Honeymoon Island State Park

Address to Dunedin Council of Organizations
Honeymoon Pavilion
November 20, 2009

For those of you who follow City business, you may have noticed that in recent years, and for the first time in the City’s history, the Commission has made economic development a top priority.  Part of that economic development will be promoting Dunedin as a destination for local, regional and national visitors and these islands and our other waterfront assets will certainly be part of that effort.

Let me talk briefly about our nascent efforts at tourism marketing.  Obviously, our local hoteliers and restaurateurs have been involved in this for a while.  More recently, a broader segment of people have taken notice of the importance to our economic health of tourism marketing.   For the past couple of years, an informal group of business owners, downtown merchants, members of the Chamber of Commerce, representatives of our cultural institutions,  City staff and the Park Manger for Honeymoon and Caladesi Islands have been meeting as the “Tourism Marketing Committee” and have led a successful effort to more broadly promote Dunedin as a visitor destination. 

I have been pleased to be part of this effort because of my representation on the Tourist Development Council, an advisory board to the Board of County Commissioners and its Convention and Visitors Bureau.  In each of the last two years, the Visitors Bureau provided the Chamber of Commerce, for the benefit of the entire City, $30,000 in cooperative funding for materials to help promote Dunedin as a destination.

Next month, this group will be making a presentation, and proposal, to the City Commission that it move forward with a process for developing a “brand” for the City.  What is a community brand?  Most simply, it is a perception, an identity, a definition of a place. It is not a slogan or logo by but a slogan or a logo may help create a visual identity for the brand and help communicate the brand to the world.  The process for developing a brand will involve inventorying the City’s major attractions, major assets and its people. It will be inclusive of the broader community and will involve the participation by a wide variety of stakeholders.  This process will help the City define itself and then live that definition through its messages and actions.  One of the benefits of a brand is that it will differentiate us from other communities as a destination for visitors.  I think this will be a very exciting step for our City and I encourage everyone here to “stay tuned.”

I am sure that our waterfront will be identified as a major attraction and asset.  Pete [Peter Krulder, Park Manager for Caladesi and Honeymoon Islands]  will be talking about our islands.  Let me address our other waterfront gems.

Over the last several years, a number of efforts have resulted in the Causeway looking better and being a little more ecologically friendly.  Last year, the City and the County collaborated on resolutions designating the Causeway as a Pinellas Greenway.  We are now exploring the possibility of the Causeway being designated a Florida Scenic Highway under a Florida Department of Transportation Program.  We are hoping that may open the way for grant opportunities.

I have long thought that Causeway Blvd., as an entryway to the Causeway itself and then to Honeymoon Island, deserves a lot more attention than it has gotten in the past.  Well, the past couple of years it has been getting attention.  A new sidewalk on the north side of that street and several crosswalks with flashing lights has made the boulevard far more walkable and pedestrian friendly.  Work has begun on decorative entry signs and landscaping on the corners where Walgreens and the Amoco station are.  Planting and landscaping of the medians between Alt. 19 and the water begin next month.

As part of the City’s planning for the 21^st century and for economic development, a corridor study for Causeway Blvd. begins next month.  The work, expected to be completed next May, will help the City and area residents decide the type and course of development on Causeway Blvd.

A similar process will begin late next year for the Marina and surrounding area.  This will dovetail nicely with one of the recommendations of the updated Master Plan for the Community Redevelopment District that takes us out to 2018.  One of the stated Goals in that plan is to leverage the marina and adjacent waterfront as an integral downtown asset and the corridor study for this area may be looking at enhancing its connectivity to Main Street and redefining the preferred land uses, development density/intensity, form and function and aesthetic appeal. 

I have chosen today to focus on our waterfront assets.  The efforts underway in the Causeway and Marina areas are just two of the many projects – from the various corridor studies, to overhauling our codes to ensure our citizens get the community they want, to protecting our increasingly fragile environment - in various stages of development throughout the City.  When these efforts come to fruition, they will help define Dunedin for many years to come.  We started on this journey in 2005 when, with the help and input from citizens like you, we formulated a Vision Statement for our community.  That Vision – retaining our unique, small, coastal town ambience - has been the touchstone of our work since then.

“It was a long time coming but, finally, the new Community Center at Palm Lake Village is up, open and running,!” exclaimed Vice-Mayor Julie Scales at the official opening of the Center.  

On Tuesday, October 13^th, the Palm Lake Village Housing Corporation and the Pinellas County Housing Authority celebrated the grand opening of the new center with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the new facility.

The 4,500-square-foot complex includes a new clubhouse, pool and gardens.  The clubhouse itself has a main hall, game room with library, full kitchen, laundry facilities, and small office where residents will be able to access the Internet.  A gazebo and veterans memorial are the highlights of the gardens which surround the complex.

Cynthia Wilson, a resident of the affordable housing community for seniors, a Commissioner on the Pinellas County Housing Authority and Vice-President of the Palm Lake Village Housing Corporation, stated “I’m ecstatic about the opening of the opening of the new community center.  It’s absolutely gorgeous!”

Palm Lake had been without a community center for several.  The prior facility was demolished for safety reasons which left residents without a place to meet and recreate.  It also served as a polling place for federal, state and local elections and having to vote at another location caused a hardship for a number of residents.

“I’ve already been asked if the new center will serve as a polling place again” said Vice-Mayor Scales.  “I’ll be talking to the City Clerk and Supervisor of Elections about that.”

Red Hat Society at Palm Lake Village grand opening

October is International Walk to School Month and, on October 7th, I had the delightful mission of walking with students and their parents from Hammock Park to San Jose Elementary School on San Mateo Drive.

Also participating in the walk, and promoting health and safety, were Deputy Jan Wagner of the Sheriff’s Department, Deputy Fire Marshall Kelly Intzes of the City of Dunedin and the City’s Sustainability Coordinator, Valerie Lane.

“Just getting together with children and going for a walk to school as a special event is important and fun” said Vice-Mayor Scales.  “However,” she added, “the event has other very important goals.”  Among those goals are:

•  Encouraging physical activity by teaching children the skills to walk safely, how to identify safe routes to school, and the benefits of walking
•  Raising awareness of how walkable a community is and where improvements can be made
•  Raising concern for the environment
•   Reducing crime and taking back neighborhoods for people on foot
•  Reducing traffic congestion, pollution, and speeding near schools
•  Sharing valuable time with local community leaders, parents, and children

The Dunedin south side neighborhood is important to the vitality of our city.  Over the last several months, I have called for new action that I believe could lead to overall improvements and enhancements of this area.

First and foremost is addressing serious drainage issues that have plagued this neighborhood for decades.  Fortunately, our commitment to implementing the 30 year old Master Drainage Plan (which has been updated) means that the so-called “Orangewood Outfall” and ancillary storm water projects will happen sooner, in 2011, rather than much later in the next decade.  (Undersized drainage pipe is a major contributor to the flooding in the neighborhoods known as Virginia Park and Dexter Park. This under sized pipe will be replaced.)

Once this project takes place, the City can complete streetscaping of South Douglas from the Dunedin Public Library to Union Street.

City staff has also been looking at a multi-pronged approach to stabilizing these neighborhoods and providing incentives for citizens to improve their properties.  I believe that only through a comprehensive and focused approach to this area will the City be able to enjoy success in working with residents to enhance their neighborhood.

What are some of these plans?  One is to “tap into” federal, state and local programs that either offer grants for infrastructure projects or offer incentives to homeowners to either acquire or improve property.  For example, staff has already learned that this area should be eligible for so-called Community Development Block Grants.  Also, Pinellas County has several loan programs aimed at home improvement, first time buyers and retrofitting homes to enable our elderly population to stay in their homes longer.  

Another part of the plan is to simply do what one expects their City to do:  trim trees that need trimming, replace street light that are out, replace dead trees with live ones, enforce our codes with respect to property maintenance, etc.  These may seem like simple things, but cumulatively they can mean the difference between a neighborhood that feels safe and looks cared for and one that has fallen into disrepair and invites further decline.

We periodically receive complaints about the lack of recreational opportunities on the South Side.  A major step in addressing this issue was the “Co-location Project” whereby the Pinellas County School Board allows the use of it fields for drop-in soccer games at the Middle School at Highland and Union.

Staff will also be surveying the neighborhood residents about what they would like in the way of recreational opportunities.  I can’t help but believe that with the Library, the Hale Activity Center and the Dunedin Stadium all on the South Side that we won’t be able to address the community’s need and desire for recreational activities.

Finally, I am hoping that this will lead to an overall focus on our neighborhoods.  I have consistently said that our City is only as healthy as its neighborhoods.  The South Side Initiative will hopefully form the basis for a blueprint for partnering with our neighborhoods throughout the City. 

The newly formed Dunedin Youth Sailing Association, Inc.  launched its program in August by holding registration at the Dunedin Boat Club.  The level of interest in this sailing program for children aged 8-16 was evidenced by four times the anticipated number of children who signed up for the program. 43 boys and girls, accompanied by their parents, are vying for far fewer slots in the inaugural six-week class; however, DYSA Board members said they were looking at how to adjust the schedule to accommodate all the registrants.

Future sailors had fun exploring the pram fleet.

 Association members also said that several of the children qualified for scholarships by being eligible for free or reduced price lunches in Pinellas County public schools.  Scholarships are $235 which includes the cost of the classes ($135) and required materials including a life jacket ($100). 

Activities surrounding the registration included a chance to meet the certified instructors and the unveiling of the new DYSA logo.

Vice-Mayor Scales proudly displays the winning logo of Savannah Rose Resch (right

Savannah Rose Resch of Clearwater (whose father, Robert, has his architectural office in Dunedin) provided the winning design and won a cash award of $200, a free art class at DFAC, and the opportunity to work with a professional graphic designer to refine her design.  The second-place winner was Kevin Cormier of Palm Harbor, who won $100 and a free class at DFAC. The third-place winner was Gregory Reed of Dunedin, who won $50.

No stranger to Dunedin, Habitat for Humanity of Pinellas County turned over the keys to a 1,500 sq. ft., 3 bedroom, 2 bath home in Dunedin to a deserving family on July 25^th.  Habitat for Humanity converted a distressed investor own house into a newly renovated home occupied by the owner. No only did Habitat help a deserving family buy a home but they also helped a neighborhood solve a problem.

As a long time supporter of the work and mission of Habitat for Humanity, I was delighted to attend the ceremony and learn more about how this project came to be. Vickie ByRoade, Pastor of First Presbyterian Church in Dunedin, noticed a “short sale” sign in the yard of the house.  Rev. ByRoade, who serves on the Board of Directors of Habitat and was also present at the event, called Habitat about the potential opportunity.  As things turned out, the owner of the house, an investor, was willing to sell for an amount below what was owed on the mortgage. 

Habitat is able to provide affordable homes through volunteers work on building, rehabilitation and design and in kind donations from corporations such as Valpak, Whirlpool (appliances), Square D (electrical materials), Valspar Paint and Wal Mart Supercenter (dedication supplies).

Once known only for building single family homes, Habitat in Pinellas has ventured into multi-family housing and rehabilitation of distressed properties.  Each type of housing is now in Dunedin.  A number of years ago, Habitat built several homes on the south side of Dunedin.   In August of this year, Habitat will begin work on Shady Grove Townhomes on Martin Luther King, Jr. Street just north of Skinner Blvd.

You can learn more Habitat for Humanity of Pinellas County at their website www.PHfH.org. 

The City is getting closer to a balanced budget by focusing on structural changes that will continue to benefit us into the future. Congratulations to City Manager Rob DiSpirito and his excellent staff for proposing a budget that addresses a $3.3 million shortfall while avoiding cuts in services. Following are the major adjustments in the upcoming budget:

• Staffing reductions & Reorganizations (18 positions) - $493,600
• Transfer from Self Insurance Fund - 437,809
• Increase in planning & development fees (revenue) - 281,000
• Overall Reduction in Submitted Department Budgets - 268,600
• Sheriff’s contract adjustments - 221,630
• No merit increases in employee salaries - 210,000
• Reduced funding of Parks & Recreation Capital Fund - 155,800
• Fire Pension Adjustment - 120,000
• Retirements Forfeitures - 100,020
• Increased Fire/EMS Revenue from County - 90,692
• Decrease in litigation costs - 33,200

Julie Scales

Why a blog?  An ancient Greek philosopher once said that you can never step in the same river twice.  The flowing waters of the river ensure that, though it may look the same, it is always changing.

 There are many changes going on in Dunedin, many of which may not be that noticeable.  Media coverage of what is going on in Dunedin has steadily declined in recent years and at a time when substantial change is occurring in Dunedin.  I believe that it is very important for our citizens to know what is going on in their city and I have launched this blog to help fill an information gap.

In this, my first, chat with you, I want to share with the impact on our city budget of, first, recent efforts at tax relief and, second, the deep recession with which we are coping.  Please email me with any questions or comments at commissionerscales@gmail.com

Dunedin’s budget has been hit by two “bird strikes.” 

The first bird strike was actually a triple one on our ad valorem tax revenues.  These revenues continue to drop as a result of, first, legislative action in action in Tallahassee; second, a demand by our citizens for tax relief which was achieved by a statewide referendum; and, third, a dismal real estate market.

The second bird strike is the economic condition of the State of Florida itself.  As a result of this poor economy, we will be seeing a reduction in revenue sharing funds and in our share of the Penny for Pinellas.

How are we dealing with these blows? 

In preparing the budget for the fiscal year we are in currently 2009), we were facing a shortfall of $2.8 million.  To meet this shortfall, and at the direction of the City Commission, the City Manager focused first on what cost efficiencies we could realize.

• Reductions in Staffing:  19 full-time and 1 permanent part-time position were eliminated through a combination of layoffs and freezing positions.  This was in addition to 13 positions eliminated in 2007 for an overall total of 33 positions in 2007 and 2008.
• Reduction in Overtime:
• Reduction in waivers of fees for special events (50%)
• Outsourcing of custodial services
• Reduced employee wage levels from previous year (2008)
• Increase in certain fees to better cover costs 

Through these measures we were able to balance the budget without raising the millage rate, touching reserves, or reducing any services to the public. 

 As we got into this fiscal year, we realized we would be experiencing an additional $500,000 revenue shortfall.   To address this we

• asked all Depts. to  reduce approved spending by 5 to 10%
• deferred vehicle replacement
• disallowed all out-of-state travel
• approved only mandatory training
• eliminated recognition banquets this year
• In addition, the City Commission reduced spending from its operating budget.

Once again, we did not have to use reserves or reduce services to the public.

For the Proposed FY2010 Budget, we are assuming a further 15% reduction in ad valorem tax revenues which translates into a shortfall of $3 million shortfall.      Once again, staff is beginning with identifying and implementing efficiencies and looking at further streamlining the organization.  

•  Additional full-time and part-time permanent positions may need to be eliminated
• We are looking at further reducing over time
• Our review of fee schedules continues to see if fees are adequately covering costs
• We are considering partnering with outside organization for provision of some key services
• We are exploring providing services to several smaller, outside jurisdictions
• Reduce spending on professional services
• Defer vehicle replacement
• Reduced employee wage levels from FY2009
• Greater use of volunteers and interns

Once again, our goal is to achieve all of the needed $3 million dollars in cuts through further efficiencies, and to not reduce levels of service to the public if at all possible.  Again, I invite you to  email me with any questions or comments at commissionerscales@gmail.com

The Dunedin City Commission voted for a major improvement to the Dunedin Causeway, the entrance to Honeymoon Island and Caladesi State Parks where more than one million visitors travel each year.  Dunedin Vice Mayor, Julie Scales, a long time proponent of this effort applauded the effort. Follow this link to the story in the St. Petersburg Times.

Vice-Mayor Julie Scales Praises Proposed Improvements
for Dunedin Isles Country Club Neighborhood

In late May, the City sponsored a public meeting at the Dunedin Community Center to present a number of infrastructure improvements to the Dunedin Isles Country Club neighborhood. Long plagued by flooding issues during heavy rains, the neighborhood will first and foremost benefit from [describe project]. Ancillary work will include gutters and street resurfacing and replacement.

“This is a terrific project,” said Vice-Mayor Scales. “After I saw the presentation, I realized that this is also a Neighborhood Enhancement project. I can’t help but think the residents in this neighborhood [bounded by Palm Blvd. on the north, Michigan Blvd. on the south, Greenway on the east and Alt. 19 on the west] will see their neighborhood a little differently after these projects are done.”

Vice-Mayor Scales has long focused on neighborhoods as being key to the City’s overall health and viability. She called for the Neighborhood Enhancement Matching Grant Program which was initiated in 2004 and which has thus far benefitted 15 neighborhoods. She has also pushed for beautification of the area around Causeway Blvd. She was also a strong advocate for putting a priority on fixing the flooding issues in Dunedin Isles Country Club area. “Now that I’ve seen what this project is going to do, I realize how needed infrastructure improvements are vital to the vibrancy of our neighborhoods,” she said.