Agenda Item Name:
Title
Union County Support in Bert Harris Action
End
Presenter:
Sylvia Torres
Description:
Union County is asking for Alachua County's assistance in defending its environmental resource protection comprehensive plan and land development code amendments from a Bert Harris Action
Recommended Action:
Recommended Action
Reaffirm County support for Union County and direct staff to return with necessary contract and budget amendments to protect environmental resources
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Prior Board Motions:
On September 22, 2020, the Board requested an update on the phosphate mine at a future meeting. Staff updated Board by email "Update on a few regionally significant environmental issues" (dated Sept. 30, 2020), attached.
On December 10, 2019, the Board received a presentation by contracted experts regarding the proposed Union/Bradford County phosphate mine (attached). The Board directed staff to prepare a chair letter to Bradford County, Union County, and the North Florida Regional Planning Council, and affected municipalities this letter should include a link to that evening's presentation, and a staff prepared summarized presentation of both the deficiencies of the existing mining application and the risk associated with the project.
On July 9, 2019, the Board approved the 1st Amendment to Legal Representation with de la Parte & Gilbert for legal representation regarding the proposed HPSII phosphate mine in Union/Bradford Counties and approval of the Budget Amendment. The Manager had executed the original agreement under her budget signature authority and the Board, through the 1st Amendment, increased the amount from $50,000 or less to more than $600,000. The Board also authorized the Chair to send a letter to the City of Gainesville (any other interested parties) informing of the Board's actions regarding the mine and soliciting other entity interest in partnering with the County. This contract includes Mr. de la Parte retaining experts...
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