03/02/2020 Council Work Session Meeting Minutes March 2, 2020
City of Clearwater
Main Library- Council Chambers
100 N. Osceola Avenue
Clearwater, FL 33755
m
ap
® e
Meeting Minutes
Monday, March 2, 2020
9:00 AM
Main Library - Council Chambers
Council Work Session
Page 1
City of Clearwater
Council Work Session Meeting Minutes March 2, 2020
Roll Call
Present 5 - Mayor George N. Cretekos, Vice Mayor Bob Cundiff,
Councilmember David Allbritton, Councilmember Hoyt Hamilton, and
Councilmember Jay Polglaze
Also Present: Micah Maxwell —Assistant City Manager, Michael Delk—Assistant
City Manager, Pamela K. Akin City Attorney, Rosemarie Call — City
Clerk, and Nicole Sprague — Official Records & Legislative Services
Coordinator.
To provide continuity for research, items are listed in agenda order although not
necessarily discussed in that order.
1. Call to Order— Mayor Cretekos
The meeting was called to order at 9:00 a.m. in Council Chambers at the
Main Library.
2. Presentations — Given.
2. 1 ESPN St. Pete Clearwater Elite Invitational Softball Tournament Wrap-up - presented by
Michele Smith, Two Time Gold Medalist
Ms. Smith thanked the City, staff and Council for their continued support.
She said the spectatorship increased by 50% and presented the Mayor with
a commemorative USA Softball flag.
Mayor Cretekos thanked Ms. Smith for her contributions to the community
and to softball in Clearwater and presented her with a key to the city.
3. City Manager
3.1 City Hall Site Selection Update (WSO)
In January 2019, the City of Clearwater vacated its City Hall building and
temporarily relocated its administrative offices to One Clearwater Tower (600
Cleveland Street) under a five-year lease. During that five years the intent was
to complete an already ongoing joint use facility discussion with Pinellas
County, and based on that study determine the best path forward for future
construction of a new City Hall. The joint use study was completed in August
2019, and while its results showed potential capital and operational savings for
Page 2
City of Clearwater
Council Work Session Meeting Minutes March 2, 2020
the City, it did not provide those same efficiencies for Pinellas County. As a
result, the City focused its efforts on a building that would operate solely as a
City Hall for the City of Clearwater.
In October 2019, the directors of the CRA, Engineering, and Planning and
Development Services departments were tasked with conducting a site
selection study for the new building. The study commenced with the
development of review criteria deemed pertinent so that staff had the clarity it
needed to ensure an objective, well thought out result that was focused on
those areas deemed most important. Staff approached the generation of those
criteria with the understanding that it had to be guided by Objective 1 B of the
Clearwater Downtown Redevelopment Plan, which states that "the location,
placement and design of a new City Hall needs to reflect the building's civic
importance as a community-gathering space," while balancing cost factors (real
estate, construction and operation), and the building's ability to act as an
economic development catalyst for Downtown. To that end, the following four
criteria were developed to recognize the above considerations and points were
assigned to each based on their relative importance in the decision-making
process.
• Implementation of Downtown Plan -4 points
o Visibility and civic prominence
o Location
o Compatibility with surrounding uses/scale and fit with Character
District Vision
o Economic development catalyst potential (anchor to attract
future development)
o Transportation access (vehicular, pedestrian, transit, trail
connection)
o Proximity to other City services/facilities
(Considerations such high/low visibility, compatible/not compatible
with surrounding uses, likely to/ not likely to spur redevelopment of
surrounding sites; frees up other institutional land for redevelopment;
good transportation access for pedestrian, bikes, transit and
vehicles/limited access; close to other city facilities)
• Real Estate -3 points
o Ownership
o Available for acquisition if not city owned
o Potential for partnership/joint tenancy and/or public/private
partnership
o Eligible for CRA incentives/opportunity zone
o Construction ready/requires demolition
(Considerations - City/CRA owned; willing/unwilling sellers; high
potential/low potential for public/private partnership; in/out of
Opportunity Zone; construction ready/requires demolition)
Page 3
City of Clearwater
Council Work Session Meeting Minutes March 2, 2020
• Site Characteristics -2 points
o Parcel size and configuration
o Parking for facility (on-site or off-site or combination)
o Site conditions - topography, views, environmental
contamination, existing trees, etc.
o Infrastructure -adequate utilities availability, stormwater, traffic
impacts on surrounding roadways
o Sustainability (opportunities for sustainable infrastructure, etc.)
(Considerations - large/small site; good/awkward parcel
configuration; good/poor site conditions; adequate infrastructure;
negative impact on surrounding roadways; opportunity for
sustainable infrastructure)
• Cost - 1 point
o Land acquisition
o Construction costs (renovation/new construction)
o Site preparation
o Operational Efficiency
o Operating costs/ongoing costs
(Considerations - City/CRA owned/not owned - low costs vs. high
costs for acquisition; can/cannot accommodate City Hall and MSB
operations; requires renovation/new construction;
In an effort to narrow down the properties that would be reviewed in downtown,
staff also used data generated by the now completed joint use facility review to
determine a minimum lot size necessary to house a facility. The result was
focus on sites approximately two acres in area.
At the November 18, 2019 city council meeting, staff then presented the
evaluation criteria and nine potential sites for discussion. Council agreed with
the criteria and expressed support for staff to consider the possibility of a
Government Center option in addition to a City Hall only option. Additionally,
Council asked the team to include the Main Library site in the site selection
process bringing the total to ten properties to be evaluated. Below are the
results of the evaluation and subsequent ranking of the sites in order based on
the total assigned points. The location of each site is highlighted in the Potential
City Hall Sites Aerial Photograph document and the points assigned for each
site and criteria are captured in the City Hall Site Selection Rankings Table
document.
1. 9.25 points - Myrtle Avenue West - Court & Pierce Streets, south of
MSB
2. 7.25 points - Myrtle Avenue East - Park and Pierce Streets, east of
Page 4
City of Clearwater
Council Work Session Meeting Minutes March 2, 2020
MSB
3. 5.25 points - Walgreens - NE corner Myrtle Ave. & Cleveland St.
4. 5.0 points - PSTA/County Lot - Ft. Harrison, B/W Park and Pierce
Streets
5. 4.75 points - CRA Owned - Cleveland Street, B/W Betty Ln. & Lincoln
Ave.
6. 4.25 points - Frank Crum Property - Missouri Ave. b/w Pierce Ave. &
Gould St.
7. 3.00 points - Main Library - Osceola Ave. and Drew St.
8. 3.00 points - iDatix - Court St. & Gulf to Bay Ave.
9. 2.50 points - Court/Chestnut Triangle -Apex of Court & Chestnut
Streets
10.2.00 points - Drew and Laura St. - South side of Drew St. (Nall
Lumber)
The selection team issued RFQ #10-20 for a new City Hall feasibility study that
would include a series of concept studies and sketches for a new City Hall
building. Additionally, the consultant was asked to evaluate the practicality of
combining the functions of MSB with the proposed new City Hall and evaluating
the sites for a new Clearwater Government Center. Five firms submitted
qualifications and Harvard Jolly, Inc. was selected. Colliers International was
also part of the team and was tasked with evaluating the feasibility of potential
redevelopment options as part of the exercise.
Because there was a significant point spread between the top two sites and the
other sites, staff engaged Harvard Jolly to provide concept studies only for the
top two sites - Myrtle Avenue West - between Court and Pierce and south of
MSB and Myrtle Avenue East (Sites B and A respectively on the Potential City
Hall Sites aerial photograph). Harvard Jolly developed three main options for
each site. Option 1 focuses on the construction of a new City Hall and
associated parking. Option 2 includes the construction of a new Government
Center with surface parking and use of the MSB garage and Option 3 includes a
new Government Center and parking garage for the Center. Because the top
ranked site is large and includes two properties, two additional concepts were
studied that illustrated partnership opportunities with either PSTA or a private
developer.
As part of the feasibility analysis for the City Hall/Government Center, Colliers
International also provided an overview of the Clearwater real estate market to
provide an opinion on what types of developments would be likely to be
constructed if the City sold certain properties. Depending on the final location for
a new City Hall/ Government Center, the City could potentially have up to three
parcels available to sell/lease for private redevelopment. The type of use
(multi-family, retail, office etc.) will drive the sales price for the property which in
turn could offset the construction costs for the new facility. City redevelopment
projects also offer the opportunity to attract projects that meet land use goals
identified in the Downtown Redevelopment Plan. Collier's market research
indicated that the most likely types of commercial development in downtown
Clearwater were retail uses that front Myrtle Avenue, mid-rise apartment
Page 5
City of Clearwater
Council Work Session Meeting Minutes March 2, 2020
development or a limited service hotel.
Based on the findings of the feasibility study, staff is recommending the
City/CRA owned property located on the northwest of Court Street and Myrtle
Avenue (Site B) be selected as the site for the new City Hall or Government
Center. The site provides excellent visibility at the intersection of two state
roadways and provides a site of civic prominence. The site has good
transportation access, is located along the Pinellas Trail and is in close
proximity to other city facilities and is large enough to support a stand-alone City
Hall or a larger Government Center with on-site. Because either option can be
built on the corner parcel, it offers the most options for public-private
partnerships and redevelopment opportunities for other city-owned property.
Staff also did a cursory review of potential cost savings and operational
efficiencies to determine if a more detailed study into the Government Center
concept was warranted. That review determined that there is a high potential
for both long-term capital savings and operational savings by merging
departments into a single building.
Recommendation
Based on the feasibility study and the cost savings and operational efficiency
review, staff is recommending that an RFP be issued for design services using
a two phased approach. Phase one would include a work order that would
provide design services to the 15% level, provide a more in-depth review of
space needs both City Hall and MSB, and complete a more robust review of
cost savings, operational efficiencies, and the environmental impacts of both
the City Hall and Government Center concepts. Staff anticipates that such
analysis would include a review of enhanced customer service opportunities
such as the creation of development service center, opportunities for energy
savings, the future capital impact of replacing the MSB separate from City Hall,
the effect of maintaining the buildings separately rather than together, and the
impact to the net present value of funds already allocated to various repair and
replacement projects associated with MSB as it relates to their planned
timeframe for expenditure.
Following phase one, the City Council would be provided the data needed to
make a decision to construct a City Hall or a Government Center. Phase two of
the design would include a second work order which would be focused on
bringing the design to 100%.
It is anticipated that an RFP for design services can be generated in the next
sixty days. The RFP can be substantially completed prior to the selection of a
site however, staff would need formal direction on a site prior to advertising the
RFP.
Page 6
City of Clearwater
Council Work Session Meeting Minutes March 2, 2020
APPROPRIATION CODE AND AMOUNT:
N/A
Planning and Development Director Gina Clayton provided a PowerPoint
presentation.
In response to questions, Ms. Clayton said at the November meeting, staff
was directed to add the Main Library as a potential city hall site. The Main
Library did not rank high, ranking 7th out of 10 sites, several issues were
identified. Assistant City Manager Michael Delk said staff has not altered the
path for the Main Library renovation, which is still moving forward.
Harvard Jolly consultant Ward Friszolowski and Tim Feaster provided a
PowerPoint presentation.
In response to questions, Mr. Friszolowski Site B is a larger parcel and would
provide a highly visible city hall. Ms. Clayton said staff focused on the corner
for a new city hall**because the Downtown Plan talks about the visibility and
prominence of city hall and the corner provided an iconic location. Staff
thought this location, the entryway into Downtown, provided a better location
for a new city hall than a bus transfer station. Assistant City Manager Micah
Maxwell said the initial design PSTA has shared with staff include multiple
parcels. If there is interest to provide PSTA with additional parcels, locating
city hall in the middle would disrupt their continuity. He said the Municipal
Services Building was constructed in 1995, staff has been operating under a
40-year useful life, but additional assessments are needed to determine if
the building could be merged into a government center. The useful life
financial model is based on IRS standards. Ms. Clayton said the PSTA
county parking lot received a lower rank because staff expressed concerns
with adding another institutional use on a corner with three existing
institutional uses, thus creating a dead zone. The City Manager said funds
for the new city hall have been identified in Penny 3.
Discussion ensued with support expressed for Sites A and B and for a
combined city hall/municipal services facility. A concern was expressed with
cost associated to build a combined city hall/municipal services building.
In response to questions, Mr. Friszolowski said the proposal estimates
100,000 sq. ft. for a combined city hall/municipal services building. The
needs analysis would be the next step to determine the square footage
needed for the facility. Ms. Clayton said staff was looking at 44,000 sq. ft. for
a new city hall. Engineering Director Tara Kivett said the square footage for
the municipal services building is 67,500. Ms. Clayton said the square
footage for the MSB was reduced because staff assumed some operational
efficiencies. CRA Executive Director Amanda Thompson said staff has
Page 7
City of Clearwater
Council Work Session Meeting Minutes March 2, 2020
worked with Colliers International for insight on the potential redevelopment if
these sites were sold, in the current market, the highest potential would be a
Walgreens or a CVS, with apartments being the second most likely use.
She said Colliers identified hotel/short-term stay as another potential
redevelopment use. According to Colliers, PSTA is not considered a
premium transit service but a limited bus system and may not provide much
mixed use transit oriented development opportunity. Mr. Maxwell said the
next steps include moving forward with the RFP in the next 60 days, identify
initial site work issues, space planning, and cost efficiencies. After the
15% site work review, decide if there will be a government center or a city
hall. He said the locations must be identified prior to issuing the RFP.
The City Manager said staff will bring back the item for discussion and will
contact PSTA for any information they would like to share.
4. Engineering
4.1 Approve the request from the owner of property addressed as 2001 Gulf to Bay Blvd. and
511 S Hercules Avenue to vacate a portion of a dedicated right-of-way described as that
part of lots 1 and 12, Midway Subdivision, according to the plat thereof, as recorded in
Plat Book 13, Page 4 of the Public Records of Pinellas County, Florida, and pass
Ordinance 9378-20 on first reading. (VAC2020-02)
The property owner of 2001 Gulf to Bay Blvd. and 511 S Hercules Ave.
(Property Owner), Clearwater has requested that the City vacate a portion of a
dedicated right-of-way.
The City of Clearwater has no municipal use for the portion of the dedicated
right-of-way proposed to be vacated and will retain a 10-foot-wide right of way,
drainage and utility easement to support existing and future facilities.
The purpose of this vacation will be to allow for continued use of a portion of a
parking lot and access for the Roma Square strip mall.
In response to questions, Real Estate Coordinator Rob Brzak said the right-
of-way is located north of the new fire station. The City will retain the
easement. He said the project is still in the design phase and the length of
the driveway has not been finalized.
4.2 Approve the request from SP Trail LLC, and the Housing Finance Authority of Pinellas
Page 8
City of Clearwater
Council Work Session Meeting Minutes March 2, 2020
County, as Trustee, of the Pinellas County Land Assembly Trust-Woodlawn Trail,
(Applicant), to vacate a 70-foot drainage and utility easement as recorded in Official
Records Book 5880, Page 343, of the Public Records of Pinellas County, Florida, on real
property located at 803 Woodlawn Loop and pass Ordinance 9379-20 on first reading.
(VAC2020-04)
The applicant was required to vacate a drainage and utility easement recorded
in Official Records Book 5880, Page 343, of the Public Records of Pinellas
County, Florida, as a condition of the development order for the construction of
Woodlawn Trail affordable housing community.
City staff supports the vacation request.
4.3 Accept a drainage and utility easement from SP Trail LLC, and the Housing Finance
Authority of Pinellas County, as Trustee, of the Pinellas County Land Assembly
Trust-Woodlawn Trail for the construction, installation and maintenance of city drainage
and utility facilities on real property located at 803 Woodlawn Loop and adopt Resolution
20-04.
The Drainage and Utility Easement will provide the City rights for construction,
installation and maintenance of drainage and utility facilities at the Woodlawn
Trail affordable housing community.
4.4 Authorize purchase orders to multiple vendors as listed for various traffic signal parts in
an amount not to exceed $900,000 for the period of March 6, 2020 through November 3,
2022, pursuant to Clearwater Code of Ordinances Section 2.564(1)(d) Other Government
Entities Contracts and authorize the appropriate officials to execute same. (consent)
Engineering maintains and repairs traffic signals within City of Clearwater limits.
Staff would like authorization to purchase various traffic signal components
from Econolite Inc, Temple Inc, and Transportation Control Systems in an
amount not to exceed $900,000 over a three-year period.
These purchase orders (POs) are piggy backing on Florida Department of
Transportation (FDOT) Contract Number DOT-ITB-20-9034-GH, effective
November 4, 2019 through November 3, 2022.
APPROPRIATION CODE AND AMOUNT:
EN RD 180006-CONS-PARTS
Current Year funding is available in Capital Improvement Project (CIP)
ENRD180006, Traffic Signals. Future year funding will be requested as part of
the annual budget process for FY2021 and FY2022.
Page 9
City of Clearwater
Council Work Session Meeting Minutes March 2, 2020
In response to questions, Lead Engineering Specialist Jessie Rhodes said
the item before Council addresses normal maintenance of traffic signals and
emergency repairs. There are 85 intersections within city limits outside of the
county partnership.
4.5 Approve Supplemental Work Order One to Black and Veatch for support services related
to American's Water Infrastructure Act (AWIA) (19-0030-UT) in the amount of$101,025
and authorize the appropriate officials to execute same. (consent)
As a result of an amendment to the Safe Drinking Water Act, the AWIA
requires water systems serving more than 3,300 people to conduct a
Risk and Resilience Assessment (RRA) and update their Emergency
Response Plan (ERP).
Congress and the EPA have mandated that utilities consider typical water
assets along with mission critical support services such as finance and
information technology. The assessment should consider risks to the water
system as well the systems resiliency from both natural hazards (hurricanes,
storm surge, etc.) and malevolent acts (physical and cyber-attacks).
November 6, 2019, City Manager approved the initial work order to review
existing information and identify documents, assessments, resources and gaps
needed to be addressed in the subsequent RRA in the amount of$98,975.
This supplemental work order will complete the Risk and Resilience
Assessment of the City's potable water infrastructure in accordance with the
AWIA. This includes an assessment of natural hazards of concern, physical
security, cybersecurity of electronic, computer and automated systems, for a
new work order value of$200,000.
The Risk and Resilience Assessment compliance deadline is March 31, 2020
and the ERP compliance deadline is September 30, 2020. Due to the costs of
the project, the City will issue a Request for Qualifications shortly to procure a
consultant to complete the ERP.
APPROPRIATION CODE AND AMOUNT:
3217321-530100-96721 $101,025
Funding is available in Capital Improvement Project 96721, System Repair and
Replacement Maintenance.
5. Official Records and Legislative Services
5.1 Appoint Michael D. Brewster to the Sister Cities Advisory Board as the Local Business
Community representative with a term to expire March 31, 2024. (consent)
Page 10
City of Clearwater
Council Work Session Meeting Minutes March 2, 2020
APPOINTMENT WORKSHEET
BOARD: Sister Cities Advisory Board
TERM: 4 years
APPOINTED BY: Sister Cities Advisory Board
FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE: Not Required
MEMBERS: 6 + 1 At-large member
CHAIRPERSON: Michael Ballard
MEETING DATES: Quarterly
PLACE: Main Library
SPECIAL QUALIFICATIONS: 1 City Councilmember; 1 youth member
nineteen years old or younger; 1 Clearwater Sister Cities, Inc. representative
nominated by organization; 1 local business community representative; 1
school board world language coordinator or designee; 1 Clearwater Arts
Alliance (FKA Clearwater Arts Foundation) representative nominated by
organization; 1 at-large member
Representatives of Clearwater Sister Cities, Inc., the local business
community, the school board's world language coordinator or designee,
and the Clearwater Arts Alliance shall not be required to reside within the
City of Clearwater.
APPOINTMENTS NEEDED: 1
THE FOLLOWING ADVISORY BOARD MEMBER HAD A TERM WHICH
EXPIRED AND NOW REQUIRES REPLACEMENT BY A NEW APPOINTEE:
1. Terrence Gourdine - 1101 Wellington Dr., 33764
Original Appointment - 12/16/10
(was serving 2nd term which expired 12/31/18)
(Local Business Community rep)
THE NAME BELOW IS BEING SUBMITTED FOR CONSIDERATION TO FILL
THE ABOVE VACANCY:
1. Michael D. Brewster -2665 Camille Drive, Palm Harbor, FL 34684
Monin Inc., 2100 Range Rd., 33765
(Local Business Community rep)
Zip codes of current members:
1 - 33710
2 - 33761
1 - 33763
1 - 34683
6. Legal
6.1 Adopt Ordinance 9380-20 on second reading, amending Chapter 2, Article V. Division 3,
Employees Pension Plan, to re-establish a cost of living benefit for police officers.
7. City Manager Verbal Reports — None.
Page 11
City of Clearwater
Council Work Session Meeting Minutes March 2, 2020
8. City Attorney Verbal Reports — None.
9. New Business (items not on the agenda may be brought up asking they be
scheduled for subsequent meetings or work sessions in accordance with Rule 1,
Paragraph 2). — None.
10. Closing Comments by Mayor— None.
11. Adjourn
The meeting adjourned at 10:23 a.m.
Page 12
City of Clearwater