11/10/2004
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MARINE ADVISORY BOARD
CITY OF CLEARWATER
November 10, 2004
Present:
Hank Epstein
David Hemerick
Nick Matsis
Edward O'Brien
Frank Dame
Acting Chair
Board Member
Board Member - departed 8:30 a.m.
Board Member - departed 8:53 a.m.
Board Member
Absent:
Paul J. Kelley
Dick Safirstein
Board Member
Board Member
Also Present: Bill Morris
Catherine Yellin
Brenda Moses
Marine & Aviation Department Director
Senior Staff Assistant
Board Reporter
Marine & Aviation Department Director Bill Morris 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.
Nomination for Chair
Member Epstein moved to appoint Paul Kelley as Chair. The motion was duly
seconded and carried unanimously.
Member O'Brien moved to appoint Hank Epstein as Vice-Chair. The motion was duly
seconded and carried unanimously.
2 - Minutes Approval - October 13. 2004
Member Matsis moved to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of October 13,
2004, as submitted in written summation to each board member. The motion was duly
seconded and carried unanimously.
3 - Other Business
Hurricane damage
Mr. Morris said recent storms, especially Hurricane Jeanne, piled sand into the Marina,
impacted the basin, and prompted the City to place dredging the marina on the list of requests
for federal reimbursement. All buoys marking the safe swim area at Sand Key were lost during
recent storms.
Transfer fee for Marina boat tenants
Mr. Morris said commercial anglers have requested the three-year transfer fee be
renegotiated. He may recommend the City grandfather the one-year fee into current Marina
tenant leases; then impose the three-year fee on new tenants. He has discussed the proposal
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with some Marina tenants. The three-year fee was instituted when dock permits were changed.
Some commercial tenants claim they cannot recoup their initial investment when they sell their
businesses if the fee remains in place. He requested board input regarding the transfer fee.
In response to a question, Mr. Morris said the transfer fee impacts changes to business
and vessel ownership and applies to all slips. It was remarked that most marinas, including
municipal ones, only offer month-to-month dock permits although some do offer leases. Mr.
Morris said some business owners transfer ownership of their business to a family member
without having to renegotiate new dock permits. Some commercial tenants have requested
adding a clause to their dock permit allowing that same privilege for all business ownership
changes. It was suggested the City afford Marina tenants the opportunity to register family
members as partners or future owners within 90 days for dock permits to remain in effect,
unchanged.
Mr. Morris has requested the City extend dock permits up to three years. In response to
a question, he said leases can be terminated with 30 days notice. Any expansion of use
triggers the transfer fee. It was remarked that most of applicable language is in the Code.
Starship Dinner Boat
Mr. Morris said the Starship Dinner Boat's business is in Tampa. The company is
attempting to do business in Clearwater and is searching for dock space. The Drew Street dock
is being considered as a pick-up and drop-off point, not a permanent docking location.
Engineering staff will address the MAB (Marine Advisory Board) on plans to tie the Drew Street
dock into the Downtown plan. The.Starship has secured a one-year contract with Clearwater
Bay Marine to pick-up and drop-off dinner cruise customers from the Clearwater Bay Marine but
failed to inform City officials that customers were parking at the Seminole launch ramp.
Clearwater Bay Marine has sufficient parking to support the dinner boat, however, a portion of
that property is being sold for planned condominiums. Starship parking will be on the east side
of Osceola Avenue. Development plans for the condominium project are expected within six
months. Discussion ensued regarding fishing piers, parking, and plans for the Downtown
marina. It was felt that public access to the Drew Street dock should be retained. Mr. Morris
said as planned, the Drew Street dock footprint will be part of the new Downtown marina.
Mandalay Channel wake zone extension request
Mr. Morris said a resident's request to expand the wake zone over the entire Mandalay
Channel has been forwarded to the State Fish and Wildlife office in Tallahassee, which
forwarded it to Tampa for review. If it is denied, the resident wants a transition zone established
requiring vessels to slow enough to minimize wakes near his multifamily residence. The
resident has complained that City staff is not addressing his request. Mr. Morris said it may be
possible to establish a slow speed zone in a section of Mandalay channel as a transition. One
resident said constant speeds through the channel cause smaller wakes.
Other Items
Mr. Morris said the Sand Key Civic Association has requested the City designate the
beach between the Clearwater Sailing Center and Clearwater Pass bridge as a noncombustion
engine zone to prevent problems with jet-skiers, etc. Boaters will be allowed to fish in the area
with noncombustion "electric" trolling motors or manual propulsion.
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Mr. Morris reported construction of public docks on Island Way is expected to be
completed within four months. Island Way Grill will deed access to the City for a five-foot wide
sidewalk to be constructed to connect to the public sidewalk. The public docks will include
floating docks and nine transient slips with no overnight dockage.
Mr. Morris said the Ross Yachts property developer indicated as soon the condominium
project is approved, construction will begin on five large boat slips to replace 10 smaller slips.
Mr. Morris reported Phil Henderson's wedding chapel business is now open.
Mr. Morris reviewed the preliminary timeline for construction of Beachwalk.
Mr. Morris said the Sailing Center staff has submitted a grant application to the County
to subsidize children sailing programs. It was reported many Sailing Center members will not
renew their memberships until a racing program is determined, as that is their primary interest.
It was reported the Carlisle Classic Race will be held November 13 - 14, 2004, at the Sailing
Center.
It was reported that Island Estates Yacht Club has obtained a fleet permit for the
December 11, 2004, Christmas Boat Parade, beginning at 6:30 p.m. in Mandalay channel.
4 - Aoenda for next meetino on December 8. 2004
5 - Adiournment
The meeting adjourned at 9:08 a.m.
Chai
Marine Advisory Board
Attest:
~iLdt, IYJOJ--fu
Board Reporter
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