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01/15/1997ENVIRONMENTAL ADVISORY BOARD CITY OF CLEARWATER January 15, 1997 Present: Jill Melkonian Whitney Gray Anne Garris Allan Stowell David Rhame Chair Vice Chair Board Member Board Member Board Member   Rich Baier Leslie Dougall-Sides Tom Miller, Assistant Director Dan Mayer Mike Quillen Gwen Legters Engineering Director Assistant City Attorney Engineering/Environmental Research Environmentalist Water Resource Engineer Board Reporter  Absent: Mike Foley Alan Smith Board Member Board Member   The Chair called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m. in Municipal Services Building, Engineering Conference Room. To provide continuity, the items are listed in agenda order although not necessarily discussed in that order. Confirm Agenda City Correspondence Mr. Miller highlighted correspondence regarding: 1) board minutes preparation; 2) City Manager request and staff response regarding board orientation materials; 3) EAB memo to the City Commission recommending change to Conservation Element Policy Number 22.2.9; 4) handout of the modified Xeriscape Ordinance from Mike Quillen; and 5) handouts regarding the Land Development Code revision process, schedule and steering committee members. Mr. Quillen presented copies of the Landscaping and Tree Protection code as revised since endorsement by the EAB. The revisions were made to bring the ordinance into conformance with the new Land Development Code format. Staff noted members’ suggestions for clarification. Member Garris moved to approve the Landscaping and Tree Protection section of the Land Development Code, regarding xeriscape and landscaping, as amended. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. Minutes Approval - December 18, 1996 Chair Melkonian requested a change on page 2, last paragraph. The second sentence was amended, “…the board does not have authority to authorize or regulate (mangrove) trimming in this preservation area, due to State legislation. Member Gray moved to approve the minutes as amended. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. D1. Old Business a. Memorial Causeway Bridge Status Update -- Rich Baier Mr. Baier displayed aerial photographs of the bluff overlooking Clearwater Harbor, showing existing conditions and as superimposed with various conceptual alternatives for bridge alignment. He said it is time to make a decision which alternative will be used. Discussion ensued regarding definition of the bluff; tentative plans for the existing Memorial Causeway bridge, and channel location. Discussion ensued regarding the eligibility and the process for historic preservation mitigation of nearby Haven House due to the presence of Indian artifacts. Mr. Baier distributed and explained handouts comparing the various alternatives and their relative impacts to the bluff, vehicular and pedestrian traffic, parking, downtown economy, environment, aesthetics, view and vista, and residential and commercial properties. He highlighted reactions of citizens and Local Interest Groups (LIG’s) to the bridge concept and alternative alignments. In response to questions, Mr. Baier said the fixed span bridge will be 74 feet high because a survey showed 8 to 12 boats with greater than 65foot clearance currently require bridge opening each day. Discussion ensued regarding the most desirable of the proposed alignments. Mr. Baier said staff recommends alignment P4S as the primary alignment, and P4A as an alternative. Discussion ensued regarding the potential effects on the property values of the properties overlooking, or potentially overlooking the new bridge. Mr. Baier explained various funding scenarios and whether or not each requires the use of City funds. He acknowledged many people are in a quandary about the bridge replacement issue, but explained the bridge is functionally obsolete and replacement will become mandatory within the next 10 to 15 years. He felt the City should be ready ahead of that time. The City is looking to design the best alignment possible, while trying to make the new bridge look good, and redeveloping the surrounding area with landscaping and aesthetic enhancements. He hoped the completed project will become the crown jewel of the City. Board consensus was to support selection of alternative P4S, to maximizing green and open space on the waterfront. Member Garris moved to endorse staff’s decision to use potential urban design Alternative P4S as the best route; the EAB especially likes the amount of green area, walkways, pedestrian use and protection of the bluff which this design provides for the Memorial Causeway Bridge. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. The board did not support alternative P4A as a second choice. Board members added a note to the above endorsement, indicating to the City Commission the EAB considers Alternative P4S vastly superior to any other alternative, and wishes to review any other alternative for potential environmental impacts before a decision is made. It was agreed wordsmithing the previous motion was necessary to clarify the board’s endorsement. Member Rhame moved to rescind Member Garris’ motion to endorse Alternative P4S. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. Member Gray moved to endorse potential urban design Alternative P4S as the only desirable alternative for rebuilding the Memorial Causeway Bridge, especially taking into consideration the amount of green area, walkways, pedestrian use and protection of the bluff which this design provides. The EAB considers Alternative P4S vastly superior to any other alternative. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. Staff was requested to forward the EAB’s recommendation to the City Manager and City Commission as soon as possible. Member Garris requested authorization to report the board’s decision to the press. Member Rhame moved to allow member Garris to write to the press on behalf of the EAB. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. Consensus was to allow Chair Melkonian to address the Commission on behalf of the EAB at the February 6 City Commission meeting. A question was raised regarding the noise impact of the new bridge on the residents of Pierce 100 condominiums. Discussion ensued regarding the decibel level comparison provided in the engineering matrix. Suggestions were offered how noise could be alleviated. Mr. Miller suggested the board rely on staff to address these design issues. Vice Chair Gray noted noise concerns are not within EAB jurisdiction. b. Water Quality Report -- Tom Miller Mr. Miller referred to the condensed version of the report received by the board and highlighted the magnitude of information collected in water quality work. He introduced Dan Mayer, Research Environmentalist, who was instrumental in pressing the consultant for answers used in preparation of the final report. In response to a question, Mr. Miller said the cost averaged $140,000 per year for three years. The final statistical analysis report cost $43,000. He explained background of the water quality program, and stated the result is one of the best water quality data sets in the County, comparable to some of the better programs in the State. Mr. Miller narrated an overhead projection presentation detailing the phased implementation of the water quality and quantity improvement program. He profiled the watershed management action plan, overall water quality conditions, and priority water quality issues, and ongoing water quality improvement initiatives. He responded to questions regarding the coliform issue, stating the EPA is helping evaluate the data. General discussion ensued regarding water quality data standards, collection methods, and types of laboratory analyses. The board praised Mr. Miller for a wonderful presentation, stating it was very clear and understandable. Member Stowell moved to endorse the City-Wide Water Quality Report wholeheartedly; compliment staff’s hard work and the clarity of the presentation; and recognize City Environmental staff for upholding the Clearwater tradition to continue leading the way in addressing environmental issues. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. Member Gray moved to continue Old Business items c. and e to the next meeting, in the interest of time. The motion was duly seconded. It was indicated portions of both items will go before the City Commission before the next meeting. Member Gray withdrew the motion to continue and moved to extend today’s meeting 15 minutes. The seconder concurred. c. North Greenwood Community Task Team Mr. Miller reported Mr. Mayer is the project manager for the environmental segment of the North Greenwood Community Task Team Action Plan. Mr. Mayer will outline and set up a timetable for the environmental initiatives. At the next meeting, he will explain some of the complicated factors involved in implementation. Mr. Mayer noted obtaining permission for instituting the community-wide Brazilian Pepper removal program has a January 15 deadline. Member Garris moved to endorse removal of Brazilian Peppers along Stephenson’s Creek, in conjunction with the North Greenwood Community Action Plan, as this is an exotic that has negative impact on the environment. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. d. Tree Protection Ordinance -- Mike Quillen Mr. Quillen said the draft amendment streamlines and clarifies ordinance language, and simplifies certain calculations. Board members were pleased to note the draft incorporates the EAB recommendation to use tree bank monies for upland habitat purchases. Mr. Quillen said the draft includes all the positive aspects of the model tree ordinance recommended by the ISA (International Society of Arboriculture) and Forestry Council. He said Urban Forester Alan Mayberry endorses the draft ordinance, as well. Mr. Miller noted the State has praised the City’s tree protection ordinance and the ISA is promoting it statewide as a model ordinance. In response to questions, Mr. Miller believed Central Permitting staff would support the ordinance draft as submitted during the Land Development Code revision process. He indicated his desire for board endorsement. Member Gray left the meeting at 6:05 p.m. Member Rhame moved to endorse the Land Development Code tree protection ordinance draft, as amended. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. e. Board Suggestions for Land Development Code Changes -- continued to February 19 f. TBNEP Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan -- continued to February 19 2. New Business -- None Board Comments Ms. Melkonian praised Mr. Miller for the comprehensive background packets he prepares and provides to the board. Mr. Stowell said he will report his findings at the next meeting regarding the polluted appearance of retention ponds where the Bayside Bridge crosses SR 60. Member Melkonian distributed a handout regarding the Land Development Code revision process, containing the process, overall schedule, the involved parties, and minutes from the November 22, 1996 advisory board focus group meeting. She looked forward to reporting on her experience with the focus group at the next EAB meeting. Member Stowell requested an agenda item endorsing the banning of vending machine cigarette sales and distribution of free cigarette samples on the beach, and restricting smoking near entrances of public buildings. He requested staff to locate and provide the document regarding the City’s position on where smoking is and is not permitted. Member Garris moved to agenda this topic as an item for the February meeting. Concerns were expressed that cigarette smoking as a public health issue is not within the EAB or Environmental staff’s authority. Members Melkonian and Rhame did not support this as an agenda item and Member Garris withdrew the motion. Mr. Miller encouraged board members who wish to pursue this issue to do so individually. Member Stowell moved to place cigarette smoke pollution on the agenda for the next meeting. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. Establish Agenda for February 19, 1997 1. Board Suggestions for Land Development Code Changes 2. TBNEP Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan -- Dick Eckenrod 3. Advisory Board Focus Group Report -- Jill Melkonian 4. Penny for Pinellas List of anticipated projects 5. Cigarette smoke pollution Adjournment The meeting adjourned at 6:20 p.m.