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04/17/2002ENVIRONMENTAL ADVISORY BOARD CITY OF CLEARWATER April 17, 2002 Present: Rev. Sandra Jamieson Chairperson Alan Smith Vice Chair Allan Stowell Board Member Clorinda Gilreath Board Member David Rhame Board Member Also Present Al Carrier Interim Director of Engineering/E&SM Leslie Dougall-Sides Assistant City Attorney John Milligan WPC Superintendent Andy Neff Public Utilities Director Norma Skinner Board Reporter APPROVED 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. Member Stowell arrived at 4:10 p.m. ITEM #1 Approval of Minutes – March 20, 2002 RECOMMENDED ACTION: Approve minutes of March 20, 2001. ACTION: Member Rhame moved to approve the minutes of March 20, 2002. The motion was duly seconded by member Gilreath and carried unanimously. ITEM #2 Citizens to be Heard_______________ None. Action Items ITEM #3________________________________ None Reports ITEM #4__Commission Liaison Report________ Chairperson Jamieson reported that Commissioner Whitney Gray suggested the Board be more proactive and e-mail or telephone City Commissioners when there are issues that need to be addressed. Commissioner Gray toured Clearwater Mall and looked at the conditions of trees, and which trees were going to be removed. She reported that some trees are in danger of dying. She also followed up with the person who did tree research and agrees that smaller trees have a better chance of surviving. We are going to lose some big trees, but they will be replaced with a variety of trees that have a longer lifespan and are hardier. ITEM #5__Stevenson Creek Report _________ Mr. Shoberg gave an update on the status of the Stevenson Creek project. We are working on the estuary, saltwater portion, with the Corp. The Environmental Restoration Report is scheduled to be completed by June or July of this year. The rate study for the freshwater portion was passed this year, which allocated six million dollars. The three projects we are pursuing are Glen Oaks Golf Course, to be discussed further on. Spring Branch Club retention facility at the intersection of Sunset Point and Kings Highway. We are in the process of negotiating with the Church to buy 6 acres from them. The other project is the replacement of the Palmetto Street sediment sump with a larger one. We are working on the land acquisition. ITEM #6 Community Development Comprehensive Plan RECOMMENDED ACTION: Member Smith stated that he needs a consistent contact person. ACTION: Al Carrier is going to find a staff person who can provide Mr. Smith with updates on the Community Development Comprehensive Plan. ITEM #7 _Potable/Reclaimed Water Chair recognized Mr. Neff to give a brief update on the water plant. Mr. Neff stated that the Commission approved the equipment purchase for the water plant. The next step is Commission approval of the construction project for the building and it is anticipated in June. Plans are about 90% completed. The Harbor Oaks reclaimed water project is going before the Commission May 16th. A companion item for SWFWMD co-funding, about 1.3 million dollars, will also be presented at that time. SWFWMD grant funding for the next project, which is in the Seville area in combination with old Clearwater Harbor is looking good. ITEM #8 _Arsenic____________________________ None Discussion Items ITEM #9 WPC Compliance Update Chair recognized Mr. Milligan to give an update on the compliance issues. Mr. Milligan stated that in June or August of 2000 the wastewater treatment plants received Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) permits with more stringent requirements. The WPC staff developed new methods to maintain compliance, such as improved instrument calibration and lab testing procedures, changing disinfectant, continuous monitoring, proactive maintenance and installing a supervisory control data system (SCADA). Member Rhame asked how many septic tanks are there throughout the city. Mr. Carrier stated that Terry Finch could give that answer since she is working with Wade Trim on a sewer expansion project. They are identifying areas in the City enclaves that are on septic tanks and what it would cost to add them to the sewer system. Member Stowell suggested a field trip to one of the wastewater treatment plants. A trip to the Marshall Street Wastewater treatment plant will be scheduled. Item #10 Glen Oaks Project Mr. Carrier introduced Mike Quillen, City Engineer, who gave an update on Glen Oaks Golf Course. Approval of the design for the Chi Chi Rodriguez Foundation clubhouse was postponed by the Commission for two weeks until the next Commission meeting and then pulled from the agenda for the next meeting. If the City can negotiate breaking the lease with the Chi Chi Foundation they will authorize us to do the entire project now instead of in eight years. Member Stowell moved to recommend that the City Commission speed up the implementation of the drainage program through the Glen Oaks Golf Course and not support building the clubhouse. The motion was duly seconded by member Smith and carried unanimously. Al Carrier will forward the Environmental Advisory Board’s recommendation to the Commission. Information Items Putting the “Clear” Back in Clearwater No discussion B. Kapok & Glen Oaks Update Al Carrier gave a quick update on Kapok Tree. City Commission approved the purchase of the property. HDR Engineering has started the relocation services for the park residents. Last Thursday evening was the Kickoff meeting to introduce the Kapok residents to HDR staff and the person who will be helping them relocate. The closing is scheduled for April 24th and we are looking at construction to begin within sixteen months. Tap Water Could Look Like Tea No discussion Landscaping In response to Member Stowell’s request for a presentation by Scott Kurleman, Al Carrier stated that he spoke with Scott Kurleman. Scott said he gave a presentation to the EAB last August and there hasn’t been much change. In lieu of another presentation, copies of before and after landscape pictures from Scott’s book were distributed to the Board members. ESTABLISH AGENDA: Schedule a field trip to Marshall Street Wastewater Treatment Plant ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 6:00 p.m.