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Leaders say federal aid for Alberto is unlikely

By ELENA LESLEY
Published June 21, 2006

CRYSTAL RIVER - City officials say that although damage to Citrus County from Tropical Storm Alberto will likely meet thresholds set for federal reimbursement, the county probably won't be seeing any money.

Since there wasn't enough destruction throughout Florida to reach minimum standards for assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the state most likely won't issue a declaration for reimbursement, said Kurt Woerner, Crystal River's director of planning and community development .

"The situation seems to be pretty clear-cut for us, unfortunately," he said.

Crystal River will have to pay for the more than $250,000 of damage to public property from city coffers or by filing insurance claims.

"The bulk of it came in three areas," Woerner said. "Damage to the dive shop at Kings Bay Park, lift stations with pump damage and overtime pay."

Final numbers have not been calculated for damage to private properties, but citizens will be responsible for their own costs.

During Monday's regular council meeting, members agreed to pay $5,299 for electrical wiring changes on City Hall's emergency generator. When workers tried to install the new generator about a month ago, they discovered that part of City Hall shared an electrical meter with the county's Health Department.

In other words, it appeared the county was paying part of City Hall's electric bill. City Manager Phil Deaton said he wasn't sure how long this had been going on.

The city is also aiming to gradually annex the Plantation Inn, said City Attorney Anthony Perrone. The hotel and golf resort plans to expand, but needs better sewer services and wants to connect to the city system.

Crystal River will attempt to annex the property in several different parcels because a chunk of unincorporated land currently lies between the Plantation and the city limits.

Perrone said the city will try to negotiate with residents on that land, Harbor Island, and bring them into the city.

The council agreed to enter into a participating agreement with Shivani Hotels, a corporation affiliated with Dr. Paresh Desai. Shivani wants to build a Hampton Inn south of the city.

The city and corporation already received a community development block grant to extend sewer service to the property. In another project related to Desai, the council agreed to apply for another block grant to build infrastructure for expansion to the doctor's Port Hotel.

[Last modified June 20, 2006, 22:34:49]