November 12, 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
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
Chad Braver- Appointed by Commissioner Joseph Magazine
Christopher Todd- Appointed by Mayor Steven Meiner
Please see (https://www.miamibeachfl.gov/city-hall/city-clerk/boards-and-committees/marine-
waterfront-protection-committee/) for video recording of Board meeting. (See 10min16sec to
15min 57sec) for Board member “Minute of Sunshine” comments.
The meeting of the Board of Directors was held on November 12, 2024, at 9:00 a.m. via zoom
conference. The Chairman called the meeting to order at 9:02 a.m.
The attendees were as follows:
Board members: Ben Mostkoff, Amy Litos, Elaine Roden, Mike Gibaldi, John Gardiner
Julio Magrisso, Michael Kiely, Jose Frias, Chad Braver, Christopher
Todd, Tim Carr
City Staff: Brandon McLean– Code Compliance, Liaison
Sergeant Duane Rezende- City of Miami Beach Marine Patrol
Sergeant Romero Wilson- City of Miami Beach Marine Patrol
Lieutenant Luis Sanchez- City of Miami Beach Marine Patrol
Officer Thomas Fleischhauer- City of Miami Beach Marine Patrol
Lindsey Precht - Environment and Sustainability, Assistant Director
William Harris- Parks and Recreation, Park Ranger Manager
Ozzie Dominguez- Publics Works Property Management, Asset Manager
Public: Marchella Paz, Adam Bailie
Meeting called to order at 9:02 a.m. by Chairman, Ben Mostkoff
UNFINISHED/OLD BUSINESS
a. Marine Patrol update and discussion by Sergeant Duane Rezende and Officer
Thomas Fleischhauer, City of Miami Beach Marine Patrol
• Sergeant Rezende reported 120 citations and five arrests for several warrants they had
issued tickets to in the past. A few citations were issued for noise violation, they usually
give a fair warning, and the next step is an arrest.
• Officer Thomas Fleischhauer stated between September-October they cited seven
derelict vessels, 13 at risk vessels, five vessels were removed, and he conducted three
propulsion tests. In January they did a count and there were 132 anchored vessels within
their jurisdiction. Another count was conducted on October 31st, and he reported 110
anchored vessels.
b. Park Ranger Report by William Harris, Parks and Recreation Department
• William Harris stated that the biggest star enforcement is having a park Ranger from
7:00 a.m. until close at the boat ramp due to the enforcement of the revised
ordinance.
• October park ranger report has a lot of verbal warning and November report reflects
an increase of written warnings and a few citations.
• The department has two new hires and short staffed by nine.
c. Update on GOB Dredging Project, Mooring Field, and Water Quality by
Lindsey Precht, Environmental Assistant Director
Monument Island:
• The city entered into a purchase order with the selected consultant, Moffatt & Nichol, per
Resolution 2023-32570 which includes a vessel exclusion zone, swim zone, riprap
revetment, and natural resources restoration the last week of August. Surveys and on-site
meetings occurred through the months of September and October, with the consultant,
landscape architects, surveyors, Miami-Dade County, and members of the Environment &
Sustainability Team. The data is being compiled to prepare for permit application documents.
Park View Canal dredging project and UM study:
• Bathymetric and geotechnical surveys in the Park View Canal and adjacent waterways were
completed in order to inform the flushing analysis. The flushing analysis program is being
used to test different dredging scenarios that will lead to the best results - both removing the
top layer of sediment and improving flushing. This is coinciding with the Phase II UM study,
who will also opine on the proposed dredging depths. Raw data collection for the UM Phase
II Study has been completed and a final report is expected in January 2025. A community
meeting will be set at that time to review the results and a neighborhood alert will be sent via
the Neighborhood Affairs Division within the next couple of weeks to alert the community to
next steps.
d. Update on the Beach Report by Marchella Paz- Observations and Issues from the
Shoreline to the Boardwalk
• Marchella Paz reports e-bikers and scooters seen speeding onto the boardwalk on 15th
Street.
• A proposal to name third or fifth street “Raven’s Way” is on the agenda for this week’s
commission meeting, with the baywalk by Pier Park offered as an alternative.
• Sixth street showers adjacent to the toilets is reduced from two to one, prompting
beachgoers to utilize the bathroom faucets to rinse off sand, resulting in clogged drains.
• There is a wooden mat on fourth street beach access that requires to be exchanged to a
Mobi-mat.
• Art Basel 2024 Miami Beach has begun their scope sand setup between sixth and eighth
street.
• MWPA member Mike Gibaldi will draft e-mail to be submitted to the Public Works
department in regards the lack of shower heads found along the beachwalk and the
problems that have arisen.
e. Discussion on the status of Suntex Lease Modification Negotiations and Water-
sampling laboratory space for Surfrider Foundation Blue Water Task Force by
Ozzie Dominguez, Publics Works Property Management
• Ozzie Dominguez stated that everything is moving, but at a decelerated pace. He received
a lot of valuable feedback from the public workshop in regards the marina modification.
They had great points that were brought up by the Sofna team and all items are being put
together and reviewed. It’s a possibility that the marina lease will be amended which
requires an extension to the terms on their part. The lease is being reviewed more
thoroughly to discern changes in the terms and to confirm what authority they have under
the existing terms.
• As far as the water sampling laboratory, there is a couple of sites that have been
discussed by Commissioner Kristen Rosen Gonzalez. Those discussions are still in
discussion stage in regards the two possible assets. He hopes to have a clear direction
in the next 30 to 60 days.
f. Implementation of the MWPA BTR Review Process-Board Vice Chairman John
Gardiner
• Vice Chairman John Gardiner stated that Liaison, Brandon McLean will obtain and
document information each month from law enforcement, code compliance, park rangers
and validated citizens’ complaints. If a charter BTR holder exceeds a numerical threshold of
points, they will get a courtesy notice and if they exceed a higher threshold, the MWPA will
hold a hearing and recommend to the City Manager / City commission any remedial actions
to be taken regarding the holder's BTR.
New Business
a. City of Miami Beach Marine Water Quality Monitoring Program Presentation
by Lindsey Precht, Assistant Director, Environmental and Sustainability
Department
• There are 43 total stations and 41 are fully boat based. The water quality stations are
kept in place to have data to comprehend if the Bioswale is improving water quality as
intended. The sites are split into North and South, the sites are tested, and a member
of the environmental and sustainability team will convene with a team member from
public works, and a member from the analytical laboratory team.
• They were approved through the commission process for additional funding to do
weekly cleanup and to include organics. They are currently going through a negotiation
process, and it includes seagrass and coconuts. Waterway contractor services the
waterway to frequently target hot spot areas.
• A plume may be an indicator that pollutants are entering the stormwater system. Each
plume is carefully investigated, and action is taken to stop and prevent future plumes.
b. Xyziv Inc DBA Tropical Sailing by Adam Bailie
• Adam Bailie presented business application to the Board and answered all questions
regarding business proposal.
Application approved- motion passed/MWPA members voted yes except MWPA
member Jose Frias voted no to applicant.
Open Discussion
1. Motion to approve September minutes - Motion passed with amendment.
2. Introduction of Sergeant Romero Wilson and Lieutenant Luis Sanchez from the City of
Miami Beach Police Department. Lieutenant Luis Sanchez is functioning as the Marine
Captain. Lieutenant Romero is the area Mid Beach Lieutenant; he is responsible for Marine
patrol as a Lieutenant as well as his regular responsibilities.
Meeting adjourned at 12:03 p.m.