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08/07/1996 (2) J' > , .. .."",: > ... !'~. ,. ..' '" ~ '\"~..., '.' ' ,. , . '"J " . , , 'h.......,.....~.'t ........... ~I ,... ,. L' I' ..... '+,.. t. (. ',' "," ' :', . . I ,~ 'c"~; : l' ,'; ~, ,'\ ,.' .: ~ I,' " '('. BC Beautification Committee Minutes Date A-ugCLSt (J 1 qq{o ,.. . ., 14D, . . ' \ ' . : I. l~ BEAUTIFICATION COMMITTEE MEETING CITY OF CLEARWATER August 7, 1996 Present: William Baldwin Katherine Merriam Marcia Blakemore Sheila Cole Candace Gardner Robert Sudalnik Nancy Aft Thelma Blasko Ream Wilson Brenda Moses Chair Committee Member Committee Member Committee Member Committee Member Committee Member Committee Member Committee Member Parks and Recreation Director Board Reporter Absent: Delphine Pullar Committee Member " The meeting was called to order by Chairperson Baldwin at 9:03 a.m. at the Municipal Services Building, Clearwater, Florida. In order to provide continuity for research, the Items will be listed in agenda order although not necessarily discussed In that order. (~ ~~I II. Approval of minutes for JulV 3. 1996 Ms. Cole requested changes to the minutes in Section VI entitled "New Business" to read: Ms. Cole asked if the Annex property could be made more park- like looking, or used for community garden plots since it is a major piece of land and a big part of downtown. A motion to approve the minutes as amended was made by Ms. Merriam, duly seconded, and carried unanimously. III. Correspondence Mr. Baldwin stated no correspondence had been received since the last meeting. IV. Ongoin9 Business A. "Welcome to Clearwater" Sign/Sand Key o Signs have been erected on the Courtney Campbell Causeway, Sand Key and Edgewater Drive. Mr. Wilson received a call from someone indicating a palm frond was covering the hibiscus on the Edgewater Drive sign. Arrangements have been made to cut the frond. Landscaping Is scheduled around all sign areas. It was noted the Committee would like to see the hibiscus logo used throughout the City on street signs and letterhead. Logos and graphic designs are being discussed and must be approved by the Commission. mBCOa.96 1 1 08/07/96 I , ',\ \ " ",' J , " , , ",' " . ,',,' " . l ~, , " " " ' ',~' " " ," '. + I " . . ," , . "_,. ....,.': ,,\..", ..,. ",".,':."."'.'1 , ;', , '. '.' .' .', :.'. ' ", .::-:.'" ",;/ ,.,..,' ',".-:: ,:," , . ';. '.;' . "'.' . '. . ..., \ t I \ ,L I, .,..1 \. " . '.' ' ,.,' '",. '+',.' ..,' " ", ,.; <',',',...','~'...:..U...-..:.,......~L..~',.J" .',,:' " ,',.., ','" ,',', "d', ,:",' . ',,' ',. ,'~' l' .' I...... . l' B. Other "Welcome" Signs A sign at Alternate 19 ~outh is being considered. C. City Theme/Gulf-to-Bay Beautification ...,~ 1..,,\,'/.1 A question arose whether budget cutting would prohibit the Committee from going forward with the theme. Mr. Wilson stated $40,000 is pending in the budget for palms at the intersections of Gulf~to~Bay between U. S. 19 and Highland Avenue. Plans are to plant as many Washingtonia palms at the four corners of each intersection on the City rights of way. The pending Penny for Pinella!:> project would provide money for landscaping the intersection of U. S. 19 and State Road 60, under the exchange by Clearwater Mall, and landscaping for the McMullen bridge. It was noted Penny for Pinellas is not only subject to approval by the City Commission, but is also subject to approval by voters when it goes to referendum. Mr. Wilson said the City may apply for a highway beautification grant from the DOT for the section between U. S. 19 and McMullen Booth. The City's contribution could be mostly inkind. Inkind was explained as the City providing labor and other in-house items, such as trees or shrubs from the nursery. The Parks and Recreation Department sponsored plantings for Courtney-Campbell Causeway project, but volunteers from the community provided the labor. It is expected to be a close vote. Mr. Baldwin felt it was unfortunate the county cut down numerous oak trees at the new McMullen Booth Road, and there are no plans for beautification programs for that area. It was designated a scenic corridor at one time, but is no longer very appealing. A question arose about the letter sent a few months ago to Ms. Deptula. The letter suggested putting the hibiscus on banners but no response has been received. It was suggested sending another letter to Ms. Deptula regarding the hibiscus logo. Jean Sherry contacted Mr. Wilson and said the Commission is considering a city-wide banner program, which requires prior approval by the DOT and Florida Power. It was noted when driving into Canada from the United States, the Canadian border displays flowers and beautiful landscaping, creating a welcome atmosphere when entering the country. Returning to the United States, landscaping is nonexistent, which leaves a poor impression of the U. S. The same situation is true in Clearwater, when one sees concrete and unkempt grass and landscaping, the impression is very poor. The Committee has spent two years going through an education process with the City to emphasize the importance of beautification and a City-wide logo. Mr. Baldwin is preparing the annual report, which will be completed for the August 15, 1996 meeting at City Hall Commission Chambers at 6:00 p.m. It was noted Committee members are not required to attend, but are welcome. 0"',' .. \, mBC08.96 2 08/07/96 . . ~ ,~ :.." '..:_\ :': ," , , ">",' ':..', '. ,,'," "': ':, ',:' .'."..: .:'".',~ :"'. ' .;.,: ',': '. .." "", ::, ,,'" ,.', :" . . :," '",' .' \"", '.,' ' , '. , " . \ 1'.' \, ! ..., ' \ . , ..", '. , .. " ': ' . . ',I ' " . '::, " ..."., '. " '.' , ,.',' ~;, ',~, ',,' '~,'. I:~',~:,', :>", ',: ";r'~ ",',~'~;:'.:~~.J-:~-":'.""';4"" '~ :",' :" ,I ~.', ;,' ," ,'.,.. ,'~" :',: " " 'I'". I'" " '. " .I. ~ D. Memorial Causeway Bridge The design phase of the bridge will either be P4A north, which bows out slightly to the north of the eXisting bridge, or the southern route designed by Mr. Baldwin. According to consultants, they are the two best designs, one of which will be chosen. The Engineering Department has decided to keep Fred Gottmueller on board for the design phase. One option begins at Pierce Street and continues north of the existing bridge, but will not include Cleveland Street. The other option begins at Chestnut and continues south of Pierce 100. The next bridge meeting is September 26, 1996, at Peace Memorial Presbyterian Church. The final decision will be made by the DOT and the City Commission. Rich Baier joined the meeting briefly and referred to maps of the areas under consideration. Mr. Baier indicated the DOT was supportive of a northern alignment feeding off Court and Chestnut to Pierce Boulevard. Also under consideration is an alignment south of the bridge, as well as a third alignment as shown on drawings. It was noted certain routes would necessitate moving the channel at a cost of $8 million, and properties may have to be purchased. Using the nominal review technique, all parameters are being mailed to participants who attended previous meetings, and the group will select from four preferred alignments. Preliminary engineering will be done by the end of August 1997, and a decision must be made by December 1996. E. Staff Reports ,~:) Mr. Wilson stated there was no additional business. v. New Busines~ The Committee would like to have the hibiscus logo on the water tower at Clearwater Beach. The City is testing water pressure to residents at Island Estates, and if pressure is sufficient without the tower, the tower may be removed. Should the tower be left in place, the Committee would like to pursue the hibiscus being placed on the tower. Ms. Blakemore asked about improving the section of roadway on South Ft. Harrison and Clearwater Largo Road. It was noted that portion lies in the cities of BeUeair and Largo. The Clearwater city boundary line ends at Belleair Road, by the golf course. The right of way by the Pinellas trail is very narrow, with older businesses very near the curb. It is difficult to change anything unless businesses are torn down and new construction codes increase setbacks. Currently, the trail ends at Belleview and Jones Street. The trail is closed due to routing changes. It will go from East Avenue and will have ten feet wide sidewalks from Turner Street to Drew Street. .:) It was suggested recognizing businesses for beautification efforts on an informal basis. Plaques could become expensive, and the Committee decided certificates were the preferred incentive. It was suggested the Committee adopt the hibiscus logo, as designed on Welcome to Clearwater signs, as the certificate logo. Mr. Baldwin suggested Mr. Wilson check with the City to get prior approval. Mr. Wilson indicated putting the hibiscus on certificates would be fine. Should the mBC08.96 3 08/07/96 ~. L~ '-. .... _,hi II. t.., \C\,.', ',',; ':::~"";/.' ,,,.< I,-:~~ ...,,:.,. " 'l'lJ.r.3~:toI~~1:....I.""';..i,I;, << ';. .,:, ,'., ' > I .'tl"\\-~" .,:'.."_"".,"..," ," ,',: ..,'~" :,,:. ',',',.,.:'.".,;,,:','.:<.:"'.'~' ."..' ,'" "<',0-:<";: " .. ..., , " .. ., . I. I. t,. , ~.'I , ,. . , < - .#...-. ' . , , ~' ,',' .':. ,'I ; ,',', l ,,' ... .., :...' .. , ,;.""'~ ,.' '", ',' , " ' I,:' ,,/,,', :' ','., ,," , " ' ,,', : . " , -,j~ ,'.., ,::,:;,,;:,'il{;!~!~~'w;,'>';:. · "'.1.' \" i'" , ..~ ',: .I .....,:c ,. : J~' " ".~. ., , ~,., . ,';'.,' ~ Committee request logos on letterhead, Commission approval would be required. Recognition is contagious and should spark the interest of other businesses to beautify their properties. It was suggested members consider criteria for the recognition program and discuss implementation plans at the next meeting. Mr. Wilson will inform the City Manager of the Committee's intention and report to the Committee at the next meeting. A motion to adjourn at 10:04 a.m. seconded, and carried unanimously. ...., VI. Adjournment , ,. Chair Beautification Committee ., - " . Attest: " , \. . ~7rJakJL) . Board Reporter .,. I~,) ~ < " o mBCOS.B6 4 08/07/96 . . . ,':. ..:'-..." . . '. ,. ;",. : ',,': :..:"',..'.' <:., ...,'. ":,",':.,, "'. ",,' ~ ': " , '" ' , ': ',"" :.':- .:,":':.--.:,'::,...:..... , " " ,- '. I \. I I l. 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