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Board of County Commissioners Meeting Minutes - Final June 18, 2024 <br />transferable, and an in-depth environmental assessment would need to be done on <br />the 2.4 acre parcel. Commissioner Moss expressed concern there was not an <br />appraisal or estimated value for the property at this time. <br />County Attorney Bill DeBraal informed that the Board had the choice to keep the <br />property or declare it surplus. If declared surplus, there were two (2) paths to <br />move forward: 1) solicit bids for the property and sell to the highest bidder, or 2) <br />negotiate with an adjacent property owner for sale of the property, subject to the <br />process detailed. Attorney DeBraal informed that the County had been <br />approached by attorney Bruce Barkett, counsel for Sea Oaks, requesting the <br />latter approach. <br />Commissioner Moss was advised a valuation would be done after the property <br />had been declared surplus. County Administrator John Titkanich informed the <br />Board he received a last-minute proposal for the property that needed to be <br />reviewed. <br />The Board was in favor of declaring the property surplus, and discussion <br />continued on which path to follow. <br />A motion was made by Vice Chairman Flescher, seconded by Commissioner <br />Earman, approve declaring the Sea Oaks property as surplus. The motion <br />carried by the following vote: <br />Aye: 5 - Chairman Adams, Vice Chairman Flescher, Commissioner Earman, <br />Commissioner Moss, and Commissioner Loar <br />The question of which path to take continued as Mr. Barkett addressed the <br />Board on behalf of his client who was very interested in purchasing the parcel. <br />Mr. Barkett outlined the reasons to first negotiate with Sea Oaks which included <br />the community's ownership of all the available adjacent property, allowing the cell <br />tower to remain with County via a maintenance easement, their knowledge of the <br />environmental clean-up needed, and the difficulty and intrusiveness for a new <br />owner to develop the property. He also pointed out the property had been given <br />to the County by Sea Oaks for the purpose of a WWTF, which was now <br />decommissioned. Mr. Barkett noted that if negotiations with Sea Oaks fell <br />through, the County could still sell the parcel to the highest bidder. <br />The Commissioners agreed with Mr. Barkett's request to negotiate with Sea <br />Oaks, positing the community should have the first opportunity to negotiate for the <br />previously donated property. Additionally, the County had no planned use for the <br />parcel and the location made it prohibitive for other development. Commissioner <br />Moss again expressed concern for moving forward down either path before <br />knowing the value of the property. Administrator Titkanich confirmed an appraisal <br />would be part of the negotiations, as well as an in-depth environmental study. <br />A motion was made by Vice Chairman Flescher, seconded by Commissioner <br />Indian River County Florida Page 13 <br />