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HomeMy WebLinkAbout5/20/1966FRIDAY, MAY 20, 1966 The Board of County Commissioners of Indian River County met in Special Session on Friday, May 20, 1966, at 10:30 o'clock A. M. with Mr. Richard N. Brock, Director of the Industrial Division, Florida Development Commission, Mr. William Van Gelder, manager of the division, and Mr. John P. Barron, Manager of the Miami branch, Florida Development Commission. D. B. McCullers, Vice -Chairman of the Board of County Commissioners conducted the meeting. Members of the Board present were Donald Macdonald, B. Q. Waddell, and Jerre J. Haffield. Also John H. Sutherland, County Attorney; Edwin S. Schmucker, County Engineer; Mr. Arthur E. "Art" Karst, State Representative from Indian River County; Mr. John Cann, Mayor of the City of Fellsmere and Fellsmere City Counicil members, Joe Bussey, Americus Day, Clint Fredell and Leroy Medlin; Mr. Gilbert E. Smith, President of the Fellsmere Farms Drainage District and member, D. C. Watts; and L. B. Vocelle, Attorney for the City of Fellsmere; George Heath, Attorney for the Fellsmere Farms Drainage District; Homer C. Fletcher, Tax Assessor, and Alfred H. Webber and Ruth Elliott Deputy Clerks. Homer C. Fletcher, spokesman for the Fellsmere City Council, outlined to the members of the Florida Development Commission the problem facing the City of Fellsmere. He stated that the State owns a major portion of the City of Fellsmere under Murphy Act deed and title is vested now in the State. He pointed out the particular lots shown on a map which was viewed by those present. This property has not been productive of any income to the State, County, City of Fellsmere, or Fellsmere Drainage District for over thirty years. The City of Fellsmere has lost its major economic source (in the closing of the Okeelanta Sugar Refinery) and they would like for the State and its agencies to use this land as a means of inducing some worthwhile industry to locate in that area. He further stated that the City and the Drainage District have indicated that they are prepared to request any necessary special legislation, and MAY ?0 196616( muti7 are prepared to go along with any proper zoning needed in the area. He pointed out that there is plenty of available land if an industry needed to expand. The reservoir of the Central and Southern Florida Flood Control District, as they begirt to start to work, will provide adequate recreational, water and drainage facilities, that I-95 is projected to come near by, and that the property is adjacent to Florida Power & Light lines and Houston Texas Gas lines. He asked that the Florida Development Commission assist the City of Fellsmere in putting this land into the active land market and to assist in marketing the land to suitable industry. Mr. Brock stated that he understood that the Trustees of the Internal Improvement Fund have certain rules and regulations under which they must operate and that he believed, under the present rules, they could'not- do what the people want. He understood that there are certain minimum bid requirements for this type of land unless the rules can be changed. Mr. Vocelle stated that the City of Fellsmere has presented the problem on many occasions and that many representatives from Fellsmere have appeared in order to get the lands back so that they can be an asset to the City instead of lying dormant. It was brought out that the taxes which have accumulated have been properly assessed by the drainage district, county and the city. Mr. Brock asked how much land is involved. It is approximately 400 acres in the city limits of Fellsmere. Representative Karst asked how much taxes have accumulated. There were no figures available; but Mr. Fletcher stated over thirty years worth, plus taxes and penalties. Mr. Sutherland stated that he understood when the Trustees convey to a public body different rules and regulations apply than in the case of conveyance to individuals. He suggested that the Fellsmere Drainage District secure the land from the Trustees and pass it to the City of Fellsmere. The Indian River Farms Drainage District had purchased similar land and conveyed it with a minimum amount of consideration and in that way eliminated drainage district taxes. The City of Fellsmere would then. �Y : d 196 BOOK PAC 618 r become the eventual owner of the property but the title request would come through the Fellsmere Drainage District which would simply sell the property to the City of Fellsmere and likewise the Trustees could take a minimum bid becuase it is coming from a governmental body. Mr. Fletcher brought out that the present Indian River Memorial Hospital site is land where the Trustees released it to a governmental body. Mr. Brock asked the estimated value of the land on today's market. Mr. Bussey stated it wasn't worth very much. r. It,was._pointed out that it is a dead, frozen asset and value of surrounding land which sold two or three years ago was $200 per acre. Although, this is a platted,boom-time subdivison, there are no streets built and it would have to be considered as acreage, wild land. Mr. Bussey stated that he was hoping the State would forget the taxes and turn it back to the City who would dispose of it at a reason- able able price. No person could pay the price with the back taxes. Mr. Cann stated that at one time the City had a sale for that property and had been getting it for $5 per lot from the State, so they sent the State a check for $5 a lot for the property and about six weeks later got the check back saying the State wanted $10 per lot. Mr. Brock said: that: he.:wondered'...whetherthe'.:Trustees.were rea/ly in_:posseseion of all the facts. He suggested that it be pointed out that this was a boom -time subdivision with 25° lots. He also raised the question if the City Council could cancel the plat and it was the opinion that it could be done. Mr. Vocelle brought out in discussing the abandoning of the plat, that actually the State owns it and usually the request to abandon is from the owner itself. He suggested actually presenting this problem to the Trustees of the I I Fund in not too distant future. Mr. Brock suggested a real full scale presentation with photographs to give the Trustees the full picture of the prob iem. MAY 20 SEt max 9 P tE 61 Mr. Brock asked how many lots are 25° lots. He was told that approximately one-half are 50° lots, one-half are 25° lots and that there are approximately 2,392 lots in all. Mr. A. H. Webber asked if the fact of the closing of the sugar mill might be used as making this situation unique as compared with other cities having State-owned lands. Mr. Brock said yes, it would be proof of hardship. Mr. Brock said it should be brought out that when the Trustees sell Murphy Act land, there is a minimum bid, plus back taxes, and in showing the back taxes, it makes it unrealistic, in this case, to sell it that way. Mr. Medlin asked that assuming we can overcome the obstacles and the members of the Commission have been convinced that there is adequate water, drainage, utilities and availability of lands surrounding the area, what does the Commission think about these lands as they are located? Mr. Brock answered that there is more to consider, one thing is the availability of labor. They would have to study what type of industry would best utilize the land and meet with this type of industry and try to sell the land. Merely the availability of land is not enough, there is so much in Florida. Another point is that it is not on a railroad, which might be a detriment. Mr. Brock stated that the 1960 census showed the population of Fellsmere as 732 and asked how many were employed at the refinery. The answer was approximately 200 plus migrant farming labor. He stated there was a possibility that the area might q,71 ualify, under the Economic Development Administration, for technical assistance grants which could be used for feasibility studies. Mr. Forace Holland,,,working with the Florida Development Commission office, is the Florida coordinator for the Economic, Development Administration. titic 114 Commissioner Waddell, summarizing the discussion, stated: 1. That he would question the advisability of abandoning the plat at this time, stating that if this is done, money would have to be spent to survey the land and that the land would not change physically. 2. Suggested tax figures from the City of Fellsmere and the Fellsmere Drainage District and have these ready for presentation and have a bonafide appraisal of the property, possibly from the Tax Assessor. 3. That the City of Fellsmere and the Drainage District should get together and formulate a definite agreement showing that the Drainage District is going to convey the property to the City of Fellsmere. 4.That a delegation, consisting of representatives from the City Council of Fellsmere, the Board of County Commissioners, the Fellsmere Drainage District, together with Legislative delegates and any other interested citizens, make a trip to discuss the total situation with the Trustees, bringing along aerial photographs and plats of the property. 5. After the property has been conveyed to the City .of Fellsmere, then is the time to abandon the streets and then suggested that a package plan to sell the land be made, making a brochure on the property with copies furnished to the Development Commission, the Chamber of Commerce all of whom will act as salesmen for selling this land to worthwhile industry. Mr. Brock suggested taking it a step further and have Mr. Parker, Director of the .Trustees of„=the_'Interna1dImprovement Fund, and their Attorney meet with the attorneys of the area and have them view the property. The plan outlined by Commissioner Waddell and Mr. Brock met with the approval of those present and Mr. Brock was requested to ask Mr. Parker to meet with them. Mr. Vocelle suggested that Mr. Forace Holland be requested to meet with them also. Mr. Brock stated that he was planning to -be down here the 26th of May and was sure that he would be most happy to meet with them. MAY 201 !Book .9 - G1 621 Commissioner Haffield suggested asking Mr. Larkin of the Comptroller's office to attend the meeting. Mr. Sutherland. asked if it would. not be advisable to have a representative from the Governor's office present at the meeting. Mr. Joe Chapman was suggested to be invited. Mr. Sutherland brought out that the County did not want to be listed as a depressed area and Mr. Brock assured him that it would not be. The meeting then adjourned. D. B. McCullers, Vice -Chairman Attest: Ralph''arris Clerk thlY a oi022