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01/21/1998ENVIRONMENTAL ADVISORY BOARD CITY OF CLEARWATER January 21, 1998 Present: Whitney Gray Chair Jill Melkonian Board Member Anne Garris (arrived 4:05 p.m.) Board Member David Rhame Board Member Leslie Dougall-Sides Assistant City Attorney Tom Miller, Assistant Director Engineering/Environmental Gwen Legters Board Reporter Absent: Alan Smith Vice Chair The Chair called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m. in City Hall, followed by introduction of board members. 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 a memo from C-View representative Carrie Huntley reporting television coverage of advisory boards is being streamlined to facilitate production of programs having to do with the City Manager’s blueprint for the City’s future. Airing of three advisory boards, including EAB, will be discontinued in February, 1998, with other boards to follow later in the Spring. Board members protested this decision, expressing concern that the City’s emphasis is moving away from its environmental focus. Mr. Miller explained the need to balance staffing to meet the City’s short term needs and priorities. Discussion ensued regarding C-View ‘s procedures and staffing. Member Rhame moved for the Environmental Advisory Board to send a letter to the City Commission protesting elimination of EAB meetings from C-View’s schedule, copying the letter to the City Manager. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. Chair Whitney Gray will write the letter. Minutes Approval - December 17, 1997 Member Melkonian moved to approve the minutes as submitted in writing to each member by the Board Reporter. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. In response to a question, it was unknown whether the Bayview Mobile Home Park acquisition issue was addressed at the January 15 City Commission meeting. Commission Liaison Report Member David Rhame reported Commissioner Clark has invited EAB members to attend the special meeting regarding presentation of the City’s redevelopment concept. Public input will be accepted on the exciting new strategy, based on the premise that all areas of the City are interrelated and must be addressed comprehensively. The meeting will be Friday, January 23, in City Commission Chambers, from 9:00 a.m. to Noon. Regular Agenda 1. Old Business a. Clearwater Watershed Action Plan – Tom Miller Mr. Miller showed a slide presentation demonstrating a more environmentally friendly way to use land by means of: 1) implementing source & treatment controls; 2) maintaining monitoring to determine whether water quality goals are being met; 3) evaluating action plan performance to determine if changes are needed; and 4) economic monitoring. Staff from many departments are working together to bring the planning exercise into one cohesive unit and maintain momentum in trying to resolve water quality and habitat issues. He reviewed highlights of the action plan including current program status, new program development and implementation, management tools, and continuing activities, such as reporting and investigating illicit discharge complaints. He displayed a chart listing more than 200 issues where complaints have been reported. Flooding inside structures was identified as the top priority, however, funding does not currently exist to correct the problem. Staff is addressing the problem of how to fund a meaningful program to correct flooding problems before issues with lower priority are addressed. Board members praised the hard work and commitment that went into preparing the plan. Mr. Miller responded to questions regarding number of staff hours involved in preparation and implementation of the plan, how to address economic issues now that the problems have been put into context, and plans for reporting, correcting, and tracking future problems. Ms. Finch’s efforts to automate the process are reported in the next item, below. b. NPDES (National Pollution Discharge Elimination System) Permit – Terry Finch Ms. Finch gave an overview of the process, stating she is developing database systems to put together information to go into the annual report. The report takes into account all Public Works tasks to ensure all systems function properly. Documentation can be prepared to track pollution high risk areas, quantity of work performed, and citizen complaints. A geographic information system, or GIS, can tie in with the database to cross reference areas where other efforts are taking place to solve similar problems. Educational materials will be distributed to the public statewide. In response to questions, Ms. Finch said the process is consistent with the City’s comprehensive plan. Discussion ensued regarding which municipalities are members of the Pinellas County Cooperative. Staff feels the database system will be more economically sound and technically accurate if updated and produced with in-house support. c. EAB Regulatory Project Review Objectives Discussion ensued regarding EAB concerns that development projects on sensitive lands frequently come forward too late for board input and recommendations. Mr. Miller requested input regarding the board’s criteria for identifying which site plan development projects to bring forward for EAB review. Board members requested to be informed of any development associated with properties on the environmentally sensitive list, or on wetlands not on the list. Mr. Miller pointed out PD&E (Project Development & Engineering) staff only looks at public development, and is not in the loop to address private projects. Lengthy discussion ensued regarding how to establish a trigger mechanism to alert staff when projects with potential environmental impact need to come before the EAB. The board felt it is important to know where environmental loopholes exist in the code. Consensus was for staff to prepare a list of current projects for informational purposes. The Board can review the list to see how many of the projects might fall within their purview, and establish criteria regarding which issues to address. 2. New Business a. Potable Water Status – Daniel Cote, P.E., McKim & Creed and City Water Superintendent Tom Hackett Mr. Cote and Mr. Hackett provided an overview of the current study regarding potable water collection, reuse, supply, and distribution. A model City water pipe layout map was displayed and discussed at length to illustrate how 500 miles of interconnected pipe have grown through the years, and why models are used to determine the best approach when changes are needed. They discussed issues associated with water pressure, pumping in coastal areas, and the City’s dependence on its wells to satisfy 20% to 25% of City demand. As saltwater intrusion into wells increases, and chloride levels rise, it becomes increasingly difficult and more expensive to meet the City’s commitment to provide water. As a result, the City is considering phasing out the water supply business. In response to a question, it was indicated even if water treatment was subsidized, the City would still have to buy the majority of its water from another source. Presentation: "One City. One Future." -- City Manager Michael J. Roberto Board members were thrilled to welcome Mr. Roberto to the meeting. He distributed two booklets highlighting the framework of the “blueprint for Clearwater’s future,” based on the premise that all areas of the City are interrelated and must be addressed comprehensively. Because governments do not change directions easily, the City must choose and continue pursuit of a particular course long enough to achieve results, typically in three to five years. Public input will be accepted regarding five major areas: 1) Gulf-to-Bay Boulevard enhancements to solve perceptual issues and make a statement at the City’s entryway that will clearly define Clearwater’s character; 2) Downtown improvements to define the community, give people a reason to visit, and improve pedestrian orientation by creating a focus on downtown as the “east beach”, converting the existing 80% asphalt on the bluff to 80% green space, and doubling the size of Coachman Park; 3) Clearwater beach pedestrian area redesign to maximize the water view, provide a better transition between residential and commercial areas, and improve traffic flow across the causeway; 4) North Greenwood as the area most impacted by downtown changes, provides the best opportunities for positive changes; and 5) Land Development Code amendment, while the most important, is the most difficult area on which to focus public attention. The existing code was written while Clearwater was a development community, and must be rewritten to facilitate redevelopment. He will bring amendments forward for board feedback. Mr. Roberto reported roll-out of "One City. One Future." will be presented to the public during a special City Commission meeting Friday, in the form of a series of action items. The City Commission has asked for as much public input as possible. The action items will begin to move forward in 1998. He said the 14-page "One City. One Future." is the only document the City will produce. He looks forward to the process eagerly. He highlighted features of the new Clearwater magazine, to be mailed to every household quarterly. A question was raised regarding Mr. Roberto’s opinion of the Environmental Advisory Board and its function in the City. Mr. Roberto responded his first impression was that Clearwater has too many boards. He felt it is necessary to have one or two streamlined, specific, decision making boards to simplify and facilitate development. While he did not want to cut out all advisory input on how to achieve development, he emphasized the need for balance. He will return to address the board before any hard decisions are made. At 6:00 p.m., Member Garris moved to extend the meeting 15 minutes. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. In response to a question, Mr. Roberto said he would be very interested in seeing a history of what the EAB has accomplished in the past eight to ten years. Ms. Garris was volunteered to prepare the list. Mr. Roberto said he is trying to put together a list of what is mandated by law for each board. One member questioned Mr. Roberto’s opinion of the value of protecting the environment during the development process. Mr. Roberto responded "One City. One Future." is dedicated to our families, our foundation, and our future. Commercial development, recreation, and the environment all play a part in the quality of life. Environment is critically important, and the main reason people come to Florida, but there needs to be something to do once you get here. He is committed to exchanging the existing 80% pavement for 80% green space on the bluff, removing pavement along waterways and creating parking garages to establish a more pedestrian focus. While he believed downtown revitalization must be market driven, he felt it should be done without City dollars. He emphasized municipalities must be careful not to get too far beyond their role – to bounce basketballs, catch bad guys and pick up trash. One member questioned Mr. Roberto’s agenda regarding Bayview Mobile Home Park. He was aware of a variety of interest in the site, and the value of the tree canopy for a passive park, but did not think such a park would be a destination point. The City has asked the seller to put the asking price in writing, to determine if there is an interest in selling. He asserted the City absolutely will not pursue the issue if the property is grossly overpriced, because grant funding cannot be pursued without a realistic price. He highlighted staff’s current activities in relation to the site. Establish Agenda for February, 1998 1. Discussion whether to bring forward citizen research regarding potable water sources 2. Update on Bayview Mobile Home Park, if available 3. Update on Bayshore Townhouse development, if available Adjournment The meeting adjourned at 6:16 p.m.