11/02/2005
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MARINE ADVISORY BOARD MEETING MINUTES
CITY OF CLEARWATER
November 2, 2005
Present: Paul J. Kelley
Hank Epstein
Edward O'Brien, Jr.
F. David Hemerick
Frank L. Dame
Mark A. Smith
Chair
Vice-Chair
Board Member
Board Member
Board Member
Board Member
Absent: Nicholas Matsis
Board Member
Also Present: Bill Morris
Bev Buysse
Gordie Wills
Catherine Yellin
Patricia Sullivan
Marine & Aviation Department Director
Assistant Marine & Aviation Department Director
Airport Operations Manager
Senior Staff Assistant
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 - Minutes Approval - October 12. 2005
Member Epstein moved to approve the minutes of the October 12, 2005, as amended:
page 2, paragraph 4, last sentence to read "It was stated if the MAS (Marina Advisory Board)
wants to be effective, members must put in the time to provide input to staff." The motion was
duly seconded and carried unanimously.
3 - Director AI Humphers update on SaBina Center
AI Humphers, Director of the Clearwater Community Sailing Center, updated the MAB
regarding the sailing center's new 5-year lease, revenues, mission, membership, programming,
accomplishments, activities, and usage. He said the center attracts many visitors to Clearwater
and its enhanced reputation reflects well on the City. For the future, the center is working to
increase its membership and revenue base, while increasing instruction and providing
programming for those who otherwise could not afford it. City staff was thanked for their efforts. .
4 - Wade Trim update on Marina Feasibilitv Study
Dave Gildersleeve, of Wade Trim, and Tom Cuba, of Delta Seven, summarized findings
from the Marina Feasibility Study, due to the State by the end of the year. The study was
undertaken to determine the number of recreational boat slips that could be added to the
marina, while maintaining a balance of commercial and recreational slips, and to develop a pre-
design cost estimate for budgeting and an estimated schedule for design, permitting, and
construction. Assumptions included replacing the fixed system with a concrete floating dock
system, wider slips, utilities at each slip, and easily accessible fueling slips. The original
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assumption that limited expansion to City-owned submerged lands was changed after meeting
with the State and now includes more of the basin.
Current uplands do not constrain a marina reconfiguration. The northwest corner of the
marina and commercial slips require special attention. Currently, the Clearwater beach marina
has 166 slips. The study reviewed current conditions and identified underutilized areas.
Existing environmental site conditions do not restrict expansion. Messrs. Gildersleeve and
Cuba reviewed the groups they had met with and boundary examinations, assumptions, and
exploratory layouts they had considered. Important issues included turning radii necessary to
maneuver in and out of slips, maximizing recreational boat usage, visibility, navigation and
passenger safety, and sea wall use. Composite layouts increased the number of slips, the
linear feet of slips, multiple fuel options, room to turn around, and a water taxi slip. The location
of fuel docks is an operational issue that can be determined in the future.
Expanding the marina will require environmental permits and a submerged land lease.
Messrs. Gildersleeve and Cuba estimated that design, permitting, razing the current site, and
construction will cost $8,051,500 (includes 15% contingency due to rising costs of materials),
and take from 22 to 33 mo:-:ths, using a design/build method. No additional staff would be
required to operate the expanded marina. If it is determined that expanding the marina is
feasible, the City can apply for State grants to help offset design and construction costs. A
payback (cost benefit) analysis would have to be done, based 0:-: the final design, and projected
construction and permitting costs.
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The study determined the marina could be expanded by up to 64 new recreational slips.
The City would need to lease submerged lands and comply with environmental regulations
management. The new marina would be constructed with a floating concrete system, which
recognizes the channel to the south.
In response to questions, Mr. Cuba said a mooring system was considered and rejected,
as it would require a ferry and significant space to allow vessels to arc around them. Mr.
Gildersleeve said slips cannot be added to the current configuration. The marina eventually will
need to be replaced with less polluting floating docks. Discussion ensued regarding the need
for a cost benefit analysis and market study.
Staff will distribute copies of the proposed layouts for board review. In response to a
question, Marine & Aviation Department Director Bill Morris said current passenger loading at
commercial slips is efficient. Due to disappearing commercial marinas, the State is more
flexible in allowing marinas to expand, as long as environmental standards are met. It was
suggested that escalating energy costs may downsize future boating habits and practices. Mr.
Cuba said market demand will exceed whatever slips are constructed.
5 - Old Business
Waterway Management Plan
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Discussion ensued regarding the board's next step with suggestions that staff develop a
draft for MAB review, that safety concerns, such as the submerged turntable, be addressed
immediately, that the City Council commit to making the waterway management plan an integral
part of the City's planning process and comprehensive plan, and that the MAB be afforded the
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ability to enforce the Code on waterways as the COB (Community Development Board)
enforces the Code on land.
Mr. Morris said the comprehensive guidelines for developing a municipal harbor
management plan were distributed in a word document to allow members to cut and paste
sections they find relative to developing a City plan. Before it can be enforced, the plan will
require approval by the Coast Guard, Pinellas County, FWC (Fish and Wildlife Conservation
Commission), USACOE (United States Army Corps of Engineers), and FDEP (Florida
Department of Environmental Protection).
Airport Operations Manager Gordie Wills presented a draft of the three-fold boater
information handout to be distributed at the Marina and launch ramps. Ten placards outlining
waterways and wake zones will be installed soon.
Mr. Wills recommended that Assistant Marine & Aviation Department Director Bev
Buysse be charged with developing a waterway management plan draft, as she previously
developed the plan for Tampa 8:J,. Ms. Buysse reviewed her background and distributed an
outline of agency jurisdiction, existing ordinances, responsibilities of the MAB, information that
needs to be gathered, and questions for board members to consider regarding plan research
and drafting duties, developing a time line, and public education opportunities. She requested
that members review the document and e-mail her suggestions before December's meeting.
7 - Aoenda for next meetino on December 14. 2005
, Ch~~Boam
8 - Adjournment
Bo
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