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04/18/1991 CITY COMMISSION MEETING April 18, 1991 The City Commission of the City of Clearwater met in regular session at City Hall, Thursday, April 18, 1991 at 6:05 p.m., with the following members present: Rita Garvey Mayor/Commissioner Richard Fitzgerald Vice-Mayor/Commissioner Lee Regulski Commissioner Sue Berfield Commissioner Absent: William Nunamaker Commissioner Also present: Michael J. Wright City Manager M.A. Galbraith, Jr. City Attorney William C. Baker Public Works Director James Polatty, Jr. Planning and Development Director Cynthia E. Goudeau City Clerk The Mayor called the meeting to order and led the Pledge of Allegiance. The invocation was offered by Reverend Williston Brewer of the Belmont Park United Methodist Church. In order to provide continuity for research, the items will be listed in agenda order although not necessarily discussed in that order. III - Service Pin Awards. One service pin was awarded to a City employee. IV - Introductions and Awards. The Mayor presented 3 first and 1 second place trophies to employees of the Solid Waste Division who competed in the Seventh Annual Governmental Refuse Collection and Disposal Association's Sunshine (GRCDA) Road-E-O. Three of these individuals will go on to represent Clearwater and the Florida Sunshine Chapter of GRCDA at the International Finals. A citation of appreciation was presented to Karie Gray for being chosen to represent Clearwater in the Little Miss Hometown Competition. Miss Gray presented a plaque to Clearwater recognizing it as an outstanding hometown. Proclamations: Secretaries Week - April 21-27, 1991 Victims Rights Week - April 21-27, 1991 Law Week - April 29 - May 5, 1991 V - Presentations. The Occupational Award of Commendation from the National Safety Council, Pinellas Chapter, was presented to the City of Clearwater in recognition of 3,063,337 hours worked in 1990 without lost time due to injury. VI - Minutes of the Regular Meeting of April 4, 1991. Commissioner Fitzgerald moved to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of April 4, 1991, as recorded and submitted in written summation by the City Clerk to each Commissioner. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. VII - Citizens to be heard re items not on the Agenda - none. ITEM #9A - Pinellas Center, Inc. also known as The Long Center (Center Foundation) Lease The new lease agreement is essentially the same as the one submitted for consideration on January 3, 1991 except the cost distribution formula has been significantly revised and all reference to the YWCA has been removed from the document. In April of 1990, the City Parks and Recreation Department provided The Center with an optimistic user hour requirement that when divided into the proposed budget requirement produced a user hour rate of $.50. The Center based its budget on projected hours of programming whereas the City has been paying based on actual participant programming hours. The difference is a shortfall of approximately $55,000 in revenues to The Center. The Center is currently requesting payment from the City. It is felt that additional language needs to be added to the lease that establishes an "expense ceiling" to protect the City's general fund from rapidly escalating budgets in future years. Since the signing of the 1986 lease, the Long Center has reorganized its operations and formed a second corporation, the Pinellas Center, Inc., which is the current operating arm of the Center. The existing corporation, Clearwater Youth Recreation Center, Inc., has become essentially a fund raising organization. Both corporations will have eighteen members of which the City will have two members on each board. The proposed lease also formalizes the inclusion of Safety Harbor as a sponsoring agency. The City Manager said changes to the lease requested at the April 15, 1991 Special Meeting have been made. Commissioner Fitzgerald moved to approve the revised lease with Pinellas Center Inc., also known as The Long Center (Center Foundation). The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. ITEM #9B - Agreement to Terminate Lease Agreement with Clearwater Youth Recreation Center, Inc. Due to the approval of the lease in Item #9A, the existing lease with Clearwater Youth Recreation Center, Inc. needs to be terminated. Commissioner Regulski moved to approve the agreement to terminate the lease agreement with the Clearwater Youth Recreation Center, Inc. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. VIII - PUBLIC HEARINGS ITEM #10 - Funding increase of $12,000 for Gateway Children's Shelter as an amendment to the 90/91 CDBG (PLD) The Junior League of Clearwater is preparing a facility to provide day care services for children of homeless families. This project was granted $10,000 from the 1990-91 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and was originally intended to be constructed at the former Salvation Army Complex on N. Fort Harrison Avenue. Subsequently, an agreement was developed to incorporate this day care operation with the Community Pride Child Care Center. As a joint venture, this project will provide a dedication of 34 slots for children of families in shelter care or transitional housing. This joint venture calls for Gateway to provide a building addition of 2560 square feet. A portion of the proposed Gateway funding was to be derived from a Federal Emergency Service Grant. However, these funds cannot be used for new construction. These funds will be available as an operating subsidy for Gateway. Gateway is requesting that City funds replace the $12,000 which was lost from their construction budget. Funding for this increase is available under the CDBG program. The City received increased program income last year of $53,400 of which $9,000 remains unobligated. The remainder of the funds are available from unobligated contingencies which include the unexpended balance of previous year's funds. The Planning & Development Director reported the Neighborhood Advisory Committee recommends approval of this request. Commissioner Regulski moved to approve a funding increase of $12,000 for the Gateway Children's Shelter as an amendment to the 1990-91 CDBG. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. ITEM #11 - Public Hearing/receive public comment relating to traffic recommendations contained in the Clearwater Beach Traffic Study report prepared by Wade-Trim, Inc., establish date for public information meeting to display details of the plan and receive further public input (PW) Wade-Trim, Inc., a firm which specializes in traffic engineering, was hired by the City to study and prepare recommendations to improve traffic flow and reduce or eliminate the number of Police-Aides required for traffic control during peak periods on Clearwater Beach. Three major recommendations are: 1) implement a one-way pair street system between the intersection of Coronado Drive and South Gulfview Boulevard and the intersection of Hamden Drive and South Gulfview Boulevard, following one of three alternates; 2) install and/or add to the existing informational sign system; and 3) remove and eliminate the existing sidewalk and on-street parking along the west side of South Gulfview Boulevard and relocate the pedestrian traffic to the west side of the beach parking. Three one-way pair alternatives were evaluated as follows: Alternate A - Coronado Drive would become two lanes one-way southbound; Hamden Drive would become two lanes one-way northbound and South Gulfview Boulevard would remain two-way but with restricted left and right turning movements. Pavement widening would be required at 1) Coronado Drive between First Street and South Gulfview Boulevard to maintain a minimum of three 10-foot lanes (two northbound and one southbound), 2) the east side of Hamden Drive between South Gulfview Boulevard and Coronado Drive to provide for three lanes (one northbound and two southbound) and 3) the west side of South Gulfview Boulevard from Hamden Drive south to the Clearwater Pass Bridge to provide an additional southbound lane. Alternate B - South Gulfview Boulevard would become two lanes one-way southbound, Hamden Drive would become two lanes one-way northbound and Coronado would remain two-way with restricted turning movements at designated intersections. Pavement widening would be required at 1) Coronado Drive between First Street and South Gulfview Boulevard to maintain a minimum of three 10-foot lanes (two northbound and one southbound), 2) the east side of Hamden Drive between South Gulfview Boulevard and Coronado Drive to provide three lanes (two northbound and one southbound) and 3) the west side of South Gulfview Boulevard from Hamden Drive South to the Clearwater Pass Bridge to provide an additional southbound lane. Alternate C - South Gulfview Boulevard would become two lanes one-way southbound, Coronado Drive would become two lanes one-way northbound and Hamden Drive would remain two-way. Pavement widening would be required on the west side of South Gulfview Boulevard from Hamden Drive South to the Clearwater Pass Bridge to provide an additional southbound lane. It is recommended that additional and/or new overhead sign installations be provided. Additional ground-mounted signs are also proposed to complement the overhead signs. The installation of any new signs must be coordinated with the Florida Department of Transportation and Pinellas County depending on the jurisdiction of the specific roadway. Some police aides will still be required for each of the alternate plans. The number of police aides vary between 10 and 16, depending upon the implementation of the South Gulfview sidewalk elimination and bus lane addition. Option One uses sixteen aides in conjunction with each of the alternate one-way traffic pairs. Option Two calls for 10 aides if the elimination of the sidewalk, addition of the bus lane and landscaping along South Gulfview Boulevard are done in conjunction with each alternate one-way traffic pair. Wade-Trim, in addition to on-site review of the traffic problem, has met with the Clearwater Beach Blue Ribbon Task Force and the Clearwater Police Department to receive their ideas and input concerning traffic solutions. Staff recommends that a public notification procedure, such as the one recently used by the Department of Transportation to provide information on the Clearwater Pass Bridge, be used to advise the public on details of the engineering proposal and to record public comment. Comments received would be summarized and a final recommendation submitted to the City Commission for consideration. It should be noted the streets involved in the traffic circulation pattern at Clearwater Beach are the responsibility of three separate jurisdictions. The Florida State Department of Transportation (FDOT) has jurisdiction along Memorial Causeway (S.R.60) west to its intersection with Mandalay Avenue; South Gulfview Boulevard from Coronado Drive to the Clearwater Pass Bridge is the responsibility of Pinellas County; all of the other streets involved are City of Clearwater streets. David Lovas, project manager of Wade-Trim, Inc., discussed the alternates in great detail. He said the main objective of the study was to reduce or eliminate the labor intensive requirement of police aides along the beach while maintaining satisfactory vehicular traffic and pedestrian circulation. He reviewed the present traffic plan which he felt to be a complicated one indicating that the majority of police aides control pedestrian traffic. Mr. Lovas indicated Alternate A, Option II is recommended. While it is the most user friendly from a traffic standpoint it is also the most expensive. This alternate uses the present network and maintains two-way traffic on South Gulfview Boulevard. Eight citizens spoke in opposition to the proposed plan expressing concerns regarding elimination of parking and sidewalks, the alienation of the young people, the economic impact on motel owners if Hamden and Coronado are made one-way, the lack of input from the business community and the creation of a more commercial atmosphere. They said the police aides are doing a good job and requested the current aide program remain in effect. They felt that a cruising ordinance would help to control traffic congestion. A petition containing 105 signatures in opposition of the proposed plan was submitted for the record. There was discussion regarding this plan being proposed to address the traffic flow on Clearwater Beach not for eliminating cruising. It was emphasized that identifying a less labor intensive program was the goal of the study. The City Commission directed that a "hands-on" informational public hearing be scheduled to be held on Clearwater Beach. ITEM #12 - (Cont. from 4/4/91) Public Hearing & First Reading Ordinances #5068-91 & #5069-91 - Land Use Plan Amendment to Industrial and IL Zoning for a parcel located on the S side of Lakeview Rd., between the Seaboard Coastline Railroad and the S. Myrtle Ave. intersection, Lake Belleview Addn., Blk 2, Lots 17-27 (Rehm LUP90-21, Z90-09)(PLD) This item was continued from the March 21, 1991 and April 18, 1991 Commission meetings in order to allow more information to be obtained concerning the Myrtle Avenue extension. The property is presently developed with two buildings and a portion of a third building. Lots 28, 29 and 30 (including a portion of Building No. 3) and the vacated right-of-way for First Avenue are already zoned IL and carry a Land Use Plan designation of Industrial. The existing uses in Building No. 1 are offices, a skin care center and counseling services, Building No. 2 is a candy factory and Building No. 3 is used to sell used retail equipment and supplies (Liquidation Enterprises). The parcels which are the subject of this request were zoned general commercial (CG) prior to the adoption of the new Land Development Code in 1985. They are currently zoned CN (Neighborhood Commercial). The vacant land to the east and south of the subject property is owned by the City and proposed to be used for right-of-way for the extension of Myrtle Avenue. The City Commission at its meeting of November 15 authorized a study to determine the precise configuration of the proposed extension. At its April 15 worksession the City Commission directed that the Myrtle Avenue Extension Project be put on hold due to the study determining that a raised road would be needed to traverse the railroad tracks in this area. This will cause the project to be much more expensive than had been anticipated. At its March 5, 1991 meeting, the Planning and Zoning Board recommended approval of the request to change the zoning and land use plan designation to industrial classifications. Further, they recommended that staff amend the Land Development Code to provide a low intensity industrial district and to include this property in this proposed zoning district, changing the Zoning Atlas accordingly. The applicant has indicated his willingness to accept a less intense zoning classification once one can be developed. Staff intends to prepare a code amendment incorporating such a classification for Commission consideration as a receipt and referral item at the June 6th City Commission meeting; however, since no such classification currently exists, staff recommends proceeding with the present land use plan amendment. If such a zoning classification is adopted, the rezoning request can be processed. Gerald Rehm, applicant, said there was only one category to make application under. The current industrial zoning goes halfway through one of the buildings and would need to be continued all the way through the building so that it would be consistent. He said he was willing to work with covenants on the property. In response to a question, the Planning & Development Director indicated staff is concerned with protecting the RM-8 zoning to the east and he felt the light industrial district would provide an adequate stepdown zoning. He said this zoning would not change the existing impacts. Commissioner Regulski moved to approved the land use plan amendment to IL (light industrial) for the subject parcel and to direct preparation of a low intensity industrial zoning district classification for receipt and referral on June 6, 1991, and refer the IL zoning amendment and Ordinance #5069-91 to the Planning & Zoning Board for consideration as a new low intensity industrial district once the new zoning classification can be developed. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. The City Attorney presented Ordinance #5068-91 for first reading and read it by title only. Commissioner Berfield moved to pass Ordinance #5068-91 on first reading. The motion was duly seconded and upon roll call, the vote was: "Ayes": Regulski, Fitzgerald, Berfield and Garvey. "Nays": None. Absent: Nunamaker ITEM #13 - (Cont. from 2/21/91) Variances to the Sign Regulations; located at 1971 Sunset Point Rd., Pinellas Groves, Sec. 1-29-15, part of lot 1 (Amoco Oil Company SV91-04)(PLD) This item was continued at the applicant's request on February 21, 1991. The applicant is requesting a variance to permit an 18.52 square foot business identification sign to be attached to the fuel pump canopy of a gasoline station under development. City code limits business identification signage to 15 square feet in area. The applicant is also requesting this signage be permitted to remain beyond the October 13, 1992 amortization period. The subject property is located at the corner of Sunset Point Road and Hercules Avenue. The applicant is permitted to install up to 151 square feet of signage on the property. The applicant is proposing total site signage of 19.78 square feet less than what the code would permit. It should also be noted that the applicant is within 2 feet of having sufficient frontage for an additional 24 square foot property identification sign (ground sign) on this site. Discussion ensued in regard to using a rectangle shape to calculate the area of the sign. Steve Siebert, attorney representing the applicant, said the request is for less than the total signage allowed. He said there would be a total of four signs on the site with the pole sign being smaller than what is allowed by code. He said this site would include a new concept in convenience stores, called "Split Second" which contains a deli, bakery and atrium. He presented pictures of the site. Mr. Siebert indicated the sign being proposed is the standard Amoco canopy sign and would be replaced periodically as needed. He said the site had been nominated for recognition by the Beautification Committee. He felt the total sign package was reasonable. A question was raised regarding whether or not Amoco could design a smaller sign and Mr. Siebert indicated it would be expensive to make a smaller one. Discussion ensued in regard to no hardship being shown and the zoning of this property having been extended to allow this development. Concerns were also expressed regarding allowing the signage to remain beyond the amortization period. Commissioner Regulski moved to deny the requested variances on the subject property. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. ITEM #14 - (Cont. from 4/4/91) Public Hearing & First Reading Ordinance #5087-91 - LDCTA - amending Sec. 136.016, Code of Ordinances, relating to fences and walls (PLD) This item was continued from the April 4, 1991 Commission meeting to allow revision of the ordinance based on board and staff comments. The original version of this ordinance anticipated applying height and setback standards to hedges, as well as fences and walls. However, practical difficulties in enforcing regulations concerning hedges have caused staff to revise the ordinance to delete the proposed restrictions on hedges. Since hedges do not receive permits, there is no way to distinguish illegal hedges from nonconforming hedges, and monitoring hedge growth after a hedge has been planted in a conforming manner is extremely difficult. Staff also reduced the proposed setback restrictions for fences and walls on waterfront property from 50 feet to 25 feet. As has been discussed in work sessions with the Commission, the practical effect of this proposed requirement will increase the setback requirement from 10 feet to 25 feet in single family residential districts only; at the current time fences on multifamily and nonresidential properties are not permitted to exceed 30 inches in height within 25 feet of Clearwater Harbor or within 50 feet of Tampa Bay and the Gulf of Mexico. This provision will promote a "panoramic" view of the water from adjoining properties rather than a "corridor like" view. The next revision to the original ordinance involved allowing only nonopaque fences surrounding swimming pools when the pools were in waterfront and street setback areas and the fence was to be taller than 30 inches. Finally, for single family residential districts, fences could be erected to a height of six feet within the street setback area from which the property is not addressed for interior double frontage lots and for the rear yards of corner double frontage lots. A concern had been expressed at the April 15th work session that the Planning & Zoning Board had not had an opportunity to comment on the changes recommended by the Development Code Adjustment Board. The Planning & Development Director said the Planning & Zoning Board at their last meeting unanimously recommended approval with the changes requested by the Development Code Adjustment Board. In response to a question, the Planning & Development Director stated a 6-foot high fence is allowed on the side property line when it is not on the street right-of-way. A question was also raised regarding what was meant by "noxious" construction materials and it was indicated this would be answered before second reading of the ordinance. Commissioner Fitzgerald moved to approve the land development code amendments regarding fences and walls. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. The City Attorney presented Ordinance #5087-91 for first reading and read it by title only. Commissioner Fitzgerald moved to pass Ordinance #5087-91 on first reading. The motion was duly seconded and upon roll call, the vote was: "Ayes": Regulski, Fitzgerald, Berfield and Garvey. "Nays": None. Absent: Nunamaker. ITEM #15 - (Cont. from 4/4/91) Public Hearing & First Reading Ordinance #5092-91 - LDCTA - amending Secs. 137.019 and 137.020, Code of Ordinances, to reduce the quorum of the Planning and Zoning Board and Development Code Adjustment Board and providing for continuances when less than quorum is present (PLD) This amendment adjusts quorums for the Planning and Zoning and Development Code Adjustment Boards. It also permits the Boards to take action to continue items when a quorum does not exist. Commissioner Berfield moved to approve the land development code amendment regarding board quorums. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. The City Attorney presented Ordinance #5092-91 for first reading and read it by title only. Commissioner Berfield moved to pass Ordinance #5092-91 on first reading. The motion was duly seconded and upon roll call, the vote was: "Ayes": Regulski, Fitzgerald, Berfield and Garvey. "Nays": None. Absent: Nunamaker. Public Hearing - Second Reading Ordinances ITEM #16 - Ordinance #5091-91 - Relating to LDC, amending Sec. 135.187, Code of Ordinances, providing for two additional methods for determining maximum lot development of mixed uses involving residential and other permitted uses The City Attorney presented Ordinance #5091-91 for second reading and read it by title only. Commissioner Fitzgerald moved to pass and adopt Ordinance #5091-91 on second and final reading. The motion was duly seconded. Upon roll call, the vote was: "Ayes": Regulski, Fitzgerald, Berfield and Garvey. "Nays": None. Absent: Nunamaker. ITEM #17 - Ordinance #5093-91 - Relating to LDC, amending Sec. 137.016, Code of Ordinances, relating to land use plan amendments, to exclude from impact assessment requirement any land use plan amendment for which certificate of capacity has been applied for The City Attorney presented Ordinance #5093-91 for second reading and read it by title only. Commissioner Berfield moved to pass and adopt Ordinance #5093-91 on second and final reading. The motion was duly seconded. Upon roll call, the vote was: "Ayes": Regulski, Fitzgerald, Berfield and Garvey. "Nays": None. Absent: Nunamaker. ITEM #18 - Ordinance #5094-91 - Relating to LDC, amending Sec. 36.023, Code of Ordinances, to revise interior landscape standards for parking lots and vehicular use areas containing between 4,000 and 8,000 sq.ft., and for parking lots and vehicular use areas containing more than 8,000 sq.ft.; establishing soil treatment requirements for all required parking lot landscaping The City Attorney presented Ordinance #5094-91 for second reading and read it by title only. Commissioner Fitzgerald moved to pass and adopt Ordinance #5094-91 on second and final reading. The motion was duly seconded. Upon roll call, the vote was: "Ayes": Regulski, Fitzgerald, Berfield and Garvey. "Nays": None. Absent: Nunamaker. CITY MANAGER REPORTS IX - CONSENT AGENDA (Items #19-28) - Approved as submitted less Item #28. Agreements - Approved. ITEM #19 - Exchange of 57.33 acres of municipally owned property in Hillsborough County, commonly known as the "Sludge Farm" for Island Estates, Unit 5, Blk D, Lot 7, both properties having appraised values of $430,000 and Option to purchase 193 acres of land in approx. two and one-half years by Windward Reflection's, Inc. for $1,045,000, Leases - Approved. ITEM #20 - Lease agreement for a portion of the Curtis Fundamental Clearwater Comprehensive School Complex, located on the east side of Holt Ave., from Pinellas County School Board from 5/5/91 to 4/30/92 (PLD) Bids & Contracts - Awarded. ITEM #21 - Annual contracts to purchase casing insulators to Advance Products and Systems, Inc., Scott, LA, at an estimated cost of $3,999; casing end seals and support clamps to M. T. Deason Co., Birmingham, AL, at an estimated cost of $8,473; and mechanical saddle tees to Empire Pipe and Supply Co., Tampa, FL, at an estimated cost of $19,445 for a total cost of $31,917.00 (GAS) ITEM #22 - Extension of contract for the delivery of approx. 800 yards of sandy soil to Emmett McCabe Trucking, Inc., Seminole, FL, for an estimated cost of $4,280 and approx. 1,600 yards of red ballfield clay for an estimated cost of $16,400 for an estimated total cost of $20,680.00 (PR) ITEM #23 - Rehabilitation of Pump Station No. 42 located near the Northeast Pollution Control Facility adjacent to McMullen Booth Road to Wharton Smith, Inc., Lake Monroe, FL, for $253,200 (PW) Citizens & Staff Requests - Approved. ITEM #24 - Declare Vehicles and Equipment surplus to City needs and authorize sale to the highest bidder at public auction (GS) ITEM #25 - Appointment of Commissioners to various boards: Fitzgerald to the Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council (2nd Mon.-9:30 a.m.), Suncoast Municipal League and alternate to the Mayor's Council of Pinellas County (1st Wed.-Noon); Berfield to the Pinellas Planning Council (3rd Wed.-9:00 a.m.), Performing Arts Center and Theater Board of Directors and Joint School Board Meeting; Regulski to the Metropolitan Planning Organization (4th Fri.-2:00 p.m.); Nunamaker to the Pinellas Industry Council (2nd Wed.-Noon) and Garvey to the Florida League of Cities Board of Directors (as scheduled), EMS Advisory Council, Mayor's Council of Pinellas County (1st Wed.-Noon) and Joint School Board Meeting (CLK) ITEM #26 - Report from Post, Buckley, Schuh and Jernigan, Inc. regarding proposed street alignment of Myrtle Avenue from Lakeview Street to Clearwater-Largo Road (PW) ITEM #27 - Guidelines and application process for city grants to pay impact fees for affordable housing to enable this housing in the North Greenwood Neighborhood (PLD) Commissioner Fitzgerald moved to approve the Consent Agenda as submitted less Item #28 and that the appropriate officials be authorized to execute same. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. Change Orders - Approved. ITEM #28 - C.O.#8 to the contract for the Marshall Street Advanced Pollution Control Facility Project, adjusting the total contract amount to $17,328,600 and amending the project budget to $18,350,000 (PW) A request was made to continue this item in order for staff to provide a complete report regarding the generators, necessary change orders and funding for all three plants. Commissioner Fitzgerald moved to continue this item to the next regularly scheduled meeting of May 2, 1991. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. The meeting recessed from 8:17 p.m. to 8:25 p.m. X - OTHER ITEMS ON CITY MANAGER REPORT ITEM #29 - Bomber Funding Request of $9,400. During fiscal 1989/90, the Commission authorized the payment of $10,000 to the Bombers as a cash contribution from the City and an amount up to an additional $10,000 to be used by the Bombers to fund scholarships for girls who cannot afford to pay the fees for the Bombers softball clinics. The cash contribution of $10,000 was released to the Bombers on January 5, 1990. At the end of the fiscal year $9,400 of unexpended funding provided for the scholarships was returned to the surplus account. Discussion ensued in regard to using the unexpended money in the scholarship fund. It was requested that the Bombers be made fully aware that the scholarship fund no longer exists. Commissioner Berfield moved to approve payment of $9,400 to the Clearwater Bombers. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. ITEM #30 - Resolution #91-13 - Declaring the Infill Housing Development Area as a blighted area to allow Federal CDBG funds to be spent to alleviate identified conditions of blight (PLD) Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds must be spent to further the national objectives of the program. The major national objectives are: benefitting low/moderate income persons, aiding in the elimination or prevention of slums or blight, and meeting other urgent community needs. Funds can be used to benefit low and moderate income families anywhere in the City. In an area which has conditions of blight, the income guidelines of recipients are increased and a broader range of activities may be undertaken with CDBG funds. In order to spend funds to benefit a specific geographic area that area must be found to have conditions of blight. The Infill Housing Development Program was approved by the City in January, 1991. It was designed with the dual purpose of helping individual families achieve homeownership and upgrading the North Greenwood neighborhood. The Infill Housing Development Program area is located generally north of Drew Street, east of Fort Harrison Avenue, south of Stevenson's Creek and west of Betty Lane. This area includes both sound and deteriorating housing conditions. In a survey taken in 1990, it was found that 67 percent of the housing has one or more housing code violations. There are over 300 vacant lots in the area. Seventy five percent of the housing was built before 1959. Less than 50 percent of the housing is owner-occupied, as opposed to 67 percent owner-occupancy City-wide. Other neighborhood conditions have been noted which contribute to patterns of blight. In order to alleviate these conditions, it is proposed to use Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds in an expanded neighborhood revitalization program. This program, as currently proposed, includes development of new housing for owner-occupants and expanding eligibility for home rehabilitation loans using guaranteed bank financing. Under the regulations which govern Federal expenditures in blighted areas, other neighborhood public improvements and commercial revitalization programs may be implemented. Numerous calls have been received by staff inquiring as to why the Country Club neighborhood was included in the area addressed in the Declaration of Blight. This area was included because it is a part of the Clearwater Neighborhood Housing Services area; it is part of the North Greenwood Planning Area in the City's Comprehensive Plan and was included in the analysis in the Housing Issue Paper. Under this program, the interest for home repair loans for middle income families will be reduced. This factor will be useful to the Country Club residents making resales easier. The housing stock is over 40 years old and 158 units had minor code violations at the time the Housing Issue Paper was prepared. The City has made nine housing rehabilitation loans in this neighborhood since the inception of the CDBG program. Based on research, the designation will have no impact on appraised values within the area. The area designation is critical to the success of the infill housing program in that it will permit us to use federal funds to bring young, middle income buyers into new houses to be built in the area. The Mayor offered her apologies for the headline that appeared in the St. Petersburg Times indicating the area for this infill housing program was to be declared a "slum" area. The City Manager indicated the purpose of this Resolution is to comply with Federal regulations to use Federal money with private funds to build housing in a particular area. It was emphasized this was being done in order to benefit the whole area. Eighteen residents were emphatically opposed to the use of the word "slum" in describing their area in order to receive federal funds. They expressed concern that the use of "slum" or "blighted" was demoralizing to the residents and that resale values would be impacted as the area would be branded. They disagreed with the designated boundary and requested that Country Club Addition be excluded. It was felt receiving needed funds should not depend on where a person lives but on whether a need exists. One resident indicated the need for such a program but was opposed to the way it was handled and felt it brought about mistrust by residents for City government. The general feeling was that the neighborhood was not adequately informed of the program. The Planning and Development Director said the designation of "blighted" area would not be part of any official record and would not be a factor in appraising property for resale. Discussion ensued in regard to extending Missouri Avenue, and it was indicated the City had no intention of doing this. Commissioner Regulski moved to continue this item in order to work out a more reasonable area to be designated and to meet with the neighborhoods. Discussion ensued in regard to the need to communicate with the neighborhoods and that the purpose of this program is to help the City and its citizens by upgrading the community. It was indicated this is a volunteer program and that the City has no intention of trying to force it on anyone. In response to a question, it was indicated staff will arrange to meet with the neighborhoods to address this issue within the next thirty days and these community meetings will be advertised. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. ITEM #31 - Res. #91-14 - Naming the new minipark on Cleveland Park (PR) Construction is nearing completion on the new minipark located at 612 Cleveland Street. Monies for construction were provided by the Community Redevelopment Agency and, with a desire to clearly identify the site as a "public park", staff recommends that a name be selected and a sign installed. To assist in the selection of a name, staff contacted Mr. Mike Sanders, Chairman of the Clearwater Historic Preservation Board, to request information regarding the history of the site. Mr. Sanders was most helpful. The subject site was originally used for a railroad station with the first depot being constructed in 1888. The property was used by the railroad until the early 1970's, at which time it was purchased by the City and developed with a parking lot. In accord with Resolution #80-82, which allows the Clearwater Parks and Recreation Board to recommend names for City parks and recreation facilities, the Board discussed various possible names at the Board's regular meeting of March 25, 1991. After taking into consideration the historical information and how this information might be incorporated into a park name, the Board unanimously recommends the name of "Station Square Park". If this recommendation is approved, staff will proceed to secure an attractive sign of appropriate size. The City Attorney presented Resolution #91-14 and read it by title only. Commissioner Regulski moved to pass and adopt Resolution #91-14. The motion was duly seconded, upon roll call the vote was: "Ayes": Regulski, Fitzgerald, Berfield and Garvey. "Nays": None. Absent: Nunamaker. ITEM #32 - Appointment of Vice-Mayor (CLK) Commissioner Fitzgerald thanked the Commission for appointing him to serve as Vice-Mayor during the last year. Commissioner Fitzgerald moved to appoint Commissioner Berfield as Vice-Mayor. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. XI - Other Pending Matters - None. CITY ATTORNEY REPORTS XII - Resolutions ITEM #33 - Resolution #91-12 - Accepting certain public improvements, namely construction and extension of sidewalks along Gulf Blvd. on Sand Key, and crediting certain amounts against assessments levied against certain properties by Resolution #90-35 The City Attorney presented Resolution #91-12 and read it by title only. Commissioner Regulski moved to pass and adopt Resolution #91-12. The motion was duly seconded, upon roll call the vote was: "Ayes": Regulski, Fitzgerald, Berfield and Garvey. "Nays": None. Absent: Nunamaker. XIII - Other City Attorney Items - none. XIV - City Manager Verbal Reports. The City Manager reported he has requested two appraisals on the Maas Brothers property and has requested a structural engineering firm to give a report on the building. He stated the City has forty-five days to make a bid on the property. ITEM #34 - Legislative Update. Elizabeth Deptula, Assistant City Manager, reported regarding the status of the impact fee bill. She stated there was nothing new on the billboard legislation. XV - Other Commission Action. Commissioner Berfield requested staff to "brainstorm" on ways to make the public more aware of the City advisory boards and their duties. Commissioner Regulski reported that while approximately 2,000 letters had gone out to people needing to bring their signs into compliance, 2,000 permits have also been issued for signs meeting the new code. XVI - Adjournment. The meeting adjourned at 9:54 p.m.