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09/10/2003MARINE ADVISORY BOARD CITY OF CLEARWATER September 10, 2003 Present: Tom Horne Chair Hank Epstein Board Member Nick Matsis Board Member Dick Safirstein Board Member Denis Sparks Board Member Absent: Edward O’Brien Board Member Paul J. Kelley Board Member Also Present: Bill Morris Marine & Aviation Department Director Brenda Moses Board Reporter The Chair called the meeting to order at 8:06 a.m. at the Marina. To provide continuity for research, items are in agenda order although not necessarily discussed in that order. 2. Minutes Approval from June 11, 2003 and August 13, 2003 Member Epstein moved to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of June 11, 2003, as submitted in written summation to each board member. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. Member Epstein moved to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of August 13, 2003, as submitted in written summation to each board member. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. 3. Other Business In response to a question, Marine & Aviation Department Director Bill Morris said he would continue to share marine-related information with the MAB (Marine Advisory Board), including notices from the Office of Homeland Security regarding restrictions of vessels in ports and waterways. He said he has not received any information to date. He said there already is a restricted zone around the Skyway bridge and at other major ports that handle ships of significant sizes such as commercial vessels. It was remarked that the expected changes also would involve more patrols and tracking the hours vessels enter and exit ports. Mr. Morris said the Coast Guard already has increased manpower at locations such as Sand Key bridge for security missions. It was remarked that one evening last week, Police officers were seen on the top of the Clearwater Pass bridge videotaping activities near Shephard’s Resort. Mr. Morris said he and Airpark Operations Manager Gordon Wills presented a proposal to City administration for video cameras to be placed on the top of Continental Towers hotel to monitor activities in Clearwater Pass. A telephone link to the Police substation in that location also would allow police personnel to dial into police headquarters to view the activity in that area. It was remarked the activity in that area is cyclical. Shephard’s has increased their security. Mr. Morris said Commissioner Johnson had indicated to him that two weeks ago, he had accompanied a Clearwater Police Officer on a County Sheriff’s boat to observe the activity at Shepherd’s on a weekend. Commissioner Johnson suggested that a 20-foot vessel exclusion zone be implemented in Clearwater Pass. Mr. Morris presented information to Commissioner Jonson through the City Managers office, explaining that if an exclusion zone were created, it would require law enforcement personnel. Additionally, there are safety issues and costs to consider. Buoys or pilings to mark the area would be ineffective without enforcement presence and a possible liability problem. The Marine Advisory Board agreed with the difficulty of maintaining and enforcing a 20- foot zone and expressed specific concern about the liability of boats hitting pilings or becoming entangled in buoy anchor lines. Mr. Morris said one of the boat captains at the marina is suggesting commercial slips at the proposed downtown marina. Mr. Morris felt that the best way to handle commercial slips would be to place one or two at the Drew Street dock location, which would not inconvenience the other marina tenants, and would allow passengers to be picked up and returned rather than allow commercial boats to tie up overnight. Discussion ensued regarding the opposition of the residents of Pierce 100 regarding the marina. It was remarked that younger people are beginning to purchase units in Pierce 100 and they are in favor of the marina, and several residents of Pierce 100 have asked to be put on a waiting list for downtown boat slips when a list is started. Mr. Morris said the commercial access boat slips would be placed on the north side of the downtown marina in order to preserve the vista from Pierce 100. Discussion ensued regarding the need for the City to increase law enforcement and security in the downtown once the new marina and development occurs. It was remarked by several board members that the City is proactively enforcing parking at the marina, which is freeing up parking for the tenants. Member Safirstein moved to request that the Commission consider budgeting for law enforcement on the water during peak periods, as well as periodically. The motion was duly seconded. Discussion ensued and it was felt that although the public may not be aware of the security issues at churches, etc. in the Tampa Bay area, the fact is that gangs exist and there are security issues to be addressed. It was suggested the City be proactive regarding security throughout the City. It was suggested Member Safirstein’s motion be amended to include that the Commission consider budgeting for police enforcement and/or security to compliment the need for a marine security force in Clearwater. Member Safirstein agreed to amend his motion to request the Commission consider planning and budgeting for police enforcement and/or security to compliment the need for a marine security force in Clearwater. The seconder agreed. Upon the vote being taken, the motion carried unanimously. Mr. Morris thanked the MAB for being the catalyst for preserving the footprint of the Memorial Causeway bridge for fishing piers. He said he appreciates the board’s involvement and being proactive in extending invitations to various department directors in the City to attend meetings and present their perspective on various topics. It was suggested the MAB invite Police Chief Sid Klein and a Commissioner to a future MAB meeting to discuss the Police Department’s perspective regarding marine law enforcement. Member Sparks moved that the board invite Police Chief Sid Klein and a Commissioner to attend a future MAB meeting to discuss long term marine-related security issues. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. The Chair said he would write a letter to Chief Klein and the Commission regarding the invitation. It was suggested that marina fees be increased in order to cover increasing operational and maintenance costs. It was felt that current fees are much lower than other marinas in the area. Mr. Morris said he would supply the MAB with data staff compiled on comparable marinas’ boat slip rent fees for both private and municipal marinas. While Clearwater Municipal Marina’s fees are low as compared to private marinas, it is not the lowest municipal marina in Pinellas County. The major concern about raising fees is how it would adversely impact Clearwater residents, who would be driven out of boating by increased costs. Mr. Morris said he had attempted to increase boat slip fees, fuel markups, etc. at the marina and has received a great deal of opposition from the community. He said he felt it more appropriate to charge higher fees at the downtown marina, which would be more upscale in design. One board member said he receives a great deal of grief from people who have heard him proactively advocate higher fees. It was remarked that allowing commercial slips at the downtown marina would create problems at peak times, even if the vessels are only picking up and dropping off passengers. After Mr. Morris said he proposed one or two commercial “access” slips, a board member, upon reviewing the proposed design, mentioned there would be approximately 800 feet of dock frontage that would not be used continuously and could be used for that (commercial) purpose. Mr. Morris felt the concept of allowing commercial vessels to access one or two slips is preferred over dedicated commercial slips. Consensus was that designated commercial slips for picking up and dropping off passengers would be acceptable at the downtown marina. In response to a question, Mr. Morris said the Economic Development Director has indicated a final design for the downtown marina is being completed. He anticipates a final decision by the Commission regarding the design sometime in January 2004, after which time the permitting process could begin. The permitting process could take a year to complete due to environmental issues. There would most probably be another formal presentation to the public regarding the final downtown marina design. In response to a question, Mr. Morris said the most current design for the downtown marina allows for 137 slips. He said the business from clients of the downtown marina would increase the Clearwater marina’s fuel revenues. Transient boats also would provide repeat business. 4. Agenda for next meeting on October 8, 2003 This topic was not discussed. 5. Adjournment The meeting adjourned at 9:04 a.m.