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10/02/2003CITY COMMISSION MEETING CITY OF CLEARWATER October 2, 2003 Present: Brian J. Aungst Mayor/Commissioner Hoyt P. Hamilton Vice-Mayor/Commissioner Whitney Gray Commissioner William C. Jonson Commissioner Frank Hibbard Commissioner Also Present: William B. Horne II City Manager Garry Brumback Assistant City Manager Pamela K. Akin City Attorney Cynthia E. Goudeau City Clerk Brenda Moses Board Reporter The Mayor called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. at City Hall. The invocation was offered by Rev. Glenn Morris of Northlake Family Church. The Mayor led the Pledge of Allegiance. To provide continuity for research, items are in agenda order although not necessarily discussed in that order. 3. Introductions, Awards and Presentations a. Senator Fasano - 2003 Legislative Wrap-up Senator Fasano reviewed legislative issues for 2003. He thanked the Commission for keeping him informed of their concerns. The Mayor presented him a plaque in appreciation of work done during the last legislative session. b. IEDC Award for Marketing brochure Community Redevelopment Assistant Director Geri Campos presented the IEDC (International Economic Development Council) award to the City. c. National Senior Benevolent Association - presentation of check for CHIP The City was presented a check for $17,000 from the National Senior Benevolent Association. The funds are to be used for CHIP operations. Police Chief Sid Klein invited everyone to attend a fundraiser at 6:00 p.m. on October 11, 2003, at the Belleview Biltmore Resort. d. Proclamations: 1) Put the Brakes on Fatalities Day - October 10, 2003 2) Public Natural Gas Week - October 5-11, 2003 4. Approval of Minutes - Regular Meeting - 09/18/03; Special Meeting - 09/15/03 Commissioner Jonson moved to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of September 18, 2003, as corrected by the City Clerk, and the Special Meeting of September 15, 2003, as recorded and submitted in written summation by the City Clerk to each Commissioner. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. 5. Citizens to be heard re items not on the Agenda – None. Public Hearing - Second Reading Ordinances 6. Ordinance 7170-03 - Establish a Sister Cities Advisory Board. Ordinance #7170-03 was presented for second reading and read by title only. Commissioner Hibbard moved to pass and adopt Ordinance #7170-03 on second and final reading. The motion was duly seconded and upon roll call, the vote was: “Ayes”: Gray, Hamilton, Jonson, Hibbard, and Aungst. “Nays”: None. 7. Ordinance 7171-03 - Amend the Operating Budget FY 2002/03. Ordinance #7171-03 was presented for second reading and read by title only. Commissioner Hamilton moved to pass and adopt Ordinance #7171-03 on second and final reading. The motion was duly seconded and upon roll call, the vote was: “Ayes”: Gray, Hamilton, Jonson, Hibbard, and Aungst. “Nays”: None. 8. Ordinance 7172-03 - Amend the Capital Improvement Program (CIP) Budget FY 2002/03. Ordinance #7172-03 was presented for second reading and read by title only. Commissioner Jonson moved to pass and adopt Ordinance #7172-03 on second and final reading. The motion was duly seconded and upon roll call, the vote was: “Ayes”: Gray, Hamilton, Jonson, Hibbard, and Aungst. “Nays”: None. 9. Ordinance 7173-03 - Approve the petition for Annexation of property located at 1420 Lime Street (Sunny Park Groves, Blk F, Lot 24, Sec. 23-29-15) (Dawn Simpson). ANX2003-06013 Ordinance #7173-03 was presented for second reading and read by title only. Commissioner Gray moved to pass and adopt Ordinance #7173-03 on second and final reading. The motion was duly seconded and upon roll call, the vote was: “Ayes”: Gray, Hamilton, Jonson, Hibbard, and Aungst. “Nays”: None. 10. Ordinance 7174-03 - Approve a Land Use Plan Amendment from County Residential Low (RL) to City Residential Low (RL) for property located at 1420 Lime Street (Sunny Park Groves, Blk F, Lot 24, Sec. 23-29-15) (Dawn Simpson). ANX2003-06013 Ordinance #7174-03 was presented for second reading and read by title only. Commissioner Hibbard moved to pass and adopt Ordinance #7174-03 on second and final reading. The motion was duly seconded and upon roll call, the vote was: “Ayes”: Gray, Hamilton, Jonson, Hibbard, and Aungst. “Nays”: None. 11. Ordinance 7175-03 - Approve a Zoning Atlas Amendment from County R-3, Single-Family Residential District, to City Low Medium Density Residential (LMDR) for property located at 1420 Lime Street (Sunny Park Groves, Blk F, Lot 24, Sec. 23-29-15) (Dawn Simpson). ANX2003-06013 Ordinance #7175-03 was presented for second reading and read by title only. Commissioner Hamilton moved to pass and adopt Ordinance #7175-03 on second and final reading. The motion was duly seconded and upon roll call, the vote was: “Ayes”: Gray, Hamilton, Jonson, Hibbard, and Aungst. “Nays”: None. 12. Ordinance 7190-03 - Amend Chapter 2, Article III, Division 3, Code of Ordinances to revise Section 2.104, Powers and Duties of the Beautification Committee for the Committee's review of selected City projects. Ordinance #7190-03 was presented for second reading and read by title only. Commissioner Jonson moved to pass and adopt Ordinance #7190-03 on second and final reading. The motion was duly seconded and upon roll call, the vote was: “Ayes”: Gray, Hamilton, Jonson, Hibbard, and Aungst. “Nays”: None. 13. Ordinance 7191-03 providing for the refunding of the Gas Revenue Bonds, Series 1996A. Ordinance #7191-03 was presented for second reading and read by title only. Commissioner Gray moved to pass and adopt Ordinance #7191-03 on second and final reading. The motion was duly seconded and upon roll call, the vote was: “Ayes”: Gray, Hamilton, Jonson, Hibbard, and Aungst. “Nays”: None. 14. Ordinance 7212-03 – relating to municipal elections amending Sec. 14.41(2) relating to filing fees, Sec. 14.41(7) relating to qualifying periods, Sec. 14.42(1)(d) relating to compliance with laws, Sec. 14.44(1) relating to write-in candidates. Ordinance #7212-03 was presented for second reading and read by title only. Commissioner Hibbard moved to pass and adopt Ordinance #7212-03 on second and final reading. The motion was duly seconded and upon roll call, the vote was: “Ayes”: Gray, Hamilton, Jonson, Hibbard, and Aungst. “Nays”: None. CONSENT AGENDA (Items #15 - 21) – Approved as submitted, less Item #16. 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. 15. Consolidated Action Plan Amendments and Approval to use CDBG funds for wayfinding. (ED/HSG) 16. Lease Purchase Contract with SunTrust. (FN) (See below) 17. Approve acceptance of FY 2004 Local Law Enforcement Block Grant (LLEBG) funding for two years in the amount of $154,707. from the U.S. Department of Justice/Bureau of Justice Assistance. (PD) 18. Accept a Utility Easement dated June 30, 2003 conveyed by Brown-19, LLC over and across a 1403 sq. ft. portion of Pinellas County Parcel 17-29-16-00000-220-0100, aka Drew 19 Shopping Center. (Consent) 19. Reappoint Joyce Martin and George Krause and appoint Richard Avichouser to the Municipal Code Enforcement Board for three (3) year terms. (ORLS) 20. Appoint Norma Carlough to the Environmental Advisory Board for a four (4) year term. (ORLS) 21. Authorize payment of a judgment rendered by the Circuit Court of Pinellas County in favor of Oakhurst Construction Company in the amount of $78,068.44 plus interest. (CA) Commissioner Gray moved to approve the Consent Agenda as submitted, less Item #16, and that the appropriate officials be authorized to execute same. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. 16. Lease Purchase Contract with SunTrust. (FN) Staff requested this item be continued. Commissioner Hamilton moved to continue Item #16 to the October 16, 2003, meeting. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. OTHER ITEMS ON CITY MANAGER REPORT 22. Authorize the negotiation of a contract for health insurance with United HealthCare under a fully insured funding arrangement for the contract period of January 1, 2004 to December 31, 2004, at a total not to exceed cost of $14,750,000. (this includes both City ($9,925,000.) and employee/retiree/COBRA/Out-of-Area ($4,825,000.) premiums), and continue the mental health/substance abuse and EAP coverage contract with Bradman/Unipsych at an estimated cost of $194,000. ($172,000. for current employees and $22,000. for retirees and COBRA) for the contract period of January 1, 2004 to December 31, 2006, maintaining the City’s current funding strategy. The contract with the City's current medical insurance provider, United HealthCare, expires on December 31, 2003. In early 2003, United HealthCare proposed a rate increase not to exceed 19.5% with an increase in prescription co-payments if the City agreed not to go out for RFP. Since the City anticipated an increase in excess of 30% and was pleased with the level of service provided by United HealthCare, the City agreed to this proposal. The Benefits Committee evaluated various plan changes in an effort to lower the rate increase further. By a vote of 8 to 7, the Benefits Committee voted to accept the option that would increase the HMO Standard rates by 10.22% and the HMO Buy-up rates by 19.5%. This option includes an increase in the co-payments for inpatient and outpatient hospital stays, emergency room services, ambulance services, urgent care, and prescriptions. Staff and the Benefits Committee recommend United Healthcare be awarded a one-year contract to provide medical insurance coverage for calendar year January through December 31, 2004. Additionally, staff recommends Bradman/Unipsych be awarded a three-year contract to continue EAP and mental health/substance abuse coverage for City employees and their covered dependents for January 1, 2004, through December, 2006. This renewal would be without a rate increase. For fiscal year 2004, the City has budgeted approximately $9,760,000 for the City's share of both medical insurance coverage and EAP/Mental Health/Substance Abuse coverage. The City's estimated share of these expenses for FY 04, which covers three months of the current contract and nine months of this proposed contract, is $9,860,000. The difference between budgeted and actual costs, estimated to be $100,000, will be paid out of the Premium Stabilization Fund. Costs related to this contract for coverage from October through December 2004, estimated to be $3,736,000, will be budgeted as part of the fiscal year 2005 budget. Staff also recommends that the current funding strategy for City contributions to health care of 100% for HMO Standard "Employee Only," 75% for "Employee plus One," and 68% for "Employee plus Family," with the same dollar amounts calculated in the HMO Standard plan applied to the tiers in the HMO Buy-Up, POS Standard, and POS Buy-Up plans be maintained. Commissioner Jonson moved to approve the negotiation of a contract for health insurance with United HealthCare under a fully insured funding arrangement for the contract period of January 1, 2004 to December 31, 2004, at a total not to exceed cost of $14,750,000. (this includes both City ($9,925,000.) and employee/retiree/COBRA/Out-of-Area ($4,825,000.) premiums), and continue the mental health/substance abuse and EAP coverage contract with Bradman/Unipsych at an estimated cost of $194,000. ($172,000. for current employees and $22,000. for retirees and COBRA) for the contract period of January 1, 2004 to December 31, 2006, maintaining the City’s current funding strategy and the appropriate officials be authorized to execute same. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. 23. First Reading Ordinance 7183-03 - revise Appendix A, Building Permit Fees, Code of Ordinances. Fire and Development & Neighborhood Services Departments have jointly proposed the co-location of the Fire Plans Review function by moving it physically from the Fire Marshal's Office to the Municipal Services Building. This program involves two full time fire plans reviewers, certified in accordance with Florida Statutes that empower the Fire Marshal to review all commercial plans (which includes multiple family residential; single family residential are excluded) for compliance with the Life Safety Code requirements. The authority remains with the Fire Marshal, while the daily operations are to be managed by the Building Official within the Development & Neighborhood Services Department. The benefits are more timely reviews, effectiveness and efficiency in reviewing building plans and issuing permits from a one stop location. The proposal involves a budget of $102,990 for the fire plans review program. The current proposal includes an 11% increase in building permit and plan review fees for commercial projects, that will generate approximately $102,990 of additional revenue to pay for the fire plans review program. In the last two fiscal years, the Development & Neighborhood Services Department received the following in revenues for building plans review and permit fees for commercial projects: FY00/01: $ 1,037,061 FY01/02: $ 8,42,679 Average for last 2 years: $ 9,39,870 Proposed revenues for FY04 for commercial projects: $939,870 + 102,990 = $1,042,860. Fee increases for the proposed ordinance no. 7183-03 and a comparison table of similar fees in four other comparable communities in Florida: St. Petersburg, Largo, Orlando, and Tampa are available. The City of Clearwater Chamber of Commerce, Pinellas County Construction Licensing Board and the Contractors Association have verbally given their support of the proposal in an effort to provide better service. A representative of the Greater Clearwater Chamber of Commerce spoke in support of the ordinance. Commissioner Gray moved to revise Appendix A, Building Permit Fees, Code of Ordinances. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. Ordinance #7183-03 was presented for first reading and ready by title only. Commissioner Hibbard moved to pass Ordinance #7183-03 on first reading. The motion was duly seconded and upon roll call, the vote was: “Ayes”: Gray, Hamilton, Jonson, Hibbard, and Aungst. “Nays”: None. 24. First Reading Ordinance 7211-03 - amend Clearwater Code of Ordinances 2.322, 2.325, 2.328, 2.329 and 2.332 regarding reimbursement and payment of travel costs. City travel is currently governed by Section 2.321 through Section 2.332 of the City's Code of Ordinances. Section 2.325 refers to Florida Statutes 112.061(6) when it comes to determining the amounts to reimburse the traveler for meals. These rates are $3 for breakfast, $6 for lunch, and $12 for dinner, for a total of $21 per day. These rates have not been changed in 22 years and are not sufficient to reimburse the traveler for expenses incurred. A State Auditor General (AG) opinion from 1974 stated that a municipality may, pursuant to the Municipal Home Rule Powers Act, enact per diem and travel allowances that vary from Florida Statute 112.061. However, a 2003 AG opinion reverses that opinion and states that while a municipality may legislate on the subject of per diem and subsistence allowances for governmental travelers, the rates established by 112.061 may not be exceeded. Legislation was passed this year which enables the City to prescribe it's own rates. On May 15, 2003, the City Commission approved in concept that the City enact new rates as those issued and updated by the General Services Administration (GSA) which are the rates used by federal government travelers. These rates are location specific, and are updated annually and readily available on the Internet. The GSA rates for meals and incidental expenses (M&IE) are meant to include meals, taxes, and tips for meals, baggage carriers, hotel maids, etc. The 2004 GSA daily rates for M&IE range from $31 - $51 per day, depending on location. That breaks down to breakfast ranging from $6-$10, lunch from $6 - $12, and dinner from $16-26, plus $3 for incidentals. The City would continue to reimburse the actual expense for lodging, transportation, tolls, parking and business related communications. The City has added reimbursement for up to $2.50 per night for telephone calls home. The traveler would continue to be responsible to only incur those expenses that are necessary for the performance of the official business. Excess costs would be the responsibility of the traveler. Mileage will continue to be paid at the IRS rate (currently $.36/mile). Commissioner Hamilton moved to amend Clearwater Code of Ordinances 2.322, 2.325, 2.328, 2.329 and 2.332 regarding reimbursement and payment of travel costs. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. Ordinance #7211-03 was presented for first reading and ready by title only. Commissioner Jonson moved to pass Ordinance #7211-03 on first reading. The motion was duly seconded and upon roll call, the vote was: “Ayes”: Gray, Hamilton, Jonson, Hibbard, and Aungst. “Nays”: None. 25. First Reading Ordinance 7194-03 - establish new non-resident fees for non-residents to participate at City recreation facilities and in City recreation programs and activities. On October 18, 1993, the City Commission approved a formula for the purpose of computing fees for non-residents and established categories for non-residents. The formula adopted is as follows: Department O&M Budget ($9,692,626) plus Indirect Overhead ($754,501) minus Budgeted Revenue ($2,396,700) equals Subtotal ($8,050,427) divided by Population (109,000) Subtotal ($73.86) plus $5.00 Capital Recovery Component equals Non-Resident Yearly Fee ($78.86) Non-resident fees were last increased in 2000. Since that time, the Parks and Recreation Department's budgeted expenses and revenues have increased. Based on the formula, the proposed fees included in the ordinance for non-residents are as follows: Type of Fee (Cards)* ....................Current.......Proposed**..........Difference Annual individual card....................$70.00...........$80.00................$10.00 Annual family card (2.5 x annual)...$175.00........$200.00................$25.00 Single season sports fee................$37.00...........$42.00.................$5.00 *Annual resident cards are $3.00 per person plus sales tax. **Plus sales tax If these fees are approved, there will be an estimated net increase in revenue of $7,500 during FY 2003/2004. Commissioner Hibbard moved to approve establishing new non-resident fees for non-residents to participate at City recreation facilities and in City recreation programs and activities. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. Ordinance #7194-03 was presented for first reading and ready by title only. Commissioner Hamilton moved to pass Ordinance #7194-03 on first reading. The motion was duly seconded and upon roll call, the vote was: “Ayes”: Gray, Hamilton, Jonson, Hibbard, and Aungst. “Nays”: None. 26. First Reading Ordinance 7192-03 - provide a revised watering schedule for all types of water to parallel the Southwest Florida Water Management District rescission of Executive Order SWF 01-18 and the current water use restrictions contained in Chapter 40D-22, F.A.C. The Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWFWMD) has the authority to establish water use restrictions based on "Best Management Practices", current hydrogeological conditions, and as contained in Chapter 40D-21, F.A.C. SWFWMD determined those conditions warrant a modification of the current restrictions to promote and require water conservation during times of average and above average rainfall as well as during declared water shortages, and, has rescinded Executive Order SWF 00-18. City staff's recommendation is in support of SWFWMD's efforts of "Year-Round Water Conservation Measures". The permanent restrictions are officially referred to as "Year-Round Water Conservation Measures" and have been rewritten and codified by the District in the modified version of Rule 40D-22 as published for adoption in the Florida Administrative Weekly on July 11, 2003. The highlights of the rule are as follows: a) Even numbered addressed such as 0, 2, 4, 6, 8 and the letters A-through-M may water on Tuesdays and/or Saturdays. b) Odd Numbered addresses such as 1, 3, 5, 7, 9 and the letters N-through-Z may water on Wednesdays and/or Sundays. c) All irrigation shall be prohibited between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Commissioner Jonson moved to approve providing a revised watering schedule for all types of water to parallel the Southwest Florida Water Management District rescission of Executive Order SWF 01-18 and adopt the current water use restrictions contained in Chapter 40D-22, F.A.C. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. Ordinance #7192-03 was presented for first reading and ready by title only. Commissioner Gray moved to pass Ordinance #7192-03 on first reading. The motion was duly seconded and upon roll call, the vote was: “Ayes”: Gray, Hamilton, Jonson, Hibbard, and Aungst. “Nays”: None. 27. Adopt Resolution 03-33 - authorize the execution of a District 7 Off-System Maintenance Agreement and Letter of Understanding between the City of Clearwater and the State of Florida Department of Transportation for the purpose of constructing .7 miles of the East/West Trail from the Safety Harbor city limits to Coopers Bayou Park on the eastern side of Bayshore Boulevard. The Florida Department of Transportation has completed the design and will construct a .7 mile section of the Clearwater East-West Trail along the eastern side of Bayshore Boulevard from the Safety Harbor/Clearwater city limits south to Coopers Bayou. This section was funded through the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century (TEA-21) administered by and funded by FDOT. There are no construction or design costs to the City. This project will replace existing sidewalk along the east side of Bayshore Boulevard with an 8' to 10' wide asphalt trail. Ongoing maintenance of the trail will continue to be the responsibility of the City. This resolution specifically authorizes the execution of the associated Maintenance Agreement and Letter of Understanding. TEA-21 requires both formal agreements to define the responsibilities for maintenance of the project and the commitments of the FDOT and the City of Clearwater with respect to the construction of the project. Commissioner Hibbard moved to authorize the execution of a District 7 Off-System Maintenance Agreement and Letter of Understanding between the City of Clearwater and the State of Florida Department of Transportation for the purpose of constructing .7 miles of the East/West Trail from the Safety Harbor city limits to Coopers Bayou Park on the eastern side of Bayshore Boulevard and the appropriate officials be authorized to execute same. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. Resolution #03-33 was presented and read by title only. Commissioner Hamilton moved to pass and adopt Resolution #03-33 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. 28. Adopt Resolution 03-34 - enter into an Urban and Community Forestry Grant Memorandum of Agreement with the State of Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Division of Forestry. In 2002, the Urban Forestry Division received $15,000 in grant funds from the Florida Division of Forestry due to the successful submission of an Urban and Community Forestry Grant. The funds will be used to conduct a comprehensive tree inventory that will be entered into and managed by a Geographical Information System (GIS) based asset management tool. The inventory management system will support the City's initiative to inventory all City infrastructure through the asset management program. The new GIS based tree inventory management system will replace the existing DOS based program. The first phase will inventory trees located on all public properties from Highland Avenue to the west. That inventory is scheduled for completion by mid-summer of 2004. The Urban Forestry Division will apply for $15,000 in Urban and Community Forestry Grant funds again this year. If successful, the funds will be used to assist with conducting phase two of the new inventory. Phase two will inventory trees located on all public properties between Tampa Bay and Highland Avenue and from Union Street to the city limits to the south and east of Highland Avenue. The second phase of the inventory is scheduled for completion by mid-summer of 2005. The third and final phase will inventory the remaining trees located on public lands within the City of Clearwater, principally in the Countryside area, and is scheduled for completion by mid-summer of 2006. Next year the Division will apply for grant funds to assist with phase three of the inventory. Phase one of the inventory will be completed by an urban forestry consultant firm. The consultants will train City Urban Forestry personnel to collect and enter tree inventory data. Phase two and three will be completed in-house by Urban Forestry Division personnel. Grant funds will allow the Division to hire contract tree trimmers to assist the forestry operations while selected Division personnel conduct the inventory. Commissioner Jonson moved to authorize entering into an Urban and Community Forestry Grant Memorandum of Agreement with the State of Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Division of Forestry and the appropriate officials be authorized t execute same. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. Resolution #03-34 was presented and read by title only. Commissioner Gray moved to pass and adopt Resolution #03-34 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. 29. IAFF Union Negotiations Update. Human Resources Director Joe Roseto said the City is at an impasse with firefighter union negotiations. The State has identified the need for a Special Master to mediate the talks. The City has reached a tentative 3-year agreement with both Police unions, which needs to be ratified by the unions. Hopes are the police contracts will be presented to the City Commission at the October 16, Commission meeting. 30. Other Pending Matters – None. CITY ATTORNEY REPORTS 31. Other City Attorney Items – None. City Manager Verbal Reports- None. 33. Commission Discussion Items a. Downtown Movie Theatre It was suggested the elected officials might be able to express the City’s enthusiasm regarding the need for a first run movie theatre in the downtown area. City Attorney Pam Akin suggested that the Commission not visit anyone as a group. Economic Development Director Reginald Owens said staff has completed its first analysis of the movie industry in Pinellas County. There is a gap in Clearwater with respect to the demographics that would be served by a downtown theatre. Staff has a list of movie companies and contact names. Mr. Owens said the average size of a movie theatre requires a half an acre of land excluding parking, although some are just under two acres. In response to a question, City Manager Bill Horne said he felt an elected official’s visitation to a theatre or development company would demonstrate a commitment for a theatre in Clearwater, however he requested the Commission first determine what it is willing to do to make it happen. Consensus was for staff to present a recommendation to the Commission. b. Blue Laws The Mayor said the Council of Mayor’s is recommending the County change the law to allow all sales of alcoholic beverages on Sunday to begin at 11:00 a.m. Discussion ensued regarding being consistent with County regulations. It was remarked that in addition to the Mayor’s Council, St. Petersburg, the Chamber of Commerce, and other cities feel it best to be consistent with County regulations. Consensus was for the City Attorney to propose an ordinance that would be consistent with the County’s. 34. Other Commission Action Commissioner Hibbard hopes people will continue to discus the Local Option Gas Tax. He said the Partners in Self-Sufficiency breakfast, the Taste of Clearwater, the South Greenwood Drug March, and the Public Works Barbecue were great. Commissioner Gray was sorry she missed the South Greenwood Drug March. She thanked the community for all the improvements in the South Greenwood neighborhood and the Old Clearwater Bay Neighborhood Association for a great meeting. Commissioner Jonson enjoyed the South Greenwood Drug March. He said the area is much cleaner now and that 11 new homes will be built there. He thanked staff for their extensive efforts regarding removal of an illegal billboard on Gulf-to-Bay Boulevard. He said a fire engine expo in the Sears parking lot is scheduled this Saturday at the Westfield Shopping Center from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. The start of Commuter Choices Week is October 8 in Station Square from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 pm. Clearwater Historic Society Fish Fry is November 1 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. He read a poem from the Clearwater Historic Society’s Newsletter. Commissioner Hamilton complimented Kristi Cottier and the Clearwater Chamber of Commerce on the Taste of Clearwater. He said he arrived at the South Greenwood Drug March in time for lunch. He complimented Hooter’s on their 20-year anniversary. Mayor Aungst complimented folks involved with the South Clearwater Drug March. He said that community is a template on how to deal with the City. He congratulated Hooter’s on their 20-year anniversary. Hooter’s is hosting a free concert behind the Hilton this Saturday. The first of four sessions regarding Conversations of the Future of Downtown Clearwater will be at Clearwater High School at 4:00 p.m. on October 7. Tickets are still available for the CHIP gala on October 11 at Belleview Biltmore. The next Work Session is October 13. 35. Adjournment The meeting adjourned at 7:25 p.m.