Loading...
03/08/2006 . MARINE ADVISORY BOARD MEETING MINUTES CITY OF CLEARWATER March 8, 2006 Present: Paul J. Kelley Hank Epstein Edward O'Brien, Jr. F. David Hemerick Frank L. Dame Mark A. Smith Charles Cashman Also Present: Bill Morris Frank Hibbard Rod Irwin Catherine Yellin Chair Vice-Chair Board Member Board Member Board Member Board Member Board Member Marine & Aviation Department Director Mayor Assistant City Manager Sr. Staff Assistant The Chair called the meeting to order at 8:01 a.m. at the Marina. To provide continuity for research, items are in agenda order although not necessarily discussed in that order. 2 - Minutes Approval - February 8. 2006 Member Dame moved to approve the minutes of February 8, 2006, changing sentence four of paragraph 5 on page two as follows, ".. .to move the wake zones until after the Legal . Department ..." The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. The Chair welcomed the Mayor and Assistant City Manager Rod Irwin, and new board member, Charles Cashman. 3 - Downtown Boat Slips Proiect discussion - Guest Speakers Mavor Hibbard and Assistant City Manaqer Rod Irwin Assistant City Manager Rod Irwin said he and the Mayor are present in response to the board's desire to be involved with planning of the Downtown Boat Slip project. Mayor Hibbard said Council will review costs for Downtown boat slips at the March 13 Work Session and March 16 Council meetings. He said due to concerns it caused on the 2004 referendum, Downtown boat slips will be a separate item on the next referendum. The Mayor said 95% of attendees at last night's second of three planned meetings regarding Downtown boat slips do not own boats and are not directly impacted by the project. He said the feasibility study will examine the possibility of a 20-year bond for the slips at no cost to citizens. Mayor Hibbard said some attendees felt that Clearwater residents should be given preferential pricing and priority on the waiting list for the boat slips. The Mayor reviewed the benefits the boat slips could bring to the Downtown. He said he hopes to see boater education classes for children and various commercial activities that would attract people to Downtown. . Discussion ensued. Board members suggested mixed uses and excursions rather than fishing is preferable, and that no jet ski rentals be allowed. It was remarked that there could be Marine Advisory 2006-03-08 1 . some opposition to excluding some types of commercial operations. It was suggested that the Columbus Replica may be a good attraction for the Downtown marina. Discussion ensued regarding the desire by commercial operators at the Municipal Marina to pick up and drop off patrons Downtown taking advantage of Downtown parking, and alleviating congestion at the beach. It was suggested the City ensure activities at the Downtown docks be monitored. Mayor Hibbard said there would be public restrooms and an onsite attendant to oversee operations. Marine & Aviation Director Bill Morris referred to the graphic provided by Wade-Trim of the timeline for completion of the Downtown Boat Slips. Estimates are the project will take 12 months to referendum, that preliminary design will take 6 months, that 12-18 months is required for permitting & construction documents, and another 8-12 months is needed for the request for bid/construction phase. The entire project is estimated to take three years to complete upon referendum approval. Mayor Hibbard said the "Save the Bayfront" residents have indicated they do not want docks on the north side of the bridge. Pierce 100 residents do not want boat slips on the south side of the bridge. The Mayor said he feels all 138 proposed boat slips are needed. He also suggested the price charged for slip rentals should reflect market rate. The prevailing rate currently is between $12 and $14 dollars per foot. The Chair said the board fully supports the Downtown Boat Slips. 4 - Old Business Ms. Buysse was complimented for her efforts. It was recommended Bev Buysse contact the Florida Oceans and Coastal Resources Council regarding their step-by-step plan to protect and restore our beaches and coasts. Mr. Morris said he hopes to accomplish the same results as Rhode Island did with their Waterway Management Plan. An article regarding mooring fields was discussed. Mr. Morris said a mooring field in South Florida constructed with double spiral Helix anchor systems and flexible mooring line anchor rode that protected vessels during last year's hurricanes. He said single spiral anchors will be installed to hold the Sand Key buoy line. Mandalay Channel Wake Zone Markers . One board member felt the board acted irresponsibly by not addressing how the Mandalay Channel should be marked or how to manage that waterway. He said the board unanimously voted for the slow speed minimum wake zone and should have made recommendations to Council regarding how to regulate it. The Chair stated although difficult to enforce, City ordinances regulate wake zones and Council will determine how to regulate Mandalay Channel. Marine Advisory 2006-03-08 2 5 - New Business . Jet Ski Operators from Clearwater Municipal Marina It was requested the City advise jet ski operators at the Municipal Marina to inform their patrons of the ordinance requiring vessels to operate at slow speed and minimum wake within 50 feet of any dock. Size of Dock Construction One member voiced his concern regarding the size of docks being approved by the City, that create the effect of a marina. It was remarked that the City is encouraging marinas and restaurants in the Old Florida District near the Mandalay Channel to encourage tourism and lessen the impact from the loss of hotels and motels in that area. New Dock Design Submitted by Carlouel Yacht Club The new dock design for the Carlouel Yacht Club was reviewed. Mr. Morris said the City approved the docks with the caveat the docks could be removed if the Dunedin Pass is reopened and the channel becomes more navigable. Code permits docks at 25% of the length of the navigable channel. Neighbors in the area of the proposed dock oppose any extension of it. Board members recommended the CDB (Community Development Board) address the issue. Member Hemerick moved to support the retention or expansion of marine facilities that benefit the public, providing it is an amenity and not an impingement to navigable waters. The . motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. 6 - Aqenda for next meetinq on April 12. 2006 7 - Adjournment The meeting adjourned at 9:17 a.m. ~~. - Chair Marine Advisory Board . ,~ (", , Marine Advisory 2006-03-08 3