11/13/2000
CITY COMMISSION WORKSESSION
CITY OF CLEARWATER
November 13, 2000
Present: Brian J. Aungst Mayor/Commissioner
J. B. Johnson Vice-Mayor/Commissioner
Robert Clark Commissioner
Ed Hart Commissioner
Vacant Seat Commissioner
Also present: William B. Horne II Interim City Manager
Garry Brumback Assistant City Manager
Bob Keller Assistant City Manager
Pamela K. Akin City Attorney
Cynthia E. Goudeau City Clerk
Brenda Moses Board Reporter
The meeting was called to order at 9:00 a.m. at City Hall.
Service Awards
Three service awards were presented to City employees.
Motivational Mentor Award
The Motivational Mentor Award was presented to Sabrina Chute, Information
Technology employee.
The Commission recessed from 9:03 to 10:19 a.m. to meet in a closed bargaining
session, and as the CRA (Community Redevelopment Agency) and Pension Trustees.
PRESENTATIONS
Gehring & Kimpton - parking garage
William Kimpton, Kimpton, Burke, White & Heiden, P.A., said the Seashell Beach
Resort with a Marriott International, Inc. flag is needed in Clearwater. Richard Gehring,
Kimpton, Burke, White & Heiden, P.A., reviewed the project, a full-service resort with a parking
garage, pedestrian overpass, and retail that would be a catalyst for development. The parking
garage would resolve parking issues on South Gulfview Boulevard. He said the $75 million
project will provide property and sales taxes and create jobs.
Mark Pratt, Regional Vice President of Republic Parking System, reviewed the firm’s
background. He said the parking garage would be a shared use by hotel patrons and the
public. He said the total operating profit for the garage would be $725,000, with a $20,000
maintenance reserve. He said the project has $1.8 million in operating revenue.
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Jae Heinberg, Bella Vista Group, Inc., reviewed the firm’s background, which he said
had the expertise to make the project work.
Concern was expressed that more time was needed to consider the conceptual plan.
Mr. Gehring said Marriott is requesting City approval of the conceptual plan before proceeding
to the next step. He said a package on the project is being sent to Charles Siemon, of Siemon
and Larsen. Planning Director Ralph Stone said staff had not reviewed the parking garage
plans. Mr. Gehring said he would provide more details regarding parking garage costs, debt
service, etc.
LIB LIBRARY
Countryside Library operating hours
Authorize extension of to include Sundays from 1:00
Consent
p.m. to 5:00 p.m., beginning January 2001 ()
In response to numerous community requests for Sunday operating hours at the
Countryside Library, staff recommends extending library hours to include 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. on
Sundays. This will be accomplished by transferring two existing FTEs (Full-Time Equivalent)
(Quality of Life Administrator and Strategies for Success Director positions currently vacant
with no plans to fill) to the Library Department, and hiring two part-time Librarian I s and two
part-time Library Assistants. Additional hours will be provided for a Library Page and
Custodian.
FY (Fiscal Year) 2000/01 (partial year: January – September) operating costs are
anticipated to be approximately $39,825. The estimated annual cost for FY 2001/02 is
$58,120. Approximately $20,000 of current year cost will be provided by an unanticipated
increase in revenues estimated to be received from Pinellas Public Library Cooperative.
These proceeds are above those estimates originally provided by the Cooperative and
adopted in the current budget. Salary savings anticipated in the Quality of Life program will
provide the balance of $19,825. These amendments will be reflected in the City Manager’s
first quarter report. The Library will provide the City Manager and Commission with an update
on Sunday library use in two months.
Countryside Library’s current operating hours are Monday – Thursday from 9:00 a.m. to
9:00 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Library Director John Szabo
said there have been no requests nor plans for Sunday hours at other branches. This change
will extend from January 2001 to September 2001, when the Commission will be updated. Mr.
Szabo anticipated high usage and will include Sunday hours in the 2001/02 budget for the
Countryside Library. This project will be funded by FTE changes and $20 unanticipated funds
of $20,000 from the Pinellas Library Cooperative.
book leasing
Agreement with McNaughton Book Service, , not to exceed $17,037.30
Consent
()
Book leasing is an effective way for libraries to address the short-term heavy demand
for bestsellers without having to maintain multiple purchased titles in long-term inventory. It will
allow the Library to provide several additional copies of current bestsellers and return them for
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newer titles as demand fades. The proposed book leasing plan would have the following
features: 1) New book monthly allowance of 100; 2) free annual retention of 25% of
allowance/300 per year; and 3) total annual cost of $17,037.30. The Library would continue to
purchase copies of best-selling titles. Leased books would supplement them to meet short-
term demand.
Mr. Szabo said book leasing is an effective way to budget. It was stated that the library
does not limit the number of books checked out. Staff will investigate how pre-school teachers
and other patrons use library materials to stock their own libraries. Mr. Szabo said regardless
of how they are used, patrons are responsible for library materials.
MR MARINE
new airplane T-Hangars at Clearwater Airpark
Contract to GLE Construction Services, Inc., ,
$596,021.35; authorize 5 year loan from Central Insurance Fund at cash pool rate in the
amount of $298,011
On June 15, 2000, Clearwater approved a Supplemental JPA (Joint Project Agreement)
with FDOT (Florida Department of Transportation) by Resolution 00-15 to design and construct
two aircraft T-hangars and one corporate hangar at Clearwater Airpark. The JPA authorized
construction of the hangars on a 50:50 cost sharing basis with the City's share budgeted in the
2000/2001 Capital Improvement Fund. One-half the estimated cost, or $298,011, will be
borrowed from the Central Insurance Fund to provide the matching dollars. This loan will be
amortized over five years, and repaid from revenues generated by the Marine/Airpark Fund.
The State will reimburse the State's share upon completion of the project.
The proposed budget for this project was estimated to be $600,000 in the FY
2000/2001 Capital Improvement budget. Twenty-eight persons are on a waiting list for hangar
space at the Airpark. Current exposed tie-downs generate between $50 and $70 per month
per space; enclosed hangars are constructed in units of 10 and generate $300 to $370 per
month per space. This project is in keeping with the Airpark Masterplan and has the support of
the Airport Authority Advisory Board. The details of the Masterplan through 75% completion
have been presented with monthly updates to the Airport Authority Advisory Board, and at
neighborhood public meetings on November 13, 1999, and May 2, 2000. This project will start
as soon as possible after award and execution of the contract, and is scheduled to be
completed within 120 calendar days.
Harbormaster Bill Morris said the State now provides progress payments instead of
requiring the City to pay all costs up front. Cash flow generated from the 20 hangars is
estimated to be $6,500 - $7,000 a month. Finance Administrator Margie Simmons said the
current year's payment has been budgeted. Costs will be budgeted for years two through five.
The City will pay interest back at the rate the cash pool would have earned. It was stated this
is a good investment if capital items are paid off in 3 ½ years. The Interim City Manager said
staff update the Commission at each phase of the project.
PD POLICE
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interpretation / translation services
Agreement with YWCA of Tampa Bay, , part of Hispanic
Consent
Services Outreach Program, 1/1/01-9/30/01, est. $45,350 ()
As part of the Police Department's Hispanic Initiative, Clearwater budgeted $80,000 in
Weed and Seed funding to contract with the YWCA to implement an Hispanic Services
Outreach Program, consisting of advocacy on behalf of Hispanic crime victims and
interpretation/translation for Spanish-speaking individuals in their dealings with the Police. The
YWCA has provided interpretation/translation services for Clearwater's Weed and Seed
Hispanic community pursuant to a purchase order issued under the FY 1999/2000 Weed and
Seed grant. That purchase order expires effective December 31, 2000.
The new agreement has been prepared to provide for the continuation of these
services during the remainder of FY 2000/2001. The YWCA has been determined to be the
sole source for provision of all of the above-referenced services. The Executive Office for
Weed and Seed (EOWS) mandated that Clearwater partner with an agency in the Weed and
Seed area that could provide at least half of the funding for its Hispanic Services Outreach
Program. The YWCA's Clearwater office is in the Weed and Seed area. The YWCA also
provides $99,273 in services to the Hispanic Services Outreach Program through PETALS and
Community Connections programs, thereby satisfying EOWS requirements. There is no
comparable agency in the Weed and Seed area able to provide these services for the
Hispanic community. An agreement between the City and YWCA setting forth the conditions
of the provisions of interpretation/translation services by the YWCA has been prepared.
Police Chief Sid Klein said other agencies submitted bids but elected not to pursue an
agreement. Factors, such as the required location of providers, affected the number of bids.
The service provides translation services for them if the Police are involved; it does not teach
English on computers.
PW PUBLIC WORKS
modifications to beach & downtown parking rates
Staff recommendation for to be effective
WSO
1/1/01 ()
The parking system is a major land use with approximately 43.5 acres in off-street
parking. The parking system generates $3.4 million annually. Parking will have a significant
influence on the redevelopment outcomes for the beach and downtown, specifically through
development of new parking garages. Adjusting some current parking rates will enable the
Parking System to use this additional revenue by reinvesting it back into the system through
expansion projects.
The Clearwater Code of Ordinances, Section 30.094 authorizes the City Manager to
designate parking rates throughout the City. Weekend/seasonal hourly rates at the beach are
$0.75, $1 and $1.50, depending on location. Staff recommends adjusting hourly rates for
metered parking by $0.25 and cashier parking by $0.50 on Saturday and Sunday only; and
adjusting hourly rates for parking during the spring break season (March and April) by $0.25
for metered parking and $0.50 for cashier parking. Beach Employee Permit rates are $15 per
month. The number of permits has escalated from 25 in 1998 to over 100 this year, all of
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which use prime beachfront parking spaces at this reduced rate. This results in a significant
potential revenue loss.
A public meeting was held October 10, 2000, to discuss program modifications. The
Beach Chamber and Sunsets at Pier 60 were represented, as well as a few other businesses.
Overall agreement was that the program requires modification. Input on acceptable increases
included raising rates to $65/month in February - May, and $30/month for the remainder of the
year, and to increase the Sunsets vendors' validations to half their nightly stay instead of two-
hour validations. Staff contacted major permit users not in attendance at the public meeting to
inform them of the recommendations. The Resident Permit rates program has been in place
for a year; there are 300 active permits. Staff recommends adjusting annual rates from $25 to
$50 with no other changes to the program. Staff will solicit public input prior to final
Commission approval of the rate increase.
Downtown Permit rates have not been adjusted for over 10 years. Surface parking is
$15/month and garage parking $35/month. Staff recommends adjusting rates to $20 and $40
respectively. Meter rates will not be adjusted until there is further direction with the downtown
plan. Staff will solicit input from downtown permit users prior to final Commission approval of
the rate increase. The projected additional annual revenue: 1) Weekend and season rates –
from $294,000 to $330,000; 2) Beach Employee Permit Rates – from 22,000 to $25,000; 3)
Resident Permit Rates – from 6,000 to $8,000; and 4) Downtown Permit Rates – from 13,000
to $15,000, for a total increase from $335,000 to $378,000.
The Interim City Manager said staff is not requesting Commission action at this time.
Engineering Director Mike Quillen said the administration had requested that staff review
increasing rates to raise revenues for the parking fund. Parking Manager Tracy Bruch said
some municipalities impose evening rates or special event rates.
Discussion ensued regarding Beach Employee Permits. Concern was expressed that
rates are proposed to increase 400% during the seasonal period yet only generate between
$22,000 to $25,000 annually. It was suggested that staff find beach employees other places
to park so they do not take money out of their pockets. It was remarked that beach employees
could park for free on the north end of the beach. Ms. Bruch said beach employees share
their permits with others. It is difficult to police permit sharing as turnover is a problem and
decals are not feasible when employees drive different cars. It was stated that the City is
responsible for furnishing adequate parking. Ms. Simmons the rate increases have not been
budgeted.
Concern was expressed that staff is recommending to double Resident Permit rates,
which only have been in place for one year. Ms. Bruch said staff is awaiting the downtown
master plan before addressing considering parking rate increases. A comprehensive parking
study was recommended.
Tampa Bay Water
(Cont’d from 11/2/00) Agreement with , reimbursement of funding for
preliminary engineering for advanced water treatment facilities in cooperation with City, in the
McKim & Creed
amount of $270,000; approve Work Order for engineering services providing
concurrent studies and technical oversight of advanced water treatment project, $369,000
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TBW (Tampa Bay Water) has expressed an interest in developing a water treatment
facility in cooperation with Clearwater. TBW and the City are engaged in negotiations to
enable TBW to construct advanced water treatment facilities on City property and
improvements to the City well field to achieve an increase in water production in one year.
TBW is requesting City cooperation to achieve a two million gallon per day (MGD) increase
over the current City water production of three-MGD by September 2001 to offset regional
demand. The City previously was considering upgrades to water production facilities to meet
forthcoming Safe Drinking Water Act regulations by December 2003.
TBW has offered to accelerate City plans by funding early delivery of the project. The
McKim & Creed work involves technical oversight of TBW’s technical efforts, coordination of
public information plans, conducting corrosion studies and providing engineering services to
change the City’s disinfection system. The change in disinfection is required due to the
County’s plans to change its disinfection process by November 2001. Of the total cost of
$369,000, $161,000 is applicable to TBW efforts. TBW has contracted with Camp Dresser
and McKee, Inc., (CDM) to conduct preliminary engineering over the next two months
addressing project scope and cost issues. At the conclusion of this period, a basis of design
report shall be provided to determine project feasibility. At that time, the City will have the
opportunity to assess the project and decide whether or not to move forward with it. The total
cost for the CDM effort is $700,836. The City’s reimbursable portion is $270,000 based on
sharing the cost with TBW for both the CDM and McKim & Creed work ($700,836/2 -
$161,000/2 = $269,918 (rounded to $270,000). The City will provide reimbursement of
$270,000 to TBW only in the event that TBW and the City do not enter into an agreement to
construct a water treatment plant. The City will be updating the Water and Sewer Rate Study
concurrently with this project and will bring forward that analysis with rate recommendations.
The last rate study assumed the City would purchase all water from Pinellas County (at
a rate of $1.79/1,000 gallons), that it would issue bonds for capital projects (did not include this
project), and resulted in annual 6.6% increases in each of the following five years. The first
6.6% increase was approved and effective July 1, 2000. It is anticipated the Commission will
need to approve a series of rate adjustments in order to issue bonds for this project (if
pursued) as well as other planned projects.
Public Works Administrator Mashid Arasteh supported the City remaining in the water
production business. Costs for membrane treatment have been reduced. Based the
Reclaimed Water Master Plan, $8.2 million roughly equates to a potable offset of 0.7 MGD
versus a 1.7 MGD gain for new water product under the TBW proposal. It would cost the City
more to send its raw water to Dunedin for treatment. The City Code has no specific
requirements regarding water conservation devices, however, standard plumbing code
requires water conserving devices in bathrooms.
Gene Heath, SWFWMD (Southwest Florida Water Management District), said the
County intends to match City investment in front-end testing. As the region is in a drought, he
encouraged development of local resources. He welcomed TBW's proposal for a feasibility
assessment for a new facility. He said the State may support financing this project. He said
SWFWMD is not authorized to implement a temporary moratorium on new building
construction but has recommended it. He said Clearwater will receive 12-MGD from the
proposed system. He said SWFWMD must consider building new facilities or litigate. In 1992
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- 1994, the County spent approximately $9 million in litigation costs but did not develop any
water. A Hearing Officer said permits could not be denied. Wellfields could not be cut
because no new wellfields were available to replace the water. He said SWFWMD normally
does not supplement maintenance costs. Concern was expressed that more emphasis is
placed on economic growth than the water shortage.
Public Utilities Director Kevin Becotte said the City's reclaimed water was turned off due
to high bacteria count. The decision to use potable water violated the City's water permit.
Staff is working with SWFWMD and FDEP (Florida Department of Environmental Protection) to
implement appropriate procedures. Only nine million gallons of potable water was used. The
problem resulted from an interpretation of how reclaimed water counts were determined.
PLD PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT SERVICES
engineering & planning services
Work Order to Wade-Trim Consulting, Engineer-of-Record,
for Enclave Annexation ProgramConsent
, $67,395 ()
In November 1999, the Commission authorized a limited scope of services with Wade-
Trim Consulting for investigation of the enclave annexation program. At the September 30,
2000, Commission Work session, Wade-Trim and the Planning Department presented the
results of their analysis. The research indicates that 20 property owners of 140 enclaves
under one acre are interested in pursuing annexing to the City through this program. This
proposal presents a revised work order with Wade-Trim for the planning and engineering
services to complete the annexation program for these 20 interested property owners. The
scope of planning services includes preparation of the analyses of the annexation applications,
presentations at the CDB, Commission, PPC, and Board of County Commissioners. The
scope of engineering services includes preparation of the design, permitting, and construction
documents for sewer connections to the 20 property owners.
Wade-Trim was selected as the firm most qualified through experience and staff
qualifications to provide both planning and engineering services. The Planning and
Engineering departments recommend that Wade-Trim be selected for this work order to
ensure continuity with the project and to complete it in the most timely and cost-effective
method possible.
Assistant Planning Director Cyndi Hardin the City benefits each time it eliminates an
enclave. Mr. Quillen said in some cases, sewer lines would pass residences that do not have
the service, making it available to them if they choose. Ms. Hardin said the City previously
paid Wade Trim $25,000 for research and a detailed report, not design work.
CLK CITY CLERK
Pinellas Planning Council - Appoint a commissioner for the term 1/1/01-12/31/02
Consensus was to reappoint Commissioner Hart.
The meeting recessed from 11:55 a.m. to 12:04 p.m.
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Commission Discussion Items
Charter Amendment:
a) Administrative Policies
The City Attorney distributed a proposal regarding administrative policies. Discussion
ensued regarding administrative policies. It was stated as the Charter Review Committee had
recently met, no Charter changes should be considered at this time.
b) Internal Auditor
The City Attorney said if the Commission wishes to include on the March referendum a
change to the reporting procedure for administrative policies and/or the City Auditor position
reporting to the Commission, the items must be ready for first reading by December.
Other Commission Action
Commissioner Johnson attended the Veteran's Day service and the Clearwater Folks
Arts Festival.
Adjourn
The meeting adjourned at 1:45 p.m.
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