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BOOK .950 <br />William Koolage, 11 Vista Gardens Trail, addressed the issue <br />of whether the property owners would have recourse through the <br />title insurance companies. <br />Attorney O'Brien explained that the title insurance coverage <br />amounts are not enough to cover the value of the people's property. <br />Attorney Sherman N. Smith, Jr., announced that he represents <br />ll'of the property owners in the affected area of 4th. Street. He <br />contended that the State of Florida released this particular Murphy <br />Deed reservation. He felt certain his clients would win the <br />lawsuit, but the County has unlimited resources and staff <br />attorneys, and his clients do not have unlimited resources. <br />Therefore, he preferred to settle out of Court. He emphasized <br />that, although there are many Murphy Deed reservations throughout <br />the county, he did not believe there is another situation exactly <br />like this in the county. He suggested that the Board authorize a <br />meeting among the appropriate staff members and himself in an <br />attempt to resolve this. <br />Commissioner Bird asked if there was some action the Board <br />could take to resolve this today. <br />Attorney Vitunac advised that staff needs to conduct further <br />research. He asked Attorney Smith if he would be willing file a <br />motion for voluntary dismissal while County staff conducts its <br />research. Attorney Smith replied that he would recommend to his <br />clients that they proceed with the lawsuit. <br />Attorney Vitunac suggested that the County file the <br />appropriate motions but delay making a request for a hearing date. <br />He emphasized that the major question to be asked is, if the County <br />wins the lawsuit, is whether the Board is willing to force these <br />people out of their homes. <br />Commissioner Adams felt that these people have become victims, <br />and that this problem must be resolved. She asked staff to <br />research the alternatives and present them at a future Board <br />meeting. Meanwhile, the lawsuit can proceed. <br />Administrator Chandler stated that we need to determine <br />whether there is a way to resolve this dilemma in the best <br />interests of the County as well as the people who have homes there. <br />MOTION WAS MADE by Commissioner Bird, 'SECONDED by <br />Commissioner Eggert, to direct staff to respond to <br />the lawsuit, meet with Attorney Smith to find <br />alternative ways to resolve the issue, and present <br />the alternatives to the Board at a future meeting. <br />48 <br />