06/12/2019 CHARTER REVIEW COMMITTEE MEETING
CITY OF CLEARWATER
JUNE 12, 2019
Present: Michael R. Mannino Chair
Darryl James Henderson Vice Chair
Richard Adelson Committee Member
Kathleen Agnew Committee Member
Marilyn Kagan Committee Member
Kelly S. Kelly Committee Member
David Lillesand Committee Member
Marita Lynch Committee Member
Bruce Rector Committee Member
Mike Riordon Committee Member (departed 5:40 p.m.)
Becca Tieder Committee Member
Absent: Michael D. Anderson Committee Member
Sean Schrader Committee Member
Also Present: Pamela Akin City Attorney
Rosemarie Call City Clerk
Nicole Sprague ORLS Coordinator
The meeting was called to order at 4:30 p.m. at the Clearwater Main Library, 2nd Floor
Conference Room.
To provide continuity for research, items are in agenda order although not necessarily
discussed in that order.
2. Approval of Minutes
2.1 Approve the minutes of the May 22, 2019 Charter Review Committee Meeting as submitted
in written summation by the City Clerk.
Committee Member Riordon moved to approve the minutes of the May 22, 2019 Charter
Review Committee meeting. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously.
3. New Business
3.1 Presentation by Chuck Lane, Economic Development and Housing Assistant Director.
Economic Development and Housing Assistant Director Chuck Lane said Section
2.01(d)(5)(i) allows for different options for sale, donation or lease of any real property for a term
longer than five years. One of the options allows for the City to donate or sell property of not
Charter Review 2019-06-12 1
more than one-half acre in size for less than fair market value for workforce and affordable
housing purposes. He suggested increasing the size of the land from not more than one-half
acre to 5 acres. He said there is a federal affordable housing tax credit program which has an
80 unit minimum restriction; City code allows 16 units per acre so increasing the size of land
allowed to be sold, donated or leased would allow the City another tool to facilitate affordable
housing. If constructing affordable housing, a project is eligible for a 20% boost in density which
equates to 18 units an acre. The tax credit program is currently being used for over 90% of
affordable housing units in the country.
In response to questions, Mr. Lane said there are not many 5 acres plots available but it
gives the City flexibility should something become available. There is a $75,000 match
requirement for the tax credit program and state funds are generally used. The program is for
the construction of rental units and can be anywhere in the City.
In response to questions, the City Attorney said Council makes the decision on who a
piece of property is sold, donated or leased to.
Committee Member Riordon moved to recommend a change to the charter to go to 5
acres. The motion was duly seconded. Chair Mannino, Vice Chair Henderson, Committee
Members Adelson, Kagan, Kelly, Lillesand, Rector, Riordon and Tieder voted "Aye," Committee
Members Agnew and Lynch voted "Nay."
Motion carried.
Mr. Lane proposed an additional way to sell property, economic remainder of land. If a
piece of property fails to sell at a public auction or public bid, a piece of property less than a half
acre in size could be sold to a neighboring property for less than the appraised value and the
City would no longer be responsible for maintaining the property and it will go back on the tax
roll.
In response to a question, the City Attorney said the type of property being discussed
has no value to anyone except those that own adjacent land.
Committee Member Rector moved to direct staff to propose specific language for the
change for discussion at a future meeting. The motion was duly seconded and passed
unanimously.
In response to a question, Mr. Lane said he can pull data on City owned property in this
category.
3.2 Council compensation.
The City Attorney said if the committee were to recommend a salary increase, the
language should state the dollar amount and how it is to increase going forward. She said the
Charter Review 2019-06-12 2
only benefit Councilmembers receive is health insurance. Increasing the salary does not mean
the positions become full time; charter language needs to say full time. Council receives an
annual increase in salary, they get equivalent of the Social Security cost -of -living adjustment or
2%, whichever is greater. Council does not receive a stipend, actual and necessary expenses
are documented and reimbursed.
Discussion ensued regarding the correlation between the salary and the type of person
who would be able to run and serve. Comment was made that a higher salary could remove
one of the barriers for a more diverse council.
The City Clerk said the public hearing is set for July 10 at the East Library. A press
release will be sent out to via the City's Neighborhood Coordinator as well as an ad will be
placed in the paper.
4. Public Comment
Representative Chris Latvala said State Legislative Committees start four months prior
to session. He said when people run for public office, they know what they are getting into and
how much they will make; people don't run for office to get rich. He suggested an expense
account might be something to look into.
5. Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 5:57 p.m.
C air, Charter Review Comttee
Charter Review 2019-06-12 3