Our downtown development board this time we'll move to item 2.1 on the agenda.

Approve the minutes of March 2, 2026 downtown development board meeting.

Is there a motion?

Move to approve.

Second.

All those in favor?

Those opposed?

Unanimous.

Now move to item three on the agenda.

This is be heard regarding items not on today's downtown development board agenda.

Is there anyone to be heard regarding a downtown development board business item that's not on today's agenda?

Seeing none, we'll move to item 4.1.

The St.

Petersburg College Press Start Market Event Recap Presentation.

Good afternoon, Big Shire, CR Division Manager.

St.

Petersburg College staff will be presenting an event recap for the Fresh Start Market, including the overview of the event, key highlights and outcome.

And SP staff is here to present.

Thank you, board.

Yes.

We have a beautiful presentation here for you.

But St.

Petersburg College would like to thank you again for your partnership and doing the Fresh Start Market for the Friday nights.

We had Gay SBC students, and we had a good turnout on the nights that it was pleasant out.

But what we did find out is tracking attendance was a little difficult because there's so many ways to enter into the event.

But we did have a high attendance in that 400 and 500 block.

Primarily, I think it was the 400 block that was a little bit further away from the water.

Um tend to be a good place where the music was and we had the entertainment, so we had um a good attendance those nights.

Um we had a great media and marketing event uh efforts by our um our partner here in Saturday Shops.

She's here as well to support me in this report out.

Um and through the we did a lot of reporting through the Titan Hub and Titan News.

Um here's our social media strategy to show all the events and how we um you know the beautiful flowers that we use to get strongly with the audience and the community.

Um the team, all of our team, and this is their first night.

So as we move to tonight's Latin nights was a very popular night.

The music brings people, um, food always brings the people, so we had a good attendance, uh student sealed drum player.

So this kind of um pets night out was very popular as well, and then our salsa night um was one of the last nights along with the pre-world super bowl party, which is very chilly by the time we got to the end of the event.

Um that's about all I have.

I mean, what we do have is what worked and uh what we feel like um drew the crowds primarily, and that stronger attention to the 400 block.

Uh it did reduce the restaurant traffic, and the the cultural events are always very popular as well.

So I think that's all I have.

Um, thank you for your partnership and allow me to be here for the team.

That's it.

Did you have questions?

Yeah, questions from the board?

Yeah, excuse me.

Uh council member Tech Chair.

Uh, first of all, I want to thank you for the presentation, and I want to thank formerly uh St.

College for this partnership.

Um reflecting on some of the earlier conversations that I specifically had with uh Dean Hernandez.

I recall several discussions of a vision that um included a campus kickoff, a different timeline.

Okay, integration into the curriculum from the student-run businesses, student performance and artwork sold by student artists, excuse me, councilman.

So return microphone on thank you.

And naturally, uh, from experience, I understand that plans naturally evolve, right?

You have to adapt to the circumstances.

I just simply wanted to note that I think if those initial actions were implemented, I think that the turnout would be better and it would be the success would be at a higher level with a more student focus.

I agree.

Thank you.

Any other board members comments?

Questions?

Yeah, one thank you for the partnership, St.

Petersburg College.

Very important to us here in Clearwater.

It's um I'm told it has the largest enrollment of any St.

Petersburg uh college campus now, even more than the campus in St.

Petersburg.

So I don't expect they'll be changing their name anytime soon.

We haven't ready to celebrate a hundred years.

So but uh it's certainly that campus and your institution has played a pivotal role in the growth and development of Clearwater.

Thank you for involving your students in this project and and uh letting them interact and help us here at the City of Clearwater.

I appreciate that.

All right, thank you.

Thank you.

So that will move to item 4.2 on the agenda.

Approve a high impact funding request and amount not to exceed $23,760 for the Cinco de Mayo Taco Fest produced by UNIMEX at Coshwood Park on May 3, 2026.

Vicky Shire, Sierra Division Manager.

This item before you is to approve a high impact funding request for the Cinco de Mayo Taco Fest produced by UNIMEX at Cochem Park on May 3rd, 2026.

Cinco de Mayo Taclofest is a free family event.

That will include live performances, contests, and a variety of vendors.

This event is expected to attract approximately 2,000 attendees.

Placer AI data shared last year's event had approximately 4,000 attendees.

The total event budget is $29,700, with projected revenue of $5,940.

The applicant is requesting $23,760 in DDB funding.

The staff recommends approval of funding not to exceed $23,760.

The applicant is present to answer any questions at this time.

I would like to note that staff did receive an updated map this morning, so I'd like to present this.

Board members?

Yeah, council member to chair.

First of all, I attended your last event and I thoroughly enjoyed myself.

The numbers make sense.

I I thought it was more like the 4,000 range.

Um I am kind of curious why you're um estimating 2,000 this year.

Are you being modest?

Or uh is there something that's changed that you think is gonna be less um attending?

Yeah, I think um at the moment, yes, we do expect uh internally that there may be more people given to the fact that this year we have Hispanic television network telemundo doing our advertising.

We have uh two new Hispanic radio stations as well in Tampa Bay.

The reason why we stated 2,000 is that due to the political climate.

Um majority of our events, whenever we advertise, it advertises beyond just county.

We've got people coming down from like Sarasota, um other areas.

So we are you know in that limbo of the current political situation.

Um we may see a big response, we may not.

And due to the fact we're just really hopeful that at least anybody in the community uh can come along.

So once again, it might exceed beyond our expectations, it may not.

That's just the situation currently.

Well, I hope you do.

Thank you.

Okay, another board members?

Council Member uh excuse me.

Yeah, Council Member.

I'll take thank you for being here.

Um I as well was there and has put on a great event.

Uh I had the same exact question, that's what caught me.

The 50% reduction in expected attendance.

So often when groups come in, that's one of the first numbers that's inflated.

Expected attendance.

So uh your your honesty is appreciated, but um I I do think if you hit your 4,000 almost number last time according to the data that I'd expect you to probably be right there, if not more again, and put on another successful event.

So I look forward to being a part of it.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Okay.

Anything else?

Um Councilmember Albred.

Yeah, I didn't get to attend the uh I'm sorry, I didn't get to attend the event, but um last year it did, and uh in my opinion, when you put on a successful event, it builds on itself.

So uh I do appreciate you being uh conservative about that, but I'm hoping that you'll have more than four this coming year.

So uh I think it does build and it'll be more successful in the future.

Thank you.

Thank you so much.

Yeah, it looks like a great event.

Um last year was I I believe it was successful too.

Um I do have a question.

Uh we have uh as a merchant as well in downtown.

We do have a great uh Mexican restaurant called Tequila's on the Ford Block.

Did you um guys get into touch with them to see if they would like to uh coordinate or cooperate with you for some reason somehow, or maybe even attend uh the event as a vendor?

Yes, uh Helmer and I did go down to all of the businesses um over the weekend uh due to the fact that there is multiple events happening at the same time.

Um tequila's was not there, the owner was not there.

Um previously beforehand um in the years before we have reached out to her to be a part of, and the line has always been open, but no communication has been received from that party.

Thank you.

I was just curious.

I think it would align well with that.

I guess I guess that's the question I had too was whether or not because I see are are the estimated vendor fees, the sponsorships the same as it was last year.

The stands yes, it's it's the same fees.

It would seem like if we had 4,000 people, then these vendors did pretty well, you would think.

So I don't, you know, the whole purpose of this this organization is to support our downtown businesses, and so uh that's the only thing that you know that I I see here is if you know are we uh funding outside vendors come in to uh succeed out perhaps you know at the expense of our downtown merchants, which is the whole reason why we're uh funding this is to bring them to those businesses.

So do you feel did you analyze the vendor fees and the sponsorship and yes and compare it uh you know to what you know maybe that pricing might have been higher based upon the results that you had last year?

Yes, yes, it was a lot higher.

Um this this time around we did increase the the vendor fees slightly above more than what we predicted last year in order to cover everything.

Um I think we're on a really good track at the moment.

Obviously, you know, if we don't spend that entire budget, we're not gonna ask for it.

But um, we definitely feel that the results has been high.

We do have high participation, but obviously we want to ensure that there is enough space that everybody has the priority, those local uh Hispanic vendors in the area are given priority because that is you know the whole point is not only just the downtown but all the way up to the gateway um to continuously support them.

Okay, okay.

Any other discussion?

If not, is there a motion motion to approve agenda item?

Oh, excuse me.

First, uh is anyone here from the public that desires to comment on uh this agenda item hearing none.

Uh now is there a motion?

Motion to approve that all those in favor?

Opposed unanimous.

Okay, thank you.

We look forward to a successful event.

Thank you very much.

Move to the agenda item 4.3.

Approve a high impact funding request and amount not to exceed 30,000 dollars for the market marie at Koch and Park, occurring monthly from June 2026 through May 2027, with a presentation to include an event recap of Market Marie from June 2025 through February 2026.

Vicki Shire, Sarah Division Manager.

Uh staff will make sure to connect uh to you as manager Amanda with the applicant so that they can get in conversation if that's okay.

Okay.

This item before you is for the market marie to provide a report out on the previous previously awarded grant for 2025, 2526 markets use it.

In addition, the applicant will be requesting a high impact funding request for the 12-month series running June 2026 through May 2027.

The Market Marie is a monthly market held on the second Saturday of each month at Cochem Park.

The event features 130 plus local vendors and helps activate downtown Clearwater.

The applicant requested 39,000 forty dollars, and staff is recommending 30,000 dollars consistent with the eligible program criteria and last year's funding support.

Staff recommends approval of a high impact fund request not to exceed 30,000 for the Marker Marie at Cosham Park for the 12-month series running June 2026 through May 2027.

At this time, I had Blair Valentine to provide you with her presentation.

Hi everyone.

Thank you, Becky.

I'm Blair Valentine for those who have not yet met.

I run the Market Marie every second Saturday in Coachman Park.

And I'm gonna start with a recap of my last request.

And I'll go through my slides.

There have been months where we've gotten closer to 150, but on average it's above 130, it's 10 to 2 at Coachman Park every second Saturday, and we have a diverse group of vendors, um, essentially every category, whether you have a pet or a child or just there for food or something for everyone, including you have petted options there, bounce house, face painting, and of course, you know, Coach and Park already has some built-in features like the playground and splash pad and things like that.

Um we have brought over 60,000 guests roughly per year to downtown area.

Um we average over 5,000 customers each market and are continuously growing and hope to just see that number continuously go up, especially with all the construction happening in downtown and more parking garages and more things to do.

Um we hope that number continues to increase for social media and marketing.

Um we do paid campaigns every month through Facebook, Instagram, Google, other things as well that it's too long for the slideshow, I guess.

But um, we reach over 350,000 a month on our social media.

We have over 30,000 followers and growing.

Um, all of our ads are going strictly to local areas, so those numbers are locals or tourists that their phones picked up, they're in the location nearby.

Um there's this I'm not gonna read this whole entire thing due to time, but we have a lot of awesome reviews, so it's fun to go through on our Google reviews and actually go through and see all the nice things people are saying.

Um, one of the attendees says this is the best outdoor market in Florida.

Um, beautiful venue for the market, enjoyed the view and collection of food, arts, and craft vendors.

Um, I mixed in a few vendor reviews there as well.

I believe the rest of the slides are just photos, so I'll click through those quickly.

Um yeah, I'm here to answer any questions.

Obviously, this is a recap, but I'm also here for the next year as well.

So if you have past questions about the past, future I can answer them.

Okay, questions from the board.

Yeah, council member Chickshire.

No questions.

I just want to add to one of your reviews from my sister who lives in Canada.

She actually aligns her vacation with your market.

That's how much she enjoys it.

Um, and she has also solidified my opinion of which your your markets are consistently beautifully executed, they consistently improve in number and in quality.

Um, and you are the perfect example of an applicant that I fully support and consistently and continuously um funding your event because you your outcomes align with our mission.

So thank you for your hard work.

Thank you for all of your continued support.

It means a lot.

Councilman Manino.

Thank you, Mayor.

Um, Blair, thank you so much for coming in.

Uh, agree totally what a success this has been for our community, and especially for downtown.

You put on an amazing event.

Uh the results show uh every Saturday that we get a chance to get out there.

Um, your numbers are awesome, the atmosphere is awesome.

I was down there this weekend uh and there was a market um and it didn't have the Marie flag on it, and it wasn't yours.

Uh, and it um it wasn't nearly uh as attended.

I asked some of the vendors what they attributed that to.

They gave all the success to your social media, your outreach reach and your community involvement.

Uh that came directly from about six different vendors' mouths.

So um kudos to you and the team on that, and continue to reach out and spread the good news about uh downtown and the excitement down there.

So I appreciate you.

Thank you.

Vice Mayor.

Yes, thank you, sir.

Um, Blair, I just want to echo kind of the same sentiment here.

You know, when we look at um the new analytics that we have, it's roughly you're pulling in almost 3,000 people each event.

So I mean, when we say that those are the events that we're looking forward to drawing people not only to our wonderful park, but to the businesses in our Cleveland Street corridor, you're nailing it.

So I genuinely appreciate it.

Keep up the good work, and I'm looking forward to this next year too.

Thank you very much.

Yeah, thank you, Mary.

I love Market Marie.

It's so good.

Uh, as a business owner, this is exactly what it should be.

And the the main objection of downtown development is to develop downtown.

And Market Marie is definitely on high stakes becoming part of it.

So I would like to see it as is that it continues maybe twice a month that would go.

But uh, thank you so much for everything, and it's definitely helping the merchants and uh residents and everybody and people love it.

Thank you very much.

Okay, well uh the only thing I want to add is uh I mean, this is an easy one to justify the the investment that we're making.

It's just been phenomenally successful, and that's as council members have pointed out, it's largely due to your uh the work you put into it personally to make it successful.

So the only question I have is um uh is is are we getting close to selling out at the vendor space?

I guess certain times, months of the year during the spring are probably more popular, but um it again it's worth the money we're putting into it, but um, if there's if is there a possibility down the road if it keeps being successful that will generate enough interest that it'll be self-sustaining and be able to support itself without our investing in it?

Yeah, for sure.

Um essentially, if this keeps growing the way it is, the vendors continue to tell me they have good sales and their sales are growing.

Um it would give me the opportunity to let them know you have to essentially raise the vendor fee to compensate for that.

Um, at Coachman, there obviously is room to physically put more vendors.

We've I've kept it around this number just to make sure it doesn't hurt sales if I've had too many vendors there.

Um, but yeah, definitely in the future at some point um through sponsorships and raising vendor fees, things like that.

It is possible.

Okay, thank you.

Okay, any other board discussion?

If not, is there a motion?

Move to approve agenda item 4.3.

Second.

All those in favor?

Aye.

Opposed, unanimous.

Thank you.

Approve the February 2026 financial statement profile.

Good afternoon.

Hey, Susanino, CRA executive director for the record.

The staff is requesting approval of the February 2026 financial statements, and I'm here to ask you any questions if you have them.

Okay.

If not, is there a motion?

Motion to approve agenda item 4.4.

Second.

So I'm yeah, 4.4.

Yeah, 4.4.

All those in favor?

Proposed unanimous.

Agenda item 4.5.

Approved revisions to the Clearwater Downtown Development Board Pilot Micro Pop-Up Grant Program Guidelines.

Good afternoon, Vicky Shire, CRA division manager.

This item before you is to approve the revisions to the DDB micro pop-up grant program guidelines.

The micro pop-up grant program was launched as a pilot to smore to support small scale events to activate the 400-500 block of Cleveland Street.

And over the past 11 months, it has proven successful in activating these areas.

Based on staff's experience, the proposed updates are intended to make the program easier to navigate.

The following revisions are transitioning the program from a pilot to a permanent initiative, simplifying the funding structure from by combining all expenses under a single $5,000 cap.

Expand locations to include the 600 block of Cleveland Street and a station square park to encourage a broader activation.

The updates also establish clear expectations for cancellations by requiring by requiring applicants to reschedule within six months or funds reimbursed within 10 business days.

Staff also recommends limiting funding requests to three per event or organizer within a 12-month period to support fair access to the program.

Overall, these changes strengthen the program while maintaining flexibility for creative and engaging activations.

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

If you would come forward then your state's name for the record and then fill out a comment card as well.

I just uh can you hear me?

Yeah, just face us and speak to us.

Sure.

Um closer, sounds good.

Well, first, just a thanks to the whole staff for the microgrants that we've been utilizing for the concerts on Cleveland Street.

I think they've been uh highly successful, and uh that couldn't happen without all the support that we're getting.

The the one request that I'd make is we transition hopefully from a microgrant setup to something more permanent because I think we've proved the case without taking up too much time.

We'd just be given enough time to transfer to transition from a microgrant setup to something larger and more permanent, but we're working with stamp on that on a very soon basis, and we'll we'll try to accommodate that as quickly as we can.

That's the only thing I want to register.

Thank you.

Other than thanks.

All right, thank you.

Thank you.

Is there any more discussion?

Okay.

Thank you, Mayor.

Lady's first.

All right, appreciate it.

Um, yes, uh, as Mr.

Mahoney said, these um concerts and events down there have been extremely successful, well attended.

Uh I did just want to take a minute uh to give kudos to our brick and mortar uh merchants down there, um, especially in that 400 block that are uh truly collaborative and working together uh to make this down downtown area successful uh that wasn't necessarily happening in the past, uh, and it's making uh a big difference to all the business owners and their teams down there.

It's greatly appreciated the the work they're doing, the communication they're doing and doing the lifting together for that common goal of being uh alive and revitalized down there, so it's nice to see.

Thank you.

That's more trick, sure.

Um, so I support all the amendment suggestions except for one, and that is limiting uh three microgrants to um one recipient.

Um, and I really thought about this, and so I kind of jotted things down so I can make sense when I when I speak about this because I'm quite passionate about it.

So I believe in supporting proven success rather than limiting funding arbitrarily.

We should be prioritizing applicants who have demonstrated interest, commitment, and success.

I would like to understand the rationale behind this, and I kind of understand what you're saying, what you're saying that we should open it to more people.

Um but should we restrict support to those with proven success track record for the hopes of getting somebody new?

Um we might be unintentionally suggesting that grants are a form of reward rather than something to accomplish our mission, or worse, uh continued participation, something to be curtailed.

Our mission is simply to promote and stimulate economic growth and vitality in downtown.

So, in other words, we should assess each initiative.

Is it going to be successful?

Is it going to achieve what we want, and then progress to how much should we fund it to I guess I just can't identify any model that does not support continued support of a successful initiative in the hopes of something new or more, especially when we have over $592,000 in unallocated funds, and it's already the end of April, and that's roughly about 118% of our revenue, right?

So it's not like somebody's it's not like everybody's beating down our door for this.

So I don't want to curtail anyone that has shown consistent participation and commitment and success.

One of the things I do want to discuss and maybe expand on is maybe if someone is coming to you repeatedly with microgrants, give them the suggestion of giving a long-term um a long-term, I guess, award for consistently doing things like they're doing.

But I don't, I'm not ready to send out that message that hey, you're only allowed to do this three times.

If you're willing to do it with the time and energy that it takes, I want to at least have the opportunity to evaluate it and not stop them.

Okay.

Um, I don't disagree with a lot that uh council member Tasheda said, but you know, when it comes to having an allotment in our budget that's over, I don't see that as let's you know, try and just give it all away.

In other words, let's revisit our budget and what we're taking in from those business owners, and maybe we don't have to take in as much money and allow them to spend their money the way they want, um, especially when we have other programs and and things that are doing so well for them, uh you know, more money in their pockets allows them to spend the money the way they want to.

So that's just my take on it, um, especially when we do have the surplus that we do at this time.

So, with the can I respond to that?

Mayor, can I respond to that?

Uh the revenue comes from property owners, not necessarily business owners.

Um and ultimately, if I know it looks good on paper to have such a huge reserve, but ultimately, right now, the only person that's benefiting is the bank.

So I would rather be a good steward of tax of our taxpayers and actually utilize the funds to achieve our goal rather than always um wanting that big huge reserve and just waiting for something that's just not coming.

And so maybe one of the solutions is for us as a board to have an initiative and we control um something that we would want.

It's like if we have a person that wants music every Friday, instead of making that person apply over and over again, maybe we as a board can contract with an event planner or a talent agency and get that done.

So reduce the workload, be more effective, and think outside the box and make those tax dollars work for us.

With the revision suggesting the the three, um this is not intended to limit successful events, but by the second application cycle, staff will begin discussing with the organizer the event's performance, sustainability, and long-term goals.

If the event demonstrates strong outcomes and continued community value, staff would ask whether applicants is interested in pursuing a larger uh more formal funding request to support continued growth.

So by the second, if this revision was to go in effect, by the second application, staff would sit down and review and study the the numbers, the marketing, their event, you know, the outcome and everything to see if it's something that would be wanting to take in front of the downtown development for a larger ask.

So someone that would want to do a quarterly, if we would adopt these amendments, would not be able to get that fourth one, right?

If they don't want to do that long-term uh option, correct.

Okay.

So by the second application, they can go ahead and start gathering the information that's needed to apply for that larger ask the DDB board.

So there's hoping that there's not a stop if that if that makes sense if I'm articulating that right.

Okay, Councilman.

Excuse me, help me better better understand what is the intent behind making this decision.

Is there a waiting list and some new people aren't being able to be involved?

Is there too many applicants?

So we need to try to limit it.

I was just looking for the continuous support of the event to continue to go on, like you guys are talking about how you guys want consistent events.

I think with a larger ask and go in front of you guys, it's something that can be consistent continuously done each month versus coming back because our guidelines say they can only apply once a month.

So that kind of hurts the the policy because technically the policy too is they have 60 days in order to apply.

Now we've not turned anybody away, we've accepted all the applications, but technically they have to apply within 60 days.

So my thing is is this will help benefit the future of the event if it is successful.

I would love to take them in front of you guys so that they could be set up like Market Marie where they continue just through this series of 12 months, and it's just one ask versus them having to apply month to month to month to month.

Because it is hard on staff sometimes when they don't meet that 68 policy because we want to make sure we're doing our due diligence, providing great customer service, making sure we have the supplies that they need, special events permitting too as well.

So there's a there's a larger kind of behind the scenes you don't get to see, but I'm fine with whatever you guys decide today.

I understand both sides.

I just was hoping to have someone who you know Hello Cleveland Street is starting to be successful.

I'd love to take it in front of in front of the board so that it can continue on successfully and it's planned.

So for the next 12 months, you can see Hello Cleveland Street, you know, and there's no ifs ands or buts about it.

That kind of makes sense versus having to apply each month.

This program was intended when I when we created it as a staff team for those new events for like gimmick art walk.

He was a first-time event applicant.

We weren't sure if it was gonna be successful or not.

He's on a second one.

We talked about the other day about okay, what's that look like now coming in the future?

Because he is gonna apply for another microgrand, because the second one kind of the weather we couldn't kind of gauge it then.

But we've already talked to him about coming to make a larger ask, and he's excited about that too, so that we can activate downtown and not just have them apply month to month to month.

Because like I said, there's a there's things that staff have to do behind the scenes to make sure that they are successful and they have everything they need.

If I may, mayor, uh council.

So staff is really trying to outline what I think are um kind of that sweet spot of uh as Vicky said, these initial events, the f the idea, and then supporting them in the short term.

As you also know, we have other grant categories for events.

So you have high impact, and you have another event category when event um attendance is not as high as a high impact.

So the hope would be is that if someone goes and graduates from a micro grant, they grow to a high impact type of thing.

So that's really what she's getting at is that after that second event, if it's so successful, let's graduate them up to a different type of grant, or maybe we need to retool and come back with something else that fits a different sweet spot.

So we're trying to write size right fit at the same time, use this for the an original intended purpose for those startup types of events, but there's not um she's not trying to hitch bits in terms of uh a line at the door, if you will.

This is more or less let's tweak it in the three a month, allow somebody to get three events approved without having to come back each particular time.

So they're they're trying to be a little bit efficient at the same time.

We want to graduate people up, if that makes any sense.

I appreciate the explanation.

Um, because kind of what I was visioning, we were turning people at the door, like nope, pad your limit, go away, and now we have empty spaces.

So I I'm supportive of that process, and it does make sense.

You've proven yourself, you're consistent, you're here, you're successful.

Here's that next opportunity for you, and can we move you in that direction versus I'm supportive?

Thank you for the clear.

Mr.

Battle said it much better than I did.

So you look did a good job.

It was my poor listening.

Okay.

Thank you.

Um as a business owner in downtown.

Um, I just want to say the process from our end, how it works when we apply for these microgrants.

We are four restaurants in the on the fourth block.

A majority of it, I would say 99% of the work Dan Mahoney here actually does it, and he puts so much time and effort and work into it while running his own business.

Just to give you an idea of what happened last week, the last weekend, Friday, Saturday, we had sound events and uh capital theater events, which is a good problem to have.

But at the same time, we're running our own businesses, and that's the priority.

Now, from my understanding is that the the main objective of downtown development board is to help develop downtown, Clearwater.

And what we've been seeing with these microgrants, uh, we were able to take advantage of it and actually bring on consistent events into downtown.

But I can say from our end, we we've actually been putting money from from our bank accounts to to on top of it to keep the consistency because we know we want to develop downtown, we want to have developed downtown.

Um maybe if we can you know uh come up with a different uh plan at least for merchants on the fourth block or the fifth block to help us continue this because the paperwork when it comes to from my understanding what we want to apply for the long-term uh uh grants, it's it's very different, and that's why we kept doing the microgrants because we've already done it, we've seen the success, and we continue doing it.

But um, out of that, let's say 5,000, every time we have a musician come in, at least a thousand or something like that.

I think Dan knows better.

That just goes to the stage, and then you have to do the marketing, and then you have to pay for the uh musicians.

We have to pay for the uh you know city fees and all of that.

So we are trying our best with to continue this because that's our objective too.

We're all in this together, but uh I don't know how it will help if we want to go towards the uh the special special events and how the paperwork is gonna be if we're gonna hit our own timeline uh because everything that we uh we've set up, we have to know beforehand the musicians, we need to book them, we need to manage a lot of things from our end too.

So um uh just wanted to put it out there for you so that you guys can understand from from our perspective as a merchant as a business owners, like what we are dealing with too.

So yeah.

We we do have a meeting on April 24th with CRA staff and parks and recs to try to see how we can continue with Pellos Cleveland Street um program and make sure it's successful for the longer run.

So on the 24th, uh Dan Mahoney, Frank Mahoney, and myself and Parks and Rec staff do have a meeting on the 24th and discuss this.

Good.

I'm comfortable.

Um thank you, Mr.

Battle.

You really explain it very well, and it actually makes a little bit more sense to me.

But I was wondering if we could do a compromise.

Can we continue to counsel the applicants to what fits well what fits best for them without officially curtailing the macro grants to three, at least to four, so it's that something that we could consider like a compromise?

So we can continue to counsel uh applicants like Dan to a better model that actually uh would work better and increase, you know, improve the process and decrease all that repetitiveness, but still give that flexibility to a person who wants to do it quarterly.

I would say we can remove that requirement, and it's no longer a pilot, so we have the ability to come back and recommend other changes, also meeting that Vicky mentioned with parks and um uh kind of the primary organizer, if you will, for the current events out there.

If there's a different budget number, you know, we can continue to tweak this.

So, of course, we can do exactly as you're suggesting is and and more.

Okay, any other discussion.

Okay.

Is there a motion then?

Motion to approve all amendments except the restriction of uh macro grants to three recipients, three grants per recipient.

Recipient.

So I understand your motion would be to leave the existing language as it is with just on item three.

But I would approve all the other amendments.

But to strike the rest of it.

Okay.

Second.

Any further discussion?

Councilman.

I just want to say I'm glad there's a future meeting.

I hope um we truly listen to the concerns uh of our downtown merchants, find out where that gap in those challenges are, and if it's timing, if it's too much paperwork, if it's too much resources, um, let's identify what those what those hurdles are and see.

I don't know how much more information would be got.

I mean, I would think we could pre-populate the majority of what they would need to fill out.

We should already know after this many months, right?

So maybe we can limit some of that paperwork, but truly find out how we can be better partners in that process and what that that gap is that they're coming up short on and how we can be better.

Thank you.

Okay.

Okay, anything further?

If not, all those in favor?

Uh opposed unanimous.

Okay.

Okay.

Move to item 4.6, Cleveland Street activation and mobile vendors initiative presentation.

Good afternoon.

Hey, Susanino, CR executive director.

Today's item, I'm gonna have Mr.

Erickson Tiago Division Manager give the presentation, and I'll be available to give uh answer any questions afterwards along with him and the rest of my colleagues.

Hello, Eric Santiago, CRA Division Manager.

And I'm here to provide an update on the Cleveland Street Activation and Mobile Vendings Initiative.

This initiative brings new energy and momentum to the Cleveland Street District through a coordinated approach to revitalization.

It focuses on supporting economic growth, enhancing cultural vibrancy through events, public activation, and strengthening community engagement by creating a more welcoming place to gather and connect.

Built on collaboration across city departments.

This effort advances a shared vision for a more active, connected, and resilient downtown that benefits residents and visitors alike.

Activating Clean West Street is made possible through a strong partnership between the Downtown Development Board, Community Redevelopment Agency, and the City of Clearwater.

The DDB helps energize the district by funding special events, markets, and programs that bring people downtown.

It also expands opportunities for vendors and small businesses while supporting economic development.

The community redevelopment agency focuses on improving the physical environment through public art, lighting, infrastructure, signage, wayfinding, and public art, making the district more recognizable.

The city of Clearwater provides the operational and policy support that ties everything all together, including ordinance updates, program development, and permitting.

Together, these partners create a coordinated approach to activate Cleveland Street through an allocated investment of $500,000.

When we say Cleveland Street District, we specifically are focusing on the 400 and 500 blocks.

This area stretches from Osceola and Coachman on the west to Garden Avenue on the east, intersected by Fort Harris.

This pedestrian district is close to vehicle traffic and is home to a concentration of restaurants, creating a unique and distinctive urban environment.

To best tackle this initiative, we are focusing on four core areas mobile vendors, special events, public art and pop-ups, and streetscaping and placemaking.

Now let's dive into our first focus area, mobile vendors.

We created new opportunities for local vendors during markets and events to generate more activity.

These vendors add vibrancy to the street while creating more excitement.

Books, fruits and vegetables, ice cream, desserts, and flowers are just some of the mobile vendors who have activated Cleveland Street.

The Fresh Start Market was one of our first efforts to bring mobile vendors to activate Cleveland Street through a partnership with St.

Petersburg College.

Just moments ago, they provided a full recap of their series, which took place back in the winter over six consecutive nights.

Building on the opportunity for mobile vendors, our next focus area is special events.

Events play a key role in consistently activating and drawing people downtown for new experiences.

Markets also provide a reliable platform for vendors to reach new audiences and to grow.

By introducing regular programming, we can build pathways for mobile vending success.

To support the next phase of activation with our city partners at the Special Events Division, we instituted a policy change, the Downtown Activation Zone Special Events Permit.

This new permit is designed specifically for the 400 and 500 blocks to include updates that make it easier to host events.

It streamlines the process, makes it simpler to plan, schedule, and keep events ongoing.

Also, to increase special events, we launched the DDB microgrant program.

This was a pilot initiative, and just moments ago you extended that to run even further.

To date, 11 microgrants have been issued.

On the 400 block of Cleveland Street, these events have included a diverse mix of programming, spanning arts, music, and cultural experiences.

The Hello Cleveland Street series has had seven concerts that support the local nearby businesses.

The gimmick art walk in show presented two engaging events highlighting live arts and creative expression.

Clearwater sister cities hosted international bazaar, featuring cultural performances, arts and crafts, as well as a variety of vendors.

Cultural programming and live music also brought energy to the 500 block, beginning with a vibrant dance performance presented in partnership with the office of the Mexican consulate.

Music kept the momentum going with Salsa and Bachata in the district, a vibrant monthly event that is held on the last Saturday of each month that transforms Cleveland Street into an open-air dance floor.

St.

Pete Cornhole League brought consistent recreational energy through an eight-week organized cornhole competition back in the fall.

The first Friday lunchtime market launched a new monthly series designed specifically energize downtown during the daytime hours.

This series brought consistent midday activity the first Friday of the month over seven second seven consecutive months from October through April.

This event featured a mix of rotating local vendors, food, dieting specials from local merchants, live entertainment that turned an ordinary lunch hour into an exciting atmosphere for residents, visitors, and our daytime downtown workforce.

To reach new audiences for this series, it was promoted through a variety of local media channels, as well as we gained local TV interviews.

The DDB community and high impact funded events support a vibrant downtown by partnering event organizers to deliver consistent special events and community programming throughout the DDB boundary.

This includes the full Cleveland Street Corridor, Station Square Park, and Coachman Park.

These events, these event organizers come forward at DDB meetings to request this funding.

Events are considered in two tiers, community events, which anticipate 300 or more attendees, and high impact events, which draw approximately 2,000 attendees from organizers who are experienced in hosting large events.

Since April 2025, 11 of these one-time events have occurred involving music from salsa to jazz to ukulele's, holiday programming, food, family fun, and even the world's largest rubber dog.

The Market Marie is one of our outdoor markets held in Coachman Park every second Saturday of the month.

It continues to grow, and we look forward to seeing it continue over the next year.

We also look forward to two events coming soon to downtown from Sharks to the Symphony with the Florida Orchestra moving their performance from May to the future date of June 6th.

We invite all event organizers looking to bring their ideas to downtown Clearwater through either the recently streamlined and enhanced DDB Micro pop-up grant program or the DDB Community and High Impact Grant Program to please visit our website, MyClearwater.com/slash DDB and to apply to bring your events downtown.

As we continue momentum from special events that bring people downtown, let's now focus on moments in time from moments in time to new experiences.

Public art and pop-ups introduce creative, temporary, and semi-permanent elements that activate spaces in new ways, adding visual interest and strengthening the identity of downtown.

Our first example of art in action is the grad chalkwalk event from 2025.

This colorful chalk art activation transformed the 400 and 500 blocks through vibrant temporary art gallery that celebrated graduates from 12 Pinellas County high schools.

This is a great example of how temporary art can create meaningful engagement in activating our public spaces.

Another exciting activation is the gimmick art walk and show.

As a grant recipient of the DDB Micro Grant program, this event highlights how strategic partnerships can empower entrepreneurs.

Continuing with something that had a larger impact, the Clearwater Arts Alliance has brought three new art sculptures to the center medians of the 400, 500, and 600 block through the art sculpture series.

These pieces do more than enhance the streetscape.

They create memorable landmarks that strengthen downtown's identity.

These art sculptures were installed back in spring 2025, and they will be on display through fall 2026.

Arts Alliance also offers a guided way to experience all of the art across downtown through docent-led tours on select Saturdays.

Visitors can explore all of the art installations that are available throughout our downtown.

While public art adds creativity and character to downtown, our next focus area is going to focus on how the bigger picture ties all of these items together.

Streetscape and placemaking.

Focuses on enhancing the overall urban experience through thoughtful design, beautification, and details that make a space feel more welcoming and connected.

It's about shaping not just what people see, but how they experience and move through downtown every day.

One of the first ways we did this was the Downtown Clearwater Banner Program.

Launched in spring 2025, this initiative brings a cohesive and colorful identity to downtown through a mix of branded artistic and promotional banners.

Installed along the 400 through 700 blocks of Cleveland Street, these banners help frame the street and create a more welcoming environment.

This is a simple but impactful way to reinforce a strong sense of place.

This is downtown.

Building on that visual identity, the next step is strengthening how people navigate and recognize the district.

Updated downtown kiosk now feature improved maps and clear visitor information, making it easier for people to find destinations and discover nearby parking options.

Complementing this effort, three new gateway signs help define and announce entry into the Cleveland Street District.

These signs are visible from Fort Harrison and Garden Avenue.

Together, these elements improve wayfinding and reinforce our identity.

Continuing with Streetscape, these next improvements focus on function and atmosphere.

New bike infrastructure, including blue and green bike racks, will soon be installed across the 400 through 700 blocks, making it easier and more inviting for cyclists to access and enjoy downtown.

We also enhance the lighting in the center median oak trees on the 400 and 500 block.

These new lights improve visibility while creating a warm and welcoming ambiance during the evening hours.

The new lights as well as the Cleveland Street District signs were specifically requested by the local downtown merchants.

Together, all of these elements support accessibility and a more vibrant downtown experience day and night.

Another DDB grant program that's making a difference is the outdoor cafe grant program, which helps local businesses enhance their outdoor dining spaces by funding improvements such as furniture, umbrellas, and other design elements.

These upgrades enhance the functionality of each outdoor dining area and the overall look of the entire district.

By investing in these spaces, we're creating a more inviting environment that encourages visitors to stay longer.

The recently launched Downtown Ambassador Program is a collaborative multi-department initiative designed to elevate the visitor experience through visible on-site staff presence.

This program helps guests navigate downtown, helping to ensure downtown remains welcoming, organized, and easy to enjoy.

Our efforts in mobile vending, special events, public art and pop-ups, streetscape and placemaking are not over yet.

We continue to move forward and look ahead to new, larger and more innovative opportunities as we plan ahead for the future.

To create more opportunities for mobile vendors, a proposed amendment to section 28.04 of the city code introduces a new framework for vending, specifically targeting the 400 and 500 blocks.

This initiative opens the door for mobile vendors to operate on a daily basis within the public right of way, helping to bring a more variety, energy, and activity to the district while still ensuring safety, accessibility, and alignment with our downtown goals.

A call for mobile vendors will be launched online to build a database of interested businesses, making it easier for vendors to connect with future downtown opportunities.

Another exciting step in enhancing downtown is our parklet initiative.

We've engaged a local design firm to develop two parklets on Cleveland Street.

These dynamic short-term installations will transform underutilized parking spaces into a visually engaging public destination, adding new places for people to experience downtown in a fresh way.

Looking further ahead, the landscape architecture and urban design strategy establishes a long-term vision for Cleveland Street.

Led by the CRA, this effort engages a top design firm to guide improvements to the pedestrian experience.

The selective firm is currently in negotiations to help develop concepts that will shape the future of downtown.

We are grateful for the opportunity to share the progress of the Cleveland Street Activation and Mobile Vending Initiatives with you today from mobile vending special events, public art pop-ups, streetscape and placemaking from completed to future initiatives.

Each of these efforts contributes to a more vibrant and dynamic downtown.

To learn more about all of these initiatives, to view our grants, to view this presentation, please visit myClearwater CRA.com.

Thank you to the DDB board, City Council, and the CRA trustees for your support and leadership.

A very special thank you to our city partners across lots of departments, including Parks and Rec, Planning, Public Works, Economic Development, Cultural Affairs, Legal, the City Manager's Office, and of course the CRA team.

Your collaboration and commitment have been essential to bringing all of these ideas to life.

We look forward to continuing this momentum together as we shape an even brighter future for downtown and Cleveland Street.

CRA staff is here today, and we're happy to answer any questions that you might have.

Any questions from the board?

Presentation?

Councilmember.

Comment and then a question.

I want to thank all the staff involved in developing that new necessary framework.

And anyone's involved in this project anyway was something that we started a few years ago.

And so I'm very happy to see it progress.

I know it wasn't an easy feat, so I really wanted to officially thank all the staff involved in this.

In terms of the design firm and the parklets, we're talking about coming up with concepts.

Does the staff have any idea where to start?

Are we looking for something that's more zen with vegetation?

Are we looking for more of a um you know uh reserved traditional parklet or that look of innovation where the artwork is actually part of the seating?

Do we have any direction at all, or are we about to discuss that?

Yeah, so uh for the the parklets, we're actually working with a design firm right now.

And the idea is we pitched one spot on the 400 block, which is the parking spot uh just east of Shang Mai.

Um, that that spot there, it's uh as uh as a spot that could be more of a an active space that would be a good use to the surrounding restaurants, but not a dining space, but something that could still be utilized for people to enjoy.

And then on the other block, the 500 block, the spot that we've have suggested for them to look at is the the spot right when you come out of the gaslight alley and try to figure out how to maybe incorporate that into an extension of the alley and the walkway that takes you down there.

So both are going to be different.

And the idea is because these are pilot parklets, we can then figure out which ones people like more.

Do people like the 400 block one more, the 500 block more, what people like to see more of in the future?

And then this pipe this initiative then is how we'll be able to kind of further extend that the work we're doing with the landscape architecture firm.

So that's why they're coming on next.

So we'll kind of have these in place first.

We'll as a pilot, we'll see what people like, what works, what doesn't work, and then with the next firm, we can figure out how to make something that's a little more long term, how to expand on it, how to build on it further.

So that's why it's that's why it's kind of a two-phase approach.

Okay, if I may, hey Susanino, CR executive director.

The design firm, the landscape architectural firm, that's gonna be a multidisciplinary firm.

They're gonna come in, they're gonna talk to the merchants, they're gonna talk to the community, they're gonna talk to you, they're gonna talk to us to try to put together a good vision for the district, as we're calling it the 400, 500 block, and the rest of the little area around it.

So it's gonna be a discussion before they just they're not just gonna put something together just because they're gonna talk to everyone that they can.

So it's not necessarily a permanent structure because we we want that flexibility to change if if changes are needed, correct?

Yeah, the the parklet's are gonna be like a pop-up temporary thing, uh, and then once the what the landscape architecture firm is going to do, which is a bigger picture, they'll be able to kind of propose some things that are gonna be more long term.

Okay, thank you.

Yeah, no question.

Um, just a comment.

Thank you for the presentation.

Um that was a lot.

Long-winded, you alright?

Catch your breath.

Yes.

Um, it's definitely not because of lack of effort.

Uh, I can say that.

So uh on behalf of you know, council, thank you and your team for all the work you're putting in to making this work.

My only input is let's ensure a lot of moving parts we're discussing today about a lot of different types of grants and events.

Um, make sure we truly are uh communicating with our existing brick and mortar businesses as well as those existing businesses that are currently putting on events, um, ensuring that we're bringing whether it's mobile vendors or what businesses that are working with and collaborative and not in the same space as those businesses is probably important, I would imagine.

They don't want somebody down there selling tacos and pizza uh on the 400 block.

That wouldn't make sense when we have those restaurants.

So uh ensuring that they're not competing with, I think is given our brick and mortar that that open discussion is probably important.

So, but thank you uh for all the work that went into that.

That was that was a lot.

And the new changes, the proposed changes to the mobile vending ordinance does have that language built in.

So it is very specific in the types of mobile vendors that would be allowed on the street and and not allowed in the street, and that is built in those changes that will be part of that proposed ordinance.

Thank you.

Anything else?

All right, thank you for the presentation.

Appreciate it.

That we'll move to item 4.7 on the agenda.

Schedule a special downtown development board meeting for Monday, May 6.

Excuse me, May 18, 2026 at 1 p.m.

Good afternoon, Chair, members of the board.

My name is Brian Olber, CRA coordinator for the record.

Item before you is to request a special DDB meeting for May 18th, 2026 at 1 p.m.

in the council chambers.

The purpose of this meeting is to allow RBOA to present marketing strategies, their overall approach in support of DDB initiative and downtown activation efforts.

This is that this is a dedicated meeting to allow the board an opportunity to review RBOA's strategic direction, ensure alignment with DDP DDB priorities, and offer feedback to help guide ongoing future marketing efforts.

I'm available for any questions.

Do we need to vote on this or can we just give direction on this?

I I would probably go ahead and vote on that.

Does anyone here from the public desire to speak to this agenda?

Hearing saying none, is there any board discussion?

If not, is there a motion?

Move to approve agenda item 4.7.

Second.

All those in favor?

Aye.

Opposed, unanimous.

Thank you.

And item 5.1.

Director's report for April 2026.

Thank you, Brian.

Hey Susanino, CR director.

This is our monthly director's report for the downtown development board.

So a lot of the items that they've already been discussed by staff and other presentations, so I'm not going to dwell a lot on those particular slides.

But I did want to mention before I do get started that all the programs that we do have in place currently, we do sit down and do retrospectives for all of them.

What worked, what didn't, what opportunities did we potentially miss, or what opportunities are just there, or what can we possibly just get rid of?

So we do that for all our programs.

And if there's also any gaps, so if we need to create new programs, we also talk about that.

So it's it is a team effort with multiple departments in place.

So like Brian discussed, we do have a special meeting.

Thank you for scheduling for approving that for coming up on the 18th to talk to RBOA, basically just the marketing and public relations firm that was hired by you to come and kind of rebrand the downtown.

So we're looking forward to that discussions.

They're continuing to engage stakeholders in the downtown, including yourselves and us, to make sure that the deliveral deliverables that they provide you at the special meeting are on point for you.

Not going to go into detail with this either since it was already kind of discussed, but the first Friday, I thought it was pretty successful.

Yes, we could do better.

Yes, we will do better in the future.

But it was a very fun type of series of events that occurred.

Then we have the statistics there for you to review.

So these were also discussed already, but I still want to kind of just do it again just because we want people to come to the downtown more.

So we do have the symphony by the sea.

This has been rescheduled to basically allow uh Country Thunder to come to the downtown with their events.

So this is going to take place again June the 6th, 2026 at the Baker Sound.

This is presented by the Florida Orchestra, and everyone from the community community is invited to attend.

Market Marie, again, Country Thunder, to make sure that Market Marie can continue their operations.

We help them move to the 500 and I think 500 or 600 block and station square so they can continue until Country Thunder is kind of wrapping up their events.

People just love it.

That's going to take place Saturday, May the 16th from 10 a.m.

to 4 p.m.

at Coachman Park.

That basically concludes the presentation, but I did want to put this on the overhead here.

If it can be turned on.

So if city administration or someone else wants to say some comments after I'm done, they can as well, since they were more intimately involved than I was.

But on May the 8th through the tenth here in Clearwater, the country thunder is coming to the downtown, and we're pretty excited for that.

We're starting to share that in our social media.

The city's starting to do the same.

We're just trying to spread the word as much as possible.

And just work with all our teams and other departments to make sure the operations just kind of go pretty smoothly as far as parking and transportation, all those particular items that all work together.

Wasn't sure if anyone wants to say anything about that.

Other than that, yes, ma'am.

Yes, sir.

Thank you.

Yeah.

Any questions or more discussion?

If I may.

Um, one thing I wanted to add, um, especially for the benefit of the DDB that um we've worked out with Country Thunder is that um while it is a um a festival type venue, they are allowing one um re-entry.

So that way um the guests of the Country Thunder can come in and out and visit um our downtown businesses and and stuff like that while they're here.

So want to make sure we spread that.

We spread that word.

To add to that, all staff from the CRA, other departments, I think too.

We're gonna meet with all the merchants and just gotta relay that message so they can get ready.

Just um just one comment regarding um this event.

I just wanted to thank City Manager and our entire staff.

Uh events of that this size that the last minute less than thirty days out that get moved to your downtown or any piece of real estate in your city.

Uh takes a lot of heavy lifting, and I know uh you and your staff have been working non-stop, especially when it first happened, and um, it's a it's appreciated and it's recognized, so thank you.

Thank you.

Oh, it's too much, but she didn't.

Um, and so I want to thank you and all the staff.

It is a big um and tall order.

It's a lot for the staff, but I appreciate uh your commitment to the city and what I think is becoming our brand, which is music, and um, thank you for that.

Thank all of you for that.

Any other board discussion?

Okay.

So with that, we'll move to item seven, which is to adjourn the April twenty twenty-sixth meeting of the City of Clearwater Downtown Development Board.

Um for those of you waiting on the next meeting, uh, we take a five-minute break so that we can switch some nameplates and positions out here, and then we will convene the meeting of the um of the uh community redevelopment agency in five minutes.

Yeah.