03/14/2012
MARINE ADVISORY BOARD MEETING MINUTES
CITY OF CLEARWATER
March 14, 2012
Present: Eric D. Spaulding Acting Chair
F. David Hemerick Board Member
Donald O. McFarland Board Member
Paul E. Lightfoot Board Member
Absent: Tim Trager Chair
Tom Calhoun Board Member
David J. Napoli Board Member
Also Present: Camilo Soto Assistant City Attorney
William Morris Marine & Aviation Department Director
Patricia O. Sullivan Board Reporter
The Acting 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
– December 14, 2011
Member McFarland moved to approve the minutes of the Marine Advisory Board
meeting of December 14, 2011, as submitted in written summation to each board member. The
motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously.
3 – Old Business
3.1. Idle Speed No Wake Zone inside Clearwater Harbor Marina
Operations Manager Gordie Wills said before the State will approve an Idle Speed no
wake zone by the Clearwater Harbor Marina, FWC (Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission)
will mount a camera to collect and study data on ICW (Intracoastal Waterway) boat traffic and
the resulting wakes that hit the marina. In response to a suggestion, Marine & Aviation
Department Director Bill Morris said a rock jetty along the edge of the ICW would block access
to outside marina docks used by large vessels. Pinellas County has stopped covering
Clearwater waters with their boats now that the Police Department has a boat. There are no
plans to open a new restaurant in the Harborview Center.
3.2. Little Pass Dredge Update
Mr. Morris said the City is awaiting final project paperwork from the Army Corps of
Engineers; the new dredge vessel is operable and is expected to be begin work on Little Pass in
late April. Sand will be deposited near shore, north of Pier 60. It is hoped the project will be
expanded to clear the heavily used short-cut channel to the marina basin.
4 – New Business
Marine Advisory 2012-03-14 1
4.1. Vessel wakes and noise complaint—Clearwater Point
Mr. Morris discussed complaints from Clearwater Point and Sand Key regarding
commercial vessel noise. The subject commercial owners have contacted the affected parties
and the issues have been resolved. He said complaints subside once residents turn on air-
conditioning when temperatures warm. It was stated the Sea Screamer has used the same
route for 20 years and will make special effort not to hover near residences.
Mr. Morris reviewed complaints regarding the Clearwater Sailing Center related to
storage and traffic during a special event that attracted 200 sailors. After investigating the
complaints, Sand Key representatives were complimentary to the center, which maintains
landscaping under the bridge where it stores boats and trailers ready for excess property
disposal.
Items not on the Agenda
Clearwater Beach Marina
Mr. Morris reviewed plans for a restaurant on the top floor of the Clearwater Beach
Marina; additions will include an elevator and first floor freezers and coolers. Based on FEMA
(Federal Emergency Management Agency) regulations for development in a VE-zone,
completion of the restaurant may take several years. While a new appraisal is planned, there
are no plans to replace the marina with a hotel or other development. Marina offices will move
downstairs into space to be vacated in April by the retail shop. The facility gained 30 parking
spaces when the Post Office moved out. Staff hopes meters will be enforced until 10:00 p.m. or
midnight to discourage Sunsets at Pier 60 parking. Parking may become an issue when the
restaurant opens.
Fishing Quotas
Commercial boaters at the Marina have been asked to speak with one voice to
Congress regarding recreational fishing restrictions; commercial fishing boats out of the marina
are penalized with fishing restrictions while commercial boats that supply restaurants are
permitted to fish year round. Constant changes to fishing season dates disrupt vacation plans
and hurt Marina businesses. Many are frustrated that four Florida panhandle counties are not
subject to recreational fishing restrictions.
5 -Agenda for next meeting on June 13, 2012
6—Adjourn
The m-- g adjourned at 8:56 a.m.
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