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Board of County Commissioners <br />Meeting Minutes - Final February 21, 2017 <br />Commissioner Solari inquired as to whether the FWCD was seeking to renew the <br />Interlocal Agreement or seeking to become an Improvement District, and <br />questioned whether it would be a good time to terminate the existence of the Water <br />Control District and turn over those functions to the County or the City depending <br />on where the geographical line is. Mr. Tillman clarified that the FWCD was <br />currently seeking to renew the Agreement, and was unsure if they would make an <br />attempt to become an Improvement District in the future. <br />Discussions ensued at great length amongst the Board, the Public Works <br />Department, and Mr. Tillman about flooding issues, drainage responsibilities, and <br />the concerns about the substantial cost to design and construct a stormwater <br />treatment facility, if FWCD does not agree to provide drainage. <br />Commissioners voiced their frustrations about not being able to get the situation <br />resolved. Commissioner Adams expressed her concerns over the residents that have <br />been put on notice by the Post Office that their mail would not continue to be <br />delivered, and about situations with Waste Management Recycling trucks that have <br />gotten stuck because of the condition of the roads. Chairman Flescher stated that <br />since the District was established when horse and wagon was the main mode of <br />transportation, it may be time to revisit the 99 Year Agreement. He said that if the <br />District does not have the funding or the ability to handle the problem, it may be <br />time for the County to take over in its own capacity. <br />John Pulver, 93rd Street, Fellsmere Farms, expressed his frustrations about the road <br />he lives on and his recent experience with an uncomfortable ambulance ride to get <br />to the hospital because of the condition of his road. It was his belief that it was the <br />County's obligation to get the problem solved, and all he wanted was to get his road <br />graded to allow him access to his home. <br />Vice Chairman O'Bryan suggested that the County keep grading the roads as usual, <br />and let the drainage problems be the responsibility of the Drainage District. County <br />Attorney Reingold offered possible solutions for the secondary drainage problem, <br />and explained the potential liability issues that the County could face as a result of <br />grading the roads and flooding the adjacent private property. <br />Joel Tyson, Mayor of Fellsmere, commented that the City of Fellsmere had <br />experienced flooding problems on Broadway Street, but since the closing of Berry <br />Groves, it was no longer an issue. He stated that the City of Fellsmere originally got <br />involved with the flooding and drainage problems through the property owner's <br />association to champion for the property owners on South Willow Street and the <br />"Circle Z" areas. He felt the original mistake was made when the permits were <br />issued for those areas without the thought of the road issues as more homes were <br />built. He expressed appreciation to the Board for their efforts and felt that, if it was <br />explained properly, the residents would accept the increase in taxes and the <br />flooding of their property as a result of grading of the roads. <br />Indian River County Florida Page 11 <br />