University of South Florida
Lakeland Campus
Land Acquisition Committee Meeting
Meeting Minutes
February 4, 2003
Opening:
Dr. Alice Murray called the third meeting of the RFP Land Acquisition
Development Committee to order at 1:05 PM on February 4, 2003 at
USF Lakeland Campus, LLC 2125.
Members Present:
| Gene Engle | Whitney Gaston |
| Matthew Huber | Art Karshmer |
| Bernard Mackey | Alice Murray |
| Al Sistrunk | Kristi Brown |
A. Welcome – Dr. Alice Murray
Dr. Murray welcomed the committee and the visitors to the meeting.
She shared the excitement on the Lakeland campus and the University
as a whole as we review the proposals of the donations of property.
Also at this time she acknowledged the tremendous interest generated
by the RFP for Land Acquisition. Dr. Murray then introduced Dr. Preston
Mercer, Vice President of the Lakeland Campus to offer his encouragement
to this committee.
B. Greeting - Dr. Preston Mercer
Dr. Mercer shared a few thoughts with the
committee –
- We have had a wonderful, wide-ranged
response to the RFP. This is a great recognition to the University
of South Florida and
the Lakeland campus.
- Congratulation to the donors in their generous offers to the Lakeland
Campus.
- He commented on the importance of carrying out a process that is “transparent,” “honest,” and “above
board.” The committee members are bound by laws governing this
process, which need to be followed.
- Each donor should get recognition for the offers; he suggested that
the committee go to every site, visit with each donor, making every
effort that no one feels neglected in their offer.
- Dr. Mercer reiterated the fact that Dr. Murray is the spokesperson
for this committee. Even though there will be many and various requests
the committee does fall under the Sunshine Law. This committee assignment
can not be discussed outside of a formal – public notice of a
meeting. Sunshine has specific rules and regulations – this committee
will abide by those guidelines.
- Dr. Mercer stated that this is not only an amazing opportunity for
USF but for the state of Florida. We will impact central Florida and
the state for a long time to come. This campus is already up 135 %
in enrollment growth since the Fall of 1999.
-
Dr. Mercer suggested that once the committee has formulated a set of
questions for each of the donors the Land Acquisition Committee (LAC)
set a time before the final decision is made for each group to make
a formal presentation. We are offering a “World Class – Research
I University.” This is a very valuable commodity.
In closing Dr Mercer encouraged the committee
that Dr. Murray will do an incredible job in her leadership of this
committee as she has “one
foot in Education and one foot in business,” she knows how to
carry out these activities.
C. Re-cap / Overview of Sunshine Law – Dr.
Alice Murray
Based on the Sunshine Law – any two individuals from the committee
cannot discuss anything to do with the selection process outside of
a formal meeting. All formal meetings must be announced and are open
to the public. Requests of copies of the proposals are being accepted – a
Public Records document (provided by General Counsels Office) is to
be filled out by the requestor who is responsible for duplication cost.
Kristi Brown, will be accepting requests and supplying the copies as
requested.
D. Approval of Minutes,
October 2002 – Dr.
Alice Murray
Motion made by Gene Engle and seconded By Dr. Bernard Mackey that minutes
be approved as written. Vote was unanimous to minutes as written.
E. General Questions of Proposals and Site
Visits –
Dr. Alice
Murray
Dr. Murray verified that each member had received copies of the proposals
and a copy of the overview. The committee was not in a position to
review the proposals in depth, as they were just received. General
questions regarding the proposals were opened to the committee for
discussion.
Gene Engle – In reviewing the proposals he noted a “Reverter” clause
and was questioning to the committee the fact that the donation of
property is to go through the USF Foundation – in order for this
to take place it must be a clean donation? There cannot be a “Reverter” clause?
Al Sistrunk responded with the fact that this must be a clear title
that is passed to the University – through the Foundation. Dr.
Murray requested that once it is recognized which donor(s) – proposal
contains the “Reverter” Clause – the donor be contacted
and the issue be addressed.
Dr. Al Sistrunk reaffirmed that USF Lakeland will not be abandoning
the Winter Lake Road campus once the new campus is built. Classes will
continue to be offered on the PCC/USF site and the partnership will
continue.
Dr. Murray, on behalf of the University of South Florida, gave thanks
to each donor for their generous offers and the work that was done
in the development of the submitted proposals. She then directed the
committee to look at the processes and procedures to determine the
next step.
Site Visits
Kristi Brown will be in contact with the contact person listed in each
proposal and make arrangements for each site visit. Dr. Murray addressed
the committee as to what they believe to be an appropriate way to
proceed in the site visits.
The LAC agreed that the next step would be to schedule preliminary
site visits for the committee while each committee member continues
his/her reviews of the proposals in detail.
Prospective donors will be able to be showcased and expound on the
merits of their respective offers and USF Lakeland will express appreciation
to each of the donors for their offers.
A USF designated shuttle bus will transport committee members to the
five sites.
The committee welcomes all Trustees, University Foundation, Legislators
and general public who would like to join the property visits.
The offer to make a final presentation from all prospective donors
will be granted once the site visits have been completed. Visits will
be completed by the middle of March.
Questions from any “proposer” will
be posted on the web-site. Outline of the site visit (one liner)
will be posted as well. (Commitment
from the RFP)
E. Master Planner – Dr. Bernard Mackey
Dr. Bernard Mackey addressed the issue of
the Master Planner. There is the need to develop the Master Plan
for the extended Primary NEW
campus. Twelve proposals are in hand for the Master Planning – there
is a committee selected to review those proposals. Presentations will
be given from a short list of the proposals received (not more than
3 or 4) on the 21st of February. Contract negotiations are expected
within a week of the time frame listed above and to have a Master Planning
consultant firm under contract by the beginning of March. It is desired
for that firm to dove-tail with the activities of this group so that
many of those issues that are covered in these proposals – where
there might not be expertise within the LAC Committee - will be covered
by the Master Planning Firm. The potential donors therefore need to
understand that there will be subsequent follow – up by the Master
Planning Consultant Firm on a variety of issues so that they can offer
their observations to this committee as it continues with it’s
work.
Adjournment:
Meeting was adjourned at 2:10 PM by Dr. Alice Murray. The next general
meeting will be determined and announced by Dr. Murray.
Minutes taken and transcribed by: Kristi Brown
Approved by:
Dr. Alice Murray
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