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HomeMy WebLinkAbout4/9/1975APRIL 9, 1975 THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF INDIAN RIVER COUNTY, FLORIDA MET IN SPECIAL SESSION AT THE COURTHOUSE, VERO BEACH, FLORIDA ON WEDNESDAY, APRIL 9, 1975 AT 7:30 O'CLOCK P.M. PRESENT WERE ALMA LEE LOY, CHAIRMAN; WILLARD W. SIEBERT, JR., VICE CHAIRMAN; EDWARD J. MASSEY; AND EDWIN S. SCHMUCKER. WILLIAM WODTKE WAS ABSENT. ALSO PRESENT WERE JACK G. JENNINGS, COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR AND ELIZABETH FORLANI, DEPUTY CLERK. PAUL D. BURCH, ATTORNEY TO THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISS DNERS WAS ABSENT BECAUSE OF ILLNESS AND GEORGE G. COLLINS, ATTORNEY SAT IN FOR HIM, CHAIRMAN LOY CALLED THE MEETING TO ORDER AND STATED THAT THIS IS ONE OF TWO PUBLIC HEARINGS SCHEDULED TO DISCUSS THE COMMUNITY DEV— ELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT PROGRAM AND PREPARATION OF THE APPLICATION FOR A FEDERAL GRANT. THE HOUR OF 7:30 O'CLOCK P.M. HAVING PASSED, THE DEPUTY CLERK READ THE FOLLOWING NOTICE WITH PROOF OF PUBLICATION ATTACHED TO WIT: VERO BEACH PRESS -JOURNAL Published Weekly Vero Beach, Indian River County, Florida COUNTY OF INDIAN RIVER: STATE OF FLORIDA Before the undersigned authority personally appeared J. J. Schumann, Jr. who on oath says that he is Business Manager of the Vero Beach Press -Journal, a weekly newspaper published at Vero Beach in Indian River County, Florida; that the attached copy of advertisement, being a • Ain the matter of in the Iished in said newspaper in the issues of . 7 Court, was pub - Affiant further says that the said Vero Beach Press -Journal is a newspaper published at Vero Beach, in said Indian River County, and that the said newspaper has heretofore been continuously published in said Indian River County, Florida, weekly and has been entered as second class mail matter at the post office in Vero Beach, in said Indian River County, Florida for a period of one year next preceeding the first publication of the attached copy of adver- tisement; and affiant further says that he has neither paid nor promised any person, firm or corporation any discount, rebate, commission or refund for the purpose of securing this adver- tisement for publication in the said newspaper. Swom to and subscribed before me this iL/ __ day of (SEAL) APR 919 .., 7� 04 . A.D- (Business Man r) (Clerk of the Cir Court, Indian River County, Florida) NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING Notice is hereby given the County Commission of Indian River County, Florida, will hold a public hearing in the Commission Room, Indian River County Courthouse, 2145 14th Ave., on April 9, 1975, at 7:30 P.M. to con- sider; Introduction of Community Development Block Grant Program and provide area residents the following; 1. Adequate information concerning the amount of funds available for property development and housing activities, the range of ac. tivities that may be un- dertaken and other Important program requirements. 2. Adequate opportunities to participate in development of Application. Interested persons may appear at this hearing and be heard with respect to Property Community Block Grant Development Program. Indian River County By: -s -Alma Lee Loy Chairwoman Date: March 27, 1975. Approved for public hearing Board of County Commissioners Indian River County, Florida Date: 3.27.75 By: -s -Jack G. Jennings Mar. 30, 1975. BOO 4z PAc.E4 APR 91975 PRESENT FOR THIS PUBLIC HEARING WAS VAL BRENNAN, PLANNING DIRECTOR; AL TWIGGS, VICE PRESIDENT OF ADLEY AND ASSOCIATES, THE CONSULT- ANT FIRM HIRED TO PREPARE THE FULL APPLICATION FOR DISCRETIONARY COM- MUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT FUNDS UNDER THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT ACT OF 1974; THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE CONSISTING OF: JOSEPH IDLETTE, JR.; DAVID ELDELL; RALPH LUNDY; JERRY CUMMINGS. LORENZO WASHINGTON OF THIS COMMITTEE WAS ABSENT FOR THIS PUBLIC HEARING. A TECHNICAL COMMITTEE COMPRISED OF JACK G. JENNINGS, VAL BRENNAN AND COMMISSIONER SCHMUCKER WAS APPOINTED TO WORK WITH THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE IN ESTABLISHING PRIORITIES OF IMPROVEMENTS TO BE INCLUDED IN THE FULL APPLICATION WHICH WERE STREET IMPROVEMENTS, DRAINAGE, AND STREET LIGHTS. THE BOARD WAS INFORMED THAT THE FULL APPLICATION MUST BE SUB- MtITTED TO AN A-95 CLEARINGHOUSE, IN THIS CASE THE EAST CENTRAL FLORIDA REGIONAL PLANNING COUNCIL FOR REVIEW BY APRIL 15TH, 1975. THE CLEAR- INGHOUSE HAS 30 DAYS TO REVIEW THIS APPLICATION AND MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS. THE FULL APPLICATION IS THEN SENT TO THE DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT BY MAY 15TH, 1975. MR. TWIGGS HAD PREPARED THIS APPLICATION AND HE OUTLINED TO THE BOARD THE PROCEDURES USED. HE EXPLAINED WHAT THE LAW ALLOWS AND THE INTENT OF THIS PROGRAM. A PRE -APPLICATION WAS FILED TO ESTABLISH IF INDIAN RIVER COUNTY QUALIFIED. UPON REVIEW OF THE PRE -APPLICATION, WE DID RECEIVE A TOP CATEGORY RATING. 31 PRE -APPLICATIONS FROM LOCAL GOVERNMENTS IN FLORIDA WERE IN THE TOP PRIORITY CATEGORY AND INDIAN RIVER COUNTY WAS RATED IN THE UPPER ONE-HALF OF THE TOP 31 PRE- APPLICA-TIONS. A FULL APPLICATION IS NOW NECESSARY AND HAS BEEN DRAFTED. MR. TWIGGS STATED THAT IN SPEAKING WITH OFFICIALS FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT IT WAS INDICATED TO HIM THAT THESE FEDERAL FUNDS WILL BE GRANTED TO THOSE APPLICANTS WHERE A HIGH PRIORITY WAS GIVEN IN THE AREA OF HOUSING. THIS DOES NOT INCLUDE NEW BUILDING, BUT REJUVENATING OLD HOUSES, AND IT WAS MR. TWIGGS RECOM- MENDATION THAT SOME CHANGES BE MADE IN THE PRIORITY LIST TO INCLUDE REJUVENATING OLD HOUSES AND TEARING DOWN DILAPITATED VACANT HOUSES IN THE AREAS OF GIFFORD AND WEST WABASSO. THE PRE -APPLICATION WAS FILED IN THE AMOUNT OF $360,000.00 AND MR. TWIGGS SUGGESTED THAT THE FULL APPLICATION BE FILED IN THAT SAME AMOUNT. IF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT DEEMS IT NECES- SARY TO C9.) BACK THEY CAN DO THE CUTTING. THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT ALSO RE m2- QUESTED THAT THE DIFFERENT IMPROVEMENTS BE ARRANGED UNDER A PRIORITY LIST IN THE EVENT THE DOLLAR AMOUNT IS CUT. THE LAST ITEM ON THE LIST WILL BE CUT FIRST, MR. TWIGGS WENT THROUGH THE FULL APPLICATION EXPLAINING THE DIFFERENT PHASES OF THE APPLICATION. UNDER THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PRIORITIES, WHICH IS THE PROJECT PRIORITY AND BUDGET LIST, MR. TWIGGS RECOMMENDED TAKING $20,000 FROM THE PROPOSED NUMBER 6 PRIORITY - IMPROVE DIRT ROADS TO MARL SURFACE AND PLACING IT IN NUMBER 1 AND 2 PRIORITIES, WHICH ARE - DETAILED INVENTORY OF PUBLIC IMPROVEMENT AND HOUSING NEEDS IN TARGET AREAS AND CODE ENFORCEMENT. HE ALSO SUGGESTED TAKING $25,000 FROM NUMBER 9 RECREATIONAL FACILITIES AND PLACING IT IN NUMBER 2 AND 3 - CODE EN- FORCEMENT NFORCEMENT AND DEMOLITION AND SITE CLEARANCE OF VACANT DILAPIDATED STRUCTURES. COMMISSIONER SIEBERT STATED THAT THE PRIORITIES ESTABLISHED BY THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS,.THETADVISORY COMMITTEE AND THE TECHNICAL COMMITTEE FOR THE GIFFORD AND WEST WABASSO AREA HAVE BEEN GIVEN A LOWER PRIORITY. HE CONTINUED THAT THE PEOPLE LIVING IN THOSE AREAS NEED ROADS, DRAINAGE AND STREET LIGHTS. MR. BRENNAN STATED THAT WHAT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IS LOOKING FOR IS IN THE AREA OF HOUSING. MR. IDLETTE SPOKE REGARDING THE DEMOLITION OF HOUSES AND STATED THAT THERE ARE NOT MANY VACANT HOUSES IN THE GIFFORD AREA - IN FACT THERE IS A HOUSING SHORTAGE AND HE WAS OPPOSED TO TEARING DOWN EXISTING HOUSES. HE CONTINUED THAT THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE LISTED PROJECTS THAT ARE NEEDED NOW AND SUGGESTED RATHER THAN THE WHOLE PROGRAM BEING TURNED DOWN, THAT WE GO ALONG WITH THE HOUSING AND GET INTO THE PROGRAM AND MAYBE NEXT YEAR, IF FEDERAL FUNDS FOR THIS TYPE OF PROGRAM BECOME AVAILABLE, THE HIGH PRIORITY IMPROVEMENTS NECESSARY .IN THE GIFFORD AND WEST WABASSO AREAS CAN BE MADE. MR. LUNDY STATED THAT HE DID NOT AGREE WITH TAKING MONEY SET , DOWN FOR STREET PAVING, DRAINAGE IMPROVEMENTS AND STREET LIGHTS AND PUTTING IT INTO HOUSING. MR. BRENNAN STATED THAT HE FEELS IF THE STREETS ARE PAVED IT WIL MAKE CONDITIONS BETTER IN THE TWO AREAS DISCUSSED AND IT WILL GIVE THE RESIDENTS INCENTIVE TO BETTER THEIR HOMES, BUT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT DOES NOT THINK THAT WAY. HE FEELS THAT THE MONEY SHOULD BE USED TO UP -GRADE ROADS BECAUSE IT WILL GIVE PEOPLE PRIDE AND IT UP -GRADES THEIR PROPERTY. HE CONTINUED THAT WHEN THIS BILL WAS PASSED IT WAS DESIGNED -3- APR 91975 oar P4478 THAT MONEY WOULD BE USED IN LOW INCOME AREAS AS THEY DETERMINED, BUT BY THE TIME THE BILL WAS PASSED IT WAS CHANGED TO GET MORE INTO REHABILITAT- ING HOUSES. IF THERE ARE NO HOUSES THAT ARE VACANT, THEN NONE WILL BE DEMOLISHED, BUT IF THERE ARE HOUSES THAT ARE VACANT AND DETERIORATED, THEY SHOULD BE TORN DOWN. MR, IDLETTE ASKED IF WE GET THE MONEY TO TEAR DOWN HOUSES AND THERE ARE NO HOUSES, CAN THE MONEY BE USED FOR ANYTHING ELSE. MR. TWIGGS STATED THAT THE MONEY COULD BE USED AS LONG AS IT IS USED IN AN APPROVED PROJECT. MR. CUMMINGS STATED THAT HIS FIRST PRIORITY WOULD BE DRAINAGE AND PAVING ROADS. You CANNOT IMPROVE ROADS WITHOUT IMPROVING DRAINAGE. IT WAS STATED THAT WHEN IT RAINS, ROADS IN THE GIFFORD AND WEST WABASSO AREA ARE IMPASSABLE, HOMES ARE FLOODED, SEPTIC TANKS OVERFLOW. MR. JENNINGS ASKED IF THESE AREAS OF CONCERN AND PRIORITY WOULD BE INSPECTED BY H.U.D. OFFICIALS BEFORE REVIEWING THIS APPLICATION. MR. TWIGGS STATED THAT INSPECTIONS ARE ONLY MADE AFTER THE APPLICATION HAS BEEN APPROVED TO INVESTIGATE HOW THE MONEY IS BEING SPENT. MR. BRENNAN STATED THAT REPRESENTATIVES FROM INDIAN RIVER COUNTY CAN GO AND TALK TO H.U.D. OFFICIALS AND EXPLAIN WHAT IS HAPPENING IN THE GIFFORD AND WEST WABASSO AREAS. THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PRIORITIES - "CODE ENFORCEMENT" POTION OF THE FULL APPLICATION WAS DISCUSSED AND IT WAS SUGGESTED THAT THI COUNTY INVESTIGATE ADOPTING A HOUSING CODE AND AN ENFORCEMENT PROGRAM BEFORE THE END OF THE YEAR. DON ADAMS, CITY -COUNTY BUILDING DIRECTOR WILL BE ASKED TO INVESTIGATE THIS. COMMISSIONER SIEBERT STATED THAT HE WOULD BE WILLING TO CONSIDER WORKING ON A HOUSING CODE, IF IT WOULD HELP THE COUNTY IN THIS SITUATION. THE CHAIRMAN THEN ASKED IF ANYONE PRESENT WISHED TO SPEAK AT THIS PUBLIC HEARING. THERE WERE NONE. THE BOARD AGREED TO THE FOLLOWING LIST OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PRIORITIESi -4- PAct279 PRIORITY PROJ ECT PRELIMINARY COST EST. (INCLUDING ALLOCATED ADMINISTRATION OSTS) 1. REHABILITATION OF SUB -STANDARD STRUCTURES $ 50,000.00 2. STREET IMPROVEMENTS 199,000.00 3. STREET DRAINAGE 51,000.00 4. RD MANAGEMENT/MONITORING SYSTEM AND CITIZENS ARTICIPATION 5, STREET LIGHTS 6. RECREATIONAL FACILITIES CONTINGENCIES SUB -TOTAL TOTAL 8,000.00 10,500.00 26.500.00 345,000.00 15.000.00 $360,000.00 A MOTION WAS MADE BY COMMISSIONER SCHMUCKER, SECONDED BY COM- MISSIONER SIEBERT, THE BOARD UNANIMOUSLY AUTHORIZED THE SIGNATURE OF THE CHAIRMAN ON THE FULL APPLICATION FOR DISCRETIONARY COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT FUNDS UNDER THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT ACT OF 1974 AS REVISED ABOVE AND AUTHORIZED THE COUNTY ATTORNEY TO SIGN THE ASSURANCES SECTION OF THIS APPLICATION. THE BOARD DISCUSSED THE CONTRACT WITH ADLEY AND ASSOCIATES WHO HAVE PREPARED THIS APPLICATION. MR. TWIGGS STATED THAT THE CONTRACT IS TERMINATED WHEN H.U.D. HAS ACTED ON THIS APPLICATION. MR. TWIGGS EXPLAINED TO THE BOARD THE $240.00' PER DAY CHARGE, STATING IT WOULD ONLY BE AFTER H.U.D. HAS RULED ON THIS APPLICATION AND IF THEIR SERVICES ARE REQUIRED. ON MOTION BY COMMISSIONER SIEBERT, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER SCHMUCKER, THE BOARD UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED THE CONTRACT WITH ADLEY AND ASSOCIATES TO PREPARE THIS APPLICATION AT AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $4,000.00 AND AUTHORIZED THE SIGNATURE OF THE CHAIRMAN. ON MOTION BY COMMISSIONER MASSEY) SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER SIEBERT, THE BOARD UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED A COMMITTEE BE APPOINTED TO ATTEND A CONFERENCE WITH H.U.D. OFFICIALS IN .JACKSONVILLE TO DISCUSS THIS APPLICATION BEFORE IT IS FILED AND THE CHAIRMAN WAS AUTHORIZED TO APPOINT THIS COMMITTEE. MR. JENNINGS WILL SCHEDULE A MEETING WITH THE PROPER OFFICIALS OF H.U.D. AND INFORM MR. TWIGGS , WHO WILL ALSO ATTEND THIS MEETING. THERE BEING NO FURTHER BUSINESS, ON MOTION MADE, SECONDED AND CARRIED, THE BOARD ADJOURNED AT 9:55 O'CLOCK P.M. ATTEST: APR 91975 c , .mei 7/) CHAIRMAN L,,. RflOA( ..PAGE28.O