East Ocala Redevelopment Advisory Committee

Ocala 110 Watula Avenue Ocala FL, 34471 Minutes Wednesday, March 23, 2022 4:00 PM Ocala City Hall 110 SE Watula Avenue Second Floor - Council Chambers Ocala, Florida https://www.ocalafl.org/meetings East Ocala Redevelopment Advisory Committee Committee Members Van Akin Greg Blair Tito Comas John Gamache Karl Kunz East Ocala Redevelopment Advisory Committee Minutes March 23, 2022 Page 1 of 1 East Ocala Redevelopment Advisory Committee Minutes March 23, 2022 1. Call To Order and Roll Call CRA Manager Gus Gianikas called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m. Present Vice Chair Van Akin Board Member Greg Blair Board Member Tito Comas Board Member John Gamache Board Member Karl Kunz Staff in Attendance: CRA Manager Gus Gianikas, Economic Development Specialist Roberto Ellis, Community Engagement Coordinator Ramona Williams, and Financial Analyst I Carol C. McKeever 2. Proof of Publication The public notice for the East Ocala CRA Advisory Committee meeting was posted on March 10, 2022. 3. Approval of East Ocala CRA Minutes (a) Attachments: East Ocala CRA minutes - 10.27.21 East Ocala CRA minutes - 12.15.21 East Ocala CRA minutes - 1.25.22 East Ocala CRA minutes - 2.23.22 There being no further discussion, the motion carried by roll call vote. RESULT: APPROVED MOVER: John Gamache SECONDER: Karl Kunz AYE: Akin, Blair, Comas, Gamache, and Kunz 4. Review of East Ocala CRA grant programs (a) Attachments: CRA22-44679 grant app pckt CRA Manager Gus Gianikas reviewed grant application packet CRA22-44679, Coldwell Banker Ellison Realty property located at 2226 East Silver Springs Boulevard. The total project cost amount is $54,000 and the project is eligible for the maximum grant amount of $10,000. Sonny Vinson, President/Chief Operating Officer, Coldwell Banker Ellison Realty, 2226 East Silver Spring Boulevard, stated the building was constructed around the 80’s and has not received maintenance in over 40 years. He discussed the property’s high traffic volume and the maintenance plan. The project includes paving the entire parking lot; power washing the building; landscaping and re-striping of the parking lot. Also, a landscape plan was provided for the City to review. He noted they received and reviewed several bids. The goal is to bring the building up to City standards. Page 1 of 5 East Ocala Redevelopment Advisory Committee Minutes March 23, 2022 Motion to approve a grant award in the amount of $10,000 to CRA22-44679 RESULT: APPROVED MOVER: John Gamache SECONDER: Karl Kunz AYE: Akin, Blair, Comas, Gamache, and Kunz (b) Attachments: CRA22-44680 grant app pckt Mr. Gianikas reviewed grant application packet CRA22-44680, Ocala Commercial Center property located at 2330 NE 8th Road. The project scope includes one new wall, monument signage and painting the building. The total project cost is $29,694 and the project is eligible for the maximum grant amount of $10,000. The proposed paint design is medium grey with yellow trim. The tenant signs are proposed above the entrance doors and the monument sign will be replaced along the road. Todd Rudnianyn, Business Owner, Ocala Commercial Center, 2330 NE 8th Road, said the plan is to make the needed maintenance improvements before allowing the tenants to occupy the space. He noted the tenants are eager to setup their businesses. Motion to approve a grant award in the amount of $10,000 to CRA22-44680 RESULT: APPROVED MOVER: Karl Kunz SECONDER: John Gamache AYE: Akin, Blair, Comas, Gamache, and Kunz (c) Attachments: Responses to historic bldg survey reduced 5. East Ocala CRA project & budget updates Mr. Gianikas discussed the proposed framework and budget for the proposed Historic Building Grants. The proposed maximum grant amount is $15,000 and the match requirement is 50/50. Staff mailed letters to historic building owners for feedback on the proposed program and received nine responses. The feedback shows a majority need financial support for exterior maintenance expenses such as windows, siding, painting, and roofing. He recommended the Committee prioritize and focus the grant on the oldest historic buildings, those over 100 years old, for funding. There are about 23. He added that in addition to being over 100 years old, the buildings must have retained their historic architectural integrity. Mr. Gianikas showed photographs of several historic buildings and suggested after the grant program has gone through a cycle of approvals, the Committee can open the grant program to other historic buildings. He noted that several historic property owners located along Fort King Street have inquired about the grant program. All historic property owners were invited to today’s meeting, and some said they would attend. Page 2 of 5 East Ocala Redevelopment Advisory Committee Minutes March 23, 2022 Vice Chairman Van Akin asked about the budget balance. Mr. Gianikas responded $113,000 remains in the budget and an additional $100,000 has been requested for FY2023. Mr. Gianikas commented there is money available in reserves too. Vice Chairman Akin asked if the $20,000 was used for residential painting program. Mr. Gianikas responded yes, $20,000 was allocated for the Residential Painting grant project. Vice Chairman Akin asked if $15,000 was the maximum grant amount for the historic building grants. Mr. Gianikas responded yes. Property owners with historic buildings could qualify for the Historic Building Improvement grant, in combination with either the Residential Paint grant or the Commercial Building grant programs. Mr. Gianikas commented the proposed program is to address the needs of historic buildings and provide them with the ability to rehabilitate their buildings. Member Gamache commented he favors the program criteria and likes the direction they are headed with the grant. Mr. Gianikas commented the proposed program allows property owners to seek grant funding for exterior/interior improvements. The challenges property owners face is converting historic buildings into offices, due to expensive upgrades such as fire sprinkler systems for zoning compliance. Vice Chairman Van Akin asked if a fire sprinkler is needed when converting a property from residential to commercial and if fire separation can be used. Mr. Gianikas responded mixed uses require fire code compliance and fire separation can cause interior damage in a historic building. Also, property owners may receive an income tax credit for installing a fire sprinkler system. Member Tito Comas asked if the Committee had the discretion to raise the maximum grant to $25,000 depending on the scope of work involved in a project. Mr. Gianikas responded yes that was discussed as an option. Mr. Gianikas asked if the Committee agrees with the required match percentage. And explained the plan was to have one application period per calendar year to allow the Committee time to review all the requests at the same time. He noted $15,000 is the proposed maximum amount that can be granted. Member Comas said he believes the $15,000 maximum grant amount is too low. Member Karl Kunz stated the Committee can agree to change the maximum grant amount from $25,000 to $15,000 but wants to ensure the program does not run out of funds. Member Comas asked if the budget could be increased because the maximum grant amount is too low to cover maintenance needs associated with historic buildings. Mr. Gianikas responded the budget can be increased to cover high-cost projects. Page 3 of 5 East Ocala Redevelopment Advisory Committee Minutes March 23, 2022 Mr. Gianikas asked if the Committee supports increasing the maximum grant amount to $25,000, with a 50/50 match. He suggested selecting properties most in need of restoration and improvements. He stated it is prudent to put the available funds to good use instead of storing the money in the reserves. Vice Chairman Akin requested clarification on accessing reserve funds. Mr. Gianikas explained the process involves requesting the additional money from the contingency reserve, which requires City Council approval. He added that the Downtown Ocala CRA has requested additional funding for grants from their reserves in previous years. Brian Kuhn, 621 East Ft King Street, said he owns a multi-family property that needs exterior upgrades to maintain the outside appearance for the community. He normally saves a portion of the money paid by his tenants to help with the upkeep of the property. Member Gamache asked if the program includes non-commercial buildings. Mr. Gianikas responded yes because the goal is to improve the appearance of historic buildings in the area. There are many non-commercial historical buildings along Fort King Street. Motion to approve increasing the maximum grant for the Historical Building Improvement grant to $25,000 with a 50/50 match RESULT: APPROVED MOVER: John Gamache SECONDER: Tito Comas AYE: Akin, Blair, Comas, Gamache, and Kunz 6. Other Business Mr. Gianikas commented the City has four vacancies on the Committee. Also, stated that the Board can wait and elect officers after all vacancies are filled. Member Comas asked if Mr. Kuhn is waiting for a vote on the application. Mr. Gianikas responded Mr. Kuhn completed the commercial grant application, but it is on hold until the historic building program is formally adopted next month by the CRA Board. Member Gamache requested an update regarding the brewery at the old fire station. Mr. Gianikas responded there has been no changes and work is process as scheduled. Mr. Ellis commented the performance bond was posted for the brewery and the applicant is completing the necessary paperwork for the temporary parking easement to start the construction phase. Mr. Gianikas noted the City reserved 10-feet from the back of the curb for public sidewalks. Vice Chairman Akin asked if the $100,000 allocated for the project will be used for the construction. Mr. Gianikas confirmed the $100,000 was allocated for the roof work that was required for the building when the property was sold. Page 4 of 5 East Ocala Redevelopment Advisory Committee Minutes March 23, 2022 7. Adjournment Vice Chairman Akin adjourned the meeting at 4:40 p.m. Page 5 of 5