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05/13/1991 CITY COMMISSION WORK SESSION May 13, 1991 The City Commission of the City of Clearwater met at City Hall with the following members present: Rita Garvey Mayor/Commissioner Sue Berfield Vice-Mayor/Commissioner Richard Fitzgerald Commissioner William Nunamaker Commissioner Lee Regulski Commissioner Also present: Michael J. Wright City Manager M.A. Galbraith, Jr. City Attorney Cynthia E. Goudeau City Clerk The meeting was called to order at 1:25 p.m. Presentation regarding a conceptual site plan for the redevelopment of the Bayfront Parks and provide information relative to construction phases (PR)(WSO) The renovation of the bayfront parks is included in the current list of projects to be funded from the infrastructure sales tax (Penny for Pinellas). Specifically, $30,000 is included in 1990/91, $80,000 in 91/92 and $200,000 in 92/93. In addition to these monies, $60,000 remains in the bayfront park capital code from previous community redevelopment agency funds. Therefore, a total of $370,000 is available for the project. At a previous Commission Worksession, staff indicated redevelopment might proceed in phases with the two memorial parks along the waters edge being the first phase. Staff was directed to prepare a conceptual landscape plan for the entire waterfront and to discuss this with the Commission. It was indicated it might be desirable to start with the tennis court phase, however, after discussing the redevelopment of the bayfront parks in terms of City Charter limitations, the City Attorney's opinion is that tennis courts may not be constructed on the bayfront at locations other than the existing courts. Staff has since worked with King Engineering Associates and a conceptual plan for the redevelopment of all bayfront park sites has been completed. Richard Dutter of King Engineering stated they spent several months analyzing the bayfront area and they wanted to come up with a way to deal with the entire area on a phased basis. He stated important concerns were the view from the road and the useability of the facilities. A waterfront promenade is being recommended. This will be a low key development and keep the whole look open. Some pavement would be removed. He stated currently there is alot of visual clutter occurring at the intersections and the area of the tennis courts. A major change in the proposal is to relocate the 5 courts right next to the street and tie them in with the bayfront development. Vendors in controlled regulated spaces are also being recommended. A 5 foot sidewalk is proposed along the Maas Brothers lot and the tennis court area. It is also recommended the traffic light be redone to deal with the clutter. Mr. Mazur indicated the cost estimates provided in the report are based on 100 percent outside labor. A question was raised regarding a cross over for Drew Street and it was indicated a raised cross over would cause additional visual problems. Mr. Mazur stated the two lanes going north on Drew Street are not used that much however, it was thought it should be left in at this time in case Drew Street becomes a major east-west connector; but it was felt the lights and cross walks should be staged to coordinate. He stated the number of people waiting to cross at this intersection is minor. It was stated it was felt it was important to concentrate on the tennis courts at this time. The City Manager indicated the City Attorney's opinion states the tennis courts can not be relocated without voter approval. Ream Wilson, Parks and Recreation Director, indicated the City Attorney has indicated the courts could be replaced in the same location but they could not be relocated as proposed. He stated the courts are not used that well at night but they are in the morning. A statement was made that the Maas Brothers site is undecided and the results from that may result in wanting to go to a referendum. It was felt it may be early to be making a decision regarding the tennis courts. A concern was expressed that putting the entire bayfront question on a referendum would more than likely result in a negative vote. Discussion ensued regarding whether or not the 5 courts that are in bad condition should be removed and then replaced if a referendum approves the replacement. Staff was directed to bring forward an item regarding removal of the tennis courts. It was stated there should be public input on the item. Some concerns were expressed that to remove the courts and replace them at a later time would be wasting money. Purchase of approx. 2.02 acres on land for park purposes from the Babcock Company for approx. $185,000 to be funded from available Open Space/Recreation Land Impact Fees and an expenditure of approx. $5,000 from the same funding source for an appraisal and survey (PR) The property recommended for purchase is located east and adjacent to existing parkland, just east of St. Croix Drive in the Sall's Lake Park Subdivision. It is believed the purchase price of $2.10 per square foot is within the market value of the land. The specific amount of land to be purchased will be determined by a survey to be secured by the City. Staff feels this parcel is ideally suited for a park and, although there are no specific plans for development, its acquisition will assist in meeting recreation needs of existing and future residents. There is a heavy concentration of City residents that live within walking distance of this property. Also, there is a deficiency of parkland in this section of the City. Development of this park will not occur in the near future but the primary objective is to secure parkland for preservation so that future residents will have parks available for their use. Funding for minimal development will be requested at a later date. While specific plans have not been developed; this site will accommodate a basketball court, playground, walking trails and picnic area. Also included in the purchase is an agreement to obtain a 10 foot ingress/egress easement on the north side of the property, directly east of the proposed park, for pedestrian access to McMullen Booth Road. Funding for the purchase was included in the Penny for Pinellas program. Staff is also requesting the cost of the appraisal received from Mr. Millspaugh and the survey to be performed be funded from available impact fees. A question was raised regarding whether or not the site was environmentally clean and it was indicated this would be made a condition of the purchase. A concern was expressed that this would be a park at the end of a street. The City Manager indicated impact fee dollars would be used for this purchase in an area with a deficiency in parkland. Direction regarding joining the Pinellas Public Library Cooperative for budget year beginning 10/1/91 (CM)(WSO) The Commission voted not to join the Pinellas Public Library Cooperative in the first year of operation. Since then, the Cooperative has been set up, a director hired, bylaws and agreements drafted. Provisions in the agreement and the bylaws that may affect the City of Clearwater's interest in joining are as follows: 1) No participant may withdraw from the Cooperative or from its obligation for a three year period; 2) Six months' notice prior to fiscal year of Cooperative is required if a City wishes to withdraw after the initial three year period; 3) The Board of Directors shall consist of seven members serving three years and the initial board shall be appointed from a list of nominees submitted by participating governmental units. (There is no Clearwater appointee on the Board, and the only way Clearwater could fill a vacancy is if they would nominate a member when the vacancy occurs.) According to the bylaws, the Cooperative Board selects from a pool of nominees which have been submitted by the elected officials of the participating governmental units; 4) Each governmental unit with a library shall continue to decide the level of library service for its community and shall prepare its own budget. Individual gifts or donations made to a library shall remain the property of that library; 5) Each governmental unit shall provide an audited statement of the library cost for its last completed fiscal year by March 31 of each year. (The City of Clearwater has submitted its audited statement with a proviso that this would be informational purposes only); 6) 8% of the monies collected from unincorporated areas shall be put into a capital improvement fund to be used for special improvements, additions to existing libraries or for building new libraries. The City Manager indicated the intent is to discuss the pros and cons of joining the Cooperative and to provide direction to staff. Kathy Rice, Deputy City Manager, indicated the co-op has been in operation for over a year and it was appropriate to examine it at this time. She stated one of the factors that precluded the City from joining the Cooperative during the last year was that there was no guarantee that Clearwater would have a member on the Board. In response to a question, Ms. Rice indicated that $622,000 would come to the City if it joined the Cooperative. The City Manager indicated that if the decision was made to go with the Cooperative his recommendation would be to take any excess monies above our increased costs from that $622,000 and plow it back into the library system. The City Manager indicated a survey revealed most people use libraries in their close proximity. He felt the Countryside and East branches would be most impacted if the City joined the Cooperative. He indicated currently the City is subsidizing unincorporated areas except for the actual checking out of books. Staff has estimated it will cost approximately $420,000 in additional operating cost if the City joins the Cooperative. A concern was expressed that the City's costs would actually increase this much simply by joining the Cooperative. A concern was expressed regarding what benefit there would be to Clearwater citizens in joining the Cooperative. There was concern that by joining, additional monies would be needed as additional books would need to be purchased and it was felt there were other costs that would eat up the funds from the Cooperative. The City Manager indicated, currently, people who do not have library cards, can do everything except check out books. He stated if the City joins the Cooperative, other libraries can call on us and we can call on them for materials. He stated he would not recommend reducing taxes by the same amount the first year if the City joins. He stated at this point, he could not say whether the impacts of joining would be greater than the cost. A concern was raised that the Countryside Library is not well stocked with books and it was indicated it costs $31.00 to place a book on the shelves. Linda Mielke, Library Director, indicated the service level issue was debated by the Budget Advisory Committee and it was felt the service level would deteriorate for Clearwater citizens. A question was again asked regarding what Clearwater would gain by joining and the Deputy City Manager indicated Clearwater citizens can use other libraries and there would be an infusion of money for the purchase of books. The Library Director indicated the City currently participates in an inter-library loan system and Clearwater Library is the only one which is completely automated. It was indicated that other libraries are using their funds from the Cooperative to automate. Discussion ensued regarding what would be gained by joining the Cooperative and it was stated that from what has been presented, if Clearwater joins the Cooperative, other libraries would receive less funds. The Library Director stated the formula for distribution of funds could be changed to benefit medium size libraries. The City Manager indicated that many people using Clearwater's libraries now are not residents and a survey has indicated that 75% of the users of reference services are not Clearwater residents. Concerns were again expressed that Clearwater would not have a seat on the Board. There was a question whether or not $622,000 with a 5% escalator could be guaranteed. The City Manager indicated there was no guarantee for funding beyond the second year. Discussion ensued regarding whether or not the City of Clearwater would be compensated for the impact on its library should it join the Cooperative. General Consensus of the Commission was not to join the Cooperative at this time. Discussion ensued regarding whether or not the City should negotiate with the Cooperative and it was stated they could negotiate and if they had a better offer, to return to the Commission. The Deputy City Manager stated she would discuss with the Cooperative the issues of concern of Clearwater. It was stated the issues are the monies generated and standards for the libraries. A concern was also expressed that joining the Cooperative would not cost the City anymore and Clearwater residents would not suffer a degradation of service. $30,000 LSCA Grant Award for second year Family Resource and Opportunity Guide (FROG)(LIB) The Division of Library and Information Service, Florida Department of State, has awarded the Clearwater Public Library System a $30,000 grant award to extend the FROG project to Clearwater community libraries. By extending FROG service to community libraries, patrons will have direct access to the community information services contained in the FROG directory. Each community library will receive a computer and FROG database aimed at assisting patrons to solve "life problems" through information. FROG has received national recognition from the ICMA and from the American Library Association for an outstanding Information and Referral Project. In kind costs, only, are anticipated to implement year 2 of FROG. No additional ongoing costs are anticipated. The grant award includes funds for a Librarian I for six months, fulltime, computer equipment which will be compatible with the City's present equipment and computer furniture. It was indicated this would place computer stations at each library, East branch, Main, North Greenwood and Countryside. A question was raised regarding a computer station at the Beach branch and it was indicated there is limited traffic for this type of information on the beach. In response to a question, Linda Mielke, Library Director, indicated that the in kind contribution from the City is staff time. The meeting recessed from 3:10 p.m. to 3:20 p.m. Amendment to paragraph 18, (b) and (c) to the Clearwater Ferry Service License and Agreement (MR) On August 2, 1989, the City entered into a License and Agreement with Clearwater Ferry Service, Inc. to operate a commercial ferry service in Clearwater Harbor from the Drew Street Dock. Paragraph 18 was amended in May of 1990, allowing the Operator to transport passengers to the City Marina and return on June 2, 1990, the "kick-off" day of Safe Boating Week and to provide such trips free of charge. Paragraph 18, (b), is amended to read: Operator may transport passengers round trip on "kick-off" day of Safe Boating Week each year, on a date to be approved by the City Harbormaster. The Operator also agrees to provide such trips at a rate not more than the approved schedule of charges in effect at that time. Paragraph 18, (c), is amended to read: Operator may transport passengers round trip to the City marina on other special events or city-sponsored functions when specifically approved by the City Commission. The Operator may charge for such trips on such dates not more than the approved schedule of charges in effect at that time. It was requested the change to Paragraph 18 (c) be amended to allow the City Manager to approve the specific functions. Amendment to paragraph 3 of the Bikini Button, Inc. Lease Agreement dated June 12, 1990 (MR) Mr. Eric Peterson, current Lessee of room 8 in the marina building and owner of Bikini Button, Inc. d/b/a One-Hour Photo and Dive Shop, requests that Paragraph 3 of his Lease Agreement be amended to include the operation of a small newsstand and a Western Union check cashing service. He also requests that Paragraph 3 (g), "the retail sale of diving equipment and related goods" be deleted from this Lease Agreement. Mr. Peterson will be required to meet all the requirements of the City's Sign Ordinance. All non-conforming signs must be removed prior to October 13, 1992. All other conditions, limitations, restrictions and obligations of the current Lease Agreement will remain in effect throughout the term of the lease or until November 30, 1994. In response to a question, Bill Held, Harbormaster, indicated the request to include candy and gum is covered by the operation of the small newsstand. There was some concern regarding the types of magazines that would be offered for sale and Mr. Held indicated he had been assured controversial magazines will not be in the rack. Discussion ensued regarding signage on the building and it was indicated all non-conforming signs will be removed by October of 1992. He stated they looked at making uniform signs, however, due to the expense, unless there is major renovation, they have not required the tenants to do this. This will be coordinated with the tenants and a sign standard will be established for the building. Mr. Held announced Safe Boating Week. Agreement for consulting service for the development of hardware and software specifications for the adaptation of the Police Department's laptop computers as mobile data terminals with Ward Montgomery & Associates, Minnetonka, MN, for $20,250.00 (PD) The Police Department currently possesses 250 laptop computers. A majority of the computers were purchase through a 1989 grant from the Bureau of Public Safety Management with secondary financing through the Special Law Enforcement Trust Fund and the Police Department's operating budget. The laptop computers are currently being used by the department for automated traffic accident and alarm ordinance reporting. Throughout the program development, the second stage implementation included the automation of other offense reporting as well as the laptop computer fully functioning as a mobile data terminal. The mobile data terminals provide for the transmission of information, provide driver and vehicle license and stolen/wanted information, as well as the ability to silently dispatch confidential police assignments. Care will be taken so the impact and use of the laptop computers as mobile data terminals will not impact the radio system. Additionally, its needed to insure that the laptop/mobile data terminal will interface directly with any future computer aided dispatch system. Ward Montgomery was the City's consultant for the 800 mhz trunked radio system. He was responsible for the planning, development, and implementation of the system; therefore, he is the one individual who is most familiar with the capabilities of the radio system as well as the Police Department's needs associated with the mobile data terminal development. A question was raised regarding how the transfer of the A-6 Mainframe computer and it was indicated it was fully operational however, it is not tied to the mobile data terminals at this time. It was indicated the City is able to get reports to the Neighborhood Watch Organizations. In response to a question, Floyd Carter, General Services Director, indicated the data processing staff would not be able to do this consultant work as knowledge of the radio system is needed. A question was raised regarding whether or not the dead spots in the system had been corrected. Mr. Carter indicated 60% of the problems have been rectified. He stated he will be meeting next week in order to look at other alternatives. Discussion ensued regarding getting reports to neighborhood watch and crime watch organizations. Police Chief Klein indicated they are currently looking at how to get all the information out to the crime watch organizations and they are looking for a way to set it up with the phone company. In response to a question, he indicated reports are generated upon request. In response to a question regarding who would have put a notice on the door regarding a rapist in the area, it was indicated this was probably the crime watch organization in that neighborhood. 1991 Street Resurfacing Contract (includes Ft. Harrison Ave. Widening; Landscape Median S.R.60; and Hercules Ave. and Druid Rd. intersection improvements) to Ajax Paving Industries, Inc., Palmetto, FL, for $1,195,962.50 (PW) The work contemplated in this contract is the annual provision for street resurfacing and three specific roadway improvements requested by the Traffic Engineering Group. The specific improvements are: 1) the installation of a landscaped median in Gulf-to-Bay Boulevard, just south of the intersection of Cleveland Street. This will replace the existing painted median; 2) the widening of a portion of Ft. Harrison Avenue in the immediate area of a curve in the roadway located south of Eldridge Street. This will allow the remarking of the existing roadway section to accommodate four lanes of traffic rather than the existing marking which allows only two lanes of traffic; and 3) an intersection improvement at Hercules Avenue and Druid Road to improve east/west traffic movement through the intersection. The work will involve minor widening and radius improvements on the south side of the roadway of Druid Road. The annual resurfacing portion of the contract provides for the continued maintenance of the City's street system and provides for 185,000 lineal feet or 35 miles of street maintenance. In response to a question, it was indicated that the widening of Ft. Harrison Avenue will take place in the old Clearwater Bay area. A question was raised regarding the unit price on the asphalt and it was indicated that it is lower than last year's. In response to how a street gets on the resurfacing list, Bill Baker, Public Works Director, indicated this is done through routine inspection, call-ins and letters, etc. It was requested that the two lane street in Harbor Oaks/Bay Avenue be investigated. Public Hearing & First Reading Ord. #5095-91 - Wellhead Protection Ordinance (PLD) The wellhead protection ordinance was developed as a means by which the City can protect its existing wells from pollution and sources of pollution. The adoption of this ordinance is a public safety concern and a Comprehensive Plan requirement. Essentially, the ordinance will regulate uses having the potential for contaminating City wells which are within 200 feet of the wells. As of July 1, 1991, new operations will have to obtain required permits before beginning operation. Existing operations will have to apply for permits by December 31, 1991. The Planning and Zoning Board recommended 3 changes to the proposed ordinance as follows: 1) Section 102.03(a) - Revise the first sentence to read "As of Not later than,..."; 2) Section 102.03(a) - provide for a new permit when change of property ownership or business ownership occurs; and 3) Section 102.03(b) - require permits to be obtained within 60 days of application date. Jim Polatty, Planning and Development Director, indicated the ordinance is required by the Comprehensive Plan. Bill Baker, Public Works Director, stated the reason for the requirement for a new permit is that if there is a change in operation or if a operation went out of business, the permit goes with that business. Concerns were expressed that this is actually looking for change in use, not ownership. The ordinance will be amended prior to Thursday to allow for change of ownership. Alcoholic Beverage Distance Separation Variance for property (Countryside Cuisine) located at 2541 Countryside Blvd., Suite 1, Countryside Village Square, Lots 5, 7 and 8 (Countryside Village Ltd. AB91-08 (PLD) The applicant is requesting an alcoholic beverage separation distance variance for a new 2-APS alcoholic beverage license designation which permits package sales of beer and wine. The license designation by the City Code does not permit an operation within 200 feet of another alcoholic beverage establishment similarly licensed by the state. The proposed establishment will be located at 2541 Countryside Boulevard and will be named "Countryside Cuisine". It is located on the same property as Albertsons grocery store which has a 2-APS license. The conditional use permit will go to the Planning and Zoning Board on May 14, 1991 with a staff recommendation of approval subject to conditions. Those conditions being that the occupational license be obtained within six months; the sale of alcoholic beverages be restricted to package sales; the hours of operation be 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. weekdays and 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 weekends with no sales of beer and wine on Sundays until 1:00 p.m.; and for the applicant to obtain approval for the variance request. A question was raised regarding whether or not the Commission wished to make hours of operation a condition. It was indicated this is not uniformly applied. It was the consensus to eliminate it at this time. The City Manager indicated that hours of operation would be used occasionally in certain conditions. Alcoholic Beverage Distance Separation Variance for property (Lucia by the "C") located at 423 Poinsettia Ave., Barbour Morrow Sub., Blk B, Lots 5 and 6 (Caraco, Linares and Iocolano AB91-09)(PLD) The applicant requests approval of an alcoholic beverage separation distance variance to allow alcoholic beverage sales in an existing restaurant located at 423 Poinsettia Avenue on Clearwater Beach. On the adjacent property to the south, there is a restaurant, Frenchy's Saltwater Cafe, which has a conditional use for serving alcoholic beverages on premises. Across the street and to the north, JBS Family Restaurant, that is just over 200 feet from the applicant's structure, have a conditional use for the sale of alcoholic beverages for consumption on premises. A variance to the separation distance from Frenchy's Saltwater Cafe must be obtained from the Commission. The applicant will need to obtain a parking variance. Presently there are 14 available parking spaces, three of which are reserved for McDonald's and one additional for the other business use on the property. Therefore, there are 10 existing parking spaces for use by Lucia by the "C". The Development Code requires 24 parking spaces. The Planning and Zoning Board approved the conditional use permit subject to the following conditions: 1) the applicant obtain a variance to the parking requirements; 2) the applicant obtain a variance to the separation requirement; 3) all necessary licenses, permits and variances shall be obtained within 6 months from the date of this public hearing; 4) alcoholic beverage sales shall be limited to on premise consumption with no package sales; and 5) closing time shall be no later than 12:00 midnight. Jim Polatty, Planning and Development Director, indicated that the variance for parking was granted by the Development Code Adjustment Board. A question was raised regarding what space this restaurant is renting and it was indicated there is space in the McDonald's being used for storage. (Cont. from 5/2/91) Variances to Sign Regulations; for property located in Lokey Sub., Blk A, Lots 1 and 2 and Sever Park Sub., part of Lot 1 (Lokey Motor Co., Inc. SV91-07)(PLD) The applicant is requesting a sign variance in order to permit increased identification of an auto dealership located on the west side of US19N between Druid Road and Harn Boulevard. New pole signs would not be added although the existing Mercedes pole sign would remain and the existing Sterling pole sign would be relocated. The applicant has decided to take advantage of Commission direction which allows auto dealerships to be treated as commercial complexes when specific conditions are met. Under this interpretation, each separate business establishment is permitted up to 48 sq.ft. of attached signage depending on building length. The applicant has 4 separate buildings on the subject property. He claims he will operate a separate business in each of the 4 buildings; 1) Infiniti; 2) Mercedes; 3) Sterling; and 4) Pre-owned cars. Each of these businesses will be identified by separate business identification wall signage. The business identification signs will be in addition to the property identification pole signs discussed above. Existing wall signs will be removed and replaced with conforming signs except the sign described below. The applicant desires two business identification signs on the southern most building in the development complex. These signs are the Infiniti logo, 63 sq.ft. and the word Infiniti, 15.5 sq.ft. The Code allows 1 business identification sign per freestanding business establishment with a maximum of 48 sq.ft. These are the only variances being requested by the applicant. Staff is still recommending denial of the request. The City Manager indicated this business has 1 occupational license but 4 distinct buildings with different cars. He stated they want a bigger sign on 1 building but would not exceed the total square footage allowed. He stated this would provide for 2 pole signs and 4 wall signs. A question was raised regarding signs on other buildings and it was stated they have those by right. A request was made to provide information to the Commission regarding these signs. Res. #91-19 - regarding loan guarantees for "Challenge 2000" new housing and rehabilitation program (PLD) The Commission approved the Housing Issue Paper in January of 1990 and authorized staff to create a program to rebuild new owner occupied housing units in the North Greenwood neighborhood and to leverage funds available for housing rehabilitation. This program was approved by the Commission in January of 1991. Staff enlisted the cooperation of area banks, builders, Clearwater Neighborhood Housing Services (CNHS) and landowners to participate in this new program. Previous status reports have updated the Commission on progress toward this goal. Staff and CNHS expect to formally enroll clients before June 1 who have been pre-screened for acceptance into the new housing component program. In order to make application for the clients' loans with the lending institutions, the City must agree to guarantee the clients' loans against default for a period of 5 years. Guarantees will also be sought for home improvement loans to middle income homeowners in qualified areas. Revenues pledged for this purpose are not derived from ad valorem sources. The first level of guarantee will be CDBG funds. An additional source of non ad valorem revenues exist in fund 181-1-9599 should CDBG funds be eliminated. All clients accepted into the homeownership program must meet criteria established by the lending institutions. All clients must participate in homeownership counseling and put at least $1,000 of their own savings into the house. In response to a question, the City Manager indicated the entire loan amount would be guaranteed for the first 5 years of the loan. Consider two LDC amendments suggested by public (PLD) Pursuant to City Commission policy, staff is bringing forward two Land Development Code Amendments which have been requested by the public. The first of these is a request to permit filling stations in the Limited Industrial district as a conditional use. At the current time, the Code does not provide for gasoline stations in the Limited Industrial district however, the Code does provide for a number of different, non-industrial uses which have been established to maximize public convenience within the Limited Industrial districts. These include restaurants, business services and vehicle service. While it would appear that amending the code to permit gasoline stations would increase public convenience in the Limited Industrial districts, the amendment would potentially create a reduction in already limited industrial uses within Clearwater and staff recommends we not pursue this request. The second proposed amendment is to permit family care or group care facilities in the Resort Commercial districts. Staff review of this request finds that such uses are not in character with the purpose of the Resort Commercial districts. These districts are established as tourist oriented commercial areas, primarily for transient lodging and short term residential rentals. Staff recommends this amendment not be pursued. In connection with the allowance of filling stations as conditional uses in Limited Industrial, concerns were expressed regarding how it would be proven this should be done. Majority direction was not to pursue. Regarding the group care in the Resort Commercial, the Planning and Development Director reiterated that staff did not consider this appropriate. It was stated the Clearwater Beach Blue Ribbon Task Force had recommended more residential in this area. There was majority direction to not pursue and to place this item on the consent agenda. Staff report on countywide sign regulations (WSO)(PLD) The Pinellas County Board of County Commissioners assigned the development of a countywide sign code to a task force of the Pinellas County Council of Mayors. The intention is to standardize local sign regulations so as to reduce conflicts between local governments and improve the overall appearance of Pinellas County. The Code is intended to apply to all local governments within Pinellas County. If a local government adopts an ordinance which is more restrictive, then the local government ordinance will not be considered in conflict. The countywide ordinance does allow local governments to adopt different or no amortization schedules. In some cases, the countywide code has more stringent requirements than Clearwater, in particular, sign height. The Commission should be aware that a new amortization period will be required for currently conforming signs that do not meet the countywide requirements. Currently, non-conforming signs which are affected by the countywide regulations will not be subject to a new amortization period if city sign regulations are changed prior to October 13, 1992. The Countywide Sign Code provides for an annual report to be submitted from each local government. According to the Code, this report shall be a summary of sign permits issued, variances requested and variances granted and problems which may have arisen from administering the sign code. The Planning and Development Director indicated the first major issue would be how this would be mandatory in cities. The City Attorney indicated the City of Clearwater could pass an ordinance that it would allow those signs conforming with the City Code to stay in place. It was indicated the City can be more restrictive than the County Code but there are a few instances where the County proposal is more restrictive than the City's. In response to a question, the City Attorney indicated the Countywide Code does not mean that the City's is no longer valid. He stated his concern was a new amortization period for signs that have come into conformance with the current code. He felt that the City's code could be amended to tighten it up where it needed to be but the current amortization period would continue to run. A concern was expressed regarding those individuals who are conforming with the current City code being asked to do additional work and the City Attorney's recommendation regarding making all conforming signs as of 1992 legal was supported. It was emphasized that this is just to begin the process and the request to adopt the resolution supports the draft submitted by the Council of Mayors. Ord. #5096-91 - Vacating drainage and utility easement in Sec. 11-29-15 (UPARC Apartments, Inc. V91-02) The City Attorney indicated this ordinance should be continued to June 6 as the easement required is not in hand. Verbal Reports The City Manager reported that 1500 tons of debris had been collected from the April 25th storm. He stated it is being deposited on the Campbell property and the City has received approval to burn in a non-open fire. He also reported it appears additional crutch bents will be needed at the south end of Sand Key Bridge. The Commission was requested to bring their calendars in order to set additional meetings. They were reminded that on Wednesday at 2:00 p.m. there would be a Budget Worksession. Betty Deptula, Assistant City Manager, stated we are recommending going to all white paper in order to assist the recycling program as we can not recycle colored paper. She also indicated colored paper was more expensive. There was no problem with this directive. The City Attorney reported that cities are going to 11 inch paper instead of the legal size 14 inch. He stated he will be sending sample formats of documents on 11 inch paper, single spaced for the Commission to review. Other Commission Action Commissioner Nunamaker stated that the major cause of injury in Clearwater are employees that smoke and he questioned whether or not there was any way to put restrictions regarding smoking on for new hires. The City Manager stated he would review this. Commissioner Nunamaker questioned whether or not the City could go to one day a week garbage collection. The City Manager indicated this was being reviewed along with the entire rate structure. The meeting adjourned at 4:45 p.m.