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08/11/2004 . . . MARINE ADVISORY BOARD CITY OF CLEARWATER August 11, 2004 Present: Tom Horne Hank Epstein Dick Safirstein Paul J. Kelley Edward O'Brien David Hemerick Chair Board Member Board Member Board Member Board Member Board Member Absent: Nick Matsis Board Member Also Present: Bill Morris Patricia O. Sullivan Marine & Aviation Department Director Board Reporter The Chair called the meeting to order at 8:00 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 Member Epstein moved to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of May 12, 2004, as submitted in written summation to each board member. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. 3 - Other Business Welcome New Member Marine & Aviation Department Director Bill Morris welcomed returning Member Hemerick. Mr. Morris reviewed board goals, including rebuilding the marina. Clearwater Beach Chamber of Commerce Request Mr. Morris reported the Clearwater Beach Chamber of Commerce had recommended lifeguards end their shifts one-half hour early to pickup beach trash. He said the City's lifeguards are rated top in the southeastern United States. He expressed concern trash pickup duty would distract them from their important mission. Discussion ensued with a comment opposed to the recommendation, concern the change would degrade the position, a comment the City is lucky that no drownings have occurred, and a recommendation that the chamber of commerce hire someone to pickup trash, if that is a problem. Mr. Morris said most County beach communities do not have lifeguards. Request to extend Mandalay Channel no wake zone Mr. Morris reviewed a request, opposed by the State, to extend the no wake zone in Mandalay Channel. He suggested the City may be successful expanding the no Marine Advisory 2004-08-11 1 . . . wake zone's width beyond the channel in Clearwater Harbor, from shoreline to shoreline due to the possible danger to boats caused by wakes at the fuel dock. Senior Staff Assistant Catherine Yellin reviewed the lengthy process necessary to modify no wake zones. Staff has requested the Fish and Wildlife Commission do a study on the request. Discussion ensued regarding abuses of marked no wake zones. Some boats move quickly along the causeway, outside the channel, and duck under the small bridge, leaving behind a significant wake. Concern was expressed the sheriff does not enforce wake zones. Fuel dock dangers exist when wakes intrude into the marina. It was indicated parasail operations also run along the edge of the channel, violating the no wake zone. Better posting and enforcement was recommended. Concern was expressed increased traffic and problems are related to boaters who have discovered a route outside the wake zones. Noise complaints Mr. Morris reported staff has received noise complaints related to commercial boats, including the Sea Screamer and pirate ship. Commercial vessels often play loud music and speak loudly on address systems while cruising past residential homes. Sailing Center area vandalism Mr. Morris reported the Coast Guard Power Squadron has offered to help address vandalism along the beach and at the fishing pier by the Sailing Center. Trash levels have decreased by 75% since the controlled access gate and cameras were installed. Current problems include broken beer bottles and glass and repeated damage to the controlled access gate. Marina rate increase Mr. Morris said staff reviewed Florida west coast marina rates before recommending the pending increase. Staff is meeting with fishermen regarding the rate increases, which address the common practice of "selling" slips with commercial businesses. He said the City should benefit from an increased return if the slip is not turned over to the next person on the waiting list. Fishing boats owners, who paid a premium for their slips, want to recoup those costs when they sell their operations. Slips are permitted, not leased. Concern was expressed the inability to obtain a lease negatively impacts the ability of new businesses to borrow money. In his August 11,2004 letter, Michael H. Colby, of Florida Coast Charters, Inc. Double Hook, recommended amending Section #9 of the Commercial Docking Permit to omit the transfer fee provision. Mr. Colby said he spoke for other marina fishing businesses, and recommended replacing the transfer fee with an impact assessment or administrative fee. In response to a question, Mr. Morris said Sarasota's marina has a small number of commercial slips. It was recommended the MAB address redevelopment of the marina. It was recommended marina slip leases be instituted as new beach hotel properties are planned. It was indicated beach concessions are afforded leases. In response to a question, Mr. Colby said the transfer fee is a significantly larger percentage of a fishing business than other marina businesses. He said most fishing businesses are Marine Advisory 2004-08-11 2 . transferred to family members or deckhands. He said the price of a fishing business includes equity, the business' reputation, and marketing history. It was recommended marina slips be leased, with a 30-day expiration clause. Mr. Morris said the legal department opposed "leasing" slips. It was felt leases would provide stability for the fishing fleet and other marina tenants. The marina spends money on upgrades. Staff will begin setting funds aside for a capital improvement project to replace the current marina structure. According to the master plan, commercial docks will remain in their location at the sea wall. The City wants to retain its current mix of commercial businesses. Concern was expressed developers of a new marina will want to control the tenant mix. Presentation - commercial tenant Larry Zuccolo re new business venture Mr. Morris reported he opposed this request, but Larry Zuccolo wanted to address the MAB (Marina Advisory Board) regarding his proposed business venture. Mr. Zuccolo wants to replace his parasail business with a theme ride, which will require a variance, as the boat is 1.5 feet larger than his 54-foot slip. He said the boat, with a 2.5-foot draft, can travel up to 50 mph, on the open water. He said the boat would not produce a wake in Clearwater Harbor. He said the boat is only as noisy as curbside on a busy street. . Concern was expressed the boat is too fast for an area where kayaks and tiny boats frequent. In response to a question, Mr. Zuccolo said his business currently has three rental boats and one parasail boat. In response to a question, he estimated the new boat would carry approximately 200 passengers daily. Concern was expressed the new boat would generate a need for 100 additional parking spaces in the marina lot, where parking spaces are severely limited and there is no room to expand. It was recommended Mr. Zuccolo submit a parking impact study before the City considers his request. Mr. Morris express concern regarding noise issues related to the new boat. Mr. Zuccolo said his intention is to keep the boat within the channel and adhere to noise restrictions when running the boat off shore. He recommended board members see and hear the boat at its current location in Ft. Pierce. He questioned if the owner of the Sea Screamer was required to address parking limitations at the marina. Discussion ensued. Mr. Zuccolo said he anticipated significant walk up traffic. Mr. Morris recommended limiting marina businesses to what currently exists. It was questioned if any plans have been developed regarding which businesses should be located at the marina. Mr. Morris said the current mix of businesses reflects his priorities. The marina receives no revenue from its parking lot. Several years ago, a study found a shortage of 274 parking spaces. . It was stated overflow parking space on the Causeway is rarely used, except during hot weekends. Concern was expressed the replacement of beach motel rooms with condominiums, owned by part-time residents, will negatively impact beach and marina businesses. It was indicated the City has tools to address noise issues. Concern was expressed all marina businesses would be impacted negatively if their Marine Advisory 2004-08-11 3 <. . customers must compete for parking spaces with those planning to ride on the larger boat. 5 - Aoenda for next meetino on September 8. 2004 Review slip permit requirements. 6 - Adiournment fh,nJ}~ Chair Marine Advisory The meeting adjourned at 9:32 a.m. . . Marine Advisory 2004-08-11 4