12/16/2021 City Council Meeting Minutes December 16, 2021
City of Clearwater
Main Library- Council Chambers
100 N. Osceola Avenue
Clearwater, FL 33755
m
Meeting Minutes
Thursday, December 16, 2021
6:00 PM
Main Library - Council Chambers
City Council
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City of Clearwater
City Council Meeting Minutes December 16, 2021
Roll Call
Present: 4 - Mayor Frank Hibbard, Councilmember David Allbritton,
Councilmember Mark Bunker and Councilmember Kathleen Beckman
Absent: 1 - Vice Mayor Hoyt Hamilton
Also Present: Jon Jennings — City Manager, Micah Maxwell —Assistant City
Manager, Michael Delk—Assistant City Manager, David Margolis -
City Attorney, Rosemarie Call — City Clerk, 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 6:00 p.m.
2. Invocation — Mayor Hibbard
3. Pledge of Allegiance
4. Special recognitions and Presentations (Proclamations, service awards, or other
special recognitions. Presentations by governmental agencies or groups providing
formal updates to Council will be limited to ten minutes.) — Given.
4.1 December Service Awards
One service award was presented to a city employee.
The November/December Bionthly Team Award was presented to the
Water Distribution Team: Fred Hemerick, Deane Murray, Ike George,
Keron Johnson, Torey Castleberry, Sr., Dan McGuinnes, and Michael
Vacca.
4.2 Clearwater Chapter of the National Society Sons of the American Revolution Day—
January 12, 2022 - Harry Fuller, SAR
5. Approval of Minutes
5.1 Approve the minutes of the December 2, 2021 City Council Meeting as submitted in
written summation by the City Clerk.
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City Council Meeting Minutes December 16, 2021
Councilmember Allbritton moved to approve the minutes of the
December 2, 2021 City Council Meeting as submitted in written
summation by the City Clerk. The motion was duly seconded and
carried unanimously.
6. Citizens to be heard re items not on the agenda
Dan Pari, Sandra Stonemark, Aleksandra Vangeli, Robert McKee, Emeil
Khalil, and Angie Quiroz opposed the anticipated temporary closure of
the Enterprise Dog Park and requested consideration for a partial
closure.
Chris Hardman and Louis Jorgl opposed the prospective sale of the
Clearwater YMCA and suggested that the City consider acquiring the
property for Parks and Recreation to manage.
Daniel Holuba expressed concerns with a Clearwater Police Officer for
inappropriate and unbecoming behavior of a police officer.
Laura Ruiz, Melvin Audaz, Kira Rivera, Patrick Mason, and Pauline
Harshberger submitted emails opposing the four-month closure of
Enterprise Dog Park which were read into the record by the City Clerk
(seepages 17-21).
Jane Standen Bolton submitted an eComment regarding the City
forming a partnership with Scientology that was read into the record by
the City Clerk (see page 25).
In response to concerns and questions raised regarding the temporary
closure of the Enterprise Dog Park, Parks and Recreation Director Jim
Halios said the park is located in a residential area and has only one
ingress and egress. The parking area will be used as a laydown area
during renovation and will not be accessible to the public. If partial access is
provided during renovation, parking will be an issue as the only way to
access the park would be through the abutting neighborhood, where parking
is not available. He said parking has always been an issue at park,
individuals park in the right-of-way or on private property. Heavy equipment
will be used to regrade the paths, raising safety concerns. Staff was unable
to configure a partial closing when there is only one main entrance.
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City Council Meeting Minutes December 16, 2021
7. Consent Agenda — Approved as submitted, less Item 7.1.
7.1 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)
See below.
7.2 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)
7.3 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)
7.4 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)
7.5 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)
7.6 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)
7.7 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
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City Council Meeting Minutes December 16, 2021
$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)
7.8 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)
7.9 Approve the conveyance of a Utility Easement to Frontier Florida LLC for the installation,
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)
7.10Approve 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)
7.11Approve 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)(d), Non-competitive purchases
(impractical), and authorize the appropriate officials to execute same. (consent)
7.12Authorize 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
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)
7.13Approve 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)
Councilmember Beckman moved to approve the Consent Agenda
as submitted, less Item 7.1, and authorize the appropriate officials to
execute same. The motion was duly seconded and carried
unanimously.
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7.1Adopt 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
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 commuity 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 traditons established through the city's programs
and initiatives.
One individual supported connecting artists/creatives with financial
opportunities in the community.
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City Council Meeting Minutes December 16, 2021
Councilmember Allbritton moved to 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. The motion was duly seconded and carried
unanimously.
Public Hearings - Not before 6:00 PM
8. Administrative Public Hearings
8.1 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
zoning districts.
(f) The reduction of parking and setback requirements for affordable
housing.
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(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
housing
o Continue to assess the financial, legal, and administrative
feasibility of reducing, refunding, or redefining (by unit size) the
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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.
One individual questioned if affordable housing in this community will be
environmentally built to be economically stable for the residents and if
handicap access will be considered as well.
Economic Development and Housing Assistant Director Chuck Lane
said if it known that the end user has a need for an ADA accessible unit,
an accessible unit is built.
Councilmember Beckman moved to accept the 2021 Local Housing
Incentive Strategy (LHIS) Report developed by the Affordable
Housing Advisory Committee (AHAC). The motion was duly
seconded and carried unanimously.
8.2 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.
Councilmember Bunker moved to approve the City of Clearwater's
Fiscal Year 2020-2021 Consolidated Annual Performance and
Evaluation Report. The motion was duly seconded and carried
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unanimously.
9. Second Readings - Public Hearing
9.1 Adopt 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.
Ordinance 9516-21 was presented and read by title only.
Councilmember Allbritton moved to adopt Ordinance 9516-21 on
second and final reading. The motion was duly seconded and upon
roll call, the vote was:
Ayes: 4 - Mayor Hibbard, Councilmember Allbritton, Councilmember Bunker
and Councilmember Beckman
9.2 Adopt 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.
Ordinance 9517-21 was presented and read by title only.
Councilmember Beckman moved to adopt Ordinance 9517-21 on
second and final reading. The motion was duly seconded and upon
roll call, the vote was:
Ayes: 4 - Mayor Hibbard, Councilmember Allbritton, Councilmember Bunker
and Councilmember Beckman
10. City Manager Reports
10.1Approve 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.
In order to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions and meet the goals laid out in
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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
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.
In response to questions, the City Manager said staff is recommending to
continue the item because more research is needed. He said he is
recommending the item be continued to the first council meeting in
February, providing an opportunity for staff to renegotiate contract
parameters. He said staff is in the process of hiring an Innovation and
Energy Manager, who will help with this process.
Discussion ensued with a concern expressed that each day the City
delays implementing an energy savings program, it is savings lost.
One individual supported further evaluation of the contract but
recommended moving forward as soon as possible.
Two individuals spoke in support.
One individual submitted an email supporting Item 10.1 that was read
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into the record by the City Clerk (see page 22).
One individual spoke in opposition.
The City Attorney recommended continuing the item to a certain date or
a date uncertain.
Councilmember Allbritton moved to continue Item 10.1 to a date
uncertain. The motion was seconded and carried with the following
vote:
Ayes: 3 - Mayor Hibbard, Councilmember Allbritton and Councilmember Bunker
Nays: 1 - Councilmember Beckman
10.2Approve 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.
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.
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
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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."
The City Manager requested the item be continued to allow staff to
respond to questions raised by Council.
One individual spoke in support.
Councilmember Bunker moved to continue Item 10.2 to a date
uncertain. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously.
11. City Attorney Reports — None.
12. Closing comments by Councilmembers (limited to 3 minutes)
Councilmember Allbritton wished all a safe and Merry Christmas and Happy
Holidays.
Councilmember Beckman thanked Amplify Clearwater and other groups for
working hard to make downtown a festive place, there are lots of activities for
families and there is momentum and positive energy. She said it takes time
to build awareness and momentum. She thanked staff for their work and
wished all a joyful holiday.
Councilmember Bunker said he is skeptical of the City entering into a
partnership with Scientology and he thinks the citizens of Clearwater need to
be asked about any arrangements. He said it could be beneficial or the kiss
of death to have David Miscavige over downtown. He wished all a wonderful
Christmas and holiday season.
13. Closing Comments by Mayor
The Mayor thanked the neighborhoods who hosted holiday parties and
thanked Parks and Recreation, Police, and Fire for their work and
participation in the festivities. He thanked Councilmembers for their work and
said he thinks they accomplished a lot this year and there is more to come
next year. He thanked staff for their hard work and commitment and said
Clearwater staff is the best in the business. He said he was pleased City
Manager Jon Jennings and City Attorney Daivd Margolis are off to a strong
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City of Clearwater
City Council
14. Adjourn
Meeting Minutes December 16, 2021
start. He said he attended Bill Home's interment at Arlington National
Cemetery last week and it was a beautiful ceremony that honored him well;
we were fortunate to have him and he said he is glad he is at rest in
Arlington. He wished all a great holiday and to be safe.
The meeting adjourned at 7:32 p.m.
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City of Clearwater
Page 16
CaII, Rosemarie
From: Laura Ruiz <Itruizrivera@gmail.com>
Sent: Wednesday, December 15, 2021 4:56 PM
To: ClearwaterCouncil
Subject: Please Don't Close Enterprise Dog Park!
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the City of Clearwater. Do not click links or open attachments unless you
recognize the sender and know the content is safe.
Dear City Council,
I understand that the city is considering closing Enterprise Dog Park for 4 months. Please do not close the park for such a
long period of time! My dog, Sasha, and I love the park and visit it often. It is a gem to dogs and dog parents in the
community. It is so unique - the largest dog park I have visited in Florida, by far. Besides its sheer size, Sasha and I also
appreciate the shade provided by the trees, as well as the intricate maze of bushes to explore. Sasha loves running
through the brush, chasing squirrels. Enterprise Dog Park is her happy place.
Shutting down such a high quality park would seriously impair the quality of Sasha's life for a while. There are no other
dog parks quite like this one in the neighborhood. Please consider other options besides closure.
Thank you very much.
Laura Ruiz Rivera
13584 Feather Sound Cir W
Clearwater, FL 33762
CaII, Rosemarie
From: Melvin Audaz <melvinaudaz@gmail.com>
Sent: Wednesday, December 15, 2021 4:58 PM
To: ClearwaterCouncil
Subject: Please Don't Close Enterprise Dog Park!
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the City of Clearwater. Do not click links or open attachments unless you
recognize the sender and know the content is safe.
My dog and I love Enterprise Dog Park and don't know what we would do without it for 4 months. Please reconsider!
Thank you.
Melvin Audaz
13584 Feather Sound Cir W
Clearwater, FL 33762
1
CaII, Rosemarie
From: Kira N Rivera <kirarivera@icloud.com>
Sent: Wednesday, December 15, 2021 4:59 PM
To: ClearwaterCouncil
Subject: Concern over Enterprise Dog Park Closure
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the City of Clearwater. Do not click links or open attachments unless you
recognize the sender and know the content is safe.
Hello, I wanted to formally express my concern over the Enterprise Dog park closure for over 4 months. That is way too
long.
Kira N Rivera
787-590-9282
Sent from my iPhone
1
Call, Rosemarie
From: Patrick Mason <patrick.mason8@gmail.com>
Sent: Wednesday, December 15, 2021 6:07 PM
To: ClearwaterCouncil
Subject: Enterprise Dog Park Closure
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the City of Clearwater. Do not click links or open attachments unless you
recognize the sender and know the content is safe.
To whom it may concern,
I noticed a worrying sign at the Enterprise Dog Park announcing a 4 month closure of the park beginning in January. This
seems very suspicious to me and I'm assuming this is some kind of ploy to close it quietly and sell the land. Please let me
know if this is not the case, I just don't understand what kind of dog park maintenance or renovation could take that
long.
I think this would be a very poor decision as it is the busiest park in the area and hundreds if not thousands of dogs and
dog families enjoy that park on a regular basis. I just wanted to make my voice heard and hope you reconsider.
Sincerely,
Patrick Mason
1
Call, Rosemarie
From: pharshberger@yahoo.com
Sent: Thursday, December 16, 2021 12:21 AM
To: ClearwaterCouncil
Subject: Fw: Enterprise Dog Park Closing for Maintenance
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the City of Clearwater. Do not click links or open attachments unless you
recognize the sender and know the content is safe.
My email to you bounced because of a typo in the email address, but I want you to have the comment
even though it is too late.
Forwarded Message
From: pharshberger@yahoo.com <pharshberger@yahoo.com>
To: ClearwaterCoucil@myclearwater.com<clearwatercoucil@myclearwater.com>
Sent: Wednesday, December 15, 2021, 02:26:42 PM EST
Subject: Enterprise Dog Park Closing for Maintenance
Dear City of Clearwater Council Members,
I am writing to express my opposition to the lengthy closure of Enterprise Dog Park for
maintenance. I believe 4 months is too long to deny access this extremely popular and well attended
park, especially during the best months of the year.
I am a full time resident of Safety Harbor and have been going to Enterprise Dog Park on a nearly
daily basis since it opened. Over the years, I have talked to people who actually relocated to
Clearwater just to live near this dog park. It is truly a unique asset to Clearwater. Small "box" dog
parks with little or no shade are not acceptable - we need off leash walking trails in natural settings.
I cannot imagine what maintenance would be undertaken that would require 4 months of work. Such
a long closure of this park would be a severe hardship to those of us who frequent the park. I hope
you will, at a minimum, consider doing the maintenance in shorter (1 month) increments spaced out
over the year.
Please do not close Enterprise Dog Park for 4 months.
Sincerely,
Pauline D. Harshberger
pharshberger@yahoo.com
1
CaII, Rosemarie
From: Marita Lynch <maritalynch@gmail.com>
Sent: Tuesday, December 14, 2021 10:50 PM
To: Allbritton, David; Beckman, Kathleen; Boyle, Sheridan; Bunker, Mark; Call, Rosemarie;
Hamilton, Hoyt; Hibbard, Frank; Kessler, Sarah; david.albritton@myclearwater.com
Subject: Cenergistic
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the City of Clearwater. Do not click links or open attachments unless you
recognize the sender and know the content is safe.
Good evening
I would like to thank the Council for my recent re -appointment to the Environmental Advisory Board. I have enjoyed
serving the last few years and I look forward to serving four more years. Climate change and its impact is the biggest
existential challenge of our time and we have a moral responsibility to our children and grandchildren to put every effort
into ameliorating this threat.
I am writing tonight in support of the Cenergistic proposal. I watched their Monday presentation and I think their
approach of changing behavior and culture to support sustainability is, to quote Mr. Hamilton, "the direction we need to
go in."
I would like to address the concerns raised by Mayor Hibbard and Mark Bunker.
Mayor, I heard you quote your father at a previous Council meeting and what I remember is that he said "price fades,
quality stays." I was very impressed by that because it is so true and so forward looking. The approach of Cenergistic will
not only improve the current state but it will have a lasting impact into the future as the culture of sustainability is
ingrained into people and systems. The dollars that the city will save and use to pay Cenergistic will have a long term
benefit. That, to me, is money very well spent.
Mark Bunker, during the meeting, you pulled up a quick Google search, which I did as well. Then I asked Sheridan for
information on how they vetted Cenergistic. She sent me many documents showing the research, interviews and
scoring that the staff did of Cenergistic and their competitors. All of these made clear that city staff has done their due
diligence and more in evaluating options for the city, and have used data and fact based methodology to decide on
Cenergistic.
In a previous life, I did process improvement in healthcare systems across the United States. There is an old maxim
regarding the difficulty of effecting change: "culture eats strategy for lunch." However, based on the testimonials from
Cenergistic customers, they have been able to implement and, more impressively, maintain change that benefits all of
us.
I will not be able to attend the meeting Thursday night. Ms.Call, could you please read these words during the public
comment portion of the meeting? I don't think it will take more than three minutes.
I sincerely hope that the contract with Cenergistic will be approved Thursday night.
Thank you
Marita Lynch
727-741-8891
1
a
Marita
727-741-8891
2
City Council on 2021-12-16 6:00 PM
Meeting Time: 12-16-21 18:00
eComments Report
City Council on 2021-12-16 6:00 PM 12-16-21 38
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City Council on 2021-12-16 6:00 PM
12-16-21 18:00
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Jane Standen Bolton
Location:
Submitted At: 11:05am 12-14-21
I was absolutely horrified to hear at the work session on Monday words from Mr Jennings that he thinks he can
form a partnership with Scientology and Mr Miscavige. So many of us breathed a sigh of relief when he was
chosen as city manager as we thought he actually 'got it', that he had done his research and understood that this
was a dangerous, evil force in downtown, a force only interested in its own wants and needs, a force that had no
interest in creating a vibrant city, or in fact creating a city that contained anyone other than high level
Scientologists. There are thousands of people, more ex Scientologists than there are current ones in fact, who
know how this evil organisation works, yet time and time again it seems like those on the outside with no real
understanding think they know better. Scientology has never, and will never, want a partnership with the city, until
city leadership understand this things will only get worse. This man and his criminal organisation are never to be
trusted. There will never be a partnership, only Scientology doing all it can to ruin our city.