5/26/1998 - Laserfiche WebLink

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0 - 0 done. She viewed that they were left with a pure business deal if the County wanted the islands. She thought they should take the 30 days to review it. She felt it was folly to believe that land values would go down and that we can "dicker". She felt it would be a shame to lose this opportunity to purchase the islands, however, if the majority of the Commissioners do not want it, that is the way it will be. She reminded them that by passing what was before them, they still had 30 days to evaluate a final vote. She truly believed the Board should purchase the islands for the future of Indian River County and she would vote against the motion on the floor. Chairman Tippin stated he could not go along with the condemnation nor the Warning by Lost Tree Village if the County purchased the islands. He had reluctantly voted for the $10.5 million, but that was bottom line in his mind. He would not mind giving another 30 days, but could not agree to condemnation. The condemnation aspect had also bothered Commissioner Adams. She also felt the value of that had not been negotiated. Going around the FCT also disturbed her. She had thought that the $10.5 million was the price, but what came back was higher and stronger. She felt it was a lose -lose deal for the County. All of the Commissioners supported purchasing the islands, but there were too many impediments under this proposition. She had confidence in our Comprehensive Land Use Plan and that of the State, and felt we had to work more closely with the State. She advised that June 30' was not a good day for her as she had scheduled a vacation for that 5' Tuesday and it would be very difficult for her to make changes in order to be present at the meeting.. Commissioner Ginn believed that if the Board ever intends for the public to have faith in anything they ask of them in the future, the Board should buy the islands. She referred to a map from 1992 when she was on the City of Vero Beach Council and the islands were part of the planned acquisitions. She quoted a statement of Commissioner Eggert's from the brochure. They had heard pros and cons here today and she took issue with some of the misstatements she had heard. She was very impressed with the appraisal done by Armfield Wagner in 1993. She felt the owners of the islands had taken into consideration the price the County paid for the Cairns property. If the Board does not move forward today with the purchase of the islands, the islands will be lost. Because the negotiations are complex did not mean they are illegal or immoral. She did not feel any pressure in this matter and had taken the time to review everything. She felt this was part of a concerted effort to buy the islands. She pointed out that the number of acres of environmental lands purchased in the May 26, 1998 43