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03/18/1999CITY COMMISSION MEETING CITY OF CLEARWATER March 18, 1999 Present: Brian J. Aungst Mayor/Commissioner Ed Hooper Vice-Mayor/Commissioner J. B. Johnson Commissioner Robert Clark Commissioner Ed Hart Commissioner Also Present: Michael J. Roberto City Manager Richard L. Hedrick Deputy City Manager Pamela K. Akin City Attorney Cynthia E. Goudeau City Clerk Brenda Moses Board Reporter The Vice-Mayor called the meeting to order at 6:02 p.m. at City Hall. The invocation was offered by Reverend Anton DeWet of Faith United Church of Christ. The Vice-Mayor led the Pledge of Allegiance. To provide continuity for research, items are in agenda order although not necessarily discussed in that order. Farewell to Commissioner Seel Commission members presented farewell gifts and made parting remarks to Commissioner Seel. She thanked City employees, Commission members and her family, noting her pleasure at serving the City’s businesses and citizens. The Commission recessed from 6:12 to 6:17 p.m. Commissioner Seel left the meeting. Oath of Office Administered The City Clerk administered the Oath of Office to Mayor Aungst and Commissioners Hooper and Hart. The meeting recessed from 6:23 to 6:31 p.m. ITEM #3 - Service Awards – None. ITEM #4 - Introductions and Awards Proclamation: Community Development Week: March 29 – April 4, 1999 ITEM #5 – Presentations – None. ITEM #6 - Approval of Minutes Commissioner Johnson moved to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of March 4, 1999, as recorded and submitted in written summation by the City Clerk to each Commissioner. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. ITEM #7 - Citizens to be heard re items not on the Agenda Stefano Jonnati expressed concern pedestrian and bicycle safety are deteriorating. John Simmons expressed concern regarding the high cost of meals and open bar at the City management retreat. William Jonson requested the Commission express opposition to pending billboard legislation. John Doran welcomed new Commissioners and thanked the Commission on behalf of beach businesses for the roundabout contract. PUBLIC HEARINGS ITEM #8 - Ord. #6394-99 - Amending various sections of city code relating to Downtown Development Board The City Attorney presented Ordinance #6394-99 for second reading and read it by title only. Commissioner Johnson moved to pass Ordinance #6394-99 on second reading. The motion was duly seconded and upon roll call, the vote was: “Ayes”: Johnson, Clark, Hooper, Hart and Aungst. “Nays”: None. ITEM #9 - Ord. #6395-99 - establishing recycling charges; maintaining multi-family & commercial charges at the same level; reducing residential curbside charges form $1.99 to $1.95 per living unit per month The City Attorney presented Ordinance #6395-99 for second reading and read it by title only. Commissioner Clark moved to pass Ordinance #6395-99 on second reading. The motion was duly seconded and upon roll call, the vote was: “Ayes”: Johnson, Clark, Hooper, Hart and Aungst. “Nays”: None. ITEM #10 - Ord. #6396-99 - Amending Operating Budget for Fiscal Year ending 09/30/99 The City Attorney presented Ordinance #6396-99 for second reading and read it by title only. Commissioner Hooper moved to pass Ordinance #6396-99 on second reading. The motion was duly seconded and upon roll call, the vote was: “Ayes”: Johnson, Clark, Hooper, Hart and Aungst. “Nays”: None. ITEM #11 - Ord. #6397-99 - Amending Capital Improvement Program Report and Budget for Fiscal Year ending 9/30/99 The City Attorney presented Ordinance #6397-99 for second reading and read it by title only. Commissioner Johnson moved to pass Ordinance #6397-99 on second reading. The motion was duly seconded and upon roll call, the vote was: “Ayes”: Johnson, Clark, Hooper, Hart and Aungst. “Nays”: None. CITY MANAGER REPORTS CONSENT AGENDA (Items #12-13) – approved as submitted. ITEM #12 - Approval of Purchases per 2/25/99 memorandum: M.T. Deason Company, Inc., extension, gas materials - meters & regulators, 05/01/99-04/30/00, estimated $86,400 (GAS) Fisher Controls International Inc. c/o Key Controls Inc., extension, gas materials - meters & regulators, 05/01/99-04/30/00, estimated $38,800 (GAS) Equipment Controls Company, extension, gas materials - meters & regulators, 05/01/99-04/30/00, estimated $58,900 (GAS) National Meter, Inc., extension, gas materials - meters & regulators, 05/01/99-04/30/00, estimated $49,700 (GAS) Atlantic Ford Truck Sales Inc., one 1999 Ford F-800 truck with Pro-Patch TCM 415-160-DH asphalt pothole patcher, replacement, for use by PW, $81,832; financing to be provided under City’s Master Lease-Purchase Agreement (GSS) Maroone Dodge, two 1999 Dodge cargo vans, for use by PW & PR, $30,171; financing to be provided under City’s Master Lease-Purchase Agreement (GSS) Kaiser Pontiac-Buick-GMC, Inc., three 1999 GMC Sonoma 4x4 extended cab compact pickup trucks, replacements, for use by PW; $55,668.50; financing to be provided under City’s Master Lease-Purchase Agreement (GSS) Caruso Chrysler Jeep, one 1999 Jeep Cherokee, approved additional unit, for use by PW, $18,844; financing to be provided under City’s Master Lease-Purchase Agreement (GSS) Industrial Refuse Sales, final extension, front loading refuse containers & associated spare parts, 03/19/99-03/31/00, estimated $95,000 (SW) Rotonics Manufacturing, extension, automated residential carts (black barrels) & associated spare parts, 03/19/99-03/31/00, estimated $90,000 (SW) Industrial Refuse Sales, solid waste roll-off containers & compactors, 03/19/99-03/31/00, $102,000 (SW) Laub’s Landscape Maintenance, first of two available options, 03/01/99-03/31/00, estimated $41,000 (QOL) ITEM #13 - Approve hiring the firm of Nabors, Giblin & Nickerson as outside counsel regarding renewal of Fire District Contract with Pinellas County (CA) Commissioner Hooper moved to approve the Consent Agenda as submitted and that the appropriate officials be authorized to execute same. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. OTHER ITEMS ON CITY MANAGER REPORT ITEM #14 - Two Contracts to Ericsson, Inc., 1) hardware, software & services to achieve Y2K compliance for City Radio System, $117,799.33 and 2) software maintenance, 12/09/98-12/09/00, $128,250; and One Contract to Communications International Inc., hardware maintenance, 04/01/99-3/31/2000, $100,284; total $346,333.33 (GS) Components of the Ericcson radio system used by the Police and other departments must be updated/revised/replaced to achieve Y2K compliance. The radio system software, including but not limited to the 911 Emergency Dispatch Area, various functions of the transmitter towers and site controllers, is dependent on a variety of software provided by and/or through Ericsson, Inc. The manufacturer or its trained and authorized representatives should provide this highly sophisticated software due to its level of complexity and maintenance requirements. The contract’s 2-year duration is a condition of the Y2K compliance guarantee agreement. The hardware maintenance agreement with Communications International, Inc., provides for all parts and labor necessary to maintain and repair the radio system’s infrastructure. This sophisticated and complex equipment is integrated with the Police and Gas Utility department computer systems. The manufacturer or authorized representatives should provide this service to best support the radios’ Public Safety functions. The Police and General Support Services Department leadership believes the City cannot train staff quickly enough to keep up with this sensitive technology. General Support Services Administrator Bill Horne reviewed the request. It was noted a computer system installed in 1996, was not Y2K compliant. It was stated the long term needs of the department must be assessed to determine what hardware and software is needed, rather than to patch the system with modifications. The City Manager said an analysis of the Y2K situation will be presented within 2 months. A technology analysis is underway. Marcus Broderick expressed concern he was unable to bid on the maintenance contract. Mr. Horne said the infrastructure maintenance contract indicates the City wants the service to be provided by Ericsson’s only authorized dealer and reseller in Florida. Commissioner Hart moved to award two contracts to Ericsson, Inc., Tampa, Florida, in the amount of $117,799.33 for hardware, software, and services to achieve Y2K compliance for the City Radio System, and in the amount of $128,250 for software maintenance during the contract period December 9, 1998 through December 9, 2000, and one contract to Communications International Inc., Tampa, Florida, in the amount of $100,284 for hardware maintenance during the contract period April 1, 1999 through March 31, 2000, in accordance with Section 2.564(1)(e), Code of Ordinances – Impractical to bid, and that the appropriate officials be authorized to execute same. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. ITEM #15 - Res. #99-21 - Establishing amendment of existing slow speed minimum wake zone, to include all waters from the western boundary of the intracoastal waterway east to the shoreline of the City of Clearwater (MR) The City received a request to extend the Pinellas County “Slow Speed Minimum Wake” zone in the Intracoastal Waterway approximately 2,500 feet north of the Memorial Causeway. Staff feels this extension will better protect vessels being launched and retrieved at the Seminole Street Launch Ramp from wakes by northbound vessels. The ramp is one of Pinellas County’s busiest. The FDEP (Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Division of Law Enforcement reviewed this request and asked that the City provide the appropriate language, resolution, and letter requesting the change. The Marine Advisory Board has recommended approval. Harbormaster Bill Morris said the current wake zone allows wakes as high as 1.5 feet entering the Seminole boat ramps channel. The State agreed to approve the extension and also recommended extending the zone from the western edge of the ship channel to the shoreline. The City Attorney presented Resolution #99-21 and read it by title only. Commissioner Johnson moved to pass and adopt Resolution #99-21 and authorize the appropriate officials to execute same. The motion was duly seconded and upon roll call the vote was: “Ayes”: Johnson, Clark, Hooper, Hart and Aungst. “Nays”: None. ITEM #16 - Appoint commission member to complete term on Pension Advisory Committee to 04/04/99 and to serve the next term to 04/04/001 (CLK) The City Clerk said it is necessary to appoint a Commission member to replace former Mayor Garvey on the Pension Advisory Committee. Commissioner Clark indicated he has a conflict with the meeting times and requested to be replaced. Commissioner Hooper moved to appoint Mayor Aungst to complete the former Mayor’s term and to serve an additional 2-year term to April 4, 2001, and for Commissioner Hart to replace Commissioner Clark to complete a term to April 4, 2000. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. ITEM #17 - Community Development Board - 1 appointment for 1 year term (CLK) Commissioner Johnson moved to appoint Whitney Gray. There was no second. Commissioner Hart moved to appoint Josh Magidson. There was no second. Commissioner Hart moved to continue Item #17 to April 1, 1999, to allow the submission of additional names. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. ITEM #18 - Other Pending Matters - None. CITY ATTORNEY REPORTS ITEM #19 - City Attorney Items The City Attorney requested direction regarding pending billboard legislation which preempts City regulation when location of billboards is affected by the widening of State roads. Consensus was to draft a letter to be signed by the Mayor, opposing any preemption of local regulation. ITEM #20 - City Manager Verbal Reports The City Manager reported the March 30 project overview at the Countryside Library has been changed to 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Two other meetings will be scheduled. ITEM #21 - Other Commission Action Mayor Aungst requested consideration of a Budget Review Committee. Consensus was to discuss this topic and the Fiscal Review Committee’s role on March 30, 1999. Commissioner Johnson welcomed the new Commission members and reminded everyone of Saturday’s downtown farmers’ market. Commissioner Hart said he is optimistic about Clearwater’s future and looks forward to working with staff and citizens. Commissioner Hooper did not anticipate any drastic changes in direction by the new Commission. Commissioner Hooper reported the Pinellas Planning Council discussed a local intragovernmental coordination element to allow schools and cities to collocate to save money and better serve the public. Commissioner Hooper said the City Manager had acknowledged the retreat was a mistake and has given his assurance it will not happen again. Commissioner Clark echoed Commissioner Hooper’s comments regarding the retreat. Commissioner Clark expressed concern staff had made no effort to negotiate the excess fees charged by Nabors, Giblin & Nickerson. He also was disappointed that Nabors, Giblin & Nickerson had not offered to reduce excess costs considering other business they do with the City. Commissioner Clark encouraged citizens to apply for a vacant seat on the MPO Citizen Advisory Board. He said the MPO used a subjective measure to evaluate grant application for road projects that impact air quality. He reported plans to improve I-275 are progressing. A Task Force is looking at traffic signalization around schools. Commissioner Clark announced the Hootie & the Blowfish Concert on March 26, 1999, and the Beach Boys Concert on March 28, 1999, at Coachman Park. ITEM #22 - Adjournment The meeting adjourned at 7:27 p.m.