Waterways Advisory Committee

City of Marco Island Florida 51 Bald Eagle Drive Marco Island, Florida cityofmarcoisland.com Meeting Minutes - Final Thursday, January 19, 2017 9:00 AM Community Room Waterways Advisory Committee Waterways Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes - Final January 19, 2017 (1) ROLL CALL Present: 3- Ben Farnsworth, Vice-Chair Rodger Parcelles and Chair Heindl Absent: 0 (2) PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE (3) APPROVAL OF AGENDA MOTION by Member Farnsworth, seconded by Vice-Chair Parcelles, to approve the agenda. MOTION CARRIED BY THE FOLLOWING VOTE: Present: 3- Ben Farnsworth, Vice-Chair Rodger Parcelles and Chair Heindl Absent: 0 (4) APPROVAL OF MINUTES MOTION by Member Farnsworth, seconded by Member Jaskiewicz, to approve the minutes from the 11/17/2016 meeting. MOTION CARRIED BY THE FOLLOWING VOTE: Yes: 5- Member Farnsworth, Vice-Chair Parcelles, Jaskiewicz, Chair Heindl and Timmerman Not Present: 2- Landwaard and Fleischer ID 17-1254 11-17-2016 Meeting Minutes (5) STAFF COMMUNICATIONS Due to the recent election of new City Councilmen, Mr. Pinter advised that there will be four new committee members in February. Remaining members: Mr. Farnsworth, Mr. Fleischer and Mr. Parcelles. Mr. Pinter reviewed Section 7-704 of the Committee Handbook which addresses the preparation of the Agenda and deadline for distribution. There was further discussion as to why any outside media materials must be submitted at least 48 hours prior to the meeting so that the IT department can properly screen them for any viruses, etc. (6) COMMITTEE COMMUNICATIONS Mr. Timmerman advised that it has been his honor to serve the community on this committe and he feels that the committee has made many accomplishments. He made it clear that the things he is doing regarding the island all have the island's best interest at heart. His efforts will continue regardless. 1 ACTION ITEM:ATONS(AIDS TO NAVIGATION) & PATONS (PRIVATE AIDS TO NAVIGATION-JAMES TIMMERMAN Tim Pinter reminded the committee that the City Manager tasked the Public Works Department to repair and replace the 60+ markers within City Limits on a 5-year rotational basis. He advised that during this first year they have already replaced 20 of the markers. Numbers 3, 3A and 5 in Factory Bay also have been replaced. City of Marco Island Florida Page 1 Waterways Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes - Final January 19, 2017 Mr. Timmerman indicated that he has been in contact with Chris D'Arco from Collier County and he has provided updates that they are working with the Coast Guard to continue the process for the daymark by the bridge for the no wake zone. Andrea Battaglia, 1450 Cutler Court commended the City on the great job they have done on replacing those markers. She advised that per Debbie Roddy (Coastal Advisory Committee) they are still working on replacing the 5 and 7 markers at Caxambas Pass. She also mentioned that all the shoaling signs are gone in that area. Mr. Parcelles mentioned that marker 3A is about 150 feet off mark. Mr. Pinter will verify its location. 2 ACTION ITEM: OCEAN HABITATS UPDATE-JAMES TIMMERMAN David Wolfe was here last week and installed 28 more habitats. They have had very good success and the community involvement is working well. Jerry Miller, Environmental Science Teacher, Marco Island Academy, stated that his class built 20 of the 28 habitats and they are planning on building another 23 in February. He detailed their future plans including monitoring the new habitats. The kids are really enjoying the program. Mr. Timmerman asked if their data could be shared with the City. Mr. Farnsworth invited the school to look at their habitats on the north end of the island. Mr. Pinter advised that there will be some water quality testing in the canals in the upcoming months to measure the impact of the habitats. Public Comment Vic Rinke, Lamplighter Drive would like to reinforce the idea that they are testing for nitrates and phosphates. He encourages us to move in that direction as there is a group of people who are concerned with how fast our waterways have been changing and what has really happened since the septic system project. He is concerned with Chrystal Shores and the Marriott storm water purging into the Landmark Waterway during the rains in the summer. 3 DISCUSSION ITEM: REVIEW OF ENGINEER OF RECORD BULKHEAD CONSTRUCTION OVERSIGHT - JAMES TIMMERMAN Mr. Timmerman recommended that this be deferred to City Council for direction. 4 DISCUSSION ITEM: SMOKEHOUSE BAY MOORING FIELD & ANCHORAGE-JAMES TIMMERMAN This item will be removed from future agendas. ID 17-1267 5 REVIEW OF "SEAWALL OWNERS MANUAL" -JAMES TIMMERMAN Mr. Timmerman feels that this will be better addressed by the future committee. Mr. Heindl feels that this committee's opinions and viewpoints are important. This document does not reference the environmental impact of sea walls. He sees extensive rewrites needing to be done. Mr. Timmerman advised that the City Manager advised him to include information about what can and should be done about repair and maintenance of sea walls. City of Marco Island Florida Page 2 Waterways Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes - Final January 19, 2017 Mr. Pinter suggested that the existing members send their changes to him and he will disseminate to the new committee members for their review. Mr. Farnsworth feels that the WAC should wait for the Planning Board's actions prior to review. Mr. Pinter advise that Code Enforcement is also working on information for homeowners regarding seawall maintenance. This Item will remain on the Agenda for the next meeting. Public Comment Sam Young, 191 Lamplighter Drive, questioned if there was an established milestone as to when this will be completed. He feels like it is spinning its wheels. Ed Issler, 908 S. Joy Circle, as we move forward on this issue he feels it is important to get the word out to the homeowners that it is being done for their benefit even though they may incur more costs with inspections. There should be code enforcement people on staff who are qualified to make decisions on the seawall construction. ID 17-1256 Review of Seawall Owners Manual 6 EVALUATION OF THE COMMITTEE BUDGET INCLUDING ATON AND PATON REPAIR AND COMPENSATION FOR CITY ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIALST TO ATTEND WAC MEETING-MR. HEINDL Mr. Heindl advised that this will require a procedural change that would include a yearly budget review of WAC needs. This item should move forward but the Committee needs to be involved in the City budget proceedings. Mr. Farnsworth proposed adding an Agenda Action Item for the next meeting to discuss the 2018 budget. Public Comment Sam Young, 191 Lamplighter , He attended the 1/6 Planning Board meeting where Dr. Trotter discussed adding a full time environmentalist to the Planning Board's long term comprehensive plan for our water quality management. He suggested that there could possibly be an overlap where the two committees work together to get a plan implemented. It was decided by consensus that this item wiill be added to the next agenda. There was additional discussion on having the environmental specialist available at meetings. Mr. Pinter advised the committee to discuss this with the City Manager. 7 DISCUSSION OF THE 11/14 /16 GROWTH MANAGEMENT REPORT AND REVISED CORRECTED 12/17/16 GROWTH MANAGEMENT REPORT Chadd Chustz, City Environmental Specialist prepared a response to Mr. Timmerman and Dr. Trotter's White Paper introduced as the Planning Board meeting On Friday January 13th. He discussed the entire report which will be presented to City Council at their next meeting (attached). He clarified that the that the impairment of "WBID 8064" which are the coastal waters of Marco Island was not a water quality problem, the FDEP can issue impairment for a variety of reasons. This area was listed as an impairment due to its designated use as a shell fishing area, not for pollution. The cause of the City of Marco Island Florida Page 3 Waterways Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes - Final January 19, 2017 listing of impaired was not due to an observable problem in fecal coliform. The impairment listing was based on its designated use by the Department of Agriculture as a conditionally improved shell fishing area in the waters of Cape Romano which are located south of the island. Shell fishing harvesting areas are required to have very good water quality in order to be listed as conditionally improved.The Department of Agriculture did issue a statement that the water quality in this area is really good. The issue is obsolete and Marco Island waters will no longer be listed as impaired by the DEP as that WBID area has been re-mapped. The Department of Health Beaches program monitors Marco Island coastal waters on a weekly basis which consistently shows Marco Island coastal waters as good under strict stands for enterococcus. Discussion followed. Tim Pinter read into the record from the Committee Handbook Section 3-301: "Committees have no authority to represent the City Council or the City Manager or to direct the activities of the City staff. Members shall refrain from public statements that may be construed as the policy of the City of of the City Council. Members shall avoid using their positions to advance initiatives or garner public support for or against policies or programs." Mr. Pinter suggested that the discussion end and allow the City Council to direct the committee on what their direction will be. By consensus it was decided to add this discussion to the next meeting's agenda. Public Comment Bob Olsen, 900 Montego Court, He feels the City staff is playing dodge ball with water quality. He feels we need first class monthly water testing and a plan to deal with water quality issues. Laura Litzan, City Clerk, Advised that this if the first time that she has ever had to address a committee in the almost 20 years she has been with the City. She has a problem with our staff being accused of playing dodge ball with something as important as water quality. She strongly suggested the the public let the City Council do its job. She appreciates the advisory committee and its activities but water quality is the purview of the City Council. Vic Rinke, 100 Lamplighter Drive, Water is an issue, what is the purpose of the committees if they can not pass on information to Council. He feels that the City is not showing any evidence of moving very fast on this issue. We need to collect more information on what is happening in the water and every 18 months is not the answer. Andrea Battaglia, 1450 Cutler, discussed the situation of unintended consequences from the STRP. The septic water not flushing millions gallons of water has made a huge impact on our canals. Mr. Jaskiewicz thanked the public for their support and encouraged them to come to every meeting. Mr. Timmerman apologized for anything that may have offended staff, it was not his intent. ID 17-1288 Chadd Chustz Environmental Update Presentation ID 17-1260 8 MOORE DOCKS, SEAWALLS & LIFTS PRESENTATION -TOM MOORE This Item was deferred. City of Marco Island Florida Page 4 Waterways Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes - Final January 19, 2017 9 MARCO SPORTFISHING CLUB PRESENTATION-CAPT. SAM YOUNG, DIRECTOR OF FISHERIES MANAGEMENT Sam Young 191 Lamplighter Rd, Director of Fisheries, Marco Island Sport Fishing Club gave a presentation on water quallity (attached.) Public Comment Ed Vesely, 35 Gulfport Ct., Swale drainage rules have apparently changed and the public has not been informed. He is a 14 year resident and has seen a tremendous drop off in the quality of the water in his canal. We need accurate reporting on a regular basis of the water quality. There should be a report of the quality of the sewer pipes. Mr. Heindl would like the record to reflect that the 15 members of the audience are in agreement with the above statements Vic Rinke, 100 Lamplighter, this issue with water quality has been going on for several years. He discussed Councilman Petricca's visit to the Marriott over 2 1/2 years ago and the interest in seeing that public record. There was not much happening until all of a sudden when on the site it was very obvious and an embarressment to everyone that the filter has not been maintained. Bob Olsen, When has the City begun doing the analysis that was presented earlier to the committee, we have not been compiling the statistics. We need to randomly test the water quality in our canals monthly to establish a baseline to operate from and then to extablish a plan to address it. We as a community ought to get answers from our staff who we pay to do their job. Lets not be reactionary lets develop a plan. Laura Litzan, City Clerk, clarified to the committiee that quarterly monitoring is still happening and we pay the County approximately $6,800 -$7,500 per year. Sam Young, 191 Lamplighter Rd., We need the testing to be done more often. He does not condone quarterly monitoring. Ed Vesely, 35 Gulfport Court, the testing information should be published. Mr. Timmerman met with the City of Naples and will send out the info he gathered. He stated that the City of Naples has a Lake Water Quality testing budget of $250,000 annually. They also collect a storm water fee from property owners which is approximately $13/month which generates approximately 5.5 million dollars for remediating water quality issues, and includes, maintenance, operations and captial projects. The City of Naples does not have storm water filters in their storm water drains. Mr. Timmerman feels that we should use the City of Naples as a resource. This Item will remain as an Action Item for the next meeting. Bob Olsen, 900 Montego Ct., Thanked Mr. Timmerman for talking with Naples. Mr. Pinter advised that the City of Naples has a storm water utility. This was presented to City Council in the past and not approved. Perhaps the new Council will have a different opinion. ID 17-1286 Marco SportFishing Club Presentation (7) PUBLIC COMMENT 15 Residents were in attendance at this meeting. City of Marco Island Florida Page 5 Waterways Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes - Final January 19, 2017 (8) ADJOURN MOTION by Member Jaskiewicz, seconded by Vice-Chair Parcelles, that this be approved. MOTION CARRIED BY THE FOLLOWING VOTE: Yes: 5- Member Farnsworth, Vice-Chair Parcelles, Jaskiewicz, Chair Heindl and Timmerman Not Present: 2- Landwaard and Fleischer NOTE: TWO OR MORE CITY COUNCILORS OR OTHER COMMITTEE MEMBERS MAY BE PRESENT City of Marco Island Florida Page 6