01/18/2012
ENVIRONMENTAL ADVISORY BOARD MEETING MINUTES
CITY OF CLEARWATER
January 18, 2012
Present: R. Peter Stasis Chair
D. Michael Flanery Board Member
Michael Engelmann Board Member
Patricia Power Board Member
Elizabeth Drayer Board Member
Also Present: Sarah Josuns Environmental Specialist
Patricia O. Sullivan Board Reporter
The Chair called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m. at the Municipal Services Building.
To provide continuity for research, items are in agenda order although not
necessarily discussed in that order.
2 - Approval of Minutes
– July 20 and October 12, 2011
By unanimous consent, approval of the minutes of the regular meetings of July 20 and
October 12, 2011 was continued to April 18, 2012.
3 – Citizen Comments
Gary Athanson submitted photographs of an Eldorado Avenue property, showing sea
oats being removed from the beach, bagged, and loaded into a vehicle for disposal. (See
photographs). He said Police were called; the event occurred on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day,
a federal holiday.
Discussion ensued regarding the State’s inability to enforce dune protection and damage
that continues to occur. Concern was expressed staff’s letter to beachfront property owners did
not prevent continued destruction of beach dunes as residents flaunt the law. It was noted eight
people had witnessed the illegal actions. It was stated that lack of enforcement will establish a
precedent, allowing neighbors to destroy beach vegetation and dunes without consequence.
Member Flanery moved that as the letter to north Clearwater Beach residents was
unsuccessful in deterring dune destruction, the Environmental Advisory Board requests that the
City Council reconsider the EAB’s previous recommendation that they direct law enforcement to
immediately enforce criminal penalties, which can be assessed for destroying or altering sand
dunes and sea oats. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously.
4 – Presentation: Clearwater Public Utilities Department
Public Utilities Director Tracy Mercer and Assistant Public Utilities Director Nan Bennett
reviewed expansion of Reverse Osmosis Plant #1, construction of Reverse Osmosis Plant #2,
and the proposed groundwater replenishment project.
Environmental Advisory 2012-01-18 1
In response to questions, Ms. Bennett said plants absorb most nitrates in reclaimed
water and reviewed plans to expand the use of reclaimed water. With insufficient land for
percolation, plans are to inject highly treated water 200-to 250-feet into the ground at the
Northeast Water Pollution Control facility site. The City will monitor for all micro constituents in
water. In response to a concern that testing only checks for specific chemicals, Ms. Bennett
said the City tests for a sweep of chemicals including indicators for contaminants. The City has
32 water wells and plans to construct 12 more to serve Reverse Osmosis Plant#2. Projects are
designed to significantly reduce future costs for water. Ms. Mercer said a decision regarding
fluoridation will be made in 2014 when Reverse Osmosis Plant#2 opens.
Discussion ensued with support expressed for fluoridation and concerns expressed
regarding the need to stop growth in Clearwater, that impact fees should realistically reflect the
cost of growth to the community, and homeowners fear that water wells will create sinkholes.
5 -Turf Ordinance Update
Environmental Specialist Sarah Josuns said the City Council had delayed consideration
of the turf ordinance until the new Council is seated.
Clearwater GreenPrint
Ms. Josuns said the City Council adopted Clearwater GreenPrint. The next step is to
develop a five-year work plan and for City departments to incorporate GreenPrint strategies into
work programs; the Reverse Osmosis Plant#2 may be LEED (Leadership in Energy and
Environmental Design) certified.
6—Adjourn
The meeting adjourned at 5:31 p.m.
#4,44.
Chair
Environmental Advisory Board
Attest:
/ 4-
Bo-rd Reporter ,
Environmental Advisory 2012-01-18 2
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