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EAB
E~vironmental Advisory Board
Minutes
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Present: , Whitney Gray
Alan Smith
David Rhame
Allan Stowell
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ENVIRONMENTAL ADVISORY BOARD MEETING
CITY OF CLEARWATER
December 16, 1998
Chair
Vice Chair. departed at 5: 1 5 p.m.
Board Member
Board Member
Also Present: Leslie Dougall-Sides
Tom Miller
, Patricia O. Sullivan
Assistant City Attorney -
Assistant Director Engineering/PD&E
Board Reporter
Absent: Dennis Kellenberger
Board Member
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 - Approval of Minutes
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Member Stowell moved to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of November
18, 1998, as recorded and submitted in written summation to each board member., The
motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously.
ITEM #8 - Commission Liaison Report
Member Rhame indicllted the City Commission had passed first reading of the new
Community Development Code. He said earlier attempts to rewrite the document in-house
had proved ineffective. .
ITEM HC - Citv Correspondence
1) Cooperative Funding Letter to SWFMWD
Assistant Director Enginsering/PD&E (Project Development and Environmental)Tom
Miller referred to copies of 3 recent grant applications: 1) $1. 1-million for an Intracoastal
transmission upgrade to expand the City's reclaimed water program; 2) $280,000 for
upfront costs related to the town pond regional retention project; and 3) $220,000 to
initiate an action plan on water management issues related to Stevenson's Creek as a
precursor to enhancing the water quality and water shed in the creek's tower estuary.
Pinellas County has expressed an interest in helping with this project. An Interloca!
agreement with the City of Dunedin is under consideration.
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2) Community Development Code Follow-up Action Memorandum
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Mr. Miller distributed a copy of the November 19, 1998, memorandum to the City
Commission from the City Manager regarding EAB (Environmental Advisory Board) ,
recommendations related to the new Community Development Code.
3) Community Development Code Executive Summary
Mr. Miller distributed the latest Community Development Code. In response to a
question, Assistant City Attorney Leslie Dougall~Sides reviewed language related to tree
removal. The intent is to not omit current provisions related to the removal of dead trees.
The new code contains a provision for a civil penalty based on the value of the subject
tree, according to an arborist, plus attorney fees.
4) Community Development Code Addendum
Mr. Miller said staff did not know of any opposition to incorporating EAB
recommendations into the new Community Development Code. A great deal of fine tuning
is expected between the first and second readings~ Ms. Dougall-Sides indicated staff had
worked with the Clearwater Aquarium on sea turtle lighting which has been included.
5) Commission Action/Wolfe Property Acquisition
The City Commission has approved application for Community 2000 Preservation
funds to purchase the Wolfe property. The City now awaits a FeT (Florida Communities
Trust) decision.
ITEM #0 - Monthlv Site Plan Assessment Review Summary
Mr. Miller reviewed criteria related to project placement on the EAB project
assessment sheet. The sheet was developed to meet the board's expressed interest in
projects proposed for property that: 1) is on sensitive lands; 2) requires City Commission
action; 3) is larger than 2 acres in natural resource areas needing protection; 4) is
recognized by staff as containing unresolved environmental problems; and 5) is on an OFW
(Outstanding Florida Water) or aquatic preserve. The board did not want to review every
project. Concern was expressed a gasoline station proposed for Gu1f-to~Bay Boulevard in
front of Park Place is on environmentally sensitive land. In response to a question, Mr.
Miller said that project had rated a zero on the EAB's assessment review summary. The
project meets State requirements related to stormwater mitigation. The developer was
required to hire a certified arborist who identified 1 or 2 significant trees on the property.
, The footprint was moved and some root aeration has been required. The project is moving
forward.
ITEM #E - Confirm Aaenda
1) Consent Agenda ~ None.
2) Old Business
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a) Solid Waste Barrel Sticker & Ordinance
Solid Waste Director Bob Brumback thanked the board for their interest in
hazardous waste disposal. The Solid Waste Department tries to make good environmental
behavior easy for citizens. He said hazardous waste disposal is not a severe problem.
Staff addresses the issue via education, assistance, and utility stuffers. He distributed a
packet of handouts staff distributes throughout the City. When citizens call with
questions, staff tries to provide information regarding the easiest way to dispose of a
problem substance. He said the suggested stickers may be difficult to affix to the
ultraviolet resistant black barrels. The department was praised for its excellent service.
Mr. Brumback requested residents call the department if they have any concerns.
b) Reclaimed Water Master Plan
Public Utilities Director Kevin Decotte reviewed the 20~year Reclaimed Water
Master Plan. Currently the City uses 1 ~mgd (million gallons/day) of reclaimed water while
15.5 mgd is available. It is estimated availability will increase to 18 mgd within 20 years.
The City needs to use as much reclaimed water as possible to meet EAB (Environmental
Protection Agency) requirements to reduce discharge into Tampa Bay by 75%. The City
wants to take advantage of available State funding to meet this need. He said a
connection rate of 75% to 80% would cover a large portion of related infrastructure
construction costs. Now that Island Estates has been hooked up, the project will expand
to south Clearwater beach.. Decisions on future expansion relate to neighborhood lawn
irrigation usage, a neighborhood's proximity to a treatment plant source, a~d available
sources such as shallow wells. Construction is estimated to cost $71-million.
Mr. Decotte in January 1999, staff will recommend to the City Commission to
lower the reclaimed water usage rate to $15 per month and the availability charge to $9
monthly. Reclaimed water is not metered. The City is establishing a Reclaimed Water
Coordinator position.. The project will be funded by water and sewer revenues, project
generated revenues, and grants. In response to a question, he said the high cost of
infrastructure will make it difficult for the project to break even. After the infrastructure is
complete, future revenues will be used to offset operation and reconstruction costs. In
response to a question, he indicated other cities offer different rates and connection
charges. He said there is no need to worry regarding the level of cleanliness of the water
as it has been highly treated. Potable water must meet higher standards.
Concern was expressed the proposed timeline does not make sense regarding areas
7 and 21. It was stated deep wells exist in this area along the bay. To reduce the use of
deep wells, it was recommended the City offer incentives to the Bayside Arbors to accept
reclaimed water and pipe it one~half mile from the East Plant via a 1 5-foot easement the
City has along Tampa Bay for a sewer line. It was felt it did not make sense to separate
projects for areas 7 and 21 by many years. Mr. Decotte said the City encourages citizen
input and will review the recommendation. The next EAB packet will include notes from
Mr. Decotte's presentation of the project to the City Commission.
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Early Sorenson supported the recommendation. stating the subject area of Tampa
Bay has high levels of pollution.
c) EAB Annual Report
The Chair distributed a draft of the EAB Annual Report for board review. It was
recommended the report' consider the unsightly, polluted ponds at the intersection of
Gulf-to-Bay Boulevard and the Bayside Bridge. at a City gateway. Additional
information was requested regarding the environment program at North Ward School
and the City's partnership with the program. Mr. Miller will request a school
representative address the board at a future meeting.
In response to a question, Mr. Miller did not think the City had not replaced
money borrowed from the stormwater utility fund and used for maintenance.
Member Rhame moved to approve the EAB Annual Report. The motion was
duly seconded and carried unanimously.
3) New Business
a) Conley Property Discussion
Mr. Miller distributed Parks & Recreation Director Art Kader's December 16.
1998, memorandum regarding the status of the Conley property. The Parks &
Recreation Department is not pursuing the purchase of the property. The purchase is
unfunded. Mr. Miller said the City Manager does not believe the site is a destination
but would pursue the property's purchase if it is not overpriced. In response to the
City's $900,000 offer. the property owner indicated no interest in selling to the City.
The property, currently zoned for a mobile home park, is under ,a purchase contract.
The City has not received any requests to rezone the property. It was noted the
County is not interested in purchasing the property although it will allow the City to
use its abutting waterfront property in conjunction with a park.
It was felt a park on the property would be a destination point and is the
gateway to Clearwater. It was stated the Wolfe property is not a destination point.
Concern was expressed the property would be developed with office buildings,
resulting in an area domino effect that would destroy the area's significant canopy'of
live oaks. It was recommended the City purchase the property and that the EAB visit
the property on a field trip. As Clearwater is a tree city, it was felt the City should
take care of its remaining trees. It was noted the City had purchased the Atrium
property at a cost higher than $ 1 -million/acre. It was stated neighborhood residents
had supported that project. Concern was expressed the EAB not limit its focus to
Bayview preservation as many areas of the City face important issues.
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Ms. Dougall-Sides recommended the board use caution when forwarding
recommendations to the City Commission. The property owners could request a
. rehearing if it was felt the City inappropriately lobbied against rezoning in order to
negotiate a more favorable purchase price.
Jack Alvord said State and County money could be used for the purchase. He
said the property is important for beautification efforts on Gulf-to-Bay Boulevard. He
felt the location would be unsafe for vehicles to ingress/egress a commercial site. He
suggested a park could be used as the beginning of a bicycle trail to Tampa and for
environmental education.
Consensus was to support the City's purchase of the property.
b) Town Pond '
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Project Manager Dan Mayer reviewed the background of the Town Pond project.
The project, defined in the City's Comprehensive Plan, will expand the 4-acre Pierce
Street pond, which currently provides insufficient flood storage, inadequate
storm water treatment, and discharges untreated water into Clearwater Harbor. Nine
properties east of the pond are flooded annually. After considering many options, the
City contracted with COM (Camp, Dresser & McKee) for Phase I efforts, including
surveys and data collection. The pond will feature major landscaping. Monitoring is
important. The City will apply for Brownfields to cover some remediation costs.
Mr. Mayer said the design on the pond begins immediately. The City is
negotiating with affected property owners. The $10-million project will be funded with
$8.5-million in stormwater fees and Penny for Pinellas funds. The City hopes to
generate $1-million in costs from downtown private sector developers who will use the
pond in place of addressing stormwater issues onsite. This benefit can be used as an
incentive for economic development. The project will improve area aesthetics and
more than double flood water storage. The project, in the vicinity of Prospect and
Ewing avenues, and Park Street, will slope to avoid the need for fencing. State
permitting is required for the pond to serve the proposed 200-acre redevelopment area.
The project, supported by the local business district, will increase area land values.
There are few similar programs in Florida.
The City Commission will review information gathered in Phase I regarding
contamination, etc., before progressing to Phase II. The City Commission has
approved a contract to purchase the Dimmit property. In response to a question, Mr.
Mayer indicated no water treatment currently is taking place. He predicted a high
quality pond can be constructed and maintained based on new techniques and
treatment technologIes. Mr. Sorenson expressed support for the project. Mr. Mayer
said the pond should solve most related problems. He did not anticipate major
modifications to the plan will be necessary.
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ITEM IF - Citizens Agenda - None.
ITEM #G .; Establish Januarv 20. 1999, Aaenda
A, request had b~en made for a report on the North Ward School's
environment~1 program. '
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, It was recommended the board take a field trip to visit environmentally sensitive
properties and an Advanced Water Treatment Plant. Mr. Miller said he could provide a
'location map for members to visit the sites individually, noting a group field trip would
have to be adv~rtised. Problems related to early dusk were noted. '
, ' Consensus was for a January 20, 1999, field trip to start at 3:00' p.m. and
replace the scheduled meeting. Mr. Miller will work with Member Stowell to plan the
'field trip. Related"issues will be C;Uscussed in February.
Adjournment
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:The meeting adjourned at 6: 1 2 p. m:
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