February 21, 2006
Outfall Drain at the beach at Watson Drive: FDOT is considering State/Town/County participation in solving the SR-A1A drainage problem with the Town entering into a JPA with FDOT to fund the improvements (estimated cost is $178,000). FDEP has determined that the proposal complies with FDEP requirements concerning use of the land. County staff is reportedly looking into the possibility of assisting in some, as yet undetermined, manner.
FRDAP Grant/Nance Park: The application for FRDAP monies was submitted to FDEP on September 8, 2003, with the approval letter being sent July 1, 2004. The project improvements, costing $50,000, include 500 feet of boardwalk deck replacement, refurbishment of the sand volleyball seating, 390 feet of sidewalk to connect the parking spaces with the pavilions and play area, a drinking fountain, and play items for youngsters 2-5 years of age. Work has been completed. The grant will be closed out over the next 30 to 60 days.
FRDAP Grant/Sunrise Park: The application for FRDAP monies was submitted on September 8, 2003. The project improvements, costing $50,000, include 700 feet of sidewalk through the park, a covered observation deck, exercise stations along the sidewalk/path, and site irrigation. Commencement documents were submitted to FDEP and subsequently approved subject to the Town securing the permit for the covered observation deck. The FDEP permit was secured on 9/20/04 and FRDAP personnel were so notified. Work has been completed. The grant will be closed out over the next 30 to 60 days.
FRDAP Grant/Orlando Park: The application for $50,000 was submitted on October 5, 2004. Improvements are to consist of a gazebo, play item, extending certain walking paths, replacing the asphalt portion of the path to the west of the park, and resurfacing the basketball court and the half basketball court. The project has been approved for funding and commencement documents have been approved by FDEP. The basketball courts have been resurfaced and the gazebo has been constructed.
Causeway Lights: FDOT has indicated that a contract has been awarded to fix the lights on the Melbourne Causeway. Many were damaged as a result of hurricanes Frances and Jeanne. FDOT further indicated that they were not able to repair the lights as an emergency measure. The contractor is scheduled to begin work in March, 2006.
Douglas Park: A concrete walk was installed from the gazebo walkway to the new bench swing. Dual northbound turn lanes on SR-A1A @ US-192: FDOT has determined that a second northbound left turn lane can be installed within the FDOT right-of-way, which will improve the operation and efficiency of the intersection. The MPO Traffic Operations Committee recommended this project as the third prioritized project and the MPO has indicated in the 2025 Long Range Transportation Plan that this section of SR-A1A will experience severe congestion. FDOT has included $545,993 for the project, which will include mast arms, in the Five-Year Transportation Plan for FY-07. The end result of the project will move traffic and a sidewalk to the west side of the right-of-way that lies to the east of the Longboard House. Plans were reviewed with comments having been forwarded to FDOT. The FDOT Tentative Five-Year Plan includes $584,000 for this project.
Melbourne Causeway: FDOT has included in the Tentative Five-Year Transportation Plan replacing the easternmost relief bridge (bridge number 700037) and the parallel pair of relief bridges (bridge numbers 700173 & 700175), which are east of the Ernest Kouwen-Hoven Bridge on US-192. The plan includes monies in FY-06 for design and monies in FY-10 ($8.223 million) for construction. The Brevard County Causeway Vulnerability Study will impact this project but it appears that the Indian River Lagoon North Restoration Feasibility Study will not. A temporary bridge will be constructed south of the existing bridge, which will protrude about 30 feet south of US-192 along Douglas Park. It is not known if the new bridge decks will be elevated above the current bridge decks. Staff has requested that a separated 10-foot bike path be constructed on the bridges for traffic moving in both directions. Additionally, four-foot bike lanes have been requested along the outer lanes of the new bridges. It is expected that the current pedestrian and bicycle traffic thruways will be maintained during construction.
NUI has extended a gas line along SR-A1A from Grosse Pointe Avenue to about Ninth Avenue to serve properties in this area. Additionally, they plan to provide service to a portion of S. Shannon Avenue and in the 100 block of Eighth Avenue.
Mitigation Grant: The County granted approval for the Town to apply for $53,000 in non-local (FEMA) funds for shutters and an emergency generator for Town Hall. The local share is $17,667. The application was sent to the Florida Department of Community Affairs on May 2, 2005. DCA noted that the emergency generator was ineligible for funding and has requested additional information at various times regarding the shutter request.
Swales: Public Works installed a swale in the street right-of-way at 325 Miami Avenue.
Oakland Drainage: The Town’s consulting engineer has been instructed to apply for a permit from the County to work within the N. Riverside Drive right-of-way to address the drainage problems in the 400 block of Oakland Avenue. A response to County comments was forwarded to the County on December 30, 2005.
Drainage: The storm drainpipe under S. Riverside Drive at Orlando Boulevard was failing and has been replaced.
Melbourne Causeway (south side): FDOT provided the forms to complete the Joint Participation Agreement (JPA) for FY-06 funds to install trees along the south side of the Melbourne Causeway between the Ernest Kouwen-Hoven Bridge and Bridge #700037 (the easternmost relief bridge). The JPA was proposed for $20,100 to install 78 Sabal Palm trees, 11 E. Palatka Holly trees, and 14 Silver Buttonwood trees. The area is approximately 2400 feet in length and is 18 to 20 feet wide (i.e. between the State’s required clear zone and the new bike path). A grant application was provided for the above noted improvements to the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services for Urban & Community Forestry funds on February 17, 2005, which has been approved and executed. Council determined on April 19, 2005, to adjust the plantings being requested through FDOT to be as follows: 69 Sabal Palm trees, 21 Silver Buttonwood trees, 11 Sea Grape trees, and 11 Gumbo Limbo trees. FDOT and the Town Manager met to review concerns about JPA requirements. FDOT has reviewed the Town’s planting proposal and noted that the requirement for Registered Landscape Architect (RLA) services will be required. FDOT believes that they can address the RLA requirements and then have the Town proceed to have the trees installed through a JPA. Council approved the JPA on January 17, 2006 with FDOT executing the document on February 10, 2006.
Nance Park Restrooms: A contractor installed a new roof on the restroom facility. It was damaged during hurricanes Frances and Jeanne. The two easternmost posts will be treated and the building will be painted shortly.
Nance & Sunrise Park leases: Staff has requested that the County extend the leases that it has with the State and follow-up with extensions of the County leases with the Town for the properties that the Town operates as Nance Park and Sunrise Park. Both properties have leases that expire in 2037. State FRDAP grant requirements stipulate that the Town, when applying for FRDAP monies, has control of the property for at least thirty years.