9/14/1993 - Laserfiche WebLink

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r - UP X41993 BOOK 90 PvU 527 Commissioner Adams believed that has been the trouble with government's argument that it's not what the property's value is, it's what its value is to us, and she felt that maybe we need to look at that in some way. She was not sure that a supermajority vote was the answer because the Board has had some 3-2 votes. She felt that to allow passive recreation is a very simple way to give public access and to educate people on conservation. Commissioner Adams believed we have a responsibility to make these lands accessible to the public whenever possible. Mr. Palmer also wished to discuss the cost of the maintenance plans for these lands. He urged the Board to make sure that the County's Land Acquisition Guide requires that a realistic projection of annual maintenance costs be completed and made a part of the management plan before any further lands are purchased with the money from the $26 million bond project. Bill Koolage of Vista Gardens noted that he sat through the meetings when it was decided to go to referendum on the acquisition of environmentally sensitive lands. He urged the Board to consider all of the citizens of this county, not just the few avid groups who advocate the protection of such things as beach mice, etc., and spend the taxpayers' dollars in a frugal manner when it is in the best interest of this county. He didn't think the Commission always does that and that they only get called to task in a situation like this when somebody says they are watching. Mr. Koolage emphasized that he and the taxpayers are looking for the biggest bang for the buck, and he encouraged the Board to put the $26 -million cap on the total expenditures which would include the matching grants. Harold Putnam, local attorney, advised that he was a member of the Finance Advisory Committee when this issue was initiated and had recommended the purchase of the Oslo Road tract about 12 years ago. He agreed with Commissioners Macht, Adams and Eggert about pursuing matching grants, etc., and pointed out that the wording on the ballot was very carefully worked out and presented to the taxpayers. It said that the County is not to bond more than $26 million, that the County has 15 years to use the bond money, and that any land acquired must be for three purposes - open space, wildlife protection and water quality. He believed that the taxpayers would have good grounds to object to the purchase of any parcel that did not meet one of these three objectives. Mr. Putnam didn't agree with Commissioner Macht's statement about not having the right to keep the public off of lands purchased with public funds. There might be good reasons for keeping the public off of the Oslo riverfront property, for 26 M M