10/16/2013 ENVIRONMENTAL ADVISORY BOARD MEETING MINUTES
CITY OF CLEARWATER
October 16, 2013
Present: Lynn F. Sumerson Vice Chair
R. Peter Stasis Board Member
Michael Engelmann Board Member
Linda S. Varonich Board Member
Absent: D. Michael Flanery Chair
Also Present: Ed Chesney Environmental Manager
Patricia O. Sullivan Board Reporter
The Vice Chair called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m. at the Municipal Services Building
and welcomed new Member Varonich.
2 -Approval of Minutes — July 17, 2013
Member Engelmann moved to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of July 17, 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 - Groundwater Replenishment Update
Public Utilities Assistant Director Nan Bennett and Utilities Engineering Manager Rob
Fahey provided a PowerPoint update on the pilot operation, testing, and progress of the City's plan
to replenish groundwater by recharging the Floridan Aquifer, lower Zone A, with highly treated
wastewater. In response to a question, Mr. Fahey said the City's reclaimed water distribution
system is nearly built out but subject to resident initiated expansion. The reclaimed supply is
maximized only about two weeks a year. Project costs will be determined once tests are
completed. Staff is pleased with results so far.
Discussion ensued regarding similar projects in western states and the impressive efforts of
staff.
5 - Update of Stormwater Greenprint Initiatives
See Exhibit: Creation of Stormwater Design Manual, including Development Code Review
Mr. Chesney reported the City hired a consultant to develop a stormwater manual for
developers that incentivizes low impact development and addresses water quality. Pinellas County
is working on similar updates. The City intends for changes to the City Code to be consistent with
future County Code amendments and City Greenprint initiatives.
Discussion ensued regarding stormwater utility fees and projects funded by the fees. The
consultant's draft should be completed in a few months. The Code then will be reviewed for
conflicts, which will cross departments, and then overhauled.
Environmental Advisory 2013-10-16 1
6 - Moccasin Lake Park — Bird Blind
See: Exhibit: Bird Blind Proposal for Moccasin Lake Nature Park
Concern was expressed that a proposal for a bird blind meets one obstacle after another. It
was stated a location in Moccasin Lake Park has been identified but the City declined to accept a
$1,000, 700 square -foot classroom module for use as a bird blind due to Code concerns; a similar
blind has been built in Manatee County. It was noted the Peace Valley Nature Center attracts
about 15,000 visitors a year since it installed a bird blind. It was reported a bird blind at Moccasin
Lake Park would qualify the City for inclusion on the birding trail, attract tourists, and
photographers; the Garden Club could plant bird friendly vegetation. Frustration was expressed
regarding City delays. Concern was expressed that Clearwater Audubon will approach Largo
regarding the bird blind if Clearwater refuses it.
Mr. Chesney noted staff concerns that the recently updated Moccasin Lake Park Master
Plan, used to base funding decisions, does not include a bird blind. It was stated City funds are
not being requested. Suggestions were made that a charitable organization may be willing to help
finance a bird blind, such as the Rotary Club or Lions, or a business, such as Hooters Restaurants.
Support was expressed for pursuing the feasibility of installing a bird blind in Moccasin Lake Park.
Member Engelmann moved that the EAB (Environmental Advisory Board) supported
Clearwater Audubon efforts to pursue the feasibility of installing a bird blind in Moccasin Lake Park.
The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously.
7 - Approve EAB Rules and Regulations as amended
Member Engelmann moved to adopt the EAB Rules and Regulations, as amended. The
motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously.
8 - Agenda topics for next meeting — January 15, 2014
1) Bird blind update and 2) staff report re prohibition of community gardens in Industrial
zones.
Mr. Chesney touched on several environmental projects in Clearwater including a new
residential subdivision on Union Street, arsenic in soil at former Countryside golf course, a
feasibility study underway with FDEP (Florida Dept. of Environmental Protection) to reduce height
of nuisance sand dunes adjacent to the Rockaway parking lot, and a private beach renourishment
proposal along Clearwater Pass.
9 — Adjourn
Attest:
The meeting adjourned at 6:04 p.m.
Board Repo
Environme °al Advisory 2013 -10 -16
nvironment- ' :visory Board
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Creation of Stormwater Design Manual, including Development Code Review
In Clearwater, like most of Pinellas County, the land development focus has shifted from
greenfield development to urban infill and redevelopment. Much of the City experienced its first
wave of development by the 1970s, well before stormwater and habitat/wetland management
regulations and protections were in place. The impact the growing number of receiving waters
that are impaired presents new challenges to facilitating redevelopment and reducing pollutant
loadings to help restore polluted water bodies. Meeting this challenge requires more flexibility
and an expansion of the "stormwater management tool box" to offer non - conventional methods
that will encourage and support quality redevelopment, which is critical to sustaining the local
economy and improving water quality. In addition, the MS4 (Municipal Separate Storm Sewer
System) stormwater permit requires the City to revisit their community development codes to
determine if they impede the use of low impact development (LID) practices and to ensure they
effectively support water quality improvement goals.
The City is beginning a project that will review the existing Comprehensive Plan and Land
Development Regulations and create a stormwater design manual that functions as a catalog of
various stormwater Best Management.
The project will include:
• A review of the City's Comprehensive Plan and Community Development Codes will be
conducted to identify impediments to low impact development and regulatory flexibility
that may impede urban redevelopment.
• Specific amendments to the City's Comprehensive Plan and Community Development
Codes will be proposed to promote the use of low impact development and greater
flexibility for meeting stormwater management and treatment requirements during the
urban regeneration of the City of Clearwater.
• The stormwater treatment toolbox will be expanded to include Low Impact Development
practices.
• Stormwater treatment requirements will be consolidated into a single City of Clearwater
Stormwater Management Manual which is compatible with Pinellas County stormwater
management and treatment requirements.
Bird Blind Proposal for Moccasin Lake Nature Park
Whereas: Moccasin Lake is not currently designated as a site
on the Great Florida Birding Trail. The reasons for this are
both the expansion and construction which occurred during
the time when such designations were determined.
Whereas: Whereas Pinellas County schoolchildren were
previously frequent visitors to the park for classes, nature
walks, etc.. Presently, this is no longer feasible.
Whereas: Moccasin Lake is located conveniently for both
Central and North Pinellas County, and it is an attractive site
for nature photographers. However, there is not a protected
area wherein photographers could easily view, observe and
take pictures of the varied wildlife at Moccasin Lake Park.
Whereas: Peace Valley, the site of a Nature Center in Bucks
County, Pennsylvania is well of the beaten track, Yet, this site
attracts approximately 15, 000 visitors a year who occupy their
bird blind. A Supervisor recently informed us that at least two
thirds of those who visit are schoolchildren.
Whereas: The Felts Nature Preserve in Manatee County is the
site of a bird blind which has recently been built. Both
photographers and birdwatcher have spread the word of an
outstanding opportunity to observe and take photos of the
much sought after Painted Buntings and other wintering birds.
Therefore: Clearwater Audubon Society is prepared to
present Birding 101 and other various presentations for
any school , including our colleges and other
organizations or groups, in Pinellas County. These
presentations could include day trips to the park or
curriculum support for biology or other science classes.
Hopefully, this will also serve to benefit students in
environmental sciences and photography classes as well.
Therefore: Clearwater Audubon Society has funds
which it has set aside for a bird blind within the
boundaries of Moccasin Lake Park. Our goal is to have
this outstanding site be rightfully included and
designated when additions will be made to the GREAT
FLORIDA BIRDING TRAIL LIST. The Felts Audubon
Preserve has been designated by the National Wildlife
Federation as a CERTIFIED WILDLIFE HABITAT. It
would benefit Moccasin Lake Nature Center to be so
designated as well. Nationally, it has been well
established that birdwatchers, photographers and
visitors who just enjoy a day in a beautiful park add
tourist dollars to the local economies. Moccasin Lake
meets all of these attractive possibilities and its
convenient location within the area as well as the
proposed bird blind located within a distance of three
hundred feet from a classroom containing audio /visual
equipment .
Therefore: The minimal amount of funds needed to
construct a bird blind in Moccasin Lake Park would
assuredly reap benefits for both our students and our
local economy. Moreover, Garden Clubs, Native Plant
Societies, The Herpetology Society all could meet for
both indoor and outdoor classes and demonstrations.
Both Moccasin Lake and Pinellas County would see
increased tourism benefits from such increased
visitations.
BIRD BLIND at Peace Valley Nature Center
Bucks County, Pennsylvania
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