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10/11/2000MARINE ADVISORY BOARD MEETING CITY OF CLEARWATER October 11, 2000 Present: Bill Wilhelm Chair Hank Epstein Board Member Nick Matsis Board Member Tom Horne Board Member – arrived 8:06 a.m. Paul Kelley Board Member Denis Sparks Board Member Absent: Dick Safirstein Board Member Also Present: William Morris Harbormaster – arrived 8:10 a.m. Gordon Wills Clearwater Airpark Operations Manager 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 - Approval of the Minutes Member Epstein requested that regarding the September 13, 2000, meeting minutes that Member Horne be listed as present and that sentence one of Item 9 be changed to reflect “…goodbye to Dr. Hemerick.” Member Epstein moved to approve the minutes of the meeting of September 13, 2000, as amended. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. ITEM 3 – Discussion of Minimum Wake Zones. Airpark Operations Manager Gordon Wills said last Thursday the Commission voted to pass the ordinance implementing a minimum wake zone at Island Estates. The Harbormaster stated at that meeting if the minimum wake zone does not alleviate the problems in the channel, staff will re-address the issue and the possibility of instituting a no-wake zone. Buoys in the area will be marked accordingly. It was remarked that the persons responsible for buoys in Belleair (Pinellas County) have offered to assist Clearwater with the buoys in the channel at Island Estates. Harbormaster Bill Morris said the County has offered to pay for and install the buoys to maintain consistency in the type of buoys and buoy markings in the waterways. Discussion ensued regarding the role of the MAB (Marine Advisory Board) in making decisions regarding wake zones, etc. It was remarked that some type of consistency with regard to the MAB’s recommendations is needed. Mr. Morris said his priority is a waterway management plan that sets criteria and standards for waterway navigation. He said the City has an ordinance regulating boaters and skiers that requires them to stay 50 feet away from docks and seawalls; the County has an ordinance that requires boaters and skiers maintain out to a 200 foot buffer. It was remarked that City ordinances are not being enforced. Member Horne moved that the channel from the eastern side of the first waterway to the southeast of the existing marina fuel docks, continuing southeastward to the first channel marker that turns and exits to the south towards the Clearwater Pass bridge be designated a minimum wake zone. The motion was duly seconded. Discussion ensued regarding adopting the County’s standards of a 200-foot minimum distance from seawalls. Mr. Morris said staff is working with the Engineering Department to determine the worst case scenario using the County’s standards. He will update the MAB as information is available. Upon the vote being taken, the motion carried unanimously. ITEM 4 – Other Business Mr. Morris said signs regarding the new minimum wake zone will be posted at launch ramps to educate the public regarding the new regulation. He said effective October 1, 2000, new legislation requires instructors to pass the Boating Safety course. It was remarked that beginning boaters or those unfamiliar with the area cannot see the no-wake zone signs in the channel at Clearwater Pass, especially if coming from the south and turning alongside the jetty. In response to a question, Mr. Morris said the Coast Guard is against placing a light on the end of the jetty. It was felt a comprehensive study of the marking system in Clearwater Pass is needed. Mr. Morris said staff is working with the local community and pertinent law enforcement authorities to address waterway issues and safety. Mr. Morris said commercial dock builders are first required to complete the process in place by the City before getting County approval. Frequently, because of seagrass issues and other issues, the County denies their request. As the Harbormaster only reviews navigational issues, setbacks, the length of docks, and other related issues, it is impossible to know if the County will approve or deny an applicant’s request. One resident expressed concern that the City’s new trash compactor at the Marina is inadequate. The container does not get picked up for 3 weeks at a time which creates a stench as well as flies, rodents and other pests. Mr. Morris said a key to the compactor is available to tenants. He said the slope of the parking lot causes the juice in the container to run to the front of the compactor. He said the nearby restaurant was not bagging dead fish materials and oyster shells were tearing waste bags. The Solid Waste Department has agreed to pick up the container on a weekly basis to help alleviate the problem. It was remarked that regardless of the type of bags used, the smell from dead fish and related materials cannot be eliminated. The resident also expressed concern that other boaters are cutting in front of him while conducting his parasail operation, creating a potentially dangerous situation. It was suggested that he document and report to Mr. Morris any violators of the standard navigational regulations. In response to a question, Mr. Morris said on October 16, 2000, a preconstruction meeting will be held at the Sailing Center regarding launch ramps there. Mr. Morris will review an article entitled “Model Legislation” that refers to new proposals at the State level regarding waterways to determine if any of the proposals pertain to or can be considered for implementation in Clearwater. ITEM 5 – Agenda for Next Meeting on November 8, 2000 It was suggested the parameters and a timetable for the waterway management plan be discussed at the next meeting. ITEM 6 - Adjournment The meeting adjourned at 8:58 a.m.