01/13/2009
CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL WORKSESSION MINUTES
CITY OF CLEARWATER
January 13, 2009
Present: Frank Hibbard Mayor
John Doran Vice-Mayor
Carlen Petersen Councilmember
George N. Cretekos Councilmember
Paul Gibson Councilmember
Also present: William B. Horne II City Manager
Jill S. Silverboard Assistant City Manager
Rod Irwin Assistant City Manager
Pamela K. Akin City Attorney
Mary K. Diana Assistant City Clerk
Patricia O. Sullivan Board Reporter
The Mayor called the meeting to order at 2:00 p.m. at City Hall.
To provide continuity for research, items are in agenda order although not
necessarily discussed in that order.
A General Introduction
The City Manager said Penny for Pinellas 3 projects need to be revisited, promises to
citizens considered, and the rationale behind changes presented at a public hearing.
B Review of forecasted Penny for Pinellas 3 proceeds
Budget Director Tina Wilson said during the previous decade, Penny for Pinellas
proceeds increased an average 2.8% annually. This year’s sales tax revenues are down 7%
from what was expected. When the Penny 3 project list was developed, the City had
anticipated $138 million in proceeds and identified almost $131 million in projects. With
proceeds now anticipated to be $118,508,973, she recommended the City Council retain a
contingency, reduce project totals to $110-million, and identify priorities. An estimated
.
$4,127,419 in Penny for Pinellas 2 revenues remain
C Discussion and review of current Penny for Pinellas 3 projects and staff
recommended changes and/or eliminations
Ms. Wilson presented the Penny for Pinellas 3 project list:
Police Homicide Vehicle 150,000
Clearwater Beach Fire Station Renovation/Reconstruction 4,147,910
Lakeview Fire Station Renovation/Reconstruction 4,755,560
Countryside Fire Station Renovation/Reconstruction 4,648,460
Downtown Streetscaping 12,500,000
Bayshore Blvd Realignment North of Drew Street 2,500,000
Downtown Parking 6,250,000
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Coachman Park Redevelopment 5,000,000
Youth Sports Fields Renovations & Improvements 7,000,000
Neighborhood Parks Renovations & Improvements 5,000,000
Recreation Trails 3,000,000
Municipal Beach Parking Garage 12,500,000
Citywide Seawall Replacement 1,250,000
Countryside Branch Library Expansion & Renovation 6,250,000
East Branch Library Expansion & Renovation 6,250,000
Library Technology 1,250,000
New City Hall & Parking Garage 25,000,000
Ruth Eckerd Hall 4,000,000
Traffic Calming 5,000,000
New Sidewalk Construction 2,833,250
Senior Facility 3,500,000
Highland Avenue Widening - Union Street to Sunset Point Road 2,500,000
Countryside Family Aquatics Center Development 2,500,000
Citywide Wireless Mesh 3,125,000
Staff recommended canceling projects for the Citywide wireless mesh, Highland Avenue
widening, and Countryside Family Aquatics Center. Locating the Senior Facility at the Long
Center would reduce the estimated need by $2.3 million to $1.2 million.
New projects to consider:
Royalty Theater 3,550,000
Water & Sewer Projects
St. Petersburg Times Property 3,500,000
Homeless Issues
Island Estates Undergrounding
City Engineer Mike Quillen said the Highland Avenue project was based on public
sentiment that the road should feature three lanes throughout. Since drainage improvements
were completed, the City has received no complaints. Traffic counts indicated that Keene Road
Level of Service was better than expected. The widening project was designed to address
capacity, not safety as the Bayshore project does. Other funding that will augment Penny for
Pinellas money for Bayshore realignment will not be available before the third year.
Parks & Recreation Director Kevin Dunbar said budget shortfalls support elimination of
the aquatics center, which would require 6.5 FTEs. There is little community demand for the
center, which has not been designed nor a location identified. Hours at other facilities have
been reduced; some may close. Pools are not self-supporting. Concern was expressed that
the aquatics center was on the Penny 3 list approved by voters. Comments were made that a
new sense of realism is necessary and most Countryside homes have swimming pools. It was
felt passage of Amendment 1 proved voter support for service reductions.
Information Technology Manager Dan Mayer said he no longer supported a Citywide
Wireless Mesh and reviewed City efforts to provide residents with internet access.
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Concern was expressed that seawall replacement funds may be insufficient. Public
Services Director Gary Johnson said the Clearwater Pass Bridge, constructed in 1996, has a life
span of 70 to 100 years. The County will not accept responsibility for the structure. The City
may be able to charge a toll to offset costs of constructing a replacement.
Discussion ensued regarding the Royalty Theater. Ms. Wilson said funds would need to
be available in FY (Fiscal Year) 2011. Consensus was to add the Royalty Theater to the Penny
for Pinellas 3 list.
The City Manager said the Island Estates Civic Association had requested $5 million to
underground electric feeder lines to the beach to mitigate loss of electricity during a storm. It
was noted the beach is evacuated during hurricanes and Progress Energy cuts power to the
beach. It was noted the Memorial Causeway Bridge benefits Island Estates and Clearwater
beach residents. Not all neighborhoods receive direct expenditures from Penny funds.
Assistant City Manager Jill Silverboard said the St. Petersburg Times property’s value
had depreciated. The newspaper’s move is not imminent. The site is being considered for a
new downtown Fire Station, rather than refurbishing the old one. Penny 2 funds are insufficient
to construct a new building. Fire Chief Jamie Geer said perimeter response times would
increase and affect the City’s ISO (Insurance Services Office, Inc.) rating if the downtown and
Lakeview fire stations are combined. It was requested that staff submit a report, explaining why
the fire stations cannot be combined. It was felt a commercial use for the Times site on Court
Street would enhance economic development. Fire Chief Geer felt the portion of the site by the
Municipal Services Building would work well for a fire station. Suggestions were made to retitle
the item for Fire Station land, and that the City pay no more than $1.5 million for the property.
Library Director Barbara Pickell recommended efficient design over expansion as
libraries must be more efficient and operate with fewer staff. Discussion ensued regarding
expanding the Countryside library or combining it with the East library. It was stated the busy
Countryside library serves the most non Clearwater residents. Opposition was expressed to
replacing the Countryside and East libraries with a joint facility at St. Petersburg College.
Information was requested regarding possible library sites at Woodgate Park and on Range
Road. It was recommended that library placeholders remain, but that funding be reduced by
$1.25 million for each library.
Assistant City Manager Rod Irwin said interest in a joint county/city complex had waned.
PSTA (Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority) was interested in rejoining discussions on a
downtown multimodal facility. Penny for Pinellas funding for a City Hall and downtown parking
could drive the project, solving parking issues for the Royalty Theater, Coachman Park
redevelopment, and PSTA, and providing a mainland base for transportation to the beach.
Support was expressed for exploring a multimodal facility with parking. It was commented that
downtown streetscape funding already was reduced by half. It was stated there is little public
support for a new City Hall, yet the building needs to be replaced and should be relocated.
Adjourn
The meeting adjourned at 3:39 p.m.
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