East Ocala CRA advisory committee approves four improvement grants; several members recuse

The East Ocala Community Redevelopment Area (CRA) advisory committee voted to approve four separate improvement grant applications at its meeting, approving grants for two commercial properties and two residential properties after staff presentations and committee discussion.

Staff said the approved projects range from exterior repainting and parking-lot improvements to roof repairs. Committee members raised no formal objections during public discussion; two members disclosed conflicts and did not participate in votes on applications where they had a reported relationship with the applicant.

Atlas Title Agency (CRA24-0011) — 1279 E. Silver Springs Blvd.: Charlita Whitehead, the city’s economic development and cultural arts projects coordinator, presented the commercial improvement grant request from applicant Ken McKay for exterior pressure washing and repainting, parking-lot work including resealing, restriping and adding wheel stops, removal of a portion of fencing, and an approximately 4,170-square-foot asphalt milling to expand the parking area. Staff reported low quotes and calculated an eligible grant of $8,739.30 (60% match). Whitehead told the committee that the project will require permits and may require a minor site plan depending on parking changes. Committee member Blair attended the site visit and stated a conflict; staff recorded that he would be conflicted out of the vote. The committee approved the grant (motion passed; vote recorded as “Aye,” with no roll-call tally given in the transcript).

Residential property, 214 NE 11th Ave. (CRA24-0010): Marie Mesidue, economic development specialist, presented a residential improvement grant for property owners Peter Coles and Linda Letcher to repair shingle roofing and replace a rusted metal roof section. Staff reported low contractor quotes of $8,895 and a high quote of $11,300; at the program’s 75% reimbursement rate staff calculated a maximum eligible grant of $6,671.25. The committee asked about historic eligibility; staff said the property is outside the historic window noted in their checks. The committee approved the grant (motion passed; vote recorded as “Aye,” with no roll-call tally given in the transcript).

Residential property, 822 NE 3rd St. (CRA24-0013): Whitehead presented a residential reroof request from applicant and property owner Tito Comas, who was present and acknowledged he would be conflicted out of voting because he is an advisory-committee member. Staff reported contractor quotes (high $9,150; low cited as $8,810 in the transcript) and calculated a maximum 75% reimbursement of $6,600 for the project. The committee approved the grant (motion passed; vote recorded as “Aye,” with no roll-call tally given in the transcript).

Mesa De Notte restaurant — 2436 E. Silver Springs Blvd. (CRA24-0010 commercial improvement): Marie Mesidue presented a commercial improvement application from Ken and Cindy McKay for the upscale Italian restaurant Mesa De Notte. The proposed work includes pressure washing and repainting, landscaping upgrades, resealing and restriping the parking lots, and installing a wooden fence to create an outdoor dining enclosure. Staff reported low contractor quotes of $22,804.50 and high quotes of $25,372.75; at the program’s 60% match staff calculated a grant not to exceed $13,682.72. The applicant was not present (staff reported Ken McKay had a funeral). Committee member Blair disclosed a financing relationship with the McKays and stated that he would recuse from the vote; that recusal was recorded. The committee approved the application unanimously (motion passed; vote recorded as “Aye,” with no roll-call tally given in the transcript).

The staff presenters emphasized that all work is the responsibility of the applicant to obtain appropriate permits and comply with code, and that grant payments require documentation (permits and reimbursement paperwork). Several committee members commented positively on the projects’ appearance and potential to improve corridor aesthetics.