12/09/2015 MARINE ADVISORY BOARD MEETING MINUTES
CITY OF CLEARWATER
December 9, 2015
Present: Chair Paul J. Kelley, Vice Chair Paul E. Lightfoot, Board Member Jane Davison Bongo,
Board Member Edward T. O'Brien Jr., Board Member Michael Grohman, Board Member Tish
Wold, Ex Officio Member Eric D. Spaulding
Absent: Board Member Nino Accetta,
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.
2 —Approval of Minutes
2.1. Approve the minutes of the June 10, 2015 Marine Advisory Board meeting as submitted
in written summation.
Member Lightfoot moved to approve the minutes of the June 10, 2015 Marine Advisory Board
meeting as submitted in written summation. The motion was duly seconded and carried
unanimously.
3 —Citizens to be Heard re Items Not on the Agenda: None.
4—Old Business
4.1. Dunedin Pass Channel Discussion
Marine & Aviation Department Director Bill Morris said in response to the Coast Guard's plan to
remove all aids to navigation, the City agreed to maintain 16 navigation aids. The City Manager,
Assistant City Manager, and Mr. Morris met with Harbor Island residents who petitioned for
Dunedin Pass Channel to be gated since 1987; the residents thought the City had taken over
maintenance of the channel and requested implementation of slow speed wake zones.
Mr. Morris said applying to modify wake zones would result in the implementation of new State
requirements that would reduce the number of slow speed minimum wake zone markers,
subject all slow speed minimum wake zones to review, and eliminate the Mandalay Channel
water recreation zone. The channel survey determined the best water in the Dunedin Pass
Channel was in the middle where homeowners wanted the markers to be located. The residents
were satisfied that current slow speed minimum wake zone markers would provide them more
protection than new State mandates would allow.
4.2. Clearwater Point Discussion
Mr. Morris anticipated the City should receive a letter of no objection from the Army Corps of
Engineers for City plans to dredge approximately 50,000 cubic yards of sand from the channel
by Clearwater Point. The City would be responsible for costs associated with its own project and
received $435,000 in commitments from Clearwater Pass hotels wanting the dredged sand; the
hotels must construct groins before sand could be deposited on their beaches. The City Council
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needs to approve the agreement and determine the City's contribution. City costs would be a
maximum of$50,000. Army Corps dredging projects dump sand north of Pier 60.
In response to a question, Mr. Morris said the Army Corps of Engineers would be able to dredge
in Clearwater every 5 to 10 years. The new dredging permit would expire in 10 years. A
dredging project could not begin before April 2016.
4.3. Beach Marina Construction Update
Mr. Morris said the Marina building rehabilitation project was scheduled for completion by
January 1, 2016. The City received 3 bids in response to the RFP (Request for Proposals) for
the Crabby Bill's location; Crabby Bills was chosen as it provided the highest return to the City
and had a verifiable operating history. The structure will be razed after May 1, 2016 and its
replacement is slated to open February 1, 2017, with an additional floor for rooftop space.
Crabby Bills will pay for the structure; $1.8 million was placed in escrow for construction,
including a contingency. The City was working through lease negotiations; Crabby Bills
requested use of City rights-of-way for tables, landscaping, and public art in the triangle formed
by sidewalks and the new structure's western edge.
5— New Business
5.1. North Marina Master Plan Meeting — 12/10/15 Main Library
Mr. Morris reviewed efforts to develop a Master Plan that increases activity and ties the north
marina basin with downtown. Pinellas County Schools supported an educational use for the
former North Ward Elementary School. A hotel by the north marina basin received more public
support than a high and dry, which would increase boating activity but would not enhance
activity in the north marina area which extends east to the Pinellas Trail and two blocks north
and south of Seminole Street.
In response to a question, Mr. Morris said the City would retain its properties. Preliminary plans
would: 1) add green space to triangle west of playhouse; 2) remove concrete to improve look of
boat ramp; 3) redo bait house and improve restroom; 4) install single car parking along long
fence; and 5) permit townhomes no taller than 3 stories on uphill property. The plan hoped to
attract private development of uphill properties. The buyer of the warehouse north of the fence
planned to convert the boat maintenance use to a mini marine bar.
Board members were invited to attend the meeting.
5.2. Comprehensive Boating Plan Meeting — 12/16/15 Main Library
Mr. Morris was tasked with activating the waterfront along Coachman Park and under the
bridge. Charter restrictions on activity there resulted in a no man's zone. The marina had
sufficient public docks except during major events. Boaters were willing to take the Jolley Trolley
to Clearwater Beach or Dunedin but had no incentive to ascend the hill to downtown. The "Save
the Bayfront" group opposed a waterfront restaurant and retail closer to the water.
Mr. Morris hoped to open 8 slips at the Clearwater Beach Marina for public use by restaurant
and business patrons, not beachgoers. It was recommended that slip users be required to
present a validation and receipt from local restaurants/businesses to reclaim their vessels.
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5.3. 2016 49er, 49erFX and Nacra 17 Sailing World Championships in Clearwater
Mr. Morris reviewed plans for the Clearwater Community Sailing Center to host 3 simultaneous
boat races in February 2016. Up to 200 boats were expected.
Clearwater Beach Marina
It was recommended that the City drop a buoy by the approach to the Beach Marina re
upcoming wake zone to slow boaters down and minimize wakes entering the marina. Concern
was expressed re increase in vessels creating large wakes in the marina. Mr. Morris will request
the City's patrol boat split its time between monitoring Harbor Island and the marina approach;
Clearwater Pass did not require substantial patrolling during winter.
New Business
Mr. Morris said the owners of Clearwater Ferry determined they needed a subsidy to operate
and requested financial support from the City. He was tasked with issuing a RFQ (Request for
Qualifications) for water taxi service; a RFP was needed to use City landings. He discussed
ferry services in Jacksonville and Baltimore. The owners of Clearwater Ferry wanted to increase
the number of north and south beach stops, including a floating dock with ADA (Americans with
Disabilities Act) access at the north beach ramp. A suitable south beach stop had not been
located.
Discussion ensued regarding Ft. Lauderdale's successful ferry service and the possibility of
adding stops at hotels and on Sand Key and at Carlouel. Mr. Morris did not know if a ferry in
C!ean,vater could generate sufficient traffic to be viable.
6 — Agenda for next meeting on March 9, 2016
1) Wakes entering Clearwater Beach Marina
7 — Adjourn
The meeting adjourned at 9:00 a.m.
Attest:
Board Repo er
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