Item C16 C16
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
COUNTY of MONROE i Mayor Holly Merrill Raschein,District 5
The Florida Keys Mayor Pro Tern James K.Scholl,District 3
Craig Cates,District 1
Michelle Lincoln,District 2
' David Rice,District 4
Board of County Commissioners Meeting
March 20, 2024
Agenda Item Number: C 16
2023-2234
BULK ITEM: Yes DEPARTMENT: Project Management
TIME APPROXIMATE: STAFF CONTACT: Cary Vick
N/A
AGENDA ITEM WORDING: Approval of a Resolution and Corresponding BOCC Letter of
Support to be Signed by the Mayor Approving and Supporting Monroe County's application for a
Florida Boating Improvement Program(FBIP) grant for the creation of a kayak launch at the end of the
County's 2nd Avenue public right of way on the oceanside of Key Largo.
ITEM BACKGROUND:
The 2nd Avenue public right-of-way on the oceanside of Key Largo constitutes a County public right-
of-way that ends at the water. The Key Largo Livable CommuniKeys Plan("LCP"), which is
incorporated into the Monroe County Comprehensive Plan, emphasizes the importance of maintaining
and enhancing recreational opportunities, ensuring public shoreline access, and protecting existing
open-water access points. This site would be an ideal location for a public kayak launch area. Staff is
requesting BOCC approval to apply for a Florida Boating Improvement Program(FBIP) grant, approval
of a corresponding Resolution, and approval of a BOCC Letter of Support to include with the
application to FBIP for grant funding to create a public kayak launch at this location.
PREVIOUS RELEVANT BOCC ACTION:
N/A
INSURANCE REQUIRED:
No
CONTRACT/AGREEMENT CHANGES:
N/A
STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Approval.
DOCUMENTATION:
BOCC FBIP Letter.pdf
780
BOCC Resolution (PM Rev.'d and Stamped).pdf
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
N/A
781
�� BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
County of Monroe °l Mayor Holly Merrill Raschein,District 5
The Florida Keys Mayor Pro Tern James K.Scholl,District 3
Craig Cates,District 1
Michelle Lincoln,District 2
David Rice,District 4
March 20, 2024
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
Division of Law Enforcement
Boating and Waterways Section
620 South Meridian Street, Room 235
Tallahassee, Florida 32399-1600
Dear Florida Boating Improvement Program (FBIP) Committee,
On behalf of the Monroe County Board of County Commissioners, I am writing to formally
authorize the submission of a grant application for a kayak launch project under the Florida
Boating Improvement Program (FBIP). We are excited about the opportunity to enhance our
waterway infrastructure and further promote safe and accessible boating experiences for
residents and visitors alike.
The proposed kayak launch project holds significant value for our community, providing a
designated access point that will not only encourage recreational boating but also contribute to
environmental awareness and stewardship. Monroe County boasts an abundance of natural
beauty, including diverse marine ecosystems, precious few publicly-owned property interests
such as this right-of-way ending on a body of open water, and we believe that facilitating access
to these resources aligns with the FBIP's mission of promoting responsible boating practices and
fostering a deeper appreciation for Florida's waterways.
We extend our sincere gratitude to the FBIP for their continued support and commitment to
assisting local governments in improving boating facilities and services statewide. Your
partnership is instrumental in fulfilling our shared vision of creating safe, enjoyable, and
sustainable boating opportunities for all Floridians.
In closing, we express our utmost appreciation for considering our grant application and look
forward to the possibility of collaborating with the FBIP on this important endeavor. Together, we
can make meaningful strides towards enhancing boating infrastructure and preserving the
natural splendor of our coastal communities.
Thank you once again for your support.
Sincerely,
Holly Merrill Raschein, Mayor
Monroe County Commission, District 5
782
2 P-
4 u i ,
5
6
7 MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA
8 MONROE COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
9 RESOLUTION NO. -2024
10
11 A RESOLUTION BY THE MONROE COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY
12 COMMISSIONERS APPROVING THE SUBMISSION OF A LETTER OF
13 BOCC SUPPORT FOR AND SUBMISSION OF A GRANT APPLICATION
14 FOR FLORIDA BOATING IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM FUNDING TO
15 FUND IMPROVEMENTS FOR A PUBLIC KAYAK LAUNCH AT AND/OR
16 ON THAT CERTAIN PUBLIC RIGHT-OF-WAY SITUATED ON THE
17 OCEAN-SIDE OF KEY LARGO MORE PARTICULARLY DESCRIBED
18 AS THE SECOND AVENUE PUBLIC RIGHT-OF-WAY, KEY LARGO,
19 MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA.
20
21
22 WHEREAS,the Board of County Commissioners of Monroe County,Florida(hereinafter
23 "BOCC", "Board", or"Monroe County")is the governing body of Monroe County, Florida; and
24
25 WHEREAS,the State of Florida("State")has, since 1975 and 1979,respectively, deemed
26 the unincorporated Florida Keys area of Monroe County, Florida, a State-designated Area of
27 Critical State Concern; and
28
29 WHEREAS, the Florida Keys Area of Critical State Concern ("ACSC") is the only
30 countywide ACSC in the entire state of Florida; and
31
32 WHEREAS, the waters surrounding the Florida Keys are situated within the boundaries
33 of the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary and have, since July 26, 2001, been designated a
34 federal No Discharge Zone by the United States Environmental Protection Agency pursuant to
35 Title 40, Chapter 1, Subchapter D,Part 140, Section 140.4(b)(1)(ii), as may be amended from time
36 to time; and
37
38 WHEREAS, pursuant to Goal Nine of the adopted Key Largo Livable CommuniKeys
39 Master Plan("LCP"),which is incorporated into the adopted Monroe County Comprehensive Plan
40 pursuant to Comprehensive Plan Policy 101.19.2, the Second Avenue public right-of-way located
41 in Key Largo is specifically identified by the Comprehensive Plan as "ending at the shoreline";
42 and
43
44 WHEREAS, the Comprehensive Plan, pursuant to LCP Strategy 9.1, calls for the
45 "maintenance and enhancement of active and passive recreational opportunities and for
46 public shoreline access throughout the Key Largo planning area."; and
1 of 3
783
47 WHEREAS,the Comprehensive Plan,pursuant to LCP Action Item 9.1.3, commands that
48 "[w]ater access shall be preserved and maintained in the public interest. Prohibit the
49 abandonment of roads that end at the shoreline,including those listed in Table [8]."; and
50
51 WHEREAS, the Comprehensive Plan, pursuant to LCP Strategy 9.4, mandates that "all
52 existing public shoreline access points" shall be"[p]rotect[ed] and maintain[ed]"; and
53
54 WHEREAS, the Comprehensive Plan, pursuant to LCP Action Item 9.4.2, provides that
55 "County-owned land with access to the shoreline shall not be abandoned by the County.";
56 and
57
58 WHEREAS, the Comprehensive Plan, pursuant to LCP Action Item 9.4.3, holds that
59 "County-owned public shoreline access points" shall be"[r]eclaim[ed]"; and
60
61 WHEREAS, the Comprehensive Plan, pursuant to LCP Action Item 9.4.4, instructs to
62 "identify and post signage at all public access points whether active or passive sites to identify
63 County ownership and applicable County regulations."; and
64
65 WHEREAS, the Second Avenue public right-of-way situated on the ocean-side of Key
66 Largo constitutes a "dedicated and accepted right-of-way in the County" that"terminates on
67 a body of open water", that "provides access to the public to land on open water", and that
68 constitutes"a way for the public to maintain access to the water", as defined by Monroe County
69 Code of Ordinances Sections 19-1(b)(1)-(3); and
70
71 WHEREAS, scarce public resources such as County public rights of way constitute an
72 important public interest of the Monroe County Board of County Commissioners; and
73
74 WHEREAS, Monroe County has precious few public rights-of-way ending on a body of
75 open water; and
76
77 WHEREAS, the wise stewardship of our environment involves the protection of the
78 marine environment for generations to come;
79
80 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY
81 COMMISSIONERS OF MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA, THAT:
82
83 Section 1. Title and Recitals. The foregoing title and recitals are hereby incorporated
84 as if fully stated herein.
85
86 Section 2. Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law. The findings of fact and
87 conclusions of law set forth above constitute the Board's factual
88 determinations and legal interpretations and are hereby incorporated as if
89 fully stated herein.
90
91 Section 3. The Monroe County Board of County Commissioners approves the
92 submission of the attached letter of strong BOCC support for and the
2 of 3
784
93 submission of an application for Florida Boating Improvement Program
94 ("FBIP") grant funding to fund improvements for a public kayak launch
95 ("kayak launch improvements")at and/or on that certain public right-of-way
96 situated on the ocean-side of Key Largo, more particularly described as the
97 Second Avenue Public Right-of-Way, Key Largo, Monroe County, Florida.
98
99 Section 4. This Resolution shall take effect immediately upon adoption.
100
101 PASSED AND ADOPTED by the Board of County Commissioners of Monroe County,
102 Florida, at a regular meeting held on the 20th day of March, 2024.
103
104 Mayor Holly Merrill Raschein
105 Mayor Pro Tem James K. Scholl
106 Commissioner Craig Cates
107 Commissioner David Rice
108 Commissioner Michelle Lincoln
109
110 BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF
111 MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA
112
113 By:
114 Mayor Holly Merrill Raschein
115 (SEAL)
116
117
118 ATTEST: KEVIN MADOK, CLERK MONAOF COUNTY ATTOANEY
119 E Ta
120 By: Date;
121 AS DEPUTY CLERK
122
3 of 3
785