Ocala Downtown CRA advisory committee elects officers, approves grant-review guidelines and names committee chair

During the April 16 meeting the Downtown CRA advisory committee conducted routine business and adopted new governance steps intended to streamline grant reviews.

The committee approved the minutes from the prior meeting following a motion to accept the minutes with necessary corrections. By unanimous consent the committee then elected its officers for the year: committee member Ted Seth was selected as chair and Dr. Rella was selected as vice chair. The transcript records the motions and a voice vote of "Aye" for the chair/vice-chair election.

The committee also reviewed and approved written guidance for a grant review committee intended to expedite review of facade and other small grant applications. A member moved to accept the grant review committee guidelines and the motion was seconded; the committee passed the guidelines without opposition. The new guidance names a grant-review chair and vice chair who will be the first point of contact for site visits and initial applicant discussions.

Committee members then selected a representative to serve as chair of the grant review committee. Committee member Tamara York was nominated and the nomination was seconded; the motion passed unopposed. The advisory committee did not record a roll-call vote count in the minutes beyond noting the motion passed. Staff said the city will provide the committee with committee‑training materials and a calendar invite for a CRA board and committee training session to be scheduled in the coming weeks.

No public commenters addressed the advisory committee at the meeting.