Agenda Item Name:
Title
Approval of the Serenola Forest FCT Grant Reconciliation Statement
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Presenter:
Charlie Houder / (352) 264-6804
Description:
Request that the Board of County Commissioners (BoCC) approve the reconciliation statement for the Florida Communities Trust (FCT) Grant for the acquisition of the Serenola Forest Property awarded jointly to Alachua County and Alachua Conservation Trust.
Recommended Action:
Recommended Action
Approve and authorize the Manager to execute the reconciliation statement for the Florida Communities Trust (FCT) Grant for the acquisition of the Serenola Forest Property awarded jointly to Alachua County and Alachua Conservation Trust.
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Prior Board Motions:
April 14, 2020, the BoCC approved and authorized execution of the Grant Agreement with Florida Communities Trust for the reimbursement of acquisition costs for Serenola Forest.
April 14, 2020, the BoCC approved the Serenola Forest Cooperative Management Agreement between Alachua County and Alachua Conservation Trust.
September 25, 2018, the BoCC approved and exercised the Paynes Prairie - Serenola Contract to purchase 110.93 acres.
Fiscal Consideration:
Fiscal Consideration
The County will receive a $1,254,006.48 reimbursement of Wild Spaces and Public Places funds expended for acquisition and due diligence costs.
Fund#: 021.41.4160.334.3900 - State Grants Physical Environ-other
Description: BCC - WSPP Grant/Reimbursement-Paynes Prairie-Serenola
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Background:
Alachua Conservation Trust (ACT) prepared and submitted a Florida Communities Trust Grant application for the acquisition and development of the Paynes Prairie - Serenola Forest Property based on a shared purchase with the County. The transaction closed on December 6, 2018 with the County taking title to 103.21 acres for $2,997,965.76 and ACT taking title to 7.72 acres for $225,000.
Under the Cooperative Management Agreement, ACT provides stewardship for the entire property and has developed trails for pedestrian access to the property. A parking lot and additional amenities are planned.
The FCT Grant Agreement provides for the reimbursement of 45.8% of eligible costs for an amount not to exceed $1,500,000. Based on documentation provided by ACT and the County, total costs for the land, including associated due diligence, totaled 3,247,768.95. This yielded a total grant award of $1,487,478.18. The proposed reconciliation statement provides for a reimbursement to the County of $1,254,006.48.