05/10/2007
CHARTER REVIEW COMMITTEE
CITY OF CLEARWATER
May 10, 2007
Present: Jay E. Polglaze Chair
Howard Warshauer Vice-Chair – arrived 4:38 p.m.
William Blackwood Committee Member
Frank L. Dame Committee Member
Elizabeth Drayer Committee Member.
Joseph Harra Committee Member
Joshua Magidson Committee Member
Joyce E. Martin Committee Member – departed 6:08 p.m.
Kathy Milam Committee Member – arrived 4:36 p.m.
Alex Plisko, Jr. Committee Member
William Wallace Committee Member
Absent: Candace Gardner Committee Member
Also Present: Pamela K. Akin City Attorney
Cynthia E. Goudeau City Clerk
Rosemarie Call Management Analyst
Brenda Moses Board Reporter
The Chair called the meeting to order at 4:30 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 – April 26, 2007
Member Magidson moved to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of April 26,
motion
2007, as submitted in written summation by the City Clerk. The was duly seconded and
carried
unanimously.
3. Direction from City Council – review items not yet discussed
Transfer of Surplus Property
Discussion ensued regarding reducing restrictions on the transfer of surplus property for
affordable housing. Opposition was expressed to deleting real property limitations. It was
remarked that ballot language regarding donation of real property in 2004 referendum did not
define affordable housing. It was recommended that the term “workforce housing” be clearly
defined in the Charter.
Discussion ensued regarding uneconomic remainders. In response to a question, the
City Attorney said the City has very little surplus property. The City wants the ability to donate
uneconomic remainders to abutting property owners.
Member Dame moved to recommend that the last sentence in Section 2.01(d)(5)(i) read
“Except in the case of right-of-way dedications, the granting of easements, transactions with
Charter Review 2007-05-10 1
governmental entities as described herein, or donation for workforce housing units, no real
motion
property may be given away or donated without prior approval at referendum.” The was
duly seconded. Members Blackwood, Dame, Drayer, Harra, Martin, Milam, Plisko, Wallace,
carried.
Warshauer, and Polglaze voted “Aye.” Member Magidson voted “Nay.” Motion
Discussion ensued. Staff directed to provide language defining uneconomic remainders
and workforce housing.
Coachman Park
Member Magidson moved to recommend that Sections 2.01(d)(6) and (7) be deleted
from the Charter.
Discussion ensued. Concern was expressed that voters would not approve removal of
those sections without a comprehensive plan for Coachman Park. Suggestions were made that
Coachman Park should remain open green space and that its concerts be moved elsewhere.
Concern was expressed that the park is underused.
motion
The was duly seconded.
The City Attorney reviewed the range of provisions of subject sections and suggested
they be considered separately.
Member Magidson withdrew his motion.
Member Magidson moved to recommend that Section 2.01(d)(6) be deleted. The
motion
was duly seconded. Members Blackwood, Dame, Harra, Magidson, Milam, Plisko and
Warshauer, and Polglaze voted “Aye.” Members Drayer, Martin, and Wallace voted “Nay.”
carried.
Motion
Discussion ensued regarding OS/R (Open Space/Recreation) designated property.
Member Magidson moved to recommend that Section 2.01(d)(7) be deleted.
motion
The was duly seconded. Members Blackwood and Magidson voted “Aye.”
Members Dame, Drayer, Harra, Martin, Milam, Wallace, Warshauer, Plisko, and Polglaze voted
failed.
“Nay.” Motion
Jack Russell Stadium
Discussion ensued regarding the disposition of Jack Russell Stadium. In response to
questions, the City Attorney said the stadium is designated OS/R. The City cannot sell or lease
it for a purpose other than its current use. However, a buyer could request a change of use. A
list of OS/R properties was requested.
Member Magidson moved to recommend that Section 2.01(d)(5)(v) be deleted. The
motion
was duly seconded.
Charter Review 2007-05-10 2
Discussion ensued. Concern was expressed that this motion removes current
restrictions on City Council disposition of OS/R property. The City Attorney said the City's
Comprehensive Plan requires the City to have a specific amount of open space.
In response to a question, the City Attorney said the designation can be changed if OS/R
property becomes obsolete and cannot be used by the City. All properties designated OS/R
after 1989 are regulated by Charter.
The seconder withdrew his second.
Another member duly seconded the motion.
Upon the vote being taken, Members Blackwood, Harra, Magidson, and Plisko voted
"Aye." Members Dame, Drayer, Martin, Milam, Wallace, Warshauer, and Polglaze voted "Nay."
Motion failed.
Member Dame moved to recommend that Section 2.01 (d)(5)(v) read, "No municipally
owned real property which was identified as recreation/open space on the city's comprehensive
land use plan map on November 16, 1989,or at anytime thereafter, may be sold, donated,
leased for a new use, or otherwise transferred without prior unanimous consent by Council. . .
Such recreation/open space property may be leased for an existing use, unless such lease is
otherwise prohibited by charter or ordinance." The motion was duly seconded. Members
Blackwood, Dame, Harra, Magidson, Milam, Plisko, Wallace, and Warshauer and Chair
Polglaze voted "Aye." Members Drayer and Martin voted "Nay." Motion carried.
Other
It was suggested that the Committee consider for future discussion a Charter provision
requiring the Mayor to develop and maintain a five-year historic preservation plan.
Next Meetinq
Dr. Susan McManus will discuss forms of government at the May 24, 2007 meeting at
2:30 p.m. at the Main Library.
4. Review list of Possible Chanqes - None.
5. Adiourn
The meeting adjourned at 6: 1 0 p.m.
~~
Chair--
Charter Review Committee
Attest:
>>~ak. (ltU(
1P { City Clerk
Charter Review 2007-05-1 0
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