Res 01-05
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RESOLUTION NO.1-OS
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY
OF DELRA Y BEACH, FLORIDA, SUPPORTING THE
MODERNIZATION OF THE BOYNTON INLET
WHEREAS, the Boynton Inlet was constructed over 50 years ago by the Army Corp of
Engineers as a mechanism to flush contaminants from the Intracoastal Waterway; and
WHEREAS, it has increasingly been used over the years by both pleasure and commercial
watercraft; and
WHEREAS, the Coast Guard and surrounding local governments are routinely called upon
to rescue boaters who were unprepared for the inlet's strong currents and narrow passage,
specifically there have been 169 known calls for service at this location since 1999, with 152
involving emergency medical or rescue operations; and
WHEREAS, in the past local governments have raised the issue of making improvements to
the safety and function of the inlet; and
WHEREAS, no local government has thoroughly investigated the available options; and
WHEREAS, there is growing concern that increasing water traffic will also increase the odds
of a serious injury or death in the inlet; and
WHEREAS, the City of Boynton Beach has made the study of all available options to
improve the inlet its top priority for 2005.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE
CITY OF DELRA Y BEACH, FLORIDA, THAT:
Section 1. The City Commission of the City of Delray Beach supports the City of Boynton
Beach in its request for legislative funding of a feasibility study to explore all options available to
improve the inlet by making it safer for navigation and more effective for the environment.
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PASSED AND ADOPTED this 4th day of January, 2005.
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ATTEST:
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City Clerk
2
Res. No. 1-05
·
RESOLUTION NO.1-OS
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY
OF DELRA Y BEACH, FLORIDA, SUPPORTING THE
MODERNIZATION OF THE BOYNTON INLET
WHEREAS, the Boynton Inlet was constructed over 50 years ago by the Army Corp of
Engineers as a mechanism to flush contaminants from the Intracoastal Waterway; and
WHEREAS, it has increasingly been used over the years by both pleasure and commercial
watercraft; and
WHEREAS, the Coast Guard and surrounding local governments are routinely called upon
to rescue boaters who were unprepared for the inlet's strong currents and narrow passage,
specifically there have been 169 known calls for service at this location since 1999, with 152
involving emergency medical or rescue operations; and
WHEREAS, in the past local governments have raised the issue of making improvements to
the safety and function of the inlet; and
WHEREAS, no local government has thoroughly investigated the available options; and
WHEREAS, there is growing concern that increasing water traffic will also increase the odds
of a serious injury or death in the inlet; and
WHEREAS, the City of Boynton Beach has made the study of all available options to
improve the inlet its top priority for 2005.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE
CITY OF DELRA Y BEACH, FLORIDA, THAT:
Section 1. The City Commission of the City of Delray Beach supports the City of Boynton
Beach in its request for legislative funding of a feasibility study to explore all options available to
improve the inlet by making it safer for navigation and more effective for the environment.
9~
PASSED AND ADOPTED this 4th day of January, 2005.
MAYOR
ATTEST:
City Clerk
2
Res. No. 1-05
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The City 01 Boynton Beach
DEC 3 0 :~~
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OFFICE OF THE CITY COMMISSION
Mayor Gerald Taylor
Vice Mayor Muir C Ferguson
Commissioner Mack McCray
Commissioner Carl McKoy
Commissioner Robert Ensler
100 E. Boynton Beach Boulevard
P.O. Box 310
Boynton Beach, Rorida 33425-0310
City Manager's OffIce: (561) 742-6010
FAX: (561) 742-6011
WWl¥.boynton-beach.org
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December 28, 2004
Mayor Jeff Perlman
City of Delray Beach
100N.W.1stAve
Delray Beach, FL 33444-2698
Re: Request for Resolution of Support - Modernization of Boynton Inlet
Dear Mayor Perlman:
In 2004, as part of the City's strategic plan the Boynton Beach City Commission has
identified the modernization of the Boynton Inlet as an important project of regional impact.
From our vantage point, the current use of the Boynton Inlet as a navigational access
point to and from the Atlantic Ocean is difficult. We acknowledge that the inlet was not
constructed as a navigation access point. However, the popularity of boating in our area
has made the Boynton Inlet a popular, yet difficult access point to the ocean. There are
limitations on its use owing to the elevation of the bridge on A 1 A and the difficult current.
The City of Boynton Beach, in cooperation with other local governments, proposes to study
the modernization of the Boynton Inlet located on State Highway A 1 A adjacent to Inlet Park
operated by Palm Beach County. The Boynton Beach City Commission has included this
project in the City's Strategic Plan as an essential safety and economic development
enhancement to the area. The inlet is located between Ocean Ridge and Manalapan and
provides access to the Atlantic Ocean from the Intracoastal Canal. The current
configuration of the inlet is a deterrent to safe transit of boats and the height of the bridge
on A 1 A serves as a limitation on the size of boats that can use the inlet. Boynton Inlet
connects the Atlantic Ocean with the bottom of Lake Worth lagoon 15 miles south of Lake
Worth Inlet. It was cut through the barrier island over 50 years ago to provide tidal
drainage for the lower end of the lagoon, and it certainly does that. Currents through the
inlet can exceed 5 knots on a strong ebb tide.
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The City of Boynton Beach will be requesting an appropriation of $160,000 from the State
legislature for a feasibility study to modernize the inlet and explore options related to
modernizing the bridge over the Boynton Inlet on Highway A1A.
We believe a modernized inlet at this location will:
1. Enhance safe transit of the to and from the Atlantic Ocean from the Intracoastal
Waterway at a critical nautical junction in Palm Beach County.
2. Improved access will provide an incentive for existing marinas to continue
operation. The marine industry pumps more than $800 million annually into the
local economy and provides 7,500 jobs.
3. Enhanced waterfront development opportunities for Boynton Beach, Delray Beach,
Lantana, Hypoluxo and lake Worth due to better access to the Atlantic Ocean via
the Boynton Inlet.
4. Potential environmental improvements to the water conditions in lake Worth (part
of the Intracoastal Waterway in Boynton Beach, lantana and lake Worth).
5. Relieve current inlet congestion problems at the Boca Inlet and the Palm Beach
Shores Inlet.
I respectfully request your consideration of the enclosed resolution of support for our effort
to study the modernization of the Boynton Inlet. Representatives of the City are available
to meet with your staff or offer additional information as presentation to your Cityrrown
Commission/Board.
My Best wishes for a happy and prosperous New Year.
Sincerely,
r¡v7~
Jerry Taylor
Mayor
Attachment
c: Boynton Beach City Commission
Kurt Bressner, City Manager
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RESOLUTION
A Resolution in Support of Modernization of the Boynton Inlet
WHEREAS the Boynton Inlet was constructed over 50 years ago by the Army Corp of
Engineers as a mechanism to flush contaminants from the Intracoastal Waterway; and
WHEREAS it has increasingly been used over the years by both pleasure and commercial
watercraft; and
WHEREAS the Coast Guard and surrounding local governments are routinely called
upon to rescue boaters who were unprepared for the inlet's strong currents and narrow passage,
specifically there have been 169 known calls for service at this location since 1999, with 152
involving emergency medical or rescue operations; and
WHEREAS in the past local governments have raised the issue of making improvements
to the safety and function of the inlet; and
WHEREAS no local government has thoroughly investigated the available options; and
WHEREAS there is growing concern that increasing water traffic will also increase the
odds of a serious injury or death in the inlet; and
WHEREAS the City of Boynton Beach has made the study of all available options to
improve the inlet its top priority for 2005;
BE IT RESOLVED that the of , support the City
of Boynton Beach in its request for legislative funding of a feasibility study to explore all options
available to improve the inlet by making it safer for navigation and more effective for the
environment.