Good morning everyone. We will call to order. Thank you for joining us for the May 22nd, 2026 Valuchia Forever Committee meeting. Um we will start with a roll call. Jessica Gal here. >> Suzanne Shyber.
>> Kelly Frasco >> here. >> Gerald Fezer >> here. >> John Campbell >> here. >> Derek Montaine >> here. >> John Maluso >> here. >> Dana Mcool >> here.
>> Wanda Vanam >> here. >> We have a quorum. >> Fantastic. Thank you. And welcome Dana to your first official meeting. We're excited to have you. >> All right, we will move on to public participation. I do not have any public participation forms at this time. Um, if you would like to speak to an item, just
make sure you fill out that participation form. You'll have three minutes. Um, and we will move on to the approval of the March 20th, 2026 meeting minutes. If someone has had a chance to review that and would like to make a motion, we will entertain or we have comments. >> I make them. >> Yeah, real. Wanda has real quick.
>> Um on page four of eight or page six, second paragraph um chairman G noted that no representative for the Lake Diaz property had Right. Okay. My my apologies. I read that wrong. I was thinking it should say
the property owner had not arrived, but the way it's written, it is correct. My apologies. >> No worries. Any other comments before we have a motion? All right. >> I'll make a motion we accept minutes as presented. >> Second. We have a motion and a second. All those in favor, please say I. >> I. >> I.
>> Those opposed? Likewise. Great. Minutes have passed. Um, we will jump to old business. So, you got a revised agenda emailed out. Um, that should all be in front of you. Um, so as Wanda noted, the Lost Road property, we ranked it last
time or we found it eligible last time, but we did not rank it because we did not have a property owner representative. So we will revisit Lawson Road just for ranking into the A or B list first on today's agenda. >> Good morning. Tim Tel with Future
Forever program. So as you've uh been made aware, we have this Lawson Road uh ranking stage that we're at right now. So we're asking the committee to make a determination whether this should be placed on the A or B list. It's already been determined eligible. Uh this is a conservation easement approximately 95
acres in size. Staff had scored it at 11 out of 21. The minimum required is 10. Uh we do have some potential with the rural and family lands protection program. That's our FDAX partners on agricultural easements for attributes. It is within the ecological greenway
network which is which is our uh wildlife corridor there. And um it is also uh on the county's environmental systems corridor. And with that we'll stand by for any questions on the matter. And we do have property owners uh representatives in the audience today for any questions beyond staff.
>> Fantastic. Do we have questions from staff on this one? >> Microphone, please. >> Yeah. >> But I see 95 acres. Yeah, that's a lot. >> So about
>> Okay. So, so sometimes this happens to us. I apologize. So we we'll prepare the uh PowerPoint and uh if it's put together a little bit later in the game. So sometimes our slides carry over a little bit of erroneous information. So um I'm going to read the project report
form. The project report form listed as 735 acres and listed as a agricultural easement. So those are corrected matters. So um please disregard the two items that are on the PowerPoint. >> Okay. Thank you. All right, other questions for staff on
review here. If not, we will entertain a motion for ranking. >> Move to place it on the A-list. >> We have a motion. >> Second. >> We have a motion and a second to place this on the A-list. Any further discussion? Seeing none, all those in favor say I.
>> I. Any opposed? Right. This property will be sorted on the A-list. Now we will move on to new business. Um so we will do the joint eligibility and ranking today. So we'll start with eligibility review.
And so for the uh advisory committee's benefit I I want to let the committee know that there are uh representatives for all of the applications here today. So you can handle both eligibility and ranking at today's meeting. Uh so we are at the eligibility stage. Next slide please. There's the location of these uh
items under your consideration for both eligibility and ranking. And the first item is going to be Pittnam Road. Next slide, please. And uh I'll roll right into this one, Hunter. Um so this is the Pittnum Pitman Road application. This is another agricultural easement. Staff had
scored at 12 out of 19. Our minimum is nine. Acreages over 100 acres around 101. It's not within any of our current target areas. Um and we don't have any conservation property adjacent to it. With that, we'll stand by for questions.
questions for staff. >> Did you visit Did staff visit this property? >> Um, we had a a staff member um do a driveby essentially. It's mostly pasture. Other questions for staff? All right, seeing none, do we have any
general discussion on the topic or we'll entertain a motion? >> Yeah, just question. So, you said, was there someone here who wanted to speak to it or this is just if we got questions? >> We have a property owner representative for ranking. Um, if you have questions for them, I mean, they're also welcome to come speak, but
>> Okay. So, just checking. Uh we might or we are planning to do the ranking then after >> after eligibility. Yep. Go ahead. >> Madam I would move that is eligible. >> Second. >> I have another question.
>> Sure. >> We've got a motion in a second. We'll go to discussion. Suzanne >> the um I noticed it said that gopher tortoises were on the property. So, you're asking for confirmation if there are gopher tortoises on >> I'm asking are there gopher tortoises on the property?
>> That was actually my question. I'm sorry. I was trying to read my question and look at you. >> Sure. So, um gopher tortoises weren't confirmed, but are you referencing the uh page 29 with the gopher tortois overlay? So, I didn't write down the page number,
but I'm just asking a general question. Are there gopher tortoises on the property? >> It's it's likely. Um, and this gopher tortoise overlay gives us uh sort of an approximation that there's a likelihood, but they weren't confirmed with a site visit. Derek,
>> um, can I ask what kind of buildings are those that are listed? There's a page 24 buildings, at least three of them at least. So, I'm just wondering what they were. Some kind of agricultural thing, I guess. >> Just asking.
>> Oh, okay. So it's our understanding that these are agricultural structures essentially barns and other storage areas for the agricultural operations. >> Okay. Right. Other seeing no other questions. We have a motion and a second to find
this eligible for the forest and farmlands easement program. All those in favor let it be noted by saying I. >> I. >> Any opposed? All right. This property will be found eligible. We will revisit it for sorting shortly. Next is the East Washington one property. Um, for both of
these properties, I think we want to note that the application came in as an agricultural, but the analysis was done on conservation. It shifted. Correct. >> That is correct. Yes. There didn't seem to be the same level of agricultural history on this property. We thought it was a good fit for our conservation easement program. >> Fantastic.
>> All right. >> Uh, good morning everyone. Hunter Fulmer, chief of land management. Um the next property is the East Washington uh the first of the parcels and uh as mentioned this is a conservation easement. Now this is a staff score 12 out of 21 out of the required 10. It's
around 90 acres. It's in the Florida wildlife corridor target area and there is no adjacent conservation property. We'll take any questions. >> Questions for staff on this parcel. Wanda, >> given that this has been um turned into
a conservation easement, does that lessen the chances for a rural and family lands protection program or are conservation easements qualify for that program? >> Uh for our partners, we would uh look to
partner with either the Florida Department of Environment or Protection or the St. John River Water Management District on standard conservation easement like this. >> Okay. All right. Thank you. Other questions for staff?
Seeing none, we can entertain a motion. >> Move to make this property eligible. >> I'll second. >> We have a motion and a second to find this property eligible. Do we have further discussion or comments? >> All right. Seeing none, all those in favor, please note by saying I. I. I.
Any opposed? Like sign. All right. This property will be found eligible. Move on to Washington 2. >> Okay. Washington 2 is also a conservation easement staff scored at 12 out of 21 uh exceeding the minimum required of 10 out of 21 approximately 82 acres in size. This is within the
Florida wildlife corridor and uh our analysis indicated that there was not adjacent conservation property. >> Questions for staff on this property? Seeing none. Oh, go ahead Suzanne and then we'll hit Derek. >> So, I just want to be clear. Uh, does it
actually touch the first other Washington one or not? Exactly. >> I believe so. >> Believe it does touch. Okay. >> Yeah, they are contiguous. >> Okay. >> So, I have a general question. you're
we're um in an area here that you're saying doesn't have other conservation um aboding near it. Uh just out of general curiosity, do you see pursuing or looking for other conservation
easements in this area or other agricultural easements to expand? >> Yes, we do. We uh for quite uh a number of months now, I'd say in excess of 24 to 30 months, we've been looking at this uh uh northwest section of Valuchia
County here. There is a historic agricultural um operations up there, significant operations. And so we've been trying to make inroads with the land owners there, talk to them about the agricultural easement program and the conservation easement programs to see if we can continue to build conservation property here. And is this
part of the conservation corridor expansion that was pursued by the mailing at all? Just curious about that as well. >> Uh I need to look at the map to give you a firm answer on that. Um >> it is within the high priority of the
wildlife corridor. >> Thank you. >> Y >> I understand. But the county did a mailing on expanding the conservation corridor. I know that's been a while ago. So I'm just curious. Is this funding coming from that area or from
from that expansion um >> from the OTO expans? >> In other words, did the mailing bring anything forward? That's >> so so the the mailing got kind of a mixed response that we didn't feel that there was enough uh volume there to
really make significant expansions to the Valuchia conservation corridor. And so for background, this question is related to the Valuchia conservation corridor. This is one of our Florida Forever project areas. Uh think of that separately than the wildlife quarter. Um you need actually both to tap wildlife quarter funding. So we did go through a
process to any new members on our committee where we had uh put a significant amount of work in including a mailing to adjacent properties that met the conservation criteria and asked them to respond and we just did not have enough volume to present it to the
acquisition or restoration council in Tallahassee. Other questions on this item? Yeah, Derek. >> Uh, this is was a very small minor question, but um, so is the address 1205
for this one or the previous one because they both said that. Um, so I just want to clarify if it's just one was supposed to maybe I'm misreading it, but yeah, on the one says 1205 East Washington and that says it again for this one. So are
they both is that the actual address? I see the parcel numbers. We can identify it that way. They're different. >> Right. So your question leads us into a discussion of 911 addressing. Um, not all properties receive a 911 address. Um, usually there has to be a doicile uh
on the property or a request from the landowner to receive that address. So, um, it's my understanding that the nearest adjacent 911 address is 1205 and it's a simple reference for both parcels due to the contiguity.
>> Okay. Uh, thank you. >> All right. If we do not have any further questions for staff, we're going to have public comment. Um, so up first we'll have Robert Doyle. No, not for this side. Okay. Joe Skinner. >> Joe Skinner representing the land owner
of Washington 2. So Washington 2 is contiguous to an existing conservation easement with the water management district. Um I know that wasn't noted previously. Um even Pitman Road is contiguous to an existing um St. John's
Water Management District land which I mean I would consider conservation. Um, it's not Valuchia County, but it's still water management district. So, I just wanted to clear that up. Um, from an access standpoint for Washington 1 and Washington 2. Washington 1 has an access
easement through Washington 2 at the 1205 East Washington address. So, that's why we put 120 East Washington on the application. >> So, >> perfect. Anybody? >> And we would be expanding the
conservation corridor. Um, even though Valuchia County doesn't have the easement on the adjoining land, you know, land to the east. >> I appreciate you answering that because I was curious. I I I appreciate the conservation, but it was a question overall for that area and
I appreciate knowing that. >> Okay. And I think you had another question regarding the tortoise on the Pitman property. I mean, that is tortoise habitat. Now, whether or not a tortoise is there today versus a week ago, I I
can't I can't answer that question. So, there any other questions for staff? >> Any other questions for the property owner representative? Yep. Derek, >> I uh does that little lake have a name? I think you just I said 25 acre lake or something. Just curious if you have one.
>> Um I'm not sure right off hand. I' I'd have to get you that at a later date. I mean, yeah, it's always good if the county, you know, maintains it. We want to keep historic names, I guess. So, if you know of one, just, I guess, tell somebody. >> Other questions for the property
representative. All right. Thank you. >> All right. Thank you. >> Okay. Um, with that, if we don't have any further questions, we can entertain a motion for Washington 2. >> I'll make a motion for Washington, too. >> Second. We have a motion and a second.
Any further discussion? Right. All those in favor, please note it by saying I. >> I. >> Any opposed? All right. That property will also be found eligible. We will proceed to Old Train Road. Okay, this is our last property for
eligibility. This is Old Train Road. This is a fee simple um application scored 12 out of 21 out of the required 10. It's around 321 acres. It is within the wildlife corridor and the environmental court overlay and it is directly adjacent to the county's
managed Deep Creek Preserve. questions for staff on this item. >> I have a question. >> So, I didn't write down a page number, but um it referred to disturbed lands.
I believe I'd written a note saying it did. So there is um this is page 138 the flux vegetation. So this references disturbed lands and uh I believe it's referencing the roaded
and it looks like a a a woods trail that goes into the property is the disturbed lands. >> A what trail? I'm sorry. >> A woods trail two track. >> Yeah. And just as if you if you turn to page 138 in your books, um but just
please note that there there are two colors there that are very close. Um one is disturbed lands, the other is hardwood conifer mix. So, uh please note that disturbed land is over on the west side of that property adjacent to the roadway there.
I see. So, it's not actually within the property. I notice the color difference now that you pointed this out, >> correct? >> Yes. Got it. Thank you. >> Yes. So, that core area is the conifer mix.
>> And that's the main channel of Deep Creek, is it not? >> That's That's correct. >> That's a huge drainage way, you know, >> US 92 all the way down. Okay,
>> other questions for staff on this item. >> Yep, Derek. >> Um, yeah, maybe just two quick questions. Um, let's see. On the one, this is just what the map is telling me. I just want to make sure this, uh, on 141, uh, we've had other maps. Just the
yellow roads means no county maintenance. Um, but we would maintain. We can That's a county road. Is that why it's yellow? Basically, these are just just curious u because we're going to maintain potentially, right? Or
>> so um just a little background. This is a a deed restricted community. So, you actually have to get in via a restricted gate. Um so, these appear to be private roads, otherwise they would
be county emergency maintenance. But if we purchase the property, we have access. >> Okay. And I guess one other question, sorry if I missed this or if it was just said, but the little rectangle to the west side like seen on 129, that was
it's under what uh program, I guess. >> Uh which page you're referencing? 129. >> 129. Yeah. >> So that's actually owned by us as well. >> Okay. as part of u full fee simple. >> Okay. >> Yes.
>> Hunter, I'll jump in. Nick Dunham, resource stewardship director. That parcel you're referring to, uh Derek, was uh originally came with the Leler purchase of Deep Creek Preserve. That is part of the uh one of the old Leler parcels that came with the entire 4,800 acres for Deep Creek Preserve.
>> Thank you for that. And just a clarification when it was noted that if purchased the county would have access um you mean beyond that road you would just access it through the existing Deep Creek >> property. Technically we actually already have access to the road that Mr. Lontain was
referencing because we have that parcel on page 129. We do have access from Deep Creek Preserve as well. >> Yeah. And I I wanted to add some clarity. Um that is access uh for service to the property to to service Deep Creek Preserve. This would not be a
public access point to the preserve. >> Good to know. >> Other questions for staff. >> All right, we do have a public speaker. So, Joseph Laauo, >> good morning.
>> Hey, morning. Um I go by Alex. That's also Joseph Lao. My parents' name are Joseph and Venus Lao. So, just to separate the the two of us. Anyway, I'm their son. Also, I'm an attorney and we also represent the the Lao Family Trust.
Um, so the the acreage is actually 339 acres that we have. There's three parcels. They're adjacent to each other. Then there's a dirt road that goes across and then the back of each of the properties has that creek. It's a pretty deep creek that runs I think it it empties into Lake Monroe, but I've never
paddled my way through there. Um there's obviously turkey, heron, deer, mosquito fish, wild mollies on the water there. Uh I know because I've been uh netting some of those since I was 12 years old. Um we've had it since uh 1987 and then the second two parcels we purchased in
uh January 1988. Um it was um I think Douglas Weaver tried made an offer back in 2007 before to purchase a property before, but uh it's currently agricultural exemption for pine trees on there. So then there
it's been recently harvested. So just wanted to make sure that um that the acreage was correct. Um, but as far as that, other than a bunch of people calling me every few months to try to hunt on the property, which we always say no, um, it's a it's a pretty it's a
pretty lot. Um, and then there's also it's pretty high so that it doesn't uh flood that much because of the uh the deep creek in the back. >> Got it. Fantastic. Um, just a a question for clarity for you. Um, is the overall boundary the acreage could just be based
on GIS or anything like that. The overall boundary and the parcel IDs are correct in the backup. >> Yeah. Well, the um Oh, you mean on the letters that you sent there? One of the the parcel numbers had two extra zeros on it, but I think I already contacted M. Showable about it, but but the parcel
numbers are correct now after emailed her back. >> Fantastic. I just want to make sure that we know that the the acreage that you're quoting is probably accurate. It might just depend on final survey. >> Yeah. >> All right. Questions for the property owner's representative. >> Right. Thank you for being here today.
>> May I be excused or do you need me for the rest of >> No, certainly. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. All right, we had no further questions for staff, no questions for the property owner. Um, if we don't have any further discussion, we will entertain a motion. Madam >> Chair, make a motion. >> I'd like to do a second.
>> All right, we've got a motion for eligibility and a second. >> Um, any further discussion? Seeing none, all those in favor, let it be noted by saying I. I. >> Any opposed? Like sign. All right. That property will also be found as eligible.
Fantastic. And now we will shift gears. Okay, we are shifting to the ranking process now and those properties that were just determined to be eligible for the program. Uh we've got another map here showing their locations and the first one for the ranking is the uh Pittnam Pittnam Road property. Uh an
agricultural easement at roughly 101 uh GIS acres. Um staff had scored it at a 12 out of 19. The minimum is a nine out of 19. and we do have a potential match with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Rural and Family Lands Protection Program. We
did not note any further attributes for the property. Thank you. >> Any questions from staff as it relates to ranking of this property. Right. Seeing none, if we have a motion, we will entertain it. >> I would move to place this to the
A-list. I'll second. >> We have a motion and a second to move this to the A-list. Any further discussion? Seeing none, all those in favor, please note it by saying I. >> I. >> Those opposed like sign. All right. That
property will be ranked on the A-list. We will move on to Washington one. Okay, next for ranking, we have the first of the East Washington Avenue parcels. Um, this is a conservation easement around 90 acres in size was 12 out of the 21 out of the required 10.
Um, no potential matching funds were identified and this is within the wildlife corridor. All right. Questions for staff on the ranking of this item. >> Derek, >> I'm I'm so sorry if I if I did miss
this, but does it touch Flaggler or not? I mean, I just want to clarify. Did I maybe I didn't hear that. Uh Nick Dunham, resource stewardship director. I think the the next parcel is the one that touches the Flaggler County
line, East Washington 2, if I remember correctly. >> So, this one doesn't. Okay. >> I think both of them may >> It looks like this one has county zoning all around it. So, I think it's it does not touch the >> for our county. >> Yep. If you look at page 74
in the eligibility ranking, you can see where that zoning line switches over just to an aerial view. That's where the county line is. >> Yeah, just the other one. >> And if you look on 75 right next to it, you'll see a white line that I think is going to be the the Valuchia Flagler
line. It runs north south just to the east of these this property. >> Okay. Yeah. Just curious if ever we are buying or looking to, you know, acquire land that touches neighboring counties, do you guys consult with the neighboring
county in some way? I guess >> certainly happy, pardon me, we're certainly happy to coordinate with uh uh Flaggler County uh on any properties that would either cross the boundary or pre present an opportunity for their engagement. Um obviously our dollars
stop at the Valuchia County line. >> Great. >> Thanks. >> Great. Seeing no other questions, we will entertain a motion for ranking. >> I'll make a motion we move this to the A-list. >> I'll second. We have a motion and a second to move this to the A-list. Any
further discussion? Seeing none, all those in favor, let it be noted by saying I. >> I. >> Those opposed like sign. This is moved to the A-list. We'll move on to Washington 2. >> So the uh East Washington 2 is also a conservation easement approximately 82
acres in size. Staff had scored it at a 12 out of 21 exceeding the minimum required of 10. Um, we did not list potential matching funds here, but obviously there is some potential here for Florida Forever um or or the St. John's River Water Management District.
Uh, just depends on how some of those budgets shake out over time. Uh, and this one appears to have an attribute of the wildlife corridor listed. >> Questions for staff on this one as it relates to ranking? >> All right, seeing none, we will
entertain a motion. I'll make a motion to place this on the A-list. >> We have We have a motion and a second to find this on the A-list. >> Any further discussion? Derek, >> was uh again a question. Sorry. Um just
want to make sure uh part of it is incorporated but part is not. Um just want to make sure if that um that doesn't really matter I guess does it in any way that we can think of in terms of purchasing it like sometimes or it's that doesn't well I was going to say it
might affect cost or something maybe but not uh I guess it doesn't um in any way really affect anything is that correct could I ask you to repeat that >> a portion of it is located in a a different jurisdiction um within the
county, a city. So the zoning map just shows about the lower half as incorporated. >> So he's asking if that impacts the process. >> Oh, okay. Thank you. Thank you. Yeah, we we'll certainly reach out to the municipality, see if there's a partnership opportunity. Um, this is not
what I would consider um, the municipalities in northwest Valuchia County do not carry the same budgetary weight as the municipalities on the east coast of Valuchia County here. So, we would certainly reach out and see if they're interested, but it would not be a uh, makeorb breakak uh, partnership if
we were going to proceed with the easement. >> All right, Tim. Tim, I'll jump in real quick, too. So being in an unincorporated or incorporated area uh really has no bearing on the uh eligibility. Um where that may come into play is down the road if we're seeking a a management partnership on a fee simple
property. Uh since these are conservation easements, it really has uh no bearing on on the application today, but we do take that into consideration when we're reviewing fee simple properties uh inside incorporated areas. >> Yeah. Because fe simple would be different, right? we're and we might actually want to ask for the zoning to
be the same for all of it or something. But yeah, I guess if it's just easement, then yeah, it's not as much a big deal, I guess. Oh, thank you for clarifying. >> And I'll correct myself. I see it's Pearson, so I will say that it's in a town, not a city. >> Other questions or comments? Right.
Seeing none, I believe we have a motion and a second. Um, all those in favor, let it be noted by saying I. I. >> Any oppose? Like sign. All right, that will move to the A-list and we'll move on to Old Train Road. >> Last up for ranking, Old Train Road.
Again, this is fe simple 321 acres. Uh, this is ranked by staff at 12 out of 19, the required nine. Um, no matching funds are identified and this is located within the environmental core overlay and the wildlife corridor. Thank you.
>> Questions for staff on ranking for this one? Seeing none, we'll entertain a motion. >> Make a motion to place this on the A-list. >> I'll second. >> Okay. Uh we will have a motion and and many seconds. Um but we have uh Derek with a brief discussion.
>> No, I just want to say it looks like it's a great spot. I mean, just if I had to like throw a bullseye at like where on the corridor we should get more land, like that's where it is. So, just positive comment and thanks for the owner for bringing it and all the owners today actually for, you know, bringing land. we always at least just appreciate
you guys showing up and for uh you know everyone um participating in the program. So again, thanks for doing that. >> All right, any other discussion? All right, seeing none, um we have a motion and a second to rank this on the A-list. All those in favor say I. >> I.
>> Any opposed? Like sign. All right, that will also be ranked on the A-list. And that brings us through eligibility and sorting. Thank you everyone for being with us today for that process. Um, great to get them both knocked out at once and give staff free reign to to
run it down. U, we will switch over to staff comments and property updates. >> Okay. Um, so I'm going to jump into property updates and you're welcome to ask questions any time as I move along here. I'm going to start out with the McMillan agricultural easement. We have
closed on that agricultural easement at this time. Um appreciate the owner and their cooperation and patience with uh for working with us. Uh the next one to bring to your attention is the Tamoka Farms Road project. We do have an offer uh on the table right now with the land
owners. They are having a family discussion to see if it's acceptable. Uh we should know within the next well we should know early next week whether that offer has been accepted or not. Uh another update on the Bennett Road agricultural easement. We continue to stand by. Our partners in Tallahassee
with Florida agriculture and uh consumer services are uh doing some due diligence ahead of the offer stage. So we are in standby mode and prepared to partner with them on that agricultural easement. Um Careway Lakes is not yet closed, but
we have uh pass the survey res review stage. So, when we hit the due diligence stage, after the county council approves a contract, we move into due diligence. That normally consists of our phase one environmental assessment and the survey. Uh, survey has been completed, has been reviewed by both agencies. It takes the
state a little bit of time now to move up to the closing process. It actually moves to a different location in their house, but we expect to uh initiate that closing process in the very near future. And I'll slow down a little bit so people can catch up. The next one I was going to mention is Cypress Ranch.
>> Excuse me, ma'am. I just question just popped in mine on that property out there around Lake Careway, which I know very well. Is there any way when we do these easements to put a first right refusal in there should they ever sell?
>> There is. And uh we do discuss that with landowners. That is something that we do look to insert in these easement documents if it's appropriate, but sometimes landowners decline having that language included. If if there was ever a parcel that would
this would made a phenomenal park being on two lakes like that, it's absolutely incredible property. But anyway, I I know I'd bring it up. I know this deal is moving on. I'm glad it's being kept because I know some of the alternatives that are being talked about. So, at least it buys more time for this
beautiful piece of property to remain as it is. >> Great. >> Thank you. So, the Cypress Ranch property be the next one to bring to your attention. This is another project that we have an offer on the table with the landowner
on. Um, actually have a voicemail from the owner uh on my phone. So, when I get back to the office, we'll discuss the next stage and see if they're ready to accept. >> Um, the next one I'll move towards is Lake George Road.
Lake George Road is another project that we have an offer on the table for. Um, our offers are uh I'll describe them as finite. Uh, we don't leave them open indefinitely. There's usually a closing period for our offers. Today is that that closing date. So, end of business
today, the owner will either accept the offer or we'll move on to the next project on down the list. And this does happen. Um the next one that I'll mention is Riverbend Ranch. I hope you all have been tracking this.
Um we had a um a very positive county council meeting uh on this acquisition. The council uh unanimously approved and so now we are starting the wind up. This is the due diligence phase to get to the closing table on this significant acquisition. So and again I'm just going
to point out how significant this piece of property is. This is the southern tip of the Valuchia Conservation Corridor. This is the heart of the Florida Wildlife Corridor as it traverses up through Valuchia County and it's got um roughly two miles of waterfront on the St. John's River. It's beautiful land
and this is a wonderful legacy project for this advisory committee uh throughout through the future. >> Jim, a question on that. Are we the soul? Uh we are. We are. It is just Valuchia County on this transaction. Yes. No partners.
>> Another question. I'm I'm assuming you've been all over the property and now that we've looking at it, is there any high access to the water? >> So, down the east side, there is an existing two trail road. There is a small area that is seasonally inundated.
I don't know if it's going to meet the definition of a wetland, and I don't I'm not going to ask Hunter to make any statement on that today. There is a small area that would be uh seasonally inundated. It may be appropriate for some type of an elevated crossing, but once you traverse that, you are able to
get down to the waterfront on on uplands. >> You are on uplands, but there's a swamp. Okay. Well, that would certainly be nice. That would be a great feather and a hat to have a hiking trail down to the water because that river is absolutely incredibly beautiful along there. So, good good job.
>> Okay. Uh we'll move on then. The next one is going to be Wiregrass in holding and this is an example. Um it's wonderful property. It's wholly contained within Wiregrass Prairie. Um but uh sometimes our offers are not acce
accepted. So we had extended an offer to the landowner at the maximum appraised value here. This is all we can go in on a piece of property like this. Unfortunately, it was declined. So as it goes, we will move on to the next project. And the next project to bring to your
attention is going to be the John Anderson project. I >> I have a a question. Um are you thinking it's the amount of time that these have taken? What? >> No. No. The land owners have been extremely patient with us. Um so when we
sub submit an offer to the landowner, it's usually a verbal conversation followed by a written letter. When they respond, we don't always get an explanation why they're declining. Some sometimes these are personal matters that we do not try to try to pry out of
them. >> So the John Anderson project was also approved by the county council. This was on May 19th. They gave us a unanimous approval to to continue acquisition of this pro uh property. this is going to be paid for through park funds and that decision was made because there is going
to be a little bit of a um u activity on the property that may or may not be within the Vuchia forever parameters. So we felt it was more prudent to utilize the park funds on this acquisition. Uh we are now again engaging the due diligence stage. I think Jessica just scheduled the survey uh out on that
property this morning. Uh so we'll have some folks out there as soon as possible and look to close this one. Um >> question. Do you have any idea how many parking spaces you're planning on putting there? >> I do not. No, >> because that is the big push back from
the public. >> Just saying. >> Uh, >> appreciate the feedback. >> I mean, I'm just I can't avoid saying it out loud. So, >> sure. >> I'm just just saying. >> Tim Tim, I'll add some. So, we do have a
a conceptual plan we're working on. This is going to be a an expansion of the current county park system there with an additional water access point and parking expansion is certainly part of that uh design we're going to be working on. So there there there will be additional parking with this parcel
>> paved because that that is the push back from the public is that it was it's being purchased and that um it's uh not disturbed in the sense and and pavement that >> we haven't got that far in the
engineering phase to see if if paving is going to be recommended or not. But I will say the the three acres on the southern end of this parcel um are already built up and highly disturbed by the previous land owner. Um so it's not taking anything out of that area um to
develop parking that's not already being used as a parking that the owner was actually going to use it as a helipad. It's been built up for that. >> No, I understand. And I did tell the public that I could respond to without getting screamed at, that um it could
have been developed for, you know, housing or whatever. But um the question in general about the parking, I mean, that is a just a legitimate question. So the answer is we really don't know yet. Um right. I mean, you know where the
area is going to be, but you're not sure if it's going to be paved or not? Yeah, we haven't gone through the engineering yet to see the best fit. Too too early in the process. >> Okay. Um, last update is uh the potential for partnerships with our um
partner agencies in Tallahassee. So, the Florida Forever program and the rural and favorlands protection program. So, as a reminder, we are still in the Florida special session. I believe it's ex the current one would expire a week from today 29th. >> Okay. So I'll give a brief update but
understand everything is fluid. So even the things that I say today can change before lunchtime today as they continue to negotiate these matters. Um right now the the governor according to our information is still at 115 million for his recommended funding for the Florida
Forever program. The Florida Senate uh has increased their um recommendation from 35 million to 75 million with the Florida House still at 25 million. So this is on the Florida Forever side. Interesting development here to bring to your attention though.
There's a lot of dialogue coming out of the special session regarding easements through the Florida Forever program. Enough dialogue that it it appears that uh the a lot of the legislature is in favor of doing uh less than fee. So these are the conservation easements that Florida Forever does and not fe
simple acquisitions at the same level they've been historically doing them. That is something we're all going to track and and and keep our eyes on. Obviously it affects our partnership ability going forward if that money is no longer there for fe simple um rural and family lands protection
program. This is the opposite story. They are doing outstanding in the U Florida legislative session here. It appears that there's about a $200 million baseline for funding these agg this agricultural easement program. Um I think the thing that I would bring to
your attention on this one is we've seen that these numbers kind of go back and forth. There's some other discussions of um uh even up to 500 million here, but it appears it's going to land somewhere between 200 and $300 million to fund the uh rural family lands protection
program. Um, that's the extent of my updates. We're going to continue to monitor Tallahassee and we'll bring you the information when it becomes available. Thank you. >> Questions for staff on any property updates or legislative updates? Although
that's a crystal ball. Okay, we will move on to advisory committee comments. Does anybody have anything for the committee they would like to share? Suzanne? >> So, I have a question for staff um and then and separate comments. um in the
minutes and I I knew when it was asked, Mr. Fezer asked about Mor Lake and um storm water. I'm circling back to that again. Uh the answer was that staff didn't really know. Do you know what's going on with any storm water
development and in More Lake? So there are some some talks and plans in the county to possibly use Mor Lake as an emergency overflow area. Um that is the extent of it right now. It's and it would be a last resort to some other
areas. So I I do know it's not a primary target area, but given the location and the outflow that it has, it it is a on the list of potential areas that could be used for an outflow. And so if it were used for outflow, would storm
water reimburse Follution forever? >> It's not going to affect the property at all as far as the water. It's it's not going to flood anything extra. It's just to to hold the excess water to the level that's appropriate. So it would be
monitored to my understanding to where um it would not have excess water put in it that's going to leave the property or flood the Mor Lake property itself. Um >> that that's my best answer as I'm not a a uh public engineer on that but that's
the best >> I understand I just remember the first year in these meetings it was said that these lands were um to be considered environmentally sensitive you know um more of our pristine not to be used for
storm water they're natural natural storm water storage, natural storm water. It's just surprising to me now we've evolved in this direction. That's all. >> Well, the land itself is not being used
for that specific storm water overflow. It's the lake itself, not the land. >> I Okay, but the lake was part of what? Part of all of it, right? Some of the parcel does extend into the
lake, but the lake is a a public lake there, >> right? Okay. >> Um, moving on. There was a Florida wildlife corridor um conference in Okala um the day before yesterday. Yeah, I had
to think for a minute. Wednesday. Um it was in the afternoon and into the evening. And they also had an expo. They had a couple of workshops. um they have their horse farms under pressure right now for um development and there was an enormous amount of talk
on easements. I took the easement workshop um NRCCS was there, Florida forever. It was a panel um family um Royal Family Lands was there. They wore the panel and then someone who had gone through the process from start to finish
and um a a rancher. Uh I would say it was pretty well attended. There were somewhere between it it varied different times of the day, but somewhere probably between 200 and 300 people maybe. And
they had a a guest speaker in the evening. Um it was it was just uh educational. That's all I'm going to say. And um the overall there wasn't it's interesting that you're saying this you
know about the state and the easements overall there was a lot of talk about easements and ranching but there was really in the workshop I was in and outside of that there was walking around even in the expo there was really I didn't hear anyone talking about be
simple purchases and that was troubling. Um the Florida F forever representative was there was talking about easements. She was there to represent easements. So um the expo was fairly fairly well put
on as well. Um it was a lot of uh trust for public lands type people. Um FWC had a representative there. Um Conservation Florida was there. Um, so anyway, it was
it was very educational and pretty well attended overall. >> Great. Fantastic. >> One last question. Um, this might not be our county, but it's a pretty big deal. Um, I literally just heard about this.
Embry Riddle is looking at putting a runway in the Ocala National Forest. I don't know the details. I'm not trying to start a rumor. It's being really talked about quite it's it's coming forward quite a bit. I don't know anything about this other than just
hearing it. It did not come up at the Florida Wildlife Corridor Conference that was strictly talking about easements and ranching and conservation easements as well. But I don't know if staff has heard anything about that at
all. It's being brought up for the first time to me and it's, you know, obviously Ocala is not in Valuchia County, but that is a pretty big deal. So, I'm just putting that out there. >> Yeah. Staff has had no knowledge of of
of what you're describing. So, >> I I literally don't know anything about it other than it's just now being brought up for the first time. >> I can speak to that. Um, yes, I I've I saw they were trying to do more than
just a runway. It was well a slightly bigger one in Ocala. Uh, there a few weeks ago, maybe a couple months ago, there was a comment period uh I think for one of the permits. It might have been with the Army Corps or maybe the water management district. So, yeah, there is still chance for public to comment. I think after that happened,
then there was some news stories and uh they may have partially uh gone back and uh worked on resubmitting the permit. Uh but definitely for people who are wanting to learn more, definitely follow the the permits. Um and yes, but you are correct that that's not just a rumor.
They've already applied for such thing, but there was a lot of public push back. Um but um yeah, I guess you'd have to dig a little bit into that. >> So the um study that
was pursued by um Mr. fine on state forest being looked at to be uh possibly national forest. The study, my understanding is is that that was approved. So state forest are being
going going to be reviewed. It's going to be quite a lengthy review. Um but I'm a little perplexed at the people who didn't want the state forest to be reviewed for the national forest. They
didn't even want to review. But now I don't see the push back equally on the airport situation. I guess I I'm just making a statement. It's a it's a strange when everyone shows up for one thing but then they don't show up for
the other. Um it's just a strange we're living in strange times. That's all I can say. And oh just to encap that if anyone who's listening is interested if you want to research more that is Marian County Florida not Valuchia Kelly you had >> right I want to make sure I tried to say
in the beginning it's not Valuchia County um but Embry Riddle is here and that's one reason I brought it up and they are very close by >> so part of the O2 um conservation and that's why I brought it up because we are part of the O2O I
was just telling them the county in case they people want to 100%. Thank you, Kelly. >> Uh, just really quickly, I just want to thank you, Suzanne, for attending the um corridor connect and bringing back that information. I too were was intending on
going, but I had other circumstances. So, thank you for bringing that information. >> All right, Derek. >> I want to ask a few questions. Um, but maybe for the benefit of the public, I
was hoping um to get an update on any recent um county council workshops or discussions about possible changes to Valuchia forever. And if there are none, then
that's a fine update. But I know maybe um just wanted like the for all of our meetings to be just if people only watched our meetings you know I think you know recent ones we've kind of had some um you know serious discussions about yeah we need to tell this and that
to you know people and then just not much discussion today. So can people now rest easy I guess or can you tell us what uh what's uh just for again I might know of some but just for the people listening what uh the current status is.
>> Yeah there's been no works uh workshop scheduled at this time. Um and that's that's where we're waiting further direction for that. >> Okay. I'm sure you'll let us know if that does happen. But I appreciate that's a fine um point of information. Um a couple other things. Uh I I did
have a question that kind of uh came up when it came up that we need to obviously get access to some properties for maintenance and other things uh sometimes through uh private um subdivisions or whatever it happens to
be. Um my question is in the future if I guess what's the best way for people who want to help um I guess volunteer for lack of a better term uh with you know the county are we allowing such um
possible cleanup uh participation and should they just reach out to I guess to you for uh if that's a possibility and I guess >> I'm glad you asked that question. So, after committee comments today, we actually have uh Tommy Norman here from our Explore Valuchia program that's
going to brief the committee real quick. Um he also can handle um any volunteer opportunities. We do do that. Um but um we'll let him and we have a recreational specialist as well that heads that program up. So, if if you don't mind, we'll we'll wait till after committee
comments and uh we'll have Mr. Norman speak. >> Oh, today I thought that was our last thing, but um Okay, sure. Yeah. I mean, I'm okay with um maybe just two very small other things too. Um just uh curious to if anyone else had any
difficulty with the emails we got. Uh again, I I it's a very minor thing. It's good otherwise, but I'd still prefer to not have to go through multiple steps, uh which I had to do to access the agenda, I guess. Is there any way we can
just make it simpler? I I don't know if that's possible, but I I just I just want to bring that up. Um again, it's it's all there once you can uh you know, log in and everything, but since it's all public record what you guys send us anyways, I don't I prefer to not have to
like authenticate myself and anything, it should just be click link and it's open. Is that possible? >> I think it's the size for emailing, but if there are a way maybe to send a ping out when it's available, it's all gets posted on the website eventually. It's just that the direct mail is size
limited. So when it's on the website, would that be something that maybe if you want to get notice of that, you can then it's a one click. >> Yeah. That the same time the packet goes out to the committee, it is posted on the website for the public and they get the exact same package. >> Um it the uh we can add the link inside
the email that we send you with your packet to the to the public information and that >> okay quick version though. It's it's an IT solution that uh that we deal with as well. So, >> thank you all. It sounds like there's consensus. I hope I appreciate all that.
Uh and this is last question, I promise. Um but I also saw something interesting and this just came to mind that okay on one of the maps there's a road apparently in Flaggler that's called the Valucian Forest Trail. Is there such a
thing as the Valucian Forest? Like it's on page 70. I'm looking at that. That's just I found that interesting that if it's if they have a forest named after our county that's not in our county or if it's connected. Does anyone know
anything about >> that? I don't know the exact naming of that road or the time frame, but uh you know, fun historical fact, you know, for the public, you know, Flaggler County used to be part of Valuchia County in the past. So, some of these older names, um, they extend multiple counties that
may have started here for the road names. >> I'm being told that's the name of a subdivision in the area. >> H, in Flaggler. >> Absolutely. >> Oh, in Valuchia. Okay. But that's >> there is a Valuchia Forest subdivision up there as well. >> Okay. Okay. I I don't get up there. So,
thank you for that. >> All right. Other committee comments on this side. I'm going to turn on this side. Uh, also just very quick, uh, comment was made about accessing Deep Creek from the high ground. I just want to emphasize that coming from the river, we
do this frequently. Coming up from the St. John's, heading up Deep Creek is an absolutely beautiful ride. It's what I would consider old Florida on both sides. It's it's stunning. So, in the pictures that were in the packet that was presented to council, I think in my
mind I see one picture and I think that's one isolated snapshot, almost the entire ride is like that. It's it's absolutely beautiful land. So, if you get an opportunity from the river to go up, it's stunning.
>> Fantastic. Yeah, I think everyone's really excited about that. Member Mcool, I did not at the beginning give you a chance to introduce yourself. I assume everyone knows Dana, but if you would like to say anything for the committee. >> Thank you very much. Um I appreciate the appointment. Um in my past life as an
elected official, um sustainable growth and acquisition uh one of my top platforms. I think that's what I was known for. Um and uh it is an honor to be sitting here. I appreciate uh Councilman Santiago's
confidence in me. I've worked with um at least half of you um sitting up here uh over the last six years and it's a privilege uh and uh hopefully could be a good steward of what I'm learning up here and I would like to thank staff for
the uh crash course and uh the warm handoff here. I appreciate your advice. It was really good advice and um so thank you very much for having me here. I would look forward to uh working to make Valuchia County sustainable and
conserve as much as we can. >> Fantastic. >> Um and one just comment potentially or partially for Dana's benefit as well is that this moved very smoothly today. I think it has for the past few meetings and I wanted to say a shout out to staff
just in terms of getting ahead of questions that we know that the committee will want to hear about. um and also the public for bringing forward some really exceptional pieces of property. Um it feels like it's been a little bit before we've had some that have been a struggle and so we really like to see these great properties come
forward. Um would love to see anything people think are eligible for the program. Um but we've had some really really great ones and great movement here. All right. And with that I think we are turning it over for a guest presentation. >> Yes. So at this time I'd like to introduce Mr. Tommy Norman who heads our
Explore Valuchia program. If you are not aware, the Explore Valuchia program is the educational and outreach arm for Valuchia Forever here in the county. So, thank you, Tommy. >> Yep. Good morning everyone. Uh Tommy Nordman, as Nick said, um yep, the Explore Valuchia program is a great program. Uh providing outreach and
education for Valuchia Forever, um our land management practices. So, you know, my job take people out onto the conservation lands. We lead uh hiking trips, biking, paddling trips, as well as eco buggy tours. Uh, so it really is it's a great opportunity um for me to share, you know, the perspectives of
Valuchia Forever, why we're doing it, um, and and and the work that our team does at land management to to restore and manage the native habitat. Um, so as Nick said, volunteer opportunities are a possibility as well. Um, so we we do from time to time have people coming to
us looking, hey, can we do a cleanup? Uh, what can we do? Can we do trail maintenance? Things like that. So, um, it's a great opportunity for that as well. So, just wanted to be able to introduce myself um and let you know we're doing some good work out there. Um and it's it's it's great for me to be able to be here. Nick asked me to come
so that I can kind of provide a little bit of perspective to the public when they have questions about well, why isn't this land being chosen or how does how does the process go? How does how does a management plan get put together? Things like that. So, so it's a great opportunity uh to be here um and just provide some more background information
to the public because, you know, I I imagine not a lot of people come to these meetings. I imagine, you know, some folks do watch them, but um I know um it it's a great opportunity because uh they do ask a lot of questions on the program. So, >> and if um any member up here would like to follow up with you about volunteer
opportunities or anything like that, what is your email? >> Uh t nordman n o r d m an nvalucia.org. >> Fantastic. And are there any news releases that go out through explore? >> Yes. So, um, our community information
team at the county, uh, sends out press releases each month. Um, so we got multiple programs. The June press release just went out. Um, they also post it on the county Facebook page. Um, and we have a newsletter that goes out to, um, uh, residents of Valuchia County
and and people who are part-time residents of Valuchia County. Um, they've requested to to receive a newsletter. So, we send out a monthly newsletter as well that provides links to registration for all of our programs. And all of our programs are available um on Eventbrite for registration. So um you can go there yourself if you're
familiar with Eventbrite and you use it. Um and of course any of you are welcome to register for a program as well and and come out and join us. So yeah, >> and if you are not receiving the press releases, you should sign up. They're very good. >> Yeah. Yeah, definitely. >> Yeah. Shoot me an email and I'll I'll
get you on the uh the newsletter email list. >> Fantastic. What type of volunteer opportunities do you have? So, in the past, we've done um cleanups, invasive plant removals, like um we've done, you know, coral ardesia pro um projects, uh Caesar removal, things like that. So,
that that's kind of the common one, you know, cleanups around campsites, uh parking lot areas, and then again invasive species removals. >> Great. >> And I think in the past they've done some trail work, you know, helping put up signs on the trails and things like that. So,
>> fantastic. Other questions? All right. Okay. Well, thank you for being here. >> Appreciate it. >> Absolutely. >> Thank you. >> All right. Before we we end, anybody else have anything last minute to add? I think we are we're good. Oh, Wanda. Yep. >> Uh just a quick comment if people are
looking for volunteering for cleanup. And so, uh this isn't a Valuchia Forever property. It's a conservation Florida property. It's a 512 acre property. Uh D Ranch Preserve. They do the first Tuesday, I believe it's the first Tuesday of every month, uh, they do
trail cleanup. So, if people are looking for opportunities to volunteer, um, Conservation Florida has a newsletter as well. They send out notices when they're going to do cleanups. Uh, so that's another opportunity for people to get involved.
>> Fantastic. >> All right. They were well represented yesterday and they're quite nice people. Yeah. Great. All right. Well, that is the end of official business, so we will
adjourn. Thank you, everyone. Thank you.