04/02/2007
CITY COUNCIL WORKSESSION MINUTES
CITY OF CLEARWATER
April 2, 2007
Present: Frank Hibbard Mayor
Carlen Petersen Vice-Mayor
John Doran Councilmember
George N. Cretekos Councilmember
Paul Gibson Councilmember
Also present: William B. Horne II City Manager
Rod Irwin Assistant City Manager
Pamela K. Akin City Attorney
Cynthia E. Goudeau City Clerk
Patricia O. Sullivan Board Reporter
The Mayor called the meeting to order at 1:30 p.m. at City Hall.
To provide continuity for research, items are in agenda order although not
necessarily discussed in that order.
Presentations
2006 Top Shock Award
Pinellas County Medical Director Dr. Romig presented the City with the 2006 Top Shock
Award for the best performance by a Fire or EMS organization in providing timely and
appropriate ventricular fibrillation.
Parks and Recreation
Approve co-sponsorship and waiver of requested City fees and service charges for FY 2007-
2008 special events including nine annual City events; and nineteen City co-sponsored events;
at an estimated gross cost of $655,370 ($137,500 representing cash contributions and
$517,870 representing in-kind contributions) for the purposes of departmental budget
submittals.
According to the City Code of Ordinances on special events, there shall be an annual
review of City sponsored/co-sponsored events during the budget process. An agenda item
approving co-sponsorship and level of support for these events will be brought before the City
Council at the beginning of the budget process each fiscal year. In the event additional money
is requested beyond what is included in the approved budget, City Council approval will be
needed before additional funds are dispersed.
A chart shows cash and in-kind contributions requested to be included in FY (Fiscal
Year) 2007/08 budget for City sponsored and co-sponsored special events. In addition, the
2006/2007 approved spreadsheet is available for comparison purposes. “In-kind contributions”
are included in operating budgets under various departments. “In-kind contributions” increased
Council Work Session 2007-04-02 1
$36,225 (7.5%) primarily due to increased cost of salaries and personnel needed for various
events.
Main increase occurred in the following: 1) Ironman 70.3 ($13,000); 2) Fun `n Sun
Festival ($10,000); 3) Hispanic Heritage Festival ($5,000); 4) Knology Sea-Blues Festival
($5,000); and 5) Clearwater Celebrates America ($3,000). "Cash Requests” have remained the
same, making the increase in total cash and in-kind contributions 5.9%.
Concerns were expressed regarding proposed increases.
In response to questions, Parks & Recreation Director Kevin Dunbar said estimated
increases would provide the current level of service. Staff seeks Council guidance if certain
events are to be eliminated. Mr. Dunbar said most increases are related to in-kind services that
are tied to operating costs and employee salaries.
Discussion ensued. Recommendations were made for staff to explore reducing City
cash assistance and increasing event partner contributions.
Engineering
Award the Contract for Marshall Street Influent Pump Station Rehabilitation (07-0014-UT) to
TLC Diversified, Incorporated of Palmetto, Florida in the amount of $680,680.00 in accordance
with City Code Sec. 2.564(d), other governmental bid, and that the appropriate officials be
authorized to execute same. (consent)
During routine pump service operations, it was determined that several valves in the
station are worn and cannot properly isolate the pumps to allow the required service. In order to
replace existing valves, sewer flows coming into the station must be bypassed. While the
station is on bypass, there is an opportunity to address other areas of the pump station that
require rehabilitation due to age and wear.
Years of exposure to highly corrosive Hydrogen Sulfide gas have caused the coating
inside the wet well to fail, and the exposed areas of concrete in and around the wet well are
deteriorating quickly. The extent of corrosion inside the wet well cannot be determined until a
thorough cleaning and inspection is performed. Due to the uncertainty of the extent of corrosion
damage, the contractor has added pay items for additional concrete restoration and additional
pump and bypass tank rentals. Once the structures are thoroughly cleaned and inspected, the
contractor will provide the level of restoration required and the City will pay only for the work that
is performed.
The Marshall Street Influent Pump Station is located at the Marshall Street Advanced
Wastewater Treatment Facility at 1605 Harbor Drive. The Marshall Street Influent Pump Station
is a triplex wet pit/dry pit lift station. The proposed improvements at The Marshall Street Influent
Pump Station involve temporary bypass pumping, concrete and liner restoration of the existing
structures, replacing the lid of the influent manhole, installation of new check valves and new
isolation valves, and minor piping to complete the project.
Council Work Session 2007-04-02 2
TLC Diversified, Inc. is the present holder of the low bid, triennial, Lift Station Repairs
and Refurbishment Services contract with Seminole County (contract cc-1220-03/TLC). The
unit prices for this work are from that contract. The contractor will be allowed 90 days to
accomplish the work and will begin within 30 days of a notice to proceed.
Resolution 06-53 was passed on October 15, 2006, establishing the City’s intent to
reimburse certain Water & Sewer Utility project costs incurred with future tax-exempt financing.
The projects identified with 2008 revenue bonds as a funding source were included in the
project list associated with Resolution 06-53.
In response to questions, Engineering Manager Rob Fahey said the coating was
installed in 1988. New liners are guaranteed for a maximum of 10 years. To prevent a
reoccurrence, a permanent bypass would be required, costing significantly more than this
repair. It was stated an ongoing inspection program would not be cost beneficial.
Official Records and Legislative Services
Appoint a Councilmember to serve as Vice-Mayor
Consensus was to appoint Councilmember Doran.
Appoint one member to the Parks and Recreation Board with the term expiring on April 30,
2011.
Consensus was to appoint Martha Jane Williams.
City Manager Verbal Reports
Landscaping on Memorial Causeway
The City Manager reported that Phase 3 of the Memorial Causeway landscaping plan
would add plant materials to the median and increase annual maintenance costs by $30,000 to
$50,000. The City has sufficient resources to maintain earlier phases. It was recommended
that the City replace declining plant material as long as additional maintenance costs do not
result.
Consensus was to not move forward with Phase 3.
Discussion ensued regarding FDOT (Florida Department of Transportation) efforts to
improve safety on the Memorial Causeway Bridge. The Mayor will address the issue with
FDOT.
Sewer Line Failure
Interim Public Utilities Director Tracy Mercer reported that a 16-inch sewer line on Sand
Key had failed. A MOT (Movement of Traffic) plan has been adopted and repairs will be
completed within several days. Staff will report their findings to the City Council.
Council Work Session 2007-04-02 3
Other Council Action
Councilmember Cretekos provided Council with list of tax reform recommendations and
suggested a letter be drafted to the State legislators.
Discussion ensued regarding the list. Consensus was to finalize recommendations on
Wednesday night.
Councilmember Gibson recommended that the City Council schedule more budget
meetings.
Adjourn
The meeting adjourned at 3:24 p.m.
Council Work Session 2007-04-02 4