East Ocala Redevelopment Advisory Committee

Ocala 110 Watula Avenue Ocala FL, 34471 Minutes Wednesday, June 22, 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 Rachel Perez East Ocala Redevelopment Advisory Committee Minutes June 22, 2022 Page 1 of 1 East Ocala Redevelopment Advisory Committee Minutes June 22, 2022 1. Call To Order and Roll Call Acting Chairman Tito Comas called the meeting to order at 4:03 P.M. Present Board Member Greg Blair Board Member Tito Comas Board Member John Gamache Board Member Karl Kunz Board Member Rachel Perez Excused Vice Chair Van Akin Staff in Attendance: CRA Manager Gus Gianikas, 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 June 9, 2022. 3. Approval of March 23, 2022 minutes (a) March 23, 2022 minutes Attachments: East Ocala CRA minutes - 3.23.22 RESULT: APPROVED MOVER: John Gamache SECONDER: Karl Kunz AYE: Blair, Comas, Gamache, Kunz, and Perez EXCUSED: Akin 4. Review of East Ocala CRA grant applications (a) East Ocala CRA Grant Application - 111 NE 25th Avenue - Oakbrook Owner’s Group, Inc. Attachments: Application - 1111 NE 25th Avenue, Oakbrook Owner's Group, Inc. CRA Manager Gus Gianikas said the city received four grant applications. He reviewed grant application CRA22-44840, Oakbrook Owners Group, Inc., located at 1111 NE 25th Avenue, and stated the scope of work is to resurface and re-stripe parking lots, repair sidewalks. The property was built in the 80’s and the site is in very poor condition. The applicant will need to add additional handicap parking to be in compliance with ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) standards. The total cost of the project is $79,144.00 which makes it eligible for the $10,000 maximum grant award. Marla B. Pancic, 1111 NE 25th Avenue, Suite 401, said they have been filling in potholes and patching the parking lot over and over for a few years. The plan is to redo the entire parking lot because the property is in terrible condition. Member John Gamache asked what they planned to do about the tree roots. Ms. Pancic responded many of the trees have been removed; their plan is to work with the asphalt contractor to determine which trees need to be removed to prevent future damage. Page 1 of 4 East Ocala Redevelopment Advisory Committee Minutes June 22, 2022 Member Comas requested clarification regarding the sidewalks. Ms. Pancic responded they plan on fixing the sidewalks and the parking lot at the same time. Mr. Gianikas said the Grant Review Committee performed a site visit, with Mr. Gamache on June 13. Motion to approve a grant award of $10,000 (maximum) to CRA22-44840 for resurface and re-stripe parking lots, repair sidewalks. RESULT: APPROVED MOVER: John Gamache SECONDER: Karl Kunz AYE: Blair, Comas, Gamache, Kunz, and Perez EXCUSED: Akin (b) East Ocala CRA Grant Application - 409 E. Fort King Street, Ordway All State Insurance Attachments: Application - 409 E Fort King Street, Ordway All State Insurance Mr. Gianikas reviewed grant application CRA22-44847, Ordway All State Insurance, located at 409 East Fort King Street; he stated the project scope is to refurbish 26 windows. The windows are in poor and deteriorating condition. He noted property owners are choosing to refurbish historic windows to save money. The total project cost is $29,547 which makes it eligible for the 50% maximum grant award ($10,000). Member Gamache questioned whether companies made insulated historic windows. He suggested installation of insulated windows to improve the homes energy efficiency. Jeannine Ordway, 409 East Fort King Street, stated her utility bills are very low. The property has insulation to improve the homes energy efficiency. The goal is to restore the historic property, and the cost to install new windows amounts to $47,000 - $48,000. A local craftsman will be refurbishing the windows to maintain the historic design. Mr. Gianikas stated the property is in the Historic District and the applicant is complying with the historic district preservation guidelines. Motion to approve a grant award of $10,000 (maximum) to CRA22-44847 for refurbishing 26 windows. RESULT: APPROVED MOVER: John Gamache SECONDER: Karl Kunz AYE: Blair, Comas, Gamache, Kunz, and Perez EXCUSED: Akin Page 2 of 4 East Ocala Redevelopment Advisory Committee Minutes June 22, 2022 (c) East Ocala CRA Residential Paint Grant Application - 624 SE Broadway Street, Wilson Broadway House Attachments: Application - 624 SE Broadway Street, Wilson Broadway House Mr. Gianikas reviewed grant application CRA22-44841, Wilson Broadway House, located at 624 East Broadway Street; he explained it is a residential paint project. The project cost amounts to $5,023.00, which makes the grant eligible for the 75% maximum grant. Kathleen Wilson, 624 SE Broadway Street, stated she is the property owner. She spoke about improvements on the property and explained that the house was first painted in 1992. A semi-gloss paint was used to help restore the property. Now the paint on the house is cracking and has a powdery texture. The back of the house was painted in 2007 and is two different colors; the back and front do not match. Member Gamache asked if the Historic District has paint color restrictions. Mr. Gianikas responded no. Member Gamache suggested painting the trim a different color. Ms. Wilson responded she plans on painting the trim a different color; the existing trim color is white with grey. Motion to approve a grant award of $2,000 (maximum) to CRA22-44841 for a residential paint grant. RESULT: APPROVED MOVER: John Gamache SECONDER: Greg Blair AYE: Blair, Comas, Gamache, Kunz, and Perez EXCUSED: Akin (d) East Ocala CRA Grant Application - 944 E. Silver Springs Boulevard, Shannon Mulkey Law Firm Attachments: Application - 944 E Slvr Springs Boulevard, Shannon Mulkey Law Firm Mr. Gianikas stated the applicant for CRA22-44843 (Shannon Mulkey Law Firm) has requested the grant application be tabled until the next Committee meeting. RESULT: TABLED 5. East Ocala CRA project & budget updates Mr. Gianikas commented the Committee will review grant applications for the Historic Building Grant in August. Mr. Gianikas provided a budget update. The Committee started the fiscal year with a balance of $133,832. The Committee approved two $10,000 grants in February 2022; today’s grants total $22,000; which makes the new grant balance $91,832. He explained the Committee can request Page 3 of 4 East Ocala Redevelopment Advisory Committee Minutes June 22, 2022 additional funding from the Reserves for grants. In October, the FY2023 budget will add an additional $100,000 to the budget. The preliminary revenues estimated for fiscal year 2023 are $768,305, this increased due to higher property values. Member Rachel Perez asked if the Committee will be reviewing the grant programs. Mr. Gianikas responded the review of grant program framework takes place in August and October, which is also an opportunity to recommend capital projects. Currently, the East Ocala CRA has three different grant programs. The newest grant program is the Historic Building Grant, which supports contributing structures over 100-years old. Member Perez asked if the grant program includes landscaping for commercial properties. Mr. Gianikas responded yes, and he encouraged the Committee to spread the word about the grant programs around the areas of the city in need of improvement. Mr. Gianikas spoke about walkability, beautification programs, and the challenges associated with the signage project because the contractor the city hired is not meeting the deadlines. Mr. Gianikas commented the old fire station project is moving forward. The improvements include interior work, and reimbursements will be given after the project is completed and in operation. It will be open in approximately one year. According to the developer’s agreement approximately $100,000 from the East Ocala CRA will be used to cover roofing repair expenses. 6. Election of Officers Mr. Gianikas tabled the Election of Officers until the next meeting due to Vice Chairman Akin’s absence. 7. Other business Member Comas inquired about underground utilities to improve utilities in NE 8th Avenue area. Mr. Gianikas responded the best time to install underground utilities is during sidewalk construction. Member Comas suggested the city evaluate improving the utilities from NE 14th Street to East Silver Springs Boulevard and NE 8th Avenue to NE 12th Avenue. Member Gamache suggested starting with NE 3rd Street to fix the sidewalks, move the utilities underground, and add decorative lights. Member Perez asked who is responsible for installing shelters at bus stops. Mr. Gianikas responded SunTran receives Florida Department of Transportation grants for shelters. Staff will research using CRA funds to purchase bus shelters. Member Perez suggested the city create a partnership with SunTran for bus stop improvements. Mr. Gianikas said a site visit to an area could be done. He suggested the Members look at a map and pick out the highest priority areas to do underground utilities and sidewalks, such as NE 12th Street to NE 8th Avenue and over to Tuscawilla Avenue. 8. Adjournment Acting Chairman Comas adjourned the meeting at 4:37 p.m. Page 4 of 4