PLACEMENT: Public Hearings
TITLE:
title
PUBLIC HEARING AND FINAL ASSESSMENT RESOLUTION FOR THE PORT SALERNO NEW MONROVIA WASTEWATER MUNICIPAL SERVICE BENEFIT UNIT
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
executive summary
Board action is requested to continue a public hearing from June 20th and adopt the final assessment resolution for the Port Salerno/New Monrovia Wastewater Municipal Service Benefit Unit to allow installation of a vacuum assisted gravity wastewater collection system and associated vacuum pump station.
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DEPARTMENT: Utilities and Solid Waste
PREPARED BY: Name: David Duncan
Title: Project Manager
REQUESTED BY:
PRESET:
PROCEDURES: None
BACKGROUND/RELATED STRATEGIC GOAL:
This project entails construction of a vacuum assisted gravity sewer system and associated pumping facility to provide sanitary sewer service to approximately 939, single family, multi-family and commercial parcels of land in the Port Salerno/New Monrovia area of Martin County, Florida. The project includes construction of the underground collection system along the road rights-of-way with valve pits to service the units and construction of a vacuum sewage collection and pumping facility to be located on a Martin County owned parcel of land at 3975 SE Lee Street.
The project will enhance water quality in the St. Lucie Estuary by eliminating nutrient loading from septic systems at the rate of 3.5 lbs. total nitrogen and .89 lbs. total phosphorous per month per septic tank as indicated by a Florida Department of Environmental Protection study. In addition, the increased wastewater flow of approximately 240,000 gallons per day at the Tropical Farms Wastewater Treatment Plant will be converted to reuse quality water for irrigation use.
The proposed assessment includes 939 parcels with a total of 963 equivalent residential connections (ERCs). The total project cost is $24,352,621, including: $19,832,239 for construction, $2,079,545 for design and engineering, $2,022,300 Capital Facilities Charges (CFCs), and $418,537 for other expenses combined. Martin County has received a Legislative Appropriations Grant from the State of Florida for this project in the amount of $500,000, a Protecting Florida Together Water Quality Protection Grant for this project in the amount of $8,000,000 (which has been amended to $10,000,000), and State Revenue Sharing of $2,217,865 from the County’s general budget, $1,500,000 from franchise fees, and $622,912 from Utilities funds, leaving a balance of $9,511,844 for the assessment. Staff is in receipt of the additional $2,000,000 Grant amendment mentioned above and it is scheduled for Board acceptance under a separate agenda item to be heard this day. This additional Grant funding will further reduce the assessable cost for the benefitted properties within this proposed MSBU to the revised initial prepayment and annual payment amounts described below.
Therefore, the $9,511,844 is divided by 963 ERCs to calculate an estimated prepayment amount of $9,877 per ERC, and if not prepaid that equates to an annual (not to exceed) payment of $620.56 per ERC amortized over a 20-year period at an estimated interest rate of 1.34% from the State Revolving Fund Loan Program. The estimated annual payment also includes annual costs related to preparation and collection of the roll each year totaling 8.75% (consisting of 2% for the Tax Collector fee, 2.75% for the tax roll and legal consultants, and a 4% adjustment for early tax bill payments). The annual payment will be included in the tax bill commencing with the bill to be mailed in October 2024. The proposed assessment will include 939 parcels with a total of 963 ERCs.
The project has been designed, a Florida Department of Environmental Protection construction permit has been received, cost proposals were received, and the winning bidder will be awarded the contract (by separate agenda item) for the underground construction and for construction of the vacuum pump building and site work as well as drainage improvements throughout the project area.
Two staff level workshops were held on June 13 and July 26 respectively, at the Indian River State College Wolf Center and all the affected property owners were mailed invitations to the workshops.
As required by the Initial Assessment Resolution adopted by the Board on May 9, 2023, the notices for the public hearings were advertised in The Stuart News and individual notices of the public hearings and workshops were mailed to each property owner proposed to be assessed at the mailing address indicated on the tax roll.
ISSUES:
None
LEGAL SUFFICIENCY REVIEW:
Chris Traber, the County’s Special Assessment Counsel, has prepared the resolution, reviewed the Agenda Item Summary, and confirmed that the form of each is proper.
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
RECOMMENDATION
• Move that the Board adopt the Final Assessment Resolution to create the Port Salerno/New Monrovia Wastewater Municipal Service Benefit Unit.
• Move that the Board authorize the County Administrator or designee to execute any documents related to this request.
ALTERNATIVE RECOMMENDATIONS
• Do not adopt the Final Assessment Resolution.
FISCAL IMPACT:
RECOMMENDATION
The cost of the project will be paid for by the benefitted property owners of the Port Salerno / New Monrovia Wastewater Municipal Service Benefit Unit less a Legislative Appropriations Grant from the State of Florida for this project in the amount of $500,000, a Protecting Florida Together Water Quality Protection Grant for this project in the amount of $10,000,000, $1,500,000 from franchise fees, $622,912 Utilities contribution, and State Revenue Sharing of $2,217,865 from the County’s general budget.
ALTERNATIVE RECOMMENDATIONS
None
DOCUMENT(S) REQUIRING ACTION:
☐Budget Transfer / Amendment ☐ Chair Letter ☐Contract / Agreement
☐Grant / Application ☐Notice ☐Ordinance ☒Resolution
☐Other:
This document may be reproduced upon request in an alternative format by contacting the County ADA Coordinator (772) 320-3131, the County Administration Office (772) 288-5400, Florida Relay 711, or by completing our accessibility feedback form at www.martin.fl.us/accessibility-feedback <http://www.martin.fl.us/accessibility-feedback>.