06/08/2011
MARINE ADVISORY BOARD MEETING MINUTES
CITY OF CLEARWATER
June 8, 2011
Present: Tim Trager Chair
F. David Hemerick Board Member
Tom Calhoun Board Member
Eric D. Spaulding Board Member
Absent: Donald O. McFarland Board Member
Paul E. Lightfoot Board Member
David J. Napoli Board Member
Also Present: William Morris Marine & Aviation Department Director
Patricia O. Sullivan Board Reporter
The Chair called the meeting to order at 8:00 a.m. at City Hall.
To provide continuity for research, items are in agenda order although not
necessarily discussed in that order.
2 – Minutes Approval
– March 9, 2011
Member Spaulding moved to approve the minutes of the Marine Advisory Board meeting
of March 9, 2011, as submitted in written summation to each board member. The motion was
duly seconded and carried unanimously.
3 – Old Business
3.1. Membership in the Gulf Coast Inland Navigation District
Marine & Aviation Department Director Bill Morris said the Gulf Coast Inland Navigation
District is eager for Pinellas County to rejoin. The City, County, and BIG-C (Barrier Islands
Governmental Council) would need to discuss this matter. Membership costs would increase
County taxes. Member counties are south of Tampa Bay to Ft. Myers; Pasco, Hillsborough, and
Pinellas counties are not members. If the County joins, Clearwater could receive financial
assistance to dredge a small area near the beach marina and Intracoastal Waterway channel.
Gulf Coast Inland Navigation District approval would be necessary before any dredging
operations could begin.
3.2. Maintenance of Federal Aids to Navigation
In response to a question, Mr. Morris said the Sand Key Coast Guard is unaware of
changes to maintenance responsibility for Federal Aids to navigation. He estimated the
department spends more than $100,000 annually maintaining 400 informational signs, buoys,
and pilings in Clearwater. The State requires the City to photograph each one every three years
to verify maintenance. The City checks GPS coordinates annually to confirm proper location.
This work generates no revenue. Twice, the department has had to replace the $600 (each)
lights that mark the jetty; fishermen tie off on the buoys. As the department no longer is
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responsible for lifeguards, it was questioned why it should be responsible for maintaining City
waterfront along the Gulf.
4— New Business
4.1. National Marina Day Event
Mr. Morris reviewed this weekend's events at the Clearwater Harbor Marina. The Jolley
Trolley now stops at the Clearwater Harbor Marina on its Dunedin and Tarpon Springs route.
The new marina has received good press.
4.2. Anchoring
Mr. Morris said an average of six boats anchor in the "boater-created mooring field." In
1999 when the City asked for the area to be designated, the State would not recognize a
"mooring field" because it had insufficient room for more than nine buoys. The City only has
jurisdiction over moored vessels outside the marina that interfere with safe navigation. Staff will
talk to the Police Department about habitual offenders whose boats break loose and drift into
docks and sand bars. The State intends to resolve this issue by July 2014.
Wake Zone
Marine Facility Operator TJ Murphy recommended expanding the no wake zone to
address wake problems at the Clearwater Harbor Marina. Large waves crash into the marina
when approaching vessels throttle down. The large wakes toss fishermen under the bridge,
damage and stress the docks, increasing maintenance costs, and could seriously injure boaters
in the marina. Waves also cross the channel from boats running outside the channel.
Mr. Morris said inside wave attenuators do not block waves that roll over the top of the
docks. He reviewed the process to expand the no wake zone. Mr. Murphy said the Coast
Guard cannot enforce vessel speeds. Mr. Morris reported Pinellas County's marine division has
been reduced to six officers. He will contact the Police Chief to request increased enforcement.
Staff will begin work on this issue.
Fishing Pier
Mr. Morris said the fishing pier is open 24 hours a day and averages 35 fishermen each
night. Many patrons are handicapped. Staff must clean up afterwards.
5 -Agenda for next meeting on September 14, 2011
6—Adjourn
7
The •-- 1
'ng adjourned at 9:45 a.m. -- 1
Attes / Chair -J
/ Marine Advisory Board
:oard Reporter,
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