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03/08/2000MARINE ADVISORY BOARD CITY OF CLEARWATER March 8, 2000 Present: David Hemerick Chair Donald McFarland Board Member Hank Epstein Board Member Tom Horne Board Member Dick Safirstein Board Member Bill Wilhelm Board Member Absent: Nick Matsis Board Member Also Present: Dave Martens Ex-Officio William Morris Harbormaster Brenda Moses 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. ITEM 2 – Minutes Approval As no corrections or changes to the minutes of the February 9, 2000, meeting, were requested, the Chair said the minutes will stand approved as submitted. ITEM 3 – Continued Discussion regarding Additional Docking Sites Harbormaster William Morris said the MAB (Marine Advisory Board) and staff are interested in the Memorial Causeway Bridge being used for a fishing pier once the new bridge is built. Whenever staff has located a site for docks, dredging and seagrass issues arise. The footprint of the current bridge would allow for modification of the roadway to allow for a fishing pier on both sides or a marina-type development and would help eliminate issues that could arise if it was demolished and the City started from scratch. As the State owns the bridge, it was suggested that the State could transfer the land to the City through a reverter clause and enable development of that parcel without a referendum. Mr. Morris said the reverter clause is specific with regard to 500 feet either side of the center line on the Causeway roadway. The clause states any development inside that area must be for public purpose. He said some development already has taken place, such as marina development, fuel pier, etc. The City is at a stalemate over this issue. The City maintains it owns all of Water Lot 1 and the State disagrees. David Frisbee said the joint venture of Renaissance Partners and the deGuardiola group have teamed up to negotiate a redevelopment plan for the downtown. He said plans are to obtain public input and assimilate it into a plan that satisifes the desires of the great majority. He requested the MAB help him understand their goals, needs, and requirements relating to the waterfront. It was remarked that the MAB’s focus has always been the expansion and proper utilization of the marine assets of the City, including expansion of transient and permanent dockage, as it is a diminishing resource. One member submitted photographs of Clearwater’s waterfront from the 1880s to the 1970s at which time the waterfront was pervaded with docks. He said at one time there was a dock at Cleveland Street. Once docks were built at Seminole Street, the dock at Cleveland Street was lost. He said the Clearwater waterfront should be the forefront of redevelopment. The MAB prefers docks and activity, not just a quiet vista. Parking issues have prevented permanent dockage sites. It was remarked that any commercial activity below the bluff also will require parking. Public Works Administrator Mashid Arasteh reviewed a brief presentation regarding the new Memorial Causeway bridge. Over 30 public presentations were held regarding the bridge. She said the bridge design is 30% complete. Depending on right-of-way issues, it is anticipated construction will begin in June or September of 2001. The current bridge’s height obstructs any water view and as it has to be opened and closed regularly, creates traffic problems. The new bridge will be 70 feet at the highest point. Most of the fill portion of the bridge is near the Oaks property. A left turn only lane is planned for access to downtown. Under the bridge, access to Pierce 100 is open. A spiral ramp instead of a sidewalk ramp is planned for easy pedestrian access under the bridge. A path also is planned as part of continuation of the Pinellas Trail. In response to a question, she said if the footprint of the current bridge is maintained and used for marine activity, permits will be easier to obtain. It is scheduled for demolition, as it is so massive. The decision to demolish it had been made during the discussion process prior to the bridge design. Concern was expressed that demolition of the existing bridge would be a travesty. Ms. Arasteh said it may be possible to save the basic footprint of the current bridge if it fits into the other elements of the redevelopment plan. She said as no solid plan for the Bluff has been developed, now is the time for public input. Ms. Arasteh will provide the MAB with a copy of the drawings for the new bridge. She said staff will work with Mr. Morris to ensure MAB input is incorporated into redevelopment plans. It was suggested that the proposed downtown left turn lane off the bridge be moved further away from the bridge to alleviate any possible traffic congestion. Mr. Frisbee said if the objective is a reclamation of downtown in to a vibrant, active destination, the redevelopment plan will require access to and from the downtown comfortably. He said if another traffic light or roadway nearby can provide easy access to the downtown, the left turn only access lane depicted in Ms. Arasteh’s plan could be moved. He said the shape of the waterfront has not been determined yet. It was remarked the City should consider increasing ferry service to and from the beach to alleviate traffic congestion. An open-door policy between the MAB and the redeveloper was suggested. Commissioner Clark will share the MAB’s comments to the Commission. ITEM 4 – Other Business Mr. Morris said parking issues regarding trailers, etc. at the launch ramp on Bay Esplanade near the marine recreation center are being addressed by code enforcement. Florida Power owns that property and once had a substation at that location. The City uses the site for engineering storage and some parking, but junk trailers, etc. are parking at the site. The City also is also using the site for reclaimed water pipes. This activity is interfering with those who need to use the ramp on a transient basis. In response to a question, Mr. Morris said if any fender boards, etc. are constructed along seawalls, the City will be liable for activities at those sites. As long as the City does not make it convenient for activity to occur at such sites, the City should have no legal liability. Mr. Morris said in the next 2 –3 months, the Coast Guard is placing a light to mark the channel just past the end of the jetty. No one wants to put a light on the jetty as it is an engineering and maintenance nightmare. Mr. Morris said a waverunner company contacted the City Manager to request permission to perform a national product promotion event on the same weekend as Sportsfest. He wants to perform the event at a public bathing beach. In addition to violating existing ordinances, this is a serious hazard to a swim area at an extremely busy time of the year. The added feature is that this will attract other waverunner operators to the area. The hotels and businesses that have access or waiver agreements for corridors through the swim area would provide better locations for this type activity but involve Commission approval. The City recently received a waverunner for beach lifeguard use for law enforcement to enforce the safe swim area. Yamaha supported the program with a waverunner from Barney’s, a local vendor. Member Horne moved that the MAB feels the waverunner company’s request is inappropriate during Sportsfest. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. Mr. Morris said parasail operators have agreed to work together in a self-policing mode to avoid City imposed ordinances regarding safety issues. One parasail operator is not complying and has been sent a letter. Should he decide not to comply with the self-policing policy, Mr. Morris said he may have to take measure to institute legislation through a City ordinance. Mr. Morris said the commercial tenant whose docking permit was terminated due to numerous complaints will be vacating the marina by April 1, 2000. ITEM 5 –Next Meeting – April 12, 2000 and Agenda ITEM 6 - Adjournment The meeting adjourned at 9:17 a.m.