1. Approve Purchase Agreement in the amount of $3,873,300 for the acquisition of Nomination 257-2, Conservation 20/20 Land Acquisition Program, Project No. 8800, identified as STRAP Nos. 10-44-27-00-00001.0000, 10-44-27-00-00001.0010, 10-44-27-00-00002.0000 and 10-44-27-00-00003.0000, consisting of approximately 624.90 acres in East Lee County;

2. Authorize the Chair on behalf of the Board to execute the Purchase Agreement;

3. Authorize Staff to close this transaction in the event an Agreement for a joint participation water quality project is not finalized with the Lehigh Acres Municipal Services Improvement District;

4. Authorize payment of the necessary fees and costs to complete the transaction;

5. Authorize County Lands to handle and accept all documentation necessary to complete the transaction.

6. Approve Transfer of Funds from Reserves for the purchase of Conservation 20/20 Nomination 257-2 (GS-10).

Approves the purchase of a parcel commonly known as "GS-10" which consists of approximately 624.90 acres located along Joel Boulevard in East Lee County. This Conservation 20/20 acquisition would cost $3,873,300 ($6,200 per acre). Approval was unanimously recommended by the Conservation 20/20 Land Acquisition and Stewardship Advisory Committee on November 8, 2018.

On May 1, 2018, Consent Agenda Item 4, the Board authorized commencement of acquisition activities for this parcel.

This is a 624.90+/-acre parcel of land that was historically used as a borrow pit.  It is southeast of the Greenbriar Swamp and fronts along Joel Boulevard in Lehigh Acres.  The size, location and hydrologically disturbed condition of this site are ideal for a water quality/storage project with potential passive public recreation components.  This parcel is part of the proposed Caloosahatchee River Estuary, Lehigh Section 10 Storage Project (CRE 144) in the 2012 Caloosahatchee River Watershed Protection Plan. 

The proposed project includes modifying the existing site to allow for additional surface water storage and water.  The project will present regional water quality benefits to the impaired Caloosahatchee River and provide significant nutrient load (pollution) reductions which contributes to successful execution of the Caloosahatchee Estuary Basin Management Action Plan (BMAP).

At their November 8, 2018 meeting, the CLASAC by unanimous vote recommended Approving the Negotiated Purchase Agreement.  See attached CLASAC Recommendation and Vote for additional details on members present.

Owner:         Harmony Estates, LLC, a Florida Limited Liability Company

STRAP Nos. 10-44-27-00-00001.0000, 10-44-27-00-00001.0010, 10-44-27-00-00002.0000 and                       10-44-27-00-00003.0000

Purchase Price:  $3,873,300

Estimated Closing Costs:  $10,000  (Costs include Phase I Environmental Site Assessment)

Appraisal Information:

The subject property was appraised on June 18, 2018, by Diversified Appraisal, Inc. indicating a value of $6,000 per acre.

The subject property was appraised on June 18, 2018, by RKL Appraisal and Consulting indicating a value of $6,200 per acre.

No Sales within the Last Five Years.