Loading...
08/31/1989 CITY COMMISSION SPECIAL WORKSESSION GOAL SETTING August 31, 1989 The City Commission of the City of Clearwater met at East Library with the following members present: Rita Garvey Mayor/Commissioner Don Winner Vice-Mayor/Commissioner Lee Regulski Commissioner William Nunamaker Commissioner Richard Fitzgerald Commissioner Also present were: Ron H. Rabun City Manager Michael Wright Assistant City Manager Kathy Rice Assistant City Manager Charles Hunsicker Assistant City Manager Cynthia E. Goudeau City Clerk The meeting was called to order at 9:08 a.m. The City Manager stated these are goals that have a one to five year time frame. Today we are asking the Commission to review the mission statement and goals and provide consensus acceptance of the same. Commission consensus was to accept the mission statement as follows: maintain Clearwater's reputation as a leader in innovation in the delivery of municipal services while developing programs, practices, policies and procedures that causes to be the model city in Pinellas County while working within a conservative budget concept with a high level of citizen satisfaction. The discussion then turned to the goals to be set for the Commission. A question was raised regarding why a goal regarding fire rating was not included and it was stated this has been assigned to staff and is not a part of the Commission's goals. A question was raised regarding the categories used to delineate the goals and it was questioned whether or not conservation was in part of environment. It was indicated this is the case. Goal #1 - Secure funding for Clearwater Pass Bridge Concern was expressed that phrasing of this goal indicated we did not have the monies pledged. Consensus was to add the words "and obtain" to the statement. It was indicated that semi-annual updates are included in the goal and we do have people monitoring the funding on this. It was requested this be identified as a top priority and in response to a question it was indicated the City is on track regarding city funds for this project. Goal #2 - to actively solicit Federal, State and Local funds for Clearwater's Transportation needs It was indicated State legislature is passing tax increases for roads and the City of Clearwater wants to make sure it gets its fair share of these funds. A concern was expressed that we establish and maintain a liaison with State, County and Federal agencies to stay in touch and to make sure they are aware of our transportation priorities. It was suggested this be looked at in a broader range than just the City of Clearwater. The project was changed to read "actively promote, solicit and support Federal, State and local funds for City and Regional transportation needs". It was also requested that under strategies the following two items be added; "establish and maintain liaison with each transportation planning and funding agency while advocating for funding of Clearwater's current needs" and "be cognizant of public transportation and its impact on traffic needs". Goal #3 - Eliminate street level narcotic activities in Clearwater A question was raised why we were establishing a target date of a 10 percent decrease by July of 1995 and why it is limited to street level narcotics. It was indicated that it is at the street level that the local government can be most effective. A question was raised regarding the city's participation in a consolidated drug task group for the County. It was indicated the City had never received a letter requesting support. The City Manager reported that individual meetings are being set up with the City Commission and the Police Chief to explain and discuss this proposal. It was indicated part of the problem was when initial discussion began regarding the task force, it was indicated it would be funded 100 percent by the County. The cities are now being asked to fund 50 percent of it and we are in the middle of our budget process. It was requested the word "reported" be stricken from strategy #3. It was also requested the word "enhanced" in strategy #4 be replaced by the words "more effective". Discussion ensued regarding whether or not there should be two goals, one addressing drugs specifically and one for crime in general. It was indicated a majority of the economic crime is due to narcotics. Consensus was to establish a new goal to reduce crime by 10 percent and to move strategies 2, 5, 9 and 10 to that new goal. Strategy #8 would be in both goals. Goal #4 - Adopt a high profile and work proactively to impact County, State and National policies and funding on crime issues Discussion ensued regarding what impact the City could have at the national level. Commission consensus was that this is a policy and not a goal. Goal #5 - Investigate the expansion of the CRA district to provide housing It was stated the purpose of the goal was a way to develop housing stock in the downtown area. It was indicated the benefits to the CRA housing district would be a infrastructure and land acquisition. It was suggested we need to develop a strategy to maintain what we have and to develop more affordable housing. It was stated the issues of affordable housing and CRA housing are not the same and that you would not want to restrict the downtown area to affordable housing. It was the consensus to establish two goals; one to provide affordable housing for all in Clearwater and two, to stimulate housing in an expanded CRA district. It was decided that the goal regarding affordable housing would be made a part of goal #9 under the long range economic development task force goals and it would read "encourage the maintenance and development of affordable housing for the City of Clearwater". Discussion ensued regarding the specifics of this goal stating that the City should not build major housing projects. It was indicated they should build some. It was the consensus to take out the first sentence which addresses major housing projects and to change the second sentence to read "the City should consider using condemnation, zoning and other regulatory action to encourage private development of affordable housing". It was also requested that the word "social" be added in the second paragraph prior to the word "effects". The meeting recessed from 10:44 a.m. to 10:54 a.m. Goal #6 - Expand the City's current enterprise zone Mike Wright, Assistant City Manger indicated the proposal is to expand the enterprise zone to include the redevelopment area and it would provide incentives for development. Goal #7 - Update the Downtown Plan Consensus was to change the category to Economic Development Redevelopment District, to change the project to update the redevelopment district and to add two strategies, one to stimulate housing in downtown and two, investigate expansion of the CRA district. Goal #8 - Implement a proactive annexation program Discussion ensued regarding the need for a marketing program and it was stated those things people were objecting about at the County budget hearing that they are not receiving are things they do receive if they are inside the City. Consensus was to amend strategies to eliminate the first one regarding review and adoption of economic development long range plan, to renumber the existing ones and to add one that stated "to develop a market program for the City of Clearwater and its service". Goal #9 - Consider adoption of a Greenwood Business District It was the consensus of the Commission to eliminate this as it has already been done. Goal #10 - Develop and evaluate a request for proposal for the sale of the natural gas system Consensus was to add the word "possible" in front of the word sale and to change the review date to the first quarter of 1990. Goal #11 - Expand all volunteer efforts within the City There were no changes to this goal. Goal #12 - Separate disability benefits from the City pension plan and retain the integrity of benefits that are more predictable. There were no changes to this goal. Goal #13 - Review cost of private self-insurance fund for liability and health coverages for the City The Manager indicated it is hoped that the City can hire a Risk Manager. Discussion ensued regarding the cost for workman's compensation and it was indicated this would cost us $726,000.00 a year. There were no changes to this goal. Goal #14 - Acquire alternative non-tax revenue sources including additional impact fees The Manager indicated that all fees are reviewed annually. Consensus was to change "report to the Commission" to "annual reports" and to delete strategy #3 regarding review and consideration of adoption of long range goals of the economic development committee. Goal #15 - Adoption of a stormwater management utility plan to respond to EPA requirements and State SWIM bill It was indicated it was too early to project costs for stormwater management. It was indicated some of the major projects may be eligible to be funded through the one percent sales tax. There were no changes to this goal. Goal #16 - Audit the Land Development Code in consideration of new FEMA directives It was indicated that what is being considered are actually guidelines and not directives. It was indicated these are being drawn up at this time. It was indicated we are trying to more closely pattern state law. Consensus was to change the project name to "Review FEMA guidelines in relation to the Land Development Code and other regulations". Goal #17 - Landscape Courtney Campbell Causeway similar to the Tampa side Consensus was to change this project to "Landscape Courtney Campbell Causeway similar to the Hillsborough side" and to add the words "or others" at the end of strategy #2. Goal #18 - Promote the implementation of reclaimed water recycling for lawn irrigation on a cost effective basis Consensus was to change this to read "Promote the increased use of reclaimed water recycling for lawn irrigation on a cost effective basis" as we are already participating in reclaimed water use. Goal #19 - Encourage City/Private efforts to meet and exceed the 30 percent sanitation recycling goal for the City There were no changes to this goal. Goal #20 - Promote a water conservation ethic throughout the City of Clearwater. There were no changes to this goal. Discussion ensued regarding the economic development task force goals and it was the consensus to adopt them in concept without the attendant strategies. A question was raised regarding whether or not the Commission should have a legislative meeting with citizens. It was asked this be looked at in conjunction with a town meeting. Review of policy book In regard to the policy regarding fees for special events and waiving them for cosponsored events, it was requested that rather than listing all of the cosponsored events that it just use an example. Regarding the policy that fees would be waived for PACT as for other governmental entities, it was requested this be reviewed. A question was raised regarding whether or not fees were waived for the Center Foundation Project. It was requested in the policy which addressed aesthetics and the sparkling Clearwater Program that reference to conservation be added. Questions were raised regarding the policy which provides a time limit for banners and was requested the designated locations be added to this policy. It was questioned whether or not a policy regarding the appointment of an acting City Manager is a needed policy. For the policy regarding gifts to departing commissioners, it was requested that the word "consecutive" be added to the policy regarding two full terms and three full terms. Discussion ensued regarding the policy regarding not processing requests for approval of street vendors. It was pointed out that such a permit could be beneficial to the downtown area. Consensus of the Commission was to leave as is. In regard to the Commission travel policy, it was recommended the City adopt the State's plan and it was stated this is being reviewed and the City's travel ordinance is being reviewed. A question was raised regarding a policy regarding staff not being assigned to routinely attend non-governmental boards and was requested this policy be eliminated and attendance at such occasions be at the discretion of the City Manager. Consensus was to delete this. Questions arose regarding the policy regarding the J C Bench program. It was indicated it is to be left in for now as the agreement will be up for renewal in the next year. It was the consensus to delete the policy regarding Commission representation on outside boards. Concerns were expressed regarding the policy that prohibits City employees from participating in City's auctions. It was requested that language be drawn up that prohibited participation by anyone with inside information. It was the consensus to delete the policy regarding fire fighters being non-smokers and living within the County and police officers living within the County as these are now prerequisites for employment in these categories. The policy regarding the special events committee reviewing applications for the use of city benches, sidewalks, etc. was requested to be combined with the policy regarding fees for special events. A question was raised regarding whether or not we enforce the requirement for subdivision entrance monuments having liability insurance. Staff will investigate. It was requested the policy regarding the appraised value of parcels being used in determining impact fee assessments be deleted if it is now a part of an ordinance. It was requested that the word "ownership" be added to the policy regarding "request to be made that all contiguous parcels be annexed simultaneously". This would provide that all contiguous parcels owned by one individual or entity be annexed at one time. It was requested the City Attorney review the policy that provides for acceptance of minor plan changes being allowed when there are pending ordinances. It was requested that the word "only" be deleted from the policy statement "support for limited development, low density residential development only scenic corridors". A question was raised regarding whether or not the policy that requires a minimum setback of 35 feet from the right-of-way was part of the code. This will be investigated. The policy requiring dedication of right-of-way was requested to be reviewed. It was requested that the sentence redevelopment or new development will be in accordance with land development code be deleted from the policy regarding maintaining the beach as family tourist orientated. It was requested that the policy regarding use of Jack Russell Stadium by non-profit organizations be deleted. It was requested that if two policies regarding library fees are in ordinances, they be deleted. Discussion ensued regarding the policy for the setting of slip rental fees at the marina. It was requested that the ordinance be checked regarding the City Manager's ability to raise these rates and to report back to the Commission. It was requested that the first sentence regarding "parking for marina tenants" be modified as follows; marina tenants may purchase parking permits that will allow the holder of the permit to park in any available metered space in the marina lot with the exception of the 1/2 hour spaces in front of the marina building without paying the meter rate. It was the consensus to delete the policy that provided the harbormaster may authorize a transfer of a boat slip to a new boat owner. Staff was directed that if the policy regarding Commission taking their seats at the first meeting in April was part of the charter to delete this as a policy. The mayor questioned whether or not the City Commissioners wanted copies of the entire Code of Ordinance Book. General consensus was they need this book but the separate printing of the Land Development Code was optional. Discussion returned to the travel policy and it was stated that trips for the Commissioners should be put in as budgeted items. It was suggested that as part of the budget preparation that items would be included for known trips and that a separate pool for unknown items would be provided. A question was raised regarding whether or not the Commission wished to consider setting limits on the issues that come before the Commission under Citizens to be Heard. Consensus was to wait and see if there continues to be a problem with items being brought to the Commission that they have no control over. A concern was expressed regarding the procedures for public hearing and it was indicated that the public hearing should be declared closed and that no more public input be received. The meeting adjourned at 1:16 p.m.