The Key Biscayne Village Council was scheduled to consider nearly $5 million in contracts and equipment purchases Tuesday, Oct. 13, including a coastal erosion study, a new ladder truck, police body cameras and infrastructure improvements.

The meeting agenda also included a $412,500 federal grant to help evaluate whether an offshore artificial reef could protect the village's Atlantic shoreline.

The council meeting was scheduled for 6:30 p.m. at Village Hall, 560 Crandon Blvd., according to the official agenda.

Coastal erosion study could lead to offshore reef

The council was scheduled to consider accepting a $412,500 grant from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration for an offshore barrier reef feasibility study.

The study would examine whether a hybrid artificial reef system could reduce wave damage and slow erosion along Key Biscayne's 1.2-mile Atlantic coastline.

The shoreline loses approximately 12,000 cubic yards of sand annually, according to NOAA.

The erosion threatens critical infrastructure, including an electrical substation, stormwater systems, water and sewer lines, and Crandon Boulevard, the island's only evacuation route. NOAA estimates that approximately $5 billion in nearby property values are at risk.

Beach renourishment has been the village's primary defense since 1969. Seven major projects have placed approximately 837,300 cubic yards of sand along the shoreline. However, the time between projects has decreased from seven years to fewer than three, while costs per cubic yard have more than tripled since the 1970s.

Proposed shoreline protection improvements by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers have been on hold for approximately two years, according to the Islander News.

A related agenda item called for a contract with coastal engineering firm Moffatt & Nichol, capped at $1,075,000, to conduct an offshore feasibility and preliminary shoreline design study.

The firm received the highest score in a competitive evaluation, earning 473 out of 500 points. The proposed two-year contract includes no extension option.

The project team includes the University of Miami's Rosenstiel School of Marine, Atmospheric, and Earth Science as a subconsultant.

Public Works Director Christopher Miranda was scheduled to present the proposal. Village Manager Steven Williamson signed the procurement recommendation Aug. 31.

Chief Resilience and Sustainability Officer Roland Samimy told the Islander News in September that the study would determine whether the reef concept was practical.

"We don't know it's a viable thing (yet), that's why we are doing the feasibility study," Samimy said.

He estimated that construction of a completed reef could cost approximately $20 million but emphasized that the figure was preliminary.

Fire truck, cameras, vehicles on agenda

The council was also scheduled to consider purchasing a Pierce Enforcer ladder truck from Ten-8 Fire & Safety for up to $1,975,250.

The proposed vehicle features a 107-foot aerial ladder. Fire Rescue Chief Joseph Fernandez was scheduled to present the request.

The village's fiscal 2026-27 budget, approved in a 6-1 council vote, included funding for a new fire truck using village reserves.

Police Chief Francis J. Sousa was scheduled to present a five-year agreement with Axon Enterprise for body-worn cameras, Tasers, data storage and maintenance, capped at $425,628.

The agreement would use a cooperative purchasing contract through Sourcewell.

Sousa also requested authorization to spend up to $326,834 on police vehicles, accessories and graphics. A related resolution would declare older police vehicles surplus property.

Road repairs and village facilities

Several other infrastructure and facility expenditures appeared on the agenda.

The council was scheduled to consider a Harbor Drive reconstruction change order of up to $492,100, elevator modernization services costing up to $350,000 and HVAC replacement work at Village Hall and the Community Center costing up to $312,423.

Together, the proposed contracts, equipment purchases and infrastructure expenditures carried maximum amounts totaling approximately $4.96 million, excluding the federal grant.

Miami-Dade County Public Library System Director Lydia Lopez was also scheduled to provide an update on construction at the Key Biscayne Library.

Council member Nancy Stoner requested a presentation on stormwater infrastructure by Giorgio Tachiev of GIT Consulting.

A council workshop on the shoreline concept is scheduled for Oct. 27 at 6 p.m. The next regular council meeting is scheduled for Nov. 17 at 6:30 p.m. Both meetings are set for the Council Chamber at 560 Crandon Blvd.