07/22/2003COMMUNITY RELATIONS BOARD
CITY OF CLEARWATER
July 22, 2003
Present: Johnny Long Chair
Melissa Horwitz Board Member
Pat Harney Board Member
E.J. Robinson Board Member
Capt. Anthony Holloway Non-voting Member
1 Vacant Seat
Also Present: Eleanor Breland Equity Services Director
Kathy Baird Senior Staff Assistant
Margaret Eilerson League of Women Voters
Kenneth Cissna University of South Florida
Roy Kaplan National Conference for Community and
Justice
To provide continuity for research, items are listed in agenda order although not necessarily discussed in that order.
ITEM 1 – Call to Order
The meeting was called to order at 5:35 P.M.
ITEM 2 – Roll Call and Approval of Minutes from 5-1-03 Meeting
Member Robinson moved to approve the minutes of the May 20, 2003 meeting. Member Horwitz seconded the Motion, which carried unanimously. The members also affirmed the memorandum
of the June24, 2003 meeting.
ITEM 3 – Introduction of Guests
The members and guests welcomed Captain Anthony Holloway, who is representing the Clearwater Police Department as a non-voting member.
ITEM 4 – Study Circle Topic
Eleanor Breland informed the members and guests that the City Manager requested that the topic of the study circle series scheduled for October be changed to downtown development in
order to assist the City in understanding the public’s concerns regarding the downtown’s future. Equity Services Department staff had polled the Board members by telephone regarding
the new topic and all were in agreement. The volunteers indicated that they would also be willing to participate in the series with this new topic.
ITEM 5 – Planning for Implementation of Study Circle Program
The members discussed issues that might arise during study circle discussions. Some of the identified issues, based on surveys and other feedback from the previous downtown development
referendum were concerns about land use over the term of a 99-year lease, costs of the project, etc. and concerns that the development efforts would disproportionately benefit people
associated with the Church of Scientology.
Members requested the opportunity to review any survey results that the City can provide, including the exit poll conducted by the prospective developer during the last referendum, so
that they would be able to better understand the issues and identify any other issues that they might need to be prepared to address during the study circle discussions.
The group agreed to open the study circle series with an informative and brief (15 minute maximum) presentation by City staff on the current downtown development plans. It was suggested
that the presentation include information on development and improvements that have been completed or are in progress since the last referendum, such as the new Memorial Causeway Bridge,
North Greenwood Branch Library, the Main Library and the North Greenwood Recreation Center. The Board requested an opportunity to view the presentation prior to the first study circle
meeting.
The Board will invite qualified representatives from the City and from the Church of Scientology to answer any questions that may arise in the discussion groups. It was stressed that
this is particularly important at the initial meeting.
Meeting format:
Following the development plans presentation by City staff, the participants would be divided into discussion groups. Questions might include: Do you agree with this vision? What
is your vision of the City in 10, 20, or 50 years?
Dr. Kaplan and Professor Cissna volunteered to work on the development of the discussion questions.
ITEM 6 – New Business
The members agreed to schedule their next meeting for Wednesday August 6, 2003 at 5:30 p.m. and to address the design for the announcement for the program.
ITEM 7 - Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 7:00 P.M.