450 West Paseo Redondo
Thursday, October 14, 2004
3:00 p.m.
MOTION: Vice-Chairwoman Johnson moved, seconded by
Commissioner Wilson, that the Commission hold an executive session. Motion
approved 8-0.
MOTION: Commissioner Wilson moved, seconded by
Vice-Chairwoman Johnson, to approve the sub committee’s draft Review and
Acquisition Process for Properties Not Included in Question 1 of the 2004 Bond
Ordinance (attached). Motion approved 10-0.
MOTION: Commissioner Sheridan moved, seconded by
Commissioner Hare, to approve the September 16 meeting summary. Motion approved 9-0.
The Commission directed staff to
continue the analysis by identifying private
Habitat Protection Priority that fall within all three of the categories (Large properties in single ownership consisting of
2,500 acres of more/1,000 acres of more, parcels within Important Riparian
Area, and parcels within Critical Landscape Connections), and those
that fall within two categories.
Commissioner Marshall stated that it would also be helpful for staff to
consider assembling information on properties identified as Habitat Protection
Priorities that he presented via email at the September 16 meeting (zoning,
land use, adjacent land uses and zoning, prior dealings with potential
landowners, potential easement or acquisition issues, and proximity to
government-owned lands).
The
following is a summary of the October 14, 2004 meeting. Audiotapes of the meeting are available upon
request.
1. Roll Call
The
meeting was called to order at 3:10 p.m. with a quorum.
Bill
Arnold Chuck
Pettis
Les
Corey
Trevor
Hare
Jan
Johnson, Vice-Chair
Rob
Marshall
Tim
Prouty
Bill
Roe, Chair
Wanda
Shattuck
Tom
Sheridan
Helen
Wilson
2. Executive Session
MOTION: Vice-Chairwoman Johnson moved, seconded by
Commissioner Wilson, that the Commission hold an executive session. Motion
approved 8-0.
The
Commission met in executive session from 3:10 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
3. Goals and Criteria for evaluating
candidate acquisitions
At
the September 16 meeting, the Commission requested that staff provide the following
analysis of the properties identified in the bond ordinance as private Habitat
Protection Priorities: Large properties
in single ownership consisting of 2,500 acres of more, parcels within Important
Riparian Areas, and parcels within Critical Landscape Connections. Nicole Fyffe, Commission Coordinator,
presented the results of this analysis.
The
Commission directed staff to continue the analysis by identifying private
Habitat Protection Priority parcels that fall within all three of the categories
listed above, and those that fall within two categories. Commissioner Marshall stated that it would
also be helpful for staff to consider assembling information on properties
identified as Habitat Protection Priorities that he presented via email at the
September 16 meeting (zoning, land use, adjacent land uses and zoning, prior
dealings with potential landowners, potential easement or acquisition issues,
and proximity to government-owned lands).
4. Community Open Space Properties,
Contact with Owners
At
the September 16 meeting, the Commission was provided with a table listing each
of the Community Open Space project areas in private ownership that are
included in the bond ordinance. Discussion of this table was continued to this
meeting. Nicole Fyffe and Linda Mayro,
Cultural Resources Manager, updated the Commission on contact the County or its
agents have had with owners. The
Commission was also provided with a list of all applications the County has
received to date for the sale of open space.
It was noted that applications have been received for three properties
within Community Open Space project areas.
5.
Draft Review and Acquisition
Process for Properties Not Included in Question 1 of the 2004 Bond Ordinance
A
sub committee made up of Commissioners Sheridan, Prouty and Johnson drafted
procedures for review and acquisition of non-2004 bond properties.
MOTION: Commissioner Wilson moved, seconded by
Vice-Chairwoman Johnson, to approve the sub committee’s draft Review and
Acquisition Process for Properties Not Included in Question 1 of the 2004 Bond
Ordinance. Motion approved 10-0.
Commissioner
Marshall stated his concerns that the Science Technical Advisory Team asked to
review any non-bond properties considered for purchase with Habitat Protection
Priority funds, would be unaware of any goals or criteria set forth by the
Conservation Acquisition Commission to guide acquisitions.
6. What are Conservation Easements?
Jean
Emery, the Deputy Director of Natural Resources, Parks and Recreation, gave a
presentation on conservation easements, including an overall definition of
conservation easements, the Arizona Revised Statutes regarding conservation
easements, types of conservation easements, valuation of conservation
easements, rights of responsibilities of the grantor/grantee, monitoring and
enforcement issues, and factors favoring conservation easements and fee
ownership.
7. Approval of September 16, 2004
Meeting Summary
MOTION: Commissioner Sheridan moved, seconded by
Commissioner Hare, to approve the September 16 meeting summary. Motion approved 9-0.
8. Update on Potential Acquisition: Bar
V Ranch – Davidson Canyon
Commissioners
Arnold and Prouty declared a conflict of interest on this item. Mr. Huckelberry explained that the County
was in the process of making an offer of $8.68 million for the entire Bar V
Ranch – 14,400 acres including 1,766 fee acres and 12,674 acres of grazing
leases. The offer also includes $24,000
a year, plus the cost of grazing leases, to be paid to the owner for management
of the ranch. Cattle would be fenced out of the northern 300 acres to protect
the perennial stream and the County would most likely manage the northern
parcels due to their adjacency to the County’s Cienega Creek Natural Preserve.
9. Discussion of the County
Administrator’s Canoa Ranch Proposal
Mr.
Huckelberry briefly described the proposal stated in his letter to Chairman
Roe, and stated that no action from the Commission was requested at this time.
10. Update on 1997/2004 Conservation Bond
Program Expenditures
Nicole
Fyffe distributed an update of 1997 and 2004 Conservation Bond Program
Expenditures as of August 31, 2004.
11. Updates:
Baker Property: Christine Curtis, Real Property Agent,
updated the Commission on the acquisition of the Baker property, previously
approved by the Commission and the Board of Supervisors. It is anticipated that the County will
close on this property shortly. Mr.
Huckelberry explained that the County would close on the property and them have
a quiet title action to eliminate an old easement across the property for the
passage of cattle.
Bee/Morka Properties: At the September 16 meeting, the Commission
directed staff to continue due diligence for the acquisition of these
properties. Nicole Fyffe stated that a cultural and archaeological resource
survey and biological assessment were both underway, and that staff would be
presenting the property to the Commission for a final recommendation at the
next Commission meeting.
Management Plan for A-7 Ranch and Securing of Sweetwater Property: A memo to
the Chair from Kerry Baldwin, Natural Resources Manager, was distributed.
12. Next Commission Meeting
The
next Commission meeting is scheduled for November 16 at 3 p.m. There is a possibility that the meeting may
be rescheduled because at least 3 commissioners will be unable to attend. A suggested agenda was distributed.
Commission Hare requested that an update on the Green Valley Hills proposed
subdivision be added to the agenda.
13. Call to the Public
Ellie
Kurtz, member of the Canoa Ranch Oversight Committee, stated briefly that some
members of the Canoa Commission have concerns about the County Administrators
latest proposal for Canoa Ranch. Ms.
Kurtz invited Commission members to attend the October 19 meeting at 4:30 p.m.
of the Canoa Committee, where the proposal would be discussed.
14.
Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at
5:40 p.m.