09/02/1998
BEAUTIFICATION COMMITTEE MEETING
CITY OF CLEARWATER
September 2, 1998
Present: William Baldwin Chair
Marcia Blakemore Committee Member
Robert Sudalnik Committee Member
Stephen Brown Committee Member - departed at 9:02 a.m.
Jean Stuart Committee Member
vacant seats (2) Committee Member
Absent: Nancy Aft Committee Member
Delphine Pullar 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 Sudalnik moved to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of July 1, 1998,
motion
as recorded and submitted in written summation to each board member. The was duly
carried
seconded and unanimously.
ITEM #2 - Introduction of New Member
Jean Stuart was welcomed to the board.
ITEM #3 - Correspondence
Two Beautification Committee members had submitted letters of resignation: 1)
Katherine Merriam resigned due to her appointment to the Library Board and 2) Thelma Blasko
resigned due to family reasons. The board currently has 7 members.
ITEM #4 - Ongoing Business
a) Update - Gulf to Bay Boulevard Plan
Parks & Recreation Director Art Kader said the City is working with consultants on a
Gulf to Bay Boulevard pilot project from US 19N to Old Coachman Road. The Parks &
Recreation Department has estimated that annual maintenance costs related to project
landscaping would be between $65,000 and $88,000. Beautification Committee ideas
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adopted by the project include planter boxes, irrigation, sprinklers, architectural concrete
instead of pavers, etc. As FDOT (Florida Department of Transportation) will not allow vertical
curbs, roll curbs will be installed. Without vertical curbs, fixed hazards, such as the date palms
depicted in the conceptual sketches, cannot be planted. Concern was expressed FDOT
requirements should have been clarified before the project was presented to the public as the
City now cannot provide the promised design. Mr. Kader said FDOT direction is only
conceptual until plans are presented. The pilot project will allow citizens to view the project
and comment. It was felt minutes should be taken at preliminary meetings with FDOT. Mr.
Kader reported the City is lobbying for special variances related to the curbs. It was felt
FDOT’s requirement is unreasonable. Mr. Kader expressed concern regarding the safety of
clean-up crews.
It was requested Public Works Administrator Rich Baier present an update of this
project at the next committee meeting. In response to a question, Mr. Kader said the Gulf to
Bay Boulevard Plan will cost several million dollars. The pilot program is being funded from
another source. Underneath the US 19N overpass, the City will plant landscaping and paint
murals. The right-of-way under Florida Power’s transmission wires also will be landscaped. In
response to a question, he said no Penny for Pinellas funds had been earmarked to beautify
US 19N. The City will look at remaining green space after the Drew Street overpass project is
complete.
b) “Welcome to Clearwater” Sign
Mr. Kader said a FDOT permit is required before the new sign can be installed on SR
580. Nursery Superintendent Mark Roether said staff will apply for a highway beautification
grant. Mr. Kader reviewed $500,000 in projects recommended for the Countryside area during
the next 10 years: 1) expand recreation center meeting room space; 2) median improvements;
3) construct a bike path on Landmark Drive from Curlew Road to Lake Chautauqua Park; and
4) expand the children’s section at the library. Mr. Roether said irrigation of reclaimed water
would improve the site.
c) Beautification Awards Program
It was recommended the committee not limit the number of awards as the process
encourages businesses to maintain their properties.
Member Sudalnik moved to award beautification awards to: 1) Dr. Desai at 908 S. St.
motion
Harrison and 2) Lokey Oldsmobile at 2339 Gulf-to-Bay Boulevard. The was duly
carried
seconded and unanimously.
ITEM #5 - Staff Reports
Mr. Kader reported Member Aft had indicated she will submit a letter to resign from the
securing a
committee as her attendance has been limited. Mr. Kader noted the difficulty of
quorum with a 9-member committee. He suggested the committee decrease its
membership to 7, which would still provide good input to the City Commission.
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Consensus was to recommend the City Commission limit Beautification Committee
membership to 7 members.
ITEM #6 - New Business
It was noted the pavement along South Ft. Harrison Avenue is in poor shape. Mr.
Kader will report on the repaving schedule.
In response to a question, Mr. Kader will report on the schedule to raze the Atrium
Hotel.
Concern was expressed many City Commission changes to the Penny for Pinellas
list affect Parks & Recreation programs. Mr. Kader said staff has found other funding
sources or ways to accommodate the projects. He said plans to install rest rooms at Forest
Run Park have been reconsidered due to maintenance concerns.
It was reported Clearwater beach organizations have formed a holiday committee to
beautify the beach during the holidays. The City will decorate Pier 60 Park. The committee
is considering poinsettias planted in pots. Mr. Kader reviewed downtown decorations and
the vendor organized “Jingle Mingle” event. Programming is planned for Coachman Park.
The City is working with the bank to increase decorations at Station Square Park. Laser
light shows are proposed but have not been approved by the City Commission. Sand Key
residents provide their own decorations. Mr. Kader said it is important to coordinate
decoration power needs with Florida Power. He recommended concentrating funds on a
single block would create an impressive display. The impact is lost if the decorations are
scattered. It was recommended the holiday committee develop a plan and budget, then
approach business owners for support.
The Chair reviewed requirements for meeting attendance and requested members
advise of pending absences.
Mr. Kader reported the beach renourishment project is underway. He is meeting
with Sand Key representatives regarding dune vegetation. Pinellas County will provide the
plants. A planting day has been suggested. The plants will beautify and protect the dunes.
Mr. Kader said the former Greater Clearwater Chamber of Commerce building will be
razed. Construction will begin on Lake Chautauqua Park in several weeks. New softball
fields at the E.C. Moore complex are near completion. He also reported the beautification
project at the Marshall Street AWT (Advanced Water Treatment) plant is half complete.
The tank is full of water.
ITEM #7 - Adjournment
The meeting adjourned at 9:05 a.m.
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