03/02/2005
CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL WORK SESSION MINUTES
CITY OF CLEARWATER
March 2, 2005
Present: Frank Hibbard Mayor
William C. Jonson Vice-Mayor
Hoyt P. Hamilton Councilmember
Carlen Petersen Councilmember
John Doran Councilmember
Also present: William B. Horne II City Manager
Garry Brumback Assistant City Manager
Pamela K. Akin City Attorney
Cynthia E. Goudeau City Clerk
Patricia O. Sullivan Board Reporter
The Mayor called the Special Work Session to order at 1:00 p.m. at the Main Library.
To provide continuity for research, items are in agenda order although not
necessarily discussed in that order.
1 – Introductions/Goals for Afternoon
Dr. James Moore, National Director of Community Planning & Urban Design for HDR
Engineering, Inc. introduced himself as facilitator.
2 – Overview Presentations/Purpose & Goals of Visioning/Considerations for City
Dr. Moore recommended and reviewed visioning processes.
3 – Revisit 2001 Vision
Dr. Moore said the Vision is a process, not a snapshot. The 2001 vision statement and
goals included vague language. A balance of residential/non-residential components and
growth/non-growth support is necessary.
4 – Review Current Conditions/SWOT Analysis
Dr. Moore said the City needs to: 1) consider transition areas; 2) determine its current/
future roles in the community; 3) consider locations for high paying jobs/ways to attract
productive dollars; 4) attract/retain young workforce, as business follows talent; 5) increase
educational opportunities downtown; and 6) develop great public spaces where people can
spend time.
The City Council and staff provided input regarding City strengths, weaknesses,
opportunities, and threats.
5 – Recraft the Vision
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Dr. Moore said the Vision should outline City priorities, articulate community standards,
and acknowledge that community participation is fundamental. The effect of demographics, the
economy, and technology should be considered.
6 – Preliminary Strategies for the Next 5/10/15/20 Years
Dr. Moore said many are frustrated with wide, unattractive roads and overwhelming
signage. Pinellas County is dense, but not urban. With limited open space, Clearwater must
urbanize its structure and organization with factors critical to urbanism: 1) Mix – variety of
appropriate uses; 2) Mass – sufficient amounts of each use; and 3) Mesh – physically and
functionally integrated. Fundamental elements include: 1) Economic; 2) Social; 3) Physical; and
4) Natural. The goal is for growth to be predictable.
7 – Assignments for Next Workshop
The next workshop was scheduled at the Main Library for March 18, 2005, at 8:30 a.m.
8 - Adjournment
The meeting adjourned at 5:10 p.m.
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