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02/04/1998BEAUTIFICATION COMMITTEE MEETING CITY OF CLEARWATER February 4, 1998 Present: William Baldwin Chair Thelma Blasko Committee Member Delphine Pullar Committee Member Katherine Merriam Committee Member Robert Sudalnik Committee Member Nancy Aft Committee Member - arrived 8:17 a.m. Art Kader Acting Parks & Recreation Director Mark Roether Nursery Superintendent Patricia O. Sullivan Board Reporter Absent: Sheila Cole Committee Member Marcia Blakemore Committee Member David Stitt Committee Member 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 #2 - Approval of Minutes Member Merriam moved to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of January 7, 1998, as recorded and submitted in written summation to each board member. The motion was duly seconded. As there were no objections, the minutes were approved. ITEM #3 - Correspondence - None. ITEM #4 - Ongoing Business a) Beautification Issues Discussion 1) City Manager’s Agenda Acting Parks & Recreation Director Art Kader reported Deputy City Manager Kathy Rice has asked to attend the March 4, 1998, meeting, to discuss the City Manager’s “One City. One Future.” Project. Consensus was to invite her. In response to a question, Mr. Kader suggested the Beautification Committee question Ms. Rice regarding how members can be involved in the planning process. Nursery Superintendent Mark Roether said current plans are conceptual only. He said input is important to the City Manager. Committee ideas and suggestions are to be forwarded to the Chair. 2) Beautification Committee Agenda - None. b) Sign Lighting - Courtney Campbell Causeway In reference to lighting recently installed at the “Welcome to Clearwater” sign on the Courtney Campbell Causeway, Mr. Roether said the timing is regulated by a photocell. He reported staff had been directed to right a nearby palm tree blown over during recent inclement weather. It was stated the sign looks beautiful lighted. Mr. Roether suggested this item be removed from the agenda. c) Beautification Awards Program The January 1998 Beautification Award was presented to Bob & Eddies’ Restaurant on Gulf-to-Bay Boulevard. No new nominations were made. ITEM #5 - Staff Reports a) Solid Waste Facility Mr. Roether reported Solid Waste Director Bob Brumback had indicated he wants the Solid Waste Facility to look good. The current landscape maintenance contract does not require plant replacements. Solid Waste has requested the Parks & Recreation Department to replace plants. In response to a question, Mr. Roether said Parks & Recreation will provide the largest plant material they can. He said the Solid Waste Department was not familiar with landscaping requirements when they wrote the specifications for a RFP (Request for Proposals) for landscape maintenance. b) Clearwater Airpark Mr. Roether said Engineer Glen Bahnick will monitor the landscaping at Clearwater Airpark. Concern was expressed the look of the Airpark’s entrance and street front needs improvement. Concern was expressed regarding the shoddy level of shrub and tree care on the property. The City Commission has approved a renewable 5-year lease with Clearwater Aircraft, Inc. as the FBO (Fixed Base Operator). The FBO is responsible for mowing and maintaining the landscape. Current City negotiations with another firm are addressing the entranceway landscaping. In response to a question, Mr. Roether indicated the FBO previously had done a poor job in caring for the Airpark’s landscaping. Mr. Kader indicated the Parks & Recreation Department had been requested not to service the Airpark site as the Airpark’s enterprise fund would have to be charged for the work. It was recommended Mr. Bahnick be invited to a Beautification Committee meeting to discuss the Airpark’s landscaping and the FBO contract’s minimum maintenance requirements. Consensus was to invite Mr. Bahnick to the April 1, 1998, meeting. Mr. Roether indicated a landscaping plan for the Airpark may be available by then. c) “Welcome to Clearwater” Sign Location Mr. Roether reported space is available for a “Welcome to Clearwater” sign in the triangle in front of Countryside High School on the Southwest corner of the McMullen-Booth Road and SR 580 intersection. The sign would be visible to southbound traffic on McMullen-Booth Road and westbound traffic on SR 580. Another location, which would permit more elaborate landscaping, is on the median of SR 580, West of McMullen-Booth Road. Permission from FDOT (Florida Department of Transportation) would be required for either location. Mr. Roether suggested a welcome sign on US 19N would become lost in the clutter. It was noted low signs are difficult to see from outside lanes. Mr. Roether said only signs on State roads must be of standard height. Concern was expressed that a sign in the triangle at McMullen-Booth Road and SR 580 may limit sight distances and cause accidents. Mr. Roether preferred the SR 580 median location as it could be improved. It could not be lit at night as the median is not wired for power. In response to a question, Mr. Kader reported an overpass will be constructed on US 19N at Drew Street. Drew Street is being improved. US 19N is being resurfaced. Mr. Kader noted the City had requested FDOT delay resurfacing Gulf-to-Bay Boulevard so staff can address upgrades beforehand. FDOT projects are not flexible as contracts have been negotiated. Mr. Kader suggested a “Welcome to Clearwater” sign also could be placed on the City-owned lift station lot on McMullen-Booth Road just South of Curlew Road. Lighting could be installed at this site near the City’s northern border. It was noted confusion could result as the City of Safety Harbor has a “Welcome to Safety Harbor” sign on that side of the street, South of the proposed location. ITEM #6 - New Business - None. ITEM #7 - Adjournment The meeting adjourned at 8:40 a.m.