HomeMy WebLinkAboutWINTERelican
rief
Vol. 6 No. 2 Offici~l City of Sebastian G~u~rtcrly Newsletter
Municipal Election 2005
By Sally Maio, MMC, City Clerk
The annual City of Sebastian Municipal Election will take place on Tuesday, March
8, 2005 for three two year and one one year City Council seats.
Sebastian Council consists of five members. Elections are conducted in even
numbered years for two council seats, and in odd numbered years for three Council
seats. Municipal elections are at large and non partisan.
The one year vacancy occurred due to the resignation of former Council member
Mike Heptinstall at the December 8, 2004 Regular City Council meeting. Mr. Heptinstall
had more than a year lef~ in his term, a term which would have expired in March
2006. The City Charter provides for filling that vacancy at the next regular election
and that candidates for the one year seat spei~-y that they are specifically running for
that position during qualifying. In addition, terms for Mayor McCollum, Vice Mayor
Barczyk, and Council member Coniglio are due to expire in March 2005.
Candidates for the four Council positions are as follows:
Two Year Terms
Cgote for no more than 3)
Joseph P Barczyk
Brian S. Burkeen
Ray Coniglio
Andrea B. Coy
Jim Hill
Nathan B. McCollum
One Year Term
(Vote for 1)
Sal Neglia
Larry Paul
Edward D. Seeley
City Council members will be sworn in at a special meeting on the Monday evening
following the election, March 14, 2005 at 7:00 p.m. The offices of Mayor and Vice
Mayor will be elected for one year terms by City Council from among its members at
the same special meeting.
Early voting will once again take place in Sebastian City Hall from February 21
through march 7, 2005, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. each day, excluding Sundays.
Information about precincts, polling places, voter registration and early voting
should be directed to Kay Clem, Supervisor of Elections for Indian River County at
567-8187.
Questions specific to the City of Sebastian General Election should be directed to
City Clerk, Sally Malo at 589-8330 or smaio@cityofsebastian.org.
200£
Municipal Complex Progress Report
·Friendship Park is scheduled to be complete by early Spring, 2005.
· Sebastian City Hall and the Sebastian Police Facility are 99% complete with a minimum of
punch list items only remaining.
Please note: The following addresses have been assigned to the buildings located within
the New and Old Municipal Complex.
Police Department ................................................. 1201 Main Street, Sebastian, FL 32958
New City Hall ......................................................... 1225 Main Street, Sebastian, FL 32958
Old City Hall Building ........................... : ............... 1235 Main Street, Sebastian, FL 32958
Public Works/Engineering Building ..................... 1245 Main Street, Sebastian, FL 32958
Old Building Department Building ....................... 1255 main Street, Seb~tian, FL 32958
If there are multiple tenants residing within any building, they will be designated as Suite 1, Suite 2, etc.
City of Sebastian Engineering Department
The City Engineering Department is currently engaged in a number of projects. Here are a few.
Stormwater Utility Capital Improvement Projects
There are eight (8) separate Stormwater Utility capital projects now in progress. All are in final stages of design and the
beginning of permitting and all appear to be on schedule for completion approximately 21-22-months from now. One project,
however, requires special current attention, as noted below.
Before proceeding further with detailed design on the current Stormwater Utility (SWU) capital improvement project
dealing with the dredging of Collier Creek Canal north of CR-512, the engineering design team now requires specific guidance
from City Council 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, varying in terms of projected cost and schedule impact. The best
case now being followed by the engineering design team is estimated to cost less and to have a shorter timeline than other
possible options. The various options are scheduled for discussion at the City Council meeting on Wednesday evening, February
23, 2005.
The Engineering Department and the engineering design teams from Camp Dresser McKee (CDM) and Neel-Schaffer'have
been meeting with St. Johns River Water Management District and with the Army Corps of Engineers regarding permitting
for all aspects of the Stormwater Capital Improvement Program. Those discussions and the process to date have go~e well.
Stormwater Park
St. Johns River Water Management District (S~RWMD) advises construction of the
Starmwater Park south of Englar Drive should be complete about one year from now. The
main portion of the work remaining involves the design and construction of the pump station.
Louisiana Avenue Renovation Project
The Louisiana Avenue Renovation Project has been delayed due to a delay in the relocation
of utility lines that need to be moved before the general contractor can begin full time
operation in the right of way. BellSouth is expected to be complete with their relocation
wark in mid-March which wflI then enable the general contractor, Jobear/Warden, to move
ahead with the programmed improvements in the right-of-way.
The City is receiving a 6-month extension for the project to enable completion within
the deadlines set for the CDBG grant that is funding the major portion of the project. The
new completion date will now be October/November 2005.
Street and Traffic Sign Restoration
As we all know, it took many years to put all of the street and traffic signs in place in the City and it took only a few hours
of hurricane force winds to knock them all down. The city recognizes the need for rapid progress and is working on the much-
needed restoration as fast as possible with the resources at hand. This priority effort is driven by the needs of FEMA, emergency
vehicles, law enforcement, residents, commercial traffic, and visitors but, at the current rate, it will still be a number of months
before we are back to "normal".
Anyone having or spotting an especially urgent need for street and/or traffic signage should please call the Engineering
Department at 589-5490. We will try to accommodate any justified out-of-schedule requests if we can.
Easy Street Renovation Project and
Pedestrian Bridges at Several Canal Crossings
The city's General Services Administration Department is currently in the process of negotiating a contract agreement
with the engineering firm Neel-Schaffer for the design of the renovation of Easy Street and for pedestrian bridges at several
canal crossings in the City.
Realignment of Barber Street Between Arcadia and Tracy Drive
The Engineering Department is working with local engineering firm Schulke, Bittle & Stoddard on a proposal for the
realignment of Barber Street between Arcadia and Tracy Drive. This matter is now scheduled to go before City Council in
March. Indian River County is also contributing funding for the project.
New Computer System and Revision of Procedures
The Engineering Department is collaborating with the City Building Department in the launch of the Building Department's
new "IMS" computer program. This process is expected to result in revisions that will streamline the building permit process
and field inspections. It is also expected to provide a basis for further opportunities for cost effective and time-saving revisions
to City procedures.
And Finally: Do You Have a Question? A Comment? A Complaint~f
Please do not hesitate to call the Engineering Department at 589-5490. We will do our best to provide a timely response
to all inquiries. Really.
- Dave Fischer
City Engineer
Our Coastal Watershed
What's is a Coastal Watershed?
A watershed is a geographic area in which all sources of water including
the rivers, streams, lakes, wetlands as well as ground water, drain into a
common surface water body. Because ail watersheds are defined by natural
hydrology and ultimately drain to coastal waters, they are a good fecai point
for managing coastal resources. In Sebastian the watershed drains into the
Indian River Lagoon, a distinctive estuary that ex~ends from Volusia county
to our south. This estuary provides a unique habitat for a diverse group of
organisms, It is the breeding and feeding grounds for a variety of aquatic
and terrestrial animals.
What are some of the Impacts on our Coastal Watershed?
Loose soft from construction sites, farms, and other areas where dirt is
exposed can wash off into the streams and rivers when it rains and flow to
our estuary. The result is muddy waters which leave deposits in the Lagoon
that smother the organisms living on the bettom, decrease the amount of
sunlight reaching the sea grass beds, and clog fish gills. Some types of
pollutants can bind to the sediment and flow with it to the coastal waters.
Excess nutrients and pesticides can also wash off the land when it rains
and end up in the coastal waters. Sources of excess nutrients include lawn
and garden fertilizers and pesticides, pet and farm animal waste, decaying
plant material, and failing septic tanks. The loss of wetlands in many
watersheds has reduced the ability of nature to process these nutrients before
they enter rivers, streams, and ultLmately estuaries.
Toxic substances such as lead, oils, antifreeze, brake linings and greases
deposited on the roads from cars, trucks and buses, can all run offthe streets
and land with the rainfall. Commercial and industrial sites can also contribute
to the amount of toxic substances entering the coastal waters.
What can I do to help protect our watershed, you ask?
You can do several things to help protect our beautiful Indian River lagoon.
· Start in your back yard through sensible lawn care, and resource
conservation. Use pesticides and lawn fertilizers sparingly and correctly.
Composite organic waste.
· Practice good housekeeping by properly disposing of toxic substances like
paint and paint thinners, automotive fluids and cleaning products. Take
your toxic wastes to the Indian River County Recycling centers. Many of
the local automotive stores collect and recycle automotive wastes.
· When walking your dog remember to pick up the waste and dispose of it
properly. Do not leave it on the ground where it will increase the public
heaith risks by allowing harmful bacteria and nutrient to wash into the
storm system. Flush it to your septic system.
· Properly maintain your boat, use pump eut facilities, and operate your
boat in a responsible manner to avoid shoreline erosion.
· Pick up litter when you see it and properly dispose of your own trash.
· Take your car to a car wash where the water is cleaned and recycled or
wash your car over your lawn where the nutrient rich soapy water is good
fertilizer but can lead to algae blooms in canais streams and the Indian
River Lagoon.
It is our duty as responsible citizens to start at home and do everything
possible to protect our great natural resources, especially the Indian River
Lagoon, a special waterbody that provides us with all types of wildlife,
recreation and enjoyment.
City of Sebastian Volunteer Program
The City of Sebastian has developed a Volunteer Program! Ms. Jane
Kresge has agreed to come on board as a volunteer, Volunteer Coordinator.
Ms. Kresge will coordinate the application, background and orientation
process in conjunction with the Human Resource Department. Ifyan are
interested in volunteering or if you would like more information about the
program, please contact Ms. Jane Kresge in the Human Resources
Department at 388-8206.
IRCC WANTS TO OFFER MORE CLASSES IN
SEBASTIAN!
Indian River Community College (IRCC) currently offers classes at
Sebastian River High School. In Fall, 2005, IRCC will offer additional
classes at another central location in Sebastian. We would appreciate
your input on the types of classes that you may be interested in.
Thank you for your valuable time!
Following are possible subjects that might be offered by IRCC in
Sebastian. Please check subjects in which you have an interest:
Academic Subjects (Math, English, etc.) [3 YES
Education/Teaching [~] YES
Business ~] YES
Computers ~] YES
Office Skills ~ YES
Early Childhood [-I YES
EMT ~ YES
Nursing ~ YES
GED/High School Completion [~ YES
Other (please List:
Gender:
Age Range:
Educational Background:
Fl High School Diploma or GED
~ Associates Degree
~1 Bachelor's Degree or higher
Previously attended IRCC?
Optional: Name:
Phone/Emafl:
ABOUT YOU
[-I Male ~ Female
[3 18-22 [~1 23-29 [~ 30-39
40-49 [3 50+
YEs [3 NO
IRCC INTEREST
This is for me
This is for a friend or relative
Thank you for your time!
Please mail completed survey to: IRCC Mueller Campus, 6155
College Lane, Vero Beach, FL 32966, or fax to: 226-2520. If you would
like to receive information on upcoming classes, contact Katie Nail,
Program Director, IRCC Mueller Campus, knail@ircc.edu, 226-2525.
Ideas for Sebastian courses welcome/
POSTAL PATRON
PRSRT STD
ECRWSS
U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
VERO BEACH, FL
PERMIT NO. 218
Printed by Total Print, Inc., Sebastian, FL