12/14/2005
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MARINE ADVISORY BOARD MEETING MINUTES
CITY OF CLEARWATER
December 14, 2005
Present: Paul J. Kelley
Hank Epstein
Edward O'Brien, Jr.
F. David Hemerick
Frank L. Dame
Mark A. Smith
Empty Seat
Chair
Vice-Chair
Board Member
Board Member
Board Member
Board Member
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 - November 2. 2005
Member Dame moved to approve the minutes of the November 2, 2005, meeting as
submitted in written summation to each board member. The motion was duly seconded and
carried unanimously.
3 - Discussion of Advisory Board Role. Responsibilities & Issues with City Manaaer
The City Manager said he has a weekly meeting with Councilmember Doran scheduled
for this time. He reviewed the board's role and responsibilities. Advisory boards report to the
City Council. Staff, which provides meeting support, works for the City Manager. The City
Manager said he is responsible for keeping projects moving forward. He said the degree of
MAB (Marine Advisory Board) project review depends on the amount of effort members are
willing to make.
The City Manager reported the City Council had determined that developing a
Downtown marina is a priority and plans are to schedule a Fall 2006 referendum on the issue.
He noted that City Council actions, which are in the interest of the entire City, may run counter
to some personal issues. In response to a question, the City Manager said his presence at
today's meetings was precipitated by the board's public criticism of the City Council, as reported
in the Beach Views.
Discussion ensued. Concerns were expressed with the way the board is provided
information, as members are presented projects after the fact, that members dislike reading in
the newspaper about new marine activities rather than hearing about them first at board
meetings, and members feel frustrated as they feel they are ineffective. Comments were made
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that MAB members are anxious to be productive and provide solutions, and that early MAB
input could save headaches and be of value to the City Council, as board members have
interests and experiences in marine issues. Recommendations were made for a Council
member to attend MAB meetings regularly or that a communication method be established, and
that the City coordinate land and marine development as current methods seem to ignore the
City's relationship with the water and the impact of new projects on City waterways. It was
requested that the City remove or mark the water hazard near the Seminole boat ramp and that
it establish the approved recreation zone in Mandalay Channel, as current conditions are
dangerous.
Councilmember Doran said the Council reads the board's minutes and discusses issues
that are apparent with the City Manager and Marine & Aviation Department Director Bill Morris.
While the City Council considers board input, they may vote differently. As a matter of course,
Councilmembers do not attend advisory board meetings. He suggested board members
forward their concerns to the Council via telephone, fax, or e-mail. Mr. Morris said members
may express their concerns by calling any Councilmember, who will determine an issue's
urgency.
Assistant Marine & Aviation Department Director Bev Buysse reported construction on
the Marina parking lot will be completed by the end of next week. Concern was expressed that
recent parking shortages in the lot were due to illegally parked vehicles.
Waterway Management Plan
Airport Operations Manager Gordie Wills presented a new placard, which outlines
waterways and wake zones, and has been installed at the Marina and other dock locations.
Boater information handouts are being printed.
Discussion ensued regarding "Blue Trails" for non-motorized vessels, with concerns
expressed that the trails are marine related and that the Parks & Recreation Department, not
the Marina, is in charge of the project. Mr. Morris said the water recreation element primarily is
not for open water. A Sand Key site is being considered only as an access point to nearby spoil
islands.
Recommendations were made that the plan address the cause of red tide, water quality
management, the importance of enforcement, consider the installation of boat moorings, and
overlap the City's land use plan. Ms. Buysse said the waterway management plan is intended
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to focus on how waterways are used and will consider ways to increase access. She estimated
research for the plan will take three months or more.
Marina Expansion Feasibility Study vs. Downtown Marina
The City Council has determined that the Downtown Marina is the priority.
Concern was expressed that the feasibility study document is incorrect as it
misrepresents riparian rights ownership of bottomlands south of the marina, considered in the
study for marina expansion.
A resident disputed the study's assertion regarding ownership of nearby bottomlands.
Foot Bridge
Mr. Morris reported the location of the new fuel tank will affect the proposed footprint for
the new foot bridge. The redesign of a new footbridge, if that course of action is decided, has
not been done. The MAB had supported the bridge have an exit, curving into the Marina. The
project will take one year to construct once design and funding issues are resolved.
6 - New Business
Next Grant - High & Dry Multi-Site Feasibility Study
The start and finish dates for the $54,000 study have not been determined. The MAB
will be included early in the discussion and review the presentation. Wade Trim will conduct the
study which will consider several sites: 1) adjacent to the Seminole docks; 2) Jack Russell
stadium site; and 3) Stevensons Creek. Limited funding controls the number of sites that the
study can consider.
It was suggested that the beach recreation center could be rebuilt and reconfigured to
meet this need. Concern was expressed that additional City controlled access to the water not
be lost to private development. Increased dockage opportunities for boaters was
recommended.
Fuel Tank Replacement Schedule
Ms. Buysse reviewed the fuel tank replacement schedule, which will impact the parking
lot by the Double Eagle. The new double walled tank meets new federal requirements. As no
fuel will be available for three weeks, it was recommended that the marina make provisions to
provide fuel during the project.
Board Member Resignation
Mr. Morris reported that Nicholas Matsis had resigned from the MAB.
7 - Aaenda for next meetina on Januarv 11. 2006
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Review of board composition. It was recommended that law enforcement be
represented. Mr. Morris said fishermen do not feel that the MAS represents their interests. It
was stated that commercial business interests are represented.
Consensus was that Dunedin Pass should not be opened.
Revisions to the Outline on Waterway Management Plan to be distributed.
8 - Adjournment
The meeting adjourned at 9:25 a.m.
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