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11/13/1996MARINE ADVISORY BOARD CITY OF CLEARWATER November 13, 1996 Present: David C. Martens Chair Donald McFarland Vice-Chair David Hemerick Member Edward Dohrman Member Ernie Cline Member Bill Wilhelm Member Dave Perkins Ex-Officio William Held Harbormaster Brenda Moses Board Reporter Absent: David Smith Member (Excused) The meeting was called to order by Chair Martens at 8:00 a.m. at the Marina conference room, 25 Causeway Boulevard, Clearwater, Florida. In order to provide continuity for research, the items will be listed in agenda order although not necessarily discussed in that order. Member Wilhelm moved to approved the minutes of October 9, 1996 as submitted in writing to each member. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. 1. Fishing Pier Costs It was suggested 2 or 3 small fishing piers be constructed. The length of piers is dependent upon the permitting process. Material costs for construction of 10 X 48 foot wooden fishing piers, using Marina employees during normal working hours, are estimated at $3,200. Handrails are estimated at $40 per foot or $4,240. The handrails are necessary to comply with the ADA (Americans with Disability Act) and accommodate the handicapped. Total cost for CCA treated wood and handrails is $7,440 per pier. A 10 X 36 foot pier with handrails is estimated at $6,000. Other possible costs would include permitting applications of $4,000 to $5,000, costs for possible water quality studies requested by the state, and a sidewalk to and from each pier. The City has budgeted $200,000 for construction of piers. It was suggested one of the piers be placed to the east of the City compound area at Clearwater Pass, near the Australian pines. It was noted constructing one long pier would probably involve Coast Guard objections. Mr. Held will place calls to various agencies for preliminary information regarding acceptable pier lengths. It was suggested MAB (Marine Advisory Board) Members visit the area to look at potential pier locations before the next meeting. It was decided members will individually visit prospective pier locations. 2. Wake Zones in Marina Channel and at Seminole Launch Ramp The County had contacted the City regarding wake zones at Seminole launch ramp. This Board recommended not to extend the wake zones and this decision was related to the State. At the April MAB meeting this Board discussed bringing together the wake zone in the Marina with the Marina channel. A motion was made at the April meeting but was not seconded. Consensus was to table the issue to the next meeting. The preliminary work has begun to overhaul the concrete supports for floats, and a contract is being negotiated for resurfacing and restriping of the Seminole launch ramp parking lot. 3. Memorial Causeway Bridge Replacement Some MAB members attended the October 15, 1996 meeting regarding the Memorial Causeway bridge replacement. Over 40% of the attendees were against the proposed bridge replacement. Another public meeting is scheduled for December 3, 1996 from 4:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. It was suggested members attend that meeting to voice their opinions on alignment preferences. It is anticipated the City Commission will make a decision on the preferred alignment in January of 1997. Discussion ensued and not all MAB members were in favor of building a new bridge. A question was asked why this Commission so desperately wants a new bridge, and if anticipated traffic growth warranted this project. A remark was made that this project would involve taxpayer money and a suggestion was made to wait until the State builds the bridge. It was noted repairs would be necessary to the current bridge and traffic is expected to increase in coming years enough to necessitate the new bridge. State funding would not be available for 10 to 12 years. A remark was made that by formulating plans for the proposed bridge in advance of funding, the City feels it is possible funds may be obtained sooner than originally anticipated. A question was asked if statistics were available regarding traffic coming from the Sand Key bridge and merging to Clearwater Beach. Mr. Held will call the City Engineering Department to find out where Board members can view the proposed bridge alignment choices. 4. Magnolia Street Dock Chair Martens gave a brief overview of the meeting held on November 4, 1996. The Staff Hearing Officer is to make a ruling this week as to how staff will recommend to the Pinellas County Commission on December 10, 1996. A petition being signed in the neighborhood already has 84 of 102 residents in favor of the dock. 5. Approval of Free Dockage at the Marina for the 22nd Annual Memorial Christmas Boat Parade The City Manager approved free dockage for everyone participating in this year’s Christmas Boat Parade. Commodore Vic Spoto will provide Mr. Held with a list of boats interested in participating in the parade by December 13, 1996. 6. Informational Items The Pier Park grand opening is scheduled for Sunday, November 24, 1996 from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. A ribbon cutting ceremony and other activities are planned. Free pier admission and a fishing tournament is scheduled. The concession building on the south is to be opened November 14, 1996. The final cost for the park was approximately $1.3 million, which includes the concession stand. It was noted the park is already very popular and an infomercial was done last Sunday by Hulk Hogan’s crew. A preview of the concession took place Saturday night. The concession wall is covered with dolphins, fish and other marine art. Lamp posts for the main terminal docks have been ordered and are expected by next month. The “On A Clear Day” brochure was distributed to members. The brochure was developed with the help of Library, Parks and Recreation Department and Marine Department staff. It features photographs and information on the Sailing Center, Pier 60, the Marina and various recreational facilities throughout the City. The brochures will be available at City kiosks and other facilities to assist tourists visiting the City. It was noted the Marina won the prize for the dumpster contest in the beach category. It was a white lattice design and can be viewed at the Sailing Center. Winners received a pizza lunch. Boat launching ramps were discussed. A member took a 20 foot outboard to Stevenson’s Creek and ran aground between the ICW approaching the bridge. He then ran along the seawall but could not proceed much further. Because of his T-Top he could not go under the bridge. That area is not a good launch area for boats, but there may be a section on the east side of the bridge for a kayak or canoe launch. There are many areas throughout the City that are too shallow to launch boats. It was noted the depth of the Seminole launch ramp is approximately 5 feet and the depth of the water at the Recreation Center is estimated deeper than 5 feet. A suggestion was made to move the new seagrass warning signs on the south side of the Recreation Center ramp to the north side. In its current location it is a pedestrian hazard. It was noted the north side of the ramp has been turned into a motor pool and garbage heap with piles of dirt, gravel and other materials. Mr. Held will contact the Parks and Recreation Department regarding this issue. The meeting adjourned at 8:55 a.m.