HomeMy WebLinkAbout5/13/1986Tuesday, May 13, 1986
JOINT CITY/COUNTY MEETING
The Board of County Commissioners of Ind! -an River_ County,
Florida, and the City Council of the City of Vero Beach, Florida,
met in Special Joint Session, in Council Chambers, City Hall,
Vero Beach, Florida, on Tuesday, May 13, 1986, at 7:00 o'clock
P.M. Present from the County Commissioners were Don C. Scurlock,
Jr., Chairman; Patrick B. Lyons, Vice Chairman; Richard N. Bird;
Margaret C. Bowman; and William C. Wodtke, Jr. Also present were
Michael J. Wright, County Administrator; Charles P. Vitunac,
Attorney to the Board of County Commissioners; and Barbara
Bonnah, Deputy Clerk.
Present from the City Council of Vero Beach were William
Cochrane, Mayor; John Acor, Vice -Mayor; Hoyt Howard, Michael
Wodtke and Kenneth Macht. Also present were John Little, City
Manager; Terrence O'Brien, City Attorney; and Phyllis Neuberger,
City Clerk.
Mayor Cochrane opened the meeting and turned it over to Mr.
Little, who stated that each Councilman and Commissioner has been
provided with a copy of the following memo dated April 29, 1986,
which lists the items to be discussed tonight. He recommended
that we go down the list point by point.
BOOK " mE 3
MAY 13 1988
� J
MAY I BOOK 64
DEPARTMENTAL CORRESPONDENCE
DATE Apri 1 29:*' 1986
TO Thp H_n_ rahIp Maynr and ri -v Cnunr;
FROM - .1 V I i tt l p DEPT t ri
SUBJECT A9pnda Matpri a 1 lni nt Mppti nn - f +„ /r.,,„+� eta f f� �nimri 1 I`nuntr
City Council Chambers, Tuesday, May 13, 1986 at 7:Q0 P. M; i1 on
Gentlemen:
I wish to express the appreciation of both Michael Wright, County Administrator,
and myself for your cooperation in attending the subject meeting.
I am enclosing some pertinent, general backup material.
The general subjects we will be covering are as follows:
Wastewater
1. County use of existing capacity in the Vero Beach Wastewater Treatment
Plant, plus possible expansion of said plant to provide for long term
accommodation of the City/County/Indian River Shores needs.
2. Joint action, City/County, to deal with Wastewater Treatment Plant sludge
disposal.
3. Joint action to deal with handling of septage (septic tank pumpout effluent).
4. Redefine service territory boundaries. Special attention to be given to
the hospital node area.
5._. Rescind all previous archaic agreements and replace with one, -all encom-
passing master agreement. Eliminate all previous capacity allocations.
6. Redraft wholesale rate"•schedule to include a proper
charge. capacity and commodity
7• County to undertake whatever action is necessary to cause the Seminole
Shores and Anglers Cove package treatment plants to be removed from service.
and connected to the City collection system. These are the last small
plants on the barrier island south. of Winter Beach Road.
8. City to provide laboratory services to County on a fully costed, competitive
a basis, when new City lab is in service.
Water
1. Possible City use of existing capacity in the South County Water Treatment
Plant in order to defer City construction of addition -a] City Water Treat-
ment Plant capacity. This will involve a study of County water quality..,',
means of disinfection and system water compatibility.
2. Possible joint venture for future Water Treatment Plant expansion
(a) County build a North County Water Treatment Plant and wholesale
to City.
(b) City expand at the present Water Treatment Plant site to supply
City needs and an -increased level of service to the North
County area.;
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2. Joint action to deal with Water Treatment Plant (lime) sludge disposal.
3. Redefine service territory boundaries. Generally- where possible, both
water and wastewater service to a•given area should be supplied by one
entity. Special attention to be given to the hospital node area and
Grand Harbor.
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4. Rescind all previous archaic agreements and replace with one, all encom-
..passing master agreement. Eliminate all previous capacity allocations.
5. Redraft wholesale rate schedules to reflect any new agreements and include
proper capacity and commodity charges.
6. City to provide laboratory services to County on a fully costed, competi-
tive basis, when new City lab is in service.
-Solid Waste
1. The County will pursue a "per parcel assessment" approach to funding
the cost of the landfill, rather than the present tipping charge. This
will eliminate the "free ride" now being afforded County residents using
the transfer stations at the expense of central haulers, such as the City.
2.1. City/County joint efforts for a resource recovery facility, instead of
landfilling, if such a course of action is feasible.
Planning
1. Closer cooperation, City/County, in land use planning.
2. Redefine City limit lines. Special attention to be given to the North
and South US Highway -#1 areas.
3. Joint cooperation in securing needed rights-of=way for thoroughfare
planning.
4. Special joint efforts in the -area of the County Administration Building.
Possible County acquisition of existing City property, including the
existing City Public Works Facility and resultant street abandonments
to consolidate County property holdings.
Miscellaneous
1. Reinstitute the OCL (Outside City Limitsl surcharge.for electrical
customers outside the City limits. Such charge would exactly track
the ICL (Inside City Limits) utility tax, thus equating the bills.
Revenues, thus derived, could either stay in the electric operating
fund or be used to fund the County's proper contribution to the City
Recreation Department, thus providing equity and relieving both the
City and County general fund of this burden.
2� Expedite resolution of ownership of certain lots (ROW). Eagle Drive
and Flamingo.
3. Possible County assumption of certain DER regulatory activities.
4. Joint assessment programs for paving dirt streets located on the
City/County line, such as 14th Street.
By copy of this memo, I am requesting effected parties' attendance, preparation
and participation. _
J. V. Li ttl.e
;J VL : emo
MAY 13 1986 2a BOOK 64 FA -F387
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BOOK 64 F"Gr 3-S8
WASTEWATER
Under item 1, Mr. Little advised that -the City's wastewater
plant is not being utilized to its fullest capacity and the City
has determined that 1 -million gallons of capacity can be made
available to the County as quickly as they can take it. He
believed this move will certainly forestall any rate increases
for a long time to come. The service costs will not change and
those costs would be spread out over a larger customer base.
Terry Pinto, Director of County Utilities, noted that there
has been a moratorium in place for a long time on the capacity on
the 6th Avenue corridor waiting to see what capacity would become
available from the City. The 1 -million gallon capacity
allocation will enable the County to determine the future needs
for building additional facilties and adjusting our master plan,
which calls for a soutI. wastewater believed the
main problem probably would be effluent disposal.
Chairman Scurlock felt that one of the main issues to be
discussed is the need for the County and the City to fully
utilize all of their plants in order to provide efficient
delivery for water and wastewater. The idea is to stop thinking
in terms of political boundaries and develop an interconnecting
system that will serve this entire area. He emphasized the need
to combine our efforts in using our limited resources in the most
effective way possible.
Mr. Little advised that he needs conceptual approval that
the County will plan to direct one million gallons of flow to the
City's plant, but Commissioner Lyons had great concern about
increasing the capacity of the Vero Beach sewage plant which
discharges directly into the river. He felt that we have to do
everything we can to keep the nitrogen out of the river to
protect the seagrass beds.
Commissioner Bowman was concerned about the effect of both
nitrogen and phosphorous on the grass beds, but Mr. Little
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responded that the discharge from the City's plant compared to
what is coming out of the drainage canals is like a drop of water
in the Sahara Desert.
County Administrator Wright felt that with the 1 -million
gallon allocation the County would be able to open the 6th Avenue
flow immediately.
Chairman Scurlock felt that the County's plans for a north
county wastewater treatment plant would be the answer to many
joint County/City problems.
Administrator Wright noted the SR -60 water and wastewater
project and also the planned Gifford project.
Mr. Little felt that when the Gifford plant comes on line,
the City could stop the capacity to that area.
Councilman Macht did not feel there was -any difference
between this and other utility agreements.
Discussion ensued regarding the frequent odor coming from
the wastewater treatment plant, and Mr. Little intended to keep a
daily log on every time he went over the bridge and got wind of
that odor and then check to see why it occurred. He wondered if
it was due to an operations error.
Director Pinto noted that people tend to relate odors to the
specific wastewater plant, but the odor actually can be designed
out of the operation.
Mr. Little preferred to have the City/County engineers
discuss solutions to these problems.
ON MOTION by Councilman Acor, SECONDED by
Councilman Howard, the Council unanimously approved
the allocation of one million gallons of wastewater
capacity to the County.
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MAY 13 1986 Boa 64 FAu,389
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MAY 13 1966 BOOK �� f'a, - 3,9O
ON MOTION by Commissioner Bowman, SECONDED by
Commissioner Lyons, the Board unanimously accepted
the one -million gallon wastewater capacity allocation
from the City of Vero Beach wastewater treatment plant.
Under items_2 and 3, joint action on wastewater treatment
plant sludge disposal and handling of septage (septic tank
pumpout effluent), Director Pinto advised that we are presently
involved in a study for sludge and septage and have asked the
consultants to include the City of Vero Beach in that study. The
results of the study are expected in 30-40 days, and Mr. Little
noted that would be around the same time the City expects their
study to be completed, and the consultant will be looking at the
financial feasibi I ity of piping toc _ander the 17th
Street Bridge over to the golf courses in the Moorings and Indian
River Shores. The wetlands area is also being considered.
Chairman Scurlock felt that one of the biggest problems is
that the DER and the St. Johns Water Management District need to
work together, and Mr. Little felt the best way to handle them is
to simply. -tell them what we are going to do and then do it.
Chairman Scurlock emphasized that many ways of disposing of
these things are not legal any longer and the new ways are
extremely costly.
Commissioner Bird felt assured that we are working together
to come up with a solution to this problem and that we should no -t
have to hire all kinds of consultants in order to reinvent the
wheel, and Mr. Little stressed that the consultants are working
together -also.
Under item number -4, which is the redefining of service
territory boundaries, Director Pinto provided a map with the City
and County boundaries outlined. He noted that the City has done
a considerable amount of work on this already and felt that we
are just about there except for some fine details. He pointed
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out the areas where sewer and water should track, and
Commissioner Wodtke suggested that the City take over the barrier
island as they already have lines over the river.
Chairman Scurlock advised that the County is already looking
at this area, and since it seems that developers want to have
their own systems, the County would eventually consolidate those
systems.
Mr. Little ,agreed with Chairman Scurlock on this matter. He
felt the talks with the County staff have been just great with
respect to cooperating in different areas. However, in regard to
the Rockridge area, the City would be willing to talk only if and
when the County gets sewers built in that area.
Director Pinto noted that the planned wastewater treatment
plant for the north county would be able to service the hospital
node and the Geoffrey Subdivision.
Mr. Little emphasized that over the years he has always said
that water and sewer should not be separated. He advised that it
would be acceptable to the City if the County serves the Vero
Beach Mall for now as we can always go back and revisit the
issue. As far as the hospital node is concerned, the City is
presently serving some facilities there, and Mr. Little felt that
although it may be a touchy subject, the County should service
that area when the north county plant is built.
Under item -5, the City and County agreed that all previous
agreements are archaic and should be replaced.
ON MOTION by Councilman Acor, SECONDED by
Councilman Howard, the City Council unanimously
agreed to replace all previous utility agreements
between the City and the County.
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MAY 13 BOOK 64 PAGE 39.1
s
S
MAY 13 1986 BOOK 64 f'A -;E.3 Y 2
ON MOTION by Commissioner Lyons, SECONDED by
Commissioner Bowman, the Board unanimously agreed
to replace all previous utility agreements between
the City and the County.
Under items 6_and_7, the City Council and County
Commissioner agreed to work together.
Under item 8, Mr. Little advised the County that the City
soon will have a completely equipped and manned laboratory and
would be interested in providing laboratory services to the
County on a fully costed, competitive basis.
The County Commissioners agreed they would be interested in
this service.
WATER
Under item 1, Director Pinto explained that the County is
looking at the possibility of serving some of the City's needs
from our reverse osmosis plant, but could run into a problem with
respect to the compatibility of different means of disinfection.
Mr. Little agreed that our waters may not be compatible and
advised that the City is considering expanding its potable water
service. He noted that the County has offered to give the City a
few years of service, and thought that would be advantageous for
both, providing the engineers can come up with a solution to the
compatibility of treatment. Mr. Little recommended that the
County stay with the use of chlorines for as long as possible.
The City and County agreed that there were no problems with
item 1.
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E_--]
Under item 2, Director Pinto felt this was more important
than expansion because we are definitely going to have to do
something in the north county because the service area is
constantly growing from 1-95 to Sebastian. A $63 -million water
improvement program is being established which will fund a
mid -county water plant capable of treating 20 million gallons of
water a day. This plant probably will be built around Hobart
Road. If the City would have some need there, they might want to
consider combining it with one regional plant.
Administrator Wright recommended a joint venture on a plant
as he felt it would be beneficial to both and model it after the
electrical agreement. If the City Council and County Commission
have no objection, he advised that staff would like to proceed
with that and come back when they have something a little more
concrete.
Mr. Little noted that the City has had water impact fees for
a long time and has accrued quite a bit of money through that
means. He felt all these ideas are wonderful so long as they can
compete with the City's water schedule rates. Of course, the
consultants will be looking at all of this.
Administrator Wright felt that the reverse osmosis costs are
getting pretty competitive with the lime costs, and Director
Pinto stated that when the mid -county plant is built, it will be
interconnected with the south county system and then as the south
county plant reaches capacity, we will expand the mid -county
plant. Our systems will be connected at all times and we will
have water all around the City.
Mr. Little asked specifically when the County would be able
to give some relief to the City with respect to providing water,
and the years 1991 and 1992 were mentioned.
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MAY 13 1986 BOOK 6 F,�,c ,93
I
64 BOOK F,1,F,30) 4
Mr. Little asked for some direction from the Council, and
Mayor Cochrane believed everyone had indicated their agreement to
working together on items 2 through 6.
SOLID WASTE
Under _item _1, Director Pinto noted that the County is 30
days away from receiving the studies on the solid waste master
plan, which includes the City of Vero Beach and the other munici-
palities in the county since all solid waste should end up at the
County Landfill. The consultants have been looking for some
alternative methods to landfilling, but in the long run, we will
have to look at when it will become cost feasible to move on to
something else. He emphasized that there will always be a
landfill because there will always be some kind of waste that
cannot be treated or dissolved. The consultants, in conjunction
with an accounting firm, also are looking at a rate methodology
that would be fair and equitable and are considering a per parcel
assessment approach. Director Pinto felt that tipping fees will
be constantly increasing due to the cost of the equipment
required.. He pointed out the unfairness in having people in some
parts of the county using the transfer stations without paying
any tipping fees while others are paying franchised haulers on a
monthly basis to take their trash to the County Landfill.
Director Pinto believed everyone should pay their fair share, and
that our attorneys have to come up with a way for the cities to
come up with a way to charge a per parcel charge. The Landfill
is only going to become more and more expensive and we are going
to have to look at alternatives, especially with regard to
hazardous wastes.
Commissioner Bowman and Councilman Acor reported that these
problems are being discussed by the newly formed Tri -County
Committee.
Mr. Little agreed that the tipping fee system was
inequitable, but had some reservations about the per parcel
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assessment. He felt, however, that these are things which can be
discussed as we move along.
It was agreed that a resource recovery facility could be a
joint effort by the City and County if such a course of action is ,
found to be cost feasible.
PLANNING
Under items 1 and 2, it was agreed that the City and County
would cooperate more fully in land use planning and redefining
City limit lines, with special attention given to the north and
south U.S. #1 areas. Commissioner Lyons wished to make sure that
the City and County master plans are compatible with respect to
boundaries, and the Council and Commission indicated their
approval of staff preparing a formal agreement on these issues.
Mr. Little advised that the City has reached "agreement on a
staff level in regard to deannexing certain areas to the north in
order to redefine city limit lines which will make it easier for
developers, and Commissioner Lyons added that it will also make
law enforcement easier.
Mr. Little reported that two of three ordinances on these
areas have passed the first reading and public hearings are
scheduled for early June. The Council denied the third ordinance
which is the wetlands, an area for which the City wishes to
remain in control until we see how things work out. That might
change after more is learned about what the Regional Planning
Council is going to require, and the Council might want to
revisit the matter at that time.
Robert Keating, County Director of Planning & Development,
and Dennis Ragsdale, Asst. Director of City Planning, referred to
a map outlining the following three areas proposed for
deannexation:
1) The area north of the Main Relief Canal along the east side
of U.S. #1 up to 33rd Street, which includes the R.D. Carter
Subdivision; 2) a 200 -ft. wide strip running north of the R. D.
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MAY 13 1986 =395
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MAY 13 1986
BOOK 691 F,g-uF 3 96
Carter Subdivision along U.S. #1 to 37t --h Street; and 3) the
wetlands area along the west bank of the Indian River, north of
the Main Relief Canal and east of the Vero Beach Country Club.
Administrator Wright advised that the County would be glad
to present a more thorough statement of our policy in regard to
the wetlands.
Under item 3, Commissioner Lyons noted that at tomorrow's
regular meeting, the County Commission will be considering taking
immediate steps to acquiring the right-of-way for the northerly
extension of Indian River Boulevard through the wetlands by the
hospital.
Mr. Little explained that there are some differences betv,r,,-:°)
the City and the County e:- i4 ic:: C ty rights.
The City has furnished the County with a copy of our Thoroughfare
Plan, but it does not impact the County because it is all in the
City. The County has sent us a copy of their Thoroughfare Plan,
and obviously, there is no great difference. The County has
asked that when the City is approving site plans for developments
that are going to be on a road that shows up on the County
Thoroughfare Plan, we check with them to see if we are going to
need some additional right-of-way, and as part of the site plan
approval process, secure that right-of-way for them. Mr. Little
felt the City is more than happy to take such a recommendation to
the Planning & Zoning Commission and the City Council, but does
not feel comfortable, legally or ethically, in demanding it
without compensation.
Commissioner Lyons noted that these roadways have gone one
step further into the Regional Planning Council and show up on
their Thoroughfare Plan as regional roadways. The County
extracts concessions from developers based on their traffic
impact on these regional roadways. He believed there must be
some way we could get together on these regional roadways when
they go through a municipality, especially 27th Avenue in Vero
Beach.
Mr. Little felt that while the City and County were together
on this matter, one of the differences is that the City believes
that we cannot require a developer to donate the right-of-way to
the County.
Chairman Scurlock felt that the County's philosophy has
changed over the past 4 or 5 years and are coming to realize that
we should not take right-of-way without paying. He felt that
with the implementation of the impact fees and other vehicles for
assessing the costs of the roadway project and how the roadways
benefit the fronting property owners, we have an ability to reach
a equitable situation. He felt that all the Commissioners would
agree that taking rights-of-way has been a -difficult process at
best.
Mr. Little suggested that the County require the developer
not to put any bulding out there, but felt that just to convey a
fee simple title gets a little sticky.
Attorney Vitunac advised that the City should not sign off
on a site plan for a development on a County road until the
County signs off on the road right-of-way issue. If the County
is taking land without paying for it, that would be an issue
between the developer and the County. The safety mechanism is
for the developer to give the land under protest and then we
would fight the issue of payment at a later date. The County has
been very successful in showing developers that they do, in fact,
need to give that land for the impact of their own developments
on the County's road system. Sometimes the developers agree with
that and decide to give the right-of-way. We are not sure who is
right in that, but in every case the County .has the burden of
fighting that issue. All the City has to do is hold up its
approval until the County signs off, and if we have to go to
court, we will not hold up the development if the developer gives
us the land under protest.
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MAY 13 1986 BOOK 6 Ft,F
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MAY 13 .1986 BOOK 64 Fa,UF 398
Mr. Ragsdale advised that the City planning staff has
prepared an ordinance which addresses these matters and sent it
out to the Council today.
Attorney Vitunac pointed out that someone has to protect the
State roads and Federal roads and felt that the City would
cooperate with the County on this matter.
Under item 4, Administrator Wright explained that the County
is looking to acquire City -owned property north of the County
Administration Building, from Scotty's to the little theater,
which would include the City Public Works Facility. He hoped the
City would cooperate in a joint effort so that the County could
consolidate their property holdings.
Mr. Little did not want to get into that topic tonight, but
felt there is a lot the City can effort.
MISCELLANEOUS
Under item 1, Mr. Little advised that the City is talking
about reinstituting the Outside City Limits surcharge for
electrical customers outside the City limits. Such a charge
would track exactly the ICL (Inside City Limits) utility tax,
which would equate the bills. Revenues could either stay in the
electric operating fund or be used to fund the County's property
contribution to the City Recreation Department, which would
provide equity and would relieve both the City and the County's
general funding of this expense.
Under item 2, Mr. Little and Administrator Wright agreed
that Tom.Nason, the City's Finance Director, and Tommy Thomas of
the County, would move forward as quickly as possible to expedite
the. resolution of ownership of rights-of-way on certain lots on
Eagle Drive and Flamingo.
Under item 3, Chairman Scurlock discussed the possibility of
the County assuming certain DER regulatory activities with regard
to utilities.
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Under item 4, the City and County agreed to move forward
with the joint assessment programs for paving dirt streets
located on the City/County line, such as 14th Street.
ADD ON ITEMS
Chairman Scurlock added the discussion of the possib"ility of
a joint venture in the redevelopment of the downtown area since
the County has made a decision to maintain the Administration
Building and County Courthouse in their present sites. He felt a
professional type of complex could be developed in the downtown
area and that the City and County could work together towards
that goal.
Mr. Little advised that the City budgeted $25,000 towards a
study of the downtown area in the event the downtown merchants
decided to match those funds, but nothing ever came of it. He
suggested that the County might consider matching those funds for
the project, and Commissioner Bird hoped the downtown merchants
would decide to participate in a 3 -way deal.
Administrator Wright advised that the County planning staff
would come up with some type of guideline and bring it back to
the Board and the Council.
Commissioner Bird asked about the City's policy on sidewalk
maintenance, and Mr. Little explained that while the City's
sidewalk ordinance had not been enforced for years, a recent
lawsuit prompted the City to hire a sidewalk inspector. The
inspector will paint a red x on the broken slabs that need to be
replaced. If the owner of the property doesn't do the repairs,
the City will do them, and assess the owner. The inspections
will begin in the commercial areas and then proceed to the
residential areas.
Administrator Wright thanked the Council and the Commission
for their time tonight and felt much was accomplished.
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SAY 13 1986 RooK 64Fr, k. a� 9
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MAY 13 1986 BOOK 64 FA F.. 400
There being no further business, on Motion duly made,
seconded and carried, the City Council and the Board of County
Commissioners adjourned at 9:50 o'clock P.M.
ATTEST:
Clerk
Chairman
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