As the time change approaches on Sunday, March 14th, Edgewater Fire-Rescue wants to remind residents to make another change that is important – changing the batteries in their flashlights and portable radios. The spring and summer months brings with them heightened awareness of severe weather. Storms, tornados, hurricanes and other natural disasters can instantly disrupt our daily lives by suddenly leaving us without electrical power. A short power outage might result in no more than the inconvenience of having to reset electric clocks. But loss of electrical power for longer duration can place us at risk of injury, illness or even death.

Working flashlights, one for each family member, help people avoid injuries in a darkened environment. By contrast, lighted candles are a risky lighting source. Candles pose a particularly dangerous risk of fires in stormy conditions, especially when there is a potential for a gas leak.

An emergency power kit can help families stay safe and connected in the event of a power outage. An emergency power kit includes these essential elements: portable radio, working flashlights, portable cell phone charger and extra batteries.

Edgewater Fire-Rescue recommends that residents use the occasion of the switch to Daylight Savings Time as a timely reminder to be ready for whatever stormy conditions might come their way. The department stands ready to help families develop home safety plans and advise people on how to prepare safety kits.

For more information about home emergency safety, call Edgewater Fire-Rescue at 386-424-2445

The City of Edgewater is exploring the possibility of participating in the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) Brownfield’s Redevelopment Program. This program provides regulatory and financial incentives to property owners for remediation, redevelopment, revitalization and economic development of their land for the purposes set forth in Sections 376.77-376.84, Florida Statutes. Your property has been identified as a candidate for designation as a Brownfield Site or as part of a larger Brownfield Area due to its location within the geographical area identified on the attached map.

Participation in the State’s Brownfield program is something the City believes is of direct benefit to property owners as well as the economic health of our community. The City would like to offer this opportunity for those who wish to participate. However, participation in the program is completely voluntary. Property owners that do not want their property included in the City’s designated Brownfield Areas or Sites can elect not to participate during the formal designation process.

The Edgewater City Council will be holding a special workshop to discuss the City’s participation in the State’s Brownfields program. You are invited to attend this workshop:

Brownfields Redevelopment Program Workshop
Date – March 23, 2010 at 5:00 PM
Edgewater City Council Chambers – 102 N. Riverside Drive

For additional information prior to the workshop, you may visit the State’s highly informative website at http://www.dep.state.fl.us/mainpage/programs/brownfields.htm, or you may contact me at the e-mail address or phone number below.

Sincerely,
Tracey T. Barlow
City Manager
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
(386) 424-2400 Ext. 1201

 

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Does your loved one wander off from home, become lost or confused, suffer from Alzheimer's disease or dementia then call the Citizens Assisting Police (C.A.P.) office at 386-409-4791 for further information on how to enroll your loved one in the WANDERER PROGRAM. Please leave your contact information and a C.A.P. Officer or assistant will return your call and provide detailed information about the program and how to enroll your loved one. This is a FREE and uncomplicated service that provides security, safety and serenity for you and your loved one.

Councilwoman Debra Rogers will be hosting Town Hall Meetings on the following dates:

• Tuesday, March 30, 2010 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Edgewater Landings Clubhouse, 601 Homeport Terrace.
• Saturday, April 24, 2010 from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at the Florida Shores Clubhouse, 2932 Lime Tree Drive.

Both events are open to the public.

At the City Council Meeting of September 28, 2009, the City Council approved Resolution #2009-R-24 enacting the "Increase Reclaim Customer Initiative". In an effort to encourage residents to utilize the reclaimed water system and reduce effluent discharge from the Wastewater Treatment Plant into the Indian River Lagoon the resolution authorizes the abatement of reclaimed water impact fees, adjusts the connection fee and reduces the reclaimed water rates.

NOW IS THE TIME TO CONNECT TO RECLAIMED WATER!!

	Previous Fee	New Fee	Difference
Impact Fee	$603.29	$    0.00	($603.29)
Connection Fee	$556.96	$650.00	$  93.04
Total Connection Fees	$1,160.25	$650.00	($510.25)

	Previous Rates	New Rates	Difference
Base Rate 0-20k gal.	$9.50	$9.50	$0.00
20,000  30,000 gals.	$0.60/k	$0.31/k	($0.29/k)
> 30,000 gals.	$1.20/k	$0.42/k	($0.78/k)

**A 12-month payment plan for the Connection Fee can be arranged with a minimum $200 down payment.

REASONS TO USE RECLAIMED WATER

• Reclaimed water provides for a more economic means of irrigation.
• Reclaimed water has a low salt content, which will not harm plants.
• Reclaimed water has a low iron content, which will not stain walkways and buildings.
• Reclaimed water usage reduces the demand on potable and groundwater sources.
• Reclaimed water recharges the shallow surficial aquifer with fresh water.
• Reclaimed water usage reduces the quantity of effluent discharged into the Indian River.

Reclaimed water is highly treated wastewater effluent that is treated to advanced wastewater treatment standards at our Advanced Wastewater Treatment Plant. This water has been subjected to strict water quality standards established by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP). This product is continuously monitored and analyzed by our Licensed Wastewater Treatment Plant Operators and Lab Administrator to insure continued quality and compliance with regulations.

Reclaimed water is currently available in the Florida Shores area of the City of Edgewater. The service is limited by the extent of our reclaimed water distribution system, which is a completely separate system of underground piping from the pipes carrying potable water.

To have reclaimed water installed please contact Tyna Lynn Hilton, Environmental Administrator, at 386-424-2494, or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

 

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The City of Edgewater is currently seeking anyone interested in serving on a City Board or Committee.

Applications can be obtained on the City’s website at www.cityofedgewater.org, by contacting the City Clerk’s Office at 386-424-2400 or at City Hall, 104 N. Riverside Drive.

The Boards currently with vacancies are:
Citizen Code Enforcement
The Citizen Code Enforcement Board consists of seven members, with three-year terms.  The Board meets monthly on the third Thursday at 2:00 p.m.  Board members must be City residents for at least one year prior to appointment, unless no qualified candidate applies for membership.  Members may not be City employees or serve on other City Boards or Committees.

The Board functions shall include, but not be limited to: having the authority to hear and decide alleged violations of the City Code of Ordinances, including but not limited to:  All areas of jurisdiction set forth in Chapters 162, 489 and 553 F.S.; Chapter 10, Article II – Noise; Chapter 10, Article III – Cleanliness and Sanitation of Premises; Chapter 10, Article IV – Sewage Disposal; Chapter 11 – Occupational License; Chapter 12, Article II – Garage Sales; Chapter 12, Article III – Alarm Systems; Chapter 15 – Streets and Sidewalks; Chapter 21 – Land Development Code.

Construction Regulation
The Citizen Construction Regulation Board consists of seven members, with three-year terms.  Five members shall be representative of the following:  Florida licensed general contractor; Florida licenses architect or structural engineer; Florida licensed property or casualty agent; Florida certified fire inspector or firefighter and a citizen at large.  The remaining two members shall be chosen from the following Florida licensed contractors:  electrical, plumbing and air conditioning.  The architect shall be other than a landscape architect.  

The Board meets monthly on the third Thursday in January, March, May, July, September, and November at 7:00 p.m.  Board members must be City residents for at least one year prior to appointment, unless no qualified candidate applies for membership.  Members may not be City employees or serve on other City Boards or Committees.

The Board functions shall include, but not be limited to: review the building, fire and other related technical code and policies; hear appeals of a decision or action of the Building Official or Fire Chief; provide recommendations to the City Council on building and construction related matters; exercise disciplinary control and oversight over locally licensed contractors.

Economic Development
The Economic Development Board consists of nine members, with three-year terms.  The Board meets monthly on the first Wednesday at 8:00 a.m.  Board members shall be a resident of the City, work within the City, or own property or a business within the City of Edgewater.  Members may not be City employees or serve on other City Boards or Committees.

The purpose of the Board shall be to formulate plans for use and development of property for industrial development; promote the City as a prospective site for industry and provide support for existing businesses.

You may look at this time of year as a lot of work or you could look at it as a great time to save money and help protect your environment, by using your yard debris instead of buying mulch and commercial fertilizers.  Leaves can be used as mulch or used in your compost pile for the making of great “black gold” soil to use in your flower pots, flower beds, or gardens, etc.  

What is the difference between composting and mulching?

• Composting is a natural process of decomposition and the recycling of organic material into a rich soil amendment.
• Mulching is placing any material (leaves, pine needles, wood chips, paper, and rocks) over the soil to reduce the soil moisture evaporation, insulate plant roots from extreme temperature changes, reduce erosion and suppress weed growth.

You may prefer to have your yard debris picked up by the City’s Environmental Services Department.

General guidelines:   

• Please place bags and/or containers to the curb on WEDNESDAY (except Holiday weeks) for pick up.
• All grass clipping, leaves, and pine needles MUST be bagged or contained to eliminate the possibility of interfering with the stormwater drainage system.
• Do not mix loose laying yard debris with your bagged or contained yard debris. (Keep separated for separate pick ups)
• All grass clippings, leaves, and pine needles bags or containers must be free of any other type of waste.
• Keep all bagged or contained yard debris at curbside not blocking your mailbox, driveway, or drainage swale/ditch area in front of your own home.

Yard debris is defined as: grass clippings, leaves, shrubbery and tree cuttings, pine needles, palm fronds, etc.sd