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HomeMy WebLinkAbout7/16/1991 (2)BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS INDIAN RIVER COUNTY, FLORIDA AGENDA SPECIAL MEETING TUESDAY, JULY 16, 1991 7:00 P.M. - NORTH INDIAN RIVER COUNTY LIBRARY MEETING ROOM 1001 COUNTY ROAD 512 SEBASTIAN, FLORIDA COUNTY COMMISSIONERS Richard N. Bird, Chairman Gary. C. Wheeler, Vice Chairman Margaret C. Bowman Carolyn K. Eggert Don C. Scurlock James E. Chandler, County Administrator Charles P. Vitunac, County Attorney Jeffrey K. Barton, Clerk to the Board * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *- 7:00 P.M. CALL TO ORDER PUBLIC HEARING: REQUEST FOR ADDITIONAL ROAD PAVING IN VERO LAKES ESTATES SUBDIVISION AND CORRESPONDING INCREASE IN THE VERO LAKES ESTATES M.S.T.U. ASSESS- MENT (memorandum dated July 8, 1991) ANYONE WHO MAY WISH TO APPEAL ANY DECISION WHICH MAY BE MADE AT THIS MEETING WILL NEED TO ENSURE THAT A VERBATIM RECORD OF THE PROCEEDINGS IS MADE WHICH INCLUDES THE TESTIMONY AND EVIDENCE UPON WHICH THE APPEAL WILL BE BASED. MI 1 6. 1991 BOOK 8 F' i ` ' Tuesday, July 16, 1991 The Board of County Commissioners of Indian River County, Florida, met in Special Session in the main conference room of the North County Library, 1001 CR 512, Sebastian, Florida, on Tuesday, July 16, 1991, at 7:00 o'clock P.M. Present were Richard N. Bird, Chairman; Gary C. Wheeler, Vice Chairman; Margaret C. Bowman; Carolyn K. Eggert; and Don C. Scurlock, Jr. Also present were James E. Chandler, County Administrator; Charles P. Vitunac, Attorney to the Board of County Commissioners; and Virginia Hargreaves, Deputy Clerk. The Chairman called the meeting to order, and Commissioner Wheeler led the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag. Chairman Bird reviewed how at the Regular Board meeting of June 4th the Board decided it would be appropriate to hold a public meeting in the North County Library so the property owners of Vero Lakes Estates and Pine Lakes Estates could have an adequate opportunity to express their feelings about the proposed increase in assessment. Notice of this meeting was published in the PRESS JOURNAL, as follows: PUBLIC NOTICES PUBLIC MEETING A PUBLIC MEETING BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS WITH THE PROPERTY OWN- ERS OF ALL UNITS OF VERO LAKE ESTATES SUBDIVISIONS. PINE LAKES ESTATES SUBDIVI- SION. AND ALL UNPLATTED LANDS WITHIN THE VERO LAKES ESTATES MUNICIPAL SERVICE TAXING UNIT WILL BE HELD TUESDAY, JULY 16, 1991 AT 7:00 PM IN THE NORTH COUNTY LI- BRARY MAIN CONFERENCE ROOM LOCATED AT 1001 CR 512. THE BOARD. AFTER HEARING COMMENTS FROM PROPERTY OWNERS WILL CONSIDER RAISING THE VERO LAKE ESTATES MUNICIPAL SERVICE TAXING UNIT ASSESS- MENT FROM 515 PER PARCEUACRE TO 55G PER PARCEUACRE FOR A TWO YEAR PERIOD COMMENCING OCTOBER 1, 1991 AND REVERT- ING BACK TO 515 PER PARCEUACRE OCTO- BER 1. 1993 FOR THE PURPOSE OF FUNDING THE PAVING OF PORTIONS OF 91ST AVENUE, 77TH STREET, AND 101ST AVENUE. ALL PROPERTY OWNERS WITHIN VERO LAKE ESTATES ARE ENCOURAGED TO ATTEND. June 18, 25, July 2, 9. 1991 804888 Chairman Bird at this point turned the meeting over to Public Works Director Davis to review the history of events leading up to the proposed increase in the MSTU assessment. Commissioner Scurlock before proceeding any further wished to know who exactly initiated this request for additional road JUL 16 1991 apOK•83 F UL 901 - 1991 BOOK 83 [ALE 902 paving - County staff or individual property owners or who because he knew it was not initiated by the Commission. Public Works Director Davis explained that the Public Works Department has been meeting every 3/4 months with the Vero Lakes Estates Property Owner's Association road and drainage committee, which was a sub -committee established about 5 years ago to recommend to the County Commission issues that pertain to Vero Lakes drainage and the roads for this area, which includes Pine Lakes Estates. Within the past year, he was invited to a meeting at the fire station in Vero Lakes Estates; a group of property owners were organizing a program to pave some additional roads in Vero Lakes Estates; and there was some discussion on priorities. In the mid 1980s an MSTU was established for this area, and it has been aside in programs that was proposed Mr. taxing $15 per parcel/acre annually. That money is set a special account and is only used for drainage or road within the Vero Lakes Estates area. The sub -committee working with us and a group of citizens in this area some more aggressive road paving. Davis referred to a map and advised that 87th Street was paved with revenue sources from the the MSTU and County Road Funds for a stretch of about 2 miles about 2 years ago, and the committee indicated that 101st Avenue, the main collector road that runs N/S, was their second priority for paving. Director Davis explained the logic behind paving 101st Avenue and 87th Street, which is now complete, is to create a paved loop roadway with access to both CR 512 and CR 510 as that would benefit the whole subdivision. A group of citizens now have taken that concept a little further and are proposing paving 91st and 101st Avenues from 79th to 87th Streets and 79th Street from 91st Avenue to 101st Avenue. Director Davis then went on to review the following memo describing what is proposed and how it would be funded: 2 TO: James E. Chandler, County Administrator FROM: James W. Davis, P.E., Public Works Director rird SUBJECT: Request for Additional Road Paving in Vero Lakes Estates Subdivision and Corresponding Increase in the Vero Lakes Estates M.S.T.U. Assessment DATE: July 8, 1991 DESCRIPTION AND CONDITIONS During the June 4, 1991, meeting of the Board of County Commissioners, staff was requested to advertise for a public hearing to be held on July 16, 1991, for the purpose of receiving public comments regarding a petition submitted by approximately 80 property owners requesting an increase in the Vero Lakes Estates M.S.T.U. Assessment from $15.00 per parcel acre to $50.00 per parcel acre. This requested increase is for a two year period commencing October 1, 1991. The purpose of the increase is to fund paving of the following roadways: 91st Avenue from 79th Street to 87th Street - 1 mile 101st Avenue f(rom 79th Street to 87th Street - 1 mile 79th Street from 91st Avenue to 101st Avenue - 1.25 mile Total 3.25 mile Financial Data - Since its inception in_1985, the Vero Lakes Estates M.S.T.U. Revenues and Expenditures are as follows: Revenues 1985-86 - 1990/91 (6 years) M.S.T.U. Assessment $345,779.00 Interest Revenue 45,702.00 Miscellaneous Income 514.00 Total Revenue $391,995.00 Expenditures Vero Lakes Estates Drainage Study $ 94,652.00 (including Aerial Photogrammentry, Soils Testing, etc total project $107,625.00) Construction of paving & drainage improvements 57,155.00 (87th Street) Miscellaneous Expense 6,261.00 Total Expenditures $158,068.00 Revenue -Expenditure (Fund Balance) $233,927.00 Approximately $150,000.00 of this existing fund balance has been set aside to fund the paving of 101st Avenue, a collector road between CR 512 and 87th Street (1 mile). 3 JUL 16 1.991 BOOK j JUI161993 BOOK 83 FACE i[J4 A $2.00/F.F. assessment to fund $18,568.00 is also proposed. Traffic Impact Fee Revenue is not proposed for future Vero Lakes Estates area road paving at this time due to other priorities in District 7. Paving Costs In 1989, 87th Street, a collector road between CR 510 and 102nd Avenue (1.5 miles) was paved at a cost of: Engineering (Survey) $ 20,000.00 Materials 202,077.00 Labor & Equipment 102,902.00 Total Cost ($41.00/L.F.) $324,979.00 The following Revenues were used to Fund the 87th Street Paving Project: M.S.T.U. Revenue $ 57,155.00 (17.6%) Special Assessment ($2.00/F.F.) 26,822.00 ( 8.3%) District 7 Traffic Impact Fees 30,000.00 ( 9.2%) Gas Tax Revenue 115,000.00 (35.4%) In Kind County Contribution 96,002.00 (29.5%) $324,979.00 (100 %) * M.S.T.U. Area Information Number of Dwelling Units 300 (approximately) Number of lots in M.S.T.U. 5,208 Number of Parcel/Acres 4,022 Number of Assessed Tracts 3,066 1990 M.S.T.U. Assessment paid by Ansin Corporations: Approximate Approximate Approximate Number of Number of 1990 M.S.T.U. Acres Parcel Acres Assessment Miami Gardens 106.35 159 $ 2,385.00 Ro-Ed Corp. 373.20 464 6,960.00 Ed Ansin 42.8 105 1,575.00 Coolidge Corp. 202.75 314 4,710.00 725.10 1,042 $15,630.00 (If the Assessment is increased to 50.00/parcel acre, the estimated yearly assessment to Mr. Ansin's Coprorations will be $52,100.00.) Estimated Project Cost 3.25 miles x 5,280 ft/mile x $41.00 = $703,560.00 4 Revenue Generated from Proposed $50/Parcel Acre Assessment $50/parcel acre/year x 2 years x 4,022 parcel acres = $402,200.00 If a $2.00/F.F. assessment is charged, approximately $55,000.00 would be received from direct special assessments. RECOMMENDATIONS AND FUNDING If the Board approves the proposed paving of 3.25 miles of roads in Vero Lakes Estates, staff recommends the following funding: M.S.T.U. Revenue $402,200.00 (57.2%) (2 years @ $50/parcel acre) Existing Uncommitted M.S.T.U. Balance 75,000.00 (10.7%) Front -Footage Assessment ($2.00/F.F.) 55,000.00 ( 7.8%) Secondary Road Trust Fund 171,360.00 (24.3%) $703,560.00 (100% ) Commissioner Eggert asked that Director Davis comment on the costs involved in paving 87th Street to give people a better idea of the costs involved in paving a road. Director Davis reviewed the paving costs for 87th Street which was done in 1989 and is approximately 1.5 miles long. The engineering and survey work was approximately $20,000 and that was done by county staff in-house. An outside consultant would have been substantially more expensive. The materials that went into the construction, including the drainage pipes under the roadway which were sized in accordance with the master drainage plan, plus the fact that we had to put in fill to raise the road bed approximately 1' to make the drainage system compatible, amounted to $202,000. The labor and equipment was approximately $102=,900; so, the total cost of the mile and a half was $324,979, which equates to about $41 a lineal foot. Some of that included some very large drainage pipes to connect the lakes to the north and south of 87th Street as well as the pipes under the roadway. Mr. Davis continued that the proposed project is about 3* miles long with an estimated cost of $703,560 at $41.00 per foot. There are approximately 4,022 parcel acres to be assessed, and even with the proposed increase, we still anticipate a shortfall of about $300,000. We have looked for ways to fund that if the project is approved, and staff is recommending a blend of 4 revenue sources consisting of the next 2 years revenue from the MSTU at $50/parcel acre; the existing uncommitted MSTU balance; a portion from the Secondary Road Trust Fund; and a front -foot • PH /99 5 BOOK F�,�E v JUL 6 '99i 5'' a BOOK 8 FriuE �1J6 assessment of $2.00 per foot for those people who end up with a paved road in front of their property as it is felt they benefit a little more. Commissioner Scurlock wished to be sure we are talking about the base materials needed to put this roadway up to an adequate level, and Director Davis assured him that the roadway will be established in accordance with the design of the master plan; we do not want to pave roads and not provide adequately for drainage for the future. A gentleman from the audience wished to know if all property owners will pay the proposed assessment, and Director Davis confirmed that the assessment is for all lots in the MSTU, which includes Vero Lakes Estates plus Pine Lakes Estates, and the people who have a road paved directly in front of their property will pay an additional $2.00 a foot. Chairman Bird opened the public hearing and asked that anyone who had questions about the project come forward and use the microphone. Rita Dismukes, 8360101st Ave., noted that she has been paying for two lots and she had a question relating to unity of title which she has heard mentioned. Director Davis explained that if you have 2 lots that are side by side, you can go to the Property Appraiser and ask for a unity of title application and they can advise you whether you are eligible to apply or not. Ms. Dismukes then wished to know how long it would take to pave these roads because this all started 5 years ago. Director Davis advised that the permits are in now for paving 101st Avenue and that should start this year. As to the other roads that have been proposed for paving, the revenues would not be totally collected for 2 years and the surveying and engineering probably would start next year along with the permitting from the St. Johns River Water Management District. We probably would do those roads in stages - one a year. Ms. Dismukes questioned what the cost of the roads would be at that time, and Director Davis advised that the figures presented are estimates but road building costs seem to have stabilized over the last years. Ms. Dismukes stated that she was told it would be much more by someone in the Road & Bridge Department, but Director Davis noted that the cost was $41 a foot in 1989 and we feel comfort- able that the cost will be very much the same a few years from now. Joe McBride, 9225 87th Street, noted that Mr. Davis had. talked about the drainage pipe under the roads, and wished to 6 know why then is he holding 18" of water in front of his house when you go 2 blocks over to 94th and there is no water in the ditch. He has talked about this to Road & Bridge Supt. Van Auken, who has promised to resolve this problem, but it has not been resolved so far. Director Davis advised that he will be glad to arrange a time and meet Mr. McBride in the subdivision and review this. Rita Lansing, 8211 93rd Avenue, understood that when 87th Street was paved, there were pipes that ran from the road into the lake. She wished to know what lakes in the area of the loop have been targeted to run the drains s to in order to keep excess water off the properties in that square of area within the loop. Director Davis replied that at the present time we have not designed the paving and drainage of these particular roadways. The master drainage study, however, does define the drainage patterns in the area, and this is available within the subdivision and also in his office. Ms. Lansing asked if what is planned will hook up with the drainage canal that runs to the E/W, and Mr. Davis advised that it will connect to the drainage canal to the north of the subdivision as well as the existing E/W canals. We are utilizing the existing canals, expanding those canals, and adding retention throughout the subdivision. Mrs. Melanie Manning, 7925 92nd Avenue, informed the Board that she is a new resident. She noted that Mr. Davis stated it was the choice of the residents and the members of the committee who requested 101st to be paved, but they were told at a meeting that the traffic count would determine the priorities for paving the roads. She personally took a look at the traffic counts in the report that was done and determined that 91st Avenue had a higher average, but Mr. Davis told her that money already had been expended for surveys, permits, etc., for 101st and even though the traffic count was quite a bit different than antici- pated, you would proceed with 101st. Mrs. Manning further informed the Board that she went to the Budget and Financial Office and pulled the spread sheet and the general ledger' to see how much money has been expended on the project for 101st and all she could find was $1275 for engineer- ing. Now they are finding after several MSTU meetings where they were told the cost would be $12/15 a foot that it has gone to $41, and she was confused about the difference. Director Davis advised that the Budget Department will tell you exactly what direct expenses the county has paid out to outside companies for fees. Our county surveyor and his crews have done the surveying, and the design has been done in-house by JUL 1 6 1991 js �.r d, -BOOK F',1�,c JUL i6 199' BOOK 83 f'AU 9,08 staff; so, those are considered indirect expenses; they are not dollars going out to outside sources; and they would not be on a ledger book. Commissioner Scurlock confirmed that the only things you see on the general ledger are hard costs. You would have to go to the Public Works Department, Engineering, etc., to see the actual hours logged out. Mrs. Manning had further questions about costs and record keeping, and Commissioner Scurlock asked how the transfer from project accounts is done - how you book it when a department asks to be compensated back for their in-house expenses. Administrator Chandler advised that when the project is4 ready to go to construction, they put together a formal project budget where they identify all costs; in the interim the in-house or in-kind costs are maintained, and all this is shown in that total budget. Mrs. Manning asked if Mr. Davis remembered stating it would cost anywhere from $120,000 to $160,000 to complete Vero Lake Estates, and Mr. Davis believed he was referring to 101st Avenue. and that he was speaking about direct paving costs, which did not include the engineering and some other surveying costs needed to complete the project. He noted that those figures are in line with the figures we are projecting at this point in time. Mrs. Manning believed that everyone has misunderstood this as she thought he had stated that after 101st was completed, there would be a surplus of funds that could go towards 91st Avenue, and Mr. Davis confirmed that he did indicate that after the paving of 101st, there would be surplus funds that could be used to further implement the master drainage plan or for additional paving. John Coppola, vice president of the Vero Lake Estates Property Owners Association, and resident of 7950 93rd Avenue, referred to the $402,000 revenue Mr. Davis has predicted the 2 year assessment at $50 parcel/acre will raise and asked if that will earn interest, and if it does, shouldn't that interest be added into the recommendation. Director Davis pointed out that it is hard for us to predict when the assessments will be paid and how long those funds will be sitting there before they are expended out; so, as a conservative measure, we have not computed additional interest revenue. Commissioner Scurlock felt the key is that whatever is earned stays in that fund. Mrs. C. R. Smith, 8245 104th Court, commented that everyone this evening has been talking about roads, but she wished to know 8 if they do actually live on a road because she was told that she doesn't live on a road. She has been trying to get her road graded for over a year; they do the road behind her where there is one house, but she can't get her road done. Chairman Bird informed Mrs. Smith that he will have the Public Works Director respond to her, but stressed that for the purposes of tonight's hearing, we really need to limit our discussion to the proposed paving project and do not have the time to deal with everyone's individual concerns about pot -holes, etc. He asked Director Davis about our road grading policy. Director Davis reported that we recently reviewed all the roads in the area, and we added 13 miles to our grader route. He advised that he has received letters from Mrs. Smith, and he is looking into this. There are only 2 houses on her street, however, and it was not included on the recommended grading route. Mrs. Smith continued to stress that the person on the street behind her is getting their street graded, and Chairman Bird assured her that Mr. Davis will answer her questions. George Ballard, 8245 92nd Avenue, was concerned about the approximate time of completion of the three roads, which staff estimated at one a year for the next 3 years. He wished to know what the prediction for completion of these roads would be if there is no additional funding approved. Director Davis stated that, based on our current revenue sources and with the other priorities before us, if the MSTU assessment is not increased, he did not see how these roads could be paved until the present $15 parcel/acre assessment generates the money to do them, assuming no drainage work is done. Mr. Ballard then inquired about the cost for the people who live on the roads that are not going to be paved and whether they will get the extra $50/parcel acre to help them pave their roads when. the time comes, or if their costs will escalate up to $20 or $30 a foot. Director Davis explained the logic of the proposed program is that the loop would benefit almost everybody. Funding for future paving 'of other roads in the area would depend on the type of program proposed - petition paving, etc. He stressed that paving and drainage should go hand in hand. Commissioner Scurlock believed the answer is that if you continue to assess the $50 per parcel/acre, you will have a con- tinued source of funding for further projects. Chairman Bird agreed, but pointed out that the proposal before us tonight is to increase the assessment to $50 for just a 2 year period. 16 1991 9 BOOK 83 FA6[ jUS JUL Q 119911 i3 BOOK 8J FAGE j.9 .L Mr. Ballard was concerned about having to tear the roads up for water and sewer lines when that service became available, and Director Davis explained that is not a part of this project. We do coordinate with our Utilities Department on all of our projects, and if they feel service to a particular area is imminent, they put sleeves under the road to accommodate the service when it comes. It is his understanding, however, that is not anticipated in the area any time in the near future. Commissioner Scurlock advised that in any event those lines would not be put in the road easement. Leonard Schecter, 8135 98th Court, asked why this is only a 2 year assessment instead of 7 or so. He likes roads. Commissioner Scurlock believed the group that put this together tried to work up a package they hoped most people would support, and then after they see the benefit this brings, it was hoped they would at that time consider continuing the increased assessment. Vito Cassara, new resident of the area, requested that the Commissioners and other county officials introduce themselves, which they did. Tom Clark, 8265 90th Avenue, asked if the assessment would be $100 for people who own just over an acre, and was informed that it would. Chairman Bird advised that if there are no further questions, he would now ask those who wish to speak either for or against the proposed project to come forward. Fred Markovitz, 8215 95th Avenue, came before the Board representing a few of the home owners who are against the proposed increase, and referred to his letter, as follows: 10 FRED MARKOvITZ 8'715 ''3TH AVE. VERO BEACH, FLA. •1 Phone: 5.39-751 Ju/_r 16,1971 :'curst'y Commissioners: represent Some home owners in {Vero Lake Estates :srsd to try eco help shorter this meeting of: 7/16/91, ,ire are some questions and e_j7:i}ment'3 we shore: 1- We dc' not want this proposed increcise in tomes. As a matter of fact a lot of us want the present tom of #.15 discontinued.. Wosr' t• the or•igini,l $15 to be only +a one time thing for *Research Development' for droiroge studies '7'7'7 2- Why are the 'Commissioners*, only giving u3 25%, isrsd the rest of the county 58%, os i_ommiE.E.iorer _hur.o_i: stated at the council meeting 77 .3- How much of the irscreissed 1 Lent soles tom was allocated to the Vero Lake Roads 777 4- fi 1 o t c<f people on 87th Street surely don't wont to pay for paving other people's streets„ 5- € f the roods ore poved , you ore paving the wrong ones., A more in-depth study i•3 needed to determine which roods ore to be p:sved. 6- We thine: Vero Lakes Estates drain, ge i'3 a more iifsitsedi.',(e problem than paving. The rood groderE. ore 'Dogging Canals' in our front yards. 7- And Finally, oil pr'oper'ty owners should hive been notified by mail of this proposed increase in t -axes. -- Moy'be is Form letter with on onsweresble *Yes' or 'No* with Signature, to real/_4 see who wisests this tom increase. Thankyou: The questions raised in the letter were answered as follows. #1 - Mr. Markovitz was informed that the $15 assessment was not set up to be a one time thing for drainage studies. #2 - Regarding giving this area only 25% instead of 50% like the rest of the county, Commissioner Scurlock explained that the question he had asked Mr. Davis at the earlier meeting related to the fact that we classify roads - there are residential roads, main collectors, etc. On roads we identify as moving a major amount of traffic through an area, we participate at different levels, some at 50% and some at even a higher level, and what he asked Mr. Davis was whether we could identify any of the roads in 11 JUL 1.6 19 (91 6�j BOOK ;� Pr- JUL 161991 BOOK 83 PAI,E j14: the proposed project as being in a different category, which would justify participating at a higher percentage. #3 - Administrator Chandler explained that the 1cP Sales Tax was approved based on specific projects for the first 5 years - the Health Building, the Jail Phase 111, and the Courthouse - and then if there were sufficient funds, the other priorities were open space and R/W. #5 - Mr. Markovitz stressed that there should.be a more in depth study done because the roads proposed to be paved are the wrong ones. He stated that on 91st Avenue there is 1 resident per acre, and on 94th, there are 3 to the acre. #6 & #7 - Mr. Markovitz emphasized their feeling that drainage is a more immediate problem then paving and also that all the property owners should have been notified by mail of the proposed increase. Administrator Chandler pointed out that if the proposed increase were approved tonight, it would be included on the TRIM notice which goes out to all property owners in August and then there would be further public hearings in September. Stanley Fronzcek, 8365 95th Court, president of the Home Owners Association, informed the Board that as of tonight they have 139 residents who actually live in Vero Lakes Estates and travel over these roads and there are over 1,000 people in this area who travel over these roads. They would like to have these roads paved. Mike Anderson, 7835 94th Court, president of the Vero Lakes Volunteer Fire Department, spoke in favor of the paving. He advised that they have responded to hundreds of emergency calls in Vero Lakes Estates, and the way the roads are now could easily cause a delay of several critical minutes in response time. There was much clapping from the audience. Commissioner Scurlock asked for a show of hands from the audience to indicate those in favor of the paving (about 2/3) and those against the paving (about 1/3). Carol Coppola, 7950 93rd Avenue, wished to make the Board acquainted with the problems involved in living on dirt roads year round in Florida, which has two seasons - a rainy season and a dry season. She then displayed some graphic drawings demonstrating how right now the roads are flooded constantly so that you have to do creative driving to maneuver around the deep potholes to get to your home, and how in the dry season after a week or so, the roads turn into a washboardlike surface of continuous bumps which you can't drive around and they do nothing but destroy your car. Mrs. Coppola stressed that the people are not asking that every road be paved; they just want the main 12 JUL 1 roads completed so that you can have acceptable access in and out of their development. Vera Daniel, 8166 93rd Avenue, just wished to ask those present, if they are not in favor of dirt roads, why did they move to Vero Lakes Estates. George Lemaster, 9425 79th Street, stated that he would like to see the roads paved, and he is in favor of paying the $50 parcel/acre assessment. In fact, after they pave the first 3 he would be willing to continue to pay the $50 to help others pave their roads. Tom Bailey, 8145 92nd Avenue, Crime Watch coordinator, noted that it would cost him $100 to get the roads paved, but he is willing to pay that forever to get more roads paved, and he is on a fixed income. They can't patrol Vero Lake Estates properly, and if they had better roads, he could get more people out to patrol and cut down on crime. They also need better access time for the police deputies. Mrs. Elaine Anderson, 94th Court, emphasized that this is a growing area and they have a high school coming in. She did not want all the roads paved; she did not think anyone did; but she watched a school bus almost flip one day when it hit a big pothole, and she is concerned about the safety of our children and felt some of the main roads should be paved. Carl Johnson, past president of the Property Owners Association, secretary/treasurer of the Fire Department and Chairman of the Road & Drainage Committee, advised that this committee has been active since 1985. It was at their instigation the $15 parcel/acre funds were raised. In fact, at one time they proposed $100, but it was cut down to $15. They did get 87th Street done, and he knew that everyone who can uses that to get away from the other roads. Mr. Johnson noted that it has been mentioned that Mr. Ansin owns half of the property in Vero, Lakes Estates, and according to an article in Forbes Magazine, Mr. Ansin is one of the 400 richest men in the United States. Obviously he is a big taxpayer and can almost dictate what happens in some areas, but Mr. Johnson felt he is not as big or as important as all the residents, and he urged that the Board satisfy the neighbors in Vero Lakes Estates and approve the increased assessment. Dan McMillan, 91st Avenue, next took the floor and stated that he built a nice house out here; he paid an $1,000 impact fee for roads and sewer, and he doesn't have anything to show for it. Chairman Bird requested that Director Davis explain the impact fees. 13 BOOK ' .. C14 r ' JLtD F'�� u JUL 1G r g BOOK 83 PAGE 14 Director Davis explained that the impact fee program is divided into districts. The Vero Lakes Estates area is in District 7 of this program, and the impact fee you pay is for road capital improvements, particularly the collector roads and the arterial road expansion to meet growth demands of new development in each district. In the Vero Lakes area we did use $30,000 of the impact fee revenues to pave 87th Street. Basically, Mr. Davis believed there is $95,000 in the District 7 account, and those funds are earmarked for improvements to the intersection of CR 510 and CR 512, as well as probably some road widening on 510 when the new high school comes. He does not anticipate any of that revenue being used for this project, but he assured Mr. McMillan that none of the money he pays in impact fees is spent outside District #7 - all that revenue is spent within the district in which it is collected. Mr. McMillan continued to protest that nothing is done in this area, but Mr. Davis again pointed out that $30,000 of these funds were used towards paving 87th Street. He explained that District #7 includes the whole area west of the City of Sebastian all the way to the west County line and the north County line; the south boundary is somewhere south of Wabasso Road. Mr. McMillan asked about 61st Street that got paved in Wabasso. He noted he drove down it and there are nothing but little shanties on it. Those people have no money, but it got paved. Mr. Davis advised that is 61st Drive; it was a petition paving project; and the residents on the street paid 75% of the cost. Mr. McMillan didn't believe they paid anything because nobody on that street works, but he was assured that the property owners on that street paid their share. Juanita Lindsey, 8211 93rd Ave., just wanted to say that she is against the paving, and her reasons are that they have no mosquito control in Vero Lakes Estates. She has a 1i acre parcel, and if she is going to be assessed $100 a year, she wants to have mosquito control and decent drainage and some type of canal crossings so her children don't have to walk so far to get the bus. Mrs. Lindsey was concerned that when you do put in a road on 91st, it will be built up higher and the water will filter down to her property. Chairman Bird believed as these roads are paved, a drainage system will be put in along with the paving that will help alleviate some of the problem. Director Davis clarified that the drainage system that goes in when the road is paved is that drainage system beneath the 14 roadway. The drainage system that has been proposed for Vero Lakes Estates as a whole is over one million dollars. We have not been implementing the drainage program except for pipe under the roadway, and we will not have a total functioning drainage system until we implement that program. Mrs. Lindsey continued to contend that the proposed roads will only make the drainage problem worse. She pays $600 taxes. now, and if she has to pay more, then she wants her money put into drainage. She also claimed that the ambulance people cannot find her home because the county does not have a comprehensive plan of Vero Lakes Estates. Commissioner Wheeler believed we already are asking the Legislature to expand the Mosquito Control District, and we did spend extra money last year just to cover this particular area. Sharon Kinchen, 8915 104th Avenue, advised that she owns 5 acres in the back of this area, and she bought out there because it was a country area with dirt roads. If she wanted paved roads, she would have bought in the Highlands. She is definitely against the paving and feels it is too much money for taxes on a 5 acre tract. Truman Patterson, 8856 100th Avenue, spoke against the paving. He pointed out that the County has a petition paving program, and if people want paved roads, let them use that program and pay for it themselves. Mrs. Manning commented that several people have mentioned they like the country. Well, she bought a big piece of property in this area, too; she was informed that because of the MSTU, the roads would be paved on a reasonable time schedule; and she pays $1,200 taxes. The horrendous road conditions are aggravated by the weather, and she was involved in a very serious accident out there. Because of the condition of the streets, the ambulance had to go blocks out of the way to find a way to get there. Another benefit of paved roads is that they improve the value of property. Mrs. Manning thought one thing that has not been brought up tonight is the Clean Water Act which has been adopted by the state and will force the county to put in a drainage program; therefore, she felt the money generated by the MSTU should be spent on roads and not on drainage which the county will have to implement in the future anyway. Mrs. Manning believed the people here are not aware that in the future we will have to pay a utility fee for the county to get the water run off our property. She then referred to a letter written by Mr. Ansin, who is a very large property owner in this area, when the MSTU was established, in which he stated the top priority in his view JUL61991 15 BOOK 83 VA L'AO JUL16199' BOOK 83 PAVE was the paving of the main collector roads, which are 87th Street and 101st Avenue. She feared because of pressure from such .a Targe property owner that those were the only roads that would be paved, and that led her to work to initiate the proposed paving program which she felt would benefit everyone. Mrs. Manning just wanted everyone to get the most for their money, and she can see that the drainage program being mandated by the state is going to cost us extra money down the road; so, why pay for, it twice. She noted that Port St. Lucie charges $3.55 a month to run water off the people's property, and asked Mr. Davis if that utility charge is per parcel. Director Davis explained that the stormwater utility isa proposed program which is a part of the Comprehensive Land Use Plan policy statements in the Drainage Element. A typical stormwater utility, and there are many of them being implemented now in the State of Florida, levies a utility fee based on an equivalent residential unit. If you have one house on 2 or 3 lots, it is usually charged as one unit, and if you have undeveloped lots, that is generally 1 unit per lot because the lots generate runoff. Discussion followed about the numbers presented regarding the large size of the Ansin holdings and what he would be charged, with Mrs. Manning stressing that the fact that he owns so much should not influence what is done in Vero Lakes Estates. Director Davis assured her that we have no commitments to any particular individual or property owner. It was simply felt since Mr. Ansin is such a large property owner, that accurate data regarding what he does own should be available just for informational purposes. John Coppola, 93rd Avenue, noted that he moved here because he couldn't afford the houses up north, and while he loves dirt roads, he would like to get the main collector roads paved for the purpose of having better response time for the emergency services and the safety of the school buses. He wished to know when 101st street north of 87th Street is to be done; he believed it was supposed to be done by this summer which is half over. Director Davis advised that we are waiting on the stormwater permits from St. John's and will implement the paving as soon as we get them. Mr. Coppola stressed that the proposed increase in assess- ment is only for 2 years, and he will be paying $200 for those 2 years even though he lives ori a dirt road which will never be paved. He also wished to point out that this increase is not an increase of $50; it is going from $15 to $50, which is an 16 increase of $35. Mr. Coppola wished to know if we have to go through any more public hearings on this proposal. Commissioner Scurlock advised that the TRIM notices have to go out, and then we will have 2 budget hearings in September, and Chairman Bird further explained that while the Commission can vote tonight to have the appropriate millage for this project included in this coming year's budget, that millage would become official only after the budget hearings in September. Terry Schwartz, 8776 99th Ave., noted that he just bought out in this area. He found a reasonable lot and a good house. He felt it is a good development, and if people want to live in the "country country," then he felt they should live on a farm because this area will continue to be developed. Mr. Schwartz was in favor of the proposed paving because he believed it will bring up property values and benefit everyone even though the road he lives on will not be paved. Tom Clark, 8265 90th Avenue, wished to know if anyone has looked into whether there is any state or federal money available, and Director Davis advised that in the '70's the state proposed an Off System Roads Fund, but that was eliminated some time ago, and since then the DOT has not funded local roads of this nature. Mr. Clark noted that he pays more flood insurance than a person who lives on an island, and he asked if these improvements will affect that. Director Davis explained about the Flood Insurance rate maps, noting that basically Mr. Clark is living in what is called the 100 year flood plain, and that is why when you come in for a building permit, the Health Department requires you to build your lot up a certain number of feet to get your septic tank high enough. Mr. Clark continued that he lives on the Sebastian River, and`the main drainage ditch for the whole area comes by his house and dumps in that river. He does not have a problem with that, but wondered why that drainage system can't be utilized for its most effective use. Director Davis advised that the whole subdivision discharges into that 90th Avenue canal, but that canal serves 20,000 acres around the subdivision and it cannot handle that whole watershed. Mr. Clark noted that there is another canal down on 79th, and Mr. Davis explained that is a part of the Sebastian River Drainage District, which is an independent system and is not available for us to tie into. Mr. Clark then recommended that the County look into the 17 JUL 16.119!W BOOK83 f'A;Jc. Jk t JUL 1619 BOOK fA6E i bridge which the school bus uses to go over the canal because he did not feel it is safe. Vita Cassara, 9570 79th Street, commented that as to why people move here, he traveled 2,700 miles in Florida looking for a place, and this is what he chose. He was promised roads would be built - that is why he bought here, and he is waiting for it. Maria Tibault, Vero Lakes resident, noted that she also moved down here because she was told they would have roads, and she doesn't mind paying the extra money to have the roads paved. She is paying it out now any way to have her car fixed because of the damage done to it by the roads, and she would rather pay her money for good roads. Joe McBride, 87th Street, was against the paving. He noted that he spoke against the paving of 87th Street when it was proposed, and at that time he said that if the road was to be paved, those people would be for it because it would be a racetrack, and that is what it is. Sid Lansing, 88th Street and 99th Avenue, was against the paving also. As to having better roads for the Fire Department, he stated that when the lot near him caught on fire, he called the Fire Department and no one was there. Then he called Sebastian; they got lost; and it took them half an hour to get there, and you can check that in their log. He did not want to pay any more taxes, and if people want a road paved, let them pay for it. Commissioner Eggert advised that she is head of the Fire District Advisory Committee, and she will look into getting a comprehensive map of Vero Lakes Estates. Tom Bailey, Crime Watch Coordinator, informed the Board that they have made a map of Vero Lake Estates showing all the canals, and those maps will be given out to the Sheriff and eventually to the Fire Districts. Commissioner Eggert requested that one be given to the Director of Emergency Services, Doug Wright. Chairman Bird determined that no one else wished to be heard and thereupon closed the public hearing. Chairman Bird noted that the Commission has three options tonight - we can either approve the additional assessment proposed, disapprove it, or continue discussion and delay the decision. If it is approved, it would be a part of our county budget and would be subject to final approval at our budget hearings in September. Administrator Chandler advised that the TRIM Notices will go out in August to all property owners, and that notice will have the dates of those hearings. 18 Commissioner Wheeler knew there are heated feelings on both sides about this proposal, but he was impressed with the turnout; he was impressed with the people who have gotten together and presented their project; and he thought they are doing a good job. He pointed out that what they propose represents an increase cost of only $3.00 a month to have some good roads. ON MOTION by Commissioner Wheeler, SECONDED by Com- missioner Eggert, the Board unanimously approved the proposed increase of assessment for the Vero Lakes M.S.T.U. to $50 per parcel/acre for, a 2 year period and also the proposed assessment of $2.00 per front foot for the properties on the roads being paved. There being no further business, on Motion duly made, seconded and carried, the Board adjourned at 8:50 o'clock P.M. ATTEST: JUL161 Clerk Chairman 19 BOOK 83 FADE j10