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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes 08-04-2010 TREASURE COAST COUNCIL OF LOCAL GOVERNMENTS MII~TUTES Held Wednesday, Augast 4, 2010 -10:00 am. 2300 Virginia Avenue, Fat Pierce, Fbrida 34982 St. ilucie County Roger Poitras Administration Annex, Thlr+d Floor Conference Roan 3 MEMBERS PRESENT• Mayor James Christie, Chairperson City of Stuart Alderwaman Ingrid Van Hekken Secretary St. Lucie Village Dowling Watford, Treasurer City of Okeechobee Councilman Jack Kelly for Mayor Patricia Christensen City of Port St. Lucie Mayor Robert Benton City of Fort Pierce Commissioner Chris Craft St. Lucie County Mayor Richard Glllmor City of Sebastian Mayor Charles Fakone Town of Jupiter Island Kathryn Hensley St. Lucie County School District Matt McCain for Karen Disney-Brombach, Chair Indian River County School Board Commissioner Jacqui Thurlow-Lippisch, Vice Chair Town of Sewall's Point Mayor Bill Kenyon Town of Indian River Shores Commissioner Margaret Helton Okeechobee County Mayor Susan Adams City of Fellsmere Lone Shekaib Martin County School Board Commissioner Edward Ciampi Martin County Commissioner Peter O'Bryan Indian River County OTHERS PRESENT Michael Corbit, Florida's Research Coast Cherie White, Recording Secretary City of Stuart, City Clerk Jayne Bergstrom ,Director SFWMD Martin St. Lucie County Srvc Center Cathy McKenzie, Governmental Relations AT&T Chris Murphey Civil Service Design Group PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Chairperson James Christie called today's meeting to order at 10:00 A.M., folbwed by the pledge of Allegiance. APPROVAL OF MINUTES A) July 7, 2010 MOTION WATFORD/SECONDED GILMORE TO APPROVE THE JL]LY 7, 2010 MINUTES MOTION APPROVED UNANIMOUSLY TREASURER'S REPORT MOTION GILMORE/SECONDED VAN HEICKEN TO APPROVE THE 3ULY TREASURER'S REPORT MOTION APPROVED UNANIMOUSLY CHAIRMAN'S COMMENTS A) Priorities Chairman Christie apologized for missing the last meeting/BBQ. Dowling Watford thanked Commissioner Hehon to albw her staff to cook for the BBQ event. Chairman Christie noted the current economy situation and hoped that it gets better. Chris Craft said it is incumbent upon each one of us to assure that when we are speaking to members of the public about our budget, and if someone asks a question about another local government, whether it is Martin County or whomever, that we don't pass judgment on those other organizations, or those other local bodies. We are all in this together, and we need to have each others back because there are things in each one of our budgets that we may not understand, and please make sure we are not throwing each other under the bus in this process. COMMITTEE REPORTS Forida it.eagne otCities The Fbrida League of Cities Conference is being held in Hollywood Florida on August 19, 2010. A breakfast meeting will be held at 7:45 am. Florida Associative otCou~tiea None Fonda Research Coast Michael Corbit reported his montfily report to the Board (see attachment "A"}, Chris Craft talked about the energy efficient program they are working on to try and make homes more energy efficient with bans that maybe grated to homeowners and would allow payback through the tax roll. He said that he would like everyone in the program because it will have great benef`rts regionally. Florida Associatbn of Scbool Boards Kathryn Hensley Gave a brief summary regarding the 5 County Workgroup meeting last Friday. She said there were several things the region needs to address, such as sharing merit pay cost of school construction shared language regarding messages to citizens such as hurricanes notice and procedures. She stated that she has been involved with the 13 County Groups, who is also working on priorities to the state. They have planned a Children's Movement for Florida Rally on September 15, 2010. The constitutional amendment for class size is still on the balbt, she explained that the language is problematic and if passed would freeze everything where it is now as far as class size. Chairperson Christie 'introduced Matt McClain for Karen Disney-Brombach, Indian River County School Board Matt McCain stated the constitutional amendment does have a defined maximum enrollment, which would be higher than tt is now. PROGRAM PRESENTATION (Arranged by Mayor Arranged by Mayor Robert Benton, City of Fit. Pierce) Mayor Benton gave a brief introduction to the Board about Captain Voss. Captain Donald A. Voss, Marine Cleanup Initiative, Inc. gave a verbal presentation to the Board regarding his efforts through grant funding to clean up the rivers and lagoons, and to assure the reefs and bottoms are free of fishing line and garbage through cleanup dives. He was able to obtain grant funding for his work and was required to collect 48,000 Ibs of debris in 24 months, he stated in the first 31 days he collected 31,000 Ibs. He said it is the only driver driven operation in America. OLD BUSiiNESS South Fbrida Water Management District response letter regarding Lake Okeechobee discharges. Chairperson Christie noted the response from SFWMD regarding the concern of the Board over Lake Okeechobee discharges. to copy was included with the agenda packet.) Chairperson Christie stated he did not feel like any changes would be done regarding those releases however they are aware of our concerns and are the waters around us all. Jayne Bergstrom, Director of SFWMD Martin St. Lucie County service center came forward and stated that the releases are ukimately the Army Corp of Engineers decision. She explained the process and stated they make that decision because they do not want to hold the lake levels high because they feel the dike is not safe, and because there is no funding for the storage project. She said that she did not anticipate any of the big CERP projects being funded. She explained there will be a 16 county summit to reinvigorate the process. Chris Craft said he understands that the problem of the releases did not happen overnight and we all understand to fix it won't happen overnight either. I just want to find the proper method for us to lobby to get this done the right way. Jayne Bergstrom extended an invitation to any member who would like to meet with her and discuss the process of the Lake Okeechobee and its releases. Jack Kelly, Port St Lucie stated he other municipal representatives met with the Army Corp who stated the process and ultimate decision regarding the releases comes from the SFWMD, and kind of threw it back in your court, do they work hand and hand with you? Jayne Bergstrom stated the two agencies work hand in hand on several issues and projects. Chris Craft asked about bbbying for the dollars on various legislative requests. He asked if it would make sense to have a coordinated effort when it comes to the CERP projects, and for us to go together as a region as opposed to going up individually, at times for it does not have quite as much impact. NEW BUSINESS Chris Craft gave a brief overview on the last meeting of the Public Safety Coordinating Council Meeting. He explained that the topic of discussion was to discuss the overcrowding in the jails. He stated they have seen a 3096 reduction over the last three years because of programs implemented by the group. He stated that one of the most recent items discussed as a cost saving measure was to have joint contracts for food service to the jails in the entire circuit. He said the sheriffs office confiscated a tractor trailer and they are looking at using it to transport goods to the circuit. Chairperson Christie stated the City of Stuart has coordinated with the school board and county to form a cost saving team. The team will be in charge of discussing common items each entity uses to see if there can be a savings to all three groups. Peter O'Bryan, Indian River County explained how the Indian River County jail has been updated and refurbished by jail inmates who have skills. Chris Craft said there sheriff has implemented the same program in St. Lucie County. lack Kelly, Port St Lucie stated the EBC Board has removed the elected official and the reason is because of Sunshine Laws. He also announced the recent news about foreclosure rates in Port St Lucie is down by 4596. ADJOURNMENT NOTICE: This is a Public Meeting. Should any interested party seek ~ appeal any decision made b11 the Coundl with respect to any matter considered at such meetMg a hearing, he wHl need a record of the proceedings and that. for such purpose he may need to enwre that s record of the proceedings is made, whkh record includes the testimony and evidence upon which the appeal Is to be based.