Meeting Minutes for 5/3/2011:

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

Board Members Absent: Despina Athanason

Guests: John Doran - City Council Members, Erik Wilson - City of Clearwater, Sandy Britton – CBA member.

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

Office Williams was asked to speak first. He reported no trends in COMSTAT. He reported more drunk and disorderly disturbances as Spring Break comes to a close. He reported that 20 to 25 parking tickets were issued in the area of Bruce and Acacia on the last weekend in April. He also informed us of recent vandalism at the entrance to Carlouel involving the security camera and damage to the column it was mounted on. The camera did capture the photo of the person involved and he was arrested the next day.

Minutes - A motion was made to accept the Minutes as posted on the Website, it was seconded and the motion passed.

The Treasurer’s Report was distributed by Jerry Murphy in Bill Johnsons’ absence. Jerry stated that Bill was attending to his father who is ill, and unable to attend the meeting. A motion was made and seconded to accept the report as written; the motion passed.

EVENTS – It was asked how many people attended the picnic. Jerry stated that we had 30 members, 17 City Staff. He stated that 8 members renewed at the meeting and 4 others paid $5 to attend the picnic. Pat Power and Kim Porte, members of the Events committee thanked everyone for all their help the day of the picnic.

Pat Power stated that we need to consider choosing a new committee head as Despina is not able to commit to organizing future events. Sam and Wendy Hutkin said that they would consider stepping into this position and would let us know next month. Kim stated that help is available, they would not have to do it all on their own.

We were then informed that the Rec Center is already booked for every Saturday in December, therefore our annual meeting must be held on a Friday. Pat Power made a motion to book the room for Friday, December 9 as soon as possible. The motion was seconded, a vote was taken and the motion.

Patrick Gallagher passed on the thanks of Don Crider of the Rec Center for our donation of Easter Eggs. We were told by those who attended that the Hunt was a great success and that it had been well run.

GOVERNMENT Ordinance No. 8260-11 - Anne Garris informed us regarding Ordinance No. 8260-11. She explained that Advisory Boards were appointed by members of the City Council to very serious positions that affected us in many ways. She explained that we as citizens had only our original vote for the City Council members to influence who would then be appointed to the various Boards. She continued to explain that this ordinance had the possibility of allowing non-residents who simply own property in Clearwater to be appointed to the boards. She was concerned that in Ordinance No. 8260-11 the word “resident” was defined as also meaning “owns real property in Clearwater”. She explained, the ordinance calls for proof of residency in one of three ways. Current voters registration with an address in city limits; ownership of real property within city limits; or valid Florida Drivers’ License issued to address within city limits; or a Declaration of Domicile filed with the city clerk affirming residency within city limits. She stated that this had already been approved at first reading and the second and final reading would be on Thursday night, two days away. She urged us to attend the second reading with her. She stated that this was very important in that almost anyone could be appointed to a board and decide what was built next to you or how our neighborhoods were zoned. Anne made a motion that we notify the City Council that we feel Advisory Board membership should be limited to a resident as in, someone who lives in Clearwater. The Motion was seconded and the motion passed.

 House- Bill 883 taking the right to govern short term rentals away from the cities and giving it to the State – Ron Delp reported that as of this meeting it is not clear if it has passed in the House. It has not gone to the Senate.

ENVIRONMENT – Ron Delp called for a motion to vote on the two versions of a letter written to the City Council regarding the Sand Dunes, Jerry Murphy seconded the motion. Version 1 was chosen with some changes to be made. Ron said he would make the proposed changes, then resend to us via email, giving us 2 days to respond.

Along these subject lines Pat Power reported that while preparing for the picnic Saturday morning she was alerted to news that a bulldozer was at the house just south of the Mango St. beach access destroying a sand dune and sea oats. The police were called; the homeowner had a permit for a specific task of clearing a 5 foot space to run parallel to their property. Photos were taken of them running the bulldozer perpendicular to the property, from the house to the beach flattening the sand dune and destroying the sea oats. They were stopped by the police, but oil leakage from the bulldozer was cited as the reason. The feeling from the City was that the fines; that can be up to 10 thousand dollars will be enforced. The photos were passed around the room.

Lillian Johnson brought news of toxic Verizon poles being placed along Eldorado and other areas of our neighborhood. About one year ago she and her husband noticed a strange smell as they walked one evening. They continued to notice this smell on future walks and in various places. They decided the smell was coming from Verizon poles. Lillian contacted Verizon who sent a person out to speak to her. Lillian suggested we Google search “smelly poles” and read of other city’s problems with chemically treated utility poles. She informed the city of this problem and gave them a list of addresses where the poles could be found. A representative from the cities environmental department met with Lillian and gave their opinion that she was smelling oil from the BP spill. Lillian felt this was ludicrous as the smell, similar to dirty baby diapers was coming from specific Verizon utility poles throughout the neighborhood. It was agreed that CBA can do little about this issue as the poles are not illegal. It was suggested that this be brought to the attention of the local media.

MEMBERSHIP – Jerry reported that following the picnic we now have 55 paid members. Lillian asked if we could set up a recurring payment plan. She was told that that is not feasible. It was felt that the most successful membership drives take place door to door with face to face contact. Kim stated that the phone book should be reissued as many of us are working with 2008 directories and new members are given nothing. Membership cards were eliminated a few years ago as well.

We were reminded what we do receive for our membership, 3 to 4 parties per year, representation at City Hall, Acacia Circle and Triangle Park landscaping and watering and an opportunity to give back through local charities via CBA fundraising efforts.

Jay Keyes passed around a photo of the refrigerator truck we helped to purchase a few years ago displaying our CBA logo. He stated that the trailer picks up large palates of perishable foods and will be use in the upcoming postal workers food drive.

COMMUNICATION - Wendy updated us on the CBA Facebook page. She passed around a printout but encouraged us each to visit the page.

FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY – Pat Power reported that the pool will be closing in August when school starts. She reminded us that for the last two years the Friends have been able to keep the pool open on weekends through October by paying the lifeguards salary which is the only cost that can be saved by closing the pool. She wants us to keep in mind that the Friends budget is very low and they may be asking CBA for help with the pool in the future.

SHORT TERM RENTAL - Ron reported that he had been notified by the City Attorney that the property at 831 Eldorado has lost its nonconforming status to rent short term due to the fact that it has not done so or advertized to do so in excess of six months.

COALITION - Ron reported on a very informative meeting of the Coalition that he attended regarding a program called HEP for the homeless. It was presented by Barbara Green – the program director and he suggested we have her come speak to us.

The meeting was adjourned at approximately 7:45 p.m.

Submitted by Kim Porte