06/12/2013 MARINE ADVISORY BOARD MEETING MINUTES
CITY OF CLEARWATER
June 12, 2013
Present: Tim Trager Chair
Paul E. Lightfoot Board Member
Paul J. Kelley Board Member
Jane Davison Bongo Board Member
Absent: Tom Calhoun Board Member
Donald O. McFarland Board Member
Eric D. Spaulding 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 — March 13, 2013
Member Lightfoot moved to approve the minutes of the Marine Advisory Board meeting
of March 13, 2013, as submitted in written summation to each board member. The motion was
duly seconded and carried unanimously.
3 —Citizens to be Heard re Items Not on the Agenda: None.
4—Old Business
4.1. FWCC 2012 Little Pass dredge survey distribution
Marine & Aviation Department Director Bill Morris reported an unidentifiable 24-inch
pipe, uncovered during the 2012 Little Pass dredge project, does not pose a hazard to
navigation. Following completion of the dredge survey, the Coast Guard relocated aids marking
the channel. Commercial vessel reports of shoaling began 6 months after completion of the
dredge project. The Army Corps of Engineers recommended the next dredge widen the
channel and taper its banks and suggested scheduling dredging every 5 years rather than every
10. In 1961, Pinellas County opted out of creating a tax to fund maintenance of the Intracoastal
Waterway project. Until recently, Clearwater depended on earmarks to fund dredging projects;
termination of earmarks has cut off that crucial funding source.
Mr. Morris suggested establishing a CIP (Capital Improvement Project) for dredging and
waterway matinenance with the $266,000 remaining from the 2012 project and that staff begin
the permit application process for the next dredge project.
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Member Lighfoot moved to recommend that the Marine Department establish a CIP for
dredging and waterway maintenance, using funds left over from the 2012 Little Pass dredge
project for seed money. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously.
Mr. Morris reviewed areas where shoaling is occuring and indicated when it worsens,
aids will be moved to identify best water. The City does not dredge canals.
4.2. FWCC violations to recreational boaters
Discussion enused with concerns expressed that Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation
Commission Division of Law Enforcement reports are too vague to be of value.
Member Kelley moved to request that monthly Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation
Commission Division of Law Enforcement reports include the date, infraction, and location
where citations and warnings are issued and that Clearwater Police and the Pinellas County
Sheriff provide similar reports. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously.
Mr. Morris reported a boat had dislodged from its mooring during a recent storm and
reviewed the long process to remove derelict boats from City waters.
4.3. Photo of manatee sighting near Clearwater Yacht Club
Photos of manatee near the Clearwater Yacht Club were distributed. Discussion ensued
and concern was expressed that wake surfing activity and fast large and small boats in the area
create large wakes that endanger manatee and damage boats docked at nearby homes.
Mr. Morris said this area previously was used for waterskiing. The City cannot
discriminate against wake boarders. Boats have become more powerful, with some designed to
generate larger wakes.
Discussion ensued with comments that dolphins also frequent this area and manatee
have been sighted in the middle of Clearwater Harbor. Concerns were expressed that moored
vessels could replace wakeboarders if a wake zone is established and too many wake zones in
Clearwater will hamper the ability of residents to enjoy recreational boating. It was requested
that Mr. Morris investigate if the concentration of boats near Clearwater Yacht Club creates a
hazard to navigation and report on solutions.
4.4. Gated marker diagram proposed for Dunedin Pass Channel
Mr. Morris distributed a package from a Harbor Island resident, dated April 15, 1993,
requeting channel markers on the west side of Dunedin Pass Channel. The Coast Guard
denied the request; the City now maintains markers. It was commented that green markers
were not requested and gated markers would create a recreation zone for water skiers and
wake boarders. Mr. Morris said the request also called for a slow speed minimum wake zone
along Harbor Island. Discussion ensued regarding costs and maintenance for markers and
negative impacts on recreational boating and Harbor Island residents that would result.
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Member Lightfoot moved to recommend that Dunedin Pass Channel be maintained as
currently marked. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously.
4.5. Discussion and adoption of MAB Rules and Regulations
Member Lightfoot moved to adopt updates to the MAB (Marine Advisory Board) Rules
and Regulations. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously.
5 — New Business
Items not on the Agenda
Dunedin
Mr. Morris said the City of Dunedin had requested input from staff regarding creation of a
sailability program and public /private partnerships and improvements to its downtown marina,.
Concern was expressed that Clearwater not help Dunedin take business away from Clearwater.
Coast Guard Auxiliary
Mr. Morris said staff hopes to fund "T's" at the ends of the three Clearwater Pass fishing
piers, with a lockable access gate on one section of the center fishing pier to provide the Coast
Guard Auxiliary access to its boat for pickup, drop off, and training. Full -time mooring will not be
permitted as the location is too exposed to frequent waves rolling in off the gulf.
Marina Occupancy
Mr. Morris said the downtown marina occupancy rate is 84% and beach marina
occupancy is 72 %; commercial occupancy is 100 %. He discussed downtown marina amenities
that make it popular with tenants and visitors.
High and Dry Marina
In response to a question, Mr. Morris said efforts are underway to build a high and dry
marina near the Seminole Boat docks, replacing a similar facility that was previously razed. A
condo project under construction on that site was abandoned.
6 - Agenda for next meeting on September 11, 2013
Gulf Fisheries and Restore Act update — Mike Colby, Charter fishing captain
7 — Adjourn
The meeti •journed at 9:20 a.m.
Chair
Attest: /.�`'— / i Marine Advisory Board
Marine Advisory %, 13 -06 -12 3