Loading...
PBSD MSTBU Minutes 03/12/2025PELICAN BAY SERVICES DIVISION BOARD REGULAR SESSION MARCH 12, 2025 The Pelican Bay Services Division Board met on Wednesday, March 12, 2025, at 1:30 p.m, at the Community Center at Pelican Bay, 8960 Hammock Oak Drive, Naples, Florida 34108. In attendance were: Pelican Bay Services Division Board Michael Fogg, Chairman Joe Chicurel, Vice -Chairman Jack Cullen Jacob Damouni Mark Ferland (absent) Peter Griffith (absent) Pelican Bay Services Division Staff Neil Dorrill, Administrator (absent) Dawn Brewer, Ops. Support Spec, II Chad Coleman, Deputy Director Darren Duprey, Supervisor — Field I Also Present Mohamed Dabees, Humiston & Moore Melanie Miller, Pelican Bay Foundation Susan Hamilton Brad Hildebrandt (absent) Michael Rodburg Greg Stone Rick Swider Michael Weir Dave Greenfield, Supervisor -Field II Karin Herrmann, Project Manager I Lisa Jacob, Project Manager II Barbara Shea, Admin. Support Spec. II Mike Ruffolo, Pelican Bay Foundation Jeremy Sterk, Earth Tech APPROVED AGENDA (AS PRESENTED) 1. Pledge of Allegiance 2. Roll Ca11 3. Agenda approval 4. Approval of 2/12/25 Regular Session meeting minutes 5. Audience comments 6. Administrator's Report a. Update on the BCC Workshop on Clam Bay b. Review of the February 28 financials 7. Committee Reports a. Landscape &Safety b. Water Management &Clam Bay i. *Clam Bay dredge (TDC funding) ii. *2026 Beach renourislunent project ($2.5 - 4 million) iii. *Beach dune restoration ($450,000) 8. Chairman's Report aI BCC approval of PBSD Board members 9. Old Business 10. New Business/Miscellaneous Correspondence 11. Adjournment Pelican Bay Services Division Board Regular Session March 12, 2025 ROLL CALL Mr. Ferland, Mr. Griffith, and Mr. Hildebrandt were absent and a quorum was established. at Hamilton motioned, Mr. Cullen seconded to approve the agenda as presented. The motion carried unanimously. Ms. Hamilton motioned, Mr. Cullen seconded to approve the 2/12/2025 regular session meetine minutes as presented. The motion carried unanimously. Ms. Jill Brader commented on the excessive noise she experiences at her home (located near US 41) and suggested that a traffic light at the intersection of US41 and Gulf Park Drive would not only slow down the traffic, but would also increase safety, as this light would allow northbound traffic exiting Gulf Park Drive to make a left turn onto US41. She noted that safety is a PBSD responsibility and suggested that the PBSD takes this issue back up. Ms. Susan O'Brien thanked Mr. Don•ill, Dr. Dabees, and staff for their presentation at the BCC Workshop on Clam Bay/Clam Pass (March 4). She commented on (1) the high cost of our proposed beach renourishment project (several million), (2) a possible upgrade to the dune swale (over $1 million), (3) our existing loan of over $5 million, which will require annual loan repayments, and (4) big ticket items being contemplated by the PBF. Ms. O'Brien suggested that the PBSD and PBF collaborate and consider the total financial impact on Pelican Bay residents for these projects. Mr. Ken Sidman provided and read a document which discussed PBSD's readiness to manage future stormwater and flood challenges in Pelican Bay. The document was distributed to board members and the audience, and was added to the record. He suggested that the PBSD hold a dedicated stormwater management forum with the PBF and HOA representatives to discuss (1) HOA problem areas/vulnerabilities exposed by recent storms, (2) clear guidance on accessing master drainage plans and boundary surveys, (3) education of HOAs on how to assess their drainage systems, (4) responsibilities for corrective actions, and (5) facilitation of shared knowledge and best practices among HOAs. ADMINISTRATOR'S REPORT PROJECT UPDATES Mr. Dorrill had provided project updates to the board via email on March 10. Mr. Coleman commented that at the conclusion of the March 4 Clam Bay/Clam Pass Workshop, the BCC directed the County Manager to form a subcommittee of representatives of all stakeholders to review/study/make recommendations relating to Clam Bay/Clam Pass. Mr. Fogg commented that the health of our mangroves, Clam Bay, and areas within the NRPA are the responsibility of the PBSD, while Naples Cay and Seagate are outside of our boundaries. He noted that the County may look at solutions to assist these communities. Mr. Fogg confirmed that the PBSD will participate on the newly formed County subcommittee. REVIEW OF THE FEBRUARY 28 FINANCIALS 2 Pelican Bay Services Division Board Regular Session March 12, 2025 Mr. Fogg commented that Feb. 28 financial statements are in line with expectations. He noted that we continue to spend resources on storm -related issues. COMMITTEE REPORTS LANDSCAPE & SAFETY Dr. Chicurel commented that the Landscape & Safety Committee will meet at the end of the month, and provided the following updates. • Over the past several years, at different symposiums, three basic options as alternatives to make the intersection of US41 and Gulf Park Dr. safer have been discussed. These three options had respective costs of $30,000; $300,000; or up to $1.5 million. • The County Attorney has recently affirmed that our PBSD assessments can only be spent within the borders of the PBSD taxing district; our eastern border is the US41 berm, which is owned by the PB Foundation. PBSD funds cannot be used for any work done on US41, as this is beyond our eastern border. • In 2027, the state will resurface US41, and as part of this project, will install a permanent median modification that will make it impossible for northbound traffic to make a left turn exiting out of Gulf Park Drive. The state has now indicated that they will fund this median modification (although this was not the case until a recent communication). • The County's landscape contractor has removed some vegetation on the median to help line - of -sight issues; however, additional work is needed. • Traffic studies have been completed at the intersections of Pelican Bay Blvd. and North Pointe Drive and Hammock Oak Drive. As a result, no additional stop signs are warranted at these two intersections. At the next Landscape & Safety Committee meeting, the possibility of flashing lights at the Hammock Oak crosswalks will be discussed. Mr. Fogg commented that PB residents may pursue the issue of a traffic light at the intersection of Gulf Park Dr. & US41 through the PBF, and noted that Ms. Levine has indicated that the PBF Strategic Planning Committee will review this issue. Ms. O'Brien confirmed that the PBF Strategic Planning Committee is willing to take up this issue, and may survey the community to determine their level of interest. She suggested that the PBSD share their knowledge of this issue with the PBF. Mr. Bill Knight questioned whether the design of the median modification would prevent residents from making a left turn from US41 into Gulf Park Drive, approaching from the south. Mr. Coleman confirmed that the proposed median modification would not prevent left turns into Gulf Park Drive. WATER MANAGEMENT AND CLAM BAY Mr. Rodburg responded to Mr. Sidman's comments as follows. • PBSD staff is continuing to work with the Coronado HOA to address Coronado drainage issues. • The PBSD can only operate within PBSD easements. • A Water Management Committee meeting will be organized in the near future, to include property managers and the PBF, to present drainage plans/maps and discuss PBSD responsibilities; basic education needs to happen. • Not all HOAs and their managers are fully informed on the delineation between their drainage responsibilities and PBSD responsibilities. Pelican Bay Services Division Board Regular Session March 12, 2025 Mr. Rodburg provided an update on issues discussed at the Feb. 25 Water Management & Clam Bay Committee including the following. • Dr. Dabees, our Coastal Engineer with Humiston & Moore, provided and discussed detailed Pelican Bay beach profiles at the committee meeting (which were provided and distributed at the board meeting and added to the record). These profiles show how the entire beach has moved eastward as a result of the 2024 hurricanes. • Our Environmental Consultant, Earth Tech provided a proposal to plant coastal plantings on the back dune (including additional sand reclamation from east of the dune to the beach) for approximately $450,000. Our consultant and committee's best judgment is to go forward with this project as the best option to stabilize the dune, and recommended that this project is approved by the board. • Based on the recently completed bathymetric survey of Clam Pass, Dr. Dabees is recommending a dredge of approximately 10-15,000 cubic yards, in the Fall, under our existing permit. The committee recommended that staff proceeds with obtaining TDC and BCC approvals to accomplish this in the Fall. • It is anticipated that the coastal plantings will be installed in July/August, and the beach renourishment project and dredge project will occur in November/December of this year. • The engineer hired by the Seagate and Naples Cay communities recommended an annual dredge of Clam Pass and a more extensive dredge template. The PBSD will continue to follow the Clam Bay Management Plan and the requirements of our existing permit. The PBSD is proceeding with the renewal of our permit, which expires in 2026. Permit modifications may be requested after our new permit is in place. • At the committee meeting, Dr. Dabees recommended that we piggyback on next year's County beach renourishment project to include two sections, (1) Marker 31 %2 to 36, at a cost of approximately $2.5 million which will require upftont funding; this section is eligible for FEMA reimbursement, and (2) Marker 36 to 40, which is not FEMA eligible, and for which there was no cost estimate at the time of the committee meeting. The committee recommended that the PBSD piggybacks on the County beach renourishment for the section from Marker 31 %2 to 36 at a cost of $2.5 million. Although the committee did not have a cost estimate for the section from Marker 36 — 40, the committee recommended that the board should consider participating in the County's beach renourishment project for this section as well (which Dr. Dabees has now estimated at slightly less than $1 million to $1.5 million). • The current County beach renourishment project at Park Shore may result in sand placed just south of Clam Pass to migrate north, adding cubic yards of sand into Clam Pass. • The 2024 Clam Bay Monitoring Report is recommended reading. This report discussed the decrease in sea grass acreage over the past several years. This year, Earth Tech will try to identify the root causes of this decline, and hopes to provide recommendations to reverse this trend in their 2025 report. • On March 18, staff will meet with the South Florida Water Management District to discuss potential resiliency improvements to the Bay Colony drainage Swale. A conceptual proposal for reinforced concrete pipe has been obtained, showing a cost of $3.4 million for construction and an additional engineering cost of at least $300,000. 4 Pelican Bay Services Division Board Regular Session March 12, 2025 • Mr. Rodburg received committee support for him to write a letter to the PBF Design Review Committee to provide water quality related recommendations to protect our stormwater system, to be incorporated in future design review requirements. • The committee agreed and recommended that the Water Management & Clam Bay Committee is split into two committees as they existed a year ago, with separate chairs. In the future, these two committees could schedule joint meetings whenever appropriate. Dr. Dabees confirmed that he is recommending that we piggyback on the County's beach renourishment project for the section from Marker 31 '/z to 36 which would be included in their FEMA claim. He noted that he can only estimate a cost for beach renourishment from Marker 36 to 40 of between slightly less than $1 million up to $1.5 million resulting from two factors including (1) the additional amount of sand to be recovered from east of the dune (in this area) to the beach is unknown, and (2) the PBSD Fall dredge project will provide some sand to be placed in this area; currently the cubic yards is unknown. Dr. Dabees commented that currently the beach area from Marker 36 to 40 is lacking 20,000 cubic yards of sand; it is possible that the Fall dredge may provide approximately 5,000 cubic yards of sand to this area. He also noted that we are unable to dredge sand from offshore to the beach. Dr. Dabees strongly recommended that we attempt to recover as much sand as possible from areas east of the dune, as the cost of recovering sand is much cheaper than truck -hauled sand. Mr. Fogg commented that the County has changed the way reimbursement for FEMA projects is handled. In the past, the County paid for these projects up front. Now, the PBSD must pay for these projects up front. The process for reimbursement takes 3-5 years, and currently any reimbursement is uncertain. Mr. Fogg commented that PBF resident surveys repeatedly show that the beach is the number one priority of residents. Mr. Coleman commented that additional sand recovery from Marker 36 to 40 is part of the Earth Tech proposal. He noted that we have completed most of the sand recovery pertaining to the area from Marker 31 %2 to 36. Dr. Dabees commented that in the beach area in front of the Marker 36 facility, sand can be pushed into the water and will cover the exposed mangrove stumps (as part of the beach renourishment project). He noted that from Marker 37 to 40, sand will be placed up to the mean high water mark. Dr. Dabees recommended that we inform the County that we want to participate in their beach renourishment project and that the amount of sand is to be determined. Mr. Fogg expressed concerns on proceeding with the proposal for plantings on the back dune, as a future storm may bring sand and water over the dune, killing all of the vegetation. Dr. Dabees suggested staggering the plantings over a few years. Mr. Coleman commented that Earth Tech has recommended this project. Mr. Rodburg commented that in relation to this project, the committee discussed (1) the coastal plantings will need time to recruit, (2) improvement to aesthetics, and (3) coastal plantings will provide sanctuary to the tortoise population which was wiped out by the 2024 storms. He noted that this is a judgment call; the project can be implemented now, deferred, or completed in pieces. Mr. Coleman commented that the plantings installed behind Marker 36 (at a cost of under $30,000), after Hurricane Ian (2022), were subsequently wiped out by Hurricane Idalia. Mr. Fogg commented that approval of these projects to include (1) Clam Pass dredge, (2) beach renourishment, and (3) back dune plantings and related sand recovery will be incorporated in the FY26 budget and will be discussed at the Budget Committee meeting in early April. Mr. Sterk, Environmental Consultant with Earth Tech, commented that a planting palate, typical of the dune, has been laid out, subject to availability (nurseries are low in stock as there is 5 Pelican Bay Services Division Board Regular Session March 12, 2025 high demand for these plants from almost every coastal community). He suggested that the planting takes place at the start of our rainy season. Mr. Fogg commented that these proposed projects and the restoration of PBSD reserves will require a significant increase in our FY26 assessment of about $500 per ERU. Mr. Bill McCormick questioned whether the beach will be renourished from Marker 31 Y2 to the Ritz. Mr. Coleman confirmed that this area will be included in the County's project. Mr. Fogg commented that the County has been taking a broad approach on studying substantial coastline resiliency projects over the last several years. While the U.S.A.C.E. has been looking at potential resiliency projects for the entire coast, their work has been stalled due to lack of funding. MOTIONS PASSED CLAM PASS DREDGE Mr. Rodburg motioned, Mr. Swider seconded that we authorize the staff to proceed with the TDC funding for the Clam Pass dredging event to be held November/December of this year. The motion carried unanimously. BEACH RENOURISHMENT PROJECT Mr. Rodburg motioned, Ms. Hamilton seconded that we recommend to piggyback with the County on their beach renourishment project recognizing that approximately $2.5 million will be eligible for FEMA reimbursement and that the balance, which is uncertain and would be anywhere from less than $1 million up to $1.5 million, to restore the beach to conditions before the hurricanes. The motion carried unanimously. BEACH DUNE RESTORATION Mr. Rodburg motioned, Ms. Hamilton seconded to proceed with the Earth Tech recommendation to undertake additional sand removal/recovery from the back dune area for use on the beaches at a cost of approximately $116,000. The motion carried unanimously. Mr. Rodburg motioned, Ms. Hamilton seconded to proceed with the Earth Tech recommendation to undertake the preparation of plantings this rainy season at a cost of approximately $316,000. The motion carried 84, with Mr. Fogg dissenting. CHAIRMAN'S REPORT BCC APPROVAL OF PBSD BOARD MEMBERS Mr. Fogg reported that the BCC, on March 11, approved the appointment of our five residential and one commercial board members to our board (terms beginning April 1). He thanked Ms. Hamilton, Mr. Cullen, and Mr. Ferland for their service on the board, as this meeting will be their last board meeting. Pelican Bay Services Division Board Regular Session March 12, 2025 Mr. Fogg commented that our next board meeting will be scheduled for April 9, which will include our three newly appointed board members. Our PBSD Chair and Vice Chair will be elected at this meeting. The meeting was adjourned at 3:11 Fogg, !✓ t Minutes approved LVJ as preYentbd OR ] as amended ON ( /j/°2� date