11/16/1993 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Commissioner Adams noted that we have agreements with each of the five water control districts, some dating back to the 1940s. Over the years some of the drainage areas have moved and in some cases we maintain drainage areas on private property. For example, in Fellsmere, although there is only a 3 -foot drainage right-of-way, we grade 10 feet. In some instances we are grading privately owned community roads which are not part of the water control district. Commissioner Adams would like staff to analyze our present agreements with all the water control districts to determine our responsibilities and potential liabilities. Commissioner Macht was troubled by the request from St. Johns Water Control District. The request is for County trucks and manpower to maintain privately owned grove roads, and we cannot do that. Commissioner Macht disagreed with the comment in the letter stating that they deserve the service because they are taxpayers. We all are taxpayers, but an individual taxpayer cannot use a County truck. The request is acceptable on the basis of receiving fill in exchange for use of the trucks, but there is also wear and tear on the trucks. If we have surplus trucks and surplus men to do an out -of -context job, apparently we have too much staff and equipment. St. Johns is an independent taxing district. Why are they imposing on the County for services? Commissioner Macht saw a lot wrong with the procedure and was glad for the discussion. Commissioner Adams clarified that St. Johns Water Control District is different from the St. Johns River Water Management District. Public Works Director Jim Davis reported that we get requests from water control districts to perform road grading. We also get requests from other political subdivisions, cities, and the School Board, and it is difficult to honor them all. We do not have one blanket agreement to cover all roads, and when a problem emerges, we enter into an agreement for a particular road. It would take quite a bit of research in the minutes and old records of the Board to get all that information. Director Davis further explained that we do not have excess equipment or drivers. We have about 8 trucks on the road and we use those trucks on an hourly basis every single day. The request from St. Johns Water Control District is mutually beneficial because we receive the fill, which we would purchase otherwise, and we would send our trucks to St. Lucie County or to Brevard County to pick up fill, causing the same wear and tear on the trucks. County Administrator Jim Chandler acknowledged that staff did not research all past history on this subject. He reported that staff recently denied a request from St. Johns Water Control 27 NOV 1sooK 91 eac�.:3�, 6 i�93