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10/08/2003MARINE ADVISORY BOARD CITY OF CLEARWATER October 8, 2003 Present: Tom Horne Chair Hank Epstein Board Member Nick Matsis Board Member - arrived 8:10 a.m. Dick Safirstein Board Member Paul J. Kelley Board Member Edward O’Brien Board Member Absent: Denis Sparks Board Member Also Present: Bill Morris Marine & Aviation Department Director 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. 2 – Approval of Minutes Member Epstein moved to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of September 10, 2003, as submitted in written summation to each board member. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. 3 – Other Business The Chair reported he will meet with Bill Shepherd, of Shepherd’s Resort, to discuss long term issues before contacting the Police Department for input regarding boats anchoring in Clearwater Pass. Slip Rental Survey Marine & Aviation Department Director Bill Morris distributed a section of the 2002 Performance Measure Results of the Marine & Aviation Department and a Marine Slip Rent Survey. Discussion ensued with a recommendation that brokers rent slips to market boats for sale, comments the slip rent chart is misleading as it reports average costs and not data on per-foot rates, per-foot rates would provide better analysis of local slip rental costs, the Clearwater Marina provides higher quality services that other marinas, and other marinas have maintained full slip rentals after rates were doubled. A per foot rate comparison was requested. Mr. Morris said transient rates at Clearwater Marina have been increased significantly from $1.05 to $1.50 per foot per night, but agreed permanent wet storage is under priced. Staff is working to determine the right mix of permanent, transient, commercial slips at the planned Downtown marina. The MAB (Marine Advisory Board) suggested the City could apply for a grant to fund moorings along the Causeway. It was stated in other harbors, boaters adhere to an honor system to pay for docking. Adding moorings would require some dredging. Mr. Morris said in the past staff had applied for a State grant to dock boats larger than 26 feet but were denied. He said the County has approved public docks by the Island Way Grill on Island Estates. The private development project in Mandalay Channel, consisting of 64 “yacht basin” boat slips, awaits approval from the Army Corps of Engineers. Dredging is scheduled to begin in December. It was recommended staff pursue a grant to dock boats at least 26 feet long in this location. Mr. Morris said staff is stretched too thin to begin the arduous grant process at this time. He said the City’s grantwriter only coaches staff how to write grants. Staff recently invested six months pursuing a grant, only to be turned down. It was recommended the City hire another grantwriter. Mr. Morris said costs for the Marina Enterprise Fund have increased, with annual “rental” fees paid back to the City at the Marina now at approximately $250,000. He anticipated redevelopment of the Marina property will not occur before 2011. Current needs include replacing the fuel system and dredging. He was unable to purchase dredging equipment as planned, which would have saved significant money over an upcoming contracted dredging operation. Jazz on the Bay - Raft Up or Anchor Down David Hemerick requested the marine community support the new Downtown marina by attending “Jazz on the Bay - Raft Up or Anchor Down,” on October 18, 2003, at 6:00 p.m. A surrogate captain is needed for the event. Clearwater Pass 20-foot Exclusion Zone Mr. Morris said he has been tasked with developing a 20-foot exclusion zone along Clearwater Pass at the request of a City Commissioner. He said the zone would be difficult to enforce as several property owners have opted out of it. Discussion ensued regarding the proposal with comments that necessary research would be a waste of staff time, the Commissioner is not a boater, and the Commissioner first should have requested board input regarding the practicality of the recommendation. Member O’Brien moved that the Marine Advisory Board does not support instituting a 20-foot exclusion zone along Clearwater Pass, as the proposal is unrealistic and should not be considered. The motion was duly seconded. Discussion ensued regarding motion language. Concern was expressed any exclusion zone would need to consider depth charts and would push boaters into strong currents. It was stated the idea is ridiculous. Upon the vote being taken, the motion carried unanimously. Sailing Center Mr. Morris reported the Sailing Center is experiencing some growing pains, as some of its directors do not have experience managing a non-profit agency. While center membership has increased, the Sailing Center must meet all sailing needs. Center management needs to be educated regarding the importance of the disabled sailor program. Drew Street Dock Mr. Morris said the contract for the Drew Street Dock expires in August 2004. The City is obligated to replace a nearby fishing pier. He supports rebuilding the dock in the style of the new marina as a fishing pier and adding a floating wave attenuator at its end. While construction funds are available, the Engineering Department first needs to develop site plans. Consensus was to support expansion of the Drew Street Dock as a fishing pier to replace those lost to construction of the new Memorial Causeway Bridge and a wave attenuator should be added to the end of the Drew Street Dock. Downtown Marina In response to a question, Mr. Morris anticipated slip rental rates at the proposed Downtown marina will be on the high end. It was felt Downtown is a less desirable location for boat slips than the beach marina. Mr. Morris said marina rates are increased automatically by 5% every other year. It was suggested rates could be raised significantly, considering the length of the waiting list. Mr. Morris said staff does not want to drive Clearwater residents from the marina. The Downtown marina will complement Downtown redevelopment efforts. It was indicated other cities have had great success with developing marinas on Downtown waterfronts. Mr. Morris said he had recommended space be set aside for commercial vessels to pick up passengers Downtown. The marina also will feature temporary slips. While Economic Development has envisioned a pretty marina, boat storage does not make money as compared to an active marina It is anticipated the project will take four years to complete. In addition to a required feasibility study and permitting process, the project must be approved by public referendum. Concern was expressed project consultants have no marine background. No decision has been made regarding the east end of the Causeway, under the bridge, which could become an attractive nuisance. Mr. Morris reviewed security problems related to the fishing pier area beneath the Clearwater Pass Bridge. Trash there has been reduced by 75% since security gates were installed. 4 – Agenda for next meeting on November 12, 2003 It was requested the Chair schedule City Commission representation at the meeting. 5 – Adjournment The meeting adjourned at 9:16 a.m.