03/20/1996ENVIRONMENTAL ADVISORY BOARD
CITY OF CLEARWATER
March 20, 1996
Present:
Whitney Gray
Mike Foley
Anne Garris
Lisa Lanza
Alan Smith (4:05--5:45 p.m.)
Allan Stowell
Vice Chair
Board Member
Board Member
Board Member
Board Member
Board Member
Leslie Dougall-Sides
Tom Miller
Gwen Legters
Assistant City Attorney
Asst. Director of Engineering/Environmental
Board Reporter
Absent:
Jill Melkonian
Chair
To provide continuity, the items are listed in agenda order although not necessarily discussed in that order.
The Vice Chair called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m. in City Hall.
Minutes Approval - February 21, 1996
Member Lanza provided clarification regarding her statement on page 4, paragraph 1. She said her intent was to report that Pinellas County had received delegation authority for mangrove
regulation and to request Mr. Miller to provide additional information.
Member Stowell moved to approve the minutes as corrected. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously.
Correspondence
1. Memorial Causeway Bridge Project Development & Environmental (PD&E) Study
City Engineer Rich Baier invited consultants from HDR Engineering to give a prospective project overview. Larry Weatherby, Project Manager, and Barry Wharton, Environmental Scientist,
presented display boards, slides and handouts. Mr. Weatherby detailed the various alternatives considered to reduce traffic delays and costs associated with frequent opening of the
existing bascule bridge. Several four-lane bridge alternatives were discussed in terms of location, profile, cost estimates, traffic, environmental, and noise impacts. He explained
the current PD&E study begins where the previous feasibility study ended. Mr. Wharton highlighted wildlife, habitat, water quality, visual, historic and archaeological impacts. He
touched on required permits, contamination and pollution mitigation. Mr. Weatherby listed a schedule of local interest group meetings, and right-of-way acquisition efforts.
Discussion ensued regarding the various routes and configuration alternatives. It was noted the Cleveland Street alternative offers the fewest adverse community impacts, but does not
afford the best traffic flow. In response to a concern, Mr. Weatherby confirmed the current study does not address water drainage or stormwater runoff from the bridge and causeway.
He said SWFWMD requirements have not been determined. He will ask his drainage
engineers to investigate and report whether or not any significant impacts exist.
Mr. Miller will agenda an update on this issue for a future meeting. He distributed copies of a March 1 letter from Mr. Baier to the Pinellas County MPO providing information about
formation of a Local Interest Group (LIG) ad hoc committee and listing the local groups invited to participate. Mr. Miller encouraged board members to attend the first LIG meeting on
March 28 at the Harborview Center.
2. Allen’s Creek Sewer Service Project
A letter from the Pinellas County Utilities director listed ten items to be defined in the draft agreement regarding installation of sewer collection systems and facilities in the Allen’s
Creek area. Mr. Miller said the list is consistent with the City’s desires. In response to questions, Mr. Miller said Allen’s Creek residents would not be required to annex into the
City because Pinellas County provide all the infrastructure. The City would provide treatment service for a fee to be determined. The City will meet with Pinellas County during the
next few months to finalize an agreement.
3. Clearwater Harbor Symposium -- Registration Form
Mr. Miller said members are invited to attend the symposium on April 11, 1996, at the Harborview Center. He noted registration costs $10 and forms are available in his office.
4. “Thank You” Letters -- Follow-up
Mr. Miller stated his office has complied with the Board’s request to write thank-you letters to speakers. In response to a question, Mr. Miller said future letters will be written
on Environmental Advisory Board stationery.
5. Tampa Bay National Estuary Program -- Town Meeting Notice
Mr. Miller reported the board is invited to attend A Community Blueprint for Bay Restoration presentation tonight at the Harborview Center.
Confirm Agenda - Establish Consent and Regular Agenda Items
Citizens’ Agenda -- None
Consent Agenda
Brazilian Pepper Plant Removal at Cooper’s Point
Del Oro Storm Replacement - Phases 2 & 3
Agreement with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) for Funding Coopers Point Ecosystem Restoration and Management
Member Foley moved to approve the Consent Agenda. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously.
Regular Agenda
Old Business
1. Allen’s Creek Watershed Rehabilitation Project at Hercules Avenue (Maple Swamp) -- Terry Finch, City Environmental Program Supervisor
On April 6, 1995, the City Commission approved a cooperative agreement between SWFWMD, Pinellas County and the City of Clearwater for design and implementation of a watershed rehabilitation
project. Objectives were detailed and proposals were solicited for consulting engineering services from Camp Dresser & McKee, Inc., Tampa Bay Engineering, Inc., Coastal Environmental,
Inc., and Griener, Inc.
Ms. Finch gave a slide presentation of existing conditions in the area. Referring to drawings from two of the engineering firms from their project design proposals, she demonstrated
the high level of detail shown when consultants submit proposals. Staff felt the design proposal by Tampa Bay Engineering best meets the intent for the project.
Member Foley moved to recommend that the City Commission award a contract to Tampa Bay Engineering, Inc., of Clearwater, for professional engineering services for the design of a watershed
rehabilitation project at Hercules Avenue in an amount not to exceed $200,000. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously.
New Business
1. Landmark Drive Extension, Lake Chautauqua, and Camp Soule
Presentation -- Assistant City Manager Bill Baker
Mr. Baker displayed a map of the area. He discussed brief background and history of each item and how the three issues interrelate. Details of property acquisition, acreage and land
value, wildlife species and bacterial pollution in the lake were discussed. He explained the State’s involvement in the purchase of the parcel east of Lake Chautauqua, and the Camp
Soule property. It was indicated a group of interested private citizens have obtained approval to receive half the funds from the State to purchase the Camp Soule property under the
Preservation 2000 program through the Florida Legislature.
Discussion ensued regarding park development proposals and vehicular access options. Mr. Baker stated the Boy Scouts want controlled group usage on the Camp Soule acreage, while the
City is proposing a passive park, open to the public at random, for the Lake Chautauqua acreage. He indicated discussion of extending Landmark Drive occurred, in part, because Lake
Chautauqua Park has such limited public vehicular access. A suggestion was made to combine the two tracts for the type of controlled group usage suggested by the Scouts, under the authority
of the City. If the two tracts were merged, it was pointed out vehicular access to Lake Chautauqua Park could be extended from the south through the present Camp Soule area. It was
not known if, under that scenario, Landmark Drive would still need to be opened to meet traffic flow requirements. One member encouraged the City to find a way to eliminate opening
Landmark Drive. Mr. Baker will check with Traffic Engineering.
Discussion ensued regarding restoration of lake water quality to enable swimming and whether the existing bacterial pollution came from septic tanks or typical urban runoff. Mr. Baker
said efforts are underway to determine the causes. He felt mitigation should be a joint effort with the surrounding property owners. In response to a question, he said the City offered
to provide sewer service without annexation, but the County did not want to put in the sewer lines. Mr. Baker left the meeting and board discussion continued.
Member Garris moved to recommend that the City Commission actively pursue providing funds to augment the private funds being collected, if necessary, to help ensure the Camp Soule property
is purchased. The motion was duly seconded.
A concern was expressed that revenue from impact fees should not be used toward the purchase, if the City Commission decides to pursue this recommendation.
Upon the vote being taken, the motion carried unanimously.
Member Lanza made and later withdrew a motion encouraging the City Commission to consider merging the Camp Soule property with the Lake Chautauqua passive park for future use as one
piece of property, using the vehicular access through Camp Soule. Mr. Miller expressed concern that adding another factor to the property acquisition process could delay or even upset
previous negotiations. He stated this issue could be discussed easily at a later date. Consensus of the board was to agenda this topic for a later meeting.
2. Reclaimed Water -- Street Lee, McKim & Creed
Mr. Lee gave a slide presentation and overview of the development of a system to provide reclaimed water for irrigation by fiscal year 2001. He detailed the proposed transmission and
distribution system construction from the Marshall Street plant to Island Estates. He explained how a low pressure reclaimed system at the Northeast plant will be converted to high
pressure to supply Eagles Landing, adding 600 residential connections and backflow prevention devices.
Mr. Lee responded to questions, stating no design changes are planned for the Marshall Street plant, and the reclaimed system will have no more noise or odor impact than a potable water
system. He said they are saving money by using existing piping across the Intercoastal Waterway. He briefly explained the cost estimates for the first stages of pumping and distribution.
He discussed initial and future projections for the amount of reclaimed water to be supplied. Mr. Lee said conversion of the Clearwater East plant to a high pressure distribution system
for reclaimed water is not being addressed at this time. A concern was expressed that piping to meet future needs should be installed during road widening projects. Mr. Lee agreed
Master Plan requirements and updates need to be coordinated with projects of this nature.
A concern was expressed regarding the citizen survey method of determining whether or not residents want reclaimed water in their neighborhoods. He said Clearwater beach was unable
to generate the number of signatures required to be included in the first phase of the project. Infrastructure to extend the system from Island Estates to Clearwater beach will be designed
when the demand increases. The monthly rate structure for residents was estimated between $17.00 and $24.00. Some members supported a city-wide system of reclaimed water distribution.
Others expressed concern many residents are xeriscaping and are not interested in paying a monthly fee for a service they will not use. Mr. Lee responded reclaimed water will be provided
in response to demand. Mr. Miller said neighborhoods and homeowner associations are welcome to do petition drives and communicate their interest to the City. He said this type of information
is included in the City’s evaluation processes.
Member Smith left the meeting at 5:45 p.m.
Questions were raised regarding how this proposal effects the Pasco Rainbow proposal to
send water to the Eldridge well field. Mr. Miller stated staff has offered to review that concept when it comes forward.
Member Stowell moved to recommend that the City include a questionnaire in the water bills to determine the level of public interest in having reclaimed water for private or commercial
use. The motion was duly seconded.
Discussion ensued regarding the motion. Mr. Miller and Mr. Lee pointed out it is not cost effective to collect data from individuals in this manner. While a utility bill stuffer is
not expensive, Mr. Miller explained, the time and cost of synthesizing the data to identify the percentage of interest within specific areas can be significant. Member Foley requested
the motion be withdrawn because he felt an extensive public survey is premature. Member Stowell declined to withdraw the motion.
Upon the vote being taken, Members Garris, Lanza, and Stowell voted "Aye"; Members Gray and Foley voted "Nay." Mr. Smith was not present. Motion carried.
Mr. Miller requested clarification of the board’s direction. It was indicated the motion was only to recommend that the City Commission direct staff to include a questionnaire in utility
bills. It was noted the effort to compile the data would likely exceed eight hours of staff or consultant time. The majority agreed with this clarification.
3. Water Quality Assessment of Clearwater Harbor
Terry Finch gave an overview of the three year project to establish baseline water quality data for Clearwater harbor. Sixteen monitoring stations are to be designated between Dunedin
and Belleair. Objectives and cost projections were discussed. Staff recommended awarding the contract to Post, Buckley, Schuh & Jernigan, Inc.
Member Foley moved to recommend that the City Commission award a contract to Post, Buckley, Schuh & Jernigan, Inc., to implement the Three Year Monitoring Plan for Clearwater Harbor,
at a cost of $193,335. The motion was duly seconded.
In response to questions, Ms. Finch stated these recommendations do not duplicate studies being conducted at Pinellas County’s monitoring stations. Discussion ensued regarding uniform
standard methods of collecting data. Ms. Finch indicated a standard protocol will be used to determine station coordinates. A question was raised regarding why Pinellas County is not
conducting this study. Ms. Finch responded the City Commission asked staff to investigate because the two or three stations monitored by the County are not sufficient to establish data
for the entire harbor. A question was raised if the water quality data is still available from the study to open Dunedin Pass. Ms. Finch responded that data was spotty and the perception
remains that Clearwater Harbor may be at risk from uplands runoff. Mr. Miller said there have been situations where the City was denied permits because of water quality problems in
portions of Clearwater Harbor. The board strongly encouraged establishment of a baseline at this time.
Upon the vote being taken, the motion carried unanimously.
F. Establish Agenda for April 17, 1996
Stephenson’s Creek Update
Mangrove Legislation
Annual Report to the City Commission
Xeriscape Ordinance
Lake Chautauqua passive park update
Pasco Rainbow Project
Edgewater Drive
Member Gray expressed concern the meetings have been running long and requested limiting future agenda to four items. Others felt the board should move forward with the entire list.
Member Foley questioned if staff has heard reports of a recent lift station failure near Douglas Street. Mr. Miller was not aware of any failures. He will investigate and report.
It was indicated board feedback on Charting the Course is due in May. Mr. Foley said he will attend the Tampa Bay National Estuary’s program tonight and report next month.
Member Foley reported the public meeting regarding Allen’s Creek had a lot of positive activity and involvement from the public and school children.
F. Adjournment
The meeting adjourned at 6:13 p.m.
Chair
Environmental Advisory Board
Attest:
Board Reporter