Broward County Marine Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes Secret Woods Nature Center February 3, 2017 I. Call to order The Marine Advisory Committee meeting was called to order at 2:03 pm. by Chair Daniel Yaffe at Secret Woods Nature Center located at 2701 West State Road 84, Dania Beach, Florida. II. Roll Call Members: Staff: Guest: Randolph Adams Ron Anania Chris Barile Cliff Berry Allan Burrows Mark Ercolin Justin Freedman Cliff Germano Peter Grady Debera Hallmark James Mathie Clive Taylor Anita Walker Daniel Yaffe, Chair John Fiore, Staff Liaison Jo Ann Kitchen-Simmons, Interim Secretary Richard Pfenniger, United States Power Squadron Deputy Steve Salach, Broward Sheriff Office Marine Unit Sgt. Matt Werder, Broward Sheriff s Office, Marine Unit Major Oscar Llerena, Broward Sheriff s Office The secretary called the roll, and a quorum was present. Chair Yaffe recognized the guests attending the meeting. III. Public comments Chair Yaffe inquired if there were any members of the public who wished to speak. No member of the pubic wished to speak. IV. Approval of minutes Mr. Taylor made a motion to approve the minutes from the December 8, 2016 meeting, and Mr. Ercolin seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. 1
V. Correspondence Letters were sent to the County Mayor and Commissioners from the MAC with their concerns about the closure of the FEC New River railroad bridge for renovations BBIP Letter to Coral Springs, Notice to Proceed for Riverside Park Boat Dock project BBIP Letter to FDEP, Notice to Proceed for Birch State Park Boat Dock, Phase II project. Birch State Park will need to return to MAC with final construction plans for approval by the MAC. VI. Old Business Broward Safe Boating Guide Ms. Anita Walker reported that the Broward Safe Boating Guide was completed, with copies for distribution to MAC members. Ms. Walker then recognized Mr. Pfenniger for his special efforts that were made in producing the Waterway Guide. Ms. Walker also gave special thanks to the photographer, Mr. Adams along with Mr. Barile, Mr. Ercolin, Sgt. Todd Mills, Deputy Steve Salach, Ms. Cindy Baker, Mr. Skip Proscia and Mr. John Fiore for their contributions. Mr. Fiore recognized the efforts of Ms. Walker and team, and stated that requests had been made from different sources for copies of the new Guide. The Guides will be distributed to BSO, Fort Lauderdale, Hallandale Beach, Hollywood, Pompano Beach, Lighthouse Point, Hillsboro Beach and Lighthouse Point police departments along with Marine Industries Association of South Florida (MIASF), the U.S. Power Squadron, the U.S Coast Guard Auxiliary and other marine agencies and organizations in the community. Mr. Fiore recognized that the Guide was an outstanding publication. Previous editions of the Guide lacked the quality and comprehensiveness of the new Guide. The U.S. Power Squadron will use as a template for other local squadrons to use around the United States. Chair Yaffe supported and praised the efforts of the Guide. Ms. Hallmark remarked that she is a member of several sailing clubs, and requested boxes of the guide for distribution to her various groups in the community. Mr. Fiore said that 20,520 copies of the Guide are being made available to all the marine advisory boards in the County. The Guide will be presented and distributed at the upcoming Broward County Municipal Marine Summit on February 8, 2017. Chair Yaffe asked about the efforts of making the Guide available as an application for people s phones, which Ms. Walker responded that it can be done, but will probably require additional EMLEG funding. Ms. Walker said she may solicit the efforts of a college student with computer science background to assist with the creation of the app. Further discussion from members also had concerns regarding replenishing the Guide once current order is depleted. Ms. Walker and Mr. Fiore agreed that time frame to produce an updated guide would be much shorter this time because the Guide is on the computer and the only changes would be updates and corrections. The current Guide cost $1.13 a copy for 20,000 copies. Mr. Fiore suggested however, in the next publication the MAC should consider updating the front cover. Mr. Fiore suggested that EMLEG fund be used again to publish the next edition. 2
Ms. Walker said she will meet with Broward County Parks and Recreation Division Public Communications Manager Cindy Baker and begin the process of designing the phone application for the Guide. BBIP Coral Springs Riverside Park Boat Dock Problems Coral Springs Riverside Park boat ramp was funded to renovate the boat docks at their ramp which was funded 25 years ago. Executed agreement for send to the City in December. At the Committee s December 2016 meeting, the City showed up with plans for review. MAC staff had concerns were that the plans showed the docks being constructed above height of the levy along the canal. When water level is low it is 7 to 9 feet below the dock. When the project was funded 25 years ago, the ramp docks were so high above the water that they were unusable. The purpose of funding the new dock by the MAC was to create a usable dock system for the ramp. The MAC requested that Coral Springs go back to the Water Management District to revise the plan for perhaps a parallel floating dock. Mr. Fiore suggested a floating dock may be the best option. Tamarac has completed their boat ramp facility with a new dock. It is a high quality boat ramp complex and should be used as a template for future small boat ramp facilities in Broward County. Mr. Fiore recommended that the Notice to Proceed be put on hold until the City of Coral Springs can come up with a better design for the dock project. Manatee Weekly Surveys Chair Yaffe referred Members to their back up material for the latest weekly manatee surveys. He stated that Mr. Pat Quinn, is flown by the BSO Aviation Unit on a weekly basis to count the manatees. VII. New Business New River Closure for Repair of FEC Railroad Bridge Chair Yaffe stated that over 5,000 boat owners who live west of the bridge will be impacted by the closure of the FEC New River railroad bridge. The bridge, is being renovated to carry the All Aboard passenger trains and has created a lot of consternation over its 12 day closure. Mr. Fiore reported that the Fort Lauderdale Marine Advisory Board sent a letter to its City Commission, in which they expressed their concerns about the negative impacts on upriver marinas and boat yards due to the bridge renovation. The MIASF hosted a meeting to discuss the future of the bridge and its impact on maritime traffic on the New River. The discussion was not about the current bridge closure problems but future problems due to increased passenger rail traffic The MIASF stated that the bridge closure was a done deal, and any further conversation should focus on the future. Fort Lauderdale City and County administrators were in attendance at that meeting. Assistant County Administrator Gretchen Cassini stated that the use of the Bright Line rail initiative, the light rail commuter train, which is proposed to run from Miami to Palm Beach should not have a negative impact on the recreational boating industry. It was reported that for the train to will run every ten minutes, the need of either a new high bridge or tunnel for the Bright Line has to be considered for the New River. Ms. Cassini stated that the County will not accept a 3
proposal to run alongside the current tracks that will block traffic on any of the major east or west road, and would insist that an elevated track be constructed. Considering the cost to construct the elevated tracks, the future of the Bright Line train running through Broward County would probably be delayed. Mr. Ercolin reported that many of the up-river marinas, which included Rolly Marine, Cable Marine and Roscioli Yachting Center filed for an injunction, to prevent the February closing of the FEC New River Railroad Bridge. A hearing on the matter went before the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida on January 27, 2017. Local maritime attorney Chris Fertig represented the Marinas. The case was heard by Judge Dimitrouleas, who is familiar with the maritime business community. Although sympathetic to the possible economic impact of the bridge closing, the Judge did not rule in favor of the marinas and gave deference to the Coast Guard s decision to allow for the bridge closing. Pursuant to a question, Mr. Ercolin also stated that given the time restraints, mounting an effective appeal on the matter was probably not practical or forthcoming. Mr. Fiore suggested that to re-route the trains through Miami would cost the railroad more money so they preferred to shut down the river. The Ravenswood Road bridge over the Dania Cut-off Canal is under construction but can be used as an alternative for smaller boats docked west of the FEC Railroad to access the ICW. Chair Yaffe asked if any members had any vessel west of the bridge. No members said they did. EMLEG FY 2017/2018 Application Submission Overview A memorandum from the MAC Staff was sent to members in their Agenda along with a spreadsheet, with Mr. Fiore s review of this year s EMLEG submissions. This year the County received nine applications, totaling over $784,224 which is an increase of $28,520 from what was funded this year. This is due to BSO s request to increase the hourly reimbursement amount by $7.00 per hour from $44 to $51 per hour. Various agencies requested different dollar amounts due to how they counted the number of weekends and holidays for patrols. Mr. Fiore will review and make corrections so that all zones will receive the same dollar amount per zone. Currently, MAC funds the, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, the day after Thanksgiving and New Year Day. MAC does not fund days during the International Boat Show, Fort Lauderdale and Pompano s Holiday Boat Parade, and Fort Lauderdale s Air Show. City Manager of Fort Lauderdale wanted to know why MAC was not funding patrol of these events. He was informed by his police department that the purpose of EMEG is to Enhance marine patrols. These events require the use of every patrol boat. Therefore you can enhance the patrols when there are no more boats available to do patrols. Additionally, the promoters of the events are already paying for the patrols. Only Power Squadron submitted an application EMELEG. The Coast Guard Auxiliary cannot participate due to unwillingness to agree to the provisions in the EMLEG Agreements. 4
MAC no longer has to pay for the repair and maintenance of Boating Safety Signs due to a change in the Florida Statues. The FWC is now responsible for their maintenance, along with the Manatee Protection Signs. Also no funds are requested for the Boating Safety Guide as the new Guide was funded from monies that were rolled from last year to this year to pay for the guide. Fourteen thousand dollars is requested by the County for marine law enforcement classes. Previous funding was for two officers per agency. This is a decrease from $21,000 from the current year due to BSO now wanting to participate in the training. However, EMLEG will fund the cost for three officers per agency this year. MAC will offer the advanced class this year. Ms. Walker felt that there is a strong need to have officers participate in the classes. BSO has requested $355,900 for the five zones that they currently patrol. They are requesting an increase in the hourly reimbursement for patrols from $44 per hour to $51 per hour. This is the third year at that the County has funded $44 per hour for patrols. Previous increases were only two to three dollars per hour. Mr. Fiore reports that every dollar increase will impact MAC by $16,000. Funding the EMLEG program is guaranteed due to funds rolled over from the previous fiscal year and from recreational vessel registration fees. Vessel registrations have dropped from 52,000 registered boats prior to the recession, to approximately 43,000 boats. Fort Lauderdale s Assistant Police Chief wanted to know why County did not pay its full share for EMLEG. The wanted the County Commission to provide additional funds to cover life, health and workman s compensation insurance. This would cost $67 per hour. A $23 per hour increase. However, the City did not submit that dollar amount in their EMELG Application. Mr. Fiore said that because it is past the grant submission deadline, the MAC would have to decide whether it would accept a late revised application. Fort Lauderdale did not submit a revised application. Mr. Fiore said that if the patrol reimbursement amount was increased to $67 per hour it would require substantially change in the EMLEG program. It would require the elimination of all aggressive patrols, funding the Power Squadron, funding all the holiday, and only funding six Saturday and Sundays a month, instead of eight a month to 6 a month at $67 per hour. Mr. Fiore, reminded the Committee that all agencies are funded the same dollar amount. Mr. Anania questioned the various agencies ability to use the current level of funding. It was noted that two patrol zones did not meet the minimum of 70 percent usage level. They were the fresh water canals, and the Everglades zones, both patrolled by BSO. Once the Office of Manage and Budget provides Mr. Fiore with the FY17/18 EMLEG funding amount he will provide spread sheets with the data to determine how the increase in the patrol hours would will affect the number hours available for funding. All the agencies are requesting approximately the same level of patrols. The Pompano Beach Power Squadron is requesting $3,000 less than last year. At the March MAC meeting, agencies will be giving a five minute presentation followed questions and answers with the Committee. Afterwards, the Chair will appoint individual MAC members to meet with each of the EMLEG applicants. It will be up to the MAC to determine how the EMLEG funds will be allocated. 5
VIII. Chair s Report Mr. Yaffe is excited to report that the Broward County Municipal Marine Summit is scheduled for February 8, 2017. This year the City of Dania Beach co-hosting the event, by providing the food and venue. Mr. Clive Taylor is spearheading the event preparation on behalf of MAC. Mr. Fiore has supplied the MAC members with Summit materials including maps and directions to the I. T. Parker Community Center which is located in Harbour Towne Marina. Security will be available to direct participants to venue. Chair Yaffe will introduce all Board Members, as well as solicit input of challenges and accomplishments at Summit. Also the Summit will have a professional facilitator. Ideas circulated at Summit will hopefully provide an opportunity for further conversations. He reminded all MAC members that this is considered an official meeting and their attendance is required. Mr. Fiore provided the following as topics for discussion at the Summit: vessel anchoring rules, sea level rise, seawall regulations, navigational challenges under bridges, public day docks, waterway signage concerns, and disappearing working waterfronts, and county wide boat owners association. The Summit Agenda has been submitted to all previous year s recipients, liaisons for an approximately two hour meeting. Coast Guard, BSO and other agencies are expected to attend. The Summit has been publicly noticed as a meeting of the MAC. Pompano Beach Nautical Flea Market was well attended by the public. The FWC is trying to determine the need for the registration of small human powered vessels such as kayaks, paddleboards and canoes. Their registration fees would not produce enough revenue for MAC to consider funding facilities for them. A Public hearing will also assist in making a determination of projects. Chair requested that if members came in contact with any public information to forward it Mr. Fiore. Ms. Walker noted that safety should be considered an issue when determining cost. Mr. Fiore reminded members that all kayaks, paddleboards and canoes are required to have a life jacket, noise making device on board and that they are prohibited for night time usage. IX. U.S. Coast Guard Report No report provided. X. Dania Beach MAB Report Mr. Taylor reported that FDOT supplied a draft report concerning the US 1 bridge over the Dania Cut-off Canal. The report recommended five alternates: 1. A fender alteration, cost $62,000with 10% reduction flow; 2. Modify the banks, with a cost of $200,000, with 11% flow reduction; 3. Dredging, with a cost of $200,000, with 18% flow reduction; 4) replace the bridge with a cost of $5.4 million and a 21% flow reduction; and 5. Do nothing. Also safety sign navigation warning on the bridge, upstream signs were also suggested. It recommended to do number 1. With only a 21% reduction, the cost of replacing the bridge cannot be justified. 6
XI. XII. Deerfield beach MAB report Sullivan Park will have their dedication at the end of the month. The Park received donated funds from FIND. Amenities included in the renovated park include a water playground and connecting underground to hotels and restaurants. The renovation will enhance the entire area. Parking now requires the use of parking meters. The Friends of Deerfield Island have raised $85,000 to enhance the current funding for improvements to Deerfield Island Park. Construction over the Hillsborough Bridge has begun, widening the bridge. Fort Lauderdale MAB Report No Report XIII. Hallandale Beach MAB Report No Report XIV. Hollywood MAB Report Updated the Marina, and saw a presentation on the creation of a mooring field in North Lake. XV. Pompano Beach MAB Report No Report was provided. XVI. Liaison Report Mr. Fiore reported that the Year-end attendance report was in the back-up material. Also, a chard which showed the cost of registering a vessel. XVII. County Attorney s Report No report was provided. XVIII. MAC member Comments Mr. Fiore reported that he had received an email from Mr. Dan West regarding a request from an FWC intern that Broward County Parks and Recreation Division to take over the monofilament fishing line recycling program for the County. MAC suggest that the intern speak with Dr. Pat Quinn at the Environmental Planning and Community Resilience Division. XIX. Adjournment Mr. Germano made a motion to adjourn the meeting. It was seconded by Mr. Grady and passed unanimously at 3.03 p.m. 7