THE ROAD AHEAD UNTIL SAND IS ON OUR BEACH!

     We hope you have all enjoyed the remainder of your summer and our thankfully tranquil weather so far!  Although we've been relatively quiet with our eblasts since the MSTU referendum results, there's still been a lot going on with our beach project.  It seems the best way to bring you up to date is just itemize significant news and then outline what will be happening in the months between now and when the pumping begins late summer/early fally of next year.

PROGRESS MADE IN THE MONTHS OF JULY & AUGUST

     1.  The necessary steps have been concluded to implement the MSTU districts for this tax year on the gulf front and gulf interior.  Milage rates have been set at 4.4 for the gulf front and 1.6 for the gulf interior. 

     2.  The bond process is underway and the bond agent has been provided with the data necessary to complete our bond review.

     3.  The easement for the primary access point at the Buffer Preserve has been obtained.  Many thanks to Cape property owner Tim Dodson for gifting this easement to the County in perpetuity!  The County will begin working with the Buffer Preserve on the plans for the parking and bathroom facilities for this location.

     4.  Ashwood and the County are working together to finalize the Dunes Drive public access. 

     5.  Securing the public walkover at Rish Park appears to be forthcoming.  This important walkway allows the entire segment of Rish Park to be paid for from State funds.

     6.  The County's budget for the coming fiscal year, which was just finalized in the budget review process, includes the monies necessary to build out our public accesses.

     7.  The permitting application process is well underway and the feedback from both FDEP and USACOE has been favorable.

SO WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

      1.  First of all, we want to advise you the SJPBAC will most likely no longer meet on a set monthly schedule.  We will post notices of our meetings via eblast as soon as we are aware of the need to have a meeting, however.  Our next scheduled meeting will be Friday, September 29th, at 1:00 EST at the County Commission Meeting Room. 

     2.  The day before this meeting, the FDOT will be holding meetings concerning the Stump Hole.  When more information on the time and location of this meeting is available, we will notify you.

     3.  The County attorney is currently reviewing the Construction Easement documentation necessary for the project.  Each gulf-front owner will receive a packet with the construction easement paperwork and instructions sometime this fall.  We will provide via eblast and web an FAQ on the Construction Easements and the most commonly asked questions about the Construction Easements based on experience in other communities.

     4.  The Erosion Control Line (ECL) surveys will be conducted in late fall, approximately November.  Public hearings will be held on the ECL after the first of the year, probably January.  Again, there will be a full FAQ prepared and made available to help answer any of the commonly asked questions about the ECL and what it means to the gulf-front property owners.

     5.  Secondary beach access points:  Discussions have taken place with numerous individuals concerning secondary access points.  Ideally if we could obtain two secondary access points, the costs to the property owners would be reduced considerably.  If you, your neighborhood, or someone you know is in a position to assist with a secondary access point easement, please contact us at info@savethecape.com.  We'll put you in touch with Don Butler, who is the ultimate person to discuss the easements with on behalf of the County.

     Thanks again to all of you for working as a community to get our beach project this far!  There is still a great deal to be done, however, and we need to continue to work together to complete the final steps required from us as property owners before the project will be ready to start next fall.  If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to email us!