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HomeMy WebLinkAbout04-02-2004 1225 Main Street [] Sebastian, Florida 32958 Telephone (772) 589-5330 [] Fax (772) 589-5570 City Council Information Letter April 2, 2004 Proposed Asbury Subdivision In response to direction offered by City Council during your March 24th meeting relative to establishing a formal covenant limiting units per acre with developers interested in annexation into the City of Sebastian, please be advised that such a document is being made available during your April 14th session so as to also finalize decisions pertaining to the Asbury Subdivision as proposed by the Coy A. Clark Company of West Melbourne, Florida. The order of the agenda will facilitate the possible acceptance of the developers covenant by City Council prior to any consideration of either the first reading regarding annexation, as well as establishment of conditions governing the Asbury Subdivision, including an escrow account for a future Powerline Road Infrastructure Improvement Program, as well as all other aspects negotiated pertaining to a planned unit development arrangement. This approach is appropriate in that representatives from the Coy Clark Company have agreed to execute such an agreement guaranteeing not to exceed the scope of their development (per requirements and conditions discussed during previous public meetings regarding the proposal), as well as an anticipated favorable response from the State of Florida by the April 14th hearing regarding the initial request for annexation as directed last December. Options for Relocation - Old Snow Shoe House As reported last week, a series of meetings and discussions were recently initiated in an effort to provide City Council with options relative to potential future locations and outcomes regarding the Old Snow Shoe House currently located on United States Highway One next door to the K&H Plaza. At this time, three potential options may be available. One is to relocate the structure to a city owned property within the boundaries of Sebastian Historic District East. An appropriate amount of frontage and City Council Information Letter April 2, 2004 Page 2 space exists on a city owned parcel (which consist of park features in the rear facing Indian River Drive) immediately south of the current Sebastian River Area Chamber of Commerce/Historical Society Building on United States Highway One. A second involves a request by Ms. Kerry Firth of Veto Beach to have the property positioned on a site currently governed by an option lease agreement at Sebastian Municipal Airport as authorized by City Council on March 10th. The attached maps as produced by the Department of Growth Management references specific locations for each site. A third option is, of course, to issue a demolition permit to accommodate Mr. David Brown's plans for new commercial development at the present site. However, as reported last week, Mr. Brown has committed to donating the structure to the City of Sebastian for preservation purposes. As such, I would like to seek formal direction from City Council regarding this matter as soon as appropriate. Beginning with the April 14th meeting, I will include an agenda item outlining more specific information to assist the decision making process, including updates pertaining to relocation cost estimates, appropriate funding sources and abilities, as well as other logistics governing the acceptance of the property. Presently, time is of the essence in that Mr. Brown is currently meeting with Director of Growth Management Tracy Hass to initiate necessary site plan compilation and review processes, whereby resulting proposals will be addressed before the Planning and Zoning Commission in the coming weeks. Indian River La.qoon License Plate Fundin.q Pro.qram The City of Sebastian currently enjoys an opportunity to secure financial assistance from the Indian River Lagoon License Plate Funding Program. This initiative, administered by the St. John's River Water Management District, offers funding to public sector entities positioned to implement water quality improvements. As the City of Sebastian is currently working to implement numerous capital improvements as governed in our community's overall storm water improvement program, staff considers this opportunity to be worthy of procurement. As such, a resolution authorizing submittal of an application to the Indian River Lagoon License Plate Funding Program will be included in the April 14th meeting agenda for your consideration to authorize submittal. Meanwhile, the attached project guidelines and policy description offers more information about the program and participation requirements accordingly. City Council Information Letter April 2, 2004 Page 3 Advertisement for Easter ERR Hunt and Arlo Guthrie Concert As some of you contacted City Hall earlier today relative to misinformation published in today's Press Journal newspaper advertising both the Sebastian Easter Egg Hunt and Arlo Guthrie Concert being scheduled to take place tomorrow, please find the attached press release and flyer advertising both events for next Saturday, April 10th at Riverview Park. The press release was provided to representatives of the Press Journal last Friday, March 26th, tWO days after City Council publicly authorized necessary street closures to accommodate both events. Parks and Recreation Superintendent Chris McCarthy was directed to contact the Press Journal early this morning to insist upon a correction as soon as possible. Notices regarding both events will continue to be broadcast on Sebastian Government Channel 25 in an effort to help interested parties remain advised of the factual schedule(s). Enclosure(s): Location Maps - Future Potential Sites for Old Snow Shoe House Program Description - 2004 Indian River Lagoon License Plate Funding Program Copies of Initial Press Release and Flyer- Sebastian Easter Egg Hun and Ar o Guthrie Concert, Saturday, April 10th My Documents/InfoLetter211 A message from the executive director The Indian River Lagoon is one of Florida's most remarkable natural resources. It is home to more than 4,000 different plant and animal species, making it North America's most biologically diverse estuary system. To help restore and protect the lagoon, the Florida Legislature established the Indian River Lagoon License Plate. Revenue generated from sales of the license plate are used to fund lagoon water quality improvements, habitat restoration, and environmental education projects. The St. Johns River Water Management District is responsible for administering Indian River Lagoon License Plate funding in Volusia, Brevard and Indian River counties. The 2004 Indian River Lagoon License Plate Funding Program Guidelines include the funding program requirements and instructions on how to apply for the funding. Additionally, these guidelines specify the amount of funding that is available for each county and provides examples of the types of projects that may qualify for license plate funding. On behalf of the St. Johns River Water Management District, I encourage Focal governments and not-for-profit organizations to apply for the license plate funding to help restore and protect the Indian River Lagoon. Thank you for your interest in the Indian River Lagoon License Plate program. Sincerely, Kirby Green Executive D/rector YE824 Table of contents PROJECT GUIDELINES AND POLICES .................................................. 2 INTRODUCTION ............................................................................. 2 PROJECT SPECIFICATIONS ......................................................... 2 Project types ......................................................................... 2 Project location ..................................................................... 3 Project time frames ............................................................... 3 Cost-share requirements ...................................................... 4 Location map ........................................................................ 4 Available funding .................................................................. 5 Non-allowable costs .............................................................. 5 DEFINITIONS AND POLICIES ........................................................ 5 Definitions ............................................................................. 5 Funding compliance review .................................................. 6 General funding costs ........................................................... 6 Withdrawal of funding application ......................................... 6 Development costs ............................................................... 7 Disclosure ............................................................................. 7 Award ................................................................................... 7 APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS ............................................................... 7 GENERAL COMMENTS ................................................................. 7 APPLICATION FORMAT AND CONTENTS ................................... 7 Transmittal letter ................................................................... 8 Application form .................................................................... 8 Project summary - Exhibit "A". ............................................. 8 APPLICATION REVIEW CRITERIA ................................................ 8 FUNDING APPLICATION FORM .............................................................. 9 EXHIBIT "A" - PROJECT SUMMARY .................................................... 11 SAMPLE FUNDING PROGRAM AGREEMENT ..................................... EXAMPLE EXHIBIT "A" - PROJECT SUMMARY ................................. 15 Project guidelines and polices Introduction To help support Indian River Lagoon environmental projects, the Florida Legislature established the Florida Indian River Lagoon License Plate (Section 320.08058 (10) of the Florida Statutes). Funds generated from sales of the license plates are used to support habitat restoration, water quality improvements, and environmental education projects. The St. Johns River Water Management District ("District") is responsible for administering Indian River Lagoon License Plate funds for projects in Volusia, Brevard, and Indian River counties. Governmental and not-for-profit organizations are encouraged to apply for Indian River Lagoon License Plate funding by: · Carefully reviewing this document; · Completing the enclosed application form; · Completing the Project Summary (Exhibit "A") form; and · Submitting six (6) copies of the application (including Exhibit "A") to the Division of Procurement Services of the St. Johns River Water Management District by March 31, 2004. A project selection committee will review and rank the submitted projects. Projects will be funded in order of ranking until all of the available funding is encumbered. The District will notify all applicants in writing of the final outcome after the selection committee's decision. It is anticipated that the recommended list of ranked projects will be submitted to the Governing Board for approval in June 2004. Agreements (see sample at end of this document) will be mailed to successful applicants for signature. When the agreement is signed and returned to the District, it will be submitted to the Executive Director for signature. Projects may begin upon receipt of the executed agreement. Project specifications Project Types The focus of the Indian River Lagoon License Plate program is to fund "turn dirt" implementation projects such as shoreline restoration or stormwater retrofit projects. In fact, the license plate legislation requires that most of the Indian River Lagoon License Plate revenue (at least 80%) be used for habitat restoration and/or water quality improvement projects. A small amount of the revenue (not more than 20%) can be used for environmental education projects. In an effort to follow these legislative directives, "stand alone" education projects will not be considered for funding. Environmental education funds will only be awarded to education proiects that are a component of or associated with a "turn dirt" proiect. The projects listed below should serve as a guide to the types of projects that could receive license plate funding. However, other project types not listed may also be appropriate. 4~-< YES24; 2 Habitat Restoration and Water Quality Improvement Examples Removal of exotic and nuisance vegetation and/or spoil materials along estuarine shorelines and planting native species. Production of educational videos on exotic and nuisance vegetation within the lagoon watershed. · Planting mangroves along the edge of spoil islands or at other appropriate locations. Educational signage for lagoon restoration. · Installation of culverts and/or appropriate structures to reconnect wetlands to the Indian River Lagoon. · Restoration of freshwater wetlands if the restoration activities will benefit the Indian River Lagoon and/or the Halifax ecosystems. Development of educational brochures on the importance of wetlands in estuarine systems. Constructing stormwater retrofit projects to cleanse stormwater before it enters estuarine waters. · Collecting and removing trash along estuarine shorelines (or others areas that would benefit the lagoon ecosystem). · Acquisition of rights-of-way needed to implement habitat restoration or stormwater improvement projects, if acquisition expenditures do not exceed 20% of a county's appropriation. Project Location Projects located in Brevard and Indian River Counties must clearly benefit the Indian River Lagoon ecosystem. Projects located in Volusia County must clearly benefit the Indian River Lagoon and/or the Halifax River ecosystems as specified below. It is preferred that projects be located in or immediately adjacent to the referenced water bodies. However, projects conducted in the watersheds (see boundaries on location map) of the referenced water bodies shall also be considered for funding if the project will clearly benefit the receiving estuarine water body. Habitat Restoration Projects: In Brevard and Indian River counties, projects must clearly benefit the Indian River Lagoon ecosystem, this includes the lagoon (Intracoastal Waterway from the south Indian River county line to the north Brevard county line (and associated tributaries such as the St. Sebastian River, Turkey Creek, Crane Creek, Eau Gallie River, etc.). In Volusia County, priority will be given to projects that directly benefit the Mosquito Lagoon ecosystem; second priority will be given to projects which directly benefit the Halifax River ecosystem. Brevard and Indian River County education projects must address environmental issues related to the Indian River Lagoon ecosystem and associated tributaries. Projects conducted in Volusia County must address the Mosquito Lagoon (first priority) and/or the Halifax River (second priority) ecosystems. Project Time Frames All proiects must be completed no later than June 2005. (see agreement at end of this document). It is anticipated that the funding agreements will be executed in June 2004. ~YES24 3 Cost-share Requirement Applicants must be able to provide at least twenty-five percent (25%) of the total project cost. The applicant's cost-share match can be via direct (actual) contributions (e.g., expenses/equipment/materials), funding from other grants, and/or in-kind services. Location map (Halifax River not shown) Available funding TOTAL FUNDING AVAILABLE PROJECT TYPE BREVARD INDIAN RIVER VOLUSIA HABITAT RESTORATION & WATER QUALITYIMPROVEMENT & ASSOCIATED ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION PROJECTS $126,000 $143,000 $ 29,000 The table above specifies the total funding available this year to support Indian River Lagoon License Plate projects. Fundin,q amounts available per county are based on the number of license plates sold in each county. An applicant can request all or part of the available funding. For example: If an environmental project would benefit Volusia, Brevard and Indian River counties, up to $ 298,000 (sum of the available funding for all counties shown in above table) could be requested. The educational component of any/ail project(s) can only account for 20% of the funding allocated to that project. The total funding allocated for environmental education must be equal to, or less than 20% of the total funding available in the program for each county. Non-allowable Costs License Plate Funds cannot be used for the following activities: · Any projects deemed to be research, studies, inventories, or evaluations; · Administrative salaries or overhead related to environmental education or ongoing regular maintenance; and/or, · General coordination fees or overhead not specifically related to a project. DEFINITIONS AND POLICIES Definitions "Appficant" "Ag~ement" "Application" "District" Governmental and not-for-profit organizations that apply for Indian River Lagoon License Plate funding. A binding written document, consisting of terms and obligations that will form the basis of the relationship between the District and the applicant. A document containing project details that will be used by a committee to select projects to receive license plate funding. The St. Johns River Water Management District "Funding" An allotment of monies disbursed towards the completion of Indian River Lagoon License Plate habitat restoration, water quality improvement, and environmental education projects. "Project" The written description included in the application that will determine the eligibility for funding. "Project Cost" The total cost of an Indian River Lagoon License Plate habitat restoration, water quality improvement, or environmental education project. "Recipient" The applicant that has been awarded funding in support of a project. "Ineligible" A determination that the application does not comply with the material requirements of the funding program. Funding Compliance Review The District shall ensure the proper use of funding and compliance with the requirements of the funding agreement by conducting reviews and other checks or audit of funding records. Examples of the compliance review may include but shall not be limited to: · On-site visits of the project · Assurance that the appropriate accounting records are being maintained. These records are to be sufficient to allow for a proper audit of the project funding expenditures. · Ensuring that funding objectives are met. · Assurance that funding is being expended on allowable expenditures, that is, expenditures related to the proposed project. General Funding Costs 1) Funding Costs shall be allowed provided that: · They are used for habitat restoration, water quality improvement, and/or environmental education pertaining to the Indian River Lagoon or Halifax River and/or their watersheds; and · They occur or are obligated within the funding period specified on the application; and · They are solely for the purposes of the project being funded and can be easily identified as such. 2) Funding may only be used for the completion of the project identified in the application. Withdrawal of Funding Application Applicants may withdraw their submitted application by notifying the District either tn writing or in person through an authorized representative at any time prior to the submission deadline. Applications, once received, become the property of the District, and will not be returned to the applicant even when they are withdrawn from consideration. Applications, once opened, may not be withdrawn or modified except to the extent agreed to by the District. 04/02;04 FR[ 09:41 FAX 5615595§93 SFLk Chamber of Commerce Press Release March 1~, 2004 For Immediate Release The Sebastian River Area Chamber of Commerce armotmces the next Concert in the Park, scheduled for Saturday, April I0, 2004. "An Afternoon witt~ Arlo Guthrie and Friends" is a very special concert and an encore performance by Mr. Guthrie, follo~x4ng the successful concert held in 2003 in conjmaction xa4th the Pelican Island Centennial Celebration. Crowd estimates of the first concert were 8,000 to 12,000 attendees, and the Concert was successful in bringing folks to the Riverfront. The Chamber and the City of Sebastian are joined in partnership with Kash[ Ashram and Rising Son Records to offer this special performance. Mr. Outhrie, joined by Sarah Lee, ki$ daughter m~d her husband Johnny Irion, has generously agreed to perform again t.his year in a FREE afternoon concert during the Easter weekend, when families and thends Mll gather in Riverview Park from 3:00PM to 5:00PM, following the City of Sebastian'~ tradilional Easter Egg Hunt. Rising Son will coordinate a speciM raffle at the Concert. Gibson Ouitars is donating the Woody Guthri~ Father and Son Collection m be raffled off. Tiffs Collection pays tribute to two or America's gremest artists with a "bam~er-head" Southerner Jumbo like the one Woody played in the 1940s and an LG-2 model that replicates the guitar Woody gave ~o his son Afl0 in the early 1950s. Tim guilts will be autographed by' the Guthrie Family and will be raffled separately. Each ticket is $10.00. Money raised will go to support this year's event as well as next year. Tickets eau be purchased at the Sebastian Chamber and Rising Son Records. The Concert in the Park Series, a partnership x~4th the City. of Sebastian, the Sebastian River Area Chamber of Commerce, and our corporate sponsors, is designed to provide free entertainment to the community in the Sebastian River Area at Riverview Park in throughout the year. Many thanks to our corporate sl3onsors: .Waste Management, Marsh Landing, H~old Brooks, D.D.S.. Dill and Evans, Macho Products, Beach Cove Properties, Hale (5roves, Bell South the ?eel Yellow Pages, Sebastian River Medical Center, Americ~F s Health Choice, A.G. Edwards, Ed a Jean Junker, Realtors, and the Press Journal. For more infommtlon please contact Beth Mitchell at the Sebastian Chamber, 589-5969 or Annie Guthrie at Rising Son, 5894774. Press Release Lifestyle Section Contact: Kathy Falzone 589-1009 The City of Sebastian Recreation Department will be holding it's 2"a annual Easter Egg Hunt and Family Fun Day on Saturday, April 10th from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm. The Easter Bunny and his friends will be hiding over 7,500 goodie-filled eggs under the oaks and palms of Riverview Park. The park is located at US #1 and eastbound Sebastian Boulevard. All eggs will be recycled at each hunt site for next year's hunt. A drawing will be held for special prizes in each age category. The time schedule ibr the egg hunt is as follows: Ages: 2 & under: 11:00am 3 &4: 11:15 5 & 6: 11:30 7 & 8: 11:45 9 & up: 12:00 noon The fun will continue from 12:00 to 2:00 when the community sponsored game booths will open. Try your luck at the goldfish bounce, lollipop tree, beanbag toss, or the fishing game for mom chances to win prizes. An Easter Bonnet Contest for young-at- heart seniors will also be held. Be creative! Face painting and tattoos will be available, as well as music and live entertainment. There will be a special appearance by the Easter Bunny, so don't forget to get your picture taken! For further information or to find out how you or your group can participate in this fun- filled event, please contact Kathy Falzone at 589-1009.