LTC 051-2013 Dune Update - North Beach m MIAMI BEACH
OFFICE OF THE CITY MANAGER
NO. LTC# 051 -2013 LETTER COMMISSION
TO: Mayor Matti Herrera Bower and Members of the City Commission
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FROM: Kathie G. Brooks, Interim City Manager �G� r
DATE: February 11, 2013
SUBJECT: Dune Update — North Beach
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The purpose of this LTC is to update the Mayor and City Commission on the recent dune estoMion
work that occurred between 71 Street and 73 Street.
The City's dune system provides a habitat for native species of plants and animals and acts as a
vegetated buffer to protect upland property from storm surge. In the past, the dune system was not
on a dedicated maintenance 'plan. As such, the vegetation in certain areas became overgrown,
creating favorable conditions for homeless encampments and_ illicit activities. Funds have been
allocated for FY 2012/13 to place the entire dune system on an on -going maintenance plan.
In January 2012, the City retained the landscape contractor Superior Landscaping and Lawn
Service, Inc. to remove non - native vegetation and selectively prune native species from 72 Street to
75 Street to address public safety and maintenance concerns. However, during the rainy season, the
vegetation in the area between 71 Street and 73 Street matured densely and was prioritized in
September 2012 for additional maintenance.
Over the following months, the Public Works, Environmental and Sanitation Divisions, the Parks and
Recreation, Greenspace Management Division, the Police Department, and the Homeless Outreach
Team coordinated to develop a work plan for this area and to obtain the environmental permit
necessary to work in the dune. In December 2012, following issuance of the permit, overtime staff
from the Greenspace Management Division began the selective vegetation removal and trimming.
The result of the coordinated interdepartmental efforts have greatly improved public safety while
maintaining the structural integrity of the dunes and preserving its environmental benefits. Attached
is the full restoration report that includes before and after photographs of the work area.
The City is in the process of preparing an Invitation to Bid (ITB) for a Citywide vegetation removal
and replanting that will restore all of the City's dunes. This work is anticipated to begin in June, at the
start of the upcoming rainy season. Once it has been completed, the City's dunes will be placed
under a maintenance contract, in which the landscape contractor will maintain the entire system 30
times per year.
If you have any suggestions or need additional information, please do not ,hesitate to contact
me.
Attachm 71 Street to 73 Street Before and After Photographs
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BEFORE: Limited visibility caused by densely planted bay cedar (Suriana maritima) at
the 73 Street beach entrance as observed during the meeting with the FDEP Field
Representative on December 16, 2012.
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AFTER: Trimmed bay cedar (Suriana maritima) allows for greater visibility from the
western edge of the dunes at the 73 Street beach entrance.
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BEFORE: Dense vegetation limits visibility north of the 72 Street beach entrance and
partially covers the existing signage as observed during the meeting with the FDEP Field
Representative on December 16, 2012.
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AFTER: Trimmed and selectively removed vegetation allows for greater visibility from
the dune crossover north of the 72 Street beach entrance and no longer restricts visibility
of the existing signage.
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BEFORE: Beach naupaka (Scaevola taccada), a non - native species, has overgrown the
dune area north of the 72 Street beach entrance as observed during the meeting with the
FDEP Field Representative on December 16, 2012.
AFTER: Non - native species removal allows for greater visibility from the western edge
of the dune and makes room for native species recruitment north of the 72 Street beach
entrance.
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BEFORE: Beach naupaka (Scaevola taccada) and other non - native species have
overgrown the area north of the 72 Street beach entrance, limiting visibility into the dune
and preventing the growth of native vegetation as observed during the meeting with the
FDEP Field Representative on December 16, 2012.
AFTER: Non - native species removal allows for greater visibility from the western edge
of the dune and makes room for native species recruitment north of the 72 Street beach
entrance.
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BEFORE: Beach naupaka (S. taccada) and other non - native species have overgrown the
area north of the 72 Street beach entrance, limiting visibility into the dune and preventing
the growth of native vegetation as observed during the meeting with the FDEP Field
Representative on December 16, 2012.
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AFTER: Non - native species removal allows for greater visibility from the western edge
of the dune and makes room for native species recruitment north of the 72 Street beach
entrance.
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