07/14/1999Marine Advisory Board
City of Clearwater
July 14, 1999
Present: David Hemerick Chair
Bill Wilhem Board Member
Donald McFarland Board Member
Hank Epstein Board Member
Nick Matsis Board Member
Dick Safirstein Board Member
Tom Horne Board Member
Also Present: William D. Morris Harbormaster/Marine
Dave Perkins Ex-member of board
Marcia Charlton Staff Assistant III/Marine
To provide continuity for research, items are in agenda order although not necessarily discussed in that order.
ITEM 1 - Call to Order - 8:15 a.m. at the municipal marina
ITEM 2 - Minutes Approval – June 9, 1999
Minutes approved as submitted.
ITEM 3 – Welcome new member
New member Mr. Tom Horne was introduced and welcomed to board.
ITEM 4 – Election
Election of new chair commenced. The nomination of Mr. Hemerick was put forward and unanimously seconded. Mr. Hemerick will assume chair duties at the August 11th regular meeting.
ITEM 5 - Other Business
There was some discussion of the city’s budget meetings. Mr. Morris stated that the city is trying to create a direction and image for the city to show what’s great about Clearwater.
This involves looking at better ways to manage distinct areas in the city and maybe putting one department in charge instead of 3 or 4 as such is the case with the beach. This management
direction is called “Strategies for Success” and involves looking ahead over 5, 10 and 15 years and will be part of One City. One Future.
Mr. Wilhelm stated that maybe the board could help with the Sailing Center, in regards to financing and promotion. A suggestion was made to invite Gary Brumbeck to a meeting to discuss
the sailing center. Perhaps raise fees to make the center more self-supporting, Bellair Yacht Club charges $100/ month to store boats and for use of center. Mr. Morris is also looking
to start a high school sailing team with local high schools.
An issue regarding para-sailers and seagrass was raised. Signage should be posted to warn them and Mr. Morris is working with Legal to be able to post signage around the beds.
Mr. Morris searched the Internet for information on seagrass beds and discovered that one of the country’s experts on seagrass teaches at Hillsborough College. He works with a farmer
in Ruskin on a seagrass-replenishing program with Pinellas County. Mr. Morris would like to post some signage on buoys to educate boaters. Regarding parasail operations the answer
might be to try to limit the number of operations within the city limits. This would mean capping the existing number of operations and through attrition cut down on the limit allowed.
The marina does not have a limit on any of the existing types of businesses that are located at the docks.
Mr. Morris was asked to look into posting a day marker on the sandbar between the fuel dock and Clearwater Point tip. The intersection is confusing to boaters, they are missing the
turn and end up aground on the bar.
The members would like to send a letter to Mr. Martens, thanking him for his years of service on the Marine Advisory Board.
ITEM 6 - Adjournment
The meeting adjourned at 9:10 a.m.