MINUTES OF MEETING

SUNSHINE WATER CONTROL DISTRICT

 

 

The Regular Meeting of the Board of Supervisors for the Sunshine Water Control District was held on Wednesday, March 12, 2008, at 6:46 p.m. in the Commission Chambers, Coral Springs City Hall, 9551 West Sample Road, Coral Springs, Florida 33928.           

 

            Present at the meeting were:

Mary Macomber                                              President

Dave Hulett                                                      Vice President

 

            Also present were:

 

Craig Wrathell                                                  District Manager

Bruce Cranmer                                                 District Counsel

Cory Selchan                                                    District Supervisor

Doug Paton                                                      WHHA

John McKune                                                   CH2M Hill

Cedo DaSilva                                                   CH2M Hill

Pete Colussy                                                    CH2M Hill

Jane Early                                                         CH2M Hill

Phil Sobers                                                       Resident

Emily Heafy                                                      Resident

Marie Ferngren                                                 Resident

Dan Clark                                                        Resident

Rich Michaud                                                   City of Coral Springs Public Works

 

 

 FIRST ORDER OF BUSINESS                              Call to Order

 

            The meeting was called to order at 6:46 p.m.

            The Board moved forward to the Third Order of Business on the Agenda.

 

SECOND ORDER OF BUSINESS                          Organizational Matters

[This item was addressed out of sequence]

 

a.         Affidavit of Publication for Landowners’ Meeting and Regular Meeting

b.         Consideration of Resolution 2008-5 Canvassing and Certifying the Results of the Landowners’ Election

c.         Oath of Office for Newly Elected Supervisor with the following to be provided in a separate package

·              Guide to the Sunshine Amendment and Code of Ethics

·              Form 1 – Statement of Financial Interests

·              Form 1X – Amendment to Form 1 – Statement of Financial Interests

·              Form 1F – Final Statement of Financial Interests

             

[The above items were addressed in the Landowners Meeting.]

 

THIRD ORDER OF BUSINESS                             Consideration of Permit Request

 

a.         Permit Request – Coral Springs Corporate Park – Sawgrass Bend

 

            Mr. DaSilva requested that the Board approve this request based on the letter provided by CH2M Hill.  He indicated where the site is located and said the developer is building offices at this site.

                                                                                          

On MOTION by Ms. Macomber and seconded by Mr. Hulett, all were in favor of accepting the revised permit subject to the conditions contained in the letter from CH2M Hill. 

 

 

FOURTH ORDER OF BUSINESS                          Approval of Minutes for February 13, 2008 meeting

 

            A correction was given to Page 7, paragraph 2, to change $1.4 million to $0.4 million.

 

On MOTION by Ms. Macomber and seconded by Mr. Hulett, all voted in favor of approving the February 13, 2008 minutes as amended. 

 

FIFTH ORDER OF BUSINESS                               Consideration of Agreement between the District and Nutting Engineers for Geotechnical Work for the Canal Restoration Project

 

            Mr. Wrathell explained that management is trying to finalize the bid specs for this project in time to get funding.  He advised that this process is unfolding smoothly.  Mr. Wrathell said he had authorized the engineers to go ahead with this agreement.  He explained that depending on the type of silt pulled out of the canals, there may be issues with the silt being properly stored in the geotubes.  He advised that this work enabled engineers to do necessary soil samplings to be able to include this in the bid package so bidders can deal with the soil compilation appropriately.  Mr. Wrathell said that Staff recommends approval of this agreement.

            A question was raised about what will happen if the soil material is unacceptable.  Mr. McKune explained that the main objective of doing this is to make the contractor totally responsible for the system.  He explained that the contractor will be given locations of source material and gradation of material to be removed.  The contractor will then compose the geotube material and the size of the mesh, so that he will guarantee that the material represented by the analysis will be properly retained by the geotube material.  Mr. McKune stated the District and the Engineer will be saved from dictating something that might not work.

             

On MOTION by Ms. Macomber and seconded by Mr. Hulett, all voted in favor to approve the action taken with regard to the Agreement between the District and Nutting Engineers for Geotechnical Work for the Canal Restoration Project. 

 

 

SIXTH ORDER OF BUSINESS                              Discussion of Damage Survey Report for the District’s East Outfall Canal

 

            Mr. Wrathell suggested that it might be more appropriate for Mr. McKune, Mr. Selchan or Mr. DaSilva to address this item.

            It was stated that Mr. Colussy was handling this directly with the NRCS.

            Mr. McKune explained that a separate project is being proposed for canal bank restoration of the east outfall canal.  He advised that NRCS representatives were in the area two weeks ago to meet with engineers and determine repairs to be made.  He explained that the first step NRCS takes before authorizing a project is doing a Damage Survey Report (DSR); NRCS then determines repairs to be made.  After this, the NRCS representative computes the estimated cost for the project, which then becomes an important part of the DSR.  He added that the DSR is the basis for acceptance of the project by NRCS. However, signing and turning this in does not obligate the District.

             Mr. Wrathell recalled that during earlier discussions with Mr. Colussy, there was some talk about a potential $400,000 available; the District’s purpose is to see if it can get some additional NRCS funding for the canal restoration work.

            Mr. McKune stated the DSR estimates the total project cost to be $1 million; however the challenge for doing this new project is the September 30, 2008 deadline.

            It was stated that the survey has to be done in case the funding is available.

            Mr. Wrathell advised that the District is pursuing a $1.6 million silt removal program. Staff has gone through an extensive process of evaluating canals within the west basin. He explained that over a period of years, silt has built up in the canals as a result of hurricanes and other events.  This build up of silt has restricted water capacity and flow.  Mr. Wrathell stated that for the $1.6 million project, $1.2 million might be funded through NRCS.  He reported that Staff and engineers have prepared a bid package required for NRCS funding.

            Mr. Wrathell also explained that older District pipes and culverts are also being evaluated for their functionality.  Currently, Management is looking at the cost of renovating and upgrading the pump stations and making necessary improvements to older pipes and culverts.  Mr. Wrathell said this work might ultimately be addressed through a larger bond issue.  He explained that the benefit of a bond is the ability to spread out this cost over a long period of years. He added that this will benefit property owners for another 15-plus years.

            Mr. McKune stated the NRCS project was specifically geared to removing silt built up as a result of Hurricane Wilma.

            Mr. Wrathell said cash flow of $1.6 million will be needed to handle the project being bid out.  He explained that if Management pays the cash up front, it will be reimbursed by NRCS.  He advised that the District has $3.1 million in the Wachovia Evergreen Money Market account.  Mr. Wrathell also explained that $1.6 million would be pulled from this account for the project being bid.  This will leave $1.5 million in available cash for additional improvements, with the expectation that the NRCS will reimburse the District for monies paid up front.

            Mr. Wrathell said if NRCS does not come up with additional funding, he recommended wrapping this work into a larger Capital Improvement Program addressed through a bond.

 

On MOTION by Ms. Macomber and seconded by Mr. Hulett, all voted in favor to authorize Staff to move forward with the DSR process. 

 

[Progress on Ballot Counts]

 

            Mr. Wrathell asked Mr. Selchan for an update on the votes being counted.  Mr. Selchan stated he was still going through the proxies.  Mr. Wrathell said the Board could ask the candidates if they agree with voting based on the proxies that can be confirmed that evening.

 

SEVENTH ORDER OF BUSINESS                        Other Business

            a.         Discussion of Restitution – CSPD Case Number 08-979DL

            Mr. Wrathell stated this item concerned spray painting done on one of the District’s pump stations.  

            Mr. Selchan stated the individual involved was arrested.  He said this same individual was responsible for several acts of vandalism in the City of Coral Springs.  He added that the City is offering a $500.00 reward to anyone who identifies other such individuals, leading to a conviction.  Mr. Selchan said the District was asked if it wished to prosecute and seek restitution from this individual.  He stated that Staff is in favor of seeking restitution.

            The Board members agreed with seeking restitution accordingly.

 

EIGHTH ORDER OF BUSINESS                           Staff Reports

            a.         Attorney

            Mr. Cranmer said he responded to the Property Appraiser’s request for confirmation of the District’s folio inventories. He stated that he had sent a letter to Jared Matthias, Deputy Counsel for the Property Appraiser, stating there has been no change in the usage of the District’s parcels and that nothing was being used for commercial purposes. Mr. Cranmer said an accurate and updated list of tax folio numbers is now complete.

            b.         Engineer – Update Status of Bid Package for NRCS Silt Removal

            Mr. DaSilva said that the bid package for the NRCS silt removal has officially been completed and put out to bid. He advised that this is the second week of the bidding process and that the following week the pre-bid process would take place with contractors.  

            A question was raised about how many hot spots were finally identified by NRCS. Mr. DaSilva stated about 26 hot spots were identified and about 25 canal restoration items were identified.

            A question was raised about the average depth of the hot spot areas. Mr. DaSilva advised that the depth was anywhere from 1-3 feet.

            c.         Field Supervisor

            Mr. Selchan stated that the gates have been repaired and re-installed after being smashed by a car recently.  He added that no buildings have been spray painted or vandalized lately.

d.         Manager – Discussion of Management Fee from Wachovia for the Evergreen Fund

            Mr. Wrathell advised that the Wachovia Money Market Fund 7-day net yield as of March 1, 2008 was 2.23%.  He referred the Board members to the prospectus of the fund.  He explained that events affecting sub-prime mortgages and the mortgage industry caused the State Board of Administration (SBA) to shut down many accounts.  He added that the District had a significant amount of money invested with the SBA.  Ultimately, the District was able to pull out $3.1 million from the SBA.  Mr. Wrathell advised that Management then placed the funds in a money market account backed by 100% U.S. Treasuries.

 

NINTH ORDER OF BUSINESS                             Approval of Financials and Invoices

 

            a.         Unaudited Financial Statements as of February 29, 2008

            Mr. Wrathell presented the unaudited financial statements as of February 29, 2008.

           

On MOTION by Mr. Hulett and seconded by Ms. Macomber, all voted in favor to approve the February 29, 2008 financial statements. 

 

 

TENTH ORDER OF BUSINESS                             Supervisors Requests and Audience Comments

 

            It was stated that a meeting was supposed to occur with the CSID regarding the HR issue discussed the previous month; however this will be addressed before the next meeting.

            Mr. Hulett asked for an update on the website.  Mr. Wrathell advised that the website was functioning and that the Board is welcome to review it and provide comments.

            Mr. Hulett asked for an update on the Coral Springs Magazine article.  It was stated that a draft was ready for review and that this will be ready for the April issue.

            Dan Clark, a resident of Coral Springs, commended the Board and Staff for their efforts in addressing water quality and water storage issues affecting the District.  He distributed copies of an RAI document from the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) regarding a project of concern to the District.  Mr. Clark advised that this project was reviewed by the Sunshine engineers using the standard for the east basin and not the west basin.  The Sunshine engineers recommended that this be looked at again.  He added that they are also looking for better stormwater and improved water retention on site.  He advised that a copy of this document was sent to the District Engineer.

            Ms. Early stated that the Sunshine Water Control District does not issue any permits other than right-of-way permits.  It was stated that the permit approval letter stipulates that the developer has to go to SFWMD to get approval.  It was stressed that Sunshine Water Control District has no authority to issue other permits.

            Mr. Clark read aloud the following portion of the SFWMD’s letter to Mr. Enrique Mirandi of Mirandi Engineering Construction, dated February 28: “The calculations, pursuant to our permit, indicated the stormwater site storage meets the permitted criteria for the east basin of the Sunshine Water Control District.  However, the site is within the west basin, which requires 1.05 feet per acre of storage beneath the 100-year flood elevation of 11.53 feet per acre of storage beneath the 10-year flood elevation of 11 feet.  Please revise and resubmit the storage calculations demonstrating compliance with the west basin criteria of the Sunshine Water Control District.

            A question was raised as to how this affected the permit the Board approved for this particular site.  Mr. DaSilva stated the permit is not affected as the District only approves right-of-way permits.

            Ms. Macomber commented that SFWMD is not asking the District to address the calculations; rather they are requesting that the engineering firm do this.

            Mr. Clark indicated he had a copy of email correspondence between James from Chen & Associates and Mr. DaSilva, recommending that there is enough depth by the outfall pipe in the canal.  He said this may raise the issue about whether the capstone rock was really dug as deep as it should be in some places.  He pointed out that all the email correspondence back and forth on this issue has an error referring to CSID when it should refer to the Sunshine Water Control District.

            Mr. DaSilva advised that there is a condition stipulating that the applicant rework the outfall.

            Discussion ensued on this topic.

 

ELEVENTH ORDER OF BUSINESS                     Adjournment

 

On MOTION by Mr. Hulett and seconded by Ms. Macomber, all voted in favor of adjournment.

 

            The meeting was adjourned at 7:45 p.m.  

 

 

___________________________                                          ____________________________

Secretary/Assistant Secretary                                                    President/Vice President