05/12/1999Marine Advisory Board
City of Clearwater
May 12, 1999
Present: David C. Martens Chair
David Hemerick Board Member
Bill Wilhem Board Member
Donald McFarland Board Member
Hank Epstein Board Member
Nick Matsis Board Member
Absent: Dick Saferstein Board Member
Also Present: William D. Morris Harbormaster/Marine
Dave Perkins Ex-member of board
To provide continuity for research, items are in agenda order although not necessarily discussed in that order.
ITEM 1 - Call to Order - 8:00 a.m. at the municipal marina
ITEM 2 - Minutes Approval - April 7, 1999
Item 5 should read “Mr. Epstein”, also Mr. Wilhelm was absent and they recessed at 9:00 and rejoined at 9:07 am. Approved as amended.
ITEM 3 - Mission Statement to Commission
The board looked at the ordinance outlining the board’s powers and duties. As stated in the ordinance the board can “make recommendations on marine related matters”, to advise the commission.
The Memorial Causeway was considered a enforcement matter and was not brought before the MAB for discussion. Mr. Morris stated that at the end of summer the city will be granted jurisdiction
over the beach area and may put up fences to restrict use of area after sunset. He felt that the board could make recommendations or proposals about what they would like to see done,
maybe in letter form. The ordinance leaves room for a broad interpretation of their powers and duties and doesn’t restrict them by naming specific waterways or accesses.
ITEM 4 - Signage in the Channel
Mr. Morris stated that we had received a verbal “ok” from the state, but are waiting for the paper documentation and will be done as soon as it comes. The USCG is looking at changing
one of their signs so we could change the direction of the sign. The sign on the jetty is as large as we could make it because of winds. The state gave us the additional yardage past
the jetty.
There is a problem with the wakes around Harbor Island, maybe a green sign should be put up to keep them away from the docks. Mr. Morris will check into the county ordinances to see
if we can adopt something similar. He will bring info to the next meeting.
ITEM 5 - Other Business
Mr. Martens referred Commissioner Clark to Mr. Hemerick concerning acting as liaison with the commission as contact people. June will be Mr. Martens last meeting as his 2 term limit
will be up.
Concerning the park garage sites, the board unanimously voted to send a letter to the commission to strongly suggest that they not use the marina site for the garage.
Mr. Morris talked to Terry Finch, Environmental Programs Manager with the city, regarding the bird sanctuary signs on the spoil islands and she reported that these signs were put out
by the Audubon Society and was not enforceable by the city but just to tell people to keep off the islands.
ITEM 6- Adjournment
The meeting adjourned at 8:38 a.m.