03/12/2014 MARINE ADVISORY BOARD MEETING MINUTES
CITY OF CLEARWATER
March 12, 2014
Present: Chair Tim Trager, Vice-Chair Tom Calhoun, Board Member Paul E. Lightfoot, Board
Member Paul J. Kelley, Board Member Jane Davison Bongo
Absent: Board Member Donald O. McFarland, Board Member Eric D. Spaulding
Also Present: Camilo Soto -Assistant City Attorney, arrived 8:30 a.m., William Morris - Marine &
Aviation Department Director, Patricia O. Sullivan - Board Reporter
The Chair called the meeting to order at 8:00 a.m. at City Hall.
2 —Citizens to be Heard re Items Not on the Agenda: None.
3 —Approval of Minutes
3.1. Approve the minutes of the December 11, 2013 Marine Advisory Board meeting as
submitted in written summation.
Member Calhoun moved to approve Item 3.1. The motion was duly seconded and carried
unanimously.
4—Old Business
4.1. Approve updates to Marine Advisory Board Rules and Regulations
Member Kelley moved to approve Item 4.1. The motion was duly seconded and carried
unanimously.
4.2. Update re Clearwater Community Sailing Center contract extension
Marine & Aviation Department Director Bill Morris discussed improvements to Clearwater
Community Sailing Center programs and announced the City Council unanimously approved a
5-year extenstion to the center's contract. Sailability, a Sailing Center tenant, was the only other
organization that expressed interest in running the center.
4.3. Update re Permitting for Dunedin Pass Channel, shortcut channel, Seminole Boat Ramp
and Marina Basin dredge
Mr. Morris said the approval granted to dredge adjacent to Seminole Boat Ramp would not
remove sufficient material for safe launch of super boats from the wall. Dredging should extend
farther from the dock wall. Occassionally, super boats kicked up mud at this location when north
winds reduced water depth, normally 3.5 feet at mean low tide. The General Fund will finance
this project. At the June meeting, Mr. Morris will report on dredging estimates to clear shoals
and spots in the shortcut channel and Dunedin Pass Channel. There were no complaints re
Marina Basin water depth.
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4.4. Dunedin Pass Channel Presentation — Peter Hunt
Resident Peter Hunt, representing Island Estates homeowners, said Dunedin Pass Channel
was not adequately marked and low wake buoys close to shore were ineffective. He requested
that channel day markers 10, 12, and 12a be gated to limit boat traffic to one-quarter mile off
shore where the channel was up to 170 feet wide. He said it was a safety issue as large power
boats often cut the corner too close, damaging boats, seawalls and their caps, and dismantling
docks.
Resident Ken Olipera said a large wake deposited his 36-foot Sea Ray on his dock. He said
large wakes were endangering lives; it was frightening to see people try to guide boats onto lifts
or board/disembark their vessels while large wakes tossed boats all over the place.
In response to questions, Mr. Morris said the minimum wake zone was established a decade
ago; the buoys keep moving. There was no reason for large boats to maneuver close to shore.
The Coast Guard turned oversight and maintenance of channel markers to the City. The City
may be able to install markers.
Discussion ensued re previous requests for wake mitigation and boater responsibility for wakes.
It was suggested a recreation zone could be established near shore. Concern was expressed
that proposed markers would not be lighted and should be installed far apart. It was stated
some boaters would not stay in the channel even with markers.
Discussion ensued re ideal number and location of markers. It was recommended that a marker
southeast of marker 14 would provide an easier transition for westbound vessels.
Member Kelley moved to recommend approval of the City replacing day markers 10, 12, and
12a with gated day markers in Dunedin Pass Channel a proper distance apart and adding a
marker approximately 340 feet southeast of marker 14 or as determined by the Harbormaster.
The motion was duly seconded.
It was recommended that the board ask Mr. Morris to identify ideal locations for pilings and
determine their appropriateness.
Mr. Morris said he would drop buoys in suggested locations and observe wake impacts. Coast
Guard approval, based on studies, was required to install aids to navigation. He said the City
should take the time necessary to be certain that the markers were correctly located.
Upon the vote being taken, Members Calhoun, Kelley, Bongo, and Chair Trager voted "Aye";
Member Lightfoot voted "Nay." Motion carried.
5— New Business
5.1. Election of Officers
Member Calhoun moved to appoint Paul Kelley as Chair. The motion was duly seconded and
carried unanimously.
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Member Kelley moved to appoint Paul Lightfoot as Vice - Chair. The motion was duly seconded
and carried unanimously.
Items not on the Agenda
In response to questions, Mr. Morris reported on marina tenant levels. The City does not own
any boat lifts and requires their removal when tenants vacate slips. The City was repairing the
Clearwater Yacht Basin sea wall. The Sand Pearl boat docks had less than 5 tenants; public
slips were popular with day boaters. Improvements were made to the Bay Esplanade launch
ramp. Duke Energy would not sell its nearby property but allowed its use for boat trailer parking
and material storage during City projects.
6 - Agenda for next meeting on June 11, 2014
1) Update re dredge permitting
7 — Adjourn
The meeting adjourned at 8:52 a.m.
Marine Advisory 2014 -03 -12
Chair
Marine Advisory Board