10/10/2007
MARINE ADVISORY BOARD MEETING MINUTES
CITY OF CLEARWATER
October 10, 2007
Present: Paul J. Kelley Chair
Edward O’Brien, Jr. Board Member
F. David Hemerick Board Member
Mark A. Smith Board Member
Tim Trager Board Member
Tom Calhoun Board Member
Donald O. McFarland Board Member
Also Present: Bill Morris Marine & Aviation Director
Patricia O. Sullivan Board Reporter
The Chair called the meeting to order at 8:00 a.m. at the Marina.
To provide continuity for research, items are in agenda order although not
necessarily discussed in that order.
2 – Minutes Approval – August 8, 2007
Member Trager moved to approve the minutes of the Marine Advisory Board meeting of
August 8, 2007, as submitted in written summation to each board member. The motion was
duly seconded and carried unanimously.
3 – Old Business
Marina Business Plan Feedback
Marine & Aviation Director Bill Morris said the Council had requested information on
alternatives to proposed slip rate increases in the Marina Business Plan. Mr. Morris distributed
information on reversing the 25% and 10% increases, which would extend by a year the time
the Marina operates with a loss. The $43,000 difference in income for year two is the result of
reversing the increases in commercial slip rents. Mr. Morris said commercial boat captains
oppose rate increases and some have been discourteous in their reactions. Concern was
expressed that boat captains should focus their anger on the issue, not Mr. Morris. Mr. Morris
said in recognition of difficult economic factors, staff had extended fuel discounts to commercial
boats, waived late fees, and helped secure loans. Deep-sea fishing is expensive recreation.
Boat captains also have requested the City to market their businesses.
It was felt the Council’s proposed change to reverse the rate increases would have a
negative effect on the Marina operation. Discussion ensued with opposition expressed to
changing the business plan as the Marina is undervalued, its rates need to be increased for the
facility to be on par with other marinas in the County, the Marina may have more commercial
boats than current economics can support, and City taxpayers should not be expected to
support private businesses. It was stated that the City owns the slips, and they are not part of
any commercial business. It was felt that fiscal responsibility requires an increase in revenues
as the facility cannot survive without a positive cash flow. Concern was expressed that the
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Marina has suffered from benign neglect with rates too low to finance repairs and accumulate
sufficient retained earnings. It was felt although no one wants their rates increased, the
business plan is reasonable.
Member McFarland moved that the Marina Advisory Board accepted the Marina
Business Plan as submitted, including rate increases as proposed, due to the need to generate
adequate revenues for the Marina to be competitive and to accumulate sufficient reserves to
rebuild the facility. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously.
Mr. Morris distributed an article comparing private and public marinas. Unlike most
public marinas, the City’s marina has a premier location. Most private marinas have additional
amenities; their rates are much higher.
4 – New Business
Clearwater Beach West Bridge Spur Connector
Representatives of the project to construct the Clearwater Beach West Bridge spur
connector reviewed the project, a bicycle/pedestrian bridge over Mandalay Channel, south of
the SR 60 vehicular bridge and fishing pier. The bridge will extend the City’s East/West trail and
will be wide enough for emergency vehicles to traverse. Four sets of pilings (referred to as
“dolphins” by the marine community) will be in the waterway. Two dolphin clusters south of the
proposed bridge will assist the Starlite Majesty’s docking maneuvers. Work barges will be used
for the project, which will be completed in less than eight months.
In response to a question, Building Construction Manager Perry Lopez said this project
is separate from work on the pedestrian bridge under SR 60. The two bridges are not attached
as they have different heights. Construction costs are $2.48 million. The project will affect the
Starlite slip, which will be moved to a temporary slip, next to the barge, north of the fuel dock. A
USCG (United States Coast Guard) representative requested that the USCG be contacted five
days prior to any closures to the navigable channel. Mr. Morris said the transient slips will be
relocated next to the fuel docks when the project is finished. Transient uses will be reduced
during construction, with four slips lost to accommodate the project. It was suggested that staff
post project information on the City’s website.
Items Not on the Agenda
Keys
Mr. Morris said keys for the security gates have been distributed to Marina tenants for
use during Spring Break and other busy times. To increase security, gates will lock the
recreational ends of the Marina. Information regarding their use will be provided in monthly bills.
In response to a concern about the number of keys that have been distributed, Mr. Morris said
the gates will discourage access to boats. Cameras also provide security. It was questioned if
MAB (Marine Advisory Board) members would be provided keys.
Commercial Docks
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It was suggested that the MAB and Harbormaster consider using the Planning
Department's list of compliance issues when reviewing commercial dock applications.
Concerns were expressed that a consulting firm faces no penalty for submitting
inaccurate information in permit applications to construct commercial docks on Bay Esplanade
and that a board member was refused entrance to a DRC (Development Review Committee)
meeting when the project was discussed. It was felt the MAB should have had more oversight
of the process and that the system is not working. It was stated that all dock applications are
subject to significant scrutiny. It was commented that the MAB had done all it can do regarding
the project.
5 - Aqenda for next meetinq on November 14. 2007
6 - Adiournment
The meeting adjourned at 9:04 a.m.
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