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ANALYSIS When the Sebastian Harbor Preserve property was acquired in 2007, land values were at their peak prior to the economic down turn. The property was acquired at a price of $13.7 million ($84,220 per acre), which was 91% of the approved appraised value at that time. In the County's 2011 grant application, the County applied for $5 million in FCT cost -share funds (36% of acquisition costs), which was the maximum amount allowed under an FCT grant cycle. Although the +$1.167 million that is now available for FCT cost -share reimbursement is substantially less than the amount originally requested, it is still a considerable amount of funding that can be put to use toward site improvements at Sebastian Harbor Preserve and towards conservation lands management in general. In applying for the FCT grant in 2011, the County committed to providing certain public access improvements to garner points for project ranking and funding. Those improvements, which are identified in the proposed grant agreement, include: • Construction of at least two recreational facilities (e.g., picnic pavilion and wildlife observation platform) • Installation of trails (at least 1/2 mile in length) • Construction of stormwater improvement facilities (doubling as a wildlife pond) • Installation of a permanent recognition sign (acknowledging the FCT grant funding) • Interconnection of trails and parking with the Sebastian Stormwater Park (to the south) • Installation of Interpretative kiosks/signs Under the proposed 2017 grant agreement, the County has until November 30, 2018 to submit a complete project plan, including an approved management plan (i.e., formalization of the conceptual site plan submitted with the 2011 grant application). In addition to the management plan, FCT staff has advised that an appraisal review and an updated Phase 1 environmental site assessment (ESA) will also be required. Although the management plan can be drafted by staff in-house, the appraisal review and ESA will need to be contracted, at a combined cost estimate of $15,000 to $20,000. FUNDING Funding for the appraisal review and ESA ($15,000 to $20,000 in expenditure prior to receipt of the grant reimbursement) is proposed to come from environmental land acquisition bond proceeds (Account #14514639-033190, "other professional services"). The FCT reimbursement, once received, is proposed to be earmarked for improvement costs at Sebastian Harbor Preserve and in general for conservation lands improvements and management funding. RECOMMENDATION Staff recommends that the Board of County Commissioners approved the Sebastian Harbor Preserve grant agreement, and authorize the Board Chairman to execute the agreement on behalf of the County. ATTACHMENTS 1. Sebastian Harbor Preserve location maps and conceptual site plan. 2. County grant information form. 3. Proposed grant agreement with attachments. 2 C:\Users\legistar\AppData\LocaiNTemp\BCLTechnologies\easyPDF 8\@BCL@540E 139B\@BCL@540E 139B.rtf am