C.O.N.A. of South Pinellas County

War or peace a present issue-

Mar 17, 2003

The CONA March 19th Meeting

The Pinellas Mobility Initiative project team will present to CONA on Wednesday, March 19.

At our March meeting, we will host a presentation of the Pinellas Mobility Initiative Project (PMI). The PMI is an analysis of premium transit (e.g. light rail, monorail, advanced bus, etc.) alternatives for Pinellas County. The PMI will identify the alignment, station locations, technology, expected rider-ship, costs and governance of such a system. The project is being conducted by the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) and their consultant team. The purpose of the study is to identify a feasible system that can be moved forward to the next phases of implementation. Currently under consideration are alignments that would serve St. Petersburg generally along the I-275, Central Avenue, 66th Street and Tyrone corridors. The featured speaker for this presentation is Mike Crawford of Gramil Crawford Inc.

Also, come prepared to offer your suggestions for the best services and vendors in your neighborhoods. The CONA newsletter needs new advertisers, and we need suggestions from the neighborhoods.

The Agenda can be found in this newsletter.

The March Meeting location is The Sunshine Center, 330 5th St. N, St. Petersburg
Doors Open at 6:00 p.m. Meeting Starts at 7:00 p.m.


PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE
Dear Neighbors,

Each month more and more things are happening around the City that continue to prove that the neighborhoods have made a positive impact on St. Petersburg.

St. Petersburg is one of the great destinations on the west coast of Florida. Recently, the Grand Prix was a success for many downtown restaurants and businesses, the home show at the Trop had a crowd the same weekend, and the parks and beaches also had large attendance numbers. If you haven?’t had a chance to look at the 100/300 Anniversary Celebration Calendar of Events, check it out. There is something for everyone in our City during this entire year. People from around the Tampa Bay area, the state, the country, and the world will be coming to St. Petersburg. Let?’s show them how great our neighborhoods are!

I met with a group of concerned neighbors last week and it looks like we will have the next and newest neighborhood organization forming within two months; this will be St. Petersburg's 108th neighborhood association. All it takes is people getting together with a desire to improve their quality of life in their community. That?’s how most of us who are involved in our neighborhoods got involved. A lot of the CONA Leadership students have just started getting their feet wet in the neighborhoods; others have been swimming for quite a while. Let?’s help both in their respective areas.

Our training and planning retreat on March 1st went well and you will see the notes in this newsletter. One of the biggest improvements from the retreat is that we will limit the number of speakers at the Board Meetings and have more time for discussion on plans of action that CONA needs to take. We are also looking to have more of these gatherings so that we stay on track. If you have questions or items that need to be brought before the CONA Board, please do not hesitate to call one of the Board Members.

This past week St. Petersburg lost a very important leader in this community and in the bay area. Robert L. (Bob) Gilder passed on February 28; he was 72 and had been a driving force on both sides of the Bay for over 40 years. His accomplishments are too long to list in this letter, but he was the kind of person that asked you for help and you could not turn him down. One of his many successes in St. Petersburg was the ?“Paint St. Pete?” program, where he and a crew of volunteers went out and painted and repaired homes for members of our community that could not afford to have it done. These were homes owned and occupied by low income families that had code violations. He will also be remembered for the voter registration drives that he helped promote. For nearly a half century, Bob dedicated his life to building bridges between the races and removing barriers that prevented African Americans from fully participating in the political and economic mainstream. He will be missed but not forgotten.

Have a great month and I look forward to seeing you at the meeting on the 19th.

Your neighbor,

Brent


AGENDA

Pledge

Minutes

Treasurer?’s Report

Guest Speakers:

Metropolitan Planning Organization: The Pinellas Mobility Initiative
(e.g. light rail, monorail, advanced bus, etc.) 15 minutes/5 minutes Q&A

Monarch Publishing: Linda Ferraro 5 minutes/5 minutes Q&A

Old Business
SPPD
Codes
Grand fathering - LDR Administration
Neighborhood Night at the Trop.

New Business
Festival of States Parade
City Boards and Commissions


2003 CONA Paid Members

Thank you to the following 46 neighborhood associaitons for paying your dues promptly. As of 3/12/03 here is teh list of 2003 paid memberships:

Albert Whitted
Azalea Homes Community Assoc.
Bahama Shores Homeowner's Assoc.
Barclay Estates Homeowner's Assoc.
Bayway Isles
Broadwater Civic Assoc..
Causeway Isles N/A
Central Oak Park N/A
Coquina Key Property Owner's
Cross Roads Area
Disston Heights Civic
Driftwood
Edgemoor
Euclid Heights
Fossil Park
Garden Manor N/A
Grand Central Business District
Greater Pinellas Point Civic Assoc.
Greater Woodlawn N/A
Harbordale N/A
Harris Park N/A
Historic Park Street N/A
Isla del Sol Owner's Assoc.
Jungle Terrace Civic
Lakewood Estates Civic
Lakewood Terrace
Maximor Moorings
Meadowlawn
Mel-Tan Heights
North Downtown
Northeast Park
North Kenwood N/A
North Shore N/A
Old Southeast N/A
Park Street N/A
Placido Bayou Community Assoc.
Ponce de Leon
Rivera Bay Civic
Shore Acres Civic
Snell Isle
Twin Brooks N/A
Venetian Isles
Wildwood Heights
Winston Park
Woodlawn Oaks N/A
Yacht Club Estates


FEBRUARY BOARD OF DIRECTOR'S MEETING MINUTES

The February C.O.N.A. meeting was held on February 19th, 2003, at The Sunshine Center, 330 5th Street North, St. Petersburg, Florida.


President Brent Fisher called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. leading us in the pledge to our flag.
?¢ Brent called for approval of the January Minutes as published in our newsletter. Ingrid Comberg objected to the report that our Leadership Program had a negative account balance. The Minutes were approved as corrected.
?¢ Libby Steele gave the Treasurer's Report that included a General Fund balance of $3,690.00, and a Leadership account of $395.00.
?¢ The current Leadership enrollees were invited to introduce themselves.
?¢ Newly elected neighborhood leaders were also asked to identify themselves.
?¢ We next heard a report of our monthly meeting with Police Chief Harmon.
" These meetings will be held bimonthly beginning in April.
" It is hoped that more neighborhoods will participate on a rotating basis
" Various plans had been proposed to improve recruitment and retention.
?¢ Former Mayor David Fischer appealed for our help in collecting 40,000 petitions to the State Supreme Court to challenge recent legislation that voids all local, municipal ordinances that seek to restrict or limit the construction of highway advertising signs within our cities.
?¢ County Commissioner Ken Welch also spoke soliciting neighborhood support to urge, via letter, phone, FAX, or e-mail, that Pinellas County adopt a new ordinance to prohibit the sale of fireworks that are currently classified as illegal. He noted the well funded lobbying opposing this measure.
" Moved, (Plice/McEachern), CONA supports the proposed county ordinance prohibiting the sale of illegal fireworks. [Approved]
" It was agreed that a FAX message to the commissioners would be posted on our CONA Web site, for all to endorse and send.

Old Business:
" Bernice Darling, (Neighborhood Partnership Office), urged timely reporting of all new neighborhood officer elections.
" She also reminded us of the opportunity to update our community data to be published in this year's Neighborhood Guide.
" A neighborhood social, (i.e. block party) is planned for April.
" Theresa McEachern reported that 32 CONA tickets were purchased for the Manhattan Casino and a few more would be available.

New Business:
" Brent Fisher told of plans for Neighborhood Night at the Devil Ray's.
" The game, with the New York Yankees will be Saturday Sept. 20, 2003
" Our tickets will sell at $5.00. [Upper deck seats]
" 10,000 tickets were reserved. [CONA sold 2,000 last year]
" Various prizes are being developed to promote neighborhood participation through membership drives.
" Cathy Wilson, (Greater Woodlawn), spoke urging a special CONA meeting to discuss Police issues that would include representatives of the SPPD as well as the two unions involved. She distributed a paper on this theme.
" Moved, (Plice/Whysong), CONA will convene a special workshop meeting on March 1st at the Bay Vista Recreation Center. [Approved]
" Steve Plice, (Jungle Terrace), gave a report on proposed new zoning rules in the Planning Commission soon to be considered by City Council. He pointed out that these new grand fathering provisions essentially abrogate the current zoning qualifications restrictions.

[At this point, B. Fisher, J. Danner, and K. Nurse excused themselves, being CONA representatives on the Planning Commission. V.P. Theresa McEachern took the Chair.]

?¢ Sally Eichler, (City Codes Compliance & Assistance), gave a report of history and progress in her department.
" There have been new successes with demolition rulings.
" New legal tools are proving helpful.
" Inspection access of rental properties is improving.
" Willing landlord compliance is becoming more frequent.
?¢ Bob Jeffrey, (City Development Services), gave an update of the ongoing Land Development Review (LDR) program, noting past program attendance and urging neighborhood participation in future meetings.
?¢ Brent Fisher appealed for support in identifying prospective advertisers for our CONA Newsletter printed by Monarch Publishing.
?¢ Brent also announced a series of Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) public meetings to discuss the findings of their "Light Rail Study".

The meeting adjourned at 9 p.m.
Conrad Weiser, Secretary


PARTNERSHIP NOTES

New Association President?
Please contact the Neighborhood Partnership Department at 892-5141 with your updated information.

Neighborhoods USA Comes to Florida in 2004
The Neighborhoods USA (NUSA) will be held in Hollywood, Florida in May 20 - 22, 2004. Approximately 1,500 neighborhood representatives from throughout the country will be in attendance. Registration is generally $150 to cover NUSA membership, tour and some meals. Stay tuned for more information.

Florida Neighborhoods Conference (FNC)
The 2003 FNC will be held in Sarasota in September 12 & 13, 2003. Mark your calendars. Registration information is expected by May/June.

The 2004 FNC is tentatively scheduled to be held in Pensacola in the Fall 2004. It'll be a busy year for neighborhood conferences in Florida!

Neighborhood Social
The Neighborhood Partnership staff is planning a neighborhood social in late April 2003. Invitations will be mailed to the associations in March.

Neighborhoods Day at the Trop
The Tampa Bay Devil Rays will host another Neighborhoods Day at the Trop. Join other Tampa Bay area neighborhoods as the Tampa Bay Devil Rays play the New York Yankees on September 20, 2003. Tickets will be $5.00 and must be paid in advance. Start talking with your neighbors soon - there will be prizes for the neighborhood that brings the most members to the game!


QUOTE OF THE MONTH

"Eighty percent of success is showing up." Woody Allen



SPPD CONCERNS: Chief's requests discussed at CONA Retreat
By Cathy Wilson, President
Greater Woodlawn Neighborhood Association

The list of recommendations for changes at the SPPD that Chief Harmon submitted to Mayor Baker was a topic of discussion at the CONA Retreat on Saturday March 1st. Each request was discussed in more detail than was possible at the last CONA Board Meeting. We also discussed the management study and training option I proposed, as well as an option to consider having the Pinellas County Sheriff assume policing responsibilities in our city. The representatives in attendance agreed that morale is a major concern at the department and that the remedies the Chief proposes would not fully address the root cause(s) of the problem.

I plan to submit the following resolution to the CONA body for discussion and a vote at the next CONA Board Meeting:

Resolved that; CONA supports the list of recommendations for changes to the SPPD made by Chief Harmon after a management review has been conducted and management training for personnel ranked sergeant or higher has begun. The review and training should be conducted by an independent firm selected by Chief Harmon, Mayor Baker and City Council. Input from the public should be welcomed in the review. If the management review and training are unacceptable, an option to merge the SPPD with the Pinellas County Sheriff should be pursued.


NEIGHBORHOOD BRIEFS

Hello Neighbors!

Our association, Bayou Highlands, is having our "1st Big Neighborhood Event" on April 12th from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The location is Lake Maggorie Blvd. from 4th St. to 9th St. on the median.

The following are the events scheduled: a "Fun Day" yard sale, an auto rally and canine dog (per the SPPD), a fire truck, a local artist, local vendors, food vendors and a bake sale, a face painting and fun table, "Medal of Honor" paintings and a Tuskegee Airmen Exhibit (put on by a local museum) jewelry crafters, and information from many St. Petersburg organizations.

We would like to extend an invitation to all neighborhoods and/or local vendors to attend or participate. If you have something you would like to showcase or display, please feel free to set up a table. The cost is $5 or $10 per table (depending on size).

Registration forms must be filled out; they can be E-mailed to you. If anyone has any ideas or suggestions for our event, please call me at 865-1621, or E-mail me at merrydd@webtv.net.

Thank You!
Mary Darling, President
Bayou Highlands Neighborhood Association


3rd ANNUAL OLD NORTHEASR SPRING GARDEN STROLL
Rocks Dying in Your Rock Garden? Get Inspired!
by Susan Mayer

Has your green thumb long ago turned brown, or is your thumb still green but in need of some inspiration? Maybe you just want to spend a morning or afternoon enjoying the splendor of a few lovingly tended gardens in our charming neighborhood.

Well, you are just about to win the Garden Lotto! Coming up on Saturday, May 3rd, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., the Historic Old Northeast Neighborhood Association is presenting its "Third Annual Spring Garden Stroll".

In ten Old Northeast homes that Saturday there will be no "secret gardens." Instead of just a peek over a wall, you will have the opportunity to linger amidst the foliage and flora and talk with homeowners about how they have created and maintained their masterpieces. Showcased gardens will come in all sizes, from small and cozy to grand and elegant.

In addition, the Audubon Society will specially create a butterfly garden in the yard of a neighborhood home. Here you will have the chance to ask questions and get tips about not only creating your own butterfly garden, but
also the mission of the Audubon Society and Florida gardening in general. You'll also have an opportunity to purchase chances on drawings for a number of garden and patio accessories. And as an added bonus, Sunken Gardens will be holding its Orchid Festival on May 3rd and 4th, so our neighborhood will be Garden Central that weekend!

Tickets are $10 per person and may be purchased in advance at several local businesses, in late April, including Simply Splendid (1301 4th Street N) . Gulf Coast Garden Center (4355 Haines Road N), and Something Different (3252 Tyrone Blvd. N.) On the day of the Stroll the ticket outlet will be Westminster Presbyterian Church, 126 11th Avenue NE, from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.. This will be a true walking tour -- or how about dusting off your bike? -- so wear comfortable shoes. Parking will be available on the street and at North Shore Park. And remember this is Florida in May, so you'll want to dress accordingly.

Come join us to support this annual tradition, meet nice people, enjoy the neighborhood and, perhaps, be inspired to create your own glorious garden! Questions? E-mail: GardenStroll@hotmail.com


ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURES FOR THE LAND DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS
By Steve Plice, Jungle Terrace Civic Association

Since March of last year, we have been working with the City in connection with proposed changes to the part of City Code dealing with Administrative Procedures for the Land Development Regulations. The City Staff has called these proposals changes to the City Ordinance dealing with Grand fathered and Nonconforming uses. The proposal does address Grand fathered/Nonconforming Uses. It also addresses much more. It includes substantial changes to Sections 29-111 through 29-115 of the City Code regarding the powers and procedures of the Board of Adjustment relating to appeals, variances and reinstatements. Some of the proposed changes deal specifically with Grand fathered/Nonconforming uses and structures. Other proposed changes affect all building proposals everywhere in the City.

These proposals were presented to City Council in early February and a Public Hearing is set for March 20th in Council Chambers. The good news is that, in the current form, the changes are generally good.

The City Staff deserves credit for working with the CONA members who have been dealing with this issue for the past year (thank you, John Hixenbaugh). Even after the proposals had been presented to City Council, City Staff has made additional adjustments to make it a better Ordinance. Now, the proposals deserve our support.

The proposal now clarifies and "tightens" the criteria for granting variances. It provides for notification (and an appeal process) when staff decisions are to be made without a Public Hearing. Virtually all of the language to which we had objections when first proposed has been changed.

The proposal does allow changes and improvements to structures that do not fully comply with the building and landscape codes. In some circumstances, it allows improvements to these buildings without the need to seek variances. The permitted changes would have to reduce the amount of non-compliance and they would have to be relatively small improvements to the non-complying property. With the limits and conditions that have now been added to the proposed ordinance, this a positive and helpful change.

The development of this proposed ordinance has been a long and difficult process. There have been dramatic changes and improvements to the proposal over the past 12 months that have transformed it from a very troubling proposal to something that is generally positive for neighborhoods and the City.

The March CONA meeting is the day before the public hearing with City Council. At our meeting, we can discuss the details of this proposal.


VIEW FROM MY FRONT PORCH
by Chris Kelly, President, Historic Roser Park

We're nearly done painting the exterior of our 1914 bungalow, and new kitchen cabinets arrive March 15th. As if Neighborhood Association President wasn't enough, I took the position of President at St. Petersburg Preservation this month. At work we're in the midst of the busiest tourist season since 9/11, so it seems that my days are over before they really get started. I was talking to my wife, Debbie, the other night and said that at times I couldn't tell if I'm running for office or running from working on the house. She paused for a moment, and made it clear that in either case I'd better run fast or she was going to kill me.

My 12-year-old grew another 3 inches last night, and the 2-year-old knows what 'oval' means and can count to the number 'F'. I'm fortunate in that they're 10 years apart, as I have some perspective as to how quickly they go from diapers to teen crushes. When Patrick was Sarah's age I had no appreciation for the simple pleasure of just sitting and being in the company of children. Now that I can appreciate the company of a toddler, God has blessed me with a little girl who revels in stomping puddles, feeding squirrels, and who knows the value of a good glass of chocolate milk.

Sarah and I dropped off "Bubba" at school this morning and went out to breakfast. "Waffles with my own Daddy", she calls our regular breakfast engagements, which we manage about once a week. There's an older couple who go to the same restaurant on Friday mornings, and when we end up sitting in adjoining booths they both sit facing us, so that they can enjoy watching Sarah and being two again (if only vicariously).

This morning my little imp filled all the depressions in her waffle with syrup, and then refused to let me cut the waffle into pieces. "NO!," she said, "I just have to dip my finger in the syrup one time." She then proceeded to methodically dip her index finger into each individual pool of syrup, lick and dip, lick and dip, left to right, top to bottom. The older couple were leaning back, sipping coffee and smiling. When Sarah seemed done I asked if I could cut up the waffle but she insisted that her left index finger wanted some syrup too, and started the whole process over again.

When we got up to pay, the cashier told me that the older couple had asked for and paid for our $7 breakfast tab. I'm looking forward to thanking them next week, and asking if they want to share a booth. It seems they too know the value of toddler time.

New Web Site: www.ready.gov


ATTENDEES AND NOTES FROM THE CONA WORSHOP
Held March 1st

Location: Bay Vista Recreation Center, 9 a.m. Meeting Chair: Brent Fisher, CONA President

Registered Attendees:

Briggs, David Northeast Park N/A
Comberg, Ingrid Asian Face Center
Dexter, Lyn Jungle Terrace Civic
Assoc., Inc.
Fisher, Brent CONA President
Hammond, Jean Wildwood Heights N/A
Heck, Barbara Snell Isle Property Owner's
Assoc., Inc.
Johnson, Bob Venetian Isles Homeowner's
Assoc., Inc.
McEachern, Theresa Harbordale N/A
Meacham, Andy St. Petersburg Times
Nurse, Karl Old Southeast N/A
Plice, Steve Jungle Terrace Civic
Assoc., Inc.
Russel, Ron Jungle Terrace Civic
Assoc., Inc.
Weiser, Conrad Edgemoor N/A
Wilson, Cathy Greater Woodlawn N/A


MEETING NOTES:
?¢ Brent confirmed his willingness to address any subject themes or to invite any speakers which the members find helpful and important.
" More time is needed for discussion, perhaps should limit speakers to only 15 minutes to begin program.
?¢ Study of pending City Council Agendas should dictate much of our CONA discussions.
?¢ Local neighborhood meetings find little interest in reports of CONA activity.
" Some N/A use refreshments and a "Social Hour" to promote greater attendance.
?¢ CONA must strive to be more proactive, not merely reactionary.
" CONA should insist on deadlines for action in dealing with government staff.
" CONA should be prepared to bring suite if our demands are not met.
" CONA issue criteria must be "significant to our neighborhoods".
" All voted issues should include an "Action Plan".
?¢ City-appointed boards do not include enough neighborhood representatives.
" Brent can address the Mayor and/or City Council about this lack of representation.
" CONA could list open appointments downloaded from City Council Agenda Web site.
?¢ Discussion of "Grand Fathering" provisions of proposed zoning revisions:
" Steve has had some success in negotiating revisions to the proposed regulations
" Neighborhoods that have an approved an "Neighborhood Plan" can insist on the observation of deed restrictions
o Urged that Permit Office impose limited delay on all waiver applications on Deed Restricted properties.
?¢ City Housing Programs (Dept.) is dysfunctional and should be eliminated. [No longer any HUD funding available.
?¢ Cathy Wilson gave a presentation stemming from meetings between SPPD Chief Harmon and CONA representatives. She discussed several measures that the department is promoting to reduce their retention and recruiting problems. Each proposal has been offered as tentative and subject to "Evolution" with the premise that staffing goals must be met for 911 responders and the CPO group. [Apparently the police union representatives favor all of these plans. These proposals are as follows:
" Revise work day shifts to an 8 -- 10 - 10 pattern providing better overlap, but requiring more personnel.
" Expanding the "Take home police car" provision to all officers residing in Pinellas County, (but not for personal use).
" Revised, elevated pay scales for officers of Field Training and Tactical Control Teams.
" "Lateral Entry" pay scale schedules for experienced, new hire officers.
" Extend employment opportunities for 22 officers currently working under the "Drop" retention scheme.
" Revise and expand the current PIN Program for city resident officer's housing subsidy.
" Cathy then described two proposals, for CONA approval, that she suggested be made as conditions for CONA support of the Police Department proposals mentioned above:
o Recognizing, (as department management seems not to), that police moral problems are a key to improved service in our city, CONA proposes an outside management study for the department, [we are assured that City Council funding is available for such a study], followed by additional management training for the department's supervisory staff.
o Moral problem analysis would be markedly improved if Exit Interviews were conducted by personnel outside of the department to reduce concerns that comments offered might adversely affect reference letters supplied for subsequent employment applications.
?¢ Brent Fisher announced that CONA has been asked to provide and staff a float for the Festival of States Parade in April. He screened a video of many different parade groups employing a wide variety of themes.
" Connecting with this year's 100th anniversary celebration, a pioneer wagon theme was suggested with the offer to write appropriate lyrics for a theme song based on "Bonanza". Marchers could wear costumes suggesting "Yesteryear, today and tomorrow" as our theme.
" Brent proposed 108 marchers, (we'll need help with sign printing), each bearing a placard for the 108 neighborhoods within our city.

Our meeting adjourned at 1 p.m. These notes were compiled by Conrad Weiser, CONA Secretary.


ST. PETERSBURG BOARD & COMMISSION VACANCIES-

This list is as of the March 6, 2003. Some may have been filled; others are vacancies that will be coming up in the future.

Arts Advisory Committee
One (1)Regular Member(expires 9/30/05)

City Beautiful Commission
Five (5) Regular Members (expires 12/31/03 & 12/31/04)

Code Enforcement Board
One (1) Regular Member - Sub-Contractor Category (expires 12/31/04)
One (1) Alternate Member (expires 12/31/05)

Commission on Aging
Four (4) Regular Members (expires 12/31/04 & 12/31/05)

Environmental Development CommissionOne
(1) Regular Member - Engineer Category
(expires 6/30/04)

Housing Round table
Five (5) Regular Members
Three(3) at large seats)
One (1) Home builder/Developer
One (1) Low Income Housing or Affordable Housing (expires 12/31/03 & 12/31/04)

Human Relations
Two (2) Alternate Members Review Board
(expires 9/30/05)

Consolidated Plan Review Committee Eleven (11) Regular Members

Investment Oversight
One (1) Regular Member Committee
(expires 3/31/03)

Social Services
Two (2) Regular Members Allocations Committee (expires 9/30/03 & 9/30/04)

St. Petersburg Housing
One (1) Regular Member Authority
(expires 12/31/06)

Historic Preservation/Planning
Two (2) Regular Members - Commission
One (1) Business Category
One (1) Minority Category
(opening in July or August)

Before you submit a resume to the City, please contact CONA for some insight into the requirements.