[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6117193,"mediaKeyId","2730727-de04f1e62caca416ebf4d00f6aed4215","parentId",2730727,"title","Committee seeks wider public engagement: education, volunteer programs and partnerships to protect dunes and wildlife","audioSeconds",974,"startMs",6292000,"endMs",7266000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2730727-de04f1e62caca416ebf4d00f6aed4215&start=6292&end=7266","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2730727-de04f1e62caca416ebf4d00f6aed4215/thumbnail_6292000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6117193/St-Pete-Beach/Pinellas-County/Florida/Committee-seeks-wider-public-engagement-education-volunteer-programs-and-partnerships-to-protect-dunes-and-wildlife","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6117193-4bf7abe680a2d81697e0117c692afef9/orig.mp4?Expires=1771173123&Signature=GRANN7o3nfhKU8MUJhDSEFm2rsRjus-2AKs1ehFVZvVfCNVSp3zDvb6x~YPU~GyhK9FSgrG60jUnLO2QML2kL1~z-glJAZ0i2zWBf7dO9skd~Zw~cwjTeh7E2HGeQ8tJ0Qvz76NKizdPYv4YN5vgJHnxzkoJLoI5UFwP9SZQks4dmj~u8bREVOnBuJI15TBz46GrpldOE1qP2U9m4sKzWkkoZNjFcn-VwH1I0wWOXHqQ4FTsoz9rjhrtYzXtTp24SoOiZoVlTtcrMLlM5N3K91RgP1BAy-XUfDjROCqR6oJEWukXxyskB0UusYv342vSU95ClM1-9~BXmqlLFcQSVw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of St. Pete Beach, FL","date","2025-03-21T03:27:43Z","article","The committee discussed outreach and education as a core tool for protecting dunes, wildlife and beach quality. Members proposed a coordinated program of seasonal public education (e.g., ‘‘turtle awareness’’ during nesting season), expanded volunteer beach cleanups, dune-planting events and partnerships with organizations such as the Sea Turtle Conservancy, Keep Pinellas Beautiful, local colleges and the public library.

Ideas included providing hotels with short informational cards at check-in about beach rules (lights, dogs, chairs), expanding the city’s beach-stewardship web page with resources and links (permitting contacts, plant lists and how-to guidance), and scheduling visible, visitor-oriented events during busy times such as spring break to reach tourists. Members suggested the city or county maintain a calendar of outreach events and that the stewardship committee identify a staff owner (or shared staffing) to coordinate speakers, volunteers and grant applications.

Committee members noted existing programs—hotel-led turtle talks, hotel cleanups and prior grant-funded retrofit programs—and asked staff to explore whether the city can scale those activities and identify funding or staff hours to manage a year-round outreach program. The committee suggested that volunteers and dune-saver-type programs would both raise awareness and reduce the workload on code and maintenance staff.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Beach Stewardship Committee Workshop - March 20, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Members proposed a year-round public engagement campaign—partnering with the library, hotels, Sea Turtle Conservancy, Keep Pinellas Beautiful and local colleges—to educate visitors and residents on dune preservation, turtle protection and beach stewardship.","taxTitle","St. Pete Beach, Pinellas County, Florida","taxId",48406,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6117199,"Committee debates public and resident beach access, asks staff to map accesses and confirm status",1854,5695000,7549000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2730727-de04f1e62caca416ebf4d00f6aed4215&start=5695&end=7549","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2730727-de04f1e62caca416ebf4d00f6aed4215/thumbnail_5695000.jpg","/articles/6117199/St-Pete-Beach/Pinellas-County/Florida/Committee-debates-public-and-resident-beach-access-asks-staff-to-map-accesses-and-confirm-status","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6117199-69f8ca8b1dcf05b36bd77c25fa80dce5/orig.mp4?Expires=1771173123&Signature=eGenSWwt6cAxsaw7lQCVSQaNMt~ERkV6NKN54M8nPtEI34emNgYqZfTnkeRVqfW5C9pyLwkX8wgHNiMIFAZC7~xPScrPllD1Fq~IAHGNFvaKvpXO13eylJkyURChEGrB5A617HmXlIoa5LXxwUI7vFak1Ds7jySkSXjbvP5wuA94nsKUmKiUXIUv0FmGqhUBV849NPfp9RLuT1SVFg1TlkkfR2yrl-S5J8TZ9~MMoXe6YVLLmAtT1b00XuUWktaf-qKEPOr-3~wGK1iYUf-g7M0AJl7S~yFnPdu8fCf6fsoJxCeYtD4DXKhynbv1vUZNlV873YFYjdzC3RNPicSCtg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The committee discussed public and resident access to St. Pete Beach, including disputed shoreline accesses, hotel resort passes and private easements.

Members said some stretches between Seagate/SeaMark and Upham Beach lack obvious public accesses and requested a verified map of current, legal public access points. The committee discussed examples where property owners historically allowed residents or guests to pass through a private property to reach the beach; members said such arrangements are sometimes informal and can create confusion about true public access.

The committee agreed that disputes over ownership, easements or customary use should be routed to planning and legal for determination, but that the stewardship committee should receive an accurate inventory of public access points and a recommendation about which ones the city should ensure remain open and safe. Some members described Lot M and N as historically unusual because deeds and prior actions had formalized private rights in those locations; the committee noted that those cases are unique and should not be generalized.

Finally, members suggested staff consider ways to improve wayfinding and public information about where official public accesses are located, and to ensure accesses are physically maintained and environmentally sensitive (walkovers, dune plantings, and appropriate signage).","Members asked staff to document public and resident beach access points, clarify disputed easements and coordinate with planning on ownership and access rights.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6117203,"Beach ordinance, turtle-lighting revisions remain with city legal; committee urges intermediate drafts and public outreach",610,4352000,4962000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2730727-de04f1e62caca416ebf4d00f6aed4215&start=4352&end=4962","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2730727-de04f1e62caca416ebf4d00f6aed4215/thumbnail_4352000.jpg","/articles/6117203/St-Pete-Beach/Pinellas-County/Florida/Beach-ordinance-turtle-lighting-revisions-remain-with-city-legal-committee-urges-intermediate-drafts-and-public-outreach","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6117203-3c614b9c3076fdc384ccc0fb3bf046ad/orig.mp4?Expires=1771173123&Signature=FabKetzdkuxaBv6u7VbF6ByBQgMmNkgQljbHpetsTIZRagdt76pggcqaU-T1-sm8NmdmPjiAUIBCrfcgRWPr7G64RPF9hx-L1sSTDS5gMRaW6dsPIS37jcehxb0nWpQxUInABCTlNjEzIVxmb15LRN1lYHu7JAKkJrDQ43GX0or-QRNHzQ6PKPPPsYt0Wtyj3nOknnVSk8bWWHHS6vVw0W6mqUGSqJZj2~lsbOQqQ0EFAOgpwv9o3vDk8tEkn12DnNeYkKqWyTQSvQUZZLgRt3WK1m85EXGQCLaqOfLsVSRhD9PvzW7M6Eunm~ZNgfl~Cka93-JgXnGIDWdv66QJ-A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Committee members discussed the city’s draft beach ordinance and a separate model sea-turtle lighting ordinance recommended by state conservation groups. The committee said intermediate drafts between first and second readings should be routed to the stewardship committee for comment to avoid inadvertent changes to other chapters (for example, turtle protections or dune provisions) when language is consolidated in a single beach ordinance chapter.

The group discussed enforcement and compliance for turtle-friendly lighting. Code enforcement staff said notices of violation typically include a minimum cure period (often 10 days, sometimes up to 30 days depending on circumstances) and that staff may work with property owners who report supply-chain delays or other barriers to compliance. Committee members referenced a grant program administered with Sea Turtle Conservancy support that reimbursed fixtures after purchase; some applicants faced long lead times for fixtures and delayed reimbursements.

Committee members said they preferred adopting the state model ordinance (designed to be customized to local context) rather than redoing the science locally; they asked legal staff to provide a timeline for drafting and public outreach before the ordinance advances further. Members also asked that enforcement penalties and compliance timelines be made clear in any revised ordinance.","The committee urged that the beach ordinance’s intermediate drafts be shared with stewardship members and recommended adoption of a state model for sea-turtle lighting while noting enforcement, compliance timelines and grant-funded retrofit work.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6117208,"Committee presses for dune and renourishment standards, monitoring and clearer RFP process",647,1374000,2021000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2730727-de04f1e62caca416ebf4d00f6aed4215&start=1374&end=2021","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2730727-de04f1e62caca416ebf4d00f6aed4215/thumbnail_1374000.jpg","/articles/6117208/St-Pete-Beach/Pinellas-County/Florida/Committee-presses-for-dune-and-renourishment-standards-monitoring-and-clearer-RFP-process","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6117208-a6e366667707750076dbedf6f3cce9f7/orig.mp4?Expires=1771173123&Signature=Axh7IRK1pxcgTrfnoXdomERJ3n0uBCckXt14ZRVCsvC94tYORFRqWLS7JQgQJgo6kmC7V-RwVtXHLr46XxmOi7h8dVRw6Yq~thjv90jDIryRzCjpGygKTJX1icVwHcmPwFEgVXbC0JddLLoH6d14-BL3JYR5zjw4TSPvChjr-G~xlGSBy1orzmCZk3h3siASOC1s0TLJzPYFpL4FB3I3XJGqz2lLJjGJogXRbgqmWoYbrqlpuQDOSksPndH5h2g~XoHJ~e~fQltE2eDmx0QNeEAv4PYqch1bsn7DpNwPPIhbXrUoRC-lOguQ8KPWjDCm-pGv9qwPWFCIiUbENNW6Qw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Committee members spent a significant portion of the meeting on beach nourishment, dune standards and monitoring. The group recommended developing repeatable, documented standards for dune height, walkover design, plant species and triggers for renourishment so staff and contractors have measurable benchmarks to use when planning and evaluating work.

Members discussed three common approaches to rebuilding dunes: full beach renourishment, sand fencing to accelerate dune accretion, and engineered structures or seawalls. The committee said that having a standard dune profile would allow staff to declare when a section was below the threshold and in need of renourishment.

The committee asked that the planning and public-services staff involve the committee before key procurement steps such as an RFP or a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) are finalized, because those documents define scope of work and permit requirements. Members noted an RFP discussed during the meeting required the winning contractor to obtain permits on the city’s behalf; several members said that makes the RFP an appropriate trigger for early committee involvement or at least a notification.

Committee members cited Pass-a-Grille as an active example: a seawall repair and reconstruction project is underway there, and members said they want to see design drawings, planting plans and maintenance expectations early in the process. The group also discussed cross-jurisdictional work with Pinellas County, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection and noted the county often leads major renourishment efforts.

On monitoring and reporting, members proposed a recurring, multi-year strategy with measurable milestones and periodic monitoring (members suggested at least twice a year) so staff and the committee can track dune condition, vegetation survival and renourishment needs. Several members said maintenance staff is present daily and could be asked to supply routine condition reports to the committee.","Members asked staff to produce repeatable standards for dune height, triggers for renourishment, monitoring schedules and earlier committee involvement in RFPs affecting the beach.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6117211,"Beach stewardship committee finalizes goal plan, seeks clearer staff liaison and meeting process",2828,279000,3107000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2730727-de04f1e62caca416ebf4d00f6aed4215&start=279&end=3107","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2730727-de04f1e62caca416ebf4d00f6aed4215/thumbnail_279000.jpg","/articles/6117211/St-Pete-Beach/Pinellas-County/Florida/Beach-stewardship-committee-finalizes-goal-plan-seeks-clearer-staff-liaison-and-meeting-process","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6117211-189c5cf4721f7b27e1bf67507ebec0a2/orig.mp4?Expires=1771173123&Signature=UVKzfOLuRakBWZvKYt7RI3sxCe02nzc8Uu~hCi~qUC5lfpumBKwV7jsnBfcOwsFaNSAYtaJHuQK8rRmGiw-DmUtrenpf8Ep~8MJaFS98mB8FB5yFc7A4~X33cv2TQz1RQ~CBUD1S76eYfxo8doMt8bMTzXwZ8LYz10uT5rnIRKMcYYZfIi9AmpKYbI1~IuK952~TLIAqq2C7lqlxZACt7qsxVz-2s51-H8t6-WnO401akF2W3I7Dw-NSV6T7mPm9A4qXOmmm2AFUkBo9C81cAXSeTBgUyLhfqoL2IfmzqvgI7QykbD-IQspCk4w4AIXKPSOucxITgcXUyMbwSEKptw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The St. Pete Beach Beach Stewardship Committee reviewed a draft goal plan and focused on how the committee will interact with city staff and the City Commission to implement that plan.

Committee members agreed the group is advisory and that the committee’s formal schedule is set by the ordinance that created it, which states the committee \"shall have meetings quarterly\" but allows special meetings to be called by the chairman, the City Commission, the city manager or any three of five regular members. Committee members emphasized that workshops do not require commission approval and that the committee can request additional meetings under the ordinance’s special-meeting provision.

Members pressed for a clear staff liaison to support the committee’s work. Several speakers said they supported keeping the current interim liaison, Ayaka, while identifying a permanent contact. The committee also identified Camden Mills as the new director overseeing public services and asked staff to explain how beach maintenance and related responsibilities will be organized under that office.

The group discussed how and when it should hand its goal plan to the City Commission. Committee members said the clerk’s office previously advised that a completed plan could be sent to the commission for review and, if the committee wants additional regular meetings rather than occasional workshops, a formal change or notice to the commission may be required.

Committee members asked staff to provide clearer, faster notice when commission agendas include beach-related items. The committee noted the commission agenda posts one week before meetings and said that a combination of the city manager’s weekly newsletter and an explicit notification to committee members when a beach-related agenda item appears could give the committee time to prepare and, if needed, call a special meeting (three members required to schedule).

Committee members agreed to maintain the quarterly meeting schedule established by ordinance and to call special meetings as needed under the ordinance’s existing rules. They also asked staff to return with a clearer description of who will serve as the long-term staff liaison and how the beach stewardship work will be staffed and funded.","The St. Pete Beach Beach Stewardship Committee reviewed its goal plan, clarified its advisory role, and pressed for a named staff liaison and clearer procedures for special meetings and agenda notifications.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Committee seeks wider public engagement: education, volunteer programs and partnerships to protect dunes and wildlife

Committee debates public and resident beach access, asks staff to map accesses and confirm status

Beach ordinance, turtle-lighting revisions remain with city legal; committee urges intermediate drafts and public outreach

Committee presses for dune and renourishment standards, monitoring and clearer RFP process

Beach stewardship committee finalizes goal plan, seeks clearer staff liaison and meeting process