07/18/2006
CITY COUNCIL WORKSESSION MINUTES
CITY OF CLEARWATER
July 18, 2006
Present: Frank Hibbard Mayor
Carlen Petersen Vice-Mayor
Hoyt P. Hamilton Councilmember
William C. Jonson Councilmember
John Doran Councilmember
Also present: William B. Horne II City Manager
Garry Brumback Assistant City Manager
Rod Irwin Assistant City Manager
Pamela K. Akin City Attorney
Cynthia E. Goudeau City Clerk
Brenda Moses Board Reporter
The Mayor called the meeting to order at 8:00 a.m. at City Hall.
To provide continuity for research, items are in agenda order although not
necessarily discussed in that order.
Presentations
Service Awards
Two service awards were presented to City employees.
Alice Eckman, Public Works Department, was presented the July 2006 Employee of the
Month award.
The Council recessed from 8:03 to 8:29 a.m. to meet as the CRA (Community
Redevelopment Agency) and the Pension Trustees.
Authorize staff to proceed with such steps necessary to place the Downtown Boat Slips Project
on the November referendum, authorize additional funding in the amount of $91,370 to come
from the unappropriated retained earnings of the Special Development Fund, and authorize
Phase III of the work order to Wade-Trim in an amount not to exceed $61,870.
At the March 16, 2006, Council meeting, City Council authorized anticipated activities
and estimated cost of $345,426 for Phases I and II of the Downtown Boat Slips project, and
approved a Work Order to Engineer of Record Wade-Trim in the amount of $258,426 for
Phases I and II. The results of this work are being presented to City Council for discussion at
this time. Wade-Trim was hired to coordinate the work required to determine the feasibility of
constructing and operating the Downtown boat slip project. They have provided a report on the
project. ATM (Applied Technology Management, Inc.) was hired to determine the market and
financial feasibility of the downtown boat slip project. ATM has provided market and financial
feasibility report. Should Council authorize a referendum on the project, additional funds will be
needed to move forward with Phase III.
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The budget approved for this project in March 2006 included: Wade-Trim – Phases I and
II - $258,426, Financial Feasibility Study -$20,000 (estimated), Public Communications -
$67,000 (estimated). Total Current Budget - $345,426. Additional Funds are needed to move
the project through the referendum process as follows: Wade-Trim – Phase III - $61,870,
Shortfall in market/financial study - $29,500, Current request - $91,370.
Note that the financial feasibility study originally was estimated at $20,000, however,
when a market study was added, the cost was $49,500. The additional $29,500 was paid from
the City Manager’s flexibility fund and authorizing those funds now will enable the return of
funds to the City Manager’s flexibility fund. A third quarter budget amendment in the amount of
$91,370 from the unappropriated retained earnings of the Special Development Fund will
provide additional funds for capital improvement project 315-93405, Downtown Boat Slips.
David Gildersleeve, Wade-Trim, provided a PowerPoint presentation, reviewed the
feasibility study and recommendations. In response to a question, he estimated the project’s
public elements would cost between $900,000 and $1.2 million. Mr. Gildersleeve said floating
concrete docks are preferred, as the difference in construction costs is saved over the life of the
docks.
Finance Director Margie Simmons reported ATM performed a 20-year financial feasibility
study, a complete market analysis, and had reviewed Wade-Trim’s construction and operational
cost estimates. Kirby Marshall, ATM, reviewed the studies. He said the demand for boat slips
is escalating. In response to a question, Mr. Marshall said the rate analysis is conservative and
the proposed rental rate of $12-$14/foot/month is reasonable. In response to a question, Ms.
Simmons said higher rental rates would reduce the construction deficit. Other options include
longer-term bond issues, payments in lieu of taxes, grants or other appropriations, and funding
upland costs as part of a Coachman Park project.
Discussion ensued regarding how o close the funding deficit. Staff will present options
to do this. Consensus was slips be available for excursion boats to only pickup and drop off
passengers and no commercial ticket booths, signage, etc. be permitted.
Staff is developing a comprehensive plan to present the referendum item to citizens in
public workshops. The City Attorney reported an ordinance would be presented for first reading
on August 3, 2006. The Supervisor of Elections requires ballot language to be submitted by
August 18, 2006, for the November referendum.
Ms. Simmons said consideration of Pension amendments may need to be delayed until
March 2007, as the November ballot will be sizeable.
Consensus was to discuss these issues on Thursday.
Office of Management and Budget
Approve the City Manager's recommended Penny for Pinellas (1% Optional Infrastructure Sales
Tax) Amended Project List for the ten-year period of 2010 through 2020.
At the May 30, 2006 Work Session, the City Council reviewed the City Manager's
recommended Penny for Pinellas projects for the next ten-year cycle. At that meeting, several
changes were suggested by the City Council. Those changes include three additional projects,
several minor title changes and a decrease in the funding for the Downtown Streetscape project
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to $12.5 million. The additional projects include: 1) Senior Facility - $3.5 million; 2) Ruth Eckerd
Hall - $4 million; and 3) Traffic Calming - $5 million.
In addition, on June 28, 2006, a Town Hall meeting was held to discuss these proposed
projects with Clearwater residents. Residents were given an opportunity to interact with the City
Council and staff. Pinellas County voters will be asked to approve an extension of the "Penny
for Pinellas" optional infrastructure sales tax for a ten-year period, from the year 2010 through
2020 in Spring 2007. According to Pinellas County estimates, the City of Clearwater will receive
approximately $138,855,000 of proceeds during this ten-year period.
The list reflects the City Manager's amended list of recommended projects, based upon
the Council's direction, representing those projects that best meet the City's needs taking into
account the City Council's Vision for the community. This recommended list totals
$130,910,180, leaving an unallocated reserve of $7,944,820. 1) Police Equipment Shelter -
$2,833,250; 2) Police Homicide Vehicle - $150,000; 3) Clearwater Beach Fire Station
Renovation/Reconstruction - $4,147,910; 4) Lakeview Fire Station Renovation/Reconstruction -
$4,755,560; 5) Countryside Fire Station Renovation/ Reconstruction - 4,648,460; 6) Downtown
Streetscaping - $12,500,000; 7) Highland Ave Widening - Union St. to Sunset Point Rd. -
$2,500,000; 8) Bayshore Blvd Realignment North of Drew St. - $2,500,000; 9) Downtown
Parking - $6,250,000; 10) Coachman Park Redevelopment - $5,000,000; 11) Youth Sports
Fields Renovations & Improvements - $7,000,000; 12) Neighborhood Parks Renovations &
Improvements - $5,000,000; 13) Recreation Trails - $3,000,000; 14) Countryside Family
Aquatics Center Development - $2,500,000; 15) Municipal Beach Parking Garage -
$12,500,000; 16) City-wide Seawall Replacement - $1,250,000; 17) Countryside Branch Library
Expansion & Renovation - $6,250,000; 18) East Branch Library Expansion & Renovation -
$6,250,000; 19) Library Technology - $1,250,000; 20) New City Hall & Parking Garage -
$25,000,000; 21) City-wide Wireless Mesh - $3,125,000; 22) Senior Facility - $3,500,000; 23)
Ruth Eckerd Hall - $4,000,000; and 24) Traffic Calming - $5,000,000.
It was stated the projects need to be prioritized and a beach parking garage
should be one of the highest. A recommendation was made that funding for missing
sidewalk segments, stormwater improvements, sewer expansion and trail
enhancements be included. A suggestion was made that funding for Downtown
Streetscaping, City Hall, and the East Library be eliminated or reduced.
Adopt a tentative millage rate of 5.42 mills for fiscal year 2006/07 and set Public Hearings on
the Budget for September 5, 2006 and September 21, 2006 to be held no earlier than 6:00 p.m.
In accordance with the TRIM Bill process, it is necessary for the City Council to adopt a
tentative millage rate prior to finalizing and adopting the Budget. The tentative millage rate will
be included in the TRIM Bill notices sent to taxpayers in early August and cannot be increased
without special mailing. The City Manager's recommended millage rate of 5.42 mills is a
reduction of one-third mill from the current millage rate of 5.753 mills. The rolled back rate,
according to State of Florida definition, is the millage rate that will provide the same ad valorem
tax revenue as was levied in the prior year. If the recommended rate of 5.42 mills is adopted,
the City's ordinance adopting the millage rate will reflect a 14.52% increase over the rolled back
rate of 4.7326 mills.
The City Manager reviewed the budget process. City Manager Intern Erin Keefe said
the Vision, Mission Statement, and performance measures are linked. Ms. Wilson said capital
improvements also are tied to the Council’s Vision. Concern was expressed regarding the cost
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for forensic services by the Sheriff and proposed funding for Jolley Trolley and Ruth Eckerd
Hall. It was recommended the budget include more cost productivity measures.
Information Technology
Approve a contract with MCIS, Inc. of Lakeland, FL in the amount of $235,000 ($223,638.05
plus 5% contingency) in accordance with Ordinance 2.564(1)(d), City of Lakeland Bid # 1165,
for the purchase and installation of a wireless network backbone for the City's wide area
network connectivity, and authorize the appropriate officials to execute same. (consent)
This project will install a microwave wireless network backbone to back-up existing City
fiber connections to primary City facilities. This infrastructure will also allow for the eventual
connection of numerous secondary facilities on the City's network. This project will establish
point to point connectivity from the Missouri radio tower to each of the following: the Del Oro
water tower, Kings Highway tower, WPC North East tower, install and connect Fire Station 48
and install and connect a tower at Pasco Gas. The new infrastructure will back-up the fiber
connections to City facilities along the Hercules Avenue corridor including, General Services
(Fleet/Building & Maintenance), Clearwater Airpark, Public Utilities, Public Services, Solid
Waste, and Fire Station 48. The wireless infrastructure will provide connections speeds ranging
from 12Mbps to 250Mbps, with an expected average performance of 155Mbps.
In response to questions, Information Technology Director Dan Mayer said mission
critical sites will be connected to radio towers, which are backed up with generators. In
response to a question regarding reliability, he indicated the main danger to the lines is being
cut.
Parks and Recreation
Approve Pinellas County Recreational Grant Funding Agreement for the Long Center, Outdoor
Restrooms, in the amount of $50,000, between Pinellas County and the City of Clearwater and
authorize the appropriate officials to execute same. (consent)
The City has been awarded a grant from Pinellas County for a total of $50,000 to assist
in the construction of a restroom/trailhead building adjacent to the new limitless playground at
the Long Center and the adjacent community park. Pinellas County assisted in funding the new
limitless playground, which replaced the 15-year-old Sunshine playground in July of this year.
For the past 15 years residents and guests to the Sunshine playground, as well as the adjoining
athletic fields, had to use restroom facilities located some distance from the playground in the
Long Center building. In addition, the East/West Trail is being expanded to start at Belcher
Road. Staff has received requests almost daily from users of the playground, as well as the
athletic fields, to install restrooms more convenient for participant’s use. The playground has
become more accessible for children with various disabilities and it is critical to have restroom
facilities closer to the playground. Additionally, this will be the western beginning/finishing point
for users of the East/West Trail.
The County is interested in being a part of this project, which will benefit not only
Clearwater residents, but all residents of Pinellas County. Total funding for the project is
estimated to be $120,000, of which 42% will come from the County and the remainder by
transferring $20,000 from CIP 93272 Bicycle Paths, and $50,000 from CIP 93246 Long Center
Pool Repairs. The $20,000 from the bike paths project was identified in the department CIP to
connect to the "trail head" building and will not adversely impact the bike path CIP. The Long
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Center Pool Repairs are being completed and the $50,000 being transferred is not needed for
that project. The $50,000 awarded through this grant will be used to purchase the actual labor
and materials to build the restroom, which includes block walls, concrete slab, framing and roof.
The new building will be opened and closed by City staff housed at the Long Center and will be
maintained by existing City staff assigned to the Long Center.
Concern was expressed that residents had been advised that restrooms are not needed
at Forest Run or Misty Springs. Parks & Recreation Director Kevin Dunbar said there are
restrooms at Misty Springs but they are inconvenient to some play fields. This is being
addressed through a proposed Penny 3 project. Forest Run is a neighborhood park with out
staff on site. The Long Center community park includes a large range of activities and disabled
component. Staff is on site to open, lock, and maintain these restrooms.
Approve policy relating to the amplification of sound at City co-sponsored events and private
events held at City venues for their musical and entertainment productions. (consent)
On June 1, 2006, the City Council approved a first amendment template agreement to
be used with various radio stations that use City venues for their musical and entertainment
productions and authorized the City Manager or his designee to execute them. As part of this
approval, staff was directed to make a recommendation to further clarify the sound policy
referenced in paragraph 3 of the template agreement. Staff has since researched the topic and
has found that most counties, municipalities, towns and jurisdictions in one way or another,
exempt athletic contests, concerts, open-air festivals, fairs, outdoor musical entertainment etc.
from such policies and ordinances, as does the City of Clearwater in Section 3-1508, D, 4, of
the Community Development Code of the City of Clearwater governing “Noise”.
Staff is recommending that the policy be added to the City Council policies under the
Leisure Section as Item C entitled “Amplification of Sound at City Venues”. If approved, the City
Manager or his designee shall be responsible to administer this policy: 1) Amplification of sound
and in particular music for an event must end at a specific time set by the City Manager or his
designee. In general, that time will be no later than 10:00 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and
no later than 11:00 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, but on certain rare occasions permitted to be
held longer; 2) Amplification of sound including music will not exceed an average of 95 decibel
or dB level measured at the house mix over a period of 30 seconds; 3) Amplification of sound
during the event will be measured by a City employee or City contractor by using a sound-level
meter which is an instrument that includes a microphone, amplifier, RMS detector, integrator or
time average, output or display meter and the weighting networks used to measure sound
pressure levels; 4) The City employee or City contractor will measure the sound levels for every
group performing at the event; 5) In the event a promoter or sponsor violates this policy, the City
employee or City contractor will require that the sound levels be adjusted to meet the standard.
If after the first warning the volumes are not adjusted to meet the policy, the City employee or
City contractor will personally adjust the sound level to bring in compliance; and 6) If a promoter
or sponsor continues to violate this policy then they will not be allowed to have concerts at City
venues.
In response to a question, Mr. Dunbar said the proposed standards evolved over time.
Staff plans to purchase sound monitoring equipment. The City Manager expressed comfort with
the policy and process for managing the rare times when events surpass established finishing
times.
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Approve Amendments to the Community Development Code imposing a moratorium upon
certain development approvals for the Marina Residential District Subarea of the Beach by
Design Special Area Plan concerning Clearwater Beach and Pass Ordinance7660-06
Since the passage of Beach by Design in 2001, a significant number of redevelopment
projects have been approved and property values have experienced unprecedented growth
rates on Clearwater beach. During this time, however, redevelopment activities have been
minimal in the Marina Residential District. The provisions of Beach by Design provide height
bonuses for projects that consolidate significant amounts of property. The use of these
incentives requires the private sector to provide a major public benefit in the way of an
easement for a “Bayside Boardwalk” along the Intracoastal Waterway. No consolidated
development has occurred since the adoption of Beach by Design and there is great concern
about the lost potential for redevelopment that incorporates major public amenities. A six-month
moratorium is to be considered for the Marina Residential District so that amendments to Beach
by Design can be prepared and adopted that will better balance development incentives at
lower thresholds with provisions for public benefits and amenities.
Assistant Planning Director Gina Clayton said staff has received several telephone calls
but no written objections regarding the proposed moratorium. The Clearwater Beach Chamber
of Commerce supports the moratorium. The difficulty of accumulating property in this district
was noted.
Council Discussion Items
Provide direction re PPC's request for a Resolution supporting Pinellas by Design: An Economic
Development and Redevelopment Plan for the Pinellas Community.
The PPC (Pinellas Planning Council) has requested the Council to adopt a Resolution
supporting Pinellas by Design and provided a draft resolution for that purpose. If the Council
directs, the resolution will be prepared for adoption on Thursday.
In response to a question, Councilmember Hamilton, the council’s representative on
PPC, knew of no objections to Pinellas by Design.
Consensus was to discuss the issue further on Thursday.
Other Council Action
Councilmember Jonson reported interest by three people in serving on the EAB
(Environmental Advisory Board); he will provide information on a proposed Florida League of
Cities resolution regarding Save our Homes Cap and from a meeting with Representative
Walker; reviewed PSTA (Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority) issues; and requested a Council
letter endorse Billiris for FLC’s second Vice-President. Consensus was to send the letter of
endorsement.
17. Adjourn
The meeting adjourned at 11:40 a.m.
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