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HomeMy WebLinkAbout05-23-2024 Stormwater WSHP PMSEBASTIAN ttMI�MMI�I «11I�1 N nu -nu CITY OF SEBASTIAN STORMWATER MASTER PLAN PUBLIC WORKSHOP MINUTES THURSDAY, MAY 23, 2024 6:00 PM CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS 1225 MAIN STREET, SEBASTIAN, FLORIDA 1) CALL TO ORDER Elected officials and staff presented included: City Manager Brian Benton, City Engineer/Public Works Director Karen Miller and City Clerk Jeanette Williams. 2) WORKSHOP ITEMS The City Manager invited those present to sign in and leave their contact information. He said their goal was to see what the City should continue to spend money on or if there was extra funding, what should they spend money on. He asked that specific problems be addressed privately after the presentation. A. Stormwater Svstem Overview by Karen Miller The City Engineer said the system was designed in the 1950's by the General Development Corporation to be an open channel system. (See PowerPoint attached) She explained there are many parties involved in the level of service and the system is divided into three drainage areas. She briefly described the ways of conveying the water such as swales, road crossings, side yard swales, rear ditches and the catch basins such as canals, ponds, and wetlands. She then explained the improvements the City has completed to the original system. B. Public Survev The City Engineer provided cards with a QR code to each audience member to scan with their smart phone to fill out a stormwater survey. C. Stormwater Master Plan Results and Summary The City Engineer explained that master plans have been historically developed with the latest plan completed in 2023. She noted that recent legislation now requires the "20 year infrastructure needs analysis" to be updated every 5 years. To develop the latest plan, the City's consultant reviewed the old master plans and design drawings to survey the existing assets which are now GPS recorded with the Trimble unit. The elevation data can now be continually updated. She said the consultant reviewed the City's budget to create operational and maintenance suggestions as well as a capital improvement recommendations. She displayed maps showing surface flood modeling results. The consultant's major focus was to keep the system working "as is" with a minimum level of functionality. Stormwater Master Plan Workshop May 23, 2024 Page 2 D. Next Stens She went over the steps the City has taken since the 2023 master plan was completed such as improving maintenance frequencies, filling two staff positions, replacing one excavator. She said the City plans to propose a canal study to increase canal storage. E. Budgeting Exercise The City Engineer explained the budget exercise that she would like the audience to participate with. She said stickers representing $100,000 increments were available to place next to the consultant's recommended Capital Improvement Project items on boards displayed throughout the room. She asked that attendees place a sticker next to the project they would like to see funded. Attendees could place more than one sticker on a project they are really interested in. Because comments were made that City should apply for grants, she pointed out that the City can only apply for a grant if the City owns the item or entity; for example, the seawalls are outside of the right-of- way making them privately owned. The City Manager invited the audience to scan the QR Code with their smart phone to complete the survey. F. Ouestions or Comments from the Public 6: 40pm A gentleman stated after listening to this presentation, the movement of the water seems to be by gravity. He asked if there are any facilities to pump the water. The City Engineer responded only at the Stormwater Park along Englar Drive. The City Manager added that he tries to lower the levels of the canals if there is a known storm approaching. A woman said in her neighborhood there are a lot of new homes going in that are blocking the swales. The City Engineer said the stormwater inspector checks all of the grades for a new home site but after that point in time, it needs to be brought to the City's attention. The City Manager encouraged everyone to report blockages to the Citizen Request Line. A gentleman said when his home was built, the fill ran into his neighbor's culverts and he was told by Code Enforcement that it was his problem. He asked that more responsibility be placed upon the builder who caused the problem. The City Manager said the permit does stay with the property and this may be looked at in the future. The City Engineer advised that the consultant's recommended 41 % increase in the stormwater fee is only for everyday maintenance. A gentleman said he has been in the same house on Esterbrook for the last 24 years and asked why the all the water gathers and continues to stand in his yard. The City Manager asked to meet with him after the workshop. The City Engineer said rain gardens are allowed with a permit. Kevin Dixon, resident and professional engineer, said they City has made a wise decision to use the open source swim model. He said the operational recommendations in the report are well laid out. He asked that the City think twice about doing something that isn't about health and safety. He said he would be glad to assist City staff. Stormwater Master Plan Workshop May 23, 2024 Page 3 3) Being no further business, the workshop concluded and the City Manager began individual question and answer periods at 7:06 p.m.