07/15/2009 Letter
DANNY L. KOLHAGE
CLERK OF THE CIRCUIT COURT
DA TE:
August 5, 2009
TO:
Andrew Trivette, Director
Growth Management Division
A TTN:
FROM:
Mayra Tezanos
Executive Assistan~
Pamela G. Hanc~.C.
At the July 15, 2009, Board of County Commissioner's meeting the Board granted
approval and authorized execution of a Supplemental Joint Participation Agreement (JPS) No.2
between Monroe County and the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) for Contract
Number AN082 to fund Transportation Planner position (including BicyclelPedestrian Program
Coordination), and extending the term of the JPS from September 1,2009 to December 21,2010.
Enclosed are three duplicate originals, executed on behalf of Monroe County, for your handling.
Please be sure to return the fully executed "Monroe County Clerk's Office Original" and the
"Monroe County Finance Department's Original".
vlAt the same meeting the Board granted approval of a letter by the Monroe County Board
of County Commissioners to be sent to Michael W. Sole - Secretary of the Florida Department of
Environmental Protection (FDEP) requesting they reconsider its current criteria for the Small
Community Wastewater Construction Grants Program (SCWCGP), specifically the criteria for
"disadvantaged communities" to enable Monroe County to apply. Enclosed is the original letter
for you to forward to the Secretary FDEP.
Should you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact our office.
cc: County Attorney
Finance
File.v"
County of Monroe
Growth Management Division
Office of the Director
2798 Overseas Highway
Suite #400
Marathon, FL 33050
Voice: (305) 289-2517
FAX: (305) 289-2854
Board of Countv Commissioners
Mayor George Neugent, Dist. 2
Mayor Pro Tern Sylvia 1. Murphy, Dist. 5
Kim Wigington, Dist. 1
Heather Carruthers, Dist. 3
Mario Di Gennaro, Dist. 4
We strive to be caring, professional andfair
June 4, 2009
Secretary Michael W. Sole
Florida Department of Environmental Protection
3900 Commonwealth Boulevard
M.S. 49
Tallahassee, FL 32399
Dear Secretary Sole:
We are writing to call your attention to a matter of great importance to Monroe County. As you know,
the County is facing a July 1, 2010 deadline to comply with the Advanced Wastewater Treatment
Standards under the Clean Water Act. The requirements in the Keys are four times stricter and 70
percent more exp~nsive than other areas in the State.due to its fragile ecosystem.
Without assistance, these costs will be borne at the local level creating an unjust financial hardship to
most of our residents. The cost per homeowner will run between 12 percent and 45 percent of the
median household income. These costs exceed by 10 times the standards of financial hardship
established by the United States Environmental Protection Agency whose regulations state that when a
community's wastewater charges exceed 2 percent of the median family income, they impose a financial
hardship.
We ask that the Florida Department of Environmental Protection reconsider its current criteria for the
Small Community Wastewater Construction Grants Program specifically, the criteria for "disadvantaged
communities" to enable Monroe County to apply. The County's true socio-economic profile includes an
average working wage that is far less than the median income with 40 percent of families earning less
than $40,000 per year.
Further, we feel that the designation of Monroe County and the Florida Keys as an Area of Critical State
Concern by Chapter 380.0552 of the Florida Statutes serves as a justifiable basis for inclusion as a
"disadvantaged community" for the purpose of disbursing state revolving fund monies. It is our proposal
that designation as an Area of Critical State Concern be added as a criterion for additional funding
through the State Revolving Fund Program to Keys wastewater projects, lessening the individual burden
placed on our residents.
Thank you for your consideration of this timely matter. We look forward to your response.
Sincerely,
- rt~ ~
George N eugefJ
Monroe County Mayor
cc: The Honorable Bill Nelson
cc: The Honorable Mel Martinez
cc: The Honorable Ileana Ros-Lehtinen
cc: George Ames, Chief of State Revolving Fund Branch, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency