1/7/1992 - Laserfiche WebLink

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J A N 07 199 but did feel this particular issue merits it. This is their only and last recourse, and they are asking the Commission to take some course of action this morning along those lines. Chairman Eggert stated for the record that the referendum being requested would be a non-binding referendum, a straw ballot. Commissioner Scurlock understood that this particular transportation impact fee zone encompasses far more than the City of Sebastian, and wondered how a referendum could be structured, if the Board chose to do so, to allow that entire impacted area to have a voice in the matter. County Attorney Vitunac advised that the law does not allow a special election just for a straw ballot. It has to be held concurrently with another valid election. Commissioner Wheeler noted that we will have a presidential preference ballot in March, but Attorney Vitunac explained that would be a county -wide election. He didn't know if there would be an election just for the north portion of the county. Commissioner Scurlock stressed that a referendum involving just the City of Sebastian would not be totally representative of the area from which the impact fees are generated. Commissioner Bird wanted the public to be thoroughly educated on the pros and cons of the two designs before they go to a referendum, stressing that from all the meetings that have been held and the studies done by the consultants and engineers, he is convinced that the Twin Pairs would be the best way to proceed from a traffic, safety and cost standpoint. Unless the electorate can somehow be educated on the pros and cons of the Twin Pair design as compared to using the original alignment, he would question just how valid the outcome of the ballot would be. However, he didn't know what the proper forum would be to get all of that information out to the electorate. Commissioner Scurlock felt that all the Commissioners try to get out and_ get input from the people about these controversial matters. One thing that disturbs him, however, is hearing that people are opposed to the Twin Pairs project because it is just temporary. That is incorrect. In fact, using the original alignment is a temporary solution because there is no ability to go to 6 lanes or whatever will be needed in the future. Mr. Wadsworth noted that Public Works Director Jim Davis made the statement at a Council meeting in Sebastian that the Twin Pairs was a temporary fix, a 5 to 7 -year temporary fix. Commissioner Scurlock believed Mr. Wadsworth was taking Mr. Davis's statement out of context. Director Davis confirmed that we did make the statement 28