10/21/2015 ENVIRONMENTAL ADVISORY BOARD MEETING MINUTES
CITY OF CLEARWATER
October 21, 2015
Present: Vice Chair Lynn F. Sumerson, Board Member Michael Engelmann, Board Member
Lindsay Collins, Board Member Leann J. DuPont
Absent: Chair Linda S. Varonich
Also Present: Matt Smith —Assistant City Attorney, Ed Chesney— Environmental Manager,
Patricia O. Sullivan — Board Reporter
The Vice Chair called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m. at City Hall.
2 —Approval of Minutes
2.1. Approve minutes of the July 15, 2015 Environmental Advisory Board meeting as
submitted in written summation.
Member Engelmann said his vote against the statewide ban on extreme resource extractions
should have included the reasons for his opposition.
Member DuPont moved to approve minutes of the July 15, 2015 Environmental Advisory Board
meeting as amended. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously.
3 —Citizens to be Heard re Items Not on the Agenda
Lisa Lanza said PSTA was discussing electric buses. She supported rail in Pinellas County, with
a hub in Clearwater. She suggested the board add these issues to the next agenda.
4—Solar Energy Presentation
Susan Glickman, Florida Director of Southern Alliance for Clean Energy, presented the
advantages of solar energy and discussed the high costs of Florida's business model, which
was based on investor owned utilities. She said local businesses were investing in solar energy
to reduce energy costs. She said traditional energy generation methods used significant water
while the state faced a water shortage crisis and sea level rise was intruding into the aquifer.
She encouraged the Board to back the State initiative supporting solar power and said utility
companies were promoting an initiative that would enshrine in Florida's constitution current law
favoring traditional energy.
In response to questions, Ms. Glickman said electricity generation choices will expand beyond
solar panels, window film, and roof shingles. She said solar systems had become more efficient
and many states were investing in solar. She did not think homeowner associations could
establish onerous policies against solar panels. She said if Clearwater adopted an energy
policy, she recommended establishing energy efficiency as a goal rather than requiring new
construction to install solar energy; cities such as Orlando offered incentives for solar use. She
said solar providers insured the panels they install on customer property; panels were designed
to withstand severe weather.
5—2015 Charter Review Committee Recommended Amendments
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Discussion ensued re Charter Review Committee recommended amendments. On November 5,
2015, the City Council will provide direction for staff to draft referendum questions.
Administrative Support Manager Felicia Donnelly said the Legal Department determined the
Charter did not need to be changed re Moccasin Lake Park, which always will retain its
Recreation /Open Space zoning. Mr. Cheney said the 2002 Charter Review Committee had
recommended language re Stevenson Creek dredging to make certain that the Charter would
not impede the dredging project. The pass once separating Caledesi Island and Clearwater
Beach filled in naturally; dredging that was not considered.
6 - Discussion items — Marriott Sand Key Marina Plan, Clearwater Christian College
Update
Environmental Manager Ed Chesney said the Clearwater Christian College site had a potential
buyer; the City was interested in obtaining and maintaining the site's 77.8 acres of wetlands
adjacent to Coopers Point. The active bald eagle nest was on City property.
Vice Chair Sumerson expressed concern the Sand Key Marriott's plan to build boat docks on
the Intracoastal would attract large boats that would damage sea grass beds, harm sea life, and
endanger the children, handicapped persons, and others who sail from the Sand Key Sailing
Center. He said hotel staff would be unable to monitor alcohol consumption by boaters. He said
there was no reason for motorized vessels to operate in that area.
Mr. Cheney reviewed the dock approval process; the City could only approve dock setbacks. He
did not know who owned the abutting submerged land. Alcohol sales was a resort amenity. A
photo of sea grasses near the hotel and Sailing Center properties was requested.
Two residents said motorized boat traffic would imperil Sailing Center sailors.
Vice Chair Sumerson handed the gavel to Acting Chair DuPont.
Member Sumerson moved that the Environmental Advisory Board strongly opposed
constructing docks at the Sand Key Marriott and recommended the City Council oppose the
docks. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously.
Acting Chair DuPont handed the gavel to Vice Chair Sumerson.
7 — Agenda for January 20, 2016 meeting
It was requested that the City Council be asked to provide direction to the board re its future
focus.
8 — Adjourn
The meeting a•'• ed at 5:20 p.m.
Attest:
I
Chair
Environmental Advisory Board
Board Reporter
Environmental Advisory 2015 -10 -21
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