Downtown Advisory Board

1 City of Gainesville Downtown Advisory Board MINUTES February 4, 2025, 9:00 a.m. City Hall, Roberta Lisle Kline Conference Room (Room 16) 200 East University Ave Gainesville, FL 32601 Members Present: Vice-Chair Richard Allen, Teresa Callen, Timothy Hutchens, Jacob Ihde, Anthony Lyons, Linda McGurn, Sara Puyana _____________________________________________________________________ A. CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order at 9:00 a.m. B. ROLL CALL Vice-Chair Richard Allen joined the meeting at 9:01 am. Teresa Callen joined the meeting at 9:01 am. Timothy Hutchens joined the meeting at 9:01 am. Jacob Ihde joined the meeting at 9:01 am. Anthony Lyons joined the meeting at 9:01 am. Linda McGurn joined the meeting at 9:01 am. Sara Puyana joined the meeting at 9:05 am. C. ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA Moved by Vice-Chair Richard Allen Seconded by Anthony Lyons Approved

2 D. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES E. CONSENT No items presented F. REQUEST TO ADDRESS THE BOARD NONE G. BUSINESS DISCUSSION ITEMS 1. 2025-97 GCRA Downtown Events Grant Program Update (B) Daniel Blumberg presented recommended permanent changes to the program and answered questions from the Board Moved by Anthony Lyons Seconded by Vice-Chair Richard Allen Recommendation: The Downtown Advisory Board recommends that the Downtown Events Grant Program be brought to the City Commission for approval with the following changes: 1. Approve the recommendation as provided with the following modifications: a. Remove up to 2 applicants from the Tier 2 component b. Define Public Benefit of the Program increases from 20% to 30% i. Change the title to “Potential for Economic and Community Impact” (remove the language on innovativeness, practicality of proposed event, and alignment with City Goals). c. Concerning Section 2, first paragraph i. “Event must take place predominantly (at least 51% of the event must take place on publicly owned spaces” is the current wording. 1. Replace the above with Event must include substantial public access (for example, at least one free access day for every 3 of the event) d. Refine the budget document to substantiate the need for funds (Pro Forma document) (change this to a required component)

3 Approved H. PUBLIC COMMENT Melanie Barr addressed the board regarding historic preservation, specifically referring to the impending demolition of the historic buildings owned by Holy Trinity Episcopal Church in Downtown Gainesville. I. COMMUNICATIONS Rick spoke to the status of the various recommendations sent to the City Manager, and will bring back to the next meeting J. BOARD MEMBER COMMENT Member McGurn asked as to the status of the trash compactors. Rick Smith responded that staff is still trying to negotiate with one person to run it. Regarding the January 2025 minutes, the following correction was made: Member Ihde moved that the Board 1. Agreed that they did not support the plan for the Streatery and reiterated that they wanted the plan paused for ninety days, that a landscape architect firm be hired, and 2. That Member Lyons Streatery presentation at the December 5, 2024, meeting be presented to the City Commission. Motion Seconded by: Member Hutchens Approved unanimously K. NEXT MEETING DATE Tuesday, March 4, 2025, at 9:00 a.m. L. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 11:11 a.m. _________________________ Rick Smith, Director of Community Reinvestment Area

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