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: An application for FRDAP monies was sent to FDEP September 5, 2006. Proposed project improvements, costing $50,000, include redecking the boardwalk area between the restrooms and crossover #3, redecking access #4, providing additional sidewalks in the southern end of the park to better move pedestrians and avoid conflicts with vehicles, paving a portion of the parking lot drive-thru area, and providing additional play equipment.
FRDAP Grant/Riverside Park: An application for FRDAP monies was sent to FDEP September 5, 2006. Proposed project improvements, costing $50,000, include a walkway through the park from the handicap parking spaces, interconnecting with the picnic areas, to end across from the sidewalk at Second Avenue; outside binoculars/telescopes (2) at the western end of the pier; and a bench swing.
Causeway Lights: FDOT issued a contract to fix the lights on the Melbourne Causeway. Many were damaged as a result of hurricanes Frances and Jeanne; however, FDOT was not able to repair the lights as an emergency measure. The contractor began work on March 27, 2006. FDOT personnel are coordinating with County personnel, who maintain the lights, to get all of them operational. A contractor for the state eliminated one of the light poles. The County has the lights functioning with the exception of four on the north side and one on the south side. The County’s bucket truck was out of service delaying the completion of this project; however, County forces have been out working to fix the balance of the lights.
Planning Services: The current consultant who provides planning services for the Town has indicated that he plans to leave the area and will be unable to continue providing such services for the Town. A request for Services soliciting planning proposals was posted with professional planning organizations and advertised in the local newspaper. Eleven firms submitted proposals for consideration by the August 31, 2006, deadline. Three firms made presentations to the Town on October 9, 2006, and were ranked. Council is being requested to approve the ranking and authorize negotiation for the contract.
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 newly constructed 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. FDOT has combined the project with a similar project in Brevard County and has set a bid letting date of January 31, 2007.
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.
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.
Flexible Benefits: In accordance with Article 13 of the PBA/Town agreement covering police officers and communications officers, staff is exploring the possibility of a flexible benefit funding opportunity that will benefit all 37 full-time employees. Cost is a factor at this juncture.
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. The landscape architect reviewed the plans with the Town Manager on April 14, 2006, and updated the plans and specifications. Comments from FDOT were due to the landscape architect by the end of the month. A request was submitted to extend the grant completion deadline for the Urban & Community Forestry grant, which was approved extending the deadline to September 30, 2007. FDOT provided the required landscape plans to the Town on August 21, 2006. Council has approved the adjustment of trees within the planting space enabling staff to prepare the bid documents for the project.
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.
Demolition: The owner of the Ocean View Diner and the adjacent Ocean Breeze properties, which are located on Wavecrest Avenue, has demolished both buildings. He intends to secure the property. A demolition permit has been issued for a former motel on S. Miramar Avenue next to the Dolphin Club. It was damaged by hurricanes two years ago.
Sidewalk: The County forwarded an executed agreement and check in the amount of $38,353 to construct a sidewalk along the south side of the 100 block of Eighth Avenue. Council approved this project on March 21, 2006. The project is under construction.
Water Service: Melbourne water has been installing new service lines in the 400 block of Wayne Avenue. A fire hydrant has been situated at the northwest corner of Wayne and N. Ramona avenues.
Right-of-Way Maintenance: Public Works personnel are trimming vegetation along the various street rights-of-way in the Town to remove vegetation that is hanging over or into the driving surfaces.
Police Car: The replacement police patrol car funded in the current budget has been delivered and is being readied for service.