04/17/2009
Century Village West Palm Beach
Lakeshore beautification and water problem
My name is Andre Veilleux and I am a Century Village snowbird at 140 Wellington H. Before moving here 3 years ago I was at 262 Chatham M on the lakeside.
I have live through the devastation of our lakeshores and the empty promises from UCO of recycling water, restoration etc...
Since January 2007, WPRF is collecting $5.31 a month from all of us, to create a fund of at least $2,000,000 for restoring the lakeshore. This project will last at least 3 years according to the UCO/WPRF Plan. Meanwhile nothing is happening and the devastation continues.
I became concerned with this Plan when I learned that the Wellington area would be among the last sectors to be done. I submitted then a Beautification Plan to the UCO Federation to proceed as soon as possible in our area and get a reimbursement later from WPRF. This is still under consideration at the Federation.
An engineering study produced to UCO by ELSAT 1LLC in February 2008 estimated the cost of restoration to be in between $4,000,000 and $ 8,500,000.
UCO/WPRF Plan is to cover the total lakehore 32,000 linear feet with geotube and sloping the banks to a 1:4 ratio. Furthermore the study warned about properly using Geotube which is not the technique adopted by UCO.
On 04/13/2009 I submitted to UCO an Alternate Plan which would cost $1,000,000 dollars and be completed by the end of 2010. Our monthly payment of $5.31 would stop at the end of 2009 instead of running into 2011 and maybe more in view of the engineering study numbers
The Alternate Plan is simple in its design and its goal of beautifying the lakeshore.
The basic assumptions are that water level will always be a problem in South Florida. As in the past there will be good years and bad years. Trying to control this natural element plus the impact of the hurricanes, tropical storms, rainfall and drought periods is pouring money into a black hole. Century Village does not have the financial capacity to do that.
The Alternate Plan design eliminate this consideration by eliminating one of the two components ( Water line vs Grass line ) that is hurting the beauty of the lakes and lagoons. When the two don't meet it leaves open an area of sand and dirt or weeds that is a sore for the eyes. Having grass and aquatic plants meeting all the time with the water line eliminates the need to have the water line at a given level.
Control and maintenance of the lakeshore becomes then the critical elements of the Alternate Plan and this is achievable within affordable costs.
I am sending you this Memo so that you are aware of this important debate. If you agree with me I appreciate your support. Please forward a copy of this Memo to as many people you communicate with in the Village and let UCO know of your preferences. You can also post or distribute this message to your building Association or post it on the bulletin board.
The attached pictures shows the difference between the UCO/WPRF Plan and the Alternate Beautification Plan.
Andre Veilleux
140 Wellington H
561 682 1068
Friday, April 17, 2009
Lakeshore beautification
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11 comments:
Thanks Alex for a very thorough presentation. I hope SOMETHING (other than continued deterioration) happens soon.
Thank Alex, I have yet to find out from UCO what exactly they are doing about the shoreline restoration.
If you want to see live where the bottom pictures were shot, you do not have to go to Palm Beach Island or one of these expansive compound west of the Turnpike. No stay in the Village, walk or drive to the Sussex area near the PBC Water Recycling plant.In the morning the gate is open or if not you can peek through the fence.
The Top pictures are from the Dover and Chatham G buildings, restored with geotube respectively 3years and 2 years ago. Andre
Where can I see the UCO/WPRF Plan?, I have asked for mtgs, and minutes, and the $13.5K ELSAT Plan, and have apparently missed the actual PLAN.
The UCO/WPRF Plan is to my knowledge a 4X6 color map and verbal explanations by Pat Blunck. Andre
Andre, you have my support. At least UCO/WPRF should give due consideration to this concept. The current "benign neglect" approach seems to be a disaster to me.
I wish to thank Mr. Mark Levy, President of WPRF Inc who advises me today by letter that:
'' WPRF is not participant in the Plan and is merely an agent for the collection of funds which are held in a separate lakeshore restoration account. WPRF has not endorsed the Plan nor has it been asked for its input to develop the Plan.''
I will take action to advise those concerned of the above.
The lakeshore and the land in the waterways in Century Village belongs to WPRF and in the Wellington area it belongs to each building association.
This raises interesting questions however on the autority and maybe legality of UCO's performing major work on someone's property without its involvement or authorization. Does the Millenium Agreement provide UCO with this responsability? Andre
When the Associations ratified the UCO Millennium Amendment to Long Term Lease, see Exhibit B added to all Declarations of Condominiums., this is the document for my association http://oris.co.palm-beach.fl.us/or_web1/details.asp?doc_id=140398&index=0&file_num=20000139936. Or search Clerk of Court docs for ORB 11724 Pg 1886.
‘We’ embraced cost and expense of maintaining and operating canals, lakes etc etc…
Does WPRF have an easement along all shorelines? It was A.Cruz who ordered all boats etc. removed from the shore so that repair could begin a year ago.
I find this post most inetresting, It poses issues I have not seen addressed before. Can we get some response from those people in UCO posted here on the blog?
George R. Pittell
GP- Response from UCO, we still hope, hum hum.
I was at last mtg. Sic: Infrastructure cmte still appear to be ignoring the excellent $13,500 Shoreline Erosion Study that recommended several approaches and work to start in 2007. At last mtg people came to discuss Andre’s info but the cmte had not read his information. Do they postpone everything and say nothing at every mtg? Pat Blunck seems to be in charge of belated erosion control using the least recommended and ugly method.
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