Kathleen Beckman
YOUR
Clearwater Councilmember
Monthly Newsletter
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Happy June!
A grand opening, a celebration, a milestone development, and a transformative venue and park – these all describe the June 28th official ribbon-cutting of Clearwater’s newly renovated Coachman Park. Over four years in the making, our 19 acre Coachman Park boasts a world class music venue, splash pad, an engaging playground, walking paths, cascading waterfalls, shaded seating areas, pavilions, a pedestrian bridge, a large grass lawn, and a bay walk promenade. It is absolutely stunning! Truly, there is something for everyone here. I hope you are able to find time this summer to visit our beautiful park.
We have a whole line up of free and diverse activities and programs for all to enjoy during our week-long grand opening celebration that culminates in a Fourth of July fireworks display and free Florida Orchestra concert. You can learn all about Coachman Park, grand opening activities and concerts, and The Sound music venue here: Coachman Park.
Remember: if an event is sold out, that doesn’t mean you can’t be in the park or on a bridge, or sitting downtown enjoying the wafting sounds of the performance. You can bike or walk to the park, listen, sit for a while, and come and go as you please. This venue and park is for you!
It’s going to be an unforgettable summer! Whether you visit our sandy beaches, Coachman Park, a new restaurant, the beach, one of our libraries or recreation centers, or our beautiful parks, there is always something fun to do in Clearwater.
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Glenna Wentworth, in black dress holding her award, surrounded by Morningside Meadows neighborhood leaders. | |
One of the best parts of being a Clearwater Councilmember is getting to know and work with Clearwater community leaders. We have leaders in business, in government, in non-profits and in neighborhoods. This month I’d like to focus on two outstanding Clearwater neighborhood leaders for my “People You Should Know.”
Clearwater is lucky to have dozens of diverse neighborhoods with even more neighborhood leaders who regularly advocate for information, services, and particular amenities, for example park upgrades or repairs, speed bumps, signage, street murals, and butterfly gardens.
Recently, two neighborhood leaders, Chelsea Gird, President and founder of Plaza Park Neighborhood Association, and Glenna Wentworth, President of Morningside Meadows Neighborhood Association were recognized nationally for their exceptional community leadership.
The role of a neighborhood leader is not to fix all the neighborhood's problems but rather to work together with many community members. Neighborhood leaders mobilize and guide others, facilitate the problem-solving and decision-making processes, and innovate to benefit their particular neighborhood.
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Chelsea Gird, left, attending the Neighborhoods USA Conference in May. | |
Neighborhood leaders must possess empathy, the ability to inspire, strong communication skills and pride in their community. Effective leaders are problem solvers who involve all members of their teams. They get people to work together toward a common goal.
Chelsea and Plaza Park placed in the top five nationally with “Neighborhoods USA” (NUSA) as Neighborhood of the Year.
Glenna and Morningside Meadows, in particular the News of Morningside-Meadows monthly newsletter, received an award as a finalist for the best print newsletter by NUSA. These awards were announced at the NUSA annual conference in Texas in May.
Clearwater Neighborhoods Manager, Samantha Moullet and Neighborhoods Coordinator, Erika Escamilla, attended the national conference, as did Chelsea.
Congratulations to both Glenna and Chelsea for your tireless efforts to support and improve your neighborhood, for your leadership, and for your collaboration with the city.
Click on the links here to read more about each Glenna’s and Chelsea’s important work:
Glenna and Morningside Meadows;
Chelsea and Plaza Park
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Clearwater Saves Money on Energy Bills | |
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Clearwater continues to make important progress reducing and controlling costs, while at the same time making progress toward key goals in our city environmental plan - Greenprint 2.0.
One year ago, the city began a partnership with a third party, Cenergistic, to focus on energy efficiencies in city buildings and operations. After one year, energy savings have totaled over $450,000, with corresponding reductions in pollution / emissions equivalent to 5.4 million miles driven by an average car in one year! Read here for a complete update: Cenergistic Savings.
Thank you Micah Maxwell, Clearwater's Chief Innovation Officer, and many others, for making this a huge success! The City is looking forward to more savings with this and similar initiatives that will be implemented later this year, that will save our taxpayers even more money.
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With the grand re-opening of Coachman Park and the many activities scheduled for our waterfront, it’s a good time to review the City’s parking options. First, residents may qualify for a 50% discount on parking, in addition to waiving the .35 transaction fee, anywhere in Clearwater by using the ParkMobile app.
Second, residents can register for a variety of parking permits, including city and beach employee, parking garage, and marina. Our Parking and Transportation web page has all the information you need to sign up for the app, and to navigate parking options, including “Frequently Asked Questions.” Click here for parking information, road closures, and handicapped accessible parking: Clearwater Parking and Transportation.
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On June 7 Tara Kivett, Clearwater Engineering Director, met with state transportation officials to discuss the feasibility of a traffic reconfiguration “test” or "pilot study" for Drew Street planned safety improvements. At the June 8 Council meeting, Tara reported that it would cost the city about $5.8 million to perform a pilot study. With this high price tag, the Council unanimously agreed that the planned project should move forward utilizing previous study reports and data from Florida Department of Transportation.
Forward Pinellas, our metropolitan planning organization, secured $10 million in federal transportation funds for Drew Street improvements. The city and residents continue to be hopeful that the project will be ready to bid in June of 24.
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Coming Soon: New City Hall
and MSB Renovations
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On June 15 Council unanimously voted to direct Wannemacher Jensen Architects to begin design work for a new City Hall to be built on the southwest corner of Myrtle Avenue and Pierce Street. The estimated cost is $31.5 million.
In addition to the new City Hall, $13.3 million is planned for the renovation of our 27-year-old Municipal Services Building (MSB), that is located next to the new City Hall property. Once the design features are finalized, a construction contract will be approved. You can view all documents related to this decision here: Clearwater City Hall.
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Enjoying the Dog-Days of Summer
at Enterprise Dog Park
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I’ve been a dog lover for as long as I can remember. My parents tell me when I was little I announced I was going to live in a purple house with lots of dogs. While I haven’t painted my home purple, I have been lucky to love and parent a few dogs, including Daisy, Sasha, Romeo, and Gus. All were adopted and loved as chosen family members and I carry cherished memories of them.
My continued love of animals, in particular dogs, means I thoroughly enjoy visiting dog friendly venues, in particular, dog parks. A few weeks ago I visited Clearwater’s Enterprise Dog Park to simply watch the dogs play, walk the trails, and relax in the shade.
Dog parks are true assets in a city and are sought after by pet owners for multiple reasons. They provide socialization for both pets and their owners. They bring people of all walks of life together in a space where they can form bonds and friendships based on their shared love of dogs. For dogs, especially ones whose owners work long hours, regular dog park visits can provide an outlet to expend stored energy and play with four-legged friends.
Clearwater’s Enterprise Dog Park is a treasure. It boasts many amenities including 8 doggy water fountains throughout the park, a rinse station at the entrance to the park, walking trails, an obstacle course, shaded benches, and picnic tables. I’m so proud that Clearwater values dedicated dog parks (we also have a great dog park at Crest Lake Park) and that our residents both two legged and four legged, use, enjoy, and appreciate them. You can learn more about our dog parks here: Clearwater Dog Parks
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Clearwater Celebrates the Beauty of Cuba
in Free Art Exhibition
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With funding from our downtown Community Redevelopment Agency, there is a new FREE art exhibit featured at our Clearwater Public Library Main Branch at 100 N Osceola Avenue in downtown Clearwater.
“CUBA: The Natural Beauty – The Photographic Expeditions of Clyde Butcher” & “El Arte: Echoes of Cuba” is on display now through Oct. 31, 2023.
Of course, Clyde Butcher has been celebrated in Clearwater over the last few years, with a kick-off free exhibit of his massive collection of stunning black and white nature photography, as well as the recent “Daydreams” exhibit by his equally talented spouse, Nikki Butcher who works in painting over photography. This exhibit focuses on Clyde’s photography of Cuba.
Commissioned by the United Nations to create a portfolio of the mountainous lands of Cuba, Clyde spent three weeks exploring the island’s varied geographic regions, from the Sierra Maestra Mountains in Cuba’s eastern Granma province, to the southern coast between Manzananilo and Santiago de Cuba. His photographs are stunning. And note: On August 16, Clyde will be in Clearwater for a free book signing and lecture.
The companion exhibit, “El Arte: Echoes of Cuba” is lively, colorful and mesmerizing. This exhibit showcases the art of 19 local artists, including Cuban emigres, as well as Cuban American artists and other Tampa Bay artists and includes paintings in oil, pastel, ink, acrylic, as well as photography and sculpture.
After some time spent at Coachman Park, step inside our air-conditioned library to check out this beautiful exhibit.
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Clearwater Celebrates America! | |
The 4th of July in Clearwater this year will be one for the record books! The day’s events are centered around Coachman Park and include a classic car show, an outdoor market, continuous entertainment, a Coast Guard demonstration, a free concert by the Florida Orchestra, and of course, the phenomenal fireworks show followed by a post-fireworks silent disco. Whew! You better eat your Wheaties! You can learn more here: Clearwater Celebrates America! | |
Get Familiar with Clearwater's Comprehensive Plan | |
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Clearwater's Planning and Development Department has been working diligently since 2021 to update the city's Comprehensive Plan.
The Comprehensive Plan details the long-term vision and future direction of our community. It sets priorities and outlines strategies for orderly and balanced growth through economic, social, physical, environmental and fiscal development of the city. Planning, data analysis, drafting, and citizen engagement have been part of the process.
There are multiple chapters to the plan, including "Conservation and Coastal Management"; "Parks and Public Places"; "Support Services"; "Mobility"; and "Quality Places" that are detailed and engaging. I encourage you to check out the easy to navigate and very informative city webpage dedicated to the Comprehensive Plan update process. You can view the plan, timeline, and document library here: Clearwater 2045
There will be a public meeting at 6 p.m. on June 29 at the Countryside Library to review the plan, answer questions, and gather feedback.
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Thank You for Your Interest and Support | | | | |
