2007-07 Req. for funds to improve HH DikeRESOLUTION NO. 07 -07
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF OKEECHOBEE,
FLORIDA, REQUESTING THE UNITED STATES
CONGRESS TO APPROPRIATE FUNDS NECESSARY TO
BRING THE HERBERT HOOVER DIKE INTO COMPLIANCE
WITH CURRENT LEVEE PROTECTION SAFETY
STANDARDS AND TO EXPEDITE FUNDING FOR THE
IMPROVEMENTS THROUGH PROMPT ENACTMENT OF
THE ENERGY AND WATER APPROPRIATIONS BILL OR
SOME OTHER MECHANISM; PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE
DATE.
WHEREAS, Lake Okeechobee was impacted by four hurricanes during the 2004 and 2005
hurricane seasons; and
WHEREAS, the City of Okeechobee, Florida, was informed that the Governing Board of
the South Florida Water Management District commissioned an independent, expert
review panel to evaluate all United States Army Corps of Engineers documents
concerning the structural integrity of the 140 mile -long Herbert Hoover Dike
surrounding Lake Okeechobee; and
WHEREAS, South Florida Water Management District has advised the City of
Okeechobee, that the independent, expert review panel found that the dike does not
meet current levee protection safety standards; and
WHEREAS, South Florida Water Management District has advised the City of
Okeechobee that the information obtained by the independent, expert review panel
further reflects that failure of the dike poses a clear and imminent threat of
catastrophic proportion to the communities surrounding Lake Okeechobee such as
the City of Okeechobee; and
WHEREAS, South Florida Water Management District has advised the City of
Okeechobee that the information obtained by the independent, expert review panel
reflects that the dike was not built to current levee engineering standards and
therefore needs expedited Congressional appropriations to be brought into
compliance with such standards.
NOW, THEREFORE, be it resolved before the City Council of the City of Okeechobee,
Florida; presented at a duly advertised public meeting; and passed by a majority
vote of the City Council; and properly executed by the Mayor or designee, as Chief
Presiding Officer for the City:
SECTION 1. The City of Okeechobee hereby requests the Congress of the United
States to appropriate funds necessary to bring the Herbert Hoover
Dike into compliance with current levee protection safety standards
and to expedite funding for the improvements through prompt
enactment of the Energy and Water Appropriations Bill or some other
mechanism.
SECTION 2. The City of Okeechobee recognizes the seriousness of the findings
by the independent, expert review panel and supports the efforts of
South Florida Water Management District regarding the Herbert
Hoover Dike.
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SECTION 3. The City Clerk is hereby directed to send certified copies of this
Resolution to the President of the United States, to the President of
the United States Senate, to the Speaker of the United States House
of Representatives, and to each member of the Florida Delegation of
the United States Congress.
SECTION 4. This Resolution shall take effect immediately upon adoption.
INTRODUCED AND ADOPTED in regular session this 15` day of May, 2007
ATTEST:
Y
Lane Gamiotea CMC, City Clerk
REVIEWED FOR LEGAL SUFFICIENCY:
John R. Cook ,City Attorney
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James E. Kirk, Mayor