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04/27/1993 - Town Meeting TOWN MEETING April 27, 1993 The City Commission of the City of Clearwater met at the Countryside Library with the following members present: Rita Garvey Mayor/Commissioner Arthur X. Deegan, II Vice-Mayor/Commissioner Sue A. Berfield Commissioner Richard Fitzgerald Commissioner Fred A. Thomas Commissioner Also present: Cynthia E. Goudeau City Clerk The meeting was called to order at 7:30 p.m. by Mayor Garvey. Bill Scirio expressed concerns regarding condominiums being rented for the week, day or month. He requested there be some enforcement. He stated there is a question as to the infraction. Commissioner Thomas questioned the specifics of the complaints. Mr. Scirio reported Burgoff Holding Company is renting out condominiums as an agent in a single family development. He stated there is a problem in the City with short term rentals. He stated, at one point, there were eight to nine people in one condominium. Mayor Garvey stated this issue has been brought up before, but there is difficulty verifying and documenting the rentals. Commissioner Berfield questioned the rules and regulations of the condominium association. Mr. Scirio responded it requires rentals of no less than six months. Commissioner Berfield questioned if the association could take action. Mr. Scirio indicated they have, but they cannot acquire the information needed to take the case to court. He suggested the City could gain information by monitoring rental cars and taking their license numbers. Commissioner Thomas questioned when this was first brought to the City's attention. Mr. Scirio indicated at least three years ago. Sibbie Demari stated this is an internal problem and they have attorney's fees. It has been a long, expensive process. Commissioner Thomas questioned how much had been invested. Mr. Scirio estimated $20,000 to $25,000. He stated these rentals also inflate values, as they buy for $60,000 and sell for $80,000. This is causing increased taxes for other condominium owners. He stated the residents there need the City's help. Mayor Garvey requested the information be developed again. Commissioner Thomas questioned what options there are to solve this problem. Mayor Garvey indicated, from all she has been told, there are few, if any, options and this is a city-wide problem. Commissioner Thomas questioned if the Commission should take the position that the City should be a co-respondent in the litigation. Mayor Garvey expressed concerns the City would then be asked to be co-respondent in many cases. Commissioner Thomas indicated, if the code could not be enforced, it needed to be changed. Commissioner Fitzgerald stated, in this particular situation, the problem is getting the proof necessary. We have to specifically identify and prove the short-term rentals. He stated there have been no paper trails left and it is a very frustrating problem. William Barzee stated he has been in contact with several departments within the City and no one wants to come out and view the situation. He stated his taxes have increased 200 percent. He stated there are a couple of units for sale, but they cannot be sold because of the inflated prices. The Mayor again requested that all the records regarding this situation be pulled together. Bob Wager expressed concerns regarding traffic on Landmark Drive. He presented a map and police report of accidents that have occurred along this stretch of road. He stated, generally the problem is speed and many cars leave the road. He stated the worst time is Friday nights between 11:00 p.m. and 3:00 a.m. The worst offenders are kids and young adults. He reviewed many of the accidents and presented pictures of car tracks in the grass, knocked down mail boxes, etc. He stated the young people think it is a joke and they need to be refocused. He stated the bottom line is his concern regarding the devaluation of this property and the real concern is that of saving lives. He stated he has worked with Traffic Engineering and there is a work order in process to put up signs and warning bumps. He requested a solution be found to the problem. He stated the Police Department has been very good and responded quickly, and the speed traps are effective. He appreciated the Commission taking the time to come out to the community. Mayor Garvey asked the information be given to Traffic Engineering to see if something could be done. Commissioner Thomas questioned if there was a specific location at which the majority of the accidents occur. Mr. Wagner indicated they are distributed all along Landmark Drive. Commissioner Deegan questioned if a 35 mph speed limit was reasonable and asked if this could be included in the areas for zero tolerance for speed enforcement. Mr. Wagner indicated police presence is temporarily effective and questioned if stop signs could be installed. Mr. Kennedy stated his opinion was that zero tolerance with a 35 mph speed limit was the preferred alternative. He stated there have been complaints for ten years and that police enforcement is the issue. Kathy Schnackenberg stated the problem is the park at the corner of Landmark Drive and Curlew Road closing at 11:00 p.m. All the young people leaving the park go down Landmark and speed. She stated the police are never out on Landmark on Friday and Saturday nights when the problem is at its worst. Commissioner Thomas questioned the staffing level at the Countryside substation. Commissioner Fitzgerald indicated it was limited as the Countryside Police station covers the whole East district. He stated, during Spring Break, a lot of the officers are shifted to the Beach. Commissioner Thomas questioned the number of officers needed to adequately staff the district. Mayor Garvey indicated there was no way to know. Mr. Kennedy indicated Chief Klein had put in for nine officers, and questioned why they could not all go to Countryside. Karen Wagner stated the posted speed is irrelevant and mostly the young kids are the problem. She stated the fear is for her parents. She stated people need to know they are exceeding the speed limit tremendously. Commissioner Fitzgerald stated, in response to Commissioner Thomas' question, it would take a police officer almost constantly posted on the road in order to control the problem. Commissioner Berfield suggested the "wolf pack" be assigned to the area. It was indicated this has been done. Mr. Kennedy also reported, where Landmark Drive narrows from four to two lanes, they try to squeeze each other out. Mayor Garvey requested one individual to contact regarding the problems. Mr. Kennedy was designated. Mr. Kennedy requested they look at the history of accidents along that two-mile stretch. Jerry Dabkowski stated that Landmark Drive is not the only area, as Enterprise Road is also a tremendous problem. He stated it is impossible to get the road under control. He stated he appreciates the Police Department's efforts and requested they not all be moved to Landmark Drive. He stated the entire Countryside area is a problem. Mr. Kennedy agreed the entire area experiences contempt for the speeding laws. Dick White suggested, while looking at the issue, the penalty involved also be considered. Mr. Dabkowski questioned if there was any more mosquito control. Mayor Garvey reported this is a County program. Bob Dailey requested consideration that the park on Enterprise be called Northwood Park. He also questioned when the Countryside Community Center would be started. Mayor Garvey indicated this was an issue of funding availability. Commissioner Fitzgerald stated the key is the citizens have stepped forward and said this is what they want and need. He stated he felt it would go forward. Commissioner Thomas stated it was also a staffing question and he has asked to see what volunteers would be available to assist in this regard. Commissioner Fitzgerald reported money has been identified for the building, but there is still money needed for the operation. Bill Jonson thanked the Commission for coming out. He expressed concerns regarding the landscaping at the new US 19 / Countryside overpass. He said a lot has been removed. He has a commitment from the district secretary that they would work with the City to replace it if the City would maintain the landscaping. Mr. Jonson also spoke regarding the sign code. He encouraged addressing neon and encouraged a resolution in the aftermath of losing the Dimmitt flag case. He questioned if the City's code enforcement had an effect on the base insurance rate. He also questioned why there was a ten mph tolerance versus a five mph tolerance in speed enforcement. Commissioner Fitzgerald stated we did not create the five or ten mph leeway. He stated the Commission has asked the Chief to come back with a policy. Zero tolerance has been directed in some areas. Kathy Schnackenberg requested the easement for the Chi Chi Rodriguez golf course be edged. She stated, on SR 580 to Landmark Drive, the sidewalk is overgrown and overhung with trees. Bill Schwob questioned when Northwood Estates was scheduled for repaving He appreciated the City Commission coming out. He stated he was happy with the Library and Police response. He stated the Neighborhood Watch is working well. He also reported the sanitation workers are doing a great job. He also commended Alan Mayberry, not only for inspecting trees but giving advise. He also stated Ream Wilson and staff will be meeting with the people in the neighborhood regarding the park on Enterprise Drive. Madeline Casper stated the owner of a mobile home park at 401 South Belcher Road is trying to evict tenants without compensation. She questioned if there were immediate plans to widen Belcher Road. It was indicated there was not. Kathy Schnackenberg questioned how people were notified of these meetings. The Mayor indicated they are advertised in the paper as well as notices being sent out to the homeowners' associations. The meeting adjourned at 8:55 p.m.