Meeting Called to
Order
Reid Hughes,
Chair, called the meeting to order at 3:05p.m.
Roll Call
Reid Hughes,
Chair, instructed the Recording Secretary to call the roll, in which five
(5) Members were present to establish a Quorum.
Approval of
Minutes
There was no
motion for approval of the July 11, 2001, minutes.
Discussion of
SJRWMD Land Acquisition Program
Ray Bunton,
Director of the Division of Land Acquisition, SJRWMD, presented a map of
Volusia County Conservation Lands and explained what the different areas
of color represented (i.e., green – public ownership (state, federal or
local); red – potential acquisition areas identified by SJRWMD; yellow
– SJRWMD ownership; and rust – municipal boundaries). He further
explained that the big focus is on the conservation/recreation land
project (CARL Project) which is the Volusia Conservation Corridor. This
project is of very high importance to SJRWMD because of its water resource
protection, which could be surface water, ground water for drinking
purposes; wildlife corridor protection; public recreation and use; etc.
SJRWMD has only been able to buy one (1) 417 acre parcel. He described
some of the other projects SJRWMD has been and are currently working on,
such as Lake George out parcels, south side of Lake Ashby and the Ranier
project. The major problem SJRWMD has faced is sellers with unrealistic
asking prices, especially with the Hwy. 44 corridor. He described SJRWMD’s
acquisition program as a "willing seller" program and the type
of lands/projects SJRWMD would acquire (i.e., water resource,
environmentally sensitive, etc.). He explained that SJRWMD does not
utilize the power of condemnation except for flood protection and water
storage. He expressed that the "willing seller" and the
willingness to work with appraisals are key to any land acquisition
program. Other obstacles will be developers, as they are not restricted by
funding and/or other procedures.
Chairman Reid
Hughes explained that patience would be important in the process of land
acquisition along with the necessity to work with the Comprehensive Plan.
Discussion ensued
with regards to zoning, rezoning and how this could effect the land
acquisition process, specifically in regards to the Volusia Conservation
Corridor.
Doug Weaver
explained that the Comprehensive Plan for Volusia County was established
in 1990, and the Zoning for the County was conformed to the Comprehensive
Plan in 1992 (east side) and 1994 (west side). Therefore, Volusia County
has established consistency with Zoning and the Comprehensive Plan. He
explained that a Comprehensive Plan amendment would be necessary in most
cases to obtain the type of density that is desired.
Chairman Reid
Hughes expressed the importance of informing the County Council of the
need to protect the Volusia Conservation Corridor from roads and
development impacts. He further explained that the corridor is a water
recharge area, which will greatly effect the aquifer if it is not
protected.
Rob Walsh
introduced Deanna Kinnard, who assisted with Alachua County’s Land
Acquisition Program.
Deanna Kinnard
explained that Alachua County underwent a process similar to Volusia
County’s where the bonding issue was addressed and a ranking/rating
criteria was developed. She stressed the importance of prioritizing the
projects, and to not overlook projects just because they did not rank as
Number 1 or Number 2. She recommended utilizing common sense and staff
reports when making decisions on which projects to recommend for
acquisition.
After Chairman
Reid Hughes requested that staff draft a letter for his signature, Member
Doug Daniels made a motion creating a "formal request" to the
PLDRC and County Council to consider the road and development impacts on
the Volusia Conservation Corridor before issuing development orders
thereby protecting said corridor. Member Anne Hallum seconded the motion
that carried unanimously by voice vote.
Discussion of
Final Application Form
Chairman
Reid Hughes requested approval of the "Final" Land Acquisition
Program Application form.
Doug Weaver
recommended changing the "Owner’s Authorized Representative"
form by deleting "to the Volusia Forever Advisory Committee." He
also recommended changing "Authorization to Enter Property" by
adding Letter E, which would read: Environmental assessments.
Member Gordon Kipp
made a motion to approve the Land Acquisition Program Application, as
amended. Member Dennis Bayer seconded the motion that carried unanimously
by voice vote.
Discussion of
Letter to County Council
Chairman
Reid Hughes presented the letter addressed to the Chair of the County
Council (Dwight D. Lewis), which requests for assistance in promoting the
Volusia Conservation Corridor from the "B" list to the
"A" list.
Discussion ensued
with regards to whom the letter should be addressed to, and to include
issues such as the aquifer, endangered species, etc.
Member Dennis
Bayer recommended specifying whom the mobilization support needs to be
targeted toward.
Members Dennis
Bayer and Gordon Kipp recommended sending/addressing the letter to the
Acquisition and Restoration Council.
Chairman Reid
Hughes recommended addressing the issue of the project’s current ranking
("B" list) and the necessity for the project to be returned to
the "A" list. He further recommended an addition where the
County Council calls for broad public support from elected officials,
cities, etc.
Member Gordon Kipp
made a motion to prepare the letter to County Council, as amended. Member
Dennis Bayer seconded the motion that carried unanimously by voice vote.
Discussion and
Approval of Change to Meeting Dates
Chairman
Reid Hughes informed the Committee that the meeting dates would be changed
to the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of every month starting on
August 15, 2001, thereby avoiding any scheduling conflicts with
the Volusia ECHO meetings. The time would remain the same, 3:00p.m. –
5:00p.m. The meeting place would be changed to the VOTRAN Facility on Big
Tree Road in South Daytona for the first three meetings (08/15/01,
09/05/01 and 09/19/01). The Committee was advised that staff would update
them with meeting place(s) for the remaining meetings.
Member Doug
Daniels made a motion to adopt the change in meeting dates (1st and 3rd
Wednesday of every month). Member Anne Hallum seconded the motion that
carried unanimously by voice vote.
Rob Walsh informed
the Committee that a new meeting schedule would be provided in the next
agenda package.
Discussion ensued
with regards to the County Council meeting on August 9, 2001, with the
August 8, 2001, joint meeting with Volusia Forever and ECHO being
postponed until after this meeting of the County Council. Jamie Seaman
explained that the County Council would be clarifying Volusia Forever and
ECHO’s roles with regards to which Committee is to fund what type of
projects (i.e., beach access, improvements). She further explained that
County Council developed Resolution 2000-155 based on the Florida Forever
Statutes, which were provided to the Committee.
Sub-Committee
Status Report on Resolution-01
Member Doug
Daniels, Chairman of the Sub-Committee, presented the Sub-Committee’s
"Draft" Resolution-01, which was created after the meeting on
Friday, July 20, 2001. He referenced the following sections of
Resolution 2000-155 and expressed the need to follow closely to this
document:
Page 3, Sub-Paragraph B, which
explains what the mill is to be used for (acquisition of water resource
and environmentally sensitive land for conservation and public use);
Ballot Summary, Page 5,
which broadens the usage to include improvements and outdoor recreation.
He explained that the Ballot Summary (per Florida Statute 161) is simply a
summary of what you are voting on and should not be considered when
determining what the Committee is being charged with doing.
Page 8, Section X, Policies
and Procedures, 2nd sentence (Each Project must state a public purpose for
the restoration, conservation, or preservation of environmentally
sensitive land and water areas and for providing public use
opportunities), which again states and emphasizes the type of land as
water resource and environmentally sensitive.
Page 8, Section XI,
Acquisition Goals, which already provides a list of goals. He expressed
the need to utilize what has already been approved/adopted and what is
best suited for the County.
He explained that
additions were bolded and the omissions/deletions where lined through. He
further explained and reviewed some of the changes as follows:
Page 1 –
addition of "Water Resource Protection and Outdoor Recreation"
– incorporated per Resolution 2000-155 (water resource) and broadened
to include outdoor recreation.
Page 4 –
Section 2 – Initial Authorization of Bonds - addition of "and in
subsequent years the County Council may authorize additional series of
bonds." This was added to address the issue of funding of current
projects and the issue of "pay as you go." He recommended
further discussion with the County Council.
He explained
that throughout the remainder of the document various areas were
broadened to best reflect the intent of Resolution 2000-155, and to fall
in line with State statutes and guidelines.
He explained
that the issue of Ranking Criteria needed to be addressed and expressed
concerns with a points system. He further explained that "Primary
and Enhancement" criteria were developed to better follow
Resolution 2000-155, which focuses initially on "water resource and
environmentally sensitive" lands as the primary criteria and any
other features would be enhancements.
Discussion
ensued with regards to Resolution 2000-155. Jamie Seaman explained that
Resolution 2000-155 was developed, based on County Council directions,
with the intent to mimic the Florida Forever Act as much as possible and
it addresses the many different types of properties. The County Council’s
biggest concern was it did not want active recreation but they did want
resource based recreation. She explained that County Council’s intent
is to include historical and archeological lands, and that the Committee
should not loose sight of this intent. She referenced Florida Statutes
253.034, 253.7825, 259.101, and 259.105, which were provided to the
Committee for reference so they could better understand how Resolution
2000-155 was developed and what is the intent of the County Council.
These Statues also define the difference between active recreation and
resource based recreation. She expressed the need for clarification from
the County Council on issues of intent regarding historical and
archeological lands.
Chairman Reid
Hughes recommended that the Sub-Committee meet to refine Resolution-01
taking into consideration all the issues and intents.
Member Dennis
Bayer recommended incorporating language which reflects the intent with
regards to "resource based recreation". He agreed with Member
Doug Daniels regarding the points value. He presented the question,
"Does every land acquisition transaction have to be matched by
another funding mechanism?"
Jamie Seaman
explained that it is the intent to utilize matching funds in all land
acquisition transactions. She referenced Section X, Policies and
Procedures, Page 8 of Resolution 2000-155, which states: "it is the
intent of the program to achieve maximum impact by partnering with other
entities through award or acceptance of grants, joint projects and other
cooperative efforts."
Member Dennis
Bayer expressed the need to be flexible on this issue to avoid any
exclusion of potential acquisitions.
Member Doug
Daniels explained the importance of developing guidelines, utilizing
staff reports and creating a process with flexibility.
Chairman Reid
Hughes recommended that the Sub-Committee meet to resolve and address
issues such as matching funds, outdoor recreation, ranking criteria,
etc.
Member Doug
Daniels agreed that the Sub-Committee would meet again to resolve
remaining issues and to present a finalized/revised Resolution-01 to the
Committee at the August 15, 2001, meeting.
Discussion Topics
for Next Meeting (August 15, 2001)
Chairman Reid
Hughes requested the following to be topics:
Sub-Committee
Status Report on Resolution-01
Approval of July
11, 2001, Minutes
Adjournment
Meeting adjourned at 5:00p.m.
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