01/17/2001ENVIRONMENTAL ADVISORY BOARD
CITY OF CLEARWATER
January 17, 2001
Present: Freda Drake Chair
Dennis Kelenberger Board Member (Excused 4:45 p.m.)
David Rhame Board Member
Alan Smith Vice Chair
Allan Stowell Board Member
Also Present: Tom Miller Assistant Director of Engineering/PD&E
Leslie Dougall-Sides Assistant City Attorney
Terry Finch Environmental Programs Manager
Elliot Shoberg Engineer II
Lochen Wood Planner
Michele Smith Board Reporter
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 – November 15, 2000
Chair Drake moved to approve the minutes of November 15, 2000 as submitted. Mr. Smith duly seconded the motion.
ACTION: Approved. Carried unanimously.
ITEM #2 Citizens to be Heard
None
Action Items
ITEM #3 – Environmental Service Award
EAB approved the new Environmental Service Award Program, including purpose, nomination and procedures, eligibility, award, and nomination application. The new program is not anticipated
to exceed 8 hours Staff time per year.
ACTION: Approved. Carried unanimously.
ITEM#4 – North Greenwood Stormwater Retrofit Project
EAB recommended the Commission approve Change Order #1 to the North Greenwood Stormwater Retrofit Project.
ACTION: Approved. Carried unanimously.
Reports
ITEM #5 – Commission Liaison (Drake/Miller)
Chair Drake reported that the City as well as the County Commission has expressed interest in the Reverse Osmosis plant and were looking forward to the field trip on January 23, 2001.
Both Commissions wish to be kept informed of this project.
ITEM #6 – Stevenson’s Creek Liaison (Rhame/Shoberg)
Mr. Rhame stated that the last meeting held on December 13, 2001 updated the status of the project. It is on schedule to date. A public meeting is set for January 31, 2001 from 6:00
p.m. until 9:00 p.m. at the Harborview Center. This meeting will show some potential projects and designs for the watershed and representatives from the City, Parsons Engineering Science
and the US Army Corps of Engineers will be available for questions at the meeting.
ITEM #7 – City Comprehensive Plan (Smith/Wood)
Lochen Wood was introduced as the new staff liaison for the City Comprehensive Plan. Ms. Wood, part of the long range planning team, hopes to establish a stronger environmental presence
in the Plan. They had no information to report.
ITEM #8 – Potable/Reclaimed Water Liaison (Stowell/Neff)
Mr. Stowell has attended meetings about the Reverse Osmosis Water Plant Project and reported that it is moving on a very fast track. Residents in the area surrounding the proposed plant
expressed concern about sinkholes and other issues at a public meeting on January 16, 2001. Mr. Stowell invited representatives from Tampa Bay Water to attend the joint meeting of the
EAB and the City Commission on January 23, 2001. He also requested that they be invited to present at the regular EAB meeting in February. Mr. Miller will send invitation letters.
Discussion Items
ITEM #9 - Clearwater Town Pond Update
Staff provided information regarding the proposed Town Pond Buy-in District and the project itself. Draft Conceptual Design Report is currently being revised by CDM. The report indicates
that we will be unable to meet the original water quality improvement goals as presented to SWFWMD. In addition, due to the layout of the Balk development, which takes a portion of
the original project site, the City has been pursuing the purchase of additional land to expand the pond, specifically the Clearwater Housing Authority. The CHA has expressed interest
in selling the property on the condition that another suitable site can be obtained nearby. The inability to meet the original water quality goals may result in reducing the size and
boundaries of the Clearwater Downtown Stormwater Service District. Due to time constraints, this item was tabled until the February meeting.
Chair Drake motioned to extend the meeting fifteen minutes. Member Rhame seconded.
ACTION: Approved. Carried unanimously.
ITEM #10 – Stevenson Creek Watershed Management Plan Glen Oaks Alternatives
Mr. Mike Taylor, Parsons Engineering Science, and Staff provided information regarding a proposed retention pond where the Glen Oaks golf course is currently located. This would be
completed as part of the Stevenson Creek Watershed Management project and would provide flood protection to residents and businesses along Betty Lane as well as water treatment.
Construction of this pond would remove 104 dwelling units from the 100-year flood plain. The pond would boost the Level of Service for this area, would treat 1200 acres’ stormwater
runoff and would possibly raise property values for the surrounding areas. Grant money is available for financing. Member Rhame requested that any economic impacts be thoroughly investigated.
This is still in very preliminary stages and has not been approved yet. This item will be presented as a possible project at the January 31, 2001 public meeting.
The meeting adjourned at 6:15 p.m.