Agenda Item Name:
TitleApproval and Execution of First Amendment to Memorandum of Agreement #18/19-025 between Suwannee River Water Management District and Alachua County Board of County Commissioners
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Presenter:
Charlie Houder 352-264-6804
Description:
Request for the Board of County Commissioners (BoCC) to approve and execute the First Amendment to Memorandum of Agreement #18/19-025 between Suwannee River Water Management District and Alachua County Board of County Commissioners to receive cost share assistance for the Mill Creek Sink Land Acquisition and Water Quality, Phase II Project.
Recommended Action:
Recommended Action
Approval and Execution of First Amendment to Memorandum of Agreement #18/19-025 between Suwannee River Water Management District and Alachua County Board of County Commissioners to receive cost share assistance for the Mill Creek Sink Land Acquisition and Water Quality, Phase II Project.
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Prior Board Motions:
May 8, 2018: Board of County Commissioners added several properties in the Mill Creek Project Area to the Alachua County Forever Active Acquisition List.
On August 14, 2018, the BoCC added parcel 03020-000-000 and a portion of parcel 03067-001-000 to the Alachua County Forever Active Acquisition List; executed the $1.3 million Memorandum of Agreement for Cost Share Assistance between Alachua County and the Suwannee River Water Management District for the Mill Creek Sink Land Acquisition for Water Quality, Phase II Project to assist with the acquisition of tracts in the Mill Creek Sink area; and accepted the Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s (DEP) required language for inclusion in the deed of conveyance for properties purchased with the Grant.
Fiscal Consideration:
Fiscal Consideration
The recommended Amendment extends the term of the Memorandum of Agreement for the County to receive matching funds of up to $1.3 million for the purchase of designated lands.
TOTAL EXPENDITURE AUTHORITY REQUESTED: N/A
If an agreement is reached, this purchase would be funded from Wild Spaces Public Places - Land Conservation funds. The approval for the purchase would still need to go in front of the Board before the purchase could be made. There is sufficient budget in both FY20 and FY21 for this purchase.
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Background:
The Mill Creek Sink Land Acquisition for Water Quality Project is a partnership between the Suwannee River Water Management District, City of Alachua and Alachua County to protect and improve water quality entering the Mill Creek Swallet, and to preserve and protect the Mill Creek Sink and the Mill Creek Cave System. This Project will improve water quality by providing stormwater management improvements in the I-75 / HWY 441 corridor and protect the natural karst features though land acquisition. The Mill Creek Sink Project has been divided into two Phases that work in unison with one other, and Alachua County is directly involved with Phase II of this Project.
County staff obtained appraisals and began negotiating with the landowners. During negotiations, the owner of the largest property in the project optioned the property to Tara Forest, LLC. Discussions with both the landowner and optionee continued and County staff submitted an offer that was ultimately rejected. Tara Forest LLC closed on the property in December 2019. The Amendment will give staff an additional six months to negotiate a mutually acceptable deal.