03/08/2017 MARINE ADVISORY BOARD MEETING MINUTES
CITY OF CLEARWATER
March 8, 2017
Present: Chair Paul E. Lightfoot, Vice Chair Edward T. O'Brien Jr., Board Member Michael
Grohman, Board Member Tish Wold
Absent: Board Member Nino Accetta, Board Member Ken Marlow, Board Member Kevin R. T.
Laughlin
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 8:05 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 14, 2016 Marine Advisory Board meeting as
submitted in written summation.
Member O'Brien moved to approve the minutes of the December 14, 2016 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. Crabby Bill's Restaurant update
Marine & Aviation Department Director Bill Morris said construction was ahead of schedule;
opening was ancipated by first week in April.
4.2. Application for mooring field in Mandalay Channel update
Mr. Morris expressed concern the applicant would try to expand the mooring field once it was
approved. Mooring field boat passengers would be close to Clearwater Beach Recreation
Center and try to access its showers and bathrooms. The center's dock already was crowded
with dinghys and the water taxi; a 2nd dock may be needed to ensure the water taxi had a clear
operations dock.
Assistant City Attorney Camilo Soto said City objections to the mooring field application still
stood re its lack of upland faciliites. The City was waiting to be contacted for its response to the
Army Corps of Engineers' approval of the first application. If scheduled, residents and the City
would be heard at the meeting; notice would be posted on the Army Corps' website.
Three residents spoke in opposition to the mooring field expressing concerns that moored boats
would dump sewage into Mandalay Channel, come loose during huricanes, causing signficant
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damage to seawalls, etc., disturb nearby residents with loud music late at night, and be unlit,
endangering night boaters. It was stated 50 respondees to an Island Estates resident survey
had expressed strong opposition to the proposed mooring field. It was indicated it was unfair
that boats could drop anchor close to residents' docks and regulations were recommended to
limit the length of time boats could anchor.
In response to a question, Mr. Morris reviewed State action re anchoring. The December 2016
report recommended minimum achoring distances from launch ramps and navigation channels,
but did not propose setbacks from private property. It recommended that county governments
manage mooring fields and anchoring in municipalities. The report will be presented to the
legislature for action; citizen and municipal input was important as the report did not recommend
anchoring time limits, for example. He encouraged residents to review the report and submit
concerns and recommendations to the legislature.
Attorney Soto said boat owners were required to have insurance. Currently, Clearwater could
not regulate anchoring in Clearwater. The City did not provide pumpout services to anchored
vessels but operated 3 free pumpout locations for vessels "in transit." The City could enforce
Federal Statute requring anchored vessels to display appropriate navigation lights or symbols,
City noise regulations, and prohibit boats from tying up to private docks. The State had never
before issued a mooring permit for privately owned submerged lands; County approval would be
required.
Discussion ensued with recommendations that marine police require proof of insurance for
moored and achored boats, that local governments be authorized to restrict anchoring, and for
all to contact the legislature.
4.3. Water taxi update
Mr. Morris said a 2-year trial was underway; Clearwater Ferry was doing well and recently
purchased a larger boat. The water taxi picked up and dropped off passengers at public
facilities; private facilities had not expressed interest in participating. A connection to south
Clearwater beach would attract more passengers; the Police Department Beach Substation
dock could not be used.
Attorney Soto suggested members share recommendations for Sand Key pickup points with
Clearwater Ferry. Mr. Morris said the Sand Key Marriott had tried to construct a marina for the
last 18 years and may try again to include a water taxi landing.
5— New Business
5.1. Election of officers
Member Grohman moved to appoint Ted O'Brien as Chair. The motion was duly seconded and
carried unanimously.
Member Grohan moved to appoint Tish Wold as Vice Chair. The motion was duly seconded and
carried unanimously.
5.2. Imagine Clearwater update
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Mr. Morris presented a photograph of the new Belleair boat ramp bait house, constructed at 14-
feet BFE (Base Flood Elevation) due to its location in the velocity and flood zone. A smaller
scale structure, with an elevator, was being contemplated for Seminole Boat Docks.
Parking spaces to support the Harbor Marina under the Memorial Causeway Bridge were
incorporated into the Imagine Clearwater plan. Mr. Morris reviewed plans for nearby elevated
restrooms, a ticket booth, and water taxi pickup location.
Attorney Soto said if approved by the City Council, Imagine Clearwater would be implemented
in 2 phases. The consultant emphasized that several thousand parking spaces were within a 5
to 10 minutes walk of Coachman Park. He recommended board members contact the City
Council re support or opposition to the plan.
Chair Lightfoot said today would be his last meeting. He said it had been a pleasure serving with
board members.
Mr. Morris introduced Michael MacDonald, who will replace Marine & Aviation Operations
Manager Gordie Wills.
Mr. Wills was complimented for his work for the City.
6 — Agenda for next meeting on June 14, 2017
1) Update on mooring field
2) Update on Clearwater Beach marina plans
Attorney Soto said Sailing Center management was not contractually required to provide
updates to the board.
7 — Adjourn
The meeting adjourned at 9:00 a.m.
Attest:
Board Reporter:
c
Chair - Marine Advisory Board
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