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HomeMy WebLinkAbout06192001Workshop1. Mayor Barnes called the Workshop to order at 7:00 p.m. 2. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. 3. ROLL CALL City Council Present: Mayor Walter Barnes Vice Mayor Ben A. Bishop Mr. Joe Barczyk Mr. Edward J. Majcher, Jr. Mr. James Hill Staff Present: City Manager, Terrence Moore City Attorney, Rich Stringer City Clerk, Sally Maio Deputy City Clerk, Jeanette Williams City Engineer, Ralph Brescia Finance Director, Mark Mason S HOME OF PELICAN ISLAND SEBASTIAN CITY COUNCIL MINUTES TUESDAY, JUNE 19, 2001 7:00 P.M. CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS 1225 MAIN STREET, SEBASTIAN, FLORIDA STORMWATER UTILITY PUBLIC PRESENTATION AND WORKSHOP 4. SEBASTIAN STORMWATER UTILITY PRESENTATION A. Where We Are and Where We're Going Rich Stringer, City Attorney The City Attorney explained the Stormwater Utility process, citing the need based on the poor condition of the adopted GDC Swale system and increased costs for maintenance, and forthcoming federal and state mandates with regards to limiting sediment runoff into waterways which will require improvements to the City's drainage system. He said state agencies will be requiring dedicated funding sources for grants related to such improvement projects, and the stormwater utility system is gaining more and more acceptance and is a bondable revenue source. City Council Stormwater Workshop S une 19, 2001 age Two TAPE 1- SIDE 11(7: 47 p.m.) B. Establishing a Stormwater Utility Stephen R. Sedgewick. PE, Camp, Dresser and McKee Mr. Sedgewick gave a presentation on establishing a stormwater utility including the ERU analysis for the 9600 building units in the City, establishment of a stormwater utility database to interact with the Indian River County Property Appraiser's office, public information program and implementation. He introduced his associate, Eric Grotke. A copy of Mr. Sedgewick's presentation is available in City Hall and includes all facts and figures presented. Mr. Sedgewick and staff members then responded to questions from Council relative to the method used to determine the ERU, the fact that non residential ERU's will be determined on an individual basis, that there will be an item on the June 27 agenda relative to the master planning process, that the ERU charge will be charged to the property owner, that March 10, 2003 is the EPA deadline to receive applications from cities but that the State of Florida could come down with more stringent deadlines, and that it would not be cost efficient for people to try to reduce their impervious surface. C. Financial Implications Mark Mason, Finance Director The Finance Director cited the possible sunset of the 1 cent local option sales tax in 2004, a source of revenue that has funded many drainage programs in the City; mandates of the Comprehensive Land Use Plan adopted in 1997 for the City to spend $31 million for stormwater over the next ten years; the current annual cost of $856,000 for stormwater maintenance programs; uses of the stormwater utility revenues for capital improvements and maintenance; the proposed annual cost of $48 per ERU (equivalent residential unit), and the use of the approximately $429,000 in annual revenues from the utility, $375,000 of which could be a bondable revenue source for capital improvements mandates, and the remainder for maintenance. The City Attorney said he had advised staff that in the first year, those revenues should not be encumbered or spent until it is shown that the program will fly. D. The Big Picture Bringing It All Together Terrence Moore, City Manager 5. COUNCIL QUESTIONS Troy Rice, St. Johns River Water Management District, reported on progress of the former Adams site for retention, stated that the swale system is better for percolation and removing pollutants and that if piping is used, it will be directed to retention areas in the City. The City Manager discussed the possibility of use of passive park tracts for some of the retention. Mr. Rice distributed a plan for the Adams property, and encouraged use of the stormwater utility process. 6. PUBLIC DISCUSSION The City Manager discussed the use of the stormwater utility process, a very successful and well received tool in the State of Florida, and briefly described past stormwater issues in the City including the Craven study; and recommended this process as good management and affordable. The following members of the public addressed City Council: Bill Germann suggested damming the spillway coming into the St. Sebastian River at the CR512 bridge and an area on Majestic. 2 City Council Stormwater Workshop -tune 19, 2001 age Three Mr. Rice noted that SJRWMD is working with Indian River County on retrofitting runoff from Vero Lake Estates. Alita Hirshfeld asked why residents should pay for this when the City states there is extra money in the budget TAPE 11- SIDE 1 (8;34 p.m.) Sal Neglia discussed the use of park tracts, whether there will be increases, whether service will be increased Baxter Coston inquired about the cost to owners of vacant properties and was advised they will pay a percentage of the ERU but that the formula has not yet been established; and asked about maintenance costs for curb and gutter. The City Attomey responded that curb and gutter is maintenance free for the first ten years but stressed it has not been decided what actual methods will be used. He noted that swale and perc is the best method but may not be best for an urban setting. Carolyn Corum expressed concern for another imposed tax and recommended modeling be done to determine if any proposed system is going to work before implemented Herb Sturm suggested the City enforce codes which prohibit restricting the flow of water by citing people who park in swales, and recommended use of Schumann Lake and better maintenance of existing ditches Bill Germann added that the City is full of lakes which could be utilized. Mr. Sedgewick said the City is being surveyed to determine available retention areas exist, that modeling will be done and options will be presented to City Council. City Council discussion followed and Mr. Bishop noted that the agenda speaks for itself, that this is a workshop to address a funding source and that specifics of the plan will be addressed when the plan is complete and brought forward for City Council action at a later date. 7. REVIEW OF TIMETABLE The City Attorney cited the schedule as follows: July 11, 2001 City Council will be asked to adopt the preliminary rate July 24, 2001 Property Appraiser deadline for preliminary estimate to be included in TRIM notice July 25, 2001 first reading of Ordinance establishing the stormwater utility August 22, 2001 2n reading and final adoption of Ordinance establishing the stormwater utility September 12, 2001- City Council will be asked to adopt the final rate and certify assessment roll 8. Mayor Barnes adjoumed the workshop at 9:07 p.m. Approved at the June 27th W t 04-0 Walter rnes Mayo Sally A. Mai City Cler 2001 Regular City Council Meeting. 3 STORMWATER WORKSHOP SIGN -UP SHEET JUNE 19, 2001 NAME 7 Z') ADDRESS 3 L 3 2 90 1/ Grcr74 7 /)37- 6 -j-€ /2), fe4124 j NAME ADDRESS NAME ADDRESS NA ADDRESS NAME ADDRESS NAME ADDRESS NAME ADDRESS NAME ADDRESS NAME ADDRESS NAME ADDRESS NAME ADDRESS NAME ADDRESS NAME ADDRESS `NAME ADDRESS NAME ADDRESS NAME ADDRESS 368 �tet, 44_,)