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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes 9-25-2008 ST. LUCIE COUNTY LAND ACQUISITION SELECTION COMMITTEE ST. LUCIE COUNTY ADMINISTRATION BUILDING CONFERENCE ROOM 3 SEPTEMBER 25, 2008 5:30 P.M. Members Present: Rob Johnson, Jane Brooks, Dr. Ed Novak, Erik Martin, Carol Hilson, Commissioner Doug Coward, James Terpening, Peggy Monahan, Danna Small and Commissioner Sessions. Members Absent:, Eric Haenni, Sheri Wetzel, Dr. Carol Ann Costas. Staff: Steve Fousek, Joann Riley, Bill Hoeffner Others: Lauren Day, Pat Christensen, Greg Oravec and son ITEM 1: Agenda. Approved agenda. ITEM 2: Minutes of the April 24, 2008 meeting. Approved with no corrections. ITEM 3: Public comment. Ms. Brooks asked for public comment. None was given. ITEM 4: Membership Update Peggy Monahan is present and now represents the Cattlemen’s Association, replacing Judge Alderman. Roger Orr who represented the City of Port St. Lucie, has been replaced by Danna Small, who will be present today. The committee is now fully staffed. Item 5: ESL Acquisition Projects (Updates) ? HBOI (ST133) – Bill stated that the appraisals are not meeting the expectations of Harbor Branch. He should know more about the acquisition in December 2008 or spring 2009. ? Becker I (ST134) and II (ST135). Bill advised that the County prepared an FCT and Issues Team grant to acquire the site. The FCT grant scored less than ideal, and is 6 on the th contingency list. ? Morning Star Church (ST138). Joann stated that there is a difference in the appraisals and what the owner wants for the parcel. Steve is working with the Airport Director to see if they can make up the difference. ? Wilcox Donation (ST141) and Wilcox (ST142). Joann stated that they are moving forward. ? Varn (ST143). Joann stated that our appraisal and Mrs. Varns is quite different, and are continuing to work on it. ? Forest Grove (ST144). No action at this time. The Committee ranked it as a B site. The project should go forward after the A sites have been purchased. Item 6: ESL Acquisition Projects ? BSA Associates (Paleo Hammock) – ST 136 (resubmittal). The owner and her representative met Steve in April to discuss resubmitting the 40 ac site. They stated that they had cleaned up the hurricane debris from the parcel, including the wetland. Steve was at the site today, and showed the committee the pictures that were taken with debris littering the site. The Committee did not take any further action on the item. Comm. Coward suggested that this site did not fit our criteria any longer, and that a portion of the site could possibly used for mitigation. ? Walpole Conservation Easement – ST145. Lauren Day with the Conservation Fund presented the item to the committee. She believes that it will appraise around $7,000/ac, and that they were looking at a grant using the USDA Farm and Ranchlands Protection Program (FRPP) that is administered by the Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS). They were looking at about 50% for the match or $2.1 million, and possibly $1 million for a 25% match as a bargain sale. The easement is a typical Agriculture easement, allowing the owner to keep the property in agriculture use. Public access is not typically allowed on these easements. The Committee asked for additional information on the FRPP. Rob Johnson asked how much $$ has been allocated to the program locally. Comm. Coward asked if the County could sell the development rights off the site to recoup the counties match. Ms. Day will provide the information to the Committee. It was suggested that the committee would like to look at the site. Steve will contact the members to determine the best day for the group to see the site. ? Azzi/Centex – ST146. Greg Oravec presented the item to the committee. Steve explained the pictures that were taken, and asked about the stormwater improvements that currently exist on the site. The Centex parcel currently has a site plan with townhomes, and that the Azzi parcel is actively being marketed. Comm. Coward and Mr. Oravec stated that this was one of the nicest, if not the nicest piece of property in the city. A portion of the site may be able to relieve the stormwater problems in that section of the city. Steve stated that Florida Communities Trust (FCT) assigns additional points in the grant applications for stormwater projects. Steve stated that there were few exotics on the site, and it was in very good condition. Comm. Coward recommended that we move forward with the site and develop a partnership with the city. The motion was seconded and approved. ? Pepper Park Addition – ST147. Steve stated that the site is located immediately north of Pepper Park on North Beach. It is about 100 feet wide and 800 feet long. He had met the St. Lucie Land Trust at the site. Bill Hoeffner stated that he was looking at the non-profit group and Marine Resources Council to assist in providing part of the match. It is mostly exotics with about ½ acre of native vegetation near the shoreline. Comm. Sessions stated that it would make a good addition to the recreational use of the adjacent park. Bill Hoeffner stated that the Parks and Recreation Director did not have an interest in acquiring the parcel. The Committee ranked the site as a C site, and recommended not pursuing it. Item 7:Other Business ? Steve stated that the Committee wanted to get some publicity out to the public regarding the program. He has arranged a photo opportunity at the George Lestrange site on Wednesday, October 1 at 10:30. Those who would like to carpool, should meet in front of the Administration Bldg at 10:00. The site is located off Selvitz road on Ralls Road, across from the Boy Scout Camp. ? Danna mentioned that the Working Waterfront referendum is on Novembers ballot. It would provide tax relief to these businesses by taxing them on the current use, and not the highest and best use. She asked that we as voters pay special attention to the item. Meeting adjourned at 6:45 pm. Minutes not transcribed verbatim.