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03/13/2002MARINE ADVISORY BOARD CITY OF CLEARWATER March 13, 2002 Present: Tom Horne Chair – arrived 8:36 a.m. Hank Epstein Acting Chair/Board Member Nick Matsis Board Member Paul J. Kelley Board Member Denis Sparks Board Member Edward O’Brien Board Member Dick Safirstein Board Member Also Present: Bill Morris Marine & Aviation Department Director Catherine Yellin Senior Staff Assistant Brenda Moses Board Reporter The Acting Chair called the meeting to order at 8:03 a.m. at the Marina. To provide continuity for research, items are in agenda order although not necessarily discussed in that order. ITEM 2 – February 13, 2002, Minutes Approval Member Safirstein moved to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of February 13, 2002, as submitted in written summation to each board member. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. ITEM 3 – Guest Speaker Glenn Warren, Chair of the Downtown Development Board Glenn Warren, Chair of the DDB (Downtown Development Board), said he would like to get the MAB (Marine Advisory Board) involved in ensuring the City incorporates a world-class marina into redevelopment plans for the new bridge and the surrounding area. Marine & Aviation Department Director Bill Morris said the mitigation of seagrass beds greatly affects dock construction. He said day docks have been suggested around the bayfront area rather than a full service marina. He said the roadway support pilings east of the Memorial Causeway Bridge lift span will remain. The fishing pier adjacent to the Memorial Causeway Bridge will be demolished. Mr. Morris read a memorandum from Engineering Assistant Director Glenn Bahnick indicating that the pilings east of the draw span will remain and will be cut off at an elevation capable of supporting a new pier. This item is part of the overall Memorial Bridge project and will be done by the contractor. Mr. Morris said a City grant writer position within the City Clerk Department would be the key contact person to research available federal waterfront development grants. The limiting factor in most grants is the encroachment of environmentally sensitive areas such as seagrass beds. The Marina is funding seagrass studies at the Sailing Center, the Yacht Basin, around the Beach Recreation Center, and off a piece of property next to the boat ramps on the north beach, to evaluate the possibility of docks in those areas. The same studies would be required for the downtown at an estimated $60,000. In response to a question, Mr. Morris said there is no designated person in the City looking at future marine activities beyond the bridge. It was suggested that a member of the MAB attend DDB meetings in an effort to be as proactive as possible regarding potential marine activity on the bayfront. Mr. Morris said Clearwater Bay Marine has been sold to a developer whose intent is to shut down that marine facility and construct 2 – 3 condominium towers with a maximum of 150 units with boat slips. That development will create the need for more room at the Marina to accommodate Clearwater Bay Marine’s former tenants. It was suggested a temporary dock access in the downtown area be made available over the next few years while the new Memorial Causeway Bridge is being constructed. It was remarked that had the MAB not suggested saving the pilings from the current bridge for use as fishing piers, they would have been slated for demolition. It was suggested inviting the Public Works Administrator, Mashid Arasteh, to the next MAB meeting to discuss Phil Henderson’s ferry service contract and public boat access to the bayfront. Member Kelley volunteered to be the MAB’s liaison with the DDB, however Chair Horne will attend the next DDB meeting. It was remarked that Spring Break is always a tough time of year with regard to traffic. It was felt that as Drew Street has been closed for 18 months, opening it up would not negatively impact traffic. Mr. Morris said the City is running force mains under the intercoastal waterway in the near future. They completed the area at Island Estates. A new project is planned to run a force main under Mandalay channel and to the Yacht Basin near the proposed Mack Development Project. Mr. Morris said he suggested to Ms. Arasteh that there is a need for a 2-lane roadway leaving the beach and onto Pierce Street. It was suggested Mr. Morris write a letter to Ms. Arasteh regarding the MAB’s position about redevelopment. Mr. Morris felt the MAB should write the letter and he would follow up with an e-mail to Ms. Arasteh and the Commissioners. It was remarked that Cleveland Street needs to remain open to provide parking for business owners and their customers, and to address traffic near the Harborview Center. A suggestion was made for a left turn only lane onto Drew Street. Other suggestions were discussed and it was felt the best influence the MAB could have on the overall planning process is to keep the appropriate City officials apprised of their concerns and attend DDB meetings. It was remarked that Ms. Arasteh is working with the FDOT (Florida Department of Transportation) regarding Cleveland Street. It was felt it is important that the FDOT and the public be educated regarding downtown parking. Concern was expressed that recreational vehicles and tractor-trailers are creating parking problems on some areas on the Memorial Causeway. Some are parking on the grass near Island Estates. It was remarked that the Police Department is charged with enforcing parking regulations. A remark was made that the lot on the Memorial Causeway is temporary. Member Kelley moved that Mr. Morris write a letter to the Commission regarding 1) double lanes on Cleveland Street eastbound during bridge construction; 2) a double lane on Drew Street westbound during the bridge construction; and 3) and temporary docks at the Drew Street facility. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. It was suggested a left turn signal be considered eastbound on Alternate 19 at Cleveland. It also was suggested removing trees at the entryway to Island Estates and adding an additional separate traffic lane to remove Island Estates traffic off the Causeway. It was remarked that all the City’s engineering diagrams suggest how to get people to the beach, but do not address how to take them from it. Mr. Warren said the City has an opportunity to obtain funds for a guideway system to and from the beach. It was suggested that parking structures could be included at guideway system entry and exit positions. It was felt the guideway system is more economical and practical than a monorail system. Mr. Warren said the guideway system will be part of the parking studies for downtown. ITEM 4 – Other Business Mr. Morris said the City Advisory Board Dinner is scheduled for March 19, 2002. It was requested that Member Kelley respond to the City Manager’s office regarding his attendance. It was requested that Mr. Morris send a memorandum to Marina tenants explaining their responsibility for tying and docking their boats properly during storms. Mr. Morris said that requirement already is in their lease. In response to a question, Mr. Morris said staff has developed a site plan for the fenced boat area at the Sailing Center. He has a meeting with staff to ensure a sufficient storage area would be incorporated into the site plan. He said his goal is to make the Sailing Center more profitable. He said there is to be another storage area near the bridge. It was remarked that the rusted boat trailer is still sitting next to the street at the beach recreation center boat ramp and needs to be removed. ITEM 5 – Agenda for next meeting on April 10, 2002 Consensus was to invite Ms. Arasteh to the next meeting. One visitor said he is concerned about the crime statistics and the homeless population at the beach and the Marina. He said he did not feel the Police Department’s statistics provide sufficient information. He expressed concern that bars on windows of businesses have become a necessity. He said many business owners do not report crimes. He felt crime at the Marina should be addressed by the MAB. It was remarked that the homeless population moves from one area to another. Mr. Morris said there is a Police Aide at the Marina. He said those matters are outside the scope of the MAB and are the responsibility of the Police Department. ITEM 6 – Adjournment The meeting adjourned at 9:03 a.m. ______________________ Chair Marine Advisory Board Attest: _________________ Board Reporter