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09/10/2008 MARINE ADVISORY BOARD MEETING MINUTES CITY OF CLEARWATER September 10, 2008 Present: Tim Trager Chair Edward O’Brien, Jr. Board Member F. David Hemerick Board Member Tom Calhoun Board Member Donald O. McFarland Board Member Vacant Seat Board Member Vacant Seat Board Member Also Present: Bev Buysse Assistant Marine & Aviation Department Director Camilo Soto Assistant City Attorney Patricia O. Sullivan Board Reporter The Chair called the meeting to order at 8:00 a.m. at the Marina. To provide continuity for research, items are in agenda order although not necessarily discussed in that order. 2 – Minutes Approval – August 13, 2008 Member Calhoun moved to approve the minutes of the Marine Advisory Board meeting of August 13, 2008, as submitted in written summation to each board member. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. 3 – New Business Sailing Center expansion update Assistant Marine & Aviation Department Director Bev Buysse said the Sailing Center expansion project is on schedule for completion by the end of October and is within its financial limits. Downtown boat slips Update Ms. Buysse presented a layout of the downtown boat slip project, which is on schedule. Concern was expressed that the Smith finger easement remain public. Advertising/Marketing Media for Marina/New Boat Slips Ms. Buysse distributed brochures and said staff will further market the downtown boat slips at the St. Petersburg Boat Show and Strictly Sail in December. Each application must indicate a primary and secondary preference and be accompanied by a $500 deposit. The lottery is scheduled for March 14, 2009, with slips to be open in July. City residents will have first priority. Deposits will be forfeited if the applicant or named representative is not present at the lottery or if an appropriate slip is declined. Marine Advisory 2008-09-10 1 Discussion ensued with recommendations that boat slip leases prohibit the use of lift devices, barges, air bags, floats, or any appurtenance higher than the boat slip dock platform. It was suggested that plastic bubbles for jet skis be permitted as no commercial operations will be allowed and they would not affect site lines. It was noted that a ban on lift devices would bar plastic bubbles. Ms. Buysse said lift devices could damage the floating docks. It was indicated that restrictions need to be published before applicants submit deposits. Assistant City Attorney Camilo Soto agreed to review the request. 4 – Old Business SandPearl public docks Ms. Buysse reported permits have been issued for the SandPearl docks. No date has been set to begin construction. Items not on the Agenda Tampa Boat Show It was reported that many attendees had expressed interest in ramps, not boat slips, as price was a concern. It was recommended that marina slip rates be capped. Fire Boat Ms. Buysse said the City’s fire boat is docked behind the Police substation. It was felt that the boat needs to be stored on a lift and should be docked at the marina. Marina Commercial Rates Councilmember Cretekos questioned if staff had surveyed commercial rates at area marinas, expressing concern that Marina commercial businesses are affected by increased fuel costs. He suggested that rates could be based on the number of passengers a boat carries. Ms. Buysse said an outside consultant completed a survey on private slip rates as part of the Marina’s last business plan. Another survey is planned prior to the 2012 business plan. She said Marina commercial rates are lower than other commercial slips in the area that were informally surveyed. Councilmember Cretekos suggested a survey would help determine if rates need to be adjusted, stating the City Council looks to the MAB (Marine Advisory Board) for input. Ms. Buysse said the Marina had not lost any commercial business. Concern was expressed that recreational slips are empty and there is no waiting list. It was felt that recreational rates are too high, and increasing them further will result in diminishing returns. It was stated that boating use and sales have plummeted due to the economy. Ms. Buysse said while the number of empty recreational slips has remained level since last October, turnover is higher than normal. She did not support basing rates on fuel use as sailboats use little fuel and some boats have not been moved in years. It was noted there are few area boat slips available. Marine Advisory 2008-09-10 2 5 - Aqenda for next meetinq on October 8. 2008 Discussion ensued regarding the need to fill vacancies. 6 - Adiourn The meeting adjourned at 8:41 a.m. ( ~st: / C Uci f{d~/', m(J~ Board Reporter - Marine Advisory 2008-09-10 Chair, Man /' i~ . ry Board 3