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04/10/2002MARINE ADVISORY BOARD CITY OF CLEARWATER April 10, 2002 Present: Tom Horne Chair Hank Epstein Board Member Nick Matsis Board Member Dick Safirstein Board Member Denis Sparks Board Member Paul J. Kelley Board Member Edward O’Brien Board Member Also Present: Bill Morris Marine & Aviation Department Director Catherine Yellin Senior Staff Assistant Patricia O. Sullivan 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 Minutes Member Epstein moved to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of March 13, 2002, as submitted in written summation to each board member. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. ITEM #3 – Guest Speaker – Mahshid Arasteh Public Works Administrator Mahshid Arasteh reviewed traffic patterns related to construction of the new Memorial Causeway bridge, which should be completed by January 2004. Ms. Arasteh said Drew Street only will be closed for weekends during three Parks & Recreation Department events, including Jazz Holiday. Recommendations were made for Drew Street to remain open at all times after Pierce Boulevard is closed, to reconfigure Drew and Cleveland streets into one-way pairs, to extend the right turn lane into Island Estates and construct bollards to prevent vehicles from reentering Causeway traffic, to relocate parking from Cleveland Street to a City parking garage, and to reinstitute ferry service between the mainland and the beach. Discussion ensued. It was noted downtown business input regarding downtown traffic patterns is necessary. Traffic Operations Manager Paul Bertels reviewed a suggestion to temporarily remove parking on one side of Cleveland Street to provide four lanes of traffic. He reported the FDOT (Florida Department of Transportation) project manager is not interested in a temporary extension of the right turn lane into Island Estates due to permitting problems related to the removal of mangroves. Concern was expressed no coordination exists between the Police and Fire departments regarding the movement of emergency equipment across the Causeway during high traffic times. Marine & Aviation Department Director Bill Morris said many public meetings have been held to discuss traffic issues related to the new bridge. He said MAB (Marine Advisory Board) members should focus their attention on issues within the scope of the Marina. In response to a question, Ms. Arasteh said plans for remaining bridge pilings will be determined through the Economic Development department. It was reported the DDB (Downtown Development Board) has requested MAB support to accelerate a related sea grass study, which is not budgeted this year. Member Kelley moved that the MAB supports DDB efforts to expedite a study of seagrass or other necessary research related to a downtown marina or downtown waterfront activity. The motion was duly seconded. Mr. Morris reviewed required studies, stating they are expensive. Upon the vote being taken, the motion carried unanimously. ITEM #4 – Other Business Mr. Morris has a meeting scheduled with the Coast Guard regarding a quick flash at the end of the jetty. The Coast Guard has recommended the City install and maintain the light. The City wants the Coast Guard to accept that responsibility. It was stated the Sheriffs Department, Coast Guard, and Florida Marine Patrol have expressed concern wake buoys, west of the Clearwater Pass Bridge and often submerged by the current, are hazardous. Member Kelley moved to request Pinellas County to replace buoys often submerged by the current with ones that float properly. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. The Chair will write a letter to the City Commission regarding this issue. Concern was expressed the Police Department did not respond to a call that an intoxicated transient boater had tied up to the Marina after business hours. Mr. Morris said the Police Department can respond if signage with the related ordinance is visible. Additional signs may be needed. It was felt the Coast Guard should not have to handle these types of issues. It was stated oil prices are increasing and an oil embargo is possible. Concern was expressed the Marina has no contingency plans to deal with these issues. It was recommended Member O’Brien draft a policy for board review and discussion. It was requested the City provide two originals of the Safe Boating Week Proclamation, to be presented at the May 16, 2002, City Commission meeting. Mr. Morris requested a list of attendees. Information was requested regarding Marina security issues. In regard to a stolen 33-foot Sea Ray, that had drifted off Island Estates after its abandonment, concern was expressed no coordination exists between the Florida Marine Patrol and Sheriffs Department. After no response to calls regarding the boat, residents were forced to tow it and locate the owner. Two Island Estates residents of Midway Island expressed concern wakes from large boats are damaging their seawalls and requested the no wake zone be extended. Discussion ensued. Recommendations were made that the residents note the boats’ Florida numbers and contact them, that they contact the Island Estates Homeowners Association to develop rules and an educational process, or that they contact impacted Windward Island homeowners and obtain written requests from them for an extended wake zone for City Commission action. The process to initiate a wake zone takes approximately 6 months, following City Commission approval. ITEM #5 – Agenda for next meeting on May 8, 2002 The 2,050 square-foot commercial dock, proposed for a redevelopment project at 200 Brightwater, will be discussed. Mr. Morris reported the Island Grill is requesting to construct by the restaurant, public day use docks and deed them to the City for public use. The plan, for 9 slips, in the 40-foot range, needs to consider ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) and seagrass issues. Neighbors had expressed concerns regarding a previous plan to construct docks in that location. ITEM #6 – Adjournment The meeting adjourned at 9:12 a.m.