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07/14/1998 - North Greenwood Community MeetingNORTH GREENWOOD COMMUNITY MEETING CITY OF CLEARWATER July 14, 1998 Present: Rick Hedrick Assistant City Manager Arlita Hallam Library Director Lorenzo Aghemo Central Permitting Director Jeff Kronschnabl Community Response Team Miles Ballogg Environmental Specialist Dan Mayer Research Environmentalist Art Kader Acting Parks and Recreation Director Michael Holmes Assistant Housing & Urban Development Director Fred Hinson Code Enforcement Technician Shirley Dawkins Code Enforcement Technician Brian Mirson Consultant Members of Public Exhibit #1 Brenda Moses Board Reporter North Greenwood Association Chair Jonathan Wade called the meeting to order at 6:18 p.m. at the Martin Luther King Center. Police Lieutenant Jeff Kronschnabl reviewed priorities identified by community residents and the overall vision of the community developed from citizen input. North Greenwood is important to the City’s One City. One Future. concept. Community consensus is important before the City moves forward with priority projects identified previously. It was suggested the list of priorities include Economic Development. Assistant City Manager Rick Hedrick said the City has had many previous plans. The City Manager and staff are committed to working with the community on redevelopment plans. Some short terms results will be evident soon. The One City. One Future. concept is a partnership with the City acting as facilitator and the community contributing “sweat equity.” Research Environmentalist Dan Mayer addressed improvements considered for Stevenson’s Creek. Health and safety issues include odor and public use. Brazilian pepper has been removed between Betty Lane and Fort Harrison Avenue and replaced with spartana grass. Next year, retrofit structures that remove excess organics and debris will improve stormwater conditions. The City hopes to purchase property at Overbrook and Douglas Avenues for a passive recreational park. A proposal is pending to dredge the creek to remove contaminated soils and excess organics. The City Commission approved the purchase of the Atrium at Myrtle and Fort Harrison Avenues. The building will be demolished and replaced with a passive park, serving as an entryway into the City. Environmental Specialist Miles Ballogg said Senator Jack Latvala has been the driving force behind the Stevenson’s Creek clean-up. Mr. Wade requested feedback on City plans to clean up “Jake’s” property and a Pennsylvania Avenue property as part of the Brownfields initiative. Consensus was for the City to move forward. Mr. Ballogg reviewed proposed sites for Brownfields clean up projects. He requested community consensus to ensure all sites of concern are addressed in this effort. Tax incentives related to the Brownfields initiative will ensure the Greenwood community becomes more attractive. Library Director Arlita Hallam reviewed the history of the North Greenwood branch library. The City proposes to double the library’s size and move it to a central location in the community. Building plans include a community meeting room, a computer classroom to teach career skills and provide Internet access, and a one-stop government center. Some funds will be available from the Penny for Pinellas tax. Staff will apply for a State library grant. Construction is planned for 2001/02. Acting Parks and Recreation Director Art Kader said the Martin Luther King Center is the City’s most heavily used recreation center. The City is proposing to close the Armory and construct a 15,000 to 20,000 square foot recreation center that includes a fitness room, basketball courts, game room, meeting rooms, arts and craft room, and other amenities identified by the community. Funds will be available from the Penny for Pinellas tax for use in 2000/01. A family aquatic center is planned designed to incorporate water sprays, slides, umbrellas, and other festive amenities. The funding cycle for this project is 2000/01. Mr. Kader said Cherry Harris Park, an anchor to the Greenwood community, has historical significance, and will be redesigned to better reflect the community’s character. Entry foyers, a main walkway, parking, and new or renovated restrooms are planned. Assistant Housing and Urban Development Director Michael Holmes stated the City has been involved with housing rehabilitation since 1979 and building new homes since 1993. Funding is available for downpayment assistance, new home construction, and housing rehabilitation. The City is partnering with the Wilson Company to build low-income housing on Drew Street, and with CED to build units at the site of the former Sunshine Mall. Staff requested Greenwood residents identify all housing opportunities in the community, since none has been identified to date. It was requested that apartment opportunities, tenant relocation programs, code enforcement, and economic development be added to the priority list. Adelle Vaughn-Jemison stated her intention to run for the School Board. Senator Jack Latvala stated staff is ensuring available State, Federal and local funds are being allocated in the right places throughout the community. He can be most helpful in obtaining State funding to clean up Stevenson’s Creek. In response to a question, Mr. Ballogg said the enterprise zone is bordered by Stevenson’s Creek, Betty Lane, Drew Street, Missouri Avenue, Belleair Road, and Fort Harrison Avenue. The meeting recessed from 7:20 to 7:40 p.m. Charles Howe, Boy Scouts of America, reviewed the organization’s history. He said the Boy Scouts would like to partner with other organizations to provide a safe haven for young men and help them become good citizens. The Boy Scouts are not asking for money, but for partners to serve as role models. The goal is not to diminish existing community programs, but to support them. It was suggested Mr. Howe attend a regularly scheduled North Greenwood Association meeting for further discussion. Lt. Kronschnabl said funding for the Weed and Seed program has been allocated to Career Options, Mt. Carmel Job Training Center, and undercover drug operations. He reviewed the City-wide code enforcement program, stating the community’s top concerns have been identified as quality of life issues, code compliance, and projects that improve the neighborhood. In response to a question, Code Enforcement Technician Fred Hinson said staff drives and walks neighborhoods throughout the community to identify code enforcement violations. It was requested a printout of areas already addressed by Code Enforcement be distributed to residents. City Consultant Brian Mirson said the projects identified in the City’s vision are catalysts for improvements and redevelopment in Greenwood and the whole City. Corridor enhancements, streetscaping, reclaimed water, facade improvements, and entryway features are planned. Staff’s goal is to establish targets and ensure each piece contributes to the welfare of the entire City. He said corridor enhancements for entryways in Greenwood have been identified. Cherry Harris Park will be enhanced as a historical landmark. In response to a question, Lt. Kronschnabl said funds will be available for Cherry Harris Park enhancements, demolition of the Atrium, and Brownfields clean up within the next 12 months. In response to a question, Mr. Mirson said the Phillies future plans have no bearing on where the community feels projects should be located. Decisions regarding preferred options must be made now and sustained in order to progress successfully. Discussion ensued regarding parking, entrances, and locked restrooms at Cherry Harris Park. Mr. Mirson said the proposal suggests Beckett Street be used to access the park, returning Marshall Street to two-way traffic without parking, and closing Washington Avenue to parking. There would be no parking on the north side of the park, with diagonal parking in the park’s south side. In response to a question, Mr. Mayer said traffic will be monitored. Streets can be changed into one-way thoroughfares to control traffic where necessary and prevent driving around the park. It was requested that pedestrian walkways be built in the park due to increased traffic resulting from beautification efforts, and signs be installed to indicate “children at play.” In response to a question, Mr. Kader said staff will address the issue of locked restrooms. Consensus was to accept the proposed plans as presented and recommend the City move forward. It was stated that the City needs to work with the community to ensure a good relationship regarding Brownfields projects in Greenwood. Mr. Ballogg stated Willa Carson and Robert Washington serve on the Brownfields Advisory Board. He offered to schedule a meeting to discuss Brownfields projects in more detail, and encouraged residents to serve on a committee. The meeting adjourned at 9:20 p.m.