May 06, 2025 Workshop

[1. CALL TO ORDER]

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>> GOOD EVENING, FOLKS. WELCOME TO OUR MAY 6, 2025 CITY COMMISSION WORKSHOP. PLEASE CALL THE ROLL.

>> MAYOR ANTUN. >> HERE.

>> VICE-MAYOR AYSCUE. >> HERE.

>> COMMISSIONER TUTEN. >> HERE.

>> COMMISSIONER TUTEN. >> HERE.

>> COMMISSIONER POYNTER. >> HERE. PLEASE STAND FOR THE

PLEDGE. >> I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE

[4.1 BOSQUE BELLO CEMETERY - COLUMBARIUM - The City Commission, at their December 3, 2024, Workshop directed staff to place this matter on their May 6, 2025, Workshop agenda for discussion.]

LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL. >> I WILL LET DIRECTOR SCOTT

MICHELSON TAKE US AWAY. >> THANK YOU, SIR. GOOD EVENING, MAYOR AND VICE MAYOR AND COMMISSIONERS. FOR THE RECORD, SCOTT MICHELSON, PARKS AND RECREATION DIRECTOR. THE FIRST STEP OF TONIGHT'S WORKSHOP WILL FOCUS ON DECK TO AT BOSQUE BELLO CEMETERY. WE HAVE A PRESENTATION TO PROVIDE CONTEXT AND SHARE WHERE WE HAVE BEEN IN DISCUSSIONS RELATED TO A COLUMBARIUM AT BOSQUE BELLO CEMETERY. SO BY WAY OF BACKGROUND, PARKS AND RECREATION OVERSEAS SEVERAL RESPONSIBILITIES AT THE CEMETERY. WE OVERSEE THE LANDSCAPE CONTRACT. WE HANDLE THE SALE OF GRAVES. WE MARKET GRAVES IN PREPARATION FOR BURIALS. WE MARK LOCATIONS FOR MONUMENT PLACEMENT, AND WE WORK WITH FUNERAL HOMES TO COORDINATE BURIALS. IT CAN BE A VERY DIFFICULT JOB. I WOULD BE REMISS IF I DIDN'T RECOGNIZE DEBORAH HOUSE. SHE'S AN ADMISSION COORDINATOR THAT HANDLES A LOT OF THESE RESPONSE ABILITIES AT THE PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT AND DOES A REALLY GOOD JOB. WITH THAT SAID, I WILL MOVE INTO THE PRESENTATION. SO, BOSQUE BELLO CEMETERY AND A COLUMBARIUM. SO, WE WILL GO BACK AND FORTH HERE. WHY A COLUMBARIUM? A LOT OF PEOPLE ASK, WHY DO WE NEED A COLUMBARIUM? SO, OUR CEMETERY IS RUNNING OUT OF TRADITIONAL GRAVES. WE HAVE AN ESTIMATED 600 GRAVES. REMAINING. THESE GRAVES WILL SELL IN ABOUT FIVE YEARS.

IF YOU GO BACK THE LAST FIVE YEARS AND BASED ON HISTORY, WE ARE ESTIMATED LOOKING AT ABOUT FIVE YEARS UNTIL WE ARE SOLD OUT. SO, THIS IS MORE COST EFFECTIVE THAN A TRADITIONAL BURIAL. IT MEETS A GROWING DEMAND. THERE IS A LARGE PREFERENCE FOR THIS COMMUNITY. IT IS ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY.

IT CREATES A LASTING MEMORIAL. OBVIOUSLY, WE HAVE TALKED ABOUT POPULATION GROWTH RECENTLY. AND CURRENTLY, WE ARE BURYING CREMAINS IN TRADITIONAL GRAVES. WE ARE ALLOWING INDIVIDUALS TO PURCHASE A TRADITIONAL GRAVE COP FOUR BY 10 GRAVE AND IT CAN HOLD THREE SETS OF CREMAINS WITHIN THAT GRAVE. WE ALSO SELL LOTS WHERE THE TREE SITS ON A TRADITIONAL GRAVE WHERE WE WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO ALLOW FOR A TRADITIONAL BURIAL, BUT THERE IS ROOM ON THE GRAVE WHERE WE COULD DO ONE CREMATION BURIAL. THIS WILL PROVIDE A NEW REVENUE STREAM. A MUCH-NEEDED REVENUE STREAM FOR US. AND, FINALLY, THIS EXTENDS THE TIME BEFORE THE PERPETUAL CARE FUND IS NEEDED. THE PERPETUAL CARE FUND IS WITHIN THE CEMETERY BUDGET. EVERY GRAVE THAT WE SELL, A PERCENTAGE OF THAT GOES TO THE PERPETUAL CARE FUND. THAT FUND IS THERE FOR WHEN WE RUN OUT OF GRAVES. THAT WILL ALLOW US -- OR HELP US TO PAY FOR THE OPERATION OF THE CEMETERY. RIGHT NOW, THAT IS $4 MILLION. AND HOW DID WE GET HERE? SO, BASKET -- BACK IN FISCAL YEAR TWO DOZEN 20, $16,000, THE CITY SPENT $16,000 ON A CONCEPTUAL DESIGN. WE WORKED WITH A VENDOR. THE STAKEHOLDERS THAT WERE INVOLVED IN THIS PROJECT WAS THE AMELIA ISLAND FERNANDINA FRUSTRATION FOUNDATION. IN MARCH OF 2021,

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AT THAT TIME, IT FAILED TO MOVE FORWARD TO CONSTRUCTION -- TO THE CONSTRUCTION DRAWING PHASE. SO, BOSQUE BELLO STILL NEEDS A COLUMN BEARING. THIS WILL GIVE HISTORY ON HOW WE MOVED THROUGH THIS. PAST DISCUSSIONS WERE REGARDING LOCATION. THIS IS AN ACTUAL LOCATION WITHIN THE CEMETERY. IT IS AN L SHAPED AREA IN THE RED LINES. THE TREES ARE THE GREEN, THE RED, THE YELLOW.

IT WAS PLANNED TO BE A PHASED APPROACH. IT WASN'T GOING TO BE THIS WHOLE COMPLETE AREA. PARTS OF IT WOULD FALL WITHIN THAT AREA. CURRENTLY, THERE ARE NO BURIALS WITHIN THAT LOCATION.

THAT IS A DRIVE-THROUGH ROAD RIGHT NOW. IT BECAME A DRIVE-THROUGH ROAD. SO, WE TALKED ABOUT LOCATION WITHIN THE CEMETERY. AND TALKING ABOUT PHASING THE PROJECT, THIS IS ACTUALLY A PICTURE OF WHAT WOULD'VE BEEN PHASE ONE OF THE COLUMBARIUM PROJECT THAT WAS PRESENTED TO THE COMMISSION AT THAT TIME. AND, AS YOU CAN SEE HERE, IT WAS AN ESTIMATED COST OF $345,000. AND IT WOULD'VE PROVIDED US 420 SO, GOING ALONG WITH THE PHASED APPROACH, THIS SLIDE BASICALLY SHOWS YOU THE FUNDING STRATEGY THAT WE WERE PUTTING IN PLACE TO FUND PHASE ONE OF THE LARGE PROJECT AS WE WORKED THROUGH IT.

SO WE WERE PLANNING ON BUDGETING MONEY IN FISCAL YEAR 2021. AS YOU CAN SEE, THERE WERE A FEW ADDITIONAL REQUIRED EXPENDITURES, AND THEN WE HAD THE REMAINING BUDGET BALANCE IN THEIR THAT WE WERE CURRENTLY USING. AND THEN, AS YOU CAN SEE HERE, THE LAST POINT -- THERE WOULD'VE BEEN PRE-SALE NICHES.

WE WOULD'VE HAD TO SELL 360 NICHES TO GET ABOUT $285,000. TO GENERATE ENOUGH REVENUE TO BUILD PHASE ONE. AND THEN, AS YOU CAN SEE HERE, PHASE ONE WOULD'VE BEEN 425 NICHES. AT THE TIME. WE WOULD'VE ONLY HAD TO SELL 150 TO GET THROUGH PHASE ONE. THE OTHER NICHES COULD'VE GONE TO OTHER PHASES AND OBVIOUSLY BACK INTO THE CEMETERY OPERATIONS. AND ALSO, THERE WERE CONCERNS.

IT OBVIOUSLY DID NOT GET APPROVED. THERE WERE SOME CONCERNS WITH THE EXISTING DESIGN. SOME OF THOSE ARE LISTED HERE. THE FUNDING SOURCE. THE ORIGINAL AMOUNT OF MONEY WAS PARKS AND RECREATION IMPACT FEES. AND THEN THE COST OF IT.

IT WAS A LOT OF MONEY. AND THEN THE MATERIAL, AS WELL. SHOULD WE HAVE BRICK? SHOULD WE HAVE GRANITE? THERE WERE SOME REQUIREMENTS.

COLUMBARIUM REMAINS FOR THE CEMETERY.

AS WE GO THROUGH THIS PROCESS, WE CAN HAVE A CONVERSATION ABOUT THAT TYPE OF MATERIAL. DOES IT NEED TO BE BRICK? DOES IT NEED TO BE GRANITE? THE ACTUAL LOCATION OF IT, AS WELL. AND THEN UPDATED PRICING, AS WELL. AND THEN WE WOULD CREATE A SALES AND MARKETING PLAN FOR FUNDING. AND THEN HAVE CONVERSATIONS

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THE CITY COMMISSION'S OFFICE WOULD PROVIDE UPDATES TO YOU FOR INCLUSION IN THE UPCOMING BUDGET AS WE WORK FORWARD THROUGH THIS PROCESS. YEAH. SO THAT'S WHAT I HAVE. IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, I WOULD BE HAPPY TO ANSWER THEM. I GUESS, AT THIS POINT, I WILL SEND IT BACK TO YOU GUYS FOR DISCUSSION.

>> I ASKED FOR THIS TO BE A WORKSHOP ITEM. I WAS AWARE OF EVERYTHING THAT WENT ON A COUPLE AND THREE YEARS AGO WHEN THIS STARTED. IT IS VERY PAST DUE. AND SOMETHING THAT I FEEL STRONGLY THAT OUR COMMUNITY NEEDS AND DESERVES, AND WE HAVE TO FIND A WAY TO DO IT. WE HAVE A PLAN IN PLACE. IT NEEDS SOME TWEAKS, AS ALL PLANS DO. I WOULD VERY MUCH LIKE TO SEE US FIGURE OUT HOW TO MOVE THIS FORWARD. AND I BELIEVE WE CAN MOVE THIS FORWARD WITHOUT USING TAXPAYER DOLLARS. WE CAN PRE-SELL. WE CAN BORROW FROM THE PERPETUAL FUND AND PAY IT BACK. AND WE CAN MEET COMMUNITY NEEDS WITHOUT IMPACTING TAXPAYER DOLLARS. THAT IS SOMETHING THAT I THINK IS REALLY VALUABLE AND IMPORTANT TO THE COMMUNITY. I WOULD HOPE THAT ALL OF Y'ALL WOULD ALLOW US TO MOVE THIS FORWARD. AT LEAST UNTIL WE CAN GET SOME GOOD NUMBERS, AND, YOU KNOW, RESOLVE SOME OF THE KINDS WE HAD WITH MATERIALS, AND LET'S SEE WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE.

>> I HAVE COMMISSIONER POYNTER AND THEN COMMISSIONER TUTEN NEXT

UP. >> WE SHOULD'VE DONE IT BEFORE.

ALL WE ARE DOING IS PUTTING OFF THE INEVITABLE AND IT ALWAYS COSTS A LOT MORE MONEY WHEN WE DO IT. MY GUESS IS IT IS PROBABLY GOING TO BE 20% HIGHER OR MORE. FROM THREE YEARS AGO THAT NOW. AND IF WE WAIT THREE MORE YEARS OR FOUR MORE YEARS AND BRINGS UP AGAIN, IT IS GOING TO BE THAT MUCH MORE, AND THEN WE WILL HAVE FEWER GRADES LEFT. YOU KNOW, TO SELL. YOU KNOW, IF THOSE NUMBERS ARE ACCURATE. I PLAN ON BEING AROUND A LITTLE LONGER THAN FIVE YEARS. BUT I DID GET MY TWO UNDER A TREE.

THIS PAST YEAR. THAT IS THE LAST PROPERTY I'M BUYING ON THIS

ISLAND. >> WRITE THAT DOWN, SOMEBODY.

>> LITERALLY, THAT IS THE LAST PROPERTY I'M BUYING. BUT I'M 100% IN FAVOR OF LOOKING AT THIS AND MOVING IT FORWARD.

>> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER POYNTER. COMMISSIONER TUTEN.

>> YEAH. I LOOK FORWARD TO MOVING FORWARD WITH THIS, ALSO.

I HAVE A QUESTION. I HAVE A COUPLE OF QUESTIONS. THE PERPETUAL FUND OF JUST OVER $1 MILLION. IS THAT SOCIAL SECURITY WHERE WE THINK IT IS GOING TO RUN OUT? HOW LONG IS THAT PROJECTED TO LAST? WHERE DOES THE FUNDING COME FROM?

>> YEAH. SO, IT WON'T LAST FOREVER. ULTIMATELY, IT IS THE CITY CEMETERY. I BELIEVE THE CITY IS GOING TO HAVE TO MAINTAIN IT IN PERPETUITY. BUT IT IS THERE TO HELP ASSIST.

AVERAGE EXPENSES ARE AROUND $200,000. THE MAIN EXPENSE RIGHT NOW IS THE LANDSCAPE CONTRACT. FOR MAINTAINING IT.

>> $200,000 PER YEAR IS THE AVERAGE EXPENSE NOW?

>> YES. >> AND DO WE PULL FROM THAT

PERPETUAL CARE FUND NOW? >> WE DO NOT PULL FROM THAT.

>> OKAY. >> WE DO NOT PULL FROM THAT.

>> IT'S PART OF THE PARKS AND REC BUDGET.

>> WE ARE ABLE TO OPERATE IN THE -- IN THE BLACK, AS OF RIGHT NOW, WITH THE CHANGES TO THE LANDSCAPE CONTRACT. AND WE ARE CONSTANTLY ADDING TO THE PERPETUAL CARE FUND. BUT OVER TIME, ONCE WE STOP SELLING GRAVES, THE PERPETUAL CARE FUND

WILL NOT LAST THAT LONG. >> I HAVE ONE OTHER QUESTION ABOUT THE $1900 COST. IS THAT AN OLD COST ESTIMATE OR WOULD THAT BE A NEW COST? EITHER WE GOT A SUPER BAD DEAL OR THEY HAVE GONE

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UP. >> YEAH. SO, THAT PRICE -- THAT $1900 IS BASICALLY WHAT IT COST FOR A TRADITIONAL GRADE CITY AND NON-CITY RESIDENT AND JUST AVERAGING IT RIGHT NOW. AND WHEN WE DID GO THROUGH THIS PROCESS, WE RESEARCHED -- AND PRICES VARY DEPENDING ON THE LOCATION, WHEREVER YOU ARE IN THE COUNTRY.

BUT THAT PRICE FELL WITHIN ABOUT THE RIGHT ZONE. THERE WERE COLUMBARIUMS THAT WERE CHEAPER, ALSO. SO, THAT WOULD BE A DISCUSSION THAT WE WOULD HAVE TO HAVE ABOUT WHAT PRICE POINT THAT

IS. >> AND WHEN DO WE DISCUSS THAT? GRANITE LASTS LONGER IN TERMS OF WEATHERING, BUT HOW MUCH LONGER?

WHAT IS THE COST? >> WE DON'T KNOW YET.

>> YOU JUST EARNED YOUR LIGHT BACK ON.

>> THANK YOU. I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO THIS PROJECT. I WOULD LIKE TO SEE A WAY TO GENERATE FUNDS TO MAKE OTHER IMPROVEMENTS. IT IS A GORGEOUS IMPROVEMENT. WE LOST SOME TREES THE LAST COUPLE OF STORMS THAT HAVE COME THROUGH. MAYBE WE NEED TO LOOK AT HOW WE CAN REPLANT SOME OF THOSE, AS WELL. AND THE OTHER AREAS THAT NEED TO BE KEPT UP -- IT NEEDS A LITTLE TLC, SO I'LL BE LOOKING FORWARD TO THAT IN THE BUDGET PROCESS. WE CAN ADD FUNDS TO IT. WHETHER THIS IS THAT VEHICLE TO GET US THERE OR WE LOOK AT OTHER WAYS TO FUND IT. THAT IS WHERE I MET WITH IT.

>> AND WE HAVE WORKED VERY CLOSELY WITH KELLY AND HER TEAM, ALSO. AND DAVE AND BILL, THE ARBORIST. WE ARE CONSTANTLY

TRYING TO REPLANT, AS WELL. >> COMMISSIONER TUTEN.

>> THE OVERLAID MAP WITH THE TREES. DO WE HAVE ANY ESTIMATE

OF HOW MANY HEALTHY TREES? >> I DON'T KNOW OFF THE TOP OF MY HEAD. IT IS THERE. I THINK AS WE WORK THROUGH THAT PROCESS, WE JUST HAVE TO MAKE SURE THAT WE WORK AROUND THEM TO THE BEST OF

OUR ABILITY. >> THEY COULD INCORPORATE OR GO AROUND AND IT WOULD BE MORE BEAUTIFUL.

>> YES. >> COMMISSIONER MINSHEW.

>> I JUST -- SO, THIS PROJECT WENT FROM START TO HEAR, AND THEN IT JUST STOPPED. SO EVERYTHING NEEDS TO BE UPDATED.

ALL THE PRICES NEED TO BE UPDATED. THE COSTS FOR WHAT YOU WOULD SELL THEM. IT NEEDS TO BE UPDATED. LOOK AT THE PLAN FOR WHERE IT IS ACTUALLY LOCATED. THE ISSUES OF MATERIALS. ALL OF THAT NEEDS TO BE REFRESHED. AND WE WOULD ASK THE VENDOR WHO WORKED WITH US TO DO THAT REFRESH FOR US, AND IN THE MEANTIME, I HAVE ASKED STAFF TO LOOK AT, CAN WE TAKE A LOAD FROM THE PERPETUAL FUND SEED MONEY AND PAY IT BACK? AND THEN A PERCENTAGE OF EVERY NICHE WE SELL, IT WILL GO BACK INTO THE PERPETUAL FUND, JUST LIKE WHEN YOU SELL A TRADITIONAL GRAVESITE. SO, IN THE ONLY OTHER THING I WOULD SAY IS THAT, THERE IS A GROUP CALLED FRIENDS OF BOSQUE BELLO -- I DON'T THINK THEY ARE A FORMAL 501(C)(3). THEY ARE A GROUP OF VOLUNTEERS AND PEOPLE THAT ARE COMMITTED. I THINK MAYBE ANOTHER OUT SHOOT OF THIS CONVERSATION IS THAT I THINK HAVING A FRIENDS OF THE CEMETERY IN A FORMALIZED WAY, WHERE THEY CAN MARK IT AND RAISE FUNDS AND THEY CAN DO PROJECTS IS REALLY VALUABLE, AND WITH THE HOPE THAT THE FOLKS WHO HAD DONE THAT BEFORE WILL LOOK AT BRINGING IN SOME NEW LIFE, AND LET'S GET A FRIENDS OF BOSQUE BELLO FORMALLY ORGANIZED AND SET UP SO THAT THEY CAN THEN BECOME A MORE ACTIVE PART OF THIS PROJECT. AND THE ONGOING SUPPORT OF THE CEMETERY, BECAUSE EVERYBODY NEEDS A FRIEND.

>> THANK YOU. COMMISSIONER TUTEN .

>> INTENDED -- BRINGING FRIENDS BACK TO LIFE. EVERYBODY NEEDS A FRIEND. I THINK HELPING THE FRIENDS OF BOSQUE BELLO BECOME MORE ACTIVE IS A GREAT IDEA. MY LITTLE NICHE OF BIRDING,

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ACTUALLY COME INTO THE PARK? >> YEAH. THERE ARE MANY PEOPLE THAT WALK THROUGH THE PARK. THAT IS KIND OF WHAT HAS HAPPENED. IT IS CONSIDERED A PARK. THAT IS WHAT A LOT OF MUNICIPALITIES AND DEPARTMENTS HAVE TAKEN OVER MANAGEMENT OF THAT. SO YEAH, THERE ARE A LOT OF PEOPLE THAT WALK THROUGH THEIR. -- THERE.

>> IF WE FELT LIKE WE NEEDED TO LOAD THAT FUND MORE WITH FUTURE

PURCHASES. >> SO, RIGHT NOW, IT IS 65, 35.

35% IS GOING INTO THE PERPETUAL CARE ACCOUNT. I WOULD HAVE TO CONFIRM, BUT I DO BELIEVE THAT WE CAN CHANGE THAT.

>> IF WE ARE LOOKING AT -- LET'S LOOK AT THE OLD NUMBERS.

THE 1900. THAT MEANS WE WOULD BE FUNDING THIS WITH THE 65%. THE 35% IS GOING INTO IT. RIGHT?

>> YES. YES. >> COOL. THANK YOU. ANY OTHER CUSHIONS FOR OUR PARKS AND REC DIRECTOR WHILE HE IS STILL

APPEAR? >> THANK YOU.

>> I THINK YOU HAVE YOUR CONSENSUS, SIR. WE APPRECIATE

YOUR WORK. >> THANK YOU.

>> ALL RIGHT. >> OKAY. MOVING ONTO ITEM 4.

QUESTIONS? >> SO WHAT IS OUR CONSENSUS? ASK

PARKS AND REC TO MOVE FORWARD? >> CORRECT.

>> AND UPDATING SOME OF THESE NUMBERS READ AND COMING BACK

[4.2 CONSERVATION LANDS MANAGEMENT - The City Commission, at their December 3, 2024, Workshop, directed staff to place this matter on their May 6, 2025, Workshop agenda for discussion.]

>> YES. >> OKAY. SOUNDS GOOD.

>> NEXT UP, WE HAVE ITEM 4.2. CONSERVATION LANDS MANAGEMENT.

WE WILL HAVE MISS KELLY GIVE A PRESENTATION.

>> GOOD EVENING, MAYOR, VICE MAYOR, AND COMMISSIONERS. KELLY TO BE HERE TO SPEAK ABOUT OUR LEGACY OF CONSERVATION LAND . IT IS INCREDIBLE TO BE ABLE TO ACTIVELY ENGAGE WITH CONSERVATION PROPERTIES HERE IN THE CITY. SO WE ARE GOING TO SHIFT GEARS A LITTLE BIT IN THIS WORKSHOP TO CONSERVATION LANDS LAND MANAGEMENT. I'D LIKE TO START AGAIN BY EMPHASIZING THE LEGACY THAT'S HERE. THE CITY HAS BEEN ACTIVELY ACQUIRING AND WORKING TO CONSERVE LANDS GOING BACK TO THE 1970S. AND EXTENDING THROUGH THE 90S, WHEN ALLOWED US TO ACQUIRE OVER 200 ACRES OF LAND .

YOU HAD NOT HAD THE OPPORTUNITY, I ENCOURAGE YOU TO GO OUT AND ENJOY IT. THERE ARE SO MANY RESOURCES. THERE ARE SO MANY PLANT SPECIES WE HAVE THERE. JUST A GREAT AREA FILLED WITH TRAILS. HE'S A -- EASY TO ACCESS. THIS CITY HAS INITIATED SEVERAL EFFORTS THAT ALLOWED US TO ACQUIRE PROPERTIES STARTING IN 2018 AND EXTENDING TO THIS YEAR. THESE INCLUDE THE BISHOP JOHN FREEMAN YOUNG CONSERVATION AREA. THIS IS AN AREA OF APPROXIMATELY EIGHT ACRES OF LAND. IT HAS SEEN SOME RECENT EFFORTS WITH UNDER BRUSHING.

THAT AREA OUT SO THAT WE COULD START MORE ACTIVE INVASIVE SPECIES MANAGEMENT THERE, AS WELL AS SIGNAGE. WE ALSO HAVE OUR PHEASANT LANE CONSERVATION PROPERTY OF JUST OVER SIX ACRES OF LAND -- OR JUST UNDER SIX ACRES OF LAND. IN 2007 AND JUST LAST YEAR, -- WELL, 2007, WE ACQUIRED PROPERTY OF ABOUT TWO ACRES ON SADLER ROAD. IT WAS DONATED TO THE CITY ON SADLER.

AND THEN THROUGHOUT THE CITY, WE HAVE BEEN FORTUNATE TO HAVE A VARIETY OF LAND DONATIONS. LAND USE AND ZONING CHANGES HAVE

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THESE ARE SMALLER SCATTERED PLOTS THROUGHOUT THE CITY, REPRESENTING 1.2 ACRES OF LAND. THIS SCRATCHES THE SURFACE OF THE RANGE OF CONSERVATION PROPERTIES WE HAVE WITHIN THE CITY, GIVEN THE NUMBER OF PROPERTIES ZONED AS CONSERVATION OR USED AS RECREATION. THOSE NUMBERS ARE MUCH GREATER THAN THIS. BUT I'M SPEAKING TO TODAY ARE THOSE PROPERTIES WHICH REQUIRE ACTIVELY INVOLVED MANAGING IN THE . BY ACTIVE MANAGEMENT, WHAT DOES THAT MEAN? ONCE WE ACQUIRE PIECES OF PROPERTY, THAT DOESN'T MEAN WE LET IT BE AND NEVER LOOK AT IT AGAIN.

ACTIVELY MAKING SURE THAT THE HEALTH OF THOSE LANDS IS MAINTAINED.

ENVIRONMENT.

THIS DOES ALLOW US ACCESS TO CERTAIN GRANT OPPORTUNITIES TO SUPPORT THAT WATERWAY. RECENT CONSERVATION PURCHASES REFLECT THE CITY'S CONTINUING COMMITMENT TO RESERVING ITS NATURAL SPACES. THIS IS NOT POSSIBLE WITHOUT OUR COLLABORATIONS WITH ORGANIZATIONS IDENTIFIED HERE, AND OTHERS. THOSE LIKE THE NORTH FLORIDA LAND TRUST AND OTHER COMMUNITY SUPPORTED INITIATIVES HAVE BEEN INSTRUMENTAL IN ALLOWING THE CITY TO MAKE THESE RECENT PURCHASES. I ALSO REALLY WOULD LIKE TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE INCREDIBLE GENEROSITY OF AN ANONYMOUS DONOR AND OUR ENTIRE COMMUNITY. ORGANIZATIONS AND INDIVIDUALS THAT HAVE RECENTLY STEPPED UP IN A HUGE WAY, INCLUDING THE CITY, AND FUNDING THE LAND CONSERVATION TRUST FUND WHICH PRESENTLY TOTALS $238,000. A ROUND NUMBER THERE. SO, THANK YOU. IT HAS BEEN AN INCREDIBLE, INCREDIBLE SUPPORT. BUT LET'S LOOK AT THIS MORE CRITICALLY. THE SPOT ANALYSIS PROVIDED HERE REALLY DOES LOOK AT A COMPREHENSIVE PLAN REVIEW OF OUR CONSERVATION LANDSCAPE. IT IDENTIFIES OUR STRENGTHS LIKE OUR RICH BIODIVERSITY AND COLLABORATIONS AND HELPS US TO UNDERSTAND OUR ADVANTAGES, WHILE ALSO RECOGNIZING OUR WEAKNESSES SUCH AS LIMITED STAFFING -- SUCH AS OUR LIMITED STAFFING. THERE ARE OTHER OPPORTUNITIES SUCH AS ADDITIONAL OUTREACH AND THREATS FROM DEVELOPMENT PRESSURES. THESE ALL SERVE TO GUIDE OUR STRATEGIC TRAINING AND ENSURE THAT WE REMAIN PROACTIVE IN OUR CONSERVATION EFFORTS. THE TOOL THAT YOU HAVE IN FRONT OF YOU, AND I CAN MAKE AVAILABLE TO THE AUDIENCE AS WELL AS ON HER WEBSITE, DOES GO IN GREATER DETAIL ON THE SWOT ANALYSIS. IT SERVES TO HIGHLIGHT THE MORE RECENT CONSERVATION PROPERTIES PURCHASED, IDENTIFY SOME POLICY GUIDANCE, AND OUR PARTNERSHIPS.

SPEAKING OF PARTNERSHIPS, WORKING TOGETHER, WE ARE AMPLIFIED. OUR PARTNERSHIPS ARE VITAL TO OUR SUCCESS, AS HIGHLIGHTED HERE. COLLABORATIONS WITH OUR LOCAL SCHOOLS, AMPLIFY OUR IMPACT, AND BRING A DIVERSE RANGE OF EXPERTISE INTO EACH INITIATIVE. THESE PARTNERSHIPS NOT ONLY ENHANCE OUR RESOURCE CAPABILITIES BUT ALSO FOSTER CONTINUED COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT, ESSENTIAL FOR MAINTAINING LONESOME IN OUR CONSERVATION EFFORTS. INVESTING IN STEWARDSHIP IS CRUCIAL FOR OUR

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THE CALL FOR COLLABORATION WHICH EMPHASIZES THE NEED FOR STAFFING AND FUNDING MECHANISMS THAT ARE CRUCIAL TO SECURE OUR RESOURCES.

ADDITIONALLY, THE CONSERVATION LAND TRUST FUND IN THE MUNICIPAL CODE ARTICLE EIGHT, SECTION 42, CHARTS A VARIETY OF OPTIONS FOR WHEN WE CONSIDER PRIORITIZATION OF PROPERTIES THAT COULD BE PURCHASED. IT IS EXTREMELY BROAD. THOSE PRIORITIES INCLUDE LANDS WHICH CAN BE USED TO EXPAND THE SYSTEM.

LANDS PARTIALLY OR WHOLLY CONTAINING WETLANDS. LANCE PARTIALLY OR WHOLLY IN THE 100 AND 500 YEAR FLOODPLAIN. LANDS IN ALLIGATORS CREEK WATERSHED AND OTHER DEFINED ENVIRONMENTALLY SENSITIVE LANDS. THE MAPS PROVIDED HERE PROVIDES AN INITIAL OVERVIEW OF WHAT THAT MIGHT LOOK LIKE WITHOUT NARROWING IN ON ANY INDIVIDUAL PROPERTY HIGHLIGHTED IN RED. THE NORTH SECTION OF THE CITY IS HIGHLIGHTED IN THIS FIRST SLIDE.

THE MIDCITY SECTION IS HIGHLIGHTED IN THE SECOND. AND THE THIRD DISCUSSES POTENTIAL ACQUISITIONS IN THE SOUTHERN PORTION OF THE CITY. VERY BROAD AREAS YOU MIGHT CONSIDER FOR FUTURE LAND PURCHASES. WITH AT ALL, I'M OPEN TO ANY QUESTIONS

YOU HAVE. >> ANY QUESTIONS? COMMISSIONER MINSHEW AND NEXT UP, COMMISSIONER TUTEN.

>> SO, WITH THE EXCEPTION OF WORK THAT HAS BEEN DONE ON THE GREENWAY, I GUESS MY QUESTION IS ABOUT THESE OTHER PROPERTIES. I MEAN, IT WAS A FLURRY OF ACTIVITY ON THE BISHOP PROPERTY THIS PAST SIXTH -- SIX MONTHS. BUT IT SEEMS TO ME THAT WAS NOT

PROACTIVE. IT WAS REACTIVE. >> IT WAS PROACTIVE IN BEING ABLE TO UNDERSTAND WHAT IS GOING ON IN THAT PROPERTY.

>> WE'VE HAD THAT PROPERTY SINCE 2016. WHY ARE WE ONLY NOW STARTING TO FIGURE OUT WHAT'S ON IT?

>> LIMITED STAFFING.

WASN'T A WILDFIRE RISK THERE. >> SO, UNDER THE ACCEPTING PROPERTY, YOU GOT THREE GREEN CHECKS. YOU HAVE TWO CHECKS THAT ARE PARTIALLY YELLOW. AND TWO RED?

>> THERE ARE TWO CHECKS THAT ARE PARTIALLY YELLOW. THOSE ARE THE PROPERTIES WE EXPECT TO HAVE ENVELOPED INTO THE LARGER CREEK GREENWAY MANAGEMENT PLAN BECAUSE OF THEIR ADJACENCY TO THE OVERALL GREENWAY PLAN. THEY ARE ACTIVELY BEING MANAGED THAT WAY.

HOWEVER, THEY HAVEN'T BEEN INCORPORATED TO THE STATE LEVEL FOR RECOGNITION IN THAT WAY. THAT IS WHY IT'S PARTIALLY -- INAUDIBLE ] . THE RED AREAS ARE ACTIVE MANAGEMENT PLANS RIGHT

[00:35:08]

NOW. >> AND WHEN WILL THEY?

>> WE ARE WORKING ON THAT. THEY MAY BE BRIEF. IT DEPENDS ON THE TYPE OF RESOURCE THAT THEY ARE. EVOLVING, MONITORING, INVASIVE

SPECIES MANAGEMENT. >> OKAY.

>> COMMISSIONER TUTEN. >> SO, WORKING ON EACH OF THESE PLANS AND STAFF LIMITATIONS IN THE FUTURE RETIREMENT WITH THE LOST INFORMATION. SO, WHAT IS THE ASK HERE? ARE YOU HOPING TO BUDGET LIKE A PART-TIME PERSON AND IT IS POTENTIALLY KATHY

AFTER SHE RETIRES? >> A PART-TIME PERSON.

>> INCREASE YOUR STAFF INSTITUTIONAL KNOWLEDGE.

>> SURE. KATHY IS THE VERY FIRST PERSON ON CITY STAFF THAT I TALKED TO WHEN WE PURCHASED OUR HOUSE BECAUSE I WANTED TO FIGURE OUT HOW I COULD ADOPT THE OSPREY NEST IN THE GREENWAY.

INAUDIBLE ] THE WORK SHE DOES I FIND TO BE INCREDIBLE. SO YOU NEED BUDGETING FOR ANOTHER PART-TIME PERSON AND THEN CLEARLY, YOU NEED FUNDING. WHAT WAS THE CURRENT BALANCE? $238,000. THAT IS NOT BUYING AS MUCH LAND.

>> THAT IS CORRECT. IT IS NOT BUYING FULL PROPERTIES.

>> OKAY. >> I PERSONALLY CANNOT THINK OF ANYTHING -- PRACTICALLY ANYTHING MORE IMPORTANT THAN BUYING LAND FOR THE CITY CURRENTLY. AND FOR FUTURE RESIDENTS. EVERYBODY, INCLUDING ME, SCREAMS AND CRIES ALL THE TIME ABOUT LOST TREES, THIS BEAUTIFUL PROPERTY BEING CUT DOWN. AND THE FACT OF THE MATTER IS EVERY SINGLE EMPTY PARCEL ON THIS ISLAND IS GETTING DEVELOPED, UNLESS WE ALL PONY UP TAX MONEY TO BUY IT, AND PROTECT THE LAND. AND IT IS THE ONLY THING THAT FUTURE GENERATIONS CANNOT DO. THEY CANNOT REBUY LAND THAT HAS ALREADY BEEN DEVELOPED. THEY CAN BUY STUFF. THEY CAN TEAR DOWN STUFF. THEY CAN SELL STUFF. THEY CAN'T BUY LAND. I WOULD LIKE TO SEE US FIGURE OUT HOW TO BUILD INTO THE BUDGET SOME SERIOUS MONEY FOR CONSERVATION, WHETHER IT IS WHAT THEY DID FOUR YEARS AGO WITH THE DEDICATED MILLAGE OR SOMETHING. $200,000 IS NOT GETTING AS FAR.

AND MAYBE IT MEANS, ALSO, THAT WE ARE NOT PURCHASING PROPERTIES OUT RIGHT. IS IT POSSIBLE TO PURCHASE PROPERTIES THE WAY MOST HUMANS DO -- WORK WITH A MORTGAGE? HOW DOES THAT WORK?

>> I'M NOT SURE ABOUT THE MORTGAGE PIECE OF IT, BUT THERE ARE LOTS OF OPTIONS FOR PROPERTY OWNERS WHO WISH TO REMOVE DEVELOPMENT RIGHTS IN ORDER TO CONSERVE IT LONG-TERM, WHILE KEEPING THAT WITHIN THEIR OVERALL OWNERSHIP. THAT IS ANOTHER POTENTIAL VEHICLE FOR LAND ACQUISITION.

>> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER TUTEN. VICE MAYOR AYSCUE.

>> SO, THE PROBLEM IS THAT THE LAND IS EXPENSIVE. YOU COULD NOT THROW ENOUGH MONEY AT IT. YOU COULDN'T. THAT IS WHY THERE IS A VERY DETAILED APPROACH. I UNDERSTAND WHAT YOU'RE SAYING, MS. GIBSON, BUT I KNOW MISS RUSSELL WORKS WELL WITH THE COUNTY AND THE PLAN. I DID RESEARCH INTO ALL OF THAT. I THINK THERE'S OPPORTUNITIES WITH THE COUNTY WHERE WE CAN PUT SOME OF OUR MONEY IN AND THEY CAN PUT SOME OF THEIR MONEY IN, AND IT IS MUTUALLY BENEFICIAL TO BOTH AND WE PUT IT IN CONSERVATION, AND THERE ARE PARCELS RIGHT NOW THAT ARE AVAILABLE FOR SALE AND THEY ARE JUST OUTRAGEOUS. YOU KNOW, WE DON'T HAVE ENOUGH MONEY TO DO IT. THE CITY DOESN'T -- THE COUNTY DOESN'T NECESSARILY LOOK AT IT AS A PROPERTY THAT WE CAN SPEND THAT MUCH MONEY ON. WE HAVE THE ABILITY TO DO THOSE KINDS OF THINGS. THERE'S ALSO THE ABILITY -- I JUST HEARD TODAY THAT SOME PROPERTIES THAT ARE UNDEVELOPED, BANG FOR YOUR BUCK, YOU COULD GO TO THE DEVELOPERS AND SAY, WE WILL PAY YOUR TAXES. THAT KEEPS THE IT USES THOSE FUNDS EVENTUALLY? PROBABLY. THERE'S THE ABILITY TO GO TO THOSE LANDOWNERS AND SAY, IF YOU DEVELOP, WE WILL PAY YOUR

[00:40:08]

THERE'S ONLY A FEW THINGS WE CAN DO WITH IT. WE CAN GIVE IT AWAY. FOR HOUSING. WE CAN SELL IT, OR WE CAN PUT IN CONSERVATION. I MEAN, LOOK AT NUA AND HOW NUA IS. I CANNOT APPLAUD THEM ENOUGH. I THINK THAT IS ONE OF THE GREATEST THINGS THE CITY HAS DONE. THEIR REDEVELOPMENT OF THE MAIN STREET CORRIDOR AND HOW THAT WAS PLANNED -- BEAUTIFUL JOB. I LOOK FORWARD TO 20 YEARS OUT WHEN THAT HAPPENS. THAT IS YOUR POCKET PARK. IF YOU WANT TO SAVE IT, NOW IS YOUR TIME TO DO IT.

OTHERWISE, SOME OTHER COMMISSIONER WILL COME ALONG AND SELL IT, OR THEY CAN SIMPLY, YOU KNOW, JUST GIVE IT AWAY, WHICH I DON'T THINK EITHER OF THOSE OPTIONS ARE GOING TO BE PLEASANT FOR THE CITIZENS. YOU HAVE A PIECE OF PROPERTY THAT IS LOW HANGING FRUIT RIGHT NOW -- YOU COULD AT -- GO TO CONSERVATION AND IT CAN BE A PERK FOR 20 YEARS.

>> THANK YOU, VICE MAYOR. I THINK THOSE ARE GREAT IDEAS. WE CAN ASK IF THERE IS ANY GRANT OP -- APPROPRIATION MONEY FOR THAT PROPERTY. GO AHEAD, COMMISSIONER TUTEN.

>> I LOVE YOUR IDEA OF SOME KIND OF CREATIVE SOLUTION TO PURCHASE MORE LAND INVOLVING THE COUNTY. IF WE WERE TO IDENTIFY A PROPERTY THAT, YOU KNOW, HAS SPECIAL SIGNIFICANCE IN TERMS OF WETLAND OR ADJACENT CONSERVATION LAND, MAYBE WE BRING IT TO THE CITIZENS. THE GENEROUS DONOR -- THAT GENERATED A LOT OF EXCITEMENT IN THE CITY, I FELT. I FELT A LOT OF PEOPLE JUMPED ON BOARD WITH WANTING TO DONATE. IMAGINE IF WE PRESENTED AN ACTUAL PARCEL AND SAID, HEY, LOOK AT THIS PARCEL. AND LOOK AT THIS TREE OR TREES IT HAS ON IT, AND WE WANT TO BUY THIS. IN THE CITY IS GOING TO PUT -- PUT MONEY IN. WE NEED THE CITIZENS TO ADD ANOTHER -- I'LL MAKE UP A NUMBER. $200,000. YOU KNOW, TO GENERATE MORE EXCITEMENT AND ENERGY AROUND IT.

>> IT WOULD BE CALLED A MARKETING PLAN.

>> YES. A MARKETING PLAN. ONE OF THOSE. WHAT IS OUR APPETITE FOR PUTTING OUR MONEY WHERE OUR MOUTH IS. HOORAY. EVERYBODY LOVES A TAX INCREASE. EVERYBODY HATES SEEING TREES CUT DOWN. WE ACTUALLY WANT TO DESIGNATE SOME TINY MILLAGE EVERY YEAR THAT IS

FOR LAND CONSERVATION? >> I WILL SAY, PERSONALLY, IT IS WORTH HAVING STAFF PROVIDE A BREAKDOWN OF WHAT THOSE NUMBERS LOOK LIKE WITH A GIVEN PERCENTAGE. BUT I THINK, TO START, THE VICE MAYOR HAS SOME GREAT SUGGESTIONS. COMMISSIONER MINSHEW HAD SOME GREAT SUGGESTIONS. WE CAN GET SOME LAKES TO THIS PLAN HERE AND START HAVING

>> MY RESPONSE WAS, I NEED TO SEE A PLAN, AND I WOULD LIKE TO UNDERSTAND. I WANT TO SEE WHAT PROPERTY WE ARE TALKING ABOUT.

[00:45:01]

>> YOU COULD'VE FIGURED OUT HOW TO PUT A PLAN IN PLACE. WITH THE STAFF THAT YOU HAD. I UNDERSTAND THERE WAS A BIG TURNOVER AND A LOT OF VACANCIES IN THAT AMOUNT OF TIME. I'M NOT CONFIDENT YET THAT THE CITY KNOWS WHAT TO DO WITH THE PROPERTIES THAT THEY PUT IN CONSERVATION AND HOW TO MANAGE IT LONG-TERM. AND SO, UNTIL I FEEL MORE COMFORTABLE WITH THAT, I'M HESITANT . I COULD BE CONVINCED, BUT I'M HESITANT TO SAY, LET'S THROW MORE MONEY AT THIS, WHEN I DON'T THINK WE KNOW WHAT TO DO WITH THE PROPERTY THAT WE HAVE, WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THE GREENWAY.

THERE. THAT IS WHY I THINK THESE OTHER PROPERTIES HAVE, IN MY OPINION, LACKED FOCUS AND PLANNING.

>> COMMISSIONER TUTEN AND THEN COMMISSIONER POYNTER.

>> I THINK WE KNOW HOW TO MANAGE THEM. THEY WOULD ALL BE DIMINISHED IN A SIMILAR WAY AS THE GREENWAY MANAGEMENT PLAN. I THINK WE LACK THE BODIES. NOT ONLY THE STAFF TO MONITOR AND DIRECT IT, BUT THE VOLUNTEER BODIES TO GET IT DONE. AND THE WORK ALONE ON 300 ACRES OF THE GREEN LIGHT TO KEEP OUT INVASIVE PLANTS OUT OF THE GREENWAY. I DON'T THINK MOST RESIDENTS IN THE CITY APPRECIATE THE INVASIVE PLANTS THAT WE PLANT IN OUR YARDS THAT -- THE BERRIES ARE EATEN AND POOPED INTO THE GREENWAY BY THE BIRDS. I CANNOT WALK MY DOG ON THE GREENWAY WITHOUT -- I CONSTANTLY COMMENT TO PEOPLE WALKING BY -- I'M JUST PULLING AN INVASIVE JAPANESE HONEYSUCKLE. I PULL THINGS FROM THE GREENWAY EVERY SINGLE DAY. AND IT IS NOT SUSTAINABLE UNLESS YOU HAVE HUGE NUMBERS OF HANDS.

>> COMMISSIONER POYNTER. >> WE ARE GETTING READY TO GO INTO A BUDGET SITUATION . I WOULD LIKE TO SEE WHAT THE BUDGET IS. I WOULD LIKE TO SEE THE KIND OF KNOWLEDGE WE HAVE TO PLAY WITH. I WOULD LIKE TO SEE A PLAN. WE'VE GOT THIS PROPERTY IDENTIFIED BY 90% OF THE PEOPLE IN THE COMMUNITY TO SEE WHAT IS ACTUALLY -- WHAT THE CITY ACTUALLY OWNS. AND IT IS PART OF THIS CONSERVATION. NOBODY KNOWS WHERE THEY ARE. I AM NOT COMFORTABLE WITH JUMPING IN RIGHT AWAY ON THIS.

] WE HAVE A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF THINGS -- MOVING PARTS IN HERE. IN THIS COMMUNITY. THINGS WE NEED TO START TAKING CARE OF.

I'M A LITTLE HESITANT ON STARTING TO BUY A WHOLE BUNCH OF OTHER PROPERTY WHEN WE ARE NOT TAKING CARE OF THE CURRENT PROPERTY THAT WE HAVE. THE BUILDINGS NEED WORK. THERE IS ONLY SO MUCH THE COMMUNITY CAN DO. IF EVERYONE IS SERIOUSLY SERIOUS ABOUT BUYING UP LOTS OF LAND, I WOULD ENCOURAGE THIS COMMISSION TO WITH THE GREENWAY, WHERE PEOPLE SAID, I'M GOING TO TAKE A PERCENTAGE OF THIS. IT IS GOING TO GO TO THAT.

>> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER POYNTER. COMMISSIONER TUTEN.

>> I DON'T THINK THE RISKS ARE THAT GREAT BECAUSE I DON'T THINK WE WOULD EVER HAVE -- LIKE, LIKE COMMISSIONER AYSCUE SAID, I DON'T THINK WE WOULD HAVE THE FUNDS TO BUY MASSIVE AMOUNTS OF LAND. WE WOULD BE LUCKY TO GET ANOTHER ACRE OR TWO, UNLESS IT WAS SERIOUS WETLAND. BUT I THINK, WITHOUT ADDITIONAL STAFFING, WE MISS OUT ON LAND. FOR INSTANCE, HUGE KUDOS TO THE LAST COMMISSION FOR OPENING THE BUT THERE IS A PROPERTY THAT WENT FOR SALE ADJACENT TO CITY-OWNED PROPERTY AND ADJACENT TO THE SLEW THAT WE MISSED OUT ON BUYING. AND BECAUSE IT ALL HAPPENS TOO FAST. AND HOW DO WE KEEP TABS ON IT? AND WE DON'T HAVE THE MONEY FOR IT. I DON'T KNOW. I WOULD LIKE TO DIRECT STAFF IN THE BUDGET -- BRING ME SOME IDEAS OF -- WHAT WOULD 0.1 MILLION LOOK LIKE? WHAT DOES 0.2 MILLION LOOK LIKE? DOES THAT NEED TO BE A REFERENDUM? DO WE PUT THAT INTO THE AGENDA OURSELVES?

>> DO WE ASK MS. GIBSON TO PROVIDE A MARKETING PLAN AND AN

[00:50:02]

>> YEAH. >> SURE.

>> I WOULD BE HAPPY TO SEE THAT.

>> I THINK IF WE SEE MORE TRACTION, WE'VE GOT OURSELVES

SOMETHING THAT CAN WORK. >> I WANT TO CALL YOUR ATTENTION TO A STORY MAP THAT WAS BROUGHT IN WITH THE SUPPORT OF OUR INCREDIBLE CONSERVATION STAFF. KATHY RUSSELL AND MIA STADLER, WHO JOINED THIS EVENING. THAT HELPS US BETTER UNDERSTAND THE RANGE OF ACTIVITIES THAT ARE INVOLVED IN THIS PRESENTATION.

THIS BARELY SCRATCHES THE SURFACE OF THESE ACTIVITIES AND WHAT IS INCORPORATED INTO DAILY MANAGEMENT OF THE PROPERTIES.

ALSO, THE LEGACY AND HISTORY BEHIND ALL OF THOSE LANDS ACQUIRED RECENTLY. SO, TO HELP SUPPORT STAFF, WE HAVE PROVIDED A NICE OVERVIEW OF THE TIMELINE OF ACQUISITION EFFORTS, THE RANGE OF ACTIVITIES ASSOCIATED WITH THAT, INCLUDING THE SIGNIFICANT ZONING AND LAND-USE CHANGES THAT WENT THROUGH THE YEARS 2018 THREE 2020. COMMISSIONER MINSHEW WAS HIGHLY INVOLVED WITH IT. IT SERVED TO HIGHLIGHT THOSE ADDITIONAL OUT-OF-THE-BOX IDEAS FOR MAKING SURE WE PROTECT OUR LANDS. THOSE LANDS WE ALREADY IDENTIFY AND SHOULD BE PROTECTED AND GET PEOPLE ON BOARD, WHETHER THAT IS THE PRIVATE PROPERTY OWNER OR PUBLIC PROPERTY OWNER. THAT SERVES TO HAVE TREMENDOUS VALUE IN BRINGING FORWARD A LOT OF ACREAGE INTO CONSERVATION. WHY IT MATTERS. WHY ARE WE DOING THIS WORK? IT IS INCORPORATED INTO IT. WE ARE REALLY THINKING ABOUT THE RECENT ACQUISITIONS AND THE VALUE OF THAT MILLAGE THAT WE HAD IN 2018. WHAT THAT LOOKS LIKE IT DAY IN AND DAY OUT, SO WE CAN UNDERSTAND WHERE THAT PROPERTY IS LOCATED. THE BENEFIT BEHIND IT, AND HOW TO ACCESS IT. ADDITIONALLY, THINKING ABOUT WHO OUR PARTNERS ARE IN ACTION. AND HOW TO GET INVOLVED. WHAT ARE THE OTHER STRATEGIES FOR ACQUISITIONS? IT HIGHLIGHTS THE RANGE OF ACTIVITIES AND THE POSITION OF LANDS. I WILL CALL YOUR ATTENTION TO THAT RESOURCE. MAKE SURE IT DOES GET PUBLISHED ON THE CITY'S WEBSITE. YOUR REFRESH PAGE, AND ANY ADDITIONAL EFFORT WE ARE WORKING ON IS TO SUPPORT OUR INVASIVE SPECIES MANAGEMENT. A LOT MORE INFORMATION WILL BE GENERATED ABOUT THAT IN THE NEAR FUTURE. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. I

APPRECIATE YOUR SUPPORT. >> I HAVE TWO LIGHTS ON. VICE MAYOR.

CONSERVATION SILO. IN THE COUNTY. I KNOW THAT YOU ARE HEAVILY PLUGGED IN THERE, AND SO IS MS. RUSSELL. I WANT TO LET OUR COMMISSION KNOW THAT THEY DO WORK VERY HARD WITH OF THE COUNTY TRYING TO IDENTIFY THESE LANDS. I KNOW HOW HARD YOU ARE WORKING. I JUST WANTED TO RECOGNIZE IT AND LET EVERYONE KNOW THAT IT IS APPRECIATED. THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU. VICE MAYOR. >> THIS IS BEAUTIFUL. IS THIS AN RGIS MAP? HOW DID I KNOW THIS EXISTED?

[5. PUBLIC COMMENT]

>> IT IS BRAND-NEW TODAY. >> IT IS GORGEOUS. IT NEEDS TO

GET OUT THERE. HOLY COW. >> I CREATED IT FOR

] >> WE ARE A LITTLE AHEAD OF THE

BALL THEN. >> THANK YOU FOR ALL OF YOUR

COMMENTS AND FEEDBACK TODAY. >> ANY FURTHER QUESTIONS FOR MS.

GIBSON? >> THANK YOU.

>> SEEING NONE, WE WILL ADJOURN WITH SIX MINUTES BEFORE -- DO WE

HAVE PUBLIC COMMENT? >> PLEASE BRING THE SUBMISSION FORM UP IF YOU'RE COMING FOR PUBLIC COMMENT. YOU CAN FILL IT

OUT AFTER. >> OR YOU CAN WAIT UNTIL THE BEGINNING OF THE NEXT MEETING IF THE NEXT SIX MINUTES DOES NOT

SUFFICE FOR ALL OF OUR SPEAKERS. >> THAT WOULD BE FINE WITH ME.

>> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONERS. I APPRECIATE THE GOOD DISCUSSION

ON THE COLUMBARIUM. >> MY NAME IS DOUG I LIVE AT 863 LAGUNA DRIVE. I'M VERY GRATEFUL FOR HAVING THE COLUMBARIUM ON THE AGENDA. BOSQUE BELLO IS A PLACE WHERE YOU SEE YOUR NEIGHBORS AND RELATIVES. THERE'S A LOT OF ACTIVITY. PROBABLY MORE SO THAN WHAT YOU COULD IMAGINE. A COUPLE OF OTHER ITEMS YOU MIGHT WANT TO CONSIDER -- I APPRECIATE COMMISSIONER AYSCUE MENTIONING OTHER ITEMS FOR MAINTENANCE AND

[00:55:07]

THERE ARE SOME ROAD IMPROVEMENTS THAT NEED TO BE MADE. THERE ARE A LOT OF PEOPLE RUNNING, WALKING, AND DOING OTHER THINGS.

I'M WORRIED ABOUT SOMEONE FALLING THERE. THERE ARE SOME ROOTS. JEREMIAH INDICATED THAT THERE ARE OTHER ROAD IMPROVEMENTS IN THERE. SECURITY CAMERAS. IF YOU FENCE IT IN, THERE IS SOME SECURITY CAPACITY TO MONITOR TO PROHIBIT -- OR TO PREVENT VANDALISM. IT WOULD BE BENEFICIAL. AGAIN, THIS CEMETERY IS NOT LIKE EVERY OTHER CEMETERY. THIS IS A HISTORIC CEMETERY. THIS IS AN ABSOLUTE PART OF OUR HISTORY. THE OTHER THING IS I WAS WORKING WITH THE FORMER CITY ATTORNEY ON THE WALKWAYS, AND SO, FUTURE CITY COMMISSIONS, IF THEY DECIDED TO SELL THE WALKWAYS, WHICH I CAN'T IMAGINE THAT HAPPENING, BUT IF THAT WAS TO HAPPEN, LIKE IN OUR FAMILY, WE OWN BOTH SIDES OF THE WALKWAY. BUT WE WANTED TO SEE IF THAT WOULD HAPPEN, IF WE WOULD BE ABLE TO SAY, WE WOULD LIKE TO ASK THAT AND PROVIDE A PERPETUAL LEASE BACK TO THE CITY SO IT DOESN'T GET OCCUPIED. IT WOULD SEPARATE THE TWO PARCELS THAT OUR FAMILY OCCUPIES. IT WOULD NOT CONVERT TO BE -- BEING USED IN THE WRONG WAY. A COUPLE OF THINGS YOU MENTIONED IN TERMS OF SUPPORT FOR THE CEMETERY -- I WOULD SUGGEST YOU HAVE A LOOK AT THE STATE BONDING CAPACITY. I THINK THIS COLUMBARIUM IS GOING TO BE WAY MORE EXPENSIVE THAN WHAT YOU ARE LOOKING AT. IT IS A GRANITE PRODUCT. IT IS GOING TO BE EXPENSIVE. THERE IS SOMETHING CALLED CERTIFICATES OF PARTICIPATION THAT YOU MIGHT WANT TO TAKE A LOOK AT.

CERTAINLY, THAT WOULD BE A STRATEGY IN WHICH YOU COULD DO A HIGH DOLLAR AMOUNT OF DOLLARS TO CAPITALIZE IT UPFRONT. WITH OF THE PAYBACK OVER MANY, MANY YEARS. YOU ARE MOVING THROUGH THE STATE BONDING CAPACITY. THE OTHER THING THAT IS INNOVATIVE AND -- COMMISSIONER AYSCUE, WE'VE GOT A LOT OF GREAT CORPORATE CITIZENS ON SILENT THAT CARE ABOUT THIS COMMUNITY.

IT IS ATTRACTIVE FOR BUSINESS OWNERS AND CORPORATIONS. WHEN THEY HAVE THE ABILITY TO DEFER OR GET A TAX CREDIT FOR DIVERTING SOME OF THOSE TAX DOLLARS TO A 501(C)(3) -- COMMISSIONER MANCHU, HE MENTIONED THAT. I THINK THIS IS A GREAT WAY TO PROVIDE FINANCIAL SUPPORT. YOU GET THE TAX CREDIT FOR IT. WE ARE ALWAYS INTERESTED IN THAT. I THINK THAT WOULD BE A REAL BENEFIT TO THE CITY. I KNOW A LOT OF OTHER ORGANIZATIONS USE CORPORATE STATE INCOME TAX CREDITS. WE HAVE A STATE INCOME TAX FOR CORPORATIONS, AND IT IS A SOURCE OF DOLLARS THAT ARE WORTH LOOKING AT IT -- AS IT RELATES TO A CEMETERY SUCH AS BOSQUE BELLO. I ENCOURAGE YOU TO CONTINUE DOWN THAT ROAD. THANK

YOU. >> THANK YOU.

>> WE HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR ONE MORE TO SPEAK, OR WE CAN DEFER THE REGULAR PUBLIC COMMENT FOR THE REGULAR MEETING IF THAT

IS ACCEPTABLE. >> WE HAVE SOMEBODY HERE.

>> CAN WE DO LADIES FIRST? >> YOU DIDN'T TELL ME IT WAS HER.

>> YOU ONLY HAVE TWO MINUTES.

>> I WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK TO THIS CONSERVATION ISSUE. IT IS

CRITICAL -- >> NAME AND ADDRESS FOR THE

RECORD. >>

POINTE DRIVE. >> THANK YOU.

>> IT IS CRITICAL THAT WE DO THIS ALL OVER THE COUNTY.

BECAUSE OF OUR WETLANDS -- BECAUSE OF THE WETLANDS. BECAUSE OF THE FUTURE RATE BECAUSE OF THE KINDS OF RAINS THAT ARE FORECAST. WE NEED AS MUCH UNDEVELOPED LAND AS WE CAN GET.

SO THAT WE WILL HAVE RESILIENCE IN THE FUTURE. FOR KIDS, GRANDKIDS, AND EVERYONE. IT IS CRITICALLY IMPORTANT. I HAVE NOMINATED OVER 200 PARCELS TO NORTH SHORE LAND TRUST AND SO

[01:00:03]

>> THANK

* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.