09/03/1997 (2)
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Beautification Committee Minutes
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BEAUTIFICATION COMMITTEE MEETING
CITY OF CLEARWATER
September 3, 1997
Present:
William Baldwin
Katherine Merriam
Delphine Pullar
Marcia Blakemore
Sheila Cole
Robert Sudalnik
David Stitt
Thelma Blasko
Lt. Jeff Kronschnabl
Ream Wilson
Mark Roether
Brenda Moses
Absent:
Nancy Aft
1 . Call to Order
Chair
Member
Member (departed 9:06 a.m.)
Member
Member
Member
Member
Member
Special Assistant to City
Manager (departed 8:55 a.m.)
Parks and Recreation Director
Parks and Recreation Nursery Superintendent
Board Reporter
Member
The meeting was called to order by Chair Baldwin at 8:00 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.
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2. Aooroval of Minutes - Auaust 6. 1997
Member Merriam moved to approve the minutes of August 6, 1 997, as
submitted in writing to each member. The motion was duly seconded and carried
unanimously.
3. Corresoondence
None.
4. Onaoino Business
A. Bayfront Park
Mr. Wilson noted that no further information is available at this time.
B. Anti-Litter Campaign
Special Assistant to the City Manager, Lt. Jeff Kronschnabl discussed
minimum property standards. He noted that the City is attempting to achieve
voluntary code compliance through educational efforts. Within the City there seems
to be a lack of responsibility on the part of the home owner and business owner.
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Lt. Kronschnabl distributed and briefly discussed "A Citizen's Guide to Code
Enforcement" developed by the City of Clearwater's Community Response Team.
The guide explains achieving code compliance through education, communication
and cooperation. The Community Response Team takes an active role in clean-ups
and youth programs, offering site counseling, conducting door-to-door property
inspections, and other services. He explained the details of the code enforcement
process and how it directly affects the health, safety and quality of life in the City.
It was remarked that the Beautification Committee's proactive efforts will continue
to be vital to the success of the anti-litter campaign and related crime issues. Lt.
Kronschnabl will supply a draft of the proposed minimum property maintenance
standards to this Committee for their review. It was noted that it takes time to
effect change and community support will be necessary to enhance beautification
efforts throughout the City.
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Parks and Recreation Director Ream Wilson stated that Parks and Recreation
employees empty trash containers on sidewalks on weekends at approximately 2:00
a.m. The Solid Waste Department empties containers Monday through Friday
beginning at 9:00 a.m. Street sweeping is done 3 days a week in early morning
hours. There are times when people dispose of litter and some property owners do
not take the initiative to clean up their respective areas.
Lt. Kronschnabl noted that beautification issues will become the cornerstones
to crime if they are not addressed. He referred to a map with color:coded
neighborhoods, citing average, poorly maintai~ed and problem areas. In identifying
these areas, factors considered included exterior property conditions, general
building conditions, landscaping conditions, parking issues, litter problems, and the
general overall appearance of the area. Historically, when one area deteriorates, the
adjacent neighborhood begins to deteriorate. The reasons for this deterioration
include lack of public education regarding litter, and the lack of the work force to
find time to maintain their properties. Deterioration of neighborhoods frequently
means people move away rather than address and remedy the problems, further
aggravating those problems. Discussion ensued regarding specifics that can
adversely affect an area. With community support, the issues of maintaining
minimum property maintenance standards will be addressed. These issues affect
the City as a whole. It was noted that an international property maintenance code
was drafted last year which specifies minimum suggested maintenance codes.
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In response to a question, Member Cole noted that in some communities
neighborhood homeowner associations are beginning to disband due to a younger
residential mix and changing financial situations. Young couples do not have the
time to maintain properties or attend association meetings. The irony is that the
reason they moved to a particular neighborhood was because it was well
maintained. She noted that the Homeowners Association and Community Response
Team applied for a County grant and started a VIP Youth Program. In every
neighborhood with a recreation center, youth are being asked what they like and
dislike about their neighborhood. They are asked to select an item from the list tnat
they feel they can improve upon. As future generations are educated regarding anti-
litter programs, perhaps it will encourage more community involvement and
improve~ent.
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Member Cole reported her findings regarding the disposable litter bags
discussed at the last meeting. In the past, the City's Solid Waste Department,
Recycling Department, and Clearwater Gas System have distributed litter bags
throughout the community, Discussion ensued regarding whether or not Solid
Waste Department personnel could distribute litter bags to every household on their
regular routes. Further research will be necessary to determine how to implement
such a program.
Discussion ensued regarding the property known as Bayview Mobile Home
Park. It was noted due to the fact that Gulf-to-Bay Boulevard is a commercial
corridor, that property may be developed for revenue generation, rather than as a
public park. It was suggested that should the area be developed commercially,
preservation of trees and other landscaping to buffer it from nearby homes would be
preferable to a concrete jungle.
5. Staff Reoorts
In response to questions, Mr. Wilson indicated that the extension of
Landmark Drive relative to the new park is moving forward. There were some
regulatory issues to identify which have been completed. Mr. Wilson will update
Members at the next meeting.
6. New Business
.:~~ Member Blakemore asked about the mangroves along the Memorial
~:;dY Causeway. It was explained that trimming mangroves weaken them. Mangroves
grow from the tops rather than from the bottom as other plants grow.
Chair Baldwin suggested placing lighting around the sign at the entryway to
the Courtney-Campbell Causeway. Mr. Wilson and Nursery Superintendent Mark
Roether will review the electricity requirements and report back to this Committee at
the next meeting. It was suggested contacting the Greater Clearwater Chamber of
Commerce regarding their participation.
Member Sudalnik noted he requested r eived a 2-y ar old Clearwater
Downtown Redevelopment Plan from the As istant ity Mana r's office. He will
review it and share his findings with this Co mitte at the ne meeting.
7. Adiournment - 9:24 a.m.
Chair
Beautification Committee
Attest:
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Board Reporter
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