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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03192004 1225 Main Street [] Sebastian, Florida 32958 Telephone (772) 589-5330 [] Fax (772) 589-5570 City Council Information Letter March 19, 2004 Sebastian Preserve Previous reports delivered to City Council indicated that a presentation regarding the Sebastian Preserve market rate single family housing development proposed for construction on a 162 acre parcel located between the Collier Creek community and various Sebastian Highlands neighborhoods was originally scheduled to take place during next week's City Council meeting. However, as a result various advertisement requirements, as well as a two public hearing criteria, please be advised that both sessions regarding this matter will be scheduled to take place during the April 14th and April 28t" regular City Council meetings. Accordingly, respective newspaper advertisements will be published in the coming days. In addition, formal notices advertising the public hearing process from the Department of Growth Management will be delivered to property owners within 300 feet of the proposed property boundaries. Although aforementioned newspaper ads and notices will convey information regarding property location, existing zoning category (Residential Single 10 - single family residential consistent with development guidelines of standard residential construction in the Sebastian Highlands - 4 homes per acre), as well as the proposed rezoning category (Planned Unit Development Residential - 2.09 single family homes per acres, as well as 38 acres of wetland and upland preservation, with a total of approximately 81 acres of open space) will be outlined as well. Special Request from Keep Indian River Beautiful As some of you may be aware, the locally based not-for-profit organization Keep Indian River Beautiful (KIRB) is being directed by the City of Vero Beach to vacate offices currently provided due to future plans to construct a new county administration facility. As such, staff from KIRB recently visited City Council Information Letter March '19, 2004 Page 2 modular buildings here at City Hall (those that currently occupy both the City Council chambers and building and growth management offices) with the hope of being able to establish a partnership with the City of Sebastian to provide office space to continuing countywide programming efforts. The City continues to enjoy a tremendous working relationship with KIRB, resulting from numerous cleaning programs and public beautification initiatives during the past several years. As staff currently anticipates moving into the new facility circa late autumn 2004, respective office space needs can be accommodated soon thereafter. As such, I wish to honor KIRB's request for a City Council presentation regarding this proposal during your April 14th session. Representatives will be able to provide information regarding additional planned future activities with the City of Sebastian at that time as well. Presentation by Representatives from St. John's River Water Mana.qement District- "Projects and Pro.qrams" Please be advised that representatives from the St. John's River Water Management District (SJRWMD) will be joining us during your April 14th regular meeting to discuss both current and future joint program and project opportunities. This discussion, to include a most recent report regarding the status of the Sebastian Stormwater Passive Park currently under construction in our community, will also address various issues pertaining to state and federal guidelines governing both environmental and water quality related matters. As referenced in the attached letter as compiled and delivered by Intergovernmental Coordinator Marguerite Engel, SJRWMD's formal presentation is anticipated to last approximately 10 minutes or so. However, both City Council members as well as residents attending the meeting will have an opportunity to address any questions and/or concerns accordingly. Indian River La.qoon Update - Quarterly Newsletter of the Indian River Lagoon National Estuary Pro.qram Speaking of the Sebastian Stormwater Passive Park, please find the attached copy of the Indian River Lagoon Update, Quarterly Newsletter of the Indian River Lagoon National Estuary Program that features an article regarding both progress and goals of the facility. As having been discussed in various public meetings, the Sebastian Stormwater Passive Park is being City Council Information Letter March 19, 2004 Page 3 declared a best practice program for implementing intergovernmental efforts for cleaning storm water. Other publications and educational efforts will therefore likely to continue to be presented during the next few years - between now and 2006 when the facility becomes open to the public and operational, as well as afterwards once calculations confirming successes regarding runoff has been tabulated. Enclosure(s): Letter from Cheryl Cummins, Keep Indian River Beautiful - April 14, 2004 City' Council Presentation Letter from Marguerita Engel, SJRWMD Intergovernmental Coordinator - April 14, 2004 City Council Presentation Indian River Lagoon Update - Newsletter Article Regarding Sebastian Stormwater Passive Park My Documents/In foLstte~209 Keep Indian River Beautiful InC: ¥ Reusable Resource g~ecovery Center March 12, 2004 Board of D~re~ton: Debbie ?erez V'we President Ray Coniglio Michael Hughes David Unversaw G~nia Bradv~ll Elsbeth Eibs Teddy Floyd C~eorge Geletko Sara Hayes Sarah Nichols JimmyRose Rosie Stubbs City of Fellsmere Former Mayor Joel Tyson cay ~f s~tzta= Mayor Waiter Barnes Indian Ri~er Cotmty Commissioner Ar~ Neuberger City of Sebastian 1225 Main Street sebastian~ FL 32958 Dear Mr. Moore: Thank you for meeting with me and Carolyn Corem regarding Keep Indian River Beautiful's need for new office space. As we discussed, Keep Indian River Beautiful currently occupies 3,000 square feet of space which the City of Vero Beach has generously lot us use for over five years. Unfommately, this land will be the site for the County's new offices in the near future. Therefore, Keep Indion River Beautiful would like to make a presentation to Sebastian's City Council in April to ask that our organization be considered as a new tenant for one of the annexes which wall bo vacated when Sebastian new City Hall is completed later this year. Keep Indian River Beautiful is an important asset to our county. Some of our greatest accomplishments this past year with, of course, the help of 6,185 volunteer hours, included: o~. The removal of 44,375 pounds (more than 22 tons) oftrash · :- Presentations/exhibits at 76 schools, festivals, meetings, special events, and Dodger games to spread the word about recycling and litter prevention to 36,569 people of all · :- The recycling of 3,150 plastic bottles and 2,200 aluminum cans and proper disposal of 3.5 tons of trash at the Pelican Island Wildlife Centenmal Celebration O The disbursement of reusable materials from the 3Rs Center to 752 ~ to benefit 37,271 students O The collection and distribution of 770 pounds of clothing to needy people (Samaritan Center, Dasie Hope Center, CareNot and ESOL students). Our time is very limited at our current location so securing new space as soon as possible is extremely important. We would greatly appre~ate the opportunity to make a presentation to the City Council in April. Since our organization started in Sebastian, it would be like coming home to relocat© there. We look forward to hear from you in the near future. Sincerely, Program Coordinator Keep Itulian River Beautiful Ina is a 501 (c)3 nonprofit organization and an aoO'tliate of Keep Florida Beautiful and Keep America We are registered with gte State of Florida Dept. of AerO--drove& Consumer Service~ (CH-12797) and 100% of yom' donaOons directly bemzfit our programs. Founding Sponsors: Burger Kings of~h¢ Trea~re Coast, City of V~vo Beach, Disney's Veto Be. aah ResoR. Florida Depamnont of Eandronmemal Pro~ection. Florida Inland Navigstiao Disa'ict, Waste Management, Indian River County Solid Waste Distx~sat Dim;ct and Treasuxe Coast Refuse Corp. P.O. Box 973. Vero Beach. FL 32961 PHONE: (772) 978-0722 FAX: (772) 9784)432 EMAIL: KeeolRBeautiful(~aol.com St. Johns River -fftater }Vl e District Kirby ~ Director · David W. Fisk, Assistant Executive Director. Mike Slayton, Deputy Executive Director John Juilianna, Palm Bay Service Center Director, Regulstory March 15, 2004 Mr. Terrence R. Moore City Manager City of Sebastian 1225 Main Street Sebastian, FL. 32958 525 Community College Parkway S.E. · Palm Bay, FL 32909 · (321) 984-4940 Re: April 14 City Council meeting Dear Mr. Moore: Council meetings provide an excellent opportunity to bring elected officials, the staff, and citizens up-to-date on St. Johns River Water Management District issues and projects. Therefore, I am requesting an appearance before Sebastian City Council at the April 14, 2004 meeting. My presentation will be brief, not to exceed 10 rrfinutes. The topic will be "St. Johns River Water Management District Programs and Projects Update." If you have any questions or if there is a problem with my request, please contact me at (321)-676-6606 or mengel@sirwmd.com. Thank you for your assistance. Sincerely, Intergovernmental Coordinator Office of Communications and Governmental Affairs GOVERNING BOARD Duane Ottenstroer, CHAmF~M^N Ometrias D. Long, VICE CHAIRMAN R. Clay Albright, SECRET^RY David G. Graham, TRF. ASURER W. Michael Branch John G. Sowinski William Kerr Ann'E Moore lAN RIVER LAGOON Quarterly newsletter of the Indian River Lagoon National Estuary Program Lagoon House to showcase estuary Four centuries ago. Ais Indians patrolled this ragged escarpment to watch for approaching Spanish ships in the Indian River Lagoon. It is a fitting ske for the Lagoon House. a new landmark off of U.S. Highway 1 in Palm Bay designed to serve a multitude of roles in the lagoon regxon. Exhibits showcased within the 6,400-square-fuot building will highlight the historical, archeological, cultural, natural, scenic and recreational resources available throughout the lagoon area. The $1.1 m/Ilion building will also function as a xvelcome center to the Indian River Lagoon Scenic Highway. Visitors can learn about the Ais Indians. who met Ponce de Leon when he discovered Florida. and see an actual example of a historic Indian midden a rduse pre of ancient artifacts left behind by indigenous people in the region. There ~ be information about the biodiversity of the lagoon -- the most diverse estuary in North America -- and the steps being taken to preserve it. The developmenz of the Lagoon House exhibits may be partially funded through a donation from the Toml/nson family, former owners of the property where the Lagoon House is located. In its rule as a Scenic Highway Welcome Center. the facility will offer information on dozens of destinations dotting the lag?n corridor, and how to best expefienc4:~h, dm, One o£ Florida's nine designated scenic highways, the highway links natural areas along the lagoon three national wildlife refuges, a national park, a state park and numerous county and city recreational fadlities. City offidals are anxious for the grand opening, slated for early 2004. "The Lagoon House has been a model for interagency cooperation," fee Lagoon House on Page 5 This park will be hard at wOrk -- c. leaning storm water Just south of Collier Creek Estates in Sebastian, the largest remaining undeveloped site in Sebastian is undergoing a transformation. Earth-moving equipment is reshapix~g the land into a 166-acre regional stormwater park, a joint effort between Sebastian and the St. Johns River Water Management District. The $2 million project is designed to pump storm water to treatment ponds before it reaches the Indian River Lagoon. "The chief goal is to reduce the amount of pollutants and freshwater being discharged to the Sebastian River and the lagoon," says Ralph Brown, a District engineer. "The park will capture 1,400 acres of urban stormwater runoff that currently receives no treatment." Runoff from the Sebastian watershed will flow through a series of four treatment ponds of varying sizes constructed at the park. Sediments and suspended solids will settle out to the bottom of the ponds, the largest and final pond in the chain being a 60-acre historical wedand surrounded by a berm. The treated water will then return to Collier Creek and, ultimately, to the hgoon. Stormwater treatment is just half of the sto~. The site will also provide passive recreation through nature trails and picnic areas and include educational displays about the harm stormwater runoff causes to water bodies and the mechanics of treating polluted water. A sign posted at the construction site highlights the protected species that call the park home. These include the gopher tortoise, scrub jay and indigo snake. "You'll be able to walk along the berms surrounding the larger ponds and along trails through the oak hammock," Brown says. "It's a beautiful piece of property." Most of the project will be finished in May, but the largest pond will require additional time due to the amount of dirt to be excavated. An outside contractor will pay the District $95,000 to remove the dirt within two years, although Brown estimates that the excavation work will be done in about half that time.