INDIALANTIC
                RECORD        February 2006

        Director Ron Cassedy completes handicap signage

  SUNRISE PARK IMPROVEMENTS COMPLETED

Improvements including exercise stations, a covered observation deck, seven hundred feet of sidewalk, an irrigation system, and handicap parking spaces have been added to Sunrise Park.  

State funds in the amount of $50,000 were awarded through the Florida Recreation Development Assistance Program (FRDAP) in mid-2004 for the improvements.  The property, situated at the northeast corner of SR-A1A and Watson Drive, is owned by the State, leased to Brevard County, with a sub-lease to the Town.  Council initiated the process to annex the property on December 19, 2000, and completed the annexation process one year later.

The exercise opportunities include the following:  pull-up bar station, beam jump station, body curl/sit-up station, horizontal ladder station, parallel bars station, vault beam station, and push-up station.  

C & D Construction, Inc. constructed the covered observation deck.  Smitty’s Welding fabricated the exercise stations, which Public Works personnel installed.  Don Bo, Inc. installed the continuous sidewalk.  A dune crossover already existed at the park.  It was rehabilitated by Town Public Works personnel during the recent construction phase.  BSE Consultants, Inc. provided design and engineering services for the park improvements.

Auto Cart brings convenience to trash collection

Automated cart garbage collection service by Harris Sanitation will begin in March.  Each household will receive two new 96-gallon carts during February to replace their traditional garbage cans.*  Auto Cart collection uses an automated side-loading truck equipped with mechanical arms to grip, lift and empty the containers. 

Among the advantages of Auto Cart service:

  • Neighborhood appearance improves because there are fewer containers and less spilled garbage, and the containers have a uniform look. 

  •  Collection days remain the same: Wednesday and Saturday for household garbage, Thursday for yard waste and recycling. 

  •  Each 96-gallon cart holds as much waste as three traditional garbage cans. 

  • The attached lids minimize odor and keep out animals and pests.

  • The large wheels and handles make the cart simple to maneuver and make the carts quieter to take to the curb.

  • Carts can be used for household garbage or yard waste because collection days are different.

  • The smooth interior and exterior surfaces allow for easy cleaning.

Two 96-gallon carts are reportedly sufficient for an average household. Please look for more information in the coming weeks, including tips on how to use your new carts. 

* 96-gallon carts will be delivered automatically. Residents who prefer 64-gallon carts may call Harris Sanitation  at 723-4455 within the first 90 days for free replacements. 

Rear door service will continue to be available with implementation of the cart service.

RECENT COUNCIL ACTION

December 14, 2005 Meeting

  • approved a parking meter use agreement with Bizzarros’ for 2006

  • approved extending waiving of permit fees for damage incurred due to hurricanes Frances and Jeanne until March 31, 2006

  •  approved an interlocal agreement with Brevard County regarding the 911 local option fee

  • approved Ord. 06-01 extending the sunset provision relating to transient signs

January 17, 2006 Meeting

  •  adopted Council goals and objectives for 2006

  • approved entering into a Joint Participation Agreement (JPA) with the Florida Department of Transportation for the installation of trees on the south side of the Melbourne Causeway; approved Res. 06-01 authorizing the Town Manager to execute any and all documents relating to the JPA

  • adopted Ord. 06-03 amending Sec. 15-18(k) relating to parking permits

  • adopted Ord. 06-04 amending the General Employees’ Pension Plan

  • appointed  Deputy Mayor Benevente as the Town’s representative to serve on the Tourist Development Council’s Signage Committee

FREE  EXOTICS  REMOVAL

Brazilian Pepper, also known as Christmas Berry and Florida Holly, is an aggressive invader that spreads rapidly.  The bushy trees produce dense thickets that kill other vegetation and suppress the growth of understory plants, destroying food and shelter for wildlife.  Covering more than a million acres in Florida, it is the most widespread exotic plant in the state.

 The most effective way to treat Brazilian Pepper is by a method known as cut-stump – cutting the tree as lose to the ground as possible and applying an herbicide to the stump within five minutes of cutting.  The herbicide must contain the active ingredient glyphosate or triclopyr.  The  best time to treat Brazilian Pepper is when it is not fruiting.

 To have Brazilian Pepper trees removed free of charge, contact Jack Dearhammer at 726-6509.

NEW FACES IN TOWN

Maureen Buccelli -  878 N. Miramar (Dr. Luedeke) – Massage therapist

COUNCIL GOALS FOR 2006

The Town Council recently adopted the following goals for the Town for 2006:

  •  Preserve/protect the present single-family characteristics of the Town

  • Address the Town’s aging infrastructure

  • Improve the appearance of the Melbourne Causeway east of the Ernest Kouwen-Hoven Bridge

  • Explore annexation opportunities 

  •  Decrease the ponding of water in the public rights-of-way after a rainfall

  • Continue efforts to improve the quality of stormwater run-off

  • Continue to bid or piggy-back prior bid for securing goods and services when practicable

  • Strive to ensure that Council actions are consistent with the Town’s charter, code, and comprehensive plan

  •  Maintain the historic high quality level of service within the police and fire departments

  • Promote activities to bring recognition to the Town without burdening the residents

  • Maintain use of the Town newsletter and web site to share information with Town residents

Workers replace the roof on the Nance Park restrooms.  The roof was damaged by Hurricane Frances in September, 2004.  Additional work will be performed on the two easternmost columns and the facility will be repainted.

POLICE BEAT

The most prevalent type of crime reported to law enforcement agencies is property crime.  Property crimes, including burglary, theft from persons and motor vehicle theft, make up slightly more than three-quarters of all crime in the United States, and Indialantic is no exception.  While the Town experiences a significantly lower overall crime rate than other local jurisdictions, property crimes remain at the top of the list of crimes reported to this agency. 

There are generally three types of burglars: (1) low level amateurs, usually spur of the moment juveniles; (2) mid level professionals, who are usually involved in drugs; and (3) high level professionals, who work in groups that come together for a specific, high payoff job.  The vast majority of burglars are amateur or mid level opportunists who have only done rudimentary planning.  A few professionals may travel great distances to carry out a crime, but most burglars prey upon their local neighborhoods and look for opportunities to commit the crime, such as unlocked residences or car doors.  Simply put, locked doors and secure windows save property. The majority of burglaries reported in 2005 involved unsecured residences or motor vehicles.  In addition, there was not one reported burglary to a residence that had an armed alarm.

When walking around Town, particularly on Wavecrest Avenue or in the business areas, one should take care not to expose large amounts of money, jewelry or expensive personal items, such as portable radios or electronic devices.  These items should never be left in sight in an unattended vehicle.  The same holds true for purses and backpacks.  The weather will be warming again soon, which means trips to the beach.  If it is necessary to leave money or expensive items in a vehicle, secure those items in a trunk or hidden compartment before arriving at the beach.  Vehicle burglars select their target by watching what they “hide” when they arrive at the beach.

Unattended vehicles should always be left with the windows rolled up, the doors locked and the ignition turned off.  Florida law prohibits leaving an unattended vehicle running even if for a short amount of time such as running into a store.  Ignition keys should never be left in an unattended vehicle.  More than half of the vehicles that were reported stolen during 2005 had the ignition keys either in the vehicle or in close proximity to the vehicle.

Please follow the above noted suggestions to reduce or minimize the change of being a victim of property crime.  An ounce of prevention is worth its weight in gold when it comes to preventing property crime.  The idea is to make it as difficult or unappealing as possible for the criminal to commit the crime.  As always, we ask that residents be alert to their surroundings and report suspicious people and vehicles in their area to the police department at 723-7788.

Detective Michael Connor

Building Corner- Cliff Stokes

Many pool enclosures remain damaged as a result of prior year hurricanes.  Florida law requires that all pools be enclosed by a six foot high fence or pool cage. Orange plastic construction  fence does not meet state requirements.

Failure to properly enclose pools is a code violation subject to a fine of up to $250 per day.

If your pool is not properly enclosed as required by law please contract to have the work performed and apply for a permit immediately at the Town Building Department.  Otherwise, you are liable to be cited and subject to fine.

For further requirements regarding pool enclosures, go to the Town’s website at www.indialantic.com and review Code Sec. 17-105.

INDIALANTIC FIRE RESCUE

With the end of 2005  I would like to provide you with some highlights of the past twelve months. We actually had a reduction in overall calls in 2005: 554 total calls of which 341 were for medical assistance. There was an increase in  basic service calls and good intent calls. Otherwise statistically we remained almost equal in the remaining categories from 2004 to 2005. 

We required major repairs to our primary engine on two separate occasions and one minor repair to our reserve engine during the year of 2005. All fire hydrants in the Town were flow tested and measured this year to provide us with information on the capacity of each hydrant. We were able to purchase the necessary gauges and equipment to do these hydrant tests in-house. The plan is to repeat this process each year. Two of our firefighters have enrolled in paramedic school and five firefighters successfully passed the State exam for Fire Inspector. 

We increased our volunteer staffing from about 15 members to 21 members and five of these volunteers are currently attending “Firefighter One” classes to become certified firefighters under Florida State guidelines. We have acquired the training materials so that these classes can be taught in-house. The current class includes 5 firefighters from Melbourne Beach. 

Some of  the more unusual calls this past year include the capture of one alligator, the rescue of a mail truck from a very deep puddle, and the draining of a swimming pool said to be inhabited by an alligator, which, by the way, was never found.  However two gold fish were rescued.

Jon Macdonald, Fire Chief

 

ü   Rep. Mitch Needelman will host a Town Hall meeting on Feb. 4th at 10 am in the Council room

ü   The Brevard Watercolor Society is sponsoring an art show in Nance Park on March 18th & 19th

EASTER EGG HUNT

The Parks, Recreation and Beautification Committee is once again sponsoring the annual Easter Egg Hunt on April 8th in Orlando Park.  The festivities begin at 9:00 am with visits from the Easter Bunny and Chicken Little.  Come share some fun, prizes and surprises.

Public Works employees Tony Yacovino and Tony Breglio install an adult swing in Douglas Park. The Parks, Recreation and Beautification Committee recommended the purchase of two swings with a second one to be installed in Orlando Park

UPCOMING MEETINGS

FEBRUARY

            21              8:00 AM    Heritage Committee

            21              6:00 PM    Council workshop

                                             (stormwater)        

            21              7:00 PM    Town Council

            27              9:00 AM    Parks/Recreation

28              5:30 PM    Zoning and Planning

MARCH

21              8:00 AM    Heritage Committee

21              7:00 PM    Town Council

27              9:00 AM    Parks/Recreation

28              5:30 PM    Zoning and Planning

 

The Volunteer Fire Department meets every Wednesday at 7:00 PM at the Fire Department, 216 Fourth Ave.

Sea Oats Sale - Now is the time to get in on the 3rd Annual Bargain Sea Oats Sale.  Sponsored by Keep Brevard Beautiful and the Brevard County Natural Resources Management Office, the project is intended to encourage residents to plant sea oats in an effort to prevent dune erosion.

Plants must be purchased by February 10th and  cost $43.20 per pack of 96 plants (covering approximately 200 square feet).  Pick-up locations will be in Melbourne Beach and Cocoa Beach on February 18th.

Order forms are available at Town Hall or contact Paula Berntson at (321) 633-2016, extension 52431, or e-mail her at paula.berntson@brevardcounty.us

The Indialantic Record is published every other month by the Town of Indialantic, 216 Fifth Avenue, Indialantic, FL  32903 at an outside cost of $.22 per resident.  Daniel S. Trott, Mayor; Vince Benevente, Deputy Mayor; Councilmembers  Dave Berkman, Bruce Bogert and Mike McCabe; Christopher W. Chinault, Town Manager; Laura Eaton, Town Clerk – www.indialantic.com - (321) 723-2242