Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout05-30-2008TO: Members of the Sebastian City Council FROM: Al Minner, City Manager RE: CURRENT TOPICS UPDATE DATE: Friday, May 30, 2008 It has been a few months since my last "Current Topics" update. I have not been consistent in getting you bi-monthly reports, but for the most part, I do believe that each of you are up-to-date on many City-wide topics through periodic e-mails, stop -by office visits or phone conversation. Nonetheless, I would like to offer project updates for your information. SCRUB -JAYS It was a Council goal to get the Habit Conservation Plan (HCP) and Incidental Take Permit (ITP) amended by the end of May. That goal will be unattainable. Please consider to accomplish this goal more than just City issues needed to be addressed. Indian River County (IRC) as well two federal agencies will have a role in any HCP/ITP amendment — namely Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Over the past several weeks, City, IRC and FWS representatives have met. In short, the City and FWS still have a basic dispute over what the HCP/ITP states in terms of developable land at the Sebastian Municipal Airport (SMA). To correct this position, legal authorities from each agency may need to meet. However, some accord was struck when the newly acquired SJRWMD property was discussed as a potential mitigation site. If this property could be utilized, then FWS would apply mitigation credits and approve an HCP/ITP amendment providing for the development of all airport acreage. While City staff does not agree with this FWS interpretation, if this action has no financial effect on the City and helps FWS with an HCP/ITP amendment, then it should be investigated. To that end, Beth Powell and Margie Reynolds are identifying and locating new scrub jay counts and suitable habitat amounts. Once this information is calculated, FWS will have the information they need to determine how much of the SJRWMD conservation land they will request for mitigation. In the best interest of the birds, I have authorized a small expenditure in an amount of no more than $2,500 to band and locate scrub jays. (Please note FWS is very specific about trained specialists banding birds). With cooperation from IRC and FWS I am hopeful we can find a solution. The negative side of this path is that if SJRWMD/IRC do not agree to carving out the amount of land FWS recommends for mitigation, we are back to square one - Looking for other mitigation area the FWS contends is required for City development at the SMA. On another scrub jay note, the City received word from FWS that the dirt pile we stacked on the northern boundary of the SMA is a "take violation". (This dirt is from the Periwinkle Stormwater Retention Pond Project). In other words, FWS contends that the dirt stack required an ITP, even though it is within the fence of the airport. FWS states that the pile is on scrub jay acorn storage sites and also is stacked at a height restricting their flight vision. The ramification of this action is it could create a predatory killing zone harmful for the survival of a listed species. Of course, the City does not capitulate or agree to this allegation. However, I have investigated and will be contacting Fischer and Sons to lower and relocate the dirt pile. An area is marked out now waiting FWS approval. There will be no cost for the relocation of dirt, as the City will exchange 8,500 cubic yards of dirt for leveling and relocating the pile. (Note: There is about 50,000 cubic yards in the stack). The thought in this action is that it will appease FWS and help mitigate further endangerment of the scrub jay. COLLIER CREEK From yesterday's e-mail you have all been informed that the RFP is now in the process of publication. We are now on track to receive proposals by July 10th r, In the mean time, Dave Fisher has moved forward with the mitigation plan. After the survey, the Engineering Department determined that much of the wading bird habitat could be moved south along the back -end of the Hardee Park. This action saved many of the trees and walking path. We have sought approval on the plan from SJRWMD. Conditionally, approval has been granted. However, we cannot start construction on the mitigation area until the permit modification is filed. Obviously in the shift from rip -rap to walls a permit modification is required, but SJRWMD wants to address the mitigation and the wall modification at one time. The plan was to start the mitigation construction with Public Works Department employees now, but that is delayed. The delay, however, may work to the best, as Jerry Converse will have a little more time in his scheduling in early August. EASY STREET This project is progressing nicely and is on schedule for completion by the first part of August. City crews have finished driveway replacement and are finishing up the under -grounding side yard ditches. Sunshine Landscape is now installing the quarter -round and Regan Masonry will be in shortly to construct the sidewalk along the west side of Easy Street (This will link sidewalk from Main all the way to 512, creating one big sidewalk loop.). Street re -nourishing and asphalt paving should be ready to start by mid -late June and take a few weeks to complete. When the project is complete by late July or early August, Easy Street would have been re -built, widened, have new sidewalks and drainage improvements. The final task in completing Easy will be some other drainage work in the general vicinity of Delmar, Columbus and Toledo. With the Easy Street improvements, we anticipate that water will move better and if these ancillary improvements are not made, the Easy Street water has the potential to flood the other areas. In summation, this project moves along and should provide a big improvement for the City. To date we remain on budget. The total budget, including street improvements, concrete, pipe and quarter round is $862,571. INDIAN RIVER DRIVE/MAIN STREET PROJECT I have been in contact with Joe Schulke and we are about finished with permitting and landscape design on the project. Rebecca and I plan to meet with Joe to provide the final staff level review of the landscape plan. Once this is given, the concept plan will move for a "courtesy" review by the Planning and Zoning Commission at their June 19, 2008 meeting. Following that review, the plan will be before Council for your final authorization at the July 9, 2008 meeting. Assuming Council approval, the plan will be ready for bidding after 9 July. 512 PROJECT As you know, the City received a $176,102 grant from the MPO for C.R. 512 (Sebastian Boulevard) beautification. The City is providing a $103,426 match for a total project budget of $279,528. Under their continuing services agreement and within my authority to approve, I will be executing a purchase order with Joe Schulke to begin design work on this project which aims to plant landscaping and make intersection improvements (cross works) along 512 at Roseland, Barber, Fleming, Wimbrow and Delaware (funding permitted). Joe will be putting together the formal concept and budget, which will be presented to Council as an information item prior to project bidding. Of course, Council approval will be required for construction agreement execution. AIRPORT DRIVE EAST AND STONECROP ROAD CROSSINGS If you recall, several months ago Council authorized a transfer of $290,000 to repair the underground (or road crossing) pipes at Stonecrop and Airport Drive East by "slip -lining" the old deteriorating pipes. This method would save road cutting and crew time. With the change to the Airport Lay -Out Plan (ALP), I have delayed the Airport Drive East repair. Slip -lining this pipe is really a necessity because of the infrastructure conflicts and constant public access. Its cost was relatively inexpensive at $24,000. However, if Airport Road Drive East is relocated as planned by the newly adopted ALP, grant money may be available for this improvement. During the Twin Ditch project we found this culvert to be in serious condition, but the water level remains high enough to prevent a major collapse at this time, so I am holding -off on that expenditure as long as possible to wait and see if grant moneys can save the expense for the City. On Stonecrop, the Public Works crews are now finishing up the culvert improvement. Instead of lining these pipes, the crew has installed two new 60" HPDE pipes. It was determined that by rescheduling crew assignments, we could save approximately $50,000 (City labor not included). The road cut is yet to be resurfaced; but, the culvert head walls are about complete and the washout from the 2004 hurricanes is fixed. This improvement should provide substantial improvement and significantly minimize the chance of a major washout during the upcoming storm season. SIDEWALKS With the allocation of $650,000, Regan Masonry is finishing up the sidewalk construction on South Barber. Some gaps were left in that area because of drainage and railroad conflicts. The final numbers are not in yet, but once they are, I will report on that project in terms of total cost and total linear feet of sidewalk along Periwinkle, Bevan, Barber and Main. GMD SITE PLAN REVIEW Rebecca has informed me that Land Design Innovations (LDI) has completed their site plan reviews. With the $15,000 allocated, we were able to provide comments on 5 site plans. Of the 5 plans, all applicants received GMD comments. Revision have not been made by the applicants and the plans have yet to be formally approved. The plans reviewed include; (1) 9707 US 1 Retail Center; (2) Coral View Storage; (3) Sebastian Gym Expansion (not moving forward); (4) Lakeview Estates; and, (5) High Street Townhomes. Further progress of these site plans rests in the hands of the applicant. In general, incomplete submittal; miscalculations on landscaping/pervious surface; and, other LRD requirements were found by LDI. Unfortunately, as LDI started these site plan reviews, 8 more site plans were filed leaving the Growth Management Department still behind by about 12 site plans. In short, to stay ahead of the curve on site plan review, it appears there are two options to improve the review process. First staff could be increased. However, based on budget issues this is not a real option. Therefore, in the coming days, Rebecca and I will be presenting Council a recommendation for a limited privatization of site plan reviews. In concept, the program would allow voluntary selection or "Fast -Track" reviews were the site plan review fee would cover the complete cost of a privatized review. I believe this will be the best way to be responsive to the "delay" complaints we receive in the Growth Management Department. POLICE DEPARTMENT SRO Finally as information, because of an increase in police activity, the Chief is re -organizing some of his staff and patrolling efforts. The biggest change that may rise to your attention is the reduction in School Resources Officers (SRO). In the past two SROs have served the elementary schools in Sebastian. However, the Chief needs additional staffing in patrol and the one position transfer helps address this concern. I have approved this administrative change, but anticipate some complaints from the schools next fall when the change will be felt most. As always, if you have any questions on these or any other matters, please feel free to contact me at your earliest convenience.