TOWN OF MELBOURNE BEACH
MINUTES
TOWN COMMISSION - WORKSHOP

 MINUTES
TOWN COMMISSION
WORKSHOP
May 30 2002

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A regular meeting of the Town Commission of the Town of Melbourne Beach, Florida was called to order by 
Mayor Wille at 6:05 p.m. on Thursday, May 30, 2002 in the Community Center.  

Present:  

Mayor Wille
Vice Mayor  Smith
Commissioner Crispen
Commissioner Guglietta
Commissioner  Walters

Others Present:  

Town Manager Hoskovec
Beville Outlaw, Outlaw and Jones
Gail Jones, Outlaw and Jones
John Schultz, Outlaw and Jones
Dave Bryant, Structural Engineer
Amy Adams, Grant Consultant
Town Clerk Masny

REVIEW OF MELBOURNE BEACH TOWN PIER RENOVATION PRESENTED 
BY OUTLAW & JONES ENGINEERING, INC.
Town Manager Hoskovec stated that this workshop is to bring the Town Commission up tospeed with the pier renovation 
plans and to answer any questions regarding the process before the Town gets to the final design phase.

Beville Outlaw, Outlaw and Jones stated that he would like input, comments and questions from the Town Commission 
regarding the pier renovations as presented.  Town Manager Hoskovec clarified that the finger pier will be designed to 
handle commercial vessels.  Mr. Outlaw stated that he has been in contact with the commercial vessel company that may 
in the future moor a boat at the pier.  Mr. Outlaw advised that the pilings would be larger in diameter and closer together 
than the rest of the pier to support the wind load and commercial vessels.  Mr. Outlaw asked that the Town Commission 
consider upgrading the pavilion and decking under the pavilion in the renovation plan.  Mr. Outlaw stated that the State 
has advised that they would like a stainless steel cable rail, but they really want a railing that can be seen through.  

Amy Adams referred to a hand out regarding cable railing and reported that that state supplied this as an alternative to the 
all-wood rail system.  Ms. Adams stated that prior to 1972 there was no railing system on the pier and the state feels that 
a railing that is less obtrusive to the eye would have more historic integrity.  Ms. Adams stated that Walt Marder, a State 
Historic Preservation Architect will provide the Town with two (2) other railing alternatives.  Ms. Adams reported that Mr. 
Marder will also be addressing the possibility of using the Brazilian hardwood on the pier. 

Commissioner Guglietta reported that he was in South Florida over the weekend and saw cable rail in a concrete pier structure 
and reported that it does not obstruct the view.  Commissioner Guglietta stated that he cannot picture this type of rail on an 
historical structure such as the Townpier.  Commissioner Guglietta stated that the only problem they have at this marina 
with the cable railing is the kids like to stand on it and climb.  Ms. Adams estimated that according to a bid received previously 
from Lucas Marine, it would cost approximately an additional $24,000 to install the cable rail system.  

Mayor Wille asked Town Manager Hoskovec if he could prevail upon the State that the Town is trying to keep the pier in its 
historic state and discuss alternative rail systems with them?  Town Manager Hoskovec suggested that the Town wait until 
we receive the other rail options and see what alternative railing might be acceptable.  Ms. Adams suggested that the Town 
invite Walt Marder to Town to walk the pier and discuss the situation regarding the handrail.  Town Manager Hoskovec 
recommended that if the railing options do not seem like what the Town Commission wants, we can have representatives 
from Tallahassee come down to walk the pier.  The Town Commission felt they could not make a decision on the cable rail 
system until they reviewed the other rail systems being forwarded from Walt Marder.

Gail Jones, Outlaw and Jones reported that the renovation proposal consists of removing and replacing the pier because the 
piling are all too short because of the way the hand rail is designed, the collar beams and supports underneath the pier are 
rotted and split.  Gail Jones presented photographs of the damage to the pier.   Mayor Wille asked Mr. Jones what he has 
done in his renovation plans for the pier as to not create a pier that will be a maintenance problem in the future or minimize 
maintenance problems?  Mr. Jones stated that any board that lay in a horizontal position such as the 2x6 decking on the 
walkway and flat timbers on top of the handrail are a wax-impregnated, pressure treated lumber, which based on research 
have a 40 to 50-year life cycle. Mr. Jones advised that the decking will be screwed down, not nailed, and the stringers will 
be spaced 18 3/4 inches, center-to-center, which will firm it up and advised that all screws and nails used will be stainless 
steel.

Commissioner Crispen asked why the pavilion has not been indicated to be replaced?  After a discussion, Mr. Outlaw advised 
that they were never asked to include the pavilion area in the plan, and stated that they could look at the pavilion.  Town 
Manager Hoskovec advised that the old bids included a pavilion, so it could be done.  The Town Commission stated that 
they were never asked about the pavilion and all agreed that the pavilion be included in the reconstruction project.  Town 
Manager Hoskovec advised that there will be an alternative bid using the Brazilian hardwood.  Mr. Jones advised that there 
will be approximately a 65% cost increase in Material to use the Brazilian hardwood for the decking and it must be pre-drilled 
because you cannot put a nail into it.  Commissioner Guglietta pointed out that this wood comes from the rain forest and this 
is a problem with him.  Commissioner Walters agreed.  Ms. Adams stated that the Town should look into seeing if the 
wood is farmed.

Commissioner Guglietta stated that if this heavy hardwood is used for decking, the pilings will have to be re-engineered due 
to the weight.  Dave Bryant, the structural engineer was requested to look into specific engineering requirements if this type 
of hardwood is used for the decking.

After further discussion regarding the pier renovations, the Town Commission discussed that Outlaw Engineering look into the 
plan/cost of adding both the North and South finger piers.  Ms. Adams reviewed photos showing the finger piers.  Mayor Wille 
asked Ms. Adams if she thought the state would have any resistance to installing a couple of pilings inside of the north "t" for 
boaters to tie up to?  Ms. Adams stated that she felt this would not cause resistance.  There were no objections from the Town 
Commission to look into this idea.  Town Manager Hoskovec stated that this could be an alternate bid for the project.

Mayor Wille asked if the plan includes an electrical plan as the commercial boat will need a 50 AMP service and Town 
Manager Hoskovec stated there is currently a 50 AMP service there.  The Town Commission discussed installing low-level 
lighting fixtures the entire length of the pier and new lights under the pavilion metal roof.  

Ms. Adams stated that so far, the items that need to be address are:  electrical, pavilion and its design, north finger pier 
design, handrail design, and type of decking to be used.

Mr. Outlaw asked which area of the pier the Cocoa Belle or other boat needs for commercial dockage?  The Town Commission 
indicated that they have no objections to commercial operations utilizing the pier.  

Mr. Outlaw advised that they would prefer the contractor utilizing the area north of the pier for a staging area during construction.  
Mayor Wille advised that the Town has a lease for the use of the area north of the pier, but, the south area can also be used.

Town Manager Hoskovec stated that Ms. Adams is working with Brevard County to put the Town under their LAP certification 
for the pier project.  Ms. Adams stated that the County is working on the Interlocal Agreement now and the money will flow 
through the County to the Town through the Department of Transportation.  

Commissioner Walters asked Ms. Adams what she found out about the exception to use funding for the engineering plans?  
Ms. Adams reported that the National Scenic Byways grant will not allow the Town to use the funds as all of it is lumped into 
construction so the engineering can move forward and FEMA will give additional funds for design as that money is just an 
estimate. 

There being no further business, the workshop of the Town Commission of the Town of 
Melbourne Beach, Florida adjourned at 7:25 p.m.




____________________________________
ROBERT D. WILLE, MAYOR




____________________________________
CYNTHIA E. MASNY, CMC
TOWN CLERK


 

Note:  a mechanical recording has been made of the foregoing procedures of which these minutes are a part 
and is on file in the office of the Town Clerk.