Immediately Following the (edit me)
Roger Michaud __ Mayor
Michael Hensley __ Vice Mayor
John Linden __ Commissioner
Michael O'Rourke __ Commissioner
Judith Thomas __ Commissioner
Richard J. Reade __ Town Manager
Thomas J. Baird __ Town Attorney
Vivian Mendez, MMC __ Town Clerk
PLEASE TAKE NOTICE AND BE ADVISED, that if any interested person desires to appeal any decision of the Town Commission, with respect to any matter considered at this meeting, such interested person will need a record of the proceedings, and for such purpose, may need to ensure that a verbatim record of the proceedings is made, which record includes the testimony and evidence upon which the appeal is to be based. Persons with disabilities requiring accommodations in order to participate in the meeting should contract the Town Clerk’s office by calling 881-3311 at least 48 hours in advance to request accommodations.
CIVILITY AND DECORUM
The Town of Lake Park is committed to civility and decorum to be applied and observed by its elected officials, advisory board members, employees and members of the public who attend Town meetings. The following rules are hereby established to govern the decorum to be observed by all persons attending public meetings of the Commission and its advisory boards:
• Those persons addressing the Commission or its advisory boards who wish to speak shall first be recognized by the presiding officer. No person shall interrupt a speaker once the speaker has been recognized by the presiding officer. Those persons addressing the Commission or its advisory boards shall be respectful and shall obey all directions from the presiding officer.
• Public comment shall be addressed to the Commission or its advisory board and not to the audience or to any individual member on the dais.
• Displays of disorderly conduct or personal derogatory or slanderous attacks of anyone in the assembly is discouraged. Any individual who does so may be removed from the meeting.
• Unauthorized remarks from the audience, stomping of feet, clapping, whistles, yells or any other type of demonstrations are discouraged.
• A member of the public who engages in debate with an individual member of the Commission or an advisory board is discouraged. Those individuals who do so may be removed from the meeting.
• All cell phones and/or other electronic devices shall be turned off or silenced prior to the start of the public meeting. An individual who fails to do so may be removed from the meeting.
CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
APPROVAL OF AGENDA:
SPECIAL PRESENTATION/REPORT:
PUBLIC COMMENT:
This time is provided for addressing items that do not appear on the Agenda. Please complete a comment card and provide it to the Town Clerk so speakers may be announced. Please remember comments are limited to a TOTAL of three minutes.
CONSENT AGENDA:
All matters listed under this item are considered routine and action will be taken by one motion. There will be no separate discussion of these items unless a Commissioner or person so requests, in which event the item will be removed from the general order of business and considered in its normal sequence on the agenda. Any person wishing to speak on an agenda item is asked to complete a public comment card located on either side of the Chambers and given to the Town Clerk. Cards must be submitted before the item is discussed.
BOARD MEMBER NOMINATION:
QUASI-JUDICIAL PUBLIC HEARING (RESOLUTION):
PUBLIC HEARING(S) - ORDINANCE ON FIRST READING:
AN ORDINANCE OF THE TOWN COMMISSION OF THE TOWN OF LAKE PARK, FLORIDA, AMENDING ITS COMPREHENSIVE PLAN; PROVIDING FOR AMENDMENTS TO THE TEXT OF THE FUTURE LAND USE ELEMENT AND INTERGOVERNMENTAL COORDINATION ELEMENTS; PROVIDING FOR THE AMENDMENT TO THE FUTURE LAND USE MAP TO REMOVE THE BIOSCIENCE RESEARCH PROTECTION OVERLAY; PROVIDING FOR THE TRANSMITTAL OF THE AMENDMENTS TO THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY; PROVIDING THE REPEAL OF LAWS IN CONFLICT; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
PUBLIC HEARING(S) - ORDINANCE ON SECOND READING:
OLD BUSINESS:
Lake Park Marina Barge Relocation: Justification Statement
Executive Summary
The Town of Lake Park and Forest Development p3 LPM, LLC are considering the relocation of an existing barge within the marina to bring the marina into compliance with State Deed restrictions to support ongoing operations during the redevelopment phase. This proposal addresses critical safety, zoning, and operational considerations while maintaining the public-private partnership benefits that have generated significant revenue for the town.
Background and Current Situation
The existing barge has served as a sales office for the adjacent Nautilus 220 "Project" since its approval in 2020. Originally leased from the Town of Lake Park specifically for sales operations related to this development project, the barge has evolved to serve multiple functions within the marina ecosystem.
However, a recent review by Town staff has revealed that the current operating use may not align with the intent of the Public Zoning District. We have prepared a a comprehensive review and an adjustment of the barge's operational parameters to ensure compliance while maintaining its valuable contribution to marina operations.
Safety and Navigation Analysis
To ensure the proposed relocation meets all safety standards, the marina has engaged Bolchoz Marine, a qualified marina consultant, to conduct a thorough analysis of the new barge location and its impact on vessel navigation throughout the channel.
Mark, the Principal of Bolchoz Marine, has completed his assessment of the proposed location and provided detailed findings. His analysis confirms that the solution meets industry standards for safe operation, with specific attention to vessel maneuvering requirements in the affected areas.
The technical assessment reveals that with the existing 40-foot fingers in place and timber fender piles positioned against the barge, there will be 48 feet of clear space east of the barge. This configuration provides adequate fairway space for vessels to transit following the industry-standard practice of 1.5 times the boat length for safe maneuvering.
For the northern approach to the barge, while 40-foot vessels may not have the full 1.5 times length fairway standard, the protected nature of this area—with minimal wind, waves, and current—ensures that these larger vessels can still safely navigate past the barge during ingress and egress operations.
The marina consultant is prepared to provide official sign-off and seal the engineering assessment once the Town completes its review and the team addresses any additional comments or concerns.
Zoning Compliance and Operational Framework
In response to zoning concerns, InSite Studio has reviewed the Code and the proposed uses for the barge and has developed a comprehensive explanation of how the barge's proposed uses are both necessary and essential to marina operations while meeting the Town's service requirements under current code.
The updated operational framework transforms the barge from a single-purpose sales office into a multi-purpose facility that serves several critical functions. These expanded uses include office management for the P3 Partnership with the Town, providing operational support for various ongoing marina projects, and facilitating marina facility maintenance activities. Additionally, the barge will continue to serve sales functions for the remaining unsold Nautilus 220 units.
Regarding the lease agreement structure, it's important to note that the original Sales at Seas agreement expired in 2023. Since that time, the Marina Director has been executing annual agreements using the standard Lake Park Marina Lease template. This approach has proven effective and should continue as this is the standard lease for all tenants and provides the appropriate legal framework.
Public Benefit and Revenue Generation
The continued operation of the barge serves significant public interests for both the marina and the broader Town of Lake Park community. The facility will provide essential operational continuity during the critical redevelopment phase of the marina and the construction of the peninsula restaurant project.
The partnership between the Town of Lake Park and Forest Development P3 LPM, LLC operates under the P3 Lake Park Harbor Marina Comprehensive Agreement, making the development team's involvement in finding feasible and safe solutions a natural extension of this collaborative relationship.
From a financial perspective, the barge lease has generated substantial revenue for the Town. Over the past 12 months, lease payments have totaled approximately $130,000, providing significant contribution to the marina's operational and maintenance budget. This revenue stream supports the ability to maintain and improve marina facilities for the benefit of all users and the general public.
Risk Management and Insurance
Forest Development/Sales at Sea maintains comprehensive insurance coverage for the barge operation, with the Town of Lake Park named as an additional insured party on the policy. This arrangement provides appropriate protection for the Town while ensuring that private operations assume responsibility for potential liabilities. Current insurance certificates have been provided and are on file with the town.
Implementation and Next Steps
The relocation proposal represents a carefully considered solution that balances operational needs, safety requirements, and regulatory compliance. The engineering analysis confirms the safety of the proposed location, while the expanded use framework addresses zoning concerns and enhances public benefit.
The development team is ready to work closely with Town staff to implement any necessary adjustments as the project moves forward. This collaborative approach ensures that the final implementation will meet all Town requirements while maintaining the operational flexibility needed during the marina's redevelopment phase.
Upon Town review of these comprehensive responses, discussions can proceed regarding any final adjustments needed for the staff report to the Commission. The goal is to present a solution that serves the long-term interests of the marina, supports ongoing development projects, and maintains the Town's commitment to safe and efficient waterfront operations.
TOWN ATTORNEY, TOWN MANAGER, COMMISSIONER COMMENTS:
REQUEST FOR FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS:
ADJOURNMENT:
FUTURE MEETING DATE: Next Scheduled Regular Commission Meeting will be held on Month, D, 20YY.