[Kathy Murphy]

Council of Neighborhood Associations
Membership Meeting Minutes
August 17, 2016

The meeting was called to order at 7 p.m. by President Marlene Murray. Special guests were introduced including Councilman Karl Nurse, Rob Gerdes/City Zoning, Sgt. Patti Hill and State Representative of District 68 Dwight Dudley.

Representative Dwight Dudley provided a review of pertinent legislation of the recent legislative session. Legislation reported on included: two solar amendments on election ballots; $200 million in funding for the Everglades Project; fracking legislation that omitted important aspects of fracking such as types allowed and compensation for damages resulting from fracking; legalization of hemp for use in products manufactured in Florida; requirements of at least 10 out of 12 jurors voting for a death penalty rather than a simple majority; use of body cameras; funding to clear the backlog of rap kits; compensation to families of the Dozier School for Boys providing $7500 for reinterring; gun laws allowing campus carry, open carry but banned backyard gun ranges; Citizens Property Insurance providing for advanced notification from Citizens to consumers when being removed from insurance rolls; education bills including allowing students to attend any school and teacher bonuses based on SAT scores; funding for the Art Warehouse District, Holocaust Museum, and a new research vessel for USF. He discussed the solar amendments in detail and described the November amendment as giving greater power to the Public Service Commission to adopt more restrictive regulations against solar energy.

Jungle Terrace Civic Association presented their public art project and introduced the artists that partnered with them on their Paint a Pillar project. Public art projects and murals deter graffiti and help to beautify neighborhoods. For information, contact James Oleson from Bloom Studio at startbloomin.com.
Travis Jarman reviewed the City’s plan to install LED lights in all street lighting. He reviewed a recent AMA study and talked of other cities that have experienced negative feedback from residents when high Kelvin LED bulbs were installed. LEDs are being installed to save money and the City has negotiated with Duke Energy to keep a portion of the savings. Travis was told that the City was using industry-standard bulbs, but concern was expressed that the lights should be tested to be sure they are acceptable and not a negative to neighborhoods.

Travis also spoke of the Codes Committee and the success being experienced in non-homestead foreclosures of liened property. The Codes Department has compiled a list of all neighborhoods most frequent code violations. Also in 2013 there were 954 boarded up houses; in 2016 that number is 315.

President’s Report – Marlene reminded everyone about the first Friends of Crescent Lake Festival to take place on September 17th. CONA will be participating in this festival.

City Building Official Rick Dunn granted a permit to Tampa Bay Homes to conduct pile driving within Crescent Heights neighborhood, an area with settling and sink hole problems.

CareFest will take place on Saturday, September 24, 2016.
Old Northeast has pre-LDR meetings scheduled to detail the various aspects of their proposed LDRs aimed at preserving the integrity of neighborhoods during new construction and remodels.

Will Michaels reported that detail work is being done on the Pier plan. The Pier Approach plan is still on the drawing boards. Many of CONA’s recommendations have been adopted.

Councilman Karl Nurse briefed the membership on the sewerage system repairs that are estimated at $100 million. He said that anytime with extended rainfall is overtaxing the City sewerage system due to the large amount of rainwater infiltrating sewerage pipes. He warned that dumping will happen again because the fix to this problem will not come quickly enough. He estimated that 50 percent of sewers will need to be relined. The Council has identified $60 million that can be used for repairs. A rate increase will take place over several years until reclaimed water customers are paying 100 percent of the costs of reclaimed water. Other sources of funding are being sought for the balance of repairs. Multiple communities in the greater Tampa Bay area are also dumping, but none at the quantity of St. Petersburg.

Councilman Nurse also addressed in-fill housing issues in Midtown and Habitat for Humanity’s request to relax design standards in the CRA area.
Fossil Park N.A. is changing their bylaws to allow electronic notifications on elections. And the Kiwannis Club has donated $20,000 to Harris Park Neighborhood.

The membership was asked to consider running for an office or being involved with a committee as elections will be coming up in the new year.

The meeting was adjourned at 8:00 p.m.