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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes 04-30-2009 ST. LUCIE COUNTY LAND ACQUISITION SELECTION COMMITTEE CONFERENCE ROOM 3 APRIL 30, 2009 5:30 P.M. Members Present: Jane Brooks, Rob Johnson, Dr. Ed Novak, Erik Martin, Commissioner Doug Coward, Danna Small and Eric Haenni. Members Absent: Sheri Wetzel, Dr. Carol Ann Costas, Carol Hilson, James Terpening, Commissioner Sessions, and Peggy Monahan Staff: Steve Fousek, Joann Riley, Bill Hoeffner Others: None ITEM 1: Agenda. Approved April 30, 2009 agenda. ITEM 2: Minutes of the December 15, 2008 meeting. Approved with no corrections. ITEM 3: Public comment. Jane Brooks asked for public comment. None was given. ITEM 4: ESL Acquisition Projects (Updates) ? HBOI (ST133) – Joann stated that things are going along smoothly. Proposed to close by the end of June. Florida Forever (Division of State Lands) is contributing $18 million, Florida Communities Trust $16.6 million, St. Lucie County $2.2 million, South Florida Water Management District $500,000. NOAA will be contributing $2.6 million for wetland restoration. The State of Florida will hold title to the project, and St. Lucie County will be entering into a Management Agreement for the site. Comm. Coward indicated that there might not be any FCT funding in the near future for any of the proposed projects. ? Becker I (ST134) and II (ST135). Joann advised St. Lucie County performed a Phase I Environmental, which came back positive for asbestos. A Phase II was completed showing the partial expanse of the dumping. The contract came back from the Becker people with an “As-is” clause. They are willing to clean up the site. Public Works is not interested in using any portion of the site for a retention pond. Eric Martin questioned whether it continues to fit the criteria of the bond program. Steve said that the Boy Scouts did not want a trail to connect the site. Steve indicated that the project did not receive enough points to be within reach for this years FCT grant, and it could be a pre-acquisition, and that it would receive additional points, and be better ranked for next years FCT funding. It appears that the use of the 382 funds may no longer be appropriate for the site. Eric M. made a motion that we no longer pursue the project. Rob Johnson seconded. Passed unanimously. Joann will agenda the item to the BOCC and/or provides a letter to Mr. Tom Lindsey, recommending to the BOCC that we no longer wish to pursue it. ? Morning Star Church (ST138). Joann stated that we acquired it on March 20. th ? Wilcox Donation (ST141) and Wilcox (ST142). Joann stated that they are working on it. ? Varn (ST143). Joann stated that we acquired it on April 15th. ? Hendler (ST147). Joann stated that we have obtained appraisals for the parcels, and discussed the Willow Lakes parcels. Steve said that he was planning on combining the last Varn acquisition with this parcel for a FCT application. Discussion turned to the lack of potential FCT funding. It is zoned AR-1 and CG-1. The Committee recommended that we might wish to delay the acquisition, or pursue it at a bargain price sale. Eric H. mentioned that it would be a good site to think about Carbon Sequestering, and Cap and Trade. Comm. Coward suggested that the next time we meet, we should discuss some options to fee simple such as the Western Lands Study, Transfer of Development Rights, working with the TDC on marketing, possibly putting on an event, and the Bed Tax. ? Azzi/Centex (ST146). Steve updated the committee regarding the progress of the project. Comm. Coward mentioned his conversation with the Trust for Public Lands. He indicated that the City was going to use the Azzi parcel solely for stormwater, and that they were going ahead with the purchase. Steve stated that the ESL bond could not be used for stormwater purposes. If the County were interested in purchasing the Centex parcel, we would need to do that on our own. Eric H. motioned that we place the acquisition on hold until we can find matching funds, that we keep it as an A site. Motion was seconded. Vote was unanimous. ? Walpole Conservation Easement (ST145). Steve did not have any updates for the project. Item 5: Funding Update Steve reviewed the spreadsheet showing the account balances for the 382 and 317 bonds. Out of the $5,616,508 that exists in the accounts, about $2.9 million has been allocated to various projects (mostly Harbor Branch). Of the $2.6 million left remaining, we had about $3.3 million in projects (before today’s meeting), resulting in a deficit of $700,000. Now that we are tabling several projects, the $2.6 million is remaining. Steve said that only those projects that have been reviewed by the BOCC will be moving forward at the moment (Airport and Old Dixie Greenways), about $225,000. Item 6: ESL Acquisition Projects ? Gator Trace Phase 2 (ST149) – Comm. Dzadovsky brought this item to staff. The property is located immediately north of the Gator Trace project, and just west of the Savannas Recreation Area. Most of the site is either mesic flatwoods or depression marsh, and is in rather good condition. The site may be in foreclosure. The Committee asked staff to further check into status of the property. ? Varn II (ST150) – The Committee believed that this site was not appropriate to use the 382 bond fund. Comm. Coward suggested that the Local Land Trust be notified of the sale of the property to see if they were interested. ? V Bar 2 (ST151) – We saw this site several years ago, and ranked it as an A site. Approximately 680 acres of the hammock is up for sale again. The Committee recommended that we gather additional information about the site. ? Lennard Trails (ST152) – Danna mentioned that she was at that site and believed it to be very wet, with several exotics. Steve believes that it is just over the 50% upland criteria. The committee voted that it is not appropriate for the ESL funds. Item 7:Other Business ? Steve asked that the members e-mail him less than fee simple concepts to be discussed at June’s meeting. Meeting adjourned at 7:30 pm. Minutes not transcribed verbatim.