Meeting Minutes for 4/6/2010:

Present – : Sue Johnson, Jerry Murphy, Jay Keyes, David Ramos, Pat Power, Patrick Gallager, Rosemarie Bonnington, Kim Porte, Ross Concklin, Ann Marie Krzesinski, Bobby Rowe, Allan Avery, and Gary Athanason and Bill Johnson.

Board Members Absent: Mara Basic, Sara Stauffern

Guests – Lt. Joe Young, Erik Wilson of the City of Clearwater, John Doran (resident and City Council member), Despina Athanason, resident.

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

Lt. Joe Young was invited to speak first. He reported that we were well into Spring Break with only about two weeks remaining. His men have been working without time off and additional officers have been brought in to help during these weeks. He noted that parking has been especially difficult this year and in response to this the City has begun to place no parking signs on one side of both Bruce and Lantana as they head north into the neighborhood. This is to allow access for emergency vehicles. Lt. Young gave us his contact information again. Joseph.Young@Myclearwater.com and he introduced Officer Jonathan Cappa our Zone Officer for the 3-11pm shift Monday through Friday. The officers will continue to be visible and enforcement of traffic and other violations will continue. Lt. Young told us that the new Chief is in place and that our community is ahead of the curve on many of his goals, which include Quality of Life issues, visibility and bringing all resources to solve problems including code enforcement.

Minutes as posted on the Website were accepted.

The Treasurer’s Report prepared by David Ramos; (outgoing Treasurer) was passed out by Bill Johnson (incoming Treasurer). It was noted that deposits for new membership and profits from the Trash and Treasures sale were made. There was no change in the Foundation account. The report was accepted. David stated that the minutes needed to reflect the change in Treasurer from himself to Bill Johnson so that the minutes could be printed and taken to the bank. Jay Keyes made a motion to add Bill Johnson to be an authorized signature on all CBA bank accounts. The motion was seconded by Bobbie Rowe. A vote was taken and the motion passed unanimously.

Membership Committee  - Jerry Murphy reported that we began in January with 24 members we now have 81 members on April 6, 2010. Jerry showed us a map with the neighborhood divided into segments for door knocking appeals. Jerry mentioned his email requesting volunteers and noted that he had only received 3 responses. He again appealed for help with this task. Bobby noted that the map was only North Beach, were we not pursuing South Beach? Jay Keyes volunteered to call on that end of the beach.

Activities – Pat Powers asked for volunteers for the upcoming Neighborhood Day Picnic being held on Saturday, April 17 from 3 – 6 p.m. at Triangle Park. She passed around a sign- up sheet for help shopping, setting up, cooking and cleaning up. She also put out a request for coolers, small tables, umbrellas and umbrella anchors, and a boom box. She was rewarded with many offers of help and supplies. Bobbie has a boom box, Jay Keyes has a tent, Gary and Despina Athanason will bring coolers, John Doran offered his grill. Jerry Murphy will have a Membership Table set up for any newcomers and Sue Johnson will be making signs

Family Fun Feast - Jay Keyes reported that now that the election is over he will begin contacting Council Members in about two weeks. He reported that we will not have a major sponsor again this year. He had hoped to get the Hyatt to sponsor the event but they have not set aside funds to do that this year. He has hopes of getting them onboard next year.

Trash and Treasure – Pat Power reported that the sale was a huge success. Volunteers were out enforce and donations came in allowing for a total profit of $1,402 which was split equally between CBA and the Friends of the Library so each group received $701 for this first time event!

Friends of the Library Update - As noted above the Friends also made $701 during the Trash and Treasure event! Pat Power also reported that the computers would soon be up and running and a schedule for the one on one classes would soon be posted. The library is currently working on a system to lock the laptops down. New Pilate’s classes have started on Monday from 9:30-10:30 am. Arrangements for Personal Training in the fitness room can now be made at the front desk.

Pat also reported that the Shells class, put on by Anne Garris and Pat Murphy was a huge success, with 35 people participating. They would like to continue this as a monthly event and will advise us of dates and times soon. The Pool opened in March! Youth Services at the main library is trying to arrange activities for younger kids here on the beach and she will keep us advised of this also. Pastor Cook, who attended our last meeting also attended the meeting for the Friends of the Library and restated that he would like to show movies outdoors on his inflatable screen.

Pat made mention that once again the Beach Library and North Greenwood are on the chopping block with budget talks coming up soon. Pat reminded us all that on Monday there are usually 20 people waiting for the library to open at 1:00 pm. Every afternoon is busy at our beach branch with residents and TOURISTS enjoying the library and using the computers! Some discussion regarding the proposed budget cuts followed.

Beach Chamber of Commerce – Rose Marie Swisshelm Bonnington reminded us to support our local restaurants during Restaurant week in April. Pat Power asked Rose Marie to request Chamber support in our fight to keep our Beach Branch Library open noting that the Chamber refers people to the free computers everyday!

Beautification - Jerry Murphy reported that Acacia Circle had suffered from the dry weather but is now recovering. Bobbie Rowe showed us a picture of an Adopt a Park sign he had seen at Dunlap Signs. He would like to get the sign and place it at Triangle Park. Jerry Murphy stated that Triangle Park is not recognized as a park by the City and therefore the sign would not be appropriate.

Neighborhood Watch - Ross Concklin stated that he is continuing to work on this project. He is recruiting Block Captains and he reported that some new signs had been placed in the community.

Short Term Rental – Sue Johnson reported that Michael Delk said to call him directly (562-4561) regarding Code Enforcement or Short Term Rental issues. She passed his card out to several people. Sue updated us with information that 735 Eldorado will be given short term rental status as the owner has gone through the administrative process that took them approximately one year to complete. This will allow them to rent on a short term basis, no weddings can take place at the property and only 2 vehicles can be parked on the property.

She also said that 831 Eldorado will be losing its short term rental status. Sue Johnson wants to thank Michael Delk for truly trying to help us keep North Beach as a single family residential area. She also told us we could call Mr. Terry Teunis, Manager of Code Compliance (562-4723) with problems.

Jerry Murphy stated that he did not have faith in Mr. Delk or the City in regards to Short Term Rental issues. Ron Delp stated that he feels Mr. Delk will be a lot more aggressive than his predecessor and that we should give him a chance.

Government – CNC – Clearwater Neighborhood Coalition – Ron Delp reported that the new books would be coming out in the next 60 days. He stated there would be new codes in effect in respect to abandoned vehicles and boats.

Other Business – Bobbie Rowe stated that he could put funding in place for a 35 foot Flag Pole and 6x10 foot American Flag with lighting installed if CBA would agree to maintain the Flag after it is in place. A motion was made and seconded and it was voted in favor of agreeing that CBA maintain the Flag at Acacia Circle.

Jerry Murphy passed out flyers for the Annual Pink Power Walk to be held on April 17 starting at 10 am at Tommy Duffs Irish Aviation Pub. The Mary Kay Foundation’s mission is twofold: to fund research of cancers affecting woman and to help prevent domestic violence while raising awareness of the issue.

Mention was made of a new problem on Island Estates in regard to abandoned homes. We were told that homeowners in order to stop mounting fines for abandoned swimming pools were installing aerators and fish and declaring their pools are now ponds. John Doran added that the County has legal authority over health and safety not the City.

Sand Key Update – No meeting attended

Island Estates Update – No meeting attended

The meeting was adjourned at 7:43 p.m.

Submitted by Kim Porte