01/30/2024 Council Work Session Meeting Minutes January 30, 2024
City of Clearwater
Main Library- Council Chambers
100 N. Osceola Avenue
Clearwater, FL 33755
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Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, January 30, 2024
9:00 AM
Special Strategic Planning Work Session
Main Library - Council Chambers
Council Work Session
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City of Clearwater
Council Work Session Meeting Minutes January 30, 2024
Roll Call
Present 5 - Mayor Brian Aungst Sr., Vice Mayor Mark Bunker,
Councilmember David Allbritton (Participated Remotely),
Councilmember Kathleen Beckman, and Councilmember Lina Teixeira
Also Present: Jennifer Poirrier— City Manager, Michael Delk—Assistant City
Manager, Daniel Slaughter—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 Aungst, Sr.
The meeting was called to order at 9:00 a.m.
2. Presentations
2. 1 Provide direction on Greenprint Update
The Sustainability Division will give an update on the progress of Greenprint
2.0 for 2023 and seek input for priorities for 2024.
Sustainability Division Manager Cassie Cordova and Sustainability
Specialist Melody Yin provided a PowerPoint presentation.
In response to questions, Ms. Cordova said Duke Energy offered all
cities the opportunity to participate in the clean connection program to
receive 40%, which was recently increased to 59%. Cost avoidance is
money the City could have spent but didn't. She said the grant awarded
to conduct the vulnerability assessment requires a public presentation,
which staff plans to present at a council meeting in the next few months.
Staff is currently focusing on implementing a rain garden on city property.
It was suggested that information regarding building a rain garden be
available online.
2. 2 North Beach Update - Marcus Williamson, Public Works Director
Public Works Director Marcus Williamson provided a PowerPoint
presentation.
In response to questions, the City Attorney said considering the impact
of prospective annexation to existing city services is a factor that has not
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City of Clearwater
Council Work Session Meeting Minutes January 30, 2024
necessarily received attention in the past but can be considered in the
future. The annexation ordinance can be amended to rank or consider
those factors. Public Utilities Director Rich Gardner said the private lift
stations will be addressed as part of the lift station program. An
ordinance will be drafted upon completion of the private sewer system
inventory.
3. Office of Management and Budget
3.1 Review the strategic priorities and objectives and department work plan priorities for
Fiscal Year 2024/2025, and review long term financial forecasts for General Fund and
major utility funds.
On May 4, 2023, the City Council unanimously adopted the city's current
Strategic Plan, which includes an enhanced vision and mission statement,
organizational values, and five policy priority areas with twenty-two individual
objectives.
Per City Council Policy 3-11, Strategic Direction/Planning, prior to the
development of the City Manager's budget, the City Council shall meet in a
strategic planning session to review the five-year financial forecast and update,
as necessary, the City's Vision, Mission, and Strategic Direction.
On March 20, 2023, Staff presented the Fiscal Year 2023/2024 department
work plan which included a list of citywide operating priorities and capital
projects to be completed in the current Fiscal Year.
The department work plan identifies operating priorities and capital projects
that are projected in the upcoming Fiscal Year, and establishes that each
initiative be a S.M.A.R.T. goal, that is Specific, Measurable, Achievable,
Relevant, and Time-Bound, and aligned with the city's Strategic Direction.
STRATEGIC PRIORITY:
The annual review of the city's Strategic Plan comprehensively addresses each
priority area.
The City Manager and Budget Director Kayleen Kastel provided a
PowerPoint presentation. Finance Director Jay Ravins reviewed the
long-term financial forecast.
In response to questions, Mr. Ravins said the GFOA recommends a
16.25% minimum reserve balance. Since the City has a central
insurance fund, which can be used to assist the general fund, the City
has a 25% or greater reserve balance. He said there will be a need to
issue bonds in 2028. The City has very little debt and a good bond
rating.
3.2 Discuss strategic priorities and provide direction.
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Council Work Session Meeting Minutes January 30, 2024
The City Manager said she provided Council will copies of the proposed
priorities list.
In response to a question, the City Manager said Council does not need
to prioritize the projects. The list focuses on one year. Council may
reduce or add to the list. Staff will move forward on council's direction
and plan a budget.
There was council consensus for staff to move forward with the list as
presented.
3.3 Provide direction regarding establishing Non-Profit/Charitable Funding Policy.
In an effort to streamline funding requests from local non-profit and charitable
organizations, staff is presenting the following options:
1. Establish a formal grant application process.
It is a policy of the City Council to provide fair and equitable grant funding to
charitable and nonprofit organizations. These organizations must provide
services and activities that provide economic, social, medical, cultural, or
educational benefits to Clearwater residents.
It is important to limit the use of general funds as it is the primary source of
revenue for all city operations. An amount not to exceed $70,000 of the
proposed general fund budget will be considered available to provide support
for grant requests. Grant requests will be eligible to receive a maximum of
$5,000.
Organizations seeking funds through the City's Special Events process will not
be eligible.
The city will accept applications intended to augment the efforts of non-profit
organizations to benefit Clearwater residents. Grant requests will be evaluated
through an application review, ensuring all approved requests enter into
agreements for specific measurable services and timeframe. Debt service is
not a permissible use of these funds.
To be eligible for funding, organizations must meet the following criteria:
• Tax exempt.
• Non-Profit (be able to provide 501(c)(3) status form).
• Provide evidence of insurance.
• Been in operation for a minimum of three years.
• Propose an activity or service that addresses one of the following
strategic plan priorities:
■ Economic & Housing Opportunity -foster a prosperous
and enduring economy that promotes opportunity for all.
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Council Work Session Meeting Minutes January 30, 2024
■ Community Well-Being - ensure exceptional
communities and neighborhoods where everyone can
thrive.
■ Environmental Stewardship - implement proactive
solutions and emerging technologies for a sustainable
and resilient community.
Staff will present the awarded grants as part of the budget process.
Applications for Non-Profit/Charitable Grants will be made available online.
The cost to create an online application similar to the one used for the ARPA
Education Grants will be approximately $3,000.
2. Post a call for Non-Profit/Charitable funding requests.
The City would accept letters from local non-profit/charitable organizations
needing donations to provide services or events that benefit Clearwater
residents.
To be eligible for funding, organizations must meet the following criteria:
• Tax exempt.
• Non-Profit (be able to provide 501(c)(3) status form).
• Provide evidence of insurance.
• Been in operation for a minimum of three years.
• Propose an activity or service that addresses one of the following
strategic plan priorities:
■ Economic & Housing Opportunity -foster a prosperous
and enduring economy that promotes opportunity for all.
■ Community Well-Being - ensure exceptional
communities and neighborhoods where everyone can
thrive.
■ Environmental Stewardship - implement proactive
solutions and emerging technologies for a sustainable
and resilient community.
An amount not to exceed $70,000 of the proposed general fund budget will be
considered available to provide support for grant requests.
The call for letters will remain open until all funds are awarded.
3. Status quo.
Continue funding the following organizations:
Vendor Name Amount
BETH DILLINGER FOUNDATION INC-Annual"VALUE ME" Luncheon $
5,000
BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS OF PINELLAS COUNTY-SILVER Sponsor $
4,000
CHARITY WORKS INC-Monopoly Night Fundraiser $
500
CHARITY WORKS INC-Annual Charity Works Clip $
2,200
CHI CHI RODRIGUEZ YOUTH FOUNDATION INC-CHI CHI Charity Classic Sponsor $
2,750
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Council Work Session Meeting Minutes January 30, 2024
CHILDREN'S DREAM FUND-Sponsor Dream Maker luncheon $
2,500
CLEARWATER MARINE AQUARIUM -Formerly known as"Winter on The Beach" Event $
Dinner Sponsorship 3,100
CLEARWATER MARTIN LUTHER KING JR NEIGHBORHOOD-City Council Table $
Sponsorship 11000
HOPE VILLAGES OF AMERICA INC-Partnership Commitment $
2,500
INTERCULTURAL ADVOCACY INSTITUTE-Annual Diversity Luncheon Sponsorship $
3,300
MT CARMEL COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION -North Greenwood Back to $
School Sponsorship 2,500
NAACP-Annual MLK Day Celebration Sponsorship $
500
PINELLAS COUNTY SHERIFF POLICE ATHLETIC LEAGUE INC-Annual Benefit $
Breakfast Sponsorship 2,500
PINELLAS EDUCATION FOUNDATION-Sponsorship of 4 Events $ 24,000
READY FOR LIFE INC-CHANGING LIVES LUNCHEON $
2,500
WILLA CARSON HEALTH RESOURCE CENTER INC-Platinum Sponsorship $
2,500
YMCA OF THE SUNCOAST INC-ANNUAL PRAYER BREAKFAST $
5,000
TOTAL $ 66,350
Discussion ensued with council consensus for staff to proceed with
Option 2 and require the entity be in operation for a minimum of one
year. It was suggested that staff establish a timeline to receive the
letters of interest and present a prioritized award list as part of the
budget process.
4. City Manager Verbal Reports — None.
5. City Attorney Verbal Reports — None.
6. 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 requested an Opioid Abatement Update be
scheduled for a future meeting.
7. Closing Comments by Mayor— None.
8. Adjourn
The meeting adjourned at 10:28 a.m.
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City of Clearwater