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10/09/2002MARINE ADVISORY BOARD CITY OF CLEARWATER October 9, 2002 Present: Tom Horne Chair – departed 8:21 a.m. Hank Epstein Board Member Paul J. Kelley Board Member – (acting chair 8:21 – 9:03 a.m.) Edward O’Brien Board Member – arrived 8:08 a.m. Dick Safirstein Board Member Absent: Nick Matsis Board Member Denis Sparks Board Member Also Present: Bill Morris Marine & Aviation Department Director Brenda Moses Board Reporter The Chair called the meeting to order at 8:00 a.m. at the Marina. He noted that Board Member Nick Matsis came to the meeting room prior to this morning’s meeting to let the MAB (Marine Advisory Board) know he would be unable to attend due to a previous appointment. To provide continuity for research, items are in agenda order although not necessarily discussed in that order. 2. Minutes Approval from September 19, 2002 Member Epstein moved to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of September 19, 2002, as submitted in written summation to each board member. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. 3. Other Business Marine & Aviation Department Director Bill Morris said he received a petition from Marina businesses regarding the height of some of the oleander hedges at the Marina. Some are eight to nine feet high will be trimmed to a height of five to six feet or be replaced with other landscaping materials. Mr. Morris said he received the seagrass and Benthick studies regarding the Yacht Basin and the Sailing Center waterfront. After review by the Engineering Department, the study results will be brought to the MAB. In response to a question, Mr. Morris said the Benthick study reviews the amount and type of micro-organisms that thrive in the muck. Mr. Morris said Seminole launch ramp fees have not been raised since 1987. They were raised from $3 to $5 for residents and from $3 to $7 for nonresidents last month. The only complaints received were from Dunedin residents. Ramp fees for seniors who use the senior discounts are $5 per day. Signs have been posted to reflect the changes. The baithouse at the Seminole launch facility documents the tickets sold. Residents and nonresidents using the launch ramp will be tracked in the future. Mr. Morris said the Clearwater Bay Marina has been sold. There have been approximately four different development options for the site. Towers heights originally proposed by the developer have been lowered, the casino boat would no longer be docked there, approximately 120 boat slips would be constructed for 150 condominium units, and a restaurant may replace the current baithouse. As the developer plans to continue to sell fuel, they will be required to work with the City regarding fuel tank access. Landscaping plans, etc. are being developed. The developer has asked the City to beautify the ramp area. Mr. Morris said initially, he had planned more parking on the hill, however, the City is inclined to surplus that property for various development projects along Osceola and Fort Harrison. The City is encouraging developers to consolidate properties for upscale development. Discussion ensued regarding problems with boaters and jet skiers going outside both sides of the channel and throttling back to the buoy line. A request to review the wake zone configuration in this area has been made by Marina tenants and some local residents. Mr. Morris read an excerpt from a section of Florida Statutes regarding regulatory boating restricted areas which indicate they are authorized only for the purpose of protecting life and limb, vessel traffic safety, and maritime property and manatees. It further states that the intent of that chapter that no boating restricted area be established, continued in effect, or enforced for the purpose of noise abatement, or for the protection of shoreline, shore-based structures, or upland property from vessel wake or shoreline wash. Mr. Morris said what is reasonable and prudent is a judgment call, which according to the revised State Statute, should be anticipated by the owners of property adjacent to the navigable waters of this state. It was suggested that violators running outside the channel be given written notice that violation of the regulations would not be tolerated. It was remarked it is not a wake issue, not a speed issue. Jet skis do not create huge wakes. One resident said violators taken to court frequently use the excuse that other boaters were passing them outside the channel. Mr. Morris said violators also claim they had mechanical difficulties. The largest number of violations occurs on weekend by private boat owners. Mr. Morris said violations are reported by fuel dock operators. A camera system has been installed to document those violations and provide additional security for the Marina. All violations issued to Marina tenants are documented. Frequent violators are subject to termination of docking permits. Discussion ensued regarding the need for increased marine patrols in waterways. It was remarked the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office has a limited budget for marine enforcement. It was suggested the County and the City encourage maritime training and self-policing. Mr. Morris said he received a request from homeowners living near the Mandalay channel requesting to dispense with the wake zone or increase it to the end of the channel due to wake problems. It was suggested that Mr. Morris respond to the homeowners’ letter indicating that the MAB has been informed of their request. Mr. Morris said the City Commission reads the MAB minutes and keeps informed of the MAB’s activities, suggestions, and recommendations. Mr. Morris received a letter regarding problems with boaters leaving docks and encountering jet skiers at blind spots and corners at the Moorings at Sand Key. He said blind corners are permitted in the revised State Statutes minimum wake zone areas. There has been no success with wake zone issues in the Windward Isle area. Mr. Morris said a townhouse development on the end of Brightwater Drive has a lap pool and a drainage retention area behind the development. They wish to build a 148- foot dock with ten slips. Their request meets the Code with respect to length and Beach by Design. There are no wake restrictions in that channel. The request will be reviewed by the Development Review Committee, Community Development Board, and the City Commission. Member O’Brien moved to support the applicant’s request for a 148-foot long dock with 10 slips and a light visible on the outside that will be automatic and maintained by the development as a private aid to navigation per the Coast Guard regulations, at 200 Brightwater Drive. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. Mr. Morris received a request from a citizen for handicapped parking spaces at the Seminole launch ramp. It was remarked that ADA (Americans with Disabilities) signs permit parking in other spaces if the marked handicapped spaces are occupied. The request will be addressed. In response to a question, Mr. Morris said changes at the Sailing Center are progressing nicely. It was remarked that 350 people attend the Sailing Center Open House. As of yesterday, as reported by a Sand Key resident who is a volunteer at the Sailing Center and a member of the Clearwater Community Sailing Center, Inc. 501c(3) Board of Directors, 36 members have signed up for membership to the Sailing Center. An advertisement was placed in the newspaper for boat and conference room rentals. A web site is being developed and a local area hotel owner has donated funds and resort packages and discounts for group rates and members. Mr. Morris was complimented for his efforts. It was remarked that six manatees were sited in northern Clearwater Harbor this weekend. Mr. Morris said he is planning to visit the city of Cape Coral, Florida. They have their own dredging system and almost 400 miles of canals. He will report back to the MAB regarding any information he receives about that city’s dredging costs, etc. He said if the Clearwater Marina purchases a similar system, it would pay for itself in a few years. The system would allow for dredging and renourishing beach areas and selling sand to the Army Corps of Engineers. In response to a question, Mr. Morris said there is a lot of opposition to open the pass between north Clearwater and Caladesi Island. 4. Agenda for next meeting on November 13, 2002 This topic was not discussed. Adjournment The meeting adjourned at 9:03 a.m.