HomeMy WebLinkAboutR-14-03 Support STEP SystemsRESOLUTION NO. R -14 -03
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF SEBASTIAN, INDIAN RIVER COUNTY,
FLORIDA, EXPRESSING SUPPORT FOR A LEGISLATIVE AMENDMENT TO
FLORIDA STATUTE SECTION 381.0065, ONSITE SEWAGE TREATMENT
AND DISPOSAL SYSTEMS REGULATION, TO FACILITATE THE USE OF
MODIFIED /COMBINED SEPTIC TANK EFFLUENT PUMP (STEP) SYSTEMS,
ALLOWING FOR AN AFFORDABLE MODIFICATION TO SEPTIC TANKS
THEREBY REDUCING SEPTIC TANK EFFLUENT REACHING THE
GROUNDWATER AND REDUCING NUTRIENT LOADINGS TO THE INDIAN
RIVER LAGOON; FURTHER PROVIDING CONSISTENCY AND
CLARIFICATION BETWEEN EXISTING SEPTIC TANK REGULATIONS
PROMULGATED BY THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL
PROTECTION AND THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH; URGING
THE FLORIDA LEGISLATURE TO ADOPT SUCH LEGISLATION AND
GOVERNOR RICK SCOTT TO SUPPORT AND APPROVE SUCH
LEGISLATION; PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
WHEREAS, high nutrient inputs to the waters of the Indian River Lagoon ecosystem
result, in part, from storm water releases and runoff, sewage treatment plant overflow events,
and seeping septic and drain field systems along the 156 miles of the ecosystem; and
WHEREAS, such pollutants have been and continue to degrade the Indian River Lagoon
ecosystem, detrimentally affecting seagrass beds and adversely affecting the viability of both
lagoon and ocean fisheries, leading to declining habitat quality for fish and wildlife; and
WHEREAS, the City of Sebastian has been exploring more cost effective septic system
approaches in order to help reduce nutrient loadings to the Indian River Lagoon; and
WHEREAS, one such system that is approximately half the cost of a conventional
gravity sewer system and works to reduce septic system effluent reaching the groundwater is a
modified Septic Tank Effluent Pump (STEP) System, or Combined System; and
WHEREAS, by installing a Combined System, local governments may be able to
affordably capture and treat over 99% of the effluent at local wastewater treatment plants, with
the remaining less than 1% disposed of through an authorized drain field that would remain in
place for a backup effluent disposal; and
WHEREAS, a Combined System has never been utilized in Florida; and
WHEREAS, in order to allow local governments to put a Combined System into place,
certain sections of the existing Florida Statute Section 381.0065 will require minor modifications;
and
WHEREAS, the proposed modifications to Florida Statute Section 381.0065 would
provide consistency and clarification between existing septic system regulations promulgated by
the Florida Department of Environmental Protection and the Florida Department of Health; and
WHEREAS, it is in the best interest of the public and local communities throughout the
state that the Florida Legislature adopt amendments to Florida Statute Section 381.0065 in
order to allow for the implementation of a Combined System,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
SEBASTIAN, FLORIDA, as follows:
Section 1. Recitals.
The foregoing "WHEREAS" clauses are hereby ratified and incorporated herein.
Section 2. Support for Legislative Changes to Florida Statute Section 381.006
The City Council of the City of Sebastian hereby expresses its support for legislative
changes to Florida Statute Section 381.0065, Onsite Sewage Treatment and Disposal Systems
regulation, to facilitate a modified /combined septic tank effluent pump (STEP) system
( "Combined System "), and urges the Florida Legislature to adopt and Governor Rick Scott to
support and approve such amendments to Florida Statute Section 381.0065 to allow the use of
this more affordable and effective Combined System to modify existing septic systems, thereby
helping to reduce nutrient loadings to the Indian River Lagoon ecosystem.
Section 3. Direction to City Clerk.
The City Clerk is directed to distribute copies of this Resolution to Governor Rick Scott,
the Speaker of the Florida House of Representatives, the President of the Florida Senate, the
Indian River County Legislative Delegation, the Florida League of Cities, the Florida Association
of Counties, the Florida City County Management Association, the Indian River County Board of
County Commissioners, the Treasure Coast Council of Governments, the Treasure Coast
League of Cities, Treasure Coast Regional Planning Council, and the governing bodies each
municipality in Indian River County.
Section 4. Effective Date.
This Resolution shall become effective upon adoption by the City Council.
The foregoing Resolution was moved for adoption by Adams ,
seconded by Coy , and upon, being put to a vote, the vote was as
follows:
Mayor Bob McPartlan aye
Vice Mayor Jim Hill aye
Council Member Jerome Adams aye
Council Member Andrea Coy aye
Council Member Richard Gillmor aye
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The Mayor thereupon declared this Resolution duly passed and adopted this 12th
day of March , 2014.
CITY OF E ASTIAN ORI A
By:
Bob McPartlan, Mayor
A
Sally A. Maig�MMC
City Clerk
Approved as to Form and Content for
ReMncq by the City of Sebastian Only:
Robert A. Ginsburg, Ci Attorney
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