12/13/2021 Council Work Session Meeting Minutes December 13, 2021
City of Clearwater
Main Library- Council Chambers
100 N. Osceola Avenue
Clearwater, FL 33755
Meeting Minutes
Monday, December 13, 2021
9:00 AM
Main Library - Council Chambers
Council Work Session
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City of Clearwater
Council Work Session Meeting Minutes December 13, 2021
Roll Call
Present: 5 - Mayor Frank Hibbard, Vice Mayor Hoyt Hamilton, Councilmember
David Allbritton, Councilmember Mark Bunker and Councilmember
Kathleen Beckman
Also Present: Jon Jennings — City Manager, Micah Maxwell —Assistant City
Manager, Michael Delk—Assistant City Manager, David Margolis -
City Attorney, Rosemarie Call — City Clerk, and Nicole Sprague —
Deputy City Clerk.
To provide continuity for research, items are listed in agenda order although not
necessarily discussed in that order.
1. Call to Order— Mayor Hibbard
The meeting was called to order at 9:05 a.m.
2. City Manager
2.1 Adopt the 2022 Clearwater Cultural Arts Strategic Plan, providing recommendations for
arts and cultural actions and programs for Fiscal Year 2022/23 through Fiscal Year
2028/29. (consent)
In 2020, the City commissioned cultural planning consultants Designing Local to
assist in the creation of a strategic plan to respond to Clearwater's
contemporary social and cultural makeup. In order to accurately reflect the city's
composition and current cultural offerings, Designing Local conducted a
comprehensive survey of artists, stakeholders, arts agencies, and arts-adjacent
citizens to establish key strategies that will guide the city over the next 5-7
years. Each strategy is supported by a series of action steps for implementing
these recommendations. Each strategy further supports the city's desire to
transform communities and lives through the power of creative expression.
The strategies developed for the 2022 -2028 Cultural Arts Strategic Plan are as
follows:
1. Strengthen the identity of neighborhoods through an investment in public
art at the neighborhood level
2. Expand funding for public art through reinstating the Public Art in Private
Development ordinance
3. Invest in iconic public art in strategic locations to bolster the overall
public art experience
4. Strengthen existing programs and city departments through an
expansion of offerings and injection of creativity
5. Implement programs that build the capacities of the arts and culture
sector to be more unified in their vision toward the same goal
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6. Define spaces within Clearwater that an investment in the arts can be
concentrated for maximum impact
7. Support neighborhoods through broadening and diversifying arts
experiences
The Cultural Arts Strategic Plan is intended to be used as a roadmap for the
future development of the Cultural Affairs Division. The Plan is meant to
serve as the city's guide for cultural development and investment. The
arts and culture community has been heavily involved in producing the
strategies outlined in the plan and should be involved as strong
collaborators in the implementation of the Plan pursuant to the vision for
the future. Private businesses and philanthropists should support the
vision of the community as they consider new initiatives. Local school will
be important partners in the facilitation of the Plan as they seek new
ways to connect their students with creative resources. By connecting
students with the vibrancy of cultural arts programming will build deeper
relationships between students and the city, ensuring a future that
continues the cultural traditions established through the city's programs
and initiatives.
Cultural Affairs Coordinator Christopher Hubbard provided a PowerPoint
presentation.
In response to questions, Mr. Hubbard said interactive micro projects, such
as murals on walls, small sculptures and storm drain painting projects, are
envisioned for Strategy 1 as a way to strengthen neighborhood identity. The
City Attorney said the City's current public art in the private development
program is voluntary but there may be ways to reinstate a mandatory
program. He said he would like to discuss the associated legal risks with
councilmembers during one-on-one meetings. Mr. Hubbard said Strategy 4
envisions an artist speaking with staff regarding department operations or
interfacing with the public in order to inject creativity, create new avenues of
employee expression or problem solving. The Public Art advisory board met
with the consultants and assisted in the strategy development.
2.2 Approve a contract (purchase order) to Cenergistic LLC of Dallas, TX for the creation
and implementation of a municipal energy savings program to include a third-party
software in the amount of$16,900, pursuant to RFP 15-20, Energy Savings Program,
and authorize the appropriate officials to execute same. (consent)
In order to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions and meet the goals laid out in
Greenprint 2.0, the City has committed to increase energy efficiency within its
facilities. RFP 15-20 was issued to receive proposals from companies that
could achieve energy savings through data informed behavior-based changes
to maximize building efficiency while maintaining fiscal responsibility. A staff
committee reviewed proposals received from three interested companies and
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Cenergistic was ranked highest in its ability to meet the City's requirements.
Cenergistic has worked for over 34 years to help more than 1,450 organization
across the nation reduce greenhouse gases and save money in electricity,
natural gas, and water costs. The company achieves such reductions by
applying advanced technology and behavior-based conservation programs
within buildings, as well as embed full-time onsite Energy Specialists to ensure
all equipment and operation are working at peak efficiency and optimization.
Based on information provided by the City, Cenergistic projects to conserve
roughly 25% of energy currently used in city facilities. An initial purchase of
$16,900.00 for a third-party software, EnergyCAP, is required to objectively
report any experienced savings in energy and energy costs. For each month of
the program, the City shall pay Cenergistic a performance fee in an amount
equal to 50% of the total savings achieved during the prior month. Termination
fees apply as described on pages 8-10 of the contract.
APPROPRIATION CODE AND AMOUNT:
Funds are available in cost code 0109211-530300, Contractual Services, to
fund this contract.
Cenergistic representative Steven Jones provided a PowerPoint
presentation.
In response to questions, Mr. Jones said the contract is for a 5-year term,
allowing the company to build an in-depth energy assessment or all city-
owned facilities that are 1,500 sq. ft. or more. Savings will not be realized for
a while. The company will not assess city facilities that are leased to outside
organizations, as they may be allowed to run air conditioning at different
levels. Cenergistic will not conduct monthly public education but will provide
staff with the information needed for public outreach programs. He said the
individual hired for Clearwater's program will be hired locally and work
closely with the City's Sustainability Coordinator. Sustainability Coordinator
Sheridan Boyle said there were two other respondents who scored below
Cenergistic. The RFP asked for behavior based program in which the city
would not pay upfront for any equipment that would be more energy efficient.
She said the two other respondents proposed an exact replica of the
program the City conducted via Honeywell. Mr. Jones said of the 50%
energy savings Cenergistic retains, approximately 26% will be used to fund
the program. He said Cenergistic employees will be tracking and monitoring
city facilities to ensure the facilities are running within the acceptable
parameters. The proposal before Council assumes no equipment will be
replaced. Solid Waste and General Services Director Earl Gloster said the
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Honeywell Performance Management contract changed how the City
purchased and replaced its HVAC equipment, lighting, and thermostats.
Technology has changed over the last decade and the Cenergistic contract
is the next logical step.
Discussion ensued with a concern expressed with the proposed 50%
savings split.
Staff was directed to take the item off the Consent Agenda.
3. Economic Development and Housing
3.1 Accept the 2021 Local Housing Incentive Strategy (LHIS) Report developed by the
Affordable Housing Advisory Committee (AHAC). (APH)
Florida Statute Section 420.9076 states that counties and cities receiving State
Housing Initiatives Partnership (SHIP) program funds are required to appoint an
Affordable Housing Advisory Committee (AHAC) comprised of eight to eleven
members. The statute further provides that the committee be made up of
members from a specific industry or a specific group as identified in the statute.
The requirement was largely met through the use of the City's existing
seven-member Neighborhood and Affordable Housing Advisory Board (NAHAB).
City staff recommended Council appoint four additional committee members.
The City Council adopted Resolution No. 21-30 that created and appointed the
2021 AHAC.
The duties of the AHAC include reviewing policies and procedures, ordinances,
land development regulations and the City's adopted comprehensive plan, and
recommending specific actions or initiatives to encourage or facilitate affordable
housing.
Per state statute, at a minimum, the AHAC reviewed and made
recommendations on the following:
(a) The processing of approvals of development orders or permits, as
defined in F.S.163.3164 (7) and (8), for affordable housing projects is
expedited to a greater degree than other projects.
(b) The modification of impact-fee requirements, including reduction or
waiver of fees and alternative methods of fee payment for affordable
housing.
(c) The allowance of flexibility in densities for affordable housing.
(d) The reservation of infrastructure capacity or housing for very low-income
persons, low-income persons, and moderate-income persons.
(e) The allowance of affordable accessory residential units in residential
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zoning districts.
(f) The reduction of parking and setback requirements for affordable
housing.
(g) The allowance of flexible lot configurations, including zero-lot-line
configurations for affordable housing.
(h) The modification of street requirements for affordable housing.
(i) The establishment of a process by which a local government considers,
before adoption, policies, procedures, ordinances, regulations, or
plan provisions that increase the cost of housing.
Q) The preparation of a printed inventory of locally owned public lands
suitable for affordable housing.
(k) The support of development near transportation hubs and major
employment centers and mixed-use developments.
Throughout the fall of 2021, Economic Development and Housing Department
staff, through coordination with Planning and Development Department staff,
facilitated discussion at three meetings of the AHAC. The meetings centered
around reviewing the 2020 LHIS to discuss any changes that should be made
as well as to consider new strategies to incentivize development of affordable
housing. The LHIS encompasses the definition, vision, strategic focus areas
and incentive recommendations in order to facilitate the development and
preservation of affordable housing in the City of Clearwater. The AHAC
convened on three separate occasions to develop and identify the value of
affordable housing, identify the principles for Clearwater's affordable housing,
and develop/confirm a vision statement to be included as part of the LHIS.
The AHAC members focused on the values that affordable housing brings to the
City of Clearwater and recommended the continuation, with slight modifications
in some cases, of recommendations made by prior AHAC committees. The
committee focused particularly on two areas of revised strategies and two new
strategies.
Revised Strategies:
• The processing of approvals of development orders or permits, as
defined in F.S.163.3164 (7) and (8), for affordable housing projects is
expedited to a greater degree than other projects.
o Continue to use the "Request for Expedited Permit Processing
for Affordable Housing Activity" form to fast-track affordable
housing projects. Projects submitted with this form will receive
first priority during the permit review process. Continue to strive
to complete reviews of single-family permit reviews within four
days of the initial submittal and within three days of all
subsequent submittals.
o Encourage affordable housing developers of single-family homes
to submit frequently used template plans for pre-screening by the
Building Official to further expedite the staff permit review
process.
• The modification of impact-fee requirements, including reduction or
waiver of fees and alternative methods of fee payment for affordable
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housing
o Continue to assess the financial, legal, and administrative
feasibility of reducing, refunding, or redefining (by unit size) the
costs of impact fees and/or permitting fees related to the
development of affordable housing.
o The Planning & Development Department will recommend
amending the Schedule of Fees Rates and Charges ordinance
to provide for a reduction in the Plan Review and Permit Fees for
single-family homes.
o Coordinate with the Parks and Recreation Department in the
development of a new Parks & Recreation impact fee structure
to identify opportunities to reduce or waive impact fees for
affordable housing.
o The Economic Development & Housing Department will develop
a policy to assist with the payment of Plan Review and Permit
Fees and impact fees utilizing state and federal funds designated
for affordable housing.
New Strategies:
• Develop a new policy/procedure for disposition of city owned lots.
Consider including energy efficient items into the scoring matrix to
support environmentally friendly development in partnership with the
Greenprint 2.0 timeline.
• Evaluate the feasibility of reducing/paying code violation liens on lots
suitable for affordable housing development.
The LHIS report has been due every three years on December 31 st of the year
preceding the submission of the Local Housing Assistance Plan (LHAP).
Changes to Florida Statute now require the AHAC to convene, and the LHIS
report to be updated, annually. The report must be submitted to the Florida
Housing Finance Corporation by December 31, 2021. This year's LHIS update
includes recommendations that were approved by the AHAC on December 14,
2021.
In response to questions, Economic Development and Housing Assistant
Director Chuck Lane said accessory dwelling units (ADU) are not the same
as tiny homes. City code allows ADUs under certain guidelines. He said city
code does allow residential development in non-residential areas. The
locations for ADUs can be expanded once the comprehensive plan update is
completed.
3.2 Approve the City of Clearwater's Fiscal Year 2020-2021 Consolidated Annual
Performance and Evaluation Report. (APH)
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The Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report (CAPER) is the
principal administrative report documenting the City's expenditures for
Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and HOME Investment
Partnership (HOME) programs to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban
Development (HUD). For Fiscal Year (FY) 2020-2021, the City's entitlement
allocation was $837,233 in CDBG and $431,344 in HOME program funds,
$870,887 of Prior Year funds, $622,783 of Program Income and $1,145,000 in
CDBG Revolving Loan funding for a total budget of$3,907,247 from federal
funds.
Through the CDBG and HOME program activities, total expenditures were
$1,081,313 in FY 2020-2021. Funds not expended from this year's budget will
be programmed in future years.
In addition to reporting activities carried out with federal money, a summary of
activities conducted with the Florida State Housing Initiatives Partnership (SHIP)
Program and Pinellas County Housing Trust Fund (PCHTF) Program is also
included in the narrative section. For FY 2020-2021, SHIP fund expenditures
totaled $457,083 and PCHTF fund expenditures totaled $50,183.
The report provides HUD with necessary information for the Department to
meet its requirement to assess each grantee's ability to carry out relevant
Community Planning and Development programs in compliance with all
applicable rules and regulations. It also provides information necessary for
HUD's Annual Report to Congress and it provides grantees an opportunity to
describe to citizens their successes in revitalizing deteriorated neighborhoods
and in meeting objectives stipulated in their Consolidated Planning document.
The City of Clearwater's FY 2020-2021 CAPER contains information on the
City's assessment of the following activities:
- Assessment of Four-Year Goals and Outcomes
- Resources and Investments
- Affordable Housing
- Homeless and Other Special Needs
- Public Housing
- Other Actions to Address Barriers to Affordable Housing
- Monitoring
- CDBG
- HOME
A list of notable accomplishments utilizing federal, state and local funds for FY
2020-2021 include:
- Provided four down payment & closing cost assistance loans totaling
$160,000. This included a deferred loan for a very low-income
household (below 50% of Area Median Income).
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- Assisted Community Service Foundation with the rehabilitation of two
multi-family rental units with a total cost of$120,621.
- Assisted Lexington Club at Renaissance Square with the rehabilitation of
seven multi-family rental units with a total cost of$300,000.
- Provided a total of$514,674 to three organizations for construction of four
single-family homes.
- Expended $288,161 for four Public Facilities projects. Facility
improvements were made to the following: Homeless Emergency
Project's (HEP)Adult homeless shelter (Phases 3 & 4); RCS Pinellas'
Domestic Violence Shelter; Salvation Army's Mallory Powell Social
Services Campus and Directions for Living's headquarters facility.
- Expended $80,332 for operational support for 9 Public Service providers.
Funds were used for case management for HEP's Emergency Shelter
Program; salary support for Kimberly Home's Transitional Housing
Program, Fresh Start Ministries & Mentoring, St. Vincent dePaul's
Community Kitchen & Resource Center, RCS Pinellas' Grace House,
GulfCoast Legal Services, Intercultural Advocacy Institute, and Pinellas
Ex-offender Re-entry Coalition; and Case Management for
WestCare-Florida's A Turning Point facility.
- Provided $57,675 for technical assistance services to Hispanic Business
Initiative Fund of Florida, Inc. dba Prospera and Tampa Bay Black
Business Investment Corporation that assisted 59 entrepreneurs and
businesses.
- Provided $5,110 to three organizations to deliver homebuyer education to
assist 70 Clearwater residents: Clearwater Neighborhood Housing
Services, Tampa Bay Community Development Corporation, and Bright
Community Trust.
- Contributed $100,000 through the city's General Fund to Pinellas Safe
Harbor; $50,000 to Homeless Emergency Project, Inc.; $25,000 to the
Homeless Leadership Alliance; $40,000 to Pinellas Hope; $25,000 to
Hope Villages of America (formerly RCS Pinellas); and $10,000 to The
Salvation Army of Upper Pinellas.
Overall federal, state and local funding assisted 5,800 persons and 84
Households.
On December 14, 2021, the Neighborhood and Affordable Housing Advisory
Board recommended City Council approval of the CAPER as written. The
CAPER is due annually to HUD no later than December 31.
Economic Development and Housing Assistant Director Chuck Lane
provided a PowerPoint presentation.
A suggestion was made that the City should increase its funding to social
service providers.
4. Finance
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4.1 Award a contract for Other Post-Employment Benefits (OPEB) actuarial services for the
five-year period ending December 31, 2026 to Gabriel, Roeder, Smith and Company for
a not-to-exceed total of$72,730 and authorize the appropriate officials to execute same.
(consent)
At least biennially, the City needs a full actuarial calculation of the City's OPEB
liability. A less expensive "roll-forward" calculation is allowed every other year if
there have been no significant changes in OPEB benefits, assumptions, or
experience.
Request for Proposals (RFP) 47-21 was issued in August 2021, with proposals
received in September. The RFP selection committee consisting of the HR
Director, HR Assistant Director, Finance Director, Finance Assistant Director,
and Senior Pension Payroll Analyst, unanimously chose Gabriel, Roeder, Smith
& Company (GRS) from the eight respondents for OPEB actuarial services.
GRS has been the actuary for the OPEB plan since January 2010.
The full OPEB actuarial valuation will be done on a biennial basis with an
abbreviated roll-forward prepared for the off-year when appropriate. The
first-year fee for the full OPEB valuation will be $15,500 and the first-year
roll-forward fee will be $3,750. Subsequent fees will be adjusted annually for
inflation, not to exceed 3% in any year. As needed, additional services will be
provided per various hourly rates provided in the agreement schedule, to be
adjusted annually.
APPROPRIATION CODE AND AMOUNT:
Funds are available and will be budgeted annually in cost code
0109821-530100, Professional Services, to fund this contract.
4.2 Approve a three-year renewal to the current CorVel Healthcare Corporation's Agreement
for the review of Workers Compensation Medical bills and Pharmacy Benefit
Management services in the not-to-exceed amount of$200,000 for term January 1, 2022
through December 31, 2024, pursuant to Clearwater Code of Ordinances Section
2.563(1)(h), Workers Compensation, and authorize the appropriate officials to execute
same. (consent)
In November 2019, Council approved the current pricing agreement with CorVel,
for the term beginning January 1, 2020 through December 31, 2021.-
CorVel has proposed a three-year amendment to the agreement, beginning
January 1, 2022, which will increase the Bill Review Service Fee from $7.32/bill
to $7.54/bill; Field, Telephonic Case Management and Nurse File Reviews will
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increase from $85 to $96/hour; Bill reduction will remain at 28% of savings; the
minimum transaction fee will be $6.03; and the check writing fee will go from
$4.00 to $4.12. The pharmacy benefit savings will change from 7% to 8% on
Brand, and 12% to 25% on Generic, 12% for Brand Mail Order, and 35% for
Generic Mail Order.
Staff is requesting a not-to-exceed amount of$200,000 for the three-year term
January 1, 2022 through December 31, 2024.
APPROPRIATION CODE AND AMOUNT:
Account# 5907590-545800 $200,000.00
In response to questions, Risk Manager Rick Osorio said the City paid
$770,000 in medical bills during the last fiscal year. The City typically
processes 30-50 individual claims annually.
5. Parks and Recreation
5.1 Approve a Locally Funded Agreement between the State of Florida, Department of
Transportation (FDOT), and the City of Clearwater to fund $250,000.00 of design fees for
the State Road 60 (SR 60) Pedestrian Overpass from the Courtney Campbell Trail to
Bayshore Trail and authorize the appropriate officials to execute same. (consent)
Trails are an essential part of the City of Clearwater's multi-modal transportation
and recreation network.
In 2004, the City identified both the Courtney Campbell Causeway Trail and the
Ream Wilson Clearwater Trail, Bayshore segment, as trails needed in the
bicycle and pedestrian master plan. Subsequently, both trails have been
included in the Pinellas County long range transportation plan and have been
funded and completed.
The Courtney Campbell Causeway Trail currently terminates on the south side
of SR 60 connecting to the Ream Wilson Clearwater Trail, Bayshore segment,
on the north side utilizing a signalized pedestrian crosswalk. The current
configuration slows down motor vehicle traffic on SR 60. The proposed
overpass project will provide a safer alternative to the current at grade crossing
for the trail users as well as enhance the traffic flow of motor vehicles on SR 60.
On June 16, 2016, the Council approved supporting the SUN Trail funding to
construct the Courtney Campbell Causeway Trail Overpass, authorized the City
Manager to commit to the transfer of necessary city right-of-way/property for the
project, and authorized the City Manager to execute a Memorandum of
Understanding for maintenance of the overpass upon completion.
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The City desired to be a part of the design team and to assist in funding of the
bridge aesthetics and has verbally committed to funding $1,000,000.00 to the
project for both design and construction costs. The total costs for design work
are $2,049,875.00, of which the City will commit $250,000.00 as part of this
funding agreement. The remaining commitment of up to $750,000.00 to fund
construction costs will be requested of the Council in a separate funding
agreement once the plans are completed and the project is awarded. The
design phase will take approximately one year.
APPROPRIATION CODE AND AMOUNT:
Funds are available in CIP 315-93272 "Bicycle Paths & Bridges."
In response to questions, Parks and Recreation Director Jim Halios said
DOT designed the structure. Staff provided DOT with design input, the
original design called for a cement wall instead of the columns. The ramp
was designed to meet the ADA requirements. Engineering Director Tara
Kivett said the City is not funding the Ham Boulevard pedestrian overpass
but will be responsible for maintaining it. Mr. Halios said in order to provide
input on the aesthetic features of the overpass, the City funded a portion of
the project. The City of Safety Harbor is not contributing to the project.
Staff was directed to take the item off the Consent Agenda.
5.2 Approve a template for a Facility Use Agreement between the City of Clearwater and the
Clearwater Horseshoe Club, Clearwater Lawn Bowls Club and Clearwater Shuffleboard
Club, for the use and supervision of certain city-owned buildings and facilities from
January 1, 2022 through December 31, 2022, with a one-year renewal option, and
authorize the appropriate officials to execute same. (consent)
On August 20, 2015, the City Council approved entering into a Facility Use
Agreement with the Clearwater Horseshoe Club, Clearwater Lawn Bowls Club
and the Clearwater Shuffleboard Club for the use and supervision of certain
city-owned facilities used for their various recreational activities.
The current agreement with the corresponding groups expired on September
30, 2021. The clubs have expressed their desire to extend their relationship with
the City by entering into a new agreement. By approving the Facility Use
Agreement template, the Parks and Recreation Department may utilize a single
agreement format with each adult group.
The City, as allowed by available funding of the Parks and Recreation
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Department, shall provide financial support in the form of reimbursement of
stormwater fees where applicable, and up to $2,500 towards operating
expenses for the maintenance of courts and equipment as part of these
agreements. The City will provide landscape and maintenance services, as
well as capital improvements to the properties. Each group is required to
provide an annual report of activities consisting of the number of clients served,
costs of such service, commentary on the viability, effectiveness, and trends
affecting the program and success of same.
The Clearwater Lawn Bowls and Shuffleboard Clubs have been active in
Clearwater for over 55 years, while the Horseshoe Club has offered programs
at Ed Wright Park for over 35 years. All three of these adult groups continue to
provide recreational opportunities to the citizens of Clearwater in their specific
specialty.
APPROPRIATION CODE AND AMOUNT:
Funds are available in various Parks and Recreation Programming operating
budgets and will be budgeted accordingly in future budget cycles.
Staff was directed to provide a copy of the annual reports submitted by each
club.
5.3 Authorize Guaranteed Maximum Price proposals to Keystone Excavators, Inc. of
Oldsmar, FL, in the amount of$2,151,361.10 and Certus Builders of Bristol, FL, in the
amount of$431,991.00, each of which includes a 10% contingency, for renovations and
improvements of Del Oro Park and new trail head located at 401 N. McMullen Booth
Road, pursuant to Request for Qualifications (RFQ) 40-20, Construction Manager at Risk
Services Continuing Contracts; capital improvement project transfers of$786,000.00
from ENST180005, Coastal Basin; $400,000.00 from C2209, Neighborhood Parks; and
$1,050,000.00 from 93272, Bicycle Trails/Bridges to project 93667, Del Oro Park
Renovations, and authorize the appropriate officials to execute same. (consent)
On September 17, 2020, Council approved the use of thirteen firms to serve as
Construction Managers at Risk (CMAR) for Continuing Contracts under RFQ
40-20 and Keystone Excavators, Inc., and Certus Builders were selected as
two of the approved firms.
Del Oro Park is a neighborhood park (24.16 ac) that has served the recreational
needs of the residents in the eastern portion of Clearwater and surrounding
communities for over 50 years. One of the most beautiful parts of the Ream
Wilson Trail runs through Del Oro Park to Tampa Bay and the connection to
either Safety Harbor or the Courtney Campbell Causeway.
Due to this ideal location on the trail, the City purchased two parcels adjacent to
and north of Del Oro Park to be developed into a trail head for the Ream Wilson
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Trail and other trails in the community. Part of this project will be to construct
the new trail head which will consist of restrooms, parking, covered shelter,
water fountain, air pumping station, bike racks and other park amenities.
The park has seen heavy use by the neighborhood as well as persons from
outside the Del Oro Park area, therefore a project was established to make
needed renovations to the park and to address flooding issues for several
homes on the south side of the park on Bordeaux Lane. This project will relieve
flooding for approximately 9 homes south of the park as well as address
overflow into neighborhood streets. This is an excellent example of where the
Engineering and Parks and Recreation Departments have collaborated to
address needs of both departments.
Staff has worked closely with the Del Oro Homeowners Association, residents
south of the park, the Engineering Department and the City's Neighborhood
Coordinator to develop a plan to renovate the park and address the drainage
issues.
Keystone Excavators Inc. will be responsible for the majority of the work which
includes all sitework needed for the project, construction of stormwater
improvements, basketball court, tennis courts, parking lot, sidewalks etc.
Certus Builders will construct the restroom shelter building and install shade
structures in the park.
The remaining items needed to complete the park renovation project include
cost of sodding, fencing and park furniture which will be procured in the future
using existing vendors/contracts. To establish total project funding staff is
recommending project budget transfers identified in this agenda item. The funds
being transferred were planned for this purpose, budgeted in other "umbrella"
projects while the details and timeline of the Del Oro Park renovations were
developed.
This is a 270-day contract which is anticipated to begin in January and be
completed by late October 2022.
APPROPRIATION CODE AND AMOUNT:
A first quarter budget amendments will transfer$786,000.00 of stormwater
revenue from ENST180005, Coastal Basins; $400,000.00 of sales tax
infrastructure revenue (Penny for Pinellas) from C2209, Neighborhood Parks;
and $1,050,000.00 of sales tax infrastructure revenue (Penny for Pinellas) from
93272, Bicycle Trails/Bridges to project 93667, Del Oro Park Renovations to
provide total project funding.
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The Council recessed from 11:07 a.m. to 11:14 a.m.
6. Police Department
6.1 Approve an ancillary agreement with Axon Enterprise, Inc. of Scottsdale, AZ, in the
amount of$375,074.99, for the purchase of additional body camera equipment, digital
evidence storage and management, licensing, and training, in accordance with City Code
of Ordinances Section 2.563(1)(c), Piggyback; and authorize the appropriate officials to
execute same. (consent)
In 2018, Request for Proposal (RFP) 29-18, Digital Evidence Management
System was issued to create operational efficiencies regarding evidence
location/retention, address public records requests, and aggregate and control
property disposals relating to electronic evidence or items which could be
digitized. The RFP Committee, comprised of members from Clearwater Police
Department's (CPD) Property/Evidence unit, Records unit, CPD management,
and the City's Information Technology Department evaluated proposals
received from six vendors and shortlisted two for further review. Following
presentations, the selection committee made an intent to award to Axon
Enterprise, Inc. (Axon) which was approved by Council on February 7, 2019.
The agreement provides for a Digital Evidence Management System which
supplies a common platform for all department employees and allows CPD to
share records with the State Attorney's Office, private attorneys, and citizens.
This program was also anticipated to be the foundational system to develop and
implement a Police Body Worn Camera (BWC) program.
On April 18, 2019, Council approved CPD's request to incorporate five interview
room cameras and one Driving Under the Influence (DUI) room camera into the
Digital Evidence Management System. Subsequent to this, CPD has added
several in-cruiser video systems which are directly compatible with this system.
In July 2020, the City Council directed the Police Department to incorporate a
BWC program. The proposed BWC program was also a product of the Axon
and works in integration with the Digital Evidence Management System.
In August 2020, the City Council approved an agreement, to provide 200 Axon
"Body 3" cameras, docking bays, storage, licensing, and training to fulfill the July
2020 directive. The BWC program was launched in January 2021 primarily to
our uniformed personnel.
CPD now seeks to expand the BWC program to all sworn personnel. As a
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Council Work Session Meeting Minutes December 13, 2021
result, CPD is now seeking approval for 45 additional Axon "Body 3" cameras,
docking bays, storage, and applicable licensing. This will provide a body worn
camera to each detective, as well as managerial and command ranks of CPD.
The pricing included in this agreement was competitively solicited and obtained
through the National Purchasing Partners (NPP), contract number VH11629,
Law Enforcement Equipment, a national resource for public entities for similar
public solicitations; the City of Clearwater is a participating member in this
partnership.
This ancillary 44-month agreement will align the additional cameras with the
existing five-year BWC agreement with Axon Enterprise, Inc. Costs for the
initial year, specific to this ancillary agreement, are $93,768.75; annual recurring
costs for years 2 through 4, specific to the BWC are $281,306.25 in total.
CPD has funding available for the first year of this agreement. Future fiscal
year funding will be required through the annual Operating Budget Process.
APPROPRIATION CODE AND AMOUNT:
A first quarter budget amendment will transfer$40,455 from special program
181-99387, Federal Forfeiture Sharing, and $53,314 from the Police
Department operating budget to special program P2002, Police Body Worn
Camera Program to fund the first year of this agreement. Future years of this
agreement will be an annual increase of$93,768.75 to the Police Department
operating budget.
chief
7. Engineering
7.1 Award a construction contract to TLC Diversified, of Palmetto, FL, for the 2021 Annual
Water and Reclaimed Water Repair and Improvements (21-0025-UT) in the amount of
$6,000,000 for an initial one-year term with an option for three one-year renewals on a
unit price basis for a total contract value of$24,000,000, per Invitation to Bid (ITB)
21-0025-UT, and authorize the appropriate officials to execute same. (consent)
ITB 21-0025-UT obtained competitive prices to establish multi-year contracts
for as-needed repairs for potable water and reclaimed water infrastructure
improvements.
TLC Diversified will be contracted to perform Group A - Water and Reclaimed
Water Infrastructure Repairs and Improvements for an amount not to exceed
$6,000,000.00 per one-year term.
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Council Work Session Meeting Minutes December 13, 2021
The City of Clearwater will direct contractors to high priority areas as
established in the Public Utilities Department Capital Improvement Plan, the
Potable Water System Master Plan, and the future Reclaimed Water Master
Plan.
Construction is anticipated to be a one-year term with an option for three
one-year renewals on a unit price basis (total of up to four years).
The City of Clearwater Public Utilities Department is responsible for owning,
operating, and maintaining potable water and reclaimed water systems.
APPROPRIATION CODE AND AMOUNT:
3217321-546900-96721 $4,200,000
3277327-546900-96784 $1,400,000
3277327-546900-96665 $ 400,000
First quarter budget amendments will transfer amounts from Capital
Improvement Project of$3,600,000 from 3217321-96722, Line Relocation, to
3217321-96721, System R&R, and $1,000,000 from Utility Renewal and
Replacement project 3277327-96722, Line Relocation-Maint, to 3277327-96784,
Reclaimed Distribution System.
Additional funds are available in amounts of$600,000 from Capital Improvement
Project 3217321-96721, System R&R, and from Utility Renewal and
Replacement Projects in amounts of$400,000 in 3277327-96784, Reclaimed
Distribution System and $400,000 in 3277327-96665, Sanitary Sewer R&R, to
fund the initial one-year contract and will be included in FY2023 through FY2025
Capital Improvement Program for future renewals in the amount of$6,000,000
per year.
7.2 Approve the conveyance of a Utility Easement to Spectrum Sunshine State, LLC for the
installation, operation, and maintenance of electric facilities at the City's State Street
Park, whose address is 1971 North Betty Lane, and authorize the appropriate officials to
execute same. (consent)
As a condition to the City passing Ordinance 9517-21, vacating a portion of
State Street that abuts the City's State Street Park, the City is required to
grant easements to the private utility companies in order to support existing
and future utility needs.
This easement provides Spectrum with the necessary property rights to
maintain and support their needs over the vacated portion.
City staff supports the conveyance of this easement.
7.3 Approve the conveyance of a Utility Easement to Frontier Florida LLC for the installation,
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Council Work Session Meeting Minutes December 13, 2021
operation, and maintenance of communication facilities at the City's State Street Park,
whose address is 1971 North Betty Lane, and authorize the appropriate officials to
execute same. (consent)
As a condition to the City passing Ordinance 9517-21, vacating a portion of
State Street that abuts the City's State Street Park, the City is required to
grant easements to the private utility companies in order to support existing
and future utility needs.
This easement provides Frontier with the necessary property rights to
maintain and support their needs over the vacated portion.
8. Information Technology
8.1 Approve a Renewal of License and Maintenance Services Agreement with Environmental
Systems Research Institute (ESRI) of Redwood, CA, for mapping and land management
software licensing and maintenance in an amount not to exceed $285,000.00, which
includes a contingency, pursuant to Clearwater Code of Ordinances Section 2.563 (1)(d),
Non-competitive purchases (impractical), and authorize the appropriate officials to
execute same. (consent)
ESRI software is the City's mapping software and is used by all departments for
mapping, land records management, infrastructure tracking, spatial tracking,
dispatching and spatial analysis.
This agreement is for a three-year term beginning January 1, 2022 through
December 31, 2024.
Software licensing includes all webservices and development tools for the
customization and creation of applications and display of data.
APPROPRIATION CODE AND AMOUNT:
Funds are budgeted and available in the Information Technology operating
budget, cost codes 5559864-530300 (contractual services) for planned
expenditures in the current fiscal year. Expenditures for future fiscal years will
be budgeted in the same line item of the IT Admin Services budget.
8.2 Approve an Agreement with Invoice Cloud, Inc., Braintree, MA to provide electronic bill
presentment and payment services for the City of Clearwater Utility Customer Service
Department, from January 1, 2022 through December 31, 2024, in accordance with
Clearwater Code of Ordinances Section 2.563 (1)(a), Single Source, and authorize the
appropriate officials to execute same. (consent)
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Council Work Session Meeting Minutes December 13, 2021
The City of Clearwater has used Kubra Systems for the past four years for its
bill presentment and payment solution provider for the Utility Customer Service
(UCS) Department. Kubra was selected in August 2016 in response to a
Request for Proposal (43-16).
Over the past four years, Kubra, while functional, has not fulfilled all contractual
expectations and has provided unsatisfactory response to several requests for
reports and support from UCS. Invoice Cloud was the second ranked
respondent during the original RFP process and has since formed a partnership
with Cayenta (current Utility Billing System vendor) for online billing and
payment processing.
The agreement will commence on January 1, 2022. The initial term of the
Agreement will be for a three-year term, unless otherwise terminated pursuant
to the Agreement. Thereafter, the Agreement may be renewed for two one-year
renewal terms upon mutual written consent of both parties.
Customers paying with Check or Credit/Debit Card will be charged a $2.95
convenience fee (both online and via phone-IVR).
Customers will still have access to `no-cost' payment options, including
walkup/in person payments, check via mail, and auto-debit.
Invoice Cloud offers:
• Real-time payment option to reduce unnecessary service shutoffs due
to last-minute payments
• Pay-by-Text: Allows customers to complete payment transactions from
the convenience of their mobile device
• Secure a-Mail Delivery & Payment: securely receive, review, and send
payment through their email
• Automatic alerts to customers, reminding them to make payment
• Real-time balance updates when online and IVR payments are made
In response to questions, IT Director Dan Mayer said the City will continue to
offer free payment options. Customers paying via direct debit or in
person will not pay a convenience fee. Those paying via credit card or debit
card will be charged a $2.95 convenience fee.
9. Solid Waste
9.1 Authorize a partial amendment and assignment of site license agreement between the
City of Clearwater and the L3Harris Technologies, Inc, a Delaware corporation, as
successor in interest to M/A-COM Private Radio Systems, Inc., on behalf of its affiliates
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Council Work Session Meeting Minutes December 13, 2021
and subsidiaries and the State of Florida, Department of Management Services, an
agency of the State of Florida, where this partial assignment and amendment is agreed
to by the City of Clearwater, a municipal corporation of the state of Florida, and authorize
the appropriate officials to execute same. (consent)
In 2002, a Tower Agreement was signed and gave M/A-COM, now 1-31-larris, the
right to use the city property for a communications tower that has been used as
part of the Statewide Law Enforcement Radio System (SLERS). SLERS is the
digital radio network that was built and maintained by 1-31-larris and its
predecessors for the past 20 years and provides radio voice communications
for state law enforcement officers as well as first responders from participating
state and local agencies throughout the state. The original 2002 SLERS
agreement between the State and 1-31-larris to own and operate SLERS for the
benefit of the State ended in June 2021 and a new 15-year SLERS agreement
was entered into in June between the State and 1-31-larris. Pursuant to the new
SLERS agreement, 1-31-larris will continue to operate and maintain SLERS for
the State. As part of the new agreement, 1-31-larris is also required to assign and
transfer all tower leases (where 1-31-larris is a tenant) from 1-31-larris to the State
which includes the Tower Agreement between the City and 1-31-larris.
In addition to the Assignment of Tower Agreement, the City is being asked to
join in and sign the Assignment of Lease document to amend the Tower
Agreement to include provisions that must be in every State of Florida lease as
required by Florida law to include: (1) creating the ability for the State to pay the
leases in advance each month; (2) adding the contingency that funds must be
appropriated each year by the State Legislature for the State to pay the Tower
Agreement rent; (3) using Florida law as the governing law for the Tower
Agreement; (4) noting that the State of Florida is self-insured for some
insurance requirements; (5) adding the requirement for every State of Florida
vendor contract that the vendor must cooperate with an Inspector General audit
(if one is ever started); and (6) adding the new DMS contract manager
information for notice purposes.
10. Official Records and Legislative Services
10.1Approve an agreement with Pinellas County Supervisor of Elections to conduct the City's
March 15, 2022 General Election, in the amount of$141, 532.88, and authorize the
appropriate officials to execute same. (consent)
The City of Clearwater contracts the Pinellas County Supervisor of Elections
(SOE) to conduct its elections. The SOE is responsible for the hiring and
training of poll workers, voting equipment, ballots, and publishing the
Canvassing Board Meeting/Testing Schedule.
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Council Work Session Meeting Minutes December 13, 2021
APPROPRIATION CODE AND AMOUNT:
Funds are available in cost code 0109700 530100, Supervisor of Elections 2022
General Election, to fund this contract.
In response to a question, the City Clerk said requesting the City's state
lobbying team to host a town hall on the upcoming legislative session would
be outside of their scope of services. She said she is coordinating with the
lobbyists to provide Council with a pre-session report.
11. Legal
11.1Adopt Ordinance 9516-21 on second reading, vacating public right-of-way described as
that certain portion of North Osceola Avenue lying west of the west boundary of Block 2,
Jones' Subdivision of Nicholson's Addition to Clearwater Harbor as recorded in Plat
Book 1, Page 19 of the Public Records of Hillsborough County, of which Pinellas County
was formerly a part, and lying east of the e3ast boundary of Block 1 of said Jones'
Subdivision of Nicholson's Addition to Clearwater Harbor, and lying east of the east
boundary of a portion of Lot B, Clovis C. Lutz Subdivision as recorded in Plat Book 35,
Page 76 of the Public Records of Pinellas County, Florida.
11.2Adopt Ordinance 9517-21 on second reading, vacating public right-of-way described as
that certain portion of State Street abutting Lot 11 and Lot 18 of E.A. Marshall
Subdivision as recorded in Plat Book 3, Page 44 of the Public Records of Pinellas
County, Florida.
12. City Manager Verbal Reports
The City Manager said staff has identified 211 sidewalk issues throughout
the city. Eighty-three of them will be fixed by January. He said 97 sidewalks
are impacted by trees, Parks and Recreation staff will notify residents that
the City may need to remove and replace trees impacting the sidewalk. He
said staff is working on a policy that will limit new trees adjacent to a public
right-of-way to species with a non-invasive root structure. Staff anticipates
addressing all identified sidewalk issues within the next 4 to 6 months.
He, said he, the City Attorney and Mayor Hibbard met with David Miscavige
a few weeks ago about working more collaboratively on the Cleveland
Street corridor. He said the conversations have been honest and
productive. In order for the City to move forward, it must develop a
partnership with the Church of Scientology, as stated in the 2014 ULI study,
to improve Downtown. He said he hopes to bring a proposal for council
consideration that will enable the City to work collaboratively with the
Church on their real estate holdings soon. He said staff will present
a proposal for a new city hall on the vacant land adjacent to the Municipal
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Council Work Session Meeting Minutes December 13, 2021
Services Building and financing package in the next couple of months. The
proposal will allow staff to streamline services for residents and be more
efficient. The City Manager said a strategic planning process community
forum will be held tonight via Zoom from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. He wished
Denise Sanderson a happy birthday and offered best wishes to Joelle
Castelli for celebrating a milestone birthday.
13. City Attorney Verbal Reports
The City Attorney said Council will need to appoint a representative to the
Pinellas County Opioid Task Force. The committee will discuss
recommendations regarding the disposition of settlement funds. He said the
appointed individuals may be a council member or staff.
He said future council discussion regarding amending Council Rules to
allow remote attendance will be scheduled. The Council's current practice
does not permit remote attendance at a council meeting.
14. Council Discussion Item
14.1 PSTA/Forward Pinellas Update - Councilmember Allbritton
Councilmember Allbritton said PSTA will purchase 60 electric buses over
the next five years. PSTA received government funding 12 years ago to
purchase sixty buses which were purchased all at the same time, creating a
replacement issue now. PSTA currently has 6 electric buses and is
determined to meet the promise of a zero emissions fleet by 2050. In
January 2021, PSTA adopted a sustainable strategic plan that provides a
road map to the agency's sustainability goals to increase the agency's use
of renewable resources, they are exploring an opportunity to partner with
Duke Energy to consider solar panels at PS TA's headquarters.
15. 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).
Councilmember Beckman said in January she would like to discuss the
legislative priorities updates on the City's website and asked if resident
engagement could be tracked. The City Clerk said she would provide Public
Communications legislative updates from our lobbyist during the session
and said social media can be used whenever there is a request for
action. In response to a question, the City Clerk said any official position on
a legislative item or issue needs to come from Council.
16. Closing Comments by Mayor
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Council Work Session Meeting Minutes December 13, 2021
Mayor Hibbard requested a discussion on the policy recognizing sports
achievements as it does not address public vs private schools. He said
Clearwater resident Bobby Fink won a gold medal at the 2020 Olympics and
the Calvary High School Girls Volleyball Team won the state
championship. Public Communications Director Joelle Castelli said there is
a recognition sign for Bobby Fink on the Courtney Campbell Causeway.
17. Adjourn
The meeting adjourned at 11:48 a.m.
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