Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutFALLelican riel Vol. 2 No. 1 Officiol City of Sebastic~n G~uarterly Newsletter F~I! 2000 SEBASTIAN'S FLOOD HAZARDS What Everyone Should Know The purpose of this supplement is to suggesting possible actions which may be in floodplains and maintenance of drainage inform residents and property owners of taken to protect persons and property and systems which flow into the creeks and the presence of flood hazards in Sebastian, to provide information on the development rivers within flood hazard areas. History of Flooding in Sebastian Locally, the Sebastian River at the bridge on CR 512 in western Sebastian has had a history of flooding when rainfall exceeds 8- 10 inches. Local streets in an area known as Unit 2, Sebas~/mn Highlands, such as Barker, Jordan, Beard, Foster, etc. also have a history of flooding during heavy rainfall. Recently, the City has taken measures to CO~Tect both of these situations. The City of Sebastian and Indian River County have entered into an Interlocal agreement to raise the bridge elevation during the next phase of street widening to be completed by the County along CR 512. This should aileviate the road flooding problems that have occurred in the past. The City has recently' completed an extensive drainage improvement program in Unit 2 and other units prone to flooding emd currently is in the process of cleaning all drainage ditches to provide sufficient drainage areas to capture storm water runoff. Flood Warning System A Flood warning- system, such as is watches and warnings through local channel present today, was not in effect when past 35 on Charter Communications Cable floods occurred. The Indian River County System. Emergency Management Department issues Flood Safety There are several actions residents of flood hazard areas can take to decrease the potential of injury due to flooding. 1. Know the flood warning procedures. 2. Do not attempt to cross a flowing stream where water is above your knees. 3. Keep children away from floodwaters, ditches, culverts, and storm drains. 4. If your vehicle stalls in high water, abandon it immediately and seek higher ground. 5. Evacuate the flood hazard area in times of impending flood or when advised to do so by the police or fire department. 6. Cut off all electric circuits at the fuse panel or disconnect switches. If this is not possible, turn off or disconnect ail electrical appliances. Shut off the water services and gas valves in your home. Standard Homeowners Insurance Policies DO NOT Cover Losses Due to Floods However, Sebastian is a participant in the National Flood Insurance Program, which makes it possible for Sebastian property owners to obtain federally backed flood insurance. This insurance is available to any owner of insurable property (a building or its contents) in Sebastian. Tenants may also insure their personal property against flood loss. The average annual premium for this insurance is $400. The actuai cost will vary depending upon the amount of coverage and the degree of flood hazard. We urge persons who live or own property in flood hazard areas to purchase flood insurance to protect themselves from losses due to flooding. This insurance is required in certain instances, such as the purchase of a home with a federally backed mortgage. Flood Hazard Areas Two types of flood hazard zones are or own property in, a flood hazard zone, designated in Sebastian: the floodway and contact the Sebastian Building Department the floodplain. To determine if you live in, at (561) 589-5537. Property Protection Measures There are various actions which can be taken to flood proof structures. Electrical panel boxes, air conditioners, water heaters, and washers/dryers should be elevated or relocated to a location less likely to be flooded. Flood drains and interior and exterior backwater valves can be installed, and interior floodwails can be placed around utilities. If flooding is likely, and time permits, move essenti&l items and furniture to interior areas of your home. Keep materials like sandbags, plywood, plastic sheeting, and lumber handy for emergency waterproofing. This action will help minimize the amount of damage caused by floodwaters. Maintenance of Drainage Systems Sebastian has a storm drainage system which is composed of both open and closed segments. The open sections are drainage swales/ditches, which are utilized to carry storm water away from homes to drainage areas, such as creeks or rivers. The closed system is comprised of storm water drains and pipes, which carry storm water from streets and other developments to drainage retention or detention areas. Maintenance of these systems is very important. Debris in ditches and streams obstruct the flow of water, which can cause overflow onto roads and into yards. Partial or complete filling in of these ditches can reduce the~flood flow capacity, which will also result in overflow into roads or onto (Continued on Page 2) Floodplain Development Regulations The City of Sebastian has adopted, as part of the Land Development Code, regulations on development in flood districts. The purpose of these regulations is to control the alteration of natural floodplains and stream channels; prevent or regulate the construction of flood bm-riers which will unnaturally divert flood waters or which may increase flood hazards in other areas; restrict or prohibit uses which may result in damaging increases in erosion or in flood heights or velocities; and to control filling, grading, dredging, and other (Continued on Page 2) DRAINAGE SYSTEM MAINTENANCE PROGRAM STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES (SOP) The process for addressing city requests related to inspecting and cleaning ditches, swales and storage basins in the City of Sebastiem is as follows: a. Contact the Engineering Department by calling 589-5490. b. All complaints are inspected. c. If an inspection identifies a problem, a work order is issued. d. The work order is then assigned to a crew until completion. There are generally four maintenance related problems: 1. Water standing, but grass is green and healthy. 2. Water standing, killing grass, damp soil weeds and muck developing. 3. Water standing killing grass, cat-tails and aquatic weeds growing, pavement and/or road base failure. 4. Collapsed road crossing culverts or other danger to pedestrians or vehicle traffic or danger of flooding. Hardee Park/Yacht Club Restroom Development Lighting for the Heart Trail at Hardee Yacht Club Restroom project will be combined Park is being evaluated; the specifications into one bid package to present a meatier for a selected light fixture will be included project to prospective contractors. The bid in the Technical Specifications for the new package is about 95% complete and should park restmom and other park in~provements, be out in two-to-three weeks. The Hardee Park project together with the A conceptual design of a 70' by 110' skateboard park, which is to be located at the B~'ber Street Sport~ Complex (South), was presented to a group of young skateboarders to get feedback and input from some of the eventual users. Their response was very positive and no significant changes or nmdifications were suggested. The next step will be to solicit bids from skateboea.d park designers and builders for a final design and construction of the park. Skate Facility STREET LIGHTING REQUESTS Before having a street light installed in the City of Sebastian, there are several things is rewewed by the city and by the FPL to know. The most important criteria is the requested location with respect to other lights in the area. A minimum of four house lots apart is the ideal separation. A~mther consideration is the total cost of the specific installation. There are two factors in this cost determination, the city's cost and cost to Florida Power and Light (FPL). The cost to the city involves clearing the area of trees and brush that might interfere with installation of the lines and poles. The cost of FPL is more involved; including poles, transformers, and electrical lines. As you can see what might seem to be a simple installation could turn out to be very ?xper{sive. Each request for light installation representative. When a request is denied, a letter is sent to the person requesting the light explaining the reason for the refusal. If the request is approved, FPL installs the light as close as possible to the requested location. To initiate a request for auxiliary street lighting feel free to write the Office of the City Manager to express interest accordingly. Include nanm (homeowner), address, and specific proposed location(s) for light installation. If possible, provide specific location information such as lot and block number. More information provides more assistance in facilitating possible installations. Maintenance of (Continued from Page 1) Drainage Systems private property. Maintenance of the drainage system is also important so that a high flood flow capacity can be realized. To aid in this, the City of Sebastian clears and performs other maintenance work on the system at least two trines per year. Work is also performed on an emergency basis as needed. Citizens are expected to perform routine maintenance on ditches located on right-of- ways in front or to the rear of their properties. This includes the removal of high weeds, litter, or other items, which may be considered a nuisance. Also, property shall be maintained so that water cannot become stagnant, and breeding areas are not provided for mosquitoes. A litter ordinance is also in effect, which makes it unlawful to deposit litter in bodies of water "in a park or elsewhere." This includes lakes, rivers, and streams. Ifyan know of unapproved changes occurring to the drainage system, such as filling or rerouting of streams or ditches, or a nuisance situation which exists, please contact the Sebastian Public Works Department (561) 589-5490 or Code Enforcement Department (561) 589-4937. Additional information concerning floods and related topics is available for review at the Sebastian Growth Management Department, located at 1225 Main Street or at the North Indian River County Library, located at 1001 Fellsmere Read. Floodplain (Continued from Page 1) DeweloIHnenVl~g~lal~ons - : development which may increase flood damages. These regulations specify two types of flood hazard zones - the floodway and the floodplain. The floodway is defined as the nomnal channel of a watercourse and the adjacent land areas that must remain unobstructed to convey the regulatory flood discharge without flood elevations above specified levels. The floodplain is an area inundated during a one-hundred year flood event or identified by the National Flood Insurance Progeam as an A zone or V zone on the flood insurance rate maps. Uses, which have a low flood damage ~otential and do not restrict flood flows shall be permitted in the floodway, provided they are not prohibited by another ordinance. These uses shall not require structures, fill, dumping of material or waste, or storage of materials or equipment. The most common zone uses of the floodway are agricultural or recreational in nature, and parking/lawn areas of residences. Floodplain districts permit the same type of uses as floodway districts. The construction of structures, such as residences, is also permitted provided the lowest floor of any residential structm-e is no lower than one foot above the base flood elevation. It is very important to contact the Sebastian Building Department if any work is to be performed in flood hazard zones. This is necessary as the regulations are extensive, and development permits are required for construction or substantial ~mprovements in the floodway or floodplain. Improvement Program for Recently Acquired Rivertfront Property As previously reported, the City of Sebastian successfully acquired over 2 acres of riverfrent property, now slated for redevelopment purposes. In October 2000, the City of Sebastian was awarded a grant agrsement fi'om the Florida Inland Navigation District's Waterways Assistance Program, representing a financial commitment totaling $425,000 over two years. Primary objectives include reconstruction of a boat mooring facility, a shoreline enhancement program as well as comprehansive landscaping. Arrangements are currently underway to compile technical specifications, in effort to initiate respective tasks. ' 75th Anniversary Celebration and Art Festival The City of Sebastian in conjunction with the 75th Anniversary committee will host an An-t Festival, on Saturday, December 16th, 10:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m., and on Sunday, December 17th, 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. This will be a fun filled weekend. Refreshments and entertainment will be provided. A City of Sebastian Resident Group photo will be taken at 3:00 p.m., on Saturday, December 16th. So come on out and become part of history. Brick Paver Fundraiser to Bring Millennium Clock Tower to City! Everybody have you heard! Our city is celebrating its 75th Anniversary in this Millennium Year. To remember this once in a life time celebration, the 75th Anniversary Committee has undertaken the task of bringing a municipal clock to our City. For a limited time, you can become part of Sebastian's history by purchasing an engraved brick for $35.00. The brick can be engrave~ with a friend and/or family name or even ~n remembrm~ce of a loved one. You may obtain an order form at Sebastian City Hall between the hours of 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Monday - Friday. Arbor Day Celebration Florida is Hot, Trees are Cool! Come join the members of the Tree Advisory Board for this year's Arbor Day Celebration to be held at Sebastian City Hall on Saturday, January 21, 2001, at 10:00 a.m. The City grounds will serve to showcase the many, native trees and plants of Florida. Members of the Tree Advisory Beard will be available to answer any questions concerning native plants. Refreshments will be served by the Pelican Island Garden Club. Police Community Service Volunteer Program The Police Department's Community or assisting in any way they can to help get Service Volunteer Program is an important and a valuable asset to the City and residents of Sebastian. The caring and community- minded citizen volunteers who make up this program donate thousands of hours to the City each year. And their only compensation is the knowledge that they have contributed and given something back to the community they love. This program provides an excellent opportunity for the citizens of Sebastian to further their involvement with the community and assist both their neighbors and the police department in better serving our community. The Volunteers work mostly between 8:00 AM and midnight with their primewy responsibility being residential security checks for our out- of-town residents. Other Volunteer services regularly performed include, but are not limited to, traffic and crowd control at community events such as the annual 4th of July celebration, the Halloween Parade, Santa Sail-in, delivering police cars for service and repair, delivering informational packets from City Hall to City Council members and transferring the volumes of reutine paperwork between the police department, the courthouse and the Sheriff's Office. And some volunteers assist around the police station helping with filing, assembling and distributing information the department's jobs accomplished. While on duty, volunteers carry portable police radios. They have three especially marked patrol cars, which are complete with amber warning lights, police radios, flashlights, traffic vests, rain coats, first aid kits and fire extinguishers. The volunteers, although they have no arrest authority, augment and assist the officers on the streets by serving as additional eyes and ears in the community, Membership in the Valunteer Program is open to anyone who can pass the thorough background investigation. Most are from vm'mus professions, including whiteand blue collar workers, the milita~, professional fields, sales and bus drivers. While most of the members are retirees, membership is not limited nor targeted toward retirees. The Volunteer Program Coordinator is Earl Kieffer. Frank Gorchess serves as the Assistant Coordinator. Members include; A1 Schofield, Bill Ward, Jim Stanberry, Bob Ashcroft, Tad Stepowski, Joe Gavaghan, Chris Gumbrecht, Dorothy Kelly, John Perrin, Ernest Hausel; Evelyn Wiltsie and department Chaplain, .Re?.r~nd Frank Camfilo. Anyone interested in ~ommg the Community Volunteer Program should contact either Earl Kieffer or Frank Gorchess at 589-7212. Volunteer Coordinator Earl Kieffer (I) arid Volunteer Bill Ward preparing to go on patrol. 2) ~ls; )od )od rds dch ~ion trel ge ~ Message from City Engineer, Ralph Brescia Civil En§ineering Programs to Benefit the City of Sebastian City of Sebastian Indian River County Water Expansion Program This County administered project is cun-ently underway and is scheduled to be completed by September 2001. At that time after appropriate testing is completed, residents who live north of Collier Creek to Main Street and east to Louisiana Avenue, a total of 1661 parcels, will be able to connect to the system. This includes City Hall and Environs. The project includes 20 miles of pipe and is expected to cost about $3 million, The contractor is Treasure Coast Contractors of Vare Beach. Stormwater Programs Stonecrop Dam Construction The City Engineering Department in conjunction with the St. John's River Water Management District and the State Department of Environmental Protection has initiated a contract with Murray Logan Inc. of West Palm Beach to construct a wetland and vegetation area and a dam to purify and control the canal stormwater system prior to distribution to the south prong of the St. Sebastian Rive~: This waterflow which travels to the St. Sebastian River and eventually flows into the Indian River Lagoon system will be monitored for proper quality. The first phase of the work began in late September and involved a clearing and mulching process kmown as roller chopping. Actual construction began during the first week in November, and is scheduled to be completed in April of 2001. The project is expected to cost approximately $363,000 of which the City of Sebastian is obligated to pay approximately $40,000. The remainder will be paid for by St. John's River Water Management District and the State Department of Environmental Protection. Stormwater Utility Park The St. John's River Water Management District (SJRWMD) has purchased 166 acres formerly known as the Adams parcel for the purpose of creating a series of interconnected retention ponds primarily for water pollution reduction. These retention ponds including a final stage wetland detention area will serve as a water treatment system into the Collier Canal and eventually into the Indian River Lagoon. The SJRWMD is undertaking the entire design and construction responsibilities. The project is expected to take about 3 years to complete. Cost estimatds have not been developed at this time. As part of this development, the City will incorporate a passive recreational park setting including trails, bench stops, and viewing Stormwater Master Plan The City is in the process of soliciting requests for qualifications for stormwater consulting engineers to provide professional direction for the overall stermwater management system in the Cit~ This would include quality issues, flood control, maintenance procedures, and funding alternatives. been installed on the newly paved segment of Barber Street. This work was accomplished by the Indian River County Traffic Division at cost. This liaison between our City and the County is very cost effective in that we don't have the high first cost of purchasing this equipment nor the manpower to handle it. In addition the work is done promptly and professionally. Paving Program The paving program is scheduled to resume operations in late November early December. A survey of the worst condition streets is currently tmderway so as to develop a priority listing program. Prior to beginning paving operations by Ranger Construction of Micco, Public Works crews will be filhng potholes on the worst locations. fu order to make the overall operation costs effective, Ranger Construction will initially be assigned areas where clusters of streets require attention. It is expected that by June of 2001 most critical and marginal areas throughout the City will have been appropriately paved. Traffic Operations The new pavement-mtn.king machine ~vill be put to use right away. A program to install stop bars, approach lines, edge lines and selected channelization is under wa>: All these features will enhance the traffic safe~y elarneqa~s~o~rour ~oadway s-yst0m. On all bridge approaches reflectorized tape is being placed on the front end of the guard rail systems to highlight its location. This is especially effective at night. · In an effort to straighten and cleon all traffic signs throughout the City, we have enlisted the services of the Indian River County Sheriff's Department to provide prisoner help. This service is free and has been highly effective. · Thermoplastic Centerlines, raised pavement markers and edge lines have Example of resident water expansion in progress. PRSRT STD ECRWSS U.S. POSTAGE PAID , FL PERMIT NO. 218 POSTAL PATRON Printed by Total Print, Inc.