10/30/2017 Council Work Session Meeting Minutes October 30, 2017
City of Clearwater
City Hall
112 S. Osceola Avenue
Clearwater, FL 33756
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Meeting Minutes
Monday, October 30, 2017
1 :00 PM
Council Chambers
Council Work Session
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City of Clearwater
Council Work Session Meeting Minutes October 30, 2017
Roll Call
Present 4 - Mayor George N. Cretekos, Councilmember Doreen Caudell (Arrived —
1:02 p.m.), Councilmember Bob Cundiff, and Councilmember Bill
Jonson
Also Present: Jill Silverboard — Deputy City Manager, Micah Maxwell —Assistant
City Manager, Pamela K. Akin - City Attorney, Rosemarie Call - City
Clerk and Nicole Sprague — Official Records and Legislative Services
Coordinator
To provide continuity for research, items are listed in agenda order although not
necessarily discussed in that order.
1. Call to Order— Mayor Cretekos
The meeting was called to order at 1:00 p.m. at City Hall.
2. Presentations — Given.
2.1 Police Officer Oaths
The City Clerk administered the Oath of Office to: Steven Buis, Bernard
Castillo, Anastasia Delgado, William Giannas, Michael Kontodiakos, David
Kurinsky ll, Jessica Manganaro, Brandon Marchione, Zachary Senter and
Miranda Wincek.
The Council recessed from 1:05 p.m. to 2:10 p.m. to meet as the Community
Redevelopment Agency.
3. Finance
3.1 Approve CorVel Healthcare Corporation's Annual Agreement for the review of Workers
Compensation Medical bills and to provide Pharmacy Benefit Management services with
discounted network pricing effective January 1, 2018 through December 31, 2018,
pursuant to City Code Section 2.564 (1) (i), services associated with Workers
Compensation exempt from bidding; and authorize the appropriate officials to execute
same. (consent)
The Risk Management Division of the Finance Department has a current pricing
agreement with CorVel for these services which was approved by Council last
year.
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Council Work Session Meeting Minutes October 30, 2017
An amendment to the original agreement, effective January 1, 2018, will
increase the Bill Review Service Fee from $6.50/bill to $6.70/bill. All other rates
will remain the same, but still subject to a 3% increase per subsequent contract
year.
This amendment will also change the renewal Terms of the agreement, from a
one-year automatic renewal to one which will not exceed a total of four annual
extensions (including this extension for calendar 2018), thus establishing a
contract end date no later than December 31, 2021. Annual extensions will be
brought back to Council for approval.
The new proposed rate structure will generate approximately 1% increase over
the previous bill review rate. Our Pharmacy Rates and Cost remain unchanged
and are actually charged per claim and paid from the Central Insurance Fund.
Medical bills reviewed and Pharmacy Benefits are paid from a separate Imprest
Fund budgeted at $1.2 million.
APPROPRIATION CODE AND AMOUNT:
Account 0590-07590-545800-519-000-0000$50,000
4. Gas System
4.1 Approve a Purchase Contract for the city purchase of Real Property owned by ABBL
LLC, with a purchase price of$230,000 and total expenditures not to exceed $262,000,
which include closing costs and other ancillary expenses, together with all other
instruments required for closing and authorize the appropriate officials to execute same.
(consent)
The subject property is owned by ABBL LLC, PO Box 1251, Tavares, FL
32778, located just north of Maple Street, just east of Blanche B. Littlejohn Trail
in Clearwater. The acquisition consists of five lots (50, 51, 52, 53 and 54) of
approximately 33,279 sq ft (0.76 acres). ABBI LLC has agreed to sell the lots to
the City at a purchase price of$230,000, which is approximately $6.90/sq ft.
The land acquisition will allow Clearwater Gas System's (CGS) employees and
contractors to park offsite during the 30-month construction period for the full
redevelopment of the CGS complex at 400 N Myrtle Ave, Clearwater. Without
this property, CGS would have to find remote parking for its employees and
provide shuttle transportation to/from 400 N Myrtle. The other option would be
for the Contractor to increase construction time by adding more building phases
to the project, resulting in increased mobilization costs. The property purchase
was determined to be the lowest cost, as these properties can be sold off after
construction is complete. All building structures will be surveyed for asbestos
and then demolished in order to accommodate parking.
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Council Work Session Meeting Minutes October 30, 2017
The City obtained an independent appraisal performed by James Millspaugh
and Associates, Inc. The appraiser valued the property at $4.60/sq. ft.
($153,500) with a valuation date of July 3, 2017. ABBL reviewed the appraisal
and responded with its opinion of value at $10.50/sq. ft ($350,000). ABBL and
city staff ultimately negotiated a purchase price of$6.90/SF.
Acquisition Costs:
Purchase price $230,000
Closing costs including title insurance $2,000
Asbestos Survey $10,000
Building demolition $20,000
TOTAL $262,000
APPROPRIATION CODE AND AMOUNT:
Funds are available in capital improvement project 315-96384, Gas System -
Pinellas Building, to fund this purchase.
4.2 Approve a five-year Legal Services Agreement with the law firm of Baker and Hostetler,
LLP, for an amount not to exceed $250,000 for the period October 1, 2017 through
September 30, 2022; approve a five-year Legal Services Agreement with the law firm of
McCarter English, for an amount not to exceed $125,000 for the period October 1, 2017
through September 30, 2022; approve a five-year Legal Service Agreement with the law
firm of William J. Peebles, P.A, for an amount not to exceed $125,000 for the period
October 1, 2017 through September 30, 2022 and authorize the appropriate officials to
execute same. (consent)
Clearwater Gas System (CGS) utilizes three outside legal firms for issues
pertaining to the natural gas industry. The annual costs of this agreement will
fluctuate depending upon litigation activity. Any lawsuits assigned to the firm will
be brought individually to council for approval.
Summary of services and billing rates are provided as follows:
Baker & Hostetler:
Law firm provides all environmental consulting services pertaining to our former
manufactured natural gas site at 400 N Myrtle Ave, Clearwater.
$440.00 per hour for William Pence
$310.00 per hour for Lauren Johansson & other associates
$465.00 per hour for William Pence (last 2yrs of agreement)
$335.00 per hour for Lauren Johansson & other associates (last 2yrs of
agreement)
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Council Work Session Meeting Minutes October 30, 2017
McCarter English:
Law firm provides legal services pertaining to Federal natural gas pipeline and
supply items, such as FL Gas Transmission rate cases and gas supply
purchases.
$495.00 per hour for John Gregg (Principal)
$365.00 per hour for Jeffrey Janicke and Kevin Conoscenti
$335.00 per hour for Amanda Dumville
$325.00 per hour for Daniel Flint
$175.00 per hour for Law Clerk
$125.00 per hour for Paralegal
$110.00 per hour for Legal Assistant
William J. Peebles:
Law firm provides legal services pertaining to Florida Public Service
Commission and State issues pertaining to the natural gas industry.
$150.00 per hour for William Peebles and Karen Peterson
The three legal services agreements were previously approved in 2012. The
current city policy is to have agreements last no longer than five years when
possible. Legal Services are exempt from bidding requirements under Section
2.564(1)(h) of the Clearwater Code of Ordinance.
APPROPRIATION CODE AND AMOUNT:
Funds are available in cost code 0315-96358-530100-532-000-0000 (Baker
Hostetler) and 0423-02064-530100-532-000-0000 (William Peebles and
McCarter English) to fund this contract for this fiscal year and will be budgeted
in this cost code for each subsequent contract year.
In response to a question, Gas System Assistant Director Brian Langille said
the item before Council is the extension of the agreement.
Staff was directed to provide the total cost for each firm during the last five
years.
5. Parks and Recreation
5.1 Approve an increase in Blanket Purchase Order BR512009 to Chongqing Arlau Civic
Equipment Manufacturing Co. Ltd, of Chongqing, China, for site furnishings from
$150,000 to $300,000 annually, and authorize the appropriate officials to execute same.
(consent)
On November 17, 2016, the City Council awarded a contract to Chongqing
Arlau Civic Equipment Manufacturing Co. Ltd, of Chongqing, China, for site
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Council Work Session Meeting Minutes October 30, 2017
furnishings in the amount of$150,000 annually, for one year with two one-year
extension options at the City's discretion.
This contract provides site furnishings including picnic tables, park benches,
bike racks, trash receptacles, bollards, and drink rails, for City properties and
parks. Parks utilizes an inventory program to manage the replacement and/or
refurbishment of site furnishings.
In an effort to replace all of the needed furniture on Beach Walk, as well as
picnic tables and drink rails at Spectrum Field prior to the 2018 Spring season,
staff is requesting that the current purchase order contract (BR512009)
amount, as well as the remaining two renewal term amounts, with Chongqing
Arlau be increased from $150,000 to $300,000.
This request is being made one month ahead of the first extension period for
this contract in an effort to get production of the furniture started so that it will
arrive prior to Spring Training.
Site furniture already in stock for this year is being installed at various parks
around the City identified in the inventory program.
Since this will be a blanket purchase order funding will come from a variety of
funding sources however, the primary source will be from "Park Amenity
Purchase and Replacement" CIP 315-93635.
APPROPRIATION CODE AND AMOUNT:
Funds are available in capital improvement project 315-93635, Park Amenity
Purchase and Replacement, to fund this contract.
In response to a question, Parks and Recreation Director Kevin Dunbar
said equipment made in the USA is more expensive. The Department
can purchase the same equipment at a reduced cost from China.
5.2 Approve a contract between the City of Clearwater (City) and RTP Productions Corp.
(RTP) of Orlando, Florida to provide Market Manager services to Downtown Clearwater
consisting of all day-to-day operations, promotion and staffing of all market events for one
year beginning November 2, 2017 through November 1, 2018 with four one-year renewal
extensions at the discretion of the City and authorize the appropriate officials to execute
same. (consent)
The City issued RFP #31-17 on June 28, 2017 seeking the services of an
experienced Market Manager to establish a recurring market in the City's
downtown core. The Market Manager would be responsible for all aspects of
the operations, promotion and staffing for the market. Committee members
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evaluated the proposals and recommend RTP to provide these services.
RTP will provide a weekly Saturday morning Farmers Market as well as provide
services for other agreed upon market events at other locations and times
during the year as agreed upon between the City and RTP.
The City will provide space in mutually agreed upon market locations for up to
150 vendors, electricity to as many areas as possible, trash dumpster, parking
for patrons and vendors, storage space for market furnishings and restroom
facilities.
RTP will remit 20% of all vendor booth rental fees to the City as well as a
surcharge of$5.00 for any vendor using electricity. Funds received from RTP
will be reinvested into collaborative events between the market and the City as
well as cover any expenses the City would incur due to the market.
Additionally, any sponsorship money raised by RTP will be shared on a 50/50
split with the City.
RTP has a proven track record of producing similar award winning markets in
Winter Haven and Orlando. The market will consist of a variety of booths
however, food will be the primary commodity sold and displayed at the market.
In response to questions, Parks and Recreation Special Events Manager
Kris Koch said the fee provided to the City will cover costs associated
with city facilities and amenities provided at the event. The proposed
vendor received several awards for their programming in Orlando and
Winter Haven. Three respondents submitted a proposal, one proposal
was incomplete. Mr. Koch said the vendor would like to begin the weekly
programming on November 25, 2017 (Shop Small Saturday). The
market will be held every Saturday for the next five years. The previous
market was a permitted special event and held on specific dates. The
vendor has leased office space in Downtown Clearwater and will be hiring
a local market manager and staff to manage operations. Mr. Koch said
RTP has a waiting list of vendors who will be informed of the upcoming
market. Staff will have some say in the vendor selection to ensure local
merchants are represented.
5.3 Approve purchase orders to Sunbelt Sod and Grading Company Inc. of Ruskin, Florida
and Tom's Sod Service Inc. of Clearwater, Florida, for sod and sod installation services
in the total annual amount of$300,000, and two one-year renewal terms at the City's
option and authorize the appropriate officials to execute same.
Staff is requesting approval of annual purchase orders for sod and sod
installation services to the two vendors who responded to Invitation to Bid
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38-17R; Sunbelt Sod & Grading Company Inc. and Tom's Sod Service Inc.
Sod installation services include delivery, grading, staking, rolling and installation
of various types of sod including Bahia, St. Augustine Floratam, Tifway 419
Bermuda, Celebration Bermuda and Latitude 36 Bermuda.
Staff is requesting the award of contracts to both vendors in an effort to be able
to obtain the necessary sod within project timeframes. Often one vendor may
not have the sod needed due to weather circumstances or scheduling conflicts.
The Parks Department will use Sunbelt Sod & Grading Company Inc as the
primary vendor. Sunbelt was the low bid for all items with the exception of
Latitude 36 Bermuda which they did not bid. Tom's Sod will supply all of the
Latitude 36 Bermuda sod. If Sunbelt Sod & Grading Company cannot supply
sod in a timely manner the City may use Tom's Sod for the other bid items.
These contracts will be used for many maintenance projects and capital
improvement projects in the Parks and Recreation Department. In addition it
can be used by other city departments that might need sod work done during
the year.
APPROPRIATION CODE AND AMOUNT:
Funding for these contracts will come from a variety of general fund cost
centers but primarily from projects, parks and athletic codes as well as various
Capital Improvement Project codes.
6. Police Department
6.1 Approve acceptance of University of South Florida Board of Trustees, a public body
corporate for the University of South Florida's Center for Urban Transportation Research
(University), High Visibility Enforcement (HVE) for Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety Grant
Award in the amount of$50,000 for police overtime, establish special program
181-99219, 2017 HVE Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety, and authorize the appropriate
officials to execute same. (consent)
On June 30, 2017, Clearwater Police Department (CPD) was granted approval
by the Resource Management Committee to submit a grant application under
the state HVE program to continue its grant-funded pedestrian and bicycle
safety project. The grant has been officially awarded in the amount of$50,000
and CPD now seeks approval to accept it.
CPD has conducted four grant-funded comprehensive enforcement/education
projects since March 2014 aimed at changing the behavior of all who use
Clearwater's roadways - pedestrians, bicyclists, and motorists. Due to the
success of the previous projects, the University would like to see Clearwater
continue to build upon what it has already accomplished.
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CPD will again carefully select a pool of patrol officers/sergeants for this project
who have demonstrated a sincere interest and affinity for traffic, bicycle and
pedestrian enforcement. The details will be worked by this select group of
officers, focusing on those areas with a high volume of crashes compared to
other parts of the city, have a high volume of pedestrian traffic, or both.
Details will be three hours long with four officers per detail, for a total of 63
details. The project period will commence within 30 days of issuance of a
purchase order by the grantor agency and will end on or before May 17, 2018.
As with the previous grants, selected officers will receive specific training on
traffic enforcement and educational opportunities with the public prior to
implementation of the project. CPD will also work closely with the University
during the project period to ensure accurate data collection and to advise of any
problems or successes that are accomplished.
CPD will continue to get the word out about the project through a variety of
means. CPD's Public Information Officer (PIO) has done an outstanding job in
working with local media sources to promote project activities and to further
spread the message about pedestrian and bicycle safety and will continue to do
so. The PIO will also update the public on the project by way of the
department's Facebook page, which he successfully utilizes on a regular basis
to inform the public about project activities and successes.
There will be no direct adverse impact to the Police Department annual
operating budget nor is there a required match.
APPROPRIATION CODE AND AMOUNT:
A first quarter budget amendment will establish special program 181-99219,
2017 HVE Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety, recognizing a budget increase of
$50,000 grant to account for grant expenditures.
In response to questions, Police Chief Daniel Slaughter said the
Department of Transportation provides the City with some bike lights to
disperse as part of the campaign. The City averages 70 to 100
pedestrian/bicycle injury crashes a year, fatal injury crashes average 5 to
10 a year. The Department conducts annual traffic crash analysis report
in July, statistics for 2017 are trending down. Chief Slaughter said the
education phase includes bike safety tips, such as wearing reflective
clothing and bike lights.
Staff was directed to provide Council with the campaign messaging when
received.
7. Engineering
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7.1 Approve Two Quiet Zone Stipulation of Parties Agreements (SOP) for the Closure of the
Railroad Crossing at Hendricks Street at East Avenue and the Closure of the Railroad
Crossing at Grove Street at East Avenue and authorize the appropriate officials to
execute same. (consent)
October 13, 2014, City Council directed traffic operations staff to pursue a Quiet
Zone along East Avenue from Drew Street to Lakeview Road.
April 21, 2016, City Council approved the appropriation of funds to CSX
Transportation for Supplementary Safety Measures to be installed at Pinellas
Street and the Railroad.
The final stage to implement the Quiet Zone is closing two railroad crossings at
Hendricks Street and East Avenue and Grove Street and East Avenue
Closures will require an SOP between CSX Transportation, City of Clearwater
and the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) for each closure.
Closures will be completed, in accordance with FDOT standards consisting of
the installation of guardrail, end of roadway markers and dead end signage.
Additionally, the railroad crossbucks will be removed as well as the advanced
railroad warning signs.
Manual Uniform Traffic Control Devices standard warning signs W10-9 "No
Train Horn" will be installed on the other crossings located in the Quiet Zone
boundary of Drew Street to Lakeview Road once this agreement is executed by
all three parties in preparation for the execution of the Quiet Zone.
June 19, 2017, a public meeting was held in the City Main Library from 4:30 PM
to 6:00 PM. This meeting was advertised to all affected property owners to
inform of these agreements.
The traffic control signs and railroad crossing closures will be installed and
maintained by the Traffic Operations Division of Engineering.
In response to questions, Traffic Operations Manager Paul Bertels said each
of the roadways (Hendricks Street at East Avenue and Grove Street at East
Avenue) will have guardrails installed at the end on the City's right-of-way,
with end of roadway markers (red 18-inch by 18-inch diamonds). Mr. Bertels
said the cross bucks will be removed, disallowing entry into the railroad right-
of-way from those streets. The rail and trail will remain. The northbound lane
on East Avenue is on the railroad easement. He said in 1912 Clearwater
gave the railroad an easement over city land, requiring the vehicle to enter
CSX'territory. The Quiet Zone will run from Drew Street to Lakeview Road
through Downtown, with signs visible only to the engineer and advising the
engineer that the horns cannot be blown unless, in their professional
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Council Work Session Meeting Minutes October 30, 2017
judgment, there is a hazard in the way. For example, if a bicyclist is riding in
the middle of the railway, the engineer may blow the horn. Mr. Bertels said a
business owner in Downtown objected to the closure of Hendricks at the
June public meeting but has not pursued a formal appeal. When the item
before Council is approved, individuals objecting to the closure will have 21
days to file a formal appeal. If no objections are filed, DOT will authorize the
City to make the closures, install the No Train Horn signs in all of the other
streets and submit photographic evidence of the closures and signs to CSX.
Mr. Bertels said the submittal to CSX would start another 21-day appeal
period. If no objections are filed, the Quiet Zone will go into effect. He said
the Quiet Zone could be in effect by Christmas if no appeals are filed.
Staff was directed to take the item off the Consent Agenda.
7.2 Approve the closure of two railroad crossings on public streets to meet the requirements
for the establishment of a railroad quiet zone and adopt Resolution 17-35
City Council directed the traffic operations staff on October 13, 2014 to pursue a
Quiet Zone along East Avenue from Drew Street to Lakeview Road. City
Council approved on April 21, 2016 the appropriation of$374,644.00 to CSX
Transportation for Supplementary Safety Measures (SSM) to be installed at
Pinellas Street and the Railroad in furtherance of the establishment of a Quiet
Zone. This Resolution will approve the closure of Hendricks Street at East
Avenue, and will close Grove Street at East Avenue. The city is required to
close these two railroad crossings in order to complete the final stage of the
quiet zone.
7.3 Approve Amendment 1 of Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWFWMD)
Agreement N602 for East Gateway Stormwater and Sanitary Sewer Improvements
Project (13-0043-EN) extending the agreement to February 28, 2019 and authorize the
appropriate officials to execute same. (consent)
February 19, 2015, City Council approved a SWFWMD grant funding
agreement for 50% of Stormwater costs up to a maximum of$1,750,000.
Amendment 1 of SWFWMD Agreement N602 for East Gateway Stormwater
and Sanitary Sewer Improvements Project (13-0043-EN) extends the expiration
date from May 31, 2018 to February 28, 2019.
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The East Gateway Stormwater and Sanitary Sewer Improvements Project will
replace stormwater, potable, sanitary systems and reconstruct the associated
roadways.
The East Gateway Stormwater and Sanitary Sewer Improvement Projects are
under construction and have had a few delays. This extension of the
agreement will allow the City to receive reimbursement throughout the end of
construction and there are no costs associated with the extension of this
agreement.
The City of Clearwater's Stormwater Maintenance Department is responsible
for owning, operating, and maintaining the stormwater infrastructure. The City of
Clearwater's Public Utilities Department is responsible for owning, operating,
and maintaining the potable water and sanitary sewer infrastructure. The City
Engineering Department is responsible for maintaining roadways.
7.4 Approve a Joint Project Agreement with Pinellas County for utility installation by roadway
contractor for the Sunset Point at Betty Lane Utility Relocation Project with the estimated
amount of$402,948.00 and authorize the appropriate officials to execute same.
(consent)
Pinellas County intends to improve their stormwater system on Sunset Point
Road from Douglas Avenue to Kings Highway. Construction is currently
scheduled to begin in March 2018 with completion anticipated in October 2018.
This construction will require the relocation of the City's potable water mains
that conflict with the proposed improvements.
Pinellas County will receive competitive bids for their stormwater system
improvements project and make award to the low bidder. Pinellas County's
engineer estimate for the City of Clearwater's portion of utility relocation is
$402,948; however, the final costs will be determined by the contractor's bid.
The City will be advised of the actual contract bid costs and be given the
opportunity to reject the bid if they are deemed excessive.
APPROPRIATION CODE AND AMOUNT:
327-96634-563800-535-000-0000 $ 402,948.00
Sufficient funding is available in Renewal & Replacement Project 0327-96634,
Sanitary Utility Relocation to fund $ 402,948.00
8. Marine & Aviation
8.1 Ratify and Confirm Airpark Lease and Operating Agreement with Clearwater Airpark, Inc.
through November 30, 2017, with one additional 5-year renewal at the City's discretion.
The initial term for this agreement was for 60 months through November 30,
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2017. The Lessee with Lessor's consent had the option to renew this Lease
Agreement for one additional consecutive five-year lease period, for a total of 10
years ending November 30, 2022.
Staff sought direction from City Council on December 14, 2011 concerning
different FDOT Grant funding options along with extending the current Fixed
Base Operator (FBO) Lease Agreement. The actual Lease and Operating
Agreement dated April 26, 2012 had not been formally presented to City Council
for approval. The Airpark Advisory Board at their August 17, 2017 meeting
recommended that the City renew the FBO lease for another 5 years.
9. Human Resources
9.1 Approve the collective bargaining agreement as negotiated between the City of
Clearwater and CWA Local 3179 for Fiscal Years 2017/18, 2018/19, and 2019/20 and
authorize the appropriate officials to execute same. (consent)
The current collective bargaining agreement between the City of Clearwater and
CWA Local 3179 expired on September 30, 2017. The parties reached a
tentative agreement for a new contract which was ratified by the membership
on October 18, 2017 by a vote of 282 to 66.
The agreement is a three-year agreement providing for a 3% merit increase
plus $25.00 for every year of service added to base salary in the first year
retroactive to October 1, 2017, a 3.5% merit increase in the second year, and a
3% merit increase plus $25.00 for every year of service added to base salary in
the third year. It also includes an increase in tuition reimbursement to $1500
annually, the inclusion of foster children and guardianships for the use of sick
and funeral leave, and the ability for family members on the city health
insurance to utilize city recreational facilities. This agreement also enables the
City to provide salary adjustments based on recruiting and/or retention
concerns.
The costs associated with the implementation of this agreement are anticipated
to be approximately as follows:
FY 2017/18 $1,072,000 All Funds $258,000 General Fund
FY 2018/19 $1,109,000 All Funds $267,000 General Fund
FY 2019/20 $1,148,000 All Funds $276,000 General Fund
TOTAL: $3,329,000 All Funds $801,000 General Fund
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A first quarter budget amendment will allocate reserves from the operating
funds to cover the cost of CWA pay increases for the current budget year.
Future budgets will include the contract costs in the proposed budget.
In response to questions, Human Resources Director Joe Roseto said any
collective agreement will have a compromise. Certain job classifications
have retention and recruitment issues, the item before Council includes
flexibility to address those issues to remain competitive with other local
agencies. Some of the job classifications require state certification and/or
licensing.
10. Official Records and Legislative Services
10.1Schedule a council meeting on Wednesday, December 20, 2017 at 6:00 p.m. (consent)
Economic Development and Housing has requested to schedule a council
meeting on December 20, 2017 for the purpose of accepting the Consolidated
Annual Performance and Evaluation (CAPER). The CAPER documents the
City's expenditures for Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and
HOME Investment Partnership (HOME) programs to the U.S. Department of
Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
Due to recent reporting changes, staff may be unable to present the CAPER at
the December 7 council meeting.
Staff was directed to confirm if a meeting could be scheduled on Thursday,
December 21, 2017 at 6:00 p.m.
10.2Approve an agreement with the Law Firm of Dean, Mead, Egerton, Bloodworth,
Capouano and Bozarth to provide lobbying services at the state level from October 1,
2017 through September 30, 2020 at a cost of$4,000 per month, plus estimated
expenses of$4,800, not to exceed $52,800 per year, and authorize the appropriate
officials to execute same.
Lobbying services assist the City in pursuing funding and favorable legislation at
the state level. Request for Proposal 34-17 (RFP)was released to select a
provider of these services.
Responses were received from Dean Mead Law Firm, Southern Strategy Group
of Tampa Bay, Pittman Law Group and Mark Anderson.
The evaluation committee, consisting of the City Clerk, City Attorney and the
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Council Work Session Meeting Minutes October 30, 2017
Deputy City Manager, reviewed written proposals on September 28, 2017.
Selection criteria were: Demonstrated Experience, Qualifications of Team,
Reference Reports and Cost of Services.
The committee determined Dean Mead to be the most responsive to criteria
established in the RFP. Dean Mead has been the City's state lobbyist since
2014 and the City has been satisfied with their services. Dean Mead proposes
the same rate as the previous contract. The agreement may be cancelled at
any time with 30 days advance notice.
APPROPRIATION CODE AND AMOUNT:
Annual costs for this contract will be included in the Official Records and
Legislative Services Operating budget under appropriation code
010-09700-530100-513-000.
In response to questions, the City Clerk said the lobbying firm has staff
available to attend hearings. She said she would speak with the legislators at
the upcoming Legislative Delegation hearing to see if the City's lobbyists are
in touch with them throughout the legislative session. Communication has
always been open, even last minute issues.
The Council recessed from 3:01 p.m. to 3:10 p.m.
10.3Approve the 2018 State Legislative Priorities.
Each year, the City submits a list of legislative priorities for consideration by the
state legislature during their annual 60-day session in Tallahassee. The City's
legislative liaison works closely with city management staff and the City's
lobbying team in Tallahassee to draft a package that is beneficial to Clearwater.
Preparation of the package involves determining areas of need, researching
funding availability, identifying needed legislation, monitoring and evaluating
current legislative issues.
The 2018 State Legislative Package includes supporting: continued funding for
programs that benefit municipalities statewide such as Florida Recreation
Development Assistance Program (FRDAP), State Aid to Libraries and housing
trust funds under the Sadowski Act; PSTA's Florida Department of
Transportation's grant request for an Express Transit service from Tampa
International Airport to Clearwater Beach and repealing the state preemption of
vacation rental property laws to allow local governments to regulate such
properties to protect the health and welfare of their residents, visitor and
businesses. The City, along with the Florida League of Cities, continues to
oppose unfunded mandates and intrusions to municipal home rule authority.
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Council Work Session Meeting Minutes October 30, 2017
In response to questions, the City Clerk said she will provide information to
the city's lobbyist from Forward Pinellas regarding the FDOT's Clearwater
Beach to Tampa International Airport express route grant funding. It was
said that the City could coordinate with PSTA regarding the funding for the
State Road 60 corridor bus lane as the issue was on PSTA's legislative
agenda as well. In response to a concern regarding the Fiscal Year 2016
Local Business Tax Revenue, the City Clerk said the low number is due to
an audit recommendation and payments made late in the year are applied to
the following fiscal year revenues. A footnote will be added to the legislative
priorities to explain. It was suggested the Local Bill priority be placed at the
top of the legislative agenda. Staff was directed to include the elimination of
Community Redevelopment Agency's and the erosion of Home Rule under
issues to oppose as well as change the word funding to support a statewide
program in regards to residential sewer lateral pipeline repairs. Under
issues to support, staff was directed to include a bullet to maintain a program
to assist spring training facilities throughout the state, and change the
wording in the bullet related to PSTA to read "support consideration of
alternative omnimodal transportation from TIA to Clearwater Beach."
11. Legal
11 AAdopt Ordinance 9046-17 on second reading, amending the future land use element of
the Comprehensive Plan to change the land use designation for certain real property
whose post office address is 1895 Virginia Avenue, Clearwater, Florida 33763 from
Institutional (1) to Residential Low Medium (RLM).
11.2Adopt Ordinance 9047-17 on second reading, amending the Zoning Atlas of the city by
rezoning certain real property whose post office address is 1895 Virginia Avenue,
Clearwater, Florida 33763 from Institutional (1) to Medium Density Residential (MDR).
11.3Adopt Ordinance 9072-17 on second reading, amending the future land use plan element
of the Comprehensive Plan to change the land use designation for certain real property
whose post office address is 3108 Downing Street, Clearwater, Florida 33759 from
Residential/Office Limited (R/OL) to Residential Urban (RU).
11.4Adopt Ordinance 9073-17 on second reading, amending the Zoning Atlas of the city by
rezoning certain real property whose post office address is 3108 Downing Street,
Clearwater, Florida 33759, from Office (0) to Low Medium Density Residential (LMDR).
12. City Manager Verbal Reports
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Council Work Session Meeting Minutes October 30, 2017
Solid Waste and General Services Director Earl Gloster said the Department
has completed its second and final sweep of post-hurricane debris collection.
The contractor is now grinding the collected materials and hauling it off. Here
said there were a few commercial properties with debris that need to be
addressed. Staff will soon have the the final debris collection numbers: what
the City collected vs. what the contractor collected. Mr. Gloster said after the
grinding and hauling is completed, staff will submit the data to FEMA for
reimbursement. During the collection process, the contractor damaged some
residential properties; the contractor is working with the property owners to
address the damages. He asked individuals who still have storm debris to be
collected to call him at (727)562-4090.
In response to questions, Mr. Gloster said the mulch (grounded storm debris)
is being sent to Angelo's Recycling in Pinellas County or Merchant Farms in
Hillsborough County. The mulch cannot be used on residential properties
because it has not been treated. There are properties in the county enclaves
that still have storm debris; the County contractors just completed their first
collection. Mr. Gloster said Pinellas County owns the waste to energy plant,
the County's pre-storm decisions did not include allowing municipal partners
to haul debris to the plant.
13. City Attorney Verbal Reports — None.
14. Council Discussion Item
14.1 City Manager/City Attorney Salary Discussion
The performance evaluation discussions for the City Manager and City Attorney
were conducted by City Council at the October 19, 2017 City Council meeting.
The Council discussion concerning salary is conducted at the subsequent
meeting.
Discussion deferred to Thursday, November 2, 2017.
15. New Business (items not on the agenda may be brought up asking they be
scheduled for subsequent meetings or work sessions in accordance with Rule 1,
Paragraph 2).
Councilmember Jonson said he distributed a brochure called Let City's Work
by the Florida League of Cities that he received at the Suncoast League of
Cities meeting.
16. Closing Comments by Mayor
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Council Work Session Meeting Minutes October 30, 2017
Mayor Cretekos urged all to be safe if trick-or-treating and encouraged all to
attend the Boo Bash.
17. Adjourn
The meeting adjourned at 3:45 p.m.
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City of Clearwater