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12/10/2014 MARINE ADVISORY BOARD MEETING MINUTES CITY OF CLEARWATER December 10, 2014 Present: Chair Paul J. Kelley, Vice Chair Paul E. Lightfoot, Board Member Tim Trager, Board Member Jane Davison Bongo, Board Member Edward T. O'Brien Jr., Board Member Nino Accetta, Board Member Michael Grohman, Ex Officio Member Eric D. Spaulding 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. New members introduced themselves. Marine &Aviation Department Director Bill Morris discussed the Ex Officio position, stating it provided the board with a commercial boating resource. 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 September 10, 2015 Marine Advisory Board meeting as submitted in written summation. Member O'Brien 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 - Dunedin Pass Channel, shortcut channel, Seminole Boat Ramp and Marina Basin dredge update Mr. Morris said the City received the permit for dredging by the Seminole Boat Ramp for the Super Boat Race; other permits were pending. Though boaters have complained re shoaling by Marker 10 in the Dunedin Pass Channel, the Army Corps of Engineers survey did not reveal it. Mr. Morris requested the area be resurveyed. It was commented that heavy sediment near Marker 10 forced larger boats to travel slowly in the area and water was deepest by the seawall and much shallower by the marker. 4.2. Vessel Anchoring Discussion Mr. Morris reported the City hosted Federal and State agency and boating industry representatives December 1 —4, 2015, at the Sailing Center where the group reviewed "Big P" applications for Large Project grants over $100,000. The City did not have a pending "Big P" grant request. Representatives toured the downtown boat slips, which were partially funded by a $1.3 million "Big P" grant and the CMA (Clearwater Marine Aquarium), site for a pending City application for a "Little P" Small Project grant, under $100,000, to replace aging fixed slips with Marine Advisory 2014-12-10 1 an ADA accessible, 200-foot floating dock. The group was familiarized with Sailing Center programs that cater to physically challenged individuals. Representatives also discussed anchoring issues and witnessed an anchored sailboat in the basin, blocking boat slips by Island Way Grill. Proposed State rules would limit the time boats could anchor and require anchoring to remain at least 150 feet from navigation channels, bridges, and residential property. Under proposed rules, the City could prohibit anchoring in the basin by CMA. While the City could allow mooring in specific areas, the costs and liability of establishing a mooring area would exceed any fees that could be collected. Also, Mandalay Channel could be centered away from Island Estates to prevent anchoring in the channel. Assistant City Attorney Camilo Soto said the legislature must approve any anchoring law changes. In response to a question, Mr. Morris said two sailboats had anchored in the basin near Island Way Grill for the past 6 to 8 months; one boat owner claimed sovereign nation status. Support was expressed for proposed changes to State anchoring laws. 5— New Business 5.1. Clearwater Point Discussion Mr. Morris said in photographs, shoaling was visible in the middle of the channel by Clearwater Point in spite of recent dredging and no significant weather events. He recommended the Coast Guard recognize the sand's natural migration and shift the channel eastward. Discussion ensued with comments that Clearwater Point changed dramatically during the last decade with birds nesting on new sand. Suggestions were made to move the channel to where the water wants to be or to leave the channel untouched for several years while the natural channel forms, moving markers to reflect changes as they occur. It was stated only one large vessel runs the channel at a time. Mr. Morris said channels must be at least 100 feet wide; the natural channel's width ranged from 50 to 90 feet. He recommended reestablishing the channel and spot dredging every few years, as needed. He said Clearwater Point sand would not be touched. In response to a question, he reviewed the City's dredging process, stating that pure clean beach sand used to renourish beaches south of Sand Key migrates to Clearwater Pass and Clearwater Beach. 5.2. Recreational Zone Mr. Morris said work continued on creating a Recreational Zone east of Island Estates. Marine Advisory 2014-12-10 2 5.3. Consider ways board members can interface with community Mr. Morris said the Marine Advisory Board represented boating interests and was established to provide citizen input to the City Council. Board member recommendations resulted in many marine successes. In response to a suggestion, Attorney Soto discussed the Sunshine Law and said board members should avoid ex parte conversations re issues that may be on future board agendas. It was stated that board members could represent the City at State Fish &Wildlife Conservation Commission meetings. Mr. Morris encouraged members to attend public meetings re draft anchoring rules and regulations and to invite interested parties to accompany them. Items Not on the Agenda Urban Land Institute Report Mr. Morris said the ULI (Urban Land Institute) report re downtown improvement listed 43 strategies; Mr. Morris was tasked with creating and implementing a comprehensive boating plan that encouraged downtown activities. The report also recommended ferry service connect the downtown and beach, kayaking, paddle boarding, and similar commercial activities at the downtown marina, and interfacing the downtown and beach marinas and Seminole Boat Ramp. The report encouraged additional downtown boat storage to support downtown activity. Mr. Morris said the former high and dry site near the Seminole Boat Ramp was rezoned residential; the City received 300 signatures from residents opposing a new high and dry on that property. Mr. Morris was drafting a RFP (Request for Proposals) to hire a consultant re general costs, feedback, and processes for the boating plan. The consultant will interface with the community and interview people downtown, at the boat slips, and at the beach marina. The consultant's report should be submitted within 4 months from the time the study commences. It was stated there was nothing to do downtown which was difficult to access via boat. It was suggested a waterfront restaurant would generate downtown activity, but improved access was essential. It was stated the waterfront park was beautiful but usually empty. It was suggested the City attract families by constructing a pier off Coachman Park with restaurants and a Ferris wheel, and non-polluting access via air tram. It also was proposed that Clearwater Harbor could support a seaplane base to attract a new group of people downtown and create maintenance jobs. Concern was expressed that more activities and attractions were necessary for downtown to be an attractive destination. It was commented that activities suggested in the report, such as kayaking and paddle boarding from the downtown marina, were dangerous due to heavy marine traffic. It was stated that CMA and Harborview Center plans needed to be considered. Beach Marina In response to a question, Mr. Morris discussed work underway at the Beach Marina. Marine Advisory 2014-12-10 3 6 - Agenda for next meeting on March 11, 2015 Formal Presentation — Beach Marina Construction Update ULI Update 7 — Adjourn The meeting adjour d at 9:15 a.m. Attest: Beard Reporter Chair Marine Advisory Board y Marine Advisory 2012 -10 4