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09/27/1977 o 0' ,.~ .. . , 0, , I ' . , ,.,"'., ,or. _~~~l!m_,_' CLEARWATER DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT BOARD MINUTES SEPTEMBER 27, 1977 BOARD MEMBERS IN ATrENDANCE: Rose Phifer, Chairman Aaron Bilgore, Vice Chairman, Leon Hammock A. Bronson Thayer William Nunamaker Sam Casella, Executive Director NON MEMBERS IN ATTENDANCE: Mayor Gabriel Cazares William C. Kravas Mary H. Kravas Al Love Tom Brown John Chestnut Mr. & Mrs. J. Arlos Ogg Dom Minotti Charles Finton Warren Renando Rita Garvey Darwin Frank Mary Ann Doherty The meeting of the Downtown Development Board was called to,.order by Rose Phifer, Chairman, at 3:05 P.M. The invocation was given by Tom Brown. A motion was made and seconded to approve the minutes of the meet- ing of August 30, 1977, motion carried. Mayor Cazares came before the Board to express his ideas and thoughts and appreciation of the work being done by the Board. He reviewed the fact that in past years the SheriffS Department moved out of Clearwater, the city Hall Auditorium was torn down, the County Historical Museum moved out of downtown, and some municipal offices are housed in a converted department store. Municipal building has not kept up with the growth of the city. He stated that we have been patching for the present and not plan- ning for the future. It is just as necessary to provide a civic center for the citizens of Clearwater as well as other services such as fire and police. Regardless of the outcome of the past referendum, we still need a civic center and a library. He strongly felt that now is the time to determine the future character of the city. Mayor Cazares pledged his support to the Board and in turn asked the Board for their support and urged that people express their opinions in writing. Aaron Bilgore brought up the matter of the marina suggesting that a committee be formed to act with the city and the Planning Depart- ment to find out whether or noe a marina is feasib~e and to get the question of a marina off dead center. Mr. Bilgore then asked what the status was of the ferry service. In response Sam Casella said that new bid specifications had been issued by the State of Florida and the due date is October 26th. " -,".,1. ,', . :.. ',:' -"-"'4', ...~ I' I 'I j 1 -,': :"." " ->'j, ".' : r \ N . ~" '. ' ~ ," '.\ ' '. " .~. 'I,' ",1 , . . ,f' ,~~~>lIlt.1l'~ september 27, 1977 MINUTES -2- . Warren Renando further replied that tOday he signed a memo to the Assistant city Manager to communicate with the state request- ing that the contract specifically state that servi.ce be provided to "other cities" because in the contract only Dunedin is specified. The person who ended up the last round with the high bid on the contract has informed us that it is his intention to try to run service out of Clearwater, to Dunedin and Caladesi. Factors such as how many people to go out there, what kinds of time is expected, and if the pilot is going to be required to be a licensed pilot have to be considered. There are several legal questions which need to be addressed and we are trying very specifically to have Clearwater included in a loop service. Mrs. Phifer stressed the importance of the ferry service operating' out of Clearwater and Mr. Nunamaker commented that the best way to encourage ferry service is to develop a marina. He also suggested that we ought to let it be known that we are interested in develop- ing a marina and free enterprise money might be available. Bronson Thayer moved that a committee be formed to look into the feasibility of a marina, seconded by Aaron Bilgore, motion carried. Commdttee members are Bill Nunamaker, Leon Hammock and Aaron Bilgore. Mr. Nunamaker will chair the conunittee. . commdssioner Darwin Frank suggested that the first priority for the Downtown Development Board would be to communicate with the city and find out whether the City accepts the concept of a marina along the bayfront and identify the area, then make information available publiCly that the city is interested in private capital and put the project out to bid. Bill Nunamaker stated that the committee will meet and report back to the Board before bringing the matter before the city conmdssion. Next on the agenda Warren Renando reported on the National Conference of Mayors which he attended at Duluth, Minnesota. 72 million dollars has been spent in Duluth in the last three years to turn the city around from a basically shipping and manufacturing town to what could be a resort community in the future. In the mid sixties Duluth took advantage of all federal programs it could find and is now in the process of finishing these projects with federal monies and private Vel'lture capital. Mr. Renando further said that he would like to think that in t,he future an opportunity will come to Clearwater to participate in a federal program. however, if we wish to participate we have to go out and ask for it. The RTKL revisions were then reviewed by Sam Casella. He recommended that the revisions be accepted by the Board. He further commented that when the City commission takes its action on OCtober 6th, if it wishes, it may ask for a joint meeting and that would be perfectly in accordance with the contract and what they have done in the past and he recommends that the Board meet with the Commission. Bronson Thayer moved that the RTKL revision be approved, seconded by Leon Hammock. motion carried. . , . I '.. I " ~. . :,,':'''''"I,{:l::< , ; , '. I , ~:;:.: ~' e"::.:. \ : ! ' I '.', , "1, <,' '.l,. "" '. " , J ........, t.:'; :,~ l' ','d:.:, .~ ',. , l" 1 \, .' " . ,'.I. -------~-_......:--_. , , , "~" , , ,'. '. ;~: . ...._~".. ~' ; MINUTES -3- September 27, 1977 . Next, Rita Garvey, Friends of the Library, reported on the present status of the library. She reviewed the proble~ and said that they are at this time exploring many ways of obtaining necessary funds for a new 1ibrary. They are presently looking into an ordinance by initiative. This would require signatures of one third of the reg- istered voters. other alternative ways of funding are federal grant, regional library, a county system. Ms. Garvey requested the Board's support and Rose Phifer, Chairman, assured her that we were behind her 100%. Re SR 60, Tom Brown reported that we are at this time waiting for a response from the State for approval or disapproval of the State's participation in the engineering study. Sam Casella introduced Al Love, representative of the Board of Realtors. Mr. Casella talked to Bob Jones, President of the Board of Realtors with regard to property listings and Mr. Jones suggested that Al Love attend the meeting. Mr. Case1la also had spoken to Norton chervitz recently who is interested in for~ing a committee of retailers who would serve to welcome or talk to new prospective retailers in the downtown Clearwater area. Further it is hoped that we will develop the kind of relationship with ,the Board of Realtors that if there is anything we need to know or if they have any suggestions we will be in a position to hear it and work with them. . Mr. Love stressed the importance of property owners making it economica1ly feasible for investors. People will not invest their money unless it is economdcally practical. Also, thinking creatively, perhaps the library on its present site is not the best use for the land. Mr. Casella thanked Mr. Love for his COIl\lnents and suggested that a presentation of the Downtown Plan be made to the Board of Realtors. Also that because of the hardheaded approach of the Boar~ of Realtors they should be aware of what we are doing and in turn should be most helpful to us. Mr. Nunamaker further conunented that we have taken a small step for- ward in creating a property bank informational center so that people who come from out of town have a place ~o get information. He sug- gested that committees be formed to concentrate on specialized areas such as condominiums, etc. . Sam Casella responded that a committee is organizing a meeting of property owners and perhaps some commdttees will be formed of the type suggested as a result of that meeting. Leon Hammock a1so pointed out that the City has an Economic Develop- ment Committee which is trying to zero in on certain problems. Sam Casella then reported that a commdttee had been formed, of which he is a member. by Bob Love, president, Downtown Association, to organize a Farmers Market. A letter has been written to the City .; ,- >, J " " t , , '," MINUTES -4- September 27, 1977 o Manager suggesting that the item go on the City commission agenda for approval of the concept. It is planned that the Farmers Market would be held on Saturday mornings in one of the free parking lots. The market would consist of fresh produce. home-made canned goods and home-made arts and crafts. It is hoped this project will go forward within a months time. with regard to the Civic center, Rose phifer stated that we of course would definitely like to have a civic center located downtown. It is hoped that there will be some discussion on getting private enterprise interested in this project. Sam Casella then revie'\'1ed the proposed changes in the By-Laws. He suggested that the Board indicate that it is generally in agreement with the concept and he will go ahead and formalize the changes for approval at the next meeting, and prepare the changes to be placed on the ballot in Novembero Leon Hammock moved that necessary preparations be made for approval of By-Law changes as presented, seconded by Bill Nunamaker, motion carried. . Mr. Leon Hammock presented the financial report. It was no'ted that there will be a year end statement issued as of September 30th. Aaron Bilgore moved that the financial report be accepted~ the motion was seconded and carried. Sam Casella then reported on the International Downtown Executives Association conference which he attended in Atlanta on Sept. 19-21. He presented notes to the Board members which they could review at their leisure. He said that it was one of the best conferences he has attended. He noted that the plan which we have developed is very-much in the mainstream of ideas as expressed at the conference. Many people, particuarly the architects and professionals who spoke, placed great importance on separating vehicles from people and having some kind of mall arrangement in the downtown area similar to the kind of mall the RTKL plan calls for. Another interesting point was the study that IDEA conducted of 25 cities which included Clearwater and showed that downtown Clearwater was one downtown in which retail sale~ rose in constant dollars while most downtowns declined in retail sales. Terry Plumb, Editor of the Clearwater Sun, also attended the con- ference with Sam Casella. Rose Phifer requested that a note of thanks be sent to Mr. Plumb for taking time from his busy schedule to attend the conference and for his interest in downtown Clearwater. There being no further business to come before the Board. Leon HammoCk moved to adjourn the meeting at 4155 P.M., seconded by Aaron Bilgore, motion carried. . -,,-'...~ ,~"'j ....;. \"'.......; . """l " '{ "