Today is March 4th, 2026.

This is the North Greenwood Citizens Advisory Meeting.

First and foremost like to welcome all of you for being here.

So we have agendas are available on the back table.

Please be sure to silence all electronic devices.

And just uh a quick reminder.

Uh if you wish to speak during the citizens to be heard uh segment of our meeting uh for items not on the agenda, please submit a citizens to be heard card.

Those could also be found on the back table there.

Uh next, we are going to have uh all of the committee committee members introduce themselves, starting at my far right.

Um I'm fam with a thing of the gone.

I'm Jason Portman with uh let us go cardist.

Marilyn Turman with the Clearwater Urban Leadership Coalition.

I'm I'm Canard Robinson, your your committee chair.

I'm Hannah Menard of Clearwater Brain.

Okay.

Awesome.

Thank you very much.

Uh so the the first item on our agenda is the approval uh of our minutes from the mark from sorry the the December uh third meeting.

Um are there any corrections that that need to be made?

Put my good eye on in the second.

Yes, there is yes.

Um to uh the corrections that I saw to hear number B on page one hydro number four point one, excuse me, four point one.

And it was the see the second paragraph where Chair Robinson uh let's see this the second second paragraph.

So after the uh recommended increase, uh the request for the increase for the project of 1105 Carlton.

Um that uh I questioned whether or not there needed to be it's it meeted to go back out a bit for that.

And um Peter Lenny said no, which I just wanted to make sure that was in there, and then the other from the West Bard members to be heard just for clarity word for vice chair says uh uh that I asked about the downtown CRA funds being if it the um if we could use those for the other CRA.

Um it was clarified the answer was no.

Um, and in addition, uh the other part of the comment where it says expressed excitement for the project and future business networking that was totally separate.

We were talking about the upcoming business showcase that we were doing at the museum for the sea uh for the container delvage project.

That's all that is.

All right, thank you very much.

Are there any other corrections that might need to be made?

Okay.

Um so moving on to the motion.

Um, can I have a motion to uh approve the minutes with uh stated corrections?

I make a motion to approve them with the said corrections.

All right, so a motion has been made uh by Marilyn Terman.

Can I please have uh a second?

The second.

All right, second has been made.

All in favor.

Aye.

Okay.

Any opposed.

Seeing none.

Motion passes.

All right, so moving on to uh the next item on our agenda, which is the citizens to be heard regarding items not on the agenda.

Do we have any sediments citizens that are interested in stepping forward?

All right, seeing none, thank you very much.

We're moving on to uh the next item on our on our agenda, which is new business.

Uh so we are going to have an introduction of Kyrie Selman of the new neighborhood, new neighborhoods coordinator public communications.

All right, I'll just stand the year, so yeah, advice.

No, so you got to talk back.

All right, my name is Kyrie Selman.

I'm the new neighborhood coordinator at the public communications at Marvel.

I've had been with the city technically for four years.

I had a deputy uniform all red who guessed what I was across the guard.

So kind of works all the way up and so you uh up to the city off a little bit.

So now I deal with a lot of the neighborhoods.

My area is everything west of King to the beach, and then my counterpart monitor she doesn't mind the east of Clean Beach.

If you don't know what I really do, I like to say the go community with HM.

There are a lot of neighborhoods out here that are very active.

You know, they call 24 hours of the day.

Sometimes gotta try my phone because they just call the fall.

But they really are interested in building a community.

They look to there's a lot of things that they see in the everyday best, plus that you know the Christian doesn't need to see.

So I am really sure here to make sure that they offered that it's given to the right person, and that any projects that they might have you know in mind or they might have ideas for that again, they're giving it to the right person is actually getting down a spot as one there as well.

Um some more background about me.

I used to be actually the parking director of the history museum in downtown St.

Petersburg.

So I know a lot of like writing mystery back to St.

P and I doesn't have to get clear.

But the more you don't that's out of the number.

All right.

So if you have a need, I have some of my cards, uh, with you know the neighborhood is like, hey, a neighborhood association would be a great thing for them.

Let them let you know that and let them know that also a neighborhood association is not an HOA.

Okay.

What neighborhood associations they're volunteer base, and they're for the people that sit in the neighborhood, there are any who's at the e-bate with that.

So one of the biggest events that we have claimed up is called dangerous things if you wanted to hear about it.

Your neighborhood is probably going to or something around it, or has participated before, but those are the things that we like to do.

You like to the residents of the residents with the people of the city, and you have to talk to them that you actually had that bond and that national thought.

All right.

Yeah, but no, get down.

All right, like we have our cards back here, and yeah, thank you for having me.

Thank you.

Thank you very much.

All right, so moving on to the next item under new business 4.2.

Uh, we have a new board member joining us.

Uh so I would like to take a moment to allow her to introduce herself.

Um, like me and on camp where they did I and your founder and now we're still not gone.

I look at you right here on Northern Board Carrington Avenue.

Um, but I also a life of the North New area in your community, boy and rain.

Um I have before this in here.

I have a lot of people that are part of my organization.

Um people that have parking with these like that at the time right here on the because I'm always in drive and advocate right the I have that you got it.

Awesome.

Thank you very much.

It's uh it's a pleasure to have you on our committee.

Thank you.

All right, uh next item on the agenda 4.3.

Uh we will have a presentation from the North Greenwood Overlay District.

Hi, but I'll do this next bit.

That's still mixed up for you.

Absolutely.

So um, hi, I'm Lauren Matthew.

I'm with the City of Clearwater and Development Department.

Um, I just I'm gonna keep asking to be on your agenda as we keep progressing through some of our work um reclaim for the people that were here at the last meeting.

Um we've been working with the community to write new zoning district standards for the freewood area to better um support it or being able to achieve the vision that any of you participated in if you were working on the CRA plan.

So um there's numerous pieces that have to all come together at the end, and I've got the first two pieces moving along their way because those take the longest that they require state review and board of five commissioners at people and other things.

So I sent them an informational for you.

It's the um uh amendments to the city's contented plan.

So um rent so plan is it's state required documents, but it's guys growth and development in the city, um, it sets that policy direction for every team.

Um it sets that policy directions for every state.

So it takes into account your existing conditions, it kind of what you want to see, uh future growth and making sure that our maybe these are team thinking it's a stable way.

So we're setting that policy direction through these amendments to your cobra access plan, and then the approach that we're going to be taking is doing an overlay district for a different three with the CRE area that's outside of what's already governed by downtown.

So this uh the few the future land use bab amendment, the second piece that was provided as part of the agenda said actually putting your first kind of overlay layer on Zab.

Um what that'll do is kind of grant with those entitlements for future growth.

The pieces that are still to come will be the the actual zoning code provisions, so I think what will be allowed and what won't be.

And as I mentioned last time, there's outreach will be out in the community before any of that is finalized and present it to city council and others for approval, and then we have to change the zoning honors that would be fast.

So those are two pieces that are following the law.

Um I with that actually we we've got help.

I know a few of you all heard me say over the year.

We were a little bit short staffed of that in addition to storms and other things.

I've delayed this project a little bit.

But Marcy Stenmark, I'd like to introduce Marcy because she is our newest addition to our planning division, and she's our long-range planning manager.

I'll let her say a bit about herself or like quickly just so you know we're her tremendous background that we're gonna very much benefit from one of the first projects she's doing is picking up on everything that I haven't gotten finished.

And and finishing up the zoning code.

So we're gonna really really benefit for having her on seconds letters because you'll be seeing more for also.

Thank you so much, Lauren.

Uh, my name's Marcy Stenmars the Lawrence Planet where some happy things they're reviewing changed that very important moving on all of you on those and ignorant what your goals are, helping you achieve those goals.

I've never been the city now for one month.

I think so.

I'm still getting to know uh by way of now.

Uh but before that, uh work for kind of half years.

So I was just next door, and I clear water a lot, and I love clear water.

And I'm very happy to work with you all.

Thanks about it, PCR9.

That's weird.

Thank you.

I also say to her friends, she's already done a deep dive reading the CRA plan, reading every report that went along with that, asking a lot of questions, like how did we get to um catching up on what you know the game of zones games that we've played and things like that last year they didn't get to all of this.

So she's done that in deep dive, so she'll be ready to be back out and working with y'all on those next steps.

So when it comes to these two pieces that I I mentioned the comprehensive planning policy changes and the future of land use map, those have gone there's their multiple steps in a public in the full hearing process.

So those have been presented to our community development board um already.

So hearing number one is complete, and they um ask that you manage for recommended approval unanimously.

And since they don't approve, they recommend it to city council.

And so this will be printing in the city council on Monday, March 30th.

So that's a council only week, and the meeting is on Monday, not Thursday.

So Monday night, I will be doing a presentation and talking through this with how quote with neither as much details allow you already for any questions that they have.

And briefly again, after it goes to city council for first reading, they approve it.

That's when we go on to the county and the state agencies and then circle back to council.

So you can hear from the again, the error is five through this process.

So I'll continue to keep y'all in the loop and like come back and write up these every need also.

So thank you.

Are there any questions from one committee?

So we go see everybody standing up the the podium.

Um can we move the podium?

Sorry, I got council.

I turn that back.

Thank you.

Thank you for that.

Tell our service.

We can ask what we can ask.

Absolutely.

Yeah, go for the case.

No, sorry.

No, we still need to fill out a card.

So just for just for clarity, because this question is coming up.

Presentations don't generally allow public comment.

It's up to the chair.

Should he allow to allow public comment?

If you do, that's up to you and the board, but I do ask because it is public record that they do fill out a pocket.

Comic card.

Absolutely.

Okay.

All right.

Thank you for the clarification.

So yes, uh, I'm I am comfortable with opening the floor as long as you fill out a comic card.

Exactly.

Thank you.

Uh just curious, what does that next stakeholder uh engage tech book like uh also taking a look at some of those fired efforts and um just curious what the next format, I guess, for public engagement looks like.

We will be coming out after we have more of like what the the details of the codes will look like because the as Marcy and the rest of our team are crashed thick out, writing all the work rules, right?

Um there are things that are coming up that you know it it could be this or it could be that, right?

And we want to make sure that we heard the community correctly, we want to back check a few things with you.

So um we haven't really structured it yet, but it would be interactive in some capacity as opposed to us if you here's the code we broke.

The end yeah, so we need to get some a little bit more feedback on that, and so structure in some sort of exercise to make sure we're getting that.

This is in the card now.

That was just that was my own.

Yeah, um I mean I assuming it's not my it's not my like things that we'll use distribution lists and everything like that, and we usually try to take you through any many different approaches to get the word out when we have what we have to have the meetings scheduled.

So we usually write up all them here.

We put the police signs out so you get the you know, PA meeting on this night, you know, other signed out for weekend and uh you know, as many ways as we can obviously for participation as we get in the store from the from the day within one and feedback going.

Awesome.

Thank you very much for the time.

Absolutely.

All right, so we will move on to item 4.4 uh community redevelopment agency North Greenwood grant updates from Vicky Shire.

Right.

So thank you, Vicky Shire, St.

Vision Manager.

I'm happy to announce these updates with our grants.

However, we do have um since these are an update, we do have some that had requested a make comment.

Just want to make sure no chair isn't allowed to start because these are just updates, so the band allows tax and you'd like to lunch to comments on the slide.

Yes, as long as they complete the comment try.

So I'm not gonna go through every piece of the grant.

I'm just gonna provide the updates of those okay, and then once I do guys having my chat one traffic to answer that.

So we're gonna start with the North Groom with residential grant.

That's okay.

First of all, and then I'm 25.

Yeah, it was 20, so now it's 25,000.

The next change we made.

Um, so as long as the applicant stays within the zero to 120% area meaning income percentage, their matches is five percent across the board.

There's no longer five, ten, fifteen percent.

It is just five percent, your advantage is five percent, as long as you fall within the zero to 120% for the area meeting income.

Um and then also they can still volunteer for every one hour.

That did not change, but for every one hour, 150 dollars should be taken off of daily average.

That didn't change, it's always been there, but I just want to remind the other change we made was um it's for every three years now.

So it's not every 12 months that some of them apply for this grants, it's every three years effective date of the grant agreement.

Going forward.

Um and if you're asking why we made those changes, it's we want to make sure that we're spreading the loan throughout the community and stuff like that.

This is in the new series that don't know are smaller right now.

We want to make sure that's regional to everyone can mean to provide that kind of service.

And then last but not least, we only allow me uh only asked not to provide one ad.

And those are the major changes.

Does anybody have a question regarding what residential grant?

I love the new changes.

I hope you guys do too.

Those went in effect and were approved on uh January 12th, 2025, but it's the Biden CRI trustees.

Questions like coming.

I don't have any questions.

All right, go for it.

That's cool.

You should have come on, Dave, you go first.

So it sounds like that's the whole 25,000 based off income requirements, all that.

Okay.

Um we all know from COVID to now payoffs, you know, like everybody's pay comes might have been adjusted since they and costs upon through the roof, all that.

So how does how quick does that adapt to paying incomes and all that?

Is that maybe the account like since COVID since everything's kind of gone through the through?

I would like to say we did with uh providing that, you know, zero to 105%.

As long as you fall to that, we're only required a five percent matchdown versus it was if you phone this percent, this percent, this percent, you're about to see this, this and this, and we just made it across the board for five percent match now.

We train so a lot easier for the app to and that's what we want.

I agree.

So I would meant more from like income threshold, which like you may uh set that on top where you know it allows more people to kind of we don't dictate mat chart, it's something that is that uh I believe my friend then who chug uh does it each year, and we go off what they provide those on errors.

And that's what we use on the project.

Oh if I can so on here we have a question.

Um on the website where we talk about what those dollars can be utilized for.

I think um someone said to me, and I I haven't looked at it in a while, so I'm not exactly sure where it is for exterior improvements only.

Has has is that what we're doing only exterior?

No, it's not only exterior, but it is some interior good.

And the way it works is if your exterior scope of work caused issues within your interior part of the house, no, we'll help fix that as well too.

So when does AC say your roof was leaking and it causes stuff go with the title where your foundation underneath was messed up and then it'll messed up your foreign?

That exterior interior work we help with.

And if there and it makes exceptions too, we also talked to the recipient and we asked them, please provide us more information so that we didn't see and that's something that we can't do.

Yeah, he knows I don't like safe.

Gotcha.

And someone asks me the question and I told them if it did include other things.

It does.

I don't know if that needs to be clarified on why or not, or just think of one by God and whatever.

Okay.

So as a follow-up to that, I mean I guess as you're looking into it, is it fair to say it's on a case-by-case scenario based off of the damage that's seen, or are there just certain things interior that are automatic?

Yes, this is something that we could do.

Is it's based on the applicant?

Okay, I can't answer that because that's right.

Okay, thank you.

Watch the five pack from the line.

I actually think some of our applicant people out there and make a lot of it.

Awesome.

Thank you.

If you would like to ask a question, please fill out a comment card.

I still have virtual, but that's oh, I'm sorry.

No, you're fine.

The commercial one is short.

I love it.

We opted it was 75,000, and the CRA trustees on January 12th, 2025, accrue's up that and out to 100,000.

And that's the only change we made to the watch was 26.

26.

Oh, sorry, 26.

Yeah.

I don't want to go back either.

No, for the record, 2026.

I don't want to go back to the no.

Not this time, any question to run on the commercial there.

Question.

Uh my only question is uh if that's the only change commercial grant still needs to request.

Yes, correct.

Yes.

It does a much larger brand, so like yeah, we got these in stewards of the money initial therapy since they and them.

And then like I said, we do have um chair Edison.

We have uh department doesn't float on the comic project.

You've already tied to 4.4 if you allow it when you ask for you.

Yeah.

So coming.

Um quick to say if I can really sit again the grant.

And I want to thank you for it.

And she helped you have a lot um with the different change with the people that work.

It was port that done with my father till it taken out and shout.

Just stopping.

The only thing I have is I did not know that the fact they should work on butter.

It was within the application, so they only know it's there's going to be at listed, but I can have it.

And I didn't go and check out found chance that I'll have been taxed with funding might be there.

I am appreciative.

So they're way trip on.

But that in so people.

You may have this tax on the grant.

So I'll I'm gonna jump in here because I did receive that that inquiry about that on the tax implications, anybody receiving grants.

Um did we get confirmed, did we get clarity on fact fiction regarding that?

I know that uh Ms.

I so um actually with me switched uh listen to that, but with uh legal it used to where we could pay directly to the contractor, but unfortunately, when we spoke to legal, we are now not into that.

We have to pay directly to the applicant.

So when that change is made, it was kind of during the whole switch around and you know, letting the applicants know sometimes active back to fortunates, but going forward now what we do is we do have an initial meeting, letting them know that it will be taxed, they felt the W9 with those, but legally we cannot pay the contractors anymore.

We have to pay directly to the applicant because the Marantus then the applicant, they're the ones receiving the funds.

They will receive 1099 at the end of the year that they will have to buy a child and very hackers, but it is it is a grant, whether they receive it from the state or any other organization, it is grant funds that they have to file um as part of their annual tasks, but they do receive that and lessons learned, right?

We we realize that those were things that our applicants didn't know up front, so we add it now as part of our initial conversation, so they are aware of that going into so as as soon as that change was made, that was a part of the initial event now that we asked that's the first thing that we told them on the fact that that is on our checklist.

So gotcha.

And I know you all are not CPAs or accountants, but um so I know some grants are taxable and some are not.

We don't know if these grants fall under taxable.

I know you're getting it's in like if you don't know you either one, don't worry about it.

You're just uh so I just heard and I urge you to share that with the applicants that they may likely be taxed on this and just get with their accountant to confirm.

And that that was the issue.

Um originally when the grant was created, we wanted to make it easier for the applicant, so we were making the payments directly to their contractor, their roofer, their plumber.

But what we ended up finding out was at the end of the year, the person who was receiving the TED 99 was the roofer or the plumber, but they weren't actually the awardee of the grant.

So that's why we needed to make this change.

Um yes.

So not saying that anyone would do this, but considering the fact that the person is getting the money directly, what's stopping them from taking the money and going to buy some other stuff and not actually having the work done?

This is a reimbursement grant.

Okay, so they have to pay for it out of their pocket first.

Well, okay.

The grant is a reimbursement grant.

We do work with the applicants to you know they receive the invoice from the contractor, we try to make the payments as quickly to the applicant so that way they could turn around that is possibility, and at that point it would be an issue between the applicant and their contractor.

Okay, so I haven't come across that knock on the wood as well.

Right, right, right, right.

So if it's a reimbursement grant, and I'm I'm stepping out on the limb here and saying that uh I'm sure there are people that are interested in attaining this grant because they may not necessarily have the money themselves to pay for it.

So therefore, how are they supposed to pay for it to get reimbursed?

That's it.

So you guys have been so it is a reimbursement.

The grant is mainly a reimbursement because there are exceptions made by the executive director allowed 50% deposit up front municipal work, so we pay that to the applicant, the applicant gave that to the contractor, and then they would have to provide for proof of payment before in BRC and firm.

So they should have to provide us that they didn't make a participant factor before the given woman out.

And if you're asking me what happens if they don't knock on wood, we haven't had that that issue yet.

So we are helping the community as much as possible by providing that initial deposit up front to the applicant, they say the contractor, the contractor then provides us or the applicant by just to bank the one who receipt, and we don't we don't provide enough funding until the school of work is complete, and you present us with a pass inspection permit and from required, uh, and like proof of payment.

And then once they do do the file payment, they still have to provide the payment.

And the last you have to provide me that they gave the contract unfold.

So when they pay that.

Well, towards the I'm gonna ask that question for you.

Um so so and up and every hand for yet.

Well, yeah, so I mean, I was gonna ask that question anyway, but ultimately, um, if it's a 50% up front on that case-by-case scenario to get the work started.

And but they're still required to pay the remaining 50% before they can get the remaining 50%.

He was absolutely 50% is then proof main proof of payment.

Okay.

Okay, and then they will get the contractor.

They don't provide fan and then they can contacted.

So once again, okay.

Barbara Miller, love you.

She gave me an invoice from her contractor saying they needed 50% up front deposit to start the work.

She provided me with that invoice.

We provide her for the check for that amount.

She then provided you proof of payment that she paid said contractor that I'm not working completely done.

Once that scope of work is completely done, Miss Barbara Miller will provide me then with an invoice standard scope of work was done, and any other required documentation that we may need asked section, 40 minutes, all that suck.

Then I will then provide her with a file payment to provide it to the contractor.

So is it yes a reimbursement grant?

But yes.

But if it shows you anything staff working community, because a lot of the community can't do the reimbursement part.

So we're providing this upfront funding.

Gotcha.

No, no, no, that that that that does make sense and and that does help.

Um now on the whole again, hopefully this doesn't happen, but what if an issue arises with the contractor, right?

So maybe the the 50% is issue, the resident is able to make that payment, work starts, and for whatever reason the contractor disappears, they do shoddy work, whatever the case may be.

Like what is the recourse for them through this process?

Unfortunately, I have not had that face down.

Okay, so you can even just raise the statement.

That's that proof.

Hey, so it's Nemo's CRA executive director.

So go back a little bit.

So we we understand access to capital extreme extreme import and upgradewood area and other community similar uh distressed communities as well income areas.

So we try to tailor the grant to be as flexible as possible because we are CO, we can take bigger risk.

So there is always a risk on certain things happening, but that's not gonna stop us from moving forward.

Otherwise, that's not ever get done.

We just become big risk advertising.

So we have to make risk, we have to take chances.

But as far as the reimbursement part, there's a three-way communication between CRA, contractor, and we'll design it to make sure that everyone communicates.

And the contractor says, hey, they're gonna pay us.

We'll go talk to the contractors and got the red hair and play to be show proofs that the grant.

So that contractor also takes the risk to the sparse done.

Do you work?

And then everybody says it's a three-way communication, so they know they're gonna get paid, so that's things to happen, but it hasn't got to be here to see.

We've only had one issue was a contract slot, but uh the tensor downtown Bart Freedomwood, and as an must be duplicated, that's commercial, but there's risk with that.

When continue risk would have this lessons learned, and we'll tie up those food signs and still continue.

Have that access capital.

Okay, all right.

Thank you.

That that helps.

Uh it's important to me to be sure that the the process is as smooth and is as efficient as possible, right?

And and people will have uh a headache of an issue on their hands because of potential holes in the process.

So thank you.

Any other questions?

Well, um, Mrs.

Campbell had to without our comment card.

Awesome.

Thank you.

Um my comment uh Senator Well, the grant money being income.

That is a tremendous exposure for individuals who are on Medicaid, Medicare, that if that gets counted as pure income, they are going to lose their ability to uh be able to uh be that and in some cases that includes medication and then those doctors, hospitalization.

So that is a huge uh issue that needs to be figured out and addressed.

Number one, how is that 25,000 counted?

Uh if it is purely income, then there are people we get to get back with like yesterday and let them know that because it's gonna affect the uh so that is uh you know, I don't know what I don't know.

I I'm not an accountant, but I'm I mean I I am in the insurance business if I do though if somebody gets who is a Medicare Medicaid client and they get 25,000 dollars of income.

They get nothing paying more I appreciate the comment.

I I will get the board, I will trust our series off to you like the concerns that require them today and provide you with some feedback at the leader dangerous.

That's okay.

No, that that that works perfectly.

And we maybe right now, if possible.

Can you inform us the advice that was received from legal at the point that the decision was made to no longer pay the contractors?

Like what was that?

What was that initial feedback?

I got the free jamming right there.

That's okay.

Okay.

Okay.

If I may just we'll get with our legal division, we'll get with our finance and um budgeting department as well, because it's not new.

You know, CDBG funds have been around the city for decades now as far as investing and uh helping individuals fix up their phone low income.

So they deal with the same process, so we'll get all good together and see how it works as far as implications, people's taxes and all some good stuff and digit maps are fairly quickly.

We can email the entire group before the next meeting, one copy each, let me get you the answer.

Okay, okay.

Thank you.

Any other questions?

So let's say we get ahead of this thing.

And you know, we understand the standard can recipient allocate portion of these funds to pay Uncle Sam or whatever, right?

As part of the sense reimbursement, so they don't get private says the in the sack to you to exterior stove of work, because that's been our great outline state.

So it's strictly for that.

Okay, so here's another question.

Thank you.

Um if let's just say it's uh it's a grandma or grandpa, and son, daughter, grandson, granddaughter.

Could it be possible for the grant to go to them so that way grandma and grandpa don't lose I know I know we're getting into the lease here.

Okay, okay.

But it's something to think about, right?

But it has to be the property owner is okay.

So it's whoever the property owners can have to be under.

Okay.

And it has and it has comes through too.

So these are all great ideas.

All right.

Like I said, we we take a note of all these, and if it's okay, I'd love to go back into the service app team and talk about work through this and drop through so many things and see what we can't do.

Sure.

Sounds good.

We have a housing division city that's been dealing with this for decades now, so we decided to step pretty quick too.

Okay.

Awesome.

Thank you.

All right.

So what?

On the next agenda.

Okay.

Showcase uh so it uh item of agenda item 4.5 showcase LaRon Roberts, uh North Greenwood residential awardee.

Did I say your name correctly, sir?

Yeah, actually you did.

Awesome, thank you.

So I'm not HD away.

Oh god.

And why every time I see him I starts with crack crack here?

Um I just want to say thank you, Roberts are coming.

So do you listen to like that with a free channel?

Um was it with them and life or because I'm like Julia and the Micro and I ended it?

So just think for taking that time towards that entirely changes.

Tell them how how much fun it was.

Yes.

You are famous.

You're a speaker number of the show it's okay.

I don't know.

Okay, um, I don't know, so you tell me what to say.

Nope.

Um I got the grant.

Um I applied back in uh what 23 some year.

And you didn't get the premium to like 24 November.

So like 11 months, uh lot of paperwork, take that.

You're gonna apply.

A lot of paperwork, a lot of documents, uh they're actually your tax, you're gonna ask for your mortgage, this, that, that.

But you know, once you get through the process, it's a very good program.

Uh I got my windows, doors, the house painting.

Uh I end up getting like what 15,000.

So I think the whole brain, but I get 50,000.

Um I do with a positive experience a week.

Then I love Biggie.

I think got an issue I ask called Vicky and she solved it.

Uh you're talking about what happens if uh you have an issue with your contractor.

I have an issue with my contractor, and I called Vicky, and they feared her.

They ordered windows, one we got broken do a shipping and they call it every three weeks when they can put them in.

Because I have to order one new window.

I called Vicky.

I don't know if he called me, so we have money to put it in.

So these guys would come in and we'll come back and put it in.

So uh any issues uh buy advice called Vicky.

Um it's a good program.

Um they help me out for you if we talk about improving our house, and we just never check the money.

And now we wind build doors and a nice paint house and everybody things looks really good.

My wife comment well.

I didn't pick the cover uh I guess that's all I guess you're right.

Thank you.

Oh, we've got you can put this, right?

Yeah, Laron said for it too.

I think long for what we got backdoors.

Yeah, I'll let you back.

Same up back.

And uh how thing can look down.

Oh the neighborhood.

Yeah, that's part of uh the program was the volunteer because that helped me get back to community and then it's satisfying one and in there and don't need feedback in person.

You know, I take help in the neighborhood and that's good.

Okay.

I do have one question for you, Vicky.

Um, so if the resident chooses to do the volunteer, do they have the choice of where they do the volunteering or do you buy recommendations?

How does that process work?

I'm glad you asked that.

They actually have to volunteer within the greenwood Sierra area.

Okay.

And we do have a list of some of the different voluntary organizations and and so forth.

Um, but we keep on compiling lists and we do send it out.

So anybody who knows any more of non-someprofit they'd like to add to the list, feel free to, but we do have the others that we give out to the applicants.

Awesome.

Good.

Thank you.

All right, uh moving on to our next agenda item 4.6.

Uh so it will be an update on the North Railwood Mural Festival.

Amber Bryce.

Hi everybody.

Oh no, Amber Grace, the I think quality of bear standing here for the city of Craigwater.

Just a brief update.

Um if you went into the agenda, there's an attachment or the businesses that we selected or uh chosen that applied for a year old for the other race hero festival that we're having.

Um weren't as many applicants as you were hoping for the tests.

Um the businesses that were selected for Big James Barbecue, Safe Haven or Safe House and Hatchville.

But then property house on the Isaiah Valley, uh me, and then the uh African historical museum.

It's awesome, expressed interest.

And then there's a complex city owned buildings that we uh identify and spin location current year also why the exact storage building right up here.

Um the other one is the restaurant uh restaurant white stroom um hectagon building within Cherry Perry Park.

And then there is the pump specification building, which technically is a fall within the CRA, but what's up by the pain at large on the outskirts?

Um those are the businesses that we've identified are open to call for artists kind of closed.

Um we have a jury process for that.

So about 12 Joe's arts aligners, pump card design members, uh Kyrie with more than speak back over here.

Uh a couple of CRA members myself or all Joe's for that.

Um so we identify basically a short list uh candidates.

We gave preference to like type of local like sharewater right now, like the L S challenge, and then we kind of went out when you have chemicals area.

Um so the next step is our consulting is going to approach the businesses, take the short list, they're gonna print artists that they want.

The artist is going to create a design for that specific building, and then with the city buildings, we have uh kind of an opportunity where we could do a published some back and artists, we make one super three designs, and then we do a public or neighborhood spell.

We carry sticker some not, but that is where we are right now.

So those so the artists will make the recommendation on what the artwork would be.

Is that the business owner will kind of give uh the direction for and they just are kind of going up the artist style based on the things on the cost, and then they'll create a design.

Based on the business, the feedback they get them.

Okay.

Any other questions?

Yeah, you mentioned the the list of artists.

How many artists are on the list that are gonna get doing the various projects?

So we shortlisted 16.

Right now we have done it by an um, I think there's eight walls on something.

Uh guy, Judge.

Can I ask a particular name?

Yeah, I'd know a name on one of the artists just to cream in, because I did I suggest to be reach out.

We don't know if you apply.

Does that run about it?

Yeah, name frame.

It is difficult to look you know, we don't buy it.

I mean 127 applicants on I don't know.

Okay.

Um yes, ma'am.

My name is Barbara Sorry Love, and I have a question about the application that we put in for the Nolas High Innovation Bureau.

Yes.

We've reached out to Principal Lawnsville Kives, and we have it per talk.

So it's more about getting in touch with the French wall.

So I should have the principal call you.

Yes.

Well, then my guy has a great wall.

We just have a communication installed there.

Oh right.

Perfect.

Thank you.

Yeah.

Yeah.

We have the funds, and we have less walls than we originally anticipated.

So we want to paint.

How much funding?

How many walls did you do based on the funding data thing?

So, unlike the last time, the last time we did this, we gave everybody the same amount.

We're not doing that this time because the walls are so vastly different inside.

Um, so obviously, you're painting the storage building, you're not gonna get as much as you're paying the arts becation building or even the museum is this was pretty big walls.

So uh I think maybe I'd buy maybe nine to tighten.

Cool.

Any other questions?

Are you taking more so you have to rush walls or if somebody wants to apply, we're not.

I mean, I learned we want to start painting April 6th to the 22nd.

That's the goal.

So it's about can the business owner be ready and all the artists that said that they're available.

So totally how you apply.

Thank you.

Awesome.

Surprise you behave from the slide second.

All right, thank you.

So one more hewless he said um it's okay, the window up to me is available for the students that want the container actually already built.

The top 16 articles, okay.

Yes.

So if we have 16 choose from, so that's how thank you.

Thank you.

Uh, for our last agenda item under new business, we will have a grove update from Square Campbell.

Thank you.

And I brought my own data with me.

I didn't want these, so I'm gonna get the point.

And uh by three minutes of story like this, I thought it would look at the shopping.

But I think it's Laura Campbell.

I'm the code water coalition.

And I'm here today to talk to you about our container bills.

How many of you have heard of the container that was raised?

Now, you know, we're like one of these ultra-night successes.

Have you ever heard somebody who's they've been playing all over the country for 20 years and then they get a hit song and they say your overnight one?

Well, that's what people are saying about us.

We've been working on this for six years.

So we are finally at the end of the game to see this and to uh but Mr.

Now it's kind of a synopsis for those who may be familiar or not with the project.

Uh we're talking the historic North Greenwood versus Florida.

For those of you who have grown up here or been here for a while, like you know that MLK, which used to be Greenwood.

Well, it used to be the area.

Yes.

We had everything along there from chicken sandwiches with busted tea to ice cream and tail to the blue chip to you that nation.

Yes.

So we had lots of businesses.

Um we've seen those disappear, and I've got this, but we can't recreate all those businesses.

We can recreate the community.

Uh we're supporting small business and entrepreneurship.

We want to create a vibrant community marketplace, and we want us to restore economic opportunity within the neighborhood.

The next page will see a rendering.

You've probably seen this a number of times of what it's going to look like, or what we anticipate and will look similar to.

So words and project for those of you who may not know.

It is on the corner of MOK and Tangerine Street.

It will be a container-based retail village.

We will have 10 small business spaces.

The investment of the city has given the $500,000 to initially start this project.

This project will probably be more quick complete, be over a million dollars.

So we thank the city for their investment.

The targeted date is December of the 26th, fourth quarter of this year.

Can you get an Amen at Halloween?

We cannot wait.

It is to create create opportunities for local entrepreneurs, restore the historic black business core, increase neighborhood economic activity, and support workforce force and small business development.

One of the other things that we will be doing is looking for opportunities to employ young people.

Most of us, some of us were old enough to remember the senior program and got our start.

We learned about work ethic, we learned about showing up on time, we got a paycheck.

And so we want to involve the young people.

Part of this will be engaging them.

We're working with the small business entrepreneurs to be able to help get young people engaged and employed, and that will help them with their staffing as well.

The entrepreneur.

Well, I'm here to tell you that problems solved.

We have more people who want to meet in the container building.

Should we have uh locations?

So in October, we did a networking event.

We had 16 businesses show up.

Uh February 16, we had a business showcase where we actually invited those businesses back to do a pitch.

Uh they had three minutes, and what I tell you, it was amazing.

The businesses that came, the opportunity, how they shared their stories with us.

It was so lifting and inspiring.

And so we are really, really excited.

Our final business selection will be this month, and then we will be again the entrepreneur training adventureship programs.

So we will, these businesses, uh, some of them are existing businesses.

Most of them are new entrepreneurs that have a business idea, uh, and they have put some work in, but we need some additional work, and so we're gonna help them.

Our goal is that 90% of these businesses will be successful.

Our next objective is 50% will, and when their three-year leases up, they will be moving to larger, bigger, better facilities.

And so that takes time and that takes some training and that takes intention.

And so that's really our goal.

So this is an incubator.

This some businesses will stay there, but the majority will be trained, developed, and move on to bigger and better things.

So we are our final selection, as I said, will be on 2026.

We'll begin our entrepreneurial training in April of 2026, along with the Mellis County Economic Development, and uh several other banks and businesses that are engaging.

We also are looking for mentors for these businesses.

So uh so if you are a business owner, you know a business owner that would be uh interested in mentoring some of our businesses.

Uh we have the wine down, we have the juice up, uh, we have our T-bar, we have our um a couple of other businesses that have uh that are already been pre-selected, and so we are looking for mentors for those businesses.

Again, everything we do now is to make those businesses successful.

So uh look forward to engaging with us and our community become a part.

Uh if it's one thing you know, we are good at getting people to come to our events.

Thank you to this uh being on the turn up.

And so this is another opportunity for us to make sure that we make this a success and the community is in reach and better for it.

Thank you.

Um question committee.

So what do you got?

Narrow it down.

Yes.

Yeah, some of the businesses we are going to we'll begin to work with them.

Uh some businesses will maybe pop-ups, and maybe they will be able to move into spaces as uh other entrepreneurs move on.

But we are working with all of those businesses that whether they get a slide or not, we have opportunities for them to help to make sure their business is viable.

And we don't want anyone to feel that they weren't selected.

We're going to provide services for them no matter what.

The container well a good portion of it, yes.

The majority of it is going to uh land development right now, but we're working on uh the great thing though about the containers is that they are all self-contained.

So the beauty of this is that uh as we're doing the land development, uh we we'll be building out the containers is what's different.

And then I guess my second part of that is the businesses take a lot of impart with for numerous incubator.

Um great ideas, I'm sure they're gonna take the ground running, but then working capital becomes an issue.

Are they gonna be facilitated?

It's like other programs for them to kind of keep this alive for the precursors, you know.

While you know, we get you know you're gonna see incubate the business that are there.

Absolutely.

Uh yeah, part of what we're doing in terms of working with Dallas County Economic Development, uh, the Black Business Investment Corporation, some of the paints, they will be providing working capital.

Also, we will be starting a capital campaign where our hundred thousand dollars, and that will be used for working capital for the group itself.

So, absolutely.

Uh, most well, most of them may not get their business, I don't know if they've been in business, and so now we just want to make them successful, uh, profitable businesses.

Most it's amazing, most of the people who did their pitch, they are either at markets or they're doing things on Saturday and Sunday where they're marketing their products.

The problem is they don't really know if they're profitable, how much money you're making, and so that's really the key to take it to a retail level.

We gotta make do some other things.

Have you all uh selected uh uh a final deadline date to make the selection on the on the companies and uh if there is still an opportunity for anyone that might be interested to submit their their bid for us?

Uh you know, I would I would say I think someone said that with the we are there's always an opportunity.

Uh I definitely think that if somebody has an idea and they would like to present it, the uh that's it's not too late, but of course, the people who've been at the table for a while who are really kind of further along uh have an advantage.

Right.

Yeah, okay.

Yeah, and you know, part of what we want to do is we want a good uh mix.

Um, and so we are looking for some specific types of businesses.

Uh as most of you may not know, but uh St.

Petersburg College uh did a consulting agreement or uh management development uh agreement or program proposal for us, and one of the things that they talked about were the types of businesses that would that we should uh we should include.

The other thing that the uh proposal, the consulting proposition said was that we absolutely had a great idea with a great concept, and we have uh a lot, most of the elements that we need for this to be successful right out the gate.

Awesome.

Thank you.

Any other questions?

Uh just one question.

If someone wanted to help with mentorship, would they reach out to you?

They can.

Okay.

And they'll be in the right to reach.

Okay.

Thanks.

Thank you.

I know Emma's already been reached out to start.

How are the orders that they were already so like well it really wasn't a pre-selection when we really when we started this uh almost three years ago?

Uh we said uh, and again, the question had been how you need businesses that want to come.

And so we talked to different individuals, we told us what we were doing, and there were some people that said, hey, yeah, we want we're gonna put our business plan together, we're gonna do a presentation.

And so they weren't really pre-selected, they just happened to be the businesses that saw the vision, took the time, and were willing to jump in before we even knew if this was going to be a reality.

Awesome.

Any other questions?

Nope, seeing that okay.

Awesome.

Thank you.

Okay, thank you.

Thank you, Samuel.

Why enjoy um all right?

Uh so moving on to the next item.

Uh, we are going to have CRA updates by Brian Olbrick.

Wow, which good.

Good evening.

I'm Brian Omer, CRA specialist.

Okay.

CRA updates for everyone.

Start off with the North Ward elementary redevelopment initiative that the CRA in the city.

Is that in the North Greenwood community?

It is a nationally registered historic site.

Just recently it was featured on Fox 13 News.

And then like you know that the site right now is it the group is being covered for protection.

And then we're gonna be proceeding with uh seeking redevelopment proposals for that site.

And then moving into the North Greenwood CRA grant funding summary metrics as reported in the CRA directors report.

North Greenwood CRA residential grants.

And then for North Greenwood CRA commercial grants, we have 449,000 $116.91 cents.

That's funds approved.

And then for funds reimbursed two 200,000 correction.

279,505 and five cents.

Then just coming over some metrics uh for North Greenwood residential grants.

We have 13 staff meetings, uh six grants that are under review, 15 that are have been approved and are under construction and then 18 that have been completed for commercial grants.

We have four approved projects and two projects with work completed.

And then also with um the North Greenwood CRA grants.

Um we're currently in the process of creating signage to be featured in the North Greatwood residential uh grant awards properties, and uh I would like to thank Vice Chair Hip Term for this wonderful idea.

I know staff is very appreciative.

Welcome that input.

And then I'll also take a moment to allow any of the other city staff if they wanted to provide CRA updates.

And then but the CSC would like to call on it.

Any questions from anyone?

Question.

I I don't have a question, but I I do have a comment for something that I would like to see.

Okay.

Um so as you're going over the updates and the numbers, the facts, the figures, it would be good to have something concrete in front of you.

Yes.

Okay.

Um so if we can have a summary of those numbers as you're providing the update, that would be awesome.

And in addition to that, um, I think it would also be valuable to have uh uh an updated PL every meeting just so that we can see like as the money's coming out, we're we're seeing the numbers so that way we're we're we're we're keeping up in real time, and we're not only looking at PLs at the beginning and the end of the year.

Does that make sense?

Yeah, awesome, thank you.

Awesome.

Thank you.

Thank you, thank you.

Um any other thoughts, questions, singing on awesome.

Thank you very much, sir.

Thank you.

All right, uh moving on to uh the final item on our agenda for this evening.

It's uh board members to be heard.

Uh so I would like to take a moment to allow anyone that might have anything to bring up.

I'm noticed it's just open, so I mean, seeing I mean I I know that you have something.

Okay, well, floor is yours.

Oh, it's mine.

Yeah, the floor is yours.

Okay.

Um so I want to start off by saying um with the container project.

I'm really excited that um we have had a lot of interest from the live media outlets, and it really helped us to get the information out about the upcoming container project.

And uh I will tell you we made no phone calls to those females.

They've called us and they've expressed interest and knowing more about it.

And the great thing about that is it has helped other people in the community to realize a lot of times community members don't always know what's happening in their backyard.

And so I'm excited about that, and more people are sharing.

Oh, I've heard about that container project and so on and so on.

So I want to thank all of the media outlets who have found interest in what in what we're doing in the community.

I want to also talk about we were discussing the tax liability applications for those grant recipients.

And I did send something, if you don't mind, I know you're gonna still do your inquiry with inside.

But my cavineers shared this.

I asked the question about the liability for grants, home improvement grants.

I just want to read this if I could, and then I have one more thing, and then I'm done.

And it just says, so my question was, and the meaning needed answer about a tax application on grant recipients for home improvements.

The answer was in the middle of a event.

Need to get this done.

Okay, uh-da question.

UK grants are considered taxable income because they are financial gain.

However, specific grants for energy efficiency or disaster relief may be exempt.

So that might help for some of the those who may have received it.

Um but anyway, we'll wait to hear back on that.

So yeah, and so and then the last thing I want to talk about is very exciting event that's gonna be happening this week.

Uh, if you've not tuned into this, I noticed they put a big sign out there because I got tired of the seniors calling here asking about it, so they put a big sign out there about the event.

But it is our uh two-day elder event, senior dance, and I want to just quickly talk about uh why we're doing this because um we all know, I know that recently, as I was on a committee a panel for the Clown Neighborhoods Coalition, Mayor Rector um spoke during that session, and one of the things that he said is that he, Mayor Welch, and Mayor Jane Castor were having a discussion about some of there was a report that was done, and it stated that one of the biggest crises that we're facing in our country today, amongst other things, uh, is uh loneliness, loneliness.

And so um for him to say that we do know that there is a um a that that is something that plagues a lot of our people in the community, especially our elders.

And so um it was a segue into this event.

Uh, we did this back in uh 2023, and it was called the Vintage Affair.

Uh and by the way, this event was something that was inspired by the um African American Leadership Council over at the Martin at the King Center.

Um they did this several years and did the elder banquet and they honored our elders and seniors, and it was a beautiful thing.

And those are the kind of things that never need to go away.

Um we do a lot of things for our children in this community, and I think that's great, but we also have to remember our elders and our seniors.

So, what we have done is we have worked diligently to come together to create this event.

Uh, it is a two-day event on that on this Friday.

We will do the lunch, learn and play.

The lunch, learn and play, of course, will include lunch.

We'll also go into the session where we're going to learn, and we'll have a number of our sponsors and other partners who will discuss a number of things.

Um the police department will talk about avoiding scam artists because we know the scammers are always out there targeting seniors, and uh we're also going to have um uh Perry Law firm is going to be talking about state planning.

These are abbreviated versions, they're not gonna be long presentations.

We're gonna be talking about uh different elderly uh Medicaid, MedCare, um neighborly talking about meals on wheels and all the other services that are necessary and important to seniors.

Uh Duke Energy is gonna share some information about their energy consumption program, reducing our energy consumption uh in ways uh which I by the way was a recipient of their services, free services that are valued up to about $5,000.

If you haven't done it, I heard you to look into that.

But anyway, nonetheless, uh Saturday, Saturday is the uh okay, so Friday Lunch Learn, and um, and then we're gonna go into the fun part, the play, which is going to be the bingo.

So if you've never been to a senior bingo event, it is intense.

Um, and there are going to be some great prizes that are given out also during that event.

And so Saturday, the next day, so they're gonna go home get some rest, and then on Saturday, they're gonna come back here.

All of these events are gonna be held here.

Saturday when they come back, we're gonna have the senior dance.

Uh, we were looking to accommodate about two to two hundred and fifty seniors.

I want you to know.

We now have to open up the entire gym because now we have over 300 seniors registered.

Yeah, that's good.

I saved it, right?

So when I tell you for this event, it is to honor our elders, not only honoring our elders, but to create an experience that they will be able to hold on to.

Many times our elders, their peers have transitioned, their spouses may have transitioned, their children are grown up and gone on.

And this is an opportunity for us to do some great things for our seniors.

So I think I said enough.

So if you haven't registered, we might be able to squeeze you in.

Oh, 55 and up.

I didn't say that.

55 and up.

I'm sorry.

Yes, 55 and up.

So remember that.

55 and up.

And we will have our youth escorts who are going to be helping to serve our elders as well.

And bring the dance shoes because we are going to be dancing.

We got a live band.

We have a DJ.

All the food is free.

It's going to be a great event.

We put a lot into making sure that we make this a special event for our seniors.

And so I think I got it.

No, okay.

Thank you.

Awesome.

Thank you very much.

Definitely appreciate all the hard work that you all put in.

And final call.

Anything else from anyone?

Awesome.

Well, seeing none, move to adjournment.

Uh 6 41 p.m.