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HomeMy WebLinkAbout15-241RESOLUTION 15-241 A RESOLUTION OF THE ST. LUCIE COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS PROVIDING FOR THE CREATION OF A GREENWAYS & TRAILS TASK FORCE BY THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR WHEREAS, the Board of County Commissioners of St. Lucie County, Florida, has made the following determinations: 1. It is the County's mission to provide service, infrastructure and leadership necessary to advance a comprehensive network of greenways and trails that provide health, walkability, and passive recreation, a sustainable community, maintain a high quality of life, and protect the natural environment for all our citizens. 2. It is the County's vision to advance eco -tourism in the community through the promotion of its preserves, greenways and trails. 3. The County acknowledges that by implementing standards for a county -wide greenways and trails system, current and future citizens will benefit from a cleaner, healthier environment and higher quality of life. 4. The County needs to protect, conserve and enhance the County's resources for economical and environmental good. 5. The County has a long, established history of leadership and strong public support for creating a comprehensive greenways and trail system connecting communities through alternate mobility opportunities. 6. On July 24, 2001, the County adopted the St. Lucie County Greenways, Trails and Bikeways Preliminary Master Plan with Resolution No. 01-123, demonstrating a commitment to providing for the health, walkability and passive recreation in the County. 7. The County recognizes the importance of community involvement and desires to create the Greenways and Trails Task Force to advise the County on matters relating to design standards, connectivity and practices. 8. St. Lucie County, the Treasure Coast Regional Planning Council and the State of Florida have worked towards the linking of ecological and recreational greenway systems including the Indian River Lagoon, the North Fork of the St. Lucie River, the North Savannas, the South Savannas, and the Cypress Creek/Trail Ridge corridor. 9. The Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Office of Greenways and Trails has developed a Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan referred to as SCORP providing guidance to communities, businesses and organizations to meet the recreation demands of Florida's diverse and growing population. 10. The adoption of a regional Greenways and Trail system provides for funding from Land & Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) and the Sun Trail (Shared Use Non -Motorized) program. The State has received $24,386,419.93 in funding from LWCF grants since 2004. The Sun Trail Program provides $25M/year for off-road sidewalks (trails). To get funding, the trail must be part of a DEP/OGT recognized regional trail system, be on an FDOT work plan, and adopted by a local authority. 11. The County desires to cooperate with the City of Port St. Lucie, City of Fort Pierce, Public Health Advocates, and Community Advocates to compete for funding. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the Board of County Commissioners of St. Lucie County, Florida: 1 9 2 The County Administrator shall create the Greenways & Trail Advisory Committee made up of County staff from multiple departments, the City of Port St. Lucie, the City of Fort Pierce and community advocates to advise on policies, guidelines, standards, educational and promotional opportunities to create within County. The duties and functions of the Task Force shall be: (a) Review the St. Lucie County Greenways and Trails corridors plan and make recommendations to the County Administrator on potential changes and actions to further the goals identified. (b) Review matters relating to the implementation of a county wide system that will increase funding and eco -tourism in St. Lucie County. (c) Develop strategies, policies, guidelines, standards and educational and promotional opportunities to better implement goals. The Greenways & Trails Committee shall consist of a minimum of twelve (12) members from the following departments / divisions: (a) One representative from the St. Lucie County Housing & Community Services Transit Division (b) One representative from St. Lucie County Tourism & Events Division (c) One representative from the St. Lucie County Planning & Development Services Department (d) One representative from the St. Lucie County Engineering Division (e) One representative from the St. Lucie County Environmental Resources Division (f) One representative from East Coast Greenway (c) One representative from the Treasure Coast Regional Planning Council (e) One representative from the City of Fort Pierce Planning & Engineering Department (f) One representative from the City of Port St. Lucie Planning & Engineering Department (h) One representative from the Transportation Planning Organization (j) One representative from the Bicycle & Pedestrian Advisory Committee (k) One representative from the Florida Dept. of Env. Protection Parks Service (m) One representative from South Florida Water Management District (n) Two representatives from Citizens Advocate (o) One representative from Health Advocate appointed by the County Administrator 4. All members shall serve without compensation. 5. During the first meeting of each calendar year, the members shall select a Chairperson from among the membership to serve for a one (1) year term and establish goals, rules, record keeping and protocols for the committee. 6. Vacancies for all appointments shall be filled upon: (a) Death of a member (b) Resignation (c) Removal by appointing authority (d) Three (3) unexcused absences in a six (6) month period. 7. Vacancies shall be filled by the person or organization that nominated the member who created the vacancy. 8. The Greenways & Trails Task Force shall meet on a quarterly basis at minimum, but may meet more often as deemed necessary by the committee Chairperson. PASSED AND DULY ADOPTED this / day of a�7� '2015. BOARD OF OUNTY COM SSIONERS 6 TTEST.ST. LOCI C LINTY A "j BY:&""J / Chairma APPROVED AIS TO�FORIV AND 'CORRECTNESS: BY: County Attorn