Item F16
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY
Meeting Date: I I -2 I -00
Division:
Public Works
Bulk Item: Yes X No
Department:
Engineering
AGENDA ITEM WORDING: Conceptual approval to remove the LaPaloma Bridge In Winston
Waterways, Key Largo.
ITEM BACKGROUND: The LaPaloma Bridge is currently closed. The bridge has been vandalized in
the past and the Sheriff has asked for our assistance. Numerous requests for its removal have been
received. The State is the sole owner of property on the other side of the bridge and supports its removal.
We estimate removal to cost $200,000. Funding from gas tax revenue is being pursued.
PREVIOUS RELEVANT BOCC ACTION: None
STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Approval as stated above. The project will be included in the 7 yr.
Road Plan when it is updated. Final approval will be brought back to the Board when bids are received.
TOTAL COST:
BUDGETED: Yes
Account #
NO
Cost to County:
REVENUE PRODUCING: YES
NO
AMOUNT PER MONTH
YEAR
APPROVED BY; couna X!Puroh,,;,ng
Item Prepared by: . V
David S. Koppel, P.E., County E
Risk Management
DIVISION DIRECTOR APPROVAL:
I
'U
Dent Pierce, Division Director
DOCUMENTATION: Included X To follow
Not requirc(!---t-=-rt-tll
AGENDA ITEM # ~
DISPOSITION:
Department of '!ll '1 () '''\iW
:, ,,).;,.., J, " "t., ,
Environmental Protection UlJL-;'\~'~'~.' ,if I \ I,
Jeb Bush
Governor
David B. Struhs
Secretary
July 18, 2000
David Koppel, County Engineer
Monroe County Public Works Department
5100 College Road, Room 508
Key West, FL 33040
RE: Egret Island Restoration Project, Key Largo
a.k.a. "Bridge to Nowhere" at Winston Waterways Subdivision
Dear Mr. Koppel:
We are pleased to announce that we have been notified of a grant award in the
amount of $50,000 for implementation of the Egret Island Restoration Project.
The funding was obtained by the Florida Keys Environmental Restoration Trust
Fund (Trust Fund) from the NOAA National Marine Fisheries Service Community
Based Habitat Restoration program. The project will be managed by the Trust
Fund under the direction of Pat McNeese on behalf of Pennekamp Park. This
grant application is being funded because of the cooperative participation of
your office in providing information on the future removal of the bridge that
. connects La Paloma Avenue to the island. The cooperation of other entities
including the Winston Waterways neighborhood was also instrumental in
obtaining this grant. We would now like to move forward with the restoration
project.
I have enclosed some materials with information about the project. We
anticipate a simple project involving clearing of invasive exotic vegetation and
scrapedown of previously filled areas. Once the restoration is complete the
bridge can be dismantled and removed. Since the park acquired the island you
have been very patient in awaiting our permission to remove the bridge. We
appreciate your cooperation and we are excited about collaborating with you on
the restoration of this area. Please consider this letter permission from
Pennekamp Park as the landowner of the island to have the bridge removed
pending the completion of the restoration. We would appreciate your moving
forward to obtain official county approval for removal of the bridge. Once that is
obtained, we might coordinate on contracting so that the restoration and bridge
removal could be done all at once possibly resulting in a savings on the
"Protect.. Conserve and Manage Florida's Environment and N()wra! Resources"
Printed on recycled paper,
construction. We can discuss this further once we get closer to that point. In
any case, we are now proceeding with site investigations, permitting and land
clearing at this time and will keep you posted on our progress.
Again, we appreciate the efforts of Monroe County Public Works towards this
valuable restoration effort. I believe I can speak for the participating
neighborhood and express their appreciation as well. Pat McNeese will be in
touch with you regarding the details of the work plan. In the meantime, if you
have any questions of me or need further information please do not hesitate to
call my office at 305-451-1226.
Sincerely,
&~ -f2.~ - '-~
Daniel R. Jones, Manager
John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park
MEMORANDUM
TO: Sheriff Roth
Monroe County
FROM:
David S, Koppel j)
County Engineer if
DATE:
October 16,2000
RE:
"Bridge to Nowhere"
LaPaloma Rd., Winston Waterways
We are in receipt of your September 22,2000 memo to Dent Pierce regarding a plan of
action for the above-referenced bridge.
Recently, we have been informed that the State has received funding to restore the island
served by the bridge, Once this work is completed, the State will support the removal of
the bridge. We are trying to develop a cost estimate to remove said bridge and will then
ask the BOCC to fund the project. We don't have any schedule for this to happen as of
yet but we will keep you advised when we receive additional information, Please feel
free to call me at 292-4426 if you have any questions,
DSKJjl
BridgeToNowhereShrfRoth.DOC
Cc: Dent Pierce
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Sheriff Richard D. Roth
MEMORANDUM
FROM:
Mr. Dent Pierce, Supr. Public Works
SherifTRichard D. Roth @
September 22, 2000
TO:
..,
DATE:
REFERENCE: "Bridge to Nowhere"
You had indicated that you had a plan of action for the "Bridge to Nowhere" that is
located at the end of LaPaloma.
, ,
I am again trying to resolve the vandalism and delinquency problems we have in that area
and would appreciate all the help that Public Works can give us. '
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MAY 11 2000
MEMORANDUM
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TO:
Rob Wolfe
Assistant County Attorney
FROM:
David S. Koppel Cfu
County Engineer (}J'
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DATE:
May 9,2000
RE:
Use of Transportation Gas Tax Revenue
There is a bridge in the Upper Keys that goes to a vacant island owned by the State. We
are exploring the possibility of removing the bridge and ~re wondering if transportation
gas tax revenue can be used to pay for its removal. We are not planning on replacing the
bridge. Please advise, '
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Jun-05-00 11:40A ALL FLA. INS. ADJUSTERS
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(305) 9718465
P.Ol
Juan Escar
109 6th Lane
Key Largo, FL
June 5, 2000
Patricia L. McNeese
91831 Overseas Hwy., Box 7
Tavenier, FL 33070
Fax (305)853-8032
RE: "Bridge to Nowhere", La Paloma Rd.
Winston Waterways, Key Largo
Dear Pat :
Pursuant to our telephone conversation of today, attached please find the
signatures that you requested. This is only what we were able to gather in
two afternoons. Everyone that we spoke to, signed, and there are many more
that I know would, but we were not able to get to them on such short notice.
Should you require more please let me know.
Once again thank you for your assistance in this matter, should you have any
further questions, you may call me either at my office 305~971-8485 (phone)
305-971-8485 (fax) or 305-51 0-4596 (cell).
\\D
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j/JUn-..05-00 11 :40A ALL FLA. INS. ADJUSTERS
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(305) 9718465
P.02
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Winston Waterways
Egret Island Restoration
Th~ rc:storation ofEgrct Island is a very worthwhile project that win not only beautify our
neighborhood but will also restore an environmentally sensitive area. This IatoratioD will
bnng back uaUvc plant life and wildlife: for all to enjoy improving the quality of life for
gCJl(:rations to come,
We the undersigned citiza:us o(Winston WaIerways berebycommit our lime and efforts
to the resloAiion of Egret Island We propose to orpniz:e a Jabot force to assist the
county. state, or federal aacncy that will undertake the restoration.
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11:40A ALL FLA. INS, ADJUSTERS
(305) 9718465
Winston Waterways
Egret Island Restoration
The n:storalion of Egret Island is a very worthwhile project that will not only beautify our
neighborhood but will also RStorc au environmentally sensitive area.. This restoration will
bring back native plaat life and wildlife for all to enjoy improving the quality of life for
generations to COD1C.
We the undersigned citizens o(Winstoo WaterWays hereby commit our time and efforts
to the restoration ofEpt Island. We propose to Drpnizc a labor force to assist the
COlmty, state. or foderal asc~y that will undenake tho IeS1Oration.
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Jun-05-00 11:41A ALL FLA. INS. ADJUSTERS
(305) 9718465
P.04
Winston Waterways
Egret Island Restoration
The restoration of Egret Island is a very worthwhile project that will not only beautify our
n~ighborhood but will also restore an environmentally sensitive area. This restoration will
bring back native plant life and wildlife for all to enjoy improving the quality of life for
generations to come.
We the undersigned citizens of Winston Waterways hereby commit our time and efforts
to the restoration of Egret Island. We propose to organize a labor force to assIst the
county, state, or federal agency that will undertake the re.atoration.
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P.05
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Winston Waterways
Egret Island Restoration
Ihe Icstllration of Egret Island is a very worthwhile project that will not only beautify our
l1~i!!hborhood but will also restore an environmentally sensitive area. This restoration will
bring back native plant life and wildlife for all to enjoy improving the quality of life for
gt:nc:rations to come.
w~ th~ llndt:rsigned citizens of Winston Waterways hereby commit our time and efforts
to the resroration of Egret Island, We propose to organize a labor force to assist the
county, .itat;ff federal agency that will undertake the restoration.
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Page 1 of3
Pat and Greg McNeese
From:
To:
Sent:
Subject:
D Schramm <dean@terranova.net>
<pmcneese@terranova.net>
Sunday, September 03, 2000 9:52 AM
Bridge to Nowhere Correspondence
Dear Pat,
I am including a copy of correspondence I intend to send regarding the Bridge to Nowhere. Could you please
funish me with a list of the County Commissioners and their addresses as well as the Pennekamp address for
Danny Jones, and Juan Escar's address.
I'm going to try to send this to you as a "cut & paste" operation since I'm not sure if you have Microsoft Works
on your computer & an attachment might not work. Please advise if the transmission is successful. I hope you
like my ideas.
Dean Schramm
121 7th Lane
Key Largo, Florida 33037
September 3,2000
County Commissioners
Sheriff Rick Roth
Dear Commissioners & Sheriff,
On August 18, 2000 a meeting was held at the John Pennekamp State Park Visitor's Center to
discuss & inform homeowners of a project to remove the "Bridge to Nowhere" located in the
Winston Waterways supdivision. Adjacent Egret Island will be restored by removing fill to an
illegally dredged canal site (Carysfort), removing exotics, and planting native vegetation. It will be a
joint effort undertaken by Pennekamp Park, Monroe County, the Florida Keys Environmental
Restoration Trust Fund, local residents, and volunteers. Grant money, pledges of cOl:!!Lty assistance,_
and local donations have been obtained, but the final project cost has not yet been determined, and
the extent of the restoration will, in part, be dependent upon the economics of the project.
My wife & I have lived directly across the canal from the Bridge to Nowhere for the past two
decades. We probably know more about the activities on the bridge than anyone in the county.
Legally, the bridge could be described as an "attractive nuisance." The purpose of this letter is
threefold: To inform you of the nature of the problems we have observed over the years, to offer
suggestions on the restoration of the project, and to ask for all the political and financial support you
can muster to help accomplish the goals of the project.
1. History & incidents observed for the past two decades:
9/5/2000
/
Page 2 of3
Our house is located about 250 feet directly across from the Bridge. When we first built
here the Egret Island, and the surrounding area, was a popular party location (and still is to a much
lesser extent). On one early occasion I remember over 70 cars being evicted from the island, bridge,
and adjoining private lots. We were one of the first residents of Winston Waterways, but I remember
one older resident telling me of his efforts to stop the partying. After calling the Sheriffs Dept. the
revelers waited until he was not home. Then they turned on this fellow's outside faucets releasing
thousands of gallons of water on his property (when water was a penny a gallon). They broke off
cement pilings designed to block off the road, and they moved huge boulders placed there for the
same purpose. They threatened people, us included - on one occasion I remember loading my
shotgun and waiting for the Sheriff's deputies on my driveway in the wee hours of the morning. A
bunch of teenagers had threatened us and our property, and drove down 7th Lane to make the threat
good - until they saw me waiting & retreated (they were later apprehended, but no charges were
filed), On other occasions we have had property stolen, damaged, and our mial box has been blown
up.
If I told you all the stories about the bridge it would fill a book. Let mejust list the variety of things
we've dealt with over the years - many of them happened innumerable times & still do: I've seen
kids jump from the bridge & get hurt, they have spray painted graffiti & obscenities on the bridge,
they bring guns (usually air rifles) and kill wildlife on the island, they drop rocks on boats passing
underneath the bridge. They have used this area as a base to take illegal lobster (most in the area are
"shorts") they buy & sell drugs there, they use drugs & alcohol there, and they have "open" sex there.
The island has been used as a dump ground for everything from abandoned, derelict & stolen cars to
common garbage, unwanted pets, and dead animal carcasses - truckloads of this kind of stuff has
been removed over the years, but it never stops. The area has been used by degenerates to "case" the
area for homes that are unoccupied (for easy break-in targets), and by at least one child molester who
met his retarded victim repeatedly on the island. I have witnessed two boating accidents because of
the narrow restraint created by the highway approaches of the bridge.
Over the years I have helped to get the road blocked. First, with private boulders, then (once through
former Commissioner Sorensen, & once with Mayor Harvey's help) with boulders placed by Monroe
County, I cannot tell you how many times I have called the Sheriffs department, the Marine Patrol,
or Pennekamp Park Rangers. Often I've handled the situation myself, because of time restraints-
kids, shooting at wading birds, for instance, must be dealt with quickly, or the bird dies. Things are
better now, than in the old days. We have a Citizens Crime Watch, more residents, and a deputy who
lives in the area. Often I don't bother to call an agency, because someone else already has. But the
shooting of wildlife, drug use, vandalism, rock dropping etc. are still problems. Even though the
Bridge is blocked to motorized traffic (most ofthe time) the north approach attracts lowlifes with
A TV's, drugs, garbage, and guns.
2. Suggestions, based on observation and experience:
Until Pennekamp acquired Egret Island a couple of years ago Bridge removal and restoration was not
feasible - the Island was private property and could not be cut off. Current plans to restore the Island
to original condition, & then remove the bridge, are excellent. There remains, I believe, a "gray" area
of how much of the bridge approaches will be removed - probably because of funding. I recommend
the approaches be totally removed, that a wide enough gap is created to comfortably allow two
oncoming boats to pass - and to view each other's approach from a reasonable distance. The gap will
allow for safer boat traffic, and provide less opportunity for "undesirables" to wade over to the island
9/5/2000
.r
/
/'.
Page 3 of3
(the channel is shallow, and will not be deepened). A larger gap will also help improved water flow
exchange between the ocean and many of the canals in Winston Waterways - the flow is now
severely restricted by the bridge approaches.
Any part of the approaches which remain should be taken down to a very low level - hopefully to a
level that floods at high tide - and then replanted with mangroves. Such a replanting, especially if it
is accompanied by a fence blockade at the north end, will totally deny undesirables a base for
parking cars, riding A TV's and engaging in illegal activities. It would also help ifPennekamp posted
"No Trespassing" signs on this fence. If the bridge is eliminated, but the north and south approaches
are not, the problems will continue. Furthermore, the more fill which is removed from this site, the
better, since it likely will be used to restore the Carysfort property.
3. The Project needs your help!
I understand County involvement for the Bridge removal will require approval from the Commission.
Additional funds may be needed to do the project right. This is a good investment by Monroe
County. It benefits the citizens, and will obviate many ofthc calls made by Winston Waterways
residents to the Sheriffs office & other agencies. It will reduce law enforcement costs, protect
wildlife, make boating safer, promote healthier canals, aid another environmental restoration project
(Carysfort) and it certainly is a politically popular undertaking in this subdivision.
There is another possibility of further funding (if required to ensure total removal of the approaches)
which I do not believe has been explored. It falls under the domain of Sheriff Roth's office. I believe
there is a "drug" fund which might be able to be tapped to help destroy the bridge approaches. These
approaches are areas frequented by users & dealers of drugs, and I think elimination of these drug
use areas might qualify the project for a grant allocation from this money. If this is the case, Sheriff
Roth, would you please contact Patricia L. McNeese, Manager of the Florida Keys Environmental
Restoration Trust Fund in charge of the Trust Fund's Egret Island Project budget?
I also urge the County Commission to endorse & aid this project by any means they can.
Best Regards
Dean Schramm
cc Pat McNeese
Juan Escar
Danny Jones - Pennekamp State Park Manager.
dean@terranova,net
9/5/2000
Page 1 of 1
Pat McNeese
From:
To:
Sent:
Subject:
Pat McNeese <pmcneese@terranova.net>
<dean@terranova.net>
Tuesday, September 05,200012:16 PM
Egret Island
Dean - Got your email this morning. The letter looks fine. You and the other residents there have put up with
quite a lot over the years, more than I realized. It's great that you can provide the historical perspective and
remind people of past conditions out there. The idea of funding from the Sheriffs office is something I had
not thought of - it's a great idea worth pursuing - thanks. I have listed the names and addresses you wanted
below. Do you mind copying me on the final letter as well? Thanks!. -Pat McNeese, 91831 Overseas
Highway, Box 7, Tavnernier, FL 33070; phone: 305-853-8031; fax: 305-853-8032
Commissioner Wilhelmina Harvey
310 Fleming Street
Key West, FL 33040
ph. 305-852-7149, fax 305-92-3466
Mayor Pro Tem George Neugent
25 Ships Way
Big Pine Key, FL 33043
ph. 852-7151, fax 305-872-9195
Mayor Shirley Freeman
530 Whitehead Street
Key West, FL 33040
ph. 305-852-7152, fax 292-3577
Commissioner Nora Williams
490 63rd Street, #110
Marathon, FL 33050
ph. 305-852-7153, fax 289-6306
Commissioner Mary Kay Reich
Plantation Key Government Center
88820 Overseas Highway
Tavernier, FL 33070
ph. 305-852-7175, fax 305-852-7162
Danny Jones, Manager
John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park
P.O. Box 487
Key Largo, FL 33037
ph. 305-451-1226, fax 305-853-3555
Juan Escar
109 6th Lane
Key Largo, FL 33037
work ph. 305-971-8485, fax 305-971-8465
'i/5/00
MRY-08-2000 15:40
BOCC-R
305 852 7162 P.03
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MEMORANDUM
TO: Conur.i$sioner Reich
Monroe County
FROM:
David S. Koppel /") rrr,
County Engineer V If"
DATE:
January 29, 1999
RE:
Bridge to "Nowhere", La Paloma Rd.
WiltJton Waterways. Key Lqo
As you know thi, bridge hu bem a <:onstant conecm ofthc: rC$idenl$ in this area. We have
investigated option~ including the removal oftbe bridle. However, this optJon will a1f'ect
the property owners of the island. I am told that the state owns the land, although, the
Reatty Atlu o(Montoe CoUJlty indicales difTeremly. (see attaChed map) lEthe owners of
tht island arc not agreeable to the bridge removal plan then we have an obvious problem.
Another pOsslbilily is thai we install. gated fe:nc;e across the road to prevent acce$S. The
fence could be as high as 10 feet. However, anyone determined enough could sabotage
the fence and get through. We would then be repairing the fence as required. Ofcourse,
this does not prevent anyone with a boat from defacing our property. Ifwe pursue this
fence the BOCC would have to authorize the road closing. Thereafter, we could paint
over the graffiti. Or better yet, if we could catch the culprits then we could make them
rep~int the bridge.
If you have any information 012 the ownership of the ~l11nd and their dc.sirc tor the bridge
to be removed, please tel me know. If that option bcwme5 il real possibility then we can
move to the next step and consider the co5t of removal.
Please keep me informed and feel free to calf me anytime if you want to discu~ this.
DSKljI
NoWhere.CRH
cc: Dent Pierce
Joe Medallion
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