02/07/2008
CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
CITY OF CLEARWATER
February 7, 2008
Present: Frank Hibbard Mayor
John Doran Vice-Mayor
Carlen Petersen Councilmember
George N. Cretekos Councilmember
Paul Gibson Councilmember
Also present: William B. Horne II City Manager
Jill S. Silverboard Assistant City Manager
Rod Irwin Assistant City Manager
Pamela K. Akin City Attorney
Mary K. Diana Assistant City Clerk
Patricia O. Sullivan Board Reporter
The Mayor called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. at City Hall. The invocation was
offered by Father Raphael Kilumanga of St. Cecelia Catholic Church. The Mayor led the Pledge
of Allegiance.
To provide continuity for research, items are in agenda order although not
necessarily discussed in that order.
4 - Presentations:
4.1 Proclamation: Clergy Appreciation Week: February 3 – 8, 2008
4.2 Rotary Club presents plaque to City of Clearwater
4.3 Neighborhood of the Quarter, Home of the Quarter and Business of the Quarter, Winter
Awards.
Presented Neighborhood of the Quarter Award to Edgewater Drive Neighborhood; Home
of Quarter awards to James & Luanne Hammond - 301 N. Pegasus Avenue, David & Sherri
Kelly - 416 N. Lincoln Avenue, Deborah Hammack - 10 N. Pegasus Avenue, and Ray & Gerda
Massieu - 817 Bruce Avenue and Winter 2007/08 Business Beautification Recognition Award to
Achieva Credit Union - 1499 Gulf-to-Bay Boulevard.
4.4 Update on Chi Chi Rodriguez Foundation - Tom James
Tom James reviewed Chi Chi Rodriguez Foundation’s efforts to assist at-risk children.
5 - Approval of Minutes
5.1 Approve the minutes of the January 17, 2008 City Council Meeting as submitted in written
summation by the City Clerk.
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Councilmember Petersen moved to approve the minutes of the January 17, 2008, City
Council Meeting as recorded and submitted in written summation by the City Clerk to each
Councilmember. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously.
6 - Citizens to be Heard re Items Not on the Agenda
Dean Falk supported retaining a Police Substation in the N. Ft. Harrison area.
Steve Sarnoff, Communications Workers of America representative, expressed concerns
regarding consequences associated with passage of Amendment 1.
Public Hearings - Not before 6:00 p.m.
7Second Readings - Public Hearing
-
7.1 Adopt Ordinance 7910-08 on second reading, annexing certain real property at a general
site location with the post office address of 2530 Sunset Point Road, into the corporate limits of
the city and redefining the boundary lines of the city to include said addition.
Ordinance 7910-08 was presented for second reading and read by title only.
Councilmember Cretekos moved to pass and adopt Ordinance 7910-08 on second and final
reading. The motion was duly seconded and upon roll call, the vote was:
"Ayes": Doran, Petersen, Cretekos, Gibson, and Hibbard.
"Nays": None.
7.2 Adopt Ordinance 7911-08 on second reading, vacating the drainage and utility easement
describes as a portion of Lot 2, Block A, Lokey Subdivision and a portion of Lot 1, Sever Park.
Ordinance 7911-08 was presented for second reading and read by title only.
Councilmember Gibson moved to pass and adopt Ordinance 7911-08 on second and final
reading. The motion was duly seconded and upon roll call, the vote was:
"Ayes": Doran, Petersen, Cretekos, Gibson, and Hibbard.
"Nays": None.
City Manager Reports
8 - Consent Agenda
- Approved as submitted
8.1 Award a contract to Pinellas County Solid Waste in the amount of $180,000 for the disposal
of solid waste at the Pinellas County waste to energy plant/landfill for the period February 07,
2008 through February 06, 2009 as provided in the City’s Code of Ordinances, Section 2.564
(1)(d), Services provided by Other Governmental Entities, and authorize the appropriate officials
to execute the same. (consent)
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8.2 Appoint Anna M. Fusari to the Environmental Advisory Board with the term expiring on
February 28, 2012. (consent)
Councilmember Doran moved to approve the Consent Agenda as submitted and that the
appropriate officials be authorized to execute same. The motion was duly seconded and carried
unanimously.
9 - Other items on City Manager Reports
9.1 Approve a Contract to Wannemacher Russell Architects, Inc. of St. Petersburg, Florida in
the amount of $415,375 for the design and permitting of the Morningside Recreation Center and
approve additional funding of $2,896,000 to come from either General Fund retained earnings
or Penny for Pinellas funds to be included in the FY 2008/09 capital improvement budget.
Included in the Penny for Pinellas II project list is $3.1 million to replace the existing
Morningside Recreation Center, which is a 15,000 square-foot 1960s renovated restaurant and
bar. The original budget for this project was established in 1997 as part of a commitment to
replace three of the City’s recreation centers, which had outlived their useful life. All of the
centers were to be comparable to the Countryside Recreation Center and budgeted for the
same amount of funds, at $2,500,000 each. Two of the three, the North Greenwood and Ross
Norton Centers have been completed, as follows: 1) 2003 – North Greenwood Recreation
Center - $92.47 per square foot ($2,600,055/28,117 square feet) and 2) 2005 – Ross Norton
Recreation Center - $115.51 per square foot ($2,844,918/24,629 square-feet).
With the passage of time and current economic issues, the cost of construction has
increased over 100%. The proposed Morningside Center is estimated to cost from $175 to
$225 per square foot. Due to this dramatic cost increase and the intention to construct a
building comparable to other neighborhood facilities, it is estimated that an additional
$2,896,000 of funding is necessary. Additional funding support can be provided from either
General Fund retained earnings or Penny for Pinellas funds. Doing so would allow construction
in 2009 at $200 per square foot for a 25,000 square-foot facility ($5,000,000/25,000 square
feet), which is the average size of the previous two centers. The approximate balance of
General Fund retained earnings is $24.1 million and the approximate balance of Penny for
Pinellas funds is $4.5 million. The additional funding amount can be reduced if the facility is
reduced in size.
With approval of this agenda item, additional capital funds will be incorporated into the
FY (Fiscal Year) 2008/09 annual operating and capital improvement budget from one of the two
sources outlined above. Several community meetings already have been held with the
Morningside residents and a majority has given support to the project. A design committee,
including residents from the community, has been involved in the process from the beginning
and will continue to provide input as the City moves forward to design. Major elements of this
project will consist of a gymnasium, multi-use classroom, control station/lobby, staff offices,
conference room, fitness room, restrooms, storage, circulation and mechanical/electric rooms.
The new recreation center design will incorporate the existing aquatics center, which will
undergo renovations while the new center is being developed. The aquatics center, playground
areas and other outdoor facility renovations will be programmed from other funding sources,
including a $200,000 FRDAP (Florida Recreation Development Assistance Program) grant and
renewal/replacement programs.
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The purchase order to Wannemacher Russell Architects, Inc. in the amount of $415,375
is for complete architectural services for the building including design, bidding, civil engineering,
permitting, threshold inspection and fire sprinkler engineering. The City will provide landscape
and irrigation plans as well as handle miscellaneous construction related costs like geotechnical
services, demolition, FF&E (furniture, fixtures, & equipment) budget, permit fees, 3% project
administration fees, public art fee etc. for a total estimated budget of $5,996,000. The project
design schedule calls for the design, permitting, bidding and award of contract to be completed
by November 2008 with construction completed by February 2010.
Operating budgets and staffing levels for the new center will be determined in part by the
type of programming to be offered. Any increase in operating expenses will be offset from new
revenue generated at the center, increased user fees, or transfer of existing resources. The
current budget for the Morningside Recreation Complex is $481,480 with 8.75 FTEs (Full-Time
Equivalents). Current revenues are approximately $97,905 for a net current cost of $383,575.
When completed, the projected complex operating budget at current year costs will be
approximately $756,990 with 12.25 FTEs. Revenue will increase to $240,000 for a projected
net cost of $516,990, which represents an additional cost of $133,415 annually. This additional
cost will be covered by transferring existing resources from other operations in the Parks &
Recreation Department, which would result in the reduction in hours, staff and programs at
other facilities.
As the design and building program for the new center develops, the architect and
design committee can adjust the center’s size and elements as may be necessary to control the
project’s estimated cost. These factors will be defined prior to the City awarding a contract for
construction.
In response to questions, Parks & Recreation Director Kevin Dunbar said the new facility
would require additional FTEs as its size would almost double. During construction, temporary
trailers and limited programming will be offered. The new structure probably would overlay the
current facility’s footprint.
Staff had suggested combining recreation and library facilities for Council consideration
at Monday’s work session.
Discussion ensued and it was recommended that a smaller center be designed that
allows for future expansion and library decisions be delayed. Concern was expressed regarding
designing a new recreation center when current facilities may have to close.
Seven people spoke in support of the recreation center, with some expressing concern
to increased traffic if library was added.
A spreadsheet was distributed that estimated next year’s budget deficits will exceed $9.2
million. Concern was expressed that legislation may further exacerbate deficits.
Councilmember Doran moved to continue Item 9.1 to a date uncertain. The motion was
duly seconded.
Staff was directed to evaluate and report what can be done with the current facility.
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Upon the vote being taken, Councilmembers Doran, Petersen, and Gibson and Mayor
Hibbard voted “Aye”; Councilmember Cretekos voted “Nay.” Motion carried.
9.2 Approve Tampa Bay Partnership Memorandum of Understanding.
The Tampa Bay Partnership (TBP) and the Economic Development Organizations
(EDOs) in the seven-county Tampa Bay region have recognized the strength and successes of
regional collaboration and cooperation and have become partners in the process of shaping
Tampa Bay's economy and ultimately, our quality of life.
It is the intent of this document to reflect a new environment for regional economic
development in the Tampa Bay region. The Tampa Bay Partnership and its economic
development partners understand the need for a regional business development program that
identifies, coordinates, and pursues significant opportunities to enhance and grow key sectors
through business attraction/expansion and policy/infrastructure/resource development.
This memorandum identifies the scope of the partnership between the TBP and the
EDOs. This document is neither all-inclusive nor legally binding, rather a document offering
guidelines for the process of developing and sustaining mutually understood roles and
responsibilities for the TBP and individual EDOs as a new way of doing regional economic
development is created.
The City has participated at the $50,000 Council of Governors Level since TBPs
inception. This cost currently is budgeted in the Economic Development and Housing
Department's budget.
Economic Development & Housing Director Geri Campos Lopez said investment levels
are $50,000 and $10,000. Economic Development Partners at the $50,000 level have key
leadership roles on the following decision-making boards not available at the lower level:
Council of Governors/Economic Development Advisor, Policy Board/Board of Directors, Public
Policy/Advocacy Council Member and Economic Development Partners Council.
Councilmember Doran moved to approve the Tampa Bay Partnership Memorandum Of
Understanding. The motion was duly seconded. Councilmembers Doran, Petersen and
Cretekos and Mayor Hibbard voted “Aye”; Councilmember Gibson voted “Nay.” Motion carried.
9.3 Appoint one member to the Community Development Board with the term expiring on
February 28, 2012.
Councilmember Doran moved to appoint Richard Adelson. The motion was duly
seconded and carried unanimously.
9.4 Appoint one member to the Municipal Code Enforcement Board with the term expiring on
February 28, 2011.
Consensus was to continue Item 9.4 to February 21, 2008.
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Miscellaneous Reports and Items
10 - City Manager Verbal Reports
10.1 Take Home Vehicle Report
In response to questions, Police Chief Sid Klein reviewed how an hour of daily patrol
duty is lost when police officers without Take Home Vehicles transition in/out of assigned
vehicles. Emergency responses and equipment vary according to officer’s expertise. Fire Chief
Jamie Geer expressed concern regarding reducing policy boundaries.
Discussion ensued regarding Police Department Take Home Vehicles, efficiencies and
competitive issues. A compromise position and parity with Sheriff charges were supported. It
was clarified commuting costs were the issue and there be no charge when responding to
emergency situations.
One person supported policy that required city reimbursement rate at twenty-nine cents
per mile. One person opposed changing current Police Department policy.
Councilmember Doran moved to adopt a policy that Police Department personnel
assigned THVs pay $0.29/mile for their daily commute, less the first 15 miles each way, from
police department headquarters at 645 Pierce Boulevard to home. The motion was duly
seconded and carried unanimously.
Consensus was for these policy changes also to apply to the Fire Department.
11 - Other Council Action
Councilmembers reported on events in which they recently participated and reviewed
upcoming events; congratulated this year’s Mrs. Clearwater, Holly Duncan.
Councilmember Gibson discussed a forecast of increasingly large deficits that will result
from dropping property values.
Councilmember Doran recommended staff report on red light camera ordinances
enacted elsewhere in Florida.
Consensus was for the City Attorney to report on operations in other jurisdictions,
success rates, associated costs, and appropriate intersections in the City.
Councilmember Cretekos requested that a panhandling ordinance be developed for
tourist areas.
Consensus was for the City Attorney to issue a memorandum regarding constraints on a
panhandling ordinance and areas that could be targeted.
Mayor Hibbard reported the Mayors’ Council had discussed the dock ordinance; no other
municipality reported issues similar to Mandalay Channel. He requested citizens remove
remaining election signage.
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Councilmember Petersen encouraged participation at Pinellas Hope Village.
12. Adjourn
The meeting adjourned at 9: 17 p.m.
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CI Clerk
Council 2008-02-07
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City of Clearwater
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