03/12/2003 (2)
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Also Present: Bill Morris
Catherine Yellin
Brenda Moses
Marine & Aviation Department Director
Senior Staff Assistant
Board Reporter
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MARINE ADVISORY BOARD
CITY OF CLEARWATER
March 12, 2003
Present:
Hank Epstein
Dick Safirstein
Paul J. Kelley
Denis Sparks
Edward O'Brien
Acting Chair/Board Member
Board Member
Board Member
Board Member
Board Member
Absent:
Tom Horne
Nick Matsis
Chair
Board Member
The Acting Chair called the meeting to order at 8:07 a.m. at the Marina.
To provide continuity for research, items are inagenda order although I)ot
necessarily discussed in that order.
ITEM #2 - Minutes ApDroval from February 12. 2003
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Marine & Aviation Department Director Bill Morris requested that page 2,
paragraph three, sentence four read: u.. .Chuck Pollick. ..", and also on page 3,
paragraph seven, sentence 11 read: .....Mr. Pollick regarding stops at the bait house at
the east end of the Marina..."
Member Safirstein moved to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of
February 12, 2003, as amended. The motion was duly seconded and carried
unanimously.
ITEM #3 - Other Business
Mr. Morris said the FWC (Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission)
and the Pinellas County Sheriffs Office would have access to boat slips and office space
at the Police substation at Clearwater Pass. The docks are on Bayway Boulevard close
to the Yacht Club on the intercoastal side of the water. Mr. Morris has been meeting
with both entities on a monthly basis and they both have agreed to assist Clearwater
with law enforcement in Clearwater Pass. They already have developed a plan to
, control the waterways during Spring Break. Mr. Morris said Belleair has funded a marine
police boat out of their City tax revenues. The marine police officer works Fridays, '
Saturdays, and Sundays when the weather permits distributing warnings and reminders
'to people to obey the law. As he is a police officer, he has the authority to issue citations
within the city of Belleair.
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, -In response to a question. Mr. Morris said neither the Coast Guard nor the City
plan to put a light on the end of the jetty on Sand Key. This jetty marks the Sou~h side of
the entrance channel to Clearwater Pass. The existing channel markers were moved '
and the lights in the Clearwater Pass channel were rearranged to ensure boaters coming
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northbound along the beach would see a charted "quick flash" light just west of the end
of the Jetty. Prior to the channel marker re-alignmentt viewing the channel marker lights
over top of the jetty when headed nortl1bound along Sand Key ~as confusing and an
"entrance marker!t not easily distinguished.
Mr. Morris said he receives frequent calls regarding marine enforcement issues.
He has written a lettert which he personally distributed and discussed with local high-
and-dry marina operators. The letter also lists the local Coast Guard Auxilliary and
Power Squadron telephone numbers and other marine related information. He said he
also distributed a supply of the letters at the City launch ramp. It was suggested that
small signage listing the police enforcement number for water-related issues be posted
at various locations to alleviate calls to the marina office. It was remarked that as Spring
Break is approachingt the local law enforcement agencies need to be available 24 hours
a daYt 7 days a week. Mr. Morris said the State and County have requested a
Clearwater Police officer be present in order for the State or County to enforce local
regulations. He said the noise violation is the most difficult to address. He said the
mullet fisherman had begun using airboats as early as 4:30 a.m. at Island Estates and in
the north beach area greatly disturbing the local residents. The Clearwater Marina staff
is working on educating the public about marine regulations and increased enforcement.
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In response to a questiont Mr. Morris said the City continues to consider the
highest and best use of real estate throughout the CitYt including the waterfront. The ,
general consensus of the Commission is that boat launch ramps are not aesthetically
pleasing or the highest and best use of the waterfront. Mr. Morris referred to a pamphlet
the City published regarding economic developmentt which will be mailed, to developers.
He said a developer is performing a feasibility study on 150 boat slips at Coachman
Park. Consideration also is being given to docks on both sides of the new Memorial,
Causeway bridge.
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Mr. Morris said he met with two marine companies in Ft. Lauderdale that can
offer a development plan to maximize marine usage or promise a guaranteed return to
build a marine facilityt manage it themselvest and pay the City a revenue stream. Mr.
Morris said the boat slip rates would probably double at the marina once the slips were
built and maintained by the developer. He said he is considering a marine configuration
, that includes floating marina offices. fuel tankst etc. so that in future, the marina
buildings could be redeveloped. Before that plan could be implemented. financial
considerations must be addressed as well as relocation of the post office.
Barbara Shortt President of the Clearwater Community Sailing Associationt
distributed a copy of the first CCSC (Clearwater Community Sailing Center) newsletter
, entitled Tell Tales: CCSC member newsletter, which was distributed this month. She
said the first CCSC membership meeting is tonight. Guest speaker Meka Aiken of Sail
Fit will give a lecture/demonstration on fitness training for persons who sail small boats.
The next CCSC regatta and other upcoming events also will be discussed. Ms. Short
reviewed recent events and said the CCSC calendar is filing up quickly. The CCSC
membership is now over 120 members and growing. The CCSC had a $1,000 revenue
day yesterday. which included private sailing lessons. new membershipst and transient
rentals. Many Canadian visitors are using the CCSC. Everyone was encouraged to visit
the CCSC. Volunteers always are needed. '
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Advisory Board Appreciation Dinner
It was remarked that the Advisory Board Appreciation Dinner ;s scheduled for
6:00 p.m. on March 18, 2003 at the Harborview Center. The City ree :.Jests all board
members RSVP regarding their attendance.
Public Comments & Other Business
In response to a question from a resident, Mr. Morris said he did riot know if there
are vessels currently using the docks at the Police,substation at Clear\vater Pass. He
said when public docks were at the marina, vessels would tie up alor..gside the barg,e but
would not use the lift.
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One member remarked that on Saturday, both the Pinellas County Sheriffs office
and the FWC were present in the Clearwater Pass area. Sunday afternoon there was a
lot of boat activity a~ound the bridge.
, 'In response to a question, Mr. Morris said Steve Fowler, one of the City's '
architects, is giving a presentation to the CCSC board at 3:30 p.m. today regarding 'a
draft set of plans for floating docks at the marina and construction projects for the CCSC.
Staff is awaiting app'roval of paper.vork regarding dockage at,the CCSC from NOAA
(National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association). Hopes are that the grant funds that
the City has applied for would be received in July 2003, although 'not all the permitting.
requests would be complete at that time. It was suggested that the City's lobbyist might
be helpful in obtaining funds for city projects.
, Mr. Morris said a concerned citizen requested the lifeguard tC"Ners at ClearNater
beach be painted in a similar manner to those in south beach in Miami. Assistant Marine '
and Aviation Director Beverly Buysse discussed the matter with the resident, explaining
that staff prefers not to initiate an artist contest an~ have to find funding for the ongoing
maintenance of the artwork.
ITEM #4 - Agenda for next meetina on March 12. 2003
This topic was not discussed.
ITEM #5 - Adiournment
The meeting adjourned at 8:58 a.m.
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Cnalr V ,'-~--
Marine Advisory Board
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Attest:
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Board Reporter
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3/12/03