Northpinellas: In other business . . .

CLEARWATER -- As part of a crackdown on people who ignore emergency lawn watering restrictions, the City Commission voted Thursday to increase the fine given to first-time violators from $60 to $100.

Rather than going to court to collect the fine and prosecute the citation, the city will start tagging the penalties immediately onto violators' water bills.

In other business, the commission:

Okayed $363,820 in expenses for city-sponsored events next year, such as the Times Turkey Trot and Jazz Holiday. Jazz Holiday withdrew a request for additional funding to help attract a nationally known act until more information can be provided to commissioners about the request.

Initiated a $4.9-million project to extend reclaimed-water lines through east Clearwater along Drew Street. Part of the project will stretch from McMullen-Booth Road to Old Coachman Road and the proposed Philadelphia Phillies spring-training stadium. The work was moved up on a list of planned reclaimed-water projects. The Southwest Florida Water Management District will pick up $2.1-million of the costs.

Overhauled impact fees that the city charges developers to pay for new recreation facilities. The city increased the recreation fees from $200 per new residential unit to $240, but exempted any new developments in downtown's redevelopment zone from paying such fees.

Approved a $97,537 project to beautify medians on Gulf Boulevard on Sand Key.

Heard a plea from Peter Richard, a representative of the residents of the Friendly Village of Kapok mobile home park in east Clearwater. Richard asked the commission to reimburse residents well enough to allow them to buy new homes if the city buys the park, rather than paying the "market value" of some of the old homes. Mayor Brian Aungst asked city staff members to meet with residents of the park, which the city wants to purchase for a drainage project.

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