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06/15/2006 CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES CITY OF CLEARWATER June 15, 2006 Present: Frank Hibbard Mayor Hoyt P. Hamilton Councilmember – departed 7:16 p.m. William C. Jonson Councilmember John Doran Councilmember Absent: Carlen Petersen Vice-Mayor Also present: Garry Brumback 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 6:00 p.m. at City Hall. Assistant Pastor Thomas Jones from Flowing River Church offered the invocation. The Mayor led the Pledge of Allegiance. To provide continuity for research, items are in agenda order although not necessarily discussed in that order. 4. Introductions and Awards 4.1 Service Awards One service award was presented to a City employee. The June Employee of the Month award was presented to John Schroeder, Police Department. 5. Presentations 5.1 Gift to the City John and Susan Bankston presented to the City a 1976 Hal Stowers print of Sand Key, which will become part of a rotating exhibit. 5.2 Proclamation - Recreation and Parks Month - July 2006 5.3 Proclamation - Sons of the American Revolution Day – June 9, 2006 6. Approval of Minutes 6.1 Approve the minutes of the June 1, 2006, City Council Meeting as submitted in written summation by the City Clerk. Councilmember Jonson moved to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of June 1, 2006, as recorded and submitted in written summation by the City Clerk to each motioncarried Councilmember. The was duly seconded and unanimously. Council 2006-06-15 1 7. Citizens to be Heard re Items Not on the Agenda John Wiser said the City had not responded to his multiple requests for the City to tap into private wells, in order to improve medians. Nelda Gant and Karen Bauler requested that restrooms be installed at Forest Run Park. Public Hearings - Not before 6:00 PM 8.Administrative Public Hearings 8.1 Approve the applicant's request to vacate the 5-foot utility easement lying along the south property line of Lot 1 and the west 22.71 feet of Lot 2, Sunnydale Subdivision and vacate the 10-foot alley lying adjacent to the north property lines of Lots 2, 6, 7 and the west 15 feet of Lot 8, Sunset Point Replat, (a.k.a. 1925 Edgewater Drive), subject to conditions, and approve Ordinance 7650-06 on first reading, (VAC2006-07 Robel Bayview, LLC). The applicant is seeking the vacation in order to redevelop the subject property with a 62-unit multiple family development. The subject alley is unimproved and unused except for an existing sanitary sewer line and private utilities. The applicant proposes to relocate the sanitary sewer and deed a new 15-foot easement to the City. Verizon and Brighthouse Cable have facilities in the subject alley/easement and will have no objections provided that the applicant pays for all costs related to the relocation of their facilities. Progress Energy and Knology have no objections to the vacation request. The applicant received Flexible Development approval from the Community Development Board on July 20, 2004. Subsequent extensions of this approval were obtained and the applicant currently has until April 26, 2007, to obtain a building permit for this project. The Public Works Administration recommends approval of the vacation request subject to the condition that the applicant shall relocate the City's sanitary sewer line and all other utilities at their sole expense within six months and a new 15-foot utility easement shall be deeded to the City. Councilmember Jonson moved to approve the applicant's request to vacate the 5-foot utility easement lying along the south property line of Lot 1 and the west 22.71 feet of Lot 2, Sunnydale Subdivision and vacate the 10-foot alley lying adjacent to the north property lines of Lots 2, 6, 7 and the west 15 feet of Lot 8, Sunset Point Replat, (a.k.a. 1925 Edgewater Drive), motioncarried subject to conditions. The was duly seconded and unanimously. Ordinance 7650-06 was presented for first reading and read by title only. motion Councilmember Doran moved to pass Ordinance 7650-06 on first reading. The was duly seconded and upon roll call, the vote was: "Ayes": Hamilton, Jonson, Doran, and Hibbard. "Nays": None. 8.2 Declare as surplus for the purpose of conveying title to the Community Redevelopment Agency of the City of Clearwater (CRA) real property identified as Pinellas County parcels 15/29/15/65196/000/0030, 0034, 0060, 0061, 0062 and 0063 (a/k/a Clearwater Automotive site), and authorize appropriate officials to execute a Deed of Conveyance to convey fee title therein. Council 2006-06-15 2 On October 30, 2003, the City received title to the subject parcels of real property, among others, that conveyed title to lands formerly occupied by Clearwater Automotive located in the 200 and 300 blocks of South Martin Luther King, Jr. Avenue. The "as is" purchase obligated the City to fund the costs of demolition, as well as environmental due diligence and remediation. One source of funds earmarked for site remediation is the Brownfields Cleanup Revolving Loan Fund the City received from the EPA in 1999 (Brownfields). The Council adopted Resolution 05-19 on May 19, 2005, authorizing the City to transfer the Brownfields funds to the CRA (Community Redevelopment Agency) for the Clearwater Automotive cleanup. The amount of the loan is $350,000. The Resolution also required that the CRA own all of the cleanup property in order to utilize the Brownfields funds for that purpose. The transfer of the subject lands from the City to the CRA will essentially consolidate ownership in all of the former Clearwater Automotive property that will require environmental remediation utilizing the Brownfields funds prior to offering the property for redevelopment. The lands being transferred are part of the former salvage yard and do not include the former Clearwater Automotive office located at 115 South Martin Luther King, Jr. Avenue. Councilmember Hamilton moved to approve declaring as surplus for the purpose of conveying title to the Community Redevelopment Agency of the City of Clearwater (CRA) real property identified as Pinellas County parcels 15/29/15/65196/000/0030, 0034, 0060, 0061, 0062 and 0063 (a/k/a Clearwater Automotive site), and authorize appropriate officials to execute motioncarried a Deed of Conveyance to convey fee title therein. The was duly seconded and unanimously. 9. Quasi-judicial Public Hearings 9.1 Continue ANX2006-02004, 1574 Crown Street to the City Council meeting scheduled for July 20, 2006 (First Reading). This item needs to be continued due to an error in the location description of the site. motion Councilmember Doran moved to continue Item 9.1 to July 20, 2006. The was carried duly seconded and unanimously. 9.2 Approve the Petition for Annexation, Future Land Use Plan Amendment from the County Residential Low (RL) Category to the City Residential Low (RL) Category and Zoning Atlas Amendment from the County R-3, Single-Family Residential District to the City Low Medium Density Residential (LMDR) District for 1424 Regal Road (Lot 6, Solar Crest Subdivision in Section 23-29-15); and Pass Ordinance 7640-06, 7641-06 & 7642-06 on first reading. This annexation involves a 0.176-acre property consisting of one parcel, located on the north side of Regal Road, approximately 500 feet west of Braund Street. The property is contiguous with existing City boundaries to the south; therefore, the proposed annexation is consistent with Pinellas County Ordinance 00-63 with regard to voluntary annexation. The applicant is requesting this annexation in order to receive solid waste service from the City. It is proposed that the property be assigned a Future Land Use Plan designation of Residential Low (RL) and a zoning category of Low Medium Density Residential (LMDR). The Planning Department determined that 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 Council 2006-06-15 3 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 City boundaries and does not create an enclave. This annexation has been reviewed by the Pinellas Planning Council County staff in accordance with the provisions of Pinellas County Ordinance 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 May 16, 2006, and unanimously recommended approval. Councilmember Jonson moved to approve the Petition for Annexation, Future Land Use Plan Amendment from the County Residential Low (RL) Category to the City Residential Low (RL) Category and Zoning Atlas Amendment from the County R-3, Single-Family Residential District to the City Low Medium Density Residential (LMDR) District for 1424 Regal Road (Lot 6, motioncarried Solar Crest Subdivision in Section 23-29-15). The was duly seconded and unanimously. Ordinance 7640-06 was presented for first reading and read by title only. motion Councilmember Doran moved to pass Ordinance 7640-06 on first reading. The was duly seconded and upon roll call, the vote was: "Ayes": Hamilton, Jonson, Doran, and Hibbard. "Nays": None. Ordinance 7641-06 was presented for first reading and read by title only. motion Councilmember Hamilton moved to pass Ordinance 7641-06 on first reading. The was duly seconded and upon roll call, the vote was: "Ayes": Hamilton, Jonson, Doran, and Hibbard. "Nays": None. Ordinance 7642-06 was presented for first reading and read by title only. motion Councilmember Jonson moved to pass Ordinance 7642-06 on first reading. The was duly seconded and upon roll call, the vote was: "Ayes": Hamilton, Jonson, Doran, and Hibbard. "Nays": None. 10. Second Readings - Public Hearing 10.1 Adopt Ordinance 7633-06 on second reading, creating Chapter 29, Article VI, Tax Deferral for Recreational and Commercial Working Waterfront Properties; implementing Chapter 197.303 et. seq., Florida Statutes (2005); allowing for ad valorem tax deferrals for recreational and commercial waterfront properties; providing definitions; establishing guidelines for qualification, providing for appeals; providing penalties for willfully filing incorrect information; providing for distribution of payments. Council 2006-06-15 4 Ordinance 7633-06 was presented for second reading and read by title only. Councilmember Doran moved to pass and adopt Ordinance 7633-06 on second and final motion reading. The was duly seconded and upon roll call, the vote was: "Ayes": Hamilton, Jonson, Doran, and Hibbard. "Nays": None. 10.2 Continue adoption of Ordinance 7649-06 on second reading, amending Appendix A, Article XXV Public Works -- Fees Rates and Charges Section 3(e) Stormwater Management Utility Rates to July 20, 2006. motion Councilmember Hamilton moved to continue Item 10.2 to July 20, 2006. The carried was duly seconded and unanimously. 10.3 Adopt Ordinance7655-06 on second reading, establishing a franchise agreement between the City of Clearwater and Knology Broadband of Florida, Inc., granting a cable television franchise to Knology to construct, operate and maintain a cable communications system in Clearwater, and providing for the conditions, regulations, and use of the system. Ordinance 7655-06 was presented for second reading and read by title only. Councilmember Jonson moved to pass and adopt Ordinance 7655-06 on second and final motion reading. The was duly seconded and upon roll call, the vote was: "Ayes": Hamilton, Jonson, Doran, and Hibbard. "Nays": None. City Manager Reports 11. Consent Agenda– Approved as submitted. 11.1 Approve a donation to Clearwater Homeless Intervention Project, Inc. (CHIP) for funding of operations in the amount of $100,000. (consent) 11.2 Approve a Three year contract for Copper Corrosion Control Services, Bid 17-06 awarded to SPER Chemical Corporation of Clearwater, FL, for the sum of $516,240 and that the appropriate officials be authorized to execute same. (consent) 11.3 Approve the final plat for “THE TRIAD” located at 1441 Druid Road, on the Southeast corner of Druid Road and San Remo Avenue. (consent) 11.4 Approve agreement provisions for architectural services contracts with the firms of Baker Barrios Architects, Inc.; Harper Aiken Partners, Inc.; Harvard Jolley Architects and Wannemacher Russell Architects, Inc.; Fowler Associates Architects, Inc., Plisko Architecture, P.A.,; Aude, Shand & Williams, Inc. AIA. (consent) 11.5 Appoint Councilmember Jonson as voting delegate to the Florida League of Cities' Annual Conference, August 10-12, 2006. Council 2006-06-15 5 Councilmember Hamilton moved to approve the Consent Agenda as submitted and that motion the appropriate officials be authorized to execute same. The was duly seconded and carried unanimously. 12. Other items on City Manager Reports 12.1 Pass on first reading Ordinances 7652-06 and 7653-06, amending the City's fiscal year 2005/06 Operating and Capital Improvement Budgets at midyear. The FY (Fiscal Year) 2005/06 Operating and Capital budgets were adopted in September 2005 by Ordinances 7497-05 and 7498-05. Section 2.521 of the City's Code of Ordinances requires that the City Manager prepare a quarterly report detailing income and expenditure estimates, collections, the explanation of significant variances, as well as the financial status of all Capital Improvement projects. The report is based on six months of activity (October, 2005 through March, 2006) in this General Fund: fiscal year. Significant Fund amendments include: General Fund revenues and expenditure amendments reflect a net increase of $98,630. Major reasons for the overall General Fund expenditure increase includes the appropriation of General Fund retained earnings of $75,000 in the City Attorney’s budget for outside council services for representation in Crouch v. City and a contribution of $20,000 to the Pinellas County Coalition in support of a homeless initiative. All other General Fund amendments are fairly minor and offset by related revenues or other program savings. General Fund Reserves – In order to ensure adequate reserves, the City Council’s policy reflects that General Fund unappropriated retained earnings of 8.5% of the City’s budgeted General Fund expenditures must be maintained as a reserve to guard against future emergencies. Estimated General Fund reserves at mid-year are approximately $15.4 million, or 13.8% of the current year’s General Fund budget, exceeding the City’s reserve policy by approximately $6 million. Gas Fund Significant amendments to other City Operating Funds. 1) - Gas Fund operating amendments reflect an increase of $397,310 primarily for increased taxes due to higher sales volumes. The anticipated cost increase will be covered within the anticipated Solid Waste Fund annual Gas Fund revenues; 2) - The Solid Waste Fund recognizes an increase of $48,800 primarily due to the retirement payout of a long term employee, as well as the overlapping hire for the replacement of a retiring administrator. This cost is offset by anticipated increases in revenues for cash pool interest earnings and other miscellaneous Recycling Fund revenues; 3) - Expenditure amendments totaling $25,160 primarily reflect an increase in the cost of inventory for resale due to higher market prices. This increase is more than offset by increased revenue from the sale of recyclables and higher than anticipated Garage Fund interest earnings; 4) - Proposed amendments to the Garage Fund total $97,260. The primary amendment to the Garage Fund reflects the allocation of $50,000 of unrestricted retained earnings of the Garage Fund to hire outside council for representation during the rebanding of the City’s 800 MHz radio system. These funds will be reimbursed to the City. Additional amendments totaling $47,260 reflect the increased cost of fuel and parts and are offset by higher than anticipated interest earnings in the Fund and Department billings; 5) Central Insurance Fund - At first quarter, the Central Insurance Fund reflects the allocation of $834,184 of unrestricted retained earnings of the Central Insurance Fund to fund the Downtown Capital Improvement Streetscape project as approved by the City Council in April 2006; and 6) Fund - Midyear amendments to the Capital Improvement Fund total $2,246,125. The increase in the Downtown Streetscape project approved by the City Council in April resulted in $1.4 Council 2006-06-15 6 million of this increase. Other significant project amendments include the funding of the EC Moore East Batting Tunnel at $225,000 and the Downtown Boat Slip project for $345,426. Project budget increases not previously approved by the Council reflect an increase of $15,000 to establish a project to enclose an area in the Risk Management at the Municipal Services Building to allow for privacy in the discussion of HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability) and other confidential issues. A second project in the amount of $35,000 is proposed to fund the remodeling and renovation of the CCS Meter Reading office to accommodate electronic meter reading equipment, computers and lockers as well as additional office space. Both of these projects are funded from savings within the current operating budgets of the related departments. Special Program Fund - The Special Program Fund reflects a net budget increase of $1,191,787 at mid-year. Amendments include almost $700,000 from Special Event programs, the recognition of more than $66,000 in grants proceeds for the Edward Byrne memorial Justice Assistance grant to continue the Hispanic outreach program. Other significant amendments reflect $200,000 from police fines and court proceeds to support public safety programs and $158,000 in revenues for police outside duty contractual services. Councilmember Hamilton moved to approve amending the City's fiscal year 2005/06 motion Operating and Capital Improvement Budgets at midyear. The was duly seconded and carried unanimously. Ordinance 7652-06 was presented for first reading and read by title only. Councilmember Jonson moved to pass Ordinance 7652-06 on first reading. The motion was duly seconded and upon roll call, the vote was: "Ayes": Hamilton, Jonson, Doran, and Hibbard. "Nays": None. Ordinance 7653-06 was presented for first reading and read by title only. Councilmember Doran moved to pass Ordinance 7653-06 on first reading. The motion was duly seconded and upon roll call, the vote was: "Ayes": Hamilton, Jonson, Doran, and Hibbard. "Nays": None. 12.2 Adopt Resolution 06-38 approving the Gas Supply Agreement 2 with Florida Gas Utility and necessary documents to accomplish same. The purpose of this agenda item is to approve a gas supply agreement with Florida Gas Utility (FGU) allowing Clearwater to participate in the Gas Supply Acquisition Project 2 (GSAP 2), which consists of pre-purchasing a 20-year supply of natural gas at a discounted price relative to the daily gas market. Once all the participating FGU members sign the GSAP 2 agreements, FGU will execute a 20-year Prepaid Gas Purchase agreement with UBS AG, then issue debt in the form of tax-exempt bonds to pay for the gas supply. Clearwater’s participation share in GSAP 2 is estimated at 15%. This translates to approximately 30% of Clearwater’s customer supply requirements, which includes a 4% annual growth factor over the 20-year period. The GSAP 2 agreement is another purchasing mechanism to better control the supply Council 2006-06-15 7 and cost of gas in a rising energy market. Currently, daily gas prices are averaging $7 per million Btu (MMBtu). Anticipated savings will be approximately 40 - 45 cents per MMBtu lower than the daily market, which translates to approximately $8 million in savings over the life of the contract. These savings will be passed on to customers through the Purchased Gas Adjustment (PGA) rate on customer’s monthly bill. FGU is a not-for-profit joint action agency made up of 23 Florida Cities including Clearwater. It is anticipated that 14 members of FGU will participate in GSAP 2. Clearwater currently has an All Requirements Agreement with FGU that was signed on February 15, 2002. The All Requirements Agreement obligates Clearwater to purchase 100% of its gas supply through FGU. The GSAP 2 agreement will be a supplement to the All Requirements Agreement. Councilmember Doran moved to approve the Gas Supply Agreement 2 with Florida Gas motion Utility and necessary documents to accomplish same. The was duly seconded and carried unanimously. Resolution 06-38 was presented and read by title only. Councilmember Hamilton moved to pass and adopt Resolution 06-38 and authorize the appropriate officials to execute same. The motion was duly seconded and upon roll call, the vote was: "Ayes": Hamilton, Jonson, Doran, and Hibbard. "Nays": None. 12.3 Pass Ordinance 7649-06 on first reading increasing the residential and commercial Stormwater Utility rate to $9.91 per Equivalent Residential Unit (ERU) beginning 10/01/2006, to $10.50 per ERU beginning 10/01/2007, to $11.13 per ERU beginning 10/01/2008, to $11.80 per ERU beginning 10/01/2009 and to $12.51 per ERU beginning 10/01/2010. The Stormwater Utility was established effective 1991. On August 6, 1998, Ordinance 6309-98 was passed increasing Stormwater Utility rates from $4 per ERU (Equivalent Residential Unit) beginning October 1, 1998 to $4.73 beginning October 1, 2002. Between 1998 and 2001, staff completed watershed management plans for all major watersheds in the City. These plans identified numerous residences and businesses subject to flooding in a 100-year storm event. These were combined with a list of flood prone residences compiled based on staff knowledge and citizen complaints. Based on this information, it was apparent that the existing stormwater utility rates would not be sufficient to address these flood problems in a timely manner, while also providing for necessary maintenance of the existing stormwater infrastructure. Consequently, on November 15, 2001, Ordinance 6855-04 was passed increasing stormwater utility rates from $6.13 per ERU beginning October 1, 2001 to $9.35 beginning October 1, 2005. Due to the rate increases adopted in 2001, several significant flood control and water quality projects have been completed or are underway, including: Prospect Lake Park; Myrtle Avenue Road and Drainage Improvements; Kapok Wetland & Floodplain Restoration; Glen Oaks; North Beach Drainage; Lake Bellevue and Repair & Replacement Projects. The City’s utility rate consultant, Burton and Associates, has completed a revenue sufficiency and financial forecast analysis following the completion of third year of operations under the rates approved in 2001. At that time, due to operational savings and additional grant funds received, this analysis showed that only minimal rate adjustments were necessary through the year 2009. On August 5, 2004 Council approved a series of 3% rate increases to Council 2006-06-15 8 be effective October 1, 2006 ($9.63), October 1, 2007 ($9.92) and October 1, 2008 ($10.22) with no recommended change to the previously approved rates of $8.65 and $9.35 effective October 1, 2004 and October 1, 2005 respectively. Since 2004 significant increases in project materials and labor costs have occurred due to shortages caused by exceptional construction needs in China and the reconstruction effects of hurricane Katrina and others. Due to these increases, the expected cost of the Stormwater Utility projects was reviewed and it was determined that an across the board increase of 25% was needed in addition to 5% estimated inflationary increases each year thereafter. Burton and Associates has just completed a rate study update incorporating the estimated increase in project costs. As a result of the study findings, staff is requesting 6% rate increases to replace the previously approved 3% increases to be effective October 1, 2006 ($9.91), October 1, 2007 ($10.50) and October 1, 2008 ($11.13) and additional 6% increases to be effective October 1, 2009 ($11.80) and October 1, 2010 ($12.51). Certain areas of the Stormwater Utility operating budgets have experienced significant increases in insurances and pension contribution requirements. Pension cost increases due to actuarial studies have been 38%, 18% and 35% for FY2004 to FY2005, FY2005 to FY2006 and projected FY2006 to FY2007, respectively. Increases for the same periods for workers compensation insurance have been 15%, 134% and 57%, for property insurance, (28%), 32% and 29% and for major medical insurance, 29%, 8% and 2%. The total amount of these four operating costs were $401,000 for 2004, $492,000 for 2005 with the budget for 2006 at $599,000 and the projected budget for 2007 at $727,000. In addition to funding for continuing approved projects, staff recommends the following new projects for Commission funding approval: Stormwater Facilities Maintenance and two lease purchase projects, TV Truck and Camera in FY2010 and a VACCON Sewer Cleaner in FY2011. Individual projects will be presented to the Commission for development approval. Two additional positions are included in the rate study and the requested rate increases. The positions requested are Public Service Techs I in FY2010 and III in FY2011. The Public Service Tech III would be filled through promotions from within the City. The additional equipment and positions will increase estimated operating costs in FY2010, FY2011 and FY2012 by $89,000, $201,000 and $204,000 respectively. In response to questions, Assistant Engineering Director Al Carrier said scheduled projects will take 8 to 10 years to complete. Discussion ensued with concern that Clearwater rates rank fifth out of 96 cities. It was stated a $20 million investment of Penny for Pinellas dollars would have little impact on rates over five-years. It was suggested that a reconstituted EAB (Environmental Advisory Board), with staff support, review the rate study and key benchmarks of cities with similar size. The City Manager said the scope of that request needs to be determined. It was noted it has been difficult to attract and retain EAB members. Councilmember Jonson moved to approveincreasing the residential and commercial Stormwater Utility rate to $9.91 per Equivalent Residential Unit (ERU) beginning October 1, 2006, to $10.50 per ERU beginning October 1, 2007, to $11.13 per ERU beginning October 1, 2008, to $11.80 per ERU beginning October 1, 2009 and to $12.51 per ERU beginning October 1, 2010, with the understanding that when the Environmental Advisory Board is reconstituted, they will, with staff support, undertake a study of key comparative benchmarks for stormwater Council 2006-06-15 9 motion rate utilities of similarly sized cities and how those rates are constituted. The was duly carried seconded and unanimously. Ordinance 7649-06 was presented for first reading and read by title only. Councilmember Doran moved to pass Ordinance 7649-06 on first reading. The motion was duly seconded and upon roll call, the vote was: "Ayes": Hamilton, Jonson, Doran, and Hibbard. "Nays": None. Miscellaneous Reports and Items 13. City Attorney Reports 13.1 Adopt Resolution 06-39, confirming a declaration of a State of Emergency in regard to Tropical Storm Alberto. Resolution 06-39 was presented and read by title only. Councilmember Doran moved to pass and adopt Resolution 06-39 and authorize the appropriate officials to execute same. The motion was duly seconded and upon roll call, the vote was: "Ayes": Hamilton, Jonson, Doran, and Hibbard. "Nays": None. 13.2 Attorney-Client Session regarding Allan J. Stowell and Stowell, LLC. The City Attorney requested an attorney/client session be scheduled regarding Allan J. Stowell and Stowell, LLC.V. City. Councilmember Hamilton moved to schedule an attorney/client session regarding Allan motion J. Stowell and Stowell, LLC.V. City at 12:30 p.m. on July 31, 2006. The was duly carried seconded and unanimously. 14. City Manager Verbal Reports - None. 15. Council Discussion Items 15.1 Transit Projects in Seattle, Denver and Salt Lake City This item was continued until all Councilmembers are present. 15.2 Agenda Procedure City Clerk Cyndie Goudeau distributed proposed procedures for the new agenda program. Concern was expressed that Councilmembers would be unable to research items prior to meetings if Council packets are not provided until the day of the Council meeting. Ms. Goudeau said if Council notebooks are eliminated, staff would have more time to turn packets around after Work Sessions. Council 2006-06-15 10 . Consensus was to approve the City Clerk's recommendation, except that hard-copy packets will be provided prior to the Thursday Council meeting and no notebooks are required. 16. Other Council Action Councilmembers reported on events in which they recently participated and reviewed upcoming events, encouraged residents to attend the Penny for Pinellas meeting at the Main Library on June 28, 2006, and the Clearwater Airpark Open House on June 24, 2006. Councilmember Hamilton said the energy situation is serious and expressed concern regarding Florida's position regarding drilling in the Gulf of Mexico. Councilmember Jonson acknowledged the passing of former Seminole Mayor Howard Magnum; thanked Congressman C.W. "Bill" Young for removing a bad amendment from the Highway Beautification Act; and encouraged residents to patronize downtown businesses now that streetscaping construction is underway. Councilmember Doran congratulated Clearwater resident Paige Reilly for winning another sailing event in Austria. Mavor Hibbard wished Bob Brumback congratulations and a happy retirement. 17. Adjourn . The meeting adjourned at 7:23 p.m. ~,..~t/~ '-fvffiyor City of Clearwater Attest: ~~ (;.d.t;. . City er J . Council 2006-06-15 11