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06/04/1997BEAUTIFICATION COMMITTEE MEETING CITY OF CLEARWATER June 4, 1997 Present: William Baldwin Chair Katherine Merriam Member Delphine Pullar Member Marcia Blakemore Member Robert Sudalnik Member Rich Baier City Engineer (departed 9:05 a.m.) Ream Wilson Parks and Recreation Director (arrived 8:30 a.m.) Mark Roether Parks and Recreation Nursery Superintendent Brenda Moses Board Reporter Absent: Nancy Aft Member Thelma Blasko Member Sheila Cole Member 1. Call to Order The meeting was called to order by Chair Baldwin at 8:03 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. Approval of Minutes - May 7, 1997 Member Pullar moved to approve the minutes of May 7, 1997 as submitted in writing to each member. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. Correspondence Chair Baldwin noted a letter was sent to former Member Candace Gardner in appreciation of her 5 years of service to the City. She will be recognized at next year’s City Board Appreciation Dinner. Ongoing Business A. Appreciation Program No specific items were discussed. B. Anti-Litter Campaign Member Sudalnik spoke to the City of Portland, Oregon’s Parks and Recreation Department regarding their beautification program. In 1980, Portland began to revitalize their waterfront and downtown areas. They brought in planners and obtained their City Commission’s assistance for revitalization. The key was getting Urban Renewal financing from the State. Member Marcia Blakemore wrote to 3 other cities but has not received a response to date. She will follow up on her request. C. Gulf-to-Bay Beautification Program Nursery Superintendent, Mark Roether noted the project is nearly complete. A few businesses have expressed their concern about the palm plantings blocking their signs since the City has been so firm about the sign ordinance. It was noted although the palms are being planted on the City right-of-way, palms would not be planted should any business owners object. D. Welcome Sign, Courtney Campbell Causeway It was noted that survey crews will be staking the available property on the Courtney Campbell Causeway today or tomorrow. A suggestion was made that something larger or fuller be planted in the area of the Welcome sign to enhance the sign. 5. Staff Reports No formal staff reports were offered. 6. New Business City Engineer Rich Baier shared information regarding the Bayfront Park. Last month some of the City Boards recommended to the City Commission to consider the P4 South and P4A routes for the new Memorial Causeway Bridge. The Commission had to take many factors into account, including environmental litigation, the threat of a lawsuit by Pierce 100 residents, and increased costs. Some members of the Beautification Committee may be asked for input into the next phase of the project and the Bayfront expansion. Mr. Baier updated Board Members on the status of the bridge, and referred to a map of the bluff and downtown area. Discussion ensued regarding the placement of the tennis courts on the bayfront. It was suggested that Coachman Park be an urban park rather than a passive park. It was remarked that a master plan must be developed to incorporate multipurpose facilities with a branch library, a policing facility, meeting rooms, parking areas or structures, ground floor retail shops. Traffic flow, and other considerations must be addressed. Capitalizing on the downtown view was discussed. Mr. Baier presented an artist’s rendition of the existing and proposed views of the bluff and downtown area with regard to the new bridge. It was requested that Mr. Baier supply this Board with a true scale map of the height and direction of the proposed new bridge relative to Pierce 100 and the downtown area. Adjournment The meeting adjourned at 9:20 a.m.