11/06/1997 - Penny for Pinellas
CITY COMMISSION SPECIAL WORK SESSION
CITY OF CLEARWATER
November 6, 1997
Present: Rita Garvey Mayor/Commissioner
J. B. Johnson Vice-Mayor/Commissioner
Robert Clark Commissioner
Ed Hooper Commissioner
Karen Seel Commissioner
Michael J. Roberto City Manager
Kathy S. Rice Deputy City Manager
Pamela K. Akin City Attorney
Cynthia E. Goudeau City Clerk
Patricia O. Sullivan Board Reporter
The meeting was called to order at 9:35 a.m. at the Municipal Services Building to
determine criteria for prioritizing Penny for Pinellas projects.
In Spring 1997, County voters approved an extension of the "Penny for Pinellas"
infrastructure sales tax for a second 10-year period from 2000 to 2010. According to Pinellas
County estimates, the City will receive approximately $101.15-million of proceeds over the 10-
year period. Recommended projects reflect the City's needs and total $96.9-million, leaving a
$4.25-million unallocated reserve: 1) addition/improvement Fire Training Facility & Upgrade
Fire Training Tower - $544,500; 2) extension & repaving fire training ground track - $100,000;
3) Memorial Causeway Bridge replacement - $13-million; 4) Myrtle/Ft. Harrison Avenues
widening - $225,000; 5) Druid Road widening - $12-million ; 6) traffic signal mast arm
installations - $2-million; 7) intersection improvements - $1.4-million; 8) pedestrian bridges -
$400,000; 9) variable traffic message boards - $200,000; 10) Mandalay Avenue streetscape
project - $750,000; 11) Gulfview Boulevard streetscape project - $1-million; 12) Baymont Street
streetscape project - $200,000; 13) Papaya Street pedestrian mall project - $250,000; 14) land
purchase - Magnolia Falls property - $500,000; 15) North Greenwood recreation complex - $2-
million; 16) North Greenwood recreation complex pool - $1-million; 17) Ross Norton recreation
complex - $2-million; 18) Salls Lake Park - $300,000; 19) Moccasin Lake Nature Park -
$200,000; 20) Morningside recreation complex - $2-million; 21) Cliff Stephens Park - $220,000;
22) Forest Run Park restroom facilities - $100,000; 23) Cherry Harris Park - $100,000; 24)
Woodgate Park improvements - $150,000; 25) SR 60 corridor beautification project -
$250,000; 26) recreation trails - $1.5-million; 27) athletic practice field - $300,000; 28) McKay
Playfield renovations - $150,000; 29) Lake Chautauqua Park North - $400,000; 30) Lake
Chautauqua Park South - $180,000; 31) renovation of existing recreation centers - $500,000;
32) North Clearwater nature park - $300,000; 33) infrastructure facility for Parks & Recreation
facilities & nursery - $2.5-million; 34) Main Library - $12-million; 35) library branch expansion -
$1.5-million; 36) North Greenwood Branch Library - $800,000; 37) new fishing/public access
piers - $580,500; 38) City-wide geographic information system - $1.5-million; 39) Memorial
Causeway Civic Center - $7.3-million; 40) Kapok recreation & stormwater retention area - $11-
million; 41) stream channel protection - $4-million; 42) downtown storm outfall pipe - $1.5-
million; 43) Harbor Bluff waterfront park - $2-million; 44) economic redevelopment &
environmental assessment & abatement - $5-million; 45) Long Center - $1-million; and 46)
Ruth Eckerd Hall - $2-million.
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The City Manager noted the need for City Commission feedback to prioritize projects
planned for the extension of the Penny for Pinellas. Extension funds will become available in
2001. The City wants to leverage these funds with other sources. He recommended the City
Commission consider development plans and CIP (Capital Improvement Projects) for
downtown, Clearwater beach, and Gulf-to-Bay Boulevard. The effect of the project on quality
of life issues are important.
Organizational and Employee Development Director Pam Skyrme recommended the
Commission consider a variety of issues when determining the priority of each proposed
Penny for Pinellas project.
Economic Impact on
Dr. Skyrme reviewed suggested Quality of Life Criteria: 1)
Community
- staff to provide statistics and information regarding economic impact of similar
projects elsewhere and forecast economic impacts on Clearwater including: a) number of value
added jobs; b) impact on property values; c) potential tax revenues due to increased valuation;
Impact on Tourism
d) higher utility usage; e) increased user fees to offset operating costs; 2)
- how project will increase tourism or create reasons to visit Clearwater. Staff to project the
number of people to be attracted to the area and the resulting number of filled hotel beds; 3)
Actual or Perceived Impact on Public Safety
- how project will reduce crime and traffic
accidents, improve neighborhoods, create safer streets, or change perceptions of community
Aesthetics
safety; 4) - how each project affects City?s appearance. Staff to determine how
each project defines Clearwater?s character or impacts specific section or neighborhood; 5)
Scale of Benefit
- how project benefits community, neighborhood, or entire City. Affected
Synergy
area to be defined and benefits explained; 6) - how project relates to other systems
or projects. Related and affected systems or projects to be listed and relationships explained;
Promotes Comprehensive or Strategic Plans
and 7) - if project involves more than one
issue, e.g., watershed management would not qualify, while neighborhood plan with zoning,
traffic, and streetscaping issues would. Staff to report how project promotes or supports a
larger focus.
It was noted quality of life is a relative term. It was felt public safety and attention to
flooding are paramount. The City Manager recommended the City consider what attracts
tourists, makes them feel safe, their modes of transportation, and how to present a clean
image. The importance of a safe Citywide environment was noted. It was stated low crime
rates attract tourists and economic development.
The City Manager recommended the City Commission focus on the Gulf-to-Bay
Boulevard corridor tourists use as they travel into Clearwater. The first and last impressions of
the City are important. It was suggested Pinellas County, FDOT (Florida Department of
Transportation), and business owners also participate in upgrading Gulf-to-Bay Boulevard.
The City Manager said attracting businesses, tourists, and residents are compatible goals.
The Commission needs to consider how residents and visitors will use proposed facilities.
Deputy City Manager Kathy Rice said some items currently on the Penny for Pinellas list may
not meet the criteria. Other projects may need to be added. Public Hearings will be held
regarding all changes to the list. The City Manager recommended the Commission consider
the ?big picture.?
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The Commission recessed from 10:05 to 10:25 a.m.
Total Cost of Project
Suggested Financial Criteria for the Commission to consider: 1)
Paid out of Penny for Pinellas
- cost of project as submitted for Penny for Pinellas. If project
Direct
leverages dollars from other sources, total project costs also to be presented; 2)
Leverage of Other Dollars
- percentage of total project costs to be paid by non-City sources;
Future Funding Requirements
3) - amount and type of new allocations required for project
such as operating expenses, maintenance costs, personnel, etc. Costs covered by
Alternative Funding Available
reallocation of existing resources to be listed; 4) - list of
alternative funding sources for each project. Indicates if use of other sources will delay
Generates Other Revenue
project. If delay expected, staff to identify length and reason; 5) -
if project will generate revenue, determines percentage of operating costs those revenues will
Cost of Project Estimated Accurately
cover; and 6) - states if Penny for Pinellas cost
estimates are accurate and include expenses for related studies, planning, etc., and identifies
those costs.
In response to a question, the City Manager suggested the City Commission adopt a
rating system. He recommended obtaining feedback from the public. It is important to
consider the value of each project to the whole community. It was recommended Public
Hearings regarding changes to the Penny for Pinellas list include increased publicity.
The City Manager noted the schedule for many projects may depend on other funding
sources and grants. The importance of coordinating projects with other government agencies
was noted. For example, FDOT has scheduled to repave Gulf-to-Bay Boulevard in the Spring.
The City Manager noted the importance of the City partnering with other agencies to stretch
funds. Concern was expressed the future maintenance and operating cost related to a project
be considered. The City Manager suggested the City could partner with a social service
agency to provide services at new recreation centers.
The City Manager said the City can only estimate future construction costs.
Modifications to projects prior to construction will cause changes. It was recommended the
City take steps to rectify current problems by developing accurate data regarding the location
of buried utilities.
Unfunded Planning and Construction Costs
For each project, staff will address: 1)
Operating Costs after
such as temporary employees and design and development studies; 2)
Completion
including the cost and number of new FTEs (Full-Time Equivalent) and
Other Information
maintenance expenses; and 3) such as the 1997 assessed value of land
taken off tax rolls, property taxes collected in 1997, economic benefits, revenues, etc.
It was recommended the cost of bonding and internal borrowing also be considered.
The City Manager said staff will attempt to provide the City Commission with the big picture,
including a review of public feedback. It is important that all costs be considered. Concern
was expressed bonding future Penny for Pinellas appropriates pennies from the total.
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Dr. Skyrme will assign weights to the criteria and provide a scale for the City
Commission to use in prioritizing Penny for Pinellas projects.
The meeting adjourned at 11:00 a.m.
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