Loading...
02/05/1997BEAUTIFICATION COMMITTEE MEETING CITY OF CLEARWATER February 5, 1997 Present: William Baldwin Chair Katherine Merriam Member Delphine Pullar Member Marcia Blakemore Member Candace Gardner Member Nancy Aft Member Thelma Blasko Member Ream Wilson Parks and Recreation Director Mark Roether Parks and Recreation Supervisor Brenda Moses Board Reporter Absent: Sheila Cole Member Robert Sudalnik Member 1. Call to Order The meeting was called to order by Chair Baldwin at 8:10 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. 2. Approval of Minutes - January 8, 1997 Member Blasko moved to approve the minutes of January 8, 1997 as submitted in writing to each member. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. 3. Correspondence Chair Baldwin noted all members should have received a copy of his letter to the City regarding this Board’s preference for the proposed Memorial Causeway Bridge. City Engineer, Rich Baier, sent this Board a letter thanking us for the opportunity to attend a Beautification Committee meeting. Chair Baldwin read a letter he wrote to the St. Petersburg Times. The letter noted that the St. Petersburg Times did not mention the Beautification Committee in their article on the planting of palms on Gulf-to-Bay Boulevard. 4. Ongoing Business A. Appreciation Program In Member Sudalnik’s absence, his wife presented information regarding cost of materials for certificates of appreciation. Michael’s Crafts offered this Board a 30% discount on materials. Discussion ensued regarding whether or not to make the Appreciation Program a contest and to advertise in the newspapers. It was suggested more specific criteria be developed before implementation of this program. Members were encouraged to look at the 2 properties nominated for awards, Magnolia Manor and the Crab House, before the next meeting. The intention of this program was not to be a contest, but to recognize those property owners who beautify their properties and continuously maintain it at a certain level. B. Anti-Litter Campaign A member read a letter addressed to the Beautification Committee from an Elder at Trinity Presbyterian Church. While patronizing Gulf-to-Bay Supply, he noticed a litter problem. He asked the vendor for a waste basket, since there were no garbage receptacles on the street. It was noted there is a transient problem which contributes to the litter problem in various areas of the City, but that is a police matter. There are various organizations throughout the City which periodically volunteer to clean littered areas throughout the City. Discussion ensued regarding anti-litter signs, bumper stickers, and the costs involved. Members were asked to contemplate this issue for further discussion at the next meeting. C. Bayview Association Request Parks and Recreation Director, Ream Wilson, gave the Board an update on the status of this request. The Pinellas County Planning Council is looking into the possibility of submitting an application to obtain a Preservation 2000 grant to acquire the property. There is county property adjacent to this property. The City would have to supply matching grant funds. A lot of thought and support is being given to this project. Member Pullar moved that this Board send the Bayview Association a letter of support. Chair Baldwin will write and send the letter. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. D. Neighborhood Sign Program A member remarked that there was a Coalition of Homeowners meeting Monday night. Many people expressed great interest in beautification. E. Memorial Causeway Bridge It was remarked that the City is probably waiting for the outcome of the Penny for Pinellas before any final decisions are made regarding the Memorial Causeway Bridge. It was noted that the preferred alignment was the “south” alignment. F. Gulf-to-Bay Beautification Program Parks and Recreation Supervisor, Mark Roether, referred to a letter sent to businesses on Gulf-to-Bay Boulevard. He will inform this Board of the status of this program at the next meeting, after responses are compiled from business owners. 5. Staff Reports No formal staff reports were given. 6. New Business The water tower on Clearwater Beach will be removed. The Clearwater Beach Association requested that the property on which it stands be expanded as part of the existing park area. The County is advertising for bids for the extension of the Pinellas Trail. It was noted part of it will extend across the street from the Municipal Services Building. A member remarked that the downtown area has the potential to be an urban center. Discussion ensued regarding a hotel, the location of the library, the Chamber of Commerce and the Harborview Center. A remark was made that the library does not need “prime” space, but the business community does. “Anchors” for smaller businesses is vital. An example given was the Countryside Mall, where anchor stores are at each end of the mall, with stores in the middle. 7. Adjournment The meeting adjourned at 9:27 a.m.