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12/17/1997ENVIRONMENTAL ADVISORY BOARD CITY OF CLEARWATER December 17, 1997 Present: Whitney Gray Chair Alan Smith Vice Chair Jill Melkonian Board Member Anne Garris Board Member David Rhame Board Member Leslie Dougall-Sides Assistant City Attorney Tom Miller, Assistant Director Engineering/PDE Mike Quillen, Assistant Director Engineering/Production Dan Mayer Civil Engineer II Gwen Legters Board Reporter 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. Confirm Agenda - Establish Consent and Regular Agenda Items City Correspondence The board received copies and discussed correspondence regarding a) Public Works Administration reorganization plan and task redistribution; b) Environmental Management Projects Summary; c) Ordinance 6212-97 reducing the EAB quorum requirement from four to three members; d) Beach Views article by City Manager Roberto regarding ideas for City improvements; Discussion ensued regarding qualifications of staff members to fill their new positions in Public Works Administration. Concern was expressed that recent publicity regarding improvements to the City’s appearance and economic value do not address environmental issues. Board members stressed the need for City Manager Roberto to attend an EAB meeting to address what will be done to ensure continued improvements to water quality and natural resources. Commission Liaison Report – David Rhame Member Rhame reported Commissioner Bob Clark has informed the Commission of the EAB/Commission liaison appointment. Mr. Rhame expected more Commission discussion later this month. Minutes Approval - November 19, 1997 Page 1 was corrected to indicate Alan Smith, not David Rhame, had been elected as Vice Chair for 1998. Item E on page 4 was corrected to reflect the December 17, 1997 meeting date. Member Melkonian moved to approve the minutes as corrected. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. Citizens Agenda Anne Garris reported the Convention Visitors Bureau has given $96,000 to the Clearwater Marine Science Center for a week-long ecotourism pilot program of marine science adventures aimed toward tourists. The program will be advertised in Sierra Club, Audubon Society, and other publications appealing to those with ecotourism interests. Consent Agenda - None Regular Agenda 1. Old Business a. Bayview Mobile Home Park - Status Update - Ream Wilson Mr. Miller introduced Parks and Recreation Director, Ream Wilson, stating Mr. Wilson has been critical to the process of trying to bring this property into the City. Mr. Wilson related this history of the City’s attempts to acquire the land, stating the asking price of $1.6 million was felt to be high for a 4 acre parcel in this location. A 50% grant is being pursued through the Florida Communities Trust, a State agency with monies to preserve lands. He listed the benefits of acquiring the property. While the item could be postponed, staff hopes to agenda the issue before the City Commission’s on January 15. Mr. Wilson responded to questions regarding current zoning and cost per square foot. In response to a question, it was not known whether the owner intends to pursue rezoning to a commercial classification to increase the property’s value. One member felt the City might look at the property more carefully if more interest was expressed from other parts of the City. The board thanked Mr. Wilson, praising his work for the past 30 years, and wished him a happy retirement. b. Update Site Plan Review Process - Mike Quillen Last month a citizen had addressed the board, expressing concerns regarding deficiencies in the site plan for the Bayshore Townhouses project off North McMullen Booth Road. Referring to a flow chart detailing the site plan review process, Mr. Quillen shared information regarding the process, using the above project as an example. In response to questions, discussion ensued regarding at what point the EAB could become involved in the review process to avoid some of the complications experienced by such a project. It was indicated the EAB currently acts in an advisory capacity to the City. While the board could have more direct involvement if advisory board realignment takes place, site plan review is currently an issue for staff to address. One member suggested listing areas that are not being protected, and questioned how far staff can go to ensure protection for the environment. Discussion ensued regarding factors involved in a planned development such as the above example. Ms. Dougall-Sides noted the code’s first objective is to preserve environmental areas and topographical features. In order to receive approval, the applicant should show how a comprehensively planned approach is desirable to the City. Consensus was to schedule a presentation regarding the Bayshore Townhouses project in January. c. Reclaimed Water Master Plan – Street Lee, McKim & Creed Mr. Miller introduced Street Lee, The City’s consultant working on the reclaimed water program, stating Mr. Lee was instrumental in help the City develop SWFWMD Pinellas-Anclote River basin funding and has outlined a preliminary strategy for the future potable water issue. Mr. Lee spoke about the City’s application for cooperative funding, existing and required infrastructure, and anticipated costs of bringing reclaimed water to Island Estates and southern Clearwater beach. Referring to maps, he pointed out areas of heaviest reclaimed water demand and areas where development of reclaimed water systems is needed, based on the large availability of water for reclaiming. He is developing a recommendation to the City regarding Pinellas County’s request for water from the City’s Northeast plant. General discussion ensued regarding the issue. Mr. Miller said the revised reclaimed water master plan draft will be ready soon, and he will bring it to the board when it is available. d. North Greenwood Stormwater Retrofit Project - Dan Mayer Civil Engineer II, Dan Mayer updated the board regarding the stormwater project since his former presentation focusing on the Stevenson Creek retrofit project. He stated the City can no longer afford to purchase expensive properties for use as ponds. Two different types of stormwater cleaning processes and the benefits of each were presented to the Pinellas-Anclote River Basin Board. He noted the cleaning systems are not cure-all’s because they do not remove the finest grains where the most toxic pollutants are found. Questions were raised regarding whether maintenance costs were factored into the cost effectiveness of each system, and whether the costs are in line with what is currently spent to maintain ponds. Mr. Mayer responded comparative costs will be documented during the next 18 months. He said the area residents are aware of the project and support trying to improve their community, noting their major concern is odor and debris from Stevenson Creek. Costs of periodic dredging were discussed, and one member noted flood insurance prices are affected by how clean we keep our stormwater drainage systems. Discussion ensued regarding the effectiveness of the two different types of systems, and disposal of sediments. It was indicated DEP has found sediment collected from street sweeping and creek dredging to be non-toxic and suitable for disposal in lined landfills. Mr. Miller compared the process to toxic hot spots sometimes found in Tampa Bay, where sediment disposal must handled carefully. d. Tampa Bay National Estuary / Clearwater Five-Year Plan - Tom Miller The board received a copy of Resolution 97-59 adopting and authorizing submission of the Tampa Bay National Estuary Program (TBNEP) Interlocal Agreement and City Five-Year Action Plan. He acknowledged the hard work by the EAB, and Assistant City Attorney Dougall-Sides, highlighting the City’s efforts since 1991 to assist with developing a plan to characterize the difficulties associated with Tampa Bay and addressing the issues through a comprehensive planning process. He related the history, purpose, implementation of the comprehensive management plan for Tampa Bay adopted by the TBNEP in April, 1997. He was pleased with the accomplishments and looks forward to continuing the partnership among the EPA, TBNEP, and the City. The City must prepare an action plan within 30 days. Discussion ensued regarding Exhibit B-1 of the resolution, noting the tons of nitrogen the City is committed to removing from effluent, listed according to number of pounds by project. Ms. Dougall-Sides credited Mr. Miller for his role in expediting the agreement provisions. Member Garris moved to send a letter to the City Commission congratulating the City on its foresight in being the first local government to adopt a Tampa Bay National Estuary Program (TBNEP) Interlocal Agreement and City Five-Year Action Plan. The Environmental Advisory Board commended Engineering/Project Development and Environmental Assistant Director Tom Miller, Assistant City Attorney Leslie Dougall-Sides, and members of the Public Works Administration, for their roles in putting the plan together, and thanked the City Commission for its support. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. Chair Gray will write the letter. 2. New Business - None Ms. Gray requested the board to prepare their comments and suggestions to the City Manager. Ms. Garris questioned the board’s interest in receiving an article by a citizen regarding general availability of water in the area and presenting some revolutionary ideas for water sources. Consensus of the board was to receive the article for information, review, research, and possible scheduling on a future agenda. Establish January 1998 Agenda 1. Scheduling the City Manager, if available, to hear board comments and suggestions 2. Presentation regarding Bayshore Townhouses 3. Reclaimed Water Master Plan, if available 4. Watershed Action Plan Adjournment The meeting adjourned at 5:48 p.m.