American Flag Campaign

Hello N3 Neighbors,

An anonymous benefactor is offering N3 residents American flags for display in our neighborhood.  These are quality flags, 3’x5’ nylon with sewn stripes and embroidered stars. The flags are made in the USA and retail for $25, but will be available for a limited time for $10 each.

Also available is a 5′ stainless steel flag pole with aluminum mounting bracket.  The pole is equipped with rotating anti-furl mounting rings. The pole and bracket set can be ordered for an additional $10.

So, for $20 you can get an American flag and flagpole to display in time for Memorial Day, Flag Day, and 4th of July!  This is a great way for us to show unity at a time when our Country really needs it.

How to Order
This is a limited time offer of one flag per residence.  Email your order along with your street address and a contact phone number to n3sewers@gmail.com and your flag/flagpole will be delivered to you.  Payment will be collected upon delivery.

Additional flags/flagpoles are available locally at retail prices from Lowe’s, Home Depot, Target, etc. and online from sites such as gettysburgflag.com.

P.S. The N3 Neighborhood contact list is significantly out of date, so please share this information with neighbors that might be interested.

Wastewater Capacity Fee Update

Wastewater Capacity Fee Update letter

We recently received a letter from Sarasota County Utilities.  Here are excerpts:

“This letter is to notify you that on March 24, 2020, the Sarasota County Commission authorized a “roll-back” of new wastewater capacity fee increases that became effective on January 8, 2020. The roll-back will last from March 24, 2020, through September 30, 2020.

HOW THIS AFFECTS YOUR PROPERTY

Prior to January 8, 2020, the wastewater fee per equivalent dwelling unit (EDU) was $2,627.16. On January 8, 2020, the fee increased to $3,190. Effective March 24, 2020, it will return to $2,627.16 per EDU through September 30, 2020. On October 1, 2020, the fee per EDU will be reinstated to $3,190. Property owners can save $562.84 per EDU if the wastewater capacity fee is paid before October 1, 2020.

Written sewer availability and mandatory connection noticing packets will be sent soon to owners of properties located in Area D3 and N3 within the boundaries of the Phillippi Creek Septic System Replacement Program and on Tucker Avenue.

IF YOU HAVE ALREADY PAID THE HIGHER FEE

Property owners who paid the higher wastewater capacity fee rate of $3,190 per EDU between January 8, 2020, and March 24, 2020, will be refunded the difference in the manner and method the payment was collected. Utility staff will contact owners who financed the fees to execute amendments modifying the loan terms at the lower fee.”

Additional instructions:

1. Please complete the online sewer connection application at https://sarasotacountyutilities.formstack.com/forms/application_for_sewer_connection.
2. Utility connection staff will then set up your account after they receive your submitted completed online application.  Staff will contact you and provide you your account number and options to pay the wastewater capacity fees.You may then…
3. Pay by Phone at (941) 861-6790/Option #1 through the newly established utility service account, or
4. Online at the utility account management web portal at  https://sarc-egov.aspgov.com/Click2GovCX/index.html; or…
5. Pay by Phone through the utility connection permit at (941) 861-6441/Options #6, (941) 861-3271, or (941) 861-3273.
6. Drop Boxes:  Payment (check only with noted account number) drop boxes for owners with accounts are located at 1001 Sarasota Center Boulevard, Sarasota, Florida 34240 and 4000 S. Tamiami Trail, Venice, Florida 34293

Note: You will need either an account number or a permit number to pay online, by phone, or drop box.

 

(ed.note: I sent in the Application for Sewer Connection form (see above) and was issued an account number.  Once I had the account number I went to the link (shown above) and was taken to the H2O2GO > One Time Payment page.  I entered my credit card info, hit “submit”, and immediately got confirmation.  Very user friendly!)

If you have questions or need more information: 

Paula Parsons Grubb, CCEO
Supervisor, Utility Connection Intake & Code Enforcement Units
Sarasota County Public Utilities

1001 Sarasota Center Blvd., Sarasota, FL 34240
Office: 941-861-0532   Facsimile:  941-861-0603

Cell:         941-650-4134
Email:      pparsons@scgov.net
Web:        www.scgov.net

Good News from Sarasota County Commission!

BCC Meeting 3/24/2020

At today’s meeting Michael Mylett, Director of Public Utilities, proposed the following resolutions to the Commissioners:

• Decrease the assessment of the Wastewater Facilities Capacity Fee from $3,190 per Equivalent Dwelling Unit (EDU) to $2,627.16 per EDU beginning March 24, 2020.  On October 1, 2020 the rate will return to $3,190 per EDU.
• A second, separate resolution authorizes the County Administrator or their designee to adjust the amounts charged for the Wastewater Facilities Capacity Fee paid from January 8 through March 23, 2020 and issue refunds accordingly.

This is exactly the information that we were given at the recent Public Meeting at the SGCC. These two resolutions were quickly approved by the Commission by a 5-0 vote.

What this means for us

This means that the residents/property owners of N3 will have a full six months to pay the previous fee of $2,627.16.  On October 1, 2020 the fee will return to $3,190.00

Also, homeowners that have paid $3,190 will be eligible for a refund of the difference between the two fees.

A special thanks to Mr. Mike Mylett

In late January Mr. Mylett was first made aware of our unique situation. He immediately reviewed the facts and saw the inequities that had developed for our small area.  In early February he began preparation of a revision to the recent fee increase.  On March 5th he (and other county staff) held an informational Open House for N3 residents.  And today, March 24th, his proposals were unanimously approved by the County Commission.

The two bullet points shown above belies the work that he and his staff put into this presentation.  If you visit the County website you’ll find Supporting Materials for today’s agenda. There you’ll see the five PDFs that were prepared to make today’s action official.  That looks to me like a lot of work for our 216 home neighborhood.  So… Thanks Mike!

 

 

 

List of Plumbers

Here (in random order) is a list of plumbers that have indicated an interest in working in our neighborhood:

• Good Samaritan Plumbing – (941) 587-6656
• 1st USA Plumbing –(941) 356-4243
• Apple Plumbing – (941) 925-4995
• A1 Utility Excavating, LLC – (941) 961-5812
• Ty Clark Plumbing – (941) 322-2419
• Mast Plumbing – (941)365-0010
• PlumbingToday – (941) 921-5581
• Premier Plumbing – (941) 921-4846
• Prestia Plumbing – (941) 685-6427
• Professional Plumbing & Design – (941) 355-5400
• Southern Sanitary – (941) 925-7867

(If you know of other plumbers that are interested, have them contact me and I’ll add their names to the list)

DISCLAIMER: The above list is for resident’s general information only and is not a recommendation or endorsement of these professionals. Residents should do their own due diligence in determining the license and insurance status of the businesses listed.

List of Certified Plumbers from DBPR

 A listing of state certified plumbers is available at www.myfloridalicense.com: click on “VERIFY A LICENSE”, then “Search by City or County”>Category “Construction Industry”, Type “Certified Plumbing Contractor”>County “Sarasota”> Search.

Contact Information

• construction questions – John Saputo (941) 650-0022
• Pluris Southgate customer service – (888) 758-7471
• utility connections – (941) 861-6767   [option 1]
• financing connection fees – (941) 861-6767  [ option 3]

Good News for our N3 Neighborhood!

Public Hearing scheduled for March 24th

On Jan 8th 2020 a provision of Resolution 2109-205 took effect and increased our Wastewater Capacity Fee from $2,627.16 to $3,190.00. Our neighborhood responded with calls and emails to County Commissioners and other county officials. Our show of community interest was recognized and today we received this information:

Public Utilities is preparing a revision to the Utility Rate Resolution for Board consideration at a Public Hearing on March 24, 2020.  The revision will include reducing the wastewater capacity fee from current $3,190/EDU to the former $2,627.16/EDU for a period of six months.  If approved by the Board, the revised rate would take effect immediately.

What happens in the meantime?

It is still unclear what our options are between now and March 24th.   Paula Parsons Grubb has recently offered to field residents questions. Here is her contact info:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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N3 Sewers: County Resolution 2019-205

   A Short History

In all the meetings we attended over the life of this project the fee presented to us for connection our central sewer system has been $2,627.16.  Most recently this figure appeared in Resolution No. 2017-089, which was adopted in June 2017. This fee is charged to all customers in Sarasota County, not just residents of N3 (we refer to this as our “connection fee”…  the County calls it a “Capacity Fee”). I find this same $2,627.16 as far back as November 2013, so it probably was time for an increase.

Resolution 2019-205

A resolution was presented to the Board of County Commissioners on Oct 7, 2019.  The meeting was held at 1660 Ringling Blvd in Sarasota. This meeting was open to the public, so we could have all attended. There was some “tweaking” required, so the issue was carried over to Oct 8, 2019 (this is an important date, as we’ll see later).  The resolution was approved by a 5-0 vote and, among other things, it increased our Wastewater Capacity Fee to $3,190.

I encourage everyone to go to the County website and watch a video of the Oct 7 meeting (agenda item 5. PUBLIC UTILITIES).  Toward the end of the presentation you’ll see Utility Director Mike Mylett explain to the Board that the fee increases would not become effective until Jan 8, 2020, as a 90 window was required before the increase could take effect.  So now we see where the Jan 8, 2020 implementation date came from.

The 90 Day Window

So, what happened during that 90 days?  For N3, apparently nothing. As was noted, this increase applies to the entire county, not just us. Other areas that had received approval, or someone building a new house could have taken advantage of that period.  I don’t know about other areas, but I do know that we were not able to take advantage of those 90 days.

In the Jan 13 article I made the following statement: “if we had been given prior notice that the fee was going to go up on Jan 8th we could have gone to the county and paid the lesser amount, whether or not we had received a Notice of Availability letter… or a phone call.”

In a subsequent conversation with Mike Mylett, he pointed out to me that was not the case.  The only residents that had that option were those on the Emergency List and had received phone notification.  So, I was wrong and I stand corrected.

(read Mr. Mylett’s comments in the Jan 29 article)

2017 Budget Meeting

In March 2017 we got an “inside tip” to look at the agenda for an upcoming Budget Workshop.  The N3 committee took a look and, sure enough, we were being considered for being cut from the budget.  We got busy and with the support of Commissioners Maio and Hines we were not cut.  Our project commenced soon thereafter.

(look at the articles in the March 2017 archives) 

Resolution 2019-205

This time we received no “inside tip”, so we had no chance to contact Commissioners.  I believe they would have done things differently had they realized the disproportionate effect 2019-205 was going to have on our 216 residents.

Documents from the Oct 7, 2019 meeting state “a county must at minimum provide notice no less than 90 days before the effective date of the amended fee”. But it doesn’t say anything about a maximum notice.  If Commissioners will suspend this increase for 30-60 days I think we’ll all be happy.

 

 

 

N3 Sewers: What Took So Long?

Here’s the Plan

The official designation for the Area N3 sewer system is CIP #55909. The construction contract was awarded to Spectrum Underground on April 25, 2017 and the Notice to Proceed was given on May 23, 2017. The project was divided into four phases (N3 Phasing Plan June 2017) with the first phase being directional bored conduits at the two Seclusion Dr bridges.

When can we expect service?

The bid specifications for our system allowed 300 days for construction. On May 12, 2017  residents were mailed a “NOTICE OF INTENT TO PROVIDE CENTRAL SEWER SERVICE” letter, with service expected to be available in May 2018.

December 2017

I don’t remember when the first dirt was turned, but residents were happy to see construction activity in the neighborhood.  Phase 2 (actually the first phase of digging) seemed to go well, and a Dec 2017 post noted that “Tanglewood Dr. north of Fair Oaks is essentially complete and Rose St and Bougainvillea are almost finished , as is N. Seclusion Dr.”

July  2018

We are now well past the original “service expected” date and we get this message: “The estimated completion of Phase 3 is September of this year” with construction of Phase 4 to begin in October.  This update mailer also tells us that Spectrum Underground “is behind schedule with an estimated completion of the entire project in February 2019.  So, we are now 9 months behind schedule.

December 2018

The PCSSRP Status Report for fourth quarter 2018 tells us “The contractor [Spectrum Underground] failed to meet the Substantial Completion date of February 17, 2018″.  No reason is given for the delay, but “work has begun on Phase 4 (the final phase) and is scheduled to be completed in March 2019”.

April  2019

A Project Update postcard tells us “Construction of the PCSSRP Area N-3 Sewer Project will be finishing soon”.  It goes on to say that there’s six weeks of work on Tuttle Ave and then paving and sod restoration will begin in Phase 4.  We are now a full year behind schedule… and the estimated completion date  is “soon”. A March 2019 Project Status on the County website posted the estimated completion date as May 2019.

Where’s Spectrum?

I can’t remember the exact time frame, but somewhere along the way Spectrum stopped showing up.  There was still material at the staging areas, but the workmen and equipment were nowhere to be seen. County workers would occasionally be on site, and Windemuller Electric was working on the lift station electrical panels.  I asked one of the County workers what had happened to Spectrum.  He said “maybe they’re on another job somewhere”, but he didn’t know for sure.

December 2019

The Dec 2019 Project Update on the County website tells us that construction was complete in October 2019 and that “final project closeout is anticipated for late December 2019”.  Indeed,  Michael Mylett’s email said the system became available for use on December 31, 2019.

February 2020

So, here we are 1 year 8 months past the original “service available” date on a project that had a 9 month duration. I have never heard an official reason for this overrun, but it certainly seems due to subpar performance by the contractor, Spectrum Underground.  There were no catastrophic acts of nature, unknown construction obstacles, or other force majeure factors.  The leaking manholes in Phase 4 were most certainly not due to an act of God.

What happened to the inspector?

In April 2017 Jones Edmunds & Associates, Inc. was awarded the contract for Construction Inspection.  The duration of the inspection contract was presumably the same as the construction contract, 300 days. The not-to-exceed amount was $319,850, but 17 months later (Sept 11, 2018) the BCC increased that amount to $515, 850.

The Jones Edmunds inspector was not on the job for the last few months of construction. Apparently the county was unwilling to give them yet another increase.  So, we spent over a half million dollars, but didn’t have the oversight when we needed it.  If the inspector had been on site he might well have spotted the problem with the leaking manholes.

Bottom Line

If the project had been completed anywhere near the original May 2018 date we would not be in this situation.  Most, if not all, of N3 residents would have been connected. And we would have paid a fee of $2,627.16, not $3,190.00.

Monday’s post

Next week I’ll recap what we know about Resolution 2019-205, the action that authorized the $563 fee increase.

 

NOTE: All information in this article is from my personal knowledge or was sourced from Sarasota County documents. If I have misstated or misrepresented anything,  let me know and I’ll correct it immediately.

 

N3 Neighborhood: Partners with Sarasota County

A Long History of Collaboration

On Thursday August 30, 2012 Sarasota County hosted a Public Meeting for residents of the PCSSRP Area N3. At this meeting we were presented with the virtues of the “low pressure” sewer system planned for the 216 homes in our neighborhood.  During this meeting one resident stood up and asked “are you asking us what we want, or are you telling us this is what we’re going to get”.  The answer from County staff was “this is the system you’re going to get”.  Shortly thereafter  the N3 Neighborhood Committee was formed and thus began our partnership with Sarasota County.  It would be less than accurate to say that we enjoyed a harmonious relationship from the beginning, but we always tried to be factual and respectful.  Over the next two years we met multiple times with Commissioners and Engineering Staff.  Our efforts were successful and in September 2014 members of the N3 Committee were invited to review preliminary plans for a Hybrid Sewer System designed for our neighborhood.  This new plan consisted of four sewage pumps instead of 216.  The County had only four pumps to maintain and the residents were spared the burden of a large pump in each front yard.  A win-win all around.

In February 2015 the N3 Committee was asked to review the final plans, and so we have the system we have today.  This was indeed a collaborative effort, and at one BCC meeting Commissioner Carolyn Mason said “This is the way government is supposed to work”.

In April 2017 Project Mgr John Saputo asked that the N3 website be used to help communicate with residents during the construction process and every notice or update from Saputo was posted here.  The project inspector for Jones Edmunds also used the N3 Neighborhood platform to inform residents.

In 2018 Saputo reached out to residents to participate in designing the landscapes for our lift stations (scroll the archives to April 2018 – “Wanted: Neighborhood input for landscaping”). Yet again,  the N3 Neighborhood is in partnership with Sarasota County.

Tomorrow’s post: Multiple Construction Delays

In tomorrow’s article I’ll review various aspects of Spectrum Underground’s performance and how their multiple delays have gotten us to where we are today.

Positive Response from Sarasota County

N3 Sewer Connection Fees Under Review

Good news!  I received an email this morning from Paula Parsons Grubb, Supervisor Utilities Connections.  She has received over a dozen emails/phone calls since yesterday (good work, neighbors!) and asked that I pass on this information:

“I am re-conferring with the utility leadership today regarding the utility capacity and connection fees”.  They will meet today and tomorrow and should decide by the end of this week if the “connection fees effective prior to 8 January 2020 will be applicable for property owners mandated to connect in Area N3 in the Phillippi Creek Septic System Replacement Program (PCSSRP)”

She goes on to say “noticing for emergency sewer connections in PCSSRP N3 has been completed, and noticing for non-emergency connections will start next week anticipating that formal notification for all property owners in N3 will be complete within the next four to five months or so.”

(The connection fee today as shown on the County website is $3,190.00.  Prior to Jan 8, 2020 the fee was $2,627.16)

The outcome of the Utility Dept. meetings should be available by the end of this week and I’ll post whatever information is sent to me.

Our Connection Fee Has Increased!

On December 27, 2019 our sewer system was approved for service

Noticing that one of our neighbors was recently connected to the new system, I visited the County Building Dept. this afternoon to pay my connection fee.  We have all been waiting for our Registered Mail notification and I wanted to secure a place in the queue.  Instead of writing a check I had a 1 hour conference with the Utility Connection Supervisor and staff.  Here are the highlights of that meeting:

• The connection fee as presented to us in hand-outs (and until recently on the county website) was $2,627.16.
• The connection fee effective Jan 8, 2020 is $3190 ( a $563 increase).
• Residents who were notified had the opportunity to pay the $2,627.16 – if paid by Jan 8th.
• Property owners who have not already paid the fee will be charged $3190 regardless of whether or not they were notified.

Timeline of Events

Oct 8, 2019 – Resolution No. 2019-205 was adopted by the SBCC by a 5-0 vote.

December 2019 – Customer Cost sheet for PCSSRP appears on the county website reflecting the $3,190.00 fee.

Dec 27, 2019 – Letter to Lori Carroll from J.T. Hickey, P.E. stating “The system is approved for service”.

Dec 31, 2019 – Approximately eighteen N3 residents were notified by phone that they were now eligible to be connected to the new system. These 18 customers were on an “emergency list” due to failing septic tanks, drain fields, etc.  At least one resident was hand delivered his Notice of Availability at the county office where he paid the $2,627.16 fee.

Jan 8, 2020 – The increased fee of $3,190 goes into effect.

Is there anything we can do?

So, if we had been given prior notice that the fee was going to go up on Jan 8th we could have gone to the county and paid the lesser amount, whether or not we had received a Notice of Availability letter… or a phone call.  The folks that received a phone call had that chance.  I don’t know how many of those contacted took advantage of those seven days, but the rest of us had no opportunity!

I don’t think that’s right.

The statement at the top of the Customer Costs sheet says “fees… may be amended and are subject to change.”  Maybe if enough of us call the County we can get a retroactive grace period.  They listened to us before… maybe they’ll listen again.

A comment on County Staff

I walked into the County complex today completely unannounced.  After speaking to the receptionist I was promptly greeted by a Permit Coordinator from the Utility Dept. and taken to a conference room.  After speaking with her for a few minutes we were joined by a representative from Utilities Connections.  A short time later Supervisor Paula Parsons Grubb came in.  So, all three of these folks afforded me almost an hour of their time.  I sincerely appreciate the courtesy and interest shown to me on behalf of our neighborhood.

NOTE:  Paula Parsons Grubb has offered to take phone calls/emails from interested residents.