Hernando County 2016 State Legislative Agenda

---

Board of County Commissioners Hernando County

Hernando County 2016 State Legislative Agenda

20 North Main Street, Room 263 Brooksville, FL 34601 (352) 754-4002 Fax: (352) 754-4477 www.hernandocounty.us

Create and maintain functionally appropriate, sustainable, accessible and high-quality infrastructure and facilities. Appropriation Requests: Department: Public Works Pine Island Water Quality Improvement Project Total Request Amount: $1,922,960 Project Description: Pine Island is a small residential subdivision along the coastal waters of Hernando County. There is also a three (3) acre park (Pine Island/Alfred McKethan) which has a beach and swimming area, picnic area and grills, shelters, observation point, volleyball, playground, and concession stand. The highly sensitive Gulf Coast estuarine waters are particularly vulnerable to septic effluent leaching from poorly functioning outdated septic systems. The existing water and sewer infrastructure is aged, and the proposed septic tank abandonment would improve the water quality of the nearby coastline, and would mitigate the impact of septic tanks on the water quality. The project has been proposed since 1997, but has not progressed due to limited funding. Since this park is used by patrons for swimming, public health may be compromised. This project will improve the water quality and health of the Weeki Wachee River estuarine system. Elimination of the septic tanks will significantly lower fecal coliform counts. Department: Public Works Hunters Lake Cleanup Total Request Amount: $375,000 Project Description: Project Goals – To enhance the ecology of Hunters Lake, the County is proposing to remove approximately 16.5 acres of floating tussocks from the lake, and to remove sediment from the canal leading from the County’s public boat launch on Hunter’s Lake to the main body of water on the lake. Project Justification – Tussocks are floating islands composed of plants (native and/or non-native) growing on a buoyant mat consisting of plant roots and organic matter, and are common in Florida lakes. While they can be beneficial to wildlife, tussocks are also known to move around and block navigation, shade out beneficial submersed plants, and interfere with recreation. Tussock removal will increase recreational access, especially for fishermen and kayak enthusiasts. Through the years, the canal providing access from the public boat launch to the lake has been inundated with silt and material that have made sections difficult to travel. This project will enhance the boat access to the lake and provide a means of access for vessels with a deeper draft. Project Plan – Tussock material will be removed mechanically. The floating material will be scooped up, loaded onto the barge, transported to the off-loading site, loaded on a truck, and transported to an appropriate disposal site. The tussocks, consisting of woody vegetation, grasses, and organic debris, will break down quickly when exposed to oxygen in the upland disposal site. Typically, there is an approximate 90% mass reduction within six (6) Page 1 of 3

months as water drains out and the vegetation decomposes. The smell is slight and “earthy”. The residual plant material will be disposed of at the County landfill. This project will be accomplished by mechanically removing approximately 16.5 acres of floating tussocks from the lake in three phases. The County is pursuing grants to assist in the funding of this effort. FWC is funding tussock removal from the western part of the lake. The County has submitted a grant application to the Wells Fargo Corporation for the removal of tussocks on the east and south portions of the lake and, if awarded, will resubmit to Wells Fargo Corp. for the northern part of the lake next year. The project would involve hydraulically dredging the canal from the boat launch area to the lake. The entire 1,632 feet of canal is proposed to be dredged to a width of 20 feet at elevation 11.5’. A total of 3,081 cubic yards of material is proposed for removal. Project Costs - The work is estimated to cost approximately $375,000. An additional $35,000 in in-kind design services will be provided by the County. Department: Airport Operations Brooksville – Tampa Bay Regional Airport Maintenance Repair and Overhaul Hangar Total Request Amount: $4,800,000 Project Description: Hernando County has recently completed a design for a MRO (Maintenance Repair and Overhaul) hangar to be located on Helicopter Drive. The facility will consist of a clear span hangar of approximately 25,600 square feet with approximately 6,400 square feet of additional space attached to the hangar as an area to be used for office / shop space. In addition to the facility on Helicopter Drive, water and sewer will be extended to the site and approximately 57,000 square feet of ramp will be constructed for aircraft parking and positioning. This is considered a shovel ready project. The hangar was designed to accommodate narrow body aircraft such as the Boeing 737 family and Airbus 319 series. This new facility will strengthen the Airport’s ability to welcome target businesses. Attracting major aviation employers to Hernando County involves not just being land-rich, infrastructure-strong and amenity-generous, but also delivering available facilities. When company decision makers consider a move, they typically have a region or state in mind and search for facilities to lease that meet their unique needs. Because structures to house aircraft must be varying versions of large, particularly relative to door height, choices are limited. Selecting an existing structure to adapt minimizes up-front costs and shortens operational timelines. Department: Airport Operations Project Name: Extension of Technology and Telecom Drive with Infrastructure Improvements Total Project Amount: $600,000 Project Description: The Airport's Master Plan has identified the west side of the Airport as an area that should be developed for large hangar storage and aircraft maintenance facility construction adjacent to the in-active runway. Corporate hangars could be constructed along a shared taxi-line to make use of the depth of the property along the in-active runway. The area is currently not developed and does not have airside access. The extension of Technology and Telecom Drive will provide access to area. The County has already designed and permitted this project utilizing local funds. There is limited property available to accommodate the larger aircraft that utilize the Airport's primary runway. The extension of Technology and Telecom Drive with infrastructure improvements will allow for new development to start occurring on the west side of the Airport. The project is consistent with the Airport's Master Plan and Capital Improvement Program.

Page 2 of 3

Department: Airport Operations Project Name: Acquisition of Replacement ARFF Vehicle Total Project Amount: $960,000 Project Description: The Brooksville – Tampa Bay Regional Airport is respectfully requesting funding for acquisition of a replacement ARFF vehicle. The new truck will meet Index B classification and will serve the Airport for the next 20 year planning period. The current apparatus was purchased with FDOT participation in June 1997. The truck meets FAA Index A requirements but has outlived its useful life. Since the Airport is now experiencing more jet and turbo-prop operations, the new truck will be updated to Index B classification. This project is in line with the Airport's Master Plan and Capital Improvement Program. Department: Parks and Recreation Project Name: Anderson Snow Park Multi-Purpose Artificial Turf Field Total Project Amount: $500,000 Project Description: Anderson Snow Park is one of the most utilized team sports venue in Hernando County. The park has seen an increase in soccer teams and tournaments, as well as other field related sports. Due to the volume of use, the park would benefit from an additional field that provides for year round activities. The additional field is proposed as a multi-purpose artificial turf field that can be used primarily for tournaments; however, would also be available for additional team sports. The artificial turf will provide for high traffic and low maintenance. Furthermore, the field will provide for the flexibility to alternate between a regulation soccer field and football field, and several junior soccer fields and regulation flag football fields.

Page 3 of 3