CC Minutes 07/10/2012 - Laserfiche WebLink

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I am happy to report that some signs of recovery are apparent as the City finishes FY 2012. Sales tax collections are trending higher than originally estimated by about 13 %, signifying a growing economy. Unemployment remains high but is down to 7.0% in Casselberry. Property value losses continue, lagging other areas of the economy, but the rate of loss is slowing. The City will experience a 2.5% loss entering FY 2013 (consistent with long range planning). That said, business tax receipts and building permits are trending upward. Water and sewer sales have substantially recovered though not to where they would have been if the recession had not occurred. The City of Casselberry is at a point where it can be cautiously optimistic about its future prospects. Already the City is completing several major improvement projects. • North Winter Park Drive is being improved from Belle Avenue to Seminola Blvd. This project will rebuild the road and beautify the streetscape. It is almost entirely paid for with grant funds from the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT). • U.S. Hwy 17 -92 streetscape is being improved to widen sidewalks and install new foliage and amenities along this very important corridor. Again, it is almost entirely funded by FDOT. • Wirz Trail Section 2 is almost complete. It is one section of three pedestrian /bicycle trails being built through Casselberry to tie into the greater Seminole County trail system. It is paid for with a grant from FDOT. • Phase 2 of the City's water quality improvement project is winding down. Casselberry has been working to replace nearly 90% of its underground water mains through a process called "pipe bursting." Flexible water lines are snaked through the space occupied by old, asbestos - cement pipes with a special head that bursts the old pipes and allows the new line to replace them. The project is about 50% paid for with grants from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. The project scope is limited to the City limits because Seminole County does not yet allow pipe bursting. • Digital radios for the Police and Fire Departments have been replaced. The Police radios were purchased with capital lease financing. The Casselberry Fire and Finance Department led a regional Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) grant application on behalf of 4 cities in Seminole County (the City of Lake Mary, Longwood, Oviedo, and Sanford) and was awarded the full requested amount of $776,881 for radio equipment upgrades. I • The Water and Sewer Utility is renovating office and lab spaces at the North and South Water Plants and the Reclamation Facility. • Wirz Pool has been resurfaced and mandatory ADA improvements have been made. Projects begun in 2012 that will continue into FY 2013 include the following: • The Recreation Center will complete long- deferred interior renovations that include new bathrooms, kitchen and exterior doors. • Phase 3 of the Water Quality Improvement Project was awarded during FY 2012 and will be completed in FY 2013. • The Triplet Lake Drive Signature Street project will be re- appropriated in FY 2013. It will realign the street with improved sidewalks, trees and brick intersections. Also to be built are new sewer lines that will bring new capacity along the street and to.City -owned properties on U.S. Highway 17 -92 that are being offered for new, economic development. NOW