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1.
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Call to Order - Meeting called to order at 5:32 p.m. |
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2.
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Attendance - Quorum present
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3.
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Minutes Approval:
Bill Myrick moved to approve the January minutes. Gabe Jackson seconded the motion. All voted in favor, none opposed.
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4.
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Guest Recognition - None
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5.
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Perdido Key Gulf Snorkeling Reef:
Marine Resources Division (MRD) Update - Nine remaining modules are loaded on deployment vessel, and awaiting suitable weather for deployment. MRD forwarded request and recommendation to Board of County Commissioners to name the reef “Chief Reef Perdido Key”.
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6.
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Perdido River Public Boat Ramp Design/Engineering/Permitting:
- Construction: MRD Update - FDEP Contract awarded to Roads, Inc. Construction to commence before end of March; 180 days to substantial completion.
- Andrew Blewer requested that the county sell the two additional parcels, not included in the project design, to fund other projects.
- Bill Myrick, Walt Woodfin and Robert Turpin commented that the two parcels in question were acquired after the NERDA proposal. It was not prudent to amend the project as it was on an expedited approval process. The intent is to use the parcels to add to the original project as a non-boating day use facility.
- Naming Recommendation: MRD Update - Marine Advisory Committee may pass a motion concurring with the request from Mr. Casey to name the Perdido River boat ramp after Commissioner Wilson Robertson. MRD will make formal request to Board of County Commissioners to name the site.
- Bill Myrick suggested “Perdido River Recreation Park”
- Gabe Jackson suggested that there may be other options to honor Commissioner Wilson Robertson.
- Robert Turpin will discuss with county staff and advise as necessary.
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7.
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10836 Lillian Highway Public Boat Ramp:
MRD Update - FWC executing contract with USFWS; then FWC will send Grant Agreement to MRD.
Andrew Blewer has spoken to FWC in Tallahassee and stated that he understood the grant to be approved, but is being held as seed money to the National Fish and Wildlife grant. Mr. Blewer also stated that he understood the $150k to be for design and development only, not for the complete project. |
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8.
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Natural Resources Damage Assessment - Oil Spill Restoration and Recovery:
MRD Update - FDEP transferring funds to FWC. FWC will execute Agreement with Escambia County. |
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9.
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Waterways Access Management:
MAC discussion - Gabe Jackson spoke with Michael Rhodes (Parks Dept. Director). Mr Rhodes wants to observe use thru the spring. Overnight camping continues to be biggest problem. Mr. Rhodes is uncertain regarding how to handle that, vandalism, etc. Mr. Rhodes didn’t support having electronic gate. Enforcement is key to solution. Mr. Rhodes is changing the Monitor. A. Blewer suggested Downtown Improvement Board Parking Enforcement. Gabe stated that our Monitor goes by twice/day.
- Gabe Jackson spoke to Michael Rhodes (Escambia County Parks and Recreation) concerning the Pensacola Fishing Pier. Mr. Rhodes would like to monitor the piers revenue through spring. He stated that the “Iron Ranger” had been reinforced to mitigate vandalism. Mr. Rhodes acknowledged that extended camping was an issue, but would not want to overreact. Overnight camping, while fishing, is not an issue, but summer usually brings the long term camping. He would like to see if enhanced monitoring of the pier reduces extended camping.
- Andrew Blewer stated that he believes the Downtown Improvement Board’s parking monitor could enforce the pier fees.
- Gabe Jackson stated that there is a monitor but the pier belongs to Escambia County, while the park abutting the pier belongs to the City of Pensacola, and the Park and Recreation Department does not rely on the ESCO Sheriff’s Office.
- Robert Turpin suggests following Michael Rhodes wishes to evaluate the pier issues through spring.
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10.
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Lionfish:
MRD Update - Escambia County Lionfish Workshop scheduled for 11 May 2015; REEF will conduct seminar on lionfish safe-handling techniques. Inaugural FWC Lionfish Removal & Awareness Day event scheduled for 16-17 May 2015 at DeLuna Plaza. MRD and FL Sea Grant continue working with stakeholders to increase lionfish awareness, safety, volunteer removal, and market development.
- Kerry Freeland stated that Lionfish tournaments are gearing up. Hopes are to have lion fish harvested to prepare and sample at the rodeo. He suggested that the excess lionfish maybe sold to fund other lionfish projects. He would like to see more publicity of the lionfish workshops, rodeos and other events.
- Robert Turpin commented that Escambia County is looking to increase publicity of the upcoming lionfish events.
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11.
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Clark Sand Pits:
MAC discussion - Any entity desiring to make proposal to use the site may use options of meeting with County Administrator or other Senior Staff, Public Forum before County Commission meeting, written communication, etc.
- John Chiasson would like to see the pits used to train divers as they are large and clear.
- Robert Turpin suggested that maybe a dive coalition, dive company or LLC could take the lead to inquire with the county concerning the potential use of the pits. Dave Mucci was in agreement. Bill Myrick suggested that a concerned party could present to the Board of Commissioners.
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12.
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Perdido River Log Jam:
MRD Update - Emailed MAC Secretary a notice of permit application to remove logjams from Perdido River. Emailed attachment contains a link to permitting documents and mechanism to provide public comment. |
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13.
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Old Business:
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a. |
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FWC Grant & Ocean Wind:
MRD Update - Solicitation for tugboat Ocean Wind is being finalized by Purchasing. Purchase Order/Contract for preparation & deployment will be brought before Board of County Commissioners. Upon receipt of FWC Grant Agreement, this will be brought to County Commissioners for approval as well.
Kerry Freeland stated that $10k in pledges, to the reefing of the tug “Ocean Wind”, has been secured to supplement the county’s funding. The pledge money should be deposited into the steward fund by Tuesday 03/13. |
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b. |
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Escambia River Logjam:
MRD Update - R.Turpin made site visit to Cotton Lake boat ramp and confirmed contractor is removing logjam.
Robert Turpin and others visited the logjam work and noted the progress and the fact that the reclaimed timbers were being milled into lumber at the landing.
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14.
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New Business:
MRD Update - MRD submitting two grant proposals to FWC: 1. $45,000 Artificial Reef Monitoring to continue annual Oriskany fish monitoring as required by EPA; 2: approx. $35,000 for replacement of No Wake signs in Intracoastal Waterway near Perdido Key. Unanimously approved.
- Andrew Blewer inquired as to what projects the $2.5M NERDA grant would be funding. Robert Turpin stated that there is four projects, being: Navy Point improvements, Galvez improvements, Mahogany Mill construction and the Perdido River construction.
- Andrew Blewer asked what was in the conceptual master plan for the Lillian project grant. Robert Turpin stated that when the property was purchased, the conceptual design was done during the due diligence phase of the purchase. That design was included in the application for the FWC grant. The design included the entry road, parking and ramp only. Additional components can be done utilizing other funding sources. Limiting the design in the application improved the chances of approval. Mr. Blewer asked the EMAC for support in lobbing for the expansion of the project design. Mr. Turpin commented that refinement of the design and public input will be part of the process.
- Bill Myrick asked for an update on the paddle craft launch at Hurst Hammock. Mr. Turpin stated that the project is on hold due to the current MRD project load and neighborhood concerns.
- Mr. Myrick asked for an update on the potential Escambia Bay Reef. Mr. Turpin stated that the issues with the National Seashore, navigation and other concerns have negated the feasibility of reefing anything in the bay.
- Mr. Myrick asked if the Molino boat ramp could be dredged, as boats must be drug to and from the ramp at low water. Gabe Jackson stated that dredging may be beneficial, but it would be minimal. Mr. Turpin stated that the Parks and Recreation Department would need to evaluate. Mr. Turpin will e-mail the director to do so. Dave Dodson suggested Parks and Recreation also evaluate the condition of the Hurst Hammock property.
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15.
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Adjournment - Dave Dodson moved to adjourn the meeting. Sidney Clopton seconded the motion. All voted in favor, no one opposed. The meeting was adjourned at 7:12 p.m. |