10/10/2001MARINE ADVISORY BOARD
CITY OF CLEARWATER
October 10, 2001
Present: Tom Horne Chair
Hank Epstein Board Member
Nick Matsis Board Member
Edward O’Brien Board Member
Dick Safirstein Board Member
Paul J. Kelley Board Member
Dennis Sparks Board Member
Also Present: Alder Allensworth Sail Ability Inc.
Debbie Frankel Sail Ability Inc.
Paul Evans Citizen
Barbara Short 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 8:00 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
The Chair moved to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of September 12, 2001, as submitted. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously.
ITEM 3 – Discussion of newspaper article by Tim Johnson
A general discussion of the article brought forward resident concerns for commercial dock development, particularly on the intercoastal side of Sand Key.
ITEM 4 – Other Business
Mr. Morris stated that the new bridge project is going forward. He also must come up with money for sea grass study before any further projects are carried forward at the sailing center.
There is no sea grass within the proposed dock area but cannot state that without expert opinion and we would have to pay for study.
It was suggested that Ralph Stone be invited to a meeting for 30 minutes to talk about waterfront projects. Motion was made to invite Mr. Stone to next meeting via a letter from Chair,
motion seconded.
Mr. Morris gave update on dredging after talking to Tim Murphy. There will be some maintenance dredging in various channels, and where channel markers were moved there is no intention
to reclaim the original channel. The dredging process is going forward and work will only be done in the navigable channel.
Signs have been put up at the entrance to the beach north of the Sailing Center but people are still ignoring them, if there is a special event he has asked the PD to not ticket the
area. The city is looking at a gated access into the sailing center and the entrance to the beach area.
Mr. Horne asked about the parasail businesses, Mr. Morris said that there are 8 parasail businesses in the area. He has been working with Mark McCullough who owned a business and is
now out of it, but the U.S. Coast Guard may have to come in and increase regulations, right now they only require a license same as charter fishing. Mr. McCullough is trying to get
the businesses to regulate themselves. Mr. McCullough has a website and is trying to petition the U.S. Coast Guard to get involved in regulating the businesses.
Discussion ensued about concern that the parasail boating business industry would become even more heavily regulated. They currently comply with Federal and State rules. Some members
would like to have area that they could operate from and not infringe on private boaters. Members agreed they need to get more information to discuss and/or make recommendations.
A question was asked if Parks and Recreation could clean up the sea grape areas at the sailing center on Sand Key. Mr. Morris said that P & R had already agreed to cut the sea grapes,
which can be cut because they are not protected.
ITEM 5 – Agenda for next regular meeting November 14, 2001
Assistant City Manager Ralph Stone scheduled to attend meeting.
ITEM 6 – Adjournment
The meeting adjourned at 9:00 a.m.