Of the Meeting of the
Citrus Springs Advisory Council
1570 W. Citrus Springs Boulevard
Citrus Springs, FL 34434
Bob Johnson- Chairman Pat Hipner-Vice Chairman
John Fitzpatrick Ann Julio Glenn Mehl
The Citrus Springs MSBU Council met on Wednesday September 1, 2004 at
7:00 p.m. in Building B at the Citrus Springs Community Center.
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I. CALL TO ORDER
Chairman Johnson called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. The Invocation was given by Pat Hipner, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.
II. ROLL CALL
Recording Secretary, Sue Rexford called the Roll. All Board members were present. .
III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Regular Meeting of August 4, 2004
A motion was made to accept the Minutes of August 4, 2004 as presented by
Ann Julio Seconded by; John Fitzpatrick.
Motion carried unanimously.
Chairman Johnson introduced Mr. Gary Maidhof, Director of Development Services, and Mr. Danny Tvenstrup, Construction Coordinator and Liaison to the Council.
There were 49 attendees, 41 of which were Citrus Springs residents.
IV. IMPACT FEES- Gary Maidhof, Director of Development Services
Mr. Maidhof explained that Impact Fees are a one-time charge on new growth to offset impact on the infrastructure. In 1988 the county adopted 8 impact fees. Each one designated to a specific infrastructure: roads, schools, law enforcement, fire services, emergency medical services, libraries and public buildings. For various reasons the County did not look at them again for 12 years. He said in 1999 the fees were reviewed. The County Commissioners issued a directive to re-visit Impact Fees every 3 years. The original fee was $1,432.50 per single family home and was increased to $3,131. The County is now reviewing the Fees again and has a proposal to raise the Fee to $7,339 for a single-family home. The County Commission will hold public hearings before a final decision is made.
V. OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
· A member of the audience asked about the stop sign at the intersection of W Century Blvd and Citrus Springs Boulevard.
Mr. Fitzpatrick will continue to look into the request.
· Mr. Dick Hamel showed a picture of 8 signs on the right of way. He said there should be zero tolerance for signs. Chairman Johnson asked Mr. Maidhof if he would like to comment.
Mr. Maidhof said one thing the residents could do would be to partner with the County and create your own sign Police. He said Beverly Hills Homeowner Association has a stewardship agreement. They are authorized to remove signs that are not allowed by the County. He said you could also call the Code Enforcement Office to make a report.
VI. FINANCIAL REPORT- Chairman Bob Johnson
Chairman Johnson reviewed the Financial Report. A copy of this report is attached and made part of these minutes. He said the Board added $125,000 for paving, $38,500 for fire protection and $16,500 for the re-design of the Main Entrance to this year’s budget. The estimated forecast for revenue collections for special assessments was $557,000. As of 8/31 there has been a total of $813,000 collected. Interest collected to date is about $7,000. The most important figure is the increase in special assessments collected this year. That can only be attributed to the collection of delinquent taxes. The revenue forecast for fiscal year 04/05 for special assessments is $660,000. There is an estimated cash carry forward of $38,470. Revenue collected in excess of forecast for fiscal year 03/04 for 11 months ended September 30 is $256,496 in excess of what was forecast. In addition, when the County took over the Community Center on July 1st, there was $127,500 of the Community Center budget remaining. The total estimated funds available for next year are $1,092,000. The proposed operating budget for 04/05 is $298,340, Capital Improvements budgeted at $500,000 and non-operating expense of $9,000, which would bring the total to $807,340. That would leave an excess of $285,120 at the end of next fiscal year. In addition, the $125,000 added to this year’s budget for paving will be rolled over to the 04/05 budget and will then bring the total available for paving to $325,000.
VII. MAIN ENTRANCE DESIGN- Mr. Paul Gibbs, C & D Engineering, Inc.
Chairman Johnson introduced Mr. Paul Gibbs. Mr. Gibbs said he is a landscape architect under contract with C&D Engineering, Inc a consultant that Citrus County uses on a regular basis. He reviewed the presentation as presented to the Board in March of this year. He proceeded with an updated report to the Board. A copy of his presentation is attached and made part of these minutes. Please refer to the attached presentation for details.
Mr. Gibbs said the target dates/project timeline would be as follows:
October 1: Ø60% of construction documents would be presented
ØMore detail on the waterscape improvement will be presented
ØPreliminary costs and options will be presented
October 15: Ø90% of Construction plans and cost estimates will be ready for Board
review.
November 1: ØMr. Gibbs said he would like to begin the bidding process with
the County.
Mr. Gibbs said they would like to have as much confirmation as possible with these plans, to see if they’re going in the right direction. Chairman Johnson asked the Board members for any comments. Ms. Julio questioned what type of plants would be used in the background where the fountain is. Mr. Gibbs said most of the larger materials would be more to the sides. He said he is also looking into incorporating a control, based on the wind speed that will control the height of the fountain jets. Ms. Hipner said she liked the whole concept especially the front signage. Mr. Mehl asked if the sign would be in the lower planter, and also if the lighting would be low voltage.
Chairman Johnson asked the audience if they had any comments/questions. A member of the audience questioned whether the flagpoles would have a locking mechanism to prevent theft of the flags. Chairman Johnson replied all three flagpoles on each side would have a locking mechanism. Mr. Jack Rourke asked when construction on the project would begin. Mr. Gibbs replied he is hoping to get started by the first of the year. A member of the audience asked what the height of the sign would be at the fountain. Mr. Gibbs replied it would be 8-10’ in height. A member of the audience asked if there would be a computerized irrigation system. Mr. Gibbs said it would be the same as any other irrigation system. He said maybe at the October meeting we could re-visit that. Chairman Johnson asked Mr. Gibbs if he had any objection to the Board using any of his design concepts for the other entrances to Citrus Springs. Mr. Gibbs stated that he had no objections.
He thanked Mr. Gibbs for his presentation.
VIII. REPORTS FROM POINT PERSONS:
Ø Directional Signs- Pat Hipner
Ms. Hipner said she was working on the concept for the new directional signs.
Prioritizing of Paving- Ms. Hipner said she asked Sandra Koonce to put a notice in the Visitor about residents signing the list that is posted in the Community Center requesting to have their street reviewed. She said she would be meeting with the County sometime this month.
Chairman Johnson asked Mr. Maidhof if he would notify the Engineering Department there is $325,000 in our budget for paving next year. The Board wishes to use the entire amount for paving in the 04/05 fiscal year.
ØMowing- John Fitzpatrick
Chairman Johnson asked Mr. Tvenstrup if he would speak to the Board about Mowing. Mr. Tvenstrup read a letter sent to Mr. Bill Gilmer, Gilmer Lawn Services from Mr. Larry Brock, Director, Road Maintenance Division. A copy of this letter is attached and made part of these minutes. He continued saying, as of September 30, 2004 Mr. Gilmer’s current obligation to Citrus Springs would cease. A new contractor will be on board next year. Chairman Johnson said that First Choice Lawn Service was hired to clean up the Main Entrance. He said for the first time in a long time the weeds are out, the grass is mowed, the trees and shrubs have been trimmed and it looks as best it can with what is presently there. Mr. Tvenstrup said the MSBU would supplement the cuttings as it previously has done. It will put it out to bid. Chairman Johnson thanked Mr. Tvenstrup for his assistance in this matter.
Mr. Fitzpatrick said he has received a report from Mr. Brock regarding litter crew clean up. He said from the period of February 17th to August 20th we have removed 16,300 pounds of garbage. In addition, the Surveillance Unit found an abandoned car, which brought the total to 21,500 pounds.
ØFire Hydrants and Street Lighting- Glenn Mehl
Fire Hydrants: Mr. Mehl said he met with Mr. Russell Kint of FGUA at the Citrus Springs Operation Center regarding 35 possible fire hydrant locations. Mr. Kint advised him that he was backlogged with work, but would try to have the water main sizes in 3-4 weeks. On August 23rd he met with Citrus County District #2 Fire Chief, Kristian Sloane at the Citrus Springs Fire House where they reviewed the 35 possible hydrant locations. Chief Sloan concurred with all of the 35 possible fire hydrant locations and was pleased with the prospect of new additional hydrants in Citrus Springs.
Street Lighting: Mr. Mehl said he has identified an additional 31 possible street light locations, and visited them during day and night time hours. This allowed him to compile a total list of 61 new street light locations. He said while visiting these sites he took into consideration population density, traffic usage and safety issues. He has completed sketches for these locations, to assist the power companies in locating and identifying existing or if needed new utility poles. On August 31st he faxed a request to Mr. Larry White of the Withlacoochee River Electric Co, Engineering Services Department on installation and monthly charges involved with the operation of the 31 newly proposed street lights.
He said hopefully he would have this information at the next MSBU meeting. At that time he will present it to the Board for their review. He is also waiting for a return call from Dave Van Valkenburgh, Service coordinator for lighting solutions of Progress Energy. He has also reported 7 new street light outages to the respective power companies for repair at the following locations:
E. Citrus Springs Blvd/CR 39
W. Citrus Springs Blvd/N. Windbrook Drive
W. Citrus Springs Blvd/W. Jonquil Drive
W. Citrus Springs Blvd/N. Gibraltar Drive
N. Elkam Blvd/W. Mystery Lane
N. Elkam Blvd/ W. Linda Place
N. Lecanto Hwy/W. Hampshire Blvd
Ø Beautification of Boulevards- Ann Julio
Chairman Johnson introduced Mr. Richard Divine who was asked to do a
conceptual drawing for an entrance. He said all entrances should be similar in design.
Mr. Devine then presented his ideas and designs for the medians. (Primary intersections,
entrances, and interior medians plantings.)
· Bed Sizes for Primary Entrances: for 491 & Deltona would be 12’ wide and 60’ long. The primary intersections would be 12’ X 30’, and the interior plantings would be 12’X60’, 12’ X 30’, and 8’ X 15’.
· Plant materials: would be composed of small trees, shrubs, perennials and annuals. The greatest variety of plants will be used in Primary locations. The small trees that could be used would be Crape myrtle, Ligustrum, Savannah Holly or East Palatka Holly. The suggested shrubs could be one with persistent leaves such as Indian Hawthorn, Shillings Holly, Burford Holly, Japanese Boxwoods, Nandina, Podocarpus or Junipers.
Mr. Devine said we’re trying to produce a planting of trees and shrubs as a backbone. They will remain constant throughout the year.
· Irrigation: in order to produce and maintain the necessary level of quality, irrigation will be necessary. The location of beds will be determined by the availability of water. Each bed can be irrigated by use of hard wired or battery operated controllers, depending on availability of power.
· Costs:
o Primary Entrance Beds- Plant cost would be between $900-1400, bedding soil including mulch would be $530 bringing the total costs between $1430-$1930.
o Primary Intersections- plant cost would be between $620-$800, materials $290 bringing the total cost between $910-$1190.
o Interior Median Beds: plant cost would be between $550-$800, materials: 530, bringing the total cost between $1,080-$1330.
Ms. Julio thanked Mr. & Mrs. Devine for giving their time and effort on this project. She said we are fortunate to have them in our community and she really appreciated everything they are doing to help us with the beautification of our boulevards.
A member of the audience inquired about the entrance at Country Club Boulevard and US 41.
Chairman Johnson replied, some time ago the Board decided to start at the entrance at CR 491 and Deltona, and then to proceed to US 41 and Citrus Springs Boulevard, Country Club Blvd, then Martinelli.
Chairman Johnson called for a Special Meeting to be held on September 9th at 6:30 p.m. in Building B to discuss the job description of the new employee to be hired and to give our Architect some guidance and answer some of his questions. The Board agreed. He asked for a motion to adjourn.
A motion was made to adjourn the meeting by Ms. Julio. Seconded by: Ms. Hipner
Upon a unanimous vote the motion carries.
A Special Meeting will be held on September 9, 2004 at 6:30 p.m. in Building B at the Community Center.
The next regular meeting of the Board will be on October 6, 2004 at 7:00 p.m, meeting adjourned at 9:50 p.m.
Respectfully submitted by
Sue Rexford
Recording Secretary