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MOTION WAS MADE by Commissioner Wheeler, to <br />approve the proposed Lease Agreement with Pelican <br />Island Audubon Society, for a period of fifty (50) years, <br />subject to renewal. There was no Second. MOTION <br />DIED. <br />In response to Commissioner Flescher's queries, staff, assisted by Jimmy Sellers, <br />Coastal Technology (who had worked on the estimated expenses) provided a brief recap of the <br />costs associated with the Audubon House. <br />Several Commissioners expressed support for the Audubon House in concept, but were <br />concerned about the possibility that locating its facility on government property might limit the <br />Audubon Society's advocacy role. Additional concerns pertained to financial considerations; <br />site plan variations; the challenge of maintaining volunteer staffing; the possibility of the <br />University of Florida revoking its easement on the Florida Medical Entomology Lab's property; <br />and possible inappropriate use of Government conservation land. <br />Further discussion ensued between the Board and Dr. Baker, who provided additional <br />details on some of PIAS's plans for the Audubon House. <br />Chairman O'Bryan advised that he would support the lease only if the PIAS severed its <br />advocacy efforts from environmental education, and created a totally independent non-profit <br />organization to run the Audubon House strictly as an educational center (similar to the <br />Environmental Learning Center). <br />Attorney Glenn, responding to concerns expressed earlier, reported that he has on file a <br />letter from the Federal Communities Trust (FCT) that would serve to maintain the access <br />easement from the Florida Medical Entomology Lab property, in the event future administrations <br />objected to any advocacy efforts of the PIAS. <br />23 <br />April 6, 2010 <br />