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11/14/2001MARINE ADVISORY BOARD CITY OF CLEARWATER November 14, 2001 Present: Tom Horne Chair Hank Epstein Board Member Nick Matsis Board Member Dick Safirstein Board Member Paul J. Kelley Board Member Denis Sparks Board Member Absent: Edward O’Brien Board Member Also Present: Ralph Stone Assistant City Manager Lt. Mike Waters Clearwater Police Department Barbara Short Citizen Paul Evans Citizen Joe Calio Sand Key Civic Association William Morris Marine & Aviation Department Director Marcia Charlton Administrative Analyst The Chair called the meeting to order at 8:12 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 The Chair moved to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of October 10, 2001, as submitted. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. ITEM 3 – Visit from Assistant City Manager Ralph Stone Mr. Stone was asked to attend this month’s meeting to update the board on projects. He was asked to speak to projects involving, Coachman Park, waterfront development and anything to do with the waterways. Mr. Morris asked Mr. Stone to also speak about commercial dock construction, specifically the docks behind the Shops at Sand Key. Mr. Stone started with beach news, regarding Gulf Boulevard and Pinellas County’s intent to make improvements such as, bury utilities, put mile markers in, and do some landscaping as they did in St. Petersburg. The county added $.01 to the gas tax and that money will be used to accomplish the improvements with the help of the local governments. Mr. Stone expressed a concern that Clearwater may not want to get involved with adding another tax because we have already accomplished some improvements such as Sand Key, the causeway, working on Mandalay. There have been discussions about reimbursement to the county and the city may not want to take that option. Mr. Horne wanted to know if some of the funds could be used toward the bay front development. Mr. Stone said discussions for other uses of the funds are still being pursued. The streetscape design is done and will be incorporated in the first phase of the roundabout change. Another piece the “Beach Walk” project will be an additional improvement and part of the funding could be used it. One of the things that the Beach by Design recommended is that south Gulfview be reconfigured as a public section incentive for new resort reinvestment. More parking will have to be found to make it work as 270 spaces will be lost and will need to be relocated in a garage or somewhere. Commissioners have asked to include the marina in a redevelopment plan, but will probably be the last area to develop. The marina property probably will not be used as a garage as it is on the wrong side of the roundabout. Pier 60 is owned by the city but the consensus is not to block anymore of the beach views. There is a new group doing a city parking study and they will also be looking at the beach. Right now, the focus is to begin on “Beach Walk”. There is an outside developer, who has options on the Port Vue, the Days Inn, the Spyglass and the Marriott properties and may or may not develop these pieces further. Mr. Stone also stated that Beach by Design has been amended for the Mack Project and along East Shore Drive. Mr. Mack has done a sophisticated design and the community has all but approved it. There is now a intermediate option for East Shore, if you consolidate 2 ½ acres you get 70 feet in height but you must preserve 50% of the bayside frontage. A new pedestrian bridge has been proposed between bridge 43 and the bait house and will connect with the Pinellas Trail and have bike runs. The trail will “T” into Beach Walk and go up Mandalay. The marina tenants have asked Mr. Morris to bring forward concerns about the marina landscaping, and the need for changes because the marina and it’s businesses have all but been cut off. Mr. Stone suggested Mr. Morris ask Mike Quillen or Mashid to talk at a board meeting concerning the new bridge, it will be Public Works responsibility to present a plan to the commissioners. Mr. Horne asked about the new bridge and how will we raise funds to build a public dock for people to fish, possibly a restaurant and a place for boaters to tie up. He stated that it was a major concern of the board to build a fishing pier. Mr. Stone said that part of the bridge funding includes a requirement to replace the old fishing area. They are also looking into a detailed redesign of Coachman Park, which may include a band shell, marina, slips, library and new garage. Mr. Horne thanked Ralph Stone for his time and consideration in speaking to the board and letting them in on concerns the city is facing and he stated he would be glad to hear from them anytime. Mr. Stone wanted to hear their ideas or any questions they may have concerning projects around the marine environment. Mr. Stone also stated that as soon as the Christmas holidays are over, work will begin on the roundabout on the west side and smooth out the curve and stop at Spring break and then continue. He also said that there will probably be some kind of water feature. ITEM 4 – Other Business Lt. Mike Waters spoke to the group about traffic on the roundabout; the changes should make it clear that people should be able to make the turn with no problem. He said the original design was larger and more oval which would have been better able to handle the 50,000 cars during peak times. The roundabout does work a lot better then the old “T” shape. Members said they thought that most of problem is no parking. Lt. Waters stated that he had been talking to Mr. Morris regarding the parking area at Sand Key and they came to the conclusion that the situation maybe better handled with a gate system and fencing. One member stated that maybe the PD should step up patrolling the area instead of fencing the area. Lt. Waters stated that Sand Key was an extra patrol area. Mr. Morris said that people did not want the area locked at night as fishing is best at night, so a limited access gate or lift gate is being looked at for the area. Mr. Morris stated that he will have to beef up revenues at the sailing center to pay for the added cost of the gates (front entryway and roadway to the beach), beef up video cameras, as well as pay for a sea grass study for docks, and provide monies for a better boat storage facility. The gate will open only for people with recreational pass cards. A member wanted the board to be included in a formal manner in the design discussion team for Coachman Park. Mr. Horne said that if the board wanted, he would talk to the Public Works Director about the boards’ concern and to invite her to a MAB meeting. A motion was made to invite the Public Works Director to a meeting; the motion was seconded and passed. ITEM 5 – Agenda for next regular meeting December 12, 2001 No comments were made concerning the agenda for the next meeting. ITEM 6 – Adjournment The meeting adjourned at 9:20 a.m.