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08/18/2003 CITY COMMISSION WORK SESSION CITY OF CLEARWATER August 18, 2003 Present: Brian J. Aungst Mayor/Commissioner Hoyt P. Hamilton Vice-Mayor/Commissioner Whitney Gray Commissioner William C. Jonson Commissioner Frank Hibbard Commissioner Also present: William B. Horne II City Manager Garry Brumback Assistant City Manager Ralph Stone Assistant City Manager Pamela K. Akin City Attorney Cynthia E. Goudeau City Clerk Patricia O. Sullivan Board Reporter The Mayor called the meeting to order at 9:00 a.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 August 2003 Employee of the Month award was presented to Timothy Kurtz of Public Works/Engineering. Certificates for Supervisory Training were presented to Cathy Borden, Russ Carter, John Feit, Chris Hall, Al Hinson, Roger Hooey, Lynn Priester, Mike Pryor, and Mark Tranter. The Commission recessed from 9:10 to 10:29 a.m. to meet as the CRA (Community Redevelopment Agency) and Pension Trustees. PUR PURCHASING Approval of Purchases per Purchasing Memorandum: 1) Pinellas County Solid Waste Management Department, St. Petersburg, Florida – Waste disposal service during the contract period 9/1/03 through 8/31/05 in the amount of $383,000. (PW) 2) Gallagher Bassett Services, Itasca, Illinois – Claims paid by the City’s third party administrator to claimants and their medical providers during the period 10/1/03 through 9/30/04 in the amount of $550,000. (FN) Commission Work Session 2003-08-18 1 Public Works Administrator Mahshid Arasteh said the waste disposal service covers Public Works construction debris. Public Services Assistant Director Ray Boler reviewed items that are accepted into a Class II dump, including metal shavings, street sweepings, etc. ES EQUITY SERVICES Communities for a Lifetime (Elder Ready Equity Services Intern Maya Burke reviewed the Communities for a Lifetime program, a Statewide initiative that encourages conscious decisions regarding crucial civic improvements that benefit diverse constituencies. The program values personal dignity, compassion, and respect, provides information, choices, and opportunities, and recommends offering appropriate services so the elderly can age and live independently in their own homes. The program values individual purpose, active community participation, security, safety inside/outside home, financial security, healthcare, crime/victimization prevention, disaster preparedness, lifelong learning, educational/training opportunities, self-enrichment, career advancement, and sustainability, meets present needs without compromising the resources needed for future generations, encourages intergenerational connections and mentor-style relationships between people of all ages, and fosters social stability Ms Burke reported 22.6% of Florida’s residents are elders. Florida has the highest migration of elders with more than half a million snowbirds and 50,000 new resident retirees. In Clearwater, elders’ income helps cushion the local community during economic hardship. Elders have more than $40-billion in purchasing power, $80-billion in total economic activity, generate 1.3-million jobs, pay $1.4-billion in property taxes, more than $1.5-billion in sales taxes, and $1-billion in school taxes, provide 366 million volunteer hours per year, and support cultural institutions. Communities that cater to citizens of every age are more complete, content, and sustainable. The Well Elder Report Card is a community profile that identifies housing costs, utility costs, health care, crime, economy, environment, parking, public transportation, pedestrian accessibility, recreation, land use, shelters, businesses, and government. The Frail Elder Report Card identifies housing options, support groups, medical services, legal services, and emergency systems. Recommendations include offering senior programs in the community, libraries, recreation centers, and community centers. Also recommended is hiring a senior services coordinator and senior advisory committee. A private senior day care program is encouraged. Ms. Burke recommended the City conduct a survey in Countryside to poll transportation needs, including access/shops access and independence for non-drivers. She encouraged mixed-uses and recommended a recreation survey determine activities of interest. The City is encouraged to review emergency shelter capacity, attract geriatric medical specialists, sponsor recreational programs such as card games and weekday afternoon concert series, provide courtesy senior parking and educational programs covering health and lifestyle issues, work with PSTA (Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority) to make public transportation elder-friendly, and establish a City-sponsored gatekeeper program. Commission Work Session 2003-08-18 2 Ms. Burke said the next steps are for the City to accept the Report Card findings, send the City’s assessment to Florida’s Department of Elderly Affairs, develop a Community Action Plan/Timeline, and implement a long-term action plan. Discussion ensued with support expressed for the shelter evacuation center element. The report, presentation, and committee work were complimented. It was felt adopting proposed criteria would result in a better community. Recommendations were made for staff to work with private companies to help meet senior needs, to weave senior priorities into the City’s State and Federal legislative agendas, to recognize senior transportation needs, and for C-View to disseminate related information. Ms. Burke said the master plan recommends locating senior centers throughout the community to be close to seniors and decrease transportation challenges. Medical schools, such as USF (University of South Florida), are recruiting geriatric specialists to meet shortages. Equity Services Director Eleanor Breland said the plan has no deadlines. The City Manager will review recommendations and assign them to staff with a time line for completion. Ms. Breland said regional issues are not yet addressed. Not all recommendations are practical. The City Manager said staff first will focus on simpler issues. Recommendations with resource implications will be presented to the City Commission. Consensus was for conceptual acceptance of the Elder Ready program. MR MARINE /AVIATION Airpark Master Plan Marine & Aviation Director Bill Morris reviewed the Airpark Master Plan and reported on competing interests for the property. Potential revenues for the Airpark are estimated at $1.268-million. The Southwest, Northwest, and North Triangle areas cannot now be used by the Airpark, resulting in $932,850 in unrealized profits. The Airpark has revenues of $445,000: 1) $135,000 - South Triangle and 2) $200,000 - Main Airpark. With $247,000 in expenditures, the Airpark currently has a 26% profit of $88,000. Mr. Morris reported 43% of Airpark tenants are Clearwater residents. The value and long history of the Airpark were reviewed. Concern was expressed that nearby residents not be burdened with increased noise. Mr. Morris was complimented for his efforts. Mr. Morris said enclosed hangars would have generated more revenue than the driving range southwest of the Airpark. Tie-downs cannot be enclosed. FDOT funds small airports to keep small planes away from general aviation airports. If necessary, Mr. Morris could provide a time-line for closing the airpark. He reported 800-feet of runway was not constructed so that the Airpark would not attract jets. The City Manager said if jet planes become a problem, City Commission direction would be requested. Pilot actions affect noise levels. Mr. Morris said there is no real way to enforce noise control. PR PARKS AND RECREATION Long Center. Commission Work Session 2003-08-18 3 PCCI (Pinellas Community Center, Inc.) currently leases property from the City at 1501 North Belcher Road for the purpose of operating a public recreational and educational facility. The lease is scheduled to expire April 18, 2016. The lease will terminate upon execution of this Agreement. A variety of economic changes have impacted various non-profit groups and their ability to sustain the high quality facilities and programs that they have traditionally offered. Groups throughout the City, including the Long Center, have had to deal with these impacts. In an effort to continue to operate and offer the quality programs and activities held at the Long Center and be able to continue to expand and meet with the vision and goals for the Long Center, PCCI contacted the City to see if additional partnerships or business practices could be forged for the management and maintenance of the Long Center that would benefit all. Staff analysis looked at efficiencies that could be created by "merging" operations together. Efficiencies include: 1) Reduce administrative staff; 2) Provide Citywide maintenance to handle day-to-day and annual maintenance and infrastructure items; 3) Upgrade athletic field maintenance; 4) Reduce foundation funding from $250,000 to $200,000; 5) Reduce City subsidy from $337,340 to $187,340; and 6) Commence construction of Penny for Pinellas CIP project by October 1, 2004. Project to be determined by sole discretion of City. Parks & Recreation Director Kevin Dunbar said if the City of Safety Harbor opts out of the Long Center, the loss of the $50,000 annual contribution would be offset by ceasing to offer Safety Harbor programming. Safety Harbor wants to terminate its agreement with the Long Center whether or not the City takes over operations. The City will be able to reduce the number of days the Long Center is closed to the public. Mr. Dunbar envisioned adding events and activities that will boost City economics. The City’s relationship with Clearwater For Youth is strengthening and the City supports the organization continuing its youth programming operations at the center. The City Attorney said the agreement is a good deal for the City, with approval subject to delivery of clear title. Mr. Dunbar reviewed efficiencies possible with City operation of the facility. Fred Fisher supports the agreement. The foundation commitment is part of the agreement. The City Attorney said if the foundation is disbanded, the City’s obligation also ends. If the land were vacant, Mr. Dunbar said he would recommend constructing a community center there. It would be difficult to redevelop the property as UPARC (Upper Pinellas Association for Retarded Citizens) uses half the facility. Staff will identify areas under UPARC control. The subject agreement covers the entire facility. UPARC has a user agreement with the facility. The Long Center has a strong relationship with the CVB (Convention & Visitors Bureau) to attract events. The agreement commits the City to retain some names. Discussion ensued with comments that many non-profits also have run into financial problems and increased center activity will benefit City economic development. The need to invest money in the facility was stated. Mr. Fisher’s continued efforts to expand the foundation were applauded. PLD PLANNING Public Hearing and First Reading Ordinance Nos7158-03 and 7159-03 . – Land Use Plan Amendment from Commercial General (CG) to Residential Urban (RU) and a Zoning Atlas Amendment from the C, Commercial District to Low Medium Density Residential (LMDR) for Commission Work Session 2003-08-18 4 property located at 1120 Woodlawn Street (Lots 1 through 12, inclusive, Blk B and Lots 21, 22, 23 and 24, Blk A, and the West ½ of vacated Tioga Avenue, lying east of Lots 21, 22, 23 and (Largo Housing Dev Corp & Tampa Bay 24, Blk A, Harvey Park Sub, Sec. 22-29-15) Community Dev Corp) . LUZ2003-05003 This site is on the north side of Woodlawn Street, approximately 250 feet east of Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue. The application involves two vacant parcels of land, approximately 0.98-acre in area. Both parcels have a Future Land Use Plan designation of Commercial General (CG) and a zoning classification of C, Commercial. The applicant is requesting to amend the Future Land Use Plan designation of these parcels to the Residential Urban (RU) category and to rezone them to the LMDR, Low Medium Density Residential District to develop this site, along with two residentially designated parcels to the north, with single-family dwellings for low-income residents. The Planning Department determined the proposed Land Use Plan amendment and rezoning applications are consistent with standards specified in the Community Development Code: 1) proposed Land Use Plan amendment and rezoning applications are consistent with the Comprehensive Plan; 2) the potential range of uses and the current use are compatible with the surrounding area; 3) sufficient public facilities are available to serve the property; and 4) the applications will not have an adverse impact on the natural environment. Long Term Planning Manger Gina Clayton said a small right-of-way between the parcels probably will limit circulation to one-way traffic. PW PUBLIC WORKS cooperative Approve amendment to Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) funding agreement No WAP050 in the amount of $2,000,000 to share the cost in Lake Bellevue Stormwater Improvement project implementation of the . The Commission approved the Cooperative funding agreement with FDEP (Florida Department of Environmental Protection) for implementation of Stevenson Creek water quality improvement projects in June 2001. The original agreement was based on a cost share: 1) City - 50% - $1.5-million and 2) FDEP - 50% - $1.5-million. The amendment will add $2-million to the agreement resulting in the revised cost share: 1) City - 50% - $2.5-million and 2) FDEP - 50% - $2.5-million. Commission approval of this amendment is necessary to secure State funds for the Lake Bellevue Stormwater Improvements project. The project will provide water quality and flood protection benefits. Specific costs and details will come to the Commission for approval. Resolution 02-51 was passed on November 21, 2002; establishing the City’s intent to reimburse certain project costs incurred with future tax-exempt financing. The projects identified with 2004 revenue bonds as a funding source were included in the project list associated with Resolution 02-51. Assistant Engineering Director Al Carrier said staff is reviewing projects and plans to delay the Tropic Hills outfall upgrades to coordinate it with FDOT’s US 19 project. The City Commission Work Session 2003-08-18 5 has exhausted all efforts to use Progress Energy’s right-of-way for retention needs. The Sharkey Road project is complete. Approve the McKim & Creed Work Order for Engineering Services for the Northeast Filter and Marshall Street Blower Motor Control Centers (MCC) Rehabilitation in the amount of $118,300. The City of Clearwater has identified the need to rehabilitate existing treatment process systems and components to provide improved operational performance and reduced maintenance at both the Northeast and the Marshall Street Advanced Wastewater Treatment Plants (AWTP). The improvements at the Northeast AWTP include rehabilitation of the effluent filter systems and the replacement of the motor controls for the Primary Sludge Pump Station. The rehabilitation at Marshall Street AWTP includes the complete replacement of aged MCC, motor starters, and sequence control systems for the process aeration system blowers and blower motors. The effluent filters and primary pumping station MCC at the Northeast plant have been in operation for as long as 20 years. The condition of filter components and control systems has deteriorated over time due to the harsh conditions of high moisture and effects of chemicals. With the recent construction and start-up of the chlorine contact chamber at Northeast, the source of chemical corrosion has been greatly reduced. This project will replace and rehabilitate significant components of the filter system that have been affected by long-term use and corrosion. The total anticipated cost of construction and rehabilitation is $974,650, including engineering costs. The condition of the primary pump station also has deteriorated due to corrosive conditions over the past 20 years. The primary MCC estimated replacement cost is $50,000. The blower system and its associated electrical power and controls systems are the cornerstone components of the biological treatment process at the Marshall Street AWTP. The MCC is aged and has experienced corrosion due to exposure to moisture. The power systems experience frequent power outages when corrosion becomes as significant as currently exists within the existing MCC, resulting in frequent maintenance and inefficient treatment control. The anticipated cost of replacement of the MCC and related systems is $845,000. Resolution 02-23 was passed on November 21, 2002, establishing the City’s intent to reimburse certain project costs incurred with future tax-exempt financing. The projects identified with 2004 revenue bonds as a funding source were included in the project list associated with Resolution 02-23. Public Utilities Director Andy Neff said this need was not anticipated when the rate study was completed. ORLS OFFICIAL RECORDS/LEGISLATIVE SERVICES Review Commission Policies. City Clerk Cyndie Goudeau reviewed Commission Policy changes, including updates to the special event fee policy, travel policy, locations of public and press information, and deletion of the policy requiring a 40-foot easement on US 19, which no longer is needed. Commission Work Session 2003-08-18 6 Consensus was also to amend language on page 17, Item F. Commission Travel, from “justifying” that year’s travel, to “detailing.” Finance Director Margie Simmons said requiring the City to maintain a AAA bond rating would tie staff’s hands. Adjourn The meeting adjourned at 12:18 p.m. Commission Work Session 2003-08-18 7