05/15/2007
CITY COUNCIL WORKSESSION MINUTES
CITY OF CLEARWATER
May 15, 2007
Present: Frank Hibbard Mayor
John Doran Vice-Mayor
Carlen Petersen Councilmember
George N. Cretekos Councilmember
Paul Gibson Councilmember
Also present: William B. Horne II City Manager
Garry Brumback Assistant City Manager
Rod Irwin Assistant City Manager
Leslie Dougall-Sides Assistant City Attorney
Cynthia E. Goudeau City Clerk
Patricia O. Sullivan Board Reporter
The Mayor called the meeting to order at 8:00 a.m. at City Hall.
To provide continuity for research, items are in agenda order although not
necessarily discussed in that order.
Presentations
Clearwater Gas System Managing Director Chuck Warrington introduced Rotary
Members visiting from Great Britain.
Service Awards
Three service awards were presented to City employees.
The May-June 2007 Team Award was presented to the Fire Mechanics Shop Crew: Paul
Hoven, Rick Kindred, and Bob Kimball.
The City Council recessed from 8:12 to 9:52 a.m. to meet as the Community
Redevelopment Agency and Pension Trustees.
Engineering
Award the 2007 Street Resurfacing Contract (07-0011-EN) to R.E. Purcell Construction of
Largo, Florida for the sum of $2,156,579.86, which is the lowest responsible bid, received in
accordance with the plans and specifications. (consent)
The City of Clearwater annual street resurfacing program is designed to prevent the
deterioration of roadway wearing surfaces, provide a protective coating, and maintain the
structural integrity of the road substructure throughout the City street system. Streets scheduled
for resurfacing in this contract are determined by citizens’ requests, Public Services and Public
Works staff. All have been determined to warrant inclusion by virtue of an inspection and
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prioritization process performed by Public Works staff. Construction will begin in June 2007,
with a contract period of 120 calendar days.
Assistant Engineering Director Scott Rice said the City is paving fewer miles of road
each year due to increased costs. The City’s current goal is to resurface 15 miles annually. Mr.
Rice said resurfacing projects are combined and paid from the road millage.
Approve a Work order in the amount of $126,705 with Grimail-Crawford Inc to design the
improvements to Court Street between Ft. Harrison Avenue and Oak Avenue and Chestnut
Street between Ft. Harrison Avenue and Oak Avenue. (consent)
Pinellas County, FDOT (Florida Department of Transportation) and the City of
Clearwater are partnering in this project to improve circulation around the courthouse for both
the motorist and the pedestrian. The Improvements include an enlarged pedestrian refuge
island on the south side of Court Street at Osceola Avenue as well as an accompanying
pedestrian signal. Additionally, the current signal at Court Street and Oak Avenue will be
replaced with an up to date mast arm signal. Mast arm flashing signals will be designed in this
package to warn motorists of the trail crossing on Court Street and on Chestnut Street at the
Pinellas Trail.
Traffic Operations Manager Paul Bertels said construction of improvements will not be
scheduled during Spring Break. Traffic signal cycles will be re-phased and Ft. Harrison traffic
no longer will have priority. Pedestrian movement will be limited to one crossing location. The
County is funding half the design costs. Staff will approach FDOT regarding a recommendation
to re-stripe Oak Street at its intersection with Chestnut.
Approve the Cooperative Funding Agreement Between Southwest Florida Water Management
District (SWFWMD) and the City of Clearwater for the Skycrest Reclaimed Water Project (L695)
and the appropriate officials be authorized to execute the same. (consent)
This cooperative funding agreement between SWFWMD (Southwest Florida Water
Management District) and the City of Clearwater provides for the design, permitting, and
construction of reclaimed water transmission mains, distribution piping, a 5 MG storage tank,
and a high service pump station in the Skycrest area of Clearwater. SWFWMD will reimburse
up to 50% of all costs associated with this project. The City of Clearwater will ensure that the
reclaimed water infrastructure related to the project is constructed, operated, and maintained in
such a manner that it will continue to be utilized to its proposed capacity, as described in the
cooperative funding agreement for a minimum of 20 years.
The City of Clearwater will adopt rate structures for water customers in the City’s service
area that will promote the conservation of water and the use of water from alternative water
supplies. The City will provide a copy of such rate structures to SWFWMD prior to the City’s
first request for reimbursement of project costs. The City will implement the rate structures as
described in the cooperative funding agreement within 12 months of completion of the project.
SWFWMD and the City of Clearwater both anticipate that the total cost of the project will
be $10,838,000. SWFWMD agrees to fund $5,419,000 of the project’s estimated construction
cost, subject to terms of the agreement. The City agrees to fund the remainder of the project’s
estimated cost, estimated to be $5,419,000. The project includes design & permitting,
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construction of transmission mains and distribution piping, a storage tank, a pumping station,
and construction services.
In response to questions, Public Utilities Director Tracy Mercer said project boundaries
excluded some residents of the Skycrest community. Staff has met with individuals petitioning
to be included in the project. Engineering Manager Rob Fahey said SWFWMD has been open
to previous changes and staff will strive to include additional streets in this project. It was
requested that staff provide the number of homes excluded from the project.
Discussion ensued. In response to a suggestion that there be an underground storage
tank, Mr. Fahey said tests to store water in the aquifer were unsuccessful. It was recommended
that a tank site be confirmed and publicized before the City spends significant money on this
project.
Official Records and Legislative Services
Appoint one member to the Environmental Advisory Board with the term expiring on May 31,
2011.
Consensus was to appoint Richard Packman.
Reappoint Lisa A. Hughes in the advocate for low income housing category to the
Neighborhood and Affordable Housing Advisory Board (NAHAB) with the term expiring on May
31, 2011. (consent)
Consensus was to reappoint Lisa A. Hughes.
City Manager Verbal Reports
Amended Agendas
City Clerk Cyndie Goudeau said staff must remove the agenda from the Internet for a
significant time when last minute items are added. As these changes do not include normal
Council discussion items, she recommended adding a disclaimer to agendas posted on the
Internet, that they are subject to change.
Consensus was to approve the City Clerk’s recommendation.
Council Discussion Items
Set Budget meetings
Consensus was to schedule budget meetings: 1) Add to July 16, 2007, Work Session; 2)
July 25, 2007, at 3:00 p.m.; and 3) Public hearing on August 13, 2007 at 6:00 p.m.
Coronado Sidewalk
Concern was expressed that Coronado sidewalks were poorly designed and that a large
number of palm trees and light poles impede pedestrian passage.
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Discussion ensued. In response to questions, Engineering Director Mike Quillen said
palm trees could have been moved eight inches closer to the curb. The light poles’ locations
were determined by utility conflicts. Public Services Director Gary Johnson said the sidewalks
are ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) compliant.
Adjourn
The meeting adjourned at 11:04 a.m.
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