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1982-08-05 Special Meeting3115 3 82 -63 SPECIAL MEETING THRUSDAY, AUGUST 5, 1982 The City Council of the City of Okeechobee, met in a Special Session at 7:00 P.M., Thursday, August 5, 1982, in the City Council Chambers, 55 Southeast 3rd Avenue, Okeechobee, Florida. Chairman /Mayor Edward W. Douglas called the meeting to order with the following Councilmen present: Edward W. Douglas, Chairman /Mayor Dowling Watford James H. Knight Donald Burk Oakland Chapman Others present were: Bonnie S. Thomas, City Clerk Richard C. Fellows, City Administrator David Conlon, City Attorney L.C. Fortner, Jr., Director of Public Works James Broome, Consulting Engineer Janice M. Mann, Deputy Clerk AGENDA ITEM #I - EXTENSION OF WATER AND SEWER LINES Chairman /Mayor Douglas opened the floor for discussion regarding the existing policy for the extension of water and sewer lines, which requires individuals to pay the entire cost. Councilman Knight felt that when the City requires a six inch (6 ") water line, the City should pay the difference between a two inch (2 ") and a six inch (6 ") line for individuals requesting water line extensions. Administrator Fellows advised, in checking with surrounding areas, in the case of developers (people primarily in the business of building a large development ie: condo- miniums, sub - divisions of fifty (50) or more homes, etc.) the policy is that the developer pays the entire cost of extending water and sewer lines and any street paving required to gain access to the property. However, there are many different ways of approaching individual situations, these are negotiable. Council discussed different possibilities and aspects; special assessments, tap fees. Chairman /Mayor Douglas asked if Council wished to draft and adopt a Resolution with new guidelines or continue as before. Councilman Burk felt, at this stage of Okeechobee's growth, to be fair, the City should pay the difference as Councilman Knight stated, and take it on an individual basis. Then assess adjacent property owners for costs to be collected at a later date. Large developers should continue under present policy and pay all costs. Chairman /Mayor Douglas summarized the suggestions discussed: 1) for the City to pay the difference between a six inch (6 ") and two inch (2 ") line to an individual place; 2) include assessments to adjacent properties to pay a fair share; and 3) charge a tap fee for every individual, monies to be placed in a Capital Improvement Fund for water extensions. Council discussed the proper legal ways of assessments, also, the difference (to 3116 82 -48 clarify) between a developer and development. Administrator Fellows suggested the Council set up a committee to review each case individually. The development committee would be composed of the administrative staff. Those items which were going to result in major policy would come before the Council, while individual items could be handled on an administrative level. Administrator Fellows stressed the need for a Comprehensive Water Plan for the City, based on a total area wide study. To prevent any future discrimination suits, Councilman Burk said the City should establish and follow a Comprehensive Water Plan. Chairman /Mayor Douglas suggested staying with the present Resolution and handle unusual cases by a committee while working on a Master Plan for the City. The committee would document the findings of each case, pass the information on to the Public Works Department who would present it to the Council for approval. Regarding the Master Plan, Engineer Broome stated aerial photographs would be very beneficial. Administrator Fellows added "aerials provide a basis for three (3) different master plans" and suggested that Broome present a cost workup and his recommended method on developing a Master Plan at the next Regular Meeting. Council agreed to table further discussion until Tuesday's Regular Meeting to allow Engineer Broome, Director Fortner and Administrator Fellows to prepare the necessary reports. AGENDA ITEM / /II - PROBLEMS INVOLVING SEWAGE TREATMENT PLANT The floor was open to hear the recommendations from the City Consulting Engineer and the Director of Public Works relative to problems involving the sewage treatment plant. Proposed alternatives as follows; ALTERNATIVE NO. 1, Perculation Pond on Existing Sanitary Facility Site: The first alternative studied was the construction of a perculation pond on the existing plant site. Our intention was to divert a percentage of our discharge into a pond and thereby increase our plant capacity. We would like to point out that this alternative would not eliminate all discharge into Taylor Creek, it would only divert a portion of it to a perculation pond. After examining the site, we found that a one (1) acre pond was the maximum that could be worked into the available space. A one (1) acre pond would allow us 20,000 g.p.d. in perculation, however, it would only allow us 10,000 g.p.d. in additional plant capacity and it did not eliminate our existing discharge problem that now faces the City. Based on these facts, this alternative was ruled not to be a viable solution to the City's problem. ALTERNATIVE NO. 2, Use of City's 150 Acres Tract For Spray Irrigation System: The second alternative studied was to construct a pumping station on the site of the existing plant facility and by means of a force main, transport all of the effluent to the 150 acre site now owned by the City, being North of the railroad tracts. We were then anticipating the use of a spray irrigation system to allocate the effluent. After studying the criteria for a spray irrigation system, we determined that this type of system would deem the entire 150 acres useless to any other type of purpose that the City may want to employ in the future. The positive effect would be the total elimination of any discharge into Taylor Creek. This alternative was not discarded, but set aside for further consideration. 3117 3 ALTERNATIVE NO. 3, Use of Proposed "201" Site, For Spray Irrigation System (Boys School): The third alternative studied was to construct the same pumping station as in Alternative No. 2 and extend the force main to the Boy's School site, as shown on the "201" Facilities Plan. A spray irrigation system could then be constructed in the area designated on the 201 plan for these purposes. The draw -back to this alternative is the construction of an additional 20,000 lineal feet of force main over Alternative No. 2. This would add up to an additional cost of $200,000.00 above the cost of Alternative No. 2. However, this does not take into consideration, land costs for the 150 acres. This alternative was discarded due to economic feasibility. ALTERNATIVE NO. 4, Use of a Portion of the City's 150 Acre Tract For Perculation Pond: Alternative No. 4 utilizes the same force main system as Alternative No. 2. The largest difference between the two systems, is the use of a 15 acre perculation pond on the City's 150 acre tract of land vs. a spray irrigation system. The construction costs of the 15 acre pond are somewhat higher that the spray irrigation system, however, when land costs are added to the latter system, the costs then become more favorable for the perculation pond. The pond system also allows the City to have full use of the balance of the property. This would leave the City with approximately 130 acres to use as they see fit. This system also eliminates the discharge problem the City now faces at the existing site. It is our recommendation that the City choose Alternative No. 4 to resolve their sanitary sewage problem. The date has run out on the EPA's administrative order to cease the discharge into Taylor Creek. The City is operating on a temporary permit. Director Fortner noted that renovation of the plant is needed to achieve the require- ment of ninety percent (90 %) removal on the Three Hundred Thousand (300,000) gallon capacity. Fortner added that the proposals presented are according to 201 Plan specifi- cations. Administrator Fellows noted that "if 201 gets underway eighty -five percent (85 %) of the costs for the lift station and forcemain, etc., would be reimbursable to the City." Councilman Burk agreed with the "perculation pond" alternative, giving example to the Florida School for Boys, which has two (2) perculation ponds. They are attractive, well kept, with "the little fish swimming just as happy as hogs in the sunshine." This could relieve the City's problems and be a good interim solution. Council, after lengthy discussion, agreed that infiltration is one of the main problems the City must resolve as soon as possible. Also discussed were the pros and cons of immediate expansion of the present sewage system, to allow for future growth of the City. Councilman Burk stated "the City must do something now to provide for the future growth of this community. The work will have to be done sooner or later. The City should correct the problem totally not piece by piece, and protect the future growth." Citizen Jack Williamson agreed with Councilman Burk and added that people are ready to make investments in the area but are being held back due to the inaction of the Council. "Dragging one's feet will not make the problem go away. The flow into Taylor Creek should be stopped now." Councilman Watford stated that until DER says "do it now" the City should not spend the funds to correct the problems completely, especially if 201 Funds come through. The City should spread the expense over the next few years, giving DER a time schedule as requested and go from there. 3118 Councilman Burk reminded the Council the City is under a mandate order to "cease and desist" discharge into Taylor Creek, and has been under the mandate for several years. Citizen Harvey Hamrick, speaking as an individual tax payer as well as an investor, felt the first item to be taken care of is to stop the infiltration problem, DER is not going to let up until it is complete. It is senseless to wait for 201 to correct the sewage problems. Hamrick said the city should run a pipe to a perculation pond on the one hundred fifty (150) acres, clean up the pipes, stop pumping into Taylor Creek, and float a bond issue to get it all done at one time. The increase in revenues from the additional sewage and water will pay for the addition. Councilman Burk stated, when first coming on the Council in 1970, the prior Council had neglected Okeechobee's need for water lines and water pressure, which were finally corrected. Now the City is facing another problem. 201 funds are not coming any time soon. The future needs of the City should be taken care of now not later. Chairman /Mayor Douglas stated the Council should go ahead with the correction of the infiltration, the renovation of the plant and install a perculation pond to increase the capacity to six hundred thousand (600,000) gallons, not just to three hundred thousand (300,000), so as to not hamper the growth of the City. Councilman Knight asked of the plans to finance such a project. Administrator Fellows noted he and Director Fortner spoke with the Farmers Home Administration regional manager. Farmers Home anticipate a pool of approximately Ten Million Dollars ($10,000,000) to be available sometime between now and September 15th. They indicate a high possibility of the City being able to receive a portion of these funds at eight percent (8 %) or lower interest. Administrator Fellows suggested the Council sign a "letter of intent" with Farmers Home to obtain the services, free of charge, of a bond consultant, and recommended going the "Bond route". Chairman /Mayor Douglas felt the Council should include in their consideration, an overall plan of sewer laterals in order to recoup the initial investment. Douglas reinterated the renovation of the plant should not be limited to three hundred thousand (300,000) gallon capacity, increase it to six hundred thousand (600,000). Councilman Burk moved to proceed with this project in this fashion: 1) agree to correct the infiltration problem, 2) start project two (2), the plant renovation, 3) project three (3) the construction of the force main and pump station and 4) construction of the perculation pond; then carry on with lateral lines not restricting the renovation to three hundred thousand (300,000) gallons, but to whatever gallonage Council deems necessary after further study, financing to be handled by the best means possible, including the engineering fees, seconded by Councilman Knight. Councilman Watford agrees totally with the plan but disagrees with the procedure used to arrive at that point. Ali 1 11 3119 3 82 -1 Chairman /Mayor Douglas called for a vote on the motion. Councilmen Burk, Knight and Chapman voted yes. Councilman Watford voted no. Motion carried. Citizen Jack Williamson elaborated on the necessity and purpose of a local nursing home, pointing out the fact that none of the principals involved in the project need it for profits. He thanked the Council for the action taken this evening which will help get the project underway. Administrator Fellows, after conferring with Director Fortner and Engineer Broome, noted the costs laid out in the project estimate include the smoke study and the television camera study, to be put out for bids separately. There being no further business the meeting adjourned at 9:30 P.M. Edward W. Doug as, D.0 Chairman /Mayor City of Okeechobee ATTEST: Bonnie S. h. City Clerk City of Okeechobee THERE IS A TAPE OF THIS MEETING IN ITS ENTIRETY ON FILE IN THE OFFICE OF THE CITY CLERK. REGULAR MEETING TUESDAY, AUGUST 10, 1982 The City Council of the City of Okeechobee, met in Regular Session at 7:00 P.M., Tuesday, August 10, 1982, in the City Council Chambers, 55 Southeast Third Avenue, Okeechobee, Florida. Chairman /Mayor Edward W. Douglas called the meeting to order with the following Councilmen present: Edward W. Douglas, Chairman /Mayor Donald Burk Dowling Watford Oakland Chapman James H. Knight Others present were: Bonnie S. Thomas, City Clerk Richard C. Fellows, City Administrator David Conlon, City Attorney L.C. Fortner, Jr., Director of Public Works Janice M. Mann, Deputy Clerk AGENDA ITEM /II - INVOCATION AND PLEDGE The Invocation was offered by Director of Public Works Fortner followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. AGENDA ITEM #II - APPROVAL OF MINUTES There being no additions, deletions or corrections, Councilman Burk moved to approve the minutes of the July 27, 1982, Regular Meeting and the August 5, 1982, Special Meeting as presented, seconded by Councilman Chapman. Motion carried. AGENDA CITY COUNCIL CITY OF OKEECHOBEE COUNCIL CHAMBERS SPECIAL MEETING AUGUST 5, 1982 7:00 P.M. 1. Discussion regarding the existing policy for the extension of water and sewer lines. Reception of report and recommendations from the City Consulting Engineer and the Director of Public Works relative to problems involving the sewage treatment plant. Any other matters.