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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes 12-15-2008 ST. LUCIE COUNTY LAND ACQUISITION SELECTION COMMITTEE PLATT’S CREEK DECEMBER 15, 2008 5:30 P.M. Members Present: Rob Johnson, Dr. Ed Novak, Erik Martin, Commissioner Doug Coward, Peggy Monahan, Danna Small and Eric Haenni. Members Absent: Sheri Wetzel, Dr. Carol Ann Costas. Jane Brooks, Carol Hilson, James Terpening, Commissioner Sessions Staff: Steve Fousek, Joann Riley Others: Lauren Day, Mary Chapman ITEM 1: Agenda. Approved December 15, 2008 agenda. ITEM 2: Minutes of the September 25, 2008 meeting. Approved with no corrections. ITEM 3: Public comment. Dr. Novak asked for public comment. None was given. ITEM 4: ESL Acquisition Projects (Updates) ? HBOI (ST133) – Joann stated that things are going along smoothly. The FCT grant was extended to April. ? Becker I (ST134) and II (ST135). Joann advised that the contract went out last week. We should be receiving a reply this week from the owner. Steve indicated that this would be a pre-acquisition, and that it would receive additional points, and be better ranked for next years FCT funding. ? Morning Star Church (ST138). Joann stated that the contract for the parcel is on Tuesdays BOCC meeting. ? Wilcox Donation (ST141) and Wilcox (ST142). Joann stated that they have prepared a contract and will be on January’s BOCC meeting for approval. ? Varn (ST143). Joann stated that Ms. Varn verbally accepted the offer for the parcel. ? 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. Comm. Coward suggested that since it was a B site, that we remove it from the active list, and that we pursue the acquisition through a donation similar to the Cassens and Gordy parcels. ? Azzi/Centex (ST146). Steve stated that he and Mr. Greg Oravec (assistant City Manager) were meeting this week to review the pre-scoring of the project. Comm. Coward mentioned that there were Park Impact fees for that zone that could be used for the project. He asked staff to look into alternative funds that could be used to help acquire the site. Item 5: ESL Acquisition Projects ? Walpole Conservation Easement – ST145. Lauren Day with the Conservation Fund was present to answer questions and provide a power point presentation. Ms. Monahan asked about using public funds for a conservation easement that did not provide public access. Lauren spoke about the advantages of preserving the land, and not spending government funds to manage it. The easement is a typical Agriculture easement, allowing the owner to keep the property in agriculture use. Comm. Coward had previously asked if the County could sell the development rights off the site to recoup the counties match. The answer was no. The county purchased a Conservation Easement on Rob’s property a few years back. Erik Martin described the site when he, Danna and Steve went out there a few weeks ago. Overall he liked the site. Danna agreed with Erik’s assessment. Steve distributed some pictures that Erik had taken on the field trip. Lauren spoke about the site (the projector wasn’t working and the committee watched the presentation from the laptop). It is a high priority site within the Florida Ecological Network for a wildlife corridor for panther and Black bear. She is applying for a grant using Florida Communities Trust’s Florida Forever Ag Ranchlands. (a new funding program) Erik M. stated that Martin County’s bond funds cannot be used to purchase Conservation Easements. R&FLPP grant is due on December 19. Lauren is asking for the County’s support for the th application, and not necessarily committing to any financial responsibilities at this time. If the grant was awarded, the appraisals will be due in six months. USDA Farm and Ranchlands Protection Program (FRPP) is also a possibility for the match. It is federally funded. There were very little exotics found on the site. Some Climbing Fern was visible in the swamp, and no Tropical Soda Apple. Rob recommended that the site be listed as an “A” site. Was seconded and approved unanimously by the Committee. Steve will draft a letter of support for BOCC approval, stating that we support or endorse the state and federal grants to support the efforts of the Conservation Fund. ? Hendler (ST147). Steve described the location of the parcel as being immediately east of the Gordy Road Recreation Area, off Gordy Road. The northern half of the project is in very good shape and consists mostly of scrubby flatwoods. The southern portion contains pasture grasses. Comm. Coward asked about the Future Land Use Classification. Steve did not know. Steve mentioned that the county attorneys office was interested in obtaining an easement on the property for Water and Sewer lines that were installed on the site. The County did not obtain an easement from the landowner before the installation. Steve mentioned that Mr. Tom Kindred was representing the landowner, and the past proposal for the site was for a motel. The committee discussed the practicality of developing the site. It would be a good site to acquire at the right price. Rob recommended it as an “A” site. Was seconded, and approved unanimously. Comm. Coward mentioned that he had obtained $300,000 from the power plant to offset environmental impacts. He suggested that there was about $240,000 left. Since the project is next to the landfill, the funds may be considered to purchase it. Item 6:Funding Steve passed out the spreadsheet showing the account balances for the 382 bond and 317 bond. We have about $2.9 million left in the accounts that have not been assigned to any projects. We have about $1 million in projects that are pending and Board approved. We have another $2.3 million in projects that have not been approved by the Board yet. This does not include the Walpole conservation easement, the Hendler parcel and two properties along the North Fork that are not currently willing sellers, but they would be very good parcels to purchase sometime in the future. In other words we have about $4 million in projects and about $3 million in funds. Steve wanted the committee to be made aware of the status of the funds so that we didn’t get too far ahead of us. Doug mentioned that a Transfer of Development Rights program could bring additional lands to the county. Impact Fees were being developed, and Rural Land Stewardship would be available to come up to our planned Comprehensive Plan figure. Doug also mentioned the funding that he obtained from a mine, where they donated funds per truckload of sand mined. It came to about $50,000 per year up to $250,000. Item 7:Other Business ? Steve mentioned that he has not been able to contact the League of Women Voters to replace Carol Costas. We need a letter officially appointing another member to serve on the committee. Mary Chapman mentioned that Cathy Townsend is the person to contact. ? Eric H. mentioned that he was asked to represent the committee for the Arts in Public Places. T.A.Wyner has asked for input from the committee ? Doug C. mentioned the meeting that he conducted with the Tourist Development Council that a few of the members attended. He asked the LASC to come up with a few ideas for Ecotourism at our next meeting. He has been working with the Bahamas and tourism. If we had some compatible zoning, we could promote ecotourism in the county. Meeting adjourned at 7:00 pm. Minutes not transcribed verbatim.