[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6283940,"mediaKeyId","2585085-85e2be56a12d8596fe2695745cc21fe5","parentId",2585085,"title","Commission asks city staff for breakdown of hydrofluorosilicic-acid use and cost in Titusville's drinking water","audioSeconds",2489,"startMs",7161000,"endMs",9650000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2585085-85e2be56a12d8596fe2695745cc21fe5&start=7161&end=9650","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2585085-85e2be56a12d8596fe2695745cc21fe5/thumbnail_7161000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6283940/Titusville/Brevard-County/Florida/Commission-asks-city-staff-for-breakdown-of-hydrofluorosilicic-acid-use-and-cost-in-Titusvilles-drinking-water","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6283940-a8a07519572745b09b9451825fe61201/orig.mp4?Expires=1771201163&Signature=Rlw6aZ1ST8hKKS07NVTJ4BGhQp29k2s84wGY2SVRBLCJfhLCTeQfQJWcnhhqE-WIvXDS-2Pfo8NFf0YdaXgTK8Rh1hRAY2KvvZx5xXlD2r-fEo8FG1wcZPRoIBykWG3vTSG8jjDNbyHZyX0~h-q7HGJr8whyZSV28nFqrX4OL6TlXH-xn1jmPAoGoYM8Y0IEe86rP34GtdVqHkwNEANlkZS6IhFkyRW70uHZiYxsVcyv~xJ-uciACpE9dy4V~e~lXVJFEHbYUfiC8PDf47ISJpRxofgGF1SWiVdRue--mVmnRQi5w6IN3FrpHDvwpcKGeUUORjPfXPMDE7PwQsxeEQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Titusville","date","2025-03-12T19:37:39Z","article","The Titusville Environmental Commission voted unanimously to request detailed information from city water staff about the compound the utility uses to fluoridate drinking water and the operational and cost implications of alternatives.

Public commenters urged the commission to review the city's current fluoridation chemical, hydrofluorosilicic acid (also called hydrofluorosilicic acid in transcript references), and to examine scientific literature and local policy implications. Stell Bailey, introduced as an environmental-health advocate, emphasized that the hydrofluorosilicic acid used in many municipal systems is an industrial byproduct of phosphate fertilizer manufacturing and urged caution; she offered to share scientific literature and federal case materials with the commission. \"It is a toxic industrial byproduct from phosphate fertilizer production,\" Bailey said.

Stan Johnson, a professional engineer who spoke later in public comment, also raised concerns and asked whether the city is following EPA requirements and why the city chose the current compound rather than alternatives such as pharmaceutical-grade sodium fluoride.

Commission discussion focused on factual questions staff can answer: which fluoridation compounds the city considered, what the city plant currently injects (compound and concentration), how and where the utility measures levels in the distribution system, what reporting occurs to state or federal regulators, and the comparative costs of available compounds. Members emphasized they were seeking data before considering any policy recommendation.

The commission unanimously approved a motion requesting that staff provide: (1) the specific fluoridation chemical currently used at Titusville's treatment plant, (2) typical daily dosing rates or concentration (with measurement points in the distribution system), (3) the cost of the current compound and the cost differential to other commonly used options, and (4) the process and criteria the plant used to select the compound. The commission also asked staff to present those data in person at a future meeting.

Why it matters: Public-health organizations, state public-health officials and scientific studies have different positions on water fluoridation and on which compounds to use. Commission members said they want transparency about the city's choice and dosing so they and the public can weigh health, environmental and fiscal considerations.

Next steps: City water staff were asked to compile the requested information and to appear before the commission to explain the selection process, monitoring regime and cost comparisons. The commission will review the materials and may request further expert briefings.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Titusville Environmental Commission Meeting — 03/12/2025 - 5:30 p.m.","oneSentenceSummary","After public comments urged the commission to reconsider the city's fluoridation compound, commissioners voted unanimously to request data from water staff on the chemical used, daily dosing, and relative costs and to invite water-plant staff to present.","taxTitle","Titusville, Brevard County, Florida","taxId",55029,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6283946,"Titusville environmental commission presses staff for tree-mitigation accounting, sets workshop plan",2338,1482000,3820000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2585085-85e2be56a12d8596fe2695745cc21fe5&start=1482&end=3820","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2585085-85e2be56a12d8596fe2695745cc21fe5/thumbnail_1482000.jpg","/articles/6283946/Titusville/Brevard-County/Florida/Titusville-environmental-commission-presses-staff-for-tree-mitigation-accounting-sets-workshop-plan","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6283946-6f93d4bccbed344e17d09fff4106b665/orig.mp4?Expires=1771201163&Signature=YeVCjOul0KvzQ6-1ZalFoZsBuY7oOph-nqjRKoUH4gCMKOJCwO3mAYlbHxFHbW5AreYksaquh-WCeIkU~L6zh5XeeHK0Am6~mGhRSdCax~TqCpysjU9CzolDFnBNZJ6BO0HBsZ~gUGNwO0BEnuRQhLJOKlmVMILtJYdaVSHq5AwNcaVVXBIJ9hOeJ2ip17Uet7u-YJyF62IyNfYgUVLjQEHRXo5RwaFvbdoGE8wB9~UQC2QZaQ-QG55xibD1kNtPkiFgAenScrOtELGZhSov2-gWCiObtbpIpZ-UpfL9w8hDYFN5vUVTlOwqTX5QwCta8LPTwwS8vh~ijasy0ueXDA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Titusville Environmental Commission pressed staff for a clear accounting of the city's tree mitigation funds and related plantings, and moved to convene a special workshop to develop an urban-forest plan.

Commission members reviewed presentations that traced the history of two distinct funds: a Tree City USA community forestry allocation (the $2-per-capita account) and a separate mitigation/landscape trust fund funded by developer payments for trees removed during development. Kaye (commission advisor) told the group, \"there are 2 distinct funds and you're confusing them,\" and explained the mitigation fund has been used to pay for gateway landscaping near I‑95 and other beautification projects in previous council decisions.

Commission discussion focused on how much money remains in the mitigation fund, how much was spent on two recent gateway landscaping projects, and whether any reserve could kick-start a \"Native Canopy Trust Fund\" or pay for a full-time urban forester. Commissioners said earlier staff spreadsheets showed roughly $400,000 in the mitigation account at one point but that subsequent withdrawals and allocations were not clear.

On motions and votes: The commission unanimously approved a motion requesting a staff report that (a) lists all deposits to the tree mitigation fund by project (industrial, commercial and residential) for the past five years, (b) details amounts spent from the fund on the gateway projects and other withdrawals, and (c) shows current balance and ongoing inflows. The commission recorded the request as a formal action and voted to receive the staff accounting at a future meeting.

The commission also debated a proposed special workshop to draft a sustainable urban-forest financing plan and agreed to pursue a work session with staff and stakeholders. A separate motion to schedule a dedicated workshop was made, seconded and—after discussion about Sunshine Law scheduling—members voted to table final workshop scheduling until staff could confirm dates and availability; that tabling passed unanimously.

Why it matters: Commissioners said restoring and clarifying how mitigation funds are used would allow the city to convert mitigation revenues into long-term canopy gain rather than one-off beautification projects, and would clarify whether funds could support a professional forester, canopy plantings and low-impact development incentives.

Next steps: Staff was asked to provide the five-year accounting and to identify how mitigation payments were tracked and spent. The commission requested that accounting include which permitted projects generated payments and the dates of deposits and withdrawals; members said they want the item returned to the next meeting with staff data to inform the proposed workshop.","Commissioners reviewed decades of tree-fund reports and unanimously asked staff for a five-year accounting of tree-mitigation deposits and expenditures; members also approved developing a special workshop to flesh out an urban-forest funding and implementation plan.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6283949,"Resident engineer warns of blocked culverts, missing FEMA records and possible code violations in Titusville stormwater system",575,148000,723000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2585085-85e2be56a12d8596fe2695745cc21fe5&start=148&end=723","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2585085-85e2be56a12d8596fe2695745cc21fe5/thumbnail_148000.jpg","/articles/6283949/Titusville/Brevard-County/Florida/Resident-engineer-warns-of-blocked-culverts-missing-FEMA-records-and-possible-code-violations-in-Titusville-stormwater-system","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6283949-6ed690ed5c9559cd3b6fcbf6b799bbf8/orig.mp4?Expires=1771201163&Signature=IchBRJ-AMi4lHY4~lLqliP04J~U7100WLMvnHLOzSe~AtrxO6QS45leLjTpRZ1Ru1iOzF0g~gMXBLleAlt~bP26dO8AkIZXjIRSamFLeniLtTMDGbmIRjD7KcFVyKeiUYlTWXCThJeK5dc8HLmIuFockY86KAw7MS3BzDP9eeJpAgU1GS1KPIbwYMKQ6cHyouxNKn5FXCTs8-DscBFHwOS2mr7gBl7MgKPqacF87vXvC3gwvUd~ZBlqRw7n49j7JNcpZ1LxTbcyJG-wRlwPPPSvrcNWjYir5p32Mw3kv-ASZYZUImxrSEFlJcmNE2l4h8~Cjdlars36UZaAvPaJ1kA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Stan Johnson, a professional engineer and Titusville resident, told the Titusville Environmental Commission that the city's long-standing stormwater management documents and practices leave some neighborhoods at risk and may not comply with federal and local requirements.

Johnson said the city's 1966 stormwater master plan and more recent revisions do not match current conditions and that key FEMA documentation is missing from the city's repository. \"The city of Titusville is not sustainable,\" Johnson said, arguing that incomplete records and unreported changes have left FEMA floodplain data inaccurate.

The charge matters because, Johnson and commission members said, improperly maintained drainage and blocked culverts can raise local water levels and increase flooding. Laura Lee, a commission member, said \"these culverts exist under I‑95 and they are blocked with sediment,\" and described standing water near Fox Lake Road and Harrison Street after recent hurricanes.

Johnson described a roughly 2.5-mile corridor from Fox Lake Road to State Road 50 that contains several large concrete culverts and said some were partially or fully obstructed when he inspected them after storms. He also said the city has built multiple small dams or weirs without submitting required storage or conveyance calculations to FEMA and that those structures may violate Titusville city code section 12-11, which he cited as prohibiting obstructions in flowways.

Commission members asked staff for factual follow-up rather than debate. Chair Majak asked who is responsible for maintaining the drainage under I‑95; Lily (city staff) said she would check agency responsibility and report back. Commissioners also requested staff obtain and compare the current FEMA flood maps and any relevant topographic data for Titusville to identify properties that now fall inside the 100‑year floodplain.

Why it matters: blocked culverts and outdated floodplain documentation can change how and where water flows during storms and affect property owners' flood exposure and eligibility for federal programs. Commission members noted the city's resilience planning work and urged staff to gather the records Johnson referenced, including the 1966 stormwater master plan, a 1989 FEMA submission Johnson cited, and a 2016 geosynthetic study he mentioned.

Commission direction and next steps: The commission did not take formal action on Johnson's public comments but directed staff to (a) determine which agency maintains the drainage under I‑95, (b) assemble the FEMA and city stormwater records Johnson referenced, and (c) compare the current FEMA flood maps to local topography and a list of buildings in or near the mapped 100‑year floodplain. Staff confirmed they will follow up at the next meeting.

Community context: The concerns touch parcels and neighborhoods along the I‑95 corridor and areas noted in the commission's resilience work. Johnson named multiple local roads and subdivisions (Harrison, Fox Lake Road, Baker Subdivision) and referenced the St. Johns River and the St. Johns River Water Management District.

No vote or formal policy change followed the public comment; the commission's request to staff is intended to create a factual record for possible subsequent action.","Stan Johnson, a professional engineer, told the Titusville Environmental Commission that the city's stormwater master plan and FEMA floodplain records are incomplete or missing, that culverts under I‑95 are blocked with sediment and that several small dams and weirs were built without required calculations or filings.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Commission asks city staff for breakdown of hydrofluorosilicic-acid use and cost in Titusville's drinking water

Titusville environmental commission presses staff for tree-mitigation accounting, sets workshop plan

Resident engineer warns of blocked culverts, missing FEMA records and possible code violations in Titusville stormwater system