Intergovernmental Coordination

I.INTRODUCTION

Purpose

 

The primary purpose of this element is to formulate improved coordination processes with adjacent local governments and with local, regional, and state agencies.  The effective implementation of federal, state, regional, and local planning policies requires:  1) the identification of agencies with which the local government must coordinate; 2) a thorough understanding of the roles of each agency and that of the local government; and 3) the creation of adequate intergovernmental coordination mechanisms to carry out policies.

 

It must be understood that the Town of Indialantic is a small town and will have limited coordination issues as compared to those of the County or a city the size of Melbourne.  However, there are important issues of coordination, and these will be identified and analyzed.

 

Through this analysis and subsequent improvement of intergovernmental coordination, the Town will be able to identify and resolve incompatible goals, objectives, policies, and development proposed in its local comprehensive plan.

 

Ultimately, the refinement of such a process should allow the Town to coordinate comprehensive planning with other entities ensuring compatible development and adequate public services across jurisdictional boundaries.  The coordination process is a continuous one and should provide for effective monitoring evaluating systems as well.

 

Setting for the Town

 

The Town of Indialantic is located in Brevard County on the barrier island and is almost completely developed.  It is one of four cities located in the South Beaches area which extends from the Pineda Causeway south to Sebastian Inlet.  It was estimated that the 1995 population of the Town was 2,940 persons; the South Beaches, 47,980 persons; and South Brevard county, 188,859 persons.

 

The Town is primarily a low density single family residential community which has a limited commercial area along its two arterial streets, U.S. #192 (Fifth Avenue) and S.R. A1A (Miramar Avenue).  It has a Town Council and Town Manager Charter form of government with five elected council members, one elected as the Mayor.

 

The economic base of the Town is directly related to the industrial activity and employment centers located on the mainland, Patrick Air Force Base, and the Cape.  The following map shows the Town and its relationship to Brevard County.

 

 

II.INVENTORY

 

A listing of all public and quasi-public agencies with which the Town may coordinate are shown in the following matrix along with the comprehensive plan elements.  An X in the block of the agency would designate a need for coordination within the realm of that particular plan element.

TABLE I

 

 

INTERGOVERNMENTAL COORDINATION MATRIX

 

                                                                                                                                                                                         

                                                                         Sanitary Sewer

Recommended                                                   Solid Waste,

Governmental                                                       Drainage,

Entity/ Agency                                                   Potable Water,

Coordination              Future                                and Natural                                                   Recreation

Relationships             Land    Trans-                   Groundwater         Coastal                                  and            Capital

and Mechanisms        Use   portation Housing Aquifer Recharge Management Conservation Open Space  Improvements

 

County and

Municipalities:

 

  Brevard County                X                 X                X                X                X                X                X                X

  Melbourne                X                X                             X                                             X

  Melbourne Beach    X                X                                             X                X                X

                                                                                                                                                                                          

Special Entities:

 

  School Board                X                X                                                                             X

  Housing Authority                                X

  Mosquito Control                                                                                  X

  Soil and Water

    Conserv. Dist.                                                                                  X

  M.P.O.                  X                X                                                                                             X

                                                                                                                                                                                           

Regional Agencies:

 

  E.C.F.R.P.C.                X                X                X                X                X                X                X                X

  S.J.R.W.M.D.                                                      X                X                X

                                                                                                                                                                                           

State Agencies:

 

  Historic Resources                X                X                X                X                X                X                X                X

  D.C.A.

    Community Affairs     X                X                X                X                X                X                X                X

  D.E.P.

    Environmental Reg.                                                                       X                X

  Game & Fish

    Commission                                                                    X                X

  I.R.L.C.C.M.P

    Natural Resources                                                                           X                X                X

  D.O.T.

    Transportation                X                X                                                                                             X

                                                                                                                                                                                           

Federal Agencies:

 

  Corp. of Eng.                                                                      X                X

  E.P.A.                                                                                   X                X                             X

  Coast Guard                                                                      X                X

                                                                                                                                                                                           

 

 

III. ANALYSIS

 

Broad intergovernmental coordination issues are identified for each of the comprehensive plan elements.  Specific problem situations or "issue focuses" are then listed.  Each problem situation is analyzed according to the requirements of Chapter 9J-5, F.A.C., providing a means for analyzing existing methods of coordination, identifying problems and needs, and providing solutions.  A format abstract follows:

 

Comprehensive Plan Element

 

Major Issue

 

Specific Issue Focus

  1. Brief description of existing condition or problems;

  2. Existing method of coordination;

  3. Nature of relationship;

  4. Office with primary responsibility;

  5. Effectiveness of coordination mechanisms;

  6. Satisfactory/Deficient coordination;

  7. Recommendations; and

  8. Outside coordinating entities.

 

Future Land Use

  1. Issue # 1: Growth and Development

  2. Issue Focus: Continuation of compatible land uses along shared boundaries

  3. Description: Most of the land is developed in the County area along the north boundary and in Melbourne Beach along the south boundary.  The use is compatible, and this situation should continue.

  4. Existing Method of Coordination:  Very informal although the County does notify the Town Hall of zoning change requests adjacent to its boundary as well as the property owners within 500 feet of the proposed change.

  5. Nature of Relationship:  The Town of Indialantic, the Town of Melbourne Beach, and Brevard County control the land use within the individual jurisdiction.

  6. Office with Primary Responsibility:  Town Manager and Town Clerk

  7. Effectiveness of Coordination Mechanisms:  At present, there are no land use conflicts, and the rather informal process appears to be working.

  8. Deficiencies and Needs:  The Town should continue to review any amendments to the Comprehensive Plan for both the Town of Melbourne Beach and and Brevard County to insure that adjacent areas are treated in a compatible fashion.  The Town should continue its policies for land use change notification of the two adjacent governmental bodies and ensure that similar policies are established by them.

  9. Recommendations:  Actively participate in reviewing plan amendments to the Comprehensive Plan of the Town of Melbourne Beach and Brevard County.  Continue to implement policies for notifying the two adjacent governmental bodies when land use changes are proposed and ensure that these two governmental bodies do the same.

  10. Outside Coordinating Entities:  Town of Melbourne Beach (Town Manager) and Brevard County (Growth Management Department)


HOUSING

  1. Issue # 1: Subsidized Housing

  2. Issue Focus: Provision of information as to programs available

  3. Description: There is no subsidized housing in the Town and because it is almost completely developed, there will probably be none.  There are, however, low and moderate income families.

  4. Existing Method of Coordination:  None

  5. Nature of Relationship:  The Brevard County and Melbourne Housing Authorities provide assistance throughout the County.

  6. Office with Primary Responsibility:  Town Manager

  7. Effectiveness of Coordination Mechanisms:  Both housing authorities maintain lists for low income households who need and qualify for subsidized housing.

  8. Deficiencies and Needs:  The Town should continue to maintain a list at the Town Hall of subsidized housing programs available as well as the name and number of the contact person for the two housing authorities.

  9. Recommendations:  Keep information on housing programs available to Town residents in the Town Hall.

  10. Outside Coordinating Entities:  Brevard County Housing Authority, Melbourne Housing Authority

 

CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS

  1. Issue #1:     Capital Improvements Planning

  2. Issue Focus:     Coordination with Brevard County

  3. Description:     Brevard County provides a multitude of services which can benefit the Town.

  4. Existing Method of Coordination:  Very informal

  5. Nature of Relationship:  The Town usually brings issues to the attention of the County Commission but the reverse is not always the case.  Many projects and programs are carried out without the prior knowledge of the Town.

  6. Office with Primary Responsibility:  Town Manager

  7. Effectiveness of Coordination Mechanisms:  Coordination has occurred in the past with respect to recreation projects, road projects, and bike paths.

  8. Deficiencies and Needs:  The Town needs to continue to investigate all County programs to ascertain if any advantages might accrue to the Town with respect to Capital Improvements.

  9. Recommendations: Continually evaluate County programs and services including the following: road programs, fire and police protection, and recreation program to ascertain the benefit to the Town.

  10. Outside Coordinating Entities:  Brevard County Commission,County Manager, and Brevard County Program Directors


COASTAL MANAGEMENT

  1. Issue #1:Hurricane Evacuation

  2. Issue Focus: Shelter information and evacuation procedures

  3. Description: The Brevard County Emergency Management Office directs hurricane evacuation efforts.

  4. Existing Method of Coordination:  Coordination does exist with the Town and this office, the Town Manager, and Town Police Chief and Fire Chief.

  5. Nature of Relationship:  Essentially, information is passed from this office to the Town through formal documents.

  6. Office with Primary Responsibility:  Town Manager

  7. Effectiveness of Coordination Mechanisms:  To this point, the coordination mechanisms have worked well.

  8. Deficiencies and Needs:  The Town needs to continue to have available all information including shelter locations and evacuation routes.

  9. Recommendations:  Continue to have information in the Town Hall regarding shelter locations and evacuation routes.  Continue to have information available in the Town Hall and have it distributed to residents before each hurricane season begins. This information should describe the evacuation process and how it is to be handled, give the evacuation routes, and show the shelter locations.  This should be coordinated with the County Emergency Management Office.  Consider enlisting the Homeowners Association in order to utilize its Block Lieutenants and Street Captains to help in the evacuation process.

  10. Outside Coordinating Entities:  Brevard County Emergency Management Office and East Central Florida Regional Planning Council.

 

COASTAL MANAGEMENT

 

  1. Issue #2:     Coastal Control Line

  2. Issue Focus:     Permitting of structures east of the Coastal Control Line

  3. Description:     The DEP has final approval over structures built east of the line, but the Board of Adjustment of the Town has to review and approve each case before any application can be submitted to DEP.

  4. Existing Method of Coordination:  The Town bases its approval on the formal requirements of DEP.

  5. Nature of Relationship:  Good

  6. Office with Primary Responsibility:  Town Manager and Town Board of Adjustment

  7. Effectiveness of Coordination Mechanisms:  To this point,the mechanisms have been effective.

  8. Deficiencies and Needs:  The Town needs to be aware of the parameters that DEP uses to make its decisions and should be kept up to date on pending legislation.

  9. Recommendations: The Town Manager should continue to contact the State legislators to insure that any proposed legislation is made available for review.  The Town Attorney or Town Manager should continue to contact DEP on a regular basis to insure that any proposed new guidelines are made available to the Town.

  10. Outside Coordinating Entities:  State Legislative offices and Department of Environmental Protection

 

CONSERVATION

 

  1. Issue #1:     Water Quality in Indian River

  2. Issue Focus:     Drainage Outfalls maintained by the Town as they relate to this problem

  3. Description:     The Town has six drainage outfalls which discharge storm water into the Indian River.

  4. Existing Method of Coordination:  There is a need for coordination with the County and the St. Johns River Water Management District (SJRWMD) as to the quality of the River or the quality of the discharged water.  A formal permit from the SJRWMD is required for additional outfalls or increase in flow of existing ones.

  5. Nature of Relationship:  The County does water quality sampling, and DEP and SJRWMD have done studies of this river segment and there has been a plan done by the National Estuary Program entitled Indian River Lagoon Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan (IRLCCMP) which contains goals, objectives, and policies which should be supported by the Town.

  6. Office with Primary Responsibility:  Town Manager

  7. Effectiveness of Coordination Mechanisms:  Some water quality problems have been identified, but others need to be studied.

  8. Deficiencies and Needs:  The Town needs to be aware of the quality problems and participate in their solution.

  9. Recommendations:  Work with Brevard County and SJRWMD in defining water quality problems.  Participate with these agencies in preparing study scopes.  Work with them to determine quality of water discharged from drainage outfalls.

  10. Outside Coordinating Entities:  Brevard County, Department of Environmental Regulation, and SJRWMD

 

 

SANITARY SEWER, SOLID WASTE, DRAINAGE, POTABLE WATER, AND NATURAL GROUNDWATER AQUIFER RECHARGE

 

  1. Issue #1:     Adequate Sewage Treatment

  2. Issue Focus:     Continued support for adequate capacity in the County South Beaches Treatment Plant

  3. Description:     Brevard County handles both the collection and treatment of sewage generated by the Town.

  4. Existing Method of Coordination:  News media and Brevard County Water Resources Department

  5. Nature of Relationship:  The County sets sewer rates and connection fees.

  6. Office with Primary Responsibility:  Town Manager

  7. Effectiveness of Coordination Mechanisms:  At present, the Town has very little, if any, input into the rate establishment and connection fees or detail on capacity status.

  8. Deficiencies and Needs:  The Town provides little input into the process.

  9. Recommendations:  The Town should stay informed of proposed rate and connection fee increases and provide input as to the Town's position on these matters.  It should, also, stay informed about the capacity status and method of treatment.  This should be done through public presentation to the Town and by circulation of material by the County to the Town Council.

  10. Outside Coordinating Entities:  Brevard County Board of County Commissioners and Brevard County Water Resources Department

 

SANITARY SEWER, SOLID WASTE, DRAINAGE, POTABLE WATER, AND NATURAL GROUNDWATER AQUIFER RECHARGE

 

  1. Issue #2:     Adequate Water Supply Source

  2. Issue Focus:     Support Brevard County and the City of Melbourne in the effort to maintain an adequate water supply.

  3. Description:     The City of Melbourne currently provides the potable water supply to the Town.

  4. Existing Method of Coordination: City of Melbourne and Brevard County forums

  5. Nature of Relationship: Formal meetings held by both the County and the City regarding the water supply source and system.

  6. Office with Primary Responsibility:  Town Manager

  7. Effectiveness of Coordination Mechanisms:  The Town participates in these forums.

  8. Deficiencies and Needs:  The Town needs to stay informed of the projects proposed by the City of Melbourne and become active in their support or non-support.

  9. Recommendations:  The City of Melbourne should make presentations and supply project reports to the Town for its review and comment.

  10. Outside Coordinating Entities: The City of Melbourne and the Brevard County Commission

 

SANITARY SEWER, SOLID WASTE, DRAINAGE, POTABLE WATER, AND NATURAL GROUNDWATER AQUIFER RECHARGE

 

  1. Issue #3:     Water and Sewer Rates

  2. Issue Focus:     Continue to make input to the City of Melbourne, the water supplier of the Town, and Brevard County, the sewer provider, when rates are proposed to be increased.

  3. Description:     The City of Melbourne provides water to the Town and sets water rates for this service as does Brevard County for the sewer.

  4. Existing Method of Coordination:  The above entities notify the Town of rate increases.

  5. Nature of Relationship:  News media notifications from City and County, and public hearing notices of proposed rate increases

  6. Office with Primary Responsibility:  Town Manager

  7. Effectiveness of Coordination Mechanisms:  The Town reviews the proposed rate increases and makes input to the City of Melbourne and the County.

  8. Deficiencies and Needs:  Since the residents of the Town pay these rates, the Town should continue to have input as to the increases or at least have an adequate explanation as to the make-up of the increase.

  9. Recommendations:  The Town should continue to request that it be provided with all necessary reports in a timely fashion in order to insure that there is an understanding of the increase and time to make public comment.  Also, presentations to the Town by the supplier should be made if requested by the Town.

  10. Outside Coordinating Entities:  The City of Melbourne City Council (City Manager), Brevard County (County Manager)

 

RECREATION AND OPEN SPACE

 

  1. Issue: Facilities Utilization

  2. Issue Focus: Utilization of the Melbourne Causeway with landscaping and controlled traffic and parking that is compatible with its recreational use.

  3. Description:  The area of land involved is heavily used for recreational purposes, i.e., fishing, sailboarding, boating, etc.  The median is currently planted and traffic access and parking are somewhat controlled.  A bike path runs through this area.

  4. Existing Method of Coordination:  Informal. The Town and FDOT

  5. Nature of Relationship:  The Town of Indialantic is responsible for maintenance of the landscaped and other right-of-way areas.  FDOT has added paved shoulders.

  6. Office with Primary Responsibility:  Town Manager

  7. Effectiveness of Coordinations Mechanisms:  At present, there are some problems with uncontrolled access by automobile and by the launching of personal water craft.

  8. Deficiencies and Needs:  There is a need for continued cooperation between the governmental bodies.  The Town of Indialantic should monitor the area to protect the use of the causeway as a recreational facility.

  9. Recommendations:  All agencies involved should periodically review the use of the area for safety concerns.

  10. Outside Coordinating Entities: The Town and Florida Department of Transportation

 

TRANSPORTATION

 

  1. Issue #1:     Proposed New Bridge from Mainland to Barrier Islands South of Melbourne Causeway (SR 500, U.S. #192)         

  2. Issue Focus:     Relief from heavy traffic through Town over U.S. #192 (SR 500, Fifth Ave.) from mainland to south beaches

  3. Description:     U.S. #192 bisects the Town from east to west.  Commuter and tourist traffic from the mainland must come across the Melbourne Causeway and through the Town to reach the South Beaches and Sebastian Inlet via S.R. A1A.

  4. Existing Method of Coordination: Coordination among the State, Brevard County, and the Town through its South Beaches representative on the MPO.

  5. Nature of Relationship:  Jurisdiction and funding rest with Florida Department of Transportation.

  6. Office with Primary Responsibility:  FDOT

  7. Effectiveness of Coordination Mechanisms:  At present, the bridge is not listed in the long range plan of the MPO.

  8. Deficiencies and Needs:  In order to maintain or improve levels of service of U.S. #192 and S.R. A1A south through Town, it will be necessary to reduce the heavy flow of traffic cutting through the center of Town.  The traffic flow which bisects the Town is greatly out of proportion to the population and is detrimental to the desire of residents to preserve a normal residential community appropriate to its size and nature.

  9. Recommendations:  The Town should continue to lobby the State and the MPO requesting the construction of a bridge south of the Melbourne Causeway in order to relieve some of the heavy traffic passing through the Town.    

  10. Outside Coordinating Entities:  Brevard County, DEP, MPO,ECFRPC, DCA, Corps of Engineers

 

TRANSPORTATION

 

  1. Issue #2:     Granting of Curb Cuts onto State and County Roads.

  2. Issue Focus:     The need to keep traffic moving as smoothly and safely as possible through the Town.

  3. Description:     FDOT and Brevard County regulations allow curb cuts on State and County roads within Town boundaries. In some instances, these cuts conflict with the best interests of smooth and safe traffic through the Town.

  4. Existing Method Coordination:  Curb cuts are granted without a formal procedure which would allow for input from the Town.

  5. Nature of Relationship:  FDOT and the County have jurisdiction over the granting of permits for curb cuts.

  6. Office with Primary Responsibility:  FDOT and Brevard County

  7. Effectiveness of Coordination Mechanisms:  The current situation does not allow sufficient input from the Town before granting of permits.

  8. Deficiencies and Needs:  The Town needs the opportunity for more input into the decision to grant or disapprove an application for a curb cut within its boundaries.

  9. Recommendations:  That FDOT, the County, and the Town work together to establish procedures for consideration of curb cut applications in order to avoid negative impact on the traffic circulation of the Town.

  10. Outside Coordinating Entities:  FDOT, Brevard County, and the Town


IV. COMPREHENSIVE REGIONAL POLICY PLAN

 

The growth and development proposed for the Town is consistent with the East Central Florida Strategic Regional Plan. Since the Town is almost completely developed and because it does have strict development controls, it is not anticipated that incompatible growth will occur.

 

The Town's goals, objectives, and policies are consistent with the following goals of the ECFRPC Strategic Plan.

 

Transportation Goal

 

Provide a balanced, safe and interconnected regional transportation system ensuring mobility of goods and people, while enhancing economic prosperity and sustaining environmental quality.

Natural Resources Goal

 

Maintain and enhance the quality of the region's natural resources.

 

Healthy Economy Goal

 

Achieve a diverse and sufficient supply of jobs in appropriate locations throughout the region.

 

Housing Goal

 

Make available to all residents of the region decent and affordable housing in stable communities.

 

Emergency Preparedness Goal

 

Reduce the susceptibility of lives and property to natural and man-made disasters.

 

 

                V. GOALS, OBJECTIVES, AND POLICIES

Goal 1:

 

Establish governmental relationships with both legislative bodies and agencies which will further the effectiveness and efficiency of the decision making process which affects the well-being of the Town.

 

Objective 1:

 

The Town will coordinate the implementation of its Comprehensive Plan with Brevard County, the School Board, the City of Melbourne, and the Town of   Melbourne Beach by providing copies of its plan to these units of government; by reviewing their plan; and by meeting with them to discuss problem areas.

 

Policy 1.1:

The Town will participate in the formation of a Brevard County Intergovernmental Coordinating Committee Countywide planning coordination group whose purpose will be is to discuss intergovernmental issues and planning activities as well as the provision of future needed "public services and facilities," as that term is defined in Section 163.3164, Florida Statutes, and the dissemination of information.  Issues of primary importance will include but not be limited to the coordination of public services and facilities for future needs or that are presently constrained or backlogged and which the Town looks to other governmental entities to supply the public services and facilities.  A non-exclusive list of such public facilities and services would includes roads (County maintained facilities), sewer, solid waste, and water.

 

Policy 1.2:

The Town will continue to attempt to resolve any conflict with other local governments or agencies; however, it will utilize the informal mediation    process of the East Central Florida Regional Planning Council if the conflict cannot be resolved.

 

Policy 1.3:

The Town will continue to cooperate and participate with all applicable jurisdictional bodies in the policy formulation for the management of the Indian River Lagoon and will work to support the goals,objectives, and policies of the Indian River Lagoon Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan.

 

Objective 2:

Continue to ensure that zoning and other development regulation processes are coordinated with the applicable contiguous jurisdiction, Brevard County  at the north and Melbourne Beach at the south City Limits.

 

Policy 2.1:

Continue to implement the Establish a policy which will provides for notification of affected property owners in either the County or Melbourne Beach when variances or zoning requests are made in the Town.

 

Policy 2.2:

Continue to see Request that the same notification policy outlined in Policy 2.1 be carried out developed in the County and Melbourne Beach.

 

Policy 2.3:  

The Town will continue to review all annexation requests thoroughly with Brevard County as to existing and proposed zoning, Future Land Use Plan designation, and effect on urban services.

 

Policy 2.4:  

The Town will continue to review all development requests for compatibility with the Comprehensive Plan of the County and the Town of Melbourne Beach before granting any approval of such requests.

 

Policy 2.5:  

The Town will continue to review all development proposals contained in the Future Land Use Plan of the County and the Town of Melbourne Beach which affect the Town of Indialantic.  This will be completed prior to the adoption of land development regulations.

 

Objective 3:

The Town will continue to coordinate the establishment of consistent level of service standards with the State, regional, or local entities which have operational and maintenance responsibility for public facilities provided.  This will be done before the land development regulations are adopted.  The Town will accomplish this objective in part by the process outlined in Policy 1.1 of this element.

 

Policy 3.2:

The Town will continue to establish level of service standards consistent with those of the County for the provision of sewer and solid waste service and with the City of Melbourne for potable water service.