Central Water Works, Town Of Century Consider Interconnect, Mutual Aid Agreement
November 21, 2019
The Town of Century and Central Water Works are working toward a mutual aid and interconnect agreement.
Century currently has no interconnection with any other water system except their own system, according to Interim Town Manager Buz Eddy. Central Water Works would provide the town with a backup for their water supply in the event of an emergency or the need to make a major repair.
The town has a well on Blackmon street that delivers 520 gallons per minute, a well rated at 320 gallons per minute on Academy Street that is currently not operational and in need of repair, and a well at the prison that delivers 320 gallons per minute but needs major repair work.
The town is proposing a physical interconnect with Central’s system on Tedder Road near the prison or on Highway 4 near Williams Street. Under the proposed agreement, the town would use Central’s water supply only in the event of an emergency, and the town would be required to submit a service deposit if the interconnect is operated and pay $2.50 per 1,000 gallons used. It would take a representative from both utilities with a key to open the connection.
Century typically would not be able to provide significant amounts of water back to Central due to elevation and pressure issues, according to the town.
The town will pay for the interconnect equipment and meter at an estimated cost of about $60,000 to $70,000, plus engineering work estimated at $22,500.
Central is also proposing to make equipment and personnel available to Century on a non-emergency, as-needed basis to repair or replace water lines, replacing water meters and other services. For instance, Central would charge Century $45 an hour for a licensed water operator, $25 an hour for an assistant, a mini excavator at $85 an hour, a work truck at $15 an hour and other hourly rates for additional equipment.
Central Water Works was founded in 1965 and provides water for about 1,000 members in Byrneville, McDavid and outside the municipal service areas of Century and Flomaton.
NorthEscambia.com photo.
Motorcyclist Killed In Highway 98 Wreck; Cantonment Man Causes Second Crash At Same Location
November 21, 2019
An Escambia County crash claimed the life of a 41-year old motorcyclist Wednesday night.
Shannon Thorp was traveling west on her Honda motorcycle on Highway 98 approaching Fairfield drive when she failed to observe oncoming traffic and turned into the path of a Toyota Scion driven by 55-year old Mary Gibson of Pensacola.
Following the 6:41 p.m. crash, Thorp was transported to Sacred Heart Hospital where she later died from her injuries. Gibson was not injured, but a 22-year old passenger in her vehicle was taken to Sacred Heart with minor injuries.
No charges were filed against Gibson.
While troopers were investigating the first crash, a Cantonment man failed to slow and hit two other vehicles stopped. The FHP said 33-year old Andrew Kauffman’s Nissan Altima crashed into an Isuzu pickup truck and a Toyota Corolla that stopped due to the motorcycle wreck. The driver of the pickup, 60-year old Hobey Brown, was transported to Sacred Heart Hospital with minor injuries.
Kauffman was cited for careless driving.
Byrneville Fourth And Fifth Graders Enjoy Thanksgiving Feast
November 21, 2019
Fourth and fifth graders at Byrneville Elementary School enjoyed a Thanksgiving feast Wednesday. The feast was held with the help of parents and volunteers at the nearby Byrneville Community Century. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia School District Names Top 5 Finalists For Teacher Of The Year
November 21, 2019
The Escambia County School District has narrowed their list of finalist for Teacher of the Year to five.
The top 5, in alphabetical order, are:
- Kadee Barnett – first grade teacher, Beulah Elementary
- Jacqueline Chabot – third grade teacher, Montclair Elementary
- Maureen Harden – sixth grade math teacher, Bailey Middle School
- Cheyenna Novotny – chemistry and other science topics teacher, West Florida High School
- Jodi Woods – six grade mathematics teacher and math department chair, Ransom Middle School
The Escambia County School District’s Teacher of the Year will be named at the Golden Apple Awards in January.
For an earlier story listing all individual school teachers of the year, click here.
Workers’ Comp Insurance Rate Cut Finalized
November 21, 2019
Florida Insurance Commissioner David Altmaier has approved a statewide statewide overall decrease of 7.5% for Florida workers’ compensation insurance rates.
The rate decrease applies to both new and renewal workers’ compensation insurance policies effective in Florida as of January 1, 2020.
“I am pleased to issue this order, reducing workers’ compensation rates for Florida’s businesses, providing another year of rate relief. Increased innovation in workplace practices and continued emphasis on safety for employees has meant a decline in the workers’ compensation claims and Florida businesses will see the results of those efforts reflected in their insurance rates,” Altmaier said.
“Florida businesses are the backbone of our economy and when they see cost savings, our local communities benefit,” said CFO Jimmy Patronis. “Affordable workers’ compensation insurance means more workers are protected. It is great to see the costs of this coverage continue to decrease for those businesses who call Florida home.”
Beulah Master Plan, Century Wastewater Plant Among New Escambia County RESTORE Funding Requests
November 20, 2019
A master plan for Beulah and wastewater treatment facility improvements for Century are two of eight new projects added to Escambia County’s RESTORE Act funding requests.
Escambia County will receive approximately $70 million through 2031 in RESTORE Act Direct Component (Pot 1) funds as a result of the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill. The RESTORE Act requires a Multi-Year Implementation Plan (MYIP) be approved by the Treasury Department prior to submittal of individual project Grant Applications and dispersal of funds.
The county also removed a funding request for an OLF8 Master plan, replacing the funding ask with a campus expansion at the Pensacola International Airport.
A 45-day comment period on the the requests is required before projects are submitted for possible funding.
Beulah Master Plan
$300,000 to develop a master plan for the Beulah area
Escambia County will procure the services of an urban/land-use planning firm to develop a master plan for approximately 30,000 acres in the Beulah community of Escambia County. The master plan will be based on the University of West Florida HAAS Center Citizen Survey, an existing conditions analysis, technical analysis, and on stakeholder engagement and community participation.
The Beulah Master Plan will establish a vision for allowing for the continued growth in the area while preserving the quality of life and sense of place enjoyed by the current residents. The final deliverable will be a master plan and/or zoning overlay district and implementation plan, dependent on the technical guidance provided by the procured consultant and concurrence provided by Escambia County Developmental Services staff.
The Beulah community has experienced extensive growth resulting from improved economic conditions and the expansion of Navy Federal Credit Union’s Beulah campus, which is expected to employ over 10,000 people by 2022. Subdivision development orders in Beulah have increased exponentially, with 7,000 residences permitted for development since 2010. Beulah does not currently have a master plan nor zoning overlay district to effectively plan or manage growth. Development of the Beulah Master Plan will balance the highest and best land uses of the subject area with the needs of the County, region, and the Beulah community in creating a plan for sustaining growth while preserving the character of the community.
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Town of Century Wastewater Improvements
$500,000 to design and permit repairs to Century’s failing wastewater treatment facility
The wastewater treatment and collection system has fallen into disrepair as the town has struggled financially for the last decade to keep pace with maintenance and replacement activities.
Direct Component funds will be utilized to fund planning, design, and permitting associated with wastewater treatment and collection system improvements, including lift station, treatment plant, and piping repairs and replacements.
The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) has strict requirements for the proper operation and maintenance of the utility system, and Century is responsible for meeting these requirements. Funding design and permitting of wastewater treatment and collection system improvements will allow the town to work with FDEP to secure funding to implement the improvements from the State’s Revolving Loan Fund as a rural, disadvantaged community.
OTHER PROJECTS:
Pensacola International Airport Campus Extension — $1.524 million, replaces OLF8 Master Plan on funding request
Perdido Bay Boat Ramp — $2.5 million for the construction of a boat ramp
Brownsville Community Center Renovation — $300,000 to renovate the interior and exterior, add incubator retail space
CRA Community Center – $500,000 for a community center in a yet to be determined CRA but likely in the Palafox CRA
CRA Economic Development Program -- $1.5 million to institute the complete streets program in CRAs
Little Sabine Bay Restoration Program – $2 million for a multi-tiered restoration effort
Pictured top: The Century Wastewater Treatment Facility, NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge. Pictured below: The Navy Federal campus in Beulah.
Escambia County School Board, ECUA Re-elect Chairs
November 20, 2019
The Escambia County School Board and Emerald Coast Utilities Authority re-elected members to board leadership positions on Tuesday.
On the Escambia County School Board, Patty Hightower will continue as chair and Bill Slayton as vice-chair. Meetings will continue to be held on the third Tuesday of each month.
For the Emerald Coast Utilities Authority, Lois Benson will remain board chair, and Larry Walker will remain vice-chair. In addition, Vicki Campbell was re-elected as Citizens Advisory Committee chair and Dale Perkins will remain CAC vice-chair. Meetings will be held on the fourth Tuesday of the month.
Pictured: The Escambia County School Board meeting Tuesday night. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
No Serious Injuries In T-bone Type Wreck
November 20, 2019
There were no serious injuries reported in a t-bone type collision Tuesday night.
The crash was reported about 6:20 p.m at Highway 29 and Archer Road. At least two people refused medical treatment.
Escambia Fire Rescue’s Cantonment Station and Escambia County EMS responded. The Florida Highway Patrol investigated.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
County Administrator Explains Future Plans, Goals For Escambia County
November 20, 2019
Escambia County Administrator Janice Gilley has revealed her plans for the county over the coming months, part of a 100-day review she promised when first hired.
“The first 100 days, there were a lot of things I was looking at and there are many more continuing to unfold,” Gilly told the Escambia County Commission.
She presented a list of visions and goals for county operations, including the restoration of public trust and confidence, improved customer service, improved economic development, fiscal accountability and maintaining infrastructure.
“It sounds great and we would all agree with these aspirations; however, I would say we are not there yet,” Gilley said. “But with the right attitude and consistent movement forward, we can achieve these goals, but it is going to require hard, thoughtful, persistent work on everyone’s part.”
She discussed numerous plans directly related to people – from the commission to community and employees. One of the biggest plans is the launch of a MyGov citizens information portal by next year to make it easier for citizens to obtain information, a simplified public records request procedure and a refreshed website. On the employee side, she will work to combine public safety training, fill vacant positions, refine employee evaluations and more.
Gilley’s report included a list of policy-oriented goals included the development of a seamless and consistent development and building process, an environment in which continuous improvement is expected and improved processes.
“I would label this organization as dysfunction junction in many ways,” Gilley said. “Not because of the people, but because of the processes that I think are lacking at this time. They are either nonexistent or they are very challenging. I’m not trying to be negative, but I want you all to know there is a lot of work to be done to get this organization into a healthy organization.”
Gilley had 14 senior staff positions to fill, and to date she has filled eight of them. They are:
- Anthony Bowens — Administrative Assistant in County Administration
- Laura Coale — Director of Communications and Public Information
- Tonya Ellis — Director of Mass Transit
- Jerry Maygarden — Assistant to County Administration
- Keith Morris — Manager Compliance and Ethics
- Sharon Pitts — Assistant to the County Administrator
- Bart Siders — Director of Information Technology
- Jana Still –Director of Human Resources
“When I came on my first day, I told you that I was here to eat frogs and get bloody in the arena, and I’m still in that position,” Gilley said. “I’m still willing to eat your frogs, and I’m still willing to get bloody in the arena. But there’s a long way to go, and I’m still looking forward to us moving in that direction with your support.”
He Killed A Pedestrian On Nine Mile Road, Looked At Him And Drove Away. Now He’s Going To Prison.
November 20, 2019
An Escambia County man is headed to prison after hitting a pedestrian on Nine Mile, getting out of his vehicle, looking and him and driving away. And now he’s going to prison.
James Alan Champitto was sentenced to 20 years in prison followed by a decade of probation by Circuit Judge Jennie Kinsey for leaving the scene of a crash involving death.
He was charged after striking and 37-year old Charles Q. Davis of Pensacola as he walked across Nine Mile Road near Plainfield Avenue on February 13. A witness observed Champitto get out of his truck, look at the victim before driving away. Champitto never reported the crash or attempted to provide aid to the victim.
When law enforcement made contact with Champitto at his home, he was under the influence of methamphetamine and marijuana. It could not be proven whether he was impaired at the time of the crash or became impaired after returning home.
“The law requires that the driver of a motor vehicle involved in a traffic crash resulting in injury, death or property damage must remain at the scene in order to give his name, address, driver’s license and vehicle registration number to law enforcement,” State Attorney Bill Eddins said. “Moreover, the driver is required to render reasonable assistance to anyone injured in the crash, including transportation to a hospital if requested. By failing to remain at the scene of an accident and rendering aid, a driver places the victim in greater danger of death or serious injury. Additionally, by leaving the scene a driver may be committing a more serious crime than he or she may have been in violation of at the time of the crash.”