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! Hear Direct from the Source about the prospective Federal So. St Lucie County (SLC) Beach Project
Open to the general public, please invite your neighbors. Tuesday, March 10, 2020 at 9 am The Board of County Commissioners will hold an Informal meeting in Conference Room 3 of the Roger Poitras Administration Annex located at 2300 Virginia Avenue, Fort Pierce, FL. where staff will be make a presentation about various options for the Commissioners' consideration. Tuesday, March 17, 2020 at 2 pm a presentation from the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) and St Lucie County (SLC) Erosion District at the Presidents' Council Members Meeting at the Island Club, 10410 S Ocean Drive And, the beach may or may not be part of the discussion at the following: Tuesday, March 10, 2020 at 1 pm, the Board of County Commissioners will hold a Special Strategic Planning meeting on at the Havert L. Fenn Center located at 2000 Virginia Avenue, Fort Pierce, FL. Message Suitable for Posting > Click Here Invitations have been extended to the St. Lucie County (SLC) Erosion District as well as the USACE (confirmation from the Corp is pending) to speak at the PC's March meeting about the Beach Project generally AND
1. The pending north-south "construction easements" along the dune, similar to those everyone consented to for the 2004/5 and 2013 projects. The county should soon be following up with property owners with the forms as required by the USACE. More to follow from the county . . . 2. Funding of the "Local Share" (The projects unfunded balance AFTER presently committed federal and state funding), is most recently presently estimated by the SLC to be +/-$8.5MM for fund planning "working" purposes instead of the heretofore +/-$10.5MM. A reduction of +/-$2MM due to expected forthcoming reduced combined project costs. +/-$8.5MM is still a "big nut to crack" locally, potentially from a combination of:
Access for additional Federal funding: The PC has been and is encouraging the County to develop and earnestly pursue a viable plan “B” with undeveloped property owners for acquiring the 3 strategically located access points necessary to increase the federal funding by as much as +/- $6.2MM. 3 owners have been identified. We recently had a preliminary, but an encouraging conversation with one such owner and already following up with the county. Dec. 16th we were advised the County has been and is investigating alternatives, to their heretofore Plan “A” efforts to obtain “free” easements from various Associations. Understanding what those alternatives are and how they may be progressing is at present unknown and to be further pursued. More to follow. . . Project Costs: They continue to be questioned and evaluated, given the 2022 3.4 mile So. SLC project. Martin County’s 2018 USACE 4 mile and very similar project was less than half of the still projected cost for More in Dec. below and to follow . . . As we continue to endeavor to collaborate about the successful implementation of 2022 “Initial Start” by the USACE under the federal 50-year Beach Preservation Program a recurring question from us is If not this, why NOT? And what other alternatives might there be? (corrected) Funding: Of the three funding options for the Federal beach re-nourishment project before the County Commission on Dec. 17th option “A”
Link to December 2019 communication to SLC Commissioners Click Here> (pdf attached in email) Access for additional Federal funding: The PC has been and is 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 +/- $6.2MM. Dec. 16th we were advised the County has been and 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) https://www.tcpalm.com/story/opinion/columnists/gil-smart/2019/12/06/st-lucie-county-being-penny-wise-pound-foolish-beach-project/2589349001/) Project Costs: The County continues to question the prospective agreement or "contract" with the USACE and hopeful that reductions may yet be forthcoming from the USACE's review and sharpening of their pencil. USACE Beach Project Costs. Includes the Presidents Council letter to USACE Col. Kelly (October 13, 2019) regarding Federal project inquiries, along with the USACE reply (November 6, 2019). Gil Smart's TC Palm Article (Updated & Corrected December 9, 2019) - "Should St. Lucie County spend millions to save millions on beach project? " Gil Smart's TC Palm Article (Updated & Corrected December 9, 2019) - "Should St. Lucie County spend millions to save millions on beach project? "
(corrected) 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 its present +/-35% to +/-65% of the Corps’ contract or by about $6.8MM by adding public beach accesses within the project area. Just 3 strategically located access points could gain +/-$6.2MM or about 89% of the total possible. It would provide a significant reduction in the local share (cost borne by the County and Island residents). And why the County’s has focused on obtaining “free” 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 forecast 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 prior 2013 project.
November and October 2019 communication with St Lucie County regarding South County Beach Project SLC Board of County Commissioners Fiscal Year 2020 Recommended Budget. Discussion on Beach Re-nourishment begins on page V of the document.
USACE Beach Project Costs. Includes the Presidents Council letter to USACE Col. Kelly (October 13, 2019) regarding Federal project inquiries, along with the USACE reply (November 6, 2019).
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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. |