East Ocala Redevelopment Advisory Committee

110 Watula Avenue Ocala Ocala FL, 34471 East Ocala Redevelopment Advisory Committee Minutes Wednesday, June 28, 2023 4:00 PM 1. Call To Order and Roll Call Present Vice Chair Van Akin Board Member Greg Blair Board Member Tito Comas Board Member John Gamache Board Member Karl Kunz Chairman Rachel Perez Absent Board Member Ronnie Santana Jr. 2. Proof of Publication The public notice for the East Ocala CRA meeting was posting on the City of Ocala's website on June 13, 2023. 3. Approval of April 26, 2023 Minutes 4-26-2023 East Ocala CRA Minutes Attachments: 4-26-23 Final Minutes.pdf RESULT: APPROVED MOVER: Van Akin SECONDER: Tito Comas AYE: Akin, Blair, Comas, Gamache, Kunz, and Perez ABSENT: Santana Jr. 4. East Ocala CRA Grant Programs CRA23-45239 grant packet - 937 NE 3rd St Attachments: CRA 23-45239 grant packet - 937 NE 3rd St.pdf Mr. Gianikas discussed CRA23-45239, a residential paint grant application for the property located at 937 NE 3rd Street. The lowest bid received is $6,450, and the applicant qualifies for 75% of the maximum grant ($4,000). David Ross, 937 NE 3rd Street, stated the property operates as a rental. Mr. Gianikas spoke on the efforts to better promote the grant program with the property owner's permission, temporary signs can be placed on the property. He noted the application will go before the CRA Board for final approval. Motion to approve a $4,000 grant award for CRA23-45239 Page 1 of 3 East Ocala Redevelopment Advisory Committee Minutes June 28, 2023 RESULT: APPROVED MOVER: Van Akin SECONDER: John Gamache AYE: Akin, Blair, Comas, Gamache, Kunz, and Perez ABSENT: Santana Jr. Discussion on Potential New Grant Program Attachments: Potential New Grant program.pdf Mr. Gianikas stated the City is considering on creating a new grant program for demolition and affordable housing development projects. Mr. Hale invited the Committee to attend City Councils Affordable Housing workshop scheduled on July 11, 2023. Furthermore, the City is working on creating multiple affordable housing grants for various departments to address multiple needs, which will be presented at a future meeting. New Construction Grant Attachments: New Construction Grant.pdf Mr. Gianikas provided a brief overview of the new construction grant program. The CRA Committee favored the proposed framework. The program will replace the Development Agreements, and funding will be awarded to new construction (commercial or multifamily residential) or large renovation projects with a minimum expense totaling $1 million. The program will allocate $100,000 per year (3-year limit) in grant funds (maximum $300,000) per applicant. Mr. Hale clarified the residential qualifications with Member Blair. The funds can be used to address the affordable housing shortage in the City. Mr. Gianikas stated the City will create a procedure for ranking and scoring of applications. Mr. Hale recommended awarding funds on a first-come, first-serve basis. He asked if the Committee would like to fund three projects annually. He clarified the service contract challenges, such as supply chain and labor shortages. Mr. Gianikas confirmed theDowntown CRA Committee recommended changing the 15-year grant improvement requirement to 5-years. Applicants will be required to submit annual reports to the City. Mr. Hales confirmed each project can have a grant on the same property. The City will present the application and scoring criteria at the next meeting. He noted the collection of water & sewer revenues is very minimal. Page 2 of 3 East Ocala Redevelopment Advisory Committee Minutes June 28, 2023 Mr. Gianikas commented the City will create a consistent scoring/ranking procedure for all CRA Boards. To note, the grant application will state single-family homes are not eligible. 5. East Ocala CRA Projects & Budget Updates None. 6. Other Business None. 7. Adjournment The meeting adjourned at 4:48 pm. Page 3 of 3