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01/29/1990 CITY COMMISSION WORK SESSION January 29, 1990 The City Commission of the City of Clearwater met at City Hall with the following members present: Rita Garvey Mayor/Commissioner Don Winner Vice-Mayor/Commissioner Lee Regulski Commissioner William Nunamaker Commissioner Richard Fitzgerald Commissioner Also present were: Ron H. Rabun City Manager M. A. Galbraith, Jr. City Attorney Cynthia E. Goudeau City Clerk The Mayor called the meeting to order at 9:30 a.m. and the following items were discussed. Two service pins were awarded to City employees. 75th Anniversary - May 27, 1990 - status report This important event in Clearwater's history will be incorporated in the Fun N' Sun celebration beginning April 27, 1990 through May 6, 1990. The Planning Committee chaired by Terry Schmidt, Parks & Recreation, has developed a theme, a commemorative poster and a calendar of events. The theme of the 75th anniversary is "Catch the Sparkle ... Make a Splash!" The special program fund account shown is at a zero balance. Staff has reasonable belief that sufficient dollars may be transferred from certain recreation projects to fund this program if approved by the Commission; however these funds may need to be replaced at a subsequent time. Terry Schmidt presented the logo that has been developed for this celebration. He indicated the advertising agency that developed the logo has donated more than $12,000 in in-kind services. A float has been developed and will be used for the first time in the Gasparilla celebration in Tampa next month. The logo will be used on letterhead and other official City correspondence throughout the year. He indicated there are two options regarding proposed street banners. One would have a cost of $5,137 and would only be able to be used one time. The other alternative is a higher quality banner at a cost of $10,000 but will be reusable. It is intended to buy 50 of these banners. He reported a photo display is being developed which can be moved to various celebration activities and displayed in City facilities. The focal point of the celebration will be May 27th which is the actual anniversary and happens to coincide with Memorial Day weekend. The Mayor suggested Mr. Schmidt contact the Downtown Rotary Club as it is celebrating its 65th anniversary this year, and the Clearwater Women's Club celebrating its 75th anniversary. Commissioner Nunamaker reported the Clearwater Yacht Club is planning a Clearwater to Key West race that same weekend and suggested they be contacted regarding participation in the celebration activities. A concern was expressed that the formal ball is scheduled to be held at the Belleview Biltmore which is not in the Clearwater city limits. In response to a question regarding a proposed boat landing, it was indicated there has been no lead group or organization found to organize this activity. The general consensus of the Commission was to approve the activity schedule thus far and to approve the budget as proposed including the reusable banners. It was indicated the logo will be placed on promotional items such as pennants, pens, etc. Clearwater Beach Traffic plan Staff has been working for some time with concerned citizens to address parking, pedestrian movement and Clearwater Beach community concerns. Charles Hunsicker, Assistant City Manager, reviewed the proposals being brought forward to the Commission. Consensus of the Commission was that although this has been scheduled as a work session only item they would prefer to have it open for discussion at Thursday night's meeting. A request was made that consideration be given to providing a turn lane that would assist individuals accessing the Seastones. Concerns were also expressed regarding the need to implement the police aide traffic control program on light evenings, and it was indicated consistency is important in maintaining the traffic control. It was also indicated the Commission did not feel this should be a permanent solution, but they supported its use at this time. Considerable discussion took place regarding the proposal to place three additional public restrooms on the beach. Concerns were expressed regarding the proposed locations, and it was indicated this would be finalized prior to permits being requested from DNR (Department of Natural Resources). This would be discussed further at Thursday night's meeting. Discussion ensued regarding the proposal to place a change machine on the beach as well as a one year trial period for attendant parking in the Pier 60 lot. It was indicated the change machine would be more convenient for the public as well as the merchants, who are currently being requested to make change. The trial period for the attendant lot is to determine whether or not this is better than the metered parking lots. In connection with extending the hours of the Jolley Trolley, concerns were raised regarding a reoccurring problem of the Jolley Trolley drivers leaving change out, being interpreted by some as requests for tips. The Jolley Trolley is a free service on the Beach. Keith Crawford, Traffic Engineer, indicated an agreement was in place that indicated "No Tipping" signs were to be placed in the bus. In discussing the possibility of adding two more Jolley Trolleys, a question was raised regarding whether or not PSTA bus service could be eliminated on the beach with the Trolley picking up passengers and providing all services west of the bayfront. It was also reported the ferry service, once in place, will require ground transportation for those going to the beach. It was also indicated that by serving Sand Key and access points with the Jolley Trolley, the City is attempting to find alternatives to direct access required for beach renourishment points. There are several items including construction of additional parking spaces, construction of a boardwalk, implementation of mechanized traffic control and other items that staff is recommending the establishment of a blue ribbon committee to address. It was the consensus of the Commission to direct staff to proceed with the establishment of this committee with representatives from organizations and associations interested in the beach as well as the general population of Clearwater being included. It was also requested that the possibility of an aesthetic design committee for the beach be an item addressed by this committee. It was indicated there would be some need to interplay between this committee and City staff and that Planning and Development staff would be essential to this committee. A concern was raised that the Planning and Development staff is currently striving to address land development code amendments and a concurrency management plan that need to be approved in May. Direction to staff was to solicit names for possible membership on this board and that this would be a 15 member committee. A question was raised regarding whether or not the "beach parking lot full" signs could be altered to include an indication that the ferry is available. It was also questioned whether or not there would be additional advertising in the downtown area regarding the location of the ferry. Staff is to look into this. A separate item regarding the restrooms for Clearwater Beach will also be placed on the agenda for Thursday night in conjunction with the item on the Clearwater Beach traffic plan. The meeting recessed from 11:18 to 11:22 a.m. Purchase of 21 Police Patrol vehicles Bids were solicited for the purchase of 21 police patrol vehicles and two bids were submitted. Three of these vehicles are additional police patrol vehicles as approved by the City Commission during the 89/90 budget hearing meetings. One police canine unit and 17 police patrol vehicles are replacement vehicles as approved by the City Commission during those same budget hearings. A concern was raised regarding why there were only two bidders, and it was indicated that Chevrolet and Ford are the only two manufacturers who continue to provide a full size car for these purposes. A request was made that the list of to whom the bid packages were sent be provided to the Commission. In response to a question regarding the policy of having police vehicles used by administrative staff for two years prior to becoming patrol vehicles, it was indicated this policy is still in place. Subletting of the Howard Johnsons lease agreement On January 2, 1982, the City of Clearwater entered into a 15 year lease agreement with the Howard Johnson Company to operate a restaurant at 56 Causeway Blvd. In 1987 the Marriott Corp. purchased all shares in the Howard Johnson Company changing the name to the Marriott Family Restaurant Inc. This lease expires July 21, 1997. The current lease provides that with written consent of the lessor, the premises may be subleased. Mr. Bill Sioutis and Steve Parousis, the two principal shareholders in the Keramitsa Corp., wish to sublet the facility from the Marriott Corp. and continue to operate a full service family style restaurant. It has also been indicated that the information center will be enhanced as required by the lease agreement. Mr. Sioutis currently is the owner of a restaurant chain operating on Clearwater Beach, in Georgia and Tennessee. Mr. Parousis currently is the owner of the Hercules Restaurant Supply House located in Clearwater. The corporate subtenant will be fully responsible to the Marriott Corp.. The Marriott Corp. will remain fully responsible and liable to the City. The applicants intend to seek transfer of the existing license to sell beer and wine on premise, which will be available only in conjunction with table service. All other conditions of the present lease shall remain in effect, including the $60,000 annual revenue to the City. Bill Held, Harbormaster, indicated it has been reported to him this will be a first class family style restaurant. In response to a question regarding whether or not the City receives a percentage of the gross, it was indicated this restaurant has never met the $900,000 gross revenue trigger figure to allow the City a percentage of the gross. It was requested that the public be notified that the City of Clearwater did not select the sublessees. A question was raised regarding the status of the gas station site and it was indicated that the old gas tanks and contaminated soil have been removed. Options for consideration by the Commission are being developed. 1989 Subdrain contract The contract is for the renewal and replacement of deteriorated subdrains in Highland Pines subdivision. Concerns were expressed that a lot of the area in question is part City and part County, and questions were raised regarding whether or not the City and County should coordinate this project. It was the consensus of the Commission to pull this item off the consent agenda and to discuss possible City/County coordination at Thursday night's meeting. Canvassing Board - March 13, 1990 Municipal Election Florida Statutes requires testing of the tabulating equipment to ascertain that the equipment will correctly count the ballots. It further provides that the Canvassing Board (City Commission) shall convene at this time or the Board may appoint one of its members to represent it. Commissioner Fitzgerald volunteered to be the board's representative. Supplemental Contribution Request of the Florida Orchestra The Florida Orchestra is requesting a supplemental contribution of $19,960. In addition, the Orchestra has requested a $29,960 contribution be included in next year's budget. As discussed in previous work sessions, the Commission has felt the funding for this worthwhile program should be more broadly based throughout Pinellas County. Although the Orchestra is seeking additional funding from other cities in Pinellas County, supplemental governmental funding for the Orchestra is provided only by the cities of St. Petersburg and Clearwater at this time. If approved, current year funding would come from the general fund surplus which is already well below the 10% level set by Commission policy. Staff recommends no additional funding at this time. Questions were raised regarding whether or not the Orchestra could be issued a challenge that if they raised the other funds, the City would consider providing them additional funding. Concerns were expressed regarding the funds not being in the budget and that the Orchestra needs to contact the County as well as municipalities. Consensus of the Commission was that no action be taken at this time. Petition for Annexation, CG zoning and land use plan amendment to commercial/ tourist facilities for property located at the NE corner at the intersection of S. Missouri and Belleair Rd., Sec. 23-29-15, Sall's Sub., Blk 6, Lots 8 & 9 (Lazzara Family Partnership LUP 90-01, A 90-01 A Checkers restaurant is being proposed for the currently vacant parcel. Upon payment of the required impact fees a letter from the City is being requested that would permit construction to be initiated in the County prior to finalization of the annexation. The request is being made to obtain City sewer service. Concerns were expressed regarding the permits being obtained while still in the County impacting the revenue to the City. Staff indicated this was not a major problem, however it would be analyzed in looking at all annexation policies. Preliminary Site Plan - Dean Witter and Peaches site located at the SW corner of US 19 and Enterprise Rd., Darryl's Sub. - PSP 89-40 The applicant is proposing to raze the existing restaurant structure and redevelop the site with a new Peaches retail structure on the east side and a Dean Witter office structure to the west of the retail structure with related on-site parking. Access is proposed at one point off Enterprise Rd. and one joint point of access off U.S. 19 with the property to the south. Staff traffic impact calculations indicate the proposal would be an increase of 386 trips per day and would have no appreciable negative impacts on the level of service of these roads. Concerns were expressed that while each individual development may have minimal impact, they add up and will be impacting the road. It was indicated we are still educating ourselves regarding implementation of concurrency and we are working with other jurisdictions regarding this. Consensus was to place this item on the consent agenda. Preliminary Site Plan - Amoco Service Station located at the SW corner of Sunset Pt. Rd. and Hercules Ave., Pinellas Groves, part of Lot 1 (Florida National Bank, PSP 90-01) The applicant is proposing to redevelop the site by razing the existing unoccupied structure and constructing a one story convenience store, refueling structure with an attached carwash and 12 dispenser pump island canopy structures. Access is proposed at one point off Sunset Pt. Rd. and one point off Hercules Ave. The existing driveways will be eliminated. Traffic projections indicate the proposal will have no appreciable negative impact on the level of service of Sunset Point or Hercules. A question was raised regarding traffic generation stating that Sunset Point Rd. is being improved to bring it up to a D value. Approval of this site plan will use up the capacity of that road, and it was questioned how this would be administered. The Planning Director indicated we are still working on these procedures, but we will have to maintain records and keep track of these capacities. Review of Previous Land Use Plan and Zoning recommendation for Pinellas Planning Council Case CW 89-63 The County Planning Authority at its meeting of February 6, 1990 is scheduled to vote on the City's request to amend the land use on two parcels of property owned by First Christian Church. The Pinellas Planning Council has recommended approval on parcel #1 and denial on parcel #2. Parcel 1 is an existing church parking lot while parcel 2 is a currently vacant lot located in a platted subdivision on the east side of the existing church facility. The City, with the approval of the property owner, withdrew the initial request for an administrative hearing. If the City accepts the recommendation of the Planning Council and it is approved by the County Planning Authority, further action will be required to reflect a low density land use and an appropriate single family residential zoning on parcel 2. It was indicated that, due to a recent City ordinance which would allow residentially zone property to be used for overflow parking for a church, it will not impact the church to not have this small parcel zoned ISP. Commission consensus was to approve the Pinellas Planning Council's recommendation and to withdraw the request for an appeal. Verbal Reports The City Manager reported that tax growth projections issued by the Pinellas County Property Appraiser indicates a 0-2% growth for Clearwater. Other Commission Action Mayor Garvey questioned the impact that a recent decision re Orlando v. Housemann will have on ad valorem tax collection for City owned property leased to a third party. The City Attorney will review. She also questioned the need for the City to act on a bill regarding collection of unpaid parking tickets, and the City Attorney indicated the County is spearheading this effort. The Mayor questioned what action the City Commission needed to take regarding the Metropolitan Planning Organization's request to adopt an ordinance that would limit transportation of hazardous materials to truck routes. It was indicated that should the County adopt such an ordinance and the City did not opt out the City would be under that limitation. A question was raised regarding the Jaycee Bench program, and the City Manager indicated a memo had been sent to the Commission indicating that unless he heard from them otherwise renewal of this contract would not be placed on the agenda and it would be allowed to expire. Concerns were expressed that the benches were being used solely for advertising and not as benches for bus stops. It was also indicated that a number of benches without signs have been placed around the City recently. Consensus was to take no action at this time. Commissioner Fitzgerald reported he is requesting that copies of information from the Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council regarding potable water projections and the Suncoast League of Municipalities Legislative program be distributed to the City Commission. The meeting adjourned at 12:38 p.m.