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06/12/1996NORTH GREENWOOD COMMUNITY TASK TEAM CITY OF CLEARWATER June 12, 1996 Present: MacArthur Boykins Rev. William Graham Mayme Hodges Joe Marshall Kathy S. Rice Gwen Legters Team Member Team Member Team Member Team Member Deputy City Manager Board Reporter   Absent: Bertha Kelley Team Member   Deputy City Manager Rice called the meeting to order at 6:45 p.m. in City Hall Commission Chambers. To provide continuity, the items will be listed in agenda order although not necessarily discussed in that order. Ms. Rice introduced the members and thanked them for offering to serve on this task team formed at the request of the City Commission. She gave an overview of the proposed agenda as follows. Why are we here? Mr. Rice stated the City did some things wrong when they made the decision to site the reclaimed water storage tanks in the North Greenwood neighborhood. She acknowledged lack of communication between the City and the community. The purpose of the task team is to develop a process or system to help staff avoid those kinds of problems in the future. City staff hopes to learn how to build and be a part of the community. At tonight’s organizational meeting she hoped to be able to establish consensus among members regarding the team’s function and membership, and to develop a mission statement to take to the City Commission. She indicated one of the City’s values is to help, not direct, citizens in accomplishing community objectives. Concern was expressed this task team was formed to cushion friction between the people of Clearwater and the City Commission. It was hoped to establish a clear definition of the team’s role in relation to the community, and the City Commission. While it was felt this group could have a positive effect, careful implementation is needed to avoid sending the wrong message to the public. Ms. Rice agreed, stating staff needed a vehicle to learn from community leaders what is wanted in the community. The “task force” concept has worked well in the past, and it is hoped development of a mission statement will define the group’s role and establish consensus among team members, staff, public, and the Commission. A question was raised regarding the life of the task team. Ms. Rice said a time limit is not set and will depend on the mission statement, and feelings of the members. While six months has been suggested, the Commission did not set a time frame. One member felt the City had communicated with the public adequately. She felt each Commissioner had considered the public’s input carefully before making a decision and suggested the lack of communication may have existed among community members. Ms. Rice responded staff can always improve dialog with the community. Developing a mission statement to get consensus with the City Commission Ms. Rice indicated feedback has been requested with regard to specific issues raised by the neighborhood and the City Commission. Discussion ensued regarding a memo from Commissioner Clark requesting recommendations on present and future impact of Jack Russell Stadium in North Greenwood. It was indicated the stadium issue is one of many the team hopes to study. In response to a question concerning the Marshall Street plant, Ms. Rice stated the decision to locate the storage tanks is final. Whether or not the decision was correct, the City hopes the task team will enable a working relationship with the Greenwood community. General discussion ensued regarding factors to include in the mission statement, while Mr. Shuford listed issues on a flip chart. Based on the discussion, he suggested the following language, “Identify and address critical community concerns in a way that will promote the long term positive development of the North Greenwood Neighborhood.” Unanimous consensus was to accept this language as a working mission statement. Who else should be recommended for this committee? Discussion ensued regarding recommendations to the City Commission for additions to task team membership. It was indicated City employees will not be exempt. Ms. Rice advocated allowing the membership to be as inclusive as possible. Mr. Shuford agreed, indicating a large membership would enable breaking into subcommittees. Concern was expressed it is difficult to schedule meetings at a time agreeable to everyone due to work and personal schedules. Names mentioned were, David Grice, Lucius Pitts, Tal Rutledge, Charles Harris, Jr., and Muhammed Abdur-Rahim. Consensus was to recommend David Grice, Rev. Lucius Pitts, and Tal Rutledge for City Commission appointment. Discussion ensued regarding recruitment of a large number of participants from the community. Suggestions for advertising were discussed as a means of soliciting volunteers. Members were encouraged to seek volunteers from among the business, youth, and residential communities, NAACP, Sepia, Elks Lodge, Masons, Black Nurses Association, AKA Sorority, and APA Fraternity. Ms. Rice asked members to contact the City Manager’s office with their suggestions for names to be recommended to the City Commission. Consensus was to look for seven or eight more members to recommend for City Commission approval. Administrative Items A. Sunshine Law -- Ms. Rice gave a brief overview of Sunshine Law requirements. One member questioned whether the meetings must be public, due to the perceived public sensitivity toward some of the issues. Ms. Rice stressed all team meetings are a matter of public record and minutes will be taken. The proceedings are recorded and open to the public. B. Next Meeting -- The next meeting of the North Greenwood Community Task Team was called for Monday June 24, 1996, at 5:45 p.m., at a location to be determined. Ms. Rice will prepare a written notice to the members. In response to a question, she said posting public notice in City Hall is sufficient to satisfy the specific notification requirement. She welcomed board suggestions if outside advertising is desired. Consensus was to wait for advertising the meetings until task team organization is complete. C. Where do we go from here? -- Ms. Rice questioned issues the members wanted prepared for the next meeting. It was indicated a Sunshine Law update would be helpful for some members. Ms. Rice listed examples and discussed suggestions for various approaches the team might wish to consider for conducting business. She will provide copies of the Clearwater Beach Blue Ribbon Task Force report for members’ review. At the next meeting, the team may wish to choose a chair and assign roles and strategies for identifying and addressing issues. A question was raised regarding whether another location large enough for a new stadium exists. Ms. Rice agreed few parcels are large enough, but some do exist. She will bring aerial maps of the existing Jack Russell Stadium and available parks and recreation sites. Concerns were expressed the North Greenwood community should be allowed to participate in the commercial aspects of the stadium, such as vending and parking. Mr. Rice said this could be brought up during lease negotiations. Ms. Rice raised the issue of Irvin Babalola having been given a house he wishes to move into the neighborhood. She will bring information to a future meeting. A question was raised regarding whether a Legal Department representative would attend future meetings. Ms. Rice said the City Attorney or a designee may attend, as needed, and if desired by the team. She encouraged anyone with a specific legal question to put it in writing and she will submit it to the Legal Department. Mayor Garvey was invited to address the members. She said it had been difficult to sit on the sidelines without becoming involved in the discussion. She stressed the task team is not a token board because the City Commission truly wants to address and develop consensus with regard to community issues. As in the case of the Clearwater Beach Blue Ribbon Task Force, the City Commission may not be able to honor every request, but will put the issues in context with City business as a whole. She stated it is not the City’s intent to end the task team without notice. She noted many issues are on the list and hoped to gather information from the team on a long term basis, to be able to appropriately respond to community concerns. She stressed the team should not feel as if they need to answer all the issues within a specific time period. Mayor Garvey emphasized a decision on the Jack Russell Stadium issue will not be considered seriously for many years, so is not a high priority for immediate team concern. She welcomed the team to consider a membership roster of 25 or more, to ensure at least 15 or so can make it to each meeting. Commissioner Seel echoed Mayor Garvey’s statements, stating she appreciates the time members will be taking over the next six months. She looked forward to hearing their input and moving ahead on the issues. In response to a question from Ms. Rice, the Commissioner stated the mission statement was good and she was very comfortable with it. Mayor Garvey asked if it was possible for Rev. Graham to notice the search for volunteers and future task team meetings in his church bulletins. He responded he would. A question was raised regarding residency requirements. Consensus was members should be Clearwater residents who identify and are interested in the long term positive development of the Greenwood area. One member stressed the importance of achieving consensus regarding the role of the task team, and encouraging neighborhood participation by making it understood the task team belongs to the community. The Mayor agreed the team is “ours.” As issues come up, staff will provide information regarding the City’s side of the issues and any problems that arise. Ms. Rice felt the people on the committee have indicated their desire to make a balanced approach and work with staff to achieve workable, sustainable solutions. She agreed this is a great opportunity to provide a voice for the community. She encouraged team members and staff to believe in this effort and verbally support it. The meeting adjourned at 7:44 p.m.