January 15, 2002
Outfall Drain at the beach at Fifth Avenue: FDOT developed an approach to channel the initial water from SR-A1A west under SR-A1A with the excess water going through the existing beach structure. Funding in the amount of $205,000 is included in the FY-04 FDOT Tentative Work Program as conveyed at the October 23, 2001, public hearing.
Wavecrest Park Water Fountain: The proposal to install a sign to replace the existing sign and damaged water fountain on Fifth Avenue east of SR-A1A was approved by the Council with the monument portion being placed out to bid. No bids were received. Staff is working to secure a proposal to have the monument sign constructed. Once a satisfactory proposal has been developed, contracts for both the monument sign and the artist’s face portion of the sign will be presented to the Council for approval.
FRDAP Grant/Riverside Park: The pier portion of the improvements, consisting of a pier 400 feet long by 10 feet wide, was approved with the award of the bid to the lowest bidder on October 16, 2001. Construction has commenced. Approximately 360 feet of the pier has been installed as of January 9, 2002. Project is projected to include a covered area approximately 30 feet by 30 feet at the western terminus of the pier, lighting, 2 handicapped parking spaces, and a small walkway.
FRDAP Grant/Orlando Park: The FDEP grant for $28,517 includes two parking spaces for handicapped individuals, a ramp for handicapped access to the pavilion, a walkway connecting the parking spaces with the pavilion and Magnolia pedway, straightening the northern end of the pedway, and play equipment for handicapped individuals. Commencement documents were approved by FDEP on October 8, 2001. Bids were opened on November 9, 2001, with the bid awarded by the Council on December 18, 2001, for walkway improvements.
FRDAP Grant/Douglas Park: The application for FRDAP funds in the amount of $50,000 was submitted to FDEP on October 5, 2001. The project improvements include two handicap parking spaces, connecting walkways, a gazebo, and sea wall improvements. To meet FDEP’s funding ratio for support items in relation to primary items the amount was decreased to $41,043 to insure securing the needed sea wall improvements.
Melbourne Causeway Trail: Staff is working with FDOT to secure more defined control over the south portion of the Melbourne Causeway to enable the Town to seek Recreational Trails Program funds to repair the existing trail and make related improvements. Efforts are underway to address with FDOT the grant condition that the Town demonstrates control over the subject area.
Pavers/Fifth Avenue: The Parks & Recreation/ Beautification Committee has worked with staff toward having pavers installed along the north side of the 300 block of Fifth Avenue and to have spots in the 100 and 200 blocks repaired. Much of the work has been completed; however, staff is working to address some minor areas with the remaining pavers.
County sewer line installation: A force main is to be installed from the N. Riverside Drive/Second Avenue intersection along Second Avenue to Palm Avenue and south on Palm Avenue. The County has requested to install this line to eliminate the sewage overflow situation that has occurred in the past at the intersection of Miami Avenue and S. Riverside Drive. The County awarded the bid and issued the Notice to Proceed effective 8/22/01 with a completion date of 4/19/02. RKT Constructors installed the line under Fifth Avenue and milled the area to be opened for the new pipe. Work has been progressing in the vicinity of Fifth Avenue with the contractor moving north of Fourth Avenue at this time.
Fifth Avenue Right Turn Lane at Riverside Drive and Left Turn Lane at SR-A1A: All three parcels for the Riverside Drive turn lane have been transferred to the State. The property owner has relocated the existing detached sign in accordance with the previously approved agreement. FDOT has reimbursed the Town $25,000 for the FDOT share of the land purchase. The bid to construct the improvements, including an eight-foot bicycle path through Douglas Park, was awarded on October 16, 2001, to the low bidder—i.e. Watson Paving, Inc. in the amount of $152,183.75. FPL is scheduled to move the power poles by mid-January.
Brevard County Shore Protection Project—South Reach: Sand will be applied along the area’s coastline beginning in March with Indialantic sand to the area from Tampa Avenue south. Residents may notice equipment and pipe on the beach starting in mid-February. It is expected that the area north of Tampa Avenue will receive sand in November and December of this year.
Draft revisions of the Code concerning fences and walls as well as designating municipal parks and municipal parking lots as permitted uses have been provided to the members of the Zoning & Planning Board for consideration. The Board provided recommended adjustments and noted support for consideration by the Council.
Dumpster Enclosures: A petition from certain business owners was considered by the Zoning & Planning Board on December 27, 2001. The Board declined to take any action to eliminate the Town’s requirement that dumpsters be enclosed.
The owner of the Sand Dollar motel on SR-A1A has expressed an interest in demolishing the existing building(s) and constructing condominiums. Staff has reviewed his proposal on several occasions; however, modifications are needed to his site plan submittal prior to being considered by the Zoning & Planning Board.
Sunrise Park Addition: County staff members have expressed a willingness to lease the property to the Town for park use. Town staff has started to review the County’s draft of an inter-local agreement, which will be forwarded to the Council for consideration.
Causeway Vulnerability Study: The consultants engaged by the MPO presented their sixty percent phase report of the causeway vulnerability study to the MPO. The study includes consideration for the impact that might be realized as the result of category 1, 2, & 3 events as well as the ability to utilize the causeway after a storm. The Indialantic side of the Melbourne Causeway is of concern with regard to potential damage to the roadway and shore. It is expected that an approach to address these concerns will be identified along with an estimated price to correct the concerns.
SR-A1A resurfacing: A pre-construction meeting was held at the FDOT Rockledge office on September 12, 2001, concerning the SR-A1A resurfacing project south of Fifth Avenue that will include the installation of a walkway along the west side of the roadway. The start of construction has been delayed until February 4, 2002. According to FDOT, drainage and sidewalk construction will occur in the day and milling and resurfacing will occur at night; Valerie Tutor (386) 738-7101 has been designated as the public information contact person; and APAC of Florida, Inc. is the contractor.
Annual Maintenance: Town staff members are restriping the parking spaces at the beach as they do every year. At the recommendation of the Florida League of Cities, staff members are painting the bumper stops to increase the ability for them to be seen in the hopes of lessening anyone tripping over them.