07/08/2004
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ENTERPRISE ZONE DEVELOPMENT BOARD MEETING
CITY OF CLEARWATER
July 8, 2004
Present:
Bob Kinney
Rick Rosa
Kristin Griffin
Bob Fernandez
Brian Schuh
Chair
Board Member/Com. Response Team
Board Member
Board Member
Board Member
Absent:
Ralph Emmanuelli
Isay Gulley
Capt. Anthony Holloway
Cheryl Wade
Board Member
Vice-Chair
Board Member/Police Department
Board Member
Also Present: Leslie Dougall-Sides
Diane Hufford
Brenda Moses
Assistant City Attorney
Economic Development Coordinator
Board Reporter
The Chair called the meeting to order at 1:10 p.m. at the Clearwater Regional Chamber
of Commerce, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.
To provide continuity for research, items are in agenda order although not
necessarily discussed in that order.
3.
Action Items
a. Approval of Minutes of Previous Meeting - April 8, 2004
Member Fernandez moved to approve the minutes of April 8, 2004, as submitted in
written summation to each board member. The motion was duly seconded and carried
unanimously.
b. Schedule next meeting
The next meeting is scheduled for October 8 at 1 :00 p.m. The location will be
announced.
4. Presentation - Janis Smith. City of Clearwater Neiahborhood Services Manaaer
Economic Development Coordinator Diane Hufford said the City has created three task
forces in three neighborhoods: 1) Gateway; 2) North Greenwood; and 3) South Clearwater
(formerly South Greenwood). Neighborhood Services Manager Janis Smith is in charge of all
three task forces, which are in the Enterprise Zone.
Ms. Smith said among other responsibilities, her department is developing a plan to
positively impact neighborhoods. She said any department in the City that may have activity in
the three neighborhoods is invited to various community meetings. Participants discuss their
activities and funding needs for each neighborhood. The meetings have helped people make
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connections with others to better serve the community. Ms. Smith said Neighborhood Services
Department analyzes the demographics of each neighborhood to find out who the City is
serving. The department also analyzes Code violations and police calls for service in order to
determine where improvement is needed. The City is using the results to enhance
communication with these communities and encourage homeownership. For the past two
years, the Neighborhood Services Department has co-sponsored a neighborhood conference
with the Clearwater Neighborhood Coalition, recommends to the City Council homeowners
worthy of Neighborhood of the Quarter recognition for enhancing or improving their properties,
obtains beautification grants, coordinates Clearwater Neighborhoods Day and Neighborhoods
Week, works with mobile home parks, condominium owners, and renters, attended last year's
State NeighborWorks Week in Atlanta, and is kicking off a City-wide anti-litter campaign. Staff
plans to host training sessions for renters and tenants regarding their legal rights.
5. Staff Report
Ms. Hufford reported that a survey done of 45 businesses in the Downtown revealed
that most people felt a movie theater is needed. It was remarked that people also want more
retail in the Downtown, but feel not much will happen until after the Memorial Causeway Bridge
is completed.
Ms. Hufford said she has received lots of inquiries from businesses regarding the
Enterprise Zone. Mediterranean Village has applied for credits. Staff will inform absentee
landlords in the Enterprise Zone about building materials and sales tax refunds available to
them. She said lots of properties are changing hands,
It was remarked that although the City has a Downtown Plan, the administration needs
to be more specific regarding the plans for Downtown. It was suggested many citizens do not
have or take the time to go through all the written materials available to them, and better
communication regarding redevelopment is needed. It was remarked that redevelopment has
to occur in stages.
It was suggested that the City should consider maintaining a reasonable distance
between residential areas and tattoo parlors, etc. Assistant City Attorney Leslie Dougall-Sides
said the City is aggressively trying to address those issues. Ordinances already exist regarding
some of those issues.
6. Public Comment - None.
7. Adiournment
The meeting adjourned at 1 :42 p.m.
ChaIr
Enterprise Zone Development Age c
Attest:
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Board Reporter
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