03/13/2013 MARINE ADVISORY BOARD MEETING MINUTES
CITY OF CLEARWATER
March 13, 2013
Present: Tim Trager Chair
Tom Calhoun Board Member
Paul E. Lightfoot Board Member
Eric D. Spaulding Board Member
Absent: Paul J. Kelley Board Member
F. David Hemerick Board Member
Donald O. McFarland Board Member
Also Present: Camilo Soto Assistant City Attorney
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 — December 12, 2012
Member Calhoun moved to approve the minutes of the Marine Advisory Board meeting of
December 12, 2012, as submitted in written summation to each board member. The motion was duly
seconded and carried unanimously.
3 —Old Business
3.1. Minimum wake zone request for channel on east side of Island Estates
Marine & Aviation Department Director William Morris said he received a multi-page document
from the FWCC (Fish &Wildlife Conservation Commission) late yesterday; copies will be distributed
to board members. As part of its review of all bridges in Pinellas County, the FWCC accepted the
MAB (Marine Advisory Board) recommendation to expand the wake zone shore to shore under the
Memorial Causeway Bridge.
Additionally, an Island Estates resident on Harbor Island requested that Dunedin Pass
Channel be marked with Gated Markers (one on each side of the channel in pairs at critical points,
rather than widely spaced, alternating red and green day boards along opposite sides of the channel).
Approximately 15 years ago, the MAB had provided a mixed response to a request for a gated
channel in this area. Mr. Morris said installation of gated aids to navigation on the eastern side of
Windward Island, with a slow speed minimum wake zone between the aids and Windward Island
shoreline, would minimize the need to maintain buoys; the Marina spends more than $30,000
annually on water way markings in Clearwater. A diagram is being developed.
It was recommended that gated aids be installed in each channel as wide apart as possible.
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Member Calhoun moved to request staff to submit a proposal to install gated aids to
navigation in Dunedin Pass Channel east of Windward Island. The motion was duly seconded and
carried unanimously.
4— New Business
4.1. Adoption of rules to govern board proceedings
A draft of proposed Rules of Procedure was distributed for member review; discussion and
adoption of rules will be scheduled for June.
4.2. Board Vacancies
Member Spaulding initially said he would not seek reappointment. However, when no one
volunteered to represent commercial tenants in the Marina, Member Spaulding requested
reappointment.
5 -Agenda for next meeting on June 12, 2013
Items not on the Agenda
FWCC (Fish &Wildlife Conservation Commission) Document
Mr. Morris said the FWCC had indicated on April 18, 2013, in Havana, Florida, a vote would be
taken at a public meeting on the City's request to expand the wake zone by the Harbor Marina. City
concerns were validated by FWCC cameras.
The FWCC complimented the City on its successful protection of manatees and sea grasses,
but in a separate document recommended a slow speed minimum wake zone for the Mandalay
Channel's water recreation zone; this recommendation was not an officially proposed change but was
just marked on a graphic provided by FWCC for the City's information. The FWCC did acknowledge
the City's desire to retain the zone. Mr. Morris will meet with neighbors on both sides of the channel
prior to entertaining any proposed changes. He discussed markings for the water recreation zone and
suggested boaters could be required to verify that no manatees are present before water skiing can
commence. The City's marine police unit could monitor activity. Resident participation also might be
necessary to preserve the water recreation zone, in contradiction to current State suggestions. No
State action has been proposed at this time; the document was a sea grass study and not part of the
wake zone proposal.
Discussion ensued regarding possible dangers related to water skiing near buoys and pilings.
In response to a suggestion that water skiing be restricted to the Intracoastal, Mr. Morris said
residents once water skied throughout the area. Pilings are much less expensive than buoys to
maintain and rarely require replacement. Reflective tape can be applied to pilings in place of lights.
Staff will discuss preferred markers with the FWCC.
Member Calhoun moved to recommend retaining the current water recreation zone in
Mandalay Channel. The motion was duly seconded. Members Calhoun and Spaulding and Chair
Trager voted "Aye"; Member Lightfoot voted "Nay." Motion carried
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Concern was expressed that the FWCC document does not reflect manatee sightings near the
Clearwater Yacht Club and in more than one canal south of the beach marina.
Member Lightfoot moved to recommend that the FWCC consider all canals between the
Clearwater Beach Marina and Clearwater Pass for manatee protection. The motion was duly
seconded and carried unanimously.
Mr. Morris said the City provides the FWCC dock space at the Harbor Marina. The FWCC
issued warnings and now is issuing tickets for excessive wakes by the marina. He has requested an
update on FWCC issued violations to recreational boaters for illegal fishing practices; 18 violations
were issued in Clearwater Pass during one weekend when the agency first operated out of the Harbor
Marina.
Coast Guard Auxiliary
Mr. Morris reviewed efforts on behalf of the Coast Guard Auxiliary for a new facility in Sand
Key Park. Plans are to use grant money, if approved, to construct a "T" at the end of one fishing pier
and an "L" at the end of the other for the Auxiliary to dock a boat. While the parking lot can be
completed with donated materials, a funding source for a new building has not been identified.
Miscellaneous
Mr. Morris reported that department salaries currently and historically have been allocated
solely to the Beach Marina; the FY 2014 budget will distribute these costs across department facilities.
In response to concerns that the proposed Clearwater Marine Aquarium facility would conflict
with public art scheduled for installation on the waterfront, Assistant City Attorney Camilo Soto said if
the aquarium project is approved, the final design would consider the artwork and relocate /find a
suitable location as appropriate.
Mr. Morris discussed a proposal to expand current ferry service between the Island Estates
Clearwater Marine Aquarium facility and Harbor Marina to include stops at the Clearwater Beach
Marina and Clearwater Beach Recreation Center.
Mr. Morris said the Marina Cantina will draw people further into the Clearwater Beach Marina
and discussed parking plans that would extend enforcement hours and improve lighting. Concern
was expressed that there are no plans to help current tenants.
6 — Adjourn
Attest:
The meeting adjourned at 9:20 a.m.
Board Repo
Marine Ad 'ory 2013 -03 -13
Chair
Marine Advisory Board
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