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11/23/1987 - Town Meeting CITY OF CLEARWATER Interdepartmental Memorandum TO: Joseph R. McFate II, Interim City Manager FROM: Elizabeth S. Haeseker, Assistant City SUBJECT: Town Meeting -- November 23, 1987 -- Martin Luther King Center DATE: December 4, 1987 Elected officials in attendance: Mayor Garvey; Commissioners Berfield, Nunamaker, Regulski and Winner Citizens in attendance: Approximately 27 1. Johnny Long, 2315 Minneola Road, Clearwater, FL 34616 u Is working with Neighborhood Housing Services working on getting minority business enterprises started in the North Greenwood area. He asked what the City commitment was to this activity. He was informed that the City was committed to this program and had gone on record as supporting it. Mr. Long said he had met with "the group" a couple of times and part of the problem with the concept is that only local participation is available. He believes. we should do what is necessary to get some state and federal dollars. He specifically mentioned a demonstration project in Bridgeport, Connecticut, and suggested the City adopt a similar concept. He is working with Greg Schwartz on this matter and also Minority Enterprises of Tampa. He indicated that Minority Enterprises of Tampa could not come in to assist the Clearwater program unless specifically invited by the City of Clearwater. 2. Rassol Baschiri, 1160 Lasalle Street, Clearwater, FL 34615 u Discussed his concerns about what he labeled "the firing of the city manager." The Commission assured him that there was no firing of the manager and that the manager made a decision to resign. He was informed that December I, 1987, would be the deadline for applications for the city manager position, these applications would be thoroughly reviewed, and the City would proceed from this point. 1. Town Meeting 11/23/87 3. Mohammad Abdul Rahim, 1028 Madison Avenue North, Clearwater, FL 34615 Expressed concern about railroad intersections in poor condition specifically the intersection of Greenwood and Maple where the tracks are so bumpy. He believes the railroad should be required to install a proper intersection and upgrade the crossing, and the City should pressure the railroad to do so. 4. Lois Martin, 1771 Harbor Drive, Clearwater, FL 34615 -- Requested an update on what the City is going to do about the proposed dredging of Stevenson Creek. She indicated that Don Jass said the City was going to start the dredging in 1987, that the dredging program had been approved five years ago, and that permits were to be requested. She stated that silt and other matter was clogging the entrance to the creek. 5. Cherry Harris, 1789 Harbor Drive, Clearwater, FL 34615 Stated that her "City Advisory Board" had been trying to press for the dredging of Stevenson Creek. She indicated that four years ago the City set aside thousands of dollars for engineering costs. Fred Enfinger is chairman of the board Mrs. Harris is on. She has made calls to other jurisdictional agencies in an attempt to start the process to get the creek dredged but has always been . told it was a City responsibility. Mrs. Harris said the last storm filled in the creek to the point that you can now walk across it. 6. Willa Carson, 1777 Harbor Drive, Clearwater, FL 34615 Has the same concern as Mrs. Harris and Mrs. Martin and will want to receive a copy of the response sent to them. 7. Tal Rutledge, 1105 Lasalle Street, Clearwater, FL 34615 -- Also expressed concern about Stevenson Creek. He indicated that the creek is no longer navigable and believes certain agencies such as the Army Corps of Engineers would no longer be interested in permitting. 8. Willa Carson, 1777 Harbor Drive, Clearwater, FL 34615 On Fairmont Avenue, from Harbor Drive north to the light, there are bushes on the left side which need to be removed so that one can see the oncoming traffic. 9. Pastor E. G. Armstead, Sr., 1015 N. Missouri Ave., Clearwater, FL 34615 Requested an update on the stadium. He indicated he has problems with parking on the site of his church in that people are selling parking spaces on his property illegally. He also indicated that traffic congestion has not been considered on the renovation of Jack Russell stadium and that vacating Missouri Avenue deletes places now used for parking. He also wants one-way in and one-way out traffic patterns during the Phillies season. The Commission indicated that more parking will is completed and suggested that his church may want lot permit in order to regulate the illegal parking the church site. be available after the plan to get a temporary parking presently being offered on 2. Town Meeting 11/23/87 10. Rassol Baschiri, 1160 Lasalle Street, Clearwater, FL 34615 -- A. Is concerned about Martin Luther King Avenue north to Russell and the fact it, along with three houses, floods. It was explained to Mr. Baschiri that the City has received an easement from the Pinellas County School Board and the drainage work in the area is a top priority. Mr. Baschiri expressed an additional concern that the pipes being put in may not be big enough to carry the water as it flows down Lasalle Street to the east. He also indicated that all of N. Greenwood floods and needs to have drainage assistance. The Mayor specifically stated that water will be in the street during times of rain, that streets are part of the drainage system, and that the City's intention is to keep all flooding out of homes. B. The intersection of Seminole and N. Greenwood has a 4-way stop sign which people do not see. He suggests a blinker light be installed. 11. Mohammad Abdul Rahim, 1028 Madison Avenue North, Clearwater, FL 34615 A. The section of Palm Bluff to Greenwood is heavily used by traffic and Mr. Rahim would like the City to consider Palm Bluff being designated a one-way street or installing signs prohibiting parking on the sidewalk on Palm Bluff. The youngsters walking to school have to contend with two-way traffic and parking over the sidewalks. This may be ~ dangerous situation. The Commission discussed whether one-way on Palm Bluff should run from Myrtle to the end of Palm Bluff. It was determined that the request was only to have Traffic Engineering study one-way on Palm Bluff. B. The one-way designation on Beckett Street should be removed as it is no longer necessary. C. The Martin Luther King Center needs expansion and its interior needs upgrading (air conditioning, draperies, etc.). The Commission indicated that Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) dollars designated for expansion were redirected into the rehabilitation of homes. Mr. Rahim wanted to know why any money for N. Greenwood had to come out of CDBG funds and not regular City dollars. The Commission responded that routine maintenance for the Martin Luther King Center should come out of City funds and that one could not compare, for instance, the Memorial Civic Center with the King Center because the bulk of the beach center costs are paid by residents through donations. 12. Lois Martin, 1771 Harbor Drive, Clearwater, FL 34615 -- Asked why the City charges so much for private groups to use the Martin Luther King building. She believes the costs of running the building are the government's problem and with the dollars the City charges it should have enough to cover expenses and then some. She also indicated people would pay more taxes if they would get something for it. It was explained that the cost to use the building covers the expenses of having the building open and the City believes in the principle of user fees rather than taxpayer dollars for these kinds of activities. Other responses from the Commission indicated there was a need charge in order to pay the bills and recoup the City's capital investment. was also a need to charge in order to control the number of people who want to There to 3. Town Meeting 11/23/87 use all City buildings and that costs of capital investment are not covered by user fees. Mr. Rutledge stated he felt the use of the building could be controlled by scheduling. 13. Tal Rutledge, 1105 Lasalle Street, Clearwater, FL 34615 Government continues to make laws to benefit the big man; for example, our water rates are continually being increased to subsidize other services; rates are based on meter size and landlords are required to pay the water bill. He believes that the user of the water should be responsible for the bill and he wants the City to take another look at this and consider the little people. Mr. Rutledge also made some comments about the State closing the door on the little people. Responses included: the Water Division does not subsidize any other City service, when a tenant moves the City cannot get the dollars owing and this means all other users must subsidize the landlord. Mr. Rutledge responded that this is "rent control." Two Commissioners appeared to be sympathetic to Mr. Rutledge's concerns. 14. Johnny Long, 2315 Minneola Road, Clearwater, FL 34616 -- Stated he went through the same system in another City regarding landlords being held responsible for water bills. His argument is that the City owns the water system and the water; therefore, it is wrong to place the burden on the landlord. He said tenants will let the water run to get back at the landlord if they are having difficulty. He suggested that landlords meter each apartment and that there should be no master metering of any apartment building. The Commission responded that the City encourages separate meters and specifically requests that type of service to structures. 15. Walter Campbell, 1138 Palm Bluff, Clearwater, FL 34615 A. Believes there should be an enforceable noise ordinance. Cars with loud radios rattle windows. The Commission responded that th~re are no good ordinances in the County and the City issues warning tickets only. Lt. Mike Bruscell was in the audience and spoke to the matter stating that noise meters do not work for the purpose of enforcement. At this point, Johnny Long spoke and said the Police Department knows which cars make noise and he went on to talk about the "quiet possession" clause in leases. B. Mr. Campbell asked the City to cosponsor the Martin Luther King march on January 13, 1988. He received a response that the City Commission believed they had already cosponsored the activity and that action taken was complete. 4. Town Meeting 11/23/87 16. Mohammad Abdul Rahim, 1028 Madison Avenue North, Clearwater, FL 34615 -- The N. Greenwood substation does not have enough manpower and he would like to see a 24-hour substation in operation. 17. Pastor E. G. Armstead, Sr., 1015 N. Missouri Ave., Clearwater, FL 34615 -- Would like to have information regarding the people available to do community service in conjunction with probation and parole. His church has been using these types of people in Tampa to improve the neighborhood there and he wants to do the same thing here. It was suggested by the Commission that he talk to the court administrator or the Salvation Army. The Commission also suggested that City staff check into this and see if the City should become more involved. 18. Tal Rutledge, 1105 Lasalle Street, Clearwater, FL 34615 -- Understands officers are assigned to work the N. Greenwood substation. Commissioners responded that all officers at N. Greenwood, Clearwater Beach, and Condon Gardens are volunteers for that service. Mr. Rutledge continued that two officers were out on sick leave at t~e N. Greenwood substation and it appears that no one is covering their duties in their absence. Mr. Rutledge also stated that he listens to a pOlice scanner and hears that people are put on hold for an hour. 19. Rassol Baschiri, 1160 Lasalle Street, Clearwater, FL 34615 -- Discussed an accident at Missouri and Lakeview where paramedics cleaned up the road and took care of all the problems and one hour later the Police Department showed up. He now times the police because there are so many accidents at that intersection and he believes the delay in response should be looked into. He stated he was told that the pOlice department does not look at accidents as a priority response requirement. 20. Syd Snair, 1530 Rosewood Avenue, Clearwater, FL 34615 -- Every time a discussion centers around the pOlice department the answer is always "we need more police officers." He believes that those presently on the pOlice staff should do their jobs. He related that he called at 2:30 a.m. one time regarding a wild party and at 3:30 a.m. he went to break it up himself and put himself in a situation where he might have been a victim. This was necessary because the police did not respond to his call. He asked specifically if there were "too many chiefs and not enough Indians." 21. Mohammad Abdul Rahim, 1028 Madison Avenue North, Clearwater, FL 34615 -- A. Believes that the corner of Betty Lane and Overbrook needs a traffic signal. The Commission responded that this matter would be reviewed but that it is believed the problem is in County jurisdiction. B. Mr. Rahim wants to know why the County does not put in sidewalks in its jurisdiction as the City does. The Commission suggested that Mr. Rahim discuss this matter with his County Commissioners. 5. Town Meeting 11/23/87 22. James L. Jones, 2995 Atwood, Clearwater, FL 34619 -- Is concerned that to get more pOlice officers we have to raise taxes. He believes that new growth should be able to provide the tax base. The Commission discussed the general cost of services, the standard used by the City for pOlice officers per capita (when it was established and how often it is adjusted), the fact that the City looks at the need for police officers every year during the budget preparation, and that the City is in for a period of less growth and there may be a need for more taxes. Mr. Jones believes the City has a potential for greatness but things are not being done. 23. Lois Martin, 1771 Harbor Drive, Clearwater, FL 34615 -'- Questioned whether the City was still receiving Revenue Sharing dollars and she was told that the City no longer gets these monies. Mrs. Martin stated that when the City gives its employees a 5 percent raise that inflation costs eat it up. No one gets rich working for the City. She believes Clearwater should give its employees more money specifically because Florida is getting tp be one of the most expensive states in which to live. 24. Tal Rutledge, 1105 Lasalle Street, Clearwater, FL 34615 -- Discussed an article in Saturday's paper regarding the guideway system and asked if it would happen in his lifetime. The response was wishfully yes but honestly no. 6. Town Meeting 11/23/87