Punta Gorda Isles Canal Advisory Committee

CITY OF PUNTA GORDA, FLORIDA PUNTA GORDA ISLES MEETING MINUTES JULY 21, 2025, 9:00 A.M. 120 LAISHLEY COURT PUNTA GORDA, FL 33950 MEMBERS PRESENT: Robert Knabe, Chair Jeffrey D’Amico, Gene Fuller, Ronald Ludvig, Kenneth Rolland, Harry Walberg MEMBERS ABSENT: Jake Dye CITY STAFF PRESENT: Marc Stom, Canal Maintenance Supervisor; Deputy City Clerk Falkner CALL TO ORDER Mr. Knabe called the meeting to order at 1:30 p.m., followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. Deputy City Clerk Falkner called roll, noting Mr. Jake Dye was absent. Mr. Knabe stated the next meeting would be August 18, 2025, noting he would be absent that date. PUBLIC COMMENTS Mr. Rich Bevak spoke about boat canopies, briefly summarizing the history of same within the City. He stated a previous City Council had approved automatic boat covers but prohibited boat canopies under Chapter 6 of the City Code of Ordinances. He also spoke about comments from Mr. Gary Disher, former Mapping, GIS, and Compliance Manager, and Ms. Cathy Miller, former Canal Supervisor, regarding boat canopies, which cited safety concerns, visual aesthetic, and enforcement difficulties as reasons for disallowing same. He spoke in favor of the Board recommending a continued prohibition. 1) APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1.a Approval of Minutes: Punta Gorda Isles Canal Advisory Committee Meeting of June 16, 2025 Exhibits: Cover Page June 16, 2025, Minutes Mr. Rolland MOVED to approve the June 16, 2025, minutes, SECONDED by Mr. Walberg. AYE: Knabe, Fuller, Ludvig, Rolland, Walberg, D'Amico ABSENT: Dye MOTION CARRIED. 2) REPORTS

2.a Finance Report June 2025 Exhibits: Cover Page Punta Gorda Isles Canal Maintenance Expenditure Report 06312025 Punta Gorda Isles Canal Maintenance Revenue Report 06312025 Mr. Marc Storm, Canal Maintenance Supervisor, briefly reviewed the report. Mr. Fuller inquired about the status of Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) reimbursement. Mr. Storm replied negatively, stating there had not been any update on the federal obligations for hurricane-related seawall repair. Mr. Rolland inquired as to whom the debt indicated on the expenditure report was owed. Mr. Storm responded that same was owed to the City, noting debt funds were reimbursed through taxpayer dollars. Mr. Walberg requested clarification on FEMA reimbursement, expressing desire for additional detailed breakdown on expenditures, projected outlook, and anticipated obligations. He suggested a presentation on same from the Finance Department may be beneficial to Board members. Deputy City Clerk Falkner informed Board members to address same under Board member comments, noting that a consensus would be needed to add a presentation to a future agenda. She also stated that Board members were welcome to email questions to staff. Mr. Walberg inquired about the rip rap reimbursement. Mr. Storm confirmed that Hurricane Irma rip rap funds had been received and were included in the current finance report. 2.b Budget Utilization Report June 2025 Exhibits: Cover Page PGI Utilization 202506 Mr. Storm briefly reviewed the report, confirming there were no questions on same. He stated that work was upcoming in the south Casey Key areas, noting property owners had recently received their notification letters. He stated the goal was to include same in the Fiscal Year (FY) 2025-2026 contract. He stated that Hurricane Ian-related repairs were ongoing, noting approximately 50% completion. Mr. Fuller inquired about status of hurricane repairs, opining that same were further along than the 43% identified in the utilization report. Mr. Storm responded that he would provide that information to the Board, stating his division prepared a monthly graph progress report that could be shared in the agenda packet. He stated the completion rate was closer to 70%, noting the Southeast portion was finished and work was ongoing in the Northeast area. He clarified that the 43% represented funds expended. He stated the mangrove trimming project contract had been executed, noting work would begin soon. He also stated inlet dredging was progressing on schedule. Mr. Ludvig inquired about the mangrove trimming project, questioning whether there was a tracking schedule in place for work area assignments and time frames.

Mr. Storm responded that same could be taken under consideration by his division, expressing appreciation for the suggestion. Mr. Knabe inquired about a priority list for the mangrove trimming. Mr. Storm responded that same could be developed with staff input, noting that work areas were generally addressed in the Statement of Work (SOW). 2.c Seawall Replacement Status Report June 2025 Exhibits: Cover Page NE2MCG IanSeawallPhaseII NW1_IAN Seawall Phase I_Replacement Status_062725 NW2_IAN Seawall Phase II_Replacement Status_062725 SE_IAN Seawall Phase I_Replacement Status_062725 SW_IAN Seawall Phase II_Replacement Status_062725 PGI REPLACEMENT SHCEDULE0525 Mr. Storm briefly reviewed the report, noting that most remaining repairs were low priority. He stated the goal was to have walls in place by the beginning of October and then proceed with backfill and sod placement. He stated that repair barges would be moved into the Northwest 2 and Southwest 2 sections to assist with outstanding repairs. Mr. Ludvig recalled an estimate of 6 to 8 weeks to complete repairs at a single property, inquiring if same was equally applicable for different priority identifications. Mr. Storm responded that estimated timeframes were job-site dependent, noting that low priority repairs could often be completed closer to the 6-week mark. He noted changes to the Punta Gorda Isles (PGI) replacement summary, stating Swan Court had been completed and Casey Key should be completed within 2 weeks. He also noted a status change for Osprey, stating the seawall had partially collapsed and repair severity had been upgraded accordingly. 2.d Permits Authorized by City Staff June 2025 Exhibits: Cover Page PGI Permits Authorized by City Staff 06012025 Mr. Storm briefly stated there were no updates regarding permits authorized by staff. 2.e Punta Gorda Isles Capital Improvement Status Report June 2025 Exhibits: Cover Page PGI Captial Improvement Status 202506 Mr. Storm recalled the City had requested guidance to either pursue next steps through Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) or the Governor's Office, stating the City had received a response on July 5, 2025, expressing hope that progress could be made on appealing the State Parks letter concerning the City's spoil site channel dredging project now that the State legislative session had ended. He expressed frustration about the continued lack of action on same.

Mr. Fuller inquired if anything additional was needed from the Army Corps of Engineers (ACE). Mr. Storm responded in the negative, stating all drawings and requested information had been received. 2.f Master Permit Agreement Status Report June 2025 Exhibits: Cover Page MasterPermitStatus202506PGI Mr. Storm reiterated information regarding the spoil site channel shared under the capital improvements update, stating staff would continue to follow up. 3) QUASI-JUDICIAL PUBLIC HEARINGS 3.a There were no special permits for June 2025 Exhibits: Cover Page There were none. 4) GENERAL BUSINESS The Board members inquired about the process for submitting questions to staff. Deputy City Clerk Falkner responded that same should be sent to the Board Secretary, which was Laurel Adelmund in the Public Works Department. STAFF COMMENTS There were none. MEMBER COMMENTS Mr. Fuller inquired about a status update on the Windjammer rip rap issue. Mr. Storm responded with information about the factors City staff considered when determining whether or not rip rap needed to be installed, stating that same was done according to engineering regulations. Mr. Knabe recalled that the Board had requested City staff have conversations with the Windjammer Homeowners Association about their concerns with rip rap installation. Mr. Storm responded that City staff had not yet pursued same, noting that he would address it with the department. Mr. Knabe requested discussion on what information the Board would like provided regarding the financial reports. Discussion ensued regarding Board's requests, including FEMA estimates and obligations, potential cost to taxpayers, and policies and processes related to invoicing and payment. Mr. Walberg requested a presentation on vendor selection and negotiations. Mr. Storm stated that department staff generated a Scope of Work (SOW) for each project, noting the Procurement Department was responsible for overseeing solicitation and contract agreements. The Board raised questions about how funds for FEMA projects were generated. Mr. Ludvig inquired about historical data on FEMA reimbursements.

Mr. Knabe inquired about the status of projects compared to the Taylor Engineering report from previous years. Mr. Storm responded that he could provide that information to the Board. Mr. Fuller requested a periodic update on seawall ratings. Mr. Storm responded same could be provided, noting the 2024 seawall assessments had been completed this past March. Mr. Fuller inquired if there would be any further discussion about boat canopies. Mr. Ludvig recalled his previous questions about boat canopy prohibitions, explaining he wanted to understand the rationale behind the original decision prior to making a recommendation about repealing same. Mr. Fuller opined that only recent decisions were relevant to the boat canopy discussion. Mr. Walberg concurred. Consensus of Board members was to request a presentation on the City's history of boat canopies going back 10 to 15 years. Mr. Bevak requested permission to make additional comments regarding same. He recalled that he had suggested a survey to determine preferences of Punta Gorda Isles and Burnt Store Isles residents, requesting the assistance of the homeowners' associations. Deputy City Clerk Falkner stated that the Clerk's Office had recently prepared a summary regarding boat canopies for the City Manager's office, stating same could be shared with Board members. Discussion ensued regarding members' recollection of boat canopy restrictions when the Punta Gorda Isles neighborhood transitioned from a private owners' association to the City Code of Ordinances. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 2:45 p.m.Chair Board Recorder