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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes 03-27-2008 ST. LUCIE COUNTY LAND ACQUISITION SELECTION COMMITTEE ST. LUCIE COUNTY ADMINISTRATION BUILDING CONFERENCE ROOM 3 MARCH 27, 2008 5:30 P.M. Members Present: Commissioner Doug Coward, Rob Johnson, Jane Brooks, Dr. Ed Novak, James Terpening, Roger Orr and Eric Haenni Members Absent: Erik Martin, Carol Hilson, Sheri Wetzel, Roosevelt “Duke” Nelson, and Dr. Carol Ann Costas Staff: Steve Fousek, Joann Riley Others: Mrs. Novak ITEM 1: Agenda. Approved agenda. ITEM 2: Minutes of the October 25, 2007 meeting. Approved with no corrections. ITEM 3: Public comment. Ms. Brooks asked for public comment. None was given. ITEM 4: Membership Update Steve passed out Resolution 04-176 and draft of the letter to the BOCC regarding the steps that have been taken by staff to obtain a quorum. Letters were sent to the Cattlemen’s Association, League of Women Voters, City of Port St. Lucie and City of Ft. Pierce. Follow up phone calls and e-mails were made. Rob Johnson said that he had a call from Wayne Carlton, advising him that the Cattlemen’s association will be appointing someone soon to fill Judge Alderman’s vacancy. Steve advised that he has had no contact with the League of Women Voters. Doug C. stated that it wouldn’t make any sense to eliminate just one position from the LASC, since it would still take 7 to make a quorum. The Committee voted to send a letter to the city of Ft. Pierce to ask the City Clerk to place an agenda item on the City Commission meeting to ask for a representative to be selected for the LASC. Motion passed. Butch stated that if Carol is too busy to attend the meetings, maybe Marty Sanders could be appointed in her place. Item 5: ESL Acquisition Projects (Updates) ?? HBOI (ST133) – Joann met with HBOI attorneys to discuss the appraisals. Item 6: ESL Acquisition Projects ?? Becker I (ST134) and II (ST135). Steve discussed the overall plan for the trail along the North Fork and that this parcel was an ideal link. The 13 acre property is mostly upland and contains a house. They’re asking $1,100,000. Steve F. stated that he needs a connection along the trail and that Bud Wild owns a small, narrow ditch, south of the Boy Scout camp that could give us a connection. It is less than ideal, and Bud Wild is willing to see it to us. Rob asked if that was the ditch? Steve said yes, that we might have 3 feet to walk along it for the trail. Discussed obtaining a 50% match for the property, and possibly partnering with Public Works on the project. We would cut out the house from the proposal for offices for the Environmental Resources Department. The Committee voted to proceed with the purchase of the Becker parcels. ?? Morning Star Church (ST138). Steve showed the committee the plan for creating a greenway from Harbour Pointe to Indrio Road, following some canals and going through the Airport property. This parcel will be important in filling in the missing link to the project. Doug C. asked if it had any native vegetation. Steve said that it has some large live oaks on the 0.6-acre parcel. Committee recommended purchasing the parcel. ?? Sime (ST139) and Wyatt (ST140). Steve said that these were connector parcels for the greenway, and that we could possibly purchase the rear 10-20 feet along the canal. The Committee discussed the possible easements that currently exist, that could be used for public access. The Committee asked staff to research the access issue and report back. ?? Old Dixie Greenway (ST141, ST142). Steve discussed the overall greenway plan along Old Dixie, creating a trail from Indrio Road north to the County line. The County has purchased some of the parcels in the past, and the acquisition of the remaining will complete the linkage. Steve advised that most will be very minimal in cost, and some may have access easements donated to the county. Since they don’t have much native habitat, the 317 account should be used to acquire them. Steve said that about $90,000 was still available, and that’s all that should be spent on the project. The Committee voted to proceed with the project. Dr. Novak left the meeting at this time for another meeting. Item 7: Management Updates ?? Teague Hammock – Completed. ?? North Fork – Completed the two docks and trails. Steve asked the committee about placing the third canoe dock on Scuiturros Island, and the idea of having 5 primitive camping spots on the island, that would be accessible by canoe only. A compost toilet may be brought in. The committee agreed that it would be good to promote the North Fork for canoeing. Steve has a meeting scheduled with the White City Improvement Club to discuss public access issues along the North Fork. Doug asked Steve to let him know about the date of the meeting so that he may be able to attend. Steve stated that nearly all of the sites are now open to the public. Item 8: Other Business ?? Funding – Doug C. stated that we are far short of the targeted acres to be reached in the comp plan, and that we will need to explore other funding mechanisms. Transfer of Development Rights, land swamps and other programs. Butch said that the Land Development Rules may need to be looked at to allow for some of these things, such as saving 1 acre around a development that doesn’t benefit wildlife. We need a list of properties that we are interested in that may be purchased. It was stated that instead of forming another committee, the LASC should investigate these alternative-funding options. Steve will include in the next agenda. Meeting adjourned at 7:00 pm. Minutes not transcribed verbatim.