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11/27/1990 - Town Meeting TOWN MEETING November 27,1990 Members Present: Rita Garvey Mayor/Commissioner Richard Fitzgerald Vice-Mayor/Commissioner Lee Regulski Commissioner William Nunamaker Commissioner Sue A. Berfield Commissioner Also Present: Cynthia E. Goudeau City Clerk The meeting was called to order at 7:31 p.m. at Martin Luther King Recreation Center. A gentleman complained regarding the roughness of Greenwood and Myrtle Avenues. He requested this be investigated. Mohammed Abdul-Rahim requested trimming of pepper bushes that are causing a safety hazard at a dangerous curve on Stevenson's creek at Douglas and Harbor Drive. He indicated he had spoken to Alan Mayberry, the City's forester, regarding this and Mr. Mayberry was attempting to get some volunteers to do the work. Mr. Rahim also requested a time table for expansion of the Martin Luther King Recreation Center. Further he requested that the expansion include a cultural center which would serve the needs of the culture in the area. Mr. Rahim requested a study of the traffic patterns in the area to identify the need for signs, sidewalks and pedestrian crosswalks. Yacu Balil requested an explanation of the proposed $3.00 a month storm water utility fee, what the $l.00 gas billing fee that appears on his monthly utility bill is for, and that the City do more of its hiring from within Clearwater. Commissioner Regulski explained, in regard to hiring within Clearwater, a discrimination problem could result in relation to equal employment opportunity requirements. Mayor Garvey felt the $l.00 charge for gas billing was to cover the cost of reading the meter whether any gas was used or not. It was requested this be verified. Commissioner Regulski explained the storm water utility fee was being established to fund the City's storm water quality and quantity improvements. He stated projects are being instituted to clean storm water run off before it goes into area estuaries. He reported an analysis had been done that showed all residential units contribute approximately the same amount of storm water run off to the system, and a $3.00 charge had been determined appropriate for residential units. He further explained that everybody will be paying the fee, even tax exempt properties. Discussion ensued regarding the need for the fee and whether or not it was being applied equitably. Some concerns were expressed that the fee was too high, and whether or not it would be possible to improve the water quality. Concerns were also expressed that this needed to be a County wide effort. It was stated that the citizens today are going to have to pay for errors of the past. It was requested that assurances be given that money generated from this fee will be used for storm water efforts only. In response to a question regarding whether or not credit would be given to those who address the storm water quality issue in their development, it was stated credit would only be given for efforts above and beyond requirements. It was also stated the water quality improvement facilities will be created wetlands to allow natural cleaning, not treatment plants. Wanita Washington requested a "report card" on the barricading of certain streets in Pennsylvania Park. Lt. Byrd of the Police Department indicated no complaints had been received. An informal survey had been done which indicated people are happy with the situation. This will be followed up with a formal survey. In response to a question, it was indicated the City was unaware of any problems being caused for emergency vehicles by these barricades. Also in response to a question, it was indicated two neighborhoods in Countryside also have barricaded streets. A concern was expressed that this was not a practice throughout the City. Lt. Byrd indicated the entire beach is barricaded in order to limit access into neighborhoods. A question was raised regarding the status of the 50% rule in connection with FEMA regulations for barrier islands. It was indicated this issue is a part of the proposed legislative package. A question was raised regarding whether or not the impact of the defects in the County water line had been determined. It was indicated this is still being studied. Herb Leonhardt requested the County be allowed to take over all enforcement efforts seaward from the seawall. Lucius Pitts questioned whether consideration was being given to changing the election mechanism in order to assure representation of the entire community. It was indicated there was nothing currently under consideration. Tal Rutledge stated he would like to see the Commission expanded to seven members to be elected through districts. He stated the Commission had lost credibility with him over a utility bill dispute. He expressed concerns regarding the salaries of the City Manager and his staff. Ernest Bell, representing Interventions Coordinating Exchange, Inc.(ICE), stated drug rehabilitation support groups need a building for meetings in the N. Greenwood Area. He requested City assistance in finding such a facility and indicated Operation PAR has indicated they would help with this project. He suggested buildings in the N. Garden area be investigated. Cherry Harris questioned what could be done regarding children playing in the street in front of her house. She stated these are children that do not live in the area and she is afraid of one of them getting hurt and/or causing damage to her property. She also requested the vacant lot next to 1771 Harbor Drive be cleared. Lois Martin indicated she had the same experience with children playing in front of her house. She called the Police and they came down and explained to the children that it was illegal to play in the streets. Bill Graham requested funding to allow the N. Greenwood Substation to be staffed 24 hours a day. He also requested a commercial stove for the Martin Luther King Center. Henrietta Wright-Loyd requested additional lighting in the area of 1118 Tangerine Street. She also requested "no turn around" signs along Tangerine as cars are damaging her fence. Ernest Gibson, representing Clubhouse Home Owners Association, questioned what to do regarding dogs being allowed to run in the neighborhood. He also requested some enforcement regarding garage sale signs that appear in the rights-of-way over the weekend. Ernest Carson requested a status report regarding the infill housing program. Issay Gulley reported there would be a meeting of the focus group at 7:30 on Thursday, November 29, 1990. She stated they would be looking at floor plans to be used as standards. Lois Cormier reported on a problem with transients living on the roof of the Levison Center. She was concerned that cold weather would bring more transients to the area and cause a greater problem. She stated there is a need for drug treatment and expressed concerns that Isaiah's Inn is not functioning as had been anticipated. She also questioned what the City anticipated doing with the empty building close to Ross Norton Park. She expressed concern regarding the proposed $25 fee for use of meeting rooms in libraries and parks & recreation facilities. Lois Martin requested contractors for the housing program be monitored closely to make sure the work is being done correctly. Reverend Walter Campbell complimented the City for what has been accomplished through the Community Relations Division. He requested thorough consideration be given to the replacement of the head of the division and requested some input regarding qualifications for this position be allowed. Mohammed Abdul-Rahim requested consideration of the extension of Palmetto Street to Ft. Harrison Ave. He stated this would give the N. Greenwood area another access to commercial traffic. A gentleman expressed concern regarding the painting being done in the commercial area. The meeting adjourned at 9:25 p.m.