Clearwater Downtown Development Board Meeting - February 2, 2026

The Downtown Development Board (DDB) met on February 2, 2026, at 1:00 PM in the Main Library Council Chambers. The meeting covered routine approvals, a special events report with Placer AI data, a presentation on the World's Largest Rubber Duck event, and the appointment of a new board member. All actions were unanimous.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of Minutes: The minutes from the January 12, 2026 meeting were approved unanimously.
• First Quarter Budget Amendments: The DDB's first quarter budget amendments for fiscal year 2025-2026 were approved. The amendments reflected updated revenue projections and funding needs.
• October through December 2025 Financial Statement: The financial statement for filing was approved. Total expenditures and transfers out through December 2025 were $575,971. The remaining available balance as of October 2025 was $653,810.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Appointment to Fill Vacancy: Two members of the public spoke in favor of applicant Kevin Tetlisi. Dan Mahoney, owner of Downtown Pizza, supported Tetlisi, stating he has been a great addition to the block and brings vibrancy. Tony Teller (500 block) expressed support for his wife and another applicant, emphasizing the need for board members who represent unity, community, and growth, and not self-interest.

Discussion Items

• Appointment to Fill Board Vacancy: Staff reported that 10 applications were received for the vacant seat, with five qualifying under the ordinance. Qualified applicants: Jessica Andehar (Nash Keys employee), Kevin Tetlisi (District Bistro owner), Pavlinka Vitanoff (The Ring workspaces employee), and Alana Whitehouse (Frank Crum employee). A letter of recommendation was received for one applicant. Board members (Councilmember Albert, Vice Mayor, Councilmember Cotton, and the Mayor) expressed support for Kevin Tetlisi, citing his experience as a downtown business owner (three businesses), relationships with merchants, and understanding of downtown needs. The Mayor also acknowledged another applicant, Juan Garcia, who moved his business from Clearwater Beach to downtown, encouraging his continued involvement. Kevin Tetlisi was appointed unanimously to the board through December 31, 2027.

• Special Events Report (April–December 2025): Vicky Shire (CRA) and Chris Cook (Parks and Recreation) presented a consolidated report on DDB-funded special events, combining self-reported attendance and Placer AI data. Key events and figures:

  • Ukulele Festival (April 12): Self-reported 3,000; Placer AI 1,100; approved funding $20,375.
  • Cinco de Mayo Taco Festival (May 5): Self-reported 2,000; Placer AI 5,500; approved $6,200, reimbursed $4,629.
  • Cinco de Mayo Cleveland Street Market (May 5): Self-reported 600-800; no Placer AI data shown.
  • Taste of Clearwater (May 31): Self-reported 2,500; Placer AI 1,300; approved $30,000.
  • Another event: Self-reported $2,000; Placer AI $2,300; approved $15,000, reimbursed $12,503.
  • Clearwater Jazz Holiday (Oct 16-19): Self-reported daily attendance 4,200; 3,600; 4,800; 3,800. Placer AI: 2,200; 2,300; 3,800; 2,200.
  • CJH Presents Holiday Music Experience (Dec 6): Self-reported 200; insufficient Placer AI data.
  • Fall Y'all (Oct 5-6): Self-reported 5,000 (Oct 4) and 3,000 (Oct 5); Placer AI 4,900 and 2,900; reimbursed $21,705.
  • Jingle Bell Family Fun Fest (Dec 20): Self-reported 4,000-5,000; Placer AI 3,900; approved $12,900. Chris Cook explained Placer AI uses anonymized cell signal data to estimate attendance, visitor demographics, and movement patterns. It can filter data by visitors vs. residents and workers. Staff will be able to provide historical trends, baseline data, and event economic impact (e.g., how many event attendees dined at downtown restaurants). Board members praised the tool for objective decision-making and asked about tracking visitor spillover to downtown businesses.

• Director's Report: Director Jesus Nino provided updates:

  • Marketing/PR firm RBOA signed an agreement; $50,000 DDB budget. One-on-one meetings with council members and staff are being scheduled.
  • Conversations with St. Pete College on why their mobile vendor initiative did not materialize; they remain committed to downtown activation.
  • Tasty Tampa Bay at Coachman Park (Feb 21, 11 AM–6 PM) by Saucy Queen; DDB sponsorship $12,900.
  • Downtown Clearwater Ukulele Festival (Mar 15, 11 AM–6 PM) by Tampa Bay Ukulele Society and Achieva Credit Union; requested $15,000.
  • Micro-grant activity: Three approved for $8,012; four individuals applied, three awarded, one in progress for total $23,551.99.
  • DDB special event grant funding: 12 approved for $340,000; total paid out $245,479 due to under-budget events and two cancellations.

• World's Largest Rubber Duck Presentation: Amber Brace (Arts and Cultural Affairs Manager) and Jules Smith presented highlights of the rubber duck event held in December 2025/January 2026. Key stats:

  • 108 photo time slots sold out for Jeep photo shoots.
  • Market Marie: over 8,000 attendees; Ferris wheel sold 800 tickets (record day).
  • Duck Dash 5K: 441 registrations (capped at 500); media coverage doubled registrations overnight.
  • Rubber Duck Birthday Bash: nearly 5,000 attendees.
  • Scenes on the Green: lower attendance due to cold weather.
  • Duck and Drive Jeep Invasion: a couple thousand attendees.
  • Total event cost: $45,360 (excluding PD costs and some advertising). Revenue: $18,853 from 5K and Jeep photos (vendor spots additional ~$1,000). Sponsorships: $21,500 from DDB plus $23,500 from outside sponsors (Spa Manufacturers, Visit St. Pete/Clearwater, CGS Energy, Hanson Inn and Suites, Clearwater Marine Aquarium).
  • Parking revenue doubled compared to same period last year (no concerts at Baycare Sound): $23,931.
  • Businesses on Cleveland Street participated by painting ducks on windows and offering specials; feedback positive.
  • Placer AI data: 21,500 unique visits to Coachman Park over the event period (excluding two days).
  • Website: 35,475 page views; visitors from 46 countries; live stream (duck cam) got 7,391 views; selfie contest had 414 submissions.
  • Media coverage included Wall Street Journal, local outlets; estimated PR value in millions.
  • Board members expressed strong support for repeating the event annually or biannually. The duck owner has right of first refusal and would not book within 300 miles if Clearwater renews. Consensus: interested in bringing it back, possibly in a different format, and staff to explore options.

Key Outcomes

• Unanimous approval of minutes, budget amendments, financial statement, and appointment of Kevin Tetlisi to the DDB board.
• Special events report received as information; Placer AI data will be used for future funding decisions.
• Rubber duck event was deemed a significant success; staff directed to explore returning the duck (possibly annually or biannually) and bring a proposal to the board.
• Marketing/PR firm RBOA contract signed; next steps include one-on-one interviews and strategy sessions.
• Meeting adjourned at approximately [no time given in transcript].