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. God bless.
>> Exactly. >> Oh yeah. >> Yeah, I know. [clears throat] >> [laughter] >> In case there's never a flag, we'll just have Sam wear his shirt. Okay. Um, let's do roll call and let us start with our
new member at this end. >> Sorry, Bill Green. Tom Hedrick, Dad Lawwell, >> Chris Rele King, >> John Nesh, Sam Lurri, >> Dan Larry, >> Curtis Lewig, >> and >> uh John Mlan, uh town council leaders.
>> Excellent. Thank you everybody. So, we have a full committee and we'll do committee introductions in just a minute. Um any public comment? I do not see any unless Patty, you want to say something? No. Okay. Uh, approval of
minutes from May 13th. Has anybody had a chance to go through that big packet of fun? >> Did anybody have any comments or corrections? >> I did review it and I have no comments or corrections.
>> Okay. I found just a couple of spelling errors because that's what I do. Um, on page seven, that first paragraph should be beach raking and it should be the rack line wk. But those are the only things that I
would point out at this time. >> Sam Marie, I move we accept the minutes with Chris's changes. >> Thank you, Sam. Do I have a second? >> Ted L second. >> Thank you, Ted. All in favor? >> I. >> All right.
Minutes are approved as amended. Um, let's talk about our new members. So, it's very exciting. Today we have two new members and I will have you introduce yourselves. Tell us a little bit about yourselves, why you wanted to
be on this committee and what's your superpower. What do you bring to the committee? >> Uh, Bill Green uh live uh Mid Island on Sterile Boulevard. Uh, a lot of people may know uh Rick on the roof. Uh we're
Rick's neighbor in the yellow house. So uh everybody knows us by that. Uh we we live around Sterile Boulevard. We do live on a canal. Uh we have a canal behind us. It's in pretty bad shape. Uh my background, [clears throat] we've
lived we bought the house here in 2017, snowbirded for a couple years, 2019 full-time, you know, displaced with Ian like everybody else. Um my uh professional background uh Navy so I hope to bring a
little class to the organization. Um [laughter] I've met Curtis a couple times. Super good guy. Uh so after that I've been a government contractor with the Fed uh for my entire career uh primarily the
Navy and with Noah in the EPA. I'm currently [clears throat] the chief development officer of a small company based out of San Diego and [clears throat] uh we uh do marine services for Noah and the EPA and the
Navy. We operate maintain small boats and research vessels for Noah. We're involved with the uh Noah permitting. Uh we do all the permitting for Florida Keys for Noah. So like the pier is going through fisheries service for permitting
right now. That's out of St. Petersburg. We're not involved with with that at all. Uh I got I [clears throat] wanted to get involved in this because of course the waterways of of the island are very important to to to us. It's one of the reasons we live here and I hope
you'll be able to make a difference. Um superpower. I don't know about that. Um >> or just you know kind of good power. >> Okay. Okay. kind of good power. Uh I do have a competition racing license, so there's a superpower, I guess. And um uh
really strong in federal government procurement. So, you know, the the whole process of procurements and stuff like that, especially marine ones. I've got a lot of experience with that. I hope to help with uh the water taxi, figuring that
out. Um, we we operate we have probably about 85 captains right now around the around the country. So, we've got a lot I've got a lot of maritime experience. In the Navy, I did not drive boats. I blew stuff up.
>> None of that, please. Thank you. Thanks so much. [laughter] >> Calm C come downtown. Uh, okay. Let us uh have our second new member, Dan Olirri, introduce himself. Tell us a little bit about yourself, sir.
I'm Dan Olri. Um, currently live aboard at Shnookbite Marina. I'm originally from uh St. Louis, Missouri. Um, retired in 2019, spent 40 years marketing, advertising in the graphic arts, printing industry. um
retired in 2019, took a couple years off, traveled on the boat, um trying to find a place to live, accidentally ended up here, got with hurricanes chasing us in 2019. Um spent about 6 months here. Um pulled into Shnook Arena and uh asked
how long we're going to stay, about a month. [clears throat] They said, "You know, this is Hotel California." So we left about six months later, spent three months in the Bahamas. Um, the wife loved it here, so we ended up coming back to Fort Myers Beach. Um, I
kind of wanted to live on the East Coast for a while, but um, we know who's boss, right? >> Um, current owner of SOS Yacht Solutions, a yacht management company. Um, from taking care of boats and wet slips, buffing, waxing, detailing, any
mechanical stuff. Um, been doing that for the last three years. Um, I think what I bring is just my experience, the 40 years of marketing and advertising. Um, along with a
liverboard. Um, I love Fort Myers Beach. I love the waterway. I love the environment. Um, want to help protect that, keep it safe in all ways. Um, I think my strengths, um, I care. Um, I
think that's my biggest strength. I I think I care and I listen. Um I like results. I like to get stuff done. Um but I'm very open-minded. I'm pretty much in the middle of a lot of stuff. I'm not too far this way or that way. Um
I've got a big open mind and um but I like to get stuff done. >> Welcome Dan. Thanks so much. Okay, Sam, a briefer introduction since most of us know you, but just give a little background about how long you've been on
the committee, where you live, >> what's your boating background, and your superpower. >> Um, Sam Lurri. I've lived on the beach since 1979, and I'm a 100ton master captain. I've been on the committee
10 or 12 years. And my superpower is I'm on the fund committee with a lot of talented people and now we have even more talented people. >> I'm John Wesley Nash. Um I've lived in Fort Myers Beach full-time since um
I guess uh September of 21. Um I'm from the Ches Bay, Annapolis area. um I inherited all my interest in maritime um skills and and and um desire to teach voting courses and such
uh from my dad who was also Navy in the second world war. Um my whole career I spent in television engineering, designing, building uh overseeing the uh management of of different television
facilities all across the country and several internationally. Um I've been fully retired since 2018. I live on Wateride Dolphin Point building. Uh my superpower is after uh
43 years u finding and convincing a wonderful woman to be my wife and and and she still is much to her credit of in wonderful tolerance. >> I'm sure Kathy will appreciate that.
Shout out to Kathy Nash. Okay, Ted, why don't you go next? I [clears throat] arrived uh Fort Myers Beach 1997 in my vessel. Uh stayed part-time uh at Fishtail Marina for 20
some odd years, maybe 30. uh got washed away uh in [clears throat] Ian and now have a boat at uh Fishbite uh Snookbite and kind of
move back and forth between there and a condo in uh Fort Myers. I was an academic of opthalmologist. I taught I directed academic departments and spent 30 years in I research.
Uh along the way [clears throat] I uh built a couple of aircraft and flew down here from uh Kentucky in a [clears throat] amphibian aircraft I built. So, uh, have been in
and out of here for a long time and the only power I have is what little memory I have, uh, from all those times and my time on the committee. [clears throat] >> Ted, don't sell yourself short. Ted is our elder statesman and he is uh, a
[clears throat] wealth of knowledge, a wealth of information, historical references to what has gone on on this island with boating. So, we we couldn't do it without you, Ted. Thank you. All right, Tom. >> And he's only forgotten the stuff that doesn't matter. [laughter]
>> Uh Tom Hedrickk uh moved here from from Boston, which [clears throat] nobody probably figured out. Um yeah. Uh going on my third year. Uh I live aboard a boat, Snookbite. Um with my wife. Love it. Uh was a police officer for 37
years. Been around boats since I could drive one. Um that's about it. My superpower is I move all Dan's heavy stuff. >> Good to know. >> You're our mover. Um, well, I'm Chris
King and we moved here full-time in April of 2021. Um, I got involved in this committee because I wanted to do something to support the island. My husband's on the town council and I there was an opening on the AAC and
council member Jim Aderhold at the time said, "Hey, I'm the liaison for that committee. Why don't why don't you get on the committee?" And it has been my pleasure to serve with a number of people for the three years that I've been serving. So Ted and Sam and John have been with me, I think, on that
journey. And we've had kind of a rotating little um board of a few other people in that time. But it has been a lot of fun. I have learned a lot about boats. I do not know how to drive a boat. I like riding on boats. Boats are fun. Um, my superpower is sort of
wrangling, facilitation, not ever giving up, persistence. I have a marketing background. I've worked in marketing for 40 plus years. I will be retiring this October. So, gosh, even more time to do things like this. And so, thank you very much for putting up with me and uh
allowing me to lead this wonderful, wonderful committee. I appreciate it. Austin Do you want to say a little bit about yourself? >> Well, I'm Curtis. >> Oh, Curtis. Oh, holy cow. [laughter] Can we go back? Can we like skip back?
>> Confused. >> Okay, I'm done. Apparently, I have to drop. Sorry. >> Um, >> so my name's Curtis Lewig. I'm the harbor master here for the town of Fort Myers Beach. Um, so, um, I feel like I've given this speech, uh, way too many times, so I'll give kind of the short
version and stuff like that, but I'm sure uh, most y'all already know my background pretty well. But, um, so my background started off, um, uh, I was born and raised on the water um, back in Posro Creek in Jacksonville, Florida. Um, where I was born and raised there.
Um, from there, um, I went into the Coast Guard a couple years after high school, did a little college, then went in went into the Coast Guard, did 10 years in the Coast Guard, got out of the Coast Guard, went into the maritime industry, worked for a, um, shipping
agency, um, company, uh, boarded ships, um, oversaw cargo operations and stuff like that for the port of Jacksonville. Um from there I went to a small um maritime engineering uh repair company
um as a project manager for them. We worked we had Navy contracts. So we worked on their um uh the DDG vessels and the LC LCS vessels for the Navy. We uh we worked on their AC plants and their cost split walk-in walk-in
freezers. Um then from there I got a call call from the sister company from the marine marine shipping agency job. Um they wanted me to run their mooring and launch company out of Jacksonville. So I did that until um till this this job [snorts]
um um popped up for me. So um and um I'm here a little a little over two years now. Um I really I really enjoy it. I love the island. Um, and um, I think uh, I think we're doing we're doing good things for the morning field and kind of
um, um, building it up to be the best it possibly can be for the town. So, um, superpower, I don't know about my superpower. Um, I'm a decent I'm a decent fisherman. Um, that that's probably my superpower, but uh, but um,
other than that um, thank you all for for having me here. I appreciate it. >> Thank you, Curtis. And apparently my superpower is not memory. So if you ask my husband, he will tell me I do not have the best memory. So I totally apologize. And John Mlan.
>> Uh hi everybody. John Mlan. Um we've been here on the beach since I think it was 2014 full-time since 2019. Uh I live uh couple streets over on Egret Street on a canal. Uh and enjoy
boating, have a boat. Um, you mentioned Jim Adterhole. That's one of the main reasons why I'm on town council is uh I I was inspired by his leadership and what he was able to do for the the
island and u I've been very much involved with the LPA post hurricane Ian uh and uh basically have been asked uh to you know accept a role on town council which uh I really
do enjoy. And I think it's uh we're at a really important part, very important time on this island. Uh so I am running for town council for the upcoming election and uh I hope that uh my vision
of helping to continue to move this island forward is one that wins out in the end. Thank you. >> Thanks, John. All righty. Staff reports and updates. Curtis. >> All right. I'm just going to keep saying Curtis. [laughter]
>> Very good. Alrighty. So, um, staff reports. Um, so we kind of have kind of get y'all caught up from last couple months. I know that we didn't really have a lot of staff reports for the last meeting because of the joint meeting and stuff like that.
So, um, right now, um, we are in the slow season right now. So we are experiencing our numbers to be down a little bit. I think this morning we had between 28 and 30 boats in the field which is a little bit down from last year. So but with the rate increases I
was kind of expecting this. So um I think for I think it's a little late now but for the budget next year we can discuss other ways to kind of combat combat this issue and um maybe go to seasonal rates
or things like that. But um I'm open for um I'm open for um opinions and you know other other ways to um be able to uh bring in more more profits. Um
so right now we have we have about um roughly around 15 to 18 boats in the back anchorage. It's the most boats that I've seen in the back anchorage since I've been here. We have about eight boats in the front anchorage and um we
have two boats that just got tagged in the back bay that are derelch abandoned vessel. So FWC has been out there tagging these boats and getting these removed pretty pretty uh pretty uh quickly. Um so we just had one pop up this weekend. It's already tagged and
going through the process. So they're moving a lot faster on that which is which is uh great to see. Um, so good news. We are all moved into our new office. Um, we are we're still kind of decorating a little bit and, you
know, getting loose ends together, but um, I will be I I was told that there will be an open house done. So once that date gets locked in, I think we're just trying to get through the Fourth of July season
first and then after that, we'll do an open house for for um for um uh everyone. Um that's my that is what I've been told so far. So once that comes to light, I'll I'll uh send out an email and shed some more information on it.
Um, all right. Next item is, so I've been I've been getting [clears throat] a lot of um phone calls and questions about the boat ramps on the island. Um, meaning specifically the two Myar and the Coconut Ramp. Um, a lot of neighbors on
the Coconut Ramp have been calling. They want that boat ramp open. There's a block there. Um it we tried to get it in FEMA, but it was a homemade ramp and the stuff that was still there when it
was homemade is still exposed and showing. So they couldn't value that it was completely damaged um through the storms. So, um, we are I'm working with the town and my director to see if we can figure figure
out a plan to get these boat ramps resurfaced. Um, I got a quote for the coconut ramp um about a year ago. That was about 60 grand to get redone. Now, Myar's a little Myiar is not in as as
bad a shape as Coconut. Coconut's probably the worst um for sure. So, um, what I would like to ask for y'all is maybe, I don't know, come up with some ideas or maybe bring this to to council, um, and
see if we can maybe get a way to um, hopefully get this moving. I mean, the biggest thing that the town's running into is funding. >> And [clears throat] are these definitely under the town's purview? So, these are town ramps. They are our responsibility. >> Yes, they are.
>> Okay. Okay. Bill, do you have any thoughts about this? You You're the funding guy. >> Okay. [laughter] >> I'm way too early. >> Okay. All right. >> Um, are there any sort of grant
opportunities for things like this or what typically? >> So, I have been we have been looking at grants. It was a grant that brought to my attention for pretty much um morning field operations and stuff like that. I was looking at that grant more
for a long-term um solution um more so building a facility, a permanent facility for the morning field and um finding land. But that's a um that's something that's going to be down
the road. It's going to be a long long long process. But, um, I'm just trying to think about that now and to set us up for success because I know we signed this office for 2 years, but that's going to come up faster than we think, you know, and we needed to start having
a plan together. um if we're going to re-up that lease or if you know my my goal for this town would have a permanent you know a town marina or dock a facility that the town can own and it's theirs and we're not relying on
other entities to run that operation and part of the business for the town. Um but that's just my vision and and view. >> Okay. So, I know we're probably going to talk more about budget and what you're budgeting for in the future. And so, if
we started to kind of put a list together, the future thinking would be we need funds for these two ramps. >> Yes. >> Um, and what what is the community impact? How many people [clears throat] use those ramps? They're open to the entire town, right?
>> The problem is with these ramps are they're in the back of neighborhoods, right? And they're down. Coconut and Myiar are not wide wide streets. And I mean really none of the streets are that wide here. So there's no parking down there at the ramp. So you can't put a
boat there. These coconut ramp is and Myammar are really restricted to like kayaks and jet skis, you know. I mean, putting a big boat at the coconut ramp, you're it's going to be very very very tight. and how they have to when they reour that slab to
redesign it, they gota kind of go to the left and widen it out. It's going to be skinny and then then then open up would would how it would need to be re redone and re resurfaced. So, um
so that I would like to get those ramps open. I've been asked by neighbors to see if they could just access them. Now, we have a cylinder right there. So, we've been going through legal, make sure we can open that up for them to um be able
to use now because there is a section that is that is operable. So, I'm trying to at least get that open up for them. >> So, it's primarily for neighborhood use. It's not for broad public use. >> I mean, >> because there's no parking. >> It's a public Yeah. They would just have
to have they would have to park their truck and trailer somewhere else. Yeah. >> You know, if that was the case. But I think if you're you're not going to get a 22 ft boat in that slip, it's just not happening, you know. So, uh you know, you're kind of restricted to your
smaller vessels like 18 and lower. Probably >> it would smaller crafts. I mean, in my in my thinking, it would be nice to sort of have a situation analysis of, okay, here's the Myiramar ramp, here's, you know, what it's used for. Here are the
challenges. Here's Coconut. What's the impact if we fix them? You know, what's the positive impact? What's the ongoing negative impact if we don't? Okay. >> I mean, that's [clears throat] kind of where my mind goes because it seems like we need a little bit more information.
>> Okay. Well, I mean my my whole thing is these have been damaged since Ian. So, they have not been fixed since Ian. So, um and I know the Hercules dock that used to have like a little park and picnic tables and stuff there and that
that is that is no longer I just don't have the funds to be able to >> get those back up and running. I mean, we're coming up on four years. I feel like we should have those >> up and running for the town, you know. Um especially for the people that >> um live on those streets as well, you
know. So, um just something I'm just trying to >> something that's still down that I'm trying to get get fixed again that you know damaged since the hurricane. >> Does box and recreation have anything to do with those? >> They do not. It's more under my purview.
>> It's under your >> Yeah. I mean, more so like the structures and stuff like that. they they have had a play in it, but now that um it's more so under my under my >> something we could reach out and maybe have them maintain that side of it. And >> I mean the biggest thing is we got to
lay concrete. There has to be a slab poured and I'm probably going to pre pour that slab and slide it in. >> Right. >> Um and not you know it's going to be >> well the ramp side I get but the you're saying like the picnic areas and things like that. >> Well that's that's on the Hercules. So Hercules is a pier.
>> Right. >> Right. So, that doesn't have a ramp or anything like that, but all from Hercules, there's a little uh grass patch area that >> before Ian and stuff used to have a picnic table, little park area people to >> Well, I didn't know if that fell under
the park and recreation side of the world. >> As far as I'm concerned, it's under mine. I mean, we both kind of we both kind of monitor it. >> I know they've been doing a lot up and down the island right now. They're trying to catch up with stuff that's been down since Ian. So, >> okay. And that's part of our weekly
checks or those docks and boat ramps. >> So, all right, moving on here. Um, still working basin for the um dinghy dock. They are they are back to working from the government shutdown. So, working on
him to get with the tropical shores dock. We're looking to get that that uh replaced. Um so I hope to have that in the process of moving forward um by the end of this summer. So
um that's my goal there. Um we are about to start our second scheduling for the maintenance of the morning ball systems uh coming up. So um that's been going really well. Um the last service that we had done we um
um was very was very positive. Um we didn't have a lot of damage to the hardware or anything like that. Minimum um shackles and hardware got got
replaced. So, um we're just happy to be in be in the contract um with this and um having it go on on a semianual annual basis. Now, um
we're still operating going down um the canals um locating any debris. Um we've been working with code as well doing um code checks as well down the down the uh
canals. Um so that's been going well. Um our Carolina skiff, our enforcement boat is now at uh Loggerhead Marina at Fishtails Marina. Thank you to y'all. Um and all that has been settled and paid
up and the boat is in dry storage now. So, um, we're very excited about that. That's a that's a huge win for us. Um, we only it's about we only have to notify them about an hour before. And
with our traveling time from down to the bridge down here, that's that's that's pretty ideal, you know. So, um, we're very excited how all that has has been working out. So, thank you again to this committee and everything for helping us out with that.
So, there will be some updates. I know uh Lzette is working on Civic Plus. There'll be some changes coming about soon. Um but she will have an update for y'all. I believe there might could be possibly a meeting held for all the Civic Plus and the changes that is going
to be happen. But, um there'll be an update sent out for that. So, just um be on the lookout for that. I'm not sure when that is going to happen, but I know it's I know it's on the uh on the um horizon. So, um
so like I stated, we're in the new office. We are moving in and we're going to slowly start adding amenities um to the new office. So, that would be like mailbox systems and things of that nature. So, um, and I, um, and and I'm
open to any other ideas, um, and suggestions to add to the new office and to add to our, um, fee fee fee schedule and what we charge for for the morning field. So, update on slow speeds in the back
bay, manity protection, all of that. Um, we are still slowing people down when we're out every time. Um, I I haven't heard a lot of talk about it in the most recent weeks. I was out last
week, so I didn't really hear a whole lot then, but I I I want to say things are getting better. I've seen um LCSO's presence along with FWC in the Back Bay a little bit more in the um I would say the last month. So, um, we appreciate
that very much. So, um, >> question about that, Curtis. I think one of the things that we talked about at our May 13th joint meeting with Murf was trying to get together some sort of a meeting between um, I think it was maybe perhaps John Mlan and John King and um,
some other staff people with LCSO and other people to really talk about how can we beef up enforcement? Yes. And how do we beef up presence? Did that meeting ever happen or get scheduled? >> I have not heard anything about that meeting being being scheduled yet. John [clears throat]
>> chair. Uh so we spoke about it at uh don't know if it was the last town council meeting or the one previous. I think the one previous uh and there was general agreement um to be more proactive around that. And
Will had actually said that he had a meeting scheduled with um our public safety head. It was Tom Yazo at the time and um LCSO
in order to reiterate the issues that we had on the speeding in the Backbay and to try and ask for more enforcement around that. Um, I know that that did occur, that that was a meeting that uh that did
occur, and I think that may be why you're seeing some improvement, Curtis, in in behavior back there. Um, it was very much uh unanimous that it was a big issue. And of course, we uh also recently had a manity
[clears throat] death, right? And that's the that gets people's attention. >> Yes. Did we put that slow wake U map up on our website? We talked about doing that. Is that there now? >> We have. Yes.
>> All righty. Um I think that concludes my updates. If y'all have any questions or anything that I missed that you would like me to um update you on, please please uh let me know. >> Go Sam. >> Go Sam.
I just had a couple quick questions. There was some legislation on January 1st about the 14-day and anchoring permit issues. >> Correct. >> And also a July 1st that starts tomorrow,
maybe a new rule on abandoning on abandoned boats. Do you have some update of of any of those the anchoring permit and possibly the uh the next one if you even are aware next?
>> So yeah, so um I talked with FWC got some more clarification on the um first one you said about the 14 days and the 30 days of the anchoring vessels. So that does not pertain to any boats in the morning field. That does not because they're on a moing. They're paying for
the moing. So, it's more of the Anchorage vessels. Um, it's it's it's a little complicating um to kind of understand. >> I guess what I was getting at is does that make it easier for you to get rid
of some of these abandoned boats? >> Um, in a sense, yes, it does. Um, because um now the owners are held more more responsible. They have to go on the FWC website. They have to um declare
where they're anchored at, where they're at, and if they are moving within a third or within a 30-day period, and if it goes more than 14 days and they have they're in a different location, they have to
resubmit in the FWC website um where their where their purposition where their position's at. um whether that's Fort Myers, the Keys or or wherever. So, it's um it's more so on the boater themselves um to be able to track that.
Um now, that's going to be something that I will have to work with FWC handinand because that's going to be I mean I'll have an idea of you know I have an idea of what vessels are anchored in our in our um anchorages. Um, a lot of them have been here for a
long time, you know. Um, so, um, you know, I know that who who kind of comes and goes. So, I could keep an eye out for FWC, be like, "Hey, listen. This guy's, you know, been here for this many days or what we've seen." And, you know, they'll have to run their run their
run their uh checks on them. Unfortunately, I don't have the system to do that. I'm not FWC or law enforcement, so I would just have to work with them hand in hand. So, it's more under um FWC's purview when they're
the ones um running this, but I can also um work with them hand in hand and give them give them updates as needed of what's going on in the anchorage. Now to your other question. You said >> July
>> there's something that goes into effect July 1st about abandoned vessels and maybe you could give us the update next meeting on um after it takes effect how that will affect you and help you out with the abandoned vessels. >> Absolutely. I will I will comment on this. What they put out in January for
the abandoned vessels and everything like that that has been I have seen an increase of um derelic vessels being being uh tagged with the red with the red stickers and
the removal process has been a lot a lot a lot faster. So um we're not waiting a year year and a half anymore. Um, I've had vessels that sank in the back bay due to some storms, you know, over the winter time and stuff like that and, uh, they're already gone. So, um, things are
moving a little bit better back there on the FWC front for the abandoned vessels for sure. So, like I said, we only have two back there now and we had probably like four or five at one point. So, um, things are getting cleaned up pretty well.
>> Any other questions for Curtis? Curtis, do you want to talk about budget now or do you want to talk about it later? Which would you prefer? >> So, we are in the process of going through our budget right now. We just had, um, Patty and I just had a meeting with Frankie. We're lining out our
budget. [sighs] Our budget now, um, not much is going to be changing from what we have this year. [snorts] Um, we've added there's been a couple changes. Um, a few more additions, but nothing crazy. You know, the biggest
addition would probably be getting us a uh 250, an F, an F250, a truck to be able to pull our vessels with. Um, right now we have a old F-150 um that's that's on its last stand. [laughter]
I don't know how to say that nicely, but um so that's pretty much our biggest need um operational need right now. and just to make sure that we have the funding for our maintenance and um all our operational needs for for the moing
systems and along with our vessels as well. >> Did I miss anything else, Patty? Or I need to go over update them on any big items. >> That's the only big that's the biggest
facilities which we're in. Right. So, if we were to advocate for anything going forward, you need our advocacy for thinking of a long-term solution for your
>> location and also trying to find dollars to repair those two boat ramps. >> Yes. >> Those would be kind of your top priorities. >> Correct. Yep. Those are those are um I wouldn't say assets, but facilities >> off of the morning field. Um, and I just
want to just try my best to try to get everything back in operational order that was damaged from the from the hurricane. I think going in year five, we should be moving >> moving forward and not, >> you know, we shouldn't be still fixing fixing damages. That's kind of kind of
my goal. >> Um, and I do want to make sure, do we still have our money left in our budget? So, we had after uh our cruiser appreciation day, we had $4,5384.
We gave 1,600 to the town. So, we should still have 290384. >> I'm going to request request that they roll that over. They generally do not do that. Okay. >> But because it's AAC me money, I'm going to ask um finance to
roll that over into the next fiscal year. Great. >> So hopefully they'll do that. >> Yes. Hopefully you can do that. >> That shouldn't be a problem because I believe that's what we did last year too because we had money left over still >> because I asked right because I specifically asked for it. So I will do that again.
>> Perfect. Thank you. Curtis, um, in preparation in discussing the budget, can you electronically distribute, um, possibly a document that shows the details of last year's budget and any
information going forward that you're changing or proposing changes with? So, when we get to a meeting where we want to discuss that in detail, we can be prepped. >> Yeah, absolutely. I believe Petty, correct me if I'm wrong here. Um, but
our our budget schedule should be on the website, correct? On our web town's website for this for this year that we're for for the fiscal year we're in right now. >> So, you can see what our budget is for that. Um, but um until it gets approved
for council and everything for our budget this year, I I won't be able to release anything until after that's approved with council. Um, I believe so. I will double check on that for you and see if I can get it to you sooner. >> It was online m maybe to save a lot of hunting and pecking. You can you can
send out a a link. >> Okay. Yeah. >> And John, I'm guessing that um there will be budget hearings. Do do those happen in September or October? Uh so the town uh needs to deliver uh the
preliminary budget by the 15th of July and then there are two budget meetings. Um we set the dates for them. I don't recall them offhand but they're uh early and midepptember. [clears throat] I think it was the 9th and the
the 9th and something like two weeks after that. Um or the two budget meetings. Um and then from there we'll set the village rates and everything will flow from that. >> Thank you.
>> All right. Anything else for Curtis? >> All right. How about if we do member items? And I will start at this end. So, Bill, are there any member items you would like to bring up? Anything that's on your mind? >> No. Um, only, you know, I don't know the purview
of the committee here, but, uh, totally, but the canal dredging, you know, is well, our canal is almost where we are is un it's unusable. It's you people come back, they can't get boats on lifts, just leave them tied up in the
water. It's really bad. >> What canal are you on? [clears throat] Uh, I don't know the number. It's on uh Sterile Boulevard uh right by Williams. >> Williams. Okay. >> Yeah. >> All right.
>> But uh our canal is a little unique in that it comes down from the bay and it turns right and it parallels this tero boulevard. >> I know. I know what you're talking about. I know exactly what you're talking about. >> Is that the toes? >> Yes. Yeah. Yeah. Okay. Pescad. Uh, and
so the way we're positioned along parallel Boulevard from Hurricane Ian, all that muck just settled into that canal right there. So, it's pretty bad. >> I got you. Um, I know the dredging is something that it's a, you know, it's
been talked about a lot. Um, they're, um, they're still discussing it. So, um, again, the biggest >> problem that we're experiencing is is, uh, is funding for these for these big projects. So, um, I don't got any update on the bud on the dredging right now,
but as soon as I do, I I will I will update you. Um, >> now I thought uh one thing like the federal government does is to put out like an RFI, request for uh information. >> Correct. >> Dredging companies and come back and let
them come back and tell us what their ideas are. >> Okay. >> Instead of doing a RFP, >> right? >> You know, saying, "Okay, tell me how much." And you know, but you got to build a statement of work. An RFI, the Fed does it all the time. make the
contractors work for you and and they could they could develop a work plan, tell us your work plan and an estimated budget at least give you a ballpark to know what kind of money you're looking for, you know, I have a feeling it's a lot of money, >> right? No, it is. I don't know. I
appreciate that and um that's uh something I will route up and um pass up the chain, see if that's something that we can attack better that way. So, >> Bill, I do know that um that's al also been a discussion for quite some time with council and uh one of the key
things was we had never mapped out our canals. >> And because we didn't have a proper survey for it or had done proper maintenance on those canals, they weren't reimbursible for by FEMA for uh for us to go in and do it. So the first
step is to actually understand where we are and what we have and then from that it would um there are different ideas about who and how to pay for the dredging. Uh in the past there were some
communities that actually helped fund that. Uh you know obviously they get the benefit of it. They were willing to fund partially fund it at least. I I don't know any of the details around that. Um but those are the types of things that
are being considered and and any new ideas and thoughts on that are obviously very much appreciated. >> And Bill, to your point about um the purview of this of this committee, we have something that is under review by the town attorney and others. So it's on
the back page of your um of your agenda here. Just to give you a little idea. This is what we have been talking about for a couple of years, what we came up with, and we're waiting for the final blessing. >> Okay. Thank you, >> Tom. >> I don't have any items, but what's that
dredge doing in the uh in the back bay now? >> The one that's been parked there for a month. >> I watched it go there. Is it going to be >> I believe that's getting ready for the um Army Corps of Engineers are going to be doing the dredging of uh Matan's Pass. >> Oh, they are. And that's going to be I
believe that's that's part of the um the equipment and stuff that they're bringing in. >> Oh yeah. >> Setting up for it. So [laughter] >> So yeah. So it's uh they're going to be doing the federal channel um of uh Matanza's Pass. So that happens every so often. Every I think it's like five plus
years or so. So we're up for it now. So um they're going to be starting here I believe by the beginning of the year coming up. So very soon. >> Excellent. Thank you. >> We've [clears throat] been following the
occupancy and uh revenue since 2009 and for this year [clears throat] we have been above [clears throat] revenue uh until the
month of May. And that's as [clears throat] far as we uh have it. U [clears throat] in May we were at 95% of the previous year the month the same month for the previous year.
And it is interesting that with the new rates at least through May we [clears throat] have been ahead of previous years. >> Right. uh [clears throat]
the uh in uh April not May um April uh we were 79% of the previous year's month and 78% [clears throat]
in uh May. Uh this originally looked very good because we had with the new rates we had been well above past past years. It will be interesting to see at this rate whether
uh with the low months coming up uh we will drop down so that the year's income would be less than the previous year. Uh it looked real good at first. Uh and the idea of seasonal rates now
projecting uh probably is a reasonable uh uh a reasonable idea uh on uh occupancy. [clears throat] We again were
until May we were ahead of occupancy for the previous year uh each month it was 95% uh of the previous I'm sorry in income it was uh
95% of the previous year for May uh then occupancy percent full uh is of the 83 balls in May was 41% and in April it was 48%.
Uh which a lot of numbers but it seems like to me we've we're skating on the edge but we're doing pretty well up to now. >> When was the rate change? >> Took effect January 1st, didn't it? >> Was it January where the numbers
>> or it was last year right after? >> It was October. fiscal year of 26. >> So October >> October of 26. >> Oh, okay. >> So, >> no no >> October 26. >> 25 didn't happen. 25 >> October 1st of 20.
>> We knew what you meant. >> I knew what you meant. >> Fiscal year 26 starts October of the previous year. >> Previous year. Yes. >> So h how are we measuring whether that has been a good idea? I mean, how will
you know that that has proved to be what we intended for it to do to make us more money? Um, you know, based on maybe slightly less occupancy but greater funds has, as uh Ted says, we're kind of skating on the edge here, it looks like.
So, what is your analysis of the situation? >> So, kind of what we're seeing right now. So, I kind of want to get through a full year so we can completely look at the season and the off season and see where our um you know our differences lie
there. Um as of right now, it seems that our season we do very well with the with the rates. Um we have more in the offseason. I will say I I will say for the season I get a lot of transient festivals. So, a lot of
like week-long stays, long weekends, not so much the monthly reservations. I mean, we still get them, don't get me wrong, but um it's more so the transients during the season. And then now more so now during the off season, we get more of
our monthly monthly stays now. Um is that pretty accurate to say, Patt, do you think? Yeah. So, um, >> I would argue that this fuel thing is probably, if you look, April really is when the fuel hit. >> Yeah. >> And we got crushed.
>> Yep. Y >> I mean, I went to the Bahamas and spent double what I expected. >> But what I'm looking at as well is our how many boats we have in the field are kind of like our our kind of occupancy
numbers. So, for me, um, right now during the season, we are down from what we were the last 2 years from when I started here. >> But I'd almost I'd argue that the fuel prices are keeping people not traveling as much. And it and it shows right there was in April was 39 as opposed to the
50. And then when you start going back up, you start seeing that the numbers are getting closer. I mean, we're a little bit down, a few votes here and there, but >> Right. But you really get crushed in it. >> Well, I I I was more so closer in the 40s this year this time last year and
I'm in the 30s right now going into the 20s. So, um I've had a lot more boats in the field >> this time last year >> right now. So, >> is there any way to talk to some of your compadres in the morning field business to see if they have seen similar issues?
I mean, if fuel is indeed an impact and a a factor here. I mean then everyone I would assume should have >> I mean I definitely think fuel is you know playing a part. It plays a part. Um I don't know if that's the main cause to for our numbers being down or not. um if
it's more so our our rates, but um you know um I feel like our monthly rate is is I say it's a little bit on the higher side, but it's more it's it's it the more I look at other marinas and stuff
like that, we're we're we're becoming more in the me medium now. People have been raising their rates because they have to, you know. So, um, but I will say, um, I stayed in a marina, um, on vacation. I put my boat in this marina.
Um, and just to give you an idea, and this something we could, you know, think about and talk about as well, but they charge by the foot. Now, um, I stayed for a week and, um, I forget what the
price per foot was. Um, but for the week it was like $300 and something dollars. So, they're way more expensive than we are, but they're a marina. They offer power, electric, but they have facility, upland facilities like we do within their stuff like that.
So, it's a little, you know, it's, we got to understand we're a moing field. We're not a marina. Um, I would like to get to a marina aspect and have both um eventually, but um, you know, the morning field's kind of a little bit different and how they charge for um,
you know, marina slips and stuff like that for power. So, um, that's kind of where I'm at. So, I can't really I can't really take the marinas as and compare them to us because it's we're a morning field. I got to look at more. So, at the moring
fields like St. Augustine, Marathon, um um Key West, those are kind of the what we have to kind of look at more so than the marinas. But the marina, I mean, we're within [clears throat] the same we do the same thing pretty much. So, I
mean, it's it's also a good thing to look at the marinas and everything because maybe we can take something that they do and and incorporate it into our operation as well. So, >> okay. Um, I don't really have anything for me ever reports. Just uh just wanted
to remind people that I did go in front of council on May 18th and I talked about the initial conversations that we had at our joint meeting with the MURF committee. Um talked about water taxi ferry and algae. Also called out um
Sam's request for the council to look at alternatives to fireworks in the future. Um and also supported uh MURF committee member Jennifer Russ's request to increase enforcement of regulations for property maintenance because there was a lot of trash blowing around and
overflowing. Um and I'm happy to go to council in August with anything that we come up with here that we want to have discussed. Um so I think that is it for my member notes. John,
>> not a lot. Uh, and I'm sorry, Curtis, I should have asked this earlier. Do you have any update on on the um issues that occurred in Buccaneer Lagoon uh with the fish kill? Have we learned anything new? Is anything been updated in that area?
>> Um, no new news. Um, everything's far as I've heard and have uh been talking with Chad that um um everything's kind of settling back out. We haven't had any more um extensive reports or seen any we haven't had any
other fish scales. So that's that's that's great. But now with with it being so hot now, the canals are getting hot, you'll see, you know, you'll see the algae kind of turn like we notice when we go back into the to the back end end
of the canals and stuff, you'll see it start to turn more of a browner reddish color and stuff like that. But that's just the the heat and everything that we're experiencing now in the summertime and the growth that's going to be be causing. So, >> was there any more um conclusion on what
caused it or is it still um >> I have not gotten an update for Chad. That's something um but it's it's what what when we sent off those samples and the reports that we got back of what was in it. I mean, that's that's all we got back. There was no we can't there's no
pinpoint to exactly what caused it or anything thing like that. Um, so that's why we're just doing our due diligence, going around to the condo associations and stuff like that, trying to prevent anything else that would that would cause that to happen again, right?
>> You know, so we're just trying to eliminate any other any other issues, >> right? Um, yeah, I commend you on on all that work there. That has uh I don't know what more you could have done, >> right, >> to help with that. >> I appreciate it. Um, I also commend um
[clears throat] um Chris on all your testimony in front of the uh town council. I I don't know anyone else that could do that as well. And I think that's been a real step up in the committee's visibility and effectivity um since you've been doing
that. So, excellent. The [clears throat] only real major thing I have that is uh something that I developed since last meeting. >> Can we talk about that when we get to new business? >> Absolutely. Um absolutely.
Absolutely. In in that situation then I really don't have anything else to uh to mention. >> Okay. Thank you. >> No problem. Sorry to stop. No no no. >> I'm the wrangler. >> Absolutely. Uh Madam Chair. >> Yes. Uh, I don't know how related it is to the
fish kill, etc., but um, the town has put out through our public information officer, Abigail, uh, notifications and trying to really get the word out that no fertilizer during the summer months. Um, and there's a program that they put
out to I think there's some flamingos involved or something like that to make it uh demonstrate that you're um compliant and and respect the fact that during the rainy season that runoff from
fertilizer can really be damaging to the canals. So, >> thank you John. And thank you, John. Sam, what you got? >> Um, for the final time, I'm just gonna do a brief wrap-up on the fireworks, and
I'll I'll keep it brief because, uh, it is the third rail of government. I did not realize that. Um, I seem to be the 1%. Um, not the 1% I wanted to be, but um, so, but I'm going to keep pursuing this out outside of the committee, but I
just wanted to give a quick wrap up. And uh I did request that MURF discuss it and I thank them for discussing it. That's the appropriate committee. Um I was very disappointed in the discussion. However, it's out there now for people. I did want to comment on two things that
were in the news this week. Um the black skimmer hatched on Santael Island for the first time in 30 years. And I would like I will be requesting outside of this committee um that we'll
direct Chad to maybe do a brief um observation of the beach before and directly after the fireworks uh to see if we are disturbing the um nesting shorebirds. Um during that meeting, um Chad
discussed for several minutes about the grants that we receive for nesting shorebirds, but not one word about fireworks. And I think it's up to us if we're getting money for grants for
nesting shorebirds that we use it prudently and act responsibly. Um the second thing was that Abby was on the news this week um discussing that there was 27 um lighting turtle lighting violations.
And I just wanted to bring to light that a typical 60W light bulb it measures 800 lumens. That's it's the brightness. Um fireworks are anywhere from 500,000 to a
million. That's a thousand times brighter than light bulbs that we are citing people for on this beach. So, I will continue to pursue this outside of uh outside the committee and hopefully other people get involved and we'll do
something good. Thank you. >> Thank you, Sam. And I will mention that during the um the council meeting where I presented, Rebecca, councilwoman Rebecca Link did ask for any other environmental, you know, facts that we had about the impacts of of fireworks.
So I would suggest to you that, you know, if you can keep track of studies that you find and things that actually say, hey, this did cause an impact. And I like your suggestion to u you know see if there's an impact on the birds before and after after the
fireworks. But I think facts anything that we can bring to the table that's actually you know has been proven it's factual goes a long way in helping to change something down the line. I'll be asking for those facts, but um what I ask right now is that anybody
Google the words fireworks environmental damage and you'll see the list of the possible things that are going on. Um I will not be copying anybody in this committee just because of sunshine, but I will be sending all the council members, Will
and Chad, an email in the next couple days. It's all public record. So, if anybody wants to look at it, just ask him to look at those um into all this and stating what what I think are the facts and I'm just doing all my casual research and hopefully Chad will come up
with with something that's professional. We have a full-time professional environmentalist. I don't know of any other town our size that has that. So, he's our guy. He's got the facts. Um,
>> yeah, go ahead, John. >> Yes, Sam. Um, I think everything you're saying about studying the the uh impact on the environment is excellent. Just something [clears throat] that uh I mentioned I I can't say with authority but maybe possibly something that you
can put into your research is uh basically from reviewing social media the amount of turtle nesting this year on Fort Myers Beach appears to be down where um on Santael Island it is
tremendously increased. So possibly that's something you can look at for your reports. I will look at that now that you mentioned it. I was boating yesterday about a mile off of Ocean Harbor. The water was crystal clear and I saw a an
adult loggerhead um swimming and I just think it's a shame that these beautiful waters this weekend one more time we're going to pollute them with heavy metals. Um, and
the day after, anybody walking the beach, they they may or may not see a bunch of trash washed up on the beach. You won't see the toxins in the water. If they do see them, hopefully we'll try to get it cleaned up. If you don't see them, they're out there. Hundreds of
pounds of waste are going somewhere. >> Thank you, Sam. Dan, >> um, I don't really have anything at this time. I'm just all ears. >> There's a lot to listen to. >> There's a lot a lot to absorb here. >> Well, if you have questions, feel free
to speak up and we will try to help you as much as we can. Okay, I am going to move on to new business. So, two things that I would I would like to sort of one to wrap up and the second one to entertain some new ideas. So the first thing to wrap wrap
up hopefully is our final recommendations on water taxi water ferry services our final guidelines. So couple different things to reference. One is the the discussion draft document
and on page three that's where I had put together the draft recommendations for AAC and MURF based on the conversation that we had on May 13th. And then um Murf beat us to the punch by having their meeting earlier this month. So
hopefully you all received the email that was sent via Dave Nusbomb sent through um the staff here and that has four things that MURF really wanted as the guard rails or the things for council and the staff to consider when
they put together some regulations on that. Are you seeing that thing? Okay. So, we can we can do it a couple of different ways. We can think about, you know, the uh the three things that I put together or the four things that Merc
put together and I think theirs is very succinct. Uh I don't necessarily have any concerns with what they put together. So, what they're suggesting and I'll just read it to you. Um, the MURF committee was charged with recommending guardrails for any discussion or potential development of water fairies and or taxi services for
Fort Myers Beach. Water ferry being defined as a regular passenger route while taxi services moving passengers from specific destinations to specific destinations. So, the guardrails they suggested were speed. All permitted operators should follow all posted speed zones. Speed zones on the backbay should
be monitored and strictly enforced. Parking. Adequate parking for those using any service is critical. Schedule. A seasonal schedule January through March may be desirable for startup. Northern taxi ferry services may wish to transfer assets for the season. And
license permits. All operators must have necessary licenses to operate a shuttle, ferry, taxi service from the federal, state, county, or municipal government bodies. Is there anything there that you would disagree with or that you would want to
amend in any way? Is there anything missing? I'm trying to look at what we we said. We we we had gone a little deeper in our discussion about maximum number of licenses, size of vessel. Uh I
don't know that we need to go into that depth. I think if we just provide our background documentation and say, "Hey, these four things are really what we think are the most important things as you go forward, but hey, by the way,
we've done some other research and here's our document, so have at it. What do you think?" >> I think it's great to leave it general like that and then when we get to specifics, we can workshop it or get into the details.
Any other comments on that? All right. So, my question one comment um >> hearing Bill's background today um on on what he's been involved with.
>> I [clears throat] I don't know what the time frame is or what the opportunity is. I would certainly think it would be to our advantage if he had a chance to quickly review this and bring forward any thoughts he has on on what we put forth. uh again uh mentioning what Sam
said is is is this is not a detailed document but uh just like to know if there's some experience he has that we may have totally missed or or uh have totally um not addressed. So uh I don't know how that fits into the time frame,
but I'd love to get feedback from Bill if it's practical. >> And I'm not talking about at this meeting of course I'm talking about giving you opportunity to review this. Yeah, I can look at it uh as a marine company.
I probably wouldn't touch this. >> Mhm. >> It's a seasonal thing for, you know, four maybe 5 months a year. Uh you got parking issues. What do you do with the vessels for the other seven months? You
have to park them somewhere. Uh ideally, you put them on the hard, take them out of the water. Uh but I I probably wouldn't touch it. He's a private company. >> Yes, exactly. >> But as a private company, I'm saying that I probably wouldn't touch it
because of the seasonality of it. >> Uh I have no predictable revenue. >> Also, you have an unknown passenger count. You don't know. >> Uh the fees you would have to charge per passenger might be really high uh in
order to break even. >> Yeah. I I think a lot of these fairies because I think we're really talking about a ferry, not a taxi. And plus, how long of the day is it going to operate? You know, that that might necessitate how many captains you got to
have on the payroll. Uh if you exceed their eight hours or whatever, you got may have to have another captain. Uh you got to have a deck hand. You got inspected vessels. These are all expensive things to do. And then where do I put these, you know, expensive
vessels during the off season? Where do I park them? >> Yeah, >> I got to pay for that, too. >> Right. And our remit was not to figure out if it's viable or feasible, but to suggest guard rails to be put in place in advance of something like this coming to fruition. So, um
>> I do think that we have to consider that. I think a lot of fairies are don't survive on their own. that are subsidized at some point and so you're going to have to have some type of funding [snorts] identified for
subsidies of that to to support it. >> Coming into the process a little bit late, Bill, I think the whole um >> period here purpose of this document is to educate the town council and what it would >> what they need to consider to move
forward on this. Um, I don't think there's any real discussion about the town operating either a ferry or water taxi. It would be something that would be contracted out >> and and of course it's their responsibility to determine the
viability of of the financial success of it and they would have to come up with >> if it's worth them doing it, how to handle the the uh personnel issues, how to handle the the vessels. Um, I certainly don't think the town should be
in that business. It would be a situation where create an opportunity for various companies to bid and the town would obviously select who they would want to move forward with. >> And I also wonder, I mean, one of the main reasons that we've had discussions
about water ferry is the fact that during season it's almost impossible for people from the south end to go to the north end on a sterile boulevard. Now, as we hopefully will have more restaurants and other entertainment venues opening on the south end, does
that eliminate or at least reduce the necessity for something like this, you know, for an alternate method of transportation? That's something that I've been thinking about as well. >> And like to right now there is no traffic. We don't have traffic issues now, >> right?
>> So, so you really a ferry wouldn't have any purpose really right now. it'd be sitting somewhere in a dry dock. >> So, I just want um I just want to add like as far as
as my knowledge is that this is something the town's not going to take on and run and operate. So, I I don't think we need to get into the weeds of what it's going to cost and the personnel to run it because that's on the entity that's going to come in and
do the business, right? Um, so it more so we need to kind of focus more on [sighs] how the town would be able to regulate it or um I guess what they have to get
through the town to be able to operate that business. Um, and I think that's more so the vision that will wanted us to discuss and kind of bring bring forth. um and so more of how the operation's going to be ran and
personnel issues and stuff like that. That's really not not really our business, you know what I mean? So, um just wanted to clarify that a little bit. >> Um to piggyback on what Curtis just said, we do have some kind of
commitments with the arches. I'm not sure how far along that is, but hopefully council will um firm that up with them because that's that's the pivotal point of the whole thing. They were going to be the anchor. they were going to operate it as long as it was profitable. So hopefully council will
work with them and get a good plan together. >> So where does that leave us? Are we are we good with what Murf had suggested as their four items? Speed, parking, schedule, license, permits. I might
suggest that we add um on page three, number three, the permits outline guidelines for certain things. Maximum number of licenses, maximum size of vessel, fee for the right to operate, minimum required levels of insurance and liability coverage, restrictions on
hours, days, months of operation, and maintaining compliance with existing noise and loud noise restrictions. I think that those are pretty important things that we discussed. Mhm. >> So, >> agreed.
>> Okay. So, would somebody like to >> Yeah, I think those are the those are the key points that the town really has governance over. That's it. Period. I mean, the rest of it is all FWC, Coast Guard, >> channel markers, things like that. So, speed and all that is all someone else.
But I think that right there would is what we totally agree with that. I I move that we make that changes or additions uh [clears throat] in light that it may not occur but this is for
future protection. >> So your motion is to accept what Murf put forward with our addition of this um specifics around permits. >> That is correct. >> Okay, >> I'll second that. >> Okay. All in favor? I
>> Okay, I will put that together as a formal um decision recommendation to the council and uh let Murf know as well and then we can hopefully formally present that together in August at a council meeting.
Okay. The other thing that we were asked to opine on um which Murf did not put in their recommendation was the algae situation. Uh and I think you also got a document uh that talked about that regarding the algae. What we talked
about is the existing town policy is adequate with the caveats that the policy should apply to the entire island equally and that the policy should allow for staff to use its best judgment under any special circumstances and based on available resources. Staff should be allowed to make common sense decisions,
particularly when concerns of safety, health, or negative island perceptions might come into play. So Chris, are you talking about that being included in this document? >> Um, not in this document, but as the second recommendation because the town came to us and asked for us to make a
recommendation on both those things, the ferry water and also the algae. And that was something that we discussed at that joint meeting. >> Okay. Yeah, I know we discussed it. I was questioning how much of that was really applied to the AAC and wasn't strictly a MURF, right, type of issue. I
I I I I there's got to be some sort of division there so that we're no not both spending efforts on the same subject. I absolutely support what they say. Uh and if you think there's a a role we should play in helping recommend that, then I
certainly am viable with that. If you uh if there isn't then I think I'd like to see that stay in in Murf's court and AAC not get involved with that because we have plenty of other things that they uh do not have any ability to recommend um
authoritatively uh and I just I just don't want to duplicate work. >> Yep. I think that makes sense. So I uh I can reach out to uh the MURF chair Dave Nusbomb and make sure that he includes that as part of his recommendation. it was something that we did circulate to
everybody so I can follow up with him and make sure that that gets um taken to council as a as a formal recommendation if that makes sense John >> it it does make sense um I kind of agree John with the separation of the purview
um I think they also were speaking a lot about uh seaweed accumulation on the beaches was part of that discussion that they had as well so Yeah, but uh yeah, I agree and and appreciate what you're saying. I think what we got to realize is that there was
a section of that meeting that was their meeting. There was a section of that meeting that was our meeting and then there was cross discussion. Um and certainly things that were cross discussion uh we we we should respond to as we as Chris has brought up and we have agreed to do. But uh um things that
I'm hearing in in that uh in that language is is in their court and they should address it directly with top counsel. Okay. All right. We've got our recommendations. That's very exciting. Uh and we can move on to what I think is
one of our last items today and that's talking about the evolution of cruiser appreciation day. And I know John, you put together a document and I um put together a document which should have been at your
at your uh seats today. Um John, I know I I believe that your document is more on how do we do it again in the same vein. So I would just like to throw out something for consideration and we certainly don't have to make any decisions today. But
[snorts] as I was thinking about this and I had a conversation with Jackie Leisac at the chamber to talk about how do we do something bigger better? How do we have more impact? I started thinking do we want to have a
singular uh approach to cruiser appreciation day or do we want to find out a way to have multiple points of impact throughout the year? And I will say one of the reasons that made me think this way is as those of you know who have been through the cruiser
appreciation day process, it is quite challenging for us with the organization that we have to put on large events. Uh it takes a lot of extra meetings. We can't talk to each other. Um it is not necessarily a best practice for
organizing an event. But that said, um we do have regular meetings. And what if we thought about a way to go from the sole organizer of an event to a joiner or enhancer of existing events? What if
we thought about introducing point in time opportunities for cruisers to get involved? There are a lot of things that happen on this island that have to do with water cleanup and beach cleanup and other activities. the shrimp festival that are, you know, water related. What
if we found a way to, you know, we have cruisers here all year round? How do we get them involved? Not just that one day, but how do we get them involved all the days? And then how do we think about um providing something for every cruiser, not just on that one day? What
if we did some sort of a cruiser card or had a welcome wagon approach? That's something that we've talked about before is putting together welcome kits for our cruisers. Um, there are some organizations on the island that are doing great things for the businesses.
You know, they're getting them to step up and come forward and of course it's to get traffic to their places, but how do we uh involve the cruisers in something like that? So, my my thought uh is moving from a one event a year to more intentional annual
advocacy and awareness approach. So, it'd be advocacy and awareness. We promote and actively support events, activities aligned with our interests. Celebration, recognizing the recreational voters who contribute to our economy. Uh, educating people how to stay safe while in the water. Explain
the critical importance of our keeping our environment clean, preserving quality of life. And then action, promoting and participating in events for waterway, beach, roadway cleanup, water quality testing, etc. So, it's something that we could talk about on a monthly basis, see what's coming up, see
how we could be involved. Certainly look a forward to what's coming up, you know, later in the year. But I just throw that out for consideration. And, you know, Ted and Sam have done cruiser appreciation day for years and they've been very patient with us. We've evolved
it to what it was, you know, just this past year. What else can we do? So, I throw that out for discussion. Again, I we I don't know that we have to make a decision on anything today, but just wanted to throw out that approach and see if anybody if
it resonates with anybody. John, >> well, first let me say the document that I created is you described very accurately. It is simply a document that has a proposed schedule uh if we choose to do it again as we have been doing it.
uh your your document is is is quite uh innovate in and looking at alternatives. I would like to have the opportunity to address this document in maybe point bypoint uh um issues and possibly write
a response to it that can be u distributed before next week's or next month's meeting. um and and and I don't know if anyone else on the committee would would do the same, but at least um give some detail in in how I would feel
and and possibly from other committee members so that we come to the meeting that everyone has at least um put their thoughts down so we don't wind up with a extensive debate about what uh what each of these means. You know, very important
important suggestions and and points. Um I can and they need to be uh considered in detail. >> I just would like to have a chance for us all to put together a proposed detail on that so that we uh become prepared to
to address it >> in an efficient manner. >> Sounds good to me. >> Does that make sense? >> Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. I mean, >> and obviously everything has to be directed to Curtis and and my document would be directed to Curtis and uh and Curtis would be responsible for handling from there. >> Yeah.
>> But I I uh it's it's an excellent document that you put forth. Uh I just looking for a way to efficiently address it. >> Um so I handed it I think I got it to Patty and Curtis. Do you want to send the document electronically then to the committee just so that they have
something that they could actually comment on and Okay, >> great. >> Your next meeting >> is going to be August. >> August. Yeah. >> It and council changed their meeting to the 24th. So they're thinking that you
guys could have your meeting on the 25th. >> So the day after what our meeting was scheduled for. >> So Tuesday the 25th. Tuesday the 25th is available. >> Nine o'clock. >> Yes, I believe our time will stay the same. >> Is there any re possibility that we
could go the week before? >> Um I'm not sure. I would have to look into that. >> No, I'm going to be No, we can't. I'm going to be out of town. So, okay, never mind. >> Thank you. [laughter] >> Tuesday. >> Nothing in July. No, no meetings in July.
>> Tuesday, August 25th at 9 a.m. Okay. You'll have to vote on that. >> Okay. Shall we Does anybody want to have a motion that we meet on August 25th? >> So, Chris, before you do that, do you want to check the calendar to see if
there's another opportunity where you could be there? >> No, I can be there on the 25th. My husband is apparently my calendar, so he [laughter] I should be fine. >> I was about to say, shouldn't it be the other way around? >> I know. >> How did that work out? [cough] Huh? >> We got to talk after this. [laughter]
>> Figure that out. >> No. [clears throat] >> Okay. So, we have >> motion's been made. I second it. >> Okay. All in favor of meeting on the 25th? I >> Okay, we'll meet on the 25th. Um, so yeah, it was a lot to throw out at
you. It's a lot of uh different thinking and certainly I my intention is to build on what we've already done. I mean, thanks to John's work um and others, we've built really great connectivity with the nonprofit
organizations. We have good relationships with businesses, you know, through Curtis and Patty. We have that connectivity with the cruisers. We have relationships with the chamber and what's up FMB. So, how do we become in my mind a little bit more pervasive
in um and always on rather than just shooting for that one day a year? Okay. Is there any other new business? All right. Public comment. We have some public now. Oh, boy.
No public comment. All righty. Um, next meeting agenda. As we discussed, our next meeting is on August 25th. Uh, I think we'll get a confirmation from Patty on our budget that our money got rolled over. That would be great. We'll
talk more about um next steps for cruiser appreciation always on or day. Uh, and we'll have uh our regular member updates and staff reports. Anything else to add to the agenda?
All right. Somebody like to adjurnn us. >> Does anybody want to make a motion? Any >> move to adjourn? >> Okay. All in favor of adjourning. >> I Okay, we are adjourned at 10:29. Thank you everyone.