06/13/2012
MARINE ADVISORY BOARD MEETING MINUTES
CITY OF CLEARWATER
June 13, 2012
Present: F. David Hemerick Acting Chair
Tom Calhoun Board Member
Donald O. McFarland Board Member
Paul E. Lightfoot Board Member
Empty Seat Board Member
Absent: Tim Trager Chair
Eric D. Spaulding Board Member
Also Present: William Morris Marine & Aviation Department Director
Patricia O. Sullivan Board Reporter
Acting Chair Hemerick 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 14, 2012
Member Lightfoot moved to approve the minutes of the Marine Advisory Board meeting
of March 14, 2012, 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
Marine & Aviation Department Director Bill Morris said as a courtesy, the City has
provided information to the Army Corps of Engineers regarding the City’s proposed idle speed
no wake zone inside the Clearwater Harbor Marina. The FWCC (Fish & Wildlife Conservation
Commission) camera, in place for six months, will continue to monitor boat traffic north and
south on the Intracoastal and down the causeway to the beach for two more months. The
FWCC then will decide if it will approve extending the slow speed minimum wake zone
“shoreline” to “shoreline” within 500 feet on both sides of the Memorial Causeway Bridge and
extend it farther on the approaches from the West and South. The Army Corps seems to
recognize the effectiveness of a City placed temporary buoy south of the Harbor Marina on the
approach from the south. The buoy, which reads “Wake Zone to the North,” warns boaters 100
yards before the wake zone begins and has had a positive impact on vessels coming “off plane”
and slowing down before reaching the Harbor Marina, thus minimizing excessive wakes.
3.2. Little Pass Dredge Update
Mr. Morris reviewed plans to dredge Little Pass and the channel to the Beach Marina.
The Army Corps of Engineers will contact the City when the newly constructed, self-contained
hopper dredge, MURDEN, is on its way to Clearwater. An Army Corps dredge support vessel,
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working on beach renourishment, is moored at Sand Key Park in the same location the new
dredge wants to moor. The new dredge has been undergoing sea trials and has not been
released to commence work. The Army Corps intends to send the new dredge to Clearwater
before Longboat Key due to the abnormal delay in getting the vessel through its sea trails. .
3.3. Letter for Beach Marina Commercial Tenants
The Gulf of Mexico Fisheries Management Council (GMFMC), through the federal
Fisheries Conservation and Management Act (the Magnuson-Stevens Act), is responsible for
managing fishery resources from the edge of state waters to the 200-mile limit of the Gulf of
Mexico. Fisheries Management plans, particularly the Reef Fish Management Plan, are based
on separate catch quotas for recreational and commercial sectors. The commercial sector
covers commercial fisheries that supply restaurants, sea food stores and the like. The
recreational sector includes individuals fishing for enjoyment, charter boats, and head boats,
such as those operating out of the Clearwater Beach Marina. Charter boat and head boat
operators fall under the same closure regulations for popular gulf fish species.
The GMFMC is considering an amendment to the Reef Fish Management Plan
(Amendment 39) that would develop a program for sector separation and allow charter fishing
boats and head boats to be allocated an annual catch quota separate from the recreational
sector. This sector separation would not allow charter boats and head boats to “take” more fish,
only manage the number they catch during an entire year and not lose customers during closed
months, therefore better managing fish stocks, potentially extending the fishing season, and
allowing improved management of charter and head boat businesses.
Mr. Morris reported the name of the group of Beach Marina commercial tenants changed
recently to the “Clearwater Marine Association.” The group has sent letters to the Florida
legislature and fisheries in support of sector separation. The group has approached the Marine
Department and requested City support of sector separation.
3.4. Marina Lot Parking Enforcement Update
Mr. Morris reviewed proposals to update parking at the Beach Marina parking lot. City
offices will move downstairs to make room for a second-floor restaurant, which will attract
evening parking. The City is considering extending hours for metered parking in the Beach
Marina lot, installing meters that allow pay to park or business validations, or requiring permits,
which would be available from marina businesses.
It was recommended that commercial tenant vehicle permits limit parking to spaces
previously used by the Post Office.
Mr. Morris requested members to bring ideas on marina parking to the next meeting.
4 – New Business
4.1. Update on Marina Build-Out Plans
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Mr. Morris reviewed upgrades planned for a new restaurant in the Marina building. The
building's $3.44 million appraisal will allow construction of the restaurant to be completed within
two years of commencement.
5 -Agenda for next meeting on September 12, 2012
1) Beach Marina Lot Parking Enforcement
6—Adjourn
The meeting adjourned at 8:33 a.m.
-77,d0 Chair
Marine Advisory Board
Attest:,
Board Reporte
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