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Environmental Adyisory Bo'ard
Minutes'
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ENVIRONMENTAL ADVISORY BOARD MEETING
CITY OF CLEARWATER
August 19, 199B
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Present:
Whitney Gray
Alan Smith
Anne Garris
David Rhame
Chair
Vice Chair
Board Member
Board Member
Absent:
Jill Melkonian
Board Member
Also Present:
L.eslie Dougall-Sides
Tom Miller
Patricia O. Sullivan
Assistant City Attorney
Assistant Director Engineering/PD&E
Board Reporter
The Chair called the meeting to order at 4:02 p.m. at City Hall.
To provide continuity for research, items are in agenda order although not necessarily
discussed in that order. .
ITEM #A - Aooroval of Minutes
Member Rhame moved to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of July 15,
1998, as recorded and submitted in written summation to each board member. The motion
was duly seconded and carried unanimously.
The minutes of the regular meeting of May 20, 1998, w'm be considered in
September.
Board Member Jill Melkonian was thanked for her years of s~rvice to the board.
Interested residents were encouraged to apply for the open position.
ITEM #8 - Commission Liaison Report - None.
ITEM #C - Citv Correspondence
1) Utility Rate Study - EAB Action
Member Garris reported she had r~ad the EAB (Environment Advisory Board)
recommendation to the City Commission regarding the proposed utility rate increase. She
indicated the Commission did not discuss the EAB's recommendation. Assistant Director
Engineering/PD&E Tom Miller thanked the board for their support, indicating the increased
fees will finance $ 30~million worth of stormwater related projects such as flood protection,
water quality improvement, habitat restoration, drainage needs, etc.
21 Letter of Thanks to City Manager
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The letter of thanks to the CIty Manager regarding the excellent job of beautifying
the East Water Treatment Plant noted the compatibility of the values of EAB members and
the City Manager.
3) Utility Rate Study - Final City Commission Action
Mr. Miller reported the unanimous Commission approval of the utility rate increase is
effective October 1, 1998. The City will loan money to the projects immediately to be
repaid when bond money becomes available in March 1999. In response to a question, he
said the Kapok project is scheduled 5 years out in recognition of time constraints related to
land acquisition and extensive preliminary work. Construction Is scheduled for the end of
the project period. As Commission approval of the rate increase did not endorse any
specific project, each project must be presented for Commission authorization prior to
implementation.
A guarantee was recommended so that funds generated by the rate increase are not
diverted to other projects. Mr. Miller stated covenants of the bond will require fees
generated by the rate increase to be directed for bond remuneration.
ITEM #0 - Monthlv Site Plan Assessment Review Summary
Mr. Miller reviewed corrections to the Project Assessment Sheet.
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ITEM HE - Confirm AQenda
1) Old Business
al Tampa Bay Watch
, Peter Clark, director of Tampa Bay Watch, said his nonpprofit organization is
dedicated to environmental stewardship. He reviewed his background, noting his
leadership in the nomination of Tampa Bay to the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency)
National Estuary Program. He said 2.1-million people reside around the Tampa Bay estuary.
More than 100,000 boaters are registered in the 3 abutting counties. Past dredge and fill
operations destroyed 81 % of the seagrass beds and 44% of the mangroves and marsh
land, causing serious habitat loss. Citizen groups, including high school students, plant cord
grass to reclaim salt marsh and encourage mangrove growth. The group is working in
Clearwater Harbor to clean up fishing line which entraps birds and wild life such as dolphins
and manatees. Mr. Clark reported approximately 4,000 volunteers participate in 2 yearly
coastal cleanups to remove marine debris. Stormwater, loaded with nutrients, poses the
greatest pollution problems to area estuaries. The group also is working to reintroduce
oysters to Tampa Bay. A scallop search is scheduled for August 22, 1998, to study the
effects of EI Nino on the sea beds. Scallops are sensitive to water quality.
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b) Clearwater High School Project
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Environmental/Engineering Permitting Coordinator Terry Finch reported the 3-year
agreement between the City and SWFWMO ISouthwest Florida Water Management
District) for cooperative funding of a Clearwater High School Water Quality Demonstration
Project expires September 1, 1 998. Staff has contacted the Pinel1as County School Board
regarding this issue. After review of the lack of progress on this project, staff recommends
terminating the agreement. Ms. Finch reported the school bOEjrd staff member who had
championed the program no longer is employed in that position. She said the school had
not approved use of an adequately-sized property until last month. While the agreement
funds the costs of design, permitting, and construction, it does not cover maintenance
costs. The City has not budgeted for maintenance expenses. She reported the School
Board had not developed promised curriculum. She said the project would require weekly
monitoring to avoid failure and maintenance would be a problem during the 2 to 3 months
schools are not in session.
In response to a question, Mr. Miller said the School Board had not embraced the
plan at its inception. The agreement stated the project would not move forward unless
curriculum was developed. Many project related factors did not work out. Disappointment
was expressed the project had fallen apart. Mr. Miller indicated Tarpon Springs High
School has been designated as a magnet school for environmental issues. In response to a
question, Ms. Finch reported the Clearwater High School site had been chosen due to its
location on Allen's Creek. The project would have allowed students to test the efficiency'
of water cleaning processes. It was felt the project would have distinguished Clearwater
for innovative environmental initiatives. Concern was expressed regarding the lack of
community commitment to the environment.
In response to a recommendation that board members speak to School Board
members, Mr. Miller said the City had not budgeted for an extension. Staff had committed
a great deal of time on the plan which now will be shelved. Clearwater High School
officials even had expressed concern project students not use the school Adult Center's
bathroom facilities. The board was thanked for their, support.
c) North Greenwood Status
Engineer Dan Mayer said the North Greenwood storm drainage project addressing
Stevenson's Creek between Betty Lane and the outfall has been underway for 2 years.
Improving the estuary is part of the "One City. One Future." plan. The City has begun
Brazilian Pepper removal and spray maintenance. The County will remove exotic plants on
its recently purchased property nearby, along the Pinellas Trail. The City has applied for a
grant to fund a project to remove sentiment from stormwater before it is discharged into
the estuary.
Mr. Mayer said the preliminary feasibility study regarding dredging the Stevenson's
Creek estuary has been completed. Accumulations, as deep as 10 feet, in the estuary
system have changed the flow pattern over the past 50 years, and are the source of
unpleasant odors in late summer. A RFP !Request for Proposals) will be issued next year to
remove 80,000 to 130,000 cubic yards of organic materials. A lengthy permitting
procedure is anticipated. In response to a question, Mr. Mayer said disposal of the
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materials will Increase costs. While he did not think the organic substances arc grossly
contaminated, he said some traces of heavy metals, he.rbicides, and pesticides have been
identified. The entire scope of the project has not been clarified.
Mr. Mayer said the City is pursuing purchase of the Wolf family 7. 6-ac"3 property
across from the Marshall Street A WT (Advanced Water Treatment) Plant. Half of the land
is tidal marsh and has the only needle rush marsh in the City. Its habitats are similar to
those at Coopers Point. An upland, passive education park will provide a viewing spot for
manatees and birds. A 50% match from the State is being sought.
2) New Business
a) Southern Estuary Association, Inc.
Dave Schermerhorn, of the Southern Estuary Association, Inc., said after working
with Tampa Bay Watch, he organized a non-profit organization last year to address similar
problems in Clearwater Harbor. An "adopt an island" program, similar to "adopt a
highway" projects, will encourage environmentally concerned boaters to make a year
commitment to clean an island once a month and record what they found. A data base will
identify offenders. The program will focus on non-bird nesting islands. Future projects
, include reintroducing oyster beds and planting sea grasses. The group focuses on the
Intracoastal from the Belleair Causeway North to the Pasco County line. Mr. Schermerhorn
encouraged City involvement.
C) b) S.T.A.R.T.
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'Member Garris said the Coastal Protection Fund has' been awarded an additional $1-
million for FY 1998/99. The red tide organizationl S.T.A.R.T. is working with State
universities, and non-profit citizen groups to increase knowledge regarding algae blooms.
Mr. Miller anticipated strong competition for the funds. The City has budgeted $5,000 to
support S.T.A.R.T..
A member complimented the ecology tour of Clearwater Harbor sponsored by the
Clearwater Marine Aquarium.
ITEM #F - Citizens Aqenda
Mr. Miller thanked Captain Folden for his interest in Clearwater, Harbor and the
responsibility he demonstrates as a fisherman. It was felt people lack education regarding
problems related to local waters.
ITEM #G ~ Establish Seotember 16. 199B. Aqenda
It was noted the City' Commission will discuss the FY 1998/99 budget during public
hearings scheduled in September. It was stated environmental projects removed from the
Penny for Plnellas list should be of interest to EAB members. In response to a question,
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,'! Assistant City Attorney Leslie Dougall-Sides said the City Commission had ,ranked Penny'
, ,for Pinellas projects at a meeting on August 18, 1998.
If no significant Issues need to be addressed in September, the meeting may be
"canr.eled. Member Sm,ith indicated .he would not attend the 'meeting.
The City Clerk Departmentsubsequently was advised the September 16, 1998,
, meeting is canceled. '
The October 21, 1998, meeting agenda will include: 11 Tampa Bay Estuary Program
- Clearwater Action Plan and 2) Brownfield~ Status. .
Adiournment
The meeting adjourned at 5:35 p.m.
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