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). Beach Project Update
As Harvey Alligood, Chair Beach & Dune Committee, indicated at the June membership meeting, the County has changed its position regarding compensation to property owners in the identified “gap” areas, who provide easements for public beach access points. These additional access points will increase the federal cost share for the project. More information will be forthcoming, however, Harvey encouraged Associations in the gap areas to contact Joshua Revord SLC (772/462-1269) to better understand both the impact and compensation. Following the June 9th Informal SLC BOCC meeting regarding funding for the Federal Beach Project, there have been separate individual meetings with Commissioners and the County Assistant Administrator as the PC Board works to clarify the funding plans. The current “plan” continues to be finetuned and updated by the County. The current draft version will be placed on the website for information and will be updated as subsequent versions are received. It is recognized the impact of additional beach access points on the project funding is significant. The PC Board has taken additional steps to help coordinate communication between the County and the property owners to help ensure clarity, so that decisions can be finalized before the deadline. Since the May 5th meeting with USACE and SLC regarding the beach project, PC has been engaged with the County as the project timeline was updated (currently posted on the website) and to better understand the funding of the local unfunded share that will be borne by SLC and/or island homeowners within the project area.
The PC Board requested the Commissioners for their support and action to reach consensus on the funding plan and direction on acquisition of the additional beach access points. Clarity is needed to ensure project milestones are achieved. (the letter sent to the Commissioners 6/3/2020 is available on the PC website) PC Board representatives attended the BOCC Informal meeting on 6/9/2020 to hear further discussion regarding project funding and actions needed to prepare for the next steps. Further information from the meeting including the presentation package will be posted to the website, when available. The May 5, 2020 meeting was held via webinar. Meeting Summary, click here.
SLC Federal Beach Project Update. Guest Speaker: Trisston Brown, USACE Jacksonville District Materials available for viewing:
Following is an update from the timeline provided during the May 5th meeting with USACE. Trisston Brown described the schedule to meet the USACE deadlines, and Joshua Revord has included the SLC actions involved to achieve USACE needs.
The USACE deadlines for both the Construction Easements and the additional Public Access Points are earlier than previously described. April 30th locally for each is needed, to ensure that they are completed when required. Please recognize that the time from initial consideration, negotiation, the conclusion of an agreement and the filing of an easement in the public record is a lengthy process, particularly for qualifying Public Access, and must be completed "60 days prior to advertising" for construction bids. If you are one of the HOA's or owners adjacent to one of the three strategically located public access points, please be proactive by contacting the County directly with an outline of what you may require. Given the unfortunate lack of meaningfully positive achievement to date, please do not wait for the County to contact you. Current Timeline for Critical Milestones: 7/31/2020Consensus on Local Funding by SLC Commissioners 8/24/2020SLC signs Project Partnership Agreement (PPA) with USACE 4/30/2021Additional Beach Access Points Complete 4/30/2021 Construction Easements forwarded to USACE 7/15/2021 Advertise for Construction Contract Bids 11/2021“Initial Start” for project (eligible for FCCE) 5/2022Project Completed (50 year starts – every 18 years renourish) For questions and the latest information about deadlines locally, timelines, Public Access or Construction Easements, please contact Joshua Revord, Sr. Coastal Engineer St. Lucie County Erosion District. (Ph 772-462-1269), email (RevordJ@stlucieco.org). Please share your question and the reply with us at PCOFHI@gmail.com. Harvey Alligood Presidents Council B&D Committee Chair 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) USACE Presentation Package (28 slides). SLC Preview Presentation Package -"Construction Easements". 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 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.
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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. |