Laserfiche WebLink
Board of County Commissioners Meeting Minutes - Final <br />May 7, 2024 <br />Surveys would need to be conducted, and easements would need to be granted <br />to the County to acquire the necessary permits. Funding would be required for an <br />additional $42,000 to $75,000 for design, permitting, bid paperwork, <br />mobilization, and construction oversight. This would not include any required <br />surveys. The County would be responsible for installation and maintenance, <br />assuming all liability associated with the infrastructure, including accidents caused <br />by missing or damaged signs and buoys. Funding was estimated at $255,500.00 <br />to $296,000.00. <br />In support of Option II, Commissioner Earman emphasized the importance of the <br />survey in establishing anchoring points. Despite the increased cost, he deemed it <br />necessary and said it was the municipality's preferred choice. Commissioner <br />Moss, underscoring the significance of safeguarding the lagoon, expressed a <br />strong desire to ensure its preservation. She believed that prioritizing this <br />protection would benefit the lagoon and foster partnerships with municipalities to <br />work toward its preservation. Despite the higher cost, Commissioner Moss stated <br />her preference for Option II. <br />Former Indian River County Commissioner Peter O'Bryan addressed the Board <br />regarding the urgent need to close loopholes in the current Statute and proposed <br />some amendments to the legislative priorities. He emphasized that boaters would <br />find ways to exploit any loopholes and stated that currently a boater could anchor <br />in an ALA for 44 days, then move a mile away, drop anchor for the night, and <br />return the next day to reset the 45 -day clock. Mr. O'Bryan suggested changing <br />the 45 consecutive days to 45 cumulative days in a six-month period, so boaters <br />would have to move on once their 45 days were up and could not reset the clock <br />by returning the following day. He recommended lobbying to change <br />"consecutive" to "cumulative" to address this issue. He also proposed that the <br />six-month window start on the first day the boat was identified within the ALA. <br />Additionally, the 45 -day limit should apply to all ALAS within the County to <br />prevent boaters from moving around and discharging waste daily without ever <br />leaving the area. He thanked the Commissioners and urged them to proceed with <br />this process. <br />Clean Water Coalition Vice President Keith Drewett expressed his gratitude to <br />staff for pushing the process forward. He emphasized the severity of the situation <br />in the County, particularly with three sunken vessels located close to the Vero <br />Beach city marina. He stated that if the vessels sink, they would likely spill harmful <br />chemicals into the water. Mr. Drewett emphasized the importance of the Board's <br />role in moving the plan forward. <br />Indian River County Florida Page 12 <br />