HomeMy WebLinkAbout09/13/20021225 Main Street [] Sebastian, Florida 32958
Telephone (772) 589-5330 [] Fax (772) 589-5570
City Council Information Letter
September 13, 2002
Florida East Coast Railway Grade Crossin,q Improvements
Please find the attached letter as compiled and delivered by J.L. Schonder,
Manager of Engineering Services, Florida East Coast Railway (FEC),
providing my office with notice of the necessity to implement an additional
grade crossing rehabilitation program in the City of Sebastian. A recent field
inspection conducted by FEC officials concluded that it was necessary to
initiate respective infrastructure improvements at the Barber Street crossing
just west of United States Highway One. Work is anticipated to begin
sometime soon after January Ist. As some of you may recall, an agreement
was authorized circa 1978 which essentially requires local jurisdictions (in
this case the City of Sebastian) to finance expenses associated with such
improvements. Total 'worst case scenario' project costs have been
estimated at $43,160. To offer an element of perspective, the most recent
grade crossing rehabilitation project experienced in Sebastian was the
improvement program recently implemented at the Main Street crossing. It
is now anticipated that recommendations relative to budget adjustments and
expenditure authorization will be offered to City Council sometime this fall.
Indian River County Traffic Impact Fee Financin.q Pro,qram
Some of you may have learned via the grapevine about a recent proposal by
Indian River County to possibly implement a traffic impact fee financing
program to help accommodate small commercial and industrial projects
throughout the area. A couple weeks ago, Assistant County Administrator
Joe Baird contacted me to discuss the City of Sebastian's position relative to
assisting their efforts. As municipalities collect county traffic impact fees on
behalf of Indian River County prior to issuing building permits for such
projects, our involvement relative to the proposed financing program would
be to not issue Certificates of Occupancy (C.O.) until the traffic impact fees
are paid. If fees are not paid within twelve (12) months of issuing a building
City Council Information Letter
September 13, 2002
Page 2
permit, Indian River County would have the ability to lien project properties.
I obviously had a number of questions for Mr. Baird relative to procedures
and agreement formalization dynamics. As referenced in the attached letter
regarding this matter, Indian River County is seeking our concurrence to
participate prior to establishing the aforementioned processes. This issue
may actually represent a policy question for City Council to consider. One
possibility I personally pondered was the option for Indian River County to
somehow implement this program without municipalities having to offset the
C.O. issuance process. Interestingly, Mr. Baird stated that consensus from
both the municipal governments of Sebastian and Fellsmere were
imperative prior to initiating the program, due to growth in commercial and
industrial base anticipated in both communities and surrounding areas in the
years to come. As such, I will schedule a session regarding this matter
during your September 25th meeting, so that City Council may have the
opportunity to offer commentary and/or direction accordingly. I will also be
prepared to offer applicable recommendations in this regard so as to assist
with any consideration.
Florida Power and Light Position Re.qardin,q Franchise Fees
To add to what Rich Stringer mentioned last night, I received a telephone
call earlier this week from Ms. Rachel Scoff, Florida, Power and Light (FPL)
Company Treasure Coast External Affairs Manager relative to her
company's position and concerns about the prospect of the School District
of Indian River County no longer having to pay Sebastian's 6 percent utility
fee via monthly electric bills to both Sebastian Elementary School and
Pelican Island Elementary School. According to Ms. Scott, officials from
FPL, including attorneys representing the utility have vehemently concluded
that collection of this fee is proper and consistent with guidelines governing
rules and regulations of the Florida Public Service Commission (PSC).
Arrangements are therefore being made to have FPL legal representatives
to speak with Rich personally, in an effort to communicate any PSC rulings
that would fully and unequivocally provide ability to the City of Sebastian to
continue collection of respective franchise fees from the School District of
Indian River County, regardless of specific language contained in applicable
ordinances and/or city codes. As soon as such information is formally
presented and communicated, an additional update, including potential
revised recommendations will be offered publicly.
Enclosure(s)
Letter from FEC - Grade Crossing Rehabilitation Program
Letter from Joe Baird - Traffic Impact Fee Financing Program My Documents/InfoLetter148
September 9, 2002
File: #39
SEBASTIAN: GRADE CROSSING MATTERS
2003 GRADE CROSSING REHABILITATION PROGRAM
NOTICE OF INTENT
Mr. Terrence Moore
City Manager
City of Sebastian
1225 Main Street
Sebastian, Florida 32958
Dear Mr. Moore:
The Railway has completed our field inspection of all grade crossings on our line and compiled a list of
crossings for our 2003 Grade Crossing Rehabilitation Program.
Listed below are crossings that fall within your jurisdictional responsibility and are scheduled to be re-
worked in the upcoming year beg'inning January 1, 2003. With each crossing you will find an estimated cost
for the City's use in budgeting for the crossing rehabilitation. It should be noted this is an estimate only and
assumes a worst-case scope of work. All charges will be billed on an actual cost basis.
Barber Street Milepost 218+171' Existing Agreement 8/30/84 $43,160.00
Should you have any questions or comments concerning this matter please call me at (904) 826-2383.
Sincerely,
J. L. Schonder
Manager - Engineering Services
One Malaga Street. P.O. Box 1048, St, Augustine, FL · 32085.1048
Telephone: (772) 567-8000
September 6, 2002
Mr. Terrence Moore
City Manager
City of Sebastian
1225 Main Street
Sebastian, F1 32978
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
1840 25th Street, Veto Beach, Florida 32960-3365
Re~
Traffic Impact Fee Financing
For Small Commercial and Industrial Projects
Dear Mr. Moore:
Currently, the county and all the municipalities collect traffic impact fees (TIFs) prior to building
permit issuance. The Board of County Commissioners is proposing to finance the fee amount for
applicants of small, non-residential projects with an agreement to pay the TIF under the
following conditions:
1. The development project is conunercial or industrial.
2. The total project TIF assessment is $50,000.00 or less.
3. The project owner, local government jurisdiction, and county execute an agreement whereby:
A. The owner agrees to pay the TIF prior to issuance of a Certificate of Occupancy (C.O.) or
within 12 months of building permit issuance, whichever occurs first. Said TIF payment
to be made with cash or certified check. Other types of checks could be accepted, but
must clear prior to issuance of a C.O.
B. The local government jurisdiction commits to not issuing the C.O. until the TIF payment
is made and clears.
C. The county is granted the fight to lien the project property if the TIF is not paid within 12
months of building permit issuance.
This T1F payment delay allowance is intended to be an option for owners of small projects. Prior
to creating procedures and agreement forms, the county seeks your concurrence that your
municipality will participate in offering the proposed allowance for delaying TIF payments.
Your immediate attention to this item would be greatly appreciated.
Please call me at 567-8000, ext. 1408, if you have any questions or concerns.
Sincerely,
//Josebh A. Baird
UAssistant County Administrator
cc:
Robert M Keating, AICP
Start Boling, AICP
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