SEBASTIAN – Members of the Sebastian City Council and staff expressed displeasure Wednesday night that All Aboard Florida has already conducted two and is working on a third survey of the train tracks that run through town – all without notifying local leaders.
Councilwoman Andrea Coy informed the City Council that she had observed the work under way and inquired as to what was going on.
To make matters worse, Community Development Director Frank Watanabe had learned that two previous surveys had already taken place during the last few months, all unbeknownst to Sebastian officials.
All Aboard Florida representative Rusty Roberts, vice president of corporate development for Florida East Coast Industries, presented the project to the Sebastian City Council this past January.
Wednesday night, Council members agreed with Coy’s recollection that they had been assured they “would be invited to be a part of the plan progress from the start.”
Watanabe had learned that the survey Coy inquired about was, in fact, the third one conducted only when he had spoken on Tuesday with one of the subcontractors hired by All Aboard Florida.
He told Council that the survey work had apparently been well under way before All Aboard Florida had even submitted the first draft of an Impact Statement, detailing its assessment of the impact the project will have on the Treasure Coast.
Sebastian and some other entities are currently doing their own studies, in order to ensure that All Aboard Florida had covered all the points of concern Treasure Coast municipalities have.
“I am concerned,” Watanabe said.
Coy said she was beyond concerned.
“I am shocked and disappointed,” she said. “We need to stay in this game. And it’s not a game – we take it very seriously.”
She asked that City Manager Joe Griffin be directed to make a formal complaint – signed by the mayor. Mayor Bob McPartlan and the Council concurred.
City Manager Joe Griffin told Council he will meet with Watanabe and get a formal document drawn up Thursday.