Town ofMelbourne Beach  TOWN COMMISSION WORKSHOP AUGUST 23, 2023 MEETING IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING THE SPECIALTOWN COMMISSION MEETING MASNY ROOM = 507 OCEAN AVENUE  MINUTES Commission Members: Mayor Wyatt Hoover Vice Mayor Joyce Barton Commissioner Sherri Quarrie Commissioner Corey Runte Commissioner Marivi Walker StatfMembers: Town Manager Elizabeth Mascaro Town Clerk Amber Brown  1. Call to Order  Mayor Wyatt Hoover called the meeting to order at 6:13 p.m.  2. Roll Call  Town Clerk. Amber Brown conducted roll call Commission Members Present Mayor Wyatt Hoover Vice Mayor Joyce Barton Commissioner Sherri Quarrie Commissioner Corey Runte Commissioner Marivi Walker  StaffMembers Present Town Manager Elizabeth Mascaro Finance Manager Jennifer Kerr Building Official Robert Bitgood Police Chief Melanie Griswold Fire Chief Gavin Brown Public Works Director Tom Davis Town Clerk. Amber Brown  1Page    3. Pledge of Allegiance and Moment ofSilence  Mayor Wyatt Hoover led the Pledge of Allegiance during the meeting immediately  prior to this one. 4. Public Comments  After being acknowledged by the Mayor, members ofthe public should state their name and address for the record. The Commission encourages citizens to prepare their comments in advance. Each individual will have three (3) minutes to address the Commission on any topic(s) related to' Town business, not on the Agenda.  5. New Business  A. Discussion on the Sixth Ave boat ramp concept drawing  Commissioner Corey Runte spoke about the background oft this agenda item. Mayor Wyatt Hoover spoke about the. Atkinson's water meter on the south side is by the road and gets run over frequently, so if there is something that can be done to protect it. Duet to the amount of storms and upkeep, he recommends scrapping the paddlcboard and kayak rack, and also the gazebo. Replace the gazebo with a sand area with chairs and trees. Make the seawalls on the north and south sides match in height and location. Ther north sidei is set back by several feet. The dock on the: south side was intended to be close to the water, but those docks get destroyed quickly. Another idea is if anyone needs to tiei their boat up temporarily install a cleat on the Commissioner Corey Runte spoke about how the gazebo would be a great idea and would be used all thet time. The gazebo at Fifth Ave is used all the time and has not been an issue with maintenance or hurricanes. The paddleboard/kayak rack would be a great amenity. Agrees the seawall should be in line with the rest oft the seawall. Spoke about a product for docks that allows water to flow through it and has stood up during hurricanes. A short dock is an important part of this project to safely Commissioner Sherri Oureplabutiratts. Thegazebo and swing could be put on one side. The paddleboard/kayak rack has always been a concern that Vice Mayor Joyce Barton spoke about being in favor ofthe paddleboard/kayak rack. Did not think it would be a locking rack, butjust a rack toj place your board whiley you pack up or unload. Likes the idea of the sandy area, but also likes the idea of the gazebo. Thinks it would be important to have some type of dock to get on and offa a Commissioner Marivi Walker is ini favor oft the dock, likes the sandy seating area, but also likes the gazebo but is concerned about large groups gathering and disturbing Commissioner Corey Runte spoke about a dock for boats needs to be east to west.  seawall, or put a pilling a few feet out.  launch, but iti is important tol bei mindful oft the neighbors.  people will leavet their board locked up.  boat. Agrees with having the: seawalls in line.  the neighbors.  2Page    Mike. Kalajian 524 Sunset  Mike Kalajian spoke about a dock installed properly, meaning drilling the pilings down through the rock, will last. A dock to launch a boat should be east to west. Spoke about having a dock start on the ramp and then going out into the water. The length depends on how the ramp is redone. Spoke about a dock 15feet past the end ofthe ramp. The length ofthe dock will be visible whether itis5feet OT 20feet. Commissioner Sherri Quarrie asked for an accurate image showing the dock. Mayor Wyatt Hoover spoke about the dock concerns are privacy or people not using the dock appropriately. The majority are in favor ofthe paddleboard/kayak rack.  Billy Stephens 1508 Pine  Billy Stephens spoke about the beautification of the boat ramp is great, but make sure it isal wuin-wuinforeveryone. Itcould backfirez with the Town losing controlo of thei ramp. How muchisitgoing tocost? 9oofpeoplegothere to watch the sunset, then shing/paaaleboarding/kayaking, and lastly launching boats. The boat ramp is listed online as a kayak launch. Very nervous about putting in a dock. Anyone would be able toi turn around and see into his backyard. A different idea is a very short dock only long enough to nose the front ofa boat to then a pole to tie the backofa boat tor rather than having afull dock. Likes the idea ofthe sandy area with chairs. The biggest issues are the dock and what is it going to do to the Town. Ifit is truly a neighborhood dock it should only bej for Melbourne Beach residents.  Allison Stephens 1508. Pine  Allison Stephens spoke about Melbourne Beach does not need a big dock. Ifyou Commissioner Corey Runte spoke about an easy solution tol keeping it residents only is making the parking by Town parking sticker only. Agrees the Town would not Commissioner Sherri Quarrie spoke about howt thel boat ramp was originally to assist thel Fire Department, sO what they need should be the first thing to address. Makeit functional for the Fire Department beyond that the boat ramp should be more  have a large boat drive the 10 minutes to. Front Street.  want a grant with restrictions.  focused towards paddleboards/kayaks.  Andy Atkinson 1602 Pine St  Andy Atkinson spoke about agreeing with Billy Stephens. Not infavor ofany dock. The spirit of that access is for fire rescue. The more legitimate the boat ramp is made the more people it will bring toi the area. The intrusion ofpeople hanging out loitering and being in the neighbor's backyards. At the most a three-foot dock only  tos step on and offa boat.  3/Page    Alison Dennington 413SurfRd  Alison Dennington spoke about being against a dock. Speaks with people that launch there and no one is from Melbourne Beach. Are there any rules or restrictions on what can be launched there? Ifyou accept grant money usually there are very strict rules with it including not being able to restrict who can access it. A dock would allow more people and boats to go there. Liability and cost including to rebuildit. Ifiti is even legal to restrict access the State might put out a preemption. Infavor ofbeautifying it. Itis one thing to have neighbors with docks it'sanother, for aj public dock where anyone can go to see directly in your backyard. Mayor Wyatt Hoovers spoke about the depth oft the wateri is what restricts what length ofb boats can launch there. The restriction on residents would only be related to the parking spaces, not to the use of the ramp. The Town wants grants with the contingency that they do not require everyone to have access to the parking.  Karen Miller Ferrante 701 Riverside  Karen Miller Ferrante spoke about how a gazebo might turn into a party  atmosphere. Too much improvement can bring problems.  Bryan Troy 509 Hibiscus  Bryan Troy spoke about no one will drive over the bridge to use that ramp, and if al boat is 20feet or7 more you have tophysically push a boat offthet trailer,plus there are maybe 4 parking spaces) for trucks and trailers. To come here from Palm Bay you would drive past three ramps. What is being proposed right now is toi make it useable for boaters. We are not adding parking, SO1 no additional people can use it. Mayor Wyatt Hoover asked what would be the minimum footprint to assist boaters Commissioner Corey Runte spoke about this item was brought up because the entire boat ramp was destroyed and shut down after the last hurricane. Public Works was able to make temporary repairs to reopen it, but the ramp needs to be permanently fixed. Priority one is toi make it safe and fixi it. While doing that beautify it.  Ifthe dock is justf forfire rescue then put up a gate and lock it. in launching, but not grossly invade thej privacy of the neighbors.  Lephiew Dennington 413Surf  Lephiew Dennington spoke about launching his boat there. Be careful what you ask for. You give a little bit and pushf foral little more. It'sacanoe and kayak ramp.  Make small steps and then see how it affects things.  4IPage    Tina Coppock 505Avenue. B  Tina Coppock asked ifany ofthese improvements kick inADA requirements. With the rack what happens ifastorm comes and those thingsgoflying? Mayor Wyatt Hoover spoke about the ADA: aspect which is something that will need tol bel looked into. The rack would only be: for temporary use: not for storage.  Ali Dennington 413Surf  Ali Dennington spoke about Commissioner Runte saying it is unsafe, ifthat is true ifsomeone sues tomorrow now the Town is liable. Ifit truly is unsafe have an emergency meeting and figure out what is the bare minimum to make it safe to protect the Town's liability. Does the Town currently have liability insurance and Commissioner Corey Runte spoke about the' Town does have liabilityinsurance, and Mayor Wyatt Hoover spoke about the Town currently hasl liabilityinsurance, and this isj just thel beginning of the project, sO not the' Town does not have an estimate on any  what will the increase be after all ofthe improvements?  this is toi improve the safety and beautification oft the boat ramp.  insurance increases. Bryan Troy 509 Hibiscus  Bryan Troy asked ifthere are any plans to dredge the boat ramp. Ifnot there isn no  way to launch larger boats, and you are not making it bigger.  Allison Stephens 1508 Pine  Allison Stephens asked ifthere are. setback requirements related to the gazebo.  Alison Dennington 413Surfrd  Alison Dennington spoke about how the Town doesn't have to follow the setbacks,  doesn'tmean it shouldn't. Mike Kalajian 524 Sunset  Mike Kalajian spoke about how any dock no matter the length will disrupt privacy. Mayor Wyatt Hoover spoke about leaving the gazebo and the dock to be determined and moving forward with the remaining items of fixing the seawall, protecting the  Fix the ramp and seawall to make the conditions safer.  water: meter, and repairing thei ramp.  5/Page    Andrew. Atkinson 1602 Pine St  Andrew. Atkinson thanked the Commission.  Alison Dennington 413 SurfRd  Alison Dennington thanked the Commission, for listening and asked to look into a  new typeofconcrete that is way stronger.  Billy Stephens 1508. Pine. St  Billy Stephens spoke about it being helpfulifresidents meet down at the boat ramp Commissioner Corey Runte spoke about this being phase 1 to get concept drawings.  to discuss changes. Get a landscape architect to draw up plans. Then after that get input from others such as a landscape architect.  B. Discussion on the Ocean Ave concept drawings  Mayor Wyatt Hoover spoke about there being two drawings one from Riverside Dr. Commissioner Sherri Quarrie asked about the amount of parking spaces that are lost in these drawings. Traffic coming from the east would not be able to park with slanted parking spaces. They would have to make a U-turn near a sharp corner. Commissioner Corey Runte spoke about thel background toi this item, and thei intent was tol have a design to present to FDOT sO they match it when they redo A1A. Mayor Wyatt Hoover spoke about the intent to makei it a safer more walkable space for people. The lanes are very wide sO people feel you can go faster. Fire Chief Gavin Brown spoke about a few concerns including traffic being gridlocked ift there is an accident, being able to make thei turn at Riverside Dr., the ability for a fire truck to go around vehicles, and Florida Fire Code states Fire Department access roads must have 20 feet of unobstructed roadway. Commissioner Sherri Quarrie spoke about having a median that the fire trucks can Mayor Wyatt Hoover spoke about his priority is making it people-oriented not vehicle-oriented. Would it bel better if parts ofthe median did not havea  tol Pine St. and another from Pine St. to the stop light.  drive over and not havel landscaping in the median.  traditional curb and were, just median by paint only?  Police Chief Melanie Griswold spoke about if there is a traffic. homicide incident the  road would be shut down for hours.  6IPage    Vice Mayor Joyce Barton spoke about howi it might be nice to have the wide ends of Commissioner Corey Runte, spoke about being in favor oft the medians to make it more pedestran-tmendly. You can also use the median area to add bioswales. Mayor Wyatt Hoover spoke about there being kids everywhere and as long as the roadway is wide and straight it will not be a safe space. The net positive outweighs almost all ofthe potential negatives pending detailed drawings that can look at Commissioner Marivi Walker spoke about what they did on Hickory to slowi the traffic down. Keep Ocean Ave our village center, keepi it slow, and for pedestrians,  the median include landscaping.  egress for specific vehicles.  bikes, and golf carts. Tina Coppock 505 Avenue B  Tina Coppock spoke about not caring one way or another, but ifthere are plants make them short sO you can see the smallest vehicles while riding a bike.  Lephiew Dennington 413SurfRd  Lephiew. Dennington spoke about being thrown off by the long median, and the parking spaces are only 18feet but a long truck is 19feet. Instead ofa long median, have little bump outs you have to slow down to go around then vehicles from the east would not have to go all the way around toj park. Maybe havefewer  parking spots or have some golfcart parking only.  Alison Dennington 413SurfRd  Alison Dennington spoke about an option is a roundabout. Loves the idea ofit being more gofcart-friendly. Little kids have no. sense ofdanger, SO any type of barrier to separate the park.from the parking/road area is good. Commissioner Corey Runte spoke about how he doesn't think a roundabout would bea good idea here because people need to know how to use: it. Town Manager Elizabeth Mascaro spoke about making the road narrower to allow straight pull-in parking. Isi there enough space for trucks with trailers or RVs to Commissioner Marivi Walker spoke about it being odd tol have al bike lane that goes Mayor Wyatt Hoover spoke about scraping the bike lanes which provides an  navigate the corner? nowhere.  additional 10 feet to work with.  7/Page    Commissioner Sherri Quarrie spoke about leaving the 35 parking spots in front of  the park and having the golf cart parking someplace else.  Tina Coppock 505 Avenue B  Tina Coppock spoke about making the parallelp parking golfcart parking instead. Commissioner Corey Runte spoke about removing thel bikel lanes, maintaining the raised median with landscaping to be determined, potentially adding one more break in the median, removing Christmas circle, and adding golf cart parking spots Mayor Wyatt Hoover spoke about having the revisions at another workshop. Commissioner Corey Runte spoke about doing Riverside Dr. repaving and sidewalk  there instead.  first since it was budgeted. C. Open discussion bocce court is.  Commissioner Corey Runte spoke about loving the covered pavilion where the Town Manager Elizabeth Mascaro spoke about the only seating in the shade isi in with thel kids. Some people would like a seating area thati is not in with the kids. Mayor Wyatt Hoover spoke about putting the pavilion closer to thel boardwalk. Vice Mayor Joyce Barton spoke about liking a seating area that is not in with the  kids. 6. Adjournment Motion carried 5-0.  Commissioner Corey moved to adjourn; Vice Mayor Joyce Barton seconded;  Meeting adjourned at 9:08 p.m.  ATTEST:  Mlt Hoour Wyatt'Hoover, Mayor  lbh  Amber Brown, Town Clerk ELEOURNE  8Page