QuarterlyStreets & Streams

LAKE EOLA COFFERDAM SYSTEM, Page 2

CLOCKING IN by Clary Powell, clary.powell@cityoforlando.net

TRASH 2 TRENDS by Jody Buyas jody.buyas@cityoforlando.

“Our mission is to provide timely, accurate, and useful information to employees and citizens of the City of Orlando”

IN THIS EDITION CLOCKING IN P1 TRASH 2 TRENDS P1 LAKE EOLA COFFERDAM P2 DID YOU KNOW? P2 HOW THE STREAMS FLOW P3 MIND YOUR P’S AND N’S P3 EMPLOYEE OF THE QUARTER P3 TAKE ACTION P3 DO YOU HAVE FLOOD INSURANCE P4 CITIZEN OF THE QUARTER P4

The Streets & Stormwater Division is lead by Lisa Henry with two very important Assistant Division Managers who co-manage our 125 employees. Howard Elkin and Ben Gray have been in their positions less than a year but dove straight into their new roles with enthusiasm and confidence.

Streets Assistant Division Manager Howard Elkin stays busy managing numerous field projects. Patching potholes,

smoothing sidewalks, cleaning storm drains, and fixing brick streets are just a few of the many tasks for his team. He begins his day in the office and spends the rest around the City checking on projects. He looks forward to positive feedback from citizens, “If they are satisfied, that makes me happy.” He believes the most important trait for a manager is to be able to deal with all the different personalities of employees. A great accomplishment for the Division was the See Art Orlando installation around the downtown area and Lake Eola.

ISSUE 1 • VOLUME 3 • WINTER 2014

Up for something different and want to support Keep Orlando Beautiful? Trash 2 Trends is Orlando’s debut recycled fashion show taking place on Saturday, February 1st, 2014 from 7:30 to 11:00 p.m. Twenty five local designers and artists will be sending high fashion looks down the runway. Their designs will be made solely out of items headed for the landfill or recycling facility. Not only is the goal to raise funds and have a fun, innovative event, but also to present sustainable ideas in the art and fashion world. We plan to make this an annual event that will continue to inspire and promote sustainability.

Visit our website for more information cityoforlando.net/kob or go to trash2trends.eventbrite.com to get your tickets!

Howard said, “I’m proud of everyone who worked on it. It was a learning experience for everyone.”

Stormwater Assistant Division Manager Ben Gray has been with the City for 27 years. However, he is the newest addition to the Division’s team. Between meetings,

Ben manages a number of stormwater plans and projects. Reviewing the new fertilizer ordinance and potential amendments has been an important project for Ben. His team tests lake water quality, manages invasive aquatic plants, inspects construction projects for potential pollution and educates the public on stormwater pollution prevention in addition to many other duties. Every day he looks forward to talking with staff and looking for the best way to do something. “I’m looking for the elegant solution,” said Ben. When asked to name the most important trait for a manager Ben replied, “paying attention to staff and understanding their needs.”

As part of the See Art Orlando Project, the City installed a new cofferdam system by Portadam. Lake Eola only had to be lowered one foot to allow the installation. A U-shaped cofferdam 50’ x 20’ x20’ was installed so the area could be dewatered. The dam consisted of a reinforced nylon PVC membrane and several metal frames to create a barrier. It is an environmentally friendly system and leaves nothing in the lake when it is removed. A well point dewatering system was also installed to keep the area dry and maintain the water below grade. After the area was determined to be safe and dry, a concrete pad and columns were installed to support the “Take Flight” art sculpture. The

cofferdam was utilized for about a month for the entire construction of the pad and the sculpture. When the artist finished his work, the pump was shut off. The area slowly filled with water, and the cofferdam was removed.

DID YOU KNOW? “Take Flight” is just one of the

eight See Art Orlando sculptures??

NEW COFFERDAM SYSTEM INSTALLED IN LAKE EOLA by Howard Elkin howard.elkin@cityoforlando.net

Learn how to make your yard Florida

Friendly!These classes are a must for any green thumb or even a beginner gardener. Multiple classes and times are being offered and will be held at the Orange County Extension Office. Be sure to stroll their Exploration Gardens before or after your class to see great examples of how to make your yard more Florida Friendly!

Lawn Alternatives Thursday, February 20 • 6 - 7:30 p.m.

Florida Friendly Landscaping to Attract Butterflies Thursday, March 27 • 6 - 7:30 p.m.

All classes are located at Orange County Extension Education Center, 6021 South Conway Road, Orlando, FL.

Please visit fflgarden.eventbrite.com to register.

FREE CLASSES!

grow, but when carried into lakes they feed the growth of undesirable weeds and algae.

If you look at a recent aerial photograph of Orange County, you will see the effects that too many nutrients have on our lakes. This website has a recent aerial photo - http://maps.ocpafl.org/webmap/. After the map opens, click on the “Base Map” tab in the upper left hand corner and choose “Aerial 2013”.

The green color you see in some lakes comes from an overgrowth of algae fed by the nutrients washed into the lakes through stormwater systems. Tree leaves and grass clippings contribute significant amounts of phosphorus and nitrogen, but we also add these nutrients when we use too much fertilizer or improperly apply it.

Learn more about how to use fertilizer on your lawn by visiting - http://www.swfwmd.state.fl.us/yards/fertilizing, and reading Florida-Friendly Landscaping.

HOW THE STREAMS FLOWby Ben Gray ben.gray@cityoforlando.net

You may be thinking this is a typo, but it is not. The “P” is the chemical symbol for Phosphorus and the “N” is the symbol for Nitrogen. Both Phosphorus and Nitrogen are components found in leaves, grass clippings and other plant material present in your yard. If excessive Phosphorus or Nitrogen enters our streets and stormwater system, it will degrade the water quality of our lakes and impact their recreational uses.

In 2012, the City street sweepers collected 6,673,790 pounds of leaves, grass and sediment from our streets. Based on statistics from a Florida Stormwater Association study, the City was effective in removing 2,265 pounds of Phosphorus and 3,533 pounds of Nitrogen before it entered our lakes.

Please do your part in reducing P and N this winter during leaffall season. The City asks that you either bag your leaves or use the leaves as compost under your landscaping. Please do not blow leaves out into the street. In addition, please remember to place your bags in your driveway or along the edge of the grass, not in the street or curbline. The improper placement of leaves could result in an immediate fine.

The City is asking for your cooperation in helping keep our lakes clean and inviting to all wildlife and recreationalists.

EMPLOYEE OF THE QUARTER

The article “Where are the Streams” in the last issue of Streets and Streams, described how our streets and storm water pipes replaced streams and wetlands as residents filled low wet areas and covered the land with roads, driveways, and buildings. Although streets and storm water pipes function like streams by conducting water along pathways, they allow more water to flow more quickly than it would in natural streams. This efficiency enables water to carry leaves, grass clippings, soil, and other materials into our lakes. Natural drainage systems slow the movement of water across the land allowing debris to settle out before it flows into lakes and rivers. The newer parts of our stormwater system mimic some features of streams and wetlands by slowing the flow of water and trapping rain washed materials. The older parts of our stormwater system do not act this way, and rainwater carries debris into our lakes after each storm.

Leaves and grass blades contain significant amounts of phosphorus and nitrogen, nutrients that plants use for growth. When separated from the plant, the growth processes stop, and the leaves die. Dead plant material releases nutrients into water after a rainstorm soaks the leaves. The rainwater then carries the nutrients to our lakes. Phosphorus and nitrogen help plants

DAVID PARADISE David Paradise is an Aquatic Chemical Technician who spends most of his time on our City’s lakes. He is a knowledgeable employee who is willing to go the extra mile to help a colleague or citizen. David’s supervisor describes him as “a go getter and an asset to the City.”

TAKE ACTION.

MIND YOUR P’S AND N’S by Lisa Lotti lisa.lotti@cityoforlando.net

Main Line: 407.246.2238Main Fax: 407.246.2241

LEAD STAFFLisa Henry, Division Manager407.246.3646

Howard Elkin, Streets Assistant Division Manager407.246.2289

Ben Gray, Stormwater Assistant Division Manager407.246.2754

KEEP ORLANDO BEAUTIFULJody Buyas, Keep Orlando Beautiful Coordinator407.246.2752

EQUIPMENT MAINTENANCE AND REPAIRRick Davis, Maintenance Program Manager407.246.4968

LAKE MANAGEMENTJohn Evertsen, Surface Water Management, Program Manager407.246.2083

RIGHT OF WAY MANAGEMENTTerry Fluharty, Streets ROW Supervisor407.246.2494

STORMWATER UTILITY FEESAssad Kudera, Billing/Data Management407.246.2230

LAKE HEALTH AND ENFORCEMENTLisa Lotti, Stormwater Compliance Program Manager407.246.2037

STORMWATER EDUCATION AND VOLUNTEERS Clary Powell, Public Awareness Specialist407.246.2257

SIDEWALK, POTHOLE AND BRICK STREET REPAIRCharles Smith, Streets Construction Program Manager407.246.2239

STORMWATER HOTLINE:407.246.2370

REPORT A PROBLEM ONLINE

POTHOLES: CityofOrlando.net/Public_Works/S&D/Potholes

GRAFFITI: CityofOrlando.net/Public_Works/Graffiti

“Our City’s technical staff not only works to meet the National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit, but continuously strives to exceed that requirement.”

-Mayor Buddy Dyer

1010 WOODS AVENUEORLANDO, FL 32805

DO YOU HAVE FLOOD INSURANCE? by Sandy Shook sandy.shook@cityoforlando.net

You don’t need to live near water to be flooded. Properties in the City of Orlando’s floodplain are subject to flood problems caused by heavy storms, hurricanes, or inadequate or overloaded drainage systems. Just an inch of water can cause costly damage to your property.

Your property may be sufficiently elevated such that it has not flooded recently. However, you are still at risk since the next storm could be more intense. If your property is located in the floodplain, the odds are that someday your property will be damaged.

Federal disaster assistance requires a Presidential declaration, which happens in less than 50% of flooding events. A flood policy will pay covered losses even if a disaster is not declared by the President. The most typical form of federal assistance is a loan that must be repaid with interest.

To check your flood hazard, flood maps and flood protection references are available at the Orange County Public Library. You can also visit the Office of Permitting Services on the first floor of City Hall to see if you are in a mapped floodplain. If requested, a staff member will visit your property to review its flooding potential and explain ways to stop flooding or reduce flood damage free of charge. Call Permitting Services at 407.246.2271.

Standard homeowners insurance policies do not cover damage caused by flooding. However, the City of Orlando is a participant in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), which means that you can purchase flood insurance to protect your property against the hazard of flooding. This insurance is backed by the Federal government and is available to

CITIZEN OF THE QUARTERJuan Triana has been selected as the Citizen of the Quarter. Juan is the Resident Property Manager of A-AAA Key Mini Storage at 1001 S. Semoran Blvd. He takes great pride in his

business and has worked hard towards building community partnerships in the area. He played a key role in starting the Semoran Business Partnership, which is now a well organized and successful program. The partners are not just business people, they are residents, neighborhood associations, schools, churches, merchants, business and property owners that come together to improve the aesthetics and economic conditions of the Semoran corridor. Juan was the organization’s first president and played a large role in organizing several cleanups in the area.

everyone. City of Orlando residents and business owners will receive a discount on their flood insurance premiums in recognition of efforts made by the City of Orlando to reduce the impact of flooding.

Some people have purchased flood insurance because it was required by the bank when they got a mortgage or home improvement loan. Usually these policies just cover the building’s structure and not the contents. If you are covered, double-check that the building coverage is adequate and make sure that you have contents coverage. Remember: even if you have never been flooded, or if you have flood-proofed your property, the next flood could be worse. Flood insurance covers all surface floods.

Contact your insurance agent for more information, or to purchase a flood insurance policy. If you don’t have an agent, or your agent does not write flood insurance, the NFIP has a toll-free number for agent referrals, 1.800.427.2419 (TTD# 1.800.427.5593). You can also get more details about flood insurance at floodsmart.gov.

Parramore Avenue – September 2006