11/06/1996
BEAUTIFICATION COMMITTEE MEETING
CITY OF CLEARWATER
November 6, 1996
Present: William Baldwin Chair
Katherine Merriam Member
Marcia Blakemore Member
Sheila Cole Member
Candace Gardner Member
Nancy Aft Member
Thelma Blasko Member
Mark Roether Parks and Recreation Nursery
Superintendent
Brenda Moses Board Reporter
Absent: Delphine Pullar Member
Robert Sudalnik Member
Ream Wilson Parks and Recreation Director
1. Call to Order
The meeting was called to order by Chairperson Baldwin at 9:02 a.m. at the
In order to provide continuity for
Municipal Services Building, Clearwater, Florida.
research, the items will be listed in agenda order although not necessarily
discussed in that order.
2. Approval of Minutes of October 2, 1996
Member Cole requested item #5, sentence one read “construction of a
movedmotion
swimming pool”. Ms. Cole to approve the minutes as amended. The
carried
was duly seconded and unanimously.
3. Correspondence
No correspondence has been received since the last meeting.
4. Ongoing Business
A. Gulf-to-Bay Beautification Program
It was noted this project has been fully funded. Discussion ensued regarding
businesses along Gulf-to-Bay that may be interested in planting palm trees on their property.
City employees will perform visual inspections before the next meeting, listing commercial
properties where sufficient space could accommodate palms. The Beautification Committee
will use City letterhead to mail letters to businesses on the list. Mr. Roether will provide the
Committee with costs for the trees.
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B. “Welcome to Clearwater” Sign Landscaping Courtney Campbell Causeway
The Courtney Campbell Causeway “Welcome to Clearwater” sign was
landscaped this week. It was noted the sign on Sand Key had to be re-landscaped
after the last storm.
C. Memorial Causeway Bridge
Chair Baldwin and Member Aft attended the October public meeting regarding
the proposed Memorial Causeway Bridge. The meeting went well. Attendees
participated in a mock vote. Some residents voted to “do nothing”. Discussion ensued
regarding traffic pattern changes and exposure to downtown businesses. Another
public meeting will be held in December.
D. Neighborhood Sign Program
This project has been put on hold pending information from Ream Wilson, who
is absent from this meeting.
Other signage was discussed. It was noted the City has implemented a sign
ordinance, and compliance was required this year. The last round of inspections have
been completed and citations issued to violators. It was noted the ordinance has
added to the beautification of the City. It was suggested that this Committee send a
formal letter to the City’s Traffic Engineering Department to compliment them on the
new turquoise parking signs displaying the hibiscus. It was noted the green signs on
Cleveland Street which say “Convention Center” are impossible to read because the
letters are very small. A remark was made that the signs serve no purpose
whatsoever.
E. Appreciation Program
It was suggested sending a follow up letter to the City Manager regarding this
issue.
5. Staff Reports
No staff reports were given.
Palms are scheduled to be planted on the new Police headquarters property.
Irrigation installation began Monday.
A comment was made that there is no pedestrian walkway along the parking lot
on Clearwater Beach. It was noted pedestrian walkways must be located at lighted
intersections. There is a crosswalk at the northwest corner of the Marina up to Pier 60.
Pier 60 Park is scheduled for completion this Friday. The concession stand will
officially open this weekend, and a grand opening celebration is scheduled for
November 24, 1996.
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The pool for the recreation center will be discussed at 1996/97 budget planning
sessions. It was noted it will be more of an aquatic center than a pool.
6. New Business
On November 20, 1996 at the Long Center on Belcher Road, the North Area
Council of the Chamber of Commerce and the Coalition of the Clearwater Homeowners
Association are co-sponsoring an information session regarding the Penny for Pinellas
tax. It is important for everyone to know what projects the tax will cover, and that it is
not a new tax.
Construction of the Clearwater link of the Pinellas Trail is under way. The Parks
and Recreation Department has been asked to inspect some palms that may need to
be relocated.
7. Adjournment
The meeting adjourned at 9:50 a.m.
_________________________________
Chair
Beautification Committee
Attest:
_____________________________________
Board Reporter
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