It is my privilege to share with you the State of the City report for The City of Holmes Beach. We have again accomplished much this year.
I would like to express my sincere gratitude and appreciation to all staff for their preparation and recovery efforts from this past hurricane season. Although I had hoped we would have once again dodged a bullet, it was this year that our resiliency was tested by not one, but three major storms. I am extremely proud of the resolve of our city staff and of the entire community in the commendable efforts made in getting our city cleaned up, our streets and sidewalks safe, and many of our businesses back opened. Our citizens and business owners and island churches experienced tremendous loss. This will take years to recover from. I urge all to support our island community by shopping locally as this will go a long way in supporting their recovery. I also encourage all to continue lending a hand to your neighbor as they work to rebuild their homes. They are still experiencing the heartache from losing all their possessions and this suffering could be with them for a long time. I once again urge all property owners to take remediation efforts as you rebuild as climate change will continue to play a significant role in the intensity of future storms.
Helene was a major flooding event that created a tremendous amount of household and construction debris. The city has removed 125,000 CYs of debris from the roadways. This was one of the largest efforts in history of all island cities and it was a tremendous effort by our contracted debris haulers, debris monitors, and public works. We can meet the state deadlines for 100% reimbursement and am thankful that the approximate $5M in debris recovery costs alone will not be born on the backs of the taxpayers. The debris removal objective was only one of many objectives addressed daily in the city’s response and recovery efforts.
The city provided for the safety of its citizens and public employees to expedite the return of our property owners and their contractors.
We opened city hall immediately post hurricanes to assist all in need.
We facilitated the restoration of public utilities.
We supported the comfort station and emergency supplies at the Island Library.
We maintained clear and effective communication internally and externally between city, county, state and the public.
We completed rapid and substantial damage assessments, ensuring proper documentation was collected for recovery. Identified long-term planning needs to include staff rest/work cycles with the assistance of mutual aid from all over the country.
We coordinated with county, state, and federal partners on external assessment teams, available recovery resources, and accompanying public messaging.
Ensured volunteer hours and donations were appropriately documented when utilized.
We immediately launched no-fee expedited permitting and extended hours in the building department to assist in the recovery efforts of our businesses and property owners.
We are currently monitoring the status of red tide to implement an incident action plan and resources if necessary.
I thank the entire EOC team and the commission for their support in our ability to meet these objectives. We worked hard over the years developing a Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan and it was tested. Although I rest better at night knowing we successfully accomplished this mission, let’s all hope and pray that mother nature will give us a reprieve next hurricane season.
Now for notable updates on departments: In my attempt to shorten this address, I will only be commenting on key points.
I am pleased to say that the Development Services Department which includes Building, Planning, zoning, and Code Compliance are running exceptionally smoothly on their day-to-day work and were also key players in our recovery efforts.
Legislative work included changes to our commercial zone districts, sign code, noise ordinance, accessory structures, fences, pools, encroachments and seaside gardens nonconformities.
The building department issued just under 2000 permits, of which 755 were issued in the last 8 weeks. They have completed just under 3500 inspections.
Chad Minor performed the duties of Plans Section chief
Neal Schwarts, Safety Officer
Kim Charron, Resource Unit Leader, Documentation Unit Leader, Situation Unit Leader and Liaison Officer
James Thomas, our Compliance Chief, reported to duty each day along with his team checking on the welfare of our citizens and business owners while also assisting in performing damage assessments.
– In February Kim Charron who serves on the legislative committee with the Florida Association of Code Enforcement traveled to Tallahassee where she assisted a delegation team who met with staff from Governor Desantis’s office to discuss SB 280/HB 1537 which would have preempted the regulation of vacation rentals to the state and further limited home rule. This delegation presented evidence and facts to support how the bill would negatively impact local municipalities and restrict home rule. The bill did eventually pass but was later vetoed by the Governor.
Public Works:
I would like to thank Sage Kamiya and the entire public works team for all they do for our city. The physical work performed by this department day in and day out and in the summer heat and on top of that, the added workload in the hurricane recovery did not go unnoticed. We receive many accolades from our community as to how much they appreciate their kindness and their hard work.
As Operations Section Chief for Recovery, Sage Kamiya did an outstanding job leading the recovery efforts. Our Logistics Section Chief, Lindsey Sherwood, was also instrumental in meeting our daily objectives. Lindsey has been promoted to projects supervisor and is to be acknowledged for recently passing the “State Fundamentals of Engineering” exam. This six-hour exam is administered by the National Council of Examiners for Engineers and Surveying and is essentially the first of 3 steps required to be a licensed professional Engineer in Florida. She is now formally referred to as an Engineer Intern as approved by the Florida Board of Professional Engineers. We are very proud of Lindsey and look forward to watching her progress in her engineering career.
Resiliency is a major challenge for barrier island communities and the efforts this team has made in our HMGP, SWFMD, ARPA and State Appropriations storm water capital Improvement projects is commendable.
Current Projects include:
City wide vulnerability assessment through an FDEP Florida Resilient Planning Grant which will identify needs for future funding opportunities.
Under design for a Florida Resiliency Capital improvement project that will improve resiliency on Gulf Drive between Holmes Blvd and Marina Drive by adding storm water infrastructure along this corridor.
Currently working on a FHWA “Safe Streets for All” Action Plan funded by the US DOT.
Completion of Phase F, G and I stormwater improvements
Upgraded 20 Road Crossings throughout the city.
Completed the new Grassy Point Boardwalk
Resurfaced 22 Roadways
Finalized designation of over 500 beach parking spaces.
The Public works crew are continuing the maintenance and improvements of all city parks, ROWs, storm swales and infiltration, inlets, and outfalls, as well as repairing sidewalks and maintaining landscaping.
City Park improvements include the resurfacing of the tennis courts and replacement of fencing. These improvements were generously donated by the Hagan Foundation.
We have identified priority flood prone areas which included feedback from the community workshop. These are currently under design for current and future funding opportunities and include improvements and the addition of storm water infrastructures to alleviate flooding.
We are continuing the replacement and upsizing of failing pipes, inlets, boxes and outfalls (which include the additions or replacements of critical tide valves) throughout our city. Improvements to the Seaside Gardens storm infrastructure are currently under construction.
I once again thank the Christmas elves for finding the time in making our city magical this Holiday season by the installation of our Holiday lighting and city Christmas tree.
Website and Social Media Strategist: Matt McDonough continues to make improvements to our city website and is doing a great job utilizing social media to educate all on the great things happening in our city and on our islanders4cleanwater campaign. Both sites have been seen by thousands, which just confirms how truly special this little slice of paradise is to the world. Matt also assists me and our Public Information Officer during emergency response and as I mentioned at the last meeting, we have added another tool in our toolbox by providing text alerts to our citizens during these incidents. This will allow them to receive area-specific storm response and recovery updates.
City Treasurer: Julie Marcotte took the ball and ran with it. She is a central part of the team and is doing a most commendable job managing the budgets, payables, payroll, and audits. She is a true asset to this city and the fact that she came on with very limited training, preceding two catastrophic storm events and is still here today says a lot about her resilience and her commitment to our city. Julie is performing the duties of Finance Section Chief during our recovery efforts.
Police department: I would like to thank the Chief for another year in keeping us safe. Chief Tokajer is the Operations Section Chief and Public Information Officer for our Response team and did a tremendous job in our hurricane response. His officers continue to put their lives on the line each day for our residents and guests and I thank them for their service.
City Clerk’s office: I thank Stacey and Michelle for all they do for the city. Their customer skills have been tested these past couple of months and I appreciate the kindness they showed the community and their willingness to assist the commission, and all departments. They are a true asset to the community and to the city.
Human Resources: Maureen Gluff continues to do an outstanding job assisting all employees with benefits, needs, and certifications. The extra hours and commitment made by her and her continued willingness to do whatever is asked is appreciated more than she will ever know.
As Mayor, I continue to stand strong in my belief that all natural resources have limits in human capacity and out of respect for our waters, beaches, and the wildlife that live here, I will continue to urge all to reduce their impacts. I also stand strong in my beliefs that the city of Holmes Beach is a treasure because leaders have respected the comprehensive plan and worked hard to make sure that this city continues to be a beautiful place to visit and a wonderful place to live. We provide balance in a community made up of many competing elements. We have done this by understanding the value of quality of life and the value in protecting our residential community and natural resources.
I would like to thank the commissioners, these accomplishments couldn’t have happened without your support, and to the staff your energy and kindness has not gone unnoticed. I would like to congratulate Congressman Buchanan, Representative Will Robinson, Commission Chair George Kruse, our District Representative Commissioner Tal Saddique and our other newly elected county commissioners. I look forward to working with them and Senator Boyd this next year as we continue to keep Holmes Beach a home, we are all proud of.
Thank you once again, it has been an honor to serve, and I look forward to more years serving the citizens of Holmes Beach.
It is the end of the year and it is with great excitement that we get to announce our Employee of the Year, Our Community Partnership Awards, and Our Louis Strickland Citizen of the Year recipient. We also recognize those who longer serve on our boards and thank them for their service with a plaque. This year Greg Kerchner was recognized for serving as a commissioner and also Jim McDaniel for the Clean Water Ad hoc committee.
Our Employee of the Year was given to Mike Capello. He has been with the City for 12 years and is a tremendous asset on our Public Works Maintenance Team. He is always willing to do whatever is asked and always has a smile. He gets along great with everyone and has shown great leadership skills on his team.
Our Community Partnership Awards go to the Hagan Family Foundation for their continued support of park improvements and for their generous support of the Islanders for Clean water educational campaign. We also included the many businesses and citizens who gave of their time, efforts, and money in our response and recovery efforts by supplying meals, supplies, and kindness. We are sending each of them a thank you letter and a City of Holmes Beach Community Partnership Challenge Coin that we had made recognizing the recovery efforts of both Helene and Milton.
Our Louis Strickland Citizen of the Year award went to Sean Murphy for his years of dedication to the community, his many years of service on the police pension board, his 20 years sponsoring the St Patricks Day Parade and for hosting the 2 after hurricane parties in his Garden that was free to the community. And for being an all around nice guy.
I also gave my State of the City at this meeting and have included it in the attachment.