Meeting Minutes for 10/4/2011:

Board Members Present: : Patrick Gallagher, Jerry Murphy, Jay Keyes, Pat Power, Kim Porte, Anne Garris, Ross Concklin, Ron Delp, Wendy Hutkin, and Sam Hutkin.

Board Members Absent: Despina Athanason, Lillian Johnson

Guests:

Quorum was determined and the meeting was called to order at 6:00 p.m. 

The Treasurer’s Report was presented by Bill Johnson. A motion was made by Jay Keyes and seconded by Pat Powers to accept the report as written, the motion passed.

Minutes - A motion was made by Ross Concklin to accept the Minutes as posted on the Website, Jerry Murphy seconded the motion and the motion passed.

Executive Committee – Jay, Ron, Jerry and Wendy met a few times. It was decided to concentrate on getting through the rest of the year. The November meeting, nominating next year’s board and this year’s annual meeting. Wendy provided a spread sheet at their second meeting, laying out committees, important deadlines, dates and activities. The Executive Committee plans to meet twice a month. They plan to have an agenda, calendar and budget laid out for 2012. Fundraising and membership will be priorities. They are currently brainstorming, nothing is concrete as of yet, but they will have something to present in November.

Activities - Fall Picnic – Ron Delp stated that we have no committee head and actually no committee with the date for the Fall Picnic, November 5th, just around the corner. Ron Delp, Ross Concklin and Lanny Jackson agreed to help the day of the picnic. The picnic is set to run from 3-6 p.m. Jay Keyes made a motion to not spend more than $500 for the Fall Picnic. Anne Garris seconded the motion. The motion passed. Ron continued on this subject, reminding us that the Annual Meeting would be held on December 9th which is a Friday. There were no Saturday nights available in December. Kim Porte volunteered to assist with the shopping for this event. We will still need someone to head up this committee and it was noted that many of the folks that helped decorate on Saturday morning in the past will not be available on a Friday.

Before breaking at 6:20 p.m., Patrick Gallager said he hoped everyone had a chance to open the link about tonight’s presentation entitled Pinellas Alternatives Analysis. Mayor Frank Hibbard presented a very informative program and a question and answer session followed.

Membership – Jerry reported that we have 70-75 members currently and that we actually need 140-145 are necessary to carry out what we need/like to do each year. Pat Powers wondered if we shouldn’t contact all new home buyers, we have several now and offer them a welcome to Clearwater Beach packet with info about membership. All agreed this was a good idea. Anne Garris offered to write a letter and get it mailed to any new home buyer if she was provided with an address. It was also mentioned that a sign at Acacia Circle recognizing CBA for maintaining the Circle would help promote us. The Executive Committee agreed to bring back a recommendation for signage at both Acacia Circle and Triangle Park.

City Government - Ron Delp updated us on the WTC or World Triathlon Corporation. This race will be held on November 12, 2011 which is the 2nd Saturday in November. It will bring business to the area for about 5-7 days. Ron stated that we will be having an election this year to fill 2 City Council seats and we will also be electing a new Mayor. The candidates will all be announced by November 18, 2011. It was decided that CBA will as in the past be hosting a Candidates Forum. It will be held on Wednesday, January 11, 2012 from 6-8 p.m. at our recreation center. Ron Delp has booked the MP room and will invite the candidates. Jay Keyes will MC the event. We will need a list of questions for the candidates so Ron asked each of us to contribute to this list. He will also ask the City to contribute a lighted sign announcing the date and time of this meeting and to place it on Mandalay Avenue a few days in advance. Anne Garris will see that it is mentioned in the Beach Gazette and the St. Pete Times - Pinellas section. We will invite both Sand Key and Island Estates to attend this meeting.

Environment – The subject of artificial turf for lawn replacement was discussed. Pat Power told us that the City would be addressing this issue on October 12, 2011. She informed us that the Environmental Advisory Committee would be telling the City that they are against allowing artificial turf for several reasons. Drainage being a huge factor. She also told us that the turf heats up to 160 degrees so it is dangerous to pets. She also informed us that no tests have been done relating to how long it will take the underlying ground to become safe again after it is contaminated by the rubber underlayment and the turf itself. It is also unknown how deep into the soil the contamination will go and how much of the ground will have to be removed and replaced when the turf is replaced or removed. It is also unknown what would happen in a flood surge where the turf and its anchors are uplifted and sent adrift as a large projectile. These are the reasons she gave for why the Environmental Advisory Board was against changing the Code to allow artificial turf.

 Ron Delp stated that the Coalition says it believes it should be up to the homeowner, but that they believe the City Code Enforcement should develop Guidelines for its use. A discussion followed stating that before CBA decided to officially support or oppose the Environmental Advisory Board’s opinion we should 1. Research, 2. Understand the EAB’s feelings and 3. Understand the City Ordinance. Several CBA board members were ready to say they thought it should be prohibited in Flood Zone A. More discussion followed and a motion was made by Anne Garris that said in light of the fact that we are located in a flood zone and common sense tells us that this could be dangerous during a flood, CBA would request that artificial turf be restricted in Flood Zone A until further research proves that it would not be a danger in a flood. Sam Hutkin seconded the motion and the majority voted to approve the motion. A letter will be written to the City in regards to this issue by Anne

Fundraising – Jay Keyes stated that the Beach Chamber of Commerce will partner with us in our Coupon Fundraiser.

Other Business – Executive Committee mentioned that quarterly speakers on subjects of interest to residents, such as tonight’s speaker, could help increase our membership. Wendy stated that a calendar should be developed. Jerry Murphy mentioned that he was approached by the owner of a fitness studio located on Cleveland St. to speak to us at one of our meetings. Discussion followed, it was decided that CBA should support the business on the Beach first, but also that this was not the type of speaker that we are interested in having at our meetings when we do allot the time. Jerry will contact her with our regrets.

The meeting was adjourned at 8:10p.m

Submitted by Kim Porte