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10/27/1994 - Town Meeting TOWN MEETING October 27, 1994 The City Commission of the City of Clearwater met at the Martin Luther King Recreation Center with the following members present: Rita Garvey Mayor/Commissioner Fred A. Thomas Vice-Mayor/Commissioner Richard Fitzgerald Commissioner Sue A. Berfield Commissioner Arthur Deegan III Commissioner Also present: Elizabeth M. Deptula City Manager Cynthia E. Goudeau City Clerk The meeting was opened at 7:30 p.m. by Mayor Garvey. A video was presented showing an overview of projects in Clearwater, particularly in the neighborhood. Roy Cadwell expressed concern regarding Ordinances 301 -307, minimum standard building codes. He did not think it was fair and equitable that the City could inspect property and mandate repairs. Mayor indicated the City has had correspondence with Mr. Cadwell and she did not think the City Commission wished to make any changes at this time. Tal Rutledge expressed an opinion that City government was getting more like Nazi Germany. He questioned the purpose of the Community Response Team. Mayor Garvey explained the Team responds to complaints regarding code enforcement and takes a pro-active role. She said they talk to people to try to get cooperation and compliance. Mr. Rutledge expressed concern that the fees charged by the utility department were to expensive and took advantage of people. He said he never understood the gross receipts' tax. The City Manager stated the gross receipts tax on the gas bill is a fee that must be remitted to the State. Mr. Rutledge complained that he is charged a recycling fee when he does not use the yellow bin. Commissioner Thomas explained the recycling program and stated it reduced costs for garbage pickup. While overall fees have increased, he said they would be higher if the City did not recycle. If everyone does not get in the habit of recycling, he said the City’s garbage bill will skyrocket. The Mayor said dump fees cost $37.50 per ton. The City’s sale of recycled materials does not cover the cost of recycling, a cost avoidance program. Mr. Rutledge questioned police involvement in code enforcement. Mayor Garvey explained this approach is different and the Police Officer does not go out in uniform. Mr. Rutledge complained regarding City codes holding property owners responsible for vandalism. Lois Martin questioned the monthly $3 charge for the gas meter and why the City fee appears on the telephone bill. Mayor Garvey said the fee charged by the telephone company is a revenue source for the City. Commissioner Thomas added the City provides the right-of-way for all utilities and has expenses in maintaining those rights-of-ways. Ms. Martin said she asked GTE why the telephone bill consists of so many pages. She felt people are overtaxed. She said retirees on limited budgets are “really in the soup.” Commissioner Thomas noted Clearwater has not raised taxes while all other communities had. He suggested residents attend meetings of the County Commission who charge citizens higher taxes than the City of Clearwater. Ms. Martin said the County is almost inaccessible. Cherry Harris recommended that all recyclables should be accepted in the yellow bin and expressed concern that a bleach bottle had been returned to her. Mayor Garvey indicated bleach bottles are not recyclable. Ms. Harris felt she was charged too much for the recycling program. She complained about the yellow bins being left curbside and a problem with the mess left behind by people fishing along Stevenson Creek. Ms. Harris questioned when the creek area would be cleaned. The Mayor stated that project would be part of the stormwater management program. Commissioner Thomas felt the program only would address Edgewater Drive property and not the banks of Stevenson Creek. It was requested that Environmental be asked to respond. Commissioner Thomas said the problem with dredging the creek would be there is no place to put the fill. It is expensive to dredge and haul the fill away. He said that does not mean the City is not looking at it. Diane Fowler expressed concern regarding activities at Countryside Recreation Center once it is completed. Mayor Garvey said the facility will offer arts and craft programs, an exercise area and a gymnasium. Ms. Fowler questioned if the Countryside Center was more valuable than the Martin Luther King Center. She said she was tired of programs such as football and basketball being geared toward African-American children and requested that this stereotype be stopped. She complained about the drinking water and questioned what had been installed in her yard. Ms. Fowler also questioned the new parking spaces at Jack Russell Stadium. The Mayor indicated the new parking spaces are for handicapped use. Paula Champion thanked the Commission for the yellow bins and the water. She said she lives on Kings Highway and is disabled. She indicated some neighbors receive discounts on their rent and noted she pays the full rate. She said some things should be done differently such as closing a pool for two months. Ms. Champion questioned what was going to done regarding neighborhood crime and drugs. The Mayor reassured Ms. Champion that the Police Department is working to make neighborhoods safe. Thelma Hammond stated she had five complaints. She said it is getting difficult to own a single family home due to increases in taxes and utility fees. Mayor Garvey pointed out that the City portion is only a part of the tax bill. Ms. Hammond questioned why the sewer rate doubles when water use increases above the minimum level. She also questioned the $3 monthly charge for a new gas meter and $1 monthly charge to read it. She only uses gas for heating and complained she is being charged $48 per year for something she is not using. Mayor Garvey indicated staff would respond to Ms. Hammond. Ms. Hammond complained about the condition of the abandoned railroad track and requested the City keep it clean. She questioned why trains operate in the neighborhood after 7:00 p.m. She expressed concern regarding an open ditch next to the railroad tracks and questioned if it was possible to construct a privacy wall from Missouri Avenue to Betty Lane. She requested the City locate a crossing at Missouri Avenue to Jack Russell Stadium during the baseball season as traffic makes it difficult to get out. Muhammad Abdur-Rahim answered some of Ms. Fowler’s questions stating a backflow prevention device was probably installed in her yard. He said new water lines have been installed lines in the area. Ms. Fowler said a four-way stop sign should be installed at the intersection of Fairmont Street and Rollen Road as traffic accidents have occurred there. She suggested four way stop signs could be installed at all of those intersections. Mr. Abdur-Rahim questioned if some Pennies for Pinellas monies could be used for North Greenwood projects. The Mayor indicated this would be considered. Dorothy Pettis agreed children need more activities but until alternates are available, football, baseball and basketball should be offered to the community. She felt Countryside has the Long Center to use. The Mayor indicated the Long Center is not in Countryside. Ms. Pettis said something is needed in the area for children. She said she lives off Flagler Drive and since construction was started, the roads are awful. Mayor Garvey stated she did not know the particulars but knew Clearwater would not leave the manholes raised after the project is completed. Ms. Pettis indicated she volunteers a great deal of time to the Little League organization and noted they are having a problem with transportation. She requested use of a Parks & Recreation van. Wally Dean Shabarb questioned the purpose of the Police substation in the neighborhood as he did not feel it was needed. Mayor Garvey said the City has received many complaints that the substation is not open 24 hours per day. She felt it has made a positive difference in the neighborhood. Commissioner Deegan said the purpose of the substation is to encourage community policing and enable the Police Officers to become familiar with neighborhood residents. He said the substation’s presence deters crime and allows faster response in the area. Mr. Shabarb said he understood the benefits but felt some officers have alienated the neighborhood. Bernard Dixon expressed concern that Police Officers are advising landlords to evict tenants involved in drug dealing. He stated he is not satisfied with that answer. Mayor Garvey responded that residents should not hesitate to call in their concerns. She assumed the Officer must witness the transaction. Eddie Griffin, Police Officer, said while the neighborhood may not see immediate results, many procedures must be followed before a building can be entered. Mr. Dixon said he felt the neighborhood did not benefit from the presence of Jack Russell Stadium. He recommended establishing cooperation so benefits can be retained in the area. Mayor Garvey and Commissioner Deegan pointed out that commercial parking is allowed and vendors operate in the park. The City Manager indicated Mr. Timberlake, representative of the Clearwater Phillies, will meet with the community to see what can be done to benefit it. Mr. Dixon said the community is working hard to give itself a new image. He requested use of TV to highlight good parts of the Greenwood area. Mayor Garvey pointed out that the Economic Development Department and its director, Alan Ferri, are working with the area. Betty Duncan said she has lived in Clearwater for 35 years and works at night. She requested the City require residents to have visible addresses. It was indicated that is a target program of the Community Response Team. Deborah Turner questioned if it was necessary for the Community Response Team to lease or purchase a separate building. She suggested after Sanitation moves, its current location could be used for a pool, etc. She also requested the Police substation be manned 24 hours per day and that officers assigned to the area be screened more carefully. Al Bridges said when several gangs operated in the North Greenwood area, police did their job, however, they have not responded to several incidents. He felt area business is being killed by the drug problem. Tom Sehlhorst complimented the City on the Fort Harrison Police substation. He said the area’s biggest drug house is now gone. He suggested that officers drive scooters. He felt 400 watt street lights should be installed in the North Greenwood area to deter crime. Mr. Sehlhorst felt if eight Police Officers were assigned to the area for three months, the problem would be alleviated. He said district parking is needed. He complained regarding a $100 surcharge on permits in the City of Clearwater. He requested a fax machine be available to the public during Commission meetings. Mr. Sehlhorst requested that the Pinellas Trail be completed. He questioned if the City can reduce the cost of attorney’s fees. The meeting adjourned at 9:05 p.m.