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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1996 04 03 Minutes COUNCIL OF LOCAL GOVERNMENTS IN SEMINOLE COUNTY APRIL 3. 1996 MEETING CALL TO ORDER The Council of Local Governments in Seminole County meeting was called to order by Chairperson Gennell on Wednesday, April 3, 1996 at 7:15 p.m. in the conference room, Winter Springs Municipal Building, 1126 East State Road 434, Winter Springs, Florida. She said that the meeting would begin with the Program due to a lack of quorum. MEMBERS PRESENT Commissioner Cindy Gennell, Winter Springs Commissioner Pat Fernandez, Altamonte Springs Commissioner Ron Sargent, Longwood Board Member Larry Strickler, Seminole County School Board MEMBERS ABSENT Commissioner Gary Brender, Lake Mary Commissioner Whitey Eckstein, Sanford Councilman Tom Hagood, Jr., Oviedo Commissioner Earl McMullen, Casselberry Commissioner Pat Warren, Seminole County Commission ALSO PRESENT Ron McLemore, Winter Springs City Manager Stan Stevens, Chuluota Citizen Kristin Hotaling, University of Central Florida Student Intern APPROVAL OF MINUTES The approval of the March 6, 1996 minutes was tabled until the May meeting due to lack of quorum. TREASURER'S REPORT The Treasurer's Report was tabled until the May meeting due to lack of quorum. PROGRAM--ST. JOHNS WATER MANAGEMENT DISTRICT Nancy Christman, Intergovernmental Coordinator, with the St. Johns Water Management District distributed her business cards to everyone, then introduced Elizabeth Thomas, the Orlando Office Director (Permits). Minutes Council of Local Governments in Seminole County April 3, 1996 Meeting Page 2 Ms. Christman stated that in 1972 there were five water management districts created in Florida. The St. Johns Water Management District covers all or part of 19 counties which represents a population of over three and a quarter million. The district boundaries are: from the Georgia border over into Baker County; part of Alachua County; part of Polk County; part of Orange County; then down the coast to River County. F or the most part, the district's boundary lines are based on the way the surface water drainage actually flows. All of the area in this district drains into the St. Johns River, up through Jacksonville, and out to the ocean. The original purpose of the St. Johns Water Management Districts was flood control and water supply protection. Now their responsibilities also include water quality protection and natural systems protection. Ms. Christman displayed a copy of the "District Water Management Plan Summary"; a summary which discusses the key issues of the four topic areas. She continued, The WMD Review Commission reviewed the functions of the WMD's, and the study (report) was finished in January with recommendations. They did see some areas that the Water Management District could improve by some legislative changes. Overall, they were happy with the structure of the districts, and the concept of appointed governing board members (appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the State Senate) versus elected members. The Legislature has their sub- committees reviewing the WMD and they have their own set of recommendations. One recommendation is for the Governor's office to approve the budgets of the Water Management Districts. The budgets come from ad-valorem taxes with statutory caps. Ms. Christman said she would find out what the millage rate and cap figures are for their district. Board Member Strickler asked for the organizational structure and types of jobs in their district. MS.Christman said the headquarters is in Palatka. Service Centers are in Jacksonville, Orlando, and Melbourne. The Orlando office has 55 people, and most of the people are in Permitting. There are civil engineers, environmental specialist, and hydrologists who review the permits. Other departments include Planning and Acquisition, Water Resources (surface water), Legal, and Executive. Board Member Strickler also asked, what's the normal turn around time for permits. Ms. Thomas said most permits take 3-6 months ifit has to go before the board, and the board only meets once a month. A general permit can take 30 days. Discussion about people not wanting to comply with the rules. Chairperson Gennell asked who was working on the Lake Jesup restoration. Ms. Christman said there are four full time and several part time employees. Ms. Thomas said the permitting staff also attends meetings :from time to time. The Chair asked if the district was opposed or in favor of Battle ridge. Ms. Christman said they have concerns of any project which would increase the problems for Jesup right at the time they are trying to begin a restoration program. Ms. Thomas stated that rules don't prevent people from developing wetlands, people just have to comply with the rules. Chairperson Gennell said she wished they (WMD) would put mitigation in the same municipality. Ms. Christman said she has heard a lot from local governments that they don't like when wetlands are mitigated outside of their city. Ms. Thomas added, the rules read that if mitigation is done in the same basin then there's not as much mitigation. It is up to the local government to have the rules they feel they need. Developers would lobby against statutory rule changes. Minutes Council of Local Governments in Seminole County April 3, 1996 Meeting Page 3 Chairperson Gennell said she heard Pat Frost say that the cities put too much faith on St. Johns Water Management to protect these sensitive environments because if a city passes it on, then St. Johns Water Management has to let them develop with mitigation. Ms. Christman said they are trying to get the message out that they don't make land use decisions, that is a local government function. She added, there are 118 local governments in this district, and every month a mailing goes out to the city manager's of all of the governments. This mailing includes a listing of new permits (permit applications, meaning there is still time for comments) that have come in since the last month. So ifthere's a project that interests you, then call to find out when meetings will take place or come to the office to talk to staff about mitigation for the project. It is not a requirement to go through the local government first; If rules are met with the WMD then a permit will be issued, mitigation or not. Mr. Stevens asked how the environmental community can get a listing of permits. Ms. Christman said that he could get on an interested party list. There has also been talk of getting a home page on the Internet. Manager McLemore asked if there are any certified wetland banks in this area. Ms. Christman said they have a mitigation banking staff member who coordinates the districts interest. She said she read recently that there are three certified banks. Ms. Christman said the WMD also provides coordination and technical assistance to government staff (Ex: WMD can provide a document for staff that will be useful when working on their Evaluation and Appraisal Report which is due to the state next year) There is no charge for technical assistance. (reports, programs, maps) The WMD will also work with staff on cooperative and cost share projects. Regarding permitting, focus group meetings (local government staff, environmental community, and development community) were held in Seminole County for the governments of Seminole, Orange, and V olusia Counties. None of the groups were shy about telling them things they didn't like, and there was quite a list of positive remarks regarding the permitting projects. Even the development community recognizes the need for regulation, but they want to get through the process with ease. Some suggestions made at these focus group meetings have already been implemented. Ms. Christman said there are a couple of projects under each of the four areas of responsibility which she would like to discuss. Water Supply Protection--the WMD is working on a water supply, needs and sources project. They have worked with the local governments that supply water, and the private utilities to do projections over the next 20 years to determine the amount of water that each utility plans to pump out to serve their population. They also looked at criteria to determine what is harmful to the resource, and came up with a Water Supply Caution Area Map. Seminole County is within the caution area which means that there are some impacts. Ifwater is pumped out the way it's planned, and the amount that is planned; the modeling shows negative impacts to the resources. The WMD is continuing to work with the utilities on feasibility reports of how alternative sources could be developed. Also, a cost share program was developed this year for local governments to apply for funding from a district if they wanted to implement an alternative source for water supply such as a re-use system. Final results on who receives funding this year will come out in about a month. Chairperson Gennell asked if all of the districts are comparable in the level of services and offers to taxpayers. Ms. Christman said in certain areas the requirements are the same, but there are variations in Minutes Council of Local Governments in Seminole County April 3, 1996 Meeting Page 4 the types of programs because of variation in the needs of the different areas. Ms. Christman continued with regard to flood protection, stating that the WMD assists local governments in the implementation of recommendations that are within the flood studies. They are creating a map and a database of problem areas. There will also be a map that overlays the hundred year floodplain with the future land uses approved by local governments that are urban in nature and located in the floodplains. Chairperson Gennell asked where the information (to create the database on problem areas) comes from. Ms. Christman said, flooding complaints from citizens and local governments calling for assistance in areas. Ms. Thomas said, in lower economic areas they depend on local government to address the issue. She added, Florida has been in a thirty year drought, and now it's starting to get back to normal and everyone is not prepared for it. This summer will be extremely bad because the ground water table is still way up from the past three years of wet weather. Discussion of reasons for flooding. The Chair referred back to the map showing Seminole County in a critical area, and asked if the wet trend will alter the modeling. Ms. Thomas said they were going to take the new data and factor it in. Now that they have hard data, they are seeing that the floodplain is much greater than it was back in the 1970's when they first modeled it. Chairperson Gennell asked if it would change the draw down (needs and sources, groundwater). Ms. Thomas said that the problem is that the water is not going back into the ground; it is draining off because the surface has been paved. Rivers don't percolate, and recharge areas that are paved aren't recharging. Making stormwater an asset has been suggested. Ms. Christman displayed a Land Acquisition map. The purchase and restoration of floodplains helps protect from development. The WMD has worked cooperatively with Seminole County since they started their acquisition program to jointly purchase properties. They own almost 5400 acres of floodplains in Seminole County. Flood insurance rates lower for constituents because credits are given for public ownership of the floodplains. Recently, a Stormwater Working Group was established so stormwater staff members from local governments are involved. There is also a Surface Water Improvement and Management Program which covers the water bodies which are in dire need of restoration such as Lake Apopka and Indian River Lagoon. In areas (Lake Jesup, Geneva Bubble) that don't have a Swim Program, the WMD provides staff support. Even though the legislature chose not to fund the Geneva Bubble, the district has gone ahead with recommendations. The Chair asked if the district will continue to serve Lake Jesup if the funds run out. Ms. Christman said she didn't know ifthat had been decided, but they have been out lobbying to keep the funds coming. Ms. Christman continued, besides acquisition there is land management (Natural Systems Protection). There was a perception by the public that public lands were closed off The District stepped up their management effort to open those properties sooner. She displayed a "Recreation Guide" which covers all of the properties they own. 93% of the properties are open to some form of recreation to the public. (natural setting) Maps are provided at no cost to local governments. The Streamline Newsletter goes out to elected officials every two months. Ms. Christman distributed copies of publications she had mentioned. Mr. Stevens said the fact wasn't mentioned that the management of some of the properties they purchase are turned over to other agencies. Ms. Christman said correct, sometimes another agency is better able to Minutes Council of Local Governments in Seminole County April 3, 1996 Meeting Page 5 manage a property for different reasons. Ms. Christman offered to come to any Commission, any time, and speak about the program. Ms. Thomas, or one of her staff could be available for groups more interested in permitting. Ms. Thomas pointed out that 990,/0 of the projects that the district has been permitting since 1983 have not failed. A few have failed because of inadequate information. Board Member Strickler asked Ms. Christman if she met with her legislative delegates. She said she goes at least once every year to every legislator in her counties. He suggested to her that she may want to attend their delegation meetings. She said Pat Frost attended a delegation meeting. Chairperson Gennell said that Pat Frost gave a very good presentation on the Wekiva, and during the presentation he mentioned the same thing creating in Battleridge. Ms. Christman said she would check into getting her (Chair) a copy of the tape. Chairperson Gennell gave Ms. Christman and Ms. Thomas a pen as a gift of appreciation. The Chair also mentioned that she would ask the next year's chair to put WMD on the agenda because there will be new members next year. Ms. Christman said if there is an interest in other topics, then staff from those other departments can come. Commissioner Fernandez said that she would give Ms. Thomas' business card to the president of the Springs Oaks HO.A. in Altamonte Springs (interests in flooding and the Little Wekiva). Ms. Thomas said she would like to give a presentation in conjunction with the local government because she is helpless when people start asking when things will be done. She has to tell them she is the regulatory agency; it's the governments that provide solutions. Ms. Thomas stated that Seminole County said they wished the WMD could take over the maintenance of the Little Wekiva, but it is not economically feasible. What needs to be remembered is that the level of service the WMD is suppose to give to folks doesn't include yard or street flooding; only when water comes into homes is it an unacceptable level of service. Some yard flooding is a problem (unacceptable) when septic tanks are involved. Commissioner Sargent asked if there is any support in controlling septic tank installations. Ms. Christman said that is dealt with on the local government level. Ms. Thomas added, if tanks do fail because of flooding, they are required to replace it with something more acceptable. Commissioner Fernandez asked if it was not WMD's function as an agency to educate the public. Ms. Thomas said they do as much as they can. Commissioner Fernandez asked how often the flood lines were being re-evaluated. Ms. Thomas answered, it is about 10 years, unless it is a critical area. The WMD is trying to work with Seminole and Orange Counties to cost share a restudy of the Little Econ. Discussion on evaluation figures. Chairperson Gennell suggested having a disclosure on all documents (land use issues) going out to cities reading: WARNING!!--We have not protected any of your land--This is up to you. REVIEW OF BY-LAWS OF CALNO Tabled until next meeting UPDA TE OF JOINT BRIEF Chairperson Gennell stated that Dade County and Florida League of Cities has joined. Minutes Council of Local Governments in Seminole County April 3, 1996 Meeting Page 6 NEW BUSINESS New Stationery Chairperson Gennell distributed samples ofletterhead. She said that the old stationery doesn't match, but will be used up. She tabled this item until more members were in attendance. REPORTS FROM MEMBERS Longwood--Commissioner Sargent said the Founder's Day Celebration was very good. Had a first reading at the last meeting on the sewer connection reduction. The city's portion of sewage connection and development assistance fees are waived. The telecommunications tax should be in place. Commissioner Sargent agreed with the Chair that she received a letter from Longwood ratifying Tom Hagood, Jr. Seminole County School Board--Board Member Strickler explained that a county wide school district having schools already in place cannot guarantee that a student will go to the school in his city. Commissioner Fernandez said that realtors are misinforming the public about schooling. Board Member Strickler said teachers and administrators from other districts within the county have also hurt the images of schools. The School Board will let children go to a school in another zone on a case by case basis. Winter Springs--Chairperson Gennell asked Commissioner Fernandez to send Altamonte Springs' approval of Tom Hagood, Jf. representation on the Seminole County Expressway Authority directly to Commissioner Dick Van Der Weide. She distributed the two latest issues of the Winter Springs News. Altamonte Springs--Commissioner Fernandez said the accelerated permitting process is now in place. It was an idea that grew out of the employee organization-Excellent People Improving Quality. Chairperson Gennell mentioned that Altamonte Springs is the host ofCALNO next month. Commissioner Fernandez said she could tie the Tourist Development Program in with the Permit Process. She also discussed the ambulance service in Altamonte Springs. The calls for service exceeded expectations by 35%-40%. There are many holes in the Fishkind study. Altamonte Springs has hired a collection service to collect (probably) in excess of80 percent. Chairperson Gennell mentioned that the Altamonte Springs Fire Chiefis going to debate at the Private Business Association. The meeting adjourned at 9:15 p.m. /mj