03/09/2016 MARINE ADVISORY BOARD MEETING MINUTES
CITY OF CLEARWATER
March 9, 2016
Present: Chair Paul J. Kelley, Vice Chair Paul E. Lightfoot, Board Member Edward T. O'Brien Jr.,
Board Member Nino Accetta, Board Member Michael Grohman, Board Member Tish Wold, Ex Officio
Member Eric D. Spaulding
Absent: Board Member Jane Davison Bongo
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.
To provide continuity for research, items are in agenda order although not necessarily
discussed in that order.
2 —Approval of Minutes
2.1. Approve the minutes of the December 9, 2015 Marine Advisory Board meeting as submitted in
written summation.
Member Lightfoot moved to approve the minutes of the December 9, 2015 Marine Advisory Board
meeting as submitted in written summation. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously.
The Marine Advisory Board recessed from 8:02 to 8:03 a.m.
3 —Citizens to be Heard re Items Not on the Agenda: None.
4—Old Business
4.1. Clearwater Point Discussion
Marine & Aviation Department Director Bill Morris discussed the substantial reductions to federal
funding for dredging operations in Clearwater. Cape Coral deemed it too expensive to maintain its
own fleet of dredges. The Army Corps of Engineers required a $1 million deposit from Clearwater
before adding a City dredging project to its list. The Engineering Department, which oversaw
permitting for dredging projects, recommended releasing a RFP (Request for Proposals) for ongoing
dredging needs, outlining frequency, and negotiating a one-time contract to dredge Clearwater Point
channel, which needed attention. Clearwater Pass hotels offered to pay half of the costs of the project
that would pump the dredged sand onto hotel beaches. If contracted, permitted, and approved by
Council, the project would begin after Labor Day.
4.2. Beach Marina Construction Updates
Mr. Morris said the Marina Cantina was scheduled to open April 1, 2016 on floors 2 and 3. A casual
restaurant was planned for the west end of the 1St floor and a pizza restaurant was scheduled to open
on Labor Day at the former Post Office loading dock.
The City Council March 14, 2016 Work Session discussion re configuring the Beach Marina parking
lot can be viewed on streaming video.
5— New Business
5.1. North Marina Master Plan — Seminole Ramp Parking Lot Grant Opportunity
Marine Advisory 2016-03-09 1
Mr. Morris distributed long range cost estimates for the Seminole Boat Ramp Improved Parking and
Public Realm project. FWCC (Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission) recommended the project be
done in stages. Staff applied for a FWCC grant to offset costs to complete the first 5 line items: 1) mill
& resurface asphalt boat trailer parking lot; 2) new concrete sidewalk; 3) pavement striping & signage;
4) 2 picnic shelters; and 5) landscaping, irrigation, & furnishings. The parking lot will lose some
parking. Overflow parking will be added. The recommendation to purchase land was postponed.
5.2. Comprehensive Boating Plan — 3/15/16 Election Referendum Question #5
Mr. Morris distributed voter information re referendum questions on the March 15, 2016 ballot. He said
Question 5 would increase waterfront activities; the Save the Bayfront group had voiced opposition.
Clearwater Harbor Marina would be a dangerous place for kayaks and standup paddleboards to enter
the Intracoastal due to heavy boat traffic. Those uses would have to be limited to the basin or via
pontoon transport to a spoil island in a low traffic area; the marina was not suitable for kayak or
standup paddleboard use. Concern was expressed the current by the marina could imperil small
vessel enthusiasts.
5.3. Election of Officers
Member Grohman moved to reappoint Paul Kelley as Chair. The motion was duly seconded and
carried unanimously.
Chair Kelley moved to reappoint Paul Lightfoot as Vice Chair. The motion was duly seconded and
carried unanimously.
Items not on the Agenda
Mr. Morris distributed 2014 hydrographic surveys of Dunedin Channel. The State indicated 2009 rule
changes required alignment with best water and would not permit Clearwater's current wake zones or
the gated channels requested by Island Estates. The channel, which was not subject to tidal flow, had
sufficient traffic to keep it clear.
Member Grohman moved to recommend the wake zone markers for Dunedin Channel remain in
place and not be replaced with gated channels. The motion was duly seconded and carried
unanimously.
In response to a question, Mr. Morris said the private boaters creating wakes into the Beach Marina
were educated and the ferries were cooperative.
6 — Agenda for next meeting on June 8, 2016
Report on FWCC grant re Seminole Ramp Parking Lot
7 — Adjourn
The meetin
Attest.
urned at 8:48 a.m.
Board Rep i r er
Marine Advisory 2016 -03 -09
Chair - Marine
dviso
Board
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