HomeMy WebLinkAboutWinterCITY OF
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EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHT
Gary Nicholas
An integral part of our "team" at the City
of Sebastian is an individual who has been
with the City over 30 years. Gary Nicholas is
someone who I first met over 10 years ago
when I joined the City as Airport Director. Being new to the job,
I came to depend heavily on Gary's knowledge and experience
on all Sebastian Airport things. Looking at his career with the
City, I have found his experience in other maintenance areas
has made him a valuable resource for the City.
Garyhas worked in Golf Course maintenance, has been a Roads and
Drainage Supervisor, a Supervisor in Engineering and Stormwater
Divisions, and currently as an Airport Operations Specialist. When I
arrived at the Sebastian Airport, Gary had just finished his aviation
pilot training and had purchased his own aircraft. He stores that
aircraft at Sebastian Airport and brings that aviation knowledge to
his job, and to the airport tenants. Having that first-hand aviation
knowledge assists the current Airport Director and elevates the
maintenance workers under Gary's charge. Having Gary as that
resource is extremely important in helping things run smoothly.
On a personal level, Gary has been a friend and confidant
through my years in Sebastian. I know his family well and I
have seen his son, A.J., rise from a bright, enthusiastic, 13
year-old attendant at the City's skate park to a full-fledged U.S.
Navy Corpsman Petty Officer. Gary has brought distinction to
his service with the City and a special pride to me knowing I
have worked with an individual who brings dedication, attention -
to -duty, and loyalty to the City of Sebastian — JOE GRIFFIN
CITY MANAGER'S BRIEF
aY: JOE GRIFFIN, CITY MANAGER
Happy New Year! I hope that everyone had a safe and happy
Holiday Season. This is the fifth edition of the City's Pelican
News. I sincerely hope residents find this publication useful and
a tangible connection to your City Hall.
Looking back on 2016 City happenings bring mixed feelings.
Two major events stand out: 1. The Employee Voluntary Early
Retirement Program, and: 2. Hurricane Matthew.
In January 2016, the Early Retirement Program brought the
departure of valuable employees with years of City institutional
knowledge. That program was instituted to reduce the size of
salaries from our City budget, to provide upward mobility to
'junior' employees, and to provide a financial incentive to 'senior'
employees who had provided the City with significant years of
loyal service. All of those employees deserve recognition, but
one stands out, on a personal level, since I worked with her
daily. Sally Maio, as Sebastian's City Clerk, brought a special
dedication in her 30+ years of service. I affectionately called her,
"the Conscience of Sebastian" because of her instinctive ability
to ferret out potential problems and offer solutions from her
inquisitive sharp mind. That, coupled with her 30+ year bank of
City experience was a huge asset to me. As a new City Manager,
she helped me immensely and I am forever grateful to her.
As we all realize, life is full of departures and arrivals and the
City is no exception. Last year's employee departures gave
opportunity to other employees to 'show what they have.'
Although, in any transition there are 'speed bumps; I believe
we have weathered the storm and our employees will continue
to provide our citizens with loyal service.
Speaking of loyal service, let me expound on a recent experience
that became a major event in the life of 2016 Sebastian. In early
October 2016, we experienced a 'glancing' blow from Hurricane
Matthew. Not knowing the hurricane's true path, our motto was to
"Prepare for the worst while hoping for the best." I believe your City
was as prepared as we could be by having in place an Emergency
Management Plan. That plan was put into action, early on, to
prepare the City. After hurricane passage, some employees were
called in to begin the clean-up. All employees responded with
dedication and enthusiasm. That team effort enabled Sebastian
to be 'ahead of the curve' in the clean-up effort. Some employees
worked 12-15 hour days, Saturdays and Sundays, without breaks.
I am indebted to our dedicated employees. I wish a simple Thank
You would be enough. They all deserve an enormous amount of
credit and admiration for a job well done.
In every Pelican News edition I mention that I consider our
collective responsibility to be as responsive to citizens needs
as much as we possibly can. If you have a problem where we
may be able to help, the best way to communicate with the City
is through the Citizen Request Line. That number is 772-581-
0111. You should be able to talk with a 'real person' without
the gymnastics of the City's answering service phone tree. Or,
you may go on-line: www.cityofsebastian.org find the prompt
"Submit a Citizens Request Online" and follow instruction. Either
way, it is relatively painless. Please remember, if we don't know
the problem, we can't help you. Give us a chance to serve you.
MANY THANKS TO ALL: JOE GRIFFIN, CITY MANAGER
SEBASTIAN MUNICIPAL AIRPORT NEWS
BY SCOTTT BAKER, AIRPORT DIRECTOR
Guidelines for Drone Operations in Sebastian
The City of Sebastian currently does not have special rules in place
for drone operations; however Federal Rules remain in effect.
Flying for Fun — Basic Federal regulatory information
Be sure to visit http://www.faa.gov/uas/getting started/fly_for
fun/ for complete and up to date rules that govern flying drones for
fun. A snapshot of federal rules for drone operations is as follows:
• Drones weighing more than 0.55 -pounds must be registered with
the FAA and have their registration label on the drone.
• Drone Operators
• Must be 13 -years of age or older
• Must fly BELOW 400 feet
• Must Always keep your drone within sight
• May Never fly near other aircraft, especially near airports
• May Never fly over groups of people
• May not fly at night
• May Never fly over stadiums or sports events
• May Never fly near emergency response efforts such as fires
• Never fly under the influence
• Must Be aware of airspace requirements
Non -hobby and non -recreational WAS use
This new FAR 107 regulation goes into
considerable detail regarding operating a _
sUAS outside of the definition for 'hobby
and recreational' use that is found in FAR
101. Operating under FAR 107 requires specialized training,
testing, and obtaining a remote pilot license. FAR 107 is complex
and is commonly referred to as the rules for sUAS commercial
operation, but it is not actually titled with the word "commercial"
Operating a drone outside of the FAR definition of hobby and
recreational use is serious business, and noncompliance with
FAR 107 can lead to costly consequences. The FAA also has the
capability of issuing certain specialized waivers for non -hobby
and non -recreational drone use.
As a-Finable-mindes-For _those_of-usin Sebastian
• Drones may not be flown on or over the Sebastian Airport
without prior permission from the Airport Director. The
Airport Director can be reached at 772-633-0897.
• Remember to always fly below 400', only during the day, and
never around airplanes or parachutists.
FACTS CORNER
BY: CATHY TESTA, RECORDS CLERK
Did you Know?
Today, many people think of Hawaii as the pineapple capital of
the United States, but did you know pineapples were cultivated
in Florida before Hawaii was even a U.S. Territory. In 1912
pineapples were one of the main crops in Sebastian. Early
Pioneer Charles Eli Taylor and his grandfather built a farm on the
South Fork of the Sebastian River, the site where Wimbrow Park
and the airport are now. The sandy soil along with the climate
provided the perfect environment for growing pineapples.
SEBASTIAN POLICE AWARDED
GRANT FOR COMMUNITY
OUTREACH PROGRAM
BY: SEBASTIAN POLICE CHIEF, MICHELLE MORRIS
Each year the Police Department is provided the opportunity to
participate in two re -occurring JAG Byrne grants. These grants
consist of funding set aside specifically for law enforcement
purposes, and often have even more narrowly defined purposes.
Recently we received funding to implement a program conceived
by one of our road patrol officers. The program is called the
Sebastian Community Outreach Program, or Sebastian COPS
for short. The grant provided the platform and equipment
needed to increase our presence within the neighborhoods and
at community events.
This year's grant provided the fundingfora cargotrailer, two police
bicycles, a generator, PA system, a movie screen and projector.
In addition to the equipment, we also allocated a substantial
amount for educational materials focused on a broad range of
well recognized electric three wheel vehicles purchased from the
Law Enforcement Trust Fund --funds seized from criminals—are
often included when we deploy the Community Outreach Trailer.
Our goal is to increase our face-to-face contact with residents
and businesses of Sebastian, listen to issues that concern them,
specific problems that they are experiencing and discuss solutions.
We will begin our neighborhood initiative starting in January with
two visits each month moving throughout the City. Three or four
officers will accompany the trailer to each event. If you have an
event expecting a large gathering of neighbors and would like to
have us attend, please contact Angie Smith (772) 388-4415.
Note from Chief Morris
The men and woman of the Sebastian Police Department asked
me to express our gratitude to the businesses and residents of
Sebastian for the overwhelming support we receive from our
community. Virtually every day we receive cards, letters and even
baskets of food and other tokens of appreciation from individuals
and organizations. While there are the few extreme who have
ill -will toward law enforcement, the support you provide our
protectors does not go unnoticed. Thank you.
END OF THE YEAR UPDATE
SEBASTIAN IS GROWING
FROM THE BUILDING DEPARTMENT
BY WAYNE ESELTINE, BUILDING DIRECTOR
Sebastian is growing, with 178 new single family residential houses
that have received a Certificate of Occupancy in 2016. That's 178
new families that we welcome to the wonderful city of Sebastian.
Sebastian has been steadily growing. Looking back at 2009
when the downturn in the economy was at its worst, there were
only 25 new single family residences completed all year. Since
then the number of new homes has steadily increased each
year. In 2012 the number of new homes doubled from the year
before and in 2013 new homes more than doubled again. In
2015 there were 130 new homes, which were slightly less than
156 new homes built in 2014. But 2016 brought the all-time
high so far with 178 new homes.
In all, there have been 762 new single family residences
completed since 2008 which has helped to build our economy
and bring many new faces to our beautiful city.
HURRICANE MATTHEW CLEANUP
BY: FRANK WATANABE, CITY ENGINEER
Hurricane Matthew hit Sebastian
in the early morning of Thurs
10/6 and by 6 AM, City crews
were out clearing roads and
Engineering staff inspecting
streets and drainage systems
for any damage. The only major
damages were on five public
piers and docks. On Sat 10/8,
City initiated the debris "Push"
operation from 10/8 to 10/14 to
clear streets of vegetation. The city received notice of Declaration
of Public Assistance for DR 4283 Hurricane Matthew from FEMA
on 10/10. This allowed the City to initiate notice to proceed with
our Federal hauling contractor (DRC) on the removal of vegetation
debris from 10/26 to 11/18. Estimated total vegetation debris
collected is 34,000 cy and estimated 1,500' hangers trimmed
from trees. All debris removal operations were completed by
Friday 11/18/16.
THE BENEFITS NELOODC
VERsus DISASTER ASSISTANCE
Flood Insurance
• You are in control. Flood insurance claims are paid even if a
disaster is not declared by the President.
• More than 20 percent of NAP claims come from outside of
mapped Special Flood Hazard Areas.
• There is no payback requirement.
• Flood insurance policies are continuous, and are not non -
renewed or canceled for repeat losses.
• Flood insurance reimburses you for all covered building
losses up to $250,000 for residential occupancies and
up to $500,000 for businesses. Contents coverage is also
available up to $100,000 for residential occupancies and up
to $500,000 for businesses.
• The average cost of a flood insurance policy is about $600
annually. The cost of a preferred risk policy is less than $200
annually, if you live in a moderate -to -low-risk area.
Disaster Assistance
• Most forms of Federal disaster assistance require a
Presidential declaration.
• Federal disaster assistance declarations are not awarded in
all flooding incidents.
• The most typical form of disaster assistance is a loan that
must be repaid with interest.
• The duration of a Small Business Administration (SBA)
disaster home loan could extend up to 30 years.
To determine if your property is located within a Special Flood
Hazard Area, contact the Community Development Department
at 772-388-8237. For more information about the NAP
and flood insurance, call 1-800-427-4661, or contact your
insurance company or agent. For an agent referral, call 1-888-
435-6637. • http://www.floodsmart.gov • http://www.fema.
gov/national-flood-insurance-program.
REPORT FROM THE ADMINISTRATIVE
SERVICES DEPARTMENT
BY: KEN KILLGORE, CFO
As we started the new fiscal year on October 1s', the
Administrative Services Department was very pleased with our
previous year accomplishments. We successfully negotiated the
two Collective Bargaining Agreements; made beneficial changes
to employee health insurance; saved a significant amounts by
competitively selecting a new insurance carrier for property,
liability and workers compensation coverages; effectively
managed the voluntary early retirement program to reduce
our future payroll costs; and developed financially responsible
budget recommendations for the new year.
Then along came Hurricane Matthew the first week of October!
As a result, we continue to be very busy with the tremendous job
of requesting FEMA reimbursements on most of the cleanup and
repairs necessary as a result of that Storm. Historically, these
reimbursements can take a year or more to obtain. An important
topic always heavily discussed during budget preparation is the
proper amount of cash reserves the City should have set aside
for just such events. We narrowly missed the full impacts of this
Storm but even so, the City will likely be paying out close to a
million dollars on this event. About half of this is payment to
contractors that worked hard to clear the streets of vegetative
debris, with most of the balance expected to be for repairs to
City -owned docks and piers.
In recent years, we have steadfastly advised that a target of
about five million dollars in cash reserves was the fiscally prudent
amount to keep in cash reserves. Considering that we will use
about 20% of our cash reserves on this Storm, we feel this target
amount is well justified. Think about the outcome had it also
substantially damaged or destroyed residential and commercial
properties, such that our citizens would have to relocate and
businesses close. This would result in losses of the City's property
tax, franchise fee and utility tax revenues for an extended period
of time and is when we would be most grateful to have cash in the
bank to use until those revenues bounced back. Some say such
cash reserves are unnecessary because we are in an area that is
unlikely to experience severe storm events. Hurricane Matthew
coming so close reminds us of our good fortune to know we can
avoid the financial impacts that other communities may suffer
by not having cash reserves to get through the recovery period.
UPCOMING EVENTS IN 2017
PARKS AND RECREATION
The City of Sebastian, in collaboration with local organizations,
has many events planned for spring 2017, suitable for the whole
family and the general public.
Whether you are looking for authentic arts and crafts featured
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by local artists, to satisfy the senses by listening to live music
performed by local bands or to take your children to the park
to awaken their imagination by listening to exciting storytelling
during Storybook Forest, you will always find something to do at
the City of Sebastian.
The 1611 Annual Sebastian Fine Arts and Music Festival offers
live music, delicious food and showcases beautiful and unique art
from artists visiting our city from all over the country. Riverview
Park's Veterans Memorial is where we honor and commemorate
our Veterans, during Veterans' events. You will also find the best -
tasting mullet during the 2nd Annual Mullet Fry, at the riverfront.
This year, the Pelican Island Wildlife Festival celebrates the 11411
anniversary of Pelican Island and the refuge system, in which they
will proudly be featuring live wildlife shows, food vendors and have
many exhibitors. The Easter Egg Hunt is always an exciting event for
children of all ages and through music, games, contests and food,
the Earth Day festivity raises awareness of our carbon footprint,
and teaches the community various ways to protect our planet. All
of these -events -take place with a beautiful, captivating view of the
river, at Riverview Park, or at the riverfront. See below for specific
dates and times. Mark your calendar and plan to attend!
January 13 - Chamber of Commerce
Concert in the Park, featuring The Ladies
of Soul & the LOS Band, from 5:30 to
8PM
January 14 - Sebastian River Art Club
Show, from LOAM to 4PM
January 21-22 - Sebastian Fine Arts &
Music Festival, on Jan. 21 from 10AM to
5PM and on Jan. 22 from 9AM to 5PM
January 27 - Chamber of Commerce
Concert in the Park, featuring Crooked
Creek (Country), from 5:30 to 8PM
February 3 - Four Chaplains' Day at the
Veteran's Memorial, time TBA
February 4 - Craft Club Show, from LOAM
to 3PM
February 4 - V Annual Mullet Fry, at the
Riverfront, from 12 to 2PM
February 10 - Chamber of Commerce
Concert in the Park, featuring Z Street
Speakeasy Band (3 -piece swing band),
from 5:30 to BPM
February 11- Storybook Forest, from IOAM
to 1PM
February 18 - Sebastian River Art Club
Show, from 10AM to 413M
February 24 - Chamber of Commerce
Concert in the Park, featuring Relayer
(Pap/Rock/Dance Band), from 5:30 to
8PM
March 4-5 - Craft Club Show, from 10AM
to 3PM on the 4th and from 11AM to 4PM
on the 5th
March 10 - Chamber of Commerce
Concert in the Park, featuring SRHS Jazz
Ensemble & Steel Drum Band, from 5:30
to 8PM
March 18- Pelican Island Wildlife Festival, April -Chamber of Commerce Concert
from 10AM to 413M in the Park, featuring Blue Cypress
March 24- Chamber of Commerce Concert Bluegrass (Bluegrass), from 5:30 to 8PM
in the Park, featuring Heart of Oak (Celtic April 8 -Sebastian River Art Club Show,
& Sea Songs), from 5:30 to 8PM from 10AM to 4PM
April 1- Craft Club Show, from 10AM to April 15- Easter Egg Hunt at 10AM
313M April 22- Earth Day, from 9AM to 413M
COURSE NEWMUNICIPAL
AND HAPPENINGS
BY GREG GARDNER, DIRECTOR OF GOLF
Coming up for the winter & spring golfing season, there are
several important and worthy charity events which include:
January 28 - 2nd Annual Eagles Nest
Restaurant / St. Baldrick's Golf
Tournament:
Plenty of prizes and silent auction
items available, which include tickets
to Legoland, Rapids Water Park, Sea
Word, Aquafica, The Florida Aquarium,
Kennedy Space Center, Brevard Zoo
and several foursome prizes for area
golf clubs. Proceeds go to kids fighting
cancer and the day wouldn't be complete
without some area dignitaries getting a
"little haircut". i.e. St. Baldrick's!
February 25 - Sebastian Charter Middle
School Golf Tournament / Fundraiser
March 4 - Sebastian Eagles Lodge Golf
Tournament
March 11- Knights of Columbus / St.
Sebastian Church Golf Tournament
March 18 - 6th Annual Michael Nichols
Memorial Golf Tournament:
Named in honor of Sebastian's Head
Golf Professional from 2000 to 2010,
proceeds from this worthy event go
toward The Alex Nichols (Michael's son)
Trust Fund and the Indian-Rivereourdy
American Cancer Society.
March 25 - Sebastian Elks Club Lodge
Golf Tournament
April i - Brevard Rugby "Old Red Eye"
Golf Tournament
April 8 - 3rd Annual Donald O'Connor
Memorial / Friendship Community
Church Golf Tournament
April 22 - Sebastian Chamber of
Commerce Golf Tournament
April 29 - Indian River Airboat Association
Youth Hunt Golf Tournament &
Fundraiser
Please contact the golf shop or directly contact the particular
above association for additional details on any of the tournaments
and fundraisers listed above. As always, Sebastian Municipal Golf
Course also offers leagues and various groups every day of the
week. For additional information on any tournament or league, the
SMGC golf shop phone is 772-589-6801.
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Sebastian, Florida 32958
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