Approved Minutes of the Meeting WITHLACOOCHEE RIVER BASIN BOARD MEETING Southwest Florida Water Management District Brooksville, Florida June 17, 2010 The Withlacoochee River Basin Board of the Southwest Florida Water Management District convened for a regular meeting June 17, 2010, at 9:00 a.m., at District Headquarters. Board Members Present Albert Rooks, Vice Chair Janey Baldwin, Secretary William Bachschmidt, Member Candy Nathe, Member Board Members Absent Ronald Oakley, Co-Chair Doug Tharp, Co-Chair Jack Dennis, Member Teleconference for Meeting Kelly Rice, Member Staff Present Lou Kavouras Bruce Wirth Eric DeHaven Michael Molligan Daryl Pokrana David Rathke Chuck Lane Joseph Quinn Randy Emberg Recording Secretary Tahla Paige A list of others who were present and signed the attendance roster is filed in the permanent files of the Basin. Compact discs of the audio and copies of the materials and handouts, as set out in full herein, are also filed in the permanent files of the Basin. 1. Call to Order and Roll Call Vice Chair Rooks called the meeting to order at 9:00 a.m. Ms. Tahla Paige, Senior Administrative Assistant, called the roll and noted a quorum was present. 2. Pledge of Allegiance to the American Flag Vice Chair Rooks led the Pledge of Allegiance to the American Flag. 3. Additions and Deletions to the Agenda Ms. Lou Kavouras, Deputy Executive Director, Outreach, Planning, Board Services, and Ombudsman, advised there were no additions or deletions to today s agenda. 4. Basin Activities Report and Agenda Review Mr. Joseph Quinn, Staff Planner, Northern District Planning Section, provided the Board a brief overview of relevant items on the agenda. He announced that Regional Water Supply Plan outreach meetings have occurred and the deadline for comments on the plan is July 16, 2010. He noted the approval of the plan is expected by the end of year. Mr. Quinn said there were over 100 attendees at the FEMA public meeting for the Crystal River Watershed flood mapping. He said additional public meetings were planned through the rest of the year. Mr. Quinn stated the District was ready to assist the Department of Environmental Protection as needed on the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. He reminded the Board that the 2011 Community Education Grant Program application deadline is August 20, 2010 and the deadline for the Splash! School Grants was September 10, 2010. (Track 1) This item was presented for the Board s information; no action was required.
Withlacoochee River Basin Board Page 2 of 5 5. Consent Items: a. Minutes of the April 15, 2010 Meeting Minutes of the April 15, 2010 meeting were provided for approval. Following consideration, Mr. Bachshmidt moved, seconded by Ms. Nathe, to approve the April 15, 2010 meeting minutes as presented. Motion carried unanimously. b. Amendment to the Agreement to Transfer Property to Sumter County Lake Panasoffkee Project, SWF Parcel No. 19-528-146S Staff recommended the Governing Board approve the First Amendment to the Transfer Agreement with Sumter County; and convey SWF Parcel No. 19-528-146S to Sumter County. Following consideration, Mr. Bachschmidt moved, seconded by Ms. Baldwin, to approve the staff recommendation. Motion carried unanimously. c. Facilitating Agricultural Resource Management Systems Splendid Blue Farms, LLC, Phase 2 (H603), Sumter County Staff recommended approval of the Splendid Blue Farms, LLC, Phase 2 project for a not-to-exceed project reimbursement of $22,448, with $5,612 provided by the Withlacoochee River Basin Board, $5,612 provided by the Governing Board, and $11,224 provided from State Appropriations; authorize the transfer of $5,612 from fund 019 H017 Withlacoochee River Basin Board FARMS funds, $5,612 from fund 010 H017 Governing Board FARMS funds, and $11,224 from State Appropriations allocated to fund 010 H017 FARMS funds, to H603 Splendid Blue Farms, LLC, Phase 2 project fund; and authorize the Executive Director to sign the agreement. Ms. Baldwin asked if staff had consulted with Dr. Strickland, University of Florida, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS) as he was a blueberry expert. Mr. Eric DeHaven, Director, Resource Data and Restoration Department, replied that IFAS was aware of the project, but it was unusual for Dr. Strickland to be consulted on individual projects. Following consideration, Mr. Bachschmidt moved, seconded by Ms. Baldwin, to approve the staff recommendation. Motion carried unanimously. (Track 1) 6. Discussion Items: a. Election of Officers and Committee Representatives Election results were the following: Vice Chair: William J. Bachschmidt Secretary: Candy Nathe Basin Board Land Resources Committee: Primary Representative: Kelly Rice Alternate: William J. Bachschmidt Basin Board Education Committee: Primary Representative: William J. Bachschmidt Alternate: Candy Nathe Citrus/Hernando Waterways Restoration Council Hernando County Task Force Technical Advisory Group Primary Representative: William J. Bachschmidt Alternate: Vacant (Track 2)
Withlacoochee River Basin Board Page 3 of 5 b. Fiscal Year 2011 Budget Discussion and Approval of Proposed Millage Rate Mr. Bruce Wirth, Deputy Executive Director, Resource Management Division, presented an update to the preliminary budget provided at the April meeting. The Board s input from that meeting was incorporated into a proposed budget, which assumed the millage rate would remain at 0.2308 and property valuations would decline by 9 percent. A revised budget, based on final property values, will be presented for the Basin Board s consideration at the August 12 Basin Board meeting. At that time, the Board will be required to adopt a final millage rate and budget for recommendation to the Governing Board, including the final selection of FY2011 Cooperative Funding projects. Mr. Bachshmidt asked if the reduction in the total budget was about 12 percent. Mr. Wirth replied it was estimated to be closer to 18 percent. Ms. Baldwin suggested a further reduction of the millage rate. Mr. Wirth explained the current budget reductions and that property owners were paying less taxes due to the lower property values. Staff Recommended: 1. Provide tentative selection of FY2011 Cooperative Funding Projects as presented; 2. Approve and adopt a required proposed millage rate of 0.2308 mill for FY2011; 3. Approve Resolution No. 92 Resolution Affirming the Required Proposed Millage Rate for Fiscal Year 2011. Following consideration, Mr. Bachschmidt moved, seconded by Mr. Rice, to approve the staff recommendation. Motion carried unanimously. (Track 3) Vice Chair Rooks took public comment: Mr. Chester Bradshaw, of Dade City, read into the record a letter, with handouts given to the Board, regarding the proposed construction of a tie-back berm on the south side of the S-353 Structure on sovereign submerged lands located within the Tsala Apopka Lakes system. He stated Mr. Strange does not own the fill placed on sovereign lands. Mr. Bradshaw requested a re-evaluation of the project. 7. Report: a. Governing Board Activities Ms. Kavouras reported that at its May 25 meeting the Governing Board elected new officers as follows: Ronald Oakley, Chair; Hugh Gramling, Vice Chair; Douglas Tharp, Treasurer; and Paul Senft, Secretary. She stated the Governing Board had a lengthy discussion on the process of setting a procedure for handling future frost/freeze events more effectively. Ms. Kavouras stated the Governing Board heard a presentation on hurricane preparedness, since it is predicted to be an active season. This item was presented for the Board's information; no action was required. 8. Announcements: Ms. Kavouras reviewed the announcements that were listed on the agenda. The Board members discussed the procedure for handling public comments addressed to the Board, and it was decided to continue with the current methods that staff handle requests and items brought before the Board. Mr. Al Grubman, TOO FAR, commented on the berm for Structure S-353. He stated it did not matter what Mr. Bradshaw thought or what Mr. Strange thought; the condition of the lake was all that mattered.
Withlacoochee River Basin Board Page 4 of 5 9. Adjournment: There being no further business to come before the Board, Vice Chair Rooks adjourned the meeting at 10:15 a.m. (Track 4) ***Information Items*** The items listed below are for the Board's information, intended to keep the Board apprised of completed projects, cancelled projects, and projects that have executed contracts and are ready to begin. These items do not require Board action at this time. Execution Notices 1. Water's Journey Interactive Exhibit (L693) at the Glazer Children's Museum of Tampa SWFWMD Agreement No. 09C00000123 This agreement with the Children's Museum of Tampa provides $252,471 in fiscal year 2009 funds for the fabrication and installation of the Water's Journey and the Water Bank exhibits. The effective date of the contract is November 9, 2009, and will remain in effect through December 31, 2010. The total project cost is $757,413. The Executive Director signed the agreement, and copies of the executed agreement are available upon request. 2. Watershed Management Program Consulting Services for Maintenance of Watershed Parameters and Models for Citrus County First Amendment (N170) This First Amendment increases the not to exceed amount to the consultant services agreement with Inwood Consulting Engineers, Inc., for implementing elements of the Watershed Management Program for the maintenance of watershed parameters and models. The effective date of the amendment is January 25, 2010, and will remain in effect through May 31, 2011. The amended agreement is for an amount up to $905,500. District funds are divided among the Alafia River, Coastal Rivers, Hillsborough River, Manasota, Peace River, Pinellas-Anclote River, and Withlacoochee River Basin Boards. For detailed information, please refer to the write-up in the Projects section of the meeting notebook or on the District's web site where the meeting notebook is posted. The Executive Director signed this amendment and copies of the executed agreement, amendment, and scope of work are available upon request. 3. Pasco County Ultra-Low Volume Toilet Rebate Program Phase III (N232) This fiscal year 2010 cooperative funding project with Pasco County is for the third phase of a toilet rebate project that offers financial incentives to single-family residential, multi-family residential and non-residential water customers within Pasco County Utility's service area to replace existing high-volume toilets (3.5 gallons per flush or higher) with ultra-low volume and high efficiency toilets to save potable water. The third phase provides for the retrofit and rebate of up to 1,500 residential and commercial toilets in four (4) basins (approximately 375 in each basin). The project will provide rebates for toilets up to $100 per fixture with a maximum of two toilets per account. The effective date of the contract is October 1, 2009, and will remain in effect through January 13, 2013. The total project cost is $200,000 with the County contributing $100,000 and the District contributing $100,000. Each Basin Board is contributing $25,000. For detailed information, please refer to the write-up in the Projects notebook or on the District's web site where the meeting notebook is posted. The Executive Director signed this agreement and copies of the executed agreement and scope of work are available upon request. 4. Budget Transfer Report Purpose This item is to provide the Basin Board with information regarding a Basin budget transfer that has been approved by the Executive Director since the date of the last report. Background In accordance with Board Policy No.130-8, the Executive Director is
Withlacoochee River Basin Board Page 5 of 5 delegated authority to execute budget transfers of $50,000 or less that do not involve contingency funds. The Governing Board via the Consent Agenda subsequently ratifies all such transfers. The delegated budget transfers, if related to a Basin budget, are also presented as an information item to the appropriate Basin Board. The Executive Director approved a Withlacoochee River Basin budget transfer of $500 on April 17, 2010, which was ratified by the Governing Board on May 25, 2010. The funds were originally budgeted for water servicer to maintain the softener and chlorine system at the Green Swamp West Meeting Facility. This work is being performed by District staff. The funds were needed for tree removal at the Flying Eagle property. The Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) does not discriminate on the basis of disability. This nondiscrimination policy involves every aspect of the District's functions, including access to and participation in the District's programs and activities. Anyone requiring reasonable accommodation as provided for in the Americans with Disabilities Act should contact the District's Human Resources Director, 2379 Broad Street, Brooksville, Florida 34604-6899; telephone (352) 796-7211, ext. 4702 or 1-800-423-1476 (FL only), ext. 4702; TDD (FL only) 1-800-231-6103; or email to ADACoordinator@swfwmd.state.fl.us.