Presidents Council Update

Presidents Council Members,
This Update Includes:
Upcoming PC membership meeting dates and guest speakers
Summary of the September 15th membership meeting
2020 Property Tax (TRIM) Notice explanation
Beach & Dune Committee update
FSBPA Convention underway
Upcoming PC Membership Meeting – October 20th Guest Speakers: SLC Commissioner District 1 Candidates
We are pleased to announce the guest speakers for the upcoming meeting will be the two candidates for the SLC Commissioner representing District 1 (the Commissioner representing So Hutchinson Island): Chris Dzadovsky (incumbent) and Ryan Collins.
As you are probably aware, PC is a not-for-profit corporation and therefore, may not and does not support individual candidates for political office. However, consistent with our mission statement, we strive to provide opportunities for educating and supporting the membership on issues of concern to the residents. Both candidates have been invited to present their relevant experience and platforms to us.
This meeting will be conducted virtually via Zoom. Each candidate has been allocated ½ hour to present and respond to questions and will not be in attendance during the other candidate’s presentation. The meeting will begin promptly at 2:00pm with Ryan Collins presenting and Chris Dzadovsky will follow. (A coin toss was performed to select the order of the speakers.). Due to the nature of this meeting, minutes will not be prepared nor a summary provided. More details and zoom access information will follow prior to the meeting.
Summary of the September 15th Membership Meeting
Guest Speaker: Capt. Paul Langel, SLC Fire Dept. (BDA-bio-directional amplifier survey and code requirements for high rise buildings)
Capt. Langel provided background information, Florida statute and code requirements and future timelines. This legislation addressed issues in communication coverage discovered by first responders during 9/11. The April 27, 2020 letter (attached to this email and available on pcofhi.com, Governmental Affairs Committee) from the SLC Fire Dept. provides more details on deadliness and those impacted by the requirements. It is unknown at this time if there will be any changes in the process or deadlines during the next legislative session.
Capt. Langel emphasized the need to be proactive and this meeting was meant to help build awareness of the process/resources available. To ensure that your Association receives all current information from the Fire Dept., contact Kelly Machado, Assistant to Capt. Langel at 772-621-3322 to ensure that current email addresses are provided. Capt. Langel’s email is [email protected]. Also, in attendance was Josh Franklin from Signal Corp 561-699-8748, [email protected]. Signal Communications performs the surveys for the Associations.
Additional information provided during the discussion:
Legislation applies to buildings 75’ at the highest occupiable space.
Deadlines included in April 27th letter from Capt. Langel. (available on pcofhi.com)
Process improvements are for the safety of the first responders and the residents.
Lack of communication coverage is attributable to the type of construction of the high rises, in addition to the location of the signal.
Solutions for the Associations to improve the coverage is costly and various alternative options to improving it at a broader level were discussed. (i.e. add a new site; strategic antennas on the building roofs; add an amplifier to the fire trucks). Capt. Langel advised that the Fire Dept has all updated radios and signal boosters.

Capt. Langel’s openness and willingness to work closely with us is greatly appreciated. PC Board will continue to look for alternative solutions, connect with expert resources and communicate new information to the membership as it becomes available.
2020 Property Tax (TRIM) Notice
The SLC August 2020 Notice of Proposed Property Taxes, also named 'Truth in Millage' (TRIM) Notice, have been distributed. If you have not received your notice, please contact St. Lucie County (SLC) Property Appraiser's Office at 772-462-1000. For those property owners within the 3.4-mile Federal Beach Project area, there is a new line item this year described as “SHI Erosion Control” that is in keeping with the So. HI MSTU authorized in December 2019. Column three (3) indicates a tax rate of “0.2131”. This rate was confirmed at a September 10th meeting of the SLC Board of County Commissioners (BOCC), will be finalized at the September 24th, and will be reflected in the November 2020 tax bills.
It has been confirmed that this new tax is only for “initial project startup costs” such as survey and title work etc. to support the acquisition of the required Construction Easements and NOT any subsequent construction costs. This is supported by the information that the staff outlined and updated August 17th: “The costs of the MSTU may be phased-in, with first-year costs beginning November 2020 only including initial project startup costs and not full-term construction costs.” (Source: SLC-ED https://www.stlucieco.gov/departments-services/a-z/mosquito-control-coastal-management-services/erosion-district/2020-south-hutchinson-island-renourishment-project/south-county-renourishment-project-funding-plan)
Important Note: Per the County, any reference to “S Hutchinson Island – Beach/Dune Restoration (772-462-3500” (the 2013 Project) will be removed and not included on any November 2020 tax bill.


B&D Status Update Federal Beach Project - Funding

Remaining to be determined during NEXT year’s budget process (for fiscal year 2021/2022) is the funding solution for the “local share” (costs not funded by either the federal or state government). More specifically, construction costs for the USACE’s “Initial Start” (the first nourishment project), scheduled winter 2021/22. Its completion fulfills requirements for continuing participation within the 50-year federal program.

The County reminds residents that the Federal 50-year Beach Preservation Program is not yet “locked in” and potentially still at risk of being “lost”. Federal and State funding is collectively around 63.5%. Also included in the 50-year program is the qualification for any Federal Flood Control and Coastal Emergency (FCCE) funding to protect or repair Federally authorized shore protective works threatened or damaged by coastal storms. Together both are significant benefits and there are no other government funded programs available on the horizon.

The “worst case” scenario described by County staff (also within the above “Source: SLC-ED”), indicates 100% of the “local share” (everything NOT funded by either the federal or state governments) be funded by the local So. HI MSTU (Municipal Service Taxing Unit). It outlines an estimated tax rate of “1.2529 Estimated Millage Rate (tentative)” for “six years”. The PC letter to the County, dated August 11th, (available on the website, B&D Committee) advocates additional County-wide funding. It is our intention to continue to pursue it throughout next year’s budget process. A September 7th letter to the Commissioners (also available on the website, B&D Committee) requests “. . more clarity concerning the annual funding of the “local share” to fulfill the So. SLC Federal Beach Preservation Program.”

We will continue to work closely with and in support of the County’s efforts toward a successful “Initial Start” for this project. (Further details are provided on the Website pcofhi.com, B&D Committee page.)

FSBPA Convention Underway

This week the FSBPA (Florida Shore & Beach Preservation Association https://www.fsbpa.com) Convention was held. Harvey Alligood joined various presentations virtually during the week. Presentations will be available to view in 6 weeks on the FSBPA website and a link will also be available on pcofhi.com.

We look forward to seeing you at the October 20th meeting. Stay safe.

Presidents Council Board of Directors