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Resident and staff exchange over Manual's Branch sampling; city says human indicators 'nonexistent'
Summary
A resident urged attention to flooding and water quality in Dean Park and Manual's Branch; staff said the city's sampling finds no human-indicator bacteria and suggested legacy substrate bacteria may explain Calusa Waterkeeper results, while inviting the Waterkeeper into board discussions.
During public comment, resident Martha Gibbons identified herself and voiced concerns about flooding, costs of shoreline work, and water quality in nearby Dean Park and Manual's Branch. "I'm very curious about any plans you have for the future of this dealing with the shoreline," she said.
In a later staff comment, Mahone summarized the city's monitoring program and disputed some of the Waterkeeper's conclusions: "Our results are showing that the human indicators are nonexistent in in that branch," he said, adding city sampling and third-party engineering work have not detected fecal human-indicator results recently. Staff characterized some findings as legacy bacteria in the substrate and emphasized ongoing monthly sampling and public data publication.
Board members noted the Waterkeeper uses different, stricter standards and that the organization has been invited to present and to pursue a board seat to improve communication. Staff said the city will continue to sample and share results and offered to coordinate with the Waterkeeper on next steps and possible remedies for visible trash and canopy issues along the branch.
