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January 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 0:33 sec to 12min 09sec) for Board member “Minute of Sunshine” comments. The meeting of the Board of Directors was held on January 14, 2025, at 9:00 a.m. via zoom and 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, Christopher Todd, Tim Carr Absent: Julio Magrisso 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 William Harris- Parks and Recreation, Park Ranger Manager David Suarez- City of Miami Beach Commissioner Public: Marchella Paz, Bruce Berman, Jose Bardos, Emma, Lynn, Jake Shekels, Christi Lemehieu 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: • Officer Thomas Fleischhauer stated that they are starting to see vessels from the Watson Island anchorage making their way into our city. Commissioner Suarez is fighting to have an anchor limitation. Marine Patrol Activity (December 2024): Boating Citations: 169 issued, including: • 34 manatee zone violations. • 69 miscellaneous • 22 safety-related offenses. • 13 jet ski speeding violations • 17 arrests Derelict Vessels: • 4 vessels cited as derelict • 8 at risk vessels and 2 was removed • 13 inspections conducted (3 propulsion checks). • 10 navigational lights citation. b. Park Ranger Report by William Harris, Parks and Recreation Department • Park Rangers maintain a strong presence at the boat ramp, checking for residency requirements. Positive feedback was shared on the effectiveness of Rangers in ensuring compliance. • Ongoing challenges enforcing restrictions on motorized vehicles (e-bikes and scooters) on the beach walk. Violators often exit and re-enter prohibited zones to avoid enforcement. • Tourists frequently cite unfamiliarity with the rules, and some claim the use of e-bikes as mobility aids. • Regular engagement with homeless individuals as part of daily activities. • Concerns raised about the hard pack's current role in emergency response. Suggestions to designate the hard pack as a dedicated bike and e-bike path to alleviate congestion on the beach walk. c. Update on GOB Dredging Project, Mooring Field, and Water Quality by Lindsey Precht, Environmental Assistant Director Monument Island: • The consultant, subconsultants (including an ISA certified arborist), and Environment and Sustainability scheduled a final on-site survey of the pre-design phase of the project in order to identify the non-native/invasive vegetation present on the island for removal during the construction phase. This information is informing permit drawings to include natural resources restoration with native species, and the design team will be scheduling a meeting with the DERM Restoration and Enhancement Section in the coming weeks for their buy-in, prior to scheduling the pre-application meetings with the regulatory permitting agencies for their input on the project. Park View Canal (dredging and UM study): • The data collection for the University of Miami Phase II study has been completed and UM is preparing a final report. The findings will be presented at a Commission or Committee meeting in the coming months. Water Quality dashboard: • Their team is working with IT, the GIS team within Public Works, and Pace (the water quality laboratory) to determine the next steps for the possibilities of the dashboard. They are working with the IT side of the water quality lab to determine the raw data formatting options, but they have not been able to get an answer to date about whether they can change the way they receive the raw data. Therefore, their E&S Department staff is working with the GIS team to begin developing a dashboard with the existing format. The GIS team needs updates and additional columns to be included in the raw data Excels so their team will be working on those items over the next several months as they are short-staffed. Once the raw data has been updated with these additional necessary columns - these include GIS coordinates for each location and other data cleaning and formatting items for consistency - they will be provided to the GIS team to begin the project request and work on functionality. They would love to be able to make swift progress on this, but they have several strategic projects with dedicated funding that must continue moving forward and regulatory permits such as NPDES that take priority. d. Update on the Beach Report by Marchella Paz- Observations and Issues from the Shoreline to the Boardwalk • There is only one “Balloon Free Miami Beach” signage, and additional signage is needed to cover the expansive areas for special events. There is a lack of enforcement for Styrofoam cups and coolers. Signage is also needed for the Styrofoam. • The Miami Beach marina has undergone significant safety and security enhancements with the addition of planters and Illuminated signage. • Additional trash tins are needed in the South Beach area to prevent overflow. e. John Gardiner, Vice Chairman- Initiatives/Information: • The LTC for installation of Quiet Zone Signage was sent to Commission. Vicechair John Gardiner recommends all MWPA Board members to follow up with their commissioners regarding the LTC. • There is a news article about Coconut Groves coastal waters highlighting the challenges of pollution and other issues. New Business a. Election for Chairman and Vicechair • Mr. Ben Mostkoff was reappointed to Chairman and Mr. John Gardiner reappointed to Vicechair. b. Discussion of MWPA priorities for 2025 Priorities for 2025: • Implementation and prioritization of the City of Miami Beach Blueways Master Plan. • Contribute to the City’s process for participation in the grant funding made available by the Florida Inland Navigation District’s (District) Waterways Assistance Program. • Address the factors contributing to the degradation of Biscayne Bay water quality, impacts on public health and safety, resulting loss of seagrass and marine habitat and proposed methods to make improvements. Spotlight on efforts the City must make to address the existing 23 storm water pump stations that are not currently equipped with gravity or injection wells, which are contributing to the pollution of Biscayne Bay and the waterways contiguous to Miami Beach. • Modify the provisions and responsibilities of Section 2-190.46 of the Code of the City of Miami Beach which created and established the City’s Marine and Waterfront Protection Authority, to include addressing the factors contributing to the degradation of Biscayne Bay water quality, impacts on public health and safety, resulting loss of seagrass and marine habitat and proposed methods to make improvements. • Follow through on initiatives for Monument Island, noise, fireworks, and BTR review. c. Following Seas Charters LLC by Jose Bardos • Jose Bardos presented business application to the Board and answered all questions regarding business proposal. -Application was denied by the MWPA Board. Open Discussion 1. Motion to approve December 10, 2024 minutes - Motion passed. 2. MWPA member Amy Litos will draft Letter to Commission in support of the extension of hours of operation for the Miami Beach Pier. Meeting adjourned at 12:01 p.m.