Laserfiche WebLink
Chairman Stanbridge noted that Indian River Shores Mayor Thomas Cadden and <br />Vero Beach Vice Mayor Sandra Bowden were present. <br />Environmental & Code Enforcement Chief Roland DeBlois reviewed the memo using <br />a color graphic (page 305 of the backup). He advised that the City of Vero Beach and the <br />Town of Indian River Shores had agreed to split the Florida Communities Trust (FCT) <br />shortfall equally ($41,667 each) with the County. He pointed out that a decision in this <br />matter would require a super -majority vote. The local governments will have an 80-10-10 <br />interest in the property and the State will have a reversionary interest. Lost Tree Village has <br />made it clear they will not discuss selling the property until they have received a written <br />offer. A management plan will be developed after the acceptance of the offer. Such a plan <br />would include plans for habitat restoration, recreation areas and public access. There are <br />235 acres now in mostly Brazilian pepper and Australian pine trees. There is potential for <br />restoration costs which could be funded through future grants and spread over time. He then <br />reviewed the recommendation andthree conditions (as above in the memorandum). <br />Commissioner Ginn understood the matter before them did not include management <br />plans, and Mr. DeBlois explained that their vote at this meeting would only cover the <br />purchase contract and interlocal agreements. <br />There was a brief discussion about the status of McCuller's Point. <br />Matt Sexton of the Conservation Fund pointed out the importance of the Indian <br />River Lagoon as the nation's most bio -diverse estuary and all its assets. He made the <br />following points: the Purchase Contract is $15,000,000 for approximately 505 acres. The <br />contract includes all the islands and McCuller's Point. It includes language concerning the <br />settlement of all pending lawsuits and provides for no future lawsuits. For the benefit of <br />Lost Tree, the contract will be structured as a "bargain sale" contract for Internal Revenue <br />September 3, 2002 <br />