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09/14/2022 Marine Advisory Board Meeting Minutes September 14, 2022 City of Clearwater Main Library- Council Chambers 100 N. Osceola Avenue Clearwater, FL 33755 r Meeting Minutes Wednesday, September 14, 2022 8:00 AM Main Library - Council Chambers Marine Advisory Board Page 1 City of Clearwater Marine Advisory Board Meeting Minutes September 14, 2022 Roll Call Present 6 - Chair Michael Grohman, Board Member Steven Voras, Vice Chair Kevin Laughlin, Board Member Wade Carlisle, Board Member Julie Battaglia, and Ex Officio Phil Henderson Absent 2 - Board Member Deena Stanley and Board Member Maranda Douglas Also Present— Eric Gandy - Marine & Aviation Director, Michael MacDonald - Marine & Aviation Operations Manager, Patricia O. Sullivan — Board Reporter 1. Call To Order The Chair called the meeting to order at 8:00 a.m. at the Main Library. To provide continuity for research, items are in agenda order although not necessarily discussed in that order. 2. Approval of Minutes 2.1 Approval of June 7, 2022, Marine Advisory Board Meeting Minutes. Member Carlisle moved to approve the minutes of the June 7, 2022 Marine Advisory Board meeting as submitted in written summation. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. 3. Citizens to be Heard Regarding Items Not on the Agenda Todd Henkel said Clearwater needs launch sites designated for kayaks and paddle boards with handicap safe access away from motorized marine traffic. He suggested Stevenson Creek sites at the Shuffleboard Complex or Overbrook Avenue, a designated slip at the Clearwater Beach Marina, or a well-lit dock behind the beach library for 24-hour access. He said Cooper Bayou has muck and debris in the water and a steep access slope. 4. New Business Items 4.1 Discuss Seminole Docks Due to recent gangway and pier failures at the ramps, the city is postponing the addition of an additional floating dock to focus on repairing or replacing the launch piers and gangways. Marine and Aviation Director Eric Gandy said comprehensive engineering and an assessment of the Seminole Boat Ramp facility is necessary to identify required repairs and costs. The City receives no ramp revenues except for parking fees, the parking fund will pay for repairs. 5. Old Business Items Page 2 City of Clearwater Marine Advisory Board Meeting Minutes September 14, 2022 5.1 Marina Project Update Provide an update on the marina project based on the design team's presentation to council at the work session on 9/1. Mr. Gandy said wave attenuator replacements at Clearwater Harbor Marina will cost $1.2 million. Estimates for Clearwater Beach Marina upgrades have increased significantly. At the October 3 City Council meeting, the design team will recommend floating docks. City Council's direction for upland upgrades include a promenade and plaza. The City Council previously increased the budget but he did not think the Council will approve additional funding now to replace the seawall and raise it 18— 24 inches. Replacing the seawall in the future will again disrupt marina activities. A parking garage and new seawalls never were part of the marina project's original scope. The enterprise fund, financed by slip rentals and fuel sales, covers marina operating costs. Penny for Pinellas funds have been budgeted for the project. As the Marina has a smaller user group and is not open to the public after hours, it is not supported by the general fund. Concerns were expressed if the seawall is not replaced now, the Beach Marina could experience substantial storm damage and intangible costs would be imposed on commercial tenants when schedules are disrupted and displacements occur again. It was recommended that a parking garage be built first to provide sufficient parking and the project be done properly the first time with a new seawall and upgraded utilities. Mr. Gandy reviewed the history of the Beach Marina built in the early 1950s and last renovated in the late 1970s-early 1980s. Problems include antiquated structures, utilities, seawalls, and rotted joists. Electricity has been turned off to all docks during high tides, floating docks are more resilient. Mr. Gandy said it is important to continue the marina's history as an iconic working waterfront. The design team met multiple times with commercial interests. While it will not be possible to meet every unique need, the project will try to ensure that the commercial fleet does not lose its ability to conduct business during construction. The project cannot guarantee that commercial boats will return to their current locations. Per State law, kiosks and ice machines cannot be stored over water, kiosks, at a significant increase to the project's cost, will be located on the promenade that extends Beach Walk into the marina. He will discuss marina design at the City Council meeting. The project will eliminate 40 high-demand marina vehicle parking spaces and cause problems for commercial tenants and marina restaurants. A future parking garage will provide needed upland storage. Mr. Gandy said project design and permitting will take another 9 months. The Page 3 City of Clearwater Marine Advisory Board Meeting Minutes September 14, 2022 City will rebuild over the current footprint of City-owned land. Staff is researching the history of the federal channel added in 1960. While federal law would not permit the City to build over a federal channel, the subject property was deeded to the City before the federal channel was added. Staff has met with the US Army Corps of Engineers and is working with the City's lobbyist and federal legislators to resolve the federal channel footprint which is critical to the project. Discussion ensued with comments that the marina should be rebuilt correctly the first time with a new seawall as the project is more important than Imagine Clearwater. It was stated more people will use the marina than Imagine Clearwater. Concerns were expressed that replacing fixed docks and phasing the project will be disruptive and increase commercial business costs. Support was expressed for basing seawall replacement on the condition rather than age. It was commented that the marina has a great need for vehicle parking. In response to a question, Mr. Gandy said installation of parallel floating docks will make it possible to build new seawall in the future. 5.2 Marina Rules & Agreements Update Progress report on rules changes and inclusion of a transient vessel registration. Mr. Gandy reviewed inconsistencies between Ordinance requirements and marina rules and agreements. He said 90% of tenants have not provided marina staff with annually required valid registration and insurance information. Changes to the rules require the Marina to be the interested party for insurance. Mr. Gandy said the Marina also is battling boat tours run out of the beach recreation center and Seminole Boat Ramp due to liability issues. Policing the boat slips is difficult. 5.3 Stevenson's Creek Wake Zone Update Proposed ordinance for Stevenson's Creek drafted. M&A staff surveying creek for marker locations as part of the application process. Mr. Gandy said he spoke with the Police Department about the proposed wake zone. FWC (Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission) must approve the wake zone before County and US Army Corps of Engineers permitting is considered. Staff has surveyed the creek. If permitted, the City could regulate wake zones on Stevenson Creek within 300 feet of bridges with clearance. Once the City Council adopts a final Ordinance, the permitting process can begin. Page 4 City of Clearwater Marine Advisory Board Meeting Minutes September 14, 2022 Concern was expressed re blind spots along the creek, especially near kayak and waterboard launching sites. Mr. Gandy said the Police boat cannot access the upper creek for enforcement. The City relies on neighbor reports. If patterns occur; the City can address enforcement. A resident said it was important for the City to apply for permits correctly the first time. 6. Director's Report: None. 7. Board Members to be Heard 8. Adjourn Attest: bitO. Board R porter Member Voras said it was annoying that a resident peppers him with multiple emails re a multitude of subjects outside the scope of the Board. Discussion ensued. It was suggested the emails could be blocked or members could reach out to the resident and request removal from future emails. The meeting adjourned at 9:35 a.m. City of Clearwater er Chair, Marine Advisory Board Page 5