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01/13/1999Marine Advisory Board City of Clearwater January 13, 1999 Present: David C. Martens Chair David Hemerick Board Member Bill Wilhem Board Member Donald McFarland Board Member Hank Epstein Board Member Dick Saferstein Board Member Absent: Nick Matsis Board Member Also Present: William D. Morris Harbormaster/Marine Bill Baird Deputy Police Chief Marcia Charlton Staff Assistant III/Marine To provide continuity for research, items are in agenda order although not necessarily discussed in that order. Call to Order - 8:01 a.m. at the municipal marina Minutes Approval - December 2, 1998 Mr. Martens moved to approve the minutes of the December meeting as submitted, the motion was unanimous. ITEM 1 - Police Chief Klein Deputy Police Chief Bill Baird filled in for Chief Klein. He presented a plan (also brought 2 maps of area discussed) to lease a 2100 foot area along the Courtney Campbell and fence it in with the purpose of gaining control over the area. This area has become incident ridden, with approximately 2,300 calls coming into the PD because of drinking, drugs, accidents, etc. The PD will go before the commission with a no cost lease for the area in conjunction with the Dept of Public Transportation. The purpose of blocking off this area is because of the increase in serious offenses occurring involving drinking, drugs, gangs, etc. The area will be gated, locked at sunset open at sunrise, with one entrance. The Police Department proposed to the commissioners and other city departments, if later they want to elevate this area to the status of a park (similar to Dunedin) or beach (lifeguards, restroom, etc.) there are plans with the costs involved. Also, there could be an area for ramps for boats and personal watercraft. Statement was made that when the City Manager talked to the MAB in December 1997, he expressed a desire to see improved access sites. Police Department does not budget for care of these sites, nor do other departments because of upkeep costs. The MAB can bring forward a request to the Marine Department for a ramp. However, this would open up the problem of parking space. There is a group of citizens called “Save our Courtney Campbell Causeway”, they police the area and pass out rules to people using just this area. Request was made to see statistics of incidents on the causeway, exactly what they are. Mr. Baird stated they were voluminous ranging anywhere from parking tickets to accidents, public nudity, discharging firearms. Member wants to see if they are prank calls or legitimate. Motion was made to support the city’s attempt to lease the property and institute better control over area. Request was made that board see statistics of watercraft violations. Statement was made that the Sheriffs patrol hand out tickets, info would have to come from them. Maybe one of the Sheriffs could attend a meeting quarterly. Mr. Morris to follow up. ITEM 2 - Wake Zones Mr. Morris handed out packet of information on a request from a citizen. Mayor’s office asked him to get involved. There is a request to expand the wake zone area of Seminole Ramp. A letter was sent to State inquiring as to the feasibility of the extension and received back a “maybe” with a suggestion and a diagram to expand the area to cover all the way to the shoreline. The ramp experiences in excess of 18,000 launching per year, a high use facility. There are letters of complaint on file from citizens using the ramp and their boats being swamped at the dock because of wakes. Problem is on the southside of the ramp area, which is the area being proposed. A member stated that it needs to be at the intersection of the channels, about 50 yards further north. Last time this was discussed In April 1996, a motion was made to extend the minimum wake zone of the ICW north of Memorial Causeway to Daybeacon 15A just north of the entrance to Clearwater Bay Marina. Motion was not supported at that time and did not carry. A discussion ensued concerning the poor visibility caused by the finger that extends out of the southern border. A suggestion was made that members check out area by water or land and come back with ideas, several members stated that they would do so and bring more information to the next meeting. ITEM 3 - Seminole Ramp This was regarding the complaint mentioned above in the discussion. A member brought up the question of policing the parking at Seminole Ramp, that nonusers should not be allowed to park in lot, namely cruise ship customers. It was mentioned that the Clearwater Beach Recreation Center boat launch is free and parking is free. Other Business Jet Ski group on hold waiting to see what the State is going to do, regarding new jet ski ordinances. Legislation will be in April, need to talk to the person proposing the law, will have to have State backing. The county supports this, but the Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council is developing a model ordinance for adoption by all the counties in the Tampa Bay area. We should offer our energies and input to the TBRPC. A question was asked if the MAB could participate in any meetings. Mr. Morris was asked to make enquiry’s. Question: Will there be a “no wake zone” posted north of Mandalay Channel? Answer: It will go on an existing U.S.C.G aid to navigation marker. It was mentioned that the marker at the point is leaning. There was additional discussion that the speed zone signs in Clearwater Pass are inadequate, too far away to read. New material to stabilize the beach area at the launch site at Clearwater Community Sailing Center is being looked into. Mr. Morris stated that there are some interlocking cement blocks that are porous which would allow water to flow and sand would fill in to create a more stable surface. In the meantime, sand will be brought in for the regattas coming up this season. Adjournment The meeting adjourned at 8:58 p.m.