Town Commission - Regular Meeting

Are you ready? Okay. Uh good evening everyone. Thanks for braving the cold and being out here. It's going to get even colder uh on Saturday, so get ready for that. So, let's call to order the uh Oakland Town Commission meeting for January 27th. Everybody could please stand for the pledge. Remain standing. All right.

All right. Good evening, Kathy. Good evening, Commissioner Keller here. Vice Mayor Satderfield, Mayor Taylor, Commissioner Ramos, present. Commissioner McMullen.

Okay. Um, got a couple of proclamations this morning. So, or this this evening. We'll start out with the first proclamation, Celebrate Literacy Week. Whereas the week of January 26 through January 30th, 2026 is designated by the Florida Department of Education as Celebrate Literacy Week in the state of Florida. And to celebrate literacy week, Florida 2026 theme is read white and blue, celebrating 250 chapters of America, honoring the nation's rich literary and historical heritage as we mark 250 years of American stories and voices. And the mission of the public schools is to prepare all students for the 21st century by becoming literate thinkers, writers, and readers in all facets of life. And the Oakland Avenue Charter School has an intense focus on student achievement. And literacy prepares students to become independent readers and thinkers who can construct and apply knowledge. And literacy enables students to become productive adults who can compete globally and contribute positively to society. Now therefore, I, Shane Taylor, by virtue of the authority vest in me as the mayor of town of Oakland, and on behalf of the entire town commission, do hereby proclaim the week of January 26 through January 30th, 2026 in a town of Oakland as Celebrate Literacy Week. Okay, moving on to um next proclamation, Black History Month. Whereas Black History Month recognizes the significant contributions African-Americans have made to the United States. And Black History Month celebrates the histories, cultures, and achievements of African-American citizens. And established by American historian Carter G. Woodson in 1926 as Black History Week, it was expanded to a month in 1976 during the nation's bsentennial. And whereas in the town of Oakland, African-Americans have long

been leaders and business owners enriching the community's history. In February serves to honor the vital role of African-Americans in the United States and encourages the study of black history year round. Now therefore, I Shane Taylor on behalf of the town of Oakland Commission do hereby proclaim the month of February 2026 as Black History Month and urge all citizens to observe this occasion. Right. Next on the agenda is the consent agenda and we have two items on here tonight. Uh item A is approval of the January 13, 2026 town commission regular meeting minutes and B approval to serve wine at the Black History Tribute Artist Reception at the Healthy West Orange Arts and Heritage Building. Uh any comments or questions? I guess present second. I'll second it.

All in favor? I I All right. Easy. Moving on to other policy matters. And uh Mike Parker. Good evening, Mike. Can you hear me? Yeah. So, since this will uh be my last commission meeting as your public works director, I think uh this would be the perfect opportunity for me to do a filibuster. What do you think?

No. Um Mike Parker, public works director for the town. Uh for the sake of our audience, it's brave in the cold tonight. I do have kind of a synopsis of the the commission agenda report that was out. So um BMAP is an acronym for basin management action plan. A BMAP is a water quality restoration plan designed to reduce pollutant loading in the natural environment. The town of Oakland is located in three separate BMAPs. The Upper Aloha, the Wakiva River are surface water baps and the Wakiva and Rock Springs um is collectively a spring BMAP. These broad-based plans are developed with local stakeholders and are reliant on local commitment. These plans are also enforcable by statute. The town has several specific goals to meet which are set by the state. So for a number of years, town staff have worked diligently toward meeting these goals through many different best management practices or BMPPS. The creation of a centralized sanitary sewer system which will eliminate septic systems was a huge step forward in reducing nutrient levels um from in within these three distinct BMAPs. Also, the phase 2 MS4 permit activities the town has been implementing for more than 10 years have been of great assistance in meeting our requirements. So, both of these initiatives are minimizing nutrients and contaminants from entering the BMAPs. With that, I'll turn this over to Mr. Ken Weaver, deputy director of FD's Division of Environmental Assessment and Restoration for a brief presentation, after which I'll bring back the recommendation. Ken,

thank you. Mike did half my presentation. Um, yes. So, as as Mike said, I'm Ken Weaver. I'm one of the deputy directors within the Division of Environmental Assessment Restoration within DP and and one of my programs is the BMAP program, also TMDLs, which I'll I'll mention briefly because the BMAPs implement TMDLs. Um, but I really want to thank you, the the commissioners, the mayor, the uh county, the town staff for inviting us. I think it's really critical to BMAP success um to to engage the stakeholders, engage municipalities. So, thank you. We really like folks engaging in our restoration efforts. It's a it's a team effort. Um so next slide please. So as as Mike said, a basin management action plan is is sort of we call it a framework for restoration and it's one of the tools methods that D the state uses to restore water bodies that are impaired, not meeting our water quality standards. Um it is they are developed cooperatively. D kind of takes the lead, coordinates this, but it's very important to get the stakeholder input um from from various entities as we we implement this. Um as as Mike said, these are adopted ultimately by secretarial order each of the B maps. So there's 28 nutrient B maps. There's three in that are affecting the town of Oakland. And as secretary orders, there are elements of these B mapaps that are enforceable um through through law, through regulation. Um but we kind of do it through more cooperative approach and they are implemented through a phased approach. I'm going to talk a little bit about that as well as as our our annual reporting and regular updates. Next slide, please. Yes. So kind of talk about what's in the BMAPs and get a better idea of what this BMAP is, these bas management action plans. And I mentioned TMDLs, which is one of my programs. Total maximum daily load. The

state sets water quality standards like other states. Um phosphorus and nitrogen are are some of these standards and nutrients. Excess nutrients can cause excess plant growth, excess algar growth. Um paraffy mats in our springs that you know people recreating in don't want to and cause ecological changes. So we set these standards and a TMDL can kind of be thought of as a diet for the water body. We figure out the load the the the pounds of nitrogen or phosphorus. So let's say we figure out a lake can assimilate take 1,000 pounds of nitrogen a year. If that gets up to 1,500 lb, then we do a TMDL. We say, "Hey, hey, we've got to reduce this by 500 lb to get it back to the 1,000 lbs." So the TMDL kind of identifies what is needed to reduce that nitrogen or phosphorus to get it back to meeting the standards so that we've got a nice water body that people want to recreate. It's supporting aquatic life, fish and wildlife. Um the BMAPs take that TMDL in many cases, especially for larger water bodies, water bodies that cross multiple jurisdictions and come up with a plan. They they lay out the area addressed by the rest for the restoration, the area covered. Sometimes that's just one TMDL. Other times we we combine multiple TMDLs. Akawaha combined multiple TMDLs. I'm going to show a map in in a subsequent slide. The B maps also identify the sources. Is it OSTDS, septic tanks, storm water, farm fertilizer? What's contributing to that nitrogen phosphorus? They then take it in a phased implementation approach trying to get back to meeting that TMDL within about 20-year time frames with milestones typically now five-year steps and with projects and uh other management strategies like septic to sewer upgrades storm water retrofits that type of thing that are going to actually get back to meeting the water quality standards. And one of the more recent things that we implemented in the latest BAPAPS are

future growth estimates. And these aren't really enforceable. It's more information to municipalities such as the town of Oakland. Okay. What would if you continue growing as we expect, what would it look like? What would your loading look like in five 10 years? And it's kind of a to help you with your planning moving forward. Um, also really critical to the BMAP are are the projects. We talk a little bit about sepic sewer, that type of thing. and entities enter their projects into our portal every year and kind of give us a timeline estimates of how much each of those projects are going to reduce nutrients. We report on that and then the other part of it is just the important annual monitoring of our water bodies. We send people out in the field to collect water quality samples to see, you know, how well the water body is doing. We report on that an annual basis and then do periodic meetings. My staff goes around the state every year and has at least one meeting on each BMAP. So they'll be back again this year. And then we also report on water quality analysis. Next slide, please. Um think we've mentioned stakeholders. This is this is this is this is important. So there's various types of stakeholders and really where the town of Oakland sits is you are identified as a responsible entity. Responsible entities are organizations typically governmental you know municipalities that have signed load reduction. So what it you're actually have some responsibilities under the BMAP to implement why we're talking about projects later on is because you do and you're typically identified as a lead entity for your area. Um again these are enforceable. Um, there's also responsible agencies, things like FDOT, FDAX, water management districts that if they own land, they may have load reductions of their own they have to implement, but they also kind of in a supportive role, water management districts do a lot of the monitoring for us, maybe provide some additional

regulatory oversight or do some additional research to help us refine our science and our BMAPs. And then finally interested stakeholders are typ typically environmental organizations or citizens that come to the meetings and are very interested in the process provide us input and feedback and improve the process. Um but they are they are part of the process too and then the overall arching just all stakeholders. Next slide please. So, as Mike mentioned, there are three B mapaps that cover the uh city of Oakland. And I really look at the on my slide, the the image on the start out on the right shows the not city, the town of Oakland um where you have three three B maps. You've got the upper AWA that covers, as Mike said, a lot of surface water. It's primarily for phosphorus. We've got multiple TMDL, so multiple targets for different lakes. Um, I'll talk about really what for you the focus is on Lake Apka because that's the closest water body. And then you've got the Wakiva River. Um, that's a surface water that deals with phosphorus and nitrogen. And then the U Kiwa Springs um, groundwater BAP that deals with nitrogen, primarily nitrate as our our pollutant of concern. And so those are the three B mapaps that cover this area. One of the things I wish I'd asked my staff to do is put the what we call the priority focus area on this map um for the Waka Springs. So springs have a priority focus area. That is the area we're most concerned about. That's where any water that goes on the land surface quickly infiltrates and can get in the groundwater and then infect the springs. You are not in what we call the priority focus area, the PFA. The PFA for Wakai is sort of on the eastern side of Lake Apakka outside of the city of Oakland and that's going to be important when I talk about some of the OCDs requirements.

Next um talk a little about each of these BA maps. Akawaja um it was first adopted in 2007 um with again the updates 2014 2019 and then our latest update in 20125 which where we did 25 nutrient B maps all at once for you Oakland you're since you're located within the lake Apopka watershed the allocate the nutrient reduction or all of the lake is 108,250 58 pounds per year. So that's the total reduction. The good news is, as I was looking at the documents, we're 98% of the way there. So only 2% more for Apaka. So really close. Next slide, please. Wakiva and Waka Baps were first adopted in 2015 and they at the time they were combined into one BAP. Um but as I as we mentioned Wakiva Waka the the Wakiva is for surface water. Waiwa is for groundwater. So we separated those in 2018 and then kind of focused in Wakai on reductions in the spring shed area which includes the city of Oakland. This BMAP so this is where it gets a little confusing. The 2018 BMAP for Wakiva I'm sorry. Waka is currently in effect and it does not have what we call entity specific allocations and I'll talk a little bit more about that in a minute. We did update both BMAPs in 2025. Well, Kaiwa and Rock Springs unfortunately are now subject to litigation from outside entities. They're they're taking us to court and we're this spring we're going to have to go to the Division of Administrative Appeals and defend that and we'll see where that goes. So this 2025 BMAP is not currently in effect for Waka. The

2018 BMAP is is in effect, but we can still kind of talk about what's required between the two. For Wakiva River, um it says no entity specific allocations. It's basically entity specific allocations are sort of your piece of the pie. Your specific entity has to to reduce. So when remember I talked about 108,000 pounds for Apopka, that's for the whole lake. It doesn't have entity specific. You'd want something that says our piece of the pie is maybe 10%. And that's what ultimately the entity allocations mean. For Wakiva, DP is working with our with a consultant to redo some of the modeling, the the statistical modeling we do to to to show how nutrients move through the system for all of the St. John's system. Wakiva is part of the St. John's. That modeling is going to take a couple of years. So we expect a an update to the Wakiva River BMAP in in I'll say four to five years and at that time we'll adopt the entity allocations. So that one's in effect but there's there's changes. Next slide please. Um so kind of talking a little bit about milestones and reductions and and and and getting a little more specific. So consistent with statutes, entities such as city or town of Oakland are need to provide the department with a list of projects or strategies um approaches to to meet the milestones in the BMAPs. Um and those get reported to us through through the portal. We have a a portal that just closed two weeks ago where entities enter. They say we're going to do it a subject to sewer upgrade or or something like that and this is how much it's going to cost or we think this is how much going to cost. This is the load reductions we expect to get from that and that gets entered in the portal and then we DP look at okay how are you

tracking toward these milestones. The the table on this shows the the sort of the milestones for each of the the 3B maps. first upper Akawaja um was last adoption was 2025 but because we're so close there's a 100% milestone in 2030. So in in just under five years we're we expect to be there. Um for the Waka Springs is this is a good example. Um, we're still looking at the 2018 BMAP, but what we're saying is based on the milestones, we're asking folks to get to 30% of that the required reduction by 2028, 80% by 2033, and then 100% by 2038, the fiveyear steps. And this is this is legislatively required. And the legislature has said municip um responsible entities need to come in and provide the department with with their plans to to meet these milestones. Next slide please. Yeah. Um so this would have been made made more sense in another order now I think about it. But the Wakiva Springs this is the total load allocation for Waka Springs. This is how much is nitrogen is being coming in from the land surface from the groundwater and getting into the spring ultimately. And what it says is that total there's about 1.2 million pounds of nitrogen coming into the Wakiva Springs on an annual basis. 52% the biggest piece of that pie is from OSTDS septic tanks. And this is this is the whole spring shed, not just um Oakland. The next biggest is what we call UTF. That's urban turf fertilizer. So fertilizer you put on your lawns or or parks and things like that. Followed

by um wastewater treatment facilities, 11%. Um but the biggest pieces are the the septic tanks in this this basin. Um STF is sports turf fertilizer. So fertilizer put on soccer field, baseball fields, that type of thing. Um, we separate out golf because that has its own procedures. It has its own BMPs um and BMP manuals for for golf courses. So overall, highway is at 1.2 million pounds of nitrogen per year. Next slide. thinking about that and the fact that 52% of that load is from OSTDS. There was a requirement in statute section 373 807 that said in BMAPs where OSTDS is more than 20% of the total load then D and the responsible entities need to put together OSTDS remediation plans. Basically, how are you going to address your load from OSTDS and what's the plan? And I understand we're going to talk about that next. So that's that's great. Um there was also the requirement in statute and this is kind of where I want you to remember about PFA is that there is a prohibition against the installation of new conventional OSDS. So conventional OSS or old style septic tanks that have a minimal amount of of nitrogen reduction. There's the the prohibition is is twofold. There's prohibition against bu installing new conventional um septic tanks on lots less than one acre or less if central sewer is available. If not, then they have to install what we call an enhanced nutrient reducing system, an ENR, then that's a system that achieves at least 65% nitrogen reduction in the tank. And there's additional reduction that may occur in the in the drain field.

What Would that be like the hoot system, the airrated hoot system?

Yes. Yeah, that's that's one of the systems. Yeah, I wasn't quite as familiar with with that, but yes. Um, so that that is in place. That's statutory. It applies across all three B maps. In fact, all of our B maps. Um, the 2018 and 2025 BMAPs had this added provision. This is where the PFA comes in that said existing OTF OSTDS systems if they had to be replaced, repaired or modified, then they had to go either connect to central sewer or install one of these ENRS enhanced nutrient resistation systems. That is is not your your concern. I'll because you're not within the PFA. So that that provision doesn't apply within your jurisdiction. Um it's still as we'll see OSTDS is where you probably need to to address but you don't have to worry about the existing systems. Next slide please. um just kind of builds on this and just says repeats what the last slide said that in the 2025 BMAP documents if you're looking for the OSCDS kind of policies and remediation policy that D set and and and as we kind of took and synthesized everyone's submitted plans that's an appendix B if you're looking for that next slide um so kind of looking at what we need for Wakai this is based on the 2018 B app and it says that what we found is is to meet that TMDL to get the spring back to meeting its standards we need to reduce nitrogen we being not just Oakland everyone by 290,423 pounds per year and the goal is to meet that by 2038 um the what 12 years from now and then there's 30% there's a 30% goal after five years another 50% so 80% in 10 years and then 100% % in in 15 years to get to that goal.

Next slide. What you want to focus on, and this is from the 2025 BAP, and I and I want to caution that this is not currently in effect, but I I do think it's it's helpful for you to know because it tells you what your piece of the pie is of that 290,000 pounds. What it what this says is as we look at how the the nitrogen comes across the landscape and across all stakeholders and municipalities within the the basin for Oakland um by 2038 we're looking for 8,158 pound reduction. Most of that, as this table showing, is from OSTDS 6,618 and the rest is we think you could address it through educational programs or or other policies to deal with um urban turf grass. Although you can certainly get there, you could get the full 8,000 by just addressing OSDS. So, there is some flexibility here. We're not saying you have to have to address this. We're just saying we we in order to get there, we need the 8,158 pounds. Um and most so so far based on what you all have submitted in previous years aboutund my staff estimate about 160 pounds which is mostly from education and outreach type programs which are permissible. Um I I checked with Mike before I came and um verified my staff in just a few weeks ago. Um town of Oakland did enter about 21 projects. work. My staff are going through it, making sure and and reviewing it, making sure they all qualify for credits and see where they fall out. Um, and we'll have some more information how far along you are meeting these in a in a few weeks after the staff have looked at that. Um, and that will be reported in what we call the statewide annual report of the STAR report. Next slide. I think that's

There we go. You click one more. I don't know if I hit this. Yes. So, I wanted to share this. I I had it as hidden slide. We know the septic sewer upgrades are really expensive and and I'm sure you're all engaged on this, but I really want you to folks to know that the department does offer grant assistance and we get a lot of funds from the the legislature. Um the division of of water resource assistance. um my folks call it the division of giving away money, but they've got a variety of of grants um you know given where you are the springs grants for eligible projects to address springs issues as well as water quality improvement grants that deal with subject to sewer. So these are the good options if you haven't already submitted that pa those pages give you links to where there's a portal you can upload your your information and all this not my division my staff and myself kind of get involved with reviewing projects and and kind of giving feedback back to the other division saying yeah this is a great project we really need it for BMAP implementation so it's my way of saying we support you and and we support a good grant application if that's what you need because we know these are expensive projects Well, that you can go back to the previous slide just so I can throw my so that that is the end of my presentation. Um I think yes that's got my contact information as well as the the coordinator for these BMAPs Beth Robertson um who's worked quite a bit with Robert uh my but thank you and happy to answer any questions. Uh I'm gonna save for the next presentation and I can answer questions at that time too.

Sure. Thanks. Any questions real quick? Okay. Uh I'm sorry, S. You got something? I'll just wait. Um just a couple of things you'd said in the presentation. Um you mentioned um penalties for the town. Is there penalties if you don't hit those milestones that you laid out?

In theory, yes, because they are enforcable. We have not. And I, you know, honestly knowing seeing how you're working, I don't see that. Um the agency has not taken enforcement action yet. We are talking about how we might. Um but these are for more recetrate players. There are folks that um are far behind what you're doing. So I don't expect it. Um I really doubt there would be penalties, but there could be. Right. You mentioned Lake Apopka. You didn't mention John's Lake. Is John Lake John's Lake included in all this being John's Lake's on the south side of us? I mean, you think about I don't believe it. No, I don't believe it is

because your map is kind of encompassing some of John's Lake. I'm just And I'm guessing all this water flow is running south to north. Yes. All the contaminants that you're talking about is running in that direction. Um funding was another thing. It sounds like you want to hit these milestones. A small town like ours, funding is going to be the be the big driver on on hitting any of that milestone. And um you know what we think is on the horizon, it's not going to be done just by the it will not be done by the town. You're not alone. That's why the state has all that funding. It's my own kind. I live in I live in the I live within about five miles from McCulla Springs and I've got to upgrade my septic tank.

Yeah. And that's the problem. If there's no funds un if there's funds are unavailable and you can't do it and the state doesn't have the funds to do it. I mean have a mute type subject right now

and you know hitting and I think what you kind of hit as is the mileston you know and and I probably should have we are not going to I have not heard any indication that if folks don't hit those milestones really it's we're we're looking for demonstrated progress toward those milestones and you know where the agency might take some enforcement action and I really have to put the emphasis on might is is if we're seeing folks that aren't submitting projects aren't you know really participating you're participating Yeah. And I think our public works uh department has done a great job in and in and participating and and with the grants that we've gotten and and converting the uh sewer septic to sewer. There's a long way to go. I mean, your number on here is crazy. Yes,

it's a lot. There's a lot there's a lot of septic tanks. That's just how it is. So, yeah, I was looking at that the 921 septic tar period. Yeah.

Well, and and Mayor Taylor hit exactly on what I was going to say. My first thought was funding too because again we are a very small town. We obviously have you know plans in place for septic to sewer and with some of our new development we're getting more sewer lines run through town. So yeah I mean if we get points for for definitely heading in the right direction I think that's that's good for us. But again, I I have the same concerns that Mayor Taylor has that that's a 921 is a lot. And so, um, the funding page was really good for me to see. Um, and then, you know, my other thing too is, you know, like a like a popka you said, um, you know, is 98% there, which is good. And uh the other thing is that obviously Lake Apka, you know, getting to its goal, which fortunately it sounds like we're it's pretty close to getting there, uh is dependent upon a lot of entities around the lake, not just our town. So, you know, I'm guessing that's all taken into that factor of how you come up with that number of the 921 septic to sewer changes.

Yes, it Yes. And that is something that we're, you know, we're we're um pushing the legislature to allocate some funds for more septic sewer type initiatives. And that's one thing that I I tell them when I meet with them is you want to stop in nitrogen hitting this lake aka that you spent millions and millions of dollars to clean up. Help us out and then we can stop the the source from what's going into that lake, you know. So yeah. And then lastly, Mike, you can come with us to Tallahassee if you like. You probably have more weight than I do, but yes, I heard you were coming to Tallahassee. It's good. Yes.

Um Mike, you can nod or come up whatever. I'm assuming you're aware of these funding opportunities and we've pursued them or we will pursue them. Yes, we've already uh taken advantage of the 319H, which is kind of a federal federal money. Uh we've already taken advantage of that twice in the past. We've got, you know, we've got the uh the current I think we've got what 3.5 million just in the last six months through different u grant applications. Okay, great. Okay, thank you.

I've got one other question. Um Shane had brought up John's Lake, which is right on the other side of us right here that beat directly into Lake Aopka. If we're so concerned with Lake Apopka, why wouldn't John's Lake be in it with that direct contact through the Motomassic Canal that really flows heavy? How do we fight that if we're not going to be looking at lakes like that and want to connect and and they flow? I And when I said John's Lake, I don't believe and I have to go back and look at the TM the TMDL and B maps. I don't think we have a specific allocation for that. But you're right because it is it's it's in there and as we look at the loads even though that might not have it spec its own allocation might have specific pounds per year. You're right people should be we should be looking at projects in and around John's Lake because they do end up in a pop. So you're you're absolutely right whether it's included in the BAP directly or not that's that's a good place to look because you do look in the wershed. You're right.

Yeah. Right. And and looking at your maps that you have here, I mean John's Lake falls in all three. Uh the upper the WA and W Iowa. Um so it's all it's right there. But makes sense. I mean if it's running everything's running north, right where it is and there is a lot of development that's happening around John's Lake. Yeah. Anybody else? Thank you. Oh uh do we want to take a question or we want to wait? Yeah, you got to come up, Lou. Sorry. Name and address. Going to make you work for it, Lou. You got to walk up, man.

Hey, Louis Smith, 316 North Tub Street, Oakland, Florida 34760. Proud resident of Oakland. Um, there was a prototypical cleansing system on the north end of Lake Aapka years ago about a thousand foot long and they were pumping water through that system to cleanse nitrogen and phosphorus. My question to you is, do you know anything about that system? And what happened to the results? I can answer that. I do not know anything about that, so I can't answer the second. Okay. It was it was real. Yeah, it was. Yeah. So, I'm just wondering what did they find in that was that system successful? I probably not if nobody's known about it, but if it was successful, you know, put in a 20,000 foot one and that'll help clean up the lake.

So, but it's real. They and they put it in. I do remember that. Yeah. Okay. Thanks, guys. Yeah. Thanks. Thanks. Yeah. Right. Okay. Uh thank you. Appreciate your support. Thank you. Okay. So, you all are educated on that now. So, uh, the recommendation is, uh, staff is recommending that the Oakland Town Commission recognize the importance of the basin management action plan by consensus and continue to support staff in working to implement BMPPS that will continue to help us meet our statutory requirements.

Thanks, Mike. Uh, any questions? If not, I'll entertain a motion. Do we consensus? Do we need a motion or consent. We all consent, right? Go forth, Mike. Okay. Would just Can you give us a list of all those acronyms because there was a lot of letters in there. All right. Okay. So, we'll we'll uh we'll close that uh that aisle and we'll move on. Mike, I think I'm sure you're doing the uh on-site sewage treatment and disposal system. Mike.

So again, this is statutory. Um, Florida statutes specify that local governments within a basin management action plan, which now you know we are uh must develop an on-site sewage treatment and disposal system or OSTDS, and I'll be using that acronym uh in this just, you know, I'm you know, I'm trying to save all the the the words that I can because I'm getting old. I need to save them.

Yeah. uh remediation plan containing certain information. So although finalization of our remediation plan has taken a bit longer than required by statute, staff has worked diligently in developing a plan based on existing OSTDS information that was publicly available in 2023 and um basically it's based on eight specific criteria. uh those being number one a comprehensive inventory of existing OSTDS that's the 930ome that you just mentioned uh an estimate of future growth within uh or the estimation of future growth in new OSTDS over the next 20 years. So how many new ones do we plan on having? None if we can afford it. Uh number three is uh we needed to provide an inventory of OSTDS that are expected to be eliminated over the next 20 years. Um just today I sat down and went through all of the commercial properties uh that we have eliminated the septic systems uh on those since um I think 2018. Um, if anybody would like to hazard a guess, uh, how many commercial properties have came off of septic and went on to sewer, I'll save you the save you the trouble. It's 19. We have 19 different septic systems that have uh have been removed. So, that that adds up and quite a few residential as well. Um you know we needed to provide uh an identification of planning design and construction of new or extended sewer lines and replacement of OSTDS by connecting to central sewer. You know we've had the um septic to sewer project over here on west a few years ago that eliminated almost 50. Um we've had a

couple of other smaller ones. We just didn't call them true s u uh septic to sewer. Um we needed to provide the estimated costs associated with these projects. We needed to provide an estimation of the number of OSTDS that'll require upgrading to enhance nutrient reducing systems once the system needs replacing. Now listening to Ken doesn't sound like that's going to be a big number, at least right now. Uh number seven is we needed to provide an estimation of costs associated with the aforementioned upgrades. Our plan has that. And last uh any other cost effective and financially feasible projects necessary to achieve the nutrient load reduction set forth in the BMAP. So in brief, development of a plan is required and yes, meeting the criteria set forth will be expensive. The good news here is that for the past decade, Oakland has been compelling developers to construct central sewer systems to accommodate new growth. You might recall the Brley Farms phase 1A. They were approved on septic. They are now going on central sewer. I mean, that's just the way it's just the way to go. Um, oh, and we have been diligent in extending those lines to enable septic to sewer conversion. So, what that means is we're we're we're piggybacking, if you will, on the developers expense to create new septic to sewer connections. So, anyway, with that, I'll turn this over to Mr. Hucker uh Mr. Tucker Hunter and Miss Brena Riley of Kimley Horn uh for a brief presentation after which I'll bring back the recommendation. Mayor, commissioners, thank you for having us here tonight. My name is

Tucker Hunter and this is Brena Riley. We're with Kimley Horn. Uh we worked closely with Mike Parker on this on-site sewage treatment disposal systems remediation plan. Um and we'd like to present the findings to you. Um I know some of the numbers you may see in this report are a little different than what Ken just shared. Ken did a lot of the dirty work of explaining what BAPAPs are. So, thank you, Ken. We really appreciate that. Um if you go to the next slide. So, the background, we just heard this from Ken a little bit ago, but I'm going to reiterate it a little bit. Um, the FD in 2024 required us or required the town of Oakland and all other uh municipalities to submit a uh OSTDS remediation plan. Um, which we currently have that's dated in November 2025. Um, as you heard that the town is located within three B maps, the Wakiva Springs, upper Akawaha, and Wakiva River. Um, one thing I wanted to to touch on is part of the FD requirement for the OSTDS was there was also a wastewater treatment plan uh associated with it. However, as you know, city of Claremont and uh city of Winter Garden accepts your wastewater flow. So, that was not required uh for the town. Um, and then as we talked about a little bit ago, uh, the require the the city is or I'm sorry, the town is required to reduce the total nitrogen and phosphorus amounts by 30% by 2028. Um, that's in order to maintain compliance with the BMAP requirements. Uh so the purpose of this report was develop an inventory of the OSTDS's within the town limits um to be eliminated or enhanced within the town. Go to the next slide. So we did was we took the uh the parcels that were located within the town um and that inventory was based off the

department of health in 2023 um and we came up with 95 parcels um that were identified as having permitted on-site um sewage uh disposal systems. So, however, based on that inventory, um we'll go over the map here in a minute, but six of those parcels were actually converted from um septic to central sewer uh recently. The most recent one u being the uh we had the Oakland Charter School and Public Safety Facility that we worked with Mike Parker on back in 2023. Um and then you also have Oakland Park, Oak Oakland Nature Preserve, and then the Grove, which is actually two parcels. So, those were the six that we eliminated right off the bat. As you heard from Mike a little bit ago, there was actually additional 19 subject systems that were uh eliminated. That was not in the report as that was just uh reported to us. You go to the next slide. So here's the map. So if you look at the green parcels, those are all of the parcels that have septic systems located within them. Um, and then if you look at the ones that are outlined in red, those were the parcels that I was identifying as the six parcels that are actually already um on central sewer. The next slide.

Red is sewer and green is Sorry, can you go back one? Red sewer, green septic. Correct. That's correct.

The top green I guess would be updated, right? Top uh right corner Oak Park would all it. It's Central Sewer. That's correct. Yes, sir. And then same thing with the charter school, the Grove, the new development coming in, um the public safety, and then you also have the Oakland Nature Preserve. Those were all the parcels that are uh central sewer now. You go to the next slide. Um so when we were doing the study, we were looking at different areas to identify projects within the town. We identified eight areas Um, and we divided the town. We'll show you on the next slide. If you don't mind going to that, then we'll come back. So, what we did was we we um basically parcled out the town. We looked at what your existing lift stations are. That way, we could try to capitalize on where you already have lift stations. Um, and then also if there's any developments that we're putting in um central sewer. So, as you can see here, the the number one priority that we found with just being with Lake Apopka was and also with you having Brley Farms coming in as as Mike alluded to, um we labeled that as the number one priority and then John's Landing was uh the number two priority. However, John's Landing was the number one priority based off of the nutrient loading um requirements. If you could go back one slide. So, I know the big number here that you'll see. So eliminating these subject tanks, um we estimated that the cost would be about $55.5 million. Um that does not include the connection to uh or the impact fee it would be paid to the city of Claremont, but that would also reduce we estimated 10,150 pounds. Uh Brena, if you could talk to that a little bit. I know that there was an

update. Uh yes. So the the amount of pounds reduced is just the conservative amount of eliminating all of the identified septic tanks that we showed on the previous map. uh just to show the full amount that could be reduced with the subject. And with that, the number will change slightly on the amount that is eliminated due to updated calculation methods from the Department of Environmental Protection just so that way they have more up-to-date uh numbers as well.

Um so what what does that equate per resident? So, if you base it off the 899 parcels that we referred to earlier, it's about $62,000 per lot. Um, and then there's also the OCDS enhancement projects that is all $899 lots as well. So, we estimated that about $18,000 per um OCDS enhancement. So, that comes up to the $16.2 million. Um, the way that we came up with the project prioritization, as I said earlier, was the cost per pound of nitrogen removal and then also the proximity to Lake Apakka and trying to utilize the Bryley Farms connection for a recent development that was done. Next slide. We just described this here a little bit ago. Um, so what does this all mean? So we got into our recommendations. If you go to the next slide. So, our recommendation is continue your uh ongoing program of converting your septic systems. Um Mike has has done a great job with um trying to prioritize these areas and Janelle I'm sure will be taking the reigns here soon. But um you know looking at these projects, trying to work with developers and then also making sure that we have future connections. So making sure that your um gravity sewer system is deep enough in order to make your connections. So that's one thing that you always want to look at if we can utilize what whatever's going in, if we can plan it for the future. Um, which that happened on Hall Avenue and is also happening right now with Brley Farms. Um the other thing is while that number was big, the $55.5 million, um if you break up the larger projects into about $4 million or 60 connections is what we're estimating, um then you can start looking into more of those funding and trying to take smaller bites out of the apple, so to

speak. Um and then one I'm sure that everybody's going to see here is the OSTDS uh enhancements. They seem more cost-effective. However, it will be more of a burden to your citizens as they will have to pay for that themselves and there's not a whole lot of funding available. However, uh when it comes to septic systems and getting them to septic to sewer conversions, uh there's a lot more funings funding available as what Ken was uh referring to earlier. Um recent job or projects that have had funding with the town is the most recent uh Brley Avenue, $3.5 million this year. Um, and then we also worked with Mike about what 2022 Mike on Hall Avenue. That project had 1.5 million. The residents didn't have to pay for anything on that project. Um, and that was fully funded with FDP springs, St. John's, and then also CDBG funds. With that being said, thank you for your time.

Thanks. Um, anybody questions? Anybody quick just a couple of things. I read your I read your report through it. Um and I I think Mike can answer this with confidence. Um any any new commercial development, Mike, we're we're they have to go on septic, right? There's no or sewer. Sorry, sewer, not septic. Yeah. Yeah. Sewer. It's just it's a given is what we're doing. So, and we have the ordinance set up.

Okay. And this is all a state requirement what we're doing here. Correct. Is is is is what we were discussing. And again uh you talked about penalties on that and this is a process where we went through in your report to do that. Um one of the uh things you outlined in your report was a was the ordinance um that was u done back uh town uh town has implemented an ordinance that if sanitary sewers available and the property owner needs to connect to the centralized sewer within one year of completion of the sanitary sewer. with this new extension of the sanitary lines going down uh in the next phase those residents at some point in time within that year period would have to connect. Is that is that correct?

So so right now if uh let's say the sewer line was installed and made active today. Yeah. So the resident is notified of the act, excuse me, the active sewer line and then they have one year to either connect or pay the u base fee the actual base fee whereever I think it's right now a month but uh we're looking at changing that ordinance you know to go ahead. Okay. And then that's when you would try to go after funds to help with those connection fees.

As a matter of fact, in this um this next batch of funding from Tallahassee, the million uh in our work plan, we've put in a placeholder of 200,000 to divert to impact fees and the actual physical connection of the house. Yeah. To be divided up. Yeah. Because what was the number you came up with? You said per house to connect. Did you come up with a number? Roughly 62,000 is what we estimated. That does not include, right? And that's not obviously that's multiple however many units you can put on there, right? It's a $62,000 number. It's not per house, is it? Based on the estimate.

Yeah. Crazy. because you know they're having to construct the gravity sewer lines and Oh, you're you're talking about anything in the right of way and then running to the house. I I guess I'm Yeah. And I I guess I'm asking about the lateral that runs off of the main line to the to the house is would be that connection fluctuates on the size of the lot. 10% of that maybe 6,200 bucks probably or something like that, you know. Well, I recently did mine on Whole Avenue. Shane, remember Mike? And that lot on Whole Avenue and um Walker came out to be $5,500. So you have to get rid of your septic tank.

That has to go away. There's a fee for that. I think it was like $2,200 or $2,500. Then the remainder was the connection. That was a quarter lot. like 10% of that cost then is roughly when we first started this way back when that was one of the big burning factors was you know most of the folks in town weren't going to be able to pay this why we went you know to the wall trying to get the um get the funding so we could help the folks out in town um and back then we were saying that the estimates were going to be anywhere between six and $9,000 per house depending on your stuff so it's hitting pretty And that included taking out your old sept. Yeah. So it's where we thought

well and I had the conversation with Mike yesterday about you know there will be people that their septic king systems have to be replaced and if the cost is less to connect to sewer than the replacement costs then there would it would be advantageous obviously for you know once those lines are run for them instead of you know that so they would have that cost um anyway if they had to upgrade their septic tank system. But if instead they could connect to the sewer, if that cost is comparable and Mike actually we when we talked yesterday, we talked about it being less to connect on with the lines than replacing because of the requirements for the new septic tank system. So work

while we wait to get funds to help those people because there's a lot of people who can't afford the $69,000 and you mentioned there's one year then after the year if they can't qual if they can't do it themselves or fund it and it's $19 a month u payment how long is that last? So if I'm talking to Mrs. Smith and she says I'll pay $19 for the next 40 years I'm fine.

Well it's dependent on several things. they have to demonstrate that their septic system actually works. It's one thing to have something says that they would have to, you know, demonstrate that. Um, and you know, that's the current ordinance. I don't I can't predict what future ordinances will say, but sounds like we need to. So to add to what Mike Parker said, I'm sorry, um Mike um Satderfield said, Mike Parker came to this commission 12, 13 years ago and told us that this what we're dealing right now is coming. So that's why we're here right now. Mike Parker told us that the state is going to eventually make this a rule or a policy and we need to start coming up with a plan in order to convert the entire town from septic to sewer. So, this all came from Mike Parker years and years ago. That's when we came up with the proposals of trying to go to the state to get those dollars. 12 plus years later, we got $4 million. And now we are seeing that what Mike Parker saw, what he predicted years ago is coming to fruition right now to to include that's why we pushing let's get a grant writer to also bring in dollars from different sources. That's why we tried to do all we can to ensure that what Miss Mr. Satderfield just mentioned that was something that the entire commission was worried about. How can we get this done so we can one protect the environment, protect the uh Lake of Popka, protect all our natural resources and at the same time don't have a burden on our citizens. So yes, this may seem like it took a long time. Mike Parker

predicted this a long time ago and we've been working on this. Now, we're getting to the fact to the place where we're going to have someone who's going to be going after those dollars. Just back in fe in December, you all remember I mentioned that our state our federal partner is not a person who believes in appropriation. So, I spoke to Congressman Frost to say, "Hey, what can we do?" Shared it with Elise. We and she was she told me that's when Mike Park is going to be transitioning to a new position. Now granted, uh, Congressman Frost doesn't cover our area. He can put it on his list, but he cannot make it a priority. But this communication we're dealing with right now tonight as far as how it is really environmental, we can give this to that congressman and say, "Hey, please can you help us?" But I really want to um hone in on the part that this is something that we've been planting seeds for 12, 13 years. And really Mike Parker already predicted that this was going to be a situation along with making sure that we come up with a plan that any new development like the mayor mentioned is have to go on sewer and we're not going to have any burdens to our citizens. So this is already been baked in. So what you what you're hearing tonight this conversation really started 12 13 years ago. Thank you so much.

Thank you Mike. I just want to just to make just to make the point. Yeah, Mike. Um just if this ordinance is in place that we currently have that says that a resident has to connect within a year or pay $19 and and at some point this is coming to reality, right? You're you're going to start doing this. Oh yeah. And hopefully within a year maybe you might be able to have residents that are existing connecting on this system. Yeah. So, I can't quote the ordinance, you know, verbatim right now, but it does say that the sewer line has to be uh adjacent to their property either in a right of way or an easement. So,

I I the only reason I say that is I think that if you get you got to start got to start getting the word out now that this is coming, this is going to happen. It come in front, you know, I know you have the layout and you have the map. We've looked at it together, but um you know, those people need to kind of prepare. I mean, $6,000 is not a small chunk of change to some people. We're talking I mean, your estimates here 555 55,500 to take the whole town off the off of off of septic onto sewer. That's a that's a big number and that's years. Um 162 is what you got right here to eliminate just 4,7001. That brings us to about 2030 in your in your on your report on where we should be if we're trying to hit that 2038 of 9,000. Uh yeah, that's it's a lot. All I'm saying is um we need to either look at that ordinance again and find out if we're okay with saying, "Okay, hey, you got to connect within a year or is there other ways to kind of work that where we've got grant opportunities coming in, we got money coming in that we can help you do that?" Everybody has to do a connection fee, right? So when you pay your impact fees, you're going to have to do a connection fee. So, you know, we just have to work those out. It's again, it's a benefit, I think, to the resident. It's a benefit to our town. It's a benefit to the environment. We just have to make sure that, you know, we're not overburdening the resident financially. That's my point.

Well, and just to piggyback on that, you know, agreed. I think if we know this is coming soon with like the Bryley extension and stuff like that with the grant money that we have, we do need to notify those residents. I think that, you know, the grant money for the residents, maybe we have to set up some kind of like financial need assessment or something because again, if you have a septic tank sewer system, you have to maintain that system. And as I spoke with Mike about, if the cost is going to be less to connect a sewer and the connection opportunity is there, you know, there will be some residents that can pay for it. So, I think that, you know, assuming that the the town's going to be able to get funding to cover everybody, I don't know that that's a fair assumption. So, in, you know, like Shane said, making sure that residents are prepared, but also having them understand that, you know, this is a it's ultimately could be a cost savings for them because the new septic tank system from what we talked about is more expensive than connecting to sewer. So we're actually reducing their output of costs then we're not really increasing their cost. We're giving them an out of something that's a better system for less money. So I think that's kind of a way we can message it too is that once we have those lines is that that's going to be available and if they're on the verge of needing a new system that you know this would be their their other option and and could be a cost savings to them you know.

All right. Nice job on the report. I got a problem when I like reading reports like that. I don't know why I like reading, but I do. Um, yeah, same thing, Mike. We got a You need a Well, it's a little bit different, I think. Um, let's see. What did I have on here? Let's see here. Uh, staff is recommending that the Oakland Town Commission adopt by consensus the OSTDS remediation plan as required by state statute. Okay. census. Everybody, we're all good. Mike, thank you. Thank you guys for doing Thank you, Kent.

By the way, Mike Parker, this is your last official act in that official job. Are we correct? I think so. Yeah. You know, I remember a couple of years ago I said it was my last budget uh workshop or whatever. You know, that's you that went out the window. But that point, yeah, got to be careful. Yeah. Yeah. No, I'm I'm definitely definitely gonna do it. So, there's no doubt about it. So, the side we appreciate everything you have done in the position for sure, John. I was gonna do a great job, but what you've done over the last 13 and a half years. Um, you got a hard act to follow. So, thank you. I'll still be around.

Thank you guys. If you guys want to head out, you more than welcome to. Um, okay. Moving on, uh we'll move on to uh public forum. And uh public forum is your opportunity to speak about anything that did not appear on tonight's agenda uh tonight. And um we ask that you keep it to three minutes. So we have a taker in the back. You must come up and say your name and address. Three minutes. Start a clock.

I already started the clock. Louis Smith 316 North Tub Street. Two issues for me. Um they tore the woods are down now on the Bryley property. Riley, I rode my mountain bike down there. There's a pond that I never knew was there with a canal that goes out to Lake Apka. And when you had the development meetings about that property, I thought of having an access to the lake for canoes and kayaks. There it is. Let's do it. Number two, I've been told by residents of John's Landing that the vape store that was in the old 7-Eleven and there's a kiosk that sells tacos is run by gypsies and they're not even letting people go sit down or get food or even go in the vape store. Something's not right going on there. Just want to let you know that's it. Thank you.

We'll check that out. Right. Anyone else? Yes, ma'am. Name and address, please. Three minutes.

Good evening. I'm Noren Dwarkin. I'm the editor and chief of Vox Populi. Um I'm here to just make a brief announcement. Uh today um we were able to come to an agreement with the uh two candidates who are running for seat 4 in the March 10th election. Commissioner Joseph McMullen and candidate Anne Fulton. Box Populi will be hosting a virtual candidates forum on February 25th at 7 PM. It will be moderated by Steve Mort, formerly of WUCF's News Night. This will be done in conjunction with the News Collaborative of Central Florida. Again, this will be a virtual candidates forum and it will be done over Zoom February 27th at 7 PM. We'll have more information as we start to uh get the event together on Zoom with the link. Um people are encouraged to submit uh questions to be uh presented to the candidates. Uh, you can send the questions to norin n o r i neg gardenvox with a v.com and uh Steve Morton and I will uh uh go through the questions make sure there are no duplicates and uh we will together the forum. So we hope people will attend. The forum will be recorded. If you don't watch it live you will be able to uh watch it later. very much.

Thank you. And thank Okay, anyone else? Any other bakers? No. Okay. So, we'll close the public forum and bring it back to our town manager, Elise. Just um couple quick things. Um I'll be out of the office January 29th through February 6. I'm already regretting my decision, but Chief Een will be acting town manager. Um, in case you need anything,

Heritage Day will continue to take place on Saturday, January 31st from 10 to 2. It is going to be cold, so but please come out and bundle up. Um, we still have it. We're not going to we're not planning on cancelling. Um, the Black History tribute artist reception will be Thursday, February 19th from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. And that exhibit will be on display starting Saturday, January 31st through March 27th. So, um, there's a lot of great art out there. Come and take a look. That's all I have. Thank you.

Thank you, Chief. We are all prepared and looking forward to Heritage Day. Nothing else to report. Everything is going smooth. Great. All right, Donnell.

Yes, thank you. Um, I just want to say I appreciate the opportunity, you know, for filling in for Mike. I know Mike has did a great job. Like I told Elise, but I know Mike has built the foundation. I'm here to build a house. Okay. So, um, with public works, I'm starting my budget early and preparing for future projects and equipment, and I'm actually looking forward to my first heritage day here. So, I'm excited about that. And the family will be here. Bring bring Jackets and gloves and everything. Yeah. Thank you, Jonno. Mike, you have anything new or you're good? Okay, Kathy.

Yes. The deadline to register for the upcoming election on March 10th is coming up on Monday, February 9th. You please contact the supervisor of elections office if you're not registered and you want to vote. That's a registered voter to register to vote. Right. Register to vote. Yes. Yeah. Right. Uh Commissioner McMullen. Mr. Ramos.

Yes. Speaking of asking, uh after several years of going to the metrop plan Orlando, uh we finally have uh a commitment or the rep for the FDOT and turnpike to have uh multiple signs on the turnpike uh going north and south into our exit in Oakland. I've been talking to them for years about the exit coming into highway 50 from the turnpike is um says welcome to Winter Garden and welcome to Claremont even though the exit is 100% Oakland. So we just got the email this week that it's have been approved and they're going to put multiple signs throughout the turnpike to um say welcome to Oakland. So, we have our identity for any uh tourists or passerbys. Thank you. Awesome. Thank you. You

color. I'd kind of like people to not know where we are, but

sorry, that's just me. Um, I just as as a resident of the town and as a recent commissioner want to thank Mike Parker for always answering my questions and and being available when um, like I said before I was on the commission. We have a lot of things going on in my neighborhood and he's been great with working answering my questions and helping out some of our folks that are on our committee with our our developer and builder of our neighborhood. So, um, I know he's not going anywhere. Mike, so we're we're glad that um you're transitioning into this new role and we appreciate everything you've done. And Donell, we are super excited for Take the Reigns. I know you're going to do a great job. Um and you know, we just wish you both well in your new roles and thank you so much for your commitment to our town. I am going to be bundled up and looking forward to Heritage Day. It's my first Heritage Day as a commissioner because I was appointed almost a year ago tomorrow, I believe. So, um I just want to thank everyone for their support this last year and I'm looking forward to Heritage Day.

Thank you, Commissioner. Um I plan on signing up for the ethics training February 18th. Is that right? Yeah. So if anyone else just reminder to do it, it is a whole lot more interesting than doing the online thing that we do every year that we could probably give ourselves. But um we'll be going to thatbody else. Uh for me just again it's it's going to be cold. just bundle up. And uh again, Heritage Day is gonna happen.

And uh uh you know, when it gets cold like that, some people use their space heaters, so just be careful with that. You hear that all the time in the news. And uh you know, uh just read up on how to protect your pipes. If you have any exposed pipes, especially PVC pipes that come up out of the ground and go into your house, uh uh put some insulation around them. Uh, so if not, you'll have a big problem when you wake up the next morning. With that,

real quick, sorry. Um, Kelly did post some information online on our website and Facebook today about if you're not used to the cold, like things to do around your home to make sure your pipes don't freeze. So, take a look at that. Yeah. And let's hope the weather men are way off like they normally are. So, let's hope that's the case. So, Mr. of all hearts and minds are satisfied. It is still 8:13 p.m. Have a great night.