03/20/2003CITY COMMISSION MEETING
CITY OF CLEARWATER
March 20, 2003
Present: Brian J. Aungst Mayor/Commissioner
Whitney Gray Vice-Mayor/Commissioner
Hoyt P. Hamilton Commissioner
William C. Jonson Commissioner
Frank Hibbard Commissioner
Also present: William B. Horne II City Manager
Garry Brumback Assistant City Manager
Ralph Stone Assistant City Manager
Pamela K. Akin City Attorney
Cynthia E. Goudeau City Clerk
Patricia O. Sullivan Board Reporter
The Mayor called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. at City Hall. Commissioner Jonson offered the invocation. The Mayor led the Pledge of Allegiance.
To provide continuity for research, items are in agenda order although not necessarily discussed in that order.
ITEM #3 – Introductions, Awards and Presentations
a) Proclamation: Celebrate Clearwater Neighborhoods Week – March 24-29, 2003
b) Proclamation: Clearwater Community Volunteers Day – March 20, 2003
c) Presentation: TBRPC McIntosh Award - Best overall project in the Region –
Transformation of the North Greenwood Neighborhood
d) Presentation: Dean Young’s Art Work presented by Library Foundation
Presentation
Vice-Mayor Gray presented to the Mayor, the award from Ye Mystic Krewe of Gasparilla, in recognition of Clearwater winning the city division for its float in the Gasparilla Parade.
ITEM #4 – Approval of Minutes
Commissioner Jonson moved to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of March 6, 2002, as recorded and revised by the City Clerk and submitted to each Commissioner. The motion was
duly seconded and carried unanimously.
ITEM #5 – Citizens to be heard re items not on the Agenda:
Socrates Charos invited residents to attend the Royalty Theater, welcomed the Gibbs High School Fine Arts students now performing, and requested help finding a drop off/pickup spot
for seniors while Cleveland Street parking is removed.
Joanie Siegel reviewed upcoming events: 1) April 5 – 6, 2003 - 3rd annual Clearwater Community Volunteers’ rummage sale; 2) April 19, 2003 – Mainstreet Promotions Downtown Art Stroll;
and 3) April 20, 2003 – Clearwater Community Volunteers’ Easter Egg Hunt.
Ellen Schultz opposed locating soccer fields at Glen Oaks Golf Course next to a residential area.
Julie Thompson requested the City continue to dialog with residents living near the Glen Oaks Golf Course as residents want a voice in how the neighborhood will be transformed.
John Doran said he had found another roundabout in Clearwater, and it too works. He thanked the City for the advisory board appreciation dinner, particularly the special honor presented
Bob Bickerstaffe.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
ITEM #6 - Public Hearing & First Reading - Ord 7096-03 – Approve the Zoning Atlas Amendment from the O, Office District, to the I, Institutional District for 300 Pinellas Street (Lots
16 and 18, less the West 85 feet thereof, C. Perry Snell’s Bluff View Court, in Sec. 21-29-15) REZ2002-12004
The 0.09-acre site at 300 Pinellas Street is approximately 150 feet north of Pinellas Street, 650 feet west of South Fort Harrison Avenue, and currently is occupied by a parking structure
used to support the Morton Plant Hospital Emergency Room. The applicant requests amending the zoning map from O, Office District, to I, Institutional District to render the site consistent
with the underlying Institutional (INS) Future Land Use Plan category. Also, the proposed rezoning would consolidate the entire Morton Plant Hospital Campus under the I, Institutional
zoning category.
Staff determined the proposed rezoning is consistent with standards specified in the Community Development Code: 1) proposed rezoning application is consistent with the Comprehensive
Plan; 2) proposed rezoning provides consistency between the City’s zoning map and Future Land Use Map; 3) there will be no adverse impacts on public facilities and their level of service;
4) district boundaries are appropriately drawn with regard to locations and classifications of streets, ownership lines, existing improvements, and the natural environment; and 5) the
potential range of uses and the specific proposed use are compatible with the surrounding area. On February 18, 2003, the CDB (Community Development Board) reviewed this proposed rezoning
and unanimously recommended approval.
Commissioner Hamilton moved to approve the Zoning Atlas Amendment from the O, Office District to the I, Institutional District for 300 Pinellas Street (Lots 16 and 18, less the West
85 feet thereof, C. PERRY SNELL’S BLUFF VIEW COURT, in Section 21, Township 29 South and Range 15 East. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously.
The City Attorney presented Ordinance #7096-03 for first reading and read it by title only. Commissioner Jonson moved to pass Ordinance #7096-03 on first reading. The motion was duly
seconded and upon roll call, the vote was:
"Ayes": Gray, Hamilton, Jonson, Hibbard, and Aungst.
"Nays": None.
ITEM #7 - Public Hearing & First Reading - Ord 7092-03 - Approve the applicant’s request to vacate part of the drainage and utility easement located on Lot 51, Countryside Tract 94,
(A.K.A. 2662 Beaumont Court) more particularly described in Exhibit “A” attached (V2003-02 Catalanotto). PW
The applicant seeks approval of the vacation request to build an additional single-family home on the subject property. The Planning Department has no objections provided that the
applicant obtains an administrative lot line adjustment consistent with the LMDR zoning district prior to issuance of a building permit to construct a new single-family home.
Progress Energy, Time Warner Cable, Verizon and Verizon Media Ventures have no objections to the vacation request. No City of Clearwater utilities are present in the subject easement
portion and no future need for the easement portion is anticipated. The property owner will be responsible to pay costs associated with construction of the sewer main extension needed
to serve the proposed new home. Public Works Administration has no objections to the vacation request.
Commissioner Gray moved to approve the applicant’s request to vacate part of the drainage and utility easement located on Lot 51, Countryside Tract 94, (A.K.A. 2662 Beaumont Court).
The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously.
The City Attorney presented Ordinance #7092-03 for first reading and read it by title only. Commissioner Hibbard moved to pass Ordinance #7092-03 on first reading. The motion was duly
seconded and upon roll call, the vote was:
"Ayes": Gray, Hamilton, Jonson, Hibbard, and Aungst.
"Nays": None.
ITEM #8 - Public Hearing & First Reading - Ord 7099-03 - Amend Section 3-1508 of the Community Development Code, regarding noise.
Section 3-1508 A has been amended to clarify that an officer must hear the noise at a distance of at least 100 feet from the source of the noise. The 100-foot limitation is consistent
with that contained in Section 316.3045 Florida Statutes, which makes it unlawful to operate a motor vehicle radio so that the sound is plainly audible at a distance of 100 feet or more
from the motor vehicle.
Section 3-1508 C has been renumbered to Section 3-1508 B and has been amended to clarify that only “Loud and Raucous” noise is prohibited and to eliminate the wind requirement. When
the noise ordinance was recodified, it was amended to impose a requirement that before the City could issue a citation to a person for operating an excessively loud radio, amplifier,
phonograph, or sound truck, the wind conditions had to be less than 15 miles per hour. The wind requirement has proven to be unworkable, especially on Clearwater beach. Police officers
have difficulty enforcing the noise ordinance because they do not carry wind-measuring devices and because wind gusts on Clearwater beach are frequent.
Section 3-1508 D has been renumbered to Section 3-1508 C and has been amended to clarify the circumstances when a person becomes liable for ensuring that noise sources do not violate
the Noise Ordinance.
Section 3-1508 E has been renumbered to Section 3-1508 D and has been amended to limit the exception for religious worship activities to those activities occurring on or in religious
facilities.
Commissioner Hamilton moved to amend Section 3-1508 of the Community Development Code regarding noise. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously.
The City Attorney presented Ordinance #7099-03 for first reading and read it by title only. Commissioner Jonson moved to pass Ordinance #7099-03 on first reading. The motion was duly
seconded and upon roll call, the vote was:
"Ayes": Gray, Hamilton, Jonson, Hibbard, and Aungst.
"Nays": None.
ITEM #9 - Public Hearing & First Reading - Ord 7063-03 - Amend the Community Development Code allowing for sidewalk cafes to be located on private property and on public rights-of-way
in the Downtown and Tourist districts. ED
As the City of Clearwater experiences renewed interest from restaurant owners to locate eating establishments on Clearwater beach and Downtown due to significant public capital improvements,
the City recognized the need to address, in a comprehensive way, outdoor seating on private property and in the public right-of-way, i.e. sidewalk cafes.
Sidewalk cafes provide a unique environment for food consumption that enhances the pedestrian, urban and beach character of the City and provides an additional amenity for the public
to enjoy. Furthermore, sidewalk cafes provide an opportunity to promote economic development and further the City’s redevelopment goals. A sidewalk café can be established as an accessory
use to an adjacent business and located outside the boundaries of the building; food and beverage service or other activities related to the principal use may be allowed as part of the
sidewalk cafe. Sidewalk cafes on private property are permitted in the Commercial, Downtown, and Tourist zoning districts of the City. Sidewalk cafes on the public right-of-way will
be allowed only in the Downtown and Tourist districts on Clearwater beach due to the high intensity of development and lack of vacant land. In addition, sidewalk cafes on the public
right-of-way will require a permit to operate. The permit will be associated with a $120 fee and renewed annually.
The ordinance provides standards and criteria for developing sidewalk cafes on private property and in the public right-of-way. The ordinance strives to improve community aesthetics
through the regulation of sidewalk cafes through a pre-application meeting and design review. In addition, maintenance, safety, and liability standards are stipulated to maintain high
standards for development, which are essential in a community undergoing redevelopment. The ordinance also details application requirements and the review process.
For existing restaurants desiring to establish a sidewalk café in the right-of-way, the completed application will be reviewed as an accessory use/Minimum Standard Development within
3 working days. If all conditions are met, a permit will be granted.
Key components of the ordinance: 1) Safety - Sidewalk cafes should promote efficient and direct pedestrian pathways. Sight visibility triangles must be maintained at all times. In
addition, no food preparation is allowed on the sidewalk; 2) Design - To enhance the visual quality of the urban environment, the café will comply with district Design Guidelines. Specifically,
furniture and fixtures shall be of good design and made of quality materials and
workmanship. The edge of the sidewalk café area in the right-of-way shall be delineated using non-permanent fixtures such as railings, potted plants, decorative chains, or other approved
fixtures; 3) Maintenance - The sidewalk cafe area, the area from the sidewalk cafe to the curb, and five feet beyond either end will be maintained in a neat and orderly appearance at
all times and shall be cleared of all debris on a daily basis. Tables, chairs, umbrellas, etc. shall be maintained in a clean and attractive manner and in good repair at all times;
4) Alcohol Allowed - With a valid alcohol license from the State of Florida, alcoholic beverages are allowed for consumption in connection with a restaurant use. However, alcoholic
beverages must remain in the designated sidewalk café area. An amendment to the code allowing open containers in the sidewalk café area will be presented as a separate ordinance; 5)
Music - No amplified music is allowed on sidewalk cafes in the public right-of-way. Amplified music on private property shall be reviewed for impact to surrounding properties.
Additional requirements for sidewalk cafes on public rights-of-way: 1) Safety - The City may require the temporary removal of sidewalk cafes when street, sidewalk, or utility repairs
necessitate such action, during any emergency situation, or in the interest of public safety. A minimum of 4 feet will be maintained at all times to allow unobstructed pedestrian pathways
along the sidewalk. In congested pedestrian areas, this minimum width may be increased; 2) Liability - A written agreement with the City is required where the permit holder agrees to
indemnify, defend, save and hold harmless the City from all claims, liability, lawsuits, damages and causes of action which may arise out of the use of the public sidewalk; and 3) Insurance
- Comprehensive General Liability insurance on an “occurrence” basis in the amount of $500,000 is required. The City is to be included specifically as an additional insured on the policy.
Two additional ordinances will be needed in conjunction with the adoption of the sidewalk café ordinance to allow alcohol on the public right of way in the sidewalk café area and repeal
old provisions related to sidewalk cafes in the Code. The Community Development Board reviewed this item on March 18, 2003, and recommended approval.
In response to a question, the City Attorney said Risk Management had indicated the recommended amount of insurance is sufficient.
One person recommended sidewalk cafes also be permitted along the Pinellas Trail.
Commissioner Hamilton moved to amend the Community Development Code allowing for sidewalk cafes to be located on private property and on public rights of way in the Downtown and Tourist
districts. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously.
The City Attorney presented Ordinance #7063-03 for first reading and read it by title only. Commissioner Gray moved to pass Ordinance #7063-03 on first reading. The motion was duly
seconded and upon roll call, the vote was:
"Ayes": Gray, Hamilton, Jonson, Hibbard, and Aungst.
"Nays": None.
ITEM #10 - Not a Public Hearing - Pass on First Reading - Ord 7073-03 - amending Code of Ordinances Section 28.04 to allow approved sidewalk cafes to sell food on public property.
This is a companion item to Ordinance No. 7063-03, the Sidewalk Café ordinance. Adoption of this ordinance is necessary because currently Section 28.04 prohibits sales of goods, wares,
or merchandise on streets, right-of-way, and public property. The exception will apply only to approved sidewalk cafés.
Commissioner Hibbard moved to amend Code of Ordinances Section 28.04 to allow approved sidewalk cafés to sell food on public property. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously.
The City Attorney presented Ordinance #7073-03 for first reading and read it by title only. Commissioner Hamilton moved to pass Ordinance #7073-03 on first reading. The motion was
duly seconded and upon roll call, the vote was:
"Ayes": Gray, Hamilton, Jonson, Hibbard, and Aungst.
"Nays": None.
ITEM #11 - Not a Public Hearing - Pass on First Reading - Ord 7074-03 - amending Code of Ordinances Section 6.31 to allow approved sidewalk cafes to sell alcoholic beverages on public
property.
This is a companion item to Ordinance No. 7063-03, the Sidewalk Café ordinance. Adoption of this ordinance is necessary because currently Section 6.31 prohibits sale, consumption,
and possession of alcoholic beverages on sidewalks and other public property. The exception will apply only to approved sidewalk cafés. Permit conditions should specify hours of sale
of alcoholic beverages.
Commissioner Jonson moved to amend Code of Ordinances Section 6.31 to allow approved sidewalk cafés to sell alcoholic beverages on public property. The motion was duly seconded and
carried unanimously.
The City Attorney presented Ordinance #7074-03 for first reading and read it by title only. Commissioner Gray moved to pass Ordinance #7074-03 on first reading. The motion was duly
seconded and upon roll call, the vote was:
"Ayes": Gray, Hamilton, Jonson, Hibbard, and Aungst.
"Nays": None.
Public Hearing - Second Reading Ordinances
ITEM #12 - Second Reading Ord 7101-03 - amending Ord 7052-03 to correct scrivener's errors.
The Mayor presented Ordinance #7101-03 for second reading and read it by title only. Commissioner Hibbard moved to pass and adopt Ordinance #7101-03 on second and final reading. The
motion was duly seconded and upon roll call, the vote was:
"Ayes": Gray, Hamilton, Hibbard, Jonson, and Aungst.
"Nays": None.
ITEM #13 - Second Reading Ord 7102-03 - amending Ord 7053-03 to correct scrivener's errors.
The Mayor presented Ordinance #7102-03 for second reading and read it by title only. Commissioner Hamilton moved to pass and adopt Ordinance #7102-03 on second and final reading.
The motion was duly seconded and upon roll call, the vote was:
"Ayes": Gray, Hamilton, Hibbard, Jonson, and Aungst.
"Nays": None.
ITEM #14 - Second Reading Ord 7103-03 - amending Ord 7054-03 to correct scrivener's errors.
The Mayor presented Ordinance #7103-03 for second reading and read it by title only. Commissioner Jonson moved to pass and adopt Ordinance #7103-03 on second and final reading. The
motion was duly seconded and upon roll call, the vote was:
"Ayes": Gray, Hamilton, Hibbard, Jonson, and Aungst.
"Nays": None.
ITEM #15 - Second Reading Ord 7104-03 - amending Ord 7055-03 to correct scrivener's errors.
The Mayor presented Ordinance #7104-03 for second reading and read it by title only. Commissioner Gray moved to pass and adopt Ordinance #7104-03 on second and final reading. The
motion was duly seconded and upon roll call, the vote was:
"Ayes": Gray, Hamilton, Hibbard, Jonson, and Aungst.
"Nays": None.
CITY MANAGER REPORTS
CONSENT AGENDA (Items #16-20) - Approved as submitted.
Consent Agenda items require no formal public hearing and are subject to approval by a single motion. However, any City Commissioner or the City Manager may remove an item from the
Consent Agenda for discussion and individual vote.
ITEM #16 - Approval of Purchases (& Declaration of Surplus) per Purchasing Memorandum:
1) Purchase Contract for Gas Material – Steel pipe and fittings during the contract period: April 1, 2003 through March 31, 2004 for $68,000 from M.T. Deason Company, Birmingham, Alabama.
(GAS)
2) Purchase of GC / MS Spectrometer for $87,453 from Varian Analytical Instruments, Walnut Creek, California. (PU/Lab)
3) Purchase of labor and material for installation of fuel system for $167,216 from Convault Florida, Inc., Wildwood, Florida. (MR)
ITEM #17 - Approve the Modification of Mortgage Note with Greenwood Apartments, LLC to increase the City’s loan by $300,000, to total loan amount of $1,000,000. ED
ITEM #18 - Approve co-sponsorship and waiver of requested City fees and services charges for FY 2003-2004 special events including six annual City events; and fifteen City co-sponsored
events; at an estimated gross cost of $452,894 ($134,500 representing cash contributions and $313,394 representing in-kind contributions) for the purposes of departmental budget submittals.
PR
ITEM #19 - Approve an Underground Pipeline R/W Utilization Agreement with Florida Power Corporation, a Florida Corporation, 3300 Exchange Place, Lake Mary, Florida, 32746, for the Drew
and Union Streets Reclaimed Water Main project (01-0039-UT). PW
ITEM #20 - Appoint Commissioner Gray to serve on the Pension Advisory Committee for the term 4/5/03-4/4/05. ORLS
Commissioner Hamilton 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 #21 – First Quarter Budget Amendments
The First Quarter Budget Review is in accordance with the City Code of Ordinances. The report is based on three months of activity from October 2002 through December 2002 during the
current fiscal year. The report comments on major variances, as well as documents all proposed amendments.
Significant Fund amendments are 1) General Fund - expenditure amendments reflect a net increase of $1,692,860 at first quarter. The majority of this increase is due to one-time allocations
of retained earnings in the amount of $1,132,000 to provide advance funding for the Clearwater Library Foundation funds for construction, and $450,000 allocated to the Harborview Fund,
which was approved by the City Commission in February 2003. Other smaller increases include funding the neighborhood grants and service coordinator position totaling $67,900 in Development
Services and an increase of $20,870 in the final tax increment payment to the CRA (Community Redevelopment Agency) based upon final taxable values. These increases are offset easily
by funds returned to the General Fund from closed capital projects. An additional increase of $22,000 in Economic Development for temporary services is offset by a like increase in
Community Development Block Grant revenue reimbursing the General Fund for this cost and 2) General Fund Reserves – To ensure adequate reserves, the City Commission’s policy reflects
that General Fund unappropriated retained earnings of 8.5% of the City’s budgeted General Fund expenditures must be maintained as a reserve to guard against future emergencies. With
the closing of the year-end 2002 books, and the allocation of reserves noted above, estimated General Fund reserves at first quarter are approximately $10.6 million, or 11.5% of the
current year’s General Fund budget, exceeding the City’s reserve policy by just over $2.7 million.
The only significant amendments to other City Operating Funds are: 1) Gas Fund - First quarter amendments to the Gas Fund recognize an increase of $192,110 in budgeted expenditures,
basically due to the increased cost of fuel and contractor costs. This amendment is offset easily by increases in anticipated revenues from sales and interest earnings of more than
$314,000; 2) Harborview Fund - First Quarter revenue amendments reflect the receipt of $450,000 of retained earnings from the General Fund to correct the deficit in the current asset
balance approved by the City Commission on February 5, 2003; 3) Central Insurance Fund - The only significant amendment to the Central Insurance Fund at first quarter recognizes the
allocation of $500,000 of retained earnings from the Central Insurance Fund for property, casualty and liability insurance premiums. The Commission approved this amendment in September
2002 with the Commission’s approval for the purchase of property, casualty and liability insurance contract for FY 2002/03; 4) Capital Improvement Fund - Amendments to the Capital Improvement
Fund total a net increase of $1,462,907. The most significant increases includes the transfer of $1,132,000 of General Fund retained earnings to the Main Library
construction project to support the final construction contract phase and an increase of $605,000 to the Community Sports Complex project based upon final budget figures presented to
the Commission in January. The budget amendments include more than $276,000 that is being returned to the General Fund with the completion or closing of projects, including $141,100
of funds appropriated for demolition of the Cabana Club last year, which no longer is necessary. The City Commission previously has approved almost all capital improvement project budget
increases; and 5) Special Program Fund - Amendments to the Special Program Fund total a net increase of $886,867. Of this amount, almost $393,000 is directly related to revenues received
from Special Events during the first part of the year and more than $300,000 represents revenues for Public Safety projects including almost $110,000 in court proceeds from contraband
forfeitures and more than $140,000 in grants for DUI enforcement, Operation Apoyo Hispanic, and other public safety programs.
Commissioner Hibbard moved to approve FY 2002/03 First Quarter Budget Amendments. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously.
a) Pass on first reading Ord 7097-03 – Amending FY 2002/03 operating budget
The City Attorney presented Ordinance #7097-03 for first reading and read it by title only. Commissioner Hibbard moved to pass Ordinance #7097-03 on first reading. The motion was duly
seconded and upon roll call, the vote was:
"Ayes": Gray, Hamilton, Jonson, Hibbard, and Aungst.
"Nays": None.
b) Pass on first reading Ord 7098-03 – Amending the FY 2002/03 capital improvement budget
The City Attorney presented Ordinance #7098-03 for first reading and read it by title only. Commissioner Jonson moved to pass Ordinance #7098-03 on first reading. The motion was duly
seconded and upon roll call, the vote was:
"Ayes": Gray, Hamilton, Jonson, Hibbard, and Aungst.
"Nays": None.
ITEM #22 – Adopt Resolution 03-12 - which will amend Resolution 00-32 by increasing the amount of lease purchase debt to be incurred by $4,500,000 to a total of $19,500,000. FN
The City utilizes lease purchasing to finance capital equipment such as vehicles, thereby spreading out the payments over a three- to five-year term. Resolution #00-32 anticipated
$5-million per year in lease purchases for the three-year term of FY 2001-03. This estimate was based on historical lease purchase activity.
Lease purchase activity across City departments has increased significantly, partially due to low interest rates. The requested increase will provide sufficient lease purchase financing
for all budgeted FY 2003 lease purchases. The current interest rate the City pays for items that are lease purchased is very reasonable. Current interest rates approximate 2.42% for
three-year and 2.79% for five-year debt. Lease purchase also is attractive to departments because if allows them to spread the costs of acquiring an asset over the useful life of the
asset rather than having to fund the full cost up front.
Commissioner Gray moved to amend Resolution #00-32 by increasing the amount of lease purchase debt to be incurred by $4.5-million, to a total of $19.5-million and that the appropriate
officials be authorized to execute same. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously.
The City Attorney presented Resolution #03-12 and read it by title only. Commissioner Hibbard moved to pass and adopt Resolution #03-12 and authorize the appropriate officials to execute
same. The motion was duly seconded and upon roll call, the vote was:
"Ayes": Gray, Hamilton, Jonson, Hibbard, and Aungst.
"Nays": None.
ITEM #23 –Adopt Resolution 03-13 - authorizing acceptance of Airport Expenditure Plan Change #1 requested by the Florida Department of Transportation. MR
On January 23, 2003, the City Commission approved Supplemental Agreement Number 4, Resolution #03-04. FDOT (Florida Department of Transportation) agreed to increase reimbursable funding
to include additional security fencing in the existing JPA (Joint Participation Agreement) for the design and construction of two 10-plane t-hangars, one corporate hangar, completion
of the stormwater management plan, and the emergency soil mitigation and fuel tank replacement at Clearwater Airpark. FDOT may participate in the security fence construction at 100%
up to a maximum of $20,000. The total funding provided by FDOT for this JPA remains the same at $1,118.800. What FDOT is doing is making this $20,000 available at 100% instead of the
80:20 split. The $4,000 (20% of $20,000) will remain in the project for future improvements.
This increase represented 100% participation on FDOT’s part, and nothing additional on the part of the City. FDOT now is asking the City to officially accept the change to the Airport
Expenditure Plan.
Commissioner Jonson moved to authorize acceptance of Airport Expenditure Plan Change #1 requested by the Florida Department of Transportation and that the appropriate officials be authorized
to execute same. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously.
The City Attorney presented Resolution #03-13 and read it by title only. Commissioner Gray moved to pass and adopt Resolution #03-13 and authorize the appropriate officials to execute
same. The motion was duly seconded and upon roll call, the vote was:
"Ayes": Gray, Hamilton, Jonson, Hibbard, and Aungst.
"Nays": None.
ITEM #24 –Other Pending Matters:
a) Letters for the Mayor's signature re the National Energy Policy
Gas System Managing Director Chuck Warrington recommended a major bill before Congress requires parallel treatment of gas and electricity. Support for the letter’s concept was stated,
with more concise wording and less aggressive language.
Commissioner Jonson moved that the modified letter regarding the National Energy Policy be forwarded to Congress. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously.
CITY ATTORNEY REPORTS
ITEM #25 - Other City Attorney Items – None.
ITEM #26 - City Manager Verbal Reports
Countywide Traffic Management System
The City Manager reported staff had a successful meeting with the County regarding the Countywide Traffic Management System and now is in position to move forward to approve agreements.
Traffic Operations Manager Paul Bertels said the proposed agreement with the County is consistent with Commission guidance to implement County control of the City’s traffic signal system
in phases. Staff will have input regarding timing issues. The City may have an opportunity to maintain hardware. In response to a question, Mr. Bertels felt City maintenance of hardware
would be most cost effective. Staff was congratulated for working out details of this agreement.
WPXZ AM
Assistant City Manager Garry Brumback reported Clearwater’ s traffic information station WPXZ AM is now on the air. Related informational signs will be erected by Saturday.
ITEM #27 - Commission Discussion Items – None.
ITEM #28 - Other Commission Action
Commissioner Hamilton thanked members of the Mystic Krewe of Margarita for participating with the City’s Gasparilla float.
Commissioner Hibbard and Mayor Aungst thanked participants in this weekend’s Paint Your Heart Out Clearwater.
Commissioner Hibbard requested residents drive safely.
Commissioner Gray reminded residents that Spring Break for Pinellas County students starts this weekend.
Commissioner Jonson referenced a Legislative Bulletin regarding wireless industry attempts to override local authority regarding installation of towers and antennas. Staff already
has taken steps to oppose related legislation and will prepare a letter for the Mayor’s signature.
Commissioner Jonson agreed it was appropriate for the City to recognize at the Advisory Board Dinner Bob Bickerstaffe’s many contributions to the City.
Commissioner Jonson said he had represented the City at yesterday’s Pinellas County Animal Services dedication of its new mobile unit.
Mayor Aungst said on March 14, 2003, the Commission had enjoyed seeing progress at the Hard Hat tour and light lunch at the new main library.
Mayor Aungst said on March 15, 2003, he and Commissioner Hamilton welcomed the Countryside Little League at the Countryside Recreation Center and wished them a great season.
Mayor Aungst said on March 15, 2003, he had welcomed the Queen’s Band, the Grenadier Guard at Ruth Eckerd Hall, noting many allies, including band members, were participating in the
war against Iraq.
Mayor Aungst said on March 17, 2003, the Commission had enjoyed the Phillies’ dinner at the Belleview Biltmore.
Mayor Aungst said on March 18, 2003, the Commission had hosted the annual Advisory Board Dinner at the Harborview Center to show how much the City appreciates volunteer efforts.
Mayor Aungst invited residents to attend the annual Greek Independence Day Celebration in front of City Hall at 1:00 p.m. on March 22, 2003.
Mayor Aungst reported on March 24, 2003 at 6:30 p.m. at the Municipal Services Building, a Public Hearing is scheduled re naming the “Town Pond.”
Mayor Aungst said on March 26, 2003, the City will host an official welcome back to the Phillies at the Harborview Center.
Mayor Aungst said on March 27, 2003 at 7:00 p.m., he will speak at the Skycrest Neighbors Association at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church.
Mayor Aungst said on March 29, 2003, is the annual Clearwater Celebrates Neighborhood Day, when Commission members will visit neighborhood block parties.
Mayor Aungst said the next Work Session is on March 31, 2003 at 9:00 a.m.
Mayor Aungst said he has been invited to participate in an April 5, 2003 event planned for Coachman Park and questioned if it was an approved event.
ITEM #29 - Adjournment
The meeting adjourned at 7:08 p.m.