07/09/2015 CHARTER REVIEW COMMITTEE MEETING
CITY OF CLEARWATER
July 9, 2015
Present: Brian J. Aungst, Jr. Chair
Bud Elias Vice Chair (departed 6:48)
Nino Accetta Committee Member (arrived 5:58)
David E. Allbritton Committee Member
Jane D. Bongo Committee Member
Karen Cunningham Committee Member
Dirk A. Curls Committee Member
Leann J. DuPont Committee Member
Rosemarie Kibitlewski Committee Member
David Loyd Committee Member
William Sturtevant Committee Member
Absent: George Mantzaris Committee Member
Also Present: Pamela Akin City Attorney
Rosemarie Call City Clerk
Nicole Sprague ORLS Coordinator
The meeting was called to order at 5:45 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 June 25, 2015 Charter Review Committee Meeting as submitted
in written summation by the City Clerk.
Committee Member Allbritton moved to approve the minutes of the June 25, 2015
Charter Review Committee meeting. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously.
3. New Business
3.1 Guest Speaker: Councilmember Hoyt Hamilton.
Councilmember Hamilton said a strong mayor form of government is primarily apparent
and most effective in small towns and big cities. If Clearwater had thousands of acres to be
developed and had the potential to double in size, then changing the form of government should
be considered. He said Coachman Park is on everyone's mind when it comes to
redevelopment as well as the empty stores on Cleveland St. There is an opportunity to
Charter Review 2015-06-25 1
energize downtown now that Water's Edge has been built and other potential residential units
on the horizon. He said a Cinebistro would be a good way to attract people to come to the
downtown area as well as a variety of other restaurants. When the restaurant component starts
to build up, the area will be more attractive for retail to come.
In response to questions, Mr. Hamilton said Coachman Park is underutilized and he
envisions it being a destination for all with an interactive fountain and a picnic area. He said the
downtown area started suffering when Sunshine Mall opened about 35 years ago; people
wanted to shop in the comfort of air conditioning. Clearwater has to identify and define what it
wants to be. If voters are well informed, any issue could be placed on a ballot without risk. He
did not support districting as it creates parochialism. Mr. Hamilton said Council should not have
the power to hire and fire staff as staff concerns can be relayed to the City Manager. He
believes all decisions pertaining to beach redevelopment were correct. Having a strong mayor
on a regional board is no more an advantage than a weak mayor as they are still just one vote.
If there is an important issue being brought up regionally, Council will discuss the issue during a
meeting and provide the board representative with their consensus or direction.
Comments were made that Countryside was developed in the 1970's and the City
expanded its boundaries to incorporate the area and that Scientology operated under a different
name when they first began purchasing property in Clearwater. Mr. Hamilton said the Church of
Scientology is the second largest taxpayer in the City and also generate bed tax.
Discussion ensued regarding what the future of downtown Clearwater will incorporate.
In response to questions, Mr. Hamilton said the City has upgraded sidewalks and stormwater
infrastructure to accommodate downtown expansion and that it is up to the private sector to
invest in the properties. Some buildings could be torn down and rebuilt with current technology.
He said that he hopes downtown will have the same parking issues that are experienced on the
beach.
Discussion ensued regarding charter restrictions in Coachman Park. Chair Aungst
suggested asking Ms. Akin to provide the committee with recommendation language to give to
Council related to the bandshell, amphitheater, and temporary seating.
In response to questions, Mr. Hamilton said there is not yet a master plan for the park.
The City is beginning the process of gathering information from the public. The park will be
larger than it is now as the surface parking in front of the Harborview Center will go away
leaving a great potential for redevelopment. Ms. Akin said the public wants to know specifically
what will be done with land before approving changes at referendum.
Committee Member Sturtevant moved to direct staff to provide recommendation
language to the Council related to improving, modifying and moving the amphitheater bandshell
and provide temporary seating in Coachman Park. The motion was duly seconded and carried
unanimously.
Charter Review 2015-06-25 2
•
•
•
4. Citizens to be heard regarding items not on the agenda: None
The meeting was adjourned at 6:52 p.m.
//
Chair, Charter eview Corf�mi ee
Charter Review 2015 -06 -25 3