04/21/2004
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ENVIRONMENTAL ADVISORY BOARD
CITY OF CLEARWATER
April 21, 2004
PRESENT:
Sandra Jamieson
Clorinda Gilreath
Judy McSwine
Norma Carlough
Mike Flanery
Chair
Board Member
Board Member
Board Member
Board Member
ALSO PRESENT:
AI Carrier
Andy Neff
Leslie Dougall-Sides
Brian Barker
Veronica Josef
Asst. Dir. of Engineering/ESM
Public Utilities Director
Asst. City Attorney
Engineering Manager
Staff Assistant
APPROVED
To provide continuity for research, items are in agenda order although not necessarily discussed
in that order.
Unless otherwise noted, no action was taken regarding items.
.1.
ADMINISTRATION
The Chair called the meeting to order at 4:03 p.m. in the Commission Chambers of City Hall.
ITEM # 1 - Aooroval of corrected minutes February 1 B. 2004 & March 17. 2004
Minutes from February 18, 2004 were unanimously approved as corrected.
Chair Jamieson made a motion to approve the minutes from March 17, 2004 and Member McSwine
seconded the motion. There were no additions or corrections to the minutes from March 17, 2004, which was
unanimously approved.
ITEM # 2 - Citizens To Be Heard
None
2. ACTION ITEMS
ITEM # 3 - Nomination of Vice Chair and Chair
Member Flanery was nominated to serve as Vice Chair for a period of one year. Chair Jamieson was
nominated as chair & will continue to serve for one year.
3. REpORTS
ITEM # 4 - Commission Liaison Reoort
None
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ITEM # 5 - Public Works Environmental Proiects
None
ITEM # 6 - Citv Comorehensive Plan Liaison Reoort
None
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ITEM # 7 - Portable/Reclaimed Water
Member Neff gave a quick overview on the projects & reclaimed water usage.
. Harbor Oaks - 100 % design point, construction will be completing this year.
. Drew and Union Street - continues to encounter easement acquisition problems. The city is negotiating with
school board on the property acquisition issue for a booster pump station.
. Civil area bv the New Mall - 90 % design and getting ready to be bid this summer.
. Del Oro Proiect - Design efforts starts next month.
. Water Plant - When started, anticipated at making $ 1.68 a thousand gallons, into the project the cost
turned out to be $ 1.51 a thousand gallons and now making water at about $ 1.47 to $ 1.46 a thousand
gallons. Compared to the country $ 2.30 a thousand gallons. As county rates go up we are able to control
our costs.
. Northeast Plant - planning to put in a well system to inject reclaimed water.
Member Flanery reported on low water usage - Zero scaped lawn, no need to use pesticide, less water
consumption, less nutrients, better for environment, specially for stormwater run off.
Member McSwine reported on Pinellas County Development meeting, who have a Healthy Lawn Program on
better ways to use irrigation, and better ways to plant Ilandscapping.
Chair Jamison suggested, to encourage public to use more reclaimed water if available. By using
well, public do not understand how fragile our water table and structure is.
ITEM # 8 - Community Develooment
None.
4. DISCUSSION ITEMS
ITEM # 9 - Stormwater 102
AI Carrier introduced Brian Barker-Stormwater Manager- Public Works Engineering Department.
Speaker Brian Barker. gave a brief update version on Session 2 of Stormwater Management. Identifying
Flooding Problems, Solutions, Goals, and which are prioritized according to Cost Benefits. Ditches, Swales,
Pipes how they convey to Stormwater. Different types of ponds, which hold back or store & can remove
pollutions from stormwater run off. Finally the goal was to construct a system by reducing structure flooding.
Chair Jamieson inquired on Stormwater Management, how much education was given to public in terms of
City TV Stations, putting grass clippings into ponds as this has great impact on the liability of wet ponds.
AI Carrier reported that informational flyers are put out every year in brochures comes in with the utility bill
package. Suggested that any new idea the Board comes across, can be put into slide presentations on C-
View.
ITEM # 10 - Reoort on Coastal Redevelooment
None
ITEM # 11 - Stevenson Creek Dredaina - Sludae Disoosal
Member McSwine reported that she spoke to Elliot Shoberg a week ago, and was told that the delay was on
the Army Corps. Member Gilreath suggested that Veronica distribute a copy of the St.Petersburg article on
Stevenson Creek Dredging to all board members.
AI Carrier gave a brief report on the financial status of the project
Member Gilreath and Dougall-Sides suggested that the Board should provide inputs to the City Council,
conveying our thoughts about the dredging project to the Mayor and Council.
Chair Jamieson suggested to draft a recommendation to the City Staff & Council to continue persuing monies
for the dredging at Stevenson Creek and this was seconded by Member Carlough and to e-mail the copy to
AI Carrier, who will then submit to the City Council.
Member McSwine reported that our project was pushed aside and other projects were put ahead. Right now
we in a conceptual phase and have to go into design phase.
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ITEM # 12 - Gas Plant on North Mvrtle
Member Flanery stated that there was no specific information and that the problem was with manufactured
gas plants and this would be a significant environmental/health concern. Articles were distributed to the board
in reference to the Gas Plant on North Myrtle.
5. INFORMATION ITEMS
ITEM # 13 - Clearwater Beach Hotel
Chair Jamieson reported Council members are very much in favor of this re-development.
Member Carlough - stated that there are no height restrictions for buildings in the downtown
Clearwater area. Drew to Court, Osceola to Myrtle.
Member McSwine - stated that the renovation of the Clearwater Beach Hotel destroyed the original
historical value and was no longer protected.This can be raised.
Member Flanery - stated there was no vision for the Beach Project. Everything is now turned into
high rise concrete, which is now becoming a commercial area just to make cash and that human
health is highly subject to stress on environment.
Member Carlough reported on the conditions of Coachman Park.
Chair Jamieson suggested that the board send congratulation statement to Rob Powers on his
recent award.
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Member McSwine reported that League of Women Voters of North Pinellas will have the Vice MC;lyor of
Dunedin and the Environmental Quality Policy Chairman, speaking on "Recommendations For Legislation for
2005" this Saturday, May 1, 2004 at 10:00 am at Feathersound Country Club. Tickets are $ 20.00 per person.
ITEM # 14 - Clearwater Bridae
Member Carlough reported that different opinions were expressed. Contractors did not agree that they are
responsible for all the problems. DOT & POL will have a new independent audit
ITEM # 15 - EastlWest Trail
Chair Jamieson reported the East/West Trail was absolutely delightful. A neat trail.
6. ESTABLISH AGENDA:
City TV stations on educating public. Doug Matthew-Channel 15 to give a talk
Community Development - Edge Water Drive - 91 ft tall structure
General Living Conditions in the area
Coachman Park - how much money is required for the preservation of Coachman Park
Clearwater Library
7. NEXT MEETING
Work Session Meeting on June 16, 2004. EAB meeting for the month of May is cancelled.
8. ADJOURNMENT
No further discussion, meeting was adjourned at 5:45 p.m.
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ChairNice Cha
Environmental Advisory Board
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