East Ocala CRA Advisory Committee Meeting – December 17, 2025

The East Ocala Community Redevelopment Area (CRA) Advisory Committee convened on Wednesday, December 17, 2025, at 4:00 PM in the Ocala City Hall Council Chambers. The committee reviewed six grant applications, received project updates, and discussed policy matters. The meeting adjourned at 5:05 PM.

Consent Calendar

• The minutes from the August 27, 2025 meeting were approved by motion of Member Comas, seconded by Member Gamache, and carried unanimously.

Grant Application Reviews

1. Residential Property Improvement Grant – 937 NE 3rd Street

• Applicant David Ross requested up to $6,374 (70% of cost) to replace an HVAC system at risk of failure. Staff (Roberto Ellis) recommended approval. Vice Chairman Van Akin noted the property is well-maintained and praised prior grant outcomes. Motion by Mr. Akin, seconded, passed unanimously.

2. Residential Property Improvement Grant – 837 NE 2nd Street

• Applicant Jody Talmaj requested the maximum $20,000 for a new fence and comprehensive landscaping. Discussion focused on plant spacing and appropriate mature sizes; board members advised consulting a master gardener. Ms. Talmaj described challenges coordinating with a landscaper and expressed willingness to adjust the plan. Motion to approve, seconded by members Gamache and Comas, passed unanimously.

3. Residential Property Improvement Grant – 214 NE 11th Avenue

• Applicant Peter Coles and Linda Lecher requested $2,764 for exterior painting of a 1931 home. Staff (Charlita Whitehead) recommended approval. Board member Gamache, who conducted the site visit, attested to the applicant’s good stewardship and noted the property is a strong example of grant use. Motion carried unanimously.

4. Historic Building Improvement Grant – 732 NE 2nd Street

• Robert Brooks and Kristen Dreyer (a city council member, noting her conflict of interest and that she would recuse at the CRA board) sought $30,549 for exterior painting, termite treatment, insulation, and foundation leveling. Discussion centered on proposed pink accent colors; some board members expressed hesitation, but the applicant explained the designer’s reasoning and the colors’ historical appropriateness. Motion by Mr. Comas, seconded, passed unanimously.

5. Historic Building Improvement Grant – 721 NE 2nd Street

• Stephen Dawson (representative Anton Dawson) requested the maximum $40,000 for mechanical, electrical, and plumbing rehabilitation and conversion of a triplex back to a single-family home. Board members discussed that the submitted building plans were for reference only and were not part of this grant. A motion was made with the condition that all work requiring permits and Historic Preservation Board approvals must follow those processes. Motion passed unanimously.

6. Commercial Property Improvement Grants (Two Phases) – 605 East Silver Springs Boulevard

• Applicant Branson Boone (Eugene R. Boone Revocable Trust) requested two grants of $50,000 each (total $100,000) to convert a vacant building into office space. Phase one (CRA 25-0051, FY2025-26) covers the building shell; Phase two (CRA 25-0053, FY2026-27) covers the build-out, subject to fund availability. Staff noted this phased approach was previously used for the Bank Street project in the downtown CRA. Discussion included project cost comparisons with the New Construction Incentive Grant (10% or up to $300,000) and the timeline for permitting and construction. Funds would be disbursed only upon completion of the entire project. Separate motions for each phase passed unanimously.

Project Updates

• Skate Park: Approximately 40% complete, on schedule for a February 2026 completion.
• Sidewalk Gap Analysis: Initial maps created; staff is beginning to assess right-of-way and potential new sidewalks.
• Land Acquisition: Staff inspected properties along 8th Avenue and sent letters to owners. Seven of eight parcels are owned by one entity that approached the city; one owner-occupied property is a key parcel for connectivity to the skate park.

Staff Comments

• CRA sunset dates have been extended: East Ocala CRA now extends to 2055 (previously 2045).
• Policy and procedure updates will be reviewed at the next advisory committee meeting in January 2026.
• Four pending grants with conflicts of interest will bypass the advisory committee and go directly to the CRA board.
• Staff asked the committee to consider prioritizing homestead properties over LLC-owned or second homes in future grant framework revisions.

Public Comments & Testimony

• No members of the public spoke during the designated comment period.

Key Outcomes

• All six grant applications were approved unanimously (each with individual motions and votes).
• Project updates noted progress and next steps for skate park, sidewalk gaps, and land acquisition.
• The next meeting is scheduled for February 25, 2025 (as listed in the agenda; this date may be a typo given the December 2025 meeting).
• Meeting adjourned at 5:05 PM.