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09/08/2004 . . . MARINE ADVISORY BOARD CITY OF CLEARWATER September 8, 2004 Present: Hank Epstein Nick Matsis Edward O'Brien David Hemerick Board Member Board Member Board Member Board Member Absent: Tom Horne Dick Safirstein Paul J. Kelley Chair Board Member Board Member Also Present: Bill Morris Catherine Yellin Patricia O. Sullivan Marine & Aviation Department Director Senior Staff Assistant Board Reporter The Chair called the meeting to order at 8:10 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 Matsis moved to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of August 11, 2004, as submitted in written summation to each board member. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. 3 - Other Business Review Slip Permit Requirements Marine & Aviation Department Director Bill Morris said as City residency requirements are drafted, proof of residency is via homestead exemption or voter's registration at an address within City limits. Some boat owners contest this distinction. Discussion ensued with comments that City residents pay taxes those in enclaves do not and the City permits enclave residents to access City services for a fee. Concern was expressed regarding how business "residency" is determined. Mr. Morris recommended amending boat slip permit conditions to require that boat owners tie up their vessels with double mooring lines whenever the marina is threatened by a hurricane. Currently, staff must telephone boat owners to remind them of their responsibilities to follow hurricane plans they submitted with their permit applications. Mr. Morris reported damage had occurred to the Marina during the last tropical storm due to incorrect tie-ups. It was reported when volunteers tied up many boats before the storm they discovered many old and broken lines. Concern was expressed that improper mooring can damage the dock and pilings. It was recommended boat owners be charged for others to tie-up their boats before storms. Mr. Morris said staff has been directed not to touch boat lines in the Marina to avoid responsibility should Marine Advisory 2004-09-08 1 . staff efforts fail. For coverage, staff will contact the insurance companies of boats, which damaged the marina. In response to a question, Mr. Morris said the Marina cannot turn away transient boaters during a hurricane and, if full, directs boats to moor in protected basins. The last tropical storm ripped away almost 20% of the shingles off one Marina building and started a fire at Crabby Bills. The quick response by a Clearwater Police Officer, who extinguished the fire, averted serious damage. Ross Yachts Mr. Morris reported a request to covert the 10 boat slips at the site of the former Ross Yachts into a dock with 9 slips and lifts for use by a planned condominium project at that site. Marina Fuel Dock Mr. Morris reported the Marina now offers the discounted gasoline rate to all commercial boats and no longer requires a 500-gallon minimum purchase. Additionally the Marina is upgrading the fuel nozzles to have two levels of automatic shut off. The new nozzles will decrease instances of back splash and minimizes the possibility of discharge of fuel into the harbor. Sgt. Dwayne Sommers assessment of wake zone extension in Mandalay Channel . In his September 1, 2004 letter to Mr. Morris, Sgt. Dwayne Somers, of the Pinellas County Sheriff Marine Unit, responded to the City's request for an assessment of extending the slow speed minimum wake zone to the north in the Mandalay Channel. He reported the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission now issues permits for restricted zones only to protect resources, such as manatees, not for maritime property reasons. The State requires documentation supporting restrictions before it issues permits. He suggested in an application, the City could cite public safety concerns and the sighting of manatees in the channel. As the slow speed minimum wake zone currently does not extend to the north end of Mandalay Channel, no citations are on record in this area. Also, the Sheriff's Office has not taken any accident reports in the area. In response to a question, Mr. Morris reported the Clearwater Police also have not issued accident reports in the area. Discussion ensued with a suggestion that property owners install"no wake" signage along the channel, boats slowing for the minimum wake zone to the south create large wakes, and there is a lack of enforcement of current restrictions. Mr. Morris said the State wants to deregulate boat channels and could revoke current slow speed minimum wake zone permits. When people report unlawful boating activity to him with the name of the boat or Florida license number, Mr. Morris is able to contact the vessel's owner, explain current regulations, review vessel owner liability issues, and usually stop related problems. Moving channels is a Coast Guard and USACOE (United States Army Corps of Engineers) issue. Concern was expressed the Coast Guard has not responded to complaints regarding its vessels sending large wakes into the Sailing Center. . Marine Advisory 2004-09-08 2 . Mr. Morris said staff told the individual requesting this change that the City will research the issue as it relates to Florida rules and regulations. Marina Parking Lot Concern was expressed truck, motor home, and vehicle for sale owners have purchased parking passes from the City and are using the corner of the Marina Parking for cheap vehicle storage. Mr. Morris reported the City's parking department, responsible for all City lots, is researching the issue. Memorial Causeway Footprint/Drew Street Dock/Downtown Marina In response to a question, Mr. Morris said the footprint of the current Memorial Causeway and its pilings will be preserved. The roadway will be removed. The new bridge is scheduled to open within a year. Mr. Morris reported staff wants to add wave attenuators and rebuild the Drew Street dock for use as the Downtown fishing pier. The Parks & Recreation Department own the building, which needs significant repairs. In response to a question, he said plans for a Downtown marina currently are inactive. Discussion ensued with comments that it is important that the Downtown Marina remains a high priority and an integral part of Downtown redevelopment, a plan to repair the dock needs to be developed and presented to the City Council for approval, and waterfront development is important for Clearwater. Mr. Morris said no funding source is identified to fund more than $500,000 in costs to design and permit a Downtown marina. . Member Epstein moved that the Marine Advisory Board suggests that the City Council prioritize construction of a downtown marina as integral to Downtown redevelopment. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. Public Comments Frank Dame reviewed his efforts to have the Dunedin Pass reopened and reported on August 18, 2004, the EAB (Environmental Advisory Board) had supported testing water quality near the pass. Board Comments The Clearwater Power Squadron plans to adopt and clean up a spoil island in Clearwater Harbor as an ongoing project. The Clearwater Marine Aquarium is coordinating local efforts for the September 18, 2004, beach cleanup program. . Marine Advisory 2004-09-08 3 . 5 - Aaenda for next meetina on October 13. 2004 6 - Adjournment . . The meeting adjourned at 9:11 a.m. Attest: ~vnb hw~ .. oard Reporter Marine Advisory 2004-09-08 Chair Marine Advisory Board 4