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01/05/2000BEAUTIFICATION COMMITTEE MEETING CITY OF CLEARWATER January 5, 2000 Present: Marcia Blakemore Chair Steve Brown Committee Member Brooks Hammac Committee Member Candace Hider Committee Member Jean Stuart Committee Member Also Present: Kevin Dunbar Parks and Recreation Director Leroy Chin Parks, Planning & Projects Manager Bobbie Downs Staff Assistant II Absent: Vacancies (2) Committee Members The Chair called the meeting to order at 8 a.m. at the Municipal Services Building. To provide continuity for research, items are in agenda order although not necessarily discussed in that order. 2. Approval of Minutes of December 1, 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. 3. Correspondence - None 4. Old Business Nominations for Beautification Awards – None Mr. Chin introduced a new design for the Beautification Award Certificate of Appreciation. He suggested presenting the award at City Commission meetings. Media coverage would be sought. Discussion ensued, and members agreed with the improvements. 5. New Business Election of Officers Member Hider nominated Jean Stuart to serve as Chair. Member Brown seconded. Member Stuart nominated Chair Blakemore to another term. She declined. Upon a vote being taken, Member Stuart was elected unanimously. Member Hammac nominated member Hider for the position of Vice Chair. The motion was seconded. Upon a vote being taken, Member Hider was elected unanimously. Comments Chair Blakemore showed an article from the January 2, 2000, Clearwater Times titled “Support grows for public art program,” which the committee has been studying. In response to a question, Mr Dunbar said the issue of trimming mangroves did not get beyond potential cost. Mr. Chin said he contacted Steve Rockwell of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission in Tallahassee and sent a packet of information regarding the Allen’s Creek project. The two expect to work toward developing a better habitat for wildlife as well as helping the City with funding. He said development will not begin until the County turns over that property to the City. Member Stuart noted a lack of butterfly plants in the plans for Allen’s Creek. Mr. Chin said butterfly exhibits, such as one put together by Swiftmud at the Museum of Science and Industry in Tampa, are being considered for the project. In response to a question by member Hammac, Mr. Dunbar said the Committee is not involved in taking a position on bayfront development. City officials are exploring different ideas, and a City referendum would have to be held. Mr. Dunbar pointed out development of the Bayfront Tennis Courts has opened up the view at that area, with all work except demolition of previous courts being done in-house. Mr. Chin said some reorganization of the parking lot and possible use of the Lift Station as a practice wall are being considered. Mr. Chin asked committee members to define its goals and areas of focus for the future. Member Brown suggested the committee focus on providing input for the master plan. Mr. Dunbar said the committee is the best forum to involve a community group and also attract more members. He said the plan is expected to be completed between October and December of this year but will be continuously updated with committee input. Discussion ensued and the committee agreed on that focus. Mr. Dunbar said he would talk with the mayor and ask the commission to actively seek more committee members. In response to a question from Member Hammac regarding beautification plans for the development at the former Sunshine Mall, Mr. Dunbar said that is automatic in City Code. Not on the Agenda – In response to a suggestion of incorporating a millennium project into the Memorial Causeway design, Mr. Dunbar said Engineering is receptive to the idea. He said the committee should decide where a monument would be erected, how much it would cost, and who would pay for it. Chair Blakemore said Chuck McPherson of the Clearwater Historical Society suggested including the two figures of war heroes currently at the base of the causeway in the new design. Member Hammac suggested placing plaques throughout the area highlighting history of the area, such as one at Druid Road. Mr. Chin suggested input from citizens. Mr. Dunbar said he would talk with Mr. McPherson and report back to the committee. Parks Master Plan – Leroy Chin, Parks, Planning and Projects Manager – Mr. Chin discussed a packet of information mailed to each member prior to the meeting, which included the following handouts and booklets: Naturescape – Urban Wildlife Enhancement Program; Plant Guide – Native Species to Florida; A Guide to Environmentally Friendly Landscaping – Florida Yards and Neighborhoods Handbook; Cross-section – Marsh Development/Lakes; Also, Draft – Outline – Parks and Recreation Master Plan; Mr. Steve Swanberg’s Points to Consider regarding the Parks and Recreation Master Plan development; list of parks within the park system in the City of Clearwater; and CLEARWATER Magazine, giving a brief description of the parks. Mr. Chin showed a map of the city outlining districts for study. He said the process of taking inventory of park properties has begun. Referring to the Master Plan Outline/Draft, he asked members to review the outline and provide input. Comments included: Member Hammac suggested communicating to the community through the media. Member Hider suggested contacting neighborhood associations for input. Mr. Dunbar said the city’s Neighborhood Coordinator would work with Parks and Recreation in that area. Member Brown suggested unified signage at entrances to the City. Chair Blakemore suggested a line of fountains at the Courtney Campbell Causeway entrance. Mr. Dunbar said the master plan also will address the non-resident issue. He said dialog has begun with Pinellas County to obtain capital dollars to develop and operate facilities for non-residents. Otherwise, higher fees may be charged non-residents. Mr. Chin said future committee meetings will include visits to the Island Estates playground and the Family Aquatic Center. The next meeting will be held February 2, 2000, at the Parks and Recreation Department Conference Room. The committee will continue to discuss the master plan. 7. Adjournment - The meeting adjourned at 9:22 a.m.