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03/15/1995 (2) " ' : . ~. ,I .. I . ..'___._....._...,.....~~. t'" , ,',,'. . " :"'j, ~l ' , ' . ,"-,........i... '... . ' " . , ., , ,1"'. . , '. . ' .. . . !' . '. i I .' "~' ',." ':. F . '. " .' . " ~ ' .. " -,' ',' , , , , '. ' ~;: ,::,,':/':';:,;" ':,;."':: >':.; " " . < . p', ";; ',f " .' ,c . .',' , , ...'t"'.";.~f~"".~',,,,,,,, . . . , I,'. w.__.....;/,...-I:I"~~~<-I.~-;"'~~..~.~ii~'l.7'I't'Vl...,~....,,,..:._,....~..,~.......,..H, ~T . ' ..' ) . ' , .." >" c'" I h. < ~'.' .' ..' t . .' ,~ r,' ~ .' , ' .}..,. , " , . > 'I I ',. '. .EAB 'I .' , Environmental Ad~isory Board Minutes " , " I' , ... . '. I .. , ';\, .IDate . (Y\()XCb 1S) \qQS ~o<30' "', , 'I , I ' ~", .", ': "..' .,\ / >' l . ,. ' , ' " ,>, , ,. , . " I." ',' . . . <', , ' .' , " .' , , .' ' ~L, I ' , I ~" I~ .'.1" .: , >, '. ,l , J " , I,. " .........,~iIII ...-...,..., .,..... ...........~~...___......-~""'.u-.,..... c .~..*~~~"~ ~~~._I~,r.'._.....' ,.-.~~-- , 1 ", '.' '_" "... ',' '..' .', ...'..~':".:..,,':'..'. ',' < ' ,." ':.. ,,','.' '- __" .,,', ,,':," ': '.' ::-,: ."", .', " ".:~, : " "::", :", .,h:. ' :,~'\:,:": ';:' '..' ..... , " ~ - - ~ ..... " .' . '''. ' \ :: "','~":,'..': " .', . ",' :.'..,,",,:' :---:.',. '.'.J,,:,. ':=1 .,'f',", ".:;"',,' ":, ";' """" . . l I"-" . , ~, I ~., I .' ,'.' . ..' ":","",_",_,~",,,,_,,:,.,~..,'.... '. '. I" "" '.' 0' . ,II , . " .:,'!., ,'.. :: :', ",; i~~ .'::;,,"~, :~:/{},;:;;', ':, 'i" .~~.', '~.~ .: . 'J' ':"'.,\ .' J' , .',:1 ' /~ MINUTES ENVIRONMENTAL ADVISORY BOARD Wednesday, March 15,1995 - 4:00 P.M. Commission Chambers, 112 South Osceola Avenue, Clearwater, FL Members Present: Mike Foley, Chair Jill Melkonian, Vice Chair Early Sorenson Lisa Lanza John Jenkins Allan Stowell Members Absent: Anne Garris Also Present: , Rich Baier, City Engineer Tom Miller, Assistant Director, Engineering/Environmental Mike Quillen, Water Resource Engineer/Environmental Miles Ballogg, Environmental Specialist Supervisor Sally Demarest, Board Reporter, City Clerk Department o The meeting was called to order by the Chair at 4:00 p.m. In order to provide continuity, the items will be listed in agenda order although not nece'ssarily discussed in that order. A. Call To Order 1. Approval of minutes Motion was made by Ms. Melkonian to approve the minutes of the February 15, 1995, meeting with corrections. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. 2. Confirm AlJenda Mr. Sorenson indicated the City Commission, at its March 13, 1995 meeting, discussed the closing of the SR 60 Causeway and suggested that the board prepare a Resolution. Mr. Sorenson recommended that the board add this topic for discussion to the agenda, to be scheduled for later in the meeting at a time when Rich Baier, City Engineer, is present; the Chairman agreed. Addressing the second item under New Business, Water regeneration ~ a concept to consider, which SWFWMD is proposing for the County, Ms. Lanza said that she talked with Mike Hammond (SWFWMD) who indicated he may be able to attend the meeting today and she asked, if he does () come, to make this a discussion item; the Chairman agreed, minEA03a.95 1 03/15/95 '"'qv" .....,. .- ,.. u.,.... ".'~."""""-I\,"II'1"""I..~..q'f..&Jl,....:;"IJ, ....~~.h. '''...'<i..,..;,'''_.'>\o+\,l.~~l.....i'I~. '...~, ~.....' ~_ . . ~14 ~ J ".. , " '.1'. ,~...', _.'" ...: · ..". ',: ,,;'>:, ......""fl'.'.:',:': ;)" .."',i\," ::\ ':,> \:: ,,',,:..'. :"",:' ",".. '> '. '.",.t'-!:".';,.' -.: -:;". .:':'~."\\'.'.','.., 'I' '::"'. :'." ' ,".,':,; ,,', ':,' '. :r,' : ':~ <,:.:',~: .~<:, il.::~r;'~':;l~,:,>!:!l'/~~::l,' "\,, " , r ,,' .',' p /J B. Chair Report Administrntive Mutters I. Reminder about Appreciation Day Dinner Chairman Foley said all City board members are invited to Appreciation Day, and if any EAB members have not yet received their invitation, they may contact the City Manager's office. 2. Number of members on EA (3 The number of allowcd members for the EAB is ten (10) members; the current number of board members is seven (7), and it was suggested that the number of allowable members be reduced. It was noted that all other City boards have seven members or less. In the ensuing discussion it was notcd that business would be more easily conducted with seven members, and an odd number of members would be more expedient for voting purposes. A motion was made by Mr. Stowellthut the Environmental Advisory Board recommend endorsement to the City Commission that the EAS be comprised of seven (7) members. The motion was duly seconded and curried unanimously. o The qualifications required of members for the newly-formed Design Review Board (ORB) were briefly discussed. A motion was made by Ms. Lanza to recommend to the City Commission that they adopt guidelines for the membership of the Environmental Advisory Board (EAB). It was suggested that prospective EAS members have a sincere interest in environmental issues, and two of the members of the EAS should have professional or academic background. The motion was duly seconded. Calling thc vote, Ms. Lanza and Mr. Jenkins voted Haye"; Chairman Foley, Ms. Melkonian, Messrs. Morris, Sorenson, and Stowell voted "nay". The motion did not pass. The Chairman said he would put this item down for New Business at a future mceting. 3. MeetinG time limits - ovcrtime Chairman Foley stressed that every effort will be made to move quickly through the agenda in order that the meeting be concluded by 6:00 p.m. C. Citizens with items not on the ngcndn The Chairman indicated that luture board meetings will allow citizens with items not on the agenda three minutes cach to speak und citizens are encouraged to bring forward items of concern. o J lh,~ minEA03a.95 2 03/15/95 ,... .. . '~"'''''-~-''--'''''.-'''r..+ ,.'.: ,"\ { I'..' ~,\. . ,', ",' , . ~, . \', l " : ,,~ . c "~~ .J':\~c I. ; ~ '.:.L,,:,~.'r~ .7'\;\~'~',' '~~. '~' ~ ~, . , +" c' . (~ D. Reports of Staff I. Driveby property report Assistant Environmcntal Director Tom Miller distributed a drive-by list of 15 propel'tics which were drawn from the extensive list of 93 environmentally-sensitive properties prepared by Ms. Melkonian. Noting the City Commission had originally requested only information relative to tree cover, Mr. Miller said statT inspected Ms. Melkoniun1s list of properties for 1) viability of use for regional stormwater treatment; 2) presence of wetlands for off-site benefits; 3) suitability for park property; 4) presence of specimen trees or significant tree canopy; 5) other unique environmental features; 6) effect of environmental development on the surrounding environmental features. This resulted in the list of 15 properties which includes two additional properties recommended by staff, Carlouel and Bricks Management. Inc. These two properties had been introduced by members at prior EAB meetings. Properties which arc not within City limits and those currently under development were not included. o The Chairmun said it wus now feasible for board members to inspect those propcrties considered most sensitive. Mr. Stowell objccted to inclusion of his property, said indication of his address and thc acreage was misleading, and stressed that he would neither consider sale of his property nor wclcome persons inspecting his land. He noted there arc a total of eight homes on his propcrty; it could not be considered "undeveloped". Mr. Miller noted that the City is looking for undcvcloped property with environmental value in the interest of contacting thc owners. , Mr. Sorcnson purticulurly thanked staff and Ms. Melkonian for their efforts in this regard and suid it was n big step t'oJ'wurd for the City Commission to have this information. He mentioned u neighboring mobile home park from which homes arc being removed and suggested thc 1ive~ncrc tract might be included in the list of environmentally-sensitive lands. The Chairman cmphusized the cllrrent list of 15 Undeveloped Properties with Environmental Features is a draft list only, und IIO board decision has been made. Ms. Melkonian suggested that the EAB mcmbcrs inspct:l the 15 suggested properties, their findings be ugendaed for the Apri119, 1995 mceting. and a rccommendation by the board to the City Commission be formulated; the members ugreed. It wus suggested that the purchase of development rights, mentioning spccificul1y thc northern tip of Clearwater Beach, also be considered. o minEA03u.95 :1 03/15/95 (:\ ~ ..."',',..t_... . . .,.., :'. . .:.q.....',.....)::.....'.:::.::...:..;;.:.i':::.'<.'.:;. ,,' , , . . :;-::--.. MI'" 31, '\" " " ,I." l., , '\J' "'\,"" ~" ',,\1 ,:,<',,~,':.' ';', ',.'j ,,',' ,:~~____:':I,.:I,.J, I: ::: ,: " '~I;I"," ::'.' .:' :: ~', , ~,': ::':1' '<c,i.; ':.>' ~.t :I~~;/.?:<':. ~~'. '. ' ',' , . '< t) ~f,.l E. Old Business ' 1. Bayfroot salt marsh plantin~ The area of discussion is located west of City Hall, on the shoreline. It was noteu by Mr. Miller that the item was introuuced by Ms. Garris and, in her absence, the board agreed to , continue this item to the April 19, 1995 board mecting. 2. Contaminated Site Status a. City Attorney letter A memorandum from Dick Hull, Assistant City Attorney, dated February 28, 1995 was introduced. This melllO indicatcd that, in his opinion, FS 376.317 sUJlersedes local law with regard to the regulation of underground petroleum product storage tanks, and as a result, questioned the authority of the EAS to take the action sought as noted in the minutes of tile February 15, 1995 EAB meeting. b. FDEP letter o Remarks contained in the Department of Environmental Protcction letter to Mr. Stowell dated February 27, 1995 rc Movement of Contamination into Previously Uncontaminated Areas were discussed. c. Staff position and processes being followed Mr. Robert A. Leighton PE, and Ms. Robin L. Neiman, representing Dow Environmental Services; Inc., the City's consultant on underground tank problems; and Mr. Miles Ballog, City underground tank specialist, were introduced by Mr. Miller. In response to concerns, Mr. Miller gave a detailed overview of the efforts of staff; the opinion of Assistant City Attorney Hull and the letter from FOEP with regard to this issue. Mr. MilIds presentation used visual aids wld addressed shallow aquatir fluctuation, plume, and groundwater flow and the jurisdiction and concern of the City' with over-ground water flow. A 9S-page map list indicating 200 sites with underground petroleum contamination problems was offered by Mr. MiIlert who also distributed educational brochures, prepared to inform the public. He explained the potable water line conversion program instituted by Mr. Ballog, who works with construction crews in the installation of steel pipe with special over-ring gaskets, used to prevent contamination into the potable water supply. o minEA03a.95 4 03115/95 . .' .' ',' , . " ,.' " 'I _, ',;'" }'.,::" :-,:"'" " '" ,',' " ",,. ",:, " " .',' , " , " Mr. Miller explained that Limited Environmental Site Audits &sure that properties are free of contamination beJore the City purchases or sells property. He also detailed the citizen complaint process. ' d. DEI reimbursement program Ms. Robin Neimun, Dow Environmental, reported Dow has been working with the City since June, 1994. She explained how the Florida Petroleum Cleanup Program (EDI, ATLP, FPLRIP and the Good Samaritan programs) functioned until March 9, 1995, funded by a $.02/gallon tax and relayed the various options for reimbursement. She noted a moratorium and backlog due to a shortage of funding. Mr. Miller relayed the City's satisfaction with the performance of Dow Environmental starf and personally complimented their efforts to Ustay on toptl of the cleanup issue which, he said, changes at an incredible rate of speed. He noted the contamination ffmking scale of 0-1 00 (100 being the highest rate of contamination) on Ms. Neiman's chart. He cited the Executive Airpark ranking of 57 and the Fina Station ranking of 2 or 3, adding lack of funding will place projects with a ranking 'of less that 25 on hold, with further work requiring DEP approval. Mr. Miller said to the best of staff's knowledge, there are no petroleum contaminated sites within a 200 ft. radius of City wells. '. I . Meetings with Environmental staff produced concern with completion ,of the work in progress, and Ms. Neiman said factors other than public and potable water should be expanded as contamination cleanup criteria. The Chainnan opined that the board action in this regard would be limited to a recommendation of prohibition of construction on contaminated property. Mr. Stowell made a motion to suggest that the City Commission look into building code regulations that would prohibit any, construcliol1 on contaminated property. 11 was agreed that related ordinances of other municipalities be included with the recommendation. The motion was duly seconded and eluricd unanimously. , .' , , 3. Comprehensive plan comments This item was not discussed, F. Regulatory Mattcrs 1. Park Place " " This item was not discllssed. (~J.l!'l ~ minEA03a.95 5 03/15/95 " , ': ,>\::'?:'~':\>':.'" \.' I.. " ' ;, , ,'". .... '. " .1 ,', ,) '. I" " ,I .'\ \ : '. i, ," " III ", ]: ;, :.. , :-':-'1.- , . ~ , . ,,' :Ic',. " ':';:"~"f~"" ,0, ,t , " . , 'f'" '~' (,'.1 ...... ,,' \' . t h . ", ':, r ~. ::'J ' '\' .~'~ ~ :t. '.{I ,i':,J',~<.': ~.':,I ,~', ".'.' . , , ," ! ' ~ ,~ G. New Business 1. Closing of SR 60 Cau~e\Vny The Chairman gave the background of the agenda item and Mr. Miller presented the stuff recommendations, stressing this is a FOOT project. He listed the 10m basic plll'poses: ]) erosion protection against hurricanc damage; 2) public safety; 3) tramc concerns; 4) public health including lack ofrcstroom facilities. Mention was made by Mr. Miller that the City did not want ltovcrdesignll of the project which might increase liability, and wanted to continue public use of the beach area. Mr. Sorenson read and distributed a draft of a Resolution he authored (see attached) in conjunction with FOOT, whose major area concerns are safety and liability. o The Chairman noted the Causeway is a man~made causeway which has acquired environmental aspects over time. City Engineer Rich Baier ofTered to answer any questions the board may have with regard to the FOOT Causeway project~ proposed by an environmentalist and a professional geologist. He explained the proposal to tuke a State strip of right~of-way, currently being overused for recreational activitiest und restructuring the recreational activities into a safer area. Mr. Stowell offered an aerial photograph and explained the history or the man-made causeway beach area used by the public. He described the useable area as a white, sandy beach, one~half mile in length. Mr. Stowell noted the entrance way, suggesting a traffic light at the corner of the Causeway and Demascus for the safety of the public. He cited both the Dunedin and Belleair Causeways as examples and suggested orderly, designated parking and added that boating and jet skiing should not be allowed tor safety reasons. Ms. Lanza opined that the Parks and Recreation Board should review this project. A motion was made by Mr. Sorenson to forward his Resolution in behalf of the EAI3 to the City Commission; the motion was duly seconded. Ms. Melkonian suggested the board members take time to peruse the Resolution; Mr. Baier relayed FOOT's desire tllllluintain a IIbalance" between safety and controlled use as a type of preserve area and requested suggestions from the board as to its recommendations to FOOT for "balance" without the City over-dictating, since it has no actual jurisdiction. Responding to a question from the board, Mr. Baier said the major environmental concerns with the current usc arc: 1) The small and steady erosion problem and a revetment at mean high water to limit the erosion; 2) fecal matter from animals und birds; 3) tidal cncct of oil and grease caused by cars parking 011 the beach. Upon the vote being taken, the motion carried unanimously. o minEA03a.95 6 03/15/95 " , ~ . ':, ~,:~c7~",'.+".~',' ::t~':l"'~<I,'.~~..":~~;:~,.,,,~.~~;>:.'~\ ..' ...., , c ,/" ,\.'.' " I' , , '. .1; 'I' n , ~, '~ 2. Water reGeneration - a concept to consider Mark Hammond, Manager or the Conscrvation Project Section or SWFWMD, offered a presentation on the Pasco Rainbow Project (water reuse) for reclaimcd wate'r und citcd a feasibility study for cost cffectivcness. The existing watcr transmission line, owncd by Pinellas County, brings potable water into the County and the possibility ofrcslccving the existing line when it is abandoned and using it for reclaimed watcr was discllssed. Thc conceptual cost of the entirc Pasco Rainbow Project is $50 million, with the actual cost addressed in the feasibility study. Lines into Pinellas or Hillsborough Counties would be an additional cost. Responding to a question from the board, Mr. Hammond reported thut reclaimed water could probably be moved to both Clearwater Bcach and Pasco County. The Chairman asked whether virology and bacteriology aspects would be part of the initial study for adverse impact to the wellhead areas; Mr. Hammond said they would be part of several other projects, adding there is also a pilot project (Section 21) which will address permitting and getting stormwater and reclaimed water on top of wellfields. 3. Agenda items for April. 1995, This item was not discussed. o The several agenda items listed above were waived due to time constraints. By mution duly seconded, the meeting adjourned at 6: 1 0 p.m. ~~ Mike Foley, C~airman 01,' . '.'" . minEA03a.95 7 03/15/95 '~','.'~:~:, ,':: ":""ii:'\:~:~;;l~,l~~~'l':;'\::' . : I ~ w' :~. ~ . ( I) causeway.2 RESOLUTION from THE CITY OF CLEARWATER ENVIRONMENTAL ADVISORY BOARD ("EAB") to THE CITY OF CLEARWATER CITY COMMISSION regarding COURTNEY CAMPBELL CAUSEWAY BEACH The EAB recognizes: -that the City of Clearwater's chief natural and financial resource is its Beaches, which provide the direct link between man and nature Which attracts most tourists, residents, and businesses to our City; -that Clearwater's business health, property values, and ad valorem and sale~ tax base~ therefore depend on the quality, quantity, and accessibility of the City's Beaches; -that the Courtney Campbell Causeway Beach is a Beach very accessible to and much enjoyed, for 30 years, by eastern Clearwater residents, and is therefore a significant resource to eastern Clearwaters's business health, property values, and tax contributions to the City; ~. t,:~1 -') -that the Courtney Campbell Causeway Beach functions largely as a lIeastern Clearwater resident safety valvell for Clearwater Beach; it provides an alternative Beach which many eastern Clearwater residents uses INSTEAD of Clearwater Beach; this frees up parking and space on Clearwater Beach for use by tourists; thus Courtney Campbell Causeway Beach benefits Clearwater Beach businesses and the C{ty's tax base; '" -that the Courtney Campbell Causeway/Beach has during its 30-odd years of existence in fact'protected the Causeway roadway, during a number of tropical storms~,from/ structural damage and resulting loss of service; that the ~_e~ has thus "proved" its ability to protect the roadway, and' no ~~extra" revetment-type roadway protection, as now proposed bY',the Florida Department of Transportation ("FOOT"), has,......~een shQ,wn to be needed; -that both FOOT and the Ci~Y' of~.~earwater have constructed "environmental mitigation" projec...ts in the area of the Courtney Campbell Causeway Beach, and ,'bot~ projects have failed, making doubtful the prospects for. success of FOOT's proposed conversion of the Beach to an uenyironmental areau; o -that, in summary, ~ourtney Campbell Cau~eway Beach, as is, has long provided a unique and irreplaceable recreational opportunity, as is, for eastern Clearwater residents, and has enhanced business and property values and tax receipts within the City, and has not been'shown to in any way threaten the roadway; and MUST BE PRESERVED FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE CITY AND ITS RESIDENTS AND BUSINESSES. ....,:, -8- \::,1 . -, ~' . .:. ..l1:. .. . \.': , ;, ~ I ", " ::.: .,t <~'~~(:'\:>,:.. ':, :':~~';'~.~i>~::::/~;:~'~~~": '; :., I '; ,', > j',':" .. ,~ The EAB therefore requests that the City Commission direct staff to: -meet with the FOOT regarding the Courtney same to the EAB and the the EAB and to the City .the Beach a City Park; to determine FOOT's liability concerns Campbell Causeway Beach, and report the City Commission; consider and report to Commission FOOT requirements for making -meet with City of Dunedin staff to determine how the City of Dunedin manages Dunedin Causeway~ meet with staff of any other Cities recommended by Dunedin st~ff; consider and report to the EAB and the City Commission management alternatives for managing the Beach as a City Park, mazimizing its continued benefit to the City's residents within reasonable cost constraints; -consider and report to the EAB and the City Commission the feasi~ility of moving the present 8each entrance eastward to a point opposite the entrance to Clearwater Christian College, and installing a traffic light at that intersection (similar to the traffic light at the City of Tampa's Ben T. Davis Beach at the eastern end of the Causeway), thus decreasing the potential for traffic accidents between Beach users and other Causeway traffic. o. . I ~ ....... f;i~}. W \: ' -9- . < " " ".CdJ. , Jf~ , It !~ .'i' :," .:.... I' ~. . , " f -\; '.:., ., :", ~. ' t . DISTRIBUTED BUT NOT DISCUSSED. causeway.! Early Sorenson, City of Clearwater EAB Member March 14, 1995 COURTNEY CAMPBELL CAUSEWAY BEACH NOTES and QUESTIONS -------------------------------- . I spoke with FOOT's project engineer Chuck Walter, at 975-6000, at 4:30 PM March 14, 1995. The following are my notes from that conversation, and questions that came to mind afterward. NOTES There is no grant for the project. There is no rush to build the,project. It is not scheduled for ~~ construction. The purpose of the project is to protect the Causeway against erosion and possible resulting structural breach of the Causeway and loss of its hurricane evacuation capacity. , , " .. .:,\1 :, ~,I ;" , , " .., . ' . , , .. " ", " , l';,-~,i1 ~ ,'. ,; ';..'{': ..... " .1 ,,' ! " . ,,:' .' : .<.'.:":'~ \ The project is to protect the Causeway via construction of a revetment along its south side. FOOT has designed the revetment ,to have redeeming environmental features. FDOT hopes the revetment can become a bird rookery. FOOT just finished restoring a portion of a revetment just east of the beach., This was an "emergency" lids minimus" SLER (Florida Department of Environmental Protection, State Lands and Environmental Resource Permit) project. FOOT believes that the beach has been erOding slowly but steadily. in an east-to-west fashion, for some years. and that this has erosion has been occurring at the interface of the revetm~nt-protected section and the beach section. FOOT predicts that, in 3 or 4 mpre years. another 300 to 400 foot section of beach just westward of the existing revetment will erode and FOOT will have to fix'it by extending the revetment further west. FOOT expects this process will be repeated until, perhaps some 30 years for now, all of tne beach is gone. 50 FDOT believes that the beach will definitely be lost, and the only question is when. It is not possible to build protecting both the Causeway protected seagrasses there. o a revetment 100 yards from shore. and the beach. because there are -10- ---------------------------------------------------------------- , .,: / ;:~. . ,', .". ..,: ~ : . . , . .'. .'. . .....';"i' !i,->'>~:\-:(\, :", .;f,.),:,:';::u~,4-:::'i\';, "~:',:;,:: -~:;<,,;, ",::: '" ',to, -.': .' ,.'.. . \.' ';' l' . .,} :' ':. ~ . ~'. I . " ." I : ,..' ':~, " ,:.,l' '.... " " ;. . 1 ':' I' ~ '. .'