Meeting Minutes for 2/2/2010:

Present – : Sue Johnson, Jerry Murphy, Jay Keyes, David Ramos, Pat Power, Patrick Gallager, Rosemarie Bonnington, Kim Porte, Ann Marie Krzesinski, Bobby Rowe, Allan Avery

Board Members Absent: Mara Basic, Ross Concklin, Gary Athanason and Sara Stauffer

Guests – Lt. Joe Young, Erik Wilson of the City of Clearwater, John Doran (resident and City Council Member), Sandy Britton, Anne Garris and Bette Failor

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

Lt. Young was present and addressed us first. He noted that the only crime issue to speak of was several car robberies in January. He asked us to guess what the common denominator was in all of these cases. The answer being valuables were left in the vehicles and the vehicles were unlocked. He stated, “Valuables left in plain sight will be taken if the doors are locked or not locked, DON’ T LEAVE VALUBLES IN YOUR CAR!” He asked for comments on the information sign posted on the causeway. He had received complaints regarding the warning message to not leave valuables unattended on the beach. Some board members agreed it may be too harsh, but most thought it was a wise warning. The Board suggested he add a few more, less “disturbing” messages to the sign.

Spring Break officially begins March 1st and will run through the first two weeks of April. He asked if we had noticed the increase in visible police presence in the neighborhood. Many of us had. He noted that there are no more officers present than normal, but that he has instructed them to be more visible. You will see them along the causeway, and parked in the neighborhoods doing reports and paperwork that they may have done out of view in the past. They will be concentrating on enforcing ordinances, watching for speeders and other traffic violations. Before leaving he urged us to please contact Police with any suspicious activity.

Minutes as posted on the Website were accepted.

The Treasurer’s Report was presented by David Ramos and accepted.

Standing Committees - Sue Johnson began the meeting with a request that we fill some standing committees.

Membership Committee will be chaired by Jerry Murphy. Sue passed out some door hangers that she had made at her own expense. They were very much admired and appreciated. She stated that she had 100 made for a cost of approximately $40. She also thanked Anne Garris and Pat Power for assisting her with the wording. Pat Power made a motion to make more of these hangings with CBA to pay the cost. The motion was seconded and approved by a vote. Board members were each asked to distribute these hangings to their neighbors.

Social/Special Events – Sue also asked for volunteers for this committee. Pat Power agreed to Chair this committee with the promise that several people would assist her.

Family Fun Fest – Jay Keyes reported that after the upcoming election he plans to meet individually with Council Members to discuss the event. He also plans to give a Power Point presentation at one of their meetings. It was stated that the City Manager wants a list of all things the City will need to do for us even if we are paying for the item. Jay agreed to take care of this. Some of the things we are requesting will be electric hook ups at the base of the power poles and a parking lot dedicated to the venders (at our cost). Pat Power commented that Dunedin encourages its groups to host events. She asked, “Does Clearwater want to encourage groups to use Beach Walk as a venue for events?” Charlie Wilson of the City said, “The City does have a policy for events to be held in the City, they like you to go online, fill out the form with pertinent info and start the process that way.” Patrick Gallagher commented that Clearwater’s process is “Reactive” while Dunedin’s process is “Proactive”.

Garage Sale – Fundraising Event – Pat Power and Ann Marie Krzesinski will be heading this effort. They asked if they should run it as 501c3 which would allow people to donate large items to the sale and take a tax deduction for the donation. David Ramos informed us that we need a true appraisal from a licensed appraiser for those items. We would also need a solicitation license. The Foundation has one of these and we could use it if everything was run through the Foundation. If this was the case we need to remember that there are limitations on how Foundation monies can be spent. Pat and Ann Marie agreed that more research needs to go into the planning and they will do that. We did however pick a possible date for the event based on many factors it was decided to plan for Saturday, March 27, 2010.

City Government – Ron Delp had nothing to report.

Civic Events – It was decided to shelve this for now with thoughts toward a possible Beach Clean-Up this summer.

CBA By-Laws - Alan Avery was asked by Sue to Chair a committee to review and revise the By-Laws, he declined. Jay Keyes accepted this job and asked that Jerry Murphy and Ron Delp work with him on this. Alan Avery offered to assist as well.

CNC – Ron Delp reported that he attended the 1st Candidate Forum held at the Salvation Army on Druid. About 80 people attended. It lasted two hours. The format for the evening was to ask a total of 12 questions with each of the six candidates answering all of the questions. Ron stated that he thought all the answers were similar, with the first two candidates answering setting the pace.

Ron also stated that his Committee met with Michael Delk, the Planning Director, regarding several items that will be reviewed and incorporated into the Citizens Guide. Some items will require Code change and will take some number of months to complete. Sue Johnson asked how the City handles foreclosed properties. We were told that they spend approximately $1000 per property. The City is then added to the bottom of the list of Lien Holders and very often does not get reimbursed.

UPCOMING CANDIDATE FORUM – Hosted by CBA at the Clearwater Beach Recreation Center on February 10, 2010. Jerry Murphy showed us a Tri-fold info sheet that was used at the Druid Street Forum. He then presented what they had made to hand out at our Forum. Ron further stated that the planning was under control. He is sending the Candidates a sampling of questions and the program format in advance. He stated that our format would be different in that we will be asking one question to specific candidates. The questions will come from the sample list but also some questions will come directly from the audience. Ron stated that Jay Keyes will M.C. the event, but a few more volunteers are needed. Sue Johnson agreed to make name placards for each Candidate. Kim Porte and Pat Power agreed to collect the audience written questions and hand them to Jay Keyes. Pat Power suggested signage be placed east of the Island Estates entrance, so that those residents will see the sign before entering their neighborhood.

Friends of the Library – Pat Power would like to revisit the issue of the computers discussed last month. She would like us to understand that the Library will get the computers with or without our assistance. She said what they will do is reconfigure their budget and take the money from other programs that we now enjoy. Ron Delp reminded us that there is always a wait for the computers. He also stated that the new computers will also allow for the ½ day per week of private instruction on any level to be available to the public.

Jay Keyes moved that $600 be spent to help fund this endeavor. Rose Marie Bonnington seconded this motion. During discussion David Ramos stated that this expenditure could prevent us from funding the Easter Egg Hunt. Jerry Murphy complimented David Ramos for doing an excellent job in monitoring our expenses and recognizes his efforts to keep us fiscally sound. Bobby Rowe stated that he and his wife would be happy to make a personal donation of $600 to the Friends of the Library. The motion did however go to a vote and was passed with a majority vote to spend the money on the computers.

*****Please note that outside of this meeting Bobby Rowe and Alan Avery decided to each make personal donations to the Friends of the Library for $300 each to assist with the purchase of these computers.*****

Sand Key Update – Ann Marie Krzesinski reported that she attended their meeting and that they were concerned with the construction that was to take place at Shepherds. She said that Bob Longenecker of the Jolly Trolley stated that the Trolley had had a great year.

Island Estates Update – Alan Avery did not attend this meeting as he was at the CNC meeting.

Clearwater Beach Chamber Update – Rosemarie Bonnington reported that she had attended the opening of the new Hyatt Hotel and Resort on February 1st. She was very complimentary of the Hotel and staff. She said they had a fabulous meeting and a wonderful lunch! The prices were good and the views were great! She further stated that it was a really nice facility and that they would certainly benefit Clearwater Beach! She also noted the garage is public but not free.

New Business - Jerry Murphy made a motion that we donate $544 to the City for the 2010 Easter Egg Hunt. The motion was seconded and passed by a vote. It was noted that this cost rises every year, but that it is highly attended and very well done.

REMINDER – “Hands across the Sand” is Saturday, February 13, 2010 those interested should gather near Pier 60 at noon. Jerry Murphy wanted to remind us that a vote to support this event was not taken and that it is not a CBA sanctioned event. Interested board members agreed that this is just a reminder to interested parties and that in no way are they inferring that CBA supports this protest to Off Shore Drilling 3-10 miles from the Pinellas County shores.

BEFORE CLOSING - David Ramos mentioned the upcoming March 7th Spring Training Game – Phillies VS Rays. Many of us who attended previous Thresher outings were contacted by phone, tickets are still available. He has met the need to sell a minimum of 30 tickets to cover the expense of the suite. Jay Keyes stated that arrangements can be made for the trolley to transport CBA fans to the Game!

Note – Sandy Britton asked if CBA could send a thank you to Michael Delk for his hard work regarding some issues that she brought to his attention. It was agreed a card could be sent, but no one volunteered to do it.

The meeting was adjourned at 7:38 p.m.

Submitted by Kim Porte