110 Watula Avenue

Ocala FL, 34471

Ocala

East Ocala Redevelopment Advisory

Committee

Minutes

4:00 PM

Wednesday, January 15, 2025

Call To Order

Roll Call

Board Member Greg Blair

Board Member Tito Comas

Board Member John Gamache

Board Member Karl Kunz

Chairman Rachel Perez

Present

Absent

Vice Chair Van Akin

Board Member Ronnie Santana Jr.

Public Notice

The public notice information for the East Ocala CRA Advisory Committee was posted on

January 9, 2025.

Approval of Minutes

October 21, 2024

October 21, 2024 Minutes

APPROVED

Attachments:

RESULT:

MOVER:

John Gamache

SECONDER: Tito Comas

AYE:

Blair, Comas, Gamache, Kunz, and Perez

Akin, and Santana Jr.

ABSENT:

Grants/Applications

CRA24-0011 - 1279 E Silver Springs Blvd

CRA24-0011 - 1279 E Silver Springs Blvd.

Conflict of Interest CRA24-0011- Greg Blair

Attachments:

Economic Development / Cultural Arts Coordinator, Charlita Whitehead provided

information on CRA 24-0011. The improvements include pressure washing and

repainting the exterior parking lot at 1279 E Silver Springs Blvd. Ms. Whitehead

outlined the project cost, noting the highest quote of $16,800.25 and the lowest

$14,565.50. Based on the 60% matching requirement, the maximum CRA grant that can

be awarded is $8,739.30.

Mr. Greg Blair recused himself from voting, he has a Business/Banking relationship with

the applicant.

Motion to approve CRA24-0011 to make improvements for property located at 1279 E

Silver Springs Blvd in the amount of $8,739.30.

RESULT:

MOVER:

APPROVED

John Gamache

SECONDER: Greg Blair

AYE:

Comas, Gamache, Kunz, and Perez

ABSENT:

RECUSED:

Akin, and Santana Jr.

Blair

CRA24-0012- 214 NE 11th Ave

CRA24-0012 - 214 NE 11th Avenue

Attachments:

Economic Development Specialist Marie Mesadieu reviewed grant application

CRA24-0012 for property located at 214 NE 11th Ave. The improvements include the

repairs to the existing shingle portion of the roof and replacement of the metal roof. Ms.

Mesadieu outlines the project cost, noting the highest quote of $11,300.00 and the lowest

$8,895.00. Based on the 75% matching requirement, the maximum CRA grant that can

be awarded is $6,671.25.

Motion to approve CRA24-0012 to make improvements for property located at 214 NE

11th Ave in the amount of $6,671.25.

RESULT:

MOVER:

APPROVED

Greg Blair

SECONDER: John Gamache

AYE:

Blair, Comas, Gamache, Kunz, and Perez

Akin, and Santana Jr.

ABSENT:

CRA24-0013 - 822 NE 3rd St

CRA24-0013 - 822 NE 3rd Street

Attachments:

Ms. Whitehead, reviewed grant application CRA24-0013 for property located at 822 NE

3rd St. The improvements include re-roofing and repair of the soffit and fascia of the

building. Ms. Whitehead outlined the project cost, noting the highest quote of $9,150.00

and the lowest $8,800.00. Based on the 75% matching requirement, the maximum CRA

grant that can be awarded is $6,600.00.

Mr. Tito Comas recused himself from voting, he is the applicant and property owner.

Motion to approve CRA24-0013 to make improvements for property located at 822 NE

3rd St in the amount of $6,600.00.

RESULT:

APPROVED

MOVER:

Greg Blair

SECONDER: John Gamache

AYE:

Blair, Gamache, Kunz, and Perez

ABSENT:

RECUSED:

Akin, and Santana Jr.

Comas

CRA24-0010 - 2436 E. Silver Springs Blvd

CRA24-0010 - 2436 E. Silver Springs BLVD.

Attachments:

Conflict of Interest CRA24-0010 - Greg Blair

Ms. Mesadieu reviewed grant application CRA24-0010, for the property located at 2436

E. Silver Springs Blvd. The improvements include landscaping improvements, pressure

washing,exterior painting, parking lot sealing/striping, and the installation of a new

wooden fence next to the back entrance of the restaurant. Ms. Mesadieu outlined the

project cost, noting the highest quote $25,372.75 and lowest $22,804.50. Based on the

60% matching requirement, the maximum CRA grant that can be awarded is $13,682.70.

Mr. Blair recused himself from voting, he has an ongoing business/banking relationship

with the applicant.

Motion to approve CRA24-0010 for a East Ocala Commercial Building Improvement

Grant for the amount of $13,682.70.

RESULT:

MOVER:

APPROVED

John Gamache

SECONDER: Karl Kunz

AYE:

Comas, Gamache, Kunz, and Perez

ABSENT:

RECUSED:

Akin, and Santana Jr.

Blair

Project Updates

Senior Transportation Project Administrator, Eric Smith, provided updates on the following

three projects:

• Northeast Third Street Sidewalk Improvements - Completed in conjunction with the

re-purposing of the fire station into Midtown Brewery. New sidewalks and parking were added.

The next phase will include a mid-block crosswalk for improved pedestrian access.

• Skate Park Expansion - Final negotiations are in progress to expand the Ocala Skate Park.

• FDOT SR-40 Improvements - FDOT will resurface and install new pedestrian safety signage.

Plans for high-emphasis pavement markings were withdrawn due to new design guidelines. The

city is exploring off-site improvements and working with pedestrian safety programs to enhance

the area.

Economic Development Manager Roberto Ellis provided the following updates on two

initiatives:

•Grant Program Promotion Signs, the CRA will introduce yard signs to promote grant programs.

•Invitation to Negotiate (ITN) Application for Fire Station Parcels, with the Midtown Brewery

project completed, the city will solicit proposals for mixed-use or residential redevelopment of

the remaining city-owned parcels in the Midtown Master Plan area. The ITN is being finalized

and will be advertised soon, aiming to attract private developers for revitalization efforts.

Other Business

Residential Property Improvement Grant - Revised Framework

East Ocala CRA RPIG- Revised

Attachments:

Mr. Ellis discussed the proposed changes to the Residential Improvement Grant

Program:

• Re-roofing Grant Match Reduction - The match for re-roofing and re-roofing repairs

will decrease from 75% to 50%, while the maximum grant amount remains $20,000 for

larger projects.

• Addition of Termite Tenting - Termite tenting will be added as an eligible project due

to the age of buildings in the CRA. Applications will be evaluated on a case-by-case

basis to ensure they address significant structural concerns rather than routine

maintenance. Property owners will be responsible for ongoing upkeep.

Motion to approve changes to the Residential Improvement Grant Program with the

condition that the request of the termite report is included with the application.

RESULT:

MOVER:

APPROVED

John Gamache

SECONDER: Greg Blair

AYE:

Blair, Comas, Gamache, Kunz, and Perez

Akin, and Santana Jr.

ABSENT:

Grant Review Committee Guidelines

Ocala CRA - Grant Review Committee Guidelines

Attachments:

Mr. Ellis provide an update on the grant review process across all CRAs. The Advisory

Committee shall designate a GRC Chairperson and a GRC Vice-Chairperson as

representatives from the respective Advisory Committee in the CRA subarea to

coordinate site visits and discussions on applicant eligibility and project scope.

Motion to approve Rachel Perez as GRC Chairperson and John Gamache as GRC Vice

Chairperson.

RESULT:

MOVER:

APPROVED

John Gamache

SECONDER: Greg Blair

AYE:

Blair, Comas, Gamache, Kunz, and Perez

Akin, and Santana Jr.

ABSENT:

New Reporting Guidelines for Special Districts

Fiscal Year 2024-25 Goals and Objectives

Attachments:

Mr. Ellis provided an overview of the new state reporting requirements, which mandate

tracking goals, objectives, and performance standards throughout the year.

Public Comments

None.

Staff Comments

Mr. Ellis provided an overview of the propose changes to the Commercial Grant Program.

Cultural Arts Supervisor Emily Parkman discussed Cultural Arts collaboration with East Ocala

CRA Commercial Grant program and its proposal on adding murals.

Board Comments

None.

10.

11.

Next Meeting Date: February 26, 2025

Adjournment: The meeting adjourned at 5:07 p.m.