April 2025 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
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 1min:08sec to
9mins:56sec) for Board member “Minute of Sunshine” comments.
The meeting of the Board of Directors was held April 8, 2025, at 9:00 a.m. via zoom and City Manager Large Conference Room. The Chairman called the meeting to order at 9:00 a.m.
The attendees were as follows:
Board members: Amy Litos, Elaine Roden, Mike Gibaldi, John Gardiner, Jose Frias, Chad Braver, Julio Magrisso, Tim Carr, Ben Mostkoff, Christopher Todd
City Staff: Brandon McLean– Code Compliance, Liaison Alexander Lacayo-Code Compliance Acting Administrator Sergeant Javier Fernandez- City of Miami Beach Marine Patrol Alexander Torres-City of Miami Beach Police Patrol William Harris- Parks and Recreation, Park Ranger Manager
Lindsey Precht - Environment and Sustainability, Assistant Director
Public: Dan Kipnis, Brandi Reddick, Marchella Paz
Meeting called to order at 9:00 a.m. by Chairman, Ben Mostkoff
UNFINISHED/OLD BUSINESS a. Marine Patrol update and discussion by Sergeant Javier Fernandez, City of
Miami Beach Marine Patrol
General Updates:
• Sergeant Fernandez reported a boat collision involving a bareboat charter. The vessel
was operating in a manatee no-wake zone.
• Discussion of new legislation by Commissioner David Suarez to restrict the number of
days that a sailboat or any boat can anchor in a county with a population of 1.5 million residents or more.
• Marine patrol issued 7 arrests related to loud music violations primarily targeting charter vessels.
• Acknowledgement of the first female marine patrol officer joining marine patrol.
b. Update on GOB Dredging Project, Mooring Field, and Water Quality by Lindsey Precht, Environmental Assistant Director Park View Canal Water Quality:
• The UM Phase II Park View Canal Water Quality report was heard at Land Use and Sustainability Committee on March 11th for nearly two hours. The following week at the March 19th City Commission, "Operation Clean Water" was approved on consent for an
aggressive 6-month action plan to address some of the items noted as sources of fecal indicator bacteria. Monument Island:
• The pre-application meetings with the regulatory permitting agencies concluded last week and based on the feedback received, the permit applications are being compiled and prepared for signature and submission.
Meloy Channel Markers:
• Construction began yesterday for the installation of five (5) new waterway markers, each consisting of wood pilings and signs, in Meloy Channel near Miami Beach Marina. The markers will designate the area as a “Slow Speed, Minimum Wake Zone”.
Waterway contractor:
• An item will be heard at the April 23rd City Committee regarding an increase in the level of service of the waterway contractor. The budget increase for an improved scope was
approved in the FY25 budget process. The current contract includes three days per week alternating between north and south waterways and does not include the removal of small vegetative debris like grass clippings, coconuts, and other detritus. The new
scope was negotiated to include:
• Increase from three (3) to five (5) days per week alternating days between North and South (inorganic only).
• Contractor agrees to remove all debris, including all organics, from Lake Pancoast (a known hot spot basin due to geography and tides) on every day that location is visited.
• Contractor agrees to remove anything that comes in via resident complaint regardless of whether the debris is organic or inorganic.
• Contractor agrees to add one (1) day per week (alternating N and S each week) including organics, regardless of resident complaint or Lake Pancoast location. Turtle Fest:
• Turtle Fest will be held Saturday, April 12th at Altos Del Mar Park from 3-6pm to learn more about sea turtles, participate in a beach clean-up, or be present for the unveiling of an artistic recycling pilot program in the shape of a fish. c. Park Ranger Report by William Harris, Parks and Recreation Department
• The Park Ranger report showed significant enforcement activity including 3,985 warning for motorized vehicles.
• Chairman Ben Mostkoff had a discussion with William Harris in regards the Park Rangers that are on duty not to park in spots designated for vehicles with trailers at the boat ramp.
d. Code Compliance-BTR Violation/ Renewal Request Update by Brandon McLean
• Brandon McLean reported 13 BTR violations at Miami Beach Marina between March 1-31. He noted issues with vessels operating without BTRs and coming after permitted hours.
• Vessel citations were issued to Salt Shaker Charters LLC, Duce World Yachts LLC, Adonis LLC, Wakexscape Water Sports Charter LLC, Ru305 LLC, EL Faron Marine Inc. Fines ranged from $250-$3500.
• Decals with QR codes for BTR verification will be implemented in the year 2025-2026.
e. Update on the Beach Report by Marchella Paz-Observations and issues from the Shoreline to the Boardwalk
• Marchella Paz stated that heavy rainstorm led to widespread flash flooding across the city. She raised concerns about overdevelopment and negative
impacts on the ecosystem.
• Discussion among the MWPA members about the pump stations effectiveness during storms. Chairman Ben Mostkoff stated that the injection wells are missing from the 27 pump stations.
• Concerns were voiced by MWPA member Amy Litos about the pump station at 6th and West not working properly during the recent storm.
New Business
a. Discussion on Light Pollution on Biscayne Bay by MWPA Vice Chairman John Gardiner
• Mr. John Gardiner presented concerns about increasing artificial lighting on waterfront properties. He discussed the disruption of national behaviors such as feeding, reproduction, and migration in marine species. He suggested possible mitigation through dark sky policies, community engagement, and regulatory measures.
• In Biscayne Bay the role of artificial light is a contributing stressor to the bay’s ecosystem having an impact on marine species behaviors due to increased nighttime illuminators.
• Ecosystem imbalance disruption can lead to changes in species composition and health, affecting the entire marine food web.
• The Biscayne Bay Aquatic Reserve Management plan from Florida Department of Environmental Protection in January identified light pollution as an impact.
Open Discussion
1. March 11, 2025 minutes to be amended to reflect MWPA Board members commentary. Minutes table and will be discussed at the next MWPA meeting.
2. Vice chairman John Gardiner stated that the finance department is working with the
legal department to implement the city decals for the BTR. The IT department will add a QR code so it can be easily identified.
3. Brief review of Beach Theft report- noted good numbers compared to last year.
4. Ocean rescue report showed impressive statistics: 7,000 minor medical assists, 19 major medical assists, and 37,000 enforcement activities.
5. Mr. Dan Kipnis provided historical perspective on lightning impacts in Biscayne Bay. He suggested lights may actually benefits fish by providing feeding opportunities. He noted
that background lightning is helpful for navigation safety. In his opinion the MWPA Board has more important things to do than looking at lighting.
6. Chairman Ben Mostkoff formally invites Amy Knowles (Chief Resilience Officer) to the
next MWPA meeting regarding water quality sampling report.
7. Chairman Ben Mostkoff stated that he would like to see the city of Miami Beach code of ordinances amended to give the MWPA Board authority and participation of Biscayne Bay issues formally. It’s not within their mandated purview as defined in the ordinances.
Meeting adjourned at 11:32 a.m.