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2014.09.10_BSAB_Minutes_Regular - "o`�.•'m� = TOWN OF HIGHLAND BEACH �3• :s • •" MINUTES OF THE I�i *•., • ,.•* BEACHES & SHORES ADVISORY BOARD Los or REGULAR MEETING Wednesday, September 10, 2014 1.30 PM Members Present: Chair Rosalind Svenstrup; Vice Chair Ira Oaklander; Member Jim Jiovanazzo; Member Elyse Riesa; and Member Rhoda Zelniker. Members Absent: Member Elizabeth Andrews (excused) and Member Linda Albertson (excused). Also Attending: Town Manager Kathleen Weiser, Vice Mayor Brown; Commissioner Sheridan, Commissioner Stern, Police Chief Craig Hartmann; Administrative Assistant Rosalie DeMartino and members of the public. 1. CALL TO ORDER: Chair Svenstrup called the Regular Meeting to order at 1:30 PM. Roll call was taken by Rosalie DeMartino, Administrative Assistant, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. 2. ADDITIONS, DELETIONS OR ACCEPTANCE OF AGENDA: Chair SvenstM called for additions, deletions or acceptance of agenda. By consensus the Board accepted the agenda as presented. 3. PUBLIC COMMENTS AND REQUESTS: Mamie Glasser, 3720 S. Ocean Blvd addressed her concern regarding the proposed construction of a 16 story building on the property just south of Tuscana on A 1 A which would need to go to the Board of Adjustment for a variance. This project would affect the environment, the mangroves and the endangered species. It is zoned for small density and no variance should be given, and asked that the Beaches & Shores Advisory Board voice their opinion to the Board of Adjustment advising them not to grant any variance for this property. Vice Chair Oaklander agreed and feels not every bit of land in Highland Beach should be developed. The Town should buy a piece of land and leave it undeveloped as a park. Member Zelniker stated that this project also affects Regency Highland and is in the process of getting a petition together to protect the mangroves. She suggested the Town look into Federal funding to protect our mangroves and environmental issues. Town Manager Weiser — That would have to come as a direction from the Commission because they set their Strategic Plan and what their priorities are. Their priority for parks has always been Milani Park. The problem with Milani Park is that when it is developed, it will have parking and the residents are not thrilled about Beaches & Shores Advisory Board September 10, 2014 Page 2 of 6 having parking for the beach. Member Zelniker said she was not talking about parks but having the Town buy some of the properties and leave it natural. Town Manager suggested the Board make that recommendation to the Commission and they would be the ones who instruct staff to do any studies. This item will be placed on the next agenda for discussion. There was a discussion regarding the pending application before the Board of Adjustment. Member Riesa asked if a letter could be sent to them indicating that the Beaches and Shores Advisory Board was not in favor of granting any variance. MOTION: Member Riesa moved to advise the Board of Adjustment and Appeals that the Beaches and Shores Advisory Board are not in favor of any variance whatsoever that will effect the ecology and the environment of Highland Beach. Motion was seconded by Member Jiovanazzo. ROLL CALL: Member Riesa - Yes Member Jiovanazzo - Yes Member Zelniker - Yes Vice Chair Oaklander - Yes Chair Svenstrup - Yes i Motion passes 5 to 0 4. PRESENTATIONS None. 5. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: • March 19, 2014- Regular Meeting MOTION: Member Jiovanazzo moved to approve the March 19, 2014 Regular Meeting Minutes; seconded by Vice Chair Oaklander Motion passed with all in favor. 6. OLD BUSINESS There was no old business 7. NEW BUSINESS A) Discussion with Police Chief Hartmann on hurricane issues and safety as it Pertains to Highland Beach Chief Hartmann gave an overview of the Town's plan, what they do, and how they are prepared to handle hurricanes and emergency situations. He is the Emergency Beaches & Shores Advisory Board September 10, 2014 Page 3 of 6 Management Coordinator for the Town. There is also a Safety Officer who makes sure that everybody involved with the work that is being done, not only dealing with the emergency but the people that are around us, are safe while we are doing it. There is a Public Information Officer that gets the information out to the community as things are happening. The Liaison Officer is critical being involved with the other municipalities in the County and the State and the Federal agencies around us. There has to be a plan, not just during a hurricane, but before and after. As a small town with limited resources, we have inter- agency cooperation with Delray and Boca Raton. The Delray Beach Fire Rescue is housed here and their headquarters are located on Atlantic Ave. in Delray. During a critical hurricane that may occur, that is their command center and where we would have somebody stationed. There is also an emergency center in Boca Raton if we need to relocate during a hurricane, set up our operations and keep the town running from a remote location. If there is a Category 2 hurricane, it will be a mandatory evacuation for us. We have a Code Red system where we can call out to our residents. The evacuation shelters as well as a hurricane checklist are posted on the Police Dept. and Town Website. There is a prior approval needed for special needs people. It is very important that you evacuate, if there is a mandatory evacuation, since we are on a barrier island and there could be loss of power and severe flooding. Also, first responders may not be able to get to you. Chief Hartmann addressed the CERT program. They are trained people who are a valuable resource during these emergency situations. The Staff and the Commission went through a special training program to also help them understand their role and responsibilities. Member Jiovanazzo asked if there was an emergency phone number that people could call to find out when they could return to their homes. Chief Hartmann stated that there would be a message on the Town's phone number when it could be reestablished. B) Discussion with Commissioner Stem regarding No Wake Zone on Intracoastal Waterways in Highland Beach Commissioner Louis Stem, 1115 Russell Dr. congratulated Elyse Riesa for heading up our new CERT Program. Commissioner Stern gave a brief summary of how the Town tried to obtain a "No Wake Zone" on the Intracoastal in Highland Beach. In 1999 there was a Resolution No. 741 stating that this area would become a no wake zone. At that time, the Fish and Wildlife Commission said they would not go along with this and it was not correct. The Town Manager wrote them a letter explaining why we should have this, and it went nowhere. Therefore there was a new Resolution No. 746 rescinding Resolution No. 742 in 1999 saying we are a no wake zone. Commissioner Stern gave the members a map that showed a 3 mile designated area in Highland Beach as a 25 mph zone, and not even a slow wake. The Town Manager, Town Attorney and Commissioner Stern were in touch with Dawn Griffith from Florida Fish & Wildlife asking if we could put up signs that would indicate "a slow Beaches & Shores Advisory Board September 10, 2014 Page 4 of 6 wake zone" or "you are responsible for your wake ". They said it could be done, but they would have to be put on their poles and they have none in Highland Beach. Commissioner Stern read a portion of the letter written by Dawn Griffith indicating that the extra signage would not reduce the amount of wakes from the boats. It has been done before and does not feel the signs helped out one bit. At the meetings with the Fish and Wildlife Commission, they have indicated that their only interest is with damage to life or injury to personnel, and don't care about seawalls and other boats. The Town of Delray has given up their police boats and can not help us in any way. He contacted Boca Raton and they are entertaining the idea of helping us with their police boats. The west side of the Intracoastal is Boca Raton and the east side is Highland Beach. The appeal is now with the Commission and they are having their financial reviews at this time for their budgets. It is looking positive that will indeed say yes that they are going to assist. We do not yet know what the funds might be required for the gas and maintenance, but is negligible I am sure in our budget; if we can get them to say yes. I hope to have that answer soon. Vice Chair Oaklander — The signs are great but there is no one there to monitor it. I haven't seen the police boats in Boca giving out any citations. Commissioner Stern — We will not be able to stop the no wake or get a slow wake but, if we have a police boat, we will have presence that may help us a little bit. Chair SvengM — They have the boats and perhaps with some help with gas and maintenance they would be willing to help. I believe this is the way to go. I also prepared an Incident Report for people to fill out if there was any type of accident. No one has bothered to do so. Commissioner Stem — You and I have gone to the Police Dept. to see if there were any reports. There were none, and the Fish and Wildlife Commission are not interested. Member Jiovanazzo suggested we have cameras on the Intracoastal. Our Police Dept. does not have the equipment but Boca does. We could negotiate with Boca and share the expense. The cameras would identify the boats that are going too fast. Commissioner Stern — What is too fast if we don't have a no wake zone? We are negotiating with Boca for police presence and I am not sure if they could issue tickets because we are not a no wake zone or a slow wake zone. They could ask to slow down. Member Zelniker and Chair Svenstrun indicated that they have signs posted at their Marina to slow down Manatee area. Commissioner Stern mentioned that the signs are up again on AIA for the bicycle safety program, and the task force is back in business. C) Discussion of supplying trash bags on beach. Chair Svenstrup passed around photos of the trash bags that are located on the beach in Boca Raton, and a sample of the bag. She investigated how much they would cost and where they came from. The cost of the bags is $21.50 per 1,000 plus $7.50 delivery. The posts for these bags were built by the Boca Raton Maintenance Dept. Placing these bags on the beach would encourage people to volunteer to keep our Beaches & Shores Advisory Board September 10, 2014 Page 5 of 6 beaches clean and also help our sea turtles. Chair Svenstrup said that she had received calls about removing the seaweed. She explained that the State does not want the seaweed removed since it is a re- nourishment for the beaches. Removing the plastic from the seaweed would help the turtles. There are five turtle zones and they could place one stand in each zone. The students today in Palm Beach County have to do a certain amount of volunteer work. We could see if this is a program that we could institute for the schools. Member Riesa — There are a certain amount of community hours required for graduation. We could let the Guidance Counselors know that we would sign off on their certification of doing community service. If someone from the Town could sign off on this, I would be happy to talk to the high school students who live here in Highland Beach. Town Manager Weiser — High School students may be similar to how we had the volunteer program. I would have to look into it. My biggest concern is that we would have to have permission from different people to allow us to put it on their property because it is a private beach. Chair Svenstrup — There has been so much cooperation for the turtle program in Highland Beach with the different condos that we might be able to get that done. Member Riesa suggested that they be placed against the public trash cans that are located at the public access points in a small enclosure such as a mailbox. A sign could be placed on the box saying "Take a bag. Clean the beach ". Town Manager Weiser — We may want to try one and see what happens. This will have to go through the Commission. A concern is that people might steal the bags. Chair Svenstrup feels it is so reasonable it might be worth a try. Town Manager Weiser would question the Public Works Dept. to see what they would want to do since it is hurricane season, and may not want anything put on the beach. If you are all in agreement, I will take this to the Commission. Vice Chair Oaklander was concerned about putting more plastic on the beach and whether the bags are biodegradable. Member Zelniker was concerned about the legal liability if children took these bags to play with. MOTION: Member Riesa moved to ask the Town Commission to approve us doing a trial of trash disposal bags on the beach at designated locations where the public can take part. Vice Chair Oaklander seconded the motion. ROLL CALL: Member Riesa - Yes Vice Chair Oaklander - Yes Member Jiovanazzo - Yes Member Zelniker - Yes Chair Svenstrup - Yes Motion passes 5 to 0 Beaches & Shores Advisory Board September 10, 2014 Page 6 of 6 Member Jiovanazzo wanted to discuss the urban lighting in town that affects the turtles. Chair Svenstrup stated that Seagate was one of the biggest offenders but has since changed their lighting. They did whatever they could at this point. However, they still are not good enough. There are catwalks at Seagate and sufficient lighting is necessary so people do not fall. There are safety issues. Administrative Assistant DeMartino stated that Member Jiovanazzo brought this to her attention. She investigated this and found that it is a police issue. Sgt. Carl works very closely with the turtle volunteers; especially Barbara James. Any violations should be brought to his attention. This item will be put on the next agenda for discussion. 8. ADJOURNMENT: Chair Svenstrup called for a motion to adjourn at 3:02 p.m. MOTION: Member Zelniker moved to adjourn the meeting at 3:02 p.m. Member Riesa seconded the motion. Motion passed with all in favor. APPROVED: -- A"' osalin r trop, - 01#r A � Ira Oaklander, Vice Chair Excused Absence nd CA Excused Absence Elizabeth Andrews, Member Rhoda eh . er, m er Idn es Rovan Member Elys �Member ATTESTED: Rosalie DeMartino Administrative Assistant Date: