Oakland seeks loan for alternative water project

The Oakland Town Commission approved at its April 25 meeting the pursuit of a state revolving fund loan to help pay for the design and, possibly, construction of an alternative water facility. Residents currently only have the option of using potable water for their irrigation needs.

This facility would harvest untreated stormwater, filter and treat it and send it out to customers who live in neighborhoods with dual piping. The town is at risk of exceeding its daily allowance for water per its Consumptive Use Permit with the St. Johns River Water Management District.

The CUP allows the town to withdraw groundwater from wells to be used for all domestic purposes.

“We’re permitted to use so many gallons per day, and if we go over, we’re penalized,” said Public Works director Mike Parker. “We’re right on the border with it, and next year we will probably cross that line if we don’t have this project.”

Parker said the preliminary plans the town prepared have been approved by the SJRWMD and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.

The treatment plant will be built at an estimated cost of $3.2 million on land owned by the town on the west end of Oakland near a lift station already there. Source water will be drawn from a town-owned stormwater canal in an area abutting the Hull Island neighborhood.

The town has budgeted $200,000 to provide for more than half of the $319,000 design fee. The remaining portion is anticipated to be budgeted in the next fiscal year, Parker said in a memo to the commission.

“At this point, the SRF Loan would only be used if there is a shortfall in utility revenues that would preclude additional funding from the Enterprise Fund,” Parker said. “It should be noted that this is only to complete the design.”

When the time comes for actual construction of the facility, the design loan could be "rolled" into a construction loan, Parker said. The town has actively pursued other funding opportunities for construction of the alternative system as well.

One Hull Island resident asked if the cost of the loan, if used, would be transferred to residents in the future who use irrigation.

“It won’t really affect the residents … because they’re already using the water; it will just go to a different meter,” Commissioner Rick Polland said.

This also does not affect all residents — only those in newer homes with double meters.

All new neighborhoods must install separate pipe networks that can deliver irrigation water to residents.

SMALL PAVING PROJECT

The commission approved spending up to $150,000 from the Transportation Impact Fee fund to pave South Brock Street and East Sadler Avenue.

The Oakland Avenue Charter School and several church preschool programs generate about 50,000 drop-offs and pick-ups each school year, Parker said. Dust is constantly being stirred up on these dirt streets, he said, and all nearby residents are in favor of the paving.

The work should be completed by the end of the month.

IN OTHER NEWS

• The Town Commission approved the fourth amendment to the developer’s agreement between the town and Oakland Park developer Landeavor that removes an eight-foot privacy fence requirement.

Town Planner Brad Cornelius said some residents on Macchi Avenue were concerned about the tall fence Landeavor proposed behind homes along the western border of the Oakland Park neighborhood.

“That’s not what people wanted to see behind their homes,” he said. “What they will see is a five-foot aluminum fence with landscaping.”

• The Oakland Police Department presented a check to Special Olympics Florida for $983, the amount raised at a recent bench press competition held at Oakland Avenue Charter School. Forty law-enforcement personnel and civilians participated in the event.

• The town proclaimed May 2 Teacher Appreciation Day, May 8 through 12 Teacher Appreciation Week and May 13 World Migratory Bird Day in the town of Oakland.