Are we set? Okay, we're on, I believe. All right, I'm going to call the meeting to order. This is the um March 11th meeting of the Marine and Environmental
Resource Task Force Advisory Committee for the town of Fort Myers Beach. Uh would everyone please rise and give the pledge of allegiance? >> I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the
republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> Thank you. Please be seated. >> And now we'll sing. No, no singing. >> Just kidding.
>> Okay, with that I will give the roll call to ensure we have a quorum present. Bill Altov >> here. >> Sharon Haggstrom >> here. >> Ed RDE >> here. >> David Nusbomb here. Todd Zacharelli
>> here. >> Jennifer Rusk >> present. >> Robert How >> here. >> Okay, we have a complete board. Thank you everyone. And this is a quorum. So this is a regular meeting. With that,
I will accept a motion to approve the agenda for today's meeting. >> I will make that motion. >> Second. >> Motion made and seconded. Is there any discussion? Hearing none. Okay, I'll call the
question. All those in favor of approving the agenda say I. >> I. I >> I opposed. Motion carries. Thank you. Okay. Next on the agenda is approving the pre minutes of our previous meeting
which was held Wednesday, February 11th, 2026 at town hall council chambers. Uh I would like to make a motion to approve the minutes of that meeting. >> Second. Motion made by Dave Nusbomb,
seconded by Bill Alto. Any discussion? Okay. All those in favor of approving the minutes signify by saying I. >> I. >> I. >> I. Oppose. Motion carries unanimously.
Thank you everyone. Okay. Public comment is next. And looking out at the audience, I don't see anyone raising their hand. So, we're good compared to a couple of months ago.
So, I will close public comment and immediately go down to current items on the agenda. Our goal today is twofold.
Number one, we are we have been tasked by uh the town to come up with some guard rails and recommendations for the
town council regarding a water taxi, water ferry service. Uh the Anchorage Advisory Committee has also been charged with the same
uh challenge by town staff. So part of what we are trying to do today is look at different options and objectives and
guard rails that we have. Primarily looking at it from an from an environmental standpoint on the back bay because this is going to have a huge impact on traffic on the back bay. So we
need to look at it from a environmental standpoint but also from a uh user standpoint. What what will benefit the residents and the
uh snowbirds and the tourists that visit the island. keeping in mind we're trying to alleviate traffic flow but not at the expense or sacrificing anything on the back bay. So that's kind of our dual
mission on it and we're again as with anything else dealing on this type of topic. Uh we're trying to find that sweet spot, that balance between what's good for the island, what's good for the bay, and what's good for the
residents. So that's kind of it. A uh proposal discussion draft has been written very eloquently by um Chris King at uh who's chair of the Anchorage Advisory
Committee. She was kind enough to share it with me and I thought it was so well done that you all have a copy of it. And we're going to just kind of take this read it uh as we sit here and discuss
and just start going through some of the needs and wants that we think we should be discussing. uh they have asked that both committees meet and this is on our agenda and we'll
take a vote a little later in May where we'll have a dual meeting but prior to the meeting I thought it would be extremely productive for us to just have our own meeting have it on the agenda
go back and just discuss our thoughts we're the advisory committee we're supposed to be looking at it and at least we can encapsulate our thinking and our thought process prior to just walking into the meeting in May and and
saying, "Boy, we're we're coming in this thing cold." So that's and I I want to give it enough time for the committee to go through analyze what Chris put down on her discussion draft and then we can
add anything else that we feel. Um Rob, part of part of what you've been banging on your drum for two years, you know, putting prop guards on, I think this would be an ideal time >> to look at it. And that's that's kind of
the direction that we want to go. We're not saying anything has to be mandated. We're just trying to put some guard rails down and then look at how many applicants do we want to have? Um do we
want to look at an individual company, more than one company? Uh, do we want to look at the possibility of uh perhaps licensing people like an Uber driver? Um, doing customized service where they
could go through and someone could call and say, "Pick me up here and drop me off at my pier, you know, two miles down the island, so on so forth." >> Yeah. I think um a lot of the things that we're It's going to have to be very
fine-tuned because there's a couple ways you can do it. You can have a point A to point B and it's contracted through the city and at no matter what option we go with, at no time should they be paid by how many trips they do because then we run into them going faster. We're
already dealing with and if they're trying to get back and forth, back and forth, they're going to go faster and faster and faster and we already deal with speeding issues. So that's my first worry. Um, the other one is is if they're, you know, they have a point A to B pickup
that's set, that's great. But if they're doing it like like, you know, a suggestion where they're getting picked up wherever and dropped off wherever, then we start wondering, you know, is it that that's going to be hard logistically for it to be beneficial for
everybody if if it's like that cuz they they need a specific pickup. But unless we got one large ferry or multiple multiple boats, it's not going to alleviate, in my opinion, any of the traffic coming over the bridge. >> I agree.
>> No, not at all. I think this is actually the whole idea of it coming to Murf is out of our purview. Uh we're environmental, so um it's a business. I guess I'm I'm maybe a little out of the loop. My question would be, is this something that the town would be
contracting a company out of or is it the town that would be providing the service? Um, so >> it's also I know with I don't want to speak for Pink Shell and whenever I'm here I'm not speaking for Pink Shell, but having worked for Pink Shell
personally the idea of let's say they get picked up over let's say hypothetically the pickup spot is the Doc Ford's dock. Okay, hypothetically it's a dock over in that area on Little San Carlos. We want to go to Pink Shell.
Okay, doesn't matter where they park their vehicle to get there. They get on the boat, then they come to Pink Shell, hypothetically, they have to deal with the doc master. There has to be space. There has to be a lot of logistical things for them to be dropped off at that random spot. Now, if they worked
out where the dock from Doc Fords and the dock over at Snug Harbor are the point A to point B, and that's just back and forth constantly, that's different. But if it's not and they want to go to any number of other docks or resorts or hotels or unless it's a private
residency, there's going to be a lot of things that are going to pop up to have people just dropped off at those areas and and they might not even be okay with it. >> Yeah. And and that's the thing if we're looking at this, as I said, one of the
things we have to determine is what do we think realistically would be a good number of drop off points. >> You know, certainly Bodage Point, >> yeah, >> could be a drop off point. That's part of Lee County. Yeah.
>> But I'm sure, >> you know, they for something like that. There's Moss Marina >> has has an area, you know. Well, I think I think the only way after reading through what you said and I was trying to think through like how it could work
and the way that it came to me is one, it would have to be a fairly goodized vessel abiding by all the rules. And yes, I 100% think that it should have the prop guards. I think you know any non-private boat, even private boats, but that's a whole another fight. Pop prop guards would be great, but I think the way that it would work best is if it
was a water version of the open air trolley that we already have where there are set stops. One would be Bowage Park once that dock is fixed. One would be potentially a dock down by Time Square that we would have to work out with the property
owner. One might be Moundhouse. And it's those three set stops plus one on little San Carlos or off island where it's a it's a timed we're at this dock at this time then we go to this dock at this time and it is it would have to be run
by the city or or something like that. But a private entity I just see too many problems coming up. But having it, it would essentially be a sightseeer cruise that makes stops that you can get on and off instead of a a thing you can buy a ticket or whatever. >> Or it would have or could potentially be
free like the open air trolley as just another way to get around the island. >> So Rob, I actually know people that started a taxi water taxi service uh years ago here on the island >> and uh they spoke with other uh companies that started as well doing
water taxis. Have never made it. >> Yeah. Uh their main thing is uh people expect them to be at a certain place and you have to go, you know, it takes them about an hour, an hour and a half to get down the island if you're, you know, doing low uh slow wake speed. So,
>> well, and that's why I think having a having it where it's it's more of a convenience like our open air tram >> where it's not something that's going to break or ruin someone's day. They're not dependent on appointments so much as, you know, and
I'm not saying I'm for or against it. I'm just saying I'm trying to put out alternatives or ideas as to if this is going to happen from our experiences here living on the island, being on the island every day. This is just how I would see it working. >> So, is this a private company that has gone to the town to express
>> it's a hypothetical? This is this is nothing more than the town manager has asked both advisory committees to take a look at the concept and and determine what would be some realistic guard
rails, what would be some wants, >> what would be some needs. You know what I need is I need to have a service that would potentially take people off the street and put them on a taxi service.
>> Yeah. >> My want is to have enough boats that would make it effective, have a timely schedule. I mean the the the trolley is great but my comment to a lot of people
they ask me where can I get a schedule for the trolley and I said it's online and they said how accurate is it and I just kind of look at them and I said it depends on the time of day >> and the month of the year >> otherwise it's it's a pretty good
schedule >> um >> could be an hour >> it could so >> they try to run every 20 minutes >> they try to run every 20 minutes. So, but on the water it's a little different because you pretty much know how long it takes >> uh to load and unload a boat. You know
how long it's going to take even with the slow zones and then it's a matter of how many boats do you want to put on on schedule >> that can go through loading unloading. Fort Lauderdale has a very extensive
water taxi service if you've ever been there. >> And they run pretty much on schedule all the time. >> Yeah. >> And but they got a lot of boats, >> but they've got a lot of canals, too. >> Well, I worked for a company that did a
water taxi service from Pelican Bay community out to Lover's Key. And it's very easy to set those schedules because you don't get into traffic jams and you don't you don't have to deal with a lot of that. Um, and it it worked well, but it was a private company that was
contracted through that community. So, unless it is a public uh transportation of some kind through the city or if we hire an outside company, they're they're going to have to be like it'll be a set pay. It won't be per trip, you know,
because that'll keep it'll just be something that isn't dependent on speeding, I think, is going to be the biggest worry. >> Okay. >> And and and that's a big need >> that we want
>> to put down is whatever service gets plugged in, if one does, >> it shouldn't be dependent on on speed, right? It should have enough vehicles to maintain whatever schedule they're going to maintain. >> Yeah. >> I think what we need to keep in mind is
we're got to keep water taxi and water ferry separate. A water taxi is more like an Uber thing. A water ferry, the original concept when it came uh former councilman Adhole used to be involved in this. So, uh, there was people that
expressed interest in a water ferry and it was the idea was to bring folks from one end of the island to the other. Usually this time of year and moving from the south to the north that those folks would want to go have dinner, have some drinks, enjoy the scenery on the
ride up and the ride back, maybe have a cocktail on the water ferry. I don't know. I wasn't involved in it. But let's keep those two separate and uh that might help with a lot of discussion as well. But I believe this is would be a private business if there's interest out
there and if they have the ability to make money. >> Yeah. No, that's a good point. Yeah. Thank you for that distinction because it that that is a good point. You know, it's if >> I feel like there's already options out there with private captains if you want to get a ride somewhere in my opinion.
like you can walk up to the fisherman captain sometimes and they'll give you a ride if you want it for, you know, a couple of bucks. It's I they don't necessarily always advertise it, but I've seen that happen. Um so I think having something that's on a schedule and yeah going all the way down to the
south end going to like the dock at um was that flippers on Lover's Key. >> Oh yeah, >> that that is a possibility. Or also the Lovers Key State Park itself, >> right? Uh we're also I think they were looking at uh >> Fishtail Marina. >> Fishtail Marina
>> possibly at the moundhouse, possibly Snookbite, possibly at Moss. >> Yeah. So have have set stops on a schedule. I in my opinion that's that's the only way it's going to logistically work. >> I agree. >> In my opinion. So >> what about parking?
>> Yeah. >> Yeah. That's to me is my first flaw I see in any of this is gar say the town owns the terminus area. I don't think we own any land. So we're
going to be renting per se uh any of these dock spaces. Is there enough space at those docks existing docks to pick up the extra parking for the people that want to go over and take these? That's I'll I'll focus on just the ferry end of that. That's just going from
point A to point B to point C and >> just doing that all day long. >> Right. So parking is going I think it's going to be an issue. um shouldn't be uh shouldn't stop anything, but we just need to uh find out who has the most
parking because in the prior conversations I was hearing, you got down to the moundhouse. That doesn't alleviate the sterile boulevard. Yeah. >> You know, we got to pull in how do we get people from down here on the south end to the north end. And like the
councilman said, if we can get people more tourists from Fort Myers Beach to drop off down here at Lover's Key, that's less traffic altogether that's out on the road. >> So it's parking is the terminals I I don't think are a
critical stop. Parking is is I think a critical issue. >> Um and then once you're on a boat, it's got to be of some capacity. Mhm. >> You can't have a fourperson boat out there running these shuttles. That's that's just ridiculous. But
we may find it prohibitive in the marketplace of companies that want to invest in a 20 person, 30 person capacity boat because it's got to be a shallow uh shallow via the bottoms have got to
be the draft. >> Oh yeah, >> a shallow shallow drafted vessel. >> Thank you. that would only be for a few months during season that you would even have 20 or 30 people leaving the north end or the south end at any one given time. So I think financially, you know,
it just doesn't make sense to me. I feel like MURF should really start focusing on more u environmental issues like water quality, the health of our uh backbay beds for our manatees and our wildlife. I think I I believe that those
are the issues that we really should focus on versus a um a potential business that might come in or um you know, so that's my two cents on it. >> Well, even if a business does come in, it still has to address all these
environmental issues. So, it does fold into our our purview for lack of better words. >> So, councelor, you made a great point. What if we were looking at
the town going back through and licensing an Uber type of situation where you had licensed Uber boat captains that were on the back bay and
again going back Todd's point now you have the ability to go back and say anybody that gets an Uber water taxi shield or license has to comply with Coast Guard, including prop guard, so on
so forth. You know, again, that could be a that could and to your comment, Jennifer, that could be a that could be a a seasonal thing where people could
could go in and provide a service, make some money if they have a pontoon boat. that's that's fit. They can do it, take people up to whatever a pontoon boat ride is. They can pick up at a marina,
drop off at a marina, so on so forth, provide a service, and then when there aren't enough people there, they're just they're not running it. That would be and it'd be on call. Plus, some of the
people that that have a backbait canal could actually have them come in and pick up right at their >> Sure. >> right on their dock on their canal >> just like an Uber driver. >> Well, I mean, at at that point, I feel like that's already here. That's already
happening. They just need to advertise differently. Like if there's if there's an individual that wants to do that Uber thing, like the most that I feel like the city would be able to do is offer a list on the website of city approved
captains with a vessel. But if we're it, it's either it's either going to be individualized and that captain is willing to use their vessel in time to do it and then they could pass some type of, you know, test or agreement that they're going to adhere to a list of
environmental friendly things that we put forward or it's going to have to be a big endeavor with a big vessel doing. I I I just don't see it being any more than it is now logistically, honestly. Like it it's the parking is an issue. Uh there's there's so much that's going to
have to go into a big endeavor. I think to kind of to Jen's point, this this might be something that we we I mean we we can advise and say what we feel about it and that's what I'm doing now, but I don't I don't foresee this becoming anything more than
that because it's going to be seasonal. For a company to be able to agree to doing this, it's going to take a lot of money for their staff, for the boats, for maintenance and things like that where they're going to keep the boats, all this stuff. And I don't think there's the infrastructure for a company to do that here unless they do it
privately anyway, which could be done without anything the city needs to put into it. >> And to your point, that's exactly why we have had so many water taxes come and go and and uh didn't make it. So >> I I don't think it's anything that
honestly that we need to discuss anymore because what and I'm not saying I'm not I'm not being like let's stop talking about I'm just saying I don't know what else we can bring to the table that cuz there's not an infrastructure for it and if there was even like docks and parking
and things like that. Finding a company that's going going to be willing to do this lucratively it I think is near impossible right now. >> I think we're making a lot of assumptions for private businesses. >> Yeah. Oh yeah. Yeah. Uh what I think the town manager would like is help
establishing some guidelines for a possible ordinance so if something down the road happens this doesn't become the wild wild west where everybody's going every which way but loose. So I think that's what your purview is in in this discussion and this challenge. >> So then do we just want to make like a
bullet like kind of back to what you were trying to do in the first place cuz I feel like you know I'm getting deep into what it could be. So, do we want to make a bullet point of MURF approved needs and wants if this were to ever happen? Is that >> correct? Okay. >> So, just let me We're trying to get some
guard rails set up that we can give back to the town council and the town manager saying we believe >> this this should be this thought process should be included. >> Yeah. if we're going to a regulate a
company or companies and b protecting the environment of the back bay. >> Correct. So, so the bait purpose of this be of of both both committees being tasked is um um with this is is saying
if the town was to to take this on and allow this, right? We want y'all ideas just like the chair just just stated. So, we take those ideas, but the town wants to wants to uh control it, and we're going
to use the information to uh put together the ordinance and guidelines of the entities that are going to come in and do these and do these uh businesses. So, I don't think the town is looking um you know, there's this is all discussion
right now, but um I think it's going to be more looking like an outside entity coming in and doing it, not so much the town >> um employees or starting a division just just for that through the town. Well, I
would say then for needs, obviously they have to meet and exceed speeding expectations and laws and guidelines on the water, they need to have, >> let me make this clear. Any business that comes in and runs this, um, they
have to follow all the Coast Guard guidelations. They have to be a six-pack license at least if they're carrying six members. If not, they're going to have to have a 2500 ton. So, you know, um this is going to be regulated and they have to follow
state guidelines, FWC rules, Coast Guard, the whole nine yards. So, it it's not going to be willy-nilly and there's going to be a vetting process to the town to make sure that whatever business comes in has all the regulations, insurance, everything to be able to run their business.
>> I guess it falls then more on wants. What do we want it to have? So, I would like prop cards. >> Okay. went well let's start with the let's start with the biggest concerns first and I agree with you Rob in my mind the biggest thing is speeding
>> on there there there should be no reason and no schedule or anything that man that even commits >> no excuses >> whoever no excuses for anyone to be
uh going through and speeding on the back bay both for the safety of the uh marine life back there and for the seaggrass that's growing back there and
oyster beds and everything else. >> They they have to maintain the correct speed and in the correct place at all times period. >> Yes. But does a town have jurisdiction to actually um uh you know approach a
vessel that is running that >> the Coast Guard and Coast Guard >> Coast Guard but not the town. The town wouldn't have jurisdiction to be able to enforce >> but they could pull a license if you're if you're pulled over by the Coast Guard or the Coast Guard auxiliary and say if
you get caught speeding on the Back Bay, your license can be in jeopardy. Your license through the town could be in jeopardy. >> Yes. >> Your permit to run >> your permit to operate the town. >> Does that go for any of them? Any of the businesses that uh actually operate out
of Fort Meers? >> We're putting up suggested guidelines. >> Have we ever uh uh taken uh a permit or a license from a boating company off of Fort Myers Beach that was caught by the Coast Guard? We're putting up suggested
guidelines to the town. >> No, I understand that. But I'm just wondering if you know I don't know if anything pulled. >> I know. I know our beach vendor was threatened by the pre prior town manager to have their license pulled.
>> Beach vendor. >> Yes. >> Oh, one of the beach vendors. One of the out the beach vendor on the 6,000 block was threatened to have their license pulled by the prior town manager >> for failing to comply with his request.
>> So same be on the water as well. >> I if the town is issuing a license, I think the town has the ability to write in the license that if they fail to comply, the license can be revoked. So,
does the town give licenses to um businesses that run out of is it just to have your business parked at um say uh Pink Shell or one of those? Is that I mean, what is the license for? For actually operating the vessel? >> If you operate if you operate a liquor
license and you violate the license by selling to a minor, you lose your license. Mhm. >> If you have a sound permit for music and you violate the hours of the sound permit, you lose your permit for sound.
>> So So is what you're trying to get at maybe, Jen. Um if it won't be like on a three strike basis, like you you mess up, then you're off the list of approved vendors. Is that kind of what we would like to aim for? I I think we can have if you're
going to do something like this and speed is one of the critical issues then you write something in the audio in the ordinance that says here's a guideline if you violate it you're subject to have your license revoked period you don't have >> don't they have that with the parasale
companies >> yes >> you know all the vendors on the beach I would think yes >> I would think it'd be the same type >> correct that's what I was I was uh wanted to state that it's um exactly what you said is that this is going to mimic um kind of like the parasailing
entities and stuff like that on the beach and everything that they have to get permits. That's that's kind of what we are discussing right now and looking to to if if this does get approved >> looking to control it that way with the
ordinance and and permitting and there'll be certain amount of permits and stuff like that. I mean that's all up in discussion right now. Nothing nothing set in stone, but you know, this is the type of process that we're looking at and why we want y'all's opinions as well.
>> There's multiple ways of keeping people in line, keeping companies in line, either through the ordinance to begin with where you write into contract provisions into their contract because each of these people are going to have to have a contract with the city or the town. Correct. >> Perhaps or just get a license.
>> All right. Well, if it's just a license and you're not contractually u tying to the town, >> it depends on what the ordinance for the license says. >> Okay. But so I think our first concern is the license, right? All right. What
other concerns guard rails do we need to talk about? >> Okay. Um if there's you know is there one of the things that came up was should there be a limit on how many people want to
operate how many license do you give out if you have more than one taxi company? >> I I would think that if it's a shuttle service going from point A to point B. >> Turn your mic on Todd. >> I would think that if it was a shuttle service that there would only one
company could could run it. I I would think because then be if there's five stops, they rotate on the five stops. I don't know how you could have another company squeeze in between there. >> That's operating on the assumption that there would be a shuttle or something like that. Not
>> to commercial stops, >> not an Uber thing, >> right? Not an Uber. >> Okay. So, if it's an if it's an Uber setup, I mean, if if it's an Uber setup and you you have a license to operate an Uber cuz you want to stop at the townhouse
and some of the other town areas and you get a license to it's like a cab license in New York. Maybe you want would be a Fort Myers Beach approved captain where I mean anybody can you brought it up. There'd be a list. >> Yeah, I could give you guys a ride
wherever you want, but I'm not an Uber driver. I have to go through their testing and their training or whatever whatever they do for their drivers and their cars have to meet a specific set of criteria that are even above like the boats. >> Yeah. So, so to to your point, maybe a
want would be it's not just anybody can sign up. They have to go through a checklist that Fort Myers Beach Anchorage Committee or who whatever committee or town council they would make a list of what to be a Fort Myers Beach approved captain for this service
>> in a Fort Myers Beach approved vessel >> in a Fort Myers Beach approved vessel. So that takes it above the standards of the Coast Guard and you know things like that. It's getting into a lot a lot of logistics but that would that would set it apart. So then they go to the website and there'd be a list of Fort Myers
Beach approved captains, their contact information and stuff like that. >> Yeah. So anybody who runs uh the Uber taxi service or anything like that, um first of all, they're going to be running a business, right? So um
>> it has to be a licensed captain to run this business. So they have to go through the Coast Guard regulations. Everything that you just stated, Rob, is kind of involved in the Coast Guard process to run a business. The Coast Guard, they have to get their vessel, their vessel inspected by the Coast
Guard and go through all the guidelines. The Coast Guard has pretty much everything that you just just stated. So, that's kind of covered already through the licenses and everything that they have to obtain to be able to run this sort this sort of business.
>> Right. Right. No, I No, and I app I appreciate 100%. >> I just wanted to be that be clear. >> Um, I'm just saying to then make cuz like you said though, everybody here I assume has our driver's license, >> but we're not running a driving business. So, we have to adhere to all
the laws that you need to have a license. So, yes, 100% what you're saying. I'm just saying to take it that next step up that to be a Fort Myers Beach approved captain, not just a Coast Guard captain, >> right? to make it on the list on the website for that whatever for lack of a
better phrase free advertising um on the Fort Myers Beach website then they would have to adhere to our standards which is going to be the same on top of >> and those would be qualifications
>> to be able to to receive to receive that license or permit from us from the town of Fort Myers Beach >> is there a question that I've got does anyone one over. Is there even such a thing as a Uber boat? >> Yeah,
>> there is. Where are they? >> I mean, I I don't know if he's operating this year, but before Ian, anyway, there was a gentleman that was picking up at Bowic and taking people down to um Lighthouse Beach on Santa >> and it was through Uber. Through the Uber service.
>> No, it's not through Uber. We're using Uber in the sense of that's a business that does what we want to do on boats. >> It's a business model. It's a business model. So, you're suggesting then there's an app of some sort >> that operates like Uber that people
could go on and request. They could download an app and request a boat ride. >> No, there's not. There could be somebody develop. >> We're talking about something that doesn't exist yet. >> Well, no, but we're talking about a lot of stuff that doesn't exist. We're
talking about we're talking about what the wants and needs would be. And going back to the Uber >> model, >> the Uber model. >> Yeah. >> My question is, if we're going to discuss an Uber model,
there would obviously be a greater impact of boat traffic on the Back Bay, would there be something where we would want to put a number on limiting the Uber model of boats on the Back Bay? Wouldn't but wouldn't wouldn't wouldn't
demand dictate that because only the strongest survive. >> Yeah. Except that you know, you don't want to you don't want to put 40 boats or 50 boats running people back and forth on the back bay. That's just you know that's a lot of traffic on the back
bay. >> I just I I just don't envision that being possible. No one's going to it's that scenario is just not going to come up. Well, that that was my point a minute ago is that to make this happen logistically, it's going to be very hard. >> That's that was that was the point I was
making before. But um both gentlemen beside you there said that >> if it does, >> then we want them to have a list that we have approved of our needs and wants for if it happens. >> It's going to be very hard to have it happen. I 100% agree and I agree with
that. We should we should still give a list of if it does if there's a miracle company that has the funds, backing, resources to make this happen, then let's be ready for it is essentially what we're >> I can I could see some individual attempting this and and I'm more of a
capitalist type person. Um I I I I think that something should be in place. My my thoughts would be that there would be some type of a permit required ju just like a parasail or a jet ski permit or or whatever and and that there would be certain guidelines that went along with
obtaining that permit. And one of them would be meeting all the Coast Guard requirements and regulations plus whatever our local uh requirements and regulations are concerning the uh like Dave was talking about concerning the uh
uh uh the the u uh uh if they get caught a speeding going too fast in the back bay or whatever. um uh which is my from what I know is the same thing that's connected with any permit, a parasel permit or jet ski permits or anything
else. If you if you get outside the guidelines or you don't meet the requirements, you're subject to get your permit revoked. >> And so I think I think that that's pretty much kind of in place already. Um, yep. >> We we just need to to to to specify what
we feel like that the needs are that are above what the Coast Guard requirements and regulations are. And that's pretty and Ed, that's pretty much what we're >> having the discussion about is, >> you know, what else besides having a
boat that qualifies, >> you know, would we want to put on to protect >> not only the Back Bay, but provide enough, you know, guidelines. So this permit um isn't already in place for say
for some of these businesses running out of uh Fort Myers Beach that these permits and these guidelines aren't already in place for uh those these businesses are running out like the leaky the tiki um boats and
>> well may may I suggest something chairman u because I feel like we're going to be doing this a while if we're going the way we're going. Might I suggest between now for the for the April meeting, we have a quick recap of this before we go into the double meeting where each of us come up with
two needs and two wants for this that we'll just bring and we'll state it and then I don't even know if you want a discussion about it, but we'll just bring up those. We can finalize our list to bring to that dual meeting and that
will be our point of discussion. And maybe some are going to be the same. Maybe maybe some of our needs are going to already be regulations that are already in place by whoever. Um, but to to kind of put a cap on this for now, I'm I'm suggesting that we each leave
this discussion here knowing that we're going to come back. We each have two needs, two wants. We'll bring it to the next meeting. we >> maybe a quick discussion and then we'll have our >> MV committees finalized >> list then to then bring to the double
>> and and and I just I agree with you on that and I think that's a great suggestion and the only caveat or addition I would put on that is we look at a ferry service >> okay >> and we look at a taxi service
>> so we split the two when doing needs and wants on Ferry versus taxi. >> Cool. >> I'm sorry. Now, >> now I Okay. And then this is just a question. Um, if the town gets too involved, I know the town doesn't typically get too involved in uh new
businesses coming in. I mean, they of course they get involved with the permitting and that that the whole process of starting a business, but uh getting so involved where they're actually promoting them on the town website, I would just wonder how much involvement the town would want to get
into and whether or not what about liability. Are we setting is the town setting itself up on liability issues by um by promoting or by getting in contractual um uh you know uh contracts with
businesses uh regarding uh ferry taxis or you know whatever. So I have some questions about that. >> Okay. Well, >> and maybe Curtis or um Mr. King uh could >> could help me out with those questions. Yeah. legality and
>> well I I don't think the town would say um we've approved these businesses other than these are our licensed contractors to provide this service. I think that might be acceptable but obviously you can't get into we
recommend these people or this that or the other thing because then you're opening yourself up for uh potential problems. >> Thank you. You know, um just a thought with the shuttle service. If we concentrate on the shuttle service, I
would think a taxi service >> would develop out of however we design or however they they design the shuttle service itself, >> please. >> They're going to have boat Well, they're going to have boats here. If if we develop or if they develop a shuttle
service with six commercial stops, >> wouldn't you think that that company or it would bloom from that with more? >> Oh, you you like a gauge as what the need is going to be? >> Yeah, >> potentially. >> Yeah, I think yeah, Todd, to a certain
extent, you're probably right. They would probably intersect or cross over, but then there are other areas where they wouldn't. uh in my mind like David talked about uh if I live on a canal and I want on the south end canal and I want to go to Times Square or the North End
for dinner uh is that something a taxi could provide or do I need to use a ferry? I you know >> correct. >> Yeah, >> that that's my thought. I just think that that would bloom from there perhaps. >> I would also like to know how people on canals feel about taxi services and
ferry services going up and down uh frequently down their canals. you know, that's their backyard. So, I would like to know how, you know, the community feels about that. >> I definitely think a one would be no fairies down private canals. Absolutely.
>> But taxis on the other hand, that's going to be a tough one. That's definitely something that we would love to hear from the community. Mhm. >> I I don't I don't think the fairies would be going down any canals like a ferry would have >> the uh certain
>> certain stops that it's going to go to, you know, >> commercial stops. >> You got to think about you got to think about it now. All these all these te tiki huts and stuff like that, all of them go down go down the canals already as it is. >> Pick somebody up on our canal next door, right?
>> They were there for five minutes and gone. >> Yeah. I didn't I didn't want to bring up the tikis cuz that's a whole another discussion, but they sometimes work as this like if they get I've seen them drop off people some places. >> Sure. Well, and there's there's a lot of examples on the south
end where a lot of homeowners have people picking them up on pontoon boats >> that are commercial pontoon boats, so on so forth. So, >> so that's working in some capacity. It's working in some capacity, but again, you
know, all we're trying to do is again look at the wants, >> needs, >> get get back together again. That was the whole purpose for today is to start the discussion. And I think you're we could table this. And >> so I I motion that we each come back
with two needs and two wants for the next meeting. >> I'll second that. >> Each of the categories >> for each category. >> For each category. Which categories >> for for >> ferry and for taxi? >> Okay. >> Okay. Are we all in favor of that? >> Okay. >> Yes. >> Yes.
>> Okay. >> Thank you. >> So the town staff moving to the other item on our agenda. As I said earlier in the meeting, the town staff stated that uh
they have reserved the May 13th uh meeting that will be a joint meeting between the Anchorage Advisory Committee and the MURF to go through this. So, >> is everyone okay with that meeting?
>> Yes, but will that be in lie of our regular meeting? So, like we're not going to have a second one. Okay. Yep. Yep. I'm good. Okay. >> Yeah. >> All right. >> I will have to uh let you know. I've got uh family commitments and things going
on, so I may or may not be able to make that meeting. >> Okay. Thank you. >> All right. That brings us down to members items. Ed, anything you want to >> I don't have a thing, Dave.
>> Okay. Uh we just picked up 46 uh boxes of books. They are being um transferred uh all up and down uh the coast in the next couple weeks uh to other communities. And uh there's still some available at
the library. So, if anybody would like to share a bo a box with uh a local business or or environmental um uh communities, uh just uh let me know.
>> Okay. Anything else? >> No. >> Okay, Sharon. >> Okay. Okay. So, I I'm member of the Kousa Water Keepers. Okay. And we had to learn how to We did oyster gardens last weekend.
>> Oh, wow. >> Yeah. So, a restaurant provides us with um the se the shells, the oyster shells empty, and then we clean them up, let them lay in the sun for three months, and then we poke a hole in them, thread
them onto this um wire, and end up with 30 of them on here. Then we take this and put it in under a dock for instance. It has to get into the water and then it um and then it it uh it filters it
filters the water and oysters and other little creatures attached to it in the water >> and then it be it becomes a a cleaner a cleaner to to help all of the stuff in the water uh on on our island. And so I
just wanted you to see that I have to find a place for it. I've got to ask Chad where where I can put this. It can't. It has to go in water that is both fresh and salt together. Brackish water. So >> So that would be the back bay. >> I think so. I think so.
>> Okay. >> Yeah. Cero Bay, right? >> Yep. >> As it's called. Okay. So that's my my >> Mike. What what happens? Does it fill up with oysters all the way around then and get >> thicker and thicker? >> It's just full of them. Yeah.
>> They get underneath. They get They >> Yeah. >> The uh the little baby oysters before they have a shell, they're out there floating around. They're just zup plankton >> and they'll end up >> grabbing on really easily to other oyster shells and it just grows in oyster reef. So
>> the oysters are by valve feeders and they breathe in dirty water, breathe out clean water. every breath they take makes the world better. And I think that's great. And I think >> building off this, >> maybe with the Kussa water keepers, >> yes, >> we could get a community program that we can have whether it's a
day or an ongoing thing or a one-time thing, we can get community to come and make these to have under their docks because I know >> absolutely >> we used to you'll see them under dock still sometimes. They're a box. It's essentially the same thing encouraging reef growth. Uh reef isn't just coral.
It can be oysters or it's a group of biodiverse community underwater, but we can um maybe reach out to the water keepers and get a community outreach day where >> Okay. >> We could work with pinchers. We could work with anybody so any of the oyster bars around here, have them start
collecting them for us. >> Absolutely. >> And do something. >> So, my question is >> Great. >> What happens as it gets bigger and bigger? Do you have to like eventually take the cable off the hook? >> It does have a limit. like they they're not going to overgrow on each other too
awful. It will be a point, but they'll they'll reach a point where it'll be a sustainable bit, but it it definitely gets big. >> And then and then what do you do with it when it gets to that point? >> Um it's kind of self-regulating in all honesty. So they'll they'll the reef will grow to a point and if it gets too
big for the certain organisms, they will fall off and then that builds up underneath which >> can do it. So >> okay, underneath. So, >> not to a point where you're going to have to dredge. Not like >> No, no. I I understand. But does it get to a point to where you get end up
getting an oyster bed underneath your pure? >> Um, not usually because they like the tidal zone where they're going to be exposed and they're going to be underwater every 6 to 12 hours. So, these oysters need to be exposed and
then they need to be drenched and back and forth. So under the dock except for you know extreme tide events. You're I'm sorry I took over your moment right here but you kept looking. So but it it won't if there's oysters that are falling down there.
>> It will get flushed out with the tides is my point. They won't be able to >> unless your dock is you know right at the water line already then you might have >> you know some growth but you probably already do in that case. >> Yeah. >> So >> okay. >> Well good good suggestion. >> Yeah exactly. I know the Kosa water
keepers will love to to do this. Come and do this. They will. >> Okay. Excellent. >> Before Ian, they had all that kind of stuff under >> Did you want to do your other show and tell >> uh >> your your your other your uh activity book that was a knockoff on
>> Oh, I I I gave it to Jen. Yeah. I got to >> Who did this? Turn your Is your mic on? Turn your mic on. So, Everglades foundation. >> Yeah, Everglades. >> It's awesome. >> I I'm sure it's a take off of
>> imitation is imitation is the greatest form of flattery. >> This would be something great if we could get So, I'll I'll make contact and see if they can provide them to the moundhouse. >> Yeah, because the moundhouse would I'm sure appreciate these. >> I'll take a few. >> Yeah. >> Okay.
>> Okay. >> Anything else yet? >> No, that's it. Thank you. >> Okay. No, I I'm all set. Okay. >> I have nothing to add. >> Yeah. What did you bring today?
>> So, mine I don't know if it's going to be controversial or not, but I think littering is pretty established to be illegal. um down on Bowitch Park uh Bowitch Point at um Lyn Hall Park and
anywhere that people have been doing the beach weddings. I have been finding more and more of these fake flower petals. >> Plastic just left out. It's pretty, but it is very destructive. It looks like
algae to animals. Um finding them in birds that we have necropsied. finding them all over. This is from one wedding last week that they just did it and left out. Now, granted, a lot of the families that have done this will try their best to clean them up, but they get lost in
the wind. They get lost in the tide, and not every family is as respectful to clean them up as best they can. So, this was literally just left out there. And this isn't even all of them. I have four bags >> um >> from the one wedding >> and many more bags from the past couple
weeks because I've been planning on bringing this up even before I found this last week. >> So, I would love everyone's support. I can bring this to the council or we can bring this as a group, but I would love everyone's support in potentially
getting an ordinance to outlaw these completely. >> Okay. I believe that's a form of of plastic, right? Yeah. So, I mean, it is in our ordinance. We don't allow balloons. We don't allow plastic left on the beach. >> Maybe mentioning these specifically,
>> getting this amended so it's specifically mentioned in the ordinance. And also putting it on the radar of our beach patrol and Chad so that they can be on the lookout for these. And as they see people setting up for weddings, they stop it before it even gets out there
and just going up to these events and mentioning it. >> This is a wedding that was on at a >> This was a wedding. >> A wedding that was at a resort. >> No, this was a wedding that was at Bowage Park. >> So Lee County should be made aware. >> But well, but it also h I' I've found just as many at Lyn Hall Park just
because this specific one >> It's also county. >> Well, also county, >> right? Oh, you're right. I'm not not getting away from that, but the county isn't out there going after these um all the time. Our beach patrol guys are and it's not just at the county parks. >> They have to have permits to have those
weddings on those beaches. And so I would think that under getting a permit under the county to have weddings on county property would require a permit processing. And I'm I would not doubt that that has it listed that plastics
are not allowed. Well, I think I think the the point if if like I I'm hoping and I assume that all of that is correct. So, I think the point that I'm trying to make is specifically putting the fake flower petal as a named listed item that is outlawed. I think some
>> is the way to go because >> like we allow we are out straws aren't allowed on Fort Myers Beach >> but we allow the fade straws >> which are a form of biodegradable plastic but biodegradable is not a regulated term and they only biodegrade under very specific
>> conditions >> but yet we're still allowing that which should not be in in my opinion should not be allowed. So, we should definitely uh get in contact with Lee County and ask them if we could have a copy of maybe a draft of uh of what a wedding or
a party consists of of what they require. >> Or we could outlaw >> it's not Lee County. Yes, >> are you aware of any u license requirement from Lee County for weddings on their on their parks?
>> You know, I'm sorry I'm not. But to uh Rob's point, I don't know that it require an ordinance, but I think when they come wanting permission, uh they seek, I think, a permit or a license that could be added to that. >> Absolutely.
>> So that um that's very clear as to what the expectation is. If you're wanting to use Fort Myers Beach as a wedding, uh you have to apply for this. And then these are the specifications. The town has no purview over the
>> the county. No >> county parks. >> No. >> So, anyone that's using a county park doesn't necessarily need a permit from >> the town hall to use the park. >> No. But our parks and wreck, I think, does issue permits for weddings. I
believe even even >> I recall seeing that in the uh budget discussions anyway. >> Even if it's at a Lee County Park >> that I don't know. I doubt it, but >> Okay. So, if they're doing it at a Lee County Park, >> let me let me check with staff and and
we'll get back to you. >> If if not, then u you know, I can send a letter to >> but we can work with the county and say this is a concern on the beach. And I think that would um probably move a
little mountain a little further coming from a counselor than >> or I think the staffs interact a lot. Um the town manager and the county manager and then whoever is staff is
>> this is a concern on the beach. >> I think fresh flowers fresh petals would be okay, right? Fresh flower petals. >> Yeah. I mean >> that's what you could just we >> Yeah. So at at the pink shell weddings and you know not to call them out again but the pink shell weddings they will
use actual flower petals. So that's natural that's biodegradable. Those can be left out. Don't need cleaned up. Now >> the problem is is if this isn't being enforced >> and animals are going and loving to eat those flower petals >> precisely. >> They're not going to know the difference. No.
>> Um so introducing anything non-natural could have side effects. Right. There's, you know, >> for sure >> a million other, >> you know, natural things you can do. Yes, 100%. It's just taking the time. It is probably more costly, which is why they do this instead.
>> But those are all things that, >> you know. >> Yeah, Rob, this is a good point that you have brought this up, I think. >> Yep. >> Thank you. >> Yeah. will uh uh counselor, can you follow up with me and then if there's something that needs to be done as far
as contacting park and wreck, I can push the buttons to get that going. >> I'd be happy to work with staff and and get back to you on it. >> Okay. Um then I have one more thing is the street water that goes into the
drains that then that goes into the back bay through piping and that I was wondering what the logistics would be of I've seen it before of getting the trash collecting nets at the out on those drains. It's essentially a you know think this is a net. There's the tube.
It's a fixed to that. So plastic bottle caps, bottles, pedals, anything that gets caught in there >> gets trapped in that net. Now it would have to be somebody would have to empty it. >> Yes. >> You know, frequently and and things like that, but it alleviates a lot of trash
that's street trash and plastic and and pollution. It alleviates it getting loose into the back bay. >> Exactly. >> I was told there I was told there was a filtration system and >> inside of it. >> Mhm. that couches a lot of the big stuff that um gets cleaned out when they you
know >> Well, I I I go down at the north end at least. I can't speak for the whole island, but the north end. And everywhere there's a drain, there's piles of >> Uhhuh. >> trash underneath of it. >> Okay. >> Trash cans would help >> under underneath the >> underneath the the drain from the
street. >> Okay. >> Yeah. Coming into the back bay. So, just thinking of, you know, ways to alleviate >> I have one right in front of my house. I'm constantly having to sweep that and, you know, get all that crap. >> I know it'd be a cost to the city. I know it would be a cost to the town. And
I know that maintaining them would also be >> right, >> you know, put into that. But the more people and the more things that are being built up, the more stuff's getting into our back bay. Yep. Curtis, >> when uh can you get in touch with Chad
and see if he can touch bases with public works and find out what filtration system is in the system right now? >> Absolutely. >> And see if there's any any improvements
that could be done. If if it's not adequately working, >> we'll do. Yes, absolutely. >> Okay. Thank you. and then Chad can can update us at the next at our next meeting. >> Absolutely. >> Great. >> Thank you. >> That's all I have. Thank you. >> Great. >> Okay.
>> Great. >> I'm good. >> Okay. >> Yeah, I took one. >> We're good. >> U Well, I uh don't have anything either. I uh thank everyone for your candid
inputs today. This was u something that we were charged with by the town and I think it's a good step. I think the more conversation we have uh the better our assistance can be to
the town uh which is our whole purpose. And again, the back bay is is uh under our purview and we want to make sure that nothing gets done to the back bay >> that that would jeopardize the marine
life, the uh environmental grasses that are needed and everything else. So, that's I thank everybody for your comments. And with that, uh Curtis, did did uh Chad give you
anything as far as the staff update? >> No, sir. I have I have nothing to pass at this time. The biggest topic was the taxi stuff and everything like that. >> Thank you. >> Okay, >> Dave, if you want to, I can share about canal dredging. You >> Yes. Would you do that, please?
>> Town staff and I have been meeting um not last Thursday, but previous two Thursdays with uh Senator Rick Scott's staff uh to try and see if there's any way of getting any kind of funding for canal dredging. Uh they got back to us
last week with a a list of possible places to apply. Uh it looks like uh one of the u places that would probably be best for the town and a fit would be with the Army Corps of Engineers uh from a grant.
Uh I think staff is going to be looking into that and the senator's uh office has offered to help in any way facilitate that as well. So um that's where we are currently. >> Okay.
Um, I I I know that there's numerous uh canals back there that still are desperately in need of dredging. So, >> I encourage I encourage uh the town staff to move
forward on this u there's uh because I believe it it is a viable economic concern for the people in the back as far as their value with the back pay. And
it it does I think cleaning the canals actually does improve the health of the of the bay itself. It's just terrible that it's got to get cleaned out after a storm like >> Believe me, there's a will and if we could find a way, we'll get it done.
>> Okay. >> Okay. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> All right. That takes us down to public comment. And again, show of hands. Okay. No one's got their hands up, so
I will close public comment. Um, Murf Award, anyone have any u nominations for the MURF award? >> Did the library get theirs? >> Did the library we voted on uh back in
December for January being the library? Uh, we did not have an award to give them because they weren't in yet. No, they did not. >> Are they in? >> Yes, they are. I believe they are. Bill, are they in? Did you bring them?
>> Uh, I have them in the vehicle. The vehicle is somewhere on the island. >> Okay. We We will uh we will have the award. We They had them in a box. the box got
moved and we had to get them back. So, yes, we will get the award out. >> You'll have them >> and we could uh uh drop one off or I could ask uh Chris
King who's on their library board to give it or we could have the library come in and receive it probably. Sure. All right. We'll we'll plan that for the next meeting. >> Okay.
Brings us back to Murf Award. Now, anyone have a recommendation? >> No. >> Um, did we decide in the past we don't nominate people on MURF? Right. >> We've we've kind of tried not to just
>> Okay. You know, it's kind of like, gee, you're doing a great job. >> Yeah. >> I'll give you an award. You give me one next week. Okay. >> Um, did we have any in the bank? >> Um, I don't know. Jennifer, you had a couple, I thought, way back.
>> We didn't have any nominations from last month. So, >> Okay. >> I haven't I haven't heard about anything going on. I hadn't heard about anybody doing anything or anything or anything. Yeah, I I um I hate to uh nom nominate
any of the ladies walking around during the Mrs. Wordle. >> I believe that I already nominated Miss uh Macy Null, who was the um person who did the ch the Murf children's book. Um,
but just a quick note, she will be she was um um asked to do uh a mural at FGCU and they're having a ribbon cutting on um the 12th of this month. Uh so I guess tomorrow
and um uh I was asked to write a letter of recommendation for her and I would I'm thrilled that she was able to do it. So, if anyone um here on the committee wants to take a little trip out to FGCU tomorrow night from 4 to 6, it will be a ribbon cutting and a beautiful,
beautiful mural. Um quite an honor for her. So, >> very cool. >> Yeah. >> Very cool. >> Yeah. >> So, Ed, anyone? >> You know what? If I mentioned who I thought should get an award, everybody would choke.
Councelor King, >> I'm just trying to get Ed to use his microphone. >> Okay. Well, we can table it till next month. We don't have to give one award every time. >> I do have a school coming out on Saturday um to do a beach cleanup with me. Uh maybe somebody will be there and
I'll put it in the email if I see somebody doing exceptional. >> Excellent. All right. Okay. agenda for next month. Uh we want to bring back our wants and
needs so we can do it from today's discussion. Uh I would also like to uh bring back the um just for a discussion kind of like what we had today looking at um and
dubtailing on uh >> what >> Jennifer what you said you know reaffirm what our direction of MURF is so that we do it also I believe in April if I look at the
um the u ordinance on it is that u I believe in April we have to issue the invitation for the Malhullen award. We got a special exception
>> um last year because we were late, but I believe April is when we do it and I know it just occurred, but I think uh in our next meeting we have to um introduce the applications to the town for the
Malhallen Award to be presented by the town council for 2027 2026, I'm sorry. So, I'd like to put that on there if there are no objections. >> Anybody have anything else?
>> I would like to put on there more about the um helicopter. I could take photos of the helicopters and we can figure out which which one is the culprit, but there's just way too much of it going on. We we see we see
the any beautiful big birds that we do have go they just get so disoriented. >> Well, so I don't mean to interrupt on that. If um if you get a picture of the helicopter, >> right? >> Get a picture of the number on the side. >> I will. >> You can look up on you can Google who
owns it. >> Okay. >> And from there you can either report that to the agency that is enforcing that right now. Um >> Okay. But as far as whatever company, whatever whoever's
flying around, I think the city is kind of taken a step back from that. Am I wrong? >> That is true. >> I believe that's correct. >> Correct. So I I think we're that's kind of out of our jurisdiction. Like we we've spoken our piece on that, but if you have a beef with a specific >> vehicle, okay,
>> whether it in the air or on the ground, >> all right, >> it's it's something you need to call into. >> Okay. >> The the is it F >> FWC? FWC FAA call and I've got the phone number I can certainly provide that >> and I'm not I'm not trying to take that off. I'm not trying to put that saying
it's not important. I'm just saying like we have spoken our piece on that. I think does everybody agree on that? >> Yes. Yes, I agree. >> No, I actually have a question. So, I've been told that if uh you run um a business, for example, the helicopter
business has boats that uh that leave off out of Fort Myers Beach and that is, you know, constitutes as running a business on Fort Myers Beach. When you have a boat service that's picking people up and taking them to a barge to take them out, I would think that the
town would have jurisdiction over that >> over the boat. >> Over the boats, over the business when it's docked. Is that accurate? >> Yeah. The the the the business is running out of Fort Myers Beach when it's actually picking people up, taking money, and then going off to um another
location. >> So interesting. >> Do you have I'm a little Can you expand on that? Is that accurate? So yes, the boat the well well the operation itself is conducted outside of the town's jurisdiction whether they're
running a boat from you know MS Marina out to that the operation itself with the with the hilo taking off and everything like that and its landing pad that is outside. Yeah, because I agree with >> jurisdictions. I agree with what you're saying permits. They don't have to have permits to take
>> No, he does. So So hold hold on, hold on. So um that side of it, um I'm not sure where it's at. I think that they that company has an agreement with Moss Marine to keep his his his boat
there. Now, I know that there's other, you know, charter boats, sailboats that run businesses that go to the other uh restaurants and stuff like that, and that's between the restaurant and that entity, I believe. >> Permits or or licenses to >> now now
>> from the town. >> Now, the Hilo side of it, that operation, he had to get permitting through through uh FWC to be where he's at and all that. So from that standpoint
he is clear but I will I will say that there is discussion right now whether that who is going to regulate his operation whether that is going to be under under F dot's purview if it's um
if it's going to be labeled as a as a structure a fixed structure or or it'll be under FWC's purview if it's labeled as a vessel. FWC is the one to determine that they are under um they are working
on on it with their legal team right now and once they have the answers there there will be another meeting >> to decide who is going to reg who is going to be the main entity to regulate that operation.
>> I understand that part of it. What I'm asking you is, do they have do they require a permit or a license from the town to operate from a marina that's located on Fort Meyer speech? >> Jen, I'm not 100% sure. I'm going to
have to get back to you because I don't I don't feel 100% confident on on on answering that. So, um, we will we will get back to you on that. >> I want to touch on that a little bit. Um, because I 100% agree like there's a lot unknown with this. like he's docking
his ferry boat at a private dock across San Carlos Bay in the evenings and when he's not running his ferry boat out to his barge. So, it's at a private dock down down the last channel before Bunch Beach. >> Okay. >> So, if it's a private dock, I think
there's a lot of gray areas and a lot of loopholes that are being utilized with that specific company. Um, when there are tour boats operating out of a private dock or a private resort or
whatever, that's between the company running the boat and the company that owns the property. I don't think the city gets involved in that. Um, whether whether or not that's how it should be is is a different discussion. Am if I'm wrong. No, I mean I'm I'm just
trying to say like I it's it's so hard because there's it's such there's so many hands in this pot as to trying to regulate it. My point with what I was saying to you Sharon is it's kind of out of our and this is kind of what we came to when we discussed it.
It's kind of out of our pervy as to what we as Murf can do about that specifically. But what I encourage anyone who cares about it to do is not only your own research, but also your own efforts into contacting when it's a
problem. contacting the F FC F um FFA or not whatever the F is and uh then then going into like letting people that are making these decisions that are making these regulations the FWC
and taking it upon yourself to letting people know that it's a problem. >> Yes. >> As far as the legality, I think that there is enough people looking at it now trying to figure out what that is. But the more of our community, the more of private individuals that are raising
their concerns to those who are law enforcement, that's where is that does that sums it up nicely. >> Yeah. But my question still I still have the question whether or not they will they will be
>> required to have some sort of license. Then what then wouldn't the fairies or the taxis have to do the same? >> I don't think so. I mean that's the same >> and that well that goes I agree that goes into >> it's taking people out for money for it's a business >> it's a it's and but that's the thing that's why I was trying to say like it's
a huge logistical nightmare to get those fairies going just like it is for this one company that's not that's only fing to his private barge >> you know and it's been a logistical nightmare to figure that out so that >> it I 100% it's the same thing but if
it's a if it's a dock >> it's a private dock >> yeah right >> okay >> I'm not saying I agree or disagree. I'm just saying that's how it is. >> It is what it is. >> You mean private dock? If you're a business like Marine Fishtail Marina, it's a considered a private dock. So businesses don't have to. That's what I
would like to know is whether or not they >> and from my from what I have seen working with businesses on the island and seeing how docks operate whether it's a p personal private person's dock or whether it's a like a resort dock.
>> It's ran by the owner of the dock. Now, how the dock is built, how the dock put goes out into the waterway, how high that like all those things, those are regulated by bigger entities. >> But once that dock is in place, it's a private part of the private property.
That's why you can take a fishing boat down a private canal and if you don't live on that canal, it's a it's a publicly navigated waterway. So, you can be there by right, but the minute you touch someone's dock, then it's that person's issue. And if that person wants to escalate it, then they can call law
enforcement, but it's on the private doc owner as to how that that situation would be regulated. >> So none, so um Mr. King, >> and if I'm speaking out of turn, I'm just going by what I've experienced and what I know.
>> So I guess my question would be is do these um boating companies, these uh tiki barges and the you know um tourists um boats out there. So, so we do not require a permit. >> If they have permission by the dock
owner to tie up, that's all that matters. >> Are you sure? >> I'm not. But that is how I don't see it being enforced any other way. >> Curtis or Mr. King, do you know um if that is required if it's a business? >> We'll have to follow up with you on
that. We're not 100% sure. So, we're going to get you the answer. One of the main points in that deal also the gentleman that's operating this business, he's not charging these people to take them from the dock out to the helilipad, >> right? It's built into the price. >> It's free. Well, it's it's essentially a
free service in order to get them out there to get to get to the helilipad. >> And so, it's not really that portion of it is not really the commercial part of the business. The Healy is the commercial part of the business. So, there's a lot of gray area. There's a lot of confusion in there. And uh and I
can certainly see why the town was backing away from getting involved in any of that, >> right? >> Um you know, so and as far as the helicopter itself uh from from being a from owning my own aircraft, the helicopter owner and the and the pilot
are strictly bound by the regulations set forth by the FAA and there and those regulations are very clear. >> Yeah. >> Okay. >> I think we had our discussion now instead instead of the next meeting there. Okay. >> So,
u it is now we got the agenda set. So, >> what is the date of the next meeting? Because it's wrong on the agenda. >> The April 13th or May 13th. >> Oh, no, no, no. April. April. April. You're right. I was thinking for the double. >> Yeah, it's just March.
>> It'll be >> What is it? >> It'll be the 8th is the second Wednesday of April. >> April 8th. >> April 8th. April 8th. >> Next meeting will be April 8th at here at 10 o'clock. Okay.
>> And with that, I will accept a motion to adjurnn. >> I will do that. >> Second. >> And motion made and seconded. Any further discussion? Thank you. It is 11:23 March 11th. We are adjourned with
the MURF meeting. Thank you very much.