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03/17/2008CITY COUNCIL WORKSESSION MINUTES CITY OF CLEARWATER March 17, 2008 Present: Frank Hibbard John Doran Carlen Petersen George N. Cretekos Paul Gibson Mayor Vice-Mayor Councilmember Councilmember Councilmember Also present: William B. Horne II Jill S. Silverboard Rod Irwin Pamela K. Akin Cynthia E. Goudeau Patricia O. Sullivan City Manager Assistant City Manager Assistant City Manager City Attorney City Clerk Board Reporter The Mayor called the meeting to order at 1:30 p.m. at City Hall. To provide continuity for research, items are in agenda order although not necessarily discussed in that order. Presentations Service Awards Two service awards were presented to City employees. The Council recessed from 1:31 to 1:59 p.m. to meet as the Community Redevelopment Agency and the Pension Trustees. Office of Management and Budget Amend the City's Fiscal Year 2007/08 Operating and Capital Improvement Budgets at First Quarter and pass Ordinances 7915-08 and 7916-08 on first reading. The FY (Fiscal Year) 2007/08 Operating and Capital Improvement Budgets were adopted in September 2007 by Ordinances 7866-07 and 7867-07. Section 2.521 of the City's Code of Ordinances requires the City Manager to prepare a quarterly report detailing income, expenditure estimates, collections, the explanation of significant variances, as well as the financial status of all capital improvement projects. Budget Director Tina Wilson reviewed the City Manager's March 3, 2008 memorandum regarding the First Quarter Budget Review and amended City Manager's Annual Budget Report. The report is based on three months of activity (October 2007 through December 2007) in the current fiscal year. The report comments on major variances, as well as documents all proposed amendments. Council Work Session 2008-03-17 Significant Fund amendments are outlined below. General Fund revenues and expenditure amendments reflect a net increase of $1,432,892. The major reason for the overall General Fund expenditure increase includes the appropriation of General Fund retained earnings of almost $1.4 million at first quarter to include the following items: 1) $225,000 to support the Marine Aquarium; 2) $100,000 to provide enhanced outside contractual support for building inspection and review services; 3) $700,000 for the Clearwater Beach Recreation Center Boat Ramp; 4) $280,873 for improvements to the Beach Library/Recreation Center; and 5) $67,775 for the Countryside Community Park facility. All of these amendments were previously approved by the City Council;. Enhanced revenues from under the new Fire contract are recognized in the amount of $818,390 and $255,820 from the Pinellas Library Cooperative above previous budget expectations. On the other hand, revenue estimates from the State of Florida reflect anticipated reductions of almost $367,000 in sales tax revenue and $411,000 in municipal revenue sharing. The budget also reflects the receipt of $450,000 from the Water's Edge settlement. With the net increase in revenues outlined here, the net transfer from retained earnings is expected to be approximately $623,000 at first quarter, rather than the $1.4 million approved by the Council above. General Fund Reserves - In order to ensure adequate reserves, the City Council's policy reflects that General Fund unappropriated retained earnings of 8.5% of the City's budgeted General Fund expenditures must be maintained as a reserve to guard against future emergencies. With the closing of the year-end 2007 books, and the allocation of reserves noted above, estimated General Fund reserves at first quarter are approximately $25 million, or 20.5% of the current year's General Fund budget, exceeding the City's reserve policy by $14.8 million. Significant amendments to other City Operating Funds: 1) Stormwater Fund - At first quarter, the Stormwater operating budget reflects an increase of $62,990 of Stormwater retained earnings representing excess cash in the debt service funds representing interest earnings in the bond construction funds for the last six months, and the related transfer of these funds to the capital improvement project for Stormwater Expansion; 2) Gas Fund - Budget amendments to the Gas Fund reflect an increase of approximately $4.2 million for the defeasance of gas bonds approved by the Council in September 2007, which is offset by the return of funding from gas projects in the capital improvement fund, and a reduction in the expected budget for gas commodity charges; 3) Recycling Fund - First quarter expenditure amendments in the Recycling Fund reflect an increase of $110,000 for the cost of inventory for resale due to higher than budgeted market prices and almost $83,000 for grant related expenditures related to a Pinellas County grant. Revenues from recyclable sales and grant proceeds more than offset the increase in budgeted expenditures; 4) Marina (and Aviation) Fund - The scope of the Marine and Aviation Fund is changing at first quarter in order to separate the two functions, and recognizing this fund now as the Marina Fund. At first quarter, Marine and Aviation Fund expenditures reflect a net decrease of $252,140, transferring the budgeted expenditures and related revenues of the Airpark Operations to the new Airpark Fund; 5) Airpark Fund - First quarter recognizes the formal establishment of the Airpark Fund, separating this operation from the previous Marine and Aviation Fund. First quarter amendments recognize the transfer of related budgeted revenues and expenditures from the Marina Fund; 6) Parking Fund - Budgeted expenditures in the Parking Fund at first quarter reflect a proposed increase of $148,320 to reflect the annual cost of the temporary Patel lot on Clearwater Beach for the current fiscal year, and related offsetting revenues; and 7) Central Council Work Session 2008-03-17 2 Insurance Fund - At first quarter, the Central Insurance Fund operating expenditures reflect the allocation of Central Insurance Fund reserves to support the health insurance contract approved by the City Council in October 2007. First quarter amendments to the Capital Improvement Fund reflect an increase of $9,438,088, primarily due to the establishment of the Downtown Boat Slip project in the amount of $10,450,000 and the Beach Recreation Center Boat Ramp replacement in the amount of $700,000, and the recognition of several significant amendments to several other projects including the National Guard Armory and Beach Library & Recreation Center renovation projects, Stevenson Creek Implementation and the WWTP Headworks projects. The budget amendments also reflect the return of almost $4.2 million to the Gas Fund for the defeasance of outstanding gas bonds. Project budget increases not previously approved by the Council include: 1) the largest of these proposed increases is an increase of almost $776,000 recognizing revenue from SWFWMD (Southwest Florida Water Management District) proceeds supporting the reclaimed water distribution project; 2) Special Program Fund - The Special Program Fund reflects a net budget increase of $1,929,242 at first quarter. Amendments include the recognition of more than $547,000 in grants proceeds supporting programs for Americorps, red light running, Brownfield assessment, and Juvenile Welfare grants supporting neighborhood recreation programs; 3) Other significant amendments reflect more than $772,000 for the special events and sponsorships programs in the last six months; 4) $207,000 from police fines and court proceeds to support public safety programs; and 5) $229,000 in revenues for police outside duty contractual services. Assistant City Manager Jill Silverboard said the City has an excellent chance of obtaining a grant to offset boat ramp replacement costs. City Engineer Mike Quillen said grant approval would occur in early 2009. Finance Director Margie Wilson said the downtown boat slip project is budgeted as presented to voters; the contract may cost slightly more. Engineering Award a contract to CALE Parking Systems USA, Inc., Clearwater, FL, in the amount of $172,550 for 17 Multi-Space Pay & Display parking meter units to be installed in the south beach parking lots that are currently operated as attendant parking and authorize the appropriate officials to execute same. (consent) Standard Parking Corp. has been operating these lots since October 2003. Standard Parking Corp. projected contract costs for FY (Fiscal Year) 2008 are $442,000. The Beach Walk project has significantly reduced the supply of public parking and it no longer is cost effective to operate with attendant parking. Four responses to RFP (Request for Proposals) 38- 07 (Multi-Space Parking Meter System) were received in August 2007. CALE Parking Systems, USA was selected as the most responsive respondent. The equipment has been in place since November 2007 at the East Shore temporary parking lot and has been a success operationally and has saved thousands of dollars in staffing costs. The equipment is solar-powered and accepts coin, bills, and on-line credit cards. An "all day" option is offered to eliminate patrons' concerns about receiving over time parking citations. Equipment maintenance and enforcement costs for the proposed pay stations will be absorbed without any Council Work Session 2008-03-17 3 increase in FTEs (Full-Time Equivalents). There will be minimal monthly wireless fees and equipment parts/repair costs. Anticipated installation time 90 days after approval. Parking Facilities Manager Tracey Bruch said meter units will issue receipts for patrons to display on their dashboards. The units can be relocated if a parking garage is constructed. The City has had no problems with solar-powered equipment. Approve a contract to Hausinger & Associates, Inc. of Parrish, FL, in the amount of $195,332.50 for well drilling construction services related to the Chloride Cap - Monitoring Wells Project (04- 0049-UT), and that the appropriate officials be authorized to execute same. (consent) The City of Clearwater Public Utilities Department is the permitted owner and operator of an existing well field that supplies raw water for production of potable water. A recent modification to the Water Use Permit (WUP) through SWFWMD (Southwest Florida Water Management District) requires the addition of three upper Floridan aquifer monitoring wells. The permit modification that was performed in a prior phase of this project involved a critical change in how the City is required to monitor and sample the aquifer and report any changes due to the City's withdrawal activities. The modification involved transferring sampling points from the actual production wells to monitoring wells that more accurately reflect surrounding conditions and will give better indication of any potential impacts to adjacent water users. Construction activities associated with this contract include the drilling of three new monitoring wells to provide for City staff monitoring and sampling of production wells that currently do not have nearby monitoring facilities. Project duration is expected to be 120 calendar days with completion by the end of July 2008. Concern was expressed the required project is an unfunded mandate. Engineering Manager Rob Fahey said the project will allow better use of City wells. SWFWMD is not providing any funding. Planning Approve Amendments to the Clearwater Comprehensive Plan related to the Coastal High Hazard Area provisions of the Coastal Management Element and Pass Ordinance 7917-08 on first reading. The proposed text amendments to the Coastal Management Element of the Clearwater Comprehensive Plan are necessitated by the passage of H131359 (Chapter 2006 -68, Laws of Florida), which made a number of changes to Chapter 163, Florida Statutes and to 9J-5.012 F.A.C. This law requires a change in the definition of CHHA (Coastal High Hazard Area) as well as adoption of a LOS (Level of Service) for evacuation clearance times for a Category 5 storm event. In addition to these requirements, the Planning Department also recommends the adoption of a CSA (Coastal Storm Area). The CSA includes, in addition to the CHHA, those areas that are not in the CHHA, but can be reached or evacuated only by going through a CHHA, as well as areas where high concentrations of development and population are not appropriate due to safety concerns. The CSA recognizes the unique circumstances existing in the coastal areas of Pinellas County and ensures proper evacuation. The CSA is a larger area Council Work Session 2008-03-17 4 than the CHHA, but to be concurrent with the County Comprehensive Plan, consistent with the Countywide Rules and for safety concerns, Coastal Storm Area terminology is recommended. The Planning Department and Emergency Management staff recommends language that would prohibit the siting of hospitals, nursing homes, and assisted living facilities in the CSA. Since the City must follow County Emergency Management directives, these text amendments are intended to be consistent with language in the Pinellas County Comprehensive Plan. The recommended amendments were developed in consultation with the Clearwater Citizen's Advisory Committee, Tampa Bay Regional Planning Commission, Pinellas County, and Pinellas Planning Council. The Planning Department has determined that the proposed text amendments are consistent with other provisions of the Clearwater Comprehensive Plan, will not adversely impact the use of property, will adversely affect neither the natural environment nor public facilities. The CDB reviewed these amendments at its public hearing on February 19, 2008, and unanimously recommended approval, with the following condition: 1) that a specific time to implement the 36-hour LOS is identified prior to implementation of this amendment. Since the time of that public hearing, Planning Staff has been in contact with Pinellas County Planning Staff. Pinellas County planning staff has now been informed by the State Department of Community Affairs (DCA) that DCA is going to raise objections on every community across the state that does not adopt, at a minimum, a 16-hour Evacuation LOS, and have, in fact, already objected to St. Petersburg's adoption of a LOS of 36 hours. County Planning staff indicated that in view of their conversation with DCA, the County is in the process of amending their Evacuation LOS to 16 hours. City Planning staff has not recommended a specific time to implement an Evacuation LOS due to the fact that numerical estimates for achieving an Evacuation LOS of 16 hours have not yet been developed, although discussions with staff from various agencies have an estimated range from 50 to 100 years. Because this is a text amendment to the Comprehensive Plan, review and approval by the Florida Department of Community Affairs is required. Planning Manager Catherine Porter estimated it would take 50 years for the City to meet a 16-hour evacuation LOS requirement. It was indicated with more shelters in place, the number of evacuees would be reduced. Developing the required plan will take 40 - 60 staff hours but will not require consultants. Assistant Planning Director Gina Clayton said the City has no choice but to adopt the amendments. New development will be assessed to reduce evacuation times and pay a mitigation fee. Approve a Future Land Use Plan Amendment from the Residential Urban (RU) and Institutional (1) Classifications to the Residential Medium (RM) Classification and a Zoning Atlas Amendment from the Institutional (1) District to the Medium Density Residential (MDR) District for property located at 802, 826, and 830 Woodlawn Street and an unaddressed parcel designated as Sec 22-29-15 M&B 32.20 (consisting of a portion of property located in metes and bounds 32/02, 32/03 and 32/07. in Sec. 22-29-15): and Pass Ordinances 7854-07 and 7855-07 on first reading. (LUZ2006-08006) This Future Land Use Plan (FLUP) amendment and rezoning application involve property comprising approximately 8.10 acres in area located northeast of the CSX Railroad right-of-way and Woodlawn Street. This property has FLUP classifications of Residential Urban Council Work Session 2008-03-17 5 (RU) and Institutional (1) and zoning designations of Medium Density Residential (MDR) and Institutional (1). The applicant is requesting to amend the FLUP designations of the site to the Residential Medium (RM) classification and to rezone the property to the Medium Density Residential (MDR) District in order to re-establish the use of the property for multi-family residential purposes. There is an existing single-family dwelling and eight attached residential dwelling units on the site. In 2001, the applicant was seeking to redevelop the site for institutional use. To accommodate that use, this property went through a land use plan amendment from the Residential Medium FLUP classification to the Institutional FLUP classification and a rezoning from the Medium Density Residential to the Institutional Zoning District (Case LUZ 01-08-06). Today, for the property as described above, the applicant is proposing workforce housing, with 112 attached residential units. To accommodate the residential use, a portion of the prior site is now proposed to be Residential Medium FLUP classification and Medium Density Residential Zoning District. The Planning Department determined that the proposed future land use plan amendment and rezoning amendment, as recommended, are consistent with the following standards specified in the Community Development Code: 1) The proposed land use plan amendment and rezoning application are consistent with the Comprehensive Plan; 2) The proposed use is compatible with the surrounding area; 3) Sufficient public facilities are available to serve the property; and 4) The applications will not have an adverse impact on the natural environment. In accordance with the Countywide Plan Rules, the land use plan amendment is subject to the approval of the Pinellas Planning Council and the Board of County Commissioners acting as the Countywide Planning Authority. The application is a large-scale amendment and review and approval by the Florida Department of Community Affairs is required. The CDB reviewed these applications at its public hearing on September 18, 2007, and unanimously recommended approval of the Future Land Use Plan amendment. Ms. Clayton said staff is developing a process to verify that workforce housing remains affordable. Nearby residents are concerned regarding impacts on their property values. Planning Director Michael Delk said a number of development plan issues need to be resolved. Approve a Future Land Use Plan Amendment from the Industrial Limited (IL) Classification to the Commercial General (CG) Classification and a Zoning Atlas Amendment from the Industrial, Research and Technology (IRT) District to the Commercial (C) District for property located at 1500, 1510, 1520, 1530, 1540, 1550, 1560, 1570, 1580, 1590, 1600, 1610 and 1620 McMullen Booth Road (Lot 1, South Oaks Fashion Square, Sec. 09-29-16); and Pass Ordinances 7920-08 and 7921-08 on first reading. (LUZ2007-07005) This FLUP amendment application involves property comprising approximately 19.05 acres in area and located at the southwest corner of the intersection of State Road 590 and McMullen-Booth Road. This property, known as Bayside Bridge Plaza, has a FLUP classification of Industrial Limited (IL) and a zoning designation of Industrial, Research and Technology (IRT). The applicant is requesting to amend the FLUP classification of the site to the Commercial General (CG) classification and to rezone the property to the Commercial (C) Council Work Session 2008-03-17 6 District in order to establish a FLUP classification and zoning district that are compatible with the current uses of the property. The Planning Department determined that the proposed future land use plan amendment and rezoning amendment, as recommended, are consistent with the following standards specified in the Community Development Code: 1) The proposed land use plan amendment is consistent with the Comprehensive Plan; 2) The proposed use is compatible with the surrounding area; 3) Sufficient public facilities are available to serve the property; and 4) The applications will not have an adverse impact on the natural environment. The Planning Department determined that the amendments also are consistent with the Countywide Rules concerning Mixed-Use Classifications on the Countywide Plan Map on Scenic/Non-Commercial Corridors since the Commercial General Classification is less intense than the Industrial Limited Classification. In accordance with the Countywide Plan Rules, the land use plan amendment is subject to the approval of the Pinellas Planning Council and the Board of County Commissioners acting as the Countywide Planning Authority. The application is a large-scale amendment and review and approval by the Florida Department of Community Affairs is required. The CDB reviewed this application at its public hearing on February 19, 2008, and unanimously recommended approval of the Future Land Use Plan amendment. Ms. Clayton said the car service will continue as a non-conforming use. Approve a Zoning Atlas Amendment from Business (B) District to the Tourist (T) District for property located at 1241, 1261 and 1281 Gulf Boulevard (consisting of Lot 1, Subdivision of Radisson Bayside Hotel, in Sec. 20-29-16) and Pass Ordinance 7909-08 on first reading. (REZ2007-10001) This Zoning Atlas Amendment application involves one property of approximately 2.94 acres in an area located on the southeast side of Gulf Boulevard, approximately 2,900 feet south of Clearwater Pass Bridge as well as the adjacent right-of-way of 0.75 acre. This property, known as the Shoppes on Sand Key, has a FLUP classification of Resort Facilities High (RFH) and a zoning designation of Business (B). The City dissolved the B District in 1972. The B designation was the result of a lawsuit settlement stipulation on October 17, 1986 and expired on October 17, 2006. In effect, there is no zoning on the property and the applicant is requesting to amend the Zoning Atlas from the B designation to the Tourist (T) designation in order to have a zoning designation that is consistent with the RFH FLUP. The Planning Department determined that the proposed rezoning application is consistent with the following standards specified in the Community Development Code: 1) The proposed rezoning application is consistent with the Comprehensive Plan; 2) The proposed use is compatible with the surrounding area; 3) Sufficient public facilities are available to serve the property; and 4) The applications will not have an adverse impact on the natural environment. The CDB reviewed this application at its meeting on February 20, 2008. There was a lengthy public hearing and all who participated in the hearing supported denial of the application. A motion was made by the Board to deny the application but no action occurred due to a 3 to 3 vote. The Board will consider another motion on March 18, 2008. Council Work Session 2008-03-17 7 It was stated although the City Council may adopt another zoning category that could be considered for the property, in May, the only current zoning category is Tourist. The City Attorney said the City requires that the property have a designated zoning district. Retail shops are allowed under Commercial and Tourist zoning. The City cannot guarantee that the shops will continue to exist even with Commercial zoning. A NCOD (Neighborhood Conservation Overlay District) requires an underlying zoning designation. On Thursday, the Council must consider the request for Tourist zoning regardless of planned actions. Approve the Annexation, Land Use Plan Amendment from the Residential Suburban (RS) (City and County) category to the Residential Low (RL) and Institutional (I) category, Zoning Atlas Amendment from the A-E Agricultural Estate District (County) and Low Density Residential (LDR) District (City) to the Low Medium Density Residential (LMDR) and Institutional (I) Districts (City) for property located at 3280/3290 McMullen-Booth Road (consisting of two parcels of land including Lot 1 Geiger Tract and the east 308.25 feet of the Northwest'/4 of the Northwest 1/4 of Sec. 21-28-16 less the south 208.75 feet and less the west 84 feet and less the east 100 feet thereof for road right-of-way and Pass Ordinances 7942-08, 7943-08 and 7944-08 on first reading. (ANX2005-02003 and LUZ2005-02002) The subject site is comprised of two parcels of land totaling 4.50 acres in area. The site is located on the west side of McMullen-Booth Road, approximately 500 feet north of Mease Drive. Approximately 0.358 acre located at the northeastern corner of the property is located within unincorporated Pinellas County and is generally undeveloped. The remainder of the site is located in the City of Clearwater and is occupied by 14 attached dwellings within several one- story buildings. The annexation, future land use plan amendment and rezoning are requested by the applicant, Spinecare Properties, LLC which intends to construct a 45,000 square-foot, two-story medical office building. The CDB reviewed cases ANX2005-02003, LUZ2005-02002, and DVA2005-00001 at its public hearing on May 17, 2005 and unanimously recommended approval. The CDB also approved site plan (FLD2005-01014) with 16 conditions at that meeting. These requests were removed from consideration at the June 16, 2005, Council Meeting pending completion of an appeal of the CDB approval of the applicant's flexible development site plan application for the property. The applicant prevailed in the appeal and has requested that the City Council review the pending annexation, land use plan amendment and rezoning applications. In August 2007, due to delays caused by litigation, the Planning Director approved a time extension to September 6, 2008. Provided the pending applications are approved by City Council, an application for building permit needs to be initiated to construct improvements by September 6, 2008. The applicant is requesting the annexation in order to consolidate the entire property within the City of Clearwater boundaries and to receive sewer and solid waste service. The Planning Department determined that the proposed annexation is consistent with the following standards specified in the Community Development Code: 1) The proposed annexation will not have an adverse impact on public facilities and their level of service; 2) The proposed annexation is consistent with the City's Comprehensive Plan, the Countywide Plan, the Council Work Session 2008-03-17 8 Community Development Code and Pinellas County Law; and 3) The proposed annexation is contiguous to existing municipal boundaries and represents a logical extension of the boundaries. The applicant is requesting to amend the Future Land Use Plan Map designation from Residential Suburban (RS) (County) to Residential Low (RL) and Institutional (1) City) and to rezone it from the A-E, Agricultural Estate District (County) and Low Density Residential (LDR) (City) District to the Low Medium Density Residential (LMDR) and Institutional (1) zoning districts. The Planning Department determined that the proposed land use plan amendment and rezoning applications are consistent with the following standards specified in the Community Development Code: 1) The proposed land use plan amendment and rezoning applications are consistent with the Comprehensive Plan; 2) The proposed use is compatible with the surrounding area; 3) Sufficient public facilities are available to serve the property; and 4) The applications will not have an adverse impact on the natural environment. It should be noted, an updated traffic impact analysis was submitted to the City in February 2008. The updated traffic study was required in order to confirm that LOS issues had not changed. City staff determined the LOS of the applicable McMullen-Booth Road segment will still be acceptable after the Spinecare site is developed. The development agreement reviewed by the CDB will be scheduled for Council action when the land use plan amendment and rezoning are heard on second reading. The development agreement proposes to restrict the use of the site, the floor area of the medical office, the location of parking and retention, specifies buffering, etc., and will be presented for discussion only at the March 17, 2008 City Council Work Session and the March 20, 2008 City Council meetings. In accordance with the Countywide Plan Rules, the future land use plan amendment is subject to the approval of the Pinellas Planning Council and the Board of County Commissioners acting as the Countywide Planning Authority. Review and approval by the Florida Department of Community Affairs is required. Ms. Clayton said Dr. Wiland had appealed the CDB decision regarding the site plan. The CDB's decision prevailed. Litigation regarding consistency issues and SWFWMD permits has not been resolved. Staff will contact the homeowners association to verify that the development order addresses their concerns. amendments to the Future Land Use Element of the Clearwater Comprehensive Plan related to the adoption of alternative density and intensity standards for overnight accommodations, and the addition of an objective and policies pertaining to tourism, and Pass Ordinance 7924-08 on first reading. The Planning Department is recommending amendments to the Clearwater Comprehensive Plan that would adopt alternative density and intensity standards for overnight accommodations consistent with the Rules Concerning the Administration of the Countywide Future Land Use Plan (AKA Countywide Plan Rules) as recently amended by the Countywide Planning Authority (CPA). Council Work Session 2008-03-17 9 In addition to the adoption of these alternative standards, the proposed amendment would also establish Objective 2.6 and supporting Policies 2.6.1, 2.6.2 and 2.6.3. The objective and policies identify tourism as a substantial element of the City's economic base and states the need to support, maintain and enhance this economic sector, as well as encourage the development and redevelopment of overnight accommodations and the adoption of higher densities and intensities that would support such development. The CDB will review the proposed text amendments at its pubic hearing of March 18, 2008. The recommendation of the CDB, as well as any comments of the Board, will be presented to the Council at the meeting. As this is a text amendment to the Clearwater Comprehensive Plan, review and approval by the Florida Department of Community Affairs is required. Ms. Clayton said proposed densities are consistent with Countywide Planning Agency approvals except for Clearwater beach. Developments will have to meet City parking, setback, and height requirements. Mr. Delk said the size of developments will be self limiting due to development regulations. Staff will provide illustrations of hotels with proposed FARs (Floor Area Ratio) and densities and report if ground level parking beneath buildings is counted in the FAR. Approve amendments to Beach by Design: A Preliminary Design for Clearwater Beach and Design Guidelines that establish the Hotel Density Reserve and associated criteria for allocation, and Pass Ordinance 7925-08 on first reading. The Planning Department is recommending amendments to Beach by Design that would establish a Hotel Density Reserve containing 1,385 hotel rooms for allocation on a project-by- project basis to enable hotel development to achieve economic parity and to provide for the development of new mid-size, mid-priced hotels. The need for and the size of the Hotel Density Reserve was reached following the completion of an economic study that identified hotels as having an economic disparity with condominium development, and the completion of a traffic study that concluded only a maximum across-the-board density of 90 hotel rooms per acre could be achieved on Clearwater Beach. With regard to the economic study, which was conducted in October 2006, it was determined that condominium development could support on average a land value that is seven times higher per unit than hotel development. Accordingly, hotels would need roughly five to seven rooms for every condominium unit in order to compete with potential condominium development in terms of economic viability. The traffic study that was subsequently undertaken in order to determine the maximum density that could be achieved within the established LOS standards for the transportation network, determined that Clearwater Beach could support an additional 1,385 hotel rooms or an across-the-board density of 90 hotel rooms per acre. As economic parity would not be achieved with an across-the-board density, Beach by Design would capture the development potential that could exist between 50 and 90 hotel rooms per acre within the Hotel Density Reserve for allocation on a project-by-project basis. It also is noted that the existing capacity and demand for both potable water and wastewater was examined and no capacity issues are anticipated with either. The City's average consumption of potable water is 13 MGD (million gallons per day), and the City has facilities that can produce 4 MGD with the balance of the potable water service being provided Council Work Session 2008-03-17 10 from Tampa Bay Water via interconnects with Pinellas County, and there is no cap on the agreement for purchased water. The recent peak historic flow (past five years) for wastewater is 20.04 MGD and the City has a wastewater capacity of approximately 28.5 MGD. It is further noted, however, that some wastewater system improvements will be needed at some point, but the costs associated with those improvements would have to be born by the private sector. In addition, the amendment also establishes several criteria that must be incorporated and/or met in order for a project to draw units from the Reserve. Some of those criteria are: 1) Those properties and/or developments that have acquired density from the Destination Resort Density Pool are not eligible to have rooms allocated from the Reserve; 2) Those properties and/or developments that have had density transferred off to another property and/or development(s) through an approved Transfer of Development Rights (TDR) application by the City after December 31, 2007, are not eligible to have rooms allocated from the Reserve; 3) The lot size of the subject property must be at least 0.75 acre (32,670 square-feet); 4) A maximum of 100 hotel rooms may be allocated from the Reserve to any development with a lot size between 0.75 and 2.5 acres; 5) Those developments with a lot size greater than 2.5 acres may use the Reserve to achieve the difference between 50 and 90 hotel rooms per acre; 6) Accessory uses inconsistent with amenities typical of a mid-priced hotel shall require compliance with the base FAR (Floor Area Ratio) requirements of the Resort Facilities High (RFH) Future Land Use category; 7) The maximum building heights of the various character districts cannot be increased to accommodate hotel rooms allocated from the Reserve; and 8) When both the allocation of hotel rooms from the Reserve and the TDR are utilized as part of a development, only hotel rooms brought in to the project through the TDR process are eligible to be constructed above the otherwise maximum building height, but only provided that all TDR criteria are met. The CDB will review the proposed text amendments on March 18, 2008. Ms. Clayton said if the entire hotel density reserve is used, additional fire hydrants will need to be installed. Senior Planner Robert Tefft said the cutoff date for reserve pool access was based on the last time a TDR was approved. Spas, large restaurants, or large meeting spaces are not mid-priced hotel amenities. Concern was expressed that too much flexibility will result in disputes. While the development community may try to push the envelope, Mr. Delk recommended against specifying inconsistent amenities. The City recognizes the difference between mid priced properties on the mainland versus the beach. Mr. Delk said a hotel with sufficient parking and a maximum number of mid-sized rooms could be constructed within a 100-foot structure. Staff will report on setback requirements for heights above 45 feet. Density increases are targeted to mid-size, mid-priced hotels, not resorts. Mr. Clayton anticipated the PPC will require each density reserve use project to issue an additional traffic study to verify the cumulative effect of development. Sand Key will remain under regular PPC regulations. The City Council recessed from 3:49 to 4:01 p.m. Sunsetting the density reserve in 10 years was supported. Concerns were expressed that future growth management laws could limit future development to 50 units/acre and prohibit future Councils from reinstating the reserve. It was recommended that development agreements require unit use within limited time frames. Official Records and Legislative Services Council Work Session 2008-03-17 11 Set Special Budget Work Session A Special Budget Work Session was scheduled for April 28, 2008, following the Work Session. Legal The City Attorney requested the City Council review the proposed RFP/Q (Request for Proposals/Qualifications) for a Real Estate Broker to assemble north Clearwater beach property for City purchase and subsequent parking garage construction. City Manager Verbal Reports Coast Guard City Designation Application In her February 22, 2008 memorandum regarding designation as a "Coast Guard City," Cultural Affairs Manager Margo Walbolt indicated while the City has a history of supporting the Coast Guard with activities such as the Coast Guard Birthday Party and Band Concert, there are areas, particularly in support of Coast Guard families, that Clearwater is lacking. The process is competitive. Recognition is bestowed on few cities, with only seven communities so designated. Jim King, of the Navy League, recently indicated the potential of support. Among ideas discussed: 1) establish "Welcoming Committee" for Coast Guard families to assist with navigating school choice process and locating pediatricians, spouse employment, and childcare, etc.; 2) expand Coast Guard Birthday Party to community festival; 3) issue recognition awards such as "Sailor of the Year"; 4) offer military or Coast Guard "Days" within business community, at sporting events, or other community programs; and 5) form task force of various potential partners to explore ways to increase the recognition and services the community provides to reach out to Coast Guard personnel and their families and make them feel welcome in Clearwater. Suggested participants include members of the Coast Guard Auxiliary, Navy League, CVAD, Greater Clearwater Chamber of Commerce, service organizations such as Rotary and Kiwanis, and Neighborhood Associations as well as City representatives. The City Manager said someone will have to be responsible for this project and stay with it. Ms. Walbolt reported the size of designated cities and Coast Guard units vary. Cities must reapply every five years. The application process is not difficult but will take time. Activities would create a cost. The Greater Clearwater Chamber of Commerce has discussed forming a Task Force. She estimated the City could be ready to submit its application in a year. Discussion ensued with a recommendation that the City formalize its established relationship with the Coast Guard and partner with the Navy League and Greater Clearwater Chamber of Commerce to reach out to the Coast Guard. It was commented that the City already incorporates the Coast Guard in many of its programs and the application process should take no more than a couple of months. Concern was expressed that the City not take on more responsibilities when resources are being reduced. The Mayor will help find someone to lead this effort. Update on Public Outreach Council Work Session 2008-03-17 12 Public Communications Director Doug Matthews reviewed the budget exercise staff developed to identify community priorities and educate residents regarding City budget challenges. The goal is to present information in clear and simple terms, and create an exercise detailed enough to provide the City Council with insights on resident priorities without overwhelming participants with numbers. Proposed strategy: 1) Mayor/Councilmember presents budget facts and projections that estimate reductions of $9- to $10-million, and 2) participants separate into groups of eight to 12 for exercise to distribute chips reflecting 10% reduction from specified total. Mr. Matthews recommended that participants focus on service level measures and service reductions. Staff will report on the number of fire stations in the exercise. Discussion ensued with recommendations that residents from different areas of the City be brought together for two meetings, that the Mayor make opening remarks, and that Councilmembers wander among the tables. Fixed costs must be identified. Table facilitators must be knowledgeable. It was recommended that staff schedule a practice session. Council Discussion Items Guideway to the Beach - Mayor Hibbard AND Mainland Parking Garage - Councilmember Gibson PMI (Pinellas Mobility Initiative) projects were reviewed: 1) BRT (Bus Rapid Transit) in St. Petersburg; 2) Countywide single corridor BRT; and 3) study of guideway between downtown and Clearwater beach. With looming budget cuts and construction costs estimated at $80 million, it was felt that further study of the guideway would be a waste of money. It was suggested that a beach BRT could transfer visitors from current and new downtown parking garages across the Memorial Causeway bridge to the beach using emergency lanes and signaled lights. Traffic Operations Manager Paul Bertels said signals could allow buses to move from emergency lanes into the traffic flow. Vehicle intrusion into BRT lanes would have to be prevented. To attract use, the BRT would have to be cheaper and faster than driving to the beach and parking. The difficulty of getting people to use the bus was discussed. It was stated the City could never construct sufficient beach parking to handle peak traffic. Unused downtown parking spaces during peak beach time could supplement beach parking. Consensus was to further review the proposal. Other Council Action Regarding the Main Library's cafe, the City Manager said staff needs a convincing financial picture before it acts on management applications. He reported little support for vending machines. Library committees will be providing input. The City Manager reported a sinkhole had opened this afternoon on Chestnut, backing up traffic to the beach roundabout. Adjourn The meeting adjourned at 5:23 p.m. Council Work Session 2008-03-17 13