PLACEMENT: Departmental
TITLE:
title
INVITATION TO CONGRESSMEN TO DISCUSS LAKE OKEECHOBEE WITH GLADES, HENDRY, MARTIN, PALM BEACH AND OKEECHOBEE COUNTIES
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
executive summary
On May 7, 2019 five counties held a joint meeting to discuss Lake Okeechobee (Lake). From that discussion, a request was made to create a letter to send to the Army Corps of Engineers (Army Corps) and South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) that could be signed by all five counties expressing areas of solidarity concerning Lake management. In addition to that letter, Palm Beach County has asked for the five counties to approve a letter to invite the Congressmen who represent the Co-Chairmen of the Congressional Everglades Caucus.
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DEPARTMENT: Administration
PREPARED BY: Name: Taryn G. Kryzda
Title: County Administrator
REQUESTED BY:
PRESET:
PROCEDURES: None
BACKGROUND/RELATED STRATEGIC GOAL:
The Board of County Commissioners (Board) in a previous agenda item have been asked to approve and sign a joint letter that was developed by Martin County staff working with Palm Beach County staff based upon direction received at the May 7, 2019 five county joint meeting.
Palm Beach Commissioners also asked their staff to prepare a letter requesting the Co-Chairmen of the Congressional Everglades Caucus (Caucus) and any Caucus member to meet with County Commissioners and visit the communities and economies that are impacted by Lake operations. The County Administrator from Palm Beach distributed the letter to each of the other Counties and has requested that each Commission approve, and the Chair sign accordingly.
To date, Hendry, Okeechobee, and Palm Beach have approved the letter and their Chairs have signed. If approved by Martin County, then the Chair will sign, and staff will circulate the letter to Palm Beach County. Glades Commissioners asked that Congressman Brian Mast and Congressman William Steube also be invited. Since the letter is directed to the Co-Chairs of the Caucus, the Administrators are recommending a separate letter be sent to Congressmen Mast and Steube making them aware of the request and extending the invitation.
ISSUES:
Staff is cautious to ensure any joint correspondence does not contradict the County’s position and the information that was provided to the Corps in the Lake Okeechobee System Operation Manual (LOSOM) scoping letter. The County’s position is clear in the LOSOM scoping comments and will continue to support those efforts that further enhance our position as explained to the Corps.
LEGAL SUFFICIENCY REVIEW:
Legal reviewed the invitation letter, and if approved, staff would recommend the LOSOM scoping comments be sent to any Congressman that is being approached and invited to our area to discuss Lake operations.
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
RECOMMENDATION
Move the Board authorize the Chairman to sign the five-county letter inviting Congressman Diaz-Balart and Hastings to our area to discuss operation of the Lake.
ALTERNATIVE RECOMMENDATIONS
None
FISCAL IMPACT:
RECOMMENDATION
None
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>.