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08/08/2007 MARINE ADVISORY BOARD MEETING MINUTES CITY OF CLEARWATER August 8, 2007 Present: Paul J. Kelley Chair Edward O’Brien, Jr. Board Member F. David Hemerick Board Member Mark A. Smith Board Member Tim Trager Board Member Tom Calhoun Board Member Donald O. McFarland Board Member Also Present: Bill Morris Marine & Aviation Director Patricia O. Sullivan Board Reporter The Chair called the meeting to order at 8:00 a.m. at the Marina. To provide continuity for research, items are in agenda order although not necessarily discussed in that order. 2 – Minutes Approval – July 11, 2007 Member McFarland moved to approve the minutes of the Marine Advisory Board meeting of July 11, 2007, as submitted in written summation to each board member. The motioncarried was duly seconded and unanimously. 3 – Old Business Chair report on low profile lifts Chair Kelley distributed brochures on low profile boatlifts, which do not feature high beams. The boatlift’s height is predicated on how high above mean high water the owner chooses for the cradle. The CDB (Community Development Board) directed staff to determine if the appropriate maximum height of SandPearl boatlifts should be four or five feet. Disappointment was expressed that staff had not researched the issue and did not defer to a CDB member’s recommendation that the maximum height be four feet. Member Smith moved that the MAB (Marine Advisory Board) recommends the City adopt a standard for the SandPearl project that low profile lifts be no higher than 48 inches motioncarried above the deck to the top of the piling. The was duly seconded and unanimously. 4 – New Business Wake zone request from residents of Villa Del Mar Condos at Stevenson Creek Villa Del Mar Condos residents requested the establishment of a minimum wake zone to slow speeding vessels behind their condominiums, in the narrow channel connecting Stevenson Creek with the Venetian Point basin. It was stated that a City ordinance already restricts wakes Marine Advisory 2007-08-08 1 there. Marine & Aviation Director Bill Morris said staff could mail information to Venetian Point residents reviewing the law. If the area is posted, photographs of offenses could be forwarded to staff for follow-up. He will order a sign, citing the ordinance, for condominium residents to post on their waterfront. It was suggested that residents could contact the Police Department to report violations and contact the property owner across the channel to post a similar sign. Consensus was to table the request as a minimum wake zone already exists. Items Not on the Agenda Bay Esplanade Boat Ramp Mr. Morris reviewed plans for a temporary fix to the boat ramp. Damages resulted from multi-axle trailers unloading boats too large for the ramp. Staff is trying to keep the ramp open. Seminole Boat Ramp The parking lot at the Seminole Boat is being re-striped to accommodate trailers for larger vessels. The project will reduce onsite parking by several spaces. Marina Business Plan Mr. Morris said the Marina Business Plan, updated every five years, will be presented to the City Council on September 20, 2007. Marina rate increases are necessary for the Enterprise Fund to operate in the black and retain sufficient reserves for necessary repairs and rebuilding efforts. It was stated that Marina slips are undervalued. Mr. Morris said commercial boat captains are meeting on the issue and their feedback has been negative. He said higher rates paid by commercial boats are offset by their increased liability: traffic, parking use, and wear and tear on the facility. The proposed rate structure is common throughout southwest Florida and the country. Mr. Morris said the Applied Technical Management study, used to determine downtown boat slip rates, was overlaid on the Marina. The plan would bring rates up to market value with increases to $15.50/foot within five years, followed by annual increases of $0.25/foot. Primary increases would begin October 1, 2007. It was stated that the Marina has an excellent staff and provides superior services. Discussion ensued regarding the impact of higher fuel costs and increased slip rents on fishermen and the reduction to the fleet that may result. In response to a suggestion, Mr. Morris said that grandfathering tenants against rate increases would have too great an impact on the bottom line. It was stated that the Marina, a valuable asset that has been charging below market rates, should not continue to subsidize fishing boats. While jet skis do not purchase fuel from the Marina, Mr. Morris said they pay higher slip rents. Channel Club Project One resident opposed Channel Club project plans to construct large commercial docks abutting a residential district and extending 139 feet into Mandalay Channel, which would block the public waterway. The resident said under Beach by Design regulations, the subject district Marine Advisory 2007-08-08 2 should be a transitional area that minimizes impacts on the residential district. Further project issues were discussed with concerns expressed that staff has too much discretion to approve projects and lacks the expertise to make these types of decisions. It was stated that the MAS previously had voted against the project. Member Smith moved that the MAS deems Mandalay Channel to be a strategic waterway and should not be subject to rules allowing docks to extend up to 25% of its width as it is a navigational waterway. There was no second. It was requested that MAS members attend the CDS meeting when they consider this item. Minimum Wake Zone at Marina In response to a question, Administrative Analyst Catherine Yellin reported the proposed wake zone at the Marina is under final review by FDEP (Florida Department of Environmental Protection). 5 - Aqenda for next meetinq on September 12. 2007 6 - Adiournment The meeting adjourned at 9: 15 a.m. c~; Bd air, anne VISOry oar Marine Advisory 2007-08-08 3