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TOWN MEETING
November 15, 1994
The City Commission of the City of Clearwater met at the Morningside Recreation
Center with the following members present:
Rita Garvey
Fred A. Thomas
Richard Fitzgerald
Sue A. Berfield
Arthur Deegan III
Mayor/Commissioner
Vice-Mayor /Commissioner
Commissioner
Commissioner
Commissioner
Also present:
Elizabeth M. Deptula
Cynthia E. Goudeau
City Manager
City Clerk
The meeting was opened at 7:30 p.m. by Mayor Garvey.
A video was presented showing an overview of projects in Clearwater, particularly in
the neighborhood.
Keith Peterson said traffic problems on his street, Nash Street north of Gulf-to-Bay
Boulevard, are caused by three car dealerships on Gulf-to-Bay Boulevard who test drive
cars in his neighborhood. He said junior college students also use his street as a short cut.
He requested a three way stop sign be installed at the intersection of Nash Street and
Fernwood. He said cars reach speeds up to 80 mph on his street. Commissioner Deegan
questioned the posted speed. It was indicated the speed limit is 25 mph. Mayor Garvey
indicated site plans required the businesses not to use back streets. She said traffic
enforcement would address this problem. Mr. Peterson said enforcement does'not work
because few tickets are issued during the one hour patrols.
Margaret Mills said she is well aware that college students and others use Nash
Street as a short cut. She said young children play on the street and sometimes have to
jump out of the way of cars. She said the problem is getting worse. Today, a motorcycle
using the short cut could be heard all the way down the street. Ms. Mills complained
motorcycles caused a racket on Gulf-to-Bay Boulevard for 45 minutes last Friday night,
even after the Police were called.
Ralph Spencer complained the new signs indicating the location of City facilities are
ugly and too big. He was glad to see Police presence in the neighborhood on Halloween.
Kelly Davis requested a "Children at Play" sign be installed at the intersection of ,
Feather Tree Drive and Feather Tree Circle. She indicated 48 children live in that area and
traffic cuts through at speeds between 35 and 40 mph. She requested the City address
the poor condition of sidewalks on Drew Street.
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Phil Kitchen requested that Pinellas Trail be completed. He noted environmental
concerns regarding Allen's Creek and expressed concern that Clearwater is prohibiting
people from hooking up to the City's sewer system. Commissioner Thomas noted hooking'
into the City's sewer system requires annexation.
Mr. Kitchen complained regarding the police chasing speeders. He said he saw a
police car back down a street at speeds above the speed limit to apprehend a speeding
vehicle. Commissioner Thomas said, by and large, he is proud of the Police Department
but if misconduct is observed. the car number should be obtained and reported to City
management. Commissioner Deegan said because of neighborhood concerns, the Police
do not engage in high speed chases, except for felony pursuits. Lieutenant Hardman
indicated the Police only chase violont, felony suspects. He said the Police tried to
apprehend the motorcyclists referred to earlier, but they outran the Police.
Joseph Timuscek questioned what happened to the radar on Cleveland Street.
Lieutenant Hardman indicated the radar was discontinued for one month but now has been
reinstated. Mr. Timuscek questioned the timing of the light at the intersection of Gulf.to~
Bay Boulevard and Belcher Road and felt it was too short for morning Gulf-to-Bay traffic.
Charles Cummings said he lost a leg and cannot get to the beach in a wheelchair. He
requested the City provide beach access for the handicapped. He expressed concern that
the incline at Pier 60 may be too steep for access by some handicapped people. He
requested City inspectors check buildings for improper facilities for the handicapped.
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Mr. Cummings complained that traffic blocks the driveway at the apartment complex
where he lives off Drew Street. He questioned if a sign could be installed east of the
driveway requesting traffic not block the access. He said bad accidents have occurred at
this location during the past five years. Mayor Garvey said staff would contact the Florida
Department of Transportation to see if something could be done. Mr. Cummings felt
citizens should accept some responsibility to solve problems. He cited New York as an
example, where people used buckets to collect asphalt and patch potholes. Mayor Garvey
said more often than not, potholes are not within the City's jurisdiction. She expressed
concern that citizens could be injured filling potholes and hold the City liable.
Commissioner Thomas requested the location of the potholes and said staff will notify the
appropriate agency if the potholes are not located in the City.
Mr. Cummings expressed concern that children do not wear helmets or have proper
safety equipment on their bicycles. He questioned if requirements address this concern.
Mayor Garvey said State law requires safety devices. She suggested the City could
develop a safety video and broadcast it on the City channel to educate bicycle riders.
Commissioner Berfield questioned Mr. Cummings' statement regarding Pier 60 and
indicated the City contracted to build it to ADA standards. Mayor Garvey noted sidewalks
on North Beach provide beach access.
Art Lukens said speeding traffic in the City is getting out of hand. He questioned the
results of last year's Community Consensus Project. Commissioner Deegan said a public
hearing was held to report the results and results were published in the newspaper. He
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, said the report is available to citizens who want a copy. Commissioner Deegan said the
results were used as a basis for strategies and planning sessions and will be the basis for
the budget. He reported the major issues were safety In the neighborhood, drinking water
and speeding. Mr. Lukens thanked the Commission for their time and effort.
A man' requested the City consider him for employment in the resource recovery area.
Mayor Garvey said if he submits his name and address, staff will forward it to the Pinellas
County Resource Recovery Plant.
Ed Stewart indicated Asheville, Ne, has a rebate program that pays $50 for the
replacement of one toilet with a low volume one and $75 to replace two. He said
response to the program has been good and water has been saved. He recommended the
City consider a similar program. Mayor Garvey questioned if low volume toilets save as
much water as Utoilet tummiesn and other water conservation devic!=ls the City has
available.
The meeting adjourned at 8:29 p.m.
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Joe Evich questioned if any data had been' gathered through the transmitters
imbedded in the recycling bins. Mayor Garvey indicated a problem occurred with the
software. The City Manager reported staff recently collected one month of good data. ,
She cited an example of tracking down the owner of a bin found in Stevenson's Creek.
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