9/28/1993 - Laserfiche WebLink

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accusations that they were dropping bombs on the PEP reef project. The announcement of the PEP reef project was a surprise to the Masters Group and they were not able to get on the Board's agenda last week to make their presentation on reef systems. Furthermore, he saw no clear indication on last week's agenda that a contract was to be awarded at today's meeting. He stated that the BSPAC had knowledge of Breakwaters International's system as far back as July of this year. Mr. Sandelli reported that at the statewide meeting on Beaches and Shores at Amelia Island, he personally contacted Indian River County's committee members regarding Breakwaters International's projects. He thought the proprietary PEP reef system is similar in appearance to Breakwaters' system but that Breakwaters' system has advantages which he will present to the BSPAC. Mr. Sandelli listed projects in New Jersey where he believed the sea conditions are more severe and where Breakwaters' system serves very well. With that information, he felt that Breakwaters' system should be considered for the County's project on a competitive bid basis. He thought that the chances of getting public funding on a sole source or a proprietary reef system were limited. He further thought that some of the presentations to the Board and BSPAC detracted from Breakwaters' good points and included negative and misleading information. He thought that the County's engineers and other engineering firms should procure funding permits and write specifications for a project like this reef and then go out for bids. He stressed that the Commissioners have a duty to see that the community gets the most for its money, and he believed that the competitive process could provide the opportunity to get a quality system by Breakwaters. He assured the Board that the Masters Group is not trying to derail the project but rather to put the project on the right track for successful completion. Commissioner Eggert clarified that since November 1992 the Board has conducted workshops and held joint meetings with the City Council of Vero Beach, and one of the topics discussed was the use of tourist tax funds to preserve the beach and shore. These discussions were reported in the newspaper, so there has been plenty of public notice about this project. Chairman Bird asked whether the Masters Group, Inc., has installed reefs based on competitive bids. Tamara..Garafa, customer relations manager at Breakwaters International, responded that their technology is new and has been installed under contracts with private property owners. In one instance, Mr. Crater, president of Breakwaters International, subsidized an installation to demonstrate the system. Currently 13 BOOK 90 PnF.6519-1