Loading...
09/11/1997 (2) :. '.; '. :" :: " ;': "L " " "'.~'~: ...I....~".: :..,.... . '.. '.' "'. '. '. t, . I ' .' ...' ,.",' ,',' (~ ~ ' II , . J , . l . . < . ' oJ . , . '. ,..... . I '" . ; . > .' j- :,' ., . f. " ,. ..' ."'" ..~ ~. :' 1-' '. " '; , ,~ < - , . , " '. ... . " .', ,. ,r .'>. '..."'.'. l, ; . :. '. :. _ . . I ~ . . I '. . -f . I . , '. . . .. ,.;, J : v " ,,' .. .' :: '.. > ..' c' , , , . , . 1 .',' . .. " . . ,. " 1-: : <: .'," :': . , . . '. . ~" , : , . __w t 'l C.:ol :"P' 'h. ...tr~'~ , . ~ ,. ' ': ~~~.~~. ~ .......~,... ...:..~... '..:.\~-'tt;. ...,_...; ;1;1" :.r~....,:."~,..., ..~"'...~ "'iI'~~'i...ot."'f~.;< ~,I..":~. ..:::~ J .t;.::,.- ':;. :~.:.' ~l~::' , .:<. ,.:l: ,'; j ..' ...~ c'. II'. 1 " fl' ,- ~ i. .' . <", :, - :' FRC Fiscal Review Committee Minutes \l Date >Cp+6vJfft/ II (qq 1 ) ;. 130l/ . i .1 ,..Ofh'''-.-' ' ..-t1o- . ' .\ . ...-' ..'; .....,..,..'. .'".,~ :." ......... ....\.~.:.:.'..:.~:..:<. .........<...:..'.:..,..:. " :....... ;' .:" ~.... (.... .' 'l"_l I ......... ., L.j' ".." r ,,' '..' '. .-""+...:.....:~~...".~~..~~_........:....~.::,~.t,~. ".' .':. '.-'i.....: :',' .,: '.".-. ~.. .. ;:' .'. .' "",:' ..'. ' ':',~ '.. . ',. .,'; .. i) t") ( : '1':<1 o r' -. - _.......~..._.. ;, FISCAL REVIEW COMMITTEE CITY OF CLEARWATER September 11, 1997 Present: Daniel Fleck Daniel Moran Richard Lynch Bob Keller Scott Shuford Tina Wilson Brenda Moses Member Member Member Assistant City Manager Director of Central Permitting Budget Director Board Reporter Absent:: Janet MacNutt Carol Warren Member Member Budget Director Tina Wilson called the meeting to order at 8:05 a.m. at the Municipal Services Building, Clearwater, Florida. In order to provide continuity for research. the items listed were not necessarily discussed in that order. 1. Guest Speakers: Bob Keller, Assistant City Manager, Scott Shuford, Central Permitting Director Assistant City Manager Bob Keller spoke to the Committee about economic development necessities and plans for the City. He noted that the forces of the e~onomy are important and directly affect the local community. He stated that when he first moved to the City, he felt Clearwater did not have an assertive economic development operation. The City's Economic Development Department was mainly funded by CDBG (Community Development Block Grant) money. It's focus has been, and still is, on the residential population rather than commercial and industrial growth. Land development, the Brownfields, and the downtown area are all major considerations of economic development. Meetings have been held with local real estate agents to establish a presence. Repairing and establishing relationships in the area with others who are involved in economic development has been one area of focus. Money has been invested In the Tampa Bay Partnership, a regional Bay area economic development market. A strong. professional relationship has been developed with the Greater Clearwater Chamber of Commerce. City staff sits on various economic development boards to maintain 9. good business relationship and positively effect the City's economic development. It was noted that the St. Petersburg Clearwater Economic Development Council, Which is the County's economic development apparatus, has been essentially useless in the past. They were not a fullHselVice economic development organization. Their primary focus was in the unincorporated areas of the County. The new organization is the result of a culmination of a great deal of quiet negotiation. The result will be a full-service economic development apparatus that will include the City of Clearwater as a full partner. and will help the City leverage its dollars. Mr. Keller stated he felt economic development organizations at the municipal level should not have an extraordinary amount of money to spend. It is not an effective use of dollars and is usually spent for the political process rather than economic development. There appears to be a feeling by the community that the downtown ,area is not necessary anymore due to the numerous not-far-profit entities. Some people feel the downtown area has not been clearly defined. Some re~idents consider the downtown area to be the 3 or 4 block strip from Osceola Avenue to Myrtle Avenue, when in fact it is much larger. Mr. Keller suggested viewing the mfrc0997 1 09/11/97 ,e, '..::;,~ ,/', '.... . ;.:':,'.,~'..l:. .,.,., ,'. .:.::'. ..",',~' ." .'.~.:., .":',:' ~\\lo..' ,.':-:::'''.J,~.~r" :.'.'. ",'<;" :....,..~.:., ":.,.:...:...1'....'.. _.,"',....,...........,',., ~,' ,: . . '., :' ", :,. :\' '" ~ '.' ~~,; .",.":'," <.:' ... ,'~ . '. " " ,,:, , .... " . ~, .' e' . ,'. '.' " '. t' .-. l',. '. t' Ie&: ....... . . .' '. '-.... '. . {-". .', . '.', .... ...,." '..:.-. '. . . ~~ + ." ~. ,. ,) ,~) o " downtown area as a IImall". Malls have strong anchors, are focused on specific niches, the sub-anchors fit the niche and offer a variety, and are clean. safe and fun. Anchors such as the UBluff" attract and entice people to visit downtown. Exploiting the entities and opportunities that are currently in the downtown area is a consideration involving signage, coordinated design, standards and planning. There are many governmental offices, architects and not-for-profit entities in the downtown area. It will be important to playoff those entities to generate and attract other sub-anchors to the area. The downtown area is attracting more foot traffic thanks to the City's beautification efforts which include trimming trees, cleaning out planters, planting small palms, power-washing sidewalks, and reviving storefront grant programs. The property located on Cleveland Street and Missouri Avenue is currently being cleaned up and is a very desirable developable site which can contribute to the tax base and serve as an anchor to the downtown area. Central Permitting Director Scott Shuford is working on a downtown action plan to tie all of these opportunities together. Discussion ensued regarding the opportunities for beach development that will arise with the construction of the new Memorial Causeway Bridge. Beach traffic will shift to Court and Chestnut Streets, encouraging more economic development. Beautification and economic development on Gulf-to-Bay Boulevard are being considered. Mr. Keller distributed a handout entitled "To Listen and to Act. a Strategic Framework for Economic Development." He noted that the next Commission strategic planning session in 2 weeks will be devoted to economic development. The community must decide whether or not they are serious about economic development. Central Permitting Director Scott Shuford noted that enforcing and strengthening minimum property standards will be a major focus in the economic development strategy. Enclave annexation is being contemplated to expedite economic development. He noted that Clearwater is a very safe city,. however perception can sometimes sway the masses. In 1994, the City enacted an Unsafe Structure Code which has affected over 350 properties. Improvements in property maintenance have increased dramatically. It was noted that long range planning is necessary to positively effect economic development. It is anticipated at the beginning of next year, a City-wide publication will be available which will serve as an informative tool for the local press and the community. 2. Election of Chairperson This item was postponed due to the absence of 2 Board Members. 3. Discussion of FRC Proiects It was requested that members consider issues and projects which they would like to focus on over the next 12 months. The suggested items will be discussed at the next meeting. and a final recommended list provided to the City Commission. It was suggested that Board Members individually speak to their City Commissioners to discuss and obtain any pertinent direction or information they feel necessary. Itis important for-FRC Members to proceed in such a manner that will assist the City in achieving their Vision and goals. Ms. Wilson noted that FRC Members have been provided with various information on the third quarter results for recycling. the Clearwater Gas System's monthly financial mfrc0997 09/11/97 2 Fiscal Review Committee r I.'.... 1. , , ".':~ .,'..\\.,'/\::';or{::.:.;;'...., " " I'. .....:.<. . ,:,.:.. ," ..... . , f~ statements and performance indicators for July I and the comprehensive annual financial report ending 9/30/96. All fund operations are in line with the general fund. Members were asked to review the Information supplied. Ms. Wilson noted that the bargaining process is taking place. One of the issues being discussed is the current benefit package given to SAMP employees when they terminate their employment. It is unknown as to when the results will be available. The meeting adjourned at 10:00 a.m. atJ-L/#/ Attest: . . , o o mfrc0997 3 09/11/97 .....~~W5h1t~,."l"J~,h.\i>:...,..i~..\/,.,.11;..4.. .,' .c<,,~. . ",.' . c I . . ~~~~I\"'~)l......~...!~~~~....t~;:;_!~_I~.k'tt'{~~;\'l'i',:, ~ > ~:k~~ 't-H" "lIC~ t ~'~ '," . l!UI............-."f\l. ~\J .~~}t. ~ I~~\ '". ~t,. ,.'"