04/16/1997ENVIRONMENTAL ADVISORY BOARD
CITY OF CLEARWATER
April 16, 1997
Present:
Jill Melkonian
Whitney Gray
Anne Garris
Mike Foley
Alan Smith
David Rhame
Chair
Vice Chair
Board Member
Board Member
Board Member
Board Member
Leslie Dougall-Sides
Tom Miller, Assistant Director
Terry Finch
Gwen Legters
Assistant City Attorney
Engineering/Environmental
Environmental Program Supervisor
Board Reporter
Absent:
Allan Stowell
Board Member
The Chair called the meeting to order at 4:15 p.m. in City Hall, due to technical problems with projection equipment. To provide continuity, the items are listed in agenda order although
not necessarily discussed in that order.
City Correspondence
Mr. Miller highlighted the following correspondence: 1) a memo from Assistant City Attorney Dougall-Sides forwarding to the City Clerk the EAB recommendation, and the related Florida
Statute amendment, regarding clean indoor air; 2) Letters of appreciation to Dick Eckenrod of TBNEP, Martha Donald of the Dunedin Environmental Committee, Robert Brotherton of the City
of Dunedin; 3) a color map to update the FY 1993-1995 Surface Water Quality Monitoring Report; 4) a memo from Terry Finch to the City Engineering Department regarding review of Environmental
reports related to the Memorial Causeway Bridge; and 5) a memo from Tom Miller advising the City Clerk of EAB actions/comments for the Legislative Tracking Chart.
Mr. Miller said he was pleased with the outcome of the ceremony held at the Florida Aquarium regarding the Tampa Bay National Estuary Program.
Member Melkonian reported on her visit with Dunedin’s Environmental Committee and how it is set up differently from Clearwater’s EAB.
Member Melkonian asked for a volunteer to attend the City Commission meeting regarding the Memorial Causeway Bridge replacement.
Minutes Approval - February 19, 1997
Member Foley moved to approve the minutes as submitted in writing to each member by the Board Reporter. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously.
Confirm Agenda - Establish Consent and Regular Agenda Items
Regular Agenda
1. Old Business
a. Alligator Creek Watershed Management Plan -- Terry Finch
Mr. Miller provided a brief history and background, and introduced Ms. Finch and her participation in preparing the plan. Ms. Finch narrated a slide presentation regarding Comprehensive
Watershed Management including: 1) goals and objectives; 2) watershed history; and current function; 3) land uses; 4) photographs of the creek, development encroaching within the floodplain,
types of materials inappropriately used for retaining walls, and eroded condition of channels; and 5) recent improvements and channel maintenance projects. She outlined the Master Plan
Flood Control Improvements including locations and descriptions; artists renderings and photos of channel upgrades; wetlands restoration; sediment removal; and wastewater and stormwater
treatment ponds. She concluded the Management Plan will allow moving forward with capital projects in the basin within a reasonable time, and will act as a tool for identifying and
prioritizing projects and budgets. The entire budget is $25 million.
Ms. Finch responded to questions regarding, 1) protection from invasion of exotic species on City park properties; 2) the multiple objectives of habitat and wetlands improvement; and
3) how staff is looking into the issue of discouraging people from constructing homes in a 100-year flood zone. Discussion ensued regarding a project detail handout listing objectives,
priorities, weighting factors used in the budgeting process; and cost estimates. Ms. Finch explained the priorities are not set in stone, but could change based on public and City Commission
input. Mr. Miller said the plan establishes a roadmap of projects in the City that could be done as technology improves and conditions permit. The information obtained through the
watershed plan helps determine the factors involved in bridge replacement; water quality problems and flood protection problems. It is hoped eliminating flood problems will result in
reduced flood insurance rates for citizens.
Questions were raised regarding the flooding problems at Kapok Mobile Home Park. It was indicated evaluation of the project has confirmed that purchase of the park is essential to
completing the other flood control projects. Ms. Finch responded to questions regarding the weir design at Alligator Lake, stating modification of the weir is not proposed. She said
a flooding evaluation determined eliminating the weir would remove the recreational benefits the lake provides but would not eliminate flooding in the mobile home park. Ms. Finch responded
to questions regarding definitions of weir, retention pond and detention pond.
Ms. Finch reported a public meeting regarding the Alligator Creek Watershed Management Plan is scheduled for Thursday, April 24, at 6:30 p.m. at Countryside Library. Board members
thanked Ms. Finch for an excellent presentation.
b. City Comprehensive Plan Update -- Lou Hilton (continued to May 21, 1997)
2. New Business -- None
Establish Agenda for May 21, 1997
1. City Comprehensive Plan Update -- Lou Hilton
2. Wellington Apartments -- Allan Stowell
3. Street Tree Inventory
4. Reclaimed Water Status Report (correspondence)
5. Stormwater Reinspection Program (tentative)
Brief discussion ensued regarding whether the City Commission will decide on an alignment for the Memorial Causeway Bridge at tomorrow’s meeting.
Adjournment
The meeting adjourned at 5:15 p.m.
Chair
Environmental Advisory Board
Attest:
Board Reporter