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04/09/2003MARINE ADVISORY BOARD CITY OF CLEARWATER April 9, 2003 Present: Tom Horne Chair Hank Epstein Board Member Dick Safirstein Board Member Paul J. Kelley Board Member Denis Sparks Board Member Absent: Nick Matsis Board Member Edward O’Brien Board Member Also Present: Bill Morris Marine & Aviation Department Director Catherine Yellin Senior Staff Assistant Brenda Moses 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 – Minutes Approval from March 12, 2003 Member Epstein requested that the minutes of the regular meeting of March 12, 2003, reflect that the Acting Chair opened the meeting. Member Epstein moved to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of March 12, 2003, as amended. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. ITEM #3 – Other Business Downtown Marina Marine & Aviation Department Director Bill Morris referred to a flyer published by the City regarding capital improvement updates on various projects throughout the City including costs and estimated completion dates. The flyers are available at the Marina. The downtown marina is not in the flyer, as no cost estimates or timeframes have been determined. Mr. Morris said Economic Development Housing Director Reg Owens has indicated that preliminary construction costs for a 200-slip downtown marina are estimated at $4 million. The intent of the downtown marina is to provide wider slips to accommodate 40-foot sailboats, larger powerboats, and commercial vessels on the south side of the new Memorial Causeway Bridge. The slips on the north side of the bridge would be used for transient slips. The Drew Street dock would provide dockage for fishing activity and transient boat slips. The timeframe for completion of a downtown marina is five to ten years. Mr. Morris said he attributes the interest and progress for a downtown marina to the MAB (Marine Advisory Board). He said the Public Works and Economic Development department directors also have been instrumental in determining the level of interest and potential for a downtown marina. Their attendance at MAB meetings is appreciated. In response to a question, Mr. Morris said the next step in the process for a downtown marina is receipt of a consultant’s report and cost estimates. It was remarked that the demographics of Pierce 100 has dramatically changed in the last ten years to younger, working-age owners who are interested in having a view of a marina near the new bridge. Wake Zones Mr. Morris said he has ongoing discussions with the FWC (Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission) regarding wake zones. Six months ago, the FWC’s focus changed to being more opposed to wake zones. Minimum wake zones were incorporated for the Windward Island area along Island Estates, but not for the marina del Rey area. Mr. Morris received a letter from a local resident stating his displeasure with the State with respect to the inability to have a minimum wake zone implemented in his area. The State’s position is that property owners must realize that they will have to deal with boat traffic if they chose to live on the water. Mr. Morris said he received an e-mail from a fisherman residing in Tampa. The fisherman said he was instructed by the Seminole Launch Ramp baithouse attendant to park his boat trailer and car in a lot that is leased from the City by the Little Theatre of Clearwater. The theatre had the fisherman’s trailer and car towed. The resident was charged $200 for towing, confronted the attendant again, and was again told that he could park in the lot. Mr. Morris said he is forwarding the e-mail to Clearwater Bay Marine and to the manager of the baithouse at Seminole Launch Ramp in order to avoid any future occurrences of this nature. Sailing Center Mr. Morris said the Clearwater Sailing Center is hosting the Alter Cup, a national event sponsored by Rolex, on April 5 – 11, 2003. The event is named after Hobie Alter, the designer and maker of the Hobie Cat catamaran. Mr. Morris said he took photographs of the activities held at the Sailing Center this weekend. Five simultaneous events took place including student programs, accessibility program, recreational boating classes, and the Clearwater Yacht Club’s Fun Regatta. Mr. Morris said while at the Sailing Center, he spoke to a resident and former member of the Sand Key Civic Association. The resident said he had met with the Assistant City Manager and City Manager regarding preserving impact fees for Sand Key that equate to a significant dollar amount. Mr. Morris said some of those impact fees were used to pay for an architectural design to expand the Sailing Center. The impact fees could be used to construct the deck on the bottom floor and another on the second floor, which would add 3,500 square feet to the building. It was remarked that there is a great need for classroom space at the Sailing Center. Everyone was encouraged to visit the Sailing Center and participate in the activities. Mr. Morris said he plans to propose that the City Commission modify the Sailing Center contract so that the revenue received is tied to a flat CPI (Consumer Price Index) rate rather than the current 20% of projected revenues rate. It was remarked that donations are needed for all types of boats to be used for classes given at the Sailing Center. The vessels need not be in pristine condition. Dredge Equipment Mr. Morris said marina staff visited Sarasota’s marina to obtain information regarding that city’s dredging equipment and operation. Mr. Morris is considering one of two types of cutterhead dredges for Clearwater. He said he prefers a ten-year permit from the State that would allow Clearwater to perform maintenance dredging throughout the City. County, State, and FDEP (Florida Department of Environmental Protection) approval is required for the application permit. Mr. Morris has had discussions with the City’s Finance department regarding purchase versus rental or lease of dredging equipment. Mr. Morris feels it more practical to purchase the equipment, as dredging is an ongoing issue in Clearwater. In response to a question, Mr. Morris said the Army Corps of Engineers pumps their dredged material to spoil islands or uses it to renourish local area beaches. Mr. Morris said once the dredge is purchased, he plans to dredge the marina for boat slips, pump the dredged material onto barges, and pump it from barges to various approved locations such as spoil islands. The slurry mix could be pumped onto Sand Key. He said he feels floating docks at the marina are the best value long term, as they require less maintenance and would free up staff time for dredging work elsewhere in the City. It was remarked that dredging of Clearwater’s beaches is an ongoing necessity, as beaches tend to build up rather than deteriorate and shoaling also continues to worsen. Public Marina Development Potential It was remarked that according to a newspaper article today, a property owner on the north side of the beach donated sand to the State. It was remarked that an article in today’s paper indicates a developer proposing a condominium project with 250 boat slips and a full service marina may want the City to manage their marina, as they do not have the experience to manage it themselves. In response to a question, Mr. Morris said he felt it would be to the City’s advantage to manage the marina as grant funds could be obtained for pump-out facilities, etc. for the public boat docks. The permitting process also would be different than for a private development. Those docks would be available sooner than those planned for the downtown marina and would free some boat slips at the City marina. The revenue generated would allow the marina to have 24-hour a day coverage at the marina. A development group consisting of property owners on the north end of the beach also is considering redevelopment in that area. Brightwater and Bayside It was suggested board members visit the north side of Bayside Drive and the north side of Brightwater Drive as redevelopment is occurring. Approximately 8 to 10 boat slips are being developed on the northwest tip of Brightwater Drive. To the south of that, a vacant lot is being developed to include condominiums and boat slips. Condominium units are being developed to the west of the Police Substation on Bayside Drive. Frank Daniel, Community Maritime Officer, said the Island Estates Civic Association approached him requesting he represent them as their maritime officer at various agencies, boards, etc. throughout the City. He said he has no official status or authority but would notify the Coast Guard, Sheriff’s Department, and other County and City authorities regarding issues affecting Island Estates. He said he also would bring forward issues to the MAB. It was remarked that although there are minimum wake zones along Island Estates, there is only one no wake zone. It was remarked that the State controls the number and location of all wake zones and there is a potential that the State could remove some of them at any time. The State feels there is a proliferation of wake zones and feels property owners living on the water are aware that boats use those waterways. It was remarked that although some residents complain that wakes from boats cause erosion of their seawalls, the weather also affects seawalls. Police Substation In response to a question, Mr. Morris said the police substation on the south end of Clearwater beach on Bayway Boulevard is operational. Increased Marine Enforcement One board member said the Coast Guard Auxiliary is working with the FWC to provide increased law enforcement on the waterways on the south end of Clearwater beach. Enforcement is shifted as needed on weekends to those areas in greater need of enforcement. Public education also is part of the enforcement activity. ITEM #4 – Agenda for next meeting on May 4, 2003 This topic was not discussed. ITEM #5 – Adjournment The meeting adjourned at 9:01 a.m.