District 1 – Intercession City – July 17, 2009

Kimberly Lawrence presented the Stormwater Program Presentation.

Osceola County Employees in attendance included: 
- Michael Harford (County Commissioner)
- Beth Knight (Chief of Staff)
- Dr. Tina Bond (NPDES Coordinator)
- Amanda Field (Special Assessments Coordinator)
- Iris Soto (Administrative Support Coordinator)
- Linda Tolete (County Manager Administrative Assistant)

Resident Concerns:
Q: Most of the homes in Intercession City have wood foundation. Some homes are elevated off of the ground: therefore, water seeps underneath and does not produce runoff. Will I receive a credit?
A: You may be eligible for a credit to the general stormwater assessment fee, if you are able to prove that you contain your runoff on site.

Q: Residents made the County staff aware of damage to the swale/ditch created by roadwork on SR17-92 completed by FDOT – after the pipe (gas line) was put in. The deterioration of driveways is evident.
A: This is a concern that needs to be brought to the attention of FDOT, since this is a state roadway. (County Staff has since followed up with FDOT to resolve the issue and will continue to track the corrective action.)

Q: Who replaces the culverts in driveways?
A: If the culvert is within the County’s Right of Way and is causing drainage issues, the County will replace them as needed.

Q: Safety issue: Why can’t signs for slowing traffic be installed along 17-92?
A: Commissioner Harford and staff are working with FDOT to place signs within State Right of Way to address this issue.

Q: Why do I have to call every time I have a drainage issue, can’t the County see that there is a problem?
A: Currently, Osceola County addresses stormwater issue in a “reactive” mode. The goal of the Stormwater Assessment Program is to enable staff to become proactive with a scheduled maintenance approach. There are 235 miles of ditches in Osceola County of which 70 miles are accessible for maintenance due to lack of easements over these areas.

Q: Grass cuttings along the median on the Neptune Road project are put out on the road and go directly into the drain.
A: Osceola County recently passed the Illicit Discharge Ordinance which prevents anything other than stormwater from entering storm drains. The NPDES Program is responsible for educating the public and industry on proper mowing practices and ways to prevent pollution from entering the stormwater system. The NPDES program is currently in the process of developing a program to educate companies on the Illicit Discharge Ordinance and how they can prevent pollution from entering storm drains.

Q: The utility company blocked out the ditches and his property floods constantly along 17-
A: Osceola County will check into this issue and coordinate with FDOT on a solution.