10/12/1998
CITY COMMISSION WORK SESSION
CITY OF CLEARWATER
October 12, 1998
Present: Rita Garvey Mayor/Commissioner
Ed Hooper Vice-Mayor/Commissioner
J. B. Johnson Commissioner
Robert Clark Commissioner
Karen Seel Commissioner
Also Present: Michael J. Roberto City Manager
Richard L. Hedrick Deputy City Manager
Bob Keller Assistant City Manager
Pamela K. Akin City Attorney
Cynthia E. Goudeau City Clerk
Gwen Legters Board Reporter
The Mayor called the meeting to order at 1:00 p.m. at City Hall.
To provide continuity for research, items are in agenda order although not
necessarily discussed in that order.
Service Awards
Three service awards were presented to City employees.
The Council recessed from 1:02 to 1:23 p.m. to meet as the Community
Redevelopment Agency and Pension Trustees.
PUR PURCHASING
Startec Unlimited, Inc., computer programming services associated with installation of
CISGAS
Customer Information Services () system, est. $200,000 ()
one Xerox Regal DocuColor 5799 Digital Color Copier
Xerox Corp., , $61,000; funding to be
PCM
provided under City’s Master Lease-Purchase Agreement ()
Regarding computer programming services, Purchasing Manager George McKibben
said $257,500 was budgeted. Regarding the color copier, Mr. McKibben said while the City
has a small one, a larger color copier will permit larger, more professional jobs. It was
requested that staff not use color for routine duplicating.
FN FINANCE
Ord. #6311-98
First Reading - providing for refunding of outstanding Water and Sewer
Revenue Bonds, Series 1988
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The Water and Sewer Revenue Bonds, Series 1988 (interest rates from 6.5% to
7.75%) will be eligible for refunding on December 1, 1998. Market conditions are very
favorable with municipal bond rates significantly lower than rates on the 1988 bonds (4% to
5.5%.) It is expected the City will realize a net present value savings of approximately $10
million on this refunding. It is expected the annual debt service costs will be reduced by
approximately $800,000. Due to the complexity of this refunding, staff was uncertain as to the
amount of savings to be realized; therefore, this data was not used when setting the current
water and sewer rates. The savings generated from this refunding will be considered when
reviewing the City’s future water and sewer. It is anticipated these savings will be used to fund
capital projects that were originally anticipated to require a future bond issue.
The initial refunding idea was presented to the City by the firm of William R. Hough and
Co., which has worked extensively with the City’s Bond Counsel and Financial Advisor to
resolve tax issues that could have deprived the City of millions of dollars of the economic
benefit of refunding. No other underwriting firm had brought forward ideas on this issue.
Based upon their work, William R. Hough has been selected as the senior managing
underwriter for this proposed refunding. A RFP (Request for Proposals) was issued to select a
team of co-managing underwriters to optimize distribution capabilities of the underwriting team
to obtain the lowest possible interest rates. A sale resolution will be brought forward for
Commission adoption at the same time as the second reading of this ordinance detailing
specifics of the sale.
Finance Director Margie Simmons stated net value savings include costs incurred for
an underwriter, financial advisor, etc. Bonds will mature in 2016 and will not be extended.
Rates cannot be locked until bonds go to market. Staff will review numbers to ensure that
savings are reasonable. Restrictions on competition will not change if the City purchases
County water as the City will retain its water distribution system. The City Attorney will
investigate if the City must first redeem the bonds if it divests itself of its water system. Ms.
Simmons will report on the value of outstanding bonds, approximate interest, and refinancing
costs. She projected an annual savings of approximately $800,000 in principle and interest.
The gross refunding will total $49 million.
MR MARINE
Clearwater Ferry Service, Inc.
Eighth Amendment to License and Agreement - , to extend for
one term of 5 years, 9/1/99-8/31/2004; allows Operator to sublease to SunCruz Casino, Ltd.
For period of 2 years from amendment’s date
On August 2, 1989, the City entered into a license and agreement with Clearwater
Ferry Service, Inc., to operate a commercial ferry service in Clearwater Harbor from the Drew
Street dock, with a provision to extend for one further period of five years prior to expiration of
the initial term of ten years. Clearwater Ferry Service, Inc. agrees to pay the current
commercial party boat slip rate established at Clearwater Municipal Marina starting September
1, 1999. Clearwater Ferry Service, Inc. also agrees to pay the City $500 per week for consent
to sublease to SunCruz Casino, Ltd. Sublease is for two years only, the scheduled time period
for dredging Clearwater Bay Marina. The amendment includes a 30-day cancellation clause.
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Interim Harbormaster Mike Hancock said Clearwater Ferry Service will pay $500 per
week for dock use, beginning when the two-year dredging project affects the area used by
SunCruz. Concern was expressed regarding legalities associated with docking a gambling
boat at a City facility. It was requested that staff obtain written assurance that SunCruz will not
add a second boat. A dock extension, built at Ferry Service expense, will accommodate
SunCruz.
PD POLICE
Accept one year grant for Fiscal Year 1998-99, from U.S. Dept. of Transportation National
demonstration program
Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), to reduce incidence
Consent
of illegal passing of School Buses, $40,000 ()
Clearwater is one of several communities nationwide to be awarded funding under
NHTSA‘s (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) demonstration program to reduce
the incidence of passing school buses illegally. Clearwater’s project will combine an
aggressive enforcement campaign in conjunction with a public information and education
campaign. The project will be administered by the department’s traffic enforcement sergeant
who has had extensive experience in developing and administering traffic safety programs for
the Clearwater Police Department. The department will use NHTSA grant funds to support
deployment of officer on overtime to work with the police department’s traffic officers during
school transportation hours. Since the incidence of school bus passing is extremely random,
these officers will, between routes, be looking for speeding violations in posted school zones.
The department will coordinate and fund overtime necessary for Clearwater police
officers to participate in quarterly multi-agency, countywide enforcement blitzes. Using
information provided by school bus drivers identifying areas with frequent violations, the police
department will designate targeted locations for enhanced enforcement. Officers will be
assigned to ride buses as spotters for chase cars on routes with high violation rates. All these
operations will be highly publicized to encourage voluntary public compliance. The department
will strengthen its line of communication with the school district by meeting with bus drivers to
encourage them to report passing incidents. Those drivers who report the most passes will be
recognized with certificates and other awards. No additional positions are budgeted in this
grant. All costs will be for police officer overtime, supplies, and contractual services. Federal
funding for the grant is $40,000. The City’s match of $10,000 will be provided by a first quarter
budget amendment.
Staff will report on related fines. Deputy Police Chief Bill Baird said police cannot issue
citations based on citizen reports. It was recommended that education be a critical part of the
campaign
PR PARKS AND RECREATION
Confirm co-sponsorship, waiver of insurance requirements for specified events and waiver of
special events
City fees for including: Folk Arts Festival, Fun & Sun Festival, 4th of July
Celebration, Jazz Holiday, Holiday Parade, Turkey Trot, North Greenwood Street Festival,
Martin Luther King Parade, Saturday in the City, Memorial Day Event, Clearwater Pass Bridge
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Run and Military Appreciation Day, est. $228,351 ($84,720 cash contributions & $143,631 in-
Consent
kind contributions); authorize event organizers to approve vendors ()
In accordance with City Commission policy requiring annual review of waived fees and
charges for City-sponsored and co-sponsored events, total cash and in-kind contributions for
above listed events are reported in the City’s FY (Fiscal Year) 1998/99 Operating budget. In-
kind contributions are included in the operating budget under various departments. Waiver of
the insurance requirement is requested for North Greenwood Street Festival, Martin Luther
King Parade, and Saturday in the City.
Parks and Recreation Director Art Kader will report on funds listed under
miscellaneous. Saturday in the City requires in-kind funding; the CRA (Community
Redevelopment Agency) contributes cash.
PW PUBLIC WORKS
purchase agreement for r-o-w with Ellis & Company, Ltd., and Stanley G. Gibson,
Approve
Jr.
, R. H. Padgett’s Resubdivision of Original Lots 2 & 5, Blk 5, North 20’ of Lots 21 & 22,
Consent
$14,000 plus est. closing costs of $825, for total not to exceed $14,825 ()
The City plans to improve a portion of the 1100 block of Gould Street as a three-lane
urban roadway, with two through lanes and a continuous center turn lane. The project requires
the northerly 20 feet of the subject lots as additional right-of-way. The environmental site
assessment performed by Dames and Moore on August 7, 1998, concluded that historical
review and current property uses within the area provided no environmental concerns. The
report concluded no further investigations are recommended. Purchase price for the 2,000-
square-foot parcel is $7 per square-foot, the 1997 market valuation determined through
appraisal techniques performed by the Pinellas County Property Appraiser.
Public Works Administrator Rich Baier will investigate if this parcel is the final piece
needed for Gould Street improvements. It was commented that this property was more
expensive than previous parcels.
Hercules Avenue Storm Line Replacement
Contract for to Steve’s Excavating & Paving, Inc.,
Consent
$151,006.57 ()
The purpose of this project is to replace the existing 21-inch corrugated metal pipe with
approximately 1,300 linear feet of reinforced concrete pipe in varying sizes from 15 to 30
inches in diameter. The old storm pipes were the original storm pipes installed when the Fair
Oaks subdivision was built in 1958. The old pipe system has deteriorated in several locations,
requiring temporary repairs by staff. This project will start about November 2, 1998, and
completion is expected within 75 calendar days.
Mr. Baier will report on the location of repairs to this pipe system.
Cooperative Agreement with Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWFWMD)
which provides funding of project costs up to $812,500 for expansion of reclaimed water
systems to serve North Beach Area and to design & construct pumping & storage facilities at
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Cooperative Funding Agreement with SWFWMD
NE AWT Facility; for update of Reclaimed
Water System Master Plan which provides reimbursement of up to $48,400 to the City
Consent
()
The update of the City’s Reclaimed Water Master Plan identified the expansion of
reclaimed water to serve the north end of Clearwater beach, and development of pumping and
storage facilities at the Northeast Advanced Wastewater Treatment Plant as the first and
second priority projects to expand reclaimed water use. The Cooperative Funding agreement
for the Master Plan reimburses the City $43,400 for the update. Work on the Master Plan will
be completed by the end of November. Total cost of the Master Plan update is $96,800. The
Cooperative Funding Agreement for the North Beach/Northeast Pumping and Storage facilities
provides $812,500 toward the design and construction of these facilities. The estimated total
cost of the north beach expansion is $2.5 million with the Water Management District’s share
being $350,000. The Northeast Pumping and Storage facilities have an estimated total cost of
$3,315,000. The Water Management District’s portion in the subject contract is $462,500.
The Water Management District is also planning to fund an additional $694,400 in the FY 1999
budget to offset total project costs. Construction of the subject projects must begin on or
before May 1999. The work order for the design, construction, engineering, and inspection
services for the referenced projects is included in a separate agenda item.
Mr. Baier stated this agreement would enable the City to receive $2.5 million from
SWFWMD (Southwest Florida Water Management District) during FY 1998/99. Public Utilities
Director Kevin Becotte said the City is considering a reduction in reclaimed water rates from
$18/month to a $14.70/month availability charge. While only about 30% beach residents
signed on for reclaimed water, Mr. Baier said participation may not remain voluntary due to
DEP (Department of Environmental Protection) pressure and City desires to improve
aesthetics.
Mr. Becotte said storing reclaimed water at the Northeast Plant will allow the City to sell
3 mgd (million gallons per day) to Pinellas County, and supply large users that lack access to
private wells, such as golf courses. Proceeds from reclaimed water sales will cover the City’s
prorated share of production costs. Staff anticipates Harbor Oaks and Old Clearwater Bay will
be the next neighborhoods to receive reclaimed water. Mr. Baier said smaller storage facilities
are not cost effective. SWFWMD does not cover distribution costs.
PLD PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT SERVICES
Variance(s) to Sign Regulations for property located at 1454 Belleair Rd., Sec. 23-29-25, M&B
Central Church of Christ of Clearwater, Inc.
33.02 (, SV98-12)
The applicant is requesting variances that would allow an existing freestanding sign to
remain on the church property, subject to conditions: 1) no additional freestanding signs shall
be permitted on this property and 2) installation of the agreed landscape plan. This sign
identifies the church name, services, and displays public messages of a spiritual nature.
Approximately one-third of the sign area is devoted to these messages. Strict enforcement of
the sign code would impose a hardship on the applicant that would outweigh any derivative
public benefit. Variance approval with conditions will enhance, rather than detract from City
appearance.
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Discussion ensued with comments that the variances were not justified and required
landscaping would soften the sign’s appearance. The sign was legal prior to adoption of
current code; granting the variances would make the sign legal again, although non-
conforming. This item was brought forward in response to a Community Response Team
notice of violation.
AgreementTown of Belleair
Interlocal to provide construction inspection services to the ,
Consent
10/1/98-9/30/99 ()
The City of Clearwater Planning and Development Services Department will enter into
an agreement to provide construction inspection services to the Town of Belleair. Provisions
for Belleair to pay for these services are outlined in the agreement. Term of the agreement is
October 1, 1998 through September 30, 1999, renewable each year with approval from
Belleair and the City of Clearwater. The City could expect revenue of approximately $42,000
per year, based on information provided by Belleair of 140 inspections per month at $25 each.
The Town of Belleair has already approved the Interlocal Agreement.
Planning and Development Services Director Lorenzo Aghemo stated the agreement
will not require extra personnel. Concern was expressed the fee would not cover City costs.
Staff will submit an estimate of actual costs. Concerns were expressed regarding increases to
staff work loads and consequences to the City for possible inspection errors. Mr. Aghemo said
Clearwater has helped Belleair for some time. Additional information was requested.
Community Redevelopment CodeConsent
Receipt/Referral - ()
The City’s consultant, Siemon, Larsen & Marsh has completed the draft of the City’s
new Community Redevelopment Code, the replacement for the existing Land Development
Code. The new code was reviewed by many citizen groups and professional organizations,
including local engineering, architectural and realtor associations. Comments and suggestions
have been incorporated into the draft. The new code is ready to go through the public hearing
process, which will require formal public hearing review and recommendation by the City’s
Planning and Zoning Board.
Consensus was to schedule this item for further Work Session discussion prior to first
reading.
CA LEGAL DEPARTMENT
First Reading Ordinances
Ord. #6344-98
- Relating to Standards of Conduct; amending Sec. 2.304 to add new
subsection (2) relating to accepting or soliciting donations on behalf of the City
The City Attorney reported Clearwater is the host city for the upcoming Transforming
Local Government conference and needs to solicit contributions for sponsorships. This cannot
be done under current code. The ordinance would allow solicitation of contributions for public
purposes, with City Manager approval. It was not known how previous donations were sought
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for Military Appreciation Day and Parks and Recreation events. Concern was expressed that
all donations be tracked.
OTHER CITY ATTORNEY ITEMS
Request for attorney/client session re Glover, et al. v. City
An attorney/client session regarding Glover, et al. vs. the City was scheduled for
November 2, 1998, 9:00 a.m.
City Manager Verbal Reports
The City Manager reported: 1) Planning Director Ralph Stone started today; 2)
Harbormaster Bill Morris starts December 1; 3) John Szabo is new Assistant Library Director.
Other Commission Action
Commissioner Clark congratulated Matt Tiernan and former Harbormaster Bill Held for
successful “Make A Difference” fishing tournament last weekend.
Commissioner Hooper said the fishing tournament was spectacular and encouraged
special recognition for event coordinators and volunteers; requested air dates for C-View
program, Capital Connection; referenced letter praising Nursery Superintendent Mark Roether
for stopping to change a citizen’s flat tire; appreciated Mayor’s letter acknowledging trash and
recyclables picked up during downtown and coastal cleanup event. It was felt holding the
event more often would be less effective and receive less publicity.
Mayor Garvey expressed concern regarding ugly plastic pipes at Court and Lincoln
streets.
Commissioner Johnson requested information on volunteer enforcement of
unauthorized parking in handicapped spaces and fire lanes. Staff will report.
Commissioner Seel attended Main Street training at Fort Pierce; reported on Lake
Placid’s mural program; congratulated fishing tournament; attended Gas System picnic;
encouraged residents to visit new children’s museum at Dunedin Fine Arts Center; and
questioned status of beach façade grant program. City Manager reported process is
underway. Staff will investigate reports of twisted light and sign poles on Highland Avenue.
Adjourn
The Work Session adjourned at 3:20 p.m.
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