110 SE Watula Avenue

Ocala, FL 34471

Ocala

www.ocalafl.gov

Community Redevelopment Area

Agency Board

Minutes

3:30 PM

Tuesday, November 4, 2025

Call To Order

Roll Call

Mayor Ben Marciano

Present

Vice Chair Ire J. Bethea Sr

James P. Hilty Sr

Jay A. Musleh

Chairperson Kristen M. Dreyer

Barry Mansfield

Excused

Public Notice

Public Notice for the November 4, 2025 Community Redevelopment Area Agency Board Meeting

was posted on October 8, 2025

Minutes Approval

September 3, 2025 and October 21, 2025 CRA meeting minutes

Presentation By: Angel Jacobs

4a.

RESULT:

MOVER:

APPROVED

James P. Hilty Sr

SECONDER: Jay A. Musleh

AYE:

Bethea Sr, Hilty Sr, Musleh, and Dreyer

Mansfield

EXCUSED:

Agenda Items

Applications to fill vacancy on the Downtown Ocala Redevelopment Advisory

Committee, for an expired term ending March 1, 2029

5a.

Presentation By: Roberto Ellis

Motion amended: Appoint Donald Gulling to the Downtown Ocala Redevelopment Area

Advisory Committee for an expired term ending March 1, 2029, by ballot vote

Economic Development Manager Roberto Ellis discussed four applications for the single

vacancy on the Downtown Ocala Community Redevelopment Agency Advisory

Committee, with an expired term ending March 1, 2029.

City Clerk Angel Jacobs stated the CRA Board appoints Donald Gulling to the

Downtown Ocala Community Redevelopment Agency Advisory Committee.

There being no further discussion the motion carried by roll call vote.

RESULT:

MOVER:

APPROVED

James P. Hilty Sr

SECONDER: Ire J. Bethea Sr

AYE:

Bethea Sr, Hilty Sr, Musleh, and Dreyer

Mansfield

ABSENT:

West Ocala Community Redevelopment Area Residential Property Improvement Grant

for property located at 2351 SW Second Street, in an amount not to exceed $3,285

5b.

Presentation By: Roberto Ellis

Economic Development Manager Roberto Ellis discussed a grant application for the

property located at 2351 SW Second Street. The grant funds will be allocated towards

improvements. The requested grant amount is $3,285.00; staff recommends approval. He

confirmed the City is unaware of insurance coverage opportunities for the property

damage. Furthermore, the applicant has decided to replace the existing wood fence with

vinyl fencing to prevent wood rot.

There being no further discussion the motion carried by roll call vote.

RESULT:

MOVER:

APPROVED

Ire J. Bethea Sr

SECONDER: Jay A. Musleh

AYE:

Bethea Sr, Hilty Sr, Musleh, and Dreyer

Mansfield

ABSENT:

West Ocala Community Redevelopment Area Residential Property Improvement Grant

for property located at 628 NW Second Street, in an amount not to exceed $20,000

5c.

Presentation By: Roberto Ellis

Economic Development Manager Roberto Ellis discussed a grant application for the

property located at 628 NW Second Street. The grant funds will be allocated towards

improvements. The requested grant amount is $20,000.00; staff recommends approval.

Council Member Hilty expressed concern regarding Committee Members applying for

grant funds. He suggested modifying the existing guidelines to prohibit Committee

Members from applying for City grants.

Mr. Ellis confirmed the existing guidelines do not prohibit Committee Members from

applying for grants. Furthermore, the surplus lots were advertised through the

procurement process.

City Manager Pete Lee confirmed the surplus property was selected by the Procurement

Department’s Selection Committee. Furthermore, the grant program provides funding to

help developers build more affordable housing opportunities in the City.

City Attorney Sexton clarified the Chapter 112 analysis with the Board.

There being no further discussion the motion carried by roll call vote.

RESULT:

MOVER:

APPROVED

Jay A. Musleh

SECONDER: Ire J. Bethea Sr

AYE:

Bethea Sr, Musleh, and Dreyer

NAY:

Hilty Sr

ABSENT:

Mansfield

West Ocala Community Redevelopment Area Residential Property Improvement Grant

for property identified by parcel number 2856-006-015, in an amount not to exceed

$20,000

5d.

Presentation By: Roberto Ellis

Economic Development Manager Roberto Ellis discussed a grant application for the

property located at parcel number 2856-006-015. The grant funds will be allocated

towards improvements. The requested grant amount is $20,000.00; staff recommends

approval.

There being no further discussion the motion carried by roll call vote.

RESULT:

MOVER:

APPROVED

Ire J. Bethea Sr

SECONDER: Jay A. Musleh

AYE:

Bethea Sr, Musleh, and Dreyer

NAY:

Hilty Sr

ABSENT:

Mansfield

Redevelopment Agreement between the City of Ocala and Marion Opportunity Zone

Investment I, LLC, for the rehabilitation and redevelopment of the historic Hotel Marion

property, with total City incentives not to exceed $2,896,670

5e.

Presentation By: Aubrey Hale

Planning Director Aubrey Hale discussed a Redevelopment Agreement for Marion

Opportunity Zone Investment I, LLC. The developer plans on rehabilitating and

redeveloping the historic Hotel Marion property. The total City incentives not to exceed

$2,896,670; staff recommends approval.

Rob Batsel, Applicants Attorney, 1531 SE 36th Avenue, Ocala, FL 34471, thanked City

staff for their support. The plan is to preserve the heritage of the historic Hotel Marion

property. Furthermore, he clarified the parking lot incentive and right of reverter

(property law) with Chairman Dreyer.

City Manager Pete Lee confirmed the City plans to build a parking garage within the

next two to three years.

Mr. Hale stated the City expanded the CRA grant over a five-year period, due to lack of

funds available. The proposed agreement will allow the City time to finalize plans for

parking garage #3 and utilize the right of reverter.

Chairman Dreyer spoke in opposition of deeming the parking lot to the applicant.

Mr. Batsel clarified the proposed agreement with the Board. Furthermore, he suggested

modifying the contract language to ensure alternative parking.

Chairman Dreyer suggested the City remove the language regarding the four-year

reverter.

Mr. Lee spoke on the City’s development vision for Downtown.

Mr. Batsel proposed a language strike through on page 17 of the Redevelopment

Agreement.

The Board agreed to rescind the motion and table discussion to the next meeting, to

consider the proposed contract changes.

There being no further discussion the motion carried by roll call vote.

RESULT:

MOVER:

TABLED

Ire J. Bethea Sr

SECONDER: Jay A. Musleh

AYE:

ABSENT:

Bethea Sr, Hilty Sr, Musleh, and Dreyer

Mansfield

Public Comments

Adjournment

Adjourned at 4:23 pm

Minutes

_______________________________

Kristen M. Dreyer

________________________________

Angel B. Jacobs

Chairperson

City Clerk