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Debriefing Meeting Minutes

March 04, 2003

Debriefing of the Hacklake property site visit, 12:00 PM, March 04, 2003 - USF Lakeland Campus, 2125-2126.

Members Present:

A. Approval of March 4, 2003 Minutes, Dr. Alice Murray

Motion made by Dr. Al Sistrunk and second by Dr. Art Karshmer that minutes be approved with revisions. Vote was unanimous.

B. Discussion of Hacklake Site Visit

Committee then began the discussion of the site visit to the Hacklake Forest property.

• Location
• Accessibility
• Campus Life

The Hacklake property offers many benefits such as, community support. The Fort Meade community is very excited about the opportunity of developing it’s town into a “college community.” With this large amount of property, 1,100 acres, USF would have the opportunity to create, develop and grow its own community within the Fort Meade area. The property is absolutely gorgeous. Highway 17, a four lane road is an easily accessible road bringing students from Wauchula and Sebring. As noted by the Fort Mead Chamber Fort Meade is the center of Florida.

The committee then discussed issues with the property being on land has been reclaimed. The property is also near the land fill and there is an odor from the land fill.

Dr. Alice Murray addresses that 50% of the property is usable. Gene Engle and Barbara Donerly both expressed from discussion with Mr. Hackl that the 50% is all on the sand tailings. The berms seem be to very well intact, as you could see willows growing and cypress.

Dr. Art Karshmer brought to the committee the issue of accessibility to the proposed site. Campus housing would be a “must” for this campus site. Many of the Lakeland students are evening students, the accessibility (on a timing standpoint) to the Lakeland campus is already a challenge for the Tampa students. The campus is here to serve the students, this is a vital consideration.

• Where is the heaviest population of students?
• Where will the students come from?

It is important to look where the population will be 5 – 10 – 15 years from now.

Presently 85% of our students are from the Lakeland, Winter Lake area.

Ms. Barbara Donerly will be receiving a DOT density map and will then provide the Land Acquisition Committee with the information given in terms of location, community growth, etc.

Dr. Al Sistrunk brought the discussion of twigs and the possibility of viewing the Hacklake site as a twig, would this be an option? Yes, In Mr. Hackl’s letter he lists the offer of “a smaller portion” of the property.

The committee then directed discussion towards priorities for the selection of a campus site. What are our priorities? What issues are we looking for? How do we see this campus? Start with 20 -25 years and work backwards?

Dr. Murray shared with committee possible opportunities of a Research Park, joint ventures as a research team (USF, UCF) with Lakeland being a central point. Transportation facilities are important. With the “High Speed Railroad” in the future, we need to push for a stop in the Lakeland area.

C. Discussion of Master Planner:

• Reynolds, Smith and Hills
• Wallace, Roberts and Todd
• HOK
• Portman and Associates

D. Issues to address at the next meeting:

• Williams Property reschedule
• Meeting with the Master Planner

Adjournment:

Meeting was adjourned at 1:15 PM by Dr. Alice Murray. The next general meeting will be the debriefing of the Old Florida Plantation site visit at 5:30 PM.

Minutes taken and transcribed by: Kristi Brown

Approved by:
Dr. Alice Murray