01/27/1977
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CLEARWATER DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT BOARD
NEETING
January 27,1977
MEMBERS OF THE BOARD
Rose Phifer, Chairman
Aaron Bi1gore, Vice Chairman
Mayor Gabriel Cazares
Perce Powell
Hugh Parker
Dale Warren
Tony Shoemaker
Sam Casella
Dom Minotti
Bob Taylor
(ApproK. 30 guests
and visitors)
The Chairman, Rose Phifer, opened the meeting with an invocation offer-
ed by Mr. Minotti. The Chairman then greeted the visitors and guests
present and asked for the discussion of subjects not on the agenda.
Mr. Perce Powell, Board Member, advised of the activities of the Merchants
Association. He stated that newspaper advertising, coupon books, window
signs, radio, guide books and maps were all employed to attract the pub-
lic. He also reported that the Free Parking program is working out well
except for a few who were taking undue advantage of this privilege. Mr.
Powell went on to suggest that the Board request that the future library
have a roof garden so that the beautiful view of Clearwater Bay might be
afforded the citizens and tourists.
Tony Shoemaker, Assistant city Manager, agreed that this idea is meritor-
ious, and said he would follow throug7.1 on obtaining more information as
to the feasibility of this plan.
Mrs. Phifer then asked to dispense with the reading of the minutes. Mr.
Bilgore so moved. Mr, Parker seconded the motion, it carried unanimously.
The Chairman then introduced Delores Buescher, DOrothy Edmonds, Peggy
Smith, and Sallie Parks, representatives of the Fun 'N' Sun Art and Folk
Festival. Mrs. Buescher passed out brochures containing information on
rules, regulations and awards. She stated that previously the Art Show
and the Folk Festival were separate events, however this year it will be
a combined ~fort which will provide continuous entertainment. (March 19th,
and 20th, 10:30 am to 5:30 pm.)
Dorothy Edmonds stated that Sam Casella~ city Planning Dept., had helped
the group immeasurably in many areas.
Mr. Casella added that the sites they planned to use for the festival in-
cluded the parkin~ lots in. back of the Bank of Clearwater. which afforded
800 spaces in a l~ block area, to be utilized for the food concessions
and the music area. He further stated that it would be advantageous for
the merchants group to launch an advertising campaign in March at the time
of the show.
Mrs. phifer then requested the full cooperation of the Board, and added
how pleased she was that the Festival would be located downtown.
Dale Warren, Board Member, discussed the meri~s of having a
slide presentation during the two days of the festival: so tha
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the general public can be made aware of the downtown plan. The Board
concurred.
Sallie Parks~ Executive Director of the pinellas County Art council
was then introduced and presented an idea for an outdoor mini-cultural
event either the Friday prior~ or the Monday after the festival. This
event~ "Meet Your Mate For Lunch~" would call for the cooperation of
the restaurants. Mrs. Phifer volunteered to ask Frank Boare, of Aunt
Hattie's Towne House restaurant for his participation in this program.
The Chairman then called upon Perce Powell~ Board Member, to report on
the subject of Shuttle Busses. He read an article exp1aining the plans
for a Free Tampa Tram System. Installation costs would be $50,000., and
maintainance costs $45,000. The Department of Transportation (DOT) would
pay 80% of the installation, and 50% of the operating expenses during the
year. Development of this plan would take from 3 to 4 months.
Mr. Case11a stated that he inquired of the Tampa Transit Department, and
learned that the vehicles were very slow moving, which would be satisfac-
tory for the smal1 10 block area in the Tampa plan~ however it would not
be appropriate for the distance involved in crossing the causeway from the
C1earwater Beach side to the city side. He further suggested that we dis-
cuss operational ideas with the Director of Centra1 Pinellas Transportation,
Will Barnes, who has been sent a copy of our downtown study.
Mr. Bilgore mentioned once again the idea of Motel OWners distributing
tokens to their guests, for free bus rides~ as a transportation possib-
i1ity.
The Chairman then ca11ed upon Mr. Tom Brown to report on the SR 60 item.
Mr. Brown said that Representative Betty Easley had been very helpful,
and contributed much towards passing the resolution. He stressed the im-
portance of winning the issue at this time by gaining a1l the support
possible.
Mrs. Phifer then asked for a motion to approve the audit report and the
financial statement considered at a prior meeting. Mr. Bilgore made the
motion, Mr. Powell seconded, the motion carried.
The Chairman then asked for opinions concerning the possible closing of
south Ward school~ in Harbor Oaks.
Nr. Warren affirmed that he is a be1iever in the neighborhood school sys-
tem, and made a motion to urge the school board to maintain south Ward as
it present1y exists. Mr. Powell seconded the motion.
Nayor Cazares~ in discussing the motion~ expressed his opinion that we
strong1y support the school for its historical value, and the fact that
it is a Clearwater landmark. His observations~ made at various functions
at the school were that the faculty~ staff and the Parents Teachers Assoc-
iation were extremely hardworking and cooperative.
The motion to send a strong letter to the school board passed unanimouslY,
Nr. Da1e Warren reported that the Commdttee to obtain an Exec-
utive Director had met twice, and that they were seeking more ~ D
applicants as they had only received about 12 applications
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to date.
main
are too
time.
IDEA are
city associations as the
The committee feels that there
the board for screening at this
and other representatives of the
to jUdge applicants by.
They enlisted the
sources for filling this
few applications to submit
Mr. Bill Hill, Executive
helping to establish a
IDEA, and other
position.
to
Director
criteria
The Chairman
uted earlier in
seconded, and
then asked fer
the meeting.
the motion
the financial
made the motion,
approval of
Mr. Bilgore
carried.
statement distrib-
Hr. Parker
Mr.
will
Casell reported that the
be Tuesday, February
next meeting of the
22nd, at the Chamber of
RTKL and the
Commerce.
Task
Force
The next scheduled Board Meeting will be Thursday, February 24th, at 3aOOpm,
at the Chamber of Commerce.
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