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09/20/2000ENVIRONMENTAL ADVISORY BOARD CITY OF CLEARWATER September 20, 2000 Present: Freda Drake Chair David Rhame Board Member Alan Smith Vice Chair Allan Stowell Board Member Absent: Dennis Kelenberger Board Member Also Present: Brian Barker Engineer II Leslie Dougall-Sides Assistant City Attorney Tom Miller Assistant Director of Engineering/PD&E Elliot Shoberg Engineer II Michele Smith Staff Assistant II To provide continuity for research, items are in agenda order although not necessarily discussed in that order. Unless otherwise noted, no action was taken regarding items. I Administration The Chair called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m. ITEM #A1 Approval of Minutes – August 16, 2000 Chair Drake moved to approve the minutes of August 16, 2000 as submitted. Member Rhame duly seconded the motion. ACTION: Approved. Carried unanimously. ITEM #B1 Establish Agenda – September 20, 2000 Agenda was amended to show the following: Stormwater Utility Budget – Tabled until October meeting Connolly Property – Tabled until October meeting Gulf to Bay Power Lines – Added as Item #F1iv. Fecal Coliforms Presentation – Added as Item #F2i. Potable Water Sources Presentation – Added as Item #F2ii. Interim City Manager Bill Horne introduced himself to the board and spoke briefly. He highlighted his commitment to moving forward with capital improvement projects and invited members to contact him with any feedback regarding environmental issues. Member Stowell expressed interest in having the meetings televised again and Mr. Horne said he would investigate the possibility. Mr. Horne also stated he would come to board meetings as he is invited provided his schedule allows. II Member Liaison Reports ITEM #C1 – Commission Liaison Report – Chair Drake had no new concerns regarding the City Commission. She did ask members to consider creating specific standards for distinctive development plans, such as downtown development, and requested all members to bring ideas to the October meeting. ITEM#C2 – Stevenson Creek Liaison Report – Member Rhame explained that the project is moving along satisfactorily. He asked staff to provide a more detailed update. Staff noted that a model is being put together to show existing conditions. Staff also stated that recent storm events have garnered data measurements. Water quality samples have also been collected. ITEM #C3 – LDC/Comp Plan Report – Member Stowell informed the Board that the Commission passed the second reading of Ordinance #659-750 but that it contained no environmental issues. III City Correspondence ITEM #D1– Pennies for Pinellas Press Release – City Clerk’s department was asked to notify the Commission of the changes requested by the board. It was noted that many of the projects on the original list were removed due to lack of public support. ITEM #D2 – College Hill Estates Public Meeting – Board was informed of public meeting being held October 4, 2000 from 6:00 to 8:00 PM at Coachman Fundamental Middle School. This meeting is being held to discuss drainage and sinkhole issues. IV Monthly Site Plan Assessment Review Summary ITEM #D - Monthly Site Plan Assessment Review Summary – Summaries are provided for September. No properties meet the Board’s criteria for discussion. V Old Business ITEM #F1i – July 15 Storm Summary – (Brian Barker, Presenter) Mr. Barker provided members with a copy of the “White Paper” report for this storm event. He went on to explain new City policies regarding flooding and how complaints are handled. He stated that this report was sent to the Interim City Manager to stress the importance of dollars to improve infrastructure. Item #F1ii – Stormwater Utility Budget – (Tom Miller, Presenter) This item was tabled until the October meeting. Item #Fiii – Connolly Property – (Tom Miller, Presenter) This item was tabled until the November meeting. Item #Fiv – Gulf to Bay Telephone Lines – (Member Rhame, Presenter) Member Rhame noted that burying these lines would help eliminate some visual clutter along the City’s main corridor. He asked that members look at lines and consider options to be discussed at October meeting. VI New Business: ITEM #F2i – Fecal Coliform Testing – (Jody Harwood, Presenter) Dr. Harwood, of the University of South Florida Biology Department, presented a brief overview of new technology being used to test for fecal coliforms and its effect on water quality. This testing is currently being done in the City of Clearwater on the Stevenson’s Creek Project. ITEM #E2ii – Potable Water Sources – (Kevin Becotte, Presenter) Mr. Becotte provided the board information about the City’s potable water sources. He stated that the City is considering a filtration system that would allow some closed wells to be brought back on line thereby increasing production and reducing costs. He noted that the City does not want to overuse its water resources and at the same time wants what is most cost effective for the citizens. Desalination is not possible since it is so costly. Member Stowell requested that Bob Brotherton from the City of Dunedin be invited to speak at the next meeting about their reverse osmosis system. VII Citizens Agenda No citizens asked to be heard. VII Announcements Mr. Miller informed the board that the NPDES permit update had been submitted through Pinellas County. VIII Future Agenda Mosquito Control Distinctive Development Goals Nuisance Ordinance (Community Response Team) Gulf to Bay Telephone Lines Bob Brotherton, City of Dunedin The meeting adjourned at 6:15 p.m.