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10/07/1998BEAUTIFICATION COMMITTEE MEETING CITY OF CLEARWATER October 7, 1998 Present: William Baldwin Chair Delphine Pullar Committee Member Marcia Blakemore Committee Member Stephen Brown Committee Member Jean Stuart Committee Member - departed 9:01 a.m. Vacant Seats (3) Committee Member Absent: Robert Sudalnik Committee Member Also Present: Art Kader Parks & Recreation Department Director Mark Roether Nursery Superintendent Patricia O. Sullivan Board Reporter The Chair called the meeting to order at 8:00 a.m. at the Municipal Services Building. To provide continuity for research, items are in agenda order although not necessarily discussed in that order. ITEM #1 - Approval of Minutes Member Brown moved to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of September 2, 1998, as recorded and submitted in written summation to each board member. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. ITEM #2 - Correspondence The Chair reported Nancy Aft had been removed from the board. ITEM #4 - Ongoing Business a) Update - Gulf to Bay Boulevard Plan Landscape Architect Tim Kurtz displayed a design palette of hard and soft landscape elements developed by the City’s consultant. It is likely colored concrete will be used instead of pavers. The pilot project, between US 19N and Old Coachman Road, will feature tropical colors, blue swirls as a tie-in with the beach, and landscaping. In response to a question, he said the construction of bus shelters will be funded by advertisements. Concern was expressed lighting used to illuminate advertisements in bus shelters will distract drivers at night. It was hoped such advertising will be limited. Florida Power has indicated a willingness to work with the City to bury utilities, although a lack of space poses problems. The space underneath the US 19N viaduct also will be upgraded and decorated with a blue wave pattern. The City is securing easements to integrate landscaping and wave patterned concrete adjacent to SR 60 in Florida Power’s utility corridor. The project also will feature special street lights and mast arms. Mr. Kurtz said FDOT (Florida Department of Transportation) dictates limits on upgrades to the Gulf to Bay Boulevard medians. Plans are to use color concrete and plant beds of drought tolerant perennials in alternating color patterns. Date palms must be spaced far apart due to FDOT requirements. Smaller trees cannot be planted between the palms. FDOT limits median landscaping to 18-inches higher than the road surface. Consideration has been made regarding repairs resulting from vehicle mishaps. With a Police report, the City can collect replacement costs. Some green space was lost when FDOT recently altered turn lanes in the pilot project area. The City plans to submit its landscape plans to FDOT on November 1, 1998, for initial review. The plan will increase buffers, use palms as accent trees, and provide a more pedestrian friendly base. The area in front of Clearwater High School is being reviewed for upgrades. The City can obtain easements from public institutions to plant landscaping but cannot afford to maintain them. The City is reluctant to become involved in private sector improvements. It was suggested signage be installed that reflects a City theme. Mr. Kurtz said the revised Land Development Code addresses redevelopment issues and will increase buffer widths and landscaping requirements for commercial and multi-family projects adjacent to rights-of-way. The code’s aesthetic content is under review. Changes should help increase the tree canopy. Current neighborhood features will be considered instead of viewing each new project individually. Mr. Kurtz said the City has proposed to turn the new bridge access roads of Court and Chestnut streets over to the State in return for City control over streetscape plans for Cleveland Street. The City is reworking the island on Court Street west of Missouri Avenue. The road east of Missouri Avenue already is under FDOT control. The City will back light some trees along Court Street. If approved, the City will install more lights along Court Street, upgrade irrigation, and install additional flowers and plants. Parks & Recreation Director Art Kader noted future maintenance requirements for these projects requires adequate funding. In response to a question, Mr. Kader said the County budgets little to maintain landscaping along County roads, which includes large sections of Belcher Road. The medians along McMullen-Booth Road are mowed intermittently. The City could maintain these roads to look better but the cost to City taxpayers would be high. It was stated citizens should be made aware of the high cost of beautification. Concern was expressed County contracted maintenance workers seem to disregard traffic dangers along McMullen-Booth Road. Mr. Kader indicated money offered by the State to maintain green areas along US 19N would cover little of the resulting costs. In reference to the proposed pool on Clearwater beach, Mr. Kader said the City’s main concern relates to ongoing maintenance and operating expenses. The estimated $100,000 annual cost will escalate in the future. b) “Welcome to Clearwater” Sign - Update SR 580 Location The City needs to obtain a State permit before installing a sign in the State road’s median. Landscaping the sign is on the Parks & Recreation Department’s priority list. Nursery Superintendent Mark Roether said work is wrapping up at the reclaimed water facility in North Greenwood. The department also is working on the Court Street median and the new Lake Chatauqua Park. He estimated the landscaping design for the sign will be completed by the end of the month. c) Beautification Awards Program It was recommended board members view new landscaping installed at the Cypress Point Shopping Center on US 19N for consideration next month. ITEM #5 - Staff Reports Mr. Kader said the City had recommended reducing the size of the Beautification Committee by two to seven members. Concern was expressed a larger board provides more input. Member Stuart moved to reduce the size of the Beautification Committee to seven members. The motion was duly seconded. Members Blakemore, Brown, Stuart, and Chair Baldwin voted “Aye”; Member Pullar voted “Nay.” Motion carried. ITEM #6 - New Business The Chair reported his tenure on the board ends in December and a new chair needs to be elected. Suggestions to improve Clearwater beach were reviewed, including wider sidewalks and more trees and greenery. One beach resident had complained the gas lights reminded him of a cemetery. Businesses on the beach’s south end have complained that customers cannot park in the area after 10:00 p.m. Another business recommended the City plant bushes next to the parking meters to keep sand out of nearby businesses. It was suggested private enterprise should undertake some upgrades. Mr. Kader said beach maintenance is difficult. The City has planted sea oats and beach vegetation. Mr. Roether indicated dunes are damaged by pedestrians cutting through. He said the sidewalk will be repaired. ITEM #7 - Adjournment The meeting adjourned at 9:06 a.m.