North Greenwood Citizens Advisory Committee Meeting - March 9, 2026

The North Greenwood Citizens Advisory Committee (NGCAC) met on March 9, 2026. The meeting included approval of previous meeting minutes, introductions of new city staff and a board member, a presentation on the North Greenwood Overlay District, updates on Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) grants, and reports on the Mural Festival and The Grove container village project. Significant discussion focused on the tax implications of the grant programs. The meeting adjourned at 6:41 p.m.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of Minutes: The minutes from the December 3, 2025 meeting were approved with corrections. Corrections clarified the record of the discussion on the 1105 Carlton project and a specific inquiry regarding downtown CRA funds. A motion to approve the minutes as corrected was made by Marilyn Turman, seconded, and passed unanimously.

Public Comments & Testimony

• No members of the public stepped forward to speak during the Citizens to Be Heard segment.

Discussion Items

Introductions

• Neighborhood Coordinator: Kyrie Selman introduced himself as the new Neighborhood Coordinator for Public Communications. He clarified his role as a resident liaison, distinguished neighborhood associations from HOAs, and invited residents to connect with him regarding community projects and events like National Night Out.
• New Committee Member: A lifelong North Greenwood resident and founder of a local organization was introduced as a new board member, expressing her dedication to community advocacy.

North Greenwood Overlay District Update

• Presentation (Lauren Matthew, Development Services): The foundational Comprehensive Plan and Future Land Use Map amendments for the new Overlay District have passed the Community Development Board unanimously and will go to City Council for first reading on March 30, 2026. Marcy Stenmark was introduced as the new Long-Range Planning Manager, tasked with finalizing the zoning code.
• Future Engagement: Ms. Matthew stated that future community sessions on the specific zoning code provisions will be designed as interactive workshops to back-check input from residents.

Community Redevelopment Agency Grant Updates

• Residential Grant (Vickie Shire, CRA Manager): The maximum award increased from $20,000 to $25,000. The required applicant match is now a flat 5% for all applicants within 0-120% Area Median Income. Applications are now accepted every three years instead of annually.
• Commercial Grant: The maximum award increased from $75,000 to $100,000.
• Tax Liability Discussion: A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to the tax implications for grant recipients.
  • Gloria Campbell (Speaker Position): Expressed serious concern that the $25,000 grant counting as income could cause seniors on Medicaid/Medicare to lose benefits, calling it "a huge issue that needs to be figured out."
  • Board Members: Requested legal clarification on the city's decision to pay applicants directly (making it taxable) rather than contractors, and suggested allowing a portion of the grant to cover the resulting tax liability for recipients.
  • Staff Response: Ms. Shire and the CRA Executive Director acknowledged the concerns, stating the city is willing to take calculated risks to provide community access to capital. They confirmed the grant is primarily a reimbursement model, though exceptions exist for 50% deposits to assist with upfront costs. Staff committed to consulting with Legal and Finance and reporting back to the committee.

Residential Grant Awardee Showcase

• Testimonial (Laron Roberts): Mr. Roberts described his positive experience with the residential grant, which he used for windows, doors, and exterior painting. He praised Vickie Shire for personally resolving a delay with his contractor and recommended the program to other residents. He also highlighted the value of the volunteer component.

North Greenwood Mural Festival Update

• Project Update (Amber Brice): Walls have been selected at Big James Barbecue, Safe Haven/House, Hatchville, the African American Historical Museum, and several city-owned buildings. A jury of 12 shortlisted 16 artists from 127 applicants, giving priority to local Clearwater artists.
• Next Steps: Artists will be matched with walls and collaborate on designs with business owners. Painting is scheduled to take place from April 6 through April 22, 2026. Designs for city buildings may be subject to a public neighborhood vote.

The Grove: Container Village Update

• Project Update (Gloria Campbell, Clearwater Coalition): The container-based retail village at MLK and Tangerine Street has been in development for six years. The city invested $500,000 (total project expected over $1 million). The targeted completion date is December 2026.
• Business Selection: 16 businesses pitched at a recent showcase. Final business selection is scheduled for March 2026. Entrepreneurial training, in partnership with Pinellas County Economic Development, begins in April 2026.
• Program Goals: The incubator aims for a 90% business success rate, with 50% of businesses moving to larger permanent spaces after their three-year leases. Ms. Campbell requested volunteers to serve as business mentors.

CRA Metrics & Board Reports

• CRA Metrics (Brian Omer, CRA Specialist): 18 residential grants have been completed, 15 are under construction, and 6 are under review. Four commercial projects have been approved. Signage is being created for grant-awarded properties.
• Process Improvement Request: A board member requested that a printed handout of all CRA grant metrics and an updated profit and loss statement be provided at every future meeting.
• Elder Event: A board member promoted a two-day event honoring seniors (Lunch, Learn & Play on Friday, Senior Dance on Saturday), noting that registration has exceeded 300 guests. The event was framed as an initiative to address the crisis of loneliness among elders.

Key Outcomes

• Minutes Approved: December 3rd meeting minutes approved with stated corrections (moved by Turman, seconded, unanimous).
• Referral to Staff: CRA staff directed to immediately consult with Legal and Finance regarding the tax implications of the grants on recipients and to report back to the committee before the next meeting.
• Process Improvement: Staff requested to provide printed financial summaries and metrics at every committee meeting.
• Upcoming Dates:
  • City Council Hearing on Overlay District: March 30.
  • The Grove Final Business Selection: March 2026.
  • The Grove Entrepreneurial Training Begins: April 2026.
  • Mural Festival Painting Window: April 6–22.
  • The Grove Targeted Opening: December 2026.