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09/04/1996BEAUTIFICATION COMMITTEE CITY OF CLEARWATER September 4, 1996 Present: William Baldwin Chair Katherine Merriam Committee Member Marcia Blakemore Committee Member Sheila Cole Committee Member Candace Gardner Committee Member Robert Sudalnik Committee Member Nancy Aft Committee Member Thelma Blasko Committee Member Mark Roether Parks and Recreation Nursery Superintendent Ream Wilson Parks and Recreation Director Brenda Moses Board Reporter Absent: Delphine Pullar Committee Member I. Call to Order The meeting was called to order by Chairperson Baldwin at 9:02 a.m. at the Municipal Services Building, Clearwater, Florida. In order to provide continuity for research, the items will be listed in agenda order although not necessarily discussed in that order. II. Approval of Minutes for August 7, 1996 Ms. Cole moved to approve the minutes as submitted in writing to each member by the Board Reporter. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. III. Correspondence Memorandums from Mr. Wilson, one to City Manager Deptula and the other to Tourism Development Director Sherry were reviewed. The Office of Tourism is recommending a City-wide street banner program be considered. Initial recommendations are to expand the existing downtown banner subjects into high traffic commercial areas throughout the City. Subjects include Jazz Holiday, Sun ‘N Fun, Welcome Phillies, and Welcome Winter Visitors. Ms. Sherry had indicated the Jazz Holiday vendors and other vendors involved in theme activities may not embrace the hibiscus logo. The Office of Tourism indicated the primary message may become diluted or confusing should the hibiscus be included. Rather than adding the hibiscus to other subjects, consideration of a banner solely for the hibiscus logo was suggested. Ms. Aft emphasized the Committee’s intention is to recognize the hibiscus as the City’s logo. It would be used on signs on a permanent basis, and would not be replaced when other theme banners changed. Various other elements such as T-shirts or other promotional items for Sun ‘N Fun or the Jazz Holiday would not be affected by the logo. Mr. Wilson said banners and signs must adhere to City and State codes. Brackets for banners on State roads must be 16 1/2 feet above the DOT (Department of Transportation) road base and 2 feet back from the vertical curb. Hanging banners from top and bottom brackets would be preferred. Cloth or plastic material could become tattered. Framed wooden or metal banners are more durable. It was agreed members will consider all options and further discuss ideas at the next meeting. Mr. Wilson noted the proposed City-wide banner program being considered by the Commission does include expansion for Clearwater Beach, North Greenwood and Gulf-to-Bay Boulevard from Crest Lake Park to McMullen Booth Road. IV. Ongoing Business A. Landscaping - “Welcome to Clearwater” Signs Ms. Cole complimented Mark Roether, City Parks and Recreation Nursery Superintendent, on outstanding landscaping done throughout the City. She remarked landscaped triangles at the beach are gorgeous, and the parking lot landscaping along the perimeter of the right-of-way south of Pier 60 is impressive. It was noted Mr. Roether is also responsible for landscaping at Coopers Bayou Park, the City property at Soule Road, Pier 60 Park, the new police station, and the Municipal Services Building. Mr. Roether said the Sand Key sign has been landscaped with hawthorn, hibiscus and creeping lantana; the sign at Edgewater Drive was landscaped and palm fronds trimmed; and the sign at State Road 60 was mounded with fill dirt and will be landscaped next week. Mr. Wilson said the dedication of Coopers Bayou Park is September 9, 1996 at 2:00 p.m. and everyone is invited. B. Gulf-to-Bay Beautification Program Mr. Baldwin circulated a booklet and pictures of Victoria British Columbia Canadian landscaping. First impressions are important to the vitality of any City. It was noted any type of landscaping to soften and beautify the concrete look of main thoroughfares, especially Gulf-to-Bay Boulevard, would be an improvement. Portulaca flowers and other minimal care foliage were suggested for landscaping Gulf-to-Bay Boulevard. Potted plants permanently affixed to cement areas was also suggested. Mr. Wilson reminded everyone that Gulf-to-Bay Boulevard is a State road, and the City must conform to DOT requirements. It was noted some rights-of-way throughout the City are very narrow, and businesses are dependent upon concrete for parking spaces. Utilities must also be considered when planning landscaping projects. C. Memorial Causeway Bridge The Memorial Causeway Bridge meeting has been rescheduled for mid-October. Ms. Deptula has asked the State not to go forward with planned repairs until such time a determination is made whether the proposed bridge will be built. Mr. Baldwin noted Clearwater’s philosophy on funding the construction is probably similar to Tampa’s regarding “malfunction junction". Tampa will perform the work and receive reimbursement, plus interest, from the State 8 or 9 years later. Although Clearwater prefers not to wait 10 to 12 years for the State to build the proposed bridge, without assurances for reimbursement the City will not proceed with bridge construction. The City engineers have distributed questionnaires to obtain feedback regarding the proposed bridge. Should a new bridge be built, it will affect the waterfront design, and therein the Beautification Committee’s future interests. D. Appreciation Program Mr. Wilson will update the Committee on the status of the proposed Appreciation Program upon receipt of feedback from City Manager Deptula. E. Staff Reports Mr. Wilson indicated the Commission is considering a proposal for a parking lot on the south side of the causeway, and has asked for input on the proposal from advisory committees. The proposed parking lot would provide 48 parking spaces for fishermen and the marina. It was noted some of the marina cruise ships are rated to carry more passengers than the City permits, because of the limited number of parking spaces currently available in the marina lot. Additional parking would enable cruise ships to carry more passengers and boost revenues. The Committee expressed concern about traffic problems, access, and pedestrian safety. It would be necessary for traffic traveling west to turn around and proceed east in order to park in the lot. Ms. Cole said it would be necessary for pedestrians to cross a small bridge, walk through a smaller parking lot, and walk around a dumpster area before entering the marina. She said last year consultants proposed re-striping the City parking lot near the marina. The study indicates that 100 additional parking spaces could be added if existing spaces were reduced in size. Mr. Sudalnik moved as a first option, the City reconsider the parking plan to re-stripe and re-meter existing City lots as recommended by consultants last year, rather than build new lots. Safety hazards, loss of green space, and traffic problems with the proposed causeway parking lot were cited as justification for the motion. The motion was seconded and carried unanimously. V. New Business Mr. Wilson complimented Mr. Baldwin on the annual report submitted to the Commission. Mr. Baldwin gave Mr. Sudalnik a copy of Section 2.101 of Division 3 of the City code which states the responsibilities of the Beautification Committee. Discussion ensued regarding Member Pullar’s attendance at meetings. Her employer will not grant her time to attend meetings unless she uses it as vacation time. According to City ordinance, any member of a board may be removed by the City Manager for excessive absences. Boards that meet monthly may recommend removal of a member for more than 4 absences, excused or unexcused, in a 12 month period. A consensus of members indicated Member Pullar is a vital member of the team, and the Committee does not recommend removal. Mr. Wilson said this is Ms. Pullar’s first term. Prior to the next term, the City Commission will review her past year’s attendance, and may or may not re-appoint her to another term due to the number of absences. A leave of absence was suggested, but criteria is not known to be applicable in this situation. VI. Adjournment Ms. Merriam moved to adjourn at 10:12 a.m. The motion was seconded and carried unanimously. _________________________________ Chair Beautification Committee Attest: _____________________________________ Board Reporter