Report to the Board of County Commissioners
February 1, 2011
1- Board update on CDBG issues. Commissioner Sanders had asked about the feasibility of Alligator Point getting fire hydrants through a CDBG project. The next cycle for CDBG applications should be July 2011. I have spoken to Ms. Debbie Roumellis and she said that while it is possible part of Alligator Point might qualify the county will not be able to apply because we can only have one CDBG grant open at a time. Eastpoint currently has a $700,000 CDBG grant that is part of a larger USDA grant to do major improvements to the sewer and water system. Eastpoint has opened bids and all the bids came in over the grant funds. Eastpoint is negotiating the project to try and bring it within budget but there is no way the project will be negotiated and built in the next six months when the construction timeline is one year.
The Board’s ability to access additional CDBG funds depends on Eastpoint Sewer and Water completing their existing project. Or, in a worse case scenario, giving up on the project and then the Board could apply for something else. Ms. Roumellis said that Eastpoint will have to make a decision soon on their project as they have already been granted one time extension by CDBG. She will let us know if Eastpoint backs out of the project.
2- Provide Board with copy of DEP permit for Carrabelle multi-use path. Obtaining the permit was a major issue as the project has to work around the large box culvert on the curve to Carrabelle Beach.
3- Inform the Board that it was the Univ. of Alabama, not the Univ. of Florida, which received $800,000 of BP funds to study the effects of the oil spill. Provide Board with copy of news item. FSU has also received $500,000 to study different aspects of the spill.
4- Provide Board with copy of DOT letter stating that the speed limits in Eastpoint will be changed as announced previously. The Clerk’s Office received a phone call to say that the speed limits will be changed after the construction has finished at the intersection of Island Drive and US 98.
5- Inform Board that FWC will build six camping sites, improve the road access, and continue to allow boat launching at the landing if Board will agree to provide litter control at the landing. The Board is already doing litter control at Gardner’s Landing and Sand Beach which is only a few miles away so this additional site will not add a great burden. Board action to sign Memorandum of Understanding with FWC.
6- Board action to approve Resolution stating that the St. James community along US 98 represents a distinct community with significant historical, cultural, or educational value. The Resolution will be sent to DOT with other documentation in an effort to get DOT to re-install the St. James sign DOT removed last year when it was doing some project in the area.
7- Inform Board that the FAC Legislative Day is scheduled for March 23. Please let Amy know if you plan to attend and whether you need reservations. The FAC notice states in bold print that commissioners are responsible for scheduling appointments with our own Legislators prior to your arrival in Tallahassee.
8- Inform Board that David Heil, DACS, sent me an email regarding a workshop that will be held in Apalachicola next Monday, Feb. 7, at 4 PM, here in the Annex to discuss new proposed rules for the oyster industry.
David also said in his email that ISSC executive board has requested the US FDA focus on compliance of the Gulf state Vibrio reductions plans as the 60% reduction in illness rate has not been achieved. This could result in additional rules being put in place by FDA.
9- Inform Board that Lori Switzer would like to participate in two federally funded programs to help Franklin County homeowners who are in danger of foreclosure. When the current SHIP funding is used up her office and her services will close unless she finds additional funding, and she and I both expect the state will not allocate SHIP funds this year.
The programs that she would provide services for will be administered by the Florida Housing, which also administers the SHIP program. Lori will only be providing a service in qualifying and monitoring applicants. Neither Lori, nor the county, will be involved in any of the finances associated with the programs but the programs must be run through a SHIP office. At this time 25% of the SHIP offices have signed up for the training.
A summary of the programs is” Florida Housing was directed by the US Treasury to create and administer foreclosure prevention assistance programs that address the unique issues of our state. Treasury requires that Florida use a portion of these funds specifically for targeted unemployment programs that provide temporary assistance to eligible homeowners.” The state of Florida has received approximately $1B from the US Treasury to run these programs.
The programs are:
*Unemployment Mortgage Assistance Program (UMAP)- Loan funds can be used to pay monthly mortgage and escrow mortgage related expenses until the homeowner can resume payments or for up to 18 months.
*Mortgage Loan Reinstatement Program (MLRP) - Loan funds can be used to bring the past-due first mortgage current; up to six months will be paid.
If the Board is interested in Lori providing these services to Franklin County they need to authorize her to go to the training, and to direct the County Attorney to review the proposed contract between Florida Housing and Franklin County. Board action.
10- Mr. David Baker, Lanark Village resident, has written a letter to each commissioner, the Clerk, and me, thanking us for our role in getting clarification on 911 funds.
11- Board action on two items related to the Carrabelle Urgent Care Clinic.
A) As the owner of the building the Board needs to sign the Certificate of Substantial Completion for the building. The county has issued the Certificate of Occupancy and the Architect and Contractor have signed their side of the Certificate of Substantial Completion, so the Board needs to sign.
B) Ajax has prepared an Amendment No. 3 to the contract between the county and Ajax which reduces the Guaranteed Maximum Price for the Urgent Care Clinic by some $19,180.56, and Ajax has prepared a Final Invoice showing that same amount. Board action to sign Amendment No. 3 and Final Invoice.
12- Inform Board that Commissioner Parrish and I are going to Fort Walton Friday for a meeting with the six other affected counties regarding BP money. Senator Gaetz continues to push legislation through various committees whereby the State would control the oil spill recovery process.
13- Board action to take 2 metal desks off inventory at the request of the Friends of the Library. Some time in the past the Tax Collector’s office donated two metal desks to the Board who in turn gave them to the Friends for use. The Friends no longer needs the desks and they want to donate them to the Literacy program. The desks have been well used and I recommend the Board take them off inventory and let the Friends donate them to the Literacy and then the Board does not have to keep track of them any more.
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