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07/12/2000MARINE ADVISORY BOARD MEETING CITY OF CLEARWATER July 12, 2000 Present: David Hemerick Chair Bill Wilhelm Board Member Donald McFarland Board Member Hank Epstein Board Member Nick Matsis Board Member Tom Horne Board Member Absent: Dick Safirstein Board Member Also Present: 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 – June 14, 2000, Minutes Approval Member Wilhelm requested the minutes reflect he was present at the June 14, 2000, meeting. It also was requested that Item 3, paragraph 7, sentence 6 read “…one nay for Mr. Wilhelm…” The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. ITEM 3 – Amendment to Ordinance Draft Harbormaster Morris said staff is proposing a change to a City ordinance that limits vessel speed at 5 miles per hour within 50 feet of shore or docks. Staff is concerned that there is no buffer at Island Estates along Harbor Island and Windward Passage. Smaller power boats and jet skis are posing a problem in that area. Mr. Morris said staff plans to place buoys in those areas in a public education effort to make those areas safer. It was requested that no pilings be used in those areas due to safety concerns. The County is proposing the idle speed limit extend out to 200 feet. It was remarked that no-wake zones keep expanding and too many restrictions are being placed on the waterway and boaters’ rights. It was remarked that it is difficult to remove a boat from a lift because of the intense wakes in these areas from large, careless boaters and jet-skiers near docks. Member Horne moved to recommend to the Commission that from the northern end of Harbour Island, a 200-foot no-wake zone be extended from the northern tip to the eastern side of Harbour Island through the eastern edge of Palm Island southeast. The motion was duly seconded. Concern was expressed that the extension will cause boaters to run up on banks on the opposite side. Discussion ensued and it was remarked the 200-foot no-wake zone would not run boaters into the mud flats. Upon the vote being taken, Chair Hemerick and Members Epstein, Matsis, Horne, and McFarland voted “aye”; Member Wilhelm voted “nay”. Motion carried. ITEM 4 – Waterway Maintenance Mr. Morris said he has no start date for the dredging project. He said no consideration has been given to permitting a sand bar southeast of the Memorial Causeway Bridge. ITEM 5 – Parking Fee Rates Mr. Morris said the proposal from the Parking Department regarding increased parking fees was presented to the City Manager. The City Manager has obtained input from commercial boaters and staff is revising the proposal. ITEM 6 – Other Business It was noted that Member McFarland’s term expires this month. One resident suggested a Marina tenant sit on the MAB (Marine Advisory Board). It was suggested that a notice be posted at the Marina regarding the vacant MAB position. Mr. Morris said nothing has been done to the Sailing Center’s ramp where more sand is needed. Staff is waiting for a SWFMD (Southwest Florida Management District) permit as the issue involves leasing bottom land from the State. Member Wilhelm moved to recommend to the Commission that the Engineering Department use the existing footprint of the current Memorial Causeway Bridge for some type of marine activities. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. Member Wilhelm will write a letter to the Commission and City Manager with copies to the City Engineer regarding the bridge footprint being salvaged for marine activities and the MAB’s desire to be included in development proposals of marine activities, especially near the bridge. ITEM 7 – Agenda for Next Meeting on August 9, 2000 Mr. Morris will update the MAB on parking fee increases and provide a draft of the proposed wake zone amendment to the City ordinance, information regarding the status of the sailing center ramps, and information regarding signage at the Sailing Center. ITEM 8- Adjournment The meeting adjourned at 8:50 a.m.