04/14/2004
.
.
.
MARINE ADVISORY BOARD
CITY OF CLEARWATER
April 14, 2004
Present:
Chair
Board Member
Board Member
Board Member - arrived at 8:06 a.m.
Board Member
Tom Horne
Hank Epstein
Paul J. Kelley
Edward O'Brien
Dick Safirstein
Absent:
Board Member
Board Member
Nick Matsis
Denis Sparks
Also Present: Bev Buysse
Brenda Moses
Marine & Aviation Department Assistant Director
Board Reporter
The Chair called the meeting to order at 8:03 a.m. at the Marina.
To provide continuity for research, items are in agenda order although not
necessarily discussed in that order.
2. Approval of Minutes - March 10. 2004
Member Safirstein moved to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of
March 10, 2004, as submitted in written summation to each board member. The motion
was duly seconded and carried unanimously.
3. Guest Speaker from Sailinq Center
Dan Roeder, Clearwater Community Sailing Center Director, provided an
overview of the Sailing Center including: 1) Performance; 2) goals; 3) mission; 4)
financial highlights - October 2002 through September 2003; 4) revenue distribution; 5)
budget; 6) programs and services; 7) membership activities; 8) fleet and facility
improvements; and 9) operational highlights.
Mr. Roeder said of 375 members, 107 are family memberships, 82 are individual
memberships, and 20 are youth memberships. The Sailing Center benefits the entire
community by providing sailing opportunities to local residents and visitors, including
youth, seniors, and the disabled. A number of volunteers are involved in fund-raising
and other events. Programs and services include daily boat rental, sail instruction,
regattas, youth programs, disabled sailing, boat storage, facility rental, and community
programs. The fleet includes 6 Hobie Waves, 12 Sunfish, 5 Mini Fish, 12 Prams, 2
Sunbirds, 1 Day Sailer, 4 Kayaks, and 3 miscellaneous donated boats. Facility
improvements include boat racks, sail rack replacement, cradles, increased mast up
storage, equipment storage, and shop reorganization. Mr. Roeder said 88 people have
received sail instruction in FY (Fiscal Year) 2003/04. Regattas at the Sailing Center
have included: 1) Carlisle Classic - 40 boats; 2) Laser Midwinter's East - 190 boats; 3)
Laser Master - 65 boats; 4) Snipe - 20 boats; 5) Clark Mills Regatta - 79 boats; 6)
Access Dinghy Championships - 28 boats; 7) JY-15 Midwinter's - 24 boats; 8) Rainbow
Regatta - 65 boats; and 9) FOMA Frolic - 7 boats.
Marine Advisory 2004-04-14
1
.
In response to a question, Mr. Roeder said additional space is available for boat
storage. Currently, 23 boats are stored at the Sailing Center. He said this was the first
year the Association managed the Sailing Center. He anticipates revenues and
membership will continue to increase. He looked forward to increased diversity. Seniors
already are a part of the membership and activities, especially day sails. Plans are to
pursue fund raising and grant opportunities. Mr. Roeder said he has spoken to area
Rotary clubs and other organizations regarding Sailing Center opportunities.
Advertisements have been placed in the St. Petersburg Times Summer Fun Guide and
consideration is being given to advertising in the Tampa Tribune through a barter service
for advertising and an on-line auction program. A number of press releases have been
provided to the Beach News.
It was remarked that the chambers of commerce in Clearwater do very little to
promote sailing or boating on their websites. Discussion ensued and a comment was
made that the chambers' efforts are geared toward their members' wants and needs.
In response to a question, Mr. Roeder said in prior years, the Sailing Center's
financial burden to the City was upwards of $140,000 annually. Since the Association
took over management of the Sailing Center, the positive gain to the City is
approximately $100,000 to $120,000 annually. During FY 2002/03, the Sailing Center's
revenues were $192,000 and expenses were $188,000, for a net profit of $3,800. It was
remarked that City residents are paying less and getting more.
4. Other Business
.
Bev Buysse, Marine & Aviation Department Assistant Director, said dredging of
the marina basin is complete. In response to a question, she said the City decided not
to purchase dredging equipment due to potential environmental liability issues. The
dredging project ran into several problems causing equipment breakdowns delaying the
project and costing the contractor unanticipated expenses.
As it sometimes is difficult for marina tenants to find parking spaces, it was
questioned if marina tenants could have their own parking spaces. It was indicated
commercial boats offer ticket purchasers parking stickers for the marina. Concern was
expressed tourists use parking spaces without feeding the meters, as the marina parking
lot does not have an attendant to monitor such activities.
Discussion ensued regarding problems with the new Memorial Causeway bridge.
It was remarked that PCl is a premiere contractor. It was stated the contractor had tried
a new, untested manner of construction, which appears to be creating problems.
Member Kelley expressed interest in serving another term. Member Sparks'
term also is expiring, however he was not present to state his interest.
.
Ms. Buysse said she attended a parasail safety initiative in Tampa with the Coast
Guard's MSO (Marine Safety Office) on April 7,2004, one day before the Madeira Beach
parasail incident. The Coast Guard is encouraging regulation of the parasailing industry.
The MSO would have to start a voluntary commercial safety parasail examination. She
said insurance companies would support the examination. It was remarked that most
parasailing accidents occur due to breakage of the lines during heavy wind conditions. It
was suggested regulations include regular checks of lines and equipment.
Marine Advisory 2004-04-14
2
.
.
.
5.
Aqenda for next meetinq on Mav 12. 2004
6. Adiournment
The meeting adjourned at 9:00 a.m.
~'rrwJn
130ard Reporter
Marine Advisory 2004-04-14
~~
'Jgv-
Chair
Marine Advisory Board
3