Carrie Stewart, Chair, called the meeting to order at 3:32p.m.

Carrie Stewart, Chair, asked for introductions from the public participa nts, staff and the Committee Members before starting with the business part of the meeting.

Carrie Stewart, Chair, instructed the Recording Secretary to record the roll of the Members in attendance, in which seven (7) Members were present. Members Linda White and Reid Hughes were recorded as an Excused Absence.

Carrie Stewart, Chair, called for a motion to approve the July 21, 2004, Minutes. Member JoAnn O'Bannon made a motion to approve the July 21, 2004, Minutes, as presented. Member Gordon Kipp seconded the motion that carried by unanimous voice vote.

Evaluation and Ranking of Eligible Applications – Rob Walsh explained that the first six (6) properties listed on the Agenda, which were deemed as eligible during the 1st Cycle of 2004 (1-1-04 through 6-30-04), were being ranked to determine their placement on the Group "A" or "B" List. The ranking determination of each property (Group "A" or "B" List) would be handled one at a time with a voice vote.

Charlene Strawn Old Growth Forest & Rec. Area Property - This property is approximately 150 acres in size consisting of five (5) parcels located west of SR 11 in the southwest quadrant of Lake Dias. Access to the property is via Lake Dias Cemetery Road. The property provides access to Lake Dias and would allow a variety of recreational opportunities. It consists of several habitat types; scrub, xeric hammock and floodplain forest. It is an undeveloped tract of land with open pasture areas and was part of a large citrus operation. It contains endangered species and plants. As this property is part of the "Longleaf Pine Ecosystem," a Florida Forever Group B, full fee project, the State of Florida could be a source for matching funds should the County acquire the property. Another possible matching funds source would be the St. Johns River Water Management District. The property owner would offer this property to the County as a fee simple acquisition.

Mr. Steve Strawn, property owner, was present to provide any additional information or answer any questions.

Double B Ranch Property – This property is approximately 3,800 acres in size located on the north side of CR305 in Seville with the eastern boundary abutting the Volusia/Flagler County line, and the northern boundary abutting property owned by the St. Johns River Water Management District known as the Crescent Lake Conservation Area. It also contains several natural lakes. The property has been actively managed for silviculture via a timber lease and agricultural opportunities (i.e., hunting and cattle operation). Access to the property would be via CR305. This property is comprised of several major habitat types including bottomland swamp, flatwoods/marsh lake, scrub and pine flatwoods. County staff approached the District to determine what their interest would be in the acquisition of this property and the District indicated that they are very interested. The property owner would offer this property as a conservation easement acquisition.

Member Phil Maroney asked whether there would be any recreational opportunities for the public with a conservation easement.

Rob Walsh explained that the next two (2) properties to be evaluated (Timberlands Consolidated and WDA Partnership, and Lafayette Landings) were submitted together as a contiguous/joint project.

Timberlands Consolidated and WDA Partnership Property– This property is approximately 219 acres in size located east of SR11, east of the community of DeLeon Springs. Access to the property is via Lafayette Landings Drive. The northern boundary abuts the Lafayette Landings Property, which is also being evaluated for placement on the Group "A" or "B" List of eligible properties for this cycle. The southern boundary abuts 1,100 acres, also known as Timberlands Consolidated, that was jointly acquired in 2002 by the St. Johns River Water Management District and the County. Little Haw Creek traverses the property. This property has been actively managed for silviculture and hunting. The property primarily consists of pine plantation with the dominant habitat types being floodplain swamp and hydric flatwoods. There would be recreational opportunities, as the property owner would be offering this as a fee simple acquisition.

Discussion ensued after Member Robert Williams pointed out that a funding source had not been identified.

Lafayette  Landings Property – This property is approximately 152 acres in size located east of SR11, east of the community of DeLeon Springs. There is no access to the property other than through the Timberlands Consolidated and WDA Partnership Property. The southern boundary abuts the Timberlands Consolidated and WDA Partnership Property, which is also being evaluated for placement on the Group "A" or "B" List of eligible properties for this cycle. The eastern boundary abuts the 15,500 acre Plum Creek Property that was jointly acquired in 2002 by the St. Johns River Water Management District and the County. The property primarily consists of pine plantation with the dominant habitat types being floodplain swamp and hydric flatwoods.

Member Alan Alshouse made a motion to add the Lafayette Landings Property to the Group "A" List of eligible properties. Member JoAnn O’Bannon seconded the motion that carried by unanimous voice vote.

Kent Donahue, representative for the City of Port Orange, was present to provide additional information and answer any questions. He stated that the City of Port Orange intends to use this property for public use and an extension of the activities occurring on the Gamble Property. Access to the property would primarily be via water. The City's maintenance crews and/or caretaker would use the roadway that can be accessed through the gated community.

Chair Carrie Stewart requested that Kent Donahue provide the Committee with a summary addressing the Committee's concerns and issues.

Progress  Energy Astor Property – This property is approximately 1,600 acres in size consisting of six (6) parcels located in the southeast quadrant of Lake George, north of SR 40, west of the Town of Pierson. It is within the Division of Forestry's Lake George State Forest boundary and is on their "Desired Acquisition List" as well as the District's 1999 Acquisition List. There is access to the property via Shell Harbor Road and Volusia Bar Road, County maintained dirt roads. This property consists of two (2) habitat types; pine flatwoods and floodplain swamp. This property has been heavily forested and timbered. Progress Energy initially intended to use this property as a potential site for a power plant. Since that time, the property has been used for silviculture operations.

Member Anne Hallum asked which agency would manage the property should the County acquire it.

Member Gordon Kipp made a motion to remove the Mayo, Harrington and Kilian Pine Island Properties from the Group "B" List of eligible properties. Member Phil Maroney seconded the motion that carried by unanimous voice vote.

Douglas Weaver added that there is a long-term timber lease on this property possibly until 2015, which may be a factor concerning a fee simple acquisition and it may not allow public access. This property is not contiguous to other public lands.

Scheible Property - Rob Walsh explained that the County made an offer to the property owners, but an acceptable offer could not be reached. It is staff's recommendation to move the Scheible Property from the Group "A'" List to the Group "B" List of eligible properties.

Member Gordon Kipp made a motion to move the Scheible Property from the Group "A" List to the Group "B" List of eligible properties. Member Alan Alshouse seconded the motion that carried by unanimous voice vote.

Kirton Farm/Akins Property – Rob Walsh explained that the Kirton Farm/Akins Property had been moved from the Group "B" List to the Group "A" List by the County Council with instructions for County staff to seek funding from the USDA Farmland Protection Program. After two (2) attempts without success, it is staff's recommendation that the Kirton Farm/Akins Property be moved from the Group "A" List to the Group "B" List.

Discussion ensued regarding the removal of the Kirton Farm/Akins Property from the Group "A" List and the Group "B" List.

Other Properties - Rob Walsh explained that the following properties were currently under contract with third parties: Stanaki, Townsend-Schroeder Trust, Eagan (DeBary), Murphy (DeBary) and Akers Quail Ranch. At this time staff would recommend leaving these properties on the Group "A" List. However, the Akers Quail Ranch property is under new ownership after closing on September 24, 2004. Staff intends to meet with the new owner to discuss the potential for them to participate as a willing seller in the Volusia Forever Land Acquisition Program.

Douglas Weaver added that even though the applicants are willing sellers, this does not preclude them from seeking other offers. The real estate market is very competitive. The County and other funding agencies are limited by the appraisals, and it is hard to compete for land with those limitations. This is one of the reasons why the Group "A" List should be large. It allows County staff to work on the acquisition of several projects even though some may not come to fruition.

Committee Meetings - Rob Walsh stated that it was staff's recommendation to cancel the November and December meetings. The Committee agreed and canceled the November and December meetings. The next meeting will be held on January 19, 2005, which is the first meeting of the year 2005. After reviewing the meeting records, staff would recommend that the 2005 meeting schedule be trimmed down to four (4) core meetings (January - Eligibility & Goal Setting; April - Ranking & Election of Officers; July - Eligibility; and September - Ranking). Resolution 2001-69 states that the Committee will meet at least quarterly. This schedule meets that requirement. It also states that special meetings can be called when deemed necessary by the Chair or designee (staff). The Committee agreed with staff's recommendation and approved the 2005 meeting schedule.

Sam Roth, representative for the owners of the RBD Limited Property, requested that the Committee move the property from the Group "B" to the Group "A" List of eligible properties. This property is 350 acres in size located on the St. Johns River off SR 44 in DeLand. It is adjacent to the Lake Woodruff National Wildlife Refuge. He added that there are developers interested in acquiring this property.

Rob Walsh explained that there has been no change in the status of this property. Initially, the Lake Woodruff National Wildlife Refuge expressed an interest in the potential acquisition of this property through conversations with Harold Morrow, Refuge Manager. At this time they are not able to be a funding partner for the acquisition of this property. This acquisition would also require a boundary adjustment, which the refuge is not in a position to undertake.