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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1962 - 2007 Chronological EventsI ( 1151 -C&Y SWIM LAKE AKA EASY STREET LAKE March 20. 1962 • Councilman Channell gave sanitation report; passed motion to post signs at intersection of Lake Dr and Easy St. warning that water in lake is unsafe for swimming • Instructed Clerk to write City Attorney requesting full information on ownership of swimming lake, recreation area and streets Julv 12. 1971 • Authorized Police Chief to close swimming lake at such times as he deems necessary in public interest Mav 13.1974 • Councilman Flood reported swimming lake in Sebastian Highlands was closed temporarily due to lack of rain; also, that wells are drying up June 10. 1974 • Councilman floor reported re -opening of swimming lake Aucust 12.1974 • Councilman Flood to meet County Commissioners August 21 seeking support to revamp swimming lake and build additional dock February 10. 1975 • Motion seconded for Mayor Cragg to write thank -you to County Commissioners (Alma Loy) for excellent job at swimming lake • Passed motion to close swimming lake until March 15 to allow fill to settle; asked Mr. Gray to have Street Dept. make up and post signs on lake's closing May 20. 1975 SDecial meetino • Councilmen Flood and Gray will check into swimming lake where fountains were taken out as it is a large open area that could fill up with water or trash and present a hazard; Street Dept. will do work to eliminate this eyesore and to prevent possible law suit Auaust 11. 1975 • Swim Lake is open again; "no alligators have been seen recently"' June 14. 1976 Kenneth Evitt, County Administrative Assistant for Education Services, requested use of Swim Lake for summer recreational programs; Council passed motion to allow Swim Lake to be used from July 18 through July 30 March 14, 1977 • Vice Mayor Gray said swimming lake dock was rebuilt completely and renovations would be completed by end of week June 13. 1977 Passed motion to permit Indian River County School District to use Sebastian Swim Lake for summer recreation centers of Wabasso, Sebastian and Fellsmere June 20-July 20 October 10, 1977 • Mayor stated that Swim Lake permit expired in 1964; Dept. of Health & Rehabilitation Services has requested information on lake and its usage; Mayor spoke to representative who felt outflow was insufficient and that new well might be required; Dept. will advise City later on what needs to be done April 10. 1978 Playground equipment purchased last year is being used as is the Swim Lake; Mr. Gray reported a lot of vandalism and asked anyone witnessing acts to report them; Mayor will look into matter of whether State issued a permit for Swim Lake Mav 14.1979 Mr. Gray advised that following an inspection, Aetna Life Insurance Co. recommended that "No Diving" sign be posted at Swim Lake, a designated swim area be identified and marked, and consideration given to providing lifeguard; Mayor said cost of life guard would be prohibitive; Mr. Vocelle suggested posting some rules, such as "Children Must be Accompanied by Adults" and "Swim at Your Own Risk" and was asked to submit such a list for posting June 26. 1979 Special meetino Discussed unsatisfactory conditions at Swim Lake and suggestion to install pump to get rid of silt; passed motion to install pump and timer on one of the wells at the Swim Lake Auaust 13.1979 • Mayor announced pump for south well at Swim Lake would be installed shortly Mav 12. 1980 • Passed motion to permit Indian River County School Board to use Swim Lake for summer youth program Mav 21. 1980 • Councilman Oberbeck reported pump at Swim Lake had been repaired and that he would like to explore possibility of putting in another small diving pier so that more of lake could be used; also, reported that ballfield would be graded and infield cut and that backstop was in storage; Mr. Oberbeck met with North County Recreation Committee on possibility of jogging track around perimeter of recreation area, some handball courts, and purchase of playground equipment • Mayor Flood reported that Mr. Huddleston, a Sebastian citizen, offered to donate $200-$350 for new pump for Swim Lake and offered to elicit donations from others July 14. 1980 • Mr. Oberbeck said Swim Lake bacteria count was at safe level; regarding complaints about ear infections, he said they could not be blamed primarily on lake and that some people were more susceptible than others Julv 14. 1980 • Mr. Oberbeck said Swim Lake bacteria count was at safe level; regarding complaints about ear infections, he said they could not be blamed primarily on lake and that some people were more susceptible than others • Mr. Oberbeck presented list of names for Council's appointment as committee to look over problems at Swim Lake but said if taxpayers intended to take over lake, committee would be a waste of time; Council appointed Delores Sanders, David Sanders, Joan McKinley, Ann O'Brien, Sandy Blakesley, Nancy Sander, and Frank Oberbeck as members of committee July 23. 1980 • Mr. Oberbeck reported that committee on Swim Lake proposed that four signs be erected indicating no fishing, no littering, no pets in lake or park, no alcohol without a permit and also closing time; Mr. Kilbride advised new code set park's hours at half-hour before sunrise to half-hour after sunset; Council passed motion to erect the signs; Mayor Flood stated he would like to see trash cans placed around lake to curb littering and would discuss matter at next meeting Julv 21. 1982 Masteller report — New water system installed at Swim Lake — hoped water quality would improve and use will be more frequent July 13. 1983 Report - Water Condition at Swim Lake being monitored and water treated by Florida Aquatic December 13. 1983 P & R recommendation to change name of Sebastian Swim Lake to Sebastian Lake because of curtailment of swimming June 13, 1984 0-84-09 adopted — added language as follows: "Sec. 18-4. Swimming Prohibited. No person shall swim in that body of water situated in Sebastian Highlands Subdivision, Unit 1, and commonly known as Sebastian Swim Lake. Appropriate signs shall be posted around that body of water to advise persons that swimming in that body of water is prohibited." State Law Reference — Permit required in order for swimming to be allowed, FS Ch 514. December 11. 1985 Accepted deeds from GDC for Hardee Lake, Swim Lake and Blossom Lake March 11. 1992 Councilman Reid recommended staff look into the duck problem in the vicinity of the Swim Lake. Vice Mayor Oberbeck reiterated Councilman Reid's suggestion regarding the Swim Lake. July 6,199 Swimming prohibition in Swim Lake still existed in 1994 Code January 22. 1997 Mr. Barnes said ...... suggested banning swimming at all public parks, requiring proper Health Department permits for food vendors, requiring penalty for violations and insurance. Mayor Cartwright recommended the rules apply to all parks, agreed with no swimming. Other Council members agreed with a ban on swimming. Mayor Cartwright reiterated conditions discussed by Council as follows: No swimming in any park June 11, 1997 City Council workshop on City park use. Approved recommendation changing Section 74-5 from prohibiting swimming in Swim Lake specifically to prohibiting swimming in all parks in all bodies of water in the City. The City Manager said swimming prohibition was recommended because there is an inherent liability if the City allows swimming but does not provide lifeguards. (This proposed language was never enacted after this workshop and was carried on a pending list through to 2000 when a new Ordinance 0- 00-20 was brought forward) September 13. 2000 Ordinance 0-00-20 adopted to establish comprehensive policy on park use. Removed language banning swimming in Swim Lake and did not specifically address swimming bans at all, though it empowered the City Manager to impose reasonable rules and regulations which would apply to all City parks and post signs accordingly. It also provided that any regulation imposed by the City Manager under this section could be removed or modified by resolution. A section on waterways was included in the ordinance which prohibited diving or jumping from waterway facilities. Those facilities were the Indian River Drive Boardwalk, Yacht Club Pier, Main Street Pier & Parking Area, and Rotary Club Pier. There was no blanket provision for banning swimming in any park. October 23. 2002 R-02-47 adopted — sets out procedures for park use permits — takes it out of code November 13, 2002 Ordinance 0-02-15 adopted — replaced 0-00-20 This ordinance added some definitions and moved specific procedures for requesting and obtaining park use permits to a resolution (R-02-47 which is still current) May 12. 2004 Ordinance 0-04-06 changed paragraphs 7 and 12 regarding posting of signs and alcoholic beverage use. Still no ban on swimming. April 11, 2007 Her (Coy) dodo went to the person who is dumping fish remains into Easy Street Park and creating a dangerous bacteria condition that is killing wildlife and cautioned people to keep their children and dogs out of the lake.