[{"_1":2,"_110":-5,"_111":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,86,98],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6167203,"mediaKeyId","5412042-32ec7ff24ee40b68fc346c347ac1dda7","parentId",5412042,"title","Environmental Advisory Board approves letter backing slow-speed zone on Stephenson Creek after manatee sighting","audioSeconds",4229,"startMs",711000,"endMs",4940000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5412042-32ec7ff24ee40b68fc346c347ac1dda7&start=711&end=4940","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5412042-32ec7ff24ee40b68fc346c347ac1dda7/thumbnail_711000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6167203/Clearwater/Pinellas-County/Florida/Environmental-Advisory-Board-approves-letter-backing-slow-speed-zone-on-Stephenson-Creek-after-manatee-sighting","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6167203-07cd5bc59f7d8ef70c0afec09248d5bc/orig.mp4?Expires=1773645416&Signature=R-1QbPchodB0Iw2aWD16LSzWDK0bacu7sO7blN8Sr5Xad5P-XpjPmtptBkU0mOYcRCtCqw5Lo-XL6-UtqZkUc0Gy6adI9Pg4HRX3oauRL~FHG8OBEl0X2T60szGZGT~PoEzUQm0Sahm~sm~IwtVLhARfud6FclFHihncmtz1RbPbfQywKIXcX7qzOhIzVFqR9AnoKifTgyNmpqLpYJ9b-fS6Lh008wd8kpwp6Bgf15C6gQ2LIEZUy6KmBzgh-zZpvbcIHwfQGxGDlbsu3--ediGKLRPVWI8K6BhUDsGzH4iFV1xSxgAXZK3yVEDwgULQ0hT~vOmleSyRMtFsEDbQCQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Clearwater, FL","date","2025-07-16T22:08:56Z","article","At the July 16 meeting the Environmental Advisory Board voted unanimously to submit a letter to the city council supporting an expanded slow-speed zone on Stephenson Creek. The board’s letter was drafted after presentations and public comment noting recent manatee sightings and residents’ concerns about boat traffic and dock permitting near manatee swim paths.

Tim Hughes and other residents reported visible manatee sightings on Stephenson Creek and asked the board whether it had already sent a letter to council. Board members said they had drafted a letter in support of an enhanced slow-speed zone and, after brief discussion, a board member moved to accept the letter “as presented”; a second was called and members voted “Aye” with none opposed.

Ending

Board staff said they will transmit the approved letter to the city clerk and city council this week.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City of Clearwater - Environmental Advisory Board - 7/16/2025","oneSentenceSummary","The board voted unanimously to send a letter of support for enhanced slow-speed restrictions on Stephenson Creek. The action followed public comments about recent manatee sightings and concerns about docks and boat speed near the creek.","taxTitle","Clearwater, Pinellas County, Florida","taxId",4656,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":79,"_47":80,"_49":81,"_51":82,"_53":83,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":84,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":85,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6167207,"City to launch adopt-a-drain program; transfer-station solar array online and more solar projects planned",0,5298000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5412042-32ec7ff24ee40b68fc346c347ac1dda7&start=5298&end=5298","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5412042-32ec7ff24ee40b68fc346c347ac1dda7/thumbnail_5298000.jpg","/articles/6167207/Clearwater/Pinellas-County/Florida/City-to-launch-adopt-a-drain-program-transfer-station-solar-array-online-and-more-solar-projects-planned","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6167207-d59345722136e6b592cb21ffc9fdf23f/orig.mp4?Expires=1773645416&Signature=Z2qGaIX8oaFQWQG9F2b6jwcCOAQFuWZbGe7FLndsfap3gGsdymEM-ONJ5nXVefkYq~aIfI2aWvytJq0Xyu-ZehzsSnxvUqL5toerku-Dd76gfpCS2Ll76s5wUeXxuRy6Y7pQmWFfSigsIhe3UIK5KMVu~mbfCqiTcA0wCYyO9~cQggJw8eVdJRZu9DI7OeC9zzfoW7H9-r0ds11Qkj2iOb7U7TCBRtn6QS4PGUCxThqh21E44StKZoQsXLCCGmU02GkEhnQ6d2icY8gwuOAZO-rRYd3ljJdQTR0a-NULQ6qKBud9cFovL8P9gfER~KYrfRuaTCIZYQOZbJ-v3pFJ3g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Cassie Cordova, a city director, told the board the city will roll out an adopt-a-drain program through AdoptADrain.org with neighborhood and communications support. The platform will let volunteers select drains, commit to periodic cleanups, and log maintenance; staff said the program will also supply tools and feed data into the city’s MS4 stormwater reporting.

Cordova said the city’s transfer-station solar array is now online, marking the third of four city solar projects; the remaining gas-complex project was near construction completion and Duke Energy interconnection was expected to take about six weeks. Cordova said the city continues to plan additional solar projects and that, if federal directed-spending awards and timing allow, the city may be able to capture a 30% credit for projects that begin construction before the indicated deadlines.

Communications staff outlined an outreach calendar. A “Beat the Heat” summer campaign will promote heat-safety measures and local actions to reduce urban heat. A fall campaign will promote pollinator-friendly plantings after the mayor signed the Mayor’s Monarch Pledge. Cordova said she would ask the board to serve as a focus group for a condensed summary of the vulnerability assessment and to help distribute outreach materials.

Ending

Staff said the adopt-a-drain program should be live by the end of the year if grant funding is secured; staff will return with program details and timelines, and board members offered to serve as early testers and community connectors.","City staff said a citywide adopt-a-drain program will be launched before year-end using a third-party platform, and that four municipal solar projects are near completion. Staff also described outreach campaigns for heat awareness and pollinator planting.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6167212,"City finalizes state-funded vulnerability assessment and moves to translate scenarios into shovel-ready projects",1025,5045000,6070000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5412042-32ec7ff24ee40b68fc346c347ac1dda7&start=5045&end=6070","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5412042-32ec7ff24ee40b68fc346c347ac1dda7/thumbnail_5045000.jpg","/articles/6167212/Clearwater/Pinellas-County/Florida/City-finalizes-state-funded-vulnerability-assessment-and-moves-to-translate-scenarios-into-shovel-ready-projects","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6167212-6b0f6ef1192d9278aa81d9e97d35406f/orig.mp4?Expires=1773645416&Signature=i3k0WpZbgR3gPuXvrXFuZxM2K5xjVrtSqMvnLVqg~o8jLdycnjbc~dQ4cmESrwLPQx-xLJjOGh4dRe6lPc-NAOt5rv3PHXmuWitEayq67g-h-CvXv0deg1Cx~YBemNEb2atX0HByhhvDOY3Q1AAktrkT1WlE~vGoDG5-O5LskVeLUZMYsSQQWSXeaHOZPkU9IVP4Qvtd8bjBoZzoz6gwoq1Fw314qBgL3L9t2s-YCGSHxtpFAnyrzBzDGdlU4DqY-gqWteuF4BjZ24gM57UH8DXgSbh9ywy6uiO2iitqNdp9qMXeTSa8a87QHHayPovltRBySJ0Dj63wNhAfslFSgQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Cassie Cordova, a city director who delivered the director’s report, said the vulnerability assessment funded through the state Resilient Florida grant was technically finished in September 2024 and that the city has received reimbursement of about $196,000. Cordova said the final technical document is long and highly technical and staff are producing a condensed \"3-to-4-page\" public summary and graphics for community outreach.

Cordova said the assessment is a scenario-driven digital twin rather than a prioritized list of projects. She explained that staff and elected officials selected scenarios to test — for example, coastal inundation, heat islands and basin-level flooding — and that the tool shows cost-benefit outputs when mitigation options are toggled. “The vulnerability assessment didn’t equate to here’s your top 50 projects,” Cordova said; instead staff will use the tool to identify which mitigations are most cost-effective and shovel-ready.

Public works and planning staff told the board they are using the assessment to support multiple grant submissions. Marcus Lawrence said the city has been preparing Hazard Mitigation Grant Program applications tied to scenarios from the assessment and that some projects are being refined into shovel-ready packages. Lawrence noted that federal and Army Corps permitting backlogs can affect schedules, and urged the board to support outreach that could strengthen applications.

Board members asked for clearer, mapped outputs showing which properties and neighborhoods are most exposed. Staff said they are modeling vulnerable basins, investigating creek sensors, and considering signage and educational materials. Cordova asked the board to act as a focus group for the condensed summary and suggested the board could provide letters of support for grant applications.

Ending

Staff said they will bring a public-facing summary of the vulnerability assessment to a future meeting, share maps of modeled basins, and continue preparing grant applications; the assessment will be used as a tool to prioritize projects rather than a prescriptive project list.","City staff said the state-funded vulnerability assessment is complete and reimbursed, and they described next steps to convert digital-scenario outputs into targeted projects and grant applications, including Hazard Mitigation Grant Program submissions.",{"_33":99,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":100,"_41":101,"_43":102,"_45":103,"_47":104,"_49":105,"_51":106,"_53":107,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":108,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":109,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6167217,"City staff say tides, not just rain, drive recurring flooding on North Clearwater Beach; pump stations proposed",2411,835000,3246000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5412042-32ec7ff24ee40b68fc346c347ac1dda7&start=835&end=3246","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5412042-32ec7ff24ee40b68fc346c347ac1dda7/thumbnail_835000.jpg","/articles/6167217/Clearwater/Pinellas-County/Florida/City-staff-say-tides-not-just-rain-drive-recurring-flooding-on-North-Clearwater-Beach-pump-stations-proposed","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6167217-12cec2f28e1938608b15b9b5cb10ca94/orig.mp4?Expires=1773645416&Signature=IkJpCHZ1mdgyBPlry9dZ1joeJyrhn8D9z20DQKNj04zhkXVdbKtO3jxhynfXdobW8V1n~XfkAVGkuVQwR8vRElP~vcm5BbsQo9exWK4ktVs7qq4qsILjCr6JL1UNx7fGcW5eE9IYtWnu9NSO5NeTCOJtNu72z2acRPCZB9XHPHIO5QIs6HNYijTQFYo4sNQUvSVWQGuf1ep77ayW9IvKuOXzKDCu8FFKcBus3dipITzcKYgDK9uFjA9-rSAkxtRuxaf5ajAFiozHIeliEnNdUZi8Y40xZwt49V4~NeDwQ-PLoYdUHcskolbwfiUnzcoU2v1nmdck5ZooWSOypyn96Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Sam Riley, a public works staffer, told the Environmental Advisory Board on July 16 that frequent street flooding at North Clearwater Beach is largely caused by tides overtopping seawalls rather than only by rainfall. “NOAA defines nuisance flooding as water in streets or yards at about 2.73 feet, NAVD88,” Riley said, and he presented tide-gauge data showing multiple overtopping events since 2012 and a cluster of high water days in 2023–24.

Riley and Marcus Lawrence, the city’s public works director, said the city is proposing stormwater pump stations to speed drainage when tides are high. Lawrence said the stormwater pump stations are a separate project from sanitary sewer lift-station work and “provide immediate relief” by allowing stormwater to be pumped out when tidal valves prevent gravity drainage. City staff estimated a single pump-station installation would likely fall in a $1 million to $2 million range once final designs are complete.

Board members and residents asked how pump stations would work when seawalls are overtopped. Riley and Lawrence said pumps can reduce the duration of nuisance flooding and help with rain-driven events that would otherwise be trapped by high tides, but they will not prevent damage when water rises above the seawall and enters homes. Lawrence said the pump stations are intended as a near-term adaptation: “This pump station project is really a near-term solution to help us get through the next, you know, decade, two decades.”

Staff described related steps: installing tide (check) valves to prevent backflow into pipe networks, raising electrical components and generators above expected flood elevations, modeling to copy successful designs to other low-lying neighborhoods and coordinating with Army Corps and county permitting for higher outfall capacity. Marcus Lawrence said the city is pursuing grants, including Hazard Mitigation Grant Program funds, and that $42 million appearing in the 2026 budget is a multi-year seed for a multi-phase North Beach effort rather than a single-year expenditure.

Board members pressed staff on limits of local authority: raising private seawalls and privately held lift stations involves legal and policy constraints. Staff said county and state rules affect what the city can require and that property-by-property differences make design complex. On scale, staff said the North Beach area includes roughly 600–625 homes and that about two-thirds of that area is more frequently affected by high-tide or “blue-sky” flooding, depending on the elevation and storm scenario.

Residents and board members urged more public outreach, signage and neighborhood engagement. Cassie Cordova, a city director who led later discussion of communications, asked the board to consider letters of support for grant applications and to help share digestible summaries of technical reports. Staff said they will produce outreach materials and that the public can help by supporting grant applications and by helping coordinate basin-level cooperation on seawalls and other private measures.

Questions remain about long-term adaptation: how high seawalls should be set citywide, how pump capacity should scale with projected sea-level rise, and what properties the city could or should buy or elevate. Staff said pump stations are expected to be modular and repeatable, and that larger sea-level adjustments will require long-term policy and funding work.

Ending

The board took no formal vote on the North Beach project itself; the discussion was advisory and focused on next steps: continued modeling, design refinement, permit coordination and targeted grant applications. Staff asked board members to consider writing letters of support for grant applications and offered to return with more refined maps, costs and timeline detail at a future meeting.","Public works staff told the Environmental Advisory Board that repeated street flooding on North Clearwater Beach is primarily caused by tides overtopping seawalls. City engineers described plans for stormwater pump stations and other measures, estimated costs, timing and limits of what the city can achieve without shoreline and seawall upgrades.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Environmental Advisory Board approves letter backing slow-speed zone on Stephenson Creek after manatee sighting

City to launch adopt-a-drain program; transfer-station solar array online and more solar projects planned

City finalizes state-funded vulnerability assessment and moves to translate scenarios into shovel-ready projects

City staff say tides, not just rain, drive recurring flooding on North Clearwater Beach; pump stations proposed