MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA

October 25, 2005 

The Board of County Commissioners of Brevard County, Florida, met in special session on October 25, 2005 at 9:00 a.m. in the Government Center Commission Room, Building C, 2725 Judge Fran Jamieson Way, Viera, Florida. Present were: Chairman Ron Pritchard, D.P.A., Commissioners Truman Scarborough, Helen Voltz, Susan Carlson, and Jackie Colon, County Manager Peggy Busacca, and County Attorney Scott Knox.

The Invocation was given by Pastor Mark Marino, Faith Viera Lutheran Church, Viera, Florida.

Commissioner Scarborough led the assembly in the Pledge of Allegiance.

Chairman Pritchard stated the Board will not be conducting any business this morning and will be motioning to continue the meeting once the reports are completed; with Hurricane Wilma and flooding the County is in the recovery mode; and any business that was going to be conducted today will be heard on November 1, 2005.

Motion by Commissioner Scarborough, seconded by Commissioner Voltz, to continue the business of the October 25, 2005 meeting to the November 1, 2005 Regular Meeting. Motion carried and ordered unanimously.

Emergency Management Director Bob Lay provided an overview on what Brevard County has gone through, what it is doing to mitigate the damages, and the recovery effort concerning Hurricane Wilma; and advised everyone came together and did an outstanding job. He further commented on the mandatory evacuation order, curfew, call notification system, Barefoot Bay, Public Assistance Program, manufactured housing, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) weather alert radio, special needs program, evacuation traffic in Florida, Brevard County Long-term Recovery Coalition, flooding issues, widespread roadway inundation, damages to A. Max Brewer Bridge, boil water notices in Snug Harbor and Micco, logistical staging area, shelters, damage assessments, and situation report.

Discussion ensued concerning communication with municipalities and police chiefs, media coverage, Emergency Operations Center (EOC), appreciation to the Chairman and staff, after action review, public safety issues, Space Coast Government Television (SCGTV), rainfall amounts, wind gusts, and ground saturation.

PERMISSION TO ENTER INTO CONTRACT, RE: REPAIRS TO A. MAX BREWER BRIDGE

Transportation Engineering Director John Denninghoff advised yesterday during the height of the storm several vessels lost their moorings and were drifting about in the Indian River Lagoon; in the Titusville area there were at least three vessels involved in collisions with the Titusville Pier and A. Max Brewer Bridge; the Titusville Pier now has big gaps in it where the vessels blew through it; and the Bridge has sustained serious structural damage, which required closing of the Bridge until repairs are effected.

Commissioner Scarborough advised the Titusville Pier is currently under construction with one of the County’s park grant programs, so there is already a contract to mobilize it; and the Pier has some dynamics, but less than A. Max Brewer Bridge.

Motion by Commissioner Scarborough, seconded by Commissioner Voltz, to authorize the County Manager to enter into contract to effect repairs to A. Max Brewer Bridge, which was damaged by a commercial vessel, at estimated cost of $150,000 to $250,000. Motion carried and ordered unanimously.

Natural Resources Management Director Ernie Brown advised he has been in contact with at least three marinas and/or yacht clubs with regard to conditions of their vessels; the County has a significant concern about derelict vessels, and improper anchoring and anchoring areas within the County; over the last year the Board has approached this issue on several occasions; and November 1, 2005 staff should be bringing to the Board legislative intent as it relates to anchorages, anchoring areas, and specifications and criteria associated with that.

Discussion continued concerning oil and waste spills into waterways, Coast Guard, Corps of Engineers, navigational channels, Fish and Wildlife Commission (FWC), beach erosion, creation of mooring fields, public marina on Merritt Island that would provide safe dockage, Mathers Bridge, prevention of future problems, and proactive action.

Transportation Engineering Director John Denninghoff advised Brevard County is responsible for 290 traffic signals, which does not include the signals in the Cities of Titusville, Melbourne, and Palm Bay; as of yesterday, 71 of those signals were not functioning, either due to damage or power outages; 41 of those signals were repaired by nightfall yesterday, leaving 30 signals remaining; and seven signals have structural damage and 23 signals are without power. He stated staff expects to have all signals functioning by the end of today; it will complete all final repairs by Thursday evening; the power outage will be up to Florida Power & Light (FPL) Company; and it has put a priority on the signals to get them repaired.

Discussion ensued concerning Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) traffic signals, evacuations, synchronization of traffic signals for better traffic flow, infrastructure repair, and the Wickham Road study.

PERMISSION TO BID, RE: COUNTY PROJECTS

Environmental Management Director Virginia Barker advised there are no upland structures damaged by coastal erosion during Hurricane Wilma; most of the crossovers are still in place; a lot of the dunes constructed last year are still in place doing their jobs; and there was erosion, but the speed with which the storm moved through, and timing with the high tide and moon phase all meant Brevard County got off much easier than anticipated. She stated the beach nourishment and dune stabilization projects constructed earlier this year are attributed to the success, and lack of loss of structures and damage; and staff will be working with the Emergency Operation Center (EOC), Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Governor’s Office, and Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to rebuild eroded dunes as soon as possible.

Ms. Barker further commented on public safety messages, designated crossovers, planting of the dunes with sea oats, and coastal protection options. She advised there will be people who will want to rebuild their dunes; hundreds of people wanted to do it last year for immediate response; the County will be working as quickly as it can to do whatever the State and Federal funds allow; and there is an opportunity to try to combine the local homeowner projects with State and Federal projects where the County can bid government projects out with the local homeowners in mind and allow them to opt in at some cost share to be determined by what federal and State funds are available. She stated homeowners would pay the addition for whatever extra sand they want to place to create the comfort zone they want in front of their structures; it should decrease homeowners’ individual costs; it would increase sand quality and assurance of the quality construction and material that goes on public beaches; and it will allow coordination of access for getting truckloads of sand on the beach, which is a real challenge for individual homeowners.

Motion by Commissioner Colon, seconded by Commissioner Carlson, to grant permission to bid County projects and combine local homeowner projects with State and Federal projects to allow homeowners to opt in at a cost share to be determined by what State and Federal funds will be available for beach renourishment; and authorize staff to pursue a general permit from the State to cover the activities. Motion carried and ordered unanimously.

Discussion resumed on the possibility of having a Municipal Service Taxing Unit (MSTU) on the beach, encouraging the installation of geo-tubes to prevent dune damage, stabilized structures, protective measures, and costs to stabilize areas.

Solid Waste Management Director Euripides Rodriguez advised yesterday staff began assessments in North Brevard, South Brevard, and south end of the beaches; such assessments are currently ongoing; there is going to be some debris, not to the nature of Hurricanes Jeanne and Frances, but more to the nature of Hurricane Charley; and staff started conversations with Waste Management for collection and the cities to see which ones are going to activate their interlocal agreements and come on board with the County. He stated normal garbage, yard waste, and recycling will go back to the scheduled days.

The Board and staff commented on power outages, food spoilage, extended hours for garbage collections; mixing of piles with garbage, trash, Construction and Demolition (C&D), and yard waste; State regulations, landfill, stormwater system for Barefoot Bay operated by Barefoot Bay Recreation District; damages to County parks, Titusville Pier, Port St. John boat ramp, and Waterway Park; and detailed assessments.

Mr. Rodriguez advised Brevard County has Interlocal Agreements with all the municipalities; it is their choice whether they activate the Interlocal Agreements or not; the last couple of hurricanes the Town of Melbourne, and Cities of Palm Bay, Melbourne, and Cape Canaveral did their own collections through Contracts with Waste Management; and right now the County is in the process of contacting each city and determining whether it will be assuming responsibility for them, but as of right now, the County has the responsibility only for the unincorporated area.

Chairman Pritchard stated various areas of West Cocoa are flooded; and requested staff provide an update on such areas and Hundred Acre Woods in Port St. John.

Stormwater Utility Director Ron Jones advised the County had a lot of rain over the last two months preceding this event; the Melbourne numbers in terms of rainfall do not co-relate to what was seen in North Brevard and Central Brevard; he would suspect there were approximately eight or nine inches of rainfall in such areas; and Roadways and Landscaping staff and his Department have been very active and reviewing all the drainage systems, including identifying any blockages that occurred, and removing them. He noted from a debris perspective the County is in pretty good shape; the St. Johns River is not currently at a very high stage; what is impeding the flow of water for certain areas is primarily the conveyance capacity that is through I-95; and the County has seen recession in several different areas. He stated staff expects to see a great deal of improvement over the next 24 to 36 hours; as damage assessment goes on staff will be continuing to coordinate and try to work with the citizens; there have been some reports of finished floor flooding; but for the most part it has been yard and road flooding. Mr. Jones advised County staff will continue to work toward trying to make sure the drainage systems are clear.

Chairman Pritchard inquired about sporting events and recreational activities, and should the County try to minimize same as much as possible so the fields are not destroyed because they might be too wet for competition.

Jack Masson, Parks and Recreation Department, advised staff was out in the field yesterday and this morning doing a total assessment of all the County’s facilities; the biggest problem in parks is standing water at the current time, particularly in the Cocoa area; staff is minimizing activities on athletic fields so additional damage is not created; and safety to participants is another factor.

PERMISSION TO REPAIR, RE: VARIOUS PROJECTS

Commissioner Scarborough inquired does the Board need to authorize anything at this time or will staff be bringing a report back at the next meeting; and advised it is a long process getting FEMA dollars back.

Jack Masson, Parks and Recreation Department, stated his only concern dollar wise would be the extent of the dollar damage the County is experiencing at Waterway Park.

Commissioner Scarborough stated the Board could give County Manager Peggy Busacca authority to exceed the $100,000 for those items that would be beneficial to move expeditiously on, including park projects, and Ms. Busacca can provide a full report of all actions taken to the Board as soon as possible for discussion.

Motion by Commissioner Scarborough, seconded by Commissioner Voltz, to authorize the County Manager to not exceed $150,000 for any given project that would be beneficial to move expeditiously on, including park projects, and provide a full report of all actions taken to the Board as soon as possible for discussion; approve funding from uncommitted non-recurring reserves, which is $500,000; and direct the County Manager to bring the issue back to the Board for identification of other funds if the amount is exceeded. Motion carried and ordered unanimously.

Chairman Pritchard stated he saw the gradall excavating the ditch on Cox Road south of S.R. 524; and inquired does staff have plans for other areas in the County to make sure the ditches are cleaned.

Roadways and Landscaping Director Billy Osborne responded staff did an initial assessment of the ditches and roads yesterday and today; and it is addressing all the issues.

Commissioner Colon inquired about the status of Deer Run Subdivision. Mr. Osborne responded staff reviewed such Subdivision early yesterday; and it seems to be in good shape.

Discussion ensued concerning the Canaveral Groves, West Cocoa, and West Melbourne areas; water levels, and protection to Brevard County citizens.

Commissioner Voltz advised her office is currently closed due to power outage and no phone system. Chairman Pritchard stated his office is up and running; and expressed appreciation to County staff for its efforts.

 Upon motion and vote, the meeting adjourned at 10:33 a.m.

ATTEST:

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RON PRITCHARD, D.P.A., CHAIRMAN

BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA

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SCOTT ELLIS, CLERK

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