The discussion around the city’s CRS score involved a deeper look into the criteria that must be met for this reduction. Members examined the need for implementing more policies and ordinances, acknowledging the months of work already invested with the assistance of the Florida Department of Emergency Management.

In parallel to the discussions around flood insurance and CRS ratings, the board addressed the proposed changes to the city’s unsafe structures ordinance. The focus was on the definition of “demonstrate progress” and the establishment of time frames for addressing unsafe structures and hazards to navigation. These deliberations took into account public safety and the logistical challenges property owners may face in remedying such hazards. The board also considered the implications of rotting and derelict structures as immediate problems, especially if they pose hazards to navigation.

Furthermore, the meeting saw the board contemplating the distinctions between different types of hazards. The necessity for building permits, the time frames for completing repairs, and the potential conflicts between the city’s building code and the state code regarding building into a canal were discussed. This discussion was part of the broader aim to ensure compliance and address non-responsive property owners through the addition of seawall provisions to the city’s regulations. The possibility of incorporating living seawalls into city regulations was debated, along with the prospect of increasing fines for non-compliance with seawall regulations, although some members expressed concerns about the financial implications of such increases.

The meeting opened with an acknowledgment of absent members, including the chair, and a developer’s presentation regarding a boat and RV storage plan on a vacant lot. However, the commission noted that no specific proposal was under consideration at that time. A public member, D. de M., raised concerns about an ordinance affecting a section of the city code, requesting a broader approach to structure provisions.

As the meeting progressed, the topic of boat awnings and seawalls was broached, with members showing interest in allowing fixed boat covers. They cited the utility of such covers in protecting boats from sun damage and expressed a willingness to explore potential code changes. The board discussed the need for enhanced definitions around terms related to the ordinance and considered amendments related to proposed percentage changes going into city zoning. This discussion emphasized the board’s attention to detail and its focus on aligning the city’s ordinances with the needs and safety of its residents.