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HomeMy WebLinkAbout071820031225 Main Street [] Sebastian, Florida 32958 Telephone (772) 589-5330 [] Fax (772) 589-5570 City Council Information Letter July 18, 2003 Director of Finance Recruitment Efforts To date, recruitment efforts to appoint a new City of Sebastian Director of Finance have been implemented very well, yielding nearly forty (40) applications and resumes from both public and private sector professionals nationwide. As such, Director of Human Resources Jim Sexton and I have spent a significant amount of time reviewing profiles of each of the applicants. This specific task provided us with the ability to designate semi- finalists in the selection process. We will therefore host telephone conference discussions with thirteen (13) such candidates during the course of next week. This activity will give us an opportunity to assess whether or not potential matches exists between each of them and the City's current organization culture and philosophy. By the end of the month, we therefore anticipate declaring finalists for the position, whereby personal meetings and visits to Sebastian City Hall will be facilitated accordingly. I therefore hope to make a formal offer of employment in late August or so, to coincide with the idea of having the new director begin his/her tenure early this fall. Practices of the Indian River Mosquito Control District In an effort to respond to concerns that have been raised by residents on several occasions relative to the proliferation of mosquitoes throughout our community (especially this time of year), a meeting was hosted earlier this week with Indian River Mosquito Control District Director Doug Carlson and Research Entomologist Alan Curtis. Clarification was offered during this discussion about the agency's operation, as well as their flexible ability to respond to problem areas in the community. The attached synopsis entitled Overview of Practices of the Indian River Mosquito Control District offers such edification, including equipment operation and extermination practices. Although this meeting was rather productive, it occurred to me that many Sebastian residents were not very familiar with the agency's responsibilities City Council Information Letter July 18, 2003 Page 2 and response efforts. As such, I extended an invitation to both gentlemen to speak during your August 13th session, so as to offer this information publicly, as well as address any applicable questions and/or concerns. Administrative Direction Re.qardinq Contractor Mowing In response to concerns having been raised recently relative to mowing activities as facilitated by the City of Sebastian mowing contractor, B&K Maintenance, please be advised that efforts to enhance right of way cutting inspections by municipal crews have recently been initiated. This process actually began late last week, via a meeting in my office with contractor representative Brett Taylor and Department of Public Works and Engineering staff, whereby we also discussed the importance and necessity of implementing this arrangement. As referenced in the attached electronic mail message as compiled and delivered by Stormwater Utility Engineer Ken Jones, major right of way corridors are cut 24 times a year via the services of B&K Maintenance, or approximately every two weeks, usually during weekend daytime hours. Individual residential units are contracted to be cut 6 times a year, or every other month. As a result of the heavy rain season in Sebastian (May through November) yielding faster rates of vegetation growth in the community, the aforementioned process also provides staff with an opportunity to possibly adjust mowing schedules accordingly. Eastbound Street Closure - Sebastian Boulevard As referenced in the attached electronic mail message as compiled and delivered by Police Captain David Puscher, the Florida East Coast Railroad (FECR) will be closing a small portion of Sebastian Boulevard (County Road 512) Eastbound from Monday July 21st until Wednesday July 23rd. The purpose of this closure is to accommodate infrastructure improvements to be implemented at the thoroughfare's railroad crossing just west of United States Highway One. This arrangement will obviously result in a temporary inconvenience for vehicular traffic in this section of town. However, due to the county road designation and jurisdiction, all arrangements to implement this effort was facilitated in conjunction with the Indian River County Department of Public Works, including payment of expenses to FECR. Enclosure(s): Overview of Practices of the Indian River Mosquito Control District Electronic Mail Message from Ken Jones - Mowing Contractor Services Electronic Mail Message from David Puscher- Sebastian Boulevard (CR512) Eastbound Closure My Documents/InfoLetter182 Vero Beach, Florida 32961-0670 Phone: (561) 562-2393 Fax (561) 562-9619 5655 41 st Street E.J. BEIDLER, Director OVERVIEW OF PRACTICES OF THE INDIAN RIVER MOSQUITO CONTROL DISTRICT May 2003 oRGANIZATIONAL OVERVIEW. The Indian River Mosquito Control District (IRMCD) is an independent taxing district which was legislatively established in 1925. IRMCD has 3 elected commissioners, approximately 25 full-time and several part-time employees. The average length of employment is approx. 10 years. The professional staff includes the Executive Director, Assistant Director, Research Entomologist, Medical Entomologist and a Biologist. IRMCD's budget is approx. $3.0 million with most of that generated by ad valorem property taxes. IRMCD is a sustaining member of the Florida Mosquito Control Association (FMCA), the American Mosquito Control Association (AMCA) and the Florida Association of Special Districts. The AMCA is a parmer in the Environmental Protection Agency's Pesticide Environmental Stewardship Program (PESP) and the FMCA is a participant in this program as well. GROUNDS, BUILDINGS AND EQUIPMENT. IRMCD's current facilities (on 10 acres of property located at 5655 41st Street, Vero Beach, FL) were originally constructed in 1967 with significant additions and renovations undertaken during 2000. The buildings include a main office with laboratories, shop, vehicle work bays, chemical (and general) storage rooms, covered parking areas and a poultry raising/holding building. One 2000 gallon above-ground gasoline tank is located within a containment area. No underground tanks exist on IRMCD property. IRMCD has over 30 vehicles (including 4WD pickup tracks, 1 ton cab & chassis, 3 dumptmcks, sedans, a minivan) which are regularly used in carrying out IRMCD's responsibilities. IRMCD also maintains 9 all-terrain-vehicles (ATV's) which are used by the Entomological Inspectors for field inspections and ground treatments. Concerning heavy equipment, IRMCD has a Case 580L Tractor/Loader/Backhoe, a New Holland Tractor/Loader, an ASV Posi-Track 4810 rubber-tracked loader, a gasoline-driven forklift, 3 portable diesel-driven trailer-mounted pumps, 1 portable electric-driven trailer- mounted pump and 9 permanently mounted electric pumps (located at various locations along the Indian River Lagoon). IRMCD operates 3 power boats - an airboat (14 ft. aluminum hull w/225 I-IP V-6 Chevy marine motor), an Orlando Clipper (15 ft. 9 in. aluminum hull w/40 HP outboard motor) and a Gheenoe (13 ft. fiberglass hull w/electric outboard motor). A kayak is also used for locations along the lagoon that are dificult to access. All four boats are used for larval inspections. IPM APPROACH TO CONTROL ACTIVITIES. Like most mosquito control programs in the United States, IRMCD uses an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) approach for our control efforts. This means that a combination of source reduction, larviciding and adulficiding are used as the primary techniques to control mosquito populations. All chemicals are applied as per label requirements. In addition to control activities, IRMCD participates in research projects as needed and regularly publishes the results of such research in peer- reviewed scientific journals. Such research is frequently a collaborative efforts with scientists at the University of Florida's Florida Medical Entomology Laboratory (FMEL) in Vero Beach and the John A. Mulrerman Public Health Entomology Research and Education Center (PHEREC; Florida A& M University). SOURCE REDUCTION. Source reduction (the elimination of mosquito breeding sites), is typically the most effective and economical method of mosquito control. Source reduction eliminates the need for mosquito larviciding in the affected marsh and greatly reduces adulticiding in nearby areas. IRMCD's salt marsh source reduction efforts are largely :focused on the management of impoundments along the Indian River Lagoon. Impoundments are set marshes around which dikes were constructed in the 1950's and 1960's. Primarily during the Spring and Summer months, water is pumped from the lagoon onto the surface of the impounded marsh. Because sEt-marsh mosquitoes lay their eggs on moist soil but not on standing water, putting water over the marsh surface eliminates locations where mosquito egg-laying can occur thus effectively eliminating mosquito production from the marsh. For the remainder of the year, the marsh is typically not pumped and where possible, is reconnected to the lagoon through culverts thus providing conditions that allow for near-natural habitat for fish and wildlife. This impoundment management technique is known as Rotational Impoundment Management (RIM). IRMCD works cooperatively with several agencies responsible for fish and wildlife resources (e.g., U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, St. Johns River Water Management District, Fla. Dept. of Environmental Protection) to manage these impoundments for both mosquito control and nature resource interests. Pumping is accomplished with either portable pumps (IRMCD maintains four-6000 gpm pumps) or stationary electric pumps (IRMCD maintains 5). Dike and water control structure maintenance is accomplished largely with a Case 580L Tractor/Loader/Backhoe, an ASV Posi-Track 4810 rubber-tracked loader or a New Holland 3930 Tractor/Loader. Portable pumps are moved among impoundments using the New Holland tractor or a 1 ton pickup track, Another source reduction project in which IRMCD participates, is the collection and disposal of waste tires which are capable of breeding several freshwater mosquito species. LARVICIDING. Larviciding, the application of chemicals to kill mosquito larvae or pupae by ground or aerie treatments, is typically more effective than adulticiding, but less so than source reduction. Several materials in various formulations are labeled for mosquito larvicidmg and used by IRMCD including the organophosphate temephos (Abate), several "biorationE" larvicides - Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis (l~ti, a bacterial larvicide), and methoprene (Altosid, an insect growth regulator), a petroleum based oil (Golden Bear) and a monomolecuiar surface fihn (Agnique). Larvicides are kept in designated storage locations. IRMCD has a crew of 9 individuals whose responsibilities are to inspect marshes along the lagoon and treat them with liquid Abate from ATV' s or with Bt/, Altosid, Golden Bear or Agnique when mosquito larvae are present. Inspection and treatment information is recorded in a computerized database. When large areas need larval treatment, a local flying service (indian River Flying Service) is subcontracted to make these applications w/th fixed-wing aircraft. Aerial treatments are made with either granular Bti (on corncob), Altosid on sand or Abate granules. In some limited areas, slow-release formulations of Altosid are used to provide long-term control of salt-marsh mosquitoes. ADULTICIDING, Adulticiding, the application of chemicals to kill adult mosquitoes by ground or aerie applications, is usually the least effective mosquito control technique. Nevertheless, adulficiding is an extremely important part of any IPM program. Ground adulticidmg is IRMCD's only method of adulticiding except during medical emergencies. IRMCD makes treatments on a need basis throughout the District with ground applications of permethrin (=a pyrethroid). These chemicals are applied as an Ultra-Low-Volume (ULV) spray where small amounts of undiluted insecticide are dispersed by track-mounted equipment (9 tracks). These chemicals are stored at the District's offices in a chemical storage area with containment capabilities. During a medical emergency when there exists a threat to the public of a mosquito-transmitted pathogen (e.g., St. Louis Encephalitis or West Nile viruses), I~vlCD hires an aircraft for aerial applications of naled (an organophosphate=Dibrom). 2 MOSQUITO-TRANSMITTED VIRUS SURVEILLANCE. IRMCD participates in a State-sponsored program of surveillance for the detection of several mosquito transmitted viruses (St. Louis Encephalitis, West Nile and Eastern Equine Encephalitis viruses). This program, which has been in place since 1978, involves the use of sentinel ekickens, from which weekly blood samples are taken and analyzed by the Tampa Virology Laboratory CHRS) for the presence of antibodies to these viruses. Knowledge of the presence of these viruses allows IRMCD to take control actions should they be deemed appropriate. IRMCD has 8 chicken flocks (6 birds per flock) located throughout the District and coordinates closely with the Indian River County Health Department on this program. EDUCATION/CERTIFICATION. All IRMCD employees are required to receive certification in "Public Health Pest Control" which is issued through FDACS. This certifies employees to apply restricted-use pesticides. Although possession of this certification allows an individual to supervise up to 15 individuals, IRMCD requires that all employees receive this certification themselves. Employees maintain this certification by attending yearly State-approved training courses where continuing education credits are provided. In-house training is also provided on all aspects of our program. wORKER SAFETY CONSIDERATIONS. IRMCD has a formal safety program which qualifies for a Workers Compensation discount. IRMCD has a designated Safety Officer and a standing Safety Committee which meets about once per month. Regular safety meetings for all employees are held to meet safety program requirements. IRMCD has periodic inspections by the EPA and local health department for compliance monitoring. A Material Safety Data Sheet 0VISDS) booklet of chemicals that IRMCD uses is kept current and available to all employees for their review. Fire extinguishers, which are inspected and serviced annually, are located throughout IRMCD property and in each vehicle. Emergency wash facilities are available on the District property. Hiring practices are consistent with requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). IRMCD is a drag-free workplace. Employees are required to maintain a good driving record. [C:\WP_DOCS~IqSURANC\INSURANCE 03-04~RMCD description 03.wpd] Terrance Moore From: Sent: To: Cc: Subject: Ken Jones Friday, July 11, 2003 8:06 AM Terrance Moore David Fisher; Terry Hill Mowing Contractors Terrence: I had the opportunity to review the comments made at last nights Council Meeting regarding the mowing contractors and just wanted to provide you with some information. The mowing contract provides for the mowing contractor to cut the parks and the major corridors 24 times per year or approximately every two weeks. This is usually accomplished on the weekends. The individual residential units are contracted to be cut 6 times per year which would equate to every other month. However, considering that the primary growing season is from May to November (seven months). This year we had very little growth until the last week of May and at that time the grass took off like wild fire. The Contract Mowers started cutting the residential units on June 16th and I provided you a copy of the schedule for council. The Mowers figure approximately 17 days for cutting the units which allows for 1 or 2 rain days. The mowers finished according to the schedule in June. I have now started to schedule the start dates for the mowers. I had scheduled for them to begin mowing the residential units on Monday 7/14/03, however they called and asked if they could start Friday 7/11/03. They are now providing me a schedule to indicate what date they will be cutting each unit as is required in the contract. This will allow us to follow behind them in each area and verify their work. We can contact them immediately to return to any areas missed or not meeting specifications. I have also had Staff conduct an inventory of all right-of-way areas in front of vacant lots which they are required to mow to verify the exact acreage to be billed. The contract also requires the mowers to maintain a maximum length of 5" and generally they meet that specification, however, I did noticed a few locations which did not meet those specifications and I intend to have them comply with those specifications. The Mowing schedule will greatly assist keeping up with any inconsistencies in grass height. The mowing contractor is not responsible for cutting back the pepper trees in the right-of-way. That is the responsibility of the Public works department. I recently instructed my City mowing crew to help out and cut back excessive tree growth when noticed a hazard and were in the area. In addition, Terry Hill, Jerry Converse and myself held a meeting just before the 4th of July festivities and discussed a plan whereby we would join forces, each providing 2 men and equipment to tackle cutting back the right of ways as the stormwater mowers were moving from unit to unit to cut the ditches with the long arm mowers. This should help the problem of the over grown right-of-ways. This also reduces the excuse of the Contract Mowers that they cannot cut all the way back to the right-of-way line due to the peppertree overgrowth. I hope this provides you with some of the background info to assure the council that staff is on top of the situation. Ken Terrance Moore From: Sent: To: Cc: Subject: David Puscher Tuesday, July 15, 2003 6:21 AM Terrance Moore; Terry Hill; Ken Jones; Jerry Converse; George Richard Schofield; Peter Socci FW: C.R.512 (Eastbound) closing next week. Bonacci; David Fisher ..... Original Message ..... From: Hike Beyer Sent: Monday, 3uly 14, 2003 4:17 PM To: Police Dept; PD Supervisors; Dispatch Subject: C.R.512 (Eastbound) closing next week. FEC will be closing C.R.512 (Eastbound) next week 07/21-23/03 Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, FEC advised that I.R.Co. Public Works (Jim Davis) has been notified and will provide any accommodations needed to assist in the traffic control problem if there is one.