Loading...
December 12 2023-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 Jack Benveniste’-Appointed by Commissioner Steven Meiner 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 Robert Schwartz -Appointed by Commissioner Ricky Arriola John Gardiner- Appointed by Commissioner David Suarez Jose Frias- Appointed by Commissioner David Suarez The meeting of the Board of Directors was held on December 12, 2023, at 9:00 a.m. via zoom conference. The Chairman called the meeting to order at 9:05 a.m. The attendees were as follows: Board members: Ben Mostkoff, Dave Doebler, Amy Litos, John Gardiner Jack Benveniste, Tim Carr, Robert Schwartz, Mike Gibaldi, Jose Frias Absent: Ronnie Issenberg, John Lee, Elaine Roden, Julio Magrisso, City Staff: Sony Remilien– Code Compliance Department Sergeant Duane Rezende- City of Miami Beach Marine Patrol Lindsey Precht - Environment & Sustainability Assistant Director David Suarez- City of Miami Beach Commissioner Public: Marcella Cohen Paz, Allan Sasson, Ruth Cooper, Bee Dahl, Gabriela Gonzalez, Lynn Meeting called to order at 9:05 a.m. by Chairman, Ben Mostkoff UNFINISHED/OLD BUSINESS a. Marine Patrol update and discussion by Officer Duane Rezende, City of Miami Beach Marine Patrol • Sergeant Rezende reported that they had one complaint near Palm Island about a sailboat that was questionable. • One derelict vessel had sunk, and it was removed. During their investigation they found a jet ski that had a tampered VIN number, and the jet ski owner was arrested. • Two arrests for liveries, which are jet ski rentals. • Four new recruits were requested. b. Park Ranger Report by William Harris, Park and Recreation Department-Not present. c. Police report on illegal Alcohol Sales on the Sands, City of Miami Beach Police Department • Alcohol sales report was submitted prior to the MWPA meeting. Brief overview by chairman Ben Mostkoff and vice-chairman Dave Doebler. There were 68 arrests on the beach for illegal alcohol sales, which included alcohol possession of untaxed beverages and alcoholic possession of untaxed conviction. d. Beach report by Marcella Cohen Paz • Marcella Paz stated that a motor coach entered Loomis Park via 5th Street. There is only a small signage next to the 465 building. The issue is very concerning, and she hopes it gets resolved. • There are no changes in supervision at the Art Basel in regards dismantling and work men leaves their rubbish behind. e. Update on GOB Dredging Project, Mooring Field, and Water Quality by Lindsey Precht, Environmental Research Manager Monument Island: - E&S will be holding a meeting with CIP in a couple of weeks to discuss the scope in order to select a consultant, options for a pre-authorized pool or RFP, etc. Anticipating more movement on the project in the first quarter of the 2024 calendar year. GOB Biscayne Point Dredging: - The City’s Office of Capital Improvements is working to review an updated proposal with amended services from the consultant to continue working on the permitting and mitigation requirements. Mooring Field: • Utility surveys are underway and being coordinated with the utility companies, which will further define the anchors and swing radii of the vessels. They need to ensure they are not proposing an anchor through an existing submerged utility. • Anchor Geotechnical is still being scheduled but this is not a critical path item. • The consultant held meetings with City Departments such as Planning to understand permitting and Code requirements. • A preliminary concept layout is being put together once the surveys and internal meetings have been completed. As soon as they are put together, they will be presented to stakeholders such as MWPA and residents. • Next steps are working through the concepts and seeking public/regulatory agency input in early 2024. c. Discussion by Board member Amy Litos on the request from the Planning Board for a presentation by the MWPA on recommendations for updated CMB Marina rules legislation for consideration by the Commission. • Amy Litos stated that the initial reason for the planning board invitation was to get the legislation passed regarding the marinas, and to present what the MWPA board had discussed. She would like to arrange a meeting with the MWPA members that volunteered to participate in the presentation to discuss the items before the January meeting. • A sunshine public disclosure request will be submitted for the meeting of the MWPA committee for December 21, at 5:00 pm.to discuss the planning board presentation items. d. Zoom poll for achievable goals for MWPA 2023 calendar year by Ben Mostkoff, Marine Chairperson Marine & Waterfront Protection Authority • Ben Mostkoff stated that every month there will be a discussion on the agenda about Biscayne Bay water quality, charter boat regulation, BTR issuance/renewal process, and the implementation of the mooring field. He would like to obtain water sampling results from Lindsey Precht. He stated that it should be the boards highest priority to push for the 21 pump stations to be retrofitted with injection wells. He is recommending that the finance department or the City Attorney's office participates in future meetings to address the questions that the MWPA board cannot answer. New Business: a. Newly elected commissioner David Suarez to address the Board and share his perspective on the importance of the goals and objectives of the Marine & Waterfront Authority Board. • Commissioner David Suarez stated that the R5Z and RY5 is reflecting on his upcoming agenda to discuss the ban on the release of balloons on the marinas, parks, and beaches. Another item that is going to the committee is the complete shutdown of the charter business along Indian Creek. His ordinances will copy the county ordinance and apply to the municipal code. Police officers and marine patrol can now cite and arrest individuals on boats that are not in compliance. • Motion was made to send a LTC to support R5Z and RY5. - Dave Doebler motion, Tim Carr seconded. - Motion passed/ All in favor. • Another item R5P is specific to Indian Creek waterway to prohibit parking on the side of the street. • Board chairman Ben Mostkoff expressed to commissioner Suarez that the board essentially waste time reviewing applications and the finance department approve the BTR regardless of what is recommended by the MWPA board. • Commissioner Suarez stated that he will speak with the city attorney in regards MWPA request/concerns. b. Bentley Yachts LLC b Bee B Dahl • Bee Dhal presented business application to the Board and answered all questions regarding business proposal. - Application motion to table until the next meeting, pending information from the planning department. Clarification on parking boats on a private property and then using for commercial part time and whether its required for a private property to be a commercial launch. c. Fools Ship LLC by Allan Sasson • Allan Sasson presented business application to the Board and answered all questions regarding business proposal. - Application motion to table until the next meeting, per further clarification on parking boats on a private property and then using for commercial part time and whether its required for a private property to be a commercial launch. Open Discussion 1. Motion to approve November minutes. - Motion passed. 2. Introduction of new MWPA board member – Mr. Jose Frias 3. Ben Mostkoff stated that the city discussed finding suitable locations for cross bay passenger ferry and they decided that the Finger Pier would be the location. He is requesting an update from the transportation department or Lindsey Precht. Motion to adjourn meeting made by Ben Mostkoff and seconded by Robert Schwartz Meeting adjourned at 12:01p.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/