07/18/2001ENVIRONMENTAL ADVISORY BOARD
CITY OF CLEARWATER
July 18, 2001
Present: Sandra Jamieson Chair
David Rhame Board Member
Alan Smith Vice Chair
Allan Stowell Board Member
Absent: Dennis Kellenberger Board Member
Also Present: Tom Miller Assistant Director of Engineering/E&SM
Leslie Dougall-Sides Assistant City Attorney
Terry Finch Environmental Manager
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 Chair called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m.
ITEM #1 Approval of Minutes – April 18, 2001
Mr. Rhame moved to approve the minutes of April 18, 2001 as submitted. Mr. Smith duly seconded the motion.
ACTION: Approved. Carried unanimously.
ITEM #2 Citizens to be Heard
None
Action Items
ITEM #3 – None
Reports
ITEM #4 – Commission Liaison (Jamieson/Miller)
There was no new information to report.
ITEM #5 – Stevenson’s Creek Liaison (Rhame/Shoberg)
Mr. Rhame reported that the contract with Parsons Engineering is nearing the end. Parsons has delivered a report detailing estimated costs for suggested work in the sub-basins of the
watershed. Spring Branch is the top rated project from an engineering standpoint, followed by Glen Oaks. There is approximately $26 million worth of projects outlined in the report
that must be prioritized and budgeted for. Then it will be taken to the Commission for direction on how to proceed. The estuary restoration project feasibility study will be completed
by the US Army Corps of Engineers by April 2002.
ITEM #6 – City Comprehensive Plan (Smith/Wood)
There was no new information to report.
ITEM #7 – Potable/Reclaimed Water Liaison (Stowell/Neff)
Mr. Stowell noted that the City is considering a different location on the proposed site for the RO Plant that would be more efficient. The project is continuing smoothly.
ITEM #8 – Arsenic (Stowell/Finch)
Mr. Stowell reported that the state of Florida has mandated that all state parks remove arsenic treated wood products from their facilities.
Discussion Items
ITEM #9 - Board Absences
Ms. Dougall-Sides explained that, per section 2.066 of the City Ordinances, 4 absences, excused or unexcused are considered excessive and may result in dismissal from citizen advisory
boards. Mr. Miller stated that Member Kellenberger gave his resignation via telephone and will be sending a letter to the City Clerk’s office to resign his seat. The board was informed
that any interested Clearwater citizens can pick up an application for membership on City boards in the Clerk’s office. The Commission appoints citizen advisory board members from the
applications received.
ITEM #10 – Courtney Campbell Causeway Beach
The board has expressed concern about the lack of restroom facilities and the possibility of fecal coliform contamination at this beach. Mr. Paul Stanek of the Florida Health Department’s
Healthy Beaches Program gave a brief overview of their water quality testing program. He noted that the state has only recently required all counties to test but that Pinellas County
has been doing it for over 20 years voluntarily. The testing is done every 2 weeks and results are available within 24 hours. Results are posted to the agency’s web site. Mr. Stanek
noted that it is not easily possible to tell if detected coliforms are human or animal. He also stated that the Courtney Campbell Causeway usually tests in the “good” category, however
he does not recommend it as a swimming area. Staff from the Health Department urged the City Commission to consider building restrooms and shower facilities at this beach. The board
requested further information regarding the status of this beach from City staff at their next meeting.
ITEM #11 – Town Pond/Myrtle Ave. Improvements
Staff provided an update of this project noting that the purpose of it is for water quality treatment and flood protection for downtown properties. The pond will be part of a downtown
stormwater service district, enabling developers to forego on-site stormwater detention facilities. The pond will be approximately 3.8 acres and will provide treatment for 100 acres
of direct runoff. The project is being done in conjunction with the Myrtle Ave. storm pipe improvements to ensure that the pipes are adequate to provide adequate outfall conveyance
from the pond. Stormwater entering the pond from the east side will be treated with alum. The pond has a two-cell design, with the deeper cell being on the north end. Sedimentation,
“floc,” from the water will collect in the deeper cell first, with the “floc” settling out in this cell while the water continues to circulate into the shallow cell to the south side.
This pond will meet the City’s level of service for water quality and flood protection when completed. The aesthetic design of the pond is still undecided but will include fountains
and a waterfall feature, benches and lighting. The board was urged to begin considering an official name for the pond.
The meeting adjourned at 6:00 p.m.