SUBJECT
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Approve Land Purchase Agreement between Charles T. Stohlman, as Trustee and Flo Grown Home Buyers LLC and Polk County in conjunction with the Lake Lulu Wetland Restoration Project. ($77,000 one-time expense)
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DESCRIPTION
The County has a project to enhance water quality, provide flood protection and restore natural systems associated with Lake Lulu which has an outfall to the Wahneta Drainage Canal that then connects to the Peace Creek Canal, eventually flowing to the Peace River. The planned improvements consist of rehydrating/connecting the wetlands along the lake edge and include the restoration of lake-side natural areas and re-directing other stormwater to enhance degraded wetlands, provide water quality treatment, provide additional flood protection and also enhanced wildlife habitat. The County previously acquired properties containing a total of approximately 121-acres, for the project located along the southwest side of Lake Lulu. Ownership of additional parcels along the south side of the lake would complement the property already acquired for the project by adding additional acreage to the project site. The County contacted the owners of two contiguous vacant parcels containing approximately 30-acres located along the southeast side of the lake, Charles T. Stohlman, as Trustee of the Cedrics Land Trust and Flo Grown Home Buyers LLC, and they expressed an interest in selling the properties. The County hired an independent appraiser to establish a value for the parcels and a value of $75,000 was established. The owners have agreed to accept the County’s offer and have executed and delivered a Land Purchase Agreement for the purchase of the properties.
The County Attorney’s Office and the Real Estate Services Director have reviewed the Land Purchase Agreement and recommend approval. Approving the Land Purchase Agreement, authorizing the issuance of funds for the purchase, and hiring American Government Services Corporation to close the transaction will allow the County to take ownership of the parcels for the project.
RECOMMENDATION
Request Board approve the above-mentioned Land Purchase Agreement and authorize the issuance of funds in the amount of $75,000 for the purchase. Also request Board approve hiring American Government Services Corporation to close the transaction and approve paying estimated closing costs in the amount of $2,000 for a total amount of $77,000.
FISCAL IMPACT
Funds are available for the purchase of the parcel and estimated applicable closing costs in the total amount of $77,000, in the Stormwater MSTU Fund.
CONTACT INFORMATION
R. Wade Allen, Director
Real Estate Services
863-534-2577