In the morning session of the BOCC meeting on 4/26/16, several citizens from Timber Pines came forward to speak to the Board. Bob Robertson invited Commissioner Nick Nicholson to attend meetings at Timber Pines as some residents did not know who he was. That way he would understand the problems in the community of approximately 7,000 citizens. Commissioner Nicholson stated he has been in contact with leadership at the community and is aware of the concerns of the citizens.
Timber Pines residents Arlene Glantz and Mark Johnson stated that Timber Pines is the only recipient of the treated water from the Osowaw plant due to an existing contract with Hernando County that expires in 2026. In 2014, the county advised Timber Pines that an extension of the contract to 2036 in which SWFWMD would contribute approximately $3 million toward the cost of a new treatment plant or pipeline if a new contract was signed; however, it appears that the funds were not forwarded as the county may not have signed the contract. Additionally, there is concern that Timber Pines has not received adequate notice of hearings relating to the decommissioning of the Osowaw Plant, and that the BOCC seemed unaware of some of the details of the contract and of the decisions of staff.
During the response time, Nicholson stated there was a meeting approximately a month ago with staff, Mr. Nordgren, and the golf course manager to discuss how they will ensure the current flow of water for the golf course. An option would be to keep the Osowaw plant online and divert some flow from the airport site. Nicholson stated the BOCC has always intended to honor the contract.
Environmental Services Director Susan Goebel-Canning explained the purpose for her presentation and provided history of the project during the afternoon session. Since 2005, when decommissioning of the Osowaw plant began, personnel changes have occurred at the BOCC, SWFWMD, and HCUD (Hernando County Utilities Department), but the project continued. The plant is scheduled for closure in September, with the FDEP permit expiring in February 2017.
At the BOCC meeting on 4/12/16, it was announced that a funding agreement from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) to Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWFWMD) for a reclaimed water pipeline was delayed. Goebel-Canning noted that though funding may be available as early as May or June 2016, it will more likely be in September, pushing back the completion date of the pipeline to 2018 or later.
Timber Pines uses 1.7 MGD (million gallons per day) of reclaimed water. Without the Osowaw plant (which processes 2.1 – 2.2 MGD) or the pipeline, options are needed to keep reclaimed water flowing to Timber Pines for up to three years. The Osowaw plant has not been maintained. To keep it running will require a five year permit renewal and repairs, such as the filter which recently failed and is being replaced, at a cost of approximately $500,000 per year, plus the cost of equipment. Pumping the sewage nine miles to the Osowaw plant causes the sewage to become septic, which increases the odor. If the 400,000 gallons of sewage at the Quality Drive pump station can be diverted to the Airport facility, it will reduce odors at the Osowaw plant.
If funding for the pipeline is not received, Hernando County still has a contract with Timber Pines which expires in 2026. Should decommissioning occur as planned, Goebel-Canning warned there may be legal issues. The BOCC will need to decide if the plant should stay online until the contract expires (or indefinitely) and make needed repairs. A further option could be to have the HCUD build the pipeline along U.S. 19 that would serve Timber Pines, an option which could cost the County up to $12 million and potentially increase rates.
Goebel-Canning addressed a contract extension that was mentioned during the citizen comment portion of the meeting. When the County sought funding, SWFWMD asked for a 10-year contract extension between the BOCC and Timber Pines, which the Timber Pines board did sign. However, language in the contract does not state the agreement was dependent on the County receiving funding. The contract was not brought to the BOCC by staff for their signature since the County would be liable to provide water until 2036 whether or not the funding for the pipeline came through. If the funding was received, then staff would have brought the contract and funding agreement to the BOCC.
Commissioner Nicholson stated he would be in favor of spending the money to keep the plant running at least through the additional permit time frame of five years, but would not be opposed to having it operate indefinitely as it would allow the Airport facility to have 1.7 MGD available. Commissioner Dukes stated that it may take time to get the pipeline up to volume to service Glen Lakes and Timber Pines and agreed that maintaining Osowaw could be a possibility rather than pump water from the ground. Commissioner Rowden asked for clarification about whether the proposed $3 million needed to be invested now. Goebel-Canning stated that the plant needs repairs quickly since it is 1.7 MGD of sewage and having things break down is not the best scenario.
Mark Nordeman, General Manager of Timber Pines, reminded the BOCC that Timber Pines is the only customer for the reclaimed water. It does not receive the reclaimed water for free, but rather pays $180,000 annually for it. When the BOCC decided to decommission the plant, Nordeman stated that Timber Pines was not notified, or of some updates since that time. He advised that Timber Pines has invested a significant amount of money at the outset of the contract ($700,000) and another $6 million several years ago on an irrigation system for the reclaimed water.
Regina Webb, a resident of Timber Pines, asked for clarification on the projected completion date of the Glen Lakes pipeline and whether or not the County had the $3 million needed to maintain the Osowaw plant.
Charles Greenwell, from Hernando Beach, expressed his community’s concerns over the odor and conflicting timeframes as he understood them of the closing of the plant and the completion of the pipeline. He stated he was willing to try to understand the problem at Timber Pines, and he needed to be able to explain it to residents at Hernando Beach. He acknowledged the Timber Pines community’s need for the reclaimed water, but if the plant is to operate indefinitely, as Nicholson proposed, Greenwell advised the odor would need to be addressed. Nicholson replied that the County would then pay the additional money to treat the odor. Chairman Adkins stated that if redirecting the sewage from Quality Drive to the Airport does not work, then money will be found to deal with the odor.
Jimmy Lodato spoke in favor of doing what was needed to help Timber Pines.
Mark Johnson asked for the contract extension to be brought up and voted on, whether it is approved or rejected, just so that there would be a conclusion to that issue. Nicholson restated what Goebel-Canning had presented regarding the contract extension; that once the funding was approved and received the contract and the funding would be brought to the BOCC at the same time. Johnson recommended terminating the contract signed by one party but not the other and then have another contract signed by both parties once the funding is received.
Chuck Morton advised the BOCC of the possibility of additional funding relating to reclaimed water through the Weeki Wachee spring shed initiative.
Commissioner Holcomb asked for a projected date to switch the sewage from Quality Drive to the Airport. Goebel-Canning stated the plan is to initiate the switch in September. She also addressed revising the extension agreement which does discuss rates, but cautioned that since SWFWMD and FDEP are aware of the contract, any revisions may jeopardize the funding being requested. An additional six to eight months of delays are also due to FDOT moving up their work scheduled for U.S. 19. Regarding whether the County has the $3 million available, Goebel-Canning stated that the County has saved approximately $4 million from the projected cost of the Airport plant, and those monies came from the Utilities Department, paid for by the rate payers and does not access any money from the County’s general fund.
Nicholson moved to use the $3 million to keep the Osowaw plant on line for a minimum of two years, and to pay the additional money if necessary for odor control. Rowden seconded the motion and the motion passed unanimously.