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11/15/2000ENVIRONMENTAL ADVISORY BOARD CITY OF CLEARWATER November 15, 2000 Present: Freda Drake Chair (Arrived 4:10 p.m.) Dennis Kelenberger Board Member David Rhame Board Member Alan Smith Vice Chair Allan Stowell Board Member Also Present: Tom Miller Assistant Director of Engineering/PD&E Kevin Becotte Public Services Director Leslie Dougall-Sides Assistant City Attorney Cyndi Hardin Assistant Planning Director 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. Administration The Vice Chair called the meeting to order at 4:05 p.m. ITEM #1 Approval of Minutes – October 18, 2000 Mr. Stowell moved to approve the minutes of September 20, 2000 as submitted. Mr. Rhame duly seconded the motion. ACTION: Approved. Carried unanimously. ITEM #2 Citizens to be Heard None Action Items ITEM #3 – EAB Goals and Objectives for FY’01 Mr. Miller gave background information regarding previous EAB members’ goals and intents for the board. Defining the board’s objectives has become imperative to ensure that due process is served, especially relating to permits submitted to other City boards by private development. The EAB will comport itself more as a policy board rather than a technical advisory board. This item will replace previous goals, objectives and proposed environmental concerns established. This item will eliminate the Site Assessment Report to the Board, rather, staff will now forward the report to Planning and Development Services for consideration during the permit review process. Staff will address concerns regarding environmental impacts and assessments and provide updates to the EAB as necessary. The goal of this item is to focus the EAB on “big picture” and policy issues rather than details that fall under the jurisdiction of other City Commission approved boards. The Board accepted the revisions to its mission statement, allowing for the identification and assessment of significant goals and added a statement of intent to the mission statement to define environmental activity as it relates to the EAB. The Board also accepted revisions to its goals and objectives to improve tracking, reporting and consistency with the City NPDES permit. ACTION: Approved. Carried unanimously. ITEM#4 – EAB Agenda Process Mr. Miller noted that members have expressed concerns about receipt of environmentally sensitive issues in a timely manner. The purpose of this item is to better facilitate the flow of information between the EAB, the City Commission and City staff. This new process allots time for action as well as informational items. Members stated that they would continue to meet monthly regardless of whether action items are on the agenda. The Board approved the new agenda process to improve agenda administration and reporting of upcoming actions at regular monthly meetings. ACTION: Approved. Carried unanimously. ITEM #5 – Potable Water Treatment Feasibility Study Kevin Becotte briefed the board on the City’s pending joint agreement with Tampa Bay Water to investigate the construction of a reverse osmosis water treatment plant near Reservoir #1. The Board recommended that the City Commission approve the Agreement with Tampa Bay Water to conduct preliminary engineering for a water treatment plant at Reservoir #1. ACTION: Approved. Carried unanimously. ITEM #6– EAB Potable/Reclaimed Water Liaison Appointment Staff was asked by the City Manager’s office to ensure that all activities relating to water be brought before the Board. Kevin Becotte will be the staff contact person. Chair Drake recommended that Mr. Stowell be the EAB liaison but expressed concerns that he already is the liaison for the LDC/Comprehensive Plan. Mr. Stowell resigned as liaison to that in order to accept the appointment to Potable/Reclaimed Water Liaison. Mr. Rhame motioned that Mr. Stowell be appointed to the post and Mr. Smith seconded. Mr. Smith agreed to accept the LDC/Comprehensive Plan appointment. Mr. Rhame motioned Mr. Smith be appointed to the post and Mr. Kellenberger seconded. ACTION: Approved. Carried unanimously. Reports ITEM #7 – Commission Liaison (Drake/Miller) Chair Drake reported that Commissioner Clark expressed interest visiting the reverse osmosis water treatment plant in Dunedin. He has requested that the EAB send a letter of invitation to the City Commission. Mr. Stowell motioned to have a joint special meeting of the EAB and the Clearwater City Commission at the Dunedin RO plant. Mr. Smith seconded. ACTION: Approved. Carried unanimously. ITEM #8 – Stevenson’s Creek Liaison (Rhame/Shoberg) Mr. Rhame briefed the Board on the recent bi-monthly meeting held to review the status of the project before turning the report over to staff. The project manager has received a report detailing existing conditions and the results were very good. Flood plain maps have been generated and alternatives will be explored in mid-January when a public meeting is anticipated. Staff noted that the project is moving along well. ITEM #9 – City Comprehensive Plan (Stowell/Jones) No new information to report. ITEM #10 – Potable/Reclaimed Water Liaison New post. No information to report. Discussion Items ITEM #11 - College Hill Estates Drainage/Sinkholes The Board asked that this item be continued from the October meeting. Mr. Miller stated that there was no new information to report at this time. Information Items ITEM #12 – Monthly Site Assessment Report Two projects met the Board’s requirements for review. One is in the already developed Park Place property and the other is at the Seminole boat docks. Neither is significant from an environmental standpoint. ITEM #13 – Nuisance Ordinance (Community Response Team) Bob Hall presented a brief overview of how CRT responds to complaints of debris in creeks and streambeds. ITEM #14 – Board Announcements/Comments Mr. Stowell requested that a professional be invited to the next regular meeting to discuss formosan termites and any threat they pose to Clearwater. He also requested that Mr. Miller bring ideas for awards for City departments that do outstanding environmental duties. The meeting adjourned at 6:15 p.m.