Clearwater Downtown Development Board Meeting - August 3, 2026

The Downtown Development Board (DDB) met on August 3, 2026, at 1:00 PM to approve minutes, hear event recaps, vote on funding for several downtown events, approve financial statements and the FY2026/2027 budget, and discuss strategies for ensuring downtown brick-and-mortar businesses benefit from DDB-funded events. The meeting lasted approximately two hours.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of Minutes (July 13, 2026): Approved unanimously.
• June 2026 Financial Statement: Approved for filing. Expenditures for June totaled $45,846; year-to-date expenditures and transfers were approximately $940,890. A $25,000 reallocation from future downtown initiatives to marketing was noted, along with transfer of remaining balances to unallocated special events grant line.
• Proposed Budget FY2026/2027: Approved unanimously. Total budget $1,513,438, with property tax revenue projected at $523,809 (an increase over the amended FY2025/2026 budget). The budget includes $567,915 from unassigned fund balance. Highlights: $602,369 for marketing (including $148,000 already approved, $150,000 microgrant program, $50,000 for new DDB brand/logo), $195,000 for business assistance, and $192,797 for future downtown initiatives.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Symphony by the Sea Recap (Florida Orchestra): Lori Osborne, Vice President of Strategic Partnerships, presented. The free concert on June 6, 2026, at Baycare Sound attracted approximately 1,565 attendees (below the anticipated 2,500–3,000). Challenges included a last-minute date change due to Country Thunder and the event falling outside the orchestra’s typical season. Positive outcomes: 150 pounds of goods collected for Salvation Army, community partner engagement, and 19 social media posts reaching 70,000+ views. Board members expressed appreciation for flexibility and hopes for the next date (May 7, 2027) to allow school participation.
• Chalk the Bay Art and Music Festival (City Cultural Affairs): Amber Bryce, Arts and Cultural Affairs Manager, presented plans for the inaugural festival (Jan. 15–17, 2027) in Coachman Park. The free family event will feature 40–80 professional chalk artists, live music, student engagement, and interactive art. Conservatively estimated attendance of 6,000 (Safety Harbor’s similar event drew 10,000 over two days). Budget requested: $30,000 (staff recommendation) to $80,000 (ideal). Already received 84 artist applications from across the US and Mexico. Board discussion focused on funding level; Board member expressed support and noted the event’s organic marketing power. A motion to approve $50,000 (sweet spot for 40+ artists) passed after staff recommended $30,000. Initial motion for $30,000 was withdrawn.
• TBUS Uke Fest (Tampa Bay Ukulele Society): Robert Weil, event director, presented the sixth annual free music festival on April 4, 2027, on the 400 block of Cleveland Street and Ruth Eckerd Hall. Estimated attendance: 1,000. Total budget $26,500; requested $12,500 from DDB. Last year’s attendance was 629 (Placer AI). Board members praised the unique niche event and return to street-level activation. Approved unanimously.

Discussion Items

• Salsa & Bachata Halloween Block Party (Florida Best Promotions Inc.): Richard El Rio requested a High Impact Grant of up to $55,600; DDB policy limits to $30,000. The event on October 31, 2026, on the 500–600 blocks of Cleveland Street is free and open to the public, with an estimated 5,000 attendees (up from 2,300 last year). Budget not attached to agenda (staff apologized). Discussion raised concerns about food/alcohol vendors potentially competing with nearby brick-and-mortar businesses (notably Nash Keys and Gulf Coast Pizza). Mr. El Rio stated he had not heard complaints and offered to follow up. The board decided to continue the item to the September meeting to review the budget and address merchant impact concerns.
• Board Members to be Heard – Supporting Downtown Businesses: Board member Chip Leaches proposed that when DDB funds events, a portion should be allocated to support brick-and-mortar businesses on the same block if the event creates competition (e.g., food trucks vs. restaurants). Ideas included voucher programs, requiring event maps that avoid vendor placement in front of businesses, and making inclusion of local businesses a requirement in grant applications. Vice Mayor suggested that events could simply prohibit food/beverage vendors to drive patrons to local businesses. Councilmember Alberton recalled success with a punch-card system that encouraged attendees to visit stores. Board agreed to put this as a future agenda item for deeper discussion.
• Director’s Report: Brian Catino announced upcoming events: Market Marie (Aug. 8, 10am-2pm, supporting 130+ small businesses), Mega Asian Food and Music Festival (Aug. 21, Coachman Park), and Hello Cleveland Street (Aug. series with up to $5,000 in DDB funding per event). The new DDB logo was also debuted.

Key Outcomes

• Chalk the Bay Art and Music Festival: Approved with $50,000 in High Impact Grant funding (motion passed unanimously after initial withdrawal of $30,000 motion).
• TBUS Uke Fest: Approved with $12,500 Community Event Funding (unanimous).
• Salsa & Bachata Halloween Block Party: Continued to September 2026 meeting for full budget review and merchant impact assessment.
• June 2026 Financial Statement: Approved for filing.
• FY2026/2027 DDB Budget: Approved as presented.
• Future Action: Board directed staff to prepare an agenda item on strategies to ensure DDB-funded events benefit brick-and-mortar businesses, to be discussed at a future meeting.
• Rescheduled Items: The Salsa & Bachata item will return in September; budget and merchant feedback to be provided.