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01/23/1998 (2) .:.". ". ", ,- .:,'~ .." ;"." ....." .' t. ".~....',,"" .'............ . .'. '. ..' ,:.'~ ..... .>. " :~,. .:':. .:1' '.' ',' . ". "j . ~ . ~ . . " > . ... COMMISSION . City Commission Minutes .' .' . . . . . ~ , .;". . . ". :' , ". , . pee/iLl n~ i. · Om Oc9c7;< ~~1~t';:....:i,;":\II'~;~I\..,~.~....J.'.:.f~'_".l ~'l:.h....~'_.~~"'.,"'". .:..~.<.~.. . " . . c . " ~ -- CITY COMMISSION SPECIAL MEETING CITY OF CLEARWATER January 23, 1998 Present: Rita Garvey J. B. Johnson Robert Clark Ed Hooper Karen Seal Michael J. Roberto Bob Keller Pamela K. Akin Cynthia E. Goudeau Brenda Moses Mayor/Commissioner Vice-Mayor/Commissioner Commissioner Commissioner Commissioner City Manager Assistant City Manager City Attorney City Clerk Board Reporter The meeting was called to order at 9:04 a.m. at City Hall. ,..:.,'.) ~, ~., The City Manager presented One City. One Future., a conceptual redevelopment plan. Rollouts will be presented to the community, business associations, homeowner associations, and other groups. He emphasized the need for community involvement and that we are ~ community. The concept is dedicated to Clearwater's families and future, with emphasis on expansion and enhancement of quality of life. It will require a joint development partnership with the County and the private sector. Government must serve as a redevelopment catalyst to ensure success. Challenges and opportunities will include: 1) leveraging private investment with the help of Penny for Pinellas funds; 2) attracting and expanding new businesses; 3~ gaining more regional market share: 4) rebuilding and revitalizing Cleveland Street and downtown; 5) defining community character and creating a sense of iiplace": 6) increasing tourism revenues: 7} energizing the waterfront and park system and incorporating a pedestrian focus; 8) connecting the beach and downtown; 9) revitalizing Greenwood community; and 10) building community consensus. Infrastructure improvements and district redevelopment will be defined and addressed. Gulf-to-Bay Boulevard is a central entryway into the City and must reflect Florida's natural beauty. Cleveland Street is a tremendous asset that has been under-utilized. ~.) Three specific redevelopment districts were defined: 1) North Greenwood: 2) downtown; and 3) the beach. The revision of the LDC (Land Development Code) will encourage and promote business development throughout the City. Destination points have been defined. Parking, traffic patterns, and landscaping will be addressed throughout the City. Relocation of the Jack Russell Stadium is being considered. A multipurpose village square is planned at Palmetto Street and North Greenwood Avenue. Downtown will be viewed as the "east beach." Asphalt and concrete will be replaced with more green space. Expansion of Coachman Park will bring more entertainment activity into the area. The current retail and institutional markets must be considered. A governmental City Center at Myrtle Avenue and Cleveland Street is proposed. The Main Clearwater Library will serve as an anchor to downtown. Recreational service space and expansion of commercial opportunities will be enhanced. A better transition is needed between the residential and commercial areas at the beach. Relief of beach traffic congestion and msp0198 1 01/23/98 ~ improved beach and downtown connections will be addressed. A pedestrian walkway is proposed along the waterway to promote its natural beButy. A strategy for the bluff will include theaters, retail facilities, an entertainment component, and utilization of the Harborview Center. A downtown lake of no more than 4 acres will provide more recreational opportunities. The City Manager reviewed the first steps toward achieving the plan: 1) Penny for Penny funds, grants and other resources will be utilized: 2) the beach, downtown market, and parking issues will be analyzed; 3) a new Main Clearwater Library site will be selected; 4) RFQ (requests for qualification) will be accepted for redevelopment recommendations; 5} a retail/commercial incentive program will be developed: 6) the new LOC will be implemented; 7) Gulf-to-Bay Boulevard corridor will be enhanced: 8) the North Greenwood initiative will progress; 9) an evaluation will be done for maintaining the existing Memorial Causeway Bridge and how to connect it to the beach; 10) the impact of moving the Stadium will be addressed: and 11) the downtown lake project will be addressed. Jay Keyes, Clearwater Beach Association, reported the Association Board voted unanimous support of the concepts. He requested the new Memorial Causeway Bridge be designed to accommodate a monorail or other people mover in the future. He stated there are funds available through congress to pay for 80% of a demonstration project of this sort. Anne Garris spoke in support of the concepts. She indicated there would be objections if the civic center and other facilities are removed and not replaced. ~<{9 . (~1 '<..:..'o.t Jack Alvord, Historic Bayview Association, requested the Commission consider purchase of a 4.2 acre parcel of land near the Bayside Bridge. Sandy ~rjtton spoke in support of the concepts. William Graham, Upper Pinellas Count Ministerial Alliance, suggested the Main Library be replaced on the old Chamber of Commerce site and that a new community center in North Greenwood house another library, police substation, etc. Sheila Cole, Beach Chamber of Commerce, reported they support the actions plans in the "blue print." Wilford Sergeant supported the concept of Gulf-to-Bay improvements. Kenneth Rosenow spoke in favor of the concepts and congratulated the City for the comprehensive approach. Bill Kirbas felt before any redevelopment takes place, traffic flow patterns should first be addressed. Michael Gollea, suggested using the old Chamber property for expansion of the main library. He questIoned how traffic is to be directed to downtown businesses. \iJ mspO 1 98 2 01/23/98 ~ Isay Gulley, Clearwater Neighborhood Housing Services, commended the City Manager for folding, urban neighborhoods into his plans. Jonathan Wade, stated the North Greenwood community wants to be part of the City's vision and looks forward to working with the City. Gerri Husken, Sunsets at Pier 60, stated the board voted unanimously to support the concepts. Fran Briskman, Island Estates Civic Association and Coalition of Clearwater Homeowners Association, stated both boards unanimously support the concepts. Albert J. Medfus. disagreed with funding of the concept. He felt more flood control is needed, especially in the mobile home park where he lives. David Little felt the City Manager has brought many people together through his visits to community groups, business and residential groups. He looks forward to progress beyond the conceptual stages. Roger Woodruff, Clearwater Downtown Development Board, said the Board has not voted but he believes they will support the concepts. Bob Hension thanked the City Manager and City Commission for their efforts. ~ Bill Justice said many plans have been developed over the years, but nothing has ~. . ... been done. He felt the current concept will succeed if everyone will forget their minor differences and support it. Paul Kelly said he wants to help combat any negativity surrounding the concept. He felt the City Manager has the leadership skills to make the concept a reality. Mayme Hodges expressed her appreciation to the City Manager and City Commission. She said the community feels there is more cooperation between residents and government. Ken Hamilton commended the City Manager and City Commission. He suggested the community look at the overall concept and success will follow. Fred Thomas commended the City Manager and City Commission. He expressed the need to move forward quickly with some plans in order to maintain public enthusiasm. \ City Commissioners expressed their optimism regarding the redevelopment concept. They expressed their pleasure with the community's interest and commitment to the redevelopment effort. It was noted it will be important for the community to maintain their enthusiasm and participation in redevelopment efforts in order to ensure the success of the redevelopment concept. .. msp0198 3 01/23/98 ..-- The City Manager said the City's Vision Statement drove the entire redevelopment effort. He said more information will be needed as the concept progresses. He was impressed by the community involvement expressed, and asked the City Commission to move forward on the action items presented. Commissioner Johnson moved to approve the following action stops in concept: 1) authorize market studies for the beach and downtown; 2) Evaluate the Phillies' economic impact; 3) Prepare a Request for Qualifications IRFQ) for developers to submit ideas for the bayfront, including Coachman Park expansion; 4) select site for the new Main Library; 5) apply for "Mainstreet" program: 6) complete necessary parking studies: 6) accelerate community-based initiative in the North Greenwood area: 7) Implement regional storm water retention project in downtown; 8) create an incentive program for retail and commercial , occupancy along Cleveland Street; 9) Evaluate maintaining the existing Memorial Causeway Bridge as a local traffic connection between the beach and downtown: 10) redesign the Land Development code; 11} enhance corridors along Cleveland Street, Gulf- to-Bay Boulevard, Mandalay Avenue and Gulfview Boulevard. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. . The meeting adjourned at 10:25 a.m. . .. ATTEST: (!.-~ Z. )~.Qo. -0 City Clerk t:.l~1com~ - ,~ msp0198 4 01/23/98 +. ." I L .. , . .; .. ~. , . ',.