Loading...
03/29/1999CITY COMMISSION WORK SESSION CITY OF CLEARWATER March 29, 1999 Present: Brian J. Aungst Mayor/Commissioner Ed Hooper Vice-Mayor/Commissioner J. B. Johnson Commissioner Robert Clark Commissioner Ed Hart Commissioner Also Present: Michael J. Roberto City Manager Pamela K. Akin City Attorney Cynthia E. Goudeau City Clerk Patricia O. Sullivan Board Reporter The meeting was called to order at 9:06 a.m. at City Hall. PUR PURCHASING Martin’s Uniform, employee uniform items for Fire Dept. Personnel, 04/02/99-09/30/99, estimated $32,000 (FD) Hustler Turf Equipment of Florida, Inc., 5 Hustler mowers (replacements) for use by Parks & Recreation, $50,406.73; funding to be provided under City’s Master Lease-Purchase Agreement ($45,284.17) and upgrade ($5,122.56) (GSS) Declare surplus and authorize disposal through sale at auction a list of equipment In response to a question regarding surplus items, staff will report on the background of the all-terrain vehicles. FN FINANCE Approve extension (2nd & Final) to Disclosure Counsel Agreement with Nabors, Giblin & Nickerson, P.A., to serve as City’s disclosure counsel for period 05/16/99-05/15/00 In 1995, Nabors, Giblin & Nickerson, P.A. was selected through the RFP (Request for Proposals) process to serve as the City’s disclosure counsel. The initial three-year agreement included options for two one-year extensions. In 1998, the agreement was extended one year. This request is for the last of two possible extensions. The fee, unchanged from the original contract, is $1.10 per $1,000 for the first $10-million of issued bonds and $0.90 per $1,000 above $10-million, with a minimum $5,000 fee. Bond proceeds will cover the costs of bond issuance. The City has been satisfied with this firm’s services. In response to a question, Fiscal Administrator Margie Simmons said it is preferred, but not required by law, to use one firm as disclosure counsel and another firm to prepare the required ordinance and legal documents. The bonds will be sold online, which is more efficient than previous methods used. PR PARKS AND RECREATION Approve $20,000 expenditure from Recreation Facility Impact Fees for a beach vegetation project on Sand Key A joint project with the City, Pinellas County, and Sand Key Civic Association will vegetate the recently renourished Sand Key beaches. This $20,000 request will supplement the cost for plants and necessary supplies. Pinellas County will furnish more than 40,000 plants, while residents provide irrigation and assistance to plant and maintain the vegetation. The City’s Leadership program Team is organizing an event where homeowners will participate in the planting. Targeted Recreation Impact Fees were collected from projects on Sand Key. In response to a question, Parks & Recreation Director Art Kader said he would report on the source of Pinellas County’s funding for this project. This is the first time he was aware of where a civic association, Pinellas County, and the City have cooperated in this unique way. The idea and efforts were complimented. City Commissioners and the City Manager commended the Parks & Recreation staff for their flawless performance last weekend when the City featured two concerts during the Final Four championship. Mr. Kader said Recreation Program Coordinator Terry Schmidt’s efforts were outstanding. Mr. Schmidt said the concerts were a City of Clearwater production as the efforts by all departments, staff, and volunteers were necessary for the events to succeed. It was noted a NCAA event at SPJC (St. Petersburg Junior College) attracted 12 outstanding basketball coaches from around the country who held clinics for 500 youth. The positive coverage by national media was noted. Event sponsors were thanked. PW PUBLIC WORKS Contract for design, construction & retrofit of bio-solids thickening & storage appurtenances at Northeast APCF to Parsons Engineering, Engineer of Record, for $153,762 City Public Works Administration staff procured these services in accordance with CCNA (Consultants Competitive negotiation Act) criteria. The selection of Parsons Engineering was based on the firm’s knowledge of process design requirements and past projects in Pinellas County. This equipment upgrade will reduce the volume of pumped material and increase storage capacity for bio-solids residuals at the Northeast APC (Advance Pollution Control) facility. Current equipment is approximately 20 years old and has exceeded its service life. Thickening of waste bio-solids is necessary to reduce water content and volume. This technology differs from processes used at the Marshall and East facilities. Modern thickening equipment is more compact and can be installed in an enclosed structure, which will aid in capturing and reducing nuisance odor emissions from the process. This project will ensure compliance with the plant Operating Permit issued by FDEP (Florida Department of Environmental Protection) and is part of Water Pollution control’s 6-Year Master Plan. In response to a question, Public Works Administrator Rich Baier said the City’s other plants run at acceptable levels and do not require this upgrade. Demand at the Northeast facility has increased due to area growth, annexations, and new restaurant construction. The City of Safety Harbor will pay 14% of these costs based on that city’s proportion of use. Copies of the master plan will be distributed. PLD PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT SERVICES Public Hearing & First Reading Ord. #6381-99 - Relating to Building Permit Regulations; amending Ch. 47 by creating new Sec. 47.084 to require demolition fencing This code amendment will secure demolition sites, one-acre or larger, to safeguard residents. Currently, the City does not require access to demolition sites to be restricted. This amendment requires temporary fencing around large structure demolition sites. The fencing will require a permit prior to issuance of a demolition permit. The law will require removal of the fencing upon completion of the demolition. In response to a question, Building Inspector Kevin Garriott said this amendment was prompted by the large number of children who were attracted by the demolition site at Sunshine Mall. CLK CITY CLERK (Cont’d from 03/18/99) Community Development Board – 1 appointment for 1 year term An updated list of candidates was requested. Brownfields Advisory Board - 2 appointments It was questioned how a business employee could qualify as a business owner. Appoint a commission member to Clearwater’s seat on the Florida League of Cities Board of Directors (replacing Rita Garvey) In his March 12, 1999, letter to the City Manager, FLC (Florida League of Cities) Executive Director Michael Sittig requested a replacement be named for the City’s vacant seat on the FLC Board of Directors. The Mayor expressed concern job related restraints would impede his service to this board. The importance of City representation was noted. The Mayor agreed to the appointment. Other Commission Action Commissioner Clark thanked Terry Schmidt and the media for their support of the successful Final Four concerts. Commissioner Clark referred to the letter regarding the City resolution addressing bus service at Tyrone Mall and requested the Commission take no action until the PSTA (Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority) can address the issue. Concern was expressed the resolution interfered with private enterprise. Mayor Aungst referred to his memorandum recommending appointment of a Task Force to review the City’s budget and make recommendations to the City Commission. He felt Task Force members with backgrounds overseeing similarly sized budgets could provide a fresh outlook. Concern was expressed CEOs focus on the bottom line and may encourage staff reductions without considering the City’s responsibility to serve the community. Concern was expressed the process not overwhelm the limited sized budget staff. It was stated the plan, process, and primary objective for the Task Force must be clarified. More information was requested. Staff will put together a plan for further discussion. Mayor Aungst offered to host a monthly show on C-View to improve communication with City residents. He anticipated interviewing staff regarding major projects. The City Manager said an existing show could be dropped. Support for the idea was expressed. City Commission participation in the monthly City Talk show would continue. Mayor Aungst thanked Commissioner Johnson for attending the basketball camp. The Mayor said he had attended events at Tampa’s “Hoop City” to support literacy programs. Mayor Aungst reported the Mayor of Athens, Greece will visit Clearwater tomorrow. Adjourn The meeting adjourned at 10:08 a.m.