OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Ocala CRA Advisory Committee Meeting - May 21, 2026

City Council & Boards — Thursday, May 21, 2026
BodyOcala, Florida
SessionCity Council & Boards
DateThursday, May 21, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 17:31

Transcript — Verbatim
0:05

That was the final staff update.

0:09

Um have more information to present on their staff comments.

0:14

Thank you.

0:16

Now we have the election of officers.

0:21

Presentation of the Ocala community redevelopment agency.

0:32

So the election of officers, every year we select a chair and vice chair on March 1st or at the meeting immediately following March 1st.

0:43

For this, this year we are requesting that the advisory committee select someone to serve as chair and vice chair, and that term will end March 1st, 2027.

0:57

The current chair position is vacant as Miss Doc well Dr.

1:04

Brooks resigned.

1:05

She was a previous chair, and Miss Mrs.

1:08

Reed is currently the vice chair acting as chair.

1:12

So it's up to the committee to select the chair and vice chair for the next couple of months.

1:20

It's open.

1:21

It's open.

1:24

Whoever would like to volunteer.

1:28

Start with the chair.

1:30

I nominate Miss Reed for the chair position.

1:35

Second.

1:39

You do a great job.

1:43

All in favor?

1:47

Bad default.

1:50

I accept.

1:51

Thank you.

1:52

Appreciate it.

1:54

Yeah.

1:56

I I'd like to nominate the Dennis McFadden for vice chair.

2:02

Second.

2:05

All in favor.

2:08

Yes, he spoke to my wife.

2:10

All in favor?

2:12

Aye.

2:13

All right.

2:14

All right.

2:14

Thank you.

2:15

Just one point of information.

2:16

Um, so the chair is allowed to serve two consecutive years, and they'll then we rotate the position.

2:22

So next year, Miss Reed won't be able to serve as chair.

2:25

Not anymore.

2:28

All right.

2:31

So this this year is chair and next year's chair.

2:34

Is that what you're saying?

2:35

You'll revent the 27.

2:37

So she'll finish out this year's chair.

2:39

Okay.

2:40

And then again in 27.

2:41

All right.

2:42

March of 27.

2:43

So because she's currently acting as the vice chair in the role of chairperson, this will be your second consecutive year.

2:50

So March 1, 2027, we'll have to appoint a new chairperson.

2:55

Right.

2:56

Gotcha.

2:56

I'll get ready.

2:59

Brady.

3:03

So moving on to other staff comments.

3:06

We every year we're required to prepare an annual report.

3:10

Um it's a fiscal report for the year beginning September 30th, 2024 to sept well to October 1st, 2025.

3:22

We included a copy of that report in your agenda so you can go through and look at some of the projects that we've completed.

3:30

The report covers the entire four the four CRAs that are located in the city of Ocala.

3:40

And I'd just like to touch on a few highlights from that report.

3:44

So in terms of taxable values, the West Ocala CRA and the downtown CRA roads increase by the most as it relates to how properties are valued in those CRAs.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Economic Development█████████████████████████████████████████████51%
Community Engagement██████████████████20%
Procedural███████████████17%
Affordable Housing██████7%
Transportation Safety████5%
Summary of Proceedings

Ocala CRA Advisory Committee Meeting

The Ocala Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) Advisory Committee met on May 21, 2026, at 3:00 p.m. The meeting focused on the election of officers, presentation of the annual fiscal report, discussion of grant programs, and upcoming training and workshop opportunities. The meeting adjourned at 3:36 p.m.

Election of Officers

  • The committee elected a new chair and vice chair for the term ending March 1, 2027. The current chair position was vacant following the resignation of Dr. Brooks, with Vice Chair Reed acting as chair.
  • Chair: Ms. Reed was nominated and elected unanimously. She will serve a second consecutive year (this year and through March 2027), after which a new chair must be appointed.
  • Vice Chair: Dennis McFadden was nominated and elected unanimously.

Staff Comments and Annual Report

  • Staff presented the annual fiscal year report for the period from September 30, 2024, to October 1, 2025. Key highlights:
    • Taxable values increased across all four CRAs, with the West Ocala CRA experiencing the highest growth, followed by East Ocala, Downtown, and North Magnolia.
    • The CRAs collectively received $4.3 million in increment revenue (staff later clarified $4.9 million raised). Approximately $2 million of this came from the West Ocala CRA.
    • During the year, 38 grants (residential, property improvement, catalytic) totaling $3.8 million were awarded.
    • 42 projects were completed across all four areas, leveraging $9.8 million in capital investment, covering facade improvements, affordable housing, catalytic projects, and redevelopment.
  • Staff noted that the grant program remains the most active implementation tool and encouraged suggestions for changes.

Other Discussion Items

  • Vacancies: The West Ocala CRA has one vacancy; East Ocala and North Magnolia have two vacancies each. The Brownfields Advisory Committee has multiple vacancies. Staff invited interested individuals to apply.
  • CRA Board Training: A training opportunity by the Florida Redevelopment Association is scheduled for June 11 (Winter Haven) and June 12 (Panama City). The CRA will cover expenses for up to two members from each advisory committee.
  • City Council Workshop: On June 9, 2026, there will be a split workshop addressing city boards and commissions, and proposed policy changes to CRA grant programs. Committee members were encouraged to attend.
  • Affordable Housing Event: Staff participated in an affordable housing event on May 14, 2026, at the Mary Sewridge Community Center at Reeds Place, which had a great turnout.
  • E-bike and Scooter Concerns: A committee member raised concerns about e-bikes and electric scooters riding on sidewalks and potential safety issues. Staff indicated they would discuss with engineering regarding any relevant ordinances.
  • Grant Eligibility: In response to a question, staff clarified that tenants may apply for grants with the property owner's sign-off, and the applicant would be reimbursed for improvements.
  • Next Meeting: Scheduled for July 21, 2026, at 3:00 p.m. (a Tuesday due to chamber availability; meetings are normally held on the third Thursday).

Key Outcomes

  • The committee elected Ms. Reed as Chair and Dennis McFadden as Vice Chair for the term ending March 1, 2027.
  • Staff will follow up on e-bike/scooter concerns with the engineering department.
  • The committee received the annual fiscal report and noted the progress of CRA projects and grants.
  • Staff will continue to promote CRA grant programs and fill vacancies on advisory committees.

Meeting Transcript

That was the final staff update. Um have more information to present on their staff comments. Thank you. Now we have the election of officers. Presentation of the Ocala community redevelopment agency. So the election of officers, every year we select a chair and vice chair on March 1st or at the meeting immediately following March 1st. For this, this year we are requesting that the advisory committee select someone to serve as chair and vice chair, and that term will end March 1st, 2027. The current chair position is vacant as Miss Doc well Dr. Brooks resigned. She was a previous chair, and Miss Mrs. Reed is currently the vice chair acting as chair. So it's up to the committee to select the chair and vice chair for the next couple of months. It's open. It's open. Whoever would like to volunteer. Start with the chair. I nominate Miss Reed for the chair position. Second. You do a great job. All in favor? Bad default. I accept. Thank you. Appreciate it. Yeah. I I'd like to nominate the Dennis McFadden for vice chair. Second. All in favor. Yes, he spoke to my wife. All in favor? Aye. All right. All right. Thank you. Just one point of information. Um, so the chair is allowed to serve two consecutive years, and they'll then we rotate the position. So next year, Miss Reed won't be able to serve as chair. Not anymore. All right. So this this year is chair and next year's chair. Is that what you're saying? You'll revent the 27. So she'll finish out this year's chair. Okay. And then again in 27. All right. March of 27. So because she's currently acting as the vice chair in the role of chairperson, this will be your second consecutive year. So March 1, 2027, we'll have to appoint a new chairperson. Right.

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