Bill Type and Number: Ordinance 2007-17

 

Sponsor: Council President at the request of the Mayor

 

Date of Introduction: January 9, 2007

 

Committee(s) of Reference: F, TEUS

 

Date of Analysis: January 12, 2007

 

Type of Action: Grant of easement; release of easement; appropriation

 

Bill Summary: The bill grants easements to the Southern Natural Gas Company (SNG) through several City-owned parcels on the Westside, including the Yellow Water Trailhead property and Loblolly Mitigation Preserve, to allow for the construction of a natural gas pipeline through the area.  The bill authorizes partial release of conservation easements from the St. Johns River Water Management District and the state Trustees of the Internal Improvement Fund for portions of the properties over which they hold such easements.  It also appropriates $125,000 in SNG payments to the Loblolly Mitigation Fund for the reduction in the credits available in the preserve due to the development of a portion of the land for the pipeline, and appropriates $8,600 to the Florida Communities Trust as reimbursement for a portion of the purchase price of one of the properties acquired with the Trust’s financial assistance.

 

Background Information:   SNG proposes to pay the City $315,800 to allow the company to construct a natural gas pipeline across several City-owned properties in the southwest corner of the city off of Yellow Water Road south of Baldwin.  The City will appropriate $125,000 of that payment to the Loblolly Mitigation Preserve account to reimburse the account for loss of available mitigation credits due to the disturbance of a portion of the land designated for conservation, and will reimburse the Florida Communities Trust for a percentage of its financial assistance in the acquisition of conservation land that will now be developed.

 

Policy Impact Area: Release of conservation easements

 

Fiscal Impact: The bill accepts a $315,800 payment from SNG and appropriates $125,000 to the Loblolly Mitigation Fund and $8,600 to the Florida Communities Trust

 

Analyst: Clements