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RECOMMENDATION <br />Staff recommends that the Board of County Commissioners approve the Flinn Tract purchase <br />contract by agreeing to exercise its purchase option, contingent upon SJRWMD and FIND cost -share <br />participation. Staff also recommends that the Board authorize staff to proceed with property closing <br />tasks in coordination with the SJRWMD and FIND, and authorize the Board Chairman to execute <br />any documents associated with the closing. <br />Chairman Eggert announced that because both items had been advertised for today, she <br />would open the meeting for any comments from persons who are unable to be here on October <br />14th, 1997. These items will be continued to October 14, 1997 because Commissioner Macht <br />is unable to be here today. <br />Thereupon, the Chairman opened the public hearing and asked if anyone wished to be <br />heard in this matter. <br />Toni Robinson, 1111 Indian Mound Trail, of the Indian River Land Trust, believed the <br />property should be conserved and improved for the general public. Ms. Robinson requested <br />that the Board exercise the purchase option of the Irwin tract and felt that tract is the most <br />ecologically valuable of its type in Florida. She believed the open spaces will increase the <br />value of nearby properties with their scenic vistas, turtle nesting beaches, and opportunities for <br />ecological tourism. She commended staff who have been working for years to bring about this <br />opportunity and felt their efforts to obtain the CARL monies is a real achievement. This <br />property is contiguous to the Cairns property and will help fulfill the goals of the County's <br />Comp Plan. LAAC ranked it third out of 19 projects. <br />Tim Granse, 36 Pine Harbor Lane, felt there should be a workshop before the actual <br />vote. Mr. Granse emphasized his personal inspection of each of the LAAC properties <br />purchased and felt the purchase price for the Irwin parcel is much too high. <br />Mr. Granse said that he had checked with the Property Appraiser's Office and had been <br />informed that if that property had been assessed at the proposed purchase price, it would be <br />bringing in $176,000 per year in taxes which would pay for a lot of children's sidewalks. Also, <br />if the property were developed in a similar manner to The Island Club across the street, it would <br />be bringing in a tax base in excess of $100,000,000. <br />OCTOBER 7, 1997 <br />