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 MINUTES
Carrie Stewart, Vice-Chair, called the meeting to order at 3:32p.m. Roll Call Carrie Stewart, Vice-Chair, instructed the Secretary to record the roll of the Members in attendance, in which seven (7) Members were present to establish a quorum. Approval of Minutes Vice-Chairman Carrie Stewart requested approval of the June 19, 2002, Minutes. Member Gordon Kipp made a motion to approve the June 19, 2002, Minutes as prepared. Member Robert Williams seconded the motion that carried unanimously by voice vote. Update on 1st Cycle Group "A" Listed Properties
Doug Weaver explained that the District would seek reimbursement from the State for the 3,500 acre piece that adjoins the County’s 3,700 acre piece on US Hwy 92, which expands the Tiger Bay State Forest. He stated that the County would look at other properties that adjoin the Volusia Conservation Corridor to expand the Corridor further. Discussion ensued regarding additional properties (i.e., Southern Pine Plantations) being added to the Volusia Conservation Corridor, after Member Robert Williams questioned why the boundary amendment only included the Plum Creek/Rayonier property. Rob Walsh explained that an amendment could be made at a later date to include additional properties such as Southern Pine Plantations. However, one condition to consider when an amendment is made to modify an approved project boundary would be that the property has been purchased or at least be in the process of acquisition to show intent for purchase. Doug Weaver stated that an FCT application is pending on the Southern Pine property.
Discussion and Determination of Eligibility for Submitted Applications Pine Island Properties (6) – Rob Walsh explained that Mr. James Phillips, representative for the six (6) property owners, was present to provide additional information. He further explained that Mr. Phillips put together these six (6) properties as a package to increase the size of the Lake George Wildlife Management Area and to provide lake access for the County residents. He presented a U.S.G.S. Map and a map showing all six (6) Pine Island Properties to further demonstrate the relationship between these properties and other public lands, and that they are all interconnected. Discussion ensued regarding how the Committee wanted the Pine Island Properties presented after Rob Walsh requested guidance from the Committee. Rob Walsh stated that the Pine Island Properties were a prime example of establishing a keystone property within a project boundary, where one would be the keystone property and the remainder would follow for acquisition. He identified the Kilian Property as the keystone property in the case of the Pine Island Properties, and explained that the continuity and connectivity to the St. Johns River Water Management District’s Lake George Wildlife Management Area property would be lost if the Kilian Property was not acquired. Member Alan Alshouse asked if the St. Johns River Water Management had received applications for acquisition of the Pine Island Properties. Rob Walsh stated that the District had received applications for the Pine Island Properties at the same time that the County had, but referred the applications back to the County, who would take the lead on the acquisition of these properties. He explained that if the properties were determined as eligible and ranked high enough, the District would be the entity that the County would request matching funding for acquisition. Vice-Chair Carrie Stewart requested clarification on the voting process with regards to eligibility should the Committee determine that a property is not eligible for further consideration. She stated that staff had recommended that a motion be made in the affirmative and the Committee could vote the motion down. Frank B. Gummey, III stated that any motion should be made in the affirmative with another Member seconding the motion, and the Committee could then vote against the motion, which would determine the property as not eligible. Charles McAlister, property owner, stated that the Pine Island Properties were packaged together with the intent to preserve lands for future generations, and would provide access to Lake George on the eastern side of the lake. He requested that the Committee review the Pine Island Properties as a package. Rob Walsh provided the following information about this property: 1) it is 10 acres in size with hardwoods and wetlands, 2) has a future land use of Environmental Systems Corridor, 3) is contiguous with the District’s lands to the east, and 4) the initial review report has a low rating. Member Anne Hallum made a motion to accept the Mayo Property Application as an eligible project. Member Alan Alshouse seconded the motion that failed by a roll call vote of 4 to 3 as Resolution 2001-198 requires an affirmative vote of at least five (5) Members to pass. Roll Call Vote: After discussion and determination of eligibility of the other Pine Island Properties, Member Gordon Kipp made a motion to reconsider the Mayo Property Application as an eligible project to avoid losing the continuity of the pieces. Member Phil Maroney seconded the motion that carried by unanimous voice vote. The motion to accept the Mayo Property Application as an eligible project carried by unanimous roll call vote. Roll Call Vote: Harper Property – Rob Walsh provided the following information about this property: 1) it is 36 acres in size, 2) is located to the south of the Mayo Property, 3) has improved pasture, wetlands and uplands, and 4) has a mobile home structure with a barn. Discussion ensued regarding the acquisition of property with single family dwellings on it with both staff and the Committee expressing a concern over this issue. Member Dennis Bayer made a motion to accept the Harper Property Application as an eligible project. Member Alan Alshouse seconded the motion that carried by unanimous roll call vote. Roll Call Vote: Harrington Property – Rob Walsh provided the following information about this property: 1) it is 50 acres in size, 2) is primarily land locked between the Harper and Kilian properties with the exception of a small portion that connects to Lake George, and 3) has a low ranking on the initial review report. Member Alan Alshouse made a motion to accept the Harrington Property Application as an eligible project. Member Anne Hallum seconded the motion that carried by unanimous roll call vote. Roll Call Vote: Pine Island Marina – Rob Walsh provided the following information about this property: 1) it is 3.5 acres in size, 2) is an operational commercial marina, 3) provides for recreational opportunities as there is an existing boat ramp, and 4) ecologically has a low ranking on the initial review report. Discussion ensued regarding issues of acquiring an operational commercial marina with staff reminding the Committee of the criteria necessary for determining the eligibility of an application under the Volusia Forever Acquisition Program (i.e., water resource based, environmentally sensitive, etc.). Charles McAlister stated that he understood that the commercial use would be discontinued and the property would become a recreational area if the County acquired the property. Douglas Weaver stated that there are legal concerns regarding the acquisition of an operational marina. Discussion continued with regards to how and with what funding source this property could be acquired. Suggestions were made to defer the application to other funding sources, such as ECHO, Leisure Services, and Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. Member Phil Maroney reminded the Committee of the primary criteria for determining an application for eligibility, and that this application does not meet the primary criteria. Member Gordon Kipp made a motion to accept the Pine Island Marina Property Application as an eligible project. Member Anne Hallum seconded the motion that failed by a roll call vote of 1 to 6. Roll Call Vote: McAlister Property – Charles McAlister, property owner, withdrew his application. No action was taken by the Committee. Killian Property – Rob Walsh provided the following information about this property: 1) it is 41 acres in size, 2) abuts the St. John’s River Water Management District’s property to the north, 3) is the keystone property for the Pine Island Properties, and 4) would increase the size of the Lake George Wildlife Management Area. Member Dennis Bayer made a motion to accept the Kilian Property Application as an eligible project. Member Alan Alshouse seconded the motion that carried by unanimous roll call vote. Roll Call Vote: Vice-Chair Carrie Stewart gave a recap of the Pine Island Properties as follows: Eligible: 1) Mayo, 2) Harper, 3) Harrington, and 4) Kilian Properties Not Eligible: 1) Pine Island Marina Property Withdrawn: 1) McAlister Property Hill Property - Rob Walsh provided the following information about this property: 1) it is 2 acres in size, 2) is located off of Kepler Road east of the Department of Transportation’s Facility in DeLand, 3) abuts an existing County park, 4) has a low ranking on the initial review report, and 5) is mostly wetlands. He presented a map depicting where the property lays in relation to the County owned property. He explained that staff had contacted Leisure Services, who is responsible for the existing County owned park, and discovered that there are no plans for expansion for the park. Member Dennis Bayer asked if this property would qualify for acquisition under the County’s proposed Small Lot Acquisition Program. Rob Walsh stated that there had not been a determination made with regards to size restrictions. Member Dennis Bayer stated that one of the set criteria was that the property needed to have connectivity to other public lands. Concerns were expressed regarding the purchase of this one piece of property for the asking price of $50,000, which would take the lion’s share of the monies proposed to be allotted for the Small Lot Acquisition Program (up to $65,000/year). Another concern was locating a potential acquisition partner. David Spearin, representative for the property owner, presented a revised re-certified survey depicting the wetland line which was provided by the State. He stated that there is approximately one acre of uplands on the property, it has not been disturbed and remains in a natural state. He explained that the acquisition of this property would complete the County’s ownership around the lake. Rob Walsh asked if the Department of Transportation owned the two properties to the west. David Spearin explained that the Department of Transportation owned the properties to the west, but the County owned the properties surrounding the lake. Member Alan Alshouse asked if the property was forested. David Spearin stated that the property was in an undisturbed natural condition with large pines on the property. Member Gordon Kipp made a motion to accept the Hill Property Application as an eligible project. Member Dennis Bayer seconded the motion that failed by roll call vote of 4 to 3 as Resolution 2001-198 requires an affirmative vote of at least five (5) Members to pass. Roll Call Vote: Harrington Shell Harbor – Rob Walsh presented a map depicting the property and provided the following information about this property: 1) it is 10 acres plus a subdivision with 60+ lots for a total of 40 acres, 2) is located off of Lake George, 3) has a boat ramp for public access to Lake George, and 4) has undeveloped roads. Member Phil Maroney asked if the property was contiguous to any public lands. Randall Sleister stated that it was not contiguous to other public lands, but it is contiguous to the south to property owned by Florida Power Corporation. Member Dennis Bayer made a motion to accept the Harrington Shell Harbor Property Application as an eligible project. Member Gordon Kipp seconded the motion that failed by roll call vote of 0 to 7. Roll Call Vote: Corbett Property - Rob Walsh provided the following information about this property: 1) it is 8.8 acres in size, 2) is located within the Lake George Wildlife Management Area, 3) completes acquisitions under previous acquisition programs, and 4) adjoins other public lands. He stated that this application was generated by staff contacting the property owner to seek a willing seller and to attempt to fill-in some of the in-holdings of Lake George Wildlife Management Area. Member Dennis Bayer made a motion to accept the Corbett Property Application as an eligible project. Member Alan Alshouse seconded the motion that carried by unanimous roll call vote. Roll Call Vote: Surety Bank – Rob Walsh provided the following information about this property: 1) it is 59 acres in size with pine forest scrub and wetlands (base swamp), 2) is located in the northwest portion of the County (Pierson/Seville), 3) is not contiguous to public lands, and 4) there is no existing means of public access. Discussion ensued regarding the donation of property from entities such as a bank for lands acquired through the owner’s death after Vice-Chair Carrie Stewart asked if there had been any type of proposal for donation of this property to the County for a tax credit. Rob Walsh stated that at this time there had not been any type of discussion with regards to donating lands to the County and receiving a tax credit. Member Dennis Bayer made a motion to accept the Surety Bank Property Application as an eligible project. Member Alan Alshouse seconded the motion that failed by a roll call vote of 0 to 7. Roll Call Vote: Other Discussion Doug Weaver stated that staff will begin taking a proactive approach and will present target areas of substantial sizes of property at the September 18, 2002, Committee Meeting. Adjournment Meeting adjourned at 5:20p.m. Public information produced by Volusia County Government |
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