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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES from MOU meeting between TCERDA USDA and UF IFAS 16 2 11 RM BDTCERDA Treasure Coast Education, Research and Development Authority TCERDA, USDA ARS, and OF WAS Minutes of Meeting February 11, 2016 Convened: 2:00 p.m. Adjourned: 3:07 p.m. The special meeting of the Treasure Coast Education, Research and Development Authority (TCERDA), USDA ARS, and University of Florida IFAS was held Thursday, February 11, 2016 at the University of Florida Indian River Research and Education Center, 2199 South Rock Road, Fort Pierce, Florida. MEMBERS PRESENT: Mike Adams, Chair Travis Murphy, Secretary Peter Stoffella Jane Bachelor ALSO PRESENT: Ben DeVries, Executive Director, Treasure Coast Research Park Heather Young, Assistant County Attorney John Rhodes, Moran, Stahl & Boyer Mark Satterlee, County Administration Brian Scully, USDA ARS Director Mr. Adams called the meeting to order at 2:00 PM. He asked Dr. Stoffella and Dr. Scully to comment on the timetable, site and research needs outlined in the USDA ARS MOU 60-acres proposal that was written on January 12, 2016, by Mr. DeVries. Dr. Stoffella stated the reason they choose this particular land for USDA and OF IFAS to have a viable research citrus grove they: - would need no permits property has two artisan wells drainage the cost to start up a research Grove is minimum Dr. Scully added: - it's better to rehabilitate a formerly existing grove as oppose to starting a new grove Mr. Adams asked about the land on the West Side which was once a vegetable land and wanted to know if USDA could rehabilitate that land. Dr. Stoffella stated when you go from a vegetable land to citrus will need to go through permitting because you are changing the usage of the land. The area would need a retention pond and currently there are no financial resources to pay for it. If you keep the usage the same (citrus to citrus), you are grandfathered in and will not need new permits. Mr. DeVries stated according to South Florida Water Management, the permit expired on the back piece of property (Dunn Property) in 2004 and would require a new permit for new usage. Also, water usage would change. Dr. Stoffella stated his opinion that they would need to obtain a shallow well. -1- TCERDA Treasure Coast Education, Research and Development Authority Mr. Adams stated: - will USDA be planting disease -free trees? - will USDA be able to keep the trees disease -free? - will there be antibiotics for the plants? Mr. Satterlee asked USDA, what would they do with the land after 20 years? Dr. Stoffella stated if TCERDA needed the land at any time, they would move to another location, but TCERDA would have to absorb the cost to move them. Mr. Satterlee said if St Lucie County had to move USDA to another location, they would need more details i.e. the exact cost of the move. Mr. DeVries stated: - TCERDA spent several million dollars getting the subject parcels ready - To access the 75 acres fronting on Kings Hwy that TCERDA owns, a bridge costing over $750,000 - TCERDA currently has an MOU with Amyris/Total on the subject site for 30 acres of bioprocessing research. - TCERDA has received 97k to conduct a feasibility study on Biofuel including the site. - Everyone present shared two key goals - solve citrus greening and advance development of the Research Park. Mr. Satterlee stated: GIS would need to map out the sites for attachment to the MOU agreement Could St Lucie County School offer the use some of their adjacent 60 acres? If TCERDA had a prospect; could USDA move to St Lucie County School Board property? Mr. Scully stated: He and Pete would approach the St. Lucie District Schools about possible collaboration and use of their adjacent 60 acres. The following changes were made to the DRAFT MOU agreement: - Land description will be changed to six ten (10) acre parcels of land. - The rent will be $100.00 per year for the base and renewal term of the lease. - The Base ground lease term will be 30-years subject to renewal every ten years based on parties agreeing. - Modify the early termination clause stating if TCERDA needed the land, USDA/UF IFAS would move. - Mr. DeVries, Mr. Satterlee, and Ms. Young will create a new MOU and send to everyone for review. TCERDA Board will review the new MOU drafted by Mr. DeVries at its next meeting on March 10, 2016. Dr. Stoffella asked if his name could be taken off the contract and replaced with Mr. Jack Payne, Senior Vice President for Agriculture and Natural Resources for University of Florida IFAS. Upon no further discussion, Mr. Adams requested the meeting be adjourned. The meeting was adjourned at 3:07 PM. Minutes submitted by: Regina McCants -2-