Good afternoon. Uh, I'm Vice Chair Merritt Mat of the Environmental Lands Oversight Committee. Um, it is April 1st, 3:00 p.m. and I'm calling to order the meeting. If everyone could please stand for the pledge of allegiance.
I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> Thank you.
>> Uh Mr. Houston, would you mind please calling the role? >> Good afternoon, everybody. Uh, Michael Houston, senior project manager in the Martin County Environmental Resource Division. John Keller >> here.
>> Vicky Davis >> here. >> Scott Turbo >> present. >> Merritt Mat >> here. >> Tom Campenny >> here. >> Beth Kavinsky >> here. >> David Hafner >> here. Dan Brady
and Jim Schnedeker. >> And Jim is running a little late at a doctor's appointment. Uh so he may join us uh when that wraps up. >> And Dan Brady was unsure if he was going to be able to make it. >> Perfect. Perfect. Thank you. Um our
first order of business is approval of the minutes from I believe it was September 5th of 2025. Has anyone had a chance to or has everyone had a chance to review those minutes? I know it's been a few months. Um, and approval >> second.
>> Have a motion. Uh, uh, and a second. Motion from Mr. Campenni, second from Miss Kinsky. >> Uh, all in favor? >> I >> I motion passes unanimously. Unanimously.
Uh, next item is the update on the tax revenue generated for the sales tax collection. I'll turn over to you Mr. Houston. >> Thank you everyone. Um, so as you can see from this chart and we I'll cover
this on a little more detail in terms uh once uh I get into my presentation in a little bit. But uh basically at this point we have 69,000 in the bank. So whatever we've brought in in tax revenues, we've spent on acquisitions.
So um and we're collecting these show the most recent collect collections. Uh we uh our last dispersement that we received was the January dispersement
and that is 1.3 million. And is that >> so and also >> the cash in hand as of the start of this month was 7 million but as you can see with the acquisitions we have lined up. >> So once we close on everything we're
actually uh that's that's how we get that bottom figure. >> What is cash dispersements? That's the income we get, right? >> Yes. So um every month and then quarterly uh we get based on sales tax receipts we
get uh dispersement uh that comes into our accounts >> but we don't really have a figure for last year. >> Um they did not >> in 733 is what we got last year. >> No that's just what we have on hand. I
think total um I I did look up the number. The total we've collected um to date is actually about 22 million. So there were a couple large acquisitions um that had already been accounted for
that are not shown on this chart and that was the uh Barbie Ranch and the uh Palmar. >> We we ought to get those numbers. We're there's supposed to be an annual audit too, right? uh that there is an audit that is
performed by our accounting office. So >> we should get that and we should also get the income and the uh you know expense for last year. We'll make sure uh to provide that information at the next ELOC meeting for you
>> as well as you know the percentage that has come directly from the funds generated for land acquisitions versus funding from grant dollars. >> You have that that's yeah we keep that
separate. So, you know, we have received um and it's not always even grant dollars. It's in essence um so on the Barbie Ranch Conservation Easement Acquisition, uh we actually just provided money uh at closing to
help uh close that deal. So, >> how much money was that for the Barbie ranch? >> It was a $17 million acquisition and 12. >> Yes. >> So, it's not really a grant. It's more these are handled more as county provides a certain amount and the state
or the water management district in another case provided um their amounts. >> But do you have a breakdown of that? So we've closed my understanding is on 3,000 acres. >> Yeah, I have um I have figures in my
presentation about each acquisition. >> Okay. Okay. >> You have figures where I didn't get the lab >> in my I have figures in my presentation about each acquisition. Uh, so what we've acquired, what we're in the process of acquiring, >> what's that?
>> Today. >> When is this presentation going to be? Today. >> Today. Yeah, it's >> we're coming up on them. We're still on just the update of revenue collected. Um, sorry, we were jumping a little ahead on you, Mike. we're all excited about. >> So, >> just to reiterate, I think we ought to
get >> some kind of prominent loss statement about what came in and what we spent money for. >> We'll make sure that our next meeting that somebody from our uh uh accounting office is here to answer those questions.
>> Let me make it easy. Why don't you just send us the accounting? you could do. We don't have to wait to another three, four, five months because if there's no properties, we're not going to meet. So, why don't you just send it to us and all the questions if
anyone had questions then they can call you or call uh Stephanie or call Carolyn Tibons. But that way we all have it and we're not wishing we would have it. >> Sure. I'd be happy to
um get with Stephanie and have that information provided to you and we can also uh bring it to our next meeting. >> Yeah. >> And the audit we we ought to get this >> the audit won't be done yet. It's >> got to be done during the county's budget cycle,
>> right? >> But we can expect that an audit report. >> Yeah. >> When that is done. And this is the figures that was provided by our accounting office today. So you can actually see um
how they've come up with those figures. Um and you can actually look back through uh since January on this spreadsheet. So I can have the same provided for 2025 as well. >> Yeah. >> I just don't have it. >> Mr. Chair, >> Miss Davis,
>> a question on the spreadsheet. Could Stephanie also include a column that says if it was a fe simple outright purchase or easement conservation easement? >> Um, she would not have that information, we would.
>> Okay. If you could do that, that would help. >> Sure. >> Any other questions just on the tax revenue generated? >> No. >> Okay, we'll move on to new business.
um review of the ranking process, >> right? So um and I covered this in my presentation, but in essence um you know uh we have properties that get submitted and we are going to be looking at some
new properties to consider here at this meeting. Um and they get reviewed by staff to make sure they're consistent with the intent of the program and the ordinance. And if they do, then we can move forward with doing the environmental assessments and providing
the information that's necessary uh for the committee. And once that happens, we have our ranking meeting. Um, and at that ranking meeting, we use a series of metrics as provided in your manual to
develop scores for each property, rank them, and then make recommendations in terms of which properties to move forward with for acquisition to the board of county commissioners. >> Thanks. >> Now, do you have the float chart? >> Yes. Presentation. So
>> um I can >> to be clear anyone any member of the public can nominate a property. Correct. >> That is correct. >> And the first two hurdles will be done by county staff. Does it
fall within one of the four areas of the ordinance? is the first hurdle. And then second, staff would try and reach out to the property owner to see if they're willing to negotiate. >> That is correct. It can either come from
staff, it can come from a member of the public. Um, anyone can submit a proposal and I can provide a copy of the nomination form if you'd like to see it. Um, this is a copy of the ranking form that was used for uh our previous
meeting, our last meeting in September. So, we reviewed all these different properties. There were 16 different properties with uh all the different considerations that would went into coming up with the total score uh that
we then used to rank them by. So, and if you want to break down per site, uh here's what the uh individual ranking form looked like. Uh so, they're weighted scores with different metrics,
uh with um and ranging from 5% to 15% of the total project score per for each category. Uh they're summed up and then that's how we develop that score. Have we had do you have an idea of how
many other properties have been nominated that haven't made it at least to this board because if they clear those two hurdles >> everything that clear those >> correct >> yeah as of that last meeting in September everything that had cleared
those hurdles was brought forward reviewed and approved um as potential acquisitions we do have a series of others that we're considering for a new nomination cycle that I'm going to discuss with you today and that's uh seven or eight uh new nominations.
>> So, we have the the Martin County staff hasn't had any other properties other than the ones here that we've seen since the last meeting. >> No, we have new properties that we're nominating that we're going to look to do in a new nominating cycle and then
have ranked later on this summer. >> Okay. Are you getting any feedback from the general public on nominations? >> Um, no. We we get a lot of feedback in terms of like the acquisitions um as
they come forward. Uh, but I wouldn't say anyone I've gotten any feedback that I can remember in terms of >> feedback cycle works >> nomination forms from people outside this committee or >> Gotcha. on occasion. Yeah. Um, so, um,
we've had a few individuals submit for properties. A lot of it is staff going out and looking for these properties and making contact and looking on realtor sites and seeing what's available. Um, but on occasion, we will get a
nomination form submitted by somebody from outside. >> Okay. Anything else on the ranking process? I want to touch on on a parcel that I I brought up uh the mouth of the Bessie Creek Canal that
I believe Mike or John may have some more information about, but I I nominated it since the last meeting and I want to be sure that it's moving forward at least with staff reaching out
to see if there's willing sellers. um you know, but we can discuss that a little down the line. But I want to just be clear that when I nominated that partial, there was some questions on whether that would fit. And the two
hurdles are it meets one of the four areas and it has willing sellers. and we're certainly looking and we've discussed that property and um if you have a a contact that we can reach that
would be helpful for us to be able to make that contact and bring it forward. >> Okay. >> Throw a lifeline to to Mike on this one. John Male, environmental resource administrator. Um we had left a message with kind of a generic number um for the
owners of that uh property and did not hear back. And then you shared with me um um a more personal contact and left a voicemail and have not heard back from him either. >> Thank you. Yeah. Yeah. There was I guess a little bit of time.
I didn't hear anything and once I heard from you I went dug around a little deeper with some people in the area and they they found some more contact. So >> have we written a letter to those people? I mean, it's not as if we don't
know where they are. >> Yeah. I think the challenge is on some of these, you know, if I were um interested in purchasing a single family residence on a on a a lot, you know, you put a letter in the mail, it goes to their mailbox, that person opens it up
and sees it. A lot of these big uh lands are in corporations that are like, you know, it's a Delaware company that's owned by this company, by this company, and you can send letters, they just end up in recycle bins. Um so what Merritt did was provide a um like a a cell phone
number for someone who would be in a position to um to talk to us about that. And I've left a voicemail for for them with some detail about what we're interested in and have not heard back. We can continue to reach out. Um, happy to send a letter. We We tend to have
more success with direct contact. >> Sounds good. Thank you. >> Any other questions on the ranking process? >> Hearing none, we can move ahead to staff update
on the status of the approved projects. So, as an update uh for our program, to date, this uh committee has looked at uh roughly 11,000 acres of land for
potential acquisitions. Those properties are represented in all four acquisition zones with acreage varying from 3,500 acres in the uh Palm Beach Heights area to 1 acre in size in the in terms of the
Perry Beach edition. and this map uh all these properties that are on here are ones that have previously been approved by this committee uh as potential acquisitions and then went over went on to get uh board of county commissioners approval as potential acquisitions. But
as I've said before, that's just a step in the process that just enables us to move forward and start attempting to acquire those individual properties. So this is basically uh as you were requesting before uh our progress to
date uh we've collected as of February 2026 we would have collected 20 a little over $20 million in funds. Um we've used that to acquire 996 acres in fe simple. That
number has actually changed since yesterday cuz we uh closed on another small property and I'll get to that as we go through the presentations. Um we acquired a conservation easement on 1699 acres through the Florida Forever
program, which is the Barbie Ranch uh property. Uh we have close to 400 acres that are under contract and awaiting Board of County Commissioner approval or in the process of closing. And we also have close to 800 acres proposed for
conservation easements through a partnership with the Rural and Family Lands Protection Program. As um I've discussed before, the Rural and Family Lands Program, it's a state program that was established in 2001. It
uses perpetual agricultural conservation easements. Uh there's a statutory uh designation for conservation easements under 704.06F.S. And the purpose of the rural and family lands program is to protect working agricultural lands while also conserving
natural resources. The lands remain in private ownership and in production. They are purchased by the state and approved by the governor and cabinet. So, as I discussed before, that's why in essence, the county brings a check to clo closing to uh make up for the
additional amount needed to uh to close the deal. And there's no public access requirement for any lands acquired through the uh as conservation easements through rural and family lands program. Uh, another important um, metric that
we've looked at is the Florida Wildlife Quarter, much of which moves through Martin County. Uh, we're in also another term uses the Florida Ecological Greenway network. Uh, and properties that are uh, within Martin County,
several of them are listed as a priority too according to that metric. So there you can just see this is Martin County right here and you can see all the areas that are uh covered under that program. So now I'm going to move on to completed
acquisitions. Uh first we have the Barbie Ranch Easement which closed on February of this year that permanently protects 1699 acres through a conservation easement with the Florida Forever Program. The
project will also support the acquisition will also support the IRL South Natural Lands component and a portion of the property is located within the Florida Wildlife Quarter. The total project cost was $17 million which is roughly $10,000 an acre with
the Florida Forever program in the state of Florida contributing 12 million which is 70% of the total cost and Martin County contributing 5 million which was 30%. The second uh acquisition was the Palm Beach Heights Palmar uh through the
settlement agreement and through that uh and actually additional acquisitions since that was completed we have acquired 412 acres of fe simple for roughly $7.2 million while the water
management district has acquired 608 acres uh at 11.6 million. uh that that Palm Beach Heights area is part of an 8,000 acre project area and due to all these rec recent
acquisitions, we're now at about 6,300 acres in public ownership with the remaining roughly 1700 that are in private hands as well. It is located both within the Florida Wildlife Quarter and it's a Florida forever project
boundary. Uh it protects high quality wetland habitat and the headwaters to the wild and scenic northwest fork of the Lockache River. The county is continuing to acquire individual lots as they become available as well as bid on taxdeed auctions that uh that are within
that area. This this is a map that uh shows the most current look at uh what our ownership is like in Palm Beach Heights. So areas that are highlighted in green within that red polygon area are lands
that have been acquired and where there are no polygons, those are lands that are still in private ownership. Uh so that map looks a lot different than when we first started this process. Uh especially that southwest area. Um, in both areas we've we've acquired a lot
more land and are now at around 75 to 80% of the total footprint of those areas being in public hands. Wow. >> Another uh completed acquisition is Perry Beach Edition. That's our 1acre coastal blueway property that goes from
the beach that includes beach and mangrove habitat. It extends across Hutchinson Island. It is directly adjacent to Clifton S. Perry Preserve and we acquired that property for $1.98 million. And now I'll get into projects that have
been approved so that they're approved contracts and that we're in the process of doing our due diligence and eventually closing. Uh so the first is the Elise J property. It's a 315 acre parcel that's under contract for $3.4
million. Uh it serves as a key connector between Hungryland to the south and Harmony Ranch, which is this property up to the north. And um it could potentially be managed as a part of Hungryland Wildlife and Environmental
Area. So uh that went under contract a couple months ago. It's received board approval. We're doing surveys and once that is done, we'll be able to set a closing date on that parcel. Uh it is a fee simple acquisition. We
have been in contacts with the Ducks Unlimited program which is a nonprofit organization on applying for a federal grant with the North American Wetland Conservation Act. So they think it meets a lot of their metrics um for their program.
The second and this is the acquisition that was recently completed within the last couple days is Point Sienna Gardens. Uh it's about 20 225 acres. It has a mix of public and private ownership and we recently closed on 32
acres at a cost of roughly $3 million. Uh the Point Sienna Gardens area includes large wetland systems and pine flatwoods. It acts as an important buffer to Atlantic Ridge State Park. And if that area were to be developed,
there's something like 500 lots out there. So you could have a lot of lots back in that area. Uh so the areas in green are areas that we that are ones that we just acquired. The areas in blue
um the the little lot areas are areas of Point Sienna Gardens we have acquired in the past. And I think the blue on this map just represents uh areas that are within the lockooy footprint. So another uh property that we have a
contract on is the bursting hixon parcel. It's roughly 3 acres in size along the south fork of the St. Lucy River. The cost of that acquisition was uh $648,000 and it's part of a larger network of
conservation lands that are in the area. As you can see, there's a couple parcels there, which is the Oxbow Preserve. Um, so that is under contract and I do not have a closing date for that at this time. >> Is that the red? >> That's the blue.
>> That's the blue. Okay, >> that's the blue one. Yeah, it's kind of hard to see, but uh these are so so there were three nominations. There's the Creser property right here, >> the Jame Wild parcel right here, and
then the burst steam parcel. So there's still some talks with Mr. Cresser, but um no agreement and the cost. We approached uh Miss Wild about this parcel, but what she was asking was way
much more than what uh than what our appraised value came back as. >> We have to give her an easement. Correct. On that property. >> Um no, we Oh, if she were she would have to apply for an easement, >> right? And we would have to give it to her by law if she applied for it.
>> That is correct. >> Because otherwise there's no way for her to use that. >> That is correct. But when I had a discussion with her, her asking price was $6 million for that property. So that just kind of out of the ballpark of what we would even discuss. >> Can I suggest that after this closing
within a month or two, we reconnect with her and show her the most recent comp adjacent to her property? >> Thank you. We'll make sure to get that in the minutes and then follow up with Miss Wild um once that has been completed.
Is there an existing easement on the Bernstein Hixon property for her to access? >> Not to my knowledge. There is an issue. So, uh there's been a long-standing issue with Mr. cressor and him having an easement through or
I don't I don't it's it's not uh anything set in stone but uh as a right of necessity uh to access his property through our conservation piece right here. So it is an issue that comes up in this area.
And on a side note, my daughter caught her first tarpon right in the center of that picture while I was showing my family those properties, saying that hopefully they'll be preserved for their lifetime
and longer. And she's 12. >> It's certainly a a a priority of ours. You know, we've always placed a high value on locking up properties along the uh South Fork of the St. Lucy River.
>> Thank you. So, the next is actually owned by the conservation fund. It is the Rogers parcel. Uh, this map is actually a little inaccurate. There is a polygon that also comes down to the south of that. Um, it's a 20 acre property. It's
under contract for a million dollar. Uh, actually 1.2 million. So, that's incorrect. Uh, and the county has a concept or just an idea. It's not even a concept at this point to construct a flowway to bring water out of the 138th
Street ditch through these properties right here and to help to capture that water, hold it, potentially clean it, and support the restoration of Kitchen Creek. >> What is that road that it's on? >> The to the north is Bridge Road and to
the south is 138th Street. >> Alpha Bridge. >> Yes. Um, so the conservation fund, we we had the property appraised at 2.5 million and the conservation fund is selling it at less than half of that cost. So, uh,
so that's a pretty good deal and supports, uh, ongoing county hydraologic restoration work. Uh, we're also in the process of closing on the Rogers Atlantic Ridge piece. This is a smaller property. It's only about 3
acres in size, but it does uh abut directly against Atlantic Ridge State Park. It's under contract for $200,000. It's fairly disturbed uh with the small area scrubby flatwoods, but it could be a potential access point to uh get into
the park. So, next I'm going to discuss the rural and family lands protection program easements. And there are three parcels that are up for consideration through rural and family lands. One is the Leonard parcel. This is on south of Bridge Road. So just
you know forformational purposes, that property I just talked about, the Rogers Conservation Fund is maybe a quarter mile to the east of that if if even maybe less than that. So it's a mixture of pasture and large cypress Slooh. Uh
it is an agricultural easement as there is active cattle ranching on the property and it's not contiguous to any public lands but it could be a part of a connecting link all the way down to JD if other acquisitions occur. >> Just want to make a quick the land
immediately to the right of it is now for sale. >> Yeah, that comes up in my presentation. So thank you. Then we have Turnpike Dairy. Uh this is primarily improved pasture. Uh it's another agricultural easement and it is
adjacent to Alapata Flats. In addition, uh the um Bull Hammock conservation easement is to the norththeast of that property. So it has a lot of cont uh continuity to other conservation
areas and protected lands in the region. >> Didn't we look at that? >> We did. Yes. >> Yes. These are so these are all ones that you approved previously. Okay. >> So, we're in negotiation with rural and family lands on easements on these properties. Uh so, that will be the
mechanism that we move forward with uh to protect these lands. So, then we have SS Farms which is a 53 acre property that's primarily improved pasture and is actively being ranched. Once again, it's for an agricultural easement with the rural and family lands program and the
historic Jupiter Indian Town bisects the property from east to west. So Mike, for these properties, there's there's then an allocation from this this as well as money coming from the rural and family lands program. But do you have any idea
what that split is at this point in time? It wouldn't be more than 50%, but I don't we don't so um right now the county has been in negotiation with rural and family lands program on uhou that would allow for the acquisition.
One thing the county wanted to make sure is that one through their program that the land would be protected in perpetuity and that the county would have a kind of a more of a say. Uh Sebastian, do you remember any other details of that? Yeah, I can provide
some color for that. Um, Sebastian Fox, senior assistant county attorney. Um, in negotiating at least a form of these easements, one of the county's requirements was that the county itself be a co-grante on the easement. Uh, so that would give us additional rights.
Um, not so much rights of enforcement, which are going to be delegated to the state. Um but it would make it much more difficult for these lands ever to be removed uh from the easement without our consent. Uh so that just gives us a lot more protection and the state seems to
be in agreement uh with this form. >> So would this be a blanketou for every property? >> Yeah, I think the plan is to do oneou for each large acquisition and then do them separately so they can be brought to the board as individual items.
So the uh the program and it's run through FDAX, Florida Department of Agricultural and Consumer Services before they approached the land owners, they wanted to make sure that the county would be participating financially uh in the acquisition of the
conservation easement. That was a very strong metric for them in terms of whether or not these projects would receive funding. So, uh, so we've been working on getting theou in order, and once that's all signed and executed,
then they'll approach the landowner and start negotiation. So, we don't have an idea in terms of how much these easements are going to cost at this point, and we don't have a solid number in terms of what they're going to ask for the county, but it will be less than 50% of the total cost of the easement.
So, that that much information I do have. >> Okay. So, and so once the easement once the cost gets negotiated and the rural and family lands program
uh provides a number to the county, then it will have to go to board of county commissioner approval of the actual easement itself. So, it's kind of a multi-step process. >> Thank you. So, in terms of uh properties under uh
active negotiation, we have JR Stewart Lands. This is south of the Lease J property that we're currently in the process of acquiring. Uh it's under conservation easement as a private mitigation bank. So uh but it would
provide good recreational opportunities and connectivity uh as a uh uh as a part of the hungerland preserve. So uh we're in negotiation with the land owners and we think that uh there's a possibility that
we can reach an agreement with them on that property. Uh the next one is the thaw family part partnership property. This is a 1499 acre property with large cypress and slooh systems. It's part of this big interconnected system of conservation
lands extending from the Indian River Lagoon to Lake Okachchobee. And uh the conservation fund has actually been taking on taking the lead in terms of negotiating with the land owner. Um and they're going to try to lock that up and >> question on that.
If the conservation fund is taking the lead, are they they paying for part and we're going to pay for part? Is that the idea? >> I think what they would eventually do is they would they would hold the property and then and then pass it along to the county. That would give us time. So that
project is listed as an essential acquisition in the Florida Forever program. So it would give us time to try and work with the Florida Forever program to try and get some funding for acquisition. >> Okay. So it gives us some options um moving forward.
>> So this is still for a conservation easement or fee simple. >> This would this would be for fee simple. >> So it could it could come up like that's the thing at this point you know uh what what happened with Barbie Ranch property is we originally were trying to negotiate a fee simple acquisition and
we could not come to an agreement with the land owner and Florida Forever got involved and eventually negotiated a conservation easement. So, so we could on some of these properties uh do a conservation easement instead uh because
sometimes the landowner likes to keep the property, you know, and they're doing a good job of managing it themselves. So, so we leave it as an option, but for now we're attempting a fee simple acquisition. And Wworth Farms is a 2262
acre property. uh that would provide a uh land quarter along I95. The property is biseected by the south fork of the St. Lucy River. It protects an important ecological quarter, an optimal boundary
for uh the Atlantic Ridge State Park. Uh we've had negotiations with the landowner, but there is no no agreement is imminent at this time. And a fourth prop uh another property that we've been involved in is the
Petway parcel. This is another that's south of Bridge Road and East Power Line. It's a 21 acre property that's part of the eastern flowway of Kitchen Creek. It could help restore wetlands in Jonathan Dickinson and support the restoration of the northwest Fork of the
Locks River. This is another property where at this point the negotiations are being led by the conservation fund, but there's a issue in terms of acquiring clean title due to the number of errors that are listed on the title um and some other
issues. So, they're working through that and hopefully they can uh work through those issues and we can get this land acquired. They also the conservation fund and it's not highlighted on here but they acquired this piece to the southeast of
it uh recently and then that then connects to Jonathan Dickinson State Park. So so we are discussing doing another nominating cycle uh and we have several properties uh that we will bring up
through this uh coming cycle. Um the first would be the chimney in Palmar. Uh so the blue area is Palm Beach Heights. That's our active acquisition area that I mentioned uh where we've been working recently. This is in yellow. The
highlighted yellow is the thaw parcel. So this would be to the north of that and would connect to the C44 reservoir and SDA. Uh, it would have the same issue as Palm Beach Heights with small parcels, one quarter to 1 acre in size.
>> How many parcels does Zach own in the chimney? >> Uh, over a thousand. >> So, this is another one. Um, and we're unsure whether or not we'll be able to evaluate this property, but we wanted to bring it in front of you because we
thought that it had uh it has a lot of value. Um, this is the Walpool property. It might be a little hard to see, but you can see there these hatchmark shaded areas. I got this map from the state. All these hashmark shaded areas are in
per are are currently in conservation either in public ownership or private ownership. And the area in orange right here is a Florida forever nominated property. Um, so it would create this
big connected system through western Martin County of protected lands and that's a pretty important uh wildlife quarter. Um, so it is in and adjacent to the Florida Wildlife Quarter. It would connect Lakeside Ranch up to uh this is
Bluefield Ranch up here. Uh the issue is that um the project is not within what the what is currently known as IRL South and it's more in the Lake Okachchobee wershed. Um so we wanted to get some
opinion. I can come back to it once I get through the rest of these in terms of uh how the committee feels about uh acquisition like this. Uh, and I actually provided as one of my slides the ordinance language uh, for you to review.
>> What is the yellow? >> The yellow is a Florida forever project boundary. So, it's privately held right now, but it's under consideration through the Florida Forever program as a potential acquisition. >> Is is it within a specific Florida
Forever boundary then? What? >> It's next to a Florida Forever. >> It's adjacent to it. Okay. Yeah, >> public speaking. >> Um, we will hold comment until the end of the presentation. >> Let's wait till we get through this and then I think we'll >> You could do it with that confidence
>> a little more. >> Yeah. No, at the end of the presentation, we'll we'll allow for uh public. >> Why don't you get through every property and we could circle back to this one. >> So, this is another acquisition. Uh this just was listed re recently within the
last month on a realtor site. It's solar properties parcel. Uh it's got a kind of a weird configuration cuz right in the middle of it you have uh you have a uh like a cell tower. Uh and that property that cell tower property would remain in
private ownership. But surrounding that you have 139 acres for sale. There's extensive wetland systems on the property. It is within the footprint of IRL South which uh is shaded in beige there and so it could possibly be a SER
Natural Lands property. It's adjacent to Barbie Ranch the conservation easement and could potentially create a link to Alapata Ranch and the C44. So the yellow hatched areas on here that is Alipata Ranch and the purple is the C44
reservoir. The green uh parcels are the C44 STA. >> Mike, I'm sorry. Is that is that property that's not the one that's right on 714, right? 714 is north of there. >> Yeah. 714 is going to be all the way up here.
>> Gotcha. >> So, this is um like I said, it's just it it's directly abut uh there is a there's there is a ditch or canal that runs on the south side of the property between it and Barbie Ranch.
Uh but it's in this kind of priority conservation area. >> Okay. So it's adjacent to cell one and >> Yeah. Okay. I got it. >> Yeah. And it's for sale for uh on a realtor site. It's listed at uh like 1.9
million. >> So Mike, how do you access that parcel? Um, currently they are accessing it by driving down and then across. Um, they have an easement I think that's
different. I think that comes down the east side. Another property that uh is listed uh that we have a willing seller letter for is the Hawk Hammock edition. So this is the county hawk hammock property which
is 432 acres. This is Palm City Farms over here. So it connects to that property on the eastern side and the drainage from these two properties go into the S1 canal and into the St. Lucy River. So it's outside of what's
currently known as the IRL South footprint, but it does drain into the St. Lucy Canal. So there's a thought that it could be uh IRL South uh SER Natural Lands property and if it's not acquired there's a high potential that
it would be developed and it's pretty much all in natural condition as of right now. Another property that's being listed for sale is the Dutilio parcel. This is south of Bridge Road and it's directly adjacent to the county's Kitchen Creek
Preserve and Central Flowway project area. This is a project that the county built to help capture storm water and instead of having it go down through the ditch system into Jonathan Dickinson State Park, it gets routed through a
series of lakes and wetlands where it can be stored and cleaned um and until eventually working its way back down into uh Kitchen Creek. Um the site is heavily impacted, but it does have the
potential if it was acquired to be uh treated like Kitchen Creek was and to expand that central flowway project. I think there's more need for storage. there's more need to uh to protect that watershed and it would get a pretty
intensive use um and and just clean up that property and improve our own Kitchen Creek property. >> That's south of Bridge Road, right? >> That is south of Bridge Road. Powerline Road is right here. So, it's west of Power Line Road.
>> Uh is the conservation fund involved in this one? We've I mentioned it to Charles Donaldson from the conservation fund. Um they you know we haven't had full discussions with them about it other than I just let him know that the
property was for sale. >> How do you how do how do you decide who does it? Who takes the lead? >> I think in this property the county would take the lead. Um >> the what >> in this in this instance the county will take the lead. >> County. >> So yeah. >> Okay. So,
one of the main advantages is the conservation easement can hold something, you know, and and fill in that gap of waiting for Florida forever grant, right? >> Is that correct? >> But the Dilio property would probably would not qualify for a Florida forever
grant or um they they got involved in terms of the Petway property just because how complicated that acquisition was was. The county has had uh the Petway property on our radar for several years, but there's so many issues with
title that uh it in some instances they're more flexible and easy to work through those issues than the county would be. >> So, so we use them where we see, you know, value where they can play a role that the county potentially couldn't.
So, here's your MTM Ranch property. 139 acres south of Bridge Road. It's in the Kitchen Creek WHED. It's directly adjacent to the Leonard parcel, which is in blue. Um, which is a candidate for a conservation easement. Uh, it's a large
cypress SL has a large Cypress Slooh system. I will say it's listed on a realtor site, but it has a very high price. I think it was $35 million is what it was listed for. >> 139 acres. >> For 139 acres. you know, you never know what'll happen.
So, so that's why we still just bring it forward and, you know, uh get it through their process and then, you know, it it could also become a potential conservation easement. Um, but in
general, things around Bridge Road and that area right now are very, very expensive. >> So, And then we have this Justin Wilson edition property. So to the north of it you have plants Corporal Justin Wilson
Park which includes a very large Slooh system that kind of dominates over half the property. Um its drainage leads directly into the St. Lucy estuary and includes important and rare bagal swamp habitat.
So, as I mentioned, a couple of these properties don't neatly fall within the boundary of what we would consider to be IRL South. So, we wanted to put it in front of the committee. So, if you want uh I can either read this or you can read it on your own and we would like
your um opinion on whether or not you know things like the uh Wallpole property and the uh Hawk Hammock edition could qualify as an IRL South project.
>> Those are the only two correct of the ones you went over that don't fall in the four areas. >> Yeah. the the uh Justin Wilson edition um is a little iffy because typically the Blue Aways looks at properties directly
adjacent to um >> to a river system and there's a little bit of a gap, but it does have a drainage system that goes directly into um the >> Do we have a price in that 20 acres? >> I do not.
>> You do not? >> Yeah. So the two pieces are Justin Wilson and Walpole. Those are the only two. >> Justin Wilson >> Hawk Hammock Edition. >> Okay. >> And Wallpole. >> Okay.
>> So my opinion, I think the Justin Wilson expansion is fits fairly easy into the Blueways concept because it does drain directly and it is fairly close. Um I I don't I'd have to look at the map on the others
again. Um regarding, you know, because they're not really SER adjacent or um whatever the other two are the Palmer or Palmar or Locky. >> Does anyone ever want to take a minute
to read the ordinance description or >> in reading the ordinance? The question that I had is how are these areas further defined? So I mean there's no definition for blueways areas >> as as one example.
>> Now there may be a definition for the natural lands component of the Indian River Lagoon South project of the comprehensive Everglaze restoration plan. If I was to look at that plan, would it give me a legal description of that geographic area?
>> Probably not a legal description. There are maps associated with it, but they're they're not so specific as to have legal descriptions. >> Yeah. Would they have specific parcel numbers and surveys on them or they're
general? They're really much more general as as the at least as the district and the core have gone forward in acquiring these properties. They have had more um detailed information, but it's really not until they start getting into the acquisition process. It's the
goal of capturing certain water basins to curtail the flow going in which >> right so >> does fall in the intent of >> right >> the ordinance um >> right so if
>> I I guess my further question would be is this an issue for the county's legal part legal department to review and and advise on as it relates to whether or not the oversight committee has the jurisdiction to consider those
parcels or not. I mean, I hate to see us spend the time and effort reviewing parcels that'll get rejected by the county commission because it separately determines that they don't fall within the definition of the ordinance. >> I think you make a great point, Scott. I
mean, this board is is to, you know, determine if it falls with the intent of the ordinance, but we shouldn't delve too deep on the legal definitions. If I mean, that should be
up to the county attorney. >> Actually, you shouldn't bring anything to us until they vet it. >> Exa Exactly. Let let let the let legal vet it before you bring it to us because >> we we we have been in talks with the
legal program and and we're you know one one thought that we've had is just if we get something from the water management district that would say that they could consider it as a natural land SER component. not that, you know, not that
they'll actually get credit for it, but that but that they but they could consider it uh for the SER Natural Lands component >> um that then it could move forward. So, um but we do value the opinion of this
board and you know, Beth, you're on here, you know, and know as much about the IRL South as anyone. So, we wanted to bring it in forward in front of the committee just to get your impression of these and And I think Merritt was um
correct in saying that at least this ordinance and and also the St. Lucy IRL plan is associated with capturing water within specific basins basically C23 C24 C25 not in Martin County and the C44
basins. So uh and yeah you're right the district if you could get that letter or a response from the district regarding that that >> would be helpful. And as I you know certainly the Hawk hammock edition uh definitely has a drainage pattern
that leads into the uh into the S1 canal and into the St. Lucy uh waterway and it is you know >> it's in all natural state so it's not improved pasture
>> uh so it does uh at least in my mind does have value to IRL south. >> Yeah. Could you detail again where that property actually is? Like what is the roadway that it's south of there? >> That's I95. >> I95.
>> This is Hawk Hammock Preserve. It's a 432 acre county preserve. There's a >> 300 acre county preserve, Mount Creek Preserve, that's over in this area. Uh it's to the north of the Ottabon parcel. Um so I can
>> Right. Right. Okay. So it's fairly fairly far west. Okay. >> Let me see if there's a probably a map that would best highlight it would be um so it's actually right here. Okay. Okay.
>> So, and then this S1 canal flows straight down in that direction. So, we'll um we'll basically take uh this back. Um and in terms of the wall
pole property and Hawkamic edition, we'll we'll ask the district directly about those. Um, so >> the intent appears at first glance to seem to fall
in line with the ordinance. >> And I I've tried and I don't know if even the Florida Blueways program is clear as to to what falls into each property. It was generally along the waterfront. >> Yeah.
>> Along a water body. Um, >> so there might whether it's IRL South or the Florida Blue WH program be there's not specific partial numbers and surveys that we can go by. Um,
>> who nominated Justin Wilson? Um we've received uh well first of all there is uh there is a phone number like a real realtor listed for that property and then uh
there was a me there was a member of the public who contacted the county and asked us about that property. >> Okay. because I would if of of those three properties that would be the last one on my list to send any money towards.
>> Yeah. And and the reason why I brought Walpole forward, you know, it's not like it's just >> Oh, not Wallpole. I'm talking about Justin Wilson. >> Yeah. Yeah. I >> understand the other two. >> Yeah. >> I don't know if they qualify. That's why
I asked you to get the legal opinion in or from South Florida, but I'm really hesitant about the one adjacent to a park. >> Okay. >> Well, Walpole, as you said, which is up now,
flows into the Lake Okchobee based. >> So, that would be the hardest to fall under the intent of the ordinance, whether it's legal or not. And I normally wouldn't even bring a parcel like this forward, but I mean when you look at the potential connectivity and
the link it could provide um a link that goes all the way up to Central Florida, like you have conservation that continue north of that pro property. You can see that um it has a lot of value. And you know, we met we did meet with the land
owner. Um he said they've found panther tracks on their property. Mhm. >> Haven't seen Panthers themselves, but that would certainly be an area where Panthers could move. Uh so it um so if we didn't have four zones, this would be
kind of a no-brainer for this for us to bring forward. Um but you know, uh we'll just have to see if we can find something that would allow us to um >> Mike, can I have it reviewed? >> Can I make a couple comments about the property, too?
>> Sure. Um, it does back up to a a mitigation bank and a part of the property and I don't know if it's the gold parcel that you have laid out, but a part of the property does um it's already under conservation. It
was it was the first piece of property in the county that went under under a conservation plan. Um what they're what they're asking for is for the rest of the property to go under
easement. Um >> and >> and there are creeks on the property. Uh Lettuce Creek and Ben Swearen. Beth, you may know. >> Yeah, that sounds familiar. >> Yeah.
>> Severan or something. Swear Creek. Yeah. Is the parcel below it that's like a triangish? Is that privately held? >> This is Lakeside Ranch. It's water management district. >> Yeah. But just right above that. >> Oh, >> between the red and the and the green is
that dark area. >> So that's the area you're referring to that's under conservation. >> Um it's in St. Lucy County. Oh yes. Uh St. Lucy County is the mitigation just across the boundary. >> No, but Mr. Tumblr is talking about the
below the red square. Correct. >> Yes. >> Yeah. So, this is a Lakeside Ranch down here. >> Yeah. >> But between Lakeside Ranch and the and the bottom part of the boundary, that area right there, is that privately held or is that >> That's correct. Okay.
>> Yeah. >> So, yeah, I'm a little unclear on this map as well, Mik. So, that so the dark green crosshatch is our conservation easements, existing conservation easements. Uh yeah, the I was having trouble
finding maps that showed uh these conservation easements. >> Okay. And what what is the light green? Is that like the core? >> Light green is the uh Florida Ecological Greenways network. >> Okay. But it's not those are privately owned or those are >> private,
>> right? Lighter green is privately owned. Darker green is in conservation but sometimes privately owned. >> Okay. It has limitations, but um I like the map because it showed that connectivity. I try to like change it. So you uh but
they don't allow you to change like the color patterns. So >> well the I mean the ordinance is clear and firm and I agree with Mr. Campenny and others. We we need to know that it's
vetted legally before really delving into ranking it. Um, you know, we're more voting on on ranking it and the intent of the ordinance on behalf of
the public, not a legal opinion. >> Understood. >> Okay. >> Did we have any public comment? >> No. Rick, >> a couple few more slides. So, we have our celebration event. on April 17th,
Friday at 9:00 am. It's going to be at uh Timer Powers Park. >> Um and so it's open to the public and anyone is welcome to attend. Um we're going to celebrate not just Barbie Ranch, but all the uh successes we've
had uh in the program to this to date. Um, I want to put a plug to the Martin County Forever uh website which is um provides information and updates on our program.
And that is all. >> Mike, is it possible to get a copy of this presentation? >> Sure. >> Okay. >> Yes. Would you mind just emailing it? >> Yes. >> At least to myself, but probably to all the board members might like it. and
they can share those slides on the public outreach. Uh so Mr. Hartman did leave. Is there any any other comments by committee members or the public? this >> um I don't know when we make a comment,
but um I would hope we'd move along quicker on acquiring these properties. We ought to ought to be approving more. Got to spend this money sooner.
Well, we've we're pretty much like every every almost all the money that's been collected so far has been tagged to a project for acquisition. So, um so we're spending it as quick as it's coming in.
>> So, has to that matter, has the county discussed bonding the future funds? >> Um that would be a board of county commissioners. Uh >> yes. Do you know of any discussion that that's come up by? >> There has been no discussion because
staff hasn't brought it up. If staff brings it up, then perhaps they would have a discussion. >> I know we have as the ELOC have encouraged staff to do that or discuss it with them. I mean, if if I think what Mr. color is getting at is if the
restricting and limiting factor is the funds in the ordinance the county can bond up to 80% and unleash all the future funds so they can be leveraged now if if I may chair John mail environmental resource administrator to
date funding has not been a limiting factor >> and we have had conversations with board members um to the effect that >> should a need come up that would precipitate that conversation and which financing tool would be most appropriate. It may not be bonding. We
have other options if we need something more short-term for a smaller amount. But so far, there's been no lack of aggression in pursuing these and and funding has to put it plainly, we've been lucky. The
funding has kept up just barely with us coming to closing on on these agreements. Um, it's possible that any day we could have something fall into place that would demand more than we have in receipts and at that time we'd
go to the board. The closings on these are often 120 to 180 days. There's time for us to implement whatever financing tool is most appropriate um to to carry to carry the day and get to closing. So, u I think that's we know that that's those are options that we can take to
the board should the need precipitate it. We didn't want to ask for $100 million to just set on the shelf um um and and pay interest on it if we didn't need the money. Um but we aren't we aren't slowing down at all in in our
efforts to acquire. >> Is the is the accounting department or whomever tracking or projecting revenue going forward based on historical collections? >> So So we Yes. Um and and we have uh
pushed that office. Um when we get an agreement, a contract ready to go, um we'll say, you know, how much money do we have? When do you anticipate that we could facilitate this transaction? And we set closings based on that. Um we've
done that. We've only really had to do that a couple of times. And in both times, it worked out really perfectly with the um the the closing structure. Anyway, >> good. Like I said, we've been getting lucky so far. >> So what it seems the way you said the the board
has appetite for bonding on a case-by cases basis if funding becomes the limiting factor, but right now it's negotiations and it's worked out. I >> I don't know if I would characterize it exactly that way that the board has
appetite. Um we believe we have license to make that request should we need it. Okay. And the ELOC has encouraged that request in prior meetings if it is necessary. >> That's our understanding.
>> Yes, we have. Okay. >> So, to be clear. >> Well, Mr. Chair, maybe you need to >> do we need I I believe we did a motion to >> No, no, I don't think you need a motion. I think you may need to speak to the
county commission at a commission meeting if >> if that yes if Mr. May if will you alert myself or chair if if staff feels that funding is the
limiting factor. I'm certain representatives from the yellow sea would be happy to address the county commission uh to encourage them to fund on a case-by case basis. I if negotiations are the limiting
factor, we're in a good spot. Um but I think Mr. Keller was saying and all of us might as well spend the money now um to keep where we are. >> Cheaper. >> Exactly. don't have to twist our arm.
>> Yes. So, >> Mr. Keller, >> another comment. We haven't met since September. Weren't we going to meet quarterly? >> I think it was on an as needed basis. And as of January, which was when we
originally were intending to have this meeting, we really hadn't started. We didn't really have anything to report. you know, uh, a lot of the time after these projects got board approval was spent on completing appraisals. That
took two months to do on its own. So, it wasn't really until December that we even really started reaching out to these land owners to try and make these uh to try and buy these lands. So um so but
we're now in a position I think um where within the next three months we could bring a you know we could have another ranking meeting with a smaller number of properties you know looks looking to be like four or five at this time. Um and
and if anything else were to come forward, we we could add it to that. But uh so we could look at uh maybe July doing another ranking meeting. >> How do you feel on setting a date now or do you want to see how the
you know I mean for three of them we want to be certain on legal department's opinion. Um, >> but how does the rest of the board feel in setting a date now or waiting >> I think staff a little
>> and we should figure that if we don't hear from staff within 90 days then >> you Mr. Chair or the real Mr. Chair can reach out >> but I think it would be foolish to try to do it if there was nothing any more
concrete than there is at this moment. Okay. >> I mean, I would just offer up uh you know, the idea of setting a meeting, you know, you know, in the next 60 to 90 days now because if we wait to set the
meeting with schedules getting filled up, we may not actually meet again until July or August, September. >> I I would agree with that. Um, >> we could certainly set a meeting and then >> give staff a goal
>> and then change the date. Um, >> yeah. >> A and if we're going to set a date for this, then let's set it within let's set it that we we meet at the same time every 90 days or every 120 days and we
have a meeting. We don't say, "Jim, can you make it? Bill, what about you?" I mean, we we never going to work that way. So, just like the LPA sets a date, just like other meetings are set, we should do the same thing with ELOC, Mr. Chair, and that's the meeting date.
>> June 3rd would be 60 days from now. >> Would you be ready on June 3rd to present anything more than what you did just now? >> Um, we would have moved closer to closing. We potentially could have uh
gotten theseUS in place and be closer to these conservation easements on the free rural and family land. >> July 1st would be a Wednesday. >> That's not that's never going to be a good week. I don't care if it's a July 1st or an August 1st or but it has to be
the same day, the same time every whatever we decide three week 3 months, two months, four months. Otherwise, we'll never come to an agreement on when we should meet. Well, if we want to schedule one in
July, then we could just set uh three-month calendar dates from there and and move in a three months every three month schedule uh from here going forward. So, Wednesdays have been the prior times of our past meetings. You
know, July 8th is the second Wednesday. That would give people some time after the 4th. >> You'll have to give me a second. Let me The one thing I do need to do is make sure that this room is available. um on any dates that are selected. Does everyone like uh 3:00
as a time for the meeting? Does that work for everyone? >> That's fine. >> Yeah. And Mr. Keller, >> no. I my I want to go on to it in one more topic, but stay on this date question. >> 3:00 is good for me, Mike, but July. >> Do we have the Do we have the room on
July 8th? Uh, let's see. >> Nothing. >> Um, >> opening. >> There's a bid opening from 2:30 to 3. So perhaps at 3:30
3:30. Would that work? And and others can attend if they are out of town. They're just non- voting members, but they can sign in and make comments. Correct. >> Mhm. >> We'll still have that capability.
>> And I could certainly we could still bring forward if there are if we don't are if we aren't able to rank the three that are in question right now. We could we still could have three or four properties that we could rank and get approved for potential acquisitions. So,
there's no reason why we can't have a smaller ranking meeting. Yeah, I will beg out on July. I won't be won't be able to make it in July actually or through September. So, unless you meet before July 1st,
but that's all right. >> I won't be there either, but that's beside the point. We're going to meet >> Let's give staff a goal. That's what it sounds like. >> We need a quorum. >> Um >> Yeah. Yeah. We have a couple that aren't here. Uh
why don't we give staff a goal to shoot for July 8th? >> Okay. I'll reserve the room for 3:30. >> If you know two weeks ahead of time that we're going to have some properties that need to be
ranked a significant number and there's concern about a quorum. if you can reach out to everyone as soon as you know that that meeting has significant value. >> Well, it sounded like we want to try and
do it on as long as we get a quorum, we want to do it on July 8th anyway, right? >> Yes. >> So, but I uh so I'll have to provide you with the environmental assessments anyway. >> Yes. >> Uh so, so I would reach out I provide an agenda. I would provide the environmental assessments. Um, and at
that time if you know if there if it looks like we're not going to get a quorum, then that probably be the one thing that would precipitate us cancelling the meeting. And I could, you know, if I think we're going to be missing several members, but we have a
quorum, we could hold off, you know, for a little longer in terms of doing the next ranking meeting. And can I move on to another topic? >> Uh we're currently in a a county
meeting, right? Uh but the referendum raised money for uh uh expenditures not in the county. And I'm the one that raised the money to to to uh uh push this uh referendum to success. and I
made uh responsibilities to the to the people that contributed to it and people that voted to it that we would adhere to the idea that this money would be used for land and water environmental issues and doesn't our responsibility extend
beyond the county to wherever this money is going to be spent. >> I think as an oversight board we should certainly be watching that The municipalities legally aren't bound by the exact
language of the referendum. >> We we raised the money and told it to people they voted for that thought that this money was going to be used for land and water. >> Yes. >> And >> that would not your role on the environmental lands oversight committee is to review projects that have been
nominated for potential acquisition by the county >> and we had nothing to do with municipalities. Correct. The law is quite clear on that and I don't think we should be from this dis telling other people how to spend municipalities how
to spend the money. >> I disagree with that. Well, okay. I mean, we raised the money. >> No, no, no, no, no. You raised the money for a specific purpose to get it on the ballot. It was gotten on the ballot. >> On the ballot. What went on the ballot was >> and it was passed. money that would be
spent environmental >> and we are here and we are here discussing what the whatever money comes to the county it will be done according to that referendum and the enabling language however when it comes to any
one municipality we have no control over it whether we should or not is doesn't really matter legally we have no control over it and so we should not be bringing it up as a as anything having to do with this
committee. >> That's just not the spirit of the reference. >> I agree with you. It's wrong. But that doesn't mean they're doing anything illegal. Nor should this committee get embroiled in any dispute with any other
municipality. We have a job to do. We're doing that job and we should stay focused on that job. If you wish to to speak at at a commission meeting, a a city of Stewart commission meeting, please go right ahead and do so. If you
wish to write a letter, I'll be glad to publish it in Friends and Neighbors. But as far as this committee taking a stand on anything else that has nothing to do with this committee and our and what we're charged with doing, it's not what
we should be doing and it will only hurt the committee. So >> then we committed fraud to the people that no >> the ordinance the ordinance the ordinance is pretty clear under section 62. It basically says municipalities may only spend their share of the sir tax
revenue to finance plan and construct infrastructure and to acquire land for public recreation conservation or protection of natural resources. >> Who wrote the ordinance and who passed the ordinance? >> Well the the uh the voters passed the ordinance. voters and the county
>> and the county right >> we are overseeing county funds >> right >> now the the question that's being discussed right now is whether this county board should interject as a board
in municipalities actions there's also the question of whether or not >> this committee created in the referendum >> and let's discuss >> wasn't committed wasn't created by the county it was created by the referendum. It's in the the idea of a citizens committee is in the referendum.
>> The referendum and the accompanying ordinance required the formation of an environmental lands oversight committee and shall provide citizen oversight and conduct and coordinate any necessary uh studies to determine appropriate lands
to acquire from funding provided by the sert. It's and then it goes on to list the different members. Um so so >> so if the committee was created was established just by the referendum >> the referendum
specified the formation and then the county commissioners >> as required by the ordinance established the environmental lands oversight committee for the role of making um recommendations to the board in terms of what lands to acquire.
>> This is a county board. We municipalities are not under our jurisdiction. They're not under the county's jurisdiction. >> The municipalities are getting funding through the method that this was passed
by the state law through the halfsent infrastructure sir tax. By default they are getting funding by on based on their population. >> Lights don't count here. Sebastian, do you want ahead? So, I I can weigh in and
I think this is a sort of a two-prong um question. Um the first goes to the role of this particular committee uh which Mike did uh read for you all. Uh this committee was established by county resolution
um and it states very clearly uh what the purpose and duty and responsibility of this particular committee is. Um the other prong of this is uh the language in the referendum that addresses
municipality uses which uh was also just read to you. Um and just to restate that uh municipalities may only spend their share of the sir tax revenue to finance, plan and construct
infrastructure and to acquire land for public recreation, conservation or protection of natural resources in accordance with section 212055. Um section 212055 spends about 3/4 of a page discussing uh
the definition of infrastructure. It's a pretty broad um concept. Um my recommendation, not that I was asked for it, but my recommendation is in line with uh what Tom has been saying. uh not
and based on the two prongs I just described uh the role of this committee and then the broad language of the the language in the ordinance itself >> and I'm happy to answer any questions or >> yes Mr. color.
>> One more thing, one of the brilliance of this money is that it's uh able to draw down additional funds from Florida Forever and state funds and so forth. When people start spending money on pet projects unrelated to land and water,
we're inconsistent with the with the mission of the referendum and it hurts us in relationship with the state and for future uh drawdowns of money from the state. I
hate to see us screw up something that's really brilliant. >> Well, John, does that come on up. Well, >> is that is that true? >> It also hurt hampers the future with messing up public perception of our
actions or the actions of the funds that are going to the municipalities. It hampers the future of the referendum getting renewed 9 years from now. >> And that may very well be John, you want to answer my question? Um I I might be answering a different question, but but
it seems to me that what's before this group is is is it is really a clear question of is it appropriate for the group as Martin as the environmental lands oversight committee to take a position on it. Whether it's an
appropriate use of the dollars, that's probably more up to this taxpayers of the city of Stewart, the voters in city of Stewart, individual members. Um, of course, every member of this committee is welcome to to weigh in as a citizen
or individual on the appropriateness of of these tax dollars being used in any um uh municipality. But as far as like I'm I'm following the lead of my council that um that we don't think that the
environmental lands oversight committee has authority to weigh in on this topic. >> I'd like to welcome uh our chair uh Mr. Sneder uh who just made it and we've gone through most of the presentation.
Jim, >> I was actually able to listen to it. >> Okay. But we have in our final member comments are discussing city of Stewart's potential use of their allocation of the funds from the state
that they receive from this referendum. >> So may I take a step back? Can you hear me? Is this is this on? >> Yes. So uh roughly two years ago we reached out to all the municipalities talked with their managers uh as it relates to this issue. Uh we were
assured by all of them that they would use uh the money to the best extent possible for every for an environmental purpose. Uh that was the the agreement the understanding uh reached with each of those individuals. Uh yesterday I may
be jumping ahead so John please jump in as appropriate. Uh I talked with uh Mayor Collins. Uh we discussed this at length. I indicated that if in fact they proceeded with a plan that they had uh
in mind that it would create major problems at in roughly seven years when this comes up for renewal if in fact that happens. But bottom line is that it would be highly problematic. I believe that he understood that he agreed that he would table it. uh it
wasn't clear if it was tabled uh permanently but clearly uh at least for now. So I think that at this point uh my council would be that we uh stay the course we simply we we watch what's going on and if in fact it comes back up
again we at that time individually rather than as a committee uh we then express our opinion to the uh city of Stewart. I uh went before them uh at their last meeting. Uh I made it clear in no uncertain terms uh my perspective
on this. I did not speak in behalf of this committee but merely on my my own behalf and Martin County Forever LLC. So I think at this point uh we sit tight, see what happens uh and we monitor the situation. But John, do you want to add
to that or what are your thoughts? I I think the only thing I would would add is um at the beginning of your statement um when you reference going to the city council's um to ask about their intention to use it for conservation use the word we I think I would just define
that that was the campaign um for >> great clarification that was Martin County Forever LLC uh and I spoke on their behalf and the statement that I gave them said at the stop at the up uh on behalf of Martin
County Forever LLC. Not definitely not on behalf of ELOC. >> And for the record, two prior city commission meetings ago, I spoke in opposition of the city's intent to use it to purchase existing
buildings as well. Um and I do encourage every member of this board to speak up. And you know, our overall goal, while we're only tasked through resolution and the referendum
overseeing the funds that go to the county, public perception blends those legal lines. And one of my goals is to see this renewed, you know, and that work starts seven years from now,
you know, for funding to happen nine years from now. and actions of misuse of this money against the intent of what the voters passed will hamper it being renewed and hamper conservation
efforts in Martin County. >> I would also suggest as individuals you speak to your c your state legislators and have them change the law. Simple as that. There is a law. Sebastian read it. He gave a legal opinion.
So if you wish to change it and I and I would that is where it starts. It starts in Tallahassee. Doesn't start here. It starts in Tallahassee. change the law where if a referendum is passed and it's we're talking about money being
allocated and all sales tax it's allocated by population then they must then the municipalities must spend it also on what the ordinance actually said or what the referendum actually >> that is very good points Martin County
forever worked tirelessly to put in guard rails to how this money could be spent specifically for environmental restoration or environmental purposes to protect water quality.
Those guard rails only extend to Martin County's use. They do not extend all the way down because of state law to the m municipality use. Although what they might do is a question of whether or not it's legal or not. Anyway,
the guard rails in the ordinance are crystal clear for how the county can use the funds. >> Well, then I second Mr. Campon's campy's motion in effect to change the law. And it' be a feather in our cap if we point
out that the legislators need to change the law so that elected officials can't spend money on their pet projects that is not consistent with the the uh >> reason we passed this referendum or this
type of environmental referendum. >> Agreed. Well made. >> Agreed. >> Very well. >> Do we have any other business, >> Mr. Hoff? >> Thank you. >> Yes. >> Um, so I have a couple of 4 members here in the audience. Um, these are members
of my teen leadership club. And this year we partnered with the Smithsonian Institute to take on a civic engagement project. Um, the this was a very youthled project. It was very hard for me to stay back and let them run and do their thing. Uh, but they did. Um and
they from the ground up selecting their own topics, doing their everything themselves. I was just there to support. Um and this group of individuals, these two along with four others decided they want to do a project on um the importance of preserving our native
lands. And uh so they have just about finalized this video. It needs one small edit, but we're going to go ahead and if you don't mind, I'd like to play this video for you guys and show you uh the importance of this. And you know, I know, excuse me, Merritt mentioned uh his daughter earlier, but there's you we're representing a lot of of future
Martin County members here um that are are also watching. >> Yes. Go ahead, please. Martin County has long been known for its open spaces, farms, and ranchelands. But as development continues to grow, more of this land is at risk of
disappearing. This raises an important question. How could we preserve the land that supports our environment, wildlife, and local history? Agriculture has been an important part of Martin Countyy's landscape for generations. Today, the county still contains nearly 180,000 acres of farmland across about 588
farms. Some of this land is now being protected through conservation programs. For example, Bull Hammock Ranch, a cattle ranch of more than 5,800 acres, was recently approved for a conservation easement, ensuring the land will remain open while continuing to operate as a working ranch. To learn more about agricultur's role in land preservation,
we spoke with Mr. Wes Carlton at Bull Hammock Ranch. Would you mind introducing yourself? >> My name is Wes Carlton, owner of Bull Hammock Ranch. >> Could you tell us a little bit about conservation efforts that happen on Bull Hammock Ranch? >> Bull Hammock has several different conservation efforts. The first one was
a a water project on the east side of the ranch. Compasses about 2,000 acres of of water storage on natural natural wetlands, natural footprint. And then we did a about a 70 acre water reservoir here that captures offsite water. And then Bull Hammock Ranch just recently
also did a perpetual police. So what you see today, what it look like forever. >> Why did you choose Cuz I know your ranch partners with some people to conserve. Why did you choose to partner with the people you did? >> The main reason we did what we did is there are state agencies two that we did
with federal government has some programs WRP programs wetland preserve. Some of the restrictions on that are and and it's in the process of changing is at any point in time they could tell you to take the cattle off of it. So that scared me to death. So we opted not to even consider that.
>> Could you explain the importance of this land beans preserve? >> It breaks my heart to see what's happened on the state lands. It's just an exotic wasteland of pepper trees and kogan grass. My motto has always been I want to look better when I leave than when I took charge. So, thank you. Nice having you.
>> After speaking with Mr. Wes Carlton, we saw how conservation easements can protect working land from development while making it possible for a ranch to remain productive. To better understand how land is preserved in Martin County, we spoke with Michael Houston, a senior project manager in the Martin County
Environmental Research Division. Thank you for meeting with me. would you like to introduce yourself? >> Sure, absolutely. Uh, and thank you for coming down to uh, interview me today. My name is Michael Houston. I am a senior project manager in the Martin County Environmental Resource Division.
And my job through this process is I help to shepherd properties from being nominated and submitted for potential acquisition through our process to get them approved for sales tax funding. So what factors do the ELA consider when deciding like what lands to prioritize
just lands that are available? >> So when we originally set up the sales tax initiative, we wrote a manual and established procedures for how lands would go from being nominated to being approved for acquisition. And in that it
included having environmental assessments done from a group called the Florida Natural Areas Inventory who works with the state land conservation programs to acquire their conservation lands. So they would do environmental assessments that we have a citizen
advisory board that then reviews and evaluates those properties and makes recommendations in terms of whether or not we should acquire the lands or not and kind of ranks and prioritizes by how environmentally sensitive and how much value it has. They had 16
properties that they evaluated 10,000 acres. Based on that, we now have a list that got approved by the county commissioners and now we're going out to acquire those properties. So, it's a whole process to get us to the point where we can even make offers and try and acquire these lands. >> So, in your opinion, which land is
better to preserve, agricultural native lands? >> Um, I wouldn't really speak to that. They all have values in different ways. You know, conservation lands are important because they protect native wild habitat and keep native habitats native, but these agricultural areas are
also important because they help to protect wildlife quarters. You're still having conservation values on these properties as well. So, that's a a tough thing to come out and say what one preference would be or another. >> Thank you for meeting with me. Speaking
with Michael Houston gave us a much clearer understanding of how land preservation works in Martin County and the process required to protect these lands for the future. Preserving land is not only important for agriculture but also for protecting natural ecosystems and wildlife habitats. Learn more about
why conserving natural lands matters. We spoke with Merritt Mat. >> Can you introduce yourself? >> Yes. Uh I'm Merritt Mat. I'm uh one of the members of the environmental and odor site committee. Could you explain a a little bit about what the Indian River Keeper is?
>> So the Indian River Keeper is part of a worldwide organization of Water Keepers Alliance. We're a nonprofit group of volunteers which work to protect water quality. >> What are the benefits of preserving land? >> Preserving land is critical for the
health not only of that land but of our waterways all around us. >> What are the biggest threats that impact any river? So some of the biggest threats here are non-natural discharges from Lake Okachchobee. So any discharges from Lake Okchobee wouldn't naturally come into this estuary. Some of the
other problems are really seaggrass degradation. Your seaggrass helps hold down the the sediment on the bottom of the goon and also helps filter out too much nutrients by habitat, juvenile fish and and food. If you lose your immune
system in a water body, it takes hits from storm events, from discharges from Lego chobee. And those hits are harder on the wood moon and of itself, and it's kind of a a cascading effect down. So really focusing on water quality,
letting seaggrass rebound helps ensure clean water throughout the lagoon. >> How has the Indie River Lagoon really changed from when you started with the Indie River ters? >> The lagoon has changed. We've lost significant amounts of seaggrass. They
have problems with water quality and we have problems with mock layers throughout in your lagoon which kind of form an anorobic layer where nothing can really grow. Seagrass can't get established. It's almost like an ooze. So the inner lagoon has changed
significantly over my lifetime. >> What are the things people can do to protect the Indian River Lagoon and other waterways? Helping protect our waterways can easily start with small changes. Encourage residents to not use fertilizers on their logs from the wet
season starting uh June 1st and lasting till about the end of November. Obeying no weight zones cause too much turbidity in area and harm seaggrass not to run your prop through a grass bed. Get out of the boat, walk it carefully off off a
grass flat. After talking with Merritt Mat, we came away with a better understanding of how much natural lands do for Martin County. He showed us that protecting these spaces means protecting the wildlife, ecosystems, and natural balance of the community. Through this project, we learned that land
preservation in Martin County depends on many different people working together. Farmers, ranchers, environmental staff, and conservation groups each play a different role in protecting the land, wildlife, and natural spaces that shape our community. Agriculture is not only part of Martin Countyy's history, but also part of its future. Preserving
working lands helps protect open spaces while allowing the land to continue serving an important purpose. As members of our community, we can use our voices by learning about local issues, asking questions, and sharing what we discover with others. As America marks 250 years of independence, this project is a
reminder that communities have always been shaped by people who stay informed, get involved, and work to protect what matters most. Excellent. >> Excellent work. >> Yes. Great job. Very >> nice. Good job. >> Can you introduce yourself? >> Yes.
>> Yeah. If we could have Ian and uh Kayla, you mind coming forward for a second? Uh Ian is our editor and Kayla is our awesome interviewer. Um our our videographer was Jack who wasn't able to be here today and then we had three other members of the team who helped give in ideas, but these are the the
main people here. >> Excellent job. >> Great job. And be sure to send that around to us. We can all like it on our YouTube feeds. >> Yes. Yeah. The final Smithsonian. Then we'll make sure it gets around to everybody as well. >> It's not quite done yet.
>> Okay. >> Really close. >> Thank you guys. >> Thank you guys. Great work. Very good. >> Great job. >> Any comments you'd like to say? I don't have too much to say, but I just want to thank you guys for listening to
this and like listening to our message because I know you guys can really change what's going on and I know that um that you guys can can really help out and protect the area that we've grown up in and helped us. So, thank you.
>> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Okay. >> Meeting >> meeting ajourned. John mail. >> This is just another really positive thing that's it's a tangent conservation
effort to Martin County Forever. Um Mike's looking at me like what are you about to say? Can you just be um I get that look all the time. I know know what's behind it. >> There was no luck like I >> No. So, uh, this is not Martin County
forever, but it's in the spirit of what you're doing, and and I think it's partly inspired by it. There's a a a local resident who, um, was inspired to engage in what I call her own Martin County Forever. Um, and out of her own
pocketbook, um, uh, spent $10 million acquiring land to give to the county for conservation. Um, it was land that this that wouldn't have fit in the ordinance. It didn't fit in any other programs, but it had incredible value for preserving
um natural areas, uh stopping development in congested areas, things like that. And we worked with um um this um wonderful person over the last year to identify uh where her her investment could be at its highest and best use.
And um this morning uh she put under contract the the last piece that we were pursuing. And so there's going to be a lot of uh fanfare, I'd say, over the next year as we um accept those deeds to to the county and uh and and open them
up for the public and uh there'll probably be a couple of ribbon cutings. Um but just just super super encouraging um effort and uh we I look forward to introducing her to you. um I I think we'll have an opportunity to bring her to one of these meetings and she can
tell you about the inspiration, her family story that that uh brought her to this point. And it's it's it's a super powerful story and um a really encouraging thing that hopefully inspires some other people to um to follow her her lead. Thank you.