On the agenda

1. 1Call to Order - Roll Call▶ 0:00
2. 2

   Approval of June 12, 2024 CRA Meeting Minutes

   approved

   The CRA Board approved the minutes of the June 12, 2024 CRA meeting by voice vote.

   • motion:Approve the June 12, 2024 CRA meeting minutes. (passed)

   #June 12, 2024 CRA Meeting Minutes

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   [00:00:15] Can we need the approval of the June 12, 2024 CRA meeting minutes? I move to approve. Second. [00:00:21] All those in favor signify by saying aye. Aye. The 2024 streetscape enrollment phase one

   This text was generated automatically from the meeting video. It is not a verbatim or official record. For exact wording, consult the video or the city clerk.

3. 3

   ↳You arrived here from a search for “Florida Design Consultants” — transcript expanded below

   2024 Streetscape Enhancement Phase I – Conceptual Design

   discussed

   Florida Design Consultants presented a preliminary conceptual streetscape design for Grand Boulevard between Nebraska and Montana Avenues, proposing removal of on-street parking in favor of expanded outdoor dining, landscaping, lighting, and a cycle track on the east side. The CRA Board provided feedback on tree selection/sight lines, extending the design to Main Street, parking acquisition concerns, and continuing the aesthetic to Nebraska, with no formal vote taken at this conceptual stage.

   • direction:Board directed staff/consultants to incorporate feedback (extend design to Main Street, reconsider shade trees vs. palms, consider parking acquisition, extend aesthetic around to Nebraska) into 3D models for further review. (none)

   📍988 Central Avenue📍Grand Boulevard between Nebraska and Montana Avenues🏢Edward Jones Investments🏢Florida Design Consultants🏢Hacienda🏢Lisey's Pieces🏢Village Pub🏢West Pasco Press Building👤David Fleeman👤Frank Starkey👤Mr. Rivera👤Ms. Manns👤Rob Rosner👤Robert#2024 Streetscape Enhancement Phase I#Orange Lake stage two extension#Railroad Square#Section A / Section B cross-sections#cycle track#golf cart parking

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   [00:00:27] conceptual design. Ms. Manns? I'm ready Mr. Mayor. And tonight we're going to talk to you about a project that we have had ideas about for some time now and tonight we'll be [00:00:51] presenting it in conceptual form for some reaction from you and it relates to [00:00:58] improvements on Grand Boulevard between Nebraska and Montana Avenues and we have [00:01:05] the benefit this evening of having Mr. David Fleeman, the Vice President and [00:01:11] Director of Engineering of Florida Design, with us this evening who I [00:01:16] believe will be making the presentation. Is that correct, Mr. Rivera? Yes, ma'am. [00:01:22] Come on up, if you will. [00:01:32] Good evening. Pleasure being here. I brought Rob Rosner with me who is a [00:01:42] certified planner and landscape architect. If we can get the slides up on the [00:01:47] screen, I'll let Rob kind of walk us through a little bit and I can can add in color. [00:02:07] My name is Rob Rosner. I'm the Director of Planning and Landscape Architecture for [00:02:11] Florida Design Consultants and we've been working with the city staff to put [00:02:16] together some concepts here. So I'm going to talk to the screen here just [00:02:27] because it's both sides. So we've come up with some ideas to do a [00:02:35] streetscape plan that removes on-street parking and in favor of more space for [00:02:42] businesses on each side to have dining space and other kinds of interactive [00:02:51] space and also consider a cycle track option here that connects from Delaware [00:03:01] through up to Montana and through this portion. And this area to the far right [00:03:07] of your plan here is Main Street and then the far left side of your plan is [00:03:12] Montana. So just give your orientation north is to the right. And so you have [00:03:18] the theater the far right and you have retail buildings on the on the on the [00:03:24] south side because it's east and west. I'm sorry, I'm used to looking at this thing [00:03:31] horizontally. [00:03:38] The laser on there. Okay, so we've done looked at this from two ways from the [00:03:46] way. So the idea was to do a complete streetscape improvement and the intention [00:03:52] was to add trees, lighting, make this a more pedestrian friendly space to have [00:03:58] the multimodal of going from on-street cycle track to on at grade cycle track. [00:04:05] And we have two sections here we have section A and section B and the first [00:04:10] section is the transition area and then the section B is the area where it's [00:04:15] more urban. And if we could go to the sections here. So the first section goes [00:04:24] from Edward Jones investments across the streets of my fuel station just to give [00:04:28] you a point of reference of where that is. And what this cross-section is [00:04:32] showing is that the curbs are going to stay in basically the same spot but [00:04:35] we're going to rearrange the landscaping so that there is a more of a green [00:04:40] buffer, a six-foot sidewalk, a green strip, and then have on-street two-way [00:04:46] traffic, a buffer, and then a bike lane or a trail. And then that makes that side a [00:04:53] little more consistent. If we can go to section B, this is when we get to the [00:04:57] more urban area that's the theater would be on the left and the retail [00:05:03] would be on the right. And the idea here was that we basically shifted the road a [00:05:08] little bit by five feet so that we could put in the on-street or the IAC grade [00:05:12] trail and still have outdoor dining on each side that's equivalent, six-foot [00:05:18] sidewalk, and then a four-foot tree space up against the back of the curb so that [00:05:23] the streetscape feels good. It separates from the pedestrian traffic and then [00:05:28] also offers that interactive space between outdoor dining and to be able to [00:05:33] interact with that. So this becomes multi-modal, multi-user interface. So [00:05:38] that's what we're presenting here today and that's those are the changes we're [00:05:42] moving away from on-street parking to favor pedestrian interaction with the [00:05:47] businesses. Do you have some questions or thoughts? Do you have some other? [00:05:55] I can't see from here. What's the width of where they would have outside dining? [00:06:00] It's eight foot of outside dining, outdoor dining for each space. Does the [00:06:07] original map show the section difference, section A and section B? Are you able to [00:06:11] point that out? You're talking about the difference between what's existing and [00:06:15] what's proposed? Yeah. No, no, no, you showed section A and section B. Where's [00:06:20] that here? It's on the far left side is section A so that would be at [00:06:25] the investments and that one is more car-centric because you know you have [00:06:29] parking lots and driveways that come off of that and then when we get to the [00:06:33] next major block, which is where the theater is, there's no frontal driveways. [00:06:37] It's all, you know, retail frontage. So the idea is to have more pedestrian [00:06:43] interaction. What side of the bike lane would be on? Be on the east side. So the [00:06:49] side abutting, if you're going further up, is that the side 19? No, no. The [00:06:55] estuary side. Okay. It shows, you know, well at least a picture of like palm [00:07:03] trees there for your landscape and stuff. Is that what it's going to be or it [00:07:07] could be multiple different? Well we would take, you know, what the city would [00:07:11] like to do on that respect. We showed palm trees for the simplicity of the [00:07:15] concept, but it'd be whatever species the city desires. It's back to that same [00:07:19] thing. We're looking at being able to pull out on those two streets, you know, [00:07:23] that you don't want, we've got some of a block situation now, so if they do palm [00:07:28] trees, you know, then they could be able to see the traffic coming up there, yeah, yeah. [00:07:34] So when you look at the, it's the Mullins, Lisey's, Lisey's pieces across from the [00:07:43] Village Pub, I don't know what you have it labeled here as. Okay. So the trees [00:07:49] currently are a little bit back from that and as it's presently presented on [00:07:55] that road, you have the trees there and the parallel parking there that kind of [00:07:59] obscure, we were talking about this earlier, it creates a blind spot for that [00:08:03] road. So there won't be parking, but now you're moving those trees forward to [00:08:08] where that might still create the effect of a blind spot where when you're [00:08:12] coming east on Missouri, you can't see left. So I don't know if that presents a [00:08:19] challenge here. Oh, so yeah, so you're talking about the site triangle, that [00:08:23] would be if you're at the stop bar here. If you look at, if you look at that, we [00:08:28] actually kept that first tree back and we have some planters, but they can be [00:08:33] moved around because they're not very wide and then you only have a light pole [00:08:38] there and then of course you'll have whatever street signage that's required [00:08:41] per code, but those would be your normal obstructions with any traffic situation. [00:08:46] I think what we were talking about earlier is going to all be answered with this. [00:08:50] Right, that's why I was bringing it up, just to see what the answer to that [00:08:54] would be. Well, because you're further away from the building, you do have more [00:08:57] opportunity to see cars coming on. Now is that some of this area, when we get to [00:09:03] the intersects, especially Missouri, we have parallel parking, but all that's [00:09:07] going to go away. Correct. The question is will the trees just replace that, but [00:09:11] you've kind of answered it. The thing is, though, is that first car starts [00:09:15] there, too. So I don't know, especially if we're talking about putting in [00:09:19] different trees other than the palm ones, I just want that to be on the record, [00:09:23] that if we swap trees and they get thicker or larger, that might create the [00:09:27] same blind spot effect. If I may? Mr. Chairman. Oh, go ahead. You're talking about, if [00:09:34] you're looking down a straight line of trees, that the fact that all the trunks [00:09:37] kind of line up and make a line. Yeah, it creates. I mean, you can see how far [00:09:43] from the crosswalk, you can see how far back the car has to be already. Yeah, so [00:09:47] we're following code for that. So any shrubbery would have to be under 30 [00:09:51] inches and any tree would have to be limbed up above 7 feet per code [00:09:56] requirements, but with palms or whatever else, we would make sure that [00:10:00] they're high enough that that's not an issue. And the rare moment where, if you [00:10:04] could look straight down where all those are, you're probably already making your [00:10:07] movement to a left turn or a right turn. You've already, if you're back at the [00:10:11] stop bar, you're seeing through all that and you're seeing cars coming and [00:10:14] deciding, it's my turn to merge into traffic or not, go left or go right. I [00:10:19] would think it being pushed out too, you have more space there, you'll be able to [00:10:23] see down the sidewalk. Yes, you do. That creates that open, that's where you can't see [00:10:28] down there. A hundred percent. Speaking of not seeing it, when we're looking at that [00:10:32] one, that puts me in the very back. So let me raise my hand to the chairman, see if [00:10:36] I could jump in. Yeah, so that's good. Point of the transportation scenario, not [00:10:48] only parking is gone, but your left turn to go out to the Highway 19 is also gone [00:10:56] in this picture, if I'm not mistaken. Or is that just to Nebraska and then once [00:11:01] you get past Nebraska, then you're going to still have your left turn there to [00:11:05] move in. On Main Street, yes, that left turn is still there. So to that [00:11:11] point, whatever design we do should go all the way to Main Street, even if the [00:11:16] left turn is there. So you can't, I think there needs to be a C, which is what [00:11:21] is that going to look like. There's no parking on that street, it's all [00:11:26] roadwork, but anything you do decorative or attractive shouldn't just stop at [00:11:32] Nebraska. There should be some element going forward. To the tree issue that [00:11:36] everyone's talking about, you've got quite a bit of space there between the [00:11:40] bicycle thing and also for the outdoor cafes who need shade. So I'm not so [00:11:47] sure that this initial drawing, maybe we should look at some options [00:11:55] where those trees come back a little farther to provide shade for [00:11:59] pedestrians and actually have some shade. One of the big issues we're [00:12:03] having is the heat, so there's going to have to be something. I don't know what [00:12:10] you think about it, but peanut grass, those low things had no visual problems [00:12:14] with bicycles turning, cars coming and going. It's a very busy downtown in those [00:12:20] times and maybe a few trees in Center Block, but you know from back at the [00:12:28] stop sign, I don't know, you're not going to bring the car into the bicycle lane, [00:12:32] so when you decide to start going, you've decided to start going across a little [00:12:38] angle. You can always stop there, but I'd like to, I think it's a great concept and [00:12:47] I'm happy to hear it. The other thing I wanted to put in was I did listen to the [00:12:54] entire budget discussion on my way here earlier today, and I think that, you know, [00:13:04] as we consider this, we should be getting that, we should be putting [00:13:12] into the budget the purchase from the county of the Suncoast New, of the old [00:13:18] West Pasco Press Building. We're removing parking, we are trying to get [00:13:22] parking off the street, we've added parking, it's full, you know, whatever, [00:13:28] multimodal, we want walkability, we want to get that, but we still would have a [00:13:34] much better response from the public when we take parking away, if we could [00:13:38] show that we have acquired some additional parking space, especially when [00:13:43] Railroad Square gets going, because that's going to hold a lot more people [00:13:46] than, and I know in the audience we have, you know, Mr. Starkey, who's made a number [00:13:52] of comments to us about all the available parking on streets and sides, [00:13:56] so I think that this is going to have an opening for us to discuss a parking [00:14:03] strategy. And we talked a little bit about golf cart parking too, specific [00:14:06] golf cart parking, which doesn't take up as much space, but to make sure that we [00:14:10] have that. So I like it, I think it's smart, and it would be nice if we could [00:14:20] continue to have those design discussions. [00:14:26] Robert, did you have something to add? I was just going to add that I just wanted you [00:14:31] all to understand that this is what we would call the preliminary preliminary, [00:14:35] and these gentlemen here presenting a 2D models, we're getting those [00:14:40] inputs that the majority of you feel like it's important that you want to [00:14:44] express, and then they're going to incorporate those into the 3D models to [00:14:49] where we can come back, and you can have a better understanding of [00:14:53] everything, but right now it's kind of discussing that concept. [00:15:00] up to that idea? [00:15:02] I just would like to add, though, [00:15:04] we're doing Railroad Square, but it ends at Nebraska Grand. [00:15:08] And that doesn't go west. [00:15:09] And we have those wrought iron things, whatever they are, [00:15:13] the bush holders, or whatever it is, alongside the theater. [00:15:17] And I just would like to, if we're doing this, [00:15:19] to take it around the corner, that same look, [00:15:22] instead of having a different look when [00:15:24] we go down to Nebraska, down towards the social. [00:15:27] Like the vines, you mean, that are climbing up on the? [00:15:30] Trellis type of thing. [00:15:31] Yeah, but I think we should match the stuff [00:15:33] that we're doing on Grand. [00:15:37] And we talked about this a long time ago. [00:15:40] I don't know if anybody here, when we put the stars [00:15:43] by the theater, I mean, by the Hacienda, [00:15:46] that if we were going to add any more, [00:15:48] that that place along the theater [00:15:50] might be a good place to put another couple stars, people [00:15:55] we've forgotten. [00:15:56] I always suggest that we should have one that [00:15:59] says NPR, and you could buy your own name for whatever [00:16:02] the fee is, and put your name there for a month, [00:16:04] and take pictures with your family, [00:16:07] and then take it home. [00:16:08] Somebody else will have it. [00:16:09] But that would be along in there. [00:16:12] Yeah. [00:16:12] You know, I mean, that's incorporating. [00:16:15] Good idea. [00:16:15] Yeah. [00:16:16] But I brought that up a long time ago, [00:16:17] but we didn't really have a room to do it over by the Hacienda. [00:16:19] But along here in the theater, we're [00:16:21] a couple more than one that says Newport Ridge. [00:16:23] It says Newport Ridge on the ground. [00:16:24] It says Newport Ridge, yeah. [00:16:25] But you can get your own name put up there. [00:16:27] Doesn't have to be in Braille, but, well, [00:16:31] the others are in Braille, so. [00:16:33] You laugh, but the others are in Braille. [00:16:36] But yeah, I'd like to consider that down in Nebraska, [00:16:38] add that part to it, too. [00:16:42] Anybody else want to add? [00:16:44] I think I threw a lot of questions, [00:16:45] and I didn't mean those to come off as criticisms, which [00:16:48] they weren't. [00:16:49] So I want to just end my statements in saying [00:16:51] I appreciate that the bike lane is [00:16:53] going to be on this side, given the fact [00:16:55] that we have these schools all along that east side, as well. [00:16:59] So that's very helpful. [00:17:00] We don't have kids anticipating coming up to downtown, [00:17:04] having to cross the street to get into the bike lane. [00:17:06] They're already on the right side, coming down Grand. [00:17:12] Also, when they leave town, they won't have to cross Grand. [00:17:15] No, I mean the bicycles that come across country, whatever. [00:17:19] Matt, you got anything else? [00:17:20] No, we're good. [00:17:23] No, just ultimately, when you bring a bicycle [00:17:25] to Nebraska Avenue, and they want to go to the park, [00:17:28] they've got to get to the park. [00:17:30] So that's my point about, ultimately, [00:17:33] there will be crossing at Main. [00:17:35] And so I would like to see that additional block at least [00:17:41] sketched out as how that's going to work. [00:17:43] Who knows, this might extend across to Orange Lake [00:17:49] at some point, as a stage two. [00:17:54] We might consider working that, what [00:17:57] have we got to do traffic-wise between Nebraska and Main [00:18:01] Street, but then redesign back to look [00:18:04] like this towards Orange Lake. [00:18:07] Re-get those about eight parking spots or something like that. [00:18:11] We'd lose there, but at least consider it. [00:18:15] Just while we're talking about the bikes, [00:18:17] I know in years past, we've talked about the bike trail [00:18:22] kind of diverting off before it gets to Main Street [00:18:24] and going around. [00:18:26] So that's another access going to the park. [00:18:28] And kind of avoiding the downtown. [00:18:30] If you want to go, you can, but if you want to go around, [00:18:32] you can't. [00:18:33] But folks will still do it, I guess, is the point. [00:18:35] So the turn still on Montana seems [00:18:39] to be the thought process, and I think [00:18:41] that's a good wide road and a great place to do it. [00:18:47] Thank you for. [00:18:52] All right, thank you very much. [00:18:57] Thank you. [00:18:57] Thank you. [00:19:04] Go back to your work. [00:19:07] Thanks again. [00:19:09] OK. [00:19:11] No, it's just a. [00:19:14] You can open up to public comment. [00:19:16] Right, and then approval. [00:19:17] We have any public comment? [00:19:23] You knew I was going to have to open the door. [00:19:24] Yes, of course. [00:19:25] For 988 Central Avenue. [00:19:28] I will announce this. [00:19:31] I think it's by their strategic plan last year. [00:19:36] Like approval? [00:19:37] Oh, wait, it's not. [00:19:38] It's not. [00:19:39] It's conceptual design. [00:19:40] It's on. [00:19:41] Oh, I thought it was on. [00:19:42] You hear me all right? [00:19:43] Oh, yeah. [00:19:43] Good. [00:19:44] Frank Starkey for 988 Central Avenue. [00:19:47] Y'all said there was going to be public input on this. [00:19:52] I haven't seen that yet, but this is the first time [00:19:54] we've seen it, so I guess. [00:19:55] Same with us. [00:19:56] We haven't seen it either. [00:19:59] A couple of main things. [00:20:00] One is you're going to have an armed revolution on your hands [00:20:04] if you take away the parking. [00:20:06] I don't know about armed. [00:20:06] I guess these days I shouldn't say that, [00:20:08] but you're going to have a real big, a lot of pushback. [00:20:11] And I don't advocate taking out parking at this time, [00:20:15] at this location, for a whole lot of reasons. [00:20:20] One is that it allows you to intersperse [00:20:23] outdoor dining and landscaping with the parking spaces [00:20:26] the way that you have it now. [00:20:27] If you just move those, picture those bump-outs there [00:20:29] between the parking spaces along Main Street [00:20:32] and along Grand Boulevard, that allows you [00:20:35] additional sidewalk space. [00:20:38] It also allows you to have larger tree wells, which [00:20:41] allows you to have shade trees. [00:20:43] Palms, as pretty in Florida as they look, [00:20:47] just don't provide shade that's meaningful, [00:20:49] and they really are frustrating to pedestrians and business [00:20:53] owners because just the heat on the sidewalk is just too high. [00:21:00] I don't know where the cycle track goes after Main Street, [00:21:05] but if the route is still going around town, that's fine. [00:21:10] And as you pointed out, people will still find their way [00:21:13] into town on bikes. [00:21:15] Central Avenue in St. Petersburg has bikes mixed in with the, [00:21:20] it's a share road condition where you have, [00:21:23] bikes are permitted to use the traffic in the street. [00:21:28] It's hard to picture that now on Grand Boulevard [00:21:30] because it's such a fast road because of the turn lane in it, [00:21:33] and it's just a whole bunch of pavement that says drive fast, [00:21:35] and people do, and they got it. [00:21:36] But when it's narrower, as they've got it drawn here, [00:21:39] there's just two lanes in each direction, [00:21:41] basically the same cross section that it is north of Main Street [00:21:44] currently. [00:21:45] It's dramatically easier to cross on foot, [00:21:49] and it's also dramatically slower operating. [00:21:51] Now that's a short block, so nobody guns it there [00:21:54] because you're going to run into the lake if you go too fast. [00:21:56] But picture that that condition south of Main Street [00:22:01] is keeping the traffic going slow enough [00:22:04] that it's not terrifying for an adult or a teenager [00:22:08] to be on a bike in the street. [00:22:11] Little kids can be on the sidewalk or push their bikes [00:22:14] because you're in a very short distance downtown area that's [00:22:18] highly pedestrian. [00:22:20] So it's perfectly fine to bring bikes on mixed in with traffic [00:22:26] with plenty of lane markings that [00:22:29] say that the street is to be shared, [00:22:31] and also good signage at every intersection that [00:22:35] says bikes sharing the lane. [00:22:38] So that would be my suggestion to not put in a cycle track, [00:22:43] because the other thing that cycle track does, [00:22:46] it is still a third lane of traffic. [00:22:48] It's still people in bikes, which are actually [00:22:52] harder to see and a little bit more, [00:22:55] they kind of come whizzing out of nowhere seemingly, [00:22:57] whereas cars are bigger and more visible. [00:23:00] And so having to cross that in car or on foot [00:23:04] is that much more tricky, because you're [00:23:08] having to have your head on a pivot. [00:23:10] And bikes can be coming from either direction that way, [00:23:13] plus cars can be coming from either direction. [00:23:15] So it's just, I know it doesn't, you're probably like, [00:23:18] that's not that big a deal, Frank. [00:23:20] There's not going to be 900 cars or bikes. [00:23:24] Actually, less frequent bikes are [00:23:26] going to be even more scary, because they're less expected. [00:23:30] So having a separate facility, you basically [00:23:35] have two lane thoroughfares, one for bikes and one for cars, [00:23:39] which just makes the crossing of it that much more difficult. [00:23:43] And primarily, you've only got 70 feet building [00:23:46] face to building face. [00:23:47] And there's only so many lanes of things [00:23:53] you can fit in that space. [00:23:54] So a cycle track competes directly [00:23:57] with width for sidewalks and sidewalk seating. [00:24:01] So in the diagram, the cross section [00:24:03] that you had in the main downtown section, [00:24:06] the space for outdoor seating was only eight feet wide. [00:24:10] And even in the diagram, people look kind of tight. [00:24:13] One person had their head against the building, [00:24:15] one person had their head against the planter. [00:24:18] So it's just for waiters moving around and things like that. [00:24:22] And also, when you've got a wide sidewalk going [00:24:27] on for the length of a block, some of the seating [00:24:29] can be on the curb side, some of it [00:24:31] can be on the building side. [00:24:32] When you get to storefronts where there's storefront glass, [00:24:36] you actually want the walking path [00:24:38] to be close to the building so the eyeballs are closest [00:24:42] to the merchandise in the stores, [00:24:44] whereas a restaurant may want the seating [00:24:46] against the building. [00:24:47] So you actually, in a lot of towns, [00:24:49] you'll see that the walking path on the sidewalk, [00:24:52] the sidewalk is a straight space, [00:24:55] but the walking path can meander as it needs to. [00:24:59] And it creates a more enlivened and activated sidewalk [00:25:03] experience. [00:25:04] As you go down the street, it's like a movie [00:25:06] where each building and each storefront [00:25:08] has a different scene. [00:25:09] So having the cycle track just narrows all that stuff up [00:25:15] and kind of forces you into only one path and one answer, [00:25:21] which may not be the right best answer for every storefront [00:25:24] along there. [00:25:25] So the bottom line, I think the cycle track [00:25:30] as a separate facility raises more problems than it solves. [00:25:34] Removing the parking, which that sort of necessitates, [00:25:40] is going to raise probably more hackles [00:25:44] than all the beauty of the landscape design will cover. [00:25:51] And it just makes the operations a little bit more tricky. [00:25:55] Just narrowing down the street where the cars are driving, [00:25:58] still having parking in there. [00:26:00] Because also, remember, the parking helps slow down [00:26:03] drivers. [00:26:03] The fact that you're passing next to a car, [00:26:06] the door of which may open at any moment, [00:26:08] causes you to go slower. [00:26:10] It's also just visual friction that you [00:26:11] don't have with just a row of trees [00:26:14] or a curb on the other side. [00:26:16] And so the narrow driving path is just easier to cross [00:26:27] and then dedicates more of that space to pedestrian use [00:26:32] and activation, seating, sidewalk displays, the lots. [00:26:37] Those are my comments. [00:26:38] And I look forward to having more opportunity. [00:26:40] I just want to say a couple things [00:26:42] about what you just said. [00:26:44] The bicycle thing, I agree 100%. [00:26:46] I think the two blocks start at the Missouri maybe [00:26:52] and come north. [00:26:53] They don't need a bicycle path there. [00:26:55] They really don't. [00:26:56] And the idea is to bring the bicycles downtown. [00:26:58] If they want to come downtown, the whole idea [00:27:01] is to bring the cross-country cyclist down. [00:27:04] He might stop and he might go on. [00:27:06] So let the bicycle turn on Montana or whatever. [00:27:10] Let them turn. [00:27:10] But you're going to have a lot of problems there. [00:27:13] And the two-way traffic on the bicycles [00:27:16] is going to be really a hassle for the person going [00:27:19] to the west. [00:27:21] He's just going to not see them, especially at night. [00:27:24] You're going to be decorative lighting and that. [00:27:26] And also, we have that parklet, if that's [00:27:29] what it's called, in front of SIP. [00:27:33] And now ZEN wants one. [00:27:35] So we're going to help all those businesses. [00:27:38] And estuary, we initially only had one per block. [00:27:42] But with this whole concept, I think [00:27:44] we could open up the sidewalks, have more parking [00:27:48] and dining on the outside, and the pedestrians back and forth, [00:27:52] like you say. [00:27:53] But you need to come downtown at night a little more often. [00:27:57] And you can see the speed of the traffic. [00:28:00] My liver can't handle that. [00:28:02] The speed of the traffic on that. [00:28:04] Oh, I know. [00:28:05] That's why this needs to be narrowed. [00:28:06] Yeah, right. [00:28:08] That's job number one. [00:28:09] But I think it will happen. [00:28:11] Say narrow, when you leave town, it's [00:28:12] going to slow people down. [00:28:14] I mean, as soon as they take that turn [00:28:16] and they get to the theater, they're gunning. [00:28:18] And they're going south. [00:28:19] Well, part of that is because the lane opens up visually [00:28:23] and just kind of tells you. [00:28:25] But I'm just saying. [00:28:25] It's like a trumpet-shaped space. [00:28:28] Well, I'm just saying. [00:28:29] Stop signs. [00:28:30] I'm sorry. [00:28:31] I'm just saying, I agree with some of your stuff. [00:28:34] But there's other things that's not going to slow it down. [00:28:38] But anyhow, the bicycle, I'm very [00:28:41] concerned about two-lane traffic. [00:28:42] For bicycles in one, what, eight-foot space, [00:28:45] and then two lanes of traffic going the opposite directions. [00:28:50] You're asking a lot of the person going to the west. [00:28:54] Here, can I respond also? [00:28:56] Yeah, a couple of things. [00:28:57] One, I know with our trolley, and I also [00:29:01] know with the elderly that go to the theater, [00:29:06] and you see it at every restaurant, grocery store, [00:29:13] Home Depot. [00:29:14] You're seeing now dedicated parking for a purpose. [00:29:17] And that purpose could be simply 30-minute parking. [00:29:23] I brought this up before. [00:29:26] I'm not opposed to. [00:29:29] I think your idea has merit. [00:29:31] And it creates the parklets actually look like parklets. [00:29:34] And it may create some. [00:29:37] We could still address the problems [00:29:40] that Kelly at the Tea House had brought [00:29:43] to our attention about the difficulty seeing [00:29:45] and the clear vision zone, which was when, Matt, when [00:29:48] you had that meeting here to discuss doing something [00:29:52] about this part of the road. [00:29:53] So I know we've got an interest in that, [00:29:57] but maybe there's a way to do it. [00:30:00] There are some parking spaces that can still be retained as suggested, but if they were, [00:30:05] I would hate for them to be cars parking there for a long period of time. [00:30:11] If you want to go and get a to-go order from somewhere, you can't do it without parking [00:30:15] two blocks away when the town is full. [00:30:19] So to the degree you could work in parking spaces that are short-term parking, even talking [00:30:26] about that in other parts of the downtown, I think it's helpful, and I don't know that [00:30:33] we have the capacity or enough volume of work for somebody to do the whole thing they do [00:30:39] in St. Pete and mark them and check them, or if we found that people weren't obeying [00:30:44] it. [00:30:45] But even on a, at least having a sign that says, you know, this is for short-term, doesn't [00:30:52] have to say pick-up, but where that trolley might want its own dedicated spot to pull [00:30:57] in as well somewhere downtown where it can be known that that trolley is running and [00:31:02] that that's a place to hang out and get it. [00:31:04] So I think there's a lot more thinking. [00:31:06] I'm excited that we're thinking about it, though. [00:31:08] And I think for Missouri North, we're probably only talking about maybe eight, maybe ten [00:31:14] spots, and, you know, we're not giving up a lot, you know, and if we take another two [00:31:19] spots with Zen, with their pilot, you know, we're already in the process of doing that [00:31:24] anyhow. [00:31:25] And then Estuary will want to do it. [00:31:29] All the corners. [00:31:30] So I just think, I agree with the bicycle trail there, too. [00:31:35] I think that should stop before we get into that part of Grand. [00:31:39] I don't think that we need it, and it will make it harder. [00:31:41] If you already have trouble turning, if you're having to look for people walking and bicycles [00:31:46] and everything, I mean, it just makes it much harder. [00:31:48] When you're used to bicycles being there, that's different, but, again, to his point, [00:31:52] downtown, we're not used to that, having too many bicycles down there, so you're not really [00:31:55] looking for them. [00:31:56] And I think it will create more issues than it's worth. [00:32:00] They're going to use that bike trail with their electric bikes, and they go 30 miles [00:32:03] an hour. [00:32:04] Right. [00:32:05] They're there before you get a chance to think about it. [00:32:07] It does create another crossing, you know, crossing of that. [00:32:11] So I mean, if that was the case, we just took the bike trail out, once it hits the downtown, [00:32:18] that the bikes would just follow the rules of the road going past there, and that we [00:32:22] wouldn't create any disturbance, I guess. [00:32:25] They're like one with the cars, you know. [00:32:29] Go ahead. [00:32:33] A few things. [00:32:36] I agree that there is the potential for a lot of pushback, and I'd love to see a meeting [00:32:41] come from this, because the other end of the argument is, if you are looking for walkability [00:32:46] and cyclability, not necessarily just focused on the economics of what's best for the downtown [00:32:50] businesses, if one of our primary goals is to start attracting that walkable and cyclable [00:32:57] crowd, they're going to say that the number one thing they want is that barrier. [00:33:01] Yes, shared road use is great and all when the speeds are down, but any cyclist will [00:33:06] tell you they want the barrier between them and the car on the road, and that's some of [00:33:11] the conversations that are starting to brew up. [00:33:13] You made a very valid point about the low number, the volume of cyclists coming, and [00:33:21] then cars habitually thinking there's never a bike on this path, I can always pull forward, [00:33:27] and the problem that creates of them forgetting that they're supposed to look that way. [00:33:31] And so I am curious to see how that would work with that Missouri section. [00:33:35] But to be clear, I know this is what we're talking about right now. [00:33:38] The larger vision, big picture, is still to have some sort of bike barrier further [00:33:46] down grant, correct? [00:33:48] We still envision that in the future? [00:33:50] Okay, just making sure, we're just talking about that one strip where it's coming a little [00:33:53] bit too far into the downtown. [00:33:56] And then the other thing was when I was working at Roses Bistro, right now currently, or excuse [00:34:01] me, I guess it was a year ago now, but right now with the current conditions downtown, [00:34:07] we do have people finding the difficulty to find parking and to be able to pick up [00:34:12] orders. [00:34:13] And so getting rid of the parallel parking there on that side, I could see that creating [00:34:17] the problem. [00:34:18] But at the same time, if it's not being managed, it's almost like we're putting the cart before [00:34:23] the horse here where we don't have a parking management plan and we're trying to plan around [00:34:28] that. [00:34:29] And so it's one of those things where should we also consider ramping up the speed on, [00:34:34] if we are going to regulate those parking spots, we should do that before reworking [00:34:40] the design of this. [00:34:41] Because we're assuming that those are purposed that way and they aren't. [00:34:45] They aren't purposed for 30 minute, 15 minute pickup parking. [00:34:48] It's needed now. [00:34:49] Yeah, I think. [00:34:50] Yeah. [00:34:51] Bob Gibbs, who did the shopability study for y'all seven or eight years ago, he makes the [00:34:58] point that every on-street parking space in front of a business, provided that it's [00:35:06] managed properly for steady turnover, so in other words, so you don't have the server [00:35:11] parking there all day long, but if it's managed for turnover properly, it translates into [00:35:19] a quarter million dollars of sales for that storefront. [00:35:22] That's a lot of sales. [00:35:25] So there's a direct quantifiable economic benefit to on-street parking in front of buildings [00:35:32] like that. [00:35:33] There are situations where it's okay to take out on-street parking in a really, really [00:35:39] intense downtown street. [00:35:42] Winter Haven just did it with their main street, just like a couple months ago, just open. [00:35:47] It remains to be seen how that goes, but it's all restaurants and they've got a giant parking [00:35:52] garage that's one block away from it, and they've got a lot of parking. [00:35:55] They've got more service parking than you care to see, but generally, it's just not [00:36:01] a good idea to take out parallel parking. [00:36:03] It doesn't mean you have to have all the parallel parking that's possible to fit in. [00:36:07] You can work in drop-off zones, handicap spots. [00:36:12] I think in front of the theater to have a place for a red carpet drop-off pickup zone [00:36:17] would be really great. [00:36:18] Basically, if you think of it as an eight-foot zone between the traffic lanes and the main [00:36:29] part of the sidewalk that can alternately be tree wells and plantings and parking and [00:36:37] dining and drop-off zones and all that stuff, then you can solve Kelly Hackman's problems [00:36:44] with accessibility and turnover and quick pickups and things. [00:36:49] Yeah, well, Kelly talked to Brian about parking his own vehicle in front of his own place [00:36:53] all night. [00:36:54] Business owners are always the worst about parking in front of their own businesses. [00:36:59] There's also a mentality that we haven't been as busy as we have been in the last three [00:37:05] to five years, and so people have always been able to park right where they're going. [00:37:12] It's an expectation that the suburbs have ingrained in everybody that you can park in [00:37:16] front of the door and walk right in, but you have to have a parking management plan to [00:37:21] do that. [00:37:22] It doesn't mean meter everything right away, but just put limited times on ... [00:37:26] Because what are those Uber drivers supposed to do? [00:37:29] Right. [00:37:30] That red carpet idea, that was a great idea for the theater, because that's a great idea. [00:37:36] Not only that, but when they're coming in and going out, there's always a crowd there, [00:37:40] so if it drifted off a little bit into the parking area, paint the road red. [00:37:48] So Mayor, next steps, if you would, I know there was a mention of some sort of ... When [00:37:55] this comes back, we invite some of those interest groups out to have the conversation we're [00:37:59] having now, or is it getting a meeting scheduled separately from this, where we can invite

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4. 4

   Proposed Redevelopment Grant Award for Seafire Grill

   approved

   The CRA Board approved a redevelopment grant of up to $117,000 to WF Development, LLC (property owner) for the Seafire Grill waterfront restaurant project, the former Leverocks/Widow Fletcher's site. The grant supports over $900,000 in additional improvements made by owner Dr. David Hirschhauer and tenant Billy Fernandez, includes clawback provisions tied to a three-year lease, and advances the Aqua Harbor redevelopment vision.

   • motion:Motion to approve a redevelopment grant award of up to $117,000 to WF Development, LLC for the Seafire Grill project, with clawback provisions over a three-year period. (passed)

   📍5755 Indiana Avenue🏢Chasco Fiesta🏢FOX 13🏢Kangaroo🏢Leverocks🏢Sea Market🏢Seafire Grill, Inc.🏢Spartan Manor🏢Sunset Cove Grill and Bar🏢The Social New Port Richey🏢WF Development, LLC🏢Widow Fletcher's LLC👤Billy Fernandez👤Councilman Altman👤David Hirschhauer👤Frank👤Greg Orabak👤Ms. Manson👤Shiniki Whiting#Aqua Harbor Redevelopment Project#Commercial Real Estate Redevelopment Grant Program#Community Redevelopment Plan#Greater Aqua Harbor#Marine District#Prior $400,000 grant award (March 2, 2021) to Widow Fletcher's#US 19 Corridor

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   [00:38:04] out some stakeholders, business owners, bicyclists in the city? [00:38:08] Which would you want to do, Ms. Manson? [00:38:13] Little design charrettes are nice, because they're casual, and we don't have to follow [00:38:20] the protocols so much. [00:38:23] Okay. [00:38:24] All right. [00:38:25] So does anybody else like to speak? [00:38:26] Thank you, Frank. [00:38:28] Thank you. [00:38:29] Thank you. [00:38:30] I see no one come forward. [00:38:32] Any other comments, or we just want to accept this proposal with our modifications? [00:38:37] Can you vote on this one? [00:38:39] Well, we just accept it. [00:38:41] I think we want to go forward with the plan. [00:38:44] It may look a little different, but ... It's rusty, but we'll use it. [00:38:51] Just kidding. [00:38:52] All right. [00:38:53] Any other questions? [00:38:54] I need a motion. [00:38:55] I need a motion. [00:38:56] Move to accept. [00:38:57] Second. [00:38:58] All those in favor, say aye. [00:38:59] Aye. [00:39:00] Those opposed? [00:39:01] Aye. [00:39:02] Opposed? [00:39:03] Five, nothing. [00:39:04] All right. [00:39:05] Proposed redevelopment grant award for a Seafire Grill. [00:39:10] Yes. [00:39:12] Request is for the board's approval of a redevelopment grant to WF Development, LLC, who's the property [00:39:20] owner of Seafire Grill, the tenant for the redevelopment of the Waterfront Restaurant, [00:39:29] and Mr. Orabak is going to present the agenda item, and we have Billy Fernandez in the back [00:39:36] of the room, who will be a representative of the property owner and is the tenant. [00:39:48] Thank you, Madam Executive Director. [00:39:49] Good evening, Mr. Chair, members of the board. [00:39:51] As the Executive Director stated, the request is a grant award up to $117,000. [00:40:00] As you're aware, the agency offers a commercial real estate redevelopment grant program in [00:40:04] order to support qualifying private redevelopment projects that effectuate the redevelopment [00:40:09] plan, and the program sets forth several notable eligibility requirements, so you've got to [00:40:15] be downtown in the Marine District or the 19 Corridor, minimum investment of $500,000. [00:40:22] You have to significantly upgrade the property. [00:40:25] You have to make improvements to the space. [00:40:28] You have to redesign the building facade and exterior grounds, and or create jobs and [00:40:33] business growth, and awards over $25,000 are subject to your approval and limited by the [00:40:38] amount of funds made available in the annual budget. [00:40:45] On March 21st, excuse me, on March 2nd, 2021, the CRA Board approved a commercial real estate [00:40:51] redevelopment grant award of $400,000 to Widow Fletcher's LLC for the redevelopment of the [00:40:57] subject property, which was previously home to Leverocks and before that, Sea Market. [00:41:03] The award to be paid over three years was intended to help the restaurateur transform [00:41:08] what had become a blighted building and nuisance property back into a marquee waterfront restaurant [00:41:14] and community landmark. [00:41:21] I think everyone here knows where it is. [00:41:25] You've probably been there a million times over the years. [00:41:31] And unfortunately, Sea Fire, excuse me, unfortunately, Widow Fletcher's faced difficulties from the [00:41:37] beginning and was not able to execute on its vision. [00:41:40] The CRA made one of its anticipated three grant payments, and Widow Fletcher's closed [00:41:45] its doors in the fall of 2023. [00:41:49] And on December 5th, 2023, Widow Fletcher's conveyed the subject property to WF Development [00:41:55] LLC, led by Dr. David Hirschhauer, who's here, who was part of the previous ownership group. [00:42:01] And on December 7th, WF Development leased the property to Sea Fire Grill, Inc., led [00:42:07] by Mr. Billy Fernandez, owner of local favorite The Social New Port Richey, for the operation [00:42:14] of a new restaurant, Sea Fire Grill. [00:42:15] And then almost immediately thereafter, your executive director, staff, started working, [00:42:22] collaborating with the owner and tenant on achieving that shared vision for a thriving [00:42:26] waterfront destination restaurant at the subject location, which, of course, in addition to [00:42:31] being significant in its own right, is part of the Greater Aqua Harbor Redevelopment Project. [00:42:38] And just, of course, the board had good reason to support the idea of restoring the property [00:42:45] from the get-go. [00:42:47] It's actually directly set forth in your Adopted Community Redevelopment Plan. [00:42:52] And so, up on the screen there, we just have some excerpts from your Adopted Community [00:42:57] Redevelopment Plan. [00:42:58] Those are the marching orders that you follow. [00:43:00] That's what you have to do according to state law. [00:43:03] And specifically highlighted all the references to the former Leverocks location. [00:43:10] And we went through that. [00:43:13] And I think, as some of you were there for the official openings, some weren't, but maybe [00:43:19] have been there since. [00:43:21] It officially opened its doors on March the 1st, 2024. [00:43:25] And as you probably know from first-hand experience, the restaurant provides two distinct experiences. [00:43:31] Upstairs, the formal dining room and bar seat 200 and offer fine dining and spirits. [00:43:37] And downstairs, the restaurant seats about 100. [00:43:41] It's got a little bit less headroom if you're tall, so Councilman Altman, he might have [00:43:45] to duck sometimes. [00:43:47] It's branded as Sunset Cove Grill and Bar, which offers casual dining and it features [00:43:52] appetizers, the handhelds and fried foods, and, of course, cocktails and craft beers [00:43:57] and live entertainment. [00:44:00] As part of opening Seafire Grill, the property owner and tenant, they built off of the rehab [00:44:05] initiated by Widow Fletcher's and made an additional investment of more than $900,000. [00:44:10] They have improved landscaping in the site. [00:44:13] They've made it more accessible. [00:44:15] They have obviously painted, done flooring, carpentry, plumbing, electric, HVAC, and energy [00:44:20] efficiency improvements, a number of windows. [00:44:24] And just watching the evolution over time, here it is in May of 2018. [00:44:33] Over the years, there it was at the beginning, it was gloomy of 2023, and look at that, bright [00:44:37] blue, Chamber of Commerce Day or Main Street Day out there, sunny and landscaped. [00:44:46] And on the inside, so obviously it had gotten pretty bad post-Leverachs and for a number [00:44:52] of years before Widow Fletcher's moved in, and Widow Fletcher's made a significant improvement, [00:45:00] Current team made greater improvements still. [00:45:02] They really took it to another level [00:45:05] as far as panache and feel in menu, especially upstairs. [00:45:12] And there's Sunset Cove downstairs. [00:45:15] People love it though, being right on the water [00:45:17] and in that kind of space. [00:45:20] A review of the property owner tenant expenditures [00:45:23] to date indicates that up to $585,000 of their investment [00:45:27] is eligible program expenditures, [00:45:30] providing the basis for the ceiling of the proposed grant [00:45:33] up to $117,000. [00:45:36] The project directly implements [00:45:38] the community redevelopment plan. [00:45:39] It's literally in your plan and this would effectuate it. [00:45:44] It's consistent with the parameters of the grant program [00:45:46] and the past approvals granted by the agency. [00:45:50] And when you look at the positive outcomes, [00:45:52] it reestablishes a destination waterfront restaurant. [00:45:55] It's a significant investment [00:45:57] and it's notable that it has increased [00:46:00] the taxable value on this property 71% [00:46:03] since I'll call them the bad old days [00:46:06] of when it had gone dark. [00:46:08] And though legally separate, [00:46:10] really just want to highlight that this project's [00:46:12] an integral piece of Aqua Harbor [00:46:15] and what you're trying to achieve there [00:46:17] working with the private sector [00:46:19] on the redevelopment of our southern gateway. [00:46:21] So this is part of expanding the city's renaissance [00:46:24] out of downtown, advancing a decades [00:46:27] in the making revitalization of US 19 [00:46:30] and bringing us closer to realizing our vision [00:46:32] to being the best walkable waterfront [00:46:35] historic hometown in Florida. [00:46:37] Just some important notes. [00:46:39] In order to protect the agency's investment [00:46:42] in Seafire Grill Project and to kind of promote [00:46:44] the restaurant's continuing operation, [00:46:47] the agreement, unless you object, [00:46:49] would include clawback provisions [00:46:51] so that if, heaven forbid, something should happen [00:46:56] and it should stop operating before [00:46:58] the initial lease period of three years, [00:47:02] an amortized amount, it would be self-amortizing [00:47:05] over those three years so that 33% each year [00:47:09] would be, in essence, forgiven or be subject, [00:47:13] depending on how you look at it, [00:47:14] subject to being clawed back if they close early [00:47:18] on an anniversary date of December the 6th. [00:47:22] So that in December 6th, 2026, [00:47:23] they made it to the other side. [00:47:25] Grant payments, and this is normally the case, [00:47:28] would only be made after the verification [00:47:30] of applicant expenditures, that they're eligible. [00:47:34] And just wanted to always point out [00:47:35] that this was included in the budget, this program, [00:47:39] and that the budget included 1.55 million [00:47:42] for redevelopment incentives, of which over 600,000 [00:47:45] are still available at this time. [00:47:47] And so staff is recommending your approval. [00:47:50] As the Executive Director stated, [00:47:51] both Mr. Fernandez and Dr. Hirshhauer are here, [00:47:55] and I'd be happy to answer any questions you might have, [00:47:57] or at least try to. [00:48:02] Would either of you gentlemen like to add [00:48:03] to what Greg had to say? [00:48:07] Please come on down. [00:48:20] Good morning, Council. [00:48:21] I'm David Hirshhauer. [00:48:23] Just want to clarify a few points with the Council [00:48:27] and what Greg said. [00:48:29] I am a physician, so by definition, I'm a poor investor. [00:48:32] And I took this property that was suburban blight in 2019, [00:48:39] and I've invested over $3 million, about 3.2 million, [00:48:42] in building it up. [00:48:44] Billy came in at the end, and he put in a lot of money [00:48:48] to make it look great, but I put the walls in. [00:48:51] I put the HVAC in. [00:48:52] That place, if you know, was gutted completely. [00:48:55] There was nothing in there. [00:48:56] No walls, no toilets, no plumbing. [00:48:59] So we built that up, myself and my wife, [00:49:03] and then Billy came in and put the last money in, [00:49:06] and it made it look great. [00:49:07] And we're very happy. [00:49:09] But I did not close Whittle Fletcher's down. [00:49:11] I didn't go out of business. [00:49:11] I chose to do that. [00:49:14] We were, was I making money? [00:49:16] No. [00:49:16] Was I putting in money? [00:49:18] Yes. [00:49:19] But I had no intention of ever closing. [00:49:21] Billy approached me. [00:49:23] I knew of him, and he had a vision to make this [00:49:28] something that my wife wanted to make it, [00:49:31] but I didn't see that we could do that, [00:49:33] to make it a really, you know, a show place for the city. [00:49:38] And I decided that, you know what, [00:49:40] I'm gonna close Whittle Fletcher's down December 1st, [00:49:42] and I'm gonna partner with this guy, [00:49:44] because he knows what he's doing. [00:49:45] And I certainly didn't know what I was doing. [00:49:48] There was mention of some CRA money, [00:49:51] and we did get $60,000. [00:49:54] We didn't qualify for the rest of it, [00:49:56] because I had some partners that were doing things [00:49:58] that they shouldn't have done, and we paid the price. [00:50:01] I paid a fine, and they're gone. [00:50:04] So right now, I own the property. [00:50:07] Billy's my tenant, and it's a much better property [00:50:10] than it was with Whittles. [00:50:13] And I'm very happy that I was able to do this with Billy, [00:50:16] and Billy's gonna make this thing [00:50:18] be way better than ever I could have. [00:50:21] So I thank you for your consideration. [00:50:23] Thank you, anybody have any questions here? [00:50:25] Oh, questions. [00:50:28] Thank you. [00:50:29] Billy, you don't wanna come down. [00:50:32] We'll bring the mic to you. [00:50:35] It's up to you, it's up to you. [00:50:43] Mic ready? [00:50:45] Yeah. [00:50:49] Okay, what you got? [00:50:50] Oh, you tell us what you got. [00:50:53] It was a big project. [00:50:54] Yeah, I underestimated the amount [00:50:56] it was gonna take to do it, [00:50:57] but we were bought in from the get-go. [00:51:00] We knew it needed, at The Social, [00:51:02] we kept hearing for years, [00:51:03] there's no nice place to go eat, [00:51:05] you gotta drive to Tampa. [00:51:08] So we kind of bought the philosophy [00:51:09] of let's do an upscale steakhouse, [00:51:11] seafood restaurant on the water. [00:51:14] It was an easy connection with the doctor. [00:51:18] Everything looks great, [00:51:19] we're in off-season right now, [00:51:21] we're doing okay, we're breaking even, [00:51:23] if not, maybe losing a little bit, [00:51:24] but come October, we have over 50 reservations [00:51:27] for parties for the rest of the year. [00:51:29] It's gonna pretty much steal a lot of business [00:51:31] from probably Spartan Manor, other places, [00:51:34] but the private parties won't make it. [00:51:37] That's gonna take us over the top. [00:51:39] We got FOX 13 news coming in a month [00:51:42] to do an interview on TV about us. [00:51:44] The kitchen does well, the place looks great, [00:51:47] we don't get a lot of complaints. [00:51:49] I unfortunately had to fire my chef, [00:51:52] which we're gonna pick a new one up in October. [00:51:54] We're not gonna go into season without one, [00:51:56] but just, it happens. [00:52:00] We expected certain things and we didn't get it [00:52:02] and we weren't gonna fight with it over it, [00:52:03] so we're gonna pick up another one in October [00:52:06] and it's just running smooth right now. [00:52:09] It's gorgeous, I just think a lot of people [00:52:12] don't know about it. [00:52:12] So we're gonna crank up some marketing advertising, [00:52:15] get on TV, do all the private events. [00:52:18] Everybody loves the downstairs. [00:52:19] They were looking for a little cheaper place to go. [00:52:22] We're redoing the menu downstairs next week [00:52:24] and adding more entrees instead of more fried food [00:52:27] and drinks, so they can have real meals downstairs. [00:52:30] Then we're gonna modify the upstairs menu a little bit [00:52:32] and move what gets cooked on saute to flat top [00:52:34] and grill and not make it so kind of hard [00:52:38] on the saute guys, but it's fully under control. [00:52:41] They do well, the staff does great. [00:52:44] I think we have a 4.4, 4.5 rating on Google, [00:52:46] which is ahead of everybody, so they do really well. [00:52:50] And I'm not going anywhere. [00:52:51] I bought into this, I got a lot of money into it, [00:52:54] but I was prepared for that, so we're up and running. [00:52:59] Thank you. [00:53:00] You're very welcome. [00:53:00] I don't really have a question, but I do have a statement. [00:53:03] You know, I met you early on at social [00:53:05] and I found out that you love this town [00:53:07] and so when you stepped across for 19, [00:53:09] I said, man, he's definitely a citizen of this town [00:53:12] and we appreciate you very much. [00:53:13] Thank you. [00:53:14] I try my best. [00:53:15] I love it down here. [00:53:15] I live in Gulf Harbors. [00:53:17] I got the social. [00:53:18] I had the kangaroo. [00:53:19] I got out of that. [00:53:20] And we got staff down here working on getting golf carts [00:53:23] across the road there. [00:53:25] Oh, good. [00:53:26] There you go. [00:53:27] Yeah, but, you know, [00:53:27] where there's a good investment, [00:53:28] this is where I wanna be. [00:53:29] I wanna be in the downtown area. [00:53:30] We're also working on a large hotel [00:53:32] and a large condo complex. [00:53:34] They don't go right along the hand. [00:53:35] I've already talked to Paul about the hotel. [00:53:37] He wants to give me the rooftop bar already. [00:53:40] They don't want nothing to do with the food and beverage. [00:53:42] I said, if you put a pool on the roof [00:53:44] with an infinity pool, I'll take the roof. [00:53:46] So we're already talking about me [00:53:48] getting involved in a hotel. [00:53:50] Anybody have any comments or questions? [00:53:52] When there's a motion, I'll see. [00:53:54] I think there's, did everyone else speak? [00:53:56] No. [00:53:57] No, no, no. [00:53:58] Okay. [00:53:58] I just want us to, we got them down here. [00:54:01] Here's your chance. [00:54:02] All right, thank you very much. [00:54:03] You all set? [00:54:04] Thank you, guys. [00:54:05] Do we have any other comments? [00:54:07] Come on now. [00:54:16] Shiniki Whiting, 5755 Indiana Avenue. [00:54:21] I actually told myself that I wouldn't say much [00:54:25] about what the city and people that like, [00:54:28] that look like me experienced in the last couple of weeks. [00:54:32] And then I was just informed [00:54:33] that the owner of the kangaroo was here. [00:54:35] Sir, is my hair, my hat worn correctly? [00:54:39] Excuse me, excuse me. [00:54:41] Is my hat worn correctly? [00:54:42] He doesn't own the kangaroo, and this has nothing to do with it. [00:54:45] He just stated that. [00:54:45] No, we used to own the kangaroo. [00:54:48] And it has nothing to do with this. [00:54:51] April 1st is when it stops, [00:54:52] so that's way after the dress code. [00:54:55] It has nothing to do with what we're discussing right now. [00:54:58] All right, well, I'm just saying. [00:54:59] Thank you, if you'd like to discuss this, that'd be fine. [00:55:02] I tried to discuss it with you the other night, [00:55:04] and you say you weren't with that bullshit. [00:55:06] I don't believe I used that word. [00:55:07] Let's keep it real. [00:55:09] I don't believe I used those terms. [00:55:10] Yes, you did. [00:55:13] Anybody else would like to speak? [00:55:15] Every time I'm cool, yeah, I'll try. [00:55:19] Do we have any motion for approval? [00:55:22] Second. [00:55:24] Do you have anything else you'd like to say? [00:55:25] Yeah, I just want to say, you know, [00:55:27] thank you both for stepping up and doing that. [00:55:30] Thank, you know, Billy for coming in [00:55:32] and investing that extra money. [00:55:34] You know, with the Aqua Harbor project going in, [00:55:37] I think it was, you know, timing or foresight, [00:55:39] but I really think what you guys have now [00:55:43] is really what is going to help that whole area [00:55:46] along with that project. [00:55:47] I don't think, I mean, no disrespect, [00:55:49] I don't know if Widow Fletcher's would have been able [00:55:51] to take it to that level, but, yeah. [00:55:56] So it was perfect however it ended up, [00:55:58] so I love it and I love what you did there. [00:56:02] And, you know, I think it's going to be [00:56:04] an awesome addition to that whole area. [00:56:08] Same, we love the social and we also love the sea fire, [00:56:10] so I've been there many times already. [00:56:13] And Sunset Cove is awesome too, coming in off the boat, [00:56:16] that's a great little spot for that. [00:56:19] You guys did a great job transforming that, [00:56:21] it looks so different and it makes it nice. [00:56:23] I tell people all the time, [00:56:24] instead of driving to Tarpon Springs [00:56:26] or Tampa or Clearwater, you have somewhere right here [00:56:29] in our own town that we can enjoy. [00:56:31] And I'd like that if you don't want that, [00:56:33] that upper upscale type of a restaurant, [00:56:36] you have the downstairs. [00:56:37] So I like that we have a combination of both right there. [00:56:40] Thank you. [00:56:43] Just make a comment about the support of our city [00:56:48] and our downtown and the appreciation of that. [00:56:51] I was able to, I was able to attend [00:56:55] the Chasco Fiesta sponsors meeting [00:57:02] where we see the sponsors before the event. [00:57:05] And so I was lucky to be there before they opened [00:57:07] and the food was good before they started serving [00:57:11] the public. [00:57:13] We just met as our annual chance to figure out [00:57:19] what we're going to do next year. [00:57:20] And just since you're here, [00:57:23] we would love to be able to have the event [00:57:26] at the social next year and maybe work it with the theater [00:57:31] so that we could have, one of the problems we had [00:57:34] was difficulty when you have a gathering [00:57:37] to have people behind you and in front of you [00:57:39] and it was a beautiful setting, [00:57:40] but our thinking is a reception at the social [00:57:44] and then maybe have a little something at the theater [00:57:47] where we could actually present and explain [00:57:50] how the festival's gonna go. [00:57:51] So because you were kind enough to put us there last year, [00:57:57] we appreciated it from those. [00:58:00] And the sponsors are the same folks who pay money [00:58:02] to help put on events in our town. [00:58:05] And I've been hopeful that the Main Street Group [00:58:08] and the downtown businesses would become more integrated [00:58:12] into that event. [00:58:13] They benefit from the crowd and we would benefit [00:58:17] from more interaction with them, I think. [00:58:19] So thank you for your involvement, [00:58:21] not only just as a business person, [00:58:23] but as someone that wants to participate in our city. [00:58:29] Yeah, piggybacking off of the business person part, [00:58:34] I appreciate your taking the time to invest in our downtown [00:58:38] like we spoke about a few minutes ago, [00:58:40] but also the transparency that the both of you have [00:58:45] in making your intentions known. [00:58:47] And there's this in both in business, [00:58:51] but I think especially in government, [00:58:52] we like to hide the ugly parts and the mistakes we make [00:58:56] and how to overcome those. [00:58:58] And I think in what you presented here tonight [00:59:01] and what you displayed is your willingness to say [00:59:03] that there were some speed bumps, [00:59:05] but you got your footing on this specific project. [00:59:09] And I actually have a history. [00:59:12] My mother used to be the bar manager over at Leverox. [00:59:15] And so I'm familiar with the property and it's a good spot [00:59:20] and there's a lot of public investment going into that area. [00:59:24] And so now's the time to see that private investment too, [00:59:28] and for us to find ways to incentivize that [00:59:30] and make sure that it continues. [00:59:32] I do have one footnote for the staff. [00:59:35] I would like to start, [00:59:36] I don't know if you can publicly share, [00:59:40] it might create a strategic disadvantage, [00:59:43] but perhaps in our Friday reports, [00:59:45] if we do have approval of grants coming up, [00:59:48] if we can see the actual raw application [00:59:51] that's being submitted to staff, [00:59:53] as opposed to just getting the presentation element. [00:59:56] Like I said, I don't know if there's a privacy thing [00:59:58] where we can't necessarily. [01:00:00] share that on the agenda packet, but if we can see it as council, so we know what the [01:00:06] application looked like and what was reviewed and approved. Because what was presented to [01:00:11] us is not the 20-page or whatever, all the attachments and everything that had to go [01:00:17] into that application. [01:00:18] Yeah, I think there's some privacy there because it ends up dictating how they spent their [01:00:26] money, who they spent their money with. [01:00:27] Right, so perhaps on the public end of it, it doesn't need to necessarily be made available [01:00:32] on the packets publicly, but we have a fiduciary responsibility to review the... [01:00:36] I think you could probably meet with the city manager on that if you're interested in that, [01:00:40] because it'll get out of the public if it makes it to us. [01:00:43] Correct me if I'm wrong, anyone can make a public records request for the application [01:00:48] with redactions to begin with because they're submitting an application. Am I wrong in making [01:00:53] that statement? [01:00:54] Yes, it's a public record. [01:00:55] Okay, so if there is a way for us as a council to not have to do a public records request [01:01:00] to get access to that, if it could be made available, because this is the second grant [01:01:04] now, technically third if we include the theater, that we've approved in the last month, and [01:01:09] we're not really looking at the numbers when we're approving them. We're trusting staff, [01:01:13] and I have my full faith and confidence in staff, but I'd also like to be able to look [01:01:16] over the applications. [01:01:17] That's what I said, I think if you went to the city manager... [01:01:19] You can look it over if you want. [01:01:20] Yeah, you can go see it, that's fine. [01:01:21] It's just putting it out public, that's the issue. [01:01:22] Yeah, you can. [01:01:23] But if they want to request it, they can, but you can look at it all you want. [01:01:25] Absolutely, so if we make that available to council... [01:01:28] You can go talk to her anytime you'd like. [01:01:30] Right, but the city manager's policy is typically when a request is made, it's given to everyone [01:01:34] equally. Is that not the policy of the city manager? So I'm making it known to everyone [01:01:39] on council that I'm making that request. [01:01:41] I'm not interested in the fine-tuning. That's why I hired her to do the job, not me. I'm [01:01:46] not interested. I don't know about the rest of them. [01:01:50] I'll make a personal request then. [01:01:55] I just would like to say that I really appreciate all the work you guys have done, and to be [01:02:00] right here today, that's phenomenal. [01:02:04] Did you get Pete's request for a buffet-type gathering at his place, probably early next [01:02:11] year? [01:02:12] How many people? [01:02:13] He'll get you a date too. [01:02:14] Yeah. [01:02:15] Mayor, if I may, that was something I was going to hold off on saying, but we are up [01:02:22] here as a board, representing the community. We are not up here as Chasco members, and [01:02:29] that is not a jab at you whatsoever, but we're about to approve hundreds of thousands of [01:02:35] taxpayers' dollars for a business, and it's not really our prerogative to start having [01:02:42] conversations about a private matter with a non-profit organization that we just so [01:02:45] happen to also give in-kind dollars to. So I think it's inappropriate to continue having [01:02:49] that conversation. [01:02:50] Thank you for your personal opinion. [01:02:53] You can save it for communication next time. [01:02:56] All those in favor, signify by aye. [01:02:58] Aye. [01:02:59] Those opposed? [01:03:00] So we have five nothing. [01:03:01] Okay, now we're to communication. [01:03:02] We'll start out with you since you wanted to talk about that.

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5. 5Communications▶ 1:03:04
6. 6Adjournment