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Board of County Commissioners Meeting Minutes - Final February 1, 2022 <br />Commissioner Adams thanked Managing Director of the Solid Waste Disposal <br />District Himanshu Mehta for bringing the Recycling Bill to the Board's <br />attention and to Ms. Forst for keeping the Board updated. <br />It was the Board's consensus to 1) direct staff to contact the County's Lobbyist <br />Group in regard to the Board's opposition to House Bill 349, and 2) add House <br />Bill 349 to the list of approved Legislative Priorities. <br />B. Commissioner Joseph H. Earman, Vice Chairman <br />C. Commissioner Susan Adams <br />U.C.1. 22-0091 Proposed 2022 Environmental Land Bond Referendum <br />Recommended Action: Discussion <br />Attachments: Commissioner's Memo - Land Bond Referendum <br />[Clerk's note: This discussion was a continuation of Item 5. C.] <br />Chairman O'Bryan turned over discussion to Commissioner Adams who <br />supported the referendum, and requested input from the Board and staff. <br />Commissioner Flescher expressed his view that the timing of this initiative was <br />not favorable in light of the uncertainty surrounding the financial markets. <br />Vice Chairman Earman supported land preservation given the recent increase in <br />development; he noted that the bond may assist the County in obtaining <br />additional grants. Commissioner Moss added her full support for the initiative. <br />Chairman O'Bryan observed that preserved green spaces were integral to the <br />appeal of the County's quality of life. <br />There was agreement among Commissioners and County Administrator Jason <br />Brown regarding the importance of allocating funds for initial land <br />improvements such as invasive species removal and increased public access. <br />Joseph Paladin, Developer, expressed his support for the referendum. <br />A motion was made by Commissioner Adams, seconded by Vice Chairman <br />Earman, to direct staff to: 1) work with the Indian River Land Trust and local <br />environmental organizations to draft ballot language and a resolution for a $50 <br />million land conservation bond to be placed on the November 8, 2022 ballot; and <br />2) return with the draft language for the Board's approval. The motion carried by <br />the following vote: <br />Aye: 4 - Chairman O'Bryan, Vice Chairman Earman, Commissioner Adams, and <br />Commissioner Moss <br />Nay: 1 - Commissioner Flescher <br />Indian River County Florida Page 16 <br />