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2015.03.19_BSAB_Minutes_Regular - "o`�.• .W �+ TOWN OF HIGHLAND BEACH '.,a ; =s MINUTES OF THE BEACHES & SHORES ADVISORY BOARD REGULAR MEETING Thursday, March 19, 2015 9.30 AM Members Present: Chair Elyse Riesa; Vice Chair Ira Oaklander; Member Jim Jiovanazzo; Member Elizabeth Andrews; Member Anne Gehman and Member Lynn Rodis. Also Attending: Commissioner Carl Feldman; Commissioner Louis Stern; Commissioner Rhoda Zelniker; Administrative Assistant Rosalie DeMartino and members of the public. 1. CALL TO ORDER: Chair Riesa called the Regular Meeting to order at 9:30 AM. Roll call was taken by Rosalie DeMartino, Administrative Assistant, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. 2. ADDITIONS, DELETIONS OR ACCEPTANCE OF AGENDA: Chair Riesa called for additions, deletions or acceptance of agenda. By consensus the Board accepted the agenda as presented. 3. PUBLIC COMMENTS AND REQUESTS: Ronnie Svenstrup, 3310 S. Ocean Blvd — As you are aware, there was a tragic incident on our beach over the weekend. I am fully aware that all the beaches in Highland Beach are privately owned. We are all here today because we feel it is important to have flags put on our beach, by each condo, to indicate the ocean conditions; whether it is safe or not to go into the water. Also, could we have a Code Red alert call sent to our residents letting them know that the beaches are closed? When lifeguards enter the water to rescue someone, they do not go in without some type of floating device attached to a rope. I believe we should have a life ring at every entrance to the beach. We have them at Seagate. Another issue is the response time to 911. The response to this incident was not quick enough and this matter should be addressed. Chair Riesa — We are an Advisory Board and cannot make the final decision. We work very closely with the Commissioners and can advise them of your concerns. I do have a concern regarding the flags because I am not sure who would be certified to make the determination as to what color flags are to be used. We would also have to get permission from each community on the beach to see if they would go along with this. Beaches & Shores Advisory Board Regular Meeting Minutes March 19, 2015 Paize 2 of 6 Member Jiovanazzo — I am also aware that the beaches are private. We do have (HOA) Homeowner Associations that are located on our beaches and perhaps we can contact them about the flags and life rings. Anthony Cantalupo, 3224 S. Ocean Blvd — Whoever owns the ocean should be responsible for warning the people not to go into the water. Vice Chair Oaklander — The ocean air is the federal government and you could try to talk to them. It is hard to control, and the access to the beach is all private. Peter Rodis, 3224 S. Ocean Blvd — I feel the Public Works Director is the appropriate person to ask to mandate that flags be used on our beach for water safety conditions. It is an absolute necessity to warn our residents and should be done immediately. I would like to see the Beaches and Shores Advisory Board ask the Town Commission to review this issue. Carl Gehman, 1123 Highland Beach Dr . — The Police Department should patrol the beach and warn people if it is unsafe to go into the ocean. Chair Riesa — I am not sure if the Police are certified to make a determination as to whether there is or isn't a riptide. They would have to get some input from lifeguards in Palm Beach County. I believe that the flags could cause some issues with residents who own property on the beach, and we would have to work closely with them. Molly Cantaluno, 3224 S. Ocean Blvd — The flags do not have to be put up at every house. They could be spaced. I spoke with the Manager at Ambassador's East and she said she would be in favor of doing this. Chair Riesa — I think people see the same color flags every day at the public beaches and, after a while, it does not become so urgent. I feel the Code Red alert is a better way to go. People who do not go to public beaches, and live in Highland Beach, should be very aware that there is no life guard protection on our beach. People should not swim alone. Anthony Cantalupo, 3224 S. Ocean Blvd — I don't think it is necessary to put a flag up every day. It should only be a red flag when it is not safe to go into the ocean. Linda Erthe, 3224 S. Ocean Blvd — Not everyone gets the Code Red Alert and I am concerned about the people who do not live here. Chair Riesa — We need to protect our community and the residents who live here. The people that live here need to advise their guests of what the situation is. We cannot take responsibility for anyone who comes on the beach. Member Rodis — All residents can sign up for the Code Red Alert. 4. PRESENTATIONS • Welcome New Members: Anne Gehman Lynn Rodis Chair Riesa welcomed the two new members to the Beaches & Shores Advisory Board. Beaches & Shores Advisory Board Regular Meeting Minutes March 19, 2015 Page 3 of 6 5. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: • December 09, 2014- Regular Meeting MOTION: Member Jiovannazo moved to approve the December 09, 2014 Regular Meeting Minutes; seconded by Member Andrews Motion passed with all in favor. 6. OLD BUSINESS A. Update on Beach Cleaning and Beach Patrol. Chair Riesa — I spoke with Police Chief Craig Hartmann who informed me that he is patrolling the beach every day on the dune buggy. Any resident that would like to join him can make an appointment and ride along with him. Last year a letter was sent out to all residents, particularly ocean front residents, informing them that it is their responsibility to clean their beach. Failure to do so would result in a citation after three warnings. We are still working on the Beach Rakers situation. I will give you an update when I have more information. B. Update on Safety on the Intracoastal Waterway. Chair Riesa — Commissioner Stem has been working very closely with the City of Boca Raton to try and get a patrol boat to monitor the Intracoastal Waterway even though we are in a "wake" zone. We would like to have the ability to tell boaters to slow down. Commissioner Louis Stern, 1115 Russell Drive — We have been working with Boca Raton for two years. It was approved by the Town Commission two years ago. It is now in the hands of the Captain of the Boca Marine Patrol, and talks have started between the Captain and the Town of Highland Beach. Once they come up with a number, and the Commission approves the dollars, it looks as though we will have a boat patrol before the end of this year. 7. NEW BUSINESS A. Approval of a Beaches & Shores Pledge at the beginning of each meeting. Chair Riesa — We take our roll here as an advisory board very seriously. What I would like to do is follow some of the organizations and foundations around the state and country who do things to help the beaches and shores of their neighborhood. I read about an organization called Surf Rider Foundation that started about thirty (30) years ago in California to help clean up their coast line. There are now eighty (80) organizations around the country; one in Palm Beach and one in Miami. They have a pledge and I would like to adopt it for our Board. Chair Riesa read the pledge into the record attached as Exhibit "A ". Plastics are a major problem on our beaches; even the biodegradable kind. It takes thousands of years for plastics to dissolve and is a danger to our turtles. Beaches & Shores Advisory Board Regular Meeting Minutes March 19, 2015 Page 4 of 6 MOTION: Member Rodis moved to adopt the pledge read by Chair Riesa. Motion was seconded by Vice Chair Oaklander which passed unanimously. Vice Chair Oaklander — It would be a great help if the town could encourage our local vendors to use reusable bags instead of plastic. B. Discussion regarding building a path and placing benches by the Intracoastal at the back of the Library for the enjoyment of the residents. Chair Riesa — I would like to make a recommendation to the town that benches and a gazebo be placed by the Intracoastal in back of the Library for those residents who do not have a view to enjoy; read a book and watch the boats go by. Member Jiovanazzo — There could be a problem with the bugs on the grassy area by the water. This is something that should be taken into consideration. MOTION: Member Andrews moved to recommend to the Commission that a small recreational area consisting of benches and a small screened in Gazebo be placed behind the Library by the Intracoastal. Motion was seconded by Vice Chair Oaklander ROLL CALL: Member Andrews - Yes Vice Chair Oaklander - Yes Member Jiovanazzo - Yes Member Rodis - Yes Member Gehman - Yes Chair Riesa - Yes Motion carried 6 to 0. C. Investigate the possibility of installing two (2) water fountains for our resident walkers; one at the north end and one at the south end of town. Chair Riesa — I would like to help the community; especially the walkers along AIA. The only water fountain is in front of Town Hall, which is in the middle of town. Member Rodis — I think it is a great idea. I am a walker and do not like to carry a water bottle with me. Vice Chair Oaklander — I also think it is a great idea but feel it is beyond the scope of Beaches & Shores, and not within our purview. Chair Riesa — I feel both sides of AlA is part of the shore. Regardless of whether it is our responsibility or not, I think it would be great for us to have water; especially in the heat of the summer here. Beaches & Shores Advisory Board Regular Meeting Minutes March _19, 2015 Page 5 of 6 Member Jiovanazzo — I also think it is a great idea, but do not feel it is our responsibility. It should be brought up at a Commission meeting and let them decide. MOTION: Member Rodis moved to recommend to the Commission that they investigate the possibility of having two water fountains installed; one at the south end and one at the north end of town. Motion was seconded by Member Gehman ROLL CALL: Member Rodis - Yes Member Gehman - Yes Member Andrews - Yes Member Jiovanazzo - Yes Vice Chair Oaklander - Yes Chair Riesa - Yes Motion carried 6 to 0. D. Discussion regarding placing additional trash cans on our beach. Chair Riesa — I feel there is not enough trash cans for the residents. I am seeing a lot more dogs on the beach and it is a concern for me, and I hope for others. Perhaps we can ask the Public Works Department if they could make a determination as to where we could place these additional trash cans. This would help keep our beaches as clean as we possibly can. Member Jiovanazzo — I walk the beach and have noticed that there are trash cans by each Condominium. I am not so sure that we could place one on private property. Chair Riesa — That is why we would have to review and survey the area to make a determination as to where they can be placed. Vice Chair Oaklander — I think the private homes may be difficult to do. Perhaps there could be some type of ordinance that multiple dwellings would be required to have their own trash cans on the beach. MOTION: Member Andrews moved to recommend to the Commission that additional trash cans be placed on the beach, and review the areas where they could be placed. Motion was seconded by Member Jiovanazzo ROLL CALL: Member Andrews - Yes Member Jiovanazzo - Yes Member Rodis - Yes Member Gehmann - Yes Vice Chair Oaklander - Yes Chair Riesa - Yes Motion carried 6 to 0. Beaches & Shores Advisory Board Regular Meeting Minutes March 19, 2015 Paze 6 of 6 8. MISCELLANEOUS NEW BUSINESS Member Jiovanazzo — I would like each of the Board Members to be asked if they have a comment to make before we adjourn the meeting. I am pleased that we are proposing issues brought to the Commission Member Andrews — I would like to welcome the two new members and thank everyone for coming to this meeting. Vice Chair Oaklander — I would also like to thank everyone for coming. Member Gehmann — Thank you all for coming. I am very glad to be serving on the Board and will do my best to serve the community. Member Rodis — In speaking of all these issues, we are proposing them to the Commission which is a different way of looking at it. Chair Riesa — We are an advisory board and take everything that you say very seriously. We will be in contact with the Commissioners. 9. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, Chair Riesa adjourn ed the meeting at 10:24 A.M APPROVED:,, 1 e s i Ira Oaklan ice 'r � n J' iovanazzo, mber . ATTEST eth Andrews, Member Me e Lynn odis, Member Rosalie De Martino Administrative Assistant Date: