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August 2008 |
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| The Charlotte E-News is distributed by the Charlotte County Board of County Commissioners. If you have any questions or comments please direct them to the Communications & Marketing Department ENEWS@CharlotteCountyFL.com or call 941.623.1092.
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TOPICS Hurricane Season in Full Swing - Charlotte County had its first emergency activation of the season with Tropical Storm Fay on August 19. While we were fortunate, and the impact locally was minimal, costs to mobilize equipment and staff for the possible hurricane reached $170,000. The County is eligible for partial reimbursement from FEMA, but compiling the necessary documents and working through the application process can take considerable time. Until our request is reviewed and approved, these costs are typically covered with funds that we place in reserves for just such events. Fay provided the first opportunity to test our new Emergency Operations Center, which passed with flying colors. More Baseball Comes to Charlotte County - Charlotte County entered into a 3-year Agreement with the Ripken Rays to bring a Florida State League baseball team back to Charlotte County. This Agreement allows a minor league baseball team to play baseball at the Charlotte Sports Park from April through July. Cal Ripken, Jr. spoke at a press conference held at the Sports Park on August 27. The Ripken organization has already moved into offices at the site and is looking forward to the first game to be played in April 2009. To purchase season tickets go to CharlotteCountyBaseball.com. The Ripken Rays will play 70+ games from April to June each year, following the Tampa Bay Rays spring training season. The Charlotte Sports Park is currently undergoing major renovations and is expected to be completed in January 2009. Conservation Charlotte Land Purchase - The last major acquisition of land under the Conservation Charlotte program is complete. The Ryals Ranch, comprised of 1,600 acres of predominantly native habitat which straddles Prairie Creek in East Charlotte County, was purchased for $26,454,450. A management plan is currently being developed that will provide for proper preservation and define public areas. Conservation Charlotte is a voter approved program to purchase environmentally sensitive lands for environmental conservation and public enjoyment. The property was approved for purchase by the Environmentally Sensitive Lands Oversight Committee (ESLOC) as meeting the selection criteria. ESLOC is made up of Charlotte County citizens with various backgrounds, including environmental and financial expertise. The Board of County Commissioners accepted their recommendation and voted to purchase the land. Budget Update - The County is preparing to finalize the budget for next fiscal year and has moved forward with additional workforce reductions. In August, 81 positions were eliminated. This brings the County's approved staffing levels to slightly less than they were in 2004. The Board of County Commissioners will hold their first public hearing on the 2008/2009 budget on September 11. Murdock Village - Commissioners recently approved the allocation of $30 million to pay down the Murdock Village loan debt. This action reduces the principal from roughly $83 million to $53 million. Commissioners also allocated $2,500,000 to be utilized for design improvements to the portion of Toledo Blade Blvd. which is a central corridor within Murdock Village. An additional $3,500,000 was set aside to fund the future infrastructure elements, such as utilities and roads. Aqui Esta - The Aqui Esta Road Project in Punta Gorda has finally completed the last hurdle in the permitting process and is currently out to bid. Bids are due on September 10. New Parks - The County opened two new park facilities in August. The 40 acre Sunrise Park on Edgewater Road contains a canoe/kayak launch area, walking trail, tennis courts and fishing pier. The park was built using sales tax funds, impact fees and grants. Chester Roberts Park in Charlotte Harbor is a small, special purpose park on the waterfront. It has park benches so that visitors can enjoy the harbor with its beautiful sunsets. A canoe/kayak launch has also been constructed. Funds for this park were provided by the Community Redevelopment Agency. Unneeded Campaign Signs to Get Rid Of? - Charlotte County will recycle old campaign signs FREE, for all candidates and their teams. Candidates can take all of their campaign signs to two convenient locations: Mid County Mini-Transfer & Recycling Facility, 19675 Kenilworth Blvd., Murdock and West Charlotte Mini-Transfer & Recycling Facility, 7070 Environmental Way, Englewood. The facilities are open Tuesday through Saturday from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm. If you have any questions or need more information regarding the County’s recycling programs, call 941.764.4360. Boat Ramps Undergo Repair - The Port Charlotte Beach boat ramps will undergo a dock renovation started September 2. Construction is expected to be completed on September 26. One boat ramp will be kept open at all times, however, some congestion may occur. The project will include replacing the decking and underlying support structure. For more information call 941.625.7529. Two County Offices Have Relocated: Charlotte County-Punta
Gorda MPO Charlotte County Animal
Control
COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES Do you travel U.S. 17? - U.S. 17 (Duncan Road) has been expanded from two lanes to four lanes. This expansion, and the opening of the Wal-Mart Distribution Center, is contributing to the need to change the semi-rural character of this corridor to more urban uses. Therefore, Charlotte County is currently conducting a corridor survey. The study will examine existing and future development trends and propose strategies to minimize or avoid the associated negative effects. Two meetings will be held to solicit public input. Both meetings will be held at Edison College, Charlotte Campus, Student Activities Building, 26300 Airport Road, Punta Gorda, Thursday, September 4, 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. and Saturday, September 13, 9:00 a.m. - noon. For additional information call Ms. Jie Shao, 941.743.1272 or visit the County website planning pages. Free King Fisher Sunset Cruise - The Charlotte County Library System is proud to announce that during the month of September 2008 anyone who signs up for a new library card will receive a certificate good for a free sunset cruise with the King Fisher Fleet at Fisherman’s Village in Punta Gorda. These certificates must be used before October 15, 2008 and reservations are recommended for your sunset cruise. You can sign up for a new library card at any Charlotte County Public Library. If you need assistance in locating your nearest library, call 941.613.3200 or check online at www.CharlotteCountyFL.com and select the Library Pages link. Nature Walk: Amberjack Environmental Park - Join a guided nature walk at Amberjack Environmental Park on Friday, September 5, 2008 from 8:30 a.m.-10:30 a.m. Explore the unique habitats that make up this beautiful park. Amberjack is located near the end of Gasparilla Pines Boulevard off of C.R. 775 (Placida Road). Meet at the end of Gasparilla Pines Boulevard. Sturdy walking shoes that can get wet, sunscreen, and drinking water are recommended. For more information, call 941.625.7529.
Library Book Discussions
- Read the
book and join lively, congenial
discussions. Participants are
responsible for obtaining their own
copies of the featured book. For more
information call 941.625.6470, or go to
www.CharlotteCountyFL.com and select
the Library Pages link. Englewood Charlotte Library, 3450 North Access Road, 6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. on September 17. This month’s reading selection is “Blink: The Power of Thinking Without Thinking” by Malcolm Gladwell. Call 941.474.1881 for information. Ask the Building Department Series - Learn how to protect your home and business from flooding. Our next session in the Ask the Building Department series is "How to reduce damage from repetitive flood loss." The presentation is scheduled for Wednesday, September 24 at 5:00 p.m. at the Murdock Administrative Center, Room #119, 18500 Murdock Circle, Port Charlotte. For more information call 941.743.1245.
MEETINGS Charlotte County Board of County Commissioners holds its regular meeting at 9:00 a.m. on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month. Land use issues are addressed on the third Tuesday. These meetings are held at the Murdock Administrative Complex, 18500 Murdock Circle, Port Charlotte, Room #119. The Charlotte County Commission meeting room is accessible to the physically disabled. However, if you need assistance or require auxiliary aids and services please contact our office at 941.743.1392. FM Sound Enhancement Units for the Hearing Impaired are available at the Front Desk. If Sound Enhancement Units are insufficient for you, please contact our office TTY 941.743.1234. View the agenda for the Board meetings: Commission Agenda. The meetings can also be viewed live on CCTV-20, (Comcast Channel 20) or can be viewed via live stream on our website - Streaming Video. A variety of government meetings are archived for on-demand viewing: On Demand Video. Charlotte County has dozens of official meetings and activities each month: Meeting Calendars.
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