March 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
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 March 12, 2024, at 9:00 a.m. via zoom conference. The Chairman called the meeting to order at 9:11 a.m.
The attendees were as follows:
Board members: Dave Doebler, Amy Litos, John Gardiner, Elaine Roden, Mike Gibaldi, Tim Carr, Ben Mostkoff, Julio Magrisso, Michael Kiely
Absent: Jose Frias
City Staff: Brandon McLean– Code Compliance, Liaison Thomas Curitore- Code Compliance, Assistant Director Sergeant Duane Rezende- City of Miami Beach Marine Patrol Alexander Torres-City of Miami Beach Sergeant Police Patrol
Lindsey Precht - Environment & Sustainability Assistant Director
Keyla Rodriguez-Capital Improvement Projects, Project Manager
Abu Shaaban Mohsen- Capital Improvement Projects David Suarez- City of Miami Beach Commissioner William Harris-Park and Recreation Department
Public: Jorge Perez, Lynn, Manuel Castano, Asia Touisithiphonexay, Nadia Locke,
Moffatt, Nichol, Tim Blankenship
Meeting called to order at 9:11 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 7 derelict vessels were removed, and 4 vessels are in the investigation process.
• Staffing is enhanced for the entire month of spring break to assist with various challenges.
• They are ahead of schedule with the two boats that were ordered. One of the boats should arrive within two weeks and the second boat should arrive two weeks later.
• Sergeant Rezende stated that there is not an option to detect if more vessels will come
in or depart. They cannot control the growing population.
• On Monument Island there are signs that says no dogs are allowed. A service dog is
exempt from the signage.
• Monument Island it is not a bird sanctuary.
b. Update on Sunset Harbor Mooring Field Layout by Keyla Rodriguez, Nadia
Locke with RES and Tim Blankenship
• The original meeting was for the establishment of the mooring field. The goal is to expand all area of protection resources to address the ongoing concerns and to create an area
that can be regulated.
• The preliminary engineering design was discussed which entails the slip mix, setback from
waterfront properties, navigation fairways, water depths, seagrass, submerged/buried
utilities, and aids to navigation.
• The feedback they got from the agencies was to do all the permits at one time.
The city can decide whether to install all anchors at one time or as demand increases.
• The city intends to procure a mooring field management company through a competitive
solicitation.
• The city developed a draft management plan and user agreement will be required to use
the mooring field.
• The timeline for the operation is March 2026.
c. Beach report by Marcella Cohen Paz-Not present.
d. Update on GOB Dredging Project, Mooring Field, and Water Quality by Lindsey Precht, Environmental Research Manager
GOB Biscayne Point Dredging:
• CIP is awaiting an updated proposal from the consultant to complete a change order to continue the design and permitting requirements.
Monument Island:
• The consultant selection process is underway using the A&E pre-authorized contract pool.
They anticipate completing the Procurement process this spring to begin the design of the
project and start the permitting required with the regulatory agencies.
Mooring Field:
• The 30-day comment period on the conceptual drawings and draft management plan is
open until March 21st at 5pm.
Mangrove
• The public works team is designing and permitting 3 living shorelines concurrently. Two
are satisfying the Indian Creek Seawall mitigation requirements. Those two locations are proposed at Mid Beach Park and Beach View Park, which is across the street from city owned parcels. There's another location at West 40th Street and Chase Avenue at a parking lot. The three living shorelines application is processing at DERM. Two out of the three was submitted and they are waiting for the initial feedback.
e. Discussion about e-bikes on the boardwalk by Alexander Torres-City of Miami
Beach Sergeant Police Patrol
• Sergeant Torres stated that the city ordinance does not allow electric vehicles on the Beach Walk. The Park Rangers through city code, police officers through uniform traffic citations does specific details to handle the electric vehicles. The ordinance explains as
long as they're pedaling and it's a bicycle, even if it's electrical, it's authorized.
• Several individuals were engaged to address the ordinance and they were told that they're
using a specific device as a service vehicle that is under ADA rules. There are few
accidents that involves electric vehicles or bicycles that are authorized on the beach walk.
New Business:
a. Bouyah Water Sports SOBE LLC by Asia Touisithiphonexay
Asia Touisithiphonexay presented business application to the Board and answered all questions. Approved – motion passed.
Open Discussion
1. Motion to approve February minutes with amendment. - Motion passed.
2. New appointed board member Michael Kiely. 3. Commissioner Suarez stated that that the item R5P is on the agenda, and it’s proposed to give the MWPA Board more authority to prohibit a BTR. He suggests creating a process
for disqualifying an existing BTR.
4. Ms. Amy Litos stated that item C4A is a possible amendment to the extension of the lease with Miami Beach Marina.
Meeting adjourned at 12:10p.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/