HBA activity in June

The HBA was very active in the last month.

A private meeting with Chip LaMarca, 4^th district representative for Broward County, was held at the home of an HBA member. The purpose was to provide him with background about our beach issues, to promote a dialog with the County regarding our plight and solicit guidance on how best to navigate the County and other organizations so they understand our issues. Representative LaMarca was very open in his remarks, the meeting was very successful. We think he will be a friend and asset in our dealings with the County and State.

We had asked for and the Mayor scheduled a workshop with the Commissioners to discuss beach issues specifically. This meeting was held on June 24, where a great deal of information and viewpoints were exchanged in a non-adversarial environment. Many of the HBA members spoke and their comments were well received. There was interest shown by the Commissioners but no commitment that our recommendations would be implemented. One of Mr LaMarca's aides was also present.

Prior to today's Commission meeting:

• The HBA had drafted a 'proposed' letter to Deerfield outlining our case with the groins asking Deerfield to work cooperatively with Hillsboro Beach to solve our mutual problem. We provided this letter to the Commission so they would have a chance to review it; we had hoped the Commission would send this to the Deerfield representatives.

• We sent another note to the Commission requesting that subject-specific experts be hired to review and provide advice about a few issues that have great potential impact on our discussions. The Town needs this expert input to help formulate our technical and legal positions.

• As stated in a letter sent to the Town on June 28, a special meeting of the Deerfield Commission is scheduled for July 2. It seems that the Deerfield officials may want to abrogate their portion of the small beach nourishment scheduled for this coming spring, because they think Hillsboro Beach wants to 'remove' the Deerfield groins. (Our goal is to stop the downdrift erosion they are causing, nothing else.)

Hillsboro Beach Commission Meeting of July 1, 2014

The Hillsboro Commission meeting was held today. Two HBA members spoke at the meeting. The Deerfield 'letter' was brought up and we asked that it be sent, which they did not act on. As HBA had made clear to the commission, the HBA would send it under HBA signature and has done so.

We asked that the town retain a topic specific attorney to provide advice re: permits, other documents and the government agencies. The Mayor said:  “I would like to keep attorney’s out of this at this point. ” A letter drafted by the town engineer addressing the Florida Department of Environmental Protection was not brought up either.

It seems that nothing more will happen until the September Commission meeting, but we will update you should anything consequential occur.

News Flash:

Canceled: Special Commission Meeting – July 2, 2014

YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED that the Special City Commission meeting scheduled for Wednesday, July 2, 2014, at 6:30p.m. in the City Commission Chambers of the City Hall Complex, 150 Northeast Second Avenue, Deerfield Beach, Florida has been canceled.

Perhaps we CAN have a meaningful dialog with Deerfield about this beach erosion issue after all!