07/21/2010 - Work Session
ENVIRONMENTAL ADVISORY BOARD WORK SESSION MINUTES
CITY OF CLEARWATER
July 21, 2010
Present: R. Peter Stasis Chair
D. Michael Flanery Board Member
Vacant Seat Board Member
Absent: Mary Morrow Board Member
Michael Engelmann Board Member
Also Present: Leslie Dougall-Sides Assistant City Attorney
Ed Chesney Environmental Manager
Patricia O. Sullivan Board Reporter
The Chair called the work session to order at 4:00 p.m. at the Municipal Services
Building. There was a lack of quorum.
To provide continuity for research, items are in agenda order although not
necessarily discussed in that order.
1 - Approval of Minutes
– April 21, 2010
Approval of the minutes of the regular meeting of April 21, 2010, was continued due to a
lack of quorum.
2 – Citizen Comments:
None.
3 – Clearwater Christian College Mitigation Plan
Thomas Cuba, Ph.D. with Delta Seven, representing Clearwater Christian College, said
the college’s mitigation plan will return the stagnant swamp to a healthy condition. He said the
site needs flushing and oxygenation to be considered an estuary. He said the project will
require extensive permitting from many agencies. He said invasive species will be removed.
He demonstrated how an improved water flow through the wetlands would result in a healthy
mangrove system, which would attract more birds and fish within a short time. Currently,
mangroves on the subject site are spindly, overcrowded, growing sideways, and dying. He said
the project is in contact with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission regarding
the eagle nest on Coopers Point, located 9 feet to the east of the school property. He reviewed
the needs of the school. He said the agreement conveys 99 acres of restored wetlands for a
permanent conservation easement to a local government, with a trust fund to manage and
protect them in perpetuity.
Attorney Katie Cole, representing Clearwater Christian College, said the school is
hosting an information session next week to address neighbor concerns.
Dr. Cuba said filler for future building construction will not come from the site. He said the
treatment of college stormwater will be improved. He said the agreement would permit the
Environmental Advisory Work Session 2010-07-21 1
college to add 7.8 acres to its campus. He discussed the proposed mitigation bank, noting
extensive permitting is required. He said improvements must be completed before mitigation
banking could occur.
Discussion ensued with comments that reductions of organic material in Tampa Bay are
necessary to improve overall water quality, and that this project is heading in the right direction
and would improve the current situation.
David Gildersleeve, of Wade Trim , representing Clearwater Christian College, said
improvements to Coopers Point were made with taxpayer dollars; this restoration project will be
privately funded and provide public benefit.
Assistant City Attorney Leslie Dougall-Sides said the eagle nest is addressed in the
development agreement. Also required is a comprehensive plan amendment to rezone the
entire college site to Institution. Draft language addressing the eagle nest follows federal and
state requirements. Special measures could be imposed on athletic fields proposed to be
nearest the eagle nest.
Environmental Manager Ed Chesney said the City does not have the ability to approve
the proposed mitigation.
4 – Sea Oats Plantings – Sand Dunes
Mr. Chesney reviewed business opposition to staff’s proposal to plant 10,000 sea oats
on south Clearwater beach to reduce sand removal costs along BeachWalk. Businesses were
concerned that sand dunes would grow too high and block views of the gulf.
Discussion ensued with comments that south beach sand dunes would not stop erosion
or storm surge and a suggestion that sea oats be planted on north beach where they can
expand dunes and protect birds, if dogs are kept away.
Items not on the Agenda
Concern was expressed that the City Council had taken no action regarding EAB
(Environmental Advisory Board) recommendations to enforce laws related to the illegal removal
of sea oats and sand dunes on north beach. The value of serving on the Board was
questioned.
Mr. Chesney reviewed action on the Stevenson Creek project, which is now underway.
5 – 6 - Establish Agenda for next meeting – October 20, 2010
Update re Stevenson Creek and possible direction from City Council
7 – Adjourn
The work session adjourned at 6:00 p.m.
Environmental Advisory Work Session 2010-07-21 2