Friends of Lake Jesup
May 20th, 2004 7:00 PMOVIEDO PUBLIC LIBRARY
DRAFT MINUTES
Call to Order - The meeting was called to order at 7:15 p.m.
Introductions - Chairman King introduced Pete Hinn & Johanna Baber of the WMD who were attending the meeting to make a presentation about the District’s land management practices.
Approval of Minutes of April 15, 2004 - The secretary corrected the spelling of the name of the SCSWCB secretary, Leslee Berryman. There were no other changes.
Old Business
Update of SR 46 Bridge Project - Scott Bear, CH2MHill
Mr. Bear said there is not much to report on the bridge project at this point until ROW acquisition begins in the spring of next year. He said permit applications have been submitted to the WMD, USCG, and USACOE.
USACOE 1135 projects status including Jesup – Pete Milam
Mr. Milam reported that work has been suspended nationally until FY 2005. He said he feels certain they will be able to reinitiate and that the agency will be able to complete the phase of work they are in.
Chairman King said he would follow up with some of the federal level politicians to see if funding can be restored.
In-Basin mitigation update / Lake Jesup Basin Mitigation Initiative
Chairman King reported that the Bergman tract has been approved for mitigation and Maitland is going to be the first entity to use the property for mitigation.
He said if the group had any problem with an in-basin project using out-of-basin mitigation, now was the time to voice its disapproval.
Chairman King reported that the property being considered for the mitigation initiative has already been purchased by the WMD, so the group would have to look elsewhere for a suitable piece of property.
Update of Muck Removal Project - Ed Hayes, FFWCC
Mr. Hayes gave report of a meeting with the City of Sanford regarding purchasing Site 10, as long as something can be done with Sanford’s excess wastewater and the citrus and hay leases would have to be bought out.
Mr. King reported that representatives from several legislator’s offices attended the meeting.
He said another meeting would be held, with representatives from Seminole County and FDEP to determine if there is another site or other uses for Sanford’s wastewater.
Chairman King also reported that he had been contacted by Richard Tyson of the Seminole County Ag Extension office that a private land owner has 600 acres of orange groves on the south shore of the lake might be interested in selling some of that property, that may be used as a disposal site.
DEP contract #SP 378 Friends input / comment – Barbara Bess
The chairman requested an update on an outstanding contract and Barbara reported that was $53,000 still pending. Direction was given to proceed with use of the funds.
Letter requesting funding support from Governor – Don Pardue, District 33
Mr. Pardue reported that through the efforts of Rep. Sandy Adams $5 million was still in the budget for the dredging project. He said the Governor could still line item veto the appropriation.
Reports of other members
SJRWMD purchase of property for stormwater park – Regina Lovings
Ms. Lovings reported that the Minter Property, located at the corner of Deleon and Howard in the Black Hammock has been purchased for a regional stormwater park. She said the WMD purchased 29.4 acres for $1.8 million. She said the WMD will probably use 16 acres for the
Chairman King said the property is important because Sweetwater Creek cuts through the property. He said the creek drains all of downtown Oviedo into Lake Jesup. He said the stormwater park will be able to be located at the end of the tributary, and will treat all water going into the lake at that point except for one ditch. He said he was aware of the impending purchase and had to go forward with a letter of support without first contacting the group. He said a copy of the letter is included with the agenda package.
Ms. Loving also reported on a meeting held between WMD and Seminole County on reprioritizing projects and a proposal to shift funding from the Mellonville project to the Minter property. She said the group should lobby the Seminole County commissioners to step forward and fund the Mellonville project. Mr. King asked the County’s representative from stormwater to keep the group apprised as to when that support is necessary.
Adjournment - The meeting was adjourned at 9 p.m.