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March 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 0:27sec to 3mins: 03sec) for Board member “Minute of Sunshine” comments. The meeting of the Board of Directors was held March 11, 2025, at 9:00 a.m. via zoom and City Manager Large Conference Room. The Vice Chairman called the meeting to order at 9:01 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 Absent: Ben Mostkoff, 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 William Harris- Parks and Recreation, Park Ranger Manager Lindsey Precht - Environment and Sustainability, Assistant Director Bryan Niedelson-Capital Improvement Projects, Senior Project Manager Larissa Vargas- Capital Improvement Projects, Project Manager Patricia Rendon-Public Works Regulatory Compliance Manager Giancarlo Pena- Public Works Engineering, Assistant City Engineer Matthew Fisikelli- Division Chief, Miami Beach Fire Department Public: Dave Doebler, Dan Breitenstein Meeting called to order at 9:01 a.m. by Vice Chairman, John Gardiner UNFINISHED/OLD BUSINESS a. Marine Patrol update and discussion by Sergeant Javier Fernandez, Sergeant Romero Wilson, City of Miami Beach Marine Patrol General Updates: • Marine patrol officers are working extended shifts to address increased boating activity, noise complaints, and illegal charters. It was noted that every year new boaters come in and often repeat the same issues as previous groups. Many will comply with the regulations, but enforcement remains an ongoing effort. Marine Patrol Activity (February 2025): Boating Citations: 171 issued, including: • 43 manatee zone violations. • 73 miscellaneous • 26 safety-related offenses. • 18 jet ski speeding violations • 5 arrests • 8 livery violations • 0 vessel towed Derelict Vessels: • 5 vessels cited as derelict • 5 at-risk vessels • 10 inspections conducted (2 propulsion checks). • 7 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 Land Use and Sustainability Committee Meeting - Dr. Solo-Gabriele will be presenting the findings. The Final report was released via Letter to Commission, which was distributed by the liaison to MWPA on March 10th. Monument Island: • The consultant has been conducting the pre-application meetings necessary for design and permitting. The plans are being prepared for application submittal following the regulatory meetings, and compiling feedback from relevant City Departments. c. Park Ranger Report by William Harris, Parks and Recreation Department • The park rangers are actively patrolling the parks, with an increased presence in high-traffic areas, especially during peak hours. Their focus has been on maintaining safety and enforcing park regulations. • Rangers continue to address issues related to homeless individuals setting up encampments in parks. They are offering assistance while ensuring compliance with park rules. • An ordinance was passed to allow mooring on the north side of the boat ramp for two hours if the vessel is registered with the city. • One citation was issued at the boat ramp for commercial activity. . d. Code Compliance-BTR Violation/ Renewal Request Update by Brandon McLean • The department is actively addressing illegal short-term rentals, unpermitted events, and noise complaints. • Business Tax Receipt (BTR) vessel citations were issued to Salt Shaker, Barton & Grey, Duce World, and Adonis. e. Capital Improvement Project -Waterway Dredging at Biscayne Point Update by Bryan Niedelson, Senior Project Manager • Mr. Bryan Niedelson discussed the Biscayne Point waterfront dredging project. He stated that sediments are building up in the canals and dredging was requested. They went for permitting at the Army Corps at DERM and they were told mitigation is required. Consultants conducted a survey of the sea brass over the summer and they verified that the Shoals that they are working on are not appropriate. • DERM is requiring either one of two options either pay into the Biscayne Bay Fund, which will actively enhance the Biscayne Bay water quality or Shoal preservation to protect the seagrass. Mr. Niedleson will report back to the MWPA Board with a resolution. New Business a. Discussion on stormwater pump station injection wells by Patricia Rendon, Public Works Regulatory Compliance Manager and Giancarlo Pena, Assistant City Engineer • Miami Beach is a Co-Permittee with 32 other Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems authorized to discharge into Biscayne Bay. The City of Miami Beach represents approximately 2.1% of the tributary landmass to Biscayne Bay and contributes 0.50% of the total annual runoff to Biscayne Bay. DERM monitors Water Quality for all entities through an agreement at FDEP approved sites. • The physical constraints at each site significantly influence the size and configuration of the structural components necessary to provide the water quality and drainage capacity necessary to meet the 10-year level of service. • The limited technologies available to provide adequate water quality treatment for a broad spectrum of pollutants at the required flow rates. The hydraulic limitations of the overall collection system coupled with limited project funding resources make it difficult, if not impossible for these projects to fully meet current effluent regulations. • The hydrodynamic stormwater treatment devices currently being utilized as a stand- alone BMP and provides 80% removal of solids and 10% removal of phosphorous. • Ongoing NIP projects are located West Ave and 1st Street. b. Discussion on Fireboat Operations, Deployment Schedule, Enforcement Activities, Interagency Collaboration by Matthew Fisikelli, Division Chief • The Fire Department acquired a boat for marine firefighting capabilities in the year 2016. In 2014, the Fire Department was awarded UASI grant money to subsidize the purchase of a fire boat. With UASI funds and the City’s budget process, the Department purchased a 34’- 28 Courageous Metal Shark that was placed into service at Fire Station 4 at 6880 Indian Creek on March 27, 2017. The fireboat has a 1200 GPM fire pump, night vision thermal camera (FLIR), navigation and sonar equipment that allows for crews to navigate safely at night and locate submerged objects. • In addition to responding to incidents within MBFD's jurisdiction, the boat may also be called on to assist in operations involving other county, state, and federal agencies such as the US Coast Guard. They responded to 158 incidents in 2024 and 16 YTD 2025. Open Discussion 1. Motion to approve February11, 2025 minutes approved - Motion passed. 2. Vice Chair John Gardiner presented a summary of the City’s decision not to install injection wells at 23 stormwater pump stations. He noted that these pump stations, permitted by DRER (Division of Environmental Resource Management), were approved without adherence to DRER's stated water quality standards. As a result, these 23 pump stations currently discharge stormwater directly into Biscayne Bay without any filtration and at higher volume and velocity, raising serious environmental and regulatory concerns. - City staff responded that certain pump stations along Alton Road have since been retrofitted with injection wells. However, the majority of the 23 "legacy" pump stations continue to operate without any filtration or treatment systems. The City is exploring the possibility of installing membrane filtration systems as an alternative to injection wells, citing spatial constraints and cost-benefit considerations. However, it appears that there is currently no concrete plan for how to address the existing noncompliance of legacy pump stations with DRER’s water quality requirements for stormwater discharged into Biscayne Bay. - Additionally, it was noted that Assistant City Engineer Giancarlo Pena is leaving his position, leaving Patricia Rendon as the City’s primary contact on this issue for now. The MWPA expressed agreed that it must obtain more facts and continue to press the City to address the environmental deficiencies and regulatory violations associated with the legacy pump stations. Meeting adjourned at 11:38 a.m.