unanimous ESC endorsement

Recommended

Presented by City Engineer Steve Swann; commission described as supportive.

Debated

City Engineer Steve Swann presented an update on the MARSH pilot project proposal, noting the budget numbers in the formal proposal were inflated because the South Atlantic Salt Marsh Initiative (SASMI) program required higher budgets, so the numbers had to be increased multiple times to meet their expectations. Sarah Boren confirmed no match is required for SASMI funding and suggested putting a "TBD" placeholder in the budget while awaiting the grant response, noting commission was supportive. Boren reported that experts at a North Florida Estuary Restoration Team (NERT) meeting had given positive feedback on Swann's location selections, and Atlantic Beach was one of eleven projects submitted to SASMI, with positive sentiment about funding approval odds.

Decided

PASSED — ESC recommends Commission support and fund staff's Marsh pilot proposal in the FY2026–2027 budget.