10/16/2012 CITY COUNCIL STRATEGIC VISSIONING WORK SESSION MEETING MINUTES
CITY OF CLEARWATER
October 16,
Present: Mayor George N. Cretekos, Vice Mayor Paul Gibson, Councilmember
Doreen Hock-DiPolito, 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 2:00 p.m. at Clearwater Main
Library. It was noted that Councilmember Bill Jonson was absent due to a death in the
family.
Introduction - John Streitmatter, Consultant
Mr. Streitmatter continued reviewing feedback from one-on-ones with Council.
Councilmember Jay Polglaze expressed a concern with using the term "low income
housing" in the SWOT Analysis and suggested using the term affordable housing.
Discussion ensued regarding affordable housing. There was consensus that the City is
lacking affordable housing for its residents and needs to diversify housing stock for all
incomes. The City's population has aged and may not want, or cannot afford, market-
rate housing. The City needs to rehabilitate/redevelop the current housing stock to be
affordable and attractive in order to increase the tax base.
Homelessness
Mr. Streitmatter said there was strong support for the current direction. There is a need
for a cooperative, integrated effort across the county with more leadership from the
reconstituted Homeless Leadership Network.
Sustaining Neighborhoods
Mr. Streitmatter said there is a need for neighborhood incentives to keep them vibrant.
There is also a need to motivate citizens to get involved in their neighborhoods, even
when things are going well. The Neighborhood Coalition provides good feedback. The
City needs to provide more assistance to help neighborhoods deal with inventory of
foreclosed/abandoned homes.
Council Strategic Visioning Work Session 2012-10-16 1
It was stated that neighborhoods become involved when there is a problem. It was
suggested that the City should empower residents, who are known to be active on
specific topics, to take on a leadership role on other broad topics.
Economic Development
Mr. Streitmatter said there is a need for increased investment in Economic
Development: continue nurturing investments on the beach while beginning to invest in
Downtown. Economic Development should be more proactive with marketing and
recruitment. Property owners and business owners should work together to solve
problems instead of looking to the City for solutions. Spring Training is under leveraged
by the business community.
Discussion ensued with comments made that the business community must be
engaged to tell their story; the City Council should be more active in welcoming visitors
(i.e., Jazz Holiday, Republican National Convention).
Balancing the mix of importance of residents vs. commercial activity vs. tourist activity.
Mr. Streitmatter said there is consensus that tourism is an important economic engine
for the City and is performing well. There is a desire to increase the economic activity in
other areas of the City besides the beach. There is an opportunity to tell the Clearwater
story to tourists as an economic development strategy.
The effect of Scientology on our efforts and brand.
Mr. Streitmatter said there was consensus that the public's perception of Downtown is
influenced by what is written in the newspaper. If Downtown were a vibrant business
destination, Scientology would be a non-issue.
Employee engagement and retention.
Mr. Streitmatter said there was consensus that Council is pleased with the quality of
employees. Concerns were expressed regarding employee retention during challenging
economic times and need to retain critical skills and knowledge in the face of cutbacks.
Area that needs change within the next twelve months
Discussion ensued with comments made that economic development needs to be more
aggressive and include the whole city (to include U.S. Highway 19 and entrances into
the city), the economic development engine needs job creation (i.e., continue green
initiatives in order to attract green businesses).
Council Strategic Visioning Work Session 2012-10-16 2
Area that needs the least change within the next twelve months
Mr. Streitmatter said there was consensus that the City's signature special events are
critical to the City's commitment to tourism. There was consensus that the millage rate
and Memorial Causeway landscaping are areas Council is least willing to change.
It was stated that the general operating fund should not increase beyond the inflation
rate.
Closing remarks - John Streitmatter, Consultant
Mr. Streimatter said the next session will focus on strategic direction for the future,
identifying major goals and key strategies.
In response to a suggestion, Mr. Streitmatter said he would work with the City Manager
to schedule sessions with the private sector (i.e., Clearwater Regional Chamber,
Clearwater Beach Chamber, Downtown Development Board, Downtown Partnership),
community leaders (i.e., Neighborhood Coalition), and staff(department directors).
It was suggested to schedule a public hearing after the three sessions.
The City Manager said Council will need to clarify economic development expectations
during the session with staff. Council drives how aggressively staff will implement the
economic development vision; staff will also determine if staff is equipped to do so.
Adjourn
The meeting was adjourned at 3:37 p.m.
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