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MANATEE SIGNS IN JOHN'S ISLAND SOUND Acting Administrator Collins reviewed the following: TO: Board of County Commissioners DATE: October 12, 1988 FILE: SUBJECT: MANATEE SIGNS IN THE John's ISLAND SOUND FROM: William G. Collins II REFERENCES: Acting County Administrator Last Spring a resident of Indian River Shores, Bayard Pope, brought the Board's attention to the fact that manatees congregate in John's Island Sound in the summer months. Mr. Pope asked the County's assistance in obtaining permits for the placement of manatee signs within John's Island Sound. The Board of County Commissioners authorized staff to make the necessary contacts with regulatory agencies in order to process permit applications. The original intent had been for the sign placement and maintenance to be taken care of by Last Tree Village Corporation and/or the John's Island Property Owners Association. Our contacts with the various regulatory agencies indicated that the placement and upkeep of signs could not be delegated to a private corporation, that is, the state requires that some government employee be the responsible contact person for purposes of sign placement and upkeep. (See Paragraph 4 of the attached memo from Sharon Phillips Brennan dated August 11, 1988). Currently the County Parks Department maintains Joe Earman Park in the Indian River. I have spoken with Parks Superintendent Rex Hailey and he indicates it would be no difficulty to simply run into John's Island Sound to check on the status of manatee signs occasionally. I have also spoken to Mike Rose, the general manager of the John's Island Property Owners Association. Mr. Rose indicates the continued willingness of the Property Owners Association to underwrite any costs associated with the placement and upkeep of such signs. Any work necessary to be done could be done by the Property Owners Association to the exact specifications set out by the County Parks Superintendent, Mr. Hailey, and would be done under his supervision. RECOMMENDATION I request that the Board authorize designation of the Indian River County Parks Superintendent, Rex Hailey, as the contact person for any state agency involved in the issues of upkeep and placement of manatee cautionary signs in John's Island Sound. OCT 16 ON MOTION by Commissioner Eggert, SECONDED by Commis- sioner Wheeler, the Board unanimously authorized designation of Parks Superintendent Rex Hailey as the contact person for any state agency involved in the issues of upkeep and placement of manatee cautionary signs in John's Island Sound. 988 28 BOOK 7 F, G;E. 548