Workshop Meeting

BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS TOWN OF REDINGTON SHORES WORKSHOP MEETING WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 28, 2024 – 6:00 P.M. AGENDA A. CALL TO ORDER B. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE C. ROLL CALL D. APPEARANCES AND PRESENTATIONS 1. Beach Ambassador Program E. OLD BUSINESS 1. Holiday Street Light Decorations for Gulf Blvd. Update F. NEW BUSINESS 1. Holiday Event Schedule 2. Health Insurance 3. Beach Patrol Discussion 4. Sunshine Law 101 – Attorney Eschenfelder G. MISCELLANEOUS First Budget Public Hearing - Wednesday, September 4, 2024 – 6:00 P.M Regular Meeting- Wednesday, September 11, 2024 – 6:00 P.M. Final Budget Public Hearing – Monday, September 16, 2024 – 6:00 P.M. H. ADJOURNMENT Pursuant to Florida Statutes § 286.0105, if any person or entity decides to appeal any decision made on any matter considered at any meeting or hearing of any Redington Shores Board or Commission, he, she or it will need a record of the proceedings and, for such purpose, he, she or it may need to ensure that a verbatim record of the proceedings is made, which record includes the legal arguments, testimony, and evidence upon which the appeal is to be based. ITEM D.1. REDINGTON SHORES BEACH AMBASSADOR PROGRAM • Presented By Lisa Reich • Coastal Wildlife Advocacy Group, CEO/Founder Lisa’s Background • I have lived in this area for over 40 years. • I have patrolled our beaches for the past 13 years and been on numerous Marine Turtle Permits. • I currently serve on the St Pete Audubon Board as the Conservation Chair. I have been a bird steward and conducted nesting bird surveys over the past several years. • I have also volunteered as a wildlife rescuer and witnessed firsthand, the effects of human impact to our wildlife. • My primary mission is to work with the local coastal municipalities in Pinellas County to protect our coastal wildlife and preserve the coastal habitat on which they depend. • My passion and commitment for the protection of our coastal wildlife is in response to the growing concerns of the human impacts to our coastal wildlife and loss of their habitat. • I am dedicated to coastal wildlife conservation by making a positive impact through advocacy, education and community and municipal engagement. WHAT IS THE BEACH • The Beach Ambassador (BA) Program is one part of a multi-pronged AMBASSADOR (BA) approach to keeping the beach, clean, safe and clear for people and PROGRAM? wildlife by creating awareness and educating beach goers. • It is a volunteer program that consist of local residence. • The program is a partnership with the city, local law enforcement and the BA’s, to protect our city’s biggest asset, our beach and its wildlife.  WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF THE BEACH AMBASSADOR PROGRAM? • For the BA’s to be the friendly faces on the beach of Redington Shores • To educate beach goers of the beach rules & ordinances • To help protect the beach and coastal wildlife What Do Beach Ambassadors Do? • Beach Ambassadors, when wearing their t- shirt and/or vest, badge, interact with the public in a positive and friendly way, while on the beach; while stationed at any one of the beach accesses, while walking the beach or even when they are out in the community. • By wearing the shirt/vest, the BA is easily identifiable, and the public knows that they are a person they can approach with their questions. BA’s provide information about local businesses, sea turtles, shorebirds, dune protection and beach etiquette. During that conversation, BA’s can also share more about Leave No Trace and the CleanDarkFlat initiatives. What Do Beach Ambassadors Do? (cont.) • BA’s should also be seen filling in holes, knocking down leftover sandcastles, and picking up bits of trash during their time on the beach. • Beach Ambassadors must attend an annual training workshop to gain knowledge on how to educate and inform visitors and beach goers about the city’s ordinances related to the beach and how their actions can provide a safe environment for visitors and coastal wildlife alike. • BA’s must also attend on-demand workshops when and if needed. What Beach Ambassadors Don’t Do… NO YES • Beach Ambassadors do NOT enforce • Between personal interactions, and the ordinances. filling in holes and picking up trash, • BA’s are NOT enforcers but are a BA’s must note beach conditions community of volunteers who love and violations that might need the the beach and have a passion to help of Redington Shores staff, code help protect it through education enforcement or local law and awareness. enforcement. • BA’s need to know who to call. WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO BE A BA? • BA’s need to have a positive attitude and take a positive approach to the protection of the beach as well as the value of beach tourism • They be over the age of 21, complete an application, an annual mandatory training program and occasional workshops • Must have stamina, mobility and maturity HOW DOES IT WORK? PLAN SPONSOR – The Town of Redington Shores sponsors the Beach Ambassador Program by providing program information on the town’s website and social media platforms. They also provide the space for annual training and annual workshops. The town may also fund the BA Kit which can consist of the following: BA city t-shirt and/or safety vest, BA Badge, trash picker, trash gloves, red flashlights. HOW DOES IT WORK? PLAN MANAGER – Coastal Wildlife Advocacy Group is the program manager. They will coordinate volunteers. CWAG will also manage and conduct the annual training and workshops. They will manage communication among all BAs. The training session include key city staff members and local law enforcement. CWAG will also work directly with the town staff when and if needed. CONCLUSION • The VBA Program can be implemented with minimal cost to the city. • The BA Program helps residents, tourists and others understand how to protect our biggest asset, our beach and our coastal wildlife. • The BA Program boosts beach safety through awareness and education of our town’s beach rules. • The BA Program sends the message that we care about our beach and its protection. ITEM E.1. ITEM F.1. Date: August 28, 2024 To: Board of Commissioners From: Margaret Carey, Town Clerk Re: Holiday Event Schedule 2024 It may seem early, but it is time to start planning for the 2024 Holiday Season. Our annual events include: • Tree Lighting • Parade • Holiday Party The Tree Lighting has traditionally been held on the 1st Sunday in December. This year that is December 1 (also Thanksgiving weekend). The Boat Parade is set for December 15. The Parade and Party have not always been scheduled on the same day, but last year it was. That seemed to work out well. Based upon feedback from staff and PD partners, I suggest the following schedule: EVENT DATE Tree Lighting Sunday, Dec. 8 Parade Saturday, Dec. 14 Holiday Party Saturday, Dec. 14 Boat Parade Sunday, Dec. 15  ITEM F.2. ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTS WILL BE DISTRIBUTED BEFORE OR AT THE MEETING ITEM F.3. NO ATTACHMENT FOR THIS ITEM  ITEM F.4. ATTORNEY ESCHENFELDER WILL PROVIDE ANY HANDOUTS AT THE MEETING