Loading...
11/08/2006 MARINE ADVISORY BOARD MEETING MINUTES CITY OF CLEARWATER November 8, 2006 Present: Paul J. Kelley Chair Edward O’Brien, Jr. Board Member F. David Hemerick Board Member Frank L. Dame Board Member Mark A. Smith Board Member Absent: Charles A. Cashman Board Member Bill Stephan Board Member Also Present: Bill Morris Marine & Aviation Department Director Patricia O. Sullivan Board Reporter The Chair called the meeting to order at 8:00 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 – October 11, 2006 Member O’Brien moved to approve the minutes of the October 11, 2006, meeting , as motion recorded and submitted in written summation to each board member. . The was duly carried seconded and unanimously. 3 – Old Business Sand Pearl dock Regarding the yacht basin, Marine & Aviation Department Director Bill Morris distributed a construction drawing and reviewed Sand Pearl efforts to obtain dock permits for 59 slips to be constructed of high dollar, long-life materials. The City is negotiating to lease its bottomland for the project for 30 years, with 5-year renewable leases. Twenty-one slips will be available for public use, not to be used “overnight,” with terms of “overnight” still under discussion. The public slips will not offer power, water, or sewer, with the exception of one slip, should the City purchase a City Fire Boat. Staff has recommended that the public slips remain open until 2:00 a.m. The City will be able to purchase back the docks at a depreciated cost and accept maintenance responsibilities. Dock lease terms have not been discussed. The walkway will be open to pedestrians. The proposal has not been presented to Belle Harbor residents. Discussion ensued. Concern was expressed that the construction drawing inaccurately marked grass beds that do not exist and misidentified oyster beds as coral reef. It was stated if the dock configuration, which extends across at least 50% of the entire basin, is approved, a precedent would be established and additional docks could be constructed, for example, near the Island Way Grill. A concern addressed the accuracy of the sea grass location and the extent beyond the normal 25% of the “width of the waterway” that the docks, as configured, represented. It was stated if this is a good deal for the developer, it should be a good deal for Marine Advisory 2006-11-08 1 the City to build. Mr. Morris said if the City constructed the project, it would have to rent all but two or three slips at “market rates” just to break even. It was recommended that the agreement be delayed until after March 2007 as the plan to give away City-owned bottomland is a poor deal. Mr. Morris said County Public Hearings are tentatively scheduled for January 2007. Member Hemerick moved that the preliminary construction drawing, as presented, meets the approval of the Marine Advisory Board but the terms and number of slips involved in motion the lease back do not, and should be renegotiated. The was duly seconded and carried unanimously. In response to a question, Mr. Morris said the City Council must approve this agreement. The City also has been asked to provide a dock at that location for a 28-foot fireboat on a lift. It was recommended that the fireboat dock be included in the drawing. Lights on jetty Mr. Morris reported that the boater, who recently ran into the jetty at night, has apologized. Discussion ensued with concern expressed that further deaths and serious injuries may occur as the jetty is extremely difficult to see at night when approaching from the south, due to background lights on Clearwater beach buildings. It was felt that a jetty of this stature should be marked. It was recommended that one-second quick flashers be installed. Mr. Morris reviewed expensive installation difficulties and ongoing maintenance issues. It was recommended that a piling be sunk two feet off the end of the jetty for installation of a white quick flash light Member Dame moved for the City to install a quick-flash white light designating an motion obstruction on a piling as close to the westward end of the jetty as possible. The was carried duly seconded and unanimously. Hotel request for Clearwater Pass Beach stabilization Mr. Morris said he would recommend against approval of this request unless a white quick-flasher is installed on each of 10 to 12 proposed obstructions. The project would construct t-headed groins away from the beach to retain sand. Concern was expressed that the applicant is requesting a letter of support from the Harbormaster before information requested by the MAB has been provided. Mr. Morris said the applicant is reviewing potential project obstacles before proceeding. Sand has shifted off passes into Clearwater Harbor since 1984. Member O’Brien moved that no endorsements on this project should be made until the vendor is more forthcoming in providing specific plans for review prior to any future motion carried implementation. The was duly seconded and unanimously. 4 – New Business Venetian Point Drive Mr. Morris reported a resident concern that the homeowner at 1824 Venetian Point Drive has fenced off what residents had believed was a common right-of-way, after dredging the channel without City knowledge and constructing a dock without permit. The homeowner at Marine Advisory 2006-11-08 2 1826 Venetian Point Drive reported that the dock owner also had installed PVC poles behind her property to mark the new channel. It is not known who owns the piece of property, which previously provided community access for launching kayaks and canoes. Mr. Morris will check the property by boat. It was recommended that board members also look at the property prior to next month’s meeting. Drew Street Dock It was questioned if the Drew Street Dock would be available for public access during Ironman events. Mr. Morris said the dock will be in the water all weekend. The Starlight Majesty will tie up on the outboard side and use it for a noon wedding on Saturday. It was requested that the gate remain open. Clearwater Beach Boat ramp Concern was expressed that a slab at the boat ramp had slid out of place. Mr. Morris reviewed necessary repair efforts. If not repaired to engineering standards, the City could face liability issues. The ramp is closed. It was recommended that another ramp be constructed at the end of a nearby dead-end street. Mr. Morris said the City has been unsuccessful in its attempts to purchase nearby property owned by Progress Energy. It was felt that land around the Clearwater Beach Recreation Center is an area of future opportunity. Mr. Morris reported a sea grass bed is on the south side of the property. 300 Hamden Drive – Tropicana Resort Mr. Morris said all docks along this block are being replaced with a commercial dock. Waterway Management Plan The State is working to create a model and may use Clearwater’s plan. Concern was expressed that the plan will be difficult to manage if the City lacks enforcement capabilities. Frustration was expressed with the Police Department’s refusal to perform marine patrols. It was felt once the Council adopts the waterway plan, it will be unable to ignore the need for marine patrols. It was suggested that Ordinances will need updating once the plan is adopted. The State approved the City’s grant application for downtown boat slips and has forwarded it to the Federal government for review in December by the Fish and Wildlife National Commission. Marine Advisory 2006-11-08 3 . . . Iron man 70.3 Triathlon Mr. Morris reviewed staff efforts related to the November 11, 2006, event. Concern was expressed that at least five Marina businesses are closing during the event. It was felt that the event is destroying a Saturday for local businesses and will create a negative economic impact. Mr. Morris reviewed daylong shuttles to the beach. Schedules are available on the City's website. He expressed concern that closing businesses is shortsighted. He reviewed positive input received regarding this major event, which is attracting a significant number of people. 5 - Aaenda for next meetina on December 13. 2006 6 - Adjournment The meeting adjourned at 9:15 a.m. ~~ -- Chair, Marine Advisory Board Marine Advisory 2006-11-08 4