OpenPublica

Accountability starts with access.

© 2026 · Filed for the public record

Use casesAboutAPIPrivacyTermsLinkedIn
Home/Ocala, Florida/City Council & Boards
OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Ocala Community Redevelopment Area Agency Board Meeting - June 16, 2026

City Council & Boards — Tuesday, June 16, 2026
BodyOcala, Florida
SessionCity Council & Boards
DateTuesday, June 16, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 20:29

Original source
Transcript — VerbatimClick a timed line to jump · ⧉ to share it
0:03

Oh yeah, we got to see the other thing.

0:08

You know what?

0:09

Like good afternoon.

0:43

It is 345 p.m.

0:44

on Tuesday, June 16th, 2026.

0:48

And I'm calling this meeting the order of the City of O'Cala Community Redevel Redevelopment Area Agency Board.

0:58

Clerk, will you call the role?

1:01

Mr.

1:02

Marciano?

1:03

Here.

1:03

Mr.

1:03

Musley.

1:04

Here.

1:04

Ms.

1:05

Dryer.

1:05

Here.

1:06

Mr.

1:06

Hilte?

1:06

Here.

1:07

Mr.

1:07

Mansfield?

1:08

Here.

1:08

Mr.

1:08

Bethe.

1:09

Here.

1:11

Clerk, will you provide the public notice for this meeting?

1:14

The June 16, 2026, uh CRA meeting was publicly noticed on May 22, 2026 on the City of O'Cala's website.

1:23

Thank you.

1:24

Item four.

1:25

If anyone had opportunity to review them minutes, I will entertain a motion to approve.

1:31

So moved.

1:32

Second.

1:35

Are there any comments from the public?

1:39

Any from the council.

1:44

Ms.

1:44

Dryer.

1:45

Aye.

1:45

Mr.

1:46

Hilte.

1:46

Aye.

1:47

Mr.

1:47

Mosley.

1:48

Aye.

1:49

Mr.

1:49

Mansfield.

1:50

Mr.

1:50

Bethe.

1:51

Aye.

1:52

Agenda item five A is the approval of an East O'Cala CRA residential property improvement grant.

1:59

Do I hear a motion to approve this?

2:02

This item.

2:03

So move.

2:04

Is there a second?

2:05

Second.

2:05

Economic development manager Roberto Ellis is recognized for staff presentation.

2:11

Thank you, Roberto Ellis, economic development manager for the record.

2:16

We have four applications from the East Ocala CRA meeting.

2:20

These applications were on hold until the approval of additional funds in that CRA that was approved last month, so we're proceeding with it with these applications.

2:30

The first project was submitted by TC Opportunity 4 LLC, and they are being represented by Veronica Bass and Robert Jenkins.

2:40

The owners acquired this property back in February of this year.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Economic Development█████████████████████████████████████████████70%
Engineering And Infrastructure██████████████21%
Procedural██████9%
Summary of Proceedings

Ocala Community Redevelopment Area Agency Board Meeting - June 16, 2026

The Ocala Community Redevelopment Area (CRA) Agency Board met on Tuesday, June 16, 2026, at 3:45 PM in the Ocala City Hall Council Chambers. The board approved the previous meeting's minutes and considered six property improvement grants totaling $138,048 across the East Ocala, North Magnolia, and West Ocala CRAs. Five grants were approved unanimously; one grant (West Ocala coffee shop) passed 4-1 with one nay.

Consent Calendar

  • Minutes Approval: The minutes from the May 19, 2026, meeting were approved unanimously (5-0). Moved by Kristen Dreyer, seconded by James Hilty Sr.

Discussion Items

  • East Ocala CRA Residential Property Improvement Grant – 1138 NE Ninth Street ($20,000): Presented by Economic Development Manager Roberto Ellis. The property, acquired by TC Opportunity 4 LLC in February 2026, will receive a grant for roof replacement, new windows, insulation, and repainting. Approved unanimously (5-0).
  • East Ocala CRA Residential Property Improvement Grant – 414 NE Seventh Terrace ($17,208): Owned by JFG Properties LLC, represented by Joyce Gamash. One of three contiguous properties with similar scopes. Approved unanimously (5-0).
  • East Ocala CRA Residential Property Improvement Grant – 428 NE Seventh Terrace ($18,372): Same owner and contiguous properties. Approved unanimously (5-0).
  • East Ocala CRA Residential Property Improvement Grant – 420 NE Seventh Terrace ($15,235): Same owner and contiguous properties. Approved unanimously (5-0).
  • North Magnolia CRA Commercial Property Improvement Grant – 1811 NE Jacksonville Road ($17,233): Former Rusty Nails of Ocala site; acquired by Exit Plans LLC, represented by Mr. Dinkins. Total improvements exceed $115,000. The North Magnolia CRA advisory committee recommended approval. Approved unanimously (5-0).
  • West Ocala CRA Commercial Property Improvement Grant – 3711 SW College Road ($50,000): Applicant Walla Coffee (tenant) proposes a modular coffee shop with site improvements on a long-vacant, blighted site near I-75. Total project cost ~$220,000. The West Ocala CRA advisory committee recommended approval. Discussion ensued: Vice Chair Jay Musleh questioned the use of $50,000 for a modular coffee shop given limited CRA funds, noting access challenges (no southbound entry, U-turn required) and risk of business failure. He asked about clawback provisions. Planning Director Aubrey Hale explained the five-year retention requirement for grant-supported improvements, site plan review (including driveway modifications and landscaping), and that the landlord must sign the grant application. Councilmember Barry Mansfield supported the project, citing blight elimination and the site's visibility. Councilmember James Hilty Sr. expressed concerns about the financial return and modular nature. The board also discussed shifting future CRA grants to property owners rather than tenants to protect the city's interest. Vote: 4-1 in favor (AYE: Musleh, Dreyer, Mansfield, Bethea Sr.; NAY: Hilty Sr.).

Key Outcomes

  • Grant Approvals (5a-5e): All five grants from East Ocala and North Magnolia CRAs were approved unanimously, authorizing a total of $88,048 in CRA funds.
  • West Ocala Grant (5f): Approved 4-1, authorizing $50,000 for the Walla Coffee modular coffee shop, subject to site plan review and five-year improvement retention.
  • Policy Discussion: Board members expressed intent to re-evaluate CRA grant allocation to tie grants to the property (owner) rather than the tenant, to better protect the city's investment. This will be discussed at a future meeting.
  • Cross-Access Consideration: The board discussed the need for cross-access agreements along State Road 200 to improve site access and reduce curb cuts. Planning staff will work with the city engineer on potential site plan requirements.
  • No Public Comments: No members of the public spoke during the meeting.

Meeting Transcript

Oh yeah, we got to see the other thing. You know what? Like good afternoon. It is 345 p.m. on Tuesday, June 16th, 2026. And I'm calling this meeting the order of the City of O'Cala Community Redevel Redevelopment Area Agency Board. Clerk, will you call the role? Mr. Marciano? Here. Mr. Musley. Here. Ms. Dryer. Here. Mr. Hilte? Here. Mr. Mansfield? Here. Mr. Bethe. Here. Clerk, will you provide the public notice for this meeting? The June 16, 2026, uh CRA meeting was publicly noticed on May 22, 2026 on the City of O'Cala's website. Thank you. Item four. If anyone had opportunity to review them minutes, I will entertain a motion to approve. So moved. Second. Are there any comments from the public? Any from the council. Ms. Dryer. Aye. Mr. Hilte. Aye. Mr. Mosley. Aye. Mr. Mansfield. Mr. Bethe. Aye. Agenda item five A is the approval of an East O'Cala CRA residential property improvement grant. Do I hear a motion to approve this?

SUMMARIZED BY OPENPUBLICA AI
TRANSCRIPT VIA PUBLIC VIDEO
openpublica.com