VOLUSIA FOREVER ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Minutes
Wednesday, April 21, 2004
3:30p.m. - 5:30p.m.
VOTRAN Bus Facility
950 Big Tree Road, South Daytona, Fl 32119

Also in Attendance

Meeting Called to Order
Carrie Stewart, Chair, called the meeting to order at 3:34p.m.

Roll Call
Carrie Stewart, Chair, instructed the Recording Secretary to record the roll of the Members in attendance, in which six (6) Members were present. Members Anne Hallum, Linda White and Robert Williams were recorded as an Excused Absence.

Approval of Minutes
Carrie Stewart, Chair called for a motion to approve the March 17, 2004, Minutes. Member Gordon Kipp made a motion to approve the March 17, 2004, Minutes, as presented. Member JoAnn O'Bannon seconded the motion that carried by unanimous voice vote.

Election of Chair and Vice-Chair
Chair Carrie Stewart turned the meeting over to Vice-Chair Phil Maroney to conduct the election of the Chair.

Rob Walsh reminded the Committee that the current Chair and Vice-Chair could be re-elected to serve a second one-year term, but they could not serve more than two (2) consecutive one-year terms.

Vice-Chair Phil Maroney called for nominations for Chair.

Member Reid Hughes made a motion to re-elect Member Carrie Stewart as Chair. Member Alan Alshouse seconded the motion that carried unanimously by voice vote and Member Carrie Stewart was re-elected as Chair.

Vice-Chair Phil Maroney turned the meeting back over to the Chair, Carrie Stewart, who called for nominations for Vice-Chair.

Member Reid Hughes made a motion to re-elect Member Phil Maroney for Vice-Chair. Member JoAnn O'Bannon seconded the motion that carried unanimously by voice vote and Member Phil Maroney was re-elected as Vice-Chair.

Carrie Stewart, Chair, asked for introductions before starting with the business part of the meeting. County staff and the Committee Members introduced themselves. Public attendees included a representative for a property owner: James Weekley.

Discussion and Determination of Eligibility for Submitted Applications
Rob Walsh explained that the Committee would be reviewing two (2) properties that have been submitted for the 1st Cycle of 2004 and determining whether these properties are eligible for further consideration under the Volusia Forever Program. He reminded the Committee that Resolution 2004-80 requires an affirmative vote of at least five (5) Members in order for a property to be determined as eligible.

1. Parramore's Camp, Inc. Property - Rob Walsh provided additional photographs and the following information about this property:
   1. it is 33 acres in size consisting of wetlands (3.9 acres), pine forest (10.75 acres), developed campground (8 acres), pasture lands, and a sewerage treatment facility;
   2. it is located on the St. Johns River, which is an American Heritage River, near the Town of Pierson;
   3. it is in close proximity to the Lake George State Forest;
   4. it is not located within the Volusia Conservation Corridor, as indicated on the application;
   5. it is an active commercial establishment;
   6. and it meets 4 of the Committee's 26 ranking criteria with 1 of the 14 Primary Criteria being met.

Rob Walsh reminded the Committee that Resolution 2004-80 requires that an application must meet a minimum of 4 of the 14 Primary Site Ranking Criteria to be considered as eligible for further consideration. He also reminded the Committee that an application for a similar type of property (active commercial establishment) had previously been submitted to them for consideration and was determined as ineligible.

Discussion ensued with several Members commenting that this is an active commercial establishment (fish camp) with multiple structures and fails to meet at least four (4) of the Primary Site Ranking Criteria.

Member Reid Hughes made a motion to accept the Parramore's Camp, Inc. Property Application as an eligible project. Member JoAnn O'Bannon seconded the motion that failed by a voice vote of 0 to 6, as Resolution 2004-80 requires an affirmative vote of at least five (5) Members to pass.

1. D Ranch Limited Property - Rob Walsh provided the following information about this property:
   1. it is 482 acres in size consisting of four (4) parcels;
   2. it is located at the intersection of Reed Ellis Road and CR 415 with approximately 1 mile of CR 415 frontage;
   3. it consists of wetlands, woodland and pasture;
   4. it has an active cattle operation;
   5. it provides connectivity to other public lands owned by the District and County; and
   6. it meets 16 of the Committee's 26 ranking criteria with 11 of the 14 Primary Criteria being met.

   Mr. James Weekley, representative for the property owner, was present to provide additional information and answer any questions. He stated that it is the desire of the property owner to preserve this property and maintain it in a natural state. He added that this property is currently being marketed for sale.

   Discussion ensued after Member Phil Maroney suggested proposing a conservation easement to the property owner, which would allow the property to remain in its present state.

   Rob Walsh explained that County staff had not discussed the potential offer of a conservation easement with the property owner as an alternate acquisition means.

   Member Reid Hughes made a motion to accept the D Ranch Limited Property Application as an eligible project. Member Alan Alshouse seconded the motion that carried by unanimous voice vote.

Staff Updates

1. Financial Disclosure Statements - Jeanette Munson explained that the County's Elections Department would be mailing out the 2003 Form 1 (Financial Disclosure Statement) to each Committee Member at the end of May, as they are required to do every year. However, a copy of the 2003 Form 1 was being provided to the Committee to expedite the return of this completed document to County Staff.
    
2. County Council action on April 15, 2004 - Rob Walsh stated that the County Council approved the 2003 2nd Cycle Ranking List and Resolution 2004-80, as presented. He added that a copy of these documents had been provided to each Committee Member as a handout.

Member Gordon Kipp asked if the County Council made any complimentary remarks regarding the Committee during the April 15, 2004, Council meeting or at any time.

Rob Walsh responded that Council Member Jack Hayman has publicly praised the work of this Committee. Also, during the one-on-one meetings between County Council Members and staff, County Council Members have stated that they were pleased by how smoothly the Volusia Forever Program was running.

3. FCT Applications - Rob Walsh explained that County staff was in the process of submitting an FCT application for the Bayou Bay and Paul Properties, which are located in the Doris Leeper Spruce Creek Preserve. These acquisitions were purchased with 100% of Volusia Forever monies and County staff would be seeking a 50% reimbursement for these properties. The application deadline is May 5, 2004.

Douglas Weaver added that County staff self scored the FCT application and it scored well. County staff then decided to seek a 50% reimbursement for these properties.

4. Tallahassee Trip - Rob Walsh stated that Douglas Weaver and he had traveled to Tallahassee for Volusia Day and to lobby for the continued funding of the Florida Forever Program, which Volusia Forever mirrors. He added that Governor Bush approved the continued funding of the Florida Forever Program with $247 million in cash from the excess funds collected for doc stamps.
    
5. Committee Meetings - Rob Walsh reminded the Committee that the May and June meetings are cancelled, with the next meeting being held on July 21, 2004. The July meeting will be for eligibility determinations of any properties received during the 2004 1st Cycle (January 1, 2004 thru June 30, 2004). Ranking by the Committee of all properties determined as eligible for further consideration for the 2004 1st Cycle should occur either in August or September. The Committee's 2004 1st Cycle Ranking List would be submitted to County Council for approval in October.
    
6. LeFils Property - Douglas Weaver stated that the acquisition of this property is moving forward. At this time the survey has been completed, but is being reviewed for accuracy. Closing is anticipated to occur around the middle of May.
    
7. Save the Loop - Member Reid Hughes asked for an update from County staff.

Rob Walsh explained that County staff was in the process of contacting additional landowners to solicit their participation in the Volusia Forever Program. As previously indicated, County staff met with the Fords, who have stated that they are not interested in participating in the Volusia Forever Program.

Member Reid Hughes suggested that County staff continue to solicit the Fords.

8. General Updates -Douglas Weaver added that two (2) new positions were approved during the budget process last year and they have been filled by Biologists, who complement the Forestry staff.

Rob Walsh recommended that the Committee Members visit the Lake Beresford and Lyonia Preserve Properties, which are located on the west side of the County, to see how County staff has provided access for public use of these properties (i.e., parking corral, trail head, trails with interpretive signs, etc.). He added that a trail system was being developed on the Menard Property, which has been renamed the Wiregrass Prairie Preserve, and the Catholic Diocese Property.

Douglas Weaver added that approximately 500 acres have been prescribed burned at Lake George since fall.

Chair Carrie Stewart advised the Committee and County staff that she would be absent for the July 21, 2004, Committee meeting, and Vice-Chair Phil Maroney would be acting Chair.

Adjournment
Meeting adjourned at 4:07p.m.