Issue XII May 2000

In This Issue:



Examination of Redevelopment Issues

In its Strategic Plan approved in 1999, the Planning Council identified the importance of understanding and dealing with the redevelopment issues facing Pinellas County as we approach buildout. To address this phenomenon, the Council has embarked upon a phased approach to examining redevelopment issues on a countywide basis.

The initial phase of this project will inventory and evaluate issues impacting the redevelopment process, including the following main components:

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Identify the Redevelopment Vision and Establish Common Goals and Objectives

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Compare and Analyze Existing Land Development Codes and Conditions in Individual Jurisdictions

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Prepare Graphic Examples of Redevelopment Opportunities and Limitations

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Examine Redevelopment Codes and Programs from Other Jurisdictions for Potential Applicability

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Summarize Suggested Approaches to Redevelopment Based on Unique Local Characteristics, Opportunities, and Restraints

The end product will serve to identify alternative ways that the multiple jurisdictions can work together to encourage and guide the redevelopment process in the most productive fashion.

The project is being undertaken with the participation and assistance of the Pinellas County Economic Development Department and the consultant services of Prime Interests in collaboration with King Engineering Associates and the Gail Easley Company. The first phase is designed to be completed at the end of this calendar year.



Annexation – There's A Better Way

Just one look at a Pinellas County map showing municipal jurisdictions will reveal how inefficient and uncertain our current annexation process is. Digging a little deeper below the surface will show the vast array of service providers, agreements, and service areas. Also, lawsuits have been filed by County and municipal governments over annexation actions during the last few years. These lawsuits are costly to the public and they not only compromise the plans of local government, but delay businesses that depend on annexation actions being final. The way voluntarily annexation has occurred over the years, while consistent with state law, has proven to be lacking in terms of both logic and predictability.

The PPC has wrestled with annexation issues over the past few years and has concluded that a more systematic and comprehensive approach to dealing with annexation is advantageous. The approach being considered for Pinellas County would replace the current provisions of Chapter 171, Florida Statutes dealing with voluntary annexation with an exclusive means of voluntary annexation to be provided for in the Pinellas County Charter. A county ordinance containing the new provisions is being developed by the PPC for review by the Pinellas County Board of County Commissioners. If the Board approves the ordinance, and its accompanying map depicting areas eligible for voluntary annexation, the proposal will be submitted to the voters of Pinellas County in a referendum to consider amendment of the County Charter.

The Ordinance
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Provides exclusive (to Pinellas County) procedures and criteria for voluntary municipal annexation.

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Requires all voluntary annexations to be located within a municipality's defined planning area.

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Provides for an affected party to request a full review by the PPC and the Countywide Planning Authority.

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Provides authority for the County and each municipality to enter into interlocal agreements to provide services as an alternative to annexation.

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Authorizes an exemption from state review of comprehensive plan amendments as a function of annexation.

The Planning Areas Map
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Includes the delineation of geographic areas eligible for annexation by a municipality.

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Was developed based upon service delivery areas, existing jurisdictions, natural and man-made obstacles and boundaries (i.e., roads, waterbodies, canals, etc.), and consultation with County staff and the staff of each affected municipality concerning the logical extension of municipal jurisdictions.

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Will be periodically reviewed by the PPC (every five years) and provides for a municipality to petition the PPC and the Board of County Commissioners, sitting as the Countywide Planning Authority, to amend the boundaries in accord with certain criteria.

The intent of the Council, in developing the proposed charter amendment, is to implement a more rational, uniform, and clear method for voluntary annexation and to address shortcomings of the current process. The goals of this effort are to have improved planning for services, increased service efficiency, reduced confusion pertaining to the uneven and irregular unincorporated and municipal jurisdiction boundaries, and to reduce or eliminate conflicting policies and lawsuits between local governments pertaining to annexation.



Highlight on Pinellas Park: Service Improvement Program (“SIP”)

Citizen Involvement

In October, 1999, Pinellas Park City Manager, Jerry Mudd developed a survey for the residents in Pinellas Park that would help identify key service concerns of the citizens. While the City had conducted surveys in the past, this one was unique because it concentrated on identifying areas where the local government could implement improvements.

The survey results were used to develop a foundation for what's called the Five-Year Service Improvement Program, or “SIP.” Mr. Mudd wanted to have a single document with a plan focusing on future growth and development of municipal services. The approach is designed to promote efficiency and effectively allocate resources. Pinellas Park Planning Director Bob Bray, the person in charge of tabulating the survey results, says that “the SIP is unique and will be successful because the City is committed to the program.”

The Survey Says

The surveys were mailed with utility bills in late summer (1999) and were returned by November, 1999. In January, 2000, Pinellas Park held a Town Meeting where citizens could evaluate the survey results and a draft SIP, and provide additional comments. Staff members on all levels were available to answer questions and to facilitate discussion. The response rate was very good, revealing that the top three interests were stormwater management, attraction of new business, and roadside ditch maintenance. Other notable concerns involved code enforcement, neighborhood enhancement, and street maintenance.

The survey responses will help to prioritize the work program for the City's supplemental budget scheduled to be adopted in September, 2000.

Monitoring: “SIMON Says”

Mr. Mudd has developed a monitoring mechanism, Service Improvement Monitoring (called “SIMON Says”), to identify the success of the program. Each Department and Program Administrator has been asked to furnish the current level of service, to identify the anticipated goals, and to outline a means of achieving the goal. The goals will be evaluated on a yearly basis and are linked to the budgetary process.

Continued Involvement

The SIP will continue soliciting citizen comments by conducting annual surveys to ensure that the City is improving service and facilities. “The program is dynamic,” as Bob Bray says, “and it is designed to systematically reflect citizen concerns and progress towards the work program.”

The interactive methodology behind the SIP is also designed to improve the relationship between the citizens and local government. Not only do residents see the benefits of interacting with the local government through the SIP, but also the program serves to inform the citizen by identifying the functions and progress of the various departments. Perhaps most importantly, the effects of SIP should increase resident participation in the community and result in a better place for them to live and for businesses to operate.



New Councilmember David Tilki

Councilmember Tilki was elected in March to the Oldsmar City Council, and prior to that served the city for several years as Vice-Chair to the Planning Board. He is employed as a Roadway Contract Manager for Sverdrup Corporation. They are the maintenance engineering management consultants to Florida's Turnpike.

Councilmember Tilki has lived in Oldsmar for seven years and has been in Pinellas County since 1976. He is a graduate of the St. Petersburg Junior College.



The Pinellas Planning Council
  • Councilmember Robert A. Kersteen, Chairman
    St. Petersburg
  • Mayor Tom DeCesare, Vice-Chairman
    Madeira Beach*, St. Pete Beach, Treasure Island
  • Vice-Mayor Nadine S. Nickeson, Secretary
    Safety Harbor
  • Councilmember Chuck Williams, Treasurer
    Pinellas Park
  • Lee Benjamin
    Pinellas County School Board Member
  • Mayor Frank DiDonato, DC
    Tarpon Springs
  • Mayor Robert DiNicola
    Belleair Shore, Belleair Beach, Indian Rocks Beach*, Indian Shores, North Redington Beach, Redington Beach, Redington Shores
  • Commissioner Calvin D. Harris
    Pinellas County Board of Commissioners
  • Commissioner Ed Hart
    Clearwater
  • Commissioner Janet Henderson
    Dunedin
  • Mayor Robert Jackson
    Largo
  • Mayor William B. Smith
    Belleair, Belleair Bluffs, Gulfport, Kenneth City*, Seminole, South Pasadena
  • Councilmember David Tilki
    Oldsmar

The mission of the PPC is to establish a representative forum for countywide planning that provides overall policy direction, plan consistency, interagency coordination, and technical assistance in furtherance of a coherent, efficient and effective countywide planning process.

* Councilmember serves on this governing body.

The Countywide Planning Authority
  • Commissioner Robert B. Stewart, Chairman
  • Commissioner Calvin D. Harris, Vice-Chairman
  • Commissioner Sallie Parks
  • Commissioner Karen Seel
  • Commissioner Barbara Sheen Todd

The role of the Board of County Commissioners, acting in their capacity as the Countywide Planning Authority, is that of final decision maker in the adoption and administration of the Countywide Plan.


Hearing and Meeting Schedule
Planners Advisory Committee Pinellas Planning Council Countywide Planning Authority
  • June 12, 2000
  • July 10, 2000
  • August 7, 2000
  • September 11, 2000
  • June 21, 2000**
  • July 19, 2000
  • August 16, 2000*
  • September 11, 2000
  • June 6, 2000
  • July 11, 2000
  • August 1, 2000
  • September 12, 2000
*  Subject to cancellation
** Special night meeting (6:30pm)


Contact us by calling 727-464-8250, or write to us at:
Pinellas Planning Council, 600 Cleveland Street, Suite 850, Clearwater, FL 33755-4160.