A great deal of attention is given to projects/activities that would enhance the "quality of life" for North Port residents.
Current Projects:
From Storm Water to Drinking Water:
Kids Learn Not to Take Clean Water for Granted
Every day, we turn on the tap and draw water for cooking, drinking and washing. It’s one of the most routine activities we do, and we seldom think about where that water came from -- or the measures taken to make sure it’s safe for human consumption.
Wherever a community’s water comes from, the reality is that pollutants do inevitably get mixed into it, and they must be removed by means of expensive and complex chemical and mechanical processes.
In North Port, pollutants are flushed into our stormwater system through catch basins, swales and ditches, eventually entering the City’s extensive canal system. The canal system in turn carries this “raw” (untreated) water into Myakkahatchee Creek, and eventually into the City’s Water Treatment Plant. In the plant, world-class technology is used to get rid of the harmful contaminants so you can be assured the water is safe to use when it emerges from your faucet.
But the more pollution that gets into our water, the more difficult and expensive it is to remove. That’s where taking individual responsibility can really help: we each need to be certain we do our part to reduce pollution by not discarding waste that can enter our local water bodies.
This spring and summer, the City has been taking that lesson to the public through an educational program aimed primarily at children. Not only did the kids learn that clean water cannot be taken for granted, they actually helped spread the message in a unique way.
To prepare for this educational campaign, the City purchased 100 blue and green stainless steel storm drain marker discs (see photo), which read, “No Dumping – Drains to Creek,” and two large educational signs that ask the public to help protect the City’s water supply.
Then Elizabeth Wong, PE, the City’s Stormwater Manager, developed a presentation specially tailored to her young audience. Visiting with kids throughout the City, she explained how our water supply begins as rainfall, journeys through the stormwater system, enters the City’s canal and Myakkahatchee Creek system, and flows into our water treatment plant, where it is purified and then distributed to our homes.
The children learned that debris and dumped garbage, such as oil, cans, plastic bags and bottles, cigarette butts and food wrappers, not only pollute the drinking water supply, but also can clog the canals and the Creek and cause flooding. They also learned not to fertilize grass (fertilizer is another source of pollution) during Florida’s rainy season (June 1st through September 30th).
To underline these messages, Ms. Wong asked the kids to help install the storm drain markers at various points around the City where pedestrians and bicyclists would easily see the “No Dumping” message. Over the spring and summer, the enthusiastic volunteers who pitched in to help included kids in the City’s summer camp programs, Boys and Girls Club summer campers, People for Trees’ “Eco Kids,” the kids who attended the Myakkahatchee Creek clean-up event this past spring, several members of the North Port High School Cross County Team, and several adult volunteers from the Villas of Sabal Trace.
By mid-August, all 100 of these stainless steel markers had been installed on catch basins throughout the city. Locations include North Port High School, Lamarque Elementary School and Imagine School, City Center, the Highland Ridge area around the BMX Freestyle Bike Park, and along Sumter Boulevard from U.S. 41 to Heron Creek. At these locations, the volunteers prepared the catch basins’ surface with wire brushes, used caulk guns to apply adhesive to the back of the markers and pressed them into place on the concrete.
The Great Creek Clean-Up, Educational Signs and Presentations
Funds to pay for the storm drain markers and signs came from a $2,252 Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWFWMD) Community Education Grant.
The same SWFWMD Community Education grant also paid for the April 17th Myakkahatchee Creek Clean-Up event, as well as brochures to educate the public about the source of their drinking water supply. Thanks go to City staff members Julie Bellia, Projects Administrator, Elizabeth Wong, P.E., Stormwater Manager, and Stan Frank, Grants and Environmental Coordinator, for applying for and winning these grant funds.
City staff members William Vest, Operations Manager, Rick St. Louis, Waterways Superintendent, Jon Kalfsbeck, Infrastructure Data Analyst, and Ms. Wong worked together to design two large, full-color educational signs (see photo), also paid for by the grant. These signs were installed on the northwest side of Sumter Boulevard at the Cocoplum Waterway, and at the Dallas White Park boat ramp. The signs inform the public about what they can do to prevent pollution from entering the drains and the City’s waterways.
This past spring, Julie Bellia and Elizabeth Wong worked with 64 volunteers to help clean up a section of the Myakkahatchee Creek, as part of the annual ‘Great American Cleanup,” held April 17th in the City’s Myakkahatchee Creek Environmental Park. Debris, overhanging branches and fallen logs that can impede the flow of water were removed from the Creek. The SWFWMD grant assisted in the cost of the collected debris disposal.
To contact the City of North Port about this project, call Julie Bellia at (941)628-8455, Stan Frank at (941) 429-7234, or Elizabeth Wong at (941) 429-7090.
Fire Rescue Station 84
City of North Port officials broke ground on the new Fire Station 84 on May 24th. City Commissioners, Department Heads, representatives of the General Contractor, Fire Rescue personnel and members of the public were on hand to begin the construction of this new fire house.
This facility is located at 1350 Citizens Parkway, the as-yet unopened street behind the new Publix at Price Blvd & Toledo Blade Blvd. It will replace the mobile home and metal canopy that has been “home” for the last several years at the Public Works facility on Price Blvd.
This new 11,700 square foot facility will be another “green” building, similar to the fire station recently built on North Port Blvd. Some of the features of this building include LED & high efficiency lighting fixtures on sensors, organic (i.e., soy-based) insulation, solar hot water system and water conserving plumbing fixtures. In addition, we will be installing drought-tolerant landscaping and a rainwater cistern system for landscaping and flushing of toilets. We will use low volatility organic compounds, finishes and adhesives, as well as concrete systems made of recycled concrete material. The site will have an FAA-approved heliport.
In April, the City Commission approved the contract with Coral Sands Construction for the construction of this fire station in the amount of $2,143,156.50. This amount consists of the $1,994,434.76 base bid, plus a 5% contingency amount of $99,721.74 and allowances for testing and inspections, signage and fountain aeration in the amount of $49,000.
Funding for this project comes from a combination of Fire Impact Fees and One Cent Sales Tax.
Earth moving and land clearing activities have begun. Construction is expected to be completed early 2011.
Park Refurbishments
The Parks and Recreation Division in conjunction with the Property Maintenance Division have been actively engaged in refurbishing the City's neighborhood parks.
Many improvements have been made already at McKibben Park including re-asphalting the parking lot, color coating/re-striping the racquetball, basketball and tennis courts. Walkway improvements are done and a new playground is forthcoming.
The tennis courts at Dallas White Park have been re-constructed and re-lined. There is also a new playground coming in the fall.
The basketball/tennis courts at Highland Ridge Park have been refurbished and a new picnic shelter is coming soon. Also, a new playground will be installed at Kirk Park and possibly a sand volleyball court as well.
Shade structures were installed over the football field bleachers at the George Mullen Activity Center and trash cans, picnic tables and benches have been distributed throughout the entire park system.
Spring Haven Community Center
This is the architect’s concept of how the new North Port Youth Community Center will look when complete. The new community center will feature an expanded gymnasium, fitness center, teen lounge, multi-purpose room, meeting space, and an outdoor social area.
(Click on an image for larger view.)
Fitness equipment and audio/visual equipment contracts were awarded in July. Substantial progress has been made this past month. The building is completely under roof, stone inlays on the walls are 80% completed, gym basketball goals are installed and the integrity of the teen center is formed. Curb and gutter is going in and around the parking areas and the access road coming into the park is being prepared for asphalt improvements. Substantial completion is still anticipated for late September/early October.
"The Canine Club" Family Paw Park
The grand opening of the City's first family paw park, The Canine Club, located at 6700 Appomattox Boulevard, will be on Saturday, September 4, 2010 at 10:00am. Your and your dog are cordially invited to attend our leash-cutting ceremony. Light refreshments will be served. For more information please call 429-7207.
The three acre dog park will include a 1.5 acre fenced area with separate sections for small and large dogs, shade pavilions, water stations, and landscaping. It is located at 6700 Appomattox Drive by the entranceway to the Jockey Club, and is expected to be finished in late summer or early fall.
(Click on image for larger view.)
Atwater Community Park
The North Port City Commission along with area Little League members broke ground Monday morning, June 14th on the newest 25 acre community park, located at 4475 Skyway Avenue in North Port.
This community park will include four little league fields; one regulation field; two-story concession/restroom building; playground; splash pad; picnic facilities; walking trails and other amenities to be determined. The parcel is adjacent to Atwater Elementary School between East Price Boulevard and Atwater Drive. Boran, Craig, Barber & Engel is the general contractor.
(Click on image for larger view.)
Joint City/County Drainage Improvements Completed
Completed Water Control Structure on the Jupiter Waterway at Chancellor Boulevard.
Nothing so clearly demonstrates the value of cooperation between local governments as when they work together to resolve water-related issues.
So it is with the City of North Port and Charlotte County, who in 2009 completed a joint project to replace aging corrugated steel drainage structures located at three waterway crossings along Chancellor Boulevard in southwestern North Port. The upgraded infrastructure is critical to maintaining efficient stormwater drainage in North Port as well as northern Charlotte County.
Flowing parallel to one another and spaced roughly three-quarters of a mile apart, the Jupiter, Apollo and Cheshire Waterways carry stormwater southwesterly from the extreme southwestern portion of the City, through Charlotte County and finally into the Myakka River. Chancellor Boulevard, an east-west traffic collector road for both North Port and Charlotte County, bisects the three waterways. At those points, five- and six-foot-diameter drainage culvert pipes were installed some 30 to 35 years ago to convey water into canals beneath the road. The intervening years were not kind to these corrugated steel water control structures and culvert pipes, and they were extremely corroded and structurally unreliable before the upgrades were completed.
Since 2002, the City of North Port and Charlotte County had been planning and budgeting to remove these old structures and replace them with much more durable concrete water control structures and reinforced concrete culvert pipes. Because the midline of Chancellor Boulevard is the border between the City and Charlotte County, the two governments agreed to split the cost of the upgrades.
The City’s share of project costs was approximately $500,000. The City has applied for and received $11,123 from the Community Budget Issue Requests (CBIRS) reimbursement grant program, which corresponds to 50% of project funds spent to date. Now that the project has been completed, the City expects to apply for additional CBIRS funds to defray up to 50% of the project.
The two governments agree that the improvements were absolutely essential, since any significant failure of the corroded structures and collapse of the culvert pipes could have endangered the integrity of the roadway itself.
The new concrete water control structures are designed to reduce debris clogs. A sound investment for North Port and Charlotte County taxpayers, they have an estimated lifespan of up to 75 years or more, two to three times as long as the metal structures they replaced.
The project involved much more than just replacing the old with the new structures. Physical barriers had to be put into place in a process known as “de-watering,” or drying out the work sites. Water was pumped around the construction work and into the downstream waterways, where double lines of floating barriers allowed silt to sink to the bottom. To reduce the disturbance to nearby neighborhoods, sound barriers were erected around the pumps and generators.
For more information about these improvements, please contact Elizabeth Wong, North Port Stormwater Manager, at (941) 429-7090 or ewong@cityofnorthport.com, or Charlotte County Project Manager John Elias at (941) 575-3639 or John.Elias@charlottefl.com.
Water Control Structure #109 Gets a Retrofit
Newly refurbished Water Control Structure 109 WCS 109 before retrofit: Extensive leakage
and structural deterioration
The City’s existing 69 water control structures (WCS) are 30 to 40 years old. The functionality and structural integrity varies from structure to structure, but we know that many are in dire need of rehabilitation.
Delaying rehabilitation of older deteriorated structures increases the risk of a potential massive failure, especially during a severe storm or as the result of exposure to harsh environmental conditions. Water control structure failures can trigger other catastrophic mishaps, such as downstream flooding and even washout of bridges.
The City selected WCS #109, located on the Cocoplum Canal just east of San Mateo Boulevard, for a retrofit based on the recommendation of PBS&J, an engineering consultant. Evaluation of the structure by the consultant revealed that metal sheet pilings and vertical I-beams were severely corroded, allowing a large volume of water to flow through many openings in the structure. Some of the six corroded gates could not be opened while others could only be partially opened. Severe erosion had also undermined the structure.
To resolve the structure’s many problems required several discrete repairs, yet remarkably all construction was completed between April and May of 2009. A concrete wall, itself supported by large stones (revetment), was installed to reinforce the existing corroded weirs. All six gates were replaced with stainless steel gates. The concrete spillway downstream of the six gates has been extended to reduce erosion and undercutting of the support structure. Corroded portions of vertical I-beams and all tie rods to the upstream anchor blocks were replaced. And finally, the corroded portions of a catwalk that gives access to the gates were replaced. The entire catwalk was repainted in “City center green,” the color chosen by the City to embellish many different kinds of infrastructure.
Before any of the repairs could even begin, the contractor had to remove the water from a portion of the Cocoplum Canal and keep the work area dry around the water control structure during construction. The relatively new method he chose to remove the water from the canal required the temporary installation of Aquadams upstream and downstream of the water control structure. Normally used in pairs, Aquadams are six- to eight-foot-tall plastic water-filled tubes that are used to prevent water from entering a work site. The Aquadam tubes were brought to the site in large rolls. They were then inflated with water from the canal and guided to stretch across the canal. As the Aquadams were filled with water, they sank to the canal bottom, where they acted as vertical barriers. Pumps were then used to remove the water between the upstream and downstream Aquadams.
The Kimley Horn and Associates consulting engineering firm designed the project at a cost $49,594.36, and Keesling Construction Inc., the contractor, completed the project at a cost of $311,650. Up to 50 percent of the design and construction costs were eligible for reimbursement from a State Community Budget Issue Requests (CBIRS) grant. Design and construction proceeded smoothly and the project was completed within budget and ahead of schedule, due to an excellent design team and a very professional and skilled contractor.
The City of North Port does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, family or religious status in administration of its programs, activities or services.To learn more about the City’s Title VI and Americans with Disabilities compliance, or to download a copy of a complaint form, please click here.