09/10/2014 MARINE ADVISORY BOARD MEETING MINUTES
CITY OF CLEARWATER
September 10, 2014
Present: Chair Paul J. Kelley, Vice Chair Paul E. Lightfoot, Board Member Tim Trager, Board
Member Jane Davison Bongo, Board Member Edward O'Brien, Board Member Empty Seat,
Board Member Empty Seat
Also Present: Camilo Soto -Assistant City Attorney, William Morris - Marine &Aviation
Department Director, Patricia O. Sullivan - Board Reporter
The Chair called the meeting to order at 8:00 a.m. at City Hall.
To provide continuity for research, items are in agenda order although not necessarily
discussed in that order.
2 —Approval of Minutes
2.1. Approve the minutes of the June 11, 2014 Marine Advisory Board meeting as submitted
in written summation.
Member Lightfoot moved to approve Item 2.1. The motion was duly seconded and carried
unanimously.
3 —Citizens to be Heard re Items Not the Agenda: None.
4—Old Business
4.1. Permitting for Dunedin Pass Channel, shortcut channel, Seminole Boat Ramp and
Marina Basin dredge update
Marine & Aviation Department Director Bill Morris said the City had received a permit to dredge
the channel by Seminole Boat Dock before the September 28, 2014 super boat race. Additional
dredging farther into the channel will be done during Phase II, along with addressing bumps in
Dunedin Pass Channel near Marker 10. The Marine and Aviation Department is working with
the Coast Guard and Army Corps of Engineers.
Mr. Morris said the City of Cape Coral once had a fleet of dredges for its almost 400 miles of
canals; that work now is contracted. The City Council previously denied staff's request to
purchase a dredge for spot dredging. Staff requested CIP (Capital Improvement Project)
general fund money to apply for new permits to dredge the "federal project channels," including
the "short cut" channel to the Marina Basin, and Clearwater Pass to the Intracoastal Waterway.
A dogleg was created due to recurrent shoaling and replacement of the Clearwater Pass Bridge
(bascule) with the modern 74-foot clearance fixed bridge. The "short cut channel" once again
has moved outside the marked channel to its former location east of channel markers "4" and
"6." Staff is encouraging the Coast Guard to accept the channel's migrated location as it is
easier to maintain than to fight natural elements and keep moving it to the chartered location.
Marine Advisory 2014-09-10 1
Once obtained, permits are valid for 10 years. The City would subcontract for dredging and spot
dredging, which would be based on feedback from commercial and recreational boaters.
Assistant City Attorney Camilo Soto said once Clearwater Pass hotels have proper permits, the
City could consider a program to enhance hotel beaches with dredged sand.
Member Lightfoot moved that the Marine Advisory Board supports staff procuring necessary
permits and spot dredging as requested. The motion was duly seconded and carried
unanimously.
It was recommended that Mr. Morris pursue obtaining a dredge to save the City money.
Attorney Soto recommended Risk Management be contacted first.
4.2. Potential Marine Advisory Board Members
Mr. Morris reported Eric Spaulding and Tom Calhoun had resigned from the board. The City is
seeking applications from Marina tenants and commercial operators.
4.3. Vessel Anchorinq Regulations
Attorney Soto said according to FWCC (Fish &Wildlife Conservation Commission,) vessels in
navigation are not regulated unless in a mooring field. Mr. Morris said boats can moor along the
Causeway.
To protect docks and boats along the Dunedin Pass Channel, Mr. Morris recommended
pursuing a water recreation area between the proposed gated channel and Island Estates
docks, structures, and shoreline to be identified with buoys and local area charts. It was stated
that similar regulations greatly improved Mandalay Channel. It was recommended that the gated
channel wrap around the north end of the island. It was noted that City Council and FWCC
approval is necessary.
Member O'Brien moved to recommend pursuing creation of a water recreation area between
the proposed gated portion of Dunedin Pass Channel and Island Estates docks, structures,
and/or shoreline and wrapping it around the north end of Island Estates to connect with the
Mandalay Channel water recreation area. The motion was duly seconded. Members Trager,
Davison, O'Brien, and Chair Kelly voted "Aye"; Member Lightfoot voted "Nay." Motion carried.
Concern was expressed Southwinds Magazine's support for mooring fields would provide a
place to abandon derelict vessels.
Concern was expressed that new regulations related to permitting docks and extensions at
marinas would be time consuming and expensive. Mr. Morris said he would need to explore the
issue with City Council and Attorney Soto.
Member O'Brien moved to recommend the City waive the residency requirement for Marine
Advisory Board members who are commercial marina tenants and for the Harbormaster to
explore businesses operated by commercial marina tenant boat operators. The motion was duly
seconded. Members Trager, Davison, O'Brien, and Chair Kelly voted "Aye"; Member Lightfoot
voted "Nay." Motion carried.
Marine Advisory 2014-09-10 2
Mr. Morris discussed the current location of the red tide bloom. In response to a question, he
said updated information of red tide is available on multiple Internet sites such as FWCC or by
doing a search re "Red Tide Florida Gulf Coast"
5 - Agenda for next meeting on December 10, 2014
1. Recreational zone
2. More information re dredging, including quality sand for hotels
3. City Council feedback re board membership openings
4. Consider ways board members can interface with community
5. Consider ways to inform boaters re water recreation areas and significant wakes off the
ends of Island Estates.
6 — Adjourn
The meeting adjourned at 8:54 a.m.
Attest:
Board Reporter
Chair
Marine Advisory Board
Marine Advisory 2014 -09 -10 3