02/01/2010
CITY COUNCILWORKSESSION MINUTES
CITY OF CLEARWATER
February 1, 2010
Present: Mayor Frank Hibbard, Vice Mayor Paul Gibson, Councilmember George N.
Cretekos, Councilmember John Doran, and Councilmember Carlen Petersen.
Also William B. Horne II - City Manager, Jill S. Silverboard - Assistant City
present: Manager, Rod Irwin - Assistant City Manager, Pamela K. Akin - City Attorney,
Cynthia E. Goudeau - City Clerk , and Rosemarie Call - Management Analyst.
To provide continuity for research, items are in agenda order although not
necessarily discussed in that order.
The meeting was called to order at 1:00 p.m. at City Hall.
1. Financial Services
1.1 Declare the list of property surplus to the needs of the City, authorize donation to
Pinellas Technical Education Center (PTEC) and authorize the appropriate
officials to execute same. (consent)
The City of Clearwater Fire and Rescue Department was awarded a grant in the
amount of $293,498.00 under the 2004 Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program.
The grant required the City to provide 30% matching funds, for a total of
$418,925. Of this amount, the City used $43,744.93 of grant and City funds to
purchase candidate physical ability test equipment and related supplies.
The Fire Department used the equipment and supplies to test candidates for City
firefighter positions, but is unable to continue to provide the testing as envisioned
by the grant. Pinellas Technical Education Center (PTEC) has been designated
county wide testing responsibility by the Department of Homeland Security, the
original grantor. Terms of the original grant require the City to transfer the
equipment to their approved recipient. The granting agency has approved this
donation.
The Clearwater Fire and Rescue Department and other Pinellas County fire
departments will use the equipment for future testing needs.
Equipment and supplies recommended for donation have an original value of
$43,744.93 and a book value (after depreciation) of $18,959.69. The book value
of the City’s investment is $5,687.91 (30% of the book value). The equipment is
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designed for testing firefighter rescue candidates only.
2. Marine and Aviation
2.1 Amend Chapter 33, Code of Ordinances, to be consistent with recent changes in
Florida Statutes prohibiting city authorities from regulating the anchoring of
vessels outside of mooring fields, and to clarify the types of vessels that may use
city-owned docking facilities to be consistent with the City Charter and pass
Ordinance 8146-10 on first reading.
Portions of recently adopted legislation contained in Florida House Bill 1423
clarified the extent that a municipality can regulate vessel operation within its
waterways. City authorities are prohibited from regulating the anchoring of
vessels, other than live-aboard vessels, outside the marked boundaries of
mooring fields as provided in Florida Statutes. Live-aboard vessel means any
vessel used solely as a residence and not for navigation; represented as a place
of business, or a professional or other commercial enterprise; or which a
declaration of domicile has been filed pursuant to section 222.17, Florida Statutes.
The city has been asked if it will allow the licensing of the downtown boat slips for
recreational vessels which will be leased, rented or chartered to people for the
noncommercial use of such vessels. Florida Statute defines recreational vessels
as vessels manufactured and used primarily for noncommercial purposes or
leased, rented or chartered to a person for the person’s noncommercial use.
Use of the Downtown boats slips is limited by the City Charter and Clearwater
Code of Ordinances. The relevant city charter provision section 2.01 (D.)
(6), states in pertinent part:
Notwithstanding any provision of this section to the contrary, city-owned public
docks, promenade, side tie moorings and not more than 140 dedicated boat slips
for recreational noncommercial vessels... may be constructed, operated and
maintained.... City may permit ferries, water taxis, excursion boats and similar
uses to access the docks for drop-off and pickup of passengers only.... No boat
launching ramps, fueling facilities, ticket booths or parking garage shall be
permitted.
Neither the city charter nor the City Code currently defines “recreational
noncommercial vessels.” Using the definitions of the terms “commercial vessel”
and “recreational vessel,” as defined by Florida statutes, these terms are added to
Chapter 33 of the Clearwater Code by the proposed ordinance so that the Code
coincides with the City Charter.
So long as vessels are registered, insured, and utilized as “recreational vessels,”
the aforementioned charter provision would not preclude the renting of vessels
from city owned docks for this purpose. With the additional definitions and
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modifications proposed by this ordinance, the city code will be in-line with the
charter.
Direction is also sought from council to respond to developers who have
requested dock permits at the downtown location as incentives to prospective
condo owners with boats.
In response to a question, Marine and Aviation Director Bill Morris said vessels may
anchor anywhere as long as they do not interfere with navigable waters.
It was stated that the city has authority to regulate what happens in its marina, but little
authority over the waterways.
In response to a question, Mr. Morris said he has not been approached for months
regarding potential condo owners purchasing slips at the downtown marina. Currently,
developers would have to rent slips and transition them to condo owners.
It was stated that the issue may come before council in the future.
3. Parks and Recreation
3.1 Approve First Amendment to Lease Agreement between Clearwater Golf
Associates Inc. (Club), and the City of Clearwater (City) increasing the length of
the Agreement from 20 years to 27 years, extending the 50% rent relief for seven
(7) years, setting a schedule to complete additional improvements to the course
by the Club and authorize the appropriate officials to execute same. (consent)
On December 19, 2001, the Council approved a 20-year Agreement between
Clearwater Golf Associates, Inc. and the City for the operation of the property
known as Clearwater Executive Golf Course, including an annual lease payment,
and improvements to the course.
Staff has found the Club’s performance to be excellent including adhering to all
provisions of the current Agreement which included investing over $1,000,000 of
improvements to the course during the first five years.
The City and Club have determined additional capital improvements of
approximately $250,000 are needed in order to rebuild greens due to salt water
intrusion, rebuild the sand traps and tee boxes and connect to newly installed
reclaimed water source. In addition, once the reclaimed water source is
connected the Club will be responsible to pay for the water estimated to be
approximately $30,000 per year.
Staff recommends amending the current Agreement to allow the Club an
additional seven (7) years to complete the needed improvements and in return
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continue the 50% reduction of the base rental payment during the next seven (7)
years of the Agreement. Base rental payment is $48,000 per year.
In response to questions, Parks and Recreation Director Kevin Dunbar said the 7-year
extension allows the Club to recoup their investment. Funds received from the Club
go to the General Fund.
It was stated that the City may terminate the agreement for municipal purposes.
4. Police
4.1 Accept an Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance/Recovery Act Grant in the
amount of $100,000 from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, Office of
Criminal Justice Grants (FDLE), for the Hispanic Outreach Center Partnership
project and authorize the appropriate officials to execute same. (consent)
On May 6, 2009, Clearwater Police Department (CPD) was granted approval by
the City’s Resource Management Committee to apply for grant funding for the
continuation of Operacion Apoyo Hispano (Operation Hispanic Outreach). On
December 14, 2009, the grant was officially awarded by FDLE.
The official grant period is October 1, 2009 – September 30, 2010. FDLE was
delayed in awarding the grant due to the large number of grant applications and
awards the agency was required to process this year. FDLE has advised that
Clearwater will be permitted to request a no-cost extension of time for the grant
project if necessary.
City Council approval is requested to accept the grant and enter into a contractual
agreement with Pinellas Core Management Services, Inc. (PCMS - fiscal agent for
the Hispanic Outreach Center) to administer Operacion Apoyo Hispano, which
consists of advocacy, interpretation, translation of documents, and crime
prevention/education activities. The program will be enhanced this year with the
addition of a gang prevention program that will include a full-time Gang Prevention
Specialist (employed by the Hispanic Outreach Center) who will implement the
program in two Clearwater elementary schools.
There are no additional costs associated with this project such as additional
personnel or cash match.
Special Project 181-99259 has been established to account for the grant
expenditures.
4.2 Accept an Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant in the amount of
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$6,625 from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, Office of Criminal
Justice Grants (FDLE), for Rosetta Stone Spanish language training and
authorize the appropriate officials to execute same. (consent)
On July 7, 2009, Clearwater Police Department (CPD) was granted e-mail
approval by the City’s Resource Management Committee to apply for grant
funding in the amount of $6,625 for the purchase of an online subscription to
Rosetta Stone Spanish language software. On November 20, 2009, the grant was
officially awarded by FDLE.
The language barrier confronting the CPD continues to present a serious
challenge to its police officers. To address this problem, CPD has relied on the
use of contractual interpreter services provided by the Hispanic Outreach Center
(HOC) in Clearwater. While this program has been successful thus far, it does not
address the expediency and officer safety issues that could be resolved if more
Clearwater police officers spoke at least some Spanish.
The increasing presence of Hispanic gangs in Clearwater raises very real
concerns for officer safety when dealing with this criminal element. The inability to
understand what these individuals may be saying in Spanish when confronted by
CPD officers who only speak English could possibly place Clearwater police
officers in serious jeopardy. Likewise, a Spanish-speaking resident who is in need
of immediate assistance, such as a traffic accident victim or lost child, would be
better served by a police officer who can speak with them directly rather than
having to wait for the arrival of an on-call HOC interpreter.
CPD conducted research on how best to train Clearwater police officers to
communicate with the city’s Hispanic population. With changing work schedules,
off-duty jobs, and busy personal lives, it was determined that traditional Spanish
classes are not the best option for law enforcement officers. After months of
research and speaking with Clearwater police officers regarding their needs, CPD
found that a self-paced, interactive software such as Rosetta Stone would be the
most effective tool for officers to learn to speak Spanish. With Rosetta Stone,
CPD officers can learn to communicate in Spanish in a matter of
months. Purchase of an online subscription will provide named users access to
Rosetta Stone courseware 24 hours a day, 7 days per week for an annual
subscription period, with all licenses starting and ending on the same date. This
flexible license agreement allows subscriptions to be reassigned to new users as
initial users complete the course and are deactivated while maintaining course
reporting for all users. The online subscription also includes unlimited access to
administrative tools, one headset per license, and technical support. Clearwater
officers will be able to access the Rosetta Stone courseware through their mobile
laptop computers and will be permitted three hours per week of on-duty time to
pursue their language studies.
It is estimated that a minimum of 50 officers will be able to complete the Rosetta
Stone training during the 12-month grant period. Depending on how quickly some
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officers are able to progress through the course, this number could be even
higher. Other than the above-referenced three hours per week of on-duty time,
there are no additional costs associated with this project such as additional
personnel or cash match.
Special Project 181-99260 has been established to account for the grant
expenditures.
In response to questions, Police Officer Sergio Fidelis said the language course may be
accessed from home, cruiser or the station. It will take participants 5 hours a week for 4
months to complete the program.
In response to a concern, it was stated that officers are expected to be mindful when
accessing the program from the field.
Police Chief Sid Klein said officers have a pay incentive to be proficient in Spanish. The
project also helps address the down time associated with waiting for a translator.
5. Solid Waste/General Support Services
5.1 Amend Article VII, Solid Waste Management, Sections 32.2715, 32.272(4),
32.288, 32.289 (7)and(8), and 32.293 (8) and pass Ordinance 8131-10 on first
reading.
The Solid Waste ordinance is being revised to award exclusivity to the City of
Clearwater Solid Waste department to provide roll-off service within the city limits.
This will relieve several city departments from the administrative burden of
regulating the commercial haulers.
Section 32.2715 needs to be updated to better clarify the definition of construction
debris, and Sections 32.272(4), 32.288, 32.289(7) and (8), and 32.293(8) need to
be amended in order to award exclusivity to the Solid Waste department within
city limits as statutory notice requirements have been meet. Amended language
shall take full force and effect upon adoption of 8131-10.
Division 1. Generally
Section 32.2715. Definitions.
(5) Construction debris is being updated to provide a clarified definition.
Section 32.272 Collection by city; exceptions.
(4) Exception for private collectors with roll-off containers.
Amend current language to prevent private collectors from obtaining permits in
order to place or service roll-off containers, compactors or waste receptacles
within City limits three years after adoption of 8131-10. After the above mentioned
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deadline, if the City determines it is unwilling or unable to collect a certain type or
volume of refuse, permits shall only be issued to private collectors or to sole
proprietors or corporate entities that solely service individual trailers or other
similar rubber tire vehicles that are no larger than fifteen (15) cubic yards.
Division 2. Permit for Roll-off Container and/or Waste Receptacle Service
32.288 Required
Amend current language to state it shall be unlawful for any party, other than the
City, to engage in the business of collecting, removing or disposing of construction
debris and putrescible waste generated by commercial establishments. However,
should the City be unwilling or unable to provide said service a sole proprietor or
corporate entity shall be able to place or service a roll-off container or waste
receptacle provided they obtain a permit to legally continue such business without
penalty. In addition, amend language to advise that a new Permitee or a renewing
Permitee shall only be allowed to provide said service until February 18, 2013, or
3 years from adoption of ordinance 8131-10 unless they are solely servicing
individual trailers or other similar rubber tire vehicles that are no large than fifteen
(15) cubic yards.
Section 32.289 Application
(7) The requirement to provide contract copies to obtain a permit is being
removed from the ordinance.
(8) Due to 32.289 (7) being removed from ordinance, number eight will be
renumbered. Also the phrase “if applicable” will be added.
32.293. Roll-off and/or waste receptacle permit application, termination, denial.
Amend current language to state the City shall issue permits to private collectors
or corporate entities only if the City is unwilling or unable to provide said service,
or private collectors are solely servicing individual trailers or other similar rubber
tire vehicles that are no larger than fifteen (15) cubic yards. In addition, amend
language to advise that a new Permitee or a renewing Permitee shall only be
allowed to provide said service until February 18, 2013, or 3 years from adoption
of ordinance 8131-10.
6. Engineering
6.1 Award a contract to Waterline Construction, Inc. in the amount of $37,950 for the
Turnstile Removal Clearwater Harbor, authorize funding in the amount of $37,950
from the General Fund reserves and authorize appropriate officials to execute
same. (consent)
Concerns have been raised over the old railroad turnstile located in Clearwater
Harbor west of the Seminole Street Boat Ramp. Engineering solicited proposals
from three marine contractors to remove the turnstile: Waterline Construction, Inc.
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of Tampa was the low bidder at $34,500 plus 10% contingency $3,450 for a total
of $37,950, Misener Marine at $40,000 and Coastal Construction was non
responsive to our request.
A first quarter amendment will transfer $37,950 from Gen Fund retained earnings
to Capital Improvement Program project 0315-92822, Miscellaneous Engineering.
In response to a question, Marine and Aviation Director Bill Morris said staff’s goal is to
complete the project by Spring Break. Seeking a grant opportunity now would
significantly delay the project.
6.2 Approve the Third Amendment to the Stevenson Creek Watershed Management
Program: Implementation of Best Management Practices (K394) cooperative
funding agreement with the Southwest Florida Water Management District to
extend the contract period to December 31, 2010 and authorize the appropriate
officials to execute same. (consent)
This contract is a cooperative funding contract with the Southwest Florida Water
Management District (SWFWMD) to design and implement the Lake Bellevue
Stormwater Management Project recommended by the Stevenson Creek
Watershed Management Plan.
The City and SWFWMD entered into the original Cooperative Funding agreement
for the Stevenson Creek Watershed Management Program: Implementation of
Best Management Practices (K394) on April 9, 2002. The agreement was
amended on March 9, 2004, and September 22, 2006.
The Lake Bellevue Stormwater Management Project is currently under
construction and partially funded by this agreement.
This Third Amendment extends the contract period to December 31, 2010,
allowing the City to use the remaining cooperative funding for the Lake Bellevue
Project.
6.3 Approve the final plat for Bayside Townhomes located at 109 McMullen Booth
Road at the Southeast intersection of McMullen Booth Road and Johns Parkway.
(consent)
This is a plat of Metes and Bounds parcel 24/02 in Section 16, Township 29
South, Range 16 East.
The property is within the city limits of Clearwater consisting of 0.77 acres more or
less.
The final plat will create 4 townhome lots.
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The proposed project was approved by the Development Review Committee on
October 1, 2009 and by the Community Development Board on November
17,2009.
The property is zoned as Low Medium Density Residential (LMDR).
6.4 Approve two Work Orders to Engineer of Record(EOR)Sam Schwartz
Engineering of Tampa, Florida, for the design and construction administrative
services of (1) Hillcrest Neighborhood Traffic Calming (10-0002 EN) in the amount
of $330,242.03 and (2) Greenlea-Otten Neighborhood Traffic Calming in the
amount of $344,568.00 for a total of $674,810.03 and authorize the appropriate
officials to execute same. (consent)
These contracts are for engineering design and construction administration
services for traffic calming in the Hillcrest and Greenlea-Otten neighborhoods.
These traffic calming projects are in response to long-standing resident requests
for a solution to speeding vehicles and aggressive driving in these residential
neighborhoods. The projects provide traffic calming treatments throughout the
neighborhoods and are included in the City’s traffic calming work program.
Hillcrest and Greenlea-Otten neighborhoods are ranked 8 and 7, respectively, for
traffic calming by number of crashes.
The work involves design of conceptual Traffic Calming Plans that were
developed by neighborhood residents at a City-sponsored charrette workshop,
then field-verified by engineers.
The Traffic Calming Plans are supported by petitions signed by the owners of
approximately 65% of the parcels in the Hillcrest and Greenlea-Otten
neighborhoods.
The engineering designs will be based on the neighborhood Traffic Calming Plans
developed and approved by consensus of the residents.
Work on the Hillcrest design will commence upon award and execution of the
Work Order. The design work will be completed in 309 days. The
construction engineering services will be completed at the end of construction in
approximately 10 additional months.
Work on the Greenlea-Otten design will also commence upon award and
execution of the Work Order. The design work will be completed in 309 days.
The construction engineering services will be completed at the end of
construction in approximately 10 additional months.
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Maintenance of the associated signing and pavement marking will be performed
by the Traffic Operations Division. Maintenance of the associated landscaping
and irrigation will be performed by the Parks and Recreation Department.
Greenlea -Otten TC landscaping and irrigation maintenance cost will be $9,000
annually. Hillcrest TC landscaping and irrigation maintenance cost will be $3,600
annually.
Sufficient budget and funding is available in Capital Improvement Program (CIP)
project 315-92259, Traffic Calming to fund these work orders.
In response to questions, Traffic Operations Manager Paul Bertels said estimates
include optional funding level. Staff is working with Parks and Recreation to keep
landscape maintenance to a minimum. Mr. Bertels said the consultants reviewed plans
with departments with impacted vehicles.
6.5 Award a contract to BRW Contracting, Inc. of Land-O-Lakes, Florida for the
construction of the Overlea Street and Stevenson Drive Gravity Sewer
Improvements Project in the amount of $431,174.81, which is the lowest
responsible bid in accordance with plans and specifications, and authorize the
appropriate officials to execute same. (consent)
The City of Clearwater Public Utilities/Wastewater Collection Department initiated
this project to improve conditions on Overlea Street where a force main conveys
raw sewerage from Lift Station 4 to Lift Station 23. Repairs have been required on
this pressure pipe numerous times over the recent years, and it has been
determined that the force main is old and in need of replacement.The project was
competitively bid, and BRW Contracting, Inc. was the lowest responsive bidder for
a proposed fee of $431,174.81.
Construction, Engineering, and Inspection (CEI) services during the construction
period will be completed by the City’s Engineering Department, which includes
daily on-site construction inspection, engineering assistance with onsite
observations and interpretations, review of shop drawings, attending meetings,
and providing record drawings.
The contract period for construction is 200 consecutive calendar days estimated
to start in February 2010 and finish in August 2010.
The Public Utilities Department shall own and maintain the proposed
improvements included in this contract.Sufficient budget and revenue are
available with 2009 Water and Sewer Revenue Bond proceeds in projects 0376-
96665, Sanitary Sewer R and R in the amount of $400,119.50 and 376-96742,
Line Relocation Capitalized in the amount of $4,751.56. Also sufficient budget and
revenue is available in Capital Improvement Program (CIP) project 0315-96124,
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Storm Pipe System Improvement in the amount of $26,303.75 for a total
funding of $431.174.81.
6.6 Approve the applicant’s request to vacate the East 35 feet of a portion of South
Gulfview Boulevard right-of-way lying along the west boundary of Lots 60, 61 and
62, Lloyd-White-Skinner Subdivision, (A.K.A. 311 South Gulfview Blvd.), as more
particularly described in the ordinance, subject to project completion on or before
September 30, 2012, and pass Ordinance 8145-10 on first reading. (VAC2009-07
L.O.M., Inc.)
The applicant is seeking the vacation of the east 35 feet of South Gulfview
Boulevard. If the vacation is approved a parking garage with ancillary restaurant
retail use is to be constructed over the vacated right-of-way and the adjoining
property.
Progress Energy, Bright House Networks, Knology and Verizon have no
objections to the vacation request.
The applicant will, at their expense, relocate a City water main and a sanitary
sewer main presently in the subject right-of-way.
An associated Flexible Development case (FLD2009-09032) was approved by the
Community Development Board on December 15, 2009.
A Development Agreement, (DVA2009-00004), between the City and the
developer, L.O.M., Inc., was recommended for approval by the Development
Review Committee on November 5, 2009 and is subject to City Council approval
in tandem with this vacation request.
A condition of approval in the ordinance requires the applicant to complete
development of the property on or before September 30, 2012 or the vacation will
become null and void.
This condition is consistent with the completion date specified in the Development
Agreement.
The Engineering Department has no objections to the vacation request provided
that the vacation is subject to the condition of approval contained in the ordinance.
It was stated that the item was part of the LOM Development Agreement and requested
it be continued to February 18, 2010.
7. Planning
7.1 Approve a Development Agreement between L.O.M. Inc. (the property owner) and
the City of Clearwater as per Beach by Design and Community Development
Code Section 4-606 and adopt Resolution 10-01.
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The 0.99 acre parcel is located between S. Gulfview Boulevard and Coronado
Drive approximately 200 feet south of Third Street
. The main portion of the subject property (311 S. Gulfview Boulevard [including
305, 309 and 315 S. Gulfview Boulevard]) is currently developed with a retail
sales use of 7,128 square feet of floor area (Surf Style) and a restaurant of 6,058
square feet of floor area (Britt’s). The other portion of the subject property (320
Coronado Drive) is developed with a detached dwelling
. On December 15, 2009, the Community Development Board (CDB) approved
with 15 conditions of approval a Flexible Development application to permit Retail
Sales and Services of 34,183 square feet of floor area, a Restaurant of 6,887
square feet of floor area and a Parking Garage of 349 parking spaces (including
48 accessory parking spaces for the Retail Sales and Services and Restaurant
uses and 301 public parking spaces) (FLD2009-09032).
The proposal is in compliance with the standards for development agreements, is
consistent with the Comprehensive Plan and furthers the vision of beach
redevelopment set forth in Beach by Design. The proposed Development
Agreement will be in effect for a period not to exceed five (5) years following the
completion date of the project, meets the design guidelines of Beach by Design
and includes the following main provisions:
Provides for at least 301 parking spaces open to the public, with at least 250 of
these spaces available on an hourly basis;
Separates the project into a Retail Unit(s) (total of 38,249 square feet of
retail/commercial floor area on the ground floor consisting of approximately
31,421 square feet of retail space [does not include the Beach Walk Thru Area],
6,828 square feet of restaurant space and 48 parking spaces on the second floor)
and a Parking Unit (301 parking spaces);
Includes the formation of a three-unit condominium for the project (one unit for
the retail portion, the 48 associated parking spaces and the delivery area, one for
the restaurant portion and one for the Parking Unit);
Includes provisions for the approval by FEMA of a Flood Zone map change
from a VE-Zone to an AE-Zone to allow construction of the Retail Unit on the
ground floor of the building through the construction of a wave dissipating wall
within the S. Gulfview Boulevard right-of-way;
Requires the developer commence construction of the project on or before
June 30, 2010;
Requires the City review (approval or denial) of the building permit within 30
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days of submission of the permit; and
Authorizes café seating within the S. Gulfview Boulevard right-of-way.
The Community Development Board reviewed this Development Agreement
application at its public hearing on January 5, 2010 and unanimously
recommended approval.
Per the conditions of the PUT agreement, the City will establish capital
improvement project 315-92649, Surf Style Condominium – Parking Unit in the
amount of $9.3 million. Funding will be provided by a first quarter transfer of $6
million from capital project 315-92641, Seashell Parking Lot. The balance of $3.3
million will be transferred from the undesignated retained earnings of the Parking
Fund.
It was requested the item be continued to February 18, 2010.
7.2 Provide Direction to the Planning Department on findings of hotel design study on
Clearwater Beach.(WSO)
In October 2009, City Council members raised concerns, about a potential canyon
effect that could be seen if high rise hotels are constructed along both the edges
of the Coronado Drive and also whether view corridors can be achieved. The City
Council requested that the Planning and Development Department prepare a
study of the potential hotel development on Clearwater Beach that focuses on
design options to determine if design standards should be revised. The results of
that study are provided. The specific recommendations from the Planning and
Development Department are outlined in detail in the study.
Urban Designer Priyanka Thatte reviewed the Beach Hotel Design Study. The study
used 2 building options on 4 specific sites and examined how incorporating step backs
into the design would impact the number of hotel rooms that may otherwise have been
possible to construct. Conclusions from the study show meaningful corridors cannot be
created in this area of the beach and that stepbacks will help address concerns
regarding a canyon effect.
In response to questions, Planning and Development Director Michael Delk said the
study was based on assumptions but an architect can design anything to fit criteria.
The study did not cost-out assumptions.
Discussion ensued. It was suggested that the proposal be vetted by the development
community.
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Staff was directed to draft a proposed ordinance.
8. Official Records and Legislative Services
8.1 Appoint two members to the Community Development Board with the term to
expire February 28, 2014.
Consensus was to re-appoint Thomas Coates.
8.2 Appoint Judith B. Powers as the Pinellas County Arts Council representative and
Robert J. Entel as a citizen representative to the Public Art and Design Advisory
Board with the terms to expire February 28, 2014. (consent)
Consensus was to appoint Judith B. powers and Robert J. Entel.
8.3 Approve amendments to Code of Ordinances, Chapter 14, Elections, to update
the code due to changes in the City charter, State Statutes and County Supervisor
of Elections procedures and pass Ordinance 8133-10 on first reading.
Various amendments are needed to the City's election code due to: Charter
changes increasing the term of office to four years and transferring canvassing
board duties to the County Canvassing Board. Changes in State Statutes
regarding poll watchers, voting equipment, make up of election boards and
election procedures Supervisor of Election procedures regarding selection of
polling places, delivery of equipment and selection and training of poll workers.
9. Legal
9.1 Continue second reading of Ordinance 8145-10 regarding VAC2009-07 LOM Inc.
to February 18, 2010.
9.2 Adopt Resolution 10-02, encouraging Pinellas County to adopt anti-tethering
regulations.
The City of Clearwater (“City”) finds extreme importance in protecting animals and
preventing animal cruelty, and the United States Department of Agriculture has
found that the continuous confinement of canines by a tether is inhumane.
In addition, the continuous confinement of canines by a tether has been found to
contribute to aggressive behavior and can lead to severe collar injuries and
exposure related illnesses.
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The proper agency for regulating such behavior is the Pinellas County Board of
County Commissioners.
10. City Manager Verbal Reports - None.
11. Council Discussion Items
11.1 Tourist Development Council funding list of facilities for consideration
Economic Development and Housing Director Geri Campos Lopez said the TDC
requested the list be limited to bricks and mortar projects that benefit tourism. Staff
recommended Ruth Eckerd Hall/Capitol Theater and the Clearwater Marine Aquarium.
In response to questions, Ms. Lopez said staff was unable to include specific
information for the Capitol Theater due to the short notice. If the Capitol Theater
receives funding, Ruth Eckerd Hall wants the funding to go towards its funding portion.
Concern was expressed that funds are being taken from the bed tax for bricks and
mortar.
Councilmember Carlen Petersen read the TDC ordinance and reviewed allowed
purposes.
12. Other Council Action - None.
13. Adjourn
The meeting was adjourned at 2:55 p.m.
14. Presentation(s) for Council Meeting
14.1 Proclamation: 2-1-1 Tampa Bay Day
14.2 Department of Homeland Security Recognition of Ironman EOC Operations - Rick
Carnley
The
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