11/28/2011
COUNCIL WORK SESSION MEETING MINUTES
CITY OF CLEARWATER
November 28, 2011
Present: Mayor Frank Hibbard, Vice Mayor George N. Cretekos, Councilmember
John Doran, Councilmember Paul Gibson, and Councilmember Bill
Jonson.
Also Present: William B. Horne II - City Manager, Jill S. Silverboard - Assistant City
Manager, Rod Irwin - Assistant City Manager, Pamela K. Akin - City
Attorney, Rosemarie Call - City Clerk, and Nicole Sprague – Official
Records and Legislative Services Coordinator.
To provide continuity for research, items are in agenda order although not
necessarily discussed in that order.
Mayor Frank Hibbard called the meeting to order at 9:00 a.m. at City Hall.
1. Presentations
1.1 Service Awards
Four service awards were presented to city employees.
2. Economic Development and Housing
2.1 Approve a commitment of grant funds to Vestcor Fund XL, Ltd. (Vestcor) in the
amount of $100,000 in HOME Investment Partnership Program (with non-federal
funds as a match) to build up to 120 affordable rental housing units for the
elderly to be used as the local contribution that is required for applicants to
participate in the State of Florida’s Low Income Housing Tax Credit Program
(LIHTC); authorize $100,000 from General Fund Reserves to be set aside as a
commitment to allow the second ranked developer, SP Chestnut Trail LP, to
apply to the LIHTC program to build 50 units of affordable rental housing units
for the elderly; and authorize the appropriate officials to execute same.
(consent)
On October 27, 2011, the City's Economic Development and Housing Department
released a Request for Proposals (RFP) for projects needing a local contribution
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of funds in order to apply for the Fiscal Year 2011 State of Florida Low Income
Housing Tax Credit Program (LIHTC).
The City received four proposals on November 16, 2011: Vestcor Fund XL, Ltd.,
SP Chestnut Trail LP, Carlisle Group II, Ltd. and Clearwater Prospect Lake
Reserve, LLC. The selection committee, made up of Economic Development and
Housing and Planning and Development staff, met and ranked the applications
through its stated ranking process.
The committee ranked the Developers in the following order:
1) Vestcor Fund XL, Ltd., (up to 120 units-elderly; Woodlawn Ave. near MLK
Ave.)
2) SP Chestnut Trail LP, (50 units-elderly; Chestnut St. and East Ave.)
3) Carlisle Group II, Ltd., (97 units-elderly; Laura St. and MLK Ave.)
4) Clearwater Prospect Lake Reserve, LLC (69 units-family; MLK Ave. and
Pierce St.)
The top recommended project (Vestcor) is called Vista Grand at Woodlawn and
consists of up to 120 one and two-bedroom units located in one building, targeted
for elderly residents. Some of the amenities include a library, computer lab, crafts
and community rooms, fitness center, movie theater, swimming pool, hair salon
and laundry facility. The estimated total development cost is $16,727,181. The
subject site is located on Woodlawn Avenue just south of Ross Norton Park, west
of Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue and east of Ft. Harrison Avenue in the Lake
Belleview neighborhood. The site consists of approximately 8 acres. The second-
ranked project (SP Chestnut Trail) is called Chestnut Trail Apartments and
consists of 50 units of one and two-bedroom apartments targeted to the elderly.
The proposed site is located on 0.72 acres at the southwest corner of Chestnut
Street and East Street in the Downtown Core. Some of the amenities include
covered parking, community room, computer work stations, and shuffle board
court. The estimated total development cost is $12,334,500. Staff is
recommending a commitment to Vestcor as the top-ranked project using
$100,000 grant from HOME/matching funds. However, given that the LIHTC
program has limits on how many units of housing can be funded per County
through each tax credit cycle, it is highly unlikely that more than one project will
receive an allocation of tax credits. For this reason, staff is recommending that the
City support two projects to increase the likelihood that a project in Clearwater
would be funded.
If Council chooses to support the two-project rationale, staff recommends a
commitment of General Fund Reserves to support the SP Chestnut Trail
application. In this scenario, if Vestcor (the top ranked project) does not receive
an allocation of tax credits and SP Chestnut Trail does, the HOME funding that
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was committed to Vestcor would be transferred to the Chestnut Trail project and
the commitment for General Fund reserves would be released.
Staff does not recommend commitments to the third and fourth-ranked projects.
Both of these projects scored lower in comparison to the top two ranked projects
on the advertised ranking criteria. In addition, from a policy perspective, given the
proximity of the two proposed projects to the Cleveland Street District, a mixed-
income project (both market rate and affordable units) is preferred in both
locations to provide a market and support the retail/restaurant recruitment efforts
in the downtown core (see Function of Town Lake Residential District from the
Clearwater Downtown Redevelopment Plan). Staff would not recommend any
incentives to build LIHTC-type projects at these locations.
As background, the Housing Credit Program is governed by the U.S. Department
of Treasury under Section 252 of the Tax Reform Act of 1986 and Section 42 of
the Internal Revenue Code, as amended. The program was established to provide
for-profit and non-profit organizations with a dollar-for-dollar reduction in federal
tax liability in exchange for the acquisition and substantial rehabilitation,
substantial rehabilitation, or new construction of low and very low- income rental
housing units (60% of the Area Median Income and below). In this application
cycle, the minimum value of contributions required from a government agency for
a Housing Credit Program application to receive the maximum points is $100,000.
It is the city's understanding that in order to meet this requirement, the local
government needs to make a commitment to each project they are supporting.
The application period for the LIHTC Program opened on October 26, 2011 and
closes on December 6, 2011. The scores will be issued on March 28, 2011 with
the final board approval set for June 8, 2012.
Any project funded by the City of Clearwater will need to sign a Declaration of
Restrictive Covenants that ensures affordability of the units for a 30-year period.
In response to questions, Economic Development and Housing Director Geri Campos
Lopez said the Chestnut Trail project will be acquiring one parcel. In order for the
projects to be considered, a local government contribution is required. Applications with
the most points are more likely to receive funding. The allowed total units in Pinellas
County are 150. The City of St. Petersburg is supporting five projects. Ms. Campos
Lopez said it is unlikely that more than one project in Pinellas County would receive
funding.
In response to a question, the City Attorney said Councilmember John Doran, a
member of the Prospect Towers Inc. Board of Directors, does not have a conflict of
interest, from a discussion standpoint, as there is no personal economic gain or benefit.
Staff will confirm if Councilmember Doran is able to vote on the matter Thursday.
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SP Chestnut Trail representative Peter Leach said 90% of the units are designated for
families 60% of area median income, approximately $200 higher per unit than Prospect
Lake. The project will target the 55 and older age group; 20% of the units can be
designated to families younger than 55. Ten percent of the units are 33% or less of the
area median income.
In response to a question, Vestcor Fund XL representative Jim Dial said that a
previously proposed project was a condominium project with higher density and parking
issues. The current project targets the elderly, minimizing the need for parking. A
community meeting has been scheduled for November 30. Mr. Dial said there is a bus
stop on Woodlawn Avenue, located near the project site, and Pinellas County offers
various transportation services to the elderly.
Ms. Campos Lopez said the property owner has the option to turn the units to market
rate at the end of the 30-year affordability period.
Staff was requested to provide information regarding the tax dollars generated by the
Pineberry project and addresses of other projects supported under this grant. There
was consensus to take Item 2.1 off the consent agenda.
2.2 Approve a loan modification to Homeless Emergency Project, Inc. to change the
existing terms and increase the loan amount by $725,000 to a total loan amount
of $1,097,340 to build 32 affordable rental housing units for veterans at 1250
Palmetto Street, Clearwater, and authorize the appropriate officials to execute
same. (consent)
Homeless Emergency Project, Inc. (HEP) has been planning apartment units
and a clubhouse to provide permanent supportive housing to homeless veterans
with special needs. An application was submitted to the City of Clearwater to
acquire vacant real property located at 1250 Palmetto Street, Clearwater, Florida
(owned by the Pinellas County Board of Public Instruction). The City gave HEP a
loan in the amount of $372,340 to acquire the property (agreed sales price of the
land from the School Board--a February 10, 2010 appraisal list the value of the
land at $558,000.)
The subject property is near rectangular in shape with approximately 109 feet of
Palmetto Street frontage, 120 feet of Engman Street frontage and 1,095 feet of
Holt Avenue frontage. The surveyed dimensions calculate to a total size of 2.9
acres. Phase one will include the construction of a two-story 16,248 square foot
residential building containing thirty two (32) one-bedroom apartments. It will
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also include the construction of a 2,336 square foot Clubhouse/Community
Center, and all required parking spaces. Funds from the City will only be used for
the construction of the housing units.
The new apartment units and the Clubhouse/Community Center will be used to
provide permanent supportive housing to homeless veterans with special needs.
It will house both male and female veterans including the sub-populations of
disabled veterans, veterans with mental illness, chronically mentally ill veterans,
veterans with PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) diagnosis, veterans with
substance abuse problems and veterans with dual diagnosis. These housing
units will serve an identified need in the community (Veteran's Administration
Bay Pines in a 2008 study indicated a need for over 500 permanent housing
units). The residents of this facility will be provided with comprehensive case
management and counseling services, needed health, mental health and dental
services, as well as job training and job placement assistance and a full array of
services needed to move residents into a condition of self-sufficiency.
It is estimated that the project will begin construction in January 2012 and be
completed by January 2013.
The total budgeted project cost is $3,497,144 with Pinellas County contributing
$1,800,000, the City of Clearwater at $1,097,340 (including the prior loan of
$372,340) and HEP contributing $599,804. To ensure the project cash flows, it is
recommended that both Pinellas County and the City forgive an equal share of
the loan ($299,250) at the end of the 30-year affordability period.
The original loan in the amount of $372,340 included a two-year deferment with
no payment due and no interest. It also included a three-year interest only
payment and a balloon for full payment due at the end of the fifth year with the
city's option of forgiveness.
The proposed loan modification by the City to HEP will place all loans under a
single mortgage and restructure the terms of the loan to become a $1,097,340
total loan with a $299,250 loan forgiveness at the end of the 30-year affordability
period. The balance of the loan will be a three-year deferred payment loan with a
three percent (3%) per annum interest rate amortized over 30 years.
In response to questions, Economic Development and Housing Director Geri Campos
Lopez said HEP’s intent is to serve homeless veterans and are working with Bay Pines.
A concern was expressed regarding commitment to serve only homeless veterans.
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Staff was directed to provide information regarding similar housing projects that are
available in Clearwater and outside of Clearwater and to take Item 2.2 off the Consent
Agenda.
3. Financial Services
3.1 Approve legal services agreements between Banker, Lopez, Gassler, P.A. and
the City of Clearwater, and Pallo, Marks, Hernandez, Gechijian and DeMay, P.A.
and the City of Clearwater for legal services relating to Workers Compensation
claims; authorize payments to said firms in the amount not to exceed $285,000
for the period of January 1, 2012 through December 21, 2015; and authorize the
appropriate officials to execute same. (consent)
The City of Clearwater self-insures its Workers' Compensation exposures and
Risk Management administers the claims. Only a small percentage of claims
result in litigation. Risk Management uses two attorneys in response to the City's
Workers' Compensation claims.
4. Human Resources
4.1 Authorize a three-year contract between the City and Montgomery Retirement
Plan Advisors for the provision of advisor/consultant services to the City 457
Deferred Compensation Plans and the City 401a Money Purchase Pension plan
at a cost of $32,000 per year and authorize the appropriate officials to execute
same. (consent)
In September 2011, Council authorized the City to enter into negotiations with
Montgomery Retirement Plan Advisors to serve as advisor/consultant to the City's
457 and 401a defined contribution retirement plans. The City has reached an
agreement in principal with Montgomery for a three-year agreement at a cost of
$32,000 per year, payable in quarterly installments. The agreement provides for
Montgomery to assist the City in establishing a Plan Investment Committee and
Charter and in drafting an Investment Policy Statement, as well as providing
fiduciary consulting services and resources including monitoring the performance
of investment plan managers, benchmarking fees and cost reduction initiatives,
assisting with fund selection, preparing performance reports and investment
recommendations, attending Plan Committee and annual comprehensive
Fiduciary Plan Review meetings, and offering participant education guidance. The
cost of the agreement for the balance of Fiscal Year 2011-2012 would be funded
from Central Insurance Fund reserves and future year costs are to be budgeted in
the Central Insurance Fund.
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5. Parks and Recreation
5.1 Approve the Fourth Amendment to Sports Facility Use Agreement between the
City of Clearwater (City) and Phillies Florida LLC (Phillies); a Project Agreement
between the City and Phillies to make certain improvements at Carpenter
Complex and Bright House Field (Project) in accordance to the Carpenter
Complex Use Agreement and the Bright House Field Use Agreement; approve
funding the project for $2,900,000 from un-appropriated retained earnings; and
authorize the appropriate officials to execute same. (consent)
The four field Carpenter Complex was originally developed in partnership with the
Philadelphia Phillies over 45 years ago to be the main spring training facility for
the Phillies. Since that time, Bright House Field was constructed and other major
league improvements were made to the clubhouse and ballfields at Carpenter.
Staff for both the Phillies and City has identified several existing facilities, or lack
thereof, that need to be replaced or constructed to meet the standards needed for
a professional sports franchise.
Major elements of this project will include the following:
Carpenter Complex:
1. Construction of a new 20,710 square foot training building that will include six
batting tunnels; 4,831 square foot weight training and cardio room; training room;
storage space; office space; locker space; restroom facilities; laundry/janitor room
and staging/video room. (site plan of new building attached)
2. Renovation of the existing 3,420 square foot building north of the clubhouse to
house two additional indoor batting tunnels
3. Construction of a covered walkway connecting the Southeast side of the
clubhouse to the new training building.
4. Relocation of existing amenities (fencing, warning tracks, sidewalks etc.) to
gain access to the new weight training/cardio building.
5. Removal of existing open air hitting cages on the north side of the entrance
driveway and replace with new sod and landscaping.
Bright House Field:
1. Construction of one or two batting tunnels under the stadium to be accessed
from the home dugout by installation of a walkway and new door.
The City will fund the project up to a maximum of $2,900,000. Architects and
engineering fees are to be included as part of the project. Funding for the project
will come from un-appropriated retained earnings and will be transferred into the
project at first quarter.
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The Phillies will manage the project and be responsible for any project cost
overrun above the City's $2,900,000 contribution.
In addition as part of the Fourth Amendment, the Phillies will pay the City
additional use fees from Spring Training games occurring from 2012 through 2023
equal to ($.60) times the number of paid admissions to each Phillies Major
League Spring Training home game played at Bright House Field against another
Major League team. Past attendance records indicate that the City will be
reimbursed between $72,623 and $77,792 per year. The project construction
commences May 2012 to be ready for spring 2013. There will be no increase in
City operating budgets and staffing levels because the Phillies will handle all
maintenance of these new facilities.
A first quarter budget amendment will establish project 315-93628, Carpenter
Complex/Bright House Field Improvements in the amount of $2.9 million from
General Fund un-appropriated retained earnings. With the approval of this agenda
item, General Fund reserves will be approximately $15.1 million, representing
13.8% of the current adopted budget, with reserves of 5.8 million over the current
reserve policy.
Mayor Frank Hibbard expressed condolences to survivors of Jerry Clothier, Phillies
Senior Vice President Business and Finance.
In response to questions, Parks and Recreation Director Kevin Dunbar said the City
receives an annual lease payment in excess of $200,000 from the Phillies organization
for Carpenter Field. There are 12 years remaining in the Brighthouse agreement.
The Council recessed from 10:27 a.m. to 10:34 a.m.
6. Solid Waste/General Support Services
6.1 Award a contract (Purchase Order) for $507,342.00 to Container Systems and
Equipment Co. Inc. of Daytona Beach, FL for two Crane Carrier CNG Low Entry
Cab Chassis with 25 Cubic Yard Loadmaster Excel Rear Loader Body, in
accordance with Sec. 2.564(1)(d), Code of Ordinances - Other governmental bid,
authorize lease purchase under the City's Master Lease Purchase Agreement
and authorize the appropriate officials to execute same. (consent)
The two rear loaders will be purchased through the Florida Sheriff's Contract 11-
19-0907, specification 050 and quote dated October 26, 2011.
These trucks will replace G2556 with 91,719 miles and G2557 with 88,498 miles.
Both trucks are included in the Fiscal Year 2011/2012 Garage CIP Replacement
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Fund at a total estimated cost of $240,000 per truck. The cost of the CNG
upgrade is $28,808.00 per truck. The cost of the upgrade will be recovered in fuel
savings based on current difference in price of $1.00 and annual gallons used is
4080 in 7 years. This truck has an expected life of 10 to 12 years.
The Garage CIP has enough savings to cover the additional cost of the trucks and
Solid Waste has operating funds available to cover the additional debt.
6.2 Award a Contract (Purchase Order) for $369,154.00 to Kenworth of Central
Florida of Orlando, FL for two Kenworth T800/T440 CNG Trucks with Palfinger
M100L72 Grapple Loader and 28 yd. Trash Body in accordance with Sec.
2.564(1)(d), Code of Ordinances - Other governmental bid, authorize lease
purchase under the City's Master Lease Purchase Agreement and authorize the
appropriate officials to execute same. (consent)
The Jaws trucks will be purchased through the Florida Sheriff's Association and
Florida Association of Counties Contract 11-19-0907, Specification 50 and the
quote dated November 10, 2011.The trucks will replace G2888 with 89,676 miles
and G2891 with 86,378 miles. Both trucks are included in the Fiscal Year
2011/2012 Garage CIP Replacement Fund. The budget for these trucks is
$360,000. The cost of the CNG upgrade increased since the budget amount was
received from various vendors during the budget cycle. Savings in the CIP can be
used to cover the additional cost. The cost to upgrade the chassis to CNG is
$30,546.00. The annual savings based on $1.00 difference between diesel fuel
and CNG is $4,692. The payback is 6.5 years. This truck will have an expected
life of 10 to 12 years.
6.3 Award a Contract (Purchase Order) for $162,000.00 to Tampa Truck Center of
Tampa, FL for one Freightliner CNG Chassis; remove, install and refurbish the
existing Propane Tank in accordance with Sec. 2.564(1)(d), Code of Ordinances
- Other governmental bid; authorize lease purchase of $128,090.00 under the
City's Master Lease Purchase Agreement and authorize the appropriate officials
to execute same. (consent)
The Freightliner Chassis and removal and retrofit of the Propane Tank will be
purchased through the Florida Sheriff's Association and Florida Association of
Counties Contract 11-19-0907, Specification 070-700-312 and quote dated
November 1, 2011.The Chassis will replace G2344, 2001 International with
118,000 miles. The cost of the Chassis and Upgrades is $128,090.00. Krutsinger
of Tampa, FL will perform the removal and installation of the body, upgrade the
Propane unit to current standards for $34,000. The cost to upgrade the chassis to
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CNG is $29,091. The payback for the upgrade cost based on 2,521 gallons at
$1.22 difference in cost is 9.4 years. This truck will have a life of 12 years.
The Chassis is included in the Garage CIP Replacement Fund and the budget
amount is $78,000. The remainder of the Chassis difference between budget and
actual plus CNG Conversion will be paid from savings in the Garage Replacement
CIP. The cost of the removal, upgrade and installation of the Propane Tank will
be paid from an operational fund.
7. Public Utilities
7.1 Award a contract renewal (blanket purchase order) to Pinellas County Solid
Waste in the amount of $180,000 for the disposal of solid waste at the Pinellas
County waste to energy plant/landfill for the period January 1, 2012 through
December 31, 2012, as provided in the City’s Code of Ordinances, Section 2.564
(1) (d), Services provided by Other Governmental Entities, and authorize the
appropriate officials to execute the same. (consent)
Pinellas County operates the only waste to energy plant/landfill in the county. The
NPDES permit that the Stormwater Division operates under requires the disposal
of all debris generated from the street sweepers, vaccon operation and ditch/catch
basin cleaning to a landfill disposal site. Pinellas County has kept their rate at
$37.50 per ton for over 13 years.
Sufficient budget is available in the Stormwater Utility Fund operating cost center
0419-02090-543500-539-000-0000 to fund the current year cost of this contract.
8. Engineering
8.1 Award a Contract (purchase order) to R.E. Purcell Construction of Largo, Florida
for the 2011 Street Resurfacing Project (11-0024-EN) in the amount of
$1,386,029.62, which is the lowest responsible bid received in accordance with
the plans and specification and authorize the appropriate officials to execute
same. (consent)
The City of Clearwater annual street resurfacing program is designed to prevent
the deterioration of roadway wearing surfaces, provide a protective coating and
maintain the integrity of the road substructure throughout the city street system.
The streets scheduled for resurfacing in this contract are from citizens' requests,
Public Services, Engineering and our consultant; and have all been determined to
warrant their inclusion by virtue of an inspection and prioritization process
performed by the Engineering staff.
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They include streets on north beach and south beach, plus the roundabout;
Cleveland Street from Highland to Belcher; Landmark Drive from State Road 580
to Curlew Road; and various smaller streets.
The contract period is 120 days. Sufficient funding and budget are available in
Capital Improvement Program project 0315-92273, Streets and Sidewalks.
In response to a question, Engineering Director Mike Quillen said all of the pavement
will be supplied by the same vendor and will be the same color.
Staff was directed to provide information on the smaller streets being paved.
8.2 Ratify and confirm emergency repair in the amount of $206,551.50, completed
by Keystone Excavators, for the concrete stormwater conveyance channel just
south of Sharkey Road. (consent)
On October 10, 2011, it was discovered that stormwater runoff had undercut a
reinforced concrete channel resulting in collapse of the channel bottom.
The channel failure and subsequent erosion exposed an 8-inch diameter sanitary
sewer line and an 8-inch diameter potable water line. Additional erosion could
have resulted in failure of either of these two pipelines.
As this presented an emergency, Keystone Excavators, who has successfully
completed similar work for the City, was contacted and engineering staff and
Keystone devised a plan to repair the channel and protect the utility lines.
This work was completed on November 7, 2011.
Sufficient funding is available in Capital Improvement Program project 0315-
96124, Storm Pipe System Improvements.
9. Planning
9.1 Provide direction on amendments to the Community Development Code
regarding artificial turf (TA2011-09001). (WSO)
The city's Community Development Code Section 3-1502, Property Maintenance
Requirements for Yards and Landscape Areas, currently requires that the portion
of lots not covered by a building or structure be "landscaped with grass or other
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appropriate ground cover" and that "all landscape materials ... be maintained in a
healthy live condition."
At the July 21, 2011 City Council Meeting, Council directed the Planning and
Development Department Staff to examine the use of synthetic grass or artificial
turf in place of landscaping consisting of natural plant material and to create
standards for the installation and maintenance of artificial turf. Council also
directed staff to meet with the Environmental Advisory Board (EAB) and the
Clearwater Neighborhoods Coalition (CNC) for their feedback.
Staff met with the EAB on September 21, 2011 to discuss completed research on
the environmental aspects of artificial turf and an evaluation of existing codes in
Florida and across the United States. Staff met with the EAB a second time on
October 12, 2011, at which time a draft ordinance was reviewed. The EAB
recommended adoption of the proposed ordinance as presented at the meeting
with three changes: 1) permitting process and requirements for artificial turf
should be similar to those for other impervious surface; 2) artificial turf should be
prohibited on Sand Key, Clearwater Beach, and Island Estates; 3) crumb rubber
infill for artificial turf should only be permitted on playgrounds and athletic fields.
Staff addressed items one and three in the proposed ordinance, but did not
incorporate a prohibition of artificial turf on Sand Key, Clearwater Beach, and
Island Estates, because staff believes that the ordinance should apply citywide
and no one neighborhood should be exempt. This information was presented to
the CNC at its November 7, 2011 meeting, and the CNC voted to support the
ordinance as presented at the meeting.
The ordinance contains the following key provisions:
Differentiates between natural turf and artificial turf, and provides definitions of
each.
Establishes a new subsection for Artificial Turf (Section 3-1203) which includes
the following:
- Requires a permit be approved in advance of any installation, to be reviewed by
city staff.
Creates minimum standards within Section 3-1203 including:
Green lifelike blades with a minimum pile height and density for all installations
other than those used in recreational facilities, which would have to comply with
different but appropriate standards;
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Prohibition of rubber infill material except for within recreational installations.
Further prohibits the use of rubber infill at all, even in recreational uses, on Sand
Key, Clearwater Beach, and Island Estates;
Prohibition of indoor/outdoor carpeting like that which is generically referred to as
"astro turf."
Establishes installation and maintenance requirements within Section 3-1203
including:
Artificial turf would be considered impervious by the city. The amount of artificial
turf allowed would be limited by the established Impervious Surface Ratio (ISR)
for a zoning district;
Seams must be nailed and glued, and nothing can be directly attached to a
seawall;
Artificial turf must be installed to provide proper drainage so no pooling or flooding
would occur, and may not be installed in permanent drainage features such as
ponds;
The city's arborist would have the ability to limit installations in areas where it
could affect the health of a tree, and any installations would be reviewed to
prevent damage to tree roots.
Amends the Property Maintenance Requirements Section 3-1502 as follows:
Modifies Section 3-1502.H.3 to allow artificial turf, but maintains requirement that
all other shrubs and trees still be "live";
Establishes maintenance requirements to ensure installed artificial turf remains
green, free of dirt, stains, odors, weeds, debris, tears, holes, impressions.
Amends Appendix A Schedule of Fees, Rates and Charges to establish a permit
fee for artificial turf.
It is requested that City Council provide direction to staff regarding Ordinance
8302-12.
In response to questions, Planning Manager Lauren Matzke said the Environmental
Advisory Board discussed prohibiting artificial turf in the beach community and the
Clearwater Beach Association submitted a letter recommending to prohibit artificial turf
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in the beach community. Planning and Development Assistant Director Gina Clayton
said the Board expressed concerns with being in a flood plain and impact artificial turf
would have during a hurricane if allowed. Planning and Development Director Michael
Delk said individuals will be provided suggested turf patterns and color palettes.
Artificial turf for putting greens is allowed for recreation uses.
In response to a concern, Ms. Matzke said artificial turf in the parkway is not prohibited
but would require another right-of-way permit. The proposed code changes do not
permit artificial trees.
Staff was directed to amend language to disallow artificial turf in the right-of-way and
include a trigger to revisit within three to five years.
10. Official Records and Legislative Services
10.1 Appoint one member to the Library Board with term to expire February 28, 2015.
Councilmember John Doran questioned if a conflict would exist should Ms. Barbara
Blakely, a family member, be appointed. The City Attorney said staff would confirm if
considered a conflict.
Staff was directed to provide additional information regarding the current membership
composition (male to female).
10.2 Reappoint Linda S. Damsky to the Sister Cities Advisory Board with term to
expire December 31, 2015. (consent)
There was consensus to reappoint Linda S. Damsky.
10.3 Appoint a councilmember to fill the remainder of John Doran's term on the
Pinellas Planning Council expiring December 31, 2012 and to a new two-year
term on the Pinellas Planning Council with term to expire December 31, 2014.
There was consensus to appoint Councilmember Paul Gibson to serve on the Pinellas
Planning Council for the February 15, 2012 meeting.
11. Legal
11.1 Adopt Ordinance 8283-11 on second reading, amending the Zoning Atlas of the
city by rezoning certain real property whose post office address is 1911 North
Old Coachman Road from Low Medium Density Residential (LMDR) to
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Commercial (C).
11.2 Adopt Ordinance 8300-11 on second reading, vacating that certain dedicated 15-
foot wide alley in Block 1 of the Wallace Addition to Clearwater, Florida, as
shown on the map or plat thereof, as recorded in Plat Book 3, Page 6, of the
public records of Hillsborough County, Florida, of which Pinellas County was
formerly a part, less the North 30 feet thereof for street purposes. (VAC2011-03)
11.3 Adopt Ordinance 8301-11 on second reading, vacating all of the Right-of-Way
abutting the South lot line of Lot 12, Block 1,and the North lot line of Lot 12,
Block 2, both properties described in the plat Moase and Harrison located in
Hillsborough Plat Book 2, Page 85, of the public records of Pinellas County,
Florida. (VAC2011-04)
11.4 Adopt Ordinance 8296-11 on second reading, submitting to the city electors
proposed amendments to the City Charter amending Section 7.02, General
Provisions, to require the Council to appoint a Charter Review Advisory
Committee every six years.
11.5 Ordinance 8297-11 on second reading, extending the number of consecutive
terms the Mayor and Councilmembers can serve from two to three.
11.6 Adopt Ordinance 8298-11 on second reading, amending Section 2.01(c)3. of the
City Charter to require publication of a notice of the availability of the annual city
audit.
12. City Manager Verbal Reports – None.
13. Council Discussion Items
13.1 Request to move January 9, 2012 Work Session to 9am - Councilmember
Jonson
There was consensus to move the January 9, 2012 work session meeting to 8:30 a.m.
13.2 Reschedule June 4, 2012 Work Session Meeting - Councilmember Jonson
There was consensus to move the June 4, 2012 work session meeting to 1:00 p.m.
13.3 Traffic timing on Gulf-to-Bay Blvd. - Councilmember Gibson
Traffic Operations Manager Paul Bertels reviewed the traffic signal timings on State
Road 60. The area between Coachman Road and Hillcrest is running correctly. The
Work Session 2011-11-28 15
area between Hillcrest to the West is still in the developing stage; the adaptive road
algorithms should be added next year. The area between Coachman Road and
Damascus is under construction. Mr. Bertels said the State is not interested in raising
the speed limit between Martin Luther King, Jr. and Missouri Avenue.
14. Closing Comments by Mayor – None.
15. Adjourn
The meeting was adjourned at 12:09 p.m.
Work Session 2011-11-28 16