MADEIRA BEACH – City commissioners are moving forward with expansion plans for a new marina, expressing confidence in their staff’s ability to oversee the project.
Commissioner Steve Kochick urged fellow commissioners at a workshop Dec. 4 to speak up now if they have problems with their staff overseeing the project.
Hearing that some residents may have problems with the staff handling the project, Kochick said “it behooves us to have faith in our staff.”
“They have (college) degrees all over the place,” he said.
He didn’t get any arguments from other commissioners.
“I don’t think it’s an issue,” Mayor Charles Parker said.
Some residents have expressed concerns about the effects the proposed marina would have on the ecosystem in Boca Ciega Bay, the potential costs of the project and impact on property values.
“The whole point of the marina is to bring in revenue and lower taxes,” Kochick said.
City officials said the existing marina is more than 30 years old and is in need of repairs. Though funded entirely from its own revenues and not supported by tax revenues, the marina has experienced numerous repairs, and city officials have had to draw money out of the reserves of the marina. There is a waiting list for wet slips and for dry storage.
Among other marina issues discussed, Commissioner Nancy Oakley expressed concerns about plans for certain public works functions to be located at the marina.
“The backside of the marina is not the location for garbage trucks,” she said. “It’s going to smell when it’s hot and it will be nasty.”
City officials will look for suitable locations off site for the trucks.
Improvements include new landscaping and relocation of the ship store closer to the fuel docks. Later phases include improvements to the boat ramp, creation of additional boat slips and construction of mooring fields. Long-term improvements would include dock expansion, and could include a pool and restaurant.
