Ms.

Yes.

When you're on the let's get started.

Can everyone hear me?

All right.

All right.

Okay, I've lost my script already.

I have too many papers.

All right.

Um, today's meeting uh of the community resiliency and leisure services advisory board is called to order Thursday, June 24th.

Uh welcome everyone.

Um the members of the community resiliency and leisure services advisory board were appointed by the city council.

I am uh standing in uh for chair person uh Bianca Latbala.

Um my name is Glenna Wentworth.

Um the board's objective is to provide feedback and guidance to the city council on endeavors that enhance sustainable recreation, parks, athletic fields, library services, and cultural programs at city facilities, and to foster community interest in event and initiatives that promote community well-being and environmental stewardship.

Uh the agendas for today's meeting are on the wall at the entrance to the chamber, so please do and please remember to turn off your phones and electric devices.

Um let's take a roll call.

Will members of the board and staff please introduce yourselves?

We start at the left.

Danielle.

Hi, I'm Danielle Boy, City Clerk Specialists.

Uh Nana Westmark, Glenna Whitworth, Candace Gardner, and Kelly Kelly.

Rosemary Call City Clerk.

All right.

Our first order of a business is to uh review and approve the minutes from April 23rd.

Um I assume everyone had a chance to look at the minutes.

Are there any changes or corrections?

Seeing none, um, I have a motion to approve the minutes.

I make a motion.

I have a motion.

Yes.

Second.

We have a flight for second.

Although any opposed minutes are approved.

No, I have to actually call for the vote.

Oh, I'm sorry.

All those in favor say aye.

Aye.

Aye.

Opposed.

May it turn.

Nay.

Sorry, I got that.

Out of order.

Um section three, item three, citizens to be heard regarding items not on the agenda.

Uh is there anyone here to speak to items not on the agenda?

Okay.

Please step to the podium and state your name for the public record and please spell your name for the clerk.

You have three minutes to speak on the subject that's not on today's agenda.

Thank you.

Um I'm still Bill Joneson.

I live in countryside.

And at your last meeting, I gave public comments on a concern I had.

Clearwater parks organization has started making extensive use of shell as a ground cover in landscape beds and around trees on city property.

I reported at that meeting that the Clearwater Development Code prohibits shell and rocks for such purposes.

When I asked, planning staff reported the code provision rationale was that such use diminishes the vibrancy and the life of the landscape materials.

I then checked the development code and found it anticipated that possibility and therefore requires protection from washing out.

At your last meeting, I distributed photos of examples of such use of shell in Cochrane Park in Clearwater Beach, even in the roundabout on Clearwater Beach.

A copy of that presentation was again distributed to you today for your convenience.

Additionally, today I shared an email from the Clearwater Garden Club on this subject where they did some research on the rationale for that he uh verbally told me uh was his concern as well.

Since your last meeting, no one from the city initiated contact with me on this subject.

I respectfully suggest that if you accept citizens' comments at your meetings, the committee has an obligation to respond in some manner to appropriately consider the validity of the comments offered, and to make appropriate follow-up with city officials, and if appropriate to make recommendations to the council.

My ask today is for you to direct the parts department to follow the city's code and replace the existing shell with natural mulch.

To do otherwise would be to further diminish our bright and beautiful from the bay to the beach philosophy.

Thank you very much.

Thank you.

Um is there an um is there a motion or an interest in before a motions undertained first?

I'd like to remind uh the board members that you do not have the authority to direct any department to do anything.

So that's one.

If the board would like to discuss um in terms of what they would like to do, I think it would be appropriate to share the concern raised with council or with the city manager.

Um but the ask of the board to direct any department to do anything is not within your purview.

Yeah, we can't do it, yeah.

Right, that's right, yeah.

Um but there is the matter of getting educated on this.

I'm not may I ask a question though.

So what you're saying is we as a board are not allowed to call the parks department and ask them that questions or he can raise a concern, but his the the request of the board was to direct the department not to follow the code, and that's not within the purview of this of this board when it comes to code.

You have the municipal code enforcement board who would enforce that, but I think it's more than appropriate for the board to, and that is something I was going to raise during um the next agenda items at the end when you establish the agenda in terms of how to handle concerns being raised by citizens that like in this case that fall outside of your purview.

It's more than appropriate for the board to say if there's consensus, share this directly, you know, direct me to share the concern directly with council, and I can provide copies of what was provided to the board members as well.

That's one option.

Um but in terms of the code enforcement aspect of it, that really is not within your your purview.

Yes, Tim.

I would like to move that we share the gentleman's concern with council.

Is that an option?

I second.

Okay.

But before before we vote on there, let me just clarify if I may.

Is it not appropriate then if someone if the board were to send an email or communicate with the department itself and say, hey, what's going on, as opposed to taking it to council first?

I mean, it may be a simple simple answer.

And and Mr.

Doctor is an individual you could, but in terms of the board, it really is a the board needs to have consensus amongst them amongst the members to do that.

Because it's outside of your purview.

I think the more appropriate action is like what is the motion on the floor, and that is to share the concern raised, and if you want to include, you know, uh a status in terms of what council does with that concern, that would be appropriate, but um having an individual of the board reach out because it's really coming from the board.

So we have a motion on the floor to share with council and we have a second.

And what form would you who does that?

Yeah, what form would you do?

In what form did you want them to raise the concern?

Okay, do you want it to go verbally through?

Well, I was gonna send it by email because I've got the presentation, so that's really the the way that I would send it.

Is I always send council by email, and then I can share the I can copy the count uh each of you on that email so long as nobody responds back in terms of public records.

But and um does that sound good?

Yeah, to the yeah, I think that sounds that's a good idea.

Um would you include this document from the I have a copy right here and other you did both both attachments that he provided okay?

All right, okay, excellent.

All right, anyone else to uh to be heard?

Oh wait, wait, so you have a motion on the floor and it has been seconded.

We need to call the vote.

That's okay.

All right, all those in favor of the motion to share with council Adams.

I opposed none carries.

Um we have another um citizen speaking on items not on the agenda.

That is correct.

My name is Patrick Raffrey, I reside in countryside.

My last name is spelled R-A-F-C-E-R-Y.

I come before the board first to congratulate yourselves and commend you for volunteering your time for this board, and then secondly to get an understanding as to how concerns from residents or yourselves can become an item to be actioned by the council or whatever, and we're learning some of that today, so we can continue that education.

Um quite frankly, I took a look at the ordinance 9855-25 that created you, and in particular, Section 2-104 indicates the community resiliency and leisure services advisory board shall provide feedback and guidance to the city council on endeavors that enhance sustainable recreation parks, athletic fields, library services, and cultural programs.

They are to engage residents to build and strengthen community support and feedback on existing and future projects.

And to me, that sounds like that input from residents like Mr.

Johnson previously, or anybody can come before you and present some concerns to yourselves for you to discuss and decide if the avenue of approaching the council with your concerns is the appropriate way to go, which I understand now is in fact the only way to go.

It has to be conveyed to the council.

What I would suggest as a result of this understanding is that you visit the parks yourselves.

My focus on parks and recreation, because I was on that board as a chairman as well, and parks and recreation has a second largest budget in the city, and they are a significant part of people enjoying the lifestyle of Clearwater.

So I would encourage you to visit the parks, talk to visitors that are at the parks, let friends and neighbors know that you are on the board, encourage their feedback.

If you are an HOA or neighborhood association member, I suggest that you speak at those meetings to encourage those members to provide feedback to you as a member of this board.

You should keep informed on issues on social media, newspapers, and TV that may impact parks or the other services that you represent.

Be aware of the budget process.

As I said, Parks and Recreation Department have the second largest budget in the city, but there may be some impact on that budget this year.

In addition, we know on the November ballot there will be elimination of property taxes, which is gonna have a significant impact on the budget, but again, that needs to be done carefully and judiciously with respect to the cuts that will be made.

Basically, what I'm trying to say to yourselves is to make sure that you are good stewards of parks, libraries, and the environment by encouraging residents to appear before you and most importantly to take the action that they may suggest, but in your opinion needs to be elevated to the council, and then we can take it up with the council to see what actions they may take.

This is a new board, they are in a new role.

Let's see if we can make it as effective as it can be for the citizens.

Thank you very much.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Yes.

Thank you.

Yeah, thank you very much.

The gentleman's comments are well taken.

Yes, they are.

Your comments are well taken.

Thank you much.

Um other speakers.

Uh nine, then we'll move on.

Okay, yes.

Okay.

Um 401.

All right, we have we have a presentation today.

It's um the municipal energy savings program.

And I'm uh if you wouldn't want to Cassie, I think is out there.

I didn't bring my regular glasses, so I'm having to um look a little hard.

So as they approach uh we have Butch Collier from Synergistic and Kathy Ferdova from our sustainability and environmental division.

It's on the on the script.

Awesome.

Please come forward.

Thank you.

Uh good afternoon.

I'm Butch Carrier, RVP from Synergistic, who's been your trusted energy partner since March of 2022.

I'm honored to be here today to recognize the City of Clearwater for going above and beyond other municipalities and demonstrating leadership and energy stewardship and sustainability.

In September of 2023, the city of Clearwater first installed solar panels at Coachman Park and continued adding solar panels in 2025 at various buildings.

The total amount of energy produced from these solar installations or from the solar installation has been 825,340 kilowatts per hour, which equates to an estimated dollar savings of 165,607.

Now just to give you an idea of how much that is, that is enough energy produced to basically power this library for seven months.

So it's quite a quite remarkable.

In recognition of your commitment to renewable energy through solar production, along with your leadership and advancing sustainability, we at Synergistic are proud to present you with our 2026 Energy Excellence Award for Excellence in Environmental and Financial Stewardship by giving you this banner and plaque for your achievement.

Congratulations and appreciate your leadership in this case.

That is awesome.

It's like thank you so much.

I just want to say we're producing more kilowatts.

We are producing more kilowatts than any other municipality in this county right now.

Do you want us to stand all yeah?

I guess so.

Yeah.

All right.

Get the chairs out of the way.

Or that way.

Okay, perfect.

There we go.

All right.

Okay.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Thank you so much.

Yes.

David.

You should tell them to make sure we get a concrete picture.

Do you have more for us?

Yeah, I think the next agenda item.

So actually, yeah, so item 4.2 discuss um invite to some summer solar celebrations.

We have two coming.

I will let Cassie go over the details then.

Okay.

Awesome.

Well, we're kind of combining two birds with one stone here, right?

So as Synergistic just pointed out, um, we have made significant progress in solar in the city of Clearwater over the last three years.

Um so we are coming up on nine installations.

So starting with Coachman Park back in 2023.

Um, but then last year we did four installations, one of which was on our morningside rec center, and we did a solar celebration last year where we invited the community to come and and city leadership, and it was a successful event.

Um the other three buildings last year were not open really to the public.

It was our fleet and our um gas station, uh C at C S N CGS Energy Building and our Solid Waste Transfer Station.

But since this year um all four buildings will be public buildings.

So we're looking at North Greenwood Rec Center, Countryside Library, Long Center, and City Hall.

Um so we decided to have two solar celebrations.

Um City Hall and North Green, and sorry, and Long Center will have their own, you know, ribbon cunnings and everything.

So we wanted to focus on Countryside Library and North Greenwood Rec.

So as a board that is has resiliency in the name, we thought we would really appreciate if you all would come and attend these events.

Uh so the first one is this Saturday, that's gonna be June 27th at 1.30 p.m.

And that will be at the North Greenwood Rec Center.

And then the next one will be Friday, July 17th at 10 a.m.

And that is going to be at the countryside library.

So we welcome you and everybody watching to come and attend those events.

Again, we'll have city leadership remarks, we'll have community members, uh, we'll talk about the benefits of solar, and so we really look forward to those events and hope you can all attend.

Was there a request for a speaker?

Yeah, so we it we did want to request a speaker.

I know it's coming up a little late for this Saturday, but we would welcome a speaker if one of you is available.

I think we do we well, Melly, did we confirm we have two?

We did, I think we did get two community members to speak for this Saturday, um, kind of last minute.

So if you can't for this Saturday, that's fine, but definitely for the July 17th, that one's also open for a community member as well.

I know we were at the EAB was invited to speak at morningside.

We considered it an honor to be asked.

And Jared did the presentation.

So as the board deliberates and considers who is willing or who wants to speak.

So one individual can speak.

The board members can attend, but I can only have one individual, and that's for public uh sunshine law.

So we can't have a violation in terms of more than one board member speaking, but one, and this I think is just an example as to what is the expectation of the board.

So I think it's a perfect opportunity to take turns also.

So you don't really need somebody for Saturday.

We welcome somebody for Saturday if you're available, yes.

Okay.

Uh anyone willing to speak.

But no pressure.

I said, but no pressure, no pressure.

Well, you would help you would help us put this presentation.

I mean, we actually have a report from you right here that would help us put this together.

Yeah, I have some talking points prepared already for some others, so I would try to uh tell you what basically what other people are talking about, so there's not too much redundancy.

Yeah, but yeah, we would be looking at the you know the community perspective.

I would volunteer for the countryside event.

Awesome.

I I go to that gym and the library all volunteer.

Yeah, you were three wood event.

Perfect.

That's perfect.

Very nice.

Perfect.

That's wonderful.

Well, will you also be talking about the um our partnership with solar new namers?

Yes, they'll be there.

And and Cassie, may I talk with you about what what you you said you have some talking points for us already?

So that's not like a presentation, it's just no, no, no, we'll all coordinate.

I'll send through us, Marie.

Okay, cool.

Okay.

Perfect.

That's good.

Okay, and that's all the action that we need already.

Consensus is fine unless there's something, but it's kind of like being voluntary to do it.

So I appreciate it.

No, but I think it's a perfect example in terms of how the department can engage the board a little bit more actively.

Yeah.

And everyone who can be there at these presentations would be yes, no, yeah.

Anybody uh if you do if more than one board member um plans on attending the event, just let me know.

Um that way if I have a question, I can just say no, it's not a meeting.

But you are uh just like Sunshine Law allows you to do, you can attend social events together, just as long as we're not speaking about items that come before the board.

But otherwise, but it's always because if I know more than one of you are attending that event, then I I may just notice that you're gonna be in attendance but not participating.

Great.

Well, thank you for the invitation.

Thank you so much.

We're honored.

Thanks.

And then I'll just say I did provide some comments to Rosemary upon your request for a list of outreach opportunities, and I there was some follow-up questions, and I also gave her some responses to that.

So if you ever have any other questions, I'm happy to answer.

So that'll be on the next agenda item, so uh as follow-up in August.

Great.

Thank you.

In August, right, yeah.

All right, moving forward.

Um item 43, 4.3 set agenda for the next meeting.

So yes, so we I could not get the hurricane preparedness presentation scheduled for this meeting due to a training conflict.

And so I do have that presentation set up for the next meeting in August, and I realize it's after and the idea is I did speak with our uh with the with FIRE to see if we can schedule next year's prior to.

So I think that's great.

So now we just have a little bit more head um more uh head time to make that happen.

But we'll have that presentation for the next meeting.

What I wanted to discuss also, besides whatever the board wants to discuss, uh board member Westmark provided me some questions that Cassie had alluded to.

I'll share that with the board members.

I forgot to print it for today's meeting to review, but those are um some topics that might be opportunities for the board to start thinking about how to engage the community.

Um, and so I want the all the board members to review her questions the questions that were raised and her responses before we make any decisions on that.

But really, this is your opportunity to decide and identify besides what what we have scheduled for next, what you would like to discuss.

One item that kind of came up today that I would like for the board to discuss at the next meeting is how to handle, so we're all on the same understanding in terms of public comment.

I think the way it was handled is great.

You give the individual three minutes, don't interrupt, and then afterwards the board can discuss like okay, what are we going to do?

So what are the expectations?

But I think a good discussion at the next meeting in terms of how what is the expectation?

So it's not just amongst the board members, but that the community understands okay, this is what we're gonna do.

If you raise this, this is how we'll address it.

So that could be a topic for the next meeting as well.

Yeah, I would agree that uh and like Mr.

Grafton indicate that uh community engagement with this board is very very important.

So I think uh that's really appropriate that we and I think one area that could be discussed, it doesn't have to be next meeting, but start thinking about he he had suggested okay um just visiting parks, you know, maybe if you know if you have a park in mind, if there's you know Crestlake, for instance, um you can schedule that discussion, I can work with public community communications to post that information so that individuals know, okay.

On this meeting date, you're gonna discuss Crestlake Park.

I can have Parks and Rec come at that meeting.

That is just one way of doing it, but I'd like to make sure that the board members have an opportunity to absorb that idea or come up with your own idea of how that can be, and then have all the hopefully all the board members present so to discuss how to handle that.

But it is an opportunity that's one way of engaging besides visiting.

Um I could see in terms of maybe how we can get those comments, you know, if individuals or organic comments being raised by the citizens how to get them directly to you.

We'll we'll we can discuss that so um right.

Did um you accept public comment on this period would we need to have the discussion first here before we take public comment or so typically the board, unless there's a motion on the floor, you don't phrase um you don't open the floor to public comment, but if the if there's consensus among the board members present if you want to allow public comment, then you can go with you.

All right, yes, yeah, please come forward.

Okay.

Yes.

I'm still Bill Johnson.

Uh I'm so interested in several aspects that I think fall within the resiliency committee.

One of them is not just uh hurricane preparedness, but the infrastructure to respond to stormwater runoff and some of the problems.

I think back to the terrible situation with the standard apartments where they totally flooded out, and 200 people had to be evacuated.

The largest water rescue in Penela's history.

Um there was a stormwater master plan for that alligator creek area that was developed in 2014.

Uh I don't know what the process is for working through these plans and having them conscientiously brought forward.

Uh I think that would be interesting, at least to me.

I think it would be helpful to the to the citizens.

Um that's that's one area that I I think you could really be helpful to.

So thank you.

Thank you.

So are you suggesting that we revisit the stormwater master plan?

Is that I'm suggesting not so much the stormwater master plan, but the implementation management priorities and how that works.

Doesn't that go into the vulnerability assessment that was done?

Can you speak into the mic?

I'm sorry.

Yeah, it's real hard for me to answer.

No one's ever said that about me before.

Umgratulations.

Um does isn't isn't that covered in the vulnerability assessment that's been conducted by the city.

I don't know.

Well, can I comment?

Um I don't think so.

So this is yeah, this is one of my areas of the specialty might say.

Um so uh I would suggest the the gentleman's comments are appropriate for maybe the public works director to uh meet with us because he directs the inspection and maintenance program for stormwater management.

And so my question will be what is the objective of having the public works target?

And I I'm I'm asking questions that I want to clarify.

What is the expectation?

Is it to for implementation or is it more to educate the community on what it is, like a general overview of what it is, not to get into the the details and the the stuff, the the management of the day to day, but how it impacts the community if an event were to occur, what is that the expectation?

Yeah, I think the the expectation is first and foremost education for us.

Oh, yeah, definitely, yes, yes.

I can discuss that with the public works director and see if we can make something happen at one of the meeting future meetings.

I don't know for next for the next meeting, but I'll see what I can do.

Thank you.

So, you know, in the emergency preparedness, I mean the presentation that we have next month might be helpful.

Um to us to think how we could do outreach and education.

And the yes, so once um I'll work with public communications, but you as individual members can promote the next meeting for the hurricane preparedness presentation.

Uh so I think that's more than appropriate.

Um I'm going to see if we have anything either at fire or um one of our departments if we have any, I don't want to say giveaways, but if there's something that would be helpful, I know when I had when I went to neighborhoods day, they were giving away like a magnet that attached, and it was also a flashlight at the same time, and it had a couple numbers on it.

That was kind of helpful.

So if there's something like of that nature, I'll see if I can get that.

But we can promote it in terms of although we would be at the beginning stages of hurricane uh season, but at least something to educate the public as well.

You can never be too may I get a clarification from Mr.

Johnson.

Bill, you're you're concerned about are you concerned about the big picture of another hurricane coming in and what is our city going to do about it, or are you concerned with a very specific stormwater maintenance issue in certain areas?

Because I think that there's two different things, and I think that a vulnerability assessment, which the city has done covers a lot of that.

At the same time, I think that public works has specific stormwater protection plans that they have for each, for instance, you know, wastewater treatment plant, you know, and each industry has a stormwater maintenance plan for their area.

So I want to be sure that we're addressing your concerns.

I'm just not sure that I understand exactly what you're asking.

Chair please please come forward.

Good night, please.

We can hear you, but then those at home cannot.

I'm interested in the governance side or the process, the management side of how all these things are made to happen in a timely manner.

Um that in that priorities are set, and those priorities are fairly open and uh available to people.

Uh rather than something that's just sitting on the shelf without a conscientious decision that that is the lower priority.

I I think it's easy within a city government that the loud issue gets moved forward without maybe be it being the most important thing.

So that's an I it's an item that I've been suggesting to the council that they they raise uh their priorities or they they raise and discuss amongst themselves.

But it's it would help to have a few other people sort of leaning on that process, and I think you I think we have a good public works director, and I think he might be really happy to talk about how they manage the projects and some of the issues that are are part of their challenge.

So it seems like you're you're interested in the the 50,000 foot level as opposed to a one specific incident, and I suspect that the public works director has that information on a PowerPoint, quite frankly, and and lots of data on that.

That might be something very simple that they could just bring forth and show because they probably already got that, and you just may not be aware of it, or or they may not have it.

Or or they may not have it.

I don't know.

That's a good comment, yeah.

But they have to bring in the public is understands how that there's a lessons learned from 2024.

Our stormwater system was overwhelmed in it, you know, along with every every other municipality in Pinellas.

So yeah, I mean, it's it's educational.

Like I'm sure the average person doesn't know what an MS4 permit is and what MS4 stands for.

Municipal separate storm sewer system.

And so this would be like an opportunity to educate us about that that permit.

I'll talk to the the public works director to see when we can make that happen within the meeting schedule, not problem.

It sounds good.

Yeah.

Thank you, Mr.

Johnson, for bringing that forward.

Jones and Jones and Johnson?

Not Johnson.

Johnson.

Thank you, Bill.

We do know your name.

Um there other uh ideas from we supposed to generate ideas for this is yes.

So this is your your opportunity to come up with ideas.

Another um, you know, uh if another option would be to somehow and try to engage the community to seek what they want.

I mean, that's another option, and I can work with public works to see how um, because you really if if the idea is to engage the community, what does the community want from the board?

Um, maybe maybe we can post something on social media to address that.

That's what I was gonna say.

Yeah.

What about a Facebook page?

You know, police has it, fire has it, parks and rec has their own page.

What about a community uh page that people can send their suggestions?

Yeah, no problem.

Well, no board has uh a web page.

Well, you've got a landing page of where um in terms of like the advisory board and what it does, but to the best of my knowledge, no board does it.

The issue that you're gonna have is like neighborhood services, but maybe neighborhood services, we can partner with that department who's already in existence.

They probably receive feedback from the community as to what they like, and maybe we can partner with them to see what works, but um, because I don't want to go into the whole process of creating a web page for each board.

No.

So um because then it's just creating way it's the website to begin with.

But there are opportunities, I think, to post questions whether it's on the landing page or whether it's on social media from what I understand, or the community engages more via the social media when it comes to answer questions like that.

So I'll I'll I'll work with them and see which is the best way.

But I think the neighborhood services is a perfect example.

They're already engaged with the community.

They may have they may be receiving feedback that might be appropriate for the department for the board to either partner with them or to engage the community on those topics that they're getting that feedback from.

Okay.

I know I read through as I was reading through the basic the work um agendas for the departments that we that we represent.

Um I was I was I had some ideas about how maybe we could be helpful.

Um example was, and this is I don't know how relevant I don't know if this works, but the adopt a drain program.

Um my HOA has from where I'm president of Morningside and Meadows Homeowners Association, and we decided to make a con a naming contest, a creative name contest for because when we went on the site we found out that you can name the drain that you adopt.

And we've got some very creative names in our neighborhood for the drains that have been adopted already.

And so you know, we came up with the idea of having a uh adopt a drain creative name contest um for our neighborhood.

Does the board want for the next agenda maybe to post something on the agenda that that states uh I don't know uh discuss potential community engagement projects or topics, and then that way the it'll be on the agenda for the board to start thinking about and maybe discuss and potentially move forward with something, as opposed to what I don't want is a you don't have all members here, but more importantly, if it's not on the agenda, then nobody knows to come in to provide that feedback.

So we're trying to get into that whole uh custom as to agenda the item so that it can be discussed, not just for the board members, so that the board members know that each of you know what is expected of you in terms of what a potential action is, but also for the community to come in as well.

I almost get the feeling that we need a work session.

I don't think you need a work session, but I do think you need to start putting these items on the agenda, and that's what that's what the next setting the agenda for the next meeting is for is so that you start scheduling, and I think the education component of it, like the education programs, like the hurricane preparedness, that's something you schedule ahead of time, and we can start schedule start getting to that habit of okay, one or two topics of that nature to engage and educate the community, and then uh you can start discussing, like for instance, if next board meeting you want to discuss potential uh uh adopt a drain program, then I can provide information so at the next meeting you can discuss and make those those actions, but more importantly, the community is aware, and that that's if it's not on the agenda, nobody knows.

You don't know, and the community does not know.

So it's really you're not educating the community what you want to do just by doing it.

Good point.

That makes sense.

Um I do have, and I don't I don't know.

Oh, so how how do we want to proceed from here for we're not gonna we're putting that on the agenda for next time?

We're gonna discuss the topic adopt a drain.

Is that what it do I have consensus on that, or do you want community projects?

Tell me how you want to.

So what's gonna be on the agenda then the next agenda right now we have the hurricane preparedness presentation, and then I also have um for the board to discuss how to address concerns raised by the public.

Okay, and so um it so we can make a list of items that we might like because I mean the adopter drain program is just uh launched, so um, you know, there's time for that.

Um how about discuss potential community engagement projects?

They're they're your projects, but they could be anything, it could be an education program, it can be uh an engagement program, it can just be a discussion of topics or yes.

One thing that we came up with um uh and uh Mr.

Rafferty brought up was the budget and uh the concerns that um that we might have about um uh the amendment three on the ballot, uh the um for property taxes and how it would affect the three divisions that are areas that we represent.

Um I think you know, I I'm just I read um O'Frini's article on the paper in which we're done eaten that I mean she stated directly that there would be cuts in parks and rec to you know staffing and services uh and all of the and infrastructure uh for resilience re resiliency infrastructure and she listed areas in which our you know the areas that we are in we represent in this board, all of them you know are going to be dramatically affected in Done Eden.

I don't know how you know what we're looking at in Clearwater.

I don't know if there's I assume that city staff has been working on this, certainly to look at like I don't know what how much of our budget is going to be affected by that if it passes.

I don't know.

So it'll it's gonna impact every if that amendment passes, every municipality will be hit.

I mean it it's gonna be um yeah that's a that's gonna be a reality.

Staff has is look is going through the budget process now, and we will be working with the city manager and um and finance in terms of a budget exercise of what it potentially could look like, but I also want to caution that the board will not be able to discuss up to a certain so one of the concerns that we have is that because this is now a constitutional amendment, the city's hands will be tied in terms of what can be said and done because of uh the restrictions that are in place once it's become once it becomes a constitutional amendment, which was already been approved and it's gonna go on the ballot.

So we we're limited in terms of what we can say and do.

You as individually can might can discuss those impacts, and if you want, I can at the next meeting discuss what those potential impacts because each department's gonna be going through a budget exercise.

So in January, we're gonna be it's gonna go into law where you're gonna have to go through a budget exercise.

We're going to go through a budget exercise just to start thinking about what if this does get passed, what would be that impact to each department?

Um, so it doesn't mean that's what we're going to do, but we're starting to prepare in terms of what the potential cuts are going to be because it's it's going to be a major cut for each department.

Okay.

Okay.

That was the one thing that I was going to bring up today in the meeting, is exactly what you said.

And it helps to let people know how to vote.

I understand.

And I'll I'll check with legal to see if we can do that.

So one of the one of the concerns that is being raised at the state level is some municipalities feel they've been given the okay to start discussing what it what that impact will be.

Um I will make sure that we can discuss that openly and in terms of an educational aspect of it of what it would mean in front of the board by then, because by then we're going to be in full swing very close to that ballot initiative, and we may not be able to say as or educate as much as we would like because of other restrictions.

So there's just legal restrictions on on the on municipalities in terms of uh once it gets closer to that election period, what we can and cannot do.

I do know that we I mean, I it's on, I believe on our website.

We have some information in terms of what it is, and I think if we keep it to like we've done in the past, this is what a yes vote means, and this is what a vote no a vote a no vote means.

We might be able to do that.

I think that would be very helpful.

I don't I think I don't, you know, I think that our residents don't.

I'm yeah, I don't know.

I I don't, I'm I'm just speculating, you know.

I don't know what what the effects would be exactly, or or like how much, or you know, um yeah, and so I think that everyone wants has that question in their mind: how will this affect uh me and you know the services I receive from the city?

Yeah, and we're working on that now.

So we should have like I said, we're each department was given an exercise in terms of what that potential impact could be.

It and I want to say it doesn't mean that that's what we're going to do, because I think you also have to balance in terms of employee morale and how that would affect employee morale because some people may not understand it's just it's an exercise that must be had in the event it does pass, but it is important.

I mean, I I live here in Clearwater as well, so I definitely understand you know what the potential impact could mean in terms of disservices and the expectations of as residents that we have in this and not only in our municipality but throughout that's what makes us unique.

And so um it's gonna be it's gonna be a struggle, but I think we can do that by then.

We would probably have a better idea in terms of what that potential impact is because keep in mind it's not just that, but it's what council will direct.

So as we're going through that budget process, council may provide more direction to the manager in some terms of what the expectation is, but I don't want to get ahead of any of that until because we're just starting to go through that process.

But I I agree it and it's a great educational opportunity if legal says we can have it, um, and I will be the first one to make sure that we can have it for the next meeting.

That would be awesome.

I mean, it's top of mind, I think.

For I mean, it was a big uh a big uh issue in the forum, the candidate forum uh this week, and uh that's what everybody's talking about, and there's a lot there's more question marks than answers.

Definitely, yes.

Yeah, okay.

This sounds great.

All right, okay.

So just to make sure, yeah.

Items for the next agenda.

So we're gonna have the hurricane preparedness presentation, we're gonna discuss potential topics or projects for the board to take on, and then um I will do my best to make sure we get the constitutional amendment presentation or an education that will that'll be helpful for everybody to understand, but yet I think that would be all a real priority for the next time if just for timeliness, yeah, for our August meeting.

Yes, we might have more people in the audience too.

Which would be awesome.

But that sounds good, yeah.

Okay, all right.

Um is there anything else on um to be here?

Item 4.3.

We have a big agenda now.

I know for one meeting.

It'd be good to it would be good to be able to generate ideas for several meetings, you know.

I mean, I think because we don't always get a present presenter for one meeting to do that next time.

Yeah.

Well, that's why you have the again, that's why that's on the agenda to establish the agenda is really your opportunity to identify those topics.

And what we want to learn, right?

Yeah, exactly.

Yes.

Okay.

All right.

Anything else?

So I actually had two things that I wanted to bring up and maybe set for an agenda, not next time but the following time is now the opportunity to do that.

On the library work projects, get changing you know hats for a minute.

Um you talked about the beach ranch library reopening, and it's it says that the project is currently on hold pending further direction, and I don't know what that means.

Perhaps next agenda we could talk about what that means.

Okay.

And then the other question I had about the library work projects were the main library re-imaging initiative.

Um I know there's been some discussion on the downtown CRA for that visioning process, and I don't know where that is, and I would like to get some updates on that.

So maybe we could have that specific item on the agenda.

Okay, thank you.

Any others?

You have those for two.

Okay.

Any others?

This is uh this is the board members to be heard.

Is that right?

Okay.

Oh, well, board members can be heard.

Okay.

That's what you're on.

That's okay.

Okay, thank you.

Uh agenda item number five.

Um, yeah, so I would like to see us engage a little bit more and have the opportunity to engage more as a board.

How can we do that?

How can we do that?

That's a great question.

I I suggested a work session, but well, so when you're saying engage more, are you trying to engage with each other, which you can only do at a meeting?

Right.

Um, but that's what the board meeting is for.

And so if you have if you have the need for an additional meeting, I support that.

But the uh the reason why you have identifying items on the next agenda is to do that.

You're supposed and you everybody's received the agenda beforehand so that you come prepare to discuss that.

And so if you have to items that or ideas that you can bring them up and they can be fleshed out at the next meeting, but I I don't want to get into the habit of creating a meeting to meet to discuss about potential meetings when you have the opportunity to do that now.

Well, quite frankly, we're all just getting to know each other.

I know, I know, and like I said this is a brand new board, and I want to be very frank.

I I want to give us a more of an opportunity not only to get to know each other, but to share ideas and and um to be creative.

Well, is there some way now?

Are you gonna send out the agenda on the August ahead of time so we can know and we can give s suggestions and all that?

I provide the agenda a week ahead of time.

One week prior to the meeting, I provide the agenda.

Okay, if you have an idea before that's what I'm saying, yeah.

Send me an email.

You can't send it to each other, but you can send me that email.

And that's what happened like with board member Westmark.

She had a couple questions, and I got the answers.

Now it's my fault because I did forget to print them and provide them to everyone.

But you can do that, say, you know, all of you have my phone number and my email address.

You come up with an idea, can we discuss this at the at the next meeting?

And I'll I will put it on the agenda.

Okay, good.

So um, you know, we had a very robust city council um debate the other night.

There were a lot of issues that are very relevant to here, not only the property tax reform, but the landings among others.

Um so are these topics we can discuss?

The landings is not an issue that will come before this board, and that's just because it's not within your purview.

But what I can tell you is that there will be it hasn't been scheduled yet, but from my understanding is that the individuals who are um I guess uh are the applicant or are wanting to make the change, they will be making a presentation to council the next few months.

I don't have the date just yet, but once I get I know the date, I will share that with the board members.

And it's a presentation to council in terms of what the project is.

Um, from what I understand at that point, council will decide what they're going to do.

Okay, and that's when that pro that whole process would begin.

Do you know what month that would be?

I don't know yet.

I know that it's coming, so it could be in in the next couple of months, but I don't know.

I don't know yet.

As soon as I get the date, I an agenda item hasn't even been created.

And so as soon as I know, I will share that with the board so that you can be in attendance to see the information or stream it.

Thank you very much for all your own.

But that's but yes, I mean I'm being honest.

It won't come before this board because the board doesn't have purview when it comes to that specific project.

But I will share any information terms of what the request is, and what I do know right now is that the individual the company will be coming before the council to provide them uh information on terms of what the request is or what the project is, and then that would really be the first meeting before the com um the council in terms of educate, and then council at that meeting would decide whether or not there's interest to to hear out, and then that's when at that point that's when the public process would begin.

And how much time would that be?

Because um, I guess I'm I'm um I'm looking at it from the you know, because there are environmental implications to this project that have been brought up.

Uh and then also there's you know questions about where it fits in uh in the parks and rec whole purview if it's it doesn't it all I guess I'm not sure I think at first we need to hear what the pro what the proposal is first.

I mean, I know that they did reach out to the community at one point early on when it first started, and then from there, I guess they gather the information they may or may not have changed the request.

So because there is no request before the council, this is my honest opinion.

Let's wait and see what it is that they present to council in terms of in that meeting whenever they hold that meeting and see what the request is because I don't want I think the board is getting ahead of themselves in terms of how to respond to a request that has not been officially presented yet.

So what they presented to the to the public at their understanding.

The city council meeting again, the city council is their first meeting before the public, and it's not for action, it's just to educ to present what they want, from what I understand.

That is my understanding is that their first meeting before council is to present this.

Is the project to educate them, and at that point council can discuss okay, what you know do we have interests, what you know, what do we want to do?

But no action on the actual project will be taken.

It's just here, this is what we want to do.

Is there interest so can I interpret from that that the board has that that is council has not taken official position at all?

Not as a collegial body.

I don't know.

I I don't know if individually they have opinions on it, but as the board, the collegial body, no, it has not come before the board at all.

So because a lot of attention has been given to an unsolicited bid, one unsolicited bid.

And there's actually opportunities for people to submit their own unsolicited bids, if you have $25,000.

Yes.

So I mean, you can see this comes up every one of our meetings since the landings is hit the papers and uh I understand it's it's it's some, but again, it has not come before the board before the city council, so uh technically there is nothing before them to judge on, and until they present to council to say what the actual presentation is.

I think the board should just wait and see what it is.

And as soon as I hear wind of when it'll be scheduled, once I see the agenda item, I will let everybody know hey, a discussion is being just is being taught uh agenda.

Okay, that sounds great.

Okay, it's good.

Yeah, all right.

If there's if the time if it's a timely issue, what a special meeting of the council?

No, our board.

Well, I I think you have to wait until council hears the ver the project.

And then we and then um we can go from from there.

I don't want to say we're gonna have a meet because they're again it may not necessarily fall within the board's purview, but we have to see what the request is first.

I guess there's a possibility that the plans um could have evolved a bit to change since the presentation that was made to the public.

Yeah, so much as I mean, I'm sure it has changed.

I know that from what I understand, even when it was first in the article, it had changed from the time it even went before the community uh meeting.

So it I that's why I'm I really recommend just wait until it comes before the council to determine if it's if it's an item that the board wants to schedule to discuss something, sure.

But I don't want to say I'm gonna let's schedule a meeting when you don't know none of us know what the request really is yet.

We don't.

Okay.

All right, thank you.

Are there other um uh comments from the board?

No, I think we clarified all of that.

Yeah, I think so.

Yeah, thank no, thank you for that discussion.

Yeah, I mean, the city charter is an issue when it comes to the landing, um, the referendum and and the land use comprehensive plan, which is very important.

No, I the city.

I agree.

I agree, but again, I think no, thank you.

Thank you.

Um board members to be heard, so can I bring up another thank you?

Um so I am very impressed with the projects that are underway.

Um parks, I mean the I don't think the public is aware of all the projects that are in the works, and you look at this.

Oh, yeah.

It's a three-page Excel spreadsheet of projects that are being done by the parks department.

Oh, yeah.

Very impressive.

Um then, of course, sustainability.

They have their projects at work.

That's impressive too, and they got a nice award today for solar.

Um I don't want to leave out library.

No, we can't leave out the library.

But um I've I one thing that really stuck out for me personally.

Um we have a really robust uh urban reforestation program in the works.

And Jennifer Poirier submitted what the plan is all about, and that's great.

Um then I went to the last page, and I see the available budget and funding sources to support the above activities for the uh urban reforestation program.

One point oh one two million dollars, and of that only 150,000 is budgeted for tree replacement.

Over $850,000 is for trimming, pruning, and removal of trees.

That's a that's interesting.

Would you like me to approach public works about the policy?

That's I just think it's or you're just sharing your thoughts.

Yeah, I just want more clarification.

Yeah, I just thought that was unusual.

It's an urban reforestation program, and only about 15% of it's going for tree replacement.

The other 85% is going for removal, pruning, and trimming.

Good point.

No.

I will seek the clarification.

Very good point.

Good, yeah, good observation.

Um there are other uh members to be heard, board members to be heard, other comp you know.

No, that's it.

Thank you, Kelly.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Tim, I don't have more.

Shared everything in my mind.

Yeah, you know, just the the information that I had sent the information that I just I will share that with the board, so uh, which I think are potential topics for um the board to consider in terms of community engagement in community engagement opportunities, so it'll be good.

But I wanted to thank you for your clarifications on how we're supposed to maneuver around and in order for us to be a better board and to take care of the the folks that are approaching us.

I'm I'm a little confused.

This is my first time on the board, so I appreciate the clarification.

No, like I've said to I I know I've said it once um or many times individually.

It's a new board, so this is uh it's new for all of us.

So I always tell everybody just forget what you knew, and in your case you did not know, but forget the board that you were on because this is completely different, and um, like I said, it's this is just the first year.

I think the first year is are the years of growing pains, and then from there on you kind of like you start realizing, but I I think it really today was a good opportunity in terms of what it could be.

It's just a matter of just getting everybody acclim acclimated to the new board, and the new board will start growing and so that's you will find your niche and how it all works.

So it's just a matter of just going through the the process right now.

I think from for my comments would be that yeah, I just feel like we're going through um we're just trying to feel our way through this to understand how we can be a functional and relevant board.

Yes.

Um and also I as I get to in know people individually on this board.

I I know I've very uh impressed with uh with the level of expertise and um the talent.

We have a very we have a very talented board and we have people with some excellent backgrounds.

Um so you know I have got good feelings for uh for us moving forward.

Yeah.

Yes.

All right.

No, this is good conversation.

Very good, yes.

Yeah.

If there's uh nothing else, um do we need a motion to adjourn?

You don't need a motion, but you can, it's up to you.

All right, five o'clock, we adjourn.

Okay, our adjourn.

Okay, thank you.