East Ocala CRA advisory committee approves three grant awards, one conditional approval; board member recuses from one vote

The East Ocala Community Redevelopment Agency advisory committee on Feb. 2025 approved three grant actions and took several routine votes, including approving the minutes and maintaining current officer positions.

Staff presented three grant applications and the committee approved each after brief discussion. Marie Mansidoux, the city's economic development specialist, told the committee that the Mesa de Notte commercial building improvement application was being revised to include planters and that "Staff is recommending, the an increase in the grant max from the $13,682.70 to 17,290, and we have the adequate funds, to approve the grant." The committee approved the increased maximum; Mr. Blair did not participate because "he's filling out the form right now, and if he would not be participating in the decision of this application," Mansidoux said, noting a conflict of interest.

The committee also approved CRA application CRA2400-0009 from Loretta and David Wheeler for replacement of a roof and an HVAC system at 926 Northeast Fifth Street. Mansidoux said the home is in the East Ocala CRA, was built in 1953, and the site visit was completed Dec. 10, 2024. The low contractor quote was $31,275 and the high was $33,438; the residential maximum grant is $20,000 and staff recommended approval. The applicant who addressed the committee said, "Not just yet. I have no funds. I would have to apply for a personal loan," and staff reminded the board that the program is a reimbursement grant that requires owners to pay contractors up front and submit proof for reimbursement. Mansidoux said applicants are generally given up to 12 months to complete the work.

A third application, CRA25-00044 from Robin Noble (Noble House Holdings LLC) to replace nine windows at 217 Northeast Eleventh Ave., was approved on condition that staff receive a comparable second bid showing non-impact (non'impact) window pricing. Charlita Whitehead, economic development and virtual arts projects coordinator, told the committee the high quote was $19,999, the low quote $15,275, and the recommended 75% reimbursement amount would be $11,456; she said, "Based on the grant review information and the provision information that we've been provided, staff does recommend approval of CRA25Dash00044." Committee members asked staff to obtain or request an additional comparable…