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07/01/1998BEAUTIFICATION COMMITTEE MEETING CITY OF CLEARWATER July 1, 1998 Present: William Baldwin Chair Delphine Pullar Committee Member Katherine Merriam Committee Member Marcia Blakemore Committee Member Robert Sudalnik Committee Member Stephen Brown Committee Member Art Kader Acting Parks & Recreation Director Mark Roether Nursery Superintendent - departed 8:40 a.m. Patricia O. Sullivan Board Reporter Absent: Thelma Blasko Committee Member Sheila Cole Committee Member Nancy Aft Committee Member The Chair called the meeting to order at 8:00 a.m. at the Municipal Services Building. It was noted the agenda had been misplaced and was not forwarded to board members prior to today’s meeting. New member, Steve Brown, was welcomed. To provide continuity for research, items are in agenda order although not necessarily discussed in that order. ITEM #2 - Approval of Minutes Member Sudalnik moved to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of May 6, 1998, as recorded and submitted in written summation to each board member. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. Member Merriam moved to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of June 3, 1998, as recorded and submitted in written summation to each board member. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. ITEM #3 - Correspondence Chair Baldwin said the City Manager’s June 9, 1998, memorandum to the City Commission outlining his first year’s accomplishments is impressive. He complimented the City Manager for establishing a flow of information. Copies of the memorandum were distributed to board members. ITEM #4 - Ongoing Business a) Review: Gulf-to-Bay Boulevard Plan AND b) Street Signage It was felt the Beautification Committee should forward a letter to the City Commission outlining member recommendations regarding the Gulf-to-Bay Boulevard plan. It was suggested decorative lighting atop the proposed monuments along Gulf-to-Bay Boulevard would form an attractive light pattern, similar to the one on Clearwater Pass Bridge. Other recommendations included large pots of flowers and architectural concrete in place of pavers. The extent of FDOT (Florida Department of Transportation) imposed restrictions was questioned. It was noted that items can be placed in medians with 6-inch curbs even though many previous committee recommendations to beautify medians had been rebuffed due to incorrect information. Acting Parks & Recreation Director Art Kader reported Scott Shuford had resigned his position. Public Works Administrator Rich Baier now is in charge of the Gulf-to-Bay Boulevard project. A prototype of the plan will be installed West from US 19N. It was noted architectural concrete most likely will be used although staff refers to it as “pavers” to avoid confusion. It was recommended the medians feature landscaping. Flowers can be watered by planned irrigation. Support for attractive sculptures in the medium was expressed. A different theme for separate areas was recommended. Mr. Kader said 5 or 6 sections had been suggested with art reflecting the abutting neighborhoods. The pilot project may include street level landscaping and flower pots, for example, to see what works best. Court Street will be the main route to the bridge. The importance of traffic safety was noted. The Gulf-to-Bay Boulevard project considers the entire corridor including nearby streets. Police Chief Sid Klein is responsible for the “Gateway Project” area which connects Gulf-to-Bay Boulevard with Cleveland Street. It was suggested special lighting be extended throughout Clearwater. Mr. Kader said plans are to improve the medians in Countryside. He noted Dunedin’s revitalization project was successful by concentrating on a small area. In response to a question, he said the consultants have recommended reducing speeds on Gulf-to-Bay Boulevard. Concern was expressed lower speed limits will reduce traffic and business for Gulf-to-Bay merchants. It was noted the Beautification Committee had recommended a uniform signage project to direct visitors. Nursery Superintendent Mark Roether reported the State will install mast arm signal lights during the repaving project. Concern was expressed that FDOT and City signage may overwhelm visitors. Discussion ensued regarding FDOT signs. It was suggested FDOT signage conform to City design. It was felt identification and directional signs should have a uniform look. It was suggested the shapes of the signs could be unique. It was noted Disney World’s Celebration community had paid special attention to details on their signs. The result is attractive. It was reported the manufacturer will not guarantee the aquamarine color favored by the Beautification Committee for street signs. The blue color now used is guaranteed. It was felt the new signs are attractive. It was suggested staff also review the banners for redesign. Consensus was for the Chair to draft a memorandum to Mr. Baier outlining committee recommendations. c) “Welcome to Clearwater” Sign SR 580 Mr. Kader indicated staff had applied for permits to install the sign. Plans are to expand the landscaping project throughout Countryside. Staff will apply for grants to cover landscaping costs. Concern was expressed regarding the poor quality of County maintenance of landscaping along McMullen-Booth Road. Mr. Kader indicated the landscaping project was not planted evenly. Pinellas County is willing to landscape County roads but not to maintain them. The City has accepted that responsibility for the Memorial Causeway. Ongoing maintenance expenses are high. State maintenance standards are quite low. It was suggested the City apply for State money. Mr. Kader said State funding would reflect their current minimum level of maintenance. d) Beautification Awards Program The Committee will observe the landscaping at Dr. Desai’s office at 908 S. St. Harrison and Lokey Oldsmobile at 2339 Gulf-to-Bay Boulevard. e) Solid Waste Facility Concern was expressed this facility is unattractive. f) Clearwater Airpark Mr. Kader reported he sent a memorandum to Rich Baier and Glen Bahnick. Since the airpark is now a general fund department, Mr. Kader had indicated the facility is a gateway to the City and had requested money be budgeted for landscaping needs. ITEM #5 - Staff Reports Mr. Kader said the Parks & Recreation Department is installing a massive landscaping project at the reclaimed water site at the Harbor Drive Water Pollution Control Plant. A mural is being considered. Landscaping also is being installed at the East Water Pollution Control Plant. It was suggested a different color of paint on the building may be less intrusive. ITEM #6 - New Business Concern was expressed regarding the approved route for the new Memorial Causeway bridge. It was noted architectural drawings are being prepared. The route was discussed during a series of meetings although the Commission did not approve the community’s recommended route. ITEM #7 - Adjournment The meeting adjourned at 9:05 a.m.