HomeMy WebLinkAbout09/19/2011 COASTAL STRUCTURES
WORKSHOP
Joint meeting among Indian River County Commissioners; the Mayors of the City of Fero
Beach, City of Sebastian, City of Felismere, Town of Indian River Shores, and Town of
Orchid; and the Indian River County Beach and Shores Advisory Committee
Monday , September 19 , 2011 — 3 : 00 p . m .
Location :
Indian River County Administration Complex
180027 th Street , Vero Beach , Florida
Building B , Conference Room B1 - 501
AGENDA
I . Introductions / Purpose of Workshop
II . Presentation
a. Part 1 : Beach Preservation Plan
i . Brief History of the County ' s Beach Preservation Plan
ii . Review Current and Past Beach Restoration Projects
b . Part 2 : Review of Coastal Structure Types
i . Located within IRC
ii . Other Coastal Structures
c . Part 3 : Feasibility Design / Shoreline Modeling
d . Part 4 : Funding
III . Discussion and Recommendation
Anyone who needs a special accommodation for this meeting may contact the County ' s
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Coordinator at (772) 226 . 1223 at least 48 hours
in advance of meeting .
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JEFFREY K. BARTON
Clerk to the BoardpRIpA
September 19 , 2011
JOINT MEETING
INDIAN RIVER COUNTY COMMISSIONERS ;
THE MAYORS OF THE CITY OF VERO BEACH ,
CITY OF SEBASTIAN , CITY OF FELLSMERE ,
TOWN OF INDIAN RIVER SHORES , AND TOWN OF ORCHID ;
AND THE INDIAN RIVER COUNTY BEACH AND SHORE
ADVISORY COMMITTEE
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COASTAL STRUCTURES WORKSHOP
INDEX TO MINUTES
CALLTO ORDER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2
PLEDGEOF ALLEGIANCE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
1 . INTRODUCTIONS / PURPOSE OF WORKSHOP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
2 . PRESENTATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
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2 . A . PART 1 : BEACH PRESERVATION PLAN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Joint Meeting — Coastal Structures Workshop BK 141 PG 417
September 19, 2011 1
2 . A . 1 . BRIEF HISTORY OF THE COUNTY ' S BEACH PRESERVATION PLAN . . . . . . . . me me * * 64896movose a 049 * 6 3
;Y 2 . A . 2 . REVIEW CURRENT AND PAST BEACH RESTORATION PROJECTS . 0 00 some * * most@ move 3
2 . B . PART 2 : REVIEW OF COASTAL STRUCTURE TYPES . . 2 * 9 0 a 0 4 0 a a 0 0 4 0 a a 0 0 a a a 0 a a 0 0 a 0 8
& & 0 0 a 0 a 0 a a 060 * 6000 * 803
2 . 13 . 1 . LOCATED WITHIN INDIAN RIVER COUNTY ( IRC ) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
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2 . B . 2 . OTHER COASTAL STRUCTURES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
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2 . C . PART 3 : FEASIBILITY DESIGN / SHORELINE MODELING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
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2 . D . PART 4 : FUNDING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
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3 . DISCUSSION AND RECOMMENDATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
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4 . ADJOURNMENT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
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September 19 , 2011 2
JEFFREY K . BARTON '� c°o
Clerk to the Board
�ORI�y'
September 19 , 2011
JOINT MEETING
INDIAN RIVER COUNTY COMMISSIONERS ;
THE MAYORS OF THE CITY OF VERO BEACH ,
CITY OF SEBASTIAN , CITY OF FELLSMERE ,
TOWN OF INDIAN RIVER SHORES , AND TOWN OF ORCHID ;
AND THE INDIAN RIVER COUNTY BEACH AND SHORE
ADVISORY COMMITTEE
COASTAL STRUCTURES WORKSHOP
SEPTEMBER 19 , 2011
The Board of County Commissioners of Indian River County , Florida, met in a Joint
Workshop at the County Administration Complex, 1800 27th Street, Building B , Conference
Room B1 - 501 , Vero Beach, Florida, at 3 : 00 p . m . on Monday, September 19 , 2011 , to discuss
coastal structures .
Joint Meeting — Coastal Structures Workshop BK 1 4 1 PG 4 19
September 19 , 2011 1
CALL TO ORDER
Chairman Bob Solari called the meeting to order at 3 : 00 p . m .
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Chairman Solari led the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag .
,. 1 . INTRODUCTIONS / PURPOSE OF WORKSHOP
Present for the County were Board Chairman Bob Solari, Vice Chairman Gary C .
Wheeler, and Commissioners Wesley S . Davis , Joseph E . Flescher, and Peter D . O ' Bryan. Also
present were County Administrator Joseph A . Baird, County Attorney Alan S . Polackwich, Sr. ,
Management and Budget Director Jason Brown, Public Works Director Chris Mora, Public
Works/Coastal Engineer James Gray, and Deputy Clerk Leona Adair Allen.
Present also were City of Vero Beach Mayor Jay Kramer, City of Sebastian Mayor Jim
Hill , City of Fellsmere Mayor Susan Adams , Town of Indian River Shores Mayor Thomas
Cadden, and Town of Orchid Mayor Richard Dunlop .
Present from the Beach and Shore Preservation Advisory Committee were William
Troxell, Robert Lindsey, Cheryl Gerstner, David Barney, and Jerry Weick .
Present from Coastal Technology Corporation was Michael Walther .
Present from the Florida Institute of Technology was Dr. Gary Zarillo .
Joint Meeting — Coastal Structures Workshop BK ) 4 1 PG 420
September 19 , 2011 2
2 . PRESENTATION
2.A. PART ] BEACHPRESERVATION PLAN
2.A. 1 . BRIEFHISTORYOFTHE COUNTY'SBEACH PRESERVATION PLAN
County Coastal Engineer James Gray, using a PowerPoint Presentation (on file) ,
announced that the purpose of this workshop is to explore the potential of sand retention
structures in conjunction with the overall objectives of the Indian River County Beach
Preservation Plan (BPP) . He pointed out that the Workshop ' s goals and objectives are to :
( 1 ) provide a general understanding of coastal structures and the science and engineering
behind their uses ; (2) identify shoreline models used when evaluating coastal structure design ;
and (3 ) seek guidance on how to proceed.
Mr . Gray provided a brief history on the Beach Preservation Plan . He spoke about the
critically eroded beach areas (sectors) , and reviewed the implementation strategies that were
considered .
2.A. 2. REVIEW CURRENTAND PAST BEACH RESTORATION PROJECTS
Mr . Gray summarized the past and present progress of the beach restoration areas, and
relayed that a total of 3 ,273 , 572 cubic yards of sand had been placed in Sectors 1 through 8 since
1978 .
2. B. PART 2: REVIEW OF COASTAL STRUCTURE TYPES
2 B 1 LOCATED WITHININDIANRIVER COUNTY (IRC)
Mr. Gray discussed the advantages and disadvantages of various shoreline structures
within the County, such as jetties , rock revetment, seawalls , sand-filled geotextile tubes , sand
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September 19 , 2011 3
fences , and the Vero Beach Prefabricated Erosion Prevention (PEP) reef project off Humiston
Park, known as a breakwater system .
2. B. 2. OTHER COASTAL STRUCTURES
Michael Walther, M . S . , P . E . Coastal Technology Corporation, using a PowerPoint
Presentation (on file) spoke about the two offshore coastal structures (groins and breakwater
systems) used throughout Florida. He identified and analyzed the Florida Statutes relating to
Florida' s Beach Management Program ; discussed the theories and performance of groin and
breakwater structures , and displayed aerial examples of how these structures are used to protect
shoreline areas . Mr . Walther elaborated on the data that was collected and analyzed on the PEP
Reef project in Vero Beach; he discussed the previously proposed multi-purpose reef in Brevard
County; provided examples of the submerged breakwaters and groins in Palm Beach County ;
and gave an overview regarding the use of concrete reef balls in Dade County . He concluded his
presentation by highlighting the impacts to adjacent shorelines and the submerged structures that
could minimize or avoid these impacts .
Jimmy Egan , Green Resources Council , questioned the success and downdrift of sand
since the placement of the PEP reef.
Renee Renzi, Waverly Place , questioned how many groins the County would require,
and how the cost would compare to the replacement of sand .
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Pete Sharman , Sebastian, did not feel beach erosion could be controlled, and suggested
creating a permanent barrier reef out of concrete rubble .
Tom Hammond , Vero Beach, wanted to know when and where most of the beach
erosion occurs .
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Tuck Ferrell wanted more information regarding the dissipation of the wave energy
when using reef balls .
Scot Caviness , Vero Beach, believed the PEP reef was creating a sandbar offshore .
Mark Tripson felt the PEP reef was working .
2. C. PART 3 : FEASIBILITYDESIGN/SHORELINE MODELING
Dr. Gary Zarillo , Ph . D . , PG, Florida Institute of Technology, Melbourne , using a
PowerPoint Presentation (on file) , provided an overview of modeling technology , and the
analogy of submerged shore protection structures in Indian River County . He reviewed his
checklist of goals and objectives for evaluating the performance of the various types of
submerged shore protection structures , analyzed expected results and comparisons, spoke about
breakwater configurations , and demonstrated computer-animated model impact forecasts .
David Barney, Beach and Shore Preservation Advisory Committee, questioned design
issues , and regulatory requirements regarding the installation of breakwater structures .
Mr. Egan , Green Resources Council , questioned the PEP reef' s effectiveness and
whether it would have a negative impact on the down drift of sand .
Ms . Renzi, Waverly Place, wanted to know the cost and how the municipalities would
pay their share of the expense .
Mayor Cadden questioned the accuracy of the PEP reef model .
Mayor Dunlop commented on prior and current PEP reef studies , as well as the positive
reef effects during Hurricanes Francis and Jeanne . He believed protection structures work and
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September 19 , 2011 5
favored installing them, rather than adding more sand to the beach . He favored taking a positive, ry
long-term approach and putting the structures in the hot spots of the beach first . He stressed the
need to continue battling erosion - if the beaches are lost, so will be the tourists , real estate
values , and possibly the Disney Resort .
2.D. PART 4: FUNDING
Management and Budget Director Jason Brown, using a PowerPoint presentation (on
file) , provided a summary of the County ' s Beach Preservation funding . He described the
funding sources of beach renourishment — the 1 . 5 cents of the Four Cents Local Option Tourist
tax , the One Cent Sales tax , the Sebastian Inlet Taxing District, possible State Grants , and the
Federal U . S . Army Corps of Engineers . He pointed out that every ten years , the County adopts a
Beach Preservation Plan, and with the last one in 2008 , the next one will be due in 2018 . He
reviewed the current plan, total expenses , estimated State Grants , and the local funding required
annually .
Chairman Solari questioned the amount of money that would be reserved for beach
renourishment at the end of the Sector 3 project since State Grants are no longer being received .
Director Brown acknowledged there would be a substantial shortfall , and provided savings, loss ,
and projection details .
Chairman Solari felt this would be a good starting point to see how many dollars are
available , given the new economic situation since 2008 , so we can match the type of projects
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going forward with the available funds , or suggest to the Cities how much additional funds
would be needed to accomplish certain projects .
William Troxell, Beach and Shore Preservation Advisory Committee, questioned the cut
in Federal funding, and how it would affect the U . S . Army Corps of Engineers . Mr . Gray
affirmed that Federal funding would be cut considerably .
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September 19 , 2011 6
Mayor Adams wanted to know how much money had been spent over the past 15 years
on beach renourishment . Director Brown reported that over the past 10 years, about $ 59 million
had been spent.
Mr. Troxell did not think the County would receive any future grants .
Commissioner Flescher wanted to know how much money since 2008 had been spent
for sand replenishment; and Director Brown approximated $ 3 million .
Commissioner Flescher also wanted to know what percentage of the waterfront project
has been completed . Mr . Gray conveyed that there will be about 6 . 6 miles of restored beach for
Sector 3 ; 2 . 5 miles for Sectors 1 and 2 ; and 2 miles for Sector 7 .
Mayor Dunlop wanted to know how much of the restoration for Sector 3 disappeared
with Hurricane Irene . Mr . Gray disclosed that the profile survey showed the sand was
redistributed through the system and to the south, not lost .
Mayor Kramer wanted to know whether Brevard County is doing anything about their
sand moving from north to south . Dr. Zarillo revealed that Brevard County is adding beach fill .
3 . DISCUSSION AND RECOMMENDATION
Chairman Solari solicited comments and/or concerns from the assembly .
Mayor Kramer voiced concern that the PEP reef could negatively affect the shape of
local beaches .
Mayor Cadden suggested seeking a licensed agency that could provide the information
necessary to get a proposal approved. He did not support paying for a study if Tallahassee will
not approve it .
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September 19 , 2011 7
Mayor Adams did not think a licensed agency could help until there is a study done to
prepare a proposal . She believed a study should be conducted to identify the existing hot spots ,
and supported moving this project forward with due diligence .
Mr. Troxell agreed with Mayor Adams regarding the identification of hot spots and
attacking those areas with permanent structures , in lieu of pumping sand into Sector 5 .
Robert Lindsey wanted to move forward while observing new technologies .
Mr. Barney felt the hot spots had already been identified and that new technology needs
to be reviewed to maintain the sand on the beaches . He felt there was a working plan in place,
and we just need to figure out how to pay for it.
Jerry Weick provided his comments on the PEP reef.
Commissioner Flescher believed the areas with coastal structures has stood the test of
time , and felt the beaches are now in better condition . He voiced concerns over continuous
beach replenishment and the lack of funds to continue . He asked if there was anything more
concrete as to why certain jurisdictions were able to place the structures , and whether they have
been proven effective .
Mr. Walther explained how every application he reviews has different sets of data
presented, and that there is no set rule in the regulatory area as to what is and is not acceptable .
Commissioner Flescher wanted to know if it was possible to propose a model based on
the type of structures that might be effective in this County, modeled on successful projects in
other areas .
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September 19 , 2011 8
Mr. Walther felt there was nothing precluding the County from taking these steps , and
believed the agencies would become involved when the proposal and filing of a permit are
moved forward .
Commissioner Davis wanted to know the true results of the PEP reef, and whether the
beach to the north and south appear different. He also wanted to see if the PEP reef holds and
retains sand during normal events . He favored a study to prove that the PEP reef works ; to show
the hydrology ; and reveal whether the beaches are better than before the reef was installed ;
however, he did not want extreme events , like hurricanes , to be used as examples .
Mr. Tripson told about a college student from Florida Institute of Technology, who
conducted a study in 2008 or 2009 , and found that the PEP does work .
Mr. Gray explained that the PEP reef had certain design criteria established, and the
success of the reef was based on evaluating that design criteria. He said that it may not have
been effective at attenuating wave criteria because it had settled in the sand, but it has been
retaining sand on the leeward side of the structure and bringing sand onto the beach . He revealed
that the Corps of Engineers ' study reported it did not work because it did not stop wave energy
from reaching the beach, due to the design aspect .
Vice Chairman Wheeler felt the PEP reef may be doing something, but wondered if the
County was receiving the value for the money that was spent . He said that what he heard today
is what he has been hearing for 25 years — that there is no solid solution . He wanted to find the
most practical and cost efficient way to replenish the sand, and believed that transporting sand
from the south beaches to the north beaches would be the answer .
Dr. Zarillo and Mr. Walther gave examples of situations within Florida where sand had
been transported back to hot spots .
Joint Meeting — Coastal Structures Workshop 4 PG 4 2 7
September 19 , 2011 9
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Mr. Tripson voiced frustration that three years ago he had hauled $ 20 , 000 worth of sand
and the permitting and engineering cost him $45 , 000 .
Commissioner O ' Bryan reiterated that the permitting agencies would not reveal
anything definitive, or make a commitment until presented with the actual plan in writing . He
did not think anything could be proposed until after the modeling, to ensure what would work
If best . He favored moving forward with a Task Force (consisting of two Mayors and beach
advisors) to further define the scope of the model , and he wanted the Riomar South Beach area
(which has always been stable) to be observed since those reefs must be working, then factor that
information into our model . Commissioner O ' Bryan felt the most effective way to put sand on
the beach and get it back into the system on a routine basis would be to permanently establish a
feeder beach program whereby once the beaches are restored (somewhere near the south end of
Sector 2 , and the north end of Sector 3 ) 50 , 000 cubic yards of sand would be moved (annually)
into the feeder beach where it could drift south naturally . He inquired whether there was
anything that could be done to help push the sand more south to north, like refracting an
eastbound wave to make it southeast so it pushes sand in, instead of blocking it north to south.
He wanted to move forward with a task force for a tighter scope of services , and bring it back for
discussion.
Chairman Solari reiterated earlier comments . He suggested the Beach and Shore
Preservation Advisory Committee and Mayors Dunlop and Cadden be charged with the Task
Force . He said the most important thing , after hearing from the Commissioners , is that everyone
has a commitment to the beach, and moving forward would be certain . He wanted staff to take
into account what had been said today, and start looking for the best path in moving forward .
t Y� g
Chairman Solari opened the floor to public comments .
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September 19 , 2011 10
Jim (surname inaudible) stressed that the PEP reef may not be working as designed, but
it is currently protecting the beaches . He felt it was important to try all available structures so
they can be observed and evaluated to see what options work best.
Mark Tripson supported the creation of a Task Force , and suggesting contacting the
U . S . Army Corps of Engineers and Governor Scott for support.
Commissioner Davis wanted to know if the consensus was to have a Task Force that
would address concerns and consist of two Mayors, and the subcommittees of the Beach Shore
Preservation Advisory Committee .
Commissioner O ' Bryan wanted to task the Beach and Shore Preservation Advisory
Committee to work with staff and other interest parties to further define the scope of service .
A brief discussion ensued regarding representatives and/or conflicts for serving on the
Beach and Shore Preservation Advisory Committee , the scope of a proposed model , a Request
for Proposal (RFP) , and the information being taken back to the Counsels for approval .
Commissioner O ' Bryan suggested tasking Management and Budget Director Jason
Brown to review the Beach Preservation plan and projections, and recalculate the financial
model under the assumption of zero State and Federal funding .
ALL BACKUP DOCUMENTATION, RESOLUTIONS, AND ORDINANCES ARE ON FILE IN THE OFFICE
OF THE CLERK TO THE BOARD AND ARE HEREBY MADE A PART OF THESE MINUTES
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4 . ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business , the Chairman declared the meeting adjourned at
5 : 52 p . m .
ATTEST :
Jeffrey K. Barton, Clerk Gary C . 4heeler, Chairman
(Clerk ' s Note : These minutes were signed by the current Chairman at the time of the Board ' s
approval . )
Minutes Approved : DEC 0 6 2011
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