Workshop

# BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS TOWN OF REDINGTON SHORES WORKSHOP MEETING WEDNESDAY, APRIL 24, 2024 - 6:00 P.M. MINUTES

A Workshop Meeting of the Board of Commissioners of the Town of Redington Shores, Florida was convened at 6:00 p.m.

Members Present: Mayor Commissioner Lisa Hendrickson, Commissioner CJ Hoyt, Commissioner Tom Kapper, and Commissioner Erin Schoos

Members Absent: Vice Mayor Commissioner Joe Licata

Other Municipal Officials Present: Mike McGlothlin, Town Administrator; Robert Eschenfelder, Town Attorney; and Margaret Carey, Town Clerk

## 1\. ROLL CALL BY THE TOWN CLERK

## 2\. APPEARANCES AND PRESENTATIONS

Lisa Reich from the St. Petersburg Audubon Society gave a presentation about resident and migratory bird populations in and around our town and the impact of environmental factors on the birds.

## 3\. OLD BUSINESS

## a. ESTABLISHMENT OF A BIRD SANCTUARY

Town Administrator McGlothlin provided a background on the topic. He was tasked with identifying signage requirements and related costs. The signs would need to be placed every 500 feet. That amounts to 80 signs on land and water with a total estimated cost of $12,000.00. Administrator McGlothlin suggested one way of reducing costs would be to narrow the defined area of the bird sanctuary to the Boca Ciega Bay area only. The Board discussed options.

Administrator McGlothlin also presented the operational impacts and costs. The FWC (Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission) mandates the law enforcement requirements. Estimating an associated cost is difficult due to the unknowns, such as: calls for service, patrolling, etc. The cost is difficult to estimate. There are already laws in place that address improper firearms discharge within the town limits. Also, the Town would need to decide whether they will take a proactive versus a reactive enforcement approach.

Mayor Hendrickson distributed public comments that were received on the topic.

| Rich and Carmen Bossie | n/a | In favor of the bird sanctuary | | --- | --- | --- | | Jim and Lena Mathies | 233 176th Terrace Dr. E | In favor of the bird sanctuary | | Cathy Garvey | 17715 Long Point drive | In favor of the bird sanctuary | | Tom McDermott | n/a | In favor of the bird sanctuary |

* * *

The Mayor also noted that on the Administrator's 1 st recommendation, she likes the idea of more narrowly defining the area - to focus on the intercoastal. The Mayor added her concern about "sign pollution." Commissioner Schoos agreed with the Mayor and said she would not be in favor of any signs on the Gulf beach side. Also she was not in favor of passing a resolution that will not be enforced.

The Mayor then opened the floor to public comment.

| Rich Perez | 17725 Long Point Drive | Spoke in favor of the bird sanctuary and suggested that Pinellas County join our Resolution and that the ISPD take a more reactive approach | | --- | --- | --- | | Christy Herig | 17609 1^{st} Street e | Spoke in favor of the bird sanctuary | | Barry Taylor | 300 182^{nd} Ave | Suggested the Town ask property owners to voluntarily post signs | | Colleen Woodburn | 231 176^{th} Terr Dr E | Spoke in favor of the bird sanctuary | | Chris Wood | 235 176^{th} Terr Dr E | Spoke in favor of the bird sanctuary | | Vahan Takoushian | 237 176^{th} Terr Dr E | Spoke in favor of the bird sanctuary |

Commissioner Hoyt played a video segment from Bay News 9 entitled "St. Pete Residents Fed Up With Duck Hunting on Lake Maggiore" which addressed resident concerns about duck hunting in the middle of a densely populated city. [https://baynews9.com/fl/tampa/news/2024/01/26/duck-hunting-lake-maggiore-](https://baynews9.com/fl/tampa/news/2024/01/26/duck-hunting-lake-maggiore-)

The Commissioners discussed and developed next steps.

1. Attorney Eschenfelder to update the Resolution to limit the bird sanctuary area

2. Pass the Resolution $ 1^{\\mathrm{st}} $ before approach sanctuary status

ng Pinellas County and pursuing the bird

3. Take a re-active law enforcement approach

4. Reach out to Pinellas County to see if they can m can put our signs on their poles

ove their water signs and to see if we

## b. VARIANCE COST REVIEW DISCUSSION

Town Administrator McGlothlin provided a background on the topic and followed up with research he completed following the February 28, 2024 workshop meeting. Does a $1,500 fee cover the cost to process a variance application? The short answer is that it depends on the situation. Most variances can be covered by the $1,500 fee, but a single factor within the variance request can quickly cause costs to rise. Administrator McGlothlin provided an example fee system from a previous employer of his in Oregon which involves a deposit and either a refund or invoice at completion. Attorney Eschenfelder said that type of program would not work in Florida. He suggested that the Town set a fee or create a structured fee schedule. The Commissioners discussed and decided to keep the fee at $1,500 for now. They instructed Administrator McGlothlin to assign the Building Official to continue to review the cost and to report back at a later date.

## NEW BUSINESS

## a. RENTAL OF TOWN HALL COMMUNITY ROOM TO THE PUBLIC

Clerk Carey explained the Town currently rents 2 facilities to town residents; the back room of town hall (Community Room) and the facility at Constitution Park. The rental of the Community Room has been a challenge for staff because this room is mostly rented during business hours.

* * *

This is an issue for staff because of the noise and not being able to access that portion of the building. Clerk Carey asked the Board to consider removing the Community Room from available facilities for rent. The Commissioners discussed and agreed the Community Room should only be available to rent during non-business hours. Any rentals during non-business hours are subject to additional fees to cover the cost of staff to open and lock town hall. Those rentals were previously approved by the Board but they now feel this is not necessary. Facility rentals can be approved administratively by the Town Clerk and Town Administrator.

## b. ORDINANCE SUMMARY DISCUSSION

Clerk Carey explained that Commissioner Hoyt asked for this item to be discussed. Commissioner Hoyt has received feedback from residents that not enough explanation was provided in Board agenda packets to accompany proposed ordinances. Clerk Carey has started including cover memos in the packets which provide background information. Commissioners said they are satisfied with the memos. Attorney Eschenfelder said he could prepare the memos for more complicated ordinances.

## c. NATURE PARK COMMUNITY CELEBRATION

Mayor Hendrickson explained the Parks and Recreation Committee (PAR) requested an event to celebrate the new plantings at Nature Park. The Committee requested a movie in the park event with Ballyhoo boats. The cost is $9,000. The Board discussed and decided they were in favor of an event, but something at a lower cost. Administrator McGlothlin will work with the PAR committee to find a lower cost option.

## d. NATURE FRIENDLY LIGHTING UPDATE

Administrator McGlothlin updated the Board about the results of the nature-friendly lighting study within our community. A total of 72 streetlights will need to be converted at a total cost of $24,160.00. This project and expense can be included in the budgeting for the CIP program. Most of the streetlights are town-owned and the rest are leased from Duke Energy. Commissioner Kapper asked can we ask Duke to price out leasing all of them? Commissioner Hoyt asked if the cost included replacing fixtures as well as bulbs? No. Commissioner Hoyt said the nature friendly lighting is not just the color of the bulbs but also downward facing fixtures. The current globe fixtures must be replaced. Administrator McGlothlin will report back with a list identifying fixtures and bulbs. He will also research fixture options.

Public Comment: Resident Ken Smith, 17817 Lee Avenue, spoke in favor of replacing both bulbs and fixtures.