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HomeMy WebLinkAboutInformal Minutes 03-17-2009BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS ST. LUCIE COUNTY, FLORIDA SPECIAL INFORMAL MEETING Date: Mazch 17, 2009 Convened: 10:00 a.m. Adjourned: 11:45 a.m. Commissioners Present: Chairperson, Paula A. Lewis, Doug Cowazd, Charles Grande, Chris Dzadovsky, Chris Craft Others Present: Faye Outlaw, County Administrator, LeeAnn Lowery, Asst. County Administrator, Dan McIntyre, County Attorney, Mazie Gouin OMB Director, Don West, Public Works Director, Beth Ryder, Community Services Director, Millie Delgado- Feliciano, Deputy Clerk 1. The meeting was called to order by Chairperson Lewis. 2. Local Preference Ordinance Draft Economic Stimulus Ordinance The County Attorney addressed the Local Preference Ordinance and stated they had placed the 5% scenario in the ordinance. He requested the Boazd review page 4 and advised them he had left the azea blank for the Boazd to fill in regarding the cost differential. Com. Craft stated he had discussed this item and the meeting of Local Governments and was informed that Martin County would be taking the local preference issue back to their Boazd. Com. Craft questioned the change orders and how they would be handled. The County Attorney addressed change orders and recommended change orders in a certain amount come back to the Boazd to be scrutinized rather than the County Administrator. Com. Grande stated he would agree with the County Attorney's suggestion as well as the "no cap" and the match. He would agree with regionalization if the neighboring counties do not have a local preference ordinance. He would not want the neighboring county included if they had an ordinance in place that excluded St. Lucie County. Com. Coward stated he believed they should re-evaluate how things aze going every six months. If Martin County did not reciprocate and include us then it should be re- evaluated. Com. Craft stated he would not vote to exclude any county. The County Attorney stated once the Board approved advertising, he would notify the neighboring counties and request their input. It was the consensus of the Board to add the advertising request to tonight's agenda. Staff was directed to bring this back to the Boazd amending item K on page 6 to reflect the 6 months re-evaluation of contracts and will add language on the status of any regional reciprocity ordinances. LOCAL ECONOMIC STIMULUS ORDINANCE The County Attorney reviewed this item. He recommended deleting the apprentice program from the ordinance 09-XXX in section 4 (d). It was the consensus of the Board to delete Section 4 (d) due to the apprentice program not being in existence. Com. Coward requested a "whereas "clause be added stating the county's budget is sound and this is to deal with economic crisis of certain sectors of the economy. He would like more background information as to what they are trying to accomplish and requested accurate foreclosure figures for St. Lucie County. Staff was directed to obtain foreclosure figures for 2007-2008 and 2009 to date from the Clerk's office. PHASE 1 POTENTIAL PROJECT LIST The Public Works Director addressed the "Shovel Ready" project list. There are funds allocated for these project The Phase 1 involves 34 projects and expenditures of $31,835,370. All Phase 1 projects can be funded either through existing funds, reallocation of existing funds, or accelerating funding from next year's budget. Phase 1 projects will provide an opportunity to evaluate the Local Economic Stimulus Ordinance. Eligible projects should be bid ready within three to six months of the public hearing. The Board discussed the Airport projects: Airport West Commerce Park Sanitary Sewer Phase 2 and the Main Runway Restoration. Com. Coward stated they needed to invest in building the terminal. The Airport Director stated the inside of the terminal could use some renovations in the interior and modification of the baggage claim area outside at a cost of $463,000. Com. Coward recommended using bed tax dollars available now rather than wait for 2011. These renovations could assist the Bahamas Tourism plans. The County Attorney stated these funds could be utilized if they can determine the project would affect tourism. Com. Craft recommended moving forward with the design and then they can approach the State for matching funds. Com. Coward recommended taking a portion of the funds to use as a match in order to move forward with the project. Com. Dzadovsky recommended expanding the hours of the customs operation to Sam-8pm. Com. Coward questioned what revenue stream would be utilized to pay for the extra hours. The Airport Director stated she would need to investigate the actual cost to renovate the building. Staff proceeded to review the projects. Com. Coward asked if the small eco-tourism capital dollars could be utilized for some of the environmental small projects. 2 The County Administrator stated they would look into this idea. Com. Craft asked if we have the grant funding, why they have not moved forward with the projects. The County Administrator stated each department has a work plan and would look to expedite the projects. Com. Coward requested a copy of the comprehensive list of projects from the TPO. The Public Works Director addressed the Research Park and the turning lanes for Kings Highway. He was looking to utilize funds from road impact fee dollars from zone 1 that are unencumbered. This may talc.• a year or so to design but this would give them time to possibly receive stimulus dollars. Com. Craft stated they needed a site ready to go for the park. He would like to see if they can use the capital improvement bond to move forward on the off site improvements. Com. Coward stated in site improvements are also important. The Public Works Director stated the next most logical step would be the utility planning for the water and sewer mains. There is an estimated cost of $750,000. for this and the road. Com. Coward asked if anyone had asked FPUA if they could be part of this second component and provide inside help. They need to identify an actual amount and then figure out how to re-prioritize how to get it in there. The County Administrator stated she would like to first see what they have based that figure on. Both are important projects. AVAILABLE FUNDING OPTIONS: The County Administrator reviewed the emergency reserves balance and advised the Board the present balance would be $14,847,710. There presently would be available $354,218 from the Critical Staff Reserve of $500,000. Com. Coward asked about the EDC and their additional staffing request the Board funded. The County Administrator stated she would follow up on this issue. Com. Coward asked if the money she is speaking of is additional funds outside of the money identified for the 34 projects. The County Administrator stated these are additional funds outside of the funds identified for the 34 projects. Com. Coward asked if the funds for the jail medical wing are monies that could be utilized for the internal roads of the Research Park should the medical wing not be considered a priority. The County Administrator stated they could. She also addressed Community Services and the $284,035 being part of the money utilized for the renovation of the 7th street facility and the logistic center. However she advised the Board the balance would be less the $25,000 -$50,000 estimated for design, engineering and permitting of Green Collar Task Force build out at the Logistic Center, the balance of $234,000 would be able to be re-programmed. 3 $450,000 NORTH COUNTY TOURISM CAPITAL FUND (This amount has not been allocated to specific projects) 33% of the 5th cent tourist development tax revenue shall be allocated towards capital facilities that promote tourism located in the St. Lucie County Fairgrounds and the area north of Midway Road. (Ordinance No. 03-12). EXISTING REVENUE ESL Approximately $240,000 from Tree Planting program available, for re-allocation. This is the landfill money from their account for tree planting and cannot be shifted to a road allocation. Com. Coward stated this money can be utilized for tree planting at the Research Park. BOARD DISCUSSION AND DIRECTION The County Administrator reviewed the following items and requested Board discussion or direction - Acceleration of $575,000 from 2009/2010 General Fund Budget for the South County Annex and State Attorney's office AC projects - Reprogramming of $6,975,000 road bond funds to Walton Road Improvement Phase I Construction - Designation of $220,000 for Road Impact Fees for R & E Park Road and Utilities Design - Move forward with Jail Medical Wing project ($3,389,135) or leave on hold Note: Some departments may require additional staff resources: Specialists/Consultants/Project Engineer RESEARCH AND EDUCATION PARK Road Impact Fees Zone I Impact Fee Balance $237,628 (not programmed) The road design cost would be $220,000 leaving $17,628 balance The Public Works Administrator reviewed the Road Bond Funding Status. He stated they bonded $30,000,000. Total funds remaining $26,572,160 Total funds contracted or committed $14,192,431 Total funds programmed $12,379,729 (Not committed or contracted as yet) Programmed for construction (turn dirt) Juanita Ave. Sidewalk $1,400,000 Midway Road Widening $7,850,000 Road Bond Fund Re-Program Walton Road (US 1 to Village Green) Design and Permitting $ 375,000 Construction $ 6,500,000 Total $ 6,975,000 4 The following aze projects that would be re-programmed from the Road Bond Funding Program: Committed Re-program Midway Road Widening $5,404,729 $2,445,271 Kings Hwy PD & E 0 725,000 Kings & Angle Rd. (intersection) $1,500,000 $2,736,478 Jenkins Road Extension $1,300,000 300,000 Misc. Project Balances 0 768,251 Total $ 6,975,000 They attempted to leave enough money for design and permit this way they would not lose time however the construction money would not be needed immediately and could be reallocated. This would avoid borrowing more money on the bond. The County Administrator asked the Board if they had anymore projects they wished to add or discuss. Com. Lewis requested the County Attorney relate the information regazding the Jail Medical Wing suit and how committed they are. The County Attorney stated they had entered into a settlement agreement with the Public Defender and his recollection was they were not obligated to build it, but to consider funding the jail medical wing this last budget year as part of the budget process. The Sheriff s representatives were advocating the building of the wing because they expanded the pods but not the medical wing. Com. Cowazd commented on the fact they had discussed alternative funding this project with public building impact fees and law enforcement. He does not see this as a high priority at time and he would like to use law enforcement trust fund dollars for design and may be eligible for grant and stimulus dollars. He would like to re-allocate this money $3.4 million for other high priority economic development projects such as the Reseazch Park. Com. Craft concurred. Com. Coward asked if these funds could be allocated immediately if they decided to do this because the design has not been done. Maybe they could take a portion of it to do as much as can be done in 6 months. Com. Craft stated he believed if they do not have a funding source they need to place these funds there right now for infrastructure purposes at the Research Pazk. Com. Coward stated he agrees in concept, he felt it was not the time to appropriate $3 million dollars to something that was going to be built in 2 years. If they were going to use these funds right now he would agree to it otherwise if they cannot move forward for two years then he would like to consider using part of it and the balance be used for other high priority projects i.e. the vesting of trips on Kings Highway for example. The Public Works Director stated they had left in the turning lane design and the running of water and sewer lines for the 20 acres, he believes it's 2.2 or something in that area. The County Administrator stated they would get the information and come back to the Board. Com. Craft pointed out they would also be receiving funds from the Ft. Pierce Jai Alai and this could be utilized also. 5 Com. Coward stated they should give direction to provide the $750,000 for water and sewer plus roads component with the understanding the will need come back and work closer with the construction cost. The Board concurred. Com. Coward commented on partnerships between the cities and the county. He gave the example of the city of Port St. Lucie and their sidewalk projects. He would like to see the Maleluca project on this list. He believes this should also be a priority issue. The County Administrator stated she had received a call from the City Manager (City of Port St. Lucie) inquiring about the $200,000 that the county had potentially for that project. Com. Coward stated he would like to take matching dollars from impact fees to expedite this project. The County Administrator stated she has requested a project list from the City of Port St. Lucie. Com. Grande requested the Maleluca project be added to the list. Com. Coward stated he would like to look at the numbers. He is confident the funds are there but is not sure if they have been allocated to any of these projects. The County Administrator stated they have not looked at the south county impact fees as part of these projects. The Public Works Director stated most of these impact fee funds are being considered for the Midway Road alignment. The County Administrator stated they are attempting to see what projects can be done in house and are having a difficult time placing their arms around it. Com. Coward stated there are anywhere between $800,000 and $2 million in south county recreation fees. The Parks and Recreation Director stated there will be some dollars left, however the Fire Marshall has required some lighting at the bleachers and she is not sure how much this will cost. The County Administrator advised the Board she would like to come back to the Board and advise them how they propose to staff these projects. She advised the Board regarding the tourism capital funds; she will be bringing back a plan for the Airport project. Com. Coward requested they look at recreation projects that currently have general funds allocated could swap the funding to give them more flexibility. The Walton Road project will proceed as directed the Board is comfortable with the re- programming of the funding and will be brought back at a Board meeting. Zone 1 impact fees, the Board was comfortable to go forward to the Research and Education Park. Jail Medical Wing funds- will look to see if some can be used for the utility design and other areas they could do rapidly. Com. Coward addressed correspondence from the Sheriff regarding the law enforcement impact fees and the medical wing expansion he believes this was the fund they talked about. Also attempt to finalize the Maleluca project grant to obtain the local matching funds. 6