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01/12/2000MARINE ADVISORY BOARD CITY OF CLEARWATER January 12, 2000 Present: David Hemerick Chair Donald McFarland Board Member Hank Epstein Board Member Nick Matsis Board Member – departed 8:46 a.m. Tom Horne Board Member Absent: Dick Safirstein Board Member Bill Wilhelm Board Member Also Present: William Morris Harbormaster Brenda Moses Board Reporter The Chair called the meeting to order at 8:08 a.m. at the Marina. To provide continuity for research, items are in agenda order although not necessarily discussed in that order. ITEM 2 – Minutes Approval Member Horne said he had been present at the December 8, 1999, meeting and requested his name be added to the attendance list. As no other corrections to the minutes were noted, the Chair said the minutes of the regular meeting of December 8, 1999, stand approved as corrected. ITEM 3 – Other Business Update on Army Corps. Of Engineers Harbormaster William Morris said the Army Corps of Engineers, Coast Guard, and FDEP (Florida Department of Environmental Protection) had toured the shoaling area, the main channel to the Intracoastal, and alongside the Memorial Causeway. Surveys will test the quality of sand to be dredged. Mr. Morris said a 1984 agreement between the City, Shepherds Restaurant, and the Ramada Inn provides that any beach quality sand will be deposited along Shepherds and the Ramada Inn’s shorelines. FDEP has strict guidelines related to sand quality. Other Mr. Morris said the new marina parking lot should be completed by month’s end. Plans are to restrict use to monthly parking passes only. Annual passes will not be permitted and meters are not planned. The parking department is responsible for the lot. During the week, marina employees and building tenants, including postal employees can use the lot and free up 70 parking spaces at the Marina. It was remarked that many boat captains, while anxious to provide parking for their customers, park in front of their boats. It was suggested a gate with a pass card system operate between 8:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. After hours, the gate could be opened for meter use. A gate will decrease policing needs. It was suggested that meter revenue could fund gate costs. Meter boxes with tickets for car windows were suggested for Clearwater Beach. Concern was expressed those meters require exact change. Mr. Morris reported he had received a request for space for a bus turn-around near Coronado at the beach. Accommodation would require removal of a median and some trees. Options include the area in front of Bill Goodwin’s, or where grass parking has been created. Mr. Morris said bi-weekly meetings are scheduled regarding the proposed beach parking garages. It is proposed the first floor of the Pier 60 plus garage will be used for municipal uses and related parking needs. Plans are tentative. Concern was expressed the City Commission had not addressed south beach traffic issues before moving forward with the parking garage. Opposition to the Pier 60 plus parking garage was expressed. It was felt the board should base its recommendations on City Commission decisions. One resident indicated a beach-parking garage would shield the Marina from a hurricane. One tenant reported Belleair Beach had suggested a zero tolerance policy in waterways and plans to place buoys in no wake zones along the shoreline and in the gulf. It was felt boat activity should not be prohibited near docks. It was noted that a Clearwater ordinance prohibits speeds in excess of 5 mph within 50 feet of the shore, shoreline, bulkhead, or structure. It was stated a contract to police waterways is unnecessary as the Pinellas County Sheriff’s department and Florida Marine Patrol already police the marine ways. The tenant felt coverage is inadequate. Mr. Morris said the frequent realignment of buoy lines is labor intensive. If Sand Key beach is marked for safe bathing, vessel access will be denied. The public beach then would require lifeguards, etc. Concern was expressed a safe bathing limit designation would require Sand Key property owners to relinquish their riparian rights to the beach. Concern was expressed that the Sand Key beach is public and does not belong to any civic association. It was noted the Marine Advisory Board had not been consulted before an ordinance regarding marine ways was approved as it had been considered as a police enforcement matter. ITEM 4 – Adjournment The meeting adjourned at 9:01 a.m.