Avon Park Council briefs

Correction: The city purchased Valencia Acres wastewater facility from C&H Utilities to connect the residents to the city's wastewater services. The city also wants Lake Glenada RV and Mobile Home Park to connect to their wastewater services. We apologize for any confusion.

City to foreclose on two homes

AVON PARK - Since 2001, the city has spent over $65,000 in cleanup and demolition costs on neglected buildings, but that's set to change beginning with the foreclosure of two homes.

They are located at 200 Ben Hicks St. and 12 E. Palmetto St.

The city will no longer allow these properties and others like it to be public hazards, and if they do, "they will incur irretrievable costs," according to Interim City Manager Maria Sutherland.

"You'll notice this is not a cheap endeavor," said Sutherland to city council during Monday night's meeting.

The city will spend between $1,900 to $4,500 to foreclose on the two properties, which is expected to take up to six months.

The city evaluated six properties with outstanding liens and taxes and recommended for foreclosure the two with no mortgages.

Councilman Al Hinson was opposed to the foreclosure, saying the city is tearing down historical structures.

"Some of these buildings are 80 years old," Hinson said.

Earlier, Hinson addressed the issue of older structures being torn down when code enforcement spoke on the issue of neglected buildings.

Code Enforcement Officer Capt. Donald Simmons, who has been inside the Ben Hicks Street home, said, "The floor is deteriorating and the outside of the building is cracking. It is the worst building on that block."

But Hinson will look into how these buildings, if rehabilitated, can be recognized as historical properties.

"I hate to just flatten the Southside ... we can't just tear these buildings down for land," Hinson said.

Council unhappy with RV park's wastewater facility

AVON PARK - Lake Glenada RV and Mobile Home Park's wastewater facility came under fire during Monday night's city council meeting.

The city has received the park's effluent for the last decade, but their most recent agreement is up and the council agreed that the park should connect to city wastewater or find another alternative.

The decision comes after Public Works Director Julian Deleon's presentation on the park's rate structure and past compliance issues with the Department of Environmental Protection.

Currently, the city has no control over the quality of the effluent being discharged into their percolation ponds.

Once the effluent is discharged, the responsibility falls on the city.

The park is also the only site that is not paying the increased water fees. The site, which is master metered, is capped at 15,000 gallons of water and their average consumption leaves the city with an annual loss of about $40,041.

Council gave Lake Glenada 18 months to connect to the city or find other provisions.

In other action and news

•Council approved the purchase of Valencia Acres wastewater collection system owned by C & H Utilities for $10,000. This acquisition would connect residents to city wastewater. The city seeks to gain 93 new accounts that will generate an estimated $35,000 annually.

•Council approved installing individual metering to Avon Park's Housing Authority's new development, North Central Heights. Public Works Director Julian Deleon estimated that individual metering system would bring in 53 percent more in monthly revenue. Individual metering would allow the city to expand water lines with future developments.

•Finance Director Renee Green announced there would be no layoffs this quarter as all departments are within their budget. "The state says we're going to get some money so for the first three months we're looking good," said Green, during Monday night's city council meeting.

•The council will hold a special meeting to discuss the candidates for the city manager position. Mayor Sharon Schuler said no applicant jumped out at her and based on their past employment history they may not be seeking long-term employment with the city. "It is hard to see the character of someone by just reading this applications. I think a workshop for this would be absolutely needed," said Councilman Terry Heston.