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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes 06-10-2010 1 ~ ~ , ~ ' ;TCERDA Treasure Coast Education, Research and Development Authority TCERDA ~~ar~i ~f Directors Minutes of Meeting June 10, 2010 Convened: 10:30 a.m. Adjourned: 1:30 p.m. The meeting of the Treasure Coast Education, Research and Development Authority (TCERDA) was held Thursday, June 10, 2010, in Room 219, University of Florida Indian River Research and Education Center, 2199 South Rock Road, Fort Pierce, Florida. MIEMBERS PRESENT: Dr. Kathleen A. McGinn, Chair (joined mtg. at 11:15 am) Hoyt C. "Pat" Murphy, Jr., Secretary and Treasurer Mike Adams Stefan Matthes, P.E. Travis tilurphy Tom Perona MEMBERS ABSENT: Jane Bachelor Jose Fa~inos, Vice Chair Dr. Joseph C. Joyce Dr. Peter Stoffella Commissioner Doug Coward, BOCC Liaison At ~D RRfSEivT: Ben DeVries, Executive Director, Treasure Coast Research Park Heather Young, Assistant County Attorney Jackie Bylsma, Assistant Vice President, Economic Development Council of St. Lucie County Larry Pelton, President, Economic Development Council of St. Lucie County Adnan Afghita, Alghita Investment Dev.; Treasure Coast Research Corridor Association NOTE: Prior to the start of the meeting, Mr. Ben DeVries gave a brief overview of the FPL XE3 Event with a video presentation for the Board members (1o:io a. m. - 10:25 a.m.). A PowerPoint slideshow was also presented to the Board members for an upcoming tradeshow, the IFT 2010 Expo, taking place in Chicago, July 17-20, 2010 (10:25 a. m. - 10:3o a.m.). The Research Park will have an exhibitor booth at the show to promote the park. A. CALL TO ORDER Mr. Pat Murphy called the meeting to order at 10:30 a.m. -1- B. WELCOME MEMBERS AND GUESTS Mr. Pat Murphy welcomed the members and other attendees. He introduced Mr. Larry Pelton and thanked him for attending the meeting. C. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Mr. Pat Murphy requested a motion for approval of the April 15, 2010 TCERDA Board minutes (no rcEi:oa eoo meeting in MayJ. A motion was made by Mr. Tom Perona and seconded by Mr. Mike Adams for approval of the April 15th minutes. The motion and second carried unanimously by voice vote. D. TREASURER'S REPORT Mr. Pat Murphy provided the Board with the May Treasurer's Report. A motion was made by Mr. Stef Matthes and seconded by Mr. Travis Murphy for approval of the Treasurer's Report. The motion and second carried unanimously by voice vote. E. LEGAL UPDATE Ms. Heather Young provided the Board with an update, including the following items for discussion among the Board members: • Status of the Interlocal Agreement with the City of Fort Pierce, Fort Pierce Utilities Authority (FPUA), St. Lucie County and TCERDA for Utilities at the Park -the St. Lucie County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) and the City of Fort Pierce approved the Interlocal Agreement, which must be approved by the TCERDA Board and FPUA. Ms. Young stated she will bring the agreement back in August for TCERDA's approval. • OF/IFAS/School Board Lease -There is an issue of occupancy on the property being addressed. The School Board requested a 60-day extension to the closing date of June 17, 2010. The new date will be August 15, 2010. • Ground Lease -The County has recommended extending TCERDA's ground rent to commence beyond June 2011. They are awaiting new numbers from the County Office of Management and Budget. F. EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR'S REPORT Mr. DeVries gave the Board an update on the following items for discussion among the Board members: • Monument Sign - An agenda request is scheduled for County BOCC approval on June 15, 2010. The sign, in partnership with County BOCC will be 19.5' high, mounted on a pole, buried with fill and sodded. This method of installation will provide the ability to relocate the sign at a later date. Mr. DeVries requested the Board members authorize an amount not-to-exceed $20,000 for contingencies (unforeseen additional expenses; permitting costs, power, etc.). A motion was made by Mr. Mike Adams and seconded by Mr. Stef Matthes, for authorization of an amount not-to- exceed $20,000. The motion and second carried unanimously by voice vote. • Backbone Infrastructure Consultant Agreement with Kimley-Horn -the Contract with Kimley-Horn is substantially complete, for an amount not-to-exceed $650,000. Mr. DeVries met with County staff, Don West, Public Works Director, and Mike Powley, County Engineer, after their staff reviewed the contract. There are seven work orders. The first four work orders will be undertaken concurrently. They are expected to be underway and completed in approximately 120 days. o Work Order 1-Platting Services: The geotechnical and surveys are already done for the internal roadwork for 162 acres but not platted or recorded. -2- o Work Order 2 -Perimeter Landscape Plan: The County has budgeted $240,000 for the research park to put in complete landscaping of trees along the perimeter. o Work Order 3 -Site Design Standards Manual: This will determine where the trees are planted, how many parking spaces and their placement, etc. The County will have to amend the Comp Plan and pass an Ordinance. o Work Order 4 - PNRD Preliminary and Final Site Plan: The consultant will prepare a preliminary site plan for the 162 acre park and a final site plan for the initial 32-acre quad in accordance with provisions of the County Land Development Regulations for a planned non-residential development. o Work Order 5 -Roadway Plans: This includes the design survey and geotechnical investigation of four corridors; Pruitt Research Center Road (between Kings Highway and Rock Road), Exploration Parkway, Graham Road Extension, and Kings Highway and Pruitt Research Center Road Intersection (installation of a turn lane). o Work Order 6 -Conceptual SFWMD Environmental Resource Permit: The consultant will prepare the conceptual review of required mitigation for both regulatory agencies, South Florida Water Control District and the North St. Lucie River Water Control District (SFWMD and NSLRWCD). o Work Order 7 -Site Infrastructure Development: This phase is for the development of 70,000' being planned on the initial 8 acres with the Core Research Campus design. The expected timeline to begin is 60-90 days. Mr. DeVries requested the Board authorize increasing the contract amount from $450,000 to $650,000 for the civil engineering and planning services of Kimley-Horn. He briefed the Board members on their attached `Timeline to Shovel Ready' chart, and the 'Backbone Infrastructure Consultant Scope for Phase I/!A, and 'Infrastructure Construction Projects' sheets. The map of quads A-D on the infrastructure sheet was discussed. Mr. DeVries stated the bottom right-hand corner of 'B' would be developed first. All 'quad' concepts were designed with three cuts. Each quad allows for 256,000 sf. of buildings and eight acres of stormwater. Mr. DeVries stated he would like to see 1-2 acres designated as a community space; i.e., amphitheatre setting, etc. The utilities outlined on the infrastructure construction projects sheet total $13.2 million. A motion was made by Mr. Travis Murphy and seconded by Mr. Mike Adams for an amount not-to-exceed $650,000 for the civil engineering and planning services of Kimley-Horn. The motion and second carried unanimously by voice vote. • Deferral of Ground Rent -The obligation is due June 10th, 2011 for $500,000 and an extension of five years has been requested. The County Attorney's office is following up on the extension, which the BOCC recommended for approval. The TCRP does not pay ground lease on school property/UF. • TCRP Self-su>~ciency -How does the park become self-sufficient? A discussion of assets and liabilities ensued among Mr. DeVries and the TCERDA Board, weighing pros and cons of the TCRP with a ground lease and with the County donating the land. Different scenarios were discussed. The TCERDA Board members agreed at this point in time they needed the continued support of the BOCC if they did not donate the land. Ms. Young stated the BOCC could decide to assign the land to TCERDA subject to limitations on what and how the land could be used or borrowed against as public land. In one-on-one discussions between individual TCERDA Board and Board of County Commissioners, there were expressions of a common desire to get to the end goal of TCERDA self- sufficiency, acknowledging the need to explore alternative funding sources and to consider conveyance of the County land to TCERDA. • Annexation -the annexation agreement went through on the BOCC consent agenda. • Declaration of Covenants -Both Mr. DeVries and Ms. Young are working on reviewing and approving the TCERDA covenants. -3- • XE3 Update - Mr. DeVries stated approximately 600-1,000 people attended the event. Three hundred students participated in the Tech Tours. Mr. Adams was kind enough to allow 40 students to tour Adams Ranch. Mr. DeVries informed the Board members of the in-kind contributions of Culpepper Terpening, Marriott Fairfield Suites, St. Lucie Battery and Tire, etc., and the hundreds of hours the mentors put in. Mr. Tom Perona stated for a first time event, it was very successful and had a positive impact. Mr. DeVries said Mr. Mike Lannon, School Superintendent, stated it was going to be bigger and better next year. The schools want to participate again next year. Mr. Pat Murphy said the TCRP should absolutely have it again, stating "this is a kid's~rst community". Dr. Kathleen McGinn informed the Board members there are 12 middle schools in the County. The Board should consider budgeting for additional karts if all 12 schools want to participate. Mr. DeVries proposed $10,000 be budgeted with a $10,000 match commitment. Mr. Travis Murphy asked the Board members if they should make it $12,000 and $12,000. The tech tour might take place in December for next year's event. A motion was made by Mr. Stef Matthes and seconded by Mr. Pat Murphy to pledge $10,000 to start, with a $10,000 match. The motion and second to budget $10,000 with a $10,000 match for the event carried unanimously by voice vote. TCRP Prospects - Mr. DeVries met with several prospects for the park. He discussed ground rent parcel pricing with the Board members, which they previously approved. Discussion ensued among the members. A motion was made by Mr. Tom Perona and seconded by Mr. Pat Murphy for the Sustainability Environment Committee to review the pricing and terms of each prospect transaction and make a recommendation for final approval by the Executive Committee. The motion and second carried unanimously by voice vote. • Tradeshows, Marketina and MeetinQS -M r. DeVries will attend the Institute of Food Technologists 2010 IFT Annual Meeting & Food Expo in Chicago, July 16-20, 2010 and staff an exhibitor booth to promote the park. Given that TCERDA's current timeline for roads, shovel-ready building sites is December 2011, it was the consensus of the Board to pursue the approved marketing plan for 2009- 2010. The Florida Parks Network is meeting in Tampa on July 21St. The network is considering publishing a Florida Research Park magazine with the same format as the St. Lucie Travel Guide magazine with research content similar to the Canada Now magazine. • Legal Representation -Due to budgetary constraints, Ms. Heather Young will take the lead when available and Mr. MacLaren will serve the Board when Ms. Young is not available. G. CHAIR'S REPORT In anticipation of the joint meeting with the BOCC, Dr. McGinn suggested the Board members discuss the topics to be; Backbone, Timeline, Site Layout, Land/Ground Lease, Budget, etc. Discussion ensued among the Board members. A motion was made by Mr. Tom Perona and seconded by Mr. Stef Matthes to approve the attached TCERDA Vision Statement. The motion and second carried unanimously by voice vote. H. COMMITTEE REPORTS There are no committee reports at this time. I. NEW BUSINESS During the Executive Director's report, with the Chair's approval, Mr. Larry Pelton addressed the Board members. He stated USDA is shutting down the lab in Winter Haven and planning to relocate staff here. A state legislator is trying to bring the employees to his area in Central Florida at another university. USDA cannot get involved in stopping that. EDC is trying to work toward preventing that from happening. He may come back to the Board to request a letter of support to bring the employees here. -4- Mr. Pelton gave a brief update to the Board on the Project Energy Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) drafted by the County. It will be signed this week by the research institute for a farm to fuel project. Mr. Pelton further stated he would like a renewable energy research facility, which involves the Department of Energy, to be built at the research park. Dr. McGinn asked what the sense of timeline was. Mr. Pelton replied he has to work out an action plan/bench marks. His goal is to kick-off in September. The outreach would bean energy deployment center component. The project would be publicly announced after the MOU. The project would focus on downtown Ft. Pierce. Commissioner Coward has $1 million from the state and is going after $1-2 million from the Department of Energy for the proposed energy project. Mr. Pelton thanked the Board members and excused himself from the meeting. 1. ANNOUNCEMENTS No announcements at this time. K. ADJOURNMENT Upon no further announcements or discussion; Dr. McGinn requested the meeting be adjourned. It was moved by Mr. Perona and seconded by Mr. Travis Murphy to adjourn the meeting at 1:30 p.m. The motion and second carried unanimously by voice vote and Dr. McGinn adjourned the meeting. Minutes submitted by: Anne Bowers The next TCERDA Board meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, July 13, 2010 at Z:00 p.m. -5-