09/17/1997 (2)
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EAB
Environmental Advisory Board
Minutes
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ENVIRONMENTAL ADVISORY BOARD
CITY OF CLEARWATER
September 17, 1997
Present:
Jill Melkonian
Whitney Gray
Mike Foley
Allan Stowell
Alan Smith
Leslie Dougall~Sides
Tom Miller, Assistant Director
Gwen Legters
Anne Garris
David Rhame
Chair
Vice Chair
Board Member
Board Member
Board Member
Assistant City Attorney
Engineering/Environmental
Board Reporter
Board Member
Board Member
Absent:
The Chair called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m. in City Hall.
To provide continuity, the items are listed in agenda order although not necessarily
discussed in that order.
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Confirm Agenda - Establish Consent and Regular Agenda Items
City Correspondence
Mr. Miller reviewed results of the Cooper's Bayou Citizen Satisfaction Survey, distributed to
110 Del Orc Groves residences. Staff was pleased with the 30 percent response rate, and the
wide majority of positive comments regarding: 1) effectiveness of advance notice, 2) vehicular
access during the project; 3} project quality; 4} timing of project scheduling; 5) staff
responsiveness; and 6) clarity of project objective statement. Discussion ensued regarding
methods of addressing one of the only resident concerns, cleaning algae from the pond.
Minutes Approval - August 20; 1997
Member Gray moved to approve the minutes as submitted in writing to each member by
the Board Reporter. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously.
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B. Citizen Agenda (Items not on the agenda)
John Meyer, Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council, displayed a sample automobile
license plate, the "Silver King" Tarpon, designed by wildlife artist Russ Sirmons. Petitions are
Circulating to gain support for the new design, approval of which will be sponsored by state
Senator Charlie Crist in next spring's legislative session. Proceeds from sale of the plate will
benefit environmental awareness programs in the Tampa Bay area. Mr. Meyer said half the
required 10,000 signatures have been collected. Signing a petition does not obligate anyone to
buy the license plate, and only Florlda~registered vehicle owners are eligible. He requested
individuals and groups who are interesting in assisting the license plate signature campaign to
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contact him at (813) 577-4141, ext. 257. He responded to questions regarding how much
revenue the plates are expected to generate and how the money will be spent. All signatures
must be collected and submitted to the legislature in January, 1998.
C. Consent Agenda A None
D. Regular Agenda
01. Old Business
a. Memorial Causewav Bridae Status (HDR Engineering)
Larry Weatherby, HDR Project Manager, and George Eliason, Senior Environmental
Scientist highlighted the history of the project, .status to date, and projected schedule. Alternative
P4A was selected, but an alternate connection at Pierce Street is being investigated.
Investigation is underway regarding impacts on cultural resources and recreation. After
completion of public hearings and design phases, construction could start as early at 2000. Mr.
Eliason explained the bridge will be designed to avoid excessive impacts on natural systems in
the harbor such as seagrass beds and wading bird rookeries. He said SWFWMD will not require
water quality treatment because they recognize the bridge as a direct replacement of the existing
four lane bridge with no increase in traffic capacity. He detailed runoff management, habitat
enhancement, and minimized environmental impacts.
. I:)
The numbers are not in regarding noise impact. Mr. Eliason said habitat protection in
estuarian systems is of high concern. Pollution abatement practices will be carefully followed
during construction to avoid allowing pollutants to leave the site. Harbor water quality was
characterized as fair. Discussion ensued regarding whether boats or cars generate more water
pollution. While boats have greater emissions, cars have greater numbers.
In response to questions, Mr. Eliason said the bridge will be designed with scuppers to allow
water to fall directly into the harbor. He has not studied capturing runoff and funneling it
landward as was done on the Bayside bridge, because such a system is very costly, and
SWFWMD does not require it. Discussion ensued regarding whether more pollution will occur
because of the bridge's increased surface area, or less pollution because traffic will not be
stopping and standing on the bridge. A suggestion was made to investigate whether money that
might otherwise be used for a scupper system could be put to a better environmental use, It was
felt enhancing vegetation to improve the coastal ecosystem would be of more immediate benefit
than attempting changes to the marine industry.
02. New Business
a. EAB Action Proiect (Melkonian)
In response to City Management Team direction, discussion ensued regarding how board
members could bring their personal efforts to bear when the board has project ideas. The board
compared its focus on staffs efforts to Dunedin's Environmental Advisory Committee, that
physically works In the field to improve environmental conditions. It was thought some middle
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b. Annual Report (Melkonian)
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ground could be reached. Lengthy discussion ensued regarding the steady progress made by
the EAB in the past two years, how the Sunshine Law could affect changes in EAB policies and
procedures, direction needed from the Management Team, and projects the board has done in
the past they are still waiting to come to fruition. Mr. Miller suggested updating the EAB annual
report and forwarding it to the City Manager's office to acquaint the Management Team with what
the board has accomplished in the past and what is planned for the future. Board members were
requested to bring ideas for new projects to the October 15 meeting.
In response to a request for suggestions, board members offered the following: 1) EAB
supported accomplishment of a City-wide baseline study and water quality report; 2) the
importance of developing a Comprehensive Plan monitoring committee. 3) concerns that
development of the Wellington affordable apartment project on environmentally sensitive
wetlands proceeded without being brought before the EAB; 4) concerns the City is not moving
forward to purchase the Bayview mobile home property for use as a park to protect the unbroken
live oak canopy and beautify the City's entrance; and 5) concern the City Commission may not
be watching or caring about the EAB's recommendations.
c. Board Appointments (Stowell)
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A concern was raised regarding the City Clerk's recent suggestion to change the code,
lowering EAB membership from seven to five seats when Mr. Stowell's and Mr. Foley's terms
expire. It had been indicated recruitment would be needed to augment the volunteer list before
appointment or reappointment to the two vacancies would be considered. In a September 5
memo to the City Manager, City Clerk Goudeau had stated the EAB was to be incorporated into
the new boards created by the Land Development Code rewrite. It was reported there was some
reluctance to process appointments to a board that might not exist in six months.
Board members expressed concern they had not been made aware the EAB was one of six
City advisory boards being considered for consolidation into two boards dealing with planning
and regulatory zoning issues. Mr. Miller said he had heard rumors, but had not received any
information on the subject. He urged and cautioned board members not to jump to conclusions.
Ms. Dougall-Sides pointed out the Land Development Code amendments will be considered in
public hearings of ordinances going to the Commission for first and second reading. Members
Stowell and Foley expressed their desire to continue serving on the EAB, at the Commission's
pleasure.
Member Gray moved for the EAB to require, as soon as possible, for the City Commission
to extend the terms of Allan Stowell and Mike Foley on the Environmental Advisory Board. The
motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously.
Concerns were expressed such action tied the Commission's hands and did not address the
desire of the EAB to remain at seven members. It was felt, if the EAB is to be disbanded in a
short time, it would benefit from the continuity to be had by retaining experienced members.
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Establish Agenda for October 1997 Agenda
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Member Gray moved to rescind the previous motion. The motion was duly seconded
and carried unanimously.
Member Gray moved to urge the City Commission to allow the Environmental Advisory
Board to remain a seven member body. The motion was duly seconded and carried
unanimously.
The following were suggested as agenda items for the next meeting: 1) Alligator Creek
update (tentative); 2) Annual report suggestions; 3) Project ideas for the EAB action report;
4) City Manager invitation; and 5) Watershed action plan for Clearwater. Staff will check on
the status of the proposal to bury power lines along Gulf-to-Bay Boulevard as part of the City
Manager's beautification program.
Board Comments
Discussion ensued regarding whether a representative from the EAB should attend
tomorrow night's City Commission meeting to call attention to the board's desire to remain at
seven members. Member Foley noted the board's feeling that the membership level is fine
the way it is can be communicated in a memo. He reiterated his desire to continue service,
at the Commission's pleasure. Mr. Stowell made the point a consolidated board with other
responsibilities would have difficulty tackling outside projects.
t.:) Adjournment
The meeting adjourned at 5:35 p.m.
~ Z. .7rt2-e./~
Chair
Environmental Advisory Board
Attest:
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