HomeMy WebLinkAbout2/16/1989Thursday, February 16, 1989
The Board of County Commissioners of Indian River County,
Florida, met in Special Session with the Vero Beach City Council
at the County Commission Chambers, 1840 25th Street, Vero Beach,
Florida, on Thursday, February 16, 1989, at 1:30 o'clock P.M.
Present were Gary C. Wheeler, Chairman; Carolyn K. Eggert, Vice
Chairman; Richard N. Bird; and Margaret C. Bowman. Absent was
Commissioner Don. C. Scurlock, Jr. Also present were James T.
Chandler, County Administrator; Charles P. Vitunac, Attorney to
the Board of County Commissioners; and Virginia Hargreaves,
Deputy Clerk.
Present from the City of Vero Beach were Mayor Kenneth
Macht, Vice Mayor Warren Winchester, and Councilmen Hoyt Howard,
Vernon Krause and Michael Wodtke. Also present were City Manager
John Little and City Attorney Terrence O'Brien.
Chairman Wheeler called the meeting to order.
City Manager Little gave the invocation, and Chairman
Wheeler led the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
Chairman Wheeler asked that the City speak to the following
items on the Agenda listed under City Transportation Items.
CITY TRANSPORTATION ITEMS
A. A -1-A Improvements
City Manager Little advised that there have been a number of
complaints and suggestions regarding the traffic situation on
A -1-A from Beachland Boulevard south to the City limits and also
as to the lack of a sidewalk or bike path on A -1-A north of
Beachland, particularly in view of the fact that there is a very
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nice path all the way through Indian River Shores which termi-
nates at the City limits. The City had a rather detailed traffic
study done and concluded that from East Causeway Boulevard south
to Sea Gull Drive, a full 5 -lane section is needed, and from Sea
Gull Drive down to the south City limits, the 5 lanes would go
down to 3 lanes and then slowly taper down to 2 lanes, which
would go on past Castaway Cove to the south City limits. Mr.
Little believed the highest accident count was at the intersec-
tion of Sea Gull and A -1-A where you have the traffic from
Charlie Brown's and the 711 convenience store. He noted that
very high quality growth is occurring in all the subdivisions
down to the county line, and even though they are very low
density, it all involves traffic.
Mr. Little continued that there was a serious traffic
problem between East Causeway Boulevard and Beachland Boulevard
with high accident rates at the entrance to Riomar Bay I and the
entrances to Holy Cross and the Riomar Bay Yacht Club. From
there north, there is routinely heavy traffic going to all the
streets which go to the Beach business district and also to the
Community Park by the river. It is proposed to have 5 lanes from
the Causeway intersection to a point just north of Tulip Lane
just to get the number of lanes you need at the traffic light.
That section will be tapering into 2 lanes in the area between
Riomar Bay 1 and II and the golf course, and then increasing to 3
lanes when you get to the Bay Point, Holy Cross and Yacht Club
area. They feel from Iris Lane north to Beachland Boulevard,
with adequate turn movements, we can get by with 3 lanes until
approximately the year 2000.
Mr. Little advised that north of Beachland Boulevard where
the road is already 3 laned, they are proposing to put in a bike
trail to connect to the one at Indian River Shores, and they want
to accelerate that project. Mr. Little did not believe we can
wait for the DOT to do A -1-A; so, the City would like to go with
the 80/20 program (80% local funds and 20% DOT funds), and they
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have already submitted an application to the DOT. They would
like to get the balance of the funds needed for those improve-
ments from the County's traffic impact fees for that District and
the remaining funds will come from the City budget.
Commissioner Eggert asked if a bike path is planned to the
south of Beachland Boulevard, and Mr. Little confirmed that they
are planning to have a bike path all the way along A -1-A both
north and south, but they are just splitting the north section
off to do first. He noted that the improvements to A -1-A will
involve a complicated bidding process among other things, and if
everything goes very smoothly with no hitches, he anticipated it
would take about 1i years for the improvements from Beachland
Boulevard to the south City limits to be completed.
City Engineer Cliff Suthard estimated the total cost of the
project at 1.3 million. He explained that they want to use the
monies from the Impact Fee District of $473,000. The DOT's 20%
would be $169,000, and the City currently has some budget monies
for this purpose of about $125,000. They will still need another
$400,000 to make up the funding for project.
Chairman Wheeler wished to know whether they were asking the
county for the $400,000, and City Manager Little clarified that
all they want from the County are the impact fees that were
collected this fiscal year in that District; the City will make
up the difference, whatever it is.
Commissioner Bowman had some concerns about the proposed
tapering from 5 lanes to 3 and then 2 lanes as you move along
A -1-A, which she felt is confusing for drivers, and City Manager
Little agreed that it would be a much better situation to have 5
lanes all the way, but the cost is the prohibiting factor and
also it is felt that is premature.
Discussion continued about traffic problems along A -1-A and
question arose as to why they are proposing only 3 lanes for the
area between the bridges where the traffic count is the highest.
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City Engineer Suthard advised that their study of the 3
laning north of Beachland Boulevard, where it was essentially the
same traffic count, demonstrated the effectiveness of the 3rd
lane and right turn lanes. Mayor Macht further noted that they
also are going to ask the DOT to make some improvements to the
intersection getting onto and off of the bridge.
City Manager Little informed the Commission that he talked
with DOT officials this morning after the Governor's announcement
re the DOT's budget and was advised that the Twin Pairs and
Barber Bridge projects are both in serious jeopardy, and without
high powered intervention, they will not happen.
B. Indian River Boulevard
City Manager Little stated that the City just would like an
update on the status of the expansion of Indian River Boulevard.
County Public Works Director Jim Davis reported that the
County Commission just recently approved an addendum to an
engineering contract which will accomplish the final details of
the Phase III Boulevard extension, which will occur between the
existing north terminus of the Boulevard and Barber Avenue.
There were a few minor changes in design alignment at the very
north end of the project. Once the engineering work is
completed, comments will be sent to the 12 agencies involved in
the permitting process. Director Davis was optimistic that we
would have all the permits by either spring or early summer.
Director Davis continued that we very shortly will have the
R/W maps complete and ready to go to the appraisers and then can
begin the R/W acquisition process. Once that acquisition is
finalized, we can go to bid on the project, and we are hoping to
do that this summer. On Phase IV of the Boulevard extension,
which goes to 53rd Street, R/W acquisition is 65% complete, and
the design is about 30-40% complete. This project, of course,
will occur after the Phase III extension.
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City Manager Little asked if it looks like the extension
will happen now.
Chairman Wheeler noted that we are doing everything we can
to see that it happens as rapidly as possible. There is still
some problem with R/W, but he believed the extension will be a
reality in the near future.
Director Davis explained that there are two issues involved
with the R/W acquisition. One, of course, is the 200' corridor
for the roadway and for the storm water management associated.
The other is the 106 acre impoundment that is required and
proposed for our mitigation plan for the filling of wetlands
within the 200' R/W. If the R/W acquisition is not fruitful, we
will proceed with eminent domain. We are confident we can show
the necessity for the R/W itself and also for the impoundment so
that we can go to eminent domain if we have to, but Director
Davis was hopeful we can negotiate successfully.
C. Barber Bridge
City Manager Little reported that the only new development
is that the DOT did two things. They submitted an environmental
assessment statement to Washington without even showing the City
a copy or asking for comments, and then they had a value
assessment team look at the various routes and engineering to
determine which would be the most appropriate route. The City
was never advised of that nor given a draft or finished copy of
their report. Mayor Macht has written the DOT saying that the
City does not think that is proper protocol when this has such a
significant local impact and has asked for a copy of the reports.
Mr. Little advised it is the City's understanding that those two
reports choose Alternate 2 which uses the same western approach
that exists now but a high level bridge that would bend out over
Bahama Joe's and then curve north and come in at the old
bridgehead on the east side rather than what the City suggested,
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which was to go north of the main drainage canal and not impact
the business area. The route preferred by the DOT would end up
with many businesses literally being under the bridge. City
Manager Little noted that the DOT seems to be biased against the
alternate the City suggested. He had felt they would, at least,
have had a public hearing on this, and we have written them we
still hoped they will. However, at the moment, it appears the
funding may not be there in any event.
Mayor Macht reported that he did get a rather conciliatory
letter back from the DOT, saying that they will go ahead with a
public hearing. As to the comment in regard to the lack of
funding, he believed that what is happening is that we are being
involved in a squeeze play among the governmental agencies in
Tallahassee.
Councilman Hoyt Howard emphasized that he always stressed
that the bridge route would have an environmental impact, and he
personally had recommended the bridge go in the path of the old
wooden bridge. He felt strongly that if we want that bridge any
time in the next few years, we will have to cooperate with the
state road department and take what they want to give us. He
urged that we do cooperate with them and get this bridge up there
because it is obvious that before too many more years, we are
going to need another bridge.
D. Policies Concerning Use of Traffic Impact Fees
County Public Works Director Davis advised that since the
inception of this program, our policy for use of the fees has
been one whereby technical merit has been the predominant driving
force in recommending projects for implementation. He explained
how we monitor various locations and determine where the growth
of the traffic is in relation to the overall network, with
technical merit being the primary focus. This program is now
about 3 years old, and we have not seen any problem in the
allocation of the fees. All the fees are used on capital
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improvement projects which increase the capacity of the arterial
system. The money collected in a district is spent within that
district.
Councilman Howard commented that people he has talked to
feel some of these funds should be used to pave local dirt roads.
Director Davis explained that the way the county ordinance
has been developed, you cannot spend any part of the impact fee
dollars on local roads. If we had considered local roads, the
impact fees would be much, much higher. The goal we focused on
was the collector and arterial road system which serves all of
the residents in the county.
Councilman Vernon Krause inquired if the proposed improve-
ments on A -1-A would fit into those categories, and Director
Davis confirmed that they would; A -1-A is an arterial road, and
it is the primary road for the Districts on the beach.
City Manager Little reiterated that the City would like to
have the full amount of money ($473,000) which is now in the
impact fees for those Districts to be used on improving A -1-A.
He explained the reason they are just asking for the funds that
are there now is that they realize as additional impact fees are
collected over there, other funds will be needed for improvements
on A -1-A outside of the City limits.
Councilman Krause asked if we know the cost difference
between 5 laning and 3 laning the section between Beachland and
the Causeway, and City Manager Little advised it would be about
half a million more. He noted that if the County wished to
contribute that amount, the City would be happy to proceed with
the 5 laning.
Mayor Macht commented that, as to the load the road carries,
A -1-A is the only arterial that traverses the length of the
barrier island, and in that sense it becomes a local road. He
felt if more commercial zoning could be allowed along A -1-A for
some additional nodes, it would alleviate some of the traffic
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problem by eliminating the need for people to drive so far along
A -1-A and have to cross the bridges to shop.
Commission members indicated they believed we have suffici-
ent commercial on A -1-A, and Councilman Michael Wodtke agreed
that A -1-A does not need any more commercial than what is already
planned.
Councilman Winchester commented that while he has been
campaigning, he has had several people speak to him stressing the
need for a bike path on A -1-A south of the City limits down to
the Sea Grove area, and he felt possibly the County should be
thinking about a bike path extension at the same time the City is
trying to work on A -1-A south.
Public Works Director Davis advised that the county did a
design for a bike path back when a number of residents in the
South Beach petitioned for an MSTU for that purpose. We did a
cost estimate at that time, which was about $60,000 a mile. He
believed the length of the proposed bike path project was about 5
miles, but the residents in that area voted down the MSTU. He
does, however, still have some of that preliminary engineering.
Commissioner Bird asked whether the Transportation Impact
Fees can be used for construction of bike paths.
Director Davis stated that they cannot unless the bike path
is done in conjunction with a capacity expansion of the road. He
noted that if we go to 5 lanes, the DOT Green Book mandates that
you provide for pedestrians.
Commissioner Bird felt that the sentiment in the South Beach
area in regard to a bike path might be different today. He
believed it is very much needed.
County Community Development Director Bob Keating referred
to the Sidewalk/Bikeway Path Plan that was passed a few months
ago and noted it has a capital improvements segment that identi-
fies a lot of improvements and specifies the timing. He believed
we will see a lot of bike paths going in incrementally, and they
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will link up in the future. He anticipated there will be some
budget recommendations for that purpose.
RECREATION PROGRAM
Commissioner Bird advised that he has briefed the new County
Administrator regarding the history of our Recreation Programs
and his belief that Recreation Director Pat Callahan is leading
us in the right direction in trying to provide recreational
opportunities in areas where we have not had them before by
utilizing the school sites and facilities. He felt everything we
are doing towards that end, plus the renovation of the old Jail,
are definitely steps in the right direction as we move towards
more cooperation and consolidation in our recreation.
Recreation Director Callahan confirmed we are moving into
South County with recreation programs for the first time. They
will start at Highlands Elementary School and at Thompson
Elementary with an after school program. They will be using
school teachers and aides, and everyone is real excited about
this. The Schools are helping in the funding.
Commissioner Bird reported that the county took a major step
Tuesday towards providing additional recreation opportunities in
the South County by agreeing to purchase an 80 acre piece of
property at the corner of Oslo Road and 20th Avenue, and advised
that we do have a master plan already designed for a large
regional park there.
Commissioner Bird noted that at budgettime when we agreed to
fund an additional request from the City for Recreation, we asked
for Mrs. Callahan to have an expanded role in County Recreation,
and everyone agreed on that. He believed that was done with the
thought that we would start moving in that direction and possibly
at some point we would need something more in writing and
possibly a little more formal interlocal agreement. Now that we
have a new Administrator, Commissioner Bird hoped that we can get
back on track and reach a more formal agreement. He knew the
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City of Sebastian is anxious to see such an agreement and
determine if it can be the basis of a similar type of agreement
between them and the County.
Administrator Chandler confirmed that staff is working in
this direction.
Councilman Michael Wodtke felt that in the last two years we
have made great progress. He believed the cooperative effort is
working very well and hoped we can _continue with mutual coopera-
tion countywide.
OLD JAIL SITE RENOVATIONS
City Manager Little displayed artists' drawings of the
proposed renovation, and Director Callahan expressed her
enthusiasm about what is proposed.
City Finance Administrator Tom Nason reported that they
expect to go out to contract for the proposed renovations very
shortly and hope to be done by about Christmas if all goes well.
It was noted that they have run into some unexpected expenses
with asbestos that had to be removed, as well as underground
tanks.
Commissioner Bird asked Mrs. Callahan about the function of
the building, and Mrs. Callahan advised that the building will
house the administrative offices for the City/County Recreation
Department. They will have meeting rooms, room for exercise
classes, room for storage, and also room for all the registration
for the various programs. They have an old warehouse building
that they now will be able to tear down, which will free up some
space for parking in the downtown area. They will have lots of
room, probably around 16,500 sq. ft.
Mrs. Callahan informed those present that on February 22nd,
they will have an official ribbon cutting and grand opening of
the new renovations done at Riverside Park at 8:30 A.M., and at
11:00 A.M. the same morning, there will be a ribbon cutting
ceremony for the grand opening of Golden Sands Park.
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STATUS OF FLIGHT SAFETY
Mayor Macht asked that the item in regard to Flight Safety
be withdrawn from the agenda because there are some negotiations
in progress, and he did not feel it would be appropriate to talk
about it in public at this time.
It was agreed this item would be withdrawn from the agenda.
PRESENTATION BY FLORIDA NATIONAL GUARD
John Spencer, Battalion Commander for the 2nd Battalion of
the 265th Air Defense Artillery, came before the Board to make a
presentation regarding the Battery the National Guard has
established in Indian River County in the old P. F. O'Connor
Building in the South County. This Battalion is part of the
164th Brigade, which is currently headquartered in Orlando.
Battalion Commander Spencer then gave a slide presentation
showing the Hawk and Chaparral missile systems which this Battery
is trained to work with. He spoke in detail of the electronic
skills a recruit may acquire and went on to speak of the benefits
such a unit brings to the local economy. He stated that 63 full
time people will be located here in the Vero area, and he
anticipated their family purchases would be quite significant.
All the equipment the Battalion owns and works with is on wheels,
and fuel is a big item. Commander Spencer stressed that they
basically are a clean industry. He referred to the brochures
presented showing the equipment they work with, and assured those
present that no live missiles, would be stored in a Florida
environment. All missiles are stored at one of the Army depots,
and they use dummy missiles to test their equipment.
Com. Bird welcomed the National Guard unit to Vero Beach,
noting that he personally spent 9 years in the National Guard and
knows what a good influence they can be.
Commander Spencer thanked him and emphasized that they hope
to become part of the fabric of the community.
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There being no further business, on Motion duly made,
seconded and carried, the meeting adjourned at 3:00 o'clock P.M.
ATTEST:
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