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O. Commissioners' ItemsBOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY Meeting Date: 3-21-2007 Division: Commissioner Dixie Spehar Bulk Item: Yes X No Department: BOCC — District 1 Staff Contact Person: Les Boatwright, Ex Assist AGENDA ITEM WORDING: Approval of Resolution by the Board of County Commissioners of Monroe County supporting the placement of a "Name Place Sign" welcoming the military, near the entrance to the Boca Chica Naval Air Station. ITEM BACKGROUND: For many years there has been a large billboard greeting military members and their families to Monroe County. The board was sponsored by the Key West Navy League and the Key West Military Affairs Committee. Due to several storms, last being "Wilma", the billboard sign was destroyed. FDOT's new policy regarding signage is to allow signage that regulate, warn, and guide motorists. It was their thought that other signs could distract drivers from their primary task — driving. It is FDOT's recommendation to have "Name Place Signs" which can be customized, but these signs are granted only at the request of local governments. PREVIOUS RELEVANT BOCC ACTION: CONTRACT/AGREEMENT CHANGES: STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS: TOTAL COST: COST TO COUNTY: BUDGETED: Yes No SOURCE OF FUNDS: REVENUE PRODUCING: Yes No X AMOUNT PER MONTH Year APPROVED BY: County Atty _ OMB/Purchasing Risk Management DIVISION DIRECTOR APPROVAL: ?Dix& ✓X jow"M Dixie M. Spehar, Mayor DOCUMENTATION: Included X Not Required DISPOSITION: AGENDA ITEM #. Mayor Pro Tern Dixie Spehar A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF MONROE COUNTY SUPPORTING THE PLACEMENT OF A NAME PLACE SIGN WELCOMING THE MILITARY NEAR THE ENTRANCE TO BOCA CHICA NAVAL BASE. WHEREAS, a welcome sign to the military has existed for many years near mile marker 8, near the Boca Chica overpass; and WHEREAS, the billboard -size sign was destroyed in recent years during hurricane season; and WHEREAS, the Navy League of the United States, Key West Council, has requested that a sign permissible under Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) policies be erected; and WHEREAS, Place Name Signs are permitted by FDOT; and WHEREAS, the Navy League has designed the signage to appear in substantially the format shown in the attached rendition; and WHEREAS, the Board of County Commissioners of Monroe County deem it to be in the interest of promoting community goodwill to approve the placement of such a sign; now, therefore, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA: Section 1: That the Board of County Commissioners of Monroe County supports the placement at or about mile marker 8 of a Place Name sign for the US Naval Air Station, with a welcome message, as depicted in the attached rendition. Section 2: That the Clerk is directed to send certified copies of this Resolution to Bud Brewer, Project Coordinator for the Navy league, and Debora Rivera, PE, FDOT District 6 Traffic Operations Engineer. Section 3: This Resolution shall become effective on the date written below. PASSED AND ADOPTED by the Board of County Commissioners of Monroe County, Florida, at a meeting of said Board held on the 21st day of March, A.D., 2007. Mayor Mario DiGennaro Mayor Pro Tern Dixie M. Spehar Commissioner Charles "Sonny" McCoy Commissioner Sylvia Murphy Commissioner George Neugent (SEAL) Attest: DANNY L. KOLHAGE, Clerk LM Deputy Clerk BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA MONROE COUNTY ATTORNEY APPROVED AS T By Mayor/Chairman ZANNE A. HUTTON C yTGORNEY Fla Keys and Key West Welcome the Military to Paradise U.S. Naval air Station z'? I c'� -% 4 L EI c, ' Exit %- BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY Meeting Date: March 21, 2007 Division: BOCC Bulk Item: Yes x No Department:, Neugent — District 2 Staff Contact Person/Phone #: Terri Marble X4512 AGENDA ITEM WORDING: Approval by the Board of County Commissioners to appoint Rita Irwin to the Tourist Development Council term expiring August 17, 2008. ITEM BACKGROUND: Replacing June Helbling — resigned. PREVIOUS RELEVANT BOCC ACTION: CONTRACT/AGREEMENT CHANGES: STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS: TOTAL COST: na BUDGETED: Yes No COST TO COUNTY: na SOURCE OF FUNDS: REVENUE PRODUCING: Yes No AMOUNT PER MONTH Year APPROVED BY: County Atty OMB/Purchasing Risk Management _ DOCUMENTATION: Included x Not Required_ _ DISPOSITION: Revised 11/06 AGENDA ITEM # Monroe County Boards and Committees Appointment Information Board or Committee: Tourist Development Council Commissioner Appointing Member: George R. Neugent, District II Name of Member: Rita Irwin Address: 58901 Overseas Highway Grassy Key, FL 33050 Phone Numbers: Work: 305-289-1121 Cell: A Date of Appointment: March 21, 2007 Reappointment: Date Term Expires: 08/17/2008 Name of Person Being Replaced: June Helbling Fulfilling the Term of: June Helbling Other Information: Resigned 03/08/20e7 16:40 3057437627 DRC PAGE 02 DOLPHIN RESEARCH CENTER Teaching ... L.aarning ... Caring For Marine Mammals and the Environment We Share March 8, 2007 Commissioner George Nugent Mvnrve Courtly Board of Courtly Commissioners 25 Ships Way big Pine Key, FL 33W Dear George, It is my understanding that June Helbling has resigned from the Tourist Development Council (TDC). June did a terrific job representing our district on the TDC Board. She will be missed. 1 am writing now to "put my hat in the ring' as you consider replacements for June. I have lived on Grassy Key for seventeen years during which time I have been employed at Dolphin Research Center. Some of my qualifications include: Dolphin Research Center • Vice President of Marketing & Development o Areas of responsibility include grant writing, budgeting, advertising & pr, volunteer program, fundraising, retail management District Ill Advisory Committee to the TDC • Member since 1992 • Chairperson for 13 years (re -appointed by Board for one year terms) TDC Cultural Umbrella • Panel member for five years • Five years as Administrator (for Keys Federation of Chamber of cbmmerce) Marathon Community Theatre • Board Member since 1997 (one year off every six years due to by-laws requirement) • President of the Board for six years • Executive Committee member for eight years • Director of seven shows CONTINUED 58901 Overseas Highway, Grassy Key, F[wida 33050-6019 Phone: (305) 289-1121 Fax: (305) 743-7627 www.dolphins.org 0 03/06l2007 16:40 3057437627 DRC PAGE 03 Leadership Monroe County • Graduate of Class III • Panel Member on Tourism Session for last five years As a Monroe County resident I have been active both professionally and personally in developing tourism venues and marketing campaigns. I would like to use my years of experience to enhance the TDC's efforts to keep the fabulous Florida Keys a great place to visit and an even better place to live. Thanks or your consideration, Rita Irwin Vice President of Marketing & Development Dolphin Research Center (305) 289-1121 ext. 226 BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY Meeting Date: March 21, 2007 Bulk Item: Yes No x Division: BOCC Department:, Neugent — District 2 Staff Contact Person/Phone #: Terri Marble X4512 AGENDA ITEM WORDING: Discussion regarding the many properties of substandard size that were damaged in the Lower Keys and especially in the Big Coppitt area. Direct staff to research the effect of allowing a rezoning to occur on contiguous substandard lots of less than (-)5,000 sq ft. when combined to create lots of greater than 5,000 sq. ft. to have multiplex zoning ITEM BACKGROUND: PREVIOUS RELEVANT BOCC ACTION: CONTRACT/AGREEMENT CHANGES: STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS: TOTAL COST: COST TO COUNTY: na na BUDGETED: Yes SOURCE OF FUNDS: No REVENUE PRODUCING: Yes No AMOUNT PER MONTH Year APPROVED BY: County Atty DOCUMENTATION: Included DISPOSITION: Revised 11/06 OMB/Purchasing Risk Management Not Required _ AGENDA ITEM # BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY Meeting Date: March 21, 2007 Division: BOCC Bulk Item: Yes _ No x Department:, Neugent — District 2 Staff Contact Person/Phone #: Terri Marble X4512 AGENDA ITEM WORDING: Dedication of affordable building permits in Big Pine Key to a proposed Workforce Housing project on property owned by Mr. Richard Beal of Big Pine Key. ITEM BACKGROUND: This proposed development has and is still be reviewed by staff PREVIOUS RELEVANT BOCC ACTION: CONTRACT/AGREEMENT CHANGES: STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS: TOTAL COST: na BUDGETED: Yes No COST TO COUNTY: na SOURCE OF FUNDS: REVENUE PRODUCING: Yes No AMOUNT PER MONTH Year APPROVED BY: County Atty OMB/Purchasing Risk Management DOCUMENTATION: Included DISPOSITION: Revised 11/06 Not Required _ AGENDA ITEM # Mar 09 07 03.-02p Commi'ssioner Dixie Spehar 305 292 346E P.1 BOARD OF COLUNTY CO-TWIN-IISSIONERS AG E N-D A I T E NJ S L"IN "Ll vLl R Y Meefiiig Date, _11y'larch.1 1 -200 Mg r z im- Svehar Bulk hern: Yes -_N-0 X Department: BOCC - District I Staff Co- act Person- Les Boatwri L , Assisl- A(' ENDA FYEM WORDING: Report of on -going discussion betweenthe City of Marathon and the County Adn-fln-istrator on the Marathon Government Center. ITEN1 BACKGROUND, PREVIOUS RELEVANT BOCC ACTION, CONTRACT/AGREEMl,-,,NT CHAN(3-ES. STXFF RECONVvIENDATIONS.- TOTAL COST- BUDGETED: Yes No COST TO COUNTY,— SOURCE OF WINDS-- REN"KNUE' PRODUCING. Yes — No X ANIOUNT PER NIONT11— Year APPROVED BY: Cotuvov Auv ONIBtPurcharine, Risk Mau.agemevv, DIVISION DIRECTOR APPROVAL: Dixie M. Spe-har, Mayor DOCUTMEATATION: Included Not Reqttired.�K_,_,, DISPOSITION'-- AGE-N DA IT E-M # BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY Meeting Date: March 21, 2007 Bulk Item: Yes _ No x Division: BOCC Department:, Neugent — District 2 Staff Contact Person/Phone #: Terri Marble X4512 AGENDA ITEM WORDING: Discussion from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife regarding non -permitted dumping of questionable quality muck within the Crocodile refuge. ITEM BACKGROUND: PREVIOUS RELEVANT BOCC ACTION: CONTRACT/AGREEMENT CHANGES: STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS: TOTAL COST: na BUDGETED: Yes No COST TO COUNTY: na SOURCE OF FUNDS: REVENUE PRODUCING: Yes No AMOUNT PER MONTH Year APPROVED BY: County Atty OMB/Purchasing Risk Management DOCUMENTATION: Included Not Required_x_ _ DISPOSITION: AGENDA ITEM # Revised 11/06 MEMORANDUM MONROE COUNTY GROWTH MANAGEMENT DIVISION We strive to be caring, professional and fair To: Thomas J. Willi, County Administrator From: Ralph Gouldy, Senior Administrator of Environmental Resources Through: Andrew Omer Trivette, Acting Growth Management Director Date: March 20, 2007 RE: Crocodile Refuge Fill Proposal BACKGROUND This document has been prepared by the staff of Monroe County Environmental Resources in order to assist the Commission in assessing issues relevant to item 06 of the Board of County Commissioners agenda for March 21, 2007. Item 06 is entitled, "Discussion from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife regarding non -permitted dumping of questionable quality muck within the Crocodile Refuge." 18 Mile Stretch Construction began on the widening of the "18 mile stretch" leading from the Florida Keys to Florida City during late 2005. This is a highway, as part of U.S. Highway 1, maintained and operated by the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT). The project to widen the 18 mile stretch will ultimately create three lanes of vehicular access to and from the Florida Keys. The "18 mile stretch" widening effort requires expansion of the existing road bed, to include demucking, dredging of sediment, and removal of portions of the existing roadbed along sections of Barnes and Card Sounds. Some volume of the dredged material was intended to be reworked into the construction of the new and widened roadbed surface. During the initial process of dredging, demucking, and stabilizing the expanded roadbed it was discovered that significant numbers of creosote impregnated timbers lay along much of the existing roadbed. In the past these creosote timbers protected a now abandoned water supply system to the Florida Keys. As creosote is considered a potential toxic material, the Department of Transportation, through its contractors, have undertaken an analysis of sediment material taken from areas adjacent to the existing US. Highway 1 roadbed. Appropriate engineering and environmental contaminants experts (WRS, Infrastructure and Environments, Inc.) took samples from thirty sites along an area from Lake Surprise to Point Laura. In general, sample analysis led to the determination that low levels of three principal environmental contaminants existed. However, it was also determined that levels were not above commercially acceptable levels as defined under state standards. It was also separately determined that the material should not be reused within the project corridor, the expanded roadbed area. Therefore, WRS (Preliminary Impact of Construction Report, August 15, 2006) made the following recommendations to FDOT, • "The most cost effective method for the Department is to reuse as much of the material as possible above the groundwater table, under commercial settings, within the subject project or the Department's other roadway related projects (i.e, landscaping, roadway embankments, roadway fill, etc.)." • "Stabilize the material in place utilizing the procedure performed in other portions of the project." • "Given the volume and heterogeneous state of the material after excavation, stage the excavated material not utilized in the above mentioned options to revaluate and determine if the commercial restrictions still apply." Crocodile Lake National Wildlife Refuge Crocodile Lake National Wildlife Refuge (Refuge) exists on the north side of Card Sound road between its intersection at U.S. Highway and Ocean Reef Club. Though named for its principal endangered resident, the purpose of the refuge is to protect all listed endangered, threatened, or otherwise protected plant and animal species in the area. Currently, the Refuge has an interest in acquiring some, but not all, of the dredged material created in the 18 mile stretch widening project. The Refuge wishes to use the material to fill an existing rock quarry (approximately 2.1 acres in area) to allow future restoration of the area to hardwood forest (See Figures 1 & 2 below). A portion of the quarry retains water, but exhibits no direct tidal connection to adjacent wetlands or to Barnes and Card Sounds. The Refuge in developing this project proposal, with an interest in utilizing the 18 mile stretch material, has reviewed the project impacts and benefits. As proposed, the Refuge, utilizing FDOT and its contractors, plans to layer approximately 3 feet of clean crushed native limestone in the bottom of the quarry. Over this crushed and compacted material the Refuge then proposes to layer approximately 37,250 cubic yards of material developed in the 18 mile stretch construction. The Refuge then proposes to layer an additional 3 feet of clean crushed native limestone over the dredged material. In this manner, the Refuge indicates that any contaminates in the 18 mile stretch material will be isolated from both the groundwater and from native animals that may utilize the site. The Refuge indicates that impacts resulting from this project will be minimal. On the other hand, with the restoration of the quarry site to historic elevations, the Refuge indicates that over 2 acres of land may be restored to native hardwood forest in the future. Benefits to this effort will support hardwood hammock restoration, thus benefiting the plants and animals inhabiting the Refuge, particularly its legally protected species. This approach also comports with one of the recommendations provided to FDOT by WRS noted above. Project Areas — "18 Mile Stretch" expansion & Keystone Quarry, Crocodile Lake National Wildlife Refuge. Keystone Quarry Site ANALYSIS As the proposed Refuge project exists within the Crocodile Lake National Wildlife Refuge and on federally owned property, no permits are required of the project from Monroe County. The Army Corps of Engineers has indicated that the Keystone Quarry site is not within its jurisdiction and would not require permits from that agency. Additional review and/or permits may be required from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP). The site of the Keystone Quarry is historically a high elevation (15 feet) hardwood forest. Quarrying over the years of operation resulted in a pit which now lies at or slightly below groundwater levels. Though FDEP does not currently believe that the site is a jurisdictional wetland, that determination has not been made yet through the local or regional offices of FDEP. Similarly, the FDEP has jurisdiction over solid waste and contaminants and has the authority to regulate the placement of such materials. At this juncture, FDEP does not believe that the fill from the 18 mile stretch would constitute a solid waste material and could be placed without offense on the quarry site. This would be particularly true if FDOT in preparation of the fill for transport, transport, and placement of the material at the Keystone Quarry site ensures that no construction material, tires, debris, etc. is included in the fill material. FDEP is reviewing the documents prepared for and by the Refuge for the Keystone Quarry site and the documents prepared for FDOT concerning the level of contaminants found within the 18 mile stretch fill material (WRS, Preliminary Impact of Construction Report, August 15, 2006). They will determine if there are any contaminant concerns relative to the proposed project at the Keystone Quarry site. County Environmental Resources staff completed a review of available information concerning the proposed Keystone Quarry projects. This includes two documents prepared at the behest of the Crocodile Lake National Wildlife Refuge and one for FDOT concerning contaminants in 18 mile stretch fill material. Environmental Resources staff believes that the impact of the project as proposed to upland resources will be minimal, if not beneficial. Restoration of the site in the manner proposed will allow for the restoration of tropical hardwood forest to the site. Restoration can only benefit those species for which the Refuge was created. Environmental Resources staff does have some concern for the potential of contaminants in the 18 mile stretch to leach into underlying groundwater at the Keystone Quarry site. This concern is limited by multiple factors: • Distance to adjacent wetlands, • Distance to open water, and • The limited level of contamination apparently found in the 18 mile stretch fill material. RECOMMENDATIONS Monroe County Environmental Resources staff believes that the Keystone Quarry project is environmentally sound with one caveat. The FDEP is currently reviewing FDOT soil contamination data. The County should defer to the determinations of that agency to make any final decision about the potential for groundwater impacts. BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY Meeting Date: March 21, 2007 Division: BOCC Bulk Item: Yes _ No X Department:, Neugent — District 2 Staff Contact Person/Phone #: Terri Marble X4512 AGENDA ITEM WORDING: A request for Commission support to direct staff to report back to the BOCC on cost to maintain on -going, year round canal clean-up. ITEM BACKGROUND: PREVIOUS RELEVANT BOCC ACTION: CONTRACT/AGREEMENT CHANGES: STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS: TOTAL COST: na BUDGETED: Yes No COST TO COUNTY: na SOURCE OF FUNDS: REVENUE PRODUCING: Yes No AMOUNT PER MONTH Year APPROVED BY: County Atty OMB/Purchasing Risk Management _ DOCUMENTATION: Included Not Required_x_ _ DISPOSITION: Revised 11/06 AGENDA ITEM # Commissioner George Neugent A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF MONROE COUNTY OBJECTING TO THE CONSTRUCTION OF COAL-FIRED POWER PLANTS IN THE EVERGLADES BASIN. WHEREAS, Monroe County is a culturally rich community and an outdoor paradise; and WHEREAS, Monroe County covers most of the area known as the Everglades National Park; and WHEREAS, the remainder of Monroe County, the Florida Keys, abuts and is dependent upon the waters of Florida Bay, into which the Everglades Ecosystem provides run-off, and WHEREAS, the Glades Power Park (GPP) is a coal-fired power plant proposed by Florida Power and Light for a location in Moore Haven, Glades County, Florida; and WHEREAS, the proposed placement of the GPP borders Fisheating Creek Wildlife Management Area, Lake Okeechobee, Nicodemus Slough and the headwaters of the Caloosahatchee River, all of which are vital components of the Everglades Ecosystem; and WHEREAS, the operation of the proposed GPP will require 26 million gallons of water per day in and near Water Supply Planning areas currently under drought restrictions; and WHEREAS, the operation of the proposed GPP will generate oxides of nitrogen, sulfur dioxide, carbon monoxide, volatile organic compounds, particulate matter and sulfuric acid mist, all at least five times the threshold for significant deterioration review; and WHEREAS, the proposed plant will emit two hundred pounds of mercury per year which will be deposited on marshlands well equipped biochemically to convert it to methyl mercury; and WHEREAS, published scientific research has demonstrated that mercury fallout occurs primarily in a 100 km radius of coal-fired electric generating stations; and WHEREAS, this 100 km radius includes habitat where endangered and other fish and wildlife species already carry a high body burden of mercury; and WHEREAS, methyl mercury is a highly toxic chemical that can be absorbed in the bloodstream, that has been proven to harm wildlife, and that US EPA estimates is present at potentially harmful levels in the blood of one out of six pregnant women; and WHEREAS, the waters of Florida Bay beyond the 100 km radius will be negatively impacted and the destructive run-off created by "Big Sugar" will be exacerbated by the influx of mercury into the already fragile environment; and Coal -tired power plants in Everglades WHEREAS, the emission of carbon dioxide will contribute to the accumulation of greenhouse gases, which contribute to global climate change, and according to international scientific consensus, must be significantly reduced by 2050; and WHEREAS, the extraction and transportation of coal contributes severe societal and environmental harm, including mountaintop removal, to other regions, nations and continents. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA: Section 1: That Monroe County has serious objections to the establishment of coal-fired power plants in the historic Everglades drainage basin and urges that they not be permitted.. Section 2: Monroe County encourages the State of Florida to focus on conservation, energy efficiency, and renewable energy sources rather than construct more infrastructure dependent upon non-renewable sources, which are harmful to people and wildlife. Section 3: Monroe County is particularly opposed to the proposed Glades Power Park project since it increases Greenhouse Gas emissions in the Everglades, with its corresponding pollution and effects on global climate, while irreversibly setting our energy policies in a direction away from conservation, energy efficiency and renewable resource use. Section 4: The Clerk is directed to send certified copies of this Resolution to Florida Senator Larcenia J. Bullard and Florida Representatives Ron Saunders, Stan Mayfield, Baxter Troutman, and Trudi Williams, and also to send copies to Dirk Kempthome, Secretary of the Interior, U.S. Department of the Interior, Matthew J. Hogan, Acting Assistant Secretary of Fish, Wildlife & Parks, Fran P. Mainella, Director, National Park Service, all located at 1849 C Street, NW, Washington, DC 20240,Pat Hooks, Regional Director, National Park Service Southeast Region, 100 Alabama St. SW, 1924 Building, Atlanta, Ga. 30303, Fred Gaske, State HistoricPreservation Officer, 505 S. Bronough St., Tallahassee FL. 32399-0250. Section 5: This Resolution shall become effective on the date written below. PASSED AND ADOPTED by the Board of County Commissioners of Monroe County, Florida, at a meeting of said Board held on the 21 st day of March, A.D., 2007. Mayor Mario DiGennaro Mayor Pro Tem Dixie M. Spehar Commissioner Charles "Sonny" McCoy Commissioner Sylvia Murphy Commissioner George Neugent (SEAL) Attest: DANNY L. KOLHAGE, Clerk 0 Deputy Clerk BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA 10 Mayor/Chairman Coal -tired power plants in Everglade BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY Meeting Date: March 21, 2007 Division: BOCC Bulk Item: Yes No x Department:, Neugent — District 2 Staff Contact Person/Phone #: Terri Marble X4512 AGENDA ITEM WORDING: A FYI on the proposed development by Florida Power & Light (FPL) of a coal burning Power Plant located at the head waters of Lake Okeechobee. ITEM BACKGROUND: Back up material to be distributed through County Courier. PREVIOUS RELEVANT BOCC ACTION: CONTRACT/AGREEMENT CHANGES: STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS: TOTAL COST: na BUDGETED: Yes No COST TO COUNTY: na SOURCE OF FUNDS: REVENUE PRODUCING: Yes No AMOUNT PER MONTH Year APPROVED BY: County Atty OMB/Purchasing Risk Management _ DOCUMENTATION: Included Not Required_ _ DISPOSITION: Revised 11/06 AGENDA ITEM # BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY Meeting Date: March 21, 2007 Division: BOCC Bulk Item: Yes _ No x Department: Neu ent — District 2 Staff Contact Person/Phone #: Terri Marble X4512 AGENDA ITEM WORDING: Direct staff to report back to the Board of County Commissioners a plan with cost on developing and maintaining a passive park located in Sugarloaf Shores on Sugarloaf Blvd and Buttonwood on County owned property. ITEM BACKGROUND: PREVIOUS RELEVANT BOCC ACTION: CONTRACT/AGREEMENT CHANGES: STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS: TOTAL COST: na BUDGETED: Yes _ No T COST TO COUNTY: na SOURCE OF FUNDS: REVENUE PRODUCING: Yes _ No — AMOUNT PER MONTH_ Year APPROVED BY: County Atty _ OMB/Purchasing ____ Risk Management DOCUMENTATION: Included x Not Required_ _ DISPOSITION: AGENDA ITEM #, Revised 11 /06 January 25, 2007 �V a. a1 George Neugent, Commissioner a 25 Ships Way Big Pine Key, Florida 33041 Dear Commissioner Neugent: My family and I have been full-time residents in the beautiful Florida Keys for the past 18-years and were fortunate enough to become homeowners in the Lower Keys during October 2001. My wife, Rebecca, and I settled down in the tranquil neighborhood of Sugarloaf Shores on Buttonwood Drive East and were shortly thereafter blessed with the birth of our healthy and beautiful daughter, Isabel, in December 2005. As a father concerned about his daughter's quality of life as she grows up in Sugarloaf Shores, I wanted to let you know that I have become aware of a piece of property in our community that had been deeded as a park to Monroe County in April 1954 by the Rimersburg Coal Company and has never been developed by the County as such. This piece of property is located on Lower Sugarloaf Key, in the Sugarloaf Shores subdivision, at the intersection of Sugarloaf Blvd. and Buttonwood Drive East. Through my research and consultation with the Monroe County Property Appraiser's office, the Monroe County Tax Collector's office, and a private real estate attorney, I have determined that this piece of property has never been assigned a real estate number, an alternate key number or ever had property taxes assessed or collected from the Rimersburg Coal Company by the County for the past 53-years. In a time when I hear how much the County is expecting to spend on acquiring property for the benefit of the community, i.e. the Hickory Smokehouse and the Latin American Cafe, I thought that you might like to hear about this "free land" available to the County. I immediately thought to myself what a win -win for everyone in the community. The County could dedicate the park at a public ceremony, the citizens would be able to meet their neighbors and friends at the park while walking or bicycling up and down Sugarloaf Boulevard, and most importantly, the children would have a safe place to play. All I am asking is that the County clean-up the debris created by Hurricane Wilma and years of neglect, spread some mulch, and turn this diamond in -the -rough into the sparkling jewel it deserves to be. I have enclosed several aerial photographs and plat maps for your review and consideration concerning this request. Should you need additional information or have any questions please contact me at the following telephone numbers: 305-797-2341 cellular, 305-744-0109 home, or 305-294-3877, ext_ 2121. Sincerely, Kenneth✓, Rebecca and Isabel Hyse11 f G'S P P�4L � vi cJr�c(j �i .5,ki ."+77 5-//VxtS l_,r 3 3,,? ,2_ Page 1 of 1 http://www.mcpafl,org/output/paimis—MAPSERVER3268218843316.jp8 1/24/2007 Page 1 of 1 ,q,rL`G G " / 4 A14-n and /� }I /""C— 0 http://www.mcpafl,org/output/paimis_MAPSERVER3268368443122 jpg 1/24/2007 BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY Meeting Date: March 21, 2007 Division: BOCC Bulk Item: Yes No x Department: District 3 Staff Contact Person: Tammy AGENDA ITEM WORDING: To create a functioning replica of the Florida East Coast railroad to initially service Pigeon Key from Marathon. ITEM BACKGROUND: PREVIOUS RELEVANT BOCC ACTION: N/A CONTRACT/AGREEMENT CHANGES: N/A STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS: N/A TOTAL COST: N/A BUDGETED: Yes COST TO COUNTY: SOURCE OF FUNDS: REVENUE PRODUCING: Yes No AMOUNT PER MONTH Year APPROVED BY: County Atty OMB/Purchasing Risk Management DIVISION DIRECTOR APPROVAL: DOCUMENTATION: Included x DISPOSITION: Revised 2/05 (Charles "Sonny" McCoy) Not Required AGENDA ITEM # Commissioner McCoy RESOLUTION NO. -2007 A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF MONROE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS, MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA, ESTABLISHING A COMMITTEE FOR THE PURPOSE OF CREATING A FUNCTIONING REPLICA OF THE FLORIDA EAST COAST RAILROAD TO MEMORIALIZE THIS GREAT ACHIEVEMENT FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS AND AS AN ATTRACTION TO THE UNIQUENESS OF THIS SOUTHERNMOST PART OF THE UNITED STATES. WHEREAS, there exist bridges in the Florida Keys that have great historical importance; and WHEREAS, Henry Flagler had built a railroad extension of his Florida East Coast Rail System that extended from the Florida mainland to the island City of Key West; and WHEREAS, these railroad cars would then be rolled onto a railroad ferry for the trip to Cuba; and WHEREAS, this railroad extension, built at the turn of the century, was widely known as the "Train That Went to Sea" and the "Eighth Wonder of the World'; and WHEREAS, this was widely accepted as an extraordinary engineering achievement; and WHEREAS, the great Hurricane of Labor Day 1935 destroyed some of the track system and a train that had been sent to evacuate the WW-1 veterans that were working on a vehicular road system; and WHEREAS, the railroad viaducts were so well built that they remain to this day; and WHEREAS, a major overhaul of a section of the Seven -Mile Railroad Bridge is scheduled to begin soon, connecting Marathon to Pigeon Key; and and WHEREAS, this engineering feat deserves to be part of americana and Florida history; WHEREAS, it is timely to begin this functioning historical asset; now, therefore, BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA, HEREBY: Creates a committee to include Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, State Representative Ron Saunders, County Commissioner Charles "Sonny" McCoy and a representative to be selected by the City of Marathon, Florida to coordinate the creation of a functioning replica of the Florida East Coast Railroad as a self- supporting national attraction. 2. Requests the State designate the Old Seven -Mile Bridge as a State monument and a valuable State asset and construct thereon a special gauge replica of Flagler's Railroad as an operating national attraction. 3. Encourages the Federal Government to endorse this recognition of the building of ..- -- -.-- 5. Encourages the State to expand this process to include other historical construction and engineering achievements such as the Bahia Honda Bridge and beyond, which reflect the pioneering days of our history, should this venture show promise. 6. Directs the Clerk of the Court to forward a copy of this resolution to Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, State Representative Ron Saunders and the City of Marathon, Florida. PASSED AND ADOPTED by the Board of County Commissioners of Monroe County, Florida, at a meeting of said Board held on the 21 st day of March, 2007. Mayor DiGennaro Mayor Pro Tern Spehar Commissioner Neugent Commissioner McCoy Commissioner Murphy (Seal) Attest: DANNY L. KOLHAGE, Clerk M. Deputy Clerk BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA Lo Mayor/Chairman MONRO OUNTY ATTORNEY P�E4 AS TO EOR9 .