4/21/1998 - Laserfiche WebLink

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• MOTION WAS MADE by Commissioner Eggert, SECONDED by Commissioner Macht, that the Board authorize staff to submit the Wabasso Scrub Addition, Harmony Oaks, Oyster Bar Salt Marsh and Blue Goose sites for 50% cost -share funding under the Series 1998A FCT cycle, with the Blue Goose application contingent upon its listing on the LAAC site acquisition list, as recommended by staff. Commissioner Ginn, under discussion, expressed the fact that she had been concerned for sometime now about the direction the County is going relative to acquisitions of environmentally sensitive lands. There is only a 5.5 million dollar balance of the initial 15 million dollar bond issue. She believed that foremost in the taxpayers' minds was that the islands in the Indian River Lagoon remain undeveloped. She felt that a moratorium on spending should be in place until the Board has a full report on committed monies, pending transactions, the balance remaining, and re -prioritized lists of the lands involved. She directed staff to provide that information as well as copies of minutes of all the LAAC meetings as they occur in order to keep track of the funds and where we are in the purchases. Commissioner Macht noted that the Lost Tree Islands property is currently in litigation and the County has no standing in that suit. Commissioner Adams thought there was no question that LAAC constantly knows where they stand with regard to the funds and the lands involved. Commissioner Macht stated that LAAC is updated constantly and the charge to LAAC is to develop and prioritize the list under the guidelines they are given. The Lost Tree Island property is listed at about number 16 or 19. The acquisition procedure calls for developing the priority list and opening negotiations with the seller. If no agreement is made with the seller, then you move on to the next property. There was no specific charge on any specific property when the referendum was passed. He continued that there is nothing pristine about the Lost Tree Islands property and that the Prang property had archeological considerations and was an excellent purchase at a price well below the appraised value. Commissioner Ginn thought the Board should start listening to the public outcry and noted that people are calling the City in droves. Commissioner Macht also noted that the Cairns property had 1,000 feet of oceanfront property but was still purchased for less than the appraised value. APRIL 21, 1998 6 -71- d. �1j