Loading...
03/10/1999Marine Advisory Board City of Clearwater March 10, 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 Nick Matsis Board Member Also Present: William D. Morris Harbormaster/Marine To provide continuity for research, items are in agenda order although not necessarily discussed in that order. ITEM 1 - Call to Order - 8:01 a.m. at the municipal marina ITEM 2 - Minutes Approval - January 13, 1999 Mr. Martens moved to approve the minutes as submitted, the motion was unanimous. ITEM 3 - Seminole Launch Ramp - Extension of Wake Zone The submission to the state included more area, the channel and the shore side of the channel, north of the causeway and south of the basin. The state approved this and it has gone to the commission for approval. One member stated that we need to include the mouth of the basin in this submission. Mr. Wilhelm mentioned that he had read an article concerning the intra-coastal waterways wake zones on the East coast of Florida relevant to the size of the boat but not all boats. Can we try to identify the problem with wakes at the ramp? Discussion ensued concerning whether large boats cause large wakes and small boats cause smaller wakes. Boaters going by the ramp, not necessarily going to the ramp may cause more problems. Hopefully, the new signage will capture boaters attention. Some members feel that the zone should extend farther north to the mouth of the basin, approximately 100 feet more. After further discussion, motion was made to not extend the wake zone at Seminole Ramp. Vote was 4 to 3 to leave zone as is. ITEM 4- Hilton Waiver Agreement There are three existing agreements, one at Holiday House, Frenchy’s and one at the Hilton. The Hilton has right of way through the swim zone to support their business and due to restrictions being lifted in the new code it opened up opportunities for others to not have to worry about conditional uses. The Hilton wanted to add parasailing to their business which was approved. The problem is enforcement of violations in this area of the swim zone, mostly boaters coming into the corridor or swim area north of the pier. This problem will be monitored by security cameras, stationed around the area and monitored at the lifeguard office. Marine patrol can issue tickets, but we can revoke the waiver if they are over the allotted violations spelled out in their individual agreements. ITEM 5 - Memorial Causeway Mangroves Tom Miller was unable to attend, rescheduled for later date. ITEM 6 - Discuss Board Meetings Discussion about frequency of meetings, or combining boards, etc. There was also discussion concerning the perceived idea that the city is doing away with some of the boards. Members asked why they were not included in discussing the Memorial Causeway, a new restaurant at the east end of the marina, the RFQ for the marina property and why pedestrian walk-overs from new street were tabled. Mr. Morris was asked about the city involvement with the Highland Springs property negotiations. The owner of the property is from Scotland and ahs to sell the property because he cannot stay in this county much longer. Appraisal was $910,000. Owners want $2M, city said no. Now they have cut their asking price down to $1.4M and the city revisited the question of making it pay off. We would expand our marina by about 22 slips and add parking, but asking price still to high. Further discussion ensued ending in an unanimous board decision to put their concerns in writing to the city commission. ITEM 7 - Other Business The issue of personal watercraft regulations was mentioned. Mr. Morris stated he would bring copies of the pending legislation to the next meeting. ITEM 8- Adjournment The meeting adjourned at 9:00 a.m.