06/14/2017 MARINE ADVISORY BOARD MEETING MINUTES
CITY OF CLEARWATER
June 14, 2017
Present: Chair Edward T. O'Brien Jr., Vice Chair Tish Wold, Board Member Michael Grohman,
Board Member Ken Marlow, Board Member Kevin R. T. Laughlin, Board Member Wade Carlisle
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.
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 March 8, 2017 Marine Advisory Board meeting as submitted
in written summation.
Member Wold moved to approve the minutes of the March 8, 2017 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. Imagine Clearwater Update
Marine & Aviation Department Director Bill Morris said Imagine Clearwater did not propose
changes to the Clearwater Harbor Marina dock structure but the proposal to attach a kayak
dock on the Intracoastal near heavy traffic, strong currents, and rough water would be
impractical. It would be preferable if a pontoon boat transported paddle boarders and kayakers
to calmer waters near spoil islands. The Drew Street dock will be repaired and cleaned.
A proposed centralized building supporting the marina and Coachman Park preserve would
need restrooms, a minimum 14-foot BFE (Base Flood Elevation) height, and an elevator. The
building would shelter water taxi passengers by a new landing. Significant surface parking will
be removed, leaving 40 —42 spaces under the bridge and an additional 60 spaces nearby.
Discussion ensued re importance of sufficient marina parking for boaters and their equipment.
4.2. Mooring Field in Mandalay Channel Update
Mr. Morris reviewed initial Army Corps of Engineers and State support of the application for a
large mooring field in Mandalay Channel. The City and County requested public hearings. City
and County approvals also would be necessary for the new proposal for a 12-mooring field. The
City opposed both applications: 1) applicant could not claim Clearwater Beach Recreation
Center as its upland facility— no authorization to use City owned restrooms, showers, dock, or
block water taxi access; 2) City claimed ownership of some subject bottom land; 3) Clearwater
Beach Marina unable to accommodate proposed pumping practices; and 4) referenced marina
not zoned to support a mooring field.
Marine Advisory 2017-06-14 1
It was noted that boats were chained to the Clearwater Beach Recreation Center dock for days
at a time. Concerns were expressed a private mooring field would strain City infrastructure,
pose navigation hazards, block public access to the City's dock, and be expensive to restore if
abandoned. Requiring a surety bond was recommended. In response to a question, Mr. Morris
estimated a municipal mooring field would need to accommodate 50 vessels to break even.
Member Laughlin moved to recommend denial of the application for a mooring field in Mandalay
Channel as it could not be regulated and would pose an unacceptable tax on City facilities and
infrastructure, and if approved, should be required to obtain a surety bond for damage to City
and community property. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously.
4.3. Clearwater Beach Marina Plans
Mr. Morris said the Clearwater Beach Marina served a public purpose. The rebuild and redesign
of floating docks must adhere to reverter clause restrictions. If the marina's footprint expands
beyond reverter clause restrictions, it may have to pay submerged land rent to the State and
raise tenant rates. The sandwich shop will return. The landscape design will replace non - native
oaks with palms. The parking lot must have landscape islands. Added fencing will prevent
pedestrians from darting across roundabout traffic.
It was recommended that a few parking spaces be marked for tiny cars. In response to a
suggestion to add signage for the Marina Cantina, Mr. Morris said only 3 types of signage were
allowed. He reported a finish that resembled wood would be painted on Crabby Bills and an art
piece added.
5 — New Business
5.1. Proposed Wake Zone — Carlouel Yacht Club
Mr. Morris presented a video of dolphins and manatees by the Carlouel Yacht Club submitted
by residents who proposed a nearby wake zone. He said Clearwater had more wake zones than
any other place in Florida. If it requested one more, the State would nullify all wake zones in the
City and require each zone to meet strict criteria before reinstatement; the recreation wake zone
in Mandalay Channel probably would be lost.
He recommended members read 2 State reports on anchoring. Florida had not issued
anchoring regulations since it terminated statewide regulations several years ago.
Copies of the December 2016 Government Affairs article, "Will Florida at last settle its anchoring
issues ?" will be forwarded to members for review.
6 — Agenda for next meeting on September 13, 2017
1) Wake Zone update
2) Clearwater Beach Marina Plans
3) Mooring Field update
7 — Adjourn
The meeting adjourned at 9:10 a.m.
Attest:
Bdard Repo
Chair - Marine Advisory Board
Marine Advisory 2017 -06 -14 2