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04/14/1999Marine Advisory Board City of Clearwater April 14, 1999 Present: David C. Martens Chair David Hemerick Board Member Donald McFarland Board Member Hank Epstein Board Member Dick Saferstein Board Member Nick Matsis Board Member Absent: Bill Wilhem Board Member Also Present: William D. Morris Harbormaster/Marine Michael Roberto City Manager Arlita Hallam Quality of Life Administrator Bob Clark City Commissioner Chuck Pollick Owner of Beach Views Newspaper 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 - March 10, 1999 Mr. Martens moved to approve the minutes as submitted, the motion was unanimous. Mr. Martens introduced Ms. Hallam, Mr. Roberto and Mr. Clark and opened to meeting for their comments. The guests were here for the christening of the new tug. Arlita commended Mr. Morris on his taking charge of the marina operations. Mr. Roberto commented on the letter the MAB sent to the commissioners, also made the comment that they were there to resolve any questions the board may have in their involvement in other city issues, i.e., Courtney Campbell Causeway. Safety issues concerning wave runners in Clearwater Pass was another issue the board felt they should have been involved with, the P & Z Board voted on this but the MAB did not have the opportunity to participate in the discussion. The board feels they should be involved in any issues regarding waterways and any access to the water, including beach issues and docks and any transition areas from the water to land. The beach issues include any parking lots or parking changes on the beach which may affect the marina or the beach. They also have concerns with the development of the downtown waterfront, including dredging, any marina plans, new library development, parking and pedestrian areas. This development will depend on the final configuration of the new bridge. The State has concerns on the seagrass beds and their contamination by a proposed marina at the waterfront. The issue of boat slips at the park on Island Estates was discussed. The area off the beach recreation center (former yacht club site) could accommodate approximately 40 slips in the area. Different sites are being looked at to generate more revenues for the city. Mr. Morris does an evaluation for the sites as to the waterfront footage available and how many slips would be possible at the site. Mr. Roberto asked the board to write up a mission statement to be submitted to the commissioners, it should include issues which the board members want to be involved in. Mr. Clark said he would volunteer to be the commission member to be more involved with the members on a one on one basis. Meeting recessed at 9:00 am to christen new marina tug at the docks. The board resumed at 9:07 am. ITEM 3 - Development of the Marina property The board felt this was included in the discussion above. ITEM 4 - Personal Watercraft Legislation Board would like to see the breakdown of statistics on accidents by age. The owners of the personal watercraft businesses on the beach want to self govern themselves. The board is concerned about where they operate (off the swimming areas and in the pass), as a safety issue. Personal watercraft are seen “buzzing” boaters in the bay which is dangerous. How can the board influence where the watercraft are operated off the beach or in the waterway areas? ITEM 5 - Other Business Mr. Epstein commented on signage that is missing concerning “Bird Sanctuary” on the spoil islands and the use of the islands and/or exploitation of the islands for commercial uses. Mr. Morris will check on the signage. (The spoil island is off the recreation center) The bait house expansion of dock space to include a oyster bar is still ongoing as the owner has been unable to get approval of the dock and must resubmit a scaled down version. There is also the parking issue which hopefully has been solved with the overflow lot on the causeway. The board expressed concern regarding the use of the dock and hours of operation, also the sale of alcoholic beverages. Mr. Morris was asked what happened at the county commission regarding the Seminole Ramp. The state granted the extension of the wake zone area and it was presented to the city commission who approved it. ITEM 6- Adjournment The meeting adjourned at 10:00 a.m.