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

Our ever changing world

Sep 09, 2002

Back to the Basics
At the September meeting we are returning to our neighborhood agenda to discuss neighborhood issues! Come prepared to have time to discuss any issues and concerns you and your association may have.
Scheduled guest speakers include representatives from the Salvador Dali Museum, C.A.S.A. (Center Against Spousal Abuse), the St. Petersburg Police Department, Manhattan Casino, and Bob Jeffrey with an update on Vision 2020.
We had to change the meeting location to the Sunshine Center due to a scheduling conflict at All Children?’s Hospital. And, we will need to find a new location for the C.O.N.A. meetings in 2003.
Here?’s our Meeting Agenda for Wednesday, September 18th:

Pledge
Approval of the Minutes
Treasurer?’s Report
Committee Report?’s
Police ?– Jim Biggerstaff
Codes ?– Karl Nurse
Traffic ?– Cathy Wilson
Nominating ?– Steve Plice
Water ?– Mort Sherman
Neighborhood ?– Susan Ajoc
Old Business
New Business
Guest Speakers
Bob Jeffrey ?– Vision 2020
Salvador Dali ?– Jim Martin
CASA ?– Cory Adler-Leidersdorff
St. Petersburg Police Department ?“Road Patrol?” ?– Rick Stelljes
Manhattan Casino ?– Bill Leavengood


PLEASE NOTE!

The September 18th C.O.N.A. Meeting
will be held at:
THE SUNSHINE CENTER
330 5th St. North
St. Petersburg, Florida

Social Hour at 6: 00 p.m. ?• Meeting Starts at 7:00 p.m.


President?’s Message
Dear Neighbors,
Many of us from St. Petersburg just attended the 6th Annual Florida State Neighborhoods Conference. It was great experience! The Tampa Convention Center was a fabulous facility, and the many seminars were truly enlightening. Just being able to meet and talk with neighborhood volunteers from all over the state was energizing. It is evident that we, as neighborhood volunteers, have accomplished so much, and we can continue to make more positive changes in the future for our respective cities.
I am proud that St. Petersburg was so well represented. We had a very visible showing of attendees from our neighborhoods and City. We participated in over ten sessions with expert speakers. I look forward to getting positive feedback from the evaluations from the many seminars.
I heard that Chris Kelly (President, Historic Roser Park) was part of a fantastic website presentation (even though he is NOT a ?“techie?”!). I have asked him to do a neighborhood workshop for all St. Petersburg neighborhoods, and would like him to participate in our Leadership CONA Program in 2003. Many other speakers represented our City and are listed in another article in this issue.
Our September 18th meeting has been moved to the Sunshine Center. All Children?’s had a conflict this month. Since they graciously donated the use of their building for our CONA meetings this year, we had to find another location. Martha (Marti) Frappier, at the Sunshine Center, was kind enough to schedule us for 18th on short notice. Thank you, Marti. If you can, come early to the meeting for the Social Hour. Refreshments will be provided. I want to thank Jan Frazer-Smith and Isla del Sol for hosting the August meeting.
We had a full agenda during the last two meetings and that caused us to run later than our 9 p.m. close. I apologize! We are trying to share a lot of information, and there are many issues that are brought to C.O.N.A. each month for discussion. We have another full agenda this month, but I will try to keep on schedule.
A suggestion has been made that we go back to a town meeting early in the month, and then later in the month have the board meeting to cover issues that we need to address, but not have speakers. Let?’s discuss this. We need to find out more about what can CONA can do to help you and your organization. We are here to help; we just need to hear how we can best help your association and its needs.
This past week the City budget was passed. St. Petersburg citizens came out for issues that were a concern, and the Council listened and voted. We thank you City Council. The one issue that we need to finish is the one concerning traffic calming. Hopefully, at the October meeting Mike Connors and Mike Frederick will make a presentation regarding the changes that the City and CONA have been working on to determine priority of funding. We can pursue additional funding to complete some neighborhood projects.
I look forward to seeing you at this month?’s meeting.
Sincerely,
Brent


AUGUST CONA BOARD OF DIRECTOR?’S MEETING MINUTES

The August C.O.N.A. meeting was held on August 21, 2002,
at All Children?’s Hospital Conference Center.

President Brent Fisher called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
?• We joined in a pledge of allegiance to our flag.
?• The Minutes of our July Board Meeting, as published in our August Newsletter, were approved with no call for corrections or additions.
?• Libby Steele gave her Treasurer?’s Report noting a balance of $2,776. in our General Fund and $44. in the Leadership Account.
?• President Fisher led our applause in appreciation for the refreshments that, this evening, were provided by Isla del Sol Owner?’s Association.
?• The Grand Central Neighborhood and Business District, represented by Gary Jones and Susan LaBerge, shared a very interesting power-point presentation of the plans and progress of their neighborhood organization.
?• With the elections scheduled for September 10th, CONA hosted an introduction of our local judicial candidates of the 6th Judicial Circuit: Wayne Cobb, Chris Yeazell, Declan Mansfield, John Renke, George Brown, Sarah Chaves, Robert Michael, Jack St. Arnold, Linda Babb, and Malinda Ottinger. Each candidate was invited to offer a 2 minute personal introduction. Our President urged all member associations to invite these candidates to appear at their neighborhood meetings to speak to their residents.
?• Our agenda next focused on candidates for the Florida House of Representatives. Each was invited to offer a 2 minute introduction. A period of questions from the floor was next, concluding with a 2 minute wrap-up from each candidate. Running for District 51 we heard Dan Krassner and Richard Langton. For the District 52 seat we heard Cary Burns, Chris Eaton, and Frank Farkas. Contending for District 53 Ken Feck and Charley Justice. From District 55, we heard from incumbent Frank Peterman. Initiating the wrap-up, Brent Fisher urged each candidate to comment on a CONA recommendation that the legislature should provide liability protection that would allow greater ?“Shared Use?” of public facilities and property.
?• Cathy Wilson, of Greater Woodlawn, gave us an update on the work of our CONA Traffic Committee meeting with city staff members attempting to develop new numerical criteria to assist in the ordering of traffic control measures that are currently several years arrears in implementation based on the current $500,000 annual city budget allotments.
?• Rebecca Stewart, of the Neighborhood Partnership Office, distributed application forms for several programs which she described, indicating the submission deadlines for each: Neighborhood Partnership Grants, Police Forfeiture Grants, the Bicycle Trails Survey, and the School?’s Choice Plan. Rebecca also gave some details of the State Neighborhood?’s Conference in Tampa next month, and she appealed for a neighborhood commitment to support a ?“Block Party?” at The Pier. [See New Business.]
?• Ingrid Comberg, this year?’s CONA Leadership Chairperson, urged all member associations to invite Tom Killian as a guest speaker to acquaint their members with our CONA Leadership Program.
?• Theresa McEachern, (Harbordale), described early plans for a city-wide celebration next year commemorating the 100th anniversary of our city and the 300th anniversary of St. Petersburg, Russia. We were invited to consider how our neighborhoods could participate.
?• Theresa, (Coordinator of our ?“Entertainment Book Program?” last year). raised the question of participation this year. She reported a profit of $448 from last year. We learned that the books can be obtained by neighborhoods individually if a consensus does not commit CONA to the program this year.

Old Business:
?• Mort Sherman, (CONA Reclaimed Water Comm.), asked for volunteers to participate with him. Steve Plice agreed to help recruit for that work.

New Business:
?• Complying with Rebecca Stewart?’s solicitation, President Fisher called for a motion of support and commitment for a Neighborhood Block Party at the Pier next Spring. It was objected that the neighborhood representatives present would need to consult their associations for a consensus.
?• Moved, (Sherman/Whysong), that CONA will conduct an immediate E-mail poll of member associations to confirm their consensus in support of the city plan to sponsor a Neighborhood Block Party at The Pier next Spring. [Approved]
Moved, (Dequire/Whysong), that CONA will purchase and distribute the ?“Entertainment 2003 Books?”. [Approved]
?• Missy Covington, (Friends of Boyd Hill Nature Park), appealed the for support of our members at the City Council Budget Hearings, (8/22/02), and with messages to Council refuting the planned budget cuts for Boyd Hill Park.
?• Brent Fisher promised a report by Bob Jeffrey on the status of Vision 2020 at our meeting next month.
Our meeting adjourned at 9:20 PM.
Respectfully submitted by:
Conrad Weiser, Secretary

Mayor's Mentors & More (2nd Article in a Series)
by Gail Eggeman, Manager, Grants Administration, City of St. Petersburg

If you are interested in mentoring in the ?“Doorways Program?” all you have to do is fill out an application and attend a two-hour workshop. The training provided gives you an idea of what you are expected to do as a mentor in the School Volunteer Program. The workshops are scheduled during the day or evening. There is a minimum number of registered participants required to hold a workshop, so please register in advance. Call the Office of Community Involvement to register. Workshops can be canceled due to low number of registrants.
Being a mentor is delightful; the primary task of a mentor is to be a listening, caring friend to a child. The workshop provides volunteers with useful information about being a mentor, so they are able to better understand the nature of their task. Participants learn how to be good listeners, help students establish short term goals, practice communication skills, serve as role models and offer encouragement. Attendance is required for all new mentors.
Here are the September training dates for the ?“Effective Mentoring Strategies?” workshops:
Wednesday, September 18
11:00 a.m. -1:00 p.m.
Palm Harbor Middle
1800 State Road 584, Palm Harbor
Wednesday, September 18
5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
Lakewood High
1400 54th Ave. S., St. Petersburg
Monday, September 23
1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Area I - Conference Room
525 Pennsylvania Avenue, Palm Harbor
Attend a workshop! Please be a mentor; it's a rewarding opportunity. If you'd like a list of schools or any other information, please call me at 551-3180, or E-Mail me at mentoring@stpete.org.

MEMO TO CONA

FROM: The St. Petersburg Police Department
TO: St. Petersburg Citizens/CONA Members
SUBJECT: CITIZEN?’S COMMUNITY POLICING ACADEMY

Registration for September 30 Free Course and Materials

St. Petersburg Police Department-Citizen?’s Community Policing Academy

The St. Petersburg Police Department and the Florida Regional Community Policing Institute are pleased to announce an upcoming Citizen?’s Community Policing Academy, and invites you, the citizens and business men and women of St. Petersburg to participate. The purpose of the Citizen?’s Community Policing Academy is to provide our residents and business owners with a better understanding of the inner workings of your police department.
The Academy will begin on September 30, 2002. We will meet Monday and Wednesday evenings from 6:30 ?– 9:30 p.m. at the St. Petersburg College, Allstate Center, 3200 34th Street South, Room 118. While attending the academy will not certify you to work as a police officer, you will come away much better informed, and will have a lot of fun along the way.
Some of the topics covered during the academy are:
?• Community Policing/Awareness Overview
?• What happens when you call the police? (The Communication Center)
?• How a crime is investigated
?• How a new police officer is trained
?• What is the job of the Public Information Officer?
?• How a K-9 unit helps in your community
?• What youth services are available through the police department
?• When does an officer use force?
?• Ride along with an officer and observe their daily routine
?• And more?…

Class size is limited and all applications will be processed on a first-come, first-served basis.

Please fill out the application and return it by mail or fax to:

Officer Jim Giambruno
St. Petersburg Police Department
1300 First Avenue North
St. Petersburg, FL 33705
Phone: 893-7992 / Fax: 893-7773

Citizen?’s Community Policing Academy
September 30 ?– October 30, 2002
Application
Name:
Address:
City Zip
Phone # (Home) (Work)
Date of Birth Florida Driver?’s License #
Neighborhood
Have you ever been arrested? Yes No


CONA 2003: Be A Leader!
Become a Member of the ?“CONA Leadership 2003 Class?”
Once again, CONA is offering the Neighborhood Leadership Program to all residents of St. Petersburg. This will be the eleventh year for this very successful program. An application form is included in this newsletter. If you are reading this online and would like to receive an application, call Ingrid Comberg at 321-2192, or Steve Plice at 344-3120. Applications are due by November 29, 2002. Enrollment is limited to 40 participants, so we encourage everyone to apply early. If you, or someone you know, might be interested in joining this class, please don?’t let this opportunity go unpassed.
Ingrid Comberg is serving as Program Chair for 2003. She is organizing a planning meeting for Group Leaders, scheduled for September 23rd. All graduates of previous Leadership programs are welcome to participate as Group Leaders. Please call Ingrid at 321-2192 for more details.
The CONA Leadership Program is particularly helpful for anyone interested in neighborhoods and neighborhood associations. Participants learn a great deal about St. Petersburg, city government and neighborhood associations. Seminars include sessions about neighborhood communications, running effective meetings, codes compliance, and dealing with public hearings. Participants meet the Mayor, City Council Members and numerous other City Officials. The bus tour, narrated by Dr. Ray Arsenault, is an incredible journey into our City's past. Altogether, there are 10 sessions including Orientation and a Graduation Dinner.
The seminars will generally be on the 2nd and 4th Monday of each month beginning in January and continuing through April. These are evening meetings, generally beginning at 7:00 p.m. The all-day bus tour will be scheduled for a Saturday. The Orientation Meeting for participants will be on January 13th, 2003.
Applicants must be residents of St. Petersburg. There is a $50 fee for the program (this includes the bus tour and graduation dinner) and, to graduate, participants must not miss more than one session.
Tom Killian is our Recruitment Chair this year. He will be contacting neighborhood presidents and attending neighborhood meetings to insure that everyone knows the details of the program. For more information, call Tom at 343-2041.

Florida Neighborhoods Conference Focused on Involvement & Issues
At this conference held September 6-7 in Tampa, 681 registered attendees represented neighborhoods throughout the state of Florida. Of impressive interest was the oldest attendee, Leota G. Davis, of Jacksonville who is 102 years old and is still very active in her community!
Keynote speakers were Mayo Dick Greco, City of Tampa, and Lt. Gen. Michael DeLong, McDill Air Force Base. Mayor Greco stressed civic involvement and DeLong briefed a luncheon audience on Operation Enduring Freedom.
St. Petersburg was well-represented. Many neighborhood association presidents and representatives attended. Susan Ajoc was a member of the 2002 Conference Planning Committee. The following are some of the residents and city leaders who participated as workshop speakers.
Representing our neighborhoods and special interest groups were Bob Jeffrey, Historic Preservation Development; Chris Kelly, Historic Roser Park Neighborhood President; and Mike Trepper, Program Director, National Conference Community and Justice.
City of St. Petersburg participants included: Sally Eichler, Codes Compliance Assistance Director; Andy Garr, Neighborhood Planner; David Goodwin, Assistant Director, Development Services;Sgt. Scott MacDonald, SPPD; Ellen McDowell, Administrative Services Officer, and Julie Weston, Development Services Director.

QUOTE OF THE MONTH
?“Our city, state and country is something like a planted field: if you don?’t plant and put something back into the soil, if you don?’t plant and reap the benefits...things don?’t get better, they get worse. To sustain life as we know it, you can?’t sit back and give nothing. Everyone has to be a participant; everyone has to contribute and put something back into the community.?”
-- Mayor Dick A. Greco, City of Tampa
(at the 6th Annual Florida Neighborhoods Conference 2002, Tampa, Florida)

Dear CONA Members:
I received the following on the Bicycle/Pedestrian Workshop and thought I'd pass it along. A mailing was done to all neighborhood association presidents regarding the workshop. We here in Greater Woodlawn sent two delegates and think it's an important cause. Note that it isn't just for bicycles but involves pedestrians as well and is a part of long range city planning........Cathy Wilson, Greater Woodlawn Neighborhood Association
Bicycle/Pedestrian Master Plan Public Workshop Held
The first public workshop on the City of St. Petersburg's Bicycle/Pedestrian Master Plan was held August 14 at the USF St. Petersburg Campus Activities Center.
After introducing the scope and schedule of the Master Plan, participants heard a presentation by Dan Burden, director and founder of Walkable
Communities, a non-profit corporation established in Florida in 1996.
Burden presented examples from other communities in the country where citizens have transformed their cities into more vibrant communities by incorporating bicycle and pedestrian-friendly streets. At the conclusion of the meeting, the public was invited to sign-up on an Advisory Committee to help oversee the project or to participate at various stages during the planning process. The initial meeting for this committee was held on September 10 at 7 p.m. at the Main Branch of the St. Petersburg Public Library, 3745 9th Ave N with approximately forty interested volunteers.
The planning process is task-oriented and includes: the development of visionary statements, assessing current conditions, identifying needs and priorities, establishing benchmarks for future evaluation, developing the Master Plan, adopting the Master Plan by City Council, and ultimately implementing it. The City has hired a consultant to help prepare the plan which will map future bicycle and pedestrian improvements for years to come. Components of the plan are available for viewing on the City's website at www.stpete.org/bikeped.
"Thousands of city residents and visitors have already discovered the joy of riding bikes or walking in our community," explains Neighborhood Services Deputy Mayor Mike Dove. "The climate, our park system, our many retail and employment destinations and our wonderful neighborhoods contribute to the opportunities to bike or walk for health, recreation and work. We want to expand those opportunities and identify ways to make them safer for all citizens. The City has always had this vision, It was further confirmed during the City's Vision 2020 strategy sessions when so many people identified these features as important."
For more information, contact Michael Frederick, Manager, Neighborhood Transportation at (727) 893-7843 or visit www.stpete.org/bikeped.

Partnership Notes
?“Guide to Neighborhoods?” Update
Please provide updates or information about your neighborhood (history, characteristics, amenities, association activities, grants received, etc.) to the Neighborhood Partnership Office. We would like to have 100 of the city's neighborhoods participating as part of the 300/1000 celebration in 2003. The Guide information will be posted on the city's website. For more information, please contact Bernice Darling at 893-7473 or bernice.darling@stpete.org.

Neighborhood Partnership Grant Deadline
Don't forget to submit your NP grant application to the Neighborhood Partnership Office (440 2nd Avenue North) no later than 5:00 p.m., Friday, September 27, 2002. For more information, please contact Rebecca Stewart at 551-3166 or mail to: rebecca.stewart@stpete.org

Florida Contraband Forfeiture Funds Application Deadline
Does your association have a project that improves neighborhood safety, promote crime prevention, drug prevention, drug education and/or the delivery of drug treatment services? Your association could be eligible for funding through the Police Department. The application deadline is October 11, 2002, by 5:00 p.m. You may pick-up an application at the St. Petersburg Police Department, area neighborhood resource center or the Neighborhood Partnership Office. For more information, please contact Sherman Smith at 893-7984.

Bicycle/Pedestrian Master Plan in Process
Get involved in making St. Petersburg the best cycling/pedestrian center in the country. For up to date information, see http://www.stpete.org/ pedquestion.htm or contact Mike Frederick, Neighborhood Transportation Manager, at 893-7843. (See article in this newsletter.)

FLUX Volunteers Needed: Interested in arts in neighborhoods?
Volunteers are needed for the first ever event on November 2, 2002, at the St. Petersburg Shuffleboard Court. Please contact Terese Hilliard at 551-3249 to sign up.

Up With Hope, Down With Dope!
Take back your neighborhood streets from drug dealers and users. Anti-drug marches are held every Wednesday at 6:00 p.m.. Meet in the City Hall parking lot on 2nd Avenue North.

Susan P. Ajoc, AICP, Neighborhood Partnership DirectorNeighborhood Partnership ProgramCity of St. Petersburg, P.O. Box 2842, St. Petersburg, FL 33731(727) 892-5141 (phone) ?• (727) 892-5323 (fax) ?• spajoc@stpete.org

Neighborhood Briefs
In this issue, we are starting a new monthly column called ?“Neighborhood Briefs?”. We will be featuring news briefs about happenings and events in our St. Petersburg neighborhoods. To submit your news, E-Mail it to the Editor, Paula Engel, at pkengel1@aol.com, call her at 347-6889, OR FAX it to her at 345-2804.
?• The North Kenwood Neighborhood had their Annual Cleanup Day on August 5. The residents came through with a lot of trash and the City picked up 50.2 tons of junk -- that?’s over 100,000 pounds! We are extremely grateful to the neighbors who contributed. Currently the City only picks up trash once a year; we are trying to have them pick up twice a year.
We are in the discussion phase for our Annual Neighborhood Yard Sale. A tentative date of October 19, 2002 has been scheduled. We will make a decision at our September 9, 2002 meeting.
We are working on a Neighborhood Partnership Grant to add swings to our existing playground in Booker Creek Park that was completed August 9, 2002, through a grant. We hope to have approval because the swings will complement the current equipment and the children would love to have them.
We are working on getting a survey of Booker Creek Park so as to complete a Master Plan for monies promised in the year 2007.
This Park is one of our jewels of the neighborhood and we have many plans for enhancing.
Any questions? Please E-mail to janetwhy99@aol.com or call Phil Whysong at 323-8614. Phil is the President of the North Kenwood Neighborhood Association, Inc.

?• Central Oak Park Neighborhood Association (COPNA) will be having a home show and bus tour on November 16th at St. Luke's Church on 5th Ave N and 45th St. We are working with area home-improvement type companies for sponsorships, so that they can actually have information booths. We plan to charge these companies $50 for sponsorship. Included are industries such as plumbing and electrical, pools, real estate,landscaping, School CHOICE, alarm companies, YMCA, general contractors, tile companies, driveways, carports, windows, home improvement stores (how-to demonstrations) and banks.
The event is planned like this: our Home Show will take place from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Vendors will have a booths in St. Luke's large meeting room for folks to walk around and ask questions. Meanwhile, a trolley will take folks on a free 1/2 hour tour of the neighborhood, narrated by Brian Longstreth, our President and local real estate agent, who knows our neighborhood very well. We'll have a hot dog vendor and drink stand set up outside. Folks that are interested in seeing some Open Houses will be able to do so starting at 12:00 noon.
Home Show (at St. Luke?’s Church) 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Trolley Tour (narrated 1/2 hour) 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Open Houses (on your own !) 12 p.m. - 4 p.m.
If you have any questions, please call Maria Kadau at 321-8941.

?• The Greater Woodlawn Neighborhood Association invites you to participate in a Candidate?’s Forum.

Date: September 24th
Time: 7:00 p.m. - Doors open
7:30 p.m. - Association General Meeting
8:00 p.m. - Candidate?’s Forum begins
Place: Woodlawn Presbyterian Church
2612 12th Street North
St. Petersburg, FL
Format: ONE HOUR with each candidate having 3 minutes to speak and five minutes to answer questions from the audience.
The Greater Woodlawn neighborhood?’s boundaries are from 9th/MLK Street to 16th Street and from 22nd Avenue to 30th Avenue N. We comprise approximately half of Precinct *147 and Woodlawn Presbyterian Church is the polling place for Precinct #147.
Please R.S.V.P. to Cathy Wilson, GWNA President, at 823-0863 no later than September 18th if you wish to attend.
PLEASE NOTE: Campaign literature is welcome but should be collected and taken with you when you leave.
REMEMBER! We are all volunteers and what we do counts! It does make a difference now and in the future.


My Philosophy on Editorial Content
By Brent Fisher, CONA President
When I became President of CONA and Monarch Publishing agreed to print our newsletter, we expanded the size greatly. It is hard to fill any publication with one or two people providing the information which is why I continually ask for articles from our members. We can do jokes, cartoons, and other ?“filler?” type articles, but I feel it?’s more important to get your feedback, comments and concerns on what you want to happen in our City.
As such, we will print information from our members as space is available, and as long as it is of general interest to our members and does not harm anyone or any place in the City.
August 20, 2002
Mr. Brent Fisher, President
Council of Neighborhood Associations
P.O. Box 3259
St. Petersburg, Florida 33731

Dear Mr. Fisher:
I am responding to two articles in the August CONA newsletter. An article on page 9 states that the City has taken no action to implement the Vision 2020 program. This is patently false. Since the planning charette a year ago, the findings were published in a brochure, the request for proposals was issued, and on June 20th, City Council approved a contract with the firm Freilich, Leitner & Associates to prepare new land development regulations. As of today, the draft Vision 2020 report has been delivered to the Steering Committee and Planning Commission for their review. After those reviews, the final report will be presented to the City Council for approval. At the same time, the consultant has begun their work. Updates on their progress will be provided in a newsletter and posted on the Vision 2020 page of the City's website.
There are numerous statements in the article on p. 16 titled "Proposed Changes to the Building Code" which are completely incorrect. Not mentioned in the article is that its author has provided specific comments and suggestions individually and at the Planning Commission workshop regarding the proposed changes to City Code Section 29-50. All of his suggestions and comments, as well as the suggestions and comments of other neighborhood representatives, have been included in the proposed changes. Here are the facts related to the proposed amendments to Section 29-50.
There are no proposed changes to the Building Code. The Building Code is not the same as the City Code, which is a series of regulations adopted by our City Council. Among the 30 chapters of the City Code are the Land Development Regulations.
Amendments are proposed at this time to City Code Section 29-50, which regulates grandfathered and nonconforming uses in the City. Most people come into contact with this City Code section regarding a lot, structure or use which was legal when it was established but would not be allowed under the current City Code (1977). This section of the code defines which uses and structures are grandfathered, meaning they are presumed to be consistent with current regulations, and which uses are nonconforming, meaning they are less than consistent with the current regulations. These issues are typically heard at the City's Board of Adjustment.
On March 14, 2002, a draft of changes to these regulations was sent to every neighborhood and business association in the City. Several neighborhood representatives (Tim Baker, Ingrid Comberg, Steve Plice, Cathy Wilson) met with City staff on April 23rd to review their questions, comments and concerns about the draft. Their comments and requested changes were noted and included. On June 4th, the Planning Commission conducted a workshop regarding the proposed changes as revised. The neighborhood representatives present (Tim Baker, Stephanie Pitts, Steve Plice) offered comments and suggestions which were noted and included. Commission members asked for information on upcoming City Code changes in relation to the work to be done by the consultant hired to revise the Land Development Regulations. A report was provided to the Commission on this subject on July 2nd. A second draft of proposed changes to Section 29-50 was mailed to every neighborhood and business association on July 18th. The Planning Commission will hold a public hearing on the proposed changes on Tuesday August 20th in the City Council Chamber of City Hall. Their meeting begins at 4 p.m.
Perhaps CONA wishes in its newsletter to publish the opinions of its members on various topics. It is unfortunate in this case that the opinions expressed in this article are offered as facts. It is also unfortunate that the author has omitted his participation in reviewing and amending the proposed changes to Section 29-50. While individuals are certainly entitled to their opinions, those interested in affecting the issues they're concerned about can be assured their suggestions are welcome and will be employed.
Sincerely,
Julie Weston, Director
Development Services Department
jdweston@stpete.org
(727) 893-7287
City of St. Petersburg
P.O. Box 2842
St. Petersburg, FL 33731
cc: Mayor Rick Baker
Rick Mussett
Mike Dove


Spotlight on Edgemoor
Editor?’s Note: The following information was provided by Conrad Weiser, a past resident of Edgemoor, and founding president for the Edgemoor Neighborhood Association in 1994. He also served as secretary for many years thereafter. This information is posted on the Edgemoor Neighborhood Link web page.

Amenities/Character
Edgemoor is a diverse neighborhood. We have single-family homes, apartments, triplexes and a mobile home park. We have three churches, a day care facility, several small stores, a few restaurants and two parks. One park, Puryear, has six tennis courts, racquetball courts, baseball and soccer fields, a playground in the center and sandboxes for young children. Edgemoor Park, nearby, has lovely grass, trees, benches and a large area for picnics or just communing with nature. Next to our neighborhood, we have a city-owned golf course.
The pride in the area is shown in our strong neighborhood association -- choosing to work together for yard sales, an occasional covered-dish dinner and an annual picnic. We invite you to come and share in our good spirit and friendly atmosphere.
Architecture
Many homes were built in the 1950-60s, and are masonry buildings with carports and garages, sun porches and cement driveways. The architecture is simple; the landscaping is amazingly beautiful.
History
The northeastern portion of our neighborhood was plotted during the famous land boom of the 1920s, and then came the crash of 1929. The streetcar line only went as far as 18th Avenue North, and so, this area was considered "country."
In the 1950s, a builder, Robert Ala, developed the area and the second Edgemoor plot was made. By 1959, there were several houses east of 1st Street, which was then a two-lane dirt road that ended at the 54th Avenue canal.
In the 1960s, the streets were paved. Fourth Street was four-laned all the way to the city limits (Gandy Boulevard).
In 1980, 1st Street was four-laned and extended from 62nd Avenue to 77th Avenue North.
Jack Puryear Park was opened in the 1980s. The construction of Canterbury School at the eastern end of 58th Avenue, gives us our second private school in the area, since Shorecrest Preparatory School adjoins our neighborhood at the 54th Avenue Canal.
In 1994, neighbors came together to form the Edgemoor Neighborhood Association, Inc. and to plan the new Edgemoor Park.
In December 1996, the Edgemoor Neighborhood Association voted to expand the boundaries to include the Southwest Circle area - 4th to 9th Streets, and 54th to 62nd Avenues North. This increased the association membership base by almost 500 households. In January 1997, general elections were held and officers and directors, including a second vice president and two directors from the new area, were voted into office.
Organizations/Programs
The Edgemoor Neighborhood Association participates in and hosts a number of activities that include: membership in CONA, annual picnic in the park, adopt-a-family at Christmas, helping senior citizens at Christmas, adopted and maintain two parks and monthly newsletters to communicate with each other and the city.
Neighborhood Grant Projects
Our first grant was through the Ponds to Parks program. We had a retention pond and surrounding area made into Edgemoor Park. All nonnative plants and trees were removed and oak trees were planted. Benches, trash cans and pooper-scoopers are now in place and a fountain with lovely multicolored lights was put in the pond.
Our second grant was through the City's Neighborhood Grant Program. We conducted a survey of the neighborhood to see what the residents would like in their area. This gave us the added opportunity to find out their main concerns.
Our third grant from the City's Neighborhood Grant program was for additional trees and benches. The nature-lovers among us are now putting these trees to use.
The most recent grant helped us to erect additional neighborhood portal signs that bear the symbolic duck logo we established years ago.