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February 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:05sec to 11mins 49 sec) for Board member “Minute of Sunshine” comments. The meeting of the Board of Directors was held February 11, 2025, at 9:00 a.m. via zoom and City Manager Large Conference Room. The Chairman called the meeting to order at 9:06 a.m. The attendees were as follows: Board members: Ben Mostkoff, Amy Litos, Elaine Roden, Mike Gibaldi, John Gardiner, Jose Frias, Chad Braver, Julio Magrisso Absent: Tim Carr, Christopher Todd City Staff: Brandon McLean– Code Compliance, Liaison Sergeant Javier Fernandez- City of Miami Beach Marine Patrol Sergeant Romero Wilson- City of Miami Beach Marine Patrol Officer Thomas Fleischhauer- City of Miami Beach Marine Patrol Lindsey Precht - Environment and Sustainability, Assistant Director Jason Casanova-Ocean Rescue Division Chief Public: Marchella Paz, Dave Doebler, Mike Alvarez Meeting called to order at 9:06 a.m. by Chairman, Ben Mostkoff UNFINISHED/OLD BUSINESS a. Marine Patrol update and discussion by Sergeant Javier Fernandez, Sergeant Romero Wilson, and Officer Thomas Fleischhauer, City of Miami Beach Marine Patrol General Updates: • Miami Beach Marine Patrol welcomed its first female officer, who is currently in a 30-day training program. • An 18-foot Boston Whaler boat will be deployed for after-hours non-emergency calls. • Proactive enforcement initiatives include checking for anchor lights and Marine Sanitation Device (MSD) compliance. Marine Patrol Activity (January 2025): Boating Citations: 127 issued, including: • 27 manatee zone violations. • 56 miscellaneous • 25 safety-related offenses. • 5 jet ski speeding violations • 5 arrests • 8 livery violations • 1 vessel towed Derelict Vessels: • 4 vessels cited as derelict • 0 at risk vessels and 3 were removed • 13 inspections conducted (2 propulsion checks). • 4 navigational lights citation. 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 study will be discussed at the March 11th Land Use and Sustainability Committee Meeting. The Final report will be released via Letter to Commission prior to the Committee, which can be distributed to the Board at that time. Monument Island: • The City's Consultant and E&S staff held a meeting with DERM's Restoration and Enhancement Section for feedback on the proposal. The feedback is being used to update the engineer and landscape architect drawings and pre-application meetings will be scheduled in the coming months with the regulatory permitting agencies from local to federal. Hard pack Sand Feasibility Study: • $100,000 in funding was prioritized and approved through the FY25 budget process to complete a feasibility analysis for a pedestrian path on the beach to determine if there is any way possible to alleviate congestion on the Beachwalk. E&S staff is negotiating the scope and proposal with a consultant. The final report will be shared once completed. c. Update on the Beach Report by Marchella Paz- Observations and Issues from the Shoreline to the Boardwalk • The middle boulder was removed and was not replaced at the Beach Access / South Pointe Drive. An unauthorized vehicle entered the Beachwalk and the driver displayed signs of confusion, but no injury was reported. • Marchella Paz suggested that the closing time for the pier park gates should be pushed forward 30 minutes. New Business a. Discussion on Ocean Rescue Public Awareness and Rescue Operation by Jason Casanova, Ocean Rescue Division Chief • Ocean Rescue focuses on drowning prevention, medical aid, and ordinance enforcement. The lifeguards can inform and advise but lack citation authority, requiring partnerships with law enforcement. • Lifeguards educate beachgoers on Miami Beach ordinances including no balloons, plastic bags, cigarettes, and Styrofoam on the beach. • Miami Beach currently has 38 lifeguard towers, and one rescue boat. • Equipment needs: Additional rescue boards and jet skis to support beach patrol. Discussion on Storm Water Pump Logistics by Mike Alvarez, (1993-2016) City of Miami Beach Infrastructure Operations Director and City of Miami Beach Public Works Department Assistant Director (2016-Present) Bal Harbor Village Infrastructure Master Plan Project Manager • Mr. Mike Alvarez discussed concerns he has with the City of Miami Beach stormwater pump stations. He stated that 25 stormwater pump stations were constructed during his time working with the city. The injection well requirements were removed from the new stormwater pump stations, leading to unfiltered runoff into Biscayne Bay. He stated that DERM wrote a letter to the city manager advising that future pump stations should be built with water quality injection wells. After that letter was sent, the City of Miami Beach had to build stormwater pump stations with injection wells. • There is no technology today with a filtering system, the gravity wells and stormwater pump stations continue to exist for years. Open Discussion 1. Motion to approve January 14, 2025 minutes with amendment - Motion passed. 2. The time for the pier is extending 30 minutes. The Park Rangers are going to start working with the new time extension. 3. Prior MWPA member Dave Doebler “Minute of Sunshine” comments (See 16mins:31 sec to 22 mins:59 sec). Meeting adjourned at 12:04 p.m.