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05-30-1989 - Special/Public Hearing T '. J .' '-' ..", City Council of Edgewater Special Meeting & Public Hearing May 30, 1989 Minutes Mayor Mitchum called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. in the Edgewater Library. He stated the purpose was for receiving public input on the addendum to the 201 Facilities Plan for South (Coastal) Volusia County, and for adoption of Resolution 89-R-41 as the resolution adoption is required to be submitted to the Florida DER in support of the grant application for the wastewater system improvements. He said the presentation on the 201 Plan will be made by the City's consulting engineers, Dyer, Riddle, Mills & Precourt, Inc. ROLL CALL Mayor David Mitchum Councilman Dan Hatfield Councilwoman Gigi Bennington Councilman Russell Gold Councilman Thomas Fish City Attorney Jose' Alvarez Acting City Manager Susan Wadsworth Chief Lawrence Schumaker Present Present Present Present Present Excused Present Present Also present were Gerry Hartman and Ron Ferland from Dyer, Riddle, Mills & Precourt, Inc., the City's consulting engineers. Ron Ferland, Project Manager, stated the 201 Facilities Plan Amend- ment is the addendum to the 1978 201 Facilities Plan for the South Coastal Vol usia County area and they addended the original 201 Plan for the City of Edgewater with a primary impact to provide central wastewater facilities for the Florida Shores development. He stated that the urban density of Florida Shores and high ground water table have made the use of septic systems a public health and environmental hazard with septic tank failures and draining into drainage ditches and the problems will get worse. He stated the 201 Plan addendum has been submitted to Florida DER in support of the City's request for a low interest loan through the State Revolving Loan Program and they'll try to get the loan at an interest rate of 4-1/2 to 5% when they make application in 1990. He reviewed the average daily flows anticipated through 2010 which were the reasons for the wastewater expansion. He showed on a graph the existing wastewater treatment plant capacity and projected growth rate. He showed the Edgewater service area on a map and where the existing wastewater treatment plant is located at a shared site with Public Works. He pointed out the existing system is a 1 MGD secondary treatment which is no more than 90% removal of BOD and total suspended solids. He showed the treatment process with eventual discharge to the Indian River. He explained the sludge handling process. Mr. Ferland then explained the NPDES permit limitations for the wastewater treatment plant discharge. He pointed out the fecal coliform count from the wastewater plant was less than 1 the last couple of years. He stated they're conducting a waste load limitation study on the Indian River and the State DER is modeling studies to determine the treatment required to continue discharge to the Indian River and not cause any degradation of the aquatic system in the Indian River. He pointed out that secondary treat- ""(' " ~ ..., ment will probably not be allowed and advanced waste treatment will be required in the future regardless of whether Florida Shores is central sewered or not. Mr. Ferland stated that they'd looked at two ways to collect wastewater. He proceeded with a detailed overview of the gravity system and the low pressure system (STEP), pointing out costs for each, including operation and maintenance and electricity, piping, manholes, etc. He noted that a gravity system will require 20 pump stations and the low pressure would require 6. Mr. Ferland stated that three major developments have had the low pressure sewers and they have a record for 10 years with no major failures or problems. Mr. Ferland showed the low pressure system on a graph with a sump for a pump that will take the wastewater out of the tank and pump it into the main line in the street. He showed on a color coded map where the main lines would be. Mr. Ferland reviewed the individual items and total costs for the gravity versus the low pressure sewer systems with a dramatic difference from $16.7 million for gravity to $4.6 million for low pressure. He pointed out that if they were starting from scratch, they'd be in favor of gravity but since they have 2,400 existing homes with septic tanks, they're trying to maximize the invest- ments already made and minimize the disruption and amount of cost. Mr. Ferland reviewed a present worth analysis to see the annual costs for operation and maintenance of the systems with the total for gravity to be $19.2 million over a 20-year period and the low pressure sewer system would be $10.2 million. Mr. Ferland reviewed the four basic alternatives for treatment using the various removal processes. He suggested they put in some type of sludge thickening process which would reduce the number of trips to haul it away. He also suggested they continue the current application on the air field. He showed the proposed Biological Nutrient Removal Facility. He said another effluent proposal is to put in a re-use system for Florida Shores to use it on their lawns for irrigation which would reduce the discharge to the Indian River and the amount of water needed from the water system. He reviewed costs for the re-use system. He briefly reviewed the other nutrient removal processes with capital costs for the one of 1/2 million cheaper at $9.4 million. He explained the reason it was not chosen was because of the effluent disposal. He showed the percolation pond site location on a map, explaining that with the level of treatment required, it would be secondary, the same as the plant is now, but because of the cost of the work to get it to that site this option was eliminated. He said the other option for effluent disposal is wetland discharge but there are not enough in this area that would take that much flow, or deep well injection, which after research, they determined it would not be a viable mode. He explained the layer between the salt and fresh water zone could be too thin. Mr. Ferland showed the 20-year present worth analysis for each alternative. He stated they recommended effluent residential re- use as the highest worth and are recommending it. He showed a time schedule for the Florida Shores infrastructure which included the roads, with surveys, site design, permitting, and other facets of the project. He also showed the time schedule for the wastewater treatment plant. Mr. Ferland showed the annual cost per household with costs for existing customers outside Florida Shores to be $300; for new customers outside Florida Shores to be $1,700 for the first year and then $300; for existing residents inside Florida Shores to be 2 Council Special Meeting & Public Hearing May 30, 1989 -- 'W" $525; and new residents inside Florida Shores to be $2,891 for the first year and then $341 per year. He pointed out the impact fee would be $1,250 instead of $1,000 to make this viable if it' s funded at a rate of 5% from the State Revolving Loan Program. He explained the costs would be on the tax bill and people could pay their tax bill early to get the 4% discount. He pointed out that if the interest rate from the State goes to 7% or higher, then these costs will go up accordingly. He showed how the facilities will be financed with the financing proposed from State funds. He showed the debt service and explained the betterment assessments. He explained how they could hook up to the re-use system for a fee of $6 per month with no limit to the use. Mayor Mitchum requested a motion to go from the Special Meeting to the Public Hearing. Councilman Hatfield so moved. Councilman Gold seconded the motion. Motion CARRIED 5-0. Public Hearinq John Siburn, Connecticut Avenue, asked how often they'll have to clean out the septics since the pump only takes out fluid. Mr. Ferland replied that the other systems have been in for 7 to 10 years, the only time they needed a pump out was because of a grease trap problem. He explained the sludge build up leaves an indigenous state and it eats on itself as much as it builds up and breaks it down to a soluble waste that's taken out by the STEP pump system. Mr. Siburn asked about the legality of grease traps and Mr. Ferland replied that it's required in Florida for a food service establishment. Mary Martin, 6 Laughing Gull Lane, asked if the plplng running down the side of the road for the low pressure system would be on both sides of the road. Mr. Ferland explained they'll make road cuts and push it underneath with a jet drive or in some way without digging up the road. He noted it's only a I" line. Ben Vasquez, representing his mother-in-law on Needle Palm Drive, asked why they're going for a special assessment for Florida Shores and what type of lien will be put on the homes. Mayor Mitchum replied that wasn't decided yet and these are just preliminary. Mr. Vasquez asked if they'd come to a conclusion on the financing. Mayor Mitchum replied they'll need public hearings on all the costs associated with it. Mr. Vasquez asked if they'll pay for a discharge system to take the effluent and pump it to the line to the lift station. Mr. Ferland explained when it gets to the lift station it will go by force main to the plant. Mr. Vasquez suggested they merge with New Smyrna Beach and pump our effluent to their big system. He added that eventually the County is going to build a large plant west of 95 and we'll have to tie into that. Mr. Hartman, Vice President, Dyer, Riddle, Mills & Precourt, Inc., explained that the County did not intend to utilize or encroach within the coastal communities service area for utilities and they can't do it because of the Federal 201 Program with no plans permitted to allow it to happen. Mr. Ferland noted that New Smyrna Beach does not have the capacity to take our flow even if we wanted them to. Mayor Mitchum pointed out the infrastructure has to be in place no matter where they pump it. Mr. Vasquez stated that some people in Florida Shores will pay $3,000 or $4,000 a year. Mr. Ferland clarified that it's projected to be $525 a year. Mayor Mitchum stated that the gravity system is a much bigger expense than low pressure. Mr. Vasquez asked who would pay for the pumps and maintain the systems. Mr. Ferland replied, the City. Mr. Vasquez said they'd have to wellpoint all the homes in Florida Shores and they'd have to pump it every 5 years. Mayor Mitchum noted that Flagler went 10 years. Councilman Hatfield commented that Port Charlotte and Port St. Lucie didn't have problems. Mr. Ferland explained how the lift stations will be located throughout 3 Council Special Meeting & Public Hearing May 30, 1989 . "-' ....". Florida Shores and said they looked hard at the low pressure system to avoid an undue hardship on Florida Shores residents. Mr. Vasquez asked why they hadn't gone to a general obligation bond issue. Mayor Mitchum replied they hadn't gone into financing. Georqe Ewinq, Royal Palm, asked for an explanation of the figure of $525 for a second year of an existing dwelling and $341 for a new dwelling the second year. Mr. Ferland explained the existing customers can pay the same as new customers if they want to with the $1,250 impact fee paid up front. Norman Billups asked if there was a test area done when this was proposed in the past. Mr. Ferland replied they looked at it and evaluated it but it wasn't done for some reason. Councilwoman Bennington stated that there was grant money of about $60,000 associated with it and they had 5 or 6 blocks targeted but there were so many questions at the time about emptying the septic tanks and who would do the maintenance of the pumps and access to the property, but there weren' t answers, and she didn' t know what happened to the money. Mr. Billups suggested they go ahead with it since it has to be done. Edsel Sobeck, Ridgewood Avenue, asked about 6 pumping stations for the low pressure and 20 for gravity. Mr. Ferland showed on the color coded map the service area boundaries for the lift station. Mr. Sobeck asked who would come out to repair those if the lift would go out of service. Mr. Fer land replied it's the City's responsibility and they'd run a line to the treatment plan and each lift station would pump into that line and if that lift station goes down, only that lift station service area would be affected. Mr. Sobeck asked if the cheaper system will be operable for 50 years or if it would be better to put the gravity system in for a longer life. Mr. Ferland showed on the present worth analysis how the gravity system tends to break down and the STEP unit pump replacement every 10 years and the costs involved. He noted that the current wastewater budget is $550,000. He explained that the STEP unit has to be hooked into the home electrical system and they are 1/3 HP pumps that will run 2 to 3 minutes a day at a cost of about 60 cents a month. He said the costs are put into the proposal for the maintenance and replacements and 20 years from now it will still be cheapest. Don Benninqton asked if they intent to extend outside Florida Shores the cost effective water to water their lawns. Mr. Ferland replied no, because they'll be digging in the sides of the roads and could put another line in then. Mr. Bennington stated they'd talked about replacing pump stations on Riverside Drive and putting in lines. He asked if the water would be clean enough for car washes. Mr. Ferland replied it wouldn' t be used for car washes but it could be used for some industrial processes. Councilman Hatfield commented that they're trying to avoid dumping in the river. Mayor Mitchum pointed out it has to be on a closed system for irrigation and not on a hose system. Ben Vasquez asked if the initial cost includes the pump in the septic tank. Mr. Ferland replied yes. Mr. Vasquez asked who would hook it up. Mr. Ferland replied the City will contract with a construction company to hook it up. Mr. Vasquez asked if they'd hook it up on private property. Mr. Ferland replied yes. Mr. Vasquez asked if the cost will include the job complete. Mr. Ferland replied yes and the retrofit costs include putting the pump in the septic tank, hooking up the electrical system, and running the line to the main line in the street for about $900. Mr. Vasquez asked about those with septics in the back. Mr. Ferland replied it's the same cost. 4 Council Special Meeting & Public Hearing May 30, 1989 ... ~. .... .....,. Mr. Sobeck asked if it's his op1n10n that this is the best system for the money and maintenance-wise. Mr. Ferland replied that with the situation in Florida Shores, that's his recommendation and the Facilities Plan is it, and he endorses and supports it as the best interest of the City for a short term and long term. He added that the City's Utilities staff was concerned about it and they did a lot of research and feel they can support this system also. Councilwoman Bennington asked if the low pressure system is just for Florida Shores. Mr. Ferland replied yes. Georae Ewina asked if the re-use could be hooked into their sprinkler systems. Mr. Ferland replied yes, if it can be dis- connected from the well. Mr. Ewing asked if they would turn the tap on with pressure. Mr. Ferland replied yes, with about 40 psi. Councilman Hatfield stated that where he lives they're about 400 feet from the sewer line and they can't hook up to the gravity system. He asked if they could use this with a retrofit system and hook into the gravity they have now. Mr. Ferland replied yes, it' s the same concept and it's a good solution to the site. He added that the City should not pursue this for new development but it's good for Florida Shores and those with a long run where they cannot get gravity fall. Norman Billups suggested the press be mindful that some people on Social Security in Florida Shores will need provisions made for payments. Mayor Mitchum requested a motion to go from the public hearings to the special meeting. Councilman Gold so moved. Councilwoman Bennington seconded the motion. Motion CARRIED 5-0. Mayor Mitchum stated the resolution sends the 201 Plan on its way. He read the Resolution. RES. 89-R-4l - A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF EDGEWATER, FLORIDA, ADOPTING AN ADDENDUM TO THE 201 FACILITIES PLAN FOR SOUTH (COASTAL) VOLUSIA COUNTY, REPEALING ALL RESOLUTIONS IN CONFLICT HEREWITH AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. Councilman Gold moved they accept Resolution 89-R-41. Councilman Hatfield seconded the motion. Motion CARRIED 5-0. Mayor Mitchum requested a motion to adjourn. Councilman Hatfield so moved. Councilman Gold seconded the motion. Meeting was adjourned at 8:45 p.m. Minutes submitted by: Lura Sue Koser ~o fta-- 2T: I%J~ ACT~Y MANAGER 5 Council Special Meeting & Public Hearing May 30, 1989