportive and lawful role and that you've played in a very crucial time in Clearwater, in which the results are still yet to be determined.

And if there's any chance for you to reconsider, the citizens of Clearwater would very much appreciate if you remained, but nonetheless, thank you, and may God very much bless your next chapter.

Thank you.

Are there any other citizens to be heard today regarding items that are not on today's CRA agenda?

Good morning.

No, afternoon.

I'm sorry.

But we had our 11th annual community family fun night, and we were uh very excited to welcome thousands of guests who came.

Uh first I want to thank those of you who did come for those of you who didn't, we'll see you all hopefully this year.

Uh this year we welcomed almost 5,000 people that came to the event.

It was it was absolutely um amazing, it was wonderful.

Uh we created a vibe experience, and as I think about um as you're embarking on downtown Clearwater and how do you create that thing that makes people want to come downtown Clearwater.

Um, and so I'd like to have that conversation with you at some time later on about that, some of the things that maybe we can contribute to that, uh, some things that we do that help too, and it's not just because it is a is a free event, but it's it is a an experience that we bring to the people and it's very diverse.

We have people from across the board that come to this event, and this was year 11 that we've done it, and I've just uh I can't say enough.

We had a little less than 5,000 people that came to the event.

Our final numbers gave it more about 4700 people that actually came.

Um for those of you who were there, you saw the numbers, and so it was great.

And I want to thank the city of Clearwater.

Thank you for your support and all you do, and especially Dan Slaughter, um, because he has supported us from the very beginning, and he helped us and he saw the vision, and he was there helping and all that great stuff.

And Mr.

Margolis, I I second that motion.

I hope that you maybe will reconsider um your decision.

But anyway, thank you all so much, appreciate it.

And I'll I'll fill out a card to get that to you.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Any other citizens here today that would be uh desire to be heard on items that are not on today's CRA agenda.

Hearing saying none, we'll move to item 4.1.

Present the 2025 business spotlight winners.

Good afternoon.

My name is Tasha Attley, CRE specialist, and the item I bring for you today is the Business Spotlight Program.

This second installment builds on the success of the 2024-25 business spotlight program, expanding recognition to businesses in the downtown Clearwater and North Greenwood redevelopment areas, while also honoring our legacy businesses with long-term standing community ties.

CRA staff is proud to honor nine winners whose work reflects the diversity, innovation, and entrepreneurial spirit.

The business spotlight winners from February through October are Direct Mail 2.0, One Stop Shop, New Vision Behavioral Health, Tequila's Mexican Catina, Hatchet Hangout, Social Sips Cafe, Soul Sicilian Fusion, Downtown Pizza, and Emily's Restaurant.

Working in partnership with the city's public communications team, staff will provide each feature business with coordinated marketing support, storytelling opportunities, and public recognition designed to elevate their visibility.

These business spotlight winners support the city and CRA goals of the small business growth and economic development consistent with the downtown and North Korean wood redevelopment areas.

Congratulations to all of our business spotlight winners.

Content for our winners will be featured on myClearwater CRA.com/slash spotlight.

And at this time, I invite the businesses that are in attendance to stand to be recognized.

Are there any questions?

Okay.

Questions, comments, I think you know, just this program's been a great success, and we uh appreciate all that came in here today, and you've been honored the past year because you're so important to not just downtown Clearwater but to all of Clearwater.

And uh we want to uh work with you as a community, not just uh council and the city government, but as an entire community here in Clearwater to help continue to make your businesses successful.

We're very proud of you, the work you do, and the great service you provide to customers, and thank you for being here today and letting us recognize you again.

Thank you.

And again, there are some businesses that couldn't be here, so uh very all right with us in spirit.

So we'll move to item 4.2 on the agenda.

A proof of alone from the CRA to Clearwater Bluffs LLC and a promisory note in connection with the approved funding contribution for the residential project on the bluff.

I do recommend approval for this particular uh request here for Mr.

David Margolis, he'll give the details if he so pleases.

Mr.

Chair, uh so this is an item that the legal team has worked on pretty heavily.

Uh this is something that I'm pleased and proud to present.

The Bluff Development Project is one that probably, at least from my point of view, began about four years ago when we started putting together on a staff level the solicitation to see who would put in for the Bluff.

And I was made aware that there had been a previous solicitation for that and got up to speed on all of that.

From that second solicitation in early 2022, the Gotham and Denuncio team was selected.

Um I've been very proud to be part of that.

The theme of the day is Urban Renaissance.

So I'm very much proud to be part of the Urban Renaissance.

As the trustees are aware, we have already closed on the Harbor View parcel.

Um, Mr.

D'Anunzio and his team now own that parcel, and cast construction is already getting underway on the ballot hotel.

Immediately south of that is the old city hall parcel for which we are under contract and hopefully getting ready to close very very soon.

For those who were not here, because it was prior to the just prior to the election, uh, the latest version of the agreement between the CRA and the Gotham Denuncio team says as follows.

That grant is in the amount of two and a quarter million dollars.

However, it is payable upon substantial completion of the project to get things going downtown as quickly as possible.

Part of the contours of this deal incentivizes the Gotham team to close with us and get started on their project as soon as possible so that we can generate that excitement and construction downtown.

So the current version of the deal as approved in early 2024 says that that two and a quarter million dollar grant from the CRA will be paid at the commencement of construction rather than the completion, but only if the Gotham team closes with us by March 1st of 2026.

In addition to that, if the Gotham team is ready to close with us by March 1st, there is an early closing incentive of $1 million that is put as part of that.

I think that was a very good arrangement because it aligns the incentives of the CRA to get that process started downtown and generating a lot of that excitement and construction simultaneously, and at the same time it aligns with our partners who are then incentivized to do the same thing.

So I've been very pleased with how that is structured.

As we have gotten closer to closing, the Gotham team has asked us to consider converting the CRA grant into a non-recourse loan.

There are multiple tax reasons why they've asked for that.

This is something that has already come before the city council on the city version of it.

This is now the CRA version of it.

But the important thing I think to take away for the trustees is that the amount of the funding is staying exactly the same.

The timing of the funding is staying exactly the same.

But if this item is approved, instead of a CRA grant, it will be converted into a CRA loan for which no payments are due, and the debt will be discharged by the buyer at the completion of the project.

So that's the gist of it.

I know Katie Cole is here with us representing the Gotham team.

I don't know if she has anything to add to that, but that's the gist of it.

Yeah.

Okay.

Okay.

All right.

Any questions from trustees?

Okay.

If not, uh is there anyone here from the public who designed today the desire to speak to the agenda item 4.2.

Hearing saying none, is there a motion?

Move to approve agenda item 4.2.

Second.

All those in favor?

Opposed, unanimous.

Thank you.

Thank you, Katie.

Agenda item 4.3.

Approve of the amendments at downtown Clearwater Commercial Grants.

Good afternoon, Vicky Shire, CR manager.

This item is to request approval of the changes made to the downtown Clearwater Commercial Grant Program.

Staff is recommending these changes to simplify the application and review process, clarify eligibility and funding requirements, improve transparency and consistency, and ensure the program continues to support commercial revitalization and downtown clear water.

The changes also update disbursement procedures and provide clear guidance for applicants and staff.

These updates advance both the city strategic plan and the Clearwater Downtown Redevelopment Plan.

Staff recommends approval of these updates, and I'm happy to answer any questions at this time.

Okay.

Today the desires to speak to agenda item 4.3.

Hearing seeing none is there a motion.

Move to approve agenda item 4.3.

Second.

All those in favor?

Opposed.

Unanimous.

Thank you.

Agenda item 4.4.

I've heard the recommended updates to the residential exterior improvement grant program guidelines for the North Greenwood Community Redevelopment Area.

This item we are requesting approval updates to the residential exterior improvement grant for the North Greenwood community redevelopment area.

This program helps qualifying homes at homeowners access funding to repair and improve their home so they may remain in good condition, are safer, and all residents can stay in their homes.

The program mainly focuses on exterior repair, such as roof paints, windows, doors, and similar improvements.

It also allows limited interior work when needed for ADA or safety, or when the interior damage is caused by the exterior issues.

The updates are straightforward.

First, the maximum grant amount increases from $20,000 to $25,000.

This reflects current construction and material cost and allow homeowners to complete more meaningful repairs.

Second, the program guidelines are being clarified to make the process easier to understand, easier to apply for, and more consistent.

Staff recommends approval of these updates, and I'm happy to answer any questions at this time.

Any questions from the trustees?

If not, then is there anyone here from the public today that desires to speak to agenda item 4.4?

Hearing saying none is there a motion.

Make a motion to approve agenda item 4.4.

Second.

All those in favor?

Opposed.

Unanimous.

Thank you.

Agenda item 4.5.

I approve an increase of the maximum award amount for the North Greenwood commercial grant program from 75,000 to 100,000.

I promised last time.

This item is requested to approve an increase to the maximum award amount for the North Greenwood commercial grant program from 75,000 to 100,000 dollars.

This program was established to encourage reinvestment in commercial properties, some more support small businesses, and stimulate economic activity in the North Greenwood CRA.

The program can turn concurrently allows a maximum grant award of $75,000 per project.

Since creating the program, staff has experienced rising construction costs along with increased material and labor expenses.

Increasing the maximum award to 100,000 would allow the program to better respond to current market conditions and provide sufficient funding for funding.

For the downtown so far, they've been very successful to the PD officers and uh hopefully they make us a lot safer.

So if you also want to watch a fun video, you can always click on the link there for the public, or if the public wishes, they can go on the city's Facebook and other social media and kind of watch all the fun videos we have in place.

This is an update on the grants that we have in the downtown to date for fiscal year uh 2024-2025.

This is for the commercial grant program.

So far to date, we have 11 projects that are approved or in progress.

Dirting projects have already been completed and paid.1 million dollars has been approved with nearly $500,000 reimbursed to local businesses.

So as far as the reimagined Clearwater Library project, the initiative that we have.

We kicked it off here.

It was a new year as far as getting the team together from public communications, economic development, city administration, as far as to start the pre-marketing for the property, start you know, talking to prospects out there in the and uh museum and other culture uh types of world that's out there.

We started using the blue dot as our CRM.

So anything anytime we have communications with that world out there, we put it into our CRM system.

So we have some articles that didn't show it there in the slide.

That's the update updated.

Yeah, that slide, Eric.

Okay.

So we did share it with you.

If not, then we'll make sure we get you this link here.

This is a few articles.

This is our data finding right now.

You know, as part of our research, we did identify a few articles that we shared with you.

One article is museums had a rough 2025 uh report shows lower attendance, loss grants and less money.

And another one was an Americans Alliance of Museums, the 2025 annual snapshot of United States museums.

So we'll get you those articles so you can read them, and then if you have any kind of questions or anything, you can shoot that over to staff.

And if Mr.

Battle, if you want to say anything about that slide, I do because I think that article the articles are timely as we go through this exercise of trying to determine and solicit interest in citing and placing any type of cultural facility in this space.

Um, this goes back to some of the information that staff attempted to try to understand better in our last conversation with you about it, which was kind of a recap of what we're right, what we're what didn't go as well as we thought it should after uh we got the proposals back.

And they're quoted in an article on NPR about the difficulties that museums are having in raising funds.

And so what we also heard during the process of hearing interest in the space and also the discussion here was that that one of the primary issues that we found in the responses was that many of them mentioned the fact that having the dollars in order to do this type of installation and also operate this type of installation is waning.

And across the country, even the best of them are having issues and fundraising and being able to support any types of advancements or expansions of museums and spaces that you know quite on quite frankly are similar to what we're talking about, trying to activate new spaces, trying to activate something in spaces that don't normally exist as a museum, but any new installations are experiencing a funding crunch.

So we wanted to bring that to your attention because we may very well run into similar issues as we go through what we're doing and trying to source uh opportunities to come and want to make presentations and proposals to be in our library.

That this is a national phenomenon, and we probably have did experience some of that, but it doesn't look like it's getting any better going forward.

Um, and if as we learn more information, we can definitely update you.

But we wanted to bring that to your attention and also as a check-in point being the executive director's report.

Here's an opportunity for you to get some more information uh before any types of proposals are submitted.

So you have eyes wide open with respect to what organizations are experiencing in terms of trying to be available and wanting to participate with us.

So throw that out.

There's information if you have any questions about it or wants to do some additional digging, we can do that, but it's something that we want to bring to your attention.

We'll get you the we'll get you the updated PowerPoint.

I think that's the only slide that's missing from the director's report.

But we do want to be as transparent as possible.

This go around once the libraries that get in the bed, we'll give you that information every single month from time to time.

It might just be its own standalone item if we have a lot of information to give you.

So we want to start doing every month as well is start highlighting our businesses that we have out there, the new ones that are coming into the downtown, even the North Greenwood area.

Uh, and we'll give them their own separate slides for each pictures and all this good stuff so that we can promote those businesses.

So here's three plus it's actually a fourth one in there now.

So saberosos, eat happy.

This is located at 1011 Cleveland Street.

Hopefully, you go stop there and have some lunch or something, but it's I'm planning on going there.

Uh, then we have Cheesewheel Pasta and Pizza.

This is located at 1100 Cleveland Street, Unit A.

Then we have de facto cafe at 1401 Gulf to Bay Boulevard.

I think the mayor uh stopped by there.

Then we also have another one, another business that's coming into the Owen Olive in time location, which is de facto, which is um Gulf Side Pizza.

They're working to open soon, right there, basically across the street from City Hall 600 on Cleveland Street.

So this particular item is Daciola parking garage.

You know, this is a CRA property, which is a city asset being built on it.

So I do want to thank Ms.

Audra Aha, she's a city's economic development manager, and also Mr.

Philip Kilpatrick, along with Public Works and the rest of the team.

So we do have some commercial space on the bottom.

So Philip has been working very closely with the commercial world to see if he can somehow recruit tenants into that particular location.

Then Audra, she put together as a marketing piece for it and published it on several digital marketing efforts as far as um uh expansion solution magazine and a few other locations, and it was also a campaign launch on the Tampa Bay Business Journal homepage.

So if you wish to find out more information about this particular property, it's at my clearwater.com forward slash development.

Then for the downtown parking communications, you know, I did add a few more information that I'll provide to you right now.

So this slide outlines the coordinator approach we're taking to improve parking operations and customer experience during the larger downtown event, during larger downtown events.

So enhanced parking will be triggered for events expected to approximate to exceed approximately two thousand dollars.

We're starting to work internally with several programs.

One is an ambassador program of volunteers.

Uh, Mr.

Dan Slaughter, he's working on that particular initiative along with Mr.

A.C.

Mbattle and the rest of the team.

So CRA communications parking and park staff, we're all working together to better define our roles on how we can help uh the downtown community navigate in downtown during the construction phase.

And also before major events, CRA staff will share parking resources and maintenance of traffic maps with downtown businesses.

So it is a team effort.

So we are we do have boots in the ground, but we're also using our social media.

We're usually using Joelle's team heavily as far as to getting dissemination of information on any type of activities.

And to support visibility, the DDB is also funding certain items in the this particular initiative.

Then again, parking ambassadors were looking into that particular program that would have highlighted vests so that they can be identifiable to the community when there's major events.

And CRS the communication staff they'll manage other items as well.

It's a team effort, so we'll get you more refined information as time goes by.

So if anyone else wants to say anything about that as far as communication staff, but this is a team effort that we're trying to just disseminate information to the entire community and the outsiders that come into the downtown so they can find parking and just navigate our downtown.

So we also have our monthly CRA outreach meetings here at the library.

So those are becoming more and more popular.

So we're hoping to use that also that platform to disseminate information on any type of downtown issues.

At the next meeting, we do have our guests, the Denazio groups that'll be here to talk about their particular project, and hopefully we get a good turnout.

That is on Tuesday, January 27th at 3 p.m.

Right here at the library, right here in this room.

As far as the North Greenwood area, we're starting to get more and more interest in our residential grants, as you saw the update today to the program itself.

So, you know, as we start working some of the grants out there for the residents, we've seen that $20,000 just wasn't enough, so we increased it a little bit more to 25,000.

Same thing with our commercial grant from 75 to 100,000.

So to date we have 54 residential grants that we're working with.

Under review, there's 11 approved or under construction 13, then completed 17.

So that's a lot of projects that we're working on with our small but mighty team.

So it's a team effort again.

As far as the commercial grants, right now we have three projects that have been approved with two of them completed to date, and we're hoping to market that program a little bit better in the North Greenwood area so that we can get more than just the numbers that I got here before you.

But in the meantime, you know, staff is there to support anything that they need from the CRA staff in addition to the economic development staff.

The shipping container, this is for the Clearwater Urban Leadership Coalition project for the container village.

You know, it's going through the site planning review process right now with planning and development.

They're also digesting the St.

Pete College recommendations so they can implement those when the time comes.

In addition, they're working with the city staff for parking alternatives for the site.

We're starting to get bigger and bigger attendance.

So in the future, we may have to find a different location.

But right now, the rooms are getting almost to the max, whatever that may be, but they are getting very fairly full.

So the 2026 meeting dates are March the 4th, June the 3rd, September 2nd, and December the 2nd.

These are their quarterly meetings, but if they do need special meetings, then we'll accommodate them for that.

And those meetings are currently held at the North Greenwood Recreation Center, which is 900 North Martin Luther Kane Junior Avenue, room one.

At their last meeting, they did elect their chair Kennard Robinson and their vice chair, Miss Marilyn Terman, who's here in the audience.

As far as the property disposition, we recently, it's not put on the slide here, but we recently did have a lessons learned or retrospective or alignment meeting with the members of the original property surplus and disposition strategy just to make sure that we were following the policies and strategies that were put together by the team in coordination with the legal department.

And at the end of that meeting, we did find out that we are following our own policy.

There may be tweaks that are come back to you in the future, near future, but overall we're following the policy that we put together, and it's working out fairly well.

So as far as the uneconomic remainders, these are like the little sliver properties.

You know, we have been uh we've disposed a few of them.

One is the Heather Trailer Deed, Hazard Trail Deed, which was received on uh December the 19th, transferring the property.

Another one was a palm bluff uh deed that we're working to bring to council at a later date.

Then as far as for tranch number two, those of North Greenwood parcels.

I think there might be some questions on that, and if there is, I do have staff here to answer the questions.

Um two have been received so far, and one is for LaSalle.

This deed was received on 1219, transferring the property to CIMHZ, which is a development company.

Uh then others are four parcels site near Curless Elementary.

This is that particular bunch of properties who require rezoning, so it might be a little bit more difficult.

Then trash number four, a skip number three for the next slide.

Those are just troughs number four, it's just properties that we're still identifying to put out there into the market.

So, as far as crotch number three, this is seven CRA properties that are located in the Washington MLK area.

So I do want to thank Mr.

Philip Kirkpatrick.

He's been assigned to dispose of these properties.

He did a lot of pre-marketing.

So now these properties will be advertised on January the 14th, 2026 for a period of 30 days.

Then hopefully we get some good proposals.

So far, we have interest from I think close to 10 entities ready to submit uh proposals for these particular properties.

So I do want to thank um Mr.

Morgolis' team, Mr.

Matt Medic.

Uh, he's been very helpful in this entire process, especially the surplus and disposition of all C area properties and city properties and certain areas of the city.

So this one, hopefully, we get good proposals, and if we do, either way, we'll bring it back to you.

That concludes my director's report.

Yeah.

Any questions from the director?

Vice Mayor.

I apologize.

I'm gonna have a few comments as well as questions, so bear with me.

Um so I think the first comment was about page four, the CRA PD partnership.

I want to um commend the CRA department for doing this video.

I thought it was wonderful uh community engagement, it was fun.

Um I actually sent this video out to my uh family members uh throughout North America, and they actually said the most wonderful things, which was that we've got the best first responders.

Um, and and they really enjoyed the video.

And so I wanted to give you kudos for that.

Um regarding the library.

So I had this conversation quite um very preliminary conversation with our city manager this morning, and I I wanted to expand on that and share with you.

Um I want to learn from our last experience with the last time we we tried to engage some in uh interest in the library, and I want to take what we learned and actually um make sure that we succeed.

And I think one of those ways that we need to do what we need to do is have constant and specific sharing of information.

General statements like we've reached out to stakeholders and this is what they say.

I don't think that's sufficient.

Um, I would like to have very specific.

These are the contacts, these are the the people within those institutions, and this is who said what.

Um I I think it's important that we learn and that we're a lot that we're able to pivot.

So I would like to see um a sharing of that specific information every month.

This is who we've reached out to and all that.

I also want uh to convey um my gratitude that I know that this is a this is a big project and it is difficult, but it doesn't mean that we just stop because it's difficult.

Um think bigger.

For example, all the AI-inspired um moving uh exhibits are always sold out.

So that says to me that AI is is a very viable option.

Maybe contact those to have a permanent home.

Um, another thing.

No, the major movement of vacation of vacationers from millennials on on down, is not just a beautiful destination, but an experience is tied to it.

That is their priority.

We need to factor that in.

When I speak to all the uh BACA people, which is the uh concierge from the beach and hotel managers, they consistently keep begging me to have something to do for their for their guests when it's raining, when they're burnt, when they're tired.

And this is an option.

So I understand that it's challenging.

We need to learn from the past, but I do want more specific sharing of information so that the council can have the opportunity to weigh in.

Is that it?

Do you understand?

Am I making myself clear or do I need to expand?

Like, am I clear?

No.

Heard you loudly.

Okay.

If if you want follow-up to it, I I think you're you're wanting to get into the the details of the CRM approach to who we're contacting and what they're giving us in terms of feedback, and it's easily uh available to be done.

Yeah, we need to learn from last time.

Last time we we there was silence for a few months and then hey, it didn't work out, or this is the best we could do.

I I don't want, I wouldn't want that.

Um I do want to be more involved in the process.

Um then we go sorry to say something.

Well, I can't ask for a clarification.

So I if I believe what you're asking for is like a monthly update.

So you want an item, you're asking for an item to be on the agenda to go over the library with the specific information that you've requested.

Yes, and and and I want to emphasize specific, not we reach out to spake stakeholders and they said this.

I want to know who, which institutions, who in those institutions and what was said, um, so that we can pivot when we need to.

That's just my feeling.

My question would be is that best accomplished through an agenda item, or is that just something I mean, all of us can give input any time.

We meet weekly city manager and the city attorney to give input to the staff and find out what's going on or ask questions and bring information.

We reach out to staff members under the charter at any staff member at any time to gather information.

Can't give them direction, but we can we can uh ask information.

So we're all free to do that at any time to give input and to receive information.

Um I only doing it formally, I don't know if that would help or not help gathering interest from different groups.

I just don't know.

But having a I don't know if having it as an agenda item is the best way to approach it.

Uh I I agree with you that we would like I'd like to see um a different effort in the way we're created by going out and soliciting these requests.

Um I was reminded the other day that at one time uh for the budget got caught cut on um the amphitheater, there were proposals to do renovations to the back side of the library to make it complement the bake air stuff, and because of budget considerations, those got cut.

But you know, I I don't know if you know uh I I agree with you generally that maybe we were too narrowly focused on a certain type of user for this facility, and uh needs to be broader, we do need to do a broader reach, you know, reach out.

I mean, all of us are open to reach out personally to whatever contacts we have and share those with the staff and work with the staff on it.

I I just don't know if having her as a regular agenda item is the best way to approach it.

So, what you would you're asking me is so let's so I as a council member would ask staff for an update, and then whatever I get, you want me to share through email versus an agenda item that could be shared all at the same time.

Is that what you're saying?

So I understand.

I just don't know if that's the most efficient way to do it.

So, Councilmember Cotton.

Yeah, I was under the impression that when we talked about this and discussed it last that we essentially said you were the liaison for this.

So if you're having those internal meetings with uh Jesus and ACM battle, um, I mean, maybe something like just a quarterly update until this process is closed to let us know a how many companies you guys have been in contact with, how the process is going, something like that.

Uh I would see you as the one that's having the passion, the drive, and that we've entrusted to kind of handle this situation going forward just because of your background and expertise in this.

So I would agree with the mayor.

I don't know if we need it for a an agenda item every time, but but definitely getting updates quarterly might work.

Certainly, you know, we can put it on the agenda as each of us request for discussion or update.

I'm open to I'm open to being the liaison and update quarterly.

If I'm the liaison, I'm comfortable with that.

If that's the direction that the rest of the council want, I'm I am open to that.

I think I think if any of this wants an update, we we ask that we put on the work session generator for an update.

But I don't think now prospectively putting it on as a regular update.

But that's just me and Councilmember Cotton or Councilmember.

I don't know if you have any thoughts either, but uh thank you, man.

No, I I kind of was under the assumption that this was kind of your baby anyways, your your project with uh your passion and interest without a doubt your expertise.

Um I don't necessarily with you, Mayor.

I don't think we in this building need uh a monthly update and accountability measures of lists and names and phone numbers of who we contacted, but I think it's important if you are that person in that role that you do have access to that information and it's shared with you, whether it's in your one-on-one monthly or an email format so that you have it, and whether you decide or staff decides to give us some sort of quarterly update on a bigger picture.

Um I I'm I'm supportive of that, but you um you being a part of the process.

Um I have no problem with that as long as staff uh is okay in sharing those things.

I would get a little concerned with sharing businesses, uh information on owners, phone numbers, contacts and communications just on confidentiality and things like that.

But I think behind closed doors, you being and facilitating that role is a benefit to all of us.

I I my request not specifically at a meeting or it was just the information that I needed to have, and I wanted to be clear that that's what I that I would prefer.

But the format of how it's distributed, I don't have any preference.

So I'm fine with what you're suggesting.

I think I think we're all you know, we would welcome updates as it come along more frequent, see how it's going.

Yeah, we'll coordinate with such a I did feel like last time it you know um it it kind of came in all at once, it kind of got away from the five of us.

I think we I don't know if we forgot about it, we didn't forget about it, but um, but you know, ongoing updates on how it's going informally.

I think we'd be good.

Okay.

Okay.

Any other questions on this agenda?

Just one more this is the report.

Sorry, just a couple more.

Um I was looking at your um the North Greenwood parcels for LaSalle.

Um I know that we needed it in December to CIMHZ.

I couldn't find anything about that that company.

Um, do you have any information to share with me regarding you?

He has some information on that particular company.

Bill and may you on the housing manager.

Um, so the city does encourage um and assist new developers with developing here within the city.

Um as far as uh uh that policy, we discussed that in AHAC and Affordable Housing Advisory Committee every year on uh strategies on how to encourage new developers to come into the city.

Um good example of that would be the community service foundation.

We did a they're a local housing provider, not quite a developer, but um they um developed a single family home for homeless veteran last year.

Um and so so with this specific parcel, uh this developer had approached the city uh about a year before that parcel went out, showed interest in it.

Um he has been in the development space for about 10 years, and he's started his this company um recently.

He has one project that he's done on his own um up in Brooksville, and um uh so following that strategy, you know and reviewing his proposal, which was the only proposal we received for the parcel.

Um the technical review committee decided to to move forward um working with legal to to make sure that there were uh terms and conditions and the ability for the uh city to reclaim the property should something not work out.

Thank you.

That's it for me.

Okay, any other questions?

Yeah, uh thank you, Mayor.

Not necessarily a question, more of a a comment.

Um, thank you for the update.

I I think it's important to continue to celebrate the openings of those new businesses throughout the city.

Obviously, we're in the CRA, so we're discussing downtown.

I thank you for sharing the three and the in the fourth.

I hope we continue down that path.

These are things that we're hopeful and optimistic and continue to work for and strive for.

Uh, we should celebrate um those in here um and talk about it to the public, so thank you for that.

Quick question have we had any communication with the telephone buildings burger joint that's wrapped.

Do we have any idea on openings, plans, time frames, anything like that?

So I've had my staff, part of my team reach out as much as possible to see if they can get that any of that information uh for the past few weeks.

Um, not sure as far as the intensity of that outreach, but did we get any updates?

We have not received any updates, but I did direct them to make that basically phone calls and whatever they need to do almost over and over, like weekly to try to get information.

And it's not just on you and our staff to communicate.

I would hope the other side uh would be open to that communication and dialogue and transparency as well.

Uh so you know, if they're watching and listening, I hope those businesses and developers hear us.

Um that's what we're asking for.

Um, doesn't have to show up or sit in a front seat and be in person, but to at least communicate with staff and keep us all on the same page in an effort for us to celebrate those wins, right?

And what any any business downtown opening is a win for the entire city.

Uh, and I hope we continue that.

Uh the last thing I just want to say is I thought the CRA Santa did a great job as well.

Um I'm glad to see that it was Clearwater Police Department.

That's that's important, but what a very creative, fun video during uh a festive time.

Uh so kudos to the team.

Look forward to seeing uh how creative we can get in moving forward and maybe involving some AI and things like that to show how how forward thinking we are.

But great job on your debut, and thank you.

Okay.

Anything else?

Okay, if not, uh thank you.

We will move item six on the agenda, and that is to adjourn the community.