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Town of Ocean Ridge |
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UTILITIES INFRASTRUCTURE ADVISORY BOARD MEETING FOR THE TOWN OF OCEAN RIDGE, FLORIDA, TO BE HELD IN THE TOWN HALL ON WEDNESDAY, MAY 5, 1999, AT 5:00 P.M. The meeting was attended by Town Manager Gregory Dunham, Town Clerk Hancsak and the following members: Chairman Willens, Michael Nevins, Craig Baskin, and Peggy Smith. It was noted that Barry Essig and Dr. Smith were absent with notice and Greg Zink would try to attend the meeting although he knew he would be late. It was also noted that five residents were present, including Comm Bingham. II. The minutes of the March 17, 1999 meeting could not be approved due to the fact that a quorum was not present. Town Clerk Hancsak suggested that after the public participation portion of the meeting there may be a quorum and approval could be done at that time otherwise the regular portion of the meeting could not continue.
Town Manager Dunham commented that the board was seeking public input on problem flooding areas and that this meeting was advertised in an article published by the Ocean Ridge Reporter. Chairman Willens agreed and stated that the board was interested in comments from the public that could possibly be incorporated into the scope of work details for the drainage study. He reminded those present that the Town Manager has already been directed by the Town Commission to develop a scope of work. He then suggested that each resident be given the opportunity to relay his or her concerns. David Berger, 45 Bimini Cove Drive, stated that his concern was flooding during the summer storms because of the poor drainage that has been approved on both sides of his residence. He commented that he has had 4" of standing water in his driveway at various times. He added that he had no specific complaint but felt that drainage pipes should be installed from the street near his residence to the ICWW. Mrs. Smith questioned whether the water in his driveway was caused by high tides to which he advised that it is a combination of the high tides and rainstorms. He added that there is currently a drain between Lot 46 and 47 but not between his lot and Lot 46. Mr. Nevin stated that the problem on his street (Inlet Cay Drive) is in the cul-de-sac where the water pools as a result of water backing up from the ICWW not actual draining problems. He added that the resident at 9 Inlet Cay is the most affected and at times they can not exit or enter their driveway. Town Manager Dunham stated that he believed that there was a red valve in that location and possibly it was not working properly or there is a crack in the pipe. Mr. Berger commented that 24 Eleuthera Drive which is also at the end of a cul-de-sac also has a problem with flooding also. George Bierlin, 26 Hudson Ave., stated that the main problem on Hudson Ave. was a large dip in the road at the vacant lot (20 Hudson Ave.) which is inundated with mangroves. He stated that the water rises to between 6 – 7" and actually floods across the street stretching from 15 to 50’ long. He suggested that the town raise the street in this area and place a curb along 20 Hudson Ave. to act as a dam which would cause the water to flow back into the drainage ditch. Chairman Willens stated that the water presents a definite safety hazard and the area is a catastrophe waiting to happen. Comm Bingham commented that Hudson Ave. was originally a bog area and she feels that the area where the street is sunken was probably the deepest section of the bog with the possibility of water still running under it. She stated that the planting and filling of the Edith Street might also be contributing to the flooding to which Mr. Bierlin advised that the water is only coming from 20 Hudson Ave. Comm Bingham cited that Ocean Ave. also has flooding problems as a result of the drainage ditch. Stephanie Webb, 61 Spanish River Dr., representing Kathy Burke, 34 Spanish River Dr., stated that she has a problem with standing water in her driveway. Mrs. Webb stated that there used to be a drain on the lot to the north of 34 Spanish River Dr., which might have been closed or covered when the new home was built. She added that she believed this residence did not have a standing water problem until the residence north of 34 Spanish River Dr. was built. Jake Webb commented that he believed the drain was located behind the mailbox by a hedge. Town Manager Dunham advised that he would have the maintenance department recheck the area in an attempt to locate the drain. Cheryl Olanoff, 566 David Lane, stated that she had 18" of water in her home as a result of the November 4, 1998 storm. She added that she heard that South Florida Water Management has taken some responsibility for releasing too much of the canal and lake overflows into the ICWW thereby raising the level too high and backing up the drains. She stated that while she realized that this storm was an act of nature there has also been a long history of flooding and drainage problems in her area. She commented that during the high tides in October she has seen the water level knee deep. She believes that the major source of the problem is that several of the multi-family structures, including the Capri, Ocean Walk, Ocean Ridge Apts. and even the Villas of Ocean Ridge, did not provide drainage when they were built and since she is obviously the low lying area the water flows to her street. She also stated that she is concerned with the lot that was just filled on Osprey Court because the dirt is actually at her eye level. She questioned where their drainage would flow. Chairman Willens inquired if there were any ordinances regarding drainage when building a new home. Town Manager Dunham stated that the resident must provide drainage plans and calculations providing for the retention of 1" of rainfall in a 1 hour period as per Section 26-41 of the Code of Ordinances. Chairman Willens also commented that several of the multi-family structures referred to might have been built predating the drainage requirements. Mrs. Olanoff also expressed her concern that the drains located on Adams Road are not cleaned often enough thereby contributing to the drainage problems. She questioned why the drains from Adams Road flow to the Ocean Ridge Yacht Club and then out into the ICWW when they should run directly to the ICWW. Mrs. Olanoff also stated that she believed that the property owned by the National Wildlife, encompassed by the Beachway North Subdivision, used to have a retention pond and it is no longer there. Mrs. Smith questioned whether the flooding water was salt or freshwater to which she was advised that it is freshwater with the exception of the Nov. 4th storm. Town Manager Dunham stated that he would investigate the status of the lot on Osprey Court. Comm Bingham commented that she believed Dorothy Whitney had some drains in the area that she had installed herself that may not be working. Town Manager Dunham advised that the drains will be checked in conjunction with the drainage study. Chairman Willens added that the town needs to review the drainage comprehensively in order to solve the problems. Mrs. Smith stated that she has observed an area by Emerald Shores and A1A where the water usually pools leading one to believe that a drain may not be working properly. Chairman Willens suggested that the staff create a catalog of the existing drains, to which he was advised that such a log exists, which is approximately 90% complete that shows the drains and outfalls. Mr. Dunham commented that TV’ing the lines will provide a lot of information. Reiterating his earlier concern, Mr. Berger stated that current requirements require a residence to be built with a 12’ flood criteria, however, the requirement was only 7’ when his home was built and he fears that he will reside in "flood valley". Chairman Willens thanked the residents that participated in this forum and reminded the members that since there were not enough members to constitute a quorum the regular meeting could not be held. ADJOURNMENT The informal resident forum meeting was adjourned at approximately 6:10 P.M. |
