2026-11-05 - Marine Advisory Board

I >> I >> I >> I >> I >> I >> I >> meeting to order. November 5th, Thursday Grade Advisory Board meeting. Thank you all for coming. Thank you all for being here. I'm going to go ahead and get to the

agenda. Our first item is a roll call. >> Mr. Adams. >> Here. >> Mr. Daves. Mr. Square. Mr. Dunbar. >> Here. >> Mr. Botsky. Mr. Mitchell. >> Here. >> Mr. Gounel. >> Here. >> Mr. Colburn. >> Here. >>

Mr. Lynch. >> Here. >> Mrs. Slendell. Mrs. Fernandez. Mr. Frank. >> Here. >> Mr. Morley. >> Here. >> We have a quorum. >> Outstanding. Excellent. Well, thank you very much. So, minutes were circulated

for our October meeting. Any questions, comments, or motion to approve? >> Move to approve. >> Sam Mitchell moved to approve. Do we have a second? >> Second. >> Second, Bob Franks. Any discussion on

the minutes? All in favor of voting minutes as they are? Aye. Any opposed? Minutes are approved. Before we move on to Waterway Crime and Building Safety reports for the evening, I'd like to offer the

the floor to a guest speaker, Steve Whitten. >> [laughter] >> Like I wonder who he's talking about. Okay. Yes, sir. >> For those of you in the room who don't know who Steve Whitten is. >> [laughter]

>> Stop eating all the candy you bring. >> No, I didn't bring [laughter] And and by the way, I heard Ted and Sarah say she bought premium water cuz I didn't, so. So, thank you uh thank you, chair. I'm

to be very quick. First of all um kudos where is she? To Patience and the MAB team. They knocked out the park MIASF and the MAB team as well for the boat show. That was tremendous. Um I thought it was

great. Outside of the water itself but it was People seemed to be really happy with it. So very quickly uh I think I told you some time ago we created uh John Kelly, myself, a handful of folks created

a coalition for New River Preservation. We're already branding it. And the coalition for New River Preservation, it doesn't say again South Fork or North Fork, it says New River. So that means that

[snorts] we are concerned about the mess up in the North Fork uh and we're concerned about the environmental issues there. So this group is going to very proactively figure out how to deal with some

of that. And uh so working with Pam Beasley Pittman etc and trying to get that rolling. The other thing we are in the process of right now is the group There's 28 people on this leadership group. And

there's a handful of the group that are on this board. I stress that there's no conversation, no meeting etc. I don't know if Scott is here. There's no discussion with anything that has to do with MAB

business. We are strictly talking about the New River, improving navigation etc. So I want to take a second uh so again we've got the South Fork. We want to make sure we have uninterrupted safe access

up there and we're working on that. We have a meeting this coming week. I'll be happy to share who's on this board with you folks uh but it it does include um Inter Cuba, it includes Bob Franks, it

includes Ted Morley, and it includes Courtney Day who's not here. And each of the people were chosen for a reason. Courtney's audit, Jim Steele's audit. Obviously they're tow boat operators. We have

Steve Hudson who you may know uh owns a fair amount of real estate. These are deep pocketed guys. We have Lamar Fisher. We have a number of folks. We have MIASF represented uh of Purcell or patients

whoever chooses to. So we've got real horsepower. And as I was sharing with Susie Bersting before, if you're assuming that the city commission is going to take care of our waterways, it's not that

they don't care, they simply have other things on their plate. So moving forward with Bob together with we've talked about we've had tremendous conversations with the Army Corps. We have a path now to

ensure that nobody encroaches into the waterways and we're going to hopefully roll that out shortly. But Bob's done an amazing job and the reason I'm taking time to acknowledge Bob and Ted and

Courtney is I have been a pain in the ass. Not well, you know that obviously, but [snorts] but if I I I asked Ted this morning, I said, do you have time to speak? He said, what time do you need to

meet? Courtney, Bob, Franks, etc. Andrew is always available. So kudos to this team because you're going to be the backbone for making what we are working on accomplish. What Bob Franks has done with

this new river, I'm looking at the screen right now. We know what our charge is. We know that we have to present a workable program to the city on both the north and south fork. So working closely

with you, I think we can accomplish that. So hopefully hand in hand we get a lot done. The meeting is coming up. The city meeting is the 17th I think. 17th. I'm hoping by that time we will have met.

Our leadership group is meeting next week on the 11th. And the conclusion of that hopefully we have some marching orders and I'm going to strongly suggest that when you have this come up at the city

commission meeting, everybody get out there. What was told to me by the Army Corps and we've heard it over and over again is bench strength means everything. The reason we got our ass handed to us

with the moratorium at 1:30 in the morning because it was me and Andrew. No disrespect to anybody, but we were outvoted. So please show up to support this. Courtney, we just kissed your ass and and

explained how Courtney is driving this this with us and everybody supporting this. So we're off to a great start. Thank you for the support. Thank you. >> I'm not officially on the on the >> You're

not officially. You're just in an advisory capacity. So Sergeant Sergeant O'Neil and and Chad Robertson, because they work for the city, they're in an advisory capacity. They are not technically on

the leadership board. I'm really not sure how to interpret that any other way, but I understand the limitations. Are we okay with this, Scott? Their participation in this respect? >> You're saying

that nothing that the Marine Advisory Board will see will come before you during discussions, but it sounds like some of the items that you're gearing up to address will ultimately be items that the

city commission looks at, and if it goes through this board you just have to be certain that anything that comes up which could see become before this board is in discussed with those members. >>

That's what we're careful of. So I'll follow up with you. Thank you very much. Thanks, Dan. >> At the uh Thanks to you. Uh just from from the chair position here, uh one of the things that I talked to

Steve about was with our involvement and our participation with it. Uh Courtney's there representing Cape Ann Towing. Uh Bob's there representing uh Bradfords. I'm there for MPT and things, but if

there are any issues or any conflicts or potentially sunshine issues, we will recuse ourselves from those conversations and actually leave the discussion at that point. So there's nothing uh nothing

no issues there to worry about. Uh and we kind of know what the agendas are coming up, so we'll we'll skip meetings whatever we have to do to make sure we're we're public and all that. Um but Steve,

thank you. I think the initiative that you and John Kelly are kind of driving forward here is uh is going to be good for us. It's going to be good for the city. It allows MAB, the city commission,

city staff, private industry, homeowners, all of that to kind of come together and work together finding some solutions and some compromises. So I think it's it's going to empower a lot of folks to do

things faster and have more voice, I think, and uh also have as he said earlier, more pockets to pick from for getting certain projects done, and certain things done. And I'm very happy that we've got

the South Fork and the North Fork together. Because to me, yes, they are two waterways, technically, but they're they're one. They they feed each other. They feed the city of Fort Lauderdale. They are

the arteries of Fort Lauderdale, if you will. And the the concerns are unique in the South Fork and the North Fork, but they do collide, if you will. I'm happy to hear that. And there's environmental

issues on both that have to be addressed, and Sam has been one of your champions. We're going to make sure that that stays at the forefront. It's it's not just so that big boats can go up the river.

It's a commercial waterway. It's a recreational waterway. It's a drainage waterway. There's all kinds of things. It's an environmental It's an environment for for wildlife. All kinds of things come

in. It's a very complicated issue. So the more voices we have, the more thoughts we have going forward. And he's got some pretty heavy hitters involved in this. So I'm I'm really impressed with who's

committing their time and energy and efforts to this. So it's it's a good thing. So thank you again. Just want to get that out. And if you hadn't noticed when we first came in, we have water. And we

have snacks at this meeting. I take absolutely no credit for it. We can thank Miss Susie there for bringing that in. She's our room mom. Thank you for that. I was going to make chocolate chip cookies,

but alas Thank you for >> Next month. >> That's next month. >> I'll take requests for next month. >> There you go. There you go. >> Ted, just don't make those brownies your famous ones. >> It's a one-

time thing. >> Why is it that you're the only one that mentions that in every >> [cough] >> All right. Excuse me. [clears throat] Getting back to the agenda, we'll start off with Sergeant Travis

O'Neal for our waterway crime and safety report. >> Good evening, everybody. [clears throat] It was As far as crime on the waterway, it was a pretty good month for that. We didn't have any boat

burglaries, no garments missing that were reported to us. Obviously, our main was the boat show. Um, went relatively smooth. Um, we did have a couple of, uh, at the beginning, had a with the high

winds and the weather. We had a couple of, uh, stop that took out one of the channel markers. Um, and then another guy who uh, he would have waited in line for his time to got in front of the show and

got sideways and had hit um, had hit a boat on a lift across there. So we had to deal with that, but besides that, it was pretty smooth show. Um, uh, not not too many issues on my side. Um, I was out

there a few days working working in Sunday was an absolute rain out and like I don't think I took my raincoat off one time in 11 hours, so. Other than that, it was it was a good month. Um, nothing

real um, of note that, uh, you guys be concerned with. >> Okay. Excellent. Yeah, I think, uh, who all was at the show? Know anybody? Of course. Uh, I think every time I saw, you know, your guys out

there, you guys were getting just soaked. I felt really bad. Look out there, you guys are in raincoats and like, yeah, that's a pretty >> just saw all the guys with top-of-the-line water for water

gear, so. >> Yeah. And we're still draining that out of your boots and But I think it was a great show. There were some really amazing vessels there. I think attendance was, you know, seemed was

pretty good. I mean, I think between the king tides and the and the weather, obviously there were some impacts to it, but, uh, you know, congrats to the, uh, MIASF and Informa for running another

great show for the city of Fort Lauderdale. I think it's a great economic engine here, so kudos to that. And Travis, thank you for keeping everything safe while while people were there enjoying it.

Um, any questions for Travis from the board? Okay. I have one question. Um, can I bring it up, Andrew? >> Anything you want to bring up. >> Okay. So [laughter] uh, where are we at with the, uh, jet

skis on the Intracoastal? I know there's been some videos that have gone out with you know nighttime operations of them and everything else. >> I guess seeing the videos. I will say that, you know

obviously we don't have a a night shift per se. We do have Grant. That's a voluntary basis, so it's not scheduled every night for someone to be on the water. Um I think the video that I saw um first

of all I from the video I can't tell if it's a rental company or these people uh >> Yeah, I couldn't either. >> I mean I have an idea, but um but not enough to do anything about it. Um second I

believe it's probably due to the time change or they probably did a late booking and didn't realize the time change and it gets dark early. >> Yeah. >> Um not to make excuses for anybody, um but you

know that area I mean my guy uh we write the by far the probably the most heavily patrolled and we write the most we do the most stops in that in that stretch right there. Um the city commission is

working on um from La Sol to Sunrise to get that um slowed down to slow speed. Uh I have right now um we're gathering everything we need to present to the state for them to be able to maybe bring it

to their commission and vote vote on that. Um I think with the blind curve you got a confluence of waterways [clears throat] there the amount of citations we've written in there I think I personally

right [snorts] here that they need, but I don't you know it's not up to me. >> Yeah. >> Um jet skis are by far the most pulled over vessel we pulled over. Um a lot of it is people who are renters they

don't understand it and I don't it's it is confusing you know um they don't understand the difference between a mile per hour versus wake minimum wake. I don't [cough and laughter] know wake. Um

majority of the time we write people warnings cuz most times it's people tourists who are just nice people who are just trying to have fun. >> Right. >> Um I I I just like you know to to see you know

I don't think slowing down the entire Intracoastal is the answer. You know, I think it is the answer is how many how many companies are we going to let have jet rentals in the city? >> Right. >> I've

asked that question. >> Yeah. >> Cuz if we just let it run wild, then it's going to be hard to tame. >> Yeah. >> Offshore we don't have any problems with those rentals. >> And they launch off the

beach, the offshore guys? >> Off the beach and there's never rarely rarely a problem with it. So I know about it. We're doing our best to combat it. >> Mhm. >> And we do that through mostly education

unless we give them repeat offenders. It's usually rentals. It's not usually own because most of the time those people are, you know, like a boater knows. So we we do our best with it. We can't be

everywhere once. We have a lot to cover. >> Oh, yeah. >> I have max three or four boats in the water at any given day, so you know, we're we're [snorts] stretched thin. So we're between us the

sheriff's office, we try to combine our efforts a little bit, you know, especially that northern area where we kind of mix a little bit. We try to combine our efforts there. >> Yeah, I think I saw you

guys, BSO, FWC, and Coast Guard all patrolling past the boat show. >> Yeah, yeah, yeah. >> That's time for this high risk times. >> Yeah. So we do the best we can. If anybody has any specific

complaints or want to send me a video or feel free to do that, you know, I don't know everything that's going on the water. I know most stuff my guys. So if there's any concerns that we hadn't seen

cuz sometimes our attention is drawn other areas. You know, some areas don't get the attention between 17th Street and sometimes, you know, it's just hard to get way out west sometimes. It's hard to

get way far north. >> Well, we've gotten busier and you you have a very small staff for the amount of water we're going to patrol. I was asked a question if we see habitually the same rental companies

having problems or is it evenly spread across all of them? And I didn't have an answer to that. >> Um right now I'd say it's pretty evenly spread. Um because you have you know you have the DoubleTree

that rents from from the hotel then you have two other companies that that have areas where they meet customers and they all kind of go to the same areas. The company that meets south if it's nice

they will go offshore. >> Okay. >> The other company they stay in the Intercoastal. Um so with there's three main companies that are operating right now which is fine. Um it wasn't I mean if we're

talking two years ago it was way worse than it is now. I mean you're still going to have it. You're not going to be able to not have it. And sometimes I think some of the people need to realize is is

that sometimes when you have jet skis out there and they're in the run zone they're running I will personal opinion it's annoying but it's not illegal. >> Right. >> You know and I can only go on that.

You know yeah they're running a little bit whatever. Um and sometimes it's just more annoying than it is actually illegal. A lot of the stuff I get is in falls into that category versus illegal.

Obviously if they're out 30 minutes past sunset then that they can't be out past that. >> Right. >> That that's a no brainer um with that and and one of the things I try to put out to when people give

me complaints is that a lot of times people will do CClick Fix or they'll email somebody. Well if you see something happening call the dispatcher. >> Right. >> I might have a boat on the water right

there and then they will call it on the radio and they can go handle it right there right then and there. But if I get it two or three days later there's not a lot I can do about that. It's like a

speeding car. If you call it in if you send an email about a speeding car there's not much you can do you know with that. Um so I like to know everything but if but it's always good someone to call

non-emergency if it's not an emergency and to let us know and then they will go get us on the radio and if you know I can have a guy out there you know, not too far from there, it could go right right

then and there. >> Okay. I appreciate that. Yeah, I think it's it's a growing issue that we have to be aware of and figure out, you know, from a what's illegal, what's annoying, and what's unsafe. And

sometimes they're subjective. So >> A lot a lot of it is just basic. [clears throat] 95% of it is renters who are just don't realize what they're doing. It's not even that the company didn't explain

it to them correctly. It's just they're not from Florida or South Florida or never been in Tidal Water and they're just never maybe first or second time on a jet ski and they're just kind of feeling

their way through it a little bit and they don't realize, oh man, I can't go I'm in the idle speed zone now or I'm in the slow speed zone now or I'm can only go this speed and a lot of it is just, you

know, it takes time to learn these things and they just don't have it. >> See the same problem in Monroe County, same problem I mean everywhere. It's just it's endemic to that operation, I think. Any

other questions? Hang on. Brett, you had your hand up first. >> I do. Thank you. Is there anybody who inspects them to see if they're given the education that they're supposed to be giving? I know of

a couple instances where they haven't been failing numbers. >> Yeah, so we we we >> Berwyn or is that code or is that >> it's it would be us. So um I will say we do inspect them. The people the entity

that is the expert on that is FWC. We have the power to do it. Um they have guys that kind of specialize in that. So we will, you know, when new companies especially come, we will inspect them and

check all their stuff, check their insurance, check all that stuff. Check all that. But if the day-to-day operation, you know, we can't obviously monitor if their their day-to-day operation that

they're explaining to Jesse and Joe how to operate it, you know, but we do they do get inspected regularly by us or FWC. >> Somebody who went to show up and would not get trained, there's no way for

you guys to enforce that or somebody went and recorded the transaction. >> Possibly. >> Possibly. >> You don't use mystery shoppers? >> Yeah, I yeah yeah. I mean it's it's I I can't say yes or no on

that. It would have to be whatever it is. >> If they knew people were watching them, I think they'd be a little more compliant. >> Yeah, they they get they do get inspected, but you know uh it's you

know obviously we don't have someone standing by there or city officials standing by there every day to make sure that they're instructing their guests. I know some companies are are better with it

than others, obviously. >> Yeah. >> Um and and so you know it's it's tough. It's it's tough to to monitor that. You just have to you know do what you can do and hope they're they're cuz they're

serving their customers with the instruction, you know. >> Yeah. So much is being retained, okay? Um you have a question also? Then we'll get to the public. >> liaison that goes with the people from

the company or is it they they when they rent their >> It depends on the company. They're not required. >> It's not required and there's no liability. >> guide. Yeah. >> Cuz if a guide's there, would

they be liable for what their people are doing if they're seeing it? >> Potentially. >> Potentially like if I mean if they're if a guide is sitting back and they're and they're operating in in a

careless or reckless manner, then that's something we have charge the guide with. >> Right. >> Cuz they're obviously letting it letting it happen. A little speeding here or there obviously he can't

shut it down right then, but he can I've seen this go up like hey let's let's slow it down here or whatever. Um but but no it's not required for them to have a guide. I mean obviously it would be

smart to have a guide. >> That's what I was going to say. >> some companies will do, some companies don't. You know some company some people request the guide, you know, and some people were like oh

no, whatever. So it's up to the individual company if they're going to do it. I mean though the poor girl who got killed, they had a guide. >> That's >> Yeah, that's where it came from cuz I remember

us talking about that and I'm like well isn't that some kind of liability for the guide because if he didn't >> Severely, I would say. Yeah. >> You you the guy standing on the jet driver, that's the

guy. >> Anything else from the board? I know we've got a couple of hands up in the in the public. Nothing else from the board? Public. State your name for the record. Whoever wants to go first and

then ask your question. >> I Susie Berstein, Sunrise Intercoastal. So Sergeant O'Neal, how much calls for service are you getting in calls on the I CW? >> Less than you would think. >> Okay, I have

that feeling. I think there's a lot more activity that's going on and people are just not reporting it. They're very frustrated. I'm not saying they're right, but they're just very frustrated when

they call. They know no one's going to come late at night. They they they know that and I think that we're losing a call for service in activity that's happening. I have a really good track record

with my neighborhood. I can really advocate with them that, you know, if we want to make this happen, we need to light up the non-emergency number. I'm also getting calls from people on the east side

of the Intercoastal Waterway and I'm like, I'm not your HOA president. Like I don't need more residents, but you know, I'm I can work with Central Beach Alliance and help them with all the condos up

and down the the east side of the waterway and they need to start making reports. I think with some education to residents, it would give you a lot more statistics of of what's happening. >> I mean,

if if any of these HOAs would like me to come and talk to them, I would be glad to come to a meeting they have and speak to them. >> We can do a Zoom. >> Yeah, any in person on a Zoom, either way, I'd

I'd be glad to come cuz like like I was saying, some of the things that I've people complained about are more of the annoyances than actually someone breaking the law. >> I think what I'm seeing in

some of these videos, it's more than annoyances. I mean, I mean, they're buzzing close to docks. Like we've had two near decapitations. And, you know, our neighborhood got completely left out of the

conversation because the girl died up on the other side of the waterway. Um and and with those both of those hits, you know, one of them caused hit so hard, the first one that was days within the

young lady passing away, it caused an $8,000 water bill to the resident leaked into the intercoastal waterway. They didn't even know it. So it I mean, these things are doing more than just, you know,

physical damage. It's property damage. You know, and it's just we don't want to see someone, you know, lose life. >> I and and I Listen, I know it's frustrating um and I don't like to use excuses, um

but that is our that stretch is our most heavily patrolled area um of of this where we spend the most amount of time is is that loss all loss to sunrise and then sunrise Oakland. That's that stretch

is our our most heavily patrolled area cuz that's where we have the most issues. Um so with that, we patrol that more than anywhere else in the city. We try to hit everywhere. We patrol that more than

anywhere else in the city. Um it's just tough to be there all the time and do [snorts] our checks wherever on other things. Um it it's it's tough to do um but um we try our best and I would please

have them call non-emergency. >> Okay. >> I've lined it up. >> I'm going to take that message I'm going to take that message back and to my adopted East Side. >> Yeah. I mean, like I said, anyone

would like me to come talk or one of my guys, you know, then I would be I'd be happy to. Um you know, I know everybody, you know, gets upset and things like that and 90% of his education, people

should be educated. They're not There's no malice involved. It's people who are just You know, it's I mean, in my opinion, it needs legislation needs to change with some of these things that uh >> But

educating the the population, I think is is very helpful. I was just telling Steve in own community, I I had crime when I took over two years ago as HOA president, every seven days I was making a

police report for crime. Um, in two weeks I'm going to go one year without any crime. Because of because of because of staffing and because of education to the community. >> Thank you, Susie. Uh, go

ahead. >> Uh, Doc Connelly, uh, River Oaks Association. Uh, Now one of your board members had made the comment regarding guides. Uh, I I've worked few over the last few years with a actually two of

those companies. Uh, sometimes we go out in a pontoon and kind of guide the younger people on and off because we're kind of like an auxiliary captain. But my question is with guides, obviously

guidance that that issue of is there a city possible city ordinance or or a function in a way that you have guides or again is that personally up to how the business is structured or is that something

that can be looked at because I will say the times that I've been out with younger people, I would personally go out and take it upon myself to be that guide and like, hey, pay attention, you got

people and they do. You know, it's it's it's a fun toy this or that, but they're not looking the basic things of get your head on a swivel. These people ain't seeing you, you're a fast moving vehicle

on a you know, vessel on the water. Um, can you maybe some of the legal aspects of it if there's if if we could just discuss that a little bit? >> Yeah, um, state heavily preempts local governments

from regulating uh, the use of vessels anywhere in the WWC also has specific safety and training requirements in the statutes. So the preemption meaning local governments can't do much is very

extensive in this area. This has come up before this came up like >> Is there any way to incentivize it in terms of helping with them or coordinating with them again education really that Sue says on

any level. Having that guy in there and being an old captain being out there with these young kids. You know I ran out of gas I did this you know I tell them look turn your heads before you even begin

to turn that that jet ski and things of this nature cuz when you're on when you're there obviously it warrants that issue of supervision it really diminishes the potential risks of life and death and

things of that nature and I I think that maybe that's something that pet project that's something that we we know that problem exists let's see if we can get something that grows legs and address that

slowly creep up on it whatever it takes but I I I really it's the issue of education is the trigger that you know that's my trigger word and she Sue said it and that's what it's about >> Yeah. >>

education supervision. >> Well I think as Scott mentioned that becomes more of an FWC issue to regulate and get involved with and you know and and get into that. I don't know if there's a way to tie

it into a business license for operating or a city you know city permits or anything like that but I agree with you. I'm an educator so for me I think education solves a lot of problems. Uh you know

ignorance is very typically you know the root of a lot of issues we see in safety so >> Well the the one of the biggest problems is people the emphasis is not on how dangerous those things can be. >>

Right. >> There's no emphasis on that. >> Right. >> Everybody permission knows how dangerous a motorcycle can be >> Yep. >> but there's no emphasis on how dangerous a personal watercraft can be >>

Yeah. >> and people take it lightly. >> Yep. >> And it's not even the fact like I'm going to fall off and in the water it's I'm going to lose control and I'm going to run into something. >> Right. I'm

going to lose my life. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Not the same with the companies or with anybody else but just in like the general culture of it. It's it's not it's not considered like how dangerous it

actually could be and until we kind of overcome that you know people are not going to realize that and they're going to a lot of them not taking it seriously as they probably should. >> Yeah. Okay. I

appreciate that Travis. Patients. >> I have a question that's probably a legal question. I was a couple years ago I was at a Harbor Safety Annual Meeting in Chicago and they had areas that were having

really serious problems with jet skis. And the operators that were were getting their license to operate to rent the jet skis were told that they had to figure it out or they were going to not get

their licenses. And what they ended up doing was geofencing and governing the speeds of the rental jet skis. And that I'm the geofencing at least you know >> Like the city did that or or the

companies? >> If you wanted to have a business license the what you were renting had to be governed. I mean it's a way to get some of the >> There has been companies in the past that have had that own

other own but the city has never required it or the county or >> But it's an another way to control them without controlling them. >> Basically I I'm not you know I'm not your attorney. I I advise

them but since you know we're on the topic I will indulge. Um the local governments have the availability to regulate the use of vessels on the intracoastal waterways and especially personal

watercraft cannot discriminate against that. >> And it's the same as the the boat is the same size. >> So that's really where the problem lies is if you try to do kind of regulation on jet skis, you

have to unify them to >> Everybody. >> What's the fine if you give someone speeding or >> What like like how much money? >> Yeah. >> I think right now it's don't quote me. Like it's 1 40 or 1 60. >>

So I'm I'm looking at this as education. You can't educate vacationers because they're here and gone. >> Yeah. >> The one time you tell them to stop, they're like, oh, my bad, we didn't mean to. And

then they go back and they're they're 30 minutes, their hour, whatever is is up. But if we fine them every time, then eventually they were like, hey man, we went on this thing and we went we were 20

minutes into it and we didn't realize we can't do this and we got paid each one of us had to pay 165 because it's actually illegal to do this. And then they hit Yelp's and then all of a sudden that's

an education for the next person that goes and tries to rent from that company because then they see, oh man, like there's 200 reviews and 50 of them have gotten 165 dollar fines every time because

they did something wrong. >> I mean, every stop's a case by case basis. Um we do I would say if we write um traffic citations for it, it's normally for But you know, without you know, the Cuz every

every case is different with every person. >> Yeah, no, that's true. I mean, you can't really not just to say we're going to no matter what write a a ticket cuz that would be one of the Okay. All

right, well, it's it's a complicated issue and hopefully you know, there's some solutions on the horizon and we can minimize the you know, the safety and uh damage and personal injury aspects of it.

Anything else for the sergeant before we move on to uh fire? [snorts] Captain, my captain. >> This month's been pretty slow with the weather. We had 10 calls. The majority of them were with the king

tides and shore powers just starting to bubble or spark. Um we had two injuries that were brought in through the inlet and taken to the hospital at 15th Street. Other than that, it's been pretty quiet

with the the weather. Ocean Rescue was running late. They had four rescues last week and they wanted me to tell you that they signed off six more people for the water jet skis. Central Broward jet

skis. >> Wow. Yeah, I I imagine with the the wind up and the weather they've they've been busy. Yeah. Okay. All right. Thank you very much, Captain. I don't see Ed from Code Enforcement. Is he Wow,

Ed, you've changed. [laughter] I like the beard. It's a good look on you. [laughter] How are you? >> Good evening, everyone. My name is Kendrick. I'm on the Waterway Enforcement in the city of Fort

Lauderdale. I'm with the Code Enforcement in District 1. So I'm going to today I'm going to present to you guys two cases. Both cases I was on the vessel. >> It's just high tide. >> Yeah, no, that's

not high tide. [laughter] Yep. So with this case right here you guys see is a sunken vessel. Actually PD they came out and told me and Ed about it. They discovered it first so we went out there and

did a proactive case and we cited this vessel. We cited and it's going to special magistrates to impose up to a $15,000 fine for irreversible irreversible violation. That's the first case. Then the

second case will be it's also in down in District 4. And the second case will be for dock rental down in District 4 also for rental flags and promoting dock rental which they are not allowed to do.

[laughter] Yeah, so right. So with that >> it says free. >> Yeah. >> It's red for Uh pretty much easy. [laughter] They have a They had also a violation because these feather flags is not permitted in

the city of Fort Lauderdale. Also um feather flags is not permitted at all. You can't have feather flags even on your commercial property. Um >> You say only do one illegal thing at a time, you know.

>> Yeah. [laughter] So it is um it was it was actually cited um September 16th and they complied in September 22nd. So they're they're pretty good with complying. >> We checking the boat show over

there. >> Yeah. Any questions or concerns you guys have I'm here to answer. >> Is it So it's illegal to advertise dock for rent, dockage for rent? >> Dock Dockage for >> driving down Cypress Creek

where it turns to Bayview, you know, Bay Colony right there, and I saw one of those little yard signs that says dockage for rent. >> Yeah, absolutely. So always call the city of Fort Lauderdale put in

a complaint so we can always go out there and um do our investigation and also kind of be specific cuz if you're on the street and you see it uh area inspector could go and do the inspection and then

they'll always refer it back to us if it need a waterway inspection. >> Yeah. I thought that's funny cuz I was like, oh that's illegal. Then I didn't Then this you know that was like 3 days ago. Now

you are like oh >> Absolutely. Yes. >> Yeah. I sent something in on the Fix It Florida app because with the king tides the grease pits that the restaurants are using are overflowing and there's a

layer of a 1/2 in of grease floating in This is the Hall of Fame Marina came out of coconuts. >> Right. >> And you know happens with this kind of tide. But I assume it's preponderant everywhere. >>

That's a great one. Um I'm not sure who's the inspector on that case if you put it into um code. >> I'm sure it was erased. Most of my things get erased. >> I don't I don't know why that should

happen, but however >> [laughter] >> Put it in using Bob's name. >> Yeah. >> [cough] >> You know it's pretty obvious what it is. >> Oh yeah. >> But I mean we're not paying attention to the sewage

that's being dumped there during the boat show either. >> Right. I'm glad you brought up >> still look the other way for a while. >> I'm glad you brought up because that is a time in the city of Fort

>> a lot of [clears throat] deal where the neighbors and community is >> almost like an uphill It's nothing you can do and we try our best with code to do what we can do, right? We receive a

complaint, we go out there, we cite it. In that situation where it's disputing into the water, definitely call it in, have an inspector go out there. That's that's still a fine also. You know, no

matter the conditions, every property owner is responsible for containing those conditions, whether it's king tides, whether it's high tides, or a regular day. Um with the sewage, you know, you always

we always work with Marie Pierce and her team out there with public works seeing what's actually going on. >> during the boat show to count the coliform the E. coli in the water when all the yachts

are dumping their stuff as they're they're living on it? >> Right, that's your opinion. Let's not get into that because >> Because these are for testing. >> But when you make statements like that,

they're inflammatory and are potentially liable. And I don't think that's really unless you have legal facts to support that, I really as a chair, I'm not going to let you do that. If you have legal

things that you can bring to this and and mention them, please bring it forward. But if it's just your opinion and observations, please limit it to your opinion because that's you know, we're not

going to have that position. Unless it's been proven irrefutably and Travis [snorts] has been involved in it. Sorry. About the place that I comment. Sorry. >> No, it's okay. But yeah, we're we're on

top of majority of the king tides and things like that. So any other questions you guys have regarding king tides, we have came up with a a great way of conducting these inspections. Um if the king

tide is at 11:00, if an inspector go and respond at 11:00, the king tide is already high or it is stagnant and we can't determine where these king tides is flowing from. You know, we can't determine

which property it is from. So we came up with a great way of conducting these inspections is getting out there early. Getting out there early during king tides, trying to see exactly the initial water

flow and where it's coming from. Um if the inspection takes 30 minutes to an hour, we don't mind. We're trying to satisfy our neighbors and get down to the bottom of where the source is coming from.

So, that's one thing we've been doing with King Tides. Um, last week was two of our hard days with King Tides. We actually cited two properties. Um, one was sent to special magistrate, one in an

initial um a initial inspection report was given. And of course, we going to always give reasonable time for these property owners because it is a huge problem, huge project, and it can cause

significant amounts to their pockets, right? So, we going to always give a significant amount of time and work with our neighbors. >> You cited the property owners for what what was the violation? >>

The violation one of them was breaching over the seawall, um and another one was intruding into the seawall. >> So, penetrating through? >> Penetrating through it. Um, they actually had a a a um a

seawall repair and a permit maybe about three or four years ago. However, once no matter what that seawall is sustained significantly enough to keep the ocean waters into the ocean. Once it comes was

on to the property, if it fills up enough to comes on to the right of way or affect the adjacent property, it's a violation. >> It's a violation. >> Yeah. >> Yeah, it's tough during King Tides cuz

it's everywhere it's happening. >> So, we we we we we are taking one bite at a time. One bite at a time at it and we're trying to work our way through. If no one put in a complaint, if you have three

neighbors here and it's intruding onto all their properties, affecting their property or their neighbor's property and no one's putting in a complaint, we'll never know about it. So, I always

encourage the neighbors, hey, please let us know because if we don't know, there's nothing we can do about it. >> So, I have a question for you and kind of following up on on Brett's comment about Fix

It Florida Fix It Follow Up, excuse me. Um, what's the best way to actually notify you guys? Is it through the app or is it through a phone call to you you know to you guys and what's the best way? >>

I think all of them is significant enough. Um, the phone call, the 8000 number, um also Fix It FTL. We get it if it goes to sometimes Fix It FTL can go to a different inspector. However, the inspector

always do their job, look up the case, look up the direct it over to the right district or the right code officer, and we get eventually get to the bottom of it. And if you have a situation where you

feel like it was closed or something like that, always call the office. We're always transparent with our neighbors to let you know they may not reach out to you if they go out there and find no

violation, but always you can follow up on it and the code officer will be fully transparent on what's happening. >> So in a situation like Brett had with the uh with the grease in the water from the

grease trap, should we Is that a PD thing? Is that fire? Is that you guys? Who's the best guy to call? >> I think that would be cool. I think that would be cool. Um we just have to do our

investigation to make sure we have the evidence that it's coming from coconuts. You know, what it's coming from. If we have to get other departments involved, if we have to get Warden um not Warden

Sewer, but Marie Pierce and her team with um with the Public Works Department to try to see if if it's actually the city for a lot of their drain, what's going on because during king tides them drains

do actually fill up and they back flow. Once them valves close, there's nothing that we can do, unfortunately. So we just have to get all the teams together. We work with everybody, Cole, we work with

um anybody in the city to get down to the solution. We'll work with them to figure it out. >> Well, we appreciate that very much. For we tide issues, you have a 2 to 3 hour time limit until the water

comes and goes. So if we look at something, I don't know if you're set to work that quickly. >> Well, I've been taking into I've been directed to kind of work these king tides because I understand

them. Um I'm on the waterway, so I understand. I could see exactly when they are coming and when they're going and what's happening when they're actually high. You get there when this when it's king

tides high at 11, you can cancel everything you have going on because you're going not you're not going to know where the initiative have came from. So like today I had king tides as I think it was at

6:00. Unfortunately I had to be here. So when I went out um the king tides hasn't got to the potential that we need to get to. So and it's multiple properties around the city of Fort Lauderdale that

needs to be inspected. So we have gathered a team of individuals to to out there and help. Hey, you go down here to um the aisles, and you go up here to district one. So we're trying to, you know,

designate the code officers. And right now in this week, the tides is pretty tricky. You have tides coming in at 4:00 in the morning, 5:00 in the morning, 6:00 in the morning. I'm asleep. I don't know

about y'all. >> Oh, come on now. >> [laughter] >> And um and then and and with daylight saving have hit, when they're coming in at 6:00, we can't get out there and do um an efficient inspection to see

exactly where it's coming from. You know, if we're going to cite a neighbor, we got to have 100% proof on what's happening. >> Well, that's where I guess, you know, people calling in with photos of it

like before, during that document as much as they can to help you out with that. >> appreciate it, but we have to use our city cell phones that's date and time stamped. We have to be the ones that

experience ourselves because when we take it to magistrate, we have to have our own facts and proof and everything. You know, you got chat GPT these days and >> FaceTime FaceTime works so you can see

it through our phone. >> No, we don't have FaceTime for persons today. >> There's an elephant on the lawn. >> I think I think documenting repeat offenders and getting it on their radar and then they

can go document it themselves independently [clears throat] and verify. I think that's really the the process that has to happen. Just like, you know, we we talk about PD with you know with things

too, same thing. If they can't use the those pictures, they can use their own, but it kind of puts it on their radar screen because it's a recurring issue or habitual offender or something like that.

So >> Literally, once we find it, we get to file one. >> Yep. >> When we see an oil slick on the water, is are you the do we call code or is there another >> That'd be him. >> That we call you? >>

Yeah. Yep. >> And I just something I allowed here. This this do we guys have a drone to like hunt down where cuz getting to the source is always the problem. >> Airship. >> Yeah, our they're not going

to use the department drone. >> Okay. >> And we don't have one. >> Yeah, just curious. >> We'll go there and we're on a boat and try to find the source. >> And then Sam, you had a question? >> Yeah,

how does the ordinance read as far as people parking boats on trailers at their home? >> I'm not 100% sure how it actually reads word from word, um but you can have a trailer in your home parked on a

hard surface, hard approved surface also. Make sure if it's you know the driveway, if it's not um you know on the grass or blocking any right of way of the sidewalk, they allow to have it. Um certain

districts I think you got to have a um a certain size boat, but I'm not 100% sure. Don't quote me on it because it's not in my district. I work district one when I'm off the water and they pretty have

a fairly good way of parking their boats up there. >> Interesting. Okay. Anything else for the uh code enforcement? No? Here. Thank you very much for your service as well. We appreciate it. All right.

Great info. Um moving on to item number five. Presentation. 55th Annual Seminole Hard Rock Winter Fest Boat Parade. >> Hey. >> [applause] >> Greatest show on the water. Thank you, gentlemen.

Appreciate it. >> [clears throat] >> Hello everyone. So uh I happen to be Kathy Kelleher. I am the marketing and parade director for Winter Fest. I have been doing it for 26 years. I started when I

was 12. Um [laughter] I lie. I'm just kidding. Um but anyway I kind of feel as though I'm preaching to the choir, but maybe some of you do not know everything that goes on especially along our 12

miles route including uh especially along the New River. So I'm hoping you can click a button. I don't know. Can we click one? >> Uh I think you [snorts] should Yeah, your mouse works. >> Okay. Can I

Let's say Okay. We're going to go here and I'm going to go here. This is a little bit about what we are. >> A holiday tradition spanning over five decades. One of the largest spectator events in the

country. Globally recognized as one of the most watched boat parades and the most spectacular show on H2O. The Seminole Hard Rock Winter Fest Boat Parade. Fort Lauderdale's fabulous waterways have

always been home to this South Florida staple, inviting millions to watch along the parade route and delighting even more at home, watching on television and streaming online. It's no wonder why the

biggest stars on the planet are thrilled to be part of it all. >> As a native of Fort Lauderdale, I cannot express how proud I am to see this event grow into the magnitude that it is today. We have

international accolades, people flying from all over the world just to experience this amazing event. And all the hotels are full. If you think about Winterfest and a million people lining the shores,

that's bigger than any Super Bowl. >> This is more than a parade. Dazzling boats and the spirit of the season transform the New River and Intercoastal into a stage like nothing else on Earth. >> There

are things happening that people are afraid to do on land, and we're doing them for 12 miles on water. It is a floating exhibition that is unlike any other. >> But these beautiful displays and big

name stars aren't the only ones taking center stage. Corporations and local businesses have also discovered that Winterfest is a powerful and uniquely organic way to showcase their community spirit

while reaching audiences across South Florida and beyond. >> Having two iconic brands like the Seminole Hard Rock and Winterfest together, doing this big parade for the community is a win-win. It not

only gives you the opportunity to be part of the community and part of something bigger, [music] but bringing this event to this community speaks volumes about who you are as a company. And having

your company involved, having your organization involved shows that in a very big way. >> And the economic impact, over $50 million to the South Florida community every year. >> If you think about all

of the restaurants, all of the hotels sold out, the experiences, [music] the boats, the DJs, the caterers, all the parties along the shore. Winter Fest really brings so much. >> Beyond parade night,

Winter Fest starts a full season of celebrations, community events, and sponsorship opportunities, including the Junior Captain Program, Family Fun Day, the Grand Marshal Reception, Launch Party, and

the spectacular Black Tie Ball. And as a proud sponsor and broadcast partner, WSVN Channel 7 and ABC Miami help put Winter Fest center stage with live event coverage, powerful promotional campaigns,

and a one-hour televised special. So now is your chance to be a part of one of South Florida's most iconic traditions, the Seminole Hard Rock Winter Fest Boat Parade. We'd love to welcome you aboard.

Just visit winterfestparade.com or contact us on socials. >> So yes, it does look like an amazing event. Looks like it's so many Let's try to see if I Clicked to next. Okay. Um >> A holiday >> I don't

like that anymore. Okay, there. Thank you. But Winter Fest is a lot more. Even though this looks incredibly iconic, a lot of like sponsorships and things of that sort, the parade itself is about 70%

mom and pop. So we do have out of the 100 boats, technically we're allowed to have 125 along the waterway. 25 of those entries can be non-motorized. 100 of them are motorized entries. Uh but our ratio

is basically about 30 that are commercial entries, charter boats, and things of that sort, and the rest of them happen to be mom and pop. I don't know if how many know how expensive it is to actually

enter a boat in this parade. So it is only $35 to enter a boat in this parade. Just going to say that right now, that's where we're making all our money, obviously. And the reason why we do have a

title sponsor, which is the Seminole Hard Rock. Uh, we do pay for police. We do pay for the bridges, the bathrooms for the public. Um, as Lisa Scott Founds, my president CEO, was on that video earlier

said that there's close to 1 million potential spectators along the 12 miles. Uh, those are a lot of locations in which people can watch this for free. And those free locations, Winter Fest kind of

has to secure to make sure that they have bathrooms, things of that sort, police, so on and so forth. We did start off in the port, um, which we do have that that history even prior to 1971. And our

parade date is December 12th. We are celebrating as an organized event 55 years. Uh, we were incorporated in 1988. We moved next year will be our anniversary of moving down to the New River as our

starting point because we used to be in the port. And we do have an economic impact to this area of over 50 million. Um, 135 people when it comes to our police details. We have fire and rescue, ham

operators, control boats, dock walkers, bridges, eight tow boat operators, which includes the gentleman that's right here. Uh, and about 35 certified emergency volunteers. We have 100 board and

advisory members, 3,000 spectators at the Las Olas Intercoastal location in Promenade Park. We have 130 sponsors, four staff members. We just hired someone new this year. Four. Yes, we are now

officially four. So this organization has run with three staff members for over 40 years. >> Wow. >> And we usually have between one to three interns. We currently have an intern this year. Um, that

is our parade route. We do go from the downtown Fort Lauderdale area in the New River all the way to Lake Santa Barbara. Yes, we do reach Pompano Beach. I am a resident of Pompano. I'm very proud to

say that. I wanted to show some of these things because this is our staging area. We are incredibly grateful to the city of Fort Lauderdale who allows us to be able to use the city docks for staging.

Um, a lot of people don't realize that, but they actually remove the people that are renting along the docks that morning, and we are able to put all of our little boats in this area. I have paper

dolls if anyone wants to come to my office and see that. This is what happens. But as we all know, the river is not dredged. So the fun about it is that of course it's a winding situation. It has

depths that are very different in various locations. So therefore it's a little bit of a interesting um moving puzzle. Uh, I will say it that way. One of my two favorite locations of course is near

the wharf because that's such a wonderful location that's going on right now with the bricks in that area. Uh, we'll just say that right now. [laughter] And for those of you who have known me over the

years, one of my favorite little elements of the river is the train bridge. Yay all of us. Um, right now uh just so people realize we did have a three-year agreement. It was a verbal agreement with

Brightline. They were going to stay open for 2 hours for us so that we could make sure that all of the boats that we dock west of this area would be able to get out without a problem. Unfortunately,

there is a heat game this year during the the parade time and they have cut us by 30 minutes. Um with the tides and things of that sort, and if you do see, we use basically everything all the way to

coolies. This will be an interesting situation for the parade. Uh we are trying to see how we can maybe navigate to bring as much of the west east of us prior to them closing. Uh but it is a little

bit of a logistical situation because of how we have our boats leave the docks. We do work uh with with tugboat operators, so we have to ensure that they have time to go back and forth. Uh but we are

going to as aggressively as we can make sure that this parade is not cut based on the train. I just want to give that a little bit of an idea to you. And this is our commercial. I don't think you need

to see any more videos from me. Not the one hat, you know. >> Brightline sponsor? >> [clears throat] >> So Brightline >> I don't think they have enough money to be sponsors anymore. >> with my because

we do have an amazing title sponsor, but a lot of times people don't realize a lot of the things that we do and you just look at something that says Seminole Hard Rock. So Brightline would like us to

pay them $40 to $50,000 in order for them not to run a train. >> The opposite of a sponsor. >> Yeah, the opposite of a sponsor. >> Right. So Yeah. So [laughter] basically we did have a conversation

with them today. They are wanting us to promote them. So they want to put widgets on our website. They want to do all sorts of things in order to ensure that the time frame they are keeping themselves

open is financially justifiable to them. Um I am not here to make anyone advocates for either side. This is just the reality that we are dealing with this year. Uh, it's a little unfortunate because

when we were in the port because of so many of the crews in the in the large vessels there, it became a little bit more and more dangerous for Winter Fest to start our staging area there. We chose the

river because it was basically where it originally started and because the city was so gracious with us and helping us with the docks and things of that sort, we actually considered this a much safer

scenario. Plus, on top of it, boats didn't have to be on the water so early. Um, we are hoping that we can keep that integrity going. Um, we are in communications with Brightline. We hope that this

will just continue and be a nice playful world. Um, but it is a little bit of a struggle this year. We had asked for 3 years to keep a certain time frame open so that we could see if we could match a

time that would be good for them. Unfortunately, we we just have to adjust. So, >> How many years did they give you? >> We got year one with the time frame and then this year >> This year two. >>

which is year two, they cut us by 30 minutes. So, we went from 2 hours to 90 minutes. So, that's where we are right now. >> Lot of boats to move in 90 minutes. >> It's a lot of boats and it's a river

and, you know, we just want to make sure, especially with the way the tides are, things of that sort, we just want to make sure everyone can move smoothly. They don't have to stop. We don't create

bumper boats. We don't do any of those scenarios. So, those are the things that we are taking into consideration to ensure that every entry in this parade is as safe as possible. And [clears throat

and cough] just in case you didn't know who our grand marshals are, just in case you don't know how who they are, they happened to be country um country singers LoCash. We are doing this because our

theme is Party in the USA and we are the grand finale for the city of Fort Lauderdale for America's 250. We are incredibly proud of this. We are hoping that everyone embraces this theme that goes

beyond red, white, and blue and really shows the love of this because after all this is it. Most of us will never see, you know, this country be 300 years old. So we want everybody on the water to

embrace the fact that America is 250 regardless of what your political thoughts are, we don't care. [snorts] [laughter] I'm sorry, I'm a prude. [laughter] Uh I don't know what this is. Let's Oh, this

is just the announcement of LoCash. We don't need to do that unless you do not know who LoCash is, then I can play their songs. Other things that we do, we have a foundation in which we do a junior

captain program, a student art program, we do water safety, we have a lot more than just a parade. Uh we have embraced We are a 501c4 for the parade. We are a 501c3 for the Winter Fest Foundation and

it is our mission when it comes to our 501c3 really to push water safety, charitable efforts within this area. Our junior captain program, which we are voting on right now, we have eight unbelievable

children that are representing nonprofit organizations and every single child gets to experience the parade. So the winner of that contest gets to be our official junior captain. They get to be on a

boat that has their name, their nonprofit and lights, but every child and their immediate family also gets to go onto a boat and enjoy this parade at the expense of Winter Fest. This is our student

art contest. We have a great relationship with the Museum of Discovery and Science that does this with us. These are some of our winners from Junior Captain. And as I said, we're voting. And this the

child will be on this entry, which is the Carrie B. Uh some of the boats that will be in this parade, we do we pay for a water taxi. We We put Piper High School on this, you know, as well as other uh

organizations. We do Blue Foot. We do Fort Lauderdale Children's Theater. So even though we do have a great title sponsor, we have a lot of sponsor boats in this parade. We also give [clears throat]

back to our nonprofit organizations. We have a military boat that does Freedom Waters Foundation. It puts veterans on this vessel. We also do we have a University of Florida. We have a Florida State

entry this year. And we are also looking at a University of Miami. And those of you those of you that are here Sorry. I'm really hoping you lose on Saturday. >> [laughter] >> Like why is the Sun

Cowboy not in this like >> That's an FSU boat. >> [laughter] >> Everyone This is not running. But we do have a motorcycle. Um the death cage will be back in the parade. It will be our finale. I

believe that there's a tow boat operator in here that will be handling that vessel. We won't discuss it right now cuz we haven't talked about it. Uh Church United is going to be in this this parade.

That is our Grand Marshal Showboat, which will have Low Cash on it singing. >> Santa. >> Santa is going to be on the Amazon boat. In the eyes of a child, there's and myself, there's only one. One

Santa. This is some of our history. By the way, that was my kid. Cuz Because know, my kids work for free. >> [laughter] >> Until they get older. >> My 33 year old still works for free. He's one of my

dog walkers. [laughter] Anyway, um I don't talk. >> Oh, you just >> You just do. [laughter] I'm sorry. I fed you and I birthed you. This is what happens. Anyway, I have three sons. So every single one

of them you will see the second 12 they move [snorts] out of town. But anyway, this is how you can get a hold of us on our social. We would love if you have any questions. [clears throat] I can give

you myself a Yes, you would. >> You talked about the mom and pop ones. I would just like to say that the first time in the history of the boat parade the River Oaks Civic Association paid our $35 and

we will have an entry in the boat parade. >> You're a rock star. >> There you go. >> Canoe is going to move when? >> I love that story. >> the deadline for registration? >> Well, so [laughter] Shut

up. Don't Don't make my life difficult. >> is on the other side of the river. >> [laughter] >> So we can take in a lot of the smaller boats in December. I'm going to be honest. Usually if you are 65

ft or larger, we would like to have you as soon as possible. As you do realize, the river is winding and those are the ones we place first. So we kind of place those and then as the boats get smaller,

we kind of It is a It is a cute little puzzle piece. Any of you can come by and see see my wall and my little like my little boats and paper dolls. And then we we work with Informa who actually

creates these maps for me later on along with our wonderful dock master office is back there because they help me to make sure that our pilings are correct and all that kind of stuff. But normally we

like to have everyone before Thanksgiving. Uh that way we have time to give you, you know, and and get our get our maps as accurate as possible. >> Excellent. >> And weather just determination We

okay. We this is going to be an absolutely spectacular year for this parade. It will be absolutely beautiful. We do not use the R word you know, from now on. Uh the this parade has been organized for

55 years. We have only No. I hate yeah yeah cuz [laughter] I hate I hate weather and trains. But uh we have only canceled this parade twice. One was because of COVID. Had nothing to do with weather.

The weather was beautiful that year. [clears throat] In 2023 we did have to because we had hurricane >> Yep. >> winds. Um it's usually the R word doesn't matter because usually our boaters are amazing

and they'll go out regardless. It is the winds and whether or not we can keep bridges up and things of that sort. Uh a lot of people questioned why couldn't we just be the following week. If you

notice we have eight bridges that we dictate. It takes close to three to four months for us to get our permits through F DOT, the county, and so on and so forth. To be able to just switch that to the

following Saturday, unfortunately we are not pumping out. We cannot do that. So um >> Absolutely. >> is going to be beautiful. >> Any other questions for Ms. Kathy? Well as a past participant and a

past board member uh it it's a joy to be part of that parade. [applause] When you uh when you think about the $50 million a year impact, that's another example of why the New River is so important to

the city of Fort Lauderdale. It's just it's another part of the economic engine that drives this town. So that that's that's 140 here. All right. Moving on our item six, North Fork New River update

from our chief waterways officer. Stefan, are you here? Oh, there you are. >> I'm right here. I've been quiet today. >> Yeah, a casual Thursday. >> You know, I was told I would be wearing my jacket

every week and then, you know, the one day I don't wear a jacket they come with ties. >> I just point to our city attorney. >> Yeah. >> Oh, yeah, it wasn't Scott. >> [laughter] >> So I'm going to come

in a tux next month for you all. >> We bring cookies >> I got that champagne. >> You like them. Still on duty. But, you know, it should be a quick just update. We did get the communication, obviously

the commission and commission directed the city manager who has directed me to spearhead the North Fork of the New River. We currently are in talks with a couple of our consultants. We have continual

agreements with a number of environmental consulting firms. So we we've started to discuss the communication, what the scope would look like. Where we're thinking probably sometime in the first

quarter of the new year doing a tabletop exercise to bring everybody together. We are identifying what relevant parties would be included. Now, it may be obviously it would be one of them, but since

this is going to be a not a public event, we'll probably only ask for one representative obviously for sunshine laws. There is quite a lot of work that has happened on the North Fork in the past 20

years. It was a impaired body of water. I think in 2011 if I remember, that's it got its designation for bacteria. Uh, there was septic sewer change at that point to try and get rid of the bacteria as

a source. Uh, it didn't really improve the water quality. And there's been a number of other bacteria control plans all the way from FDP to the county, and we've started to pull other information like

uh our stormwater sewers. Where exactly is the water coming from? There's a couple of sewers that do empty from Plantation and Lauderhill. So those are going to be other parties that we're reaching

out to so they can also come to this, you know, this kickoff meeting where we discuss. We want to make sure that, you know, we cast a wide net because water quality is an extremely, extremely

complicated science. And so we won't want to make sure that we get everybody in the room all at one time. So um we'll continue to move forward with that. Uh, again, that it will probably be in the

first quarter of next year um because it takes a while and there are financial considerations when we bring that many people and have organizations like our environmental scientists who are on

contract to to be there. Any questions? >> Any questions for >> for >> Questions from the public. This is an ongoing issue. It's not going to be solved overnight. We certainly know that. >> No. I

mean, you know, it it looks like it's been about 16 years so far that it's been an issue. Um, so, you know, it's going to take all of us to hopefully move the needle forward. >> All right. So thank

you for for the I think your background with environmental is going to be a huge help to this. And I know Commissioner Beatrice Pittman, I know Sam has been a lot of voices in the room that have been

champions of this. And we're we're going to keep the heat on you. I mean, just so you know. >> I moved to Florida because I didn't like the cold. >> Well, there you go. [laughter] You know, we keep

hearing about the New River. We keep hearing about the importance of it north and south. Hang on. Sam, you got stuff on >> What is his name and and contact information? >> My name? >> And contact

information. >> You Yeah. You me to just write it down? >> Yeah. >> It's long. >> It's a long Italian name. >> It's our new chief >> Yeah, yeah. So Stephen Perratano and then >> Thank you. >> It's on

the agenda, too. >> The more the more we can do with keeping the New River or getting the New River to where it's sustainable and enjoyable for everybody, it's going to be a great thing. So >> That's

great. >> [clears throat] [cough] >> Address. >> All right. Moving on from that, uh we get to our old and new business. Is there any old business to bring up from the board? Any new business to

discuss? Any members of the public wishing to stump Brett? >> We did discuss many times and brought up last time about the docks that don't have ladders on them. >> Mhm. >> And I don't know if

anything's ever progressed with that. >> So yeah. >> I didn't see somebody fall in at the boat show. >> Oh yeah. That that's we have to Andrew, uh any any update on dock ladders? >> I don't have

anything to report on that. I'll follow up with DSD tomorrow. You know, I believe they did a PSD given a a statement at at the meeting about um the code >> Yeah, they did. Yeah. >> [clears throat] >>

So but I can I can follow up with DSD and then get you that information. >> Yeah. >> Yeah, it's >> Great. Sam? >> Um uh uh How am I going to say this? >> So simply and quickly. >> [laughter] >> In

order in in order to uh in order to graduate from Albany State College in Albany, Georgia, where my alma mater uh you had to take a course in swimming. Would it be something would it be an idea or

something that this board can introduce to the Broward County school system to require at least one course of swimming lessons? >> As a as a >> water safety initiative? >> A water safety initiative.

>> Yes. >> So it's a great concept. >> So Stefan and I will reach out to there's an education uh what's the >> So yeah so we have a chief education officer. Her name is Tina. So she started with the

city a few months also ago also. We've been looking at different grants to try and increase marine education through our our local high schools and middle schools. That hasn't been brought up. Um so

it's definitely something that uh if it is worth bringing maybe we can look and talk to Tina see what her ideas are and and how that mechanism to go in towards the school board would be. >> I think

there's some America Red Cross programs and things like that potentially to tap into. >> Absolutely. >> Yeah and that's a that's a good point Sam. >> Swimming Hall of Fame too. >> Swimming Hall of

Fame absolutely. Yeah there's there's some great resources we have. >> Sam we had the same thing at Auburn. If you couldn't [clears throat] swim they'd send you to Alabama. >> [laughter] >> Absolutely

not. Absolutely not. I despise Auburn University. >> we tell it's college football time. >> [laughter] >> I'm an Alabama fan. >> All right. >> Tide. >> Roll Tide. >> All right. Any uh any other old or

new business? Anything from the uh from the public? Suzy anything you want to bring forward? Steve you're good? Patience? >> I'm good. >> You're good? River Oaks we're good Ted? >> Motion to close. >>

All right motion to close. Do we have a second? >> Second. >> All in favor? >> Aye.