Meeting Minutes for 10/7/2008:

Present – : Jerry Murphy, Rosemarie Swisshelm Bonnington, Kim Porte, David Ramos, Ron Delp, Candy Zimmerman, Lisa Cowley, Anne Garris, Patrick Gallager, Ellie Holmes, Pat Powe

Absent – Allan Avery, Ross Concklin, Mara Basic.

Members Present - Sue Johnston, Anne Marie Krzesinski, Terri Hidu

Guests – Lt. Wayne Andrews and District One Commander James Steffens both of the Clearwater Police Department and Duggan Cooley of Religious Community Services (RCS). 

Quorum was determined and the meeting was called to order at 6:02 in the meeting room of Chapel by the Sea.

Lt. Wayne Andrews told us of his transfer to Special Events and introduced us to his replacement on the Beach, District One Commander James Steffens. We will miss Lt. Andrews and thanked him for his years of service and support to all beach residents and to CBA. Commander Steffens took a few minutes to introduce himself and deferred to Lt. Andrews to update us on the upcoming Ironman Event. Lt. Andrews reminded us that the 3rd Annual Ironman Event will be held on Sat., November 8th. This year the route has changed slightly and we will be allowed access and egress throughout the day. Expect some delays of course but no complete closures. They are still working on the exact routes so look for information in newspapers and news casts.

Sue MacNamee (Beautification Committee) and volunteer at the RCS introduced our guest, Duggan Cooley of the Religious Community Services. Mr. Cooley requested that we consider diverting the money we have allocated for the purchase of a refrigerated van (to be used in distributing surplus, temperature-sensitive food from PUBLIX Stores to Religious Community Services (RCS) activities) to fill another need at RCS. He would like us to consider instead using the money to help fund the expansion of the RCS Thrift Store located at 2960 E. Bay Dr., in Largo. They would like to put an addition onto the side of their present building. They feel this would greatly increase their work and storage area and would allow the shop to generate more revenue. He reminded us that RCS is celebrating their 40th Anniversary of providing help and hope to the community and that all monies raised stay in the community.

It was asked and affirmed that they are operating as a 501 3C. Ron Delp also asked how far along they were in their plans for the 600 s.f. expansion and what their time line was. He responded by stating that the RCS board had agreed to begin fundraising efforts and that they had a 1 year time line. Anne Garris stated that she had visited the facility many times and complimented him on how well the facility is run. It was stated that our original proposal was the commitment to help fund the purchase of a refrigerated van for Tampa Bay Harvest. In an update, Jay Keyes stated that two vans had already been purchased and were in operation. He also stated that the purchase of a refrigerated trailer is being discussed to facilitate picking up warehouse goods from PUBLIX in bulk. It was decided that we would review the situation and our commitment to Tampa Bay Harvest and revisit this issue at another time. Mr. Cooley thanked us for our time and attention. He encouraged us to visit, donate and shop and passed out discount coupons! September Minutes as posted on the Website were accepted.

The Treasurer’s Report was presented by David Ramos. He explained details of expenses on Triangle Park and sent out a special thank you to Brian Murphee of the City for all his help. We also gave a big hand of applause to David for all his efforts in coordinating and overseeing this project. The report was accepted.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

Beautification – compliments were sent to Pat Murphy and Suzanne MacNamee for their efforts in maintaining Acacia Circle

Government – Jay encouraged us all to let commissioners know that a 300 space parking garage should not be built on the beach. Let them know that there is no acceptable place on this island for a parking garage. We want Disney type “People Movers” to bring visitors over from the existing city parking garages that sit empty every weekend. Anne Garris encouraged us to let the commissioners know that CBA is opposed to a parking garage on the island. We need to let the commissioners know our reasons for wanting parking in town rather than on the beach. Rosemarie noted that the former Adams Mark site seems to be being developed as additional parking on south beach.

Communications - CBA has been represented by our Executive Committee, which continues to meet with the City and keeps us updated via emails.  We encourage all members to actively support our shops and restaurants on the beach and Marina during these tough economic times.

Membership – 127 dues paid members in 2008 with the drive for 2009 beginning this month. There was some discussion regarding business and private membership and it was decided that both currently have $25 dues and voting rights. It was mentioned that dues may need to increase to allow for 2 picnics and the annual meeting as well as other additional social events that take place throughout the year. We also have maintenance costs for Acacia Circle and Triangle Park to consider. It was stated that this may be necessary due to the fact that some of our fundraising efforts have temporarily ceased to add to our coffers. Jay reminded us that Beach Feast, our favorite income generating effort, will be returning sometime in the future now that Beach Walk construction is complete. Jerry asked us to defer discussion regarding dues increases to another time. Rosemarie felt we should come prepared to discuss this in depth at our November meeting. We will study By-Laws and expense figures before then.

Neighborhood Watch – Still under revision and in Rays absence we will pass on this also until November.

Events – Fall Picnic will take place on Saturday, November 1st from 2 p.m. til 6 p.m. at Triangle Park. Lisa would like to begin the set up of tables and tents at noon. She stated that the recreation center will no longer loan us tables or garbage cans. Volunteers have offered tables and trash cans and others with trucks will make arrangements to pick these up and deliver them to the site by noon. This fall event is for members only and prospective members intending to join that day. Tables for Membership and Library will be set up also.

Our Annual Meeting will be held on December 6 at the Recreation Center from 6 p.m. til 9 p.m. The nominating committee is currently working on the slate for 2009 and it will be formally presented at that time. No nominations will be taken from the floor as stated in our By-Laws. Dinner and drinks are provided for this event with additional side dishes, salads and desserts brought by the membership. Lisa and her committee will also need volunteers for set up, decorating and cleanup of this major event. Christmas Caroling is scheduled for December 16th at Mandalay Park. Set up will begin at 6 p.m. for the event to begin at 7 p.m. Reminders will be placed in Church bulletins and in the “Chapel Chimes”. Hot Chocolate will be served

Friends of the Library – Pat Power reported that a reception was held on Linda Hamrell’s last day at the beach branch library. She was transferred to the main library after decades of serving us on the beach. She was presented with a Certificate from CBA and a wonderful “caricature” donated by local artist Dan Smith. She will be missed here on the beach but we can all visit her at the main branch in Clearwater. The new librarian will still need volunteers every morning but especially on Mondays. The recreation center will be holding its Halloween Party from 6 p.m. til 8 p.m. on Thurs., October 30. They will also need volunteers for this event. Please arrive at 5:30 if you can help out.

Nominating Committee – Ellie reports that Sue Johnson has agreed to fill the vacancy in CBA Board Year Group 2008/2009/2010. The board unanimously approved Sue as Director to fill the vacancy for the remainder of 2008. She will be eligible to stand for election for the two remaining years of that Year Group at the coming Annual Meeting in December. Anne Garris stated that she declines to stand for election for another term. Jerry Murphy and Ellie Holmes will not be eligible to stand for election to Year Group 2009/2010/2011 this December as they will have completed the maximum number of consecutive years as Directors. Allan Avery and Kim Porte are eligible to stand for election to Year Group 2009/2010/2011. Therefore, there are five vacancies to be filled in Year Group 2009/2010/2011 and one vacancy for the remainder of 2008/2009/2010 Year Group. Ellie moved that the following names be submitted to fill known vacancies for 2009. These members have agreed to stand for election as Directors as follows: For Year Group 2009/2010/2011; Allan Avery, Kim Porte, Ray Massieu, Ann Marie Krzesinski, Jay Keyes and Sue Johnson for the remaining two years of Year Group 2008/2009/2010 Year Group.

CAN Awards – Clearwater Awards for Neighborhoods- CBA's presentation was made by Ron Delp, Candy Zimmerman Ray Massieu and Sandy Britton. Other consultants working throughout the year on this project were Jerry Murphy, Suzanne MacNamee, Lois Davis and Betty Failor. It was an innovative and successful presentation. We had a wide range of volunteer activities and events recorded by 255 volunteers. The Mayor will announce the winners and present the awards at a City Picnic which will be held on Saturday, October 11 at Countryside Recreation Center on Sable Springs Drive. We hope to have good news to report at our November meeting regarding the winners for this year’s awards! LATE NEWS: CBA was awarded Second Place ($2,000) in the top category and First Place ($250) in a minor category Kudos all around.

Short Term Rentals– City Council Member, Paul Gibson has tried to be helpful to us regarding short term rentals. Anne Garris suggested we address this “Thank You!” in a letter mentioning him to all council members. A Site for future meetings was discussed with regards to the Recreation Center’s earlier closing times. It was suggested that we could continue holding our meetings at Chapel by the Sea if necessary. This would be looked into and we will be notified of the location for our November meeting.

Respectfully,
submitted by Kim Porte