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INDIAN RIVER COUNTY, FLORIDA INTEROFFICE MEMORANDUM Department of General Services Parks & Recreation — Conservation Lands Date: February 2, 2022 To: The Honorable Board of County Commissioners Through: Michael Zito, Asst. County Administrator Kevin Kirwin, Director Parks & Recreation From: Beth Powell, Assistant Director Parks & Conservation Resources Subject: North Sebastian Conservation Area — Request to Amend Florida Department of Environmental Protection Grant Award Agreement FCT Project No. 95-025-P56 W DESCRIPTIONS AND CONDITIONS In early 2000, the County acquired the —407 acre North Sebastian Conservation Area (NSCA) through several separate purchases. Each of these purchases involved a Florida Communities Trust (FCT) cost -share contribution and an environmental land bond fund expenditure. The City of Sebastian was a partner in each of the acquisitions and associated grant applications making them a party to the Grant Award Agreement (GAA). As is typical of FCT cost share acquisitions, the County, as part of its conceptual approval agreement with FCT, committed to making public access improvements to the North Sebastian Conservation Area. These improvements were programmed for construction over a number of years with the anticipation that grant funds would provide a portion of the funding for the improvements. In 2004, the County received and implemented public use improvements at the conservation area with funding from a Land and Water Conservation Fund grant. These improvements included substantial boardwalks and overlook observation areas, as well as trail improvements for hiking and passive recreation. During this time, the City of Sebastian had begun improvements to the Friendship Park area which included construction of a new picnic shelter, restrooms and parking adjacent to the Conservation Area. It was determined at this time that additional restroom facilities on the conservation area would unnecessarily duplicate services already offered by the City's park facility and adjacent City Hall Complex. County staff has been working with FCT staff to determine whether or not the restroom requirement could be removed from the original GAA. Based on the County's extensive provision of trails and amenities coupled with the City's park facilities, this request has been approved by FCT staff and an Amendment to the GAA has been provided for the City and County's consideration and approval. The City of Sebastian City Council approved the Grant Award Agreement Amendment Number 1 at their January 26, 2022 City Council meeting. 53