Item P10
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY
Meeting Date: February 19. 2003
Division: BOCC
Bulk Item: Yes
No XX
Department: Commissioner Rice. District 4
AGENDA ITEM WORDING: Approval of resolution of support for authorization of Comprehensive
Everglades Restoration Plan"(CERP) projects for 2003.
ITEM BACKGROUND: E.wrglades restoration requires that Co.gress approve each restoration
project, and two projects are "eduled for approval during the 2003 session of Congress. Every county
government in South Florida Ills approved a resolution of support liar tbe CERP projects except for
Monroe County and Browa'" County. Broward Commissioners are set to hear the issue on their
February agenda, approval is expected. As the wastewater and stormwater projects of Monroe County
to clean up near shore waters, eff-shore reefs, and Florida Bay dovefail with CERP efforts, no conflict
with Congressional approp..u.ions for funding is expected.
PREVIOUS RELEVANT BOCC ACTION:
CONTRACT/AGREEMENT CHANGES:
STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS:
TOTAL COST:
BUDGETED: Yes
No
COST TO COUNTY:
SOURCE OF FUNDS:
REVENUE PRODUCING: Yes
No
AMOUNTPERMONTH_ Year
DMSION DIRECTOR APPROVAL:
OMBlPurchasing _ Risk Management_
j~
(David p" Rice, Commissioner, District 4)
APPROVED BY: County Arty _
DOCUMENTATION:
Included XX To Follow_
Not Required_
DISPOSITION:
AGENDAITEM~
Revised 1/03
Commissioner Rice
Resolution # -2003
A RESOLUTION OF THE MONROE COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY
COMMISSIONERS SUPPORTING THE COMPREHENSIVE EVERGLADES
RESTORATION PLAN; URGING CONGRESSIONAL AUTHORIZATION OF THE
INDIAN RIVER LAGOON FEASIBILITY STUDY, THE SOUTHERN GOLDEN GATE
ESTATES AND THE WATER PRESERVE AREAS, INCLUDING THE BIRD DRIVE
RECHARGE AREA AND SOUTHERN COMPARTMENT OF THE HILLSBORO
IMPOUNDMENT; AND SUPPORTING ST ATE APPROVAL OF THE INDIAN RIVER
LAGOON FEASIBILITY STUDY, THE SOUTHERN GOLDEN GATE ESTATES AND
THE WATER PRESERVE AREAS PROJECT, INCLUDING THE BIRD DRIVE
RECHARGE AREA AND SOUTHERN COMPARTMENT OF THE HILLSBORO
IMPOUNDMENT.
WHEREAS, the Everglades ecosystem, spanning from the Kissimmee River Valley to Florida
Bay, is a significant national resource and international treasure; and
WHEREAS, Monroe County has long supported Everglades restoration and recognizes it as
an important part of the future economic well being of the region; and
WHEREAS, on December 11 th, 2000, Congress approved the Comprehensive Everglades
Restoration Plan (CERP); and
WHEREAS, Everglades restoration must move forward expeditiously; and
WHEREAS, Everglades restoration requires that Congress approve each restoration project
and three projects were not approved during the 2002 session of Congress; and
WHEREAS, three projects, the Indian River Lagoon Feasibility Study, the Southern Golden
Gate Estates project and the Water Preserve Areas (Bird Drive Recharge Area and the Southern
Compartment of the Hillsboro Impoundment), are immediately necessary because of development
pressure, escalating costs of delay, and impending estuarine ecological collapse; and
WHEREAS, the Southern Compartment of the Hillsboro Impoundment may expand the
potential for enhancing critical water storage; and
WHEREAS, these projects promise to provide large-scale restoration early in the CERP
process, thus demonstrating the worth of the investment the federal, state and local taxpayers are
making in this historic restoration effort; and
WHEREAS, these projects repair previous damage caused by federal and state water control
projects; and
WHEREAS, these projects contain more than half of the total land area in the restoration plan,
and, if approved expeditiously, will provide impressive ecological benefits well before 2010,
including:
. 270 square miles (~172,000 acres) of restored and protected wetlands and uplands,
. restored habitat for more than 2,200 species, at least 35 of which are threatened or endangered
(including, manatee, snail kite, wood stork, red-cockaded woodpecker, scrub jay, crested caracara,
whooping crane, bald eagle, indigo snake, eastern loggerhead turtle, Atlantic green turtle, leatherback
turtle, Atlantic hawksbill, and Atlantic Ridley turtle),
. tens of millions of dollars in associated economic and quality of life benefits annually,
. improved water quality for the Everglades, Florida Bay, 10,000 Islands, St. Lucie Estuary, and Lake
Okeechobee; NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS, MONROE
COUNTY, FLORIDA:
Section 1. Monroe County recognizes the significant value of the Comprehensive Everglades
Restoration Plan (CERP).
Section 2. Monroe County urges Congress to authorize the Indian River Lagoon Feasibility
Study, the Southern Golden Gate Estates Project and the Water Preserve Areas, including the Bird
Drive Recharge Area and the Southern Compartment of the Hillsboro Impoundment, in a Water
Resources Development Act or another legislative vehicle consistent with the assurances provisions of
WRDA 2000,
Section 3. Monroe County urges the State of Florida Department of Environmental Protection
to approve the Indian River Lagoon Feasibility Study, the Southern Golden Gate Estates Project and
the Water Preserve Areas, including the Bird Drive Recharge Area and the Southern Compartment of
the Hillsboro Impoundment.
Section 4. A certified copy of this resolution shall be sent to the Chair of the Committee on
Environment and Public Works, the Secretary of the State of Florida Department of Environmental
Protection, and the President and CEO of Audubon of Florida.
Section 5. EFFECTIVE DATE
This Resolution shall become effective upon adoption.
ADOPTED this 19th day of February, 2003.
Mayor Dixie Spehar
Mayor Pro Tern Murray Nelson
Commissioner Charles "Sonny" McCoy
Commissioner George Neugent
Commissioner David P. Rice
(SEAL)
Attest: DANNY L. KOLHAGE, Clerk
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
OF MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA
By
By
Deputy Clerk
Mayor/Chairperson
02/24/2003 03:21
3058527162
COMM NELSON
PAGE 02
TALLAHASSEE TRIP
MONDAY~ FEB. 10.. 2003
3:30 P.M. - REPRESENTATIVE KEN SORENSEN'S OFFICE
After conferring with County Administrator Jim Roberts regarding the county
providing interim oversight of the Monroe County Housing Authority until the
May audit by the Florida Housing Finance Corporation, an agreement was reached
with Wellington Meffert, General Counsel, to reinstate payments to Monroe
County and to release funds that were held for November, December, and January.
These checks totaling $161,000 were sent by courier to Danny Kohlage on Feb. 10.
TUESDAY~ FEB.l1-11 A.M.
A meeting was held in Representative Ken Sorensen's office with MiMi Dier,
Secretary of the Department of Environmental Affairs. Also present were Mike
Joiner, DEP; Jim Quinn and Sonny Temmennan, DCA; Geofrey Mansfield, DEP.
Funding of the state projects were discussed. All projects must have a response to
a bid by March I st. Ifbids come in that are too high and do not meet budget limits,
projects may be rebid. DEP staffwill work with all projects to get the money out
the door. The state will be as flexible as possible to insure that all projects are
started and completed.
Concern was expressed that no progress was being made on Conch Key and Bay
Point projects. Representative Sorensen requests that all these funds be obligated
to affordable-wastewater projects.
TUESDAY~ FEB 11-3 P.M.
A meeting was held with Representative Soren.sen~ Teresa Tinker, and
Commissioner Nelson regarding Smart Growth, taking liabilities, and the Area of
Critical Concern.
Rep. Sorensen was concerned that the state was not committed to supplying funds
to accomplish the carrying capacity study and Smart Growth. Rep. Sorensen does
not support leaving critical concern unless the state is willing to fund mandates.
The state would like to work with the county to create an exit standby.
fJ1
02/24/2003 03:21
3058527152
COMM NELSON
PAGE 03
TALLAHASSEE TRIP - PAGE TWO
The lack of moderate housing was discussed and all agreed that this was a critical
issue that must be addressed immediately. DCA released 201 additional ROGO
credits for affordable housing.
TUESDAY,YEB.l1 ~4:45 P.M.
A meeting regarding funding for Monroe County's Carrying Capacity Study and
risks to the county by taking claims was held in the Governor's office with
Governor Bush, Teresa Tinker, Representative Sorensen, Commissioner Nelson
and staff.
Governor Bush stated he was absolutely cormnitted to providing state dollars for
affordable housing, purchasing of environmentally sensitive lands and wastewater.
All agreed that a recurring source of funds to accomplish the state and county
needs must be identified.
WEDNESDA Y'l FEB. 12 -7 A.M.
A meeting was held with Coleen Castille, Director of DCA and Commissioner
Nelson in the dining room of the Doubletree Hotel.
Funding for affordable housing land purchases, taking claims, and the Area of
Critical Concern were discussed. Mrs. Castille has a very high level of knowledge
of Keys' issues and supports finding solutions to our ongoing problem.
She also supports a funding of the State and County objectives of protecting the
Florida Keys' environment and providing housing for our critical workforce.
Police, firemen, teachers, nurses, and mid-level wage earners have been forced out
of the Keys' housing market by rapidly rising property values.
I departed for Miami from Tallahassee at 9:45 a.m.
February 18, 2003
Murray E. Nelson
Mayor Pro Tern
Monroe County
02/24/2003 03:21
3058527152
COMM NELSON
PAGE 04
ISSUES FOR DCA
1. Use of On-site Wastewater Funds in Key Largo Park.
A. Will create a tier building area on high ground with a waste water
connection (Key Largo Park)
2. Affordable Housing Credits for Moderate Housing
Monroe County is experiencing a rapid rise in property values. Nurses,
EMS, Fire, Police and Teachers are being displaced on a daily basis by
out-of-county buyers. There is no replacement housing to accommodate
them. We must build moderate housing for these people now, or face the
risk that this group of people will leave the county, and take their skills
with them.
3. Monroe County's Continued Participation in the State Area of Critical
Concern
Monroe County lies below 5 large counties-- Dade, Broward, Palm
Beach, Collier, and Lee counties. These counties seem to have unlimited
growth and their wastewater affects the near shore waters and reefs of the
Florida Keys.
02/24/2003 03:21
3058527152
COMM NELSON
ISSUES FOR DCA - PAGE 2
Due to the cost of managing the DCA oversight and the fact that Monroe
County is moving towards implementing smart growth, it is in the best
interest of the State of Florida and Monroe County to maintain an area of
critical concern.
Our slow growth and progress on wastewater, limits our impact on the
local environment to a far less degree than the five million people in the
five counties above us do.
4. State Mandated Building Criteria is seriously jeopardizing the County on
Taking Issues
Monroe County is currently under threats ofJawstdts, lawsuits and
judgements created by the building m.oratorium. How will the State help
the county satisfy this inherent risk to our taxpayers?
5. County Smart Growth Program
County Smart Growth Program win generate a tremendous need for
capital to purchase environmentally sensitive lands and commercial
property being offered by landholders.
PAGE 05
02/24/2003 03:21
3058527152
COMM NELSON
ISSUES FOR DCA - PAGE THREE
Monroe County needs a method to generate $5-10 million dollars a year to
purchase offered land. Many methods have been discussed, but none have
proven viable. DCA working with Monroe County must come up with a
plan to generate these funds on a continuing basis. These funds could be in
the form of a bed tax, sales tax on tourist items or an impact fee on home
and business sales.
Feb. 7,2003
Murray E. Nelson
PAGE 05
02/24/2003 03:21
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~~~
...... ......-- -
--
FLORIDA
HOUSING
FINANCE
CORPORATION
.lEB BUSrl
Covernor
ORLANDO j. CARIl~:RA
Chairman
C.l'.$A~ F.. C"r.Vr:T
Vie", Chairman
80ARI) OF DIRECTORS
WILLIAM G. EVANS
J ACII MAXWELL
ZUl.I:V RUI7.
TERRY SANTINI
ROBERT JM TAYl.OR
SANDRA TERRY
COLLEEN CASTrr.U:
Ex OffiCiO
MARK KAPLAN
Executive Olrector
3058527152
COMM NELSON
PAGE 07
February 12, 2003
Commissioner Murray Nelson
Monroe County Commission
DamaTon Building, Suite 2
99198 Overseas Highway
Key Largo, FL 33037
Re:
Monroe County SHIP Program
Dear Commissioner Nelson:
Thanks again fOT your cooperation in reaching a quick resolution afthe SHIP
program. issues in Monroe County. I feel sure that your work in this matter restored
the flow of funds a month or two sooner than would have otherwise have happened.
It was a pleasure meeting and working with you. Please do not hesitate to
contact me if I can provide anything further regard.ing this or any other issue
involving Florida Housing.
eHingtol1 H. Meffert II
General Counsel
WIn
227 NORTl-1 B110NOlJGll STR~:F:1" SUITE 5000 . TAl.I.AHA$SJ;I;., FLORIDA 32301-]329' (850) 488"4197 . (850) 488-9809 FAJ( . WIlBSITE: \\IWW.noridahouslngotg
02/24/2003 03:21 3058527152
82/18/2&1113 11:16 3B58531949
COMM NELSON
REP KEN SORENSEN
PAGE 08
PAGE 02
Reply to:
o 90311 0v0rIeH Highway, Suite A
Post Ofl'ice ~ 809
Tavernier, FL. 8307D
(305) 853.11M7
Cl 8Z! Angelll Street
Key West City HGII
Key w.... Fl 33040
(30S) 293--1658
o 303 101011.. OffIce Building
0402 South Monroll Stnlet
llnaM...., FL. 32399-1300
(850) 488-9965
I!H'rIClil: .olVnsen.kenClIflg.....".UlI
Florida House of Representatives
Ken Sorensen, Ph.D.
State ~epresentative, District 120
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February K2003
I)
CommlttBee:
L.:al Qov't. & VetMli.,. A".lrs (Chair)
Commert:l!l & LOCOI AffIlfra Appropriations
N8tunl1 ReSCItir~
Environmental Regullllon.
Judlel.'Y
Claims
CONTACT:
PHONE:
Laura Todd
305/853-1947
Tallahassee - In a joint meeting held In the Tallahassee office of State Representative
Ken Sorensen (R~Key largo) on February 10. 2003 with Monroe County Mayor Pro
Tem Murray E. Nelson and Wellington H. Meffert, II, General Counsel for the Florida
Housing Finance Corporation, an agreement was reached to restore complete funding
for the Monroe County SHIP program.
This agreement will provide cursory oversight by the Monroe County OMB until the
next audit by the FHFC in May 200~. All funding that was suspended will be restored
immediately and checks for the current funding cycle will be delivered to Monroe
county by Thursday, February 13, 2003. The funds will be available for housing
assistance and wastewater connections for very low and low income families.
Commissioner Nelson will be carrying home a check for $161 t 111 to reinstate the flow
of dollars to Monroe County housing.
In an additional joint meeting held in the Tallahassee office of State Representative Ken
Sorensen on February 11, 2003 with Mayor Pro Tem Murray Nelsont Jim Quinn, DCA,
and Mike Bussey. DCA, 201 affordable housing credits were reles,ed to Monroe
County by the Florida Department of Community Affairs. TheBe credits may be used
county-wide for building affordable housing for Monroe County's moderate income
working people. Rep. Sorensen hopes that these additional affordable ROGO
allocations wilf be used to provide housing for families that cannot afford market rate
housing in the Florida Keys.
Both Rep. Sorensen and Commissioner Nelson expressed their pleasure at theisuccessful meetings with the Florida Housing Finance Corporation and the Department
of community Affairs. Both decisions are effective immediately.
-30-
02/24/2003 03:21 3058527152
COMM NELSON
PAGE 09
TALLAHASSEE TRIP - FEB. 10-12, 2001-ITINERARY
MONDAY, FEB. 10
12:10 P.M. LEAVE MIAMI AIRPORT ON DELTA FLIGHT #6387
CHECK IN 1 112 HRS EARLIER, HAVE DRIVER'S LICENSE FOR
I.D. - CALL 800..221-1212/DELTA TO RE-CONFIRM FLIGHT
1 :35 P.M. ARRIVE IN TALLAHASSEE - TAKE CAB TO HOTEL
DOUBLETREE - 101 S. ADAMS - RESERVATION #85906701
CALL Wellington Meffert/So. FL Housing. Finance Corp
CELL 850...591-1778 to arrange mtg. location
His office is at City Centre Bldg, 227 N. Bronough St
TUESDAY, FEB. 11
10:00 A.M. IN KEN SORENSEN'S OFFICE, 303 HOUSE OFFICE SLDG
402 SOUTH MONROE ST ... PHONE (850) 488-9965
Meet with Mike Joiner... DEP
11 :00 A.M. IN KEN SORENSEN'S OFFICE
Meet with Jim Quinn 8t lohn Bussey... DCA
3:00 P.M. IN KEN SORENSEN'S OFFICE
Meet with Teresa Tinker... Governor's Office
3:40 P.M. Coleen Castille conference call (Sorensen's office)
4:45 P.M. MTG WITH GOVERNOR BUSH 8l KEN SORENSEN
@ THE CAPITOL
WEDNESDAY, FEB. 12
7:00 A.M.
8:25 A.M.
Meeting with Coleen Castille, DCA Secretary
Delta flight #5447 leaves
9:43 A.M.
Arrive in Miami at CALL BOB SHEETS/Cell-850..321-7794