05/14/1997
MARINE ADVISORY BOARD
CITY OF CLEARWATER
May 14, 1997
Present: David C. Martens Chair
Donald McFarland Vice-Chair
David Smith Member
David Hemerick Member
Ernie Cline Member
Bill Wilhelm Member
Dave Perkins Ex-Officio
William Held Harbormaster
Brenda Moses Board Reporter
Absent: Edward Dohrman Member
The meeting was called to order by Chair Martens at 8:00 a.m. at the Marina
In order to provide
conference room, 25 Causeway Boulevard, Clearwater, Florida.
continuity for research, the items will be listed in agenda order although not
necessarily discussed in that order.
1. Approval of Minutes - April 9, 1997
Chair Martens asked if there were any corrections to the minutes of April 9,
1997 as submitted in writing to each member. No corrections were noted, and Chair
Martens stated the minutes will stand approved as read.
2. Update on Fishing Piers
Mr. Held noted that the Engineering Department is working on the permits for
the proposed piers. Field work continues and the application process has begun for
submission to the State. Normally, it takes approximately 90 days for a response to the
application. When a copy of the application is available, Mr. Held will share it with
Marine Advisory Board members.
3. Magnolia Street Dock
Chair Martens noted that due to the delay in construction, the job for the
Magnolia Street Dock was re-bid. The original bid was awarded to Seaway at $120,000.
Upon re-bidding the job, Seaway’s bid increased to $142,000. Upon further
negotiations, Seaway reduced their bid to $131,000. Due to the enormous increase in
the original bid , it was terminated and open bids are due by May 28, 1997. It was
noted that the 2 people who were against reconstruction of the dock lost their case in
December, 1996 and again in February, 1997. Their attorney contacted the County
and indicated that those 2 property owners had owned the land out to the intracoastal
waterway. The City of Clearwater produced a map of 1914 indicating that the property
was indeed State land.
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It was noted in previous Marine Advisory Board minutes, it was mentioned that
the roof on the Turner Street Dock was in need of repairs. Mr. Held remarked that the
City Building and Maintenance Department is aware of the situation and will be
repairing the roof shingles shortly.
4. City-owned Property on Island Estates
The Island Estates City-owned property, near Windward Passage and Island
Yachts, the Island Estates Civic Association has petitioned the City to utilize that
property as a park. This Board had previously petitioned the City to use the property
for a Marina. It was noted that a developer has expressed interest in the property for a
Marina. Board members remarked that converting waterfront property to a park did not
make sense. A comment was made that residents at Island Estates can utilize the 2
miles on the Causeway for park purposes by upgrading activities. A suggestion was
made that should the City agree to utilize the property as a City park, then a stipulation
should be placed in the agreement that the City has the option of converting the park
for other purposes, such as a Marina. Mr. Held noted the City had been approached by
Island Yachts to utilize the property for overflow parking. The City did not approve that
request. Further discussion ensued regarding the number of boat slips and parking
required for a Marina, and how much revenue would be generated for the City. It was
remarked that the City has enough park property to budget for and maintain.
moved
Member McFarland to object to the City-owned property at Island
motioncarried
Estates being utilized as a City Park. The was duly seconded and
unanimously.
moved
Member McFarland to recommend that the City re-investigate obtaining
permits for construction of a Marina on the City-owned property at Island Estates. The
motioncarried
was duly seconded and unanimously.
5. Beach Diner Lease Agreement
Mr. Held noted the lease agreement expires on July 21, 1997 with Karamista,
Inc., which is doing business as the Beach Diner under a Marriott lease. Mr. Held
proposed to the City Commission to issue a new lease agreement to the Beach Diner
for 6 years. The new lease has buy-out options annually for the City. In the event that
the City would need to acquire the property due to the proposed new bridge and the
Civic Center parking garage. Some structural improvements need to be made to the
property at an estimated cost of $35,000, which has been incorporated into the lease
agreement. There is an extension clause in the lease agreement that allows for a 2-
year extension in the event that the City decides to retain this tenant. Rents would
remain the same with a percentage of gross sales. In January of 1999, a CPI will be
imposed on this tenant yearly.
6. Safe Boating Week Proclamation
Safe Boating Week is next week. On May 15, 1997 at 6:00 p.m. Mayor Rita
Garvey will read a proclamation regarding Safe Boating Week at the City Commission
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meeting. Marine Advisory Board members are welcome to attend. Members of the
Power Squadron and the Coast Guard Auxiliary will also attend.
7. Other Business
Mr. Held noted that the employee who was complimented by this Board for his
efforts in outstanding efforts in extinguishing a fire aboard a patron’s vessel was voted
City Employee of the Month.
A question arose about the tenant on the first floor of the Marina building who
operates a computer business. It was felt that computers do not fit into the theme of
the Marina. It was noted that there is no second floor retail space available in the
Marina at this time. The Marina staff have offered the tenant the option to opt out of his
lease but he declined. It was remarked that this business does not attract visitors to the
Marina, nor does it detract from others’ businesses.
A comment was made that although new smoke-eaters were installed in the
Marina Restaurant, the smoke is still unpleasant. The smoke is not completely
removed, but it has been improved.
A question was posed as to the possibility of moving Causeway Boulevard to
the north when redevelopment takes place to prevent pedestrian accidents. It was
noted that a section of the road is State-owned. The City has volunteered to take
responsibility for that portion of the road, and should the State agree, the City will
immediately put in a crosswalk.
The meeting adjourned at 8:35 a.m.
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