04/27/1993
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TOWN MEETING
April 27, 1993
The City Commission of the City of Clearwater met at the Countryside Library with
the following members present: .
Rita Garvey
Arthur X. Deegan, "
Sue A. .Berfield
Richard Fitzgerald
Fred A. Thomas
Mayor /Commissioner
Vice-Mayor/Commissioner
Commissioner
Commissioner
Commissioner
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Also present:
Cynthia E. Goudeau
City Clerk
The meeting was called to order at 7:30 p.m. by Mayor Garvey.
Bill Scirio expressed concerns regarding condominiums being rented for the week,
day or month. He requested there be some enforcement. He stated there is a question
as ,to the infraction, . Commissioner Thomas questioned the specifics of the complaints.
Mr. Scirio reported Burgoff Holding Company is renting out condominiums as an agent in
~ single family development. He stated there is a problem in the City with short term
rentals. He stated, at one point, there were eight to nine people in one condominium.
Mayor Garvey stated this issue has been brought up before, but there is difficulty verifying
and documenting the rentals.
Commissioner Berfield questioned the rules and regulations of the condominium
association. Mr. Scirio responded it requires rentals of no less than six months.
Commissioner Berfield questioned if the association could take action. Mr. Scirio indicated
they have, but they cannot acquire the information needed to take the case to court. He
suggested the City could gain information by monitoring rental cars and taking their
license numbers. Commissioner Thomas questioned when this was first brought to the
City's attention. Mr. Scirio indicated at least three years ago.
Sibbie Demari stated this is an Internal problem and they have attorney's fees. It has
been a long, expensive process. Commissioner Thomas questioned how much had been
invested. Mr. Scirio estimated $20,000 to $25,000. He stated these rentals also inflate
values, as they buy for $60,000 and sell for $80,000. This is causing increased taxes
for other condominium owners. He stated the residents there need the City's help.
Mayor Garvey requested the information be developed again.
Commissioner Thomas questioned what options there are to solve this problem.
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. ~ ' Mayor Garvey indicated, from all she has been told, there are few, if any, options
.,.' and this Is a city-wide problem. Commissioner Thomas questioned jf the Commission
should take the position that the City should be a co-respondent in the litigation. Mayor
Garvey expressed concerns the City would then be asked to be co-respondent in many
cases. Commissioner Thomas indicated, if the code could not be enforced, it needed to
be changed. Commissioner Fitzgerald stated, in this particular situation, the problem is
getting the proof necessary. We have to specifically identify and prove the short-term
rentals. He stated there have been no paper trails left and it is a very frustrating problem.
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William Sarzee stated he has been in contact with several departments within the
City and no one wants to come out and view the situation. He stated his taxes have
increased 200 percent. He stated there are a couple of units for sale, but they cannot be
sold because of the inflated prices.
The Mayor again requested that all the records regarding this situation be pulled
together.
Sob Wager expressed concerns regarding traffic on Landmark Drive. He presented
a map and police report of accidents that have occurred along this stretch of road. He
stated, generally the problem is speed and many cars leave the road. He stated the worst
time is Friday nights between 11 :00 p.m, and 3:00 a.m. The worst offenders are' kids
and young adults. He reviewed many of the accidents and presented pictures of car
tracks in the grass, knocked down mail boxes, etc. He stated the young people think it
is a joke and they need to be refocused. He stated the bottom line is his .concern
regarding the devaluation of this property and the real concern is that of saving lives. He
, stated he has worked with Traffic Engineering and there is a work order in process to put
up signs and warning bumps. He requested a solution be found to the problem. He
stated the Police Department has been very good and responded quickly, and the speed
traps are effective. He appreciated the Commission taking the time to come out to the
community. Mayor Garvey asked the information be given to Traffic Engineering to see
if something could be done,
Commissioner Thomas questioned if there was a specific location at which the
majority of the accidents occur. Mr. Wagner indicated they are distributed all along
Landmark Drive.
Commissioner Deegan questioned if a 35 mph speed limit was reasonable and asked
if this could be included in the areas for zero tolerance for speed enforcement. Mr.
Wagner indicated police presence is temporarily effective and questioned if stop signs
could be installed.
Mr. Kennedy stated his opinion was that zero tolerance with a 35 mph speed limit
was the preferred alternative. He stated there have been complaints for ten years and
that police enforcement is the issue.
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~ d cKathY SChnd8ckenberg stated the problem is the park at the corn'er of Landmark Drive
,. an urlew Roa closing at 11 :00 p.m. All the young people leaving the park go down
Landmark and speed. She stated the police are never out on landmark on Friday and
Saturday nights when the problem is at its worst. Commissioner Thomas questioned the
staffing level at the Countryside substation. Commissioner Fitzgerald indicated it was
limited as the Countryside Police station covers the whole East district. He stated, during
Spring Break, a lot of the officers are shifted to the Beach. Commissioner Thomas
questioned the number of officers needed to adequately staff the district. Mayor Garvey
indicated there was no way to know.
Mr. Kennedy indicated Chief Klein had put in for nine officers, and questioned why
they could not all go to Countryside. '
Karen Wagner stated the posted speed is irrelevant and mostly the young kids are
. the problem. She stated the fear is for her parents. She stated people need to know they
are exceeding the speed limit tremendously.
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Commissioner Fitzgerald stated, in response to Commissioner Thomast question, it
would take a police officer almost constantly posted on the road in order to control the
problem. Commissioner Berfield suggested the "wolf packtr be assigned to the area. It
was indicated this has been done.
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Mr. Kennedy also reported, where Landmark Drive narrows from four to two lanes,
they try to squeeze each other out. Mayor Garvey requested one individual to contact
regarding the problems. Mr. Kennedy was designated.
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Mr. Kennedy requested they look at the history of accidents along that two-mile
stretch.
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Jerry Dabkowski stated that landmark Drive is not the only area, as Enterprise Road
is also a tremendous problem. He stated it is impossible to get the road under control.
He stated he appreciates the Police. Department's efforts and requested they not all be
moved to landmark Drive. He stated the entire Countryside area is a problem. Mr.
Kennedy' agreed the entire area experiences contempt for the speeding laws.
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Dick White suggested, while looking at the issue, the penalty involved also be
considered.
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Mr, Dabkowski questioned if there was any more mosquito control. Mayor Garvey
reported this is a County program.
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Bob Dailey requested consideration that the park on Enterprise be called Northwood
Park. He also questioned when the Countryside Community Center would be started.
Mayor Garvey indicated this was an issue of funding availability.
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Commissioner Fitzgerald stated the key is the citizens havo stepped forward and said
this is what they want and need. He stated he felt it would go forward, Commissioner
Thomas stated it was also a staffing question and he has asked to see what volunteers
would be available to assist in this regard. Commissioner Fitzgerald reported money has
been identified for the building, but there is still money needed for the operation,
Bill Jonson thanked the Commission for coming out, He expressed concerns
regarding the landscaping at the new US 19 I Countryside overpass. He said a lot has
been removed. He has a commitment from the district secretary that they would work
with the City to replace it if the City would maintain the landscaping.
Mr. Jonson also spolce regarding the sign code. He encouraged addressing neon and
encouraged a resolution in the aftermath of losing the Dimmitt flag case. He questioned
if the City's code enforcement had an effect on the base insurance rate. He also
questioned why there was a ten mph tolerance versus a five mph tolerance in speed
enforcement. ,Commissioner Fitzgerald stated we did not create the five or ten mph
leeway. He stated the Commission has asked the Chief to come back with a policy, Zero
tolerance has been directed in some areas.
Kathy Schnackenberg requested the easement for the Chi Chi ROdriguez golf course
be edged. She stated, on SR 580 to Landmark Drive, the sidewalk is overgrown and
overhung with trees.
Bill Schwob questioned when Northwood Estates was scheduled for repaving He
appreciated the City Commission coming out. He stated he was happy with the Library
and Police response. He stated the Neighborhood Watch is working well. He also
reported the sanitation workers are doing a great job. He also commended Alan
Mayberry, not only for inspecting trees but giving advise. He also stated Ream Wilson
and staff will be meeting with the people in the neighborhood regarding the park on
Enterprise Drive.
Madeline Casper stated the owner of a mobile home park at 401 South Belcher Road
is trying to evict tenants without compensation. She questioned if there were immediate
plans to widen Belcher Road. It was indicated there was not.
Kathy Schnackenberg questioned how people were notified of these meetings. The
Mayor indicated they are advertised in the paper as well as notices being sent out to the
homeowners' associations.
The meeting adjourned at 8:55 p.m.
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