Mar. 12 - City of Melbourne, Florida

IN THIS ISSUE
• Emergency Messaging
Opportunities Expand
• Arbor Day salutes trees
• Meet P&Z Board Members
A two-year effort by the City to streamline
the permitting process for developers
has been saluted by the Economic Development
Commission of Florida’s Space Coast
(EDC), an organization that promotes the
attraction, retention, and expansion of business
activity.
The EDC recognition came in the form
of a ‘SNAP’ designation, which indicates
that a local government has ‘adopted permitting
best practices’ and has in place
procedures that are considered “simplified,
nimble, accelerated permitting.”
Methods for improving the permitting
process have been developed for the EDC
by area business professionals, working
with representatives of local governments.
Melbourne is a member of the EDC, which
is supported by annual contributions from
Melbourne
Messenger
March 2012
industry, business, and government memberships.
EDC president Lynda Weatherman said
Brevard County and seven cities have now
received the SNAP designation, “which will
serve as a valuable tool when promoting our
competitive business environment.”
Cindy Dittmer, Melbourne’s Planning
and Economic Development Director, said
the changes put in place affect procedures
for building permits and for reviews of the
site plans that are provided by developers to
describe their project proposals.
“The City Council has implemented
several City Code changes over the past two
years, and a number of internal procedural
changes were made, all assisting the business
and development community,” Dittmer said.
(Continued on Next Page)
Community
Information
from the
City of
Melbourne
Pretreatment program protects reclamation plants, aids local companies
Every day, Melbourne residents and
businesses send millions of gallons of wastewater
to a pair of reclamation plants that
are constantly cleaning the incoming water
with mechanical, chemical, and biological
processes.
Randy Greer is very familiar with how
the nonstop flow of wastewater is handled
at the reclamation plants, and knows that
surprises are not welcome. He has for almost
three decades worked to prevent surprises
that might otherwise come in the form of
industrial pollutants carried by wastewater.
Nationwide, attention has focused on
potential harm from wastewater sources
as diverse as metal-laden rinse water from
HOMEOWNERS have the potential to
adversely impact the wastewater collection
system and water reclamation
plants, and at the same time create problems
with their own sewer pipes. Wastes
that should not go into household drains
include chemicals, solvents, pesticides,
and materials that those in the wastewater
collection and water reclamation field
refer to as FOG - fats, oils, and grease.
The FOG materials can build up in a
home’s pipes and create blockages and
overflows. Information about preventing
pollution from homes is available online
at melbourneflorida.org/pretreatment.
circuit board manufacturers
and food processing
byproducts.
Potential problems
associated with industrial
discharges range from
toxic gases and explosions
to chemical contamination
that interferes
with recycling of water
as well as solids that are
used as a soil conditioner.
As the City’s Industrial
Pretreatment Coordinator,
Greer is responsible
for dealing with the
potential problems from
industrial discharges in
Melbourne.
He is armed with local,
state, and federal regulations that include
stiff penalties. However, Greer is quick to
explain that education has been his primary
tool for success.
“Historically, pretreatment programs
have focused on the regulations and quality
of effluent at the end of the pipe,” Greer
explains. “In Melbourne, our focus has
been on preventing the pollution in the first
place, rather than relying on industry to
treat it later.”
Permit procedures streamlined to boost business
PREVENTING POLLUTION: Randy Greer, at right, and Robert
Galligan Jr., vice president of Chem-Tek Metal Finishing
Corporation, review procedures that the Melbourne company
uses to capture metal from rinse water. The process is part of
the work by the company to ensure that metal plating operations
do not create problems at City water reclamation plants.
Local businesses also benefit from the
cooperative approach. “Businesses can
evaluate their production line or their overall
way of doing things, and then make some
changes that will improve their bottom line
without sacrificing quality of the work,”
Greer said.
Greer’s experience indicates that adjustments
made by local companies to protect
water reclamation plants can also trim their
(Continued on Back Page)
‘MOVE OVER’
Florida’s ‘Move Over’ law requires motorists
to distance themselves from emergency
vehicles at the roadside, and the need was
made clear by a recent accident involving a
Melbourne police patrol car.
The police car was behind a disabled vehicle
on Eau Gallie Boulevard, lights flashing,
when a motorist drove into it. The driver was
cited for failing to observe the move-over law.
Police Sgt. Trevor Shaffer said the situation
(Continued on Back Page)

BOOSTING BUSINESS: City representatives on hand to receive the
SNAP certfication from the Economic Development Commission of
the Space Coast were, from left, City Manager Jack Schluckebier, City
Council Member Greg Jones, Code Compliance Director Al Beyer,
City Council Member Molly Tasker, Planning & Economic Development
Director Cindy Dittmer, City Council Member Mark LaRusso, and
City Engineer Jenni Lamb. The certification recognizes steps taken to
streamline permit procedures for developers.
FLOOD MAP CHANGES being
proposed by the National Flood Insurance
Program were available for review
at recent public meetings. The revised
maps are also available for inspection
at the City’s Code Compliance Office at
City Hall, 900 E. Strawbridge Avenue.
The federal program is a part of
FEMA, and flood insurance policies
are issued by area insurance companies.
Additional information about the
program and flood hazards is available
online at www.floodsmart.gov.
Contacting the City Council
• Mayor Harry Goode, 608-7220;
cityhall@melbourneflorida.org
• Vice Mayor Mike Nowlin, District 1, 254-
1886; cityhall@melbourneflorida.org
• Mark LaRusso, District 2, 779-8505;
mark@marklarusso.com
• Kathy Meehan, District 3, 984-7588;
cityhall@melbourneflorida.org
• John Thomas, District 4, 608-7220;
johnthomas@melbourneflorida.org
• Molly Tasker, District 5, 259-1719;
cityhall@melbourneflorida.org
• Greg Jones, District 6, 242-3444;
gregjones@melbourneflorida.org
E-mail received by the City of Melbourne
is considered to be public record.
The MELBOURNE MESSENGER
Published by the City of Melbourne, Florida.
Jack M. Schluckebier, City Manager
Mike Moore, Editor (321) 608-7260
Write to City Hall at 900 E. Strawbridge Ave.,
Melbourne, FL 32901.
Email: cityhall@melbourneflorida.org
Web Site: www.melbourneflorida.org
City’s permitting procedures being streamlined
Homeowners and businesses are being
encouraged to update information in the
CodeRED notification system, since new
methods of communication have been developed
since Melbourne began use of the
system in 2004.
The City uses the CodeRED system to
rapidly distribute information related to
emergencies or to send
other important messages
to the community
by way of telephone,
e-mail, and text messages.
The distribution is targeted to specific
addresses in the City’s utility service area.
For instance, the City has used the
service in the past to provide evacuation
and service notices during tropical storm
periods. The Melbourne Police Department
has used the service to issue alerts for missing
persons.
Most telephone numbers for residences
and businesses were included in the system
when Melbourne first began using it, and
many updates and additions to the address
The STRAWBRIDGE AVENUE
median project has been completed.
Development of crosswalks
increased the safety of pedestrians,
including those walking from
the municipal garage to the historic
downtown area along New Haven
Avenue. The $353,311 project also
allowed drainage improvements
along the roadway.
At the Strawbridge Avenue
crosswalks and others around the
City that are marked in a similar
way, motorists are required by
state law to stop for all pedestrians
who are in the walkways.
(Continued from Front Page)
The changes have included:
• Amendments to the sign code to allow more flexibility and additional
signage for building and ground signs.
• Changes to requirements for developers to reserve infrastructure
capacity such as water and sewer service, and delays in payment of
impact fees for projects that will create jobs.
• Procedural changes including faster reviews, allowing for a
one-week review period for site plans, which are usually submitted
ahead of construction plans, and for building plans.
• Greater coordination between the City departments that are
involved in reviews of building permits.
• Maintenance of inspection scheduling beyond normal work
hours, and acceptance of some permit applications via e-mail.
Dittmer said the streamlining work will continue. “Part of the
SNAP program is an ongoing effort to facilitate business development,
and we intend to do that,” Dittmer said.
Expanded opportunities available for emergency notifications
Emergency notifications from
the City can include messages
sent via e-mail, cell phones,
and text messaging.
list have been volunteered by individuals
since that time.
Interested persons can ensure that information
in the system is current by utilizing
an online registration service that can be
accessed with a link on the City’s website
at www.melbourneflorida.org, or directly
at melbourneflorida.org/news/callout.htm.
The brief registration
process allows the addition
of cell phone numbers,
e-mail addresses,
and text addresses that
are not currently on record.
Information is submitted directly to
Emergency Communications Network,
the company that provides the CodeRED
service, and is considered private.
The notification system can target messages
to specific geographic areas, such as
particular streets, or to a large area of the
City. However, when a particular address is
included in a notification, the message can
go to all communication devices that are
registered for that address.

VOLUNTEER MEMBERS of the Planning & Zoning Board, pictured on
the front row from left, are Edward Coruzzi, Chairman Alan King, and
Vice Chairman Glen Outlaw. Pictured on the back row, from left, are
Donald Laird, George Lebovitz, Bruce Waters, and Nathaniel Clement.
Members who are not pictured are Carmine Perrone and Kathy Chambers.
The committee acts in an advisory capacity to the City Council
on questions related to zoning, comprehensive planning, and land use.
Improvement Projects in the City of Melbourne
A WEB CALENDAR
that is available at the
City’s official website
(melbourneflorida.org)
includes many community
announcements
about upcoming notfor-profit
events being
staged by area organizations.
Announcements can
be submitted by e-mail
message to cityhall@
melbourneflorida.org.
Each item should include
details about the
nature of the event,
the sponsors, and the
time and location. Also
needed is a telephone
or email point of contact
to be listed on the
calendar.
RESURFACING WORK was recently completed on a number of courts at both the Fee Avenue
Tennis Complex and the Jimmy Moore Tennis Complex. The improvements at Fee Avenue included
both selected hard courts and clay courts. Pictured while using a resurfaced court at Fee
Avenue are, from left, Britaney Watt, Julia Watters, Elaine Vicari, and Lisa Troner. Lessons are
offered at each tennis complex, which also host league play and tournaments. The upgrading of
six courts is part of ongoing maintenance and was completed at a cost of $33,915.
Projects Completed
q Babcock police facility air-conditioning
system, 701 Babcock St., $299,855.
q Hibiscus Blvd. / Airport Blvd. traffic signal
mast arm project, $236,625.
q Sewer force main replacement in the vicinity
of Stewart Road, $1.6-million.
q Strawbridge Avenue medians, $353,113.
Projects Under Construction
q Fire Station 71 replacement, $1.25-million.
q Grant St. Water Reclamation Facility reuse
improvements, Phase I, $5.2-million.
q LED lighting replacements in five park areas,
the auditorium parking area, and Babcock
Street retention pond area, $98,112.
q R.O. water production plant byproduct concentrate
main relocation, $1.1-million.
q Trimble Road area water service line installations,
$565,656.
q University Blvd. stormwater pipe replacement,
at Grant St., $241,030.
Under Design or Ready to Bid
q Babcock Street Phase 3 improvements,
Apollo Blvd. to Alma Drive.
q Babcock Street widening by FDOT, Melbourne
Ave. to Fee Ave.
q Mast arm traffic signal installation, intersection
improvements at University Blvd. and
Lipscomb St.
q Shenandoah outfall drainage basin improvements,
Phase 1.
q Spain outfall drainage basin improvements,
Phase 2.
q Western Eau Gallie drainage basin project
(Kingsmill area).
q S. Wickham Rd. widening by Brevard
County, NASA Blvd. to U.S. 192, and 30-
inch waterline relocation.
For more information contact Tami Gillen,
P.E., Assistant City Engineer, 608-7311.
Development Projects
CONSTRUCTION COMPLETED:
• Aircraft Tubular Components (ATC)
building and parking lot expansion,
3939 Dow Rd.
• Airport maintenance sewer line, 830 Ed
Foster Rd.
• Discover Life Church, 3550 W. Eau Gallie
Blvd.
• Dry cleaning building addition, 1900 S.
Babcock St.
• Florida Tech Commons, offices and
classrooms, 3001 S. Babcock St.
• Salvation Army building expansion, parking
modifications, 1080 S. Hickory St.
• Sonata at Melbourne, 3260 N. Harbor
City Blvd., adult congregate living facility.
UNDER CONSTRUCTION:
• Aloha Melbourne Airport hangar, 2008
General Aviation Dr.
• Baer Air, hanger modification, office
building, 160 S. Apollo Blvd.
• BMW of Melbourne expansion, 1432 S.
Harbour City Blvd.
• Brevard County Household Hazardous
Waste Facility, 3379 Sarno Rd.
• Chung’s Commercial Center, 3900
Dairy Rd., retail.
• Crossings at Bay Meadows, Grand
Meadows Blvd./Wickham Rd., multifamily
residential.
• Daily Bread administration building, 805
E. Fee Ave. & 808 E. Lincoln Ave.
• Eau Gallie Office Complex, 2010, 2020,
2030 W. Eau Gallie Blvd, office buildings.
• Florida Tech WFIT Studios, 2950 Science
Circle.
• Gator Fiat dealership, 900 S. Apollo Blvd.,
parking lot and interior modifications.
• Lansing Square, 2255 N. Wickham Rd.,
retail, mini-storage.
• Palmwood Subdivision Phase 2, end of
Elena Way, 29 single-family lots.
• Prestige AB Ready Mix, 2585 Avocado
Ave., commercial facilities.
• Pritchett’s Metal Packaging Center, 863
Washburn Rd.
• Racetrac Petroleum, site modifications,
4641 Eau Gallie Blvd.
• Ryanwood Condominiums, west side of
U.S .1, south of Post Rd.
• 702 Downtown, building renovation for
retail space, parking lot, 702 E. New
Haven Ave.
• Signature Self Storage, 3137 Sarno
Rd., mini-storage.
• Stack Crossings, 1505 Palm Bay Rd.,
retail/mini-storage building.
• Turtlemound Pointe commercial subdivision,
3897 Eau Gallie Blvd.
APPROVED FOR CONSTRUCTION:
• Highland Land Trust, 1760 Highland
Ave., parking lot addition.
• Melbourne Terrace rehabilitation facility
addition, 251 E. Florida Ave.
For information contact the City of Melbourne
Engineering Dept. at 608-7300.

Industrial pretreatment seeks to
prevent the discharge of pollution
(Continued from Front Page)
operating costs while reducing their
environmental liability and employee
exposure to hazardous materials.
Greer, who is active in statewide
organizations that focus on industrial
pollution prevention, played a key role
in a recent revision of the Melbourne
ordinance that is designed to protect
the reclamation plants. The ordinance
was updated to ensure that the local law
reflects changes in federal standards.
The ordinance applies to all nonresidental
wastewater discharges to the
City’s treatment system and specifies
which activities require permits.
“It is important to note that all businesses
are expected to comply with the
requirements of the ordinance and meet
the local limits,” Greer said. The level of
monitoring that is required for area businesses
varies depending on the nature of
the industry and the risk of pollution that
is posed by their operations.
“My main focus with industrial
wastewater is the metals content,” Greer
explained. “Metals that we typically see
when sampling include copper, chromium,
lead, nickel, and zinc.
“Probably the most common form of
pretreatment in Melbourne and across
the country is pH neutralization.” pH is
a measurement of water that indicates a
level of acidity.
Greer is available to assist local businesses
and other pretreatment programs
with pollution prevention information
and regulatory assistance. He recommends
a voluntary certification program
offered by the Florida Industrial Pretreatment
Association. A ‘FOG’ (fats, oils
& grease) management course is also
available for grease trap inspectors and
those in the food industry.
PUBLICATION of a book
about ‘Melbourne’s Logging
Era: 1912-1932,’ has provided
an addition to local history
references. Melbourne
author Ed Vosakta provides
details and photos about
the railroad and lumber mill
that moved the area into
the industrial age. The book is the second
about Melbourne in an ‘Images of America’
series published by Arcadia Publishing. The
publication is available at local retailers and
online at www.arcadiapublishing.com.
Area history information is available at
melbourneflorida.org/history.
Arbor Day ceremony encourages tree plantings
The recent celebration of Arbor Day
in Melbourne provided an opportunity for
renewed attention to the numerous benefits
of trees, reflected in a proclamation read by
Vice Mayor Mike Nowlin.
‘Trees increase property values, enhance
economic vitality of business areas, and
beautify our community,’ the proclamation
notes, also pointing to the importance of
foliage in moderating temperatures, producing
oxygen,
and providing
wildlife
habitat.
The ceremony
was
hosted by
Melbourne’s
Environmental
and
Sally Scalera, horticulturist
with the Brevard County Extension
Service, described
popular trees during a presentation
in Melbourne.
Beautification
Advisory
Committee, a
group of volunteers
that
make recommendations to the City Council.
The committee’s activities, along with the
City’s tree ordinance, contribute to Melbourne’s
recognition as a ‘Tree City U.S.A.’
by the national Arbor Day Foundation.
The tree ordinance establishes guidelines
for the protection and addition of trees when
The VALUE OF TREES was
the topic for Melbourne's Arbor
Day, with a ceremonial planting
at Wells Park by (from left), Ronald
Strandjord, City Manager
Jack Schluckebier, City Council
Member Mark LaRusso, Vice
Mayor Mike Nowlin, City Council
Member Kathy Meehan, and
Celeste Henry, vice chair of the
committee hosting the event.
Mr. Strandjord also serves on
the committee. The annual ceremony
included distribution of
free tree seedlings.
(Continued from the Front Page)
reflects the intent of the state law, which requires
motorists to take action to prevent collisions
with emergency vehicles stopped along roadways.
It is an effort to help protect motorists as
well as police and emergency workers
Motorists are expected to slow down and
continue driving at a safe speed, and are directed
to avoid stopping in the roadway or blocking the
flow of traffic.
On a two-lane roadway, when approaching
an emergency vehicle parked on the side of
the road with lights flashing, a driver must slow
down to 20 miles per hour below the posted
property is developed. Dan Porsi, the City’s
Code Enforcement Administrator, explained
that careful selection of trees allows both
developers and homeowners to maximize
benefits.
“We recommend that trees be selected
that are indigenous, native species,” Porsi
said. “One important factor is the choice of
trees that will thrive with average rainfall
after they are established, so you can avoid
ongoing irrigation.
“We also encourage the careful placement
of the plants so that they are not too
close to structures or power lines. That could
result in the need to remove them later, or
severely prune them,” Porsi said.
Questions about tree selections and
cultivation are often answered by Sally Scalera,
Horticulture Agent II with the Brevard
County Extension Service office in Cocoa.
Scalera divides the recommended tree
species into three groups according to their
eventual size.
The tree lists and links to other information
from the extension service are available
through the City’s website (melbourneflorida.
org/leisure/arborday.htm).
The information includes recommendations
on which trees to select for particular
locations, developed by the Institute of Food
and Agricultural Sciences at the University
of Florida.
State’s ‘Move Over’ law seeks to make highways safer
speed limit unless directed to do otherwise by an
emergency worker on the scene.
On an interstate highway or roadway with
multiple lanes of travel in the same direction, a
driver who is approaching an emergency vehicle
with lights flashing must vacate the lane closest
to that vehicle as soon as it is safe to do so.
A driver who is unable to safely move over
must slow to a speed of 20 miles per hour below
the posted speed limit, unless directed otherwise
by a law enforcement officer.
Additional information is available online
from the Florida Highway Patrol website at
www.flhsmv.gov/safetytips/MoveOverTips.htm.