Loading...
11/15/1995ENVIRONMENTAL ADVISORY BOARD CITY OF CLEARWATER November 15, 1995 Present: Mike Foley Chair Jill Melkonian Vice Chair Allan Stowell Board Member Anne Garris Board Member Whitney Gray Board Member Tom Miller Asst. Director of Engineering/Environmental Gwen Legters Board Reporter Bill Held Harbormaster Absent: Lisa Lanza Board Member Alan Smith Board Member The Chair called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m. in City Hall. To provide continuity, the items are listed in agenda order although not necessarily discussed in that order. Minutes Approval - October 18, 1995 Member Gray moved to approve the minutes as corrected on page one, removing the name of Leslie Dougal Sides from the list of those present. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. Confirm Agenda - Establish Consent and Regular Agenda Items Election of Officers Member Foley stated he has enjoyed his term as Chair and would like to pass the gavel, to be able to participate more fully in other aspects of Board membership. He nominated Jill Melkonian as Chair. The motion was duly seconded. Member Melkonian accepted the nomination and stated she felt Member Foley had done an outstanding job as Chair. She nominated Mike Foley as Chair. The motion was duly seconded and Member Foley accepted the nomination. Upon the vote being taken by secret ballot, Mr. Miller announced Jill Melkonian was elected as Chair. Member Garris nominated Mike Foley as Vice Chair. The motion was duly seconded and Member Foley accepted the nomination. Member Foley nominated Whitney Gray as Vice Chair. The motion was duly seconded. In response to a question from Member Gray, the duties of Vice Chair were explained. Ms. Gray accepted the nomination. Upon the vote being taken by secret ballot, Mr. Miller announced Whitney Gray was elected as Vice Chair. Member Foley passed the gavel to Member Melkonian, who assumed the Chair. Citizens’ and Consent Agenda - None Presentation - Report on Vessel Sewage Pump-Out System - Bill Held, City Harbormaster Mr. Miller introduced Mr. Held, stating the Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council (TBRPC) recently bestowed a meritorious award to the City Marina for this project to improve the marine environment. Mr. Held highlighted the project, stating the City Marina was excited to be one of the first to receive State funds under the Clean Vessel Grant. He said installation of the vacuum pump system began a month ago under the direction of Mike Willis, City Marine Operations Supervisor. He reported the State paid 74 percent of the $37,000 cost of installing the system. He said the TBRPC is to present their “Future of the Region Meritorious Award, Special Recognition, Environmental” tomorrow night in recognition of this project. Mr. Held reported connections are to be installed at every boat slip and at the Main and East docks. He emphasized all boaters may receive this service free of charge, whether or not they are City residents. In response to questions, he characterized the seriousness of the waste disposal problem and explained how the system functions. Mr. Held was congratulated for receiving the award and praised for the high level of cooperation extended from the City Marina. The Marina was commended for being at the forefront of efforts to protect and improve bay and harbor waters and for adding to a Sparkling Clearwater. Regular Agenda - Old Business A. EAB Goals and Objectives Member Melkonian read the Board’s Purpose and Mission for the benefit of the public. Discussion of the Board’s Policy Manual ensued, including the approved Bylaws, Board Rules of Procedure and Notes regarding Goals and Objectives. A question was raised whether it is necessary to establish rules to ensure Board decisions and recommendations are relayed to the City Commission and Commission action is conveyed to the Board. Mr. Miller stated, according to a memo from the City Clerk, the Commission is to schedule informational meetings with advisory boards beginning in March 1996. Concern was expressed this forum will not provide adequate feedback to the Board when pertinent issues exist. Discussion ensued regarding various tracking methods. Mr. Miller said he will discuss with the City Management Team the Board’s desire to improve communications and prepare a recommendation for revising the Rules of Procedure at the next meeting. The Board’s list of Proposed Environmental Concerns was read into the record. Consensus was to add noise control to the list. Member Foley moved to accept the Goals and Objectives portion of the Environmental Advisory Board Policy Manual. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. Member Melkonian was thanked for all her hard work on researching, compiling, preparing and presenting the Policy Manual. B. Environmental Project Status - Tom Miller, Environmental Management Group Mr. Miller presented copies of a four page chart summarizing the department’s projects as presented to the City Commission in June, 1995, as part of the Environmental Five Year Plan. As he read each project name, he explained a little of the history and where each project stands today. He detailed the status of 14 such projects related to Watershed Quality Planning and Studies, Water Quality Improvement Projects, and Habitat Restoration and Improvement. Mr. Miller responded to questions regarding various aspects of the different projects. Discussion ensued regarding treatment of stormwater runoff from Clearwater Mall and possible contamination of runoff from properties proposed to be obtained for the Downtown Lake project. Discussion ensued regarding how the State ranks sites with petroleum contaminated soil for cleanup and reimbursement. One member felt the City should look into treating stormwater runoff that drains into a creek flowing through Bayview Gardens. Mr. Miller explained unspecified minor habitat restoration projects come up occasionally and usually cost under $5,000. For these, he said the department provides funding for materials and the public provides labor for installation. Mr. Miller reported ongoing discussions with the Director of Parks and Recreation and FDOT regarding maintenance of certain State and County retention ponds. It was reported the Bayview Homeowners Association was interested in adopting and maintaining one of the ponds. The Board thanked Mr. Miller for his thorough and informative presentation. Staff was commended for the amount of work being done and the amount of funding obtained from outside sources. C. Permanent Alteration of Coastal Wetlands - Continued to December 20, 1995 Board and Staff Discussion Member Foley expressed concern with major bridge projects being designed without stormwater treatment staging areas. He referred specifically to the Sand Key Bridge project, stating debris can wash off the bridge directly into the water. He requested future bridge projects be examined and required to have dropout holding ponds. He said he will prepare an agenda item with a recommendation to take to the City Commission. Member Stowell requested using Grande Bay Apartments as an example in the alteration of wetlands discussion at the next meeting. Concern was expressed it is too late for the EAB to be involved with specific details of that project. He also said he would like to invite Peter Clark of Tampa Bay Watch to address the Board regarding protection and restoration of Tampa Bay as a National Estuary, in conjunction with the wetlands discussion in December. Member Melkonian requested to agenda a report on the Conservation Element update and discussion of a status tracking system. Establish Agenda for December 20, 1995 1. Permanent Alteration of Coastal and Fresh Water Wetlands 2. Update on the Conservation Element of the Comprehensive Plan - Lou Hilton 3. Item Status Tracking System 4. Protection and Restoration of Tampa Bay as a National Estuary - Peter Clark, Tampa Bay Watch Adjournment The meeting adjourned at 5:55 p.m.