University of South Florida
Lakeland Campus
Land Acquisition Committee Meeting
Debriefing Meeting Minutes
March 18, 2003
Debriefing of the Clear Springs Land Company, LLC
property site visit and formal presentation, 12:00 pm, LLC 1853 Conference
Room.
Members Present:
| Dr. Alice Murray (Chair) |
|
| Ms. Barbara Donerly |
Mr. Gene Engle |
| Ms. Whitney Gaston |
Mr. Matthew Huber |
| Dr. Art Karshmer |
Dr. Bernard Mackey |
| Dr. Al Sistrunk |
|
| Ms. Kristi Brown | |
A. Discussion of Master Planner
The meeting began with Dr. Bernard Mackey and Ms. Barbara Donerly updating
the committee on the progress of the Master Planner. The committee
then discussed the importance of each proposed site being on a “level
playing field”. Dr. Mackey stated that this is one of the many
roles of the Master Planner. The Master Planner will bring this element
to the committee allowing the committee to view each site in this manner.
Some of the proposed sites do not include materials that might be needed
by the Master Planner in its review (i.e. surveys, geo-tech studies.
etc). If additional materials or elements for some of the proposed
sites are needed Dr. Alice Murray proposed that a list be given to
the Land Acquisition Committee (LAC) and then the committee will officially
request from the Donor(s) the items or pieces of information needed.
Dr. Mackey stated that the needs or requests of certain materials and
information could be different for each site. The Master Planner in
reviewing the sites can make this determination and then present the
request of any additional materials to the committee.
B. Discussion of Items Presented at the
USF Lakeland Board Meeting
Dr. Murray then informed the committee of the update
given to the USF Lakeland Board meeting on March 11, 2003. In the course
of the presentation a “seed was planted” regarding the
need to extend the March 31 deadline date for the analysis to be completed.
A date / time frame of mid- June was determined as a target for a presentation
to the board. Dr. Murray expressed that the committee needs to agree
in this direction and then, if agreeable, notify each donor of the
extended date. The committee agreed that for the assessment of each
property to be done adequately an extension was needed – and
letters would be sent to the donors.
Another issue that arose at the meeting: When the presentation - of
the property selection – is presented it should be presented
to the Lakeland Board along with the UBOT committee simultaneously.
Dr. Art Karshmer added - President Judy Genshaft stated she did not
think it appropriate a ranked list be presented at that time. She requested
that all that is supplied would be a list of pros and cons. Dr. Karshmer
understood that Dr. Genshaft was implying that the Board has the final
responsibility of selection. Dr. Murray agreed to follow up regarding
the role of the committee and then return to the committee with further
instruction and direction.
Dr. Mackey assured the committee that the Master Planner’s presentation
of the proposed sites would paint a clear vision of the land. The LAC
committee must use this information along with other considerations.
C. Discussion of Site Visit
The Clear Spring Lands Company, LLC site visit began with a formal presentation
and then a property site visit. Numerous Bartow representatives and community
leaders greeted the Land Acquisition Committee at the proposed Clear
Springs site.
Dr. Karshmer began with comments of the discussion he had with Ms.
Lisa Bricker:
If USF wanted a residential site for students, land adjacent to the
site (on the other side of Hwy 60) would be available and they would
help develop.
The cellular tower on the frontage will be moved.
Issues regarding trailer park on the other
side of the road – would
it stay?
Dr. Al Sistrunk then requested for Mr. Gene Engle and Mr. Matt Huber
to think 15 years from now, looking at the population base. What are
the pros and cons of this site? Mr. Huber then shared from population
reviews he has studied that the center of Bartow would be the “hub” of
Polk County – 10 to 15 years from now. His only concern of the
site was location – student travel. He was informed that the
bridge would be widened to 4 lanes (3 – 4 years) and that Hwy
60 would also be expanded. Would this campus be accessible? Mr. Huber
thought the property was a beautiful piece of land. Mr. Engle thought
this was a beautiful piece of property and appreciated how the site
was presented to the committee. He then discussed where the bulk of
traffic would be – the I-4 corridor. 10 –15 years from
now how far off of this corridor would this property be? Bartow for
many years was land locked; now, just recently they are able to expand.
Mr. Engle thought that the status of Hwy 60 was a level A – Ms.
Barbara Donerly noticed the difficulty of a right turn onto 60 – a
light signal would be needed. There is a lot of traffic, highway noise – what
is important visibility?
Ms. Donerly brought up the issue of the power line running through
the center of the property. The lines could be relocated?
Regarding Fiber optics? What is available? This is a good question
to be asking to each site.
Discussion Points:
- The flight easements. Flight patterns. Regarding the Bartow airport.
Further information needs to be given to the committee.
- Mitigation Area – upkeep of the area. Cost of upkeep for the
area – is this upkeep provided by Clear Springs? The committee
understood that it would be maintained by Clear Springs.
- Peak Hour of travel on Hwy 60?
- Energy and vision of Stan Phelps, and his sincere interest in education
- Possible offer $10 to 20 million dollars annually from Phelps Family
Foundation
- Importance of knowing history of each donor
and intentions for additional gifts proposed. Following through with
gifts offered. What do they
expect in return; are there expectations? Dr. Sistrunk then shared
that a gift agreement can be presented at the time of the gift – accepted
by University and donor.
- Lease on the land; regarding orange groves – lease
through 2009? It could be possible to buy the lease out.
- Survey of original proposal (earlier if the University needs this
to happen) - enlargement of out parcel. Borrow pit - there was activity
on the out parcel (northern section)?.
- Power Lines hampering the site lengthwise
at it’s middle.
- Boundaries of the wetlands; would there be the use of mitigation
bank to mitigate some of the wetlands?
- There were a couple of areas of muck – 50 acres – possibly
de-muck and make that a retention area? Apparently there were 3 seen
by Ms. Donerly.
- North / South Arterial
- City of Bartow very willing to participate in having the University
on this site.
Adjournment:
Meeting was adjourned at 1:25 PM by Dr. Alice
Murray. The next general meeting will be the debriefing of the Williams
site visit, March 31, 2003.
Minutes taken and transcribed by: Kristi Brown
Approved by:
Dr. Alice Murray
|
