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08/04/1999BEAUTIFICATION COMMITTEE MEETING CITY OF CLEARWATER August 4, 1999 Present: Marcia Blakemore Chair Steve Brown Committee Member Brooks Hammac Committee Member Candace Hider Committee Member Also Present: Kevin Dunbar Parks and Recreation Director Mark Roether Nursery Superintendent Bobbie Downs Staff Assistant II Absent: Jean Stuart Committee Member Vacancies (2) Committee Members 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. Introduction of Kevin E. Dunbar, new Parks and Recreation Director Mr. Dunbar said the department is charged with preparing its master plan, either by utilizing staff or by contracting a professional. He expects work to begin in the next month or so. 3. Arts in Public Places and the Millennium Celebration – Margo Walbolt, Recreation Program Coordinator - Ms. Walbolt presented an overview of neighboring cities’/counties’ ordinances wherein a percentage of new construction funds is allocated for acquisition, commission or other forms of promotion of artwork in public environments. Her handouts were Existing Florida Public Art Programs, Public Art Program Outline, and Public Art – City of Tampa, Hillsborough County, University of South Florida. She said neither Pinellas County nor the City of Clearwater has such ordinances, although the county has an Arts Council that assists cities in forming theirs. Discussion ensued. The committee recommended the City Commission hear a presentation by Ms. Judith Powers Jones of the Pinellas County Arts Council. Ms. Walbolt will prepare a background draft for the committee to discuss at its next meeting. Chair Blakemore will write the final memo. Ms. Walbolt is a member of the Arts and Culture Committee of the Pinellas County Millennium Celebration. Under that umbrella, the City of Clearwater submitted about a dozen events to be designated as official events. Cities also are pursuing individual events as legacy projects. Chair Blakemore suggested the City of Clearwater undertake an individual project. Ms. Walbolt suggested a cooperative effort with the Clearwater Historical Society might be pursued. 4. Approval of Minutes of July 7, 1999 - Member Brown moved to approve the minutes as recorded and submitted in written summation to each board member. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. 5. Correspondence - None 6. Old Business a) Parks & Recreation Capital Projects - Nursery Superintendent Mark Roether reviewed the Status of Capital Projects, highlighting work underway at Cherry Harris Park, landscaping at Eddie C. Moore West complex, and a recreation path at Del Oro. Mr. Dunbar said the path was modified in some places to accommodate its neighbors. In response to a question by Member Hider, Mr. Roether said the Gulf-to-Bay Boulevard median beautification project is out for bid, and it is hoped a landscape contractor will be retained and work completed by September. b) Nominations for Beautification Awards – Chair Blakemore said the new Taco Bell-KFC-Pizza Hut property on Missouri Avenue is not located within city limits so is not eligible for an award. Member Brown moved to present IMR Global Center a beautification award. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. 7. Staff Reports a) Landscape Projects Priority List - Mr. Roether reviewed the list, noting the Welcome sign at Arlie Avenue and Bayshore Boulevard has been installed. A dock is being installed at Lake Chautauqua. 8. New Business Committee Procedures Mr. Roether read a memo from City Clerk Cyndie Goudeau outlining procedures for submitting minutes to City Commissioners, for making recommendations for City Commission consideration, and for including recommendations in department City Commission agenda items as part of the summary of the item. Mr. Dunbar said if the committee wanted to make a recommendation to the commission, a memorandum should be generated along with the minutes. Mr. Roether suggested the committee pick one item and work on it as a project. Comments From Members Chair Blakemore submitted a petition regarding commercial development of the “Historic Bayview” section of land near Bayside Bridge. Member Hider moved to send a memo to the City Commission saying the committee does not support the proposed zoning change of the land. The motion was duly seconded. Upon the vote being taken, Members Blakemore, Hammac and Hider voted “Aye”; Member Brown voted “Nay.” Motion carried. Member Hammac moved to recommend the City Commission pursue the area as a park. Upon the vote being taken, Members Blakemore, Hammac and Hider voted “Aye”; Member Brown voted “Nay.” Chair Blakemore will draft both memos. 9. Adjournment - The meeting adjourned at 9:30 a.m.