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08/14/2002MARINE ADVISORY BOARD CITY OF CLEARWATER August 14, 2002 Present: Tom Horne Chair Hank Epstein Board Member Nick Matsis Board Member Dick Safirstein Board Member Denis Sparks Board Member Edward O’Brien Board Member Absent: Paul J. Kelley Board Member Also Present: Bill Morris Marine & Aviation Department Director Catherine Yellin Senior Staff Assistant The Chair called the meeting to order at 8:02 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 Matsis moved to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of July 10, 2002, as submitted in written summation to each board member. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. ITEM #3 – Guest Speaker – Director of Economic Development and Housing Reg Owens, Director of Economic Development and Housing, reviewed redevelopment plans for downtown. The City is concentrating its development efforts on Clearwater beach and downtown. The primary emphasis on the beach is parking and implementation of Beach by Design. The main downtown concern relates to the realignment of beach traffic off of Cleveland Street once the Memorial Causeway Bridge is completed. Mr. Owens stated the eight acres of prime waterfront property on the lower level of the bluff, adjacent to Coachman Park, is sacred and needs to be maintained as usable open space. A marina would be important to downtown development. Pilings from the old bridge will be retained for a pier with activities to attract visitors. A pending sea grass study of this area will determine if a full-fledged marina can be developed. A ferry link between the beach and downtown has been proposed to encourage economic health at both ends. Marine and Aviation Director Bill Morris stated a critical aspect of developing a marina is adjacent parking for boat owners. In response to a question, Mr. Owens envisioned a marina large enough for multiple slips set aside for daily destination, commuter taxis, and pleasure boaters. In terms of parking, Mr. Owens stated five development entities have proposed options. One suggestion is to construct a parking structure under the bridge. If a cul-de-sac is constructed, passengers could be dropped off at the end of Cleveland Street on the waterfront. Mr. Morris stated the suggestion for a ferry service between downtown and the beach is raised annually. People will not take a ferry from downtown to the beach, but would travel by ferry from the beach to a vibrant downtown, as part of an evening event. Discussion ensued about alternate types of transportation. Mr. Owens will recommend the downtown consulting board include the Marine Advisory Board (MAB) in discussions related to the design of a downtown marina. Mr. Morris stated the MAB had been responsible for the recommendation to preserve the footprint of the old bridge, to prevent the growth of sea grass that would have curtailed potential development. Further discussion ensued about parking and alternate forms of transportation. Mr. Owens stated with City Commission approval, construction of a five-story parking garage by Pelican Walk would begin before the end of the year. In response to a question, Mr. Morris explained no immediate plans focus on the marina’s parking situation. The City owns the marina and does not want to jeopardize development of other beach properties. He suggested the City may consider changes to the marina in the next decade. In response to a question about a floating marina/entertainment barge, Mr. Morris stated he is not discounting any alternatives. Marinas along the Mississippi River use the barges. Parking remains an issue. He will consider it for a future Marine and Aviation Business Plan. ITEM #4 – Other Business Pilings Mr. Morris reviewed a request from a Carlouel Yacht Club member to remove pilings between Caladisi Island and north beach, an area popular for water skiing. The Coast Guard no longer maintains the channel, as it has filled with sand. Mr. Morris said staff could remove the pilings at minimal cost. Staff recently used the marina barge to recover the car that had plunged off the Memorial Causeway Bridge. The MAB recommended signs, warning "Danger Shoal Area,” remain. Mr. Morris will contact the Carlisle Yacht Club to determine which pilings need removal. It was recommended staff consider these types of requests independently. The Legal Department did not authorize the City removing the Ultimar pilings, which are in State waters. The City treats pilings in inland waters differently. Mr. Morris would consider removing pilings that are hazardous to navigation, or located in channels that no longer exist. Some persons requesting their removal, may only wish permission to perform the work themselves. Wake Zones Mr. Morris said Steve Gerlack, of High and Dry Marina on Island Estates, had requested the extended wake zone in Mandalay Channel be removed as his customers must pay his staff for the time it takes to navigate beyond the wake zone to test boats in for repair. The MAB, noting the zone has been in place for a long time, felt the change would be difficult to impose and nearby residents would oppose it. Consensus was to recommend no change. The City Commission approved the wake zone at Windward on Island Estates. Following second reading, staff will submit the request to the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. Due to blind spots, staff hopes the wake zone will be approved. Marker Buoys Mr. Morris reported the County contractor has not had time to replace three marker buoys in Clearwater Pass with fast water buoys, as approved. The County has authorized the City’s Marine Service Unit to do the work. Sailing Center Mr. Morris indicated in about two weeks, the Sailing Center security camera system will be installed to record activity under the bridge, by the fishing docks and future boat storage. A fence will be installed within a few weeks. Installation of the security access gates has been delayed until power can be conveyed to the area. That work must be bid. The system will be protected against lightning. Rate Increase Request Mr. Morris said the Marina’s Business Plan includes dockage rate increases. Previous increases of 5%, which were less than CPI (Consumer Price Index) increases, have occurred every other year. He will propose an increase to the City Commission at the September 19, 2002 meeting. Seminole Boat Ramp Mr. Morris stated that Seminole Boat Ramp users are upset regarding proposed launching permit rate increases. While many non-residents use the ramp, the non-resident rate has not been enforced. Ramp fees total approximately $56,000/annually. The increase will raise revenues to approximately $90,000. The owner of Clearwater Bay Marina, adjacent to the Seminole Boat Ramp, is planning a condominium development with approximately 120 boat slips and has requested the City upgrade the appearance of the ramp facility. The rate increase will help pay for this upgrade. Mrs. Barbara Short, President of the Clearwater Community Sailing Association, invited all to the Open House at the Sailing Center on September 14, 2002. ITEM #5 – Agenda for next meeting on September 11, 2002 ITEM #6 – Adjournment The meeting adjourned at 9:21 a.m.