03/09/2005
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MARINE ADVISORY BOARD
CITY OF CLEARWATER
March 9,2005
Present: Paul J. Kelley
Hank Epstein
Nick Matsis
Edward O'Brien
David Hemerick
Frank Dame
Mark Smith
Chair
Vice-Chair
Board Member - departed 9:15 a.m.
Board Member
Board Member
Board Member
Board Member
Also Present: Bill Morris
Beverly Buysse
Catherine Yellin
Patricia O. Sullivan
Marine & Aviation Department Director
Marine & Aviation Department Assistant Director
Senior Staff Assistant
Board Reporter
The Chair calied 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 - AcknowledQement of Citv ManaQer & new member. Mark Smith
The City Manager was not present.
3 - Minutes Approval - Februarv 9. 2005
Member Epstein moved to approve the minutes of the February 9,2005, meeting as
submitted in written summation to each board member. The motion was duly seconded and
carried unanimously.
4 - Consistency of Waterway MarkinQs alonQ Sand Kev - Guest Speaker Paul Ingham
Paul Ingham, Water Safety Committee Chair for the Sand Key Civic Association,
requested that buoys be installed on the Gulf beaches of Sand Key to retain consistency along
the shoreline. He said buoys are present along the Indian Rocks Beach, Belleair Beach, Sand
Key Park, and Clearwater Beach shorelines. He said the lack of buoys at Sand Key has the
appearance of a free zcr.c, '.v:thout regulation, and encourages bo:::ters to speed close to the
shoreline, endangering swimmers and bathers. He reviewed Sand Key Association poll results:
1) Homeowner associations for Harbour Light Towers, Dan's Island I, Dan's Island II, Crescent
Beach Club, Cabana Club, Ultimar II, South Beach II, and South Beach IV support watercraft
restrictors and 2) Ultimar I and Ultimar III homeowner associations oppose them. He reviewed
efforts to have buoys installed.
Marine & Aviation Department Director Bill Morris said that Slow Speed Minimum Wakt!::
buoys would not deny boater access to the shore. He said "no lifeguard" signs could be posted
and speed restrictions could reduce problems. He reviewed types of buoys and anchors and
suggested buoys off Sand Key could be watched to see how they weather storms.
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Bob Pack, of the Sand Key Community Managers Association, said many Sand Key
residents oppose the proposed restrictions. He said no injuries have occurred. He
recommended jet ski rental companies educate their customers regarding boating regulations.
Discussion ensued with concern expressed that a lack of boat licensing requirements
has resulted in statewide problems, a recommendation that public beach access not be limited,
and support expressed for increased education.
No action was taken.
5 - Other Business
Managing User Conflict of Waterways
Mr. Morris reported that Broward County has a designated water recreation area within a
manatee zone, creating a precedent for the City to designate an area within a minimum wake
zone that is safe for the use of personal watercraft, water skiing, and wakeboarding. A diagram
of a proposed zone in Mandalay Channel was presented in response to City Council direction to
be proactive. Mr. Morris said the City wants to determine if a water recreation area should be
designated before it presents documentation to the State related to the newly approved
minimum wake zone in Mandalay Channel.
Discussion ensued with recommendations that water recreation area use be limited to
weekdays and that enforcement issues be addressed and comments that beach residents will
be educated regarding use of the zone and it is too windy in the Intracoastal to water-ski.
Member Epstein moved to create a water recreation area in Mandalay Channel in a
place to be determined. There was no second.
Mr. Morris said residents can solve user conflict problems if they accept ownership of
them.
Member Smith moved to create a water recreation zone on the west side of Mandalay
Channel. The motion was duly seconded.
Discussion ensued with concerns expressed that the recreation area and transition area
would be difficult to define and enforce, State law does not define wake size, conflicting rules
would confuse boaters in large vessels, and information regarding this issue was not provided
before the meeting.
Upon the vote being taken, Members Epstein and Smith and Chair Kelly voted "Aye";
Members Matsis, O'Brien, Hemerick, and Dame voted "Nay." Motion failed.
Comments were made that water recreation shouid be aiiowed during the week only and
many beach residents were unaware of the minimum wake zone proposal and oppose it.
Strategic Waterfront Management Plan
Concern was expressed the current monthly schedule of one-hour meetings is
insufficient for the board to develop a strategic waterfront management plan and goals.
Discussion ensued with recommendations that the board be proactive regarding ramps, marina
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development, minimum wake zones, etc., that workshops be scheduled, that the City Council
become involved, and that charettes be scheduled for input from all interested parties.
BeachWalk Development - preliminary construction schedule
Mr. Morris reported the 42-month, three-phase, BeachWalk construction project should
begin by May 2005. In response to a recommendation that alternate transportation via the Drew
Street Dock be provided during construction, Mr. Morris said the City has insufficient resources
to maintain open access to the dock.
Thank-You Letter
The board received a letter of thanks for approving the minimum wake zone in Mandala]'
Channel.
Comments
It was suggested that meetings be streamlined and citizen comment time be limited.
Discussion ensued with suggestions that all discussion time be limited and a comment that
extended discussions have not been problematic.
Consensus was for the Chair to call for an end of discussion at an appropriate time.
Mr. Morris reviewed an e-mail from Larry Cooper, indicating he was advertising his
recommendations in the Beach Views for improved boater access to Intracoastal and
Clearwater Harbor destinations.
East Shore Resort
Bill Woods reviewed several preliminary designs for construction of a marina in
Mandalay Channel at the East Shore Resort on East Shore Drive, where adequate parking
exists. The marina would not be associated with the upland property. The most aggressive
design would extend 295 feet into the channel.
A survey of riparian rights in the yacht basin was requested.
Sailing Center
It was reported that the Sailing Center has received a $225,000, 3-year grantto teach
disabled youth to sail and it was recommended that the City more aggressively promote its
water activities. .
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6 - Agenda for next meeting on April 13. 2005
7 - Adiournment
The meeting adjourned at 9:35 a.m.
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