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HomeMy WebLinkAbout05-23-2024 Stormwater WSHP AMSEBASTIAN HNi�NNI�I tIUNN�110N ""-JON CITY OF SEBASTIAN STORMWATER MASTER PLAN PUBLIC WORKSHOP MINUTES THURSDAY, MAY 23, 2024 3:00 PM CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS 1225 MAIN STREET, SEBASTIAN, FLORIDA 1) CALL TO ORDER Elected officials and staff presented included: Mayor Ed Dodd, Council Member Fred Jones, Council Member Bob McPartlan, City Manager Brian Benton, City Engineer/Public Works Director Karen Miller, Parks and Recreation Director Richard Blankenship, Community Development Director Alix Bernard, Stormwater Manager Phil Patnode, Environmental Tech Felicia Gordian, GIS Technician Ross Kelley, Code Enforcement Administrative Assistant Tiara Hauskins and City Clerk Jeanette Williams. 2) WORKSHOP ITEMS A. Stormwater Svstem Overview by Karen Miller The City Engineer welcomed everyone and invited those present to sign in and leave their contact information. The City Engineer said the system was designed in the 1950's by the General Development Corporation to be an open channel system to move the water. (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 through swales, road crossings, side yard swales, rear ditches to the catch basins such as canals, ponds, and wetlands. She noted that many of the road crossings are made of corrugated metal pipes which have 20 year lifespan. She also described ways of treating the stormwater. She then explained the improvements the City has completed to the original stormwater system. B. Public Survev The City Engineer provided cards with a QR code for the audience members 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 at 3:00pm Page 2 3: S4pm D. Next Steps She went over what the City has completed since the 2023 master plan update such as improving maintenance frequencies, filled two staff positions, and replaced one excavator. She said the City plans to propose a canal study to increase canal storage. E. BudQetine 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. For the items the audience might be more interested in, she asked that the public to place more than one sticker on the board. Because comments were made that the 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. A woman asked what is working in the areas before they decide what to spend money on. The City Manager gave a lengthy explanation of the front yard swales which must be accurately maintained by the home owner requiring a proactive approach by code enforcement. He also described how the roadway elevations must be correct to transport the water. A gentleman who lives on Stonecrop has been advised by the police department during the big storm events to evacuate his home. The City Engineer described a project currently underway to regrade and armor the ditch from Laconia to Majestic. She said those who live in the area should have received a door tag regarding the project. The City Manager and Engineer offered to have a discussion with him after the workshop. The audience was invited to place their stickers on the poster boards. Each sticker represents $100,000 increment for a project; for example, four stickers would be a $400-000 allotment. The City Engineer went over the current financial status; noting the expenses are rising but the revenues are not increasing. The consultant is recommending a 41 % increase to clean and maintain small items. Richard Gillmor commented on failing septic tanks leaching into the lagoon. The City Manager advised that since the County owns the sewer utility, the City would need to work with them. F. Ouestions or Comments from the Public Ray Osborne said an Environmental Protection Agency recommendation is to lower density. The City Manager advised that the City is managing growth but across the nation there will be an increase in density to increase affordable workforce housing. A gentleman said he lived on Schumann Lake and asked if it was part of the canal restoration. The City Engineer advised it was. Stormwater Master Plan Workshop May 23, 2024 at 3:00pm Page 3 Bob Stephen pointed out that to lower the nutrient levels there hasn't been any discussion on limiting growth. The City Manager said they must look at many things to change the chemical spraying and there has been a remarkable reduction with the Integrated Pest Management Plan. Terry Reno asked if they were changing the elevation on the Concha Dam noting the load keeps seawall intact. The City Engineer said increasing the capacity was a recommendation of the consultant and the City planned to study it fiuher. Peter Hink said the Marine Resources Council is now using a new type of rain barrel that will help with the lagoon and stormwater. He left a flyer for further information. (hops://rainbarrel. ca/indianriverkeever/) 3) The workshop adjourned at 4:22 p.m.