Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting - November 20, 2025

The Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) held a regular meeting on November 20, 2025, at 4:30 PM at City Hall. Chair Maureen Freaney presided, with members Tom Dugard and Steven Sandbergen present. Vice-Chair Jeff Gow and Member Robert Walker were excused. The meeting covered approval of prior minutes, reports from the CRA Advisory Committee and staff, and updates on downtown redevelopment projects. No public comments were made.

Consent Calendar

• Excuse Absences: Vice-Chair Gow (family tragedy) and Member Walker (attending a military honor ceremony) were excused; each motion carried 3-0.
• Approval of Minutes: The draft minutes from the September 18, 2025, CRA meeting were approved unanimously (3-0).

Public Comments & Testimony

• No members of the public spoke during Citizen Input.

Discussion Items

• CRA Advisory Committee Chair Report (Alan McHale): Reported on the committee’s September 3, 2025, meeting. Updates were received on Skinner Boulevard, Old City Hall site, the parking garage on Scotland Street, Main Street Exchange, streetscaping on Main Street, and the proposed sale of part of the United Methodist Church. New downtown businesses were noted (Tapas El Turko, an Asian restaurant, a men’s clothing store). Discussion included the food truck proposal at House of Beer, Resolution 24-04 (removing references to subcommittees), and proposed road closures. A new elite car show in the parking lot near the Dunedin History Museum, timed with Welcome Back Blue Jays, received no objections. Safety concerns were raised about poor lighting at the Douglas and Main Street crosswalk; staff are investigating improvements.
• CRA Director’s Report (Carolyn Homer): Provided project updates:
  • Old City Hall Restrooms: Bid award to Malican Contracting Corp. (low bidder) will be presented to the Commission on December 18, 2025. Cost is approximately $1 million, within budget; installation will take eight months.
  • Parking Garage: A selection team narrowed seven contractors to three (FinFrock, Jay Kokolakis Contracting, Creative Contractors). The Commission will be asked to approve the three firms, after which a Request for Proposals will be issued to select a final contractor.
  • Rock House: Staff met with owners; they are working on parking. The original plan showed on-site parking (code‑compliant), but a later plan proposed parking partly in the Grant Street right‑of‑way (not allowed). Owners wish to preserve the house instead of demolishing it, creating a parking challenge. Staff cannot support off‑site parking.
  • Skinner Boulevard: Roadway progressing; awaiting Duke Energy undergrounding. Easement agreements with private property owners were due November 20; some received, others delayed.
  • Gateway: Mr. Ironsmith plans to meet with Mr. Kokolakis in December. FDOT staging for Skinner has ended; area now serves as event parking.
  • Streetscaping: Construction must be completed by October 1 due to the ARPA funding deadline.
  • Casa Tina’s: Mixed‑use plans submitted; a city right‑of‑way with live infrastructure runs through the site. Staff are working with the owners to preserve or relocate infrastructure.
  • Tapas El Turko: Resubmitting with reconfigured parking requirements.
  • Main Street Exchange: Scheduled for ARC in December, LPA in January, and two Commission meetings in February and March; plans have been approved.
  • Florida Redevelopment Conference (October): Attended by staff.
  • United Methodist Church: The church is selling a portion of its property (the stepped‑roof portion facing Main Street) to fund renovations. No formal details or square footage are available yet.
• New Staff Introduction: Matt Jackson (former Planning Manager for Oldsmar) will join the Economic Development and Housing team on December 10, 2025. He introduced his background and was welcomed by the Board.
• Board Questions:
  • Commissioner Dugard requested details on the church parcel; City Manager Bramley will provide them under separate cover.
  • Commissioner Sandbergen raised a resident’s concern about noise at a Grant Street location; staff noted that decibel limits apply and rules are being followed.
  • Sandbergen asked about the parking garage contractor process; City Manager clarified the two‑step selection (Commission approval of three firms, then RFP to choose one).
  • Sandbergen commented that past car shows were a good draw and the new elite car show should be positive.
  • Sandbergen inquired about the Rock House parking issue; City Manager explained code requirements and the owner’s options.
  • Sandbergen asked about landscaping at the Skinner Boulevard roundabout; City Manager said FDOT is responsible, but full landscaping will not be complete until December 2026. Grass will be kept cut in the interim.
  • Chair Freaney reported that at a Forward Pinellas meeting, Commissioner Eggers raised a quick‑merge safety issue at Bass and Skinner. FDOT is looking into it; city staff are coordinating.
  • Confirmed that downtown holiday decorations will be ready on time.

Key Outcomes

• Unanimous approval (3‑0) of excused absences and the September 2025 meeting minutes.
• CRA Advisory Committee Chair Report received and discussed; no formal vote.
• Director’s Report received; no formal vote required.
• Staff will provide Commissioner Dugard with details on the United Methodist Church sale.
• Parking garage next steps: Commission approval of three contractors, then RFP.
• Skinner Boulevard landscaping will not be fully complete until December 2026; interim maintenance is ensured.
• FDOT and city staff are addressing traffic merge safety concerns at Bass and Skinner.