Shore Protection Board

TOWN OF PALM BEACH

MINUTES OF THE SHORE PROTECTION BOARD MEETING HELD ON THURSDAY, APRIL 4, 2024

1. CALL TO ORDER (Time Stamp: 0:12)

The Shore Protection Board meeting was called to order on Thursday, April 4,2024, at 9:00am

II. ROLL CALL (Time Stamp: 0:18)

All Board Members were in attendance Melissa Ceriale, Chairperson Warren Belmar, Vice Chairperson Peter Matwiczyk, Shore Protection Board Member Doug Rogers, Shore Protection Board Member Ronald Matzner, Shore Protection Board Member Erick Reickert, Shore Protection Board Member Joel Zylstra, Shore Protection Board Member

III. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE (Time Stamp: 0:36)

Chairperson Melissa Ceriale led the Pledge of Allegiance.

IV. APPROVAL OF AGENDA (Time Stamp: 1:19)

Motion was made by Vice Chairperson Warren Ronald Matzner to approve the agenda as presen 7-0.

elmar, seconded by Board Member d. The motion carried unanimously,

V. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES OF THE JANUARY 25,2024, MEETING (Time Stamp: 1:35)

Board Member Erick Reickert mentioned that the minutes reference "discussion ensued" several times throughout. Mr. Paul Brazil, P.E, Director of Public Works, shared that Town Council discussed the format of minutes and considers the audio version of a meeting to be the record. Minutes are to be limited from extensive minutes to abbreviated minutes intentionally as it will send people back to the audio. Full transcripts are impractical and kills staff time. Council

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MINUTES OF THE SHORE PROTECTION BOARD MEETING HELD ON THURSDAY, APRIL 4, 2024

deliberately indicated they did not want that to happen. Discussion took place to distribute SPB meeting minutes earlier to the Board prior to the upcoming meeting so they may review and comment, if necessary, the final version will be included in back-up at the next upcoming meeting.

Chair Ceriale inquired regarding citizen Mr. Bordan who spoke at the January meeting who had products for the shoreline protection, did he submit material to staff? Mr. Brazil indicated that staff did meet with Mr. Bordan who made a presentation. Mr. Brazil noted that staff does not see an immediate application for them right now.

Motion was made by Vice Chairperson, Warren Belmar, seconded by Board Member Ronald Metzer to approve the minutes with corrections. The motion was carried unanimously, 7-0.

VI. COMMUNICATIONS FROM CITIZENS - 3 MINUTES LIMIT PLEASE (Time Stamp: 9:26)

Mr. Bradford Gary, 229 Onondaga Avenue, addressed the SPB asking for help to improve safety conditions for the waterfront, specifically Lake Worth Inlet and property owners on the North end. Mr. Gary passed around an article from Palm Beach Dailey News regarding the Port of Palm Beach and their problems. Mr. Gary asked the SPB if this could be communicated to the Town Council and be addressed. Discussion ensued.

Motion was made that the SPB recommends to the Town Council that the TC pursue limiting the size of vessels and hazardous cargo on vessels entering and leaving the Port of Palm Beach and that pilots be mandatory for ships entering and leaving the Port of Palm Beach. Vice Chair Belmar made motion, seconded by Board Member Ronald Matzner. Motion carried unanimously 7-0.

VII. CURRENT SHORELINE CONDITIONS (Time Stamp: 22:49)

Thomas Pierro, P.E., Coastal Protection Engineering, presented a slideshow presentation on the shoreline conditions. Discussion ensued.

VIII. PALM BEACH HARBOR BENEFICIAL USE PLACEMENT OF SAND ON REACH 1 AND 2 (Time Stamp:46:40) \[H. Paul Brazil, P.E., Director of Public Works\]

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MINUTES OF THE SHORE PROTECTION BOARD MEETING HELD ON THURSDAY, APRIL 4, 2024

IX. MID-TOWN BEACH RENOURISHMENT FCCE PROJECT (Time Stamp: 1:24:49)

\[Thomas Pierro, P.E., Coastal Protection Engineering\]

Thomas Pierro, P.E., Coastal Protection Engineering, provided a slide show to the Board. Discussion ensued.

X. PHIPPS OCEAN BEACH RENOURISHMENT REACH 7 AND REACH 8 (Time Stamp:2:01:53)

\[Michael Jenkins, Ph.D., P.E., Coastal Engineering Principal, Applied Technology & Management, Inc.\]

Michael Jenkins, Ph.D., P.E., Coastal Engineering Principal, Applied Technology & Management, Inc., provided a slideshow and provided an update on FEMA funds. They are in the process of securing the funds for Phipps and Reach 8. Discussion ensued.

XI. TOWN-WIDE COMMUNICATIONS FOR UPCOMING RENOURISHMENT PROJECTS (Time Stamp: 2:21:21) Firefly Communications

Stacey Weller Ranieri, President & Chief Illuminator of the Firefly Group commended SPB for proactive efforts and reaching out to residents. Firefly would like to continue communicating all information and efforts of the SPB to the residents. Ms. Ranieri shared that the videos were viewed by 7,000 people and suggested a press release to push out to email connections and social media. Discussion ensued.

XII. UPDATE ON LITIGATION (Time Stamp: 1:09:43 \[H. Paul Brazil, P.E., Director of Public Works\]

Joanne O'Connor, Esq., of Jones Foster discussed pending beach litigation for Reach 3. Two (2) consolidated actions pending in Circuit Court; one (1) by a number of single-family homeowners and by two (2) condominiums, Ocean Towers and Warden House. Property owners have the right to post, rope, and mark off boundaries of their private property up to the erosion control line and the second part is there is no public use rights on their private property. The second claim is a Taking Claim, the Town has effectively taken the private property of these property owners by exercising their discretion not to enforce trespass laws of individuals who are using the beach in the area that is deemed traditional beach uses. The Town has asserted a number of defenses one of which is a Statue that addresses what happens with beach restoration and renourishment projects. Discussion ensued.

- Next SPB Meetings:

Thursday, November 7, 2024

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MINUTES OF THE SHORE PROTECTION BOARD MEETING HELD ON THURSDAY, APRIL 4, 2024