Title
Interlocal Agreement with Alachua County for Joint Management of Four Creeks Preserve (B)
Request for City Commission to approve an agreement for care and management of Four Creeks Preserve with Alachua County.
Explanation
On June 21, 2018, the City Commission approved the acquisition of a portion of a 715-acre property owned by the Trust for Arthur D. Weiss. The City purchased 245 acres and Alachua County purchased the other 470.72 acres for the purpose of protecting water resources, wildlife habitats, and natural areas suitable for resource-based recreation. The property was acquired in October, 2018 and it is now referred to as “Four Creeks Preserve”.
Alachua County staff were provided a mandate by the Board of County Commissioners to open public access to the preserve by end of September, 2019. A system of earthen trails and some orientation signage and directional signage were installed by County staff and the preserve was opened for pedestrian-only access on September 28, 2019. The trail system traverses both the City and County properties.
The ten-year Interlocal Agreement essentially states that both the City and County agree to maintain their acreage on the property and work together, when possible, for the betterment of Four Creeks Preserve.
Fiscal Note
Maintenance costs for the City’s 245 acres of Four Creeks Preserve will be paid from the Nature Operations budget. No major upgrades to the property are currently under discussion.
Recommendation
The City Commission approve City Manager to sign the Interlocal Agreement with Alachua County for the joint management of Four Creeks Preserve through FY2030.