HomeMy WebLinkAboutR-23-34 Seek Septic to Sewer FundingRESOLUTION NO. R-23-34
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF SEBASTIAN,
FLORIDA, EXPRESSING ITS INTENTION TO WORK IN
CONJUNCTION WITH INDIAN RIVER COUNTY IN
ORDER TO SEEK FUNDING FOR SEPTIC TO SEWER
CONVERSIONS; AUTHORIZING CITY STAFF TO
COOPERATE IN SAME; ADOPTING FINDINGS,
AFFIRMATIONS, AUTHORIZATIONS, PROVIDING FOR
TRANSMITTAL AND AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SEBASTIAN
FLORIDA, THAT:
WHEREAS, the City of Sebastian, Indian River County, and the State of Florida share a
common interest in protecting water and other natural resources by facilitating the removal or
conversion of underground septic systems to enhanced nutrient reducing onsite sewage treatment
and disposal systems (ENR Systems); and
WHEREAS, the City of Sebastian has unsuccessfully explored means of funding for its citywide
septic tank problem; and
WHEREAS, there is a dire need to obtain funding to eliminate or convert septic tanks for all
City residents throughout the entire City, and thereby reducing the amount of nitrogen and
bacteria entering the groundwater and improving public health by reducing the number of
bacteria entering surface water; and
WHEREAS, these reductions are critical to the quality of life for all citizens of Sebastian,
Florida and also the surrounding areas of Indian River County, Florida given that provision for
and the achievement of improved water quality in the City of Sebastian will also result in
benefits to the county's and surrounding area's environment and citizens; and
WHEREAS, project funding is needed and would be utilized to complete the design, permitting
and construction of a new sewer collection and transmission system and thereby providing for
the conversion and elimination of current septic systems, the primary treatment means for City of
Sebastian's wastewater, to sewer or upgraded ENR Systems throughout the entire City of
Sebastian; and
WHEREAS, project funding would allow all homes and businesses in the City of Sebastian,
including a population of roughly 26,000 persons and 11,000 homes, to connect to a City sewer
system or upgrade their system to ENR Systems; and
WHEREAS, the projected need includes resources and a plan to serve virtually all residential
units in Sebastian; and
WHEREAS, the following are among the benefits that would be realized by City of Sebastian
and Indian River County area citizens with funding and execution of a Septic to Sewer Project:
a. Improve physical health; and
b. Preserve and improve environment for fish and wildlife quality; and
c. Protect the general public from environmental harm; and
d. Increase and improve economic activity; and
e. Increase area tourism; and
f. Improve wastewater management; and
g. Improve groundwater quality; and
h. Improve drinking water quality; and
i. Improve surface water quality; and
j. Enhance and improve public health; and
k. Enhance and improve City of Sebastian and Indian River County real estate values;
WHEREAS, House Bill 1379 was enacted by the Florida Legislature during the 2023 legislative
session which specifies impacted areas in the state where enhanced nutrient reducing onsite
sewage treatment and disposal systems (ENR Systems) are required instead of conventional
septic systems; and
WHEREAS, Indian River County and the City of Sebastian wish to work together in order to
accomplish the foregoing goals and cooperate in the same by exploring all grant and other
funding options from the State of Florida or otherwise available sources in order to accomplish
funding of this project and in order to comply with the new statutory scheme; and
WHEREAS, ADOPTION OF THIS RESOLUTION IS IN THE BEST INTERESTS OF
THE HEALTH SAFETY AND PUBLIC WELFARE OF THE CITIZENS OF THE CITY
OF SEBASTIAN.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED AS FOLLOWS:
1. RECITALS. The above recitals contained in the Whereas clauses above are hereby
adopted as true and correct and determined to be the legislative findings of the City
Council of the City of Sebastian.
2. AFFIRMATION. The City Council of the City of Sebastian wishes to reaffirm its
commitment and support for the above contained recitals in order to obtain funding to
completion of conversion of underground septic systems to centralized wastewater
(sewer) systems or upgraded septic systems, in order to comply with the new statutory
scheme and as otherwise deemed to be in the public interest as stated above.
3. AUTHORIZATION. The City Manager and City Attorney, by and through their
designees are authorized to work with the appropriate Staff through Interlocal agreement
or otherwise negotiations and conversation to seek funding as needed above to meet the
goals stated and to bring any formal agreements back to the City Council if deemed
necessary by law.
4. TRANSMITTAL. The City Clerk is hereby directed to transmit a certified copy of
this Resolution to the Chairman of the Indian River County Board of County
Commissioners, with a copy to the County Administrator.
5. EFFECTIVE DATE. This Resolution shall be effective immediately upon adoption.
BE IT RESOLVED THIS 25th DAY OF OCTOBER, 2023 BY THE CITY
COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SEBASTIAN FLORIDA.
Councilmember: Jones
X
aye
no
Nunn
X
aye
no
Dodd
X
aye
no
Dixon
X
aye
no
McPardan
X
aye
no
ATTEST:
�v WA4w
anette Williams, City Clerk
Approved as to form and legality.
en fer Cockcroft, Esq.
Ci Attorney
CITY OF SEBASTIAN, FLORIDA
Fred Jones, Mayor
Lin
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HOME OF PELICAN ISLAND
CITY COUNCIL AGENDA TRANSMITTAL
Council Meeting Date: October 25, 2023
Agenda Item Title: Approval of Resolution No. R-23-34 Authorizing Joint Cooperation with
Indian River County and the City of Sebastian regarding Septic to Sewer
Conversion Funding Efforts.
Recommendation: Approve Resolution No. R-23-34, authorizing City Staff to work cooperatively
with Indian River County Staff to pursue Septic to Sewer funding for septic to
sewer conversions in the City of Sebastian.
Background: Pursuant to Florida Statute §166.0213, Florida Statutes, the City Council met with the
Indian River County Board of County Commissioners on September 21, 2023 to discuss matters of mutual
interest. During this meeting, the governing bodies discussed several items, one of which was the septic to
sewer conversions for existing septic systems within the City of Sebastian. This matter was identified by both
governing bodies as a matter of high priority. During the meeting, it was suggested that the City Staff and the
County Staff work together cooperatively to find funding sources and other methodology to work through this
high priority issue. The governing bodies discussed and suggested a Resolution to authorize this. This
Resolution is being brought forth in response.
ff Agenda Items Reauire Expenditure of Funds:
Total Cost: $0
Funds to be Utilized for the Appropriation: N/A
Attachments:
• Resolution No. R-23-21
• Proposed Resolution No. R-23-34
Administrative Services Department Review: l C�
City Attorney Review: / / 0
Procurement Division Review, : applicable: 1 �'
City Manager Authorization:
Date: O l Y/10a