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Board of County Commissioners Meeting Minutes - Final July 6, 2021 F. Office of Management and Budget G. Public Works 12.G.1 21-0636 Sector 7 Beach and Dune Restoration Project Easement Status and Project Options Recommended Action: Staff recommends Option 3 to the Board. While staff is of the opinion that the easement issue is at an impasse, staff will continue to reach out to property owners to obtain easements. Staff will also reach out to the FDEP, LGFR Grant staff, and FEMA to inquire about extending the funding for an additional year. Staff also requests the Board authorize staff to investigate the purchase of property within Sector 7 for beach access to enhance our funding options for future Sector 7 beach nourishment projects. Additionally, staff has been unable to locate property that could be used for construction access to the Sector 7 beach, thereby substantially increasing the cost for the project even if easements are obtained. Attachments: Staff Report Director of Public Works Richard Szpyrka presented an update to the Sector 7 Beach and Dune Restoration Project, observing that the lack of public beach access was the biggest obstacle preventing the project from moving forward. He informed that the County had not reached the required 90% of approved resident easements, and no longer had access to a previously -used empty lot. He reflected that without viable construction access to bring in sand, staff was hesitant to begin the project and incur the cost of required pre -construction monitoring. Director Szpyrka concluded his presentation with options for moving forward as detailed in staffs memo dated June 23, 2021. Under discussion, the Board expressed bafflement as to the reason residents refused to grant the access needed to restore storm -eroded sand behind their homes. Commissioner Earman, Liaison to the Beach and Shore Preservation Advisory Committee (BSPAC), noted that staff was brainstorming ideas to break the impasse and protect the beach from further erosion. Board support for staffs Option 3, to pursue an extension of the grant funding, was expressed and also had been recommended by the BSPAC. Commissioner Moss requested a list of residents in Sector 7, and reported that she had received complaints of blocked private access ways during construction. Vice Chairman O'Bryan contemplated that perhaps residents were fearful of beach "creep" where beachgoers could make their way onto private property. He floated the idea of creating a beach patrol position which would monitor homeowner's property against trespassers. Indian River County Florida Page 7