09/10/1996 (2)
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COMMISSION
City Commission Minutes
Date
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CITY COMMISSION SPECIAL MEETING
CITY OF CLEARWATER
September 10/ 1996
Present:
Rita Garvey
J. B. Johnson
Robert Clark
Ed Hooper
Karen Seel
Elizabeth M. Deptula
Kathy S. Rice
Pamela K. Akin
Cynthia E. Goudeau
Patricia O. Sullivan
Mayor{Commissioner
Vice-Mayor/Commissioner
Commissioner
Commissioner
Commissioner
City Manager
Deputy City Manager
City Attorney
City Clerk
Board Reporter
The Mayor called the meeting to order at 9:04 a.m. at City Hall.
To provide continuity for research, items are In agenda order although not necessarily
discussed in that order.
ITEM #1- Meetina Overview
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The City Manager introduced Deputy City Manager Kathy Rice and Bob Keller, who
will be the Assistant City Manager/Development Director as of October 7. 1996.
a) ,Commission options
The City Manager requested specific direction from the City Commission on projects
included in the previously approved downtown plan. She referred to the need to identify
what actions the City needs to take to focus on economic development and enter the
redevelopment business.
b) Development project background
The City Manager referred to the current downtown plan. noting the summarization
of dozens of issues including: 1) no single vision or consensus for downtown exists; 2)
downtown lacks an image and identity; 3) a loss of office employment has occurred; 4)
the waterfront is underutilized; 5) good transportation does not exist; 6) the City does not
take advantage of its natural market; 7) few quality downtown residential units exist. etc.
She recommended addressing these issues would be a move in the right direction.
c) Existing plans
The City Manager said the current downtown plan sought to establish a traditional
town center of small scale to meet the needs of Clearwater as a government center and
entertainment district. The City Manager requested the Commission consider their future
vision for the City and direct staff accordingly.
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ITEM #2 - New Librarv Develooment
a) Sites
Library Director Arlita Hallam said more than 500 people participated in 25 focus
groups which considered potential sites. The Library Board feels the East End property is a
good, visible site. Other interest was expressed in the Main Library1s present location and
its water view. The current structure cannot be expanded and would have to be razed.
Ms. Hallam noted a recommendation to attach a high tech library to the Harborview
Center, which would serve as a community center. Little interest was expressed for the
St. Petersburg Times parking lot site near the Municipal Services Building. Focus groups
felt it would be inconvenient.
b) Needs
Ms. Hallam reviewed problems connected with the current Main Library structure
which is comprised of four buildings constructed from 1916 to 1980. Of the library's
49,435 square feet, only 32% is fully usable for library purposes. The remainder of the
structure does not meet codes or cannot support a library floor load. She indicated only
the 1980 addition is in good shape. If any work is done on the building, the whole
structure will have to be brought up to code.
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Ms. Hallam referred to a 1993 building program that identified the needs of a library
if constructed in 1996. The report recommended 72,500 square feet for public library
space plus 15,500 square feet of conference and meeting rooms, etc. Public library space
would include children's areas, computer facilities, and quiet areas. She reported meeting
rooms in the current Library and branches are constantly booked. The report
recommended a library building of 50,000 square foot footprint and parking for 1,000
cars.
Ms. Hallam reviewed a summary of the most frequent suggestions made by the
focus groups: 1) separate childrents department; 2) separate teen area; 3) audio-visual
viewingllistening areas; 4) generous meeting space for tutors, small groups, recitals,
'performances, community meetings, etc.~ 5) incorporating art into building's design and
furnishings, public art, display areas; 6) computer learning lab; 7) cafe; 8) openness, many
windows, courtyards, roof gardens, atriums, plants and trees; 91 drive~up bookdrop with
protection from elements; and 10) covered, well~lighted, 1,000 space parking garage with
covered entrance to building. Respondents were almost evenly divided between the
current site and East end. She noted the lack of parking is a limiting factor for the bluff
site. She recommended deleting the site by the Municipal Services Building from
consid er ati on.
c) Costs and resources
Ms. Hallam estimated a basic, high~tech library building costs $100 per square foot.
Furnishings, landscaping, automation, shelving, etc., will add $50 to $75 per square foot
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/......... and costs to build a parking garage would be extra. The Library Foundation has committed
to 'soliciting private funds for constructing a new library.
It was questioned if numbers in the 1993 study remain valid. Ms. Hallam said the
budget will be revisited. The plan would be revised with additional elements but she felt
the size would not change. In response to a question, she said a building could be
constructed above 2 stories of parking built into the bluff. It was questioned which site
has the best potential. Ms. Hallam said staging on the bluff would be expensive. She
preferred the East End site and felt locating the library at the corner of Missouri and
Cleveland would serve as a successful anchor to the East End property. She reported
400,000 patrons use the downtown library every year. She recommended the library site
be at least 5 acres large.
In response to a question, Ms. Hallam said parents would not be encouraged to
drop children off at the library. The design would provide a safe area for parents to be
with their children. A toddler room off the children's section would encourage toddlers to
read. Concern was expressed a cafe in the Library may attract homeless people. Ms.
Hallam said the cafe would be a revenue source, regulated like other downtown
restaurants. In response to a concern the library may not need 1 ,ODD parking spaces, Ms. .
Hallam said no current parking garage in the City is that large. The City Manager indicated
the entire parking lot for the Harborview Center and library has 720 spaces. Ms. Hallam
estimated the library now has use of 150 spaces on top of the bluff. Staff parks down the
hill. A stand alone library without surrounding uses would need fewer spaces.
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The City Manager recommended deleting the site by the Municipal Services
Building, also referred to as the government quad, from consideration. She needs
additional information before she could recommend the East End site. In response to a
question. Ms. Hallam referred to the Adler.s $500,000 donation to keep the library in the
downtown location for the foreseeable future and referred to the City Attorney's opinion
that 20 years is a reasonable amount of time. She reported the City had purchased the
current site with no attachments.
Consensus was to delete the site by the Municipal Services Building from
consideration.
In response to a question, Ms. Hallam felt she had sufficient information to
eliminate future use of the current structure from consideration. She said staff has wanted
to use the Iibrary's second and third floors. Engineering reports indicate nearly continuous
columns are needed to provide adequate floor load support. Commissioner Hooper felt the
1980 building could be salvaged and did not want to remove it from consideration.
The City Manager said funding for the project is included in the list of Penny for
Pinellas projects for 2000-10. If the referendum to continue Penny for Pinellas funding
fails, the City may request a March 1998, referendum for a General Obligation Bond.
ITEM #3 - Private Sector Particioation
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Commercial real estate broker Harold Meyer felt Florida Planning Group's report
regarding the beach.s redevelopment potential was well researched and should be pursued.
He said resort areas that look as if they are in decline usually continue to deteriorate. He
said the City has a number of serious real estate issues to consider. He said it is unlikely
one developer has the expertise to address all projects being considered. He felt the City's
traditional approach of issuing RFPs (Requests for Proposals) is impersonal and has resulted
in limited success. Mr. Meyer said developers are not comfortable with the current
approach which requires developers to commit time and resources without feedback. He
noted developers do not like a process in a public forum as projects evolve. He suggested
the City be more flexible and developer friendly. He recommended the City generate
information, Le., studies, surveys, financial assistance packages, etc. He recommended
hiring sales people and directing RFPs to commercial brokers who can attract developers.
He suggested allowing developers and staff to communicate in a forum that is not too
public.
Developer Joe Burdette said the City has to compete for good developers who have
done projects of the same size. Most do not take the time to respond to City RFPs. He
noted the importance of unanimous commitment by the City Commission to any project.
He suggested attracting developers by waiving impact fees or providing them opportunities
to make a profit. He recommended the City provide developers with feasibility studies and
designate a staff team to work on major projects. Before proceeding with a project, he
recommended the City be satisfied the project will work and the chosen developer will get
the job done. He complimented the City Commission for trying to work with developers.
Mr. Burdette recommended developing the 20 acre annex property as a professional
baseball stadium. Evening events would attract people from the beach. He suggested
high schools could continue using Jack Russell Stadium. He felt the City will have to do
something for the Phillies by 2000.
Realtor Lee Arnold said economic development in Clearwater is a regional process
driven by local needs. He recommended identifying a common vision. He said the best
potential for development in Clearwater is downtown and on the beach. He recommended
cooperation between the public and government. He recommended active City
participation in the Tampa Bay Partnership, representing a large economic development
community, and the St. Petersburg/Clearwater Industry Council, which has a large budget.
He suggested highlighting Clearwater as a fun place to visit, work, and live and addressing
anti-fun ordinances.
Mr. Arnold said the City should have goals to improve the tax base, create value
added jobs, set realistic expectations, and support practical economic development. He
supported City involvement with regional development and with Enterprise Florida to obtain
leads. He said City leadership needs to understand the government's role and encourage
private sector participation. He said the City lost credibility by adopting plans and not
acting on them. He recommended the City and business community form a team and
suggested the City consider downtown and the beach as an economic unit.
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Mr. Arnold said regulations can be viewed as barriers. He suggested the City
market its ability to get things approved and revise regulations to be more cooperative. He
recommended keeping lines of communication open. He commended the City for working
to bring all sectors together. He suggested the City needs to understand market
opportunities, set realistic'expectatians, look far practical economic development, and
make local and regional cooperation the center piece of the effort. He said development
should not begin on a back street. He said the bayfront is a jewel and should not be
ignored. He recommended building a library contiguous to the Harborview Center which,
he suggested, would make a great civic center. He said some of the debt associated with
the Harborview Center could be applied to the library, which generates a great deal of
traffic. He recommended reading Death of Competition.
Mr. Arnold said the City can take a leadership role in advancing technology. He
recommended taking advantage of being a GTE test site. He said infrastructure is an
important part of an economic ecosystem. He felt streetscapes also are important. He
said the City needs to realize its importance to the region and boost its importance to
Orlando's economic ecosystem. He recommended staff have the flexibility to consider the
entire region.
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Commercial real estate agent Mark Klein said the greatest impediment to downtown
development is uncertainty about the downtown lake. He said the stormwater problem
downtown must be solved and downtown runoff stopped from polluting Clearwater
Harbor. He suggested the City employ engineers to solve the drainage problems. If a lake
is recommended, the engineers can determine its size. He noted many properties in the
area considered for the lake cannot be sold because of uncertainty regarding the project.
Mr. Klein said the City needs to work on its image of not being developer friendly and
suggested impact fee credits would spur growth. He supported job creation and said the
beach and city should be "married" and not separate.
Architect Steve Fowler said timing is important. He noted decisions made by the
City Commission regarding the Library, downtown lake, Memorial Causeway bridge
replacement alignment, etc., will impact Clearwater for generations. He said construction
of the new Winn-Dixie will provide a major impact. He recommended relocating Alt US 19
to Missouri Avenue. He said the development community will react once the City
Commission makes their decisions. He said their reluctance to proceed was due to
uncertainties regarding City plans. He noted the importance of the decision regarding the
bridge.s alignment.
ITEM #4 - Break
The Commission recessed from 10:42 to 10:59 a.m.
ITEM #5 - Downtown Model
John Marsh, Director of Community Design and Research presented a downtown
model designed and built by USF (University of South Florida) students. He said the model
is a work in process a~d does not support any option. The model is to be used as a
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'discussion tool and not a final plan. He thanked staff and the students who worked on the
project. He said decisions the City Commission makes during the next few years will
affect the community for the next 50 years. He said the new bridge will have a major
impact on downtown and its waterfront. He felt the waterfront is the most valuable and
unexploited element downtown. He recommended the City carefully consider development
of the lake before proceeding. He said the Library is the City.s most valuable civic piece.
USF graduate student David Foster said Clearwater's bluff is a unique topographical
feature on Florida's West coast and is the waterfront's most prominent feature. He
presented renderings of how the waterfront could look, including environmentally sensitive
wetlands South of Cleveland Street. He said recreation along the waterfront would be
important. He suggested increasing the size of the pond in Coachman Park. He said a
waterfront pavilion could be built and suggested providing access to the water again.
Mr. Foster referred to the proposed downtown lake and suggested it could be
surrounded by the library, museums for children, art, etc. He suggested shopping areas,
with residences above, would be generated outside the lake park area. The library would
attract other uses. The lake's location could be part of a trolley route and a pedestrian
route tied to the Pine lias Trail. He recommended planting palms, citrus, and live oak trees.
He said planting a small citrus grove on the bluff would provide ambiance for picnickers.
He suggested an active entertainment district ba built across the street from Coachman
Park.
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Mr. Foster recommended locating the new Winn Dixie closer to the main road. He
reviewed three alternative alignments for the Memorial Causeway Bridge replacement: 1)
Pierce Boulevard, North of Pierce 100; 2) Pierce Boulevard, a longer bridge South of Pierce
100; and 3) shorter bridge off Drew Street. He expressed concern about the bridge.s
effect on the downtown waterfront. Mr. Marsh suggested the City Commission consider
constructing a bridge that is a "signature piece." Mr. Foster displayed renderings of other
downtown areas including a traditional town center, restaurants, Cleveland Street
streetscape, etc. Mr. Marsh noted the entire Tampa Bay region lacks an evening
entertainment complex that attracts people to the waterfront. The Mayor felt the model is
a better planning tool than the City Commission has had in the past. The model will
remain through the end of the week for public view.
ITEM #6 - Annex Prooertv Develooment Ootions
AND
ITEM 117 - Downtown Residential Development
AND
ITEM tl8 - Marina Development
Central Permitting Director Scott Shuford said the City Commission needs to modify
the downtown plan until they are comfortable with it and then tollow it. He said the
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I' community seems to recommend the plan be market based and design oriented. He
,1 reported the new Assistant City Manager is excited about developing the large piece of
property at the East End site. Mr. Shuford suggested the plan focus on short term projects
that can occur quickly to spur development elsewhere. He noted recommendations: 1}
entertainment complex; 2) job creation; 3) commercial mixed use; and 4) residential use.
Mr. Shuford recommended an aggressive marketing approach. noting the importance of
flexibility. He said construction of single-family residential units would depend on the
success of other projects and would require significant City investment to meet
infrastructure needs. He suggested replacing the single-family residential component with
multiple-family residential units.
Mr. Shuford said the downtown model did not exhibit a marina. Staff had worked
with the students to flesh out some concepts. He reported a downtown marina will have
some permitting problems. He suggested keeping options open and considering the East
Shore area on Clearwater beach. He said it is a shame the downtown waterfront is
separated from Coachman Park by roadways and parking lots. He suggested a water edge
boardwalk could be constructed along the bayfront. He recommended prohibiting parking
West of the bluff. He suggested coordinating the waterfront with the top of the bluff.
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The City Manager agreed the bluff is the absolute prize of the community and
recommended it be more available to the community. Mr. Shuford noted citizen
complaints that the homeless population gets more use out of the bluff than the
community. The City Manager said the City Commission must agree upon a plan before
the eRA (Community Redevelopment Agency) can be involved. Concern was noted
regarding earlier plans for development of single-family residences. It was noted the
proposed angular road off Cleveland and Greenwood could be eliminated.
Consensus was to remove the angular road from the plan.
Mr. Shuford referred to remarks regarding the importance of incentives and a
catalyst to spur growth. He said developing single-family residences downtown would be
expensive. He recommended the City Commission consider development incentives, but
not for single-family residences. He felt this was one of the more speculative aspects of
the plan. In response to a question, Mr. Shuford said Drew Street is out of downtown and
in a transition area. He indicated Drew. Street lots are used for single-family residential and
offices.
Consensus was to remove single-family residential from the Annex area and to
review Drew Street office use.
ITEM #9 - Brownfield Initiative Economic Imoacts
Economic Development Director Alan Ferri said Brownfield is a process to identify
environmental impediments to development in the downtown area where 30% of the
City1s population lives. With Brownfield. the City now can do risk based assessment and
containment which wiJllower redevelopment costs. He said banks shut down financial
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backing for properties that have a hint of an environmental problem. He said this year's
State legislative session will address that issue.
Mr. Ferri said Brownfield funding will help with job development and business
growth. Staff is working closely with Career Opportunities to identify career training, etc.
He expressed concern about the perception that environmental issues are expensive to
address. He said that concern would end once staff can educate the development
community regarding how to address this issue. Environmental issues will not go away.
Mathematical models noed to be developed. He said developers currently do not see an
economic reward for addressing environmental problems. Staff can track the City's
investment in environmental efforts and the return on that investment. Mr. Ferri expressed
conce~n regarding the decline in downtown values of 4% to 5% each year. He anticipated
Brownfield can remove the deterrent of environmental concerns to redevelop that area.
a) Town Lake component
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Mr. Ferri said the town lake concept was part of the Brownfield application which
addresses environmental and economic impacts to redevelopment. He said redeveloping
the Dimmitt property would require setting aside 10% to 15 % of the property for
retention. The resulting savings to a developer would be significant. He said the City
should review infrastructure and resource expenses that could lower costs to developers.
Waiving impact fees would eliminate large up-front costs. Development of a town lake
would free up land, allowing the land to be used for the economic reason the developer
envisions. He suggested the Commission consider the downtown lake's economic impact
on development potential.
b) Resources
Mr. Ferri reported pending legislation, Senate Bill 1911, would provide $2.2.biJlion
for redevelopment of areas targeted by Brownfield. He said the Southern Environmental
Council is lobbying regarding this issue and ather concerns on the State and Federal level.
He said the proposed legislation would have a significant impact on redevelopment. He
stated several developers are ready to begin if funding to address environmental issues
becomes available. He said something is needed to leverage or spark the first big
de~elopment.
c) Costs and benefits
Mr. Ferri said a more market driven feature for development would be considered.
He said a town lake would have a profound economic impact. The lake will be an
economic resource and an environmental feature to protect Clearwater Harbor. He
supported investment in the lake. noting Clearwater Harbor and the islands are regional
features of maior importance.
Mr. Ferri said benefits can be identified through sales tax as a surrogate measure of
retail activity. In response to a question, he said once banks are in chains of title, they are
the ones that are sued regarding environmental problems. Because of this, banks will not
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invest in questionable property. He said this situation needs to be changed. Tallahassee
will be addressing this issue. He suggested the City needs to have a voice in this pending
legislation. He said the original polluter should be held responsible and not subsequent
owners of the property. He said if Brownfield properties are not addressed to allow
redevelopment, developers will move to periphery where environmental concerns do not
exist.
In response to a question, Mr. Ferri said several stages of evaluation are used to
address Brownfield properties. He said Phase I determines if activities that could have
caused a problem once occurred on the site. The second phase looks at what is present.
When a determination is made that pollution exists, the evaluation proceeds to Phase II.
He estimated the economic model will cost $20,000 of the $100,000 Brownfield grant.
Concern was expressed work on the model was not bid. Mr. Ferri said USF is doing the
model. State statutes exempt the study from the bid process. It was questioned how key
the downtown lake was to the City being awarded the grant. Mr. Ferri said the EPA
(Environmental Protection Agency) was excited about the town lake project as it addressed
more than storm water. He supported proceeding with the town Jake but indicated the
grant was not affected if the lake is not built. He suggested if the Federal bill passes, the
project could be considered environmental and qualify for full funding.
Engineering Director Rich Baier presented a staff designed Trail Blazing sign to
direct motorists to parking. The sign is decorated with a hibiscus blossom.
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Consensus was to approve the sign.
ITEM #1 0 ~ Environmentallmoacts of Town Lake Proiect
Mr. Baier said the basic study and Phase I audit for the Town Lake are complete.
He felt the project will bring long term benefits. The lake will serve as a stormwater
attenuation area and treat stormwater, thereby' alleviating pollution in the harbor. He
displayed a print from a 1926 aerial photograph that showed a slew system that naturally
filtered water in the downtown area. A 1942 aerial photograph indicates development had
begun, the natural lake was being filled in, and water was being discharged directly into
the harbor. The proposed lake could address some downtown flooding issues. The 150
acre basin that could drain into a downtown lake was reviewed. The City needs 13 acres
to meet its needs for one lnch of run off.
Mr. Baier said staff reviewed many scenarios and moved away from the one pond
theme to a multi-cell (Cells 1, 2, & 3) design. The cells would need sediment traps and
vaults and the ability to remove oil and grease. He said Phase I studies indicate 24 of the
36 subject properties have a high probability of containing contaminants. Staff has not
proceeded with Phase II. The proposed 3-cell scenario would cause the Court Street
roadway to resemble a bridge. Scenarios range from minimal to elaborate. He suggested
cell #2, North of Court Street, be the first built. The downtown model will be revised to
illustrate this proposal.
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Mr. Baier compared the downtown options. He noted citizen concern regarding
downtown flooding. He said even if the Pierce Street pond was expanded, it still would
not treat water. He said the lake would be easily permitted and felt the lake would stop
the erosion of the tax base. He said the lake would provide an attractive entrance vista,
cleanse the water, and provide a catalyst for redevelopment. The lake would provide
passive recreation opportunities, wildlife areas, and would encourage pedestrian uses. He
presented a rendering of how the lakes could look.
The City Manager said staff is struggling with the need for the Town Lake to be
market driven. She said Clearwater is on the verge of great things happening and would
like to take a more market driven approach. Staff believes if the annex property is
marketed appropriately. something great will occur within two years. She noted questions
regarding how large the cell needs to be to accommodate that need. She noted the need
to address the attenuation needs of the Winn Dixie-property. She suggested developers
could commit to space in the lake by coming forward with deposits during a specific time
period. She suggested the market will drive the size of the lake. Ms. Rice said the
developer would be charged an incremental cost at first phase. The City Manager said the
City does not want little lakes scattered through downtown. She said a Town Lake will
increase property values. She suggested cell #2 be constructed along the Court Street
corridor to prepare for the new access to the bridge. She said if the City Commission is
interested. staff will continue the studies.
Mr. Baier said according to preliminary calculations, cell #2 would take care of the
Cityts needs plus a little more. It would cost a fraction of the estimated $30~mimon to
$50.mllion for the entire project. The City Manager noted concerns by area property
owners who are reluctant to make decisions regarding their properties when City plans can
change. Mr. Baier reported cell #2would encompass 2q properties. The area is primarily
where the old utility building was located. The City owns most of the property. In
response to a question, Mr. Baier said cell #1 would not accomplish much. It was
suggested development of both the lake and annex should be market driven. It was
suggested development of the annex begin first. The City Manager requested direction.
She requested staff calculate how much room in the cell would be needed for the
development of the Annex site. She indicated the City Commission would need to decide
regional detention makes sense rather than having small ponds built around downtown.
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Concern was expressed regarding the cost. It was noted based on rates charged by
Tallahassee, developers would pay only $3.25-million toward the cost of the lake. The
City Manager indicated rates had not been considered although financing the lakes always
has been a concern. She opposed the City financing the entire project. She noted
something will have to be done if the annex property is developed. She suggested the City
.may have to discount the property, build some infrastructure, or help with the stormwater
component.
It was questioned if the Pierce Street pond could be expanded. Mr. Baier said a
minimal increase was possible. If Pierce Street is vacated, the pond could be expanded
further but would provide no environmental benefits like the proposed lake. Concern was
expressed many suburban ponds are impossible to clean. Mr. Baier said they were
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confining clay layer and be more like a natural lake. The lake would control the nutrient
loading of the harbor. He said the Pierce Street pond is essentially a hole in the ground
that discharges directly into the harbor.
The City Manager questioned if the City Commission likes the environmental
features of the proposed lake but feels the cost is too steep. Mr. Baier said staff has
discussed this issue and cannot see another solution. He said improving piping at the
Pierce Street pond will only get the water out more quickly. Expanding that pond will only
increase the pond!s storage volume. The water comes from the area in the CRA plan.
The lake would pretreat the water before it is discharged into the harbor. The cost of each
cell was requested.
The City Manager said if the City Commission is interested in more informationt
staff can gather input from developers. It was requested that estimates of the Annex and
Wino Dixie property needs be presented. Cost estimates for cell #2 were requested. In
response to a questiont Mr. Ferri said the baseline data for the economic model will take 6
months to develop. He said he was told reducing project costs will spark redevelopment.
Mr. Baier estimated the additional studies will cost between $15,000 and $20,000. He
said the City has spent approximately $200,000 on the project to date.
Early Sorenson expressed concern regarding the cost and rate of return for the
proposed town lake. He suggested non-structural ways of cleaning the water be adopted.
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Anne Garris said the EAB (Environmental Advisory Board) looks forward to
reviewing the proposed lake in more detail. She suggested the State fund the Memorial
Causeway Bridge replacement and the City pay for the town lake. She felt the lake would
be great for the downtown1s environment and ambiance. She questioned if a referendum
is necessary to rebuild the library on the bluff. The City Attorney will research.
Chester Buether said his store on Pierce Street floods 2 or 3 times annually. He has
not been able to sell his property because no decision has been made regarding the
proposed town lake. He requested the City Commission reach a decision.
Glenn Warren said his property would be in the middle of the proposed lake. He
said a stormwater problem currently exists. He has deferred maintenance on his property
and expressed concern he cannot lease the property until a decision is made. He said no
one would buy his property today. He supported the environmental values of constructing
the lake. He requested the City Commission make a decision regarding the lake.
It was suggested the City Commission establish a time line to reach a decision. A
drawing identifying which properties would' be affected was requested. It was noted many
people have expressed opposition to the lake. The City Manager said staff will develop an
overlay of the affected properties and their values. Staff also will report on how much
water each cell will hold. Mr. Baier estimated it will take a month to gather the
information. He felt funds previously approved for the study had been exhausted. It was
questioned why the consultant does not have this information. Mr. Baler said the original
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direction was for a single lake. He said it is quite different to consider each cell separately.
It was stated this issue can be wrapped up by the end of the year. Staff will address
developers to see if they would be interested. A preliminary economic model was
requested.
ITEM # l' . Downtown Develooment Plan Amendments
Mr. Shuford said he will try to include some flexibility in the downtown
development plan. He said the single family component would be redone. No changes will
be made to plans for he Library or town lake. It was requested the development
community consider this new approach.
ITEM #12. Summation
In response to a comment. Ms. Rice said the City has hired Diane Bordner to do
some focus groups with developers and downtown businesses to review their issues of
concern. A statistically correct survey will be done so the City Commission will have data
on which to base th~ir decision.
No decision was reached regarding removal of parking on the waterfront.
The meeting adjourned at 1: 19 p.m.
ATTEST: C O\\L Z .h..... JJL~_
City Cl~rk '
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