MINUTES OF THE WASTEWATER RELOCATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE OF THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE, FLORIDA, HELD IN THE SECOND FLOOR CONFERENCE ROOM, 100 NORTH U.S. #1 FORT PIERCE, FLORIDA, AT 3:30 P.M. ON WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 3, 2016.
- Present:
- Chair Darrell Drummond; Robert Adolphe; Mazella Smith; William Thiess
- Absent:
- Vice-Chair Chris Craft; R. Duke Nelson; Timothy Perkins
- Staff Present:
-
- City Clerk Linda Cox
- Deputy City Clerk Katerri Johnson
1.
CALL TO ORDER - Chairman Darrell Drummond called the meeting to order at 3:33 p.m.
2.
ROLL CALL
3.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
A motion was made to approve the July 6, 2016 meeting minutes with one correction to the spelling of Mr. Drummond's first name. The motion was seconded and passed unanimously.
4.
OLD BUSINESS
a.
Update on WRAC Recommendation to City Commission regarding Reverters
Chairman Drummond provided an update stating that the Commission agreed unanimously to forward a formal request to the state and suggested that they would also seek support from the County. Linda Cox, City Clerk, added that the City Manager will reach out to consultant, Cardno, to discuss a proposal.
Chairman Drummond provided an update stating that the Commission agreed unanimously to forward a formal request to the state and suggested that they would also seek support from the County. Linda Cox, City Clerk, added that the City Manager will reach out to consultant, Cardno, to discuss a proposal.
5.
NEW BUSINESS
a.
Discussion on Funding Options
Discussion included making requests to City, County and FPUA. Consider asking FPUA to review its Capital Improvement Charges, an affordable increase to rate payers and their cash reserves. The City could obtain an appraisal, based on a clean site. The County may be able to assist if there was a joint project. The remaining monies can be raised through a developer contribution. Ask City, County and FPUA staff to assist in grant research. Certain items may take board approval which will not have immediate turnaround.
Discussion included making requests to City, County and FPUA. Consider asking FPUA to review its Capital Improvement Charges, an affordable increase to rate payers and their cash reserves. The City could obtain an appraisal, based on a clean site. The County may be able to assist if there was a joint project. The remaining monies can be raised through a developer contribution. Ask City, County and FPUA staff to assist in grant research. Certain items may take board approval which will not have immediate turnaround.
A motion was made to present to FPUA by letter as a formal request of items. The motion was seconded and passed unanimously.
A motion was made to send a letter to City Manager and County Administrator to request staff assistance with grant research. The motion was seconded and passed unanimously.
Additional discussion included possible legistlative dollars, which may come from Department of Economic Opportunity. Nicole Fogarty, St. Lucie County, stated that it may be best to break the project down into phase, the key agency being the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and possibly shifting this to an environmental project for the betterment of the lagoon. This project is projected to be from three to seven years. The first step should be to DEP since a majority of the current focus is towards the Indian River Lagoon. There are also loan programs with various groups that can raise revenue. Nicole confirmed that this may be the best time to move forward with the State.
Linda Cox stated that the items outlined by Nicole may be included in their legislative priorities discussion and will require Commission approval. The FPUA should be able to update the design plan and create a list of initial projects and identify force main projects which would be included in phase one. Once fully funded, then we work on phases two and three. An initial goal would be to determine a cost and end date for the entire project. Timing is essential and these next steps ideally would be done by December. The committee suggested inviting Clay Lindstrom and Nicholas Mimms to a special meeting for a conversation about proceeding with the above next steps.
Linda Cox stated that the items outlined by Nicole may be included in their legislative priorities discussion and will require Commission approval. The FPUA should be able to update the design plan and create a list of initial projects and identify force main projects which would be included in phase one. Once fully funded, then we work on phases two and three. An initial goal would be to determine a cost and end date for the entire project. Timing is essential and these next steps ideally would be done by December. The committee suggested inviting Clay Lindstrom and Nicholas Mimms to a special meeting for a conversation about proceeding with the above next steps.
6.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Harold "Buzz" Smyth
Harold "Buzz" Smyth
7.
ADJOURNMENT - There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 4:35 p.m.