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HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-28-20051225 Main Street ~ Sebastian, Florida 32958 Telephone (772) 589-5330 [] Fax (772) 589-5570 City Council Information Letter Janua 28,2005 Collier Creek Waterway Improvement Pro.qram A meeting took place in my office earlier this week involving staff from the Department of Engineering, Stormwater Utility Division, as well as consultants representing the City of Sebastian regarding design and financial management matters concerning the status of implementation of the Sebastian Stormwater Utility Master Capital Improvement Program, specifically and notably the Collier Creek Waterway Improvement Project. As previously reported, a presentation to City Council, initially slated to take place during your February 9th session, has been rescheduled to the February 23rd meeting. This arrangement becomes appropriate so as to enable compilation of all logistics regarding implementation of dredging and other infrastructure supporting the waterway, including participation of adjacent property owners, financial transactions and otherwise. As referenced in the attached electronic mail message as compiled and delivered by City Engineer David Fisher, options to clarify and define the scope of the project are to be made available publicly during this time, enabling City Council to offer direction accordingly. Louisiana Avenue Improvement Pro,qram As previously reported, crews from both the City of Sebastian and the Florida Power and Light Company recently completed facility and infrastructure relocation activities necessary to accommodate the implementation of the Louisiana Avenue Improvement Program. I am also pleased to advise that Comcast Cablevision is up to date on their commitment relative to utility adjustments for this purpose. As referenced in the attached electronic mail message as compiled and delivered by City Engineer David Fisher, BellSouth will begin its process next week, including the completion of applicable aerial work (overhead lines) by Friday, February 18th and more complex underground activities by Monday, March 14th. As City Council Information Letter January 28, 2005 Page 2 BellSouth represents the final phase of preconstruction preparation governing utilities. City of Sebastian commissioned construction contractor Jobear / Warden will therefore be able to commence with both staking and right-of-way clearing activities beginning next week. These arrangements will then enable more substantive construction activities, to ultimately yield completion of the overall project within the next several months. Expansion of Aircraft Fueling Services at Sebastian Municipal Airport As some of you may be aware, a couple of representatives from Sebastian Municipal Airport based businesses recently expressed some trepidation regarding the City of Sebastian's plans to soon initiate a program to expand aircraft fueling operations. You may also recall authorization of a funding agreement with the Florida Department of Transportation Aviation Section during your December 8, 2004 session that will yield financial assistance towards various additional capital projects, notably infrastructure to position a fueling station accordingly. Airport Director Jason Milewski, City Attorney Rich Stringer, Mayor Nathan McCollum and I recently met with respective tenants to discuss and clarify the merits of this initiative, as well as to communicate ideas that may yield opportunities for their business. As such, Jason and Rich will host follow up discussions in an effort to further address and respond to concerns accordingly. It is therefore anticipated that Jason will soon be in position to offer recommendations regarding resolutions to respective concerns. Old Sebastian Elementary/City Hall Restoration ProRram As City of Sebastian commissioned architect John Dean is currently finalizing plans to govern scope of improvements to benefit the Old Sebastian Elementary School/City Hall Interior Restoration Program, please be advised that a second contractor selection process will begin in the coming days. This effort, a second attempt at securing competitive proposals from interested firms available to assist accordingly, will result in presentations and recommendations to be offered to City Council in the coming weeks. Respective progress reports and updates have been forwarded and accepted by the State of Florida Bureau of Historic Preservation. As such, the City of Sebastian's final commitment to this agency relative to our grant funding agreement is the delivery of a fully City Council Information Letter January 28, 2005 Page 3 executed contract with a selected and qualified construction company by June 2005. Municipal Complex Final Expenditure Report The attached January 26, 2005 spreadsheet report represents the most recent and final summary of total expenditures related to the development and construction of the Sebastian Municipal Complex. As referenced in both the total budget and interest earnings columns, overall project funds available totaled $11,627,691.29 (including bond proceeds, Bureau of Historic Preservation Grant for Old Schoolhouse/City Hall Restoration Program, as well as a $6,500 Fiscal Year 2004 third quarter $6,500 adjustment to finance costs associated with shuffleboard court installation). Total expenditures as of the most recent report available equate to $10,292,700.59. The current outstanding encumbered amount is $693,213, which also represents various related purchase orders, leaving remaining project funds available at $641,777.70 ($547,171.44 of which is to finance costs of the Old Schoolhouse Restoration Program). Final payments will be engaged as both outstanding "punch list" items concerning New City Hall and the Sebastian Police Station, as well as of Friendship Park have been completed. As previously reported, park facilities currently remain on schedule to become available for public use within the next several weeks. Pelican Island Wildlife Festival Once again, the City of Sebastian is working with the Pelican Island Preservation Society to begin plans for yet another Pelican Island Wildlife Festival. Activities for this year's program, scheduled to take place Saturday, March 12th (Sunday, March 13th rain date) include another 5 kilometer run, boat rides to Pelican Island, as well as the availability of vendor and educational booths and stations from participants organized nationally. As such, respective recommendations regarding preparation for the event will be offered publicly to City Council during a regular meeting sometime in February. As accompanying agenda transmittal will be provided to this effect, incorporating review and acknowledgement by staff in the Office of the City Manager, the Parks and Recreation Division of the Department of Public Works and the Sebastian Police Department. City Council Information Letter January 28, 2005 Page 4 Closin,q Remarks As stated in my initial letter of resignation as presented to City Council Monday, December 20, 2004, service with the City of Sebastian has been an invaluable experience for numerous reasons. It has definitely been a pleasure to have worked with everyone involved, from field employees and representatives to various City Council members elected by the community, with a common goal of helping the City of Sebastian remain a great place to live, work and play. Although not everyone agrees with some decisions having been made regarding such, I remain confident that a general consensus exists in the community that many solid accomplishments were made, indicative of a job well done by all. As such, my sincerest hope is that this general focus continues, with the best interest of every segment of the community in mind. Aside from the aforementioned status reports outlined in today's summary, other opportunities remain available to the City of Sebastian applicable to respective objectives. Examples to this effect include the continuation of park development activities, existing facility repair and improvement programs, notably the Sebastian Yacht Club, as well as responsive customer service resulting from day to day operations. All departments have been formally directed in many respects to maintain this momentum after my departure, with the intent of ensuring a smooth transition. As shared with department directors during my last management team meeting yesterday morning, June and I recently became successful in securing both temporary and permanent housing in Las Cruces. As I am sure that each of you are aware, such relocation practices are always cumbersome, and therefore not very enjoyable. In the long term however, respective sacrifices with be worthy, given the opportunities for both personal and professional growth available as a result of the appointment to the position of City Manager, Las Cruces, New Mexico. Should any of you require speaking with me for any reason, whether for business and/or if I may be of personal assistance, I can be contacted via the following, effective Monday, February 14, 2005: Terrence Moore, City Manager City of Las Cruces 200 North Church Street, City Hall City Council Information Letter January 28, 2005 Page 5 P.O. Box 20000 Las Cruces, New Mexico 88001 (505) 541-2076 I wish each of you and yours, as well as the entire City of Sebastian family, all the best, continued success and good luck. Please take care of yourselves. Enclosure(s): Electronic Mail Message from City Engineer David Fisher - Collier Creek Canal - Dredging and Related Seawall Issues Electronic Mail Message from City Engineer David Fisher - Louisiana Avenue Renovation - Current Items Municipal Complex Final Expenditure Spreadsheet Report - January 26, 2005 Electronic Mail Message from Parks and Recreation Superintendent Chris McCarthy - 2005 Pelican Island Wildlife Festival My Docu ments/In fo Lett er242 Terrence Moore From: Sent: To: Cc: Subject: David Fisher Wednesday1 January 26, 2005 3:56 PM Terrence Moore; Rich Stringer; Shai Francis; Ken Jones 'grotkeej~cdm.com'; 'jlarson@kpsp.com'; 'bspivey@kpsp.cpm' Collier Creek Canal -- Dredging and Related Seawall Issues / Update & Clarification This to advise and confirm the clarification(s) from the meeting this morning (Engineering Dept. viewpoint): Before proceeding further with detailed design on the current Stormwater Utility capital improvement project dealing with the dredging of Collier Creek Canal north of CR-512, the engineering design team now requires specific guidance as to the design approach to be used in dealing with the "seawalls" currently lining both sides of the canal there. (There is approximately one mile of canal with a total of approximately 120 parcels/owners directly abutting the canal in that area.) There are several options for such "seawall" treatment. Only one should be chosen before proceeding much further. As all options will likely require some form of "homeowner assessment program", it is now timely to bring the matter before City Council for further discussion and decision as to which option to pursue. The options at hand vary in terms of projected cost and schedule impact and, therefore, vary dramatically in the comparative magnitudes of the homeowner assessment programs for the various options, It should be noted that any option costing more / taking longer than the lowest cost / shortest timeline base case may well deliver additional perceived benefits but not likely to provide much significant incremental benefit to the City's stormwater program. (i.e., the incremental benefits provided by the higher cost options are not critical requirements for moving forward with the City's Master Stormwater Management Plan.) The question about schedule impact in this matter relating to compliance with the bond issue has been answered: City will still be in technical compliance with the terms and conditions of the current SWU bond issue if City uses best efforts but is not yet complete with the subject project by the currently scheduled completion date of 4Q 2006, · CDM to meet further with City to provide as much cost / schedule impact clarification as possible prior to a now- scheduled presentation to City Council on 23 Feb 05. Thanks for the meeting. -- Dave Fisher Terrence Moore From: Sent: To: Cc: Subject: David Fisher Thursday, Janua~j 27, 2005 3:48 PM 'rmelchiod@ neel-schaffer, com'; 'jlswarden@cfl.rr.com' Terrence Moore; Jim Davis; 'Kimbedyjordangrants(~yahoo.com' Louisiana Avenue Renovation - Current Items Rick -- I had meetings today with BellSouth and, in the field, with John Huy of Jobear / Warden. Bottom Line Info: BellSouth is now giving this top priority. (Terrence called the PSC on them.) They now think they can be done with the aerial work by 18 Feb 05 and the more complex underground work by 14 March 05. That is consistent with Jobear / Warden then taking their contractual 210 days thereafter to complete the project by 13 Oct 05, the date we hope to be given by a 6-month extension from DCA (which Kimberly Daniels of Jordan Grants is working on). Jobear / Warden plans to be in next week per BellSouth request to do some staking and partial ROW clearing on the west side of LA Ave between Palmetto and Main Street. John Huy of Jobear/Warden wants review and clarification of the overall utility relocation plan, particularly regarding several specific poles looking to be in conflict with the drawings. I concur with him. Told him we can get with you early next week to review same in field. · BellSouth engineer contact numbers are Jim Dierdo[f at 772-460-4421 and, over him, Mike Koenig at 772-466- 5651. Please advise your schedule so we can arrange to meet soonest next week on this. Thanks. -- Dave Terrence Moore From: Sent: To: Cc: Subject: Chris McCarthy Monday, January 24, 2005 11:11 AM Terrence Moore Terry Hill 2005 Pelican Island Festival information for your newsletter Terrence, Terry Hill Jerry Converse, Paul Graves, Chief Davis and I met with representatives from the Pelican Island Wildlife Festival on Thursday, January 20, 2005 to discuss logistics for this year's event. The event will be held on Saturday, March 12, 2005 from 9AM until 4PM with a rain date of Sunday March 13, 2005. This year they are adding a 5K Run to the event from 7AM until 8AM. The 5K Run will require Indian River Drive to be closed from Harrison St. north to the north City Limit from 6 to 8AM. When the run is finished, Indian Drive from Sebastian Blvd. south to Harrison St. will remain closed until 5PM. Kayak rides will be launched into the river across from the Park. Boat rides out to Pelican Island will pick up and drop off at the new piers. Parking will be available south of the Veterans Memorial and vendor parking will be east of the Hess Station. The festival committee will provide porti potties to ease the traffic into the restrooms in the Park. I will prepare an agenda transmittal with logistics for the event to present for Council approval at their February 9, 2005 meeting. ( Chris