Downtown Advisory Board

1 City of Gainesville Downtown Advisory Board MINUTES June 3, 2025, 9:00 a.m. City Hall, Roberta Lisle Kline Conference Room (Room 16) 200 East University Ave Gainesville, FL 32601 Members Present: Chair Linda McGurn, Vice-Chair Richard Allen, Teresa Callen, Jacob Ihde, Anthony Lyons, Sara Puyana Members Absent: Timothy Hutchens _____________________________________________________________________ A. CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order at 9:06 a.m. B. ROLL CALL C. ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA Moved by Vice-Chair Richard Allen Seconded by Jacob Ihde Approved D. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES Moved by Vice-Chair Richard Allen Seconded by Jacob Ihde Approved E. CONSENT F. REQUEST TO ADDRESS THE BOARD

2 Mr. Khalief Gamble of Block by Block presented the April 2025 report. Mr. Kali Blount spoke to the houseless issue in downtown, and pointed out the effort of a group of students providing assistance. Ms. Betsy Hurst spoke to the houseless issue in downtown. G. BUSINESS DISCUSSION ITEMS 1. 2025-457 Agenda Item - Downtown Advisory Board Annual Report to City Commission 20250603 The Board reviewed the Annual Report to the City Commission and edited the responses to better align with the Board's perspective. Mr. Kali Blount spoke about the matter. Mr. Matthew Hurst spoke about the matter. Recommendation: The Downtown Advisory Board approves submittal of the annual report presentation to the City Commission. Withdrawn Moved by Anthony Lyons Seconded by Teresa Callen Member Lyons moved to move the consent item to business discussion. Member Callen seconded Approved Moved by Jacob Ihde Seconded by Sara Puyana Member Ihde moved to approved the report with the changes made. Member Puyana seconded Approved 2. 2025-448 Downtown Advisory Board FY 2026 Budget (B) Board members discussed the FY2026 proposed budget

3 Member McGurn would like to revisit the Business Improvement Grant program at the July meeting if the program presentation is brought back to the Board at that time. Ms. Betsy Hurst inquired about the limited funding of the Business Improvement Grant program. Recommendation: The Downtown Advisory Board hears a budget presentation by the GCRA Director and discusses the same. 3. 2025-458 Status Update on the Downtown Brochure Monica Deel presented the draft of the brochure that staff is working on and described some of the features being developed. This draft is the same as that presented to the City Manager. Conversations about the brochure, with the City and County, have not yet started. Member Callen addressed the matter, specifically the delivery method for the brochure once it's completed. Board members offered positive feedback on the presentation. Public Comment: Mr. Kali Blount suggested that more events be added. Ms. Betsy Hurst spoke about the matter. Recommendation: The Downtown Advisory Board provides GCRA staff with feedback on the Downtown Brochure (rack card) being developed. Heard 4. 2025-285 Downtown Advisory Board Recommendations to the City Commission (B) Member Callen spoke to Mr. Singleton's response regarding the signalization study. Recommendation: The DAB reviews the log of the recommendations submitted to the City Commission and discusses next steps. H. PUBLIC COMMENT None I. COMMUNICATIONS

4 Rick Smith distributed the letter mailed to the Episcopal Church Foundation that was approved to be written by the Board in May. J. BOARD MEMBER COMMENT Member Callen spoke to the Jax Jaguars deciding between playing in Gainesville or Orlando while their new stadium is under construction. K. NEXT MEETING DATE Tuesday, July 8, 2025, at 9:00 a.m. L. ADJOURNMENT Meeting was adjourned at 11:37 a.m. _________________________ Rick Smith, Director of Community Reinvestment Area