Meeting Minutes for 9/12/2009:

Present – President Jay Keyes, Rose Marie Bonnington, David Ramos, Ron Delp, Pat Power, Ray Massieu, Sue Johnson, Ross Concklin, Lisa Cowley and Pat Gallagher.

Guests – Clearwater Police Lt. Joe Young, Doug Bonnington, Jerry Murphy, John Doran, Rich Gonzalez, Anne Garris, Nick Fritsch and Eric Wilson from the City of Clearwater's Code Enforcement Department

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

The meeting was called to order by President, Jay Keyes.

Lt Young reported on the street construction at the south end of South Gulfview Boulevard and said that it was estimated it might be finished by February of 2010.

Nick Fritsch gave a presentation on TBARTA and the long-term and mid-term regional transportation networks in the planning stages, covering Pinellas, Pasco, Hernando, Manatee, and Polk Counties.

David Ramos gave the financial report and it was approved,

Rose Marie Bonnington gave a report from the recent meeting of the Clearwater Beach Chamber of Commerce. She said information was supplied about the City's effort to remove the state reverter clause from the Clearwater Beach Marina property so that the City can make changes at the site. Discussion was held on the advisability of using the Marina property as the site for a convention center, while continuing the lower floor at its current marina and public use. She also reported that Martin Cole had been selected as businessman of the year by the Chamber.

Ron Delp reported that the State Department of Environmental Protection had asked for local comments on the application by the City of Clearwater for a variance to allow the now building Hyatt Hotel on South Gulfview Boulevard to build a 1,200 square foot concession building seawards of the Coastal Construction Control Line on Beach Walk.

Questions were asked about how close the building would be to the existing city owned concession already on Beach Walk and estimates ranged from 300 meters apart to 100 feet.

Clearwater Council Member John Doran said the City approval for the project was given 9 years ago and that, perhaps the City was so pleased to have a developer offering to spend millions of dollars in Clearwater, they did not have a problem with allowing the concession on the open space/recreation land. This was in response to a comment that the City Charter does not allow building on open space/recreation land without a referendum.

At Ron's suggestion, there was a consensus to postpone any action on a response to the State Department of Environmental Protection re: the Hyatt's concession until the October meeting.

Ron Delp reported on the City of Clearwater's request that State Representative Jim Frishe (who represents the district that includes Clearwater Beach, Island Estate and Sand Key) should sponsor a bill regarding the Clearwater Marina property. The purpose of the bill is to modify the state reverter clause attached to the Marina property so that the City may use the property as something besides open space/ recreation use.

Ron and Bette Failor from the Clearwater Beach Association, along with Arnie Shal and Mary Rhineheart from the Island Estates Association called on Representative Frishe, to share the thought of the citizens that the marina should remain in place and that access by the public not be restricted in any way on the property.

He reported that Representative Frishe assured them that, at least as long as he had anything to do with it, a proposal for any private use of the property will require a referendum.

Anne Garris added the information that an e-mail from the City Attorney to a member of the Clearwater Beach Chamber of Commerce pointed out that the only current requirement for a referendum on the property was if the land use designation was to be changed. The Attorney also stated that, if the reverter clause was removed, the City could sell the property without a referendum. She also reported that information she had been given on the proposed Working Waterfront bill indicated that public lodgings was included in the uses allowed.

After a suggestion that the CBA invite Sand Key and Island Estates to participate in addressing the Marina property question, Ray Massieu made the motion that the CBA have another meeting with Frishe in the near future. David Ramos seconded and the motion was approved unanimously.

Jay requested Jerry Murphy to write for the CBA newsletter "Why you should be a member of CBA". He requested Anne Garris to write something about the history and he agreed to write about the CBA involvement in the Family Fun Fest, planned for October 2009. The articles are needed within 2 weeks.

John Doran stated that there was an opening coming up on the City's Environmental Advisory Board. Pat Power said she would think about applying.

Ron reported the Clearwater Neighborhood Associations Coalition will sponsor a meeting about reducing gang activity. The meeting will be on October 10, from 10:00 AM to 1:00pm at St. Pete College. He distributed new city code books.

The meeting was adjourned at 7:59 ½ p.m.

Submitted by Anne M. Garris very interim secretary