PLACEMENT: Consent
TITLE:
title
REQUEST APPROVAL OF A FOURTH AMENDMENT TO LEASE AGREEMENT WITH THE FLORIDA OCEANOGRAPHIC SOCIETY, INC., TO INCREASE THE SIZE OF THE LEASED PREMISES FOR ADDITIONAL RESEARCH OPPORTUNITIES
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
executive summary
This request is for the approval of a Fourth Amendment to Lease Agreement between Martin County and Florida Oceanographic Society, Inc. (“FOS”), a Florida not for profit corporation, increasing the current footprint of the leasehold interest. The added portion is located to the south of the current lease area and would incorporate the western-most pond on the adjacent parcel, northwest of the Fire Station along NE Ocean Boulevard.
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DEPARTMENT: Public Works
PREPARED BY: Name: Carla T. Segura, FRP
Title: Real Property Manager
REQUESTED BY: Mark Perry, Executive Director, Florida Oceanographic Society, Inc.
PRESET:
PROCEDURES: None
BACKGROUND/RELATED STRATEGIC GOAL:
Documents drafted by: Martin County
Parties to the Lease Agreement Martin County - Lessor
Florida Oceanographic Society, Inc. - Lessee
Purpose of the Lease: Provide additional space to continue FOS’s mission with added research opportunities
New/Renewal/Modified: Modified Lease- 4th Amendment to Lease Agreement
Duration: Lease expires November 5, 2084
Benefits to County: Inspire environmental stewardship of Florida’s coastal ecosystems through education, research and advocacy
Cost to Martin County: None
FOS entered into a Lease Agreement with Martin County in November 1985, on County owned property along NE Ocean Boulevard, in Stuart, across from the Elliott Museum for the construction and maintenance of a public education facility.
In 1993, the Lease was first amended to reconfigure the leased area to accommodate the site plan for the new facility and to remove a section of the previously leased space for use by the School Board of Martin County for their Environmental Studies Center.
In 2004, the Lease was amended for a second time adding 16.99 acres of preserve area for the continued restoration and enhancement of the wetland value of the property, which was donated to the County by Publix Super Markets, Inc., along with acceptance of a Preserve Area Management Plan (PAMP).
In 2020, the Lease was amended for a third time to update the PAMP area to be consistent with the Revised Minor Final Site Plan revision and to replace the previous PAMP.
A few months ago, FOS approached County staff with a proposal to add the western-most pond, on the adjacent parcel, south of the current lease area, and north of the Hutchinson Island Fire Station #14, to the FOS Lease Agreement. The Fourth Amendment to Lease Agreement is set forth to add benefits and enhance the coastal ecosystems through education, research, and advocacy at FOS. No other terms of the Lease are being amended.
Section 125.38, Florida Statutes, authorizes the lease of County owned property to be used by a not- for-profit organization organized for the purpose of promoting community interest and welfare.
ISSUES:
None
LEGAL SUFFICIENCY REVIEW:
This item has been reviewed for legal sufficiency to determine it is consistent with applicable law, and staff have identified and addressed legal risks and developed strategies for legal defensibility, as applicable.
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
RECOMMENDATION
Move that the Board approve the Fourth Amendment to Lease Agreement with Florida Oceanographic Society, Inc., a Florida not for profit corporation, and authorize the Chair to execute any and all documents necessary to complete this transaction.
ALTERNATIVE RECOMMENDATIONS
Pull this item from the Consent Agenda and provide staff with direction.
FISCAL IMPACT:
RECOMMENDATION
None
ALTERNATIVE RECOMMENDATIONS
None
DOCUMENT(S) REQUIRING ACTION:
☐Budget Transfer / Amendment ☐ Chair Letter ☒Contract / Agreement
☐Grant / Application ☐Notice ☐Ordinance ☐Resolution
☐Other:
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