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Presidents Council Members,
The May 2020 Update will include:
Upcoming Membership Meeting Plans In light of the current environment, the May 19th previously scheduled meeting has been cancelled. “Virtual” meeting options are being explored for meetings during the summer and fall. Mark your calendars and “save the date” for the following tentative membership meetings: June 16th and July 21st. We will be working with previously scheduled guest speakers to finalize dates and the format to be used. Thank you for your flexibility as we work to implement new ways to communicate with members. Meeting Summary – May 5, 2020 We appreciate all of the efforts of the Army Corp and SLC Erosion District to bring this meeting to the Council members, during this challenging time. Trisston Brown, USACE Jacksonville District, moderated the discussion. Additional USACE representatives attended, along with SLC Erosion District staff members. The information discussed has been placed on the PC website and is available for viewing (slide reference # provided in the summary). USACE Presentation – Trisston Brown Moderator The USACE project study was explained to understand the background, criteria for the project selection (slide #4-7, 9, 10), schedule and plans for the “initial start” project, interval schedule for “periodic” re-nourishment projects, project costs and the funding cost share allocations. The project area is the same 3.3+/- miles included in the 2013 nourishment project and will be part of the 50-year federal funded program. Presently the timeline calls for the “initial start” construction to begin November 2021 and completion by May 2022, which determines the start of the 50-years. The cost of the project is $20.3+/-MM and federal cost share of 35%. The “periodic project” interval is every 18 years with a 27% federal share. Surveys are done every year to determine how the fill is performing and based on those results, the interval may be adjusted. (Slide #7, 8, 11,12, 22) Authorized 50-year federal projects are eligible to apply for FCCE (Flood Control & Coastal Emergencies) funds, if significant damage is caused by a federally declared emergency storm event. This is similar to an insurance policy and if certain threshold of losses is met, it may be 100% federally funded. Construction of the “initial start” project must be underway to be eligible for these funds. If damage occurs before November 2021, it is not eligible for the federal project funds but, FEMA funds may be available. (slide #8) Increasing public beach accesses can increase federal cost share for the initial start from 35% up to potentially 65%, if an additional 3 strategically located qualifying public access points are acquired. The “periodic project” federal cost share would similarly be increased from 27% up to 50% with the additional access points. These are critical to reducing the “local cost” throughout the life of the project. Documentation for these accesses will be needed no later than June/July 2021 to receive the increase in federal funding. (slide #19, 20). Martin County and SLC projects cannot be compared due to their significant differences in design. SLC is to receive an updated “full dune template”, which is expected to protect the infrastructure longer than the Martin County dune. Martin is on a 13/14-year nourishment cycle. (Slide #21) “Perpetual Construction Easement” (PCE) Preview – Joshua Revord (SLC) Joshua previewed the “Perpetual Construction Easements”, which are needed to allow sand to be placed on the beach. These easements are similar to the 2013 temporary project agreements but, extended for the life of this project. The Construction Easements, including acquisition, recording with the court and reporting to the Corp by SLC, need to be in place prior to the Corp finalizing the “specs” for construction bids, by June 2021. Beachfront without construction easements will be eliminated from the project. The County plans to send out the draft package to impacted associations and other beachfront property owners and will follow up with onsite meetings to discuss. The draft package provided on the PC website is very representative of any final Construction Easement Agreement. (Slide #17). Important Next Milestone Signing the pending Project Partnership Agreement (PPA) or “contract” with the Army Corp. is the next important USACE milestone. Discussion made clear that prior to its signing, that SLC staff and/or Commissioners seek a more definitive plan, about sources for the “unfunded local share” of $8.3+/-MM. The “local share” may be paid by SLC and/or the local property owners. The new So. HI MSTU allocates any levy (based on assessed taxable value) and it may be over a number of years. Though made much more challenging due to COVID-19 and its potential adverse effect on county revenues, the staff will be working throughout the summer to prepare the budget for the upcoming fiscal year, beginning October 1st, 2020. Accordingly, the clarity sought might be as early as July and at the latest September for signing the PPA. Trisston Brown plans to send out the project schedule timeline (including PPA, construction easements, acquisition of additional beach access points, design completion, etc.) and SLC will work with the Corp to finalize. Harvey Alligood closed out the meeting by thanking the Corp and asked that any follow up questions regarding the project be forwarded to Joshua Revord for response. Contact information is: Joshua Revord, SLC Senior Coastal Engineer (Ph 772-462-1269), email (RevordJ@stlucieco.org). Please share your question and the reply with us at PCOFHI@gmail.com Thank you. Resources available on the PC website (pcofhi.com) Presidents Council Members,
South St. Lucie County Federal Beach Project meeting with the US Army Corp of Engineers (USACE), originally scheduled in March, has been rescheduled to May 5th at 2:00pm. This meeting will be presented via technology, so that both presenters and participants can remain safe at home. All interested owners are encouraged to attend. (Please share this information with your neighbors.) Trisston Brown, USACE Jacksonville District, will moderate the presentation and St Lucie County representatives will be in attendance. Agenda is attached. Presidents Council participants are encouraged to log in 15 minutes prior to the 2:00pm start. Meeting Access Instructions: Use link below to join by computer: https://usace.webex.com/meet/trisston.brown 1. Select "call me". (If unavailable >>) 2. And enter your telephone number 3. Hit enter and answer your phone when it rings 1. Select "connect audio/video" then, 2. Select "call me" and 3. Enter your telephone number 4. Hit enter and answer your phone when it rings. Note: Voice connection will be via your telephone and slides will be visible on your computer. You must “Allow” access to your screen in order to join the meeting. You may prefer to turn off video, to ensure that connections are maintained throughout the meeting. If you prefer to join the meeting via telephone only, without computer; dial in using info below: Call In #: 1-877-336-1274 Access code: 8228370 Security code: 1234 Note: the USACE slides will be available for viewing on the website (pcofhi.com) during the meeting. We look forward to this important discussion and appreciate all of Trisston Brown’s efforts to bring this information to us, remotely. Stay safe and “see” you on May 5th. Presidents Council Board of Directors Presidents Council Members,
As indicated in the last PC update, we were working with the County to clarify the question regarding funds for acquiring additional beach access points. Attached is the letter and e-mail from PC to the County dated April 7th, the response from Howard Tipton, SLC County Administrator, and a follow up email from PC. (all 4 documents are in the attached pdf click here) As circumstances in these unprecedented times allow, it appears more will follow from the County. Everyone is encouraged to meet with the County and learn first-hand the status and better understand the impact of the options/timelines on your Association. PLEASE keep us updated on your discussions (via email pcofhi@gmail.com) Presidents Council Board of Directors The Board met last week, via Zoom, to plan for the upcoming months in light of the current environment surrounding the virus and the Governor's executive order recently enacted. We want to ensure that we are all complying and staying safe.
“Safer At Home” Policy As you know, Governor DeSantis announced an executive order implementing a “Safer At Home” policy for all Florida residents, effective April 3rd. This policy will remain in place until April 30th. Meeting Schedule Changes Both of the April meetings (21st and 28th) will be postponed. When there is more certainty, the guest speakers who had been scheduled for the March and April meetings will be rescheduled. In the meantime, the Army Corp and SLC have agreed to tentatively reschedule their meeting on May 5th, to be confirmed later this month. We are also researching options to hold meetings virtually, providing the opportunity to schedule meetings sooner and possibly into the summer. We’ll continue to advise of any scheduling changes. PC Board Replacement and Annual Meeting The Board confirmed Susan McIntyre to fulfill Tom Gilson's term on the Board. There were no new candidate names submitted for the 4 open Board positions. Therefore, there will be no election and the 4 incumbents will remain on the Board. During the meeting, the Board elected and unanimously approved the officers for the 2020/2021 PC Board as follows: Charles Grande – President Harvey Alligood – Vice President Lou Stoddard – Secretary Don Stacks – Treasurer Laura Jones, Susan McIntyre, Len Amato - Directors Beach & Dune Committee Update The Committee continues to remain engaged with the County to clarify questions following the March 10th Informal BOCC meeting (see update 3/24/2020 on the website pcofhi.com). It remains unclear if the Commissioners eliminated the option to purchase entire parcels of land and kept open the option to purchase easements to gain public beach access points. We want to ensure that the PC continues to focus efforts to encourage the County to move the project forward. Updates will be provided as clarification is known and we can identify further actions needed. Reminder We want to ensure that Association members continue to receive information. If there have been changes on your Board following your Annual Meeting, please send in the contact information changes so that the distribution lists can be updated. Send all changes to pcofhi@gmail.com. We will continue to provide updates as more information is known, and while we are all “safer at home”. You may stay informed by visiting the website (pcofhi.com) and if you have any inquiries, they may be sent to pcofhi@gmail.com. Please continue to follow the guidelines and stay safe. This information is being forwarded to ensure that all members are aware of the current direction from the state of Florida and St Lucie County.
ST LUCIE COUNTY "SAFER-AT-HOME" ORDER Yesterday St. Lucie County issued a "Safer-at-Home" policy, going into effect Saturday, April 4th. Here is the link for a full explanation. https://www.stlucieco.gov/Home/Components/News/News/6794/373 Message provided by the St Lucie Tourism Dept: If your community property or properties are rented for short term private vacation rentals, please see the Executive Order (attached below) that was issued by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis in response to COVID-19. Here is the brief summary of the order provided by the County: VACATION RENTALS Executive Order 20-87 orders all parties engaged in rental of vacation rental properties to suspend vacation rental operations. Vacation rentals are prohibited from making new reservations or bookings and shall not accept new guests for check-in for the duration of the order. If you believe any licensee is operating contrary to the Governor’s Executive Order 20-87, please report the information, here: http://www.myfloridalicense.com/DBPR/eo-complaints/. Please continue to follow all guidelines and stay safe. Lou Stoddard Presidents Council Board Secretary Presidents Council Members,
As we all work on adapting to this current environment, we want to update all members on changes in schedule and status of current activities. Previously scheduled events have been postponed until further notice. March 27th - SHI WWTP tour March 31st – Presidents Council (PC) membership meeting As we advised in the March 17th update (see the website pcofhi.com for details), there have been changes in the Board and we continue to prepare for the annual meeting in April. Decisions regarding the April meeting have not yet been made. Following is the latest Beach & Dune Committee Update. As you know, the SLC Commissioners (BOCC) met for an Informal Meeting on March 10th to discuss various options for funding the Federal Beach Project. In preparation for the meeting an email was sent to the Commissioners outlining the Presidents Council input on options to be discussed. (see attachment) The Mar. 10th Informal meeting was not the broad discussion of options as anticipated, but rather a one issue discussion about a "South Hutchinson Beach Property Purchase Proposal" for the additional public beach access points. The consensus was that the purchase of any property was not of interest. The PC representatives were disappointed that there was no discussion about any other or new alternatives to acquire the public accesses (i.e. the option to purchase easements from Associations or individual property owners, as had been requested by the PC). County staff also spoke briefly about their forthcoming plan and effort to acquire required “perpetual construction easements” along the length of the dune, consistent with all previous projects. Since the meeting, SLC staff has indicated intent to engage with the impacted Associations and expect subsequent Informal meeting(s) with the BOCC to discuss the project more broadly. The TC Palm reported Jeff Bremer, SLC Deputy Administrator, who has been the senior staff point person directing County efforts concerning the So. HI Beach Project has resigned. It is unclear at this time if this will impact the project in anyway. With the uncertainty and lack of clarity, everyone is encouraged to meet with the County and learn first-hand the status and better understand the impact of the options/timelines on your Association. PLEASE keep us updated on your discussions (via email pcofhi@gmail.com). We will continue to update, via email and the website, any new developments or changes in schedules. Stay well! Presidents Council Board of Directors Update - March 17th
Presidents Council Members, During this time of fluidity and changing schedules, we would like to update members on the current status of PC activities. The website will be updated as quickly as possible and includes many links of help to all of us. See below for the most recent additions. As you know, the March 17th meeting was postponed and will be rescheduled as soon as caution and prudence permits. To date there has been no decision made on the March 31st or April meetings. Information will be distributed as further decisions are made. Tom Gilson, VP and long term Board member, recently announced his resignation from the PC Board. We all appreciate Tom's guidance, support, and efforts during his time on the board and he will be missed greatly. Fortunately for us, Tom will remain the representative for his Association. Since Tom's Director position is not open until 2021, the Board will name the replacement to complete Tom's term. Susan McIntyre, who has been a long time active PC member, has agreed to accept that position. The Board will vote on Susan's confirmation at the next Board meeting. The Annual meeting will be held April 21st. As members were advised earlier this month, four Director seats are open and the 4 incumbents (Harvey Alligood, Laura Jones, Don Stacks, Lou Stoddard) have submitted their names for candidacy. An election will be held, if there are other declarations received. The deadline for declaring candidacy is April 6th and may be forwarded to email pcofhi@gmail.com. Lou Stoddard Presidents Council Board Secretary -------------------- Covid-19 Helpful Links: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html World HealthOrganization: https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019 Florida Department of Health: http://www.floridahealth.gov/diseases-and-conditions/COVID-19/index.html POSTPONED. Presidents Council Membership Meeting March 17th, 2:00pm
Guest Speakers: Shelley Turlock USACE and representatives; Commissioner Frannie Hutchinson and Josh Revord SLC and representatives Topic: Federal South St Lucie Beach Projects AGENDA Beach & Dune Committee Update.
Funding: The Commissioners have approved a total of two prospective special taxing district options to date and either can be put in place in late 2020. In the new year, Commissioners will determine which might be adopted. Public Access for more federal funding: The PC has been encouraging the County to develop and earnestly pursue a viable plan “B” for acquiring the 3 strategically located access points necessary to increase the federal funding by as much as $6.1MM+/- (from 35% to 62%+/-). Recently, we were advised the County is investigating alternatives that may be available with undeveloped property. As you may have seen, Gil Smart wrote an opinion column dated December 6th (updated on December 9th) on the beach access issue and options. (link to article) Project Costs: The County continues to question the agreement or "contract" with the USACE and is hopeful that reductions may yet be forthcoming from the USACE's review and sharpening of their pencil. Governmental Affairs Committee Update. Baron Island Storage developer representatives have been holding meetings with the Associations near their proposed site. This storage facility will house 77 garages on the 2-acre property. The property owner, who has filed a suit against the County regarding the Atlantic Wellness project, will continue to contact any interested PC members as new information is available. At this time there has not been any new update. (see PC website for details) The Rivers Coalition has prepared a position paper on Lake Okeechobee management. The Presidents Council, as a member of the Rivers Coalition, supports this action. (link to the paper is on the PC website). Communication Committee Update. The Board of Directors has voted to change the PC fiscal year to a January to December calendar year, thus simplifying the accounting and renewal process. As a result the Communication Committee updated the membership renewal process, and renewal notices have been distributed to Property Managers. There will be no increase in the 2020 fee schedule. Please support the Council and respond to the renewal notice by the due date. The PC website continues to be updated. All the latest news, upcoming meetings, and links to websites of interest are available….check it out. December 17th meeting. Hotwire presented information on their services and capabilities on the Island. You may contact Jamie Lynn French (jamielynn.french@hotwiremail.com and Alex Stefanescu (alex.stefanescu@hotwiremail.com) for any additional information. Upcoming meeting. Hope to see you at the meeting on January 21st. The guest speaker is Jacqui Thurlow-Lippisch, SFWMD Governing Board. We wish you and your families a safe and happy holiday….see you in 2020! Presidents Council Members,
It has been a busy summer and fall on several fronts impacting the Island. Following is an update on the status of the projects. Beach & Dunes The County remains committed to refining the cost of the total project presently forecasted at $25MM, and to better understand the proposed $22.8MM “contract” with the United States Army Corp. of Engineers (USACE) who will oversee the Federal project. The Federal cost share can be increased from +/-35% to +/-65% of the Corps’ contract or about $6MM by adding public beach accesses within the project area. Thus, a significant reduction in the local share (cost borne by the County and Island residents) can be achieved. This is why the County focus is to obtain easements from various Associations. The beach access points are critical to moving forward with the project and the PC is working diligently to identify cost effective ways to gain the needed access points. Anyone interested in providing input or gaining more information may contact Josh Revord at the County (772/462-1269). The County has maintained that until the total costs AND Federal share (beach access points) are better understood, the funding options for the “local cost share” cannot be forecasted or discussed meaningfully. To date the contract with the USACE for the 50-year project has not been signed. Until then, if a named storm hits there is no obligation to restore the beach. The deadline for signing the contract is July 2021 and the actual re-nourishment is targeted for the 1st quarter of 2022, before turtle season. The rationale and support for the re-nourishment projects is property protection, while maintaining a turtle friendly environment. Beaches are surveyed at least annually to follow-up from the 2013 project. November 19th Meeting – Mark Perry guest speaker. Get informed by going to Florida Oceanographic Society and Rivers Coalition websites for critical updates. On pcofhi.com, you will find the links to these websites. Also included is a link to the handout with options for getting involved: “A Healthy Estuary is the Foundation for a Healthy Economy”. (attached to this email) October 15th Meeting – Commissioner Dzadovsky guest speaker. Commissioner Dzadovsky provided history on the financial condition of the County and the 5-year budget plan. Links to the presentation materials have been included on the PC website. SLC Utilities – Reclaimed Water As you were advised in October, after discussions between the County and the PC, the District agreed that reclaimed water distribution was part of our plant process and there would be no charge to customers for reclaimed water usage. In addition, the District claimed that based on identified repair and maintenance projects, there is a funding shortfall at the plant that will need to be covered by a rate increase. After further discussion, the District agreed to spread this increase over 7 years, effective 2/2020. The PC and the Utility District have agreed to continue the dialog regarding the plant funding requirements and rate schedules to ensure a better understanding of the needs of the SHI plant. The Utilities District has also agreed to schedule small tour groups (4-5 max) of the plant after the first of the year. If you are interested, you may send a request to pcofhi@gmail.com to be placed on the list. Incorporation Study The Incorporation Committee explored forming a township between the Martin County line and FPL power plant on Hutchinson Island. After review and preliminary evaluation, the committee recommended to discontinue the project at this time. Future Meetings (complete listing is provided on the website)
Have a Happy Thanksgiving! Presidents Council Board of Directors Remember to stay informed through the website: pcofhi.com |
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