03/11/2015 MARINE ADVISORY BOARD MEETING MINUTES
CITY OF CLEARWATER
March 11, 2015
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
Also Present: Camilo Soto -Assistant City Attorney II, 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.
2 —Citizens to be Heard re Items Not on the Agenda: None.
3 —Approval of Minutes
3.1. Approve the minutes of the December 10, 2014 Marine Advisory Board meeting as
submitted in written summation.
Member O'Brien moved to approve Item 3.1. The motion was duly seconded and carried
unanimously.
4—Old Business
4.1. Dunedin Pass Channel Discussion
Marine & Aviation Department Director Bill Morris said according to the Dunedin Pass Channel
Feasibility Study Draft Report, the channel was 5 feet or deeper at Mean Low Water. Before
dredging could be permitted, the City would have to provide evidence that the channel previously
was dredged deeper or submit sediment core samples, which were too expensive to obtain.
Shoaling near Marker 10 could be addressed with spot dredging.
Mr. Morris suggested moving forward with the approval process for a Recreation Zone, which
would extend approximately one half mile from Marker 12 to 12a. In response to a question, he
said connecting to the Mandalay Channel Recreation Zone would pose a danger if fast vessels
round the northern tip of Windward Island at a blind corner. Gating Marker 12a would force boat
traffic into shallower water. Markers placed farther off shore keep getting dragged landward. Pilings
would be hazardous.
It was agreed that the Recreation Zone in Mandalay Channel has worked well.
Member Trager moved to recommend creation of a Recreation Boating Zone in Dunedin Pass
Channel, approximately one-half mile in length, in the vicinity of Markers 12 and 12A. The motion
was duly seconded and carried unanimously.
4.2. Clearwater Point Discussion — permit in progress
Mr. Morris said the County supports City plans to dredge the channel near Clearwater Point; staff
was advised the permit should be issued within 3 to 6 months. Once costs are known, staff will
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approach the two Clearwater Pass hotels that expressed interest in partnering with the City to
obtain beach sand.
The Coast Guard and Army Corps of Engineers recognized the migration of sand near Clearwater
Point and supported shifting the channel eastward to follow the natural flow.
5— New Business
5.1. Beach Marina Construction Update
Mr. Morris reported the new Beach Marina restaurant was scheduled to open on May 27, 2015,
and reviewed facility features; the City will receive 8.5% of alcohol sales. Board members were
invited to tour the facility.
5.2. Urban Land Institute Report Update
Mr. Morris discussed the ULI (Urban Land Institute) report's recommendation to create a downtown
waterfront district that attracts beach traffic. Submissions are due next week for the RFP (Request
for Proposals) to survey visitors, marina tenants and customers, neighbors, and downtown
businesses through Labor Day and develop a comprehensive downtown boating plan for the
marinas and Island Estates, with downtown fishing charters, an arts element near Seminole boat
ramp, and a high and dry facility amendable to adjacent residents. The report is due in November.
Mr. Morris said the Charter Review will discuss the ULI project. He encouraged members to review
the online ULI report re commercial uses at the downtown marina.
5.3. Tropics Ferry Discussion
Mr. Morris reported the family that owns the Tropics Tour Boat submitted an unsolicited proposal
last summer to operate a ferry commuter service between downtown and the beach for beach
employees using their 120+ passenger, double deck catamaran and a 42-passenger ferry/water
taxi pontoon boat that recently passed Coast Guard inspection. The City Charter allows
nonexclusive use of a ferry landing at the downtown marina. The Tropics Tour Boat rents a slip at
the Beach Marina, and a ferry landing is being created at Slip 149, near public restrooms.
Mr. Morris said beach employees will have priority seating and pay a nominal fee. The service,
anticipated to open next week, will pickup downtown passengers every 30 minutes during peak
periods between 6:00 a.m. and 3:00 a.m. Tropics Tour is working with beach hotels and did not
request a City subsidy. Ferries will not turn away other passengers if space is available. If
successful, the service may expand to transporting tourists.
Discussion ensued with support expressed for the operation. It was estimated the service will free
up 1,000 beach parking spaces.
5.3. Marine Advisory Board City Council Presentation
Chair Kelley said he would make the board's presentation to the City Council on April 16, 2015.
5.5. Election of Officers
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Member Trager moved to reappoint Paul Kelley as Chair. The motion was duly seconded and
carried unanimously.
Member Trager moved to reappoint Paul Lightfoot as Vice Chair. The motion was duly seconded
and carried unanimously.
Mr. Morris said today is Member Trager's final meeting. Mr. Trager said he would serve another
term if there were no other applicants.
Items not on the Agenda
Veterans Adaptive Sports Program
In response to a question, Mr. Morris said he wanted to honor the City and Sailing Center for its
long -term partnership with local VA hospitals, providing Sailability program services for people with
disabilities for approximately 14 years. There is an opportunity to formalize the Center's working
relationship with the Veterans Administration and become part of the VA Adaptive Sports Program.
Member Accetta moved to recommend the Sailing Center partner with the VA to operate a
Veterans Adaptive Sports Program, with the support and advice of the City. The motion was duly
seconded and carried unanimously.
Mooring Regulations
In response to a question, Mr. Morris said in 2009 Florida revoked all municipal anchoring
regulations and indicated new anchoring recommendations would be issued in 2014. A large staff
turnover at the FWCC (Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission) occurred. Discussions are
underway to limit anchoring to 30 or 60 days and to establish minimum distances between
anchoring boats and channels, marinas, active waterfront businesses, and residential property.
The issue garnered 95 pages of public comment. Concern was expressed that out -of -state and
foreign residents had authored many of the comments.
Mr. Morris said a resident purchased 25% of the bottom land in Mandalay Channel and wants to
remove aids to navigation over his bottom land and establish a mooring field. This change would
force the Mandalay Channel up against Island Estates. He encouraged members to review the
online FWCC report re anchoring.
It was stated the private bottom land extends only 200 to 250 feet off Clearwater Beach, south of
Acacia Street. It was anticipated that more docks would be constructed in this area.
6 - Agenda for next meeting on June 10, 2015
7 — Adjourn
The meetin
Attest:
Board Reporter
Marine Advisory 2015 -03 -11
urned at 9:!r7a.m.
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Chair
Marine Advisory Board
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