05/28/2002CITY COMMISSION MEETING
VISIONING SESSION
CITY OF CLEARWATER
May 28, 2002
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
Pamela K. Akin City Attorney
Cynthia E. Goudeau City Clerk
Brenda Moses Board Reporter
Dr. David G. Kelly, called the meeting to order at 2:07 p.m. at the Harborview Center.
To provide continuity for research, agenda items are not necessarily discussed in that order.
Concern was expressed that some of the attendees were unsure of the direction of the meeting. Dr. Kelley said as most people are taught to look at short-term goals and how to implement
them, today’s meeting would focus on thinking about the future of Clearwater over the next 20-30 years. He said the visioning process is a tough one that requires the Commission to
consider things that will go far beyond their terms of office. At end of the day, the Commission should be able to develop a vision statement for the future. He cautioned everyone
not to spend time on how to pay for improvements and development, but keep track of their goals and consider want they want Clearwater to look like in the future and how to get there.
Dr. Kelly calculated the Commission’s cumulative scores they placed on the following list from the previous visioning session and ranked them from one to 19.
(1) Good Jobs “Economic Development and Redevelopment”
Cumulative (73) Rank (1)
(2) Federal/State/Regional attention to “built-out” needs and cost of water
Cumulative (70) Rank (2)
(3) Maintenance of Neighborhoods
Cumulative (67) Rank (3)
(4) Create a functional Downtown
Cumulative (67) Rank (3)
(5) Cultural Resources/Atmosphere/Process
Education
Economic Development
Diversity
Cumulative (59) Rank (5)
(6) Beach Parking
Widening Coronado
Cumulative (52) Rank (6)
(7) Public Transportation to Beach
Link High-speed Rail to Airports – Plus City-wide
Cumulative (49) Rank (7)
(8) Urban Design for “historic” Downtown
Cumulative (49) Rank (7)
(9) Accelerate infrastructure renovations as incentive for private development
Cumulative (49) Rank (7)
(10) Quality retail in high quality venues
Cumulative (43) Rank (10)
(11) Partner with School Board to elevate level of School System
Cumulative (42) Rank (11)
(12) Create sense of community identity and pride
Cumulative (42) Rank (11)
(13) Elevate Beach/Tourist Clientele
Cumulative (40) Rank (13)
14) Balancing diverse agendas from different areas of City
Cumulative (40) Rank (13)
(15) Create win/win environment
Collaborative
Positive
Inclusive
Cumulative (36) Rank (15)
(16) Expanded service hours of Library and Recreation Centers
Cumulative (32) Rank (16)
(17) Maintain Community Character
Cumulative (30) Rank (17)
(18) Extreme Venues
Cumulative (28) Rank (18)
(19) Create a unique tropical environment
Cumulative (20) Rank (19)
Each Commissioner explained why they scored the items as they did.
Commissioner Jonson reviewed his suggestions for the procedure for developing this vision. Discussion ensued and it was decided not to pursue as detailed a process. Each Commissioner’s
three highest items and two lowest items scored were discussed.
Dr. Kelly suggested the top issues defined today be incorporated into the vision statement. He also suggested that during the break, consideration be given to quality of life issues.
The meeting recessed from 4:07 to 4:19 p.m.
The Commission members and City Manager each described how they want people to “see” Clearwater 20 – 30 years in the future. The Commission listed the most important issues in Clearwater:
1) Education; 2) cultural events; 3) safe place; 4) clean; 5) recreation; 6) water access; 7) various types of parks; 8) people living downtown; 9) historical connection; 10) looks like
someplace special; and 11) green community.
Discussion ensued regarding the City’s customers. Consensus was the City has both internal and external customers that include business owners who do not reside in Clearwater.
The meeting recessed from 5:42 to 5:49 p.m.
Participants read individual vision statements. Discussion ensued and a vision statement was drafted as follows, with the understanding that it would be fine-tuned:
“Sparkling Clearwater is a uniquely beautiful, economically vibrant community that reinvests in itself and is a fun place to live, learn, work and play.
This will be evidenced by a safe, clean, green environment; diverse high paying jobs, high quality education; a variety of cultural and recreational offerings; affordable, well-maintained
housing; efficient, responsive City services; a vibrant downtown that is mindful of its heritage; efficient transportation systems; and a quality beach environment.”
It was remarked that the Commission needs to focus on being policy setters, not getting sidetracked with minutia,. They need to ensure discussions are issue-oriented. It was requested
that all pertinent information to the Commission be provided as soon as possible and no less than one day in advance of meetings to allow for their review by the Commission and the public.
It was requested the City Attorney provide the Commission with a review of their quasi-judicial duties. It was requested that Commissioners discuss their viewpoints on various issues
not on the agenda at Commission meetings under “Other Commission Action” in addition to discussing their activities and participation in various events.
One Commissioner felt that today’s meeting was the single-most productive meeting they had attended. The City Manager suggested at tomorrow evening’s Town Meeting, Commissioners discuss
their views regarding the two visioning meetings, what they felt they accomplished, and their vision for the future. It was remarked it is important for the Commission to let the public
know that that it is healthy for Commissioners to express differences of opinion.
Everyone thanked Dr. Kelly for an excellent meeting and the City Manager for his efforts in the process.
The meeting adjourned at 6:57 p.m.