East Ocala Redevelopment Advisory Committee

110 Watula Avenue Ocala Ocala FL, 34471 East Ocala Redevelopment Advisory Committee Minutes Wednesday, December 14, 2022 4:00 PM 1. Call To Order and Roll Call Present Vice Chair Van Akin Board Member Tito Comas Board Member Karl Kunz Chairman Rachel Perez Excused Board Member Greg Blair Board Member John Gamache 2. Proof of Publication The public notice for the East Ocala CRA Advisory Committee was posted on December 2, 2022. 3. Approval of August 24, 2022 minutes August 24, 2022 minutes Attachments: East Ocala CRA minutes - 8.24.22 RESULT: APPROVED MOVER: Van Akin SECONDER: Karl Kunz AYE: Akin, Comas, Kunz, and Perez EXCUSED: Blair, and Gamache 4. East Ocala CRA projects & budget updates Mr. Gianikas reviewed the budget for fiscal year 2023. The total budget amounts to $1,106,630 including the reserve which amounts to $837,955. He provided a brief overview of the funding for capital projects and grants. He clarified the land acquisition purchases. Mr. Akin asked when the Midtown Brewery would be reimbursed for their project. Mr. Gianikas responded the applicant will be reimbursed after the project has been completed. Ms. Perez asked if the Committee could increase the grant funding. Mr. Gianikas confirmed adjustments can be made to the grant program. Mr. Gianikas asked if the Committee would like to make recommendations concerning projects or grant programs. Ms. Perez suggested allocating more funding towards sidewalk improvements along NE 2nd Street and NE 3rd Street. Page 1 of 4 East Ocala Redevelopment Advisory Committee Minutes December 14, 2022 Mr. Gianikas provided a brief overview of the sidewalk map for the areas. Mr. Akin and Mr. Comas favored completing the sidewalks along NE 2nd Street and NE 3rd Street. Mr. Gianikas commented the City will need to perform a survey to determine the boundaries of rights-of-way, before proceeding with the sidewalk improvements. Ms. Perez relinquished her Chairman duties. Motion recommending a sidewalk study on NE 2nd Street and NE 3rd Street between NE Watula Avenue and NE 12th Avenue. There being no further discussion the motion carried by roll call vote. RESULT: APPROVED MOVER: Rachel Perez SECONDER: Van Akin AYE: Akin, Comas, Kunz, and Perez EXCUSED: Blair, and Gamache Ms. Perez resumed her duties as Chairman. Mr. Gianikas provided a brief overview of the pedestrian activity along NE 2nd Street behind the Ocala Shopping Center. Mr. Akin suggested adding a pedestrian sidewalk on NE 9th Avenue & NE 2nd Street. Mr. Gianikas said the north side of the street has a lot of small lots with driveways and other access points. Ms. Perez suggested extending the sidewalk down the south side of NE 2nd Street. Motion recommending the sidewalk study continue on NE 2nd Street and NE 3rd Street from NE 19th Avenue to NE 25th Avenue. There being no further discussion the motion carried by roll call vote. RESULT: APPROVED MOVER: Van Akin SECONDER: Tito Comas AYE: Akin, Comas, Kunz, and Perez EXCUSED: Blair, and Gamache Page 2 of 4 East Ocala Redevelopment Advisory Committee Minutes December 14, 2022 Mr. Gianikas commented the City will consult with the engineers on the continuing services contract. He estimated that a conceptual design for the project will cost approximately $50,000 to $100,000. He provided a brief overview of the NE 8th Avenue road design and said the plan included the construction of bike lanes with wide sidewalks and a median. The City has requested funding from the Florida Department of Transportation. East Ocala CRA FY23 Budget docs Attachments: East Ocala CRA FY23 Budget docs East Ocala CRA grant fund accounting Attachments: East Ocala CRA grant fund accounting 5. Review of East Ocala CRA grant applications Mr. Gianikas provided a brief overview of the three East Ocala CRA grant programs. He requested feedback from the Committee on the proposed changes. Ms. Perez suggested increasing the maximum grant amounts and the City matches. Mr. Akin asked if the approved applicants can reapply for a grant. Mr. Gianikas responded the City can only award grants for new projects, that have not started construction. Ms. Perez and Mr. Comas favored increasing the City match. Ms. Perez suggested increasing the maximum grant for the Residential Paint Grant due to inflation. Motion recommending that the Residential Paint Grant maximum award be increased to $4,000 if the work is contracted out and $2,000 for materials if the property owner does the work; the Commercial Facade Grant maximum award be increased to $20,000 with the CRA match increased to 60%; and the Historic Commercial Building Grant maximum award be increased to $40,000 with the CRA match increased to 60%. There being no further discussion the motion carried by roll call vote. RESULT: APPROVED MOVER: Van Akin SECONDER: Karl Kunz AYE: Akin, Comas, Kunz, and Perez EXCUSED: Blair, and Gamache Mr. Gianikas commented the Downtown Ocala CRA has approved over 70 grant applications in the last six years. The City is proposing a new construction grant program with incentives that may include tax rebates, infrastructure improvements, and rights-of-way improvements to increase new residential/commercial development. Page 3 of 4 East Ocala Redevelopment Advisory Committee Minutes December 14, 2022 Ms. Perez requested the City create a land use map showing the vacant lots. Mr. Gianikas said there is a great deal of vacant land available for housing and office uses in the East Ocala CRA area. Ms. Perez said the developers are unable to find qualified tenants to rent the units. She favored offering incentives to help close the rental gap. Mr. Akin suggested adding sidewalk incentives. Mr. Gianikas commented City staff will provide more information on these topics at the next meeting. Mr. Comas asked if the Committee could propose affordable housing. Mr. Gianikas responded the City has an Affordable Housing program. He provided a brief overview of the affordable housing incentives. 6. Other Business Mr. Gianikas introduced Economic Development Specialist Roberto Ellis. Mr. Ellis provided a brief overview of the Brownfields program. He said the City was awarded an EPA grant totaling $500,000. The funds will be used to revitalize contaminated lots but it does not cover remediation. The City can apply for a remediation grant during the third or fourth year. Mr. Akin requested the City provide a map of the Brownfields area. Mr. Ellis said the City will perform property assessments. He provided a brief overview of the Brownfields map. The public will be able to fill out an application for the assessments mid-January. Ms. Perez recommended landscape improvements for Highway 40 & East Silver Springs Boulevard. Mr. Gianikas responded the parking areas of business properties qualify for a commercial facade grant for landscape improvements. Mr. Gianikas said the City has updated the CRA webpage and asked the Committee to review and provide comments. 7. Adjournment The meeting adjourned at 4:55 pm. Page 4 of 4