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Presidents Council Members,
July is coming to a close and as we move into August, we wanted to provide you with an update on the outcomes of the July membership meeting, actions taking place by the County as the Beach project moves forward, and upcoming meeting dates. All PC meetings through the end of the year will be held virtually using the Zoom platform. After some technical difficulties last week, the meeting went off without a hitch on Thursday. All members will continue to be updated via email and the PC website (pcofhi.com). St Lucie County Federal Beach Project Meeting – July 29th, 2020 at 2:00pm. The recently mailed package from SLC regarding the Construction Easements for the Federal Beach project is on the PC website (Beach & Dune Committee page). Also included is information about the County hosted meeting on July 29th to further explain and clarify any questions. The access information for the meeting is provided at the end of this email and on the PC website. Following is the link to the County’s new web pages which include extensive information on the project: https://www.stlucieco.gov/departments-services/a-z/mosquito-control-coastal-management-services/2020-south-hutchinson-island-renourishment-project Presidents Council August 18th Membership Meeting Guest speaker for this meeting is Jacqui Thurlow-Lippisch, Governing Board Member South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD). She is an At Large Member representing an area that includes St Lucie, Martin, Palm Beach, Broward and Monroe Counties. For more information on SFWMD see their website: sfwmd.gov. Please forward any discussion topics of interest to pcofhi@gmail.com by the end of this week. Presidents Council September 15th Membership Meeting Guest speaker for this meeting is Capt. Langel and Lt. Boyer, St Lucie County Fire Dept. They will provide critical information regarding the BDA (bi-directional amplifier) survey and code requirements. Additional topics of interest will be requested from the membership in August. Presidents Council Membership Meeting 7/23/2020 Summary. Guest Speaker: Kate Cotner, Florida Power & Light. We appreciate Ms. Cotner’s time and effort to join us. She provided us with an extremely timely, informative and lively presentation. The materials and responses to questions asked by individuals at the end of the discussion will all be placed on the PC website shortly. The presentation materials provide many of the details regarding FPL, how the plant works and how FPL ensures the safety and security of the environment and its neighbors in the surrounding areas. FPL has been preparing for a double crisis, with the hurricane season occurring during the current Covid environment, and continues to make adjustments as needed to respond to both. A customer package (to be placed on the PC website, along with other FPL resource materials) is being sent from SLC and FPL to provide details for customers to prepare adequately….we can never be too prepared. Other resources: FPL.com/storm provides preparation recommendations; FPL Mobile APP (download now) will be updated to keep customers informed during the storm season and it is also a tool to monitor your usage throughout the year; local news and social media will also be used to keep customers informed; if anyone is struggling to pay FPL bills due to Covid and needs help, check FPL.com/help for available programs. FPL recommends that everyone get informed, take hurricane season seriously and ensure that an emergency plan is developed. (FYI. The Sheriff’s reentry process to the Island after evacuation is on the PC website.) Ms. Cotner also discussed:
SLC Updated Guidelines for Vacation Rentals For your information. SLC recently updated the guidelines for vacation rental owners and managers. The link to the new guidelines is on the PC website (Governmental Affairs Committee page). Hope to see you soon at the membership meeting in August. Presidents Council Board of Directors Beach Update Information Attached: The attached package (click here) was mailed last week from the County to Associations (not individual condo owners) and other Property Owners along the beachfront, within the 3.3 mile Federal Beach Project. Included in the package is the new SLC website link www.stlucieco.org/southhutchinsonproject, which provides background, timelines and requirements for the project. One of the requirements for the initial construction is the Construction Easements from each property owner. You are encouraged to review the package and attend the SLC meeting on July 29th to obtain more information and clarification.
We hope that everyone had a safe and happy 4th of July weekend. A special thanks to SLC Sheriff Mascara and the Sheriff’s office for the well-planned coverage on the island over the holiday weekend. Extra deputies and equipment helped to keep everyone safe and secure.
The following will provide an update on the:
Upcoming Meetings As this Covid-19 environment continues, our goal is to bring critical information to members via these email updates, the website, and scheduled meetings via Zoom, with guest speakers of interest to the membership. Presidents Council July 21st Membership Meeting Guest speaker for this meeting is Kate Cotner, Senior External Affairs Advisor Florida Power and Light. Ms. Cotner will explain how FPL is preparing for the hurricane season in this new Covid environment and what customers will need to do differently. This will be timely information for all of us. Also, as time permits, other topics of interest relating to the SLC plant and its impact on us will be discussed. Presidents Council August 18th Membership Meeting Guest speaker for this meeting is Jacqui Thurlow-Lippisch, Governing Board Member South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD). She is an At Large Member representing an area that includes St Lucie, Martin, Palm Beach, Broward and Monroe Counties. For more information on SFWMD see their website: sfwmd.gov. Reminder: By July 28th, please send to this email all discussion topics or questions of interest to you. The list of topics will be compiled and forwarded to Ms. Thurlow-Lippisch. Presidents Council September 15th Membership Meeting Guest speaker for this meeting is Capt. Langel and Lt. Boyer, St Lucie County Fire Dept. They will provide critical information regarding the BDA (bi-directional amplifier) survey and code requirements. Additional topics of interest will be requested from the membership in August. Beach & Dune Committee Update Members of the PC Board continue to work cooperatively with the County to get clarity around the funding options for the Federal Beach Project, particularly important prior to the SLC Budget workshops beginning later this month. Also, have been meeting with the new SLC Deputy County Administrator, Alphonso Jefferson, who will be responsible for the project going forward. As discussed in the past, adding public beach accesses will increase the Federal cost share and thus reduce the local cost to the County and/or property owners. At this time, there has not yet been any commitment in any of the strategically located properties. Therefore, the local cost share calculations are expected to be made using the higher end of the estimated remaining unfunded balance. If this changes later, the total local share will be reduced allowing a reduction of any planned levy. Another critical milestone is signing of the USACE’s PPA (Project Partnership Agreement) which is on target to be completed in August. Following the signing of the PPA, the information package on the Construction Easements, a required part of implementing the project, will be sent by the County to the Associations/property owners. The package will explain the efforts needed to secure the project Construction Easements. Also planned is a new website page with answers to commonly asked questions, other pertinent information, including a beach nourishment assessment cost estimator. If you have any questions relating to the beach project, the contact at the County is Joshua Revord (772-462-1269). Governmental Affairs Update on the A1A crosswalk at Island Dunes. After some delays, FDOT has advised that the construction of the crosswalk will be completed by the end of November. This is most welcome news for all of those in the Island Dunes area. Looking forward to seeing you at the meeting on the 21st. Stay safe. Presidents Council Board of Directors |
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PRESIDENTS COUNCIL OF HUTCHINSON ISLAND | MISSION STATEMENT
The President’s Council, working together, seeks to maintain and enhance the lives of the owners and residents of Hutchinson Island. President’s Council serves St Lucie County, Hutchinson Island resident concerns, such as beach & dune, island safety & beautification, roads, future development and County services affecting us. |