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10/08/2008MARINE ADVISORY BOARD MEETING MINUTES CITY OF CLEARWATER October 8, 2008 Present: Tim Trager Edward O'Brien, Jr. F. David Hemerick Tom Calhoun Donald O. McFarland Vacant Seat Vacant Seat Chair Board Member- arrived 8:05 a.m. Board Member Board Member Board Member Board Member Board Member Also Present: William Morris Marine & Aviation Department Director Camilo Soto Assistant City Attorney Brenda Moses 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 - September 10, 2008 Member Calhoun moved to approve the minutes of the September 10, 2008, Marine Advisory Board meeting as submitted in written summation to each board member. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. 3. New Business Composition of the Marine Advisory Board (Filling vacancies and how many) Marine and Aviation Director Bill Morris said the City Council is expected to approve an ordinance regarding removal of term limits for all City advisory board members. Every four years Council will review appointments. Discussion ensued regarding candidates for the Marine Advisory Board (MAB). Three applicants, former Chair Paul Kelley, former board member Eric Spaulding, and a new applicant, David Napoli, are interested in appointment to the MAB. With the passage of the new ordinance, Mr. Kelley would be eligible to serve on the board. Board members felt that all three candidates are qualified to serve on the board. Consensus was to recommend to Council that Paul Kelley and Eric Spaulding fill the board's vacancies. 2. Downtown boat slips - lift devices (referendum language) Assistant City Attorney Camilo Soto reported he researched a modification of the City Charter that precludes any development of the bluff, except for the downtown boat slips. He said boat lifts were not contemplated for the downtown boat slips, however they are not specifically excluded in the Charter. Discussion ensued with comments that lease agreements for the downtown boat slips should include language that prohibits boat lifts. Mr. Morris reported staff already has drafted language to that effect. Marine Advisory 2008-10-08 4. Old Business Marine Advisory Board Meeting Location Mr. Morris reported the City Clerk has requested that the board change its meeting location to another location that better meets the intent of the Sunshine Law and complies with ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) requirements. He said the suggestion is in the City's best interests. He said the elevator lift in the Marina facility is 10 years old and cannot accommodate a powered wheelchair and a disabled person due to its weight limitations. He said staff frequently attends meetings at other locations throughout the City and it would not be an imposition to move the MAB meetings to another location. Discussion ensued. The board's first choice as a meeting location is to continue to meet at the Marina conference room; their second choice, after some discussion, is City Hall. It was felt that meetings held at City Hall would allow staff to better service MAB meetings, and would provide the board with more visibility and exposure to City administration. Mr. Morris will check availability of Chambers at City Hall for monthly meetings. He said the location change is effective immediately, if found available and board members would be notified. Items Not on the Agenda Mr. Morris stated he obtained a permit from the Army Corps of Engineers regarding docks proposed to be built at the Sandpearl Resort. He said the City is the applicant. Mr. Morris said docks are being constructed north of Frenchy's Restaurant and south of Belle Harbor condominiums. He said the board had previously discussed the docks' sizes and lengths. He clarified that there would be some boats larger than 40 feet at those slips. He said the property owner has ensured there will be ample parking across the street from the docks. It was remarked that as boats and tie poles cannot extend more than 25% of the waterway and a dock cannot be more than 75% of the width of the upland property waterfront. The docks Mr. Morris referred to will be built further out into the waterway than the 75% rule but would still comply with the 25% width of the waterway rule, as the channel in that location is wider than in other parts of the channel. Mr. Morris said improvements to the Clearwater Sailing Center are expected to be completed by October 24, 2008, however the contractor did not construct the steps to the outboard side of the building according to the specifications on the City's permit. He said unless the City's Building Department issues another permit for the steps, they may have to be rebuilt. He thanked the Sailing Center board, the Sand Key Civic Association, and volunteers for the progress that was made to enhance Sailing Center programs. Mr. Morris reported that a local architect has offered to design and build two new beach lifeguard towers at no charge to the City. The architect has presented staff with proposed designs for the towers and feel they would be an improvement to the beach. He said he would like to seek donations and place small plaques with donors' names on the towers. Mr. Morris stated he told the architect that a ramp instead of steps for the towers are needed so that they can be moved when necessary. Marine Advisory 2008-10-08 2 In response to a question, Mr. Morris said there are 18 vacant boat slips at the Marina. He said although there are people on the waiting list, Marina boat slips may not accommodate newer boats that are generally wider and require larger slips. He said people on the waiting list also are awaiting completion of the construction of the downtown boat slips before making a commitment to sign a lease for Marina boat slips. He said in the past, the Marina boat slip waiting list had 300 people on it, however it has been capped at 25 in order to manage it more efficiently. In order to be on the list, a $100 non-refundable deposit is required. 5 Agenda for next meeting on November 12, 2008 6. Adiournrnent The meeting adjourned at 8:55 a.m. Attest: Board Reporter Marine Advisory 2008-10-08 3