01/12/2004CITY COMMISSION WORK SESSION
CITY OF CLEARWATER
January 12, 2004
Present: Brian J. Aungst Mayor/Commissioner
Hoyt P. Hamilton Vice-Mayor/Commissioner
William C. Jonson Commissioner
Frank Hibbard Commissioner
J. B. Johnson Commissioner
Also present: William B. Horne II City Manager
Garry Brumback Assistant City Manager
Ralph Stone Assistant City Manager
Pamela K. Akin City Attorney
Cynthia E. Goudeau City Clerk
Brenda Moses Board Reporter
The Mayor called the meeting to order at 1:02 p.m. at City Hall
To provide continuity for research, items are in agenda order although not necessarily discussed in that order.
Service Awards
Five service awards were presented to City employees.
Employee of the Month for 2004
The Employee of the Month award was presented to Christopher Hunter, Gas Department.
Team Award – January – February 2004
The January – February Team Award was presented to the Fire and Rescue Honor Guard.
The Commission recessed from 1:13 to 1:17 p.m. to meet as the Pension Trustees.
PRESENTATIONS
1. Supervisory Training Certificates
Seventeen Supervisory Training Certificates were presented to City employees.
PUR PURCHASING
Approval of Purchases per Purchasing Memorandum:
Furniture Consultants, New York, New York – Furniture installation in the new Main Library in the amount of $383,014.26. (LIB) (Consent)
In response to a question, Library Directory John Szabo said the majority of this furniture would be used in public areas throughout the Main Library.
ED/HSG ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT/HOUSING
1. Condo/Hotel Discussion Update. (WSO)
Assistant City Manager Ralph Stone gave an update regarding the rapid conversion of hotels to condominiums. Concern has been expressed in the loss of small and mid sized hotels. He
was pleased to report the Adam’s Mark Hotel has been purchased by a hotel managing company and will continue as a resort property, the Ramada Inn recently sold to a local owner who indicated
he will reinvest in the property and keep it as resort, and the Holiday Inn owners have decided to keep their property as resort.
Mr. Stone said the resort industry has rebounded and tourism is up in Pinellas County and statewide. There is concern about how conversions will affect land costs. He said other neighboring
beach communities are dealing with the same issues. He said he met with the County’s Economic Development staff, representatives from the barrier island communities, and local area
Chambers of Commerce to analyze the impact of these conversions on the tourist industry. A study has been requested and Clearwater will be represented on the selection committee. The
timeframe for the study is approximately six months. Mr. Stone suggested the City wait for the results of the study before developing a plan of their own.
Discussion ensued regarding use of pool units at the beach. It was questioned if the T (Tourist) District could be expanded to the southern side of the Sand Key Bridge and up to the
north beach in order not to exclude certain areas for redevelopment. Mr. Stone said the Commission previously agreed to place conditions on emergency issues and development potential
at the beach.
Planning Director Cyndi Tarapani reviewed the zoning districts surrounding Sand Key and stated staff would need to review how any new zoning changes would impact that area. In response
to a question, Ms. Tarapani said 394 motel units were converted to 397 condominium and townhouse units over the past two to three years with the bulk of them on Brightwater Drive. In
response to a question, she said although 600 pool units were created, only 185 have been approved to date, but none of them have been used.
It was suggested as redevelopment is taking place in the area, the street at the beach near Clearwater Pass be repaved.
2. Main Street Program Update (WSO)
Assistant Director of Community Redevelopment Geri Campos presented the history and background on the 2004 Main Street Program. She reviewed a list of suggested projects.
In response to a question, she said performance measures include the number of jobs created, the amount of investments, and façade grants. There also are plans to look at improving
or changing the structure of vendor agreements. Staff will be discussing ideas for two new quality events.
Discussion ensued in regard to the importance of having a member of the DDB (Downtown Development Board) on the Design Guidelines Committee. It was noted Bob Fernandez is being considered.
In response to a question, Ms. Tarapani said there are 16 – 18 members on the Design Guidelines Committee, including architects and contractors. Support was expressed for adding a
DDB member to the Committee.
Discussion ensued in regard to tax abatements for historic renovations. Ms. Tarapani said the tax relief only applies to the increased value of the property. She said enactment of
an ordinance addressing historic tax abatement renovations would be required if the Commission desires to pursue.
Discussion ensued in regard to Mainstreet websites on the Internet. It was suggested Ms. Campos add the following to the list of projects: 1) historic survey in downtown; 2) History
Comes Alive Program; 3) a historical photo exhibit in City Hall; 4) educational program for downtown property owners; and 5) Parks and Recreation involvement.
It was remarked the City is fortunate to have a core of volunteers and a good relationship with the DDB and the local area Chambers of Commerce.
LIB LIBRARY
1. Approve deductive change order in the amount of $912,446 to the contract with Turner Construction Company, 500 N. Westshore Blvd., Tampa, FL for the new Main Library resulting in
a new contract amount of $11,612,214 (Consent)
The Commission approved the GMP (guaranteed maximum price) contract with Turner Construction Company on February 20, 2003, in the amount of $14,532,915. A deductive change order in
the amount of $2,008,255 was approved on June 19, 2003.
This deductive change order represents owner direct purchases, i.e., materials purchased directly by the City for sales tax savings. Savings to date total approximately $180,000.
Mr. Szabo said this change order does not change the scope, budget, or size of the building. It shifts the responsibility for purchasing items to the City.
MR MARINE /AVIATION
1. Approve the first amendment to the lease agreement for Thomas C. and Patricia A. Wolkowsky d/b/a/ Marina Restaurant requiring liability insurance for the sale of alcoholic beverages
(Consent)
While reviewing a marina tenant lease for liability coverage, Risk Management brought to our attention that all tenants selling alcoholic beverages require liability coverage resulting
from the dispensing of alcoholic beverages in an amount not less than $500,000.
Four of the Marina’s tenants sell alcoholic beverages: Crabby Bill's, the Marina Bait House, the Marina Restaurant, and the Pirate's Pantry. Both Crabby Bill's and the Marina Bait
House already have the coverage. The Pirate's Pantry is a three-year lease up for renewal August 1, 2004, which does not need to come before the Commission. Owner Denis White has been
requested to provide proof of coverage and will have his lease modified at the time of renewal.
In response to a question, City Attorney Pam Akin said if the City were sued and found liable, the City has adequate liability insurance.
PR PARKS AND RECREATION
1. Approve Parks and Recreation Board recommendation naming City property located within Court Street to the south, Prospect Avenue to the west, Park Street to the north, and Ewing Avenue
to the east, Prospect Lake Park (Consent)
The Town Lake project developed an existing pond and enlarged it to create a 3.8-acre lake with approximately one-half acre of surrounding parkland. The lake provides flood protection
and storm water treatment for approximately 109 acres of contributory drainage area using a combination of chemical (alum injection), physical (settling) and biological (aquatic planting)
processes.
Commission Resolution #94-12 specifies that the Parks and Recreation Board will conduct and advertise a public hearing to consider recommendations for park names at a regular meeting
of the Board. The Board held a public meeting on November 22, 2003.
The Board received a total of four names for consideration. Based upon the information gathered at this hearing, and on the criteria contained in the Resolution, the Parks and Recreation
Board approved a motion to recommend to the City Commission that the names received be rejected as they were the same names that were previously submitted and that the Board’s previous
recommendation be reaffirmed and submitted with the facility being named “Prospect Lake Park”. The second choice was “Clearwater Central Park”.
At the May 1, 2003, City Commission meeting, the Commission requested the Board consider having a second public hearing to generate additional naming suggestions after reviewing suggestions
generated at the March 24, 2003, public hearing on the naming of this facility.
At the October 16, 2003, City Commission meeting, the Commission requested the Board consider having a third public hearing to generate additional naming suggestions after reviewing
suggestions generated at the August 25, 2004, public hearing on the naming of this facility.
In response to a question, Parks & Recreation Director Kevin Dunbar said the Parks & Recreation Board did not provide any historical or cultural history to go along with this recommended
name.
3. Approve a ten-year agreement from January 1, 2004 – December 31, 2013, between the City of Clearwater and the FLA Sports Production, Inc., for the use of certain City facilities
at the Eddie C. Moore Softball Complex (fields 8 & 9) (Consent)
The Eddie C. Moore Softball Complex has recently been expanded to include two additional fields (fields 8 & 9) as well as batting tunnels and bullpen areas. This was part of the land
swap with Calvary Baptist Church and the project has also included funding from the State of Florida via a FRDAP (Florida Recreation Development Assistance Program) grant. FLA Sports
Production Inc. has been working with the City for over a year in the development of fast pitch softball training opportunities for the youth in the greater Clearwater area.
Programs and activates offered include camps and clinics, and lessons and rehabilitation training.
This agreement allows for the City to collect revenue from the offering of these programs as well as receiving an upfront capital contribution to be used towards the construction of
one of the batting tunnels. As part of this agreement, the City will receive 10% of all revenues as well as a $100,000 capital contribution.
Under this agreement, FLA Sports Production Inc. will provide the following services: a) Camps, clinics, lessons and rehabilitation training for fast pitch softball, and b) Make available
to approved City co-sponsored groups training equipment, which belongs to FLA Sports Production Inc.
Under this agreement the City will provide the following: a) Lawn, landscape and ball field maintenance for all areas within the complex; b) Exclusive use of one batting tunnel and
office space within the existing building as well as scheduled use of one or both fields; and c) Maintenance for all major capital components of the building, to include air conditioners,
roof, plumbing, electrical, etc.
No other in-kind services, supplies, labor, equipment, or funding, whether on loan or for consumption, will be granted to the agency.
In response to a question, Mr. Dunbar said this agreement provides for exclusive use of one of the batting structures and an area to set up office. Currently, FLA rents facilities
from the City at the Countryside Community Center.
4. Award a contract to construct the new Recreation Center and Skate/BMX Playground at Ross Norton Park (bid #036-0021-PR) to Angle & Schmid Inc., St. Petersburg, Florida for $3,118,778
which includes base bid and alternates 1.3, 3, 3A, 9, 10, 12, 13, 14, 16; a reduction in contingency to 2.5% and approve a change order deduct in the amount of $284,072 for a net contract
amount of $2,834,706; and approve the transfer of $379,293 from other capital improvement projects and $40,076 from Recreation Facility Impact Fees at first quarter (Consent)
In August of 2002, the City Commission approved a contract to Lunz Prebor Fowler Architects of Lakeland, Florida to design a new recreation center at Ross Norton Park. Numerous community
meetings were held to develop the plan and a decision was reached to also construct a citywide skate/BMX playground with retail shop at this location.
This contract includes the construction of the new 21,000-square foot regional recreation center, associated parking, site work and associated site improvements. The center will include
a teen area, full-size gymnasium, meeting rooms, and state of the art fitness room. In addition there will be a 27,000 square foot skate/BMX playground.
Staff is recommending the base bid as well as several alternates be accepted and that the contingency for the project be reduced to 2.5% ($76,000). The alternates include such items
as eliminating flush curbs, upright curbs, fencing, concrete work, exterior metal wall panels, wall finishes, and entrance canopy and adding a wood floor in the gymnasium. Elimination
of these items will not adversely impact the final design or function of the building.
In addition, staff is recommending that several items, totaling $284,072, be valued-engineered out of the contract. The majority of these items are transparent to the project and they
too will not have a major adverse impact on the design and function of the facility. Some of the value-engineering includes removing a portion of the canopy areas, removing block walls
for chain link fencing, reducing the amount of concrete patios, material changes, engineering redesign, supply fill dirt, etc.
The bids for this project came in excess of the architect’s estimate. Staff is recommending the transfer of funds from other existing capital improvement projects to meet the shortfall.
A summary of the budget request for this project is as follows:
Original budget $ 3,095,631
FRDAP grant applied for Skate Park $ 200,000
Additional funds needed $ 419,369
Total funds requested for project $ 3,715,000
Bids for this project exceeded the budget due to extensive site work and fill required for the project and some over design of the building spaces. In addition over the past three years
the cost for construction material and labor have increased.
Staff is recommending the following CIP funds and balance of existing recreation impact fees be transferred to provide the additional funds needed.
3212 Bike Paths existing $ 30,838 Project complete 3272 Bike Paths (Cliff Stevens Park) $ 262,000 Alternative route & funds secured
3242 Jack Russell Stadium Repairs $73,000 Structural renovation
portion finished
3235 Allen’s Creek Park $ 5,336 Project complete
3243 NGRAC startup funds $ 6,124 Project complete
3279 Holt Ave. Pool $ 1,995 Project complete
Recreation Impact fees $ 40,076 Uncommitted funds
within 2 miles
$419,369
The City will be providing for irrigation, landscaping, site lighting, skate/BMX playground (slab, fencing, portable structures, and lighting), geo-technical services, telephone & data
wiring, impact fees and tap fees. Funds are included in this project for these items.
Construction time is 365 days, providing an anticipated completion date in January 2005.
Total new operating expenses of $90,798 including (1 FTE) will be needed to operate the center and aquatics facility. These expenses will be offset by increased fees, grants and the
miscellaneous revenue components of the center including new revenue generated from the skate park.
Under this proposal staff is recommending that the swimming pool be closed during the winter months as participants can now be accommodated at the Long Center.
Mr. Dunbar said as the City now controls the availability of the facilities at the Long Center, those revenues would offset not opening Ross Norton swimming pool during winter months.
In response to a question, he said construction contingencies vary and can be up to 10%. He said curbs would be eliminated where unnecessary. The exterior metal wall panels would
be aesthetically pleasing. Mr. Dunbar said staff has not spoken directly to the community regarding changes to the hours of operation for the pool at Ross Norton.
In response to a question, Mr. Dunbar said the City has two pending grant opportunities, one for the aquatics center and one for the skate park. He said Ross Norton Park would remain
open during construction. In response to a question, Mr. Dunbar said wood floors would be installed in the gymnasium because of their durability and maintenance costs. Mr. Dunbar said
the retail shop in the skate park would be leased.
PW PUBLIC WORKS
5. Award a contract for the PALMETTO STREET DRAINAGE IMPROVEMENTS (02-0031-EN) to MTM Contractors, Inc. of St. Petersburg, Florida for the sum of $1,993,197.15 which is the lowest responsible
bid received in accordance with the plans and specifications (Consent)
The work proposed in this contract includes work along Palmetto Street between Palm Terrace and Stevenson Creek, and Palmetto Street between Highland Avenue and Stevenson Creek.
The primary purpose of this project is to provide flood protection for two collector roads, two residential streets, and two residential homes. In addition, the project will alleviate
yard flooding for 12 residential properties and reduce the rate of ditch bank erosion in Stevenson Creek.
The work to be performed will include the construction of 1,900 feet of 54-inch reinforced concrete storm sewer pipe and the replacement of 2,500 feet of a 20-inch concrete potable
water line with 20-inch ductile iron pipe. The work also will include replacement of curb inlets and the reconstruction of Palmetto Street.
This project will commence after award and execution of the contract and will be completed in 270 calendar days. Resolution #02-51 was passed on November 21, 2002; establishing the
City’s intent to reimburse certain stormwater project costs incurred with future tax-exempt financing. The projects identified with 2004 revenue bonds as a funding source were included
in the project list associated with Resolution #02-51.
Sufficient budget for interim financing or funding with 2004 Stormwater Revenue Bond proceeds when issued is available in project 357-96124, Storm Pipe System Improvements, for $672,796.63
of this contract.
Sufficient budget and revenue are available in the 99 Stormwater Bond Construction Fund project, 375-96124, for $4,008.92 of this contract. For the $680,273.76 balance of the Stormwater
portion of this contract there is sufficient budget and revenue bond proceeds available in the 02 Stormwater Bond Construction Fund project, 377-96124.
Sufficient budget and utility renewal & replacement revenue are available in the CIP Fund project, 315-96741, System R & R – Capitalized to fund the $636,117.84 water division portion
of this contract.
In response to a question, Assistant Director of Engineering Al Carrier said culverts are being installed in the southern portion of Kings Highway to address flooding.
6. Public Hearing & First Reading Ordinance #7233-04 - Approve the applicant’s request to vacate all street rights of way and easements as dedicated on the plat of Chesapeake Villas,
as recorded in Plat Book 70, Page 42 of the Official Records of Pinellas County, Florida less and except any portion of Bayview Avenue and vacate all easements and street right of way
portions contained in a parcel of land generally bounded on the west by Bayview Avenue, on the north by Drew Street, on the east by McMullen Booth Road, and on the south by Cleveland
Street and Virginia Avenue, said parcel more particularly described in the proposed ordinance. (V2003-04 – First Baptist Church)
The applicant is seeking to vacate all street rights of way and easements located within the 27-acre parcel to facilitate the construction of a new Calvary Baptist Church.
Current plans submitted by the Calvary Baptist Church include a 1,916-seat worship center with a three-story preschool/youth administration building.
Planning, Police, Building, Solid Waste, Traffic, Gas and Fire officials have no objections to the vacation request.·
Progress Energy, Verizon Media Ventures, Bright House Cable and Verizon has no objections to the vacation request.
The City of Clearwater presently has sanitary sewer, storm water, and water and gas facilities on the subject property.
The City of Clearwater will require that easements be provided over all new and existing City utility facilities that will be city owned and maintained.
Public Works Administration has no objections to the vacation request.
In response to a question, Engineering Director Mike Quillen said Drew and Bayview Streets would remain open. Cleveland Street dead ends at one point and is not at issue.
PLD PLANNING
2. Public Hearing & First Reading Ordinances #7221-04, #7222-04 and #7223-04 - APPROVE the Petition for Annexation, Land Use Plan Amendment from County Residential Urban (RU) to City
Residential Urban (RU) and Zoning Atlas Amendment from the County R-3, Single-Family Residential District, to the City LMDR, Low Medium Density Residential District for 309 and 323 Meadow
Lark Lane and 3040 Carolina Avenue (Lots 1-6, Block 6, Bay View City Subdivision in Sec. 07-29-16); ANX2003-09024 (Crum Properties, LLC)
The subject site is on the east side of Meadow Lark Lane at 309 and 323 Meadow Lark Lane and 3040 Carolina Avenue, approximately 350 feet north of Gulf-to-Bay Boulevard and 560 feet
west of McMullen Booth Road. The site consists of four parcels totaling 1.2 acres and contains an unoccupied single-family detached dwelling and an existing office. The office use on
the subject site will be a nonconforming use in the LMDR zoning district and cannot be expanded. However, the applicant is requesting this annexation in order to redevelop the property
with an accessory parking facility for
its adjacent, existing office use to the south. This use may be allowed in the LMDR District only through a flexible development application approved through the Community Development
Board. The property is contiguous with the existing City boundaries to the north, south and west; therefore, the proposed annexation is consistent with Florida Statutes with regard to
voluntary annexation. It is proposed that the abutting Tennessee Avenue, Carolina Avenue and Bay Street rights of-way not currently within the City limits also be annexed. The applicant
is requesting the property have a Future Land Use Plan designation of Residential Urban (RU) and a zoning category of LMDR, Low Medium Density Residential.
The Planning Department determined the proposed annexation is consistent with the following standards specified in the Community Development Code: 1) the proposed annexation will not
have an adverse impact on public facilities and their level of service; 2) the proposed annexation is consistent with the City's Comprehensive Plan, the Countywide Plan and the Community
Development Code; and 3) the proposed annexation is contiguous to existing municipal boundaries, represents a logical extension of the boundaries and does not create an enclave.
This annexation has been reviewed by the PPC (Pinellas Planning Council) and Pinellas County staffs according to the provisions of Pinellas County Ordinance No. 00-63, Section 7(1-3),
and no objections have been raised.
The Community Development Board reviewed this proposed annexation at its regularly scheduled meeting on December 16, 2003, and unanimously recommended approval.
In response to a question, Long Range Planning Manager Gina Clayton said the house on the site was being used as an office. Staff feels this rezoning is most appropriate.
4. Public Hearing & First Reading Ordinances #7226-04 and #7227-04 - APPROVE a Land Use Plan Amendment from the Residential Low Medium (RLM) category to the Commercial General (CG) category
and a Zoning Atlas Amendment from the MHP, Mobile Home Park District to the C, Commercial District for property located at 2261 Gulf to Bay Boulevard (A portion of M&B 32/121 in Sec.
18-29-15). LUZ2003-09009 (George & Margaret Bruning, TRE/Eva Bruning/Georgia V. Lenard, TRE/Ralph & Jean Englert-Trust)
The Future Land Use Plan amendment and rezoning application involves one (1) vacant parcel of land, approximately 1.31-acres in area. The site has a Future Land Use Plan designation
of Residential Low Medium (RLM) and a zoning classification of MHP, Mobile Home Park. The applicant is requesting to amend the Future Land Use Plan designation to the Commercial General
(CG) category and to rezone it to the C, Commercial District to develop a retail center on the site. Although the proposed Future Land Use Plan category could generate an increase in
PM Peak Hour traffic on this segment of Gulf to Bay Boulevard by 66 trips, the traffic generated by this plan amendment is projected to be less than a 1% increase and would not result
in the degradation of the existing LOS to the surrounding road network as the number of trips possibly generated by this application are deminimus when compared to existing traffic volumes
on Gulf-to-Bay Boulevard. At the time a development application is submitted,
the traffic generation associated with the application will be analyzed to ensure transportation concurrency is met.
The Planning Department determined that the proposed land use plan amendment and rezoning applications are consistent with the following standards specified in the Community Development
Code: 1) the proposed land use plan amendment and rezoning applications are consistent with the Comprehensive Plan; 2) the potential range of uses and the current use are compatible
with the surrounding area; 3) sufficient public facilities are available to serve the property; and 4) the applications will not have an adverse impact on the natural environment.
In accordance with the Countywide Plan Rules, the land use plan amendment is subject to the approval of the Pinellas Planning Council and the Board of County Commissioners acting as
the Countywide Planning Authority. Due to the size of the plan amendment site, review and approval by Florida Department of Community Affairs is not required.
The Community Development Board reviewed this application on the consent agenda, without opposition, at its December 16, 2003, meeting and unanimously recommended approval.
In response to a question, Ms. Clayton referred to a diagram of the property. She said staff would have to wait for the site plan to be done before access to the site is known. Concern
was expressed adding commercial is not in accordance with the comprehensive plan. Ms Clayton said the character of this thoroughfare is more commercial.
CM ADMINISTRATION
City Manager Verbal Reports
There was discussion regarding a petition to the PSTA to get the Suncoast Trolley to come up to the South Clearwater Pass area.
1. Pinellas County Water Rules
In light of the County’s recent decision to remain on single day/week, five-day watering restrictions, staff is recommending remaining as is with its single day/week two-day restrictions.
City watering schedule for potable water will be even addresses and letters A – M water on Tuesdays; odd addresses and letters N – Z would water on Sundays. Count water schedule for
potable water will be 0 – 1 and A – E water on Mondays; 2 –3 and F – J water on Tuesdays; 4 –5 and K – O water on Wednesdays; 6 – 7 and P – S water on Thursdays; and 8 – 9 and T – Z
water on Fridays.
In October, staff submitted a Commission item recommending a two-day week watering restriction in view of SWFWMD rule changes allowing two-day/week watering restrictions along with
our understanding that the County was moving in the same direction. Since the County did not implement these changes and decided to remain on their single day/week schedule, Clearwater
staff reconsidered their recommendation.
The City of Clearwater has been on a single-day/week watering schedule since May 2000 due to a drought. SWFWMD issued an emergency order in March 2001 requiring 24/7 enforcement and
a five percent reduction in demand for May and June of that year compared to the same months in 2000 as the drought worsened.
In November 2001, SWFWMD lifted the single-day/week restriction except for the area served by Tampa Bay Water’s 11 well fields (Pinellas County included) as conditions recovered somewhat.
In December 2001, Pinellas County changed from 2-day single day watering (odds and evens) to a 5-day single day schedule due to pressure issues in their system. The City remained on
a 2-day (odds and evens), single day schedule. The City and the County both moved to a 2-day watering schedule per week for private wells, lakes and ponds at this time.
In September 2003, SWFWMD issued a letter indicating well fields have recovered and year round 2-day/week watering rules can be implemented if desired. Communities can have more stringent
watering rules if they so elect. Pinellas County staff indicates their desire to move in this direction, however, the County Commission elects to remain on a single day watering schedule
(5-day).
During this period, water demand behavior patterns changed. In 1999 and 2000, we saw an annual average demand of about 15 million gallons/day (MGD); now water demand annual average
is about 13 MGD.
Public Utilities Director Andy Neff said the City has the following options:
1. Remain as-is. No re-education of customers is needed and no changes would be contemplated if drought reoccurs. The City will differ from the County but this condition will not
be any different from what the City has had for two years. The enclave issue will remain (City enforces by jurisdictional boundary; County enforces by water system boundary) – overlapping
areas (about 4,800 customers) are affected.
2. Adopt County watering rules. The enclave issue goes away, but the City would have to go through an extensive re-education process with its customers.
3. Continue processing the former recommendation for 2-day/week watering schedule. The City would differ from the County, the enclave issue would remain, and the City would have an
extensive re-education process for its customers.
Staff recommends the City watering schedule remain as-is. The City would continue its consistent message, no re-education is needed, the City has had a proven record of good water
conservation, and it faces an uncertain future with regard to climatic conditions.
Mr. Neff had discussed the enclave issue with Pinellas County Utility Director Pick Talley, who indicates the County is willing to work with the City on the enclave issue to seek a
mutual resolution.
In response to a question, Mr. Neff said he did not know the costs involved with re-education, but estimated there would be a great deal of staff time and outreach
necessary to ensure citizens are informed of any new rules. He said the City has had great success with the current schedule.
2. Fluoride
Mr. Neff said Clearwater will not be able to maintain its timeline regarding fluoridating its water. The County is beginning the fluoridation of water in June and Clearwater will not
do so until the end of the year. He said Clearwater currently purchased 70% of its water from the County.
3. Charter Review Communications Plan
Public Communications and Marketing Director Doug Matthews distributed a schedule including target dates for outreach, print, news, C-View and other media regarding the Charter Review
questions to be placed on the March ballot. Mr. Horne requested the Commission review it and contact staff regarding any questions or concerns. Mr. Matthews said the handout and other
related information are available on the City’s website.
Commission Discussion Items
1. Commission member role on Boards and Committees
Commissioner Jonson’s name was removed from the Downtown Design Guidelines Committee at his request. The Commissioner still intends to observe some of these meetings when his schedule
allows with his focus being on the Mainstreet Committee.
Other Commission Action
Commissioner Hibbard requested comments regarding the upcoming MPO meeting on Wednesday. He noted the transformation of Courtney Campbell Causeway with adult night clubs leaving.
Commissioner Jonson said he plans on attending the Florida League of Cities Legislative forum and reception on February 17, 2004, and will miss the next Work Session. He requested
the City invite members of its legislative delegation to attend. He requested assistance in resolving the ill will towards PSTA that was expressed in Howard Troxler’s column.
Commissioner Hamilton wished everyone a Happy New Year. He welcomed back J. B. Johnson indicating he is one of the most outstanding people he has ever met. He recognized his youngest
son Brad for passing his driver’s test.
Mayor Aungst said the Pinellas Assembly addressed health and recreation items at their last meeting.
Adjourn
The meeting adjourned at 4:00 p.m.