Title
Contribution to the Summer House Project (B)
Explanation
On February 14, 2000, the City Commission approved the revision of an earlier commitment to the North Florida Botanical Society, Inc. for construction of the Summer House at the Kanapaha Botanical Gardens. The new agreement included an additional contribution by GRU of $15,000 to assist in the completion of this new facility. Since the location of the Summer House is outside the City limits, the City Commission requested that a clause be placed in the new agreement requiring future annexation of the property to the City when legally permissible. The North Florida Botanical Society, Inc. leases the land on which the Botanical Gardens are located from Alachua County. Alachua County objected to signing a three party agreement for the annexation of this property. In addition, Alachua County objected to the annexation requirement because the City did not have a standard policy for requiring annexation agreements from GRU customers receiving special benefits.
In order to address these two concerns expressed by Alachua County, the City Commission on November 13, 2000, approved a Consent to Incorporate Policy that requires all recipients of GRU discretionary benefits be treated the same relative to annexation. In order to eliminate the need for a three party annexation agreement, the City initiated annexation procedures for a parcel of City-owned property which made the County's property containing the Kanapaha Botanical Gardens contiguous to the City limits. Upon annexation of the City parcel, the County could simply annex its property without the need for an annexation agreement. The City's proposal was conveyed to the County on December 13, 2000. The County Manager responded on January 12, 2001, stating that he would support recommending the annexation of the County property pending review by the County's annexation team. This review process has been in process for more than a year.
On November 19, 2001, Alachua County Commission Chair Dave Newport notified the City that on October 9, 2001, the County Commission had reviewed the proposal to annex the County-owned property and directed the County staff to begin a negotiation process for the development of an annexation agreement for this property. Due to scheduling conflicts the City and County staffs have not been able to begin this negotiation process. Don Goodman, Director of the Kanapaha Botanical Gardens recently notified me that the Summer House project was within a few weeks of obtaining a certificate of occupancy. Mr. Goodman requested that I assist in authorizing the GRU contribution as a critical financial component of this project.
Fiscal Note
GRU has available the $15,000 contribution approved by the City Commission on February 14, 2000.
Recommendation
Due to the extended review process being conducted by Alachua County and in order not to penalize the Kanapaha Botanical Gardens, the City Commission temporarily waive the requirements of the Consent to Incorporate Policy and allow GRU to provide funding for the Summer House project in advance of Alachua County signing the Consent to Incorporate.