04/28/2003
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CITY COMMISSION WORK SESSION
CITY OF CLEARWATER
April 28, 2003
Present: Brian J. Aungst
Hoyt P. Hamilton
Whitney Gray
William C. Jonson
Frank Hibbard
Mayor/Commissioner
Vice-Mayor/Commissioner
Commissioner
Commissioner
Commissioner
Also present: William B. Horne II
Garry Brumback
Ralph Stone
Pamela K. Akin
Mary K. Diana
Patricia O. Sullivan
City Manager
Assistant City Manager
Assistant City Manager
City Attorney
Assistant City Clerk
Board Reporter
The Mayor called the meeting to order at 10:10 a.m. at City Hall following a meeting of
the CRA (Community Redevelopment Agency).
To provide continuity for research, items are in agenda order although not
necessarily discussed in that order.
PRESENTATION
City Supervisory - Leadership Development Proaram
The Mayor presented certificates and offered congratulations to supervisors who had
completed the Leadership Development Program.
PUR PURCHASING
Approval of Purchases per Purchasina Memorandum:
1) Data Flow Systems, Inc., Melbourne, Florida - Labor and materials to upgrade the telemetry
system at Lift Stations 2, 4, 21, 25, 26, 28, 41 m 50, 54 and 65 for $67,395. (PW /UTIL)
2) McKim and Creed Engineers, Clearwater, Florida - Wellfield permit modification for
$55,500. (PW/ENG)
In response to a question regarding Item #2, City Engineer Mike Quillen said the
modified permit application to SWFWMD (Southwest Florida Water Management District) will
request ability to withdraw additional groundwater and lower chlorides standards. The goal is to
increase use of City wellfields.
Commission Work Session 2003-04-28 1
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MR MARINE IAVIATION
Approve the Conditional Assianment of Lease for Room 4 in the Municipal Marina from
Thomas C. and Patricia A. Wolkowsky, dba Pirates Pantry, to Denis A. and Cheryl L. White,
dba Pirates Pantry.
On September 1, 2001, Thomas C. Wolkowsky and Patricia A. Wolkowsky entered into
a three (3) year lease with the City for marina building space occupied by the Pirates Pantry.
The Pirates Pantry lease will expire on August 31,2004. The fixed rent for the Pirates Pantry
lease is $324 per month, plus tax and 6% of yearly gross sales exceeding $65,000. A CPI
(Consumer Price Index) will be added to the monthly rental payment on January 1, each year of
the lease. Under terms of the lease, the lessee is responsible for all improvements,
maintenance, insurance, taxes, and utilities for the rented space.
Thomas C. Wolkowsky and Patricia A. Wolkowsky have advised the City they want to
sell the Pirates Pantry business to Denis A. White and Cheryl L. White. Denis A. White and
Cheryl L. White will assume and agree to perform every covenant and obligation of the Lease
Agreement and will sign a Guaranty of Payment of Rent under the lease agreement for
$5,518.03.
In response to a question, Marine & Aviation Director Bill Morris said the 225-square foot
business supports commercial boat traffic and marina tenants and offers impulse items. The
Whites previously had run another type of successful business in Clearwater and wish to prove
themselves in this business.
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PR PARKS AND RECREATION
Approve Parks and Recreation Board recommendation naminq City property located within
Court Street to the south, Prospect Avenue to the west, Park Street to the north, and Ewing
Avenue to the east, Freedom Lake Park.
The Town Lake project developed and enlarged an existing pond to create a 3.8-acre
lake, with approximately one-half acre of surrounding parkland. The lake provides flood
protection and stormwater treatment for approximately 109 acres of contributory drainage area
using a combination of chemical (alum injection), physical (settling), and biological (aquatic
planting) processes.
Resolution 94-12 specifies that the Parks and Recreation Board will conduct and
advertise a public hearing to consider recommendations for park names at a regular meeting of
the Board. The Board held a public meeting on March 24, 2003, and received 28 names for
consideration. Based upon information gathered at this hearing and Resolution criteria, the
Parks and Recreation Board recommended that the City Commission name the facility
"Freedom Lake Park." Other choices, in order of preference were: 1) Prairie Lake Park; 2) Old
Marsh Lake; 3) Lake Lillian; and 4) Clear Lake. Currently, a park in Pinellas Park is called
Freedom Lake Park and a private facility in Clearwater is called Freedom Park.
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Parks & Recreation Director Kevin Dunbar said the ranking reflects the order of the
board's recommendation. "Prairie Lake" and "Old Marsh Lake" are historical names. Mr.
Dunbar reviewed the process to name parks. It was indicated the DDB (Downtown
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Development Board) had recommended the name "Downtown Lake." In response to a
question, Mr. Dunbar said the name, "Freedom Lake Park," was decided during the first week
of the War in Iraq when feelings of patriotism ran high.
PD POLICE
Approve an aareement between the District Board of Trustees of St. Petersbura Colleae,
Florida and the City of Clearwater for cash match funding of $36,146 for the period 01/01/03
thru 12/31/03 for the AmeriCorps Pinellas Project for support of membership.
AmeriCorps Pinellas is designed to foster citizen responsibility, build neighborhood
unity, and provide educational opportunities. AmeriCorps members are assigned to one of the
Corps' partnering law enforcement agencies and each member provides 1,700 hours annually,
working hand-in-hand with community police officers. In return, the member receives such
benefits as a $9,600 annual living allowance, health insurance, childcare, and a $4,725
educational award. Participating law enforcement agencies benefit from the members'
assistance with community policing efforts, and the opportunity to mentor and mold police
officers of the future. Thirteen of the 24 full time, and 4 of the 8 part-time AmeriCorps members
will be assigned to the Clearwater component of the project.
Targeted neighborhoods benefit from receiving 20,000 hours annually of direct public-
safety related services. The AmeriCorps Pinellas project began in 1994 and the Police
Department is looking forward to a ninth rewarding year in this program. Funding for the
AmeriCorps grant is provided by the Corporation for National Service through the Florida
Commission on Community Service. AmeriCorps Pinellas is administered by the St.
Petersburg College Southeastern Public Safety Institute, working in conjunction with the
Clearwater Police Department, the St. Petersburg Police Department, and the Pinellas County
Sheriff's Office.
Deputy Police Chief Dewey Williams said snags at the Federal level delayed funding
until mid-March, delaying the start of this year's program.
SWIGS SOLID WASTE/GENERAL SERVICES
Award a contract to Atlantic Truck Center. Ft. Lauderdale. Florida for the purchase of one (1)
2003 Sterlina L T 9500 Roll Off Truck, at a cost of $102,691 which was the lowest Bid
received in accordance with the specifications of City of Clearwater Bid #43-01; and authorize
financing under City's Master Lease/Purchase Financing Agreement.
Previously, $70,000 was budgeted and approved to replace the G1491 as a dump truck.
Approval of $32,691 is requested to convert to the roll-off system. Currently, dump truck
operations require a driver to wait while materials are loaded, resulting in idle time or lost
productive time. A roll-off system allows driver to drop various containers at loading sites and
return when containers are full and ready for transport. This system allows the driver to remain
productive all day.
The dump truck capacity of 12 cubic yards is adequate for heavy materials such as
direct, gravel, etc. A roll-off system allows the use of 20-, 30-, and 40-cubic yard containers.
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Savings of $6,300 in pull charges with Solid Waste will cover increased lease/purchase costs
for the additional cost of a replacement truck.
In response to a question, Public Services Director Gary Johnson said this item does
not include the purchase of roll-off containers.
PW PUBLIC WORKS
Accept a perpetual 5-foot drainaae and utilitv easement (dated February 14. 2003) conveyed
by Eilnar R. and Catherine B. Kristensen, over and across E 5' of W 10' of Lot 160, Fair Oaks
4th Addition.
Many residences in the Fair Oaks subdivision were constructed in the early to mid-
1960s. During the past 40 years, stormwater pipes within Fair Oaks have deteriorated, along
with becoming inadequate to channel stormwater from the fully developed subdivision. Average
rainstorms have caused flooding in the residences of the Grantors and neighboring due to the
inadequacy of the stormwater collection system at the subject location. To mitigate flooding,
Engineering staff plans to replace the 12-inch corrugated metal storm line between 2030 and
2036 Sandra Drive with a larger diameter concrete pipe as part of its 2003 Storm Pipe
Replacement Contract.
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The existing 10-foot drainage easement centered on the property line between 2030
and 2036 Sandra Drive is inadequate for construction and maintenance of the larger storm line.
The additional 5-foot easement grant from Mr. and Ms. Kristensen will create a 15-foot
easement within which the City can install and maintain the larger replacement pipe.
In response to a question, Assistant Engineering Director AI Carrier said the easement
to be added is on the east side of the lot line. The owners are not new.
Ratify and confirm Chanae Order #1 to Westra Construction Corporation of Palmetto, Florida
for the Beach Pump Station Improvements Phase II Contract (99-0074-UT), which increases
the contract amount by $300,079.19 for a new total contract amount of $1,025,814.19.
On June 20,2002, the City Commission approved the contract for $725,735.00. On
January 5, 2003, a 15-inch sewer main on Island Way failed, causing a large void to form,
undermining the sidewalk. City crews secured the area and set up a bypass pump to
reestablish the sewage flow. The sewer main that failed carries the flow from the entire south
half of Island Estates into Pump Station #20, located near the entrance to Island Estates. Flow
through the line, a gravity main, cannot be turned off or redirected. Due to public health, safety
and environmental concerns, it was imperative that repairs were made immediately.
The sewer line failure was adjacent to Pump Station #20, and Westra Construction is
under contract with the City to reconstruct the pump station. Therefore, the quickest and most
cost effective solution was to add the repairs to the existing contract. On Marcy 27, 2003, the
City Manager approved Change Order #1 to Purchase Order #0000035536 for $300,079.19 on
an emergency basis. The work has been completed. The emergency Purchase Order was
required so necessary work could be performed in a timely manner to prevent sewage
overflows and fines from FDEP (Florida Department of Environmental Protection).
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In response to a question, Mr. Johnson said the project is scheduled for completion in
mid or late June. The failure did not cause sewage to overflow the seawall. As the main had
become blocked, staff did not want backups further upstream.
Approve a Local Aaency Proaram (LAP) Aareement between the City of Clearwater and the
Florida Department of Transportation (FOOT) in the amount of $341 ,960 for installation of
signalization and driveways on SR 60 at Damascus Road; and approve a work order in the
amount of $79,160 to Tampa Bay Engineering, an Engineer-of-Record, for the design of the
project.
This LAP (Local Agency Program) agreement will provide for the design and installation
of the proposed traffic signal at Courtney Campbell Causeway and Damascus Drive/Public
Beach. This agreement provides that the City will design and install the traffic signal with
reimbursement from FDOT (Florida Department of Transportation) for project features within
the SR 60 right-of-way, estimated at $276,595. It also provides that the City is responsible for
the cost of project features on the public beach side of the intersection, estimated at $65,365.
The estimated project completion date is November 2003.
In response to a question, the City Manager said Clearwater Christian College is not
contributing to this project. In response to a question, Assistant City Manager Garry Brumback
said staff had worked hard on this agreement, reducing the City's cost by one-half.
Commission Discussion Items
Median Beautification - Commissioner Jonson
The City Manager stated the previous City Commission had directed staff to channel
median beautification funds to other projects. It was stated FDOT is providing the City with
landscaping funds in lieu of landscaping at overpasses under construction on US 19 at Sunset
Point Road and SR 590. Photographs were distributed regarding Largo's recent efforts to
beautify its Missouri Avenue medians. It was requested staff provide information regarding
Largo's sponsorship programs. Concern was expressed the City already has many priorities. It
was agreed landscaping crews should remove trash from the medians prior to mowing them.
Mr. Brumback indicated the City already is bringing some beach landscaping work in-house due
to the shortcomings of some independent contractors.
Tampa Bay Water
Consensus was for the Mayor to forward a letter to the legislature in support of Tampa
Bay Water. As proposed legislation would dismantle Tampa Bay Water, it was stated the City
needs to discourage local representatives from supporting the legislation. It was noted the City
Commission previously had supported this action.
Other Commission Action
Commissioner Jonson distributed a draft letter to the Tampa Bay Legislative Delegation
and suggested the City be more active in contacting legislators. He opposed unfunded
mandates, the proposed phosphate severance tax, and transferring money from trust funds.
He questioned the most appropriate way to communicate with the delegation and City lobbyist.
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. The City Attorney said staff is in touch with the City's lobbyist and is active with letters
and calls regarding specific issues. The City Manager said the lobbyist sensitizes the City to
important items that have a chance of passing. It was felt the system is not broken, as much
correspondence already is sent related to the City's positions. It was stated the City
Commission votes on legislative priorities. The City Manager said staff does not always ask for
City Commission input regarding issues related to City Commission direction and FLC (Florida
League of Cities) positions. It was recommended elected officials can enhance the process by
calling key legislators when the FLC issues legislative alerts.
Commissioner Hamilton said registration fees will be waived for elected officials at the
annual Regional Leadership Conference on May 29-30,2003, at the Ritz Carlton in Sarasota.
The Mayor is listed as a participant. Mayor Aungst said he probably would not attend as he will
be attending the Conference of Mayors the following week.
Commissioner Hamilton said the Suncoast League is very interested in proposed
changes that will affect Tampa Bay Water and has planned a fly-in to Washington D.C.
Commissioner Jonson said Drew Street will be closed this weekend at Coachman Park
and recommended as much advance notice and newspaper coverage as possible be provided.
He recommended motorists tune into 1610 AM for traffic updates.
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Commissioner Jonson reported the County and PST A (Pinellas Suncoast Transit
Authority) have planned a workshop to review legal requirements related to governance issues.
He expressed concern Clearwater Mall is not permitting more than one bus on its property at a
time, forcing riders to change buses at Hamden Road.
Mayor Aunost said Mayor Arbutine of Bellaire Bluffs had expressed concerns at a recent
Mayors meeting. It was stated Mayor Arbutine supports retaining PSTA governance and
opposes an increase in the gas tax. It was reported PST A had not taken a position on the gas
tax.
Commissioner Hamilton said Downtown is being restriped today to return parking
spaces removed earlier from Cleveland Street to alleviate Spring Break traffic from the beach.
Commissioner Hamilton and Mayor Aunost sent best wishes to the Capagno family, and
hoped Mrs. Capagno recovers quickly and returns home safely.
Adjourn
The meeting adjourned at 11 :11 p.m.
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