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09/27/1995 - Clearwater Beach Association Town MeetingCLEARWATER BEACH ASSOCIATION TOWN MEETING CITY OF CLEARWATER September 27, 1995 Present: Rita Garvey Mayor/Commissioner Sue A. Berfield Vice-Mayor/Commissioner Fred A. Thomas Commissioner (arrived 7:55 p.m.) William Justice Acting Commissioner Elizabeth M. Deptula City Manager Cynthia E. Goudeau City Clerk Absent: J. B. Johnson Commissioner The City Commission was invited to attend the Clearwater Beach Association's Town Meeting held at the Memorial Civic Center. John Doran, Chair of the Clearwater Beach Association, called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Mr. Doran reminded the audience "Polish the Sparkle Week" will occur soon on the beach. He also reminded the audience petitions regarding reclaimed water were on the back table for signatures. Anne Garris thanked the Commission for the reconstruction of Pier 60, the renovations at the Clearwater Beach Recreation Center, the proposed beach playground, the Marina makeover, the park makeover, the interim ferry, and Sunsets at Pier 60. She also thanked them for their continued interest in solutions to tourism questions, the tourism department, and their interest in redevelopment. She said in the last couple of years, there has been more direct contact with the City Commission and she thanked them for their very real interest in the community. David Little questioned the location of the proposed pavilion. He had heard it would be at the North side of the pier but did not feel that was appropriate. Commissioner Berfield indicated the pavilion had to be moved due to a conflict with the CCCL (Coastal Construction Control Line). The Commission had voted to locate it on the North side of the pier. She was not certain if this was a totally closed issue. The Mayor said the site plan will come forward during the next three or four months. Mr. Little reiterated the importance of an unobstructed view of the beach and the pavilion be close to the public events area. Mr. Little also expressed concerns regarding the sidewalk on South Gulfview, stating some of it was constructed of shell 40 to 50 years ago. It is too narrow for people to pass each other. Roller bladers and bicyclists also use that sidewalk. The Mayor indicated this will be looked at in a long range plan. Anne Garris read a letter from Sylvia Wickem in opposition to 60 foot buildings and a tower on the beach. Ms. Wickem said the City of Hollywood, Florida had purchased small parcels of land and turned them back to natural beach. She said the updated City buildings are on target and requested limits be placed on T-shirt shops and other undesired businesses on the beach. The Mayor said she opposed 80 foot buildings and the tower. She indicated the City Commission is looking at redevelopment on the beach. Kaz Rolewski thanked the Commission for the tourism office. He said there is still a need for more money and questioned if there are other ways to raise additional revenue. The Mayor requested the Office of Tourism be given the opportunity to develop and indicated the City Manager is diligently trying to fill that position. Commissioner Berfield said the City Manager will be making a presentation to the CVB (Convention and Visitors' Bureau) requesting funding from them. Mr. Rolewski said there still was a need for other acceptable forms of revenue. In response to a question regarding to what forms he was referring, Mr. Rolewski suggested parking fees and leases with part of that revenue going to an advertising budget. Mayor Garvey suggested pooling money from the small motel owners with City money. Mr. Rolewski indicated more meetings and ideas are needed. Sue Boshen agreed with Mr. Rolewski except for the source of funding. She noted $3-million of bed tax goes to the County every year. She said there is no return on the motel owners' investment. She requested petitioning the County to get back some of the funds. The Mayor indicated over the past few months, Clearwater has gotten the attention of the CVB. She said they realize the Visitors' Guide is not adequate. She stated efforts have been started and there needs to be time to see how it goes. The Mayor said she personally spoke with all CVB members but did not get a positive reaction regarding funding. Further efforts will be made. Lisa Fitzgerald noted Caladesi Island is one of the nation's top rated beaches and Clearwater should use its closeness in advertising. She complained the bus on Bay Esplanade travels between 35 and 45 mph in a 25 mph zone when children and animals are on the street. Mayor Garvey said she needed to call the PSTA (Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority) offices regarding the speeding buses. Kevin Kleiner said he is enthusiastic regarding Clearwater. He said it is difficult for fishing fleet customers to find parking. He was concerned the latest tower proposal takes away additional parking. He suggested putting the tower where the Memorial Civic Center is located and building a three-story parking garage on the site of the current parking lot. He said the tower could be a positive if done correctly. Mayor Garvey said the current tower proposal eliminates 12 parking spaces and a parking study is being done. A parking garage has been proposed behind Pelican Walk. Mr. Kleiner expressed concerns the last year has been slow. The Mayor reiterated the City Commission has been working with the CVB which had not listed the fishing fleet in their visitors' guide. It will be included in next year's edition. Curtis Jenny said he is a Jolley Trolley driver. He mentions Caladesi Island to passengers and advises them they can walk to it. He referred to the Travel Channel and noted ecotourism is increasing. He said large hotels in Europe are being razed to provide more natural settings. He stated he was excited regarding the old concession stand being torn down. He expressed a concern there is no sidewalk from Clearwater beach to the parking lot. He said vagrancy causes some problems, particularly under Pier 60 and suggested closing off this area. Walter Elund indicated he had just moved down from Tennessee. He stated people from all over the world come here and Clearwater is on the map. He stated there is a problem with crime on the beach. He was particularly concerned about a gentleman running up to people trying to get them to pay for parking. It was suggested Mr. Elund call the police. Mr. Elund indicated the police are aware of this individual. Anne Garris indicated Commissioner Justice has been sent information regarding the difference between Scott Shuford’s recommendation and the Clearwater beach association’s regarding the redevelopment area on Clearwater Beach. She stated she has been told purchasing property is not practical. She urged the Commission to find out who wants to sell their property and arrange for the purchase, dividing those properties among the hotels on either side. She stated the City needs to act as a catalyst. She indicated perhaps the City could arrange for low cost loans. She also requested the City ensure the areas owned by the City look better. The Mayor indicated the Commission is waiting to get an overall picture, and a study is being done to see if there is any interest in redevelopment by the development community. Ms. Garris expressed concerns this has been talked about for a year. She stated they did not want to wait 20 years as has happened in the downtown area. She questioned the expenditure of $10,000 to not find a developer. She stated it is a political fact people do not want to sacrifice their accesses to the north beach. Commissioner Justice indicated he has come in the middle of this issue, and what bothered him was there were too many different ideas regarding what should be done. He stated it is confusing and a decision needs to be made regarding what we want Clearwater beach to be. May Bassie stated there are undesirable properties on the beach and the City should purchase them to turn into landscape. Mayor Garvey expressed concerns the public should not always turn to the government to solve the problem. Paul Volgaris suggested everyone leave the people in the East Shore area to work with Scott Shuford. He stated Clearwater beach is losing business every year. Commissioner Berfield recommended the owners in the East Shore area come up with a plan. Mr. Volgaris indicated there are a lot of things that should be done and suggested a water park be created. Chuck Pollick questioned what the plans were if the CVB rejected the City’s request for funding. Mayor Garvey indicated they did not plan to be rejected. She stated the proposal is to get funding for the Harborview Center, future parking and expansion of the exhibit hall. The City has asked if it will be reimbursed and has been told that cannot be done. Mr. Pollick questioned how much is being requested. The City Manager reported the City is asking for a series of things. She stated in new product development funds, the City is asking for the entire $150,000 for next year for additional development of the Harborview Center. She stated the City is displaying data regarding how much has been contributed from Clearwater, and how much the City has committed to the Harborview Center. She stated, once the Harborview Center is successful, there will be a parking problem and there has been a request for a parking garage in the bluff. She estimated this would cost $10 million. She stated the City has been so successful in booking the Harborview Center, there is a problem with finding a date for a grand opening celebration. The Mayor reiterated, with a successful Harborview Center, the hotels on the beach should benefit. The City will encourage use of the ferry and the Jolley Trolley. The City Manager pointed out, once the Thunderdome is no longer available, the Harborview Center will be the largest facility for public use and there is a request to the CVB to fund an expansion. Mr. Pollick indicated a couple of attorneys have said, if the City is rejected, they may not have a legal standing to contest the ruling. He stated, perhaps the hotel owners would have standing and requested a backup plan be worked out with the tourism council and motel owners to take legal action. Jane Clymer requested more lights be left on at night. In response to a question, she indicated she was referring to lights on buildings. The Mayor indicated the City could not regulate lighting on private buildings. Ms. Clymer indicated she was talking to the individuals who live on the beach, not requesting Commission enforcement. Ms. Clymer reported she has been asking guests what problems they are having in identifying the area. She has been told signage from Orlando and the airport is poor. The Mayor reported the City is working on getting better identification on the major highways. Ms. Clymer thanked Dave Little for the Beach Bash. John Doran indicated the librarian at the beach branch was in the audience and thanked her for her services. Doug Alderman stated he supports a tower being placed at the Civic Center parking lot. He said it would give people a reason to come to the beach. He stated, there is no parking problem tonight and he did not think there would be a problem Friday night, either. A lady expressed concerns the sign on the Harborview Center is hard to see and suggested the letters be painted gold. The same lady indicated she felt the top of Coachman Park would be the perfect place for the tower. She said she could not see it being used on the beach. She stated November to April, the streets and parking lots are full. She reported she would like to see dressing rooms and pay showers on the beach. She also expressed concern, once the toll is removed from the Clearwater Pass Bridge, there will be more traffic. Kevin Kleiner indicated there is no problem parking for civic meetings, but on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, there are parking problems. He stated the tower would be good, but it should provide its own parking. Mr. Doran questioned the date for Pier 60 park construction. Mayor Garvey indicated it should be completed within about a year, but suggested she not be held to that date. Another lady expressed concern, that in the map in the CVB bureau publication, St. Petersburg is shown to be on top of Clearwater. She requested this be fixed. Anne Garris questioned if the tower will have to go for a parking variance. Commissioner Berfield indicated they would have to apply for any variance required of anyone else. Ms. Deptula indicated it would not necessarily be a variance, as they could request a rezoning. Mr. Doran questioned when the pool that was removed from the beach will be reconstructed. The Mayor indicated a funding source had not been identified and it would be at least two years. Commissioner Thomas indicated the Commission had committed the funds from the tower. The City Manager indicated, if the tower was constructed, it would not be open for a year. She elaborated on her response to the question regarding variances, stating if it is determined that a Commercial Planned Development zoning would be appropriate, the City would set the site plan. In response to a question, she indicated this would be a public hearing. David Little expressed concerns while the City Commission is good about addressing some things, the sidewalks and streets are still in disrepair. He thanked the City Commission for the tower and felt it would be good for tourism. He stated the Clearwater Beach Blue Ribbon Task Force had talked about the need for an attraction. He questioned how people who do not support the tower want to promote and support tourism. He expressed concerns people on the mainland complain the beach and Island Estates are always asking for things. Mayor Garvey stated tourism is a goal this year for all employees. She stated the City Commission feels this issue is important. Mayor Garvey reported, within the next month or two, a plan will come forward to bring reclaimed water to Island Estates. Mr. Doran indicated they have petitions from 350 of the thousand houses on Clearwater beach. He stated they are still working in four condominiums. Sue Boshen questioned how the City plans to finish the sidewalks in the redevelopment area. She questioned if the City could leave notices on doors for violations for such things a the need to cut grass. She expressed concern she thought replacement of the pool was a done deal. Mayor Garvey indicated it is an approved project, but does not have funding. Maryisa Coates questioned if additional parking fees and a percentage of leases on the beach could go to fund promotion of the beach. The Mayor indicated this has been discussed, but no commitment has been made and she did not feel one was likely in the future. Ms. Coates expressed concerns at times the beach is gridlocked and, if parking is a problem, additional parking will simply make the situation worse. Herb Leonhardt expressed appreciation the Police Department has been issuing warnings instead of tickets for expired parking meters. Mr. Doran suggested Pier 60 be free for its entire length. The Mayor indicated if it is a fishing pier, it cannot be open to the general public. Mr. Doran questioned raises in the gas rate. Mayor Garvey indicated the rates were adjusted and profits from the Gas Division goes to the General Fund, which helps keep the millage rate down. She stated they are in competition with other gas systems and gas service is still lower in cost than electricity. Curtis Jenny stated a need exists for tourists to come to Clearwater first, then go to Orlando instead of vice-versa. He stated a large banner is needed to indicate the ferry service is free. He suggested more frequent ferry service to downtown. He stated most people to which he has talked feel Clearwater is very friendly. Mayor Garvey announced tolls will no longer be collected on Clearwater Pass Bridge, as of October 1. Mr. Doran announced the Causeway Cleanup will be on November 11. The Mayor reiterated Sparkle Day is September 30. Mr. Doran thanked the gentleman in charge of the sound system for tonight’s meeting. The meeting adjourned at 8:45 p.m.