03/26/2015 CHARTER REVIEW COMMITTEE MEETING
CITY OF CLEARWATER
March 26, 2015
Present: Brian J. Aungst, Jr. Chair
Bud Elias Vice Chair
Nino Accetta Committee Member
David E. Allbritton Committee Member
Jane D. Bongo Committee Member
Karen Cunningham Committee Member
Dirk A. Curls Committee Member
Leann J. DuPont Committee Member
David Loyd Committee Member
Absent Rosemarie Kibitlewski Committee Member
Konrad McCree, Jr. Committee Member
George Mantzaris Committee Member
William Sturtevant Committee Member
Also Present: Pamela Akin City Attorney
Rosemarie Call City Clerk
Nicole Sprague ORLS Coordinator
The meeting was called to order at 5:53 p.m. at City Hall.
To provide continuity for research, items are in agenda order although not necessarily
discussed in that order.
2. Approval of Minutes
2.1 Approve the minutes of the March 12, 2015 Charter Review Committee Meeting as
submitted in written summation by the City Clerk.
Vice Chair Elias moved to approve the minutes the March 12, 2015 Charter Review
Committee meeting. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously
3. New Business
3.1 Presentation by Bill Morris, Marine and Aviation Director
Mr. Morris discussed Charter section 2.01(d)(4) and the verbiage related to the dredging
of Dunedin Pass and Stevenson's Creek. In response to questions, he said there was no need
for the verbiage. A survey of the pass was just completed and dredging may not be performed
unless documentation is provided stating the pass has previously been dredged. The City has
no such documentation. He said there are six regulatory agencies that have to be notified
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before any type of maintenance or work is performed in either area. Restrictions are not
necessary in the Charter.
The City Attorney said the provision should be removed as dredging ensues from the
Clearwater Pass up to the intra - coastal waterway when needed.
3.2 Presentation by Rod Irwin, Assistant City Manager /CRA Executive Director
Mr. Irwin reviewed the Urban Land Institute (ULI) study and its relationship to the
Charter. He said one of the main points from ULI was activating the Clearwater Harbor as a
nexus between the beach and downtown with activities such as restaurants, kayak rentals and
paddle boat rentals. ULI suggested making the waterfront area a world class boating center.
The existing marina is consistently over 90% occupied. ULI suggested restaurants within
walking distance of the marina. Allowing commercial uses of the marina was also suggested,
for example kayak and paddle boat rentals. He said the Committee and Council would need to
look at easing restrictions on the waterfront to allow the commercial uses.
In response to questions, Mr. Irwin said parking is an important component of future
development. He said if the Clearwater Marine Aquarium relocates to the City Hall property,
parking would be needed. In addition, parking accommodations would be necessary for the
ferry service if they expand as well as for the Capitol Theatre. Mr. Irwin said libraries are turning
into activity centers. The charter restricts any type of cafe in the library and only not - for - profit
organizations can operate commercially within the library.
The City Attorney said Council wanted the committee to review the restrictions regarding
the marina and discuss allowing commercial uses in the boat slips, adding bathrooms and
parking for marina occupants, ticket sales for the ferry service, and rental of water related
activities.
3.3 Set agenda for next meeting
The City Clerk said Real Estate Services Coordinator Chuck Lane will be at the next
meeting to discuss real estate restrictions in Article 2.
4. Citizens to be heard regarding items not on the agenda: None
The meeting was adjourned at 6:50 p.m.
Attest:
kL C.
City Clerk
Chair, Charter Re iew Committee l
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