Item H4
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY
L
Meeting Date: 20 September 2006
Division: Growth Management
Bulk Item: Yes -X-
No
Department: Marine Resources
Staff Contact Person: George Garrett
AGENDA ITEM "VORDING:
Approval of expenditure of up to $10,000 from Boating Improvement Funds (BIF) to the City of Key
West for buoy maintenance at the Key West Marine Park.
ITEM BACKGROUND:
The City of Key West recently took over the Key West Marine Park from Reef Relief. The City is
requesting funds from BIP be allocated towards maintenance of the buoys and associated signage for
the first year. The City will assume all maintenance costs thereafter. The County Marine and Port
Advisory Committee unanimously agreed to this expenditure at its August 2, 2006 meeting.
PREVIOUS RELEVANT BOCC ACTION:
N/A
CONTRACT/AGREEMENT CHANGES:
N/A
STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS:
Approval
TOTAL COST:
up to $10,000
BUDGETED: Yes X No
COST TO COUNTY
o
SOURCE OF FUNDS:
RIF 62520
REVENUE PRODUCING: Yes ~ No _. X AMqVNTP~R MONTH_ Year_
./0/ (i V j-~i'~V
APPROVED BY: County Atty. _ ~B/Krchasing ~ Risk Management _
DIVISION DIRECTOR APPROVAL:
DOCUMENTATION:
Included X
Not Required~_~
DISPOSITION
AGENDA ITEM #
Revised 2/05
.r-
THE-CITY OF KEY WEST
P. o. sox 1409
KEY WEST, FlORJDA 33041-1409
www.keywestcity_com
y2J~~ h
TO: ~rd Jones, Monroe County Ma~nesources Division
FROM; Raymond Archer, Port Director j2::~4 f---- .
DATE: August 14,2006
RE: Request for Boating Improvement Funds for Key West Marine Park
Executive Summary:
The City of Key West requests that up to $10,000 in Monroe County Boating
Improvement Funds be allocated for maintenance of the Key West Marine Park this year.
The park provides a safe area for swimmers that are separated from the many boaters,
personal watercraft, sailboats and charterboats that also use this busy shoreline.
Educational signage and brochures educate park visitors about the zoned management
system and the marine environment of these biologically diverse nearshore waters.
The funds will be used for the city to assume the expenses of maintaining the park and
34 demarcation buoys. This year, the park's maintenance is being turned over to the City
of Key West by Reef Relief, a nonprofit organization that agreed to start-up and maintain
the park for the first five years. The five years expires in September, 2006.
The demarcation buoys identify three no.motor swimming areas and two vessel access
lanes established within the park by city ordinance. Public access is available to the park
waters from South Beach, Higgs Beach, and Dog Beach next to Louie's Backyard. There
are also eleven upland property owners that comprise private resorts, a restaurant, a time-
share condominium, piers and private residents. All of the upland property owners
supported the creation of the park that began in 2000. Funds are available in the Boating
Improvement Fund for Monroe County and both the Key West Port Advisory Board and
the Monroe County Marine and Port Advisory Committee have approved requests of
support for such an allocation.
Project Description:
The oceanside shoreline of the island of Key West is home to abundant marinelife as part
of the coral reef ecosystem. A growing number of residents and visitors utilize the area
for swimming and snorkeling while others enjoy this same shoreline for boating and
fishing.
Key to the Caribbean - Averag-e yearly temperature 770 F.
--
The City of Key West joined forces with Reef Relief in 2000 to establish the Key West
Marine Park to provide such a zoned management system for the oceanside area from
Duval Street to the White Street Pier, which extend out 600 feet into nearshore waters
within city jurisdictional limits.
The purpose of the park was to create a multiple-use zoned area on the oceanside of the
island of Key West with areas that are accessible to swimmers only but not boats, and
adjacent vessel access lanes for use by fishing, sailing, charter, diV'e and other motorized
vessels. The goal was to enhance various uses of the shoreline while providing a safe
recreational opportunity for visitors and residents to swim, boat, and learn more about
and enjoy the coral reef environment.
The State of Florida Department of Community Affairs provided a grant to Reef Relief to
establish the Key West Marine Park that was matched by the Casa Marina Resort. All of
the other upland property owners submitted letters of suppott for the creation of the Key
West Marine Park, induding Monroe County, which approved creation ofthe Key West
Marine Park for Higgs Beach, a county beach located within the upland boundaries of the
park. The county also sponsored a sign on the Key West Marine Park that is installed at
Higgs Beach.
The City of Key West approved an ordinance establishing three no-motor swimming
lanes within the park boundaries and obtained State of Florida approval of a management
plan for the state baybottom in this area that reflects creation of the Key West Marine
Park.
The Marine Park has become a destination in itself for visitors as well as our citizens.
Given the benefits to the marine environment, the access and experience to the park's
users we believe this is a great example of what the Boating Improvement funding is
meant fOI.
Thank you for your help with this effort and if there is anything else required for the
grant process please contact me at rarcher@keywestcity.com,