03/30/1993 - Town Meeting TOWN MEETING
March 30, 1993
The City Commission of the City of Clearwater met at the Memorial Civic Center with the following members present:
Rita Garvey Mayor/Commissioner
Richard Fitzgerald Vice-Mayor/Commissioner
Sue A. Berfield Commissioner
Arthur X. Deegan, II Commissioner
Members Absent:
Mayme W. Hodges Commissioner
Also present:
Fred A. Thomas Commissioner-Elect
Cynthia E. Goudeau City Clerk
The meeting was called to order at 7:30 p.m. by Mayor Garvey.
Jim Euluge, President of Oak Cove Resident's Association, expressed concern regarding the situation with most of the residents having been moved into one of the buildings, and only the
nursing unit open in the other. He stated, ultimately, the City will own the facility. He requested the City take this opportunity to help the poor and to use the buildings similar
to how the housing Authority is using the Hamptons. Commissioner-Elect Thomas expressed concern he was confused. Background information will be provided to him.
Anne Garris welcomed Commissioner-Elect Thomas and questioned when Pier 60 would be rebuilt. Commissioner Fitzgerald responded the bids have just come in and the City is preparing to
go forward. Ms. Garris questioned who, on City staff, started responding to the storm at 3:00 or 4:00 in the morning, as she wished to commend them. She questioned from where the money
was coming to buy the Sun Bank building. She expressed concern the citizens have not been given all the information regarding this transaction. She stated the City needed to be honest
and tell exactly how much it was going to cost.
Bill Sykes stated some time ago, there was consideration for a boardwalk on the beach. He suggested the City check to see what funds might be available through the Federal government
for construction of same. He also suggested the City see if the people of Clearwater wish to contribute to its construction.
Herb Marie requested beach renourishment be accelerated. The Mayor indicated, when she was out with some of the State officials Sunday to view the storm damage, she did promote beach
renourishment.
Shirley Brand expressed concerns that two days after the storm, two elderly people were found to be without a telephone and unable to get services. She requested there be some method
to identify older people in order to assure they are taken care of in a storm situation.
Steve Saliga stated he had initially suggested banning sailboats. He recounted an incident where a sailboat was passing through the drawbridge under power and the motor failed. Commissioner-Elect
Thomas indicated the answer was to build a tall bridge, not ban sailboats.
Bill Wallo spoke concerning the ferry boat now being used as a cruise boat. He expressed concerns regarding the openings of the bridge as a result of this. He also expressed concerns
regarding the Show Queen requiring opening of the bridge.
Bill Sykes requested monitoring the dumpsters on the beach, as those for restaurants are overflowing and parking lots are being littered.
Commissioner Fitzgerald announced, that at Monday's work session, the Police Department was directed to start rigidly enforcing speed limits on Memorial Causeway.
Bob Bickerstaffe stated years ago a yellow light would flash if people were speeding. He does not know what happened to it. He also reported he has watched the City Commission for
a long time and was disgusted with the special meeting called for purchase of the Sun Bank building. He felt there were some pretty shady deals going on. He questioned why the decision
was rushed prior to Commissioner-Elect Thomas being sworn in. He stated the price and the condition were the deterring factors. He stated he has never been so disappointed in his life.
The meeting adjourned at 8:09 p.m.