Item M1 M.1
Coty f � ,�� ,' BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
�� Mayor David Rice,District 4
The Florida Keys � Mayor Pro Tem Craig Cates,District I
y Michelle Coldiron,District 2
James K.Scholl,District 3
Ij Holly Merrill Raschein,District 5
County Commission Meeting
November 15, 2022
Agenda Item Number: M.1
Agenda Item Summary #11232
BULK ITEM: Yes DEPARTMENT: Planning/Environmental Resources
TIME APPROXIMATE: STAFF CONTACT: Brittany Burtner (305) 289-2805
No
AGENDA ITEM WORDING: Approval of an Interlocal Agreement Between the Monroe County
Board of County Commissioners ("BOCC") and the Monroe County Sheriffs Office for the BOCC
to Provide Administrative Hearings in Derelict Vessel Enforcement Cases.
ITEM BACKGROUND: The Monroe County Sheriff s Office ("MCSO") in conjunction with the
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission ("FWC") enforces prohibitions against derelict
vessels as provided by rule and general law, including but not limited to Florida Statute § 823.11
("Derelict vessels; relocation or removal;penalty"). Florida law requires that an opportunity to
request an adversarial administrative hearing be provided to derelict vessel ("DV") owners,
operators, or other responsible parties in such cases. The Monroe County Marine Resources Office
and County Attorney's Office coordinate with the MCSO and FWC on the removal, relocation,
storage, dismantlement, destruction, and disposal of DVs. The Monroe County Board of County
Commissioners ("BOCC") has the ability to provide, through the Florida Division of Administrative
Hearings ("DOAH"), DOAH Administrative Law Judges ("ALJs")to sit as hearing officers in such
cases. Under this Interlocal Agreement, the MCSO shall provide all witness(es) and documentary
evidence necessary to proceed with such administrative cases, the Marine Resources Office will
through its County BIF budget pay the hourly rate for an ALJ to preside in such cases, and the
Monroe County Attorney's Office will present each case in administrative hearings on behalf of the
Respondent(i.e., opposing the Petitioner DV owner, operator, or other responsible party).
PREVIOUS RELEVANT BOCC ACTION: N/A.
CONTRACT/AGREEMENT CHANGES:
N/A
STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Approval.
DOCUMENTATION:
Packet Pg. 3179
M.1
BOCC-MCSO Interlocal Agreement to Provide Administrative Hearings for Derelict Vessel Cases
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
Effective Date: Upon execution by both parties.
Expiration Date: Five (5) years from execution by both parties.
Total Dollar Value of Contract: N/A
Total Cost to County: The applicable rate for DOAH ALJs, adjusted annually depending on
the State of Florida's full cost allocation formula (currently$150/hour).
Current Year Portion:
Budgeted: Yes.
Source of Funds: County BIF (62613) - Other Contractual Services (530510).
CPI:
Indirect Costs:
Estimated Ongoing Costs Not Included in above dollar amounts:
Revenue Producing: If yes, amount:
Grant:
County Match:
Insurance Required: No.
Additional Details: N/A
N/A
REVIEWED BY:
Emily Schemper Completed 10/04/2022 3:02 PM
Peter Morris Completed 10/25/2022 2:15 PM
Purchasing Completed 10/25/2022 4:50 PM
Budget and Finance Completed 10/27/2022 3:18 PM
Brian Bradley Completed 10/27/2022 3:38 PM
Lindsey Ballard Completed 10/31/2022 11:16 AM
Board of County Commissioners Pending 11/15/2022 9:00 AM
Packet Pg. 3180
M.1.a
INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT
c�
THIS INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT ("Agreement" or"ILA") is entered into by and
between the Monroe County Sheriff's Office ("MCSO") and the Board of County E
Commissioners of Monroe County, Florida.
4-
0
WITNESSETH: >
0
WHEREAS, the Board of County Commissioners of Monroe County, Florida ("BOCC", �
"Monroe County", or"County") is the legislative body of Monroe County, Florida; and
a�
WHEREAS, the constitutional office of the MCSO is established pursuant to Fla. Const.
Art. VIII, § L(d); and
WHEREAS, the waters surrounding the Florida Keys of Monroe County, Florida, are
situated within the boundaries of the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary and have, since ,
July 26, 2001, been designated a federal No Discharge Zone ("NDZ")by the United States
Environmental Protection Agency pursuant to Title 40, Chapter I, Subchapter D, Part 140,
Section 140.4(b)(1)(ii), as may be amended from time to time; and U)
WHEREAS, derelict vessels constitute a public nuisance, hazards to navigation, and give
rise to serious adverse environmental impacts; and X
a�
WHEREAS, derelict vessels, the owners and operators of derelict vessels, and natural or
legal persons responsible for derelict vessels, are subject to liability under Title XLVI
("Crimes"), Chapter 823 ("Public Nuisances"), at Fla. Stat. § 823.11; and E
WHEREAS, under Fla. Stat. § 705.101(3), the term "abandoned property" includes
"derelict vessels" as defined in Fla. Stat. § 823.11; and 0
0-
WHEREAS, the relocation, removal, storage, dismantlement, destruction, or disposal of
0
derelict vessels has caused, and causes, the BOCC and MCSO to incur significant costs and to
expend significant expense and resources; and
WHEREAS, the Florida Division of Administrative Hearings ("DOAH"), as authorized
by Fla. Stat. § 120.65(6), has agreed to provide the BOCC with Administrative Law Judges
("ALJs") serving local administrative hearing officers; and
WHEREAS, the BOCC and MCSO mutually desire to ensure and enhance
intergovernmental coordination of derelict vessel enforcement efforts; and U
U
WHEREAS, this Agreement is entered into pursuant to Fla. Stat. § 163.01, et seq., the U
Florida Interlocal Cooperation Act of 1969; and M
WHEREAS, the BOCC and MCSO find that this ILA is necessary and in the interest of
the public health, safety, and welfare;
1 of 7
Packet Pg. 3181
M.1.a
NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual consideration and promises set
forth below, the parties agree as follows:
Section 1. Recitals and Legislative Intent. The foregoing recitals and statements of E
legislative intent are true and correct and are hereby incorporated as if fully stated herein. cu
4-
0
Section 2. Powers and Duties Relating to Derelict Vessel Investigation, Enforcement,
and Administrative Hearings. The powers and duties of the BOCC and MCSO, in
connection with derelict vessel investigation and enforcement and quasi-judicial hearings <
timely and properly requested thereto, shall be as follows: U)
0
U)
1. The MCSO conducts a derelict vessel ("DV")investigation and prepares a case to U
move forward. a)
2. The MCSO promptly notifies the Monroe County Marine Resources Office and
County Attorney's Office of the need for a hearing before a DOAH ALJ sitting as
a local hearing officer. 0,
3. Members of the Monroe County Attorney's Office and Marine Resources Office 0
meet with the relevant MCSO deputy (or deputies)to review the case and confirm I-
readiness for hearing. U)
4. The Monroe County Marine Resources Office notifies the DOAH Clerk of the
new case(s) and the need for a hearing.
5. The DOAH Clerk assigns an AU to the matter, assigns a case number, and sends X
a�
out a notice of hearing to the DV petitioner(i.e., the DV owner, DV operator, or
other person or entity responsible for the DV), the MCSO, and the Monroe
County Attorney's Office.
6. A member of the Monroe County Attorney's Office presents the Respondent's
case at the DOAH hearing, with one or more member(s) of the MCSO testifying
and offering in supporting documentary evidence to sustain the prepared case.
7. If Monroe County prevails, the DOAH AU issues a final order declaring the 0
vessel to be derelict and subject to removal, storage, dismantlement, destruction, 0-
and/or disposal.
8. Once that final order becomes final, the Monroe County Marine Resources Office
shall work with a marine contractor to have the vessel made subject to removal, 0
storage, dismantlement, destruction, and/or disposal. 2
Section 3. Discretionary Invocation of Administrative Hearings. The foregoing
process and administrative hearing thereto shall not occur with every DV investigation
and enforcement effort. The foregoing process and administrative hearing shall only need
to occur if there is a responsible DV party identified and they choose the option of an 0
administrative hearing within twenty-one (21) calendar days of receipt of the Notification U
of Rights package from the respective law enforcement officer. Stated otherwise, the
above-referenced DOAH process shall only be used if the responsible DV parry timely U
0
requests an administrative hearing within the allowed 21-day time-frame measured from
receipt of the Notification of Rights package. Any charges resulting from a DV
investigation/enforcement action, being within the remit of the State Attorney for the 16th
Judicial Circuit, shall not be considered within the scope of the process outlined above.
2of7
Packet Pg. 3182
M.1.a
Section 4. Funding. Payment of the DOAH costs arising from the process outlined above
shall be paid by the BOCC, from the BOCC - Marine Resources Office's County BIF
budget.
E
Section 5. Duration. The term of this interlocal agreement shall be for five (5) years, M
renewable for additional individual terms, each such term lasting for the same five (5) 0
year duration, upon the written consent of both parties. If Notice of Termination is given
by one party to the other, this Agreement shall terminate thirty (30) days after receipt of CL
such Notice of Termination. CL
d
U)
Section 6. Indemnification. To the extent permitted by law and subject to the provisions U)
and monetary limitations of Section 768.28, Florida Statutes, the MCSO, to the extent of U
Monroe County's potential liability pursuant to section 768.28, Florida Statutes, does U)
hereby agree to defend, indemnify and hold the County, its officers, agents, or
employees, harmless from and against any and all liability, damages, costs or expenses
(including reasonable attorneys' fees, costs, and expenses at both the trial and appellate . ,
levels) arising from the acts or omissions of the County or any marine contractor
contracted by the County to perform work on a DV in connection with this Agreement.
0
U)
Section 7. Notices. All notices, requests, demands, elections, consents, approvals, and
other communications hereunder must be in writing and addressed as follows, or to any
other address which either party may designate to the other parry by mail: X
a�
If to Monroe County: Roman Gastesi, Jr.
County Administrator
Monroe County
Historic Gato Building
1100 Simonton Street
Key West, Florida 33040 0
With a copy to: Robert B. Shillinger, Esq.
Monroe County Attorney's Office u
1111 121h Street, Suite 408 0
P.O. Box 1026 2
Key West, Florida 33041-1026
c�
If to Sheriff: Sheriff Rick Ramsey ,
Administration Headquarters
5525 College Road 0
Key West, FL 33040 U
U
With a copy to: Patrick McCullah, Esq. U
MCSO General Counsel M
Monroe County Sheriff s Office
5525 College Road
Key West, FL 33040
3 of 7
Packet Pg. 3183
M.1.a
Any Notice required by this Agreement to be given or made within a specified period of
time, or on or before a date certain, shall be deemed to have been duly given if sent by
certified mail, return receipt requested, postage and fees prepaid; hand delivered; or sent by
overnight delivery service. E
4-
Section 8. Regulatory Powers. 0
8.1 Nothing contained herein shall be construed as waiving either party's regulatory
approval or enforcement rights or obligations as it may relate to regulations of <
general applicability, which may govern the Agreement. U)
0
U)
8.2 Nothing herein shall be deemed to create an affirmative duty of either parry to U
abrogate its sovereign right to exercise its police powers and governmental U)
powers by approving or disapproving or taking any other action in accordance
with ordinances, rules and regulations, federal laws and regulations, and state
laws and regulations. ,
a�
Section 9. Governing Law. This Agreement shall be construed in accordance with and
governed by the laws of the State of Florida. Exclusive venue for any litigation or mediation U)
arising out of this Agreement shall be in the 16Ih Judicial Circuit in and for Monroe County,
Florida. This Agreement is not subject to arbitration.
X
Section 10. Access to Public Records. Each party shall comply with all public records
and records retention requirements mandated by Section 24, Article I, of the Florida
Constitution, and general law including but not confined to Chapter 119, Florida Statutes, and
shall keep such records as are necessary to document the performance of the Agreement. It is the
responsibility of each parry to maintain their own respective records and to grant each other
reasonable access and inspection of such records, as authorized by Florida law, as may be
necessary in the performance of the Agreement. 0
Section 11. Non-Assignability. This Agreement shall not be assignable by either party
unless such assignment is first approved by both parties.
a�
Section 12. No Third-Party Beneficiaries. Nothing contained herein shall create any
relationship, contractual or otherwise, with or any rights in favor of, any third party. No person
or entity shall be entitled to rely upon the terms, or any of them, of this Agreement to enforce or
attempt to enforce any third-parry claim or entitlement to or benefit of any service or program
contemplated hereunder, and the MCSO and the County agree that neither the MCSO nor the
County or any agent, officer, or employee of either shall have the authority to inform, counsel, or 0
otherwise indicate that any particular individual or group of individuals, entity or entities, have U
entitlements or benefits under this Agreement separate and apart, inferior to, or superior to the
community in general or for the purposes contemplated in this Agreement. U
0
c�
4of7
Packet Pg. 3184
M.1.a
Section 13. Non-Waiver of Immunity. Notwithstanding the provisions of Section
768.28, Florida Statutes, the participation of the County and the MCSO in this Agreement and
the acquisition of any commercial liability insurance coverage, self-insurance coverage, or local
government liability insurance pool coverage shall not be deemed a waiver of immunity to the E
extent of liability coverage, nor shall any contract entered into by the MCSO or County be
required to contain any provision for waiver. 0
Section 14. Privileges and Immunities. All of the privileges and immunities from
liability, exemptions from laws, ordinances, and rules and pensions and relief, disability, �
workers' compensation, and other benefits which apply to the activity of officers, agents, or U)
employees of any public agents or employees of the County, and MCSO, when performing their U)
respective functions under this Agreement within the territorial limits of the county shall apply to is
the same degree and extent to the performance of such functions and duties of such officers, U)
agents, volunteers, or employees outside the territorial limits of the county.
2
Section 15. Independent Status. The professional staff, vendors, and contractors of 0,
Monroe County shall be independent and/or independent contractors and not agents or
employees of the MCSO with respect to all of the acts and services performed by and under the
terms of this Agreement. This Agreement shall not in any way be construed to treat the U)
professional staff, officers, or representatives of the MCSO to be agents or employees of the 0
BOCC, nor shall this Agreement in any way be construed to treat the professional staff, officers
or representatives of the BOCC to be agents or employees of the MCSO. X
a�
Section 16. Severability. If any term, covenant, condition or provision of this Agreement
(or the application thereof to any circumstance or person) shall be declared invalid or
unenforceable to any extent by a court of competent jurisdiction or administrative hearing
officer, the remaining terms, covenants, conditions and provisions of this Agreement, shall not
be affected thereby; and each remaining term, covenant, condition and provision of this
Agreement shall be valid and shall be enforceable to the fullest extent permitted by law unless 0
the enforcement of the remaining terms, covenants, conditions and provisions of this Agreement 0-
would prevent the accomplishment of the original intent of this Agreement. The County and
MCSO agree to reform the Agreement to replace any stricken provision with a valid provision
that comes as close as possible to the intent of the stricken provision.
Section 17. Survival of Provisions. Any terms or conditions of either this Agreement
that require acts beyond the date of the term of the Agreement, shall survive termination of the
Agreement, shall remain in full force and effect unless and until the terms or conditions are
completed and shall be fully enforceable by either parry.
0
Section 18. Waiver. The failure of either party to this Agreement to object to or to take U
affirmative action with respect to any conduct of the other which is in violation of the terms of
this Agreement shall not be construed as a waiver of the violation or breach, or of any future U
violation, breach or wrongful conduct. M
c�
5 of 7
Packet Pg. 3185
M.1.a
Section 19. Authority. Each parry represents and warrants to the other that the execution,
delivery and performance of this Agreement have been duly authorized by all necessary
governmental and corporate action, as required by law. 2
E
Section 20. Section Headings. Section headings have been inserted in this Agreement as M
a matter of convenience of reference only, and it is agreed that such section headings are not a 0
part of this Agreement and will not be used in the interpretation of any provision of this
Agreement. C,
CL
Section 21. Execution in Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any U)
number of counterparts, each of which shall be regarded as an original, all of which taken U)
together shall constitute one and the same instrument and any of the parties hereto may execute is
this Agreement by signing any such counterpart. U)
U)
Section 22. Integration.
22.1 This writing contains the entire Agreement of the parties and supersedes any prior
oral or written representations. No representations were made or relied upon by
either parry, other than those that are expressly set forth herein. U)
22.2 No agent, employee, or other representative of either party is empowered to
modify or amend the terms of this Agreement, unless executed with the same X
a�
formality as the parties' preceding duly-executed Agreement.
E
0
0
[THE REMAINDER OF THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK.]
c�
U
U
U
E
c�
6of7
Packet Pg. 3186
M.1.a
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement as indicated
below.
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS E
OF MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA M
4-
0
76
By:
Mayor David Rice
(SEAL)
U
ATTEST: Kevin Madok, Clerk APPROVED AS TO FORM AND U)
MNnEc o A;TTORI U)
LEGAL SUFFICIENCY BY: APPRr
By: ✓ ASSISTANT COUNTY ATTOF
As Deputy Clerk E)ate: —_10/4/22
Assistant County Attorney Peter H. Morris
4-
MONROE COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE
X
Monroe County Sheriff Rick Ramsey
Date:
APPROVED AS TO FORM AND
LEGAL SUFFICIENCY BY: 0
0
General Counsel Patrick McCullah
a�
76
c�
U
U
U
c�
7of7
Packet Pg. 3187