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HomeMy Public PortalAbout2009-02-24 Workshop MeetingBAL HARBOUR VILLAGE COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES WORKSHOP MEETING - FEBRUARY 24, 2009 A Workshop Meeting of the Bal Harbour Village Council washeld on Tuesday, February 24, 2009, at the Bal Harbour Village Hall Council Chambers (655 — 96th Street, Bal Harbour, Florida). 1. CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL: The meeting was called to order at 7:02 p.m. by Assistant Mayor Rosenfield. The following were present: Assistant Mayor Jean Rosenfield Councilman Joel S. Jacobi Councilman Martin Packer Alfred J. Treppeda, Village Manager Ellisa Horvath, CMC, Village Clerk Absent: Mayor Howard J. Berlin Councilman Jaime M. Sanz As a quorum was determined to be present, the meeting commenced. 2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: The Pledge was led by Brian Flynn, Miami - Dade County DERM. 3. PRESENTATION OF BAKERS HAULOVER INLET REVIEW AND DISCUSSION OF SAND TRANSFER STATION - JASON CUMMINS, COASTAL SYSTEMS INTERNATIONAL AND 4. DISCUSSION OF TRUCK HAUL BEACH RENOURISHMENT PROJECT - BRIAN FLYNN, DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES (MANAGEMENT: Assistant Mayor Rosenfield introduced Timothy K. Blankenship, Director, and Jason Cummins, Project Engineer. Mr. Cummins reviewed a PowerPoint presentation titled Bakers Haulover Inlet and Beach Management. Assistant Mayor Rosenfield, Mr. Cummins, and Mr. Flynn agreed that funding is THE issue. Brian Flynn, Miami -Dade County DERM, reported that the County supports the concept of sand bypassing and recognizes it as an effective management tool. He discussed the feasibility of a temporary periodic dredging on an annual or every two-year basis. He discussed the need for larger long-term renourishment projects in the future and reported that funding will be a critical issue. Mr. Flynn reviewed the multi -million dollar trucking project and the $17 million Army Corps project (for 2010), which will make taking immediate action on a bypassing project by the County difficult. Assistant Mayor Rosenfield and Mr. Flynn discussed renourishment on South Beach. Mr. Flynn reported that State funding for renourishment decreased from $30 million to $5 million, but noted that some funding may be available from the stimulus package. He discussed the possibility of bypassing material 255 Bal Harbour Village Council Workshop Meeting Minutes 02/24/2009 1 256 from the north to the south using State, local, and other funding sources. He clarified that the County supports the concept and might be able to do some small dredging projects that are low cost options. Councilman Jacobi discussed sand drifting past Government cut. Mr. Flynn reported that 50,000-60,000 cubic yards per year is lost in Government Cut. He explained that the County is going into high erosion areas and building breakwaters, using bypassing, etc. He noted that Bal Harbour was included in the list of some of the worst erosion areas in the County in 2005. He discussed removing the existing groins in Bal Harbour and installing a new groin field, which the Army Corps has approved and will probably do with the next Bal Harbour renourishment project in 2010/2011. He offered to provide the plan, based on their study. Don Orner,10245 Collins Avenue, questioned what the increase in beach footage (going out) will be. Mr. Flynn reported that the permit is for 66,000 cubic yards, but that 30,000 cubic yards will be placed, which will provide a beach width of approximately 50 feet from the dune line and increase the height, which will be sloped. He explained that in some areas, the beach is up to the dune, but that the typical beach width is 20-100 feet from the dune line. Dina Cellini, 211 Bal Cross Drive, spoke in favor of a mobile bypassing plant, based on flexibility, funding, and aesthetics, but would like to know the pros and cons and if it is used anywhere else in Florida. Mr. Cummins reported that a mobile unit can be moved to wherever the sand is and can be used at multiple projects, so funding and maintenance could be divided. He noted that the cost for the mobile and permanent plants are comparable ($1-$2 million to build plus annual maintenance). Neil Alter, 9801 Collins Avenue, discussed the possibility of renting an existing mobile unit. Mr. Cummins reported the closest one to be in Hillsborough Inlet and explained that distance, timeline, etc. would have to be discussed, but he doesn't think its feasible based on logistics. Paul Pruess, 10101 Collins Avenue, questioned why the Village is only receiving 30,000 cubic yards, when the permit is for 66,000. Mr. Flynn reported that the permit is for 10 years and includes future needs. Mr. Pruess discussed bypassing being looked at in 1995, when it was deemed to be cost prohibitive. He questioned what was looked at and what the cost was. Mr. Pruess suggested that Mr. Treppeda contact other City Managers who have implemented sand bypassing to discuss cost analysis. He also suggested partnering with Surfside to keep the beaches renourished. Mr. Flynn reported that Surfside doesn't have the same problem as Bal Harbour and they have only had to renourish there once (in 1999). He noted that the problem is that sandsources aren't available offshore. Mr. Pruess discussed concerns regarding sand sources and suggested a long term analysis and to see what other cities have done. He is not necessarily in favor of a fixed structure, but suggested looking at other alternatives. Gabriella Webster, 30 Park Drive, agreed that a long term solution needs to be addressed, instead of bandages with periodic short term projects. She doesn't think a permanent structure is unreasonable, but questioned how West Palm Beach and Port Canaveral have handled it (maintenance, effectiveness, etc.). Mr. Cummins reported that Port Canaveral hires a contractor for a typical renourishment large project, pumping sand from north of the Inlet to the south. Ms. Webster suggested extending the jetty walls dramatically to grow the beaches properly. Bal Harbour Village Council Workshop Meeting Minutes 02/24/2009 2 257 Marjorie Schell, 9801 Collins Avenue, suggested plantings in the large opening behind the St. Regis hotel, more plantings at the north and south ends of the beach, and restricting foot paths. Beth Berkowitz, 10160 Collins Avenue, discussed the lack of beach access to the people living on the West side of Collins Avenue. She suggested that if the beach is renourished with State, County, or Federal funds, then easier access should be provided for all Bal Harbour residents, other than at the outer boundaries of the Village. Michael Krop, 9601 Collins Avenue, discussed the idea of manufacturing sand. Mr. Cummins reported that is being done. Mr. Flynn reported that the problem in Florida is that the sand made from limestone turns into concrete. Mr. Cummins reported that the proposed sand source for the Village's truck haul project is in central Florida. Mr. Flynn explained that the sand itself costs $21 per ton, but including equipment, etc. costs $34-$38 per ton. He clarified that the truck project sand source is an old beach in Central Florida and is not manufactured. He reported that most of the cost is from the transportation of the sand, so even if it's manufactured it will still have to be transported, which may be more expensive. Brian Mulheren, 10245 Collins Avenue, spoke in favor of a mobile facility, for better feasibility, etc. He discussed erosion of the dunes, planting new sea oats, and placing signs to prevent people from walking on the dunes. Assistant Mayor Rosenfield assured that preservation of the dunes will be looked at. Annalisa Duncan, 10245 Collins Avenue, suggested extending the jetty out 50 feet to stop sand from being pulled into the Inlet by the tide and eliminate trash from coming in. Mr. Cummins reported that the Corps looked at possible jetty modifications, but noted that the effects on currents and cost benefit would have to be studied. Councilman Packer questioned where the 50 feet is started from. Mr. Flynn reported the starting point to be at the cliff behind the Regent at the end of the dunes, approximately 50 feet from that and 50 feet from the sea oats. Councilman Packer spoke in favor of a constant renewal of the beach and not waiting every other year, five years, etc. He questioned the possibility of a daily ongoing renourishment of the beach. Mr. Cummins discussed permits, logistics, costs, etc. and the feasibility of a mobile plant or a periodic event. He explained that a maximum erosion limit would need to be established and when it is reached then the permit, etc. would be activated. He clarified that it would be established in the Inlet Management Plan. Councilman Packer discussed the long term feasibility of sand bypassing. Mr. Cummins agreed that it should be looked at and that it may become economical to keep bypassing constantly. Councilman Packer noted that Mr. Treppeda is researching other cities to find out how their plans are working. Councilman Jacobi discussed continuous replacement of the sea oats. Mr. Treppeda explained that resort tax funds are used to do that. Dina Cellini, 211 Bal Cross Drive, questioned the Village's ability to impose a requirement on the St. Regis to decrease the large opening behind their property. Mr. Treppeda discussed a plan presented to the Department of Environmental Protection, as part of the Development Agreement, which they did not approve. He noted that it's still a possibility to change what is there now. Ms. Cellini questioned the demands the Village can make to require that the 70 foot -opening be restricted to 20 feet and filling in the remaining 50 feet Bal Harbour Village Council Workshop Meeting Minutes 02/24/2009 3 258 with sea oats to protect the beach from erosion. Mr. Treppeda will discuss it with the Village Attorney. Assistant Mayor Rosenfield reported that it will be investigated. Paul Pruess, 10101 Collins Avenue, questioned what the next steps will be. Assistant Mayor Rosenfield reported that Mr. Treppeda and Village residents are investigating. She discussed the importance of the issue and urged residents to get involved in the process. She discussed the lack of attendance at the meeting. Marjorie Schell, 9801 Collins Avenue, suggested doing the practical thing by closing the opening behind the St. Regis. Attest: 5. ADJOURN: There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 8:23 Ellisa L. Horvath, illage Clerk Bal Harbour Village Council Workshop Meeting Minutes 02/24/2009 4