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08/20/2003ENVIRONMENTAL ADVISORY BOARD CITY OF CLEARWATER August 20, 2003 Present: Sandra Jamieson Chair Alan Smith Board Member Clorinda Gilreath Board Member Also Present: Al Carrier Asst. Dir. Of Engineering/ESM Leslie Dougall-Sides Asst. City Attorney Gene Quinn Dept of Env. Management, Pinellas Cnty Beverly Buysee Marina Dave Sickler Public Utilities Norma Skinner Staff Assistant II APPROVE 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 meeting to order at 4:05 p.m. in the Commission Chambers of City Hall. ITEM #1 Review Work Session Minutes from July 16, 2003 There were no changes to the minutes. ITEM #2 Citizens To Be Heard None Action Items ITEM #3 None Reports ITEM #4 Commission Liaison Report Chair stated that the items discussed with Commissioner Gray were recorded in the July work session minutes and she had nothing further to add. ITEM #5 Stevenson’s Creek Liaison There was no report. ITEM #6 City Comprehensive Plan Member Smith had nothing to report. ITEM #7 Potable/Reclaimed Water Todd Petrie, Public Utilities Assistant Director provided a quick update on the projects involving potable water and the reclaimed water system. The reverse osmosis plant is under way and doing well. Delivery of fresh potable water from the plant is anticipated in September. The water service line replacement project, in the Martin Luther King area by Stevenson Creek, involves replacing galvanized service lines. The main purpose of this project is maintenance reduction. The next two are reclaimed water projects. The first is at Drew and Union Streets, which is an extension of the reclaimed water lines along Drew Street and also along Union Street west of McMullen Booth Road. That project was awarded to Westra Construction and is now underway. The Harbor Oaks Project – Installation of reclaimed water line in the Harbor Oaks Subdivision, south of downtown is also underway. The last is Seville and Sunset Drive reclaimed water. The design report has been submitted and is being reviewed. Design is anticipated to be completed by the end of the year and construction will begin the first of next year. Discussion Items ITEM #8 Presentation on Bayfront Marina Terry Finch went over the presentation given by Wade Trim representative, Dave Gildersleeve, at the City Commission Work Session Monday morning. The proposed project will take place on the Clearwater bayfront to the north and south of the Memorial Causeway Bridge. The objectives of the feasibility study to evaluate the submerged land sea grass, the planning and regulatory documents, evaluate municipal planning goals and coordinate the project with the downtown redevelopment plan. The plan proposes a mix of slips including permanent, short-term or visiting boat slips and a place for a water ferry or taxi. The study also includes provision of utilities for each slip, including sanitary sewer, potable water, electric and cable. It is also intended to provide wide boardwalks and ambiance to complement the conceptual plan for Coachman Park. One of the issues the Commission brought up was that we needed to provide access for commercial activity at this marina. One of the reasons commercial ventures were not proposed at the downtown marina is that we did not want the reverter clause to kick in. There is a reverter clause on the area along the bayfront that calls for the area to revert back to the state if used for anything other than a public purpose. It was also indicated that there would not be any fuel sale. Fueling facilities complicate the permitting issues, as well as the operation of the marina. However, there will be further study on this issue. Also planned, is the expansion of the existing ferry dock at the end of Drew Street. The intent is to expand this facility and provide bait facility to replace the fishing pier that was removed in conjunction with rebuilding the Memorial Causeway Bridge. We also want to avoid the need for dredging, avoid or minimize the impact to the sea grass beds and to provide wave attenuation. There was a public meeting on July 22nd at the Harborview Center. Concerns raised at that meeting were the distance of the proposed dock from Pierce 100, marina safety, ingress and egress, storm projection, security at the marina and the location of shore-term slips. The financial cost consideration for this project, at this time, is five million for design permitting and construction and a timeframe of four years, assuming the project has to be taken to a referendum, which might take a year. In response to member Gilreath’s question regarding security Ms. Finch stated that there would be security stations, gates with locks or monitors, and a Harbormaster’s office. ITEM #9 Clean Marina Program Mr. Carrier introduced Beverly Buysse, Assistant Director from the Marina/Aviation Department and Gene Quinn from Pinellas County Environmental Management Department. Mr. Quinn’s presentation explained what the Clean Marina Program is and how it functions. The Clean Marina Program is a voluntary partnership composed of a group of agencies and is designed to benefit marinas and provide technical assistance with regulations and pollution prevention. They also provide education, awareness, grants and technical assistance. This program is funded by Pinellas County. The City of Clearwater Marina was one of the first ones to become involved in this program. ITEM #10 Update on Courtney Campbell Causeway & Installation of Traffic Light Al Carrier said he talked with Mr. Paul Bertels, the Traffic Operations Manager, regarding installation of the traffic light and was informed that the plans are currently at 60%. Installation of a traffic light is expected sometime in early November. Regarding the other issues at the beach, such as putting in a roadway down to the beach and different means to stop ingress/egress onto the beach are still under discussion. Permitting for a paved road down to the beach would be very difficult to obtain because there are no means to treat the stormwater that runs off the roadway prior to entering into Tampa Bay. Metered parking is being considered, the revenue from parking could help pay for some of the improvements. Member Gilreath added that Dorothy Morrow from the Traffic Department has been very helpful in providing answers to her questions regarding traffic. Chair asked if there were any issues that would require a regular meeting in September instead of a Work Session. Member Gilreath moved to have a regular meeting in September. Motion was approved unanimously. Member Alan Smith was presented with a plaque in appreciation for his eight years of service to the Board. This was his last meeting. ESTABLISH AGENDA: Review Downtown Development Plan See if there are any environmental issues to be added ADJOURNMENT Member Smith made a motion to adjourn. Motion approved unanimously. Meeting was adjourned at 5:30 p.m.