05/01/2006
CITY COUNCIL WORKSESSION MINUTES
CITY OF CLEARWATER
May 1, 2006
Present: Frank Hibbard Mayor
Carlen Petersen Vice-Mayor
Hoyt P. Hamilton Councilmember
William C. Jonson Councilmember
John Doran Councilmember
Also present: William B. Horne II City Manager
Garry Brumback Assistant City Manager
Rod Irwin Assistant City Manager
Pamela K. Akin City Attorney
Cynthia E. Goudeau City Clerk
Patricia O. Sullivan Board Reporter
The Mayor called the meeting to order at 1:30 p.m. at City Hall.
To provide continuity for research, items are in agenda order although not
necessarily discussed in that order.
Presentations
CAFR (Comprehensive Annual Financial Report)
Laura Kruger-Brock of Cherry, Bekaert & Holland, reviewed the City’s 2005 CAFR and
her firm’s required communications regarding the audit. The audit found no reportable
conditions or material weaknesses. Estimated Liability for Unpaid Claims were found to be
reasonable. No adjustments were proposed.
Finance Director Margie Simmons said rate studies are done annually; excess funds that
appear are budgeted for planned projects. Ms. Kruger-Brock said it is not unusual for pension
funds to be funded above 90%.
GFOA (Government Finance Officers Association) Certificate
Ms. Simmons said this is the 26th year the City of Clearwater has received the GFOA
Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting Award. She thanked
departmental employees.
Official Rec and Legislative Svc
Appoint two members to the Brownfields Advisory Board with the term expiring on May 31,
2010.
Consensus was to appoint Jamie Andrian Blackstone and Patrick O’Neil and place item
on consent agenda.
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Appoint two members to the Parks and Recreation Board with the term expiring on May 31,
2010.
Consensus was to place item on consent agenda appointing Aubrey “Brooks” Hammac
and Ray Shaw Parks and Recreation Board.
City Attorney
Pass Ordinance 7616-06 on first reading, establishing the Mobile Home Transition Program;
amending the Community Development Code to add Section 4-202A.26, additional requirement
for applicants regarding adequate facilities for relocation; adding Section 4-610, providing a
Level Three procedure for determination of adequate facilities; providing for qualifying
governmental action; providing for applicant responsibilities; providing for statutorily required
council action and conditional final decision; providing standards for review; creating Code of
Ordinances Section 34.01-34.12, Supplemental Rental Assistance Payment Fund, with
alternatives and criteria.
Florida Statutes Section 723.083 restricts the ability of local governments to take action
including rezoning that would result in removal or relocation of mobile home owners without first
making an affirmative finding that adequate mobile home parks or other suitable facilities exist
for such relocation. This Ordinance provides for a Mobile Home Transition Program to operate
in such situations. Pinellas County adopted a similar ordinance in December 2005.
Establishment of the Program entails amendments to both the Community Development Code
and the Code of Ordinances.
Amendment to add Subsection 4-202A.16 adds to the application procedures a
requirement that if approval will result in removal/relocation of mobile home owners residing in a
mobile home park, information must be provided sufficient to show that adequate parks or other
facilities exist for relocation. Amendment to add Section 4-610 provides for a procedure to
determine that adequate parks or other facilities exist, provides for review by staff, Community
Development Board, and City Council, provides for conditional approval in lieu of an affirmative
finding upon deposit by applicant into the Supplemental Rental Assistance Payment Fund or
alternative means of assurance, and provides a standard for review. Amendment to Code of
Ordinances to add Sections 34.01-34.12 creates the Supplemental Rental Assistance Fund,
provides a method of calculating deposits into the Fund, provides for housing counseling
services to mobile home owners, and provides for supplemental rental assistance payments to
qualified mobile home owners for whom affordable replacement housing has not been identified,
with eligibility criteria specified. Payments are to be made to the lessor of the mobile home
owner for up to a 24-month consecutive period.
The City Attorney distributed a survey of Mobile Home Parks and a Question & Answer
regarding the County’s new ordinance. Staff will report on the survey’s legend and clarify which
parks are in the City. In response to a question, the City Attorney said the County is considering
contracting the administration of this program. Concern was expressed owners of mobile home
parks may try to “game” the rules. The City Attorney said park owners would have to plan far
ahead to raise rates significantly and then go through this process.
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City Manager Verbal Reports
Pinellas County Charter Review Commission
The City Manager reviewed his concerns regarding proposed changes by the CRC
(Pinellas County Charter Review Commission). Staff is meeting with the City of St. Petersburg
regarding city viewpoints. He requested feedback regarding the proposed resolutions.
Discussion ensued regarding the proposal to exclude elected officials on future Charter
Review Commissions. It was felt that local elected officials are an important part of the
commission as they bring an important knowledge base.
Discussion ensued regarding the proposal to make annexation more difficult. Concerns
were expressed that proposed standards are unrealistic and applications could be withdrawn up
to the close of the public hearing for second reading. Assistant City Manager Garry Brumback
said the current law is adequate.
Discussion ensued regarding the proposal to eliminate the dual referendum requirement.
The CRC has tentatively approved a proposal to remove the requirement that voters of the
County and voters of an affected municipality or special district must approve by dual
referendum any amendment to the charter that would change any function, service, power, or
regulatory authority of a municipality, special district, or the County. The City Attorney
expressed concern that the change would cause citizens to give up their rights to dual
referendums.
Resolutions opposed to these County Charter changes will be on Thursday’s Agenda.
Consensus was for the City Attorney to address the public hearings regarding Council concerns
with proposed charter changes.
Hurricane Season
Mr. Brumback said the hurricane season is 30 days away and the City’s information
campaign is underway.
Council Discussion Items
MPO/PSTA Transportation Issues
Opposition was expressed to the Tampa Bay Partnership proposal to create an
independent agency, which would feature business representation but no elected officials. As
proposed, the agency would have the authority to issue revenue bonds. It was stated that the
Secretary of FDOT (Florida Department of Transportation) had indicated budgeted funds are
needed to maintain existing infrastructure, without considering increasing construction costs for
new road projects.
It was reported that PSTA (Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority) adopted a resolution
supporting incorporating transit features into the design of new roads. The board is discussing
the use of leftover federal planning funds for Clearwater. The Wyatt Street location has been
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withdrawn as a site for a new transfer station. PSTA has approximately $2-million available to
construct a new transfer station.
Consensus was to invite the PSTA board to Clearwater to review beach congestion and
transfer station needs.
In response to a question, Assistant City Manager Garry Brumback reported the City had
not received a formal request from the Jolley Trolley for additional funds. It was stated a long-
term strategy on beach transit is needed. A report on the proposed options for beach transit
was requested. The City Manager has a meeting scheduled with the County Administrator to
discuss a transfer station site.
Skycrest Traffic Calming Design Update
The City Manager reported a technical meeting with the neighborhood had occurred last
week regarding the Skycrest traffic calming design. He reported a spirited discussion had
occurred regarding proposed changes for the 90% design. The project will come back to the
City Council for final approval.
A map of Skycrest was requested, overlaid with the 60% and 90% traffic calming
designs. Traffic Operations Manager Paul Bertels said the cost of each component has been
calculated. As a balance is needed between the cost of improvements and safety issues, Police
and Fire statistics were requested. Also requested was information on the North Greenwood
traffic calming project and a comparison of Skycrest project costs with the budget.
Other Council Action
Councilmember Jonson reported that the County Attorney mischaracterized HB 949 and
requested that Councilmember Hamilton represent the Council on PPC (Pinellas Planning
Council) issues. Councilmember Hamilton said he normally would have consulted the Council
before voting but the legislative session will be over prior to the next PPC meeting.
Councilmember Jonson reported the Tampa Bay Estuary has proposed an expansion
into St. Joseph Sound; the Suncoast League of Cities is endorsing Beverley Billiris as 2nd Vice-
President of the Florida League of Cities and is considering changing its meetings to a week
night dinner. He reported the Tax Collector has requested the effective date of the Working
Waterfronts tax deferral be delayed to allow upgrades in their system to be completed.
Adjourn
The meeting adjourned at 3:05 p.m.
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