08/26/2003 - not approved
COMMUNITY RELATIONS BOARD
CITY OF CLEARWATER
August 26, 2003
Present: Melissa Horwitz Board Member
Pat Harney Board Member
E.J. Robinson Board Member
Capt. Anthony Holloway Non-voting Member
1 Vacant Seat
Absent: Johnny Long Chair
Also Present: Eleanor Breland Equity Services Director
Kathy Baird Senior Staff Assistant
Diane FitzGerald Public Information Coordinator
Janis Smith Neighborhood Services Manager
Margaret Eilerson League of Women Voters
Kenneth Cissna University of South Florida (via telephone)
Roy Kaplan National Conference for Community and
Justice
To provide continuity for research, items are listed in agenda order although not
necessarily discussed in that order.
ITEM 1 – Call to Order
The meeting was called to order at 5:45 P.M. by Pat Harney.
ITEM 2 – Roll Call and Approval of Minutes from 8-6-03 Meeting
Member Harney moved to approve the minutes of the August 6, 2003 meeting. Member Horwitz
seconded the Motion, which carried unanimously.
ITEM 3 – Introduction of Guests
The members and guests introduced themselves.
ITEM 4 – Planning for Implementation of Study Circle Program
Eleanor Breland confirmed that the location of the October study circle meetings would be
Clearwater High School, which is a more centralized and easily recognizable location.
Regarding the facilitator questions, after discussion it was decided that the conversation should
stay focused on the downtown vision. Subjects that might distract from the vision should be
discussed as they may arise, but not introduced by the facilitators. Dr. Kaplan and Professor
Cissna will work with facilitators so that they understand the various downtown issues and are
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prepared to address whatever topics may come up. Dr. Cissna suggested that the first question
should be: How did the presentation fit with your vision of downtown?
The members decided that the floor should not be open to questions following the presentation
on the downtown plans. Participants will be invited to write down their questions. Some of the
questions would be selected to be answered before the participants broke into their study circle
groups. All other questions would be answered via e-mail or at the next study circle meeting.
Members discussed the inclusion of a statement about the value that the City places on diversity
and that downtown development is for the benefit of everyone in the City. Diane Fitzgerald
suggested that such a statement should be made by the Mayor.
Members suggested that the opening presentation focus not so much on the details of the
development plan, but that the presentation be made in such a way as to spark interest in the
vision. For example, it might be best to focus on what types of businesses would be likely to
locate downtown.
The members agreed on the following schedule for the first meeting:
7:00 - 7:30: Presentation and questions
7:30 – 8:00: dialogue
8:30 reports
8:45 Summary and planning for next session
Refreshments will be offered at the end of the formal presentation.
Upon arriving, participants will be asked to sign in and will be provided with a name badge. They
will also be provided with a number that will designate the discussion group to which they are
assigned.
ITEM 5 – New Business
The next board meeting will take place on September 30, 2003 from 5:30 – 6:00 p.m., followed
by facilitator training beginning at 6:00 p.m.
ITEM 6 - Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 6:45 P.M.
_________________________________
Chair, Community Relations Board
Attest:
__________________________________
Kathy Baird, Senior Staff Assistant
Recording Secretary
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