Loading...
04/01/1998BEAUTIFICATION COMMITTEE MEETING CITY OF CLEARWATER April 1, 1998 Present: William Baldwin Chair Thelma Blasko Committee Member Delphine Pullar Committee Member Sheila Cole Committee Member Robert Sudalnik Committee Member Marcia Blakemore Committee Member Robert Clark City Commissioner Art Kader Interim Parks & Recreation Director - arrived 8:09 a.m. Mark Roether Nursery Superintendent Patricia O. Sullivan Board Reporter Absent: Katherine Merriam Committee Member Nancy Aft Committee Member David Stitt Committee Member (resigned March 26, 1998) 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 Blakemore moved to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of March 4, 1998, as recorded and submitted in written summation to each board member. The motion was duly seconded. There was no vote on the motion. In reference to page 4, paragraph 3, concern was expressed the minutes not imply that individual member recommendations can be interpreted as board consensus. Consensus was to amend the first 4 sentences of paragraph 3, page 4, to address this concern. It was questioned why member comments are not referenced by name. Board Reporter Pat Sullivan indicated the City Commission minutes are written in this manner. Commissioner Clark said minutes of City Commission meetings only name Commissioners when they make motions and when they offer comments during “Other Commission Action.” Member Pullar moved to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of March 4, 1998, as amended. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. ITEM #3 - Correspondence - None. ITEM #4 - Ongoing Business a) Clearwater Airpark Concern was expressed the Airpark present the best possible impression to visitors. Although the City planted trees along Hercules Avenue, promised improvements to the terminal area have not occured. Engineer Glen Bahnick, Liaison to the Airpark Authority, reported Airpark Authority members meet monthly and monitor the implementation of the 1989 Master Plan approved by the City Commission. Renovations to the building look good. A new lease is in place with the FBO (Fixed Base Operator). “C” Hangar is scheduled for repainting. Mr. Bahnick said the crepe myrtle planted by the Nursery Division are growing well. Staff is making random inspections of the facility and feels the FBO is doing a good job. Mr. Bahnick said a development agreement between the City and American Tool & Mold requires the company to landscape the Airpark entrance and nearby Clearwater Gas System facility in exchange for City-owned land to meet retention needs related to the company’s expansion. The site plan American Tool & Mold submitted on October 9, 1997, did not include this landscaping. The Central Permitting Department is aware the 60-day time limit has expired but probably will waive this requirement. The planned development is taking the company longer to initiate than anticipated. In response to a question, he said Assistant City Manager Bob Keller had worked on this economic development project. Discussion ensued with concerns expressed that the situation is bad and should not be allowed to continue, that the company’s delay of development is unreasonable considering the City’s offer of free land, and that the City should establish a deadline. Mr. Bahnick said delays are due to unrelated business transactions. Interim Parks & Recreation Director Art Kader said the City is trying to encourage private/public partnerships. The importance of maintaining communication lines with the company was noted. Mr. Bahnick said the FBO is responsible for landscape maintenance of the Airpark property. The City’s $15,000 operating budget is not earmarked for landscaping. The FBO is responsible for mowing the berm. Mr. Bahnick reported the City previously had spent $21,000 annually to cut the Airpark’s grass. As lawn and landscape maintenance is now the FBO’s responsibility, that expense has been eliminated from the City’s budget. Mr. Kader said the Airpark is operated as an enterprise fund and is charged for all City-installed landscaping. Mr. Roether said if the City decides to landscape the Airpark entrance, it would take at least 60 days. Discussion ensued noting the Airpark is an important City gateway, entrance improvements already have been delayed for 2 years, and promised landscaping projects at the Airpark have been delayed. Mr. Bahnick said if the City installed the landscaping at the Airpark entrance, American Tool & Mold would receive City-owned land at no cost. Discussion ensued regarding the landscaping needs of the Airpark property. It was noted the new plantings are an improvement. Mr. Kader noted landscaping depends on good maintenance. A suggestion was made that the City install more plants as the FBO will maintain them. Member Cole moved to recommend staff update the landscaping around the Airpark building to present a more attractive ambiance. The motion was duly seconded. A suggestion was made that the landscaping include attractive plants such as hibiscus and palms. Mr. Kader noted the importance of working with the Airport Authority as that board’s ideas may differ from those of the Beautification Committee. Staff is faced with changing priorities regarding landscaping. He could not assure the committee this work will be done. He will forward the recommendation to Airport Authority members. Upon the vote being taken, the motion carried unanimously. A suggestion was made that landscaping the Airpark, as a City gateway and enterprise zone, should be a top priority. The Airpark grounds offer the first impression of Clearwater to some businesses and visitors. It was requested staff report if there are problems related to this recommendation. Mr. Bahnick reported Neighbor’s Day, part of Fun ‘N Sun activities, is planned for the Airpark on May 2, 1998, between 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Commissioner Clark was welcomed to the meeting. He expressed interest in the committee’s discussion of critical issues and said he will try to attend quarterly. b) Solid Waste Facility Concern was expressed some plants installed at the Solid Waste facility had failed to mature. Mr. Roether said replacement plants have been purchased. Staff is providing the contractor with care instructions. Concern was expressed gates at the facility remain open, exposing junk and stored containers, creating an eyesore from the street. It was felt private businesses cannot be expected to uphold standards higher than City facilities. Mr. Kader will contact the department regarding this concern. In response to a question, Mr. Roether indicated the Solid Waste Department has been receptive to suggestions and has set aside money for landscaping. As concerns regarding the landscaping needs of the Solid Waste Facility have been long-term, it was felt this facility should not have to compete with other City landscaping projects. Mr. Roether said plants previously installed at the facility had met code but were not staff’s first choice. Other plant materials installed on the large Solid Waste Facility property had grown successfully. Mr. Roether agreed the facility lacks curb appeal and needs proper maintenance. The Solid Waste Department was thanked for their landscaping efforts. c) “Welcome to Clearwater” Sign SR 580 In reference to the Welcome sign recommended by the committee on March 4, 1998, Mr. Roether said staff is considering ways to run a reclaimed water line to the median so that flowers can be planted. He reported the City had hired a Landscape Architect. d) Beautification Awards Program A suggestion was made to check with Clearwater beach groups so that beautification awards not be duplicated. No awards were recommended. e) Discussion of City Manager’s Agenda It was noted the “One City. One Future” blueprint calls for work to begin on Gulf-to-Bay Boulevard within a month. Concern was expressed the Beautification Committee had not been included in the planning process. It was felt it is important for the Beautification Committee to be involved with design review. It was suggested the plan should be reviewed by the committee prior to its presentation to the public. Mr. Roether recommended the committee present the City Manager with a list of recommendations to be considered during the planning process. Member Sudalnik moved for the Beautification Committee to write a memorandum to the City Manager indicating the committee wishes to be included and involved in the “One City. One Future” plan. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. Commissioner Clark said project consultants are discussing the City Manager’s plan with the Commission and City residents. The timetable for the Gulf-to-Bay Boulevard project is restricted due to contracts issued by FDOT (Florida Department of Transportation) to repave the road this summer. He will discuss Committee concerns with the City Manager today. ITEM #5 - Staff Reports - None. ITEM #6 - New Business Member Cole indicated she had not received a copy of the minutes or agenda. It was noted Pinellas County is considering adding art to its public buildings. In response to a question, Mr. Kader said the proposal to turn the downtown section of the Pinellas Trail into a greenbelt at an estimated cost of $700,000 currently is unfunded. The project will be included in next year’s CIP (Capital Improvement Project) requests. The City will request partnership funding from Pinellas County and also will attempt to attract private funds. It was suggested companies such as Florida Power and Honeywell might be interested in trail sponsorships. Mr. Kader indicated the City has not been successful at attracting sponsorships except for special events. Staff is planting trees on the trail section South of downtown. He said safety concerns are being addressed with cross-hatching on the streets and warning signs. Planned amenities include water fountains, benches, landscaping, and “You Are Here” signs to guide trail users to downtown businesses. ITEM #7 - Adjournment The meeting adjourned at 9:18 a.m.