Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout02122014 MinutesCmof HOME OF PELICAN ISLAND SEBASTIAN CITY COUNCIL MINUTES REGULAR MEETING WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2014 - 6:30 P.M. CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS 1225 MAIN STREET, SEBASTIAN, FLORIDA Mayor McPartlan called the Regular Meeting to order at 6:30 pm. 2. Invocation was given by Council Member Gillmor in the absence of Father John Morrissey, St. Sebastian Catholic Church. 3. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Council Member Adams. 4. ROLL CALL City Council Present: Mayor Bob McPartlan Vice Mayor Jim Hill Council Member Jerome Adams Council Member Andrea Coy Council Member Richard Gillmor City Staff Present: Interim City Manager, Joe Griffin City Attorney, Robert Ginsburg City Clerk, Sally Maio Administrative Services Director, Debra Krueger Building Director, Wayne Eseltine Finance Director, Ken Killgore Police Chief, Michelle Morris Systems Analyst, Barbara Brooke -Reese 5. AGENDA MODIFICATIONS Modifications and additions require unanimous vote of City Council members Mayor McPartlan requested the addition of Marine Corps Toys for Tots representatives who had a presentation to make to the City after item 6D. 6. PROCLAMATIONS, AWARDS, BRIEF ANNOUNCEMENTS Presentations of proclamations, certificates and awards, and brief timely announcements by Council and Staff. No public input or action under this heading. 14.024 A. Proclamation — Heart Health Month — Accepted by Dr. Nasir Rizwi Mayor McPartlan read and presented the proclamation to local Cardiologist Dr. Rizwi, who discussed the importance of heart health awareness and steps to stay healthy. Regular City Council Meeting February 12, 2014 Page Two 14.025 B. Proclamation — African American History Month Mayor McPartlan read the proclamation. 14.026 C. Certification of Appreciation to Jerry Deredita — Natural Resources Board Mayor McPartlan read and presented the certificate of appreciation to Mr. Deredita. Mr. Deredita thanked Council for the opportunity to serve. 14.027 D. Certificate of Appreciation to Jim, Olivia and Jake Sunnycalb in Recognition of Contributions to Sebastian Parks & City Events Mayor McPartlan read and presented the certificate of appreciation for community service to Jim, Olivia and Jake Sunnycalb. Jim Sunnycalb told about their websites that promote the City, www.sunnyswildlife.com and www.sebastianbarkpark.com, noting there is a lost and found area for pets on the website. He said he and his family do these things to promote Sebastian and they are know as Team Sunnycalb, it takes all three of them and it makes Sebastian a better place to live. New D.1. Toys for Tots Presentation to City Mayor McPartlan introduced Vick and Tim with the Marine Corps Reserves Toys for Tots program who presented certificates to the Mayor and Chief of Police for their agencies' contributions to a successful toy drive in 2013. 14.028 E. Vincent Burke, Indian River County Utilities Director — Presentation North Sewer Feasibility Study Vincent Burke, IRC Utilities Director, introduced Arjuna Werbegoda, Indian River County Utilities, and Earl Masteller, Masteller Moler Inc., who prepared the North County Feasibility Study (a PDF of the study is in Laserfiche accessible from the City website), gave a presentation on the study (see attached) which was presented to the Indian River County Commission the day before (see IRC agenda transmittal and backup provided to Council the day of this meeting). He said this is being done to be good stewards for the Indian River Lagoon, based on information recently reported in many different meetings in regard to lagoon issues about septic and fertilizer intrusion. The power point cited the location of the north area study, existing lines that 60% have not connected to, and alternative methods of septic with gravity seen as the best method and least expensive in this case. He talked about assessment programs that could be used and efforts to seek grant funding, said he appreciated support for town hall meetings with residents to get a dialogue going. In response to Ms. Coy, Mr. Burke provided a map showing what areas of Sebastian were covered in the study. She said she was disappointed that the proposed lines do not go below Main Street. Mr. Hill asked Mr. Burke if sewer is available south of Main Street and Mr. Burke said it was. Ms. Coy said there are some holes showing in the map where there appear to be no lines, specifically in the area of the presidential streets project. Mr. Burke said they were here to start a dialogue, and Ms. Coy encouraged them to use our building for meetings to move forward. 1) Regular City Council Meeting February 12, 2014 Page Three Mr. Gillmor asked if there were any studies to reflect an offset for connection costs, such as increase of house valuation to make it more attractive to sell and Mr. Burke responded there are areas that are commercially constrained due to only septic connection, so that would reflect in economic development, but on the residential side, he did not have figures but said he could look into it. He reported they are using the studies to seek State and district grants to offset costs, and further discussed proposed payment plans. Mr. Gillmor said they had paid for their sewer costs through their water bill in Key Largo. Mr. Hill said there may be consideration to have a discussion on mandatory connection, noting when water came through it essentially became mandatory, noting the lagoon health and proximity will have to be part of the discussion as well as how someone could pay for it over time, was glad to see the study done and that he looked forward to further discussion on this because is it directly adjacent to the biggest issue we are dealing with in Indian River County. Mr. Adams thanked Mr. Burke for coming and asked if the project goes forward does Indian River County plan to expand to the rest of Sebastian. Mr. Burke responded yes they would like to provide centralized sewer but as complex as it is, it would have to be broken into pieces, it will not be an overnight process, and if successful they will be looking at other areas. He said an internal study is being done based on a Volusia study that has criteria they used on where best to install the centralized sewer based on a ranking system. He said the costs for the connection stay with the property. Ms. Coy noted the maps showed some areas where the lines would not reach certain residences along the study area as the map area widens out, and Mr. Burke said that map shows existing infrastructure, not the same as the maps in the study. In response to Ms. Coy's question about whether some of this subject area was paid for in impact fees years ago to Indian River County, and had anyone looked into that history to see what Sebastian may have already paid to the County for sewer services, and Mr. Burke said he would have to go back and research what fees were paid, but someone would only pay and impact fee if the service was available to the particular property. Earl Masteller said his company designed the sewer system in the early 1990s, and it was financed by a lot of business owners in the City and surrounding area, who pledged impact fees for a system, at a cost of $25 per ERU to fund the study that cost $25K at the time, to see if the study could develop an arterial system to take 14 package plants out of line along the river and also build a wastewater treatment plant in Hobart Park, and the study came back and said it was feasible, and paid for by a commitment of impact fees by potential users and IRC used that commitment to get their bonding and then participants paid the impact fees so they funded the project themselves, and it has not been a raving success for people connecting, but also that future residents would connect and flow into that arterial system. He said there have been discussions over the years, and it turns out that gravity system turns out to be the least expensive. He said one magic part of this is not only is it an environmental project but is also an economic project. He noted that if you look closely at property south of Main Street basically have frontage between IR Drive and US and in effect already have access to sewer, so they don't want to design a project to re- sewer. Regular City Council Meeting February 12, 2014 Page Four 14.029 F. Graham Cox — Presentation and Request for Funding for Garden Boxes in Sebastian Schools Graham Cox showed a DVD of various teachers and students who were participating in the garden box program at their schools. Upon completion of the video, Mr. Cox said the program funded by the Audubon Society needs approximately $5000 to keep it going and expand to other schools. He said Peter Sutherland gave up one year of his life to keep it going, the program is in 13 schools, and asked for Council's endorsement and asked for suggestions as to where else he might go to seek assistance. He said $100 will pay for one garden box. Mayor McPartlan said he can do a letter of support to the School Board on his behalf. 14.030 G. Elizabeth Graves -Bass and Rebecca Rickey, Vero Heritage, Inc. — Brief Presentation Fourth Annual Heritage Celebration 3/13/14 Rebecca Rickey and Elizabeth Graves -Bass presented information on the March 13th 4th Annual Festival at Heritage Center called "If These Walls Could Talk ", which will highlight ten buildings in Indian River County, when they were built and what has changed around them, and handed out a brochure. Ms. Rickey said the point of the event is to get people to walk through the County. She said the cost of the event is $10 per person and it is a fundraiser for the non - profit. H. Brief Announcements i. Sebastian Little League Opening Day — 75th Anniversary — 2/15/14 — 10 am ii. Sebastian Art Club in Riverview Park — 2/15/14 and 2/16/14 — 10am -4pm iii. Sebastian Chamber Concert in Riverview Park — 2/21/14 — 5:30 pm -8 pm Mayor McPartlan read the above announcements. He said Little League is still looking for volunteers. 7. CONSENT AGENDA All items on the consent agenda are considered routine and will be enacted by one motion. There will be no separate discussion of consent agenda items unless a member City Council so requests; in which event, the item will be removed and acted upon separately. If a member of the public wishes to provide input on a consent agenda item, he /she should request a Council Member to remove the item for discussion prior to start of the meeting or by raising his/her hand to be recognized. A. Approval of Minutes — January 15, 2014 Workshop B. Approval of Minutes — January 22, 2014 Regular Meeting 14.031 C. Approve (Renew) and Authorize Mayor to Execute Voluntary Mutual Aid Agreement Between City of Sebastian and City of Vero Beach for Law Enforcement Assistance under Florida Mutual Aid Act (PD Transmittal, Agreement) 14.032 D. Community Center Use — Approve Alcoholic Beverage Use in City Building — Birthday Party (Name on File) February 15, 2014 6 pm to 10 pm (Parks Transmittal, Receipt, Rental Permit Application) 21 Regular City Council Meeting February 12, 2014 Page Five 14.033 E. Yacht Club Use — Approve Alcoholic Beverage Use in City Building — Birthday Party (Name on File) — March 1, 2014 2 pm to 7 pm (Parks Transmittal, Receipt, Rental Permit Application) MOTION by Ms. Coy and SECOND by Mr. Gillmor to approve the consent agenda passed on a voice vote of 5 -0. 8. COMMITTEE REPORTS & APPOINTMENTS City committee reports and Council Member regional committee reports. No public input or action except for City committee member nominations and appointments under this heading. Mr. Adams reported on the Treasure Coast Council of Local Governments meeting discussion on lagoon issues, specifically on a hybrid septic system that Vero Beach has been considering and making presentations. He asked if Council would like to ask them to make a presentation to Council. Ms. Coy said State legislation currently precludes this type of system and would have to be changed to allow. Mr. Adams said we could get on the bandwagon to get it changed. Ms. Coy said she would rather compete for State money to fund a gravity system, and would not be opposed but did not want us to get on overload, and wait until the State says okay to the hybrid septic system. Mr. Adams reiterated if we don't try to get the State to say okay it may not happen. Mr. Hill agreed, said we do have a lot of presentations and this portion of the meetings takes a lot of time, and we are already going ahead with potential of a system and then to spend time in dealing with an issue that isn't even legal. He said he was pleased to see the County presentation tonight, and we need to keep focused on sewer in the CRA district. Mr. Adams reported on another drop in the unemployment rate for Indian River County to 7.1% and Statewide to 6.2 %, and the proposed creation of a Maritime Institute in Fort Pierce. Ms. Coy reported on her visit with Mr. Griffin to FIT and her attendance at the Harbor Branch seminar. She said Harbor Branch was attended by the five County Commissioner group and there is another conference in March on the lagoon. She said FIT and FAU have stepped up for the lagoon. She said FIT has reported that there is data already in place on the lagoon in this area, it was sent to her and now she we need someone to be able to read and understand the data. Ms. Coy asked Mr. Gillmor why Council was getting emails from Pat Christensen in regard to Treasure Coast Regional League of Cities, and Mr. Gillmor responded she is now the Executive Director. Ms. Coy asked if she is being paid, and whether a background check was done. Mr. Gillmor said there was an RFP and she was the only one who applied. Ms. Coy said she was a little disappointed with that choice and our tax dollars are paying, that we pay to belong to Florida League of Cities. Mr. Gillmor said the money we get is from the participation in insurance and we don't pay money to the League of Cities. Mr. Griffin said he would find out. Mr. Gillmor said he found it disheartening to discuss this right now, and Ms. Coy said she is disappointed that TCRLC only got one person for the job and the organization has lost some credibility with her. Regular City Council Meeting February 12, 2014 Page Six Mr. Adams announced a job fair in Port St. Lucie the next day with 25 employers. 9. PUBLIC HEARINGS 14.015 A. Second Reading and Public Hearinq of Ordinance No. 0 -14 -01 — Florida City Gas Line Franchise (Interim City Manager Transmittal, 0- 14 -01, Gas Map Under Separate Cover) AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF SEBASTIAN, INDIAN RIVER COUNTY FLORIDA; PROVIDING A SHORT TITLE; PROVIDING FINDINGS AND INTENT; GRANTING TO PIVOTAL UTILITY HOLDINGS, INC., DBA FLORIDA CITY GAS, ITS SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS, A NON - EXCLUSIVE FRANCHISE FOR A PERIOD OF 25 YEARS TO CONSTRUCT, OPERATE, MAINTAIN, OWN AND TRANSPORT IN THE CITY OF SEBASTIAN, FLORIDA, WORKS FOR THE MANUFACTURE, TRANSMISSION, DISTRIBUTION, TRANSPORTATION, AND SALE OF GAS, INCLUDING NATURAL, MANUFACTURED OR MIXED GAS; PROVIDING CONDITIONS TO THE GRANT OF THE FRANCHISE; PROVIDING FOR CITY REGULATION OF THE GAS SYSTEM; PRESCRIBING PENALTIES FOR THE VIOLATION OF ITS PROVISIONS; PROVIDING SEVERABILITY; PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE. (PJ Ad 1/29/14) The City Attorney read Ordinance No. 0 -14 -01 by title, and Mayor McPartlan opened the hearing at 7:53 p.m. Mr. Griffin said this was a second reading of the ordinance and is the franchise agreement for natural gas lines. MOTION by Mr. Hill and SECOND by Mr. Adams to approve Ordinance No. 0- 14 -01, Florida City Gas franchise. Damien Gilliams 1623 US 1, Sebastian, said the 25 year agreement includes commitment to a six percent franchise fee and asked if it also includes a utility tax as is charged by other utilities, and passed on to the customer. Mr. Griffin said there is no longer a cable franchise fee charged. Mr. Griffin said in discussion with the Finance Director, there is a utility tax that is set out in the Code that is collected. He said the Florida Gas representative is here to answer questions. Mr. Gilliams said we don't have a commission to regulate the raising of utility taxes in Sebastian, and wanted to be sure Council is looking out for the users. He asked if this also applies to LP gas and if it is exclusive or can some use other distributors. Mr. Griffin said both are non - exclusive and by Code the City charges a 10% utility tax. Ben Hocker, Sebastian said on the maps the pipelines go out of our jurisdiction into Roseland and then come down 512 and asked is this agreement compatible with the other agency agreements. Mr. Griffin said the 6% is compatible with Fellsmere and Indian River County Agreements. Mark Seagrave, Director, Florida City Gas and Vero Beach resident, said they are thrilled to have an opportunity to serve Sebastian, that natural gas is attracting manufacturing back to the US due to lower cost, said they are not a supplier of LP gas and that is a matter of choice, said they are regulated by the Florida Public Service Commission, and described the recent expansion in Fellsmere and Clewiston, and that with the franchise fee and utility tax still natural gas is still the lowest energy source with a 50 to 70% saving. He said they can come in to do public meetings to answer public questions. tN Regular City Council Meeting February 12, 2014 Page Seven Mayor McPartlan closed the hearing. Mr. Gillmor said he spoke to a business owner today who said he is saving $3,000 per month with natural gas and congratulated Mr. Griffin for negotiating this contract. Roll Call: Ayes: Hill, Adams, Coy, Gillmor, McPartlan Nays: None Passed: 5 -0 10. UNFINISHED BUSINESS 14.014 A. City Manager Selection Process — Approve Job Description — Determine Salary — Discuss Recruitment Process and Confirm Timeline (Administrative Services Transmittal, Draft Job Description, Draft CM Position Recruitment Profile, ICMA and FCCMA Range Rider Program, Search Process and Timeline, Salary and Benefits Comparison) The Administrative Services Director said they are seeking Council approval for the job profile, and advertisement and will start advertising tomorrow with a deadline of March 28tH and introduced Florida ICMA Ranger Rider Coordinator, Kurt Bressner. Mr. Bressner gave his background of 31 years of City management in Illinois and Boynton Beach, and described the ICMA Range Riders Program which is comprised of retired county and city managers in Florida with Florida management experience who provide this as a complementary service of the association. He said Sebastian is a great town with a lot going on and it will attract a lot of interest, and this is the toughest decision Council will make. He said it is time consuming process and requires attention, and it is their job to help but Council has the ultimate decision. He said it is fortunate that the prior City Manager was here for a long time because that plays well in the recruitment of applicants. He asked them to review the draft job profile, a very important document in the process because it represents the snapshot of the community. He said he and City staff worked on the profile and thought it a good product but Council may want to import some certain other attributes into the profile, then they can get into the advertisement, and then find out if Council wants to set a salary range. He said one area the profile does not include is, what are the attributes they are seeking in a City Manager, citing page 63 of the agenda packet, and noting some commissions include behavioral attributes in the profile. He said if any of those are germane to Sebastian he would recommend they include them. Discussion followed on the additional attributes list, whether behavioral attributes was a given or needed to be added, Mr. Bressner's suggestion that those things can be vetted during the interview process, the City Attorney's input on the list of desired characteristics on page 55 of the packet, and by end of the discussion it was agreed to include numbers 15, 18, 19 and 21. Mr. Bressner said those items, and profile language regarding education will be put into the ad. Discussion then followed on a salary range and at the end of the discussion Council agreed on a range of $11 OK to $130K. 7 Regular City Council Meeting February 12, 2014 Page Eight Mr. Bressner then asked Council if they wanted to review all applications and said this was an individual decision. Ms. Coy said she did. He said three Range Riders will review all resumes, and they are former managers, Mark Durbin and Kerry Hill, they have to comply with the Sunshine Law and cannot have any closed discussions amongst themselves, City staff will email them all the resumes, the Range Riders will evaluate the applications based on Council's requirements and come up with 10 to 12 individuals and Council member may wish to include others. He said ICMA has a two year commitment to a community its members must adhere to, and the Range Riders are bound by that and would not consider any applicant who did not honor that commitment. He said they would come back to a future meeting where Council would narrow down to five to seven applicants, and if a member had someone else on their list they would add with Council consensus. He said at this point one or two will drop out and if something pops up in a background check those applicants typically drop out. He reiterated there will be a strong interest in this community, they will develop interview questions, and decide on the interview process. He said there is an aggressive deadline for semi - finalists of March 29tH He said the Range Riders will meet by teleconference which will be a public meeting conducted in City Hall to come up with the list of 10 to 12 on or about April 2nd to be ready for the April 9th Council meeting where the list will be narrowed to five to seven finalists, after which the City will hire an outside agency to do preliminary background checks, noting he can provide a list of agencies to use. He said the Range Riders will do Google and Bing checks on their own, and then get back with dates in May for interviews. Mr. Bressner again said there will be strong interest because of the City's stability, and because the City's finances are in good shape. He said the ad will go out tomorrow and the only ad that charges is the ICMA ad. Damien Gilliams, 1623 US 1, thanked the Range Riders representative for coming down and educating the community, but it only confirms to him that he just nominated Joe Griffin who has all those qualities. He told Council to stop the nonsense right now, and hire in -house as they did for the City Attorney and City Clerk. He said he was shocked that the Chamber and business community have not come out to support this man, and urged them to go with their gut feelings, that their previous gut feelings were correct and they should stand up for Joe and show respect to him and send a message to employees that we promote from within, that they may not find someone as good as him. Mr. Bressner suggested a motion for housekeeping purposes to include profile as presented with additional attributes 15, 18 19 and 21 and projected salary range of $110K to $130K and to authorize application deadline date of March 28. MOTION by Mr. Hill and SECOND by Mr. Gillmor - so moved. Roll Call: Ayes: Adams, Coy, Gillmor, McPartlan, Hill Nays: None Passed: 5 -0 11. PUBLIC INPUT New information or requests to city council not otherwise on the prepared agenda The following members of the public spoke in regard to their objections to the City's involvement in the Seven 50 Program. Some of them provided materials for the record (see attached) Steven Smith, Columbus Street, Sebastian Ellen Gower, (see presentation she read from attached). Regular City Council Meeting February 12, 2014 Page Nine Mayor Called recess at 8:59 pm and reconvened the meeting at 9:14 pm. All members were present. Frank ?? 607 Mallow Scrub Way, Sebastian, spoke on Seven 50 objections. Ben Hocker, Sebastian, said even with Seven 50 we have home rule; expressed concern for the proposed train at 110 mph triggering crossings 32 times per day and the need for a noise decibel ordinance to control the horns; suggestion to get water, sewer and gas people together on location of lines; discussed use of herbicides in C54 which may be killing manatees, particularly use of Roundup; concerns about debris at the intersection of 1 -95 lying adjacent to a canal; and noted we are using the same company to spray our canals. Phyllis Frey, 275 Date Palm Road, Vero Beach, provided material to Council prior to the meeting on her objections to Seven 50 (see attached). As Ms. Frey discussed commitments made by Sebastian in her materials, Mr. Gillmor called a point of order and asked if we have signed anything. Mayor McPartlan said the former City Manager did. Susan Miehl, 131 Laurel Oak Lane, Vero Beach, objected to Seven 50. Jim Sunnycalb, said there were great discounts for seniors at local fast food restaurants. Stephanie ? ?, Vero Beach, objected to Seven 50. Melinda ? ?, Vero Beach, objected to Seven 50. John ? ?, 1718 Laconia Street, Sebastian, objected to Seven 50. 12. NEW BUSINESS 14.034 A. Consider Release or Reduction of Special Magistrate Fine in Regard to 1643 Coral Reef Street (Code Enforcement Transmittal, Current Daily Fine Amount, DataQuick Title Email, Notice of Lis Pendens, City Final Order and Order Imposing Fine) Mr. Griffin noted that Sue King, DataQuick is here to answer questions as is Building Director, Wayne Eseltine. He said staff is obligated to bring forward any release requests to Council. Sue King, DataQuick Title, Naples, Florida presented the request for release of lien. Mr. Griffin gave a brief background on the lien, said staff costs were approximately $5000 and recommended Council could impose $5000 to release the lien. MOTION by Mr. Hill and SECOND by Mr. Gillmor to reduce the lien to $5000. Mr. Griffin suggested payment as soon as possible and Ms. King requested contingent upon 30 days payment. 9 Regular City Council Meeting February 12, 2014 Page Ten Ms. Coy asked if the issue of the fine had been remedied and Ms. King said it had been. Ben Hocker, Sebastian asked why we have Code Enforcement if we are going to release liens. Mr. Hill said the idea of Code enforcement is compliance. Roll Call: Ayes: Coy, Gillmor, McPartlan, Hill, Adams Nays: None Passed: 5 -0 13. CITY ATTORNEY MATTERS None 14. CITY MANAGER MATTERS 14.035 A. Report on Sidewalk on Fleming Street to Sebastian Charter JHS (No Backup) Mr. Griffin said this was merely a report to Council on staff intent to construct the sidewalk on Fleming Street from Chessers Gap Shopping Center to the first driveway on Wave Street. 14.036 B. Report on St. Johns River Water Management District Cooperative Funding Grant Program (No Backup) Mr. Griffin cited a St. Johns River Water Management Grant program opportunity and was seeking Council consensus to seek funding which is slated for nutrient loading reduction. He recommended pursuing the grant with which has a deadline of March 31St to provide upgraded nutrient capturing baffle boxes for the City's outfalls along the lagoon, such as we are doing for the presidential streets project baffle box. Ms. Coy asked if there another grant for septic and Mr. Griffin said Mr. Burke talked about this tonight, and we have a septic program in place and so far it has no takers. She said we need to go door to door to let people know about it. 15. CITY CLERK MATTERS The City Clerk said she had provided an email today to members of Council in regard to a plan to install two TV monitors on either side of the Chambers to provide a better view to the audience of presentations being provided to Council, which was supposed to have been done at the time City Hall was built. She said the cost would be under $2500. 16. CITY COUNCIL MATTERS A. Council Member Adams Mr. Adams noted that although Dr. LaPointe and Harbor Branch say that 90% of the nutrients in the lagoon were coming from septic, there are still some adverse effects from fertilizer runoff, and some reports are showing that having a strong fertilizer ordinance are proving beneficial in reducing pollutants from fertilizer runoff. He said he came up with a list of what we should try to enact, 1) finalize something with FIT or Harbor Branch to do the testing in our outfalls, 2) acquire the oyster beds to place in our outfalls to clean up the water going into the lagoon; and 3) work with County, State and other local governments to acquire grants to septic tank conversion; and 4) to bring 10 Regular City Council Meeting February 12, 2014 Page Eleven back the strong fertilizer ordinance for first reading at the next meeting to include blackout from June 1 to September 30, no fertilizer application within ten feet of a water body, and use of slow release nitrogen and no phosphorous unless a soil test warrants it. Ms. Coy said she would support that and would like to see it come back. Mr. Adams asked if he needed to make a motion. Mayor McPartlan asked him if he would make sure the studies he has are available to other Council members and asked had he taken into consideration the fertilizer ordinance that we have and what it has and has not accomplished. He asked if levels were tested around our area or in other areas. Mr. Adams said from the Tampa Bay area, and Fort Lauderdale area. B. Council Member Coy Ms. Coy said she had been contacted by a concerned citizen on the Barber Street speed limit and then noted there are only two speed limit signs for its entire length and we need to look at that. C. Council Member Gillmor Mr. Gillmor said we have been without a City environmental person for a long time, and with the increase in building permit revenues, and lagoon concerns, and his belief now that volunteers won't work to obtain water samples, he believed we need someone from the City to do that, and maybe we need to rethink someone on staff being in that position. Mr. Griffin said he agreed that it needs to be handled in- house. At 10 pm, MOTION by Ms. Coy and SECOND by Mr. Hill to extend the meeting. No objection. Mr. Griffin said if there is consensus he can proceed, noting we need that type of support. Mr. Hill said as Interim City Manager he can place that in the proposed budget. Ms. Coy said she would support that 120 %. D. Mavor McPartlan Mayor McPartlan discussed a recent situation in which a homeless man in the Roseland area, in need of medical attention with a large tumor on his neck, and broken down, was assisted by many individuals including the interim City Manager who brought four City staff members to take the man's belongings to safe keeping while he was being attended to. He said the man was Baker Acted to get him to stay and receive help and has since been put in an apartment. He said a lot of residents had stopped to help the man who was 20 years homeless and is doing great, noting that there is great empathy in Sebastian. 11 Regular City Council Meeting February 12, 2014 Page Twelve In response to Ms. Coy, Mayor McPartlan said there are about 150 homeless children in Sebastian and in about a month there should be a tally of all homeless. E. Vice Mavor Hill Mr. Hill noted the recent heavy rains in the dry season. 17. Being no further business, Mayor McPartlan adjourned the Regular Meeting at 10:05 pm. Approved �t the Febru 2014 Regular Council Meeting. Bob McPea�tlan, Mayor Attest. Sally A. Maio, 7c, City Clerk 12 INDIAN RIVER COUNTY, FLORIDA PSI NT OF UTILITY SERVICES Date: January 30, 2014 To: Joseph A. Baird, County Administrator From: Vincent Burke, P.E., Director of Utility Service f:5 Prepared By: Arjuna Weragoda, P.E., Capital Projects Manager 440 Subject: Sewer Feasibility Study for the North Sebastian Area — results 1 51431 i ESCRIPTIOl S AND CO. RMITICNS— On August 20`h, 2013, the Indian River County Board of County Commissioners (BCC) approved Work Order No. 6 with Masteller and Moler, Inc. to provide professional services to investigate the feasibility of installing centralized sewer services in the North Sebastian area. The subject area was selected due to its proximity to the Lagoon, depth to water table and the economic benefits to the commercial properties. ED€JCATiONZRESEAt -'C ': The Indian River Board of County Commissioners has made cleaning the Lagoon a focal point in their agenda. With regards to helping the Lagoon the County has looked at various factors which may be contributing to the elevated nutrient loads and on October 15t , 2013 the Board of County Commissioners passed a strict landscape and fertilizer ordinance. Numerous symposiums have also looked at the potential impacts to the Lagoon from existing septic systems. Primarily, sewer systems help to ensure that wastewater that is discharged back into the environment is sanitary, safe and free of potentially harmful pollutants. The presentation on the Nutrients and Water Quality in the Indian River Lagoon by Dr. Brian Lapointe have indicated approximately 1- million KG of Nitrogen per year added to the Indian River Lagoon via septic systems. These studies have confirmed that high levels of Aqueous 15 Nitrogen (S's N) in groundwater and surface water are a result of human waste. A well designed and installed centralized sewer system will prevent dissolved nutrients from entering the water table and ultimately help reduce the nutrient loading into the Lagoon. Masteiler and Moler, Inc. evaluated three alternatives in the Sewer Feasibility study for the North Sebastian Area. The three alternatives included the evaluation of a gravity system, vacuum system and a low pressure system. Also, the low pressure system included the evaluation of the Septic Tank Effluent Pumping (STEP) system. The North Sebastian area evaluated in the subject study encompassed an area generally described as having a western limit of US Highway 1, an eastern limit of the Indian River Lagoon, a Northern W Limit of Indian River Drive connection to US Highway 1, and the Southern Limit as Main Street. Also, included in the study is an area known as Ercildoune Heights located north of Roseland Road west of US Hwy 1 primarily consisting of residential parcels. Since, the corridor along US Hwy 1 contained commercial developed and undeveloped parcels the analysis evaluated the cost of each alternative based upon an Equivalent Residential Unit or ERU versus per parcel cost. The subject study estimated a potential of 720 ERU`s for the study area. The following table summarizes the findings for each alternative: Alternative -- -_` Gravity -- – Project Cost. $ 5,000,0300.00 _ Per ERU Cost __— $ 6,944.44 Vacuum (Gravity along US 1) _. Low Pressure (Gravity along US1) $ 6,600,000.00 $ 8,600,000.00 $ 9,166.67 $ 11,947.44 STEP $ 7,100,000.00 $ 9,861.11 The subject study recommended the gravity alternative as the preferred method for a centralized sewer system. The construction of the centralized sewer in the north Sebastian area will be accomplished on a phased approached. The area east of US Hwy 1 will be designed and constructed in the first phase. Ercildoune Heights and the area to the west of US Hwy 1 will be part of phase two. There are numerous benefits to be gained by construction of a sanitary sewer collection and conveyance system in the study area. One primary benefit of the sanitary sewer collection and conveyance system construction in the study area is the ability for many commercial areas to be developed without the need for considering the limitations caused by the use of septic systems which can ultimately serve as an economic benefit to the area and a TMDL reduction to the Lagoon. Currently there are no funding programs /mechanisms available to assist homeowners replacing failing systems or installing new systems, other than financing the impact fee. The impact fee can be financed for a 5 -year period. Currently projects constructed as part of an assessment can be financed for a 10 -year period. Although, the County has not financed any capital cost beyond a 10- year period in the past, other jurisdictions in Florida have financed capital projects for a 20 -year period. Therefore, staff included a 20 -year option in the table below. Staff has also explored grant prospects as a funding mechanism to offset some of the project cost. One such grant the staff is evaluating is the Cooperative Funding for FY 2014 -2015 administered by St. Johns River Water Management District. Obtaining grant funds to help reduce the large capital costs will be critical to ensure project success. Financing Mechanisms Parcels 5 -Yr Plan - Avg 10 -Yr Plan –Avg 20 -Yr Plan- Avg Connecting- Monthly Payment E Monthly Payment Monthly Payment Share _ Study Area - Customers 100% $ 133.45 $ 76.23 $ 48.76 Note: The cost per ERU is based on $ 6,944.44 These cost do not include the impact fee charge of $ 2,796 /ERU F, 'F RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends the Board to Authorize /Approve the following: o Determine the next phase. 0 Present the findings to the City of Sebastian city council members. 0 Publish the study on the County web site. ATTACHMENT(s): 1. Due to the file size and enormity of the study, only the conclusions and recommendations from the Sewer Feasibility Study dated 1/24/14 are attached as part of the agenda. The entire study is available for viewing at the Board of County Commission Office located at 180127' Street, Building A in Vero Beach FL. APPROVED FOR AGENDA: By. t � - 14 Acu"j-d Josep A. Baird, County Administrator For: e Indian River Co. Approved Bate Administration ,1 Legal Budget rc-w J Utilities Utilities - Finance F: \Utilities \UTILITY - Engineering \Projects - Utility Construction Permits \)RC - Sewer Feasibility Studies UCP #4101 \3. North Sebastian (M &M)\Agenda - North Sebastian Sewer Feasibility Results.doc 87 Ellen Gower 7435 Cypress Bend Manor Vero Beach, FL 32966 SEBASTIAN CITY COUNCIL MEETING, February 12, 2014 When the City of Sebastian signed the Memorandum of Understanding with Seven 50, it agreed to uphold HUD's Six Livability Principles which cover all housing and transportation choices. Under the Consortium Partnership Agreement, the City agreed to implement Seven 50's Regional Vision Blueprint Plan. This plan includes the reengineering of communities into clusters of low income, HUD high rise stack -and -pack high density population human settlements built without garages, adjacent to mass transit to discourage the use of the automobile. This plan calls for re- zoning and the bypassing of local planning and zoning codes in private, residential neighborhoods and in every gated community based upon HUD's Livability Principles. In the Community Preferences Survey sponsored by the National Association of Realtors, only 8% of the people surveyed preferred to live in high density population areas such as those proposed by Seven 80 50 % stated that they prefer to live in a single family home. 61% said they prefer larger lots. 69% said they would opt for a longer commute to live in a single family home. 87% felt that privacy was a top prioririt�. n fact, as people work and grow their wealth, they prefer to live in the suburbs where they can raise their families in a cleaner, safer environment. The New Urbanism proposed by Seven 50 does not reflect the statistical living preferences by Americans. It forces people into what Seven 50 describes as quote: "compact, mixed -use development that encourages a higher density and intensity of development as the `preferred' form of development." End quote. Preferred by whom? Seven 50's premise that higher - density development can reduce automobile emissions is false. Data prove that automobiles crowded into high density population high rise areas create more pollution idling in traffic congestion than automobiles traveling at highway speeds or in the suburbs where emissions are dispersed over a large space. The International Energy Agency data proves that U.S. emissions are down to 1992 levels. During the past 21 years, the U.S. has steadily reduced its emissions. Global emissions however have gone up. That is because we do not control the energy use of the other 96% of mankind and never will. The Seven 50 plan consistently proves antithetical to the preferences of the American people. Yet, they would have you believe that the public is informed about this plan and that they approve of it. Neither is true. 2 Your constituents strongly feel that Sebastian's future development should be left to the local community to decide through their locally elected city council members. They are asking you to join your own Indian River County County, Vero Beach, Indian River Shores & Orchid, and opt out of Seven 50. They will be #ere to support you when you do. Trusted Websites on Regionalism NATIONAL REGIONALISM SITES: www.takingliberty.us - Dr.Michael Coffman www.freedomadvocates.org - Michael Shaw, Esq. - free booklet to download www.americanpolicy.org - Tom DeWeese www.sustainablefreedomiab.org - John Anthony www. PostSustainabilitylnstitute.org - Rosa Koire SOUTHEAST FLORIDA REGIONALISM: www.ac4pr.org Indian River /St. Lucie /Martin County /Palm Beach Co. info. www.ac4pr.net SAN FRANCISCO —THE EPICENTER OF REGIONALISM: www.citizenmarin.org www.bayarealiberty.org Learn more ............. Check You Tube for trusted lectures by Tom DeWeese, Kirsten Lombard,PhD, Michael Coffman, PhD, Michael Shaw, Esq., Heather Gass, Mimi Steele, John Anthony, Indian River County Commissioner Bob Solari, Ruth Esser and Phyllis Frey The other side: government sites..... www.seven50.org www.america205O.or� See: Florida Regionalist /Planner, Andres Duany YouTube —Tyranny in Florida REGIONALISM: DESTROYING ONE NEIGHBORHOOD AT A TIME *TO DATE, THREE FL COUNTIES HAVE EXITED SEVENSO *IT'S ABOUT CONTROL: REGIONALISM, COMMON CORE, FLORIDA FOREVER, SMART METERS /SMART GRID....... *36,000 CITIZENS ARE ON FPL'S SMART METER DELAY LIST. FPL IS A CORPORATE MEMBER OF SEVENSO *REGIONALISIM IS NOT OUR SYSTEM OF REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT! From the lecture: High Speed Rail; The First Building Block of the Mega Region..... "We will have nations, states, and municipalities; we will not recognize the roles they will play." — Mark Pisano, Co -Chair of America 2050 "THESE POLICIES MAY NOT HURT OLDER AMERICANS, LIKE ME, WHO BOUGHT THEIR HOMES DECADES AGO, BUT WILL WEIGH HEAVILY ON THE ALREADY HARDPRESSED YOUNG ADULT POPULATION. UNLESS THE DRIVE FOR DENSIFICATION IS RELAXED IN FAVOR OF A RESPONSIBLE BUT LARGELY MARKET -BASED APPROACH OPEN TO DIVERSE HOUSING OPTIONS, OUR CHILDREN CAN LOOK FORWARD TO A REGIME OF EVER - HIGHER HOUSE PRICES, DECLINING OPPORTUNITIES FOR OWNERSHIP AND, LIKE YOUNG PEOPLE IN EAST ASIA, AN ENVIRONMENT HOSTILE TO FAMILY FORMATION. ALL FOR A POLICY THAT, FOR ALL ITS PROGRESSIVE ALLURE, WILL MAKE MORE AMERICANS UNHAPPY, LESS FAMILIAL AND LIKELY POORER.,, EXCERPT FROM FORBES BY JOEL KOTKIN 8/8/13 "How Can We Be So Dense? Anti - Sprawl Policies Threaten America's Future" VERO BEACH METROPOLITAN PLANNING ORGANIZATION BOARD MEMBERS' COMMENTS REGARDING 8 - 4 "NO" VOTE TO SEVEN 50: COUNTY COMMISSIONER JOE FLESCHER: Concerning All Aboard Florida concurrent with the Seven 50 plan - - -I attended the forum and we talked about obligations and what would happen up the road about stops and where we're going to go with this. We discussed that we (IRC) were going to have the burden of working out some of the infrastructure -- -but we would have no stops. And I asked the question, "we're not going to have any stops here in IRC, then why do you want us here to talk about it other than for funding ?" Well it's not the fact that if we're going to have stops or not. The answer was - -we're not a market and we're not of any value. And I said, "Mr. Secretary, did you just state that my county is not of any value? That's what I got out of it." You said, "No, you're not of any value right now. Let me correct that. We're going to look at that. That's the second and third phase of this project. We will build abridge but right now we will have to get from down south to an Orlando market." "Okay, so you are going to use us." "No, we're going come back and re -visit this, but we have to build the infrastructure somewhere. So you are of value up the road, when we have more of a transportation package to offer you." And I said, "But you want our transportation package dollars now." You said, "We need you." So we are being used for that whole transportation structure and we don't have a whistle stop here. We are going to watch the trains go by. And that I cannot support. I want to talk about what the rest of the presentations did. It reminded me of a discussion we had many years ago. I believe you might recall. It was a concept called "charter government." I was the swing vote on that issue. Every municipality came to me and said, "We want Home Rule." Is this not about what you can do for your community? I know I have heard from my constituents. They want representative government - - -to be able to make the decisions and we can opt out. Why get on the slippery slope? Why get into the cost, the inefficient fact of getting into decisions and going down south to come back with "you're not going to be eligible for funding unless you co- operate with this program. I see the slippery slope of everything we do in the future. Commissioner O'Brian pointed out that we've made so many changes - - -5 — 0 decisions for HUD. Yes, we were looking for the benefit of our community. We did it LOCAL. Thank you commissioner O'Brian. We have a forum, the same as we have a forum here. This forum is a little different. It has a little more of a regional F flair - -- regional WITHIN OUR JURISDICTION. That's right. ALL municipalities and your commissioners met together with professionals and with the public, to insure that we are going in the right direction -- -that the Secretary can hear OUR requests, OUR plans. I am fully supportive of planning, planning that's based on local needs, with local dollars, with State dollars, with federal dollars. That is decided by the locally elected officials and I emphasize elected officials and not some appointed committee that does not have the compassionate interest and the relationship with the local constituents. So I vehemently oppose this (Seven 50) and Mr. Chairman, I would like to make a motion that we opt out of Seven 50 as an MPO. VERO BEACH MPO, DECEMBER 11, 2013 COMMENTS ON "NO" VOTE TO SEVEN 50 FORMER MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL MEMBER CRAIG FLETCHER: Councilman Fletcher noted, "The city of Vero Beach voted 4 — 1 against Seven 50, but I still attend the meetings in the name of self - preservation. I remain opposed to Seven 50." 3 VERO BEACH MPO MEETING, DECEMBER 11, 2012 COMMENTS BY SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER KAREN DISNEY - BOMBECK ON "NO" VOTE TO SEVEN 500 This I an issue about overarching principles. It is not about sensationalism or any out -of- context analogies or sarcasm For me the overarching principles are local control, not encouraging federal government expansion and definitely not duplicating tax dollars being spent on any part of government, be it planning, education, whatever, and I do see much overlap here. I attend TCRPC's meetings, TC work group all the time, and TC council local governments as often as I can, and I see those groups working bottom up not top down and that is the way I believe that all government decisions need to be made - -- hearing from the people - - -and not from the federal government mandating us to do things. I love the uniqueness of our area and I believe it's not an accident. The decisions that are made over time, by the people that have come before us have put us in this beautiful place. We have concerned citizens that work on P & Z, commissioners that are concerned with our quality of life. Having attended P &Z meetings all over our county and municipalities, I believe our zoning rules are applied fairly, and without discrimination. If we are not members of Seven 50m, do we do ourselves a disservice by not having a seat at the table? Councilman Fletcher feels that we still do have a voice at the table. So I believe that a "NO" vote can always be revisited, but a "YES" vote means we are stuck. So I will support commissioner Fletcher. i J � VERO BEACH MPO MEETING, DECEMBER 11, 2013 COMMISSIONER WESLEY DAVIS COMMENTS ON A `NO' VOTE TO SEVEN 50. Whenever we went through these times in the down economy, I will never forget when we had to make tough decisions about where to cut and wd one of those areas we were told we could not cut was at the TCRPC funding in our budget. Probably the only person in here who knows what that feels like is Susan. And the reason I say that is because when you're cutting and laying off people and all of a sudden you've got kids in school and having to talk to your children about it and getting the flack and pushback - -- and for some organization or entity to have the audacity to say "I can't touch it...." I did not leave the TCRPC. It left me then. In my opinion, this is going in the wrong direction and twice as fast, so I am OUT. I'm supporting Fletcher's motion. TIM ZORC: Amendment to the motion to stay the same but that it would include a letter of withdrawal according to the MOU. Councilman Fletcher: w need to formally reply. INDIAN RIVER COUNTY COMMISSIONER BOB SOLARI COMMENTS ON IRC "NO" VOTE TO SEVEN 50: I am going to begin by saying, this has been the most amazing meeting in my four years as an elected official. This is the first meeting of this size and scope (300 +people) where the meeting was driven by ideas. When we had A -1 Wally which filled the chamber, that meeting was driven by the fa`t that there may be concrete, dust, noise and other things you could physically feel and that were tangible. When we had the sand - mining ordinance, that was very tangible and it did boil down to property rights. But this -- -what we're here for today is about beliefs, ideas and principles which we hold dear to our hearts and that is what separates this from every other meeting. So when I talk now, I'm not going to talk about facts that I know. I'm basically going to talk about rather, beliefs that I hold. And I believe these beliefs are consistent with the beliefs of the majority of the people in Indian River County. So I began this process and I first said NO to the Sustainable Communities Initiative about 14 months ago based upon the close reading of the document, The Economic Prosperity Plan. And I've noticed in the past weeks when I've talked about his, and I have a number of times, especially to other planners, they never go back to the foundation documents. They talk about what we plan to do. But I believe the foundation document is counter to my beliefs. I believe that we are in favor of limited government. The Seven 50 group is being pushed by the most bloated, irresponsible government in America's history - - -the present Administration in Washington. Where we believe in local decision - making, Seven 50 will lead us to control from Washington. Where we believe in property rights, the implementation of Seven 50 will see them wither away. Where we believe in representative democracy, the Seven 50 promotes "special interest" democracy: Where we believe in fiscal responsibility, the Seven 50 plan and that group reinforces spending by a federal government which has already imposed a future liability of over $1 million dollars on every taxpayer So, where Libe�y and Justice are both needed in the building of a great nation, Seven 50 focuses on environmental justice, social justice and redistributive _justice without a nod to the needs of Libertv. So that waa 0 why I voted against Seven 50 14 months ago. But there are a multitude of reasons for leaving Seven 50 today, but I will focus on just three: The Process, the Planners and Corruption. The Process: The Seven 50 road show on October 25, 2013 showed many in this county how manipulative the process has been. It began with an agenda that contained no substance, nothing that would indicate to a citizen that something of importance might be occurring. It continued with a 3 -hour road show which has no meaningful discussion about either the possible consequences of he proposed plan or what we in Indian River County would find acceptable in such a plan. The Planners: To me, one of the most troublesome things is that the planners do not even see the possibility that there is a chance that the cohesive power of the State will ever be met in Indian River County. I gave them a number of examples abut the powers of the State that have been used against us already, but their answers have always been, it can't happen here. It can't happen with this plan. In this reply to my letter of November 30 --- Mr. Busha, in a letter dated December 12m, he states "participating in the Seven 50 planning effort, resulting in the Regional plan, changes local plansm, zoning and capital spending and requesting federal assistance will be a always, strictly voluntary, the sovereign government. My response to this is, if someone does not ever acknowledge the possibility of a problem down the road, how will one prepare for it? I also think that Mr. Bush is in an incredibly naive position. The idea that the EPA, HUD and DOT, the shock troops of the Obama Administration will not at some future date try to use the coercive power of the State to bend us to their will is not just a possibility - - -it has such a high probability that people are already writing books about it. I ask your indulgence as I read 3 paragraphs from the book reviewed in the October 29, 2012 issue of the National Review. The book reviewed is called, "How Obama is Robbing the Suburbs to Pay for the Cities," by Stanley Kurtz. I find these things not even looking for them. I was iust reading this one ., before I went to bed on Sunday night. "Kurtz argues that these intentions can nonetheless be clearly seen if one takes the time for close examination of the Administration's urban policies which are prone to a long -term consolidation of local government, quiet Regionalization - - -re- direct wealth and funds into the poor, inner cities." "Indeed," Kurtz writes, "Redistribution is the heart and soul of Regionalization." But look at what the White House is actually doing - -- encouraging policy changes, encouraging Regional planning, tax -based sharing, boosting public transit that promotes the urban core at the expense of the suburbs. Through Executive Orders and new federal spending priorities, the "smart growth" strategies sidestep local community decisions and design - making and end up centralizing control over urban policy at the national level." And finally, Progressives have long harbored disdain for localized decision - making and the restraints on national power embedded in the U.S. Constitution. Putting well- educated public administrators in charge of commercial development through public ownership of utilities and other infrastructure, land -use planning and building regulations, means that the subjective and uninformed opinions of citizens would not hamper the pursuit of socially efficient outcomes. The final thing I mention is that of Corruption: I find that the best definition of government corruption is the pursuit of private interests at public cost. On March 16, 2012 at a Treasure Coast Regional Planning Council meeting, Ramone Triaz said the project has spent $700K with no results so far A comment was made at the budget meeting earlier that morning, "They have squandered most of $1 million thus far. Now I may have gotten that all wrong, but my understanding of this was the SEFRPC at that time had used most of some $700K - $1 million dollars to basically fund their bureaucracy. That was my understanding, which I could have been wrong upon leaving that meeting. That was my understanding and the ownership of this grant transferred from the SEFRPC to the TCRPC. After a number of disparaging remarks about the SEFRPC at meetings I attended as a member TCRPC. I may have gotten that all wrong but what I haven't gotten wrong is that the size of the federal debt has reached immoral proportions. This type of 0 dollars- -these public goods were being used to fund salaries of bureaucrats That is basically private use of public goods. ( *transcriber's note: In fact, in a subsequent letter to commissioner Solari, Michael Busha, when asked about the misappropriation stated, "I concur with your assessment." Subsequently, the grant monies were transferred into the hands of the TCRPC). I believe that this type of planning program process puts us on the wrong road. So that's why I don't even want to be on that road today. The end result will no be a new Utopia. The end result will be that we will have made our children and grandchildren indentured servants of the State. That is my belief. I believe that this becomes our immoral act if we stay in the Seven 50 plan. And for these reasons, I will make a motion that Indian River County today withdraw from Seven 50 group by doing all that is necessary. 4 INDIAN RIVER COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COMMENTS ON THEIR "NO" VOTE TO SEVEN 50, DECEMBER 8, 2012 COMMISSIONER WESLEY DAVIS: Bike issues, green space, walk -able areas were decided right here locally and throughout the community. If you drive on State road 60, and you drive -- -you can pick your county -- -pick any road that runs East -West from 95 or the turnpike and take it to the ocean through the community, you will see a marked difference. That didn't just happen by accident. The way that happened for those of you who do not know, is that area had the section of the State road from 58th Avenue all the way to I -95 -- -that very two -lane, and the State told us, I'm sorry but it's just not in our plan. Well, what this community did was say well, that's fine, but we are not going to put up with a road like that. It's a hurricane evacuation route. What we did is, we loaned the money to the State to fix their road to our standards. Now I can see quite frankly in the big scheme of things, whenever this all comes together, they are not going to be regulatory or anything like that. Like you mentioned, and I get that, they have no statutory or constitutional authority to be able to do that. But what they do and will have the opportunity to do is to give their stamp of approval on whether or not you get dollars. And the conversation probably goes something similar to this: okay we need -- -since we only have this many dollars - - -we need to allocate these funds where they are the most efficient. Most efficient means we nee to allocate where they have the worst traffic -- -which by the way, we have already taken care of with a 6 -lane road. You go to Brevard County and look at their 192 and it's nothing like what we have. I was just up there unfortunately. And since we are allocating these dollars when they are most efficient, it dictates modern planning. And I've challenged Mr. King and if I am wrong, the antithesis of good planning is a ranchette -- -and that's because you try to provide services to that type of lifestyle. It's just not efficient. And so, if they go big where allocating dollars based on what's efficient over this large group of a consortium, we are going to be left out in the cold. And the way we do things here and I appreciate the comment for example about the fiber you made, but you know, I was on the School Board in 2000 whenever we made the decision at that time to join cooperatively with IRC understanding that we would have the structure in the future. It's also our policy that whenever we build a road right now and we lay fiber and we let it sit dark until we tap into it. We are ready for that. We did this back a long time ago, .trying to plan for the future. Our roads are the same way. Our concurrency standards are better than anybody else and if you don't think so, go look at them. And why s that? It's because you talk about 8 units to the acre in IRC. People are thinking, "Oh my gosh. That's 7 stories tall." When in fact, 8 unites to the acre is quite frankly some single family residences in that development, or multi - family on the strong end. We are different here. And it rubs me wrong whenever someone says that we should be there (at the Seven 50 table) to defend what we hold near and dear. Why do we have to defend that? These people here elected us to do that. We don't need to go and defend it. We just need to keep it here. I appreciate what you're saying. I disagree with it from the transportation from the dollars and how it's allocated, and how we have to deal with all these other federal programs from the L/L Project when we have to use the Davis -Bacon Federal Acts that require certain - - -for the contractors to have a certain wage, human labor has got to be- - -It's this thick to be able to use federal dollars, and all of this is another federal overlay. You know, I'm not ready - - -the TCRPC. Why? Because I do think we have something in common with Martin County. We do with St. Lucie County. We do somewhat with Palm Beach County but not nearly as much. But cooperation and talking has some merit. This (Seven 50) is about us being a part of something that quite frankly we can be told what to do, just by the sheer volume, size, scope and scale. I am OUT Mr. King, do we have certain thresholds in our MPO that we get our federal dollars to fund our transportation system as soon as we reach a 200,000 population - - -we jump into a new category? That's coming. Is that correct? Answer: That's correct. So this is coming whether we are part of the plan or not. Why? Because we run one of the most efficient -- -what I am getting at is, once we hit that figure, we are going to have to find our transportation system and then what we are talking about is going down that more efficient structure - -- everything they are talking about. If you have a school, they want a school where children don't have to walk to school, so therefore you have 500 — 700 elementary kids living within 2 miles of the school so they can all walk to school. And everything is more efficient and compact. But that is not this community. It is simply not who we are. INDIAN RIVER COUNTY COMMISSIONEWCHAI FLESCHER RMAN JOE COMMENTS ON IRC's "NO" VOTE TO SEVEN 50.% , DECEMBER 8, I want to thank everybody for being here. Three weeks ago there was a discussion going on about "What are we going to do (about Seven 50 ?" and three individuals from the community who decided to speak out and be part of a public speaking agreement and be heard before this county commission. I want you to know again, fully supported by all of our county commissioners, that I felt that we needed to see ALL of the people. After all, I reminded them that we are part of that Constitution ---we the people. And I want you to know I've had a great honor to hear all of y our remarks. I might even say "ditto" to Commissioner Davis. I might say "ditto" to most of it, but I wanted to take some time to just look at a few comments that were made. Ms. Wilson made a comment that she had been " Delphied" (by Seven 50 ) . She had that Delphi moment. She felt that you all were Delphied. Well many of you were. Many of use were. If we all don't know what that is - -- if anybody has ever gone to college and sat in a college class, you remember that "ah -ha" moment when found out if you were a Liberal or a Conservative, regardless of what you were when you walked in that room. Because that's what was wanted to be known and that's how you were directed to think and the path that you took. For the others who did not take that path, perhaps maybe they responded to a land development extravaganza where you might win a free cruise or new windows. You would end up buying something so new here - - -you were Delphied. Either you or your spouse made a decision that you were not prepared to make and left that room knowing t that you were prepared to make that decision. It just happens, folks. We're human beings. So I want you to know I got a few phone calls that suggested well, all of you (the IRC commissioners in 2010) supported this, with the exception of one -- -that you thought it good idea, now you don't. g was a This plan presented before us -- -not called the Seven 50 plan, awhile back presented in a public forum (October, 2012). And if any of you attended, you recall you were given little clickers, and you voted, and your voting was recorded in the room that day live. It was very impressive. The results were shown on the screen and you knew that you were there to be counted. Excetit there wac a ri;fFA,•v,�,,,, ...:�L You saw because we all had to register our ages. there that day. Does anybody recall how m 1 I see man y of You were room? Does anybody recall how many 18 year-olds were in the d Dose anybody recall how many 18 year -olds were were in the room? e The number was different I see hands. The number reflected on the screen? numbers were way different on demographics. The as different. The different on preferences. I spoke to individuals an umber was also d their numbers did not respond on the screen. Something they clicked, Maybe that was my "ah -ha" moment as well to sang was wrong there. This is truly a Delphi experience. y' «Y0UO�' `'What? I have no disregard for planning. I think we are the environment -- -the best planners in the State of Florida. planners and the Comprehensive Plan is not only admired but it's Florida. Our counties to say, "What are the doing?" passed around by several ' Y g . " Do we have a perfect environment? Absolutely not. Can we get better? Ye s more time. You've given some of us time by keeping give us a little bit we're doing the right thing for you. Local government sin office to insure individuals and we have the opportunity to represent t supp °rted by local and every day, p nt you as we do each I look at the staff. We have a wonderful staff that's that's worked according to the direction from the commissioners been open -minded, previous commissioners and I think that information s or well and several commissioners as well. Some of the as been taken quite i noticed today who have not been part of the discussi individuals not Jason Brown and our counselor Al Barbrid g e. °n -' Joe Baird, The conversation has been here, from you, from us concept of Seven 50. I previously said that I would snot and about his whole became Six and Twenty. I believe a projection of 2 years is someoffensee if it that many of us will be able to have a vision to see a thing have individuals on our staff that 20 -- nd I believe that you appropriate number to be looking at to have years is far more of an in 1999 who would have predicted what happened nay process. After all, second shot that was heard around the world. Who w 2001 °uld ha the U.S. the that our world order would have changed, that our ve thought gone to where they've gone to? Are they in recover? mar would have Opinion. But who would have been able to predict al hat's a matter of 1 of have taken place? Fifty years? I don't know that w these events that track. I want to have a vision, but I want the ,,,c,.__ need to be on that I did mention Joe. Thank you so much for your conservative approach. Sometimes we agree to disagree as members of the Board, but collectively, thank you. You deserve high regard and recognition for what you do in this community with this staff, with the budget we have ad keeping us the place we want to be. A lot of the greater ti ood that i s done in this community is done within staff's level and often times before such a great audience, so while you are all here, I wanted Joe recognized as well. g niz d ed And Bob, there was some discussion about your presentation earlier. Thank you very much for your presentation. It was unbiased. It was information and I was most certainly didn't feel any kind of Delphi feeling when you were presenting your case. I did see a slide that was driving the presentation and that was to me, the same thing that prompted me to talk about the whole Delphi process today, k I will now tell you today that I enjoyed the opportunity to work for working with you, and I thank everyone that has been in touch with us. Whether they are in the room or they're at home, or unfortunate) had . to work. Some do have jobs that mandated they could not come here to wo o today, -but we want to thank everyone for the opportunity, and it's a rk pleasure to work with you locally within this government. INDIAN RIVER COUNTY COMMISSIONER TIM yy COMMENTS ON IRC "NO" VOTE ON SEVEN ORC DECEMBER 8, 2013: N 50 I can be brief because I can say that I go along with Wesley, commissi Davis and commissioner Flescher. First I would like to second the on( accolades to county Administrator Joe Baird because I always like to say Joe spent every penny as if it came out of his kids' college fund. Now thal they are out of college I'll have to use another acronym for that, but he i great custodian of our money and he spends it very wisely. s Secondly, my predecessor always said to keep it short. Alma Lee Loy s aid just to be honest, so honestly, I am not in favor of the (Seven 50 plan. am looking forward to voting against it. But there are a few items spth I were listed: at -Sea level rise. I'm not really that concerned about that. I do have a 4- ar old. The global environment is going to keep changing. If you look back my dad's collection of Popular Science says the Ice Age is coming, the Heat Age is coming. If you go back 50 years ago, you can see climate change discuss So that's not something I'm gravely concerned about. - Regional data: I think that would be great for those guys that are down there, but I don't really see a benefit of what Ft. Lauderdale or West Pal Beach or Boca might be doing that I would go want to take a peek at that would be of value or benefit back up here. p -On the future trends: I do hold a planning degree but my prediction of the future trends for south Florida will be overcrowded, over capacity n the roads, tall buildings, and transportation will be about the same future trends. Now I know they are working on things that will be good for them that's great for them, but I don't see a benefit to us. 9 and There is some mention of 6 million people in the 7 counties that the 're looking at. Well where are those 10% going hat to o? y they're mixed out in South Florida, where are the That's 600,000. If ing to ask go, or are they going to ask the counties in the plan hey, can you them to accommodate a portion of these 600,000? y y u tarp ;nko r„�,;�� a,^nnT, _ _ Which of these were all his�h_ .x chunk of them here, but that's not the reality. And if the plan is warm and fuzzy and it's got no negative claw -backs and things in it, then if us opting out, that should be our right and we can say thank you and you can go along your merry way and no recourse. However, I think the reality is that we should expect some backlash at some point down the road when they do a federal grant- scoring model, there's going to be some point that if you're not in the plan, you're not going to get enough points that's going to drive money in our direction and we're just going to have to know that up front and that's likely happening. There was some mention of the Go -Line. We probably are not just first or second -most efficient operation in the state. If you compare us to the other states, we're in the top five probably in the Eastern U.S. They would probably come up with a good way to cut our finding somewhere down the road. Some of the other concerns I heard from people that contacted me were well over 100 contacts from people, most are not here to day. They said, I can't be here today. They said I have to work and other things. But they are a very diverse group. It's not all from one particular group or entity. I have guys that are part of a golfing club. Some are fishermen. Some are actively working, while others are retired But they all have very similar opinions, with a little difference here and there about what their concerns are. But the big concern is they don't want us to stay in the plan to find oui what's in the plan. The first part might be mild with the worst to come. Later we might find out something different. I could be completely wrong, but I'd rather go on the side of caution and not be in the plan and that's all I have to say. Thank you. CITY OF VERO BEACH, COUNCIL. MFIMBER COMMENTS ON THE "NO" VOTE TO SEVEN 50: Councilman Jay Kramer: I am concerned about the threat of losing local control and property rights. I question your motivation. Former Mayor Pilar Turner: This work has been in effect for 1 %2 years. How much of this $4.25 million has been spent- T - -$1.6 million? And to show for that all we have is the data base and mapping potential for sea level rise. My concern as a council member is that we have been a member of this group and have received no information and no benefit to my knowledge to date. This day is the first I have even heard anything about it. Obviously I would have to ask, why are we participating in it at all? No one on our council was briefed of your plan or design"charette road show. I was Mayor at the time and did not know anything about it. Again, if we are supposed to be a vital part in this process we are not getting anything from it, so why participate? Once again, we were not in the loop, we are not important, we're not participating in it, so I would move that we take a vote. Current Mayor, Craig Fletcher: We will be able to express our voice because we have a seat at the table and we're not going to be the meal. SANITARY SEWER FEASIBILITY STUDY AND REPORT FOR THE NORTH SEBASTIAN AREA INDIAN RIVER COUNTY, FLORIDA November 2013 - - - Prepared for: eye � _- _4� Indian River County Utilities Prepared by: MASTELLER & MOLER, INC. CONSULTING ENGINEERS — 165527 th Street, Suite #2 Vero Beach, Florida 32960 772.567.5300 Earl H. Masteller, PE, BCEE FL #26658 November 2013 MM # 1351 TABLE OF CONTENTS INTRODUCTION Purpose and Background Location of Study Area Existing Physical Considerations GOAL / OBJECTIVES Financial Considerations Indian River Lagoon Pollution Commercial Development Public Involvement EXISTING WASTEWATER SYSTEM Existing Sanitary Sewer System COLLECTION SYSTEM ALTERNATIVES GRAVITY SEWER SYSTEM ALTERNATIVE Study Area #1 Study Area #2 Construction Cost Estimate SANITARY SEWER FEASIBILITY STUDY & REPORT NORTH SEBASTIAN AREA EXHIBIT 1A — STUDY AREA #1 Proposed Gravity Sewer Collection & Conveyance System (North Section) EXHIBIT 1 B — STUDY AREA #1 Proposed Gravity Sewer Collection & Conveyance System (South Section) EXHIBIT 2 — STUDY AREA #2 Proposed Gravity Sewer Collection & Conveyance System VACUUM COLLECTION SYSTEM ALTERNATIVE Study Area #1 Study Area #2 Construction Cost Estimate EXHIBIT 3A — STUDY AREA #1 Proposed Vacuum Sewer Collection & Conveyance System (North Section) EXHIBIT 3B — STUDY AREA #1 Proposed Vacuum Sewer Collection & Conveyance System (South Section) EXHIBIT 4 — STUDY AREA #2 Proposed Vacuum Sewer Collection & Conveyance System LOW PRESSURE SEWER SYSTEM ALTERNATIVES Study Area #1 Study Area #2 Construction Cost Estimate EXHIBIT 5A — STUDY AREA #1 Proposed Low Pressure Sewer Collection & Conveyance System (North Section) EXHIBIT 5B — STUDY AREA #1 Proposed Low Pressure Sewer Collection & Conveyance System (South Section) EXHIBIT 6 — STUDY AREA #2 Proposed Low Pressure Sewer Collection & Conveyance System EQUIVALENT RESIDENTIAL UNITS (ERUs) OPERATION & MAINTENANCE CONSIDERATIONS PROJECT FINANCING CONCLUSIONS & RECOMMENDATIONS November 2013 MM # 1351 APPENDIX COMMERCIAL AREA MAP SOIL BORING DATA VACUUM COLLECTION SYSTEM EXHIBITS TYPICAL LAYOUT TYPICAL VALVE PIT TYPICAL VACUUM STATION SCHEMATIC ROCKRIDGE PHOTOGRAPHS LOW PRESSURE / GRINDER PUMP STATION EXHIBITS TYPICAL SIMPLEX GRINDER PUMP STATION LOCAL PUMP STATION PHOTOGRAPHS INDIAN RIVER LAGOON POLLUTION ARTICLES SANITARY SEWER FEASIBILITY STUDY & REPORT NORTH SEBASTIAN AREA Press Journal (TCPalm), August 11, 2013, "Investigation: Move over fertilizer; septic tank drainage also contaminating Indian River Lagoon" Press Journal (TCPalm), October 20, 2013, Editorial: "Counties along Indian River Lagoon should work together on septic tank issue" Press Journal (TCPalm), September 1, 2013, Editorial: "To help restore Indian River Lagoon, Treasure Coast governments should give more attention to septic -tank issue" Vero's Voice - Issue 31, August 2013, "Can We Save the Indian River Lagoon? The Lagoon's Seagrass Dilemma" Vero's Voice - Issue 32, September 2013, "Is The Dream Of A Pristine Indian River Lagoon Gone ?" November 2013 SANITARY SEWER FEASIBILITY STUDY & REPORT MM # 1351 NORTH SEBASTIAN AREA INTRODUCTION Purpose and Background The Indian River County Utilities Department has requested and authorized Masteller & Moler, Inc. to prepare a Sanitary Sewer Feasibility Study and Report addressing the North Sebastian area of Indian River County. The area in question is presently served by an arterial sanitary sewer collection and conveyance system constructed in the early 1990's but there remains a large population of residential and commercial entities which utilize onsite septic disposal systems. The use of septic disposal systems results in pollution of the groundwater in the study area, which ultimately flows into the Indian River Lagoon and St. Sebastian River. Numerous articles have documented that septic disposal systems are polluting the Indian River Lagoon. Several of these articles are included in the Appendix of this report. In addition, the use of septic disposal systems limits commercial development which in turn hinders business and employment growth in the area. The purpose of this Feasibility Study and Report is to provide the preliminary design for construction of a centralized sanitary sewer collection and conveyance system to eliminate the existing and future need for septic disposal systems and establish the estimated cost of the proposed centralized sewer system. Location of Study Area The study area consists of two (2) separate segments which will be referred to in this report as "Study Area #1" and "Study Area #2." Study Area #1 is bordered by US Highway 1 as the western boundary, the Indian River Lagoon as the eastern boundary, Main Street as the southern boundary, and the Indian River Drive connection to US Highway 1 as the northern boundary. Study Area #2 includes the community of Ercildoune Heights and approximately 100 acres north of Roseland Road with Kelso Place as the eastern boundary, 128th Court as the western boundary, and the shoreline of the St. Sebastian River as the northern boundary. Existing Physical Considerations Study Area #1 is presently served by an existing sanitary sewer arterial system located in Indian River Drive, which borders the Indian River Lagoon. The sewer system was constructed in the early 1990's and resulted in the elimination of numerous package treatment plants that had 1 November 2013 SANITARY SEWER FEASIBILITY STUDY & REPORT MM # 1351 NORTH SEBASTIAN AREA previously discharged directly into the Indian River Lagoon. The existing arterial sanitary sewer system was originally designed to serve the residential and commercial development in Study Area #1. The wastewater generated by Study Area #1 is ultimately conveyed to the Central Sub - Regional Wastewater Treatment Plant which has adequate capacity for additional wastewater flows. The groundwater direction of flow from Study Area #1 is from west to east into the Indian River Lagoon. Therefore, there is no doubt that the construction of a centralized sewer system and elimination of septic disposal systems will result in a significant reduction in the pollution load presently experienced in the Indian River Lagoon. The centralized sanitary sewer system will be constructed within the street system and with few exceptions; the streets in Study Area #1 are paved and publicly owned. The final design of the centralized sewer system must take into account the existing public potable water supply system; areas with existing storm sewer; and the special construction limitations to be encountered along the eastern side of US Highway 1. Study Area #1 contains a significant amount of existing and future commercial development as shown on the "Commercial Area Map" in the appendix of this report. The commercial development shown along US Highway 1, north of the Sebastian Cemetery is within Indian River County and the commercial area shown south of the Cemetery is in the City of Sebastian. Presently, commercial development is limited with regard to size and type by the use of onsite septic disposal systems. The availability of a centralized sanitary sewer system will remove this obstacle to commercial development and the resulting economic benefits. Study Area #2 is residential in nature and substantially developed. The Ercildoune Heights community has paved streets and is located on a high bluff overlooking the south shore of the St. Sebastian River. The onsite septic disposal systems serving the residences of Ercildoune Heights ultimately percolate into the groundwater which flows into the St. Sebastian River. The construction of a centralized sewer system for Ercildoune Heights and the elimination of the onsite septic disposal systems will eliminate a significant pollution load into the St. Sebastian River. In addition, the homeowners will not be subject to the inconvenience and expense due to septic system failure and replacement reconstruction and /or malfunction. The other portion of Study Area #2 is located north of Roseland Road between 128th Court and Kelso Place. This area is less urbanized and many of the streets are paved with a single lane of paving and several are unpaved. The area could be described as an old established residential community served by on -site private potable water wells and septic disposal systems. The existing street network is a grid system with swale drainage. The construction of a centralized sanitary sewer system will eliminate the existing pollution load from this community, which presently flows via groundwater into the St. Sebastian River to the north. 2 November 2013 SANITARY SEWER FEASIBILITY STUDY & REPORT MM # 1351 NORTH SEBASTIAN AREA GOAL / OBJECTIVES Financial Considerations An objective of this study and report will be to prepare preliminary design sanitary sewer collection and conveyance system alternatives to service Study Area #1 and Study Area #2 and establish the estimated construction cost of these alternatives. The goal is to determine the best alternative and seek financial grants to make the project cost affordable to the County and the system users. Indian River Lagoon Pollution An objective of the project is to eliminate groundwater contamination caused by existing and future onsite septic disposal systems. This polluted groundwater ultimately discharges into the St. Sebastian River and Indian River Lagoon. The pollution of the Indian River Lagoon by septic disposal systems is well documented and the subject of numerous articles in the news media. Several of these articles have been reproduced and are included in the Appendix of this report. The goal of this project is to eliminate the onsite septic disposal systems by construction of a centralized sewer collection system. The construction of a centralized sewer system will preserve the Indian River Lagoon and represent a positive impact on all of us with respect to quality of life and our public economy. The Indian River Lagoon is probably one of the main reasons that most of us live in this area. Commercial DeveloDment An objective of the project is to eliminate the present and future use of onsite septic disposal systems in areas designated for commercial development by construction of a centralized sanitary sewer collection and conveyance system. The goal of increasing commercial development is to create additional employment and economic activity in the area. Public Involvement An objective of the project is to involve all stakeholders, which includes Indian River County Utilities Department, City of Sebastian, and the potential system users in the study areas. The goal is to generate discussion and public acceptance of the project in order that the project can proceed to completion. 3 November 2013 SANITARY SEWER FEASIBILITY STUDY & REPORT MM # 1351 NORTH SEBASTIAN AREA EXISTING WASTEWATER SYSTEM Existina Sanitary Sewer Svstem Both Study Area #1 and Study Area #2 are presently served with an existing sanitary sewer collection and conveyance system, which was constructed in the early 1990's. The total number of parcels served in Study Areas #1 and #2 by this existing system is approximately (230) of which 30% are undeveloped and 70% are developed. Of the 70% that are developed, approximately 60% have connected to the centralized sewer system and 40% of the parcels have not connected. The existing sanitary sewer system in Study Area #1 is primarily located in Indian River Drive, which borders the shoreline of the Indian River Lagoon along the east side of the study area. The existing sanitary sewer system was originally designed to serve the users in Study Area #1 so the pipelines have adequate capacity for this project. The wastewater generated by the users in Study Area #1 is ultimately conveyed to the Central Sub - Regional Wastewater Treatment Facility, which has adequate capacity for additional flows from Study Area #1. Study Area #2 has an existing sanitary sewer collection and conveyance system along the east side of the Ercildoune Heights community. The other portion of Study Area #2 has an existing force main along Roseland Road. The existing sanitary sewer systems have pipeline capacity to serve the added flows from Study Area #2. The wastewater from Study Area #2 is ultimately conveyed to the Central Sub - Regional Wastewater Treatment Facility for treatment and disposal. The plant has adequate capacity for this additional wastewater. 0 November 2013 MM # 1351 COLLECTION SYSTEM ALTERNATIVES SANITARY SEWER FEASIBILITY STUDY & REPORT NORTH SEBASTIAN AREA There are a number of collection system alternatives available for consideration when preparing preliminary designs. When possible, it is preferred to utilize gravity flow when compared to other systems such as vacuum or low pressure since gravity flow does not rely on mechanical elements to convey the flow. In general, the advantages and disadvantages of vacuum and low pressure alternatives to gravity sewers are as follows: ADVANTAGES • Material and trenching costs are lower because pipe size and depth requirements are reduced. • Infiltration is reduced due to sealed pipe joints A DISADVANTAGES * Requires much institutional involvement because the pressure and vacuum system has many mechanical components throughout the service area. • The operation and maintenance (O &M) cost for a pressure and vacuum system is often higher than a conventional gravity system due to the high number of mechanical elements in use. • Annual preventive maintenance calls are usually scheduled for grinder pump components of pressure sewers. STEP systems also require pump -out of septic tanks at two to three year intervals. • Public education is necessary so the user knows how to deal with emergencies and how to avoid blockages or other maintenance problems associated with low pressure systems. • The number of pumps or vacuum valves that can share the same downstream force or vacuum main is limited. • Power outages can result in overflows if standby generators are not available. • Life cycle replacement costs are expected to be higher because pressure and vacuum sewers have a lower life expectancy than conventional systems. November 2013 SANITARY SEWER FEASIBILITY STUDY & REPORT MM # 1351 NORTH SEBASTIAN AREA GRAVITY SEWER SYSTEM ALTERNATIVE The design professional must consider the topography and natural conditions of the study area in order to design the most cost - effective sewer collection system utilizing gravity flow. The objective is to follow natural slopes and maintain minimum depths of the sewer system to service existing and proposed users by gravity flow. In general, the design sewer depths should be between 3 -feet below grade as a minimum to 12 -feet below grade as a maximum. In addition to topography, soil conditions and water table elevations are also factors to consider due to their impact on project construction cost. A high water table condition may increase future operation and maintenance costs due to infiltration of groundwater into the manholes and sewer pipelines as the system ages. Masteller & Moler, Inc. obtained spot elevations at specific locations throughout Study Areas #1 and #2 to establish the topographical conditions for design purposes. Also, a total of nine (9) soil borings were taken at selected locations in order to determine the general soil conditions as well the groundwater elevations. Masteller & Moler, Inc. utilized this topographical information in order to generate design plan and profiles of the most cost effective gravity sewer system to serve Study Areas #1 and #2. The results of these efforts are shown Exhibits 1A, 1 B and 2 which are included within this section of the Report. Soil boring results are included in the Appendix of this report. Studv Area #1 Study Area #1 is shown on Exhibits 1A and 1B. The existing sanitary sewer system is shown in green and the proposed gravity sewer system is shown in red. Study Area #1 has a north / south sand ridge along the east side of US Highway 1. The result is the commercial users along the east side of US #1 must be served by a separate gravity sewer system served by a small pumping station as shown on Exhibits 1A and 1B. Since this proposed gravity sewer system must be constructed in the eastern right -of -way of US #1, a meeting was held with representatives of F.D.O.T. in Ft. Pierce to discuss the project. During that meeting verbal approval was provided by F.D.O.T. for the proposed gravity sewer system. The proposed gravity sewer system along the east side of US #1 has sewer depths ranging from 4 -feet deep at the north and south ends to a maximum of approximately 10 -feet deep at the proposed pumping station location shown on Exhibit 1A. The construction of the system will provide sewer service to all existing and proposed commercial users along the east side of US #1 north of the Sebastian Cemetery. The majority of new gravity sewer in Study Area #1 is located in the area west of North Central Avenue. As shown on Exhibits 1A and 113, North Central Avenue extends in a north / south direction from Roseland Road to the intersection of North Central Avenue and US #1. All of Study 0 November 2013 SANITARY SEWER FEASIBILITY STUDY & REPORT MM # 1351 NORTH SEBASTIAN AREA Area #1 north of Jackson Street in the North Central Avenue corridor can be served by gravity sewer connected to the existing sewer system without the need for any new pumping stations. The maximum depth of the proposed sewer system in the North Central Avenue corridor, north of Jackson Street is approximately 9 -feet below grade. A separate small gravity sewer system is shown from Jackson Street south along North Central Avenue with a small pumping station proposed at the intersection of North Central Avenue and Davis Street. Also, several proposed manholes and a small section of gravity sewer is shown on Exhibit 1B to be constructed on property owned by the City of Sebastian. The gravity sewer will connect and flow into a pumping station next to the fish market building owned by the City of Sebastian. This proposed gravity sewer will serve three (3) properties fronting on US #1. Three (3) soil borings were taken along North Central Avenue designated as SB -7, SB -8, and SB- 9. These soil borings are included in the Appendix of this report and show a high seasonal groundwater table approximately 24- inches below the surface. The presence of this high groundwater table along North Central Avenue will necessitate a dewatering operation as part of the construction of the proposed gravity sewer in North Central Avenue. The need for dewatering will increase the time and construction cost of the gravity sewer system in the North Central Avenue corridor, south of Roseland Road. Lastly, a proposed gravity sewer system in Study Area #1 is shown north of Roseland Road to serve the residential users along Ruffner Lane and Bay Street. A manhole and small section of gravity sewer is shown north of Bay Street to serve the commercial complex including Bay Street Pharmacy along with the Monett Eye Center to the north. This manhole and section of gravity sewer would be constructed in an easement. This would avoid the costly construction of additional gravity sewer along the east side of US #1 and will serve the Monett Eye Center. The proposed gravity sewer system in Bay Street flows by gravity into the existing sanitary system in Indian River Drive as shown on Exhibit 1A. In summary, it is feasible to serve Study Area #1 with a gravity sewer system and two (2) small pumping stations. The fact that a high groundwater table exists along North Central Avenue will add to the time of construction and cost of construction due to the need for dewatering operations. It should also be noted that the presence of this high groundwater table means that many of the existing septic systems along North Central Avenue are located in the groundwater and are disposing of polluted water directly into the groundwater, which transports this pollution load into the Indian River Lagoon. 7 November 2013 SANITARY SEWER FEASIBILITY STUDY & REPORT MM # 1351 NORTH SEBASTIAN AREA Studv Area #2 Study Area #2 is shown in Exhibit 2 with the existing sanitary sewer system shown in green and the proposed gravity sewer system shown in red. Study Area #2 includes the residential community of Ercildoune Heights and the area of Roseland, northwest of Roseland Road to the St. Sebastian River shown on Exhibit 2. In order to develop the gravity sewer design of the sewer systems to serve Study Area #2, Masteller & Moler, Inc. obtained spot elevations at key locations to establish topography and obtained four (4) soil borings within Study Area #2 to reflect soil conditions and the groundwater table elevations. Ercildoune Heights is a residential community almost totally developed located along the east shoreline of the St. Sebastian River. An existing gravity sanitary sewer system is located along the east boundary of the community and serves numerous Ercildoune Heights users as well as some commercial establishments along the west right -of -way of US #1. In addition, several users are served by a small collection system and pumping station located at the extreme north end of 80th Avenue as shown on Exhibit 2. However, the majority of residences in Ercildoune Heights are served by existing septic systems. The balance of the residential users in Ercildoune Heights can be served by a gravity sewer system at reasonable depths with the exception of three (3) properties on 142nd Way and eight (8) properties on 141St Street. These properties are impacted by a deep ravine sloping from south to north at a diagonal through the lots and covered by heavy vegetation and improvements. It appears that a stormwater system exists to convey run -off to the St. Sebastian River but it is questionable whether legal easements are provided for the stormwater system. Based on these factors, the proposed gravity sewer design includes two (2) small pumping stations, similar to the existing pumping station located at the northerly end of 80th Avenue, to serve the properties on 142nd Way and 141St Street. The proposed Ercildoune Heights gravity system connects to the existing gravity sewer system in 140th Street. The balance of Study Area #2 as shown on Exhibit 2 consists of two (2) areas of Roseland located northwest of Roseland Road and extending to the St. Sebastian River. The area generally east of the F.E.C. Railroad is almost totally developed with residential properties and streets laid out on a grid- system. Exhibit 2 shows the gravity system design which will serve all of the existing users and several undeveloped lots by gravity flow. The proposed gravity sewers connect to the existing gravity sewer system in Kelso Place. A November 2013 SANITARY SEWER FEASIBILITY STUDY & REPORT MM # 1351 NORTH SEBASTIAN AREA Exhibit 2 shows the area generally northwest of the F.E.C. Railroad and extending west to 128th Court. This area is almost totally developed as residential and includes a church and community center building. The area is served by a street layout having a grid pattern. The gravity sewer system as shown will provide service to all of the users and several vacant lots. The proposed gravity sewer system will include a small pumping station located in a paper street area near the intersection of 83rd Avenue (Bay Street) west of the community center building. As shown on Exhibit 2, a total of four (4) soil borings were obtained in Study Area #2. These soil borings show that in all cases the soil is suitable for gravity sewer construction and the groundwater levels should not present major time or construction cost impacts. Construction Cost Estimate Masteller & Moler, Inc. has utilized the exhibits and in -house work products and performed a take- off of all construction items necessary to construct the proposed gravity sewer system. The resulting construction quantities were multiplied by unit prices in order to establish the estimated project cost. The unit prices were provided by an experience utility contractor named Jobear / Warden Construction of Palm Bay, FL. This contractor has constructed numerous centralized sewer projects in Indian River County and is familiar with the study area site conditions. This information is shown on the next page included in this section of the report. The total estimated project cost for a gravity sewer system to serve Study Areas #1 and #2 is $5,000,000.00. 0 November 2013 MM # 1351 SANITARY SEWER FEASIBILITY STUDY & REPORT NORTH SEBASTIAN AREA Sanitary Sewer For North Sebastian Area Indian River County Department of Utilities Services Gravity Sewer Item No. Item Description Quantity Unit Unit Price Total Price 1 Mobilization 1 LS $ 125,000.00 $ 125,000.00 2 Maintenance of Traffic 1 LS $ 40,000.00 $ 40,000.00 3 Stakeout Survey & As- builts 1 LS $ 60,000.00 $ 60,000.00 4 Standard Manholes 0' -6' 87 EA $ 3,900.00 $ 339,300.00 5 Standard Manholes 6' -8' 29 EA $ 4,500.00 $ 130,500.00 6 Standard Manholes 8' -10' 18 EA $ 5,100.00 $ 91,800.00 7 Standard Manholes 10' -12' 2 EA $ 5,600.00 $ 11,200.00 8 Standard Manholes 12' -14' 2 EA $ 6,400.00 $ 12,800.00 9 Drop Manhole 6' -8' (Outside Drop) 2 EA $ 6,500.00 $ 13,000.00 10 Drop Manhole 8' -10' (Outside Drop) 2 EA $ 7,100.00 $ 14,200.00 11 Pump Station #1 1 LS $ 164,000.00 $ 164,000.00 12 Pump Station #2 1 LS $ 164,000.00 $ 164,000.00 13 Pump Station #3 1 LS $ 164,000.00 $ 164,000.00 14 Pump Station #4 (Small Grinder Type) 1 LS $ 65,000.00 $ 65,000.00 15 Pump Station #5 (Small Grinder Type) 1 LS $ 65,000.00 $ 65,000.00 16 4" Dia. Force Main 2,500 LF $ 15.00 $ 37,500.00 17 Testing force main 1 LS $ 1,000.00 $ 1,000.00 18 8" PVC Sewer 0' -6' 11,780 LF $ 22.00 $ 259,160.00 19 8" PVC Sewer 6' -8' 8,160 LF $ 27.00 $ 220,320.00 20 8" PVC Sewer 8' -10' 3,600 LF $ 38.00 $ 136,800.00 21 8" PVC Sewer 10' -12' 915 LF $ 50.00 $ 45,750.00 22 8" PVC Sewer 12' -14' 635 LF $ 75.00 $ 47,625.00 23 10" PVC Sewer 0' -6' 1,590 LF $ 24.00 $ 38,160.00 24 10" PVC Sewer 6' -8' 2,270 LF $ 30.00 $ 68,100.00 25 10" PVC Sewer 8' -10' 2,025 LF $ 40.00 $ 81,000.00 26 10" PVC Sewer 10' -12' 310 LF $ 53.00 $ 16,430.00 27 Testing (TV of Mains) 31,285 LF $ 1.50 $ 46,927.50 28 Dewatering 12,610 LF $ 8.00 $ 100,880.00 29 Single Lateral 267 EA $ 625.00 $ 166,875.00 30 Double Lateral 89 EA $ 650.00 $ 57,850.00 31 Erosion & Sediment Control 1 LS $ 50,000.00 $ 50,000.00 32 Paved Restoration (Open Cut) 20,975 LF $ 50.00 $ 1,048,750.00 33 Un -Paved Road Restoration (Open Cut) 13,910 LF $ 12.00 $ 166,920.00 34 Sod 6,080 LF $ 4.00 $ 24,320.00 35 SUBTOTAL $ 4,075,167.50 36 Design /Permitting — Final Engineering (7.5 %) 1 LS $ 305,637.56 $ 305,637.56 37 *Contingencies (15 %) 1 LS $ 611,275.13 $ 611,275.13 38 TOTAL ESTIMATED PROJECT COST $ 4,992,080.19 USE - - - - $ 5,000,000.00 * Contingencies include easement acquisition, misc. construction items, etc. 10 2 K.T.5. INDIAN .SERMCE AREA ILJMITS LAGOON 0 r4 T E ecwo kuvzs Tic assn way ELFWAT M ,y nn 22 a nn C� z SEE EIBIT I H r � � L� L� L� � � o -mu k � LEGEND: --- SEWER 9�a [gay �11V' � Hmm .�►,r.. ..�. K � -- EXISTING , ll @n MTV �` CONSULTING El`s I E E R 11 .�.. " PROPOSED SEWED "` °�'"°•, `• ft""• PROP. FORCE MAIN OF AUTHORIZATION NUMBER 420 � V9�� IMP [ER "°.�' ' °' w pCERTIFI�CATE 5�5 27th STREET, SUITE 2, VERO IBEACH, FLORIDA 32-9-60 020 3. � R � wry -R I N a PUMP —3 r� M@Ik� r�i (. 121- 5,67-5300 { FAX ( 772) 794 -110 SC I L BORING- f N355. INDIAN RIVER LOON SERVICE AREA L MI o G �I E- 51 y . SEIR" CE AREA LIMITS E- L h U w V -'L-9 I,--d9m A w ,b E N m 9 0m CONSULTING ENGINEERS CERTIFICATE OF AU THCRI ZATION NUMBER 42 -04 1 655 27th STREET, SUITE 2, 'VERO 'CE -A ""H. FLORIDA 32960 (772) 567-5300 / FAX ( 77 ) 7-94-1106 a% mfooft i wmk& l 1 -BY Y Vzd Ar t NNW. ! tiw� A rapt Lae @201:% WASTE-LE? & WOLER. NC s°�� .�� -..,,� -•�. y0. ` �.. ti =a ° r LEGEND: EXISTING SEYoER — PROPOSED SEWER PROP- FORCE MAIN PROPOSED PUMP STATION 3 ,SOIL BORING (glow .mg. g l 19@ate 0vW a1�v wMLT1W1f 9 @ N °I vM a 0107 " @11 BUY - r, %GflF9) M ° O M [i O Try] �%G3lgg� J f� �Kl ST. SEBASTIAN RIVER ROSELAND f 17NELE11 A Cam] @dRmo om a CONSULTING ENGINEERS CERTIFICATE OF AUTHORIZATION NUMBER 1655 27th STREET, SUITE 2, V R€} BEACH, FLORIDA 32960 (772) 567-5300 / FAX (772) 794-1106 t EN SW M. ERCILD€7UNE �i 1 HEIGHTS IN& ir i b� Ea nq{�ri E 4d Nwommkw � �� .F rM.r iwarrwi�. Irt +a••• 1F �grwrf p®iii� #wt r�r� �' rl�iir i•.i 'ic Rat M it Fiird @201 :� wASTDJB� A NULM INC- 4 N.T.5,. hvyrE: (iii) REE5 TO B05TUiG GRf]iiW FALTER aEpAr II I @ 44Jl0I e �� M 9 , st ,2", LEGEND: -- EXISTING SEWER -°=- PROPOSED SE's - - - - -- - - - - -- PROP. FORCE MAIN PROPOSED PUMP STATION 58-3 19 SOIL BORING E ooff3of 1020 l @1u2 %wov%q �%EVENg3jaur _- '-'gNIB 4 Do W MVID NNP a G5 52M. i November 2013 SANITARY SEWER FEASIBILITY STUDY & REPORT MM # 1351 NORTH SEBASTIAN AREA VACUUM COLLECTION SYSTEM ALTERNATIVE Vacuum sewers are a mechanized system of wastewater transport and represent a viable option when the service area has at least (150) users. Unlike gravity sewer flow, vacuum sewers use differential air pressure to move the sewage. A central source of power to operate vacuum pumps is required to maintain vacuum on the collection system as illustrated in the vacuum system schematic included in the Appendix of this report. The vacuum collection system will be located in the street right -of -way and include a valve pit along with the vacuum sewer pipelines. Each house or user will have its own sewer lateral identical to the sewer lateral used on a gravity collection sewer system. In a gravity sewer system, the sewer lateral will connect to a sewer collection system pipeline in the street right -of -way. However, in a vacuum system, the sewer lateral will connect to a valve pit located in the street right -of -way but in close proximity to the property line. When possible, the valve pit will be located in a manner to serve two (2) or more users, but in cases where lots are large or other conditions do not permit a valve pit serving more than one (1) user, a valve pit will serve each individual user. Each valve pit has its own collection sump which is connected directly to the vacuum system pipeline. The sump compartment is separated from the top valve chamber by a sealed partition. There are no electrical connections required at the valve pit as the entire system in the valve pit is operated by pneumatic pressure differential. The top of the valve pit is at existing grade and furnished with a standard 24 -inch diameter manhole access cover. A descriptive drawing of a typical valve pit is shown in the Appendix of this report. Each of the valve pits discharge into a vacuum sewer system when the collection sumps are full. The vacuum sewer system consists of vacuum sewer mains constructed of 4 -inch and 6 -inch PVC pipe with division valves as required. The vacuum sewer mains are designed to maintain a generally downward slope toward their ultimate discharge into the central vacuum station. The vacuum systems is designed on a saw tooth pattern and they can have slops as flat as 0.0020 %. The vacuum sewer mains are constructed at a depth of 4- to 5 -feet below grade. The vacuum sewer main system ultimately discharges into the central vacuum station which is the "heart" of the vacuum collection system. The equipment installed in the central vacuum station is similar to that of a conventional sewage pumping station except vacuum is applied to the wet -well (collection tank) that is sealed. Major components include the tank, sewage pumps, vacuum pumps, control panel, and stand -by electrical generator. A typical vacuum station schematic is shown in the Appendix of this report. 11 November 2013 SANITARY SEWER FEASIBILITY STUDY & REPORT MM # 1351 NORTH SEBASTIAN AREA It is interesting to note that Indian River County Utilities Department has a vacuum collection system in operation serving the community of Rockridge with approximately 400 residential customers connected to the system. The Rockridge vacuum collection system was constructed in 2008 to replace a low- pressure pump system which failed to operate during hurricanes and any other occasions when electric power failed. The Rockridge vacuum collection system has operated satisfactorily since start -up and has not been adversely impacted by occasional flooding of the area and periodic electrical power failures. The Masteller & Moler, Inc. staff has visited the Rockridge vacuum collection system installation and several photographs of the Rockridge system are included in the Appendix of this report. Study Area #1 Study Area #1 using a vacuum collection system for the North Central Avenue corridor is shown in Exhibits 3A and 3B. The existing sanitary sewer system is shown in green and the proposed vacuum collection system is shown in heavy solid green lines and solid orange lines. The central vacuum station is shown in purple and the proposed force main is shown as a solid purple line Study Area #1 has a north / south sand ridge along the east side of US #1. The result is the commercial users along the east side of US #1 must be served by a separate sewer system. Based on meetings with representatives of the F.D.O.T. concerning the location of a sewer system in the US #1 right -of -way, it was the position of the F.D.O.T. staff that no structures would be approved within the US #1 right -of -way, but sewer pipe and manholes would be permitted. Since the valve pits associated with the vacuum collection system may be considered a structure by F.D.O.T., Exhibits 3A and 3B show conventional gravity sewer being proposed for serving the commercial users along the east side of US #1. In addition, a small area north of Roseland Road consisting of residences along Ruffner Lane and users along Bay Street will served by a conventional gravity sewer system as shown on Exhibit 3A. The portion of Study Area #1 where the vacuum collection sewer system should be given serious consideration is the North Central Avenue corridor from Roseland Road south to the intersection of North Central Avenue and US #1. Since the groundwater table is high along North Central Avenue, the shallow depth of the vacuum sewer mains will result in a substantial reduction in construction cost of the pipelines and associated dewatering expenses. Also, the absence of manholes and the sealed pipeline system associated with the vacuum collection sewer system will result in the elimination of in -flow and infiltration which reduces future operation and maintenance expense. Exhibits 3A and 3B show the conceptual design of the vacuum system consisting of 4- 12 November 2013 SANITARY SEWER FEASIBILITY STUDY & REPORT MM # 1351 NORTH SEBASTIAN AREA inch and 6 -inch vacuum sewer mains and a central main vacuum station along North Central Avenue. Study Area #2 Study Area #2 with a vacuum collection system is shown in Exhibit 4. Existing sanitary sewer is shown in green and the proposed vacuum collection sewer system shown as solid heavy green and orange lines representing 4 -inch vacuum sewer mains and 6 -inch vacuum sewer mains, respectively. The main central vacuum station is shown in purple at Kelso Place and Bay Street. Exhibit 4 shows that all of the existing and future users of a sewer system are served by the conceptual vacuum collection system layout. High groundwater conditions are not a major concern in Study Area #2. However, the relative shallow depth of the vacuum sewer mains and resultant reduction in construction cost and damage to existing improvements are considerations when compared with a conventional gravity sewer system. Construction Cost Estimate Masteller & Moler, Inc. has utilized the exhibits and information provided by AirVac Systems and performed a take -off of all construction items necessary to construct the proposed vacuum system. The resulting construction quantities were multiplied by unit prices in order to establish the estimated project cost. The unit prices were provided by an experience utility contractor named Jobear / Warden Construction of Palm Bay, FL. This contractor has constructed numerous centralized sewer projects in Indian River County and is familiar with the study area site conditions. This information is shown on the next page included in this section of the report. The total estimated project cost for a vacuum collection system to serve Study Areas #1 and #2 is $6,600,000.00. 13 November 2013 MM # 1351 SANITARY SEWER FEASIBILITY STUDY & REPORT NORTH SEBASTIAN AREA Sanitary Sewer For North Sebastian Area Indian River County Department of Utilities Services Vacuum Sewer Collection Alternative Item No. Item Description Quantity Unit Unit Price Total Price 1 Mobilization 1 LS $ 150,000.00 $ 150,000.00 2 Maintenance of Traffic 1 LS $ 40,000.00 $ 40,000.00 3 Stakeout Survey & As- builts 1 LS $ 80,250.00 $ 80,250.00 4 Standard Manholes 0' -6' 11 EA $ 3,900.00 $ 42,900.00 5 Standard Manholes 6' -8' 10 EA $ 4,500.00 $ 45,000.00 6 Standard Manholes 8' -10' 6 EA $ 5,100.00 $ 30,600.00 7 Standard Manholes 10' -12' 1 EA $ 5,600.00 $ 5,600.00 8 Pump Station #1 1 LS $ 164,000.00 $ 164,000.00 9 4" Dia. Force Main 1,170 LF $ 15.00 $ 17,550.00 10 Testing force main 1 LS $ 1,000.00 $ 1,000.00 11 8" PVC Sewer 0' -6' 1,175 LF $ 22.00 $ 25,850.00 12 8" PVC Sewer 6' -8' 985 LF $ 27.00 $ 26,595.00 13 8" PVC Sewer 8' -10' 25 LF $ 38.00 $ 950.00 14 10" PVC Sewer 0' -6' 1,590 LF $ 24.00 $ 38,160.00 15 10" PVC Sewer 6' -8' 2,270 LF $ 30.00 $ 68,100.00 16 10" PVC Sewer 8' -10' 2,025 LF $ 40.00 $ 81,000.00 17 10" PVC Sewer 10' -12' 310 LF $ 53.00 $ 16,430.00 18 Testing (TV of Mains) 8,380 LF $ 1.50 $ 12,570.00 19 6" Vacuum Main 10,910 LF $ 21.00 $ 229,110.00 20 4" Vacuum Main 25,755 LF $ 18.00 $ 463,590.00 21 4" Isolation Valve 38 EA $ 1,200.00 $ 45,600.00 22 6" Isolation Valve 17 EA $ 1,500.00 $ 25,500.00 23 Installed Vacuum Station /Building 2 EA $ 600,000.00 $ 1,200,000.00 24 Vacuum Valve Pit 365 EA $ 5,000.00 $ 1,825,000.00 25 Specialized Installation Equipment 1 SET $ 35,000.00 $ 35,000.00 26 Dewatering 3,200 LF $ 8.00 $ 25,600.00 27 Single Lateral (Gravity) 34 EA $ 625.00 $ 21,250.00 28 3" Service Lateral 4,060 LF $ 15.00 $ 60,900.00 29 Erosion & Sediment Control 1 LS $ 50,000.00 $ 50,000.00 30 Paved Restoration (Open Cut) 7,140 LF $ 50.00 $ 357,000.00 31 Un -Paved Road Restoration (Open Cut) 1,650 LF $ 12.00 $ 19,800.00 32 Sod 41,330 LF $ 4.00 $ 165,320.00 33 SUBTOTAL $ 5,370,225.00 34 Design /Permitting — Final Engineering (7.5 %) 1 LS $ 402,766.88 $ 402,766.88 35 *Contingencies (15 %) 1 LS $ 805,533.75 $ 805,533.75 36 TOTAL ESTIMATED PROJECT COST $ 6,578,525.63 USE - - - - $ 6,600,000.00 Contingencies include easement acquisition, misc. construction items, etc. 14 z L INDIAN RIVER LAGOON SERVICE AREA UMITS GK S4 -m.. F- 5( SEE EMI]BIT ",31B,, ZY �Y�T\EW LDqE)N P: v AZ, 0�,�J 4' VACUUM WOOER MAIN -67 VACUUM SE&ER MAJ N- DIVI-SON VAtVE VACUUM STATK)N VXE AREA LIMITS -''/ (G&i) REFEF--s -xo masmiIs GRoiffic m---vkrKH left b. Kit **mmaa vmck. bw -&m m" LEGEND: CGLIOCO -09 makaftr It asliv. k�. * -04 w"wor a w*r. kIc -I.. 21=10 . m E)3S'TING SEWER *Dummemb w Za:= me u.— ='Mar"Ito'. PROPOSED SE EP CIIIIIIIIII& of m CONSULTING ENGINEERS ft no Fwmd VMS, Lm� ff ff 0 D. 0 N 0 7 w PROP. FORC MAIK' LJTW &D n9P@NT CERTIFICATE OF AUTHORIZATION NUMBER 42-04 PROPOSED @V 1655 27th STREET, SUITE 2, VERO BEACH, FLORIDA 32960 @X13. WASTRIER & MIXER, INC. 5EI-3 pr PUMP STATION ZoMcuff.- (772) 567-53C:D FAX (772) 794-1106 0 SOIL B01RING INDIAN RIVER LAGOON! 7Z ol Y. .. .. . " d' s SERVICE AREA. LIMITS ' 1 � "" + F' wiPa A EIUM SYS LEGEND: C VACUUM SEWER MAIN F VACIJUM SEWER MAIN IAVISK>N VALVE rr ` VACUUM. STATIf)N E- WE AREA LIMITS MA'T'CH LINE: SEE EXHMIT "SA" NCFrE! rGH) REFUM M M GA�-W V"TM k @490 � LEGEND- CG]OC°04 �C°3� Lrr : . � -- EXISTING SEWER r� fgyyAJ Jt� 1IRR ■}.}f111191J1f1II�y'� a a P+yT 1`�1r 111 Y11 RlyMf 11P��� �r •f �...R Chi' V '�J't.F J L44! LR IJ LJ IJ V "cl 4 LJ IJ , — — PROPOSED SEWER m CON ULTI N ENGINEERS � hdWr &, Cwrw . k so. prod" PROP. FORCE MAIN CERTIFICATE OF AUTHORIZATION NUMBER 4204- PROPOSED 1 655 27th STREET, SUITE 2, VERO BEACH, FLORIDA 32968 � PUMP STATION 7 567 -5300 FAX 77 794 -1 f C6 ����; u�ur � a� u� ,Imo; s��� � � �` � � I SOIL BORING KT.5. LEG EN D: n sjRAT;laIFt4I41 [}MS€3hl VALVE VACUUM S.TfiLTK)N r� E rY a LEGEND: RMEM 1110311 hamodrar ,� . EXISTING � U d l A —� wROPOSED SEWER m CONSULTING ENGINEERS : November 2013 SANITARY SEWER FEASIBILITY STUDY & REPORT MM # 1351 NORTH SEBASTIAN AREA LOW PRESSURE SEWER SYSTEM ALTERNATIVES Low pressure sewer systems generally utilize two (2) types; the grinder pump system and the septic tank effluent pump (STEP) system. The grinder pump alternative is a system utilizing small simplex or duplex package grinder pump station located on each sewer user's property. Residential users can use a simplex (1 pump) station but commercial and other non - residential users must use a duplex (2 pumps) station as required by FDEP. These small individual grinder stations periodically discharge the wastewater into a small diameter force main piping system typically located in the street rights -of -way. Unlike gravity sewer flow or the vacuum collection system alternative, both of which involve only a sewer lateral on the user's property, the grinder pump system requires each sewer user to locate and install the package grinder pump station on their property and accept responsibility for the maintenance and operation of the pump station. The pump stations are furnished with grinder pumps that grind all solids into a slurry. Therefore, the force main system which conveys the wastewater to the various points of discharge can be designed using force mains as small as 2- inch diameter. In addition, the small force main system can be constructed with approximately 36- inches of cover and does not have to be constructed at a gradient. This reduces construction time as well as cost. Since the force main system must be constructed with water tight joints, it can be constructed in areas with a high groundwater table without concern for groundwater infiltration. However, localized flooding can result in inflow into the individual small pump station so they need to be located with tops above the flood elevation. A drawing showing a typical simplex grinder pump station and several pictures of a local pump station installation are included in the appendix of the report. Low pressure systems with grinder pump stations have been used in Indian River County and although they operate with reasonable success, there have been problems with regard to acceptance and satisfaction by the users. As an example, the majority of Indian River Drive in Study Area #1 is served by a low pressure system with users installing small package grinder pump stations to serve their residential and commercial properties. This system has been in operation since the early `90s, but expansion of the system to serve users between Indian River Drive and US #1 has not occurred as anticipated. As stated previously, another low pressure sewer system alternative is the STEP system which utilizes small submersible standard (non - grinder) sewage pumps in a holding tank with controls. However, the septic tank remains in use to collect and store the wastewater solids and must be 15 November 2013 SANITARY SEWER FEASIBILITY STUDY & REPORT MM # 1351 NORTH SEBASTIAN AREA periodically emptied by the homeowner. To implement the system, the existing septic disposal element is abandoned and the septic tank discharge is redirected into the STEP pump station. The STEP system pumps are less expensive than the grinder pumps but the STEP system requires the retention of the septic tank and its maintenance expense. Otherwise, the grinder pumps system and STEP system are very similar with regard to the design of the force main system and construction considerations. Study Area #1 Study Area #1 using the low pressure collection system with grinder pump or STEP system stations is shown on Exhibits 5A and 5B. The existing sanitary sewer is shown in green and the proposed 2 -inch and 3 -inch force main systems are shown in blue and orange, respectively Study Area #1 has a north / south sand ridge along the east side of US #1. The result is the commercial users along the east side of US #1 must be served by a separate sewer system. Based on meetings with representatives of the F.D.O.T. concerning the location of a sewer system in the US #1 right -of -way, it was the position of the F.D.O.T. staff that no structures would be approved within the US #1 right -of -way, but sewer pipe and manholes would be permitted. Also, the existence of numerous large commercial users and several large parcels of undeveloped land create wastewater flows which are too large for a low pressure sewer system to handle in connection with a small force main system. Therefore, Exhibits 5A and 5B show conventional gravity sewer being proposed for serving the commercial users along the east side of US #1. The portion of Study Area #1 where the low pressure sewer system alternative should be given serious consideration is the North Central Avenue corridor from Roseland Road south to the intersection of North Central Avenue and US #1 and a small area north of Roseland Road consisting of residences along Ruffner Lane and users along Bay Street. Since the groundwater table is high along North Central Avenue, the shallow depth of the small force main system will result in a substantial reduction in the cost of construction of the pipelines and associated dewatering expenses. Also, the sealed force main pipeline system associated with the low pressure system alternative will result in the elimination of infiltration which reduces future operation and maintenance expense. Study Area #2 Study Area #2 showing the layout design using a low pressure sewer system with grinder pump or STEP system stations is shown on Exhibit 6. The existing sanitary sewer is shown in green and 16 November 2013 SANITARY SEWER FEASIBILITY STUDY & REPORT MM # 1351 NORTH SEBASTIAN AREA the proposed low pressure 2 -inch and 3 -inch force main systems are shown in blue and orange, respectively. As can be seen from Exhibit 6, almost all of the low pressure force main system is 2- inch in size with a small length of 3 -inch force main shown on 142nd Street in Ercildoune Heights. High groundwater conditions are not a major concern in Study Area #2. However, the relative shallow depth of the low pressure force main system and resultant reduction in construction cost and reduction in damage to existing improvements are considerations when compared with a conventional gravity sewer system. Construction Cost Estimate Masteller & Moler, Inc. has utilized the exhibits and information provided by ABS Grinder Pump Station Systems and performed a takeoff of all construction items necessary to construct the proposed low pressure system with individual packaged grinder pump stations and the STEP system pump stations to serve existing residential units with septic tanks. It is assumed that vacant residential lots will use grinder stations when they are developed. The resulting construction quantities were multiplied by unit prices in order to establish the estimated project cost. The unit prices were provided by an experience utility contractor named Jobear / Warden Construction of Palm Bay, FL. This contractor has constructed numerous centralized sewer projects in Indian River County and is familiar with the study area site conditions. The estimated project cost is presented in a tabular form and shown on the next page included in this section of the report. The total estimated project cost for the low pressure sewer alternative system to serve Study Areas #1 and #2 is as follows: Grinder Pump Station: $ 8,600,000.00 STEP System: $ 7,100,000.00 17 November 2013 MM # 1351 SANITARY SEWER FEASIBILITY STUDY & REPORT NORTH SEBASTIAN AREA Sanitary Sewer For North Sebastian Area Indian River County Department of Utilities Services Low Pressure Sewer Collection Alternatives USE - - - - $ 8,600,000.00 1 USE - - - - $ 7,100,000.00 Contingencies include easement acquisition, misc. construction items, etc. M GRINDER PUMP SYSTEM STEP SYSTEM Item No. Item Description Quantity Unit Unit Price Total Price Unit Price Total Price 1 Mobilization 1 LS $ 175,000.00 $ 175,000.00 $ 150,000.00 $ 150,000.00 2 Maintenance of Traffic 1 LS $ 40,000.00 $ 40,000.00 $ 40,000.00 $ 40,000.00 3 Stakeout Survey & As- builts 1 LS $ 104,450.00 $ 104,450.00 $ 86,750.00 $ 86,750.00 4 Standard Manhole (0' -6') 5 EA $ 3,900.00 $ 19,500.00 $ 3,900.00 $ 19,500.00 5 Standard Manhole (6' -8') 6 EA $ 4,500.00 $ 27,000.00 $ 4,500.00 $ 27,000.00 6 Standard Manhole (8' -10') 5 EA $ 5,100.00 $ 25,500.00 $ 5,100.00 $ 25,500.00 7 Standard Manhole (10' -12') 1 EA $ 5,600.00 $ 5,600.00 $ 5,600.00 $ 5,600.00 8 Standard Manhole (12' -14') 0 EA $ 0.00 $ 0.00 $ 0.00 $ 0.00 9 Single Lateral (Gravity) 21 EA $ 625.00 $ 13,125.00 $ 625.00 $ 13,125.00 10 Master Pump Station #1 1 LS $ 164,000.00 $ 164,000.00 $ 164,000.00 $ 164,000.00 11 10" PVC Sewer (0' -6') 1,590 LF $ 24.00 $ 38,160.00 $ 24.00 $ 38,160.00 12 10" PVC Sewer (6' -8') 2,270 LF $ 30.00 $ 68,100.00 $ 30.00 $ 68,100.00 13 10" PVC Sewer (8' -10') 2,025 LF $ 40.00 $ 81,000.00 $ 40.00 $ 81,000.00 14 10" PVC Sewer (10' -12') 310 LF $ 53.00 $ 16,430.00 $ 53.00 $ 16,430.00 15 2" Dia. Force Main 31,115 LF $ 10.00 $ 311,150.00 $ 10.00 $ 311,150.00 16 3" Dia. Force Main 2,485 LF $ 12.00 $ 29,820.00 $ 12.00 $ 29,820.00 17 4" Dia. Force Main 1,170 LF $ 15.00 $ 17,550.00 $ 15.00 $ 17,550.00 18 Testing force main 1 LS $ 5,000.00 $ 5,000.00 $ 5,000.00 $ 5,000.00 19 Testing (TV of Mains) 6,195 LF $ 1.50 $ 9,292.50 $ 1.50 $ 9,292.50 20 2" Isolation Valve 24 EA $ 300.00 $ 7,200.00 $ 300.00 $ 7,200.00 21 4" Isolation Valve 1 EA $ 1,200.00 $ 1,200.00 $ 1,200.00 $ 1,200.00 22 STEP System Simplex Pump Station 379 EA $ 9,000.00 $ 3,411,000.00 23 Simplex Grinder Pump Station 31 EA $ 12,000.00 $ 372,000.00 24 Simplex Grinder Pump Station 410 EA $ 12,000.00 $ 4,920,000.00 25 Duplex Grinder Pump Station 10 EA $ 30,000.00 $ 300,000.00 $ 30,000.00 $ 300,000.00 26 Dewatering 3,200 LF $ 4.00 $ 12,800.00 $ 4.00 $ 12,800.00 27 Erosion & Sediment Control 1 LS $ 50,000.00 $ 50,000.00 $ 50,000.00 $ 50,000.00 28 Cut) Paved Restoration (Open 7,140 LF $ 50.00 $ 357,000.00 $ 50.00 $ 357,000.00 29 Un -Paved Road Restoration (Open Cut) 1,650 LF $ 12.00 $ 19,800.00 $ 12.00 $ 19,800.00 30 Sod 41,330 LF $ 4.00 $ 165,320.00 $ 4.00 $ 165,320.00 31 SUBTOTAL $ 6,983,997.50 $ 5,804,297.50 32 Design /Permitting - Final Engineering (7.5 %) 1 LS $ 523,799.81 $ 523,799.81 $ 435,322.31 $ 435,322.31 33 Contingencies (15%) 1 LS $1,047,599.63 $ 1,047,599.63 $ 870,644.63 $ 870,644.63 34 TOTAL ESTIMATED PROJECT COST $ 8,555,396.94 $ 7,110,264.44 USE - - - - $ 8,600,000.00 1 USE - - - - $ 7,100,000.00 Contingencies include easement acquisition, misc. construction items, etc. M g a C3 0 N.T.5. 'SERI GE AREA UMITS LAGOON lip 5B11 y� ��� "' � � �, L ni C 1 I L� � it i � ' ® � ,"° . 4, 1 STIR E'di'E ��]C�� i � �. "rasa f fr,h einar ad b • ammom r as n ibb pm mj tea . � am" � _ �. —�-- �� c�P r�SEC SE �M�EF� Isa r, IPWR @@ 'G� s a17 ] PPuM " V0�C19 Hmm a -x cnT 'F+�d+�. -a� aas, 7 n CONSULTING El'ZEI ,. Pr FORCE f:ll! * �,•- PRO. 2` FORCE MAIN n RU uEF TIFI KTE F AUTHORIZATION I ,T1 NUMBER E EF � PROPOSED MASTER 16-55 27th STREET, SUITE 2, VEERO BEACH, FLORIDA 32 960 PUMP STATION (7 7 ) 567-5300 }" FAX ( 772) 7 -94 -1106 02,013. wxs & u�. lKa �- SOIL BORING OF N RIVER LAGOON KT 5, E- z H E- pw EpLp—dgkm-,tl E. MA- Arok .1 W-1 r A 2 r- m rl ! LI -Ulp'' "" AREA MI T 1-111V sF y N MATCH LINE: SEE EXHIBIT "5A" NOTE: rya ro en--rm G%=,v w^mp o"*Tm D: or abwwar 0 wohm h TING SEWER Now~& now. 6-- vwo -XIS WL —or ft� PROPOSED SEWER _NJ ............. PRO, 4" FORCE MAIN ?gn . I L Fm CONSULTING ENGINEERS N*mbsw am&& bm Im MA rwdwd PRO. 3- FORCE MAIN PRO 2" FORCE MN CERTIFICATE OF AUTHORIZATION NUMBER 4204 . AI o. PROPOSED MASTER 1655 27th STREET, SUITE 2, VERO BEACH. FLORICA 32960 CW13, MASTOLLER WXEIRm PUMP STATION (772) 567-5300 FAX (772) 794-1106 SOIL BORING ♦5 _ kH RIjVER CENTER, `.� ^4 5� I� N.T_S. NOTE: fQ+, Fjvm5 To E T6+G GRouwD k,Amz ELE ATKt. LEA N D: � o � � dw= � EXISTING SEWER :W► PROPOSED SEWER -- . comml "'"; '..� _.� . PRO. 47 FORCE MAIN CERTIFICATE OF AU THORI ZATl CI NUMBER 4204 � ,.:,...,' PRO. 3* FORCE MAIN SUITE 1655 27th STREET, VERO BEACH FLORIDA X2960 PRO. 2 FORCE MAIN, o . (772) 567 -5300 �' F,� ( 772) x'94- 110,m6 0013, WASTE & Ux€P..'.w. W-3 0 SOIL BORING November 2013 SANITARY SEWER FEASIBILITY STUDY & REPORT MM # 1351 NORTH SEBASTIAN AREA EQUIVALENT RESIDENTIAL UNITS (ERUs) The Indian River County Utilities Department utilizes a term of Equivalent Residential Units (ERUs) to measure the number of connections to its utility systems. The reason for this is to make provisions for measuring wastewater flows and establish costs in connection with all system users. A flow rate of 250 gallons per day (GPD) per ERU is used for a typical single residential user. However, County regulations provide for allocating ERUs for utility users other than residential users such as commercial buildings, medical offices, churches, etc. "Commercial Area Map" in the appendix shows the commercial area in Study Area #1. The commercial area shown north of the Sebastian Cemetery along the east side of US #1 is within the Indian River County and the commercial area shown south of the Sebastian Cemetery between US #1 and the Indian River Lagoon is within the City of Sebastian. Study Area #2 is all residential users except for a church with preschool facilities, post office, and a community building. The total number of single residential users in Study Areas #1 and #2 is 388; which includes 31 vacant residential lots. There are a total of 57 non - residential parcels of land not served by existing sanitary sewer in Study Area #1 designated for commercial or other uses of which 9 non- residential parcels are vacant. Based on the Utility Department's guidelines for ERUs for non- residential uses, it is our estimate that approximately 332 total ERUs exist in Study Areas #1 and #2 including developed and un- developed non - residential uses. Of the 332 total non - residential ERUs, 192 ERUs have been estimated for vacant non - residential parcels and can be considered future users. Based on the above information, the total ERUs in Study Areas #1 and #2 is 720 of which 497 are existing ERUs and 223 are ERUs for vacant residential and non - residential parcels. In order to compare the cost per ERU for each of the three (3) alternative sewer systems, the total project cost of each alternative is divided by the total ERUs of 720 and the results are listed as follows: Gravity Sewer System Alternative: $ 6,944.44 per ERU Vacuum Collection System Alternative: $ 9,166.67 per ERU Low Pressure Pump System Alternatives: Grinder Pumps $ 11,944.44 per ERU STEP System Pumps $ 9,861.11 per ERU 19 November 2013 SANITARY SEWER FEASIBILITY STUDY & REPORT MM # 1351 NORTH SEBASTIAN AREA OPERATION & MAINTENANCE CONSIDERATIONS Indian River County Utilities has experience in operation and maintenance of the three (3) sewer system alternatives (except the STEP system) evaluated in this study and report. The operating and maintenance expense of the alternatives will be absorbed into the normal operating and maintenance expense of the utility. In general, the operation and maintenance expense of the conventional gravity system represents the alternative with the lowest operating and maintenance expense to the Indian River County Utilities Department. The low pressure and vacuum collection system alternatives will have a higher maintenance and operating expense due to higher electrical costs and the need for oversight personnel to monitor the system. The majority of the operating and maintenance expense related to the low pressure grinder pump and STEP systems is shifted from the Utility Department to the individual user to maintain and operate the pump stations. In the case of the low pressure alternative, the user must pay the expense of electrical service, periodic repairs to the pump station, and replacement of worn out mechanical and electrical pump station components to maintain their pump station in operating condition. In the case of the conventional gravity system and vacuum sewer system alternatives, the individual user has no operation and maintenance expense for the sewer lateral except for occasional removal of blockages which may occur infrequently in that portion of the system. The fact that the user is responsible for operation and maintenance of their own pump station is one of the main objections that are commonly made when discussing the low pressure system. The conventional gravity system operates without any need for mechanical or electrical equipment. Wastewater flows by gravity to a sub - regional pumping station. There are operation and maintenance expenses connected with the sub - regional pumping station but a good gravity sewer design will minimize the number of these stations. The operation and maintenance expense incurred by the Utility Department related to the low pressure system are minimal in the small diameter force main system. Occasional force main breaks may occur, but they are infrequent. As stated earlier, the major operation and maintenance expense connected with the low pressure system involves the operation and maintenance of each individual pump station and that financial burden falls on the shoulders of the individual user. The operating and maintenance expense of the vacuum system is related to the central pumping station which involves the electrical expense and maintenance cost of vacuum pumps, sewage pumps, standby generator, and electrical switch gear. There also appears to be periodic replacement of pneumatic control elements in the valve pits. The vacuum system manufacturer 20 November 2013 MM # 1351 SANITARY SEWER FEASIBILITY STUDY & REPORT NORTH SEBASTIAN AREA also has recommendations for purchase of special equipment to periodically clean the pipeline system and regenerate the system. In summary, all three (3) sewer system alternatives represent acceptable operation and maintenance cost to the Indian River County Utilities; however, there is no doubt that the individual user would find the low pressure sewer system alternative to be the least acceptable. 21 November 2013 SANITARY SEWER FEASIBILITY STUDY & REPORT MM # 1351 NORTH SEBASTIAN AREA PROJECT FINANCING Public acceptance of this project is paramount to its success. The public users must be satisfied that the Indian River County Utilities Department has explored various financial alternatives as well as determining the design and project cost considerations of the alternatives. Public acceptance of the project can be expected if the users accept the facts as follows: the project is needed; the best alternative is selected in order to execute the project; and the selected financial plan result in the users' acceptance of their share of the project's cost. This sanitary sewer project is a project which not only benefits the local users but also benefits the community at large due to environmental and economic considerations. The environmental benefits to the Indian River Lagoon by virtue of the elimination of pollution from septic disposal systems are unquestioned. The Indian River Lagoon is probably the main reason that most of us live in this area and it has a major impact on all of us with respect to quality of life and our public economy. This sanitary sewer project also has a direct impact on the economic development of commercial properties along the east side of US #1 as well as the riverfront area of the City of Sebastian. Centralized sewers and the elimination of the need of septic disposal systems will facilitate commercial development in these areas which in turn will create additional employment and economic activity. These environmental and economic factors will serve to make this project very attractive for securing financial grants from state and federal agencies to construct the project. This Feasibility Study and Report will be a major document for use in the process of preparing financial grant applications. Due to the high estimated cost per ERU, grant funding will be essential to the success of this project. In addition to grant funds, project financing will also be required by Indian River County Utilities Department either by financial assessments against users benefitting by the project or by the County Utilities Department securing project financing or some combination of assessments and County funding. This project, if undertaken, will have a substantial benefit to the County from an environmental and economic development standpoint. Therefore, some County contribution to the cost of improvements can be justified. If sufficient grant funds are secured, a combination of County funding and project assessments could be developed to facilitate public acceptance of the project. 22 November 2013 SANITARY SEWER FEASIBILITY STUDY & REPORT MM # 1351 NORTH SEBASTIAN AREA CONCLUSIONS & RECOMMENDATIONS This sanitary sewer Feasibility Study and Report for the North Sebastian Area has evaluated three (3) alternative systems which are in use in Indian River County. They are the conventional gravity sewer system, the vacuum collection system, and the low pressure system alternative utilizing grinder pumps or the STEP system. The majority of the collection systems in Indian River County utilize the gravity collection system. A vacuum collection system with over 400 users is located in the Rockridge community of Indian River County and there are several scattered developments and locations including Indian River Drive in Study Area #1 of this report which utilize low pressure grinder pump systems. Conceptual designs for each of the three (3) alternative systems are included in the report and are used as a basis of estimating quantities of the elements needed to construct each of the alternative systems. Estimated construction costs provided by a local, experience utility construction contractor were applied to these various elements and the resulting project costs were estimated for each of the alternatives. The alternatives and their estimated project costs are listed as follows: Gravity Sewer System Alternative: $ 5,000,000 Vacuum Collection System Alternative: $ 6,600,000 Low Pressure Pump System Alternative: Grinder Pump System: $ 8,600,000.00 STEP System: $ 7,100,000.00 The gravity sewer system alternative has the lowest project cost estimate. In addition, the gravity system is the most reliable, does not rely on mechanical components, and is the least expensive to maintain and operate. Finally, the gravity system does not have the disadvantages of the other alternatives which include: 0 Requires much institutional involvement because the pressure and vacuum system has many mechanical components throughout the service area. • The operation and maintenance (O &M) cost for a pressure and vacuum system is often higher than a conventional gravity system due to the high number of mechanical elements in use. • Annual preventive maintenance calls are usually scheduled for grinder pump components of pressure sewers. STEP systems also require pump -out of septic tanks at two to three year intervals. + Public education is necessary so the user knows how to deal with emergencies and how to avoid blockages or other maintenance problems associated with low pressure systems. 23 November 2013 MM # 1351 SANITARY SEWER FEASIBILITY STUDY & REPORT NORTH SEBASTIAN AREA • The number of pumps or vacuum valves that can share the same downstream force or vacuum main is limited. 0 Power outages can result in overflows if standby generators are not available. • Life cycle replacement costs are expected to be higher because pressure and vacuum sewers have a lower life expectancy than conventional systems. Therefore, it is our recommendation that the gravity collection system alternative be selected as the preferred alternative for this project. It is suggested that the Indian River County Utilities Department schedule a meeting with the City of Sebastian leadership to secure their input and approval. The City has previously expressed interest in funding a portion of such improvements from the City's CRA fund. This funding source should be explored further with City staff at this time. It is also recommended that a meeting be held with the impacted community in order to gather input from potential project users. It is important that these meetings take place as quickly as possible in order not to delay any efforts to prepare applications and make submittals for grant funds to construct the project. It is important to note that grant funding will be crucial to the success of this project. Without grant funding, the cost of these projects will likely be too high to secure support from the local community for funding. If sufficient grant funds are obtained, then a combination of County funding and property assessments could be achieved. 24 COMMERCIAL AREA MAP SAINT SEBASTIAN RIVER if •�!` ��` h y f:. �MlCONSULTING ENGINEERS INDIAN RIVER LAGOON l' �E LEGEND L = Commercial Area in Study Area #1 Estimated Parcels - 57 = Commercial Area served by existing sanitary sewer A STUDY AREA • 1 C OO MM[Efi@0L%[L LaRFA MLap 10/23/2013 �LaG�J�4LaG3�`I �C�C�a CFCEGQIDEDILDT7 �4MD�`I LaLn]D GCp0L4 MHUM �1EC3M4 &H ME1 SOIL BORING DATA KELLER, SCHLEICHER & MacVWILLIAM ENGINEERING AND TESTING, INC. MARTIN (772) 337 -7755 PO, BOX 78 -1377, SEBASTIAN, Fl_ 32978 -1377 SEBASTIAN (772) 589 -0712 PALM BEACH (561) 845 -7445 www.ksmengineering.net MELBOURNE (321) 768 -8488 FAX (561) 845 -8876 E -Mail: KSMCKSMENGINEERING.NET ST. LUCIE (772) 229 -9093 C.A.: 5693 FAX (772) 589 -6469 Revised: October 15, 2013 Earl Masteller, P.E. Masteller & Moler, Inc. 1655 27th Street, Suite 2 Vero Beach, Florida 32960 Re: Sebastian Sewer Feasibility Sebastian, Florida KSM Project##: 131571 -sb Dear Mr. Masteller: Please see attached boring logs for the referenced project for nine (9) locations. These locations were chosen at random in order to determine the soil profiles and water tables. The soils consisted mostly of fine grained sand. Traces of shell fragments were also found. No muck, debris or unsuitable soils were found. These soils are considered suitable for the proposed project. The water table which is listed on the boring logs is also considered to be equivalent to the high season water table based on the time of year. If " Ftfitiuestions, please feel free to call my office. ®� r K-4 * � wp a o +► w.. • o ® No. 683 J E K /Ics Email To: mastmolr @bellsouth.net Ronald G. Keller, P.E.: 37293 / SI Lic. No.: 860 / Julie E. Keller, P.E.: 68366 KSM Engineering & Testing BORING NUMBER SB -1 KSMP.O. Box 78 -1377 PAGE 1 OF 1 Sebastian, FL 32978 Tel: (772)- 589 -0712 Fax: (772)-589-6469 CLIENT Masteller & Moler, Inc. Earl Masteller, P.E. PROJECT NAME Sebastian Sewer Feasibility PROJECT NUMBER KSM # 131571 -b PROJECT LOCATION Sebastian, Florida DATE STARTED 1018/13 COMPLETED 10/8/13 GROUND ELEVATION HOLE SIZE inches DRILLING CONTRACTOR GROUND WATER LEVELS: DRILLING METHOD �Z AT TIME OF DRILLING 6.50 ft / 12.92 NAVD LOGGED BY DP & DH CHECKED BY JEK AT END OF DRILLING - -- NOTES North Side of 82nd Ct., 165' West of 129th Ct. _ AFTER DRILLING - -- w o ♦ SPT N VALUE U Q. o_ } w w 20 40 60 80 PL MC LL H o- i =CD Q-0 MATERIAL DESCRIPTION Wm _5 2 _ wo > C7 oz-j O Z) Q H� w.4 ~� Z 0— m0> v" }" 20 40 60 80 V < Z � U ? 0 WO ❑ FINES CONTENT ( %) ❑ 0 20 40 60 80 Gray Sand with Traces of Roots Light Gray Sand SS 3 -2 -2 (4) KSS 2 -2 -3 :. (5) 5 2 -3 -3 V Dark Brown Sand .... .... .... .... (6) Esss 3 -3 -4 Bottom of borehole at 8.0 feet. 7 a ao M Lu W Lu W Y_ U O M w J LL Y v F r ro m O V V M N O c� m Q J M H F Z M F Q J a m U w r 0 w KSM Engineering & Testing - BORING NUMBER SB -2 KSMP.O. Box 78 -1377 PAGE 1 OF 1 Sebastian, FL 32978 Tel: (772)- 589 -0712 Fax: (772)-589-6469 CLIENT Masteller & Moler, Inc. Earl Masteller, P.E. PROJECT NAME Sebastian Sewer Feasibility PROJECT NUMBER KSM # 131571 -b PROJECT LOCATION Sebastian, Florida DATE STARTED 10/8/13 COMPLETED 1018/13 GROUND ELEVATION HOLE SIZE inches DRILLING CONTRACTOR GROUND WATER LEVELS: DRILLING METHOD AT TIME OF DRILLING 4.50 ft / 13.77 NAVD LOGGED BY DP & DH CHECKED BY JEK AT END OF DRILLING - -- NOTES North Side of Roseland Rd., 90' West of 135th Street AFTER DRILLING - -- Gray Sand White and Gray Sand SS 3 -3 -4 X (7) ....... ............................... KSS 3 -3 -2 (5) 5 - SS 3 -3 -3 Bottom of borehole at 6.0 feet. 6 nln w o t A SPT N VALUE A a �m w 5 20 40 60 80 PL MC LL ; a =c9 a p MATERIAL DESCRIPTION Lu M _ wo > C� �z� O Z¢ �� w i ~cp z Q ov <—� OU- m0Z v" }" 20 40 60 80 �z a ❑ FINES CONTENT ( %) [I r¢ Gray Sand White and Gray Sand SS 3 -3 -4 X (7) ....... ............................... KSS 3 -3 -2 (5) 5 - SS 3 -3 -3 Bottom of borehole at 6.0 feet. 6 nln KSM Engineering & Testing BORING NUMBER SB -3 KSMP.O. Box 78 -1377 PAGE 1 OF 1 Sebastian, FL 32978 Tel: (772)- 589 -0712 Fax: (772)-589-6469 CLIENT Masteller & Moler, Inc. Earl Masteller P.E. PROJECT NAME Sebastian Sewer Feasibility PROJECT NUMBER KSM # 131571 -b PROJECT LOCATION Sebastian, Florida DATE STARTED 10/8/13 COMPLETED 10/8/13 GROUND ELEVATION HOLE SIZE inches DRILLING CONTRACTOR GROUND WATER LEVELS: DRILLING METHOD �Z AT TIME OF DRILLING 11.50 ft / 7.30 NAVD LOGGED BY DP & DH CHECKED BY JEK AT END OF DRILLING - -- NOTES North Side of Bay St. , 175' West of 135th Lane AFTER DRILLING - - o A SPT N VALUE A U F-W W } w 20 40 60 80 PL MC LL i 0 F� CL Z =(9 a p MATERIAL DESCRIPTION Wm 2 w0 > C� F- �Z-J Oj D¢ F--•� w.4 ~� Z a W " �� O- m0Z v }�- 20 40 60 80 ELz < W a Of [I FINES CONTENT ( %) El 0 20 40 60 80 o:;...::. Gray Sand with Traces of Roots Light Gray Sand SS 5 -6 -8 (14) SS 5 -4 -6 (10) 5 ...... ............................... SS 3 -3 -4 (7) :. . X S S 6 -5-6 (11) ....... ....... ....... ....... ....... 10 .' SS 6 -8 -7 a (15) ....:.. c� ?� ..... ............................... SS 6 -5 -4 Bottom of borehole at 12.0 feet. 9 Lu w Lu w ti Y_ U O M 6 W J LL Y_ v H m ro c v M o 0 C7 m 5 D F m H Z_ C7 Cn h O J a x m x U W H O w 0 KSM Engineering & Testing BORING NUMBER SB -4 KSMP.O. Box 78 -1377 PAGE 1 OF 1 Sebastian, FL 32978 Tel: (772)-589-0712 Fax: (772)-589-6469 CLIENT Masteller & Moler, Inc. Earl Masteller, P.E. PROJECT NAME Sebastian Sewer Feasibility PROJECT NUMBER KSM # 131571 -b PROJECT LOCATION Sebastian, Florida DATE STARTED 10/1/13 COMPLETED 10/1/13 GROUND ELEVATION HOLE SIZE inches DRILLING CONTRACTOR GROUND WATER LEVELS: DRILLING METHOD AT TIME OF DRILLING 13.50 ft / 5.71 NAVD LOGGED BY DP & DH CHECKED BY JEK AT END OF DRILLING - -- NOTES North Side of 80th Ave. Across from 143rd Street AFTER DRILLING - -- U a d O w 90 5 10 L 0 n J 0 "n u J L n s Light Gray Sand Orange Sand MATERIAL DESCRIPTION of Roots Bottom of borehole at 14.0 feet. w o z �w �o �P5 w n �� OD � � W 0O 0 Z --i _j�Q a H W w j 2 z mOz Ue < a D SS I 3 -3 -2 ., SS 2 -2 -2 (4) SS 2 -1 -2 (3) SS 2 -2 -2 (4) SS 2-3 -4 (7) SS 5 -6 -6 (12) SS 5 -7 -9 (16) ♦ SPT N VALUE 20 40 60 80 PL MC LL 20 4� 0 60 X80 ❑ FINES CONTENT ( %) ❑ KSM KELLER, SCHLEICHER & MacWILLIAM ENGINEERING AND TESTING, INC. MARTIN (772) 337 -7755 PO, BOX 78 -1377, SEBASTIAN, FL 32978 -1377 SEBASTIAN (772) 589 -0712 PALM BEACH (561) 845 -7445 www.ksmengineering.net MELBOURNE (321) 768 -8488 FAX (561) 845 -8876 E -Mail: KSM@KSMENGINEERING.NET ST. LUCIE (772) 229 -9093 C.A.: 5693 FAX (772) 589 -6469 Date October 3, 2013 Location: Sebastian Sewer Feasibility Sebastian, Florida SB -5, East Side of U.S. Highway 1, 815' South of Roseland Road ----------------------------------------------------------------- DEPTH Strata PEN DESCRIPTION OF IN FEET ----------------------------------------------------------- FROM -TO READINGS SOILS - - - - -- -0- 0" - 8" Gray Sand with Traces of Roots ------------------------------------------------------------ -1- 8" - 84" 25 Light Gray Sand -2- 32 -3- 30 -4- 27 -5- 32 -6- 34 -7- ------------------------------------------------------ - - - - -- Water Table : 74" Below Existing Grade or 14.48 NAVD Job #: KSM 131571 -5sb Ronald G. Keller, P.E.: 37293 / SI Lic. No.: 860 / Julie E. Keller, P.E.: 68366 KSM Engineering & Testing BORING NUMBER SB -6 P.O. Box 78-1377 KSM S basstian, FL 32978 PAGE 1 OF 1 Tel: (772)-589-0712 Fax: (772)- 589 -6469 CLIENT Masteller & Moler, Inc Earl Masteller, P.E. PROJECT NAME Sebastian Sewer Feasibility PROJECT NUMBER KSM # 131571 -b PROJECT LOCATION Sebastian Florida DATE STARTED 10/8/13 COMPLETED 10/8113 GROUND ELEVATION HOLE SIZE inches DRILLING CONTRACTOR GROUND WATER LEVELS: DRILLING METHOD Q AT TIME OF DRILLING 6.66 ft / 16.97 NAVD LOGGED BY DP & DH CHECKED BY JEK AT END OF DRILLING - -- NOTES East Side of US Highway 1 2,390' North of Jackson St. AFTER DRILLING - -- U F- a U w <0 o O MATERIAL DESCRIPTION W wm o Wp 0`-j w �� H� ♦ SPT N VALUE 20 40 60 80 PL MC LL J2 >O O -,5Q > w� Y — Z Q D – � 0 20 40 60 180 o- � 2 m O U Z � a Q El FINES CONTENT ( %) El Gray Sand with Traces of Roots Light Gray Sand SS 2 -2 -1 (3) ............................... SS 1 -1 -2 (3) 5 ............................... 2 -1 -2 SS :. (3) Q SS 2;3,3 Bottom of borehole at 8.0 feet. L 7 0 n �I KSM KELLER, SCHLEICHER & NIaCW'ILLIAM ENGINEERING AND TESTING, INC. MARTIN (772) 337 -7755 PO. BOX 78 -1377, SEBASTIAN, FL 32978 -1377 SEBASTIAN (772) 589 -0712 PALM BEACH (561) 845 -7445 www.ksmengineering.net MELBOURNE (321) 768 -8488 FAX (561) 845 -8876 E -Mail: KSMCKSMENGINEERING.NET ST. LUCIE (772) 229 -9093 C.A.: 5693 FAX (772) 589 -6469 Date October. 1, 2013 Location: Sebastian Sewer Feasibility Sebastian, Florida SB -7, East Side of Central Ave. 265' North of 134th Street ----------------------------------------------------------------- DEPTH Strata PEN DESCRIPTION OF IN FEET ----------------------------------------------------------- FROM -TO READINGS SOILS - - - - -- -0- 0" - 18" Brown Sand with Traces of Roots -1- 27 ------------------------------------------------------------ 18" - 44" Light Gray Sand -2- 31 -3- 34 ------------------------------------------------------------- 44" - 48" Dark Brawn Sand -4- -------------------------- 36-------------------------- - - - - -- Water Table : 15" Below Existing Grade or 7.51 NAVD Job #: KSM 131571 -7sb Ronald G. Keller, P.E.: 37293 / SI Lic. No.: 860 / Julie E. Keller, P.E.: 68366 KSM KELLER, SCHLEICHER & MacWILLIAM ENGINEERING AND TESTING, INC. MARTIN (772) 337 -7755 P.O. BOX 78 -1377, SEBASTIAN, FL 32978 -1377 SEBASTIAN (772) 589 -0712 PALM BEACH (561) 845 -7445 www.ksmengineering.net MELBOURNE (321) 768 -8488 FAX (561) 845 -8876 E -Mail: KSM @KSMENGINEERING.NET ST. LUCIE (772) 229 -9093 C.A.: 5693 FAX (772) 589 -6469 Date October 1, 2013 Location: Sebastian Sewer Feasibility Sebastian, Florida SB -8, East Side of Central Ave. 170' South of 130th Street ----------------------------------------------------------------- DEPTH Strata PEN DESCRIPTION OF IN FEET FROM —TO READINGS SOILS ----------------------------------------------------------------- -0— 0" - 16" Dark Gray Sand with Traces of Clay and Roots -1- 34 ------------------------------------------------------------ 16" - 40" Light Gray Sand -2- 37 -3- 41 -7---------------------------------------------------------- 40" - 60" Dark Brown Sand -4- 1 -5- -------------------------- 44-------------------------- - - - - -- Water Table : 24" Below Existing Grade or 9.31 NAVD Job #: KSM 131571 -8sb Ronald G. Keller, P.E.: 37293 / SI Lic. No.: 860 / Julie E. Keller, P.E.: 68366 KSM KELLER, SCHLEICHER & MacWILLIAM ENGINEERING AND TESTING, INC. MARTIN (772) 337 -7755 P.O. BOX 78 -1377, SEBASTIAN, FL 32978 -1377 SEBASTIAN (772) 589 -0712 PALM BEACH (561) 845 -7445 www.ksmengineering.net MELBOURNE (321) 768 -8488 FAX (561) 845 -8876 E -Mail: KSMP_KSMENGINEERING.NET ST. LUCIE (772) 229 -9093 C.A.: 5693 FAX (772) 589 -6469 Date October 1, 2013 Location: Sebastian Sewer Feasibility Sebastian, Florida SB -9, S.E. Corner of Central Ave. and Davis Street ----------------------------------------------------------------- DEPTH Strata PEN DESCRIPTION OF IN FEET FROM -TO READINGS SOILS ----------------------------------------------------------- - - - - -- -0- 0" - 6" Dark Gray Sand with Some Roots ------------------------------------------------------------ 6 48" Gray Sand with Traces -1- 30 of Shell Fragments -2- 34 -3- 36 -4- ----------------------------- 37----------------------- - - - - -- Water Table : 16" Below Existing Grade or 8.51 NAVD Job #: KSM 131571 -9sb Ronald G. Keller, P.E.: 37293 / Sl Lic. No.: 860 / Julie E. Keller, P.E.: 68366 VACUUM COLLECTION SYSTEM EXHIBITS M CONSULTING ENGINEERS 4wpOC�Lad ����4 G4DNCRETE COLLAR FINAL DESA GN BY ENGINEER OF RECORD CAST IRON FRAME AND LIB} RATED FOR H213 TRAFFIC LOADING SPIRAL WOUND, H20 LOADING NOTE: IWSLIMP BREATHER RATED, RRERGLAS49 VALVE !PIT NOT SHOWN IN THIS VIEW 27" L0. AT TUP, FOR CLARITY —SEE ADJACENT 3$" I.D. AT BOT C44 E - EVATION AND PLAN VEW5 E€IPTINO GI QE 2'-2 lljV r r } ¢r .O � � FLEXIBLE ANTI, � 410 a C4�I' COLLAR lb o - YiM SEAR MAIN PTIECTK)N OF FLOW INTO PAPER} ONE PIECE MOLDED 'A' SUMP ASSEMBLY A' ORB' GRAVITY STUB -OUT i d -1�2 WITH GLIDED GAP (TYP_) 3' SUCTION LINE 2' SENSOR LINE C GRAVIT 6' GRAVITY DIM "A' I -E' mu?)cTCElLILIER a wO ugn met Ml CONSULTING ENGINEERS UWPO&M W&LWIE Puu 1 ' 1. VACUUM SEWER MAIN �Ml CONSULTING ENGINEERS COLL.E'CTION TANK FORCE AAIN SEWAGE PUMPS �C�Gi]C�G�La4�C� ilk - --MO Ir- Photo of Top Section of Valve Pit Photo of Valve Pit with Cover and Vent Rockridge Vacuum Station M'1 CONSULTING ENGINEERS r 71 P1K1@U@ ° e PM1% OCP G30@MG3 eMIE WZ @MMM (YQ5'V[E Vvtl - 10/23/2013 LOW PRESSURE /GRINDER PUMP STATION EXHIBITS (1) 1 1 CILM VALVE (k9 IONTAL) i i (1) 1-1/2- 2- SUL 1Q aW at5�1 P F ' 1 tR 114rFr By 4" NLET HIM I � fLAHGE FlE].L1 IFiSTN.lE1} 9 -9/.2' Q-ECIC VALVE HIGH LEVEL ALARM i (HMZONTAL) pvMp ON i 41) 1 -1�Z�M PUMP off � SCHOO PJC 17 54" _ pry OF FIBERGLASS 8i4SR1 VI{ 't .3 ANTI- FLOTATIC i PLATE FZEL0 ETC L MILL tm i L d� ■ 7 ■ i ■ t ! r w� r w w ■ 7d ■ 51 k CCNIM etiA.74. - !t k F�Aii I61TER& - - hVA --A\g [El[L[E H M �t]OC�C G° ��]C o 4�lG�OC�Lad CMG OGv]DC C PUMP 34Q40OH lYl CONSULTING ENGINEERS 0 ' L _ ' ^ s�► 'i `l Photo of Simplex System Ij� Photo of Simplex System Photo of Duplex System M CONSULTING ENGINEERS d @W PEE( MUREE 9W,4CEM - 11/11/2013 INDIAN RIVER LAGOON POLLUTION ARTICLES -Article PRESS JOURNAL (TCPALM) August 11, 2013 Investigation: Move over fertilizer; septic tank drainage also contaminating Indian River Lagoon By Scott Wyland TCPALM rI. 7- PiL) XsTm AsurFi-- CILSTA!.!r.r "r 1.11::. Read more at tepaIm crj,71 Investigation: Move over fertilizer; septic tank drainage also contaminating Indian River Lagoon Study found nutrient levels in Indian River Lagoon as high as Boston Harbor's when raw sewage was dumped there By Scott Wyland Sunday, August 11, 2013 DISSOLVED INORGANIC NITROGEN 16 It represents airrno ium and nitrate, vrhich feed algal blooms in the lagoon. Mosquito Banana North `Central; South Lagoon River Indian River Indian River Indian River Lagoon Lagoon Lagoon Lagoon Central Lagoon includes lodian River County and Mor0em St. Lucie County PHOTO BY JIM URICK This chart shows the dissolved inorganic nitrogen levels between 2011 and 2012 in the Indian River Lagoon. Dissolved inorganic nitrogen feeds algae blooms in the lagoon. An angler launches a boat from his Sebastian waterfront home and zooms across the Indian River Lagoon to where his favorite sea grass bed was once teeming with fish he could almost grab with his bare hands. But the sea grass and fish are gone. Clumps of algae now mottle the sandy bottom in the nearly barren, tea - colored water. Dry season 17 2011 Wet season 2011 Wet season 2012 — I — Mosquito Banana North `Central; South Lagoon River Indian River Indian River Indian River Lagoon Lagoon Lagoon Lagoon Central Lagoon includes lodian River County and Mor0em St. Lucie County PHOTO BY JIM URICK This chart shows the dissolved inorganic nitrogen levels between 2011 and 2012 in the Indian River Lagoon. Dissolved inorganic nitrogen feeds algae blooms in the lagoon. An angler launches a boat from his Sebastian waterfront home and zooms across the Indian River Lagoon to where his favorite sea grass bed was once teeming with fish he could almost grab with his bare hands. But the sea grass and fish are gone. Clumps of algae now mottle the sandy bottom in the nearly barren, tea - colored water. Harlan Franklin glances at several dolphins frolicking in the distance, a majestic sight for many people but a frustrating one for him. He would rather see fish. Franklin, a former fishing columnist, blames the runoff funneled through canals into the lagoon for killing the sea grass. Septic tanks that leach into canals, groundwater and the lagoon contribute to the pollution, he said, though he's not sure how much. "I moved here to fish," said Franklin, who has lived near the lagoon since 2006. "It's a major disappointment." NITROGEN ISOTOPES IN MICR+DALGAE FROM SEWAGE IMPACTED COASTAL WATERS 9 8 7 dA 4- C 5 LA 4 a 3 Th II 0 ' Roberts Bosun Indian Bay, Fla. harbor. River Mass. Lagoon Source: Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute PHOTO BY JIM URICK Quashnet Big Pine Sarasota Western River, Key Bay, Florida Mass. Fla. Fla. Bay This chart shows nitrogen isotopes in microalgae from sewage impacted coastal waters. Researchers at Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute in Fort Pierce have found sewage contaminating the entire 156 -mile lagoon. Indian River County's levels are comparable to Boston Harbor's when raw sewage was dumped there, a new water analysis shows. Despite growing evidence that septic tanks play a role in the lagoon's degradation, most elected leaders are hesitant to tackle this part of the problem, largely because many property owners oppose increased septic regulations, a Scripps Treasure Coast Newspapers investigation found. Some scientists and regulatory agencies point to fertilizers as the main source of the nutrient runoff generating heavy algae in the lagoon. But Harbor Branch professor Brian LaPointe believes sewage carries more of the nutrients spurring algae growth. "It's really unclear how much fertilizer is reaching the lagoon," LaPointe said. "But one septic tank on 4 acres — that's enough to create a nutrient problem." Algal blooms block sunlight that sea grass needs to thrive. As the algae decompose, they deplete oxygen, which can suffocate sea grass and fish, turning clear, biodiverse waters into a murky dead zone. Local treatment plants discharge some effluent, though most wastewater in the lagoon comes from septic tanks, said LaPointe, who has studied sewage impacts on waterways for 30 years. There are about 120,000 septic systems on the Treasure Coast, the newspaper investigation found. As many as half Martin county: 40,000, LaPointe's research team took a total of three lagoon -wide officials didn't know how samples in 2011 and 2012 and found nitrogen isotopes in the many predate 1983 algae, an element directly linked to sewage. Elevated levels of ammonium and nitrate also were detected, LaPointe said, noting anything above 3 parts per million indicates sewage. He called the findings a smoking gun. All three counties on the Treasure Coast showed at least 5 parts per million. Indian River County had as much as 9 parts per million, putting it on par with troubled water bodies such as Boston Harbor, according to the research. were installed before stricter regulations were enacted in Indian Rimer County: 37;000, roughly half 1983, making them more likely to drain sewage into issued before 1983. Of groundwater that ends up in the lagoon, according to data the 900 systems on the barrier island — where from the counties and Harbor Branch. they're more likely to be near waterways — 747 No one knows how many systems affect the lagoon, and are more than 3.0 years recordkeeping is sketchier on older septic tanks that could old cause the most harm. St. Lucie County: 45,000, about 18,000 One thing is certain: sewage taints the estuary. date back before 1983 Martin county: 40,000, LaPointe's research team took a total of three lagoon -wide officials didn't know how samples in 2011 and 2012 and found nitrogen isotopes in the many predate 1983 algae, an element directly linked to sewage. Elevated levels of ammonium and nitrate also were detected, LaPointe said, noting anything above 3 parts per million indicates sewage. He called the findings a smoking gun. All three counties on the Treasure Coast showed at least 5 parts per million. Indian River County had as much as 9 parts per million, putting it on par with troubled water bodies such as Boston Harbor, according to the research. "I was taken aback by that," LaPointe said. "We don't just have a problem, we have a serious problem." OWNERS RESIST North America's most biodiverse estuary is losing some of its wildlife. Much of the red algae, known as gracilaria, has a toxic residue LaPointe and other researchers think might have killed 145 manatees, more than 50 dolphins and about 300 pelicans in the lagoon earlier this year in Brevard County. Manatees munched on the stringy algae when it overtook sea grass, their normal dietary staple. Dolphins and pelicans eat fish that ingest the algae. NITROGEN ISOTOPES g — Dr, season Wet season Wet season 2011 2011 _ 2012 0 6 A I �I 'II III 0 TItresh1 old Indr4 sewat�e��l Mosquito Banana North Central South Lagoon Rt ver Indian River Mdian Rivet Indian Rivet Lagoon Lagoon Lagoon Lagoon NOTE: lrrdian River County is in the Central. Martin County is +n th.e South. Raft of St. Lucie County is in Central and part is in South. PHOTO BY JIM URICK This chart represents the amount of macroalgae recorded in the Indian River Lagoon during 2011 and 2012. It also shows the amount of macroalgae represented when when sewage is present. Sea grass is a vital part of the lagoon's food web, feeding small fish and mussels larger creatures eat. An estimated 47,000 acres of sea grass has died north of Fort Pierce since 2007, experts say. In areas where it has vanished, most manatees and many fish species have left in search of better pickings, creating dead zones. Aside from nutrients — such as nitrogen and phosphorous — sewage also contains coliform bacteria, viruses, prescription drugs and anything else flushed down the toilet, LaPointe said. A conservationist criticizes what he says is public leaders' reluctance to impose measures to keep septic sewage from harming the lagoon's ecosystem. "They have been neglecting, ignoring these septic systems," said Richard Baker, president of the Pelican Island Audubon Society in Indian River County. "It's very frustrating that we don't see more actions taking place. There's a lot of evidence that groundwater is carrying sewage into the lagoon." One option would be to install public sewer lines in areas that don't have them and order nearby septic tank users to hook in, Baker said. Another would be toughening codes to require faulty systems to be fixed or scrapped. Property owners are some of the staunchest opponents to government telling them what to do with their septic systems, especially if the changes cost money. Elected leaders tend to align with their constituents. Replacing a tank and drainfield costs between $5,000 and $7,000 depending on the size of the home, according to vendors. If soil must be replaced, the cost of trucking in sand can bump the price to $10,000 or more. "You start telling people they got to pay that, they're going to tell you to stuff it," said Franklin, who's hooked to county sewer but is sympathetic to neighbors with septic tanks. In 2003, Indian River County attempted to connect residents in Wabasso and Pine islands to county sewer and water lines. County officials backed off when residents complained they couldn't afford the costs, estimated at $5,000 or more. SEEKING SUBSIDIES Indian River County Commissioner Tim Zorc, who wants to restore the lagoon's health, believes a surgical approach — targeting subpar septic tanks — is less divisive than trying to overhaul an entire area such as the barrier island. "We want to be practical," Zorc said. "You have to prioritize your areas. Not all systems have to be replaced." Newer septic tanks have better filtration and funnel less solid waste to underground drainfields, which means less sewage would leach into groundwater and the lagoon, said Zorc, a longtime builder. Still, even well- functioning systems can pollute the lagoon if they were built too close to the water, Zorc said. In that case, the household should connect to a central sewer. The main snag is cost, Zorc said. Baker said there are loan programs that let people pay for sewer connections over time at a lower interest rate. So fees should not be a barrier, he said. County and city programs differ. County residents close enough to sewer lines to hook up would pay could pay the $2,800 connection fee over five years at a 5.75 percent interest rate, said Cindy Corrente, county utilities manager. About 3,000 households in Vero Beach's service area are on septic, but only 10 have access to city sewer, so the rest would need to pay $15,000 -plus to have new lines installed, said Rob Bolton, the city's water and sewer director. These customers could spread the payments throughout 20 years while paying interest at about the prime rate, Bolton said. Grants also might be available to help homeowners pay for upgrades or to hook to a municipal sewer if it protects a major water resource, Zorc said, adding he will ask water management officials, state lawmakers and congressional leaders about possible grants. However, state Sen. Joe Negron, R- Stuart, said he's not inclined to change people's methods for sewage disposal or pursue state and federal grants to pay for the changes. He said he voted to repeal the state law requiring septic tank inspections, believing it was undue government intrusion. Negron, who spearheaded a state Senate committee to study the lagoon's ills, said he wants to concentrate on restoring the Everglades and countering the harmful effects of Lake Okeechobee releases. Still, he is willing to listen to LaPointe, whom U.S. Rep. Patrick Murphy, D- Jupiter, invited to speak about septic pollution at the committee's Aug. 22 meeting in Stuart. AGING SYSTEMS Septic systems installed before 1983 cause the most concern. Aside from aging, the systems can be 25 feet from waterways – some are closer – and the drainfields that hold waste can be 6 inches above groundwater. State codes enacted in 1983 require the systems to be set back at least 50 feet from a waterway and the drainfield to be at least 2 feet above groundwater. However, the old systems — some of them installed in the 1960s — were grandfathered in. Even if they're replaced, the owners can keep the 25 -foot setback from surface water, said Cheryl Dunn, Indian River County's environmental health director. If well- maintained, the average septic system works properly for about 18 years, Dunn said. Dunn said her health agents don't look at a septic system unless someone complains, usually because of a stench. A failing system leaks long before it emits foul odors, she said "That's the problem with septic systems," Dunn said. "They're put into the ground and forgotten." SEWAGE BUILD -UP Lagoon sewage is the worst in Indian River County, especially during the rainy season. Heavy storm runoff funneled through the main relief canal combined with a lack of incoming saltwater cause sewage levels to swell, experts say. Tests show the nutrients that feed algal blooms were the highest when salinity was the lowest, and it coincided with Before 1983: - Septic systems could be 25 feet from waterways, and some were allowed to be closer. - Drainfelds that hold waste can be 6 inches above groundwater at seasonal high. Roughly half of Florida's 2.7 million septic systems were installed before 1983 1983 and later: - Septic systems must be at least 5,0 feet from a waterway - Drainfields must be at least 2 feet above groundwater at seasonal high. - Pre -1983 systems grandfathered in_ Source: Florida Department of Health water control districts releasing a high volume of stormwater, LaPointe said. Dumping stormwater here has a similar effect, though on a smaller scale, as Lake Okeechobee's freshwater being released into the St. Lucie River, LaPointe said. Increased stormwater carries more sewage, he said, noting the nitrogen isotopes – a chief sewage indicator — spiked to 9 parts per million during the wet seasons. Another lagoon researcher said the water is often stagnant, allowing nutrients to build up. Much of the lagoon north of Fort Pierce is enclosed, and the Sebastian Inlet is too small to flush it out adequately, said Grant Gilmore, senior scientist for Estuarine, Coastal and Ocean Science, a Vero Beach research firm. The county also has thousands of septic systems in low areas near the lagoon, which itself is troublesome, LaPointe said. In the coming year, a Harbor Branch student will trace the sources of the lagoon's sewage. That will include looking at canals that link the lagoon to areas with septic systems. LaPointe and Franklin both say urbanization has dealt a double blow to the lagoon. Marshes that captured and filtered runoff were replaced with subdivisions that drain more waste into the lagoon, they say. Franklin slows his boat as he cruises through a manatee protection zone not far from his house. He grumbles that the slow zone is pointless because there are no more manatees here. "I'm 84, and they're not going to fix this in my lifetime," he said. A law passed in 2,010 required homeowners to inspect septic systems at their expense every five years and called for health officials to ensure all 2 -7 million systems statewide were checked every five years. If serious flaws were found, such as leaky tanks, the owners would have to repair or replace the systems- The law stirred an outcry. Homeowners, tea party leaders and other critics pressured the Legislature into repealing the law in 2012_ counties were put in charge of inspections and can choose not to do them. Indian River and St. Lucie counties do no routine inspections- Martin County inspects about 120 systems yearly, a fraction of its inventory. @2013 Scripps Newspaper Gump —On rine -Article PRESS JOURNAL (TCPALM) October 20, 2013 Editorial: Counties along Indian River Lagoon should work together on septic tank issue By Editorial Board TCPALM -- P'rintcr- friLmdly story FLORIDA.S TREASURE CCAST AND PALM BEACHES Read mare at tcpalm_ctam Editorial: Counties along Indian River Lagoon should work together on septic tank issue By Editorial Board Sunday, October 20, 2013 Replacing septic tanks and putting properties on sewer systems along the route of the Indian River Lagoon would be a massive and expensive undertaking. But, it may be a critical component to improving the long -term health of the invaluable estuary. If that work is to be accomplished, the newly established Indian River Lagoon Counties Collaborative, with a representative from each of the six counties along the lagoon, could be key if it can find a way to work together on that goal. Established under the leadership of Martin County Commissioner Ed Fielding, the collaborative held its first meeting in September and began discussions on how they can combine political and financial resources to deal with pollution problems impacting the lagoon. Those problems vary from north to south and include discharges from Lake Okeechobee, fertilizer runoff and septic leakage into the lagoon. Since the first meeting, local and state political leaders throughout the district have addressed the septic tank issue and expressed a desire to eventually get wastewater customers on public sewer systems. But, the biggest hurdle appears to be the considerable cost. Among the three counties of the Treasure Coast alone there are about 120,000 septic systems. Replacing those systems could cost governments hundreds of millions of dollars and homeowners thousands of additional dollars. The next meeting of the collaborative is scheduled for Nov. 8 at the Indian River County Commission chambers. Presentations are tentatively scheduled from the St. Johns River Water Management District and from Brian LaPointe, a professor at the Florida Atlantic University branch of Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute. LaPointe, who undertook major studies of the lagoon in 2011 and 2012, believes sewage runoff is a major contributor to the pollution problems throughout its 156 -mile route. The issue with septic tanks and the problems related to them should be a significant topic during that upcoming meeting. The collaborative is also working to develop scientific data to locate pollution sources and levels within the lagoon. Armed with that research and data, the counties should have a better idea of what needs to be done. And, that information could go a long way to obtaining whatever state and /or federal funding assistance might be available to address the septic tank pollution of the lagoon. The costs for switching from septic tanks to sewer systems may be prohibitive for individual counties and property owners. But, combining their political influence, the counties in the collaborative may have more opportunities to get the funding help necessary to at least begin replacing the most troublesome septic tanks. There seems to be considerable momentum among the counties to begin taking direct actions to improve the health of the Indian River Lagoon. Eliminating some of the problems associated with septic tank systems may be one of the best direct actions they might implement. @2013 Scripps Newspaper Group —Online -Article PRESS JOURNAL (TCPALM) September 1, 2013 Editorial: To help restore Indian River Lagoon, Treasure Coast governments should give more attention to septic -tank issue By Editorial Board TCPALM Printor- fri -andly story F Loki D,i..STPE.ASUPE CCASTANDPAL. ,t BEACHES Read rn -ore attcpalm_corn Editorial: To help restore Indian River Lagoon, Treasure Coast governments should give more attention to septic -tank issue By Editorial Board Sunday, September 1, 2013 The major problem besetting the Indian River Lagoon — at least in Martin and St. Lucie counties — is the huge amount of polluted water being discharged from Lake Okeechobee into the St. Lucie River. However, there are two additional, major sources of the toxic nutrients that can ignite algae blooms and harm plant and animal life throughout the entire lagoon — namely, fertilizer runoff and septic -tank drainage. Many local governments on the Treasure Coast have been proactive in dealing with the first issue, adopting ordinances that ban fertilizers during the state's rainy season (June through September). The second issue — septic -tank drainage — receives less attention than it deserves. Local governments need to begin focusing their resources and creativity on this problem. The scientific evidence cannot be ignored: Sewage leeching from septic tanks throughout our region is degrading the lagoon. Brian Lapointe, a professor at Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute in Fort Pierce, believes sewage carries more of the nutrients spurring algae growth than fertilizer runoff. Lagoon -wide water samples in all three Treasure Coast counties in 2011 and 2012 showed elevated levels of ammonium and nitrate, according to Lapointe. Anything above 3 parts per million indicates sewage. Each county in our region has showed at least 5 parts per million. The level has been as high as 9 parts per million in Indian River County. "We don't just have a problem, we have a serious problem," Lapointe said. A recent investigation by Scripps Treasure Coast Newspapers found there are about 120,000 septic systems in the three - county area. As many as half were installed before 1983, when stricter regulations were enacted, making them more likely to drain sewage into groundwater — and eventually into the lagoon. The remedy? Upgrade failing septic tanks or convert them to public sewer lines. The challenge? Financing the upgrades and conversions. Replacing a septic tank and drain field alone can cost $5,000 to $7,000 — and more if soil at the site needs to be replaced. Clearly, there are no simple solutions. However, some communities on the Treasure Coast are finding creative ways to address the problem: • The city of Stuart has embarked on an ambitious project: expanding Stuart's downtown sewer system to the rest of the city. To encourage residents to convert from septic to sewer lines, the city is offering discounts: $2,000 off the $8,000 cost and interest -free payments spread over 10 years. Those who pay up front will save an additional $1,000. • More than 50 residents of West Wabasso, an unincorporated area north of County Road 510 in Indian River County, are converting from septic to sewer thanks to a $750,000 federal grant through the state's Department of Economic Opportunity. Unfortunately, there are still too few septic- conversion projects on the Treasure Coast. Solving the pollution problem in our Indian River Lagoon requires a multifaceted approach. Septic -tanks conversions must be a part of this process — a process that will be slow, piecemeal and costly. If the ultimate goal is restoring and preserving the lagoon, local governments will make a commitment to the process — and find creative ways to finance projects and make the change. © 2013 Scripps Newspaper Group — Online -Article O ()uice -Issue 31 August 2013 Can We Save the INDIAN RIVER LAGOON? The Lagoon's SEAGRASS DILEMMA By Keith MacDonald 00' Issue 31 erolslVo� We Save the inside: IN Editor's Choice 5 What's New 6 Our Day in Boston 11 NEW: Ask the Hair Guy 15 Ali That Jazz: HarryJames, "The Hawk" 21 Jane &Jim Recommend 22 Vero's Choice 23 Young Voices 32 Ashley Gang's Life of Crime 37 Mind Games 45 LA 96Z 'ON,LIM3d IJ 9USSVHVT1VL QIVd dOU.LSOd 'S'II O I S L1IS2Id 4 W" 1 Rte?' frt - ;�: . 3 y► 7, The Lagoon's il SEAGRASS DILEMMA By Keith MacDonald ast month on July 3rd, the Indian River County Commission passed the State Model Fertilizer Ordinance, which is intended to reduce nitrogen, potas- sium and phosphorous levels in the Lagoon. Currently, the Indian River Lagoon has been designated as an impaired body of water by the EPA due to its high levels of pollution and the ensuing loss of seagrass and marine life. The EPA and Florida DEP determine the amount of nutrients allowed, or TMDL - the Total Maximum Daily Loads. Cover photo: Oysters are used to filter the lagoon's nutrient -rich water. Photo by Bixby Harrison 2 Vero Is Voice Issue 31 Seagrass provides a protective environment in which young marine life can develop, but with the Lagoon's critically high levels of nutrients, the deterioration of seagrass beds created an undeni- able concern. Compelled by state law to act, the County Commis- sion passed the mandate, which is aimed at regulating the TMDL. What happened? During the summer of 2011, a "super bloom" of oxygen -con- suming algae exploded into the northern lagoon. The algae choked off the lagoon's natural seagrass, killing 45 %of it over the next eight months. This kicked off a period of rapid decline in lagoon health that still exists today. To date, two- thirds of the seagrass between Vero Beach and the northern end of the Indian River Lagoon has disappeared. The controls that were implemented in the 199os seemed to be creating a positive effect on the flourishing seagrass, but according to St. Johns River Water Management models, the drier weather we experienced between 1998 through 2010 was more responsible for keeping approximately 8o,000 kilograms of chemicals out of the lagoon each year. This surpassed any controls that could be put into action by regulation. (By comparison, the county removes approximately 6o,000 kilograms through its scrubbing, skimming and purifying efforts.) But, as is the case in many experiments gone awry, the blame for the depleted seagrass problem has been placed squarely on the shoulders o£.. the Indian River County Commission. What's being done was already being done... I met with County Commissioner Wesley Davis at the North Relief Canal project at Spoonbill Marsh and received a first -hand tour of an impressive, eco- friendly filtration system of pods, mats and runnels. "What we have created is a first -class saltwater estuary and marsh," said Davis. "The brine that used to be directly discharged into the lagoon is now being processed through 6o acres of for- merly low -grade marsh that was laden with invasive plants. These plants were strangling the natural vegetation." An impressive pumping station sits at the mouth of the large canal which channels lagoon water into the estuary where it passes through floating mats of vegetation anchored around brine -pump- ing sprinkler systems. "Under those mats, the roots of these mangrove plants extend down and consume the nutrients in the water being passed through," says Davis. "We process all of our brine right here using reverse osmosis. We pump the brine up and process it through an eco- friendly, natural process." But we're not done yet. The water is then channeled through several runnels that have been heavily populated with oysters - a car- bon -hungry shellfish. Oysters can be used to biologically treat polluted waterwithout the need of more costly purification methods. L I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I l i i l l I I I I I I I I I I111111111 1 1 1 1 1I I I I I I I I I I I1 1 1 1 1 1 1I 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 I1 1 1 1 1 1 1I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I111111111I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I Fact: A single adult oyster can filter up to 5o -6o gallons ofwa terper day. Now envision thousands of these shel yish lining the bottom of each these runnels. With all of those nutrients being processed, Commis- sioner Davis jokes we've got some pretty fat, happy oysters sitting at the bottom of North Relief Canal. Davis also points out that the county can quantify the nutrients in the water that comes into the canal and the much - cleaner water that goes back out into the lagoon. "We have proof that this system is working beyond expectations. And on top of that, we're taking care of all of the brine," Davis adds. "People don't realize how big of a deal that is. In fact, the state won't let you dump brine just anywhere these days. The City of Vero Beach spent $8 million on deep well injectors to shoot the brine down to the Florida Aquifer," says Davis. The effort doesn't simply start and end at the Spoonbill Marsh; there are two more relief canals. The South Relief Canal uses an "algae scrubber," which accomplishes exactlywhat the name implies; runoff from local prop- erties that contain nitrogen, potassium or phosphorous promote the blooming of algae. When the algae arrives at the processing area, it is trapped, removed and could be resold as bio -fuel or livestock feed. "And we're not stopping here," says Davis, "We're building another turf scrubber near South County Park, so we'll have two scrubbers in south Indian River County." The Central Canal or Main Relief Canal is a skimmer, which removes trash and organics from the runoff water before allowing it to flow through to the lagoon. "The point I'm trying to make with all of this is we (county commissioners) took it on the chin because we didn't pass a fertilizer ordinance last year. I'd wager what this county has done to preserve an d enhance the lagoon against anybody else. What we've accomplished as a community to protect our lagoon is far beyond what most have done." Finger Pointing Gone Wild that Commissioner Bob So- lari led the charge to reject the ordinance in August of 2012. Solari had contended that a fertilizer ordinance would be ineffective, unenforceable, and yet another instance of government control. "We thought it was more important to do something positive for the Lagoon in- stead of making criminals out of guys who take good care of theiryards," Solari explains. "I requested and reviewed 300 pages of back -up from the city and found that not one of Recreational activities on the lagoon generate over a billion in economic activity each year Photo by Allison McNeal the questions that needed to be answered had even been addressed." Solari saw no mandate to monitor the nutrient content of the Lagoon, no solutions and noway to enforce any part of the ordinance. "I truly believe more and more people will follow our guidelines through awareness and education," Solari said. "If people are informed, they'll make the right decisions. There's no need to micro -manage our residents." Just an FYI: Commissioner Solari removed all ofthegrass from his yard and replaced it with vegetation and potted plants that require less watering. 'T'll never use another bagoffertilizer unless it'sgoinginto mypotted plants, "he said. "The Lagoon problem wasn't the fault of any one com- missioner or the entire county commission as a whole," explains Davis. "The problem was enforcement. Were we going to fine a guywho wants to fertilize his banana tree in August? There wouldn't have been any citations written for overuse of nutrients, because who was supposed to be enforcing these rules? To blame it all on fertilizer, I don't buy that. People were fertilizing 10 years ago when the Lagoon was healthy." A Little Topography Never Hurts Looking at a map of the county, US 1 runs north to south along the "Atlantic Ridge." Interstate I -95 is another protective ridge, which is called the "10 -Mile Ridge." Wa- Commissioner Davis believes that the commissioners ter collects between these two ridges and is meant to run are taking the blame for inaction in passing the State Model Ordinance. In fact, one local columnist reported north near Jacksonville to the Upper St. John's Basin. County Commissioner Bob Solari at the water treatment facility. Photo by &xby Harrison The water that pools on the east side of the Atlantic Ridge (US 1) runs to the Lagoon through tributaries and creeks that create the brackish brown wateryou see in the Wa- terway. When the droughts of the late gos through 2010 kept the runoff minimized, the Lagoon flourished with spreading seagrass, plenty of marine life and cleaner, more oxygenated water. The addition of the second scrubber at South Relief near South Vero Park will help relieve more of the algae and nutrients that may have entered the Lagoon. And with the recent passing of the State Model Ordi- nance by the IRCC, steps have been taken to rectify our distressed Lagoon, but who will be enforcing these new restrictions? Who ment companies about how much fertilizer they can use and what time of year they can be used? "I don't want anybody to think we're done, either," says Wesley Davis. "We're not saying, 'Okay, we're done, leave us alone.' For example, I'd like to place a bunch of oysters down at the DOT outflow off US1 near Oslo Road and let them clean that water before it reaches the Lagoon." BREAKING NEWS: A New Culprit? Over the past few weeks, Brian LaPointe and assis- tant Laura Herren - two researchers with Florida Atlantic University's HarborBranch Oceanograph- icInstitute in Fort Pierce - have been studying seaweed along the Indian River Lagoon. Why? Because over 110 manatees have died in our region over the past year due to eating gracilaria - also known as red drift algae. Local biologists claim that algae blooms that choke off seagrass have reduced the mammal's usual diet, thus manatees have been forced to consume the gracilaria instead. While many are blaming fertilizers for transforming the Lagoon from a sanctuary of delicious seagrass to a brackish pool of eco- destructive death, LaPointe suspects thousands of septic tanks buried along the barrier islands' sandy terra firma - as well as along the banks of the La- goon - may also be playing a significant role. He plans to substantiate his theory by examining the nitrogen locked within the seaweed. "Gracilaria can double its biomass in just 2 -3 days," LaPointe explained. "It's very hard for seagrass to compete with that." Though nitrogen and phosphorus may have triggered too much algae bloom, creating cloudy brownish water, dead algae depletes even more oxygen in the water, which smothers marine life as well. Red drift algae will suffocate seagrass in nitrogen -rich waters and, as Lapointe points out, it seems to grow densest near neighborhoods with septic orsewage problems. A classic example of this is how gracilaria thrives near heavily populated bird sanctuaries as it feeds off the birds' fecal waste. Back at the North Relief Canal, Commissioner Wesley Davis remains optimistic. "I'm proud of this project," Davis beams. "A fertilizer ordinance is one thing, but this North Relief Project" is something that works verywell and we're very proud of it!" It will be interesting to review the results of LaPointe's will be charged with educating local golf research. courses, landscapers and property manage Stay tuned! Issue 31 Vero's Voice 3 Working Together for a Healthy Indian River Lagoon ♦ , R x �40 By Congressman Bill Posey ' tal to indigenous and migratory species, and provides - 1 an important habitat for a variety of marine plants and animals. We have a privilege in that our Indian River Lagoon is one of the most diverse estuaries in the nation. Congressman Posey and volunteers plant mangroves along the Indian River Lagoon The Indian River Lagoon is important to our quali- ty of life and our community's natural beauty. Like our beaches, the Lagoon greatly enhances our quality of life, is important for our economy, and provides excit- ing recreational opportunities for those of us who live here as well as tourists to our community. Our estuary also plays avital role for indigenous and migratory wildlife. I chose to live on the Lagoon and raise my family there. The Indian River Lagoon stretches 156 miles through five counties along Florida's East Coast - from Volusia County at the north end and south through Martin County. Key findings of a 2008 study commissioned by the St. John Water Management District found the Lagoon's overall economic benefit to our communities to be significant - the overall esti- mated annual value of the Lagoon is over $3.5 billion supporting approximately 15,00o jobs. Recreational activities generate nearly $1.4 billion in economic activity and about $629 million ayear in resident income. Since estuaries are places where fresh water mixes with saltwater from the oceans, preserving this delicate balance is important and challenging. The Lagoon plays a role in preventing coastal erosion, is vi- a '" 0 Among the most pressing issues facing the Lagoon include unusual algae blooms, declines in sea grass, fish kills, and manatee, dolphin and pelican deaths from undetermined causes. A significant measure of the health of the Lagoon is the sea grass coverage. The recent algae blooms have had a significant adverse impact on Lagoon sea grasses contributing to the loss of more than 47,00o acres of sea grass loss since the spring of 2011. It's important that we understand the myriad of contributing factors and take steps to reverse this loss. In Congress I have actively supported reauthori- zation and funding for the National Estuary Program (NEP), which was created by Congress in 1987 to help maintain nationally significant estuaries like the Indian River Lagoon. This $16.8 million program provides a base grant of $600,00o to each of the 28 national estuaries around the country. Fund- ing goes to the St. Johns Water Management District to be used to sup- port research focused on improving the Lagoon's health and providing seed funding for restoration projects and planning. Iwas pleased to join bipar- tisan efforts to reauthorize this important program in 2010 and have supported annual bipar- tisan efforts to ensure that funding for the estuary program remains intact. Addition- ally, to better understand the cause of death for dolphins and manatees, I have support- i ed efforts to restore funding for the Prescott Marine Mammal Rescue Assistance matching grant program. Nationwide, the National Estuary Program has restored and protected more than 1.5 million acres since 2000. Restoration and protection projects often require local matching fundingwhich ensure local community support. The program is cost - effective, is driven by local conservation priorities, and decisions are made on the best science available. September 28, 2013, is National Estuaries Day. As we approach that day when there is a national focus on our estuaries, there are several importantways that you can get involved in preserving and restoring the health of our Lagoon. First, you can considerways to reduce runoff into the Lagoon. You can find helpful tips on how to do this and take other important steps at http://www.sjrwmd.com/waterbodies/whatyoucan- do.html. Second, look for opportunities to get engaged in restoration efforts like planting mangroves and grass- es or participating in volunteer cleanup activities. You can get involved by contacting the Indian River Lagoon estuary program staff at http: // www.sjrwmd.com /contactus /. It's important to be good stewards of our natural resources and to take a common sense approach towards preserving our envi- ronment. As your repre- sentative in Congress, I will continue to focus on local initiatives like the Lagoon program. •I 1V Wood Stork photo by Bixby Harrison r .t\ t� nu� -iii Y TlfIJ 1.�•. • '1 -Article O ()uice -Issue 32 September 2013 IS THE DREAM OF A PRISTINE INDIAN RIVER LAGOON GONE? Hundreds of manatees, dolphins and pelicans are dying. Are we looking in the right direction to correct this horrific epidemic? By Keith MacDonald 1 "Now%` _ NoHlvd lvlsOd 96Z 'ON 11VMd "I3 UISSVHVI IVI GlVd HDVISOd 'S 'n CIS DdSAd wh+] J_ li 4' a� II + s i OUR LAGOON IS SICK ...But the Doctor Is In By Keith MacDonald r fa x_ s our summer has slowly passed, we've watched in horror as the waters of the Indian River Lagoon have taken on a dull, green -brown hue. Local wildlife officials have seen a considerable spike in the unexplained .� deaths of hundreds of manatees, dolphins, peli- cans, fish and other wildlife along the stretch of the Indian River that runs from Volusia County, Pall the way south to Hobe Sound near West Palm Beach. And recent releases of overflow water from Lake Okeechobee has contributed to the 2 Vero's Voice Issue 32 A key step in Tampa Bay's recovery was the adoption of the Grizzle -Figg bill, which required advanced wastewater treatment of all discharges into state waters. This forced municipalities to upgrade their sewer - treatment plants and drainage canals. It also gave birth to the Tampa Bay Nitrogen Management Consortium, which required the cooperation of local government, regulatory agencies, phosphate companies, agricultural or industrial interests and even electric utilities. Much of this was brought about as the result of sees a distressed ecosystem from Volusia County all the Lapointe added. "So it stands to reason that when you find way down to West Palm Beach. an abundance of the same red drift algae near clusters "The Indian River Lagoon is a big place," says Lapointe, "so the problems change as you move north to south. Each area has its own unique issues." When the 2011 algae blooms began annihilating the seagrass beds in Indian River County, Lapointe and other researchers from HBOI began studying septic system discharges from properties bordering the river. research published in 1971 by Dr. John H. Ryther of the "We lost 110 manatees in the northern part of the Woods Hole Oceanographiclnstitution, who left Cape Cod Lagoon. So what started out as research of septic tank dis- temporarily in 1981 to continue his aquaculture research at the Division of Applied Biology at Florida Atlantic Uni- versity'sHarborBranch Oceanographic Institute (HBOI) in Fort Pierce. I was fortunate enough to spend some valuable time with Dr. Brian LaPointe of EAU /HBOI and learn the inside story ofwhat is really going on in our Lagoon. Who is Dr. Brian Lapointe? Dr. Brian Lapointe graduated from Palm Beach High School in West Palm Beach in 1969. He obtained a BS in Biology from Boston University in 1973. He traveled to Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution in Falmouth, MA and spent four years working for Dr. Ryther. After earning his MS in En- vironmental Engineering from Florida in'79 and a Ph.D. in Marine Biology from the USF ('82), he was offered a job at Harbor Branch by Ryther in 1982 - just as Ryther was retiring. Dr. Lapointe has authored over 80 articles in scientific journals and was a contributing author to the book Clean Coastal Waters: Understanding and Reducing Nutrient Pollution published by the National Academy of Sciences. He's currently a Senior Scientist with FAU's Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution. IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII "My thesis at USF was on gracilaria (red drift algae), if that clarifies anything," joked Dr. Lapointe as he explained his forty years of extensive experience in water quality is- sues around South Florida. "The problem was so severe in Tampa Bay during the 7os and early 8os that the entire bay area reeked of rotting seaweed. In some areas itwas piled seven feet thick on the shores." Dr. Lapointe warns gracilaria can double its mass in just a single week and it's growing rapidly in the Indian River Lagoon. So while much of the focus of late has been on the issues surrounding the Okeechobee discharge that increased algae bloom problems and created unhealthy bacteria counts in St. Lucie and Martin counties, Lapointe charges quickly turned into measuring ground water flows into creeks, which then fed into the lagoon," explained Lapointe. "We began tracking stable nitrogen isotopes and studied the ratio of those isotopes. Sewage has a very enriched stable nitrogen isotope ratio and red drift algae thrives in it." By studying the concentration of nutrients in graci- laria samples, HBOI researchers could pinpoint where those nutrients were originating. Algae bloom samples could also reveal the source of nitrogen it was feeding on. "This value has been reported by many scientists over the years - not just by us," Dr. Lapointe says. "We found very significant nitrogen build -tup in northern IRL. Part of the problem with the Indian River Lagoon is there just aren't enough flush points." Lapointe explained that they monitor twenty different test sites from Shiloh, on the northern end of the Indian River Lagoon, down to the St. Lucie Inlet. "We could find no scientific evidence of fertilizer runoff causing high nutrient content," he disclosed. "So what we were left with was over 1oo,000 septic tanks in Brevard County and another 37,000 in Indian River County." These septic systems are all clustered around the length of the Lagoon and many of these systems (empha- sis on many) are no longer up to code. This can lead to significant nitrogen enrichment - in the same concentra- tions often found in gracilaria samples. "We find dense areas of gracilaria around bird estu- aries due to the high concentration of bird droppings," Brian LaPointe and assistant Laura Herren - researchers at FAU's Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute in Fort Pierce - collect water samples along the northern end of the Indian River Lagoon at Banana River. This area has been a hot spot for manatee mortality. Photo courtesy of FAU HBOI. of island homes, there must be concentrated nutrients present." (Note: This is a very serious article, so in laymen's terms: red drift algae like to eatpoop.) Above: Gracilaria, or red drift algae, thrives in areas where high concentrations of nutrients are present. Most often found near bird sanctuaries or in areas where raw sewage is present, it can be a good indicator of the presence of pollutants. Lapointe explained that septic tanks are a very serious issue that needs to be addressed by government agencies, because the problem exists up and down the entire Indian River Lagoon. "Counties need to regulate septic systems across the board," he urged. "We discovered that fertilizers are mostly incorporated into plant roots and turf. Only 1o% of nutrients from fertilizers are migrating into the canals. On the other hand, sewage is being released into the ground water and that leaches directly into the IRL." In other words, stop blamingyourlocalgol rcourse or overly enthusiasticgreen thumb neighborwith the perfectly landscaped yard for thatgreen algae you see in theLagoon. They only accountfor about one -tenth of the problem. "Blaming landscapers and golf courses is the easiest path to take, but we need to cut back on all forms of hu- man- produced nutrient releases," Dr. Lapointe explained. "We'll continue to backslide in our efforts if we keep pur- suing the same avenue, because it's truly a dead end." Lapointe added that science should to be integrated into new policies similar to what was done in Tampa Bay. "The problem is that the solutions are too narrowly focused," he said. "Tampa Bay is one of the most suc- cessful programs we've seen. The entire bay had been pronounced dead by the local and national media. The stench of rotting gracilaria made it impossible to enjoy being outside. It was complete eutrophication of the entire estuary." Lagoon, continued on page 6 Issue 32 Vero's Voice 3 F R O M T H E E D I T O R Dear Readers, The health of our lagoon is so important to all of us here in Vero Beach that we wanted to run a follow -up piece sharing with you an expert's opinion on perhaps a different approach to the problem. We must look at this from every angle possible, and do everything possible, to find a viable solution. As I sit here at my desk overlooking the canal behind our back yard, I no longer see fish jumping like crazy as they recently did, and I wonder: Is it just the time of year and I never noticed before? We cannot let apathy take hold and sit quietly by as marine life populations die off at an alarming rate. Let's continue to voice our concern and outrage until a solution is found and implemented. On a different note... we wish to thank you once again for your con- tinued support and kind words for our magazine. We have listened to your suggestions and are making every effort to get better with each issue we publish. What a journey it's been! Our name is Vero's Voice, and we are making changes here and there to become just that: the voice of Vero, our community. We welcome your input and encourage you to contact us so we can post your comments and letters. We want to establish continued open dialogue and make you, our readers, feel you are truly part of our magazine and the voice of our community. Send your letters and comments to lettters@verosvoice.com, or visit our facebook page and post a comment there! Please limit to 500 words. .Ba7&A-2 / 2P.trn.d 4 Vero's Voice Issue 32 , ero1 oice 95 ROYAL PALM POINTE, VERO BEACH, FL 32960 PUBLISHER Rhett Palmer 772 - 473 -7777 rhett @verosvoice.com EDITOR -IN -CHIEF Barbara Freund 772 -538 -2718 barb @verosvoice.com OFFICE MANAGER Jody Levin Belmonte 772- 473-7299 jody @verosvoice.com r DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS Ron Elingsworth DISTRIBUTION MANAGER Elizabeth Moshier The friendly publication where friendly people advertise! To Advertise Please contact a Sales Associate listed above. Space deadline is the 1st of each month. Camera Ready deadline is the 10th. Number of copies printed varies with time ofyear. Article Submission Please send previously unpublished articles of 500 words or less to articles @verosvoice.com. Contributions must be received by the 1 st of each month to be considered for publication the following �pissue..Vero's Voice reserves the right to edit. LJ1 py Contributor content is strictly the opinion r } of the writers, and does not necessarily ti reflect the views of the magazine. TRANSCRIBER Mary M. Mandy 772-532-3390 mary @verosvoice.com CREATIVE DIRECTOR Sandy Carlile 772- 528 -4517 sandy @verosvoice.com SALES / STAFF WRITER j Keith MacDonald l 772- 713 -0882 keith@verosvoice.com SALES / FOOD WRITER 9 Jane Faraco 772- 563 -8414 pebblecottage @gmail.com SALES Kim Little 772- 633-8112 kim @verosvoice.com SALES Susan Haller 772 -501 -6701 susanh @verosvoice.com SALES James Harp 772-713-9236 james @verosvoice.com The friendly publication where friendly people advertise! To Advertise Please contact a Sales Associate listed above. Space deadline is the 1st of each month. Camera Ready deadline is the 10th. Number of copies printed varies with time ofyear. Article Submission Please send previously unpublished articles of 500 words or less to articles @verosvoice.com. Contributions must be received by the 1 st of each month to be considered for publication the following �pissue..Vero's Voice reserves the right to edit. LJ1 py Contributor content is strictly the opinion r } of the writers, and does not necessarily ti reflect the views of the magazine. LETTERS tQ t4e EDITOR Barb - I wanted to share a story about what a small world we live in now. Your story about your Boston adventure was occur- ring at the same time that I was in the same part of the country. After I finished reading the article, I told my husband won't it have been a hoot to run into Rhett and Barb in Boston! My son, Mark Woolley, is the manager of the Best Western Hotel and Conference Center in Portsmouth, NH. Hejust recent- ly accepted that position so I had to check it out and I was favorably impressed. I had a delightful visit with my son and his family who live in Dover, NH. We, of course, also visited Boston. However, we did not get to Fenway Park as we usually do but I spent a hot afternoon at a com- munity park in Newton where the Boston Marathon bomber was captured. I was at that ball field because my grandson was in a competition where the baseball coaches from all of the Boston Universities were in attendance. Since my grandson hopes to get a baseball scholarship for college, this was a "must do" adventure since I had not seen my southpaw ever actually pitch a game. He was the youngest and small- est on the field but to my surprise he held his own. More to my surprise, I overheard the coaches talking and they all knew him by name. So the idea of his winning a sports scholarship does not now seem as far - fetched. I was also in New Hampshire for some end of the school year activities for both my grandson and my granddaughter. They both received high academic honors as their grandmother sat on hard bleachers sweating because it was much hotter in New England than it was in Florida. On another day in NH we went to Man- chester for an end of the season game for the baseball team that my son coach- es. Sitting with the parents of all these young athletes brought me back to the time when my son was the little kid on the field. All that I could think of is how did all those years go by so fast. Thanks for sharing a part of your New En- gland adventures with your readers. Pat Lavins Lagoon, continued from page 3 Eutrophi ... what? Eutrophication is the process by which a body ofwater ac- quires a high concentration of nutrients (i.e. phosphates and nitrates). These typicallypromote excessivegrowth ofalgae. As algae die and decompose, high levels oforganic matter and the decomposing organisms deplete the water ofavailable oxygen, causing the death of other organisms, such as fish. EUTROPHICATION nllropen Ioodfog ;Atrajaiwiclr surfaea ­1q, 01,900 bloom 1a Pm fuel au.i 6i- ONO" w w w w w 1W :1ft Courtesy: State of WA, Department of Ecology 6 Vero's Voice Issue 32 STAYING INFORMED ON THE LAGOON "Thank you for bringing attention to the dilemma currently facing the Indian River Lagoon. I found myself almost feeling guilty of taking it for granted given the gargantuan efforts of Commissioner Davis and his team. I appreciate the opportu- nity to be more informed on the matter and hope that Vero's Voice r • will continue in that commend- ero 0� able role. As Commissioner So- lari said in the article, "If people are informed, they'll make the r C— W. st,�aena INDIAN right decisions. There's no need ice'- 12tItYER to micro - manage our residents." I LAGOON? Fairly said. I'm one of those peo- ple. Just make sure I'm informed! By the way, the magazine is look- ing great. I'm really enjoying reading it cover to cover. It gets better with every issue!" Jayne McAllister In 1979, when the City of Tampa organized local com- munities to aggressively remove nitrogen from the bay, Dr. Ryther's work had been released just a fewyears earlier (1971). The program ofAdvanced Wastewater Treatment through biological denitrification reduced ninety percent of the nitrogen from the water and turned Tampa Bay back into a thriving, safe ecosystem. Uh... hey, Mr. Pedantic? What is Biological Denitrification? Biological denitrification is used to treat nitrogen- contaminated groundwater. During the water - treatment process, food sources containing carbon such as glucose, starch, methane, methanol and mixtures like sugar brewery waste are injected in the waterto stimulate denitrification. In the absence of oxygen, the nitrogen in the water is utilized by bacteria and in the process it changes to nitrogen gas, which simply escapes in the air. Yes, we're talking about poop again... bacterial poop. The Results: Tampa Bay gained 1,745 acres of seagrass between 2010 and 2012 and now supports 34,642 acres of seagrass beds, the largest amount of seagrass measured since the 1950's. The steady increase in seagrass since 2oo6 has brought the system closer to reaching the Tampa Bay Estuary Program's goal of 38,000 acres bay wide. i Ilk T, w: This means the Tampa Bay Estuary Program is more successful and gained more yardage than the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Senator Bill Nelson recently met with South Florida WaterManagementDistrict officials at their headquarters in West Palm Beach to talk about the discharges. Earlier this summer, after an increased number of manatee deaths were reported, Nelson and Sen. Rob Portman (R- OH) introduced a bipartisan measure that aims to address the growing problem of algae blooms. In addition, Nelson said he has always been a strong supporter of Everglades restoration projects that would help alleviate the need to dump water from Lake Okeechobee into the Lagoon. Dr. Lapointe sees a tough road ahead, but there are solutions. "A plan similar to the Grizzle -Figg Bill needs to be applied to the IRL if people are serious about saving and restoring the Lagoon back to a healthy system," warns Lapointe. "It can't be just a few communities, it has to be an all-out effort. A comprehensive, broad policy needs to be implemented that includes Volusia, Brevard, Indian River, St. Lucie, Martin and Palm Beach Counties." At Vero's Voice, we applaud everyone's efforts to save the Lagoon, but Dr. Brian Lapointe and HBOI have been on the leading edge of diagnosing and prescribing the correct medicine needed. We're hoping those who make the im- portant decisions will cooperate with each other and help us all nurse our ailing Lagoon back to good health. Hundreds of manatees and dolphins, as well as count- less thousands of birds and fish will be rooting for us. It can be done.