Alachua County Commission P bli Public Hearing H i Proposed - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Alachua County Commission P bli H i Public Hearing Proposed Proposed Alachua County Alachua County Forever Forever Proposed Proposed Alachua County Alachua County Forever Forever

• rdinance establishing a
• rdinance establishing a

Land Conservation Land Conservation Program Program Land Conservation Land Conservation Program Program

Alachua County Board of County Commissioners County Administration Building 2nd Floor County Administration Building, 2nd Floor 12 SE 1st Street • Gainesville, FL July 25, 2000 • 6:00 PM

P Z b L L d Ch i

Presenters Presenters

Pam Zaber, Legacy Lands Chair Goal of Alachua County Forever Beverly Hill, Supervisor of Elections Citi I iti ti P Citizen Initiative Process Chris Bird, Environmental Protection Dept Overview of Environmentally Significant Lands Nat Frazer, Land Conservation Advisory Committee Selection of Environmental Lands P H h Al h C ti T t Pegeen Hanrahan, Alachua Conservation Trust Decision Matrix for Land Selection George Nickerson, Bond Attorney for the County B d i Bond issues Rick Mills, Office of Management & Budget Financial Implications Doug Hornbeck, Legacy Lands Treasurer Alachua County Forever Campaign

Overview of Overview of Alachua County Forever Alachua County Forever

Pam Zaber Pam Zaber Chair Chair Pam Zaber Pam Zaber, Chair Chair Legacy Lands Legacy Lands

Legacy Lands Legacy Lands

• Dwight Adams

Steering Committee:

• John Mahon
• Dwight Adams
• Ann Barkdoll
• Rich Burges
• John Mahon
• Melissa Jay Murphy
• Jane Nesbit

Rich Burges

• Luis Diaz
• Alyson Flournoy
• Jane Nesbit
• Kris Pagenkopf

Pat Polopolus

• Richard Hamann
• Doug Hornbeck, Treasurer
• Pat Polopolus
• Rex Rowan

B b R

• Nkwanda Jah
• Rick Knellinger
• Bob Rowe
• Cindy Smith

P Z b Ch i

• Odetta MacLeish-White
• Pam Zaber, Chair

Legacy Lands Legacy Lands Mission Statement Mission Statement

“To acquire protect and manage To acquire, protect and manage environmentally significant lands, to protect water quality and wildlife habitat, and provide areas for low- impact, resource-based recreation.”

The Nature Conservancy The Nature Conservancy Survey Survey

• Preserving lands to protect drinking water

85% favorable

• 85% favorable
• Protection of endangered plants and animals

g p

• 78% favorable

P bli f b d ti

• Public access for resource-based recreation
• 75% favorable

The Petition The Petition

• Citizen’s Land

Conservation Board Conservation Board

• Willing sellers only
• Acquire matching

funds to leverage g County tax dollars

• Up to 10% of the bond
• Up to 10% of the bond

funds for capital improvements and public access

The Funding The Funding Source Source

• Bonds totaling about $29 million
• .25 mill property tax for not more than

20 20 years Offset by sunset of library capital

• Offset by sunset of library capital

millage of .2469

Population Growth Population Growth

• Florida is the 3rd most populous state
• Population is estimated to increase from

15 illi t 20 illi b 2020 15 million to 20 million by 2020 Alachua County grew 15% in just 6 years

• Alachua County grew 15% in just 6 years

from 1991 to 1997

• Acquisition of significant lands now

allows for better future planning allows for better future planning

Economic Payoff Economic Payoff

• Eco-tourism creates jobs and has a

economic multiplier effect on other b i area business

• The 70 canoe liveries in Florida

generate $38.5 million annually

• Canoeists spend $5 in the

p $ community for every $1 paid to the

• utfitters

Public Opinion in Public Opinion in Favor of Land Conservation Favor of Land Conservation

• In 1998, 84% of the open space acquisition

referenda in the US passed (124 out of 148) referenda in the US passed (124 out of 148)

• In 1999, 90% of the open space acquisition

In 1999, 90% of the open space acquisition referenda in the US passed (92 out of 102)

• 84% of Alachua County voters polled felt

that if natural lands are not protected now p they will be lost forever

Alachua County Forever Alachua County Forever

Landscape is one source of humanness. Despite television, culture still has its deepest roots in geography; place is still a shaper of the soul The visual character of shaper of the soul. The visual character of the places where we spend our lives gives us the patterns by which we see.

~ Unattributed, from Land Trust listserve

Alachua County Forever Alachua County Forever

When we see land as a community When we see land as a community to which we belong, we may begin to use it with love and respect. p

~ Aldo Leopold

Alachua County Forever Alachua County Forever

Never doubt that a small group of Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.

~ Margaret Mead Margaret Mead

Citizen Initiative Process and Citizen Initiative Process and Certification of Certification of the the Citizen Initiative Process and Citizen Initiative Process and Certification of Certification of the the Alachua Count lachua County Foreve Forever Alachua Count lachua County Foreve Forever Petition Petition Petition Petition Citizen Initiative Process and Citizen Initiative Process and Certification of Certification of the the Citizen Initiative Process and Citizen Initiative Process and Certification of Certification of the the Alachua Count lachua County Foreve Forever Alachua Count lachua County Foreve Forever Petition Petition Petition Petition y B Hill Hill B Hill Hill Bev ev Hill Hill Bev ev Hill Hill Supervisor of Supervisor of Elections Elections Supervisor of Supervisor of Elections Elections

Overview of Overview of Environmentally Significant Environmentally Significant Lands in Alachua County Lands in Alachua County Lands in Alachua County Lands in Alachua County

Ch Ch B B d D D t Ch Chris ris B Bir ird, D Direc irector

• r

Environmental Protection Dept Environmental Protection Dept

Total Acres of Conservation Lands (Year 1999)

Levy Marion Clay Columbia Levy Alachua Putnam y Union Bradford 100,000 200,000 300,000 400,000 Gilchrist

Total Acres

Total Percentage of County Lands in Conservation (Year 1999)

Clay Marion Columbia Levy Clay Alachua Putnam Union Bradford 0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100% Gilchrist

Total Percentage of Conservation Lands

Other County Conservation Programs Other County Conservation Programs

Currently 20 Florida counties have land conservation programs land conservation programs

Capital Improvements Activities: Capital Improvements Activities:

• Parking lots
• Fencing and Gates
• Kiosks
• Picnic Areas

Picnic Areas

• Restrooms

Trash Clean p

• Trash Cleanup
• Trail Development
• Removal of Exotics
• Prescribed Burning
• Hydrologic Restoration

Recurring Land Recurring Land Management Activities: Management Activities:

• Fencing and Gates
• Trash Disposal

Trash Disposal

• Parking Lots
• Restrooms
• Trail Repairs
• Removal of Exotic Plants and

Animals Animals

• Prescribed Burning

S it

• Security

Selection of Selection of Environmental Lands for Environmental Lands for Purchase Purchase

Nat Frazer, Nat Frazer, Vice-Chair Vice-Chair ALACHUA COUNTY ALACHUA COUNTY LAND CONSERVATI LAND CONSERVATION ADVISORY COMMI ON ADVISORY COMMITTEE TTEE

Land Conservation Land Conservation Advisory Committee Advisory Committee

• Appointed by the County Commission on

September 28, 1999

• To evaluate options and establish procedures

and policies for a comprehensive land conservation program conservation program

• LCAC Composition:
• Recreation and Open Space Committee (ROSCO)
• Environmental Protection Advisory Committee

(EPAC) (EPAC)

• Nature Centers’ Commission (NCC)
• Others

Public

• Public
• County staff

R ibiliti

Land Conservation Land Conservation Advisory Committee Advisory Committee

Responsibilities:

• System for prioritizing lands for

System for prioritizing lands for acquisition

• Conservation easements

Conservation easements

• Bluebelt assessments
• Urban-defining greenbelts
• Opinion of proposed Alachua County
• Opinion of proposed Alachua County

Forever referendum

• Partnership potentials
• Partnership potentials

Land Conservation Land Conservation Advisory Committee Advisory Committee

Process: C

• Reviewed County land conservation plans

E l t d th KBN t d & th

• Evaluated the KBN study & others

P t ti

• Presentations
• Matrix Drafts
• Matrix Drafts

P d t

Land Conservation Land Conservation Advisory Committee Advisory Committee

Product:

• De-politicized the process
• Developed ranking system
• Addressed the human dimension

– Aquifer quality/recharge Fl d M t – Flood Management – Resource-based recreation – Scenic vistas Scenic vistas

• Evaluated management prospects

I it ibl ? – Is it possible? – Is it affordable?

Our Motivation Our Motivation

Decision Matrix for Decision Matrix for Land Land Selection Selection

Pegeen Hanrahan, P.E., Pegeen Hanrahan, P.E., Executive Executive Directo Director Alachua Conservation Trust Alachua Conservation Trust

Decision Matrix Decision Matrix

• The matrix was developed by Alachua

Conservation Trust, Inc., for consideration by the LCAC consideration by the LCAC

• ACT has played a role in preserving over

10 000 acres since 1988 including: 10,000 acres since 1988, including:

– Paynes Prairie additions y – San Felasco additions – Historic Haile H t d Homestead – Hogtown Creek Greenway Greenway

Decision Matrix Decision Matrix

• The goal: to provide a rational basis for

prioritizing conservation of specific parcels of land parcels of land

• The decision-making process includes

g p factors that reflect environmental, social and economic values.

• The LCAC has recommended the relative

importance of those values to the County p y Commission.

Decision Matrix Decision Matrix

• Decision matrix draws from the Alachua

County Ecological Inventory Project, l t d b KBN/G ld i N b completed by KBN/Golder in November, 1996

• Acquisition processes in Brevard, Marion,

Polk, and Sarasota Counties and the City f G i ill i d

• f Gainesville were reviewed as

background information.

Decision Matrix Decision Matrix

Flowchart:

Only property meeting the criteria and criteria and

• ffered by a

willing seller ill be will be considered for purchase

Decision Matrix Decision Matrix

• The decision matrix has two groups of

criteria:

• Group 1 contains four criteria weighted equally

at 25%:

• water resources
• community landscapes
• plant and animal species

plant and animal species

• social and human values
• Group 2 contains two criteria:

Group 2 contains two criteria:

• management issues (weighted at 25%)
• economic/acquisition issues (weighted at 75%)

economic/acquisition issues (weighted at 75%)

Group 1 Group 1 Criteria: Criteria: Protecting Water Resources (25%) Protecting Water Resources (25%) Criteria: Criteria: Protecting Water Resources (25%) Protecting Water Resources (25%)

• Vulnerability of drinking water aquifer

y g q

• Groundwater recharge
• Surface water features
• Flood management

Group 1 Group 1 Criteria: Criteria: Protecting Natural Protecting Natural Communities Communities Criteria: Criteria: Protecting Natural Protecting Natural Communities Communities and Landscapes (25%) and Landscapes (25%)

• Community diversity
• Community rarity
• Ecological quality
• Functional connectedness
• Adjacency to other protected properties
• Size of property

Size of property

• Geologic features (caves, sinkholes, etc.)

Ab f i t l f t ti

• Absence of internal fragmentation

Group 1 Group 1 Criteria: Criteria: Protecting Plant and Protecting Plant and Animal Animal Criteria: Criteria: Protecting Plant and Protecting Plant and Animal Animal Species (25%) Species (25%)

• Endangered species habitat
• Habitat for species with large home ranges

Habitat for species with large home ranges

• Presence of endemic species
• Wildlife aggregation or breeding
• Vegetation quality and species diversity

Vegetation quality and species diversity

• Absence of non-native invasive species

Group 1 Group 1 Criteria Criteria Achieving Social/Human Values (25%) Achieving Social/Human Values (25%) Criteria Criteria: Achieving Social/Human Values (25%) Achieving Social/Human Values (25%)

• Resource-based recreation

Resource based recreation

• Urban green-belt, scenic vista, etc.

Group 2 Group 2 Criteria Criteria Management Issues Management Issues (25%) (25%) Criteria Criteria: Management Issues Management Issues (25%) (25%)

• Ecological management of the site

Ecological management of the site

• Cost effective ecological management

g g

• f the site

Group 2 Group 2 Criteria Criteria Economic Acquisition Issues (75%) Economic Acquisition Issues (75%) Criteria Criteria: Economic Acquisition Issues (75%) Economic Acquisition Issues (75%)

• Value of funding match from other

sources

• Cost relative to its resource value
• Cost relative to its resource value
• Threat of loss to development and/or

Threat of loss to development and/or lack of legislative protections

• Opportunities for protecting the

property's values through less-than-fee mechanisms mechanisms

Decision Matrix Field Decision Matrix Field Testing Testing

• The LCAC field tested the matrix on

March 18, 2000 ,

• County tested matrix on Blues Creek

Ravine property that was submitted for consideration for purchase by the Florida Communities Trust on June 9 Florida Communities Trust on June 9, 2000

Decision Matrix Decision Matrix

• The matrix calculates scores based from

ranking criteria values supplied by the user

Enter Impo Enter Cr Based Insp Averag Sc Averag Score M Relative I CRITERIA FOR RANKING TO DETERMINE SITE PROTECTION PRIORITIES r Criteria

• rtance

riteria Value d on Site pection ge Criteria core ge Criteria ultiplied by Importance ECONOMIC/ACQUISITION ISSUES 0 to 1 1 to 5 Value of funding match from other sources 5 Cost of property or easement relative to its resource value 4 Degree of threat of loss to development and/or lack of legislative protections 2 Opportunities for protecting the property's values through less-than-fee mechanisms 1 TOTAL FOR ECONOMIC/ACQUISITION ISSUES 3 RELATIVE IMPORTANCE OF THIS CRITERIA SET IN THE OVERALL SCORE (0 TO 1) 0.75 2.3 SUM OF ENVIRONMENTAL/HUMAN VALUES SCORES 3.9 SUM OF ACQUISITION AND MANAGEMENT SCORES 3.3 TOTAL SCORE 7.2 NOTES Cells of this color are input points to reflect site assets - enter one score per criteria line Cells of this color are inputs for setting the importance of a category - all should sum to 1 1 Cells of this color are inputs for setting the importance of a category - all should sum to 1 1 p g p g Cells of this color are calculated by the spreadsheet - do not alter

Important Closing Thoughts: Important Closing Thoughts:

• Intangibles associated with a given

property may not be easily reflected

• Unusual circumstance may dictate quick

action to acquire a property that otherwise f would be lost forever

• The matrix should be viewed as a way to

The matrix should be viewed as a way to sort properties into these categories:

th k t – those we know we want – those we may or may not want – those we definitely don’t want for those we definitely don t want for conservation purposes

Important Closing Thoughts: Important Closing Thoughts:

• The LCAC and the County Commission may

wish to further refine the decision matrix after reviewing the acquisition procedures that are reviewing the acquisition procedures that are currently being developed

• Maximizing funding from outside the County

is a key goal

• The matrix

should be amended as new, more accurate data sources become available

Bonding of Bonding of Alachua County Forever Alachua County Forever George Nickerson George Nickerson

Bonding of Bonding of Alachua County Forever Alachua County Forever

• Constitutional Requirements
• Statutory Requirements

The Ballot Question: The Ballot Question:

“Shall Alachua County be authorized to issue bonds to acquire, improve and i t ll i ifi t l d manage environmentally significant lands to protect water resources, wildlife habitats and natural areas suitable for resource- based recreation in one or more series not exceeding a total principal amount of $29 000 000 payable from an annual ad $29,000,000 payable from an annual ad valorem tax not exceeding one-quarter of

• ne mil maturing not later than 20 years

and bearing interest at a rate not and bearing interest at a rate not exceeding the maximum legal rate.” F b d A i t b d ___ For bonds ___ Against bonds

Bonding of Bonding of Alachua County Forever Alachua County Forever

Li it ti

• Limitations
• Use of Tax Revenue
• Debt Structure Alternatives

Financial Implications of Financial Implications of Alachua County Alachua County Forever Forever Forever Forever

Rick Mills, Director Rick Mills, Director Office of Management & Office of Management & Budget Budget

Financial Implications Overview Financial Implications Overview

• Amount available to purchase lands

A ti C it i

• Assumption Criteria
• Cost estimates
• Projected acreage distribution

j g

• Annual land management operating cost
• Cost to the County taxpayer

Assumption Criteria Assumption Criteria

• Bond issuance cost are estimated by the

Public Finance Management, Inc., Financial Advisor Advisor

• Capital improvement cost (i.e., boardwalks,

initial exotic removal, fences) were estimated at 10% of the expenditures from the bond proceeds the bond proceeds

• Closing cost are estimated at 2.5% and

g include items such as legal fees, surveys, documentary stamps, appraisals, etc.

Amount Available to Purchase Lands Amount Available to Purchase Lands

Bond issues (2-10 year) $29,000,000 Less bond issuance cost @ 1 9%

• $551 000

Less bond issuance cost @ 1.9%

• $551,000

Net Proceeds: $28,449,000 Less Capital Improvements @ 10%

• $2,844,900

Sub Total: $25,604,100 Sub Total: $25,604,100 Less closing cost @ 2.5%

• $640,100

Available for purchase of lands: $24,964,000

Projected Acreage Distribution Projected Acreage Distribution

Assumptions: Assumptions:

• Average cost per acre for

agriculturally zone lands $3 400/acre agriculturally zone lands……….....……$3,400/acre

• Total acreage available for

h ($25 il / $3 400/ ) 7 350 purchase ($25 mil. / $3,400/acre)…....…7,350 acres Hypothetical acreage distribution: yp g Urban Tracts 350 acres Small Tracts (<100 acres)3,250 acres Small Tracts (<100 acres)3,250 acres Large Tracts (>100 acres) 3,750 acres Total: 7 350 acres Total: 7,350 acres

Annual Land Management Annual Land Management Cost Cost

• Based on other counties that have land

acquisition programs, the annual land management cost range from $10 to $100 acre

Tracts Acreage Cost/acre Total

g g $ $

Urban 350 $100 $35,000 Small (<100 acres) 3,250 $25 $81,250 L 3 750 $12 $45 000 Large (>100 acres) 3,750 $12 $45,000 Total: 7,350 acres $161,250

• Average maintenance costs are about

$22 per acre p

Cost to the Taxpayer Cost to the Taxpayer

• For a house valued at $100,000 after the

homestead exemption the cost is: homestead exemption, the cost is:

$100,000 x .00025 (1/4 mill) = $25/year

• The actual property tax increase will be offset
• The actual property tax increase will be offset
• FY 2000 is the last year for the .2469 mills

levied by the Alachua County library levied by the Alachua County library

Alachua County Forever Alachua County Forever Campaign Campaign

Doug Hornbeck Doug Hornbeck Treasure Treasurer r Doug Hornbeck Doug Hornbeck, Treasure Treasurer r Legacy Lands Legacy Lands

Bond Covenant Creates Firewall Bond Covenant Creates Firewall

• A citizens Board must first recommend

lands for acquisition

• County Commission must approve the

expenditure of funds p

Much Excitement & Energy Much Excitement & Energy

• 8,000 people signed petitions

8,000 people signed petitions

• 8,000 people signed petitions

8,000 people signed petitions

• 100 volunteered at the polls

100 volunteered at the polls

• 100 volunteered at the polls

100 volunteered at the polls 100 volunteered at the polls 100 volunteered at the polls 100 volunteered at the polls 100 volunteered at the polls

• 750 people ready to help

750 people ready to help

• 750 people ready to help

750 people ready to help

Citizen’s campaign begins Citizen’s campaign begins

• Petition & ballot phases are complete
• Citizen’s grass-roots initiative

– not a government campaign

• Yard signs, car stuff, direct mail, media
• Expect to raise $50,000 (now at $25,000)

E i d l d hi

• Experienced leadership

Legacy Lands Legacy Lands asks the Commission to: asks the Commission to:

• Adopt Ordinance to create a land

Adopt Ordinance to create a land conservation program called Alachua County Forever County Forever

• Adopt Resolution to place the bond

referendum on the November 7th ballot referendum on the November 7th ballot

www.LegacyLands.com g y

Pam Zaber ~ 336-4340 Doug Hornbeck ~ 375-6694

Note: The following six slides were not presented at the public were not presented at the public hearing

Capital Improvements Costs: Capital Improvements Costs:

• Up to 10% of the bond revenues may be

used for initial capital improvements p p

• A review of County Land Acquisition

Programs in Florida indicate that:

– Capital improvements range from $15 to Capital improvements range from $15 to $200 per acre – The average capital improvement is about – The average capital improvement is about $50 per acre

Recurring Land Recurring Land Management Cost: Management Cost:

• Bond revenues can not be used as a

funding source g

• A review of County Land Acquisition

Programs in Florida indicate that:

– Annual management cost range from $10 to Annual management cost range from $10 to $100 per acre Th l i b $1 – The average annual cost is about $17 per acre

July 25, 2000 Legacy Lands Public Hearing

Legacy Lands Rally Prior to Public Hearing July 25 2000 July 25, 2000

Legacy Lands Rally Prior to Public Hearing July 25 2000 July 25, 2000

Legacy Lands Rally Prior to Public Hearing July 25 2000 July 25, 2000