VI(A) Resolution No. 96-06, Supporting Friends of Lake of Lake Apopka AGENDA 4-2-96
Item VI A
o\ Ocoee ; City of Ocoee
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zi .4' , 0 150 N. Lakeshore Drive Jean Grafton
co*,,
Ocoee, Florida 34761-2258 City Clerk
*Of Goo..`� (407) 656-2322
FAX (407) 656-5725
•
MEMORANDUM
To: The Honorable Mayor and Board of City Commissioners
From: Jean Grafton, City Clerk
Date: March 29, 1996
Re: Request for Resolution
This Resolution supporting immediate legislative action on Lake Apopka this session was
requested by Jack Amon, President of Friends of Lake Apopka.
"PRIDE OF WEST ORANGE"
RESOLUTION NO. 96-06
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF OCOEE, FLORIDA
SUPPORTING IlVIMEDIATE LEGISLATIVE ACTION ON
FOLA'S RESTORATION PROGRAM FOR LAKE APOPKA.
WHEREAS, Lake Apopka has been one of Florida's unique natural resources; and
WHEREAS, pollution has caused the demise of Lake Apopka; and
WHEREAS, this loss of a vital recreational and economic resource has touched all areas
of our lives; and
WHEREAS, implementation of a full restoration program could lead to Lake Apopka's
restoration as a valuable resource for the region and the State; and
WHEREAS, FOLA has proposed a program to restore Lake Apopka;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, THAT THE CITY COMMISSION OF
OCOEE, FLORIDA, hereby supports immediate legislative action on the Friends of Lake
Apopka's program of incremental progress consistent with a comprehensive long term solution
eliminating farm discharges as much as possible.
Section 1. The City Commission of the City of Ocoee hereby supports a waste load
allocation for discharge of phosphorus of 0.79 pounds per acre per year and the delegation to
the St. Johns River Water Management District the authority to establish and enforce this
limitation.
Section 2. The City Commission of the City of Ocoee hereby supports the funding of a
public/private partnership to construct a functional stormwater management system to provide
storage and treatment capacity that will meet the waste load allocation described in
Section 1, with funding for this system divided between the Zellwood Drainage and Water
Control District, the St. Johns River Water Management District, and the State of Florida.
Section 3. The City Commission of the City of Ocoee supports the establishment of a
special taxing district on the farms to provide the source of funds for the farmers to contribute
to the establishment of the stormwater management system described in Section 3.
This resolution shall become effective upon adoption.
ADOPTED this day of April, 1996.
APPROVED:
ATTEST: CITY OF OCOEE, FLORIDA
Jean Grafton, City Clerk S. Scott Vandergrift, Mayor
(SEAL)
FOR USE AND RELIANCE ONLY BY
THE CITY OF OCOEE, FLORIDA.
APPROVED AS TO FORM AND LEGALITY
this day of April, 1996.
FOLEY & LARDNER APPROVED by the OCOEE CITY
COMMISSION at a meeting held
on the date indicated above under
By: Agenda Item No. .
City Attorney
2
FRIENDS OF
March 25, 1996
Mit t
The Honorable Scott Vandergrift 1
City of Ocoee ' k
150 N. Lakeshore Drive •
Ocoee, Florida 34761
RE: Request for Resolution Supporting immediate _
RESTORATION
Legislative Action on Lake Apopka this session
Dear Mayor Vandergrift:
The Friends of Lake Apopka,a non profit advocacy group,has been working for several years
toward the restoration of this great resource. We believe that a significant beginning toward restoration is
possible this year if we can gain the political support. A number of legislators from the Orange and Lake
County delegations are now leading the cause and legislative bills are being written. We need your
expression of support to help guarantee immediate and productive legislative action.
There are many alternatives being considered, including construction of a stormwater
management system which would consist of detention and recycling ponds,possibly associated with alum
treatment or upland disposal systems. Purchase of the farms has been requested by the farmers and is also
now being considered.
The legislative agenda supported by FOLA asks for a program of incremental progress consistent
with a comprehensive long term solution eliminating farm discharges as much as possible.This program,
proposed as a back-up or parallel to a conditional buy-out of the farms,includes the following:
a. A waste load allocation for discharge of phosphorus of 0.79 pounds per acre per year and
clear cut delegation of authority to establish and enforce this limitation to the St.
Johns River Water Management District.This would change current allowable discharge
and would limit future nutrient loading to the lake that would allow restoration.
b. A public/private partnership to build a functional stormwater management system that
will provide storage and treatment capacity to reduce discharges to the required limits.
The financing for this system would be divided between the farmers,Zellwood Drainage
and Water Control District,The State of Florida and the SJRWMD and a special taxing
district would be established immediately on the farms to provide the source of funds
from the farmers.
Will you please consider,at the earliest convenient time,passing a strong resolution supporting
this agenda and forward this to all members of your legislative delegation. We must show strong
community support as the Lake Apopka legislation is considered.
FRIENDS OF LAKE APOPKA • P.O.Box 772053 • WINTER GARDEN,FLORIDA 34777-2053
On April 3 at 7:00 P.M. at Tanner Auditorium in Winter Garden,we plan to have a public meeting
to describe in more detail the options being considered for the legislative action being proposed and to
answer questions from the public. Orange County Chairman Linda Chapin,who has chaired our Upland
Disposal Work Group,will be present to help with the update. Please plan to show the strong support we
need at this time.
We thank you in advance for your earliest attention to this matter. We would appreciate receiving
a copy of your communication. If we can provide further information please call me at(407)656-9692 or
Jim Thomas at(407)656-8277.
Sincerely,
Jack Amon
President