Title
Land Conservation and Acquisition Program (B)
This item is to request the City Commission to approve adding the Elks Lodge/Glen Springs property to the priority acquisition list for the Land Conservation and Acquisition Program.
Explanation
This item was referred to the Recreation, Cultural Affairs and Public Works Committee at the May 16, 2013, City Commission meeting for review and recommendation to the Commission. It was requested that the Committee hear staff evaluation, review and consider approval of the Elks Lodge/Glen Springs property to the City's priority land acquisition list.
Since 2009, the City has been attempting to acquire properties listed on the priority land acquisition table. To date, sixteen (16) parcels on the priority table have been acquired by the City and more are still in negotiations. Staff evaluated the Elks Lodge/Glen Springs property on June 26, 2013 and has provided a summary evaluation and associated maps for review.
On October 28, 2013, the Recreation, Cultural Affairs and Public Works Committee met and received an update from staff regarding the evaluation of the Elks Lodge/Glens Springs property and discussed this item.
Fiscal Note
In 2012, the Alachua County Property Appraiser assessed the Elks Lodge/Glen Springs property at $309,000. The exact for sale amount of this property is dependent upon an official appraisal. As of mid-October, the Wild Spaces/Public Places acquisition funding has a remaining balance of $1,788, and $1,524,897 remains in the Greenspace Acquisition fund. The approved FY14 and FY15 budgets do not include any additional funds allocated for the Greenspace Acquisition Fund.
Recommendation
The Recreation, Cultural Affairs and Public Works Committee recommends that the City Commission approve an updated priority land acquisition list for the Land Conservation and Acquisition Program with the addition of the Elks Lodge/Glens Springs property.