City of Clearwater, Florida Council Meetings and Work Session, 16 Feb 2023

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From YouTube: City of Clearwater Council Meeting 2/16/23

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Agenda can be found here: http://bit.ly/ClearwaterCityCouncilMeetings

0:00 Open
0:10 1. Call to Order
0:14 2. Invocation
1:33 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.)
2:12 4.1 ID#22-1343 February Service Awards
4:26 4.2 ID#23-0067 Newspaper in Education Week March 6 -10, 2023 Proclamation
6:20 4.3 ID#23-0076 Visit St. Pete Presentation - Steve Hayes, President/CEO
5. Approval of Minutes
City of Clearwater Page 2 Printed on 2/14/2023
City Council Meeting Agenda February 16, 2023
47:10 5.1 ID#23-0111 Approve the minutes
47:24 6. Citizens to be heard re items not on the agenda
1:27:42 Recess
1:34:34 Reconvene the Council Meeting
7. Consent Agenda
The Consent Agenda contains normal, routine business
1:37:44 7.1 ID#23-0074 Authorize purchase orders to 22ndCentury Technologies, Inc.
1:38:17 7.2 ID#23-0075 Approve First Amendment to Contract for Exchange of Real Property between Barnell Evans and Sandra Evans
7.3 ID#22-1452 Approve a Contract for Purchase of Real Property by the City of Clearwater
(City)
7.5 ID#23-0058 Approve purchase orders with SHI International Corp. of Somerset, NJ, CDW
Government LLC (CDW-G) of Vernon Hills, IL, and Carahsoft Technology
Corp. of Reston, VA
7.6 ID#23-0059 Approve a purchase order with SHI International Corp. of Somerset, NJ
7.7 ID#23-0071 Approve Vehicle Use Agreement between the School Board of Pinellas County,
7.8 ID#23-0068 Authorize an increase on purchase order to Odyssey Manufacturing Co.
7.9 ID#23-0053 Declare list of vehicles and equipment surplus
7.10 ID#23-0118 Authorize an increase on purchase order to WM Recycle America, LLC
(WM/RA)
7.11 ID#23-0124 Approve a funding agreement between the City of Clearwater and the Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority (PSTA)
7.12 ID#23-0093 Approve an Amendment to the Legal Services Agreement between the City and GrayRobinson, P.A.
Public Hearings - Not before 6:00 PM
City of Clearwater Page 4 Printed on 2/14/2023
City Council Meeting Agenda February 16, 2023
8. Administrative Public Hearings
1:39:32 8.1 ID#23-0078 Approve the third amendment to an existing Development Agreement
1:41:36 8.2 ID#23-0129 Approve amendments to the Clearwater Community Development Code
9. Second Readings - Public Hearing
2:35:48 9.1 9650-23 2nd rdg Adopt Ordinance 9650-23, 9651-23, 9652-23
2:37:33 9.2 9651-23 2nd rdg Adopt Ordinance 9651-23 on second reading, vacating the rear platted 5 foot
2:38:08 9.3 9652-23 2nd rdg Adopt Ordinance 9652-23 on second reading, vacating the North 30-foot ingress/egress easement located on Lot 1, Block A, Earl Scheib - Commercial
10. City Manager Reports
2:38:39 10.1 ID#23-0073 Provide direction on the future of Clearwater Gas System’s Propane business division.
2:43:21 10.2 ID#23-0119 Provide direction on issuing customer credits for recycling service charges for the period of July 2022 through December 2022.
3:01:26 11. City Attorney Reports
12. Other Council Action
3:01:35 12.1 ID#23-0070 Use of Interest Earned on ARPA Funds - Vice Mayor Beckman
3:09:31 12.2 ID#23-0171 Invasive Removals - Councilmember Allbritton
3:13:00 12.3 ID#23-0172 Requests for external and county organizations to provide presentations to Council - Vice Mayor Beckman
3:28:19 13. Closing comments by Councilmembers (limited to 3 minutes)
3:39:43 14. Closing Comments by Mayor
3:42:41 15. Adjourn

A

A

Good evening, everyone we'll call the February 16 2023 meeting to order. I would ask for everyone to rise for the invocation given by father Bob zwick of Saint Francis of Assisi old Catholic church and remain standing for the Pledge of Allegiance.

B

Let us pray heavenly father and every living God, loving God. Thank you for the gift of these devoted leaders in our city, with your spirit of Love, enable them to act with character and conviction, to listen with understanding and Good Will and to speak with charity and restraint.

B

We pray you continue to give these dedicated stewards, our our community leaders, A continuing Spirit of service and father. We ask that you renew within them the strength of your presence and the joy of helping to build a community worthy of human person and so far that recognizing your servant, Saint Francis of Assisi, we pray that you make us all a Channel of Your Peace where there's hatred. Let us bring your love when there's injury, your pardon Lord when there's doubt true love in you, amen.

B

Of the United States.

A

Of America and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation under God indivisible with liberty and justice.

A

Thank you, Father Bob, appreciate you coming out this evening. Thank you. As always, let me introduce the dice on our far right as our interim city manager, Jennifer poyer, council member Albritton good evening. Vice mayor Beckman good evening, councilmember bunker good evening, council member tashada good evening and our City attorney David Margolis good evening we're going to start out with some Service Awards as I call your name. If you would come forward first for five years of service from our city, attorney's office, Owen, Kohler,.

A

A

Thank you. Congratulations. Congratulations!

A

Keep up the great work.

A

Next, we have our employee of the month award for February 2023.

A

of Arnold santillian come forward from parking enforcement good evening. We've got a write-up for you, we like Owen, but he doesn't get a write-up.

C

Arnold already has a difficult job as a parking enforcement specialist, but time and time again he has proven himself to be a valuable asset to our team. Arnold started out as a crossing guard and moved up to a parking facilities and security Aid in 2021, where I quickly learned how the department works and what more he could do to help his job title has a parking facilities and security Aid quickly changed to a parking enforcement specialist within his first year, due to his hard work and determination and working with parking systems.

C

Arnold has a difficult and sometimes thankless job of citing vehicles that violate parking regulations. He also assists the general public and coordinates with other parts of the department towards completing any and all tasks. He has gained knowledge on all jobs and continues to challenge himself towards greater accomplishments. We wholeheartedly appreciate all his hard work and commit our citizens in the department. Thank you, Arnold for your wonderful service.

D

Buying it, congratulations. Thank you.

A

Next, if I could have Sue battery from the Tampa Bay Times come forward for the newspaper and education week good evening, whereas research tells us that the best way to help children discover the joy of reading and become lifelong readers is to involve them early and often, and whereas helping a child, learn and love to read and prove student chances of success at school and Beyond. And whereas research shows that students who learned using the newspaper as an educational resource are more likely to become lifelong readers and informed and engaged citizens.

A

And whereas newspaper and education is an international program that encourages the use of the daily newspaper as a living textbook for students from primary through adult education levels and whereas for more than half a century. The Tampa Bay, Times. New newspaper and education program has served to Educators students and families by providing classroom, newspapers, companion, materials and instructional support. And whereas newspaper and education week is commemorated and celebrated annually during the first full week. In March.

A

Now therefore, I Frank V Hibbard mayor the city of Clearwater Florida, on behalf of the Clearwater city council, to hear by Proclaim March 6 through the 10th 2023 to be newspaper and education week in Clearwater.

E

Mr mayor council members, thank you so much for your support. We really appreciate it. Thank you. Miss battery and all you do for our students and the community.

A

Foreign next we have a presentation by Steve Hayes, who is the president and CEO of visit. Saint Pete Clearwater appreciate him coming out tonight and giving us an Insight on all tourism.

F

Thank you, mayor and members of council certainly glad to be here tonight and as I was uh chatting with Mr Hamilton he's.

G

F

So what how do you feel about season coming up? It goes season coming up season's here um and uh and I know you can. I was talking to a couple of hoteliers last night and looking at where we are. We had a meeting last Thursday and we were.

F

We talked about what's happening, what we're hearing research-wise from a you know the customer and what's out there and I, can tell you I think it looks very positive, going forward uh for us this year um and even as we go through season and into the fall so I have a presentation. Mayor knows me. um He also knows I might get long-winded, but I think I've got some really good information here to share with you this evening.

G

F

All right, first about who visits St, Pete Clearwater, is, and we are a department of Pinellas County government and the official tourism and marketing and management organization for the Saint Pete Clearwater area or for Pinellas County, we're funded uh totally by the tourist development tax tax established by the Florida statute, 125 on short-term accommodations, uh so any paid lodging, and then we operate and expend funds in accordance with the Florida Statutes and also the Pinellas County codes. That's the that's the official uh us we get down to the vision. I think this is more important.

F

Our vision is to inspire travel to St, Pete, Clearwater, a destination of unique communities, cultures and experiences and I think that's an important part, because I think it's. What really sells Pinellas County as a whole is the fact is. We have all this uniqueness now that we're not the same thing throughout the the county, our mission, critical job, you.

G

Know somebody had to say you know.

F

When you wake up in the morning, what is it that you need to do and I really look at it as two things? One is to go direct spending by our visitors in St Pete Clearwater uh last year, uh that was 6.8 billion dollars direct spending. It's not uh total economic impact.

F

So that's what they're spending, while they're here visiting and then grow jobs supported by tourism and last year over a hundred thousand people uh were supported uh jobs in the tourism industry and who benefits if we're doing that on a date on a daily basis. uh One is businesses and I. Look at the tourism industry as made up of small business and I.

F

Think all you have to do is go to Clearwater Beach and you can go through and see that, but think about other parts of the county or within Clearwater itself, the small businesses, restaurant shops and what have you that are looking for people that are here visiting uh to help them and generating sales, but also who benefits are the local community, especially when you have visitors coming in and now businesses are going in and creating jobs in those communities and I. Think for the residents also, you know quality of place.

F

You know we're very fortunate to live in a wonderful Community um in here in Pinellas County, um and it's through there that we can say gosh I can go to the beach I've got cultural places to go to I've got sporting activities. I've got all these things that I can do here that help enrich uh my my life and how do we go through to do this and I think this part is critical?

F

Is development of sales and marketing programs to increase overnight visitors staying in paid lodging and the reason why we do that is simply this. Those visitors represent 30 percent of our total visitors, but they represent. They generate 75 percent of the direct spent so think about it. Somebody coming down from up North, you know my relatives come down from Michigan.

F

You know we have a rule if you can go through and you spend a couple of nights with us after that you got to get a hotel, but when they come down and they're spinning there's generating dollars in the community day trip, you still get people to come over and visit. However, their spend is quite as go through is quite a bit less I'm gonna, hopefully play a video here that kind of Recaps the year and the different aspects of the organization. And what and what we do so here we go.

H

This past year, more than most people were looking to get away to just kick back and soak up some rays. They crave new vibrant experiences. They needed an escape and in 2022 together. That's exactly what we help provide. Let's take a quick look at some key highlights.

H

Together, we welcome more than 15 million visitors. Tourists spent 6.6 billion dollars in Saint Pete Clearwater contributing to an annual economic impact of more than 10.8 billion dollars. So how did we promote travel and Position Saint Pete Clearwater as an engaging unique diverse, welcoming destination with collaboration and cooperation across departments?

H

First 2022 saw the launch of a brand new advertising campaign, let's shine rolled out across multiple channels, to increase awareness and promote the destinations of vibrancy, eclectic art, scene and, of course, an abundance of year-round sunshine in partnership with key Pinellas, beautiful local Tick-Tock, influencer, Colin, Donaldson and hippo popsicles. We launched unwind and be kind our award-winning responsible travel campaign with messaging that welcomed visitors and provided socially responsible activities, including weekly Beach cleanups, to make the most of their visit display and CTV campaigns delivered.

H

More than 123 million impressions on platforms like Spotify TripAdvisor Travelzoo and more over 12.3 million dollars in hotel bookings was observed. Direct from display marketing, with an emphasis on video, the spc's social channels had 12 million video views across Instagram, YouTube Facebook and Tick Tock St Pete Clearwater was in travel and Leisure is Coveted where to go in 2022 feature 18 feature. Films were shot in the area. The most ever in a single year, Leisure Travel participated in an activation with visit Florida at ipw.

H

The spc's booth in the Orange Grove saw amazing traffic from 5 000 buyers, suppliers and media attending the show in Orlando visit, Saint Pete Clearwater took part in 10 Latin America tourism, trade shows and trained over 2 400 Trade professionals, the inaugural Virgin Atlantic fam trip, helped launch the new daily service to the area from London Heathrow. We also coordinated a media visit for London's nomadic boys, a leading gay influencer couple to help celebrate St Pete Pride's 20th anniversary visit Saint Pete Clearwater was also promoted during the NFL's first game.

H

In Germany we hosted events for top tier media and trade professionals at the famous Hofbrau house in the days leading up to the big game. Our meetings and conventions group continued to rack up Awards and praise from event planners. We hosted 119 sporting events and generated a record 162 000 room nights.

H

All in all, 2022 was an impressive year and laid the groundwork for a successful 2023. So now, let's take a look at what's down the road and all the opportunity ahead continue to elevate the brand through Partnerships activations and unique media opportunities like the warm-up to win activation. We just completed in New York City, an ongoing influencer marketing to Position Saint Pete Clearwater as a Four Season destination throughout our Target markets.

H

The arts and culture Co-Op campaign will promote the area's world-renowned art scene and remind Travelers of the unique and engaging ways to experience every aspect of Saint Pete Clearwater from Museums Art districts, local Galleries and Instagram worthy Street murals through local events and a partnership with WFLA will remind residents, Business, Leaders and the community about the value of Tourism, its impact on our economy and the quality of life in Pinellas, County and, of course, Saint.

H

Pete Clearwater will continue to host multiple high-profile fam trips, see more about what our Department's have been up to be sure, to check out the newly published annual report and make sure to stay connected and involved online and through our social channels.

H

So let's keep the momentum going and we look forward to working together with you to help make 2023 another great year for St Pete Clearwater.

F

Well, hopefully, that gave you a little bit of a indication of what we do overall throughout the throughout the year um from an expense standpoint and where, where we spend the dollars so we'll get into that. When you look over the far right, FY 23 operating budget, um our grand total is at 40 million dollars, of which uh 31 of that is in promotion. So that's out getting the message about why you should come. You should come here and and visit and spend your dollar here and.

G

One of the things and.

F

That I look at, is you know if you look at what the average person spends on vacation here? You know they have that in their pocket to spend and they're sitting in, let's say, Chicago and they're trying to decide where they want to go.

F

They could go to a number of different places, I wanted in Pinellas County, and so we hope that when they leave that every last dime has been spent here, and so but they've got those decisions to make and that's why we gotta have to have that messaging, that's out in in this market, especially this time of the year. We don't want people to be penniless, though maybe there's room for the total going up.

F

Okay, uh so the uh the other part of it from the expense standpoint is by the different departments, and you can see the top two advertising promotion, digital Communications, where majority of of that uh dollars are being spent, but also I, should mention the film commission um and I. Think that's critical. If you- and you heard in the recap about the number of films that have been produced here this last year and part of that is because you know a we- have- we have locally within Pinellas County, a film incentive.

F

The state does not have that and we're one of the few places in the state so by by being able to go through and doing that. That now gives us more visibility out in in the film, especially when we can get films made, that men specific places here in Pinellas County like going to Clearwater, Marine Aquarium or going to a specific Beach and that's you know one of the key things we've done this lab this last year. The other item is sports and events.

F

In fact, you know this weekend with the the uh I'm gonna I get the I get the name wrong, but the TaxSlayer softball Invitational I, think is the right name. It's going on at Eddie Seymour huge success for this area, but the visibility and we work closely with the city of Clearwater and ESPN to go through and help support that because of the visibility and I I. Look at this. If you don't watch it on TV find some time to to at least watch a little bit of it.

F

But we have the Outfield banners and last year, I had actually watched it for the first time on TV and I'm sitting there and like every time they would hit like a ball out in the Outfield. Then you would see America's best beaches sitting out there and.

I

F

Then I would get the text from people that I know that don't live here and they're like okay, I just saw NTV again and that that's what we that's. What we? uh What we want just talk to you a little bit about a winner campaign that I know we're coming into spring, but we have to advertise in the winter to make sure our message is out there I'm not going to go over dive into this too deep.

F

But basically we have developmental markets and that's really up in Chicago Atlanta, Indianapolis, Minneapolis Detroit, really that good Midwest and then from a top tier Market, New York. We also are generating business out of there as well, and then maintenance is places where we know we don't have to spend as much. But we got to keep our name in front of the potential visitor all right. This is a copy.

H

Of our TV spot, let's head south this winter.

J

Off the beaten beaten and go out a little further.

J

Let's Get Lost in the possibilities.

K

C

Track, let's make a great escape even better: let's shine this winter in.

L

St Pete Clearwater Florida.

F

Again, I think you saw in a recap, video this brand that we have out now is brand new this year and so getting out into the market. The first you know for the first time. This gives you an example of a billboard of out of area billboard. This is another one, another example of it and again in each of the markets, we're in it's just not one thing. So, if you go into let's say you know: Detroit you're you're not just going to see the billboard you're also going to get digital media TV.

F

There may be other things that go to that. Go with that.

F

uh Just you know some of the print and again when we tested the creative one of the things is you know, while we are a unique experiences, all through Pinellas County, um the one thing all of the the folks that we tested was said it's the beach and so that we have to have front and center, but it's the other part that helps tell the story which makes us different than saying going to, let's say maybe Sarasota or Fort Myers or a Fort Lauderdale things like that.

F

Talk a little bit about the tourist development tax.

F

um So if you look at the chart here, make it real simple, the gray bar represents where we are to date for- and this will be through the first quarter of this year. Blue is our green or not green orange is uh 2022. Blue is 2021. to the tourist Development. Council I had been showing 2020 and 2019, but it really the numbers now skewed up so much what we have seen over the the last uh year. Actually, the two years is, the number has jumped and you can see where we were in 2019.

F

So that's why I came on board and uh solid at 63 million dollars being generated by people staying in paid lodging um covet hit, and you can see where that number drop dropped down to um that. A lot of that was collected in the summer. Once uh people felt they could get back to travel, and then you saw that in fall and then into winter and then in 21 and 22 you can see where the numbers went and and I go through and I look at it.

F

When we look at it you're seeing that as a combination of not only the occupancy within the hotels and paid lodging growing, but also the rate and the rate driving a lot of these different increases. So this last year, 95 95 million dollars collected in tourist development tax this year today is of 18.9 million and if I my memory serves me correct. Compared to the same thing three months last year, it puts us at 6.3 percent up for the this fiscal year uh for some folks that they say what is the Tourist development tax.

F

um It's authorized by Florida statute 125, and it requires a creation of a tourist development plan as well as a tourist Development Council. So we have both of those here in in Pinellas County. uh The tourist development tax is a six percent tax on all accommodation, rentals of six months or less hotel, motel RV park, vacation rental, condo home, really any going through in any paid lodging, and then Florida law goes through and dictates through the statute of how those dollars can go through and and be spent current uses current tourist development plan.

F

So this is uh something that uh that is was approved for approved by and adopted by the board of County Commissioners it every five years. It sets out five categories for authorized tourist development tax uses first two are promoting and advertising and funding the CVB, which will be visit, St Pete Clearwater, and that is part of the promotions category, which is where 60 of the funds would go.

F

The second part is: 40 percent are allocated for category C, D and E, which is Beach, renourishment, Capital funding and Debt Service, and then professional sports, Convention, Center Capital cost. So that's our Capital program. So that's currently what the the Tet plan goes through and shows.

F

Let me talk about our Capital uh Project funding program, so this is here it's design. This program is designed to contribute to the destination and the place making Investments to you to go through and highlight our uniqueness. The projects must be an allowable use of the tdt dollars, as defined by the state statute and also meet the tdt plan.

F

There have been two cycles of funding, 2017 and 2019. in 2021.

F

It was supposed to happen again, but with uh the with covid coming on board and the pandemic at the start of this, we really did not know what was going to happen, and so that program uh was paused in 2021 and now we have the resemption of the program in 2023 and currently we are modifying the guidelines and the application and then looking at an application process starting in April May and what happens from there is interested entities, would then go through and apply and then for whatever that, that project is it'll, come back to visit, Saint, P Clearwater, and then we go through and re review.

F

We work with a consultant, Crossroads Consulting, who then looks at all the projects and looks at things evenly, but we'll you know, go through to make sure hey. It meets the tdt plan. It meets the statute, there's other questions they go through and act, but ask but primarily looking at. Does it increase or does it meet a minimum in terms of of paid lodging room nights and attendees?

F

So you there's your starting point and then it's also divided into two categories: those that are five million below and then those are above above the 5 5 million um I kind of kind of went through this already, but uh give you an example of uh projects over 5 million uh project, a minimum of at least 50 000 paid or documented attendees, and at least 25 000 uh tourist room nights annually and again looking at visitation. We also look at. Is that incremental or is you know again, that's what you would like to see so.

G

F

Great part is to do those projects that have been done over the years here in Clearwater Eddie C, Moore, uh Clearwater, green aquarium, Ruth, Eckerd Hall, the Phillies have all benefited from the cap. The capital program- and this started up in like I, said in 2017., so relatively new, but yet it is a a good established, a program.

F

The other thing I wanted to mention that's on here is we also have an elite event grant program and that's another thing that we do on an annual basis and where we help support events and really there's five categories uh where they go through and can apply for that funding and it's on an annual basis, and in that case the very top category is you've got to be on national TV um and really there's there's only two that really qualify for that.

F

When you've got the Valspar championship in the St Pete Grand Prix, then you get the next category down and then it has to be a minimum in terms of attendees as or room nights, and then the very last one is for new events, something that's not in Pinellas. County has not been here, but it allows for somebody new to come in and what we're doing is we're surveying folks there to determine the fee.

F

You know the feasibility, the direct spending, the visitor profile of people going those events which is useful for the event, because now they can look at and say wait a minute. Maybe I can now come in as a category two in funding and it helps again show people that we have all those variety of things to do again. I think it's critical to show that uniqueness, but also that that variety for visitors, so that is that is my presentation.

F

Mayor I hope that I didn't go over too much I didn't see an outcome out very good Mr Hayes be open for any questions open it up for questions. I just want to tell everybody that Clearwater represents about 34 percent.

A

Revenues that are General.

A

Or other we are the biggest contributor of.

A

Pretty large margin, so questions for Mr, Hayes, hi spare.

D

Thank you. Thank you for that presentation. I I had asked for that presentation um really want to understand the financial parts of it uh in anticipation of our budget discussions this spring, especially with the Phillies I, think wanting some TDC money, um and so I just had a a number of questions so.

D

So, let's see I'm going to go back to the front of it and then go through a couple of things I. Just as far as visit Saint Pete, I love, the advertising I see it all over the place, but on one of your first slides you talk about your mission. Being critical, uh Mission critical job is grow direct spending by visitors to to St Pete Clearwater and who benefits our businesses, especially local and small local communities of residents.

D

One thing that I get concerned about is when our economy is so based on tourism, it's good for small business owners, but not necessarily the workers, those those jobs aren't necessarily high paying. So do you have any arm of your organization at all that considers the workers an average pay in in a tourism industry, community.

F

One is if you look at hospitality and some folks, you know you know from this perspective- look at it. As you know, I I am a um I work at the front of a fast food, restaurant and they're, getting paid whatever that that wage is um and I think that's the ceiling, that's all where they can go.

F

But yet one of the one of the fastest paths to management is in hospitality, and a lot of that is because, when you look at whether I'm a restaurant, if I'm in lodging and look at where you can go, that's those are the those are the opportunities. I think the other part is if the pandemic went through and taught us anything. Is that they that, from a compensation standpoint, you've seen the business businesses now go to raise the wages, so they can get employees there and so I think that that has certainly come there.

F

um We we work with the economic development um and in in this case uh here in Pinellas County, to say all right: what can we do to help grow the tourism jobs and again I think it fills all the different areas, um but we don't have a specific we as a business, St, Pete Florida, don't have a specific person assigned to that. But on that note, I mean that's something that we're getting more into by developing the relationships with the economic development side, because it is important you know, I think with pandemic.

F

We learned real quickly. You know at a restaurant if you've got to wait, 30 minutes, because you don't have the wait staff, your experience isn't there. So how do you help help them? You know get through that.

D

Right and whether it's a transitional job or not, they still have to live somewhere right when they're working at the counter or they're. You know in-house keeping at a hotel. So that's that's kind of a concern. um I was so when an organization comes to the TDC uh for um money, so I have. If we look at tourist development tax yearly, so 60 has to go to marketing and advertising and promotion 40 can go to sports facilities, museums and other Capital things.

D

I have a question: how much do we have in a total account right now and how much do you like to keep in reserves so I see, we've got 94 million from last year. That's phenomenal! So what's what's the balance of the bank account today.

A

78 million in the capital fund.

D

S: 78 million in the capital fund today, okay and then do you have um a required or comfortable Reserve that you like to keep.

F

um I think I think there is an unofficial policy 100, but I don't know that off the top of my head, because that actually comes through the Office of Management and budget. I can certainly find that out and follow back up. Okay.

D

And then all right, and so we've got um I, just had a quick question on your Capital funding and Debt Service for publicly owned sports facilities and other certain types of capital facilities. So you mentioned like one of our ball fields: I, don't know if it was sublicting or something that you guys funded.

D

Oh okay, Eddie Seymour. When our Amphitheater qualify at all for any of those funds, would it have or could it have.

F

Air nose, usually we go to council and say all right when you look at the statute. What applies to so I would think that it would I just don't know that for a fact, okay.

D

And you don't think it would well I.

A

Think it does absolutely.

D

A

Mean Eddie see more this weekend is a majority of the.

A

D

Region well, and when we describe our theater as a world-class going to attract everyone, I would think it puts people in beds when they come see. Those concerts, okay, um I, don't know if we can retroactive or improvements or finishing touches, but just wanted to ask that question and then um Okay.

D

So I think it's important for me to understand how those monies are given out and- and so you mentioned, that you have Crossroads Consulting- that works with the TDC to evaluate projects and the benefits, and so, if I listen to a presentation from the Phillies about their plans to improve oops, their Stadium area and um and part of it was they wanted to bring operations down here. Certain aspects of their operations would be year-round and so more people living here professional.

D

You know more professional management, people um like physical therapists, people with degrees that would earn more money and he thought that it would be about 75 jobs. So, to me, that's pretty attractive to have 75 full-time jobs that earn a good wage.

D

um When you, when, when the consultant makes recommendations, do they look at the types of jobs? You know what kind of things are evaluated and- and the reason I ask is: if we've got the Dali Museum is going to be asking for money. Tampa Bay Rays is going to be asking for money, I!

D

Guess that there's a you know, there have been discussions about using some of that money, though it's not articulated here for Transit, because a lot of the tourists are coming back and saying you know when you're doing these surveys, you need to improve some Transportation options, and so I read some past newspaper articles that that's been a conversation of.

D

Should we expand the options of where this money can be spent as well as recent conversations I think it was last year about increasing the amount of money in Beach, nourishment and so I think it's important that we're aware of all of the different polls on this money when we look at what are the Phillies going to ask for and what might be available, what what is their competition? So, if you can explain like how those things are rated, is it quality of jobs?

D

As you know, is it time timeliness of being able to put a shovel in the ground and and I'm assuming when somebody gets awarded? They don't just get the full check amount written to them on day, one it's distributed over a number of years right as they develop their project.

F

So a lot to unpack there.

D

F

All right, so let me go back to the process so in the application, um the the individuals that are applying are going to come in and look at um and have a basically an analysis done of that project. You know how many people is it going to generate, especially if it's, if it's a new project, it's going to come into, and so when those visitors, when I say how many people is it going to generate well, how much of that is visitor versus how much of that is local and so ask for the breakout.

F

From that standpoint, it's going to look at also room nights, and but it's also going to look at incremental remote. So an example of that would be. I am coming here to go to a baseball game, and that is my that's my purpose. So there is a that is a dedicated uh purpose. So that's going to have a higher value, then I'm here to go to the beach.

F

Oh wow I, just found out that my favorite team is playing and now I'm going to go to the game still counts as a as a visitor, but the what was the the purpose so again, you're looking at it from that perspective, but not really looking at the overall, if I'm coming over from Tampa, so to speak, worse I mean a resident here in Pinellas County, so they'll go through and look at that then they start looking at direct, spend what would be the anticipated spending based on the number of its number of people visiting the number of attendees, and then that gets really into the economic impact.

F

The most your analysis will go through end planner, one.

G

Of those evaluated.

F

Programs, then you also look at what kind of jobs would it generate and again what you're looking at is not only now but going into into the future. So you have that element to it. Then you have to look at it. Look at it as well. Does it meet? Does it go through and meet the fit within the tourist development plan, but it also doesn't meet the statute, so it might be a great project but parts of that project.

F

The whole project may not meet the standards from from those two things, so you have to go through and go through and look at that also go through and look at it. It's like if you're building your I'm making this up, but if I'm building my you know, 500 Ballpark and you have all the other ones there. It may not make as much sense as something that is unique, um and you know the the other element as well that you want to go through and look at is also. Is you know?

F

Let's don't you know if we're going to do something, it's not going to take away from something else. We already have, even if it's in another part of accounting, we need to be respectful of that element and then also you go through and look at. Where is that project going to take place so again, we're not known for just one place in the county. It is, you know, go through in multiple places, so the guidelines really go through and and talk about that um kind of leads to one of your other questions.

F

So we actually have a workshop on February 28th with the TDC and the BCC of which we're talking about capital. Okay, so that we can look at the bigger picture because you are right, one of the elements is betray. Nourishment we've had the discussions at the tourist Development Council level. uh This year we went and and added in additional dollars for Beach renourishment um just for the unknown part, but also understanding what the repercussions are.

F

If things don't happen, um you know like with the you know some issues we're having out of DC and getting approvals on certain things. So you got to have you know that element in mind, so you have a lot of things that go into into this uh discussion.

D

How does um the city putting skin in the game with money? um How does that work with an application review so.

F

In so uh in the with the guidelines, and if the project comes in and says that it is, you know a million dollars, half of it would half a million, would come from the TDC half a million would come from someplace else now that could be that entity. So basically it's 50 50. in some cases, I was just reading some of the past projects that were funded. You know they got money not only from maybe a municipality, but they got it from the state or they maybe got it from the Fed.

F

So as long as they go through and meet the 50, the other part is- and you ask this question- goes back as far as the the payout on it really uh in what we've done. Currently, it was based on completion, so you need to go through and once the project was over with it with midpay. However, some projects have been spread out over two or three years and I. Think at that point, County looks at the cash flow and says you know: how could we could go through it and and make that happen.

D

Do you ever look at so if, if the Phillies are going to come to the city and ask for some money so that we have skin in the game and can be part of a 50 50 uh application to the county this spring?

D

um Do you ever consider the assets or value of like the Phillies? When you make that determination? Or is it simply? You know these two entities, regardless of how much money they have in their coffers, are going to put forward. You know 50 million dollars and then we're expected you know than the TDC will match it. So do you care what ratio that is or the value of those two entities that are putting in the first 50 before they come and ask you for yours, I.

F

Think it will be noted and I need to lay out this I have not been through this process, so this will be my first time going through, but I think looking at the process. Overall, what's happened in the past is look at where else that money is coming from, and you know it again if someone can go out and get it from a foundation great, it may come from.

F

uh You know a public, it doesn't matter, I, think who that is as long as they're able to go through and and show that they're able to get to get that money. Okay, so it's been beneficial in the past.

F

For the money have.

A

A back one, originally I think your ballpark was was built. Now he put in sub.

A

Put in seven and a half.

A

And then the Phillies paid.

A

So I can tell you that the rays are probably going to be asking for close to 400 million. So we ought to remember that anything that we're asking for is going to be completely overshadowed and we generate 34 percent of.

D

The FED tax and generate seventh s, let's remember who we're I, do and I think that's important, and you know when I did the research on this. It's estimated cost of a new race stadium is over a billion, and the Dali Museum wants at least 34 million for their expansion for their 68 right and so I guess you know if we're whatever percentage, we're generating um I'm just wondering you know frankly, I want the city to put in a little bit.

D

I want the Phillies to put in a whole bunch and it'd be nice if the TDC would put in a whole bunch. You know what I mean I mean look at who's got the money in their in their accounts and and those people. Those entities should put in the most that's I'm. Just trying to you know: I just want to I want to grasp on those financials before we sit here and make our budgetary decisions and understand. Where can we ex? You know where? Where the money is and who should be, writing the checks.

D

So um well, thank you. I have a better understanding, I appreciate it, um but How likely do you think it is that that Bee Tree nourishment is going to pull a few more dollars. I mean you've got a lot of dollars.

F

Nourishment, there's a set amount each year and then what we discussed last year in the budget and we go through the budget process this year is um and I forget the percentage we raised it up, but we'll rate we'll probably raise that up a little bit again and again. Projecting forward is what we're you know going through and looking at is to make sure we're able to cover the nourishments that need to be done.

F

Like I said, if some things don't happen out of DC, that cost may go up and we need to have those conversations. But if that isn't an issue, then we've more than planned accordingly to support that. So right now, in Beach rate, nourishment.

A

We have 7 million.

A

The issue is, is that the Army Corps of Engineers has decided that they have to have a hundred percent permanent permanent maintenance, every property owner that is affected by Petri nourishment, so the biggest area is called Sand Key. It is not the Sand Key that we think of of just saying key in Clearwater. It runs all the way down south of Indian Rocks Beach they're.

M

Over I think what three, what 350 . it goes to John's Pass yeah. It's a whole lot, so.

A

Our operating reserves right now are 83 million.

A

All righty I have a bad one, cheating fries.

A

Any other questions Mr Hayes, thanks for coming out tonight. We really appreciate.

F

Thank you mayor and members of council.

A

All right I would ask if there are any amendments to the minutes: February, 2nd, 20, 23.

M

Move to prove the minutes. Second, all.

A

In favor, all right opposed unanimous uh I'll, open it up now to citizens to be heard. If there are any citizens in the audience that would like to speak items up agenda's back on the back wall near the door. We ask you to fill out a comment card state. Your.

N

Name for the record, and we respectfully fully three minutes.

N

Good evening, a few weeks ago, I came here and talked about my experience as our local Women's Healthcare Center and I'm happy to report that in the time since I've been here in several weeks, I've noticed distinct changes. So I wanted to say thanks to Chief Slaughter, because I think that the police that are present, that are there, are much more present and engaged.

N

Unfortunately, the demonstrators that are there are as vile and is full of vitriol as ever that there is a palpable threat of violence in the air and that um that, unfortunately, has not changed the harassment and the intimidation continues.

N

And I want to tell you that the threat of violence is real. I want to share two data points with you. The first is some statistics from the National Abortion Federation. They track violence and disruption across the United States and in two years or one year, actually 20 2020 to 2021. They tracked stalking, blockade, suspicious packages, invasions, assault and battery. All of these have gone up in one year between 128 to 600 percent, so the threat of violence is actually real, but also I want to talk about in this venue.

N

The fact that access to reproductive Health Care is a federally protected human right that there is a 1994 Act called freedom of access to Clinic entrances, and this is under the purview of the justice department. This protects the right to access and provide reproductive health services and prohibits, prohibits anyone from using Force threat of force or physical obstruction against any person seeking to obtain or provide reproductive Health Services. The justice department has taken us quite seriously in the last year.

N

Their statement says they are committed to embracing federal law to protect providers and all people seeking access to reproductive health care. That access to reproductive Health Care is a fundamental right and individuals must be able to access clinics to make decisions about their own bodies. Health and Futures and they've formed a task force just this past July to address that and I thought it was important to say that here in this venue, so that we know that this is an important human right, that's being tested in our own community.

N

That is protected at the federal level because, as We Know women's rights are humans rights. So thank you for the progress that has been made and I look forward to strengthening the protections of women who are trying to Access Health Care. Thank you.

L

Foreign go ahead and start.

A

Yes, just please state your name for the.

L

Rep, okay, anything else, I need to state fill out a comment card, you're good! Thank you hi. My name is Jordana smola uh good evening Clearwater city council. My name is Jordana samola and I'm. The deputy field director at equality, Florida Quality Florida, is the largest lgbtq rights advocacy organization in Florida and has always understood that the movements for Reproductive freedom and lgbtq equality are causes in common I'm, also a resident of Pinellas County. For about two and a half years.

L

I came to speak today at this meeting to inform you about the concerns I have regarding the safety of patients that are entering and exiting the bread and Roses Women's Health Center that is located in Clearwater.

L

No one in Clearwater should have to risk their safety to seek health care or feel unsafe, walking down the public sidewalk here tonight to say loud and clear that we have a significant issue of Public Safety on our hands. Iowa records request that the list of police calls that have been made to the bread and rosen's Women's Health Center in the last 10 years. Up until the beginning of January 2023., since 2012, there were over 175 calls made to the police department. Out of those 175 plus calls over 70 were labeled with the problem.

L

As protests demonstration four were for trespassing 10 were labeled as noise complaints, eight were labeled as disturbance, disorderly and 10 were labeled as battery, two of which were sexual battery. As you can see, the health center is experiencing a lot of disruption which interferes with patients seeking care and compromises. The safety of patients, staff, volunteers and the public at Large extremists at Health Centers have always been a concern for the well-being of patients, staff and volunteers.

L

However, we have seen an increase in extremist threats, harassment and violence surrounding health centers in recent years, including at Broad and Roses. In 2021, there were 12 Place calls as a result of an incident, but in 2000 and 2012 that number increased to 21 incident police calls I expect that with the overturn of Roe v Wade last summer, that increase of violence will continue to rise and escalate this year. These concerns that are affecting the patients in volunteer safety are very alarming.

L

Every day that bread and Rosen seize patients, there are tense and unsafe conditions right outside of the health center, and everyone faces safety risk. I hope that the Clearwater city council hears these comments and concerns and I call on you to take steps to ensure the safety of patients that are just trying to receive care and to protect Public Safety. Thank you.

A

O

Hi um Emma shock um Clearwater City, Council Members. My name is Emma shock. I am the reproductive Justice liaison for the women's advocacy movement of Pinellas and I've been a volunteer escort at bread and Roses Women's Health Center, since January 2022. I believe that everyone has the right to enter a Health Center unobstructed and receive Health Care, as does the federal government shown by the face.

O

Act I've witnessed a clear escalation in behavior from the protesters and extremists screaming at over 100 decibels, trespassing onto bread and Rose's property blocking patients entrance to the driveway and harassment of patient at escorts that has evolved to include threats in physical violence.

O

The first incident of violence I experienced occurred on August 27 2022 when one of the longtime extremists grabbed and twisted my ankle in response to me dropping and stepping on a pamphlet. He handed me the officer on duty de-escalated, the situation on site and the local state attorney pursued charges on November, 12 2022. It escalated even further when another one of the longtime extremists struck me in the face with his Jesus.

O

As the answer sign, this took place after he was blocking the patient's vehicle from entering the driveway, causing a backup on South Highland Avenue I told the extremists to move out of the way to which he responded. I, don't listen to the devil. Eventually, the patient was able to enter the driveway, while the extremists rushed towards their window, screaming to Shield the patient and move between their vehicle and the extremist ensuring not to touch either of them. The extremists then intentionally struck me with his sign. I have a video of the entire incident.

O

There was not an on-duty officer at bread and roses that day, so police were called when the responding officer arrived. She spoke to me for a few minutes watched the video then took witness statements from the protesters and extremists. Despite offering no witness statements were taken from escorts, exciting bias.

O

The extremist was not asked to leave the premises and he is still at red and Roses every Saturday and grateful for the support I've received and filing charges for the first incident. However, I want to ensure this or something worse, never happens to another escort patient or bystander patronizing local businesses, I'm here for my safety, the patients, all volunteers and staff, including the officer on duty, as well as the safety of children brought by the protesters and extremists, the patients must be protected from these extremist escalation and behavior.

O

I I tell you this to urge you city council members to consider what will happen if we allow a next time and what must be done to protect Public Safety at red roses, Women's Health Center. Thank you.

P

Hi, my name is Elizabeth and I want to address an issue with homeless people, um so some of us are getting mistreated and I. Don't appreciate that you know uh when I went to Safe Harbor um I was cornered by a sheriff in the hallway multiple times, I made a complaint, but I basically got mistreated and retaliated. Then, when I went to Pinellas hope, um I was told that I was white trash by the guy running the place named Jeff and I hadn't even stayed there for the allotted minimum time of three months and yeah.

P

It wasn't even a month and then just randomly one day, I got told by staff. We don't want you here, you're gonna have to leave. We want you to get all your stuff and wasn't even get given the time to come back because I had too much to bring with me that one day, like the other people staying there did.

P

So if you don't have a place to go after that, it gets kind of hard right and police were all on my case, um trying to tell me that I had been trespassed from the place that I was staying and that they gave me an official warning which they didn't.

P

um I was going to a couple of the Outreach centers like um the uh Refuge church and Outreach Center, and the guy Sean Powers was being really verbally, abusive and not just to me, but some of the other people, and he won't. Even let me use the microwave to cook my food every time I did. He would yell and scream at me raise his voice.

P

He yelled at one of my friends when she was talking to me outside. We were having just like a private conversation, weren't being a lot loud or anything, but he just yelled at us and then I've witnessed a bunch of people in the community um have vandalized my moped, the only form of transportation that I had had and then also like ripped a hole in the cover on it.

P

um Also um coming after my bike as well. There's a bunch of people on the Pinellas Trail laughing at the me today and trying to run me over this is not doing anything to get in their way. I was money. My own business walking down the trail, trying to switch up my routes where I was walking because it is not safe to be a woman outside on your own.

P

If you don't have anyone to walk with you, um then, when I went on to the beach over, the bridge, I got almost ran over by several people with their bikes purposely looking in my eyes laughing at me, like they did on the trail in downtown Clearwater, staring me directly on my eyes, snickering at me laughing at me. This is not me being paranoid or having some unexposition.

P

It's people just ganging up on people, some homeless people as as well as um yeah, mostly just the homeless, but there's some homeless that get drunk they do drugs for.

A

A

Come on up, don't be shy.

G

G

Q

Came from work, could you just say your name for the record uh good evening: cloro city council, my name is Todd Hinkle I'm, the owner of the living salty Palace Sports and surf shop right here in Clearwater I'm here to bring awareness to an unfulfilled who our community need to see. Our Clearwater Community is lacking of designated and safe.

Q

Paddle Sports launches I've spoken on the subject last year in June, during an ARP fund's disbursement hearing at Countryside and a second time in September at the Marine Advisory board meeting so I'm here now to let the new city council know about this community need that still has not been met.

Q

So as a pal Sports, professional I will give you six simple reasons as to why we need legitimate launch sites in our city number one safe launch sites provides, provides enjoyable, Marine, recreational opportunities, number two: it enhances and complements our parks and shorelines number three: a designated site directs residence and future visitors where, when and how to safely launch number four designated launch, will serve the handicap, paddler safe access, number five. It prevents unsafe incidents where unseen obstructions or dangerous about traffic may exist number six.

Q

A designated access will improve the overall quality of life either on the water makes people happy. There are several great public Shoreline areas that could be utilized after some needed. Improvements are met. A couple Choice locations could be right here, north of downtown at Stevenson's Creek next to the shuffleboard complex, another great location would be at Overbrook Park other locations could utilize existing docks like at the Clearwater Beach Truck Center.

Q

Excuse me we're at the Island Estates public docks.

Q

Eric Andy has the gist of this spoke with him last year at the Marine Advisory board meeting with the staff- and he told me what it would take to make this happen, and when we see.

Q

So I would say, in short, in conclusion, I'm sincerely asking each member to feel the urgency for a clear plan that addresses this unfulfilled Community need for Clear one. Thank you. Thank you. Mr eckel.

R

Fernando Gutierrez good evening, mayor council members I, come to you today and I. Thank you for the opportunity to provide a rebuttal for the bread and Roses um that's happening now and as Paul Harvey once said now the rest of the story.

R

According to Media reports, the council is considering a buffer zone on a public right-of-way that prohibits that ability to express opinions on abortion.

R

I, don't know if it's true, but that's what they're saying the anti-life proponents are claiming subjective feelings of harassment that are only personal perceptions, lacking any foundation of objectivity. It naturally follows when exercising all right for Freedom that we risk the ability of sending someone. It happens, whether you're running for political offers or you're out there saying you know what I believe in the right of The Unborn children. There are measurable ways, though, an objective standards that we can use to debunk any of these abortions subjective claims.

R

One look at the police reports and all the time that bread and Roses have been there. How many times have they arrested and prosecuted somebody for assault and battery? That's the question that I should be asked. The second is I'm sure you have some type of noise abatement ordinance. Maybe that could be manage so that it would apply to this situation or not.

R

Should the council enact a barrier, Zone ordinance, I, believe you're, opening Pandora's Box now say you know what we need a barrier in our sidewalk, because people you know are against us. What? If the Catholic Church who are pro-life, say you know what we don't want, proportionists on our sidewalks. Let us have a barrier now hall or even the beach hotels. What if they bring in a performer that doesn't agree to my values of the community's values? Are they now going to ask for barriers on etc, etc, etc?

R

You're opening up problems two months a month ago, two women came up here and they called us. Extremists hurt my feelings, but I realized that when you live in a free country, not.

G

Everybody is going.

R

To agree with what I believe or what I say and I have to accept that that's the price of freedom in this country and finally clear water should be known, as earlier was noted for our beaches and not for restricting the right of speech or religion. Thank you.

R

S

Good evening, everyone, it's great to see you. My name is Hoyt Hamilton in case you've, forgotten um I am actually here to speak about something that's supposed to go into effect tomorrow out in Clearwater Beach and that's the new traffic quote-unquote traffic pattern of the roundabout.

S

All I can say about that is this is a perceived solution to a problem that does not exist. It is not.

B

S

Good plan that, as as John Duran used to say all the time and those of us that know John the roundabout still works, um there have been very few accidents in the roundabout lately. People have learned how to navigate it and there has not been an accident that involves physical injury, so I'm not sure what exactly it is. We're trying to fix and I can tell you with some of the some of the drawings I've seen.

S

It looks like especially it's highlighted in red, like they're, going to extend the center divider at the South Gulf View entrance and exit out into that first Lane. If you do that, you're going to have an absolute Mutiny, On Your Hands by the by their Beach I mean I, can tell you when I'm coming down south on Mandalay and I Traverse, that round about multiple times a day on average and if the left lane can't.

S

If the right lane can't make stay on the roundabout to get off the beach and you'll Force everybody to the left lane. It's going to back up basically to Baymont and you're, going to have people absolutely screaming bloody murder, and if you try to put that extend that Island out with concrete or you try to put up candlesticks you're, going to see people out there in the middle of the night, maybe busting it up, because it's just not a good plan.

S

It's really not you're, not solving a problem that truly exists with what they're proposing it's you know, paint on the road right now is paint. People are still going to drive around about the way they're, especially those of us that are very comfortable driving that roundabout after 20 years of traversing it. But it is, the plan is being implemented, is just not a not a good plan and to implement it right at the height of the kick of of spring season is just another. Another reason why this isn't the right time.

S

So, hopefully you can talk to traffic engineering and uh hopefully.

G

B

S

The chief is going to have police officers sitting there to make sure people are going the right way it just it's, not a good play, good use of police resources. So uh it's just if it ain't broke, we don't need to be trying to fix it. Thank you. Thank you. Mr Hamilton, I gotta go Gotta. Take my wife.

I

City council, city manager, my name is Jared Leung I'm, the president of Spring Branch, neighborhood association and I, was here to speak about a letter I sent earlier this week about um additional kayak launches at parks in the city. Bible sports, like kayaking canoeing and stand-up paddle boarding are a low-cost way for residents and tourists who enjoy the water and have become increasingly popular with more than 37 million participants in 2020 according to the outdoor Foundation.

I

Additionally, ecotourism is a rapidly growing and important aspect to Florida tourism, accounting for nearly 10 billion dollars in economic impact Statewide. According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission in Clearwater greenprint. The city sustainability plan includes goals for job creation through sustainable tourism and improve Public Health by encouraging residents to spend more time outside involved in physical activities, in an effort to increase access to water for residents and tourists.

I

The Spring Branch neighborhood association living salty stand-up paddle boards and Surf Shop floating Lotus stand-up paddle boards and Neighbors in the Overbrook Drive neighborhood urge City officials to create a kayak and other non-motorized vessel launch at Overbrook Park. The lone Bolling shove award complex and Sunset Point Park Edgewater Drive, the launch in most cases, can be as simple as re-grading a portion of the banks to provide easier access to the water. These safe, clean paddle-only launches would benefit Clearwater residents, visitors and businesses. Thank you very much. Thank you.

T

I'm Mr haluba I didn't hear anything in the uh Saint Pete Clearwater.

T

Presentation about the Clearwater city ordinance, making it illegal to lay down in public, as you would say, Mr Hibbert- that's uh you know odd, but I'm going to speak a little bit about recycling. Again.

T

There has to be a procedural change regarding the recycling program.

T

If we buy into all the excuses as to why it's not working, it all boils down to the fact that there's a finite capacity for recycled Goods versus the amount collected presently forcing every household to have one of these ugly dumpsters at their residence um and that causes the city to collect a large volume of something a great deal. It is contaminated and not useful for recycling only.

T

You know, in my opinion, the fanatical and uncompromising recyclers care much about disposal rules.

T

All of these individual recycling bins really should be picked up and recycled in their own right.

T

Clearwater leads as an alternative to provide some sort of a central recycling facility, something like that. Perhaps maybe not that would work better than the failed program. It's ongoing.

T

Still ongoing that doesn't match volume with you know capacity, and this is not a new thing. It happened in 2018., recyclables were picked up and taken straight to the dump till somebody. You know brought it to the attention of the city. The city didn't come clean, like Mr Hibbard would have you believe.

T

If something doesn't change, you just go back and you repeat the same old problem over and over again I, don't think picking up recyclables at people's residences is the way to go. I, think a central location or several of them would better match capacity with collectibles.

U

Good evening Council, my name is Stephanie sembler and I am a volunteer patient escort at bread and Roses Health Center in Clearwater I have been a volunteer for the last nine months and in that time there has always been the element of protesters trying to intimidate patients and Clinic staff.

U

But in this short time I have seen intimidation tactics arise from mild verbal intimidation to extreme danger to patients, escorts protesters and the public at Arch. This is largely brought on by a group of extremists that has become a regular presence in the last six months. I have witnessed this group run through the surrounding private businesses in order to jump out at patients at the back of the property. I have witnessed these groups swarming patients cars as they exit the facility impeding a safe exit onto busy streets as escorts.

U

We have witnessed many near-misses of car accidents, as visibility is blocked by extremists running straight up to car windows. Not only do we see visibility blocked, but the level of stress and intimidation has pushed patients to make dangerous Pilots onto Highland Avenue when these conditions arise. Escorts have asked the station police to help direct traffic to allow safer exits.

U

Cooperation on this request is not always granted and so escorts, who are private citizens, take it upon themselves to walk into the street to direct traffic. We do this not just for the patients, but so Clearwater residents simply driving by will not be involved in dangerous and expensive accidents.

U

Let me add that these occurrences are happening, while women are simply seeking legal medical treatment. I have heard from patients as they get out of their car, how overwhelmed and frightened they are by these extremists and on more than one occasion, escorts and Clinic staff have been informed that, when outside of the facility than when the outside of the facility is left unattended, these extremists walk onto private property and terrorize patients all the way to the entrance Door. This situation as it stands has become extremely volatile and the volatile volatility increases week by week.

U

I am here to inform you that this is worse than a nuisance. If extremists make good on the threats, they regularly mate to staff and volunteers, violence will impact the neighborhood, which is a dead shopping district here in Clearwater law enforcement and other localities, favor their safety zone laws citing Effectiveness in curbing violence and maintaining Public Safety outside of reproductive Health Care Facilities safety zones provide law enforcement. The tools it needs to keep the pace to keep the peace and, most importantly, keep all our citizens safe. Thank you. So much for your time.

V

My name is Mike Reardon and I'm here to talk about two things: I've contacted a couple of council members with text messages, I think it was I want to know more about the 2.1 million I think sound system for the amphitheater at the one meeting mayor Hibbert brought up that he hadn't gotten clarification on it and nobody wanted to buy a sound system.

V

So I think we need some transparency on how 2.1 million dollars was it multiple bids and was their staff members working with Mr, Jennings, okay, who I assume approved it, um and how that? How do we end up with a 2.1 million dollar sound system when every single presenter said don't buy it? We're not going to get it now we got out of it, never got it. If we're not spending 2.1 million dollars, that's good to know. I I've been trying to find out what happened so we're going to lease our sound system.

V

I think we ought to get back to you. Okay, I! Think, there's still some clarification. That's that's! Definitely because you you brought up that you were trying to get to the bottom of okay, all right, well, I'll put that on the back burner, I'd just like to know, because I I feel like we're going to turn around trying to sell it in three years, because it's not going to keep up with what we need. The other thing is that a quarter million dollars given to the chamber or amplify it, the arpa funds that they got.

V

It seemed like kind of a quick uh I'm, not sure why a non-profit organization like them that works for all for-profit businesses is all obvious, got a quarter million dollars in arpa fountains. When everybody else has to go through the grant system and apply for it. Some people won't get it and it was apparently for an incubator and I don't know anything. I haven't heard anything.

V

No one said that the incubator system is going, um but I'm not sure why we're giving out a quarter million dollars to a lobbyist organization who did not even present a concrete plan. Some of the things I heard is that maybe they were using it to try to get some matching funds, but it was all hearsay. All I know is I've heard. 2.1 million dollars was spent on a sound system. We didn't need and I heard a quarter million dollars went out the door and I, don't know if it's been given to them or not.

V

If it's still sitting waiting to be we've sent them a check or whatever. No, it hasn't happened. Okay, I think any time money goes out the door. There should be some type of criteria to get it, and it should also be follow-up with whether or not we're getting the return on investment. So I'm glad to hear it. We haven't given the quarter million dollars away and I'm glad to hear that we maybe not going to get that sound system, white elephant, that we don't need and I'm tone deaf.

V

So, if I'm complaining about sound system, you know it's not good anyway. Thank you have a good night. Thank you. Mr.

A

Anyone else for citizens to be heard.

K

Good evening Mr mayor council members, my name is Patrick raftery, 44-year resident of Clearwater I reside up in the countryside area I'd like to make a few comments about the reason recycling problem that we have here at city of Clearwater and I. Think the previous speakers perfect timing for me to make my comments to you myself and a number of residents are very concerned about this issue.

K

We're looking forward to the report and we'll be coming I believe from Mr Maxwell, as well as a perhaps outside Consultants, taking a look at some of the contracts that could be issued or should be issued to resume the recycling program.

K

We are looking forward to that and we anticipated will be done in a timely fashion, but it'll be quite quite comprehensive because the problems are not larger than we first heard about. If you will recent issues coming forward this week, I believe alone relative to contracts that were not being issued by the city to take care of me process processing of recyclables.

K

Another thing I think that should be thought about, is perhaps it's time for the residents of Clearwater to further restrict the items that we are recycling. If there is in fact, a capacity program, a problem, if you will maybe we need to restrict those items that we're recycling to make it easier to process those things.

K

There's been another discussion relative to the credit that might be going to the residents for when the recycling was not being done. I heard a figure of 81 cents a month for six months. 4.86 I've also heard another figure of 20.28 cents for six months, which would cost a city over one million dollars to reimburse a fat figure I'd like to suggest to yourselves and perhaps Mr Maxwell, that they consider a medium between those two of ten dollars and fourteen cents, which is half of the 20.28 cents to be credited back to the citizens.

K

That would be an expense of the city of a little over half million dollars. It's certainly something the city is going to have to undertake, but there is something that needs to be done to re-establish the trust and confidence that the residents have in their City.

K

Finally, when that report is issued, I hope there's full transparency as to what happened.

K

What have we learned from those and what corrective actions we're taking to prevent the occurrence and to the city manager in particular, I'd like to make the comment that we need to make sure that, within the city operations, there is a culture established that when something is not being done or something is wrong, we need not fear, be putting that to the proper authorities with respect to this issue here.

K

Can you imagine how much easier it would have been for the city and ourselves to be aware of this problem when it first occurred and to begin to take steps to correct it and be fully transparent to the residents so.

G

K

Message on that is to make sure in every operation of the city that there's a culture that says we have a duty to perform and when we are not performing that Duty, we have an obligation to report that to our supervisors in the city council. Thank you very much. Thank you. Mr Rafferty.

K

We want people to know that we have that we only recycling.

E

But we are recycling right now, hi um on recycling. My name is Lisa Lanza I. Take my electronics right down the street, there's a place on Hercules and um 24 hours a day, I just drop it at the door and he's happy I, don't know if you've ever tore the I think it's called East cycles and he they've got a big Warehouse there.

E

They take computers and stuff I, don't bother the city of Clearwater with that and um okay, so I have three things to talk about the kayaking in Stevenson gone: let's have them because I talked to them out in the hallway about it. Okay um number one! We had some emails going around back and forth today about the Clearwater downtown partnership and since those emails I followed up- and um there are some updates to some biz on the Clearwater downtown partnership- um I won't go into detail, but it's in the email so check.

E

Those I also just spoke to attorney Cole about some Biz in the Florida and the Clearwater downtown partnership. She said she's going to check into it also so that we're all on the same page on that topic, um then the other one is: um let's see, there's discussion about removing the e-commons but, as you know, Pinellas County I love to watch Pinellas, County, Commission meetings, they're very well organized they really follow parliamentary procedure. Their attorney is right on it and um they also accept key comments with no problem and many people.

E

um They can't come down here to the meeting, but they do want to. That is their one wig, because if we send you emails, I guess there's a way you can send an email and then they'll sell you one on the public record. Is that correct? It's? It's still. You know it's still nice to have the e-commerce and they're doing it with the county and no problem. I'm, not sure.

E

If for Pinellas is doing, I can't remember I want those minis too I know, commissioner councilman Albritton isn't on the forward Pinellas board, but I can't remember at this moment. If they take e-commerce or not, maybe you could address that.

E

Okay. Thank you very much.

A

W

My name is Dick Maxwell good evening mayor and City Council Members I'm here to address my concern of the city of Clearwater in regard to an upcoming Workshop you'll, be doing about bread and Rose's murder clinic in this city. I. Have these questions for you first, who are you listening to? Are you listening to reporters who at times quote people accurately but at their own discretion, misquote or give descriptions that are nuanced to support their own leanings?

W

Are you listening to Advocates of killing, who are so zealous to deny that murder is evil that they continue to to? They continue to come to abortuaries, to protect the sin that many of them have committed. Have you investigated the claims they make to determine their validity? Have you asked Clearwater Police? How many calls have come from 1560 South Highland in recent years, who made the calls what was determined by officers, how many were baseless and how many were based on lies?

W

Who are you listening to question two? What are you planning? I am not asking for my sake, but for yours there have been a plethora of instances where municipalities and states have attempted to regulate the exercise of First Amendment rights which have all failed drastically in the courts and sometimes included lawsuits that place Financial burdens on the jurisdictions. It would behoove you to consider well and with legal counsel, how you are going to proceed in dealing with the situation and question number three: do you know who you are dealing with? Who you're standing against?

W

It is not us, it is God and His truth. Your creator says this: it's not just those who hear, but those who do God's law that shall be justified for when you who try to ignore God's law, naturally do the things contained in the law, even though you're never read God's word you demonstrate that the work of the law written in your heart and your conscience, Bears witness and your own thoughts, will accuse or excuse you in the day when God shall judge your secrets through Jesus Christ.

W

According to the gospel, this is God's word and he is speaking to you. Some of you know in your hearts. What is the right thing to do understand that in such a time as this God has called you to stand for what he says is Right Jesus is King and he provided a means for those who serve him to delegate his authority in this nation.

W

All founding documents freely acknowledge that our right to establish this nation is recognized by God that our individual rights are inalienable and given by God, and that God is our creator with First Amendment our Founders, intended to keep our elected public servants from telling us how to worship and obey God and in the very same sentence. It gives us the right to redress our grievances. That right implies a duty to do so when we, the people, see our elected servants in here. Thank you.

W

W

W

W

A

A

A

A

A

A

A

Meeting for February 16th back to order, we are still on set up. Is there anyone else to be heard it this time.

X

Hi, my name is Rowan Walker and I'd like to speak about the bread and Rosa situation, but I'd also like to speak about some of the larger impacts that I think it has.

X

um I had prepared notes about laws and situations and I think you guys have heard enough of that tonight.

X

I'm, a trans woman and I moved here from South Carolina, because I saw a lot of the hatred directed at lgbtq people, particularly when it came to our rights as well as the rights of women when I was graduating. Grad school St, Petersburg Clearwater was um at the top of my list for places to come and live because you guys have a reputation for safety.

X

You guys have a reputation for being welcoming and for being a place where people who may not be able to find that elsewhere in this country can come and can be themselves without fear.

X

This situation of bread and Roses I have been verbally harassed, I have been thrown up against cars, I have been bruised emotionally and physically and I think that something that doesn't get talked about is the fact that hurts that reputation.

X

It makes people feel unsafe, not just when they're at red and Roses, but some of the protesters occasionally if they get bored they go across the street and tell it people shopping at Publix.

X

um The Regions Bank across the street has expressed concern about what could happen if a violent situation occurs.

X

Somebody mentioned earlier that St Petersburg at St, Pete and Clearwater should uh not just be known for their beaches and I. Think that that's true I think it should be known as a place, regardless of political stance, regardless of whether or not your pro-life or pro-choice where you can come and you can feel safe where you can come and you can not be scared of having to walk to your car, you can come and not be scared of having to go to a doctor's appointment. You can come and not be scared of going to church.

X

Whatever that looks like I think it's important to remember that we are all here trying to live our best lives and that it is not up to others how we get to do that and once again, I would just like to reiterate that I have loved living here for the past two and a half three years and I. Don't want that to change and I'm worried that if the situation continues to devolve- and you know my picture gets plastered on more Facebook pages- I'm- not type thing that I won't have a choice so I.

X

Thank you for all the work that you have been doing and I ask that you continue to make more efforts to keep all of us safe. Thank you so much. Thank you.

A

Anyone else, okay, I, have been asked to remove item 7.2 from consent or any other consent items to be removed by the public or the city or city council.

A

Otherwise, I'd ask for a motion to approve 7.1 through 7.3 and 7.

A

D

All in favor all.

A

Right opposed unanimous 7.2.

Y

For First Amendment to contract for exchange of real property between Barnell Evans and Sandra, Evans owners of the city of Clearwater and the City of Clearwater and authorized appropriate official saxophone, together with all other instruments necessary to affect closing.

Z

Economic Development housing department, any particular questions mayor or you want me to I, didn't ask work to be removed, I think Miss Lanza is behind you and she can express.

E

E

Well, I read all the documents and I I, just wonder what the city's um reason for wanting to make this swap.

Z

Well, the city owns 918 918, Palmetto Ave 19 Palmetto Street situation to a daycare. The daycare owner leases it from us to use it as a playground for that daycare. They also own that 900, Palmetto and they've asked us to switch them. Both 900 Palmetto has more development. Opportunities seemed like a real good opportunity for the city.

A

Any questions for Mr line anyone else to speak to item 7.2 type.

AA

Of motion move to approve item 7.2 seconds all.

A

In favor, fine opposed unanimous 8.1.

Y

I've heard the third amendment to an existing Development Group between triprop Clearwater LLC and the City of Clearwater property located at 400 Coronado Drive, formerly addressed as 421 and 431 South Gulfview Boulevard, which exhibits a through A2 to provide an updated legal description to include 1.1837 Acres of the adjacent proposed to be vacated. South, Gulf, View, Boulevard right-of-way to the subject site and replace, exhibit B with exhibit B-2 to provide new conceptual site plans and sets New Day by which time site plan of purple must be obtained and adopt. Resolution 23-02.

A

AB

Gina Clayton, Planning and Development. The item before you is the third amendment to an existing Hotel development agreement. The primary change is the addition of 0.18 acres of land to the project that will be obtained through a right-of-way, a south of right-of-way vacation of South Gulf View Boulevard. The amendment will include updated legal descriptions for the newer property and conceptual plans are also included due to the design changes that will occur due to the added land. The number of Hotel units is not changing. The hype is not changing and we're recommending approval.

AB

Any questions from Miss Clayton.

AC

Anyone from the public speak to.

AC

Picked up Mr Margolis resolution number 23-02, a resolution of the city of Clearwater Florida, amending a development agreement between the city of Clearwater and tribe pop Clearwater LLC, as assigned by alanik properties, anco Holdings, LLC and nakana Holdings LLC, providing an effective date.

AD

Motion to approve agenda item 8.1; okay, all in favor.

A

Aye opposed unanimous.

A

Y

Affirm Amendment to the Clearwater Community Development code, addressing Community Gardens, detached dwellings, residential infill projects in the MDR District fence's, vertical mixed-use projects, Landscaping standards, residential and commercial parking restrictions, signs, permit, renewals, pre-application meetings, development agreements, definitions, US, 19, zoning district and development standards and downtown district and development standards and past ordinance. 9643-23 on first reading.

J

Good evening Lauren Matzke, Planning and Development I am going to use my slides tonight very good.

J

But um since we we've gone over this at work session, I will try to move through it relatively quickly. As discussed. You know, there's several different topics or a wide variety of topics covered that are all amendments to the Community Development code. Some were proposed changes for clarification, others were to address previous direction from City Council.

J

uh The first set is all related to Community Gardens in particular, allowing them in the open space and Recreation district and then addressing the ability to do on-site sales either permanently in certain districts or temporarily in all the other districts Additionally. The proposed amendment establishes certain standards for fences for this use, in particular,.

J

The ordinance proposes two changes to the medium density residential district, both of which are consistent with quote Provisions that are already in the low medium density residential district. The first change is to allow front setback. Flexibility for detached dwellings currently is a level one or a flexible standard development application, which is the one that can be approved at the staff level front. Setbacks are only allowed at 25 feet. This would this proposes to allow a reduction of 15 feet of certain criteria are met.

J

The second proposed amendment is to add the residential, infield, developer or residential info project use as an option through a level one application detached dwellings specifically, would be the only use allowed through that type of application, and it would allow additional fronts at that flexibility, which would otherwise require a public hearing by the Community Development board.

J

uh There was some discussion. I didn't mention this at work session, but there was some discussion about the residential infill criterias, in particular a footnote, um that's found in all of the districts for this use, in which it's permitted. It states that the development standards are guidelines and our director, Gina Clayton, had discussed with the board at that time. That is our desire to take a more holistic look at the standards for residential info in the future code Amendment and bring that forward.

J

So we recommend, including that still within this amendment, so there's consistency across all of the districts.

J

um Fences and walls are a major com piece of this ordinance, in particular Corner lots and um to to allow forefoot High along a dress, front property line, six foot high, open style along the non-addressed property lines. So on Monday we talked through these Graphics. This illustrates where currently, the four foot maximum would be allowed, which is in those blue areas. This is where Corner lots have two fronts: um six feet. If you want on a six foot fence, it would only be allowed within line with the principal structure or in that area.

J

That's fully white behind it. With this proposed amendment, there's a differentiation between the addressed front of your of a property and the non-addressed fronts, so those will be treated as sides specifically for fences at council's Direction. This would allow for up to a six foot, high fence in between the principal structure and the side, property line and the pink areas there on the bottom of the graphic. But if it were six feet, it would need to be an open style fence and there's Graphics included within the amendment illustrate what that means.

J

See sorry, um the allowance for vertical mixed use projects would um the bonus would allow projects like this to use their full density and intensity development potential. The exemption for artificial turf came up in a previous meeting, so that's been included and I I wanted to give a little bit more information on parking restrictions. The residential parking restrictions are not new, but the changes would extend them to certain residential areas of the downtown district.

J

They were previously covered by these prior to the rezoning of some areas to make a unified downtown zoning District, which took place in 2018, and this was an unintended consequence because they were no longer. These areas were no longer considered to be residentially zoned um properties. So this would just extend these same restrictions back to that and then, while researching it.

J

This is when we noticed that the city's non-residential areas had no rules to keep Property Owners from or anyone I suppose from parking boats, trailers or recreational vehicles in the street, and this is a safety concern, so it is proposed to prohibit the parking of that in the non-residential areas.

J

There are two items per post that fall within the sign code. The first is to prohibit the use of LED rope or Ribbon lighting that is being used to outline doors or Windows. The foundation of the city's sign regulations is the need for regulations to preserve the city as a pleasing visually, attractive, Urban, environment, recognizing that tourism is a big part of our economic base. It is important to protect our community's image and create a sense of character and Ambiance that distinguishes our city from others.

J

The type of lighting proposed to be prohibited, Citywide is an is inexpensive to install, but it's also proliferating on our commercial corridors is commonly used more in older strips than our in our older strippery Town malls. The lights are typically left on day and night drawing attention, but in a non-ethnically pleasing way.

J

The second portion of the amendment addressing signs is.

J

Renamed the existing Provisions for electronic changeable message signs to address those that are freestanding and then adds new Provisions for uh the same type of sign that would be attached to buildings. The criteria proposed are that they are limited to facilities in the downtown zoning District. The venues must have seating for 750 or more people. The message area must be integrated into the attached sign and the attack sign must be located on a building canopy or a building Marquee. And lastly, the general message may change no more frequently than once. Every 15 seconds.

J

And we've touched on both of these and they're pretty self-explanatory for pre-application conferences and development agreements.

J

Us 19, the bike parking requirements were updated. One of the questions on Monday was about long-term bike parking and what would qualify so long term I made sure to look it up. Long-Term buy parking is needs to be secure and weather protected. It can be located in buildings under roof, overhangs or awnings, in bike lockers or within other similar structures to provide additional security. Since it's intended for those longer stays multiple hours or multiple days, it needs to be in a visible location or monitored by a security camera and be lit at night time.

J

Staff is recommending that larger projects first be reviewed through a formal site plan approval process prior to moving to building permits in the US-19 and um yep in the sorry, in the U.S 19 District, where there's special Provisions for these larger sites and new flexibility is proposed. Where we've been reviewing multiple.

U

J

And and think that there's value to adding this for our community.

J

In downtown, as we've discussed, many of the amendments are very similar because they're intended to be consistent to the greatest degree possible um in downtown. However, there's more height transition, so there's some proposed changes to the building. Steppack Provisions to to bike right add a little bit more flexibility there.

J

The second piece related to uses density is established in the downtown Redevelopment plan. Currently there's no allowance for overnight accommodations in the South Gateway. So this organ that's correct. That is within the code. It also proposes to allow the self-storage facilities as an accessory use in the downtown Gateway, so expanding the areas where those could be provided, and then various amendments through the site and building design standards are proposed and similar to US 19.

J

There's multiple areas where our new flexibility is proposed related to again the step, backs, front setback, reductions and other addressing other situations, and these are the the rest of those.

J

So um the ordinance was presented to the Community Development board, as we discussed in the unanimously recommended approval with um one change recommended, which was to address the fences for the Community Gardens use, allowing instead of limiting the front to be four feet in height, it would be to allow up to six feet. But if it is taller than four feet then it would also need to be the open style event. So the current proposal in the ordinance is consistent where other fronts are treated with their forefoot high, but um yeah we can.

J

We can bring forward a change if it's accountable.

A

That's how I can answer questions any questions from Mr missile membership.

AD

First of all, I really appreciated our one-on-one. It was very informative and it gave me time to really process it and marinate it. But I have a few questions, of course. So, let's start with the organism: Forge 1618, referring to the changeable electronic lighting for the value of 750 seats. I just want to clarify that that is particular particularly for the Capitol Theater correct.

J

um That would be the one venue that currently would qualify, but if another venue were constructed within downtown it and met those same criteria, it would also be able to request that plan so being.

AD

A corner building facing Cleveland and Osceola, which would be the Imagine Clearwater Park, are they allowed to have the dynamic I guess changing electronic Marquee around the corner for both sides.

J

I'm going to ask Gina Clayton because she works more in depth on this.

AB

I believe the way it's written, it's just more.

AD

Property is there any way we can change it since it's a corner property and facing two highly visible streets, and it would benefit the the theater.

AB

um I think well, I had some meetings with the theater about their signage proposal and when we discussed it, um there's some issues with that based on the public art, that's on the building and how it would cover up the public, art and part of the one that they had proposed and just from an aesthetic standpoint, and you know not that much vehicular traffic on those roadways we landed on. One is what our recommendation is. If you want to change it, then that's up to the council, I.

AD

Would because I spoke to them recently and they they I agree with their with their request, because it is a corner lot and it is going to be facing. Imagine Clearwater, so we're going to have that traffic that we don't have now I. Think it's a lost opportunity to not have that signage on Osceola well,.

AB

The way it was proposed, they would actually have two signs or a portion of two signs on the same Frontage. It wasn't as the sign wasn't just on Osceola. It was proposed on the center of the theater and then there's a part, that's kind of notched out. You know the canopy doesn't go all the way, so also that sign was on the Frontage facing Cleveland and going around too so it your typical corner lot might have a sign on each Frontage or one one that wraps the car two or portion of two on one Frontage.

AD

So um if that is something that they want, that those two signs, whether it's wrapped around or two separate signs, what is the process that we have to go through to allow them to do that?.

AB

Do you need to make an amendment to the ordinance tonight on first reading? Okay,.

G

AD

One other thing: I need clarification. What clarification was just kind of putting a question out there.

AD

um I was wondering if it can decrease the number of the venue and and I'm just thinking outside the box. Here, let's say post office vacates and we get a dinner theater or one of those Indie Cinemas, those really great smaller version of local cinemas, C 500 and then we have to go through this whole process. I was wondering if the council feels okay with decreasing that number, so that we're not going through this again.

AD

You know in the hopes of in the future that you do have another venue that might be able to use it or want to use it. So I would like to make an amendment, let's say, to um decrease, let's say the seating to 300 and have the ability to have signage on each side of exposed exterior.

AD

How would I do that.

AC

I believe that, from a procedural standpoint, it would be appropriate to make a motion to amend the proposed ordinance as it pertains to section 3-1807 of our community development code and specifically to reduce the number 750 to 500 or whatever number you would like, and then for the other portion of it, which can be part of the same motion. It would you have to specify how you want it to be phrased.

D

Can I ask a couple questions.

AD

About coming with this, okay, so I make a motion to change the venue amount from 750 to let's say 350 I think that's a good number.

AD

And to allow set of signage to be placed in on either side of how would I say that Frontage.

A

Are you talking multiple sides if it's a.

AD

Corner corner would be, let's say, just to be very specific and clear, so it would be the front on Cleveland, Street and then and then the other side on Osceola.

A

So, like the Reds used to be.

A

In fact, when I first moved here it was a Triplex theater, so we've come a long way. uh Thank goodness, um but I mean it could be converted back into I. Don't know how many I would see, but that only has one Frontage.

AD

Sorry, can you talk about the capital thing.

A

AD

Oh, the Reds, okay, it was on Fort Harrison, just north of I, don't even know what we call it.

A

Now, but it only has one Frontage, whereas, like the post office, has four.

A

Freestanding building.

R

At least three so anyway,.

X

What are your thoughts? Well, no I.

D

Do we have to have a second in.

A

Order to discuss we do so so, but I need a motion. First and I don't have uh we can discuss it. I've always just allowed discussion first, so that we can coalesce around something.

A

Stripes some people crazy from a Robert's Rules but I, don't think it's a problem. I.

AC

Don't think it's a problem, I mean there's, there's nothing, there's nothing statutorily. That causes any problems there.

A

It's a good Vice farm, so.

D

I had a couple questions about this. One too I was thinking. Obviously it seemed to be written specifically for Ruth Eckerd Hall, which is you know it is what it is, but uh so I had a question about why how you arrived at 750 seats I was wondering if it would apply to like peace. Memorial can 750 people fit in peace, Memorial or someplace at the flag or Fort Harrison. You know, can they fit 750 people in there and then I thought.

D

You know uh you're talking about other little theaters I'm familiar with some of the smaller theaters in Chicago, like the annoyance who has it's, you know this old building, they have improv and they might have four theaters, and so they might be able to fit 750 people in three or four little theater rooms there, but it's not one 750 venue and so I just wanted some clarification, I'm all for entertainment venues and and all that I'm just wondering what we want.

D

What the potential look is is of a bunch of neon lights and and Marquis in the downtown. What could potentially um be that way and if we're going to reduce it to 350 I, think we even have more potential signage stuff, and then it seemed like with your explanation: I wasn't quite clear, but it seemed like you were saying and I agree with Lena I. Think.

D

If we're talking about Ruth Eckerd, the Capitol Theater, it would probably be beneficial to have some kind of digital signage on both sides, um but it sounded like you're saying they really can at some kind of corner thing anyway that will wrap around they.

AB

Could look I'm, sorry that wasn't clear, no I'm saying what they.

D

G

AB

Initially that they were thinking about had essentially two signs on the Cleveland Street Frontage, a portion of the second sign, what wrapped around so they had. You know it wasn't truly on just both each product.

D

So there were lit lights on Osceola at some point, yeah.

AB

It kind of wrapped around I'm not sure exactly how okay.

A

AB

The corner I think well, they had a kind of like a TV screen on the second floor and then another ribbon around they're wrapped around the canopy. So a portion of it was on Cleveland and a portion was on.

D

Osceola, so it's a lit attention getter on on both sides, right and so you've already seen their depiction. So then, why are they asking for two sides now something different? My.

AD

Understanding was that they were only allowed one side that was the last conversation I had with Representatives above the capital gain and I and I I would like to honor the request of having two, um maybe maybe I'm, focusing maybe instead of focusing on the number rather than you should be in the usage. So instead of 750 seats should be a venue of theater. You know you know a menu such as a theater.

AD

If you want to somebody wants to limit the amount of you know, lights and um Marquees, instead of instead of assigning a number to to make it exclusive, actually just assign a usage. I, don't know if that clarifies it, but I just think that 750 is very limiting correct.

AD

And I'm saying not to be so much to be more open to right, whatever's coming before us.

A

Council member bunker.

AA

Well, I was just wondering uh we have a delightful 300 seat, dinner, theater opening and we had set it to 350 seats. How difficult is it to come back and just change that at another time.

AB

It's ordinance, preparation.

AA

It's just you know, I'm.

K

AA

It's that big of a deal we should be able to adjust to to these things in the future. If we need to, you got to be cautious, though, that you're not.

A

Changing the code.

A

um You know this. This particular sign issue has literally been going on since the theater was completely referred.

A

Since we've closed down Cleveland, it is harder for people to see upcoming attractions have people that live in water's edge. That say they don't know what's capital, it isn't real efficient, but council member Albright. They actually talked to me about this I'm not carrying any water. Well,.

M

I've been saying this for four years: I mean I, uh I, just think it's ridiculous to have a movie theater, then I can't see what's not a movie theater, but a a entertainment venue that you don't know what's going on unless you want to go up and read the sign. That's about that big! You know eight and a half by eleven sheet of paper and uh and I understand the Aesthetics that are already there I.

M

They couldn't put a normal type of a theater thing on it, but I think that the little ribbon, something that would Chase around and I I agree. If it's a corner lot do either have it ramp or have two separate signs on them. If it's not a corner lot, I have one side I'm. Fine with that and I think we're gonna have some dinner. Hopefully we will develop and have some other entertainment venues on Cleveland Street that it would be nice to see what what's coming up. You know without we do have a pedestrian mall.

M

Now and some you know, look people walking down the street can see what's coming up and be very helpful, I think and advertising what's uh coming up or what's playing that night.

M

And I don't know about eliminating to a 750, I. Think I think you could probably back off that a little bit because, like Mark was saying, if it's a dinner, theater I don't want to have 10 seats and have a ribbon light up there, but 300 seats. 350 seats would probably be fine. I'll be fine with that.

D

What do y'all think about having it lower I mean what are the pros and cons of moving it down to 500, and what about my comments about the Fort Harrison or peace Memorial, or what? What structures do we have down there? Now that could fit three five seven hundred fifty people in them.

AB

D

If you have an event, not.

AB

A venue this language was really kind of mirrored on what our attorney Bill Britain had written for our electronic changeable signs, and you know hearing the conversation. It probably could be a little bit clearer, um but I mean I think it depends on. Do you want a proliferation of electronic message? Signs I mean we've. The city has not taken that position. We've limited them to just for the freestanding ones, to pretty much city-owned facilities, public facilities with 2 000 seats and more and schools and places of worship, so I feel like.

AB

If you start reducing the number of seats, then you're starting to open them up for more businesses. Instead of you know how we originally.

M

Attended but if you just say theater dinner, theater movie, theater.

AD

AD

What do you think about that? Eliminating the number assigned to it, but just identify specifically if they need it, that we would be interested in allowing that kind of lighting I mean that's a possibility.

AB

I'd look today, but I think you know if you want to do that.

AC

Yeah I don't see any legal problem. You know it's really just a matter of making the motion to identify what change you'd like to see. So if the motion is to amend the proposed changes to section 3-1807 to replace the 750 seat proposed rule with a allowance for any sort of theater venue, then that would be a motion that could be.

D

So that Francis Wilson theater could have.

AB

I, don't know how many seats.

AD

D

AD

D

Doesn't matter they're a theater right, so, okay.

AD

So can I delete.

D

Improv theaters can be really tiny, Community.

M

Theaters players is 100 seats.

D

Yeah I mean so again, I'm just you, you know better pros and cons or things.

AB

That are recommendations.

D

AB

Because I think the problem or the issue will be, you know everybody wants to be a theater. You know if they're having an improv and they're a restaurant, you know they're going to try to start saying we're a venue we're a theater we're providing performance. Then.

G

AB

Know are they entitled to the signs.

D

Yeah and as a theater does that mean I mean when you put that language in there? Can you have a musical performance in a theater? You know just I mean like I've, been to places where it's just the orchestra plays right. It's not acting.

AB

Maybe we want to if you want to allow that sort of thing. Maybe let us work on it to see if we need a definition so that that's.

A

Can we amend it on sec.

A

We've already noticed for next meeting and we have first reading next meeting and second reading.

AC

Reading, it's not going to make a big difference either way candidly, because um long before I joined the city, there was an attorney who believed that it was necessary for text amendments to exhaustively lay out in the title of the ordinance every change, which means that if any amendment is made, it will likely require me to change the title of the ordinance. Among other things, and because the title has already been advertised, we will have to kind of restart the reverse reading regardless.

AC

So it's not going to matter so I think it would be better to continue.

AC

I think you're.

A

Here at some level of, uh but you can refine it.

A

It's done properly excellent.

AB

So I'd like to be clear, theaters I mean a theater word that has fixed seating in it. I mean is that what you're? Looking for you're? Not looking for the restaurant that has my.

D

Dinner theater right yeah, uh so you want to say, fix seating.

AB

I don't know I'm.

D

AB

To make sure that I understand it has to be a criteria.

AD

Right they can right, so primary purpose would be a theater, not not a.

G

A

A

D

AB

I, don't think so. You know okay.

AA

We'd be lucky to have a bunch of venues down here and you know.

M

And I always says that kind of thing is a good thing for a football.

Z

M

It makes it exciting and.

AB

Okay, so if I just to be clear primary important to have a limitation on the number of seats- and you want to allow signage on each Street correct.

AB

Electronic message on.

AB

Post office offer three: it's one finale I mean I'm, just trying to think.

A

Not that runs in between.

AB

Oh, no, not the sidewalk.

A

That's what I mean so they'd have three frontages right.

AD

We can limit it to two.

AB

But you want them on the different frontages you're, not talking about having two on the same Frontage, correct.

A

A

Do you want another recess? No.

Y

um But I'll let um the attorney explain. It cannot be continue to the next meeting if it is continued because we will have to restart the noticing process so you're, looking at March, 6, March 16.

AC

So the March 13th work session and uh March 16th will be first reading. So, if there's a motion to continue to that effect, that would be the appropriate time. We were also talking about whether in fact the title will need to be changed.

AC

As Miss Masky pointed out to me, it is possible that if this is the only change that's made, maybe I can leave the title intact, but I know there are other issues that we've talked about and so I would feel more comfortable, just continuing it to the March 13th work session in the March 16th first reading. That gives us time to re-advertise. It also gives us time to work on any amendments to the title itself.

A

So, do you have enough guidance on this particular.

AD

So the other one is about the LED ropes, um Banning, the use of them. This band brings me great concern um by in large part, it affects small businesses in this cord ribbon. Led lighting is a viable, affordable way to illuminate and promote their small business, and just yesterday, I was driving on Gulf to Bay and, of course, I'm paying attention to the road, but I could still count 17.

AD

small businesses that use it, and so I did reach out to some small businesses, and they feel that it's another way to confine their ability to Thrive and to promote their businesses so I'm concerned about banning something that affects small businesses without consulting them, especially since it's an aesthetic thing: it's not a safety code.

AD

It's an aesthetic and you know I'm a fashion designer wearable artist, so Aesthetics is very important to me, but it should never be at the cost of a small business being able to to run to run smoothly and and to do well. I also understand what we're trying to avoid. There are those businesses that do summon up some kind of negative feeling right. The blacked out windows with the neon flashing lights and I can see the negative perception, but just Banning this completely like this.

AD

It kind of reminds me of like the teachers punishing the whole class for one or two problematic children. I didn't appreciate it then, and I don't appreciate it now, and I I really would at least hold off until we let the small business Community know and get their feedback, because this will affect them, and so, at this point, I'm not comfortable moving forward with this man.

D

Spam I appreciate those comments, I think they're, they're important I would say you know. I had some comments about um the rope lighting. One of my questions was, and it's kind of the opposite. It's um a lot of the residents on Sand Key. Do not like that blue lighting, Sand, Key, Marriott and I had a question about the outlining LED.

D

What's the definition of outlining Windows, is it four sides because theirs just goes all the way across, but yeah I mean I, don't know yeah, we talked a little bit about the distinction, so I did have some people call me and say: hey is get rid of those blue LED lights, but but anyway, I wanted to ask about that.

D

But I think, more importantly, I, think council, member to share his coin is is valid in that you know the feedback I get from small businesses like streets like Drew um and um and and downtown on the beach is is about this was about the sidewalk signs or sandwich boards or A-frame signs, or whatever you talk about is that they want to advertise today's special today's soup of the day or whatever's on sale, or they want to stick out a feather thing on Drew Street. You know.

D

One of those feather signs like today is whatever it is or come on in sale today, because it's their businesses are so far set back and Drew is a dangerous road. It's like you, never have time to turn to the side and look and see what businesses are there um or what's on sale or what's going on, and so if we're Banning lights or- and my question was, are those sandwich boards allowed uniformly throughout the city because I do see them a lot on the beach and wonder?

D

Are they allowed down Drew or um you know other down Cleveland um loud.

A

In the downtown district, then, on the beach.

D

And that's it not.

AB

Down Drew private property on commercial, but not on the sidewalk. They have to be in by their door so like if you're walking down under a strip center.

D

Right but again, if you're driving down Drew, it's you know 20 yards from the street to the sidewalk of that business, maybe at some places, um but but if we're going to restrict that kind of signage a bit if we're going to and I, don't particularly care for Led rope lighting, but I appreciate individuality. So if we're gonna look at that look at this sandwich boards and I've heard a lot of feedback a few years ago about the amount of lettering on Windows on a storefront. You know it you had to so.

D

The cut out sticky lettering is is regulated. What are you offering? You know? What are we offering and allowing that helps a small business be successful and attract patrons to their business? That's what I would say. What can they do in those challenging parts of our city.

J

Well, I mean they would they would be permitted to do any signs compliant with our sign code. um I, don't know if any of them have had any conversations with us.

J

We also have the comprehensive sign program, which um requires a heightened aesthetic, but has allowances for more signs than the base you know allowed so, but you know I mean that would vary by property, but but to your point like a lot of the temporary signs, you know, Clearwater does not have a proliferation of those because they're not allowed, whereas when you go through other communities, you'll see a lot.

V

J

Signs or the flags over you know what used to always be overused Carlock.

D

For that nature, we don't have that and.

J

That's part of what um you know or if you think about the the major commercial corridors where a lot of these would be deployed. These are the main roads that our tourists use to get to our beach, and you know our citizens also drive them.

J

There is a compelling need for you know, for the overall aesthetic in that regard,.

G

The visual clutter that you.

A

Can use I mean I, don't rope.

A

Smoke shops- that's crazy about anyway, but but you know there are a lot I think it might behoove y'all to have a one-on-one on signage, a kind of the history and some of the pictures that we have going back uh on, Gulf to Bay and elsewhere with the boards and other thing. We allow the feathers when a business original.

J

A

J

They're there are allowances for grand openings, yeah.

A

It's temporary yeah, but you know I, would challenge everybody.

D

To drive down there and I'm not going to name yes, I'm down, 19., well, no just other places and look for some of the vision. You know clutter and whatnot I.

A

Mean sandwich boards on Drew, you couldn't read them from Drew. Certainly shouldn't be reading them from your uh as you're driving by but I mean we have had I can't tell you the discussions we've had on uh unbelievable um and how they had to be done professionally versus ones that you know were done by hand and- and we had some really good examples of bad examples over a very long frame right. It's Clayton, Mr, blue hours of scintillating discussion.

D

Well, I mean it's again: I appreciate you suggesting the one-on-one and that's that's. Okay, but again, I I think where's the evidence that we're going to reach out to some small business owners and get some feedback and suggestions and help shape it from them. I mean they're, the ones who it this. This pertains to I want them to be successful, and so what options do we have?

D

Council, member Albert.

M

So we we've been talking about this for years for decades. Last time the mayor was mayor.

M

Had been talked about probably 10 years at that point because I know the chamber was at an attorney working on making changes for the for the business Community, because we had a lot more restricted sign code back then I can tell you that the new one the downtown has now is what we were looking for 10 years ago. It's a very good I. Think all the the little bells and whistles and the hot points got taken, care of and I think it's very advantageous for a business and and very it's an amber alert, very fair.

M

You know for us not having a lot of gaudy stuff, but at the same time it's good for the businesses. You know the eight The Sandwich Board thing, we've talked about for years and years as the mayor said, you know it's a pedestrian thing. It's not you're not going to look at a sandwich board going down 19.. So that was another thing we talked about in depth was the difference between a pedestrian Corridor and a Drew Street or US 19.

M

They should be able to have bigger signs because of the speed of the traffic, but they shouldn't have all the stuff that you know.

M

You're not going to be able to read anyway, so um might be, might be good to just go over the new signed ordinances a couple years ago that we put in and and so everybody kind of gets up to date with that, and maybe we could I mean I'm okay, with the with with some businesses having you know the uh windows and the doors I think I think well, I, don't want to see everybody having them. I think it. You know this gets to a point where then it gets no, but nobody can differentiate anyway.

M

So, let's see what's Eastern Avenue, but.

A

So what is the consensus on the LED rope lighting I'm hearing to eliminated or allow it open, yeah.

M

That's a probably I would allow it uh because some businesses have it not all businesses have it. It's not in to me it's not problematic right now. Maybe uh I, don't know what kind of restrictions you would put on there, whether you, if you have a business that has a whole bunch of glass windows, whether they put on every one of them I, don't know, maybe they put them on a 50 of the ones they have, and maybe that would help.

AA

I I do think that they they look tacky for the most part and to the mayor's comment earlier. There's a Main Street that I drive down as I'm leaving Clearwater I go okay, I've left the city now because the neighborhood just changes um and I think things like that is a large part of it. So I would prefer that we not allow them but I, think I'm outnumbered on our forum. I, don't know that they truly bring business to.

A

Any to draw attention.

A

And I think the aesthetic is lousy so.

AA

There has to be more creative ways too, come up business and attention.

AD

I'd like to add some more comments, good, you know, I was and I think I am the only small business owner here, so I know the challenges of having a small business in this city.

AD

um One of the things that I have heard in the last eight years is that, especially in downtown there's this pressure to be cookie cutter, nothing tacky, nothing too bright, not not too much lettering and and I think that what we're doing is we're tying our hands behind our backs when we're still babies trying to walk and what we need is the obstacles to be pulled away. I understand that that could be tacky and I and I would not be opposed to having some solutions a middle of the ground.

AD

But it's not just you know when you say it doesn't bring in money. Well, if you're in a small strip joint, a strong small.

AD

Okay and I know that's what everybody's implying I guess! That's, why I'm saying it? But if you want a small strip plaza where the lighting is bad, the buildings are old, so any modifications will will be needing permits and an electrical. You know overhaul. These are Big expenses for small businesses and landowners, probably not going to implement the property owners are not going to want to. You know, cooperate and I'm telling this. From my experience.

AD

It is very complicated for a small business owner to do something as simple as a sign so I understand the tackiness of it. I understand that, but instead of just Banning it let's work with the small businesses, because the feeling is that every time they come up with something that works it's taken away. So if it's attacking us that you want to decrease okay, so let's control the colors instead of having neon colors.

AD

Let's just make it white because I had it on my establishment, the white twinkling lights, which I use for Valentine's and I turned it red and for St patties I turned the green and it was not tacky and I appreciated. Having that option to do it, instead of asking my landlord, you know to change the whole electrical system to have outdoor lighting, so I guess I just want everyone to really think of the impact that it's going to be on a small but then maybe just be open to Silver s rather than just outright vanity.

AD

That's all I'm asking if.

J

I may clarify lights used for holidays. That's, basically, what you've described is not considered a sign. Therefore, it would not be covered by this prohibition.

AD

Then I use the verbs they just put. The twinkling function and I had that that flexibility.

D

Honey, what about the possibility of the white I mean I like I, like you're, making a great argument? I think you know it's certainly from experience. You know I, um but what? If? What? If we made them only white rope lights that would give some uniformity I, don't know, then you could turn on different colors for different.

AD

D

That's a good point: if you, if you counted 17, that's awesome right.

A

Were they going to be grandfathered or they would be eliminated, they'd be eliminated, correct.

J

Yes, that is correct. There was no provision to deal with in part it's difficult to determine. When did you purchase them? When did.

AE

J

Street View doesn't go back all every year.

AB

Also, it's a plug-in. It's not like in a quick structure that would be subject to grandfathering.

D

Do you know of any like Middle, Ground ordinances and other municipalities that have kind of a similar intent to take care of the tackiness, but allow a cheap way to advertise your business or draw attention? No.

J

Don't know I, don't I think some some communities have more creative people, yeah.

A

I wish we could at least reduce it, I think you're talking about an enforcement nightmare and at some point you also have to think about that.

A

um We can put something in that's creative, but now we're gonna have to hire additional people just to enforce it. So uh this isn't a hill I'm gonna die on CE.

M

You just leave it out.

G

M

Now it becomes a problem we can talk about it then, but.

A

They think it's a problem all right.

J

There are a lot more now than there were a few months ago when this was originally discussed and added in there.

A

I mean that's: why they're bringing it to us.

D

Have there been complaints from residents about neon lights in storefronts? It's not neon.

U

J

Know of course, unfortunately, it's kind of a Dying orange, but neon times would be allowed.

D

AD

So, which I think it's done all right, subjective.

D

But but not a significant amount of so this is more the planning department and your desire for Aesthetics and updating the code than it is resident driven.

J

Absolutely yeah, this is part of you know, looking at what are the purposes of the sign code and- um and that was a lot of what I tried to read into the record, you know: that's why we have assigned code is, is for aesthetic reasons, for you know, keeping us unique from others in that regard. So, but no I did not receive any phone calls complaining about it.

A

So, what's your pleasure on the LED.

A

I'm hearing eliminated.

A

Is that where you were a council member.

M

A

Okay, all right and then we'll work on the language. The Marquis.

AC

Yes, but someone will still have to make a motion to continue the I know. I also.

D

I had two other little areas, all right, um the. How did we land on the um fence height for the Community Gardens? Are they allowed at six foot.

J

That would need to be part of a motion as well. Okay,.

D

I I think for you know again my experience of being in the community garden here in Clearwater that they need it over four feet for um protecting their Assets in there.

A

I'm fine, with going to six I, mean I think if somebody wants to get over a six they're going to get over a six as long as it's open, fencing, I, don't have a problem with it.

A

I mean we don't allow close six foot other places right.

J

Not in front of a primary instructor, assuming that this passes.

A

So this is a car valve for Community Gardens. Yes,.

D

And then the other thing I had was, if you can just talk just a little bit, I forget if I asked on Monday, but why is it a good thing to expand the areas for storage unit businesses, no East Gateway? Why do we why? Why is it okay to have them there? You think well.

J

And and that one we were, we were discussing that that's that happens to be a location where there's a unique building. Oh.

D

That's right: the SBC building is that why or that rules Frontier yeah.

J

Time so that was part of that recommendation. The the code currently limits any any location where they would be allowed within downtown. It would limit it to 25 of the overall use. So um in some regards we were talking about that became a factor as we were looking at. You know apartments or Condominiums needing some sort of additional storage, potentially for their residents. That kind of back and forth.

J

You know: we've looked at other other communities, um including Saint Pete, which had has.

N

J

Provision, but in this regard you know this is just a recommendation. It's not you know it's like the others. It's up for consideration.

AD

So the storage freestanding or or attached to something that's what I needed.

M

Inside you're, talking about inside the building, yeah well.

J

It would need to be fully enclosed. There are certain certain standards for that. So it's not. You know, exposed to outside no no doorways or things like that, but it would be part of a larger project.

J

D

The frontier area, it would have to be part of something, so it could be storage that goes up there next to the affordable housing, that's going by the community garden, and then it also has to be partnered with something else. Next to it. Okay, no.

J

One could you couldn't come in and request to just use that building for Self Storage with no other okay.

D

Mixed use, some kind of something 25 or.

M

Something of that.

D

Building yeah, okay, okay,.

J

But so that was in this in this in the marquee signs there was a particular the nearer facility building in mind, yeah yeah.

D

An opportunity there we go okay and what kind of structure might be married with it like would be.

J

I mean residents or retail okay, anything yeah it doesn't, it doesn't specifically have to be a residential and a non-residential use. The way it's written, be anything Plus.

D

Car Wash and a storage unit.

G

um Those are jobs, those.

J

J

um Car washes are.

N

Allowed there, okay.

N

J

Okay, shouldn't start.

D

I'm, okay with it, then I I mean I I just wanted to understand.

A

Anyone from the public.

A

Do I have a motion to continue uh item 8.2 to March 16th.

AD

Make a motion to move there's a giant agenda item to March 16.

A

M

Second, all in favor opposed unanimous.

A

9.1. Thank you, ladies.

AC

Sorry, just uh making sure we had the.

Y

I wasn't a comment for last items: yeah: okay, go ahead: um Kathy Flaherty submitted a comment. I think this needs to be discussed by the council, so the community at large can hear the changes being considered. Any changes existing approved positions assignments should be grandfathered in the city, currently grandfathers and all dumpster placements prior to 1999. When the council approved an ordinance restricting the dumpster's placement.

Y

No language of grandfathering is mentioned in that ordinance, but they are nonetheless. If the council is going to approve an ordinance, you must be consistent with the enforcement of those ordinances. Selective code enforcement is wrong. Picking and choosing which laws to enforce is not part of the city manager or council members authorized duties and close all dumpsters and get them away from the storm water drains and off the city easements, as required by the existing ordinance.

AC

Okay item 9.1, the second readings.

AC

Ordinance number 9650-23 in ordinance of the city of Clearwater Florida vacating, East, five foot, right-of-way easement, located on lot; 16 Bayside, subdivision, Clearwater, Beach Island, according to the map, or plat thereof, as recorded in platbook 23 page 17 of the public records of Pinellas County Florida providing an effective date. Anyone from the public speak.

M

Item 9.1, so I've motion move the grooves into item 9.1.

A

Second, all in favor, I opposed.

AC

Unanimous 9.2 ordinance number 9651-23, an ordinance of the city of Clearwater Florida vacating, the rear, platted five-foot public utility easement, located on lot 6 in the north 30 feet of lot, 5 block 69 Mandalay according to the mapper Platte thereof, as recorded in Black Book 14 pages 32-35 of the public records at Pinellas, County Florida providing an effective date.

AC

Anyone from the public speak.

D

Out of 9.2 motion motion to approve agenda item 9.2. Second,.

A

AC

Ordinance number 9652-23 an ordinance of the city of Clearwater Florida vacating, the north 30-foot Ingress egress easement, located on lot one block a Earl Scheib commercial center, according to the mapper plat thereof, as recorded in Platt book 74, page 22, the public records of Pinellas County Florida, providing an effective date.

AA

Multiprove item 9.3 seconds all.

A

In favor all right opposed unanimous 10.1. The.

Y

Right direction, the feature Clearwater gas systems, hurricane business, division.

AE

Good evening, Brian langill interim director for Clearwater gas system. So this item is to talk about our propane business and we did have one-on-ones on this item. Last month uh we discussed the profit and loss the overall that we're losing money on our propane operations.

AE

um So we've operated a propane business for over 30 years. We grew it a lot back in the 90s, and currently we have a little over 2 000 customers that we have right now and primarily most of them are in the county, unincorporated Pinellas in Pasco County. We currently have 95 customers that are within the city of Clearwater right now, so a very small percentage of those propane customers reside within the city of Clearwater.

AE

um So with the revenues and expenses where we've experienced over six hundred thousand dollars per year losses and uh one year in in 2021, it was over eight hundred thousand dollars and so we're recommending that we go out and get a business valuation for the worth of the propane company and then go out for an RFP in order to see what potential buyers are out there to take over there. There are other buyers in the in the area that can take over those customers. They would not be left out on their own.

AE

They would be you know, taken over by a company that does that on a daily basis, right now and the employees that we have within the gas system that do propane, that's eight of them, they would be absorbed into our natural gas operations. We have more vacancies right now than we need to absorb employees and we can keep them at their current position versus having to do any type of devotions or anything like that. They would just have to train and learn the natural gas side, and they would have that opportunity to do that.

AE

So um so, and we did get some letters from uh or emails from customers um I'll say that it was very limited. We got um I have a total of five, which includes the emails that went to City Hall as well. So we did not get a lot of public response from the letters that we sent out, notifying our customers that we were going to take this to council tonight.

AE

So so I got two today and I forwarded them on to you and the entire Council.

A

Both of those were from one neighborhood, where they're using a tank for the whole neighborhood.

AE

uh Yeah some of our customers are on a loop system where we have a big tank in front of the subdivision, and then we have uh just like we do with natural. We have a piping system all around. In that little neighborhood we only have a handful of those Loop systems, so um you know just a lesson: probably 50 customers, whoever.

AE

Service, yes, they would. They would continue it that way, because they were concerned that they were.

AE

Going to eat yeah, we would list all those assets to you know to be sold now. I would I would expect that the next propane company to take it over that way would make the most sense, because it's already in the ground that grants more efficient to do it that way than it is to fill up each individual customer, and you know we could increase our price to be a little bit more profitable, but we would have to add at least two dollars in order to do that, and we.

N

AE

Know with 2 000 customers versus a 30 000 natural gas customers. um It's a it's just too low of a customer base for us to continue that operation and be profitable just as a standalone propane entity.

A

On for taking the next step and get.

A

Again, anyone from the public to speak to.

AD

AD

9 item 10.1.

Y

The item is asking providing Direction so you're, not really approving just.

AD

Make a motion to proceed.

Y

With the to say, direct staff to proceed with the next steps would be perfect.

AD

No motion: nothing go, go ahead,.

M

Go ahead, 10.2 thank.

C

You mayor, if I may yes.

AF

C

An update while Mr Maxwell approaches the podium um first I want to reiterate that, as the mayor said previously, that we are continuing to recycle everything, that's eligible for recycling at this moment.

C

um Secondly, it has always been staff's intention to provide a full report in terms of everything that we've uncovered as we go through this research to see what it is that happen on Recycling and what are the best steps to do in moving forward. That's part of why we are engaging in a consultant to help us on the next best steps, but I also realize that it's important to keep the public updated and Council as we continue to learn things.

C

This is a complex issue, as we have all discussed, and some of the things that we have learned throughout this extensive research that we are doing is that we now know that going back to 2019, we have been recycling significantly less than what it is that we collected.

C

We also know that that was not something that we were aware of, going back to 2019 until recently.

C

um I understand that we have been researching this for over a month now, and this news continues to be significantly unfortunate, um but it's also important to note that all of the people that were responsible for making these decisions and implementing this program are no longer here. So the staff is trying to put together the pieces based on invoices and data collected by our partners and our vendors to see to come up with a story as to what it is that happened, and that is why this is taking us.

C

So I wanted to provide that update. Prior to this conversation, happy to answer any questions. Well, we'll get to those. Let's let Mr Maxwell go.

A

Through everything, and then we can answer that, ask questions and I know we have folks from the public.

AF

So Mike Maxwell and chief motivation officer and interim.

B

AF

Director um on Monday, we talked a little bit about the different options and actually her previous meeting as well and related to refunds or credits. We've provided you some a stepped down version, which really accounts for the difference between disposal cost at Pinellas, County, Solid, Waste versus the disposal cost at processing plant that amount. Total is 177 056.91 for the service area that the city collects and serves within our boundaries, the full amount and so not just looking at the disposal price.

AF

But looking at the entire amount that the residents paid, the city is one million one hundred and twenty three thousand four hundred and Seventeen dollars and ninety one cents. So that is the.

G

AF

Six month, version of of a credit now.

AA

AF

Provided some information on Safety Harbor in Bel Air, both a step.

G

Down again version and.

AF

A and a full refund version for those two, our preference would be to have some conversations with those communities to find out what um you know what issues they have. What what needs they'd like to um expressed to us as it relates to credits, because the system is a little different.

A

Questions accounts. Excuse me I'm, pretty sorry, I'm, sorry, councilmember albrin,.

M

Okay, so I just learned today, as most of us did, that this is going to go beyond what we originally thought. The six month uh issue of recycling.

M

So I want to I think we need to uh not make a decision tonight on things that are based on old data. I think we need to get all the data in and figure out where we are so I. Think I I would prefer to uh continue this. When we get all the data in and then decide it's going to be a different animal. What we're looking at I mean we have screwed up and now we're finding that it may have lasted longer than uh what we've you know.

M

We thought it did so I want to get to the bottom of it and find out exactly how long it has been and exactly you know what has been going on, and maybe we have a discussion up here on what we do with the program. Maybe we have have to put together a different program that works better I mean I.

M

Like one of the comments that I heard tonight, you know, maybe we go to a centralized recycling system or area I, don't know, I think we ought to get more data before we decide what we're doing tonight.

D

Agree, I think we need to wait until we get more more information in light of new information today, but I would say one the question I was going to ask: is you haven't? We haven't communicated yet with Bel, Air and Safety Harbor about what they, what their expectations might be about, making things right just yet, and probably because we haven't, we don't know exactly how far back.

AF

There's been thinking it's in communication with both parties.

G

AF

Because the systems are so different, one includes collection, one does not I think it probably is a situation where we we need to all three get together and.

G

AF

Conversation and to figure out, what's uh you know, what's fair and Equitable between those authorities? Okay, I mean I.

A

Think we need to get.

A

A

Yeah I think we're all disappointed and angry, uh but as Miss Boyer pointed out, uh folks that were overseeing this are no longer with us, which makes it a little more difficult. For instance, all the ramifications.

A

I'll reiterate what I said before we got to write the ship first, which I think we have at some point we're going to have to get more competitive contracts. If we decide to continue the program, we'll also have to decide whether we're going to continue servicing the.

A

We're going to have a service, our municipality first and then, if we have capacity and sense, then we could do the others and continue good partners and cooperated on many.

A

Many rates stay as high as they are. Those have to be passed along too. Just like the decision we made with gas, our propane.

AA

And we need to much more information on what the hell is going on.

AA

I was all for giving full refund, because I think anything short of that would be a slap in the face, but we all got such a punch tonight. I think finding that this went back to 2019.

AA

So we we need to find out. What's going on, uh can I ask what the progress is and finding a manager for solid waste.

C

So we have an assistant director, that's been appointed if you'll recall um through the the process.

C

um Last year, the former city manager eliminated the department head, um so we are not recruiting currently for our department head part of that plan was to have two assistant directors of which we now have that was implemented and take the time to determine what we're going to do with that department and what we meant by that was. Are we going to leave it as a department, or is it potentially going to be a part of public, then the public works department or Board of other department, so we are still evaluating that.

C

So we are not currently searching for a department head, but the two assistant directors have been put in place. Well,.

AA

C

AA

Hiring a controller.

C

We are actively, we have been controllers.

O

C

One of the very difficult positions to recruit for right now, we've increased the salary multiple times. I was just told today that we do have some good candidates or a good candidate that we are pursuing. So we are we've.

AA

Been without one since 20 right.

AF

G

Our controller in.

AF

AF

um We we had a a different controller, a long-term controller that left and I believe it was 21. and the senior accountant.

G

Then took that position and.

AF

Then left in 22. right.

AA

AF

We are without the controller.

AA

AF

The senior account of the senior accountant, I believe, starts next week or the week after um we do have a manager position which is below the assistant directory level, that we are hiring.

Z

AF

um Background checks on that right now, so hopefully we'll be a much better staffed in the next. By.

AA

The end of February than the afternoon, all right when we were campaigning back in 2020 I, was told about the plans for our own recycling, uh murfs I, believe they're called um we had the money for that. We're working on that and then that ended.

AA

um Is that still a viable thing to do, um because the money is still there for for that project? Isn't it.

C

Oh I can tell you that you know that's part of the purpose of bringing on the consultant room. There's nothing, that's off the table, so we're going to look into all of those things and bring forward recommendations all right, I. Think, though, just for understanding back then when that was being discussed and it frankly, it has been being discovered for over a decade before I left.

A

They never occur. What has changed dramatically still and keep that in mind is: is the market and.

A

And so it's going to have to be something that's going to be embraced somehow nationally.

A

It's right now, it's it's just a dramatically councilmember I.

AD

I'm agreeable, with waiting until we know what we're up against.

A

Mr Michael list did you have something done.

AF

Not right now, okay I would like to let you also know that the TMC in March um is supposed to be talking about the county-wide Murph, the potential for a county-wide Murph.

AF

Thank you, Mr Maxwell,.

AF

T

T

I'm Mr, holuba and.

T

I believe everybody sitting on the Diaz is agreeable to a refund is from when to wind, and if we really want to know when this problem started, it started when you put those ugly, yellow and blue bins in everybody's residence, started charging them without their permission, a recycling fee. Thinking that that was a popular thing to do it never was that's why the recycling is contaminated because just like Mr hibber is alluded to you know, somebody's got an overflow of trash. You know where is it gonna go?

T

It's gonna go in that blue bin and contaminate everything.

T

I have no problem with the refund being issued by credit on a utility bill, except for people who are previous customers that don't have a bill to credit to. They need to be written to check and you got to figure it out now and Mr Hayward. You are correct. The recycling business has changed, probably because of China, but the fact of the matter is this: never worked going back to 2018. We had the exact same problem. Citizens came forward and said: hey you know, the garbage truck is picking up my recycle bin.

T

They didn't even try to hide it. So for some of us, the recycling fee is just another money grab by the city of Clearwater, because there's no no way to opt out of it. So basically you're you're you're here held your feet to the fire. You have to pay it and if you don't they'll cut everything off, it's extortion, much like reclaimed water and much like the minimum water use, but this refund needs to happen sooner rather than later and.

B

I hear all of you tonight saying.

T

Oh, we got new information. Oh we we don't. We didn't know about that. Well, why didn't you you're going to kick this hand down the road, hoping everybody will forget about it, but in the meantime, we're all paying for a recycling fee and Mr Hibbard. You can sit there and say that it's all being recycled now that is not a statement that you can make with with any measure of Truth.

T

We need to have a refund now and do another one later. If you have to to I, will wait for you to figure it out.

E

Okay, well I'd like to give a little history, Lisa lonza um way back when we had um they wanted the county wanted to build another resource recovery plant in North County on the Eldridge Bell field. This was in the late, 80s, I think or early 90s, maybe mid 80s I, don't know, but we actually created a group of people called citizens against incinerators and it was a big big event.

E

We were young and we were enthusiastic had a lot of energy and we did stop a lot of meetings and we stopped the county from building that second resource recovery plan and the county said the only way we can do. This is so we we have to have Recycling and we're going to have to charge you for it, and we said: that's fine, well, you know, and we supported it. I was at the time with the league Women Voters I was on the board.

E

I was on the board of Sierra Club and you know, but it was all the environmental groups they got that got together, and so we had a really good, cohesive team at that time.

E

um So so Clearwater as I recall, was the city, the first city to adopt Recycling and to pay for it and then I, guess I think Largo came in after that, and then we cut the deal with Bel, Air and Safety Harbor. But you know we continue to lead. We are the first city to have the storm water tax, but again it was the same group of people. That said, you know we were. We wanted to protect the environment and um we just worked so well together.

E

It was the age, maybe the time, I, don't know what, but we got a lot of good things done now. I also hear that the counties talking about building another at this time building resource recovery plant in North County. So you know this we're talking here. 25 years later, 20 years later, we may end up getting that resource recovery plan, North, County, I, hope, I, hope we don't I, think we just need to be a lot more creative about our garbage and not creating it and those compost bins that the city gave us were great.

E

I heard the environmental Advisory Board I heard people say they don't work come to my house. They work I've had a recite. I've said this before I've had a I've been recycling, my household kitchen scraps excluding Dairy and meat um since 1992, and it makes it's not the typical compost that people think of with worms and stuff. It's it's a different, oh I, also put my shredded paper in there. I get oak leaves from the neighbors, because I don't I, don't have any oak trees in my yard and um it'll still put in there.

E

But um oh and I use that terrible soil. We have I layer with it and I think you all know. I was an environmental specialist and I have a degree in agriculture, natural resources so and I. My 50 year career was in that so I've observed people internationally. I was a technical expert in agriculture for American National, Standard, Institute, I've, traveled, all around the world and I've seen what works and what doesn't and you do have to experiment, but I've been experimenting since 94 and I got a great system and those bins work so I.

E

If anybody wants to know how to use keeping household scraps out of the out of the businesses, it's a great way and it doesn't smell and no rodents either.

A

All right anything else: Miss Boyer, yes, Mr, Margolis,.

A

Item 12.1 use of interest earned on the arpa funds.

D

So I was just um I I had asked, as we talked about arpa and our 22.4 million, that hasn't all been doled out. That interest is building and so um I'm not sure that it needs to be Council Direction on how to use that arpa interest, but I'd, just like it to be known.

D

I think that that arpa interest should stay with the arpa buckets that we have set out for arpa funding and um so I see Mr Ravens is here was wondering: do you know how much our interest we have accrued as of now about.

AG

J Ravens Finance director, as of the end of December it approximated about 230 000, so it's probably over 250 000 of this okay. Okay, where.

A

Did you plan to put.

AG

It um essentially, the interest would accrue in whatever funds the monies have been moved to, which include the 181 special program, special Revenue fund and the the capital Improvement fund. Capital Improvement fund interest goes back to the general fund. Any money that has remained in the general fund would also accrue in the general fund, and then it would just be special programs such as possibly Grant Pro. Excuse me, Grant programs that have been moved to that 181 special Revenue fund. That interest would accrue there. All of it would just be unrestricted reserves in those funds.

A

Well, I believe in I mean I believe in putting money in the less least restrictive, Place possible I. Don't think we use this to reduce general fund spending.

D

So it's quote most disproportionately impacted by the pandemic, promotes using funds for quote a strong, inclusive and Equitable recovery, especially uses with long-term benefits for health and economic outcomes. And then there was a final rule about the Investments and it just said that: could cities choose to place the funds in an interest-bearing account and um even though it is not required, and it says, recipients can place funds and interest-bearing accounts?

D

They do not need to remit interest to Treasury and are not limited to using that interest for eligible uses under the state and local fund recovery funds.

AG

I need to clarify that another use that you didn't mention was revenue recovery.

G

AG

That is, in fact, what the city of Clearwater used, the arpa monies for was revenue recovery, who have opted as a council to embark on projects and programs with available general fund Reserves um in in pursuing the ideals behind the arpa, but you've done that voluntarily, you're not required to do that. You were allowed to use that for revenue recovery so.

D

And we did that didn't we do the that, because it makes it easier for reporting on those.

AG

Response also a lot more flexibility through the programs, because if we were doing grant programs under the arpa restrictions, they would be much more restrictive and there would have to be proof of damages from covid. It's a whole different ball game and other municipalities are having a lot of trouble getting money spent because of those types of restrictions.

D

And I do appreciate that and I and I do appreciate that we put it in those buckets philosophically, following what the arpa funds you know, those other intents that I just read, so it's just more of keeping that interest, then, with those same, you know reasons that we put it in specific types of buckets.

A

Lack of Geographic equity and how they were spent I think you know. Wood Valley was unfortunately left out process and it is an area that.

A

Residents as well, they have a very small a center there and there are some things that I'd like to see improved out there as well. It's something going.

A

Boys and Girls Club function out there, but if you go out and look at the center um and then you look at gifts out and and Lake Bellevue, it's vastly different.

D

What valley by moccasin, Lake I.

A

Would agree, kind of must abandoned rec center from.

A

M

Yeah yeah I bought my I bought a house in there in 72..

M

Was it there. It was a FHA, 235 programs, great I, think I bought a new house for like 235 a month was the center there.

M

It was a nice little Community, but you know it was a long time ago.

A

But the community center was it.

M

A

72., so that's just one thing: I'm going to discuss too at some point, and maybe the interest could go towards something out there. Well I I was just I would encourage you all.

D

As I as I, you know think about the I think that the arpa grant, at least one part of our grants are coming in what they do like February, 17th or I. Think they're coming do the applications, but I, don't know how many applications are going to come in and what that what that looks like. But if these interests you know of 250 000 of Interest, could be used for. If we have this flood of applications for another 50 000 here or there or whatever it's just and.

AG

That would also always be council's option because, wherever it's sitting in reserves that it's unrestrictates the use of Reserves.

D

Okay, it's more of a philosophical.

A

D

Do you think it should stay with the funds and the intent of the funds.

AD

A

You everything you know, I mean we put aside some money for affordable housing and some other things, but the majority of the money all staying west of 19.

A

there's a lot of clear water, that's east of night, and it's an error and I think.

A

I think it's a but I'm fine leaving the interest there. I just would like us to look.

A

Okay, okay and I would encourage you all to be out there sometime. It's just over the railroad tracks on the way to moccasin Lake peacocks get over it, don't run them over all right. Invasive removals, councilmember Albritton,.

M

Okay, I brought this up uh in a uh I, think the last council meeting and put it on this to have a discussion on it. uh I'll go ahead and turn it over to you to give the details on it. Good.

AH

Evening Deputy engineer for the city engineer for the city of Clearwater. We got the appraisal to remove mangroves I'm, sorry remove exotic spaces where once the man grows on both sides emails tomorrow.

AH

Does not happen, the estimate by O'neills was 29 900 to remove them from both sides and staff is prepared to move forward with that. If that's council's Direction.

A

M

Like to add something, um we have a citizen volunteer to pay for removal of uh well actually to trim the mangroves, and he says, he's got a certified Mangrove arborist that he'll pay from Island Way from the on the north side of the bridge or the north side of the causeway, from Island way to the small bridge going over the beach um and I'd like to see. If we could incorporate that in there to I mean if we take all the evasive species out, that's fine!

M

But if we could take the clippings from and I don't Mangrove a lot of clippings that will come from mangroves, but he wants to cut them in accordance to the uh you know what the certified arborists will allow their law.

AH

I'll have to explore the rules on that I know. There are some and I have them in here, but I don't have time to read at the moment, but that's something we can explore. I, don't know: if uh do we typically support uh volunteers, working on on dot or City Road right right away? Is that something we're willing to consider.

AH

And come back all right: okay, I mean FDO.

AH

It's true: we have an mou with DOT that lets us work on the memorial Causeway. You don't have to investigate all those different options, but we can.

M

I'm not sure who the r burst is I think he was somebody that worked for the city, but.

M

I'm not sure I I wouldn't told his name. He just said he had a certified um Mangrove arborist, okay,.

AH

I will look into that we'll get back with you. Okay,.

A

This money would.

A

A couple more a budget.

AH

A

AH

In our tree, contract with O'neill's, which was.

A

AH

Seeing as we're not cutting as many trees, so the funding is currently in the contract and we have it I'm fine with taking the invasive species.

A

Out, just with uh the understanding that they're going to come back.

A

Is everybody fine with that yeah.

A

Okay, 12.13.

A

Request for external County organizations to provide presentations to the council vice mayor.

D

Yeah, so this is this is part of I, think, good governance and my due diligence to understand our community, the environment, that we live in and funding sources and what's expected, and so the presentation from the gentleman with the TDC, you know laid out the amount of money in a budget how you apply for that money. What are the comparators um all that stuff? So that's a that's a good understanding!

D

um Well we're going to have an ask from the Phillies probably shortly to look at, and you know, I keep this five by seven note card that it's like the shopping, cart and I. Think of it as Financial Obligations that we have things that we're we're planning or the debt payment on. Imagine clear, water, more Staffing that we need. We had the you know, Ada presentation.

D

We had the business operations, presentation, saying we needed more Staffing um and and as we look forward to prepare for the budget this spring next month, the end of this month of March I want to have a clear understanding about.

D

What's in our shopping cart, what are our residents experiencing? What their needs are- and you know, I serve as the chair of the Continuum of Care Now, which is the county-wide organization that manages the homeless leadership Alliance and works through Grant Appropriations for non-profits and and I, see that there's great need and I understand that there's great need in our community with our residents and when we talk about services that are needed and we think about what our responsibility is as a city and then what the County's responsibility is.

D

I want a clear understanding of that, because, if the County's supposed to be doing something they should and if they're not able to somebody needs to pick up the slack and maybe it's us and our budget decision. So I really want to understand that before I start Doling out money. This spring, that's right before we I'm speaking for myself, what I all right before Wings before we do before we do I'd like to have an understanding before I make a vote.

D

You know before I have a decision I'd, I'd like to know more and and I just think it's wise for us to have a presentation, especially when the mayor, when you said that's not in our lane, that's in the County's Lane and so I'd, like an understanding of where my tax dollars go to the county and how they're used, and that goes for all of our Clearwater residents and so I thought it would be a great idea to have the county come and present and answer some questions.

D

I'll like that and and I understand, there's been some conversations.

D

Have you talked to Barry Burton about this they're not going to come all right, so if they're not going to come because they feel that it's going to be an attack or I'm going to be critical or you know, ask questions about, you know case management ratios and the number of homeless families living in cars, um the lack of transitional housing. We need more family shelters if that's perceived as an attack. It's it's really just a finding of facts and data and information.

D

It's not an attack, and so if the county doesn't want to come and do a presentation, then it's my responsibility to reach out to Barry, Burton and anyone else and have a one-on-one because I need that information to make decisions. And so that's that's how I'm going to proceed um and and it's it's only due diligence. It really is because if somebody says that's, not our responsibility, I need a confirmation that it's not to communicate to our residents, that this is where you need to go, and this is the situation.

D

And so it's you know, I if you've had conversations and you and Barry have decided that they're not coming okay hold on all right, I'm whole hold on well.

A

No, you, you put words in people, people all the time. Well,.

D

Now, that's an absolute it's not all the time quite a bit frequently. Okay, well correct me! Well,.

A

I was meeting with Barry. He was aware of this request and said they are not going to honor it um they're not going to do it with every city uh that requests all that he said all of the items are in the budget. Anybody can look at it, it's a public record, and um so he said, I'm not going to accommodate that and I want me to deliver that message, because I really don't want to not anybody's messenger frankly know, but he said yeah I would appreciate that.

D

Well, that's his call so yeah.

A

D

I'll pick up the phone and give them a call.

A

Okay, I didn't say: hey, don't honor this yeah yeah I just said: that's the request. He said we're not going to be doing it. Okay, well.

D

Good well, hopefully, he'll meet with me: one-on-one yeah, okay, that's fine I mean that's what I want I I think you know from you all who generally sit up here kind of quiet. Do you think we need an understanding of the finances as we go forward right.

A

That is in the budget, though,.

G

A

Seriously, that's just like our budget. We have departments a different line item we have where our priorities are in a given year. Their budget is enormous compared to ours, I think it's 2.2 billion.

D

Okay, I'll learn more it'll, be fine. If yeah I mean all you can do is ask for people to come and present and if they don't feel comfortable doing that, then I can do it. One-On-One.

A

Or if there's specific questions they can also be provided in a written form.

D

So I had asked too about a presentation from 2-1-1 which thousands of our residents call frequently and again I think that's an understanding of what our residents are up against. As far as social supports mental health supports crisis supports and I would like a presentation from 2-1-1. The last conversation I had with the woman who heads up two on one at one of our providers. Funders meetings was, she was preparing for a presentation, so I don't know if that's been next or if that's.

D

uh If we have consensus to have a presentation from 2-1-1 about how many calls they take from Clearwater what types of calls, what services they're able to offer wait times.

A

Implementations from organizations as the chair of.

D

The COC I just became chair in January, okay.

A

So you remember to previously, for any of these reports.

D

We had we, we not know there has not I, have not made a request, but are you guys interested in.

AD

I need some clarification, though, when I look at this um you're asking and I'm a proponent of this of education, so you're asking that there's a process put in place to have different entities, organizations give presentations to us as an educational tool.

AD

So what would the process be? We formally ask City staff a request and then get a consensus between us or just we can just name wherever we want. What's the process in getting this done, but ought to be a free-for-all. You know you know, you know what I'm saying I know.

D

I know well, I, don't know that it's a free-for-all that if one of us has an interest in a topic and learning more that pertains to our function as a council member I think we should be able to ask for a presentation, especially what it will help us inform us equally about information that we may be voting on.

M

Would we be voting on specifically and I guess if we're voting on something that would be helpful to have that, but to have every they have every entity come and talk, because maybe we'll vote on something I think would probably be a waste of time. Well,.

D

Not every entity but here's, for example, I think we've been giving like 250 000 to Safe Harbor for the last 12 years, um an allocation from General funds, so it's remained stagnant for that amount. I think it's good to have an understanding of what that money is spent for and what their success rate is. What it you know. What is it you? What what's that money even doing?

D

Why has it remained stagnant and I? Think if we have a presentation from two on one to give a you know a status update on the issues in the Mental Health social service issues in our community? Perhaps we want to take that 250 000 and use it somewhere else. It's more effective.

A

But you're really focused I mean because I could have told you everything that you learned tonight about.

A

Could talk about all things PSTA right.

M

Yes, sir I'm going to say a few things tonight on closing statements: sweet, but.

G

We have yeah with.

M

Different organizations- and you know, I- think it's good to bring the organizations that we represent Clearwater up um when there's things that I feel probably I should be talking about Fort Pinellas briefly, three minutes just giving an update and probably PSD as well, because there's a lot going on with those every time we have a council meeting, they stagger it so I have to do one one time and then I, don't like you know, like four Pinellas is next week, so I'm going to miss out to talk about it next time, but I could set it up and do that and I would I would like to hear from the Committees you're on, but I think three minutes I could tell you everything that we did.

M

You know a brief recap on what we've talked about and how it affects Clearwater. Well,.

A

And I would remind everybody, you know if there is a big issue that it's clear water on one of the Committees committee or boards. You.

G

Really ought to bring that back.

A

Because we're not all you know operating in a vacuum, we are representing the entire Council when and the city when we're sitting on those.

Y

Council, all because it was raised, we do have a presentation scheduled uh by Tampa. Bay cares, which is formerly 211 and that is scheduled on March 16th.

A

I don't know if it was answered. Your question.

AD

You know what I'll give you a very concrete example, so I suggested only one so far um a specific presentation that basically kind of gave us an update of what's going on to Utah. It was bipartisan and I saw it and then I suggested that he would make the same presentation here. A new Council of vice mayor Beckman brought up a concern that you felt that it was inappropriate because it could be. It could be partisan.

AD

um So, even though it wasn't, you have the right to say, you know, I, don't really want to hear that. So I was wondering if that process should be put in place where we suggest who we want to talk and all of us put in at least put a process in place where we can have some saying whether we want to hear it as a council or not clear enough. Yeah.

A

Well, I, don't know about how to hash out a process up here tonight I mean I, guess it would be best. Then if we just brought it back as a council discussion item just like we like we and then we can discuss.

D

There's nothing in Council rules about requests for presentations.

A

Currently that I'm, aware of.

AC

uh Not currently um Council can certainly codify a rule. A fixed console would like to do so. It is challenging, though, because uh number one, there's gonna, there's oftentimes great diversity among council members as to who you'd like to hear from um or not uh and then number two so there's a question of, is it majority vote you know? Is that how it would work? Is it a ranking system?

AC

Does everyone get one and just kind of figuring out who you want to make the request to and number two, but just also be realistic that it is a request and sometimes, as we've seen recently, they may say no, and so we also have to be. You know recognizing that that can happen too. So, but beyond that, I mean it's really up to counsel as to what level of formality. If any you'd like to assign to this process, I think it would be best.

A

People on the reasoning behind the request.

D

A

Vote on it, yeah have consensus.

A

Accommodate us or not so, okay sounds good. All right uh and I'll go to closing comments. Councilmember Albritton I'll go first, all.

M

Right go first.

A

M

I got uh I got a couple things uh PST planning committee uh yesterday, I got to see the first uh contactless payments the psta's initiated this week. What that means is that when you get on a bus now you have to you could pay with cash, but what they'd really like to do is get a fat get people on and off. You know faster. So now, with this uh contactless payments, you can use a credit card debit card prepaid card, they've had Flamingo card for a couple of years.

M

Now that you can load up, you can still use that you can use your iPhone with the Apple wallet touch it and it takes out the the pay. You can use your watch. If you have an Apple Watch touch it and get on the I mean it and it really worked. I tried it uh most of the the planning committee board.

M

Members donated their two dollars and fifty cents yesterday just to try it out, but uh I think that's going to make everything a little quicker and and faster on public transportation, which that's what we want. So um the other thing I wanted to say uh a a good uh friend of mine, a family member died, Dr Frank Byron smitherman died.

M

Last week he was 93., he's been a doctor for over 30 years, I kind of grew up with his kids Sherry Julie David and Mark Mark was my doctor for lots of years and I swam together with them, but uh his father, they're gonna, have a ceremony a few. You know ceremony of the First United Methodist Church on Saturday this coming Saturday at 11 o'clock. If anybody remembers Byron uh you're welcome to come, that's it.

A

D

Swear Okay so yesterday, I traveled to Sanibel Island, with some City leadership from Indian, Rocks, Beach and Treasure Island, and um it was about a four you know 12 or 14 hour day. um So I went down with mayor cookie, Kennedy of Indian, Rocks, Beach, Tyler, Payne of um Treasure Island and some of their leadership. We took a small U-Haul of supplies for people who were impacted by Hurricane Ian, and we really just wanted to. We want we.

D

They we arranged it, so we could meet with their City leadership um and and learn about the impacts of hurricane Ian and how they're, how they're dealing with it right now most of their Community is still not living in their homes. If their homes are even there, we certainly drove around a whole bunch. After our four and a half hour meeting with their leadership, only four percent of their properties were not affected. So it's devastating.

D

We met with the mayor of Sanibel Island Holly Smith, their city manager, Dan Sousa, as well as the directors of their major departments, including Finance planning, fire, police, Public, Works, and so I have pages and pages of notes from it. Rarely materialize materialize us, but it impacted Sanibel Island, full speed, they emphasize the uh and there was an emphasis on the importance of pre-contracts. They had a number of lessons learned about their re-entry past system. That was pretty significant um and so I think you know we'll need to take some time to look at that.

D

um He said you know both the city manager and the police chief, as well as the fire chief bad people show up and you've got a plan to mitigate that and discourage it on the front end, and these are like laborers contractors, people that shouldn't be down there um when you're trying to do work and you've got insurance adjusters. There you've got real estate people, there. You've got contractors laborers from all part, all out of state, just a hodgepodge of people that that cause confusion and um and robberies they had didn't, have violent crime.

D

But there was a lot of looting. um Intergovernmental relationships are key: they had permitting challenges and Lessons Learned in that department, FEMA challenges and even figuring out how and where U.S Postal Service could be re-established was a challenge. Resident education is key, especially new residents. In your community, they suggested perhaps holding an annual here's. What happens if, if we were to get hit by you know a category five or five or there's an evacuation plan?

D

It really makes us think about our code and the resiliency study that we've commissioned and so that'll be a factor in these really important lessons that they've learned I'm, hoping that they will present to the Florida League of cities this summer and do like you know a four or five hour seminar and really share this information with everyone. It was incredible, really valuable. It was riveting and- um and it makes you feel how lucky we are that we didn't take that on.

D

But um it's incredible I know they're a lot smaller than we are, but while it was, uh it was unbelievable.

D

You know and they're still going through it, so people kind of forget because it's but it's it's still big big hurdles and financially it's devastating um I. Think they're asked from the state is more than their annual budget for sure it'll.

A

Take them a decade.

D

That's what years yeah but I want to just you know say thank you to the mayor, Holly Smith and that city manager, Dan Sousa, as well as all the directors who spent all that time. It was um informative and valuable.

A

Councilmember bunker.

AA

We had several people came tonight during citizens to be heard about the protests that bread and Roses Women's Clinic on both sides and I had the last one. uh One of the men said be careful what you're asking for, because Scientology is going to demand the buffer zone. Oh I left because Scientology asked for that back in 2000 and you can still look uh on Watterson Street at where white lines were burned into the street. Saying can't walk through these lines.

AA

There was a 10-foot buffer zone to keep critics of Scientology away from scientologists and vice versa, and that was one of the things that we looked at uh trying to help out the Women's Clinic. You know we need something sensible like this. uh I will say this back in 2000 we adopted rules of protesting.

AA

We called Gandhi Tech, which was be polite, don't be aggressive, let the other side, and you know, attack you if they will, but we remain peaceful and that came in handy eight years later, in 2008 I worked with a few people to leak the Tom Cruise tape onto the Internet.

AA

You may remember: that's when he first came out talking about scientology and- and it was just looked nuts that went around the world and suddenly because of that there were tens of thousands of people taking to the street to protest Scientology all around the world and I, uh because they were talking about doing criminal things. I made a video saying, listen, be smart. You don't want to do anything illegal, I, going to get you in trouble. It's not going to help anything protest peacefully and from that these people did they.

AA

They had a a remarkable series of protests for months after months where they found creative fun ways to to get a message across now. If the protesters at Breton and the Roses detected, we wouldn't have to worry about anything, but things have gotten out of hand there. So we do need to see what we can do to help them and I I know we're looking into that, um because there have been some troubling situations there that that go well beyond anything that Scientology that critics dealt with back in two thousand and that's all.

A

Council membership. Oh.

AD

Well, I have quite a few people to thank starting with Chief Slaughter, who allowed me to monitor in the real lifetime Center where the CPD Vice and narcotics team, as well as a SWAT team, served a search warrants on St John's Drive. It was impressive to see all that it was involved.

AD

I saw firsthand the Incredible use of Technology skill and professionalism of all the team, and the operation ended safely and successfully and honestly I felt, like you were Gibbs and NCIS. It was just like amazing I felt like it was on. The set of NCIS was wonderful. Thank you so much for that experience.

AD

um Also, as some of you may be aware, one of my priorities is to facilitate the education and awareness of human trafficking, and our first initiative was the education of All City staff, which has been completed and to expand from there. So this last Saturday uh September, rather uh when City staff and Council went to Philadelphia I, used this unique opportunity to engage with the Phillies in becoming our community partner in this initiative, and so I would like to formally thank the Phillies ownership and management for joining us in this cause.

AD

Because of this agreement, the Phillies, along with Mr Timberlake, hosted our community outreach seminar at the stadium and they were wonderful hosts. They graciously agreed to showcase our 32nd PSA video during spring training, which is Monumental and I'm. Very grateful for that. I also want to thank all the community leaders who came out and attended and committed to educate.

AD

I am blessed to have the wonderful Dottie Skipper groover from the no more Foundation who is a mastermind behind this program, as well as Kate, Popa and Caleb Bell for their engaging in foreign, engaging and informative presentation.

AD

Major Natalie lick Haley for adding to that presentation and Robert Telford for making the PSA video I also want to thank the city leadership in facilitating all these efforts, but last and certainly not least, Samantha Malay.

AD

Despite wearing many hats, she has never wavered and has been an incredibly um wonderful added person to this team and I really want to thank her I want to end tonight with a message. If you see something suspicious, say something and call the 1-88-8373-788 number.

AD

Thank you. Well, we had a discussion tonight about Solid Waste again and.

A

A

Rectify Rectify full faith in that what I want to make sure people know is there's a lot of things in the city, the seditionally and get right staff, great history of serving our citizens and doing a lot of things first, and so as embarrassing as this is uh I know we're going to get a rectified and I just want people to know that they should have faith in this city and this and the employees that are doing it.

A

Fortunately, the actions of a few are overshadowing an enormous organization, really runs very very so I want to thank all of our.

A

We did have a habitat build with elected officials, and it was great to have three council members down there. I know others had conflicts, but they're all Britain and the vice mayor myself. I want to thank the American Legion for their four chaplains ceremony.

A

It's a great ceremony celebrating four chaplains that were on the USS door Chester and they did not have enough life vests or lifeboats, and they gave up their position down with the ship, and so it was a really incredible uh ceremony. There was a gentleman there. That is a hundred years old, walking around and served in five different conflicts: World War, II, Korea, Vietnam, Falklands and Grenada wow. Absolutely unbelievable.

A

We had the Florida City County Managers Association out on uh Clearwater Beach Sheridan sackey, a lot of our staff participate in that it was great to have them here.

A

um You know again, our city is known for supporting that organization and it was great to host all those City managers, and the state of the region was good that we had over at USF.

A

I will share those reports that I have in my office.

A

Bay areas is great and there are some areas that we really need to work on.

A

um It's great to have the Salvation Army annual dinner and hear about all the things that occurred this year, ways that they helped those who are in the greatest need. The chamber had a great annual dinner last night. I want to congratulate Carlton Ward again for becoming Mr Clearwater with that we are adjourned. God bless.

G