11/14/2012 CITY COUNCIL STRATEGIC VISSIONING WORK SESSION MEETING MINUTES
CITY OF CLEARWATER
November 14,
Present: Mayor George N. Cretekos, Vice Mayor Paul Gibson, Councilmember
Doreen Hock-DiPolito, Councilmember Bill Jonson and Councilmember
Jay E. Polglaze.
Also Present: William B. Horne 11 - City Manager, Jill S. Silverboard - Assistant City
Manager, Rod Irwin - Assistant City Manager, Pamela K. Akin - City
Attorney, and Rosemarie Call - City Clerk.
Call to Order
Mayor George N. Cretekos called the meeting to order at 2:06 p.m. at Clearwater Main
Library.
Introduction - John Streitmatter, Consultant
Mr. Streitmatter said today's meeting will focus on strategic direction, identifying those
big items to accomplish that will move the City forward.
Discussion ensued regarding creating a story or brand that conveys the emotional ties
one has to the city.
Mr. Streitmatter said there was consensus, up to this point, that the new mission
statement includes providing cost effective municipal services and infrastructure; and
facilitating development of the economy so that our citizens enjoy a high quality of life.
The vision statement: Sparkling Clearwater is a uniquely beautiful and vibrant waterfront
community that is socially and economically diverse, that reinvests itself, and is a
wonderful place to live, work, and play.
Discussion ensued regarding amending the mission statement to read, "The Mission of
the City of Clearwater is to: provide cost effective municipal services and infrastructure;
and facilitate development of an economically vibrant city, so that our citizens enjoy a
high quality of life." It was stated that a vibrant city encompasses more than business
development; for some it includes the arts and education. It was suggested that the
proposed mission statement be amended to read, "...so that our citizens can enjoy a
high quality of life."
Council Strategic Visioning Work Session 2012-11-14 1
Mr. Streitmatter said, during the one-on-ones with Council, there was consensus that
the city's strategic direction must include the following elements and be implemented
within the next five to ten years.
• Develop a balanced range of housing that matches the community's needs.
• Have community buy-in to the strategic plan and the city's future.
• Ensure everyone knows the Clearwater story and can readily tell others.
• Focus economic development efforts (i.e., Downtown, US 19 corridor, etc.), while
making small investments across the city that make a difference.
Discussion ensued regarding the use of"Sparkling Clearwater" in the current Vision
Statement with comments made that "Sparkling" must be defined and reenergized, and
have a unified voice of the activities that make Clearwater sparkle.
Discussion ensued regarding additional elements of strategic direction. It was
suggested that the city's environment for economic development should encompass
excitement, collaboration, competition, and unlimited outreach. The City needs to
engage a broad set of citizens in the city's promotion of economic development efforts.
Tourism marketing should also include residents, businesses, and area youths. The
City needs to increase service levels without increasing taxes, control spending,
increase tax base and continue hiring and developing employees. Service quality and
community safety should be continued and extended into aging neighborhoods.
There was consensus that the City needs to create and promote a unified brand.
Closing remarks - John Streitmatter, Consultant
Mr. Streimatter said he will work with the City Manager to formalize the Council's vision
and schedule the remaining meetings with staff, private sector (Clearwater Regional
Chamber of Commerce, Beach Chamber of Commerce, Downtown Partnership, and
Downtown Development Board), and community leaders (Neighborhood Coalition and
community influence leaders).
Adjourn
The meeting was adjourned at 4:05 p.m.
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