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July 9 2024-Minutes City of Miami Beach, 1700 Convention Center Drive, Miami Beach, Florida 33139, www.miamibeachfl.gov Marine and Waterfront Protection Authority Members: Ben Mostkoff – Appointed by Commissioner Laura Dominguez Dave Doebler- Appointed by Commissioner Alex Fernandez Elaine Roden – Appointed by Commissioner Kristen Rosen Gonzalez Julio Magrisso – Appointed by Commissioner Kristen Rosen Gonzalez Tim Carr – Appointed by Commissioner Mark Samuelian Amy Litos- Appointed by Commissioner Alex Fernandez Mike Gibaldi – Appointed by Commissioner Tanya K. Bhatt John Gardiner- Appointed by Commissioner David Suarez Jose Frias- Appointed by Commissioner David Suarez Michael Kiely- Appointed by Mayor Steven Meiner The meeting of the Board of Directors was held on July 9, 2024, at 9:00 a.m. via zoom conference. The Chairman called the meeting to order at 9:07 a.m. The attendees were as follows: Board members: Ben Mostkoff, Amy Litos, Elaine Roden, Mike Gibaldi, Tim Carr, Julio Magrisso, Michael Kiely, Jose Frias Absent: John Gardiner, Dave Doebler City Staff: Brandon McLean– Code Compliance, Liaison Sergeant Duane Rezende- City of Miami Beach Marine Patrol Lindsey Precht - Environment & Sustainability Assistant Director David Suarez- City of Miami Beach Commissioner Leodan Soto- Parks and Recreation Department, Parks and Recreation Assistant Manager Public: Eduardo Owen, Irene Owen, Dave Grieser Meeting called to order at 9:07 a.m. by Chairman, Dave Doebler UNFINISHED/OLD BUSINESS a. Marine Patrol update and discussion by Officer Duane Rezende, City of Miami Beach Marine Patrol • Sergeant Rezende stated that they closed the islands down to mimic the City of Miami with the crowds. Due to the bad weather, they had three sunken boats on the island. • They had 5 different loud music arrests, mostly in Indian Creek. • They are currently over budget, but the budget will either be doubling or tripling for the next budget year. • An average of 10-12 vessels were removed this year. b. Park Ranger Report by Leodan Soto, Park and Recreation Department • Leodan Soto stated that they are engaging with the homeless and inquiring if they need assistance. • Poseidon Ferry is currently docking outside of the floating dock. They do not have a wheelchair lift, but when they have an ADA necessity on board the boat ramp dock is utilized to get onto flat surfaces. • 162 citations were issued on the beach walk, most citations were issued to residents. c. Update on GOB Dredging Project, Mooring Field, and Water Quality by Lindsey Precht, Environmental Research Manager Mooring Field: • Public comments have been received and are being compiled on the proposed design and management plan. The consultant is preparing regulatory permit application documents. GOB Biscayne Point Dredging: • The consultant and CIP have been working together since the change order was issued to continue working on the mitigation plan. The Regulatory permitting agencies’ seagrass growing season is now underway so the consultant will be performing shoal verification surveys and setting meetings with the agencies. Monument Island: • The City received the first draft proposal from the selected consultant in May per Resolution 2023-32570 which includes a vessel exclusion zone, swim zone, riprap revetment, and natural resources restoration. E&S reviewed the proposal and provided comments/revisions in June. The consultant submitted a revised proposal on Friday, July 5th so the Environment & Sustainability Department will be reviewing and if the draft proposal is agreed upon, will be routed to Procurement for a final review. Park View Canal dredging project: • Bathymetric and geotechnical surveys in the Park View Canal and adjacent waterways began in early May and were completed at the end of June. The consultant’s engineering team is compiling the survey data to inform items such as the depth of maintenance dredging required to improve flushing. This is partially coinciding with the Phase II UM study which will begin in a few weeks. A neighborhood alert will be sent via the Neighborhood Affairs Division prior to work commencing so residents know what to expect. Algae Blooms: • Biscayne Bay and its tributaries have been experiencing small scale blue-green algae blooms. There are two predominant ways the blue green algae present itself – as stringy green surface algae that appears almost like a sheen and a cyanobacterial mat that has mixed with mud, detritus, and other macroalgae. • These blooms tend to be more frequently observed in summer months due to high water temperatures and nutrient runoff following storm events. Once on the surface, winds and currents transport them to other areas along the waterway until they eventually dissipate, unless they are exacerbated by additional factors. • Mid-June saw torrential downpours region-wide which contributed to nutrients entering the waterways via stormwater runoff. Miami Beach has 3.74 % of Miami-Dade County’s outfalls so they all must work together at reducing nutrients – hence the fertilizer restrictions at both the City and County levels. They are in the no application period from May 15-November 1st taking into account both Ordinances. Pump Stations: • The Stormwater Master Plan was approved at City Commission and provides a prioritization schedule. The City presented the proposed stormwater master plan to the community; the website provides a link to presentation materials and recording from the public meeting held in September 2023. https://www.miamibeachfl.gov/residents/neighborhood-affairs-division/active- projects/other/stormwater-masterplan/ It includes projects planned, including critical needs, and the water quality approach for improvements. New Business a. Discussion on the negotiation process with Suntex by Elizabeth Miro, Property Management Division • Elizabeth Miro stated that the City Commission approved a resolution, and the administration was directed to negotiate short term and long-term extension to the marina lease. The new lease agreement is not yet finalized and will be presented at both the Public Safety and Neighborhood Quality of Life Committee. Depending on the recommendations provided at both committees, it will be relayed to the City Commission on whether to pursue it or not. The current agreement will not expire until 2052. • Another item they are considering is capital expenditures and maintenance standards for the marina. • Suntex currently have 66 commercial slips and 350 non-commercial slips. b. The Miami Beach Reef/Urban Marine Park by Urban Paradise Guild-David Grieser • David Grieser stated that there is a very robust near shore reef growing right off our busiest beach. It's about 600 feet off our beach, which is a relatively short surface swim. The possibilities of taking a near shore environment like this, putting basic protections around it, celebrating it, and centering in our community, is an incredible opportunity to uplift the imperiled ecosystems. • Their proposal is consisting of moving the current vessel exclusion area from its present position to the eastern side of the existing natural reef. This would also include the provision of mooring buoys to minimize anchor damage on the site. This project has the potential to increase community's understanding of the marine environment as well drive ecotourism to our city. • Motion to prepare an LTC to support the Marine Park project. Approved motion passed/All in favor. c. Formalize list of concerns for marina by MWPA Board • The MWPA Board had a discussion on their concerns about the commercial activity and BTR process at the marina. d. Next Boat LLC by Irene Owen • Irene Owen presented business application to the Board and answered all questions. Approved motion passed/All in favor. Open Discussion 1. Motion to approve June minutes with amendment - Motion passed. 2. Commissioner David Suarez had a discussion with Sergeant Duane Rezende and inquired of the boats that were sunk. He stated that the point of the derelict and at-risk vessel law is to prevent them from sinking and leaking fuel into the Bay and all their contaminants. Commissioner Suarez went out on the water yesterday with a state senator, and he counted at least 10 or 15 vessels that are derelict by the definition of derelict. He stated that problems will occur if a category two or three hurricane comes. A lot of the boats are using illegal anchors, moors and does not have functioning navigation lights. He stated being proactive with the propulsion tests will most likely prevent boats from sinking when there's a rainstorm. 3. Dave Doebler, MWPA board member stated that there’s an item on next month's commission agenda. The item will discuss R9 K, which encourages the Miami Beach Police Department to engage in proactive undercover operations using bait bikes and scooters equipment tracking devices. 4. Board members will take a break in August. - No meeting. Meeting adjourned at 11:56 a.m. To access the Marine & Waterfront Protection Authority meeting videos click the following link:https://www.miamibeachfl.gov/city-hall/city-clerk/boards-and-committees/marine-waterfront-protection-committee/