MINUTES
Of the Special Meeting of the
Citrus Springs Advisory Council
1570 W. Citrus Springs Boulevard
Citrus Springs, FL 34434
June 9, 2004

Chairman Bob Johnson called the Special Meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. The Invocation was given by Pat Hipner, and followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. Sue Rexford called the Roll. All Board members were present with the exception of Ann Julio. Chairman Johnson introduced Commissioner Vicki Phillips, Mr. Kenneth E. Saunders, Jr., Assistant County Administrator and Mr. Dan Tvenstrup, Construction Coordinator, Department of Public Works, and Liaison to the Council.

There were 11 Citrus Springs residents in attendance.

Chairman Johnson welcomed everyone to this Special Meeting to discuss the Citrus Springs MSBU Capital Improvement Plan proposed budget for fiscal year 04/ 05. A copy of which is attached and made part of these minutes. Chairman Johnson said the Board has identified several capital improvement projects, some of which have been started or will be started this fiscal year.

· Re-Design of the Fountain and Main Entrance- at US 41 and Citrus Springs Blvd. This will be put on the BOCC agenda for approval on June 22nd. In the Budget year 2005 the Board has recommended $60,000 for those improvements. The project should be started in the next 3-4 weeks.

· Boulevard Beautification. The Board recommended $30,000 for the next 5 years. This will include plantings on the medians on the main boulevards and any other streets where it would be beneficial. This is a long-term project and it is hoped to be started right after October 1st.

· New Entrance Construction- There are 14-15 additional entrances to Citrus Springs that are not identified in any way. The Board recommended $100,000 in fiscal year 05 for the entrance construction, and $50,000 for fiscal year 06. It is anticipated that the work will be completed in two years.

· Directional Signs- The signs will be similar to the ones in Citrus Hills. This will eliminate all the individual signs along the roadways. The Board recommended $40,000 in fiscal year 05 and $20,000 per year for fiscal years 06 and 07.

· Fire Protection- This is for the installation of additional Fire Hydrants. Twenty new hydrants will be installed this fiscal year. The Board has recommended $80,000 for fire protection in fiscal year 05. The cost of a fire hydrant on an existing line is $3,125 and the cost of having a hydrant installed on a new line is $2,000. The Board may need to address additional funds for years beyond 05.

· Street Lights- The Board recommended $30,000 for 2005, and $10,000 per year for fiscal years 2006-2009.




· Equipment Purchase- The Board recommended $30,000. This is equipment for a full time County employee to take care of the boulevards, the main entrances and the additional entrances that will be ready as soon as possible. It is the Board’s opinion that it will be more cost effective and a better job will be done with a full time dedicated employee.

· Road Resurfacing- There are 402 miles of streets and roads in Citrus Springs that were accepted by the County. In addition, there were 33 miles that were planned but not developed. From 1998-2002 there were 119 roads resurfaced for a total of 47 miles. In 2003 there were 91 roads and 34 miles that were resurfaced (8 miles with asphalt and 26 miles micro paved). Chairman Johnson said he was told that of the County budget for District 5 road maintenance the majority was spent in Citrus Springs. He said the MSBU Board felt it should assist the County in maintaining the roads in Citrus Springs. The Board recommended $200,000 per year for road resurfacing in the year 2005 and 2006. For fiscal year 2007 the Board recommended $220,000. For fiscal years 2008 and 2009 $240,000 is recommended. This would bring the total recommended road resurfacing to $1,100,000 over the next 5 years. He asked Mr. Saunders if there would be an additional charge if we assist the County in prepping the roads before resurfacing. Mr. Saunders replied there was no additional charge.

· Storm Drain Improvements-The Board recommended $30,000 for fiscal year 2005 to lower the storm drains. For the next 4 years it was recommended $20,000 each year, for a total of $110,000, over the next 5 years.

Chairman Johnson then opened the floor to the public:

· Mr. Francis Jasko, W. Autumn Place asked how many homes are currently in Citrus Springs. Chairman Johnson replied on last year’s tax roll there were 2,238 homes in Citrus Springs.

· Mr. Bob Freebes, W. Astor Place asked who would take care of the streetlights, and can the Fire Hydrants be placed near the easements? Mr. Mehl said the MSBU funds pay maintenance fees for the lights and the poles. The electric company takes care of the installation and maintenance. If hydrants were put near the easements then new piping would have to be run and it wouldn’t be cost effective.

· Mrs. Dolores Woodworth, W Autumn Place said that a new light was installed, (because of darkness) and she is paying extra every month for it. Mr. Mehl said it is probably considered a private light and that’s why she is being charged for it.

· Mrs. Connie Jasko, W. Autumn Place said there are no streetlights on her street and when an ambulance was sent for recently, the street was so dark that she had to guide the ambulance to the proper house with flashlights. Mr. Mehl asked Mrs. Jasko to please see him after the meeting to see if that street is on the list for new streetlights.

· Mr. Glen Robertson, N Limbo Circle asked if the new signage would include the words Deed Restricted. Chairman Johnson replied yes.

· Mrs. Kristin Johnson, N Wayland Ave asked if there were any chance of re-working the intersection of Dunklin and Citrus Springs Boulevard. She said that when approaching Citrus Springs Blvd from Dunklin it is impossible to see cars traveling on Citrus Springs Blvd across the median. This is because the median is elevated to such an extent that the cars are hidden. It is necessary to pull to the middle of the median before crossing to ensure safety.

· Margot Berger, W Gardenia Drive said there wasn’t enough advertising of this meeting, Chairman Johnson apologized and said in the meeting last week it was realized that the BOCC needed to get the revised proposed budget as soon as possible.

Chairman Johnson asked Commissioner Phillips if she would like to address the audience. Commissioner Phillips said she was glad to see the residents at this meeting and the last one, which was well attended also. She told the audience, “ this is where you get the information on your community, and see where and how your tax dollars are spent. By coming to these meetings you can help this Board decide on new and current projects”.

Chairman Johnson thanked Mr. Saunders and Commissioner Phillips for attending this meeting. He said it was good to see so many people at last week’s meeting and he hoped to see more people at the upcoming meetings.

Chairman Johnson asked for a motion to accept the Proposed Budget. Pat Hipner made a motion to accept the Propose Budget, which was seconded by John Fitzpatrick, motion carried unanimously.

Mr. Tvenstrup thanked Chairman Johnson for his comments to the BOCC meeting held on Tuesday, June 8th. At that meeting Chairman Johnson thanked the BOCC, The County Staff and especially Mr. Tvenstrup and his Administrative Secretary, Mary Glancy for their excellent continuing service to the Citrus Springs MSBU.

The next meeting will be on July 7, 2004 at 7:00 p.m. in Building A at the Community Center.

Pat Hipner made a motion to adjourn, which was seconded by Glen Mehl, motion carried unanimously.

Meeting adjourned at 6:50p.m.

Respectfully submitted by

Sue Rexford
Recording Secretary