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10/18/2006 , .. J.., . ENVIRONMENTAL ADVISORY BOARD MEETING MINUTES CITY OF CLEARWATER October 18, 2006 Approved Minutes Present: D. Michael Flanery Sandra Jamieson Joseph A. Calio Nelda Gant Ron Gregory Chair Board Member Board Member Board Member Board Member Also Present: Ed Chesney Patricia O. Sullivan Environmental Manager Board Reporter The Chair called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m. at City Hall. To provide continuity for research, items are in agenda order although not necessarily discussed in that order. 1 - Approval of Minutes- September 21 & November 16. 2005 Member Jamieson moved to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of September 21,2005, as submitted in written summation to each board member. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. . Member Gregory moved to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of November 16, 2005, as submitted in written summation to each board member. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. It was stated that the Board lacked a quorum for an extended time and follow-up on minute items did not occur. 2 - Citizen Comments Stormwater Program Councilmember Jonson said the main reason the EAB (Environment Advisory Board) was reconstituted was to review the City's stormwater program. He discussed estuary issues and approved stormwater rate increases. He requested that the EAB determine why Clearwater's rates are high, and review and determine if stormwater projects are designed to maximize productivity and efficiency. He said unincorporated residents do not pay stormwater fees and suggested that the City could use Penny for Pinellas taxes to fund City stormwater projects. He requested that the EAB also consider other funding sources. He said the Board is not required to meet if there are no agenda items. . Concern was expressed that flat rates do not account for significant differences in property sizes. City Engineer Mike Quillen said the City adopted the flat rate, or ERU (Equivalent Residential Unit), based on the City's consultant's evaluation. The ERU is based on Environmental Advisory 2006-10-18 1 -- [R elT't OF Cs'\.k~~:11.:~1I'1'! · : P\lr.\~~- . \---.- . J ! . Discussion ensued regarding the effects of City stormwater projects, including Town Lake and Glen Oaks, on reducing pollutants from discharge into Clearwater Harbor and Tampa Bay and protecting homes and roads from flooding. Concern was expressed that the City not finance recreation facilities with stormwater fees. Engineering Manager Elliot Shoberg said generating activities at Glen Oaks discourages vagrancy. Mr. Quillen said the Lake Belleview project will increase water storage and improve water quality. In response to a question, Mr. Shoberg reported the City will transport spoil it removes from Stevenson Creek to the AOO-acre City-owned site in Hillsborough County. Concern was expressed that runoff from the Marriott Hotel on Sand Key has killed approximately 25 feet of sea grass near the Sailing Center. Reports 3 - Potable & Reclaimed Water - Chair Flanery Public Utilities Assistant Director Todd Petrie reviewed the City's potable and reclaimed water system and proposed strategies. The goal is to follow State water policy to encourage use of reclaimed water, not well water, which depletes the aquifer and the availability of potable water. Private deepwater wells increase the cost of water for others and damage the environment. . Policy issues under consideration include prohibiting new deep wells and all wells within 1,000 feet of City potable water wellheads, ending well exemptions, requiring all affected residents to participate in future reclaimed water projects, permitting neighborhood connection to reclaimed water on route based on petition with support that exceeds 50%, and limiting irrigation from all non-reclaimed water sources to one day a week. (Reclaimed water can be used daily between 4:00 p.m. and 10:00 a.m.) The next six projects are under evaluation. It was stated that reclaimed water use filters water before it returns to the aquifer, improving the water source. In response to a question, Mr. Petrie said it is impossible to eliminate all discharges due to reduced irrigation activity during the wet season. City discharges into Tampa Bay and Stevenson Creek are permitted and meet all State and Federal guidelines. Studies determined that the ASR (Aquifer Storage and Recovery) method would not be viable for Clearwater. Mr. Petrie anticipated reclaimed water use will decrease when metered, however, expansion of the system will increase usage. In response to questions, Mr. Petrie said the City did not consider reimbursing residents for their wells. Concern was expressed that residents may spend $2,000 to install a well, planning to recoup the costs over years. Mr. Petrie said staff had considered that possibility. The City recently approved agreements with golf courses that maintain their storage ponds to provide reclaimed water for the ponds as needed. The City's current reclaimed water program is based on a master plan, which identifies specific neighborhoods for installation. A policy adjustment is under consideration. A public education component reviews best practices for water use to best maintain landscape. . Environmental Advisory 2006-10-18 2 . ...... -' . 4 - Community Development - Board Member Jamieson Board Member Jamieson said EABs in other cities are more proactive. She recommended the Board review other communities via computer to make comparisons, review City projects and the vision statement, be proactive and deliberative, and approach Councilmembers for issues. 5 - Board Member Calio Member Calio recommended the City charge a stormwater impact fee. 6 - Board Member Gant 7 - Board Member Greqory Member Gregory: 1) Requested a clear definition of EAB (Environment Advisory Board) roles; 2) Requested a copy of staffs potable & reclaimed water policy position when it becomes available for Board review; 3) Reviewed his intent to represent his area of concern regarding the environment, including City estuaries and the coastal marine environment, and for development and redevelopment to be done properly; 4) Recommended the Board review environmental issues related to the boat docks; and 5) Reviewed his intent to discuss Island Estates area water quality, the lack of flushing and circulation. He said in the future he would request hydrological studies, if available, and expressed concern that the new land bridge between Clearwater Beach and Caledesi Island has provided feral cats access to the island. . Discussion Items 8 - Smart Growth - Chair Flanery - Continued to date uncertain. 9 - Green Buildinq - Board Member Jamieson Member Jamieson reviewed techniques used to construct the Happy Feet building on US 19N as an environmentally friendly structure. She expressed concern that new development will have huge impacts on the environment and increase water use. She recommended the City encourage the use of "green" processes in ongoing development. While more expensive on the front end, the back end is less expensive to maintain. She encouraged the City to consider ways to create a more environmentally friendly community. 10 - Informational Items Staff will provide: 1) Copies of the EAB manual to new board members; 2) Information on past and future stormwater projects; 3) Stormwater survey showing how other municipalities base their rates; 4) Information on how rates are established; 5) The Potable & Reclaimed Water policies and rate schedule; 6) Outline of reclaimed water policy under development and basis for staff recommendations; 7) Information on ways to reduce the fee; and 8) Wade-Trim report on the downtown boat slips; 9) Budget and funding on downtown boat slips. . Staff will contact members when information is ready to provide members the opportunity to pick up materials and save mailing costs. Environmental Advisory 2006-10-18 3 " ..: , - . 11 - Establish Aqenda The EAB will meet on November 15, 2006 at 4:00 p.m. Consensus was to schedule a 45-minute discussion on the boat slips and 20 minutes on the evaluation and assessment of utility fees. Coastal Cleanup Environmental Manager Ed Chesney reviewed planned October 21, 2006, Coastal Cleanup activities. 12 - Adiourn The meeting adjourned at 5:51 p.m. Ch . . 'nvironmental Advisory Board Attest: C> ~ ~.~~~ -\O~~ ~5i-4604.11 '~\~O\Ob . . Environmental Advisory 2006-10-18 4