HBA Progress Update

HBA Progress Update I - Introduction Since our last update, the Hillsboro Beach Advocates ( HBA) have been working very hard on your behalf, the citizens of the Town of Hillsboro Beach. The HBA Executive Committee is comprised of few dedicated and committed volunteer professionals. The demand of the mission is daunting and the majority of us are spending full time job hours and more. II - Accomplishments It took time, but we gained the respect of the Town Commission and have been able to influence decision-making. A Marine Advisory Committee (MAC) is being formed to focus on the business of our most treasured resource, the beach. The HBA has written a draft charter for the MAC and submitted it to the Commission for review and approval. The Town and the HBA have commented on Boca Inlet dredging plan renewal,  which affects our beach. This is the first time that the Town commented on any permits. We have reached out to Boca Raton and Deerfield Beach explaining our beach erosion issues and how we are affected by the Boca inlet and the Deerfield Groins. We have started forging professional relationships with key members of Broward County who have already been influential in advancing our issues with our neighbors to the north. We have had several written and telephone communications with key members of the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP). We communicated our devastating beach erosion issues and its significant monetary impact on the Town. We believe we are making progress with the FDEP but more work lies ahead. We set up a political platform including the most important issues to the Citizens of the Town to be used to screen and select the best candidates for commission positions that will serve the Town the best. We have developed the framework for goals, objectives and strategies for the two key projects, Boca Inlet and Deerfield Beach groins. Once completed, we will get buy-in from the Commission and use it as a map moving forward. This will streamline our efforts towards accomplishing our goals. We have met individually with the commissioners to review the proposed 2015 budget and stressed the following: The town should be run as a business and a professional administrator should be hired to accomplish that. To solve our complex beach erosion issues, we need guidance from a prominent Marine Engineer and attorney and proper money has to be budgeted. Major budget items have to be evaluated every year to explore options and assure that we are getting the most for our investments.  III - Challenges Ahead Select the best candidates for the three commissioner openings in the upcoming March election. Complete the Goals, Objectives and Strategies for the Boca Inlet and Deerfield Beach Groins and get buy in from the Commission. Work with the Commission to finalize the MAC. Continue dialogue with the FDEP to get them to increase the sand bypassing at the Boca Inlet to levels commensurate with the net annual sediment transport in that area.  This will force more sand to our beach. Incorporate the HBA as a non-profit organization 501(C) (3). This will give the HBA more credibility when dealing with regulatory agencies and other entities. IV- Summary It has been very rewarding to see some progress. We hope that you will become more involved. We would like to hear from you and get your feedback on how we are doing and what other issues you would like us to work on. We have carried out a skills assessment of our group and we identified a few gaps: Marine law Publicity Government affairs, local, state and federal Web Design, A web site for the group would be very valuable We encourage anyone who fits the above skills to join us so we can collectively serve our Town in the most optimum way. Sincerely, Your Hillsboro Beach Advocates neighbors

Our mailing address is: Hillsboro Beach Advocates 975 Hillsboro Mile Hillsboro Beach, FL 33062